32 Hours til the NEW YEAR 2007

Since nearly ALL the Holidayz have past, except 4 2nite, New Year's Eve, do a KIND ACT, and think how fortunate you are here, safe in the United States, when thousands of soldiers are dying in the War abroad. Or, that 5500 Africans die EVERY DAY of AIDS. Say a Prayer; Tell someone you don't know something thoughtful and kind? Possible? Try it; you'll be Amazed at the result....

Have An Amazin' 2007 !!!!!!!!!!

Hey, You! Yea, You, "Shithead " !

Yea! That means "You", Mark,
4 Some reason, dunnknow why, this pic reminds me of our buddy who died in the restroom of a Drug Treatment facility. "Jerry Garcia".. You know, the 'dude' that waz the singer of that group they called, The Grateful Dead". EVER hear ' bout dem??
I love you, Mark. I hope you 'really ' know just how much. "Smoochez 2 yer wife, too!

Don't Piss Me Off !

They say: " A Picture is worth a Thousand words", right? Well then, THIS picture should be SELF-EXPLANATORY!
Note: *Guns are not a fuckin toy! Don't be fooled. If you think they are, then you a.) obviously never shot one, or 2.) are just a fuckin' idiot! Enuf said!

One For the Girls! And Boyz!

Here's one for the Girls...And the Boyz!

I'm told it ain't too bad for an ol' man of 48! Wadda you think? Figured I better post an ASS shot before too many more years pass by and no one really wants to see it then!

Meaning of The Pentagram and Pentacle

THE MEANING OF THE PENTACLE
The Pentacle, the symbol of Witchcraft, represents an ancient concept that can be found in philosophical thought in both Eastern and Western culture. Although over 8,000 years old, the image of the pentagram is applicable in our modern world. The pentagram tells us that we have the ability to bring Spirit to earth; this applies to every area of practical day-to-day living, as well as spiritual thought. The ability of bringing Spirit to Earth is what makes us whole. The origins of the pentagram go far back, to remotest historical antiquity. It has been venerated by many civilizations.
The individual is part of the Whole. It is the ruling of the higher mind over the lower elements of our being. It signals the awakening of cosmic consciousness and the beginnings of our own human psyche moving beyond the realms of physical form and the perceptions limited to the five senses. It allows the infinite possibilities that exist within the Universe and frees us to explore and to grow. Traditionally, each of the five angles has been attributed to the five metaphysical elements of the ancients:
EARTH: (lower left hand corner) represents stability and physical endurance.

FIRE: (lower right hand corner) represents courage and daring.

WATER: (upper right hand corner) represents emotions and intuition.

AIR: (upper left hand corner) represents intelligence and the arts.

SPIRIT: (at the topmost point) represents the All and the Divine. The circle around the star represents the God-Goddess; it refracts and reflects all light, bringing to the wearer total intelligence, universal wisdom and protection. This becomes a graphic portrayal of Spirit ruling over the five elements. When the pentagram is placed within a circle, IT'S CALLED A PENTACLE. When the Pentacle is upright, it represents Spirit over all things earthly.

That "LOOK"

That "LOOK" would probably get me a helluva DATE if I could only keep holding it........

Just More Animal Love

The trip to SF is going well. You would think I would have more pics of my trip, right? WRONG! I'm an ANIMAL NUT! So, of course, here are more great faces for other animal lovers to enjoy!

Welcome to The Haight

A man stopped and asked me for a smoke yesterday while I was walking down Haight Street in Haight/Ashbury, then proceeded to tell me how cute I was and offered me a hit of LSD! Welcome to The Haight!

Cues Que Se, "Oink"!

* Might this be you?

They say that 80% of American woman are against marriage.

"Why marry a Pig just to get a little sausage?"
And, I agree. However, I've met more than one man in my lifetime where BEING A PIG has been a very, very good thing.

Cues Que Se, "Oink!

************************

An Afternoon in the Haight

Had a great time in the Haight with my friends.

Photgraphed 710 Ashbury, where THE DEAD use to live - pics forthcoming.

Being Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, it was very 'crunched' with people- but fun nonetheless.

I was once again reminded how FUCKED-UP, rude, ego-centric some people can be. I've pretty much decided that folks only fall into two categories: 1.) The Sweet/Kind/Thoughtful variety like me and my buddies, and 2.) ASSHOLES. I really think some people just need to be slapped once in a while, ya know?

Into The Emerald City

San Francisco, The Emerald City

My Favorite place on Earth; San Francisco! When I first came to the city in 1979, I nicknamed it: The Emerald City. It's NOT far from Oz! She's a beauty, and a place where anyone can BE exactly WHO THEY ARE-------and get away with it.

My friends and I are off to The Haight for the day.

Hope everyone has an Amazing Day.

Note: I havent been in SF since 2001, when I thought if I left the city my drug addiction would cease. WRONG! We TAKE OUR BAGGAGE WHERE EVER WE GO! Ain't THAT the Truth!!

Thanksgiving Day in Cotati

I decided since it's Thanksgiving, I should write about the things Im grateful and thankful for. What am I not thankful and grateful for.....I'm grateful for my Life- period!

Things that make Today and my Life special:

Waking up in a Puppy Pile, with Molly and Beau , on a daily basis. (see Pics)

My Wonderful Friends: Pam, Mark, Terry Sue, Cat , Edward, Mike, Sean. Rodney.....

Waking up in the Morning - Period! I shoulda been dead a long time ago.

My Health, as it it- some days good, some days even better.

Love

Spirituality and God

The ability to Love and to be Loved- and it is* an ABILITY, sadly that some don't have.

Clarity of Thought

Food: Love to cook, Love to eat

Peace in my Soul and Peace-of-Mind

Intutition

Sight

Insight

Enlightenment

Breath

I wish All these GIFTS for YOU and ALL My Friends and extended Family

May your Thanksgiving be as BLESSED as mine.

Thanksgiving Day Eve in Cotati

Does Life get any better than THIS?
1 Cat, 2 Wonderful, Sweet ( there's that word -again) Dogs, 1 one-hundred year old GrandMa, 2 Terrific Friends and their Family! I don't think so, not for me.

NOT possible to be ANY Sweeter.....
"Molly and Beau", the two beagles BOTH obviously have a FOOT FETISH! I wake up with them every morning in a PUPPY PILE.

EVERYTHING Revolves Around Me! No Shit!

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

San Francisco Bound.....

Leaving this mornin' for the Turkey Holidays

to spend it with my friends in San Francisco.

May this Holdiday bring you ALL the Blessings of the Season.

Be Blessed; I know I am!

Quote for the Day

"My eyes have the worst inside of Man,

and Fear is like a fallen bridge of broken promises,

and the Truth is in the bloodshot EYES of the ONE who failed to SEE."

*********

"MY OWN PRISON"

"Gabriel"

MY OWN PRISON

A court is in session, A verdict is in

No appeal on the docket today

Just MY OWN SIN

The walls are cold and pale

The CAGE made of steel

Screams fill the room

ALONE I drop and kneel

SILENCE now the sound

My breath the only motion around

Demons cluttering around

My face showing NO EMOTION

Schackled by MY SENTENCE

Expecting no return

Here there is no penance

My skin begins to burn

So I held MY HEAD UP HIGH

Hiding HATE that burns inside

Which only fuels their selfish Pride

We're ALL held captive

Out from the SUN

A SUN THAT SHINES ONLY ON SOME

We the meek are all in one

I hear a thunder in the distance

SEE a vision on the cross

I FEEL THE PAIN THAT WAS ONCE GIVEN

ON THAT SAD DAY OF LOSS

A lion roars in Darkness

ONLY "HE" holds the KEY

A "LIGHT" to FREE ME from my BURDEN

And grant me LIFE eternally

Should have BEEN DEAD
On a Sunday mornin'

Bangin' my head

No time for Mournin'

Ain't got no time

So, I held my head up HIGH

Hiding HATE that burns inside

Which only fuels their selfish Pride

We're ALL held captive

Out from the "Sun"

A SUN THAT SHINES ON ONLY SOME

We the meek are all in one

I CRY OUT TO GOD!

Seekin' ONLY His decision

Gabriel stands and CONFIRMS

*I' created MY OWN PRISON

******

These Song lyrics, MY OWN PRISON, by the Spiritual Rock group "Creed" sum up the SUFFERING I felt in my Addiction; I made MY OWN PRISON! If anyone who reads this can relate, I'm always around to share my experience, strength and HOPE - so you, too, can be SET FREE and have a better Life, one where the "Sun" shines on you.

Have an Amazing and Blessed Day.

With Love, Concern and Compassion to those who , sadly, UNDERSTAND!

Today's Quote: "Take My Hand and HOLD Tight"

"Thee" Terry Sue, My "Friend" and Sponsor.

I don't even know where to begin to tell you about Terry Sue, my "Friend", Sponsor, Spiritual Consultant, and so many other things. The day Terry Sue called me his "Friend" my world shook! A lot of people would pay or kill to have Terry Sue as a "friend". It means the world to me that, not only is he MY FRIEND, but I AM HIS FRIEND and treat him accordingly: with Love and Respect!

If you put all the people I have ever known in AA in one room ( and that is thousands), Terry Sue, as always, stands out amongst them all; his entire life and 24 + years of sobriety is simply about one thing: Staying clean and Sober and HELPING another Alcoholic or Addict to achieve sobriety (AA's 5th Tradition) and he does this DAILY! We in AA in Los Angeles have a saying about Terry Sue : "If you don't know who Terry Sue is, then you are not going to enough meetings." He's, well, kinda famous!

Yet, as anyone knows in AA ( the Program,as we call it) not too many know what our MAIN PURPOSE (Tradition 5 again) is nor do many bother to follow it. Terry Sue, among others in my life, have endured a lot to see me as I am today. My dear friend Joey, who died last year and was Terry Sue's roommate, when he spoke of me and Terry Sue would give him shit about me, he would say, 'But you don't KNOW Denny!" Terry Sue's response then was, "Yea, and I don't want to either" and would walk away. Well, funny how things change! Right after Joey died, Terry Sue took me home 'cuz I basically had no place to go and said he would Sponsor me. That was over a year+ ago and I have never left!

Since that time he has put up with countless relapses, me being admitted to the ER on more than one occasion for some illness and multiple kidney failures, etc. He also has SEEN me come home after coming up missing for several days, completely torn-up, weak, sick, dehydrated, starved, frail and broken- once again. He has seen me "hit the wall" many times, but he never gave up hope, nor gave up on me.

Terry Sue is one of the most wise, loving, kind, gentle spirits I have ever known and probably ever will. His caring, support, hope and love has basically kept me alive when I saw nothing to live for - many times. He was always there for me, and sez he always will be! What a GIFT. And I will ALWAYS be there for him. As with my other FRIENDS, I owe much to Terry Sue. If I could only do a tenth for someone what he has done for me, I would die an ACCOMPLISHED man: to HELP someone else, who is needlessly suffering in their addiction and cannot see a way out, achieve what I have today: Peace, Peace-of-Mind, a wealth of wonderful friends, and the knowledge of WHO I AM, and that my SUFFERING in my addiction for years, my experience, can HELP someone else. What incredible GIFTS I have today- and they are just that : GIFTS!

I love you, Terry Sue. "DON'T GET IT TWISTED"! You may not really be the Queen of Everything, as I tease you about, but you always have a seat on the thorn in my castle!

Quote for the Day? Something Terry Sue has told me many times, until I understood: "GO WHERE THE LOVE IS!" Especially if you are having a bad day. Friends-again- remind of us of who we are and that we are LOVEABLE!

My short version of the Serentity Prayer is simply 2 words: "FUCK 'EM!"

Speaking of "Go Where The Love Is".

Speaking of "GO WHERE THE LOVE IS"...

These pics are of my 2 dear, SWEET (there's that word -again) friends, Pam and Mark ( that's "Bart" in Daddy's lap, who died last year). Pam and Mark and I have known each other since 1989. We all kinda got "Clean and Sober" together in '89; they remained clean since, I did not, as everyone knows. Yet, they have always remained my friends. Although, at times,they had to "cut me loose" for a while 'cuz what I was doing to myself in my Addiction was killing them; they LOVE me so much. It's a terrible feeling when you love someone to see them self-destruct, not SEEING what they SEE in you. They've invited me up for 12 days; I'm leaving this Sunday morning, to spend the Turkey Holidays with them. Pam and I kinda ARGUE all the time who LOVES who more. I think it's a draw; I WILL NEVER have another friend like I have in these 2 AMAZING, Loving, SWEET, Kind people. What can I say, "They F**kin' Rock!"

Quote for the Day: "AMAZING PEOPLE, HAVE AMAZING FRIENDS" It took me a long time to KNOW who I am , what I want and where I am going. If ever I forget, all I have to do is look in my FRIENDS eyes for me to remember that, I too, am an AMAZING person, with a LOT of gifts to offer this world!

Thank God for GOOD FRIENDS! They REMIND US OF WHO WE ARE!!!

Dog Creed

Wouldn't it be a Wonderful World if We could learn from the dogs? "Eat, Sleep, Sniff Butt, and GIVE and GET as much LOVE as possible"!

I think the dogs have it RIGHT! Pretty Simple!

Quote for the Day: "Go WHERE the LOVE is!"

An Act of Simple Kindness @ The Golden Gate Bridge

This is an important story I want to share. It's about how a SIMPLE , kind act can completely change some one's day; you NEVER know how it could change some one's attitude and life.


About 8 years ago, a friend from the east coast sent me a gift of Remembrance: a few Trillium flowers. I took one, stuck it in the air-vent of my car, and was heading across the Golden Gate bridge for dinner with another friend. When I get to the Toll-booth, I handed the woman the $3 toll and the Trillium flower that I had stuck in my air-vent, wishing her a blessed day. She began to sob; NOT cry but SOB. She told me how my SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS just then gave her HOPE! You see, she had just gotten a phone call from her cheating husband, who said he was divorcing her, leaving her for another woman and taking her 3 children with him. She had lost all hope in anything good, especially in Mankind - until that moment, when just a little kindness went a damn long way.
(* Continue reading entry below...)

Think for a minute: Wouldn't you want someone to reach out to you with a KIND ACT, a KIND word, or a KIND DEED or, even maybe, a HUG if you were in distress or some kinda pain.

THINK, then ASK YOURSELF: "Am I PART of THE SOLUTION or Am I PART of THE PROBLEM ( my words, my actions, my thoughts, my ATTITUDE, my behavior) ??
If you don't like the world we are living in, BE PART OF THE CHANGE.


Be KIND, PLAY NICE, God Damn it!

"I'm Sorry"

They say, "The World is Goin' 2 the Dogs"? Well, let's hope so; I think the dogs can teach some humans what genuine/ real emotion looks like (i.e. How so many over use the words,"I'm Sorry" ) The pic speaks for itself, I think. Thank God, I don't have to say "I'm Sorry" much anymore. The way I look at it, if you are AWARE how yer thoughts, actions and behavior affects those around you- REALLY AWARE- you'll find yerself saying "I'm Sorry" a helluva lot less.

If you don't want to have to say yer sorry, don't SAY or do any ACTIONS that might hurt someone in the first place! Period! Just something to ponder; it WORKS for me - REALLY WELL, actually.

Quote for the Day: "I thought I was Bulletproof til the Blood pooled up in the Sand". ( *lyrics by "Live", music from Blackmountain, the album. 2006)

It's not ALL about YOU; WE are ALL HUMAN, and WE ALL FEEL and have FEELINGS. Try to be more aware - just for today.

Hand on Your Heart

First off, about the pic: That's "Maxie". She's an 11 week old French Bulldog who laid at my feet exhausted one day in August at the Melrose Market Street Fair, here in Los Angeles. Look at that face. And some think I'm crazy about dogs? How could you not be?

Now for something Human: As days go by and I get a bit older as they do, I realize more and more that I am pretty much responsible for my own happiness and my own circumstance - not forgetting that SHIT DOES HAPPEN - and that I am NOT responsible for Life being Life on Life's Terms. Bad things happen to good people all the time. If yer having a bad day, I ve added a link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWnl8PjfMqU ) to this entry that might just bring back the fact that were are all Human and we all FEEL - and as hard as feelings can be to deal with, there are some feelings ( like Love ), that make this journey on this planet SO WORTH IT. (Please Note: * If the video link does not play smoothly, let it "skip" for a bit, then just RESTART it: It's well worth the effort). I hope the linked video brings you back to your center of who you really are: A SPIRITUAL BEING HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE. God Bless and Have an Amazing Day.

It's Always About the Dogs, Isn't it?

Okay, so I'll tell you the story about the two pics above. First: The pic on top I call "Leave me Alone; I'm Watching T.V". The dog's name is Mr.Stuff. The reason I called the pic that is because, BELEIVE it or not, that dog ACTUALLY watches T.V. and HATES cartoons. You know the cartoons are runnin cuz he constantly barks at the huge Plasma screen. But, guess what? When I hit the PAUSE button on the DVD, he would stop. Start the DVD up, and he starts to bark again. He sat and watched at least half of the film, My Dog Skip, with me and my date (No! Don't ask; he's remaining Anonymous- Thank You!) Sunday evening, Mr.Stuffs' Owner. He's a real character, the dog, NOT the Owner. Well, he is too! Besides a lot of other things, he was "SWEET" - and all of you may know how much "SWEET" makes me crazy. Let's just sum it up like this: It was my first date in years and it was terrific from start to finish.The second pic? That is "Basil", who is a Brussels Griffon! Did I spell that correctly? Anyways. What can I say? I know, after seeing the pic, the pic SEZ IT ALL! I call the pic "Cud I be ANY Cuter?" I think not; what a heart breaker he is!! Best of all ( for me, anyway ), the evening ended with my date asking me if I wanted to spend the night, (Yea, yea, yea. I know! I did!) getting to snuggle with not only my date, but with these two wonderful, smart, SWEET (there's that word , again!) dogs. I feel asleep like a baby; all wrapped up in this HUGE ass bed with the "Date" and his two dogs. What a great day and evening I had. It was the best "Puppy Pile" ever! See...it really is about the dogs, isn't it? Hope he doesn't mind!

A Thought for Today: "God either is or He isn't; God is either Everything or Nothing".
Which is it for you? If You don't BELIEVE, BELIEVE that I BELIEVE. It made ALL the difference in my Life, BELIEVING in those who believed when I didn't or couldn't. Just a thought.

"You Better Pray"

I'm not much of a church go-er. But, since today is Sunday, I decided to wear this T-Shirt, I call "You Better Pray". And I do. Usually not for myself or selfish things ("God give me a Bentley" , "God send me a Man", "God I want Mo-Money", God, God, God...).Can you say SELF-CENTERED? When I was asked by a friend what I wanted for my 48th Bday ( and he woulda bought me probably anything I asked for), I said, "I want to be in the company of my Friends".

When I prayed the day before, I asked God the following : "God, for my Bday I want to be clean and sober and in the company of my friends (*Note- I hadn't drawn a clean and sober breath on my Bday since I was 17, and I hadn't had a Bday cake or Bday Party since then either. That's 31 years of no birthdays). Physically, I want to be healthy and strong ( *I've had HIV since I was 25 ) so that my human body doesn't get in the way of me doing what I seem to do best- bring a smile to someones face, to listen to someone in distress, to BE THERE for someone who is hurting. Spiritually, I want to continue to have this CONSCIOUS contact with you, so I "know" what the RIGHT thing is to do in EVERY situation I find myself. Mentally, I want CLARITY of Thought. Emotionally, I want Peace-of-Mind. I want these things because I want to be able to fulfill what I believe my PURPOSE is - to HELP someone who needs HELP, to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in this World on a daily basis. Thank you, Amen". Yea, it kinda surprised me, too, folks. I could barely believe what was coming outta my own mouth. But, since THE EVENT happened to me, and I was granted so many gifts in an INSTANT, that I thought it only RIGHT to HELP others where I can. I've pretty much have always helped others- that in itself is nothing new- but now it's a PURPOSE. A friend of mine once told me, as they turned their back on me because I was in the middle of my addiction, "Denny, the only thing that I believe is going to help you get off drugs is a Miracle, some kind of SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION." Well, as you have read in yesterdays posting, a Miracle did happen for me. THE EVENT gave me a sense of PEACE and Peace-of-Mind, something I NEVER had experienced before. Another friend said, after I told them about THE EVENT, that, "Denny, God ONLY speaks to those who REALLY need to hear it " And, believe me folks, anyone who has known me for very long knows that I NEEDED a damned good talking to by someone. I ask myself often regarding THE EVENT, "Why Me?" . I figure, "why not ME?". If anyone needed a Miracle, IT WAS ME.

Quote for the day : " God won't give me anything I can't handle! I wish He wouldn't put that much *Trust" in me. ** Mother Teresa (1976a.d.)

Granted Grace, I call it "The Event"!

In my addiction years, the thing next to my "Friends" that my addiction STOLE from me was my ability to create, my art, my designs, my photography- and- above ALL else my belief in anything Spiritual! Well, ALL that has changed. Just a short while ago, a MIRACLE was performed in my Life. The day it began ( September 26th, the week b4 my 47 th Birthday), I was granted Grace. I call it "THE EVENT". If my friends, here in Los Angeles, weren't around to "witness" this "Series of Events", I wouldn't believe it myself. * I HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE!

For about two full weeks a series of COINCIDENCES happened and PSYCHIC EXPERIENCES. It's difficult to explain. I was set " FREE"! I was given many gifts - that continue each and every day since: clarity of thought, freedom from ALL my past fears, "knowing" that I never have to use drugs again, "knowing" WHO I AM, what "my part" was in all my past affairs, where I want to go, what I really want out of Life and how to get there, that I am truly loved by many, that God does exist, that I have a "purpose", that I am LOVEABLE. My creativity, inspiration, my drive, my JOY of Life was not only given back to me - it was magnified a thousand times. As things continue to develop, I will be posting pictures of my Art, Jewlery and Photography. Here are 3 pix that were taken a couple of years ago- when I managed to stay clean just long enuf to feel a little creative.

Footnote: By Jan 2007, I will have my Website up and runnin'. The address, believe it or not, will be: ASpiritualExperience.com, where I will be displaying and selling my Art, Photography and Jewlery. Stay turned, Don't touch that dial, don't change that station!

May You Be Blessed; I KNOW I am!

Quote for Consideration: "Coincidence Is God's way of Remaining Anonymous!"

"Please Take Me Home!"

I entitled this pic "Please Take Me Home", which I thought appropriate. Anyone who "knows" me- at all- knows my deep love for animals, dogs ESPECIALLY. I always say, " In my next Life, I wanna come back as a dog". I think you can easily see why!

Thought for the Day: "Wouldn't it be a Better World if we could ALL learn from the dogs: Eat, Sleep, Sniff Butt, and GIVE and GET as much LOVE as possible." I think the DOGS have it "right"! The problem is - We 'complicated' humans often think to much- and Fuck Up the moments ( like the one in the pic) that "Could Have Been".

One last thing, Remember This: "It's NOT the number of breaths in my Life, but the MOMENTS in my Life that TAKE MY BREATH AWAY!"

Have an Amazing Day Everyone! X