Jimmy Durante- As Time Goes By

Friends asked us recently, "What's the secret to being married for 14 years?"
My wife quickly answered, "Not getting divorced."
Sounds like something Yogi Berra may say.
The more I've thought about it, man, that's the best answer I could ever give.
You could say, "The secret is to spend time together, to be honest with each other, to give each other space, intimacy, selflessness, etc., etc., etc."
But when you get to the point where the tires hit the pavement, no matter how much you attempt all of these things, you've got two imperfect, naturally selfish people, trying to do what's right; trying to keep the plates spinning; trying to keep kids fed, clean, clothed, to school on time with all their stuff; trying to manage a business and a household, all without trying to get too stressed out so that the kids won't need too much therapy when they're older and that you don't end up on the front page.
I guess what I'm saying is that it ain't always a pretty fairytale.
But like most things worth having in life, you have to choose that thing, whatever it is.
My wife is an awesome lady.
She's strong.
She's intelligent.
She's beautiful.
When we got married, we had no idea what our futures would really look like.
But over 14 years later, the song lyrics holds true:
"It's still the same old story,
a fight for love and glory,
A case of do or die..."
Obviously, some days are more of a struggle than others, but it's 'a fight for love and glory' nonetheless.
But, to me, it's a fight worth fighting.
Each day, I still say, "I dew."
And each day, I'll continue to lace up the gloves for "us".

Son House- Levee Camp Moan

So, evidently I'm a day late if I wanted to be depressed.
That is according to British psychologist, Cliff Arnall.
He has declared the third Monday of January "Blue Monday."
He looked at various factors that put people in the dumps and then figured out where they intersected on the calendar.
He cited the come-down of getting back to work after the weekend, gloomy weather, bills from Christmas coming due and regrets over broken New Year’s resolutions.

Dr. Alan Manevitz, a clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital, heartily disagrees because studies show most suicides take place on Wednesdays.

(Am I the only one that hopes there is no grant money surrounding all of this "science"?)

Manevitz also points out that, here in the States, yesterday was MLK Day and many of people were off of work or school, so there is less likelihood of being depressed on a day off.

So we'll celebrate Blue Tuesday today with Son House, acoustic Blues singer and guitarist.

Let the self-pity begin.

The Band- The Weight

It's that time of year.
Time for those resolutions.
Personally, I prefer goal-setting.
I guess it's all the same, but instead of just putting something out there like, "I'm gonna be a better person this year" or "I need to lose a few pounds", goal setting seems more measurable.
For me, I weighed in on January 1, 2012, 8 pounds lighter than I was the same time last year.
Not bad, but I've got 15 more to go. 
I don't necessarily have to get it gone all this year, but I want to see more progress.
In order to achieve success, I've got to create some action steps behind that goal--things that I can do a little of every day to push in the right direction.
Then, I've got to do it.
That's the hard part, right?
Actually, doing the thing.
But, willpower is a force to be reckoned with once you've made up your mind.
That's why, after the kiddos are dropped at school tomorrow, I'll be the one on the track trying to keep up with my hot wife.
Time to take a load off.

Hall and Oates- How Does It Feel To Be Back

"It's been a long time, I shouldna left you..."-Eric B and Rakim.
But I kinda didn't have a choice.
My laptop left the land of the living early last year.
With it went my easy access to this here blog.
But for Christmas this year, my sweet little Wifey, went and got me a new one.
Therefore, I am happy to announce that Tone Deaf Tunes is BACK!
This is something that I truly enjoy and maybe there is somebody out there that enjoys it as well.
It is my intention to, at least, get a post in once or twice a week, but sometimes life happens and you can't control it.
So some weeks may bring more, some may bring less.
Somebody ask me how it feels to be back.
Go ahead...somebody ask me.
Oh, thank you Hall and Oates... It feels pretty good.

Def Leppard-Photograph

Several months ago my bride started a photography business. She definitely has an eye for it. She recently took pictures of my son after he turned 9 years old. Looking at those pics, it's hard to believe "The Bear" is 9. Initially, I didn't think he was gonna make it. All colicky and junk. Plus, he was born at a stressful time in our lives. A new baby, loss of job, an impending move, and a new business. He definitely fed off of our stress. He barely slept until he was 2. Amazingly, now he is our best sleeper. I love this kid. He has an amazing heart. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him. Go to www. abundantlifeimages.com to see more.

Lecrae-Background

I hired a consultant a few years back. I figure it ended up costing me about 90 thousand dollars. The particular "plan" he created for me didn't exactly work. However... A smart man told me once to "Eat the meat and spit out the bones". I can't say that I didn't learn anything. He once said that one of the biggest problems is that we get in our own way. We get in our own way. Is it pride? Is it the thought that we have all the answers? I realized that I've got nuthin'. Yeah, that's nuthin' with an n'. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. But, I can do nuthin' by my dang self. There is a point in your life that you realize that you are the problem. And to make things right, you just gotta get yourself outta the way. The "background" is not a bad place to be. Especially, if the "foreground" is taken by the Creator and the Orchestrator.

Matisyahu-King Without A Crown

I like music that gives you a little surprise.
You know what I mean?
You see this guy that looks like a nice Jewish rabbi, and then he picks up a microphone and this crazy reggae/hip-hop fusion comes flowing out.
It reminds me of a quote by Heraclitus (c.535 BC - 475 BC): "If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it; for it is hard to be sought out, and difficult".
It also reminds me of a Bible verse.
"The Son of man will come at an hour that you do not expect Him."These are words from Matthew 24:44.
The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to Earth again.
This time to remove those that have put their faith in Him to an eternal home in Heaven.
He will come like a thief in the night.  Without warning.
But unlike the title of the smooth Matisyahu, He will come this time as a KING with many crowns.
For this reason you must be ready.