The Year in Retrospect 2011

2011 proved itself a difficult year for this particular human being.

First, I found myself confronted by a separation and divorce against my will.  Not that I didn't play my role in the devastation.  I just feel strongly convicted that God intended marriage to be for life. In an attempt to salvage my marriage, I sold my business in a poor economy for way under market value and committed to work for the new owner who proved to be extremely controlling, manipulative, and deceitful.  Not much of a work environment but I learned some lessons the hard way and will forever treat people differently as a result.  Then finally in October, I fell 18' from a ladder while removing an old ceiling fan and spent a week in the hospital with stitches across my face, 14 staples in the back of my head, four broken ribs, a broken clavicle, and a collapsed lung.  One week out of the hospital I returned for surgery to repair my damaged clavicle.  I'm now partially human and partially titanium.

So, I rather candidly admit that 2011 was by far one of my worst years except for all of the hidden blessings that I discovered.  I anxiously await the opportunity in 2012 and beyond to put into practice the lessons I've learned through the mistakes that I've made.

I also utilized my recovery time from the accident to practice blogging, an exercise I totally enjoy, and learn about the whole concept of social media and integrating that into a marketing plan.  So rather than allowing this article to become a palette for my transparency, I will use it to outline my favorite blogger subjects over the past year.

Best Journey - Bike Trip to Daytona
Despite the setbacks, I enjoyed many opportunities to slip away this past year.  I rode my 2007 Harley Ultra Classic to Maryland and back and flew to Seattle to enjoy the annual Bumbershoot festival but all paled in comparison to the joy I experience riding a 1961 Harley panhead FLH from Fort Myers to Daytona to meet friends and relatives from all over to celebrate my 50th birthday!  Thanks again to all who participated.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/10/half-century.html

Biggest Baby - Brian Howe
I found difficulty swallowing the fact that the man who fronted Bad Company for years and delivered such masterpieces as "Holy Water" would resort to childish pranks and name calling after receiving a relatively poor review of his new, self produced EP, Emotions, but that's exactly what happened.  Brian unfriended me on Facebook, attacked me online utilizing several outlets and encouraged others to do the same.  I would have to say that I listened to hundreds of new albums during 2011 and would have to rank "Emotions" in the bottom five.  It's worth buying for the comedic value.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/ep-review-brian-howe-emotions.html

Toughest Dude - Kaleb Brown
Autistic 9-year old author Kaleb Brown faces obstacles on a daily basis that some of us cannot imagine and guess what he does?  He deals with it, unlike some pompous, prima donna rock stars.  Kaleb wrote and illustrated a highly imaginative fiction entitled, "The Big M Book One" which serves as a joy to children of all ages.  He has garnered an upcoming audience in front of the Cartoon Network and hopes to see his work as an animated series.  The Big M is available on Amazon.com in hard copy and kindle edition for a very reasonable price.  Please bless a child with this delightful work.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-big-m-by-kaleb-brown.html

Most Gigantic Mistake - Bon Jovi's death
As a fledgling writer, I committed a fatal error on December 19th of this past year.  I picked up on an internet rumor that Jon Bon Jovi died earlier that day and quickly wrote an article about it.  I found thousands of new readers that night but felt guilty over the reason why.  I made phone calls to Bon Jovi's staff and the venue he played that night to confirm my error and updated my story and wrote a complete retraction the following day after I confirmed his performance the prior night.  Jon took everything in stride posing for a quick picture in front of a Christmas Tree holding a sign reading, "Heaven Looks A Lot Like New Jersey" with the date and time.  Just remember that you cannot believe everything you read or hear on the internet!
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/12/jon-bon-jovi-dead-at-49.htmlhttp://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/12/jon-bon-jovi-dead-at-49.html


Best Concert - Trans-Siberian Orchestra


I still find difficulty attempting to describe in words the event know as a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show.  They pull out all stops with a stimulating jolt to all senses brandishing screaming guitars with lights flashing and explosions occuring everywhere.  This is something that you need to see for yourself.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/12/trans-siberian-orchestra-live-in-tampa.html

Craziest Politician - Newt Gingrich
In 2008 when I began blogging, people knew me as critic of politics in general particularly the Obama campaign but recently I've written about real events that get me a bit more excited regarding motorcycles and music.  But I could not help but jump back into the political arena once I discovered that Newt Gingrich used tax payer dollars to pay for anal bleaching.  Then only days later, I discover that he failed to qualify for the Virgina primary.  Folks, there are better choices available.  Look toward Ron Paul and/or Michele Bachmann.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/12/back-to-political-circus.html

Greatest Musical Discovery - Kore Ionz
I discovered tons of new music this past year, attended many concerts, listened to and reviewed a number of new CDs, particularly during my trip in August to Bumbershoot.  Check out this peace loving, immensely talented group of reggae musicians from Seattle.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/kore-ionz-world-war-free.html

Best Album and Cover Art - Korn - The Path of Totality
I felt that KoRn stagnated a bit after Head left the band in 2005 to pursue a relationship with God and his daughter.  Then surprisingly Fieldy committed his life to the Lord a few years later although he stayed with the band.  It seemed apparent that the band found themselves in a losing battle with God.  Oh how He works in mysterious ways. After struggling for years to maintain their dwindling popularity, they released this incredible masterpiece, a nu metal / dubstep collaboration with Sonny John Moore better known as Skrillex, as well as other dance music contributors.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/12/album-preview-korn-path-of-totality.html

Next Country Music Star - JJ McCoy
Not particularly a huge country music fan, so whether by accident, coincidence, or divine intervention I developed a new friendship this year with JJ.  Please check out his EP, "Redneck, White and Blue", a three tune offering of tales that paint incredible pictures in your mind and tug at the heart.
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/ep-review-jj-mccoy-redneck-white-blue.html

Best Unfinished Story - Michele Bachmann
Sadly, I began an article outlining the outstanding character and integrity of Ms. Bachmann but never allowed time to finish it.  I hope to learn more of her and report hopefully not much later than the Iowa Caucus.

Oh What a Month - My Rock Star Awards

Another day .....another dollar....., "The Highway Song" from 1970's band Blackfoot echoed through my head as I completed yet another day working for a psychologically abusive boss in an environment foreign to me, an alien lost in a world where chaos ruled over clutter and menial tasks ranked higher than actual accomplishment.  I felt a beer and a steak, shared with an accomplice in this insanity, satisfied a need to plant a stake acknowledging the end of another chapter in the days of drudgery. Yet unfortunately I asked this treasured friend to help with a small task at home and in return I'd spring for the night's tab.

"Please help me change out this ceiling fan in the vaulted family room, my friend, and food and drink are on me", I boldly proclaimed only hours before destiny met reality.  I asked my colleague only to steady the 18' ladder as I undertook the simple task of removing the old worn out and presumedly installing the more elegant and efficient new cooling mechanism.  I shut off the power supplied from the breaker, cautiously climbed the ladder, removed the screws from the decorative cap, and untwisted each of the three wire nuts to allow the easy dis-assembly of the old, rusted unit.  Nothing difficult, I thought, as I pushed the fan up and over the mounting hooks, enabling what I assumed an easy feat to lower each part to the ground.  Surprised by the weight and slightly disabled by my awkward vantage, the fan motor let loose without warning and struck me violently across the face, knocking me backward off the ladder and onto my friend before my head and left shoulder slammed impetuously into the tile floor. I only faintly remember anything from those first few minutes as I sat stunned, gasping for breath and fading in and out of consciousness.

I refused my friend's plea to call for an ambulance and attempted to gather my wits as an oblong pool of blood formed around me.  Clutching my chest fearing heart failure, I found breathing nearly impossible.  I quickly realized that blood poured from the back of my head and left temple and one side of my body remained nearly paralyzed.  I witnessed my friend also bleeding and clutching his right arm and realized neither of us fit to drive to the hospital. In a brief moment of clarity, I dialed my cellular and asked my inamorata to please pick us up as quickly as possible for transport to a medical facility.  She arrived promptly and rushed us to the emergency room as we soiled her car seats with blood.

After ten hours in the emergency department, my friend, and now lifesaver, as I realized that my death had been prevented by his breaking of my fall,  paid the price by fracturing his right arm, an awful predicament for a graphic designer.  Suffering a deservedly worse fate myself, I spent, in a shared hospital room, the following week diagnosed with severe lacerations to the back of the head and face, four broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, and a partially collapsed lung.  The attending physician assistant in the ER placed fourteen staples behind my left ear, stitches across my face, and suture glue across my nose.  I found myself, a week after discharge from the hospital, returning to have an orthopedic surgeon install a titanium plate to reconnect the broken portions of my left clavicle.

An eternal optimist, seeker of the half full glass, and believer in making lemonade from lemons, I quickly recognized this blessing in disguise. Lying virtually incapacitated, relying solely on help from others, forced me into distancing myself from a horrific work environment and allowed me ample time to pursue my dreams of freelance writing, in which I quickly earned blogging notoriety. This accident also enabled me time to learn about the sophisticated network behind electronic social media.

I published many articles, learned how to effectively use Twitter and Facebook, enjoyed the company of new found friends, established solid business relationships, and ticked off a famous celebrity.

Please allow me this opportunity to recap November's blogging highlights from my perspective and award those who deserve special recognition. Today's sophisticated internet technology enables easy evaluation by recognizing the number of readers of each particular article.

I composed and published over 20 individual pieces and a few stand out deserving a renewed highlight, not for my accomplishment but by the actions of those I chose to write about.

So..........drum roll...........Please allow me the opportunity to recognize:

PATRIOT OF THE MONTH - J.J. McCOY
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/ep-review-jj-mccoy-redneck-white-blue.html
Nothing I've seen recently epitomizes the heartbeat of the heartland, and encourages one to accept pride in Americana like J.J.'s new EP, "Redneck, White, and Blue", particularly the tune "Sunshine State" which paints a glorious yet bittersweet picture of life from the perspective of a soldier overseas anticipating his safe return home.

SPINE CHILLER OF THE MONTH - LISA PROULX
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-king-of-shadows-by-lisa.html
I witnessed horror personified deeply in the plot of Lisa's newest novel, "King of Shadows", a disturbing tale of a young boy raised by the demonic spirit of his deceased father.  This month, Lisa re-releases her first novel, "Puncture", a vampire story that I plan to digest and review early next week.

CONCERT OF THE MONTH - NIGHT RANGER
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/night-ranger-at-cape-coral-coconut.html
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/99x-mas-ball-2011.html
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/fort-myers-music-walk-november-2011.html
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/eddie-money-plays-ballyorney-irish-pub.html
Nursing my wounds, it's hard to imagine the number of concerts that I had the privilege to attend.  The fiery skull bat backdrop during Avenged Sevenfold's set amazed all and the genre bending skill displayed by Hollywood Undead seemed impossible, while Eddie Money forced the reminiscing of high school days.  With a more than ample budget, few could attain the hype of A7X, particularly when fortified by strong lyrical content accompanied by guitar virtuosos in harmony, except the heavy presence of security at Germain Arena dampened the overall effect.  As a result, the crisp, clear, heavy metal presented outdoors at the Cape Coral Coconut Festival by 1980's rockers Night ranger captured this award.  Few guitar players rank with Brad Gillis and Jack Blades is both a talented and entertaining front man. And I'd like to give a special thanks to Tristan Avakian who filled the shoes of Joel Hoekstra while he tours the holiday season with Trans Siberian Orchestra, an event that I will feature later this month.


 BREAKING NEWS OF THE MONTH
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/at-1115-this-morning-lee-county.html
Although I fancy myself a journalist, the only real event that I captured live exclusively before other media was an evacuation of the Lee County Courthouse after a prisoner in transport smacked an overhead sprinkler triggering the alarm.  I felt especially amazed that my new titanium clavicle did not trip the metal detectors upon entering the facility.

HOLIDAY OF THE MONTH
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-honor-of-our-vets.html
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-blessing.html
Fortunately, we celebrated two in November, Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day.  I refuse to allow either a day celebrated eating turkey and watching football with loved ones, or a day in which we pay respect for those who gave their best so we may enjoy freedom, to outrank the other so please consider this one a tie.

RECORD OF THE MONTH
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/kore-ionz-world-war-free.html
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/ep-review-jj-mccoy-redneck-white-blue.html
I reviewed many audio recordings during November so with it too close to call, I declare another tie between the peaceful, loving, Pacific reggae smoothness of Kore Ionz "World War Free" and the hard hitting, emotion evoking EP by J.J. McCoy, "Redneck, White and Blue".

LEAST AFFECTED BY ME
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/album-preview-nickelback-here-and-now.html
Regardless of my opinion, Nickelback's "Here and Now" will hit platinum although I did notice increased readership of them from fans in both Russia and Turkey so hopefully sales in those remote markets increased slightly.

PRIMA DONNA OF THE MONTH
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/ep-review-brian-howe-emotions.html
During my brief career as a freelancer, I encountered many classy, polite, professional entertainers from the music, acting, comedy, and writing industries and only observed one big cry baby, Brian Howe, formerly of Bad Company, and now a solo artist claiming retirement. Although I displayed complete respect for Brian, he attacked me publicly, sicced his British publicist on me, and "unfriended" me on Facebook, all in reaction of what he considered a negative review by me of his grand finale, "Emotions". I clearly see why Ted Nugent and Bad Company both fired him. He just doesn't play well with others.  So, sorry to say this Brian, but just pack up your toys, leave the sandbox to us big boys, and go home and cry to your mommy.

ROCK STAR, PROFESSIONAL, and MAN OF THE MONTH - KALEB BROWN
http://ramblingsofjohn.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-big-m-by-kaleb-brown.html

Kaleb, a nine year old diagnosed with autism, displayed more maturity than many of those more chronologically advanced.  Kaleb's first book, "THE BIG M" , soon to be be an animated series just all out ROCKS.  I'm proud to be associated with such a consummate professional. God Bless You Kaleb and enjoy a long and prosperous career!

CD Review - Kore Ionz - World War Free

I only first discovered this young group of Seattle based reggae musicians in September during the annual Bumbershoot festival held over Labor Day weekend.  As a genre, reggae has accepted little adulteration over time.  Reggae today sounds very much unchanged from the style of music that Bob Marley brought to the world's attention during the 1970's.  Kore Ionz maintains that pureness of genre only allowing a tinge of outside influence.  This band generates a very pure reggae sound sprinkled with a speck of hip-hop, a dash of ska and dub, and a small teaspoon of the ukulele laced Polynesian, the music of singer Daniel Pak's native Hawaii.

Kore Ionz surprised many to rein as one of Bumbershoot's truly incredible acts.  I saw many concerts over that weekend and would definitely say that these young men were in the top five if not the very best show of the entire festival.  Unfortunately, Kore Ionz was the only reggae band signed to perform this year during Bumbershoot.  I hope the event promoters change that next year.

Their new album, "World War Free" paints a genuine message of hope, whether out of naivety or fierce dogma.  The radio friendly hit, "Love You Better", with the strong message of spreading love is experiencing heavy rotational airplay on Hawaii's big island peaking as the #1 requested song. From the tasteful wah-fuzz guitar sounds on "Belltown" and "Sweep Us Away" to the Polynesian ukelele on "Morning Son", the rap contributed by Prometheus Brown on "First Avenue", and the traditional reggae of "Marionette" and "Conductor", Kore Ionz peacefully conveys a message of loving others to encourage and inspire change in the world.

This group reminds me of something that I have not witnessed for many years.  They not only want to generate great sounding music and achieve fame, they want to spread a message of non-violence, peace, love, and living in harmony with others and the environment. They want to change the world!  It's refreshing to see this attitude that disappeared long ago as the hippies commercialized and capitalized themselves. Long from now, when Kore Ionz retires, the world will be a cleaner, greener, friendlier place if only in the lives of those that the individual band members touched personally.

Enjoy this clip of the band performing "Love You Better" live at Bumbershoot 2011

Bumbershoot Prep Part 5 - Kore Ionz

From what I'm able to gather, Kore Ionz will be the only reggae band performing this year at Bumbershoot. Personally, I enjoy sitting in the grass, feeling the warmth of the sun, breathing clean fresh air, and chilling to the island sounds so I was hoping to see a fuller reggae line-up, with possibly the likes of Slightly Stoopid with Don Carlos or Rebelution.

Local Seattle boys, Kore Ionz, offer up a fairly clean, unblemished and unvarnished form of reggae. They stay fairly true to the genre although the Pacific island influence is quite prominent, which makes sense considering leader and singer-songwriter, Daniel Pak, hails from Hawaii.

It's hard to imagine a reaggae band from Seattle, better know as the rainy city or birthplace of grunge, but believe me, this young group of talented artists really delivers.

Enjoy the band performing Save Me live in the studio at Seattle's KEXP