Music paints the tapestry, upon which memories of our lives are woven (Me, 2006)

. . . think about it. Turn on a radio or randomly pop in a cd ... practically any song from our past will spawn a memory, some good, some bad. ... regardless, the songwriters pen captures the thoughts that we will recall and illicit our smiles and tears in years to come . . . "for me, that would be a dream career."

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I love creative writing, singing and songwriting. Singing is a passion...and not ashamed to say I enjoy Karaoke to satisfy my appetite; as well as, the chance to do special music solos at church. I actually have a "mini studio" hooked up to my PC and have about 200+ recordings ... got a favorite artist? Anyway, my writing has usually been for my own edification or for "someone special," typically having inspired such. Having been encouraged for years by friends and family, I want to pursue writing as a "possible new career" ... but ... certainly will be testing the water. (I don't harbor any delusions of "becoming a singer," though I did win a statewide award while in Atlanta and 25 years ago, I sang an original at my wedding, . . . I enjoy it, and bought my first guitar recently...now, I jus' have to make myself "learn to play it"

~*~*~*~*~ UPDATE: This is important to me ~*~*~*~*~ ... I have "always" been active and athletic, so if "throwing on inline skates, playing tennis or "the thought of exercise" scares the heck out of ya, ... we might miss some free time together ..., let me rephrase that, we would lack an essential for compatibility. I'm not saying that I prefer "stick thin" ladies, but compatibility physically, mentally and spiritually are seperated by a thin line and we should share similar values in this area.

I grew up in Alabama. But escaped for a while ... ... ; I always harbored the desire to live in more metropolitan areas . . .so I spent a couple years in Colorado Springs, one in Memphis and then after 18 years in Atlanta . . . I've been back in Alabama since July '06 ... Who say's ya can't go home?

I've never done the whole genealogy search, but I had Great Grandparents that were Cherokee and Creek, mix in a li'l Irish and ya gotta pretty good "mutt." ... When asked about my heritage, I usually reply that . . . "I'm a direct result of the tourists messin' around with the locals." . . . LOL

Anyway, ... I cherish the memories and appreciate seeing firsthand, some of the last vestiges of the deep, deep south. I spent some very formative years in the "tiniest towns." My Dad was a "small town Southern Baptist minister," I attended six schools in seven years and I developed a great degree of "adaptability."

At one time, my Grandparents had a tin roof, no ceiling...jus' rafters. I could easily debate one's life is likely incomplete, less the experience of "sleeping under a tin roof on a feather bed with goose down pillows when it rains,...there exists no comparative sleepin' pill.

Mother is the epitome of a Southern Living Magazine cook. In Oct 2000, I lost my dad to a "40 year battle" with heart conditions. Before having to give up his ministry because of his health, he first medically retired from the military as a cook and was a whiz in the kitchen. I grew up thinking everybody’s dad was a great cook.....LOL...anyway, with those influences, I dare say I could "wow" you in the kitchen …speakin' of food...I remember particularly special Sundays at church... "have ya ever seen a concrete picnic table 100' feet long . . . and not a space that wasn't covered by food?

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For years now, I''ve been content to walk alone, not lonely, just a solitary journey as a whole person, not needing anyone to "complete me." However, finding "the one that compliments" would be quite incredible.

Relationships are journeys. There are no destinations. The "path to a dream" is determined by the influence of forces upon the partners, sometimes together, others individually. Maybe one is pulling the other or one pulling a li'l bit and the partner "jus' taking a ride" or even "being taken for a ride." Whatever be the case, if you could print out the affects of those forces, it would read much like the squiggly lines of a Seismograph showing the greatest movement when "from the center of the union," both hearts pull in the same direction.

As I've aged (chronologically), I've been open to someone that would enhance “the rest of my life” and the last ten years or so, brought me more in touch with the emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of "sharing myself with another."

I believe in my heart, there can be nothing of lasting emotional significance in our lives, ... without the foundation built upon true friendship.

... and friends should consider the knifelike capability their tongues possess. Spewing "venom" because "we might be upset by something" doesn't make it "okay." Those thoughts still fall upon the ears of those we love, cutting into their hearts and scarring them just the same. If fighting is a past time for you .... I really don't wish to deal with it ... "forget that crap about the makeup being so wonderful, ... avoid the fight.

Intimacy begins in the mind, flows thru the heart and is manifested thru our bodies from our soul. Sex is not a sport for me, there is no longer a need to keep score. Granted, anthropologically engrained influences dwell deep inside of us, resulting in primal desires burning like fire within our loins. But today, for anything physical to be of true meaning and value for me,...I need to “know you” ... in the truest sense, ... "to want you"

Honesty is not an option . . .it's prerequisite! Dare not ask of me . . that which you are incapable of giving of yourself. I'll share something I wrote from a recent experience, . . .

"When we, of our own free will, give or entrust our heart too someone, regardless of whether "asked" or "simply compelled" to do so, we really forfeit the right to complain of the outcome. We can only hope that they will hold ours in a manner as they would desire of their own. By the same token, . .if we never risk it all, we will never truly know the rewards." . . . .

When relationships "go sideways."... look deep in your heart,...find the strength to see past the pain and hurt, . . .and you'll know gratitude for what you've shared together.

. . . however, . . . "open, honest communication" can often help us to avoid going "sideways" . . .

(NOTE : ... sometimes that means painful exposure of our flaws, thus allowing those that we wish to know ... the greatest opportunity to know us and that which has shaped our lives)

My heart goes out to those having suffered an endless progression of "dinner and movie" dates ....Yep, that take a great deal of imagination...LOL Realistically, in todays social climate. . .dating is a different animal,...Ideally, the first should be in a "mutually comfortable neutral location" ..."with easily accessable exits". . .LOL

... ok, I'm not jaded here, but what is proper ettiquite when we show up and find that the "person being met" used 10 year old photos (..as bait) ... or they failed to mention ... "Oh, by the way, I dont look like my photos anymore...unless you add 40 lbs."

C'mom . . . a lie, is a lie, is a lie. . . does the term "bait and switch" ring a bell? Do you seriously think that "it's not going to be noticed because of your glowing personality?

Too bad one of the "must meet criteria to contact" can't be. . . "webcam to show "current image" ... LOL ... I mean, ... It's not like a "hostage photo" would work anymore, ... you know,... the ones where they hold up that day's Newspaper headline to prove they're alive, ... PhotoShop and pretty much all the digital editors available today have knocked that scenario in the head ...

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The insulation and security; as well as, the anonymity ... provided thru the internet for "expanding your circle of contact" .... DOES NOT give you the right to "pretend to be someone that YOU ARE NOT"

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I'll sum this up by sharing something I wrote at 18......

......"A man has a ego and he has his pride. When he loses this, he loses a bit of himself he cherishes most. Although I may possess these traits, I see myself as a mere balloon. Floating along, ever drifting with the wind, tumbling and turning from life's turbulences and being bruised and broken by so called friends. Yet, attached to this balloon is a free and dangling string, as if it were an open palm, waiting for someone to grasp it and call them a friend." ( Me – Circa 1978)