AAARGH!!! and they be "Pirate Friends!"

Once inawhile, one might find one's self lookin' up the sidewalls of a "cruiser", in my case, someone with a "Sailboat"! (gregorian chant, here)
With that however, comes the rudimentary art of "seduction' precipitated by the "Pirate" whom "unleashes" this nasty spirit upon you! Oh, yeah, "hellbent" to ruin anything you thought synonymous to the 21st century, "well, you mi'as well forgetit!"
This friend of mine...how do I descibe someone "indescribible?" A "Pirate".
So,...you find yourself given to the "winds as locomotion..." Awesome. So,...you find yourself given to the ways of "piracy".
"Can you see yourself without the "veil of recluse"?
...if so,..please "snd by".......

"Tales of the Tropical Gypsy" Chap.3

Not sure of his surroundings, Jo tried to focus through the veil of light and blood. His head roared from pain! The queasiness in his stomach took hold and a volume of "interrupted bile" escaped his esophagus! "FUCK!" What the fuck,..motherf..." Another blow. This one, however, did not take him out. Instead, it made him "reel like a bull gone mad"! As Jo jumped to his feet ready to "play hell" on his attackers, he immediately withdrew any formidable stance that should "warrant another blow to the head".

Looking through the trickle of blood that blurred his vision, there in front of him, were a small group of men brandishing three foot long machette's. To his count, Jo could see clearly he was, outnumbered. The men had no expression on their faces. "Their's" was what one might assume, "Duty". To the left of the group stood an older and sinewy man dressed as one might find a "farmer". He probably crested no more than five feet in stature, but by the stains of crimson liquid on the hilt of his machette, Jo determined this was the "Badass" that brought him down.

Jo's expression brought the next volley of words, all in "fucking spanish!" "Hey! speak fuckin' english, will ya'?!" The response?...another blow of the machette'd hilt carried by the old Man. "Jo, tasting the liquid oozing from swollen lips, sat rigid. "This dude is pissed AND so am I!", he thought. "Hey! I think there's some mistake", he yelled gingerly. "Comprende'?" With that, the "older Man then made a "several paragraph statement" toward Jo that made Jo feel like, this "dude", was TOTALLY pissed at him! "Amigo! What have I done to offend you?! Please, tell me why you're beating the crap outta me and I don't KNOW FUCKIN" WHY!!?!" "Whack!"

"Goddammit, motherf.." "Whack!" This time Jo succummed to the pain. "Ahhh,...the bliss,..take me awayyyyyyy Calgonite!"

Eyes barely open, Jo realised he was bound "hand and foot" by the plastic strips which cut into his skin. Too, he was being carried by several of the other men, followed by the "old Man" only to be placed into a parked van outside his apartment! "Fuck! He thought. Fuck it!" Not only was Jo bound, he was gagged as well, no screams for help..."fuck". The side door opens and Jo is thrown inside. He flails about, uselessly. His captors kick and laugh at him. The "old Man" yells something in spanish and they all recess to the walls of the van. And then, a door to the front of the van opens. "Celeste? Celeste...is it you? Help me, help...another blow and Jo is unconscious once again.

Friends

I haven't written a new post for quite sometime. I've allowed myself to become immersed in outside interests. which, some I might add just take away the "valuable and creative" time I have on this "spinning little Orb". I want to write, while it's fresh in my mind, about "my friends". I started this blog sometime back about "influences" in my life and it named a few (friends). I now however, want to write about those people in my life that have 'influenced" me to some degree, but most importantly, are people whom have "given" to me more than just that, they have given me their "friendship"! There is no chronological order and I will try to write about each and everyone of you. If I forget some of you, please quietly, discreetly send me a note. And forgive me, should I do forget, because over the course of my Lifetime I have amassed an amount of friends I never dreamed possible. Thank you!

My first Friend (and you will all remain anonymous, just for the fun of you trying to figure it out!) I will mention while fresh in my mind (and unfortunately, this blog will be short, but to the point). He is a True Friend, at first I didn't realise how much, whom has Given to me without ever asking anything in return (as you all do), but I always seemed to think there was a "payoff". Allow me to explain; I thought his constant "ushering" of me into "helping" him with his projects, activities, etc., was a way to channel a friendship. You know, you think you're only a friend, because you can help them with "their causes, or their projects and in return, "what do you get"?

Over the past year I realise how "blind" and selfish I was. I am deeply embarassed and hurt by how "I felt and thought". This Friend wanted me to be there for him and to help, yes, but it was more that he wanted me to be there, because "I am a Friend" to him! Last night I embarked on a "new project" with him. he called and asked, "Lidecker, can you help with the store for a couple nights a week?" I thought to myself, "yeah, but it's a Thursday and a Fri..." and without a second thought said, "Yes!" For two reasons....

The first reason is plain, simple and to the point, "I owe him!" He has helped me with my life during those "dark moment's", during that fateful and "day-to-day" time when existence was a daily "chore" (there were quite a few of you whom helped as well and you will be mentioned in further blogs). He gave me Shelter, a new Home and an opportunity to retrieve some of the "creature comforts" I had lost prior. What he asked for in return, well,...here's the second reason.

This Friend has given more than to just me. He has given to everyone, even our town! He has tried to give everyone an "opportunity and a good time" and has NEVER asked for anything in return except, "enjoy!" I remember that fateful time back in 2001, when America saw in recent history, it's country being attacked. September 11, my birthday. My Friend had purchased, prior to the "attack" two tickets to see Jimmy Buffett in Indy (my birthday present). We were to leave that afternoon, but the concert was cancelled. My Friend called me and said, "Dude? Let's go get a drink." So, while America sat, glued in front of their TV's at home, work, train stations and the Bars, in shock and disbelief, we sat at our barstools cursing the Enemy for having our "Jimmy Buffett" concert cancelled! Much Tequila flowed that afternoon!

That will be the one and only thing I will mention about my Friend, because I really do not have time this morning and to recount ALL the wonderful things He has done for me would take pages. I'm sorry. However, it is the most important one, because from "now on and for the rest of my Birthdays", I will not only be reminded what happened to America that day, but I will be reminded of the "most memorable" Birthday of my life and to have spent it with my Friend, well, as they say..."Priceless!"

I love You, my Friend.

Tales of the Tropical Gypsy (Jo, the Pained Years)

Chapter 4

The sudden death of his father sent Jo into a tailspin, out of control and no control over his own life, or destiny. His once conservative attitude had been radically turned inside out! It was the "beginning of the end" of a longtime relationship with Responsibilty. What grew from the newly induced freedom of expression "kicked him between the legs"!

His experimentation with drugs was limited presently to pot (the other stuff either disinterested him, or scared the shit out of him). The backroads in "Lake Country" provided the perfect landscape to escape with his friends for "toking" a joint. Serene hills dotted with orchards of cherry, peach and apple trees spread endlessly toward the dunes and shoreline of Lake Michigan. Miles of vineyards stimulated the senses with the pleasant smell of grapes undulating in massive globes hidden in vibrant green leafed vines. Their juices to be extracted later for the fermentation of fragrant wines so keen and delicious it brought the masses from as far as Chicago. But to Jo and his smoking (cool) buddies, it was just wine to help the "buzz" and soon, maybe too soon, Jo was as some, "led", by peer pressure and time into the

"seedier side" of Marijuana.

Erik (later to be thought of as "Manson") was acquainted to Jo via mutual "potheads". Erik's outlandish behaviour was a constant interest to him. The occassional outburst with several back-handed expletives piqued Jo's interest. "This dude is cool!" he thought.