The Quest Is a Bitch!

Ok, so this is harder than I thought. One day into it and I'm already having problems. I have no problem cutting out all starchy carbs and all sugars. But I've fallen in love with grilling on my Big Green Egg. I did make the following concession. I cut out red meat from my diet. I grilled chicken strips and turkey burgers today and they were fantastic. Even my son Boz said the burgers were awesome. I started drinking V8 and green drinks. I will make some serious changes, but the grilling will have to stay, at least for awhile. Tony Robbins says that even small changes yield big results over time. I am counting on this. My after dinner sugar number tonight was 126. That's pretty decent, and I've just started. The Quest goes on!

Is Joey Going Green?

It's not that easy bein' green..........And so the song goes. I've recently come into some information that could change my life forever. There seems to be strong evidence that a vegan diet cannot only control diabetes, it can also reverse it. This is startling info for someone like me. I don't like to picture myself living in a nursing home as an amputee. And if I stay on the course I'm on, this could become reality. What is needed is a drastic change. You're not listening. I mean a really drastic change unlike anything you've ever done. This change will be monumental. I will have to give up grilling, cooking, and eating all the things I love. The net result will be life. It seems like an easy choice but it's not. I already have life doing the things I know I'm not supposed to do. I just don't have it for long. Going green is the only way for me in the long haul.

I have to have a really good metaphor for this. I am going to call it the Quest. This is my quest, to follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far. I just sang this for the Miriam Lodge the other day. Perhaps this was a message from God. OK, I hereby proclaim that I am going to give this my best shot. I'm going to accept the Quest and go green. Just call me Mr. Salad. The produce section is now my favorite section in the grocery store. Oh hell yeah!

I've got this!!

What's That in the Pool..............

What's that in the pool, algae. OK, it's a dumb joke. I first heard Rip Taylor do it in about 1979. I'm using that because things in my life are improving so fast I can't keep up. I'm doing the Sedona Method which is a program based on releasing. I'm releasing so many things that my life is actually fun again. I don't have to worry about things. I've released fears and especially, my need to be liked. I've had a very busy schedule for the past couple of days and I haven't given a flying fuck how much I'm liked or not. This is a major accomplishment for me. And the net result is I've enjoyed much easier performances. I am not constantly questioning myself as to whether or not I'm good enough. I'm more than good enough or you can kiss my rather large ass. OMG this feels so good! So here I am. Take me as I am or kiss my ass!

Please Release Me Let Me Go,,,,,,,,,,,,

I've sung this song for years and now my new favorite program is the Sedona Method and the whole focal point of this program is releasing. It teaches you how to release all of your unwanted emotions. This is and absolutely amazing thing. I know I say that a lot, but life even at age 60 still fascinates me. I am always open to new ideas and ways of making my life more enjoyable than it already is. The Sedona Method is one of the best systems I've run across in a long time. You simply release things that are troubling you. You can release anything in your life.

I've been doing this program only for a few days but I've made a very important discovery about myself. My biggest problem for most of my life has been fear. I've lived in fear of one kind or another ever since first grade. That was my first rude awakening to what life was all about. And to this day, I fear for security, job, well being, and you name it. And the irony is I don't really need to fear any of these things. I've conquered them all, but for some reason I'm too dumb to realize that. So fear is the biggest thing I need to let go of. When I completely release fear, my life will finally explode. Now I should be able to release fear in one or two sessions, so I'm not even going to try to hedge my bet here. I am releasing and I will ultimately release all of my fears. And when I do, I'll travel to Sedona and take Hale Dwoskin out to dinner. Of course we will go to Joey Bistro. Where else could I possibly go? After all, it's all about Joey isn't it? Just a little humor there, very little.

The Sedona Method

I've been waiting a long time to get into this. First of all, Sedona Arizona became a very special place for me in the late 80's and early 90's. We have a time share there at Los Abrigados and it's awesome. It's an amazing place with vortexes and all kinds of new age spirituality. My aches and pains have always gone away there to the point that I could climb all over the red rocks. Everytime I have been there I have always experienced a feeling of inner peace and well being. Part of my ritual there has been to visit the Catholic Church carved out of a rock. For me it has always been a powerful place. There's my whole Catholic background as well as the fact that you have a clear view of cathedral rock, one of the vortexes. I have always felt very cleansed when I came away from there.

Now I have recently embarked on taking up the Sedona Method by Hale Dwoskin. This is a program based on the premise that you can release all of the things that are binding you. I think it has a lot of merit, and to be very honest, I wouldn't mind a trip out there to try it out. Life presents us with many problems, but it also gives us many answers along the way. We just have to be open to hearing them. I am very happy about this journey and I will keep you posted about how it progresses and turns out. I will always live on purpose and with PASSION!!!

Give and keep on giving

I had to post this. I got this idea from Tony Robbins. Everyday, give much more than anyone would expect you to give. Now just think about this for a moment. How would this change your life? I know it would change mine very much. I can't wait to put it into practice. I'm also making a commitment right now to attend Unleash the Power Within in New York in November. I'll do whatever it takes to attend this event. Live with Passion!!!

Great Sunday!

I just had me a great Sunday. For the first time in a long time I didn't fall down into a nap after church. That's my usual Sunday pattern: do church in the morning, come home, have a bite to eat, and take a nap. Yesterday afternoon we went down to the harbor and I climbed all five flights of stairs up to the roof of our townhouse. I hadn't been down there since I was in the hospital in December. I didn't even get winded. Until I had my cardioversion in March, I couldn't even walk to the car without getting winded. This was a great feeling. I laid in the sun for an hour or so and then went for a bike ride around the Inner Harbor. This was my first bike ride since my hospital stay. It felt great. Most forms of exercise don't work well for me, but bike riding is very natural. I have good form and when things are working well I could literally ride forever. It is great to be able to climb stairs and be back on a bike again. I'm going to register for the Seagull Century and I'm going to ride it! I didn't feel as good today, but guess what, tomorrow is another day. It's a busy week for me and I'm looking forward to taking it all in stride. My mother would be proud of me for using that expression. I have God's favor today and all is well.

Zentrepreneurs

Now that is a wierd word. It describes Ron Rubin and Stuart Avery Gold. These two gentlemen started Republic of Tea. Now I don't like tea, but what about a Republic of Cuban Coffee? They are the authors of "Wowisms" which is an amazing little book of positive and uplifting sayings. They also have three other books out there; "Success at Life," "Dragon Spirit," and "Tiger Heart, Tiger Mind." Along with this series comes a workbook. If you've been reading me for any length of time, you know I'm turned on by success systems, and methods of inproving one's life. In fact, you could say I am from time to time obsessed by them. I've really loved "Wowisms" for some time now so I thought it was time I tried the whole package.

The other thing I'm obsessed with these days is the Big Green Egg. I received it as a gift three or four years ago and I'm just beginning to appreciate it. It is an amazing grill and smoker. I have cooked some fantastic food on it in the past few weeks and I'm just beginning to learn what it's all about. I found a local store, Watson's, that carries most of the eggsesories. I've purchased a few in the past couple of days and my eggsperience has gone through the roof. Cooking has always been one of my hobbies, but the egg has taken it to a whole new level. I literally can't wait to get back out on the deck to cook with the egg again.

All of this is a metaphor for my life. I'm finnally living it again instead of looking at it through the TV, or memories, or sleeping. Life is meant to be lived and I'm eternally grateful for every day that I have above ground. I remember back to that dark day in December in the hospital when I felt so bad that I called Homer and asked her that if I didn't make it to please tell my grandson about me. That was indeed a dark night. I'm so thankful that things got better. They didn't just get better, they got a whole lot better. I'm living once again. I'm living life to the fullest.

Life is awesome, and I thank God throught Jesus Christ that I got another chance to experience it. It's hard to follow that , so I'll just say that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Truer words were never spoken.

Cinco de Mayo

I had a great Cinco de Mayo concert today. I had a flaming red shirt on and a real Mexican hat and the music really kicked ass. I had so much fun. The show was at Levindale Adult Daycare Center. The place was packed and the show really moved along. I was in great voice after two days off so I sang my ass off. Linda liked it so much she booked me for next year right on the spot.

One more example of how lucky I am. Just a few years ago, nobody cared about Cinco de Mayo except the Mexicans. Then along came Corona Beer and they promoted it like it was Valentine's Day and presto, we have a great beer drinking holiday. I don't think the old people have any idea what it's all about, but it's a great excuse for a party. They had great Mexican food as well and I was lucky enough to have some.

Ay ay ay ay....... canta y no llores. Porque cantando se alegran cielito linda los corazones. And somehow, the world goes on.

Once In A Lifetime

I'm sitting here amazed at what I just heard. I've started recording my live shows again and I'm astounded at what I'm hearing. I recorded 3 shows over the past 5 days and last Friday's show at Stella Maris Pangborn unit is outstanding. It was not the best crowd I've ever had and I guess that's why I was trying even harder than I usually do, but the show is incredible. It will be my next CD. I just have to add some applause. The sound quality is great. I can't wait to burn it.

I've been listening to Wayne Newton and his current show, "Once Before I Go" and it is a multi media show. But, as I've been hearing for years, his voice is shot. I do feel sorry for him because despite years of drinking and shouting my brains out in clubs, my voice is still in tact and very controlable. And believe me, I thank God for that each and every day. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I couldn't perform. And as strange as this may sound, the smallest nursing home room is always like Caesar's Palace to me. A live audience is a live audience, there is no difference. And I treat it very seriously everytime I walk out there. I thank God every day for being able to work at a job I love. All praise to You!

Gratitude

I don't know how I could possibly have more gratitude. Life these days is amazing. Last night I listened to a live Jimmy Buffett concert in Nashville TN. It was like being there. This morning I woke up with a cup of cafe Cubano. The Glory Road Quartet was awesome this morning and the show at Courtland Gardens was great as well. I am blessed with an incredible life and it keeps getting better. I started a new discussion thread on the Remember Key West When site on the Wrecker's Lounge. I'm anxious to see who responds. Tomorrow I'm going to start a new group called I Remember Tallahassee Nightlife in the 70's. I want to see if anyone of my following is still around. I have a couple of days off so I will be getting the bike out on the road. I have to keep my health improving. Just booked a vacation in July to South Florida. This is going to be awesome. Life is good. Do what you like, like what you do, yeah buddy!

Life Is Good

Life is good. I'm listening to a live Jimmy Buffett concert from Nashville, TN and it's great! I'm really ready for summer. I grilled tonight and this past Thursday night. I got a thingy for corn on the cob and it works great. The big green egg and I are one. I grilled chicken Thursday with Sticky Finger BBQ sauce and tonight I did burgers and corn both nights. I'm going to be grillin' a whole lot this summer. Speaking of summer, it was 93 degrees today. I had a show at the Masonic Home. I saw Josh's grandmother and Madeline Niner. Bonnie Blink is becomming a Hiss hangout. It's about time somebody gives Oakcrest a run for it's money.

Work is going well. I am really enjoying performing again. I had a rough go with my atriel fribulation but make no mistake, Joey's back. Look out, here I come. Church is going well. I have Glory Road with me tomorrow and I'm really excited about that. After that I have a show at Courtland Gardens. After that it will be nap time. After that I'm free til Cinco de Mayo. And then it's a butt kicking schedule for awhile. Things are cooking. It's great to be back.