Don’t forget: DREAM BIG.

July 3, 2009, 10:11 am

A couple nights ago I caught myself in a serious entrepreneurial faux pax (EFP). I was contemplating moderate success, thinking “realistically” about how far I could go in life. I immediately corrected the situation, and began envisioning a limitless future.



Live realistically, plan accordingly, DREAM the Ridiculous.

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Monkey Hear, Monkey Say: The Douche-Bag Incident

June 26, 2009, 10:22 am

When Taylor first came to live with me full time I really believed I had made revolutionary strides in Parental Strategy and Communication.

I imagined a feature article in Parenting Magazine, a Book Deal, Media Tour, Lifetime Movie, and TLC Reality Show. (I hear Kate’s single now, so who knows what could have happened.)

Unfortunately all my dreams were cut short when I realized that an “age old adage” is an “age old adage” for a reason.

My wake up call came after Taylor spent the night with family friends who let me know while there Taylor had said “what a douche-bag” about someone on TV. He explained to her that wasn’t the type of language a nice young lady uses, and later that day after explaining exactly what a “douche-bag” is she agreed to never use the term again.

Monkey Hear, Monkey Say…I guess I need to watch my language more carefully.

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Just a Photograph

June 24, 2009, 3:32 pm

I frequently take off walking with my camera, more often than not I have no idea about what I want to shoot or where I want to go. I’ll just be hunting for something that is beautiful or ugly- interesting, out of place, colorful or comical…once in a blue moon its all of those things.

The photo below does not have all of those qualities, I just like how it turned out and wanted to share.

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Things I Miss: Memories of a Bachelors Life

June 18, 2009, 10:43 am

If you’ve read any of my writing since my daughter came to live with me in January, then  you know how rewarding, entertaining, humorous, fun, and amazingly stupendous it’s been for both of us. We have both grown immensely and I truly believe it could not have come at a better time in both of our lives.

That being said, we do live in a small apartment, and I have lived alone for the last 10 years so there have been certain adjustments we’ve both had to make. I am sure it was much harder for her than me…but she didn’t write a list.

Things I’ve Missed Doing:

1. Poo’ing with the door open

2. Eating in my boxers

3. Crying my eyes out when I watch a touching episode of Scrubs

4. Drinking in the Morning

5. Walking around with morning wood

6. The ability to have visitors whenever I pleased

7. Listening to Gangsta Rap

8. Dropping the F-Bomb whenever I saw fit.

9. Not having to share

10. Being able to grab a back pack and stay gone for a few days without consideration of kid or canine.

It’s true, I do miss those things but wouldn’t trade them for the time I have been able to spend with Taylor.

Being a single parent is harder than I ever imagined. PrettyMikePropers (props) go out to all the Fathers and Mothers who do it together and on their own.

Creating a valuable member of society is no easy task, keep up the good work.

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If You Have to Eat a Poop Sandwhich, Try and Use Thick Bread.

June 15, 2009, 10:41 am

Championship games are great entertainment, the drama and suspense of world class players at the top of their games clashing with one another for glory…it truly is magical.

The best part of sports in my humble opinion is the smack talking. I imagine smack-talking has been around since the first caveman beat his friend at “hit each other with sticks in the face”… the grunting must have been unbearable once he gained consciousness.

There is nothing wrong with ‘reppin’ your team and your city with fervor, but sometimes “with great smack talk comes great humility”. Sometimes our teams let us down and we have to be prepared to eat not only our words, but also swallow our pride, hold our tongue, and unclench our fist.

Part of competing is losing with grace and winning with respect for your opponent, without an opponent there are no victories.

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Jesus & PrettyMike: Dropping Parables Like They’re Hot

June 12, 2009, 11:04 am

It occurred to me yesterday that lately I’ve not had the right attitude about some of the trials and tribulations of my PrettyLife.

In the context of working out, we realize resistance builds strength. When it comes to a weight we cannot lift, those who are committed to getting stronger: change their workout, get wraps, chalk, protein shakes, they work on the correlating body parts that assist with the lift they’re trying to accomplish.

During times when relationships get tough, the economy and global health have been better, we must realize that resistance makes our character stronger and trials have a way of giving us perspective on whats truly important in life.

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What I Did On My Birthday Post!

June 11, 2009, 1:58 pm

Our birthdays only come around once a year, so when it comes time for that special day, we should take the time and do something special for ourselves.

This year, like the last few years I’ve taken the time to reflect on years past and take the day to love me.

What I Did On My Birthday List (Chronologically)

730am: Bought a bottle of whiskey and a big bag of ice.
815am: Started cooking some hot turkey sausage links.
900am: Started watching The View and ate a turkey suasage.
915am: Realized I was watching the View.
1000am: Had my first good cry.
1017am: Shook my fist at God, ripped my clothing and told myself I wasn’t going to cry anymore.
1023am: Started crying again then fell asleep.
1129am: Woke up in the fetal position then called my Mom to swear at her for having me.
1234 in the PM: Woke up naked in the bathtub holding a picture of myself from when I was young.
140pm: Punched myself in the face until I stopped crying.
215pm: Had a spot of tea…(no need to miss tea time)
247pm: Realized I didn’t deserve the tea I was drinking and poured the scalding tea onto my lap
300pm: Bottled up all my emotions and pushed them way down deep inside where no one can ever get to them.

I hope your special day is as memorable as mine.

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Should Opposites Attract or Should Birds of a Feather.

June 1, 2009, 3:10 pm

This weekend I spent a great deal of time contemplating the state of current relationships and considering what precedents to set for myself regarding future relationships.

I’ve always thought predetermining what is or is not acceptable in another without actually knowing the person was immature and judgmental, after all what works for some doesn’t work for others (and vice versa).

Like anything we spend a great deal of time percolating on, after this weekend I had some new clarity.

It’s not about being judgmental, it’s about having boundaries. Healthy boundaries and healthy relationships which all stem from a healthy self image about what we do and don’t deserve to have in our life.

As for opposites attracting and birds of a feather, it was my determination we need both. We need the opposite of what we want to improve in our life so we can see how it’s done, and we need to stick with those who share our same values, goals and passions to help us stay the course and be true to ourselves.

Peace love and SOUL.

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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.

May 29, 2009, 11:09 am

This week it occurred to me that on our journey:

We maybe on the right path,

Pursuing the right goals,

We maybe happy,

Healthy,

Wealthy and Wise-

But there will still always be setbacks, challenges and obstacles.

As I considered this further, it occurred to me that the happier, healthier, wealthier and wiser we are the greater the obstacles will be.

All this took me back to what Rudyard Kipling wrote about treating the impostors Triumph and Disaster just the same and reminded me once again to be happy for no other reason than despising discontent, and wanting to share love and not anger with the world.

Keep looking up eventually you’ll see the stars.

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Bloods & Crips…I mean the Birds and Clarence: Turf War.

May 28, 2009, 1:07 pm

As with most conflicts, what started out as mild jaw jacking has quickly escalated to full blown aerial assaults from the birds and a take no prisoner ground offensive by Clarence.

When this war will be over is hard to say- but my fear is that this battle will continue until the birds fly south for winter…which makes this a battle of will, and war of attrition.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers-

(I shot this photo a couple summers ago and it’s still one of my favorite photographs- I love the contrast between the two photographers and while I don’t know the little girl I hope she is still shooting. The other photographer is Doug Sanford, check out the link above.)

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