Transcendence…

Hey, well, here we go again.  Been a long time.  Been thru some stuff and survived but that has never been a question for me.  Recovering nicely from Surgery to remove another Tumor.  All good, so we go no… I have much to say but I’m going to think on that for a spell.  Tonight I think I’ll just cut and past a post I did on FaceBook tonight.  Is that cheating… Well, it seemed to be my thought and it has much to do with music so I thought it would be appropriate.    So here goes…

Greetings and Salutations Y’all

I’ve been reading, listening and writing much music, food, diet, living, and other such matters and I’m in the Groove…  Today there was a post on my wall on a Quote by Dave Grohl.  Dave is a great lover of music.  I couldn’t figure out why I felt so, so angry when I read what sounded like a negative attack on music and the channel in which some musicians choose to approach music.  All over the world there are TV shows that have you come and audition your talent to see if you can be the best and Dave was attacking The Voice and Idol.  Well I don’t watch either (well, clips on youTube).  I’m think’n, Dude, chill, they chose to try out, and yes some are turned away, but the same happens in Little League (Ok I flunked out on my first try out but I’m not bitter, Little League that is… LoL!)    Anyway… I thought about it… I was perplexed, because as of last count, Dave was a fairly wealthy dude due to lime light Music and the Industry, call it what you want, Grunge, Indy… it is what it is… an industry and he’s done well, and rightfully so, the man works hard….

So I’ll jump right into this Transcendence.  What is this exactly?  Or more exactly, I have said, Music Transcends All…

tran·scend
tranˈsend/
verb
transcends
to be or go beyond the range or limits of (something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division).
To Rise Above…There are many I could site however Music is, to me, what brings every living soul on this planet to dance together and groove.  There are Musicians of every Ethnic background playing in every corner of the world and we are all tapping our feet… Even if you don’t care for steel drums, I bet if you are in the Caribbean, your tapping your feet sip’n on a MaiTai… Right…So there’s the Video I caught of this gal I saw on a vid of her for American Idol (Lindsey Stirling)…  She was bumped in the semi’s by Piers Morgan, hmmm go figure… Anyway, Being a lover of Violin I’ve been following her music and dance video’s since.  This Video is pretty darn Cool… in fact, the name of the song (Original Song) is Transcendence…

She just put out an album, if ya got the cash, buy it!  It is amazing!

If You watched the Video you will know the musicians were from Paraguay.  They all play instruments that are made from Trash.  The town they live in is on a Land fill.  The Landfill Harmonic Orchestra!  Each of these kids play an instrument hand made from what they can get their hands on.  A wood made Violin, Even a cheap one made here in the US, you would pay more for that than a house on the land fill.  A teacher, and other’s had an Idea, Kids/People are hungry for knowledge.  Even in the most tragic of living conditions, the love of Music Prevails!  I love this!!!  Here is the website… You gotta check this out!

http://www.landfillharmonicmovie.com

Music Transcends all… Even Poverty!  These kids that live in a way that you or I (or even when I was on the street) could not handle.  Lindsy made a Video with these folks of the Landfill Harmonic.  I was so moved by this I’m working on a way to bring music to all that want to hear it…  Lindsey… You rock keep on doing what you do!

Dave… Well, Here’s a challenge for ya…  How bout you and me get together, write some tunes, put the word out get some other musicians, find a place to play and let it roll.  There’s no auditions, no level restrictions so nobody gets feelings hurt, and we all as musicians band together and align the planets and bring peace to the universe.  Or how bout bringing some love to the inner city kids… I’m willing to volunteer my time (all I got man, I’m broke) every bit of it to teach and preform with kids from all races, no matter how much money, and if you don’t have the money, let’s put our heads together and figure out how to bring these kids that were rejected by The Voice and Idol and show them that being a Musician is not about Money, Lime Light, Status or what kind of car you drive… It’s about the love you bring to a couple watching a sunset, a tear to someone that needs a tear, a smile to a sad one, and most important… The Love of something that Fulfills ones soul and feeds Life… If you accept this challenge Dave Grohl, I’m willing to put it all in, every minute of my time on the cuff, for Music and the Kids that deserve the truth, I’ll get what I need from the love of Music.  I don’t expect you to spend money, the money you make pays your bills I’m sure.  But before you rip into something that is not important… Let’s feed the people of the world and teach them a song to light their world… You rock Brother… and I dig your sound… It’s just an Idea I had… Just say’n… 🙂

So that said, Music feeds my soul and on many occasions has kept me alive with weeks on end of no food…
It’s pretty powerful stuff… It’s everywhere, In the wind, on the wing, in the streams and trees… And when a sweet string moves, you can bet I’ll be following that…

Love and Peace…

Charley…

There are no words…. Only the pure love that inspires what we call words…

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Quick Note

Hey, been way to long!  There’s much to share since last I’ve posted, however it will have to wait a bit longer…. I’ll be back very soon! 

Peace…

Thank You…

Yep…

Thank You…

I got up just a few ago and went outside to groove on the full moon.  Love the full moon…  Yet with the full moon I can, after midnight, still see Orion, and the one star.  The star I’ve always caught my bearings on, pondered on, had life all figured on, that star.  Orion is my man, The Great Hunter In The Sky, My Protector.

There’s a Star off the left shoulder of Orion, mmm yeah we’ll forget the tech stuff, anyway, Her name is Alhena, about 104.81 Light years out there, but shines bright here…  And since I had my first tree fort when I was 11, I have been watching her.. .Yes, I’m a cosmic voyeur…  

 

 

 

There are so many things I want to say to so many folks.   Friends, Brothers Sisters, what ever label you wish, tis truly a bond, a universal connection.  So rather than let the bottle neck of thought, with so many names, and the awesomeness of how many friends I truly have.  I simply say, with all my heart, thank you… Thank You for taking care of me after surgeries and heartache, moving my house when I was broken, just did it, no questions.  Thank you for ‘not’ letting me drag my face in the dirt for to long and feel sorry for myself, yet still allow me the dignity of sharing a tear.

It’s strange when you are given a time frame, I mean to exist on this planet.  First thought is, “fuck you man, I ain’t goin nowhere”.  Then there’s the “shit, what if he’s right”, then ya come back down and remember it’s not a fight, it’s another thing that can be dealt with.  But then, there’s the one more time, it’s spreading and just when ya thought ya had it right.  I’ll be honest, kind of a panic, an empty wtf man…  Heh, well.  Strange Indeed…

However!  This is not a sad day! This is a day to rejoice!  The one Star, All Brothers and Sisters of the sound, the ones that groove on the true nature of things, you all are a part of my path (as I am of yours) and I am so grateful.   *Thank You*  

One who I consider to be a very wise and very much close to my heart once said to me, “it would be a shame to lose a fight to Cancer, and why would you want to fight something you can change in your body in peace”  This is probably my greatest mantra.  This is not a fight, I think I will save my fights for a worthy opponent…

Music is my life, it is what fires me.  I am intoxicated by the vibration of the sound and the emotion, the energies that flow with that.  When I share this, the level of energies go quantum.  Light, Color and Sound become one… Yes, Hi, my name is Stevo and I’m a vibrational addict and I will be sharing much of this very soon!  So with this said… Turn off your TV’s and play some music!  What ever it is you groove on…  Groove… 

Thank You for taking time to share in this existence of sound with me, I truly hope you enjoy and dig what’s comin down cause I sure am!

till next we groove,

Peace…

stevo…

If I Had A Hammer

Pete Seeger concert photo b&w

If I had a hammer I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land…

I’d hammer out danger,
I’d hammer out a warning,
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

A most famous song performed by Peter, Paul and Mary in the 60’s… the verse I think that really hit me was:

It’s the hammer of Justice,
It’s the bell of Freedom,
It’s the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

This song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays In 1949… Peter, Paul and Mary changed it a bit in 1963, but still the same premiss.  The Love we have between our Brother and our Sisters.  Not just in this country but on this planet… All over this Land!  This song is what came to mind with an experience had with new and old found friends…  Names are with held for privacy but I’ll use names… Maybe real maybe not.. that’s just how I roll…

As many things do, I am amazed…  The one thing, the thread we all share is humanity.  Even the most hard of heart has a place in his/her heart for something that is dear.   As a cancer commando, I am aware of the many things in this system that keep many from receiving the care that may save that life.  Like me, there are the folks that have been on that road and have found there are other ways…  But sadly, these too have a cost.  As a Physically challenged person dealing with pain on levels some days, I can’t even speak and needing money to nourish my body so it can heal.  Looking for a job as someone that is in constant pain and working to fight back the growths in this body is an exercise in futility but the battle roars on.  I choose to smile and be a happy man, this is also “how I roll”…  Sometimes it’s tough but without fail, everyday there comes a laugh, and somehow a guitar or something of music winds up on me and there’s the smile.  Pain and suffering still there but, beat back by the Grace Of God.  It has to be God.  Nothing else in the verse has this power…  Then he gives me friends, because these friends bring many smiles… WoW!

Friends, I have many… I cherish this more than gold.  Just when I’m down and have literally told myself I’m done, I surrender, please take me, why are you making me suffer so, do I really have a purpose?  I’m sorry, Please!!!   Then, there’s a hand, a word, that hammer comes with ever so light a touch to my heart.  A friend reaching out not in pity, not in sadness but with power, hey man, wassup!  It seems there is a faith that can over come. This faith in God and in the energy of a friend, all can be overcome.

I received a call last week from a friend from many years ago.  His little brother told him I was in town and gave him my number.  It was awesome to talk with my friend Jerry.  He gave me some news that touched my heart in a way that cannot be weighed.  He said, “remember when we used to sit down and you would teach me guitar” (40 years ago)… I said, Hey yeah!  he said, “well, I’m still playin every day and I owe it all to you, and I just wanted to thank you”…   Wow!  I’ve always said, I’m here for a reason, if for nothing else but to play a song that maybe just one person would hear and it would help him/her on the path to spiritual awareness the path to God.  Jerry is in a group to sings to the spirit of God and he taught his Son to play!  I was … I can’t even explain it and of course there was much emotion (ok I cried, I’m not really a sissy, I’m just an emotional dude so back off!  hahahah)  This to me, was a great thing…  How do you tell someone you may have sparked it and a lil push but he did all the work… I am but a humble Musician…

Official seal of City of Thousand Oaks

Then not a week later I’m on the great social network thing called facebook.  I’m a member of a group that is comprised of folks that either grew up or know someone that grew up in Thousand Oaks California (I Grew Up in Thousand Oaks, and then some).  What a great lil community this is.    I lived there back in the 60’s and 70’s.  I’m making new friends and we all get to know each other or re-kindle friendships.  As I do, I tend to share (maybe a bit to much) so there are no misunderstandings and also there’s the NO PITY rule.  So I’ve made some awesome friends and the banter runs a muck at times but if nobody takes it personal all is well.  Well, I made this friend, let’s just call him Jeff T.  (LoL!)  this last big 400+ million dollar jackpot, Mr Jeff T. bought a ticked and offered to share it with everyone in the group but you had to agree to terms.  The one that got me and just set me back, 10 mill had to go to Stevo (that’s me) to get medical treatment for this Cancer and to move to Nashville (which is my dream to get back to Nashville and play, play till I make it to the Opry)  Well, I gotta tell ya, this was a gesture that was to me beyond what the money was all about and everyone, know me or not was all in, I was blown away.  It was that Brother on Brother reaching out to help, and in communicating with Mr Jeff, this was what it was.  Was a genuine true spirit.  (and yes I wept, get off my back! lol)

So, If I had a hammer, and I could hammer out the love between my brothers and my sisters… I would indeed do that… most of all, I think I’m grateful to my Lord God for keeping me sane.  Even though I think I’m being tortured sometimes, It’s this body on this planet… My spirit is pain free, healthy and full of life, thanks to God, for Friends old and new  that I’ve been blessed with, and I keep on smile’n…

Y’all Be Cool… Give thanks, and pay attention… It’s what we are here for…

Peace…

Some Things Never Change, but, Some Things Do…

Ya know, I’ve said this a thousand times but I think I really get what I’m saying.  Some things never change… the visions and memories of your life, never change, (unless you are delusional)  those times will be always in the moment.  I don’t know, maybe it’s the way my mind works.  Writing music always puts me in the moment,  for instance Sunset, (yes I’ve posted this tune before but maybe there’s a few new folks that haven’t heard this)  🙂  When I wrote this song, I was in the back yard of a very cool house I lived in with friends in Reno NV.  It was sunset and I was in deep thought, (as I usually am) about a girl I know, then I started thinking of friends and family and life in general.  This is where this song was born, in the things that never change,  Unconditional Love, Cherished memories, Christmas, Calendars and Eggnog…

These things never change, the love and memories.  It’s what makes us who we are, well that and Cheerios…   So what does change, well, there are many things that change, the seasons, the color of my hair when I turned 50 and only getting better!   Car styles… But the true heart never changes.  When one is lonely or scared, where does one go… Back in time to look for happy place, secure, more pleasant times, for sanity.  I was talking with a dear friend on the phone this evening (yes I know, I don’t like phones but for loved ones, I make an exception), I admire this girl very much and is always awesome to be in touch, it brought to mind the things that have manifested in my time.  I’ve truly been blessed and am grateful for this.

Thank you friends for being the awesomeness that you are.  Thanks to God for these blessings…

I have much to say really but my mind is all over the place and for once I’m going to spare you (the reader) this madness of whimsical, but funny, nonsense.  Well I think it’s funny and that’s really all that matters, as I sit here and giggle… 🙂   Good night my many friends.  Take a moment and think of a time where you were whole and free, let this madness that is going on in our world go for a minute or two.  Turn off the TV’s and Computers and take a walk, in a park, on a path in the foothills, anywhere!  Take a breath of that Love and then spread it around a bit.  I think we could use a fresh perspective.

Who knows, it could be contagious…

Peace and Love to you…  Be Well…

stevo…

Do you need a reboot?

Do you need a reboot?.

So I run into this site.  I research every day, and when I can even more.  I caught this Dr. on a NPR late night deal one night.  I was in memory search and remembered what he was saying about fido nutrients or fido chemicals.  Found his website  http://www.drfuhrman.com/  Packed with info, however, tight budget means I don’t get the secret info.  Great info, Excellent that a Dr. has finally taken interest on how we need to eat.  I don’t mean this in a bad way, but just like a Dr. If you don’t got the Cash, you don’t get the info…

I do, however, recommend if you do have the cash… every thing I read about him is balance and pure nutrition…  Go For It!  His has been highly recommended by Dr Oz (another Doc I respect) This Kat has it down…

Just some info for ya if ya need…

Peace…

quick edit,  Hey, I don’t mean the cash thing in a bad way.  Man gotta make a livin and I’m well capable of my own research, and doing quite well.  this Dr. Just Nailed it…   Just Say’n…  🙂

 

Peace & Love…

Stevo…

 

Whoa! Hold Your Horses!

Traditional Chinese Medicine (Photo credit: Keith.Fulton)

Ok, this has nothing to do with horses.  Figure of speech, Stop!  in previous posts I’ve mentioned the several types of Cancers I have.  I also have mentioned the use of herbs and foods to combat this Cancer.  Well, today I was schooled in a big way.  I met and was treated by a Dr. of Chinese Medicine.  Not just an acupuncturist, not an herbololgist, but a Dr and Ph.D of Chinese Medicine.  TCM is the acronym (Traditional Chinese Medicine).  I know I know, what now Stevo, well, I’m about to share all of this and more.

So, it’s already been said, “I’ve been Schooled”.   While I was on the search for Thunder God Vine
as I’ve found a few other herbs to help nourish my body to heal.  So now I have some ammo but how do I use it.  Ya gotta know how to load the darn thing if your gonna shoot it…  I was talking with the Herb Lady at Lassen’s, she guided me to the Chinese Medicine Office down the street.  Well, I gotta tell ya, this Dr was very, very good.  First of all, with all my other ailments she first wanted to know about my pain.  I was like Pain?  I have Cancer forget the pain.  Well, if the pain can be addressed in the  body first, the body can exercise, more natural adrenaline, the immune system is boosted and then the body can fight and win.  Of course this is  all in a nutshell. Spoke with Dr Chen for over an hour on the location of my pain before she treated me.  A pretty
good outline on Chinese Medicine is Here on Wiki, and a pretty cool read.  Dr Yong Ping Chen is probably One of the coolest Dr.’s I’ve ever met.  She was very thorough and very patient.  I felt very comfortable.

Back to the reason I even went there in the first place, to see if I could get info on dose amounts for these herbs.  There are tons of webpages and sites telling you about a fruit or herb that will make you thin and or kills cancer, BUT, if you can find a site to advise you on dosage or quantity, good luck, but I’ve only been on the serious search for about 9 months…  Every Herb I mentioned she warned, yes these in high doses can kill cancer, however (I mean however!),  but THEY CAN BE TOXIC IN HIGH DOSES AND WILL USE YOUR OWN BODY TO POISON YOU…  It slapped me in the face like a brick.  Everything I’d ever head, learned, studied!  How could I’ve left out the concept (word) BALANCE… Balance Balance Balance!

Now, rather than beat myself up, now that I realize the wholeness of what needs to happen, I’m on this!  With the Body/Mind/Spirit Balanced you can do anything.  There are so many variables with cancer and even more with the Human Body.  Everyone of us have a distinct design, our DNA can be similar but we are very very different in many ways.  From Wikipedia: The human body is the entire structure of a human organism, and consists of a head, neck, torso, two arms and two legs. By the time the human reaches adulthood, the body consists of close to 100 trillion cells,^[1] the basic unit of life.^[2] These cells are organised biologically to eventually form the whole body. With only 100 different types of cancer cells, doesn’t sound so staggering…

100 trillion!

Point.  Not any “body” is the same, as there are many types of treatment for the same cell, it’s your body balance that makes it different.  The difference could be miniscule or substantial.   The statement “don’t give it power of you” is probably the most important but not to overcome any balance.  Here’s where I have the problem.  If you are weak at heart might wanna skip to the next paragraph (heh, I know tempting huh)…  I panic,  and if you’ve ever stood in front of a toilet and watched Grape Juice colored urine flow out the end of your penis, and then, a quarter sized blood clot flops out, well, that shit ain’t supposed to happen.  So you’re standing thinking, well, I guess I have a problem, or like me, “Shit, It’s Back!…  Now I’m in panic mode, I’ve forgotten everything I learned while practicing Whole body Health, Tai Chi, Kung Fu or even younger Kenpo and Shotokan… Anything I’ve learned from friends and Loved ones.  Balance, clam the mind so it can flow with the spirit, the mind and spirit can only meet the body when they are in tune…  If you try to do anything, mentally/physical or Spiritual with out complete balance/harmony, you will spiral back to the beginning, maybe further, wondering what the hell happened.   The panic overtook me to the point I felt desperate. For some reason being told I have tumors on both Kidneys, Liver, Bladder and prostate, then one blood test later, let’s add Leukemia   to the mix,  SNAP!  Oh and lets pile forcing myself  to be homeless because I didn’t want to be a burden… I wonder where that ever came from?  I think I’ll address that later in my sleep…

Grabbing at anything I thought would bring an end to this madness led me to the present state of calm.  In looking for a way to use these “Cancer SuperFoods: I spoke with the Herb Lady at Lassen’s, Oh, here we are back at Lassen’s, Hmm, yes…  There is so much if you try to tackle it all at one time.  Just like the body, gradual changes can only occur naturally with any benefit.  Example, I once was in outstanding shape, a pretty healthy dude.  I then created an environment for things to happen in my body that aren’t so healthy for a long life on this planet.  This happened gradually, slowly over time it took it’s toll.  So there can be no quick fix, actually, there are no real quick fixes for anything, right?  (ok, maybe a finger in the Dyke, but that’s only temporary)…

English: A Yin-Yang symbol transformed into Heaven and Earth, with the Chinese characters for each. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is considered that Heaven is Yang and Earth is Yin, so that is how they are represented here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Acupuncture, I had a treatment today and it reduced my pain by over 50 to 70%.   I am set for my second treatment on Friday.  As soon as I can exercise and get my body moving, this is the focus of treatment.  However, when I mentioned Diet and herbs, she told me to concentrate on whole foods.  No red meat, fish is good.  no dairy (at all) water, green tea and green veggies.   When I eat let the body know this is ok for healing and good.  Stay away from eating till I’m full.  Let the body work itself and this is the start.  There is much more.  I’m also seeing a Naturapathic Doctor in Santa Monica.  Making informed and guided decisions are key at this point.  Both Doctors are trusted so I’m on this path.  Both are about balance and letting the body work to heal.  God made this amazing self righting machine to function well always if properly maintained and fueled.  Prayer, (part of the balance) will be the glue that keeps me focused.  Putting myself in panic mode is not healthy, nor will it get the healing done!

So, with all that has happened in the last week.  Reuniting with Family, Friends, Home, I have taken my own advise.  I stand barefoot in the cool grass, both morning and evening.  This is where I pray, this is where I gather balance and thoughts for the day.  I pray that you all take a moment and gather your Balance, Talk with God, give thanks for another day on planet earth and guide us to a better way, until we go home… Not to some strange mystical place or a feared Judgment.  Home…  If you have read this because you have or know someone that has Cancer, or you follow these rambling words.  Take a moment to be the one that stands true, prevent panic (you are a Hero).  What ever treatment you choose will be your choice and your balance.  I hope it is a more natural approach, however, there is no right or wrong way.  Most Cancer treatments today include a diet geared toward keeping the Immune System geared up for what ever treatment… really think about it and do your homework, and find your balance.  With what I’ve learned in the last few days, even the most harmless of herb, done in concentrations to kill cancer (because it can), it’s no different than doing Chemical Chemo Treatments.  Sometimes this may be necessary, I would opt for a natural option than a chemical.  But that’s just me.  You all are in my prayers and with enough of that maybe we can fix the whole deal.

Alright, God Bless & Stay Safe…

Peace…