It's the little things...

I truly believe that your friends are the family you make. Some will fall out of your life, because of their deeds and words, and new ones will come in to replace them in your fold. From my previous rants on the subject, you know I have some pretty strong definitions of what I consider a friend. Someone who's willing to go to bat for you, come hell or high water, public opinion be damned. And sometimes, it will cost them dearly. And that doesn't make them falter a heartbeat in lending a hand, or defending you. And they do it not because they know you'll return the favor, or make it up to them. They do it because they believe in you, as a person.

Another true quality I believe every true friend has is the ability to pick you up when you're down. It doesn't have to be major, sometimes just a few words. But the feeling they evoke, the sense of well being? Priceless. Example given - I have a really cool friend, and partner in crime that I met on Twitter. Her name is Shibari. She's put up with more of my bullshit, and ranting, and raving and general stupidity than any human should have to suffer. She's also been able to turn days around , put a smile on my face, when I felt like the goddamn sky was falling down on my head. With a few simple, but heartfelt words. You can't buy that. It has to be given. And when it is, it can make you feel like Superman! Or, at the very least, make you laugh, possibly at yourself, and get you out of the funk you're in. Either way works. But it's SO important!

In conclusion, the moral of this ramble is that if you don't have people in your life like this, then find them. If you have people who are ANYTHING less, or try to hurt you or make you feel less than happy or perfect, then ditch their asses and tell them to get bent. Life is too short, and too painful as is. Be Happy! Have Fun! Run amok and act badly with like minded compatriots!

Be Excellent to Each Other and Get your Gun on!

Whoop that Trick!

From the Hustle and Flow soundtrack, my favorite war chant - Whoop that Trick!

Because I play to win, and survival's the game...

I rediscovered an old 2Pac song I happen to love, called Strugglin' It was from his second album, when he was comin' up, and it has lyrics that strike a chord. I'm back in that serious FTW mode. Life has done its level best to see if I would fail, I would fall. I haven't. Now you'd best be prepared for me to take my turn and see if your ass is still standing when I come after you. It's OUR turn to get what's ours! Take no prisoners, assail life! It is true that only the strong survive, so find that core of courage and put yourself on the warpath. Accept no less than what is your due...

A Mushashi quote I just found on Twitter sums it up nicely - With your spirit calm, attack with a feeling of constantly crushing the enemy, from first to last.

Kill at Will and Get your Gun on!

Wherever I may roam

Life is an adventure, there is no question. Sometimes you reachthe sublime heights of joy. Other times you learn of the depths of misery and despair. I'd mentioned a couple weeks back that a friend of mine, who I'd been in Vegas for my birthday weekend, died in Afghanistan. Had to go pick his body up with his wife last weekend. What was amazing to me was that, while she was sad, she reflected on the good things that were, and how much fun her and her husband, my friend had had together. The amazing daughter they'd created. It was truly inspirational. No doubt, she will have hard times, and I'll try to be there for her. But I know she'll survive, and I believe that she'll even be a stronger woman for it.

Out of the most dire adversity can come true strength. I have been lucky enough to have some incredible friends in my life who have been a constant source of it for me, as hopefully I have been for them. You are not alone. There are people who have your back. That will ride with you, come hell or high water. In spirit, or in flesh, you never walk alone...

Never Falter, Never Fail, Never Die and Get your Gun on!