Atomic Dog, or Nice Guys.....Don't get laid

Well,
I've finally accepted the reality that my girlfriend of the past 6 months is done with me (see the poem September).
It seems I've spent the better part of the past year searching for love, putting my heart out and getting burnt. i don't harbour any ill will to wards the two ladies (well, may be every now and then),but I've learnt a very hard lesson: most women DON'T want a nice guy who's ready to put his heart out and reveal himself. they may like him, pity him or even tolerate him, but they don't want him.
nice guys end up like Wile E. Coyote - running in mid-air off the edge of a cliff, and the last sound you hear before your body plummets to the ground and goes SPLAT!! is "beep! beep!"
So I've lowered my expectations somewhat. As long as I can get laid with some kind of frequency, then love can take a backseat....waaaaay back.

"Atomic Dog" - that's my new calling card; "bow-wow-wow; yibby-yo yibby-yay!"

A Poem

Sharing with you a poem of heartbreak

SEPTEMBER

Rain
Like the tears of a broken man
breaking the heat
that had peaked
In June
Love declared too soon
Still standing by
in July and August
As disaster roared in
Finding a heart
Unprepared
A hapless mound of sticks
built on sand
And great was the calamity of it
September brings
Orientation
for the newly disoriented
And the abject dread
of knowing
there'll be no
Heroine
to help navigate
Another lonely Christmas

Let No [One] Man Put Asunder

Why does the process of divorce have to be so involved and disheartening in Jamaica? Its not like I'm Paul McCartney with a gazillion dollars to part with or stuff like that.

Why is it that 4 different lawyers will give you four different versions of the process - of what is required from you, how long it will take and what its likely to cost?

I separated from my wife of 16 years last May (2008) and there are times when I almost feel its not worth the hassle.

I'm not seeking custody of our 2 children, but I certainly want unlimited visitation. We'll just have to see
The situation is compounded by the fact that I'm not in a regular job or earning nay significant income at the moment

But I figured, the birth of my son (now 14 years old) was an epochal event that I decided to write about (a column called "Fatherhood") and it worked (I've gotten more responses to that to anything I've written. So this being another epochal event for me, I figure, 'what have I got to lose.

I'd love to hear from other "separated men" out there (and you who have gone through divorce (whether single or remarried) Email me at liveplug@yahoo.com and/or post your comments on this blog

I'm continuing my adventure of "sudden" singlehood. Hope to share some stories

Mens Movie

CINDERELLA MAN
Starring: Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Bruce McGill Overall Grade: C
Story: C
Acting: B
Direction: B-

Rah-rah in the ring

With the possibilities for direct military jingoism exhausted, Hollywood now returns ot an old standby - the sports movie. In particular, boxing has that appeal of the underdog's triumph that the pundits desire right now.

Ring visuals shine and good performances (especially from Craig Bierko as Max Baer and Bruce McGill as promoter Johnston) but overall the film plods - Braddock's story is good but notthe all-out inspiration that ficitonal Rocky was (though the parallels are there)

One can't help feeling that Joe Louis (who defeated Braddock) or Jack Johnson story would have been more compelling

Calling All BMW Owners

Seeking testimonials, photos, anecdotes and any material related to
BMW for a new book examining the enduring appealof the
BMW marque in Jamaica (all contributiors will be credited).
post to this blog or email to bluriter@yahoo.com

Steve McQueen: King of Cool

As formidable as John Wayne and as slick as George Clooney, McQueen was given the nickname the King of Cool for his unforgettable swagger and nonchalant attitude.

now a new DVD collection puts all that cool within the grasp of film buffs and fans. The DVD includes McQueen classics like "Bullitt", "Never So Few" and "Papillion" the 1973 prison break movie co-starring Dutin Hoffmann that was partially shot in Jamaica. it also includes, for the first time on DVD, "The Cincinnatti Kid" the quintessential poker movie.

See www.cargo.com for details

Music reviews -Jazz

Monty Alexander - Live at the Iridium
Telarc Records

Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander brings his rich heritage
to bear on this his latest Telarc recording. The album culls
some of the finest compositions from his vast catalog and
merges them with a few numbers from other composers
he has long admired.

Alexander is backed by bassist Hassan Shakur, drummer Mark Taylor
with percussionist Robert Thomas Jr. chipping on a few tracks.
Features Nat Adderly's "Work Song", "Slappin'" and the classic
ballad, "My Mother's Eyes"




All releases featured in our record
review can be had at Mobile Music
tel: (876)702-2275/927-0661; Fax: 931-8840
e-mail: mobilemusic@cwjamaica.com


Caribbean Jazz Project - Here and Now Live
Concord Jazz

Led vibraphone virtuoso Dave Samuels, the Caribbean
Jazz Project features some of the most accomplished musicians
from the dynamic Latin Jazz scene.
The two-CD set, recorded at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
in Pittsburgh, P.A. will delight longtime CJP aficionados as well
seduce the ears of new fans.


Hugh Masakela - Revival
Heads Up

With the release of Revival, the legendary South African
trumpeter mixes some of the favourite musical forms he's
pioneered over the past five decades. Pop, R&B, straight-ahead
jazz, S. African township jive and the broader Afro-beat
of another master, the late Nigerian star Fela Kuti.

Standout tracks include Fresh Air, Woman of the Sun
and the title.