The ROADS WE WALK HAVE DANGERS UNSEEN….

It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.

Mahatma Gandhi

It’s time to find my armor again.  I lost my old armor.  It no longer fit.  It was full of holes, tattered, and mismatched.  I was coming out of a unhealthy marriage of 17 years.  I was running with a bad crowd and living on pain meds.  I had to make a choice to take a chance and live or stay and see how dark it would get.

A friend found me and had me live in their attic.  I found someone and fell in love and moved in.  The cost was my armor.  The armor covers open wounds.  Cuts that would not heal, that oozed icker that had a truly foul smell.  Scars and marks from where I had out grown the armor.

It’s now time to find my new armor.  To enter the war that is life you need an armor.  Some can get through it with a jerkin and a light vest.  Some need gothic plate armor that is more a show of opulence and protection.  Protects them from life.  So these people feel nothing and say it’s a deities will, or fate.

Karma is a fickle Mistress she does not forgive or forget.  I have paid for my crimes against Her.  Others are having her move in and settle down for a while.

None of this is for me to bare and or take upon my self.  I need some type of armor.  My choice of armor is leather and chain.  This is lightweight but still offers protection.  We all need protection from the acid, slings, arrows and blows that life will deliver.

A fool thinks they need no armor.  We all need some type of protection.  There is one that will forever be able to fine the weak spots in the armor.  I know theirs.  I can not be slowed by the passing glances that life throws my way.  The forget to reply.  The missed phone calls.  Life is not for the weak and no one gets out alive.  All truth is relative pick one that works.  It all boils down to the same thing.  To live is to fight.  To fight does not always mean to hit someone.  It means get up in the morning 15 minutes early if you have to, To finish up making lunch.  To finish that load of dishes.  When you cant fight, your armor will protect you for the time you need.

Life is a contact sport.  I tried to hide in a hole.  It still found me.  If you decide not to partake, you still are. You just let it making the choices not you.  So yes it’s time for me to once more go into the breach.  Yes life will kill me it does it to every one but its better to go down swinging than to die scared under the bed.

The road we walk has Demon’s under them. Mine have waited along time for me to come out and walk the road.  Who am I to deny them. Or myself of the fight.  So yes its time for me to find new armor.  Not to live on Caffeine, Animosity, and Anger. But to use what I have learned and start again.  Its not the destination its the journey.  The sights along the way. This is what you regale your friends with at home or the bar.  Life is meant to be experienced not hidden from. 

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TWO PEOPLE THE SAME ISSUE DIFFERENT ENDS…..

Let me start this by saying, I’m not a psychologist, Councilor or a Doctor.

I suffer from ptsd, survivors guilt, and depression.  I’m a mental shop of horrors.  I was into some very bad things.  things that would have ended up with me in Jail or worse.  The dirt nap.  Which at a time I would have loved.

I’m not suicidal, I have a death wish, huge difference.  I want to die but I wont do it because well I’m shallow.  I don’t want people to be ashamed of me.  NOW that said your choice is your choice I’m saying what MINE is.  Keep your poison pen letters to your self.  My head, my world, you are reading this of your own free will.

I have seen time and time again that one of the biggest things that help the person with ptsd.  It is the love and understanding of some one.  It needs to be a Lover.  Because the person with ptsd needs love of someone to make them feel safe.  The ones that don’t have that seams to be more destructive than those that do.

Now here is the rub.  The person that helps, the person with ptsd.  May not be the person that the ptsd survivor spends the rest of their life with.  I will let that sink in.  See we meet people for reasons.  Some heal, some break, some repair, some destroy.  But they all have a place.  The person that fixes ( wrong word but) the ptsd survivor may not be the person that’s right for them long term.

From my side two women saved me.  One gave me a bed and a place to wall up at.  The other a beautiful woman that I still hold dear.  The 2nd woman loved me so much she rearranged her world for me.  And helped me heal.  As I healed it was becoming apparent that we had started to grow apart.  Now she held me as I cried.  Screamed at the world.   Fought my demons.  She would make me lay in bed with her and not ghost the house when I could not sleep.  She would take the Dragon strikes and love me after.  She took the brunt and stood strong.  Till she could do no more and was time for me to face the world I had ran from.

People that can not connect with that one person.  They drift and spiral down to the abyss that there is little chance to come back from.  Yes sometimes beauty can save the beast.  The beast can be a woman that needs the hansom man to save her.  To love her for all her scars and warts.  A man that can find the love of a Woman.  That will stand in Dragons fire and look more polished than before.  Again they may not be the forever loves.  They my have a year, or 5.  But they will have something that only people that have seen combat can understand.  For they have seen combat.  the War of a soul.  Of a person.  Of a human being.  We have scars some are seen, some are invisible.  At this time most of my hero’s are all women.  Because they have a style and grace to just smile and look stunning after.  I’m the Dirty, unshaven, heathen.  But I’m seeing the day light.  So in a sense the women are Valkyries leading the warrior home.

To a druid that gave me a Bed and a cave.  To the Vampire that withstood the fire and anger.  To the gothic model that told me that because I’m broken does not me I’m useless.  The army Harlequin,  the Mom Model.  They all have lead me a little further.  Many more have touched me I just named a few.

The difference between the two people with PTSD.  One allowed the right person in.  The other let NO one in.   There is a scene from a movie called UNCOMMON VALOR

Col. Cal Rhodes: You know, for years, I couldn’t sleep after Korea. My nightmares all had to do with the Chosin Reservoir. The ground there was so frozen, we couldn’t bury our dead. We had to pile ’em on trucks and lash them up against the tanks. For years I’d wake up with those dead, frozen faces staring at me.

Wilkes: Did it ever go away?

Col. Cal Rhodes: No… I finally made friends with them, though.

You need someone to love you that will give you the feeling of safety that will allow the healing to begin.  With out that they fight the war and never have a chance to breathe.

Talk to some one, let some one in.  Your not week to open up.  Your stronger for knowing you cant do it all.  In the Corp  It’s not the single man its the team.  You cant win this fight alone.  Its ok to let someone fight for you so you can breathe.

LIFE IS NOT FOR THE WEAK. NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE….

You can have the sound of a thousand voices calling your name.  You can have the light of the world blind you, bathe you in grace.  But I don’t see so easily what you hold in your hands.  Cause castles crumble, kingdoms fall and turn into sand.

You can be an angel of mercy or give into hate.  You can try to buy it just like it every other careless mistake.  How do you justify I’m mystified by the ways of your heart.  With a million lies the truth will rise to tear you apart.

No one gets out alive, every day is do or die.  The one thing you leave behind.  Is how did you love, how did you love?  It’s not what you believe; those prayers will make you bleed.  But while you’re on your knees.  How did you love, how did you love, how did you love?

Shinedown ” How do you love”

Life is not for the weak. No one gets out alive.  Very morbid and dark views.  As a friend tells me every day some truths are universal.  People do things with out thinking.  They do things that to them seams smart and a good choice.  If they step back and look at it from both sides its really kinda shitty.   Winter is setting in and I watch as some of my facebook friends lives are changing.  Some are getting a new home after working 20 hours a day.  The Pictures of Lexi on the top are of her changing her look because fuck it why not.

• Just so you know I swear sometimes a lot so read at your own peril.

Something happened to me earlier this week no I wont go into it but it was like really.  I have mental issues and something will cause my alter ego come out.  Its drastic changes and surprises.  Well a friend tossed a hand grenade at me I nicely sent it back.  Is what it is their life is going side ways.

So I spent a few days looking at it and what I cam up with is this.  People will act or react with out thinking.  we all do it.  I will make you pay for a long time for a non thinking comment.  A pound of flesh is it right? No. But ya I do it.  Broad brush  statement in 3. 2. 1.  Some women will say nothing is wrong for weeks till you drag it out of them.  Sorry I played that gave for 25 years with 2 different people, not doing it any more.  Tell me or let it go, you holding on to it and it festering only makes it worse.

Hurt feelings are an infection that will poison things.  Friendships, Lover, work, even family.   Talk about it or let it go.   DONT CALL AND SAY “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” If you think you see an anomaly.  ASK.  If your feelings are hurt say something.

Look people again, NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE.  Some think you get reincarnated. Some know they have lived other lives.  Science says that the universe expands and contracts and you do this over and over.

Life is lets say 80 years.  The first 40 we try so hard to get ahead.  Then the last 40 we have regrets of I should have.

I met some one coming off the escalators at Macy’s.  She changed my life for bad and for GOOD.  But I had to take the chance to meet her.  To take a ride to PA to meet dear friends.   Do I have regrets? HELL YES.  I lost 20 years in a bad marriage.  We both were not good for each other.  thank who ever are son was not fucked up for life.  Here is the rub.

IF you did not make the choices you made, you would not be here today with that special some one.   let that sink in.  All the fights, bad dates.  The shit jobs, bad days and yes wrong choices have lead you to this place.

The skein of your life may have been woven along time ago.  but the choices you make are all part of that tapestry.

The reds from the blood spilled.  The deep blues the sad times.  The greens from all your envious actions.  The black all your anger.  But the absences of color is black. All the colors make white.  So you need all the colors in your tapestry.  Die with few regrets.  you will have some.  The person you should have asked out.  The job you should have taken.  The right turn when you went left.

No one gets out alive.  So make your life.  I’m playing poker and I’m good at it.  Lexi is starting to model.  Others as I said have worked 20 hours to make a life for her kids.  Every day is do or die.  Even a day spent healing is a victory.

So what are you going to do.  Vikings want to die in battle.  Some want to die in their sleep.  Some want to live so safe that nothing happens.  Riddle me this and riddle me that…..  Is a life UN-lived a life well lived or missed?

THERE IS NO DO OVER…….. WEAR IT LIKE A BADGE OF HONOR.

                         Lexi                                      Lexi                                    Kali Noir Diamond

Mirror, Mirror,  It tells all.  What do I mean.  it tells you, that you need a shave. It tells you to wash. It tells you that your lying to your self.  What do I mean.  We look in the mirror every day.  As I said shave, brush teeth, wash your face or to have a long talk with your self.  Are you who you want to be or who your told to be?

I will give you a minute on that one. ( jeopardy theme).  Ok min is over.  I have been the good son.  After my dad died I helped my mom with bills.  Helped many people with their lives.  Have a son that gave me 2 grand kids.

Issue is all that is not me.  I lost my self for so long in making sure people got to school.  Found their feet.  Find new jobs.  Leave bad relationships.  I’m 49 and I never helped me find me.  I blew up a marriage, a 5 year relationship.  Because I was not me.  Yes I play cards and I may get a tattoo saying ” I’m a Poker Degenerate”.  Fuck it if the world is going to label me screw it.  Wear it like a Hawthorn novel.  If you miss the reference google it.

I know I can play cards.  I’m good.  I’m an old man in a young mans game. Will I make millions, I don’t need to.  I need to make enough to be happy.  What is happy.  For some its a new husband, that a friend helped free you for.  Its a house in a new state where life is slower.  For some its a 2 room apt. that’s all His.

We all need to find it.  I touched it,  Oct 1st 2016.  I have touched it before a birthday in 2010.  A beautiful girl on my lap, with a smile and a silly hat.  The day my son graduated from high school. ( him giving the finger to the administration not a bell ringer but hey his day)  I touched it again that day in October.

A Facebook model Lexi J Hamann ( look her up ).  Had to post a disclaimer because some ass had to rain on her day.  LOOK its your life no one can live it for you.  Your are not getting extra time because you stayed with the crazy bytch or the self-righteous asshole.  Death does not say “oh well your time is up but here a coupon for 5 years and a free happy meal.”

People its time to find you and yes the Hottie that is on this blog is Facebook model Lexi J Hamann.   She is a great person.  I have a few female models I call friends.  Some are well known, Gothic model Kali Noir Diamond.  Some are Facebook. Some are just starting out.  You know what they all had in common?  They said Screw it I want to be happy.

There comes a time you need to run away from home. Nothing grows in the comfort zone.  That’s a lie, there is something.  its called regret and you wont get a Do over.

https://www.facebook.com/lexieJ7 /  https://www.facebook.com/callanoirdiamond

THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL…

Her eyes are haunted they do not sparkle.  Life has been ruff for her.  she says ” I’m happier than I have ever been.”  The eyes are the windows to the soul.  that’s why poker players wear sunglasses.

Why should I care? Why should I wonder about it? I have seen the eyes sparkle.  Why should it bother me?  I guess you have never given a homeless person a meal.  helped an older person with getting any thing from a high shelf.  helped a child find mom or a policeman.

We are human and we are suppose to look out for each other.  She looks out for me as best she can.  Her heart is with an other.  She tries.  People are people.  IF you loved them and it was real. Then there will always be feelings there. UNLESS the end was horrid and was all your fault, then you wont have those feelings.

Some are in relationships that it is of convenience and little else.   Some are perfect Illusions to point to a pop hit.  Some are so intense they leave scars.  Will I ever find someone?  The world thinks I will.  I’m not looking, I have friends but like the captain of the Dutchman.  Its in a box on a shelf being watched over.  I can have it any time I want it.  I don’t want it at this point in my life.  I want to play poker and see things.

I know the person watching it has forgotten they have it.  Its covered in webs and dust.  Which is fine.  When its discovered years from now.  It will have the scars of a life partly lived.  The note in side will say “the plan did not work. It was flawed but its all we had so we ran with it.”  Some loves last eons.  Some they write stories over, some are horror movies.

When I go home and I awaken an I look around from this dream.  I will see new scars and a face looking back at me.  She will say welcome home.  The heart will start to beat again.  Atrophied muscles starting to work and pump blood again.  She will look at me and place a hand on my chest.  With a sad look she will know it was a bad dream with a love that did not last.  She will kiss my cheek and say there is work to do.  She will smile and say and “I have needs also.”

That awakening is years away.  There are tables to play.  hands to win.  A friend I miss with sad haunted eyes.  they will say I’m wrong and I’m seeing zebras in a horse stable.  But I know her eyes I saw love, hate, and sadness in them all caused by me. I lived in those eyes.  Now I live on a couch and play cards.

As I finish this post up.  a song makes me smile.  On one hand I hear Archer saying “DANGER ZONE. Lana”.  On the other I feel the feeling when I have ace high and I push with two kings showing and win.

Yes all this from seeing a friends sad eyes…

” TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW……”

Something funny happened recently.  It snapped when I watched a video. It was from the t.v. show the Blacklist. Red is trying to calm Resstler after Resstler was shot. Red paints a picture of what he  wants to do one more time before he dies.

I’m 49 years old.  I have zero work skills.  I have one thing going for me, my mind.  Its been tortured and abused.  Friends and foe alike have left there scars.  The saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer has a hidden message.  Sometimes are worst enemies are our best friends.  You know what to expect from them.

 I have been a horrid person in the past.  I have left mental scars on my friends.  Some have returned the favor .  I was never the arm candy some wanted.  I was never the obedient pet some wanted.  When I point out what they did, oh that’s has little importance to them.  For they only care about what they received not what they have done.

I get accused of twisting facts and redirecting issues.  Funny I get accused that when I redirect the attack back where it came from.  Yes I sometimes bludgeon people with there mistakes.  It was done unto me.  That is a poor excuse but its true.  I have been peoples dirty secret.  I have been the other man when there life was crappy I have even been the other man for the same person.  I will post this one with little fan fair.

I have learned many things from poker, the biggest one is. LET THE HAND GO!  Sounds OH so easy.  They even made a song out of it for a kids movie.  When your playing cards for money there is this think called “TILT”.  It is positive, and negative, both ways are bad.   What do I mean…..   Example you have 3 kings and 2 aces.  That’s called a full house.  A winner a LARGE percent of the time.  They have 4 aces, guess what, YOU LOSE.

Now this is where “TILT” happens.  You cant let it go.  You start beating your self up on how the beat sucked.  You then go on and lose 5 more hands because you have not let it go yet.  Positive “TILT”  you have the 4 aces to there full house.

When you have the hand you now feel bullet proof.  You can do no wrong.  You can do any thing.  Your start playing stupid its worse when it works for a couple hands.

People use my past against me.  They get mad when I use it against them.  Its ok for them to hold the fear of me snapping at someone.  Its ok if they leave me at home,  back burner me.  Use things I said or did against me but I cant return the favor.

I have changed over the past 18 months.  None more that the past 6 weeks.  I love a Vampire, A House Druid, and a few more.  But riddle me this.  Why is it ok for others to use fear of the past as a reason for actions now.  But its wrong if I do it?  Why is it wrong if I point out things but they can?

People ask me Why I’m not dating now.  Why after losing 80 pounds and fixing my life why don’t I date.  Because if I date I have to answer to some one.  I have to think of others.  Be the house-boyfriend, the House Dragon,

i cant be me.

I’m crude when people are crude to me.  I don’t throw the first punch.  I need to be called the Butler first.  I need some one to disrespect the person I’m with. They miss that fact.  Its me its always me.  It was also me that placed 10th in the poker tournament.  It was me that One 5 Omaha tournaments.

Two of the most important people in my life I have been horrid to.  They have returned it in spades.  In both cases they fired the first shot.  I shot back much harder and I’m the bad guy.

The list is long and in truth not worth thinking about.  The hand is over.  I wont go on tilt because they are.  A very beautiful woman asked me to forgive my self for the bad that happened with us.  She has and she has forgiven me.  I’m a poker degenerate.  I’m ok with that.  I’m also broken and covered in scars.  ” Chicks dig scars.”  My brother has a veil that people miss read.  They listen to his off the cuff words and not his actions.  Its a misdirection that few will see. I started to call him out on it in privet.

I have changed.  Raymond does not come out often.  I know who I am.  I think it scares people because I did it.  I changed when some never thought I could.  People had it in their head that It could not happen. They found someone new as I was doing it.   I take pride that I help find happiness, even if its not with me.  It could have screwed me up worse if I would have given up because of what happened.

At some point in your life you have to understand this.  You can not control how people react to you or treat you.  YOU can only control how you react and treat them.

I will always love the important women in my life.  I just wish they could see that its not all on me.  Its not all on them.  People have asked me to let it go.  I am.  I’m seeing things differently now.  I’m not letting people use passive aggression toward me.  I never noticed it before.  Now I take each conversation as an independent chat.

I’m a poker player that’s my job.  I need a few things, tools I need for my job.  Like when your getting your degree in college.  So I will do odd jobs to get a bank roll. But make no mistake.  My job is a poker player.  Its others that never wanted me to be one.  It’s scary.  Like being shot at. Like jumping from planes.  Like opening the door to go out side.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

 Author some say Mark Twain. some say no… 

49 + 20 = 69 we will see who’s married, who has bracelets, and who is happy.