It's summer!  Time for BBQ's, beach, bikes and more female vocalists than Carter's Little Liver Pills (anyone old enough to get that?).  Seriously, every day another female vocalist (CD) comes across my desk.  First thought; "Who's she dating?" Second thought; "Good picture."  Third thought; "I'll listen later."  I realize that promoters have to make a living and that these projects are revenue producing, however, if the product being promoted is not up to par (or just another vocalist) doesn't that hurt the promoters integrity when one is told..."...she's the best since Sarah or Ella or Carmen or Diana." I'll most likely get some angry or unfriendly comments from those who disagree with my premise, but remember, this is what I do for a living and I stand by my remarks.  I live this daily!

   Am I wrong or is talking on the phone when driving is a law that should be enforced!!!  It's not the phone alone that's distracting BUT the conversation that is taking place.  Talking while driving is a disaster waiting to happen.  Think about it...it's a distraction and takes your mind off the driving.  Common people, get wise.  Don't answer the damn phone while driving.

   My friend, Ken Seiffert (a true world class bass player) sent me a profound eMail the other day that I must share with as many people as possible. It seems that age is on all our minds and at the same time our personal egg timer is slowly sifting down to the glass bottom.  If I may;

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed.   I am entitled to not make my bed.  I am entitled to a treat, to be messy to be extravagant. 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to the wonderful Jazz of Jarrett or Miles or Rosolino, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a loved one no longer with us... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.

But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A Heart Never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.       

I am so happy to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older you care less about what other people think.  I don't question myself anymore.  I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.  And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it)!

Boy I wish I wrote that!

   That's it but I have other opinions you may not be interested in, however, as a heads up, I will use this space (because I pay for it) to share these thoughts with you in the future.  You can always respond by eMail: dongordon@hawaii.rr.com or dgordon@hawaiipublicradio.org.   Seriously, if you read this let me know what you think, I'd like to know.

Best wishes,