J.J. Goodman: Writings, Musings and More

If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a merry Christmas? ~ Don Meredith   (Ok… whatnow?)   Generally the phrase is taken to represent the notion that second guessing and making excuses are nothing more than an impediment to happiness. What a party we'd have if the "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts… although you really shouldn't eat too many nuts. While they are generally heart healthy, anything in excess can be problematic and if you don't hydrate enough while you're eating nuts you're going to have one helluva…   (*ahem*)   Right, sorry. I digress. It seems I've been doing a lot that lately. What-iffing, if you will. Sadly for some of us it's almost second nature to second guess. Sometimes you get to a point in your life where you just sit there and examine your life and say "what if I did this" or "what if I didn't do that" or "but, if I didn'

"If we weren't all crazy we would go insane."   ~ Jimmy Buffett, Changes in Latitudes   (Amen to that!)   Right? I mean, with the exception of "the new Jeep vehicle is such an abomination that villagers should chase it down the road with pitchforks and torches," I honestly don't think truer words have ever been spoken.   (*smacking head*)   Tell me I'm wrong. Do you honestly think you could get through life without some kind of neurosis? I don't. Dictionary.com defines normal as "conforming to the standard or the common type," or "approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality or emotional judgment." I don't want to be normal.   (Trust me, you're not.)   Normally I would take that jibe as an insult, but not in this instance. Perhaps almost as true as Buffett's words is the notion that conformity breeds contempt. Normal is boring, Normal doesn't allow for emot

You know, I debated for some time whether or not I should post this. I feared how someone might read too much into it, or misinterpret the sentiment behind it… And then, in my typical fashion, I decided to say f*ck it and post it anyway. I am much better at expressing myself through words, in case you haven't noticed… why stop now?   I do hope the subject of the song finds this, reads it, and takes it for what it is: My simple, heartfelt thank you for sharing a smile and helping me make the most of a tough situation. This was the best way I could think to express my appreciation.     Dance Floor   I was sittin' in my chair All the way back there Watchin' all the dancin' And even some romancin'   Was about to go When her sparkling eyes caught mine And right then and there I couldn't even blame the wine   Instead of leavin' like I planned I let lead her lead me by the hand   And we danced the night away Without a care

Twice now in less than a month my life has been touched by the tragedy of suicide. In the one instance a beloved law school professor, in the other an iconic entertainer. In both instances the world was deprived of an individual full of passion, vibrancy, and an altruistic need to help others. I am saddened, and angry, that these individuals were taken from me, and I am so tragically saddened that the evilness that is the disease of depression took such a hold on these wonderful, beloved people.    Make no mistake, depression is a disease, one from which many cannot escape. It takes hold like a cancer and permeates every fibre of your being, whispering untruths, altering reality, and infusing one with such distraught and despair that far too often becomes inescapable. Sometimes there is no amount of medication or therapy that can overcome the irrational notion that death is the only escape. There isn't sunlight bright enough to burn away the shadowy spectres lurking in the fog

I've been doin' some thinkin' That led to some drinkin' Ignorin' them voices And makin' bad choices   I know that you're gone And I want to move on Maybe one of these times I'll get you off of my mind   But until that dream comes true I just keep seein' you And my future in the rearview   Rollin' all night Thinkin' that I might Drive those words that you said And you out of my head   One of these days I'll find somewhere to stay Put this Chevy in park And stop cryin' in the dark   But until that dream comes true I just keep seein' you And my future in the rearview   I will never understand Why you let go of my hand   You and I could have had it all You and I together standing tall   No, I never thought I'd find myself here   Driving through the night all alone Waiting for you, starin' at the phone   Someday things are gonna turn around And my

Ok, so I did get some work done on Ultionis. I also saw Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend... and was inspired to pen this story-starter. Let me know what you think....   ~   "Hey, Han Solo ," a guard shouted derisively as he unlocked the cell gate. "Looks like you've got friends in high places. Let's go."   "The name is Winger, " he muttered under his breath as he stepped passed the guard and into the corridor. He'd been in plenty of places like this before, but this one in particular reeked of piss and despair. Wren was ready to leave it behind until he noticed a familiar face in one of the cells he'd passed on the way out. He paused, smirked, turned back and spoke.   "Hey Bram, tell your sister I say hello."   Bram, a large humanoid from Praxus, towered over Wren. Wren didn't care. He and Bram had had their fair share of run-ins before. Both bounty hunters, Bram relied on his brute strength whereas Wr