"You should write a book!"

 I've heard that statement more times than I have ever heard my own name. Somehow the stories of my everyday life are much sought after. I have been told that my lack of blogging has been used as an example to teach children the lessons of supply and demand. I've received emails asking if I'll ever write again. I honestly did not think people were hanging by a thread with such anticipation, waiting for the latest development of my life.

Thus... the return of the blog. It has been about a year since my last written personal tidbit. Here on Open Salon, the new home of my blogs, I will re-introduce you to the main characters of my life, the zoo, my travels, my adventures, and everyday general ramblings.

Let’s take a moment and meet the characters:

"Mom" - strong independent women with a raised eyebrow. Her sympathy has expired. She'll be the first to quip that comment that either leaves your jaw hanging, have you laughing in stitches, or fill you with pride and admiration. We do not always see eye to eye, but she knows why I smile and she knows why I cry.

"Sis" - my older sister who is cursed with some weird, out there in left field mojo and goes around spreading them. A spotlight comedian by day, paparazzi by night, and a pain in my buttocks.

"The Zoo" - consists of two half pit, half Dalmatian dogs named Willy Eugene Wranglerton and Star Vin Marvin. In addition, there is a trio of felines. Angel is the Queen of the house, Leo is a horny George Carlin like kitty stalker, and then there is Annie Fannie Claire, who thinks she is a dog.  Together, the zoo feeds the insanity of Mom and Sis till they are coo coo for coco puffs.

"The Family" - an Irish collection of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family gathering and reunions take place in New York, Dallas, and Phoenix. The elders hold their own and win most arguments. They are, at best, unusual and entertaining. At times, a selected few of the "Islanders" make it into this category.  

"Islanders" - a collection of friends base on Long Island, New York in which is where I was born and raised. Individual characters from this collection vary greatly from ultra modern city chic to carnies. They defy all logic with a good heaping portion of attitude.

"Peaches" - a collection of friends based in the north suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. They are my second family and a very large one at that.  They define the motto of "live, laugh, and love". Individual characters from this collection are classic text book definitions. Sweet beautiful Georgia peaches marry handsome gun loving cool rednecks. They also never met a can of beer they didn't like. 

"Texans" - a growing collection of friends based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metropolis. From the trendy metro sexual to the spectacular gay and lesbians to the spur wearing rodeo cowboys, the individual characters from this collection are the definition of left and right. The clash of the liberals and the conservatives result in high bar tabs and a few good cue sticks. They are all about the wild hot Texas nights of anything goes and everything is bigger.

"Rockers" - a collection of friends from a rock and roll online community that started 11 years ago and became a real life community. Friendship remains strong to this day. They are all tiffany twisted. Their locations are spread across the country and I still occasionally meet up for some shenanigans.

“Athletes” – a small collection of friends who are super athletes based around the world. Friendship began in the summer of 2003 when I discovered Women’s Baseball. We share a common interest and even a mark in the history books. They are highly successful, good natured, and always up for a game.

"Jeep" - the very core of me. She is not only a prized possession of 13 years and counting, she is a way of life. She has stood by me, protected me in my travels, gotten me in trouble, introduced me to new friends, shown me the world, and generated my nickname. Together we are one.  

I’ve just now realized I have loosely described hundreds of people in 1000 words or less. There are always more people making their way into my life with every adventure I have. This list will never be complete but this list should be able to give you a rough idea of what to expect in my upcoming blogs.

Consider this the “foreword” of my book.