Leader Of The Band (Reprise)

Just sittin' here thinkin' about my father as I listen to Dan Fogelberg sing a song that speaks to a son's love for his father.

I remember as a kid being embarrassed by Daddy because he didn't have a "professional" job.

Because he didn't wear a suit, shirt and tie.

Because he wore the same uniform with his name embroidered on the shirt: "Charlie."

Because he didn't go to school past eighth grade.

Because he was never paid more than $7.00 per hour his entire, working days.

Yeah, the young, ignorant, thankless, immature me felt ashamed.

The much, much older me sees things differently now.

Because in many ways...

I've become my father.

Correction: I've become a man who hasn't earned much money in my working days.

But I've not become my father.

If I had, I would have teamed up with a partner who made a family with me.

If I had, I would have brought kind, loving children into the world.

If I had, I would have purchased a home to house a family I love more than I love myself.

If I had, I would make integrity my calling card.

If I had, I would make my word golden.

What I have done is benefited from emotional development that makes it crystal clear to me today how phenomenal a man my father was then.

I made sure he knew I loved him before he passed.

Because I told him.

And I kissed him.

On his forehead.

For the rest of my days, I will strive to live as righteously and with as much integrity as he had.

But let it be known...

My life has truly been a poor attempt to imitate the man.

I'm just a living legacy to the Leader of the Band.

I am the living legacy

To the leader of the Montgomery band.

Fit Fit Hooray

I had a blast today at The Fit Expo!!!

I went to support Tyshawn Bryant's Green Regimen booth!

And to see Quinn Biddle in the Surge Supplements booth.

Shawn Lattimer

No one could have ever told me how much I'd enjoy another group at this event: Ultimate Armwrestlling League. I'm tellin' you, I had such a good time watching those fellas fight to be the best arm wrestlers in town! They were truly fantastic! I talked to several of them and learned all sorts of things about the sport. My two faves were Shawn Lattimer out of Jersey and Brent Rakers from Illinois. Both are great at this sport, and have great personalities, too!!

Fit Expo is a great time. I'll have to check it out again next year!!!!!!!!!

Born A Crime

Earlier today, I stopped by the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Library and picked up this little treasure.

My sister goes on and on about how much she loved the read, so I figured, let me get in on this!

While I was waiting for my game show audition to begin, I started reading the book. Yes, I brought it along to the audition. One never knows when he'll be seen, so I decided to get some reading in before. Turns out I even got some reading in DURING the dang audition. Okay, I mean, during a break after the first part of the audition!

Thus far, I'm loving the book! Trevor's mother sounds like a real gem of a lady! And a tough ol' broad! Haaa!

Tonight, before lights out, I'll get all snug in bed, and read until I conk out!

I love biographies! 

Just love 'em!

Rotten Apple

Years ago, I was gifted with an Apple iPod Nano. I liked it.  A lot.

I used to carry it with me when I'd walk up mountains. Just about everywhere.

As is the case with all electronics, the darn thing conked out on me. So, what did I do?

I waltzed myself over to The Apple Store at The Grove, and spoke to an Apple Genius.

The young fella told me that the cost of repairing my device was practically the same as purchasing a new one, so I should just purchase a new one. Really?

I don't readily recall if I told him he could toss the thing out, or if I took it back from him and tossed it out myself. But what I do recall is that the darn thing wound up BEING tossed!

And NEVER replaced!

I see now that I'm not the only one Apple has run game on when it comes to repairs.

I tell ya, some folks just wanna earn as much money as they can get their grubby paws on. And they have no limit to what they'll do to get it.

Well, Apple, you can take advantage of most of the people, most of the time, but this ol' dude ain't effin' with you! So, you do you.

And I won't do you!

Strike Up The Band (of Teachers)

Today is Day 2 of a teachers strike in the Los Angeles Unified School District. A first for California, even a charter school has joined the fray.

As a member of SAG-AFTRA, I even joined the picket line! Yep, the union wanted us to stand in solidarity with the teachers, so I did. And was happy to do so! No, I didn't stand out there for a long time, but long enough to get soaked!

What do the teachers want, you ask?

1.) Lower class sizes!  --- Many of the classes are 40+ students. With NO aides to assist the teacher!! Can you imagine being expected to get through to 40+ second graders at once? By yourself????? Geez!

2.) Higher salaries! --- In a nutshell, sports fans get highly upset if their favorite superstar athlete isn't being paid his multi-million dollar "worth." Yet, just willingly accept that teachers are paid crap wages. Teachers who are entrusted with the teaching of our precious children. Sounds ridiculous, right? Because it IS!!!!!

3.) More counselors and nurses! --- Some 1000 schools in Los Angeles County are at a deficit where counselors and nurses are concerned.

Students are expected to attend classes although their teachers won't be there. The substitutes called in are treading on thin ice by coming into the classrooms. They, too, have to know the despair the regular teachers endure.

I hope and pray this strike ends PRONTO! But the teachers' needs MUST be met! They simply MUST! The teachers can't be as impactful as they should be without the proper classroom sizes, aides, and salary.

Dear God, Dear Universe, please get them what they need.

Please!

Read about the strike HERE!

Easy Credit Rip-Offs (Good Times)

Southern California real estate is such a RIP-OFF!

This "newly updated" 3- bed/2-bath house is 1,927 sq ft.

Just look at the front and back yards, master bath and laundry room!

Oh, it's asking price: $1,195,000.00!!!!

Let THAT sink in!

SMDH

O-to-the-P-to-the-R-to-the-A-to-the-H

I don't know WHO this dude is, but I DO know he's outta touch with the world I live in!

How dare he NOT know who Lady O is!

How dare he!

O Come All Ye Faithful

I stumbled upon one of the most incredible renditions of O Come All Ye Faithful I've ever heard.

The lead tenor has the voice of an angel!

A hella POWERFUL ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019

I give GRATITUDE to GOD and THE UNIVERSE for allowing me to usher in this New Year: 2019!!!!!

I was actually in the shower when the clock struck midnight. Cleansing myself of 2018!

A couple posts back, I mentioned what my commitments to the New Year and beyond are.

I'll reiterate them:

1.) I commit to embracing my truth in the face of both adversity and success, understanding that “faking it” leads to the success of few and the downfall of many. 

2.) I commit to seeking happiness from within, acknowledging that happiness stems from gratitude for what we HAVE, rather than desire for what we LACK. 

3.) I commit to being vulnerable and authentic, realizing that it’s impossible to live the life God has created for us when we’re not honest with ourselves and the people we love.

I Charles Andrew Montgomery Jr, alias Cam Montgomery Jr, alias Beany will ALWAYS treat others the way I want to be treated.

And will ALWAYS commit to being thankful for what I HAVE, instead of fretting about what I do NOT. I can't express that sentiment enough to myself!

2019 is going to see me reach heights I've only dreamed about!

So let it be written, so let it be done!