What do you do. . .

. . . if you are a cruel and ruthless tyrant, whose country is awash in turmoil because the population feels that you are unjust, corrupt, incompetent, power-hungry, and according to some. . . just plain INSANE. What do you do if most of the world powers have united against you, and have physically sent armed forces onto your own land to protect YOUR citizens from YOU and the paid mercenaries you employ to attempt to keep them at bay. What do you do if your entire population demands FREEDOM, a more democratic governing system, fairness, basic human rights while you feel that a royal decree or a divine providence enables you to maintain power over this population indefinitely and you continue to claim that you will not allow those citizens so much as a hearing of their grievances.

What do you do when the whole world is against you, your back is to the wall, barely a soul can be found to defend your intentions and your actions. Where do you go? What is your next move? WHAT DO YOU DO????????

YOU PLAY CHESS!!!!





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Sometimes enthusiasm. . .

. . . gets the best of you, and you take something much too far too fast, and in the end, the enthusiasm pales a bit, as it's not quite as enjoyable now through the newly-acquired cloak of discomfort you have donned in the process.

Or conversely, sometimes the emotional pain you're feeling becomes so unbearable that running seems like the only thing to do but after you've run as far as you can and you stop to regain your figurative breath, you find the cause of all that emotional pain is there waiting at the destination you have finally reached AND you find you also have additional company in the person of an accompanying physical pain above the eyebrows.



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Talking with. . .

. . .my good friend Doug Alan Wilcox about the youth quotient in the singer-songwriter genre last night and hearing a radio program on NPR about late 50s early 60s rock music sparked some thinking. Fortunately, the sparks were small and the resulting smoke was minimal, as I was driving home from Doug's CD release party at the Frederick Coffee Company where a wonderful, appreciative crowd gathered to celebrate, and where I believe I may have been the one in the room having the most fun, although it appeared that Doug was not far behind me in that respect. But back to the radio show, Bobby Rydell was being interviewed, he still performs BTW, and he and the host of the program were discussing how rock'n roll from that era, and the lifestyle of the preponderance of the consumer market for rock, were so very innocent and carefree. Bobby mentioned going to WIldwood, NJ as a teenager and bodysurfing, dancing, gathering on the beach and doing all those things that teenagers do. He also mentioned the fact that there was no Vietnam (War), drugs (not a huge concern in his crowd) and so many of the other issues that soon affected the innocence of teenagers. Youth for him, and hopefully for most of us, was an innocent time with very few worries or responsibilities.

And today, even though youth is relatively innocent, how can young people not be confronted at certain times by talk of the bad economy, unemployment, vicious politicians, terrorism, wars in far away Middle-Eastern locations, nuclear issues, freedom fighters and rebels. . . the list goes on. In other words, no matter how innocent youth is today, it cannot possibly be as innocent as it was for Bobby Rydell, the youth of his day, and even me (I lagged behind Bobby by some years). So the singer-songwriter of the (relatively) new millennium is a different animal than the singer-songwriter of times gone by. (Actually, singers and songwriters were separate entities in Bobby's day, but that's a whole different topic.) I'm not longing for the good ole days, mind you, I think we are are evolving and that's a GOOD thing. But this is merely a reflection. As a matter of fact, who can complain about the calibur of music that is available to us thanks to the youth of today. . .




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Some blatant, shameless. . .

. . . promotion - STRICTLY COMMERCIAL

My friend Doug Alan Wilcox will be performing songs from his new CD WHAT I MEANT TO SAY at the CD Release Party, Saturday June 11 at the Frederick Coffee Company. I am particularly looking forward to it because I will be accompanying Doug on keyboard. Hope you can join us if you're in the area. If you're NOT, hyperlinks to Doug's and my websites are further down on this page. Hope you'll visit our sites and maybe even purchase some music. Thanks.

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Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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Sipping my espresso. . .

. . . in the darkest little corner up at Tio's. A Don Tomas perfecto and Courvousier can make me feel just fine. If you don't see me there I might be on a plane and bound for Rio. I live the life you'd like to lead and look so happy all the time. Must be cool must be collected; best that I am able, as the hostess sits you down at the nearest table. I'm only pretending; only pretending; pretending I'm doing alright. There just was no bending; we saw it ending - no mending could help all the damage we'd done. I'm only pretending; only pretending; only pretending.

She said that I should be mature about this situation. Maybe. I didn't think I had a problem. I was dealing with it fine. I told her I was gonna go and find myself another baby. She didn't think that I was serious but still she didn't mind. Now I've got my chance; my freedom. I'm an Indy agent. This will roll right off my back. Look what I've been staging. I'm only pretending; only pretending; pretending I'm doing alright. There just was no bending; we saw it ending - no mending could help all the damage we'd done. I'm only pretending; only pretending; only pretending.

I can pretend that I'm Napoleon. I'm just a man on a limb. Trying to get my two feet on the ground. I can pretend that I'll win.

I automatically launch into my routine each time I see you. It's just this thing I have to do to keep my sanity alive. A little defense mechanism that I use when I feel blue. A desperate man will use some desperate measures only to survive. People say don't take it too hard. There are other fishes swimming in the deep blue sea. I'm all through with wishes. I'm only pretending; only pretending; pretending I'm doing alright. There just was no bending; we saw it ending - no mending could help all the damage we'd done. I'm only pretending; only pretending; only pretending.

ONLY PRETENDING
©1997 Raymond M. Jozwiak



Visit Doug Alan Wilcox's Website
Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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My friend David. . .

. . . introduced me to what later became one of my major musical influences way back in the seventh grade. Our little, urban Catholic elementary school was, I'm sure, like most others. When we were young, many of our parents' generation (of the Catholic persuasion) had horror stories about 'discipline' in Catholic schools involving everything but water-boarding. To this day I'm not sure if these graphic stories were concocted merely to frighten us or if they actually were, in fact, true. Irrespective of the veracity of those tales, we (happily) never experienced the 'extreme' version of discipline on our school. I don't even remember a teacher (nun, priest or 'civilian') laying a hand on a student in my eight year Catholic education.

But back to David. Sister Mary Agnes just happened to have a Magnus organ in her classroom. (You can read about this magnificent instrument HERE) David had been playing this arpeggiated pattern on the Magnus during lunch period on a rainy day when we could not indulge in the usual dodge-ball game outside, which sounded like Bach (or Beethoven- not that I would have known the difference way back then); a sophisticated yet complex and compelling combination of broken chords. I insisted that David teach the pattern to me, which he did. I'd like to say that I clearly remember mastering the entire little song on the spot, but that would be a LIE. But I do know that I did learn it. David told me that it was called "Colour My World" by Chicago (now shortened from Chicago Transit Authority). I investigated the music of this wonderful, new (it was about 1971-2, so they may have been around for about 5 years by that time) rock band. And I can still say that Chicago (1968 - 1974) is most certainly one of my favorite rock (now 'historical' rock, I guess) bands and without a doubt, one whose music had a profound influence on my musical development.



Visit Doug Alan Wilcox's Website
Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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I Am I Firm Believer. . .

. . in forgiving. . . holding no grudge. . . showing mercy, tolerance, empathy etc. . .

But is it my imagination or does it seem that our public servants are becoming more and more depraved? Take the case of the recently discovered (and more recently admitted) and aptly named Anthony WEINER, for example.

Of course our professional legislators and executives are only human beings, and most folks know that FDR had extramarital relations. And don't forget John Kennedy, who may be the Julio Iglesias of politicians - but that is unverifiable by this writer and neither here nor there all the same. But ever since Bill (S.E.G.) Clinton faced a grand jury and said, ""It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the--if he--if 'is' means is and never has been, that is not--that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement....Now, if someone had asked me on that day, are you having any kind of sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky, that is, asked me a question in the present tense, I would have said no. And it would have been completely true." Granted, the Republican accusers were merciless in their glee in catching old Bill in the act (so to speak). But nevertheless, would you really want to buy a used car from a guy like Clinton, let alone let him run your country?

Well, that's now ancient history. But you know, the above printed quote from the former president sounds uncannily and unsettlingly like a female candidate (non-candidate?) of the opposite party, for president currently in it's sentence structure, thoughtfulness, sincerity and articulation of clear,
concise
thought. . .




Visit Doug Alan Wilcox's Website
Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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ANOTHER SHOT
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