Crabby? . . .

We all are, sometimes . . .



Shell Fire
by John Edward Smallshaw


I am the crab
the star on a slab.
dying,
you're frying tonight.

When you take me
you'll break me
and suck on my legs
devour me
deflower me.
I am a crab
the star on a slab.

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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
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WTF . . .

. . . WHO not WHAT . . .

. . . can we trust? . . .

You NEVER hear the WHOLE story.   You NEVER get the COMPLETE news . . .


(from http://www.thenation.com/blog/178247/farm-bill-cuts-8-billion-food-stamps-preserves-handouts-koch-industries#)
After a conservative-led revolt against the Farm Bill, a five-year congressional funding program for agricultural and hunger programs, a deal will reportedly reach the president’s desk on Friday. The final iteration of the bill cuts $8 billion from food stamps, a key demand made by Americans for Prosperity, which aired advertisements and organized opposition to the initial Farm Bill because of the supposed waste of providing food assistance to needy families. Americans for Prosperity is controlled by the billionaire Koch brothers and their cohort. Koch groups claimed the Farm Bill serves “special interests and powerful corporations” over the taxpayers.

Yet, the final funding package contains a number of giveaways that benefit Koch Industries’ bottom line:

• Biomass Subsidies: The Farm Bill preserves $881 million in mandatory spending for biomass energy, a program that Koch Industries’ timber subsidiary Georgia-Pacific has used to to extract government subsidies. Georgia-Pacific applied and qualified for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program for its facilities in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon and Florida. Lobbying reports from Koch Industries show that the company has pressured Congress on the Farm Bill, specifically on the BCAP program. Records also show that Koch Industries executive Deborah Baker asked Department of Agriculture officials to expand BCAP forestry eligibility.

• New Clean Water Act Exemption: The Farm Bill enacts a measure that ensures runoff of pesticides and other chemicals from forestry sites may not be regulated under the Clean Water Act as industrial pollution. The Farm Bill includes an amendment that would define the “EPA’s treatment of forestry operations as non-point sources of pollution under the Clean Water Act.” A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored the forestry amendment, which Wild Oregon warns will overturn “a recent court ruling that found that pollution originating from active logging roads be treated similarly to other industrial activities.” The group says the amendment poses “a serious risk not just to the [Nestucca River], but to countless other rivers and streams in Oregon that have been damaged by poor logging and road building practices.” Koch Industries’ Georgia-Pacific signed on with other companies in lobbying for this amendment to the Farm Bill.

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Koch Industries was also joined by other energy and timber corporations in lobbying for the expansion of biomass energy programs. Timber companies and their trade associations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, came together to demand the Clean Water Act exemption.

Recipients of food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), had few resources to influence Congress. Although several grocery and convenient store industry groups pushed back against cuts on SNAP, defenders of food stamps were largely outgunned during the debate. Anti-poverty activists say the deep cuts in the food stamp program will amount to a $90 monthly reduction for many families.





So WTF . . . that's WHY not WHAT . . .
do we put up with it? ? ? !!!!!

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
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Listen . . .

. . . and sing along . . .

The Ocean City Ditty (final mix) is here. . .



On your mark get set
Disconnect that Internet
Every girl and boy
Breathing in the joy
Not a care at last
Sit outside and bask
In rays of summer's bliss 

Crabs and fish and shells
Feel your tensions melt
Fries and pizza pie
Smiles won't be denied
Everything is cool
in 2 1 8 4 2
Feel the sparkle in your eyes

Catch a wave and ride
Cars and motorbikes
Bikini babes in the sand
Vibin' to rockin' bands
Ocean City

From Memorial to Labor Day
We beckon you to play
To a boardwalk beat
Miles and miles of beach
Your memories to take
Currents dance and sway
leave your footprints in the sand

Fireworks at night
Give your love a kiss
Sail and fish the sea
Here life is a beach
in Ocean City

Now is the time that's right
For you only live once
Time does drag when it's all work and no fun
The ocean gateway calls you
Sport your shorts and shades
It's so divine to dine at life's buffet
It's almost heaven and
There's so much more we can say

Catch a wave and ride
Cool cars and motorbikes
Bikinis on the sand
Dance to rockin' bands
Ocean City


Ocean City Ditty
written by John P. Graboski
performed by OHO- Jay Graboski, David Reeve and Ray Jozwiak




What do you think?
Tell me at
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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
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Thin AIr . . .

When I woke up today I had all that I want
Everything that I did brought desired results
How could this be? All the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.

But of course I am wrong.  How could I understand
When my society tells me how tall I stand?
Then I take it inside and wait for life’s kiss
Which is sure to arrive ‘cause I’m riding my bliss.

What did I do? The world holds me up
Invisible hands grant the nourishing cup
Have I found a way that has always been there?
It seems to me it came out of thin air.

The child waking up brings the old crone to tears
Pushing through my disguise see the tips of my ears
How could this be all the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.

What did I do? The world holds me up
Invisible hands grant the nourishing cup
Have I found a way that has always been there?
It seems to me it came out of thin air.

When I blindly reach out to what I cannot see
Grace reappears and it rescues me
I’m not what I feel, I’m not what you think
I’m only what is and what isn’t in sync.

What did I do? The world holds me up
Invisible hands grant the nourishing cup
Have I found a way that has always been there?
It seems to me it came out of thin air.


Out Of Thin Air
written by John P. Graboski
(OHO rehearsal recording-
Jay Graboski, David Reeve and Ray Jozwiak are OHO)





What do you think?
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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

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Life . . .

. . . is a musical.


That's what I used to tell my kids when something occurred that reminded me of a song.  Like one would complain about rainy weather, to which I would respond with a musical 'Here comes the sun. . . doo 'n doo doo. . . ' Or a younger one might be pestering his older sibling, a situation in which I would offer comfort to the older by singing, 'Mama said there'd be days like this. . .'  Well, you get the picture.

Now mind you I'm not really a very big fan of the typical Broadway musical where characters frequently break into corny songs in the middle of the 'action.' Some are, of course, more appealing to me than others depending upon the composer, the subject matter etc.  And I've even been told that some of my original music reminds various people of show-tunes, an observation to which I do NOT object.  There are only 12 notes in our western musical system you know.

But back to life. . . waiting for one of life's most mundane, and to some even one of life's most feared experiences, my six-month dental checkup, its (life, that is) musical connection revisits me in all its unadulterated truth.  My dentist is also, in fact, a musician. . .

What do you think?
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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Twelve . . .

. . . more hours . . .



So many things I'd like to do
So many places to see
And I feel like
There's never enough
Time for anything else
That I might desire to undertake
Something I'd like to purse
But the world's just spinning around
Keeps me head and foot-bound
Don't know what to do

Give me just twelve hours
To add to my day
Keep all your wealth and your money
Take your fame and power
For time just give me twelve hours

Time isn't cheap
You pay so dearly
I'm trying to make every minute count
Penny count

Spending my time seem like all i do
Can't save up for rainy days
Can't invest in
An instrument to
Earn satisfaction to draw from
When far-in-the future I need to feel
Just what my value has been
There's no interest that's coming or due
Dividends are so precious and few
Don't know what to do

Give me just twelve hours
To add to my day
Keep all your wealth and your money
Take your fame and power
For time just give me twelve hours


Twelve Hours
© 2012 Raymond M. Jozwiak
from Black & White Then Back






What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
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Fan . . .

. . . Favorite Award

Deadline Wednesday, February 12, Noon

It's here - the only Wammies award where non-WAMA members can vote for the winner. Only one vote per person allowed.

Cast Your Fan's Favorite Vote in the 28th Annual WAMMIE Awards for me, Ray Jozwiak(my release "Black & White Then Back" in on the ballot for 2013's Best Jazz Recording)
HERE
No pressure PLEASE!!!!

Don't bother if you wish.  Just enjoy the music (below) instead . . .

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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