imjustdrew

It’s cold dark and lonely if you catch my drift

The Holidays are here and every moment is a shift

Rest, but not relaxation

It’s not quite the same sensation

I still have so many questions to ask you

Mostly day to day stuff for you

You are needed now more than ever

I will love you forever

Keep giving me the signs

Prepare me for the penalties and fines

I’m sitting here while it’s raining. All of my energy is draining. I’m holding this memory of you in a frame. I wish this were a game. I want to see you now. Eight months is far too long, so foul. You’re happy but I want you here. You mean so much to me dear. You would be so proud of what’s going on. I know the time won’t seem long. Thanks for sending those small dogs. I need more wood and logs. I still love bonfires. Your spirit keeps away the liars. I keep your frame near the door so that’s the first thing people see. The Holidays are here and you’re celebrating gleefully. Stay happy, pain free and joyous. I’ll be there eventually with the rest of us

Silence is golden, platinum is peace

I want to buy love, not rent nor lease

I have goals and plans as I rattle these pots and pans

You all are all about material things and turkey wings

I just want my loved ones close

All in one room, gotta vacuum

I’m going to miss some of you, but the love is true

Let me finish this flute album, I listen to allum

I am in a great spot, I love what I got

The bar is closing, it’s the last call. I don’t drink but I feel for all. One day you will hug someone for the last time. You will spend your final dime. We will go inside for the day and not return back out. You will hangout with your folks one more. That’s it, once more, not again or times four. You want one more minute but in fact there’s none. The time you all had was great but it’s now done. It sure was fun. The next time you’re out with friends and family, don’t forget to get one more.

The ball comes like a slew of meteors one thousand fold. This neverending transition is getting old. Will I ever gain some normalcy? There are too many losses you see. Gotta keep eating, keep the machine fed. Remember the people that you have led. Life will continue to be on that intense pace. You will win the race. Preparation will always beat anticipation. Enjoy the fun times and inspiration. Refuel and isolate as you need. Rest! Pass the test! Remember that we all bleed. Ensure you get your first aid. It’s time to show others how you were made. It all feels like a thousand daggers. This won’t last like grocery store baggers. Take it slow, stay in the moment and trust the process. The future is shiny and never a mess

Preface: some friends aren’t close and others are associates. I actually wrote about this in “From Darkness To Sunshine”.

When I was at my friend’s (I can call them that) Andrew and Haley’s wedding a year and a half ago, Andrew’s dad Frank was his best man. He said in his speech for his son to “follow the manual”. Frank meant The Bible of course.

I mentioned the other week how my book has sustained and aged. Often times I’m going back to my own advice and knowledge as I navigate my own relationships with people and connections.

I don’t hate anyone. There are those I distance myself from and those I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to hang with. It’s nothing personal.

I’m realizing as I get older I need to focus more on the people that give me equal, reciprocal attention. It doesn’t hurt to check on others. Just remember to not expect the same out of others that don’t feel like you do.

It really comes down to just “reading the manual”. That and going back to the granular basics tends to put things into perspective.

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

Nope this isn’t the cold front nor an Alpha innuendo

This is addressing the tension if you know you know

I didn’t realize so much math was involved within One Mic

This is always way too much to type

The meeting should be interesting, I hope popcorn is around

To tension and toxicity I will not be bound

Two weeks notice on everything including plans

It is that weather where you need the pots and soup cans

I do know no one will talk to me like they don’t have sense

I don’t have a jar to ask for your two cents

Don’t make my job harder nor blame me because you can’t read

You need to see this now and take heed

While it’s cooler outside I’m turning up the heat

I will be harder and harder to beat

I know what to expect but I will go through the motions

We won’t have any unexpected emotions

It’s all clear now, no need for sassiness and apologetic texts

The plan and execution will be the bigger flex

There’s not much needed to say about the effect Beyonce has had on the media, music and concert scene. Her performances are experiences, people dress in cosplay for them, make plans, etc. It’s a priority everytime Queen B goes on tour or has any sort of performance or album. Love or hate her, she’s an icon.

Now I wouldn’t call Taylor Swift an icon but she draws a lot of attention herself. She has the tendency to enter a romantic relationship, with a celebrity or athlete, and then make an album with breakup songs, when it doesn’t work out.

Enter Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. Ever since he and Taylor became “friends” the camera goes directly to her during games. I’ve even noticed an uptick of ads and commercials during Chiefs games that she’s in. People are noticing her and not just him who’s very accomplished in his own right.

Taylor seems like a nice person and has influence as a celebrity and performer similar to Beyoncé. Given the situation, she’s getting the media in a virtual chokehold. Not only is this behavior new, it likely won’t end soon. It goes back to the 50s when Marilyn Monroe dated Joe DiMaggio, when Jessica Simpson dated Tony Romo, the many suitors that J-Lo has had and the list goes on.

Therefore buckle up. Beyonce may hibernate until the Grammys or her feature film release of the Renaissance tour drops. Taylor is here until or if her and Travis part ways. That’s simply good advertisement and placement.

#imjustdrew

No this isn’t a poem although I have more of those.

I am so impressed by the long term and sustained success of my first and thus far only book “From Darkness To Sunshine: Making Unlimited Friends and Connections”. This is the hallmark and starting point for the #imjustdrew brand.

6 years after its release, I have changed so much as a person. My core values remain intact. I definitely wouldn’t do a reboot and am glad people are discovering my book in-person and online thanks to Wisefire Cafe in Blacksburg and Amazon searches.

I ran into the best problem this weekend: I couldn’t find anymore paperbacks. Now I’ve been doing lots of rearranging, purging and housecleaning. Many are aware why my spring and summer cleaning have been prolonged. Amongst all of this, I cannot find my final stack of books I’ve ordered. I think I have two that are sellable.

I have decided what to do since I’m grateful for all of my fans of the book and the #imjustdrew brand. I will continue to search for the remaining copies. Once those are gone, I’m contacting Amazon and Lulu and see if we can lower the price to around $7 online. I will of course still sign copies if I see any and all customers.

I hope the book maintains well while I have life in my body. I still want to finish my anti-bullying piece “Scared Eyes” and write a children’s book. My artist Eric Sligh can design covers and art for either one and I believe the children’s market is a great one. Also for us to fully grasp a concept or love each other, we often have to think like a pure child at times.

I’m again grateful for the support and keep buying the book, reading my blogs and tuning into the #imjustdrew podcast!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

I believe when I first launched the #imjustdrew brand, some folks thought I meant we could come together on any subject. That is certainly not the case but I do believe there is common ground when hate and hostility can be put aside.

Deion “PrimeTime” Sanders or “Coach Prime” has shown the nation this the past 3 weeks. His new Colorado Buffaloes college football team is the talk of the nation, starting 3-0 after finishing 1-11 last season.

Coach Prime came to Boulder, CO with his brand of winning, motivation, coaches and players that can get it done. There are several reasons to root for him and his team: the culture, they’re winning, excitement and they’re a great feel good story. Everyone likes a winner and a feelgood story and that is what Colorado and Coach Prime are.

Now from the sporting fans eye, things get tougher in just the new two weeks with powerhouses Oregon and USC on the schedule along with star two way player Travis Hunter out for a few weeks. Either way, it’s good to see Colorado being most everyone second favorite team at worst. Every team that faces them knows now it’s not going to be an easy win.

These are the stories that build my brand and show what we can accomplish when we can buy in collectively to a concept. The Prime Effect is definitely real!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine