The good has not dissipated from the face of the earth
We are out there, in far greater numbers than the common perception would have you perceive
Love and laughter are a power source that overwhelmingly outweigh pain and suffering
Truth may be relative but goodness is not, hope is not, help is not
Help is here
It will not happen over-night but we are building an army of care
It will not be easy but little that matters is
We are in this fight for life
We are here for those who need a helping hand
For those who have lost their voice in the shouting matching of struggle
I will bleed for the things I believe in
I will shed tears to the ground because they connect me to all those who have walked upon it
If dreams do not fuel your soul, let kindness and likeness impose your will upon your species, and witness a protagonist rise and begin a new chapter in the story of man
Let community be common in our hearts, minds, and every day actions.
Let wealth be a measurement of the richness of one’s soul and giving nature
Let freedom not be a burden but opportunity to help the helpless
When will we believe in ourselves enough to believe in one another?
When will we stand by our choices in good times and bad, knowing in our hearts we made them with the best possible intentions?
I believe the time alluded to is near
I believe in love as an elixir to fear
I believe joy is pure on the edge of a tear
I believe in the spirit of a people united by its unique strengths, not divided by its similar weaknesses
I believe in these things, now how do I get you to?
LIONS CENTER DOMINIC RAIOLA TRAVELS LIKE A ROCKSTAR – klamb21@gmail.com
Credit Detroit Lions
While front row tickets and backstage passes may satisfy the average rockers dream concert, Lions 6-foot-1 center Dominic Raiola took the phrase “living the dream” one step further and raised it with a “what’s up what’s up?”, boarding Kid Rock’s private jet on their way to his performance in St. Louis.
“It was the best show I’ve ever been to,” Raiola Said. “We flew to St. Louis and back, it was alright.”
Born in Honolulu, the Saint Louis High School prep star was undefeated in his final three years of high school before shipping off to the University of Nebraska.
“Eminem and Kid Rock are my favorite Detroit artists,” Raiola told Sportz Detroit Magazine. “I dig old school jams, Dr. Dre, Drake and Jay Z.”
In his first year as a cornhusker Raiola became the first freshman offensive lineman to start a game for the Cornhuskers since Rob Zatechka in 1991.
In 1999 he became the first sophomore center at Nebraska since Dave Rimington to participate in a postseason play and set a school record for knockdowns, which he broke again in 2000.
Raiola was recognized as a consensus first-team-All-American and won the Rimington Trophy in 2000, given to the best center in college football.
Given the opportunity to meet any artist, living or dead, the 2001 second round pick acknowledged one of the greats.
“I’d love to meet Frank Sinatra, but he’s no longer with us,” Raiola said.
Inspired by an eclectic of musical genres, the 2009 Detroit Lions Good Guy leaned towards the hip-hop scene for his ultimate collaboration.
“I’d love to see Drake and Kanye West,” Railoa said.
By Kevin Alan Lamb
Credit Eric Hampton
Kevin Alan Lamb joined the West Bloomfield High School varsity football team his junior year to avoid basketball conditioning. Despite no previous experience playing organized football, after one week of practice the 6-foot-7 230 pound junior was slotted to start both ways as a tight end and defensive end. Wear and tear of his throwing hand paired with little knowledge of what was going on made Lamb’s decision to hang up the cleats without ever playing a game an easy one.
I cry for those who think it’s acceptable to leave the less fortunate behind
I cry for those who don’t believe in their dreams
I cry for those who die amongst mediocrity despite being blessed with the means
I cry for those who know it all
I cry for those without a helping hand to offer to those who fall
I cry for the love that burns fervently in my soul
I cry for vision of dreams that alas insisted I grow
I cry for those who only shed tears for themselves
I cry for the egotistical man and the world’s problems on which he never dwells
I cry tears of joy for the apathetic man muted by greed and a perpetual constant of nothing to say
I cry for children whose parents discourage the light and dreams in their eyes
I cry for the love the world is missing by hiding their heart in disguise
I cry for vision wasted on men pissing potential on a credential solely for exaggerated ego
I cry for the racist man that sees MLK as a Negro
I cry for love wasted on the wretched that have chosen to be incapable of loving themselves
I cry for the storyteller and the story he no longer tells
I cry for light consumed by darkness
I cry for the lonely accepting that love wasn’t meant for all of us
I cry for the miserable that will kill for company
I cry for the musician sold on the idea that there’s no place in this world for his creation and accompaniment
I cry for the entitled and their subsequent desired titles
I cry for stories written by editors and not writers
I cry for kingdoms in the sky without keys for the likes of you and I
I cry for love lost, love never had, but infinitely for belief fled from to perpetuate the disheartened and mad
I cry for souls and suns that no longer set
I cry for the indifferent, living lives void of purpose because a cause they never met
I cry for the miserable and the misery they expect
Photo Credit to Eric Hampton
I cry for those who think this is about me
I cry for the vision the masses refuse to see
I cry tears of joy for those who believe
I cry tears of joy for an army of peace
I cry tears of joy for tyrannous dictators brought to their knees
I cry tears of joy for the need we will appease
I cry tears of joy for our journey across the seven seas
I cry tears of joy for collaboration without fees
I cry tears of joy for a starving child that feeds
I cry tears of joy for Good Signs planted like seeds
I cry tears of joy for the illiterate child that one day reads
I cry tears of joy for the hopeless man that one day preaches
I cry tears of joy for a world without oil on its beaches
I cry tears of joy for a world where the less fortunate thrive and are no longer leaches
I cry tears of joy for a global community without dividing lines like creases
This poem was inspired in the loving passing of Carol Davio, mother of my new friend and media partner, Mark Davio. After learning of his mothers death I felt like fate intended for me to attend her funeral, even though I did not know her and had only met Mark once.
Growing up I fled at the sound of the dreaded word “church”, yet the last two services I have attended have each inspired a book I am now working on. The first came Christmas day. I agreed to go with my parents because it felt like the right thing to do, and immediately after agreeing I discovered my mom’s brother, Arunas, had passed.
While at mass I decided I would attend one religious service of different denomination and culture each week, interview a representative of the congregation, speak with its members, and write a book titled “LITTLE faith”. In a world that wages war over the differences of religion I will focus on how they are similar. I will embrace each unique culture in an effort to reduce barriers by backwards mapping their individual religion to the original source of the word.
The second, “The Ones We Love”, came to me with such perfect clarity during Carol’s funeral service that I knew my compassion was being immediately rewarded. I will attend two funeral services a month and tell the story of the deceased by discovering the fruits of their life by talking with the ones they loved.
Bob Dylan sings a raspy tune in my ear
Business men walk by my side
I sit, I listen, and yes, I try
To be different, to make a difference, to be the antithesis of it all
His folklore and reflection make me think of my own
A skill of the great artists, a skill I know not yet, if I own
I write, I type, I talk- and people listen
I spread good word, good faith, hope is my mission
A revolutionary of love, wisdom, and gold souls
I am becoming the mission I wish to lead
For the things I believe in, I need only a mirror to see
If we live not, the lives we preach
Then how, or why, would we ever teach?
My medium is not broad, but of personal reach
Photo Credit to Eric Hampton
In order to see, I first listen, and be blessed to receive
His words, his accents, his rasp, and his soul
An endless journey of hands held by our side
Self-discovery, self-becoming, love to find
Love to be, love to lose, love to seek, and love to choose
These roads we walk, often talk, of men who traveled years ago
They speak of pain, of course none the same, all unique- with beauty to tame
Open roads, un-daunting loads, horizon and possibility fill the sky
Trails of daylight, hopes it’ll stay alright, hopes- of anything at all
Aching stars paint the night sky
Watching, waiting, never certain why
They sing of misery, love they lost, and of course- love never had
The price of eternity they speak, the price of fading, yet never weak
Death by supernova, it’s sure been nice to know ya, whoever, wherever you are
You kiss, I wish, for a taste I know only- for how it is missed
You walk, you tramp, you sleep, you dream
How surreal, the fading life of stars must seem
Good Signs on our mind, hope in a better way this time
Good Signs held high in the air, a world community, one love, decency and care
Good Signs in our heart– how is it we’ve fallen so far?
Kind, wise eyes illuminate Good Signs fleeing from the burden of disguise
People are good and often need a reminder in the form of a Good Sign
If for salvation we never look, then salvation, we will never find
Positive energy connects the world across the seven seas, within space and time and kind rhymes
Love is the reason I vow against treason of my people and their potential
When a man passes what he shares with this world and the size of his heart are the only measures of his credentials
A simple sign of hope to lift from fear that numbs like dope
Uplift a species defined by its division due to creases and illogical leases leaned against its plight for peaceful, loving, and happy releases
Our finitude is certain, let’s unite under one love and start working our way toward an infectious light, that gives birth to hope amidst even the darkest and dreariest night
People need a helping hand even if they won’t admit it sworn under oath on the stand
People need love even if they have chosen to wear despair like a glove that cuts off the circulation of life-filled-blood to their veins
People need diversity even if they are thirsty for the same old tired tune, sung without rhythm or a beat, certain not to inspire but ruin
People need each other like this earth needs its natural resources provided by its mother
Light needs life to manifest in or darkness is certain to win
Sin needs a sign of a protagonist in the form of an uprising; La Resistance challenges you to enlist!
We will fight not for land or resources but for a better quality of life for a united people with the power of a hundred horses
Good Signs are our proclamation to the tyrants of the world that we will not die in apathy as our fellow brethren starve, die, or suffer in any bureaucratic capacity!
We stand at odds end before darkness armed with knowledge and will in the form of words, unity and Good Signs in the form of shields, and belief in one another that knows no yield!
Do not believe in us but believe in your species!
Let hope be the death of fear in the form of belief in crying eyes that live in a kingdom not above, but below cities in the sky
Show compassion and care like the branded products you’re so willing to wear
Show your soul it belongs to a supreme consciousness exponentially stronger when connected to mankind in its whole!
Show vulnerability in a society that seeks to condemn your honesty!
Show one another that we are all brothers and sisters of another mother
Show darkness that we will not flee from the only fight worth fighting!
Show up for your species or retreat and bare the sign of the coward, because La Resistance is uniting and will charge onward!
<3
Written January 23, 2012, 1:36 PM, returning flight from Las Vegas
I am the moral muse at Good Sign Productions, where Good Signs are our way. This design will be featured by Team Good Signs at the 2012 Magic Show in Las Vegas in February. Who is the evil genius that convinced the world they are mediocre and incapable of realizing their dreams? Nietzsche said “one must still have chaos within oneself, to give birth to a dancing star.”
It is alright if your purpose in this life is not always certain. Chaos breeds uncertainty! Always remain in your corner! The world will offer plenty of doubters who lack the faith to see the dancing star in you! Don’t fuel the fire with anything other that hustle, belief, and desire! We all have a role in this beautiful struggle! I see greatness in all of you and it is time you give yourself the same credit! Prophet Motive will help us be the dancing stars we dream of when we close our eyes at night. Love will open the eyes of our heart and like lightning struck into our veins we will unite the community of the world to sleigh the beast that is doom and doubt. We will remind the crooks that the good men and women will not sit quiet on the sideline and watch but in the words of James Brown “Jump up and shout!” I will bleed for you if you will bleed for me! I will cry tears of joy for our salvation in the form of revelation if you accept your share of the responsibility in a fight for the rights of the hearts, minds, and Good Signs of dancing stars of every nation! If whatever god you believe in asked you to stand up to the darkness of the damned would you dare turn a cheek!? Could you sleep at night knowing you refused to surrender your ego in the name of peace!? Just because you sleep safe at night doesn’t mean everything is alright!! Death may not knock at your door– but that doesn’t mean this is not a fight! Close your eyes and feel the vision of your heart versus the limits of your eyes sight! Dare to believe in one another and our capable dreams! Dare to fail a friend of passion who too bleeds when those he loves surrenders to the weight of the world dying on their knees.
Just Living on Caffeine, Dreams and Love: "Where you invest your love, you invest your life." Mumford and Sons
Just Living on Caffeine, Dreams and Love is the title of my first memoirs. It embodies my vision, hustle, shortness of breath, passion, dreams, and triumph as an exceptional leader and human being. It will layout my philosophy, struggle. and mission statement as a victor and romantic.
I intend to change the world and the degree to which people mistreat one another. My mission will be fulfilled through living, giving, writing, leading, learning and inspiring.
One cannot expect haste when changing something as grand as the world. What we can do is change what we can control (influence).
Apathy isn’t original, make a difference.
Chapters
Good Things: Good People
Ashes to Ashes Life
The Rhythm
Vision
Function over Form
In Versus Out, and Vice-versus
Accepting the Blame for Our Misfortune
Death to Literally
Inception
Prescriptive Living
Objects: Women: Loss
Evolve or Die
Show Faith
This is without a doubt the most meaningful tattoo of my three thus far. This past year will always mark the moments I took control of my fate, abilities, and dreams. Haven’t you ever aspired for the world and all of its wonder, and believed in yourself enough to take it? Thank you Matt Black, “Ink Inspired Injector” of the Shaggy Lamb. In the near future I will be doing a body art photo shoot with my photographer Eric Hampton.
I’ve got an angel
She doesn?t wear any wings
She wears a heart that could melt my own
She wears a smile that could make me want to sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything i could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home
She can make angels
I?ve seen it with my own eyes
You got to be careful when you you’ve got good love
’cause them angels will just keep on multiplying
But you’re so busy changing the world Just one smile and you could change all of mine We share the same soul Oh oh oh ohh
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh ohh
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh ohh
Oh oh oh ohh
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
——
There’s no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing but I can try for your heart
Our dreams and they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs with sepia-toned lovin’
Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart “Why are we here?” and “Where do we go?” And “How come we’re so hard?” It’s not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving I’ll tell you one thing it’s always better when we’re together
Mmm it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah we’ll look at them stars when we’re together
Well it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah it’s always better when we’re together
And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they’ll be gone when the morning light sings
Or brings new things for tomorrow night you see
That they’ll be gone too too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams
Might find their way into my day-to-day scene
I’d be under the impression I was somewhere in between
With only two just me and you not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be we’ll sit beneath the mango tree now
Yeah it’s always better when we’re together
Mmm we’re somewhere in between together
Well it’s always better when we’re together
Yeah it’s always better when we’re together
I believe in memories they look so so pretty when I sleep
And when I wake up you look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time and there is no no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing we’re better together
Jack Johnson performing Angel and Better Together live at the Kokua Festival 2008.
Jack Johnson: “It depends how you define the terms. It depends how you define the word and all that. I’m definitely a big supporter of environmental causes. I’m into the idea of trying to forward that kind of thinking. Somebody else might have a different definition and say, if you fly in an airplane you’re not an environmentalist, you know. And I fly in airplanes to get from place to place and sometimes my job ends up with a bigger footprint even though I’m trying to find ways to shrink that footprint and help the industry find better ways to do shows and to do touring and put out albums. But at the same time just by deciding to do that stuff you make an impact that you wouldn’t if you just decided to live in your house and never leave, you know.
When you support the environment and if you consider humans to be part of nature, then really you’re just supporting everything. You know, it’s like it’s a pretty broad thing. All you’re really trying to do is work for health of everything. You’re just trying to make the world a healthier place, the whole organism, whether it’s humans or animals or plants.”
In an era of social media and perceived self-importance, Noah Gundersen is in many ways the antithesis of his time.
Noah’s newest EP, called Family, pays homage to the people who have shaped his life–rather than the self-aggrandizing so common to the often homogeneous world of singer-songwriters.”Family comes in many forms,” says Noah. “It lives with us, for better and for worse. It shapes us. Thats what this album is about.”
Fittingly, a member of Noah’s family, his sister Abby Gundersen, plays violin and sings vocal harmonies on the EP. Her soft voice and lush string accompaniments compliment beautifully what are a magnetic and emotionally charged group of songs. The two have been playing music together since Noah was 15 and Abby was 12 years old, while growing up in the Seattle area. They’ve also performed in the local band The Courage together. “The musical communication I’ve had with Abby is unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. It’s a really special thing. Having her with me makes me so much more confident in what I’m doing,” says Noah. (Also, Abby recently moonlighted as a tour accompanist for acclaimed singer-songwriter Jarrod Gorbel).
The songs on Family are consistently impressive and defy genre. Whereas roots-tinged songs like “Family” conjure up shades of a solo Ryan Adams, the sweeping and etherial “Fire,” bears similarities to the lush harmonic feats of Fleet Foxes. Perhaps the album’s standout track is the pulsating “David,” which combines the haunting darkness of Tom Waits with the lyrical angst of Neil Young. “The song is about who I want to be, while realizing who I am. I want to be less like my Father and more like my Dad.”
Family, produced with Daniel Mendez, was released on August 6th, 2011. Made in just a short week in Dallas, Family is only a brief taste of what’s to come from Noah Gundersen. Production on a full band album will commence this Fall.creditsreleased 06 August 2011
Recorded by Daniel Mendez. Produced by Daniel Mendez, Noah Gundersen and Abby Gundersen. Mastered by Ed Brooks.
