Thanks K. Meeney, RIP JOE

Well Guys. Here it is. My first "Blog". Up until a few months ago, I had no fucking clue what this word meant. Even with the Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, "J" Date, lol, etc. and all the GIGANTIC computer transformations we have witnessed in the past 10 years, somehow I missed the whole concept of "blogging". To me, a "blog" was a pile of crap that was left outside a public "Port-A-Potty" at the Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ - after a Pantera concert. I had no concept of the word or its meaning. I have lived on this earth 29+ years and finally, on this date (October 16, 2009) I have decided to cave in, put my thoughts on paper and write about my life and some of the events that have shaped it, both good and bad.

Several recent events have caused me to stop and think to myself that I could be doing something to chronicle my journey through life, and depict some of the events that I have witnessed and/or been apart of.

First of all, I would like to take the time and thank an old friend from back in the day at Blair Academy: Keith Meeney. Keith, at one point in time, I considered you a great friend to me, and always admired you as a person, and after reading YOUR blog, and recognizing some of the efforts you have made through you posts a few nights ago, and EXPLODING with laughter, I really felt something powerful. I envisioned you at your computer in Southern California, typing about that douchebag parking ticket cop, who wrote you a ticket, and how f'ing pissed you were, and something hit me: I really liked reading about your trademarked insights (carrying condoms in your pocket to a first date, relationship advice, marriage, and movie quotes, to name a few) and thought to myself "One day I'm gonna do something like this, so the people that Ive been geographically separated from can still laugh (or cry) at some of my half-assed theories of life."

Keith, Thanks for the inspiration bro! I know its been a while - but I hope all is well (I really hate when people say this to me over the computer, especially when I haven't seen them in a while But it is the truth Meeney) - I really do hope all is well with you, and that you have found happiness in life, and have surrounded yourself with positive people. You are one major reason for me sitting here writing this today. And for that, I am thankful. So again, Thank you.

Here is the 2nd reason for my blogging endeavors:

Tuesday, October 13, 2009, (two days ago) I lost one of my best friends in the world to the terrible disease of colon cancer. He was 31 years old. I knew after having contracted the disease in 2006, that the idea of him not being around in 20 years was VERY real, but now that he is gone, and his contact information in my Blackberry is no longer gonna send funny text messages and videos of his prized hunting trophies, I am really scared for everyone who has been diagnosed with this disease. Cancer is a disease that holds no mercy. It is like a vicious tornado that starts in the Midwest and moves to the east coast, similar to the effects of KATRINA. Just 4 months ago, my buddy was traveling the country with his daughter and friends, putting up hunting stands in the woods, watching preseason football, enjoying the company of family and friends like nothing was wrong. NOTHING. After seeing him bed ridden just 7 days ago, barely able to talk, let alone walk, seeing how skinny and lifeless the disease had made him at 31 years of age........I realized that Joey's days were numbered.

Let me tell you all the kind of person Joe was: Joe was a sincere friend that I used to tell my inner-most secrets to, I spent Christmas and Thanksgiving Day with him and his family many-a-years. Joe would drop anything to come help a friend in time of need, and never asked for a favor in return, and we went EVERYWHERE together. If Joe cut a fart (which he did regularly, lol)I could tell you what he had to eat that day. That's how close we were. Joe never lied, cheated, or stole anything in his life, never did drugs, drank in excess, and was one of the only people that; as a teenager, I could bring into my parents home, because even THEY knew he was a great influence on me. He worked very hard, ran a business - rain or shine, made an HONEST living, and 6 years ago brought a daughter into this world, whom he taught morals to, enrolled in a Catholic School, and showed her an AMAZING childhood. The kind of friend that is hard to come by and truly one of a kind. I still cant believe that Joe is gone.

Life is funny sometimes. Why Joe? Why God? Why would you take someone from our lives who never did ANYTHING wrong to anyone? Sometimes its the most innocent people that are taken from us and offers no explanation as to why. Even As I sit here watching COPS on a Thursday night - home alone, and the New Mexico state troopers have some red-necked, armed robber pulled over to the side of the road at a standoff. THIS GUY is on Crystal Meth, his girlfriend is pregnant out of wedlock, his F-150 is stolen - no plates, he is wanted for murder, just violated his parole, all-the-while he just fired 8 shots out of a pistol into the side of a Ford Crown Vic, in an attempt at a police officers life. Now, this asshole TRIED to kill somebody and STILL will be given a second chance at life. Let me be clear here, I'm all about second chances, because I know ALL TOO WELL about second chances, because Ive been given too many. But my point is, I bet that this happy camper/cop-killer will live to be 98 years old in a state prison somewhere, getting regular visitations from his family, enjoying holidays, etc. Does he deserve to live that long? Well, I'm not at liberty to make that assumption or label someone in anyway. However, if life was a "Scantron Test" my guess is that this guy would have failed. Miserably.


Ill never know why God removed Joe S. Farina from my life, and the lives of all the people he has touched. All I know is that he is done suffering and is smiling down from above. And for that I am happy. Life is too short and fragile to just live every day taking EVERYTHING for granted.

The events of Joe's passing really made me realize that in life, ANYTHING can happen. Like Ferris Bueller said "Life moves fast. If you don't stop once in a while to look around, you might miss it."

This post is Dedicated to Giuseppe S. Farina (4.6.79- 10.13.09)

Stay tuned for more.....