Today's MOZEN: Not The Boss of Me.

F LoBuono

I have been known to take on "The Establishment" a.k.a. The Dark Lords of the Universe. And, more often than not, I have come up on the short side of the ledger - to put it mildly. I have been disciplined, ridiculed, isolated and even deprived of making a living in my chosen profession because of my "attitude". I do my best to be an open, caring individual. But, I have a temper and a BIG MOUTH - I often say what I feel, much to the chagrin of my many bosses. And, they have made me pay for it.

But, you know what? Despite the consequences, I don't give a shit. For, in the end, no one is the boss of me.

I know that I have no power in the traditional sense. I was not born into privilege. I am not physically imposing. I don't have a lot of money. I don't occupy a position of authority. I know that if I wasn't so damned loud that I would hardly be noticed.What I DO have is my integrity. And, that, my friends is worth more than gold and will never be taken away from me.

Some might say that it is foolish to continually beat your head against a wall. And, that is true. So, I have mellowed with age. I realize now that walking around the wall might be a better alternative than trying to smash through it. So, now, I try to measure my responses. It seems to be effective as I have had no major conflicts in some time. However, that does not mean that I have been reduced to a quivering mass of jelly. That's just not my style. If something, at least in my mind, needs to be said or done, I'm going to - regardless of the consequences.

Of course, I have made errors in judgement. Who hasn't? But, I have always felt that my mistakes were not nefarious ones. Often, if your intentions are pure, I feel that it is more important to be true to ones self than it is to be "right" or safe. This can often lead someone to be cast as an outsider or troublemaker. In some instances (maybe most), that is a good thing. Contraians are the catalysts of change. However, to be this way, one must be prepared to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. And, believe me, they can hurt!

My ultimate goal is not to be a Rebel Without a Clue. There are plenty of those in the world. Rather, my aim is to be true to myself and what I hold dear:

• Respect yourself first, then all others.
• Challenge authority - it's good for the soul and it gets shit done.
• Learn ALL things in their time.
• Never strike anyone in anger.
• Do not allow anyone to touch YOU in anger.
• Let the wisdom of compassion be your compass.
• Live with passion.
• Have integrity - always.
• Try as hard as you can for as long as you can.
• Appreciate the wonder of simple things.
• Enjoy your life to its fullest
• SPREAD the joy.

I have done my best to live by this code. Despite the challenges of living with independent thought (remember, people FEAR rebels), it has served me well. Besides, I wouldn't have it any other way. I simple would not know how.

Today's Mostly True Story: No Kindness Too Small

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Cynthia and I were walking the dog, strolling casually down Broadway for a sojourn into town when we noticed her. She must have been in her mid-70’s. A mere waif of a women, I'm sure that the dog weighed more that she did. A bright red scarf was rapped around her head and pale face, protecting her from the winter’s chill. She seemed to be looking here and there, as if to get her bearings. We sensed that she was somehow confused. When we finally got close enough to greet her, we knew she was in distress. We could immediately read frustration in her steel blue eyes.

She approached us –

“Can you help me”?

“Of course, dear”, we replied almost simultaneously.

“I seem to have gotten lost. I’m looking for the Skate Park”, she replied.

Now, the response seemed strange to me. After all, why would a women in her 70’s be asking where the skate park was? (there actually IS one at Nyack's Memorial Park)

“Are you looking for the PARK or something near it”, I asked.

"I think that I live near it. But, I'm not sure. It’s on flat ground and then goes up the hill”.

Exasperated, she added, “I can’t believe I’ve gotten this old to have forgotten where I live”!

Cynthia and I both reassured her that it happens to all of us. But, yes, we could also relate to the fact that it does seem to increase with age! We did everything within our power to reassure her that it was not a big deal. We were walking ANYWAY, so, we would be glad to help her find her way home.

There was just one caveat - I certainly knew where the skate park was (we weren’t far away) but, we needed something a little more concrete.

Then Cynthia took over and did what she does best; exercise compassion -

“What’s your name dear”?

“Jay”, she replied with a fragile smile.

“Well, Jay, I’m Cynthia and this is Frank”, Cynthia beamed back.

Cynthia’s calm, gentle demeanor put Jay right at ease. She kept repeating how embarrassing it all was for her and Cynthia kept reassuring her that it was OK – all would be well. Eventually, Cynthia asked Jay if she had some form of identification that might contain her actual address. Together they went through Jay’s purse and eventually found a blank check with her address on it:

BINGO!

#3 Main St.

So, this strange little caravan comprised of me, Cynthia, Jay, and Rexie strolled leisurely up Broadway and towards Main St.

I walked in the lead with Rexie while Cynthia and Jay, now arm in arm, brought up the rear. I could hear Cynthia in conversation with Jay, asking questions about her life and how she how’d wound up where she was now – literally and figuratively. Cynthia’s care and concern eventually assuaged all of Jay’s insecurity. They spoke as if they were old friends. It seems that Jay and her husband had lived in Nyack since the 60’s but had moved to their new place about two years ago. She had walked to the library in the center of town and when she departed, she turned left when she should have turned right - a simple mistake we have all made in our lives.

After about 10 minutes we arrived at 3 Main St., which happen to be The Claremont Apartments. Jay mentioned that she had a key and remembered that she lived in apartment 6D. I decided to wait in the lobby with Rexie while Cynthia made sure that she got into her apartment OK.

Ironically, as the elevator opened, Jay’s husband was coming out! As Cynthia and Jay entered the elevator I could hear the conversation but could not see what was happening:

“Hi. Who are you”? I heard a man ask.

“Hi, I’m Cynthia. We found you wife and we are returning her to you”.

I heard a chuckle and then the elevator door closed, ending my eavesdropping.

Cynthia, Jay, and her husband road the elevator together to the 6^th floor where the couple thanked her profusely and gave her a tour of their apartment. Cynthia returned to Rex and I a few minutes later and we continued our sojourn. We both remarked how easy it was to do something so simple that made a big difference in another person’s life. We also thought about how vulnerable, at that moment, she was. If she had made a truly wrong turn, the outcome may have been quite different. She was fortunate to have found two people who really do care for their fellow human beings. Cynthia and I make a conscious effort to foster kindness in even the smallest ways. It's part of the practice of mindfullness. It's the "Big Brother", if you will, to exercising selfless acts of kindness.

As it is in the laws of physics, so it is in life. Sir Isaac Newton taught us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Life is no different. We must be mindful that for each action WE take in life, there is bound to be an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, if we wish to foster good in the world for ourselves and others than that is what we must contribute to it. If we give love, then we will surely get love in return. It may not always seem this way, but, in the end, it is always so.

At the end of the day, Cynthia and I were feeling pretty good at what we had done. The deed proved to be its own reward. It was a good day.

Today's MOZEN: An Enemy of the People

Words and photo by f LoBuono

What is happening with the contaminated water of Flint, Michigan is not new. Oh, quite to the contrary, this type of governmental deception and mismanagement has been going on for centuries. And, it doesn't just happen here. It can happen just about anywhere in the world.

In 1882, the great Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, wrote An Enemy of the People. The story centers around a small Norwegian town, famous for its rejuvenating mineral baths. The town's entire economy is based on the tourists who flock there for the waters. There's just one problem: the leading physician in the town, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, has discovered that the waters of the spa were tainted. In fact, the pollution was so bad as to be potentially lethal. The doctor insists that the baths must be closed.

At first, Dr. Stockmann, who also happened to be the mayor's brother, expected to be treated as a hero. After all, he has done his job to protect the people and honor his Hippocratic oath. However, he finds the town's reaction to him to be anything but positive. In fact, he becomes the most hated man in the village. By the end of the play, his career is in ruins, his family has been abused, and his house ransacked. The whole place, including his brother, has turned on him. The town chooses its economic survival over its own honor. However, the doctor will not compromise. Despite the hardships visited upon him and his family he remains steadfast in his opposition. Dr. Stockmann remains true to himself and his convictions.

Fast forward about 150 years to 2015/16 and Flint. Like many cities in the so-called rust belt, it is a place that has fallen on hard times. Once supported by a booming auto industry, most of the 100,000 residents struggle to make ends meet. In an effort to save money, the Republican Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder, decided to appoint a City Manager that would oversee the city's water supply with an eye towards saving money. So, with the Governor's approval, the City Manager decided to change the source of Flint's water supply from Lake Huron, where it has always gotten its TREATED water, to the Flint River.

And, you know what? The city DID save money. But, at a terrible cost. It seems that the Flint River is KNOWN to be polluted. In addition to the poor overall quality of the water, it was fed, untreated through Flint's antiquated plumbing. The untreated water corroded the old pipes causing them to leach potentially deadly lead into the system. So, now you have water that is not only unsafe to drink, you can't even wash with it!

There is mounting evidence that Gov. Snyder and others in his administration KNEW that this was a problem months ago, yet did nothing about it. In fact, some have suggested that the evidence was actually suppressed. Once again, a government, whose main objective is to keep the people safe has failed miserably. And, we are left to ask, WHY?

The answer lies within the philosophy of each political party. The Republicans, like Rick Snyder, are all about money. It is no secret that the GOP economic platform is "Trickle Down", i.e. allow corporations, virtually unfettered, to earn as much money as they can. From this lofty pinnacle, the heads of these vast companies, out of the goodness of their hearts, will create even MORE business, and make more money so that at least some of that money will go to the workers.  To accomplish this, the GOP would remove ANY impediment to "doing business". If that means dismantling the EPA, a COMMON GOP theme, then so be it. Like the town leaders in Ibsen's play: people be damned - it's MONEY THAT COUNTS!

On the other hand, the Democrats, see the value in protecting the people FIRST. Sometimes, that means that a strong hand by the government IS necessary. Although no one likes 'Big" government, we cannot be left with NO government. Through the years, this has been particularly true with labor and the environment. Without the help of trade unions (who the GOP would break), workers would never have been able to achieve the safe working conditions that most of us now enjoy. Without government watch dogs, like the EPA (which the GOP would dissolve), I fear the situation in Flint would be the reality rather than the exception.

Once again, the choice is clear: Your money or your life. . .

Today's MOZEN: A King Trumps A Donald

On this, the day we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, I began to think: how could a country that produced the likes of Dr. King also give us Donald Trump?

Well, it is perfectly reasonable and logical. Because America is so immense, so far reaching in its gifts, there is room for both. In fact, there is NEED for both.

America is vast - From Sea to Shinning Sea. She is the richest, most powerful nation on the planet. We have the largest economy, the biggest army, and the greatest ideals. America has mountains, oceans, deserts, plains, forests, great cities and small towns. We also have troublesome issues like racism, bigotry, poverty, violence and injustice. We seem to love our guns as much as our children. America can be as seedy and greedy as it is generous and compassionate. We open our arms to some while we castigate others. In a sense, this is the definition of America herself. In many ways we are all things to all people.

So, we are bound to produce individuals who characterize the full range of the American persona. Dr. King is the very definition of strength of character. He showed us through persistence, tenacity, courage and compassion that we can, indeed, change the world. And, he accomplished this through the principals of non-violence. He represents the best of what America can offer - to itself and the world.

On the other hand, Donald Trump also represents another aspect of the American ideal: rich,

pampered, impatient, arrogant, and brash. Mr. Trump was born to privilege and abhors those who were not. Mr. Trump equates money with success while eschewing the principals that Dr. King lived by. While Dr. King's words, like a beautiful symphony, inspire us to reach the for the highest ideals of human nature. Mr. Trump's vernacular, on the other hand, is like a clashing symbol - sure, it gets attention but is it really MUSIC?

Still, Mr. Trump DOES represent America - or, at least a good part of it. The support he has garnered from millions of Americans in his bid for the GOP nomination for President is evidence of this. No matter how low his rhetoric seems to go, his followers find resonance in it. Obviously, he taps into peoples' anger and dissatisfaction. And, here-in lies the key difference between Dr. King and Mr. Trump: while Dr. King affected change by appealing to the better angels of our nature, Mr. Trump goes for the lowest common denominator, using fear and loathing as the catalyst.

Let's use this day to reject the Trump version of America and renew our commitment to the legacy of Dr. King: equality, justice, freedom - for ALL.

Today's True, Short Story: Reconcilliation

F Lobuono

In the Spring of 1975, a suburban housewife from New City, NY, Tess McCormack, was cleaning out her attic when she discovered an old dust covered suitcase that belonged to her husband, Gil. Inside, she found his WWII Marine uniform. Gil, one of the top trial lawyers in Rockland County at that time, had volunteered for the war and fought in some of the deadliest battles of the Pacific theater. She decided to have the uniform dry-cleaned and then present it to him as a gift. While going through the pockets at the cleaners, she discovered something folded up inside one of the them: a small, battle stained flag. Although Tess was not sure exactly what it was, it was unmistakably Japanese – it had the Rising Sun symbol of the Empire of Japan at its center. Made of pure silk, it was marked by blood and battle but was still in remarkably good shape. Tess also noticed dark Japanese lettering around the Rising Sun. In addition to the uniform, she thought that cleaned up and framed, the little flag might make a wonderful Father’s Day gift for her husband. She intended it to honor his military service. Strangely, the Korean woman at the counter would not even touch it! In fact, Tess had to pick it up herself. The woman simply would not handle it.

Tess thought it odd but picked up the flag to take to another friend who owned a frame shop. There, she had it pressed, nicely framed, and then rapped to present to Gil for the up coming Father’s Day celebration. When the day came, she was excited to present him with this most unique gift. Gil eagerly ripped through the rapping but stopped suddenly when he recognized what was within. He dropped the package immediately and exclaimed with vivid anger, “Where did you find that! Take it away. I never want to see it again”! Tess was crestfallen but did what he asked. He was just too upset to challenge at that moment. Tess took it away, half opened, and placed it back in the attic. That was the last word on the matter and they never mentioned it again.

Fast forward nearly 25 years to 1994. Gil McCormack lies dying from mesothelioma. On his death bed he wanted to explain why he reacted so viscerally to Tess’s gift all those years ago. As a forward combat observer, he saw some of the most vicious fighting of the war. He explained that in the summer of 1944 his entire platoon was wiped out in the battle for Guam. A Life Magazine photographer actually captured McCormack attempting to drag one of his dying comrades to safety during the struggle. Stranded for days and fighting alone, he was locked in a life and death firefight with his Japanese opponents. After this battle of attrition, it appeared that only Gil and one Japanese soldier remained to carry on the fight. Finally, McCormack lobbed a grenade into the enemy’s foxhole that found its mark. A Japanese soldier, bathed in flames, charged from the foxhole, screaming with a small flag attached to his weapon. Gil shot him down immediately. Instinctively, he reached down, grabbed the flag and stuffed into his pocket. But, the look on the young Japanese soldier haunted him – still, to that very day. He explained to Tess that they must have been the same age and that they were both merely doing their duty. Why should Gil have survived while that young Japanese would die nameless in a strange land? Survivor's guilt. War is hell.

Gil went on to apologize to Tess for his rude past behavior and asked for one last thing: If it was at all possible, he would rest more easily if that flag could be returned to the family of the man he took it from a lifetime ago. Tess promised that she would do her best. Gil died a few months later.

Now, Tess had to figure out a way to find the owner's family.

She got the ball rolling by contacting her brother-in-law who was the Commander of the local V.F.W. post.  He arranged to have the flag and its story posted at the hall, hoping that someone might help to identify it. Fortuitously, one of its members was a long-time employee of Sotheby's Auction House in NY. He took it to their department for Asian Art and Culture where it was identified as a personal battle flag known as a “Shussei Nissho-ki” or Hinomaru. They were given to departing soldiers as a “keep safe” memento from family and friends. They were usually associated with the particular Shinto shrine the departing soldier worshipped in. Now, it was the daunting task to find which Shinto shrine of the thousands in Japan that this particular flag may have come from. Once again, Sothebys used their considerable resources to discover that it came from one in the area of Fuji City. From the Japanese writing on the flag they also managed to identify its owner as Fujio Kawasaki.

The next step would be to see if Mr. Kawaski’s family could actually be found. Japanese privacy laws made a direct connection difficult. The Fuji News, the local newspaper in Japan was then contacted for help. They contributed to the effort by running a story on the history of the flag, including the original owners name. Within hours, Sothebys was contacted by Emiko Kawasaki, the daughter-in-law of Fujio.

Against ALL odds, the flag was finally going home.

With great reverence, the flag was returned to Emiko and the Kawasaki family. They would finally know of the last moments of their loved one. After fifty years they would have some form of closure. Emiko Kawasaki thanked Tess for all her efforts and for keeping the flag in such good shape. Her family planned a special ceremony at the shrine where the flag came from to honor her brother’s memory.

A few months later, Tess received a letter from Mr. Kawasaki’s grand-niece, Ayaka Sano. In it she encapsulated the hopes and wishes of all who are affected by the ravages of war. In part, she said:

“I am only 17 years old. So, I don’t know about war. But, I’m aware of how, up to now I haven’t known the real value of peace. But I think peace starts from the thing like your returning the flag”.

Epilogue: Tess and Gil’s granddaughter has now been writing to the Kawasaki’s and started a wonderful correspondence about peace and reconciliation. They have pledged to meet around the flag one day!

Today's MOZEN: Nature-Nurture-Choice

Words and photo by F LoBuono

All of us have a part of our personalities that we call our nature. It is the aspect of our behavior that comes most easily to us, i.e. we don't think about it, we just react. It is simply within us. We are born with it.

Now, the range of our so-called nature is vast. Some of us are naturally boisterous while others remain always calm. Some display a gentle demeanor while others are more aggressive. We can be lazy by nature or self-motivated. There seems to be no end to the variety of "natural" human behaviors.

It's how we develop our nature over time that makes us what we are in the world. This is called nurture.

It can be more difficult to balance the two than meets the eye. The can often be in conflict. Part of being a successful human being is to be in touch with who we really our at our core. For example, at mine, I am an extrovert. I enjoy being "out there" and engaging with people. And, I am comfortable with that. I also know many people who are introverted - they most often prefer their own company. Of course, there is no "right" or "wrong" with either behavior. It just IS. However, to be a complete person, we should develop those behaviors in us that may not be our strong suit but, in the long run, will serve us well. For example, because I am an extrovert, I am not always the best listener. And, to be a better man I need to improve this behavior. I must work at nurturing that trait. It is not always easy - it is not my nature. So, I have to work at it. And, make no mistake, change does not seem to come easily to we humans. We tend to always trust in our nature. Altering that is very frightening to most. But, to improve our own condition and that of our planet, we must.

However, some don't seem to be able to overcome their nature, even when it is in their best interest to do so. These people I call The Haters. Simple hating seems to be what comes most easily to them. They don't think about it, they just do - even when it makes little or no sense. These are the people who would deny gravity exists preferring to say we stay on the ground simply because the world just sucks! We see them on social media all of the time. They never bring a positive thing to any argument and often disagree simply for the sake of making things difficult.

A prime example of this type of nature is the intense, and often personal attacks on President Barrack Obama. One can disagree politically with the President without exposing him to the type of vitriol that he too often is. So much of the criticism of the President is unfocused and often racially motivated. And, he is not the only one. Most political figures are subject to this type of "hating".

Again, I suppose we can call it human nature - we tend to idolize our heroes before we love seeing them fall. But, it doesn't have to be this way because we can THINK. We can recognize what part of our nature causes us to feel a certain way. Then, when we do, we can CHOOSE to nurture that behavior OR change it. If we decide to honor our nature because it is the right thing to do, then we should. However, if it brings us to more hateful place, we might want to consider changing.

We must.

Today's MOZEN: Is God On Your Side?

Words and photo by F LoBuono

A lot of things confuse me on a regular basis. That's obvious! But, there is one thing that tends to vex me more than most. And, that is the role that god plays in our daily lives. I'm not being flippant, trite, or condescending. Quite to the contrary, it is a most legitimate question.

Whether we practice formal religion or not, god is evoked countless ways and with startling frequency on a daily basis. It's thank god for this, or thank god we didn't get that, or god forbid, or god help us, or if it weren't for the grace of god . . . You get my point.

What confuses me is how can god be all of those things to all of those people? I get the point of omnipotence but let me explain why it doesn't work for me that way.

Recently, a police officer in Philadelphia was nearly assassinated. His attacker claimed that he committed the crime in the name of Allah (god). So, first, you have a person who believes he is being true to HIS god. I'm sure that he is demented. However, it must be considered that, in his heart, he BELIEVED that he was doing the right thing in the name of his religion. Second, during the press conference following the attack, the police chief said "thank god the bullets missed the mark and the officer was only wounded".* Well, here is my issue with that statement: if god IS omnipotent and all merciful (as most religions claim) then why the hell did the attack happen in the first place? If god is ALL good, ALL about love, why do evil things happen in the first place? And, please don't say the devil - if god is truly omnipotent, then Satan can hold no sway over him. A truly good, righteous, and merciful god would not allow horrible things happen to good people. That's kinda the reward for behaving properly. Right? Makes sense?

There is also the claim that "god only gives us what we can handle" - like life is some kind of aptitude test! If you believe in an all merciful being then he/she/it would not "test" someone in such a cruel way. I remember asking one of my teachers, a nun, why god makes some children with disabilities. Her answer: "so that you can see how fortunate you are"! What utter nonsense.

It all reminds me of the song by Bob Dylan, With God On Our Side. Dylan explains that every soldier enters every war with the idea that god is on his side. Well, in the end, only one side can win. What do you tell the losers - sorry, but god was not on your side.

Now, I'm not saying that this either proves or disproves the presence of god. I'll leave the question of the very existence of god for another discussion. This is NOT to denigrate believers. However, I do feel that a divine power, should it truly exist, does not function in that way. He is not a puppet master that pulls our strings to make us go. He does not "spare" or "take" us according to his "will". That's not his purpose. Rather, a divine influence should be used as a moral compass to guide us in making the decisions that affect our lives as directed by the virtues a true god represents: love, forgiveness, and compassion.

Do we really need to believe anything else?

I await your answers . . .


* my quotes

When You Think About It: The Ol' Land Grab

F LoBuono

In a recent NY Times article (1/4/2016) regarding the take over of a Government building and adjoining land in Bend, Oregon by a small band of heavily armed protesters, one of the participants, Ryan Payne, was quoted as saying, "People have talked about returning land to the people for a long time. Finally, someone is making an effort in that direction".

Well, When You Think About It, his statement is completely contradictory. First, the quote: "people have talked about returning the land to the people". The whole point of the Government owning the land means that it is to be reserved for ALL the people - NOT just the ranchers, NOT just the farmers, NOT just the miners, etc. - ALL. The Government maintains control of PUBLIC land so that it CANNOT be abused (i.e. OWNED) by one single entity OR family, regardless of how long that entity (or family) has been associated with that land. It belongs to all of us and the Government directs their efforts towards that end. Who has given the right to the Bundy's (ranchers who also have a beef - pun intended - over grazing rights and are the prime instigators of the current crisis) and the Hammonds (the subject of a recent conviction of abusing Federal lands) to claim ownership of land that was NEVER formally theirs? AND, that land is reserved for the proper use by EVERYONE. In other words, the Bundys and the Hammonds are not THE people. They are just greedy land grabbers who want to snare as much PUBLIC land as possiblefor their OWN means - and, then hide under the guys of freedom and patriotism!

Second, "someone is making an effort in that direction". Who the hell is SOMEONE? In this case, as it is in many others, it's a single entity (i.e. a family like the Bundys or the Hammonds) that convinces  others that their cause is the cause of freedom. BULLSHIT. The result they seek will not benefit the Country at large. To the contrary, it only benefits THEM.

So, When You Think About It, they are just so full of shit.

That is All!

In Memory of Stephen Joyce.

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Steve Joyce was a big man. Large in girth and mirth. If you were to call Hollywood's "Central Casting" to send up a typical hard living, hard drinking Irishman, Steve would have showed up. Simply put, he was hard to miss.

I first met Steve as a teammate on the Fort Lee High School football squad. He was a year or two ahead of me and had transferred in from another school. I recognized him as a player right away. Athletic for a big man, he was a force on the field (as he turned out to be in life, too). Unfortunately, he broke his leg early in the season and missed the entire year. It was a great loss for him and the team.

After high school I would see Steve on occasion as he dated my sister for a brief time. But, I eventually lost track of him until one, fateful day. I was driving a taxi trying to pick up some extra cash while at the same time launching a career in broadcasting when I got a call to pick someone up at the Plaza Dinner in Fort Lee. Sure enough, it was my old friend. We exchanged the usual greetings of "what's up" and "what are you doing with your life"? I explained that driving the hack was my way to support my fledgling broadcasting career. He replied, "well, you have a friend in the business. I'm the General Manager of small cable television station in Westchester County and we could use a sportscaster". He continued saying that, in the beginning, he couldn't afford to pay me anything but it would be a CHANCE to apply what I had learned up to that point in a commercial setting.

I jumped at the opportunity and began my career at a station so small that it doesn't even exist any more. I learned to work the camera WHILE I clipped a mic to my lapel and announced the games at the same time! It wasn't easy but I loved it and a learned a ton. But, after a time, it just got too difficult. I had to drive to the playing fields at my own expense. And, when I was doing them, I couldn't work my other job. It was literally costing me money to do them. So, I stopped.

After a few months, an entry level job came open at the station. With my friend Steve as the boss, I felt assured that the position would be mine. I was wrong. The job went to someone who was far more qualified than I was at that time. I was shocked. I shouldn't have been because that's how Steve operated. He was loyal and he was honest - sometimes brutally so. He told me that I hadn't earned it. Yes, I had volunteered to do a handful of games but that wasn't enough. I wasn't going to get by on just my good looks (pun intended). He told me that I would have to earn my way.

AND, still, he gave me another chance.

Steve was that way with his friends; honest and fair. If I met him half-way, he would do the rest. He went on to explain that he just took a job at a new station that was larger than the first. So, he could afford to pay me $25 for each game. At least that would cover my expenses. And, I HEARD him. It was a lesson that, to this day, I have not forgotten.  I would prove that I belonged. So, now, when he said "JUMP" instead of asking "why", I responded with "how high'?

And, it worked.

After a few months, another entry level position came open. I applied again. This time, I was hired. And, I never looked back. It was the humble beginning of a career that is still going after more than thirty years!

None of it would have been possible without Steve Joyce. He saw something in me that few others did and he gave me the chance to express it. In a sense, I owe a large part of my adult life to him. And, that, I will never forget and be forever grateful.

We saw each other on rare occasions after that. He moved on to other positions as did I. We remained friends but time and distance caused us to drift apart. Of course, when we did speak it was always with the idea to "get together real soon". But, as is so often the case, we never did.

I understand that Steve's health faded in recent years. Still, it was hard to believe that such a bear of a man could be just as vulnerable to age and disease as anyone. And, now he is really gone.

It would be impossible to forget Stephen Joyce under ANY circumstance. However, considering how much he affected my life in such a positive way, I owe him a dept of gratitude that can never be fully repaid except to offer  I was proud to call you teammate and friend. God speed. And, THANK YOU.

Today's MOZEN: I Will NOT Be Silent!

F LoBuono

People chide me all of the time: "Frankie, why do you bother with trying to change peoples' minds"? And, "stop wasting your time".
Well . . .
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Of course, it took the genius of Martin Luther King, Jr. to express the type of moral commitment needed to achieve social justice for all. Its brilliance lies in its pithiness: just one, simple, short sentence.  It implies that if we witness injustice and do nothing about it, we are as guilty as those who perpetrated it in the first place. It challenges us to commit to social justice, not just as a fad, but as a way of life. We must make it part of our DNA.

But, inspirational slogans are just that - slogans - if we don't transform the words into actions. To accomplish this, you must believe in the ethos of the statement in the first place. Otherwise, it is just so much horse shit.

When I was a kid, I loved playing football. Now, in hindsight, I see what a foolish and violent game it really is. But, at that time, there were few, if any, things more important to me. And, I bought into it totally. For a time, it defined me. I loved the physical AND mental challenges. It's a sport that knocks you down - literally - emotionally as well as physically. The main point of the game is not that you will NEVER be knocked down but how many times can you get up AFTER you have been! And, that meme was reinforced by the coaches OVER and OVER again.

Now, at some point, either you buy into that mindset or you don't. If you do, it is a lesson that you will take with you your entire life. If you don't and see it as just so much bull shit then that's the way it will stay. I choose to believe it and have incorporated it as a part of my life.It's no different with the MLK quote. You can choose to make the theme of that slogan a part of you or you can see it as just so much palaver. I've made my choice.

And, YOU?

When You Think About It.

Word and photo by F LoBuono

The world is most often improved 

not in monumental increments but by 

the small, personal involvement of 

each and every person committed to 

making the world a better place.

Today's MOZEN: Resolution 2016 - Reduce Cruelty

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

As we enter a new year, many have made their resolutions and are in the process of implementing them. Most involve physical improvements like losing weight or getting into better condition. Others include things of a more ethereal nature like improving ones disposition. Certainly, being more kind to people is one of the more admirable goals. The important thing to remember through all the hype is to be more motivated to do something POSITIVE.

With this in mind, I would ask you to consider, if not completely eliminating cruelty in the world, then working to reduce it. And, we can start in a most simple way: by controlling your consumption of so-called factory farmed meat. I made the decision to eliminate meat products from my diet nearly four years ago and have never looked back. It has not always been easy, but I have no regrets and I'm not returning to my old ways. I did this on mostly moral grounds. The way factory farmed animals are treated is more than cruel - it is inhuman. Personally, I could no longer look the other way while millions of animals suffered terribly before they were cruelly slaughtered. It made my soul ache. I could no longer justify petting my wonderful dog, Rexie, while consuming a pig, who given the same opportunity would respond the same way as the dog!

Look, meat consumption is important. It is our easiest source of ready, valuable protein. Many cultures celebrate meat at the table as a source of wealth. Most anthropologists tells us that our ancient move to consuming cooked meat accelerated our mental development as a species, literally making us what we are today. Besides, people just love meat. And, I'm not great at being a vegetarian either. I still eat fish because I like the source of high protein. I will also eat meat if it is offered to me at a friends house. I'm certainly not going to ask them to throw it away on my account. That, to me, would be a bigger sin than sacrificing the animal in the first place.

I just try to do the best that I can every single day. And, I challenge you to do the same. If you feel you can't give up meat, a reasonable compromise would be to try and buy meat that is more "organic", i.e. from animals who are raised for consumption but live their lives more naturally and completely in a more humane setting. When they are slaughtered, it should be done humanely. I personally know ranchers who practice this type of animal farming. It may be more expensive to purchase these products but, in the long run, it is much better for the animals AND you. You can also reduce cruelty by limiting your very consumption of meat but choosing one or two days a week where you eliminate it from your diet. It's good for the critters and it will be good for you, too. You'll feel better from a number of standpoints. First, we eat too much red meat anyway. It will give your digestive system a break. Second, morally, you'll feel as if you made a contribution, no matter how small, to making the world a more beautiful place for ALL its beings. And, THAT, my friends, is a worthy New Year's Resolution.

PEACE - LOVE - HEALTH - HAPPINESS - FOR ALL BEINGS IN 2016

Today's MOZEN: The NYPD Shines!

Words and photo by F LoBuono

I want to say this here and now - I have, at times, been very critical of the police. I believe when it has been warranted. However, I have always tried to be fair. So, with that said: NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN THE NYPD when it comes to keeping New York safe. NO ONE!! Can you imagine how difficult last night was to pull ALL of that off? And, they were efficient, polite, and even fun!! CONGRATULATIONS NYPD for a job well done!!