MOG

Sometimes we need something to really shake us up. It sucks that it has to be so tragic, but as horrible as it was it seems that your house burning down was the catalyst for some really positive changes in your life. Congrats for using it as a turning point instead of a means to further the depression you were in. It would be so easy to be all "woe is me" after that happened. I probably would have been. But you used to make life changes to be happy and that's awesome!

i don't know what i'd do if i couldn't save my rat. whenever i think about a disaster striking, i think about grabing the rat and getting the hell out of the house. but kudos to you for finding a silver lining. you're a better man than i. california's waiting for you...

you are like a pheonex, rising from the ashes. the future awaits.

Kind of hallmarky, but I look at my family and remember "the best things in life aren't things." I have always found that whenever I have allowed myself out of my comfort zone, I have been open to the most wonderful opportunities. Best of luck to you, you wont regret it.

That's a great sign that you can turn around and actually have a positive perspective on something as bad as this. Great song choice as usual, btw : )

true that man. unfortunately sometimes it takes a really huge event like that to shake us around and wake us up. i guess i'm still waiting for mine.

like the band, by the way.

I was going to say what leftoverking did ... Phoenix

I don't know if you're aware B ... the images on your Sparklehorse silkscreen are milagros (traditional mexican religious iconography, but they also carry modern interpretations) ... ironically, it seems like the art is a fitting analogy for you right now - the flaming heart with the eyes, and hands with mouth and flames - look here - it's the symbology of passion, seeing things clearly, focusing on your words in your work ... I thought it was interesting. So glad you were kept safe that night. Wishing you a great new start :)

Aww...the doggies!! :( I'm sorry to read that this has happened but you're very inspirational in your outlook. I hope life gets back to normal soon... -hug-

love that song!

Blair, Beautiful song for this post ! You've been such an inspiration to so many moggers to live life fully and chase a dream. All the best as you begin a blessed new year.

I completely know where you're at. A few years ago I came home to my house on fire, and although I didn't lose my animals and only half of the house was lost, something shifted in me and the realization that I'm NOT what I own sank deep inside me. Every now and then a "death" of some sort is needed to be reborn with a new perspective. Best of luck in your relocation. Nothing like new surroundings to bring excitement back into one's life again.

Oh yeah, you may not be what you own, but you are what you listen to, eh?

Blair, I don't know you very well, or for have for very long (in our computer world) but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that you are a good person with passion. You have a lot of inspiration left in you and for some reason I think you will do well in the future. I am glad to have met you (in a sense) and it's good to hear that you have taken something out of that experiance and you are moving on. That in itself is a HUGE step. So for this I pat you on the back. Rock on! :)

I don't think I could have taken that in the positive direction you did and hearing about your dogs still makes me feel sick so I can't even imagine how you feel. I do know that I'm sending every ounce of positive energy I have your way for your new start.

I would not wish that kind of a fresh start on anyone, so it is a testament to you that you were able to find meaning and direction after such a thing happening. All the best.

blair . love ya; lament your dogs and wish you the best . Hope to prost a pint or 46 with you sometime...

you are honestly someone to look up to, Blair. And not just because you are rumored to be really tall..

So it was a year ago today, huh? It's amazing to see where you're at now, Blair. A lot of people would have gone the opposite direction as you. A true inspiration to us all!

OH...it wasn't like I was some amazing saint who rose above everything! It got really bad before it got better...it was a process for sure. And so much of my outlook has to do with the people I have met here...the support and friendship has been my anchor...love you all

What else can I say, but that I'm so happy that you took a pile of lemons, and made sweet lemonade from it. You're absolutely right, you've got to take some chances in this life. California's not gonna know what hit it.

...funny. My mom passed almost 7 years in a few weeks and Blair it took me 5 years to reconcile. Time heals all...sounds cliche but listen; this whole thread was just like the same advice I got to deal with my loss...all good stuff. Keep up the up and up baby....

I know what a kick in the head that can be like. A few yeas ago I came home to my house on fire, and even though my animals were okay and only half the house was gone I realized much more than ever before that I wasn't what I owned. I remember sitting on the curb watching the fire flickering out of the windows and thinking "do over" and in some strange was I totally okay with that thought. I did manage to bolt inside before the fire department showed up and the only things I cared about getting was my cats and a guitar, 'nuff said.

But I do think that a "death" like losing everything in a fire is just a chance to be reborn in a way. Best of luck in your move. New surrounding can do wonders for the spirit.

Well put Zep....it really was like a 'do over'....of course I miss my dogs, and I was distraught about losing all of my music...but that is where all of the people here came into play...I never would have been able to replace all of my music collection without the people i met on MOG...at the time it felt like the end of the world...but looking back, it really was the jump start I needed to get busy livin

I'm sorry about your dogs, too. I'm pleased to hear how such a terrible experience has become a good thing for you. It seems that you were able to rise about it with grace.

Excellent song choice.

oh man b!!! your pups!! i am so SO very sorry. i can also relate, almost two years ago (this coming october-shit really almost 2 years?) i lost _everything_ (including my irreplaceable portfolio) in a flood. thank goodness we evacuated with my oliver in tow. the hardest thing was cleaning up all the things the salt water destroyed. god-damn that was depressing. i moved of the island 3 months later, and sorry to say i still sometimes look back. it takes a sane and strong man to come to the realization that you obtained. you can handle that, you can handle almost anything. btw, when are you moving to la?

Thanks K...I am moving the first weekend of August...woo hoo!! Yeah i feel you on the portfolio...insurance took care of all of the stuff...but its the pictures and letters and stuff that I miss...and the pups of course...but it really was a blessing in disguise, i am so thankful

oooo, the first week, that'll be here before you know it! yeah the letters, the little keepsakes that you keep to remind you... life is hard, but arguably worth it.

Blair, Im going to dedicate my last post (Vanishing Point) to you as a good luck/best wishes on your journey. Cheers! - Pete

Thanks Pete...rock on brotha!!