Awww Justin,, that was beautiful, and awesome..... I almost cried.....  You are such a wonderful person. 

I love my metal family...  Dearly... You are all great.. 

I hope everyone has a safe and great weekend..

		Justin Kenny wrote:
		After having just read something relatively upsetting, my last words to you all before embarking on another weekend furlough are the following: Life is short kids....we do not know the hour, day, or minute of our demise or any other.     Like the song says: 'In these days, when darkness falls early... and people rush home...to the ones they love... ...you better take this fool's advice..and take care of your own... ...'cuz one day they're here, the next day they're gone...' I try and take as many opportunities as I can to let those I love know that they matter to me, and that I'm ever grateful they are who they are to me.     I suppose that's why I was able to get through the losses I've endured without too much grief.    That isn't to say I'm not sensitive to loss, nor does it mean I don't miss those I lost...I miss them all terribly, and would give ANYTHING to have them all back...but there's a lot to be said for knowing there are no misgivings...no discord...no bones to bury or axes to grind with those who matter to you. Yea, though the holidays are coming,  I say  DON'T WAIT  until Thanksgiving or Christmas to go up to someone you love and hug them....DON'T WAIT until someone's birthday to call them just to chat and catch up... DON'T WAIT  to say the things that need to be said....especially if what you want to say is   'I love you...'    not only will you feel better for having done it...but when that fateful hour, day or minute comes,  you'll also feel better for knowing that any/all doubts, misgivings, or anything else hanging in the balance were QUELLED due to the actions you took while they were still here to receive it.     It matters....believe me. To those I know here and know well (or, have gotten to know),   you're all a part of the fabric that is my life, even if it does seem momentary in scope.      I celebrate your successes, and feel the pains of your failures/foils.     Like MG often greets upon entry or leaving...."..to my lovely metal family...."   when you think about it, that's really what a place like this is.      It isn't just the music or the band that unites us (though, it did help, didn't it?),  but it's also the knowledge that it's people relating to people....REAL people...REAL time....even with the buffer of a computer screen,   we put out there what we want, and hope it's of some quality that generates laughter, kindness, sympathy/empathy,  and the general camaraderie we'd probably enjoy were we all physically in the same room;  much like a large bar during happy hour.      Some of you have seen me use that  'happy hour'  analogy, especially in the chat room...but the NB is no different in that respect.      I relish coming here and engaging the way I do with those I've befriended...and I'm not the least bit against involving more.       That is my embrace...now....pay it forward....

Oh, so you would work from 3am to noon, Mon-Fri then, MG?

		MG_Metalgoddess wrote:
		Either that or Iam living in the wrong time zone, or part of the world...LOL      MG_Metalgoddess wrote: Darth I actually pref to work at nite..  Iam in no way a morning person... I hate it... I always feel Like Iam forgetting something.. rushing around, at 6am.... Gawd...      Darth_Painkiller_0870 wrote: LOL...You should try my schedule for one day.       MG_Metalgoddess wrote: LOL Yes I know dont remind me...... LMAO.... 2nd day in a row I got up early... Is a new record for me.. LOL      Darth_Painkiller_0870 wrote: Hey MG!  You're up early!      MG_Metalgoddess wrote: Hugs to you all MG~

Well friends, I am back. Looks pretty quiet in here today. Happy Friday to you all. It truly is wonderful to be home. It was a great time in New York. Obviously MUCH colder than the Princess and I are used to! The snow was a nice change from the sand we have in Vegas! HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The experience of getting together with MM and the others is something that is actually hard for me to describe. 

We all talk here everyday. We nurture our friendships and we have a good time but there is absolutely nothing like really being there with each other. Add to that the joy of making this music, which we so love, and you can see that we have something so very special. The bond strengthens and the ties grow more and more solid. As we have written in one of our original songs, "Stronger in love with the music we make..." There is so much to come! Some great surprises and some wonderful music.  I really think that all of you are going to enjoy this album very much. The sound quality alone far exceeds Raw Steel and, with the addition of Rick (Metallark) we have really opened up the sound of the Faithful Defenders. We have given it more. You'll see!

This is how I feel today...........LOL  Major sinus headache...  and I wish I could go back to bed.. LOL