I Can See 39 From Here...

20 years of awesomeness...

Today, somewhere in West Texas, a slew of people I knew in an earlier life are congregating to celebrate two decades since we reigned our little dusty morsel of friday night lights. I assume it was homecoming at San Angelo Central High School. I hope maybe won this time...

Meanwhile, 1100 miles away, my pre-toddlin' son are spending the day playing wrastlin', rakin' leaves and writin' songs off the top of our heads -- these are our three Rs here in beautiful Columbus, Georgia. Our latest musical masterpiece --  "Chocolate, Son".

OPPORTUNITY
Nothing in the world has afforded me opportunity to share everything I've learned on this long journey more than being a Dad to Kai (戒). The way of respect and interest. A loving sensei (先生).

It's the inner-peace I learned from my childhood in Hawaii, the effervescence felt at thirteen when I became "born again" and especially, the universal harmony of an impromptu jam with people you've never met before -- this is movement. This combined result is why I title: SouthernZen.

Each, peace, joy, harmony, movement -- all together, without one slipping away, is how Kai and I spent my 20th class reunion.

One month from today, I will be one year away from my 40th year in this world. Hard to believe and what a gift given!

Class of 1989, I hope your day was as fulfilling as our own.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com, Sean "Rox" Michael Schoff. Eagle Scout. Airman. Artist. Dad.

BJ Holland, ColumbusGA Songwriter bites blog.

FYI, The BEEJ now has a blog:

bjbrand.blogspot.com


peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com, Sean "Rox" Michael Schoff. Eagle Scout. Airman. Artist. Dad.

Patriot Act Oversteps. Detains American Teen Indefinitely. PLEASE HELP.

THIS IS SERIOUS.

Look, from day one, Libertarians and Liberals alike have been hounding that fact that the Patriot Act impedes on basic American rights and due process. And now a mother's son was mistakenly taken... indefinitely.

The poorly written legislation has mistakenly entangled a home-schooled North Carolina teen in "detention" as a suspected "terrorist" since March 5th with little contact with lawyers or his mother, a widow. There is no public record and there is a gag rule for both the judge and FBI. The mother has NO WAY TO DEFEND her son.

ACT NOW.
This is America folks and the most serious of parental nightmare. If you have *any* upstream influence with legislators, please let them know we need an immediate rewrite of The Patriot Act.

The boy, Ashton Lundeby, continues to be in detention in Indiana and will not have another hearing until late May... if the date is not delayed. I don't know this family. I simply know that this is not what America stands for and certainly not what veterans serve to protect. Call your Senator, rewrite The Patriot Act.

"This isn't America – not the America I knew, the one I grew up in," Annette told Pro Libertate. "This is like something out of a Third World dictatorship where the people in power just do whatever they want to anybody they choose. I want my son back, and I'll do anything I can to free him. But people need to know that if this isn't stopped now, any of us at anytime can be treated the same way. The next time it will be your house they visit in the middle of the night, and your children they take away." ~ Ashton's mother

READ ON: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5049867


DRAMATIC DETAILS:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/grigg/grigg-w93.html

MOM ON VIDEO:


http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5050332/





peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com, Sean "Rox" Michael Schoff. Eagle Scout. Airman. Artist. Dad.

Georgia and Fed Tax on American Anxiety through New Cigarette Taxes

One word: Anxiety.

This is the singular reason smokers smoke. Since it's econo-culturally correct to do so, allow me to label it a disease like every other previous condition now elevated. Tobacco is a centuries-old medicinal cure of the symptoms of Anxiety... now taxed 200%.

In times of economic belt-tightening, the Fed and now Georgia are seeking more bail-out taxes from The People to pay for bloated budgets and general slush funds. Cut the budget before further taxing the layman's medication. Review your corporate prison budgets for the first cut.

Extreme high anxiety coupled with doubling the price of a chosen medication is criminal. This is America, we are the free market. Taxing anxiety medication is legislative faggotry.

Repeal.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Southern Zen ( 2nd verse REVISITED)

VERSE TWO.

In every life we learn, that the page will turn,

As long as it is written.

Your couriosity, leads you where you'll be,

forbidden and forgiven.

The more that we create, share, and celebrate,

together, better we are gettin',

So, remember all the colors and the songs upon The Tree,

Those from long ago, and those we've yet to breathe,

Three, two, one,

Our family's become,

Come on and raise your hands,

Cuz we're livin' Southern Zen.

 

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© seanrox.com.

The Time is Right. How Columbus, Georgia Industry Can Lead Globally.

Capital gain tax cuts were a recent scheme for "distribution of wealth" for a period of time. A form of welfare for the successful to inspire innovation. Did you? Some innovated and grew their businesses while others invested in beach condos at inflated prices.

Due to the economic changes, the tax scheme time may be over. For all that have benefited the last 8-10 years -- congratulations. Now is the time to grow your business/new business through innovation. Reinvest that money in new technologies and paradigms within your own industries.

1. Figure a way to play on the global scale.
2, Hire some educated Americans professionals to help you.
3. Hire a great communications firm to assist you in branding, positioning and marketing your business.

What I've stated above is the answer for the $250k+ business owners to grow to $1M businesses by simply working more strategically. The world is hungry for American ideas and ideals. Working together, I believe we all can push QUALITY Columbus ideas, goods, services further into the global market. This is why I believe in the free market, and more importantly -- why I love the future I imagine for Columbus, Georgia.


Coffee. Wine. Beer. Insurance. Brownies. Roots Music. Real American Folk Art. Outdoorsman Culture. Kudzu as Biofuel. Inspirational Lectures. Craftsmanship. Architecture... and the media documenting it all.

Join me.
peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

One Dollar Gamble

On my way out of the Wynnton Walgreen's this evening, two teenage girls stopped me. One of them asked if I had a dollar so she could buy some folders for school. The other girl just giggled.

I know it's July, yet I knew I had a dollar bill left in my front pocket from my baby food change, so I gave it to her.

Now, if the girl really needed folders enough to ask a total stranger for assistance, her prayers were answered by all that is good in me. But, if she thinks her swindle went swoosh, she's mistaken.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Why I Like The South: Fire barrels, Barbecue and Better

The other day, someone asked me the difference between Texans and people in "The South". From my experience, living in Georgia these last 11 years, I said, off the top of my head...

From my personal experience, if a West Texan shows up at a barbecue and sees someone he doesn't like, he's encouraged to either leave or kick the unknowing offender's ass for entertainment value at some point during the festivities. In contrast, in the South, we dismiss those ill feelings... because barbecue is better, and who would want to screw that up?

Group think works both ways, but I sure do miss that mesquite-fired and rubbed brisket.

NOTE: Mowed the lawn weeds for the first time today after work... layers of leaves became dust and I'm not sure there has ever been a healthy lawn in the front. Out back, I continue to uncover hidden cement garden work under 6 inches of leaves, dirt and vines -- someone spent some time and energy to build what I'm only beginning to discover. It's really cool to finally have a place to love.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Your American Dream Begins... Now.

Sometimes you can build an image in your head and imagine specific details of your future. When the premonition materializes, it's pretty satisfying.

Almost two weeks ago, we moved into our own freshly remodeled 100 year old Craftsman-Style bungalow. Just as the wisteria vines bloomed, we swung our spirit into our own space -- our family home. Classic turn-of-the-century, double-gabled, stout-porched, incarnation of modern Southern charm.

After all the years of touch-and-go, I've finally landed. In their hearts.

peace-
seanrox




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© seanrox.com.

Music in Columbus, Inspiration or Fame?

Ask anyone that knows me, my belief in the future of Columbus, Georgia's music scene is strong. In this I've been inspired to pack-up my CD collection, guitars and 20" monitors, to leave the forever bohemiac undercurrent of ATL's Little Five Points (L5P) to a very special place and lend a hand.

INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.
Now, three years and one month later, I feel evermore inspired to contribute to this greater cause. Things are really coming together. Resources are being defined, shared and promoted. Coalitions are formed. Songwriters are beginning to feel a foundation beneath them harden -- a firm foundation is the key to inspiration itself.

YOUR LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY.
Just as the local printer is your connection to "all things" printed. As your insurance agent is your authority to the "insurance world", to whom do we turn to locally for advice concerning music, music production, music licensing, music manufacturing, music promotion, talent aquisition and career development? Until now, nobody.

MUSIC IN COLUMBUS (MIC) IS BORN.
A core committee of business leaders, educators, and music lovers committed to organizing special projects to educate, network and promote the music that is happening. For those whom choose to engage in their own way by including the music element in their lives and livelihoods --they become an extension of this greater thing -- a city where people gather and wherever that maybe -- this musical element of harmony is represented. (musicincolumbus.org)

Grandiose retrospective manifestos aside, I love that my family and I are living in a world full of music -- in Columbus, Georgia in particular.

peace-
seanrox

p.s. Fame is for junkies.

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© seanrox.com.

NEW SONG: On the Edge of Georgia (Be Like You Oughtta)

I had to come down.
Just to be like I oughtta.
Ride down the river -- to the Edge of Georgia

Where we can all dream.
About two hundred thousand dreams.
Talkin' about home -- where a workin' man owns his own.

Let's keep it all sane -- through the growin' pains.
Poor man, rich man -- brothers.
If you've ever picked guitar -- On the Edge of Georgia.

Where we can be like we oughtta.
Grab-a-guitar and a mandolin -- meet-ya-in-the Alabama backwater ya'll.

Where we can all sing.
About what freedom and sorrow bring.
Talk-about-the-whole-damn-thing -- by slammin' on skin and pickin' on strings.

Raise your glass and sing -- through the growin' pains.
Poor man, rich man -- brothers.
If you've ever sang The Blues -- in Columbus, Georgia.

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© seanrox.com.

The Problem with Immigration in America : Solved.

If you accept The Constitution as the supreme law in America, we can continue to solve this worry-some issue in an intelligent manner...


DEFINITION:
Americans are born and other people become American citizens through an oath of citizenship. All others are visitors. "Illegal" or otherwise, these non-citizens are visitors and ambassadors of their home nation and culture. If a visitor represents himself as an American citizen, he is breaking the law... but, I've met some good people that are illegal "visitors."


CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP.
American corporations which employ illegal are breaking the law. This illegal practice undermines the our American economy and paying sub-standard wages based upon color or creed is simply unAmerican. Your hiring practices will decay our communities... but, I am friends with good people that own these corporations.


FEDERAL OBLIGATION.
The elected President, through the National Guard, is solely responsible for our nation's security and "our lives, liberty and pursuit of happiness." This is why we pay taxes to fund an uber-healthy Defense Budget. With these grand resources, to ignore this invasion is technical treason. The buck stops with the President concerning foreign policy. Any ignorance is criminal, but only a fool spits into the wind.


HOW CAN WE COMPROMISE AND DEAL W/ CHANGE?
Now, that we've established everyone is criminal in this difficult situation, get over it, because we've band-aiding stupidity for a long time.

• Truth about Immigration: It's awesome, we've always done it. People come to America for the opportunity to better themselves and this exactly what empowers our Nation's noble military force.
  
  
• A New Federal View: Effective Security and Strategic Immigration Policies. Whether The President decides to build a fence, invent an electronic laser-sensing widget or dig an alligator-infested moat, the effectiveness should be measured.
  
  Hand-in-glove with "security" is a sleek, manageable system to encourage visitors to register to become American citizens. I've heard this "path to citizenship" conversation, but it lacks a sense reality. All these "visitors" are already here. The majority are good-natured, hard-working people seeking to better their life.
  
  Now, the visitors' American employers are criminal for quasi-skimming (see mafia) our economy with "black market wages". Again, these practices are poisonous citizenship. If the visitors can register to be legal, the greed of employers with "black market wages" will feed back into the American economy and better our working class.
  
  
• U.S. State Driver's License for Visitors? No, in too many cases, a license allows entry to our voting polls. It is simple: develop a "National Visitor's License" which encourages them to be honest about their background and improve the safety of our American roadways.
  
  
• Share and share alike: Real Estate. NAFTA and CAFTA are underway and Americans have mixed feelings about the affects. To eleviate the asset "pinch", Mexico should allow "visitors" to freely own property.
  
  

• Regular Americans. How does this help You and I?
  
  
  • No one goes to jail for trying to earn a living. That's unAmerican.
    
    
  • The American working man must compromise on his wage, but it will become fairer.
    
    
  • Visitors won't hide in the shadows of ignorance and our roads will be safer. Most important: by issuing a special "Visitor's Driving License", we'll eleviate some voter fraud issues.

How's that for a beginning to intelligently solving the Immigration problem in America?

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© seanrox.com.