Three iconic American brands. An unbeatable (Unsinkable) combination.

Its less about what we do, and so much more about the manner in which we accomplish it.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

borrowed, with gratitude from, Humans of New York : http://lnkd.in/bgtFJi5

the rest is me. sometimes we need examples of who not to be and what not to do.

some people channel such BULLSHIT through their lives.

so… that got me to the following:

Joanne has cancer. I spend almost every minute of the day willing her to be healed. I would take every ounce of strength I have and infuse her with it. I would give her every last drop of blood and white blood cells I can generate. I would carry her to the top of the mountain if I thought God could hear me more clearly.

this morning I ventured out to Starbucks in my Jeep. I often do annoying things that might include singing country songs at the top of my voice out of key, pray, play music loud (my current favorite to the horror of my neighborhood) is, What It’s Like (not a country song) by Everlast, from the Whitey Ford Sings the Blues album. it fits nicely with an open-air Jeep Wrangler (in Milton, Georgia this is the new Porsche).

a prayer popped into my head. then I realized it was a poem. then thought it might be a prayer. but, $@&% it… I meant it.

I love God He keeps me on my feet I love God He does not know the meaning of defeat I love God He keeps me on my toes I love God he is the architect of my woes I love God He makes me strong I love God He confuses my understanding of luck and fortuna I love God I beg him to make Jo well Soona (that was me rollin a bit ghetto).

so… what if poems are a form of prayer? does that mean stupid poems possess the potential to piss off God? if it makes me feel better, I think that’s a good sign.

…this reminds me… I wish Brandon, the creator and curator of Human of New York, would offer a method other than TUMBLR to share his own efforts. I wonder if he hears me?

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

Brandon found evidence of massive snow battle.

apparently no survivors.

but, no zombies either. so, that’s probably good.

mind you… another storm is on it’s way.

the really good news is my new rig will have the winch mounted this week.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

there is a book that now exists titled, Humans of New York created by self-taught photo journalist Brandon Stanton that you need to look at.

mr. Stanton approaches fellow New York denizens daily, asks permission (some times not) to take their photograph and conducts a brief interview. it’s (the book and visceral experience) easy to enjoy because, while there are certainly profound words, the effort drives its formidable impact through the startling images that define New York City.

I use the word “startling” as opposed to say, “stunning”, because of the way many of the pictures and associated bon mottes move me.

for example, it looks like one of my favorites contributions is from a woman that could fundamentally shape our global view:

“l tell you what my husband told me when he was dying. I said, ‘Mo, how am I going to live without you?’ And he said, take the love that you have for me and spread it around.”

that message drove me to my knees. I am genuinely thankful.

something you REALLY need to know:

Humans of New York is a hugely popular blog (go check-out that link. ← do it!), by the way, and of course only now a book.

and, I’m warning you… it’s addictive – in a very human and healthy way. feed your soul. do it!

Brandon’s ability (I snagged these words from somewhere else and replaced the word “willingness” with “ability”) to:

“approach strangers has led to some pretty amazing moments of openness, “whether it’s someone telling me about their battle with cancer, or somebody even telling me how they were molested as a child,” he says of many “startlingly honest revelations.”

something you might care to know:

for me, an almost perfect day would be spent with my little Emma Jo hiking about New York City with her taking pictures with her new camera while I talked to people.

I love talking to people. I value stories. I’m no good with a camera. but, Emma Jo might be. and, I really like being around her. and I’m drawn to cities that create stories through their fascinating residents by design almost more than I desperately need to help people.

some stories are worth telling. some other people need to help with all of it.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork