Franz Hoff - Words, Poetry and Thoughts

NEW BLOG! www.FranzHoff.com - New blog there...

2008-05-19T18:42:00.003-04:00

Ok, this Bog is being put out to pasture. I will leave it here, but i will not be updating it. Please check out my website: www.FranzHoff.com

It has my new blog integrated into it and I am updating it regularly.! No, really! I am :-)

So, uh, what's new with you?

2008-01-21T19:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally decided to write in here again. It's a new month, in a new year and I said, aww, what the heck! New? Well, getting out of the coffee biz is on top of the list. I have decided (amongst other stuffs as well) that I want to work much fewer hours. Besides, it's time for a change!

Change is an interesting subject. Seem like I write most during times of change. There are probably many things I am supposed to be doing and I am NOT doing them :-) I am writing dammit!

I am sitting here listening to a song we are working on - we call it the keyboard song, or the song in the key of board. I think it's real name is "It's Your Story". It is one Karl wrote (my illustrious band co-founder). It's not done, but is a good start. I wold love to get some feedback on it. You can check it out here:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=721321

Along with some others we are working on. None are finalized, but they're getting closer! We'll be recording and auditioning for a few more weeks or so. Hope to have the four song demo done then! It's gonna rock :-)

A moment please

Look at me

Do you not see?

The rock man said

"You see what you wanna see

And you hear what you wanna hear"

Sometimes, we need to look differently

To see what is staring right at us

Left is only that from one direction

Turn around and it is right

There is my thought for today. I am working on a bunch of random thoughts/quotes. I will post on my web site.

Until next time. Don't be strangers, say hi, have a nifty time an be well!

Peas and Hominy to all :-)

A post, a post

2007-07-05T18:04:00.000-04:00

So, again, I write... again it has been a very long time since I have written. It is a slow day at the coffee shop and I am inclined to pick up the proverbial pen. It has been a tumultuous few months. I have been doing a lot of writing in my journal - the physical kind. Just felt I needed ot feel the pen to paper. But since I am here I will see what kind of stuff will spring forth from my fingers.

The Wall

Falling behind a dream
Lost to what you forgot
Forgotten by what you lost
The barrier unseen
I scream but you do not hear
I plead to no avail
You cannot see me
Staring from so close
I watch you
Placidly making the motions
Ignorant of your oversight
Close enough to touch
Stuck in second gear
Engine racing
I see where you need
From behind your edge
Leaning against our confines
In mournful reticence
Tears drip slowly
Down the divider of worlds
My hand slides slowly
touching the tears
You do not see
You will not see
I will watch
I will talk
I will wait
Until you choose to see

Hmm, I like this... It s one of those poems that have a meaning to me that I do not think the rest of hte world will see. I had the idea for this a few weeks ago from a conversation with a friend. I will not say what it is about cause that'd ruin the fun :) But I can assure you that it is probably not what you would think.

Be well, love lots and smile most,
Franz~

A quick thought

2007-01-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

Just got back from visiting my sister in Massachusetts. It was incredible watching my nephew eing born. Watchinga new life come into the world is transformational. It was even better that my son got to experience it with me to. I think it will be somethign that stays with him forever. I am sad that I will be so far from him and will miss many things as he grows up, but I think that somewhere in his heart/soul he will remember that we were there for him and welcomed him into the world. So this little note is to Welcome my nephew, Erik, into the world - born 1/17/06 @ 6:29am (a Capricorn, jsut like his mom and morfar), 8lbs, 8oz & 20" long. He is beautiful just like his mom! I started a poem during the labor, but it is on a diferent cdomputer. I will post it when I get it back.
Be well, smile lots & love most~
Franz

"Live for NOW! Worry not about yesterday and look to the fututre only to keep an eye on where you want to go"

Holiday thoughts

2006-12-24T12:55:00.000-05:00

Sitting alone
Lazily pondering
Thoughts drift
gaze wanders
eyes stare
seeing elsewhere
reflecting within
heavily light
where is
what are
how do
when can
powered thoughts
evoke change
complacency stagnates
negativity bars
resentment hollows
anger boils
fear shatters
lift beyond
trust hope
breathe life
be now
be wonderment
be accepting
be peaceful
be well
smile lots
love most

May we all take this time during the holidays to step beyond the mad rushh to appease the powers that want us to spend, spend, spend and take time to look at what it is that we have and find the wonder of what is around you. If we all stop to really look, there is an endless abundance of things to be grateful for. Me, I consider myself incredibly blessed and cannot possibly begin to show the grateitude that I feel; for all the people in my life, past, present and future who have touched my soul.
I didn't do any gift giving this year (except of course for my son) as my world has been so focused on the new coffee lounge, I just have not been able to make time to shop. There are those that feel that this, along with not a lot of contact or calling or whatever, is a sign of lack of gratitude, but those that truly know me, know this is not the case. There are times that we must sacrifice some things inorder to progress in other areas. This is my world right now. i am building something beautiful, fun, creative and wonderful that I can share with the world, that I can use to catalyze so many wonderful things. This is my gift this year... my love, my gratitude and my wish to you all - friend, stranger, family, all - a warm, happy, love filled holiday and a new year full of wonder, amazement, beauty, prosperity and most of all, lots of love.

Be well, smile lots and love most~
Franz~

What will you do?

2006-12-12T16:30:00.000-05:00

So we move on again
Drifting within the realms that mystify
Do you believe?
What is real is what we create
What we create is a figment
We are not tied to it
We are not bound
By the chains of our pasts
Nor the held down
By the weight of whats yet to be
Unless we dedided it to be so
Change is inevitable...
Or is it?
Be not stuck with habits
You are free if you want
You are the shaper of you
Of what's around you
I am creating
I am living
I am loving
I will always be
I reach out
What will you do?

And so goes the journey....

PL&P~
Franz.

Ahhh... The shop is done and in the news...

2006-11-25T02:52:00.000-05:00

wow, hard to believe that after almost a year of construction, desctruction and a lot of dirty work, the shop is done and open. I am sitting here in the quiet. No customers, just some tunes and little ole me. I should be workin on the data base,but I am tired and I need to do something else. I've been starting at the computer for days - my eyes feel likethey're going to explode. Hey... hapyy thanksgiving everyone :)) I actually took a few moments to stop and reflect upon the things that i have ot be thankful for and man, I have a lot. I am very blessed and I do not and will not take it for granted. There is lots left ot do and explore and experience, but it's a fantastic start. Still some of that meloncholy feeling, but the tiredness is shadowing it. I've been working too much. It's not al bad though. I am enjoying it. This is my coffee shop and it feel really good to say that. To look at what we've built. Now I can get it running and focus more on daylan and my music. I actually jammed a bit tonight on the acoustic here in the shop. oh, the shop! Chec it out: www.rumourscoffee.com. We'll have pics up soon. A friend is supposed to post a bunch fo rme.
We had a great get together last night here at the shop. It was so cool having everyone here hangin out. Everytime we all get together I look around and am amazed. It is a great feelings to be surrounded by such a great group of good souls. Nay, great souls. We had a balst playing acoustic guitar kareoke. I have pics I'll post on my site as well - www.franzhoff.com. Well, it has hit the witching hour. I am sleepy once again and I need to wrap up things here. Close that shop (literally and figuratively). Here's an off the cuff - not sure it'll be anything, but it seems like the thing to do...

So I sit
Look at myself
Reflect upon becoming
a guitar speaks
look
listen
the change is obvious
to me
mostof the time
i am ready
i am

Hmm.. well it is something :P
Good night, be blessed, be happy and PL&P~
Franz

Another late night vent

2006-10-31T03:00:00.000-05:00

It is almost 1am, I jsut got done working on the coffee shop to be. I am tired and covered with caulk... I had no idea what was involved in this whole thingy... ah well, it's been fun and an adventure. Learning lots, getting dirty, sharing lots and I have really been able to work on some issues of mine... I feel like i am making progress again; yet a thte same time i feel like and am stagnating. ... I have that weird feeling again - that, change is coming feeling. anticipating... a bit melancholy. Maybe it is just my head and too much thinking and workingon this darn coffee thingy... but man, our espresso ROCKS! I can actually drink it straight and in a latte it is awesome...
I am ready... I really and truly am. I am not sure for what yet, but I really feel ready for the next phase. I am excited, a tad aprehensive and a bit sad. Why do we humans have so much trouble with change. Change is what keep slife exciting, interesting and gives us opportunities for growth. Growth... I am working very hard on being a better role model, on following my gut, on accepting, on not being judgmental, on sending love instead of anger at the morons that don't know how to use a freakin' blinker - USE YOUR BLINKER BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE TURNING LANE!!!! That is a pet peave - can you tell?
Let me share a bit about my nerw home here is salt Lake. I have made a circle of friends here like I have never had in my life. It is amazing. There is a mutual bond and i feel so incredibly blessed. I don;t think any will actually read this, but if you do, thank you for being part of my world, for your love, your help and your friendship. You all mean the world to me and I am honored to call you friends. (for anyone that really knows me, I do not use the term friend lightly).
I hope I can live up to being a good friend in return and I hope I can share something that will touch and allow the appotuniy/possibility for growth. df
The further along I get, the more I focus on the things that really matter. This coffee shop lately has hurt that though. I have been spending way to much time there and not enough time at home. I know it is temporary, but it still bothers me a lot that I am not spending enough time with my son... He is so understanding and non-chalant about it all, but I do think that it bothers him. I think I need to talk to him a bit... get him to express hnow he feels about all this chaos in our world. Yeah... I am going to do that...
Ah... feels goo to write - even if it is just my rambling... I started a new song about acceptance. I got the chorus done, but no verses yet. Wow... ok, I am toatlly beat now. Off to beddy-by for me.
May we all be blessed with love, friendship and peace (worldly, personal, etc.). Make the most of each moment - love with all your hearts and souls, cherrrish what you have, strive to grow and smile lots!
Good nght...
Franz~

Balance

2006-10-15T03:12:00.000-04:00

It is late... I am sleepy... It is quiet...
I want ot write, but am feeling too drained to create right now. So much going on that my head is swimming and I am having a hard time keeping up. I have figured out that I am a rowboat! There are many types of people out there (duh...) and each of us have our own way to proceed down the proverbial road of life. Me, I am a rowboat. I take my time, enjoy my surroundings, make silly cirlces, rock the boat a bit, stare into the water... I always make it to my desired destination, however, it usually takes me a bit longer than most.
I like my rowboat though. I like to take the time to live in the moment. I coached soccar last week as a fill in and it was incredible - the whole world disapeard and all there was, was the kids and me; running aroudn the field like little mad people in total disarray - it was spectacular (this is 6 and 7 year olds here!). Nothing else existed - my coffee shop didn't exist, construction didn't exist - it was all about right then and there with the kids.
This crazy world of ours, the silly things people say, do,think.. if we stopped to enjoy right now. Ah well... I am and have always been a dreamer, an idealist, then I rebelled and became a pesimist and a realist, then I found a little balance andnow... man, I feel like i am in a whirl wind again - things are too hectic, but I want things to move faster - a strange quandry - there are good things on the horizon, but I am very tired of the road to get there. So see? I am worrying - scratch that (or as my friend Karl would say - strike that! (He's the lawyer in the circle) - not worrying, but focusing on too much of the future.
This is arelly non-sensical rambling here, but I need to vent... I haven't really gotten a chance to vent in awhile. Music is auditions and more auditions - had 2 gigs which was amazing - I love the stage... work is all about getting hte shop up and running and it is all "OH MY GOD!!" Urgent - crunch, rush, hurry, now! I do not work well like that - I am way to laid back and when I get too pushed, I tendd to lapse into the other direction... Balance...
Strange how life works isn't it? Watching the threads of time drift along, seeing the interaction of events, the meetings and hapistances, accidents reveal themselves to be not. These last couple of years have been intense as an understatement. No regrets - regrets are for those that do not understand and accept possibility - that didn't make sense as I wanted it too... Regrets do nothing but hold you back from learning and growing. Acceptance allows us to see without judgement - that is a challenge I am still working on. I think I have it inmost apsects of my world, but there are a couple that need work...
Accidents are not... I liek that. Do I really need to clarify? Hmm...Accidents are mankinds excuse and unwillingness to take responsibility. What about a car crasing into you? That's not your responsibility... well, maybe not consciously, but for each event in our lives, there is a reason - lessons, opportunities for growth - things we need to progress. Most peole seem to not look at life as a means to learn, grow and share. Wait... I don;t mean accident literally, I mean accidents as in things that seem to happen for no reason or coincidences... There are reasons for it all, it jsut usually takes awhile to figure it out... damn we humans leanr slowly... (um, myself included in taht).
So, there... balance - I need to balance... maybe in a few months... My birthday party is next weekend... I amnot sure if I am really ready for this - I have this strange feeling that strange things are in the air... Ah well, new adventures andnew lessons right?!? :)) I take it on next week - maybe I'll shjare stories of debauchery onthe next round.
So, thanks for listeneing... well, that's I guess more fo rme as there hasn't been anyone on here in a long time...
So, if you read this - thanks, if not, thanks to me :)) I feel better...
Have a beautiful night - sleep well, rest a lots, dream a lot and share love with everyone!
PL&P~
Me...

A new post!

2006-05-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

So, it has been awhile since i have done any writing. Here or anywhere else for that matter. So busy with the new house and new coffee shop to be. I have been working with new people on some music and I posted a new version of a song we jsut redid on my music myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/franzhoff - I'll post more as it gets closer to being shareable. I haven't done any new photography in awhile either. So, nothing really new to post. I felt like rambling a little and thought I would write. Spent the days laying floors in the coffee shop building. I really dislike tiling... I don;t mind laying sub floors though! I get to use the big nail gun :) Then it was laying hardwod in the house for a couple of weeks. Heck, not much to really tell - construction, some music, hanging with the family - Salt Lake is being good to us so far. Lots of very cool people out here and even a few I can call friends - that's a rarity for me. Went out to fetish night Saturday with some of those friends and it was a total blast. I hope to get e few pics onto my myspace account and/or my site soon. Gotta cut loose sometimes. I'l get around to posting more once construction duties chill out. I want to get som efeedback on the new tunes - we've got 4 that are in decent demo mode now. Til the next round!
PL&P~

A few words
Float through
Lulling
Giving
Taking
A few thoughts
Drift by
Calling
Sharing
Growing
A few dreams
Weave around
Waiting
Watching
Yearning
A few worlds
Drift by
Hoping
Teaching
Trying

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

2006-05-14T12:13:00.000-04:00

To all the wonderfull mothers out there - young, old and in between. Thank you for your gifts of love and understanding.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY :)
PL&P~
Franz.

A New Song! I've Forgotten

2006-03-30T13:29:00.000-05:00

I usually save this blog for peotry and my mindless rantings, but I haven't really written much new, so I thought I would put up a song I wrote yesterday (3/29/06). I am not totally happy with teh chorus and will most likely tweak it, but the idea is there.

I'VE FORGOTTEN

Built on the foundation
Of a lifetime of fears
Standing, grounded
On waves of tears
My sense of self
Handed down to me
Living the life
Of someones elses dreams

CHORUS
I've forgotten
What I once knew
I've forgotten
What it is to be me
I've forgotten
I've forgotten
How to remember

I woke up last night
Splashed water on my face
Looking at the strnger
Who has taken my place
I managed a whisper
To ask which way
Just a starting point
To find my way back to me

CHORUS

BRIDGE
The very next morning
I lay awake in bed
Thinking upon a time
When some of it made sense
Stumbling towards tomorrow
Struggling with the past
I can't I can't even see today
Just goes by too fast
I see the sun rising
I havewn't seen in awhile
A memory driftsd in
I feel a soft smile

CHORUS
I've forgotten
What I once knew
I've forgotten
What it is to be me
I've forgotten
I've forgotten
But...
I think...
I'm starting to remember
©2006 Franz Hoff

So, any thoughts? Whaddaya tink huh?
Til next time...
PL&P~

Been a long time again...

2006-03-03T23:48:00.000-05:00

I jsut can't seem to find time anymore to write. I miss wrioting. I did actually write apoem tonuight though! It's on my site... I also can;t make up my mind where I want to write :) I can't even begin to tell about the stuff going on... to busy... I don;t like being this busy... I think I am jsut lazy... I am finding time ot jam still and I am wporking on new tunes. I toasted my software for recording, so I need to reinstall and stuff, which I have n't had time to do ... Ok, I will stop with the blaming time... it isn't times fault, it is mine of course... I need to make time. So, I'll go back to teh lazy thingy...
I feel like writing tonight, not sure why... duh, of course I am, universal synchronicity - the pushes and pulls of the universe - it is not so much understanding them as it is accepting them and going with teh flow so to say. So, I wirte... well, I tpye anyway.
I gues i will start with a littel update on my world in Salt lake. It is a greart city that has been incredibly good to us so far. We have made some graet friends (I don't think I have ever had this many friends. I miss some friends from back east, but this move has really been great for us. We have closed on the property for our coffee shop , home and as an added bonus, we got some office space. Now, if we could only get the city off our asses and let us get them all going... I have a ton of pics to post sometime soon of the properties - anyone looking will think we are compeltely out of our minds... yeah, well, I always knew I was a bit crackered... I like it that way though :) So, you can checkl out the coffee shop at www.RumoursCoffee.com - not much there right now except the logo and an online application form - anyone need a job at a really cool coffee lounge that doesn't exist yet?!?! :) It wwill though! We're shooting to open the end of May - probably more like mid June, but we like to shoot high!
I am jamming again - I said that ... working on some upbeat, poppy, punkish, rock kind of stuff. It's fun - still trying to find the golden vocals to go with it, but the guy I am writing with has a great studio and is pretty cool to boot. I went and jammed with a bunch of new age hippies the other night - they;re the burnign man crown (do a google search on burning man - I hope i get to go this summmer!). Started as a vocal circle, built up to a drum circle and then my buddy Dan pulle dout his bass and I got my guitar and we jsut jammed on all tis spacey, trippy, weird drummy stuff - it wasa blast! I may be able to get a recording of it next week - I hope anyway!
I am surprseid to see howmany people are actually looking at this - I've go this cool statistic thingy on here tells - even had a hit from singapore! I wish more of you would leave some notes - tell me what you think - like? dislike? Say hi, whatever...
So, that's my world right now if anyone out there cares to know :) I will try to get new music up on my site in the somewhat near future. No prospects yet for new pics - working on it though.
Oh, I am pushing my web busienss again! Need web and/or graphic design? Check out www.DesignsByDad.com - Outstanding We design and More! I will have offical office space andeverything soon! So, help me get busier! I am affordable, creative and meticulaous (except with my spelling... I write off the cuff... and I am not real good with spell check on here :)

WIND
A wind wispered to me one day
It spoke of a dream
I stopped and listened
As it sang to me
I closed my eyes
To listen more closely
It drifted away
I could not hear
Hazy, like peering into the fog
I reached to catch a piece
I felt close for a moment
It would come again
So I waited in the still
No sound but my thoughts
Drifting and playing
A deep breath clears
Tingling as peace settles
Calm is where I can hear
Hands play with air
Pliable, it dances between
Waiting for the next breeze

Okee dokee, til next time!
PL&P~

Thinking

2005-12-12T22:53:00.000-05:00

Thinking
I have thought til I swam
In the rivers that ran
From the mirrors that we peer from
Washed away in the flood
Pouring forth from the engine
That ticks beneath the shell
It's rhythm reminds
That even through the blur
That there is still me
I find solice in the rhythm
Knowing that from it comes all
It holds the key
Since then, I have ceased to think
I now listen to that rhythm
and feel...

Yay! I am updating!

2005-12-12T18:28:00.000-05:00

Well, once again, a long lapse in updates, but you know... that' how I am. This time of year really gets me on the reflecting kick... November and December has always been months that affect me. My dad passing away in November many, many moons ago and the holdiays in general... I ponder a lot... The world seems to be getting mroe and more out of control. Everything is getting bigger and more impersonal. true interaction is fading and we are turing into a world of people with their heads in a vacuum - ipods in our ears, cell p[hones, or both. The feeling of detachment from the masses is getting strnoger and stronger and this time of year it seem to build even more. I am really trying to focus on the things close to the heart; the things that really matter. I was standing in line today at Wally World and looking around and I felt like it was such a waste. There was no life. It was lots and lots of people going through the motions and no one really seeing anyone else. It seemed... shoot, I lost the word... ... hmmm, well, it seemed liek such a waste - meaningless and trivial. The lack of connection with and between everyone was non-existant. I want more than that for myself, my family and my friends. We all need ot take the time to look, listen and acknowledge the world around us. Don't jsut go through the motions... LIVE! Dammit! There is so much to cherrrish out there, so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to if we all stop and take a moment to really look and see it. A line came while driving shortly after leaving Wally World "Our eyes are all open, yet we are all fast asleep..."
This holiday, be thankful, see beauty, love, live, share, see and believe.
Sorry, I am drawing a blank today on the words... maybe later... time to go make some dinner :)
I wish the world love, happiness and the ability to understand - onesself and one anohter.
Til the next time...
PL&P~

So, what the heck is new?!?!

2005-09-09T00:02:00.000-04:00

Well, here I am in a new city. Doesn't feel new though... just kind of feels like home. Salt Lake is a very cool city so far. So much goingg on, but I will spare ya'll the details. Just working on a biz plan, getting settled and trying to find people to make some noise with. I hadn't written in awhile and felt the need. Oh, and if yur interested, my new fav band of the moment is Within Temptation. Two tracks stand out on one of their albums, but I can't remember which..lol. Oh well, check them out - they've got some great tunes - a lot of power and dynamics. Kind of pisses me off, cause I was attempting to do what they are doing 13 years ago... ah well, it's all about timing right?!
So, here's my impromptu spout at the face for the day!

Features may change
As does the world
Hearts remain
If they aren't ignored
Find solice from within
Only then will it be
Share hope with all
And tranquility
As the world divides
As love's left behind
Try harder to understand
Share your open eyes
Give up not
That which is not gone
We've only to believe
As night becomes dawn

Ok... well, that's what I got... No name comes to me now - any thoughts? SHARE!
Until the next time, PL&P~

Falling - New song

2005-08-04T15:43:00.000-04:00

I wroote this yesterday while driving. Yes, I was typing on my laptop, while driving. And you thought people talking on cell phones and driving were bad :) Hey, I didn't crash... didn't even scare anyone... too bad...
It is called Falling... Enjoy :)

FALLING
Close my eyes
Look inside
cannot hide
Or escape my mind
A door appears
Draws me near
I feel it breathe
Whispers to me
Reach out slow
Time to go

CHORUS
I'm falling
The night is calling
The darks embrace
Caresses my face
I'm falling
Distant voices calling
Words I cannot hear
Message is clear

Step inside
Adjust my eyes
Do not see
Nothing around me
Feel it surround
Once again found
Music all around
Yet I hear no sound
Where do I go?
How do I know?
Wait and see
Don't think believe

hope you liked it. Updates on my site as of 8/4/05 if you are interested. until next time
PL&P~

Franz Thoughts for Today

2005-07-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

It is Friday, that glorious day of the week that leads us to the weekend. So here is my ode to Friday

Free almost
Ready to let loose
I need a break
Don't worry anymore
Almost time
YaHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ok, that was really lame... sorry. I guess I am not feel exceptionally witty or deep today. Especially with the impending buttload of packing that needs to be done this weekend... oh and those dastardly lawns that need mowing. Well, at least I'll get some sun! If it doesn't rain. Wow, I seem to be a biton teh pesimistic side today. Will have to ponder this. Hmmm... not really down, but a bit blah. I need a pick me up, some mguitar playing I think would help. I havea couple songs I am working on that I would like to finish up before we move. Speaking of moving, it is officially official, we are moving to Salt Lake City! WooHoo!! I am excited, lots more going on there. This area is lacking in stimulation. Great if you are moss growing on a tree though :P Ahem... no offense to those residing in the area... well, mostly :))
Yup, this works too... I neeeded to jsut spout out at the fingers and let my mind wander aimlessly and write. I haven't done that in awhile...
Somuch going on now it is like listening to 3 differnet types of music at the same time. Whenn you focus on all three at once it seems overwhelming, but as you change your focus to one at a timem, they somehow all fit together. It is not stressing me out, but mmore... stretching me a littel on the thin side. I feel a bit more snappy than usual. Not as patient as I normally am so I am mworking on that.
Lots of work ahead to get everything done, but it iwll be very worth it I know. More time for family, music, friends and maybe even start working out again! I need some activity, get the blood circulating.
My new tattoo is in the works. As of right now, I am starting it on the 30th. My plan is to build it in pieces - kind of like my life :) Steps taken to grow into who I am and who I want to be. Going to start with Thors hammer - but my own version of it! Lots more to go along with that, but all in good time.

Stairs
On they go
Into the dark
Light slowly shifting
Dancing on the steps
Showing memories
Yet to come
I glance back
briefly
Looking back
Each step
Choices and lessons
Shimmering their light
Calling
To remember
But not to stay
Move forward
Hold onto the shimmmers
Carry them
To the next step
Deliberatly
Step
forward
Cherrrish each one

There it is! I knew it was festering in there somewhere ;) Now I can go home, drink a cold beer and start packing.
Until the next round...
PL&P~

From the cuff as they say...

2005-06-27T13:40:00.000-04:00

Just back from vacation. It was great! Lot of fun, busy, exciting, relaxing and rejuvinating. I actually had some time to read! I will share more about that in another entry when I get caught up with the mundane work stuffy :P More changes on the horizon - I am looking forward to new journeys!
So with the thought in mind, I will share off the cuff....

Journeys are not destinations
Destinations are not final
Finality is not the end
I revel in the journey
The destination is superfluous
I see see no finality

Paths are ours to create
Though we usually do not see til after
When after is still a beginning
I love to create
Afterwards is a new opportunity
Beginnings are blessings

Love in it's true sense
Fills without emptying
Emptyness does not exist
Fill your senses with love
Emptyness is only fear
Exist through love and never be empty

Sieze the now

Leave behind what is past

Worry not about tomorrow

Now is the journey

The past are lessons
Tomorrow never gets here

LIVE THE JOURNEY!
PL&P~

Thought for the life...

2005-06-07T11:52:00.000-04:00

I came across this passage in a book I am reading and it was so fitting. I thought I would share it with anyone who happens upon this place.
LOOKING INWARD
I no longer try to change outer things. They are simply a reflection. I change my inner perception and the outer reveals the beauty so long obscured by my own attitude. I concentrate on my inner vision and find my outer view transformed. I find myself attuned to the granduer of life and in unison with the perfect order of the universe.
-Daily Word

I could not have said it better myself!
PL&P~

Runes

2005-06-06T15:20:00.000-04:00

A quick thought on Runes. Not much time today, but I wanted to write. I have been exploring runes recently for a couple of reasons. One, I am working on a new tat design and it will be Nordic related as I am half Danish, I wanted something to honor my Danish heritage, which as we all know are the Vikings :)) So, I decided that I wanted some runes incorporated into the tat to give it more meaning and more.... Symbolism. Something that speaks about my life, thoughts, ideals, hopes, etc.
We went to a Wiccan gathering over the weekend - we have been on a journey of discovery - exploring different religions, philosophies and such and had the opportunity to take part in this gathering. It was very interesting and I learned quite a bit - about the Wiccan culture and myself. I'll talk about the gathering another time... I found a book on Runes there and decided to grab it and it really struck me. As I read, it felt... compelling. I was like a sponge. I haven't finished the book, but my tat artist loaned me a book that he found to be phenominal and very faithful to the nordic beliefs and not so much anglisized. So I am delving into two different veiw points into Runes at the same time and it is fascinating! The commonality is the quest for inner knowledge and the connection with our own intuitive nature.
A new journey for me starts and I am looking forward to learning more and more. It is fascinating, fun, intriguing and helps me connect in some way to my ancestors. I'll keep you up to date.
So..... Rune reading anyone??? :))
Never stop striving, never stop learning, never stop experiencing, never stop growing and never stop loving!
PL&P~

Poem for today - "What"

2005-05-31T15:00:00.000-04:00

WHAT
What lies within the shadows
The thoughts of nevermore
Shrouded in forevermore
Drifting within now

What lurks waiting to expose itself
The possiblities waiting
Wrapped in trials
Floating within pain

What watches as we reach blindly
The hope for awakening
Caressing our hearts
Calling to our souls

What waits as we pause to reflect
The answers we seek
Patiently waiting for realization
Patiently waiting for acceptance

New poem

2005-05-24T13:01:00.000-04:00

Before I start, I want to explain my writing. Most everythign is off the cuff. There area few pieces that I have started and then finished later on, but most everything is off the cuff. I sit and I write and then I move on. I find that spontenaity is key for me. It keeps it much more real and from the heart. So here goes! Let's see what comes out today :))

Finding a place
When all seems out of place
Finding a way
When it seems to just fade away
Finding truth
When the worlds full of untruth
Finding Peace
When everyone wants a piece
Finding joy
When no one stops to enjoy
Finding trust
When the world focus' on distrust
Finding hope
When we've lost all hope
Finding love
Finding love
Finding love
Finding love
When it is already there...
Think I'll call it... found ;-)

A Poem

2005-05-20T10:28:00.000-04:00

See
Hide not
From yourself
Hope
Hold on
Trust yourself
Shine
Believe
In yourself
Stand
Be true
To yourself
Strength
Accept...
... yourself

Learning

2005-05-10T12:41:00.000-04:00

As anyone knows, that knows me, I am always trying to learn, grow, become more aware, expand, love more, trust more, accept more, undestand more and on and on... I guess it is one of those human things. I think it is what we are all seeking - to understand more. I also realize that I don't want all the answers. Part of the thrill of life, is seeking. We are all seekers in one way or another. Everyone is seeking something. We all have that part of us that we think needs filling. Everyone chooses different ways of filling this. I think I am finally understanding - not just in my head - because I have "known" this for a long time - but in my heart, my soul, that the only way to fill any void that we feel, is by fillinig it ourselves - there is nothing out there that can fill it - there is nothing external to ourselves that will fill us. Not things, not another person, not friends, not even anothers love. That is not to say that those are not important, but those will not fill the voids that we feel.
I think we come here to learn and to grow and that empty feeling we have, is the desire to learn and to grow. By expanding our understanding and our awareness, we can fill that void. It is within our own hearst/souls that this will be filled.
I am not saying that I have accomplished this feat, but I think I am closer! I can feel it. I am starting to really be able to see more clearly. I know the things that I need to work on, I know the actions that I take are not always the most productive and I know what I need to do to change them.
Can i do it? Well, I sure am going to give it my all!
I feel, again, as though I am on the crossroads of more change. I can feel it in my core. I have had this feelinng for the last, hmm, probably year or so. On and off, I have paid attention and then the feeling has subsided and I forget about it. I am not sure if this is part of the previous feeling or new feelings or combination. I am guessing the latter. I think it is all cumulating with the learning and realizations and trials and experiences. It just seems to be on the intense side again. I think it will all be for the best. I think that I have an understanding of the lessons and actions I need to work on. I hope I can pull it off. If I do, it will be a big leap for me. Old habits that I have carried around for along time. Those seem to be the hardest to tackle. I guess the first step is seeing them. I have seen them before as well, but this time, I think I see more clearly. And i have a real desire to change, to grow this step. I don't know where it will lead, or what will come of it, but I am looking forward to finding out!
Change is difficult for many people, but I see it as doors opening and never closing. There is reason behind it all and we all have things that we need to get out of our "situations", our experiences. For some reason, we as a species need difficulty to learn. We seem to not be able to learn without "troubles" or "problems" and, we seem to even have problems learning from those! I for one, am attempting to pay closer attnetion as I am just as much of a culprit as anyone.
Well, not sure what all this was abouot, but thought I'd share :)
PL&P
Franz.

A Friday thought...

2005-05-06T15:44:00.000-04:00

I have no idea what I am about to write, so here goes!! Life is so very interesting... been listening to this seminar done by Wayne somebody, called "Its Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile" - very interesting... Lots of thoughts on life, spirituality, ways to create awareness and to open up. The thing that always gets me about the people that do these seminars and write these books is that they sometimes sound SO corny that it makes it hard to take them seriously. But this one was pretty good. It definitely made me ponder my own life and ways of dealing with things. Things I have been pondering already and gave me other ways to look at it. Interestingly, a lot of the principles that he talked about, I have already incorporated into my life. It was one of those kicks in the ass that I need every so often to help me along the path of learning and growing. I see a bit more clearly the things in my life that I need to work on and learn how to deal with better. Like reacting positively to a negative situation. Amazing how hard it is... we are SO wrapped up in being defensive and attacking back when we are attacked. Even something as simple as dealing with someone when they snap at you in what seems to be a snotty way. We automatically get defensive and attack back... If we can turn that around and respond in a kind way and find words and actions that are positive in response, it is amazing the results... it is just SO hard sometimes. Especially when it comes from those that really know how to push your buttons or those that you have become accustomed to dealing with in certain ways. So, that is my goal right now. To reject the immediate anger or irritation that hits at times and try to turn it around and either let it go or respond calmly and kindly. Now, I am NOT saying to let people walk on you! Absolutely NOT! But by acting in a positive manner we can counteract their negativity. And what better than feeling good and making someone else feel good? Or, at least better... Sounds like a good plan to me! Well, that's it for today. Off to get a cold one and play some geetar (I hope!!). PL&P! Until the next time...

Am I long winded or what???

2005-05-04T08:49:00.000-04:00

Looking back through some of these posts... I realized just how much I can ramble :) So this one is going to be short :)
There! That's it!
Thanks!
Have a great day!
Talk to you all later!
Thanks for looking!
Hope you enjoyed it!
He He....
Ok, I am really done now...
Well, ok.. now I am..

for real...

I am not kidding...

Why do you keep looking?

Do you think there will be something down here?

There isn't...

ok,.... I thin kyou need a hug!

A song I wrote awhile back

2005-04-28T14:59:00.000-04:00

I like songs like this. They have multiple meanings. I do that a lot. I enjoy letting people find their own meanings... without further dodo...

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
A soft wind blows
Weaving remembrances
Held tight, cherished
Drifting in and out of thought
The times shared
The love, the friendhsip
are a gift eternal

CHORUS
Until we meet agaiin
The stars will not seem as bright
Until we meet again
The sun will shed less light
Until we meet again
I'll be thinking of you

As we ponder and struggle
For meaing in chaos
Hang onto hope
Let go of grief
Keep the memories alive
As there are no goodbyes
only `til we meet again's
Until thenn...
you will be missed...

Choices and lessons...

2005-04-21T10:28:00.000-04:00

I am sitting here contemplating whether to bitch or to talk about a cool experience... Been a pretty crappy day so far, so I think I will go with the cool experience ;)
Let me preface this by saying that I am in no way tooting my own horn here... this really has nothing to do with me, it is the reaction of the other party that to me, stands out...
this past Sunday while driving down the main highway, I noticed a rack (no, not a woman's exposed top side, nor antlers, this was a music gear rack), in the middle of both lanes. I said "Hey! I need one of those!" So I got off the next exit, turned around and went back to pick it up. It was pretty trashed, but had a bass guitar amp and a nice guitar tuner in it. Driving home, I decided to make some flyers to try to find the owner, because I knew whoever lost it was at that exact time, very bummed. We got home and I managed to get the components out of the trashed rack and tried to see if they were fixable. The tuner was done, but the amp looked like it might actually be ok... had a couple of broken knobs... but was still intact.
I made a flyer and my wife suggested faxing it to the local newspaper which we did. the next day i got a call from a very happy bass player... I arranged for him to come by to pick it up after making sure that it was in fact his.
I was on my way home from work and pondering the meeting... what was the guy like? You never know with musicians! I wondered if he would offer a reward, i wondered what his face would look like when he saw that he actually got his amp back - this amp listed for over $1000 new... I always play out scenarios in my head and they usually never play out as i imagine, but it is just something I do and have always done... it is that over active imagination thing! I'll tell you in a moment what I planned to say...
Well, I got home, and I called him to say he could come over to get it. Coincidentally he lives in the same town as I. He showed up 10 or 15 minutes later and rings the doorbell... i answer and we exchange hellos - he is very, very happy and totally shocked that someone would actually place an ad in a newspaper saying they found something like that... and at that moment, he said "I am not sure that I would have done that..." My immediate response was, "next time you will". And he smiled and said, "yeah... definitely." He reached into his pocked and said that he had a reward for me and I told no, no way... i am just glad that the gear found it's was back home. Then I said 'there is one thing you can do for me..." he asked what. i said "please stop back by my house tomorrow and let my son give you these two pictures he drew you of your amp. i showed him the pictures that my son had drawn - let me back track a moment to tell you about the pictures...
when we got home after finding the gear, I explained to my son that someone had lost it and were very sad right now, because it is very expensive stuff and music gear means a lot to musicians. I showed him what had happened to the stuff, how it was damaged and he helped me take it apart to try to fix it. i told him that we were going to put up flyers and an ad in the newspapers to try to find the person that lost the gear because it was the right thing to do. He stopped, and got up and grabbed his markers and started to draw. He showed me the pictures and said that they were the amp all fixed up. he said he wanted to give it to the man that lost it when he came to get it. Yeah, that super warm and tingly feeling... i said that is AWESOME! I said, let's put these with the amp and maybe, when he comes to get them he will put the pictures on the amp to remember and so he has a fixed amp too! He was very excited about that.
My son was not home last night, so, again, I asked the guy to come back the next day for my son. He was floored... well, I guess floored is the wrong word, he was surprised at that request, but went on to say, no problem, he would love to come back. Turns out he has two little ones of his own and knows what that kind of stuff means to kids.
We talked a little more, I helped him load his stuff into his truck. We exchanged emails, as he invited me to a show his band was playing and said he would put me on the guest list (now I can feel important :))) He also said he would be by tomorrow (that's today) and would bring his kids with him.
I am anxious to see how this meeting goes… I am of the mind that meetings are never by accident… actually, I am of the mind that there is no such thing as accidents. I love to ponder this stuff J To see where a chance encounter like this leads… maybe it was all about sending a message to another soul that there is still some decency left in the world and that he will consider doing the same when it is him finding something… maybe it is just another chance to show a magnificent child that decency is special and should be cherished. Maybe…
Ok, I said I would tell you the scenario that I envisioned… it all transpired exactly how I envisioned it… yeah… boring… you were maybe anticipating a long explanation? Nope! But it is very weird… that is never the case for me… so it feels like maybe a change in how I create space for things to happen… I dunno… that’d be nice! I didn’t think about him saying he might not have done the same, but I did think about telling to remember and to pass along the kind deed when the roles reverse themselves someday.
My whole purpose in sharing this? Two things; first, that a person will think about passing along a good deed the next time the opportunity comes into their life and second that a small child will remember that he helped to touch another person life in a really nice way. That is more than I could ever ask for… PL&P.

An interesting thought about "Just"

2005-04-19T15:57:00.000-04:00

I am going to write this quickly, because I am on my way to be photographed some more! But I really wanted to get this out...
For quite som etime now, I have been attempting to eliminate the word "just" from my families vocabulary. As in "Oh, this is just Franz"... when calling someone... It makes it sound like I am less than someone r or something else. "Just" sounds demeaning, belitteling and creates a sense of lack of worth - as in less than... I stop myself when calling people and change my words to, this is Franz. I am NOT just anything! Nor is anyone else! I thought I was a bit of a freak in tis and then I watched a movie last night called Finding Neverland... I won;t spoil the movie, but there was one scene where a small child says, "That is just a dog" and Johnny Depps reply is awesome! I couldn't have said it better myself...
I got to thinking about it more and more and decided I needed to share it with the world. Or at elast with anyone that actually reads this malarky :)
So, next time you are about to "just" yourself... STOP! You are much more than "just"! you ARE! Be confident in who you are, be proud of it and do not use a word like just to create any sense of insignificance about yourself...
Until the next time! PL&P!

Mind Over Me - New Song!

2005-04-14T15:13:00.000-04:00

MIND OVER ME

Turn away
Run if you must
Your icy eyees
Turn my heart to dust
You gave up
All to easily
Forgot about us
Forgot about me

CHORUS
Mind over me
I cannot see
You decieve
Pain is me

Proclaim to love
Insist it's we
Then turn around
And start to leave
Crocodile tears
Fall like rain
Feigning remourse
Feigning pain

CHORUS

BRIDGE
But now I got your game
I see you hollow heart
I am breaking free
I'm makling a new start
My turn to walk away
My turn to say goodbye
Your turn to feel the pain
Your turn to cry

Mind over you
I see truth
I am through
Pain is you

Wasabe Cashews!

2005-04-14T14:36:00.000-04:00

I am sitting here with my face feeling like it is going to burst into flames and I love it! Maggie bought me some wasabe coated cashews... OMG! They freaking ROCK! I am a wasabe junkie though. I eat sushi and where most people put a small dab of wasabe on their sushi, I use a big chunk of wasabe - i mean pencil eraser size! Brings tears too my eyes, my nose feels like a hot poker was shoved into it... man, I can't get enough :)
So, that's it... just had to share! If you like wasabe, you have GOT to try these! Available at your friendly neighborhood Trader Joes market (not an endorsement, but it is a pretty decent healthy type store). Just watch out for the crunchy nutties... for some reason they seem to be more uptight than a lot of people and often lack sense of humours - especially about deforestization... go figure :)

I Reach Out - New song

2005-04-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

This was started 2/28/05 and I stopped half way through, which I do frequently.. I came back to it yesterday, 4/6 and finished it... It will probably go through a couple more iterations before it is done and I most likely will add a bridge. Won't know until I put some music to it...

Didn't you hear me cry?
Didn't you see me fall?
Why weren't you there?
All I felt was a wall
Didn't you see the tears?
Didn't you hear my heart break?
Why weren't you there?
Now I feel my soul break

CHORUS:
I reach out to you
I cry for your empty heart
I grasp at nothing
My souls falling apart
I reach out to you
I gave you my love
I gave my heart and soul
I guess it wasn't enough

You look right through me
Like I am not even there
I gave you all of me
You don't even care
The emptiness you call a heart
Has no room for me
Cares only for things
I've plainly come to see

CHORUS
END

EMPTY - new poem

2005-04-07T13:50:00.000-04:00

A dark without a way out
Drawn, I fall back
Slowly, arm's outstretched
My body drops and drifts
Slow motion, yet all is a blur
I watch as I disappear into the empty
Like Sinking into black water
I slowly sink beneath the surface
Holding my breath, heart beating faster
There is nothing but heart beats now
Echoing like thunder, then fading
They seem further and further apart
I try too remember before
To find footing as I fall further
Am I still falling? Or rising?
I feel the black swirl around me
Heart beats sound like a memory
Sounds far away and blurry
I blink to try to focus
Or was it a memory of blinking?
Where am I? Am I?
I am so aware... of nothing
Perception ceases
Thought falls to a lost memory
Empty consumes, yet never fills
Or does it?

Just some crap about me

2005-03-16T13:43:00.000-05:00

Hilo again... Well, thought I would throw out some stuff about my music - you know, stuff search engines like :-) Here's about the musical me!
I started playing guitar when I was 15 becuase I thought it would be "cool". I really liked the idea of being a rock star - seemed right up my alley! That and I really was not into school at the time... this seemed like a good career choice! i wish i had really taken it seriously. Like most things I attempted around this time, I apporached it half-assed. I didn't practice like I should have. It came naturally to me, so I didn't put real effort into it. I'd be a much better player had I focus on really learning the instrument.
I loved the guitar though. It felt commfortable, felt like a real part of me. From the first moments of picking up the guitar, I created my own music. heree and there I would learn bits and pieces of various songs, but I always wanted too do my own thing. I wanted to create... funnny, around the same time i started writingn poetry too - guessing it was the teenage angst thing. Guess I never grew out of it!
I ended up going to the Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywierd, CA for guitar. That was a great experience, but again, wish I would have put a bit more into it. I did learn a lot and met some great people and made some life long friends.
So, here I am, almosot 20 years into my music lack of a career. I am writing in more genres and styles than ever and have such an open mind to creating. I am excited to see where I go next!
My styles range from acoustic oriented rock, which I write a lot of. I like the feel - upbeat, driving, yet easy on the ears. I am still seeking a vocalist that can help me take it to where it needs to be. I like edge to my acoustic rock stuff. I want that driving sound. I love dynamics - hills and valleys... sounds that push the emotion of the words. Words are important, but I will admit that I rarely pay attention to them! Hey, I am a guitar player! As long as I get to play guitar... :))
I am getting into another heavy phase right now... i am writing some really heavy, chunky and driving tunes. I have strung two of my guitars in low B - I love the sound. There's a heavy bluesy song in B on my site called Black Dove. It is ok, but needs some tweaking - not quite there yet.
I also really like the quiet, ethereal, trippy, spacey stuff. I have quite a few songs along those lines and would love to do a whole album of that kind of stuff. There are a couple samples of that on my site too!
then there is my progressive side - I love the epic constantly changing complicated music. Not much commerecial viability in that stuff, but it sure is fun to play!
Those are my main styles. Check out the site www.FranzHoff.com and you can hear for yourself!
I don't feel like writing anymore about this, so I am going to go on to something else! Until the next time! PL&P!

Felt like writing a new poem

2005-03-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

So here goes... Off the cuff as they say...

Lemme try again... didn't like that... here goes...

Look at the walls
They surround and confine
Are they really there?
Or created by our minds?
If you look hard enough
You will soon see
They are not really there
They're simply painful memories
Stacked upon one another
The memories fade
Losing their distinction
Yet the pain is the same
To protect, we build
Yet it only veils us
An imaginary shelter
We think protects us
Hiding from feelings
We think makes us free
But the walls constrict
Til we can't even breathe
Tear down the walls
Feel freedoms soft breeze
Be strong be brave
Set your soul free

Well, hmm... not great, but it is something. There is a poem or song sitting, hiding inside of me - I can feel it, I just have not been able to coax it out yet... PL&P!
Franz.

Update to previous thoughts

2005-03-16T08:52:00.000-05:00

Goodmorning world! Well, I was thinking about wht I wrote yesterday, although, I did not read it after I wrote it so I am not entirely sure what is there! I do that frequently; I enjoy off the cuff writing. But one thought came to mind and I wanted to be sure I clarified soemthing. I may have come off sounding like I feel "better than" other people -"more aware" oooh... well, that is not my position at all. Quite the contrary if anything.
I am of the thought (not belief, more on that another time) that when you boil us down, we taste like chicken.. no wait, that's a different story... when you strip us down we get cold... Hmmm, no, that's not it either... ok, sorry... not really sorry... it is still early...
Basically I think of us all as equals - we have differnet experiences and feelings that we draw from to live as we fit. One that is "more aware" is no better than one that is "less aware", we are just at differnet stages of development. I do not put myself on any type of pedastal, I do not think myself superior to anyone else. I know that my knowledge is very limited and I know that there is so much for me to learn and experience and I truly an easger to learn and grow as much as possible. I just wanted to qualify my statements so that I do not come across as
"holier than thou" as I know I can sound like that sometimes and sometimes I get on a soapbox and spew my nonsense without thinking. I am also sure that at many points along the way, I will contradict myself, I will stumble, I will fall and I most assuredly will get back up and continue on.
And you know what? I am looking forward to it! Adversity brings growth. For some bizarre reason, we humans thrive on adversity. We seem to be incapable to learning anything unless we suffer first. And sometimes we choose to suffer over and over again before we learn!
Well, it is back to work for me. I am still pondering and contemplating, wondering and being amazed. Like, I wonder if anyone will actually read all this crap :D PL&P
Franz.

Poem for today - Bright Spots

2005-03-15T18:24:00.000-05:00

BRIGHT SPOTS

I find myself

Questioning again

Who is it that I am?

Why, what and how?

Are these firing synapses

Merely random discharges?

Is there reason behind?

I see sometimes

So clearly it scares me

Then it fades to gray

And once again

I am lost to the randomness

Of this lost society

I find another bright spot

I reach for it

It is warm and comforting

It is familiar and enriching

Symbiotic in the exchange

Sometimes the brightness grows

Sometimes it moves away

Sometimes it stays

Sometimes it fades out

Tears fill my soul at each

As I realize that it is me

That fades at times

And there is another seeing

Another that crys

Then I awake from "reality"

And look up with arms outstretched

And see all the amazing bright spots

And know that they never really fade

Even when change brings pain

And it seems the light has gone

It is still there watching

We have only to look, see and feel it…

A Blogger profile question gone awry...

2005-03-15T17:22:00.000-05:00

Ok... I took this question a littel too seriously... but was on a role and couldn't stop! This is all off the cuff - that is how most of my writing is... Without further ado...
"The children are waiting! Please tell them the story about the bald frog with the wig:"

Once there was a regal frog name Clifton. He was a very dashing and handsome frog with long, luxurious golden hair, but always a bit nosey. Well, one day he saw a beautiful princess sitting on the dock on his pond, with her feet dangling gently in the water. She was scrubbing some foamy stuff on her legs... Being the nosey type, he HAD to take a closer look - she had great legs after all and we all know about frogs and legs! He hopped up onto the dock next to her, startling her. She jumped, screamed and spilled the whole bottle of foamy stuff right on top of his head! She gasped, staring at this large lump of foam sitting next to her. The bottle of foamy stuff, lying on it side next to him. She parted the foam away from the frogs face to see if he was ok. "PLEASE! Rinse this icky foamy stuff off of me!" croaked the frog. So the Princess picked him up gently and set him into the water. The indignant frog dove down into the water and came back up and hopped back onto he dock about to give the Princess a piece of his mind. The look of horror on her face made him pause. He noticed her eyes darting from him to a small pile of golden thread next to him... then it hit him... that was not thread!!! He frantically felt his head... Then looked down into the water to see hi reflection. A long bloodcurdling screaming croak emitted from the frogs throat. He croaked and croaked and croaked, until he nearly croaked. He looked over at the bottle and read "NAIR" Sobbing he looked up at the beautiful princess. Feeling quite sorry for the poor frog, she quickly thought of a grand plan! She tenderly picked up the frog and said "do not fret my noble frog, I have a plan to restore you to your former grandeur!" Setting him down, she scooped up the small pile of golden hair and dashed off to her castle. The frog, dazed and traumatized by the whole ordeal just stared blankly off towards the grand castle, waiting... Three days passed. The frog did not budge. He sat in his stupor, starring blankly, waiting. On the fourth day, feeling more hopeless than ever, he saw the Princess running full speed towards the pond. Panting heavily, she sits next to Clifton and holds out a small box to him, a huge satisfied smile upon her face. Clifton looked up at her questioningly and slowly open the little package. As he removed the top, he let of a croak of excitement! There, in that little box was his long, luxurious golden hair all neatly made into a spectacular little wig! She gently took it out and placed it up his little frog head. Amazed, he looked down into the water and there he saw the most regal of frogs, his long, luxurious golden hair waving gently in the breeze. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Declared the frog. The princess bent down gently to kiss him... at that, is how they really met!

Randomness

2005-03-15T15:54:00.000-05:00

Well, I've got a few minutes to kill and thoughts I'd see what some spontaneous typing would present... I am a bit tired today. I guess that photoshoot last night wore me out more than I thought it would. It was a good shoot though. We got some really wild shots - lots of feeling. I am really looking forward to seeing what we come up with, this photographer and I. We have a game plan for the next couple of shoots, but beyond that...
Before I go further, let me appologize in advance for my tpying... I am usually too lazy for spell check and my typing skills are lacking.
So, here's my scoop... have been in a pondering mood lately - really pondering. Back to the whole meaning of life crap. Looking at events and people thorugh out my life and looking at where I am now. Quite strange to look at. I don't feel like I am as old as I am and most people don't think I look that old, which I guess is good. Yet, on the other hand, I feel very old sometimes... weary, tired. I have a hard time relating to many people - hmmm... actually, I have always had a hard time relating to people, so not sure whta th hell I am talking about. I have always felt like I am on the outside looking in. There are not too many people that I really feel like I can connect with - that I feel can understand the real me. I fit in just fine whereever I go, but that's just my camelion abilities coming out. The staus quo has always annoyed me and the benality of everyday life has always lef me wondering what we as a species are heading towards. Did I mention that I LOVE peanut butter! That right there! That is a great reason to be alive!! Mmmm... damn, wish I had some right now... I am hungry... Gues a banana will have to do.
I look at the world and am amazed that we have come as far as we have as a species... we are so on the brink of self destruction. It is not even greed anymore - it is apathy and self centeredness. The world is so self absorbed that no one has the time to think of anyone else but themselves anymore. Not the old lady who needs a hand with her groceries, not their neighbors and not even their own children. Really sad... kindof fits with a poem I wrote a littel while back...
THE ROSE
Racing Around Ourselves
In the flight of life
Scenery is flashing by
To fast to watch the rose
Consumed with our quests
Of the things not real
Just one more - then another
To absorbed to see the rose
Onto our social stepping stone
We climb with vigor
Grasping for what he has
To busy to touch the rose
Non-stop twenty four seven
No time to even sleep
We blaze with intentions
To tired to play with the rose
Now the end is nearing
Blurriness finally clears
Frightened, saddened realization
To late, the rose is gone
HELLOOOOOO! Wake up world... this world is so lost it is frightening. I write hoping that I can touch someone to open their eyes and see a littel more clearly -to help them help themselves to find a better way. I am not leader or a teacher, jsut a shmoe that does see a little more clearly and it constantly wroking towards seeing more clearly. I want ot share that. There are a few out there that I have come across that do see - littel circles... Seems so difficult to reach out to those that do not see that are stuck in what they think are things of importnace.
I am truly a glass half full person... always, when a question or comments comes up relating to that I will, without thinking say half full - or whatever analogy fits at the time. So, I keep on going and learning and growing and stumbling... I make mistakes, I trip and forget and somehow keep managing to kick myself hard enough to remember again.
I love learning and growing and sharing. I love stimulate the grey matter. Music an poetry are what really do it for me. Thoruhg them, I am able to express myself wholly. I am not really an open person. I have never liked to let people in - working on that... But somehow, music takes away all inhibitions and I am slowly finding ways to bring that into my everyday life. I am... and I am learning to be more me.
Well... time to run off and play som emusic! Think happy thoughts, be kind, have compassion, be understanding, learn acceptance and let your hearts be full oflove. PL&P
Franz.

The Purpose

2005-03-15T11:04:00.000-05:00

Well... this is my newest forum to promote me! Franz Hoff. My original music, my poetry and myself :) Blogs seem like a natural way to share and promote. I think it is a great way to extend my reach.
This blog will contain my poetry and writings, links to my music and possibly some pix as well. The ultimate goal is to get people to visit my site and listen to the music.
Music and poetry are my way of sharing myself and my thoughts with the world. Are my thoughts/opinions/feelings right? Who knows - I don't really subscribe to the, "my way is the right way". I try to provoke thoughts and feelings through my work. If it touches you in some way, makes you think a little deeper, ponder a little more, feel a little harder, then I have accomplished my task. That is not to say that everything I do is all serious - occasionally I will delve into matters with more brevity. But, for the most part, I am more morose and dark and always trying to maintain a link to the light. Please, visit my web site: www.FranzHoff.com and share your feelings about what you read and hear. I love to hear feedback and I love to exchange thoughts. PL&P!