Author: Chris

Help People, Feed People

| Chris

Somewhere on Mark Chapter Six (Urban Edition) is a cool story. Check it out!

Five thousand needy individuals had unwittingly halted some entitled Christians’ plan to enjoy some well-deserved nap time. After all, they’d put in a hard day’s work that day.

buddy jesus

Great! Perfect timing, they thought.

Not wanting to forgo their hard-earned timeout, they grumbled to Jesus, “Yo buddy, it’s late and we’re hungry! Can you please tell ’em to go away? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?

Hey, we can even tell they’re hungry, too. Look, there’s a Taco Bell on Via Dolorosa & 2nd Ave. They can buy a Cheesy Gordita there, y’know? Cheap eats!

But Jesus turned around and shot back like a stoic Terminator, “Nice try, homies! I say you share your dinner with them instead. Capish?”

They retorted, “Wait, what? Duuude! Sooo unfair, man! Should we spend our own money on this much food and give it all to strangers?” I mean, some of these folks could be, y’know, undeserving bad apples. Maybe even the worst of the worst! ((wink wink))

But Jesus didn’t budge. And they eventually gave in to his demand. After all, he’s the King of Kings!

Now there is a miracle that culminated in the end. But we’ll only experience it ourselves if we as well dare to follow Jesus’ command… Help people. Feed people. Even at our expense. No excuses.

Addicted To That Rush

| Chris

It’s been pretty tense around the world lately so I thought I’d lighten up the mood a bit. So, what’s on my mind today? Well… Rush, actually. The rock band, that is!

Rush is one of my all-time favorite bands and I’ve seen them 5 times. They’re going back on tour this summer with a new drummer and I’m sad I’ll miss it as ticket prices have gone out the lunch! Though as much as I’m a fan of them, or any group for that matter, I was never a fanatic. I appreciate music from a distance, and that gives me a lot of freedom.

I remember the second time I saw Rush. It was the summer of 1990 at Irvine Meadows in CA (first time was in ‘88). Another band I really admired, Mr. Big, opened for them. Alex and Geddy even came out to do backing vocals with them on their song, Addicted to that Rush. So cool!

But the interesting part was this… a friend of mine won backstage pre-show passes to this gig from a radio show and decided to tag me along. So we went and were there 3 hours before the show started. Backstage! It was a party and you get to hang with the entire crew for a few hours. This was before smartphones so people actually interacted instead of taking selfies. I saw my friend chatting with Alex Lifeson from a distance. But me? Well, I was busy helping myself to some fancy vittles on the buffet. Then, I remember some dude with long blond hair approaching me as I dropped a hunk of rib eye on my plate. And since I’m a nice guy, lol, I decided to put my plate down for a sec to shake his hand. Then, he introduced himself… I’m Pat Torpey. Nice guy. He probably won passes too, I thought.

Cowtown Adventure

| Chris

It was the last day of my whirlwind Texas road trip and Fort Worth was the last stop. So the choice was obvious. The Stockyards. Walking through its brick-paved streets felt like stepping back in time. Once the hub of cattle drives and livestock trading in the late 1800s, the Stockyards became the beating heart of the Texas cattle industry. By the early 20th century, it was one of the largest livestock markets in the world, shaping Fort Worth’s identity as “Cowtown.”

Today, the history lingers in every detail: the longhorn cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, the old pens turned into shops and restaurants, and the aroma of barbecue drifting through the air. I wandered past saloons and rustic storefronts, imagining the bustle of cowhands and traders who once filled these streets.

Though my visit was brief, the Stockyards offered a vivid snapshot of Texas heritage—equal parts living museum and lively entertainment district. One day was enough to feel the grit, charm, and enduring spirit of Fort Worth.

Dallas in a Day

| Chris

I spent a day in Dallas exploring some of its most historic and thought‑provoking spots. My first stop was the Dallas County Courthouse, a striking red sandstone building known as the “Old Red.” Its castle‑like towers made it feel more like a landmark than just a courthouse, and it set the tone for the day.

From there, I walked over to the JFK Memorial Plaza, a simple yet powerful monument. The stark concrete walls created a quiet space for reflection, honoring President Kennedy’s legacy in a way that felt both solemn and timeless.

Nearby was Dealey Plaza, the site forever tied to history. Standing there, surrounded by the familiar landmarks, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the events that unfolded in 1963. Just steps away, the Grassy Knoll offered another perspective—one of those places you’ve heard about countless times, but seeing it in person makes the story more real.

I did not go inside the Sixth Floor Museum as time didn’t permit. It is housed in the former Texas School Book Depository. It was deeply sobering and emotional even to just view it from the ground.

To balance the heaviness of the day, I headed to the Reunion Tower, one of Dallas’s most recognizable landmarks. From its observation deck, the city stretched out in every direction, a reminder of Dallas’s modern energy alongside its historic past.

I wrapped up the trip by hopping on a tour bus through downtown, a quick but fun way to take in the city’s highlights. Skyscrapers, bustling streets, and pockets of art and culture rolled by, giving me a snapshot of Dallas in motion.

It was a short trip, but each stop added a layer of understanding. Dallas offered not just sights, but stories, reminders of how places can hold memory and meaning long after the moment has passed.

Ace of Space

| Chris

It was the summer of ‘88 at the Palace theater in Hollywood, I saw Ace Frehley (his band Frehley’s Comet, actually) in concert. I was front and center! Yes!! Resting my elbows on the stage platform, I could smell the smoke coming out from his guitar. It was surreal for a kid who grew up on all things KISS.

Surprisingly, for the encore, he brought out Peter Criss to play drums on Deuce. Anton Fig graciously got up his throne to make way for him. He even offered his sticks but he declined. Peter motioned that he was going to use his own.

At the end of the song, Peter, the rock star that he is, catapulted his sticks towards the audience… classic! They eventually reach their destination, but not before hitting a couple stage lights along the way. Whizzzzz!!! Bang!!! Bang!!! Buzz!!!! Buzz!!! Lights out! Ace looks back at him smiling like the proud brother that he is.

Meanwhile, us in the front of the SRO ballroom all took cover lest shards of glass from the bulbs landed on our heads. Good thing it was all clear. Whew!

Now, what goes up must come down. And the sticks promptly fell back down to Earth (see what I did there? Wink wink!). Lucky me, I caught one of them like a falling meteor (sorry!).

Looking back now, the Ace of Space could have tossed his smoking Les Paul instead. That would’ve been much more appreciated and… outta this world (oopsie!)!

Oh well… that’s my Ace Frehley story.

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

Woke up in Waco

| Chris

Driving north from Houston, I thought I’d spend a day and wander around Waco. Why not? I’ve never been before. Well, it turned out to be a perfect little adventure!

First stop was Cottonland Castle, a quirky old stone mansion tucked into a neighborhood. It felt like stumbling across a piece of Europe right in Texas.

From there, I headed to the Dr. Pepper Museum, where the history of the soda came alive in vintage ads, old bottling equipment, and of course, a cold Dr. Pepper at the end.

Next, the Silos at Magnolia. The place was buzzing with energy! Food trucks, shops and families milling around. I grabbed a snack, soaked in the atmosphere, and admired how the place blends rustic charm with modern flair.

Later, I stumbled on to Indian Spring Park, where the Waco Suspension Bridge stretched gracefully across the Brazos River. Nearby, the “Branding the Brazos” Sculpture stood tall, a striking tribute to the cattle drives that shaped Texas history.

By the end of the day, I felt like I’d touched a little bit of everything. History, culture, and local flavor, all wrapped up in one quick little trip.

A Day in Galveston Island

| Chris

With only a single day to spend in Galveston, I wasted no time and headed straight for the historic seaport. The old docks felt alive with stories, and a boat ride gave me a chance to see the harbor from the water. As we glided past the SS Selma shipwreck, I couldn’t help but imagine the storms that had left their mark, reminders of both fragility and resilience.

Back on land, I drove the island from the Northeastern tip all the way down past Galveston State Park, watching it unfold in contrasts. Busy piers, quiet neighborhoods, stretches of sand where the horizon seemed endless. The gulf side was wide open, the waves steady, and the air thick with the rhythm of the coast.

Dinner was seafood, fresh and simple. As the sun lowered, I walked along the beach, toes sinking into the sand, the sound of waves steady and soothing.

It was just one day, but it felt complete. History, sea, and shore woven together into a memory worth keeping.

Houston, we are fine

| Chris

With limited time in Houston, I knew I had to make every moment count. The sprawling Texas metropolis stretched out before me, and I needed a strategy to capture its essence in just a few hours.

I started my adventure aboard one of Houston’s iconic double-decker buses, climbing to the open-air upper level where the warm Texas breeze swept past as we rolled through downtown. From my elevated perch, I watched the city’s impressive skyline unfold—gleaming glass towers reflecting the afternoon sun, historic buildings nestled between modern skyscrapers, and the bustling streets below teeming with life. The narrated tour painted vivid pictures of Houston’s oil boom history, its diverse neighborhoods, and its transformation into America’s fourth-largest city.

After circling through the heart of downtown, I hopped off at the Downtown Aquarium, a surprising oasis in the urban landscape. Inside, I wandered through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks gliding overhead, watched playful sea otters tumble through their habitat, and marveled at the vibrant tropical fish darting through coral reefs. The aquarium offered a refreshing pause from the city’s energy—a moment of tranquility before my final destination.

The real highlight awaited me south of the city: NASA’s Space Center Houston. As I drove down, anticipation built with every mile. Walking through the complex, I stood beneath actual spacecraft that had journeyed beyond Earth’s atmosphere, touched a moon rock that had traveled 240,000 miles, and toured the historic Mission Control room where “Houston, we have a problem” became part of our cultural lexicon. The experience was humbling and inspiring—a reminder of human ingenuity and our endless curiosity about the cosmos.

Though my time in Houston was brief, the city left a lasting impression: a place where Southern hospitality meets space-age innovation, where you can explore ocean depths and cosmic heights all in just a couple of days.