Hey Fu,

Music  definately makes the world go around; some of us are taken further than others by its message. As an old rocker, I have a hard time relating to 2days music. Maybe its just me but todays music seems like a lot of whiney ass, disco beat synthetic music composed on software programs meant to facilitate that result and it all lacks heart to it. Maybe I"m wrong but just my viewpoint.

I'm a self taught musician who grew up in the era of a 3 piece/ 4 piece bands whereby lead guitarists were expected to drive the music so to speak.As such, I was expected to learn the riffs of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Johnny Winter, BB King, Mick Box, Neal Schon and I could go on; & I did too :) Ritchie Blackmore became my musical father. As such, I can nail anything Purple !

As time passed, picking and pick sliding fell way to Eddie and his stuff. The idea of moving around the nut in your head into different positions is just a sideways viewpoint of using a capo. The capo gave U 12 strrings sounds on the 6 strings but Eddie's idea opened up the fingerboard for all players.

As a rock music composer, I see no value in doing what everybody else is doing. I believe true  breakthrough  is following your own path.  The better the player, the most the aforesaid makes sense.Ritchie Blackmore and Eddie Van Halen inspire me !

Axe

Dear Fu,

Yesterday, foir the first time in my lifetime, I actully met and rescued a Bluebird. Very long story sthort, I was going down the escalator at the Skytrain station when I came across a bluebird who was too close to the windows to escape on his/her own power. Furthermore, this little one was walking upstream while the nearest help, that being me was moving downstream. The down escalor was at least a 45 degree angle of access to the bird.

Now picture a down escalator, with a two foot  high support system;and a little bluebirrd stuck about 2' from that escalator towards the south where by access was only available IF somebody turned off the escaloator and somebody offered our litle friend the chance to get out of there without scarring the heck out of of him/her. Got A Skytrain attendant to find some rigid cardboard and turn off the skytrain to facilitate the rescue. Elavator went on hold. Folded down cardboard box went into action :)

The idea was to talk constanty with the bird and establish trust and hope to hell the little guy stepped onto the rigid cardboard so that I could lead him/her to safety.The bird stepped onto the carboard. I walked him down the escalor steps, went thru the gates to the outside and he/she knew what to do from there.

God empowered me: I like feel good stories

Fu.

As an animal lover, these are my final thoughts on our 4 legged friends. Make no mistake; I love animals...domestic and wild and while domestic are the more likely route for interaction, I belive it's important to undertand how valuable our little friends are to helping us become  a better person.

In my lifetime, I've been fortunate to have met/owned two very special animals in my lifetime who forever changed me into a better person today than I was then and because of them, taught me to love in a way that I think is important for all people to understand.

Pets don't judge. The love us unconditionally. They are just happy we came home to them at the end of the day. Ya, they want their time with us and please feed them always but just take a moment to appreciate what you have here. U have a friend you can talk too who doesn't judge neither you or the situtaion you are wanking about and all in the eyes of love and adoration. How could U ask for more? They never question why you feel as you do at that moment and basically gives us what we all need at the end of a day: unconditional love !

My Siamese cat ALEA. Now there was clearly the most vocal of cats one could imagine. She could not only talk to you but she addded all the inflections and tone of of somebody reaching out and talking. She could respond to you as well as lead a diaglogue; all cat sytle your realize. Think that's a BS story? Ever owned a pure bred Siamese? I have.. By far my favorite breed. Trust me, they are a ONE PERSON CAT and while they tolerate the others you have surrounded yourself with, YOU ARE THEIR WORLD. She was so smart that I could play marbles with her whereby I sent a marble her way via my finger and she would time it and return it to me with her paw. Friggin smart man ! In the end, cancer took her :(

Now we have Brody. Not mine but so grateful to have access to this wonderful guy 2/3 days a week. A Golden Retriever. Arguabley, the most loving of all dogs. Protective yet friendly. This guy changed my life as well. He came into my life when although things appeared ok on the surface. underneath things were not and he came in. and in so many ways, just fixed things all by his wagging tail.

We bonded. His owner thought we shouild get a room together. Ha Ha...I will always remember fondly the tugs of war we had, the hugs he wanted from me and I wanted from him. Nothing quite like talking to your boss on the phone while playhing tug of war with Brody on the other arm; just like you see in the photo. He understond people and made it very to clear to people he did not like around. which fortunately were few and far inbetween.

To conclude, got a pet? A Dog or a Cat or someone like that? Give them a hug. They need it...So do you

Out and be well Fu

Fu Family n Friends:,

The new pill I've been put on is a time release who's job is to not only control heart rate but help lower blood pressure. Bllod pressure is not my problem but heart rate is.

That said, the new pill has the same side effects as the last two pills my Dr tried me on but with one important difference. Since this new pill is a time

release formula, the stomach burn and shortness of breath does not begin to kick in for at least 5-6 hours post ingestion.

I've told my Dr this who now has to accept the fact that I will not be taking this pill more than once a day. So, I'm scratching my line in the sand.

I will not undergo some half ass surgery that might or might work whereby they cut into my chest and do this and that and install a pacemaker that in short, is not my problem. In other words, endure a surgery to fix one problem by creating another ! Not going to happen!

So my Fu friends n family, the new pill is called Diltizem...The side effects : https://www.rxlist.com/cardizem-side-effects-drug-center.htm

At this point in time Fu, this is about quality of life. I'll be damned if I'm going to submit to hospitals who otherwise just want to poke and stabe and otherwise ruin my quality of life.

So my walks, if I can, are in the AM...if I don't get back to return messages or leave love, please understand I'm trying to take back my life; such as it is.

Tomorrow, I turn 66 and just hope for a day of sunshine that can shine on my face while i walk on God's earth just being me.

Later Fu

Fu Friends N Family:

Very difficult past 2 weeks: The top half of my heart is beating at 150 beats per minute; normal is below 100...the drugs my DR tried me on damn near killed me as the side effects lasted  15 hours ; none of it good. I guess I looked like walking death as numerous people came up to me and asked if I was alright?

Yesterday, he precribed a new pill who's job is to not only slow the heart rate beat but lower the blood pressure. The bloold pressure was always ok but the former has been the topic of conversation moving forward.

2nite, for the first time in 2 weeks, I was able to play my guitar and do stuff and actually feel somewhat human again. Today, I was able to walk over 6 miles; this is remarkable progress considering my all time best of 22 miles in a day is a feat was back in August 2019. In short, I"m starting over again as it pertains to walking and getting my life back.

I don't know if the heart pill I took today is going to be a long term solution but I took it at 11:30 AM local time and I have to say, at least this pill didn't punish me for being sick. Is it the answer? I don't know. My options are either this pill, digoxin or a surgical implant or just let God decide.

Anyways, being able to play my guitar, go for a walk and let the sun shine on my face is my idea of a good day !

You all be cool

Bry

Hi Fu.

Well Before Dec 25/2019, I was walking 10+ miles per day on average and other things. Somewhow, within A 24 hour period, everything changed for me moving forward and now, as of Feb 08/2020, this is where I stand.

I have Atrial Fibrillation of my heart. In laymans terms, the top half of the heart now beats 3-4x faster than the bottom half. Now It also means the top half of my heart is enlarged and sort of surrounded in fluid which means that it too can't be fixed; short of a transplant.

That said, I'm now on blood thinners permanantly with the hope that these thinners will somehow prevent the bottom  half of my heart from pooling and clotting and thereby not take me down while either on Fu or anywhere else in the real world or virtual world.

This is  process. I've discovered that the Warfarin pills that allow me to not fear blood clotting also have this crazy RED BULL buzz that totally screws up the sleep process.

Anyways, I basically have one of two choices with my life moving forward. I can either submit to a hospital with all its BS and no real option to quality of life or move forward on what I believe my path should be with the support of a medical specialist who cares about me the person.

In short, I'm trying, with my Dr's help to regain my walking life and seeing my fellow patriots doing the grind to better their health and my DR is all for making that possible.

He's a creative, individual sort and not afraid to tell the world to buzz off and truly does have his patients interests at full centre. He invites feedback and change and realizes that life does not fall into one neat little book of health values as so many other health professionals would wish that for you/me.

Futhermore, he gets a patient has the right to say when something is not working and why. He listens and if you tell him that you changed his directive but explain to him why, he's ok with that. In short...shit happens...I've been his patient for 10+  years..I've earned that right !

Lastly, I have a musical composition to complete for a beautiful little girl who stole my heart years ago who died of lukemia but touched my soul forever. God, be whomever you believe is or is not, has somehow allowed me to retain knowlege and performance skills , thatI should not otherwise have.

"Monkika" is coming and I think its my destiny to finish and publish before....well....Just saying !

U all be cool Fu

Bry

Dear Fu,

Much has changed since Xmas 2019. Surgery #16? Don't think so however a more harsh reality has been laid before me moving forward on an ongoing basis that's sure to awaken an person in their quest of life.

Hello Fu Family n Friends,

2020 will be a defining year for me moving forwards as I will require having the valve in my aorta, which is in the heart, replaced as without doing so would surely take my life within the next 6-24 months.

To do so, requires a 10-14 day hospital stay; and as we all know, no matter what life throws at us, the bills still keep coming regardless. That said, yesterday I was admitted to hospital and quickly came to realize what they were trying to do with me and since I"m not prepared at this point in time to spend 2 weeks in hospital dealing with this, I checked myself out amid sqawks and complaints from medical professionals who couldn't even agree amongst themselves what was going on.

That said, if I'm going to be a human pin cushion for medical personnel who for whatever reason, fail to listen to the patient, and can't even agree amongst themselves what is going on, then I don't have time for their "junk" when I know I have to prepare ahead of time for this corrective surgery.

When a so called expert ignores a radiologist who determines that I have/had pneumonia in my right lung, gets the nurse to give me two IV bags of antibiotics which by the way are the sole reason I was able to shop & fill my cupboards and fridge this morning and sit down and write this, says something to the degree of difference of opinions. 

I was advised of this concern about 2 years ago by a Dr of Internal Medicine who I have been seeing quarterly for 10 years now so I know exactly what's going on; even if these guys won't listen for the time being.

Anyways, moving forward, I'm ensuring my bills are paid in advance including 2 months rent as one never knows about complications that nobody could have aniticipated; and without financial planning, could put me in a bad spot; all of which is considered needless stress moving forward towards recovery from likely my most difficult surgery to date; #16.

So, friends n family, there you have it. If I don't respond to you about various things right away, there's your reason and when the time comes for admission, I will post a status update.

You all be cool

Axe

After having double hernia surgery Aug 16/2018, I find myself in an odd place to say the least. While the navel surgery was a sucess and I no longer look like I"m having a baby, the groin surgery was not so lucky. In short, according to the surgeon, the hole in the left side was large and although they use a mesh to patch it, neither of us feel like the mesh was holding and unless a lot of improvement shows between now and next month's 2nd follow up appt. with the surgeon, I will have to undergo another surgery again to reinforce the mesh repair. Make that surgery # 15!

That being said, on a positive note, I am now 1 pound away from reaching the top end of my height and weight for my age of the NORMAL weight range. This means that I started out at 293 pounds in July of last year and now weigh 164 pounds. 

My long term weigh loss goal Fu? 155 pounds; I am now 9 pounds away from that ! Not bad !

Along the way, some of my family members and friends have been very encouraging and supportive and I just want to thank them for their encouragement. I"m not done yet Fu as this has been a most remarkable journey as my waist has gone from 46 to 30 and chest size from 2XL to Small-Medium,..again..not bad.

Anyways, Be well and stay tuned for updates..Love to my family and friends for their support !

Bry

Dear Fu...Here it is Jan 07/ 2018 and I have now lost a total of 96 pds using my formula for weight loss. No, I do not have Cancer..well to my knowledge, simply because if I was suffering from that dreaded disease, surely I would feel like a bag of dirt..yes/no?. I do feel wonderful by and large. Some days..not often though, I do need/ appreciate an afternoon nap but I do it to stretch out my spine.

My days consist of hours of a heating pad on lower back and walking about 2+ miles per day and laying down to stretch out my back while keeping my calorie easily under 1k calories per day..7 days a week..not including 1k stomach twists per day to help strenghten my core as I will require surgery to fix my "4 finger belly button hernia" as they say. The weight loss is leading to this surgery as the Drs here will remove any excess fat while fixing me up but I do have to give them a good table to work with in the first place.

You have no idea how hard it is to lose 96 pounds since July 01/2017. Everyday, I see commercials for Burger King, Wendy's, Macdonalds, KFC, Pizza place this and Pizza Place that, Popeyes, Swiss Chalet...and all of them will deliver right to you too !

My goal now? I have surpassed my First Long Term goal and now my 2nd but my Last long term weight loss goal involves another 30+ pounds of weight loss but at least then, I can say that I have achieved my goals..and at age 64/65...not too shabby for a geezer either Fu, I can say..." Follow your dreams Fu...cuz we all die young"