NEW POEM - "Money Persepctive"

What's up Everybody-

Thanks for stopping through. Just dropped a new piece called "Money Persepctive" and hope that it reaches out to a lot of you. Let's face it - everybody's been affected in some way by the stuff going on today. I have people in my own family who are going through it. I've heard the word "layoff" way more times than I would like to in the last 6 months. This is onwe of those pieces that kind of explains itself. I put a little bit of wordplay in it, but it's pretty direct. As usual, read it, and drop me some thoughts, if you can.

On another note, my group on Facebook is growing and is almost at 100 as of today, which for lil' ol' me is a big deal. I still want to get the word out, so please keep telling your family, friends, co-workers, and even your haters (any and all enemies welcome - LOL). I have some promotional events/contests in the works so be on the look out for them. Until then, keep reading and showing the love that you already have. Peace!

Money Perspective

In these times some aren’t doing that well
Barely keeping their money straight
Even Europe isn’t that hot
Their pounds lighter - looking more like featherweights
Forcing me to contemplate and meditate
Counting more blessings than dollars
Taking some chances that many thought they’d never take
Trying to dream up a reality of stacks of dollars

The dollars aren’t the “be” and “end” all
For some the hopes then fall
Causing despair and confusion
Making many think that there’s no way out at all
Choosing to side with doom and gloom
Letting no light up in the room
Accepting this financial eclipse
Putting flowers on their Savings’ tomb
And worse yet, leading the funeral procession
Purple flags on each car en route
Music more somber than U. Raymond’s Confessions
Since money dreams recess and are on their way out

Still, let me expose the other side
Reveal that there might be a way out
Weeping endures for a night
Only until we see that the sun came out
Erasing all of the darker days
Gotta love the Brother Parker ways
The game’s giving a fresh start
A chance to still get the spot next to Park Place
Moving clear from the Baltic & Mediterranean
With reserves now high just in case it rains again
With even higher stockpiles
More than the nuclear once found with Iranians

I speak with overconfidence
Because I am so confident
That these times will pass soon
Words of hope to those who say they won’t last soon
Watch how the cash swoons
Enough to fill all the wallets and pockets
Just be careful to not let cash rule
As fast as money comes, Uncle Sam’ll be quick to stop it
I give you these words to see you through
Don’t let the lack of green make you blue
Or make you see red
Open your eyes and choose optimism, instead
And, besides, money isn’t everything
From what I’ve heard, can’t live alone on just the bread

-W.A. Gordon

"NFL"..."Broke"...in the Same Sentence?!?

Here is a PSA for those who don't know: We're in a recession! Yes, even presidential candidate McCain shook his denial a few months ago and conceded that we are indeed in a recession. Funny part is I, like many others, thought the hardest hit would primarily be working-class or the middle-sized organizations. Lo and behold, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has proven my naive thoughts to be wrong.


According to the State of the NFL address given by the commish last week, the NFL is not "immune from what's going on out in the economy". So you mean to tell me that this country's favorite and most revered sport that is indeed a multi-million dollar machine is feeling the pain like us little guys do? I did some additional research and received names of teams feeling the pinch (sorry Browns, Redskins, and Patriots fans) and the vow of 75% of the league's teams to keep their ticket prices intact. Click here for the article. I guess I'm not the only one juggling lint in my pockets right about now, huh?


I don't know about you, but I still find it hard to believe. Players making millions, owners making even more millions, and cities earning revenue by "renting" out the stadiums. I mean, we're talking about guys making millions hand over fist, teams shelling out high-priced licensed merchandise, and the advertising (oh yes, the advertising) that is placed all around this machine just has to be helping to close the gap, don't you think?


So if you were anything like me or most of the audience tonight, you caught these Super Bowl ads (for some, the main reason they watch this thing anyway - LOL). I caught some eye-catching ones, some funny ones - not a bad mix at all. Caught a good laugh on the CareerBuilder.com ad where the poor koala kept getting punched.



Out of curiousity, I did some quick homework (Thanks, Google!) and discovered how much these ads were costing to put up. The price is - drumroll please..........$3 million!!! $3 million for every 30 seconds of fame that these companies want during one of the most watched events of the year.


My question is simply this: if the NFL is hurting anywhere near what they say they are, does the revenue from the ads that surrounds their crown jewel game ease any of the pain? I'd like to think that $3 million dollars for 30-seconds of attention would equate to some kind of profit. Perhaps there is a lot that I don't know or understand, or maybe I just don't (and won't) have a clue about, but recession or no recession, $3 million dollars is a lot of cake. Let's be honest: what the NFL considers as tough times is nothing near as serious as what most people and smaller organizations have to deal with on a daily basis. Just my opinion.


-W.A. Gordon

Today's Fight

Hey everybody. Lately I've had a lot of thought circulated around the battles that confront us on a day to day basis. I have a personal battle myself, but I think a more general fight to take note of is the economic struggle that anybody who lives in the U.S. can testify to in so many ways.

This past week I was given a 2009 outlook report from my employer, and I have to say, I am grateful for what I have, because not only could I have less and worse, I'm seeing people around me catching it in all kinds of ways. I don't know about you, but I have people close to me who have been laid-off or, if they're lucky, demoted with less pay. It's getting cold out here, but feeling bad about it unfortunately won't alleviate the pain (but what a world it would be if it did).

This whole situation has moved me to write about the need to press on. We have a long ways to go before we get in a better position as a country economically. I'm sure with the events to come in the coming days that we'll see glimpses of that hope. I know that I have my own aspirations outside of just increasing my income, so for those on another thinking plane, I'm sure that you will make it relative to you, too. Be on the lookout in coming days for this new piece. I hope that you find value in it as I do in presenting it to you.

-W.A. Gordon