Battle of the Terriers

                                                             

There was nothing different on this Friday evening except the fact I had spilled lobster bisque down the side of my chef pants 15 minutes before my shift ended. I would be alarmed if I did not hear two very distinctive barks echoing from my home as I strolled up the walkway. One bark is very deep and threatening and the other is high in pitch and piercing to the ears.

            This particular evening was quite the homecoming. When I opened the door I saw a bluish-gray blur of a pit bull clumsily trot like a playful horse across the kitchen floor. His razor sharp teeth were smiling at me and his tongue was flopping out the side of his massive jaw line. Trailing behind him was the ‘Prima Dona’ of all Yorkshire terriers. Her ears were perched high, her brown eyes were wide, and her little tail was erect.

  The Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, who rightly adorns the name Ruger, had pinned me against the kitchen door with his 92 pound body of solid muscle. His tail wagged profusely acting like a whip; his hips drastically wiggled side by side like a model in a bikini contest, but with far less grace. Ruger greeted me with the wettest of dog kisses and then noticed the scent of lobster bisque on my checkered chef pants. As his big box-shaped head began to move toward my leg his droopy lips left a white trail of drool down my pink chef coat before he started to feast on the remnants of food left on my clothing.

            In the meantime, Miss Mia, the Yorkshire Princess, cleverly dodged the powerful strikes of Ruger’s whipping tail that could send her shaggy five-pound body soaring across the room. With perfect precision she leapt onto the back of her brother breed, ran up to my chest where she always finds comfort, and proceeded to greet me with numerous dog kisses that quickly became annoying. Unlike the pit bull who slobbered up my cheek, little Miss Mia meticulously found the need to groom my face in detail. Quite opposite of the pit bull, the yorkie’s tongue is unusually long and exceptionally dry. I entertained the little dog’s affection until her long lanky tongue started to curl up into my nose then that was my cue to begin the calming-down process of these furry beasts who battled for my attention.

         Although there is a significant difference in size, both these canines have a similar body structure. They are both very broad and muscular. The most obvious difference other than their height is the width of their head. Despite the Yorkshire having a petite head and thus a much smaller brain size she can out-wit a pit bull with her clever and sometimes devious intuitiveness.  They are both extremely loyal and protective. Mia is the guard and the master manipulator. Ruger is the power and the threat. Mia is the type of dog that rarely sits still. She is constantly on guard and when something isn’t right she makes a fuss and Ruger joins her in the action. When we go on dog walks, if a stranger comes close, the pit bull will put himself between me and the other person. One time Mia ran out the back door and toward the road and Ruger chased after her and stopped her before she reached the street and oncoming traffic. These terriers are truly the definition of a man’s best friend.

 With all families, there are times when a difference of opinion may arise especially among siblings. The terriers who live in my home are not exempt from this rule. For instance, they constantly battle over the ratty skunk toy that no longer has any stuffing left in it.

And like most nights, a little doggy spat occurred. Ruger chose the large ratty skunk toy. Mia decided she didn’t want the small skunk toy that was still fluffy and squeaked. She wanted the large ratty skunk that was between the pit bulls paws. Mia, like most females, showed no mercy until she got her way. She is notorious for acting as if she is as big as a pit bull. She jumped onto the couch for higher ground, instigated, and when Ruger got up she latched on to his droopy lips and dangled until he shook her off. By then he had forgotten about the toy and she ran off with the prize. Although Ruger has the powerful ability to inflict much damage, he seems to respect her size and has always protected her from harm.

            Now that my animals have calmed down and I no longer smell like lobster bisque it was time to cuddle with my pets. Although Mia is a tiny dog and loves attention she generally does not show the submissive temperament of a lap dog. However, the beast with coarse prickly hair is a living, breathing, teddy bear. I heard Ruger whimper from the floor. He wanted to come up on the couch but Mia was in the way. I couldn’t refuse those big brown lazy eyes. I picked up my five pound munckin’ and petted her little mustache until she went on to the cushion behind my head. When the seat was clear, Ruger jumped onto the couch, made two circles, and then practically sat on my leg. Within minutes the three of us were snuggled up comfortably close with each other on the living room couch.

 Eventually, Ruger was drooling on my leg and snoring. Mia was curled in a tiny brown ball, peaceful and still. Feeling content petting my loyal, fury friends, I looked down at them and thought how different the three of us are; but yet how we yearn for the same basic need of love, friendship, and security.
                        

Room of Secrets

                                         

A world within a world

  I pushed the door open not knowing what scene would be taking place on the other side.  The heat of the air smacked me in the face, sucking the air from my lungs.  The room was an overwhelming yellow and the floor spoke to me through the checkered white and yellow squares that were barely the size of my thumb.

Secrets

            The wall on the opposite side of the entrance held two touchless sinks shaped like a woman’s breast.  In the center was a black censor that knew when someone was in need of a soothing fluid and would do the motherly honors of cleansing impurities, refreshing the skin, and preparing oneself to leave this room of secrets.

Ladies

I’ve seen females hog up the wash counter as they spread their make-up across the entire area, and finish with such precision, what they could not do at home.  The room hosts women of all kinds for whatever reasons.  The gossip room, the hair room, the toilet room, the obvious place for junkie’s to get their fix, or just simply a haven to address insecurities.

Noise

            The light that buzzes above one of the three stalls serves as a reminder that this room is never quite.  Whispering, laughing, crying, water flushing.  Even the quite gestures in front of the mirror speak loudly to the atmosphere of this environment.  It may offer a small token of privacy or serve as a sanctuary from the outside world but it is, and will always be a room that holds the secrets of the most prestigious women of the world.

Who is the Legendary Drummer Behind the Blue Beard that Tool Prog Out to Sea?

Who is the Legendary Drummer behind the Blue Beard that took Prog Out to Sea?

                           
I never thought that I would be swinging from a rope during an album release party in NYC, after Adrenaline Mob had an amazing performance celebrating the release of their first album on March 13, 2012.  The new band took over the Hiro Ballroom that evening, no one left disappointed. At the time, Mike Portnoy, was the drummer of the metal supergroup and since then has left the band but continues to be involved in many different projects.
                                                     
 I met Mike Portnoy 12 years ago and only knew him as the family man that he is.  I had very little knowledge of progressive rock at the time but have grown to appreciate the talent such musicians’ master. Progressive rock is a broad subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the early 1970’s with bands such as Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and ELP.  It was the type of music that was all about excess, long songs and instrumentals.  Imagine the combination of Jazz and Classical music meeting Rock and Roll.  Progressive metal is the fusion of heavy metal and progressive rock which combines aggression and amplified instrumentals that last longer than an average song.  In the late 1970’s, progressive rock began to fizzle as Disco and Punk rock began to make their debut.                

      

In 1985, Mike formed the band, Dream Theater.  The members of  Dream Theater took the blueprint of progressive rock and combined it with the hardness of bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Judas Priest and shared the sound of progressive metal with those who would listen.  Dream Theater is a progressive and technical band with very long songs and instrumental breaks.  The technical style and sound of Dream Theater broke through in the early 1990’s leading to Portnoy’s first award in 1994 as Best Up and Coming Talent.  Since then, MP has won 30 musical awards and was the second youngest to be inducted into Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame at the age of thirty-seven.  One of Portnoy’s all time heroes and great influences, Neil Peart; drummer of Rush, holds the title of the youngest to be inducted in 1983.  It seems as though Dream Theater carried the torch of progressive metal and brought its sound into a new generation.  Although this progressive and technical instrumental sound of music is still more underground, it definitely has a place of its own in the world of music.     

                                                         
The influence Portnoy has on his children and the fans he has touched worldwide beats louder than the drums he performs on.  The methodical rhythm of his musical career runs deep in the hearts of those who love him throughout the world.  Despite the fact that Portnoy has spent a majority of his time in studios and on tour, his influence still has seeped into the lives of his children.  Mike says that some of his, “proudest moments in the last few years weren’t even things I were doing or that were part of my career.  It was watching Max do what he does and his dreams coming true.  Now he is getting to make records and go on tour.  I couldn’t be any prouder.”  Mike’s son Max is following in his father’s footsteps.  He has watched his father all his life and wanted to pursue the same career.  Mike had a share in producing his son’s band, Next To None’s first album two years ago and states that “I got to share in that experience which made it very special.”  Mike looked to the sky and said, “I have won every award a drummer can win but nothing compares to the moment in 2015 when Rhythm magazine awarded Max Best New Drummer.  Winning that award blew away anything I ever won.”

    
 Musicians are artists who speak a message in many ways.  Their tune, their beat, their lyrics, even the messages that ink their body share with the world who they are.  I asked Mike about the inspirations of the beautiful artwork displayed all over his body.  Each piece had a story.  Each piece was his song.   
“My body is a map of not only my musical career but my life.”  Portnoy started inking his body when he was twenty-one years old.  His first dozen tattoos were all music related from his very first album cover on his left shoulder to his favorite bands which include the Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeplin on his right leg as well as those he worked with throughout his career.  Music is not the only thing Mike has painted on his body.  He is a lover of animals and everyone of his pets have been welcomed into his family.  Each one of the drummer's dogs are placed in close proximity of each other on his left calf.  Of his three dogs, one still remains.  While Portnoy was celebrating his 50^th birthday bash and performing on Yes’s Cruise to the Edge, his beloved Maggie passed away.  On his back he has the baby footprints of both his children from the day they were born, who are now 18 and 20, a ball and chain tattoo with his wedding date representing his connection with his wife, Marlene of 27 years.  In the center of his back he has a commemoration of his late parents.  He claims he is never alone, “I have them with me while I am on tour.” 

Portnoy not only had his share of grief and tragedy, especially with the loss of his mother in a plane crash as a young man but experienced demons of his own.  After a battle with alcoholism, the iconic drummer put down his last drink in April of 2000 and on his 5 year sobriety date he had the recovery triangle tattooed on his right hand.  While in the midst of his addiction, two doctors told him on the same day that he would not make 40 unless he changed his ways.  It has been over 17 years since Mike picked up a drink and he says, “There is so much I am grateful for.  I have this amazing career and life.  What more could I ask for."

                                                    

During his early sobriety, in 2001, MP wrote a series of twelve step songs and music than spanned over 5 albums and 8 years to complete.  He candidly speaks about how this was a healing process for him yet he never got to perform them live until 2017 on a cruise ship out to sea. While on a Cruise with Yes and Kansas, Portnoy performed two concerts that spanned his whole career which he said was "amazing on two levels,"  to finally perform the Twelve Step Suite in its entirety and how it was an “emotional experience revisiting Dream Theater material for the first time in six years.”  Since the recording of his twelve step albums, hundreds of fans have told him how his songs have helped point them in their journey to recovery.  In 2013, Mike wrote a song entitled, “You Saved Me” with the Winery Dogs, dedicated to his wife for her unconditional love and support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nk5EQ2KEWo He is grateful for Marlene’s support and says his “family is above all, the most important priority.  People come and go but family is forever.”

When I asked Mike if he could do it all over again, what would he change, the musician smiled at me, lifted his arm and bent his elbow, showing me the words inked on the underside of his forearm, No Regrets.  “ I don’t regret a single thing even the decisions that were difficult… It hasn’t been perfect, it hasn’t been easy but it’s all part of my story.”  While facing issues with addiction, balancing family life, and pursing a career of his dreams, the energetic drummer claims without shame, the things in his life have led him to where he is today despite the challenges he faced to get there.    

                                                                           

 “Drums are my tool.  I made a career with the drums.  But in all my bands, my role goes beyond the drums.  I am a writer, producer, video director, oversee websites, fan clubs, and merchandise.  In the 40 years of playing drums, I have made a name for myself but there is more to being in a band than playing your instrument."

MP’s musical taste goes beyond the huge drum kit he sits behind, “The key to a musician is an open mind to explore new styles.”  After 25 years with Dream Theater, Portnoy left the band in 2010. “It was a very difficult decision”, but in the last 6 years, the drummer has proven his musical diversity and talent.  

                                                                                                      

No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, Mike Portnoy has shown the world that anyone can overcome grief, tragedy, hopelessness, pain, and live a life in the midst of their dreams. “Anyone who knows me, knows I am a normal guy, with a blue beard.”

 Whether letting it all out in performing on stage or spending time with his family and friends, MP has shared his life and musical talent while remaining true to himself and has cleared a path for the next generation of music, his family, and humanity.  “The part of writing lyrics that I love is the part of sharing a piece of your life.”  The artist then voices, “If it all ended today, I would be happy and satisfied that I left my mark and created a great path for my children to follow.”

Portnoy just returned from touring in Europe, however, keep your ears and eyes open for the beat of the drumming legend and the talented musicians he will be touring alongside with, such as Neal Morse Band.  Next month, Portnoy will be touring in South America and then returning for an American tour in the summer. For the remainder of the year MP will be performing his Twelve Step Suite during Shattered Fortress events that has rocked the lives of many and set the foundation of his sobriety.   Dream Theater - This Dying Soul (with lyrics) - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2R6RNwHDY

                       Allow your soul to be touched.  Feel the beat and dance to the music.