Author Archives: Kevin

About Kevin

I am extremely interested in both current events and the ever evolving world of technology. Business and finance have exceedingly become important areas to me, as well. Over the next few years, I hope to log many interesting personal views and opinions concerning important aspects of the world in which we live. Keep in mind that all content posted by me on this web site reflects only my personal views and opinions and not those of anyone else.

Kevin Neal Life Update 6/13/2017

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Life in the Neal house has certainly been different since Bella went to Pet Heaven on 4/27/17. Honestly, there is an impossible-to-fill void in our hearts for her.  We are doing our best but our lovely daughter of 15 glorious years is dearly missed.

Bella

Brandee, Jack and I miss our sweetest Bella like you can’t believe. This past month without her feels like it’s been 30 years, instead of 30 days. She was such a great part of our lives for 15 wonderful years that it will take time to adjust, but it’s difficult; to say the least.

It’s really hard to express just how much Bella meant to our family. She was the center of our universe. Bella provided our family such great love and comfort that we miss so badly. We can only hope that we provided such comfort in reciprocity.

We love you baby and are so happy that you are enjoying your time in Pet Heaven at Rainbow Bridge until we meet again.

 

BBQ

Brandee and I kicked off the Summer ’17 BBQ season with a fun-filled event at our home.  We invited some of our close friends and family over for hamburgers, hot dogs and fun.  We all had a lot of fun socializing and watching all the crazy activity going on.  It was a crazy mix of first’s because it was the first time a group of strangers were in the house with our new kitten and new puppy.

 

Jackson

While Jack seems physically healthy, I get a clear feeling that he has become more distant for some reason.  I think part of this is mourning for his beloved sissy, Bella, as maybe he’s still waiting for her to come home and doesn’t understand that she went to Pet Heaven.  Or, and I hate to say it but I’m thinking it none-the-less, the guilt of two new sisters.  Of course, these two new sissies are in no means a replacement for Jack’s beautiful sister but I can share his agony and it’s tough to adjust.

Jack is our best buddy so Brandee and I are doing extra special things to spoil our perfect son.

 

Gracie and Bleu

Our recently adopted 8-month old chiweenie puppy, Gracie, and our 7-week old kitten, Bleu, continue to live their carefree lives as naïve children, which has brought some sense of levity to our home that is badly needed right now.  They have provided a nice distraction as we all adjust together as one big family.

Gracie and Jack seem to be getting along much better as the day’s go by. They play together for hours each day which is certainly good for both of them.  However, weighing out at barely 2 ½ pounds, Bleu, has already taken control of the household.  Jack and Bleu rarely have direct contact, although he does protect Bleu when Gracie gets a bit rough in her playing.  On the other hand, Gracie (puppy) and Bleu (kitten) play with each other nearly non-stop and it’s really funny to witness.  Even though Gracie is small, Bleu is even much smaller at something like a 7:1 ratio, yet Bleu dictates the fight (i.e. play action).

 

Business

From a business perspective, we have transitioned into an exciting time of sincere sales and marketing efforts.  After careful planning, preparation and experienced hypothesis, we have officially introduced a revolutionary cloud-solution. Engaging with technology partners, integration partners and potential end-user clients is what I enjoy greatest so this is the most rewarding part of business to me. Looking forward to a fantastic future.

Bella Letter to Heaven, 06/05/2017

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Hey Baby,

Mom, Bubby and I miss you a ton!

We are trying to move-on as a family but it’s just not there without you right now. It’s very difficult.

As you know we adopted two sissies a few weeks ago and I’m glad to provide them a home. Yet, I have to be honest that no matter how much love they bring to this household, they cannot fill the emptiness you left.

I feel so sick for Bubby, in particular. He is not the same person since you left. It’s very painful to experience and Mommy and I give him extra special attention. There is no way that we can replace your loviness for him so we just try to do our best.

 

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We love you with all our heart and please send sweet dreams.

Love,

Daddy

Hand of Doom – Memorial Day

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There is a song by the band Black Sabbath that I’ve always enjoyed because it had a cool jam, but I never really paid attention to the lyrics; honestly, until recently. This song is called “Hand of Doom” from the Black Sabbath Paranoid album.

I write this note, in particular on this Memorial Day, for two reasons. First, heavy metal bands, for the most part are terribly misunderstood. For example, Ozzy Osbourne is NOT the devil, nor anti-Christ or Lucifer. In fact, Ozzy is a nice family orientated person who deeply cares about people and society. Gene Simmons is another ‘fake news’ fabrication. This guy, Gene, who was supposedly the “Devil” but is anything but. It turns out that Gene is actually an educated family man as evidenced in his reality show Gene’s Family Jewels.

Secondly, this particular song entitled ‘Hand of Doom’ and its lyrics are completely anti-drug. Read them for yourself! The lyrics tell a story of sad destruction and an awful death if you use drugs. Hand of Doom is a story about terrible drug addiction in our armed forces and the song identifies the consequences of continuing this behavior.

Anyhow, back to the topic of Hand of Doom, it’s a disturbing (yet honest) reflection on the times during those years of late-60’s and early-70’s. The Wikipedia description is perfect below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_of_Doom_(Black_Sabbath_song)

“The song was conceived after the band had observed a growing number of US soldiers arriving in England in the late 1960s from the Vietnam War with severe drug addictions.[1] It’s about them taking drugs to forget the atrocities of war, only to see it catch up on them and slowly destroy them from the inside.”

Share this song if you feel compelled:  https://youtu.be/p1Y9oOusoQs

 

Hand of Doom

Black Sabbath

Whatcha gonna do?
Time’s caught up with you
Now you wait your turn
You know there’s no return

Take your written rules
You join the other fools
Turn to something new
Now it’s killing you

First it was the bomb
Vietnam napalm
Disillusioning
You push the needle in

From life you escape
Reality’s that way
Colours in your mind
Satisfy your time

Oh you, you know you must be blind
To do something like this
To take the sleep that you don’t know
You’re giving death a kiss, oh, little fool now

Your mind is full of pleasure
Your body’s looking ill
To you it’s shallow leisure
So drop the acid pill,

Don’t stop to think now

You’re having a good time baby
But that won’t last
Your mind’s all full of things
You’re living too fast

Go out enjoy yourself
Don’t bottle it in
You need…

 

Love,

Kevin

Jack, Gracie and Bleu updates, 5/28/2017

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The last three weeks have been interesting in the Neal household; to say the least.

Jack, Brandee and I had been leading a relatively normal life just enjoying our freedom. And then we got insane! Yep, we rescued a puppy and kitten from the local animal shelter. Meet Gracie (puppy) and Bleu (kitten).

 

Jackson Update

First of all, my best boy, Jackson, deserves the most credit for being the greatest older bubby to his sissies. Jack was actually a younger bubby with Bella – and she trained him well. Now that Jack is the elder animal he has been such a caring and terrific brother to his two new sisters. Jack, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you that you can’t believe it!

 

Gracie Update

When Brandee and I thought that we want to bring some energy into the Neal household, we got exactly what we wanted with Graciela. She is every bit of what we had hoped and then-some. Gracie loves to play with both Jack and Bleu but in distinctly different fashions which is interesting to observe.

For example, with Bleu (since she is a small 2 lb. kitten), Gracie is very gentle and cuddly when they play together. It’s amazing to watch these two play together especially since they were rescued/adopted from the same animal shelter on the same day.  It’s almost like they have some sense of a kindred-spirit of sisters. However, when Gracie plays with Jack the ruff-ness (pun intended) is intensified to match his strength. Jack and Gracie love to play tug-of-war with various dog-toys we have. It’s so much fun for us humans to watch but also very healthy for them to play nicely for their body and spirit.

Jack has ‘Gracieusly’ (pun intended again) accepted Gracie as his younger sister well. He has been such a good boy that I can’t be prouder of him.

 

Bleu Update

Our youngest family member, at only seven weeks old, is Miss Bleu Neal. Although she barely weighs 2 pounds and is just a bit larger than the palm of your hand, she is the one person that rules our house for sure.

One of the most heartwarming things to see is when Bleu and Jack play together. You might think this would be an odd-mix with a 100-lb. dog and 2-lb. kitten but they play together so nicely that it’s beautiful.

Bleu is also extremely attached to her sister, Miss Graciela Neal. This is clearly evident in their many cuddle events or the often-playful fake-fighting sessions they enjoy together. It’s very humorous and highly entertaining.

 

Fish Update

We have no update other than we are alive and ignored 😊. However, seriously, I love to pay some extra special attention to our two goldfish, two catfish and one algae-eater and they appear to be doing just fine in their large habitat.

 

Thanks for your time reading this notice from the Neal Family Animal Home,

  • The Neal’s

 

Rejoicing Bella’s terrific legacy on Memorial Day weekend 2017

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Today, May 27th, 2017 is a bittersweet reflection for Brandee, Jackson and I. This day, one month ago, our beloved sweetie, Baby Bella, went to Pet Heaven. We are so happy that she is pain-free again, has regained her youthful spirit and is among great dearly passed friends and family at Rainbow Bridge. This is not a sad time; yet it is a time to celebrate a great life and honor the terrific memory, as well as on-going legacy, of our furr-ball cuddly Baby Bella.

This Memorial Day Weekend I know Bella wants to send a special message to all the brave and lovely people that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country. This is a message of a simple “Thank You” for your sacrifice – you are true hero’s.

While we miss Bella-ringa tremendously we’re at-ease that she is now with fantastic veterans such as Uncle Gene, Uncle Carl, my second-father Jack and, of course my lovely father, Floyd. These men all were such great patriots and loved our country.

From the Neal Family (including Bella and Misty) we encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy yourself (within reason 😊) yet pause to reflect and give respect to those that have given us this great privilege to celebrate this weekend.

Love,

The Neal’s (especially Baby Bella)