Fabulous Fab

Minuetto - Franco Califano.m4v

2011-08-09T01:37:00.000-04:00

Simple Thoughts

2011-08-02T12:48:00.000-04:00

Just some words, simple thoughts I try to live by!

Don’t sweat the small stuff… by the way, it’s all small stuff

Focus on what you have not what you don’t have.

I used to cry 'cause I had no shoes, until i met a man that had no feet!

If you want to hear God laughing, tell Him about your plans.

Give and you shall receive.

Focus on your goals.

Hold on tightly, let go tightly.

Banish your past and live in the present moment.

Be afraid not of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.

There is no such thing as a coincidence. Everything happens for a reason and our path is predetermined by the Master’s plan.

10 Little Words…If it is to be, it is up to me.

Smile! It makes people wonder what you’re up to.

Nothing is impossible

Whatever the mind can conceive, you can achieve!

Dream Big!

If you feel you cannot, please, just Hold On ! You're gonna make it ! Don't quit, just Hold On !

Live, love, laugh, cry, learn and teach,
and most of al,l enjoy every minute this beautiful life offers
…Life is…Fabulous!

Fab Ricciardi

What is your purpose?

2011-07-25T16:33:00.003-04:00

Where has all the time gone?
How much time is left for me to continue my journey?
How much time is left for me to keep spreading the words throughout the vast fields of innocence and ignorance,and to help provide physical and spiritual food and shelter for the youth of today ?
A youth movement that seems somewhat ambiguously carrying on and trying hard to make a change for the better of this world , which we and our previous generations have been unknowingly or maybe maybe selfishly been slowly destroying through the years.

Yet as the youth embark on this beautiful ride we call Life, how long will it take them to understand that the reason that we are all we are put on this earth for is to simply be a purpose for someone else. To learn and share our knowledge with maybe millions, or hundreds, and most importantly for at least just one person.
We have just one lifetime in the physical presence of our being. the soul will continue through eternity and spread the wealth of knowledge through the years, but for now, only one truth remains. We are nothing but dust and bones at the end of days, and we are nothing unless we have served our purpose on earth, if we don't acknowledge that if we simply live just to exist, we are nothing. We must give back something while our ride is on, return the precious and rare gift of life and all its experiences, good or bad, to teach and share with our youth of today.

What mark will you leave behind, how will you have made a difference in this life, when all is said and done. What footprints will you leave behind for others to follow?

Think about this before your time runs out and at least, try to make difference in someone else's life.Do something good, today and every day, and you will be a better person for it.
....I'm trying to do my part.

Love, live, laugh, cry, learn, teach,
and most of all enjoy every minute this beautiful life offers.

Love and Peace to all,
Fab

Curiosity killed the cat...Why?

2011-05-17T18:35:00.002-04:00

Curiosity killed the cat !
I don't know where that saying came from, I was curious to find out the meaning of this quote, but after many years of living this life, I finally realized how crazy this thought actually is. If it wasn't for curiosity,Colombus wouldn't have discovered America and Eve wouldn't have bitten the apple, and where would we all be then?
If curiosity should kill someone, it should always be those idiots in the movies that go into a dark room in a haunted house and they hear "voices" suggesting that they vacate the premises immediately, but through the stupidity of curiosity, they blindly wander in to feed their curiosity. Bam ! Dead, just like that curious cat.
However, in most other instances, curiosity should be treated as a virtue. Curiosity takes you to new travels and find new adventures, it cures maladies, it helps people test and surpass their physical and mental limits, and after all is said and done, it answers all, or at least, most of your questions. So next time you hear someone saying "Curiosity killed the cat" tell them, "You know, I'm just a bit curious, why do you say that?" If anything, curiosity helped him get away from the everyday ritual of a pat in the head, eating, playing a bit, eating and sleeping day after day. Who wants that? If that's what life is all about, well, I'd rather be curious and die happy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! 2011...LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS!

2011-01-01T15:47:00.002-05:00

SO, ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY, WHAT NOW?
Last year was not the best. Let's see...I had my leg amputated, my father died and worse of all, my dog, Rocky died, after 12 years of being always by ny side. So let's try to make 2011 a little better than last year.

Guess it's time for resolutions...AGAIN! What should I resolve to do this year, that is still left over from last year's resolutions? Well, nothing new. It's still the same stuff as before, but this time, will be different, I tell myself, I tell myself in my big book of lies, as yet another year goes by.
Therefore, this poem...Unfinshed Business...Maybe this year will be better.

Unfinished Business

Cannot seem to find the words
As easily
Anymore,
The words do not flow out of my pen
As they did once before.

So poem after poem
Goes unfinished
Undated
Unsigned,
In my big book of lies.

A book I had once filled
With promises, with hope,
With love, with desire,
But now there’s no more
Light with which to light my fire.
Unfinished stories
Unfinished business
Something like this year
Whose end now draws near
Resolutions and solutions
Broken
Started
Restarted
Written and rewritten
In my big book of lies.

As another year passes
The big book reopens
I start anew
This will be the new
New Year
A fresh start
This will be the right one
These will be my new resolutions
These will be my new solutions
For rewriting a new story
As another year fades away
From my once easy to
Write in book
Where now
I cannot seem to find the words
Easily anymore
…Unfinished business

As yet another year goes by

Hey Guys, I'm OK!

2010-12-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

Why write?

2010-11-25T14:46:00.006-05:00

Here I am, in front of the computer screen, once again, staring blankly at me, awaiting for instructions, for words, for my fingers to start typing away my thoughts of the day.
Not sure what to write about today, except the fact that I need to write...something, anything.
The purpose of a writer is to write, so I write. Books and quotes from famous authors, tell us that, writing is re-writing.
How true that is, but why? I believe that the reason is, is simply, practice.
Whether you're learning a new musical instrument, a new football play or learning to paint. The main mantra is always...practice, practice, practice.
My grandfather, who was a great writer in his own time, always said "A writer must write, write, write. Just like a dog with many fleas must scratch, scratch, scratch."
Use the keyboard or the piece of paper as your "scratch post" instrument, feel the pen gliding and creating new words,which in turn combine sentences, which will finish paragraphs and chapters, where your book, or your thoughts will eventually come to an end. Not the end of your writing, of course, but most probably, the end of that thought, or a poem. Always happily knowing that the end of something will most surely start the beginning of a new idea, a new thought, a new poem.
Just like a photographer, when ne tales a picture, it is never the end. It's the beginning of a process. He must develop the picture, or view it through the viewfinder, and decide whether he likes it or not, and then reset and take another photograph. However, once the subject behind the camera or the object is no longer behind the camera, and that exact shot cannot be re-taken, well, then what? I guess, the answer is, oh well, too bad. However the photographer knows that re=shooting is also a major part of the craft. He may never have a chance at that exact shot again, wishing he could have changed the colors around the subject or making sure the eyes stay open and all is in focus, so he goes back to the camera and tries another shot.
The same as a writer needs to hone his craft constantly. He should always carry a pen, pencil, some paper, or a computer, basically anything that will allow him to write down his thoughts at that exact moment, so they are not lost forever. Just like a photographer, who may never have another shot at that subject that then disappears forever. Out of sight, out of mind, and so goes that moment, that idea, or that thought, that a writer may not be able to summon again.
Thus, writing. IS, re-writing, it's practice, practice, practice. It's making a mistake now, so it can be corrected later. It's finding a mood to write about and being able to feel it and maintain it forever in the same way, every time. It's not about capturing the moment, but more about being able to tell that feel, or that moment to a blind man, being able to make the reader see what you see and feel and try to generate the same type of response to that "blind" reader.
So here we find ourselves at the bottom of the page, filled with thoughts and ideas of which I had no concept that I was going to write about, after I wrote the title, "Why write ?" I bet that if I go back and re-read, i will need to retype this article to submit for publication somewhere, and (barring SpellCheck), I will rewrite something, or add a few words, or take some out, or not even want to submit this letter, at all. But I will not do that now. For now, I will be happy knowing that I have done what I set out to this morning when I first sat in front of the computer, which was, to follow my Nonno's instructions and scratch, scratch, scratch.

AMP'D UP!!!

2010-11-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine that I met during my amputation rehab told me that he had heard about a new series/documentary called Amp'd Up! and said they were having an open casting call for the series idea. I checked into it right away and I sent a short bio about me and the amputation.
The casting director emailed me just a few days after saying that they had selected me for the next step in casting...the home video submission. At first i was so-so about it, thinking it might just be a small thing but I soon decided that zI needed to take this thing very seriously. First of all, the producers are World of Wonder Productions, well renowned producer with many tittles for specialty networks under their belt. Above all, this was my chance to shine again, another 15 minutes of fame perhaps? Mark Rabo will film the video shoot and I am so excited about it. I finally have something to do and this will springboard me into the next step of recovery and closer to the motivational speaking sector which I've been thinking of doing with SPICY SALTY PEPPER.

This concept will be the main subject of my video submission.

What is SPICY SALTY PEPPER? (SSP)
Well, in a nutshell, SPICY SALTY PEPPER is a formula for achieving success. SSP was created to help you to spice up your life and help you in accomplishing whatever goals you set your heart to achieve, in both your personal or business life.

SSP is an acronym which stands for:

SPICY -
Whatever the goal, the result you're looking for is:

SUCCESS - To accomplish the goal you will need
PASSION and Persistance-The goal cannot be achieved without this.
INTEGRITY and Intelligence - Get knowledgeable about everything regarding your goal's needs) next, you will need determined COMMITMENT and a whole lot of Courage, and lastly,
YOU! This is Yourself and without you and your belief in yourself, nothing will ever be accomplished.

You are the Master of your own universe !

SALTY -
This one is easy...
It's that gut feel you get sometimes, this is your brain talking to you, that little voice in the back of the head=, simply...

Stop
And
Listen
To
Yourself

PEPPER -
These are the steps you need to follow, your blueprint for achieving success:

Plan your goal
Evaluate your present situation
Prepare your plan
Prioritize your values and needs
Execute your plan
Realize your goals!

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE! Just add some SPICY SALTY PEPPER

Watch me burn

2010-11-23T16:31:00.004-05:00

"Just gonna stand there
And watch me burn
But that's alright
Because I like
The way it hurts
Just gonna stand there
And hear me cry
But that's alright
Because I love
The way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie"<(Lyrics from Rihanna/Eminem son I love the way you lie)
Although it's a song about spousal abuse, (which I don't condone at all), this song hit me hard with the lyrics, especially the first part "Watch me burn, because I like the way it hurts~" I have always, maybe unconsciously, enjoyed feeling pain. Maybe because pain is one of the only way your body can tell you that you're alive. There are so many more feelings and emotions your body can take you through without you even knowing what happened. You will always know pain. People that have studied pain, have deducted that we all have a certain pain threshold and that once that level of intense pain at its highest is felt, then it will never get more painful. Thus, people who talk of feeling their adrenalin kick in at a moment of need or excruciating pain, for the most part, they have reached the highest possible level of pain for themselves. I felt this pain, many, many times. I was severely burnt in a home fire in my shoulders, neck and head, although my skin was literally peeling off my head and shoulders as I was touching it, I felt almost no pain, I was numb. I wrote this poem called "Fire" for the occasion..
I also distinctly remember the pain I felt when one night at a bar, by myself, I bumped into a gang of punks who wanted some attention and I guess, to prove some kind of a point. I took a good beating from over 20-25 gang members...Wrong place, wrong time...(see pics attached) but I remember not feeling any pain at all. I ended up with over 30 stitches and staples inside and outside my head, in front and back of the head, which they split open like a mexican pinata , broken nose, broke my thumb, my ribs, and a lot of broken bottles and billiard balls were thrown at me at close range. However, I never went down, I never hit the floor. My adrenalin kept me up, because I knew if I went down, they would've killed me. Blood gushing out of my head, front and back, broken body and all, but I had reached my pain level and I was ready for more...PAIN! Ah, the feel of it is inevitable and once you get it, you know it, whether it's the pain from a broken arm, a torn up heart or phantom pain from the bottom of your foot in your amputated leg, pain is always true. You know it when you feel it.

Fab Ricciardi "The video"

2010-10-19T19:52:00.001-04:00

This is the video made by Mark Raabo, on June 2010. Rocky died a month after this was shot and it is a beautiful reminder of my "boy".

Mark shot this video by himself on an iphone and a small hand held mic. with me chatting about my diabetes and other philosophies in over the course of 4 or 5 hrs. He then presented me with this nice "documentary" interview as a very cherished gift.

I really enjoyed this video with all its simplicity and I wish Mark a long career as a filmographer.

Keep your ears out for this guy, Mark Rabo is a star on the rise, and I am so proud to have been one of his first subjects.

JOURNAL

2010-05-07T13:01:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's been a while since I posted daily thoughts on my blog. Something that I will ytry to maintain a bit more properly with more regularity, especially since I started THREE new great book ideas and movie concepts.
Who knows which characters will live on in my stories and which will die off or just simply get forgotten?
Truth is, I've done that too much in my life. Keep putting things up on that shelf marked PROCRASTINATION. But that's it, no more tomorrow, let's write and keep writing daily. I've been keeping a daily journal since my amputation on Feb.2. And everything is working out OK.
Amputation! Nothing to be taken lightly, but that's me! Go big or go home, always have something to say, good or bad, you'll always get a long answer when you ask, "So, how's things?"
Anyways, keep tuned to this channel as I bring you highlights of my books from time to time.
The 3 ideas I have are as follows:
1. A Special Place - A Sci-fi piece about Armageddon of a beaten up, old world and the Genesis of a new, better world, except for...

2. The Mark. Somewhat futuristic police mystery/thriller genre. What if all criminals are BRANDED with a special MARK, depending on the crime they committed, and what of the innocent?...and if anybody tries to hide or scratch THE MARK off\, a poisonous dye is emitted through the body with painful and disfiguring consequences... MARK this one on your calendar

3. Joey's Risotto and the Gangster's Blues - Joey's a n award-winning chef and a degenerate, womanizing gambler, who's busy jumping into bed with many dangerous companions, including his loan-shark's wife, a mobster's mistress and his boss's main squeeze. Something's gonna give as Joey makes his way from the kitchen to the bedrooms and swinging in from the front and out from the back door of the blues lounge next door to work...Too close to home Joey!

This Cane

2010-05-05T15:09:00.001-04:00

This Cane
________

This cane, this walking stick,
Holding up my now, frail body,
A body that once held weights for bravado and
Wives over thresholds,
Now too weak to even hold
Myself
Up anymore
Without this cane, this walking stick.
I lean on this cane
The same way she once leaned on me,
Looking for support.
Protecting her from danger,
Pain, once a far away stranger,
Before the weights, before the wives,
Pain, now, no longer a stranger.
She, now, my mistress.
I take her everywhere.
Many nights with her I share,
But she is not my only one,
There is another lover,
Her name is Diabeta,
She is angrier than pain,
There is no shelter from the rain,
All my blood she will drain,
Making me weaker, almost insane..
She now cuts deep into my body,
She is vicious and relentless,
Does not care for past pleasure
Or indiscreet indulgence,
She will tear pieces out
From my body as I shout,
Leaving ne scarred and full of doubt,
Which one of these lovers could I do without.
Now this King without a throne,
Walks so softly and all alone.
All alone, just me and my cane,
Hoping this life was not in vain.
Praying for sun and no more rain.
Yet my mistresses, Diabeta and Pain,
Happily singing in the rain
and only myself I need to blame,,
Slowly I pull myself from the game.
A game I cannot play just like before,
Before the mistresses came to the door,
Before this cane, before the Pain,
Before my life went down the drain.
And now I have no one else to blame
For walking alone, just me and my cane.

She...Who was She?

2010-04-21T23:33:00.000-04:00

She,
Innocent, quiet, sweet,
beautiful
No, not beautiful,
Something more,
More breathtaking,
More real...
Just more,
She
She left me speechless
She
She was the one

I Was Blind

2010-04-21T23:05:00.002-04:00

One day in September 2008, I woke up after watching Monday Night Football, and suddenly realized that I went completely blind, due to high diabetic sugar counts. I was blind for about a week and then had major surgeries and slowly got my sight back. I still cannot see like I used to and I had to give up driving, I have problem reading and seeing people from a distance but all in all, I began to really see what we are too blind to see, that this world and this life is far too precious not to see all that there is to see (Zen moment?) ...and, if we don;t open our eyes and see, well then, you may as well be blind.

I Was Blind
________

I was blind.
But now I see.
He took my eyes
He took my sight.

See,
I could not see
All around me
That He wanted me to see
All He gave me
That He needed me to see
Yes, I could see but I refused to see
So He closed my eyes to show me the light
He asked me why
I did not admire
All the flames within the fire
Why
I would not look at and marvel
The little pebbles inside the marble
Merely scared, a runway sheep
Restless nights, far away dreams

Fell in too deep
I was blind
Losing my mind
Eyes wide open
Could see no more
Closed my eyes and opened the door
Walking to the light
So dark and yet so bright

I dreamed a dream of life tonight
Now I can see, yet with no sight
I see with my heart
As bright as can be
See, I was blind
But now I can see

Lucky Man

2010-04-21T22:59:00.000-04:00

Lucky Man
Walking with frustration
All alone, no destination
Dreaming of a dreamy long vacation
Off to some crazy exotic location
Now salivating with anticipation
Forced into damnation
While looking for salvation
Decision made without hesitation
Nothing can stop me from this amputation.

You can amputate my limbs or my eyes too
But amputate my heart or make my soul blue
That will not be as easy, or as simple to do
If it does not kill you, stronger you’ll be
Amputation seemed the right choice for me
I will not bow my head down and cry
I need not explain the how and the why
To them who don’t know I dare not explain
With limbs or without I’m still just the same
I have the same heart, the same smile that is true,
Amputating my soul won’t be easy to do.
After all I’ve been given
I dare not complain
I have said it before and I will say it again
I thank God for my life and for how lucky I am
…Lucky man, lucky man, lucky man…

The Man I Used To Be

2009-09-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

The Man I Used To Be

The acceptance of my frailty
Towards my sobriety,
Forcing me to see,
I, no longer the man I used to be.
What’s become of me?
Of the man I used to be?

An oyster without its pearl,
An empty shell.
Its precious gem sucked out,
Leaving me full of doubt,
Wallowing in frustration,
Just a figment of my imagination,
Searching for salvation,
While living in damnation,

And I surrender to wander,
What’s become of me?
Of the man I used to be?

Like the oyster without its pearl,
Feeling worthless and alone,
A shell, helplessly looking for its pearl,
Just scraping by and living in this hell,
I alone, left to find
The man I left behind,

And seek until I see,
What’s become of me?
Of the man I used to be?

You Have All You Need (Thoughts after a tornado)

2009-08-26T12:58:00.002-04:00

I wrote this one after seeing the recent tornado in Ontario and seeing how in just minutes everything can disappear, and having been through a hurrincane, divorces, business ups and downs and fire, I jotted this down, also keeping in mind how we always complain about things that go wrong. When in reality, besides the material things, we've lost nothing at all.I guess with that tornado, thunder and lightning show last week, God must've been really pissed off at us, and tired of seeing everybody stepping over each other, rushing to beat the other rats at that 9 to 5 race, he unleashed His anger and spanked us with a thunderous voice, telling us that He's tired of hearing... "Why me, God, why me?" Because after all, it's all for a reason and it will all be just as He planned!...Seeing all that we have been given and taken all for granted, I guess at times we should be saying "Thank you God, thank you!"

You Have All You Need
__________________
A fire, a tornado,A hurricane, a Tsunami,A break-up, another divorce,Bankruptcies and foreclosures,And now…It’s all over.
How could one be expected To start all over again,When everything you worked Your whole life for, is now, all gone.Burnt in the ashes, all swept away.Like it never happened,All your hard-earned possessions,Down the drain, broken and lost.All built with the blood, sweat and tears.
Now, to start all over again.
How does one start all over again?
It’s not easy, but it’s not hard either.You already have everything you need.You wake up and walk out the door,All on your own, without anyone’s help,Without canes, crutches or a wheelchair,You still have two arms and two feet,Ten fingers, ten toes and your eyesight is good,Your mind functions well on its own,And your body is not wired to Breathing or feeding tubes.
So, what are you crying for? What is it you’re so upset about?
Look around,You already have all that you need.You are free to do as you desire,Pick up the pieces left from that fire,Pile together all that’s leftover,Before the hit, before you took cover,And pick up the pennies That now fall from heaven,Take your time and do it all over,Blood, sweat and tears, Will help you recover.
One thing to remember,Through the years of desolation,That it’s all about the journey, And not the destination.The journey’s long and hard,But you will succeed,It’s easy to do,…You have all you need.

Fab the Cop?

2009-08-14T18:00:00.004-04:00

Though it's very hard to see from the image, I found an old piece from my personal biography book.
I was 17 when I graduated in June 1980 from Central Peel Senior Secondary and myself, Gino S.and Fedele C. left Brampton, with diplomas in hand, and went down to Toronto's Police Headquarters at 180 Jarvis to apply and become police officers. The process which takes over a period of anywhere from 4 to 6 months, is made up of several interviews and tests. If you do not pass a test, you are not asked back for the next and are simply told to apply again the following year. So on June we applied and our first test was a long, strenuous written psychological exam, followed by an English/Spelling exam. I passed, Fedele and Gino were told to come back the next year. Gino is now a police officer, si,ce 1982, with a successful career in various positions, and Fedele owns 3 real estate firms, so they all went on to great accomplishments as well. Next was a test for physical endurance. I was in great shape then and was asked back for the medical exam, which was one of the last steps before being hired, and got through to the final, one-on-one interview with the Staff Sergeant. A month later on Oct.20th 1980, I received a letter which informed me that I was not one of the successful candidates and invited back for the following year.
I was devastated. So close and yet so far. To think about doing the whole process again, was devastating enough, but not knowing why I was not chosen after having done so good and passing the medical, was bothering me more. It just so happens that my Mother had a very good influential friend in the Italian Consulate and was able to use her powers to dig and find out that the choice purely came down to a "numbers game" and only 2 guys advanced from the original 47 in my 1st class...Bummer! (However I think it was a prejudicial choice, as the 2 that made it were anglo-saxons from well-to-do families)
Who knows what would've happened had I become a cop? But there's a reason for everything, and hopefully, I'll find that one out sometime before I die...Stay tuned...

(In the picture, letter from Staff Sgt. announcing non-hire and copy of medical pass and in next page, endurance training reqirements and dates sequence of tests)

Staring at the Ceiling

2009-07-26T17:07:00.001-04:00

A thought while at yet another hospital stay...

Staring at the Ceiling

Like a prisoner
Lying on his cot,
Staring at the ceiling
Looking for his God,
I, yet again
Another hospital bed,
What is it this time
Tormenting my head?
Tried the straight and narrow
But it may be now too late
To dream about tomorrow,
Life will have to wait,
Dreams and wishes
For something better
Wil not come true,
Neither now nor ever.
So here I go again,
Lying on this cot,
Staring at the ceiling,
Looking for my God.

Just Rhyming

2009-07-26T16:58:00.001-04:00

Just Rhymimg

I’m a radical, suicidal,
Maniacal,
Somewhat
Empathetic, sympathetic,
Apologetic,
To the
Resistance, persistence,
Existence,
Of a
Residual, intellectual,
Individual,
Somewhat,
Radical, suicidal
And a bit maniacal,
Yet I persist,
And I exist!

Love and Time

2009-07-26T16:49:00.000-04:00

Love and Time

Love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

How many words, poems and songs
Have been written by lovers and poets alike,
Describing this amazing feeling called, Love,
and begging for more of a simple thing called, Time,
Asking the great timekeeper in the sky for more of it,
Or to have it wound back, for fore-longed memories,
or to stop it, to bypass some painful moments,
or simply speed it up, to embrace the arrival of happier times..

Love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder,
I don’t believe that’s true.
For my heart beats weaker and weaker,
Every minute without you.
Filling each waking minute with distant thoughts of you,
Filling the nights with fairy-tale dreams to one day make come true,
Thinking of you, and thinking of ways to make time fly by, and suddenly
Thinking of ways to slow down, and stop time from flying by.
Cursing time that keeps you so far away from me, yet
Cherishing time that brings you here to stay with me.

This simple wish, of more time and love,
Has been granted and delivered
From the Angels up above.
So here stands, just another writer, just another poet,
Speaking of love, and simply wishing for more time,
To perhaps be able to utter and hear those words of Love
Words, softly whispered and spoken through the years,
From mother to child, from one to another,
from man to woman,
…From me, to you..
Just like
love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

Live and Die

2009-07-26T16:45:00.002-04:00

I wrote this thinking about the daily 9 to 5, merely eeking out an existence, rat-race contestants and their daily rut trying to stay alive and survive just another day.

Live and Die
__________

How can you die,
If you have never really lived?

Are you really living your life, or
Just going through the motions,
Just existing and nothing more?
Up with the sun, down by moonlight,
Lunch at noon, dinner at seven,
A night-cap to tuck you in,
And then, up with the sun
And do it all over again.

Well,
Fuck that,
That ain’t living!
Live,and
Llive by yout own rules.

Eat when you’re hungry,
Not at seven or noon,
Drink to feel alive,
Not to go to sleep.
Fall asleep when the sun rises
After playing all night
By the light of the moon.

Live, love, laugh,
Learn, and teach!
Then you’ll see,
…Now you’re really living,
…And now you can die!

Some of my Tats

2009-02-17T14:01:00.007-05:00

Some of my Tattooes. All tell a story. Tattoes and scars, all that's left behind to tell some stories with.

Valentine's Day with Rocky Marcianoi III

2009-02-17T13:54:00.004-05:00

Me with the one true love of me life!
Fab and The Rock enjoying a few moments of solitude on Valentine's Day 2009.

2009-02-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

Blasts from the past

2009-02-11T11:56:00.004-05:00

Here'a couple of pictures from a few years ago (90's)

and my high school Football picture (1979) ...Fab is 2nd from top left...

The girls are Penthouse Pets that I was bodyguarding at a Video show in 1990

and...

Me and my buddy Bobby 1985

Bar Skins at The Canadian Brewing Awards

2009-02-11T11:53:00.002-05:00

A before and after shot of Bar Skins at work as the key sponsor of the 2008 Canadian Brewing Awards held at The Richmond

Bar Skins at Ho Ho To - Food Bank Benefit

2009-02-11T11:50:00.003-05:00

Benefit Pary at The Mod Club ob College St.

Bar Skins were all over the bars and tables at the event as a key sponsor

Bar Skins at MADE's annual interior design show

2009-02-10T13:45:00.006-05:00

Bar Skins were happy to sponsor MADE at their 2009 Design show. The cross-promotion with The Gladstone Hotel increased consumer awareness and attendance at MADE's annual show. This is MADE's second year of what is proving to be a great show to attend while visiting the yearly Interior Design Show. Bar Skins wishes MADE continued success and looks forward to participating next year as a key sponsor.

Bar Skins at The Gladstone Hotel

2009-02-10T13:33:00.004-05:00

(Also note the difference of a table without Bar Skins)

The Gladstone Hotel was promoting their annual Come To My Room Interior Design Show and this year they chose to use Bar Skins as their in-house word-of-mouth campaign. The Skin featured a cross-promotion of MADE annual design show and both "posters" were put on a Skin along with a cool map in the middle of the Skin adjoining the two events.

*Bar Skins one again did their job and increased consumer awareness of the shows and its featured artists.

Writer’s Block

2009-02-10T13:31:00.000-05:00

Defeating writer's block an easy task when I simply put pen to paper.
I'm consumed in sheer Ecstasy, following the rhythmic movement of my writing stylus as it makes its way across the page, as it dances from left to right, from top to bottom and says from side to side.
I glance in sudden amazement, as I realize that this quiet dance of calligraphically heightened dimension has now taken form of a poem, a letter or just a simple thought, accomplished simply with a systematic arrangement of a few letters and words, that are now forever immortalized on this page and in this world, for years and years to come.

The Hidden Meaning

2009-02-10T13:27:00.000-05:00

Is it about the hidden meaning behind the words,
Or more about the words hiding behind the meaning?
Is it hard to decipher what the truth really means
When all around you are speaking in
Mumbled lies and twisted double-entendres?
Do you, or, better yet, can you, really feel like
You belong in this world of pretenders
Hiding behind sad masks of reality?
A world filled with discontented dreamers and non-believers.
A world disrupted and polluted because of the disbelief
Felt from those who once dared to dream, to believe, and to
Try to pursue the pursuit of happiness, thus realizing
That the distrust felt by some is the same as that pronounced by many
When realizing that the impossible and unachievable
Dream of a life without misery and worries is awakened
When the truth is no longer a dream, but suddenly becomes reality.
A reality however that becomes tainted with the truth found
Inside the real meaning behind the false wording of
Unspoken thoughts and mispronounced words,
Forming multi-syllabilical, make-believe sentences.
Do not seek the hidden meaning behind the spoken words
For it is the unspoken words that will clearly decipher
The meaning of the truth, or its natural counterpart,
A world full of lies and words misunderstood and undeciphered
Left to be scrutinized and challenged,
Once again, attempting to discover the true meaning
Needing to be explained to all, forever and ever…Amen

Dear God

2009-02-10T13:24:00.000-05:00

Dear God,
I have not given up,
But I am resigned to the fact that everything will happen just as you wish.
Feel free to take my eyes, my voice, my limbs, my heart and my soul if you wish,
I will gladly offer to you, My Lord, all you ask for and so much more.
Guide me as your soldier through this battle of life and love
Teach me to accept the injustice offered by others and right their wrongs
Show me the proper way to handle the weapons needed to fight your fight
Lead me and let me guide your soldiers to the path of righteousness
Slaying demons and converting non-believers to see that your way is the only way.
Together with forces united, the world will not suffer as much anymore
For united, we are strong, in love, in heart, in hope, so that wars will no longer exist,
Famine will end; suffering, pain and destruction will no longer be words we are accustomed to.
Please God, forgive me for my past sins, I am yours, in body and spirit.
I am your warrior, your follower, your child and I tremble awaiting your touch/
I have not given up,
But I give you all my worldly possessions and everything I have ever taken from this earth
Which was never meant to be mine and mine alone, I just want to do your will
And I accept all that is to become of me, giving up all of me to be yours and yours alone!
With love, your follower, your warrior, your disciple, your son,
Fabrizio

Take what you need

2009-02-10T13:22:00.001-05:00

I wrotethis and another poem entitled Dear God, after briefly going completely blind for a few months. The words come straight from the heart...

Take what you need

Take what you need, Lord…

You asked me for my eyes,
Please take them.
You asked me for my hands,
They’re yours.
You wanted my legs,
Do with them as you will.
You asked for my strength,
I no longer need it.
You asked for my sense of being,
It’s all yours.
You asked for my heart,
It only beats for you.
Everything you ask for,
Is all yours.
I have no need for the things you ask for.
They all belong to you to use as you will.
I trust your guidance to help me give back,
To help me return some of the gifts I was so freely given.
I pray I satisfied all your needs while on this earth
Let me follow my angels above and
take heed of the virtues and values instilled from above.
Please God, let me be your slave, guide my way,

…Looking forward to that Great Beyond.

We Are In Time

2009-01-20T22:23:00.002-05:00

W A I T
We Are In Time is my nephew's clothing company, which he started when he was 15.
I wrote the following poem, when Obama became president Jan, 20, 2009
and wrote it with the thoughts pf his promises to power, which I think resonates to the youth of today.

We Are In Time

WAIT no longer,
We’ve waited long enough
And now united,
, Yes, we can!

A man named Obama,
Told us so,
WAIT no longer,
The time for change is now,
We Are In Time,
This is our time.

The time has come,
To believe in hope again,
To believe
that dreams can come true,
and, to hope
for a better tomorrow.

United,
We will undo the damage
That has now been done,
Wars will be no longer,
And liberty and justice
will prevail once again.

Committed for change,
Together in action,
Young and old,
Black or white,
Rich or poor,
Will forever prove that,
Once united,
Ordinary people
Can accomplish
Extraordinary things.
And,
Once united,
The world will be,
That better place.

WAIT no longer,
For a change to come,
We Are In Time,
For peace and love,
We’ve waited long enough,
To wish for more.

Well that time has come,
Now united,
... Yes, we can!

Fab Ricciardi

Ontario Restaurant News write-up (Oct.2009)

2009-01-20T22:17:00.001-05:00

Bar Skins - An Introduction

2008-12-27T16:49:00.007-05:00

For more info, check out http://www.barskins.ca/

Bar Skins

Let your tables do the talking!

Bar Skins represent a new concept in marketing made specifically for bars, restaurants and clubs. They will increase your sales, fill your tables and boost repeat visits.
With Bar Skins, the tables sell to the customers every time they pick up that drink.

No other advertising talks to the customer this long (the entire time they're at the table).
Sell more drinks
Sell more food
Build and strengthen brands
Promote events
Increase table turnover

As an advertiser, partnering with establishments to sponsor a Bar Skin has many benefits:

A New Ad Medium

Coasters, posters, and bathroom advertising are nothing new. Bar Skins is a new and unexpected ad medium to catch the consumer’s eye. And with the customer directly exposed to the skin for 45-60min, your message has lasting impact.

POP Advertising

Getting in front of your customer at the point-of-purchase is invaluable.
Big Brewery? Brand Accordingly!Everyone knows the product, but it may not be first in their minds. Get that top position by getting in front of your customer before your competitors. A big product, campaign or promo demands big impact and a table at 2ft hits harder than a billboard at 200.

Small brewery?

Rise to the top!Small, boutique breweries often get lost when the server runs off the drink list. Sponsor a Bar Skin and you rise to the top, telling the consumer about your beers first and visually strengthening your brand at the same time.

Real World Proof

EJ Gallo saw an increase of 600% in sales for the brand of wine they featured on a Bar Skin. Mill Street Brewery went from 0 to 9 kegs a week, taking beer drinks away from the established brands in a location where there had previously been no foothold.

FAQ

Will Bar Skins damage tables?

Bar Skins are safe on nearly all tables. They use non-permanent adhesives that come off without any residue or damage. Certain surfaces, like unpainted/unvarnished wood, will not work well with Bar Skins but we'll let you know if the tables in question are ok.

How long can I leave them on?

You can leave Bar Skins on as long as you like. We have no set time limit like other types of advertising. It's up to the bar owner and sponsoring company (if there is one).

Will cleaning products damage Bar Skins?

Absolutely not. They can be cleaned with any cleaning product without any fading, discolouration, bleeding, etc. In fact, they'll protect the tables from all those harsh products.

Do Bar Skins come with a warranty?

Yes. We will reprint and replace any Bar Skin that experiences problems due to the material or installation. We cannot guarantee malicious acts by bar goers like cutting.

Is there a volume discount for Bar Skins?

Yes, order 100+ skins to get the volume discount. The skins can be purchased as credit and used at a later date or a different location.

What if I have a graphic artist to design the skin? Do I save the design cost?

If you provide the design, there's still a setup fee of $200 to prepare the graphics for production. Additional print adjustments (like image upscaling, vectorization) are charged hourly. Our all inclusive design package includes all of this.

Random Quotes about Bar Skins

'"I went from selling 1 case of a wine per week before Bar Skins to 6 cases per week after putting that brand on Bar Skins."Dino, owner(Boardwalk Pub)'

'"The Bar Skins on the fridges are so Lula!"Waldeck, manager(Lula Lounge)',

'"You guys are our heroes. With this "What’s on Tap" list I can just point to it, even when I’m too hungover to think of 22 beers on tap. Whatever you do, make sure you keep this list on all the new skins."Waitress(name withheld)',

'"The whole schedule is right in front of me, it’s part of the table... Also has menus and drink list, it’s pretty cool!"MiAmi Sandwiches customer,talking to a friend over the phone',

'"Very classy, everybody wants to know where I got these tables. I was afraid they might not have fit our higher-end decor, but you guys did a great job."Mike, owner(Novecento Cafe)'

'"Hey, I didn’t know they had this Monday special."Regular Customer,just finding out about the long-standingspecials now shown on Bar Skins',

'"Most importantly, it protects my tables."Paul, maintenance(Cadillac Lounge)',

'"Having the menus and drink list on the tables really speeds up service, especially with new staff."Sam, owner(Cadillac Lounge)',

'"Increased our business over last World Cup by at least 40%."Gino, partner(MiAmi Sandwiches)'

Very classy, everybody wants to know where I got these tables. I was afraid they might not have fit our higher-end decor, but you guys did a great job."
Mike, owner(Novecento Cafe)

Fab at The Caddy - Bar Skins

2008-12-27T16:43:00.001-05:00

Bar Skins in the news

2008-12-27T16:35:00.004-05:00

This article is from Ontario Restaurant News in Sept.2008. The editor had seen Bar Skins at the Caddy, was very impressed and asked if he could do a small article about Bar Skins.

Bar Skins at The Cadillac Lounge

2008-12-27T16:28:00.002-05:00

This was the first install of Bar Skins at The Cadillac Lounge on Queen St. in Toronto.

Mar. 2008

Check out Bar Skins, what we do and what they are at www.barskins .ca

The Fury and the Beast

2008-12-27T14:15:00.000-05:00

The Fury and the Beast

Unleash the fury
and release the beast.
Release the beast that lives within,
Let it rip through what held it back before
Free the demon and all its rage,
Free the demon and all its might,
Release it, unleash it,
Let it fight a good fight,
Unleash the fury,
Release the beast,
…Set yourself free.

Love and Time

2008-12-27T14:12:00.000-05:00

Love and Time

Love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

How many words, poems and songs
Have been written by lovers and poets alike,
Describing this amazing feeling called, Love,
and begging for a simple thing called, Time,
Asking the great timekeeper in the sky for more of it,
Or to have it wound back, for fore-longed memories,
or to stop it, to bypass some painful moments,
or simply speed it up, to embrace the arrival of happier times..

Love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder,
I don’t believe that’s true.
For my heart beats weaker and weaker,
Every minute without you.
Filling each waking minute with distant thoughts of you,
Filling the nights with fairy-tale dreams to one day make come true,
Thinking of you, and thinking of ways to make time fly by, and suddenly
Thinking of ways to slow down, and stop time from flying by.
Cursing time that keeps you so far away from me, yet
Cherishing time that brings you here to stay with me.

This simple wish, of more time and love,
Has been granted and delivered
From the Angels up above.
So here stands, just another writer, just another poet,
Speaking of love, and simply wishing for more time,
To perhaps be able to utter and hear those words of Love
Words, softly whispered and spoken through the years,
From mother to child, from one to another,
from man to woman,
…From me, to you..
Just like
love and time, hand in hand,
Through the passage of a life.

You were there

2008-12-27T14:10:00.000-05:00

You were there

I have written hundreds of poems,
Thousands and thousands of words,
In so many of them,
You were there too.
I have traveled high and low,
Somehow, you were there too,
I laughed and cried,
Did you feel that too?
I sang at times too,
Years have come and
Years have gone and
I had wished for you
To be there with me too,
Then the truth remains
And it’s plain to see,
Like it or not,
You were always there with me.
For I took you with me,
Here, there and everywhere,
The journeys were many,
Some were pleasant and fun,
Hoping I’d see your sweet smile again
Some were long and painful too,
Wanting to protect you, make you feel safe again,
But through it all,
Through thick and thin
I want you to know
I carried you in my heart and soul,
And, through it all…
Yes,
You were always there with me.

Daydreaming

2008-12-27T14:07:00.002-05:00

While daydreaming

Sharing a dream with you
for a better tomorrow,
where skies are blue
without much sorrow,
where laughter
reigns supreme,
before and after
chasing this dream.

Sharing a dream with you
to live fully each new day,
making this dream come true
with whatever comes our way,
holding hands
and smiling more,
becoming friends
more than before.

Sharing a dream with you
is easier somehow,
for as I awake it seems so true
I'm living my dream, here and now,
so with hand in heart
this much I can say,
the love for you will never part
and it grows stronger every day.

Thanks for coming into my life
and being a part of my dreams
that I dare not wake from.
anymore

Time, gone

2008-12-27T14:07:00.001-05:00

Time, gone

Time,
A moment that will never be lived again,
An apparition, a mirage, an instant,
Going, going,
Gone,
Never to be repeated again,
Never again.

Moments once lived,
Seconds turn to minute,
Now hours, now days,
Now going,
Going,
Gone.

“Time,”
You plead
“Time,”
You beg,
“Can you stay,
Just a bit,
Just a little bit longer, please?”

Time,
Live it, and everything in it,
Love it, and everything in it,
With all you got,
And so much more.
Time,
Live it, Love it,
Before it’s going,
Going,
…Gone.

the rOund, invented by yours truly, Fabulous Fab!

2008-01-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

One of the first CAD drawings of my invention, "the rOund"...as in..."Bring us another rOund!"

Muzzle Law

2008-01-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

Rocky looking as cool with his muzzle, as me with my patch. We're just meant to look tougher on the outside than we are inside.

I understand why the muzzle law was passed due to irresponsible dog owners. I partially agree with that law, but feel the politicians missed the mark by targeting oly pitbulls. Truth is many dogs bite and some will do much more harm than others, but I truly feel that the muzzle law should apply for any medium to large breed dogs. While wearing his muzzle, Rocky was attacked twice by a vicious, unmuzzled Mastiff who broke loose from his leash, which was left unattended tied to a small fence, by its owner. Rocky required a lot of veterinary care and being as tough as he is, is now just fine, and like me, left with a few scars. However, he's now, and rightfully so, very cautious and tense, when walking by other dogs...Stupid law for just one breed!

Nonni at Heaven's Door

2008-01-02T20:01:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on 2'* 4' Ceiling tile Canvas

2nd in a series of 2

Daniela and Somebody

2008-01-02T18:25:00.001-05:00

My beautiful niece Daniela, standing beside one of my paintings.

Somebody or Nobody

2008-01-02T18:18:00.000-05:00

Semi-surrealistic painting of a homeless man's face.

Acrylic on a 2'* 4' ceiling tile. A medium and canvas which I was experimenting with, but realized due to its very porous surface, it used up a lot of paint.

Writer's Block

2008-01-02T17:53:00.001-05:00

Defeating writer's block an easy task when I simply put pen to paper. I'm consumed in sheer Ecstasy, following the rhythmic movement of my writing stylus as it makes its way across the page, as it dances from left to right, from top to bottom and sways from side to side.
I glance in sudden amazement, as I realize that this quiet dance of calligraphical dimension has taken form of a poem, a letter or just a simple thought, accomplished simply with the undeniable arrangement of a few letters and words, that are now forever immortalized on this page and in this world, for years and years to come.

Fear the Light

2008-01-02T17:47:00.000-05:00

Fearful of the light.
Not the light that beckons
upon the end of days.
Fearful of the Light
that wakens the morning,
the Light that rids me of night,
I cherish the night,
which lacks of sight.
The darkness brings my mind
to a world which I leave behind,
a life less ordinary,
a life less fearful,
fearful of the night.

At the end

2008-01-02T17:17:00.000-05:00

It's not about what you take with you
when you leave this world behind,
It's about what you leave behind you,
when you're gone.

At a Raptors game

2007-12-26T11:33:00.000-05:00

Wrong place, wrong time

2007-12-25T23:28:00.000-05:00

Ouch...that ain't make-up...It's a real good beating I took when I got jumped by 25-30 guys one night in a Chinese restaurant on St. Clair.

Fab, the Pirate

2007-12-25T23:22:00.001-05:00

I had recently lost most of my sight in my left eye due to a detached retina, after surgery, some sight came back, but I started wearing a patch to allow my other eye to compensate for my lack of peripheral judgement and depth of perception. At times, I am forced to wear the patch, and I do so happily, as the look of the modern-day Poet/Pirate is welcomed both in my business and personal life. Plus, I'm told I look cool wearing it!

Thump!

2006-05-31T13:42:00.000-04:00

Thump

Does he make you thump?

Does your heart skip a beat
Every time you hear his voice?

Does he make you thump
When you see him
Walking down the street
Coming towards you?

Do you look at your phone
As if it was a T.V. set
Watching it
Waiting for it to ring?

Does he make you thump?

‘Cause if he
Cannot make you thump

…Well, then

I can do that

I Can make you thump

Please

Let me make you thump!

Speak To Me

2006-05-31T13:37:00.000-04:00

Speak To Me

Your eyes
Speak words
Your lips
Cannot say

Your heart
Speaks words
Your lips
Cannot say.

If

Your lips
Could speak
Like your eyes
Like your heart

It will then
Say the words
That you’re
Meaning to say

Look into your heart
The words are there

Look into your eyes
I’ll always be there

Speak to me

With your eyes
With your lips
With your heart

Then
You can say
I love you
Too

Somebody or Nobody

2006-05-01T23:50:00.000-04:00

Had to write a quick prelude to "Somebody Or Nobody: Poetry from The Heart, The Street, and The Soul" a collection pf my poetry which should be out by end-may. Will keep you posted!

Somebody Or Nobody

At times you have to
Look deep
inside
Someone
To find

That once

He too

Was a Somebody

He too
Dared to dream
To wish and hope

He too
Had loved
Was loved

Was a Somebody

Look deep within

You will soon find
That no man

Should be a Nobody

“Somebody
Or
Nobody”

How would you want to be remembered?

Life is good!!!

2006-03-27T13:49:00.000-05:00

Just got a new tattoo, my family crest, on my right forearm, it looks awesome! I'll post a pic. soon, of all my tats.
All in all, life is good. I've done everything I've wanted to do, good and bad, without regrets. If I die today, I die a happy man, I have no major debts, I have an incredibly amazing dog, who has saved my father's life in more ways than I can explain. Rocky's a 7 yr. old pit bull that like me is meaner looking on the outside, and very tender on the inside. These dogs are misunderstood due to the stupidity of some of their owners. They were originally called Nanny dogs, due to the gentle, playful and tender nature, especially with children. But as the fighting in "pits" became more popular they were bred with that mentality and a lot of bloodlines became tainted with anger and hunger for blood. Due to their fighting and extraordinary jaw muscle strength, they are recognized as dangerous and vicious animals, but if you met Rocky you would definetely agree to the contrary. He's really the best friend I ever had, trustworthy, loyal, and understands everything. I thank God every day for bringing him into my life and my Father and my brother Nicky's life as well. He's enriched our lives with his unconditional love. He' the love of my life, a true gift from God! Thanks, in more ways than I can think of...Life is great!
Ciao, till next thought
Fab

...And She Smiles

2006-03-27T13:38:00.000-05:00

I saw this beautiful girl on the bus the other day, I fell in love with her if only for a while, if only in my dreams, if only...
Ah, Fuck it! I'll just write about it, and the hell with the pain that goes along with the love part.

…And She Smiles

I cannot take my eyes off of her,
I look at her, just a quick look,
She catches me,
…And she smiles,
One of those,
“I see you looking at me” smiles,
I smile back and try to hide from staring
With just slight up and down glances,
She catches me,
…And she smiles.
But I am lost now, I close my eyes
I can picture that smile now,
This time she’s in my arms,
I can feel her lips next to mine,
I can see her hazel eyes
Looking deep into mine,
Telling me to hold her tight,
Yet gently though,
As she is a precious flower.
I tell her I love her,
…And she smiles.
We smile and nothing else matters,
If only just for a while.
Suddenly I’m snapped back to reality,
The bus pulls up, I inch closer to her,
Our eyes lock now,
Gather up some courage,
My words tremble as I speak,
Please, after you Miss,
…And she smiles.

Fab Ricciardi

Pleasure Without Love

2006-01-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

Pleasure Without Love

Exhausted my energy trying to compete
With some Energizer bunnies
and the stick they would be found in,
when forensic studies would later determine,
cause of happiness,
indecent penetration with objects of fornification.

Secretly pleasing what your body requires,
While denying my own manly desires.
Your hands maintaining mechanical erection,
My manhood now lost without direction.
Dubious pleasure disregarding passion,
Welcoming advances of a stranger’s intrusion.

Spent all my time whispering sweet nothings,
When all you wanted to hear was a buzzing hum.
Guess my job is finally done here
I’ve given all I could, but have no fear,
If you want to feel the love I left behind,
Just turn that thing on and let yourself unwind,
Please yourself for a few minutes or an hour
Then cuddle to that stick to rekindle the fire.

So goodnight lover,
Guess I’ll see you later,
When you’re done
With your vibrator!

I Am Not Ashamed

2005-11-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

I’m Not Ashamed

I am not ashamed
Of the things I’ve done,
I am not ashamed
Of the things I said,
I am not ashamed
Of the things I saw,
I am not ashamed
Of the things I heard…

For I am deaf
I cannot hear,
For I am blind
I cannot see,
For I am mute
I cannot speak,
For I am mindless
I cannot think.

People without shame
Of things said and done,
People without shame
Of things seen and heard,
They should all be,
But yet, I, why am I
Not ashamed?

Cadillac Dreams (An Ode to the Cadillac Lounge)

2005-11-29T21:24:00.000-05:00

Cadillac Dreams

? A pink one like Elvis’
Or a black one like Sammy’s
A stretched one like Jerry’s
Or an oldies like Tony’s?
And I, drift away…
Awaiting the realization
Of my Cadillac dreams,
While riding the streetcar
To nowhere destinations,
To a job I detest,
To a woman I no longer love,
To a rat infested apartment,
To a stinking bar
Where nobody knows my name!

And yet, I still dream
My Cadillac dreams,
Of loving what I do,
With someone I love,
And a great bar like,
Sammy’s Cadillac Lounge,
Where Alaska Mike and
Everybody there
Knows my name!!
But, that is not reality,
My dreams now interrupted
By the blaring horn of a car,
Impeding my way
Up the streetcar steps,
Onto that stupid ride,
To my stupid job,
And my stupid girl,
And my rat infested apartment,
On my way to that stupid bar
Where still, nobody knows my name.

Yet I still dream
My Cadillac dreams!
Sweet rides
Of love and happiness
To the Cadillac Lounge,
Where everybody knows my name.
Sweet rides without despair,
Without hate,
Without rats, or
…Am I just dreaming?
~

Fabulous Fab

HELLO AGAIN !

2005-11-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Hi All, sorry for the delay in getting some more of my poetry and stuff added on. Been busy getting a couple of ventures off the ground. (For Copyright purposes, can't discuss yet) However, feel free to read some poems and see some pix. You may need to hit the past months archives to see more stuff. Most of my poetry comes from the heart, the street, and the soul, words that i find as I crawl through this existence called Life. I was never homeless, but spent some time counselling street kids in Vancouver, and a lot of the poetry comes from what i heard about their stories. Feel free to add your comments !

Spare Change

2005-11-25T09:55:00.000-05:00

Spare Change

Hey Mister, got any spare change?
Pleas don’t just walk away from me,
Look into my eyes, I am not an animal,
I am human, just like you.

It’s cold outside, Christmas is approaching,
But Santa can’t hear me, nobody hears me.

Used and abused for reasons unknown,
What did I do to make Dad hate me so?

Mom would not believe me,
I could take it no more,
The street the only place,
That would open the door.

I am scared and confused,
Got nowhere else to go,
So here I am,
My story now you know.

Please don’t turn your head in shame,
An animal I am not,
I will not accept the blame,
I’m the one they all forgot.

My life is tough,
I really want it to change.

By the way, Mister,
Can you spare some change?

Disgusting

2005-11-25T09:47:00.000-05:00

Disgusting

The obvious disgusts me

Everything that symbolizes
What is supposed to be
What is expected of us
Is…
Disgusting

Maybe because the obvious
The white picket fence
The two point two children
The keeping up with the
F#*#ng Joneses
Is what is really
Disgusting

You just can never have enough
Can you?

I’ve seen so much
I did so much
I climbed the highest mountains
I swam in oceans and seas
That few only see in books

I lived, I loved
I laughed, I cried
Yet still
Through it all
Because of you
I am still

Disgusted

You phonies disgust me
Pointing fingers in disdain
Your white picket fences
Your picture perfect world
Your spray-painted greener grass

Open up your closet doors
Skeletons sure to pop out
You disgust me
With those happy faces
Hiding behind a sad mask of reality

You’re disgusting,
Go to hell!

The Genius of the Crowd - by Charles Bukowski

2005-07-18T02:59:00.000-04:00

The Genius of the Crowd - by Charles Bukowski
there is enough treachery, hatred violence absurdity in the average human being to supply any given army on any given day and the best at murder are those who preach against it and the best at hate are those who preach love and the best at war finally are those who preach peace, those who preach god, need god those who preach peace do not have peace those who preach peace do not have love, beware the preachers beware the knowers beware those who are always reading books beware those who either detest poverty or are proud of it beware those quick to praise for they need praise in return, beware those who are quick to censor they are afraid of what they do not know beware those who seek constant crowds for they are nothing alone, beware the average man the average woman beware their love, their love is average seeks average but there is genius in their hatred there is enough genius in their hatred to kill you to kill anybody not wanting solitude not understanding solitude they will attempt to destroy anything that differs from their own not being able to create art they will not understand art they will consider their failure as creators only as a failure of the world not being able to love fully they will believe your love incomplete and then they will hate you and their hatred will be perfect like a shining diamond like a knife like a mountain like a tiger like hemlock their finest art

My Way and That's Life - 2 songs that define my life

2004-07-14T17:18:00.000-04:00

"My Way"
Writer(s): Revaux/Francois/Anka
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

"That's Life"
Writer(s): Kay/Gordon
That's life - that's what all the people say
You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I say, that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks steppin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet - a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out - and I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face

I pick myself up and get back in the race
That's life - I tell you - I can't deny it:
I thought of quittin', baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird an then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet - a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out - and I know one thing:
Each time I find myself, laying flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life. that's life, and I can't deny it:
Many times I thought of cuttin' out, but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shakin' come this here July
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball...
And die
My, my

Il Corsaro Nero

2004-06-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

Il Corsaro Nero

Quella del corsaro nero
E una storia,
Una storia come tante altre,
Pero, quasi come la mia.

E la storia d’un uomo
Che amava conquistare,
E la storia d’un uomo
Che amava viaggiare.

E la storia di un uomo
Che voleva vincere,
E la storia di un uomo
Che aveva sofferto.

E la storia di un uomo
Che voleva amare,
E la storia di un uomo
Che voleva vivere.

Questa del corsaro nero,
Sembra una storia
Come tante altre,
Pero, e la storia mia.

Ho vissuto, ho viaggiato,
Ho vinto, ho amato,
Ho conquistato, ed...
Ho sofferto.

Sono io,
Il corsaro nero!

By: Fabulous Fab

If Today Was My Last Day - (What would you do? Are you prepared?)

2004-05-26T16:37:00.000-04:00

If Today Was My Last Day - (A note to myself)

I woke up today, much like any other day but I felt different today.
Today I knew I was going to die, today would be my last day on Earth.
But wait; am I ready to go yet? I checked my diary but this was not on it.
I was not completely ready to die, not just yet. There were so many things I still had to do.
How much time do I have? Let me quickly jot down some things I can do before I die.
Did I wake up early enough today to do all the things I want to do?
Wow, today is my last day, or could it be my first day to realize what the hell I was supposed to do before this day would come?
Let me start my wish list and see how much I can accomplish before I have to go for good.
Where do I start? There’s so much to do, but where to start?
I guess first of all, I should call or visit all my family, friends and relatives and tell them that I love them and how much they have meant in my life. That goes for my dog and cat too. Guess I should take my dog for a walk to the park, give him one more fun time with his best friend. He’ll like that.
That’s a good start. What else, think, what else?
Would I cry, party all day, rent an exotic sports car, or make love for a couple of hours?
Would I laugh, smell a flower, pick up a crying child to comfort them, or go see a play at the theatre?
Would I be mad, or smile all day? Would I pet a puppy, ride a Harley, or sing all day?
Would I care about the elderly, or visit sick kids at the hospital and bring them teddy bears?
Would I eat anything I ever yearned for, like steak and lobster, eat all day, or go skateboarding?
Would I sing, skip, jump my way to work, or would I go to work just to tell the boss “I quit?”
Would I help an old lady cross the street, just to try to put a smile on the old folk’s faces?
Would I ask for forgiveness for any wrong doings I may have done in my life, or learn to knit?
Would I ask for a pat in the back for all the good things I did in my life? Would I go to church?
Would I beat the drums, get another tattoo, pierce my nipple, shave my head, or my back?
Would I go to a five star restaurant in Europe, or call some friends and cook and drink all day?
Would I pray for no more wars in the world and to put an end to hunger and diseases?
Would I watch three movies back to back, read a book, play the guitar, or go to a karaoke bar?
Would I ask for an end to racism and prejudice, or go swimming in a sea or an ocean?
Would I complain less, scream more, listen better, write more poetry, or just dance all day?
Would I go skydiving, bungee jumping, climb a mountain, hand glide, snorkel or scuba dive?
Would I treat everyone with kindness, compassion, caring, respect, love, politeness and sincerity?
Would I go up North to cottage country and wait for the stars and the Northern Lights to appear?
Would I wait for the sun to set and then rush to the other side and wait for just one more sunset?
Would I try to learn a new musical instrument, martial arts, a new language or play the piano all day?
Would I give more hugs, shake more hands, wink at everyone, wave, play football, or learn to ski?
Would I play catch with my kids, read them a bedtime story, take them swimming, or to the circus?
Would I enjoy a fine bottle of champagne, an extremely expensive bottle of wine, or some beers?
Would I travel to an exotic location, visit the pyramids, swim with the dolphins, or walk all day?
Would I try to write a song, a screenplay for a movie, listen to the radio, or just watch old TV reruns?
Would I have accomplished everything I had ever wanted to do in my life?
Would I think more about what else I could be missing, if today was my last day?
Would I be able to make plans for just one more day, just one more tomorrow?
I would,…if only given one more chance. Are you prepared?
The point is we never know when we’re going to die, but we all will, one day.
So, while we’re here, we must make the most of every day. Try to fulfill all our wishes and dreams and treat ourselves to all that this life has to offer, being aware of how precious this world is to us, and how precious you are to this world, and never take anything for granted. Like a new day, for example.
Spread your joy, live, learn, teach, love, and be thankful for each day. It may well be the last.
Peace and love to all,
Fabrizio Ricciardi

2004-05-26T01:01:00.000-04:00

"Chef," St.Kitts, Caribbean, 2001

2004-05-26T00:57:00.000-04:00

Presenting, Rocky Marciano, the nicest pitbull in the world!

2004-05-26T00:50:00.000-04:00

Fab and the Rock

2004-05-25T23:58:00.000-04:00

These are two paintings i did on ceiling tiles 2' * 4', one on right "Somebody or Nobody" left "3 vecchi by the gate"

The Scream Of The Butterfly

2004-05-25T23:36:00.000-04:00

The Scream Of The Butterfly

Listen carefully to the silent scream of the butterfly.

Frightening sounds of inaudible silence,
Creeping slowly through metamorphic existence
Deleted by horrified shrieks of pleasure and glee.

Hard to believe that creating a world without boundaries
Might be easier to imagine, or maybe, harder to,
With just a pair of graffiti mirrored wings.

A world without boundaries becomes a world possessed.

Possessed by unjustified truths and lies,
Spoken by incredulous liars and fortunetellers.
How many dreams and unforeseen truths
Are left behind when this world comes to an end?

These are the moments when one finally
Realizes his impotence towards mankind.
The screaming butterfly comprehends at this moment, that it too,
Has become enslaved, trapped into the truth of day to day life, and
That nothing could, would, or ever will matter in this insignificant
Time warp called, Life, or, Love, or just, simple Existence.

Can you hear my scream?

Expecting more should not be such a quiet, destructive wish.
The paradox of our existence lies in each one of our lives,
Where absolutely nothing entraps our thoughts, and allows us into
The open mindedness of nothing like we’d ever seen before.
How else could I explain this unforgivable excuse for personhood?
Why do I have to spreads my wings and expand my wisdom
To allow other mindless executioners’ freedom?

Can you hear my scream?

Never before have I felt so empty, so drained out of my world,
And, even thirsty. I do not wish to fly anymore.

An absolute unforgiving world that even its own Creator
Stands stunned and dumbfounded, silently screaming.
Watching his creation, his domain, crumbling,
Right in front of His eyes, self-destructing into oblivion,
Jaded by the dubious reality,
Of…
The Screaming
Butterfly.

by :Fab Ricciardi

Spontaneous Combustion

2004-05-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous combustion,
of a tormented soul,
mixing fuel into a fire,
burning out of control.

Ashes and smoke,
clouding my senses,
indecent exposure
to the windows of my soul.

Into the abyss, a deep, dark fall,
fearless tolerance to blind ignorance,
visual disbelief,
yet, the eyes see all.

Spontaneous combustion,
an emotional cocktail,
shaken and stirred,
an exotic concoction
of pleasure and pain,
disturbing the sleep
of a tormented soul.

Twisted confusion
of realistic illusion,
hazardous eruption,
full of lies and deception.

Spontaneous combustion,
a chemical reaction,
good versus evil,
fighting opposite attraction.

A premeditated plan
leading to destruction,
nothing spontaneous
about this combustion.

Tempestuous fire,
burning out of control,
a delirious conclusion
to MY tormented soul

by:Fab Ricciardi

Tattooed Poets

2004-05-21T14:19:00.000-04:00

Tattooed Poets

Much like this once empty page
Or, an empty canvas
I too started out blank
Without feelings, emotions
Ambitions or dreams

Much like this once empty page
Now tattooed with permanent ink
Tattoos now permanently
Mark my body
Leading a tattooed revolution
Of artist and poets
Marking events and memories
On once blank canvasses

Each mark delivering a message
Mummifying rites of passage
Tattooed revolutionaries
Are the messengers
The message is simple
Do not judge
Listen and learn
If you’re honest
Your pillow will be
Your piece of mind

Do not sleepwalk
Through this illusion
Called Life
Let the ink in, and
Let the fun begin

A world without color
Is a day without sound
So start painting
Participate in this
Tattooed revolution
Of pen and ink

Tattooed poets
Carrying the message
Through once blank
Empty canvasses

by: Fab Ricciardi

The Alcoholic's Morning Thought

2004-05-21T14:18:00.000-04:00

The Alcoholic’s Morning Thought

What a headache,
What happened last night?

The mirror doesn’t hide much
My face starting to show
The beating my body is taking.

What once was a fresh smile
Now looks tired and drawn.
My lips scarred by now
Empty, broken bottles.
Eyes once alive and full of hope
Now bloodshot and full of despair.

Night after night
Self-abuse and denial.
Drinking to ease the pain
Yet hurt myself much more.

Started drinking to forget.
To forget what?
What I once had?
Who I was?
Why and, what if?

Started drinking to forget
So now, I forgot, and…
Every so often
(After a couple of drinks)
I start to remember
After a couple more
I remember why I started
So
I start again.

Can’t take it no more
Gotta sober up
Gotta go clean
One day at a time
Yes, but
Not today
Maybe tomorrow.

One good last drunk
Then, that’s it
I promise
After tomorrow, no more.
No more, I tell myself.
I tell myself,
On my way to the bar.

by: Fab Ricciardi

The Painting

2004-05-21T14:08:00.000-04:00

The Painting

Hung against a once bare wall
Admiring the masterpiece
Standing before me
I picture its creator
Waving his magic wand
His multicolored brush
Paint speckles
Dripping onto the easel stand
Adding character and style
To that once blank canvas
Colors in the artwork
Describing the moods in his life

Grey mountains, perhaps
The many he climbed
Seas of blue, perhaps
The many he swam in
Boats with white sails
Venturing like the unknown
Destinations of his travels
Green grass of once
Prosperous pastures
Black birds flying above
Depicting the color of death
Looming over us,
And the background of
A gorgeous orangey-red sunset
Reminding him of the
Many past loves of his life

Now glass encased
Within a golden frame
The bottom right
He signed his name
Dutiful confirmation
Of a labour of love
The painting is complete
What a life it must’ve been!

by: Fab Ricciardi

Visiting A Cemetery

2004-05-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Visiting A Cemetery

How peaceful this place is, each headstone tells a story.
Some cut short by time, some lived it at its fullest.

Yet I hear the stirring of their souls, as I walk by each grave, some rumbling in discontent, others playfully chanting children songs. I feel their past pains, I can feel their present comfort in the afterlife. It’s very dark now, but I have no fear here. Their spirits will protect me from harm. Soft whispers guide me to happy places, I can hear them, I feel their spirits. For the most part, it is a happy place here, I lie down beside some freshly dug graves, the stirring cries for help I cannot make out yet, is it perhaps too soon for their souls to speak to me? I kneel beside a few who had their lives taken away way too soon. They tell me they are in a very happy place, though they miss their loved ones, knowing that they are suffering in this hard life, without their dearly departed.

So I begin to think of the unawakened spirit of the living and of the reawakened spirits of the dead. How peaceful it must be so far away from here. This world, where hatred and fear rise above love and happiness. Destruction seems imminent now and yet we’re still here, each new day carving out another piece of our miserable life, until there is nothing more left to feed the hunger for survival as we begin to slip into an other life.

The dearly departed inform me of their plans to keep casting shadows of hope upon us left here still suffering in this inhuman act called humanity, certainly protecting us from the evil deeds of mankind, helping us to avoid what we’ve become.

I scream out to my Angels above to free us of the despair and madness around us, thus allowing us to perchance keep dreaming of a better world, a better life, with newfound hopes and reawake our unfulfilled dreams, while we pray for the impossible… A new day without pain, hate, despair, and sadness. A new day where joy, love and happiness are given a chance to destroy all the wrong in the world.
I dream of death, and I am not scared, my dreams are lucid, almost surreal. The hereafter as they tell me, is a warm, inviting place, the welcome mat is always ready, I know many that live in this place, and they’re all anxiously waiting for me.

I will await this day too, surrounded in the comfort of my cemetery friends, they have so much to tell us, why don’t we just take time and listen?

Waste of Time - Dedicated to my ex-wife

2004-05-21T11:56:00.000-04:00

Waste of Time

Three in the morning
Tossing and turning
The last three, four hours
Total waste of time.

Cannot stand to hear
Unbearable, relentless
Ticking of the clock.

The last words spoken
Walking out the door,
Echoing in my head.

Another sleepless night,
Memories and pictures of days gone by
Kaleidoscopically twisting
Inside my daydreams.

All this time,
Time that went by,
Total waste of time.

Like it never happened,

Places,
That were never visited

Words,
That were never spoken

Promises,
That were never fulfilled.

What of all the dreams?
Just a waste of time.

Now four in the morning
Time keeps moving,

Another useless hour
Drained out of my life.

Look what you’ve done to me
If only I would have known,
You were just,

A waste of time.

by:Fab Ricciardi

Have No Fear

2004-05-19T11:35:00.000-04:00

Have No Fear

You’ve been knocked down yet another time

You think it’s time to throw in the towel

Just hold on one more round
Take a deep breath and shake it off.

Get back in the fight and have no fear
If you believe in what you’re fighting for
Never down will you go again.

If you think you can reach for that far away moon
Stretch out, grab a hold of it and don’t let go.

There will be many that say this can’t be done
Just believe in yourself and your dreams.

Have no fear

Grab hold of that moon, and don’t let go
From up above
With moon in hand
Say hello

Say hello
To those below

To those who said
This can’t be done

by:Fab Ricciardi

A Prayer For Today

2004-05-19T11:28:00.000-04:00

A Prayer For Today

This is the beginning of a new day,
To use it as I will.

I can waste it or use it for good.

What I do today is important,
Because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes,
This day will be gone forever,
Leaving in its place
Something I have traded for it.

I want it to be gain, not loss,
Success, not failure,
In order that I shall not regret
The price I paid for it.

by: Jack Trach

Le Palle al Vento

2004-05-19T10:48:00.000-04:00

Le Palle Al Vento

Vi racconto la storia
D’un uomo contento
Entrato in sto mondo
Con le palle al vento.

Contente, sventolavano
Su e giu, fra e la
Poi, una bella scuotata
Un piccolo schiaffetto
E comincio a cantare
Contento, con le palle al vento.

Poi crescendo
Le palle soffrendo
Tra pannolini
Mutande e puttane
Le mie palle ristrette
Non piu tanto contente
Piene di fame, piene di sete
Ma niente da fare
Sempre coperte
Non piu tanto contente.

Ma ogni tanto, in mezzo a cambi
Di donne e mutande
Io le lascio andare libere
A pendolare, a sventolare
Su e giu, fra e la
Cosi m’accontento
Con le palle al vento.

E quando sta storia e finita
Per favore, non coprite le mie palle
Cosi, una volta cremato
Vi chiedo per una scuotata
Un piccolo schiaffetto
E vado a cantare contento
Con le palle al vento.
E torno da Mamma
La prima, la piu bella,
E l’ultima donna che mi bacio.
E ritornero contento
Con le palle al vento.

by :
Fab Ricciardi

Let Me Dream

2004-05-19T10:32:00.000-04:00

Let Me Dream

Please don’t wake me
While I’m dreaming,
I’m having so much fun here.

Things seem so much better
In my world of dreams.

The real world
Sometimes hurts,
In my world
I never cry.

The real world
Sometimes stops,
In my world
I never die.

I’m not a poet,

I’m not an artist,

I’m just a child
With many dreams.

So please,

Please,

Let me dream!

by:
Fab Ricciardi

Come To The Edge

2004-05-19T10:25:00.000-04:00

This is a nice passage i found from a book quoting Voltaire.

"Come to the edge"...he yelled
"We can't, we're scared"...they answered
"Come to the edge"...he yelled
"We can't, we're scared"...they answered
"come to the edge"...he yelled
...and they came,
...and he pushed them,

...and they flew!

2004-05-18T14:15:00.000-04:00

"Somebody or Nobody" drawing of a homeless man, 1992 by Fab

2004-05-18T14:11:00.000-04:00

Poolside, N.Y. 2000

2004-05-18T14:08:00.000-04:00

Wrong place, wrong time. (1999) Don't worry i heal well, i look even better now! It wasn't a fair fight (20-25 vs. Fab) BTW, i never went down.

2004-05-18T14:03:00.000-04:00

Cute, eh?

2004-05-18T14:01:00.000-04:00

Tha many faces of Fabulous Fab

2004-05-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

My pup, my best friend, my son, Rocky Marciano. He's the cutest, nicest pit bull in the world

2004-05-17T21:42:00.000-04:00

"Chef" taken in St.Kitts, Caribbean, 2001

Welcome

2004-05-17T20:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome all to Fabulous Fab's Poetry and Arts Page.
Enjoy and feel free to share your stories, pictures, comments, etc...
Ciao and we'll see you soon.
Thanks for coming by!
Ciao
Fabulous Fab