| ABOUT THE AUTHOR: STUFF THAT'S NOT IN THE BOOK |
| The Pittsburgh Pirates are my favorite team and the only thing in sports that I really care about. They have not had a winning season since 1992, but I will NEVER give up on them. I know what it's like to come back from the dead. If I could do it, so can they. |
| I believe that Bob Dylan is the world's greatest singer. Yes, I said "singer." Everybody knows that he is a great songwriter, but it is the way that he sings the songs that puts him over the top. I have seen him in concert more times than I can remember. The last time was July 13, 2009 at a minor league baseball field in Washington, PA. I wore a T-shirt that read, "Property of Jesus" - the title of a Dylan song from 1981. The man helped lead me to Christ. He has my deep thanks. God bless you, Bob. May you know Him more. |
I have been a member of Club Julian, a fitness center in the northern
suburbs of Pittsburgh, since the last time the Pirates were in the playoffs.
I am there 5 days a week (sometimes 4, sometimes 7). I work out too
hard for a 47 year-old man and I often end up taking alleve or advil to
settle my legs down enough to get to sleep. It has nothing to do with
bipolar. It's just plain crazy - but I like it. I guess I'm hoping to die healthy.
suburbs of Pittsburgh, since the last time the Pirates were in the playoffs.
I am there 5 days a week (sometimes 4, sometimes 7). I work out too
hard for a 47 year-old man and I often end up taking alleve or advil to
settle my legs down enough to get to sleep. It has nothing to do with
bipolar. It's just plain crazy - but I like it. I guess I'm hoping to die healthy.
I love my low-carb/Atkins/South Beach diet.
I've been on it since January 2004 - lost 20
pounds and kept off 15. Good enough!
I've been on it since January 2004 - lost 20
pounds and kept off 15. Good enough!
90% of "Blessed with Bipolar" was written in the food court of Ross Park Mall.
Something about the environment stimulates the creative centers of my manic
brain. I sat down one day, stared around the food court, and started making a
list of all the good things that have come to me out of having bipolar. When I
realized that losing my lawsuit was one of those good things, it was like two
books came together in my mind under one theme. Writing the book was never
"work." It was difficult at times, but it was always a joy. I felt like I was doing
exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
Something about the environment stimulates the creative centers of my manic
brain. I sat down one day, stared around the food court, and started making a
list of all the good things that have come to me out of having bipolar. When I
realized that losing my lawsuit was one of those good things, it was like two
books came together in my mind under one theme. Writing the book was never
"work." It was difficult at times, but it was always a joy. I felt like I was doing
exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
I've never been married and I don't have any kids. If I did, I would want to
name him or her "Hallelujah." Yelling that name in anger would make me
think twice. Get my mind right for some "positive" discipline.
name him or her "Hallelujah." Yelling that name in anger would make me
think twice. Get my mind right for some "positive" discipline.
I came to Christ in earnest on the floor of a psych ward in 1988. I thought I was in hell - and
deserved to be there - when a recovering alcoholic said, "Well, Rich, whaddaya believe? Is Jesus
the Son of God? Did He die for your sins? Did He rise from the dead? Is he your Savior?"
I didn't really know what to say, but I knew I needed a miracle. And I knew that Jesus was in that
business, so, somehow, "Yes," came out of my mouth. The alcoholic lit up like the 4th of July. "Get
on your knees," he beamed and snapped, "I'm gonna pray for you." I dropped fast and he prayed
like I had never heard anyone pray before. And my eternal condition was changed in an instant.
My worldly state, however, still needed a complete overhaul. 21 years later, God is still working
on that.
deserved to be there - when a recovering alcoholic said, "Well, Rich, whaddaya believe? Is Jesus
the Son of God? Did He die for your sins? Did He rise from the dead? Is he your Savior?"
I didn't really know what to say, but I knew I needed a miracle. And I knew that Jesus was in that
business, so, somehow, "Yes," came out of my mouth. The alcoholic lit up like the 4th of July. "Get
on your knees," he beamed and snapped, "I'm gonna pray for you." I dropped fast and he prayed
like I had never heard anyone pray before. And my eternal condition was changed in an instant.
My worldly state, however, still needed a complete overhaul. 21 years later, God is still working
on that.
While I was hospitalized in 1988, I heard a brand new song by Bob
Dylan:
"Silvio, silver and gold won't buy back the beat of a heart grown cold.
Silvio, I gotta go, find out somethin' only dead men know."
I was, at the time, finding out for myself a little something only dead
men know. I was getting a glimpse of hell and knowing that I deserved
to be there.
On the same album is a song titled "Death is not the End."
Hallelujah! I survived. The man I was when I went into that hospital
has never been seen again. Jesus Christ raised me up a new man.
Death, indeed, is not the end.
Dylan:
"Silvio, silver and gold won't buy back the beat of a heart grown cold.
Silvio, I gotta go, find out somethin' only dead men know."
I was, at the time, finding out for myself a little something only dead
men know. I was getting a glimpse of hell and knowing that I deserved
to be there.
On the same album is a song titled "Death is not the End."
Hallelujah! I survived. The man I was when I went into that hospital
has never been seen again. Jesus Christ raised me up a new man.
Death, indeed, is not the end.
| If you want any more, you can sing it yourself. ! ! o RICHARD JARZYNKA (YA'ZHYNKA) yazhynka@bipolarman.org |
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