AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

WE ARE ALL SNOW LEOPARDS

THE GONZO WAY
THE GONZO WAY - 7 LESSONS
One: Learning – That’s What it’s All About

Two: It’s Wrong When it Stops Being Fun

Three: Politics is the Art of Controlling Your Environment

Four: “We” is the Most Important Word in Politics

Five: Truth is Easier

Six: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

Seven: Never Apologize, Never Explain

THE WISDOM
“Never try
and be like
anybody
else…”
 “One’s
greatest work
is their own
life…”
 “Live up to your
unique potential in
individual style with
the vigor and curiosity
and courage to fight
for your beliefs and
for your neighbors
well into old age.”
 “Learn, be with the
tribe, never be afraid if
you have loved ones on
your side. Never take
yourself too seriously,
and always find some
fun, in any situation.
Respect yourself and
your tribe.”
“Your essence is
what enables you
to maintain your
free-spirited
attitude and still
earn a living”
“Every man is an individual
and independent entity.
Certainly not independence
in the everyday sense of
the word, but pertaining to
a freedom and mobility of
thought that few people
are able...or even have the
courage...to achieve”
“Anything is possible.
Any situation can be
turned into fun and
then added to the
greatest masterpiece
of all: a remarkable
life.”
“To see life clearly,
to live it like a
champion, not taking
abuse from anyone,
you have to develop
your own set of
rules.”
THE WAY
Lesson One: Learning – That’s What it’s All About

If you aren’t in the room, you won’t be

able to learn; get in the room.

Everybody fumbles. It’s the recovery that

matters.

“I’ve been plagiarizing all my life. It’s called

learning”
Lesson Two: It’s Wrong When it Stops Being Fun

Never stop playing and seeing the

undercurrents of humor in every situation,
weird or not.

Life, if it is to be lived with grace and in the

Gonzo Way, must be filled with courage,
truth, love and laughter.

Fun...a conscious effort: be fun as well as

have fun.
Lesson Three: Politics is the Art of Controlling
Your Environment

We are all politicians. The only difference

is that some of us are winning and some of
us are losing.
 Lesson Four: “We” is the Most Important
Word in Politics

Understand the value of friendship and of the

usefulness of friendships in developing a powerful
team to work toward a goal.

The beauty of doing the ‘right thing’ is that you

have more of a chance to forge the crucial ‘we’
behind a cause...the team

What is the desired effect? Know your environment.

Know your audience.
 Lesson Five: Truth is Easier

You can fall back on the truth. You can’t fall back
on a story you’ve made up.

Always tell the truth, even when it hurts, because in

the end, no matter how painful, truth is easier.

Always have well thought-out convictions

Have the ability to compromise (within your limits of

self-acceptance) when a lack of flexibility would
equal defeat.
 Lesson Six: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

No matter how hard it gets, no matter how rough the road, keep
moving.

Fear is necessary, but gone unchecked, it will make you constantly

seek safety.

There is nothing more crippling in human life than fear. Yes, a healthy
amount is important. But giving it too much importance is unhealthy.

Before you can feel the first hints of freedom, you need confidence.

Always face you fears. Do whatever works to live your life in the
freedom that comes with confronting your fear by beating it
senseless and into submission.
Lesson Seven: Never Apologize, Never Explain

Res ipsa loquitur

(“it is what it is...”)
 Football Season Is Over
"No More Games. No More Bombs. No
More Walking. No More Fun. No More
Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50.
17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring.
I am always bitchy. No Fun...for anybody.
67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old
age. Relax...This won't hurt."
 THE HONOR ROLL
“If you have a solid community, a solid tribe, you are home free”
Julie Marcello Hilary Ensleberg Martin Delchano
Abe Lincoln Howlin’ Wolf Margie Delorenzo
Anita Thompson Hunter S. Thompson Mike Gillum
Bill Hicks Jerry Lee Lewis Muddy Waters
Bo Diddley Jess & Zac Robbins Neil Young
Bob Dylan Joe Massucco Nev Sergent
Booker T. & the MGs John Lee Hooker Otis Redding
Brian Davis John Stark Paul Bamberger
Bruce Springsteen Johnny & June Cash Peter Guralnick
Chris Hall Jon Butt Raoul Duke
Chuck Berry Jon Parenteau R.L. Burnside
Curtis Huntley Keith Richards Rob Mucha
Dan McDonnell Kevin & Karen Hammer Russ Pelham
Dan Quinn Kip O’Brien Sam Phillips
Dave Minickiello Laurie & Marlene Hammer Tom & Peta Smithers
Dollar Bill (“Top Wop”) Levon Helm Tony D’Agostino
Erin Parker Libby Keifer Tucker West
Gabriel & Cecelia Garcia Little Richard Warren Zevon
Geoff Butler Ma Willie Nelson