For my sixth Memory Monday, I am going to write about the greatest Christmas Gift my sister and I ever got. It was given to us by my aunt and uncle, back in December of 2009, and it was to go see the people that I wrote about last Thursday, the Rockettes. 

I had always wanted to see the show, but the tickets were very expensive, and we could never find the time to go. I never wanted to miss school, and neither did my sister. My parents, aunt, and uncle, also had a hard time taking off of work. Eventually we went over to my aunt and uncles house a week before Christmas and we were given two individual sacks of certain Scrabble pieces. My sister and I eventually, with a few clues from everyone, were able to spell out the words "Radio City". Then we were told that we were going to go see them. We became so happy and ready to go.

We then took off from school, and they took off from work, and we went into the City to go see the show. We ate at a nice steak house near Radio City, walked around the tree in the daytime, and then went to go see the show. Like I said last Thursday, these women were so incredibly tall and physically toned. We watched the show and again, I was amazed at this incredible show. 

It wasn't even just the show itself that made this day, and this memory so great. It was being around the family that I love, and in the greatest city in the world. From the Scrabble trivia game to find out about our present, to the trip into the city, to the walking around, to the dinner, to the show itself, then the walking around the city again (at night), and then the ride back home. It is a memory that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. 

Are there any Christmas memories that you remember the most? Are they ones that you share with your friends, with your family, or both?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "Family is where life begins, and love never ends." - Unknown
"Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten." - Lilo

Since the post I did last Sunday with the comments from my friends resulted in the biggest viewership in the history of the blog's short life, coupled with the two facts that one, I liked doing it, and two, there were a few more comments that came in later, to warrant a second post. So that is what I am doing again this Sunday. The comments that didn't make the cut, or came later than when the blog went up, are now going to be written here, on this one. Here are the other responses, formatted just like the last one. 

"Ever since the first day I met you, I wanted to be good friends with you. I was so impressed by everything you knew about everything. You're truly a walking encyclopedia! Right off the bat, I knew you were such an amazing person to be around. You're one of the coolest people I know, and without a doubt, one of my favorite people at our school. You inspire me to work hard and to be motivated. You're always willing to lead a helping hand and I couldn't thank you enough for that. And for the short time I've known you, you have had such a positive impact on my life. I love how I can always trust you, and it's a blessing to have such a genuine person in my life at Hofstra!" - Ashley Tjin A Djie

​"You are very motivated when you put your mind to something and you're one of my best friends." - Eric Burel

"Simply a great person. You're always there when someone needs you, and you go out of your way to help people. I miss you bro." - Captain Mike Bonanno

"Well managed individual, who is able to take on the challenges in life without allowing defeat to stand in his way." - Jim Sandas

"You are my first cousin who shares in our royal bloodline. You are smart and very comical. It is fun to spend time with you and share stories, most of which make me laugh. I always enjoy the time and laughs we share together." - Mike Sandas

"You are a great friend, who is always there to talk to. I can always count on you to make me laugh. You also know the answer to any question that I could possibly ask. We are also the most lit Zombies players out there." - P.J. Weeks

"Dylan, one of the nicest and most caring people I met throughout high school. Also shared some of the funniest stories about his past relationships. I can definitely see him being big in the future, and I want the best for him." - Derrick Okunpolor

"Dylan Sandas is a person who is dependable. This means that he will not only show up when you need him but he will make sure whatever task he is asked to do will be done well. He is a person his future boss, employees, and family will come to rely on." - Mr. Kevin A'Hearn

Again, I want to thank all of the people that sent in their messages to me for this blog post. Hopefully if more are able to come in, I can go and do this again early next year in January. I love all of you guys all so much, and I couldn't imagine my life without all of you lovely people. 

Also, like I promised yesterday, I am going to tell you how I felt about Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. It was INSANE! I loved it so much, and I think it is now my favorite Star Wars film ever now, overtaking VI, V, I, VI, and II, (I don't like III all that much). The acting was incredible, the music was awesome, and the graphics were excellent! Absolute ten out of ten, hundred percent, would recommend to anyone. 

Anyways, thank you so much again to all of my friends, and family for their participation in this blog.

Would you ask your friends what they feel about you? Would you want to hear what they have to say?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "Our fingerprints do not fade, from the lives that we touch." - Robert Pattinson (Remember Me)
"Friendship isn't about who you've known the longest. It's about who walked into your life, said "I'm here for you", and proved it." - Unknown

For my third Seasonal Saturday, I am going to pick a song that is very funny around this time of year. I am going to pick 'Dominick the Donkey', by Lou Monte.

This song is sung by Lou Monte, in the sense the reindeer don't help Santa around from house to house, when he arrives in Italy. Instead, he uses an old Donkey, named Dominick. He helps deliver all of the gifts, but the best part about the song is the chorus, when Monte sings, "Chigity-Ching" and then he says one of the funniest things around, "Hee-Haw, Hee-Haw, It's Dominick the Donkey.", then he goes "The Italian Christmas Donkey", then a bunch of la-la-ing goes on. 

This song is so much fun to sing around the Christmas season. Coming from a very Italian family, this song gets a lot of singing and air time in my house. There really is not anything else that I can add to this blog post. This song is very great, and I love it to bits. I am currently in line to go see Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, so thats why this blog post is three and a half hours late, and it is also very short. I will tell you all how the new movie is tomorrow, in the intro of the next blog. 

Have you ever listened to this song before? Is there any song that means a lot for your family?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "May the Force be with you, Always!" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
"Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, Hate leads to Suffering." - Yoda

For my third Film Friday, I am keeping with the holiday theme, now a week away from Christmas Day, with one of my favorite movies ever, and one that I had on VHS Tape back in the day! It is 2000's, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The plot is very simple, and this is it. There are people that live in a snowflake, the Who's, are celebrating Christmas soon. It is their favorite holiday of the year. at the edge of Whoville, is a mountain an trash dump called Mt. Crumpit. On the top of that mountain is where the Grinch lives. A guy that hates Christmas, because he was bullied around the season when he was younger, by the eventual Mayor of Whoville, Augustus May-Who. One of the townspeople, a little girl, named Cindy Lou-Who, tries to make the Grinch love Christmas again. She invites him to go to the Christmas festival, he reluctantly goes and has a nice time until the end, where he is made fun of, by the Mayor, for the same thing he did all those years ago. He then burns down the tree and flees back to the top of Crumpit.

He then devises his plan to 'steal Christmas'. He then, while singing, creates a Santa outfit, his sleigh, and takes his dog Max, to be Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He then steals all the childrens gifts, and is about to destroy them, by pushing them off of the top of Mt. Crumpit, when he hears Whoville waking up and not being upset that there are no gifts, but rather, he hears them singing. He realizes that Christmas doesn't have anything to do with gifts, but with love. He then saves the presents, returns them, and then sings with the Who's, as he invites them back to Mt. Crumpit, to share in the Christmas feast.

I love this film, because it puts an emphasis on how a lot of people think Christmas is in the gifts, when it should be about the love. The Grinch thinks this when he is stealing the gifts, but then he realizes that he was wrong. I love it because of all the singing that is in this movie. I no lie, used to rock out to Faith Hill's "Where Are You Christmas?", in my living room when I was like four. I bought the soundtrack when I had my first iPod back in like 2007, and I still listen to it to this day. There are a few songs on this soundtrack that I love, including the Faith Hill one, there are also "Green Christmas", "Christmas of Love", "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", and "Lonely Christmas Eve".

Do you like this film? What are your favorite parts? If you haven't seen it yet, would you want to?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "How could it be, it came without ribbons, it came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags! Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store? Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more?" - Grinch
"And the Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day." - Narrator (Sir Anthony Hopkins, in this instance)

For my fifth Turnstile NYC Thursday, I am going to talk about one of the greatest shows to go see during the Christmas season here in the city, and it is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the world famous Rockettes. 

I have gone to see the show once, and it was a memory I will forever have. I met two of these excellent dancers and performers, and let me tell you something, these women could definitely kick the absolute piss out of anyone that came near them. They are all jacked out of their minds, and are all like six foot five. They were very intimidating to stand next to as a twelve year old. 

The show itself is fantastic. Their world famous chicken always gets the crowd up, and their march of the wooden soldiers routine is excellent as well. Their manger scene with live animals, recreating the birth of Jesus is insanely cool to watch. They put on such a good show, and if you haven't see the show yet, especially if you are not from around the New York City area, it is a must see if you are in town. 

Also you have to remember something too. You are sitting in Radio City Music Hall, one of the most famous music halls in the world. You are watching one of the most famous shows in the history of dance and entertainment. Now yes, you know walking into the show that you are going to see about fifty women doing a chicken about ten to fifteen times, but that doesn't matter, there is nothing in the world like seeing it happen live, right in front of you. 

The surrounding area of Radio City is also such a big ball of joy. A hop, skip, and jump away from the front doors of the hall, is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. On Fifth Avenue, there is St. Patricks Cathedral, and a light show on the side of a building, all synced up to 'Carol of the Bells'. There are the 'famous', "Red Ornament Balls", that line the Avenue of the Americas. There is 30 Rock, formerly the GE Building, and on that, is the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, which with its all glass walls, offers a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building, head on, just a mere twelve blocks away. 

The area around Radio City, and the show that takes place inside of it, really can get anyone into the Christmas spirt. I hope that you can go see it, if you haven't already. 

Have you seen the Radio City Christmas Spectacular? Would you want to go see it?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "Believe you can, and you are already halfway there." - President Theodore Roosevelt
"Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room." - Kurt Vonnegut

For my fifth Wisdom Wednesday, I want to write about something that I learned during the middle of my junior year of high school, when we were reading "Man's Search for Meaning", by Dr. Viktor Frankl. In this book, he talked about a quote in which he said "Troubles in our lives is like going to the dentist. We fear it and fear it, but then when we sit down right before the procedure, the worst of it is already over." That is what I am going to write about today. Something I think that is very appropriate with finals week taking place across all college campuses this week, and high school tests before the Christmas break, just about to get started. 

I think this ties in beautifully with finals week, and here's why. Many students are craming studying, staying up all night, some resort to drugs and alchol to stay awake, and they drive themselves literally insane. There is no need for that though. We know more than we actually might think, so studying for ten, twelve, or fifteen hours straight ain't going to help you, plain English. It is going to hurt you not eating right, not sleeping right, and not taking small ten to fifteen minute breaks during studying. 

What this piece of wisdom means is basically through all these finals, it is all hyped up. While most of it is on us, the students, some of it can come from our parents, friends, and even the professors themselves. We psych ourselves out for these finals, as if it was a world championship boxing match, and it's very unnecessary. The worst is already over, when we start to take the test. We sit down and realize that the test is easier than you ever thought it was going to be, and you breeze through it, because you do remember this stuff, even if you think you don't. It's back there somewhere in your brain. 

Life is too short to worry about all of this nonsense of one final, in one class, in one semester of college. Again it is totally unnecessary to psych yourselves out to the point you become physically ill. I have seen that both back in high school, and here in college, where people study all night for days and even weeks before the actual test occurs, and they run their immune system down into the ground at a million miles an hour. Then they get sick from the cold or something, and have a tough time concentrating on the final or whatever, and don't do as hot as they would have liked to, because they tried to do too much before hand.

Sometimes we need to step back and realize, you're not going to get a hundred on every final, and you aren't going to remember every little thing that was said over the last three months of classes, no matter good of notes you take. Big deal. Life goes on. There are more important things to worry about than a final. But some people don't see it like that so here are few tips that I learned over my years at Kellenberg on how to take finals. This list is meant to be funny, but the main points are very true...

(Listen, before I start the list, if you guys are stressed out over a 50 question test with like maybe one essay that you have almost two hours to do, I would love to see what you guys would do in Kellenberg for Trimesters and Comps! Trimesters were 150 questions of all different varieties like multiple choice, matching, and true / false, and a choice of two essays out of four, in which sometimes there were mandatory essays involved, with an hour and a half to take them, and you had two in one day, for three straight days. Comps were 300 questions, usually a mandatory essay or two, and then a choice of three or four essays out of either seven or eight, with three hours to take the test, once a day, for six straight days! All you guys need a take a chill pill or two ... or ten!)

1. Take Breaks - You need to study for about fifteen or twenty minutes of review, then take a break of five minutes or so. Eat, go to the bathroom, go outside, read a book, (honestly, reading something else helps remember the previous stuff you've studied), surf the web, check social media. Also breath a bit. I heard something that could be a bit important is BREATHING. Don't hyperventilate and be killing yourself (I've see this, and it's kinda strange, not gonna lie here.) It's all about bringing the mind back to a sense of normalcy and comfort, and a feeling of sick joy. 

2. Get a Good Night Sleep! - What good are you if you can't take the test, because you are literally sleeping on top of it. Have a cut-off time, usually after about six hours or so, and then stop and sleep. I don't mean nap, I mean sleep for a few hours. Then wake up and maybe study a bit more. You prove nothing else to anyone that you stayed up and studied all night, other than that you're an idiot! 

3. Don't Do Drugs! - Seriously... Seriously! Haven't you heard that crack is whack, and all that good stuff. If you remember anything while drunk and / or high, God Bless You! There is this feeling in college, that taking drugs that make you focus is a good idea, and helps increase test scores. All it increases is that you are now real focused on the test in front of you, but you are now also more aware that you don't know shit. (This kid and the kid that stays up all night, probably are best friends, possibly roommates too.)

4. Study Partners Don't Work - They might every now and then in a blue moon, but they really don't most of the time. If it's two guys, or a group of guys, they start studying for thirty seconds, get bored, and either play Call of Duty, flip on ESPN or a game and talk sports, or start playing games about which girl in their classes is hotter than the other. It can even turn into the Geneva Convention sometimes for Christ sake! If it is two girls, or a group of girls, then they study for a like a minute and a half, and then they usually either drink wine in a circle, make fun of other girls on social media, (usually Twitter), talk about how cute James looked in the quad today, watch a movie, and then cry to each other that they are getting fat and no one loves them, while they become friends with two guys named Ben and Jerry. (Trust me, I've seen it!) Guys and girls studying together rarely works either and sometimes, they wind up studying, but studying other subjects that aren't on the test ... you know what I mean ... Anatomy if you will. You need to focus on your studying, and not stall all night. If you are stalling all night, then invite Mr. Sleep Depravation, and Mr. Adderall to your room, because they are probably still up too. 

5. Breakfast? - Is eating pancakes or an egg really gonna get you higher test scores. No, just eat something light and study some more. If you think that this alone makes the difference between passing and failing, then I've got some bad new for you! Maybe Mr. Adderall can give you some amphetamines or weed or something I don't know, to keep you busy, while you think that's a good idea.

6. Cheating? - No! Don't cheat, what are you five? If you are gonna cheat, get creative. Don't be looking around and leaning over people, what is this 1998 with these techniques? Tap the desk and morse code that crap like I used to do for my friends back in high school. (What it's in the past! We all make mistakes ... or do we?) But seriously, don't cheat on a final. I never cheated on a trimester or comp for anyone, (And I mean that, I was asked many times by many pretty girls, the cheerleaders, my crushes, to help out on finals, I didn't do it. Boy was I a DUMBASS!) I only helped on dumb quizzes and some tests. Quizzes sure, go ahead, Tests maybe, but Finals, HHEEEELLLL NO! Be smart son!

7. Friends Get You Through It - It might sound redundant and stupid, but it is so true. Friends definitely get you through the rough times, and they help get through a stupid final or two. If they don't help you through it, then why are you still friends with them? I'm not judging you ... maybe just a little, I don't know. Maybe I am, big deal!

8. Don't Treat It Like It's the End of the World! - This one is a Biggie here, (No not the rapper, Shut up!) Like I said before, this one final, in one class, of one semester, is not going to be the straw that breaks the camels back, and makes you die in the middle of the Sahara Dessert. It might sting, and it might make you sad, but then come back next semester, get pissed, and get after the next class, and make that grade look like a fluke and a mistake, and not the real you! 

So in closing, the worst part of finals is over, before the final even begins. Don't stress yourself out, because you know more than you think you do. You are smarter than you think you are. Just breathe, relax, and go do the best you can do. If you fail giving it your all, I guarantee it that it will all be alright in the end! 

Was the list funny? (It's ok if you say no, it's just my feelings we are dealing with here!) But seriously, are you stressing out about finals? What do you do to calm yourself down during finals?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "Life is ninety percent physical, the other half is mental!" - Yogi Berra
"They give you cash, which is almost as good as money!" - Yogi Berra

For my fifth Tune Tuesday, I am going to pick a song that I love to sing this time of year, and one again by one of my favorite singers of all time. I am picking 'Baby, It's Cold Outside', by Dean Martin and Martina McBride.

This song is so cool, as it is a song between two people, a guy and a girl, and the girl wants to leave the guys house for the night. The guy loves her and doesn't want her to go. He pleads his case, in between the lines as she pleads her case. It is a back and forth song and it is so much fun to sing along to. This song was in the movie Elf, when Buddy is in the shower with Jovie. There is a newer version with Idina Menzel and Michael Buble. This song is so iconic with the holiday season.

In these lyrics, the beginning is the girl and then after the comma is the guy. They are both having separate conversations at the same time. These lyrics include stuff like "maybe just a cigarette more, never such a blizzard before." and "there's bound to be talk tomorrow, think of my lifelong sorrow. At least there will be plenty implied, if you caught pneumonia and died." It is a funny song, and one that can be sung so beautifully in a duet of two lovers.

Down below is the original 1959 song with a group of studio girls that Dean liked to use a lot on many of his records. There is not a video on YouTube of the version that we all hear on the radio almost every day, during this time of year, with Dean and Martina. I hope you enjoy the song and love it as much as I do.

Have you ever heard this version of this song? Is this your favorite version? If not, then which one?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt." - Dean Martin
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on!" - Dean Martin
"I've got seven kids. The three words you most around my house are 'hello', 'goodbye', and 'I'm pregnant!'" - Dean Martin

For my fifth Memory Monday, I am going to talk about one of the proudest events that ever happened to me in high school. I am going to talk about my senior year of Boys Varsity Bowling, how I became the Captain, and how the season unfolded.

I joined the team my freshman year, because I had been bowling every Saturday for years at that point, and I felt like it would be a cool thing to do. I made the team, started a few games, and made friends that still last to this day. We lost our Captain Tom in a freak accident, right before Christmas, and then we lost in a road quarterfinals match against St. Anthony's, by a score of 6-3 in February, but there was many glimpses of hope for the future. No one was leaving the team, so we could build chemistry and build for the next season.

My sophomore year, we gained my future co-captain Cole, and made a run for it all. We got Captain Tom back, and he iced a home quarterfinal win against St. Anthony's by a score of 5-4. We then went on to face Holy Trinity in the Final Four, and won 6-3. We then faced Chaminade and unfortunately lost late in the final game, losing the series 3.5 to 5.5. It was a devastating way to end our Co-Captain's Tom and Mike's last games, but we needed to move on.

My junior year was a bit of a disappointment, with some glimpses of hope as well. We got future Captain Alex, and and two excellent players in Brandon and Jamie. Along with our new Co-Captain's Chris and Jimmy, and Assistant Co-Captains Tommy and Nick, they lead me, Cole, and a few other seniors to the playoffs again, but we lost a close home quarterfinal match again to St. Anthony's 5-4. It left a bad taste in all of mouths, and in the mouths of the seven seniors that were leaving the team. It was time for me and my team to step up.

But we didn't step up right away. I was named Co-Captain, along with Cole. We had our returning core of guys, Alex, Brandon, and Jamie, but we also got a new junior, Pete, two new sophomores Craig and Andrew, and two new freshman, Thomas and David. We also got a new coach, Mr. Farrell, someone who I knew very well from Freshman and JV Football in seasons past. We started slow losing our first 5 games of the season, never winning a game in 2014. Some were close 6-3 or 5-4 loses to St. John's on the road, and St. Anthony's and St. Dominic's at home. Some were 9-0 blowouts like Holy Trinity on the road, and an 8-1 loss to Chaminade at home. We had lost games that we had leads in, and games that should have been easy. We were slumping, missing our shots, and just altogether bad. We needed to regroup and fast, so we had a retreat as a team, we made a group chat, and started becoming a family. That's when it all changed. 

We then went on the road to St. Dominics who was ahead of us, and beat them 6-3. We then went home to face St. Mary's and St. John's two days in a row. We beat them both 9-0. We were now 3-5 and looking good. We then beat St. Mary's on the road 9-0, and came back home to beat Holy Trinity 5-4. We were 5-5 now at the end of February. We then lost two in a row to a close 6-3 match against St. Anthony's on the road, and 6-3 against Chaminade on the road as well. We finished the regular season 5-7, and had to face St. Dominic's in our house. We beat them 6-3, with me putting the icing on the cake with a turkey down the stretch. We got back to the Final Four for the first time since 2013. 

We lost a close match 6-3 to St. Anthony's, as we fell short down the stretch. I finished my Kellenberg career with a Turkey in the last frame of the last game. I was heartbroken and so was the team. The team had bonded so close together over the year we were together, and there was so much promise that was left unfulfilled. But it was in this moment that I will never forget the love that was shared to me from my teammates and coaching staff. The last thing I ever told them in a Kellenberg uniform, as I was fighting back tears, was, "I love you guys all so much, you guys became my brothers, and I will never forget you guys. Now go out for the team next year, stay close, stay together, Cole this is your team now. All you guys listen to him, become leaders in yourself, and next year go win the Whole. Fuckin. Thing!" They all cheered loudly as we got a nice hand from the parents that had supported us throughout the whole season.

Now they have so far listened to my advice. I have made almost every game so far this season, as they brought be back as an 'assistant coach.' Even without Thomas for most of this season, as he broke his elbow, the team still has found ways to become 4-0. They have beaten the badly the broken St. Dominic's team on the road 7-2, St. Anthony's at home in close match 5-4, St. John's at home badly 8-1, and Holy Trinity on the road 9-0. Captain Alex bowled the first 300 in school history, beating my and his former teammate and Assistant Captain Tommy Sullivan's 299 that he set in 2014. Today they face Chaminade at home, who is also 4-0, as they will try to beat Chaminade for the first time since 2009. 

Even though I'm not on the lanes anymore, they still text me and call me for guidance and to tell me the lineups and the scores of the first game, if I am not there in time. They continue to look to me as a leader, along with the leaders that have in front of them, and it makes me very proud. After the St. Anthony's game, they invited me back into the huddle as an 'Honorary Captain', and I got a wee bit emotional again. I led my famous chant, that they all made fun of me for, "FIREBIRDS ON THREE! FIREBIRDS ON THREE! ONE! TWO! THREE! FIREBIRDS!" These guys have seriously become my family, and I couldn't be more proud of them. I told them I would be a Firebird Forever, and I meant it. I wouldn't miss these games or this team for the world. #firebirdsforever #soar

Were you ever the Captain of a team? Did that team become a family to you?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "This cannot be a team of Common men. Common men go nowhere. You have to be uncommon!" - Coach Herb Brooks
"You think you can win on talent alone? Gentlemen, you don't have enough talent, to win on talent alone!" - Coach Herb Brooks

I wanted to write on this Sunday a few things to get you guys to know me a bit better, but I am not going to do the conventional what's my favorite color, what's your favorite sport, or all of those menial things. Also, it would be very easy to tell you guys how 'great' I am, in which case I could lie about who I am. So instead, I asked some of my closest family members and friends to tell me, in a brief paragraph, who I am, and what I mean to them. I figured that I could best show you all what I am like, through the people closest to me. This blog post is going to be a bit longer than any previous one, as I asked a fair amount of people for their responses, so thats why the text is a bit smaller. So here is what they said!

"Dylan is a caring person and will go to the nth degree to help any individual. He's very intelligent, so if someone needed academic guidance, he would voluntarily help that person. He's witty. There's also an adventorous side to Dylan. He never stops wondering how things work or the connection of things in everyday life. As a young man, his greatest assets are his caring nature about people, his willingness to assist others in need, and his academic thrive for progress. There should be more people like Dylan Sandas in this world!" - Arthur Morrison

"You are a great friend who is always there when I need help. We have shared lots of laughs together. Our friendship is one that I value very highly." - William Coleman

"A perfect example of a friend. You have stuck with me since high school and you always have your happy go lucky self to prove that you're a good friend. You are the best definition of what a friend should be." - Kevin Finneran

"You're a person that is always there for your family. You're like a friend no matter where we left off, and we can always pick up where we last left off. You're an intelligent, loving, caring, and family orientated person, that I am proud to call my cousin and my blood." - Katelyn Sandas

"Dylan is a young man of tremendous faith. You are serious in your pursuit of truth, and you bring an intensity to your pursuit that demonstrates your commitment to faith. You are a hard working student and a fine young man." - Mrs. Jennifer Strauss

"A really good friend to have and can talk to anything about. You crack's me up, and love your sense of humor. One day I know you'll make it in this world." - Eddie Sanders

"You are my cousin and best friend that I know will always be there for me and have my back because that is what family is for. Also you make me happy whenever your over because we always have fun. If you weren't my cousin I truly don't know what it would be like to live, because your truly a huge role in my life and I'm proud to be your cousin." - Connor Cunnius

​"One of my oldest friends. A source of ideals to strive for, and a source of a lot of fun memories!" - Joey Gasparini

"Dylan Sandas is a young enthusiastic, charismatic and hardworking young man. He has so much potential to do anything. I met him about three years ago and our friendship has been going strong since then. It's almost amazing the way I look at it, because we come from two completely different backgrounds, but still are able to understand each other, by which I mean our customs. He is great at giving advice, he's very competitive, in a good way because it displays that he is not the type of person to give up and always tries to finish anything he starts. A good helping hand, so giving, so caring, and just a good person all around." - 'Sir' Charles 'C-Rock' Moss

"You are a loyal friend, a funny guy and a cool dude to be around. You're dorky in your own way and still manage to make everyone smile around you. You're fine with who you are, and everyone love that. People love you for you." - Nick Rega

"You're the type of person that even though I don't know you too too well, you seem like a loyal friend. You go out of your way if smoothen happens to someone and you want to make them feel better. I think that you mean a lot to people in the sense that it doesn't matter to you if you know someone well. If you want to talk to someone, then you do it! The few times we've talked you're funny and very outgoing. I think you're compassionate and you have a good heart and good intentions to help spread some good in this world." - Alyssa Belmonte

"You were always there when I needed to talk and you were a good friend, even though we butted heads from time to time to time, but I think that was because we both had big personalities, and both wanted to bring out the best in each other." - Marc E. Pierre-Louis

"We weren't best friends in high school, but I also can't imagine high school without you. You always were very positive and energetic, and helped put people into a very positive mood." - Kevin Troy

"Dylan you are the funniest, passionate, and caring person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Since you are one of my students, you mean a lot to me. You are kinda like a little in a fraternity, or a brother of mine. Someone who I would do anything for you, no matter what you needed. You are funny as hell, you make people laugh. Whether it's your lawn-guy-land accent, or just you wit, you know hot to make everyone smile. You care. You care for everyone you ever meet. You're like me. You would drop anything for one of your friends, no matter what the time of day. Finally, you're passionate. Hell, look at you, you're a Mets fan, you have to be passionate and driven to support the freakin' Mets! But you care a lot about what you do, who you want to become, and your drive and ambition are second to none." - Daylen Orlick

"You're a good guy who cares about others that I saw during lunch over the two years we had it together. Your also a big Mets fan who actually knows his stuff unlike most current 'fans'. You can carry a conversation about almost anything and get people included in it." - Jimmy McCarthy

"Sandas is a fun loving person that is great to be around. He has a fire inside of him that comes out in any situation that he is passionate about. You are truly lucky if you get to call someone like Dylan a friend like I do. - Captain Jimmy Morris

"I met Dylan my freshman year at Kellenberg when I made the varsity bowling team. Dylan was already a senior and the captain of the team. He showed me how to be a team player through his leadership qualities. He was a mentor as well as a good friend. I am lucky enough to still consider him a good friend." - Tom Cascico

​"You are a very genuine and sincere person. You find pleasure in the work that you do." - Mr. Richard Marone

"So Dylan, without a doubt, is a great kid. He is a person whose values tell you what type of person he is but at the same time, those values make him a person who can hear both sides of an argument and actually have a discussion without judging you. He is a very loyal friend that I have been very lucky to meet at my time at Hofstra.... even though he is a Jets fan." - Nick Faria

"I would say that Dylan Sandas would probably be the next humanitarian. He is an amazing person that tries his best to do well and help everyone as best as he can. In high school he was a friend with everyone, from the cheerleaders, to the football team, to the tennis team. Everyone loved him because he was one of those genuine people that you only come across a few times in your life." - Gina Bowen

It is in these moments that truly show me what I mean to other people. I have to say I got a little choked up, and that's incredible because I knew I was doing this blog idea, I knew the people who I was asking, and I thought I knew what they were going to say, but it is until you hear them say it to you, or write it to you in a text or a Facebook message, that you truly realize what you mean to people. Every single life has a meaning, and it is in finding that meaning, that we learn who we truly are!

Jackie Robinson once said "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." (Honestly the only reason I know that quote is because I see it about twenty times a year, because it is in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field. I'm not going to lie here.) I encorage all of you to go out and ask your friends what you truly mean to them. You'll be surprised in their responses, I guarantee it!

Have you ever asked your loved ones and friends what you mean to them? What were their responses? Were you shocked and / or stunned?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "I have something that millions of people could and do envy. I have surrounded myself with friends... who care" - Don Rickles
"Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget." - Unknown

For my second Seasonal Saturday, I am picking one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songwriters ever. I am picking a song that really speaks to the joys of the season. I am picking "Wonderful Christmastime", by Paul McCartney, from 1979. 

I love this song for two reasons. The big first one is that its by Paul McCartney. The second reason is because the song is so catchy and so much fun to listen to. Recently, in 2013, Paul McCartney remixed the song, with a new verse, with the a Capella group Straight No Chaser. This breathed a fresh new air into a holiday classic. It is always ranked in the top ten Christmas songs every year, by numerous radio stations around the country and the world.

The lyrics are so great in this song. The song starts with some striking chords, then starts the melody. Then the first verse goes, "The moon is right... the spirits up... we're here tonight... and that's enough, Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!" Then the second verse goes, "The party's on... the feelings here... that only comes... this time of year. Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!" Then the bridge comes in with, "The choir of children sing their song. Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding! Ooh! Ooh! Do-do! Do-do! Do-do! Do!" Then, "We're simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!" Then the third verse come in, "the word is out... about the town... so lift a glass... Oh! and don't look down. Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!"

Then an extended bridge comes in with, "The choir of children sing their song. They've practiced all year long. Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong-dong-dong! Ding-dong-dong-dong-dong-dong!" Then the first and second verse gets combined with "The party's on... the spirits up... we're here tonight... and that's enough oh-oo-oo. Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! We're simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!" Then a mini guitar solo with some cheering happens, until it does back to the first verse, "The moon is right... the spirits up... we're here tonight... Oh that's enough!  Oh yeah! Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! We're simply having a Wonderful Christmastime! Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime!" Then it ends with some ooh-ing and ah-ing with McCartney ending it with saying Christmastime about five times, and it fading out. 

It is impossible to sit still during this song and not sing along. It really just makes you want to gather up with people and hang out and enjoy Christmastime. Thats what the song is about, being around people at a party, and just enjoying each others company. It is such a fun song to listen to, and to sing along with. I have the official 'music video' of the song from 1979 down below. Don't make fun of it too much. Remember, the Beatles had only created the first music video with Help! only 14 years before this so, and there was no MTV yet, so they still didn't know how to make the ones we see today. 

Have you ever heard this song before? Do you like this song? Do you feel it represents all thats fun about Christmastime?

Peace and Love,
DGS

Quotes of the Day: "You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow animals." - Sir Paul McCartney
"I used to think that anyone doing anything weird was weird. Now I know that it is the people that call others weird are weird." - Sir Paul McCartney
"Nothing pleases me more then to enter a room alone, and exit with a piece of music." - Sir Paul McCartney