TODAY'S THOUGHT ... THE POWER OF ATTITUDE

OUR LIVES ARE NOT DETERMINED BY WHAT HAPPENS TO US, BUT HOW WE REACT TO WHAT HAPPENS; NOT BY WHAT LIFE BRINGS TO US, BUT BY THE ATTITUDE WE BRING TO LIFE. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE CAUSES A CHAIN REACTION OF POSITIVE THOUGHTS, EVENTS, AND OUTCOMES. IT IS A CATALYST ... A SPARK THAT CREATES EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS.

UPDATE ON JIMMY 'THE REV' SULLIVAN ...

HUNTINGTON BEACH - AN AUTOPSY ON AVENGED SEVENFOLD DRUMMER JIMMY "THE REV" SULLIVAN WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE 28-YEAR-OLD MUSICIAN'S DEATH.

THE ORANGE COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE ORDERED "TOXICOLOGY, MICROSCOPIC AND LABORATORY TESTS' TO HELP DETERMINE WHY SULLIVAN DIED, ACCORDING TO JIM AMORMINO, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHERIFF'S-CORONER'S OFFICE.

IT'S LIKELY TO TAKE ABOUT WEEKS TO GET THE RESULTS OF THOSE TESTS, OFFICIALS SAID.

SULLIVAN WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE MONDAY IN THE HUNTINGTON BEACH HOME HE SHARED WITH HIS WIFE, LEANA MACFADDEN.

"It appeared to be natural causes," said Lt. John Domingo of the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Larry Jacobson, manager of the rock band, said Sullivan was an especially warm and friendly person.

"He was somebody who just had a warmth and an easy smile and a laugh, and he was as smart as they come," Jacobson said. "You could sit and talk to him about anything."

Jacobson said he saw Sullivan a few days ago at a friend's wedding reception and he appeared to be in good health. He excitedly told Jacobson he had gotten Lasik eye surgery and had bought a new car, the manager said, adding the drummer had referred to him as a second father.

When Sullivan's loved ones gathered Monday night to share memories of the drummer, the "mood ranged from deep and somber to smiles and laughs as they began to reminisce about the experiences everybody had with him," Jacobson said. "He was a loving son and a loving brother -- like no one you'd ever seen, and talented beyond people's perception."

Sullivan was forthcoming, too, Jacobson said.

"He was expressive. He'd tell you how he felt about you -- you didn't wonder because he'd put his arm around you," he said. "He knew how to tell his friends he loved them."

The band's musicians basically grew up together in Huntington Beach and are remarkably close, Jacobson said.

"Never in my life have I seen a relationship like that, and I think the relationship the four have right now will help them get through this traumatic time," he said.

Avenged Sevenfold issued a statement on Monday via the band's Web site.

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan," the statement read.

"Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."

By this afternoon, a Facebook page for Avenged Sevenfold fans had logged more than 8,500 comments in response to a posting about Sullivan's death.

Avenged Sevenfold was formed 10 years ago in Huntington Beach and achieved a measure of mainstream success with the 2005 album "City of Evil."

The band was subsequently selected for "Best New Artist" honors at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for its visual rendering of the song "Bat Country."

SOURCE

THE SHOCK OF THIS NEWS HAS FOREVER SADDENED MY HEART ... AVENGED HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME IN WAYS THEY NEVER KNEW ... AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT ... I WILL ALWAYS CARRY THE MEMORIES WE SHARED FOREVER IN MY HEART ... JIMMY YOU WILL BE TRULY AND DEEPLY MISSED. MY LOVE AND CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO JIMMY'S FAMILY AND THE REST OF THE GUYS.

I MADE THIS GRAPHIC IN HONOR OF JIMMY 'THE REV' SULLIVAN ...

JAMES OWEN SULLIVAN
FEBRUARY 10TH, 1981 - DECEMBER 28TH, 2009

JUST GOT BACK FROM SEEING AVATAR ... IT WAS AWESOME! EVERYONE SHOULD GO SEE IT ... AVATAR GETS THE RIN SEAL OF APPROVAL! AND OF COURSE IT STARTED SNOWING BEFORE THE MOVIE LET OUT. I WILL POST SOME PICTURES TOMORROW. MAN THE FIREPLACE IS GOING AND THE SNOW IS FALLING ... I COULD SO GO FOR SOME HOT CHOCOLATE! :o)~

MY LASTEST CREATION ...


"I TOLD HIM YOU WERE PLANNING TO CORRUPT MY YOUTHFUL INNOCENCE."
JACOB BLACK - NEW MOON

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TODAY IS OUR LUNCH OUTTING AT WORK ... WE WILL BE GOING TO MIMI'S CAFE TO CELEBRATE OUR AWESOME TEAM WORK, RECENT PROMOTIONS, AND OF COURSE THE MOST IMPORTANT SECRET SANTA! I WILL LET YOU KNOW LATER WHAT I GET, WHO MY SECRET SANTA IS AND OF COURSE GIVE YOU MY OPTION ON THE RESTURANT. UNTIL THEN ... I'M OUT.

OKAY IT IS A LITTLE AFTER 11 AND I AM SO FREAKIN' TIRED! WELL I GOT 1.5 DRAWINGS DONE FOR MY ART CLASS BUT I DID DO A LITTLE EXPERIMENT WITH A GRAPHIC. TAKE A LOOK AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.

HERE GOES ...