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JON ZAL

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R.I.P. E.V.H.

October 11, 2020 6 Comments

Almost one year to the day before Edward Van Halen died, I texted a friend whom I was pretty sure would know the answer to a question that had been troubling me for some time.

Is Eddie sick?

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Filed Under: Music, Personal, Van Halen

#WarriorDown

September 14, 2018 4 Comments

My man Sam Shelby cleaning up Wrightsville BeachMy man Sam Shelby cleaning up Wrightsville BeachI originally published this piece three years ago today. I am re-upping it now both because of that anniversary, and because my dear friend Sam was from, and loved, the area currently getting hammered by Hurricane Florence. He was an environmentalist and a self-appointed steward of Wrightsville Beach who, among other things, organized trash cleanups there, and who even launched a green apparel line (Organic Lifestyle Apparel) that, in part, benefits his local chapter of the Surfrider organization, which “is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.” If you are able and so inclined, please consider contributing to that non-profit, and/or to the Red Cross, which will be doing critical work to help people affected by the hurricane.

***

I called him “Shep,” like, at least two or three times before finally realizing that I’d misremembered (yes, that’s a word now) his last name; it was “Sam Shelby,” not “Sam Shepard.” It was our first day working together, and there I am, calling him “Shep” … repeatedly … because I’m a douche. Of course, when I finally realized (with no small amount of embarrassment) the mistake I’d been making, Sam merely laughed it off and took it upon himself to make the moment far less uncomfortable and awkward than I deserved for it to be … because that’s just who he was.

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Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: #MOJOWARRIORS, Hurricane Florence, MOJO WARRIORS, Sam Shelby, Wrightsville Beach

Remembering 9/11

September 11, 2017 Leave a Comment

I took that photo back in August of 1995 from the bow of the Staten Island Ferry during my first-ever visit to Manhattan. Despite having grown up just a couple hundred miles away, I somehow managed to not go there until I was 25. I guess I just assumed that it couldn’t be much different than Boston, so why bother?

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Filed Under: Personal

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ABOUT ME

Jon Zal @ The Capitol

I was born in 1970, raised just outside of Boston, and now live near Philadelphia. As a child, I thought I was going to be…
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  • Jon Zal on We did itThanks for the continued support, Robert. Always appreciate it! (And, yeah, meeting John Lewis will always remain an incredible memory,...
  • RUTH FEIERTAG on There must be a reckoningJon, I could not agree more. You point to two of the most dangerous aspects of the last four years:...
  • Jon Zal on We did itAgreed, Geoffrey. The Georgia win is huge. I didn't even let myself hope we'd get both seats. An unbelievably welcome...
  • Jon Zal on We did itI feel your pain, Christinne! Glad you found me. Thanks for writing! -JZ
  • Jon Zal on We did itHi, Ruth. Both the kiddos are very happy about the election outcomes, and horrified by what happened Wednesday. I share...
  • robertleepotter500 on We did itI so love that picture of you with Congressman John Lewis. What a lifetime memory! You are putting your words...
  • christinne on We did itI'm a newbie... So glad I found you!! Can't wait to read more but this has been/is the worst day...
  • Ruth Feiertag on We did itJon, I hope we can recover from the damage this administration and its supporters have wrought. I also hope your...
  • Geoffrey Dix on We did itAnd now it appears that Georgia has handed Biden the Senate as well. I believe Democrats will manage this advantage...
  • Erika T on R.I.P. E.V.H.This had me in tears.. I've been a fan for years & have been surprised at how much his death...

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Husband, father, writer, drummer, Army vet (M.P. K-9), ex-music journalist, Democrat, Boston-sports fan • BLOG: https://t.co/wkEwZclWEe • IG: https://t.co/9PB3Virbbu

Jon Zal
OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
4 Mar 1367281106740011014

"OK, you guys keep talking about the non-existent genitals of an anthropomorphic plastic potato.” - The funniest thing @chrislhayes has ever said on live television

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OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
14 Feb 1360931972915359765

Actual American patriots.

Actual American patriots.
͏Postcards4USA@postcards4USA

Thank yous and admiration to the House Impeachment Managers and their Staff!
You made America proud!
And now we FIGHT on!
@repraskin @JoaquinCastroTX @RepCicilline @RepDean @StaceyPlaskett @RepDianaDeGette @RepTedLieu @RepJoeNeguse @RepSwalwell

#43Traitors #GOP43

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OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
14 Feb 1360929009870241793

Congress should establish a law whereby twice-impeached former presidents whose two impeachments stem from attempts to steal the presidency are not entitled to ongoing, taxpayer-funded Secret Service details for themselves, their birther wives, or their wretched adult offspring.

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OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
13 Feb 1360694691759607812

Every single time Republicans have been given the chance to choose America & the Constitution over a dangerously unfit, racist, reality-TV host, they’ve chosen the latter. What an utterly worthless & disgusting party.

Thank you to the Republican senators who did the right thing.

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OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
13 Feb 1360691760142417921

It’s wild that almost every Senate Republican is a dishonest, unAmerican garbage human.

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OfficialJonZal avatarJon Zal@OfficialJonZal·
12 Feb 1360035476980314113

Just realized that, despite how messed up so many things are right now, it is absolutely delightful to not see, hear, or read a single dumb thing Donald Trump has been thinking for the past three weeks.

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What a day. Cheers, America. 🥂🇺🇸 What a day. Cheers, America. 🥂🇺🇸
I took this back in May of 2018, when D.C. wasn’ I took this back in May of 2018, when D.C. wasn’t a war zone.

Looking forward to making a course correction on Wednesday and bending that moral arc Dr. King spoke of back toward justice. #MLK #MLKday
51 🎂 It was a Very Boston Birthday. New @RedSo 51 🎂

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Lots of losses this year, but I hope you’re find Lots of losses this year, but I hope you’re finding joy this holiday season. Wishing you & yours a safe, healthy & rockin’ 2021. 🎅🏻🎄🎸🥁
My indoor/outdoor tree game is strong, y’all. 
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Thanks for getting it right, America. 🇺🇸🤘 Thanks for getting it right, America. 🇺🇸🤘🏻
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