This was stolen from The Peanut Queen.
13 Random Things You Like:
1) Reading a good book
2) Good conversation with intelligent people.
3) Naps
4) A good steak, like flank, done JUST SO on the BBQ
5) Salsa. I like my home-made the best
6) Love making on a lazy Saturday afternoon
7) A good long hike in the mountains, or at the beach
8) Good live Jazz with dinner
9) The feeling you get when a fish takes your dry fly right in front of your face.
10) Pushing my 1977 Datsun 280 Z right to the edge of losing control, but never losing it.
11) Lying in bed with Mrs. A. listening to the rain on the roof, nice and snug and dry.
12) Beer. As Benjamin Franklin put it “Beer is proof that God loves us.” Amen, Ben.
13) The laughter of a child. It always makes me feel that things are right with the world
12 random movies you like:
1) Lord of the Rings
2) As good as it Gets
3) Romancing the Stone
4) Indiana Jones: The last Crusade
5) Second Hand Lions
6) The Stand
7) Little Big Man
8) The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
9) Batman Returns
10) Citizen Kane
11) Casablanca
12) The African Queen
11 Random things you dislike intensely:
1) Going to the Dentist
2) People who drive like idiots.
3) Anyone who tries to make themselves appear better by degrading those around them
4) DSHS
5) Having to work on the Plumbing
6) Stepping in dog poop.
7) People who abuse animals
8) Freezing cold when I can’t get warm,
9) Rats.
10) Earwigs. Thanks to an episode of Twilight Zone where they dropped one in a guy’s ear.
11) Centipedes. I got bit in the ass by a 12” long centipede when I was on Okinawa and nded up in the hospital.
10 random things about me
1) I am an artist. I have actually sold paintings for money
2) I have had several poems published
3) I like to work on cars, especially sports cars.
4) I love kids. I get along with them very well. Maybe because we have a similar mentality.
5) I married the same woman twice. I also divorced her twice.
6) I like working with my hands.
7) I am a good cook. I love cooking, but I don’t always have the time for it.
8) Mrs. A. and I are roadies for a Christian Rock band.
9) I went to Mexico last summer on a mission to an orphanage.
10) we sponsor a child at the orphanage.
9 random people you last spoke with:
1) The other Al at work. He just had oral surgery last Friday and just came back to work today. We have the same Periodontist.
2) M. the lead guy, comparing salsas. I brought in salsa and chips to work today.
3) Mrs. A. I can’t go out the door in the morning without a goodbye kiss and telling her I love her
4) V. He didn’t get a 90% on his math test because he didn’t read the instructions properly, so he only got 84%.
5) Marty. Hadn’t seen him in a quite a while. Had to give him a ration of crap.
6) CD, one of the most intelligent people I know. A little witty repartee always lightens the load
7) The Lunch Lady. She has a British accent. I always liked the sound of a British accent.
8) L. the shop investigator on second shift. We always BS a little as we pass each other.
9) S. one of the engineers. Comparing notes on last night’s episode of Myth Busters.
8 random favorite foods
1) Steak. I was raised of beef, and I can’t imagine living without it
2) Salsa and Chips, but only some brands. I am REAL fussy.
3) Shrimp. Can’t get enough of them. Shrimp Gumbo I made myself from scratch .
4) Cheesecake. I am diabetic, and I control it very well, but don’t get me near cheesecake
5) Thai food. Three stars, just enough to get you to break out in a light sweat
6) Ice cream. I know, I know, it’s bad, but once in a while?
7) Home made jams. Raspberry, black berry, strawberry
8) Veggies and dip.
7 random favorite comedians
1) The Marx Brothers
2) Laurel and Hardy (This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into”)
2) Robin Williams. He can be a little off the wall, but what a trip!
3) Bill Cosby
4) George Carlin
5) Johnathan Winters
6) Jeff Foxworthy
7) Reba McIntire
6 random pets you have had
1) Spot the English Water Spaniel (Chow hound)
2) Molly our Shi Tzu
3) Chico the Rottweiler
4) Napoleon the Emperor Scorpion
5) Slither the Trans-Pecos Rat snake
6) Tons of tropical fish
5 random shows you never miss
1)Myth Busters. Never mess a semi-legitimate reason for blowing stuff up
2) Antiques Road Show
3) Monk. Best detective ever.
4) CSI Whatever. Some times they get into some REALLY weird stuff
5) Nature shows on The Discovery Channel
4 random shows you do not watch
1) So-called reality shows. Let me take there jerks out in the woods and I’d have them all calling for their mamas in a matter of hours
2) Dubious talent shows.
3) Anything with Donald Trump. The man is a complete ass.
4) Poker Tournaments. So what if someone I never met and could care less about bluffs someone else I will never meet?
3 random people you would like to meet in person
1) Benjamin Franklin. I’d like to sit down over a couple of brews and talk philosophy.
2) Leonardo Da Vinci. Of course I would need an interpreter,
3) Christ.
2 random famous people you admire
1) Ghandi
2) Bill Gates for his foundations and charity work
1 random person whose brain you would like to pick over dinner
1) Again, Ben Franklin. His width and depth of thought is amazing. And after all, he is the man that said “Beer is proof that God loves us.”
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Frost
Reality is a nice place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there.......
But sometimes reality bitch slaps you in the face, and you just can't ignore it.
The first frost of the year is that way. Although you know that summer is over, you grasp at the last vestiges of sunshine and warmth, cozied up in your denial like a baby with its blankie.
And the next thing you know, you are out there in your winter coat with your gloves on, scraping ice off of the windshield. Gone are the illusions of summerhood. The question on your mind at the moment is "Is that water or black ice on the road?"
This is no daydream B.S. question like you are normally contemplating at this time of morning. We are talking the possibility of injury, mayhem, destruction and maybe a scratch on your car.
Will the overpass be iced over? SHould you take the long way around and avoid the possible mess?
And all this before the morning coffee kicks in.
Oh well, adrenalin has a way of waking you up.
As the old poem has it:
The frost is on the pumpkin
and the fodders in the shock
and your cars in the ditch
or something like that...........
But sometimes reality bitch slaps you in the face, and you just can't ignore it.
The first frost of the year is that way. Although you know that summer is over, you grasp at the last vestiges of sunshine and warmth, cozied up in your denial like a baby with its blankie.
And the next thing you know, you are out there in your winter coat with your gloves on, scraping ice off of the windshield. Gone are the illusions of summerhood. The question on your mind at the moment is "Is that water or black ice on the road?"
This is no daydream B.S. question like you are normally contemplating at this time of morning. We are talking the possibility of injury, mayhem, destruction and maybe a scratch on your car.
Will the overpass be iced over? SHould you take the long way around and avoid the possible mess?
And all this before the morning coffee kicks in.
Oh well, adrenalin has a way of waking you up.
As the old poem has it:
The frost is on the pumpkin
and the fodders in the shock
and your cars in the ditch
or something like that...........
Friday, October 27, 2006
Parent Teacher Conferences
So last night was Parent Teacher Conferences for V.
All of his teachers said basically the same thing. V. is the smartest kid in class, but does barely enough to get by. He should be getting straight As. Blah, blah, blah. No news here.
Except for a new ripple in the stratosphere.
V. has always talked too much in class. Except now he is using words that are not acceptable in an institution of higher learning. Holy Shit! I wonder where that came from.
We have noticed a predeliction to scatology in his vocabulary recently, and have warned him about it. I guess it's time to break out the cuss jar.
Every time someone uses a cuss word, they have to donate a quarter to the cuss jar.
I am already planning the trip to China on the proceeds.
All of his teachers said basically the same thing. V. is the smartest kid in class, but does barely enough to get by. He should be getting straight As. Blah, blah, blah. No news here.
Except for a new ripple in the stratosphere.
V. has always talked too much in class. Except now he is using words that are not acceptable in an institution of higher learning. Holy Shit! I wonder where that came from.
We have noticed a predeliction to scatology in his vocabulary recently, and have warned him about it. I guess it's time to break out the cuss jar.
Every time someone uses a cuss word, they have to donate a quarter to the cuss jar.
I am already planning the trip to China on the proceeds.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Dangling Conversation
Which is, of course, a song by Simon and Garfunkel.
I was a big fan of Simon and Gatfunkel. "Bridge over Troubled Water" is still and incredible performance. Their words and music fit so well together. I mean, literate lyrics, and soulful sounds, right there together.
R. called last night. I had left her a message to get ahold of me.
I knew that after last weekends grudge death match with Mrs. A. that his would not be an easy conversation, but I don't want to lose touch with her completely.
She started off with a surly "You wanted me to call?"
I explaned that we needed to talk, because things were pretty messed up. We kinda did a little "She said, I said", but when I brought up the fact that she had threatened to kill Mrs. A. she completely denied it!
I told her "I was standing right there when you said 'I will kill you, bitch'. I am not imagining it"
So she told me I was lying, and then left me listening to the sounds of silence.
I wsh she would go get some help.
I was a big fan of Simon and Gatfunkel. "Bridge over Troubled Water" is still and incredible performance. Their words and music fit so well together. I mean, literate lyrics, and soulful sounds, right there together.
R. called last night. I had left her a message to get ahold of me.
I knew that after last weekends grudge death match with Mrs. A. that his would not be an easy conversation, but I don't want to lose touch with her completely.
She started off with a surly "You wanted me to call?"
I explaned that we needed to talk, because things were pretty messed up. We kinda did a little "She said, I said", but when I brought up the fact that she had threatened to kill Mrs. A. she completely denied it!
I told her "I was standing right there when you said 'I will kill you, bitch'. I am not imagining it"
So she told me I was lying, and then left me listening to the sounds of silence.
I wsh she would go get some help.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bloodwork
I saw in the paper yesterday about the football coach who kicked several of his players off of the team because they were giving blood at a school blood drive when they were supposed to be at practice. What a jerk!
It made me think of this story.
When I was stationed on Okinawa, the members of the Psychatric Service hung out a certain bar, Mama Susies. That wasn't the real name of the bar, but I can't remember the real name.
Mama Susie was a retired madam, and she knew everyone in town. If you wanted some companionship, all you had to do was mention it to Mama Susie, and she would send out word. The Girls had to pass her muster before she would hook you up. She was in her 60s, and she was a real hoot.
We found out that she had a niece that needed gall bladder surgery, but they couldn't afford the blood required for the operation. At that time, blood was going for $600.00 a pint, and they needed six pints.
I checked in with the brass, and the Army would not allow us to go to the Okinawan Hospital to give the blood. We would have to give the blood at the aid station, and then transport it down to Naha.
So I got together five other guys and we went into the aid station and gave blood. We brought along a cooler and ice, and loaded the blood in the cooler.
We went out and waved down a cab. He wanted to know what we had in the cooler. We looked at each other, and without saying a word, flipped open the cooler.
The poor taxi driver's eyes got huge, he got very agitated, and started yelling in Japanese at us. I didn't understand a single word he said except for "#10 GI, #10 GI" as he sped away.
We finally called in an on-base taxi, who took us to the Oknawan Hospital. He kept looking in his rear view mirror very nervously for the whole trip. But we did manage to get the blood taken care of and delivered.
The operation was a complete success.
I could do no wrong at Mama Susies. When I ordered a drink I would get a water glass full of whatever brand I wanted with just a little mixer. I never needed more than one. And she wouldn't take my money.
The only problem was she kept trying to marry me off to her "Nieces".
And there was one........
but that's a different story.
It made me think of this story.
When I was stationed on Okinawa, the members of the Psychatric Service hung out a certain bar, Mama Susies. That wasn't the real name of the bar, but I can't remember the real name.
Mama Susie was a retired madam, and she knew everyone in town. If you wanted some companionship, all you had to do was mention it to Mama Susie, and she would send out word. The Girls had to pass her muster before she would hook you up. She was in her 60s, and she was a real hoot.
We found out that she had a niece that needed gall bladder surgery, but they couldn't afford the blood required for the operation. At that time, blood was going for $600.00 a pint, and they needed six pints.
I checked in with the brass, and the Army would not allow us to go to the Okinawan Hospital to give the blood. We would have to give the blood at the aid station, and then transport it down to Naha.
So I got together five other guys and we went into the aid station and gave blood. We brought along a cooler and ice, and loaded the blood in the cooler.
We went out and waved down a cab. He wanted to know what we had in the cooler. We looked at each other, and without saying a word, flipped open the cooler.
The poor taxi driver's eyes got huge, he got very agitated, and started yelling in Japanese at us. I didn't understand a single word he said except for "#10 GI, #10 GI" as he sped away.
We finally called in an on-base taxi, who took us to the Oknawan Hospital. He kept looking in his rear view mirror very nervously for the whole trip. But we did manage to get the blood taken care of and delivered.
The operation was a complete success.
I could do no wrong at Mama Susies. When I ordered a drink I would get a water glass full of whatever brand I wanted with just a little mixer. I never needed more than one. And she wouldn't take my money.
The only problem was she kept trying to marry me off to her "Nieces".
And there was one........
but that's a different story.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Woke up this morning
and you were on my mind?
and the gypsy woman said?
and you were gone?
Pick a line.
I woke up with a screaming migrane headache, so I chose to take a day of sickleave. If it wasn't for all the other crap going on right now I might have toughed it out, but all my resources and reserves have been used up.
It's a good day to just turn over and pull the covers over my head.
Except that when I got up. I discovered that the computer was hosed. It took me about an hour to get it up and running.
Mostly I just need some peace and quiet, and to be left alone for a while.
Except, of course for you.
and the gypsy woman said?
and you were gone?
Pick a line.
I woke up with a screaming migrane headache, so I chose to take a day of sickleave. If it wasn't for all the other crap going on right now I might have toughed it out, but all my resources and reserves have been used up.
It's a good day to just turn over and pull the covers over my head.
Except that when I got up. I discovered that the computer was hosed. It took me about an hour to get it up and running.
Mostly I just need some peace and quiet, and to be left alone for a while.
Except, of course for you.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Here I Am....
Stuck in the middle with you.....
Who the heck sang that anyway?
Clown's to the left of me.
Jokers to the right
Here I am
Stuck in the middle with you.
Things seem to have drfted back from the edge of the ice and are meerly teetering along on the thin part 0f the ice. I feel like if I make the slightest misjudgement, it will all collapse and I will fall through into the dark and the cold.
I can't walk away amd I can't go forwards or back.
So here I am
Stuck in the middle.
Who the heck sang that anyway?
Clown's to the left of me.
Jokers to the right
Here I am
Stuck in the middle with you.
Things seem to have drfted back from the edge of the ice and are meerly teetering along on the thin part 0f the ice. I feel like if I make the slightest misjudgement, it will all collapse and I will fall through into the dark and the cold.
I can't walk away amd I can't go forwards or back.
So here I am
Stuck in the middle.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Train Wreck Weekend
Didn't make it to jail with the band this weekend. I was busy overseeing a train wreck right here at home.
I talked to John on Friday night to say that I wasn't going to come up to Kenmore just to drive back down south, but would meet them at Mission Creek. That way I got to sleep in.
Mrs. A. was not going to go, because her dog, Molly is sick. We took her into the Vet on Thursday night, and she is still having problems. Nobody knows what is wrong with her, but she keeps throwing up and has the squirts.
So I slept in, and was just getting ready to leave when R. showed up. She immediately went over to the couch and crashed.
Mrs. A. asked her where was the DVD she "Borrowed" a week earlier, and she said it was still in somebody's car. Mrs. A. got on her case, and one thing led to another and it got out of hand. There were a lot of things said, very loudly, and then it got ugly. Punches were thrown, hair was pulled and lots of shoving and swinging.
I was stuck in the middle of it all, trying to keep them separated. Eventually R. was asssisted in leaving.
I changed all the locks in the house.
When I got up this morning Mrs. A. was packing. She said she was leaving.
She handed me a note that basically said that she had cost me my family, and I would be better off without her.
A whole bunch of tears and talk later, she said she would stay if I asked her to, which I did. And she did.
I am glad I was here Saturday, because who knows where things would have ended up. At one point, I restrained R. from going for the knife rack. It might have ended up with one in the hospital and the other in jail. Or worse.
I'm always stuck in the middle. If R. is not going to clean up her life, it is better if she doesn't come around. I guess I don't have to worry about that for a while.
I fell like I've been run over by a train.
Or maybe two of them.
I talked to John on Friday night to say that I wasn't going to come up to Kenmore just to drive back down south, but would meet them at Mission Creek. That way I got to sleep in.
Mrs. A. was not going to go, because her dog, Molly is sick. We took her into the Vet on Thursday night, and she is still having problems. Nobody knows what is wrong with her, but she keeps throwing up and has the squirts.
So I slept in, and was just getting ready to leave when R. showed up. She immediately went over to the couch and crashed.
Mrs. A. asked her where was the DVD she "Borrowed" a week earlier, and she said it was still in somebody's car. Mrs. A. got on her case, and one thing led to another and it got out of hand. There were a lot of things said, very loudly, and then it got ugly. Punches were thrown, hair was pulled and lots of shoving and swinging.
I was stuck in the middle of it all, trying to keep them separated. Eventually R. was asssisted in leaving.
I changed all the locks in the house.
When I got up this morning Mrs. A. was packing. She said she was leaving.
She handed me a note that basically said that she had cost me my family, and I would be better off without her.
A whole bunch of tears and talk later, she said she would stay if I asked her to, which I did. And she did.
I am glad I was here Saturday, because who knows where things would have ended up. At one point, I restrained R. from going for the knife rack. It might have ended up with one in the hospital and the other in jail. Or worse.
I'm always stuck in the middle. If R. is not going to clean up her life, it is better if she doesn't come around. I guess I don't have to worry about that for a while.
I fell like I've been run over by a train.
Or maybe two of them.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Goin' t' Jail
Tomorrow I'm going to jail.
No. no, no not like that.
I'm going with Morning Light for a concert to the Women's Correctional Facility at Mission Creek, ouside Belfaire, Wa.
It will be a busy and confusing day, partly because Mrs A will not be accompanying me. Her dog, Molly is ill, and she can't bring her, and she can't leave her home. So Mrs A. will stay home with Molly while I go to prison. Hope she doesn't forget about me.
We have been doing this for a couple of years, but this will be my first time solo. It will be a little uncomfortable without her, but I will do it anyway, because we have made a commitment, and I take that very seriously.
Not a lot of people choose to minister to the incarcerated. It is very uncomfortable when those big doors go CLANG behind you, and there is a whole set of other gates before you.
But this is probably the most appropriate audience in the whole world. About 80% of the people in low security facility facilities are there for drug and alcohol related offences. The Message of the band is that it is possible to have a whole lot of fun without drugs and alcohol.
And of course that you need to find a higher calling in your life.
Although it is backgound, they always sign off with their song "King of Kings" because that is what the message is.
When you lay down tonight, think about your life and ask "What am I doing and where am I going."
Talk to God and maybe you will find the answer within your self.
My weekend will, if nothing else, help to provide a channel that someone might use to get to a different place.
What did you do with your weekend?
No. no, no not like that.
I'm going with Morning Light for a concert to the Women's Correctional Facility at Mission Creek, ouside Belfaire, Wa.
It will be a busy and confusing day, partly because Mrs A will not be accompanying me. Her dog, Molly is ill, and she can't bring her, and she can't leave her home. So Mrs A. will stay home with Molly while I go to prison. Hope she doesn't forget about me.
We have been doing this for a couple of years, but this will be my first time solo. It will be a little uncomfortable without her, but I will do it anyway, because we have made a commitment, and I take that very seriously.
Not a lot of people choose to minister to the incarcerated. It is very uncomfortable when those big doors go CLANG behind you, and there is a whole set of other gates before you.
But this is probably the most appropriate audience in the whole world. About 80% of the people in low security facility facilities are there for drug and alcohol related offences. The Message of the band is that it is possible to have a whole lot of fun without drugs and alcohol.
And of course that you need to find a higher calling in your life.
Although it is backgound, they always sign off with their song "King of Kings" because that is what the message is.
When you lay down tonight, think about your life and ask "What am I doing and where am I going."
Talk to God and maybe you will find the answer within your self.
My weekend will, if nothing else, help to provide a channel that someone might use to get to a different place.
What did you do with your weekend?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Me and My Big Mouth
I mentioned in my post yeasterday that I just might be a Smartass.
My smart mouth has gotten me in considerable trouble over the years.
Here is an example:
In the early months of 1967, my friend Dave and I decided to move to San Francisco and become hippies.
On the way down, we stopped at his Aunt and Uncles place in Oroville, Cal. They put us up for the weekend.
We had just gotten out of High School (and were on our way to a different kind of high scool). He had a female cousin who was a senior, and it was Girls League night at the bowling lanes, so we went to say hi to his cousin and all the girls. There were all sorts of possibilities.
The next day, Dave's Aunt was in a traffic accident and wrenched her back, and could not drive. It was her day in the car pool to drive the girls home from school.
Would we mind giving the girls a ride home from school? Oh it would be a terreible burden to give a ride home to a car full of nubile young ladies , but we were just the guys for it.
We were driving Dave's taxi-cab yellow custom Plymouth. (Think Christine in hysteria)
We drove over to the school, and waited in the parking lot.
The Police pulled in behind us. The officer motioned that Dave should roll down his window. Dave complied.
"Did you know it is against the law in the State of California to loiter on School Property."
He had noticed that we were sporting Washington plates. That and the car itself made us mighty suspicious. Not to mention our long hair and paisley pants.
Well, me and my big smartass mouth replied "According to Webster's Dictionary, Loiter is defined as to consume time idly and without purpose. We, however, are here with a very specific purpose." Oh why do I do it? Some times I am my own worst enemy.
The officer turned several interresting shades of red, tending towards purple.
He informed us that we had better get out and not look back.
So I had to ask "You see that street over there? if we go park on the other side of the street, is that School Property, or public domain?"
He turned an interresting shade of puce and ordered us to leave NOW!!!
So we went and parked across the street and were immediately arrested. Handcuffs. Back of the patrol car. Fingerprinted. The big holding cell door went CLANG!. One call, wait four hours to get bailed out.
All charges were dropped and we pleaded probable cause so we couldn't sue for false arrest.
One of the girls we were to give a ride home was the Prosecuting Attorney's daughter, and he was NOT happy about her having to find an alternative ride home.
That is the extent of my arrest record.
And I could have probably avoided that except for my big smartass mouth.
Did I learn from this experience?
Hell no.
My smart mouth has gotten me in considerable trouble over the years.
Here is an example:
In the early months of 1967, my friend Dave and I decided to move to San Francisco and become hippies.
On the way down, we stopped at his Aunt and Uncles place in Oroville, Cal. They put us up for the weekend.
We had just gotten out of High School (and were on our way to a different kind of high scool). He had a female cousin who was a senior, and it was Girls League night at the bowling lanes, so we went to say hi to his cousin and all the girls. There were all sorts of possibilities.
The next day, Dave's Aunt was in a traffic accident and wrenched her back, and could not drive. It was her day in the car pool to drive the girls home from school.
Would we mind giving the girls a ride home from school? Oh it would be a terreible burden to give a ride home to a car full of nubile young ladies , but we were just the guys for it.
We were driving Dave's taxi-cab yellow custom Plymouth. (Think Christine in hysteria)
We drove over to the school, and waited in the parking lot.
The Police pulled in behind us. The officer motioned that Dave should roll down his window. Dave complied.
"Did you know it is against the law in the State of California to loiter on School Property."
He had noticed that we were sporting Washington plates. That and the car itself made us mighty suspicious. Not to mention our long hair and paisley pants.
Well, me and my big smartass mouth replied "According to Webster's Dictionary, Loiter is defined as to consume time idly and without purpose. We, however, are here with a very specific purpose." Oh why do I do it? Some times I am my own worst enemy.
The officer turned several interresting shades of red, tending towards purple.
He informed us that we had better get out and not look back.
So I had to ask "You see that street over there? if we go park on the other side of the street, is that School Property, or public domain?"
He turned an interresting shade of puce and ordered us to leave NOW!!!
So we went and parked across the street and were immediately arrested. Handcuffs. Back of the patrol car. Fingerprinted. The big holding cell door went CLANG!. One call, wait four hours to get bailed out.
All charges were dropped and we pleaded probable cause so we couldn't sue for false arrest.
One of the girls we were to give a ride home was the Prosecuting Attorney's daughter, and he was NOT happy about her having to find an alternative ride home.
That is the extent of my arrest record.
And I could have probably avoided that except for my big smartass mouth.
Did I learn from this experience?
Hell no.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
No 'Mo
L. called last night to lay out her latest list of woes. It is always the end of civilization as we know it.
Only last night Mrs a. just told her "Not our problem. You and N. had better figure out how to tale care of it, cause A. and I have resigned as the national bank and help agency. If N. is not capable of taking care of you and the kid, you are facing some hard choices. Leave N. Stay with N. and put the kid up for adoption. Put the kid in foster care. You need to figure it out."
I was proud of her.
Afterwards she asked "Am I a bad mom?"
I told her she was such a bad mom that I heard they were asking for her resignation fom the Mommies Union. They were taking her picture out of the mommies manual and burning all the back copies.
Until she realized I was pulling her leg, I thought she was going to belt me.
Who's a smart ass?
You talkin' to ME?
I in all seriousness, told her that if she continued to enable their bad behavion, THAT would make her a bad mom.
But all in all, things seen to be stabilizing.
Only last night Mrs a. just told her "Not our problem. You and N. had better figure out how to tale care of it, cause A. and I have resigned as the national bank and help agency. If N. is not capable of taking care of you and the kid, you are facing some hard choices. Leave N. Stay with N. and put the kid up for adoption. Put the kid in foster care. You need to figure it out."
I was proud of her.
Afterwards she asked "Am I a bad mom?"
I told her she was such a bad mom that I heard they were asking for her resignation fom the Mommies Union. They were taking her picture out of the mommies manual and burning all the back copies.
Until she realized I was pulling her leg, I thought she was going to belt me.
Who's a smart ass?
You talkin' to ME?
I in all seriousness, told her that if she continued to enable their bad behavion, THAT would make her a bad mom.
But all in all, things seen to be stabilizing.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
New Arrival
I have a new grandson.
This is kinda bittersweet.
We found out third hand. Both Mrs A and the DIL work at the Credit Union. In fact DIL introduced me to Mrs A. So when the baby was born, all of DILs friends knew, and one of them forwarded the e-mail to Mrs A. who forwarded it to me.
This is all because Mrs A and DIL are feuding. Mrs A would make up in an instant, but DIL is a hater and grudge holder. My son has turned into a pussy-whipped spineless wimp. He never calls V any more and has not done anything with him since July.
What are they thinking?
I hope it is the most colic prone crying little snot ever was.
I am going to sneak down there and feed him Coca-Cola until his little head spins in circles.
I will buy him ridiculously loud and obnoxious toys.
Welcome to the world Elliot Alexander Warren, ever after to be known as E.
Best of luck to you.
This is kinda bittersweet.
We found out third hand. Both Mrs A and the DIL work at the Credit Union. In fact DIL introduced me to Mrs A. So when the baby was born, all of DILs friends knew, and one of them forwarded the e-mail to Mrs A. who forwarded it to me.
This is all because Mrs A and DIL are feuding. Mrs A would make up in an instant, but DIL is a hater and grudge holder. My son has turned into a pussy-whipped spineless wimp. He never calls V any more and has not done anything with him since July.
What are they thinking?
I hope it is the most colic prone crying little snot ever was.
I am going to sneak down there and feed him Coca-Cola until his little head spins in circles.
I will buy him ridiculously loud and obnoxious toys.
Welcome to the world Elliot Alexander Warren, ever after to be known as E.
Best of luck to you.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Captions
I suppose I should put some words down to go with the pictures.
The Church has parking lots on three sides. The second view is part of the South lot, There were more bikes out further, but I liked this view of the bikes lined up in the first row. The first shot is of the East lot. I didn't include the West lot because I didn't have a shot I liked.
The two other shots are of bikes that Russ designed. They are both really nice and really original. Both won trophys in custom bike shows.
The Memorial service was very tastefully done, although I did not know Russ could walk on water and change water to wine.
I on the other hand, can change wine back into water.
The ride and Memorial Service were covered on the local news. It was SRO. The chapel seats 1500, but there were people standing in the aisles and along the walls, and in the foyer and outside. There was enough black leather to upholster a herd of Black Angus and enough chains and zippers to start a small hardware store.
There was a ton of food and drink for the reception, and NO ALCOHOL.
I saw badges and colors from a half a dozen different motorcycle clubs. Everyone got along just fine. If you are a people watcher, this was the place to be.
It was a little disconcerting to glance over at the 250 lb, black leather clad, bearded and tatooed colors wearing bad-ass looking biker to watch him wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
I was glad to be there for my sis. She was pretty shaken up by the whole thing. She doesn't like being center stage.
At ease
smoke em' if you have em'
The Church has parking lots on three sides. The second view is part of the South lot, There were more bikes out further, but I liked this view of the bikes lined up in the first row. The first shot is of the East lot. I didn't include the West lot because I didn't have a shot I liked.
The two other shots are of bikes that Russ designed. They are both really nice and really original. Both won trophys in custom bike shows.
The Memorial service was very tastefully done, although I did not know Russ could walk on water and change water to wine.
I on the other hand, can change wine back into water.
The ride and Memorial Service were covered on the local news. It was SRO. The chapel seats 1500, but there were people standing in the aisles and along the walls, and in the foyer and outside. There was enough black leather to upholster a herd of Black Angus and enough chains and zippers to start a small hardware store.
There was a ton of food and drink for the reception, and NO ALCOHOL.
I saw badges and colors from a half a dozen different motorcycle clubs. Everyone got along just fine. If you are a people watcher, this was the place to be.
It was a little disconcerting to glance over at the 250 lb, black leather clad, bearded and tatooed colors wearing bad-ass looking biker to watch him wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
I was glad to be there for my sis. She was pretty shaken up by the whole thing. She doesn't like being center stage.
At ease
smoke em' if you have em'
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
So Long Russ
First off, you need to understand that I was not real close to Russ. Sure we were shirt-tail relatives, and I saw him at family functions, and my daughter worked for him for a couple of years, but that was about it. We had a few friends in common, but we weren't buddies.
He gave my brother Bill a great deal on a 100th Anniversary Road King, and that gains him points in my book.
Russ was the Golden Child. He had it all. All the toys, the cars, the big house on the lake, and connections all over the West Coast (and beyond). More money than he knew what to do with.
I was green with envy for the things he had, but here I am living and he is not. All of the things he had couldn't give him one extra moment when his number came up. I feel so sorry for his daughter and his mom and dad, and the rest of his family.
I didn't particularly like Russ. He was so arrogant and self assured. To be fair to him, my perceptions were skewed because he had all the things I wanted. He was a very tallented custom bike builder, and won all kinds of awards for his bikes. He could schmooze with the best of them, and managed to keep things on an even keel under some pretty chaotic circumstances.
He got along with everyone.
I remember R. talking about The Banditos coming down when she worked there and basically taking over the store. But Russ kept it all under control. He did equally well when Evil Kenival was there demanding attention.
So I will go out and get a small bottle of Crown Royal tonight and sit down and toast Russ.
Russ, wherever you are I hope they have a special fast machine for you, be it helicopter, car, boat or bike. Your flame burned too bright and went out too quickly.
He gave my brother Bill a great deal on a 100th Anniversary Road King, and that gains him points in my book.
Russ was the Golden Child. He had it all. All the toys, the cars, the big house on the lake, and connections all over the West Coast (and beyond). More money than he knew what to do with.
I was green with envy for the things he had, but here I am living and he is not. All of the things he had couldn't give him one extra moment when his number came up. I feel so sorry for his daughter and his mom and dad, and the rest of his family.
I didn't particularly like Russ. He was so arrogant and self assured. To be fair to him, my perceptions were skewed because he had all the things I wanted. He was a very tallented custom bike builder, and won all kinds of awards for his bikes. He could schmooze with the best of them, and managed to keep things on an even keel under some pretty chaotic circumstances.
He got along with everyone.
I remember R. talking about The Banditos coming down when she worked there and basically taking over the store. But Russ kept it all under control. He did equally well when Evil Kenival was there demanding attention.
So I will go out and get a small bottle of Crown Royal tonight and sit down and toast Russ.
Russ, wherever you are I hope they have a special fast machine for you, be it helicopter, car, boat or bike. Your flame burned too bright and went out too quickly.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
But I'm much better now........
I was a big fan of Night Court. There was such an endless parade of characters. One of the bit parts was Harry's dad, played by John Aston (he was Gomez on the original Adams Family) he had spent some time in a mental institution, and when asked about it would go into some bizarre tale, which always ended with "But I'm much better now."
It always helps to write it down, get it out. Think of it as popping a big mental Zit. It hurts like hell until it is done, but a lot of relief afterwards.
So yesterday was one zit-popping pus draining post.
But I'm much better now.
So the memorial for Russ is Saturday. I was talking to my sis last night and they are expecting about 5,000 motorcyclists from all over the Northwest.
The chapel only seats 1,500.
It is going to be a complete circus. Little sis wants me there for support, and I want to be there for her and her hubby. One of my other sisters called her up yesterday and asked if she wanted her and mom to come, but she told them they didn't need to go, because Al would be there.
Guess I'm stuck now.
If nothing else, it should be entertaining.
I'll take pictures.
It always helps to write it down, get it out. Think of it as popping a big mental Zit. It hurts like hell until it is done, but a lot of relief afterwards.
So yesterday was one zit-popping pus draining post.
But I'm much better now.
So the memorial for Russ is Saturday. I was talking to my sis last night and they are expecting about 5,000 motorcyclists from all over the Northwest.
The chapel only seats 1,500.
It is going to be a complete circus. Little sis wants me there for support, and I want to be there for her and her hubby. One of my other sisters called her up yesterday and asked if she wanted her and mom to come, but she told them they didn't need to go, because Al would be there.
Guess I'm stuck now.
If nothing else, it should be entertaining.
I'll take pictures.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Avoidance
I've been puting off writing this for a whole bunch of reasons.
Like the wounds are too fresh and it is uncomfortable poking at them.
Let's start off by saying last weekend was not the best weekend I've ever had.
R. called Saturday morning and asked me to come and get her. There was some cursing involved. She was pissed at her room mate and wanted to move back home. As long as she is straight and making a sincere attempt too clean up her life, it is OK with me.
Mrs. A went off to the gym to work out. I had agreed to do the brakes on her Pathfinder, so I went down to the Auto Parts store and got new front pads. I waited for her to come home
and waited
and waited
and waited.
Four hours later she rolls into the driveway, so I can finally get started on the brakes. She pops out of the car and says "Let's go to Chang's for lunch." Well R. had just had a long conversation with her room mate and wanted to go back to her place, so I said "OK, but let me run R. home first."
Mrs A came unglued. After ranting and raving for a couple of minutes, she went and found R and lit in to her "Would you please make up your mind what the HELL you are doing.....blah, blah,blah"
R got pisseed off and stormed off saying "I'll walk, you old witch" and refused my offer of a ride. I haven't seen or heard from her since. She was having a real hard time getting herself straight, and Mrs A just dropped a turd in her punchbowl.
I have been worried about Mrs As mental state lately. Now that we have our house back and everything, I figured she would relax and lighten up. If anything, she has gotten worse. She goes aroung crying for no apparent reason. I mean, nothing bad is going on, but she has worked hersulf into such a state that tears start.
She said maybe it would be better if she just moved out. Now, nothing had happened between the two of us, just between her and R. This came from WWAAAYYY out in left field.
After spending considerable time and effort with her, she calmed down, and finally she asked "Do you think we are going to make it? You know, stay married?"
This is not the first time she has asked this, but it was the first time I couldn't be sure of the answer.
Then on Sunday, my brother-in-law's brother was killed in a hellicopter accident.
Russ Tom
I just don't want to think about any of this shit any more.
Like the wounds are too fresh and it is uncomfortable poking at them.
Let's start off by saying last weekend was not the best weekend I've ever had.
R. called Saturday morning and asked me to come and get her. There was some cursing involved. She was pissed at her room mate and wanted to move back home. As long as she is straight and making a sincere attempt too clean up her life, it is OK with me.
Mrs. A went off to the gym to work out. I had agreed to do the brakes on her Pathfinder, so I went down to the Auto Parts store and got new front pads. I waited for her to come home
and waited
and waited
and waited.
Four hours later she rolls into the driveway, so I can finally get started on the brakes. She pops out of the car and says "Let's go to Chang's for lunch." Well R. had just had a long conversation with her room mate and wanted to go back to her place, so I said "OK, but let me run R. home first."
Mrs A came unglued. After ranting and raving for a couple of minutes, she went and found R and lit in to her "Would you please make up your mind what the HELL you are doing.....blah, blah,blah"
R got pisseed off and stormed off saying "I'll walk, you old witch" and refused my offer of a ride. I haven't seen or heard from her since. She was having a real hard time getting herself straight, and Mrs A just dropped a turd in her punchbowl.
I have been worried about Mrs As mental state lately. Now that we have our house back and everything, I figured she would relax and lighten up. If anything, she has gotten worse. She goes aroung crying for no apparent reason. I mean, nothing bad is going on, but she has worked hersulf into such a state that tears start.
She said maybe it would be better if she just moved out. Now, nothing had happened between the two of us, just between her and R. This came from WWAAAYYY out in left field.
After spending considerable time and effort with her, she calmed down, and finally she asked "Do you think we are going to make it? You know, stay married?"
This is not the first time she has asked this, but it was the first time I couldn't be sure of the answer.
Then on Sunday, my brother-in-law's brother was killed in a hellicopter accident.
I just don't want to think about any of this shit any more.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Geek Joke
OK, so yesterdays post was a geek joke.
Heisenberg was a physicist. He came up with the idea that you could never be 100% certain what the position of an electron was in the subatomic world, because just by observing it, you had altered it. In other words, you could tell where it USED to be, but could never predict where it currently was, or where it would be.
This is called Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle.
This is a very important scientific theory, because it signals the end of the Clockwork Universe theory, and is considered by many to be the father of Chaos Theory.
For centuries, scientific theory was that through observation we could ultamitely predict atomic behavior if we just knew enough facts about the laws that govern it. In a gross sense this theory works, but when observing complex systems in nature, you cannot predict thier bahavior over time. Weather models can predict the future for only a very short time, then the variance from the models very quickly expands to the point of uselessness.
One explanation of this is called the Butterfly Effect. If a butterfly in the steppes of Russia flaps his wings, it causes a rainstorm in Paris.
The simple explanation goes something like this: A herd of caribou is feeding. A caribou sees a spot of color and goes over to investigate. It turns out to be a butterfly, who upon seeing the caribou, becomes disturbed, and flys off. This in turn startles the caribou, who gallops off, in turn startling the leader of the herd, who thinks something must be terribly wrong.
The herd leader running off causes the whole herd to gallop off, raising a large cloud of dust. This dust travels in the air, and provides the condensation nucleus for rain which in turn causes a rainstorm in Paris.
Is this predictable? no way.
Up with Chaos!
Heisenberg was a physicist. He came up with the idea that you could never be 100% certain what the position of an electron was in the subatomic world, because just by observing it, you had altered it. In other words, you could tell where it USED to be, but could never predict where it currently was, or where it would be.
This is called Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle.
This is a very important scientific theory, because it signals the end of the Clockwork Universe theory, and is considered by many to be the father of Chaos Theory.
For centuries, scientific theory was that through observation we could ultamitely predict atomic behavior if we just knew enough facts about the laws that govern it. In a gross sense this theory works, but when observing complex systems in nature, you cannot predict thier bahavior over time. Weather models can predict the future for only a very short time, then the variance from the models very quickly expands to the point of uselessness.
One explanation of this is called the Butterfly Effect. If a butterfly in the steppes of Russia flaps his wings, it causes a rainstorm in Paris.
The simple explanation goes something like this: A herd of caribou is feeding. A caribou sees a spot of color and goes over to investigate. It turns out to be a butterfly, who upon seeing the caribou, becomes disturbed, and flys off. This in turn startles the caribou, who gallops off, in turn startling the leader of the herd, who thinks something must be terribly wrong.
The herd leader running off causes the whole herd to gallop off, raising a large cloud of dust. This dust travels in the air, and provides the condensation nucleus for rain which in turn causes a rainstorm in Paris.
Is this predictable? no way.
Up with Chaos!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Dreams
I take Metformin for my diabetes. It is a little hard on my stomach, so I have to be careful what I eat, because I get a terrible upset stomach from overindulging in a lot of things.
For instance I can have a couple of beers, but if I have more than a couple, I will be up all night with an upset stomach. Same with Pizza. Any more than two slices guarantees a restless night.
So last night I had three slices of pizza and four beers. I woke up at 2:30 with my digestive track making the most entertaining noises. Repeated doses of Pepto didn't really do anything for me.
I tossed and turned and didn't really get back to a solid sleep, but drifted in and out of awareness.
The trouble was, I kept having nightmares.
In the first one, I was riding in a bus around Alki, across the bay from Seattle, when it was hit with a carpet bombing attack. Skyscrapers were falling, fires were burning, and a fighter turned and headed for the bus. I could see the water spouts as the machine gun rounds walked across the water towards the bus. I was trying to figure out how to get out when the rounds started hitting the bus.
I woke up in a sweat, looking for a way out.
When I drifted out to lala land again, I had managed to make it home, but someone had nailed all of the doors shut, covered over the windows, and set the house on fire with Carol and I inside. I had to pry a sheet of plywood off of the big window in the living room, and jump through the glass to escape.
When I got outside a guy was over in front of the house with a knife, cutting the hose in two so that I couldn't put out the fire. I was too late to stop him.
So I picked him up by the throat with my left hand and stated pounding him in the solar plexus as hard as I could. I pummelled him into unconsciousness, then woke up.
Although I was still real tired, I was also relieved when the alarm went off.
For instance I can have a couple of beers, but if I have more than a couple, I will be up all night with an upset stomach. Same with Pizza. Any more than two slices guarantees a restless night.
So last night I had three slices of pizza and four beers. I woke up at 2:30 with my digestive track making the most entertaining noises. Repeated doses of Pepto didn't really do anything for me.
I tossed and turned and didn't really get back to a solid sleep, but drifted in and out of awareness.
The trouble was, I kept having nightmares.
In the first one, I was riding in a bus around Alki, across the bay from Seattle, when it was hit with a carpet bombing attack. Skyscrapers were falling, fires were burning, and a fighter turned and headed for the bus. I could see the water spouts as the machine gun rounds walked across the water towards the bus. I was trying to figure out how to get out when the rounds started hitting the bus.
I woke up in a sweat, looking for a way out.
When I drifted out to lala land again, I had managed to make it home, but someone had nailed all of the doors shut, covered over the windows, and set the house on fire with Carol and I inside. I had to pry a sheet of plywood off of the big window in the living room, and jump through the glass to escape.
When I got outside a guy was over in front of the house with a knife, cutting the hose in two so that I couldn't put out the fire. I was too late to stop him.
So I picked him up by the throat with my left hand and stated pounding him in the solar plexus as hard as I could. I pummelled him into unconsciousness, then woke up.
Although I was still real tired, I was also relieved when the alarm went off.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Squirrely blog
We were sitting around waiting for the Evacuation Drill this morning. We weren't supposed to know that it would be at 9:00, but I have my sources......
We started telling critter stories, and I remembered this one:
We had a family of squirrels that lived in to top of and old lightning struck Pine in the back of the yard. I have no great feeling for squirrels one way or the other, but females seem to find them "Cute".
So my daughter and my ex decided to hand feed them on the deck right off of the living room. After a couple of months, they had gotten to the point where the squirrels would take food from their hands. They would wait outside the sliding glass door, and all you had to do was crack the door open, and stick your hand out, and they would come up and take food right from your hand.
I wasn't real enthused about it. I could see a home invasion in the near future.
R. had gone to the store with her mom and gotten a big chocolate bar. She had taken the outer wrapper off, realized she was going to want a glass of milk to go with it, laid it down on the floor still in it's silver wrapping, and gone off to the kitchen.
A squirrel had been watching from out on the deck. The sliding glass door was open.
Mr. Squirrel darted in and started dragging her candy bar away.
"Hey R. you better get out here and rescue your candy bar. Your friend the squirrel just stole it!"
She comes running out of the kitchen as he makes his break for the door, R. in hot pursuit.
The candy bar was heavy enough that he couldn't jump up on the handrail of the deck and into the tree beside it.
But he was determined to keep it. So they ran around and around the deck for several circuits.
Finally he got tired dropped the candy bar and fled. R. brought the candy bar in and I looked it over. Other than a few tooth marks in one corner it was still fine, so I trimmed off the chewed on part and let her eat the rest of it.
I sure wish I had had a cam corder at the time.
We started telling critter stories, and I remembered this one:
We had a family of squirrels that lived in to top of and old lightning struck Pine in the back of the yard. I have no great feeling for squirrels one way or the other, but females seem to find them "Cute".
So my daughter and my ex decided to hand feed them on the deck right off of the living room. After a couple of months, they had gotten to the point where the squirrels would take food from their hands. They would wait outside the sliding glass door, and all you had to do was crack the door open, and stick your hand out, and they would come up and take food right from your hand.
I wasn't real enthused about it. I could see a home invasion in the near future.
R. had gone to the store with her mom and gotten a big chocolate bar. She had taken the outer wrapper off, realized she was going to want a glass of milk to go with it, laid it down on the floor still in it's silver wrapping, and gone off to the kitchen.
A squirrel had been watching from out on the deck. The sliding glass door was open.
Mr. Squirrel darted in and started dragging her candy bar away.
"Hey R. you better get out here and rescue your candy bar. Your friend the squirrel just stole it!"
She comes running out of the kitchen as he makes his break for the door, R. in hot pursuit.
The candy bar was heavy enough that he couldn't jump up on the handrail of the deck and into the tree beside it.
But he was determined to keep it. So they ran around and around the deck for several circuits.
Finally he got tired dropped the candy bar and fled. R. brought the candy bar in and I looked it over. Other than a few tooth marks in one corner it was still fine, so I trimmed off the chewed on part and let her eat the rest of it.
I sure wish I had had a cam corder at the time.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Hi Ho
Hi Ho, it's off to work we go.
Yeah, the Seven Dwarves going off to their mine.
Did you ever stop to think that if you walked up to someone in certain parts of the country and started the conversation with those words, you'd likely end up with a mouthfull of bloody chicklets?
Oh well.
This was a good weekend. We went up to Bremerton with the band for a show at the Roxy theater. The band was in fine form. Too bad there wasn't a larger crowd.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn. It was Mrs A. and me and V. and R. We ate dinner at a Pizza place around the corner from the Hotel. Best Pizza I have eaten is a long time.
The Plaza outside the Hotel has a real cool fountain. It has a program that lasts about 20 minutes with all sorts of spurts and splashed chasing each other around the fountain. Watching the kids around the fountain was a real trip.
When we came back home, I took the long way, down the Eastern shore of Hood Canal. It was a beautiful drive, with the fall leaves just beginning to turn, the sun shining off the water and filtered though the trees. They air had that early fall kinda blue haze to it. I took some random turns and wandered in and out of the National Forest. We stopped and gawked and talked.
It was how short road trips are supposed to be.
Yeah, the Seven Dwarves going off to their mine.
Did you ever stop to think that if you walked up to someone in certain parts of the country and started the conversation with those words, you'd likely end up with a mouthfull of bloody chicklets?
Oh well.
This was a good weekend. We went up to Bremerton with the band for a show at the Roxy theater. The band was in fine form. Too bad there wasn't a larger crowd.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn. It was Mrs A. and me and V. and R. We ate dinner at a Pizza place around the corner from the Hotel. Best Pizza I have eaten is a long time.
The Plaza outside the Hotel has a real cool fountain. It has a program that lasts about 20 minutes with all sorts of spurts and splashed chasing each other around the fountain. Watching the kids around the fountain was a real trip.
When we came back home, I took the long way, down the Eastern shore of Hood Canal. It was a beautiful drive, with the fall leaves just beginning to turn, the sun shining off the water and filtered though the trees. They air had that early fall kinda blue haze to it. I took some random turns and wandered in and out of the National Forest. We stopped and gawked and talked.
It was how short road trips are supposed to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)