Per that little redheaded snotnose.......

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Optimism? Schmoptimism. MUST WE? I'm OLD... I WANNA complain, and, from attaining these wrinkles, bags under my eyes, "damn it's hard getting in and outta this car" I HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO GRUMP/GROAN/MOAN..."GD (gosh darn) gas prices"... "Damn saggers! Pull ur britches up, no one wants to see ur undies!"..

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

NO! I'm sixty (almost). I'm sposedta bitch! I kinda wish I were Republican too, thataway I could even bitch/moan 24/7/365 about all the money I have that Uncle Sam wants. YES! Perfect!

When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin andSay,
Oh!

ICK... Slobbery. "Too perfect". Patoeey. "Why, back in my day, we'd have done it like this... ............" Remember? They even made a movie - Grumpy Old Men. I'VE EARNED THE RIGHT! Don't you DARE say hi to me, wing a comp, do an unsolicited favor... or, worst of all, smile at me.

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

Ok, ok. Yes. Just kidding. Quoting Foghorn Leghorn "That's a joke. I say that's a joke son." I love life. I love smiles. I love old people, and sometimes I even love me. Tomorrow ain't promised, so hell, I guess we might as well cave into optimism.

So, have a little fun, lighten up. (Victor, don't forget to remind them that you talk to yourself here, hitchhikers welcome.) K, thanks. Fun? You mean like yesterday when we had that meeting at work, and when I tied that one chick's shoestring to the pole holding up the table? Yes, Victor. Fun like that. Your sister woulda been proud of you.

Thanks. I miss her. Until the day I getta see her again - it's my ardent wish to live life as she did, sucking up every moment, ounce of life. Fending off the BS, and smile back at it. Life is/should be fun. Gloomy out? The sun'll come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar, or so that little redheaded snotnose says. Love, Victurd.

Yummy.....

Threatening skies off in the distance... a rainbow guarding the way 'tween...

Butter pecan ice cream...

Puppy breath...

Fist bumps...

An engine that cranks every time you turn the key...

Toddlers with the giggles...

Rivalries, kinda... I've been so immersed in the MU/KU thing.. I'd forgotten about Louisville/Kentucky rivalry (they play each other Saturday in the Final Four).. I guess today, at a clinic in KY, two 70+ males, each in to get dialysis treatment.. were chatting... talk turned to basketball... one a Kentucky fan, one a Louisville fan.. a 'finger' was given, and soon they were in the middle of treatment in full fist warfare. Rivalries, albeit occasionally frustrating, are yummy.

Coconut cream pie.

"Play Ball".. the cracka the bat... the sound of a fastball landing in the catcher's glove.. "Take, me out to the ballgame, take, me out to the crowd".. 7th inning stretch.. Spring...

Invigorating folks...(I'm old, apologies, kinda) Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Elvis, Buck O'Neill, the Beatles, the Stones, Andy/Barney, Dolly, JFK, MLK...

Finding a $20 bill in the pocket of the jeans outta the dryer...

A friend elated over overcoming a hurdle...

Kudos from higher ups...

Kudos from a working peer....

Kudos given to a working peer...

Smiles...

Emails in the inbox from folks that make u smile before you even read em...

The "Like" button..

People ur own age... people younger... people older... (And listening, learning from each)...

Friday, 5pm......

Intimacy... (sorry, kinda)...

Monday, 8am ("Thanks, I getta do it again")...

No alarm clocks, Saturday, Sunday.

Relatives, all varieties, distances, ages...

Chili cheese Fritos...

A 300 burger, Stroud's chicken, Jackstack pulled pork, Corner Cafe breakfasts, Ponaks, Hayes, Bryants...

Attending a Royal's game.. attending a Chief's game... Watching a game (anywhere) with a crowd that is 'into it'...

Love, all kinds...

Salted peanuts, cashews, pecans, that first cuppa coffee.. the morning paper.. the weather forecast.. the first contact of the day, and our reaction therein.

Cats that could give a rats about your whereabouts, feelings.

A vanilla ice cream cone........

Listening to elders talking about 'yesterday.'

The excitement in a grandchild's eyes, followed closely by reciprocal excitement of g-baby's folks...

Life...

The sun...

The moon...

The dark...

The alarm clock...

Friends...

I'm not all yummed out, but common sense tells me to stop....

Common sense...

Love, Victurd

When it's least expected.... you're elected....

Smile.

They say "love makes the world go 'round", me personally, I think that's prefaced by smile.

Smile is one of the most impactive things on the planet. No, not all agree.. but maybe we can agree to be different, and I'd love to state my case not in hopes of influence, moreso to simply explain (the view from my stinky sized 10's)...

There are varying degrees of smile. Ya walk up to Mickey D's, no eye contact, "may I take your order please".. versus... walking up, a genuine smile, eyes meet (I ALREADY LIKE YOU, THANK YOU FOR THAT. YOU'VE HELPED TO MAKE MY DAY!)...

There's the congeniality smile... it's Monday am, you've parked your car.. you make the dreaded trek to the cubicle.. you pass a coworker, be it in the parking lot or the hallway... a smile to you on your way draws yours, and you think to yourself "You have no way of knowing how large that plays.. I love you, and I'm fortunate to work with you." (Mebbe more later, but... remember, I write for me, to me, hitchhikers welcome... but I think that "I'm fortunate to work with you" should somehow be communicated, be it email, face to face.. or an email to a boss braggin on ur fellow coworker.)

Intimate smiles. Sure, been awhile, but I remember. Probably the best kind.. these smiles seemingly send us back into the day of raging hormones - not to mention giving us a keen sense of self worth, comfort.

"I have no idea whointhehell you are" smiles. These are among my favs. You hold the door open at Wally World, or, perhaps have it held open for you. NICE. Spread nice!.. You walk past a stranger - eyes meet.. "hi, howya doing" happens, smile happens. Yes. Yes. Good hearts giving good vibes, albeit knowing "I will never see you again" and never thinking that -- it's just the person they are... the person you wanna be.

Smile... in a group of friends.. you listen as you hear the one telling the story.. you're probably already heard it..you (maybe) "know where it's going"... a baby smirk happens.. and when they finish their oration, you're in complete smile.. you know them... you like them.. you've come to almost know what's gonna roll outta their mouth next... you smile. And for that, you are thankful.

A fun email. Smile. Something stupid, goofy, off-the-wall said at work, you smile. 5pm happens. You're exiting work - you cross paths with a coworker, you know work has been challenging, you're of the same ilk.. gladly... "it's 5pm, I'm getting the hell outta here" here's a smile for you as I realize you are too.

Grandparent smiles. There are none better, and yes, I'm including the "oh baby, oh baby" smiles here. Grandparent smiles are heavenly. You scroll back 20-30 some years and envision. You see the smile light up from your grandkid, followed very closely by the smile from your kid - and adding yours now makes it THREEFOLD. Days, months, years, mems get you to this point - but it's a point on the planet where you wanna yell, shout "HELL YEAH.. THIS IS "THE BEST!".. and it is. It doesn't make sense that a smile at age 6 months... 10 months.. 12 months... 15 months can be so damn impactive.. but they are. (And, changing the subject, should they get in one'a those grumpy, "I ain't happy moods" [rare, but happens].. you just say, "ahm, love you guys, but I gotta be going now"... I'm a grandparent, I can do that, but DAMN I loved the good mood, coos, smiles we just had! There is absolutely no feel on earth compared to being on the receiving end of a smile from ur grandchild.

Family. A given. With family, it's a bit more than a smile. It's adding in all you've been thru.. it's adding in yesterday... it's adding in ur common love for those that ain't no longer around... it's longevity.. it's love... it's meaningful..

I've heard more than once.. "Victor, you have a persistant 'shit-eatin' grin"... it's ok, I'll take that... and I'll take it as a compliment... None of us know what's going on in a person's life.. our friends often have no idea what's really going on in our own life. Smiles spread comfort. Feel good. Contentment.

Smiles, both given and received, (to me) are way more impactive than... the stock market... the presidential race... the NCAA basketball tourney... American Idol... the weather.. current events.. CNN breaking news... Easter, Memorial Day, MLK day, President's Day, Halloween... etc, etc.

Smiles help the innards. Smiles help the outtards. Giving one is a tremendous feel good... getting/receiving one: double that.

When it's least expected, you're elected - it's your lucky day.... SMILE..

Love, Victurd

Stuff I learned the hard way...... and the wonderful way..

Not a good idea to crack pecans with your teeth..

A 1997 Buick La Sabre with a broken gas gauge will go exactly 354.7 miles on a full tank of gas...

Companies that ain't making money get ridda employees...

Sometimes, when umpiring, a foul tip will bounce right in front of the catcher, bound up thru his legs, barely miss his behind, and land squarely...... well.. you know.

"Till death do us part" means different things to different people.

It's important to remember to lock the door at work when using the unisex bathroom.

When at red traffic light, turning right... even though traffic looks clear from left so you rev it up and go, it very important car stopped in fronta you think so too.

Cars make very funny noises when you're driving down road, think you're putting it in neutral, but accidentally hit "R".

A Volkswagen will definitely float, but it won't float indefinitely.

A Redbox movie turned in 5 days late can sometimes cost you $200 in overdraft fees.

You single, divorced, simply want human interaction on Christmas, Dennys is only choice.

When rearranging furniture in bedroom during day, always make sure bedroom light bulb operative for midnight pee.

Sports teams you cherish will give you every possible emotion there is.

Sometimes, you fill trusted one up with secret, he/she leaks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learned the wonderful way:

Vast majority of folks, very good.

Many, unbelievable in their loyalty, concern, compassion.

"You can count on me" upheld by many throughout a lifetime.

Blood perhaps is thicker than water, but many of us fortunate to have had some very wonderful in laws.

Aha, I remembered. There IS a new 4-pack of TP under the sink.

Work can be fun.

A job well done takes a team.

There's no feeling like having, holding your infant child.

There's no feeling like having, holding your grandchild.

Receiving one's smile goes a long way to making one's day.

Touch (of course, done properly) is a very good thing.

There's a special feel when, after some absence, seeing a family member again.

Seeing others happy is contagious.

Humor very definitely helps keep the blood flowing.

Blood flowing, at an old age, a very good thing.

Knowing when to say "when" when sitting at this damn keyboard.

Love (I've heard is a many splendored thing), Victurd

Tubthumping

We'll be singing, when we're winning, we'll be singing

I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
Yo're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

Victor, you need to know, everyone doesn't think just like you. Ok. That said, I love this song. I use it to pump me up. When down, I CRANK IT. Life has it's way of rolling us bowling pins over. Song serves as a good reminder.

(Pissing the night away, pissing the night away)
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Oh Danny Boy, Danny Boy, Danny Boy)

Sure, I do that too damn often, and liquor is pretty sad in that the perceived 'lift' is really a downer.. but, it's where I'm at. Will work on it. Tomorrow.

I get knocked down, but I get up again
Yo're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

MU just lost to Norfolk State. Lemme repeat that, MU just lost to Norfolk State. As I peered at the bracket, I looked past Norfolk State.. asked... "hmmm, what about Florida?... Marquette?... Michigan State?... but.. Norfolk State? Hence, next verse...

(Pissing the night away, pissing the night away)
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Don't cry for me, next door neighbour)

I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

Life has a way of knocking us down. Some things hit us smack in the gut. Loss of loved ones knock us to the ground. (Yucky) Things some say are impactive, never leave us. Trial/tribulation happnes. Thus, my love for this song.

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're ever gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
Youre never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (ooh)

A precursor on how to live life. A coaches pep talk pregame, halftime, during a timeout. A reminder from our friends, and to ourselves, we're gonna get knocked down.

We all get knocked down. We get up again, you're never going to keep us down.

Down happens. Chin up. Good follows bad (Even for Frank Haith and MU Tigers.. hey, we've got Dixon, Pressey, Bowers + recruits for 2013 SEC)...

If you get knocked down... Happens... Get up again, never let 'em keep you down.

Love, Victurd

Run, 1962 vs Run, 2012... a short story.

1962... anywhere, everywhere, anytime.

2012... Run? The hell is that?

1962... PE... the fifty yard dash.. the shuttle run... the 600 yard dash.. (until the day I die I will never forget Stanley Savage forgetting his tenny boppers, kicking our butts in his socks in the 600 yard dash)..

2012... PE? Not no, but hells no, I know ED, ADD, OCD, RA, COPD, and IBS... Mortgaged out the ying yang? We RUN to the bank on payday. Got that 'urge'? (ie, #1, #2).. Serious stuff at this age.. RUN or you'll regret it!

1962... Run to the City Park.. to William Jewell... to Ruth Moore... to Clayview... wave at every other car you see, as there's no doubt you know them.

2012.. Run, at the Piggly Wiggly (the other way), when you see someone four aisles down, that always remembers your name, and you have no idea/recollection of whothehell it is...

1962.. that 6th and final Coke bottle is emptied, off to Safeway to cash it in... Kick the can... Hill Dill.. Hide and seek... Hear a siren? Run across town to find it...

2012.. Hear a siren? Run the other way.. "Run" is technically changed - whilst it usedta involve your legs.. it now involves your gas peddle... your verbiage to a friend "I was runnin' like 60".. (and sadly, we do)..

1962... THE ICE CREAM MAN! RUN!!!!. New movie at the Plaza Theater... Hey, doesn't that guy play for the Chiefs? Let's RUN to get his autograph!...

2012... This errand, that errand, this bill, that bill, this phone call, that one, this chore, that chore... end of day we're tired "from all that runnin'"...

1962... SCHOOL'S OUT!... "Race ya to that tree?"... "Have you seen the new 62 Nova at Parrish Chevrolet? Come on, let's go!"...

2012... "Boss, I can't come in today boss... bad case of the runs"... "Why, these kids nowadays have everything handed to 'em.. I remember back in our day we ran everywhere.." Run: April 15th, Birthday, Winter, Black Friday: RUN!

Tune in, ten years from now (the Good Lord willing)... when it'll be "Walk, 1962 vs Walker, 2022"

I've loved every age. Why not... can't run from it. Love, Victurd

Got any spare change?

A preachment, dear friend
You are about to receive on John Barleycorn
Nicotine and the temptations of Eve
(ie, I write to myself, SURE-AS-HECK ain't putting anyone on pedestal, I'm reminding ME.. ty, ty)

Change. Life's all about change. Our age changes, we change our addy, our town, our user ID/Password (oh woe is me, now whereinthehell did I write that down).. we change places we store/save things..

We can change our spouses, our jobs, our hair color.. hell, some even change sexes.

Even if we flip our undies, mathematically, we're still changing them 3 and 1/2 times per week. Our cars, our toys, where we eat, what we eat, how we exercise, how we don't exercise... a Twenty.. a Fitty.. u got change for a dollar? (YEARS ago I coached women's college basketball... gal came up frantic before practice "COACH, COACH.. you got change for a dime?".... the hell (I said 'heck', thought 'hell') do u need change for a dime for? Oh... that. K, here. Victor, isn't that like the 12th time you've told that one? Reread your damn blogs for a change.

We can read books and attempt to change an aspect of our life we ain't so hot on. We can take classes, in hopes of changing our career.. We can rearrange, change our furniture.. We get married, change our names (how come it's the chick that's always forced to do that?).. The witch changed the prince into a toad.

We had to change planes at O'Hare. We change lanes at the grocery store when we hear "price check on 12".. get home from work, change into comfy clothes, slippers.

We change everything, almost. Oh sure, you hear "he (she) will never change" and we are creatures of habit in our ways, mindset, beliefs... Even the most headstrong amongst us changes over time.

The only thing I can think of we can't really change (well.. 'ceptin maybe the fact 'the woman is always right') is... yesterday. We can't change yesterday. We get one chance - today, and then it becomes yesterday - and there ain't no going back.

So Victor, you sometimes (oft-times?) depressed fool... smile... lots. You'll be glad tomorrow that you did today. See someone doing good? Let 'em know. Ya like the fact that someone really went all out to look good? Don't walk by and say "hi", damnit, tell 'em, "hey, you look good today,"

Read the obits today? Know anyone? Can you think of five people right now that you'd give anything to call 'em up on the phone but can't? Today becomes yesterday, and there's no changing that.

Victor, I've noticed you've said/written some dumb things of late.. as you walk thru today, don't do that. Don't blurt. Think twice before hitting 'send' on that email, or 'post' on that posting. K, I'll try. (You've got to change your evil ways - baby)...

The other day, someone posted a thingy, I REALLY liked it. Was picture of a doggy runnin' like the wind. Appeared as if he was damn near smiling. Caption was "Live... like someone left the gate open."

I likes that. A lot. If we did (Victor, that's preaching... you mean "If YOU did").. ok, ok. If we (I) relax.. if we (I) smile.. if we look for good.. if we praise others when it's deserved.. if we say stuff like "dang, you're really fun to work with".. "hey, I admire you because of ______".. "I've always liked the way you ____ and I've never told you so."

We have the power within to change our yesterdays - but it's imminent we do so today, for we can't change our yesterday.

So Victor, watch out for John Barleycorn, nicotine and the temptations of Eve. (Sorry.. some things will never change..let it all hang out).. .. but I'm gonna try my best today, to change tomorrow's yesterday... gotta go flip undies now.. happy day, as tomorrow it will be yesterday.. love Victurd.)