Oh the games people play now......

Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
Never saying what they mean

I love all people, I do, but some make it hard to do so. The above stanza... To me, it's all about evaluation. Some folks it's easy to see/evaluate/form opine fairly rapidly, others, it takes years. All'a that offset by the general belief initially "take 'em by their word."

And they wile away the hours
In their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers
In the back of a black limousine

Eh, this does not compute. I'm just a common man, drive a common van, my dog ain't got no pedigree. (Victor, I think it's against blog rules to inter-mix two songs in one blog.) Then howabout, suffice to say, ivory towers, black limousine, it ain't me babe. Oops.

La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play

Oh we make one another cry
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
That the other was to blame

My only experience here is being on the receiving end of goodbye, and the inferred (and believed) guilt instilled in me. "I was to blame." If this was a blog (ha ha) I would say "scroll to the title."

Neither one will give in
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
It's a dirty rotten shame

Too late, comes to mind, for staring at an eight by ten. One can only control their own feelings, actions. It's a dirty rotten shame, but life does go on, and in many cases, a perty decent hereafter.

People walking up to you
Singing glory halleluiah
And they're tryin to sock it to you
In the name of the Lord

They're gonna teach you how to meditate
Read your horoscope, cheat your faith
And further more to hell with hate
Come on and get on board

Again, this one's all about "sit back, evaluate." Never been a big fan of 'hawkers', be it the carnival, the side street in the big city, the slickster a knockin' on ur door, and, (don't shoot me) the ultra religious handing out pamphlets about my perceived path to hell. I prefer to observe lifelong folks/bonds - their faith.

Look around tell me what you see
What's happening to you and me
God grant me the serenity
To remember who I am

Cause you've given up your sanity
For your pride and your vanity
Turns you sad on humanity
And you don't give a da da da da da

Yes, sometimes the games people can play wear on you. Fortunately, age is the 'hockey goalie' to thwart this. Comfort. A vast majority of our life is making sure "we fit". Are "comfy". Don't "rock the boat" (sorry, a 4th song, I will do 100 sit-ups for doing so).. Bottom-line (geez Victor, we never thought you'd get here) in life, in games, in family, in relationships, in friends, in every day life - we, are the judge, jury and executioner of our own person.

Please don't allow the games people play to affect that. Or is that effect? Love, Victurd

Don't read, unless you're really bored, as this is really boring.

A preachment, dear friend
You are about to receive on John Barleycorn
Nicotine and the temptations of Eve

Yeah, pretty sure I've done that/this one before... oh well.. Old people are repetitive..

No parkin' by the sewer sign
Hot dog, my razors broke
Water drippin' up the spout
But I dont care, let it all hang out

Went into work today... five hours... semi-caught up.. Car has been hesitating to start in the am... bought a new battery at Wally World yest...... Made it to work today... made it back to town.. Piggly Wiggly for a bottle of pop and a jar of peanuts to take to my buddy's wonderful annual Memorial Day party...AHRUH.. ARUH.. ARuh.. aruh... click.. Dead battery. Hmmm. Alternator?

Hangin' from a pine tree by my knees
Sun is shinin' through the shade
Nobody knows what its all about
It's too much, man, let it all hang out

Made the half mile walk from Piggly Wiggly to home to Google howintheheck to change the alternator on my car.. Kinda understood.... afoot to auto parts store.. looking for shortcut (I'm old)..en route, lady was leaving a nearby assisted care facility, walking to her car.. I took an abrupt right thru their parking lot (in her direction) as I saw a back way/shortcut to auto part's store.. three ladies on front porch saw this, (scared, I think, thinking maybe I was gonna go jump her) .. "Sir.. are you looking for something?".. "Nah, my car just broke down at the Piggly Wiggly.. I'm walking to the auto part's store"... "Darn, sorry, good luck mister." (And bless them for having the courage to speak up, understood.)

Saw a man walkin' upside down
My T.V.s on the blink
Made Galileo look like a Boy Scout
Sorry 'bout that, let it all hang out

Auto parts store.. "Sir, for your make/model, there is a 90 amp, and a 120 amp alternator, it matters... do you know which it is?"... "No... I don't.. what do I need to do, would the VIN help?"... "Yes, we need the VIN." Afoot to Piggly Wiggly. Bouta twenty minute walk. And back to auto parts store (bouta twenty minute walk) with insurance card with VIN # on it."... "I'm sorry sir, but I can't tell from your VIN which one you need." "Darn, ok, I'll just go pull it off." So.. afoot to Piggly Wiggly, bouta twenty minute walk.

Sleep all day, drive all night
Brain my numb, can't stop now
For sure ain't no doubt
Keep an open mind, let it all hang out

Piggly Wiggly, at my car. Ain't got the right tools. Didn't wanna call buddy, called.. he, his wife came.. together, we didn't have the right tools.. tried jumping the car. Huh uh. Took battery to anudder auto parts store to charge.. They took me home. Oops. Keys still in car at Piggly Wiggly, no getty into apartment. Ran, caught them. "Sorry!" Friend/wife hitched me back to Piggly Wiggly.. back to apt.

It's rainin' inside a big brown moon
How does that mess you baby up, leg
Eatin' a Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut
Don't stop now, baby, let it all hang out

Alarm set early to have at again tomorrow. Will ride bicycle to Perky's for early am breakfast.. Swing by auto parts store for battery.. back to Piggly Wiggly.. Hopefully drive car to auto parts store, buy the appropriate 'breaker bar' tool.. hopefully pull alternator.. purchase new.. figure out whereintheheck the serpentine belt went up/down/over/under. And hopefully drive away, bicycle taking up 3/4's of the room in my matchbox car.

Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out

Fountain/drain. I didn't pay very much for my car. I haven't had car payments. My car has been a faithful, reliable servant for a long time. I have had/will have, two full days off (rare). I got to take my g-daughter to "Spacebound" (inflatable bounce house thingy) yesterday.. I am lucky.


Your (memorable) Memorial Day? Love, Victurd

Dust in the wind......

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind

Fleeting, life is. Makes one want to scorn one's self for every bad mood.. every "nah, I'm too tired, I'm gonna stay home, you guys go have fun though"... Every urge to get up on the dance floor that ne'er went acted upon..
.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Family reunions.. Class reunions.. Marriage unions... Working buddies.. runnin' buddies.. memories die out.. We lose grandparents...... parents...... some day, it's our turn..

One day our only attachment to life here will be ancestry.com.

Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind

Internal faith we must have, for one day no one will be here to remember us - we must live life so that we can remember our self as the best person we can be. Imperfect, human, but trying. (As always, I write to me, for me... hitchhikers welcome.)

Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, all your money won't another minute buy

I have heard of folks announcing "ready to go." Sure, we'll all get there one day - until then, let's inspire. Let's love. Let's have fun. Go, do, laugh, live. We might one day hunch a bit, not be as tall.. all the better to see God's green earth. We might not go as fast - but would you rather be doing 73 in the left lane on Interstate - or 35 on a windy, hilly, scenic country road? Going slower? All the better to see more! The back way of life, color me there.

Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind.

"...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Fleeting. Suck up the moments, the mems. Make more. Smile, give - enjoy. Look for good, swerve around evil, ugly, wrong. (And don't fear speaking up on those convictions. I am kinda [lovingly, I think] referred to as 'troublemaker' at work. Call me whatever, I see 'wrong', I'm vocal, passionate.) Wrong tangent, sorry, kinda.

Point is. We won't have our voice forever, use it wisely. (Victor, I've heard you say some pretty stupid things.. I know peanutbutter breath (oops, slipped, sorry, kinda), scroll to 'imperfect, human, but trying'.) Won't have our eyesight forever, go - see. One day we will have to have the radio, TV, loud to simply hear it - my vote, why not crank it now! Feel, love, hug, enjoy, smile.

Most of all, have a good day. It's the only May 18th, 2013 we'll ever have. Love, Victurd.

It was a very good year......

When I was seventeen
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for small town girls
And soft summer nights
Wed hide from the lights
On the village green
When I was seventeen

Kisses, first ever.. Wheels? You mean I can go anywhere I want, within reason? The Kuu Kuu.. Formal dances.. "mom, can you help me tie this dang thing?"... We were a 5 hour energy drink, way before it was invented.

When I was twenty-one
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for city girls
Who lived up the stair
With all that perfumed hair
And it came undone
When I was twenty-one

Sammy's... Shakey's.. Kelso's.. I'm an adult, but I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
Friend's getting married... friend's having babies.. the landscape is changing..

When I was thirty-five
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
Of independent means
Wed ride in limousines
Their chauffeurs would drive
When I was thirty-five

Worries... Food on the table.. Corporate ladders.. Role modeling, all that matters. "NO, you can't have another candy bar, you'll never get to sleep.".. Somewhere amongst the hustle-bustle, "oh yeah, I love you, and now I remember why it's all worth it."

Now wait a minute...............

Frank... you went to fast.. the 40's... "so, I noticed you followed us home from graduation.. may I ask, your home, is that somewhere near where we live?"....College bills, back pills, sore feet ills.. Due to feeling horrific on Mondays "no thanks, I can't play in that basketball league on Sunday night this year -we're doing other things." The midriff has bulged. You're not a kid any more.

Fitties.. Screw the corporate ladder. Boss, leave me alone, and you'll be thankful for it. "Get off my ass (tailgater)"... AARP card, are you S#@ting me?.. The whim of 'not letting go of one's youth' and behavior alike leads to pulled muscles, torn this, separated that.. stubbed/broke/fell all this.

But now the days grow short
Im in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
from fine old kegs
from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year

Seated in the chair, hands clasped behind the head, elbows out, watching the youngn's about. The 'want' to retire is tempered by the "is it really gonna be over? I wanna enjoy these last years of work".. "Yes honey (Grandchild).. I know it's 7pm, but sure you can have another Snickers.. here.".. Enjoyment in watching our own children wiggle through (scroll to "When I was 35")..

Of the age "don't wanna".. "don't haveta".. "don't care (what you, or anyone thinks")... "Nope, I don't wanna do that."... No more: resume's... PTA/Back to School.. Driving to/from soccer, little league, volleyball, dance... Car pools, baby stools..

Don't need the Current River.. the inside (fast) lane on 435.. Decisions made about what we want/don't, when we want.. The glow, coming from sitting back, watching others relive the stages of our lives.. 17 = who cares about tomorrow. 21 = don't wake me up before noon. 35 = we've got to plan tomorrow, today.

Old fart: Tomorrow? Sorry.. I' busy taking in today.

It was a mess of good years.. Love, Victurd

The Kansas City Chiefs Training at William Jewell...

(sorry to do this blog style, but it's me, who I am)

Going to paste this on "I remember Liberty when" website on FB.. Started to do a generic post, ask for other's mems... realized I had too many and fer sure the 'read more' thingy would come up.


The dates I've come up with are 1963, their arrival in making the transition from the Dallas Texans, to the Kansas City Chiefs. Their departure in 1990 to River Falls, WI..


Some mems....... I luckily grew up across the street from WJC, so having the Chiefs in town, as a sport's lover, little kid - was heaven.


I have a kajillion autographs, Mike Garrett, Lenny, Buck, Otis, Willie, Jan, Jerrill, EJ, Emmitt, Ernie, Curley, Bobby, a plethora, and now have no idea where they are....


Some mems: Going to the adjacent WJC baseball field where they'd setup goalposts for Jan to kick field goals.. being on the receiving end of them... firing them back to him, and hearing that accent "nice spiral kid".. (A day maker)...


My hound dog wandering up to WJC... EJ Holub (then, a center) blocking on the 7 man sled as 'Brownie' growled, grabbed his butt... and EJ kept blocking, trying to flick him off.


Playing racquetball in Brown Gym.. hearing a gentle rap on the door... open... "Mr Stram would like to play now"... ok


Jon Gilliam and Curley Culp wrestling in the basement of Brown on their way after practice... a huge welding tank tipped over on Curley's foot... missed the next game due to "injury suffered in practice."


Lived on Miller Street. Curfew was 10pm. 9:55pm, nightly, big, fancy cars would speed up our 25 mph street at 70 mph so they wouldn't miss curfew.


George Toma, and how he had the fields looking perfect.


The Corner Bar (I was older)... teammate asked Pete Beatherd (QB) to get him a bag of peanuts... he did.. guy said "just throw it to me"... Pete said "no... someone would probably intercept it"..


A wonderful time in my life. Would love to hear any mems you might have.

Love, Victurd

Fetal pig.......

I remember 7th grade... My love for Science (enter I-, I+ here... for you young punks, dat ain't good).. Mr. Karstens... so serious... the little aluminum trays... filled halfway with wax.. the pins.. our Exacto's... and the pig... the dead, fetal pig.

Dissection. The song below, I think, is a love song. I dissected the hell out of it, because today has been one'a them days, "hit by a pitch", get ursass up, dust off... and carry on. Mebbe like Formaldehyde, yuck, good friends, and 7th grade hormones can do to one's self - yet still, the urge to shout.

Strangely, a buddy recently asked (on FB) "what song makes you want to get up and dance?"... and I answered this one... but with disclaimer tonight.

We-eee-eeel....
You know you make me wanna (Shout!)
Kick my heels up and (Shout!)
Throw my hands up and (Shout!)
Throw my head back and (Shout!)
Come on now (Shout!)
Don't forget to say you will
Don't forget to say, yeah )
You got it, now!

Ever wake up, grab the FYI section, u see "Two Stars" (outta 5) on the Horoscope.. and it played out? Uh huh, me too. I try to live life like 'a blocking dummy'. You get your ass knocked down, you smile, you wipe urself down, you get back up, and you prepare again.

(Say) come on now
(Say) come on now
(Say) come on now
(Say) come on now
(Say) I still remember
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)

Today, events led to "you know you make me wanna shout".. no, not clap hands, no, not say "yeah yeah", and huh uh, not "aaaalll-right"."... Emailed someone fairly significant in the past, braggadociously about the wonderful events going on with someone fairly significant to us.. emailed 8 paragraphs of praise to fairly significant about fairly significant. Imagine my excitement (you know you make me want to shout) at the lovely reply "All's good." Uh huh, what I thought.

You know you make me wanna
(Shout-wooo) hey-yeah
(Shout-wooo) yeah-yeah-yeah
(Shout-wooo) aaaalll-right
(Shout-wooo) aaaalll-right
(Shout-wooo) come on now!
(Shout) come on now!
(Shout) yeah, yeah, yeah
(Shout) yeah, yeah, yeah (good sound)
(Shout) yeah, yeah, yeah (good sound)
(Shout) yeah, yeah, yeah (good sound)
(Shout) all-alright (good sound)
(Shout) it's all-alright (good sound)
(Shout) all-alright (good sound)
(Shout) all-alright (aah)

Now wai-a-ait a minute!
I feel aaaaaaallllllright!
(Yeah-Yeah, Yeah-Yeah!)
(OOOOOOOOW)

Now wai-a-ait a minute... More than you wanted to know.. Moved desk at work 300 yards to a trailer.(mandated).. "ok".. .. 11 years of crap hand-carried to my new 'home'... GD (Gosh darn) new computer, new Windows addition, a challenge for us aged ones.. 5 huge cardboard boxes of 11 years of junk, surrounding me.

Now, former 12 foot L shaped desk with boo-koo filing room replaced by 5 foot desk with filing space for a bologna sannich and a bag'a chips.

You know you make me wanna
(Shout-wooo) lift my heels up and
(Shout-wooo) throw my head back and
(Shout-wooo) kick my heels up and
(Shout-wooo) come on now
(Shout-wooo) take it easy
(Shout-wooo) take it easy
(Shout-wooo) take it easy (higher)

At exactly 22 minutes after 8am, I finally found the icon to login, let 'em know "I'm here". 9am, boss, two steps up from me emails me three times asking for help on some junk. 10am, phone rings, caller ID tells me "boss, two steps up" on phone. "Hello".. "You here?"... "Yes"... "SLEEPING?"... long pause... (A couple of weeks ago, I'd emailed him about a financially critical looming thing about one of our vendors... his email reply, "not important.. I haven't got time for this". .. (You know you make me want to shout)... so.......... I said "I haven't got time for this".. (I was looking for job when I got this one, too old for this crap.. know him, love him, but he makes me want to shout upon occasion)...

(Shout) a little bit softer now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now
(Shout) a little bit softer now

Ok, I will. Then I took it all in. The view from my new chair/desk. The fact I still have a wonderful job. Kid, grandkids. The fact my car runs, my arms, legs, eyes, hands, mouth - work. The fact that I see/observe "slobbery nice" (I think is how that one political party puts it.).. The fact that once again, even in s-h-i-t, life ain't bad.

(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout) a little bit louder now (ooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout) a little bit louder now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now (wooo)
(Shout) a little bit louder now
(Shout)
Hey-Hey-A-Hey
(Hey-Hey-A-Hey)
Hey-A-Hey-A
(Hey-A-Hey-A)
Hey-A-Hey-A)
(Hey-A-Hey-A)
Hey-A-A-Hey)
(Hey-A-A-Hey)

Coming home tonight, finally actually playing this on youtube.. the shout of woe, turns to the shout of wooo, hey-hey-a-hey.

Jump Now!
Jump up and shout now (wooo)
Jump up and shout now (wooo)
Jump up and shout now (wooo)
Jump up and shout now (wooo)
Jump up and shout now (wooo)
Everybody shout now
Everybody shout now
Everybody, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shou-out
Shout, shout, shou-out
Shout, shout, shout, shout (oh-whoa-yeah)
Shout, shout, shout, shout (oh yeah)
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Everybody shout now (ooo)

I am an idiot, but you knew that. I abhor folks that come here (FB) diss friends, loved ones,life's events et al (bare ass, so to speak). And then I shout about it too. Oh well. We all, I reckon, have those "shout" days... Most of us move on.. smile, keep our yap shut... Others, might go to Happy Hour, come home and blog... get up the next morning and regret it.......

You know you make me want to shout..........

Love, Victurd

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.

Tumultuous week. "WHY?"... "OMFG!"... "NOOOOOOO!"... "WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE?"

Begs to one day be able to state "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" (in a POSITIVE way, from a breathtaking, happy, celebratory event, happening)....

Tragedy only festers "I'm going 60 in 55 mph zone, will you get the hell off my ass"... "But boss, we've had an incredible year... WHY impose these piddly ass rules NOW?" 4/15/2013. Uncle Sam? REALLY?

Malady... The urge to slam on the brakes.......... walk.......walk sheepishly to HR with "can u put annuder fitty a pay period towards Federal".. are fortunately eased by music. ('specially if you're an old [single] fart like me, I highly recommend it as 'replacement, fill in the blank, time passer, mood easer' for whatshername, whatshisname...)

Now I lay me down sleep... in an hour and a half......... With all the 'ends' unfortunately brought this week.. thought.. "hmmm.. what would be, if asked, the last ten songs I would wanna listen to be?"....

I am certain the list would change from night to night, week to week... but tonight's list included Chapman, Petty, Cash, Clapton, Russell, Beatles, Stones, Zevon, Cline, Isley Brothers (and one by one, I cranked, 'felt')

Music heals. Music soothes. Music brings out lost feel. Music, for our diversity, is like opening the fridge and choosing. Eases... happify's, if that ain't a word, should be... tape, to hold days together... tonic, to recalling past happy times... an eiixer, reminder - life is pretty good.

(And today's Peanut Butter Parfait was topped off with hugs/loves from the grandbabies)

Love, Victurd

Melody and malady....

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

Coach asked about how playing basketball in a mammoth football stadium would affect his players.. Small dirt track owner criticized about the track conditions by some drivers because he poured 200 (free) loads of dirt on the track... Opening day, baseball.."Coach - 40 degrees, how can your players handle that?"

Charleston was once the rage, uh huh
History has turned the page, uh huh
The mini skirts the current thing, uh huh
Teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

"They're (the other team) playing in the same arena"... "Every driver is driving on the same track"... "Sure, we'll be cold, but the other guys have to play in the cold too."

The grocery store's the super mart, uh huh
Little girls still break their hearts, uh huh
And men still keep on marching off to war
Electrically they keep a baseball score

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

For many individuals, life, ain't necessarily the same battlefield. Treading, not equal. Malady happens for a good portion of folks, in various ways.. The field can be slanted. Affliction happens. Emotions overtake. "Not fair" harkened by some.. Stone silence, inner dealing, by others. chronic.. deep-seated.. undesirable.. indisposed... The view, the trek, is just simply not the same.

Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
The cars keep going faster all the time
Bums still cry "hey buddy, have you got a dime"

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

I write to me for me, hitchhikers welcome. Remember to give a smile. Touch a shoulder. Open a door. Answer the phone like you'd like to have it answered for you. Boost. Compliment. For some, it's certain the beat is almost unbearable - and much of the time, that's impossible to detect.

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

Be happy, it's contagious. Love, Victurd

I believe in you.......

I've maybe done this one before.. 1,100 some blog posts...too lazy to go back thru and peek... sorry!

Too "gooda" song/lyrics not to revisit. Some of the most fun (I've found) is revisiting in life.

I don't believe in superstars,
Organic food and foreign cars.
I don't believe the price of gold;
The certainty of growing old.
That right is right and left is wrong,
That north and south can't get along.
That east is east and west is west.
And being first is always best.

I believe we all see the same things... have the same "views from our shoes"... we just deduct differently, our own way..

But I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

Small business.. mom and pop stores... puppies... exuberant kids... the sound of the morning paper hitting the sidewalk. that first smile "hi, howya doing?" to those we see daily, and appreciate so.... "in vogue", be it fashion, TV shows, the current top sport, goings on of a loved one, friend, current events...

Well, I don't believe that heaven waits,
For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love:
He's down below, He's up above.
He's watching people everywhere.
He knows who does and doesn't care.
And I'm an ordinary man,
Sometimes I wonder who I am.

We all question ourselves.. our actions... reactions... our 'place', and our "is this where I should be?"... Our ups, downs...... jubilation.... the want to go hide in the corner... shut the alarm off, hibernate... sorry Dr. Laura, our 'no want' to "Take on the day" (occasionally)..

But I believe in love.
I believe in music.
I believe in magic.
And I believe in you.

I do believe in you... my family.. my friend... my coworker.. my child...my grandchildren... my esteemed "athlete/writer/actor/actress/teacher/coach/boss/yada"... you give me hope...

I know with all my certainty,
What's going on with you and me,
Is a good thing.
It's true, I believe in you.

My FB friend... the lady whose register I always swing thru at the Piggly Wiggly.. Friends, infrequent in crossing paths from yesteryear, but when we do -'yesterday' fast-fowards/flashes thru the brain in millisecond - and out comes the 'smile'/reflection....

I don't believe virginity,
Is as common as it used to be.
In working days and sleeping nights,
That black is black and white is white.
That Superman and Robin Hood,
Are still alive in Hollywood.
That gasoline's in short supply,
The rising cost of getting by.

Christmas.. Santa.. The Easter Bunny.. The Tooth Fairy.. Nursery Rhymes... That an easy girl isn't amazing, and an amazing girl isn't easy.. and..costs to live nowadays.. .we share, in struggle...

But I believe in love.
I believe in old folks.
I believe in children.
I believe in you.

Nuff said - what better.

I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

I write to me, for me... hitchhikers welcome. Victor... when those eyes are opened, select. Select to see good. It's out there. Prevalent. Don't fret about what you don't have... Cherish what you do..and thats a lot.

Love, Victurd.

Snow, then, snow, now........

"MOM, did you see it, did you see it?.. 4, 5 & 9, yep, each one! NO SCHOOL!"

"Yuck... oh well... at least I've got 12 choices of reality shows... 8 college basketball games, 4 different Two and a Half Men episodes, Repo games, Sportscenter and the Insanity workout as choices."

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"Can I go sleddin'? The Flanigans are already outside?!!!"

"Yes, cat. I think I will emulate you today. Persnickety, and "ugh"."

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"THAT, was fun! Tim Flanigan made it the furthest... From the tip top of Jewell Hall, all the way to 312 Franklin Street!.. Is the hot chocolate ready?"

"Closing these damn shades... I can't take the brightness... I guess it's GD (gosh darn) Raisin Bran insteada the Perkins '55 Plus Classic Egg Favorite."

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"Hey mom, can the Flanigan's come in and play? Will you make us homemade snow ice cream?"

"I've had twelve cups of coffee. Gotta pee. Just smoked my last cig. It's 75' from here to the car, and 8" of snow in between. Decisions, decisions."

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"Hey, we're gonna go in the front yard and make an igloo. Can I get a dry pair'a gloves, and is it ok if I put on a dry pair of jeans? I'll use the ones with the patches on the knees."

"Got my cigs. My feet are freezing. Warm bath, nap ahead."

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"MOM! It's so cool... COME LOOK! Even Gabe (our hound) got in the igloo with us!"

"GD (gosh darn) cat. Just when I'd snoozed off, you felt the GD (gosh darn) urge to nap on my forehead."

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

"I sure hope Dan Henry has good news for us again tomorrow morning! Is that Chili I smell cooking? Do we have some Fritos to dip in with it?"

"I've sat at this damn computer for almost four hours now... read, reread every FB post, twice. Forwarded six goofy emails. I can't believe I'm saying this - I'd almost rather be at work."

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"Dad, that inner tube in the basement from the '58 Buick.. can we use it?"


"I'm comforted by the fact my son didn't have to work, be out in this, and that I know my grandbabies are warmly dressed."

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

"THANKS mom/dad... this day has been THE BEST! I know we'll have to make up the snow day, but I hope we get 7 more inches so we can do it all again tomorrow!"

"Scottsdale...... Fort Myers... Padre Island... San Diego.... hurry Spring... PLEASE?"

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

"Thanks for the fire in the fireplace dad!.. I can feel my toes now! YAY!"

"Oh SNAP. Power out. GD (gosh darn) electric heat. I can't feel my fingers it's so cold."

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

Oh the weather outside is frightful... But the fire is so delightful.. And since we've no place to go... Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow....


Oh happy day, oh to be a kid again... Love, Victurd.

Fun = Life, Life = Fun

Fun....

Little word, looms large. It's fun, watching folks have fun.

Fun is happy, light, special - unique to individuals, groups, families.. events, celebrations - even remembrances...

I work with a guy who is head over heels for his lady friend of 5 years. "Vic, she just makes everything in life more fun." Cool. Example.. She had an eyeball that was slightly off center.. worsened over the years...... so..... she went, had surgery. Of course my buddy accompanied her, made sure she made back home ok.. drove back into work... and when he got home, there she was with patch over eye, wearing a pirate outfit/hat, complete with parrot on her shoulder. Coulda been "oh woe is me"
lying in bed, yet - she chose fun.

Cousin posted a short video of her great niece/nephew, who obviously have learned "fun can happen anywhere." Yes, there they were, aisle 7 of Home Depot, dancing, spinning - partaking in fun - for no particular reason. I mean like, isn't that what Aisle 7 of life is for?

I once heard a lady say "oh, I don't know how one can go through life laughing, acting silly all the time... it actually kinda disgusts me." Kinda reminds me how much fun "pissing in cornflakes" sounds.

Fun brings laughter, titillation, exhilaration - thus, I would think good for the circulatory system. Fun lends smiles, thus, prettier/more handsome youths and adults alike.

Yes, seriousness can and does have to happen - but even in that, there are windows where fun can assist.

Fun brings families, groups, individuals together. Fun weaves a bond. Fun brings on feel good, and ain't that kinda the nature of this game?

Fun is contagious - witness forwarded email silly's... trite, light posts and shares on FB. We each immerse ourselves with what we find, brings us - fun.

“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” Dr. Suess, Cat In The Hat.

“It ain't no fun if the homies can't have none. ” Snoop Dogg.

“So, have a little fun. Soon enough you'll be dead and burning in Hell with the rest of your family.” George Carlin.

“Rules should always be bent, if not broken. It's the only way to have any fun.” Alyson Noel.

I remember, in times it was evident a family member wasn't to be with us much longer - it's been kind of an unsaid family rule to upon occasion, mix in fun, a funny. The person on the way out wanted it that way. Me too whenever that time comes, I could only be so honored. In the meantime:

Worlds of Fun. Fun happens. I can't remember when i've had to much fun. THAT, was fun.

I had so much fun in college, I think my brain might got stuck there. Our fraternity's little song diddy is unique to our fraternity, but not unlike any other frat, or group, or family:

Us Sigma Nus, we like to live, but when it comes to die,
You'll never hear us moan and groan, you'll never hear us sigh
We'll walk right up to the pearly gates, you bet your ass we do,
For at the gates we meet St. Pete, and he's a Sigma Nu!

Meantime, I hope you/I/us all have some fun. Love, Victurd.

I'm weird........

but you knew that.....

As I hacked and coughed my way down the apartment stairs to my car this morning... I decided to check my mailbox en route. It's an 8 inch tall, 3 inch wide mailbox, that if not checked every couple days certainly causes the mailman consternation.

On this morning, I had one letter. It certainly looked official, so I opened it, and lo and behold, it was a sale's pitch for life insurance...

As I drove to work... I asked myself, "if you suddenly keel Victor, is everything in order, planned, paid for?" and I am reasonably sure it is. Then, I asked myself "have you decided between a small service (and kegger after) or cremation?"... And I'm still not sure. Guess that should best be decided huh?

I continued........ "If you do have a service, whointhehell would be your pallbearers?"

Wow... Good question.. I guess not to hurt their arms, I should probably plan on six...

The first, two, three names came easily. Then it was a struggle.. I communicate with two of the three pretty regularly... I finally got to five... then ultimately figured the sixth..

Then I asked myself "Victor, what kind of friend have you been, if you would consider asking these people... and it's been awhile since you called, emailed, written, texted.. communicated just how important they've been in ur life?"

And I felt sheepish.

Reminders.

Sure, gruesome to think of one's own demise - but too, puts things in perspective.

I write to me, for me... hitchhikers welcome.

Message is, let those in your life who bear importance, whom you are very thankful for the interrelationship, know.

Going to bed now. The good Lord willing, I will awaken, and if I do, I plan to somehow 'touch' all six soon.

You?

Love, Victurd.

Ah the beauty of freshly fallen snow.

That's BS (from these galoshes anyways). Yes, snow is pretty, from indoors.

You are certainly entitled to your opine, me mine. Move to Colorado if you like (nuttin' personal Mike Einerson, know how much you love it there), love visiting/viewing, but ain't no hangers for my hat there.

I literally HATE driving in this stuff. Ever grind your teeth? (Ever eat a pine tree?).. I get more muscle exercise driving in the snow than an hour on any damn elliptical machine.

You! You one car length behind me at 35 mph in four inches of snow, you're an idiot! (Sorry, slipped)...

Usedta love sledding, there was hot chocolate reward awaiting. Usedta love snow skiing, been awhile, but last time I went I was old enough to envision hip replacement with each and every exit off the lift at the top of the mountain.

COLD! Snow is GD (gosh darn) COLD! "To the bone" as we age. Patooey. Speaking of bone (with apologies to those that maybe usedta like me, and of course to my embarrassed relatives), EVER PEED IN COLD WEATHER? "Now whereinthehell did it go? I KNOW it's in there somewhere!"... Sorry, kinda.

Gloves. Whereinthehell is the other glove? I am organizationally challenged (And I swear to God dryers eat socks... To heck with you for laughing at me cause my socks don't match, I've got a pair just like 'em in my drawer at home!)..

When's the last time you gotta call "hey, wanna go play in the snow?" Uh huh, what I said.

Give me April, May, June, July and August. Ok, don't feel left out September, you're ok too.

I hate (yes, I know it's a strong word), I hate shoveling snow... snow melt.. scraping windshields.. jumping onto plastic car seats in 5 degree weather... MUSH thrown at my windshield from 4 wheel drive soccer mom's vehicle in the next lane. Yuck, patooey.

Victor, had you not job-hopped, stayed, and invested in your 401K better you could be in Phoenix chasing other raisins right now? Bite me, and you and the sled you came in on.

Short one today, mebbe pun intended. Happy New Year, travel safely, and don't worry about my gloveless hand getting frostbite, I'll put a sock on it if need be.

Going to take a xanax now, hopefully that (and Springtime) will help me put a sock on all this bitching.

Slip sliding away, love, Victurd.

Simon says........

A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Weird, to me, that sometimes when we seek, crave, desire 'others', be it relationship-wise, friendship-wise, we resort, resign to being alone.

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

We tell ourselves "it's ok, I didn't need/want that anyways."

Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Sometimes hard to cipher Simon. Not sure if he's giving up, or, wanting so badly.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Pain (and much good) come from relationships. Alone too causes pain, but perhaps
it's sometimes easier to absorb that kind rather than having to wade thru the other kind.

And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.

Crying happens on islands too, it's just not as easily heard. One too can be 'mated' and so alone. Seen it (others). Been it. Tires spinning on ice. Walking into a 40 mph wind.

I/we, could give up. Some do. I won't. Ever. (And getting out has nothing to do with me just smoking my last cig... Just like going to the gym has nothing to do with spandex.)

May you be a rock in 2013. Sure, hurts. Sure, causes pain. Visiting an island can be very therapeutic. Living there, not so much.

Happy day, Victurd.

A short one on 'that word.'

I kinda purposely entitled this "that word" insteada what I was gonna: "Shit" -primarily because I've many, many friends, relatives who might see that, and would be kinda in shock... disbelief, incredulous perhaps - some, and "really?" others. . And, the immediate 'look on their face' would be akin to.. "no shit Victor?" So yes, "shit".

I'ma guessin' a vast 90 percenta us have spewed that word a time or two in our lifetime.. and many, with certain frequency. And just think, without shit, we wouldn't be here today.

"Shit happens" - we say that to remind us, as we traverse the rollercoaster of life - We wouldn't have "good" without "goo"... No matter how well planned out, intended, hopeful - shit happens.

Whilst I (of course) NEVER-EVER, I remember the phrase from back in the longhaired reasonably freakish days - exhaled and said at a very high pitch "good shit." Which, always kinda puzzled me, as I never graded mine, nor knew there even were grades for shit.

Although.. our fraternity house in college was disgusting... and that's kinda just the way we liked it. The second floor squatter.. We kept a sign, scotch tape nearby, and whenever a brother had one that was "omg, I've never seen one that long" we'd affix the sign "The King" to the commode, and it warranted the 'lid open, no flushing for three days' rule. Proud. Sick? Sure.. but proud.

I recently watched a rather humerous video of a man dressed up in a 'snow man' outfit, outside a retail establishment... and he went from "still, lifeless.... immobile", 'that's there simply for the merriment of winter', 'it's like an ornament, statue.. it's 'fixed'.. to ALLOFASUDDEN he'd "swivel" and turn toward the unsuspecting (NOW STUNNED) walker-by.. after watching a about thirty different (pardon the pun) "scared shitless" folk's reactions - "SHIT" seemed to be the most popular verbal reaction to the 'statue's sudden movement. Shit's a valuable, useful word..

Shit saves. The folks above were scared. Shit saves. That feel you get, like I had in winter time yesterday... you're behind the wheel, two hands on the wheel, in control.. and allofasudden the winter conditions of the road take the car completely out of your control.. brakes don't help.. turning the steering wheel it useless.. so insteada yelling "FOR BEHOOGITY SAKES, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! GIVE MY GEORGE BRETT AUTOGRAPHS TO MY FIRSTBORN GRANDSON, MY SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO AUBRIE, AND REMEMBER: CREMATION, DUMP MY ASHES ON THE CITY PARK BALLFIELD!!!!"... instead, we simply say "SHIT"... shit saves, encapsulates.

"I don't give a shit"... is good for rebellion... "had it up to here" at work, in marriage, in 'friendship'.. or, a 'so what?' to one's disbelief of "are you really gonna do that?"

Shit/shinola enables us to explain, designate stupid people.

"Don't stink", as in "he/she doesn't think his/her shit stinks." Whilst, in marriage, I was never in attendance in the restroom with her 'during', I do remember going in shortly after, and can attest to "yes... shit stinks....his, hers, everyone's"

"WHY.. YOU LITTLE SHIT!!" is a reactionary that allows us to "get back" at youthful rebellion. It's usually said with smile... and draws a smile. I guess you could even say "funny shit"..

"Funny shit" is also a common reply to an email a friend has sent u that nearly makes one pee our pants, laugh aloud over the toppa the cubicle.

"Holy shit" has nothing to do with religion - rather it's said to something we've seen in disbelief. "Are you shitting me" has nothing to do with a person/rectum, again, it too is the disbelief thing.

It is said "when you're up to your nose in shit, keep your mouth shut." There's cocky shit, shitheads, bullshit, cowshit, horseshit, piles of shit, looking "the shit"...

In real life, and in vernacular, we could never exist without shit. At age sixty "I don't care what you/people, think." Forty years ago I mighta termed it "I don't give a..............." No shit.

I've always blogged about shit, just never specifically. Sorry... kinda.

Love, Victurd.

Sorry...... bored...

Before I die..... I wanna...

I wanna cry... (Crying can be a very good thing)

I'd love to see Dems/Repubs agree on something for the betterment of our people/county.

I'd like to see some type of advanced technology that would not allow cars to get in accidents..

I'd love for kids born today, when they reach my age to know as much about cancer as I know about WWI (ie, in the past, long ago, a distant memory.)

Selfishly, I'd love to retire, and have enough to get by..

I'm going to try to tell every nice smile I see, "nice smile." Try to remember, whenever someone asks "how was your day... how you doin'... how you been" - answer, thank for asking, and reciprocate with "and you?" (I forget to do this sometimes, and a very bad habit.)

I want to have fun. Go. Do. Live. Love.

Attend my grandkid's school programs, athletic contests, Baptisms...

I promise to portray 'happy' on the outside, even though life lends us "that just ain't always the case."

See Missouri kick Kansas's butt again (in any sport)

I will continue to enjoy ogling at every nice derriere I see. Color me, as well as my fellow male brethren, pigs.

Eat a 300 burger, a Stroud's chicken breast, a Jack Stack "Pour Russ" pulled pork sandwich... go see a movie (it's been years)..

Attend a Royal's and a Chief's playoff game.

Track down those I love/remember-so, before either of us show up in the obits.

Be an ordinary Joe, which could be defined as "won't ever lay a hand on a woman... won't rob/steal/cheat... won't say things detrimental to a person/their character.. *demonstrate patience." *(Qualifier) Except for vendors with an attitude, sorry, that gets my goat.

Have a dog, and a cat again someday.

Continue to write, no matter how many eyeballs don't show up. I write because me no likey telephone, and me no livey with anyone - so it's my backwards means of 'conversation'...

I wanna see Cooperstown... the Rolling Stones.. a week of "no hurry" in Washington DC. Make it back to Maui with a devoted one (Victor, that's borderline saying things detrimental to a person/their character)... sorry..... slipped.

See humor. Hear humor. Pass humor on. Laugh. A lot.

Not be a burden to any one, ever.

Get laid. Sorry... scroll to male brethren, pigs. Slipped.

That, for this fleeting, current moment, is my bucket list....

Almost forgot........ "and yours?"

Love, Victurd.

There is a lot to be thankful for....

I am thankful for our troops everywhere in the world who sacrifice so that our great country can maintain freedom.

Smiles. Eyes that familiarly meet. A door held. Texts. Sunshine. Rain. Critters, and the excitement with which they demonstrate.

A dog off a leash. A cat who gives you that 'for real?' look when you call it by name.

Loyalty. Care. Trust. Bosses who don't fire me when I make stupid errors that cost our company. Bosses who reward/share the wealth.

Relationships, every kind. Hope. The excitement of tomorrow. Money, and knowing all will be ok when there ain't any.

People that have to work today, and appreciation of their sacrificing to do so. Gas that's back under $3/gallon. A car that starts. A fridge that runs, a furnace that brings warmth.

Dimples. A nice derriere, sorry.. kinda.

Youth - their excitement, and those older who are able to maintain that excitement in life. Routine. No routine. Trying new things. Repeating things done with anewed enjoyment.

Givers. A beer bought and being able to by one for another. Compliments. Health.

Gulp, the fact we at least have a major league baseball team and a national football league team in our town.

Equality. Facebook. Email. The internet. Expressing, no matter the type/method.

Pecan pie, pumpkin pie, turkey, dressing.......... Snickers, Butterfingers.. Chili Cheese Fritos... Pulled pork, scrumptious ribs.. A 300 burger. Breakfast, cigs and coffee at Nelly Belle's..

Bonfires, firepits, and friendship aound same. People my age. People older. People younger. People of different colors, religions, nationalities, and gulp again, political views.

I'm thankful that wasn't the last panel of toilet paper I just used.

Handshakes, fist-bumps, a hand on the shoulder.

Teammates. Running mates. Gulp, past mates.

Medical personnel. A good HR department. Having a job I do not dread at all driving to.

Kissing. Sorry, kinda. Anticipation. Walking when running is desired.

Smiles on those whose life has not given them a fair deal.

Coffee. Miller Lite.

The ability to go ahead and write a blog when I should be in the shower getting ready for family comraderie and the fact they won't be upset if I'm a couple minutes late.

MU, and fans alike.. gulp, yes, even KU, their fans.

The crack of a bat. The "umph" of a tackle. The near silence of a 'swish'.

Bosses that pretty much leave old farts alone to do their job, and understand the appreciation of doing so.

I know I've forgotten, missed a lot. Comes with aging.

Aging. Brownspots and the ability to scrape them off, only to have them return like a hound fetching a ball.

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy day. Happy hour. Happy minute.

Spellcheck, and having the ability to swerve around it when they tell you firepits ain't a word.

Big Gulps.

Love, Victurd.

"And you are?"......

I know. It's almost Thanksgiving. I should be chirpy, "Gobble Gobble".. Eh, I figure there are enough do-gooders sprouting good(said lovingly, and genuinely, and admirably)out there that I'm safe to offset with a bitch session.

"And you are?" (when calling a company you work with..... mosta the time they're a vendor, and you are PAYING them money")

"Think of me as a naked baby... just like everyone else who enters this world... I realize some grow to greater heights, become more honorable, uh huh, more important.. but let's pretend we're all naked babies calling you... CAN YOU JUST TRANSFER ME TO MARGARET?"

Or..........

"I am.. ahm.. This it Tom... Tom Selleck".. .to which one obviously very young receptionist replied "Just a minute Mr. Selleck, I'll transfer you now".. followed closely by "I KNEW IT WAS YOU!!!!(giggles)"

"And you're with?"...

"Wilson and Ditch Digging America" but that wouldn't be right, because that, in and of itself too, is discrimination.

Victor, geez Louise, it really is a time to give thanks.. so can you DO THAT?"

Ok... I love a company we deal with, they answer with "It's a great day at (enter name of company here) HOW may I direct your call?" Far out.. A nursery of babies.. all grown.. calling in one-by-one, each as important as the other.

Voicemail. May I stop on this almost THANKSgiving day and bitch about voicemail? Too bad, I'm gonna. Frustrating thing. I realize people go to lunch, pee, smoke, pick up sick kids from school/day care, take vacation.. are away from their desks... And sure, I get voicemails at work too, so color me guilty (or normal)... Our work is not life or death critical - but there are occasions where we have GOT to talk to someone, NOW.

(We move freight. Sometimes the bill of lading we've faxed them has grown feet, and walked away, the truck is there, driver calling dispatcher, in turn calling us.. Sometimes they say, "nope, we don't have that shipment"... It could be a multitude of things, but, a truck is there, there is a problem, and we need an answer... a warm-fuzzy voice... a... after 4-5 tries into voicemail)

You punch ZERO (upon voicemail).... and are met with "I'm sorry, that's an invalid entry"... or... you get reconnected with "And you are?" chirpy person, you tell 'em what's transpired.. "I'd be happy to take a message, and take your phone number for them to call you back as soon as it's possible for them"......."You no comprende, the truck is AT YOUR DOCK, there's a problem, we need help/an answer... GD (gosh darnit) can you just find someone who can help me?)...

Or maybe "I'm sorry, (so-and-so) is unavailable at present, I'd be happy to take a message for (that B, that A-hole who never picks up their phone but smiles gayly upon logging on to their bank website to see their payroll direct deposit) and have them get back to you at their first opportunity"... and all the while your BP is increasing, screw the fact that Turkey Day and Christmas are nearing... and you reduce to "nevermind"...

I love my job, I do. It's the little things in life that get my goat........

Getting in line at Mickey D's behind someone who says "well... give me just a bit to look at the menu" (and they've been here 4,723 times, driven 17 miles to order [think about what you want?].. The guy/gal with 29 items in the 15 items or less checkout lane.. The guy at the four-way stop who got there when Bush was president, but won't move an inch. The person you pass in the morning at the gas station on your way to get a cuppa coffee, get ur eyes open, you nod, say "Hi" and NOTHING in return.

The boss who has his secretary record his voicemail greeting. REALLY?

Ok, I'll admit. 99% of the time life goes great, people are amazing.. service workers give great service... people hold the door open for you... people you hold the door open for smile and say "Thank you".. People are givers. If ever in need of help, they're amazing.

I am thankful for life, people, events, carrying on's of this planet. I do, however, very much enjoy sometimes coming from left field.

Sorry... Kinda.. Happy Thanksgiving, Victurd

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of a mate (the 2nd, or 3rd time over)

Life, should come with instructions. (Pressing one for English, thanks)...

Sometimes it goes as smooth as a puck across a well powdered shuffleboard table... others, it's like trying to iron a porcupine.

I see a red door and I want it painted black. Fickle. We, are fickle. With apologies to long-term couples who "get it".... we formally married, formally dating, wanna date, usedta date, dating:

"This porridge is too hot!" It's just not there any longer. I've found someone else. You are: too big, too small, worry too much about money, don't have the same goals/aspirations.. Too old, too young.... our bucket list is not similar... Honest, I much prefer blonde, redhead, brunette, fairskin, darkskin, green/blue/brown/black/grey eyes.. "This porridge is too cold!"... You work too much.. need a better job... need a job. You don't bring me flowers - any more.. All you think about is sex. You NEVER wanna be intimate any more..

"The older I get, the pickier I get." "Yeah but....".. 'Yes, I'd love to proceed, but I remember what happened in the last relationship" ... "This chair is too big!".. "You live (there), and I live (here)".. We're not the same age/type.. I'm just not sure the "oh baby" is there.

Sure, we had fun, but.... starting allover... again? I dunno...

There is semblance between dating, and resume's (and yes, whilst old age dating is 'resuming' and that GD word (resume') means two things, I'm talking the prettied up paper for job-hunting). .. When young, eye's wide open, Carly Simon's "Anticipation", gussied up, heart palpitations for each... when older: we could give a rat's ass about resume's.. . "Why should eyes wide open, anticipation, gussied, palpitations happen... it's like meat in the freezer, you know it's not forever.. "

"Advanced dating", considering marriage... at an older age... can be kinda like fearing water 'cause you once almost drowned. Freezing up in commute due to the GD tail-gater, 'cause the last rear-ender is still fresh on your brain... re-living, re-hearing after-the-fact 'advice' --> "I told you so"...

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed", and there ain't no way I'm gonna do that shit again.

All that said.. I actually had a pretty nice time tonight. I wish written instructions came with life. Anyone seen Goldilocks?

Victor, you've got a big mouth..... I know. Sorry.

Love, Victurd.

What's is all about, Alfie? (I blab, too much)

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?

Life is definitely about sorting. I abhor bias. Age, sex, race, size, money, lack thereof, heritage, beliefs, non-beliefs.

I think we each, daily, weekly, yearly, hourly, by the minute - are trying to figure out this thing called life. And it's ok we don't have all the answers. Bias aside, I do believe aging affords "we kinda get it" moreso than in our childhood, young adulthood, child-rearing-hood. All of life's 'drops' are precious... aging is an eye opener to same.

Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

Victor, DAMNIT, *DO NOT* mention the election here. Ok, won't.

And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel.

I loved loved loved Logic class in college. And while this makes "logical sense", nuh uh.

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

Strong is outwardly a misnomer. We see the guy in the gym, biceps, triceps, bulging. Not necessarily/absolutely so. I've known so many physically looking frail folks (folks of all sizes, ages) that are so way beyond strong it's incredible. I see friends, family, role models - and they radiate strong. Embedded in their beliefs, actions and behavior follow suit, demonstrate same.

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie

I have been in love. Have. Coupled. Perhaps that's the intent of the songwriter, dunno. I personally believe love runs deeper. I know many that clam up, cannot say that word. I 'love' the word love. Love doesn't necessitate "mad, amorous" (but of course glorious if so).. I think love should be passed out, orated, as frequently as high fives and knuckle touches.

Alfie would you tell me what's it all about?
what's it all about? Alfie, Alfie, Alfie.
What's it all about? Whats this all about?
what's it all about Alfie? tell me what's it all about Alfie? what's it all about Alfie? just tell me yeah. what's it all about?
what's it all about?

Alfie... if you ever figure it out, please share. Life is a wonder we're all "behind the wheel", "behind the keyboard", "in the family room", "on the phone", "laying in bed", "Driving to work", "meditating", "having a beer, glass of wine", conversing", "inquiring", "wondering" trying to figure it out Alfie, too.

We'll never completely figure it out Alfie.. but it's sure a fun ride, experience, trip, trying to do so. Take care Alfie, love, Victurd.

What I've learned in 60 years...

Gas is expensive, sometimes hurts, can be embarrassing, but life is basically a gas..

Children are good for the heart...

People are genuinely nice - and tons do nice things for little, if any, reason.

Wrinkles are the wonderful river of yesteryear..

Children are nice to old folks, old folks are nice to younger ones - and those in-between are also nice to each (and vice versa)..

Life is all about experiences with other folks... school, work, friendship, recreation - and no matter how little the time spent - or how long spent, everlasting bonds are formed - and that person, those people are special in one's life.

Friends relate stories long forgotten - thus, kinda sorta enabling us to live/do it allover again.

Family is family, growth is wonderful, fitting in is a gimme - loss is horrific.

Animals are not "lower creatures" and I'm thankful to sit back and learn from them. Lessons in loyalty, and how it doesn't take a lot to simply have fun.

Being a teammate is a blessing with frequent smile reward.

People are somehow better looking, healthier in smile.

Smiles and gas - two natural things that make us go. We receive smiles from others we don't even know - we receive smiles in every day passing of those we're around.. and maybe the best are from those we've not seen in awhile - and again, yesteryear is conjured up again.

Every four years, there are six months within it's about you/me. Blessed are the three and one-half years in there that it's about "us".

Those gone are never really gone.

Passion is wonderful, worthwhile, can be frustrating, we lose, we win - but a life without it is unimaginable.

I, you, we - are not perfect. "Ugly" can be said, written, a wrongful act/action. Like a flesh wound, it's one day "healed over" with a baby scar to serve as a reminder "Victor, don't be an idiot again."

For 58 years, I had no idea the best feel of my life would be when those two little arms from four feet beneath reached up to me in unison.

Facebook is a wonderful quilt of one's life and I'm very thankful for it.

Diapers. Sight. Crawl. Walk. Run. Three-wheels. Two wheels. School. Four wheels. Work. Relationship. Marriage. Family growth. Memories. Slowing down a bit, albeit with a youthful brain. Retirement (one day).. perhaps all wrapped up by diapers again.

Life's a gas. Smile.

Love, Victurd.

You're so vein....

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and...

Reckon we've all known someone like that. When given the choice between
looking a mirror and a friend in the eyes... an easy decision...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't You?

Wow... Wiki enlightens.. The first candidate Carly wrote about was Mick.. . as in Jagger... Then Warren Beatty commented "Let's be honest. That song was about me." And on and on it went... Mebbe David Bowie, perhaps David Cassidy, and what about Cat Stevens? (Please don't let that tarnish Carly's reputation)..

You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive
Well you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and...

Funny, kinda. I guess relationships can be kinda like coffee. Too weak. Too strong. Too warm. Not hot enough. "The perfect blend", uh huh, right. Clouds in my coffee. and..

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't You?

Well I hear you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won
Then you flew your lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not you're with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and...

Hard, for a simpleton like me to relate to this... The closest I ever got to a Lear jet was one night I won just over a grand at the Ameristar... had had one or two more than I shoulda, and hailed a $45 Yellow cab back to Liberty. (Only to awaken, beg a friend in the morn for a ride back to get my car.)

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't You? Don't you?

I don't do real good with conceit. All men are created equal, it's just seemingly sometimes some men/women, don't believe that, in spite of all life's examples that go right over their head.. the silver spoon they've been fed with, or the skewed perception that they are actually "better"... .

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you

You're so vein, or perhaps not. Last 8 months, pretty good pain in leg if I walk from one side'a the Piggly Wiggly to the other.

Arterial Doppler on legs this morning, followed by phone call 6 hours later from doc's office "found some blockage... we're setting u up with an appointment with a vascular surgeon."

I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and... perhaps I ain't so vein. We'll see..

Love, Victurd

Don't worry be happy...

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Sometimes frustrating to sit here, wanna write - but the brain struggles to come up with content that would keep a reader awake.

As I was taking my Sunday drive - I thought about 'examples'.. So I was all perked to write about people in my life that have been good examples.. Rod White, former PE teacher who taught us all "take interest in children's lives".. Grundy Newton, who couldn't have been a better example for us young men on how to carry ourselves - make proper, sound decisions.

Then I thought "nah, that would bore people. Some would have no idea whointhehell those folks are, and it's doubtful if the purpose of 'Who in your life was a nifty example for you' would be parlayed."

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Look at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy

As I turned the corner - and had just about given up on the idea of 'example', I thought of George Franck - a Santa Claus sized man (HS English Teacher) who NEVER was without smile. I remember now - that perhaps he was the one that taught me "Have fun at work" - because he did. His thirst for fun was quenched daily.

Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't gotno style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy

Then my sister popped in my head, as she does so frequently. Biased of course, but she packed more into her way-to-short life than any person I've ever known. And,she did it all 'with smile'.

Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy

All this 'thought', 'consternation', 'coming up with the right thing to write' went into this old crock's crockpot of a brain - and was condensed: happiness. I love happy. I love smiles on the faces of ANY aged person.

Whilst a BS in Education certainly gives one a platform, a megaphone, receptive eyeballs - it doesn't have to necessitate that to be an example for "happy."

Feller walked into Perkins this morning with his buddy.. they both 60-ish. As they took the trek behind the hostess to find their booth, she asked for their choice.......... "redhead"... he continued walking... "nineteen"... s'more steps toward the booth.. "doesn't speak English"..

The guy gets it. I try Lord, I do. Happy rocks. Happy is a feel good. I wish happy on us all. I love 'happy examples' - they serve as reminders on how fleeting our time is here - and how we should choose to use it. I'ma pickin' and I'ma grinnin'. Don't worry, be happy. Love, Victurd.

Are you OK?

Visiting recently with a lifelong friend.. he'd been visiting with another of our lifelong friends.. she'd asked "Is Vic Schultze ok?"

In response, and in counting on the same question being asked of you........

Yes, I'm ok. You??

I'm much better than the guy on the motorcycle that perished on the Kit Bond Bridge this morning. I'm much better than the guy on I-35 in rush hour tonight, had car trouble... got his vehicle to the side of the road, only to be obliterated to heaven by a passing 53-wheeler.

I'm much better than my 94 year old aunt, bless her, whose pacemaker recently quit working.. and in her hell bent way, hours after the surgery, shoo'ed everyone so she could STAND UP and walk to the restroom.

I'm better than Vince Young and Terrell Owens, victims today of "the Turk" (ie, cut by NFL teams.)

Being almost 60, do I have a wonderful retirement, the same lady holding hands for almost 40 years - no, but I'm ok. If you are in this group, consider yourself blessed - but it's not the norm.

What exactly is OK? Is it David Glass, owner of the Royals who makes 8 digit profit (that's tens of millions) annually, but produces a team that finishes at the bottom every year? My only comment is, I do sleep well at night.

Again, OK is relative.. A) the commissioned sale's rep who made a sale representing six months pay in one transaction..? "B" (kinda sorta).. the high school kid whose folks wouldn't allow him to go to Prom because he'd just gotten a B- on his grade card? C) Your average Joe, making it thru another day.. D).. The father of the family of 8 whose van just shot craps.. F).. The person on the receiving end of the doctor's verbiage "you've got Stage 4 cancer."

Walking/living. We all do that. We, mostly, hide A/B/C/D/F well. Oh sure, if it's folks, relatives/loved ones we're around tons, we/they can tell. Most can't. Most (I think) mask "no, I'm not so Ok" very well. Within that masking, I gain confidence in the fact they aren't spilling the beans, whining, complaining, finger-pointing, spouting "why me?"...

I admire those you simply can't tell. I admire those who have the internal courage to say "yes, perhaps life is dealing me a blow, but I CAN/WILL take it." I admire those who know good comes after bad. I admire those who know, "Some days, weeks, months, years, are just gonna be crappy - I'll make it through."

I am admittedly happy, someone inquired as to "are you ok?"... Concern is a wonderful trait.

I genuinely hope you are OK. I genuinely understand and appreciate the things you've been thru, made it thru, are making it thru, to arrive upon that determination.

I hate (kinda sorta) going back here - but life likens the Mole Game at Chucky Cheese. Shit (sorry Don/Louise) happens in life, continually pops up - and we have a choice to melt, give up, end our lives, or.......... grab that damn mallet and say "I am/will be OK, take that, you little mole bastard!"

Are you ok, doesn't involve divulging "on a scale of 1 to 10"... Meeting the eyeballs of the asker, choosing to smile, replying "yes, I'm ok" lends that one is much closer to 10 than 1.

It's my bet even Michelangelo could have cared less about "that perfect canvas"... and that he had moments he simply wanted to take his brush, dip it in the paint and FLICK it as hard as he could at the easel.

Victor, you typed, a whole lot... maybe too much.. as usual.. but are you Ok?

My pat answer recently has been "yes, but do you know any single/divorced/blonde/rich fitty-two year old females?.. And in all seriousness, yes, I'm fine, and I truly am thankful you asked.

I hope all of you are Ok as well.

Love, Victurd

Chances are....

Chances are cause I wear a silly grin
The moment you come into view
Chances are you think that I'm in love with you

I love the word "Are"... Try looking the definition up online, I believe you'll be truly as confused as me - ceptin' we each know it's usage... when to.... why too...

Just because my composure sort of slips
The moment that your lips meet mine
Chances are you think my heart's your Valentine

Are you lonesome tonight (song for another day)

How are you? (Do we MEAN it? Idle chit chat? "Mandatory" cause we crossed paths and we threw on that "You'rea pickin' and I'ma grinnin' face?.. or do, we REALLY REALLY care about how they are?..)

In the magic of moonlight
When I sigh, "Hold me close, dear"
Chances are you believe the stars
That fill the skies are in my eyes

Are you sure? (We spout when given a gift, something unexpected... something we are damn leery of, but they're the boss - so we seek fortification)

Are you kidding? (We know this person, they've "got us" before... something incredulous, unbelieveable.. and perhaps excitement mode, jubilation to follow)

Guess you feel you'll always be
The one and only one for me
And if you think you could
Well, chances are your chances are awfully good

"My lips are sealed".... (Wait till I logon to FB... go on break with my coworkers.. logon to that http, the slashes, hotmail/yahoo/gmail... secrets are hard to keep.. there's that damn 'are' word again.)

Chances are you believe the stars
That fill the skies are in my eyes

My hands are tied.
Whose side are you on?
Battle lines are drawn.
Until you are blue in the face.
The lights are out but no one is at home.
Soneone's eyes are bigger than their stomach.
The way things are going.
Usedta couldn't spell supervisor, now I are one.

Guess you feel you'll always be
The one and only one for me
And if you think you could
Well, chances are your chances are awfully good

Are you sure? Are you lonesome tonight? Are you ready for
some football? Are you friggin' nuts? Ever eat a pine tree? Some
parts ARE edible,

The chances are your chances are awfully good.

We use "are" a lot. It's a key to unlock minds. "Are" is a psychological
ploy wanting to make sure folks "think it over"... Whatever it is they ARE about to do. Have done. ARE gonna.

I are proud to be an American, God Bless the USA.

Victor, you haven't blogged in awhile, but ARE you sure you wanna hit 'send" on this one?

I are. Love, Victurd

Let it all hang out.....

A preachment, dear friend
You are about to receive on John Barleycorn
Nicotine and the temptations of Eve

Repeating, I write to me, for me, hitchhikers welcome.

It's weird, when I get in down moods, or up moods, the end is always the same. I try to think back, from today, last week, last year, twenty years ago, life as a kid on things that made me happy. Therapeutic it is.

No parkin' by the sewer sign
Hot dog, my razors broke
Water drippin' up the spout
But I don't care, let it all hang out

Rough day at the office? Minor fender bender? More bills than bank? Someone say
something that really stung?

I close my eyes and see good. I remember my childhood, and the great times within. I remember my nuclear family, remembering them vividly, but only wishing I'd paid even greater attention as they all checked out too GD (gosh darn) early.

I see parts/behaviors/actions/physical things in me, that somehow kinda keeps them alive. And then I don't feel so down. In fact, I get elated when something transpires and I JUST KNOW what my sister's, mother's, father's reaction woulda been, and it usually includes a smile.

Hangin' from a pine tree by my knees
Sun is shinin' through the shade
Nobody knows what its all about
It's too much, man, let it all hang out

Work has really gotten me down of late, and perhaps erroneously. We can't keep up. I've had one day off since April, and stupidly feel sorry for myself. Ya know what Victor? There are MANY sitting at home, no job, maybe a job, but, to the tune of 8, 16, 24 hours a week. You're a lucky bastard. Think, remember: good.

Saw a man walkin' upside down
My T.V.s on the blink
Made Galileo look like a Boy Scout
Sorry 'bout that, let it all hang out

We look for life's imperfections, and as we do we fly right by what's so good about life. We bemoan co-workers, have to's, work load, traffic, incoming calls "whoinththell is this", waiting in lines.. we all have the tendency to focus on the crap, when we're virtually always surrounded by the good, and I forget that OFTEN.

Sleep all day, drive all night
Brain my numb, can't stop now
For sure ain't no doubt
Keep an open mind, let it all hang out

Simple maybe, but every restful moment, I am going to try to pretend I'm in a reclining chair, and visualize yesterday. Sanford and I driving to Shakey's. Clay, Mouse TLG and I playing Indian ball at the City Park. Yes, even fond moments of whatshername #1 and whatshername #2, hell, that was 60% of my life, and happy
to report, 99% of that was very good.

It's rainin' inside a big brown moon
How does that mess you baby up, leg
Eatin' a Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut
Don't stop now, baby, let it all hang out

An accomplished baseball player gets a hit three times out of ten. If only we could remember that as life flies by us.

Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out
Let it all hang out

The bad, yucky, ucky, patooie surfaces to our forefront. Squash them thoughts. Remember, visualize, SEE... GOOD. There's lots of it to go round.

Let it all hang out. Victor, you write too much. Don't care, let it all hang out.

Love, Victurd

Hurt

If you're so attuned to listen/read......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95D7leeU3w

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

Needle = thoughts... yesterday.. knives (words) into the 'wooden fence' that forever leave a scar..

the times getting let down... the times of isolation when inspiration/occupation was so badly needed... The self-scorn, our ego's biggest deflator..

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

Everyone ultimately goes away... some way sooner than we'd like, some, circumstances not so desired.. some by choice, some by locale, some by occupation, some, by life simply passing/fleeting..

And I would never make you hurt....... with intent...

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

Words said, action's done... "Message sent" to put in 2012 perspective.. No repair.. No stopping words, emails, looks, actions, behaviors.. People change... we change.. I've changed.. Perspective changes.. age changes us..

situations change us.. "If I'd'a known then what I know now"...

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

What have I become.. good question. Sometimes I don't know... Sometimes I am my own worst enemy,

other times it's like "you're messed up, look at what's right with me".. Lost, kinda.

Empire of dirt = apartment 68, Cherokee Village, Liberty, Mo. It ain't much, but it's me, and doesn't take much to make me happy as far as an abode. Again, no, Johny/Nine Inch, I won't make you hurt,

leastwise, not on purpose.

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

I'm not sure I could/would start again. Uh huh, I'd for sure like to get a base hit in old fart softball and not have to yield to "he's an old fart, we're gonna use a designated runner"... but not sure I'd go back.

Blessed it's been. Not perfect, but blessed. Way more fortunate than many, I know. Hurt comes to all.

I hurt myself today........ to see if I still feel..

Love, Victurd (and I do...... still feel)

Paths........

Perty nifty term. We all have paths in life...

My 19 month old granddaughter, her path is erratic. Flitting about, around the coffee table.. walking/stepping over her g'pa's outstretched legs as he lays low to the ground reminded "get down on her level." She makes a trek down the path to pickup the empty plastic Piggly Wiggly sack, and presents it to him as if it were a trophy.. Cool. Then she flits about and finds a fourth of a graham cracker she'd just devoured 3/4's of, takes a nibble, and again, hands it as a trophy to grandpa. The best.

Many paths in our lives. The Facebook Timeline is about as popular as Rex Hudler from an avid Royal's fan's view, Obama, from a conservative's view.. and Michael Vick, from a PETA person's view.. yet... it is a compilation.. it is a cumulative review, of life.

Had we had FB timeline from day 1, we'd all be saying "no frigging way I've taken this path". Sorry. Way.

Eons ago, before roads.. cars would traverse from here to there.. light bulbs clicked (That doesn't make sense Victor, there were no lightbulbs then).. .. OK, dudes observed, decided to fill in the tire trek paths with gravel. This, is how roads began. I made that up, but you might check Snopes, it could be true.

Base paths.. we mostly all remember Willie Wilson hitting one in the gap, legging out three... The Mick, flitting an infield single, sprinting down the path.. Lou Brock, whom the St. Louie Cardinals obtained and canned my all-time favorite left-fielder Charlie James in a trade for Ernie Broglio - and his many, many treks down the paths. I remember umpiring years ago. 9 year old lad "hit by pitch in arm". Limped, down the path to first base. Gotta love paths.

We remember the email about Jesus, the sand... four footprints for awhile... then two footprints in the path to the destination. When questioned, "I was carrying you."

On the eve of 60, divorced, mixed feelings about going down the handheld path again. Path of least resistance, "ride it on out, you'll be fine".. or, "Get all absorbed, and risk having one wonder off the path again." This is about the point where all you lucky ones who have been on the joint path forever and ever ask "yeah, but what if I woulda turned the other way at the fork in the road?"..

Bullhockey, the grass is greener on the other side 'cause there's likely more manure laid, the water bill to get it that green is ridiculous, and No the grass is always greener because you can't get to it. Everybody wants what they can't have until they get it then they don't want it. Kudos to your coupledom longevity, scoff the idea.

Work paths. Made a few wrong turns there - but damn, met a lotta nice folks, had some wonderful experiences.

Don't look back? With advance apologies to my Uncle Don and Aunt Louise who occasionally swing by here.. I'm of the age, singledom, if I see a 'looker' crossing my path, damn straight I'll look back once she's passed!

Looking at the path of tomorrow? Who knows? Some have planned well. Some, not so much. If you're like me, being 20-something, 30-something, I was "why worry about fitty, sixty-something.. that's forever from now?" Well, forever from now is here.

I very much enjoy the path I go down daily. If I drink 5 total cups of coffee at Habib's BP and get my card punched, I get a free one. My car gets 26 MPG. I now have AM radio (long story) and I love my Sport's talk (cepting Monday mornings when 101 the Fox gives an auto to a deserving vet, and I sob on the path into work. ) My 168,000+ car is a convertible, a friend suggested I was now a real 'chick magnet', har har, I'm closer to a walker for my path than being a chick magnet.

I like paved paths thru the woods. I like the less traveled paths. I take the path from home to Wally World via Pleasant Valley, and avoid the congested path. I see folks on life's path, and I wonder whatinthehell they're thinking. Conversely, they may be looking at me, and thinking the same dadgum thing.

Paths are fun. Paths can be coupled. Ran. Jogged. Walked. With canine. In good weather and bad. At one's own pace, direction.

Happy fork in the road to you. If you feel you mighta taken the wrong turn... forkget it.. Happy paths, the resta the way out, Love, Victurd

The pooch.....

I have a pooch....

I ain't proud of it, but, I ain't ashamed of it either.

When I keel, I wouldn't mind it if the service went something like this:

That Victurd.. he kinda lived life with trade-offs... He knew that eating, sampling, devouring, yummmy delectable's might give way to a pooch, but he figured "eh, not a bad trade off... "

He dreamed of JackStack pulled pork...... He pushed to the fronta the line at Arthur Bryants.. He regularly stopped by the "it's so-and-so's birthday at work, here, come eat all this crap" ten to twelve times a working day.

A hot Lamar's donut at 6am. That steamy cappuccino.. Apple pie, a huge breast at Strouds.. peanut butter cookies..

He didn't mind his belly. In fact, he worried when skinny folks passed that they chose not to experience, devour, yum, be selfish upon occasion.

Not Victurd. He never pushed away from the table. If it was "all you can eat", by God, he did that. McDonalds Big Breakfast with hotcakes - "might I get an extra syrup?".. a Frosty.. a Butterfinger... Zingers, yum, zingers.

What are you gonna do today Victurd? "Eh, it's free sample day at the Piggly Wiggly, then I ain't decided what, after."

Pecan pie - is this heaven? Brownies.. French fries.. Onion Rings.. Chili dogs.. Brats.. SAUSAGE.. CHEESE.. fried potatoes.. Did I say Butterfinger?.. Salted peanuts..... pecans.. CASHEWS when I had the extra fitty cents to buy insteada the salted peanuts - nuttin' personal salted peanuts, u pleased me many a day on the drive into work.

A good, yummy steak. A disgustingly fat tenderloin. BBQ ribs (enter cuisine orgasm here).

A la carte, appetizing, Au gratin, blanched, braised, buttery, caramelized, chilled, chocolaty, chopped, crispy, deviled, divine, dripping, fragrant, fried, heavenly, inviting, kosher, laced, moist, mouthwatering, nuked, piquant (Victor, that doesn't fit you.. bite me, I liked the word).. rare, scrumptious, seasoned, simmering, sliced, sugarcoated, tasty, titillating, yummy, zestful.

Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible. Jk. Let's just say, Victurd lived life watching what he ate, in his own kinda way.

He thrived on "yum"... "too much"... "where's the Rolaids"... "why not?"

Once upon a time, he had a flatbelly - but the older he got, he didn't give a rats. Trade off. Pooch/delectable. Yum.

Time to go. Gotta swing by the fridge en route to bed. See what my fork can find. If only I had someone to spoon with. Victor, you're weird. Don't care. Kiss my pooch. Love, Victurd

People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)

Black and white TV. Biked everywhere. Going to school, actually fun, looked forward to it. "Who's in my class?". "Mom, we gotta go to Mattingly's to get supplies"..

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

The greatest musical era ever, hands down. You can find 12 local radio stations today still playing music from our time. Many remakes, sorry, just ain't the same. Fun too, to observe a young'n, listening to music from our era, bouncing a bit. The best era. WHB. 40 Star survey.

Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)

Brown eggs from granny's chicken coop. Brownies. Brown can. Brown spots....

Weekly Reader. Library. Books online. Whereinthehell are my readers, by God, I've got seven $1 pairs?

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

Being taken care of as a child. Having, taking care of children. Doting, spoiling, grandchildren. Taking care of parents who for so very many years took care of us. Swallowing pride, getting help from our children.

Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
And don't try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to cause a b-big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)

Cloth diapers. Wash rags. Disposables. Wipes. Depends.

"Smooching".. hormone crazed. "The one." "Not now, the kids are awake." Tri-weekly. Tubal ligation/vasectomy. Try weakly. Blue pills. (VICTOR! Speak for yourself!).. Ahm.. I was.

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

Goals. First job. Composing a resume. Struggling thru the 'this'll get me there' positions. Bottom of the totem pole. Asprirations, intentions, destinations. Ho hum.
Damn, the alarm went off.. is it really Monday?.. Finally reaching that point, I will never frigging prepare a resume again.

People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we g-g-get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)

Beggs. Breipohl. Woodys. Trails Inn. Safeway. Kroger. Schoellers. The Kuu Kuu. Hallisey's. Bedingers. Brants. Eisens (sp?). Mace. Co-op. Duncan Oil. Phil's.. . Chief's training camp. Bud's pool hall. Shelby's. TG&Y. Freverts. Kramers. Boggess. Then, big change.

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

I know I've written this before, but, if you've noticed, I repeat myself. Yes, I repeat my self. To me, one of the niftiest, strangest, coolest, weirdest, most bizarre things is - if someone had sat you down back in high school, and related (perfectly) "now here is exacly how the next 40-some years of your life are going to go" I very much woulda protested, refused to believe, been in disbelief.

Class of 1970 (and, I think I can safely invite anyone that hang with our group from that era)... 7pm.. October 6th.. 1404 Canterbury​ Lane (Home of Betty/Denny (Reppert) Anderson. We'll gather and talk about this generation. A generic 60th birthday party. Come one, come all.

People try to put us down.... I've blabbed. I'm still playing softball, which is fancy for: bat in the lineup, catch one inning every two games. A few weeks back, we had plenty of players - so, I sat out, watched both games from our little "nest" beyond the right field fence. Young man, teammate, 24-ish.. had hurt his back.. sitting out too.. as he got up once, he spouted "Damn, I walk like a 60 year old man." Yes, I wanted to smack him, but I said nothing, and giggled internally.

People try to put us down. Talkin' bout my generation.

Hope to see you 10/6/2012. Victurd.

Earle Hagen...

Who is Earle Hagen?.. He is responsible for co writing, AND whistling, "The Fishin' Hole", the theme to the Andy Griffith Show.

The Andy Griffith Show ran from October '60 thru April '68, but it seems like it ran forever. Americana. A better day. Family. A simpler time. A world with no evil. Moral. Friendly. Laid back. Simple.

I remember.

I remember the family gathering to watch. I remember the era.

Whiffle ball. Mom's and a 5 cent pack of Kool-aid/sugar/pitcher/neighbor kids - what better? "First one to see the street lights on!"..."Owe me a coke!"

Hide and seek. Kick the can. Give up? "Allleee alleeee in free!" Mood rings. The Beatles. Ed Sullivan. Johnny Carson. Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Laugh In, NASA, the Peace Symbol. Chinese Fire Drills. Gum wrapper chains. Finding 4 leaf clovers. Bond, James Bond.

Honesty. Yes sir. Yes ma'am. No sir. No ma'am.

Enter Earle Hagen's whistling theme here...........

Polaroids. Black and white, with no conception, exception of color. (FYI seasons 1 - 5 B/W, 6-8 in color.) Very coincidentally, a transition of same in real life - and thankfully, we were too young to be "handed down" discrimination.)

Baseball cards with a clothespin on your bike to make cool noises as they hit your spokes as u rode. Iron on patches for holes in the knees of our jeans. No Game Boys, Play Stations, Nintendo, Leapfrog, cell phones, etc.... we had a hose and sprinkler.. two tin cans and a long string.. a slip and slide.. water balloons. roller skates..slinkies.. . roller skates nailed onto a sheet of plywood for a 'skateboard'... Chalk/sidewalk. Twister. Ouija boards. Superballs.

Chores. Worry upon Parent-Teacher conferences results thereof.. Respect.. If you got in trouble, word got around town "faster'n Facebook". If there was a ne'er do well around- word got out quick, and you avoided this person.

Little League - one game a week, the excitement was crazy (versus three games during the week, and tourneys on weekends, no idea who your opponents are)...

If the "twice the size" school bully slid off the teeter-totter in it's down position, there were no lawsuits. An older brother usually took care of it. Just the fact of even having teeter totters, yes, the era.

Town gatherings on Holidays. The Square. We had our Floyd. We had our Howard. We had our Snoozy putting gas in our car. We had town characters, just as Mayberry did. We managed to drive across town ok with just Stop Signs.

We waived at every other car. Girls played with dolls, guys played with marbles. Innocent. Teachers, coaches, were role models like Andy Griffith.

Who out there cannot smile, look back with good feel when you hear Earle Hagen whistle that?

I don't suggest, "we're better" (our age).. I don't suggest kids nowadays aren't special. OH MY THEY ARE!... I don't suggest "our time" was a better time than now. I am not saying kids don't have wonderful opportunities, role models today.

I will say, I couldn't have picked a better time/era to grow up in... and Mr. Andy Griffith, a piece of you will always live on within those of us from this era. You were our Grundy Newton, our China Slaughter.. our Mabel Weakley... Our Chief Collins.. Our guidance.

Enter Earle Hagen whistling here.

Love, Victurd.