Thwack, thwack, thwack… the sound catches my attention. I look up; the overhead fan is off-balance but at least it produces a slow, soft breeze. I turn my attention back to my drink and my companion. Mr. Hemingway is telling a tale about a fishing trip to the waters around the Dry Tortugas with his pal Waldo Pierce. I’m certain that he’s embellishing, but I don’t mind – the story washes over me in a warm comforting wave, not unlike…
I’m immediately jolted by a violently deafening noise. It’s mind-numbing; almost as if every synapse in my brain has been momentarily scrambled.
What a glorious day -- the cool sand, the warm breeze… I can feel the sun’s rays enveloping me like a hug. I stumble as I run down the beach, but I don’t care - I don’t even bother to look down. I watch my kite, flying high in the sky. It’s a nice strong wind, pulling my kite ever higher in the sky. I don’t think I’ve ever flown one that high. I glance down the beach at my friend whose kite is just as high. I wonder if it could go so high that…
Again with the deafening noise! My brain goes into shock momentarily. What is that??
The train almost seems to move in slow motion as it pulls into the Santa Lucia station. The air is brisk; it’s exhilarating. I take the water bus; the one that stops at every station along with way. I may decide to get off and poke around the back streets a bit, besides there’s no better people-watching opportunity than Venice during Carnevale. After a few stops, and a couple of glasses of good cheap vino I’m back on the water bus. A thousand images flash through my brain as the Basilica di San Marco comes into view; it’s almost as if…
The claxons sounds again. I want to poke my eardrums with an ice pick – what the hell is that???
Oh wait, it’s my alarm. Damn, it’s time to get up.
I never thought Paris Hilton would do anything that I would find interesting, entertaining, humorous or worth mentioning to other people, but I was wrong. This is pretty clever.
Is there anyone who doesn't know that Debi and I had front row tickets for the TP concert on 7.11?? I won FRONT FOW tickets on the radio (99.7 WRFX, The Fox -- I was the 99th caller). I could have sold the tickets for a bundle, but there was NO chance of that happening. I thought Debi would explode, but finally the concert date arrived...
Here's Debi with The Fox.
Steve Winwood opened. Didn't really get any good pictures of him as he spent most of his time on stage behind the harpsicord...
MA & cousin Marty (from Gainesville)
We were SO close it was amazing.
Have you heard about this problem with kids getting stuck on pool drains and being injured or drowning? I had no idea how dangerous it is.
Congress has passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act which will go into effect on December 20th. The law requires that all public pools replace flat drain covers with these dome-shaped covers which will prevent entrapment, but a lot of pools still have the old covers.
Here are a couple of stories from ABC news about the dangers:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5428662&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5428982&page=1
You might want to share with other parents and certainly check the drain covers at your local pool!
Click here to find local breweries (micro and brewpub):
http://www.beertown.org/craftbrewing/locator/breweries.aspx
I'll try to refrain from posting any more Youtube videos for awhile, but you have to admit that this is hands-down the best version...
Happy Independence Day!
Ok, so it's a little cheesy, but this song is etched indelibly in my memory. Someday (hopefully far, far into the future) when I'm on death's door and my life flashes before my eyes, I have no doubt this memory will be included in the montage.
I was a brand new airman in the United States Air Force and had just arrived at my first permanent duty station. It was my first official military function at my new duty station. There we were, all in our dress blues surrounded by flags. The Air Force Band & Choir were performing. They were AMAZING. They had performed several patriotic numbers & the emotions of the crowd were approaching a fever pitch. They finished off with this song and brought the house down. It's true that music has the power to move men's souls.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so? … It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson in Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles; Re-quoted by Nelson Mandela during 1994 inauguration speech
George Carlin was a funny guy who occasionally made us think about things (some more important than others). The first time I ever remember seeing him was when he did the bit on "stuff." Here it is for your viewing enjoyment. RIP, George.
We just got back from a trip to Atlanta and we brought way too much stuff. I used to be pretty good at packing light for a trip, but when travelling with kids I find that we bring a lot of just-in-case stuff. I hate lugging around a lot of unnecessary stuff, but I also want to avoid having a bored kid or a kid with no clean underpants.
Here are a couple of websites that might help you reduce your stuff on a trip:
Universal Packing List
OneBag.com
I bought a car yesterday. Yes, I found a private seller who isn't an asshole...
It's a 97 VW Jetta. I was trying to buy THE PERFECT CAR but I finally realized that car doesn't exist. So, I decided I would get something close and fix whatever is broken. Not as good on gas as my Honda unfortunately, but it's a nice looking car and very zippy. I like the car and I got a good deal, so I'm happy (and glad to be done with it).
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
It's about 20 minutes long and it will not result in a warm fuzzy feeling.
Happy Annivesary (by Rog Rogers)
I've watched the gold in your hair turn silver
And the sparkle in your eyes dim more each day
And the clutch of your hands getting weaker
All these things say it wasn't yesterday
So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary
The paper we signed has turned yellow
Its crumbling edges tend to tell its age
Its meaning we will cherish forever
But in the book of our lives, it's just a page
So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary
My darlin', Happy Anniversary
My respects to my fellow veterans who have died in the service of our country; my heart goes out to all the families & friends of those vets.
I had a good, low-key Memorial Day weekend. Had a cook-out at my sister’s house Friday night. Visited with my mom & nephew who left on Saturday morning. I went to see Iron Man on Sunday with my Marine niece, who was visiting for the weekend. Then yesterday, Debi and the kids and I just hung out -- watched a movie (Hook) and played games all day.
Its days like that I wish I could bottle and save for some day in the future when they’re all grown up.
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