Walking into the Triangle Diner in my old hometown was taking a step back in time for me. In my youth, this was a standard late night meeting place, a place where we could seek out refuge from our family lives and bond in those late night, teenage, sowing wild seeds mode that we all pass through during adolescence. I recall many a night grabbing a bite to eat here after carousing in some tavern or party before I had to go home and face the parental units.
This evening though my thoughts were of my former bowling buddies and the friends that we had gotten reacquainted with this evening. I took a familiar position at the counter but glanced over at the one table that was occupied to spy Lisa Hayes and her younger female companion. Surprised but also wanting to pick up on the conversation that was abruptly ended at the funeral home, I wandered over to the table.
Lisa seemed somewhat uncomfortable but, shrugged when I wordlessly asked if I could join them. I sat down and for the first time took a longer look at Lisa’s companion. She was pleasant looking young lady who appeared to carry herself well. She also wore a somber looking dark dress with short sleeves. Her expression mimicked Lisa’s in a slight degree of discomfort at my presence.
We chatted for a couple of minutes and I told Lisa that the rest of the team had shown up and that several of the members had asked about her. I was curious as to whether she was planning on attending the services tomorrow. She indicated that she was likely going to do that but that she was also planning on leaving shortly thereafter. She sited some pending commitment and then slipped saying that her daughter (making a nod towards her young companion) needed to be getting back to college.
“Daughter?”
“I’m sorry, I should have introduced you. This is my Josephine.”
“Very nice to meet you Josephine…” I thought there was some family resemblance (this certainly cleared up some of the mystery in my mind).
“So your married?”
“No. Her dad and I never married…”
I’m a little thick in some instances but a revelation suddenly occurred to me.
“Was Joe her dad?”
She sighed but indicated with another nod that this was true.
“Oh… I see. Gee I never knew that. I mean I knew that you folks had a relationship in that summer before Joe left for the Army but…”
I paused because I was doing some mental arithmetic and I deduced that if Josephine was the product of their brief romance prior to Joe leaving for the Army that the young woman should be about ten years older than she appeared to be.
Lisa seemed to read my thoughts when she spoke next. “Joe and I had one of those off again/ on again romances over the course of the last thirty plus years. I don’t know as if either one of us ever really wanted to settle down.”
“Gee I’m terribly sorry. I had no idea that you two were that close or that the relationship had extended beyond that long ago summer.”
Turning towards Josephine I added, “I wasn’t a really close friend of your Dad’s but I do know he was a good and decent man.”
“He was…” She said. “I lived with him up until I left for college. I chose a college that put me in close proximity to my Mom a little over a year ago. I wanted to get to know her better…”
“I see”… My head now was swimming a little with all of these new details.
Lisa spoke. “ Please don’t add to the rumor mill. I had a really rough time after Joe left for the Army. He was a tough guy to get close to but I knew we had something that I didn’t want to let go of.
We got back together whenever he came stateside over the next few years and when Jo was born Joe offered to raise her. I had no funds and I’m afraid I was ill equipped to be a Mom at that point in my life. I’m trying to make up for that now.”
“Lisa, I… don’t know what to say. I’m certainly willing to help…If there is anything I can do.”
“You’re sweet but I think we have things well in hand now…” She grinned and glancing up at her daughter they seemed to share a knowing smile. I can only surmise that they had made their peace with one another and that I’m sure they were resolved to help each other through this tough time.
I stammered out a repeat of my offer to help if needed and then took my leave of the two women to proceed to my sister’s house that evening and some rest.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part IX
“Ron… How’ve ya been man… still running letters for the USPS?” I stated as I approached my former doubles partner with an outstretched hand.
“Nah… that never panned out. I got a job working in a warehouse for the Shop-Mart folks. It’s actually been pretty good. I have more standard hours now.” He replied.
“Well, it looks like the gang’s all here.” I heard Raymond state behind me.
“Randy! Hey Cap…long time no see…” Commented Ron.
Randy moved forward slowly but with a wide grin on his face… “Yeah, too long kiddo…”
We gabbed over inane topics for a few minutes and in that time frame I almost completely forgot the forum or the reason we were all gathered. That reverie was shattered when Joe’s sister arrived.
I never really knew Joe’s sister but, I gathered it must be her as the room seemed to quiet down rather suddenly. We watched as the only blood relative of our newly departed comrade walked into the room. Sharon Burke had never married and was five years Joe’s senior. She wandered in with a stoic look on her face wearing a simple black dress and her pulled back away from her face. She appeared to be much older than I think she was. She moved quite easily and acknowledged familiar faces with a brave smile, a nod and some brief words as she made her way to her brother’s casket in the front of the room.
I scanned the room at that time looking for Lisa again but, I guess she must have left already.
“Hey Ron, did you see Lisa Howe as you came in?”
“No… Lisa was here?”
“Yeah, I was talking to her when you showed up and then she must have slipped out as I was doubling back over to you guys.”
“Shoot. How’d she look? Is she staying in town? What has she been up to?”
“Whoa, whoa there big fella… I didn’t gather much info. We only talked for less than a couple of minutes. I have no idea where she’s staying, or living, or what’s she been up to. I was surprised to see her too.”
“How’d she look?”
“Great. She certainly seems to have weathered the years well. She had a younger woman with her that I didn’t get introduced to. I don’t know if she was a relative or friend.”
“Hmmm. That’s too bad, I would have loved to see her again.”
“Well maybe she will show up at the service tomorrow…” I offered.
The rest of the evening was a bit of a bore. We hung around for another half hour or so and then slowly the crowded trickled out. I made my over to Sharon and offered my condolences and conveyed the usual words of encouragement and we shared the only real story I could remember of Joe in high school.
We all checked with one another before taking our separate paths to hotels, friend’s houses or where ever we were spending the night and committed to a brief breakfast tomorrow morning at the local greasy spoon before proceeding to the church for the services and the ride out to the cemetery.
I drove through the streets of my old home town marveling at some of the changes that I hadn’t seen and reminiscing about times past as I made my way out to the edge of town and my sister’s house where I had planned to bunk down for the night.
As I passed the Triangle Diner where we had agreed to meet in the morning, I saw that they were still open and decided to have a cup of coffee before and some alone time there before ending the night.
As I approached the door, I could see that there was only one booth being occupied in the diner by customers. I saw two blond head’s over the top of the aqua marine vinyl top of the seats. There was something about the mannerisms of one of the two women there that looked familiar somehow…
“Nah… that never panned out. I got a job working in a warehouse for the Shop-Mart folks. It’s actually been pretty good. I have more standard hours now.” He replied.
“Well, it looks like the gang’s all here.” I heard Raymond state behind me.
“Randy! Hey Cap…long time no see…” Commented Ron.
Randy moved forward slowly but with a wide grin on his face… “Yeah, too long kiddo…”
We gabbed over inane topics for a few minutes and in that time frame I almost completely forgot the forum or the reason we were all gathered. That reverie was shattered when Joe’s sister arrived.
I never really knew Joe’s sister but, I gathered it must be her as the room seemed to quiet down rather suddenly. We watched as the only blood relative of our newly departed comrade walked into the room. Sharon Burke had never married and was five years Joe’s senior. She wandered in with a stoic look on her face wearing a simple black dress and her pulled back away from her face. She appeared to be much older than I think she was. She moved quite easily and acknowledged familiar faces with a brave smile, a nod and some brief words as she made her way to her brother’s casket in the front of the room.
I scanned the room at that time looking for Lisa again but, I guess she must have left already.
“Hey Ron, did you see Lisa Howe as you came in?”
“No… Lisa was here?”
“Yeah, I was talking to her when you showed up and then she must have slipped out as I was doubling back over to you guys.”
“Shoot. How’d she look? Is she staying in town? What has she been up to?”
“Whoa, whoa there big fella… I didn’t gather much info. We only talked for less than a couple of minutes. I have no idea where she’s staying, or living, or what’s she been up to. I was surprised to see her too.”
“How’d she look?”
“Great. She certainly seems to have weathered the years well. She had a younger woman with her that I didn’t get introduced to. I don’t know if she was a relative or friend.”
“Hmmm. That’s too bad, I would have loved to see her again.”
“Well maybe she will show up at the service tomorrow…” I offered.
The rest of the evening was a bit of a bore. We hung around for another half hour or so and then slowly the crowded trickled out. I made my over to Sharon and offered my condolences and conveyed the usual words of encouragement and we shared the only real story I could remember of Joe in high school.
We all checked with one another before taking our separate paths to hotels, friend’s houses or where ever we were spending the night and committed to a brief breakfast tomorrow morning at the local greasy spoon before proceeding to the church for the services and the ride out to the cemetery.
I drove through the streets of my old home town marveling at some of the changes that I hadn’t seen and reminiscing about times past as I made my way out to the edge of town and my sister’s house where I had planned to bunk down for the night.
As I passed the Triangle Diner where we had agreed to meet in the morning, I saw that they were still open and decided to have a cup of coffee before and some alone time there before ending the night.
As I approached the door, I could see that there was only one booth being occupied in the diner by customers. I saw two blond head’s over the top of the aqua marine vinyl top of the seats. There was something about the mannerisms of one of the two women there that looked familiar somehow…
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part VIII
We continued to chat rather inanely for some time. We covered the essentials: Career, family choices, where each of us was currently living. It seemed neither of us wanted to broach the subject of why were both compelled to attend this funeral. I’m sure once the bowling alley connection was restored to her memory she had to know the connection I had with Joe. The mystery remained as to how involved was she with Joe back in our early days and if there was any further contact or relationship with him in the ensuing years.
Our discourse was interrupted by the appearance of my former doubles partner Ron to the gathering. We both noticed him at about the same time and with relatively the same reaction.
“Isn’t that….” Yep, it was Ron.
“Well… I’ve gotta be going now…” said Lisa. “It was lovely seeing you again, we should get together sometime.” Even though I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen, I was only slightly taken back by this reaction to my former partner’s appearance at the funeral. This reaction was even more curious to my eyes than Lisa showing up after all these years for this particular occasion.
For me, Ron’s arrival completed the reunion picture. He was caught up in the greeting and surprise of seeing the other original gang members present and seemingly didn’t notice Lisa appearance or sudden exit. I had more questions than answers but, it seems that at least some members of our little group had made an impression or impact on Lisa’s life.
I could only wonder what prompted her reactions.
After her departure, I made my way back across the room to our little group. I slapped Ron on the back causing him to jump only slightly…
“Hey man, good to see you… Did you just get back into town?”
“I’m afraid so. We came in just to pay our respects. I’ve got to get back to Pennsylvania tonight. I have an early day ahead of me at the office.”
“Too bad. I was wondering if I could coax all of you out to a watering hole to try and catch up…”
“Gonna have to take a rain check my friend. So when did you get in?”
“We came in last night. “
“I see… “ His eyes then darted across the room and he moved off away from our group to approach the casket and pay his respects.
“I wasn’t sure he was going to make it…” Said Randy.
“I wasn’t sure either…” I replied.
“It’s not like he and Joe were very close…” Replied Raymond.
“Oh?” I said. “I wasn’t aware of any falling out with Joe…”
“Nothin’ serious. I just think Joe thought Ron was a little self-centered.” Randy went on….
“Well, that’s certainly an understatement when applied to Ron.” I contended. This commentary brought a chuckle to my former teammates faces…
Our discourse was interrupted by the appearance of my former doubles partner Ron to the gathering. We both noticed him at about the same time and with relatively the same reaction.
“Isn’t that….” Yep, it was Ron.
“Well… I’ve gotta be going now…” said Lisa. “It was lovely seeing you again, we should get together sometime.” Even though I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen, I was only slightly taken back by this reaction to my former partner’s appearance at the funeral. This reaction was even more curious to my eyes than Lisa showing up after all these years for this particular occasion.
For me, Ron’s arrival completed the reunion picture. He was caught up in the greeting and surprise of seeing the other original gang members present and seemingly didn’t notice Lisa appearance or sudden exit. I had more questions than answers but, it seems that at least some members of our little group had made an impression or impact on Lisa’s life.
I could only wonder what prompted her reactions.
After her departure, I made my way back across the room to our little group. I slapped Ron on the back causing him to jump only slightly…
“Hey man, good to see you… Did you just get back into town?”
“I’m afraid so. We came in just to pay our respects. I’ve got to get back to Pennsylvania tonight. I have an early day ahead of me at the office.”
“Too bad. I was wondering if I could coax all of you out to a watering hole to try and catch up…”
“Gonna have to take a rain check my friend. So when did you get in?”
“We came in last night. “
“I see… “ His eyes then darted across the room and he moved off away from our group to approach the casket and pay his respects.
“I wasn’t sure he was going to make it…” Said Randy.
“I wasn’t sure either…” I replied.
“It’s not like he and Joe were very close…” Replied Raymond.
“Oh?” I said. “I wasn’t aware of any falling out with Joe…”
“Nothin’ serious. I just think Joe thought Ron was a little self-centered.” Randy went on….
“Well, that’s certainly an understatement when applied to Ron.” I contended. This commentary brought a chuckle to my former teammates faces…
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part VII
The outcry came from Lisa Hayes. None of us had seen her for over thirty years. Each of our team members had dated her for some time. None of the relationships lasted very long but, her brief relationship with Joe had yielded a pregnancy.
She was a looker when she was younger and the years had been very kind to her. She was a very attractive middle aged woman. Her hair was styled in a Rachel Green (after the fashion of a popular Jennifer Aniston character in the series “Friends”) and colored a light blonde. Her haired cascaded down framing her face in a fetching manner.
She wore a somber toned dark blue dress that was cut in an enticing V that displayed just a hint of cleavage. She was standing over the casket and weeping openly. To say we were surprised to see her would have been an understatement. Her reactions and behavior truly left us speechless.
Randy spoke first… “Lisa H… My goodness. She looks more lovely than even my memories.”
“Yes, I should say so… Did anyone of you see this coming? Her reaction I mean. I remember that there was that brief encounter before Joe left for the Army but, I hadn’t heard of any contact between the two since…” I stammered.
“He apparently left an impression on her if nothing else.” Ray commented.
“Who is that young lady with her…?” I queried.
“No idea…” Ray replied.
At that point I left the group and wandered over to where Lisa was gathered with several other folks. As I approached, I tried to catch Lisa’s eye but, her attention seemed focused on her companion who she was engaged in an animated conversation.
Having reached the group, I stood (rather awkwardly) along side the gathering for a full minute until I finally screwed up my nerve and tapped Lisa on the shoulder.
She turned but, didn’t appear to conjure up my memory on sight. Her eyes remained inquisitively as I struggled for some words to say….
“Hi Lisa, remember me?” I hate myself. What a lame opening comment….
She continued to stare at me then and I was cognizant of the puzzled look on the parts of her companions.
“I’m sorry…” She stammered.
“Jim” I started… “Jim McNierney… I remember you from the bowling alley, years ago…. How is your family?”
“Oh yes, of course… Jim…How have you been…My goodness it has been a long time hasn’t it?”
“Yes… a long time…”
She was a looker when she was younger and the years had been very kind to her. She was a very attractive middle aged woman. Her hair was styled in a Rachel Green (after the fashion of a popular Jennifer Aniston character in the series “Friends”) and colored a light blonde. Her haired cascaded down framing her face in a fetching manner.
She wore a somber toned dark blue dress that was cut in an enticing V that displayed just a hint of cleavage. She was standing over the casket and weeping openly. To say we were surprised to see her would have been an understatement. Her reactions and behavior truly left us speechless.
Randy spoke first… “Lisa H… My goodness. She looks more lovely than even my memories.”
“Yes, I should say so… Did anyone of you see this coming? Her reaction I mean. I remember that there was that brief encounter before Joe left for the Army but, I hadn’t heard of any contact between the two since…” I stammered.
“He apparently left an impression on her if nothing else.” Ray commented.
“Who is that young lady with her…?” I queried.
“No idea…” Ray replied.
At that point I left the group and wandered over to where Lisa was gathered with several other folks. As I approached, I tried to catch Lisa’s eye but, her attention seemed focused on her companion who she was engaged in an animated conversation.
Having reached the group, I stood (rather awkwardly) along side the gathering for a full minute until I finally screwed up my nerve and tapped Lisa on the shoulder.
She turned but, didn’t appear to conjure up my memory on sight. Her eyes remained inquisitively as I struggled for some words to say….
“Hi Lisa, remember me?” I hate myself. What a lame opening comment….
She continued to stare at me then and I was cognizant of the puzzled look on the parts of her companions.
“I’m sorry…” She stammered.
“Jim” I started… “Jim McNierney… I remember you from the bowling alley, years ago…. How is your family?”
“Oh yes, of course… Jim…How have you been…My goodness it has been a long time hasn’t it?”
“Yes… a long time…”
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part VI
As we watched our old friend Randy make his way around the room, Raymond and I were discussing old bowling stories.
“Do you remember when we were down six marks going into the final frame of the county championship in ’76?”
“Yeah, I was the leadoff remember, I struck out (to this day, I’ll contend that the last two shots were pure divine intervention)…”
“That’s what started us off… Ron was next and did a spare, strike, I was third and spared with a respectable counter… That left it in the hands of Randy and Abair.”
“Yep. It helped that the other team opened in two of the first four bowlers.”
“Oh yeah, I remember when Randy got up there all we needed was a mark of any kind. His first pitch shanked to the right and left that awful 6-10 baby split.”
“Yep, my being the eternal pessimist pretty much checked out there. I was gravely disappointed that in that position he didn’t even hit that elusive headpin but he / we were lucky enough that it went down in the mix anyway. He was lucky to end up with the baby split with that shot. Of course with his usual aplomb, he stated that he did that on purpose just to make it interesting.”
“Yeah, but the important thing is that he made the shot. In the heat of the moment, he was able to focus.”
“Lucky that we weren’t all of drinking age…” I chuckled.
“I remember whooping it up for hours after that though…”
“Oh yeah, good times… Good times…”
How about our team having two doubles combos in the state tournament the next year? Me and Randy along with you and Ron. That was a hoot. The luck of the draw made sure we didn’t face each other in the early rounds. If it wasn’t for you and Ron running into that hot hand in the semi-finals both of our doubles combos might have reached the finals and had to face each other. Too bad I had such a rotten last series. I always thought I let Randy down in that one. “
“At that point we had all bowled about 12 games in the same session. We were all tired.”
“Water under the bridge… I guess.”
Randy then circled back to our group. He had a somber look on his face but forced a smile as he approached us again.
“So, anyone hear from Ron?” Randy asked.
“I haven’t spoken to him since the 30 year reunion last summer.” I replied.
“How’s the family.” I asked.
Randy let out a telling sigh and stated “We’re all doing okay. The girls are prepping for their return to college and Mara is in remission. Has been in remission now for the last six months.”
“Great. Glad to hear it.” I replied.
It was at this point, a cry went out from across the room. I tried to focus my eyes but, the lighting in the room was such that I couldn’t quite make out the source of the outburst.
“Do you remember when we were down six marks going into the final frame of the county championship in ’76?”
“Yeah, I was the leadoff remember, I struck out (to this day, I’ll contend that the last two shots were pure divine intervention)…”
“That’s what started us off… Ron was next and did a spare, strike, I was third and spared with a respectable counter… That left it in the hands of Randy and Abair.”
“Yep. It helped that the other team opened in two of the first four bowlers.”
“Oh yeah, I remember when Randy got up there all we needed was a mark of any kind. His first pitch shanked to the right and left that awful 6-10 baby split.”
“Yep, my being the eternal pessimist pretty much checked out there. I was gravely disappointed that in that position he didn’t even hit that elusive headpin but he / we were lucky enough that it went down in the mix anyway. He was lucky to end up with the baby split with that shot. Of course with his usual aplomb, he stated that he did that on purpose just to make it interesting.”
“Yeah, but the important thing is that he made the shot. In the heat of the moment, he was able to focus.”
“Lucky that we weren’t all of drinking age…” I chuckled.
“I remember whooping it up for hours after that though…”
“Oh yeah, good times… Good times…”
How about our team having two doubles combos in the state tournament the next year? Me and Randy along with you and Ron. That was a hoot. The luck of the draw made sure we didn’t face each other in the early rounds. If it wasn’t for you and Ron running into that hot hand in the semi-finals both of our doubles combos might have reached the finals and had to face each other. Too bad I had such a rotten last series. I always thought I let Randy down in that one. “
“At that point we had all bowled about 12 games in the same session. We were all tired.”
“Water under the bridge… I guess.”
Randy then circled back to our group. He had a somber look on his face but forced a smile as he approached us again.
“So, anyone hear from Ron?” Randy asked.
“I haven’t spoken to him since the 30 year reunion last summer.” I replied.
“How’s the family.” I asked.
Randy let out a telling sigh and stated “We’re all doing okay. The girls are prepping for their return to college and Mara is in remission. Has been in remission now for the last six months.”
“Great. Glad to hear it.” I replied.
It was at this point, a cry went out from across the room. I tried to focus my eyes but, the lighting in the room was such that I couldn’t quite make out the source of the outburst.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part V
He was the golden boy of the group, the son of the town supervisor and the group’s playboy. He was also a great chess player. I remember taking part in the only chess tournament we had at our high school. I made the finals but lost to Randy in an all too short game. I always wanted a rematch but we never were able to pull that off.
Randy worked at one of the local state institutions for the first couple of years after high school and then joined the Navy (suddenly from my perspective) because he saw the civil service job as a dead end.
I remembered talking to him shortly after he joined the Navy (he was still in boot camp) and hearing all the stories he had of the ridiculous activities that he had to endure during that initiation into the military service. At that point in his life, he was telling us that he couldn’t wait for the first six-year stint to be over so that he could get back to his “normal” life.
I kept in contact with him via phone and mail (yes, snail mail in those days) for the next few years and heard that he had reenlisted just shy of the six year threshold. I was surprised to hear that he had re-upped and asked him via mail for rationale.
He never replied to that mail message but I heard through his sister that he had served for a short period of time in the Philippines, met a girl and married her. The marriage brought an adopted daughter for an immediate family.
The only news I got about Randy in the ensuing 15 years was through the intermediate contact I had with his sister (who was also friends with my sister). I knew he had two other kids, both girls, in the first five or six years of marriage. I knew had gotten into a recruiting position within the Navy which equated to (more or less) a desk job that was pretty regular and he spent most of his time state side. I thought the fact that he wound up doing recruiting within his military service quite ironic given his vehement cries of discontent during his first stint and wanting nothing more than to have it end before the six years that he had initially signed up for.
“Hi Jim, Hi Raymond… How’s it going?”
“Hey… it’s great to see ya Randy.” I replied.
“Damn shame about Joe… “ His eyes trailed over the room and landed on the casket. He looked a lot more frail than I thought his years should convey. He slowly made his way away from us and proceeded to the casket to pay his respects. At that point, I thought that since Joe and Randy were the same age, he must have known Joe the longest of our group. I wasn’t all that knowledgeable about Randy’s life prior to getting roped into the bowling league.
Randy worked at one of the local state institutions for the first couple of years after high school and then joined the Navy (suddenly from my perspective) because he saw the civil service job as a dead end.
I remembered talking to him shortly after he joined the Navy (he was still in boot camp) and hearing all the stories he had of the ridiculous activities that he had to endure during that initiation into the military service. At that point in his life, he was telling us that he couldn’t wait for the first six-year stint to be over so that he could get back to his “normal” life.
I kept in contact with him via phone and mail (yes, snail mail in those days) for the next few years and heard that he had reenlisted just shy of the six year threshold. I was surprised to hear that he had re-upped and asked him via mail for rationale.
He never replied to that mail message but I heard through his sister that he had served for a short period of time in the Philippines, met a girl and married her. The marriage brought an adopted daughter for an immediate family.
The only news I got about Randy in the ensuing 15 years was through the intermediate contact I had with his sister (who was also friends with my sister). I knew he had two other kids, both girls, in the first five or six years of marriage. I knew had gotten into a recruiting position within the Navy which equated to (more or less) a desk job that was pretty regular and he spent most of his time state side. I thought the fact that he wound up doing recruiting within his military service quite ironic given his vehement cries of discontent during his first stint and wanting nothing more than to have it end before the six years that he had initially signed up for.
“Hi Jim, Hi Raymond… How’s it going?”
“Hey… it’s great to see ya Randy.” I replied.
“Damn shame about Joe… “ His eyes trailed over the room and landed on the casket. He looked a lot more frail than I thought his years should convey. He slowly made his way away from us and proceeded to the casket to pay his respects. At that point, I thought that since Joe and Randy were the same age, he must have known Joe the longest of our group. I wasn’t all that knowledgeable about Randy’s life prior to getting roped into the bowling league.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Dragonland
Where I live dragons fly by
Clothed in their fine array.
They float up on the morning air
And roar their fierce flames at me.
There are also sounds of fearful wonder
From the victims in their maw.
I watch them sail into the blue
With idle swoop and bellies full.
I envy them, the dragons meal,
As they face their death to face.
And watch their lives shrink far away
While we can only gape in jealousy.
Clothed in their fine array.
They float up on the morning air
And roar their fierce flames at me.
There are also sounds of fearful wonder
From the victims in their maw.
I watch them sail into the blue
With idle swoop and bellies full.
I envy them, the dragons meal,
As they face their death to face.
And watch their lives shrink far away
While we can only gape in jealousy.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part IV
“Well, look what managed to meander back into this neck of the woods… Good to see you Jim.” A familiar voice called out from across the room but was moving rapidly in my direction. I looked up to see the face of another former team member, Raymond Fuller. He was a fairly steady bowler but, was a bit unsteady (some would say unstable) outside of bowling alley situations. In ensuing years, I heard that he got mixed up with a bad crowd.
Last time I saw him, we had a long talk about truck driving because he had proceeded to get a job as a long haul tractor-trailer truck driver. I had also garnered some experience in that area so we shared some war stories about life on the road.
Today it looked like he had cleaned up his act some in the last twenty years but those years hadn’t been real kind to him. He had lost his hair and had some pretty severe pockmarks that peppered his complexion along with some deep lines around his eyes.
“Hey Ray, how’s it going?
“Not too bad, I heard about Joe just yesterday…I was wondering if you and Randy were going to make the trip in”
“I hadn’t seen Joe in at last twenty years. When did he get out of the Army?”
“I don’t know. I know his sister is coming in from San Diego but, won’t make it in before tomorrow though.”
“Looks like we’re getting old Ray… We only seem to get together for these kinds of events.”
“Yeah. Have you heard anything from Randy or Ron?”
“I saw Ron last year at the 30 year High School Reunion thing. I haven’t seen Ron since the early 1980’s. Last I heard, Randy was working security at some casino in Connecticut.”
“So, what have you been up to? Standard questions… Married? Kids?”
“Yes, Twice and one… you?
“No, and two”
“Oh…? Still driving for the paycheck?”
“Nah, I had to give that up…” Raymond said. He then paused but continued “Screwed up my back. I’ve been collecting disability for the last six years. Kind of sucks…”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I replied. I’m still playing with computers. Doing what I can do to avoid manual labor… I’ve played around with some management positions but, I never quite fit into that type of corporate zoo. Currently working on a couple of large construction projects as a technical lead. Keeps me off the streets.”
“So you’re married, how’d that happen?”
“I’m into my second marriage.” I replied. “The kid happened in the first one. I guess I’m just lucky. I’m one of those kind of men that needs to be married. I don’t function well alone. The times I’ve been single, I’d never buy groceries and just eat out all the time.”
“I’ve never managed to get a woman to hang around that long…” Said Raymond.
At that point, the door opened and we saw Captain Randy hobble into the funeral parlor.
Last time I saw him, we had a long talk about truck driving because he had proceeded to get a job as a long haul tractor-trailer truck driver. I had also garnered some experience in that area so we shared some war stories about life on the road.
Today it looked like he had cleaned up his act some in the last twenty years but those years hadn’t been real kind to him. He had lost his hair and had some pretty severe pockmarks that peppered his complexion along with some deep lines around his eyes.
“Hey Ray, how’s it going?
“Not too bad, I heard about Joe just yesterday…I was wondering if you and Randy were going to make the trip in”
“I hadn’t seen Joe in at last twenty years. When did he get out of the Army?”
“I don’t know. I know his sister is coming in from San Diego but, won’t make it in before tomorrow though.”
“Looks like we’re getting old Ray… We only seem to get together for these kinds of events.”
“Yeah. Have you heard anything from Randy or Ron?”
“I saw Ron last year at the 30 year High School Reunion thing. I haven’t seen Ron since the early 1980’s. Last I heard, Randy was working security at some casino in Connecticut.”
“So, what have you been up to? Standard questions… Married? Kids?”
“Yes, Twice and one… you?
“No, and two”
“Oh…? Still driving for the paycheck?”
“Nah, I had to give that up…” Raymond said. He then paused but continued “Screwed up my back. I’ve been collecting disability for the last six years. Kind of sucks…”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I replied. I’m still playing with computers. Doing what I can do to avoid manual labor… I’ve played around with some management positions but, I never quite fit into that type of corporate zoo. Currently working on a couple of large construction projects as a technical lead. Keeps me off the streets.”
“So you’re married, how’d that happen?”
“I’m into my second marriage.” I replied. “The kid happened in the first one. I guess I’m just lucky. I’m one of those kind of men that needs to be married. I don’t function well alone. The times I’ve been single, I’d never buy groceries and just eat out all the time.”
“I’ve never managed to get a woman to hang around that long…” Said Raymond.
At that point, the door opened and we saw Captain Randy hobble into the funeral parlor.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part III
Lisa first took a liking to my doubles partner, Ron. He was a lanky tall (everyone was tall to my eyes being 5’6”, I had to give up basketball pretty early in life) sandy haired kid who had self-esteem issues but despite this, seemed to fare pretty well with the ladies. Ron and Lisa were an item for a few months during that season. They broke up just before the holidays.
Randy was next to attempt “Sad Eyed Lisa” as some of us took to calling her (an homage to Cat Steven’s song of the same title). Randy was quite taken by her for some time. He would often stay in the bowling alley all day on Saturdays eventually gaining the trust of the proprietors and assisted in clean up and lane maintenance. When Lisa broke it off with him, he was pretty shaken in the confidence department for some time.
Despite the admonitions of my two teammates, I made a play for Lisa in the later portion of that season in the March/April timeframe. We went out a few times, I was my usual shy, quiet self and she almost seemed annoyed at my socially inept attempts at conversation… I never got to “first base” let alone any other...
It was Joe who actually caused the stir with Lisa. A week before the seasons final Saturday, Joe took Lisa for a drive out to the nearest mall. Ostensibly, she asked him for the ride as a favor. We didn’t realize until Joe was signed up and sent off to the Army that Lisa was the reason he left town in such a rush.
That summer, word had it that Lisa was going away to spend some time with relatives. Upon the second season’s opening Saturday in September, we heard the rumors of the abortion. It was the first time that I actually knew of someone who had actually gotten the procedure done. We were a small town and that kind of detail didn’t stay secret long.
Randy was next to attempt “Sad Eyed Lisa” as some of us took to calling her (an homage to Cat Steven’s song of the same title). Randy was quite taken by her for some time. He would often stay in the bowling alley all day on Saturdays eventually gaining the trust of the proprietors and assisted in clean up and lane maintenance. When Lisa broke it off with him, he was pretty shaken in the confidence department for some time.
Despite the admonitions of my two teammates, I made a play for Lisa in the later portion of that season in the March/April timeframe. We went out a few times, I was my usual shy, quiet self and she almost seemed annoyed at my socially inept attempts at conversation… I never got to “first base” let alone any other...
It was Joe who actually caused the stir with Lisa. A week before the seasons final Saturday, Joe took Lisa for a drive out to the nearest mall. Ostensibly, she asked him for the ride as a favor. We didn’t realize until Joe was signed up and sent off to the Army that Lisa was the reason he left town in such a rush.
That summer, word had it that Lisa was going away to spend some time with relatives. Upon the second season’s opening Saturday in September, we heard the rumors of the abortion. It was the first time that I actually knew of someone who had actually gotten the procedure done. We were a small town and that kind of detail didn’t stay secret long.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
One
The dullness sits
Upon my chest
Like rock upon a tomb
There seems to be
No air in here
No room for thought to stir
Icy down the chilling frost
Reach to the single point
Where all is still like photographs
Stacked in a hidden room.
Nothing is new or ever was
Or ever will I feel
No fear or hate, no love or want
Could mar this perfect pall.
Upon my chest
Like rock upon a tomb
There seems to be
No air in here
No room for thought to stir
Icy down the chilling frost
Reach to the single point
Where all is still like photographs
Stacked in a hidden room.
Nothing is new or ever was
Or ever will I feel
No fear or hate, no love or want
Could mar this perfect pall.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part II
My doubles partner that year (and in many years to come) was Ron. Ron and I had a very strange relationship throughout high school. The relationship seemingly was built on a constant and heated competition. It didn’t matter whether it was test scores, keyboarding speed drills or the 50 yard dash in Phys Ed but, we always seemed to be comparing notes and (I’m not bragging here) I won out in the lion’s share of cases.
What was strange about this relationship was that I don’t believe I pursued the competitive aspect of our relationship. It was mildly amusing to me that Ron had such a keen interest in this “friendly competition”.
We both found ourselves enrolled in a “typing class” (that’s what they called it in those days… I’m sure now, a similar class would be called “keyboarding”). It was during that class that the friendship and the competition became the most intense. The class was equipped with a recent vintage of IBM electric typewriters and a small contingent of manual typewriters. It was our instructor’s intent to cycle some of us through the use of both varieties of typewriters because he felt that would prepare us better for whatever we encountered in the workplace. In hindsight, this proved ridiculous because within two years, the manual typewriter was all but, extinct and any of us that entered the workplace within the next five years were going to encounter either electric word processors (in an office environment) or better yet, computers.
Anyway, the two of us embraced the speed drills portion of the class. I quickly became the fastest typist within that group of students. Ron was either placing second or third. At the end of the first quarter, I was moved off the electric typewriter onto one of the four manual typewriters in the room. My speed greatly decreased as the manual typewriters not only required a stronger hand but, also there was a pronounced gap between the keys that required the typist to become much more accurate in their keystrokes to prevent pushing your fingers between the keys slowing down progress and creating more mistakes.
It was during this second quarter of that academic year that Ron’s speed surpassed mine as Ron was left on the better, faster electric breed of typewriter while I toiled away with the manual typewriter. I still placed among the fastest and more accurate but, I had to definitely adapt to this different keyboard and technology.
Thankfully, in the third quarter, the room rotated again and I was moved back to the electric typewriter while poor Ron was now encumbered with dealing with the lesser, older manual. During that quarter, I again became, easily, the fastest typist in the group. Ron’s speed was hindered by the change and he began to see why my complaints with the manual typewriters (which he brushed off when we discussed the competition outside of class) were valid. I continued to downplay the competition while, inwardly, being somewhat amused by the results.
Like any great race though, the fourth quarter was interesting. We had both progressed well during the year and both positions side by side in the room dealing with similar equipment (the electric breed of typewriter). Our “friendly competition” during the class actually garnered notice from some of the other students as well as the instructor. We all attempted to downplay it but, it was still a force in that class. I continued (with only a few exceptions) to stay 2 to 5 words per minute faster than my friend. This infuriated him greatly and we spoke of little else during the later portion of our sophomore year in high school.
Fortunately, once that school year ended, like most good friends, that competition was over and forgotten (sort of) and we basically would find other ways to fuel that competitive fire.
What was strange about this relationship was that I don’t believe I pursued the competitive aspect of our relationship. It was mildly amusing to me that Ron had such a keen interest in this “friendly competition”.
We both found ourselves enrolled in a “typing class” (that’s what they called it in those days… I’m sure now, a similar class would be called “keyboarding”). It was during that class that the friendship and the competition became the most intense. The class was equipped with a recent vintage of IBM electric typewriters and a small contingent of manual typewriters. It was our instructor’s intent to cycle some of us through the use of both varieties of typewriters because he felt that would prepare us better for whatever we encountered in the workplace. In hindsight, this proved ridiculous because within two years, the manual typewriter was all but, extinct and any of us that entered the workplace within the next five years were going to encounter either electric word processors (in an office environment) or better yet, computers.
Anyway, the two of us embraced the speed drills portion of the class. I quickly became the fastest typist within that group of students. Ron was either placing second or third. At the end of the first quarter, I was moved off the electric typewriter onto one of the four manual typewriters in the room. My speed greatly decreased as the manual typewriters not only required a stronger hand but, also there was a pronounced gap between the keys that required the typist to become much more accurate in their keystrokes to prevent pushing your fingers between the keys slowing down progress and creating more mistakes.
It was during this second quarter of that academic year that Ron’s speed surpassed mine as Ron was left on the better, faster electric breed of typewriter while I toiled away with the manual typewriter. I still placed among the fastest and more accurate but, I had to definitely adapt to this different keyboard and technology.
Thankfully, in the third quarter, the room rotated again and I was moved back to the electric typewriter while poor Ron was now encumbered with dealing with the lesser, older manual. During that quarter, I again became, easily, the fastest typist in the group. Ron’s speed was hindered by the change and he began to see why my complaints with the manual typewriters (which he brushed off when we discussed the competition outside of class) were valid. I continued to downplay the competition while, inwardly, being somewhat amused by the results.
Like any great race though, the fourth quarter was interesting. We had both progressed well during the year and both positions side by side in the room dealing with similar equipment (the electric breed of typewriter). Our “friendly competition” during the class actually garnered notice from some of the other students as well as the instructor. We all attempted to downplay it but, it was still a force in that class. I continued (with only a few exceptions) to stay 2 to 5 words per minute faster than my friend. This infuriated him greatly and we spoke of little else during the later portion of our sophomore year in high school.
Fortunately, once that school year ended, like most good friends, that competition was over and forgotten (sort of) and we basically would find other ways to fuel that competitive fire.
Friday, August 14, 2009
My mourning wail
Hear I brayed forth this ragged shroud
to keep my body safe from might,
despite the gloaming gloom,
and fend off raiders in the night
who'd steal my single bloom.
May best be, I suss,
to invite them in
and present my flower thus
keep my keep, by surrender win
in spite, my mind won't be bowed.
Come on to me you crowing crowd
to jeer and garb
to take my salient point
and sink it deep, joint to the barb
that cerebral hosts annoint.
Hot steel and dark,
my cloak arsine.
Why not my screams do you mark.
Alone in mass, in bars no barfine.
How theif, of theft do you crew proud.
Damn your ouns to perfluities cloud
My bood reeks force
and serves animals hunger.
Take all in its course
take eye or ear or tongue or
leave them me since
worthless now they be to
all and I in out sense
my brain shade wrapped in veto
for, no fear, in death, be there allowed.
to keep my body safe from might,
despite the gloaming gloom,
and fend off raiders in the night
who'd steal my single bloom.
May best be, I suss,
to invite them in
and present my flower thus
keep my keep, by surrender win
in spite, my mind won't be bowed.
Come on to me you crowing crowd
to jeer and garb
to take my salient point
and sink it deep, joint to the barb
that cerebral hosts annoint.
Hot steel and dark,
my cloak arsine.
Why not my screams do you mark.
Alone in mass, in bars no barfine.
How theif, of theft do you crew proud.
Damn your ouns to perfluities cloud
My bood reeks force
and serves animals hunger.
Take all in its course
take eye or ear or tongue or
leave them me since
worthless now they be to
all and I in out sense
my brain shade wrapped in veto
for, no fear, in death, be there allowed.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Elusive Headpin - Part 1
It’s too late to say I’m sorry … at least for Joe’s sake. Looking at him lying there all dressed up in his “Sunday best”, it’s hard to imagine the effects of the years that had passed since last I saw him.
He was our steadiest bowler in Junior league. The “clean up” man on our five man shift. He fared quite well in that fashion…saved our butts on more than one occasion. I was very surprised to learn at the end of our first (and most successful year) that he had already enlisted in the Army. He left so fast, we never really had a chance to give him a formal “send off” when he left.
I had heard that he made the military his “career choice”, there were decades between instances where word of his life’s exploits would reach my ears.
We were so young then. Randy was the “ring leader” who pulled us all together… Captain Randy. I recall the day that he first approached me about joining the league. “Come on Jim, it’ll be fun. It’s a handicap league so, it really doesn’t matter much how good you are initially. “
I had bowled since I was a kid…with my dad mostly. We would go out on Sundays to the local bowling alleys. There were three in the area of our very rural home in upstate New York. The one we most often frequented was one in a town that had the obscure name of “Mabbetsville”. The bowling lanes themselves were a “family business”. The patriarch of the family ran the desk, the two sons cared for the lanes while Mom and her only daughter manned the “snack bar”.
During our Junior League days, each one of us had tried to woo Lisa, the daughter behind the snack bar. She was a petite brunette (some said “cute” although she never liked that term) that was generally pleasant if her Mom wasn’t “hovering” over the counter and giving her instructions. Our bowling shift in that first year was an early Saturday morning time slot and “Mom” didn’t make too many appearances then. She apparently was a “late riser” on weekends.
We had a lot of success in that first year, we took first place in our Saturday morning league, played in two different tournaments and placed in both. In the tournaments it was decided that we would play in the doubles sections as well. This posed a minor problem as we were a five person team so, obviously there was an “odd man out” in this situation. I didn’t think much about it then but, it was Joe who quite readily volunteered to not play in the doubles sections allowing the rest of us that opportunity.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Solitary I
push against this hymen here
that seals a darkling womb.
I rush out into a maze
That ends at silent tomb.
Enmazed are daze
of grass and rock
roused up above the scree
by mourning's silent singing cock
that crows only to me
on blackest wings to fly,
buzzing in a slanted spheer,
to pierce this solitary I
push against this hymen here
to seal my darkling tomb,
To sleep in peace without a peer
inside my gawded room.
that seals a darkling womb.
I rush out into a maze
That ends at silent tomb.
Enmazed are daze
of grass and rock
roused up above the scree
by mourning's silent singing cock
that crows only to me
on blackest wings to fly,
buzzing in a slanted spheer,
to pierce this solitary I
push against this hymen here
to seal my darkling tomb,
To sleep in peace without a peer
inside my gawded room.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
American Dreaming – 1990’s / Part XXI
My life took a wonderful turn after I met my future second wife. For the first time in almost a decade, my focus between my domestic life and my professional life became more balanced. Probably because I had a domestic life to focus on but, the shift was noticeable and welcome.
The later portion of the decade passed with settling into this new relationship and enjoying some needed time with family. I also had a new family (her family based in Detroit) that welcomed me into their midst. It was a very happy time.
My job became very interesting in that we were building the business (seemingly to me) by merging with another managed care facility in Baltimore. I became involved with replacing all of the IT infrastructure for this business including the telecommunications services for a customer service center.
This was an exciting project that allowed for a fair amount of travel to Baltimore. I came to like this beautiful and historic city. We wound up replacing all of the static VT100 terminals on the staff desks with diskless workstations and a comprehensive and aggressive implementation of thin client technology with a Citrix core running Windows NT 4.0. The implementation went well but, the support challenges were many. It was difficult to maintain this type of install with all of my staff in Albany.
We eventually took on the task of having a manager in Baltimore with staff that were trained to support Citrix in order to ease the administrative burden. In retrospect, I think that this was a great experience but, overall it was an idea that was before its time. The build out was eventually replaced with the next generation of Windows OS and putting full PC’s in place.
Towards the end of the decade, the company’s focus was preparing for the Y2K scares. We had as our core applications a COBOL application that required a fair amount of development to prepare for and certify that we were ready for the turn of the century. The development staff geared up for this effort in the later portion of 1998 and the early portion of 1999. The goal was achieved in July of 1999 with a certification statement that went out to our suppliers and clients.
Unfortunately, the company was failing. The next generation software that the company had “bet the farm on” never came to pass. Despite a fair amount of development resources and outsourcing consultancy, the software package was never completed. As a result, the company was sold off in the waning months of 1999. I stayed with the company post the sale announcement and committed to manning the data center on the eve of the New Year 2000 but, was looking and eventually accepted a position with Non-For-Profit organization that I would join in February of 2000.
I was sorry to see the entrepreneurial venture go bust but, it did. I had to move on. I walked away from a fairly large retention bonus because the purchasing company wanted me to hang on to supervise the dismantling of the data center we had spent the last three plus years building. I was at a point in my life that I had grown weary of mergers and acquisitions and decided I just didn’t have the heart to hang on for that additional six months.
The later portion of the decade passed with settling into this new relationship and enjoying some needed time with family. I also had a new family (her family based in Detroit) that welcomed me into their midst. It was a very happy time.
My job became very interesting in that we were building the business (seemingly to me) by merging with another managed care facility in Baltimore. I became involved with replacing all of the IT infrastructure for this business including the telecommunications services for a customer service center.
This was an exciting project that allowed for a fair amount of travel to Baltimore. I came to like this beautiful and historic city. We wound up replacing all of the static VT100 terminals on the staff desks with diskless workstations and a comprehensive and aggressive implementation of thin client technology with a Citrix core running Windows NT 4.0. The implementation went well but, the support challenges were many. It was difficult to maintain this type of install with all of my staff in Albany.
We eventually took on the task of having a manager in Baltimore with staff that were trained to support Citrix in order to ease the administrative burden. In retrospect, I think that this was a great experience but, overall it was an idea that was before its time. The build out was eventually replaced with the next generation of Windows OS and putting full PC’s in place.
Towards the end of the decade, the company’s focus was preparing for the Y2K scares. We had as our core applications a COBOL application that required a fair amount of development to prepare for and certify that we were ready for the turn of the century. The development staff geared up for this effort in the later portion of 1998 and the early portion of 1999. The goal was achieved in July of 1999 with a certification statement that went out to our suppliers and clients.
Unfortunately, the company was failing. The next generation software that the company had “bet the farm on” never came to pass. Despite a fair amount of development resources and outsourcing consultancy, the software package was never completed. As a result, the company was sold off in the waning months of 1999. I stayed with the company post the sale announcement and committed to manning the data center on the eve of the New Year 2000 but, was looking and eventually accepted a position with Non-For-Profit organization that I would join in February of 2000.
I was sorry to see the entrepreneurial venture go bust but, it did. I had to move on. I walked away from a fairly large retention bonus because the purchasing company wanted me to hang on to supervise the dismantling of the data center we had spent the last three plus years building. I was at a point in my life that I had grown weary of mergers and acquisitions and decided I just didn’t have the heart to hang on for that additional six months.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Confinibrication
These words are choice,
Yes almost clear,
but like a trout,
through fingers slip away
gladly gone to rocks to hide
and swim another day.
A living moth,
fluttering still,
I try to pin
with needle sharp
and on my board display
but leaving only dust behind
it gently would not stay.
I softly catch
these living birds
that coo contrariety
I confess I love their fickled way
and would not, for the love of all,
in cage, denote, betray.
Come dance with me
between these words
that I have just nailed down
and we will fall through endless gates
that lead to rooms, beyond the room
where waiting meanings splay
coldly on a marble slab
laid out in meat array.
Yes almost clear,
but like a trout,
through fingers slip away
gladly gone to rocks to hide
and swim another day.
A living moth,
fluttering still,
I try to pin
with needle sharp
and on my board display
but leaving only dust behind
it gently would not stay.
I softly catch
these living birds
that coo contrariety
I confess I love their fickled way
and would not, for the love of all,
in cage, denote, betray.
Come dance with me
between these words
that I have just nailed down
and we will fall through endless gates
that lead to rooms, beyond the room
where waiting meanings splay
coldly on a marble slab
laid out in meat array.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Summer Vacation / Ozark Visit '09 Part III
It was certainly a sad time when we had to say good-bye to the kids and begin the three-day drive back to upstate New York.
We had coffee and helped each other pack up our respective vehicles for the trek back. On our way out of town we of course had to make the requisite stop for a strawberry slush (my wife’s new fave) from Sonic because we don’t have any Sonic restaurants near where we live this is a rare treat for her.
The drive back was long and tiring. It was also coupled with the all too familiar melancholy that is always evident as you approach the end of a vacation. I missed not having my son around after being with him constantly for four days. It was just enough time to get used to having him around when we then had to say our good byes. Hopefully we’ll see them again around the holidays.
The cat was not a happy camper when we began the journey back. I think the poor thing was tired of having her world upset on a daily basis and to be relegated to the finite space that she was going to have to endure in the backseat and the carrier while we were traveling. She settled down for short periods (that got shorter as the trip wore on). She is not a travel-loving animal. We might need to have to rethink this arrangement for future trips.
We take the opportunity to visit a very nice brewpub in Ohio called the Wiloughby Brewing Company. We had visited this establishment on our drive out to Chicago over the Christmas holidays and this was a welcome break in the second evening of the trip home.
Overall, it was a good trip, a tiring trip. This is not unusual as I’ve seem to detect that all trips done in this manner need some recuperative time before re-entering the work place. Unfortunately, timing was never a strong suit and we were only able allocate a single day for acclimation before the dreaded Monday morning blues took hold.
Well, there’s only 52 weeks left before next year’s vacation… Yay…
We had coffee and helped each other pack up our respective vehicles for the trek back. On our way out of town we of course had to make the requisite stop for a strawberry slush (my wife’s new fave) from Sonic because we don’t have any Sonic restaurants near where we live this is a rare treat for her.
The drive back was long and tiring. It was also coupled with the all too familiar melancholy that is always evident as you approach the end of a vacation. I missed not having my son around after being with him constantly for four days. It was just enough time to get used to having him around when we then had to say our good byes. Hopefully we’ll see them again around the holidays.
The cat was not a happy camper when we began the journey back. I think the poor thing was tired of having her world upset on a daily basis and to be relegated to the finite space that she was going to have to endure in the backseat and the carrier while we were traveling. She settled down for short periods (that got shorter as the trip wore on). She is not a travel-loving animal. We might need to have to rethink this arrangement for future trips.
We take the opportunity to visit a very nice brewpub in Ohio called the Wiloughby Brewing Company. We had visited this establishment on our drive out to Chicago over the Christmas holidays and this was a welcome break in the second evening of the trip home.
Overall, it was a good trip, a tiring trip. This is not unusual as I’ve seem to detect that all trips done in this manner need some recuperative time before re-entering the work place. Unfortunately, timing was never a strong suit and we were only able allocate a single day for acclimation before the dreaded Monday morning blues took hold.
Well, there’s only 52 weeks left before next year’s vacation… Yay…
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Zepherlation
Mountain air Excurting
high plains drifting,
curious
over warm soaked soil
her Glacial home Aparent
proudly smiling down
One newborn's first swum.
Barely beyond the Shade
Bright White Sunline,
tenderous tremble of, light
cool, Breth, softly,
nearly heared
Soloasto
Xplode you senses,
crushing you brain.
Then still almost.
Observed Observing Absurd.
holding her Breth.
Tip Toe Wait
N
N2
Xeno's paradoxical movment
N2
N
finity of Allmost
+here.
Then released, affirmed and ON
to warm over grasly tendrils
to rise and return
by ineluctable viscus
of recirculation
return
and cooling,
fall down tru
glacier stream(s),
slipping past sun hotted
earth bone(s).
Cold wet belly bubbling
with chatty laughter,
scraping through all
channeling canyon.
Only the strongest make it thru.
The hart of ice born wind.
The birth of
Mountain air excurting.
-- Jer
high plains drifting,
curious
over warm soaked soil
her Glacial home Aparent
proudly smiling down
One newborn's first swum.
Barely beyond the Shade
Bright White Sunline,
tenderous tremble of, light
cool, Breth, softly,
nearly heared
Soloasto
Xplode you senses,
crushing you brain.
Then still almost.
Observed Observing Absurd.
holding her Breth.
Tip Toe Wait
N
N2
Xeno's paradoxical movment
N2
N
finity of Allmost
+here.
Then released, affirmed and ON
to warm over grasly tendrils
to rise and return
by ineluctable viscus
of recirculation
return
and cooling,
fall down tru
glacier stream(s),
slipping past sun hotted
earth bone(s).
Cold wet belly bubbling
with chatty laughter,
scraping through all
channeling canyon.
Only the strongest make it thru.
The hart of ice born wind.
The birth of
Mountain air excurting.
-- Jer
Friday, August 7, 2009
Beer
Benign
Effervescence
Ever
Rejuvinating.
But
Every
Experience
Reverses,
Broken
Ego
Energy
Robbing
Bottle
Escorts
Every
Ridiculous
Bottom-dwelling
Erstwhile
Explorer's
Reserve
Becoming
Exact
Examples of
Repressive
Stupidity
Effervescence
Ever
Rejuvinating.
But
Every
Experience
Reverses,
Broken
Ego
Energy
Robbing
Bottle
Escorts
Every
Ridiculous
Bottom-dwelling
Erstwhile
Explorer's
Reserve
Becoming
Exact
Examples of
Repressive
Stupidity
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Trout fishing - Buchanan pass trailhead 7/22/09
Caught my first fish in Colorado.
Caught my first fish on a fly.
Caught two fingerings, Brookies.
Let them swim, no dinner from these babies.
Hooked the Quill Gordon in my Stetson - retired.
Spent most of my time tying tippet.
Fucking 5x fluorocarbon.
Like mending the emperor's new clothes
With my fat fingers.
No dressing so flies got soggy fast.
I'd been missing a lot of strikes,
Probably yanking the hook right out of their mouths.
Finally got the timing down and sunk a barb.
Just a Brook trout fingerling, maybe seven inches,
But 35 years after I learned to cast from a Lee Wulf article in field and stream
I caught it, on a fly, in Coney creek, at 10.000 feet.
Oh Yeah.
Caught my first fish on a fly.
Caught two fingerings, Brookies.
Let them swim, no dinner from these babies.
Hooked the Quill Gordon in my Stetson - retired.
Spent most of my time tying tippet.
Fucking 5x fluorocarbon.
Like mending the emperor's new clothes
With my fat fingers.
No dressing so flies got soggy fast.
I'd been missing a lot of strikes,
Probably yanking the hook right out of their mouths.
Finally got the timing down and sunk a barb.
Just a Brook trout fingerling, maybe seven inches,
But 35 years after I learned to cast from a Lee Wulf article in field and stream
I caught it, on a fly, in Coney creek, at 10.000 feet.
Oh Yeah.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Summer Vacation / Ozark Visit '09 Part II
We had a lot of fun principally because we got to spend some quality time with our kids during this time frame. We arrived at Charleston, Il (where both of them are attending Eastern U of I on Saturday. We had a really nice meal that evening and planned for a meet in the morning at a roadside attraction in our route to southwestern MO.
The restaurant was a great joy. It epitomized the essence of country charm with classic Southern comfort food and the most amazing arrays of pies I've seen.
The pies were dubbed Foot High because of the amazing amount of meringue that most of them featured. They truly were a site to behold.
After that great experience we proceeded down to the rented cabin that my wife had researched and reserved for our use in this time frame.
The cabin featured some awesome accouterments. We had at our disposal an outdoor hot tub on a deck that also had a full compliment of barbecue hardware as well as a nicely appointed tabe and chairs overlooking a great view.
Indoors we had a jacuzzi in our bathroom that we made extensive use of.
Pictures are available at http://www.jimmcnierney.com
The restaurant was a great joy. It epitomized the essence of country charm with classic Southern comfort food and the most amazing arrays of pies I've seen.
The pies were dubbed Foot High because of the amazing amount of meringue that most of them featured. They truly were a site to behold.
After that great experience we proceeded down to the rented cabin that my wife had researched and reserved for our use in this time frame.
The cabin featured some awesome accouterments. We had at our disposal an outdoor hot tub on a deck that also had a full compliment of barbecue hardware as well as a nicely appointed tabe and chairs overlooking a great view.
Indoors we had a jacuzzi in our bathroom that we made extensive use of.
Pictures are available at http://www.jimmcnierney.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Hero
I remember Nancy in fourth grade.
I was eleven and she was twelve.
She was taller than everyone, gangly.
Her brown hair was long, mousey.
Her clothes were hand me down, poor.
She wore big white canvas sneakers.
She was not pretty or popular
Maybe even homely, a sore thumb.
But one day she was the center
Of a circle of teasing torment.
The kind of merciless torture
That only children and sociopaths
Are capable of, without remorse.
I stepped in, to end it.
I couldn't stand a world where
The innocent and helpless were targets,
Like baby turtles running for the ocean.
She looked at me with gratitude
As the grumbling crowd dispersed.
Chivalry and mercy had carried one day.
The seagulls went away hungry.
I came into class the next morning
To echoing volleys of children's laughter
Like the smugly sneer on a bigots face.
I followed pointing fingers
To Nancy's once white shoes
And saw my name drawn out
In every open space.
But I wanted to be a savior
Not her boyfriend after all
She was strange and different
Good for pity, nothing closer,
Not for me. so I avoided
Her eyes, her
Presence, her
Simple love.
So I can't report her expression
When her hero showed his face
But it brings to mind those turtles
Who are nabbed before the sea
And fly a moment to an incongruous height
Before to rocks go hurdling down
To lay out the once hid soft.
I was eleven and she was twelve.
She was taller than everyone, gangly.
Her brown hair was long, mousey.
Her clothes were hand me down, poor.
She wore big white canvas sneakers.
She was not pretty or popular
Maybe even homely, a sore thumb.
But one day she was the center
Of a circle of teasing torment.
The kind of merciless torture
That only children and sociopaths
Are capable of, without remorse.
I stepped in, to end it.
I couldn't stand a world where
The innocent and helpless were targets,
Like baby turtles running for the ocean.
She looked at me with gratitude
As the grumbling crowd dispersed.
Chivalry and mercy had carried one day.
The seagulls went away hungry.
I came into class the next morning
To echoing volleys of children's laughter
Like the smugly sneer on a bigots face.
I followed pointing fingers
To Nancy's once white shoes
And saw my name drawn out
In every open space.
But I wanted to be a savior
Not her boyfriend after all
She was strange and different
Good for pity, nothing closer,
Not for me. so I avoided
Her eyes, her
Presence, her
Simple love.
So I can't report her expression
When her hero showed his face
But it brings to mind those turtles
Who are nabbed before the sea
And fly a moment to an incongruous height
Before to rocks go hurdling down
To lay out the once hid soft.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Summer Vacation / Ozark Visit '09 - Part I
Keeping with the spirit of being somewhat experimental, we are going to be taking a brief break from the normal American Dreaming post for the next few posts for my contribution to the blog.
I recently had the opportunity to take a family vacation that was interesting as it was essentially a very long road trip. We drove almost 3,000 miles in 8 days. We endeavored to drive from our home in upstate New York to our “adopted home” within the Ozark mountains in the southwest corner of the state of Missouri. We had purchased two open lots of land in a development in the town of Blue Eye, Missouri which bordered on the man made Table Rock Lake region of the Ozarks.
The reason we chose to drive was that we have a diabetic cat that we love dearly. The poor animal can’t be boarded because she also suffers greatly with some separation anxiety issues. During the last time we attempted to board the cat at the vet’s office that cares from her, we returned three days later to a very distraught animal. The cat actually lost her capability to purr due to the trauma that she suffered during this event.
We had rented a nice small SUV for the journey. We took off on a Friday night and drove 5 hours that night before selecting a hotel that was “pet friendly” and bedding down for the night.
During the second day of the vacation, we drove some 10 hours to arrive in Charleston, Illinois where we had a very nice reunion with our son and his girlfriend who are attending college in that mid-western township. It was great seeing them again. We had not had that opportunity since the holidays last year and we had a very nice meal with them that evening at a local Chinese restaurant.
The next day, we drove the remaining 6-7 hours to the location in Blue Eye where we had rented a log cabin. The cabin was tremendously well equipped with a built in external hot tub and a Jacuzzi bath indoors. In addition, the cabin was outfitted with three bedrooms, a full kitchen and a deck over looking the Ozarks with a gas grill and external table and chairs arrayed on the deck.
We had planned to make full use of the deck by having a steak dinner with all the trimmings once we got out there. My wife had made some pretty awesome steak marinade that was a clone of the Jack Daniels sauce that we had enjoyed at a local restaurant in our hometown. This provided for a great meal with our kids.
When we arrived and got situated, we also took advantage of the chance to show off the property. We drove the kids out to the lots and also met with some of our “neighbors” in the development. My wife had made the acquaintance of the couple that had built a house on the border of our property last year. I got the chance to meet these nice folks this time around. They made a point of showing us a lot of the fine accoutrements that they had included in the design of their new home. It provided several details that I made notes of to include if/when we get to talking with a builder about putting up a home on our lots in the future.
We had purchased the property originally as a speculative move to invest in some real estate in what we felt might be a growing opportunity in the interim years, it has become much more that to us. It has become a symbol of our dream for retirement. We had visited this area several times and with each subsequent visit, the desire to relocate to this area has only increased.
Next: Other activities during the Ozark visit…
I recently had the opportunity to take a family vacation that was interesting as it was essentially a very long road trip. We drove almost 3,000 miles in 8 days. We endeavored to drive from our home in upstate New York to our “adopted home” within the Ozark mountains in the southwest corner of the state of Missouri. We had purchased two open lots of land in a development in the town of Blue Eye, Missouri which bordered on the man made Table Rock Lake region of the Ozarks.
The reason we chose to drive was that we have a diabetic cat that we love dearly. The poor animal can’t be boarded because she also suffers greatly with some separation anxiety issues. During the last time we attempted to board the cat at the vet’s office that cares from her, we returned three days later to a very distraught animal. The cat actually lost her capability to purr due to the trauma that she suffered during this event.
We had rented a nice small SUV for the journey. We took off on a Friday night and drove 5 hours that night before selecting a hotel that was “pet friendly” and bedding down for the night.
During the second day of the vacation, we drove some 10 hours to arrive in Charleston, Illinois where we had a very nice reunion with our son and his girlfriend who are attending college in that mid-western township. It was great seeing them again. We had not had that opportunity since the holidays last year and we had a very nice meal with them that evening at a local Chinese restaurant.
The next day, we drove the remaining 6-7 hours to the location in Blue Eye where we had rented a log cabin. The cabin was tremendously well equipped with a built in external hot tub and a Jacuzzi bath indoors. In addition, the cabin was outfitted with three bedrooms, a full kitchen and a deck over looking the Ozarks with a gas grill and external table and chairs arrayed on the deck.
We had planned to make full use of the deck by having a steak dinner with all the trimmings once we got out there. My wife had made some pretty awesome steak marinade that was a clone of the Jack Daniels sauce that we had enjoyed at a local restaurant in our hometown. This provided for a great meal with our kids.
When we arrived and got situated, we also took advantage of the chance to show off the property. We drove the kids out to the lots and also met with some of our “neighbors” in the development. My wife had made the acquaintance of the couple that had built a house on the border of our property last year. I got the chance to meet these nice folks this time around. They made a point of showing us a lot of the fine accoutrements that they had included in the design of their new home. It provided several details that I made notes of to include if/when we get to talking with a builder about putting up a home on our lots in the future.
We had purchased the property originally as a speculative move to invest in some real estate in what we felt might be a growing opportunity in the interim years, it has become much more that to us. It has become a symbol of our dream for retirement. We had visited this area several times and with each subsequent visit, the desire to relocate to this area has only increased.
Next: Other activities during the Ozark visit…
Saturday, August 1, 2009
American Dreaming – 1990’s / Part XX
Well, the meeting in Buffalo went well to say the least. I met this woman and we found that we enjoyed each other’s company greatly. I was falling in love again.
The first meeting was followed in close proximity to a second meeting which was an overnight stay in Pittsburgh. After that, we became inseparable. I was officially in a relationship that was wonderful. I had never met someone as caring, affectionate and giving as the wonderful lady.
She was a foster mom for mentally and physically disabled kids in Detroit. She cared for three when I first met her. Of the three, one of them a male kid, was abusive to himself and others. He was certainly a handful to care for. She seemed to have an infinite well of patience and caring for these poor souls. It was her living but, she was also getting burned out from this responsibility that was truly a 24/7/365 job. She had hired a couple of folks to assist with the care of these individuals but, she was the constant force in the household.
We maintained a long distance relationship for well over a year before she decided that she wanted to move to New York. She had made the decision that she wanted to leave the foster care responsibilities after one of her girls had moved out and the other had sadly passed away. She worked with the childcare services of the State of Michigan to place her remaining child with a new home and moved east.
We discussed the move and it was decided that there were going to be no ties because of her move. She was going to maintain her own apartment and get a job. It was going to be an apartment within the same complex as the one I was currently inhabiting but, separate and with “no strings”. I was still stinging from my busted marriage and was wary of entering into anything that resembled that. I think we both stated those fears but, we also cared for one another deeply and truly.
I had never been in a relationship with a woman that was so easy and required so little work. We never seemed to argue, if one of us felt strongly enough about a particular view or decision it seemed the other basically said…”Okay.”
My new love officially moved in with me within the first year she was in New York. That year was 1998. I was in love for sure.
The first meeting was followed in close proximity to a second meeting which was an overnight stay in Pittsburgh. After that, we became inseparable. I was officially in a relationship that was wonderful. I had never met someone as caring, affectionate and giving as the wonderful lady.
She was a foster mom for mentally and physically disabled kids in Detroit. She cared for three when I first met her. Of the three, one of them a male kid, was abusive to himself and others. He was certainly a handful to care for. She seemed to have an infinite well of patience and caring for these poor souls. It was her living but, she was also getting burned out from this responsibility that was truly a 24/7/365 job. She had hired a couple of folks to assist with the care of these individuals but, she was the constant force in the household.
We maintained a long distance relationship for well over a year before she decided that she wanted to move to New York. She had made the decision that she wanted to leave the foster care responsibilities after one of her girls had moved out and the other had sadly passed away. She worked with the childcare services of the State of Michigan to place her remaining child with a new home and moved east.
We discussed the move and it was decided that there were going to be no ties because of her move. She was going to maintain her own apartment and get a job. It was going to be an apartment within the same complex as the one I was currently inhabiting but, separate and with “no strings”. I was still stinging from my busted marriage and was wary of entering into anything that resembled that. I think we both stated those fears but, we also cared for one another deeply and truly.
I had never been in a relationship with a woman that was so easy and required so little work. We never seemed to argue, if one of us felt strongly enough about a particular view or decision it seemed the other basically said…”Okay.”
My new love officially moved in with me within the first year she was in New York. That year was 1998. I was in love for sure.
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