Last year at this time I had just arrived in my home state. The plan was to spend a few days with my brother John & his wife Joanne, see other family members, and then go, with my best friend, to Laughlin, NV to begin planning our next high school reunion. The trip was supposed to be a fun, leisurely one spent among family and friends.
Instead, it turned into one of the most gut-wrenching trips I've ever experienced.It started off fine. I arrived at my brother's home and all the relatives came to visit. We had wonderful caring moments, as a close family does. In the meantime, I called my friend and touched base with him. But he told me he wasn't feeling well that first day. I shrugged it off, thinking maybe he had come down with a bug.
The next day, I called him again. This time I grew more concerned, because he told me he was really having trouble and would be going to see the doctor. I asked him if he wanted me to come take him. He said no, for me to spend the time with my family, as he and I would be together in a couple days. I went on and did my thing, but called him that evening. He told me he had spent the day at the hospital, but they had released him. As I prodded him on what the doctors had said, he was somewhat vague, but said he was having difficulty getting up out of his chair and was unsteady on his feet. He also indicated that they had taken some tests on his heart but everything checked out okay.
The next morning, February 26, 2008,increasingly concerned, I called him again to inquire as to how he was feeling. He told me he felt awful and really couldn't get up out of his chair and walk. I replied that I'd head over to his house as soon as I took a shower. He said, emphatically NO. He further said that his daughter was there and if he wasn't feeling any better in a little while he'd call his wife at work and have her take him back to the doctor. I pressed and he said, I think I just have the flu or something, but I might not be able to make the trip to Laughlin with you.
I went on about my business, which wasn't much, and tried to call him at about 2 PM that afternoon. There was no answer at his home, so I left a message, and then tried his cell phone. Same deal, so left a message there too. I knew he must be at the doctor or something.
At about 3 pm, his wife called me, using his cell phone. She said they had rushed him to the hospital via ambulance, as he absolutely could not get up out of his chair and was very sick. She said the doctors were working with him now and would call me once she knew more, but she really thought he had the flu that had been going around. I asked her If she'd like me to come sit with her. She said no, her daughter was with her.
At approximately 6:20 that night, she called me again. When I asked her "How's my buddy doin'?" She answered with, "He died, Mike". My best friend - a guy who I hardly knew in high school, but who in the last five or so years I had come to know and love like a brother had died. It was all I could do to even respond with more than the word NO. My brother and sister in law looked over at me, I know. And I also know that as she gave me the scarcest of details, the tears were rolling down my cheeks.
This man and I planned our class' reunions together and bonded over the past years like crazy. He visited me here in Oklahoma. Met all my kids. I stayed in his home in California. We spoke virtually everyday, taking advantage of the computer and Instant messaging. We laughed so much together it wasn't even funny. And cried together too, as we shared deeply personal thoughts with one another.
We had pledged to each other that whomever survived would speak at the others funeral service, but secretly we had thought he'd be speaking at mine because of the health problems I've had. Never did I think I'd be speaking at his. I did though. I read a letter that I had written to him on the occasion of his 60th birthday telling him how much he, and his friendship meant to me. I amended it a bit, changing tenses and the like, and somehow, I got through it in a packed church full of the many family and friends who loved him.
I am now heading out to do the unfinished business we started a year ago - begin planning our next class reunion - I will see my family, his widow, some of his children, and several of his friends. I'll also stop by and see him at his final resting place and tell him how much I miss our daily conversations, our absolute silliness, our sharing of deep personal thoughts, and the incredible friendship we made.
Old Fart Mike
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I can relate
Last night I watched another of HBO's excellent movies - "Taking Chance". HBO seems to be able to produce movies far superior to anything offered by the major networks, which is why, I suppose, every year they seem to run away with the Emmy awards.
"Taking Chance" was based upon a true story - that of a Marine Lt. Colonel escorting the body of an enlisted man - a Private First Class - back to his hometown. The PFC had been killed in the war in Iraq. The Lt. Colonel, played by Kevin Bacon, is stationed stateside, had seen combat in the first gulf war, but since that time avoided it by becoming a desk jockey, and then, when his number was possibly due to come up for a tour in Iraq, ensured it wouldn't happen by requesting a critical assignment to another desk job.
While the movie rightfully plays tribute to the Marine who lost his life and the ensuing honor paid to him by not only the Lt. Colonel, but hundreds of ordinary citizens who happen to come in contact with the Bacon character and the flag-draped remains, a second sub-plot is also prevalent. That subplot is something to which I can relate. It is about the guilt felt by the Lt. Colonel for choosing to spend time with his wife and children stateside, instead of fulfilling the destiny of that of what Marines are supposed to do - fight wars.
I am a former Marine. But, it was not of my choosing - I was one of the few, the proud, the drafted. From what I heard later, only 23,000 of us were drafted then - in the ramp up during the Viet Nam war. I simply reported, as ordered, to the induction station in downtown Los Angeles on the day I was supposed to. I, like the hundreds of other young men reporting that day, went through a battery of tests, and then sat down in the large assembly area. Then a Marine officer appeared at the front of the room and told us that they needed 24 people from the gathering to become Marines. He asked for volunteers, and 13 people raised their hands and were whisked away. Since that was 11 short of the number needed, he advised us that they would begin calling out names for the remaining number to fill the quota. Mine was the 10th name called. I almost wet my pants.
Without going too deep into the whole experience, let me just say somehow I made it through Boot Camp and Infantry Training - which all Marines must do. I was indeed proud and felt I could do just about anything, including kill people. But, upon receiving my orders, I found that, despite the bad luck of being one of "The Chosen" for the Marines, my luck had turned - I was assigned to El Toro, only 35 miles from my home.
Long story short, when I reported to El Toro, they didn't know what to do with me, so a Lieutenant asked me if I could type. I replied, truthfully, "Yes". He then sent me to a helicopter training group, and I became a Company clerk. Kind of a Radar O'Reilly. As time went by, I met, and formed close friendships with many young men my age. Some had been to Viet Nam, others would be going in the future. Living with a bunch of guys in a barracks, I guess, is somewhat akin to a fraternity. Except the stakes are higher, and the world is much more real when you hear guys crying in the night while they relive horrific scenes from a war they experienced up close and personal. It is also tough not ever really knowing who will make it through the next few years. Or who will come home damaged, either physically or mentally, or both.
My unit shipped out to Viet Nam when I had but 2 months left in my 2 year draft commitment. With that little time left the Government could keep me, it made no sense for them to ship me over - only to send me right back. Instead, two days after my group left, I was "mustered "out. My luck had definitely changed from the morning nearly two years prior when I received the news in the induction center that I would become a Marine. I had escaped serving in Viet Nam.
The subject matter, however, is "I can Relate" and what I'm talking about here is how the Lt. Colonel felt guilt about staying stateside, while so many of his contemporaries went off to fight. Don't get me wrong here. Most of the time, I've felt incredibly blessed that God, in all His wisdom, spared me the horrific situation of having to go to war and be faced with the "Kill or be killed" experience. But, there have been many moments when I have felt that same guilt the Kevin Bacon character did.
I've asked myself over the years why I escaped serving in Nam. So many of my friends had to, yet I didn't. It just didn't make any sense. As news of the death of friends of mine reached me, I felt incredible guilt. When I spent time with buddies of mine who had returned, I saw a 'different' look in their eye, I felt guilt. Once I took a friend out and we got rip-roaring drunk. He had a flashback, and I was scared for him, and for me. And reflecting on it the next day, I felt both relieved and guilty.
It's been forty-some years but I've had conversations with friends who served in Viet Nam in recent years, and they still break down. I know of at least 4 people who committed suicide because of that damn war. 3 in the last few years. Still there are times I feel guilty that I escaped having to go over there and fight. It is what I was trained to do. That's why I can relate.
Old Fart Mike
"Taking Chance" was based upon a true story - that of a Marine Lt. Colonel escorting the body of an enlisted man - a Private First Class - back to his hometown. The PFC had been killed in the war in Iraq. The Lt. Colonel, played by Kevin Bacon, is stationed stateside, had seen combat in the first gulf war, but since that time avoided it by becoming a desk jockey, and then, when his number was possibly due to come up for a tour in Iraq, ensured it wouldn't happen by requesting a critical assignment to another desk job.
While the movie rightfully plays tribute to the Marine who lost his life and the ensuing honor paid to him by not only the Lt. Colonel, but hundreds of ordinary citizens who happen to come in contact with the Bacon character and the flag-draped remains, a second sub-plot is also prevalent. That subplot is something to which I can relate. It is about the guilt felt by the Lt. Colonel for choosing to spend time with his wife and children stateside, instead of fulfilling the destiny of that of what Marines are supposed to do - fight wars.
I am a former Marine. But, it was not of my choosing - I was one of the few, the proud, the drafted. From what I heard later, only 23,000 of us were drafted then - in the ramp up during the Viet Nam war. I simply reported, as ordered, to the induction station in downtown Los Angeles on the day I was supposed to. I, like the hundreds of other young men reporting that day, went through a battery of tests, and then sat down in the large assembly area. Then a Marine officer appeared at the front of the room and told us that they needed 24 people from the gathering to become Marines. He asked for volunteers, and 13 people raised their hands and were whisked away. Since that was 11 short of the number needed, he advised us that they would begin calling out names for the remaining number to fill the quota. Mine was the 10th name called. I almost wet my pants.
Without going too deep into the whole experience, let me just say somehow I made it through Boot Camp and Infantry Training - which all Marines must do. I was indeed proud and felt I could do just about anything, including kill people. But, upon receiving my orders, I found that, despite the bad luck of being one of "The Chosen" for the Marines, my luck had turned - I was assigned to El Toro, only 35 miles from my home.
Long story short, when I reported to El Toro, they didn't know what to do with me, so a Lieutenant asked me if I could type. I replied, truthfully, "Yes". He then sent me to a helicopter training group, and I became a Company clerk. Kind of a Radar O'Reilly. As time went by, I met, and formed close friendships with many young men my age. Some had been to Viet Nam, others would be going in the future. Living with a bunch of guys in a barracks, I guess, is somewhat akin to a fraternity. Except the stakes are higher, and the world is much more real when you hear guys crying in the night while they relive horrific scenes from a war they experienced up close and personal. It is also tough not ever really knowing who will make it through the next few years. Or who will come home damaged, either physically or mentally, or both.
My unit shipped out to Viet Nam when I had but 2 months left in my 2 year draft commitment. With that little time left the Government could keep me, it made no sense for them to ship me over - only to send me right back. Instead, two days after my group left, I was "mustered "out. My luck had definitely changed from the morning nearly two years prior when I received the news in the induction center that I would become a Marine. I had escaped serving in Viet Nam.
The subject matter, however, is "I can Relate" and what I'm talking about here is how the Lt. Colonel felt guilt about staying stateside, while so many of his contemporaries went off to fight. Don't get me wrong here. Most of the time, I've felt incredibly blessed that God, in all His wisdom, spared me the horrific situation of having to go to war and be faced with the "Kill or be killed" experience. But, there have been many moments when I have felt that same guilt the Kevin Bacon character did.
I've asked myself over the years why I escaped serving in Nam. So many of my friends had to, yet I didn't. It just didn't make any sense. As news of the death of friends of mine reached me, I felt incredible guilt. When I spent time with buddies of mine who had returned, I saw a 'different' look in their eye, I felt guilt. Once I took a friend out and we got rip-roaring drunk. He had a flashback, and I was scared for him, and for me. And reflecting on it the next day, I felt both relieved and guilty.
It's been forty-some years but I've had conversations with friends who served in Viet Nam in recent years, and they still break down. I know of at least 4 people who committed suicide because of that damn war. 3 in the last few years. Still there are times I feel guilty that I escaped having to go over there and fight. It is what I was trained to do. That's why I can relate.
Old Fart Mike
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I'm so excited!
We received our tickets in the mail to see "The Boss" - a.k.a. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He's coming to Tulsa on April 7th to play our newly opened BOK Center and Colleen, I, and our dear friends Ron & Margaret are going. We've got pretty good seats too, thanks to another buddy of mine, who is in The Biz.
Springsteen is one of those acts that I've wanted to see for quite a while. I've liked his music for some time, but became a HUGE fan after the release of his album, "The Rising" - one of my favorites of all time. For those who haven't listened, The Boss wrote and recorded it after 9/11, and it is full of incredible heart rendering songs, some of which are spiritual, others terribly poignant, and yet others upbeat and hopeful. A masterpiece in my opinion.
I'm sure his upcoming concert will also feature many of his greatest hits. Among my favorites are Glory Days, Born in the U.S.A., Born to Run, and Dancing in the Dark. I'm also hopeful he'll include songs from his last couple of albums - Magic and Working on a Dream.
In a recent interview before his appearance at the Super Bowl, Springsteen said he thought he and the E Street Band were, currently, and for their last three records (the above 2 and The Rising) playing the best they ever have. As a fan, I agree.
I can't wait. I've been fortunate to see a lot of big name acts over the years, but I am REALLY looking forward to this one.
Old Fart Mike
Springsteen is one of those acts that I've wanted to see for quite a while. I've liked his music for some time, but became a HUGE fan after the release of his album, "The Rising" - one of my favorites of all time. For those who haven't listened, The Boss wrote and recorded it after 9/11, and it is full of incredible heart rendering songs, some of which are spiritual, others terribly poignant, and yet others upbeat and hopeful. A masterpiece in my opinion.
I'm sure his upcoming concert will also feature many of his greatest hits. Among my favorites are Glory Days, Born in the U.S.A., Born to Run, and Dancing in the Dark. I'm also hopeful he'll include songs from his last couple of albums - Magic and Working on a Dream.
In a recent interview before his appearance at the Super Bowl, Springsteen said he thought he and the E Street Band were, currently, and for their last three records (the above 2 and The Rising) playing the best they ever have. As a fan, I agree.
I can't wait. I've been fortunate to see a lot of big name acts over the years, but I am REALLY looking forward to this one.
Old Fart Mike
Friday, February 13, 2009
AAARGH!!!!!
Frustration can be - well, frustrating! When I was still working I had little time to read the daily newspaper. Usually, I'd simply glance at the headlines and maybe take a peak at the sports page while gulping a cup of coffee prior to bolting out the front door. However, since April of 2000, I read the daily local newspaper cover to cover, and check out the NY Times and Washington Post most days on-line, with occasional looks at the L.A. Times and Chicago Tribune. This, along with Time Magazine, I think gives me a pretty good feel of what is going on in the world.
Several things have occurred in the last couple of days that had me close to tearing out what little hair I have left. Here they are:
MR. PEANUT. The guy that owns the factory which produced salmonella-laced peanut butter was called before congress the other day and confronted with facts proving he was aware his product was diseased, and yet he ordered it to be shipped off. This guy pleaded the 5th amendment to every question asked by the various congresspersons. So far the tainted peanut butter has caused 8 deaths and upwards of 550 reported illnesses. He ought to be facing charges for murder.
U.S. WEAPONS IN HANDS OF TALIBAN. The Government accounting office (GAO) released a report a couple days ago, ordered by congress, that tens of thousands of U.S. weapons shipped to Afghanistan might be in the hands of the Taliban. The Reason? No one in our Armed Forces apparently set up any type of inventory control system to handle these weapons. What makes this even worse is it is a repeat of what happened just a few years ago in Iraq. So many people complain about too much interference from the government - but, like the lack of oversight on Wall Street and in the banking industry, shouldn't oversight and regulations be imposed on where our products and money go?
BONUSES. I am a believer in bonuses. They are a reward for a job that exceeds goals, budgets, etc. However, when a company is failing it seems to me that paying out bonuses to individuals is simply wrong. An article about Failed giant, Merrill-Lynch caught my eye the other day. In 2008, Merrill Lynch paid out a bonus of over $1 million to 696 people. That is NOT a typo. 696 people received a bonus of at least one million dollars. Isn't this the same company that had to be bailed out by our government - and then had to be acquired by Bank of America with funds given to them by our government?
BIPARTISANSHIP. President Obama campaigned on a spirit of bipartisanship. As a matter of fact, so did John McCain to some extent. Soon after taking office, Obama showed he meant it, by appointing two Republicans to his cabinet, and attempting to reach across the aisle to the opposing party by asking for input into the stimulus plan he was proposing. After Bill Richardson took his name out of consideration for the Secretary of Commerce position, Obama went one step further, by naming Republican Senator Judd Gregg as his new nominee to the post.
Yesterday, Gregg, in a shocking move, took his name out of consideration for the position. As the President was on the road delivering a speech about the stimulus plan,
it came as a complete surprise to our 3 week President. Gregg gave his reason as akin to that of what so many use in filing for divorce - "irreconcilable differences".
Now here's a guy who just took the job a week ago. He is an avowed conservative. He apparently "campaigned" for the job, according to administration insiders, and certainly was aware of the stimulus plan - I was, and I'm just this guy in Oklahoma who reads newspapers, so I gotta believe he knew what Obama was up to. Then all of sudden he has a change of heart?
Frankly, my dear, I believe his cronies saw "an opportunity" to embarrass the rookie president, and talked their cohort Gregg into taking advantage of it. The glee in which Leader Mitch McConnell "welcomed" Gregg back to the Senate was telling.
My thought is that, though noble, bipartisanship only works when both sides are actively engaged. So far, ONLY Obama has practiced bipartisanship. The Republicans won't - even though the country sent them quite a message in November - until they are sent yet another message. Hopefully, the public will let them know that it needs to change NOW.
Old Fart Mike
Several things have occurred in the last couple of days that had me close to tearing out what little hair I have left. Here they are:
MR. PEANUT. The guy that owns the factory which produced salmonella-laced peanut butter was called before congress the other day and confronted with facts proving he was aware his product was diseased, and yet he ordered it to be shipped off. This guy pleaded the 5th amendment to every question asked by the various congresspersons. So far the tainted peanut butter has caused 8 deaths and upwards of 550 reported illnesses. He ought to be facing charges for murder.
U.S. WEAPONS IN HANDS OF TALIBAN. The Government accounting office (GAO) released a report a couple days ago, ordered by congress, that tens of thousands of U.S. weapons shipped to Afghanistan might be in the hands of the Taliban. The Reason? No one in our Armed Forces apparently set up any type of inventory control system to handle these weapons. What makes this even worse is it is a repeat of what happened just a few years ago in Iraq. So many people complain about too much interference from the government - but, like the lack of oversight on Wall Street and in the banking industry, shouldn't oversight and regulations be imposed on where our products and money go?
BONUSES. I am a believer in bonuses. They are a reward for a job that exceeds goals, budgets, etc. However, when a company is failing it seems to me that paying out bonuses to individuals is simply wrong. An article about Failed giant, Merrill-Lynch caught my eye the other day. In 2008, Merrill Lynch paid out a bonus of over $1 million to 696 people. That is NOT a typo. 696 people received a bonus of at least one million dollars. Isn't this the same company that had to be bailed out by our government - and then had to be acquired by Bank of America with funds given to them by our government?
BIPARTISANSHIP. President Obama campaigned on a spirit of bipartisanship. As a matter of fact, so did John McCain to some extent. Soon after taking office, Obama showed he meant it, by appointing two Republicans to his cabinet, and attempting to reach across the aisle to the opposing party by asking for input into the stimulus plan he was proposing. After Bill Richardson took his name out of consideration for the Secretary of Commerce position, Obama went one step further, by naming Republican Senator Judd Gregg as his new nominee to the post.
Yesterday, Gregg, in a shocking move, took his name out of consideration for the position. As the President was on the road delivering a speech about the stimulus plan,
it came as a complete surprise to our 3 week President. Gregg gave his reason as akin to that of what so many use in filing for divorce - "irreconcilable differences".
Now here's a guy who just took the job a week ago. He is an avowed conservative. He apparently "campaigned" for the job, according to administration insiders, and certainly was aware of the stimulus plan - I was, and I'm just this guy in Oklahoma who reads newspapers, so I gotta believe he knew what Obama was up to. Then all of sudden he has a change of heart?
Frankly, my dear, I believe his cronies saw "an opportunity" to embarrass the rookie president, and talked their cohort Gregg into taking advantage of it. The glee in which Leader Mitch McConnell "welcomed" Gregg back to the Senate was telling.
My thought is that, though noble, bipartisanship only works when both sides are actively engaged. So far, ONLY Obama has practiced bipartisanship. The Republicans won't - even though the country sent them quite a message in November - until they are sent yet another message. Hopefully, the public will let them know that it needs to change NOW.
Old Fart Mike
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
NEWS ITEMS
Several little items captured my attention today while reading the newspaper.
TORNADOES Severe weather raised it's ugly head yesterday in Oklahoma. As I've mentioned in my blog several times, this winter has been odd, to say the least. We've gone from days of freezing ice storms to next day temperatures of plus 70 degrees. Yesterday, with again unseasonable temperatures hitting 70 degrees, we had spring-like conditions occur.
Spring-like conditions in Oklahoma mean severe weather which can cause tornadoes. That is what happened in Oklahoma City - only about a mile from my daughter's home, and a few other places in the state. I first learned of the crazy weather when at approximately 3:15 pm, I turned on CNN to see what the latest was, and they reported that a tornado had touched down in OKC. I picked up the phone immediately and called my daughter to make sure she, our grandson, and son in law were okay. They were, Thank God, but she indicated that the twister had touched down only a mile from their home. It was also my daughter's 8th wedding anniversary yesterday.
OCTUPLETS Watched Dateline last night. They interviewed that woman who recently gave birth to a litter of 8 children via in vitro fertilization. She already has 6 children - all by the same process - and is unmarried, and is unemployed. Couldn't help but notice her collagen enhanced lips. They were so plumped up, she made Angelina Jolie look like she was lipless. Anywho - saw an article that this mother of 14 receives foodstamps in the amount of close to $500 a month. Wonder what the new bill will be. She is definitely a nut case.
POSTAGE Come May 11th, stamps will go up again this time to 44 cents from the current 42. I know I am an old fart and all, but I remember as a kid when stamps cost 3 cents! The Post Office is also talking about dropping Saturday delivery in an effort to reduce costs.Good Grief.
FORMER VP CHENEY Today is the 3rd anniversary of Dick Cheney's accidental shooting of his friend while on a hunting trip. As happy as I am to be rid of Bush - I am ecstatic to be rid of Cheney. Bush wasn't inherently evil - Cheney is.
OBAMA ATTACKS. Yesterday marked 3 weeks since Barrack Obama was sworn in as President of the U.S. Yesterday also marked the day I received 3 separate attacks on Obama from friends of mine that are life-long Republicans. As I said to one, who was a mentor of mine and has been a friend for nearly 35 years, "If you had been in a job for three weeks, how would you feel if people began attacking you?" I also went on to ask him if he had started to subscribe to the Rush Limbaugh philosophy of "I don't want him to succeed"? We are in extremely tough times these days and we must hope that Obama succeeds. Back when W was elected, I didn't begin to go after him until he launched the ill-advised war in Iraq. Seems to me that ANYONE deserves more time than three weeks to be judged.
Old Fart Mike
TORNADOES Severe weather raised it's ugly head yesterday in Oklahoma. As I've mentioned in my blog several times, this winter has been odd, to say the least. We've gone from days of freezing ice storms to next day temperatures of plus 70 degrees. Yesterday, with again unseasonable temperatures hitting 70 degrees, we had spring-like conditions occur.
Spring-like conditions in Oklahoma mean severe weather which can cause tornadoes. That is what happened in Oklahoma City - only about a mile from my daughter's home, and a few other places in the state. I first learned of the crazy weather when at approximately 3:15 pm, I turned on CNN to see what the latest was, and they reported that a tornado had touched down in OKC. I picked up the phone immediately and called my daughter to make sure she, our grandson, and son in law were okay. They were, Thank God, but she indicated that the twister had touched down only a mile from their home. It was also my daughter's 8th wedding anniversary yesterday.
OCTUPLETS Watched Dateline last night. They interviewed that woman who recently gave birth to a litter of 8 children via in vitro fertilization. She already has 6 children - all by the same process - and is unmarried, and is unemployed. Couldn't help but notice her collagen enhanced lips. They were so plumped up, she made Angelina Jolie look like she was lipless. Anywho - saw an article that this mother of 14 receives foodstamps in the amount of close to $500 a month. Wonder what the new bill will be. She is definitely a nut case.
POSTAGE Come May 11th, stamps will go up again this time to 44 cents from the current 42. I know I am an old fart and all, but I remember as a kid when stamps cost 3 cents! The Post Office is also talking about dropping Saturday delivery in an effort to reduce costs.Good Grief.
FORMER VP CHENEY Today is the 3rd anniversary of Dick Cheney's accidental shooting of his friend while on a hunting trip. As happy as I am to be rid of Bush - I am ecstatic to be rid of Cheney. Bush wasn't inherently evil - Cheney is.
OBAMA ATTACKS. Yesterday marked 3 weeks since Barrack Obama was sworn in as President of the U.S. Yesterday also marked the day I received 3 separate attacks on Obama from friends of mine that are life-long Republicans. As I said to one, who was a mentor of mine and has been a friend for nearly 35 years, "If you had been in a job for three weeks, how would you feel if people began attacking you?" I also went on to ask him if he had started to subscribe to the Rush Limbaugh philosophy of "I don't want him to succeed"? We are in extremely tough times these days and we must hope that Obama succeeds. Back when W was elected, I didn't begin to go after him until he launched the ill-advised war in Iraq. Seems to me that ANYONE deserves more time than three weeks to be judged.
Old Fart Mike
Friday, February 6, 2009
Long time, no see
Yesterday, my cousin visited me. Wait, that's not totally accurate. It's my second cousin. He is the son of my cousin. I saw him last in, I think 1992, while visiting my brother in California. Before that, the last time we saw each other was in 1973 or 1974, while my wife and I were living in Orlando and he was a college student, passing through while playing on a water polo team for his school.
Our respective parents grew up in Chicago, and both of us were uprooted while we were young kids from Chicagoland, and moved to Southern California. My parents were the first of our extended family to move out west in 1954. His folks, with he and his little brother in tow, came about 5 or 6 years later when he was but 5. I'm eight years older than him, yet some 18 years younger than his dad, my first cousin. This is because I was the "Late in life" baby of my parents, born after my dad had returned from WWII, and when my folks had thought they were done having babies. But, alas, in 1946, along came little Mike.
In any case, I had lost track of my second cousin. Then, this past September, I received a call from him out of the blue. It was a wonderful surprise. We spoke on the phone for close to an hour and he brought me up to date on the death of his mother. I had surmised as much as I had suddenly stopped receiving Christmas cards from her a few years earlier, after we had traded this custom for many years. I usually would write her long letters, and include pictures of my children, which she had never seen in person, as she, after a divorce from her husband (and father of my 2nd cousin) moved to the Sacramento area. She would also include a news-filled letter to me telling of the escapades of her children - the three 2nd cousins. The last card I received, simply said, "I've been very sick, will try to write later." That was a few years ago, and none of my immediate family - my two brothers - had heard anything further.
Back to the original story, so before closing our conversation, he says that it is likely he'll be out to Tulsa on business, and he'll call if so. Last week, he called. We arranged to have him come over yesterday when he was finished with his meetings.
We spent 4 hours together, and then he had to go. It simply wasn't enough time. We hugged when he arrived and hugged when he left, neither one of us wanting to let go upon his departure. He now lives in Georgia, I, of course, in Oklahoma. His dad, my cousin, will be 80 this year. I told him that the last time I saw his dad was at my own dad's funeral. That was in 1979.
The topic of much of our conversation yesterday was our memories of the close knit family we grew up with. How we would often be at each others home in those days. He specifically mentioned the Christmas eve's spent at my parent's home. This was a night where the entire clan gathered at my mom & dad's house, starting at around 3:00 pm. There was plenty of food, presents, and, as befitting an Irish family, a lot to drink. We'd dance, sing, and just enjoy each others company. As the night grew older, many of the "Younger" adults would then head over to his parent's house to continue to party.
I, in turn, brought up the number of times, we'd go over to his home to swim. He had a pool in his yard, and the whole family would head there on Saturdays or Sundays. We'd spend hours there, and usually barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs. When I say the family, I mean all the aunts and uncles and cousins and nephews. We were extremely close, choosing to spend our time together.
Things have changed so much from those idyllic days in the late 50's and 60's. We spoke of that too, and wondered aloud why it's no longer like that. Of course, most of the old folks have passed on, and that is likely the main reason. My parents, and his Grandparents, and their siblings, who maintained - AND insisted upon that closeness - mostly died in the late sixties or early seventies. Then came the next generation, his dad and mother, who moved away, and his Uncle who died, and aunt who moved back to Chicago. My two brothers are still in Southern California, but are both in their 70's. One brother has kids in their late 40's and early 50's; the other never had children.
My 2nd cousin and I took jobs that moved us, and our wives and children, away years ago.
So, with the third generation, that beautiful sense of a close-knit family has all but been destroyed, never to be rekindled. Too much distance separates us from our family, and our children barely, if at all, know their cousins and aunts and uncles.
Those beautiful days of stopping over to share a family bond have been lost to progress. How incredibly sad.
Old Fart Mike
Thursday, February 5, 2009
WHERE THE WIND COMES SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAIN
Anyone who follows college football know that the University of Oklahoma is a powerhouse. The Sooners have won seven NCAA Football championships in their storied history and once reeled off 47 straight victories under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson.
However, what is interesting to note this year is that BOTH it's men's and women's basketball teams are en route to stellar seasons.
The men's team current record is 21-1, and they are ranked #2 in the country in the polls. That ranking puts them ahead of such perennial national leaders as Duke, North Carolina, and Kansas. This year, they are being led by a Sophomore, Blake Griffin, who is a leading candidate for Player of the year, and likely will be a first round draft choice by the NBA when the season ends. This may be the year the Sooners reach the Final Four in the National Championships during the so-called March Madness, barring, of course, and season-ending injuries, or unlikely stumbles.
In women's basketball, the Sooners are led by Courtney Parish, the senior Center for OU, who recently had her record of 112 double-doubles ended. The women's basketball team is also ranked #2 in the nation with a record of 19-2 and have won their last 15 games, after a loss to #1 ranked UConn on the road. Courtney Parish, like her counterpart (Griffin) on the men's team, will likely be drafted high by the WNBA.
In Oklahoma, the pride one feels in it's Universities' sports achievements runs deep. For too long the state was ONLY known for OU's football prowess, and Oklahoma State's Basketball program. However, this past year saw the emergence of Oklahoma State in football, who look to be even better next year, Tulsa's high scoring offense in football, and now, the Sooner basketball program.
We're doing fine, Oklahoma - Oklahoma - O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A-, OKLAHOMA!
Old Fart Mike
However, what is interesting to note this year is that BOTH it's men's and women's basketball teams are en route to stellar seasons.
The men's team current record is 21-1, and they are ranked #2 in the country in the polls. That ranking puts them ahead of such perennial national leaders as Duke, North Carolina, and Kansas. This year, they are being led by a Sophomore, Blake Griffin, who is a leading candidate for Player of the year, and likely will be a first round draft choice by the NBA when the season ends. This may be the year the Sooners reach the Final Four in the National Championships during the so-called March Madness, barring, of course, and season-ending injuries, or unlikely stumbles.
In women's basketball, the Sooners are led by Courtney Parish, the senior Center for OU, who recently had her record of 112 double-doubles ended. The women's basketball team is also ranked #2 in the nation with a record of 19-2 and have won their last 15 games, after a loss to #1 ranked UConn on the road. Courtney Parish, like her counterpart (Griffin) on the men's team, will likely be drafted high by the WNBA.
In Oklahoma, the pride one feels in it's Universities' sports achievements runs deep. For too long the state was ONLY known for OU's football prowess, and Oklahoma State's Basketball program. However, this past year saw the emergence of Oklahoma State in football, who look to be even better next year, Tulsa's high scoring offense in football, and now, the Sooner basketball program.
We're doing fine, Oklahoma - Oklahoma - O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A-, OKLAHOMA!
Old Fart Mike
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Bye, Bye Miss American Pie
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of 3 music legends - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper). While Valens (shortened from Valenzuela because his real surname was thought to be "too Hispanic", therefor lessening his commercial appeal in the bigoted fifties) had a couple of hit records, The Big Bopper was a one hit wonder with "Chantilly Lace".
Buddy Holly, however, was huge. His hit songs were many: Peggy Sue, True Love Ways, That'll be the day, Worlds of Love, Not fade away, Everyday, Oh Boy, and Maybe Baby are just a few of his chart busters.
Though I was only 12 when he passed away, I remember listening to his songs on my little transistor radio. All kids my age had them. It was the only way we really had to listen to "Our" music in the mid to late 50's. Our music, of course, was that new stuff our parents absolutely hated - Rock and Roll. They (our parents) were still stuck on Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Mitch Miller, and the like - and, while I enjoy Sinatra quite a bit, Rock and Roll burned into me like most kids.
Holly set the tone for a lot of musicians to come. His beat was different from most, and future mega-groups, like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have paid tribute to Holly, and named him as one of their early influences. At the time, Buddy Holly was every bit as big as Elvis though he certainly didn't have Elvis's good looks. In fact, Holly looked like what we would term a geek, or Nerd today. Yet, years after his death recording artists are still covering his songs.
There have been few songs written about singers. One of the best, in my opinion, is American Pie by Don McLean. (also I think it's one of the greatest sing-alongs ever)
Check this out:
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=584cfcaf08fd7c751a05">
We'll never know how much more success might have come their way if the plane they were on hadn't crashed that night. We do know that, by the luck of the draw, one of country singers legends survived because he lost a coin flip, and had to take the bus instead - Waylon Jennings.
Buddy Holly, however, was huge. His hit songs were many: Peggy Sue, True Love Ways, That'll be the day, Worlds of Love, Not fade away, Everyday, Oh Boy, and Maybe Baby are just a few of his chart busters.
Though I was only 12 when he passed away, I remember listening to his songs on my little transistor radio. All kids my age had them. It was the only way we really had to listen to "Our" music in the mid to late 50's. Our music, of course, was that new stuff our parents absolutely hated - Rock and Roll. They (our parents) were still stuck on Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Mitch Miller, and the like - and, while I enjoy Sinatra quite a bit, Rock and Roll burned into me like most kids.
Holly set the tone for a lot of musicians to come. His beat was different from most, and future mega-groups, like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have paid tribute to Holly, and named him as one of their early influences. At the time, Buddy Holly was every bit as big as Elvis though he certainly didn't have Elvis's good looks. In fact, Holly looked like what we would term a geek, or Nerd today. Yet, years after his death recording artists are still covering his songs.
There have been few songs written about singers. One of the best, in my opinion, is American Pie by Don McLean. (also I think it's one of the greatest sing-alongs ever)
Check this out:
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=584cfcaf08fd7c751a05">
We'll never know how much more success might have come their way if the plane they were on hadn't crashed that night. We do know that, by the luck of the draw, one of country singers legends survived because he lost a coin flip, and had to take the bus instead - Waylon Jennings.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Looking Back
The other day I casually asked my bride of nearly 38 years if she ever read my blog. Her reply? "Always." I should've known that. She has been such an incredible support to me since even before we were married, following me around the country as I continually reached for the elusive brass ring, and opportunities to stroke my (then) massively growing ego. Though, in future "episodes" I will deal with the many reasons why I love this woman so, that is not the blog of today. Rather, what is, is what she ultimately said to me in the aforementioned conversation.
First, she said, "I agree with virtually everything you said in your last few blogs."
(YAY, I thought) Then came the comment or suggestion that hit me right between the eyes. "What you should do is write about your early life - like you did with the one about your dad a week or so ago." (Wonder & Worry - January 19, 2009) She further went on to say, "It would be a good thing for your kids, and someday, your Grandkids, to read." I simply nodded my head, not really making any commitment one way or the other. I'm sure it doesn't sound controversial to many, but it truly was quite a bit to process for me. One of those seemingly innocuous statements that caused reflection on my part.
You see, when you reach "a certain age", you tend to think about how you might have done things a bit - or a lot - differently. At least I do. So, when she pointed out that it would be good for my kids and grandkids to read about my early life, she hit the proverbial nail right on it's head.
As alluded earlier, I spent a lot of time chasing the brass ring and feeding my ego during my working years. Unfortunately, in the hunt for the almighty buck, I traveled like crazy during the early years of my career. Gone, Baby, Gone. That was me. Coulda been a poster boy for Willie Nelson's song "On the road again". One time I was in St. Louis, woke up in the middle of the night, knowing I had to make a change in my flight. Got out my pocket Official Airline Guide(OAG), and called the airline. Gave the reservation agent the flight number, etc. She confirmed the reservation, then asked, "How are you going to get to Cincinnati?" The problem was I was actually calling from Cincy - I only thought I was in St. Louis, where I had been the night before. We had two hotels that were very similar, and I had been on the road for like 8 straight days at the time. That'll give you an idea.
Back to the point. The travel, then after I changed paths a bit (ostensibly to spend more time with the family) the long hours, there just wasn't enough time to "tell many stories" about my early life and MY family.
Now, of course, I have the time - but, my kids are all grown up and moved away. They have incredibly busy lives. So, time sandwiched in with them is precious and I don't want to be one of those parents who repeat, ad nauseum, stories from the past, over and over again until their ears begin to bleed. Yet, my wife, as usual, is right. The day will come - like it did for me - when they will want to know those little stories that made up the life of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
That's what always seems to happen. As little ones, we can't grasp the importance of listening to the stories of our fathers and mothers from long ago. Then we become those fathers and mothers, often too busy to listen, or repeat them to our own children. We reach an age where we have the time, but our children don't, and the circle continues. With the magic of computers, printers and the like, we can all chronicle these little tidbits of ourselves so that when the time comes, the stories will be there.
Old Fart Mike
P.S. So, In future blogs - not all - I will be including little stories from my life.
First, she said, "I agree with virtually everything you said in your last few blogs."
(YAY, I thought) Then came the comment or suggestion that hit me right between the eyes. "What you should do is write about your early life - like you did with the one about your dad a week or so ago." (Wonder & Worry - January 19, 2009) She further went on to say, "It would be a good thing for your kids, and someday, your Grandkids, to read." I simply nodded my head, not really making any commitment one way or the other. I'm sure it doesn't sound controversial to many, but it truly was quite a bit to process for me. One of those seemingly innocuous statements that caused reflection on my part.
You see, when you reach "a certain age", you tend to think about how you might have done things a bit - or a lot - differently. At least I do. So, when she pointed out that it would be good for my kids and grandkids to read about my early life, she hit the proverbial nail right on it's head.
As alluded earlier, I spent a lot of time chasing the brass ring and feeding my ego during my working years. Unfortunately, in the hunt for the almighty buck, I traveled like crazy during the early years of my career. Gone, Baby, Gone. That was me. Coulda been a poster boy for Willie Nelson's song "On the road again". One time I was in St. Louis, woke up in the middle of the night, knowing I had to make a change in my flight. Got out my pocket Official Airline Guide(OAG), and called the airline. Gave the reservation agent the flight number, etc. She confirmed the reservation, then asked, "How are you going to get to Cincinnati?" The problem was I was actually calling from Cincy - I only thought I was in St. Louis, where I had been the night before. We had two hotels that were very similar, and I had been on the road for like 8 straight days at the time. That'll give you an idea.
Back to the point. The travel, then after I changed paths a bit (ostensibly to spend more time with the family) the long hours, there just wasn't enough time to "tell many stories" about my early life and MY family.
Now, of course, I have the time - but, my kids are all grown up and moved away. They have incredibly busy lives. So, time sandwiched in with them is precious and I don't want to be one of those parents who repeat, ad nauseum, stories from the past, over and over again until their ears begin to bleed. Yet, my wife, as usual, is right. The day will come - like it did for me - when they will want to know those little stories that made up the life of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
That's what always seems to happen. As little ones, we can't grasp the importance of listening to the stories of our fathers and mothers from long ago. Then we become those fathers and mothers, often too busy to listen, or repeat them to our own children. We reach an age where we have the time, but our children don't, and the circle continues. With the magic of computers, printers and the like, we can all chronicle these little tidbits of ourselves so that when the time comes, the stories will be there.
Old Fart Mike
P.S. So, In future blogs - not all - I will be including little stories from my life.
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