Lets go to the Zoo

This is a story of long, long ago, in a room with a green carpet, and... oh, get on with it!

   When photos can capture a moment forever:

I grew up in a veritable zoo; 1 dog, several cats, fish, several tanks of, 1 bird, and of course my addition 2 gerbils. Their cage was constructed of an old fish tank, the 10 gallon one with the nifty new "habitrail" lid on top. Not quite as elaborate as the photo but, you get the picture...  Combining cats and rodents is a bit of a challenge, therefore my bedroom door was always shut; save the times I was in close proximity with a watchful eye. One day, I approached said door, being in 1/2 open 1/2 closed position, I walked in rushed, afraid my furry 4 legged friends had met their so called maker, Rosana Rosannadana, the cat. To my relief no cats to be found: instead Daisy (the dalmation disaster mutt) was perched in the middle of the floor; arms crossed, innocent looking gaze, as if you say "What?!". Daisy had torn the lid off the tank, it lay there, not so worse for wear, but the 2 gerbils had escaped. In looking I was able to recapture one of the rodents. Baffled by the missing rodent, I turned to Daisy to ask her where the other creature had gone; like she's really going to answer. There I saw, hanging from her mostly closed mouth, a tail! I would give a million dollars to have a picture of this. I reached over, opened the dog's mouth and out popped Rogo, the missing gerbil. Who, immediately scurried under the bed as he hit the ground. I was able to get him back to his cage, before he had dried completely. It was without a doubt one of the most comical events of my youth.

Lefies

Left handed is it a curse? Everything you come across is set up to be operated right handed, except a chainsaw, for some reason its on a left handed set up. Being left handed is to "do things the other way". I probably wouldn't be bitching like this, I just got off an aggravating experience with my 'smart' fone. Its not really a smart phone its the EnV touch by LP or what ever. The cell phone and telephone for that matter is set up very much to the likings of a right handed person. It's a bit difficult to explain...  However I am more ambidextrous than most of the left handers I have known in my life. Operating a cell phone is what I would consider to be a fine motor dexterity exercise. Rather unfair that it be set up using the right hand. Baseball; only 3 positions on the field open to left handers. Even handwriting; as science has shown, pulling is more effective than pushing. Rifles, the shell discharges to the right. Yes, my computer is set up right handed.  Just thought I would air my grievances. Carry on...  

dang, its cold out here

ok its Sunday morning, late morning at that; I drag myself up, look outside. Hell no I'm not going out today! I missed, or more like "changed my plans" last night. So I get in the green monster, mind you the alternator is about shot, so I am happy every time it starts up; the heat blower is shot, and several other minor probs with said vehicle. So I am headed to Anderson Twp, a 35-40 minute ride. I wanted to see a local band playing there, well stop for coffee for the trip out and drive, lets says about 4 blocks.  Decided, it is to freakin cold to be doing this. So I park the car (green monster) in front of what would be the dive of dive's in my little one horse town. Stop in and order up a beer.  I took a couple swallows, listening to what I would have to consider the most mind blaring, loud and abrasive of songs on the ole juke box. Look around the bar. Now I'm not the most judgmental of people, well you got me, yea I am. The clientele in this "lovely" establishment fit the music to a T... One beer is about all I could handle on that scene. Felt friendly so I left the 3 quarters on the bar and back home I go. Now friends, I will tell you, if its quality you seek, if its good music you seek, and you seek to hang with upstanding, responsible people; don't cross the RR tracks, there are about 5 gin joints in this town, each one a bit more of a dive than the last one. I'm really not that judgmental, I just know what it is I am looking for. Oh, wasn't worth the effort to take a picture.

Why is it...

So, I'm just sitting minding my own, playing guitar or something. Wife walks in (now x) and in an angry tone, as if nothing matters other than the answer to her question, "Why is it so dark in here?" I hadn't really noticed, but come to think it was a bit darker than I was used to in the afternoon. Still wife (now x) is grumbling, obviously unhappy with the situation, its so dark, its not usually this way, there needs to be more light.... On and on, so setting the guitar down, I say, "so turn on a light or 2." Then it dawned on me... "Hey hun, there is a solar eclipse today."

How important are you?

 Just a Globular Cluster, do you feel insignificant now?

watch for broken glass

You know I sometimes wish my x wife would read this 
we had  a great 10 years, yea it ended ugly, I was practically a basket case at the end "ceremony" called divorce signing. So I was thinking this one New Years Eve party Christy and I were having. I forget the year, its all so fuzzy now, being almost in another life from here. We were at the house in Clermont county, it was a nice tri-level ranch.  Was replacing the worn, painting the old, this n that, well anyway it was a nice house. So bout mid night we are on the sofa in the sub-terranian room, the one down 1/2 a flight of stairs. Now this room was at that time a work in progress. We hadn't replaced the over head lights yet. They were that style from the late 70's, box squares with grass covering them.  I had the bottle of Champagne in my lap working the cork out of it. You know what happened... boom crash, yes, that light's pretty much history.  lol It was sorta a good thing that happened; it got me moving to get that room fixed up like we wanted it. Replaced with track lights.  Truly was a great time in my life, I was so lucky to have a wife like Christy "was".... Guess would be we just started growing in different directions. Not that I wasn't to blame too. I look back now, how things might have been a little different, but then, if life didn't go the way it did, I wouldn't be where I am, and I like where I am. Just goes to prove, for 'it' to happen, I had to be there, I am in my world, infamous.

Family

Well here we are, Saturday, the day after Christmas and all is settled down. Went out to brother Jeff's last night; wasn't real sure what was to be on tap so I went a little nervous. Figured it would be dinner talk and then I would be on my way. As it turns, I saw everyone in the family gathered in the same place, and man have I been under a rock or what? Nieces nephews all together. Heck I was thinking, dad still had a swimming pool in the back yard* the last time I saw Ceeana. I did not have a chance to talk with everyone, but everyone did get hugged as I left. It was a wonderful time, we stood in the kitchen talked, eyesight (we all seem to be going blind lol) and just all kinds of stuff we talked over. I was great when Jas showed up with her boy friend in tow. I have only met him a few times. The gift part was a little difficult as my budget is tighter than a drum, but being a season of giving, I got a couple of gifts and I guess my gift was as the little drummer boy, just me being there to share life for a few hours. Well needless to say I had a great time.

Party

Going to the company party tonight. Last year was good but .... well lets say to no fault of mine we have been put on a 2 drink limit this year. Not to say I can't drink more, but the companny will not pick up the tab. So I am spiffed up, not hard to do as I am usually just jeans and a t-shirt. Will be a typical company dinner I will suppose; lets call it guys night out with dinner included. Boss will say "Great job guys" etc etc etc... We will eat dinner at a nice established restaurant, have some small talk, talk about the past year, the remember when's etc. I am up for this, gives me a chance to go somewhere tonight something to do and this year I get my bonus in cash. Last year I had boss pay for a car repair, much needed and couldn't much wait for it. 
We are going somewhere different this year, a little more up scale as casual dinner places go. 
I'm sure this post will have a ps have fun, I intend to.

Mistakes

So she calls (well first was contact via Yahoo Messenger) to wish me "happy" holidays?
Don't get me wrong, holidays are great, its a time of love a time of together and celebration; but I really could have gone with out the nightmare aka "mean one" contacting me. See she left me for another and I wonder how much sacrifice has he made for her? did he move to ensure the child would stay in the same school? did he give up a pet for the same reason? Aside from the bed room how much of his time is hers?


Truth is it breaks my heart to know I wasted that much time on someone so shallow and worthless.

More random weekend stuff

I know I have posted this before, but really this is a new picture, and I just wanted to show off my bedspread again. Change my sheets less than I probably should, but I do make my bed every morning. Its a good thing to live on my own terms.


Changed the sheets today which does remind me, I have some laundry to do still. 


Not sure what is on the plate for dinner tonight, but know in fact I will be having roast beef tomorrow, potatoes and carrots and green beans and all that stuff. Only takes an hour or so to cook, and its all done at once. Just never could time the stuff when cooked separately, you know the ole meat is done but  still waiting on the rice scenario.



Went to the grocery store today and my favorite deli clerk, Melinda (think thats how she spells it) sliced me up some lunchmeat roast beef. Well anyway, I have a sort of friendship with her and that does make a difference :) She even calls me by my first name now.  Did my grocery shopping and man do I know how to stay on budget or what... went to the store looking to spend about $50 got to the check out, few additional items not counted on the list but still I estimated about $53 in the cart, bill rang up at $52.55 ... I even said to the person behind me in line, 53.33, lol. I like to make a little fun for all the little chores I have to do. 


Laundry is just laundry, not much way to make that fun, yea the machine does the work, I just load the dryer, and when that's done... I hate folding clothes, but guess I don't really have a choice. 


My favorite sales line (I have done sales a few times) "It's only a million bucks, but we do take checks"

New Tradition

Church was invigorating today, seems to fit the situation every week I go. I walk out a little closer to where I need to be each time.

A new tradition has been started, roast on Sunday. I do a little cleaning, laundry, watch the ball game, or games, but I still have time to make a roast. Heck, peel potatoes and cut up the carrots and onion, the rest is just a waiting game. Not much to it at all. I even find the time to post while waiting for the roast to be done. Now I have the rest of the night to just sit on my butt, do what I want and talk with my new found friends, on the phone that is.



So much has changed, I somehow find myself with a lot of time, which can be seen good or bad, lol
With idle time comes time to think, I make this my meditation time, to consider what it is I really want with my life. Making sure I am taking the steps to see that my dreams and aspirations are met.
Well its now time to go back for second helpings, this roast is really so good, words alone can't describe it.

Problem solved

yea, I could.... or I would, BUT I am more of a man than that. Yes I did, I made mistakes, I ignored the mistakes I made and they didn't get any better. They got worse, and I couldn't drink them away. Only one more drink to make it go away. Pushing the mistake away but not fixing... it was there again. So I am here to face the day again, with out, but the problem did finally go. I am now the master, master of my own destiny, my future holds much. Where will I be? In my mind I will be at peace and my castle is once again mine. My heart is now mine, and mine alone. When failure becomes the success; when the dust settles, and now I can see. I can see the truth, for there is only one truth, what once belonged to me is my possession again.
At the end of the day I may be alone but at least I know, the one I am with does truly love me for who I am and will listen. Its not MY problem anymore!

the end is hard when brought about by friends

well that was a rough go. T stopped by to drop off the one extra key to the apartment yesterday. I gave her a hug as I met her down stairs. For all the love she supposedly had for me she seems to be taking this awfully well??? I just don't know.
Yes I made a few mistakes, I really never should have asked her to live with me. It was a terrible 2 years and I regret much, I will however learn and grow. Become a better man for the experience. Well work is awaiting, and I still have a few more things to do before I go, I'll keep you updated on the situation. I guess I hope she is happy. (I do still care) I just can't live with her, or be her friend too much has happened, I would take it all back if I could, but I can't so I will go on.

Renewing vows

There is so much more to is than meets the eye.

Not so broken for a person but rather on a situation, decision, or behavior. As I was doing some deep soul searching this morning; I come to a realization that it was over long before the breakup.

My heart sinks every time I think of how much of a mistake I made.

I do have some good time memories when we were first together, but to grow in such opposite directions and allow myself to loose control is unacceptable.

As the title suggests vows are to be renewed, and not wedding vows either; a vow I made to myself long ago before my kid was born, and before I met my kids mom. I lost sight of and in so doing created a night mare. I am thankful that no one was permanently harmed and I wish to move on with my life now. Time is said to heal all.

some history pictures and comment (well a picture)

One of my interests that pasted to the wayside years ago, sailing. The automobiles in the picture are out of place as the clipper ship is a hand down of the old days before the engine and power mobility. 1492 is a date that should stand out in your mind. Back in the days when the wind is all you had to power your ship across the great open water of the sea. In general most ships would go East to ports of trade, India, Japan and such... Christopher was the non-comformist of all time; he wanted to find a new route. He went west, despite all his peers telling him he would fall off the edge of the FLAT world. Our buddy Chris new other wise. I can see this from his era. If the world is flat where does all the water go, and why have I not seen the 'edge of the moon? Being if the earth is flat than so is the moon. If you have ever seen the horizon on the ocean you too would wonder why anyone could possibly think the world is flat. You can notice the curve to the horizon.
Anyway, just a little history that I think is important for all to know. By the way Christopher did not land at Savana Ga or Vero Beach Fl, he found his way to The Bahamas. Strange that most people don't know he didn't really find the place we call home here in North America, but gets all the credit.

just thinking

Jumping around Face Book this morning reminding me of my youth and the Rock shows I have seen. My first 2 were with Betsy, a dear dear friend (life's circumstances lead to many great friendships.) Well my 3rd show was Styx, the Paradise Theater tour. It was a date with a girl I had met, and I can't even remember her name. Thinking it was Lisa, I remember she smoked cherry tobacco in a pipe...
So any how, the show was awesome, one of the better rock shows I have seen. I saw Styx twice (second time was better).


I think the only show I saw that was close to that good would have been the night I went to the Aerosmith show at River Bend. That was a double bill including Ted Nugent.
As I think back I do remember some not so famous shows I have attended also. Here in Blue Ash (just a few miles away) the city has a summer concert series you can attend for free. I saw a Steely Dan tribute band there and the show was great.
Thinking about it I remember there were some pretty good shows I saw for free, including Heart, Kansas and the second time I saw Styx.

how come George knows all lthis?

My home town

Well Cincinnati finally made it to #1

Known to the locals here as "Over the Rine" <----check my spelling there
The funny thing (this really is not a laughing matter) is the city has plans to build a trolly or street car system to run right through this part of the down town area. I for one would not be taking a ride to become another stat or 'victim'.

One would have to wonder what the heck are the elected officials here thinking? Is this several million dollars in tax money to "population control"

hmm

Sharing is a good thing. Learned long ago, growing up with a brother, having friends and life in general. Then comes the computer age, when you can 'share' info, music pictures and movies. Leaves one with a sense of accomplishment. In my life I have shared pizza since the day I knew I liked pizza. One unshared pizza and it all comes to fruition.... the best pizza has onions on it.

The Saga Continues

The saga all started last winter. With my "end of year bonus" I payed to get the water pump on Green Monster fixed. This included new water pump and timing belt (had to take t belt off so might as well put a new one in) and (still a problem now) hook up the cooling fan to the electric. Well the cooling fan ended up being a bigger problem than I thought it would be. Burning up the ignition switch, being hooked straight into the electric system, so a toggle switch was installed on the dash; costing me another $50 plus tow. The toggle worked out, for a bit, but when warmer weather came and I used the air conditioner that over loaded the toggle and it stopped working, switch was replaced with a similar one which worked fine until I turned the a/c on and that switch went out too. I stopped to see an old high school friend here in town with his own collision garage; who wondered why they didn't fix it the way it should have been done.
So essentially I am back to the beginning, before the water pump went out, I was having a problem with the cooling fan switch, and still I am having a cooling fan problem. Time to find a new garage.