Fools and Birthdays

I always enjoyed pulling the occasional April Fool's Day prank, but decided this year just to provide a link to this website for the Top 100 AFD Pranks of all time. Some I knew about - Some I didn't but I think everyone will find the list interesting.

Day after tomorrow (3rd) is my birthday and DKW and I will be heading to Mobile (today) for a visit with my youngest son and his wife, before they move to Miami. He is in the Coast Guard and has orders to leave (probably in May - but maybe June). So we may not see them for a while after this. And if you are interested, this song, was number one on the Billboard Charts on the day I was born. I don't think it will give it away to say that it was the theme to a TV show and that I liked to watch the show (in re-runs, of course) and I liked the song. Anyway - Enjoy.

Everyone have a great day!

Country Living

This morning I was reminded of why I love living in a rural area. It was still dark when I got up and the sky was crystal clear - and hanging in the middle of it was a beautiful, yellow full moon. I just had to stop for a few seconds and take it in. Breathtaking!

I'm really fortunate. I have a home, a job, a place for my dogs to run. If I want to fish, I just grab my pole and walk out behind the house. All that and a wife that loves me. Eat your heart out!

Everyone have a great day!!

Old Movies and Rainy Days

I think I may have posted here before that I like old movies, specifically black & white movies made in the late 1930's thru the 1950's. Granted, a lot of the effects they used then seem simplistic by today's standards, but there are a lot of good movies out there that folks have never heard of. Rainy Days and Old Movies - I consider a good time. Kick back in my recliner - maybe have a snack - with Pearl snuggled down by my leg. Fun! I have the habit (at the end of each month) looking through Turner Classic Movie Channel's line-up for the next month, writing them down and then programming my TIVO to grab those movies for me. Earlier this month DKW and I watched "The Egg and I"(1947) with Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert. This is the movie that introduced the characters "Ma and Pa Kettle" (played by Marjorie Main & Percy Kilbride) and their 15 children to the world. Well, last night we watched the movie that followed "The Egg and I", titled (appropriately enough) "Ma and Pa Kettle" (1949). I know DKW doesn't share the same passion for old movies that I have - but she indulges me and watches with me - and even gets a chuckle every now and then.

I also tend to look at background locations and characters and wonder what the places look like today and what kinds of lives the people in these movies lead. I wonder if they ever thought that (in some cases) 70 years in their future people would be watching them ply their trade as an actor. Just the kind of thoughts that clutter up my mind.

Every one have a great Day!

Flatulence is Funny!

Okay. For those that don't know - I work in a veterinary medicine library. Last week, a DVM asked for my help in locating a book. Now this Doc, while very nice, is also a very "proper" lady. So off we went to the stacks and I located the book she needed on the bottom shelf. As I squatted down to get the book, I inadvertently squeezed off a toot. Without missing a beat, I grabbed the book and slapped the shelf while growling out "Damn Bookworms!" Well, I was blown over when this lady snorted out a belly laff, and laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes was giggling out "Da**, Shi*, F*ck - Crap. That's funny". It shocked me so I started laughing (you really had to be there) and we had to actually walk away from each other for a few minutes to compose ourselves - because we couldn't look at each other without busting out laughing again. Even now, when I pass her in the halls, we can't help but share a grin. It will probably never happen again - but neither of us will ever forget it.

Now, everyone raise your hand if you've ever: Dropped a bomb in an elevator - or - cropdusted while walking across a room - or - blamed it on (or allowed blame to fall upon) the family dog. Okay - I'll admit to doing all of those - but only once! (If you believe that, I have a beautiful bridge in Brooklyn to sell you) When I was in the Coast Guard, I dropped a bomb in an elevator just before an Admiral (Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District) got on one floor above me. I got off quickly and around the corner before the odor hit him. And believe me, living in New Orleans at the time and having had Red Beans and Rice with spicy cajun sausage, cornbread and sliced raw onions for lunch - its a wonder he wasn't blinded. To be honest, it was one of those that was so bad I offended myself. But it was funny!

What do dogs think? I've found myself wondering that quite often the past few days. DKW and I each brought dogs into our marriage, so I think its only natural to think about this. Four very different personalities, but all sweet in their own way. I'll never know for sure, but they all seem happy with our life.

Everyone have a great day!

Don't Panic!

One of the things DKW and I share is a great love of reading, and we often read to each other. Since a new book ("And Another Thing") in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy saga has been released, we decided to go back to the beginning and read the entire series again. Since I have read the entire series a couple of times, it is a fun trip (again). And yes, I know where my towel is.

Now, a book that I have just started reading is "Bone Rattler: A Mystery of Colonial America" by Eliot Pattison. I have read all of his books (to date) in his Inspector Shan series ("The Skull Mantra" being the 1st) which takes place in communist China. His attention to detail and intricate plot twists make him an imminently readable author. I am very much looking forward to getting into this book. I'll let you know what I think once I finish it. I hope I'm not disappointed.

Talk about disappointed - My Mississippi State Bulldogs lost by 1 point in overtime to the UK Wildcats, and despite having 23 wins were left out of the NCAA Tournament. That being the bad news, the good news is that they are a Number 1 seed in the NIT and beginning tonight (against Jackson State) will play at home for 3 games (if they keep winning). A fourth game would be in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden! All I can say is "Maroon! White! Fight! Fight! Fight! GO BULLDOGS!"

Last night DKW and I watched "Boom Town". A 1940 movie starring Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert and Hedy Lamar. It was pretty good, but after it was over DKW said she didn't like Clark Gable too much as an actor because he pretty much played the same character in each of his movies. I kind of shrugged and said "Yeah, Okay, I can see that" or something to that effect. Then she said "Just like John Wayne - he wasn't a great actor". And DKW did a good job of explaining her position - and I can see her point better now. But last night, I have to confess, that I had pretty much gotten my nose bent out of shape to the point - that rather than argue (which I don't like to do) I left the room and laid down to read until I had gotten my hurt feelings under control. Let me explain, John Wayne was one of my (late) father's favorite actors and having grown up watching him, he was (and is ) still one of my all-time favorites. In my mind I know he may not be a great actor, that every role he plays, whether a western, a war movie, or as a cop - he is still playing himself. I know that! But in my HEART, he's JOHN FREAKING WAYNE - THE DUKE - and he plays the best John Wayne there ever was. So I know I am being unreasonable and illogical - but I still think John Wayne is a great actor. There - I'm finished venting. (And DKW - I still Love you very much!) Differences of opinion are what make the world go round. If everyone was the same it would be a very dull world.

Ohh! And on the "Proud Papa" front, my oldest son won "the" major award given out at the Mississippi State University Student art show for his 3-D work. Way to go son!

Anyway - Everyone have a great day!

OPEN LETTER TO MY 5 CHILDREN

Hi Kids. Love YA ALL! Now - One and only purpose of this missive: COMMUNICATE!!!! If something is going on in your life - no matter how small - pass it on to your siblings! They might (or might not) be interested in knowing. But especially let them know if its something of even minor importance (i.e new phone #, email address, etc.......). It drives me nuts sometimes at the way you don't talk to each other. I Love ya - but communicate! Dad

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Okay! I know not everyone has the same tastes as I do. Such is the way of the world! Different Strokes for Different Folks - As they say. But regardless of what people may say - I Love my wife! When I have a crappy day - she makes me feel better! At this point in my life - she is the one that makes it worthwhile! Now, so that there is no confusion - I loved my first wife very much - when she died I was devasted - it took me a long time to decide I was ready to try again! But I did decide to try again, I was tired of being alone. DKW came into my life at exactly the right moment! She helped me put the pieces of a broken me together. I realize that not everyone will feel as I do - so I have one thing to say - TOUGH! Deal with it! DKW is my wife! I love her and will support her!

I'm going to sign out very shortly. To be blunt, I am exhausted! I worked a full day yesterday and then had to work another shift - late in the evening - because my scheduled student worker was sick. So I basically worked a 14 hour day yesterday. So I feel I'm entitled to be tired.

Now, before I close for the day - I would appreciate anyone else's feedback as to their take on last night's American Idol. To my (and DKW's) thinking, Katelyn and Paige will be voted off next (for the ladies). Tonight is the guys - and without even hearing them - Tim Urban should be one of the 2 guys leaving. I'm sorry, but in my opinion - He sucks! If there is any justice, he will be gone tomorrow.

OK! As I get ready to wind up my rant for today - My Baby is HOT! I Love her. She Loves ME! I am awed by the fact that a young babe like her (39) loves an Old Fart (55 on April 3rd) like ME! I feel very fortunate to have her. I am truly blessed to have had 2 women in my life that love me unconditionally!

Anyway, while the illustration with this entry may not be an actual picture - It's only a portion of how hot I think she is! Love YA Baby!

Everyone Have a Great Day! (Again - Man I'm tired!)

Nerding Out

One of my favorite TV shows is "The Big Bang Theory". It never fails to elicit some chuckles at the mis-adventures of the super-smart, geeky nerds. In a lot of the incident, I guess its because I can relate. Not that I'm super-smart, but with the geeky nerd moments. For example, last night after I showered I dried with my "Fantastic Four" towel and put on my "DC Superheroes" sleep pants (w/matching shirt - which were Christmas presents from DKW). Also, in my closet I have several other comic (Avengers, Flash, Marvel Heroes & Villains,) and Sci-Fi (Dr. Who)related shirts and I wear them all pretty regularly. So if you see me out riding my bike, wearing my biker boots, jeans & leather jacket - you have permission to chuckle knowing that I probably am nerding out underneath it all.

Everyone have a great day!

Cool Runnings

I was thinking about the Disney movie "Cool Runnings" when I read this. Very cool article, and if you haven't seen the movie - you should. Funny - and poignant - tale based on the first Jamaican Bobsled team in the olympics. John Candy stars.

For those that may have wondered - I feel much better. Don't know what I had - but while I had it - it sucked. Big time!

Just realized that my birthday is one month from today. On April 3rd I will be 55. Wow! You would think I would have it more together! Because I was sitting here thinking, "You know - I was thinking this same thing 45 years ago - What will I be if I ever grow up?" :-)

Groaaaaan! Sniff! Sniff!

No, its not going to be fatal - but I feel like my head is going to explode. My sinuses are stuffed and backed up into the rear of my eyeballs. The pain extends from my eyes, up over the inside of my skull and down the back of my neck. If not for the fact that we are alreadyshort-handed at work for another week - I probably would have stayed home today. But looking at the bright side, with the current economy - at least I have a job to go to. For which I am very thankful. I am blessed with a job that is not too difficult, and a boss that likes me and I like him. So I actually enjoy coming to work.

DKW and I had our wedding announcement run in yesterday's Starkville Daily News. Actually this is the second time it has run, but the first time there were a bunch of errors and this is the corrected version. (Debra has a good take on this on her blog. She writes much better than I do - so I encourage you to get her take on it.)

I'll try to post another entry this week, but for now - my head is pounding. Everyone have a great day!