I was talking with a person who was in high school at the same time I was. We agreed it's a good thing there was no internet then. We both did a lot of stupid things, which kids are still doing today. She told how she had heard a couple of kids had been kille, trying to change drivers while traveling down the road. I said I had doone that once, while drunk. She stared at me in disbelief and said I was lucky to be alive. I told her my guardian angle worked overtime for me in my younger, wilder days. I then played her this song and sang the lyrics:

"Everything that kills me, makes me feel alive."


Sometimes you catch the bus, sometimes the bus catches you.


~

I love, love, LOVE this beautiful, talented young woman!

When I was a teenager, a Chinese Fire Drill was quite common. Some of you might not know what a Chinese Fire Drill is, so I'll explain. It's when you have a carload of people and, while stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, everyone gets out of the car, runs a lap around the car and gets back in... akin to a bunch of clowns at a circus getting out of a small car. A lot of fun to do and it usually made the people in the other cars smile or laugh. The old Volkswagon Beetle was the most difficult, being so small.

I thought this practice had died out, but then I saw on Youtube that it is alive and well.


Kudos to the people keeping this tradition alive and especially to this group taking it to the maximum.

I finished watching this version of the Victor Hugo classic on PBS Sunday night.


If you want the story without all of the singing, this is the one for you.

~

This past week, two of my favorite shows have finished their runs: Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory.

Both shows were special for different reasons. Both had top notch writing and acting.

Both will be sorely missed. Thankfully, NCIS is still going strong. I don't think I could recover if I lost three shows in one year!

~

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink. Although I'm so tired, I'll have another drink.

- The Beatles.

I'm full of food and tired from working out. I'd play the above mentioned song, but I'm afraid I might fall asleep while listening. In my eyes, that would be sacrilege.

Instead, I'll play an oldie that's a little peppier.


G'night, y'all.

~

That sound you hear is me tapping the monitor from the inside, trying to get your attention. Nothing important, just wanted to say hello.

A good old feel good payback movie:


!

I watched this old movie again last night. Very fine Coen brothers film:

I have spent a large part of my life working. Some jobs were great, like working as a movie extra. Some jobs were terrible, like working as a meter reader for the electric company. Some jobs paid fantastic, like my 6 1/2 years as a machinist for GM, where I made better than 6 times the minimum wage. Others paid poorly (for the work and responsiibility), as in being the night manager for a convenience store, where I made minimum wage.

Ironicly, I now make, between my hourly pay and social security, what I made working for GM, but the buying power is not the same. My late Father worked 34 years for GM, with added pay as a musician on the side. He had a great retirement from GM and I never heard him complain. When I retire, I will be living on Social Security and my savings. Not great, but if I can get out of debt before I retire, it won't be too bad.

Here's to all of you working class heroes:


~