Only Always

Dear Old Dad

2010-12-09T22:36:00.004-06:00

A friend asked me about my father passing some years back...here are my remembrances of that time.

Dad got sick with cancer in July of 1984, I was a 19 year-old kid. He went to work on a Monday morning and called my mom when he got to his office. Dad said he did not know how he got there and did not remember driving to work that day. That was his last day to go to work or drive.

The cancer was so widespread that any treatment wold be useless, and this was the dark ages of the 1980s. Seriously, the chemo or the radiation killed you before the illness did. We sought a second opinion, which confirmed the diagnosis and prognosis, which was not good.

We had Dad at home the whole time, it was a frustrating time, and a fun time as well. It was hard watching him lose his abilities and his mental sharpness. But we got to talk and hang out for a good amount of that period as well. We had started becoming friends before then and this solidified it. Interestingly enough, I have yet to becone friends with my mother. Hmmmm.

As the season turned from summer to fall, Dad started to take a turn for the worse. His suffering was minimal, a few narcotics at the end for pain. For that I am thankful, I could not have stood to see him any worse.

Thinking about this reminds me of Providence in all aspects of life. Two examples I willmention. One being that when Dad got sick, I quit my work at a gas station to help care for him. A former employer asked me to come work for them at this time. They were a business that specialized in home health equipment. Imagine that. I was able to use all kinds of greatequipment at no cost.

Second, Dad's very best friend had gone to West Germany for work 2 years previously. Well, in September, Howard had business back here, and they got to spend several days together, talking , praying and being brothers. Interestingly enough, his son and I are still very good friends. Howard died very suddenly 6 years ago this month.

During his final days, we had one last conversation. I told him I loved him, he replied that he loved me, too. That was all we needed to say.

Dad passed away late on a Monday night. He was with family and friends. It was a warm October day when we buried him, the leaves had just started to turn.

After Dad died, my family was never the same. My sisters, all older, were either married or doing their own thing, left me to attend to family matters.

Oh, and we all adopted. I guess that helps make things more difficult.

There is no textbook way that families deal with the loss of a parent. It is just a bit of hell we have to go through.

Things I love about the Summer Season

2009-07-06T23:29:00.002-05:00

Things I love about the Summer Season
(in no particular order)

Farmer's Market
Seeing tomatoes on the vine that I planted
Telling folks about growing said tomatoes in hay bales
Hummingbirds
Camping at the beach
Renting a condo at the beach with friends
Driving a Personal Water Craft in the gulf
Watching one of your most brilliant friends fill said PWC with gas - into the air intake
Grayton Beach
Daylight until late.
The natural sounds of summer: crickets, frogs and whatever the other critters are that live in the woods behind my house.
Summer Movie Season
Early sunrises
Sweating
Whitewater rafting
Whitewater rafting the Arkansas river in Colorado
the Swiss Alps
Legoland in Denmark
Denmark, sunset is around 11, sunrise is around 3.
Tivoli Gardens
Fireflys
Fireworks
Summertime Music ( a whole other entry)
Traveling to see your favorite band
Cross country road trips
Red eye flights
Snorkeling
The faint sting of just a touch of too much sun.
Rising the sand off
Moonrise over Orange Beach
Rain storms, when it sounds like the thunder will not stop
Grand Canyon NP
Zion NP
Bryce NP
Camp Winnataska
"Heat Lightening"
The Bat Cave above Guntersville Dam at sunset
The Colorado sky, at night.

Later days, MJ.

2009-06-26T21:25:00.002-05:00

Indentured Servitude.

2009-05-25T19:56:00.001-05:00

Job Purpose: Serves customers by providing merchandise; supervising staff.

Duties: Completes store operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees; following up on work results. Maintains store staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees. Maintains store staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results. Achieves financial objectives by preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions. Identifies current and future customer requirements by establishing rapport with potential and actual customers and other persons in a position to understand service requirements. Ensures availability of merchandise and services by approving contracts; maintaining inventories. Formulates pricing policies by reviewing merchandising activities; determining additional needed sales promotion; authorizing clearance sales; studying trends. Markets merchandise by studying advertising, sales promotion, and display plans; analyzing operating and financial statements for profitability ratios. Secures merchandise by implementing security systems and measures. Protects employees and customers by providing a safe and clean store environment. Maintains the stability and reputation of the store by complying with legal requirements. Determines marketing strategy changes by reviewing operating and financial statements and departmental sales records. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies. Maintains operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing program, operational, and personnel policies and procedures. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Skills/Qualifications: Customer Focus, Tracking Budget Expenses, Pricing, Vendor Relationships, Market Knowledge, Staffing, Results Driven, Strategic Planning, Management Proficiency, Client Relationships, Verbal Communication

I <3 Overheard

2009-05-14T16:27:00.001-05:00

5PM Your Contempt for the Customer Reveals Itself Without Warning

Purchaser on telephone: Yes, Singleton. "S" as in "Sam," "I" as in "India," "n" as in "Nancy," "g" as in "Gary," "l" as in "laugh," "e" as in "echo," "t" as in "Tom," "o" as in "Omar," "n" as in "Nancy." Singleton.
Administrator: Thank you, Ms. Simpleton.

Framingham, Massachusetts

Overheard by: Really??

via Overheard in the Office, May 14, 2009

Mother's Day - Thanks to Donald Miller.

2009-05-10T18:35:00.001-05:00

The Lanyard –Billy Collins

The other day I was ricocheting slowly
off the blue walls of this room,
moving as if underwater from typewriter to piano,
from bookshelf to an envelope lying on the floor,
when I found myself in the L section of the dictionary
where my eyes fell upon the word lanyard.

No cookie nibbled by a French novelist
could send one into the past more suddenly—
a past where I sat at a workbench at a camp
by a deep Adirondack lake
learning how to braid long thin plastic strips
into a lanyard, a gift for my mother.

I had never seen anyone use a lanyard
or wear one, if that’s what you did with them,
but that did not keep me from crossing
strand over strand again and again
until I had made a boxy
red and white lanyard for my mother.

She gave me life and milk from her breasts,
and I gave her a lanyard.
She nursed me in many a sick room,
lifted spoons of medicine to my lips,
laid cold face-cloths on my forehead,
and then led me out into the airy light

and taught me to walk and swim,
and I, in turn, presented her with a lanyard.
Here are thousands of meals, she said,
and here is clothing and a good education.
And here is your lanyard, I replied,
which I made with a little help from a counselor.

Here is a breathing body and a beating heart,
strong legs, bones and teeth,
and two clear eyes to read the world, she whispered,
and here, I said, is the lanyard I made at camp.
And here, I wish to say to her now,
is a smaller gift—not the worn truth

that you can never repay your mother,
but the rueful admission that when she took
the two-tone lanyard from my hand,
I was as sure as a boy could be
that this useless, worthless thing I wove
out of boredom would be enough to make us even.

LOST Thoughts

2009-05-10T15:16:00.002-05:00

So "LOST" has had me thinking. Not to give anything away, but Jack and Daniel are trying to undo the demise of Flight 815. The supposed worst thing that has happened to the victims of that plane crash.

I have had a LOT of free time on my hands recently. I lost my job three months ago and have not successfully gained other employment yet.

Some days I think: I wish I could undo... you fill in the blank. I look back at all the turns and paths my life have taken, and on the surface, I hate the results. Deep down though, I know that God is sovereign and is working my life to produce something that will honor Him.

I need to keep moving, putting one foot down while picking up the other. Keep seeking, keep learning, keep living.

If you have an inclination to pray for me, please do.

Pgroove and KG @ Rothbury

2008-07-08T17:44:00.002-05:00

Perpetual Groove and KG on the Bus at Rothbury
Makes me smile!

Music...we all can contribute...

2008-06-15T18:51:00.000-05:00

2008-05-06T22:48:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKorl7Ouht0

But what about my dog???

2008-03-17T17:03:00.002-05:00

Zeigler doesn't fetch...

for quick reference

2008-03-04T19:59:00.000-06:00

the 2007 Holidays...summed up

2008-01-04T18:55:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving, spent in Tupelo, visiting friends, old and new.

Christmas...left Tupelo Christmas Eve afternoon, got to my mom's in Huntsville @ 5:20 p.m.. Thought about going to service @ SPC, but decided to stay @ home the whole time I was there. Did laundry, enjoyed time with Mom, had a few good meals, and a few visits from friends. Twenty minutes shy of 24 hours at home, I left again.
Mom is starting to feel and look her 82 years, I hope to get her over here in the next year. It will be good for all of us.
New Year's Eve in of all places Florence, Alabama! Billy and Katie came in from Huntsville and we chilled @ Margaret's parent's place. Fine Friends, great food, and Auburn's thrilling win in OT!
Could not have asked to be with better people...

Learning to accept my life for what it is, some dreams that will never come true, some will.

too much faith in technology

2008-01-03T18:40:00.000-06:00

FOXNews.com - Man's GPS Leads Him Into Path of Oncoming Train -

What an idiot...

Because it is my Blog

2007-12-14T19:13:00.001-06:00

It's been about a week...

2007-12-08T21:26:00.000-06:00

Traveled to Birmingham to see Perpetual Groove 12/1/07, 25th show I have been to, 22nd in the past 13 months....Good time to see good family and friends. A bit diferent show...just house lights, but it was terrific, just the same.

Set List....

Perpetual Groove
Zydeco
Birmingham, AL
12/1/07

I: Suburban Speedball, Long Past Settled In, No Decorations>Three Weeks>Space Paranoids>All This Everything, Part II

II: Speed Queen, Pepper, Out Here, Teakwood Betz

E: Graceland*

*Brock and Albert only

Work is getting better, numbers are up!
Can't get Paul Simon's "I Know What I Know" out of my head...so here it is for you...Twice!

Alabama-way to spend wisely

2007-11-18T21:37:00.000-06:00

Alabama tries to rebound from stunning defeat.

haha!
hexaphobia=fear of the number 6

Heaven Is A Place On Earth

2007-11-11T22:29:00.001-06:00

Well it isn't really, but it is a good song, cheesy video, and Belinda reminds me a certain love, long lost. (Being single, I can say that!) If you can name her, I am buying lunch. Point being, you got to comment.

Oh well, the point is that I have found a slice of heaven here in Tupelo. Click "more" to find out "more".

Bumpers Drive In serves NATHAN'S 100% all beef hot dogs!!!! Hands down, the best dog ever! Wow, when I found this out tonight, I was very happy. I got an All American Dog with pickles and mustard...I was in "heaven" here on earth.

I got sewer and water at the wash, so we may be washing cars this week! Woo-Hoo!

In other news...

2007-11-04T21:52:00.000-06:00

Last week was dry and cool here in Tupelo, the sewer got finished and the water meter gets set tomorrow. I'll believe it when I see it.

Got to the gym a couple of times...got to pick up the pace on that.
On Tuesday, went to Florence to have dinner with one of "the good ones" at Dale's Steakhouse. Wednesday, went to the Reformation Party @ LPC. Made me glad that event only comes around once a year.
Thursday, Had dinner with one of the guys from Columbus, Ga
Friday, a old friend from Dallas (now Jackson, MS) came up for a visit. Dan plays and sings a Swing/Big Band that was playing up here for a charity event. It was good to see him sing and play as well as visit with him on Friday and Saturday.(LOST MY BLACKBERRY, GRRR!! new one will be here on Wednesday) He headed home around noon.
Watched LSU vs. UAT. AU won nicely! Enjoyed watching the "Inside Man" again on HBO.
Went to church today, took Zeigler for a long walk, went to the gym and to church this evening.

Well, here's to water running at the car wash this week!

The Amazing Race 12, Episode1

2007-11-04T21:12:00.000-06:00

After seeing the intros...emotional favorites: Grandad and Grandson, Emo favorites: the Goths
the real favorites: TK & Rachel("the hippies"), with the kids from NOLA being second.

Most annoying player: Ari

The Donkey challenge had me laughing so hard.

"the world is waiting"

Rain---

2007-10-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite Beatles songs...and we have had almost 4 inches of the stuff this week.
I got a Sam's Club card yesterday.
Best. Pizza. Ever.

Fire and Rain

2007-10-22T21:03:00.000-05:00

Today in Tupelo: 2+ inches of rain...delaying our opening, not a real big deal in the whole scheme of things...(click the radar for a better image)

Today in California: untold lives changed....

How bad was your Monday? Not bad at all, I would imagine.

Recent Movies seen DVD on Demand or otherwise…

2007-10-14T23:40:00.000-05:00

The Black Dahlia--Film Noir, got kinda long with who dunnit? but very satisfying.

Hollywoodland--good film noir, throw back to a good mystery. Complex parallel stories, well told.

Zodiac--Based on the actual files of the Zodiac Killer of the 1970s, very interesting movie. If you watch, please note the subtle ways the director shows the passage of time. Worth your time.

Flags of Our Fathers--Shows how the true story can get lost in the enthusiasms of the moment. Clint Eastwood wrote and directed this piece based on the flag raising @ Battle of Iwo Jima

American Graffiti-(for the 20th+ time, saw it with my parents in the theater circa 1974)-George Lucas’ breakthrough move, maybe because he co-wrote with 2 other people. in light of the Star Wars series rolleyes, may be his best work.

What have you been watching lately?

Weekend blues...

2007-10-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

Not blues really, but it has a nice tone!

Spent a lot of time at home, watched some of Echo Project on the "innernet".
Watched Auburn win!!!
Saw a documentary called Hippies on History Channel.
Saw "Austin City Limits" w/ the "Decemberists" and "Explosions in the Sky"
Looking forward to the week, hopefully set an opening date.

Where has the time gone?

2007-10-14T00:09:00.000-05:00

Been a month since I have posted an entry...will attempt to do so as Auburn is playing the Hogs from my neighboring state Arkansas.
I have not put any photos up since I moved, I will fix that tonight! Click "more"!

This is my little pink house (duplex) here in "the Tupe".

I am not going to post any interior pictures here. If you really want to know what it looks like inside, you have to come and visit.

Look closely, do you see her? That is what I see every morning when I leave. Best. Dog. Ever.

So, I had to go to Columbus for some training for work, I got to stay in Auburn.

And visit with my buddy, Greg, and my other buddy, Greg.

And watch/hear Perpetual Groove! Good show, good time.
That was a Tuesday night, drove back to the Tupe, dropped off my dog and went to..

Oxford to see Perpetual Groove, and pretty girls.

Again, a great show, but my last one for the foreseeable future, due to the "real world".

Pgroove's lead singer, Brock Butler, and some goon.

Paul came over from Huntsville and spent a few days with me. We went to see Florida vs. Ole Miss

Saw this, BBQ Pork nachos! Not mine, but a masterpiece!

The legendary Grove

Construction on the car wash is almost complete, maybe open in 2.5-3 weeks. I am looking forward to that.
Life is good here in Tupelo, I have found a church to call home, and a great gym.
It seems to me, that I lead a life of solitude, and about 98% of the time I am good with that. That other 2% can be nagging though.
Special thanks to folks that check in on me! i love you more for that!

Got a scanner, took this picture in 1986.

perpetual groove

As I Drift off to Sleep...

2007-09-11T23:26:00.000-05:00

The wind, as it blew today, carried just fainest hint of fall.
It was a cool breeze.

Good night, from "the Tupe".

Home in "the Tupe"

2007-09-05T17:29:00.001-05:00

All,

I am resting in my new home in Tupelo (aka "the Tupe" per LT. J B Preston, US Army), and hijacking my neighbors wifi signal! My internet gets installed tomorrow.

My furniture is set, for the most part, and all that's left in the kitchen is to buy groceries and put legs on the table. Zeigler has been sleeping most of the afternoon, as she hopes she will awake from this nightmare.

BIG THANKS to Paul DuPre` and Glen McDonald for the assist in loading the U-haul last night. We had some fun in spite of the heat and humidity.

Left Huntsville @ 6:25 this morning, and picked up my help from the Salvation Army @ 9:30. Mickey Plott and Derek Simpson had followed me to Tupelo. We started unloading @ 9:45(?) and were finished in less than 45 minutes!

Pictures of my new abode to follow in a couple of days.

Contrary to popular belief, Hooterville of Green Acres fame was not modeled after "the Tupe".

Greg

Perpetual Groove, Exit In, 9/1/07

2007-09-02T18:49:00.000-05:00

Set I.
Teakwood Betz, Long Past Settled In, Lunatix the Guide,Pepper, No Decorations, Playground
Set II.
Speed Queen, Too Close to The Sun, Green Tea>We Don’t Care, AIM

Encore.
Walking in Place

perpetual groove

Your Local DMV Office

2007-08-24T15:24:00.001-05:00

1. No family members should be in line with you. Just bring youself and your paperwork, the whole tribe is not needed

2. Thanks be to God for the IPod, it has made this ordeal of waiting go by faster.

And yes, I am listening to Perpetual Groove! :-)

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Here's hoping the SI curse is true!

2007-08-23T15:31:00.000-05:00

Map of Where I have seen Perpetual Groove

2007-08-23T01:16:00.000-05:00

View Larger Map
perpetual groove

Perpetual Groove

2007-07-29T23:38:00.000-05:00

7.25.07
Rythm and Blues
Chattanooga, TN

Set I: Decepticon Structure, Suburban Speedball> Pentium Groove Processor> So Much As Goodbye, Aim, Stealy Man
Set II: Occam's Blazer, Close to the Sun, Get Down Tonight, Mr. Transistor> Gratitude
E1: Crapshoot

perpetual groove

Life...this week!

2007-07-24T23:21:00.000-05:00

Work/training continues...it is good to be tired at the end of the day.

Early Mornings, not many late nights. Going to Chattanooga after work tomorrow as I am off Thursday. Why Chattanooga? Perpetual Groove, of course! I am sick!

And so it begins

2007-07-15T16:17:00.000-05:00

Well, training has started in Huntsville,

and I have slept like a baby every night since! It is good to put in a hard day's work. Folks have been showing me the ropes and giving me pointers and advice on dealing with customers, what model cars need special attention, etc. The GM's reporting process is straight forward and I anticipate no problems with that.

I am so glad to be moving forward, life(work wise) has seemed stagnate, but that is no longer the case.
In other news, Katie-Belle came to town June 25th, and it was a pleasure to see her and let her see Perpetual Groove for the first time!
My buddy Hal was in town for Pgroove, we got to hang out a good bit, including a dinner @ Big Ed's Pizza. I am glad that joint is back, even though I am leaving town soon.

I went to Atlanta on 6/30 to see Disco Biscuits, Umphree's McGee, and Perpetual Groove. It was a full and complete day of fun and great music, especially Pgroove. Got to meet some fun people from Richmond, Amy and Chris.

Billy finally showed up around the 5th and it was good to see him as well.

Katie and her dad went Hang-gliding recently, I got to tag along and shoot pictures. It was a treat to be there(all day) with the Ibsen/Park clan. We had laughs, shared meals and played games.
Billy and Katie left on the 10th...I sure miss them, even though we have some sort of contact every day.

LHP has bought a delightful bungalow in the Mayfair Park area, I am thrilled for her. It is exciting to see all the changes coming in folks lives, including my own.

Going to go school some people on how to play Mexican Train, so Buenos Noches.

Perpetual Groove at Masquerade June 30 2007

2007-07-02T12:42:00.001-05:00

06/30/2007, The Masquerade: Atlanta, GA

Set I: Teakwood Betz, A Day the Way, TTFPJ*, Save for One, Suburban Speedball, Pepper**, Two Shores, Robot Waltz

Set II: Speed Queen, Diggin' in the Dirt, Occam's Blazer, Under Lock and Key, MOTA, Out Here> Space Paranoids

E1: Crapshoot

notes:
*With Allen Aucoin on drums and Aron Magner on keys, Disco Biscuits
**With Joel Cummins of Umphrey's Mcgee on keys

perpetual groove

Perpetual Groove in Huntsville, AL 6/28/07

2007-06-30T01:26:00.001-05:00

Crossroads
Huntsville, AL
6/28/2007

Soundcheck : Close to the Sun, Under lock and Key

Set 1: The March of Gibbles Army, AIM,Cabulo Monstrosity, Song Yet to Be Sung, Under Lock and Key, Mr. Transistor->Echo->Mr. Transistor

Set 2: Funkytown, TSMM, Sundog, Close to the Sun, Bobblehead Funk, Only Always

Encore: We Don’t Care

perpetual groove

Ken Levine's take on the Sopranos

2007-06-13T19:48:00.000-05:00

By Ken Levine: If THE SOPRANOS were on a major network

They would want the following changes in the last scene. Meadow should drive a Ford because that’s who is sponsoring. She should have no trouble parallel parking because Fords are easy to parallel park. The restaurant must be TGI Fridays – also a sponsor and much more colorful. The threat should come from a singing waiter wearing a straw hat, suspenders, and hundreds of fun buttons. A secondary threat should be an Arab terrorist with a scar. The Arab should pull his gun. The waiter should point his banjo (which is also a semi-automatic rifle). It looks like Tony, Carmela, and A.J. are done for it. Final commercial break. We come back just as Meadow bursts in the door with an Uzi and blows the bad guys away. Meadow, it seems, has just come from dance class and is wearing nothing but a hot leotards. Tony says, “That’s what I get for going to Fridays on Tuesday.” The family shares a laugh. Meadow sits down. Everyone hugs and declares their love for each other. Carmelo calls out, “Can we get ANOTHER waiter?” They laugh. One more hug. Long fade out, as music swells – Dino’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”. Fade out. Your local news is next.

Brock Butler Video

2007-06-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

This runs 12+min. Have a good connection and enjoy!

Many thanks to my friend Joel over at jamlive.org.
Another one behind the jump!

Highlights from the circus

2007-06-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

'I Feel Like Mystery Science Theater'

Can't we all just get along?

2007-06-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

Alabama senator throws punch in scuffle in Senate chamber.

Amberland 2007

2007-06-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

So, Amberland was a week or so ago, I haven't written about it. It is hard to put down on paper such an overwhelming experience as this. All I can do is post links to the music I heard. Click on for music and some images.

Perpetual Groove Live at Amberland VIII - Cherokee Farms on 2007-05-26

Perpetual Groove Live at Amberland VIII - Cherokee Farms on 2007-05-27

Brock Butler Live at Amberland VIII - Cherokee Farms on 2007-05-27

perpetual groove

Headline written by Stephen King?

2007-06-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

John Ramsey and Beth Holloway Twitty Are Dating

You can't make this crap up.

Be the man...

2007-06-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Falling Down Radicalized Him

Man #1: Yeah, I'm always getting blamed by someone for everything because I'm the man. Fat, white, middle-aged guy in a suit. Yep, it's my fault.
Man #2: The Texas accent doesn't help, either.

--E train, 42nd St

Overheard by: Yeah it is probably his fault

via Overheard in New York, Jun 2, 2007

Donald Miller

2007-06-01T18:40:00.000-05:00

A great write up on Donald Miller over here.
My favorite excerpt:

A 40-something woman approaches Miller with two plastic grocery bags filled with copies of his books. "I've already bought Blue Like Jazz 13 times," she gushes. "But I gotta have all these to give to people. I'm a Jesus girl, but I also like to go out and do tequila shots with my friends. This is a book I can give to those friends."

Love Donald Miller

Headed to Amberland

2007-05-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

Headed to Amberland...

Like anybody reads this...but it is good for me to write and record the happenings in my life.

Free Association

2007-05-22T23:13:00.000-05:00

I am going to do a bit free association typing and shall see what comes out.

Saturday night: Good show by Brock, Albert and Adam, of Perpetual Groove.
Here is the setlist:

Brock Butler and Friends
5/19/07
Crossroads, Huntsville, AL

NewSong+
Fool in the Rain+
Slip Sliding Away+
It Starts Where It Ends*
Sweet Thang*
Woke Up This Morning(Soprano’s Theme)*
Pepper*
Golden Path(monster Drum intro)*
Do It Again(Steely Dan)*#
Boogie Nights*

+Brock solo
*Brock, Albert, & Adam
#with Keyboardist from SeepeopleS, Peter Keys

A good time was had by all, some folks from SPC "manned" up and came out. Yaay!!
I was a designated driver for some other folks, so it was a late night.

Been working on some Tupelo stuff, flurries of email between me and lawyers here, there, and the City of Tupelo. Breakfast in the A.M. with the members of MPS.

My plans for this weekend are almost complete for Amberland (A-land). A-land is PGroove's annual music and camping weekend. Just PG and their friends and a BUNCH of great music.
Camping Check List

Tent
Pillows
Sleeping Bag
Ground Pad
Towel(s)
Coolers

playmate

biggun from The ADD

Shoes

Chocos

Boots

Merrells

clothes

Shorts, blue, jorts, kaki, gym shorts, sweats

shirts, tshirts, 5, 2 longsleeve

green rain jacket

4 pair socks

Electronics

Laptop

External HD

Camera

CD-Rs

Chair/blanket
Collapsable jug for water?
Food...

Breakfast (2meals)

4 oranges

4 bananas

Lunch/Dinner (3 meals)

smoked turkey sausage to grill or
Chicken?

rolls

cucumbers

tomatoes

carrots

Other

Water (2 big containers)

12 pack Diet Mountain Dew

Cheese and Crackers

Camp Utensils

knife

plates

paper towels
Grill
Charcoal

My blog, my list, bite me.
TV:24 - I am glad Day 6 is over. two words: Lame O
Heros - Ending was not what I was expecting, not surprised, but a little disappointed. Next season should be good.
Lost finishes its third season tomorrow!
Movies I want to see this summer:
Shrek 3
Pirates 3
Die Hard 4
Fantastic 4 2
Transformers
Hmm, looking at that list of movies, I never grew up.
perpetual groove

Tonight in Huntsville

2007-05-19T00:58:00.000-05:00

Groove frontman promises eclectic show- al.com

Brock Butler and Friends & Seepeoples...should be a great night of music. 3/4 of Pgroove and another great band. I am so looking forward to this!!!
perpetual groove

Time is relative

2007-05-18T10:47:00.000-05:00

Huntsville woman get lengthy prison term for 3 bank robberies

A 34-year-old Huntsville woman who pleaded guilty to bank robbery charges is headed to federal prison for a lengthy stay. According to U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, a U.S. District Judge yesterday sentenced Angelina Stinnett to 70 months (5 years, ten months) behind bars.

Since when did 5 years become lengthy? She robbed 3 banks, I guess she is going to prision to hone her "skillz". Seems to me she got off easy.

Trippin' -- Out West 2007 (updated)

2007-05-18T00:09:00.000-05:00

This past winter I took a trip out west to Colorado and Arizona. This was at the end of a VERY stressful couple of weeks, which included but not limited to: the sickness and death of my uncle, many drives from Huntsville to Birmingham and getting a land contract settled in Tupelo, MS.
I was flying SWA from Birmingham, so I left Huntsville about 3:30 a.m. on February 17, switched plance in Kanas City, MO and on to Denver.

Saw Perpetual Groove twice in Denver.

Night 1, 2/17/07 Cervantes.

Brock, Albert and Adam

Note the 5 FOOT DIAMETER disco ball!!

Cervantes is quite the party palace in Denver!

The next day, after no sleep the previous day and just 4 the night before, my buddy Rick took me ice-fishing. We did not catch a thing...but we had a great view!

Night 2, 2/87/07 Cervantes.

L-R, Albert, Brock, Adam and Matt

Friends from across America.

Pgroove

On Monday, I went to the Denver Zoo a dear friend and her two boys.

Jaguar

Meerkat

White Fox

Then, the band played Boulder's Fox Theatre:

Perpetual Groove

Perpetual Groove

Got back to Denver, late. Flew to Phoenix the next day, where my finest friend, Billy Park picked me up. I stayed with him and his most lovely bride Katie (Belle) at their home in Gold Canyon. 5 days in the desert, 5 star filled nights as well. Here, of course are some pictures:

Sunset

Clouds at sunset

The Best and Worst Dogs in the Southwest.

Favorite street sign the Greater Phoenix Area.

Victory over the Port-o-let!!

Best. Friends. Ever.

Past Vacations

2007-05-17T01:18:00.000-05:00

List of past vacations, write more later.

Feb 2007 CO, AZ
Sep-Oct 2002 Train Trip
May 1994, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Camping.
May 1995, Orange Beach, Panama City Beach.
May 1996 Orange Beach, Panama City Beach.
April 1997--Bristol, TN, Washington, DC
May 1998 Sunnyside, FL, Orange Beach
Dec. 1998 NOLA, MS, Fairhope, Gulf Shores
Spring 1999 Orange Beach,Frontier Ranch, CO
July 2000 Washington, DC
July 2001 Boston, NYC
Jan 2002--Utah, Jackson Hole WY
May 2005 AZ, UT

Love me some Youtube.com

2007-05-16T18:15:00.000-05:00

2 of my favorite clips on youtube recently, as well as the Mother's day video below.

Happy Mothers Day

2007-05-13T19:33:00.000-05:00

no words

2007-05-12T11:38:00.000-05:00

Critter Feast scheduled tonight in Guntersville - Breaking News from The Huntsville Times - al.com

'nuff said

Trippin'-Dream Car Tour

2007-05-10T17:13:00.001-05:00

Imagine driving them, up the Hudson River Valley, over Bear and Storm Mtns. A varied route, with wide straight roads and twisting and turning roads. That was pretty hot. I would go crazy trying to describe further.

Most surreal moment of the day: Driving the BMW M5, and Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” came on!
Slideshow after the jump.

Trippin'-NYC

2007-05-10T17:03:00.001-05:00

A few words about NYC. I really love that town. Tuesday, we took the PATH Train from NJ to WTC.Very sobering. Got to hike the Brooklyn Bridge, a dream come true! Had 2 dogs from Gray's Papaya--mmm hot dogs! Played around Times Square a good bit. Saw Spiderman 3 in a great theater near Lincoln Center, missed the stadium seating! Flaked out on going to Yankee game. Enjoyed movie more, I think. Had Matzah Ball soup Wednesday at Carnegie Deli. Can't wait to go back.

Just a taste...more later...need sleep.

2007-05-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

NYC Trip III - Zoom!

2007-05-09T12:24:00.001-05:00

What a experience!
Details later! With pictures!

NYC Trip II

2007-05-08T14:24:00.001-05:00

Enroute to WTC and Brooklyn Bridge. Hampton Inn in Harrison, NJ is real nice. Needing some food, about to get cranky!

Am sending this by phone.

NYC Trip I

2007-05-08T08:59:00.001-05:00

Got up a bit late, but got to the airport in time.
As we got off the plane in ATL, the tour company called, expecting us this morning! Needless to say, they were wrong. They are able to accompdate us tomorrow.

Now our flight to NJ is delayed...

:-(

Overheard...

2007-05-07T14:10:00.001-05:00

12PM And Remind Ourselves That We Still Have Our Freedom

Reception guy: Are you guys going on a puppy run?
Worker: Nah, just going to XYZ Office*.
Temp: Puppy run?
Reception guy: Yeah, when we're a bit crabby we go across the street to the pet shop and look at the puppies.
Temp: Oh.

Adelaide
South Australia

via Overheard in the Office, May 7, 2007

Weekend Recap

2007-05-06T22:43:00.000-05:00

Dave and Andrea got married this weekend, I know them from being friends/fans of PGroove. A raucous (for many) evening Friday at their hotel. People that came in Friday were: Patrick, Owen Brown and Gray, John- Ashley, Hal, Molly, Julian, Kevin, Marley, Lindsay, Debbie, Post, Meg, and Brent.
Spent a good part of the day Saturday with these friends.
Arriving Saturday were: William, Andy, Todd, Chris, Steven, Joe & Jessica, the Dannon, BDave and BJessica, Bradley, Brook and I hope I did not forget anybody! Sweet wedding at Burritt Museum atop Monte Sano, the bride was lovely and the groom cleaned up nice! Wonderful reception with plenty of food and drink to go around. A followup party was held back at the hotel. Needless to say, a good time was had by all, some more than others! I called it an early evening and got to church Sunday morning. Sermon was on mercy and specifically forgiveness and unforgiveness(spell check doesn't recognize that).
If you are unwilling to forgive, have you truly accepted the forgiveness that God gives?
Took one of the guests to the airport, party was still rolling at the hotel.

Late in the day, went to Decatur to watch a bike race, got some great shots. Here is an example. Almost filled the card on my camera.

Pgroove--SAV

2007-05-04T16:46:00.001-05:00

Here's a slideshow from my recent travels to Savannah. I think I am going to post all my pictures I want to share this way.

Heading to NYC for a FAST trip Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Details upon my return!

Perpetual Groove

Interesting news item of the day

2007-04-24T13:42:00.000-05:00

Evel Knievel Baptized at Crystal Cathedral

He was kinda hero to me as I was growing up...nice to know I will meet him one day

Upcoming Events

2007-04-22T02:11:00.000-05:00

Since I am a bit restless tonight...Stuff I have going on in May.

5th -- Andrea and Dave's Wedding: Some great people I have met recently (via Perpetual Groove). Bunch of folks will be coming in from out of town.
8th and 9th -- NYC: "FAST" trip to see Yankees and to drive exotic sports cars.
19th -- Brock Butler and Friends at Crossroads-Huntsville.
25th-28th -- Amberland, beyond words.

Things I am thinking about…

2007-04-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

VT Massacre – BAM! And before you know it, 33 lives gone, enormous numbers of peoples lives changed forever. You never know when your next breath is your last. Take care of the ones you love, reach out to the ones that are hurting, love the unlovable.
Now that moving (Tupelo, MS, to be closer to my friends out West!) is becoming a reality, it gets a bit scary. I was in Tupelo yesterday, and there is a ton stuff to consider. Where to live? Apartment? House? Thank the Lord I don’t have to consider kids/schools. Oh, and have I done the right thing?
I got to get my butt in gear and get my heart pumping. I have been so down since January, not an excuse, not a reason, just a fact. Maybe with work cranking up (read: consistent paycheck), that will help the doldrums pass.

I Love me some Overheard....

2007-04-19T14:12:00.000-05:00

I Was Just Holding That Wall for a Friend
Lady hobo: Man, you is the biggest crackhead I ever met.
Giant hobo, muttering incoherently: No, man, I ain't no crackhead. I ain't no crackhead.
Lady hobo: Nigga, you smoke drywall!

Atlanta, Georgia

via Overheard Everywhere, Apr 18, 2007

Gay's Anatomy

2007-04-17T12:06:00.000-05:00

'Grey's Anatomy' Wins GLAAD Award for Best Episode

I knew there was a reason I stopped watching this show after 5 episodes.

Humor Admist the Sadness

2007-04-17T11:03:00.000-05:00

Originally written September 2006
As some of you know, my maternal grandmother passed away last week. Though the death loved one is always sad, I just had to share some humor (in my own Greg way) that I discovered during the time I spent in Clanton, Al for her funeral.

Legally, my grandmother's name was Leta Mae Lowery Gore Cleckler Northcutt. She was born Lowery and outlived three husbands. I was reviewing the "In Memory" card the day prior to the funeral, She was listed as Leta Mae Gore Northcutt. I commented on this error, not listing her "Cleckler" name quietly to my mom. No response. I let the matter drop.

The next day I asked openly to all family present about the "name change" and I was told that she had forgotten her most recent husbands, thus the omission of Cleckler. My cousin and I thought this was very funny, because she also had forgotten the man that gave her the name Northcutt. My best guess is there is some sore feelings regarding Mr. Cleckler and his courtship of my grandmother. I barely remember him. Apparently, this is a subject that is not to be spoken of, so I plan on asking about it at every family gathering until I get an answer. I can't wait till Thanksgiving!

I found great joy in the pre-recorded music selections for the service. The day prior to the funeral, the family gathered at the funeral home to make those selections. We were given a binder full of selections to choose from. We could also provide our own as well. My cousin had chosen "Amazing Grace" by Aaron Neville...WOW! In all seriousness, it was awesome. But the other piece of recorded music, not so much. In that binder I mentioned, all kinds of music, Hymns, Standards, Elvis, Sinatra, a wide selection to choose from. Mind you, these are not original recordings, but "covered" by a male or female studio singer.

Well, I'll never name names, but one person noticed that "Memory" from the Broadway musical Cats!!! Suffice to say, I could barely contain myself when the service opened with that song!!. I shall never forget maintaining my composure and shedding a tear from laughter at that most solemn of occasions.

Kinda long and wordy, I know. I thought you might enjoy this glimpse of how funerals are done, in my family at least, down in Clanton, AL