Hit the Road Jack

Hello, my friends, it has been a long time. Several of you have asked me to start posting again. Unfortunately, today's post will be a sad one.
I have always considered myself blessed because I have 2 best friends, Charles Sheperd and Eric Steingraeber. I have only once had to pick one ahead of the other and that was for Best Man at my wedding, Eric. I wished I could have named them both. Charles made up for it by introducing himself as the lover I left to marry ma chere.
To be sure, our relationship never went THAT far. But I can assure you, I loved him deeply. Chuck and I met at UW-Milwaukee. We were both in our first freshman year. Since we lived relatively close to each other, Chuck would give me rides to and from school. We would race down Capital Drive in the far right lane or later, for reasoning only Chuck could comprehend, through rush hour traffic downtown. "The traffic is better on the expressway," he would reason." It only comes at you from ahead and behind."
Those years would include early morning racquetball sessions and late nights on North Ave, Water Street and the 3rd Ward. Six foot five is very easy to find in a bar. "Never leave your wingman." Though, he made a great target on the racquetball court. Oi, the welts on his back and legs. Not to worry, he knew how to serve them back as well.
We were two more 2nd Floor Lounge rats majoring in Time Mismanagement and Space Occupation.
"It is better to be pissed off than pissed on...just ask Chuck."
The Road Runner Biff party.
11 PM Chicago road trips from RCs.
10 PM Burrito runs to Madison.
"Gurgles and Slash" at Summerfest. Sting, Bruce Hornsby, Indigo Girls, Kenny Loggins, Muddy Waters, Beach Boys, Pat McCurdy "Sex & Beer", Comedy Sportz.
Dancing at Park Avenue.
Smurfs at Arts.
Rumpleminz...well anywhere.
"Kindly remove the dart from my thigh."
Wild Turkey Night - 5 bars, 22 years, countless bottles of Wild Turkey and the best friends time can manage.
Chuck helped me get my driver's license. We sped from UW to the old Fond du Lac Driver's Center in 15 minutes laughing the whole time at the great irony. That same car went airborne over the tracks in Waukesha with Chuck at the wheel and me hanging on for dear life.
The Tercel, "starts with 'T', ends in 'LOVE'."
It was that car that started the challenge of the Bolero. Chuck wanted to prove that we could make it from UW to his house in one playing of the Bolero, 15 minutes and 40 seconds. He eventually pulled it off. We later insisted that one can get anywhere in Milwaukee in one Bolero. Try it!
Chuck was with me when ma chere and I started "going out".
I was with Chuck the day his mother died.
Chuck was with me on my wedding day.
Chuck and his father opened their home to me so I could finish college while ma chere and T1 remained with her parents. Their graciousness allowed me to get my degree and keep an impossible UPS work schedule.
I was with Chuck the day he met his beautiful wife. We both had a good feeling about her. I am so glad for their blessed union. I was honored to be in their wedding party.
God gave me the privilege of having Chuck in my life. My life is so much richer because of him. Charles died today, on Father's Day. He was playing with his precious daughters when he passed out from a blood clot in his lungs. He never fully recovered.
Rest in peace, Chuck, you will be missed.

Feels Like Home

We spent last Saturday afternoon in Times Square and Central Park. We drove in to Manhattan late Saturday morning and hooked up with ma chère's cousin, his wife and a couple friend of theirs on 57th & Madison. We bruised our way through the crowds down to Hard Rock and after lunch we walked passed the M&M Store for dessert and then up to Central Park to let the Ts blow off some much pent up steam. They had a blast on the huge rocks in the park and one of the many play areas. Then we walked back up to the van on the Upper East Side. You cannot believe the crowds on Madison Avenue and Time Square. It was an incredible sea of people.

We spent the rest of Memorial Day weekend mostly around the house. It has been a long time where we just hung out together. We got down to the beach on Sunday. The Ts braved the water while ma cherè and I laid out on a rock close to shore. Ma chère chatted with a woman whose vacation home is just down the street from our house.

It is not quite "home", yet. But, we are working on it. We all miss the connectedness of being in Milwaukee.

Title by: Randy Newman (Performed by Bonnie Raitt)

The Statue Got Me High

This one is for the long-time "forward, not straight" crowd. It rates right up there with "It's better to be pissed off than pissed on...Just ask Chuck."

Why Fire Engines are Red...
Fire engines are red because fire engines have four wheels and eight men.
4+8=12
There are 12 inches in a foot.
A foot is a ruler.
A famous ruler was Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen Elizabeth was once the largest ship to sail the seven seas.
Seas have fish.
Fish have fins.
The Fins fought the Russians.
The Russians are red.
Fire engines are always rushing.
And THAT is why fire engines are red!

Title by: They Might Be Giants

Just Might (Make You Believe)

My friend, Cat, started a new blog not too long ago.

http://aswebecomeourselves.blogspot.com

She and her husband are working on adopting a foster child. Check out her stuff and give her some much deserved props.

Title by Sugarland

I'm on My Way

I couldn't say it any better than ma cherè.

At long last Moving day is here!!

We have set our moving day for February 19th

There are so many people to say goodbye to and so little time left. I would like to invite you and your families to an Open House on Sunday February 17th starting at noon. Please look for us in all the boxes and let us show our appreciation for all your support over the last months. We are truly blessed by everyone in our lives and will miss being geographically near you.

We will have chili on, the race on and some candles on a belated birthday cake for T3.

When: February 17

Time: Noon 'til

Title by: The Proclaimers

Birthday

It's pouring rain and 40 degrees. I heard somewhere that, "God is in the rain." I'm not sure what that means, but it is a reassuring thought.

It reminds me of a story. A Buddhist monk was challenged by a journalist to give an example of where to find the Buddha. The monk offered in response a challenge. He asked the journalist instead show the monk where not to find the Buddha. "The Buddha is in the rain."

It is my birthday and I am drinking, alone. It is every bit not as fun as advertised. No pity party for me, though. I did have a rather fun mobile text birthday party with 4 people. Thank you Mr B, Ms S, Ms L and ma cherè. It was brief, but very enjoyable. It sounds like all the girls took the challenge to the fullest and partied well into the night.

Title by The Beatles

The Ledge, part II

The funny thing about blog postings is they can be forever. Blogger offers the ability to edit or even delete entire posts. However, in the interest of being somewhat professional, I decided at the beginning that self-censorship was not for me. What is stated here, stays on the record.

It would appear I have been found out by my friend. They are less than pleased with me. I must say for the record, however, that they proved me wrong. They were able to walk away. They were able to move beyond the environment. I underestimated their ability and owe them an apology. I will try to give my friends better credit than that going forward.

I will post an update on the job and family situation in the morning. Thanks everyone for your patience.