Monday, May 26, 2014

My own wall

Barrett. Smith. Bordeaux. Knox. Baccari. Savageaux. Vokey. Miglionico. 

These are family ancestors, siblings and relatives that have worn the uniform of our nation. We all served. We all returned. We all are proud...this is our land, our nation and we love it. 

Yes, you are correct,  this is not a normal post from me. Members of  my family have been in the service of this nation for over a hundred years. Army, Navy and at least one under the Stars and Bars. I don't remember if my Mother joined the the Daughters of the Confederacy, but she was eligible as her Mother was a member.

So, yes I am proud. I am also proud of the fact that we as a family are very representative of the principles this nation stands for...we are "mutts!" Ancestry is diverse. And  all our ancestors immigrated here...their choice...papers? Didn't matter then and to me  and to our armed forces it still doesn't. Disbelieve? Go check the nearest monument. The proof will be "etched in stone!"

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Breakfast Club

The movie the Breakfast Club debuted in 1985, paving the way for a group of young talent to have fairly nice careers. Plus, it was a pretty good flick. 

A coming of age movie for a female and a tour de force for Molly Ringwald. In those days we couldn't trust anyone over 30...Hell, you can't even run for office at that age. Perhaps that's proof they/we were right!

Thirty years down the road and I am driving down the road thinking about the Breakfast club concept and how through the years I have been an active member. A nice start of the day with people you know, like and appreciate.  Today it's Panera and wifi, tomorrow the same and monday a new site. I am going to have to adapt, get a new concept...let's call it "A moveable feast", there's an idea. Now if I can just get Molly to show up, or Ally Sheedy....just sayin'.

Money from nothing

Yep, just like everyone else, I could use some assistance...perhaps a grant? But, I have an idea. Once upon a time I really enjoyed the Dodgem' cars at the amusement park. It appears that I wasn't the only one. Every day I see or hear something about racin'. This alleged sport appeals to the prurient interests of the adolescent "Southern" male, ie: Wrecks, speed and crashes. 

So, I am looking for some "venture capitalists" to assist me in getting a spectacular new event "off the ground"...so to speak. Here are the rules and explanations as I see them Falling into place.
1.) All vehicles must have 500 horsepower or more. Why? SPEED!

2.) No vehicles can be equipped with either brakes or a steering wheel. Reason? Crashes...wrecks!

3.) All drivers must have a current DUI. Reason? To get approval from MADD.

4.) No pit crews...why would you need them?

5.) Winner? First vehicle to survive 10 laps...do you really think anyone will finish?

Race car logic implies that people go to see the wrecks, so let's speed up the process. I think that this new event does that. And' with all the motors, sirens and screams we should also have the required noise aspect covered as well.

From  an economical point of view, money will be save in many various ways. Number one there is no reason for either the cars or the tracks to be safe...in fact the opposite would be better. Insurance might be a problem, but just play to the macho mentality...they'll all sign waivers! And, the sponsors will have cheap new stars every week!

What about the reality show you could spin off this concept?

Do we call it "Red-neck Roulette?"..."Wreckless Abandon?"..."Crash and Burn?"

Even MADD will be on board with this as it will permanently remove more drunk drivers from the road!

As absurd as this may sound, lots of money is there to be made...so as P T Barnum said, "Pony up suckers!"



Monday, May 12, 2014

On the fly..

It is 8:20 and I am sitting here (Panera) having a Cappuchino and a cornetto (Scone). It seems so similar, but it isn't. 

The last weeks have seen me starting my new page. I left the comforts of my house, got rid of all sorts of "stuff" and moseyed on down the road. Because there was nothing truly planned, my plan is going amazingly well. Spring training, watching the Red Sox get ready for the season was more fun than expected and the reception at my first way-station far surpassed my hope. I had so much fun and made lots of new friends there...already missing them. 

Now I am using my Florida residency by staying in state parks as I proceed. This first one is much different than the first one I visited in Tampa. Much more quiet. Good. I think I needed it. Next sunday I will be heading to the next stop, a couple of hundred miles or so to the north. I am just moving slowly, adjusting to the vehicle, the way of life and enjoying what pops up. By the end of this month I will be nearing the end of my time here in Florida. Pensacola and the museum, along with the Battleship in Mobile, Alabama will be my last time spent here for who knows how long. I thought I had a much more definite thought on Florida, but the people I have already met have changed that. Once again, using the word "never" is a wrong turn in the road. 

Each new aspect of the voyage is going to be played the same way; a little planning and a lot of enjoyment. That's the reason I 'm doing this. There is family from here to the coast, old friends as well and hopefully new ones as well. This is a huge task. The canvas is peopled with vistas and expectations, known and unvisited...and friends I haven't encountered. 

Texas in June? It will be a "dry heat!" I hope. California in July? Still a dry heat? Oregon...we know that won't be a "dry" anything. Here goes nothing...