What a football weekend!

Wow, where to start? I'll start and finish close to home.
UT beat OU. Huh? How did that happen? Those mighty Sooners, who've had Mack Browns' number all these years, were beaten by the Longhorns 45-35! WooHoo! Then, OKie State upsets #3 Mizzou, 28-23. I didn't see the game, but hooray OK State! (I always root for the underdog when the "big dog" isn't my team!) If that wasn't enough, The Florida Gators didn't just upset #4 LSU, they beat the HELL out of them 51-21.

Ok...so much for college football. On to the real games...

Those poor Houston Texan fans finally got a little candy. The previously winless Texans beat those hated Miami Dolphins, who had just just beaten the Patriots and the Chargers in consecutive games. Is that an upset? Maybe. Depends on who you think is the second worst team in the AFC...(the Raiders are obviously the worst because Al Davis is still in charge).

In what may be the biggest stunner this week, the undeniably worst team in the NFC, the St Louis Rams beat the team the national media had been hyping as "the great one's".

Now, to end (with a great measure of angst)...the Cowboys were beaten by the Cards. Talk about Deja Vu!!! Seems like old times. I remember those days, when the Cards were still in St Louis...and they would beat an obviously better Cowboy team at least once a year. This is a little harder to take, though.

It was fitting that this was a crazy game. That's how I remember those games of yore. But back them, at least we 'Boys fans knew we had the best coach in the league. We knew Landry, and then later the ass that is Jimmy Johnson, would not let them get away with what has happened here.

I have to say this...Wade Phillips is a good man. He's a good guy. But it's obvious...he's not a coach that will win a Superbowl. It sad to say, when these guys make millions of dollars to play a game, that they are no more than boys mentally...that in the NFL...good guys don't win. Wade was great for the Cowboys last year, after the beatdown of Bill Parcells. But it's obvious these guys need someone who is willing to kick them in the ass....That one of the worst exhibitions by a Cowboys offensive line since those dark days of the '80. Not to mention the special teams play...Steve Hoffman, where are you? Wake up Jerry...see reality.

Wow!

I just finished watching the Presidential Debate and I have a few thoughts I have to share. First of all, I want to say that no matter who wins I hope that "party politics" don't interfere in the way it has the last 8yrs. For the first time in my lifetime...at least for the first time since I became aware of "politics", I think we as Americans have to choose between two very fine candidates. They are both good men. As long as whichever candidate wins holds to what he said tonight, and doesn't betray the trust we gave our last 3 Presidents... (Bush Sr, Clinton, and Bush Jr all lied to us)...I really think we are in good hands. But that is the major caveat...which one is more willing to succumb to party politics?

Who won? As a lifelong "republican", I have to say that I came away feeling Mr Obama won this debate. I don't agree with all he said, nor do I agree with some of his ideas on how to fix the mess the last three presidents have gotten our country into. Yet I was surprised at how much I did agree with what he said, as opposed to Mr McCain.

Now... it's obvious that Barrack Obama is a great speaker. I have to say that he's one of the best I've heard. And that says a lot, considering who I think of as the best users of the English language...Alfred Tennyson, Neil Peart, and Theodore Roosevelt. I have a great respect for John McCain. I don't agree with him 100%, but I feel he would be a fine leader of our country, a man who could lead us out of the mess Bill Clinton and both Bush's have gotten us into. Make no mistake...they are all to blame. For different reasons, in different areas...but one was just as bad as the other. The only reason Clinton won't go down as being a terrible President is the economical upswing during his years as President, which was mostly due to factors he had nothing to do with. Remember, it was Al Gore who invented the internet...right? (aside...a reason is never because...just had to throw that in..)

After tonight's debate, my opinion about Barrack Obama has been changed, somewhat. He's a good man. I do think, as long as he could do like TR did, and defy those who run the political party he's subscribed to, when needed, and be willing to do what's best for America...he could become one of the greatest Presidents we've had.

My biggest feeling, though, after watching this debate, is this....for the first time in years I feel that instead of having to choose the "lesser of two evils", we have to choose between two truly good candidates. As I said, who's more willing to succumb to "party politics"?

Conform or be cast out... just randomness from a random mind!

I have to start this entry with the great words of Mr NP...

Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone


(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight
Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights...


(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

How well said, Neil! As I sit here tonight, contemplating both my past and my future, this song seems so fitting. Those who grew up in my generation understand. Whether or not you like Rush, you know that these words describe what we all lived. Our kids don't know, and I can only think that in some ways that's a good thing. But in more ways it's not so good.

Our kids have grown up in a time where communication is so easy. They've always had the internet, email, and cell phones. First it was Xanga, then Myspace and now Facebook. Now they have PS2, or Nintendo Wii, or X-box, or whatever the video system of the day is. They have no idea what "pong" was...or Atari. Anybody remember Galaga, or Missile Command? LMAO!!

Our kids have so much more at their command than we did, yet they've also missed on so much of the things we enjoyed as kids. It's sad for me to say, but I'm not even sure if my daughter, who is now 21 yrs old, ever played a game of kickball. Or "hide and seek". I know there were some things she did...the games of "four square", the times of digging in the sand at the neighbors house...but she never had the chance to camp out in the back yard every night during the summer, and ride her bike around the subdivision at 2 or 3 in the morning because the parents were asleep, and it was safe back then, like I did. She never had the opportunity to discover the world around her like I did, without there being an adult present.

I grew up in the last of the best time to be a kid in America. Yes there was peer pressure. Yes, you had to conform or be cast out. But we were so free back then, so much more than our kids. Back then, even the outcast...the one who wouldn't conform, had a chance. I know, I was one of those. Yet I have such great memories of my youth...the games of kickball or hide and seek we had on our street. And later, the baseball and basketball games in Jr high and high school. I had the fortune that my daughter was a very good tennis player...she played tennis from 7th grade until 10th grade. She only stopped playing competetivly because in 10th grade she left public school, and went to Ft Worth Academy of Fine Arts. They had no sports. But by that time, along with being one of the best singers FWAFA, and the Singing Girls of Texas has ever had, she could still school any boy her age, as well her dad, on the tennis court. And dear old dad was a pretty good tennis player!

Like it's stated in the title...just random thoughts from a random mind! I just wish the next generation could have the best of the previous two...I want my grandkids to have the safety, security, and sense of community I grew up with as well as the technology their parents have enjoyed. I want them to be able to communicate with any friend anytime, but also to know how to get along with the kids next door...or down the street...and build the great memories that I have.

Heroes or Role models?

If you really want to get an idea of what a "hero" and a "role model" is, and why a role model is so superior... This man, a self proclaimed sports nerd, does this trip through his church every year. He does this to help bring some semblance of happiness, if only for one week a year, to a group of children who have lived through such terrible pain.

To those kids, I'm sure he's a hero. But to the rest of us...he's a role model. I dare anyone to read this blog and not feel proud that there are people like him...to not get that feeling of both sadness for those kids, and hope for the future of mankind knowing that there are still those who are willing to sacrifice themselves, even in the smallest way, for those who need.

Bob Sturm, and those like him, are both heroes and great role models!
"The most endangered species
the Honest Man
will still survive annihilation
forming a world
state of integrity
sensitive, open and strong"

3 months

How is it possible? It's been 3 months. How can that be... 3 months since my Princess Emma Faye Griffith was born. It just seems like weeks ago that I was waiting for the call...boy or girl? I'll never forget that phone call from Briana...it's a girl! Yet, it doesn't seem that long ago when her mother told me she was on the way. How can 21 yrs seem so short? And the day we found out she was a "she"! How could I be so lucky? I love my new grandsons, Ethan and Jaiden with all my heart. They are my little buddies, and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. But, while they are, in my mind little princes...beautiful little boys...Emma is my princess. Because of my raising...mother was the one who raised me, and the fact that I had two big sisters, who everyone loved....of course I love the fact that my one and only was a girl...and that her first was a girl. But, I guess, that's the way it should have been. That's why the Stevie Wonder song is so fitting for me... it describes so perfectly how I felt that night my baby was born, and how I felt the first time I held that little Princess Emma. 3 months ago.

I can hardly wait for the first day that I get to take the boys fishing. I know that's a "dad" thing, and I know Jeff will do fine...but I was taught by the best, and I can't wait to teach them what my dad taught me. And the day they are old enough for me to start showing them how to throw a baseball...the right way. Another "dad" thing...but I know a little something about it myself. When to throw the two seam fastball, the four seam fastball, or the curve. Or, of course...how to throw a screwball...the best "out" pitch ever! Or how to hit any of them! Or better yet...how to play the field. Oh gosh...how great that will be!

But more than that...I look forward to the day that I can teach them how to take care of their little sister...how beautiful and precious girls are.

Has it already been 3 months? How can that be? Soon she will be crawling...then walking...then talking. That's when I'll be in real trouble! Oh what a great day it will be when she can finally call me Bud! G-Paw Bud! I remember telling Briana, when she was 7 yrs old, to stop growing up. Now, I'm looking forward to the day that I can tell that to my little Princess! I know, like her mom, she won't...but it's such a great thing to look forward to!!!!

My Princess

Thanks to Briana, for reminding me of my reason for being. I just had to post this....for my Princess Emma Faye Griffith.
(I made a couple of changes of my own, to fit)
Thanks also to little Stevie Wonder...one of the greatest songwriters ever!!!

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she lovely
Life and love are the same
Complete is Emma
The meaning of her name
Briana, it could have not been done
Without you who conceived the one
That's so very lovely made from love

The last dance

For the first time in my life, I'm actually proud of myself. I did something tonight that I truly feel was something special. In the grand scheme of things it will probably mean nothing to anyone but me. But it did mean so much to me. My neice Kasi was married today. At the reception, I didn't know until late, that it's traditional to pay for a dance with the bride and/ or groom. I was told I had to dance with her. Anyone who knows me knows I don't dance. But I had no choice...I had to. So, I decided that I would be the last dance.

I used to play with that baby when she was a baby. I will never forget when she was just months old, how much fun I had playing with her. My own baby was on the way at the time, and later on they were great friends for a time. I love my other neices and my nephew, but Kasi was always special to me because of that time we had when she was a baby. I cried at the wedding. I tried so hard not to, but I couldn't help it. I cried when Kasi and her new husband, Hank, had their first dance. I had to go outside because I didn't want everyone else to see me that way.

But, I digress. When I was told, much to my chagrin, that I had no choice...that I was required to dance with the bride, I decided immediately that I would have the last dance. I let at least ten, if not fifteen, people cut in front of me....just to make sure that I had that last dance. I was so afraid that when my turn finally came, I would screw it up. But I didn't. It was so sweet. Our dance only lasted about 20 or 30 seconds, but it was great. And I did get the last dance. I could only hope it meant as much to her as it did to me. I'm sure it didn't, but I am proud of myself for it anyway! It was one of those moments in life that I will never forget.

What a great night!

Ok...did anyone else have as great a night as I just did? I doubt it! Two weeks ago, I had an evening with Princess Emma Faye. It was awesome. It was just me and her...what a great night that was! But tonight was great too, almost as great as two weeks ago. I had to go to Jeff and Briana's. I finally was able to finish paying Jeff the money I owed him for the work he did for me on a couple of jobs that went very bad earlier this year. That felt so good, it's been like an albatross for me. I haven't slept well the last few months, knowing I owed him money that I couldn't pay him. Now that's done! WOO HOO! Another monkey off my back!

But that's not what made the evening great. What made it great for me was getting to spend time with the grandkids. When I arrived, I was immediately greeted by the boys, Jaiden and Ethan. I was then summoned to their room, to work on a jigsaw puzzle. It was great! We finished the jigsaw puzzle, then we wrestled and played until dinner was ready. It was the most fun I've had since the night with The Princess. I call them my "little buddies", but they are more than that. If Emma is a Princess, then Jaiden and Ethan are truly Princes. What great little boys they are. I know they can be a handful... they are 3yr old boys. And Briana and Jeff have done such a great job with them! I know they can be little heathens, that comes with being boys. But they are so sweet! I love playing with them so much! They bring out the little boy in me, and that is such a great relief for me, after a very stressful week as a "grown up"! I need to do that more often!

Of course, I had to hold little Miss Emma. That was icing on the cake, for me. She didn't talk to me as much as she did two weeks ago...she was tired, I guess, so she fell asleep in my lap. She woke up a couple of times, and fussed a little. But it didn't take long to get her calmed down. She's such a pretty baby! I could hold her all night! But, at the end, she was hungry so I had to give her to momma since it was late and I needed to come home. But what a great night it was!

Saturday Night

Just wondering if anyone else could have had a better night than I did last Saturday night. I had babysitting duty 'cause Sunday was my baby's 21st birthday, and they wanted to go out Saturday night to "celebrate?" it. So I went over to watch over the little Princess Emma. The boys were already asleep, as was the plan. That was the only bummer...that I didn't get to play with my little buddies. It seemed a little weird, me being over there and not playing with them...and I kind of felt guilty for whatever strange reason. But hanging out with my little Princess Emma was so great!

We talked most of the night. Of course, she's only 7 weeks old so she did most of the talking. I have no idea what she was talking about, but she told me story after story! The facial expressions...the occasional arms flailing...I knew she really meant it! Whatever it was!

She ate just a little bit, not as much as I thought she would. She pooped 4 times, which is about par for the course for her, I guess. She was even telling me stories when I changed her. In the 3 some-odd hours I was there with her, she fussed about 20 seconds. Four or five times, for about four or five seconds apiece. The last time was when she finally finished the bottle I was feeding her, and I took it out of her mouth. Oh, now that pissed her off!! She cried long enough for me to put her on my shoulder and stand up to go warm her up another bottle. By the time the bottle was warm, about 2 minutes, she was out for the count! Apparently she like it when G-Paw rubs her back!

I was thinking that at some point she would go to sleep, and that I could take a short nap since I had to work Sunday. Nothing doing! Mom and Dad got home shortly after she finally did, so shortly after that I was finding my way back home. It made for a rough day Sunday, but it was so worth it. If I could be so tired every Sunday to spend that kind of time with my Little Princess...YES! It was the best Saturday night I can remember having!

Sorry I missed it

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I woke up this morning to find I missed what, by all accounts, sounds like one of the most electric and heart warming nights in the game of baseball. Josh Hamilton hit 28 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. Some of those were over 500 ft. Damn it! I missed it! Oh well, I guess I would still have rather been doing what I was doing...visiting my baby and holding my little Princess Emma.

The last time such a display was put on was in 2005, when Bobby Abreu hit 24 in the first round. Oddly, when that happened I was again with Briana. I was listening on the radio while on the way back from OCU, when we had to do the orientation before Briana's freshman year there. Of course, what I remember most about that was the fact that Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez made a run at the finals. But that was Comerica Park in Detroit. Not Yankee Stadium. And Abreu was an established young power hitter.

Josh Hamilton has been the feel good story of the year, not just in baseball, but in all of sports. His comeback from drug and alcohol addiction has been well chronicled. But for him do do what he did last night, and to do it at Yankee Stadium in it's last year...wow! Way to go Josh! I'm sorry I missed it!

NP rules!

I just finished watching this video, for the umpteen hundredth time, and there is no doubt...Neil Peart is the greatest percussionist ever. I grew up in the days when it was a known fact...Buddy Rich was the King of Drums. I always loved it when he would come on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Or those rare occasions when "The Midnight Special" or "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" would play a clip of him ripping those drums! I loved Buddy Rich as a kid!

But no matter what the "purist" jazz people, or the 90's Headbangers, or even the Kieth Moon or John Bonham fans will say, Neil Peart is the greatest ever. Hands down. He can tear apart his "Rush drumkit", the one with 50 some-odd pieces...it's actually two very large kits put together, an acoustic kit and an electronic kit. Or, just give him a basic 7 to 10 piece kit and he'll rule on that as well! Ok, he's not the greatest jazz drummer, or the greatest "heavy metal" drummer (if you choose to call that drumming). But nobody has ever been so good at so many different styles of drumming. How he can construct a 5 minute drum solo, and incorporate so many styles...everything from jazz drumming to rock drumming, and even African drumming, it's amazing. I've seen him in concert at least 20 times, and every time his solo comes around I still can't believe what I'm seeing! He makes it look so easy...he's so smooth. I hate to use the word effortless because I know he puts great effort into his work. But I could only wish to be able to do what I do as well as he does what he does, and make it seem so effortless, so smooth! I might be as famous as him, I guess.

Just had to say. Over 30 yrs ago his bandmate, Geddy Lee, started calling him "the professor on the drumkit". It was fitting back then. Now, he's so much better! So what would that make him now? The god of drumming? Works for me!

Tonight, I did a good deed. So why do I feel like an idiot?

Tonight I really did do something nice for a complete stranger. So why do I feel like a complete fool?

It all started when I was about to wrap up for the day. The guy I've been doing this job for is a contractor I've known for 10 yrs. It was late, I guess..about 7pm. He insisted that I come have dinner...his treat. We went to a local Italian restaurant. It was good. Well, a free meal is always good in my opinion! But the food was good, and we had a great conversation. Like I said, I've known him for 10 yrs, but in the last week, I've really begun to feel he's become a friend. It was a nice dinner. When we left, he had a flat tire. Luckily, there was a Pep Boys just down the street. We pulled the tire off and walked it down there. He decided that instead of just getting a replacement for the flat that he would pay for a new set. Just get the flat replaced tonight, then he made arrangements to come back tomorrow and get the other 3 tires replaced. Ok..cool. When we first walked up with the flat, there was a woman standing there outside, waiting to be taken care of. She obviously needed a new tire, I could tell, since she had the "space saver" spare on her car.

I was appalled when the guy came out and got my friends wheel, to put the new tire on, while she was still waiting to be taken care of. Sorry...I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, but that was bullcrap. And I let the guy know it. She was there before us. Just because my friend was spending more money was no excuse. I let him have it. When he used the excuse of "well, I just do what I'm told", I went inside and let the manager have it. She was REALLY unhappy with me! But I was right, and I knew it, and so did everyone else.

We did end up getting out of there before the woman I tried to help, but before we left they came out, took her bad tire off and were in the process of replacing it. So why do I feel like an idiot? Because, after I "went off", I went back outside where she was waiting. We had a nice conversation while I was waiting for my friend to get his new tire. While we were talking, I knew my friend was going to ask the question...did you get her number? Nothing against him, but it's just so typical. And, of course when we left, that's the first thing he said. I laughed, and told him I knew he would ask me that. I was just trying to do the right thing. But after we got the wheel put on, got back to his office, and I was headed home I thought...why didn't I get her number? She was obviously single. She was around my age, I would guess. And she was quite pretty...slim, long blond hair, pretty eyes, and a great rear end!

So, again...why do I feel like an idiot? Because maybe I am. So many times I have not recognized that very opportunity until later. Twice in my life it wasn't later. Lord knows that I'm not looking for a relationship! But I wasn't looking for one when I met my ex-wife. And regardless of how it ended up, I'm glad I took that chance. And my only other love...again, it ended in "failure", but I took the chance and I'm damned glad for it. So, I must be an idiot for not being able to see those opportunies until it's too late! Oh, well...it's the story of my life!

love stinks

Each emotional injury
Leaves behind its mark
Sometimes they come tumbling out
Like shadows in the dark
I get this feeling...


Sorry for the emotional outburst. It was a very bad day, so I hope any who read this will understand. Love is the greatest thing we have. It's the only real reason for us to endure what life hands us sometimes. But it really stinks when you lose something you love.
This morning, I was cleaning the kitchen. Of course, first on that list was doing the dishes. I hadn't seen Kitty in a couple of days, but that hasn't been unusual the last few months. He used to always want to be wherever I was at, but the last few months it hasn't been the case. I was worried, at first, when his habit changed...but everything seemed ok, so I didn't think there was a problem. He was usually in Briana's room, so I figured he was just getting older, and that his habits were changing. Then, I opened the cabinet door under the sink this morning....and there he was. I knew as soon as I saw him there...he was gone.
I know he was "just an animal", but my heart immediately sank into it's darkest depths. He was Briana's cat, but in all reality...he has been "my kitty" for so many years. All I could do at first was sit down and cry. Since Briana left home, first to go to college, and now to start her new life...he has been my only comfort. I aways knew, no matter how good or bad my day went, Kitty would be there, hollering at me when he wanted love. Oh God, how I'm going to miss him!
I've had pets before. And as is due course, they've all passed. And it always hurt. But nothing like this. I don't know why. Maybe it's because of the way Briana brought him home, against my wishes. Or because of how we thought we had lost him that very first night. Or how I was so concerned about him a year later that I drove straight through from Minneapolis to Ft Worth, because he didn't do well while we were gone that week.
Maybe it's because of how horrified I felt two years ago when I found him in lying in the kitchen floor, near death, because of the food I had always been feeding him. And how, when he was in the hospital, I would stop by to see him every morning before work, and every evening after work. Or how he purred when he saw me when I came to see him.
No, it's really because for the last 8 years he has been a major part of my life. Something I could always look forward to coming home for. No matter how bad my day might have gone, I always knew he would be there. And now he's gone. I'll get past it, like I always have. But it surely hurts right now!

Where's my Thing?

I think I've lost my Thing! I've been trying all night to find it. But it's nowhere to be found. It sucks because I really need it tonight. Or, at least, want it very badly! I've looked everywhere I can think of...to no avail. I haven't seen it the last couple of days. Maybe that's why I lost it. I don't always play with it, even when it's right there. But when I know it's there, I know I can grab it and do what I want with it whenever I get the urge. But I guess I forgot about it the last few days and it went somewhere else.
I was told many years ago to just "Leave that Thing Alone!" And for many, many years I did. But in the last couple of years, and especially the last couple of months, I've had so much fun with it. It hasn't always ended up good, but it's always been really enjoyable playing around with it.
What's this Thing I'm missing tonight? The ability to be creative. I just don't have it right now, as much as I want it. Oh, well...maybe It'll come back soon!

The greatest day ever

For me, the greatest day ever will always be July 20th. In 1987, that was the day the love of my life...my reason for being was born. And in 2007, that was the day she met Jeff. I'll never forget those two days.
She was supposed to be here July 14th. But she decided to make us wait. It was Monday morning when we went to the hospital. The doctor had told us if she didn't come that weekend, he was going to induce labor. I still remember the fear and excitement I felt that morning. I remember so vividly leaving the apartments we lived at, and pulling out onto Overton Ridge Blvd...knowing that my first and only child would be born that day. I remember my mother being there at the hospital. I remember my sister Barbie being there, but only because I used to have a great picture of that night. It was when they were taking Christi and Briana from the delivery room to a regular room. In the picture was Briana's brother Travis and her cousin Alex, straining to see the new baby over the edge of the bed. I have no idea what happened to that photo, but it was one of the best I've ever taken. Christi was so beautiful, holding that precious angel. And the smiles on the faces of Briana's brother and cousin, seeing her for the first time, were priceless! I think my sister Kathy and my nieces Lindsey and Rachel were there also, but so much of that day and night were such a blur to me. I was so focused on my princess being born that the whole world could have been there and I wouldn't have noticed.
I remember there was something Christi needed that night that we forgot to bring. I can't remember what it was. But I remember going back to the apartment that night to get it. While I was there, I stopped by the apartment of one of my co-workers and we smoked cigars to celebrate the occasion. And most of all, I will never forget seeing that baby take her first breath. If there was ever a moment in time that I could go back and re-live, it would be that one! That is the most magical moment a person can ever experience!
Then came last year, July 20th, 2007. My plan for the night was for us to go see the movie version of Hairspray on opening night. Hairspray has a special meaning for me, because of her, and I thought it would be great for us to go see the movie together on it's opening night, just me and her, for her 20th birthday. But she made other plans. My feelings were hurt, somewhat, but I understood that she would rather spend that time with her friend instead of her dad. She ended up going to see a band play at the Ridglea Theatre. It was there that she met Jeff. And because of that, it was well worth the hurt feelings.
Because of that fateful night, I have been blessed beyond belief. Now I have Jeff in my life...He's such as great guy. He's quite intelligent...has a great sense of humor...great musical taste...and he's a great dad. Then there is Jaiden and Ethan..my little buddies. I love them so! Sometimes it's hard for me, because my "rules" don't always conform to the real rules... but I guess that's the conundrum of being a grandparent. I don't know how it is...that in less than one year of knowing them, those little boys became one, or rather two, of the highlights of my life. I guess it's probably good for Jeff and Briana that I can't spend more time there, but every time I do come over, and spend time with the boys, I leave with the feeling that I wish I could have spent more time with them.
And now, they've given me my little Princess Emma Faye Griffith. As if the gift of Ethan and Jaiden weren't enough!! Now, a little girl. And anyone who really knows me, knows what that means to me. She's the most beautiful...the most precious girl my God put on this earth since a baby named Briana was born!!! And to think...none of these great blessings would have come my way if I had anything to do with it...if I had taken Briana to see that movie on her birthday like I wanted.

YYZ (or in Canada..YYZed)

Just listened to YYZ again, for about the million-somethinged time...and I still can't figure out how it didn't win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental in 1982. It lost to "Behind My Camel" by The Police. I really like The Police, and have tremendous respect for them. And not to lessen the great contributions to music Gordon Sumner (aka, Sting) has made, Stewart Copeland (drummer) is one of the greatest percussionists ever, maybe second only to Neil Peart, and Andy Summers is, in my mind, second on the list of "Most Underrated Rock Guitarist"... only behind the great Alex Lifeson. But how "Behind My Camel" won the Grammy over YYZ that year is still one of the greatest travesties in rock music.
The only greater travesty is the fact that the idiots who are now in charge of Rolling Stone Magazine, the rulers of the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", haven't inducted Rush into what I call " The so called R& R Hall of Fame". But, that's another subject for another time.
While I will admit I am biased...for the time it was produced, YYZ was hands down the greatest rock instrumental of it's time. To this day, 27 yrs afterwards, most rock fans don't remember "Behind My Camel". But they damn sure remember YYZ!!!

Thanks Josh

Thanks to Josh, now my fingers hurt like HELL! And it feels so great!!!
I haven't played a guitar in so long. It's been nearly a year since the neck on my Strat got cracked, and I still haven't replaced it. That was days after the Rush concert we went to last August. In late September, I picked up a cheapy acoustic guitar at a pawn shop, just to have something to play. The sound is definitely not great, but, the intonation is good. The "playability" is better than it was, with some minor modifications I did, but it could be better. But because of the course life has taken me in the last year...since Thanksgiving I think I've played it once or maybe twice. That probably would have been in either December or maybe early January. Since then it, as well as I, have just been gathering dust.
But tonight, I read a post by my friend Josh on Myspace with the title Shine on You Crazy Diamond. It had nothing to do with that song. But that is one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs, from my favorite Pink Floyd album, " Wish You Were Here". Back in my "other life" I used to be able to play it, note for note....and I was once told by a good friend, one of my "guitar heroes", that I sounded like David Gilmour when I played it. But my favorite Pink Floyd song ever has always been the title track of that album. That same friend is the one who taught it to me, and we once played it to a group of people at the Carter Blood Center in Ft Worth. We were there to give blood after the crash of Delta Airlines flight 191, on Friday of August 2nd, 1985. My one and only "public concert", if you could call it that. We brought our acoustic guitars...Jeff brought his Yamaha six string, and I brought my Takamine 12 string. We played many songs, but it was when we started playing that song that the other people who were there to give blood really stopped to listen. Jeff was a fantastic guitarist, but not the best singer. Yet he ruled on that song. We both did. One guy even went down the street to get coffee and doughnuts for the group that had gathered. It was a magical moment for me.
But, I digress. When I started thinking about about it, I picked up the guitar, for the first time in months, and started playing along with " Wish You Were Here". It took me a couple of times through to remember the chord progression. But once I had it, I couldn't stop playing it. It was only until my fingers hurt so bad that I couldn't push the strings down that I finally stopped. They still hurt. But it's fantastic. It reminds me of those days, so many years ago when I was just learning how to play the guitar. How I would play until my fingers literally would bleed. I don't have that stamina, nor youthful conviction, anymore. But it feels so good tonight. It just reminds me how much I miss playing music. What a great part of my life I've let go by the wayside. And how I need to get it back again. So, thanks Josh!!!

I forgot

I forgot what an incredible work of art the album Power Windows is. But after listening to it for the first time in years....it may be the best Rush recording ever. Only Moving Pictures, Counterparts and 2112 come close, in my opinion.
Lyrically, it's the best work Neil Peart has done, hands down, on a complete album. He may have written a some better songs than on Power Windows...Closer to the Heart, Limelight, and Armor and Sword are a few that come to mind. But as a whole, I'm not sure Neil produced such a high quality as well as quantity of work than he did on Power Windows. Moving Pictures comes very close...as with Power Windows, every song on Moving Pictures is lyrically very strong. And, to be honest, if you gave the choice of listening to nothing but Moving Pictures or Power Windows, I'd probably choose Moving Pictures. But that's more because of the sentimental nature that album has for me. Going on pure emotion...give me 2112!!!
But Power Windows is not just strong lyrically. Musically, it's fantastic. Every song, From "The Big Money" to "Mystic Rhythms" is almost perfect. To me, it's how the music supports the words that makes it so great. Listen to "Marathon", "Emotion Detector", "The Manhattan Project", or "Mystic Rhythms"... and see for yourself how beautifully the music supports the lyrics. The emotion evoked by the music so perfectly matches the words. That's what makes it so great.

What the hell happened?

Wow. Today didn't really happen, did it? I'm trying to convince myself it didn't, but it isn't working. It's been a weird one, to say the least. It really started yesterday, and carried into today. I just hope it stops here! If tomorrow follows the course of the last two days, I don't want to get out of bed in the morning!
Monday started off so horribly wrong. I went through my normal "get ready for work" routine, as always. I fed the cats, as always. I got in the truck to head off to work...that's when it got bad. As soon as I started the truck, I knew....there was a kitten under my hood. So, my day really started off with having to deal with a dead kitten. I did, then sat there in the driveway and cried. There's no telling what the neighbors thought...an almost middle aged man sitting in his driveway crying. But I didn't care then, and I don't really care now. It must have looked strange, though.
Once I got myself together and headed out, everything seemed to change. A day that started out so badly ended up being a great day. Everything went pretty well. It was a fairly light work day. I had a couple of personal errands to run. I did the work I needed to, got the personal stuff out of the way, and was even able to get some things done around the house that I've been avoiding doing. I went to my baby's house that evening. I cooked dinner for her and the boys. It was probably one of the worst dinners I've ever made, but nobody complained...and the boys ate all their food, so, oh well. After dinner, the boys and I went for a walk. We went to the fire station down the road. One of the firemen gave the boys a plastic fireman's hat, one for each, and I got a few good pictures of them. One inside a firetruck, one in front of a firetruck, and one sitting on the step-up of an ambulance. We walked back home, threw a few sticks we found in the road on the way, and all was good. After their bath, I helped them finish brushing their teeth, read "Green Eggs and Ham" to them, and tucked them into bed. It was a great evening.
Once the boys were asleep, Baby and I were able to talk. That's always good! She fed Emma, and I held Emma...I can't get enough of that! I stayed way too late, but it was all good. I drove home thinking about how I'd just had one of the best days I could remember, even though it started so very badly. I slept well.
Then Tuesday came. It didn't start nearly as badly as Monday. And it really wasn't such a bad day. Work went fairly well, although it took me longer to do what I needed than I think it should have. It just felt like a bad day, after how Monday seemed so good. After work I brought my lawnmower over to Jeff, because theirs is on the fritz. I also gave them my weed eater, since I can get another for next to nothing. I felt like an idiot, because the main reason I came was to blow out the A/C drain line, but forgot to bring the blowgun attachment for my compressor. As it turned out it didn't matter...when Jeff and I went up in the attic, we found that the drain pan was in need of replacing. So blowing out the line wouldn't have made a difference anyway.
So, I played with the boys for a while...woohoo, two days in a row!!! Then I got to hold Emma... again, two days in a row!!! I changed her diaper once, and she belched real big for me once. I think only a grandparent can enjoy such seemingly mundane things! But she's my princess. As gross as it sounds, I know the first time she pee's on me will be a day I'll never forget! Love is weird!
All in all, it wasn't a bad day, but when I left... I felt there was something wrong. The whole way home I kept thinking...what did I do wrong? Did I say something I shouldn't have...did I not say something I should have? Did I do, or not do, something? Was it that I gave Jeff my weed eater? Was it that I forgot the blower for my compressor, or that I didn't realize the drain pan was shot the night before? Was it the fact that I was there two days in a row? I don't know, and I don't know how to ask, or if I even should. But something was wrong. So, I didn't sleep well.
Then came today. It was like I was in the Twilight Zone. I went through my usual "get ready for work" routine. I fed the cats. I started the truck. And before I was out of the driveway, the drive belt broke. For any who don't know what a drive belt is...it's the belt on a motor that runs the A/C compressor, the alternator, the power steering pump, and the fan which cools the water in the radiator. Oh, fun! So, off to the auto part store. It took about 5 minutes for the truck to overheat. And the auto parts store is about 8 minutes away. But I made it, bought a new belt and after much pain and consternation got it installed. Then the day went downhill.
I got to the job I was starting today. Ok...powerwash the outside of a house. Easy enough. Oh, hell no! One of my hoses broke...actually, it was a coupling that broke. SO, a trip to Home Depot for a new hose coupling. Then, the hose blew in a new spot. Not a big deal...when I went for the new hose coupling I thought I was being smart and bought two. So, 10 minutes later I was up and running again. Then came another blowout, then another. So, another trip to Home depot to buy a new hose, just to finish power washing this house. It took 3 times longer to make the runs to Home Depot than it did to finish that last bit of work. It was a terrible day.
So, if tomorrow continues the trend, I may not have any hair left! I just hope I get to sleep well, but I doubt it.