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.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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 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!!!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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.
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.
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