Wednesday, May 23, 2012

TOUCH THIS WALL FOUL!

I've told a few stories about my great friend Ralph.  If any of you were to meet him today, there is not one of you who would not say "Gosh, he is so nice." That is because he is so nice. He is a great man. A best friend. You would say "He is so polite. Engaging. A nice person." Again, that is all true. Ralph is the glue in our band of friends. When I talk to anyone else (Dan, Delmer, Jimmy, Adrian, etc.) the question is always "What's Ralph up to?" A big part of that is because Ralph and I talked very regularly.  The biggest part is because of who he his. Not a man among us wouldn't step in front of a bus or give up a kidney for the man you would meet. But then again, that's the Ralph you would meet. Not the Ralph we know.

Ralph as a young man was extremely competitive. He knocked a board game away from me when we were 10 or 11 because I was winning. He hated to lose. I do as well. It's one of our many bonds. Quick to fire, as easily quick to cool off.

 Delmer and I were talking a couple years ago. Delmer and Ralph were roommates through college at Eastern Montana College and Country Club. It was called that because you really didn't have to go to class, or read or take tests actually. Just pay your tuition and get a degree. It was one of "those" schools. Anyway Delm and I were talking and a conversation we had inspired this post.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Random thoughts #25

1) Yes I know I said I was on hiatus.  I guess I decided to say that because I was tired of making promises I wasn't keeping. It's not who I am. Rather than say "I'll be back" and not be, I decided to just quit and do it when I can. Maybe that is why I'm posting a bit more. Because I said I wouldn't. Who knows.

2) I talk too much. I'm a talker. Way overboard in that aspect. I admit it. That being said, if I say anything tonight that I've already said it's because I've become to dumb I can't remember if I've said it or not. However my subconscious takes over and I suppose that is why I may repeat myself. Because I think it's worth saying again.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Schoolhouse Rock

So my great friend Kim (Jimmy's wife) sent me this email about prepositions. I responded with a Schoolhouse Rock about prepositions. Then I thought about my favorites. Here are a few. A bushel of wheat, a bushel of rye.

Three
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPzAjiLr5Zw

Nouns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFEiDd9nuY

Conjunction Junction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZqI5b5wGA4

I'm just a bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxT7QjlvDqM

The Preamble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIKhRERqPS4&feature=related

Mother Necessity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APANtAd0AZo

And what would this be without "FIVE"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_1x7V1sHd0

It's all I have.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Just a quick story, kind of

So, I'm sitting in Ohare in Chicago waiting for my flight to Fargo yesterday. A friend of mine texts me a picture of his brother-in-law, who I went to high school with and is still a great friend, sitting behind home plate at the Cubs game I was watching at Ohare's Bar and Grill. A great place.  Corona is only $8.25 a bottle there with tax.  It's $7.50 a six pack at the little grocery store in my subdivision, but anyway.  I called Len after the game and he was flying out of Ohare.  He gets through security and ends up in my terminal only 10 gates from me.  We meet up and I said, "Who would have ever thought to poor boys from Malta would be having a drink together in Ohare?'  We had a glass and I waited for him at his gate.

We lamented about the labors of flying, the waiting, etc.  How it's a pain in the ass to fly alone because if you have to go to the bathroom you have to take everything with you but then Len had a great quote. 

"I like to fly.  It's the best way to get from here to there. And, I really like getting to THERE." It was well put.

My flight that was cancelled at 3:50 didn't leave until 9:30.  I flew to Fargo, jumped in a one ton flatbed and drove it home as we need the truck in Helena.  746 miles from the hotel to my driveway.  746 miles and I crossed one state line.  I stopped for fuel twice (had a quick burger on one of them) took three short naps and made it home in 12 hours.

This post won't be tagged with "who's luckier than me?"

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Hello again, but then....

There are still a few who stop by. Not many but there is no one to blame but me.  Life has changed. Pretty much for the better except for the time when I can post. That being said, I am going to take a hiatus.