How do you like the new colors? They are in honor of the Aston Villa Football Club of England Premier League. When I was a young man able to run, I played soccer for an amatuer team sponsored by Town and Country Ford in Clayton. We replicated the maroon and light blue colors of AVFC for our uniforms, down to the striped socks.
We weren't a great team, but we looked awesome. Probably the coolest uniforms ever made in the history of the game.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
New and Improved for 2008
Hey, it looks like Blogger has done some cool changes to enable techno-impaired guys like me to soup up their sites, so I am hard at it. I will be adding pictures and ads and links as the days go on.
One of the reasons for getting back to this is that I have finished a novel (see Preview of Coming Attractions), and am getting it edited. I have been shopping it around to about 5o agents and publishers to no avail. So a company that does Print on Demand is next on the block. All the conventional wisdom says it is important to get the book out there, and this is one way to do it in a non-traditional manner.
As soon as I do the changes from the edit, I am submitting to the POD.
Should be interesting.
The book is called "You're Never Too Old For Space Camp".
Here is a sample from the first chapter.
_____________
ONE
“Why’d they have to pick yellow?”
I wondered this to myself as the school buses rolled into the lot. A black girl with blue eye shadow and pink fingernails over by the door glanced at me with an absent look, and then went back to checking her cell phone. Over by the benches, three would-be studs were crowding around a lass who was obviously what one could call an early-bloomer. She was drinking up the attention, until one of the guys accidentally broke wind---and loudly, at that. With a roll of her eyes, and an “Oh…My….Gawd”, she spun off, in search of girlfriends to hug and squeal with. As for the three young men, they collapsed into puddles of laughter, beating each other on the back with calls of “What a dork!” and “You loser!” and other less printable epithets.
Ah, yes, it was that time-honored moment, the exact end of summer, the beginning of who knows what will happen. It was the first day of school at Cedar Grove Middle School.
“So, Joe. I can see that you haven’t gotten any brains over the summer,” said a voice to my right.
It was Eddie Railey.
Eddie and I had gotten to Cedar Grove within a few years of each other. We had played in a softball league together before that, and I told him about the job opening up in Social Studies. It was hard to believe that was over 15 years ago.
We no longer play softball, by the way.
“Mr. Railey, Sir….Hey, I guess we both are dummies, since you’re standing here, too.”
It was standard practice for teachers to complain about how fast the first day of school comes, even though most of us still felt that tingle of coming attractions that we felt as kids. But whereas it used to be, ”Who will be in my class? or “Will that pretty red-haired girl sit next to me?” now it’s “Will I be able to do this for yet another year?”
Eddie smiled. “How was your summer? Overall, I mean.”
“Good enough. Got a lot done around the house, to Julies’ delight. Played a ton of golf, some with you, if you recall. Drank some beer, also with you. All in all, successful,” I said, as row upon row of long yellow vehicles fouled the curbside with their diesel exhaust.
“Lucky you. Three weeks ago, I had to go down to Texas to help my mom and dad move into an assisted living place. Pretty nice place, but they hated to leave their house. Then when I’d been home for a week I got a call in the middle of the night that dad died. Just sitting in his recliner one afternoon, watching The Price is Right. Mom thought he was nodding off like he did all the time. An hour later, she went to wake him to see what he wants for dinner, and that was that.” Railey choked up a bit, turned his head. “A peaceful way to go, I guess.”
“Oh man, why didn’t you call me? I had no idea.”
“Nobody did.” Eddie shrugged. “That’s okay. Besides, it was in Texas, and they wanted to be buried there. They’d been there almost 20 years. The funeral was small, since most of their friends were dead anyway. Dad had one brother, but he passed away a couple of years ago.”
“Mom is here with us, till we can get things squared away.”Over by the door, Miss Pink Fingernails was howling. “Go ahead and bring it then.
One of the reasons for getting back to this is that I have finished a novel (see Preview of Coming Attractions), and am getting it edited. I have been shopping it around to about 5o agents and publishers to no avail. So a company that does Print on Demand is next on the block. All the conventional wisdom says it is important to get the book out there, and this is one way to do it in a non-traditional manner.
As soon as I do the changes from the edit, I am submitting to the POD.
Should be interesting.
The book is called "You're Never Too Old For Space Camp".
Here is a sample from the first chapter.
_____________
ONE
“Why’d they have to pick yellow?”
I wondered this to myself as the school buses rolled into the lot. A black girl with blue eye shadow and pink fingernails over by the door glanced at me with an absent look, and then went back to checking her cell phone. Over by the benches, three would-be studs were crowding around a lass who was obviously what one could call an early-bloomer. She was drinking up the attention, until one of the guys accidentally broke wind---and loudly, at that. With a roll of her eyes, and an “Oh…My….Gawd”, she spun off, in search of girlfriends to hug and squeal with. As for the three young men, they collapsed into puddles of laughter, beating each other on the back with calls of “What a dork!” and “You loser!” and other less printable epithets.
Ah, yes, it was that time-honored moment, the exact end of summer, the beginning of who knows what will happen. It was the first day of school at Cedar Grove Middle School.
“So, Joe. I can see that you haven’t gotten any brains over the summer,” said a voice to my right.
It was Eddie Railey.
Eddie and I had gotten to Cedar Grove within a few years of each other. We had played in a softball league together before that, and I told him about the job opening up in Social Studies. It was hard to believe that was over 15 years ago.
We no longer play softball, by the way.
“Mr. Railey, Sir….Hey, I guess we both are dummies, since you’re standing here, too.”
It was standard practice for teachers to complain about how fast the first day of school comes, even though most of us still felt that tingle of coming attractions that we felt as kids. But whereas it used to be, ”Who will be in my class? or “Will that pretty red-haired girl sit next to me?” now it’s “Will I be able to do this for yet another year?”
Eddie smiled. “How was your summer? Overall, I mean.”
“Good enough. Got a lot done around the house, to Julies’ delight. Played a ton of golf, some with you, if you recall. Drank some beer, also with you. All in all, successful,” I said, as row upon row of long yellow vehicles fouled the curbside with their diesel exhaust.
“Lucky you. Three weeks ago, I had to go down to Texas to help my mom and dad move into an assisted living place. Pretty nice place, but they hated to leave their house. Then when I’d been home for a week I got a call in the middle of the night that dad died. Just sitting in his recliner one afternoon, watching The Price is Right. Mom thought he was nodding off like he did all the time. An hour later, she went to wake him to see what he wants for dinner, and that was that.” Railey choked up a bit, turned his head. “A peaceful way to go, I guess.”
“Oh man, why didn’t you call me? I had no idea.”
“Nobody did.” Eddie shrugged. “That’s okay. Besides, it was in Texas, and they wanted to be buried there. They’d been there almost 20 years. The funeral was small, since most of their friends were dead anyway. Dad had one brother, but he passed away a couple of years ago.”
“Mom is here with us, till we can get things squared away.”Over by the door, Miss Pink Fingernails was howling. “Go ahead and bring it then.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
O DAT DANG POLITICS
In the words of the renowned broadcaster of Cardinal, White Sox and Cubs baseball,
Hello again, everybody.
Can't help but feel sad for Barack Obama's mom and grandma. He threw them under the bus, off the train, voted them off the island yesterday, when in his speech that was supposed to cement his position as the candidate with Character, he denigrated his white side of the family to gain favor with "all Americans who want change in this nation", the same nation his lovely wifey Michelle said she hasn't had any pride for in her adult life, the same nation who pretty much made it possible for her to go to PRINCETON AND HARVARD, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER HUSBAND TO SELL MILLIONS OF BUCKS WORTH OF BOOKS, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER DAUGHTERS TO GO TO GOOD SCHOOLS...... all right. I will quit yelling.
Chris Matthews of MSNBC said that yesterdays speech was worthy of Lincoln...well, yeah maybe the Lincoln who was chronically depressed most of his life...and Matthews also said that the speech was "A gift to the country". Well, I agree with him here.
The gift is that Baramo made it easier for Hil and Bil to get their fingers into the pie again, to win the nomination, and that if this happens, then Johnny Mac will wipe her off the face of the map.
Now, good friends....that IS a gift to the country.
see ya.
Hello again, everybody.
Can't help but feel sad for Barack Obama's mom and grandma. He threw them under the bus, off the train, voted them off the island yesterday, when in his speech that was supposed to cement his position as the candidate with Character, he denigrated his white side of the family to gain favor with "all Americans who want change in this nation", the same nation his lovely wifey Michelle said she hasn't had any pride for in her adult life, the same nation who pretty much made it possible for her to go to PRINCETON AND HARVARD, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER HUSBAND TO SELL MILLIONS OF BUCKS WORTH OF BOOKS, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR HER DAUGHTERS TO GO TO GOOD SCHOOLS...... all right. I will quit yelling.
Chris Matthews of MSNBC said that yesterdays speech was worthy of Lincoln...well, yeah maybe the Lincoln who was chronically depressed most of his life...and Matthews also said that the speech was "A gift to the country". Well, I agree with him here.
The gift is that Baramo made it easier for Hil and Bil to get their fingers into the pie again, to win the nomination, and that if this happens, then Johnny Mac will wipe her off the face of the map.
Now, good friends....that IS a gift to the country.
see ya.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
CRY, CRY BABY
Janis Joplin sang it, and Hilary done it. Her show of "emotion" is being called "the tears that melted New Hampshire" by the BarackO crowd. They got blindsided by the clever, manipulating, conniving former First "Lady" (using that term loosely). I have no doubt she was overcome with emotion. But the emotion she was feeling was fear, and imminent defeat....she was sad, yeah... not about how the country was going down, but that it looked like she was.
After reading about her in the book about Whitewater, and the book and movie Primary Colors, and the way she reportedly acted to people in the White House when she was Assistant President, I do not believe her "Wah Wah Wah" was anything but a chance to show her "softer side", to demonstrate just what a committed and wonderful person she could be, if you old meanies out there would only give her the chance. Oddly, where tears brought Ed Muskie down in 1972, they seem to have goosed up Hil's chances for '08.
Urp. That makes me want to hurl.
Don't let her fool you, like Obaskams people were taken in.
She one mean beeaah.
After reading about her in the book about Whitewater, and the book and movie Primary Colors, and the way she reportedly acted to people in the White House when she was Assistant President, I do not believe her "Wah Wah Wah" was anything but a chance to show her "softer side", to demonstrate just what a committed and wonderful person she could be, if you old meanies out there would only give her the chance. Oddly, where tears brought Ed Muskie down in 1972, they seem to have goosed up Hil's chances for '08.
Urp. That makes me want to hurl.
Don't let her fool you, like Obaskams people were taken in.
She one mean beeaah.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Eye oh What the heck?..
Up in Iowa where the corn grows and the Field of Dreams was filmed, good old Hil took one on the chin. Not sad to see this occur. Of course, they said she was brave for going there, and that the real test will come in New Hampshire.
Yeah. Loser talk.
Looking like Oback Barameter is running the show now. Remarkable that the Chicago kid with the funny name scored so well in corn country.
Maybe he has something that doesn't meet the eye.
Then it is no surprise that Mike Huckabee would do well. I mean, come on....the name alone set him up as the lead man...."Huckabee", as in "rural". Nothing against rural folks, it just fits doesn't it?
I doubt he will be seen anymore, tho, as he heads into "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire. Romney should do well there, being from Mass., just south of NH. If he doesn't, then Mr. Perfect Hair is done like a hot dog left on the grill too long.
My man is John McCain. Any guy who can withstand POW status has got to have some set on him. And the way the world is these days, I don't think the US of A nor the world would be well served by anyone in the Top Spot having to learn the job as he goes along. (NOtice I didn't say as "she" goes along? McCain has been there for years, and knows what is up. This is one time when Washington experience should prove invaluable. Who would you rather see sitting down across the room from the nutballs in Pakistan, Mrs. Clinton or John M.?
As for Rudy G.? Not a chance in heck for a twice divorced, pro-abortion guy getting the Rep. nod. I don't know what he was thinking, really.
Hubris shows in strange ways, I guess.
Prediction:
Dem nominee......John Edwards Rep top guy......Johnny Mac.
Anybody want to shoot their picks...go right ahead.
Yeah. Loser talk.
Looking like Oback Barameter is running the show now. Remarkable that the Chicago kid with the funny name scored so well in corn country.
Maybe he has something that doesn't meet the eye.
Then it is no surprise that Mike Huckabee would do well. I mean, come on....the name alone set him up as the lead man...."Huckabee", as in "rural". Nothing against rural folks, it just fits doesn't it?
I doubt he will be seen anymore, tho, as he heads into "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire. Romney should do well there, being from Mass., just south of NH. If he doesn't, then Mr. Perfect Hair is done like a hot dog left on the grill too long.
My man is John McCain. Any guy who can withstand POW status has got to have some set on him. And the way the world is these days, I don't think the US of A nor the world would be well served by anyone in the Top Spot having to learn the job as he goes along. (NOtice I didn't say as "she" goes along? McCain has been there for years, and knows what is up. This is one time when Washington experience should prove invaluable. Who would you rather see sitting down across the room from the nutballs in Pakistan, Mrs. Clinton or John M.?
As for Rudy G.? Not a chance in heck for a twice divorced, pro-abortion guy getting the Rep. nod. I don't know what he was thinking, really.
Hubris shows in strange ways, I guess.
Prediction:
Dem nominee......John Edwards Rep top guy......Johnny Mac.
Anybody want to shoot their picks...go right ahead.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
That song comes to mind (made famous by Gene Autry and Aerosmith, with different lyrics but the same title...hmmm) as I get back to the blogging phenomenon.
After not doing this for some months, it seems appropriate somehow to run this out again.
That's the move......as my hip co-workers say.
I plan to just have fun with it, not take it too seriously, and maybe even givc it an new edge, especially since my kids are now grown or growing, and therefore more able to handle good old dad's warped view of life a little more easilly.
So here it goes....tommy's boomer times coming atcha, still again.
After not doing this for some months, it seems appropriate somehow to run this out again.
That's the move......as my hip co-workers say.
I plan to just have fun with it, not take it too seriously, and maybe even givc it an new edge, especially since my kids are now grown or growing, and therefore more able to handle good old dad's warped view of life a little more easilly.
So here it goes....tommy's boomer times coming atcha, still again.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
A ROSE IS STILL A ROSE...AND ALWAYS WILL BE
So today Pete Rose said that not only did he bet on baseball, he bet on every game his team played when he was manager of the Reds....
Hall of Fame for ole Pete????
Don't bet on it.
Hall of Fame for ole Pete????
Don't bet on it.
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