> On Sep 7, 12:22 am, "Karen"
nospam.com> wrote:
>>>
>> PS You do know that Minneapolis and St. Paul are "TWIN CITIES"...how
>> long is the train ride between M/SP that people had time (or the
>> need) to buy sandwiches?
>
> Got me. Family lore is fambly lore. That's also the line that came
> West, I believe. The Empire Builder?
I just took the Empire Builder from Seattle to Milwaukee two years ago.
I returned to Seattle from MSP. I wondered if your aunt sold sandwiches
on the train between MSP and Seattle.
> Nurture the crackpot within, Karen. It's the side of people that most
> spend all their lives trying squash down, probably for all the right
> reasons, but it's surely the side that usenet was invented for. LOL.
I don't try to squash who I have become. It's time for me to enjoy the
freedom I have. I worked hard to be where I am now. I lived by the
calendar and the clock and the ALARM clock in the morning. Always had
to be dressed up and behave in a business-like manor at my jobs. I was
almost a different person back then than I am now. Sometimes I look so
much like Maxine, it scares me. I act very much like her, too...and say
exactly what I feel and don't give a damn what other people
think...because it's the TRUTH. But I also can look like the picture I
sent you ... it's just GOOD to be ME now and now care anymore about
impressing ANYBODY with how smart and capable I am. I've cut back on
the perfectionism I had, too. It just isn't necessary to push myself
that way anymore. And I'm content now ... if only I had refused to
answer Gilmer's emails early on. But I just had no way of seeing then
what I see NOW.
> If anyone who knew me, knew that I spend hours here fucking around,
> they'd think I was insane.
Same here. Not ONE of the people who know me in real life has any idea
what Usenet is, nor can they understand the time I waste dealing with
John Gilmer. They can't understand why he can be calling the police and
otherwise harassing me in REAL LIFE...and it's been going on for more
than 5 years that I've been plagued with him, one way or the other.
> Well, it IS insane.
If you are having FUN and laughing and this is a diversion for you, then
it's better than DRINKING or doing other physically harmful things to
"escape" for awhile. Not everything about Usenet is bad. There are
some really good people here who do care about others and many good
friendships have been formed. I realize not everybody on Usenet is bad
or insane. But I'm shocked at how many ARE. I really thought better of
humanity...but I've led a sheltered life.
I can't wear a tie in
> my birthday suit, now can I.
Why not? ;') You can wear plaid trousers, too.
When I Am An Old Man
I shall wear my old slippers whenever I choose.
Have popcorn and pickles while on my armchair cruise.
Dance around in my bathrobe, put my false teeth in a jar,
Make friends of my enemies and talk "love", not war.
Eat ice cream for breakfast and spend some days abed.
Nod off in the sunshine over books I've not read.
I'll drink milk from the carton, eat peaches from their tin,
And throw away my neckties, grow whiskers on my chin.
Make music on an old guitar to chase away the blues,
And scratch where it itches, forget to shine my shoes.
Wink at the girls and give a big grin,
Notice the sunsets and let the dogs come in,
On Holidays I'll wear fine shirts, plaid trousers that are loose,
And let one of the youngsters carve the turkey or the goose.
But now, we must get to work on time.
Save every nickle,penny and dime.
Be proper and prim, stay healthy and fit.
Pay our taxes and not complain about it.
But maybe I'll begin doing some of these things now,
Like forgetting my manners when I'm eating my chow,
So our friends will recognize me on that far away day,
When suddenly I am old and begin acting that way!
~ by Donna Schwarz & Elizabeth Lucas ~
When I am an old man.
When I am an old man, I will wear plaid trousers,
let my shirt tail hang out on one side on Tuesdays,
and wear ties that clash with everything.
I'll carry a cane whether I need it or not,
to waggle at people who ask stupid questions
and poke pretty young girls.
I'll have my ear pierced, the one that says you're gay
(whichever that is)
and grin if someone mentions it.
I won't smile on Thursdays, even if I'm chuckling inside,
I'll never be angry on Sundays,
except in months when the sun doesn't shine.
Maybe I'll shave, and maybe I won't,
depends on which eye I open first in the morning.
I'll spit in public places, but not on people's shoes,
unless they deserve it,
and belch from both ends when the spirit moves me.
I'll eat tacos for breakfast, ice cream with salad,
drink tea with honey, coffee with maple syrup,
and rum with nothing at all.
I'll stare everyone straight in the eye,
give my opinion on everything under the sun,
if I'm asked, and especially if I'm not.
I'll forget how to spell "rules" but not "integrity",
"obligations", but not "responsibility",
"expectations", but not "honor".
I'll speak to God direct, help him out when he needs it,
but gently, cause mainly he does good work,
when people leave him alone, that is.
I'll cry at movies and funerals,
laugh at my own mistakes, if I make any,
hug my sons and my daughters every chance I get,
raise my hat to any woman wearing purple.
I think I'll have more fun
saying what I think,
being who I am,
staring at the stars,
when I am an old man, wearing plaid trouser
~ ROBERT N. McWILLIAM ~
Pick up your accordian and play, just
> like yesterday, and get on your knees and pray.
I gave my priceless and very unique accordion away....to a young friend
in Wisconsin. That's why I went to FL in 2004...to see/hear him play
it. I had a delightful time all weekend, people coming up time to tell
me it was the most beautiful-sounding accordion they'd ever heard.
Other people came up to me and said they remembered me from decades back
when I appeared in one place or another. In MY world, I'm somewhat of a
mini-celebrity.....not a self-made and infamous one like PirateJohn
Gilmer is.
Since I quit playing accordion, I listen daily to many others who play
better than I did but my style of music and I am in another world and
filled with joy, singing along. Lots of good music 24/7 streaming on
the internet.
Here are 3 of my favorites:
http://www.live365.com/stations/primetimepolkas
http://www.247polkaheaven.com/
http://www.polkajammernetwork.org/
I don't get on my knees to pray anymore but often do it in the swimming
pool or just sitting outside and viewing my surroundings. Unlike
Gilmer, I am very able to humble myself and be honest with God...He
knows very well my failings and my good deeds. I focus only on my
failings when talking with Him. He has gotten me through a lot of
really bad stuff in my life I thought I couldn't survive. And He's
taking care of my parents in Heaven while they wait for me to join them.
I'm kinda sacred about what will happen between now and then, but they
made it and I have to have faith that I will, too.
I have GOT to finish that missive to you so you can understand what's
under the surface of the tip of the iceberg that you see here ...
First, I've got to get over to the pool for another fun and healthy
workout in the water...
Karen
