Buddy can you spare a dime?

Wanting something isn't always as nice as having it. When you're on the outside looking in it's difficult not wondering what it would be like to be accepted. Being somewhat of a self-made pariah in middle school I longed to change this before entering high school. When I was 12 I was asked to bowl in a junior bantem league. I had been practicing with unc almost everyday for over a year now. This woman named Pearl Keller came up to me and said " Excuse me son, may I talk to you for a moment?" I said "Sure, what's up?" She answered " I wondered if you would be interested in bowling in a league on Saturday morning." I looked at Unc and asked "What do you think?" She turned to unc and introduced herself to him and they shook hands. He answered "I'm in charge of taking care of him when he's here. What time is the league?" She said " It starts at 9am , but he should be here at 8 so he can register and fill out forms. He'll need a letter from his parents for permission." Unc looked at me and I was salivating like a Saint Bernard at a ski resort. I said " Unc? Please can I bowl please?" He smiled and said " It's fine with me. We need to check with your mother to see if she'll drive us here that early. Do you think you can get up? Still bouncing I said "For bowling absolutely." Pearl then smiled and said " O.k. I hope to see you saturday morning at 8am." I turn to her saying " Thanks, I'll be there." We returned to practicing and I was filled with a sense of destiny about to be fulfilled. When Mama came from her school to pick me up, I told her all about it. She said it depended if I could keep my grades up and stay out of trouble. I said" You got it Kiddo! I'll be up ready bed made and fed before 7am just like another school day." We talked about about lots of things on the way home. I asked " Mama will we have time to stop at Friendly's on the way." She smiled and said " Unc, was he a good boy and do you want to stop at Friendly's?" unc smiled and let out a small laugh "And get out of cooking dinner, hmm, I think I can fit that into my busy schedule. Why yes I think that's a great idea. What about Mr. Julius?" Frowning her mood changes when she says " He called and said he was working late again tonight and not to expect him home for dinner." An akward silence follows as we drive to Friendly's restaurant. Extra cheerfully I told one of my favotrite stories. The one about unc and the change purse. It all began one day when I ran out of quarters for the pinball machine. I ran to unc aking him for a quarter and he looks at me and says "Jody, what on earth do you need a quarter for?" Cheerfully I reply " For the pinball machine what else would I need it for?" Nodding his head he's thinking. I say "Well can I ?" Unc scrunches up his face and says " Now hold on for a minute I'm thinking." Putting my arms out to the side I start spinning around in circles saying " Come on unc , you can play with me. It'll be fun. When was the last time you played pinball? Starting to reach in his pocket I stop spinning wondering hoping he'll lend me a quarter. " He says " I ain't interested in no pinball. It's a waste of money." Spreading my fingers wide I swing both arms up in a quick flicking motion as if I was shaking water from my hands I say " Well of course it's a waste of money. Unless, however you're a pinball wizard like myself for example." Unc starts making his kikikiki laughing sound and slaps his hand on his leg saying " Boy, I bet you 4 quarters you not only don't get the high score . But, you'll be back in less than 5 minutes asking for another. Which I'm not giving you so you can just get that idea out of you head right now." Rubbing my hands to gether I quickly remember what the high score on the machine is, 4,876,992 by Buddy Banks. Suddenly coming up with a great idea I learned from Buddy I said "Sure unc , I 'll take that bet and raise you double your 4 quarters that I do get the high score." Staring at me as if he knows I'm up to something. He purses his lips and snaps his index finger at me and nods an o.k. your on gesture. I wait for what seems like an hour as unc begins the painfully long arduous task of retrieving his change purse. Now to do this discription justice you need to picture trying to squeeze a dime out of Jack Benny. Unc is generous with his time and love. When it comes to finances he runs a tight ship. So here it goes : He slowly reaches deliberately into the wrong pocket. At this point in a futile attempt to somehow speed up this geologically paced act along I say " Unc , no it's in the other pocket." He now turns his back as if I insulted him and says " Boy what are doing knowing which pocket I put my money bag in? You better stand over there , mind your own business, while I figure this out." Realizing I just added another 10 minutes I roll my head and spin around on my heels falling on the floor with my feet high in the air, like Ralph Cramden from "The Honeymooners". I groan " You're killing me here unc, please before money goes out of style." He snaps " You want this quarter you better just High-shh up." Burning with desire to get this quater now I hop back to my feet and start bouncing up and down and around in circles to keep myself from exploding. Unc finally finds his leather change purse. He unties it and starts fiddling around in his little bag looking for a quarter with his index finger like he's dialing a phone. He finds it and holds it in his fist. Now he ever so carefully draws the string tight and slowly reties the bag. By now the sun has set on the enthusiasm of the moment. I sigh and in a disgusted gesture flop my hand out while looking up at the ceiling. Unc says "Jody, don't do me any favors by taking my hard earned coin. You want it then act like man and come here and take it." Feeling a little bad for being such a brat I look him in the eye and say " I'm sorry unc, its just that I get so excited when I'm playing I want to rush back to play again as fast as possible. Does that make any sense to you?" Seeing the honesty in my eyes he says " Ahh heck I was just playing with you. It's so easy.." Now he starts laughing, but trying not to. " It's so easy making you flustered I can hardly resist." He put the coins in my hand. I look down to find four quarters and I get real happy and Jump on unc saying " Oh unc thank you, I never know what you're going to do so I.. oh never mind I love you and thanks . Come on watch me get high score. I rock at this game." We slowly walk over to the pinball machine to find Buddy Banks playing his first ball. I look at unc and say come on you want to bowl first? This is going to take all day. Smiling Unc says " Sure but we gonna bowl for a quarter a game." Feeling glad to be alive and with unc I say " How about we make it 50 cents a game. That way it won't take me so much time to take your money old man" Walking to get his bowling gear he says " We'll see, I think I'll let my bowling do the talking for me." We get a pair of lanes and start warm up. We flip to see who goes first and its me. So the bowling begins. For those of you not knowledgable about bowling I'll do my best to keep it simple. Unc bowls a 195 the first game to my 170. The second game I roll 207 to hs 160. Even now, we get ready for the final game . I turn around and there are a bunch of guys who bowl in the mens league behind us. They're betting too. Buddy says I want Gilbert(unc) for $40 Jame Gwatney who is a massive man with the heart of a kitten. At least with me he is. James bet $100 on me and say parlay that for every game after. Wondering what's going on I ask unc " Do you know what the heck they're doing? What's parlay?" Laughing unc puts his arm aroung me and says "Jody, Don't you pay them no mind . Just pay attention to what we're doing. If these fools want to throw there money away that's no business of ours o.k?" I say " Sure unc whatever you say I'm going to take your money on this game so why don't we just parlay it." Laughing he walks over and says in a quiet voice " You can't parlay just 1 game." Getting really interested in this new language and excitement with the best bowlers around I say "Unc can you make a bet with them?" He tilts his head and shrugs " I don't know let me ask." Now I feel like somebody on "Let's Make a Deal" whats behind door #1? Unc comes back and say " You're going off at 13-5 they already parlaying you. I wouldn't get your hope up." I just made a bet against you and that's going to be easy money. Go ahead and bowl." It comes down to the 10th frame and unc needs 3 strikes to beat me by 1 pin. He gets the first the crowd oohs and ahhhs. The second they're out of there chairs clapping and yelling. Unc turns around and says " Double or nothing I strike on this " They all nod . Unc dries off his hand on the blower and picks up his ball.Takes his towel with the fringes and wipes the oil off and tosses it on the ball return. Sets himslf and makes his shot. He turns around before the ball hits the pins and starts walking with his hand out to James Gwatney who is holding all the money. The ball hits leaving a 10 pin I jump then the head pins rolls around and just barely taps it over. I say Ahhh! Nooo!! How can that happen? It's not fair!" Unc is walking back from the soda machine with a coke and a welshes grape for me. He looks at me and says " You know boy you put on quite a show back there. Good bowling." I look up at unc and say " But I lost." Unc gives me a look that says this is just the beginning, you wait and see. Putting my equipment away I look at unc and he say " Boy don't you even think of asking me for a quarter." I say " How did you .." unc whips his head at me and says " Just like I know you're going to be a much better bowler than me someday." I say " Not today" He smiles "No not today, but maybe tomorrow. Now go ask Vic to make us 2 Chappaqua doubles with cheese hold the onions on mine." Happy that unc believes in me I run to tell Vic the legend of how Jody lost by only 1 pin in the match of the century!

Educated Fools

When push comes to shove, how do we balance the equation? It was said to me that I was precocious. It was said that I had a learning disability. The most vivid memory I have of the educational system was when I was called down to the office to decide if I was to repeat kindergarten. I had missed at least half of kindergarten do to childhood illnesses. I had the mumps on one side then on the other. You name it I got it that first year of school. My teachers name was Miss Chamberlain. She called for outside opinions on me. It seems that my supposed speech problem was later discoverd to be my brain working faster than my mouth could keep up with. Once I learned how to say Bartholomew and thermometer I was fine. So here I was taking all these tests at 6 years old. The opinions were split and I knew why. I felt a certain amount of give and take was both fair and reasonable. So after answering a few questions of theirs I decided to ask a few of my own. I knew from a very early age that most adults ask but don't listen. This was evident by there heads always buried scribbling on their clipboards. So I decide to have a little fun. For one guy I would get everything wrong on purpose and fake a speech impediment. Then for another I would give up just about everything I knew. Nodding and consulting went on until my mother was called. They told her I should be sent to a special school for those with severe learning disabilities. She came to school and asked to sit in on a few of the interviews with psychologists and other specialists with some very silly letters after their name. Mama took one look at me and knew I was up to mischief. She talked for along time and finally they agreed to test me in front of her. I knew the jig was up. I was asked to read some "See Dick and Jane run" book. Well I read it but decided to spice up the story a little. I would add characters change dialogue. Finally my mother saw a "Treasure Island" book on the shelf. She took it down handed it to me and said "Young man would you please read a section of your choosing? Explain first a little about whats going on." She knew I loved this book, so I set the scene for those in the room who may not have read it. I said "So Jim Hawkins is a young boy who lives at his parents’ inn, the Admiral Benbow, near Bristol, England, in the eighteenth century. That's across the pond as they like to say. Anyway an old sea captain named Billy Bones dies in the inn, crokes dead caput , after being presented with a black spot, or official pirate verdict of guilt or judgment.Jim is stirred to action by the spot and its mysterious, omen of Billy’s death. Hastily, Jim and his mother unlock Billy’s sea chest, finding a logbook and map inside. Hearing steps outside, they leave with the documents before Billy’s pursuers ransack the inn." After that I read some other passages and asked if that was enough. I was asked to leave the room. I said " Mama what about Captain Flint and Long John Silver?" Mama smiles and gives me a look of that's enough for now we'll talk at home. Then I was escorted to 1rst grade by Miss Chamberlain. She asked " Jody, why did you pretend to not know how to read?" I felt a little embarassed and said" You know when we get a substitute teacher we all pretend to know less than we really do. So there's not as much work for us." She nods and says " Good luck Jody, You're a very smart little boy, maybe a little to smart for your own good." I smile and say " Did my mama tell you that? I do it cause I get bored and it keeps me interested in whats going on. I will try to do better Miss Chamberlain you're a nice lady, Pretty smart yourself."She pats me on my head, which I can't stand, and says "Thanks Jody enjoy 1rst grade." The day goes quick. I get off the bus and run up the driveway to see mama waiting hands on her hips. Not a good sign, so I try to run past her and she grabs me saying " You're a rascal and a scamp Julian Turner Shultz. You almost ended up going to another school. Teachers have a lot of power over what can happen to your future. You need to start taking school a little more serious." Waving my arms I say " Mama, I'm in 1rst grade now. That was the last time I would get to act like a kindergartener. Do you want me to waste it being nice to what's that thing you call them?" Mama is sitting on the floor next to me in the kitchen she tilts her head and puts her hand under her chin saying " Why young man I have no idea what you're talking about." Jumping up and down I say " Yes mama there's a name you call grownups who pretend to be smart when they're not. Now tell me what is it?" Standing up smirking she says " Sorry dear I don't know what you mean. Do you want a snack? " I am hungry I say "Yes mama give me a pirate snack or I'll make you walk the plank arrrg!" Scratching her head she says " A pirate snack, I don't remember any pirate snack. How about some fruit or a glass of milk?" I am jumping up and down like water on a hot skillet. I say "Mama, I know what you're doing! You're pretending to not know just to make me nutso!" She pours me a glass of milk and puts it in a normal glass. Batting her eyelashes she smiles and says "Aggravating ain't it, smarty pants?" The light finally clicking on, I get it. She is doing to me what I did to the teachers. I sigh a long exhaling breathe saying in a southern accent "Oh mama, why whatever do you mean?" Fanning my face I say " I do believe I'm a bit flushed from all this excitement." She runs and picks me up and tickles me, which I love. We laugh, have dinner and I start to get ready to go to bed. I brush my teeth and say goodnight to everyone and grab her hand saying " Come on lazy bones read me a bed time story. If you still can remember how to read that is." I run upstairs and dive under the blankets. Mama reads to me until I fall sleep. Now it's my turn . Goodnight and don't let the bedbugs bite. Thanks for remembering how to read. Jody

Thngs That Make You Go Hmm!

Here comes the sun, doot in doo doo, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, doot in doo doo, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smile's returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun,doot in doo doo, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, doot in doo doo, here comes the sun,
It's all right
It's all right
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It's astonishing how many memories comeback through various stimulation. The 5 senses hold a veritable data based filled with sophisticated references for us to search . Sometimes it's just one sense that triggers a memory, other times it can set up a chain reaction opening doors to the past from the present. Writing has added another dimension to my memory. At times it takes on a life of its' own, traveling down seemingly aimless paths only to lead me to a deeper layer and understanding of the original trigger and myself. I mention this in reference to the Smokey story. A whole new chapter has opened to me that after talking with my dad has honed a firm link to that period of my life. Both with the perception of being a child and as an adult viewing that child from afar. I imagine this dual perspective and understanding can possibly reconcile many a mystery. So enough of the paralysis through analysis. Let's get back to where we were. Since I was no longer welcome on the bus and still needed a ride to school, my dad offered to act as temporary chaufer till the suspension was lifted. Little did he know that this was just the beginning of the bus adventures. I remember it was winter time because of the snow and the smell of uncs' coat. Depending on how cold it was , I always had the option of waiting under his long wool overcoat. There was always a musky smell about unc. It wasn't until later that I learned it came from English Leather aftershave. So in the beginning of winter a very well bundled blackman waited with me at the end of the driveway for th ebus to come. One extremely cold morning other kids showed up to wait at my driveway too. It was the only one shoveled out because of unc. It wasn't long until we were all under unc's coat giggling and fooling around. I remember hearing the bus and its' door swinging open. The bus drivers' voice was angry "What's the meaning of this? why are you stopping a school bus.?" Unc as usual would say nothing which spoke volumes and then he opened his coat to let 3 or 4 kids to escape and board the bus. I remember hearing the bus driver apologise, but he like everyone else learned uncs' actions speak without words. The bus driver let me know to tell unc that he didn't mean to be rude. I remember saying " Honestly I doubt he paid you any mind to begin with, so don't sweat it. O.k.?" His answer struck me as odd "Do your parents know you talk this way?" I kept walking , but as it sank in the sound of what he said was off. I turned around and said " As far as you're concerned, he is my parent, if anyone should watch the way they talk it's you sir" I knew I shouldn't have, but I was not liking how outsiders were treating unc. So I put as unc would say " An extra smack of sass" in my tone, followed by one of his stares. They almost always turn away when I do it. This time was no different. Looking back I see why I didn't I exactly fit in this white waspy little community. My father is a first generation Jewish war veteran that escaped from Nazi Germany, my motherwas as far from Mrs. Cleaver as they get and unc who how shall I put it? Someone of vast worldly experience who didn't see the value of giving up even an inch of human dignity to those that haven't earned it. All passionate vibrant influences in my life who laid the foundation of all that is good in me. So let's return to the great social microcosm of the suburban school bus. I would compare it to a testing ground for anti-social behavior. The ride was at least 30 minutes to and from school. Cruelty and violence were the currency that was used on a daily basis. It grew worse with each passing year. I got picked on from day one and took many a beating. It wasn't until unc started noticing marks and bruises on me that things got bad. I thought he would be sympathetic and help me to cope with the injustices I was experiencing. Well it didn't quite work out that way. One day while waiting for the bus unc said " Listen boy, every time you come home with marks all over you I 'm going give you a whooping to make those bruises seem like love taps. You feelin' me?" In shock I nodded, no sooner did I get on the bus did some kid with a hard cover book, that I didn't see, wack me across the back of my head so hard I saw stars. Knowing unc kept his promises I jumped over the seat grabbed the kid in a headlock and pulled with one arm and punched with the other until my hand and shirt were full of blood and snot. The bus driver stopped the bus grabbed me and threw me into seat across the aisle and my head hit the window harder than the kid hit me. Well, when we got to school my parents were called and notified that until further notice I was no longer welcome on the public school bus. Well break my little heart, what would I do without all the warm comaroderie and friendship? I guess I would learn to manage somehow. It seems I misunderstood uncs' little message. He meant it as a deterant, I saw it as another threat of violence . It quickly became a lonely world from kindergarden on. I would ride to school in the morning with my dad. He would talk to me about pretty much anything I asked. From why the sky's blue to who was Hitler. He always gave me a well considered answer that usually raised more questions than they answered. I suppose this planted the seeds of intellectual curiosity in the reluctant soil of my mind. It was mid winter and school life had smoothed out since the Smokey incident. We were driving arond an "S" curve when my dad and the school bus hit. My dad swerved , but there wasn't room enough for these twp large vehicles to pass one another. My dad drove a big lincoln continental as did his father and his brother. I remember Abbey road playing on 8 track. The song was "Here Comes the Sun" what it should have said was watch out here comes the school bus doo da doo doo! So here I am uninjured in a crunched metal rectangle with the Beatles playing. My dad turns off the music and gets out. Him and the bus driver meet and circle each other like gun fighters waiting for the other to draw. I'm not sure who drew first, but words started flying like bullets. My dad is one of the bravest men I know, but he isn't a street fighter, this guy was. I get out and yell" Dad! Come here!" He turns and says " Jody wait I'll be right there." I repeat " Please dad, now somethings wrong!" Both him and the school bus driver come over he sees me and " Oh Jesus! its Shultz. Why am I not surprised?" The kids stick there head out the window and start the yelling " Hey look it's piss boy Shultz! Ha Ha !Hey Jody, you got your diaper on? ha ha!" My dad sees that it's not just his car that's getting damaged and says " Look I don't see any sense in placing blame, when the weather and these roads are sufficient cause to cause anyone to have an accident. Why don't we report it as a no fault incident. That way you won't have any blemishes on your driving record and my insurance won't skyrocket through the roof. I'll talk to the school and we can both tell the same story. It could be a win win as much as anything of this nature can be. If that sounds amenable to you." They both stand there the kids keep shouting" Hey old man Shultz.." The driver whips around and runs to the bus door and screams" One more word out of any of you and that's it you're off my bus." Regaining his composure he comes back to my dad saying" You know Mr. Shultz.." My dad stops him, reaches out his hand with his other on his chest and says" Julius, you can call me Julius. He responds smiling shyly" Oh? Danny is my name, I'm sorry we have to meet like this. These roads are dangerous. Look let me radio to a friend of mine so he can get a tow truck out here to help you." My dad can be so charming when he wants to "Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth" That's what my mother always says. My dad chuckles which is contagious and says " You know Danny I hadn't even thought that far ahead thank you very much. I guess I 'm a bit stranded out here with my son." Danny says " If you want I'll take Jody to school and nobody will say one bad word to him I promise." My dad responds " Would you mind telling Jody that, he's very scared of you." Laughing Danny say " Me? I'm just a big grouchy Teddy Bear that's what my wife says. Sure I'll talk to him hold on." Danny my dads new found friend radios his brother who owns a gas station and gets my dad a free tow. He walks over to me and taps on the window . I have the Beatles blasting to keep me entertained. I turn and lower the electric window and then the radio. I look up at him as innocent as a new born lamb. He says " Jody, look your dad and I talked if you want you can ride the school bus from now on and I promise you one will pick on you. If you promise me to sit right behind me so I can watch out for you. Anyway you can think about it on the way." He reaches for my books and I open the door, get out and take them back. Walking to the bus I turn around and run to my dad to hug him and say "You know dad , you were awesome back there. You will never know just how much this helped me at school. I love you" He pats me on my arm and says " That's nice, now go along to school." I turn and start to run and slip on the ice scuffing my knee. I get up and limp to the bus without even one heckle from the peanut gallery. Danny and my dad talk for a while more and write a bunch of stuff down. Meanwhile the kid next to me says " I'm Peter, I just moved here. You guys crashed right in front of my house . It was so cool." I smile and say " Hey Peter, I'm Jody glad to meet you." We talk all the way to school and he becomes my first friend in school. I didn't have another fight on the bus for at least a year. I did get kicked off again for lighting firecrackers and throwing them out the window until one bounced back in. That's a story for another time. Speaking of time it's late and my daughter has to get up early for school tomorrow. Thanks for all the support. Goodnight. Jody

Sisyphus Prometheus,Icarus, and Don't Forget Panodora

I apologise if this cartoon offends anyone. It simply struck me ironically modern.

Today we turn to a different type of tale. It involves the hubris of youth and the realization that the abyss also looks into us. Most of those who are reading this know of my battle with drugs and alcohol. It's nothing new, exciting or even different from the millions that have gone before me. As someone who reads this blog likes to say "I'm just a garden variety drunk" Just the usual war stories of people like me who were lucky enough to ask for help before they died. Without going into excessive detail, I would like to share a few of the lessons that have helped to set me free. Plus a few of the clues that I discovered after the fact, that could be of some use to those interested. First and foremost I attribute my recovery to AA and NA. What lead me to these programs was a treatment center in West Palm Beach called The Hanley=Hazeldon Center. Long story short, I did what I was told and got better. It doesn't seem like much at first. I invite you to take a look into your own life and see the times you did things, especially when new better. This is where our story is going. The names in the title are metaphors of those who played and paid the ultimate price for thinking the rules of life didn't apply to them. So with that in mind let's begin our journey. A little back ground for those of you not brushed up on Greek mythology:"Prometheus was an ancient Greek Titan. The Prometheus myth first appeared in the Greek epic poet Hesiod's . He was a son of the one of the Oceanids. Hesiod introduces Prometheus as a lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence. At a meal marking the "settling of accounts" between mortals and immortals, Prometheus plays a trick against Zeus . He places two sacrificial offerings before the Olympian: a selection of ox meat hidden inside an ox's stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the ox's bones wrapped completely in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing exterior). Zeus chooses the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices; henceforth, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped in fat as an offering to the gods. This angers Zeus, who hides fire from humans in retribution. Prometheus, however, steals fire from Zeus and gives it back to humans for their use. This further enrages Zeus, who sends mortal man the first woman, presumably Pandora : "From her is the race of women and female kind: of her is the deadly race and tribe of women who live amongst mortal men to their great trouble, no helpmeets in hateful poverty, but only in wealth." Prometheus, meanwhile, is chained to a rock where his regenerating liver is eaten daily by a vulture. ^[2]Heracles would shoot the vulture and free Prometheus from his chains."This was taken from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus
Next in line is the tale of Icarus and his escape.

Escape from Crete

Icarus' father, Daedalus who was a talented artist attempted to escape from his exile in Crete, where he and his son were imprisoned at the hands of King Minos, the king for whom he had built the Labyrinth. Daedalus, the master craftsman, was exiled because it was he who built the faux cow for the queen to climb into such that she could copulate with the bull. The result of this coupling was the Minotaur, who grew to become violent and dangerous and thus had to be imprisoned in the Labyrinth.

Daedalus fashioned a pair of wax wings for himself and his son. Before they took off from the island, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, nor too close to the sea. Overcome by the sublime feeling that flying gave him, Icarus soared through the sky joyfully, but in the process he came too close to the sun, which melted his wings. Icarus kept flapping his wings but soon realized that he had no feathers left and that he was only flapping his bare arms. And so, Icarus fell into the sea in the area which bears his name, the Icarian Sea near Icaria, an island southwest of Samos.^{[1] This also was taken from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus_(mythology)}

Next in line is:

"Sisyphean task" or "Sisyphean challenge"

As a punishment from the gods for his trickery, Sisyphus was compelled to roll a huge rock up a steep hill, but before he could reach the top of the hill, the rock would always roll back down again, forcing him to begin again.^[2] The maddening nature of the punishment was reserved for Sisyphus due to his hubristic belief that his cleverness surpassed that of Zeus. Sisyphus took the bold step of reporting one of Zeus's sexual conquests, telling the river god Asopus of the whereabouts of his daughter Aegina. Zeus had taken her away, but regardless of the impropriety of Zeus's frequent conquests, Sisyphus overstepped his bounds by considering himself a peer of the gods who could rightfully report their indiscretions. As a result, Zeus displayed his own cleverness by binding Sisyphus to an eternity of frustration. Accordingly, pointless or interminable activities are often described as Sisyphean.

Taken from wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus

Last in our line of mutual sufferers is: Pandora "giver of all, all-endowed"she was the first woman. Each god helped create her by giving her unique gifts. Zeus ordered Hephaestus to mould her out of Earth as part of the punishment of mankind for Prometheus' theft of the secret of fire, and all the gods joined in offering this "beautiful evil" seductive gifts-According to the myth, Pandora opened a jar (pithos) in modern accounts referred to as "Pandora's box", releasing all the evils of mankind— greed, vanity, slander, envy, pining— leaving only hope inside once she had closed it again. Taken from wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora

All of this is not intended as a history lesson, but rather as a point of reference to just how ancient the human dilemma is. It astounds me that this awareness has existed for so long yet so easily ignored. I suppose that's why it's called hubris(excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.) The reason I have brought these tragic characters together is that after surviving almost fatal addiction, there are times when it crosses my mind to use again. Knowing this to be normal, I have the tools today to survive thoughts like these. A friend of mine who also happens to read this blog used the following quote until it finally sunk in. A shout out to Todd thanks. I hope this is right. The quote is: "Good decision making is often the result of experience. Experience usually the result of making bad decisions." I don't know who said it, but it rings true in that new part of my mind that can hear and recognize it. This will not be in any order . Just times in my life that I now feel apply to these concepts. Right off the bat, I will use the story my daughter loves to hear and laughs at any time she hears or thinks of it. This is the infamous tale of " Smokey and the Bus" It all began when I was about 7. I would be at the end of our driveway waiting for the school bus with unc. We had 2 Weimaraners named Samantha and Amanda. I saw a Wemaraner trotting up the street to where we were. I thought it was one of our dogs. Unc pointed out that it was a male and that "Smokey" was trouble. He also said " Boy don't you let that dog get near you. I said "Ah, unc he's not going to bite me so don't worry. I just want to pet him. He likes me." Unc shaking his head says " Are you going to have to learn everything the hard way? Stay away from him or he'll pee on you. " I laugh " Pee on me? Why would he do that I just want to pet him." Unc throws up hs palm in disgust saying " You're getting on that bus if he pees on you or not. You hear me?" Patting my thighs with my hands I call him " Here Smokey, here boy, come on that's a good boy." Smokey comes trotting up to me and I turn to unc saying "See he won't pee on me he knows me." No sooner did those fateful words leave my lips did our friend Smokey lift his leg and piss all over my new pants. Still talking to unc about how wrong he was I start to feel the warmth on my leg. Looking down I am soaking wet full of Smoking Steaming Weimaraner piss. I yell and run, Smokey trots off and then I hears the groan of the Bluebird school bus downshifting and starting up the hill to where I am. I turn to unc on the verge of tears and pleading " Oh unc, I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you, I 'll be right back I got to change." Unc snaps his fingers to get my attention and looks at me . I start to cry wailing "Unc, Unc Please they'll make fun of me and I will be called piss boy for the rest of the year. Is that what you want?" Unc doesn't say a word he just points to me and then to the bus and finally to the ground by his shoe. Which I know means "You. On bus. Now or else." The bus rolls up I am wiping tears from my eyes and get on the bus. It doesn't even take 2 mnutes till someone starts yelling " Check out Shultz he pissed his pants. Oh my god it smells! Eww! Shultz pissed his pants Ha Ha!! Nya NYa na NYa nya. This chant contines to the next stop where the bus driver gets up and walks back to me and asks very nice and concerned like "Jody are you alright?" I snap and jump up pointing at my pants saying " Ohhh! I don't Mr. Numb Nuts bus driver. What do you think? I got dog piss all over me and I going to be the fricking school idiot for god knows how long. So just how do you think I'm doing Putz!" He starts turning red and spittle starts coming from his lips as he stutters "Yyyou lllittle SSShit, ttthats it get the fuck off my bus right now you hear." Suddenly realizing I just crossed over from trouble into the deep shit department and it's only 7am. Wow a new record." I push my way past everyone and grab and pull the door opener. In one jump I leap down and start walking. The bus driver runs after me and says "Get back on the bus, I 'll radio the school to call your parents. They can meet you at the principles office. If it was up to me you'd be expelled ." I smile and say "Well I wonder why that is? You'd think they'd give you a little more control over your destiny Bucko." Blocking my way forward he hides a grin and says " Look if your good the rest of the ride. I'll forget it happened. " I turn and mumble to myself " Don't do me any favors." Hearing me he says " Oh believe me I'm not, your class mates will do the rest for me. Shaking my head I say "You ever have any days like this?" He says " Just get on the bus wiseass." I get to school and now everyone is telling everyone about what happened. I turn to the bus driver and say "Shall we go visit your boss and mine?" "Lead the way" he says. It went pretty much as expected, except they couldn't reach my parents on the phone because it was busy. Unc, I bet putting the cherry on the cake of my day. I did become piss boy. I was kicked off the bus for 2 weeks. I was grounded with no T.V. for a month. What I didn't do was pet strange dogs anymore. What I did have was uncs' compassion. A very rare comodity. I did have a story to tell my children and now you. Thanks Goodnight. Jody

All That Jazz, Good Taste and Serendipity!

This is part 2 in a series that took place in a different New York at a different time. Since I am taking liberties with the time line the bulk of the story is between 1967-1977. I will let you the reader decide what took place and when. There will be plenty of clues along the way. I hope you enjoy thiis journey as much as I did. We left off with me running through the museum of Modern Art looking for unc so we could look at a little art and tell him about Bart. I found him outside in the garden area smoking his cigar and people watching. He could sit for hours watching people. This was his hobby I guess. What it did do was make him a pretty good judge of people and their potential behavior. After finding him and filling him in, I had to get him up and moving. This was no easy task I can tell you. The trick to get unc moving was to ask first and then give the impression you had all day to wait. So I sat down next to him and told him a little about my encounter with the guard and his offer of a free tour. Knowing full well if I had any chance of getting him to go I would have to sweeten the deal quite a bit. As we sat there I racked my brain, all the while being careful not to tip my hand . Having had a bit of success previously I went with the strongest bait first. It went something like this: " Unc I heard this guy talking about Clint Eastwood being here earlier ." No response so I waited a few minutes and asked " Do you think he's here to set up a directors viewing?" Unc turns his head blows out a lungful of smoke away from me, then turns to me and says " Boy don't you start up with no foolishness Clnt Eastwood and his movies. Why would he want to come to a place like this , when he lives in Hollywood.Just how dumb do you think I am?" Here he laughs to himself and shakes his head saying "Jody, what gave you the idea that he was here? That guard? I bet he was just pulling your leg." The hook nearly set I give him just a bit more line by saying nothing. I hang my head and start mumbling something he can't hear to myself. Unc gives me a little tap with his elbow and says " Well I'll be, you're actually upset he had a little fun with you?" I look up at him and say " It's not that. It's just I told him I was going to bring you and he said 'o.k.' we would get a free tour. I would love to see his face if we did show up. People don't get much past you." Taking a deep draw on his cigar, he puts it out by scraping it back and forth the gray slate floor tiles. Standing up brushing his pants he starts to walk to the entrance. I stay sitting with my elbows on my knees and chin on my hands. He looks back and jerks his head while puckering his lips towards the door. I know what that means. We're going. I jump up and run to get the door for him saying " Follow me unc, I know the way." Starting to skip along unc says "Take your time boy, I ain't in no mood to be running after you.You hear me?" I smile and say "Got it, no mood, got it, take my time ." At this he snickers, by now I know pretty much what makes him laugh. So it's off we go ever so slowly. Unc walks slower than anyone I ever met. It has taken me years of practicing to keep up without making myself nuts. The trick is a slow shuffle step that extends but comes back before you actually step. It's hard to explain, but if you want a challenge try to walk looking normal and barely moving forward. Along the way unc stops to look at some of the art. Rubbing his gray beard he nods his head making a hmmpff sound. I ask " Unc whatcha lookin' at?" Unc smiles and says " I know that painting. A copy of it is at an old jazz club I used to go to. I always thought it was like how jazz should looks like." Knowing unc can't read I go to check out the title and artist. Shocked I say " Unc, you like this? Do you know who did this? The greatest artist of all time. Pablo Picasso! The name of it is 3 musicians" Unc smiles , but says nothing. I continue " This is great you pick out what you like and I'll tell Mama that's what we saw. She'll be impressed cause you got good taste!" Raising his index finger he says seriously "Boy don't you lie to your mama. As for all that taste stuff you saying, don't be telling nobody nothing . All I said was I'd seen that in a jazz club." Pretty sure I was on to something I said " O.k. pick another one you like and let's see if my idea works." Unc shakes his head saying "Ahhh, That one in the far corner. Now let's get move on if you want that tour. He ain't gonna wait all day" I run over and check. Smiling swing my arm out and say " I told you it's Picasso again. It's called Ma Jolie, and it has to do with music." Unc concentrates and rubs his chin slyly saying "Umm, I see it now, that's pretty clever. Maybe I do have a little something something." Now beginning to feel left out I say "Where? What do you see show it to me." Unc walks me over slowly with his hand on my back and like Merlin moves his other hand explaining that it's done in cubes and layers of cube. If you look at it like papers on a desk all shuffled around you can catch glmpses of what's really under there. She's playing the guitar or something similar."I read what was written about it underneath and this is what it said: "Ma Jolie", Paris, winter 1911-1912
Oil on canvas, 39 3/8 x 25 3/4" (100 x 64.5 cm)
Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973)

"Ma Jolie!" (My pretty girl), the refrain of a popular French song, was Picasso's pet name for his lover Marcelle Humbert ("Eva"). These easily legible words, inscribed with a treble clef at the bottom of the canvas, form a stark contrast to the nearly indecipherable image of Eva playing a string instrument.

"A triangular form in the lower center is strung like a guitar; below the strings can be seen four fingers; an elbow juts to the right; and in the upper half, what may be a floating smile is barely discernable amid the network of flat, semitransparent planes. So although the figure appears to disappear into an abstract network of flat, straightedged semitransparent planes, together these elements suggest a woman holding a musical instrument. Thus it manages to be both a representative piece of high Analytic Cubism, while at the same time representing a very traditional theme." I didn't understand it then. My mother said later that unc had a very discerning eye whatever that means. Maybe it's like x-ray vision or something. This launched a love affair with art and museums for unc and I. So back to the story. I took unc up to see Bart and he was glad to meet him. They talked for quite a while until I got bored. I go up on my toes waving and hopping and say in a loud whisper "Hey! Remember me? What say you get that tour a moving along like liitle doggies . Woof Woof!" Bart laughs and says " Sure thing hot shot here we go." He took us all around the museum explaining things in way more detail than I thought necessary. Jeez! What is it with these grownups? Am I going to growup and start wanting to know every little thing about every little thing, I hope not. This turned out to be a great day. I turn and ask Bart "So what's the deal with Clint Eastwood being here?" Uncs ears perk up and Bart says " It just so happens that he's giving a film appreciation class. Show-casing all his films while he narrates and gives a little talk. Would you guys be interested in seeing that tomorrow?" Unc steps forward and grabs Barts hand in both of his and says " Bart if that's true and we can go you've made an old man and a little boy happier than you could ever imagine." Bart smiles and says "They are selling tickets tonight and I happen to have 2 right here. I'm not gong to be able to go . My girlfriend is moving and I promised to help her. So take them and enjoy." I push my way between unc and Bart and say " Bart take it from me there will be more girl friends , but Clint, I mean really, please.." At this point unc bends down and scoops me up saying " Bart, don't you pay this boy no mind. He's just learned to talk, but hasn't learned to stop yet. Now listen I don't want no argument about this.." As he's saying this he's reaching in his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. Putting me down he says" Jody if you want to go, you keep quiet for the next 5minutes or you're staying home .You feeling me? " I nod and shut my mouth with my hand over it so it doesn't pop open. It's been known to do that on occasion, even today if you cn believe that. Unc walks over to the corner with his arm around Bart laughing and joking and hands him what I think l was $200. Bart started to raise his hand and unc said something and Bart just nods and says thanks. If I were to guess what went on it would be like this:" " Woowee that boy can talk a blue streak! I hope he didn't bother you too much. He can be a real handful, but basically he's got a good heart. Look I really would love to take these tickets, but I won't unless you let me pay you for them. " Well that's at least what I think happened. We said our goodbyes. Well rather unc and Bart said goodbye I just waved. The rest went smoothly. We sat through 12 hours of Clint Eastwood movies with him talking about each one in between. I fell asleep and unc carried me back to the Salisbury and we orderd room service. ?? That's right Salisbury steak, I just couldn't resist. Thanks for reading. Jody

Andy, Clint and You Call That Art

This story will be a compilation of various visits and experiences that took place. at and around The Museum of Modern Art(MOMA) http://www.moma.org/ The time line has been adjusted to facilitate the story. So let's begin. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is by far the most stimulating in my opinion. I was 8 years old when I started visiting this museum. I would go with my parents and unc. What we would do is go in to the city on a Friday night an stay until Sunday night. This was before we bought the apartment in the village. So the drill as I remember it goes something like this: My mother and unc pick me up at school and we drive to the train station in Mt. Kisco. My dad would meet us at the Mount Vernon stop and ride into Grand Central Station with us. I always love this place because it has constellations on the domed ceiling like the planetarium. Then it's a taxi to the Salisbury Hotel. I go with my dad to help check in my home away from home. I am feeling very grownup as we enter the elevator and the operator asks if I want to help run the elevator. I say " Oh please, please may I? Look I even said may when I could have said can. Oh please?" The operator smiles as my family says yes. He says " The first thing you need to do is make sure everyone is inside and ready. Then you close the gate. Now comes the fun part. Slowly pull the lever up without making the elevator jump. Watch the floors go by and slow down one floor before the one you stop at. Think you can handle that young man?" Snapping to attention I say "Aye aye captain all passengers aboard and ready for lift off. Hold on a moment while I close the extendo-gate, watch your toes and fingers here we go." I rotate the handle just a little and the elevator jumps. Scaring myself I scream" Yikes! Oh boy! " hold up my hand and say "I 'm alright. Sorry about that, it's my first time. Hold on we're going to the 7th floor." The ride goes smoothly as I concentrate on keeping the speed even and watch the floors go by. As we arrive at the 7th floor I throw the crank forward and the elevator jerks to a bouncy stop. The operator asks if I want any help lining up the floor. I say " Just tell me what to do and I' ll handle it captain. If that's o.k. with you sir? "He smiles and nods his head. I slowly line up the floor with the edge of the elevator and stop. I say " Ladies and gentleman let me introduce you to the 7th floor One of my favorites. Please be careful when you exit. Watch your step please" I open the gate and swing my arm as I bow and present the hallway. " Please enjoy your stay with us and just ring us if you need another ride." I look to Ivan the operator and say " Well where to next captain?" He pats me on my head and says " You did great for your first time, but I'll get in trouble if I let a non-union man operate the lift. You understand don't you? "Feeling a little disappointed I nod my head, slowly salute him and say " Aye captain the good of the lift must come first, besides I don't want to have to go down with the lift. " He winks at me and says "Tell you what, whenever it's just you and me, you can navigate." I say " Great. what's navigacallit mean?" He laughs and very cooly says " Drive my man drive!" With this he closes the gate and zooms off. I look around for my parents and unc and they're all the way down at the end of the hall. I sprint down the hallway and go running inside to do a front flip on the bed. As I'm bouncing unc walks in gives me a look and I stop. I say " I'm starving let's go get something to eat at the Nutty Chuck guy. Everyone looks at me with a qustion on there face. I say throwing my arms open and leaning forward "You know, the place next door Chucky Nuts. They got pie and stuff." My mom and dad say they're off to the museum. I say " I'm going to stay with unc here and watch t.v." My mother says " Nice try buster. Now you get ready for the mseum or it's no Cattleman tonight." I look to unc , my eyes wide. He arches his eyebrows, pulls his lips in and nods. I say Oh! alright I'll go to the stupid, dumb, boring museum with you. Mama" I grin and continue, "I mean MOMA, make unc look at the silly stuff too." So we go to the museum and we all split up. For me it's like being on a secret mission. My favorite game was quiz the guards. I would go into a hall with art in it and look around as if I was really interested. Then I would ask the guard which one he liked the best. He said " Well as long as your asking I am kind of partial to Andy Warhol. Who do you like?" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol

I say " I don't like any of these bums, I mean just look at that. I mean if he was a baseball player he wouldn't even make the line up with that garbage. You know what I mean?" I'm pointing to a Warhol piece "It's a freaking soup can for gods sake. You call that art? I don't! I call that copying man." The guard smiles and asks "Would you do me a favor please? I tap my chest and say " Sure shoot boss what do you need?" He says very quietly " I need you to lower your voice a little. O.k.?" I whisper "Sorry, for some reason I get real loud when I get excited. I go to speech class you know and they say the same thing. I guess it's a vocalmacallit or something like that. Just tap me if I start again." The guard asks " What's your name?" I say softly " Jody Shultz, remember that name you'll be hearing it real soon. I plan on being famous. I don't exactly know at what, but it'll be something. You wait and see." He says " Well Jody my name is Bartholemew . You may call me Bart if you like. I say "Jeez! That's freaky man. Check this out!" He gently taps me because I am getting loud again. I say "Oops! sorry 'bout that.Anyway, that's one of the words I can't pronounce in speech class. That and the thingamajig that measures temperature." He says " You mean thermometer" I twist my mouth and roll my eyes saying "Yea, that one." He extend his hand and I shake it. He says "Nice to meet you, soon to be famous, Jody." I tilt my head and squint my eyes in my best Clint Eastwood imitation to check if he's making fun of me. He says "He was just here you know. " Relaxing I say " Who?" He says "Clint Eastwood, that's who you were doing, right?" I clap my hands and jump. When I land I make like pulling a slot machine and say in my loudest whisper " You know, you're cool Bart. You're the first guy who gets it, besides unc that is." He squints his eyes and says"I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I've kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum - the most powerful hand gun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question--Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk!"
Clint Eastwood
Dirty Harry
I'm jumping and can't stop. His impersonation was awesome. I tell him in a Clint voice ' You know, Bart, I think we met for a reason. Don't zackly know why that is but.." and I start to giggle. He holding his hand over his mouth laughing. He looks at me and says "Sorry, I have to move around or I'll get in trouble. Tell you what , why don't you check out the museum and come back in say like an hour. I'll give you a little tour. How's that sound? "I say "A o.k. with me. Can I bring unc?" Bart looks serious for a moment and asks me " He a Clint Eastwood fan?" I smile saying "In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig." "Clint Eastwood The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
"Who do you think taught me all this?" He says "I'd love to have him. See you in a little bit." well padners, I guess I'm going to have to finish tomorrow. Look for part 2 or be ready to draw. BANG! Thanks, Jody

Miracle on 59th St., Does this guy have a twin?

Part10 will tell the tale Sir Ricky's transformation from a frog into Prince Charming and the adventure of him marrying the princess. So Ammba spent the night at Ricky's house, while I waited to see if the alterations on my suit were ready. Ricky picks me up and drives us to the wedding. As we pull into the parking garage the attendant waves him off. Ricky rolls down his window and it goes a little something like this: Ricky says " Hey, Whats the problem?" The attendant responds with "Sorry my man, we full up don't know what to tell you." I see what's about to come and try to calm Ricky down. Now bear in mind Ricky drove extra fast so as not to be late. The 2 photos above kept repeating in my mind. His response to my pleading was "Hey Nancy boy, suck it up. It's my wedding day and I won't be late. Dead is an excuse , but late? Not even close Hoss!" I'm not sure if my silence was brought about by a state of catatonic fear or just plain good judgment. I shut up until we arrived at the garage. Now when I wanted to speak not much came out only sounds like 'Uh Uh Ricky We can uh uh.." Needless to say he ignored me and who can blame him since I really wasn't saying all that much. So the smile breaks and the show begins: "Listen up Spanky! I know you're just doing your job, but It's my wedding day brother! Can't you see your way to cutting the groom just a little slack? This is the least of my worries. I have over 100 guests waiting for me." Ricky gets out of the car and the guy says "I would if I could dude, but we really don't have any space." Ricky shrugs rolls his eyes and leans in to me and says 'Yo! Let's go! Grab the box out of he back and lets roll." I spread my hands and say' "What about the car, if you want I can go look for a parking spot and you go in." Ricky chuckles saying "Watch this it should be somewhat amusing." Ricky takes the keys with his right hand and reaches in left pocket. He pulls out a roll of money and peals off a $100 bill. Whistles to get the attendants attention: "Hey dipstick, tell you what I'm going to do. Since it's my wedding day and you seem like a decent guy. How's about you hold on to this half." At this point he rips it in half and shows it to the guy. "and do what you want with the car, I really don't give a shit. If it's here when I return I 'll give you this. If not we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Personally, I'm betting on you, my man, to do the right thing." Ricky walks very calmly away leaving both the keys and the ripped bill on the roof of the car. I hopped out got the package and ran to catch up. looking back I see the parking attendant holding the keys and ripped bill with one hand and scratching his head in confusion with the other. It seemed like he still wasn't sure what just happened. As for the wedding it went like clock work. To this day I have never seen Ricky be so suave, stylish and gallant as that day. Every person he talked to was charmed and he always said just the right thing. At one point I was even trying to remember somethings he did and said to use for the future myself. The food was good as was the music. The thing that finally blew me out of the water was when he danced like Fred Astaire for the first dance. It was like he was everywhere at just the right time doing just the right thing. It was at this moment I realized that there is more than just one Ricky. No wonder Dierdra fell in love with this guy. It was like seeing Sir Galahad from New York slay the social dragon of etiquette and sweep the princess off her feet to marry him. He came to my table and asked if I was all right. I was in greater shock than I was on the ride over. It went something like this: He gently placed his arm on my shoulder and greeted everyone at the table " I just wanted to thank you personally for coming today. I know the weather didn't make it easy. It really means a lot to us that you braved the elements to come and celebrate our special day. Was the food to your liking? It's hard to get a reading off of Jodys' plate I blinked and it disappeared." Everyone laughed including me. "I also would like to express how much help Ammba was. She kept all the other flower girls from getting bored. It's truly an honor to be her godfather. Well enjoy your evening I have a few more table to visit before we cut the cake. Oh and Julius please keep you son from trying to catch the bouquet this time. I think just a tad more time between marriages might just do him some good. " My father seldom laughs, but at this he was bent over in an uncontrolled guffaw of rolling laughter. His arm still on my shoulder he asks the table" Would anyone mind if I borrowed this handsome gentleman for a minute." Getting up and walking to the bathroom we pleasantly chatted about how lovely and smooth everything was going. I chose this moment to break down and ask "O.k. Just who the hell are you and what have you done with Ricky?" While drying his hands he checks the mirror and adjusts his tie smiling. "Enjoy it while you can my good man, because at midmight I turn back into Cindericky the Sinister cynic. Oh! By the way I need someone to start passing out the tips so here." He then hand me a roll of fifties, hundreds and twenties." See who is doing a good job and reward them accordingly. You think you can handle that while I continue to juggle the other 2 rings of this circus." Nodding my head I wash my hands and return to my table watching to see who was on the ball and who wasn't. Ammba comes rushing over to hug her grandfather and tell the adventures of her night at Rickys'. The rest of night went smoothly and Ricky asked if I could give him a hand to put a few presents in the car. I say "Absolutely I'm on it." Stopping I look back to Ricky holding the half a hundred in his hand , then he says. "Go ask our fortunate young car attendant if he wants another of these to drive the car up here and give you a hand packing it up. When thats done take a fifty and get my goddaughter home safely." We hug, exchange goodbyes and go about our final tasks. Just before I am ready to leave Ricky pops out from thin air and says "Hey Zombie boy! You look good , a little stiff, but good. Love you brother. " Ammba and I took an uneventful cab ride home sharing how great Ricky did "Papi, I hope the guy I marry is as nice as Ricky. Do you think he will be? Huh Papi?" I grab her hug and tickle her and say " Little one if he isn't, he will be when Ricky gets done with him." we both laugh and go up stairs to bed. Well, not exactly to bed, we watched some T.V. until Ammba dropped off. Just like I am gong to do now. Thanks for reading my blog and all the comments. You guys are great. Jody

Part 9 Tom and Family

We left off arriving at the apartment in N.Y. After settling in and unpacking we bundled up and headed out for a slice of Rays and a few things from Food Emporium and Jefferson's Market. Neither of us make it very long until we fall asleep. Upon awakening the next morning we began our day with checking to see what we would need for the wedding. Ammba was asked to be a flower girl so her dress was at Rickys' house. She did need shoes and I needed an entire new suit. We got ready to go out when the phone rang. It was Meagen our neighbor wondering who was staying in the apartment, since she knew we were in Cozumel until summer. I asked if we could stop over and she said " What do you think?" I thought yes and said as much. So we had a quick bowl of cereal and headed across the street to see our favorite New York family. There's Tom the father and Mayor of the block. Then there are his kids T.J. his son who is a comic book fanatic and very fun to be around. Then there are the 2 sisters Tara and Meagen who are teenagers and all that that entails. So we ring the buzzer and they let us in and the hugging and greeting commence. Tom is a person who is very easy to talk to. He's down to earth which immediately puts people at ease. He is always there with a helping hand and a large dose of hospitality. Ammba is smothered with love and affection as the girls fight over her. Us boys catch up on what's important: sports, movies and scuba diving. I explain that I need to get a suit and am guided to Burlington Coat Factory. We split up, Ammba goes with the girls to buy shoes, while Tom and I go pick out a suit. There are not many people I trust to take care of Ammba. Tom and his family have added a dimension to our lives that is timeless. Regardless of how long we haven't kept in touch we all just pick up again as if we haven't missed a beat. Tom not only offered me the hand of friendship when I needed it most, he kept watch out for me. He never missed an opportunity to let me know there was nothing I couldn't tell him. The intensity and sincerity in his eyes planted a seed that today is a forest of trust and understanding. As it is with many things I can only repay his kindness by passing it on to others. For you see as I write this Tom is no longer with us. Yet I can hear his voice, feel his presence and see the gifts he left this world, both in his children and those who knew him. There is a group of us on 10th st. who have reaped the benefits of his friendship and will never forget him. Speaking for myself I will not waste the efforts he put forth to help me and my family. My purpose in writing this is to honor that part of Tom , which he so generously left in me. From the local merchants to the tenants that inhabit our neighborhood ,Tom acted as a landmark that will be both remembered and missed. This is not a story of his passing, but rather one which is richly remembered and lives on as it is told. So we walked and talked of things which navigate the direction of our lives. Tom is a new grandfather and is stepping up to the plate most admirably. I am entering into a new relationship of a different kind. We swap stories, laugh and drink coffee. We end up in Barnes and Nobles looking for a book on electrical systems in boats. I always knew he loved the water, but this was a surprise. It turns out that he just bought a boat and is refitting it for diving. Tom is one the few brave souls who dives the north Atlantic wreck circuit. Having done it , I can assure it's not for everyone. After moving to Cozumel and experiencing the warm Caribbean waters I shy away from this type of diving. Tom is forging ahead full throttle. We slowly walk home to find Ammba and her new shoes making dinner at Toms house. It's homemade pasta and salad. We hunker down to watch T.V. and enjoy our meal. My suit will be ready tomorrow, and today has been a total success. Tomorrow is Ricky's wedding. Goodnight and thanks for reading. Jody