I don't know whether you believe in fortune-telling, but some people do.
I once asked my Mamaw if she thought people could see the future. She said, yes, I think some can. She had known something bad was going to happen before Papaw had a heart attack. And she had certain feelings before good things happened too.
"Do you know what's going to happen next?"
She said she felt like a difficult time was coming, but it wouldn't be too bad.
"Like what?"
Like something might happen to someone.
Maybe she was intentionally vauge, I'll never know. But Mamaw did die that summer in 1996.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February 27, 2010
The year after we won states, T-Money won the putt-putt state championship and shattered the old record by 9 strokes. He tried to play it off like it was no big deal, but we all knew it meant a hell of a lot to him.See, Tommy was always a real quiet guy. Kept to himself, mostly. That is, unless he was working the Coin Store he owned down on Jefferson Street. Or out at the track watching us race. There, he got pretty fired up, and then some people thought he had too much to say.
Around town we'd see him driving 10-and-2 in his red Mustang. Or we'd run by his house and talk about how he'd inherited everything he had from his parents, who he lived with up until they died.
Now, I'm pretty sure he lives alone, and he may always. Sometimes you wonder what's below the surface, but I don't know that it makes much difference.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February 26, 2010
Some kids are just misunderstood. Kevin Swanson was one of them. He used to eat mustard-only sandwiches, because mustard was his favorite food.
Damn was he mean. When other kids gave him shit, he would attack where he could hurt them worst: the gonads. He'd even go for them with his teeth if he could. Disturbing, but he made his point to his tormentors. Maybe his meanness spawned from the death of his sibling, who (if his word is true) died in infancy from a spider bite.
Swanson never did school work, but he knew plenty of grown up ideas the rest of us still don't quite get. He enjoyed a good argument and always finished a point by slurping his saliva buildup down his throat.
And so when he told Jessica VanVleet he could shoot up the school if he wanted to, I don't think he had any intention of doing it.
Damn was he mean. When other kids gave him shit, he would attack where he could hurt them worst: the gonads. He'd even go for them with his teeth if he could. Disturbing, but he made his point to his tormentors. Maybe his meanness spawned from the death of his sibling, who (if his word is true) died in infancy from a spider bite.
Swanson never did school work, but he knew plenty of grown up ideas the rest of us still don't quite get. He enjoyed a good argument and always finished a point by slurping his saliva buildup down his throat.
And so when he told Jessica VanVleet he could shoot up the school if he wanted to, I don't think he had any intention of doing it.
February 25, 2010
This is about an All-American family...
One of the assistant principals at Franklin High School used to be Jeff Mercer. Maybe he's still there. Mr. Mercer coached varsity baseball in the days when we were cultivating a ball field that was nationally recognized as tops for a high school facility.
At home, Mr. Mercer and his wife had four sons to look after. And as far as I can tell you, they did a great job. The oldest sons were Jeff Jr. and Daniel. These guys were my age, and we were all cool but not great buds. I was jealous to learn their dad introduced them to big league manager Dusty Baker, and he taught them the fundamentals of hitting. I recall Jeff and Dan's near-perfect swings and how they ate, slept, and breathed baseball.
Jeff pitched too, and no one wanted to face him. He threw hard. He was scary. And no matter how good he got, people always said Daniel will be better. One day I asked Jeff if he really thought Dan was going to be better than him. "Oh yeah" he said. (Wow, shit...)
A short time after Jeff signed his letter of intent to play Division 1 baseball, we all found out that Daniel had brain cancer. It was a kick straight to the gut for anyone who knew the Mercers, and for them, it was pure hell.
Daniel would have gone on to play professionally, but he died during his senior year of high school. His older brother Jeff never gave up on him. Never stopped working hard in Daniel's honor. His senior year, Jeff was named Conference MVP...
All I know is life hurts, but all is not lost when we work hard and keep playing.
One of the assistant principals at Franklin High School used to be Jeff Mercer. Maybe he's still there. Mr. Mercer coached varsity baseball in the days when we were cultivating a ball field that was nationally recognized as tops for a high school facility.
At home, Mr. Mercer and his wife had four sons to look after. And as far as I can tell you, they did a great job. The oldest sons were Jeff Jr. and Daniel. These guys were my age, and we were all cool but not great buds. I was jealous to learn their dad introduced them to big league manager Dusty Baker, and he taught them the fundamentals of hitting. I recall Jeff and Dan's near-perfect swings and how they ate, slept, and breathed baseball.
Jeff pitched too, and no one wanted to face him. He threw hard. He was scary. And no matter how good he got, people always said Daniel will be better. One day I asked Jeff if he really thought Dan was going to be better than him. "Oh yeah" he said. (Wow, shit...)
A short time after Jeff signed his letter of intent to play Division 1 baseball, we all found out that Daniel had brain cancer. It was a kick straight to the gut for anyone who knew the Mercers, and for them, it was pure hell.
Daniel would have gone on to play professionally, but he died during his senior year of high school. His older brother Jeff never gave up on him. Never stopped working hard in Daniel's honor. His senior year, Jeff was named Conference MVP...
All I know is life hurts, but all is not lost when we work hard and keep playing.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, 2010
Jesus, I remember Mike Feltner. That kid was a terror. Every recess he chased the girls around and screamed like someone in the padded cell. Thing about him was, he had physical deformities, particularly in his knee and elbow joints. He told us he was born with a backwards elbow in his arm, which hung painfully and trailed behind his hobbling figure. Pathetic as he was, he did himself no favors. His breath was offensive and his adobe-colored hair was always in total disarray.
I lost track of Feltner when we moved on to middle and high school, but people say he became somewhat of a gentleman and seemed surprisingly sharp in conversation.
I lost track of Feltner when we moved on to middle and high school, but people say he became somewhat of a gentleman and seemed surprisingly sharp in conversation.
February 23, 2010
I'm told my Uncle Denny was a lot like me. For one, he threw lefty on the baseball field. And he wore glasses just like I used to. Square build, strong legs, thick, dark hair. They say he was very argumentative, but no doubt sharp. He liked to fish and he liked cards. He loved to play basketball. He loved sports.
Uncle Denny died when he was 17. He was pulling out of his parent's - my grandparent's - driveway. On his way to baseball practice. A neighbor hit him head on and he was impaled by his own steering wheel. That was almost 20 years before I was born. But I think about it a lot and how Uncle Denny's life is a part of mine.
Uncle Denny died when he was 17. He was pulling out of his parent's - my grandparent's - driveway. On his way to baseball practice. A neighbor hit him head on and he was impaled by his own steering wheel. That was almost 20 years before I was born. But I think about it a lot and how Uncle Denny's life is a part of mine.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
February 22, 2010
The saddest story I ever heard told was about a girl from Kentucky. Before anything went wrong, she was the fastest runner in state history. She won every championship, like Phelps in the pool. Senior year, she got knee problems and had to miss winter season. Then, in the spring, she came back, and without a step of training, won her final championship in the mile.
She could have gone to any college on a full ride but turned down every offer. The knee pain was too much. She let it heal and, following her heart, went to school in Hawaii. A pretty blonde, She picked up cheerleading there and enjoyed it. Life was good. Hawaii cheered in big competitions and that stoked her old track fire.
Then at one competition, she fell 15 feet from the top of the pyramid. Landed on her spine. She could feel burning in her fingers... and in her legs, nothing. Doctors said you'll never walk again. And you won't be able to have children. She stared back at them and refused to believe it. Refused to even cry. Yes I will, she said.
I never shed one tear, her story goes, until the third week in the hospital. A nurse came into the room and turned on the TV. The Olympic trials were on. America's fastest women were racing the 1500 meter. That could have been her, she should have been there. And regret burned deep long enough for the sobs to take over.
But she was strong and she did recover. And after she told us her story, she slowly, awkwardly walked over and hugged her two kids.
She could have gone to any college on a full ride but turned down every offer. The knee pain was too much. She let it heal and, following her heart, went to school in Hawaii. A pretty blonde, She picked up cheerleading there and enjoyed it. Life was good. Hawaii cheered in big competitions and that stoked her old track fire.
Then at one competition, she fell 15 feet from the top of the pyramid. Landed on her spine. She could feel burning in her fingers... and in her legs, nothing. Doctors said you'll never walk again. And you won't be able to have children. She stared back at them and refused to believe it. Refused to even cry. Yes I will, she said.
I never shed one tear, her story goes, until the third week in the hospital. A nurse came into the room and turned on the TV. The Olympic trials were on. America's fastest women were racing the 1500 meter. That could have been her, she should have been there. And regret burned deep long enough for the sobs to take over.
But she was strong and she did recover. And after she told us her story, she slowly, awkwardly walked over and hugged her two kids.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February 21, 2010
My old man called me the other night on his way home from a funeral. He went to pay respects to an old coworker who had lost a daughter. "You remember him?" "Sorry, no. Wait you played softball with him that night we came to watch?" "No... I don't think he was there that night, but he played sometimes." "Well what happened?" "She was sledding. At college with her friends. Couldn't get stopped and crashed into a wall." "Dang. What did you say to him?" "Told him I was sorry. And he said, you know, you protect them from so many dangers and after a while you just have to let them do it for themselves... I never thought this could happen."
February 20, 2010
Last time I saw my cousin Andrea I was maybe 9 years old. Not even. She and her brother Aaron were visiting from Alaska. Mamaw and Papaw took us all out to Golden Corral. While eating, Andrea practiced singing "In the Distance" for an upcoming choir show, and Aaron kept Weird Al-ing the lyrics to be about farting. She had a good voice though. She also knew a lot of magic tricks. Taught me a couple actually.
I have a photo album with pictures of Aaron and Andrea holding me when I was a baby. A couple months ago, she died in a motorcycle accident out in California. Two semi trucks and a third vehicle pummeled her and she died instantly.
I have a photo album with pictures of Aaron and Andrea holding me when I was a baby. A couple months ago, she died in a motorcycle accident out in California. Two semi trucks and a third vehicle pummeled her and she died instantly.
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 19, 2010
Remember Aaron Smith, from second grade? He had red hair and he was mostly freckles. Seemed like an alright guy, but everyone whispered about how he had 11 brothers and sisters and his family was poor. Maybe his clothes were hand-me-downs, and he might have been a little on the dirty side, but I liked how his name started with Aa.
February 18, 2010
Wow, today was a good day. Let's get specific: The Boss and I came back from down 2-0 to take Trogs and Ursula in a best of 5. So you know, Trogs and Ursula won the company-wide ping pong championship, but back then Ursula played with a hard paddle. Today she used a cushioned one.
Yo, Pitchfork Media is saying good but incomprehensible things about Surfer Blood and Local Natives. Give them a listen.
Damn, I remember my great aunt Hannah Holmes. She used to stick Q-tips in her ears and dance little jigs. We all laughed. Late in life, she suffered from Alzheimer's. She died out in Vegas in a quiet community near family.
And I remember my great uncle Jim Campbell. His nickname was Cash. That's because he was always making a deal. One day we saw him trying to sell real Georgia Peaches out of the back of his car. He took us to lunch and told us that the only way to cure diarrhea in a calf is to feed it Coca-Cola. Otherwise it might dehydrate and die. Uncle Jim's funeral was a short time after Aunt Hannah's.
Yo, Pitchfork Media is saying good but incomprehensible things about Surfer Blood and Local Natives. Give them a listen.
Damn, I remember my great aunt Hannah Holmes. She used to stick Q-tips in her ears and dance little jigs. We all laughed. Late in life, she suffered from Alzheimer's. She died out in Vegas in a quiet community near family.
And I remember my great uncle Jim Campbell. His nickname was Cash. That's because he was always making a deal. One day we saw him trying to sell real Georgia Peaches out of the back of his car. He took us to lunch and told us that the only way to cure diarrhea in a calf is to feed it Coca-Cola. Otherwise it might dehydrate and die. Uncle Jim's funeral was a short time after Aunt Hannah's.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February 17, 2010
Wow, between basketball and ping pong, today was a full day. The Boss's coffee tasted like shrimp, The New ate his own saliva for lunch, and Ed sent emails from a rocking chair. So you see, a lot was going on.
News from the homefront:
Jessica has quit softball and plans to run middle distances on the track this spring. But Jeff will only let her if she keeps her grades up. Josh, meanwhile, is practicing baseball in the old fieldhouse, and Jaclyn is unfortunately ill. And Jacob's new roommate chews tobacco, but only in the company of men. Janet started a diet with Jeff, but may be cheating with Hershey Kisses and Polar Pops. Keep it up, troops!
A story my old neighbor Rachel told me one morning on our drive to school:
Rachel's dad was driving home from work in Indianapolis the night before. He was about to make a turn off the state highway onto the county road we lived on. There was a car in front of him going a safe speed, and one coming in the opposite direction that looked a little reckless. Suddenly it swerved across the double yellow line and - SMASH - right into the car in front of Rachel's dad. He parked his car and jumped out. He rushed to the car he'd been behind, took hold of the man behind the wheel, and held him as he died... Turns out the victim was an Indiana State Representative and a drunk driver took him out. That's the spot right there, Rachel said.
News from the homefront:
Jessica has quit softball and plans to run middle distances on the track this spring. But Jeff will only let her if she keeps her grades up. Josh, meanwhile, is practicing baseball in the old fieldhouse, and Jaclyn is unfortunately ill. And Jacob's new roommate chews tobacco, but only in the company of men. Janet started a diet with Jeff, but may be cheating with Hershey Kisses and Polar Pops. Keep it up, troops!
A story my old neighbor Rachel told me one morning on our drive to school:
Rachel's dad was driving home from work in Indianapolis the night before. He was about to make a turn off the state highway onto the county road we lived on. There was a car in front of him going a safe speed, and one coming in the opposite direction that looked a little reckless. Suddenly it swerved across the double yellow line and - SMASH - right into the car in front of Rachel's dad. He parked his car and jumped out. He rushed to the car he'd been behind, took hold of the man behind the wheel, and held him as he died... Turns out the victim was an Indiana State Representative and a drunk driver took him out. That's the spot right there, Rachel said.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 16, 2010
Yo, today wasn't easy. I was especially down on feminists.
But, this evening, Whitney and I made it out to the Patriot Center just in time to see the Tribe win! With the clock winding down and the Tribe up one, GMU drove the lane and put up a floater. That's when Danny Sumner skied above everyone and slammed the ball back to the earth. No chance!
Before I went to bed I looked out the window and thought about praying. Then I went to bed.
But, this evening, Whitney and I made it out to the Patriot Center just in time to see the Tribe win! With the clock winding down and the Tribe up one, GMU drove the lane and put up a floater. That's when Danny Sumner skied above everyone and slammed the ball back to the earth. No chance!
Before I went to bed I looked out the window and thought about praying. Then I went to bed.
Monday, February 15, 2010
February 15, 2010
Wow, it's good to be back. Here's what I mean: This morning I rose with the sun and ran 5 miles on sidewalks sheeted over with ice. I only bit it once, and when I got home I drank milk straight from the jug.
At work, I had eggs and bacon and chicken tacos. Not bad.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about an old teammate, Bill Tarantino. To my knowledge he's not related to Quentin Tarantino, but that's a good guess. He's actually a serious student of biology and a passionate runner. At one point, I was told that Bill is terminally ill with brain cancer. But you wouldn't know it, and I guess that's best.
At work, I had eggs and bacon and chicken tacos. Not bad.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about an old teammate, Bill Tarantino. To my knowledge he's not related to Quentin Tarantino, but that's a good guess. He's actually a serious student of biology and a passionate runner. At one point, I was told that Bill is terminally ill with brain cancer. But you wouldn't know it, and I guess that's best.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
February 14, 2010
Wow, today wasn't bad after all. There was plenty of sunshine and plenty of melting. We got a good kickstart to the morning with a bowl of Chocolate Cheerios. Then we took apart the vacuum cleaner and pulled out all the hair and lent.
Later, Whitney told me the story of a few kids from her neighborhood growing up. Two boys and a girl. One boy always made the girl sit in the backseat and the bros would ride wheel and shottie. The girl put up a fuss, but it was all in fun. One day, the boy said OK, you have the front this time. As they were rolling through an intersection, they T-ed a school bus and the front seat passengers were decapitated. The boy in the back lived, but Whitney doesn't know what became of him.
Later, Whitney told me the story of a few kids from her neighborhood growing up. Two boys and a girl. One boy always made the girl sit in the backseat and the bros would ride wheel and shottie. The girl put up a fuss, but it was all in fun. One day, the boy said OK, you have the front this time. As they were rolling through an intersection, they T-ed a school bus and the front seat passengers were decapitated. The boy in the back lived, but Whitney doesn't know what became of him.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 8, 2010
You: next douche
You: click it
Stranger: u
You: f9 skeez
You: race ya...
You: 1...
You: 2...
You: 3...
You: go
You: got all night kid
You: go take a shit come back i'll still be here
You: click it baller
Stranger: wy?
Stranger: maby u are the girl in my life ;)
You: who knew
You: i'd click that next
You: whatcha got there
You: rolling papers
You: anyone ever tell you that you have a face only a mother could love
Stranger: u2
You: true
You: i'm gonna outwait ya
You: this is war kid
You: war
Stranger: haha
Stranger: i have to sleep anyway
You: x out this jawns
Stranger: that means?
You: means exit the program
Stranger: nah
You: yo my gma is dying of lung cancer
You: they just went down in her bronchials and removed 2 pounds of gook
Stranger: sorry
You: they said it was thicker than jelly
You: she smoked 30 years
Stranger: yea maby i shoud stop
You: you read hemingway/
You: ?
Stranger: nope
You: you read blogs?
Stranger: nope
You: what's your story man
You: pizza delivery/
You: insurance sales?
Stranger: sales
You: barbershop floor sweeper?
You: ah, re up gang style?
You: i mean, you selling hard shit?
Stranger: hard shit
You: china?
Stranger: Norway
You: you don't follow
Stranger: i dont
You: coke brah
Stranger: no coke
You: what are you selling than?
You: tea?
Stranger: sms marketing
You: i'll buy a Next from ya
Stranger: ok
Stranger: visa number?
You: cash only
You: pick it up on the steps of the lincoln memorial tomorrow
Stranger: no problem
You: how much we talkin?
You: couple gs?
You: done deal
You: fourth step, far right
You: you'll see a bald dude in a trench coat
You: he'll drop off you sweep
Stranger: nice
You: now just click that next
You: oh yea and wear snow boots
You: what's your deal?
You: you play any sports broseph?
Stranger: i opend a new window
You: you look like a bowler
You: i mean that in a nice way
Stranger: thanx than
You: you got it
You: now click that next
Stranger: click what?
You: Next, dawg
You: the next button
You: or hit f9
Stranger: where is that
You: top left
Stranger: ok f and 9
You: top row on your keyboard
You: right of Esc
You: if you're not going to do it at least make a funny face so i know you're human
You: jesus
Stranger: ah f1?
You: F9
You: there you go
Stranger: funny?
You: a good looking guy like you ought to be talking babes out of their shirts
You: that's what roulette is all about
You: so click on that F9
You: start your party man
You: start it up
Stranger: cant you click f9?
You: no can do compadre
You: click it
Stranger: u
You: f9 skeez
You: race ya...
You: 1...
You: 2...
You: 3...
You: go
You: got all night kid
You: go take a shit come back i'll still be here
You: click it baller
Stranger: wy?
Stranger: maby u are the girl in my life ;)
You: who knew
You: i'd click that next
You: whatcha got there
You: rolling papers
You: anyone ever tell you that you have a face only a mother could love
Stranger: u2
You: true
You: i'm gonna outwait ya
You: this is war kid
You: war
Stranger: haha
Stranger: i have to sleep anyway
You: x out this jawns
Stranger: that means?
You: means exit the program
Stranger: nah
You: yo my gma is dying of lung cancer
You: they just went down in her bronchials and removed 2 pounds of gook
Stranger: sorry
You: they said it was thicker than jelly
You: she smoked 30 years
Stranger: yea maby i shoud stop
You: you read hemingway/
You: ?
Stranger: nope
You: you read blogs?
Stranger: nope
You: what's your story man
You: pizza delivery/
You: insurance sales?
Stranger: sales
You: barbershop floor sweeper?
You: ah, re up gang style?
You: i mean, you selling hard shit?
Stranger: hard shit
You: china?
Stranger: Norway
You: you don't follow
Stranger: i dont
You: coke brah
Stranger: no coke
You: what are you selling than?
You: tea?
Stranger: sms marketing
You: i'll buy a Next from ya
Stranger: ok
Stranger: visa number?
You: cash only
You: pick it up on the steps of the lincoln memorial tomorrow
Stranger: no problem
You: how much we talkin?
You: couple gs?
You: done deal
You: fourth step, far right
You: you'll see a bald dude in a trench coat
You: he'll drop off you sweep
Stranger: nice
You: now just click that next
You: oh yea and wear snow boots
You: what's your deal?
You: you play any sports broseph?
Stranger: i opend a new window
You: you look like a bowler
You: i mean that in a nice way
Stranger: thanx than
You: you got it
You: now click that next
Stranger: click what?
You: Next, dawg
You: the next button
You: or hit f9
Stranger: where is that
You: top left
Stranger: ok f and 9
You: top row on your keyboard
You: right of Esc
You: if you're not going to do it at least make a funny face so i know you're human
You: jesus
Stranger: ah f1?
You: F9
You: there you go
Stranger: funny?
You: a good looking guy like you ought to be talking babes out of their shirts
You: that's what roulette is all about
You: so click on that F9
You: start your party man
You: start it up
Stranger: cant you click f9?
You: no can do compadre
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