So many of us take so much for granted, and what each of us does with what we have been given, well, that is up to each individual. We all have our own ways going about life. We all do what is necessary in order to strive and be what we want to be. For many, when we think that we finally have it all, we really do not. Of course, we all have our own ways of making it through life and doing what we have to do to get to that point. But before we know it, something will happen to each of us, something that will change our life or make us look back on our life. That’s when most of us will see that we never really had it all in the first place.

When I think it about and all that I have for granted, I see my family, I see my good job, I see the many friends I have that have blessed my life. I see a lot of things that make it complete. Then, I think, there is still something missing. Something either that I have not accomplished yet, or something simply missing because it is gone. This has made me think about writing this blog. I know I cannot speak for others, but I can at least think about myself and things that are now missing from my life. So, if you would indulge me for a few minutes, I am going to ponder things that are missing in my life.

A master’s degree in English: I never thought that English would be my forte, but when I entered college (for the second time), I had a professor that changed all of that. He brought the love of English out in me. He made me see what English exactly was and how literature changed the face of the world. He made me see that English was more than words or stories or novels; he said it was all how we interpreted what we read. In other words, it was what we wanted it to be. This professor’s name was Wayne Chilcote, and to this day, I think about him and wish that I could see him, once again, walking the halls of the college where I work and once attended as a student. But I do know he is in a better place and I will see him again one day myself.

The black GM Goodwrench number 3: All of you that are reading this that know me, know that I am a NASCAR fan. Most of you know that Dale Earnhardt, “The Intimidator,” was my favorite driver (actually still is and always will be), and every Sunday (and occasional Saturday night) when I sit down to watch a NASCAR race, I always wish that I could see that black GM Goodwrench number 3 back on the track. The day that Dale Earnhardt was killed in that accident in the 2001 Daytona 500, my whole world stopped, but not just for me, it stopped for the whole nation. I felt as if I had lost a piece of my own family. At least I have his son, Dale Jr. to root and cheer for on the track. I see his daddy in him. And that still makes watching NASCAR fun for me.

The mellow voice of Lou Rawls: “You’ll never find. . .” another voice that was exactly like his. There was this quality to not only his voice, but to him that made him a sensation. His voice was one of those that one knew immediately. As soon as one of his songs came on the radio, one could not help but listening and singing along. Lou Rawls just had that quality about him.

A fourth quarter comeback from John Elway: Although I have been a Dallas Cowboy fan since I was five years old, I always enjoyed watching John Elway, the former quarterback for the Denver Broncos, make a sudden death comeback in the fourth quarter in order to lead his team to victory. I remember watching a Denver Bronco game where, in the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, John Elway led has team to victory. There have been many great quarterbacks in the NFL like Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Jim Plunkett, and Peyton Manning, but in my years of watching football, nobody made a comeback like John Elway. But that is my opinion, of course. Other people may say otherwise.

Mrs. Bonnie G. Knight: Most of you who read this will not know who she is. I used to work with her. Notice I said “used to.” Due to some unfortunate situation, Bonnie was, let’s just say, “removed” from her position at the place I work for no reason at all. I lost a great friend from work that day. Bonnie was always there when I needed her shoulder to cry on at work. Now that she is gone, I can’t turn to her anymore. But, I still do have a friend in Bonnie. Bonnie will always be a great friend to me. Furthermore, she was the mother-figure we all could depend on for nurturing. I am grateful for meeting someone like Bonnie and I am blessed for still having her in my life, even though I do not get to see her smiling face and make her coffee anymore! Thanks Bonnie for being there, always!

Beatrice Arthur: Yes, the “golden girl.” I admit, I always loved watching The Golden Girls. It was a show that just made you laugh with meaning. And I still love watching the reruns on late at night. When I first heard that Bea Arthur passed away on April 25th of this year, I was saddened because Hollywood lost a premier comedienne.

Riding on a wheelbarrow full of pine straw pushed by my papa: When I was little, (which was a very long time ago), probably when I was 4 or 5, my papa would rake the yard and pile the pine straw in the wheelbarrow and he would lift me up and put me on top of it. I still remember the feel of the pine straw under my butt and how it would bounce up and down with my weight as my papa would push me around as I sat upon it. Times were fun with my papa, and I not only miss the wheelbarrow, but I miss him dearly.

Of course, I could go on and on with things that I miss, there are so many. However, if I did that, this list would be at least ten miles long or longer. The point here that I make, is that everyone misses something or someone in life. It’s a given. The most important thing here for us to remember, is even though we miss things and those that have graced our lives, we still have the memories to cherish. That’s why God made us to have memories, so we really would not miss things at all. As long as we can look back in our minds and bring those things we missed back to the front, we are normal. Therefore, those things that we think we miss, we really do not miss at all. They are always with us.

Political Correctness: Plants vs. Manikins

I see all kinds of things when I shop. People, cars, dog, cats, many items I CAN’T afford, but still want, and things that leave a great deal to the imagination. The latter happened yesterday. Twice actually.

As I walked into Publix, I was passing by the floral department. I admit, I like gardening. Hell, my friends, that I went to high school with, know this because they all know I used to work at a vegetable/flower stand where I grew up. So, sometimes plants catch my eyes. Well, yesterday, it was not plants that caught my eyes; it was the sign that Publix had hung up on the wall in the floral department. It read, “Nearly Natural Assorted Plants.” I admit, I started to laugh.

Just listen to the first part, “Nearly Natural.” Doesn’t that just make you want to laugh? I got to thinking about it after I read it. What makes these plants “nearly natural?” Are they HALF real? Do they have “real” dirt in the pot? Is the stem real? Or the bloom? The more I thought about it, the more I laughed, to myself of course, harder. How can a plant be called “nearly natural?” What happened to the real word for this type of plants? Is there something wrong with calling them “artificial” anymore? Have we actually gotten to the point in America that we have to be politically correct about plants that are NOT real?

Now, I did say that this happened twice yesterday, so staying along the lines of “Nearly Natural,” I also went shopping at J. C. Penney. I really did not go in to purchase anything. It was one of those moments where I was killing some time, but, in all honesty, I did purchase a shirt. I got a real good deal on it too. It was originally priced at $48.00 and I got it for $6.97. That’s what I call a real deal. But I digress.

As I was walking around, I also walked upstairs and looked. While up there, I passed by, and I am not ashamed to say this, the “lingerie” department. Hey, it was there. And to tell you the truth, I am a man. What man is not going to stop and look and wonder, “Wow, I wonder what that would look like on. . .?” Well, I literally did not stop, but just slowly passed by. As I passed by, that’s when I noticed the manikins. Yeah, I know that manikins are synonymous with being in clothing areas and lingerie departments, but do they have to be “Nearly Natural?”

These manikins had everything but the kitchen sink. They were dressed in bras and panties, had painted on eyes of different colors, painted on eyebrows and eyelashes, and lipstick, and even painted on makeup. There were even a couple with lady’s nightshirts and guess what? They had nipples! Talk about “Nearly Natural!”

The manikins I can understand being called “nearly natural.” It would be inhumane (if that is the right word) for “real” live models to be standing up in the lingerie department. What a problem that would cause!

I know in today’s society that it is natural to be politically correct. However, some everyday things do not need to be categorized in that fashion. I feel that “Nearly Natural” plants is in this category. I mean, they are artificial; not real. We should leave the political correctness to things that are. Even the manikins are not real. But it is more politically correct to have them known as “Nearly Natural” than a plant. A manikin can be likened to a human being since they are based on one. And it would not be “politically correct” to have live models on the stands wearing bras and panties. That should be left for the bedroom. Much more fun and imagination happens there anyway!

Fan of Music: Songs of Country Humor

May the bird of paradise fly up your nose
May an elephant caress you with his toes
May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose
May the bird of paradise fly up your nose
--Little Jimmy Dickens

You may be asking yourself, “What the hell is that?” I could not blame you. Many of you may not recognize that chorus. Well, in this second blog installment of music that I promised, (finally), I am going to remedy your suspicions with my own thoughts on funny country songs.

As I said in my blog posted on July 15, I was saving another for later time. The time is now that I post with my own feelings toward funny, but yet meaningful country songs and lyrics. Yeah, I know, many of you may not care about this, but hey, I love to write and I love to just express my own ideals and well, this is my own blog, and I can put what I want here!

I started off with the chorus from May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose, sung by Little Jimmy Dickens on purpose. Just reading the lyrics makes one laugh or even just chuckle. I mean, hello, the thought of the “bird of paradise” flying up one’s nose is funny. But how, one may think, does the title of the song infer such meaning? It’s all in the songs lyrics. It’s not about the bird of paradise actually flying up one’s nose. Oh no. The way I see it and hear it, the song is about a cheapskate. And those that he encounters, are not happy with his cheapness, so what is said by those encountered in the song, is a slap-shot to the character’s own greed.

Little Jimmy Dickens is definitely not the only classic country artist to have humorous songs. Ray Stevens is prolific in the country humor department. Lets take one his most famous songs, Mississippi Squirrel Revival. Okay, maybe it is not one of his most famous songs, but definitely is one to cause one to laugh. Who would have ever thought of a squirrel running amuck in a church! What’s more, is how that squirrel provided religion to the parishioners of the church! Only in country music would one find that!

Okay, now that I have written about two classic country songs, let me step into the present. Almost everybody who listens to today’s country music, knows Brad Paisley. If one does not, well then, one should. Not only is Brad Paisley a singer of ballads, he is also a singer of funny country tunes. And a writer of funny country tunes as well. This is evident in his song, I’m Still a Guy, an anthem to all guys that seem to be overtaken by women, but still, deep down, are still guys through and through.

Well love makes a man do some things he ain't proud of
And in a weak moment I might
Walk your sissy dog, hold your purse at the mall
But remember I'm still a guy.
--Brad Paisley

A question for you guys that are reading this; how many times have you been put in the situation of holding your significant other’s purse at the mall? Or even walking her chihuahua around the block? Been there before, huh? Yeah, I have too. Not a good feeling. It does show one thing though. It shows that we love the women we are with and are willing to show them that we do, and that is all that matters. But in the end, as Brad Paisley says, “I don’t highlight my hair, I’ve still got a pair, oh thank God, I’m still a guy!”

Staying in the present, let’s take another Brad Paisley song as a humorous example. I’m Gonna Miss Her is one of his songs that starts out sounding serious, but then turns out to be a love song gone wrong. It is a sad day when a guy picks fishing over loving his woman. Although, I know there are guys out there that think this way and the women are okay with that. But to tell you the truth, I would pick a woman’s love over casting a line any day. That saying, “There are more fish in the sea,” may be true, but if I, as a guy, have already ‘caught my fish,’ why would I want to jeopardize ‘throwing her back’ and trying to land a new one? It does not make sense, but the song is still hilarious!

Now, we’ve all heard those lying, cheating, stealing, drinking, and love gone wrong songs. They are rampant in Country music. There is one country song in particular that is all about drinking. In fact, it also is about love, but from a different prospective. The song is by Alan Jackson and it is titled, I Don’t Even Know Your Name.

Well I was sitting in a roadhouse down on highway 41
You were wiping off some ketchup on a table that was done
I knew you didn't see me, I was in a corner booth
Of course you weren't my waitress mine was missing her front tooth
So I flagged you down for coffee
But I couldn't say a thing
But I'm in love with you baby and I don't even know your name

--Alan Jackson

Reading and listening to that one stanza from Alan’s song, already tells listeners the premise of the story. One can only imagine where it was going to go from that first stanza. But good country listeners could read into it and know for sure where it was leading. Drinking. Yeah, that’s right, drinking. And wouldn’t one know it, the character in the song ends up drunk in the end and with a love he did not know he was going to get.

So I ordered straight tequila, a little courage in a shot
I asked you for a date and then I asked to tie the knot
I got a little wasted, yeah I went a little far. . .

The next thing I remember, I was hearing wedding bells
Standing by a woman in a long white lacy veil
I raised the veil, she smiled at me without her left front tooth
And I said 'Where the hell am I and just who the hell are you?'
She said 'I was your waitress and our last name's now the same'
'Cause I’m married to you baby and I don't even know your name

--Alan Jackson

Now, how’s that for a happy ending from drinking? Yeah, I know, some of us have had those moments where we have a night of drinking, get drunk, and wake up with someone on the other side of the bed. Sometimes it’s a good feeling, sometimes it’s not. But one thing is for certain, getting married after getting drunk is more than likely, not a good thing. At least in Alan’s song, it was a dream. Well, at least the video made it out to be.

I could go on and on with humorous country songs. I could talk about A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash, The Girl on the Billboard by Del Reeves, Some Beach by Blake Shelton, Cow Patty by Jim Stafford, Thank God and Greyhound She’s Gone by Roy Clark, and Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off by Joe Nichols. Hell, I could go on and on with these there are so many. But if I did, this blog would get boring and lose its point. That is not my intention in this blog. The intention was to bring out the humor in everybody, using humorous country songs as an analogy. If you are sitting there having read this and laughing or even thinking about the truth in this blog, then, well, I have made my point. If not, then go listen to these songs I have named and hear for yourself. If you can’t find the humor in them and not have a slight chuckle, then your funny bone must be broken. We all have to remember, there is humor in almost everything in our lives of some sort. We just have to find it and have fun with it. Humor is good for the soul, that is why God made country artists with a sense of humor. He knew we needed to laugh!

Reason for no blog lately

I had promised myself that I would try and keep my blog current. When I made that promise to myself, I was not inundated with work. As you can tell, it has been a while since I updated my blog, a clear indicator that I obviously got busy. That is no excuse however. But as been said before, “shit happens.”

My last blog, as you can see, was about music, and I said at the end of that blog that there would be a future music one. Well, as you can see, I never got around to writing it. However, I did find the time to write this! Yeah, go figure.

I do not have to explain why I never got around to writing that blog I had promised, but somehow, I feel the need too. Not that you all need an explanation. It just seems the right thing to do. I actually feel like I owe it to my readership.

For anyone that has a full-time job, they fully understand what I am going to say. A job takes a lot of time and effort. Many of us blue collar citizens put too much of our time and effort into the jobs that we hold. This has been the case with me lately. Being the bookstore manager of a regional campus of the University of South Carolina, the beginning semester can be quite exhausting. Making sure all of the textbooks are in order for all of the professors can be a job in itself. I have to make sure everything is in order and that not only are the professors happy, I have to make sure that the students are happy and can get their textbooks. Of course, there are times when textbook orders do not go as planned and we are sometimes without textbooks for classes, at least the first week anyway. The first two weeks are always the most treacherous. After that, it gets better.

So, now you know where I have been lately. I promise, I will write the second part to my music blog. I already know what I want to write about in it. It will be worth the read! Will let you know when I am done and have it posted!

Fan of Music: Different Genres

I have always been a fan of music. All kinds appeal to me. Many kind do not. Opera, classical, and rap are the ones that I can do without. But that is just my own personal preference. I know others love that kind of music. Me, I have always been a fan of classic rock, rock, blues and country. Over the years, as I have grown older, my taste in music has changed. I would not say drastically, but changed more since I was in high school.

When I was in high school, I was a headbanger. Yeah, I was. Surprised? The friends that know me now will be anyway. Those that I went to high school with, and read this, will not be surprised. I listened to Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and many other heavy metal bands. I admit, I still have a fondness to Metallica, but those who listened to them at the age of 18 and 19 as I was then, still, to this day, will have a fondness for them. I mean, when I still hear, The Unforgiven, Fade to Black, or Enter Sandman, my head still wants to bob up and down uncontrollably to the beat. Hell, I still put Metallica’s Black Album in my CD player and just fade away with the rhythm of Kirk Hammett’s lead guitar riffs, Lars Ulrich’s vicious drum solo’s, and James Hetfeild’s laboring drawn out vocals. I guess metal music is still in my blood somewhat.

And classic rock is still and will always be one of my favorites. I still have to have my dose of Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Eagles, AC/DC, and especially Cream. There will always be something about Stairway to Heaven, Dream On, I Can’t Tell You Why, Hell’s Bells, and God only knows how many Cream songs. From White Room to Sunshine of Your Love and I Feel Free to Spoonful, the songs for Cream get me every time. That’s because one of my favorite guitarists is Eric Clapton. The soulfulness of his artistic guitar playing riff solos just run deep into my blood as I listen to him play. I could listen to Eric Clapton from now until doomsday and I will be a happy man.

When it comes to rock, well there are just way too many artists to name here that I like. Bryan Adams, Eddie Money, Steve Miller Band, and one in particular comes to mind, John Cougar Mellencamp. Songs like, Cuts like a Knife, Take Me Home Tonight, The Joker, and especially Pink Houses, are now considered classics in today’s music era, and with all respect, they should be. Now I mentioned John Cougar Mellencamp. It did not matter what name he went by, be it John Cougar or John Cougar Mellencamp or simply John Mellancamp, he is a staple in American music. I like a singer/songwriter that tells a story with his/her music, and that is just what John Cougar Mellencamp did and still does. Those that tell stories in their songs relate to me personally. And that is the feel I get from him.

Now for the blues as I have mentioned that I like. I will never understand how somebody could not have a fondness for the blues. The blues just hits one in the gut and will not let go. To this day, I remember the first blues artist and song that I heard and it just took me in and I was hooked. That artist was Riley B. King. Better know as the great, B. B. King, and the song was The Thrill is Gone. When I heard his beckoning vocals and the wail of his guitar fondly named Lucille, I closed my eyes and fell into the wonder of such lyricism and tones that just took me away to another place. But, B. B. King is not that only blues artist that I listen too. Buddy Guy is another and with his song, Damn Right I Got the Blues, one cannot help but feel like one has the blues. Then there is the one blues artist that is my most favorite. Not because he was a blues artist, but because he was more than a blues artist. He was a musician. That artist is Stevie Ray Vaughan. Just like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan played with soul and integrity that showed through in his guitar solos and vocals. He was a lover of the music; a true Texan blues man. Almost all of his albums are in my collection and I listen to them frequently. When he got killed in a freak accident, the blues era was turned upside down and the blues lost a legend. At least his music and memory will live on in all of his fans.

But let me get back to something I said at the end my rock category. As I said with John Cougar Mellencamp telling a story with is rock songs, the one category that also fits here is country, which I mentioned I listen too also. I am not a country fan just because I am a southern guy. Oh no. I listen to country because almost all of the songs in this category tell a story. Those country artists that write songs and sing them most tell a story from experience and living the life. That appeals to me. Country artists like Clint Black, Patsy Cline, Reba, Phil Vassar, George Strait, Brad Paisley, and my personal favorite, Alan Jackson, have all sang songs that deal straight from their own lives. Listening to songs such as A Better Man , I Fall to Pieces, Whoever’s in New England, American Child, Troubadour, and Letter to Me, one can feel the words and feel the story behind the words.

However, I believe there is one more storyteller/singer/songwriter/ that stands out among all of those I listed. If you are reading this, you have already read his name. That country artist is Alan Jackson. I have all of his albums and I can honestly say, that on all of them, the songs all tell a story. From his ballads to his offbeat humorous songs, all have a story behind them. One can feel the story being told and the honor of each one that pays homage to those that were and are still in his life. Take for instance his song, Small Town Southern Man where he pays homage to his father like he did in Drive (for Daddy Gene). But then, Alan Jackson has also written songs like If Jesus was a Hillbilly and I Don’t Even Know Your Name, where the humorous side comes out. Those two songs may be humorous, but they still tell a story.

And this leads me to that part of country music that I will write in a second part blog. The humorous side of country music is a side that most people can relate too. From the classic country artist to the modern country artist, there are country songs that fill one with laughter and even keep you thinking. But, they all still tell a story. I will save this for another blog soon to come. Until then, as was said on Hee Haw, “That’s all folks!” At least for now.

Claiming my Blog

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Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch: Coke Zero 400, Daytona, July 4th weekend

I have been meaning to write this blog since the Coke Zero 400 held in Daytona over July 4th weekend, but I put it off on purpose because I wanted to wait and see what was said about the incident that involved Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch. I am glad I waited.

While I am sure many of you will not want to hear my rantings on Kyle Busch again, this is a free world and, of course, I have the Freedom of Speech in this nation. So, once again, I am going to divulge my thoughts on this incident.

First of all, Tony Stewart did no wrong on the last lap of the Coke Zero 400. He was racing, and that is what a race car driver does. It was very unfortunate that Kyle Busch did get past him to try and win, but the way Kyle Busch went about it, was wrong. I do not care if anyone reading this thinks that my opinion is wrong as well. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart were racing, each one doing what they are supposed to be doing to win, but when Kyle Busch blocked Tony Stewart, which he is supposed to do, he did in the wrong way. He wants to blame Tony for the wreck, but in all essence, it was Kyle Busch’s fault. He went to block that second time, and well, he caused his own self to be taken out.

Secondly, Tony Stewart had nothing to do with that incident. He was there, with the nose of his race car on the outside of Kyle Busch’s, and well, when Kyle went to block again, he caused the touch that sent him spinning. Tony was going for the win the right way, the only way he could, and Kyle tried to slam the door on him. Instead, he got slammed into the wall. All from his own wrongdoing. Kyle Busch is so hell bent on winning, he does not stop to think that he cannot win every time. I know that all the drivers out there think that they can win, and most of them will, but one must stop to think that one cannot win every weekend.

Thirdly, Kyle Busch needs to grow up and be a man and show some spirit, even if he does not win. Even if he does not win, but he comes in second, like he did over this past weekends Nationwide Series race in Chicago, he gets out and runs and declines to speak to reporters. This shows right there that he is a sore loser.

Tony Stewart was racing for the win. He did what he had to do in order to get that win at the Coke Zero 400. He should not have beat himself up over how he won the race. It was not his fault. The blame is purely Kyle Busch. He is the only one to blame for him not winning and not being a man.