tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59873022012-02-16T08:08:52.018-05:00The rantings and ravings of a 40+ Toys R Us Kid!Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.comBlogger4981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-60700555313017122912010-02-07T18:52:00.002-05:002010-02-07T23:37:58.364-05:00

The Superbowl is over and it was, actually, a pretty good game. Now for the commercials:My favorites:Snickers with Betty White was very funny and I loved Abe Vigoda's cameo.Tim Tebo "Choose Life"....While I don't agree with the message it is well done. I had thought this was going to be a whole series of ads during the game.Doritos - Keep Your Hands off My Momma and The Casket were the best; the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-86427558184534054582010-02-03T22:49:00.002-05:002010-02-06T01:29:59.063-05:00

Anyone who thinks Rahm Emanuel's comment was "appalling...insensitive" and akin to a racial slur IS a retard.Before you get voodoo dolls out; let me explain.First, I was raised in a house where I learned tolerance. There is no one single person on this planet who is one iota better or worse a person that you are regardless of who they are, what they look like, how they live their lives or any

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-57150428343494317802010-01-02T19:53:00.002-05:002010-01-03T19:10:53.696-05:00

I guess one of the reasons I haven't blogged so much in the past few months would have to be Facebook. I had signed up on it a long time ago but didn't really start using it until this summer. I quickly got in to the habit of those simple, little updates. I could spit out an opinion in 10 seconds and get on with life; so much easier than typing a whole dissertation here. But then I started

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-69321224641664212642010-01-01T23:38:00.002-05:002010-01-02T01:38:42.680-05:00

OK, almost three months of no posts is going to be too much to update. My non-posting has been a mixture on little motivation and lots on the plate. But now the holidays are over and I just spent the most amazing 20 minutes with my son.I missed attending his graduation from Navy Basic Training; which sucked, and then missed plans screwed up not being able to have a weekend with him on his first

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-56476438251629229022009-10-02T23:06:00.002-04:002009-10-08T23:52:22.755-04:00

The focus of my trip to RI was a reunion of the Warwick Vets High School Chorale Tour of Yugoslavia from 1984 and this was an amazing weekend. My friend, Wayne picked me up at Greene Airport. It felt as if yesterday was the last time I had seen him and this was a feeling that went through the whole event.I had the chance to relax at my sister's house before we got into the whole wake and funeral

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-30219978592527692972009-10-01T19:00:00.003-04:002009-10-01T19:17:04.432-04:00

Funerals suck. I think we can all agree on that. I had missed a number of important ones in the past few months but circumstances and borrowed money put me in the right place and time to be able to fly back to Rhode Island for Uncle Mike’s. I knew it was going to be an emotional one but I wasn’t quite expecting some of the emotions I went through. As soon as we walked into the funeral home

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-6719240995516602362009-09-30T17:28:00.000-04:002009-09-30T17:29:05.323-04:00

It has been two days since I got back from my trip to Rhode Island. I have gnawed my way through the loaf of Portuguese sweet bread, one of the three cans on Narragansett Beer, a quart of coffee milk and my New York System hot weenie meat sauce is simmering on the stove. It was quite a trip.The reason I had not posted soon is due how emotionally overwhelming this trip was. This may actually take

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-80649381023329313842009-09-17T22:26:00.003-04:002009-09-17T22:42:08.260-04:00

Since moving to Florida my political activism has been dormant. However, in recent months, the spark has been reignited. If my life had taken a different road I am sure I would be working in DC right now so I have to find a way to do something when I feel moved to do so. First was this email to Senator Jon Kyl (R) Arizona who made statements after the President's health care speech which were

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-83742504014958533802009-09-16T20:51:00.002-04:002009-09-16T20:58:04.609-04:00

More proof of genetics; a recent text messaging session between me and my son.John: Guess what I'm watchingMe: I'm almost afraid to askJohn: RoughnecksMe: Download or DVD?John: Watching at Tate's ComicsMe: Kewl! Showoff and tell em you know MojoJohn: I already did!Me: That's my boy!To translate to the non-geeks reading this; "Roughnecks" is a CGI animated version of "Starshiptroopers" which

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-35263329560214146222009-08-29T01:17:00.003-04:002009-08-29T13:41:48.396-04:00

I just came back from watching the shuttle Discovery liftoff and am just as amazed as I was the first time I saw a launch in person. This is one of the few advantages of living in Florida. I live 90 miles south of Kennedy Space Center and have only missed two launches in the 14 years I've been here. Night launches are a special experience themselves.This time I decided to head right down to the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-7167819908363076622009-08-27T19:27:00.007-04:002009-08-27T23:30:13.539-04:00

I remember the first moment I ever met Red Barrows. It was also the first time I met their family dog, Franco. I'm not sure which one scared me more.Harry Barrows was a friend of mine in high school. We both belonged to the chorus and eventually came the time for me to visit his house for the first time. We walked through the door and I immediately heard a bellowing bark of his dog Franco and the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-48543641608427312542009-08-26T21:40:00.000-04:002009-08-26T21:41:02.909-04:00

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-78604124889053130692009-07-24T20:07:00.003-04:002009-07-28T20:11:54.549-04:00

I have learned my first joke in another language. My friend, Edison, told me that in Spanish speaking countries Arnold Schwarzenegger is known as "Chocha-negger".I took Spanish I three times in high school and college almost 30 years ago and I GOT THE JOKE!For the uninitiated "chocha" is Spanish slang for vagina; less delicately put, it is the Spanish version of the word "pussy". It doesn't make

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-91760017275017284222009-07-23T23:31:00.001-04:002009-07-27T00:05:08.432-04:00

Julie bonded out of jail. I'm not sure how but she called late Tuesday night after she got out. Yes! She actually had the nerve to call. My phone was turned down so I didn't hear the call come in just a voice mail message. I do want to talk to her; it won't be the most pleasant conversation of m,y life, but I do want to eventually talk to her.I had the opportunity Monday evening to take the girls

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-59552301541975594262009-07-19T20:46:00.001-04:002009-07-24T03:14:03.932-04:00

Today, my son is a man!John turned 18 today. I could go all Hallmark on what that means to me but, if you're a regular reader, you know all the "I never had this experience with my father" rants I could start. To my surprise, his mother did not have a master plan for the day or any big blow out in the works. So, I got there in time to take him out to lunch. To cement my place in his life as the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-84020519250383311812009-07-17T22:18:00.001-04:002009-07-21T02:02:39.561-04:00

I really thought I was done blogging about Julie. I really thought it was over.Then the phone rang and it was a collect call from the Martin County Jail.I almost stumbled over myself to get to my computer to look her up and sure enough; there she was in the glare of the booking flood lights resplendent in her jail jumpsuit and the vacant and dazed look of someone who had spent the past two hurs

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-47381877168373084432009-07-15T22:01:00.000-04:002009-07-20T01:18:33.817-04:00

I have recently gotten a Facebook account and through all of the silly little quizzes there was one on "The 5 Things Which Scare Me The Most". Mine were; roller coasters, heights, Alzheimer's, death and dragonflies.When I was little I had a child's fear of roller coasters. At around the age of 12 my brother in law, who had taken a psychology course, and instantly thought himself Freud, decided he

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-69693213634117532442009-07-14T20:16:00.003-04:002009-07-21T02:03:27.758-04:00

To continue the Julie Saga....I thought things were finally over and done. She had made her choices and I didn't wait for any phone calls; I moved on. But, just like always, just after a few weeks; just when I finally stopped thinking about her, she called me. I stared down at the caller ID on my phone and froze. Part of me longed for this call and another part of me dreaded it. But, I took it.

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-41325602711761003512009-07-13T23:45:00.002-04:002009-07-16T23:52:03.416-04:00

Ok; so, Julie. What about an update on her. Well, I guess the universe was waiting for the final chapter on that one to play itself out before I got around to updating you here. And, boy, what a final chapter. I think the fact that I didn't post before now says a lot about who I felt deep down. On some level I must have known that the relationship was wrong but didn't want to admit it to myself

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-35860681243726944792009-06-30T15:21:00.000-04:002009-07-04T15:42:13.076-04:00

I almost always try to post something on my birthday. This year coincided with my son's high school graduation; it made for quite the weekend.I was up early on the 30th in order to arrive early enough to play chauffeur for my step son Jimmy, his girlfriend and John's girlfriend's mother and brother. Not that I minded but it meant getting up at 5AM. This will be an important fact as the weekend

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-85502259615562591382009-06-29T22:25:00.002-04:002009-06-29T22:39:08.416-04:00

Just some random thoughts. Sorry, no big updates yet.I'm really tired of Michael Jackson being lionized and almost deified. Have we forgotten what happened in 1988? A friend of mine reminded me that "He was cleaed of all charges. They never proved he did anything"My answer:"Yeah, and I've never eaten a cheesburger!"She had no answer to that.I didn't get to see Trek in IMAX. They had "Transformers

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-46472200853173041982009-06-21T23:45:00.002-04:002009-06-25T00:09:32.116-04:00

That's right; I've been lapse in posting again. A lot has happened in the past two months. Julie came back into my life. I've moved. John graduated and is enlisted in the Navy. Julie dumped me. I was offline for about two weeks.What? Julie?! Last thing I had posted here she was in Michigan and our relationship was already a thing of the past. I could get heavily into that but I'll save that for

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-61207471983373462662009-04-16T23:25:00.000-04:002009-04-17T00:30:30.694-04:00

Today I almost died.Seriously.Well...as with anything involving me, there was a humorous turn to the whole thing; but, yes....I almost died today.I was just taking the second bite of a leftover St. Patrick's Day corned beef sandwich when I felt a chunk of meat slide past my tongue and down my throat. Covered in mustard and fatty grease I figured it would happily slosh its way to my stomach.But it

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-64690907420935551092009-02-15T23:41:00.004-05:002009-02-26T10:37:21.065-05:00

Recently, I had to attend and was pall bearer at the funeral for the parent of a friend. We were close and was a very sad occasion. Added to that, it was a Catholic service. For those who have never had to endure one, a Catholic funeral almost makes you envy the dead person.In the funeral procession from the church to the cemetery I called my friend Bismo. We have long had a connection of Blues

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-26243346600575820132009-02-01T18:42:00.002-05:002009-02-01T22:45:08.630-05:00

I kept these quick notes during the Superbowl commercials today.The Trailer for "GI Joe" looks interesting...much better than I had thought in another "reboot" movie season.Jason Statham's Audi commercial was better than any movie he has made since the original "Transporter".Pepsi - "Forever Young" Perefect for us baby boomers. The "I'm good" was laugh out loud funny.Free Doritos had a good

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-48997202860819952572009-01-27T21:39:00.002-05:002009-01-27T22:39:41.191-05:00

It has been a week since the inauguration of President Obama. It has taken me this long to digest my feelings on the day. First of all, Justice John Robert. DAYYYYMMMMMMMM! What a dumbass. I have had that oath memorized since 4th grade. Obama, a Harvard Professor, I am sure also had it memorized for just as long. As he stood there, hand raised, you could see in his eyes that Obama was thinking, "

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-61044073220118677662009-01-26T22:30:00.001-05:002009-01-29T19:33:57.676-05:00

My first venture into Miami since moving here…and I got lost. I finally worked out getting together with my son for the first time since July. On the drive down there I decided that we wouldn’t do the usual; go to lunch and a movie where we just stare at a screen for two hours and not really talk with each other. Recently, on the Travel Channel, Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” did a show

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-91167286566971831032009-01-20T12:01:00.000-05:002009-01-27T22:41:03.473-05:00

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-30667718257845152832009-01-19T03:21:00.005-05:002009-01-19T03:30:12.571-05:00

I just watched the concert at the Lincoln Memorial. While it was a great show (How could you beat Garth Brooks leading all those people in "Shout!") the best part of the show for me was watching this little girl. She is the daughter of the new Director of the VA, Gen. Eric Shinseki. This little girl was zonked out and sound asleep through 90% of the concert. While music blared and the crowd

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-41082376823519260322009-01-14T21:11:00.000-05:002009-01-19T03:21:55.346-05:00

Sometimes, things that happen in my life are too funny NOT to be real. The following could not have been written any better by Neil Simon or Woody Allen.Where I sit at work, I have one good friend, Frannie, whom I have know for 5 years and directly behind me if Brittany. She is 19 and knockdown gorgeous. She also is a very sweet girl and fun to talk with. As always, in between calls we were

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-73341764164127996082009-01-01T02:51:00.000-05:002009-01-04T04:43:30.202-05:00

New Years is usually a time to recap and look ahead. This year seems to be the perfect year to do that with. I sit here alone as my son has opted to stay and work at his fast food job. I am not actually sitting, as more hunched over the computer as my back problem has flared up again and I walk around all day doing my Igor impression.To add to this I just got off the phone with Julie.pause while

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-82919585229710155482008-12-30T10:14:00.002-05:002008-12-30T10:34:06.878-05:00

This year has certainly been a good one to political junkies like myself. And the fun isn't over yet.In Minnesota former Saturday Night Live writer, Al Franken, is within mere handfuls of votes from being elected senator. The reason I want Franken to win is to give him the opportunity to put his money where is mouth is. He has published books lambasting the conservative right and also hosted a

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-73801629626915196472008-12-25T14:23:00.002-05:002008-12-25T14:54:14.201-05:00

What does today mean when you really don't believe?A day off. Nothing but Chinese take out if you haven't stocked up correctly. A stress-free ride on major roadways. Some fairly decent movies opening at the theater.This thought weighed on me as I drove around. Yes, I am the same guy with 83 Santas on his desk. That's 83 Santas but not one manger. I've even been to Bethlehem and seen "the spot"

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-66482077715379780672008-12-23T20:41:00.006-05:002008-12-24T04:10:29.853-05:00

I got yer Christmas spirit right here!You are looking at what some are calling my obsession. My collection of 83 Santas all loaded into my cubicle. I went for a "toned down" display this year. I did away with the yards and yards of wrapping paper to cover my desk and the 250 lights from previous years and simply showed off my collection.All day long I have the feeling I'm being watched!This

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-55259760596366961882008-12-19T20:43:00.001-05:002008-12-22T20:51:35.217-05:00

How do I explain this photo?!Yes, that is yours truly kissing Wilford Brimley!Wilford is our company spokesperson and was in town visiting and receiving a special award from the American Diabetes Association. After the festivities were over with he sat down for photos and autographs for employees. One thing you have to know about Wilford is he enjoys greeting our female employees more than he

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-73017047508215666052008-12-18T20:15:00.006-05:002008-12-22T20:55:50.148-05:00

Majel Barrett Roddenberry has passed away today. Not a sit down and cry moment for Trek fans but a moment to reflect, none the less.I had a met and interacted with Majel on a number of occasions over the years. She could be sweet and charming and she could be a bitch on wheels. You could, however, always be her best friend by presenting her with a glass of white wine. She LOVED her white wine.My

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-81290887485954315472008-12-15T21:38:00.000-05:002008-12-16T01:09:59.836-05:00

Comedy is subjective; I get it. We've all had those moments when we tell a joke that almost made us pee our pants and suddenly we're loohttp://www.blogger.com/k at deer caught in headlights. No laughter for the best joke EVER told. What is funny to one person is stupid to another. What may seem like cutting edge satire is crude and offensive to another. Which brings me to all the hub-bub over

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-45653378710081323172008-12-10T18:02:00.000-05:002008-12-22T23:27:03.348-05:00

Monday night's "Boston Legal" series finale certainly won't go down in history as one of the best; actually it was quite uninspired as finale episodes go. The bar has been raised in recent years and, when a show as well written as this comes along, you always hope for something good to top off they years of viewing you as a fan have put into it.There was one neat moment when Betty White's cell

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-65708567419170896072008-12-09T23:13:00.001-05:002008-12-11T23:58:29.553-05:00

Never one to just give up I made yet another attempt at possible romance.Tricia is a lovely young lady with long. dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Since her department moved into part of the building we have noticed each other, smiled, nodded and done everything else but actually talked to each other. At par with my usual tactics, this has been for at least two weeks as I have circled her

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-72298629452366987602008-12-08T06:10:00.000-05:002008-12-08T18:11:49.677-05:00

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-69543435073636308442008-12-07T20:01:00.002-05:002008-12-08T18:10:39.032-05:00

Ahhh.....a Sunday drive.It's been a long time since I've gone on a Sunday drive. Just to get in the car and GO somewhere just for the sake of going. Finally, gas prices are back in the reasonable range and fuel and money aren't simply rationed for to and from work and we can indulge ourselves as the car-loving Americans we are.There was a new stretch of roadway opened up not far from here that

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-50171410224158506422008-12-05T21:15:00.002-05:002008-12-05T21:37:35.216-05:00

Most people who read my blog are science fiction fans. If you consider yourself a science fiction fan and have no idea who Forry Ackerman is please do me a favor and stop reading this blog as I have no use for your ignorance. If you consider yourself a science fiction or horror film fan in particular and have no idea who Forry Ackerman is please do the human gene pool a favor and consider either

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-46864651572378224882008-12-01T01:01:00.001-05:002008-12-03T19:00:40.730-05:00

If geeks like me had the internet back in the 70's this is what we would have been doing! I am so happy there is a new generation of fanboys out there!!! And I DARE YOU not to go away from listening to this singing the "Jaws" portion!!!

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-39526911868290391482008-11-26T22:47:00.001-05:002008-11-27T23:11:09.107-05:00

Is it just me, or is this a little presumptive?Don't get me wrong, I am happy Obama won. I cried a little the night he won. It was a milestone moment of American history. Yes, Bush has really messed up over the past eight years, BUT he is STILL THE PRESIDENT.I first thought it was cute when near the end of the election Obama started talking from behind a podium with a campaign logo which closely

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-12252004279959248602008-11-23T11:43:00.002-05:002008-11-27T22:46:15.743-05:00

I am so sure John would be soooo relieved to hear this news:VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican's newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, calling the remark a "boast" by a young man grappling with sudden fame.The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-91959452175196035962008-11-07T23:54:00.004-05:002008-11-08T17:21:30.772-05:00

I an officially excited about the new Star Trek movie.Many fellow geeks and fanboys have been wringing their hands over some of the photographs that have been released recently. Let me say that again....PHOTOGRAPHS. Still photographs and individual frames of an as of yet unseen motion picture. Silly me, I'd rather wait to see these people moving around and, oh....I dunno...ACTING before judging.

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-64259574888493708182008-11-04T23:13:00.002-05:002008-11-04T23:28:05.069-05:00

WE DID IT, BOBBY!Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy told the world that the United States, despite Alabama violence, is moving so fast in race relations a Negro could be President in 40 years. "...there is no question about it," the Attorney General said "In the next 40 years a Negro can achieve the same position my brother has,"...Kennedy said the prejudice exists and probably will continue to

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-25729006942906218252008-11-02T23:38:00.002-05:002008-11-04T22:52:12.902-05:00

Exhausted is not the word for how I feel.I went to Orlando for another geek fest called Vulkon. Due to my tight money situation, I didn't even pay the minimum for the show itself and only stayed one night with my usual convention going pals, Jim and Cheryl. It was all the usual hanging out with friends, Starfleet meeting and gook window shopping in the dealer's room. It would have been an

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-79237616854971435952008-10-31T21:16:00.004-04:002008-11-04T21:32:55.961-05:00

Some said I could not top my Halloween appearance last year as Jackie-Oh!Well.....guess again!What you can't see in this photograph is the punchline to the whole thing; I am wearing a name badge which says, "Management Trainee"!I have no real idea what I wanted to do. I had the concept of a full-fledged clown outfit but, as I looked around, it was way too far outside of my budget. In a last

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-59113510055492174072008-10-29T20:33:00.004-04:002008-10-29T21:25:18.034-04:00

The list of stupid things that happen in Florida is a long one. At the top of that list shows up every election season; the street corner campaigners.I may have blogged about them in the past but this constant display of idiocy cries out to be ridiculed again and again. These political zealots stand for hours on end at major intersections waving at passing traffic while holding signs for their

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-61608035738165168252008-10-25T13:16:00.003-04:002008-10-25T13:37:06.152-04:00

I did my civic duty yesterday by voting. As amazing as it may seem, Florida is one of the forward thinking states which allows early voting. That of course balances with the redicilous way they do it here in St. Lucie County.There was only a 30 minute wait but they were only letting in a dozen people at a time. All of us in line were asking each other why they didn't let let the line flow

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-4374096445619912082008-10-24T20:57:00.005-04:002008-10-24T21:20:39.831-04:00

It seems that, just in time for Halloween, my body has decided that I should be a hunchback! Somehow, sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, I did something to my back which caused a major muscle spasm in my lower back. This is, sadly enough, nothing new and has been happening on and off for the past few years. I have learned to deal with it and know some of the steps to make it

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-26835696241901162602008-10-20T20:06:00.005-04:002008-10-24T20:54:58.757-04:00

If you are a Florida driver then you'll appreciate this post. If not, please bear with me while a rant.What you are looking at is a Sandhill Crane. These little lovelies resemble shrunken ostriches and live close to the ocean. Unfortunate thing is, so do a lot of people. These birds are a protected species and there is a hefty fine for killing one. They usually meander along roadways and through

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-73186431924318243572008-10-19T19:17:00.000-04:002008-10-21T22:20:09.535-04:00

I don’t know how the hell Julie has been able to do this but each time, in the year’s-plus time we have known each other, at the exact moment when I stop thinking about her…is the exact moment when she contacts me.A few days ago she had left a message on my voice mail, “Hi, it’s been a while; can you guess whose voice this is?” Cute, huh? I just sort of stared at the phone in amazement. Amazed

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-79049085842071350902008-10-14T22:47:00.003-04:002008-10-15T00:03:05.045-04:00

I am surviving without TV!Well......kinda.For a few months now, I have been without satellite or cable TV service. In other times this would have been the source of panic and dread in my couch potato world. First, I survived by going through almost EVERY DVD I own. Some movies I had not watched in a while and some of my old favorites were as perfect as always. Give me "Mr. Roberts" or the "

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-79211866631578924032008-10-11T17:19:00.002-04:002008-10-12T22:52:31.650-04:00

Alcohol and I have a long and twisted history.As part of the clean up of the house Dana came upon a cache of booze which had sat, untouched, behind a lock all year. I called dibs on an old friend, gin. Gin was my first "legal" drink. My parents were great social drinkers. In the corner of our dining room was a fold out liquor cabinet which was the center of gatherings of friends. I can only

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-4592707957373829362008-10-10T22:13:00.000-04:002008-10-12T21:58:38.572-04:00

"I'm just a soul whose intentions are good,Please, Lord, don't let me be misunderstood"The AnimalsI have had a whopping slap of karma hit me in recent days.If you remember back to the online disagreement I had with my son in which he was VERY pissed off at me over some VERY personal information I posted as part of my blog. I saw it as part of telling the story and he saw it as an invasion of

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-43389027433171820572008-09-28T18:49:00.003-04:002008-09-28T19:05:40.492-04:00

An empty house is a sad thing.My friend's wife came home this weekend to clear out all of their stuff from the house. We worked for hours each day with some help from some of her friends and got two moving pods filled. All that remains are some couches in the living room, a chair on the kitchen and the box springs and mattress on the floor in the master bedroom; the remainder of the house is bare

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-64301281912548833342008-09-22T22:23:00.009-04:002008-09-25T23:06:04.894-04:00

This week I will be living in heaven. Weenie heaven, that is.A department manager where I work is a fellow Rhode Islander and we have shared many stories of home and she is currently borrowed my copy of "You Must Be This Tall". She has had the movie for a month or two and was feeling guilty for taking so long to watch it. Today, she absolved herself by bringing me a week's supply of New York

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-26490852585910248462008-09-21T16:35:00.000-04:002008-09-23T21:11:27.698-04:00

There's an interesting little dynamic I recently noticed amongst the siblings in my family which gave me pause for introspection.Lack of communication and a fear of confrontation.Recently, I went to my oldest sister for some help in my recent problems. Did I call her and talk this out? Something this serious and intimate you would think could only be done on a one on one basis. No, I faxed her a

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-43335166488817070332008-09-20T20:52:00.000-04:002008-09-22T19:12:37.002-04:00

Joan Winston has passed away and that makes me sad.This is a total geek thing as Joanie was one of the original organizers of the first Star Trek conventions back in the 1970's. The last time I saw her was at Shore Leave in 2005 and it was one of my most prized memories.I had first met Joanie at one of the last "original" cons in 1976 in New York City. She was on the committee but, at the last

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-20163263814624031392008-09-18T22:06:00.000-04:002008-09-21T21:13:25.705-04:00

I miss running.I saw a little kid running down the street the other day and suddenly realized that I could not remember the last time I actually ran. I can move quickly, yes; but I'm talking about a full bore, hair whipping in the wind, catch your breath run.I miss the exhilaration of running. Feeling your blood pumping as the world whizzes past you. I miss the adrenalin rush of running on an

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-32191014254124218752008-09-17T18:45:00.002-04:002008-09-22T18:50:24.019-04:00

Battlestar Galactica is 30 years old today! While I revel in the latest incarnation there is my love of the original. I had a Viper pilot jacket which I wore to school and if I could have afforded those biker boots they used on the show I would have worn then, too! This was right after Star Wars and before Trek had returned so I didn't see the campiness in it at the time. I walked around saying "

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-7080309602341231962008-09-16T20:58:00.000-04:002008-09-22T18:45:40.764-04:00

Last Thursday was our annual Talent Show.WE KICKED ASS!We filled the Lyric Theater's 500 seats. It was amazing to play to a full house. We had a few new acts which added to the diversity of the show including our first member of senior management who has a voice which blew the roof off the place.Our biggest mission of the night was to win over the new head of human resources. He comes with the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-33056503132299759942008-09-15T19:39:00.001-04:002008-09-21T00:04:10.801-04:00

So...where have I been?To Hell and back!To give you the Readers Digest version; my car broke down, I had a financial meltdown, was without electric for a while, groveled to my sister for help and pissed her off, my aunt died, my friends have put this house back on the market and I got in trouble at work.All within a three week period.We call it Livin' La Vida Towaway.And it's not just the big

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-9582078134052509652008-08-24T23:35:00.000-04:002008-09-20T23:36:09.587-04:00

My Auntie Anna has passed away.OK, so she was 93. As I told my son; she had ran out her warranty. This passing, while sad and aggravating because I am so far away, brings back dozens of fond memories. She was a slight woman who always presented herself crisp and perfect. She had a thin, angular face and spoke with an old New England accent typical of her part of Rhode Island; something of a

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-72708338163344122102008-08-13T23:49:00.002-04:002008-08-14T00:13:29.638-04:00

Believe it or not, there was a comical punchline to my post from yesterday about Julie.After I calmed down I went to "The Other Person" to let her know what I had heard as she has been my own personal Dr. Phil though all of this.A little back story on this; months ago I had loaned "The Other Person" a copy of "Animal House" once she had told me she had never watched it but continued to tell me

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-21695124956526008742008-08-12T21:05:00.001-04:002008-08-13T23:49:32.443-04:00

The past 30 days have been a trip through hell and back again. Over the next few posts I will go through some of it with you. Some of it has been painful and I would just rather forget it. Some of it, just because I am 46; I have forgotten.Of course, the first topic to tackle is....Julie.A few days ago a friend came up to me at work and said she had met up with Julie and her kids in Wally World.

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-77784060585631015252008-07-03T23:15:00.001-04:002008-07-08T18:41:40.021-04:00

I had the longest hour of my life tonight. I learned from my ex that my son has a very serious issue involving his relationship with his current girlfriend. I knew something was up because every time the ex would mention this girlfriend her voice would get as deep as mine.She and I discussed the whole thing and knew we were on the same page as far as the messages we wanted to get to him.So, I

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-76951552441105862092008-07-01T23:51:00.001-04:002008-07-06T10:27:16.153-04:00

My luck never seems to change!Today was my first day back to work after my extended weekend in New York. As I was rushing around getting ready I leaned down to tie my shoes and suddenly a muscle in my back decided to have a little fun by going into a painful spasm! Suddenly I was doubled over in pain with what felt like a hot knife being plunged into my back.As is laid there stooped over my bed I

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-74405386413536919002008-06-30T09:50:00.000-04:002008-06-30T20:53:59.996-04:00

I have been traveling on airplanes since I was 6 years old so, to have one cancelled flight which screwed up my plans isn’t really something to bitch about. I am writing this as I sit in the Philadelphia airport waiting for my final flight back to Florida. I should have been making this flight a day ago, but the weather in Syracuse had other plans for me. I had come to upstate New York for the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-62187901250101010952008-06-25T19:30:00.001-04:002008-06-25T20:01:33.052-04:00

A friend of mine said that I am handling this whole "Julie thing" very well. Being such a good friend she went on to clarify that "since you've done this so many times in a row you're getting good at it just out of repetition!"Friday we spoke, she called me out of the blue, and made plans that I would stop by at a yard sale she was having the next morning before going in to work. I asked three

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-76923243458172008372008-06-23T21:12:00.001-04:002008-06-24T21:28:16.459-04:00

My cousin, Cindy, bought me my first George Carlin album for my birthday when I was 12 years old. The album was Toledo Window Box. I doubt that my parents knew what she had bought me or what it would do to my life. I played the hell out of that record. Over and over again; from start to finish. I would listen to each joke and, as I got to know the material better, would anticipate each punch line

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-77413246529123200572008-06-18T23:03:00.002-04:002008-06-18T23:14:04.562-04:00

The universe has a sick and twisted sense of humor. Just as I was coming to terms with what has been going on with Julie, just when I thought I had a way of protecting myself emotionally I got sucker punched out of the blue.A friend of mine called me to his desk where he had photos from the company cookout. He handed me three which included me. One of me alone, one with my friend Clark and then

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-11771400625415045852008-06-17T23:35:00.000-04:002008-06-18T09:13:51.567-04:00

If you were betting I wasn't even going to get a phone call tonight, you would have lost. At almost 11PM Julie, at least, called me. While giving some excuses for not getting together as planned this time I could hear in her voice how important it was to her that we talked.Some have asked why I still want to talk. "She clearly knows how you feel about here so it would be up to her to decide where

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-79392393043219434362008-06-16T23:29:00.003-04:002008-06-17T00:44:19.838-04:00

I sit here and the phone hasn't rung.Sunday morning I got up and went over again. As I was turning the corner onto her street Tom Petty's "The Waiting is the Hardest Part" came on the radio.I almost threw it out the window.I was met at the door my her mother and Nicky. Apparently, she had been up until 3AM with her oldest. Understandable that she'd still be asleep. So, I left asking her mother to

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-55828661231259089032008-06-11T22:48:00.000-04:002008-06-14T21:06:54.466-04:00

It has been three days since I last saw Julie and two days since we talked. No, things aren't going too well. She has crappy cell phone service to begin with and then one of the girls damaged the phone she has. That may account for part of the lack of contact. I am trying not to panic.I had sent her flowers at work Monday and talked to her briefly that evening. She was worried I was mad at her

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-40348779045593422942008-06-08T18:57:00.000-04:002008-06-14T20:48:25.754-04:00

After years of dating, two marriages and other sorts of relationships you would have thought I would have learned and been able to spot the signs early; and this time I thought I had.After only a short time as "boyfriend", my relationship has hit a pothole of sorts. I have been dating Julie on and off since last September and, as time went by, we continued to get closer and closer. As you might

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-26833627974061188032008-06-06T21:49:00.002-04:002008-06-07T21:53:34.005-04:00

Listen to the words. Bobby made this speech on the spot in Indianapolis. 40 years later and these words are as strong and as meaningful as they were in 1968.

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-32450092919109224652008-05-31T10:22:00.002-04:002008-06-01T00:44:48.155-04:00

Welcome to Year 46!I was born on Thursday May 31, 1962 somewhere between 7 and 8 AM.I looked up my birthday and found some interesting things which also happened on May 31st.In 1296 BC Rameses II became pharaoh. In 1678 Lady Godiva began her procession. In 1911 the RMS Titanic was launched.I share birthdays with Walt Whitman, Pope Pius XI, Fred Allen, Norman Vincent Peale, Don Amache, Denholm

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-89766124526699386352008-05-28T22:09:00.002-04:002008-05-31T22:56:43.072-04:00

My favorite part of this house has got to be the pool. The weather has finally gotten to a point where I can go in the pool any time of the day or night. When I can wrestle myself awake even five minutes early the best way to wake up is a quick jump in the pool. The cool water shakes away any lingering sleep and refreshes better than a shower; the total immersion into cool water shocking me into

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-80816656267065118992008-05-27T21:22:00.002-04:002008-05-30T23:59:19.817-04:00

The clinic at my office came up with a unique way of dealing with a minor injury of mine today.As I was getting ready for work this morning I was carrying my laptop from my bedroom to its usual spot in the kitchen. Right along this route is the living room; this is a sunken living room with a small 3 inch step down. As I walked by I misjudged where I was and went to step down on what I thought

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-458011019562240502008-05-23T23:15:00.000-04:002008-05-30T23:42:29.491-04:00

I am in this new relationship by one day and I have a baptism by fire.Tomorrow is Julie's daughter Nicole's 6th birthday. Tonight we took all four girls to Golden Corral for dinner. My own son is about to turn 17, so it has been that long since I was in a restaurant with a toddler and here I was with 4 little girls from 7 to 18 months.It is good to know that, after all these years, I still have

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-9631595177624671022008-05-22T23:18:00.001-04:002008-05-28T00:26:45.683-04:00

This post will more than likely produce ridicule and jokes from some of my best friends, but that is what they do best.As of tonight, I am officially a boy friend.Julie and I have been “seeing each other” since September on something of an unofficial and casual basis. Over that time, of course, emotions have changed and we have spent more and more time together. There have been moments, like with

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-81457590630659764072008-05-21T22:04:00.000-04:002008-05-22T00:42:24.108-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows I am a Kennedy-phile. I am as big a fan of the Kennedys as I am of Star Trek. Just like Star Trek, I have met and become friendly with Trek actors I have also met and become friendly with Kennedys.I am bringing this up because of the news of Teddy's brain tumor. The media frenzy is as redicilious as it always is whenever someone from the family makes the headlines. I am

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-16527251152283780982008-05-12T19:54:00.000-04:002008-05-13T07:58:15.752-04:00

I had the most amazing phone call from my son the other day. He called just to talk.First he gave me a hard time about not answering a text message of his and the conversation just rambled from there. We talked about movies, school, his girlfriend, vacation plans, his next weekend up here, work…just about everything. I didn’t have to pull teeth to keep the conversation going as is sometimes

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-5257775048999294962008-05-10T16:36:00.005-04:002008-05-13T23:41:32.681-04:00

I just saw "Speed Racer" and I'm still not sure if I really liked it or not. You have to understand that Speed Racer is part of my childhood. I would get home after school and WLVI Channel 56 of Cambridge MA would have an afternoon of cartoons for us kids. Uncle Dale Dorman, a Boston radio DJ, was the host. He would take me through the best hour of my day. I know there were other shows as part of

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-24479405586111091122008-05-08T23:21:00.001-04:002008-05-11T12:55:39.328-04:00

This whole Miley Cyrus thing makes me want to wretch. I picked up the issue of Vanity Fair. OK, Miley is not the only reason because there is a fantastic cover story about RFK's last campaign. Hopefully, those who do pick up the issue for the Cyrus thing will ready the RFK article, but anyway...The photo is not that bad. I've seen some footage from Cyrus' recently released concert film and there

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-25097934374903614472008-05-05T20:56:00.002-04:002008-05-11T12:46:59.929-04:00

Home again, home again......whooptie-frakkin-do!The flights home were OK and I would always opt for the red-eye as I got to sleep most of the way. The only thing that sucks is that I lost my MP3 player. I had that danged thing loaded to the limit with a two foot tall pile of my music. For the trip I had tried to listen to "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. I have heard about this

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-70935524194996435522008-05-04T20:50:00.000-04:002008-05-05T20:23:02.253-04:00

I am sitting in the SeaTac Airport waiting for my re-eye flight back to Florida. The past few days have sped by and each has been filled with time spent with my friends I will always cherish. OK, it sounds very "Hallmark", but it's true.Today we slept in a little and then made our way to a restaurant I had seen featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives". It is called Voula's

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-31885629800927554182008-05-03T22:16:00.000-04:002008-05-05T20:18:18.120-04:00

Today was kind of easy going. Although Jason and I got up early to make it downtown for Free Comic Book Day. We went to one of his favorite stores in the University District. Like most communities near a college this was filled with all of the requisite shops; books, music, speciality foods, tattoo parlors and vintage clothing. I haven't seriously collected comics in years but, hey...it's free. I

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-64678480670419477902008-05-02T20:15:00.000-04:002008-05-05T20:16:08.532-04:00

Today was another tourist day. We headed into Seattle to the Mecca of all tourists; Pike Place Market. We wandered through the stores and had lunch. For me the ironic touch was I was on the west coast of the US eating a clam chowder that had won at the Chowder Cook Off in Newport, RI.After that we went to the gravesite of Bruce and Brandon Lee. It is off on one of the suburbs of the city so the

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-36635505096451892922008-05-01T21:59:00.001-04:002008-05-05T20:20:21.625-04:00

A few months ago, my friend Jason called and said, "We'd like to give you a birthday present. We want to fly you out here to Seattle for a weekend!"So, here I am in the great northwest!The flight out here wasn't that bad although my wide body and that of most airliners aren't completely compatible. I felt really sorry for this little Spanish speaking older lady with a cane and bad leg who was

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-88030779924793410122008-04-23T22:06:00.003-04:002008-04-23T22:40:12.152-04:00

"It was 20 years ago today....."Not only word to one of the greatest songs ever but the first words that ran through my head today. It was on this date in 1988 that I married for the first time. Yeah, I wondered where my ex was and if I ever crossed her mind today and then I started thinking in the bigger picture.What had happened to me in those 20 years.I have changed careers a couple of times

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-31782235921663151992008-04-07T23:24:00.001-04:002008-04-10T00:30:08.795-04:00

I had the weirdest string of dreams lately; well, nightmares, actually. Over the weekend I continued to have dreams about my ex-wives. And the worst part was that each of the dreams dealt with our breakups. Of course, it's been a few days and all of the details are gone and the dreams weren't a replay of our breakups but what I remember were they were as if the break ups were happening today;

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-33700584640957201662008-04-01T22:36:00.005-04:002008-04-01T23:50:34.878-04:00

I live for today! April Fool's Day has always been a favorite of mine and today was one of the best.My friend Crystal has a compulsion; she folds her trash before throwing it away. It was during lunch a few months ago when I first noticed it. She was done with her meal and very meticulously, and with a quiet reverence in a kind of ceremony, she would fold what ever food wrapper she had just used.

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-21509005921047704522008-03-27T21:41:00.003-04:002008-03-27T22:13:09.851-04:00

It's been almost two months since I posted. Yes, things have happened that have merited posting; I just haven't gotten around to it. Last night really warranted an entry.I went to my first acing class.There is a series of classes held at the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum in Jupiter. I don't really know if "museum" is really what this place is; it's more like Burt's closet. It is a collection

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-87087074858550661972008-01-21T19:06:00.000-05:002008-01-21T19:08:00.485-05:00

My lack of posting in these first few weeks of 2008 does not mean nothing has been happening. I’ll catch you up.The best story is a wet one. I woke up one Wednesday morning for work bright and early at 7AM. I stumbled to the bathroom and reached in to turn on the shower. In stead of the usual torrent all I got was a trickle. This was not going to be good.My mind raced through the possibilities of

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-61841510929755142262008-01-01T01:22:00.000-05:002008-01-01T01:58:03.240-05:00

A good new years?The girl I have been "seeing" for the past three months is apparently spending her New Years with her family, including her ex-husband. Earlier in the week she had mentioned having some sort of small gathering at her house and had asked me to attend. As today closed in she talked more about her step-son still being in town and probably having to do something with that part of her

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987302.post-86187545728423132742007-12-25T14:28:00.000-05:002007-12-25T14:59:30.901-05:00

Christmas always brings back memories of some of the best presents I ever got.I still have one of my first toys; a train engine ride-on toy. It is jet black with a gold bell and a little bellows operated whistle I would pound on to announce my arrival. To prove that I've always been a geek there was the year I got the GIANT 4 foot tall model of the Apollo 11. This was the complete Saturn V rocket

Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00184165872697907671noreply@blogger.com0