BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS

Another way of looking at it is to think of how many cigarettes have been smoked...

Just think of how many nappies you have to use...

There will be many special birthday messages received from your admirers...

Putting it another way, just drink a massive cuppa and be wired for the events of the day...

HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY

This goes out to date friend on his special day.  May he enjoy his special moment...

BIRTHDAYS BOTHER SOME

I get uncomfortable when people give me presents and watch me open them. I don't have birthday parties, because the idea of a group of people singing and looking at me while I'm blowing out candles gives me hives.

Truth be told, the above thoughts do not apply to the old geezer.  I start my campaign months before the big event to ensure that there will be loot on my big day.

I have a very dear mate who will be celebrating his birthday on Monday.  He would rather ignore the event.  Not bloody likely with the likes of me around.  

MY VERY OWN CLUB......

Who knew?

Driving in the Bay area, we came upon a petrol station called 'Rotten Robbie'.  Needless to say, we had to stop.  Turns out they had a pretty good deal on petrol.

'Rotten Robbie' is unique to San Francisco area.  I love it.   Mind, someone known, surfed the INTERNET and came up with all sort of wicked things with the tag.

SUSAN GOOD IS BLOODY BRILLIANT

The old geezer first met Susan Good some 4 years ago.  At the time, the old geezer was trying to teach civic pride and moral responsibility to neighbours in a community, most folks in Fresno would rather not think about.  Along the way, Susan Good, taught this old geezer a bit about civic pride and moral responsibility.

At the time, Susan worked for a member of the  California Legislature, very busy woman she was.  That did not stop her from ringing up and asking if there was anything she could do to help in the fight against drugs and crime.

No dilettante is Susan Good.  She is passionate in her desire to make Fresno a better place to live and work, regardless of district lived in.  Susan took part in the block party held on Calaveras Street.  Susan also took time out of her very busy schedule, she was running for office, to come down and take part in March In Alley, to draw attention to the massive drug problem in the neighbourhood. 

Even after losing her bid for public office, Susan Good did not turn back on.  Coming down and visiting to chat more about what could be done to make life better for the poor of Fresno.  I will long remember Susan sitting on the curb, sipping a soft drink got from local cash and carry, taking in the American Flags hanging on Calaveras, greeting folks with kindness and just being a real person.

Susan is running for the same public office again.  She wants to be the person on council for District 4.  In a larger sense, Susan Good, wants to represent not just the folks in District 4, but ALL of the people of Fresno.  That is pretty special.

Having a choice of snaps to put up on blog, I went with the one from her advert for election campaign.  The sign says it all,  It is all good, with Susan Good.  Rather think the folks of District 4 could hardly do better.

Susan Good has a heart the size of Texas.  She really cares about Fresno.  She is passionate in her desire to make a difference.  This old geezer adores Susan Good and will forever remember her as one of the most memorable characters met in life.



I LIKE HIM - THE BROTHER I NEVER HAD

Scott Owens -  The Brother I never had!

I like him, I really like him.
Tear out my fingernails one by one, I like him!
I don't have a very good reason,
Since I've been with him,
Cuckoo-nuts have been in season...
But there's nothing I can do,
Chop me up for onion stew,
Still I'll yell to the sky
Though I can't tell you why,
That I like him!

 I like him, I really like him.
Pluck me naked as a scalded chicken,
I like him!
Don't ask me for why or wherefore,
'Cause I don't have a single good
"Because" or "therefore!"
You can barbecue my nose.
Make a giblet of my toes,
Make me freeze, make me fry.
Make me sigh, make me cry.
Still I'll yell to the sky,
Though I can't tell you why.
That I like him

Looking back at my first meet with Scott, the old geezer remembers vividly thinking 'there is a story there' when he shook hand and welcomed MOI into the bosom of the Hilo Bay Hostel, of which he was The Big Kahuna.  Little did MOI realize that 'the story' would a 'neverending' one.

Allow MOI to set the stage.

Me flatmate had meet a tragic end and life had taken a very bad turn.  Always feeling at peace in Hawaii, and in desperate need of a bolt hole to repair me soul, saw me seek refuge at the hostel.  It was a very low point in life.

Scott took the old geezer in hand, and sensing that what was needed was more than 'tea and sympathy, he offered for MOI to do chores round the hostel. created a need for the old geezer to feel he belonged and had value.

The hostel is right busy place and the one spot in need of TLC were the loos.  MOI was going to make them sparkle.  Scott told he did not want the old geezer to kill self, and showed where the mop was to be had.  The old geezer told Scott that he had a very Catholic attitude about how a floor should be cleaned, on hands in knees.  Not  one to miss an opportunity to throw out a good line, Scott, replied; "Be as Catholic as you want".

When the showers and loos, there are 4, were done, the old geezer knew that it was a good start and in time, the loos would be 5 star.

Scott treated to luncheon that day, a lovely meal, took the time to draw out the old geezer.  He really wanted to hear me story.  That was the beginning of many such luncheons shared,and suppers.  Always with a good chin wag.  Talking story was not one sided, Scott told his share of stories.

Christmas was soon to arrive in Hawaii and Scott asked if  MOI would like to do the baking for the Christmas EVE table for the guests.  WOULD I?  Just call MOI, Betty Crocker.

The day was spent baking ginger bread, brownies, shortbread and lemon wedges.  Bet you never knew the old geezer could find way round a kitchen.  The hostel was filled with the smells of all of the lovely treats to be had later.

Knowing that the old geezer had no place to be on Christmas Eve, Scott invited the old geezer to join in the family gathering planned with his two sisters.  It was grand.  Even got a small gift.

When time permitted, Scott would invite to join on a trip to one of his favourite places on the island of Hawaii.  One such place was a very lovely spot where one could have a luncheon and view the ocean and chat.

We sat under an umbrella, the weather had changed and it was raining frogs round.  It matter not.  We ate and Scott told of his past .  Scott is something of a medical miracle.  Has beat back cancer so many times that has had Velcro placed IN bod to make it easier to get to organs.  19  his number  of years allowed,  He is considerably older today.

Scott told of being a part of a study.  Went for long period and was told the study was complete.  Doctor told that everyone had died.  Scott's eyes filled with tears as he remembered.  The old geezer knew that Scott was special that day.

As the old geezer sits here banging away, so many memories come flooding back.  The old geezer could dine out for years on the stories.  There are some standouts.

Like the trip to  the Cacao farm.  Or, the one looking for bargains at a garage sale.  Invite to see a 'gladiator' film.  New Year's Eve.  Creating me own 'Tea & Tidy' badge.

When MOI thinks of Scott, and the old geezer does very oft, it is the smile, the laugh, the wickedly delicious humour of.  The kindness and concern.  Not feigned but so very real.

The lovely gentlemen of the orchestra are ready with some music.

Most are 'au fait' that MOI has a thing for Broadway.  Scott was gobsmacked at how massive and suffered many a session listening to very loud show tunes coming from me suite, in Middle Earth, where Scott and the old geezer shared a common wall.  Being deaf made the sound level very loud.

When I fell and could not walk, it was Scott who took the old geezer to doctor appointments.  When me right ear exploded, it was Scott who drove MOI to hospital.  Scott who got meds for, fetched meals, checked on.  With nary a complaint.

When the old geezer could not handle medical troubles, and took a powder, it was Scott who called the coppers to find MOI, who tried to make sure that the old geezer was safe.

Too well do I know now brotherly love is.

The Hallmark of a great relationship, is not what you give or get out of, rather that rare privilege of listening to the beating of a heart.

I suddenly realized that ... this man... this man...
No one every made me feel like someone
'Til him
Life was really nothing but a glum one
'Til him
My existence bordered on the tragic
Always timid, never took a chance
Then I felt his magic
And my heart began to dance
I was always frightened, fraught with worry...
'Til him
I was going nowhere in a hurry
'Til him
He filled up my empty life
Filled it to the brim
There could never ever be
Another one...like him

Dear reader, pray allow MOI to stop here.  However public the old geeer is from time to time, somethings are best left 'private'.  An ocean seperate Scott and himself, safe enough to not have Scott throttle due to this post.