Day 4931: A Dad Story #? & Water & Bleach = Light?

"Aww, Monday": junk collage, digital.

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Smokey Robinson, Just to See Her Again.

2GN2S

A Dad story. #?

My Dad always wanted me to be a writer. And, to write a book about his life, in particular. My Dad had so many stories. I wish I had counted them. Often he would repeat them, word for word, comma for comma in the same place each time. He would say, "have I told you this ...?" a loaded question, so if we said no, he was happy to repeat. But, if you said yeah, he would say "well here it comes again."

He lived life on his own terms. A single man since his divorce when I was five. After years as a teamster, moving up in the driving field, he worked for all of the movie studios as an elite driver, which meant he picked up top actors and actresses and delivered them home again at the end of their day. He could have worked for just one studio, and earned a higher salary, but by being independent, as he said, he could take a day off to go to the beach when he wanted. Luckily for him, he must have been liked by his clients, as they would ask for him specifically. Elvis and others. I got the impression he wasn't as popular with other drivers who weren't independent and resented him for being so? I know he had friends within the drivers, because I remember meeting some. But myDad was very frugal, he may have invented the word? We didn't celebrate birthdays or holidays, since to Dad, they were just days. He didn't smoke or drink, which I always thought was admirable. It is only in the past few years that I decided that may have been because that would have been expensive? I do remember him telling me that one of the driver bet several driver that he could get my Dad to loan him money. I don't remember the amount because that wouldn't have made any difference to the story. The drivers, knowing my Dad as being tightfisted, took the bet. Of Course, no loan was made and Dad seemed fine with that.

1983

  

 

  

 

A 2+ minute video, Antartica, here.

 

 

Just because ...

 

White-throated bulbul

 Monday's Smiles ... 

   

   

   

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.

  

 

 

Day 4930: I'm Late! & 1911 Forrest Ship!

"Opening": junk collage, my photo, digital.

  

Want music?

    Click: Staple Singers, I'll Take You There.

2GN2S

I'm Late!

I try to be on time, most of the time, but today I am late! Yesterday was our 55th International Goodwill Tournament, the Demura Cup in honor of our Sensei, Fumio Demura. 

There was a great turnout and I thought the caliber of competition was outstanding. It was my first time to sit at the head table and watch, rather than be assigned a ring to help referee. I must admit I felt ancient for the first time, but I might as well get used to that. I did get to meet and talk with some of my favorite people on the planet. I saw many that I hoped to speak to, but they were so busy judging, and I was jealous. Now I wish I had used some of my time to take pictures to share with you. A few came by to get a photo and I will share those.

Jianna's Mom, Carol has taken photos of Jianna and I at so many tournaments since Jianna was just tiny.

And our Senior Instructors, Fernando Soto Lamas, all the way from Chile stopped by and gave me a gift. A beautiful book on the Republic of Chile, the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, extending along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. I know, because I have the book! Thanks you, Sensei Fernando.

          

And Good friends and Karate-ka Alma and Patrick stopped by with their little princess, Kali, (Katarina Liliana Falconer-Ruiz). I have known the parents for years and was lucky to be at their wedding. So many great memories. 

So, because of such a great day yesterday, today, I am late.

   

 

 

  

 

A 5+ minute video, Bali,  here.

 

 

Just because ...

Common Kestrel.

 Sunday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.

  

 

 

Day 4929: Bless the Olympics & Santa Ana, CA Drones.

"The Journey": junk collage, photo & digital.

      

  

Want music?

    Click: Neal Roberson, Don't Let The Devil Ride.

2GN2S

God Bless the Olympics. Oh, I know there's politics, but I try to skip over that. Instead I dwell on these young, young athletes and their self discipline to put in the work to be at their level and their bravery to try, and, the memories that will replay forever.

I remember when I was young, my Mother telling me that if I would pick one activity to concentrate on, and if I worked very hard, I could try to be the best. That didn't work for me. I was scattered and wanted to do many and I wanted to play. Not a bad thing, I guess, still playing. 

You have to love the amazing 41 year old American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor winning gold, as her two boys watch. What a great story. To me, it's the back stories that show the heart.

I also enjoy seeing good sportsmanship for the most part. As a former coach, I really watch for it. The camera really reveals.

A GH#3 story from eight years ago. Zack came home from work and I was watching ice skating. He looked for a few minutes, then looked at me and said, "You watch that?". I smiled at my giant "jock" looking down on the event. "Yes, I do."  Z: "Do they have to dress like that?"   I replied, "well, yes they sort of do. They need clothing that will allow them to be flexible and perform." He watched, a little longer, then asked, "and it's hard to do?" I replied, "Could you skate well enough to jump in the air and spin around 4-1/2 times and land to skate on?". GH#3: "Oh". I replied, "Zack, there are so many different kinds of athletes in this world."  

  

 

A 5+ minute video, Inch worm snail, here.

 

Just because ...

Eurasian Bullfinch

Saturday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.