| Ever spoken and wished that you could take the words back...or that you could crawl into a hole? Here are a few people who do....
1. I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job? I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word... he knew better. 2. I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls.. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls." 3. My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of nuts. As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically, the boy grinnedand I turned red and walked away. To this day , my sister has never let me forget it. 4. While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in avoice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped whatthey were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me were screams of laughter. 5. A lady picked up several items at a discount store. When she finally got up to the checker, she learned that one of her items had no price tag. Imagine her embarrassment when the checker got on the intercomand boomed out for all the store to hear, "PRICE CHECK ON LANETHIRTEEN, TAMPAX SUPER SIZE." That was bad enough, but somebody at the rear of the store apparently misunderstood the word "Tampax" for "THUMBTACKS." In a business-like tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom. "DO YOU WANT THE KIND YOU PUSH IN WITH YOUR THUMB OR THE KIND YOU POUND IN WITH A HAMMER?" 6. Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training andI was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quicklunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, and she was clean. Then I realized that Danny had not asked togo potty in a while, so I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No." I kept thinking, "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't havean accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have hadan accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soooooo! I asked one more time,"Danny, did you have an accident?" This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over and spread his cheeks and yelled. "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!" While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing,he calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better by thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had! 7. This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks What happens when you predict snow but don't get any....a true story.. We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: "So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard! |
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Brick Wall
We are in one of those "brick wall" situations. Probably got a virus, or two, in the computer. Be carefull if you download anything to do with "CD's" .. we did, had problems ever since. Our LAN with Adelphia DOES NOT WORK. EVERYTHING indicates it is alive, well and working, but it is not. Has not bee for THREE days. Call ADELPHIA ... they get in to our computer .... All is OK ... MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER ..... Call EMACHIES .. they get in to our computer ... ALL IS OK .... MUST BE ADELPHIA ...
Frustrating to say least. So I did the logical thing .... signed up with AOL. Now we can at least get on line. Everthing indicates all is working ... but it isn't. ISP no good ??????? BAD CONNECTION .... I know it is something really MINOR ... but what?
So, I am having a tough time gettng around, EVERYTHING IS SLOW ... about as slow as our first computer 15 years ago .... later ..... jbd
Frustrating to say least. So I did the logical thing .... signed up with AOL. Now we can at least get on line. Everthing indicates all is working ... but it isn't. ISP no good ??????? BAD CONNECTION .... I know it is something really MINOR ... but what?
So, I am having a tough time gettng around, EVERYTHING IS SLOW ... about as slow as our first computer 15 years ago .... later ..... jbd
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Words of wisdom, obviously not mine!
1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
3. Going to a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. It isn't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just remember how lucky you were to get a free trip around the sun.)
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make the ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. If you must choose between two evils, chose the one that you've never tried before.
Thanks to Merrill Dooley ... who sent me these .....jbd
2. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
3. Going to a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. It isn't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just remember how lucky you were to get a free trip around the sun.)
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make the ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. If you must choose between two evils, chose the one that you've never tried before.
Thanks to Merrill Dooley ... who sent me these .....jbd
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Love him or loath him, he nailed this one right on the head.............As a Veteran, I appreciate this. As an "old person" I also appreciate it. As a person with "common sense" .... makes the head spin .....
By Rush Limbaugh
I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving the country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I just can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the
entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.
If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.
Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers.
We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.
You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense?
However, our own U.S. Congress just voted themselves a raise, and many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month, and most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They also do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system.
If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, you may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed you in harm's way receive a pension of $15,000 per month. I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.
"When do we finally do something about this?" If this doesn't seem fair to you, it is time to forward this to as many people as you can.If your interested there is more.................
This must be a campaign issue in 2004. Keep it going.
SOCIAL SECURITY: (This is worth the read. It's short
and to the point.)
Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congressmen do not pay into Social Security. Many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. For all practical purposes their plan works like this:
When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000 - that's Seven Million, Eight Hundred Thousand), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives.
This is calculated on an average life span for each.
Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. These little perks they voted for themselves are free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan.
The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Fund--our tax dollars at work! From our own Social
Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into -- every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) --we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!
Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. And that change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators an Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us and then watch how fast they would fix it.
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve. WE, each one of us... can make a difference..
By Rush Limbaugh
I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving the country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I just can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the
entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.
If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.
Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers.
We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.
You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense?
However, our own U.S. Congress just voted themselves a raise, and many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month, and most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They also do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system.
If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, you may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed you in harm's way receive a pension of $15,000 per month. I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.
"When do we finally do something about this?" If this doesn't seem fair to you, it is time to forward this to as many people as you can.If your interested there is more.................
This must be a campaign issue in 2004. Keep it going.
SOCIAL SECURITY: (This is worth the read. It's short
and to the point.)
Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congressmen do not pay into Social Security. Many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. For all practical purposes their plan works like this:
When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000 - that's Seven Million, Eight Hundred Thousand), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives.
This is calculated on an average life span for each.
Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. These little perks they voted for themselves are free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan.
The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Fund--our tax dollars at work! From our own Social
Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into -- every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) --we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!
Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. And that change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators an Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us and then watch how fast they would fix it.
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve. WE, each one of us... can make a difference..
Friday, July 09, 2004
Leftovers for the week
Friday evening, getting about bed time, have a show to do tomorrow at WalMart. Will be a busy one, going to make turkey sandwiches, can't make them fast enough. French bread, turkey, cheese, mayo, Italian Dressing, good sandwich.
Comments on the new OSU coach. Personal opinion only. Not my choice. Seen too much X BBall over the years, always been a questionable program. I think it is a shame that a big time program like OSU can't do any better than they did.. Why not bring back Jerry Faust and let him coach BBall. Remember old Eldon Miller, bring him back. Andy Geiger. I would prefer seeing him at another university, or anyplace for that matter. Three years and the new guy will be gone. Knight, would have them back in the NCAA finals or better in a few years. I am now a Michigan fan in ALL sports. I predict the honeymoon is over in football, I could be wrong, but I think this season will be crucial. I look for a losing season. Losing season in BBall, Geiger gone in a year or two.
Locally, well, LAPP ,, Licking Alcohol Prevention Program ... Director got drunk and wrecked two cars in a few years. At least they let him wreck two of them ... I thought it was THREE strikes and you are out ... or perhaps, in that position, one would have been enough. Now, they noticed a lot of money was spent ... apartment, furniture, etc., sounds like something Bill Clinton would have done. Director must have been a democrat also .... he misunderstood, I guess.
Somewhere in city hall, another investigation. One of the good things about investigations in our city hall .... nothing ever seems to come of them. The fact they are being conducted sounds good though.
I also noticed that the council president is accepting another important position. I think it was director of something regarding handicapped children in Costa Rica. Probably been a lifelong dream of his. I'm sure he will do a good job there. Maybe have to leave his council post to devote more time to the new position. Strange if he would not finish his term. Oh, I guess that has happened before though.
This is a bad year for me ... I have a GRANDDAUGHTER who is going to be 15 this month ..... and a DAUGHTER ... who will be 50 in October. I used to be so much older that a lot of people, now, we're almost the same age ... no big spread anymore. I never knew a grandparent, they had all passed away when I was born in '32. A daughter .... 50 .... she thinks this will be tough on her .. think about me .... heck, I turned 50 in '82. I'm just glad to be around to see it all.
Listening to old time radio while I do this .. a neat salute to servicemen ... Crosby, Sinatra and Hope ... with a message from D. D. Eisenhower, the General. Must have been right after the war, mid to late 40's I think. Inspirational words from Ike.
Caught a little of the John McEnroe TV show ... worse than Magic's fiasco ... they are really digging for (talent?) ... My Son Dean is working on a show ... Pitch TV ... great idea, timing is outstanding ... people get an opportunity to "Pitch" an idea ... TV show, product, etc., ideas are certainly needed NOW ... I hope he gets it going. He has all the tools himself, and the facility to do it ....
Well, not a lot of gravy here tonight, certainly no sizzle, so will depart ..... jbd
Comments on the new OSU coach. Personal opinion only. Not my choice. Seen too much X BBall over the years, always been a questionable program. I think it is a shame that a big time program like OSU can't do any better than they did.. Why not bring back Jerry Faust and let him coach BBall. Remember old Eldon Miller, bring him back. Andy Geiger. I would prefer seeing him at another university, or anyplace for that matter. Three years and the new guy will be gone. Knight, would have them back in the NCAA finals or better in a few years. I am now a Michigan fan in ALL sports. I predict the honeymoon is over in football, I could be wrong, but I think this season will be crucial. I look for a losing season. Losing season in BBall, Geiger gone in a year or two.
Locally, well, LAPP ,, Licking Alcohol Prevention Program ... Director got drunk and wrecked two cars in a few years. At least they let him wreck two of them ... I thought it was THREE strikes and you are out ... or perhaps, in that position, one would have been enough. Now, they noticed a lot of money was spent ... apartment, furniture, etc., sounds like something Bill Clinton would have done. Director must have been a democrat also .... he misunderstood, I guess.
Somewhere in city hall, another investigation. One of the good things about investigations in our city hall .... nothing ever seems to come of them. The fact they are being conducted sounds good though.
I also noticed that the council president is accepting another important position. I think it was director of something regarding handicapped children in Costa Rica. Probably been a lifelong dream of his. I'm sure he will do a good job there. Maybe have to leave his council post to devote more time to the new position. Strange if he would not finish his term. Oh, I guess that has happened before though.
This is a bad year for me ... I have a GRANDDAUGHTER who is going to be 15 this month ..... and a DAUGHTER ... who will be 50 in October. I used to be so much older that a lot of people, now, we're almost the same age ... no big spread anymore. I never knew a grandparent, they had all passed away when I was born in '32. A daughter .... 50 .... she thinks this will be tough on her .. think about me .... heck, I turned 50 in '82. I'm just glad to be around to see it all.
Listening to old time radio while I do this .. a neat salute to servicemen ... Crosby, Sinatra and Hope ... with a message from D. D. Eisenhower, the General. Must have been right after the war, mid to late 40's I think. Inspirational words from Ike.
Caught a little of the John McEnroe TV show ... worse than Magic's fiasco ... they are really digging for (talent?) ... My Son Dean is working on a show ... Pitch TV ... great idea, timing is outstanding ... people get an opportunity to "Pitch" an idea ... TV show, product, etc., ideas are certainly needed NOW ... I hope he gets it going. He has all the tools himself, and the facility to do it ....
Well, not a lot of gravy here tonight, certainly no sizzle, so will depart ..... jbd
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Fourth of July, 2004
Early on the 4th here in Ohio, having my first cup of coffee, looking out the window and a not too bad day, no sun yet, muggy out, so there could be some rain. I have a show to do today in Delaware, Aidells Sausage at a Kroger store. Really not looking forward to that. An hour drive, an hour set up, probably a slow day, then the drive home, and an hour to clean everything up. Happy FOURTH.
I need some advice. I like southern gospel music, as you can tell from my site. Been listening to and watching it for a long time. But, I have to wonder if there is something wrong with me. Last night, I was watching Gaither, while drinking MGD, Miller Genuine Draft Beer.
And, I admit, beer or not, I cry a lot when I watch it. David Phelps did one last night ... wow .... cried through it all, and when he hit a high one .... wham, on my feet reaching. There were a couple that really had the tears flowing. I've watched the videos so much I know a little about what maybe was going on at the time it was being recorded.
Danny Gaither sang one, at that time he was diagnosed, and dying, not a dry eye in the house. And when David sings, and without question, he has the sincerest, finest, purest voice I have ever heard ... when they do shots of his peers .. they are in awe of his voice.
Back to my problem, I am not sure if I should listen and drink beer at the same time. Any help will be appreciated.
Back to Gospel Music. Terry Blackwood sang one last night, one he backed up Elvis, when he recorded it. It was Elvis's favorite hymn. I think JD Sumner was also still around. Elvis loved him, that deep base voice, not to compare with it. And Jake Hess was there, he was the favorite singer of ... Elvis. There are so many threads woven between Elvis and Gospel music.
Check your TV listing, or, I think ... ours can search and find, if I knew how to do it ... Gaither is generally on Saturday night, one show at 6 and one at 7. Much of what you see, and many of those you see ... the old timers are gone. I for one am glad that Bill started this whole thing, and got some of this on tape before it was too late. Bill is a Hoosier, not too far from where my family was in Marion, Indiana. And I think, I recall that my Aunt, Eva Shannon, who was a piano teacher in Marion, crossed paths with Bill and Gloria early in their careers. Not sure, but Eva had some of their early records, and it seems I recall hearing her tell of some association with them. Played piano, or did something.
And then of course, Dean is a big name in our family. My father was Ralph Dean, brother Dean Shannon, cousin Merrill Dean, his sister is Willadean (sp?) actually my son in NJ is Dean. My Grandfather Caleb Dooley, who lived in Marion, as they did in those days, spent Saturday night, and a lot of other time, in the County Seat, which was Marion. The Dean family, from Fairmount, Indiana ... well, anyway, that is the Dean family of James Dean (the actor) ... anyway, that association .... is where Caleb got the Dean from ....
I just got an email from Merrill, and he had been visiting in Marion, and stopped by the cemetery ... Lucy Bradford Dooley and Caleb are buried there. I unfortunately never knew any of my grandparents. They had all passed when I was born. Not many living today can say ... "My Grandfather served in the Civil War." I hope that means that we all live long lives in this family.
Happy Fourth to all, have to start packing up for my trek to sell sausage ... no one will be there today, all out having fun, if they do come in to the store it will be to get something real fast ... last minute stuff .. not a good day for sampling...
Check the flag link on my site .. seeyouatthehouse.com , have your own fireworks display ........ jbd
I need some advice. I like southern gospel music, as you can tell from my site. Been listening to and watching it for a long time. But, I have to wonder if there is something wrong with me. Last night, I was watching Gaither, while drinking MGD, Miller Genuine Draft Beer.
And, I admit, beer or not, I cry a lot when I watch it. David Phelps did one last night ... wow .... cried through it all, and when he hit a high one .... wham, on my feet reaching. There were a couple that really had the tears flowing. I've watched the videos so much I know a little about what maybe was going on at the time it was being recorded.
Danny Gaither sang one, at that time he was diagnosed, and dying, not a dry eye in the house. And when David sings, and without question, he has the sincerest, finest, purest voice I have ever heard ... when they do shots of his peers .. they are in awe of his voice.
Back to my problem, I am not sure if I should listen and drink beer at the same time. Any help will be appreciated.
Back to Gospel Music. Terry Blackwood sang one last night, one he backed up Elvis, when he recorded it. It was Elvis's favorite hymn. I think JD Sumner was also still around. Elvis loved him, that deep base voice, not to compare with it. And Jake Hess was there, he was the favorite singer of ... Elvis. There are so many threads woven between Elvis and Gospel music.
Check your TV listing, or, I think ... ours can search and find, if I knew how to do it ... Gaither is generally on Saturday night, one show at 6 and one at 7. Much of what you see, and many of those you see ... the old timers are gone. I for one am glad that Bill started this whole thing, and got some of this on tape before it was too late. Bill is a Hoosier, not too far from where my family was in Marion, Indiana. And I think, I recall that my Aunt, Eva Shannon, who was a piano teacher in Marion, crossed paths with Bill and Gloria early in their careers. Not sure, but Eva had some of their early records, and it seems I recall hearing her tell of some association with them. Played piano, or did something.
And then of course, Dean is a big name in our family. My father was Ralph Dean, brother Dean Shannon, cousin Merrill Dean, his sister is Willadean (sp?) actually my son in NJ is Dean. My Grandfather Caleb Dooley, who lived in Marion, as they did in those days, spent Saturday night, and a lot of other time, in the County Seat, which was Marion. The Dean family, from Fairmount, Indiana ... well, anyway, that is the Dean family of James Dean (the actor) ... anyway, that association .... is where Caleb got the Dean from ....
I just got an email from Merrill, and he had been visiting in Marion, and stopped by the cemetery ... Lucy Bradford Dooley and Caleb are buried there. I unfortunately never knew any of my grandparents. They had all passed when I was born. Not many living today can say ... "My Grandfather served in the Civil War." I hope that means that we all live long lives in this family.
Happy Fourth to all, have to start packing up for my trek to sell sausage ... no one will be there today, all out having fun, if they do come in to the store it will be to get something real fast ... last minute stuff .. not a good day for sampling...
Check the flag link on my site .. seeyouatthehouse.com , have your own fireworks display ........ jbd
Friday, July 02, 2004
Words of Wisdom ...
People who live in glass houses should make love in the basement.
Never read the fine print. There ain't no way you're going to like it.
If you let a smile be your umbrella, then most likely you will get soaking wet.
The only two things we do with greater frequency in middle age are urinate and attend funerals.
The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
To err is human, to forgive - highly unlikely
Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than in a Hyundai.
Drinking makes some husbands see double and feel single..
Living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
My Introduction to Fitz and the Nevada Club
I was discharged from the Navy in 1956, my wife and daughter were living here, so I ended up in Reno. Saw an ad in the paper, “Dealer Trainees” … answered the ad.
My knees were shaking, I was scared to death. So many people told me about the Nevada Club ….. And FITZ …. Purple Gang, Chesterfield Club, in Detroit, mob hit on Fitz.
I entered the club, around 1 pm, noise everywhere, a totally different atmosphere than I was used to. Found the “cage” … an elderly white haired man was behind the grillwork. I don’t know what I said. He asked a few questions. From where, married, children, education …. “Take this to the police station, get fingerprinted, and come back here.” That was the response I got.
I did as told, and when finished, went back to THE CLUB …. As I recall, Fitz made a phone call, looked at me and said, “Be here at 3 in the morning, wear a white shirt and tie.”
I left, still scared to death, probably now more so. I think I had a job, didn’t know what it would be, but I started in the morning … at 3.
Went home, ironed a shirt, tried to get some sleep, couldn’t … got ready about 2 and headed for The Nevada Club, in my white shirt, and with a tie.
2:45 AM walked back up to the cage, Fitz was still there … “Go to the post and tell Mark you are starting.” Fortunately, he pointed to a post in the middle of some 21 tables, so I knew where to go.
Mark … “Did you ever deal before?”
“No,” I replied.
“Ever shill”?
“No”
He handed me a handful of silver dollars and told me to go to table 3, he pointed to it, so I knew where to go.
There were two women dealers on that table …. Thelma Ganz and Bettye Johnson, two extremely attractive women. They asked if I knew anything about what I was doing. I replied no.
“Stand over there, put a dollar on this line, and throw the dice … all the way down and half way back. And, pay attention to what we do.”
I did this for an hour, threw the dice, made my dollar bets, learned when I won and when I lost, listened to them do their “spiel” when they had the stick, and absorbed a little of what they were doing.
After an hour of this, Mark came over and told me to take a 30 minute break, and then come back to the “post.”
On that break I had my first taste of Fitz’s food. Open faced prime rib on a French roll … a big French roll … with lots of Prime Rib…. And juice …. And fries … and, I think it was $1.95. A heck of a meal. And, here was I, Joe Dooley, from Dayton, Ohio, working in a Gambling Hall in Reno, Nevada, in my white shirt … with French Cuffs and gold cuff links. I was extremely impressed. Even got a few “glances and comments” from tourists … “I think he is a DEALER, they could tell by my little green apron.”
Went back to the post, Mark told me to go upstairs and report to Bettye and Thelma.
The second floor was empty .. 4:30 AM … slow weekday evening, we had it all to ourselves.
They put me BEHIND the table … handed me the stick … and told me to DEAL….
Ugh …. "Coming out" …. I clumsily handed one of them the dice … called out a number when they stopped …. Took some dollars … spilled some dollars … paid a bet … totally at a loss… ….
CALM DOWN … First roll of the dice … the customer winds on 7 and 11 … you win on 2, 3 and 12 ….. Any other number … put that marker on it …. Learn how to handle that silver … do this … do that …. This way …..
We did this for an hour or so …. Went by fast … but got another break .. This time, I went with Thelma and Bettye … WOW …. I really am a dealer ….
In those days, the girls wore western pants, but with Nevada Club blouses.
Thelma was TALL …. Slim, and in those pants ….. Great … Bettye was smaller, 5’6”.. Blonde, classy, gorgeous. I’m in heaven
The rest of the night went that way …. Working with the silver dollars, learning how to “call” on the stick … when I win … and when I lose…. The time flew by. At 11 AM, they told me to report to Mark for my schedule …. I passed my first night. I was exhausted, went home and fell asleep … slept all day and evening …..
Day 2 … same basic program, but with other people, and started learning some of the payoffs, and shortcuts on payoffs, more work on handling SILVER … .
This went on for about two weeks. A LOT of learning, so many bets … odds, 5 to 6, 2 to 1, 3 to 2 …. Hard ways, elevens, craps, big six and eight … propositions, wow, soooo many … eleven is time and a half … what does that mean. … OH … bet and half the bet and add a zero.. OK. Bet is 6 dollars … pays 15 to 1 …. Six and 3 is 9, add a 0 … bet gets 90 dollars. That’s easy enough. Or, a stack and half a stack ….
Thelma taught me how to handle the silver dollars. Get used to holding about 20 or so in your hands … drop five …. Drop five …. Drop five …. Learn to drop five … get that index finger moving smoother …. Too much noise … smooth …. Easy …. Soft … drop five … Now, learn how to do it with BOTH hands … no thumbs ...NO thumb jamming.. Straight out …
NO ONE could handle silver like Thelma … she had long tapered fingers, and she caressed the silver dollars … it was almost a sensual experience watching her with the silver dollars … at times I would forget what I was supposed to be learning … she was good. Dealers used to stop and watch her when she was on the wheel. Her movements were beautiful and smooth. She was good.
If anyone finds this site, I would love to hear from any “old” …. “clerks” as we were called in those days. IRS had no place for us …. So we were clerks. Often heard the expression, “He’s a good clerk.”
Many good memories of Reno. It was a great city then. A few blocks of gambling, and then a pretty normal city. I think they used to say that there were more churches per capita in Reno than anywhere else in the country.
I put some fotos up, not sure if this will work or not. Below is the link, copy and drop in your address line.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joedooley/slideshow?&.dir=/5306&.src=ph
Some old fotos on the site. Fit's backdoor on the alley. The one in the club looks to be early 50's. The one of the man in the white work suit .. a policeman ... this is the spot where Fitz was shot, allegedly by a member of the old Purple Gang, a reminder that he owed then money. He lived, but was pretty well banged up from the waist down. I think this was in the late 40's.
My knees were shaking, I was scared to death. So many people told me about the Nevada Club ….. And FITZ …. Purple Gang, Chesterfield Club, in Detroit, mob hit on Fitz.
I entered the club, around 1 pm, noise everywhere, a totally different atmosphere than I was used to. Found the “cage” … an elderly white haired man was behind the grillwork. I don’t know what I said. He asked a few questions. From where, married, children, education …. “Take this to the police station, get fingerprinted, and come back here.” That was the response I got.
I did as told, and when finished, went back to THE CLUB …. As I recall, Fitz made a phone call, looked at me and said, “Be here at 3 in the morning, wear a white shirt and tie.”
I left, still scared to death, probably now more so. I think I had a job, didn’t know what it would be, but I started in the morning … at 3.
Went home, ironed a shirt, tried to get some sleep, couldn’t … got ready about 2 and headed for The Nevada Club, in my white shirt, and with a tie.
2:45 AM walked back up to the cage, Fitz was still there … “Go to the post and tell Mark you are starting.” Fortunately, he pointed to a post in the middle of some 21 tables, so I knew where to go.
Mark … “Did you ever deal before?”
“No,” I replied.
“Ever shill”?
“No”
He handed me a handful of silver dollars and told me to go to table 3, he pointed to it, so I knew where to go.
There were two women dealers on that table …. Thelma Ganz and Bettye Johnson, two extremely attractive women. They asked if I knew anything about what I was doing. I replied no.
“Stand over there, put a dollar on this line, and throw the dice … all the way down and half way back. And, pay attention to what we do.”
I did this for an hour, threw the dice, made my dollar bets, learned when I won and when I lost, listened to them do their “spiel” when they had the stick, and absorbed a little of what they were doing.
After an hour of this, Mark came over and told me to take a 30 minute break, and then come back to the “post.”
On that break I had my first taste of Fitz’s food. Open faced prime rib on a French roll … a big French roll … with lots of Prime Rib…. And juice …. And fries … and, I think it was $1.95. A heck of a meal. And, here was I, Joe Dooley, from Dayton, Ohio, working in a Gambling Hall in Reno, Nevada, in my white shirt … with French Cuffs and gold cuff links. I was extremely impressed. Even got a few “glances and comments” from tourists … “I think he is a DEALER, they could tell by my little green apron.”
Went back to the post, Mark told me to go upstairs and report to Bettye and Thelma.
The second floor was empty .. 4:30 AM … slow weekday evening, we had it all to ourselves.
They put me BEHIND the table … handed me the stick … and told me to DEAL….
Ugh …. "Coming out" …. I clumsily handed one of them the dice … called out a number when they stopped …. Took some dollars … spilled some dollars … paid a bet … totally at a loss… ….
CALM DOWN … First roll of the dice … the customer winds on 7 and 11 … you win on 2, 3 and 12 ….. Any other number … put that marker on it …. Learn how to handle that silver … do this … do that …. This way …..
We did this for an hour or so …. Went by fast … but got another break .. This time, I went with Thelma and Bettye … WOW …. I really am a dealer ….
In those days, the girls wore western pants, but with Nevada Club blouses.
Thelma was TALL …. Slim, and in those pants ….. Great … Bettye was smaller, 5’6”.. Blonde, classy, gorgeous. I’m in heaven
The rest of the night went that way …. Working with the silver dollars, learning how to “call” on the stick … when I win … and when I lose…. The time flew by. At 11 AM, they told me to report to Mark for my schedule …. I passed my first night. I was exhausted, went home and fell asleep … slept all day and evening …..
Day 2 … same basic program, but with other people, and started learning some of the payoffs, and shortcuts on payoffs, more work on handling SILVER … .
This went on for about two weeks. A LOT of learning, so many bets … odds, 5 to 6, 2 to 1, 3 to 2 …. Hard ways, elevens, craps, big six and eight … propositions, wow, soooo many … eleven is time and a half … what does that mean. … OH … bet and half the bet and add a zero.. OK. Bet is 6 dollars … pays 15 to 1 …. Six and 3 is 9, add a 0 … bet gets 90 dollars. That’s easy enough. Or, a stack and half a stack ….
Thelma taught me how to handle the silver dollars. Get used to holding about 20 or so in your hands … drop five …. Drop five …. Drop five …. Learn to drop five … get that index finger moving smoother …. Too much noise … smooth …. Easy …. Soft … drop five … Now, learn how to do it with BOTH hands … no thumbs ...NO thumb jamming.. Straight out …
NO ONE could handle silver like Thelma … she had long tapered fingers, and she caressed the silver dollars … it was almost a sensual experience watching her with the silver dollars … at times I would forget what I was supposed to be learning … she was good. Dealers used to stop and watch her when she was on the wheel. Her movements were beautiful and smooth. She was good.
If anyone finds this site, I would love to hear from any “old” …. “clerks” as we were called in those days. IRS had no place for us …. So we were clerks. Often heard the expression, “He’s a good clerk.”
Many good memories of Reno. It was a great city then. A few blocks of gambling, and then a pretty normal city. I think they used to say that there were more churches per capita in Reno than anywhere else in the country.
I put some fotos up, not sure if this will work or not. Below is the link, copy and drop in your address line.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joedooley/slideshow?&.dir=/5306&.src=ph
Some old fotos on the site. Fit's backdoor on the alley. The one in the club looks to be early 50's. The one of the man in the white work suit .. a policeman ... this is the spot where Fitz was shot, allegedly by a member of the old Purple Gang, a reminder that he owed then money. He lived, but was pretty well banged up from the waist down. I think this was in the late 40's.
Friday, June 25, 2004
The excitement is OVER
The NBA draft is over, the excitement has drawn down, and life gets back to normal. Unfortunately, I missed seeing the draft, I guess it was on. We now have a lot of high schoolers who are millionaires ... see, that HS diploma does pay off. Actually, the HS diploma was worth more than the college degree... strange.
Biggest dissapointment ... Martina got knocked off. It was great seeing her again. I think she is one of the great competitors of my lifetime. I think she is still in the doubles, so hopefully can still see her.
Yesterday, Wimbledon, a great example of "sportscasters" causing nausea in listeners. I am not a big tennsi fan, I enjoy watching some of it. Yesterday, a judge made a bad call, missed a point or something like that. Williams was losing, she lost the first set, she was being worked over by her opponent ... simple. BUT, all those jackass commentators could talk about was the mistake. "Worst thing that ever happened" .. type of comments. on and on and on. They even cut in on the Martina match to an interview with Williams ... who acknowledged she got beaat. They tried so hard to make her upset, she was not upset, her father was not upset, no one seemed to be, just all the jackass commentators. If there ever is another holacaust, I hope newcasters, sports announcers and commentators are the first to go .... reporting is a thing of the past ... they have all taken on an air of self importance ... they think they are bigger than the news or the event .... a microphone must have a similar effect as drugs and booze ... they go nuts. Bob Trumpy who was an ex jock with the Bengals, and then did a "Talk" show in Cincinnati on WLW ... good when he started. They the "talk" becomes .... "my opinion" ... and they .. "you stupid jerk, think the same way that I do" ... .type of thing.
There are no more "talk" shows ... your opinion doesn't matter, if it is different than the host ... you are stupid. Look at Howard Stern ... Springer, Morey (or whatever his name is) .. can you imagine Springer getting in to the broadcasters hall of fame because of his talent .... "holding a microphone" so exposure can take place, and inciting mock fights.Think about that ... he wants to become a politician ... he was and screwed that up ... didn't he write a check to a hooker or something like that .... good he didn't opt for brain surgery. He must be proud of his accomplishments. How many in the world could be successfull, if given the venue ... hold up this microphone so people can insult other people we have on stage .... hookers, deviates, cross dressers, convicts, perverts ... and then show us their breasts, butts, .... I wonder when the guys are going too start exposing, they will have to do something new, seen it all so far ... Jerry must be proud of his accomplishments. Saddest part, he is from Ohio ... I think went to OU ... so proud.
Don't know how I got off on that tangent ...... later
Biggest dissapointment ... Martina got knocked off. It was great seeing her again. I think she is one of the great competitors of my lifetime. I think she is still in the doubles, so hopefully can still see her.
Yesterday, Wimbledon, a great example of "sportscasters" causing nausea in listeners. I am not a big tennsi fan, I enjoy watching some of it. Yesterday, a judge made a bad call, missed a point or something like that. Williams was losing, she lost the first set, she was being worked over by her opponent ... simple. BUT, all those jackass commentators could talk about was the mistake. "Worst thing that ever happened" .. type of comments. on and on and on. They even cut in on the Martina match to an interview with Williams ... who acknowledged she got beaat. They tried so hard to make her upset, she was not upset, her father was not upset, no one seemed to be, just all the jackass commentators. If there ever is another holacaust, I hope newcasters, sports announcers and commentators are the first to go .... reporting is a thing of the past ... they have all taken on an air of self importance ... they think they are bigger than the news or the event .... a microphone must have a similar effect as drugs and booze ... they go nuts. Bob Trumpy who was an ex jock with the Bengals, and then did a "Talk" show in Cincinnati on WLW ... good when he started. They the "talk" becomes .... "my opinion" ... and they .. "you stupid jerk, think the same way that I do" ... .type of thing.
There are no more "talk" shows ... your opinion doesn't matter, if it is different than the host ... you are stupid. Look at Howard Stern ... Springer, Morey (or whatever his name is) .. can you imagine Springer getting in to the broadcasters hall of fame because of his talent .... "holding a microphone" so exposure can take place, and inciting mock fights.Think about that ... he wants to become a politician ... he was and screwed that up ... didn't he write a check to a hooker or something like that .... good he didn't opt for brain surgery. He must be proud of his accomplishments. How many in the world could be successfull, if given the venue ... hold up this microphone so people can insult other people we have on stage .... hookers, deviates, cross dressers, convicts, perverts ... and then show us their breasts, butts, .... I wonder when the guys are going too start exposing, they will have to do something new, seen it all so far ... Jerry must be proud of his accomplishments. Saddest part, he is from Ohio ... I think went to OU ... so proud.
Don't know how I got off on that tangent ...... later
Thursday, June 24, 2004
I am Thankful for Spider Solitaire
I am so thankful to have Spider Solitaire on my new computer, it has been a lifesaver, and has had a tranquilizing effect on me. Let me explain.
A few months ago we got a new computer, had lots of all the stuff you need, the ram stuff and all the other memories, and it was fast. So, at the same time we got the DSL, I think it is. It was so fast it almost anticipated what you wanted to do next. Loved it. Had the newest Microsoft Publisher, which I use and love, and other neat software. 2 disc drives, make your own Cd’s, surround stereo sound, a new cute box with 6 lights on it (for the DSL). Loved it, it worked great.
And then, our granddaughter really started loving us, DOWNLOAD MUSIC. Downloaded a new program to help DOWNLOAD MUSIC, and some other stuff to make her communications with friends easier. We acquired 4 or 5 new WEB BARS …. DEMANDING ONES, and the amazing part, none of them could be found on our computer. Something like find4U took over. Search find4U, not on the computer. I wanted my YAHOO to be my opening page, when I went to the WWW, NNNOOOO, find 4 u wanted that job. AND, it still is.
BUT, there are instructions I found on how to take it off. 2 different ways to do it. Bill Gates could not understand those instructions. So, find4u now owns our computer. And also, now, it locks up … most of the time, especially when you are in the middle of something important … happens all the time. But, when it locks up, hit start, and there is SPIDER SOLITARE … it is like the US Postal service … neither sleet, etc … spider solitaire comes up and you can play it.. I had 5 windows locked and frozen, keyboard was dead on all of them, nothing worked ….. Start, spider, so I played a couple of games and then shut the computer down.
I am just at the one color level, I have tried two, but lose too often, three, gonna be a while. I think too, it knows when I am really frustrated, and it lets me win easily. Other times it is tougher. But is always there for me. Matter of fact, to be on the safe side, I am doing this BLOG in Publisher, going to save it, copy it, and then go to my blog site, just so I have it. I’ve lost two BLOGS now that I really liked, got near the end, and the keyboard locked up, so I am not taking any chances.
Went to school yesterday, in Columbus, learning how to sell Aidell’s Sausage. I’m gonna be a specialist. Get a neat new table, crock pots, skillet, umbrella, shirt, hat, apron, lots of neat stuff. This Friday, the 24th, gonna do the old COFFEE DEMO … the one that caught on fire the last time. … Friday, Saturday and Sunday ….. Coffee Machine, Potatoes and toilet paper, I am versatile .. But, I think the toilet paper is the last one …. Makes sense.
A few months ago we got a new computer, had lots of all the stuff you need, the ram stuff and all the other memories, and it was fast. So, at the same time we got the DSL, I think it is. It was so fast it almost anticipated what you wanted to do next. Loved it. Had the newest Microsoft Publisher, which I use and love, and other neat software. 2 disc drives, make your own Cd’s, surround stereo sound, a new cute box with 6 lights on it (for the DSL). Loved it, it worked great.
And then, our granddaughter really started loving us, DOWNLOAD MUSIC. Downloaded a new program to help DOWNLOAD MUSIC, and some other stuff to make her communications with friends easier. We acquired 4 or 5 new WEB BARS …. DEMANDING ONES, and the amazing part, none of them could be found on our computer. Something like find4U took over. Search find4U, not on the computer. I wanted my YAHOO to be my opening page, when I went to the WWW, NNNOOOO, find 4 u wanted that job. AND, it still is.
BUT, there are instructions I found on how to take it off. 2 different ways to do it. Bill Gates could not understand those instructions. So, find4u now owns our computer. And also, now, it locks up … most of the time, especially when you are in the middle of something important … happens all the time. But, when it locks up, hit start, and there is SPIDER SOLITARE … it is like the US Postal service … neither sleet, etc … spider solitaire comes up and you can play it.. I had 5 windows locked and frozen, keyboard was dead on all of them, nothing worked ….. Start, spider, so I played a couple of games and then shut the computer down.
I am just at the one color level, I have tried two, but lose too often, three, gonna be a while. I think too, it knows when I am really frustrated, and it lets me win easily. Other times it is tougher. But is always there for me. Matter of fact, to be on the safe side, I am doing this BLOG in Publisher, going to save it, copy it, and then go to my blog site, just so I have it. I’ve lost two BLOGS now that I really liked, got near the end, and the keyboard locked up, so I am not taking any chances.
Went to school yesterday, in Columbus, learning how to sell Aidell’s Sausage. I’m gonna be a specialist. Get a neat new table, crock pots, skillet, umbrella, shirt, hat, apron, lots of neat stuff. This Friday, the 24th, gonna do the old COFFEE DEMO … the one that caught on fire the last time. … Friday, Saturday and Sunday ….. Coffee Machine, Potatoes and toilet paper, I am versatile .. But, I think the toilet paper is the last one …. Makes sense.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Could it possibly be Bobby Knight????
I DON'T THINK anyone reads these, so I can express any opinion I want and not worry about controversy.
I THINK that Mr Knight, Mr. Basketball, will eventually end up at THE Ohio State University as head basketball coach. He is the only person around who could bring OSU BBall back to prominence, and he could do it in a few years. I have not heard who they are even considering, but if they don't consider Bobby, they are wrong. He could be, and is, Ohio State Basketball. I doubt if he is considered the strict disciplinarian that he once was. I think the perception would be that he has mellowed a bit.
COULD they control him, and would they try. I think they would set parameters for him ... he stayed within them there would be no problem. He would have the buckeyes in the FINAL FOUR in 3 or 4 years. No one else could do that. Maybe they can bring Eldon Miller back. I don't see anyone else around that could do to the program what he could. Maybe he would not consider it. From what I have heard, he would consider it.
BUT I DON'T THINK THE OBRIEN this is resolved, he could own the university before it is all over. I think someone jumped the gun on his dismissal ... OSU screwed up again in my estimation. I think there next personnel change should be in the AD department. Seems like when they get a good one ... they can't hold on to them.
I DON"T think there is anyone more scarlet and grey, with those credentials, who could fill the bill. I think also, that OSU is getting a BAD reputation, and quality coaches are not looking to come here. To me, the jury is still out on the football coach. He got lucky and won a National, but I don't think ever again. A few plays going the other way and no championship. To me, they were undeserving. We'll see what happens this year. I am not optimistic.
I THINK that Mr Knight, Mr. Basketball, will eventually end up at THE Ohio State University as head basketball coach. He is the only person around who could bring OSU BBall back to prominence, and he could do it in a few years. I have not heard who they are even considering, but if they don't consider Bobby, they are wrong. He could be, and is, Ohio State Basketball. I doubt if he is considered the strict disciplinarian that he once was. I think the perception would be that he has mellowed a bit.
COULD they control him, and would they try. I think they would set parameters for him ... he stayed within them there would be no problem. He would have the buckeyes in the FINAL FOUR in 3 or 4 years. No one else could do that. Maybe they can bring Eldon Miller back. I don't see anyone else around that could do to the program what he could. Maybe he would not consider it. From what I have heard, he would consider it.
BUT I DON'T THINK THE OBRIEN this is resolved, he could own the university before it is all over. I think someone jumped the gun on his dismissal ... OSU screwed up again in my estimation. I think there next personnel change should be in the AD department. Seems like when they get a good one ... they can't hold on to them.
I DON"T think there is anyone more scarlet and grey, with those credentials, who could fill the bill. I think also, that OSU is getting a BAD reputation, and quality coaches are not looking to come here. To me, the jury is still out on the football coach. He got lucky and won a National, but I don't think ever again. A few plays going the other way and no championship. To me, they were undeserving. We'll see what happens this year. I am not optimistic.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Ouch, but it works
After having their eleventh child, a North Georgia Mountain couple decided that 11 was enough, as they could not afford a larger bed. So the husband went to his doctor and told him that he and his wife didn't want to have any more children. The doctor told him that there was a procedure called a vasectomy that could fix the problem, but it was expensive.
"A less costly alternative," said the doctor, "is to go home, get a cherry bomb (fireworks are legal in the North Georgia Mountains), light it, put it in an empty beer can, then hold the can up to his ear and count to 10."
The redneck said to the doctor, "I may not be the smartest man in the world, but I don't see how putting a cherry bomb in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me."
"Trust me," said the doctor.
So the hillbilly went home, lit a cherry bomb and put it in a beer can. He held the can up to his ear and began to count, "1, 2, 3, 4,
5..."
At this point he paused, placed the beer can between his legs, and resumed counting on his other hand.
This procedure also works in Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Mississippi.
"A less costly alternative," said the doctor, "is to go home, get a cherry bomb (fireworks are legal in the North Georgia Mountains), light it, put it in an empty beer can, then hold the can up to his ear and count to 10."
The redneck said to the doctor, "I may not be the smartest man in the world, but I don't see how putting a cherry bomb in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me."
"Trust me," said the doctor.
So the hillbilly went home, lit a cherry bomb and put it in a beer can. He held the can up to his ear and began to count, "1, 2, 3, 4,
5..."
At this point he paused, placed the beer can between his legs, and resumed counting on his other hand.
This procedure also works in Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Mississippi.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
WOW, a funny night of BASKETBALL
Strange NBA Playoffs ... the Lakers were never in the picture, that's hard to figure. The Pistons wanted to win, and they did.
It was funny watching a game where I had not heard of most of the players, that shows I am not a big fan I guess. The coach I knew ... maybe Brown will come to Ohio State and coach. Do you think they are really considering Knight? Personally, he belongs at OSU. Most OSU coaches end on on tranquilizers anyway, put him on heavy dosage, and let him come back to his alma mater. Knight and Ohio State basketball go together. He could bring the program back to the Taylor years.
I digressed a bit.
I knew them when they were the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I saw the old Pistons play back in the 40's when Industrial Ball was the big thing. Caterpillar Tractors, Pistons, a lot of manufacturers and companies had teams. They worked in the off season and played ball during the season.
Oddly enough, my brother got married in the mid 40's .. his brother in law was one of the team doctors of the Pistons ... and his sister in law taught school, in Lansing. One of her students was Magic Johnson. She still gets a Christmas card from him each year.
My brother was a high school BB coach, and his brother in law would have a pre-season picnic at his house in Ft. Wayne every year for the Piston team. Brother would go, and got to know many of the players from then. Brother Bud was a good bb player in his own right, and in the in college at DePauw ... '39 to '43. They played a lot of "service" teams during those years, many were players who later went on in the NBA.
BUT, what happened to the Lakers ... Detroit wanted to win, more than the Lakers, and no one told them couldn't beat the Lakers. So they did it. Poor Jack. He was a gracious loser though, as were the Lakers.
Shaq will be back next year, everyone else is a question mark. Phil Jackson is gone,, he may come to Ohio State. Maybe one in prison? The others, all questions.
But it was good, I think, for professional basketball. I can't say why, but I heard some saying that last night.
How was it good? Giants can be beaten? Concern about going to prison finally wears you down. As one sign said, "LA has SUPERMEN, Detroit has KRYPTONITE"
I did get a little offended by Commissioner Stern repeatedly saying how the Pistons should have lost, they were underdogs and came out on top, he made similar points toooooo many times. If I was a Piston I would have been offended.
As shown last night, players who play at that level are similar, Detroit had gone through a playoff series and won. So, they had some talent. The fact that no one game them a chance says a lot about the intelligence of the MEDIA who made those statements.
To Dr. Sommers, Jane, and the rest of the Fort Wayne Zoller Piston Fans .... well done .. I always thought you had a chance.
It was funny watching a game where I had not heard of most of the players, that shows I am not a big fan I guess. The coach I knew ... maybe Brown will come to Ohio State and coach. Do you think they are really considering Knight? Personally, he belongs at OSU. Most OSU coaches end on on tranquilizers anyway, put him on heavy dosage, and let him come back to his alma mater. Knight and Ohio State basketball go together. He could bring the program back to the Taylor years.
I digressed a bit.
I knew them when they were the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I saw the old Pistons play back in the 40's when Industrial Ball was the big thing. Caterpillar Tractors, Pistons, a lot of manufacturers and companies had teams. They worked in the off season and played ball during the season.
Oddly enough, my brother got married in the mid 40's .. his brother in law was one of the team doctors of the Pistons ... and his sister in law taught school, in Lansing. One of her students was Magic Johnson. She still gets a Christmas card from him each year.
My brother was a high school BB coach, and his brother in law would have a pre-season picnic at his house in Ft. Wayne every year for the Piston team. Brother would go, and got to know many of the players from then. Brother Bud was a good bb player in his own right, and in the in college at DePauw ... '39 to '43. They played a lot of "service" teams during those years, many were players who later went on in the NBA.
BUT, what happened to the Lakers ... Detroit wanted to win, more than the Lakers, and no one told them couldn't beat the Lakers. So they did it. Poor Jack. He was a gracious loser though, as were the Lakers.
Shaq will be back next year, everyone else is a question mark. Phil Jackson is gone,, he may come to Ohio State. Maybe one in prison? The others, all questions.
But it was good, I think, for professional basketball. I can't say why, but I heard some saying that last night.
How was it good? Giants can be beaten? Concern about going to prison finally wears you down. As one sign said, "LA has SUPERMEN, Detroit has KRYPTONITE"
I did get a little offended by Commissioner Stern repeatedly saying how the Pistons should have lost, they were underdogs and came out on top, he made similar points toooooo many times. If I was a Piston I would have been offended.
As shown last night, players who play at that level are similar, Detroit had gone through a playoff series and won. So, they had some talent. The fact that no one game them a chance says a lot about the intelligence of the MEDIA who made those statements.
To Dr. Sommers, Jane, and the rest of the Fort Wayne Zoller Piston Fans .... well done .. I always thought you had a chance.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Tuesday Morning ..June 15, 2004 .... 8:30 AM
The month is going fast. The time frame between Memorial Day and Labor Day ... gets shorter all the time.
Looks pretty good in Newark this morning. Sun is out, don't know what the forecast is ... but that generally does not come in to play anyway.
Didn't care to watch the news this AM .. had some coffee on the porch, didn't want to ruin the ambiance with news. I'm sure someone got killed somewhere, some dispicable crime was committed somewhere, probably in Newark, and some phone selling terrorist from Columbus wants to blow up a shopping center.
What events could happen in a persons life that would make them want to blow up a shopping center. My guess is that his wife spends too much time in them. And from what little I saw on the news last night, everyone was shocked, none of the other terrorists thought he was like that.
I periodically do some inspections for a company in Arizona, primarily sight inspections to determine if a business is "real" or not. Do them for Bank One, when someone wants to put a credit card machine in.
A few years ago, I was doing some in Columbus, one of them was at a Masque, right in Columbus.
We always call ahead to make sure someone will be on site, but I never got an answer at this one, so took a chance and drove there. Finally found it, knocked on the door, no one there, but, the door was open. Well it was a church sort of place.
I went in, asking loudly if anyone was there, no response.
It was a fairly large place, nothing fancy, probably had been offices at one time. There was one large room, fairly plain, and other offices off from that.
The place was rather intriguing, so I nibbed around a little. Most of the rooms had desks and some things stored in them.
I was getting about ready to leave, and checked out the last door that I had not peeked into.
Opened the door .... WOW .... visible from the door, a number of weapons of various types and sizes, and a few other closets with closed doors.
I was going to nib some more when I heard a voice coming down the hall. I closed the door before he could see that I had looked in.
He had a turban on his head, beard, those white wrap around pants and a serape type jacket on.
He didn't speak too much English. I showed him the forms I had, tried to explain to him about the VISA terminal they wanted and why I was there.
I don't know if I ever got through to him or not. All I wanted him to do was to sign the form that I had been there. He didn't seem to want to sign anything.
Then, I realized that he didn't have his shoes on, and, dthat I should have taken mine off. That seemed to upset him a little. He kept looking over my shoulder the "door" with the weapons, and then looking at me. He definitely wanted me to leave. He even took me to a book case that actually was a back door, and ushered me out that.
I tried for a while to get through to him that all I wanted was his signature on the form ... still trying to let him know why I was there. I never got through.
I signed the form for him, let him see I did, he shook his head for some reason like it was OK with him.
I got in the car and slowly drove off. He walked, barefooted, and followed me to the corner, and watched me head for the freeway.
We put our recommendations on the forms before we send them in, I didn't give the place a very good report.
I still wonder why they wanted a VISA terminal in their church. This all happened five or six years ago, before 9/11, before the "age of terrorism."
Now we know how "handy" the terminals are for moving money around, etc. I wonder????
Looks pretty good in Newark this morning. Sun is out, don't know what the forecast is ... but that generally does not come in to play anyway.
Didn't care to watch the news this AM .. had some coffee on the porch, didn't want to ruin the ambiance with news. I'm sure someone got killed somewhere, some dispicable crime was committed somewhere, probably in Newark, and some phone selling terrorist from Columbus wants to blow up a shopping center.
What events could happen in a persons life that would make them want to blow up a shopping center. My guess is that his wife spends too much time in them. And from what little I saw on the news last night, everyone was shocked, none of the other terrorists thought he was like that.
I periodically do some inspections for a company in Arizona, primarily sight inspections to determine if a business is "real" or not. Do them for Bank One, when someone wants to put a credit card machine in.
A few years ago, I was doing some in Columbus, one of them was at a Masque, right in Columbus.
We always call ahead to make sure someone will be on site, but I never got an answer at this one, so took a chance and drove there. Finally found it, knocked on the door, no one there, but, the door was open. Well it was a church sort of place.
I went in, asking loudly if anyone was there, no response.
It was a fairly large place, nothing fancy, probably had been offices at one time. There was one large room, fairly plain, and other offices off from that.
The place was rather intriguing, so I nibbed around a little. Most of the rooms had desks and some things stored in them.
I was getting about ready to leave, and checked out the last door that I had not peeked into.
Opened the door .... WOW .... visible from the door, a number of weapons of various types and sizes, and a few other closets with closed doors.
I was going to nib some more when I heard a voice coming down the hall. I closed the door before he could see that I had looked in.
He had a turban on his head, beard, those white wrap around pants and a serape type jacket on.
He didn't speak too much English. I showed him the forms I had, tried to explain to him about the VISA terminal they wanted and why I was there.
I don't know if I ever got through to him or not. All I wanted him to do was to sign the form that I had been there. He didn't seem to want to sign anything.
Then, I realized that he didn't have his shoes on, and, dthat I should have taken mine off. That seemed to upset him a little. He kept looking over my shoulder the "door" with the weapons, and then looking at me. He definitely wanted me to leave. He even took me to a book case that actually was a back door, and ushered me out that.
I tried for a while to get through to him that all I wanted was his signature on the form ... still trying to let him know why I was there. I never got through.
I signed the form for him, let him see I did, he shook his head for some reason like it was OK with him.
I got in the car and slowly drove off. He walked, barefooted, and followed me to the corner, and watched me head for the freeway.
We put our recommendations on the forms before we send them in, I didn't give the place a very good report.
I still wonder why they wanted a VISA terminal in their church. This all happened five or six years ago, before 9/11, before the "age of terrorism."
Now we know how "handy" the terminals are for moving money around, etc. I wonder????
Something to Think About
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it, because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that comeour way. We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special - Don't EVER forget it."
If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring.
Count your blessings, not your problems.
And remember: amateurs built the ark ... professionals built the
Titanic.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it, because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that comeour way. We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special - Don't EVER forget it."
If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring.
Count your blessings, not your problems.
And remember: amateurs built the ark ... professionals built the
Titanic.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Monday, June 14, 2004
A guy I met, got to know, and never knew
1956, Nevada Club, Reno Nevada. I was "turning out" as a dealer, very proud of myself, had my own little green apron, different world for me.
On the crap tables you worked 20 minutes at one end, 20 on the other, and a 20 minute break. So, spent some time in the really nice coffee shop/restaurant at Fitz's Nevada Club.
One customer, a man about 30, would stop by the table and chat, or maybe make a small bet or two. I trained and worked on the graveyard shift ... 3AM till 11, so there rarely were very big crowds, so we had time to chat.
This guy was sort of a "regular" so I got to know him a little. On occasions, when on a break, he would be eating, and if a vacant stool was nearby, would plop down and have a coffee with him.
He was interesting to talk with, had a wealth of knowledge about a world of subjects, much the same as I THOUGHT I had, so we hit it off pretty well.
Peculiar though, something, it was just peculiar.
Danny Fagan, who was my floor boss and a friend, saw me coming back from a break with him, and later came over t the table and made mention of it. Danny called me Kid, but he called everyone Kid. I will go more into Danny Fagan later, he also was interesting.
“Kid, you on a break with Jack there?”
“Yeh”
“Easy does it …. You know what I mean. Don’t ask anything, OK?
That was it, nothing more said.
We talked on breaks, had dinner once or twice, he came out the house for dinner a couple of times. Met my wife and daughter, he became a family member and friend, in a way.
I knew enough to not ask him what he did for a living, I did pick him up once at his apartment... nice building, out South, by the golf course, high rent area.
He was noticeable by his absence at times. Be gone for a week or so, and then pop up again. Never asked where he had been or anything like that, and there was rarely any information volunteered on where he had been.
But, I got to noticing that when he was gone, sometimes, somewhere, there would be an accident, or someone might get shot or something like that. Enough said? Just didn’t go in to details.
Conclusion. Our friend Jack, and that probably was not his real name, could have been …. Well, I found out later on that he actually was. I’ll just leave it at that.
He’s probably gone now, but I remember the last time we had him over to the house for dinner. We were leaving the next day to come back to Ohio. As he was leaving he said to me …. “If there is ever anything I can do for you ……..”
He was a very nice guy, quiet, educated, some self taught, originally from New Jersey. That explains some of it. Figures he was the West Coast branch of something. Lived quietly, played a lot of golf, always seemed to have ample money. Oddly enough, he was one of three …. Of that profession, that I met or knew in Nevada.
On the crap tables you worked 20 minutes at one end, 20 on the other, and a 20 minute break. So, spent some time in the really nice coffee shop/restaurant at Fitz's Nevada Club.
One customer, a man about 30, would stop by the table and chat, or maybe make a small bet or two. I trained and worked on the graveyard shift ... 3AM till 11, so there rarely were very big crowds, so we had time to chat.
This guy was sort of a "regular" so I got to know him a little. On occasions, when on a break, he would be eating, and if a vacant stool was nearby, would plop down and have a coffee with him.
He was interesting to talk with, had a wealth of knowledge about a world of subjects, much the same as I THOUGHT I had, so we hit it off pretty well.
Peculiar though, something, it was just peculiar.
Danny Fagan, who was my floor boss and a friend, saw me coming back from a break with him, and later came over t the table and made mention of it. Danny called me Kid, but he called everyone Kid. I will go more into Danny Fagan later, he also was interesting.
“Kid, you on a break with Jack there?”
“Yeh”
“Easy does it …. You know what I mean. Don’t ask anything, OK?
That was it, nothing more said.
We talked on breaks, had dinner once or twice, he came out the house for dinner a couple of times. Met my wife and daughter, he became a family member and friend, in a way.
I knew enough to not ask him what he did for a living, I did pick him up once at his apartment... nice building, out South, by the golf course, high rent area.
He was noticeable by his absence at times. Be gone for a week or so, and then pop up again. Never asked where he had been or anything like that, and there was rarely any information volunteered on where he had been.
But, I got to noticing that when he was gone, sometimes, somewhere, there would be an accident, or someone might get shot or something like that. Enough said? Just didn’t go in to details.
Conclusion. Our friend Jack, and that probably was not his real name, could have been …. Well, I found out later on that he actually was. I’ll just leave it at that.
He’s probably gone now, but I remember the last time we had him over to the house for dinner. We were leaving the next day to come back to Ohio. As he was leaving he said to me …. “If there is ever anything I can do for you ……..”
He was a very nice guy, quiet, educated, some self taught, originally from New Jersey. That explains some of it. Figures he was the West Coast branch of something. Lived quietly, played a lot of golf, always seemed to have ample money. Oddly enough, he was one of three …. Of that profession, that I met or knew in Nevada.
Wesley J. West
WESLEY J. WEST
I got to know Wes back in the late 50's, had seen him around Reno, but didn't actually meet him until I went to Elko for a while.
Wesley was a thief, one of the best. Actually, Wesley was a crossroader. That was a name given to a band of men who travelled all over Nevada, trying to extract money from Gambling Halls. They were all good.
They devoted hours of practice to "moves" with cards, dice or the wheel. And, they had lots of guts.
Wesley was ond of the best. His hands were always moving, doing something. I met him in a motel room in Elko. He was sitting on the side of a bed. A book of matches was lying on the bedspread, and Wesley had an identical book of matches that he was "mucking" in his hand ... (holding it in him palm). He would slowly moves his hand over the book lying on the bed, swoop his hand down, and in a split second as he passed over, he would drop the one in his hand, and pick up the one on the bedspread... it would be lying identically the same.
He could do it with a die, or a pair of dice, and pick up a card and drop one in that split second. Wesley was always practicing a move of some kind.
He was faairly old at that time, probably in his early sixties, but in very good shape. Elko, then and now, had a number of "houses of ill repute." All legal. Wes was always popular .. his cover was that of a manufacturers rep, and he always had a carload of goodies of some kind. The girls liked him for that reason, and apparently he had been blessed ... endowed, greatly. Old, bald headed, quickest hands in the west, rather quiet, and popular in the houses of Elko.
He had a passion for stealing in a game. He was compelled to "make a move" of some kind. If there was any kind of an edge he could get, he had to go for it.
We were driving from Elko to Reno, had a nice Ford convertable, weather was nice, nice drive.
There are not too many towns between Elko and Reno, and we got hungry as we entered Battle Mountain, Nevada. Petty much a wide spot in the road at that time. We pulled up in front of the Battle Mountain Inn, I think it was. They had a restaurant and a few 21 tables, a crap table and a wheel and some slots.
We went to the back where the dining room was. It was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, very slow.
As we were eating, I noticed that Wesley was eyeing the "pit." They only had one 21 table open, and she was dealing to a shill, and she looked pretty "green." .. almost like she was just training. Got the impression that she had been passing through ... got a job, they needed a dealer, and she was it.
I started watching her along with Wesley ... she was very sloppy, and I knew Wesley saw it also ... she "leaked" when she checkced her hole-card .. she held it up to high, and the first baseman .. the player to her left .. could generally get a peek at what the card was.
Wesley could not take this. He bolted his lunch down and headed for the table. He was a good actor ... knew nothing about the game, played the passing through tourist, kept talking, distracting her. He didn't bet too big, and no one was paying any attention to what was going on.
As I say, it was quiet, not much going on. Wesley would win $100 or so, I would saunter by, take the money (silver dollars at that time) and be inconspicuous.
We were about $300 ahead, and the bartender noticed what was going on. He made a quick phone call.
Battle Mountain is a railroad town, and about that time some of the workers who were staying at the hotel, all young, tan, muscular guys, started coming in to the casino for their after work drink.
It all happened quickly ... the bartender let out a yell, and a group of three of four railroaders ... blocked our path to the door. I had about $200 in silver dollars in every pocket, pretty well weighed down. It was getting kinda frantic for us.
Wesley reached in to his inside coat pocket and pulled out a few tear gas pens ... handed me one, like I knew what to do with it. He aimed and shot one at the feet of the three guys ... they disbursed quickly, gave us an opening .... we ran out the door, jumped in to the car and headed west toward Reno.
We noticed one car take off after us ... we thought, but didn't pursue us too long.
We made it safely back to Reno.
Never forget old Wesley, he was a one of a kind. He probably never had less than 7 or 8 thousand dollars on him, in hundreds ... but never touched it. That was his "bankroll" ... just in case he needed it sometime to get even.
I doubt if there are any like him left in Nevada, the old timers who started running numbers when they were 5 or 6 ... went up through the ranks, worked the "wheel houses" in Florida, or the boats off Long Beach. He talked about working the Chesterfield in Detroit, but he primarily knew every poker game he ever sat in on. KNew who was in the game, how much he won or lost, and the same about all those in the game. He had a mind like a computer, and a memory that was uncanny. I wish I had recorded some of his stories.
Wesley J. West ... oddly enough, the last time I saw him ... early 60's ... I had joined the Lions club in Heath, and was working the Corn Festival. Looked up and there was Buster, Wesley and a couple more of the "boys." They always took a few weeks, toured the midwest, hit the "festivals" that had gaming.
We met later on in the evening and talked ... They liked Millersport ... they always took a "thousand" or so with them ... easy pickins for them ...
I got to know Wes back in the late 50's, had seen him around Reno, but didn't actually meet him until I went to Elko for a while.
Wesley was a thief, one of the best. Actually, Wesley was a crossroader. That was a name given to a band of men who travelled all over Nevada, trying to extract money from Gambling Halls. They were all good.
They devoted hours of practice to "moves" with cards, dice or the wheel. And, they had lots of guts.
Wesley was ond of the best. His hands were always moving, doing something. I met him in a motel room in Elko. He was sitting on the side of a bed. A book of matches was lying on the bedspread, and Wesley had an identical book of matches that he was "mucking" in his hand ... (holding it in him palm). He would slowly moves his hand over the book lying on the bed, swoop his hand down, and in a split second as he passed over, he would drop the one in his hand, and pick up the one on the bedspread... it would be lying identically the same.
He could do it with a die, or a pair of dice, and pick up a card and drop one in that split second. Wesley was always practicing a move of some kind.
He was faairly old at that time, probably in his early sixties, but in very good shape. Elko, then and now, had a number of "houses of ill repute." All legal. Wes was always popular .. his cover was that of a manufacturers rep, and he always had a carload of goodies of some kind. The girls liked him for that reason, and apparently he had been blessed ... endowed, greatly. Old, bald headed, quickest hands in the west, rather quiet, and popular in the houses of Elko.
He had a passion for stealing in a game. He was compelled to "make a move" of some kind. If there was any kind of an edge he could get, he had to go for it.
We were driving from Elko to Reno, had a nice Ford convertable, weather was nice, nice drive.
There are not too many towns between Elko and Reno, and we got hungry as we entered Battle Mountain, Nevada. Petty much a wide spot in the road at that time. We pulled up in front of the Battle Mountain Inn, I think it was. They had a restaurant and a few 21 tables, a crap table and a wheel and some slots.
We went to the back where the dining room was. It was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, very slow.
As we were eating, I noticed that Wesley was eyeing the "pit." They only had one 21 table open, and she was dealing to a shill, and she looked pretty "green." .. almost like she was just training. Got the impression that she had been passing through ... got a job, they needed a dealer, and she was it.
I started watching her along with Wesley ... she was very sloppy, and I knew Wesley saw it also ... she "leaked" when she checkced her hole-card .. she held it up to high, and the first baseman .. the player to her left .. could generally get a peek at what the card was.
Wesley could not take this. He bolted his lunch down and headed for the table. He was a good actor ... knew nothing about the game, played the passing through tourist, kept talking, distracting her. He didn't bet too big, and no one was paying any attention to what was going on.
As I say, it was quiet, not much going on. Wesley would win $100 or so, I would saunter by, take the money (silver dollars at that time) and be inconspicuous.
We were about $300 ahead, and the bartender noticed what was going on. He made a quick phone call.
Battle Mountain is a railroad town, and about that time some of the workers who were staying at the hotel, all young, tan, muscular guys, started coming in to the casino for their after work drink.
It all happened quickly ... the bartender let out a yell, and a group of three of four railroaders ... blocked our path to the door. I had about $200 in silver dollars in every pocket, pretty well weighed down. It was getting kinda frantic for us.
Wesley reached in to his inside coat pocket and pulled out a few tear gas pens ... handed me one, like I knew what to do with it. He aimed and shot one at the feet of the three guys ... they disbursed quickly, gave us an opening .... we ran out the door, jumped in to the car and headed west toward Reno.
We noticed one car take off after us ... we thought, but didn't pursue us too long.
We made it safely back to Reno.
Never forget old Wesley, he was a one of a kind. He probably never had less than 7 or 8 thousand dollars on him, in hundreds ... but never touched it. That was his "bankroll" ... just in case he needed it sometime to get even.
I doubt if there are any like him left in Nevada, the old timers who started running numbers when they were 5 or 6 ... went up through the ranks, worked the "wheel houses" in Florida, or the boats off Long Beach. He talked about working the Chesterfield in Detroit, but he primarily knew every poker game he ever sat in on. KNew who was in the game, how much he won or lost, and the same about all those in the game. He had a mind like a computer, and a memory that was uncanny. I wish I had recorded some of his stories.
Wesley J. West ... oddly enough, the last time I saw him ... early 60's ... I had joined the Lions club in Heath, and was working the Corn Festival. Looked up and there was Buster, Wesley and a couple more of the "boys." They always took a few weeks, toured the midwest, hit the "festivals" that had gaming.
We met later on in the evening and talked ... They liked Millersport ... they always took a "thousand" or so with them ... easy pickins for them ...
Sunday Evening
It is now Sunday evening, the Lakers are down at the half ...not sure if it is raining out, northern part of the state looks bad.
Did our show today ... HIGHLY RECOMMEND ... Carb Options ... BBQ Sauce, Italian and Ranch ... low carb stuff, but really good. SURPRISINGLY good. Did Tysons Fajita chicken strips and dipped in either of those sauces. Went through a lot. We also did a low carb tea that was outstanding. Nice show, sold a lot of product, did a lot of samples.
Now, off till Thursday. Think I am going to work on my website, www.seeyouatthehouse.com. My ADD kicks in all the time, so never keep it the same very often. Wworking on a new format (naturally) looks nice.
I don't know how busy WalMart was yesterday, today, average crowd, but they could not keep the meat department stocked. They had from time to time, 5 or 6 people working back there, assistant managers, anyone, people from all over, trying to keep meat in the coolers. Some went out as fast as they could get it stocked. The amount of product moved there is staggering. Thanks to me ... they sold out of two of the salad dressings we did, and sold a lot of the chicken fajitas.
People, as we know, are funny. One lady, in there all the time, has never liked anything I have handed out. She always makes it at home ... from scratch, and it is so much better. We probably did well over 200 samplers today ... only one complaint on the sauces .... three on the iced tea we did. One didn't lime lemon ... (then why try it) ... two were just .... well... and she was one of them.
Did I hear right ... Jaylo is getting married. Up until a few months ago I thought they were talking about Jay Leno. She must like weddings. She kinda reminds you of a car rental facility ... try the car out for a few months ... if you like it ... and it works ... buy it. But then too ... I didn't know who EMINEM was when I met him ... and what was even worse, I kept referring to DIDO as DILDO at the studio.
I hope someone ads to some of these things, I hate to think I am doing this all by myself...
Did our show today ... HIGHLY RECOMMEND ... Carb Options ... BBQ Sauce, Italian and Ranch ... low carb stuff, but really good. SURPRISINGLY good. Did Tysons Fajita chicken strips and dipped in either of those sauces. Went through a lot. We also did a low carb tea that was outstanding. Nice show, sold a lot of product, did a lot of samples.
Now, off till Thursday. Think I am going to work on my website, www.seeyouatthehouse.com. My ADD kicks in all the time, so never keep it the same very often. Wworking on a new format (naturally) looks nice.
I don't know how busy WalMart was yesterday, today, average crowd, but they could not keep the meat department stocked. They had from time to time, 5 or 6 people working back there, assistant managers, anyone, people from all over, trying to keep meat in the coolers. Some went out as fast as they could get it stocked. The amount of product moved there is staggering. Thanks to me ... they sold out of two of the salad dressings we did, and sold a lot of the chicken fajitas.
People, as we know, are funny. One lady, in there all the time, has never liked anything I have handed out. She always makes it at home ... from scratch, and it is so much better. We probably did well over 200 samplers today ... only one complaint on the sauces .... three on the iced tea we did. One didn't lime lemon ... (then why try it) ... two were just .... well... and she was one of them.
Did I hear right ... Jaylo is getting married. Up until a few months ago I thought they were talking about Jay Leno. She must like weddings. She kinda reminds you of a car rental facility ... try the car out for a few months ... if you like it ... and it works ... buy it. But then too ... I didn't know who EMINEM was when I met him ... and what was even worse, I kept referring to DIDO as DILDO at the studio.
I hope someone ads to some of these things, I hate to think I am doing this all by myself...
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Flip or Flop
I have come to a time in my life, for some reason, where I fhave difficulty keep my Flips/Flops together. Between old age, our dog, and general forgetfullness, I can rarely get the two of them together. So, I generally either wear a Flip or a Flop. Flip being the left one and Flop ... the right.
Today I am Flipping it ... not idea where Flop is.
But, the older I get that seems appropriate for some reason. I generally don't have it "all together" anymore, so the shoe problem just goes along with that.
And, I only have to wash one foot that way.
D&P Today at WalMart ... an abundance of products, chicken strips and many sauces, plus some other items.
Marilyn and I split the duties today. I get to lug ALL of the stuff we need to the store, set up the display, buy all the product, and work from 12 to 3. She comes in at 3, takes a half hour break. Then, I get to come back at 5:30, do the break down, load the car and dtake everything home.
She calls this "sharing."
It is still better than doing the full 6 hours though, old legs are not made to stand for that length of time.
Chime in on this BLOG ... I will get the address EM'd out today, and join me in the DINER. Seems kinda neat.
Today I am Flipping it ... not idea where Flop is.
But, the older I get that seems appropriate for some reason. I generally don't have it "all together" anymore, so the shoe problem just goes along with that.
And, I only have to wash one foot that way.
D&P Today at WalMart ... an abundance of products, chicken strips and many sauces, plus some other items.
Marilyn and I split the duties today. I get to lug ALL of the stuff we need to the store, set up the display, buy all the product, and work from 12 to 3. She comes in at 3, takes a half hour break. Then, I get to come back at 5:30, do the break down, load the car and dtake everything home.
She calls this "sharing."
It is still better than doing the full 6 hours though, old legs are not made to stand for that length of time.
Chime in on this BLOG ... I will get the address EM'd out today, and join me in the DINER. Seems kinda neat.
Nice Day
Nice Day at the Diner ... sun is out for a while. Topics Menu for today.. The Funeral, The Weather, the Ohio State coaching job and any others.
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