Thoughts of a Common Man

The New York Knicks being in the NBA Finals is such a feel good story. A moment that is good for the escape of the shit show the country has become. So, how do we turn the feel good story into a divisive, garbage night where everyone was excited to be at a watch party. Mr. Me, Me, Me, Me decided to go to a game that no one wanted him. The watch parties were canceled because of the security required. So much for needing the security of a huge ballroom, right? It did allow us to fantasize about the reaction that he would get. New York absolutely hates him because they’ve known he’s a criminal for decades. The mindset is what fascinates me. If you were well aware that the majority of people hate you, wouldn’t you lay low? But check the gall of the man as he spoke to the young reporter. Sitting a foot from her he called her crooked or stupid because she asked what evidence he had for saying the 2020 election was stolen. (It wasn’t). (He has zero evidence). (He was laughed out of court). Bu...

Images of the Bi-centennial celebration flash through my mind. I distinctly recall the parade through town, and the men marching in uniform. We had balloons and floats and waving flags.  We watched the fireworks at the town park, and as a 11-year old, I distinctly recall being undeniably proud to be an American. A lot has changed in 50 years. First off, I learned about life and how it works. As a kid, you don’t see a lot of the rough edges. As a kid, you don’t have any idea who has money and who doesn’t. You don’t know who is having troubles at home, or who is sick. Back then we had a lot of people looking over us. Our friend’s parents  knew us and they’d discipline us or feed us. Now, as adults, we know all the deep, dark secrets. We understand that there are people in power taking advantage of us. We don’t have healthcare for all. We have way too many poor and homeless. Our education system is in tatters. We aren’t being led out of the mess.  We are being dragged into t...

I visited Mom on Saturday afternoon, and we chatted a little bit, and watched a funny episode of Roseanne (John Goodman is great). I mentioned that the Knicks were going to win the championship, and how we watched them together in 1973. She loved that team - especially with Jerry Lucas who was a genius. She asked: “What sport is that?” So, her memory isn’t great, but I knew how to get it going. I put on Sinatra. “Strangers in the Night” She watched the video. Her leg moving to the music. Her eyes full of tears.  She sang every word. I thought about taping it, but she was watching the video on my phone. Then she looked up. “He’s dead, right?” I nodded. “Why?” She asked. “He was old,” I said. “He had a great life. His songs will last forever.” She sang a little more. “I remember it all,” she said. “Why did he die? He was handsome.” I knew those tears were for my Dad who loved Frank. I knew she heard his voice as Frank sang. That’s why she had tears. It was beautiful to see, but it hu...

My boys are amazed at my knowledge when it comes to the NBA. I mentioned that the Knicks won championships that I remembered in 1969 and 1973. I wasn’t rooting for them because they beat the Lakers in both instances and Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West were my two favorite players. It’s pretty obscene that I can recall sitting in front of the television and crying in the ‘69 Finals as the Knicks won game 7 - 113-99. I was just five years old when that game was played. It was also the Willis Reed game. Reed was hurt earlier in the season and could barely walk, but he opened Game 7, and scored 8 points before leaving. I’m rooting for the Knicks these days, mostly because they have a lot of Villanova players on their team, and Sam made us watch every single ‘Nova game. We knew how great Brunson could be. I don’t watch much of the games, but I’ll catch highlights so that I can chat about it with the boys. They’re also rooting for the Knicks, who haven’t won a title since ‘73. After Wilt ret...

Grandpa Clifford used to doze off now and again after dinner. “I’m resting my eyes,” was his go-to-answer. Quick question: Did you ever see ‘Sleepy Joe’ fall asleep while there are 12 cabinet members around? Pedo pig falls asleep. As his suck ups tell him how amazingly energetic he is. The White House claims he was ‘resting his eyes’. And I don’t want to make a comparison with my Grandpa Clifford because he was a fine upstanding man who worked hard every day of his life. And I don’t want to make it about Pedo Pig either. He bores me. This is about me catching a couple of winks now and again about halfway through a show and then denying it. “You were sleeping,” Kathy will mention. And I don’t know why we get defensive there. “No, I wasn’t!” “You were snoring!” Ah well. We all age. Even pedophile pigs need their rest.

I’m not really allowed to do a lot of painting around here. I did paint the interior of our house a few years back, and it was a horrendous experience. I vowed that I’d never do a big paint job again. But we have concrete outside that was looking worn, and I remembered doing that job in a half a Saturday. I may have misremembered. And how much of a mess could I make of it. It’s on the ground. I could kick the paint can over and cover a lot of it. My idea was to do a couple of steps a day each night after work. Which is difficult for me because I like to finish a task once I start it. Yesterday was day three of a the week-long experience, and I’m tired of it. Kneeling and bending over aren’t quite as much fun these days. My back hurts. My knees hurt. I need more paint. “It looks good,” I said…. …because no one else said it. A couple more days. Painting sucks.