Look what we got!

I bought this beast from my boss. He has let me make payments for it. It is going to be nice to have a vehicle that has hauling capabilities. It's a 1986 Chevy Blazer, with removable hard top. It may not be pretty, but it will get the job done.

Any ideas for names??

Happy Birthday Nettl(no E)

It is a couple days early, but tonight is her birthday party, so I wanted to say a few words about this incredible woman. I met Lynette about 6 years ago. She and Steph had recently moved to Stillwater and I and another friend drove down from Kansas City to meet her. I knew instantly that this was the woman that Steph had been seeking all his life. I also knew that this incredible, sweet and dynamic woman and I were destined to be great friends. Steph and I have always regarded one another as siblings, and when Steph and Lynette exchanged vows at their Holy Union ceremony I was honored and blessed to call her my sister in law. She even bestowed upon me the title of Matron of Honor.

She is not only beautiful, but also full of fire and passion. She is loyal and fierce as a mother, a wife and a friend. Her excitement and enthusiasm for life and love are nothing short of inspirational, and it is so easy to get swept away right along with her. She is generous to those who are in need, and grateful and appreciative when she is the recipient. So, here is to another year sis!

I love you Nettl(no E) Happy Birthday!!!!!!

On what could have been

A short while ago some friends and I were discussing the untimely deaths of some of our great musicians. Imagining what they would be doing now. What wonderful musical gifts we would have now, if only they hadn't died so young.

Think about it. What would John Lennon be composing now? What musical direction would Freddie Mercury have gone? Croce, Marley, Stevie Ray...

I finally broke down today and bought myself Queen's Greatest hits CD (I have it on vinyl and am still holding out hope that one day I will again have a turntable). Anyway, as I was listening, my mind once again wondered about Freddie and his incredible talent and diversity. There have been so many lost to us, taking with them talents that could never be reproduced. Who would you like to see come back for one last set?

The Naked Truth

Who among us isn't aware that this country is in a sad state of affairs? Head on over to Hairshirt and find out how he feels about it. Then let him know how YOU feel.

Silly Putty Rocks

I got Silly Putty for my birthday and I have to say, Silly Putty rocks!!

"Ahhh, you're my best friend."

Among several other thoughts than ran through my mind while I was under the influence of nitrous oxide, the one that stands out the most is my minds ramblings about the "degrees" of friendship.

Somehow in our up bringing, we are taught that, no matter how many friends you may have, there is always "The BEST friend". Do you ever feel guilty because you don't know how to "categorize" your friendship with someone? It's ridiculous. I have so many friends. Are we expected to prioritize our affection? Are we really expected to love people based on some imaginary scale?

The other afternoon my friend Jaeson stopped by my office. We had a great conversation about friendship. It was like an epiphany for me. I said to him, "I don't make friends, I fall in love." I had never said those words before. I had never really analyzed the subject. Yet I found the words falling from my lips as though I had known this all my life. But it's the truth. All the great relationships in my life have been love at first sight. Meaning, there isn't really a "warming up period". You are in or you are not. Maybe that sounds crappy, but I also have a philosophy that, I am not willing to waste my time if it isn't forever. I don't have time for strays. That being said...

...What is the basis for a great friendship? Commonalities? Contradictions? And what makes any one friend more "important" than another? Does time and space diminish the friendship? Do we place value on our friends based on what they can give us?

I am blessed with so many people in my life that love me. How do I choose "the best"? It seems so silly, so sophomoric, and yet it is something we carry through out all our lives. I have more than one best friend. All for different reasons.

Who is your best friend? And why?

Laughing gas, friendship and refried beans

I went to the oral surgeon today to have 2 more teeth extracted. I opted to be completely knocked out this time. I have had this procedure done too many times, but never more than one at a time. I really didn't want to be coherent for 2. Anyway, I picked up Steph at around 8:30 and headed to the dentist office. We got there just a few minutes early, and I got taken in fairly quickly.

After getting settled in the chair, one of the nurses hooked me up with some oxygen. It smelled sweet and helped to clear the headache that I woke up with. After about 5 minutes she informed me that she was turning on the laughing gas. "Let me know if it is too much" she said. (Yeah right.) LOL. Just as I was saying to myself nothing's happening, it kicked in. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Ahhhhh, yeah, this is nice. Damn, I forgot how much I love the stuff!!! I was really enjoying the ride, but was truly and honestly thinking, "Damn, I wish Berg could be in here sharing this with me." For those of you who know us and have been around us when we are 'on fire', you could only imagine what THAT would be like. LOL.

A few minutes go by and the Doc comes in:

"How you doing?"
"Oh, I'm just peachy."
"Well, good. We are going to give you a few minutes to let the gas kick in."
"Oh it's kicking doc."
Chuckles and grins. "OK, well I will be back in just a bit to get your I.V. in ok?"
Slowly and contentedly: "Okelee dokelee."

He came back, just a bit too soon for me (hehehe) and proceeds to go over step by step exactly what he is doing: "OK, now I am going to wrap this band around your arm to help your veins show themselves," Mmmhmm. "now you squeeze your hand into a fist and I am going to lightly slap the inside of your elbow to help coax them out." K "Now, I am just wiping the area with some alcohol, so it's going to feel wet and cold." (this time, to myself . LOL OK doc, seriously I get it. "Now, your going to feel a little pinch as I get the needle in" No problem. I didn't even know, didn't feel it. "OK, now we are going to give you something to make you feel even happier." (again to myself) Yeah!? Cool!!

I was still waiting for this to happen, when I was woken by the nurse who informed me they were all done. Wow. It's such an odd sensation. I wonder if that is what it is like to be hypnotized. Funny thing though. I had continued thought process through the whole thing. Last time I was put under, I had a definite "blackout". Not this time, this time my brain was still babbling on. At first I didn't really remember want I had been thinking about, but as the day has progressed, I am beginning to remember. But thats another blog.

OK, so now the nurse helps me to my feet and we go into the recovery closet and she asks me who brought me. I was trying to say Steph, but apparently I wasn't getting it out right (mouth full of gauze and numb all over), so I finally said "Berg, just ask for Berg". So Steph comes back to see me and he and the nurse help me to sit up right. Steph asks me how I'm doing and all I can say is "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse" I guess you had to be there, but with all the gauze stuffed in my mouth, it was just all I could think of. More jokes were made, and Steph ribs me for making the nurse call him Berg. LOL.

The nurse then gives Steph the after-care papers and tells him what they say (cuz I am not going to remember). Then he drove me back to my house. I thought I was pretty lucid at the time, but I only remember about 3/4 of the drive. Anyway, we got back here and I swallowed some pain meds and the antibiotics they prescribed (I have a heart murmur, so the antibiotics are a precaution). The Berg and I had some pretty good conversation about life and friendship, and how wonderful it is that we are the friends we are. And how great it is to see our circle grow. It was a very sweet and slightly misty conversation between 2 people that love one another.

Steph then generously got me some refried beans and rice from Taco Bueno, and he had some tacos. Lynette came by to get Steph around 1:15 or so and I took another pain med and crashed on the couch.

So it sucks to lose more teeth, but, all in all, knowing I have such great friends who will always take care of me when I really need it makes it not so bad. Besides, I got good drugs out of the deal! LOL. I'm so predictable.

Oh I failed to mention, I went in my polka dotted Wonder Bread (tm) pajamas.

Snozwanglingflapdoodledingdangwangdoozie

Wow. Saturday night was a total blast!

After a good old American feast of hot dogs and hamburgers, we all went out on the patio to indulge in our right to party. (Beastie Boys said so) Boy, did we ever excercise our rights. We made up stupid shit, sang some songs, and had a whole lot of laughs. I don't remember going to bed, but I do remember waking up at 11 a.m. and feeling like someone kicked me in the gut and smashed me in the head. Not to mention the dizziness and nausea. I went back to bed and crawled up around 3 pm feeling much better. Man, I haven't put a hurtin' on myself like that in a very very long time. And I don't plan on doing it again anytime soon.

But MAN we had fun!!!!

To blog or not to blog

Has this ever happened to you?