So im begining to realize the difference between bloggers, and BLOGGERS!! There are people who do this thing quasi professionally. Interesting. We are not them, i sort of feel in the way.
screw em.
I want to kind of recap Andrew's b day night for a sec. Good times, O'Malley's is a wonderful place. The suprising thing about it is that grabbing my hand into the bowl of pretzles doesnt flare up my OCD. Only a magical place could make that happen.
So toward the end (as most of you know) i decided to go pick Bob Reeder's brain about music, and some of the history behind the songs he was explaining. This turned out to be quite a serious conversation including men losing limbs in Vietnam, and Bob taking care of his 92 year old stubborn Irish mother.
Andrew joined the talk and commented on Bob's bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace" and thats what started Vietnam Bob. Vietnam Bob isnt a drunken loving Irishman playing a 12 string guitar. Vietnam Bob is closer to Mr. Kurtz from Heart of Darkness. (or apocalypse now). Andrew and i left the table feeling oddly inspiried. (and yes im speaking for Andrew 100% at this time, we havent talked about it since....)
As i watched Bob play the first song after his break, i looked at him a little diferently. This man has killed and seen friends killed. This is why he is anti war right now. In his opinion, those who are pro war have never been in war, in the real part of war where friends are shot dead next to you, and enemys are ignited in Napalm only hundreds of yards from where you sit, shooting them as they burn.
Like I said, Mr. Kurtz..
So anyway, as im going home, im talking to Amanda about all of this, and its good times. We get home only to find our own little warrior, Chester Finnigan McCoy, he goes by Finn most of the time, with a swollen front leg so bad that he was not walking on it at all. After debating about it, we decided to take him to the Kitty ER. Walking in the front door, you wouldnt take them for financial sodomites....
anyway, turns out that ole' Finn, who loves to kill things that move, im sure each of you have wittnessed this at some point, got in a smaller scale war of his own, and probably won, but had some serious damage. He had puncture wounds on both of his front legs, showing that, even when wounded, he still fought. Most cats, they said, have bites on their back legs obtained while running away from the attacker. Not Finn, he was going toe to toe. Thats my boy.
oh yea, the financial sodomy...
253 bucks just to clean him up and give him some antibiotics.
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5 comments:
B--I love your style of writing because it is like a direct link to your brain. That's why you will always be my campaign manager. I'm saying I like your brain.
I agree. There is something particularly wonderful and awful at the same time about our grandparent's generation. We know nothing of what it's like to really sacrifice for a war. At the same time, we're drawn to the shared human experience. We protest because we don't want to have to go or see our friends or our children go to war. They protest because they went and were forever changed by it. I wonder if anyone has ever written anything on the "theology" of war veterans.
This shared story thing is a continuation of our discussion from last night at McCoys. There is a reason that some of the greatest books and films of all time are about war. (War & Peace--Gone with the Wind--Saving Private Ryan or Forrest Gump, anyone?) Something about war brings us to a place where passion makes us really alive and aware that we are human and we are connected. I think God lies therein.
I highly encourage everyone to spend as much time as possible listening to your grandparents' stories. If you don't have any grandparents left, you can come listen to mine--they love to share their stories. I wish I was a documentary maker--I would make one about my grandparents.
Don't feel in the way, my friend. I am 'trying' to make my living by developing an internet based business--but I've been at it ten years, and it ain't no rose garden!
The concept of blogging is really something quite awesome. Ponder this: Google notifies me automatically when certain 'keyword phrases" are found via 'Google Alerts'. (no, I'm not stalking Bob Reeder).
This is an arena where ANYBODY can say whatever they want (and be heard)! Tonight, thousand plus miles away, I read your post. You gave me a big gift. You've forever changed my life! What more could ANY blog/blogger accomplish?
I ask you use your best judgment whether or not you feel my reply worth mentioning to Bob, and I'll explain later why I even beg your pardon.
None of you fine folk know me except Big Bob himself. Ironically, I was born in Kansas City. Reading this post, and knowing Reeder is there, it makes me sort-of long for home (Holmes road), in spite of the fact I didn't grow up there.
We stopped by to see him on our way through Kansas City long time ago, and needless to say it was a fun evening that night at the pub!
Bob is too busy to read this (I know because I wanted to surprise my sister for her birthday--but he just couldn't get away. He REALLY wants to come up and see us though, and I really want to surprise my sister. If she walked into the room and Bob started playing--well, the tears would be a flowing).
I'd like to briefly share my thoughts and then ask your input/advice.
Although I've known Bob for a long time, I was a teenager then. We spoke a few times recently but haven't seen him for 15+ years?
Only one fifth Irish, after countless listening to Auld Country, I proudly proclaim myself %99 Irish! I feel like I'm talking behind Bob's back or something--it's strange; I'll shorten it up
Here is the low down:
Your post provides MUCH insight as Bob laughs more than he talks
I feel drawn to help Bob, and I told him this in a recent tel-con
More people on this planet would benefit from the enjoyment of his music--I can do this over time--that's what I do
At some point soon, he needs to break away, come to WI for this gig (and I sensed a mental break
Since he probably ain't getting away anytime soon, I thought I'd drive down and pay him a surprise visit while he's performing. I can see it now, positioned in a darker area, challenging him on something--he's so damn quick, there'd only be a minute a best before he would know! But, it would be fun to give him the berries!
The problems are: I'd like to see his studio, but...if he doesn't know I'm coming? Then there is the issue of his Mother, etc.
I think Bob is Irish because he 'found' himself in-tune with Ireland (Ireland draws me in a almost hypnotic, playful, mysterious way too, all my life?)
I will disclose my identity along with contact information, as I trust in honesty and integrity. Good morning,
Jay Cronen
Sheboygan, WI
920-287-8891 (cell)
www.jaycronen.com
...I'll be asking him to play some of his earliest recordings or some 'real music'...whatever, it's gotta be good cheer.
The only thing I could think of was talking to the owner of his regular gig (O'Malleys or ?)
hhmmm....
Well, OK I SHOULD have read ALL the blog postings before making my comment. I did today and now, after I read my comment again, I feel like a tad moronic.
Having said that, the basic essence is the same. For my part, although 44, I have NEVER looked at age differences, not even with my kids. I always spoke to them using the same language as an adult ad gave them the same level of respect. Consequently, their vocabular and command of language, coupled with the ability to handle themselves probably, is often times better than most adults!
Growing up, my Dad told me that I could always learn something from anyone older than me. No matter how ignorant the person appeared to be, the fact the were older mean't that they must know something I don't. So, I learn't to shut up and listen, sincerely--it's true, those dumb SOB's know a lot!
Finally, after working at it really hard, I think I have damnn near conqured being judgmental. I'm serious; check out my new website that sprang up out of nowhere please. It is called AssummedControl.com and I am re-writing the first page already, but it'll give you an idea at least of y approach.
Back to the subject of learning from anyone older; after many years it struck me one day wh limit it to older people? So, I expanded it to anyone younger than me. Holy cow, it worked! Once I shut up (hard to do), I found that everybody has a story to tell. At least I treat them as equals (usually cut myself down).
From there, I overcame racial prejudice (harder than you think), age, gender, sex whatever shit I don't want to know about, nor condone...irregardless...we are all human beings with God given intelligence.
I even learn from the so-called mentaly retarted (as we were caretakers for a gentle man the last 3 years of his life. More intelligent than anyone ever imagined, and the biggest heart!)
With that aside:
First off, thanks for even reading my comment--besides my daughter commented once on 1 posting I made, NOBODY has ever seen my blogs (much less a commented on a comment!). I suck at blogging. Screw those bloggers!
Secondly, I conveyed to Bob that he could take all the time in the world. You know how people say they'll call you back or they promise something but probably won't be able to come through, despite their sincerity? I am like that. Even though he said he would look at his schedule at get back to me, I said no hurry, and that the last thing in the world I intended was to add any stress into his life--just the opposite! Time didn't matter--whenever it would work out for him is fine and absolutely pressure free.
The poor guy, all I can picture since last night are trenches in Vietnam, and shit like that.
He told me once that he many times doesn't know where the songs come from even or what they mean. But, also during our conversation there were clearly long pauses indicating to me his remembrance of those awful events forever seared into every fiber of his being. I've been through some tough times (like we all have). May God bless Bob, and all those brave souls, who had to fight for some ill-defined cause; kill other human beings and witness their dear friends (I'm gonna stop that line of thought now). In spite off all that, he does so much to help others and good causes.
I hope it made sense what I meant by Bob being Irish; beyond the bloodlines is what I should have emphasized.
In spite of the fact that I have always remembered I'm 1/5 Irish, 1/5 Lithuanian, and then forget the rest. The only country I have any desire to go to first is Ireland). I actually beleived in fairies, gnomes, undines, salamandars-elementals, all my life . Now you know I'm certifiable!
After Auld Country, Ireland REALLY beckons. I don't know what it is but somehow he has managed to embody the Spirit of Ireland it seems). And, then little ones, whom my daughter has seen but not me, also seem to be more active there (obvious legendary stories). Bob agreed.
After thinking about it, I don't care if he is put on the spot for fun or not. I just want to visit him, get the f^^k out of here for a weekend, and have some fun.
But, doesn't he claim to out do any Limerick or something? (and, I'm not sure I know what that really means) I can help but think it could be a good laugh!
Jay
W.T.F. mate?!
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