Trashy Tuesday – 2/5/2013

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. - Thomas Jefferson

G O O D  M O R N I N G and welcome to the Trashy Tuesday issue of Drivel Over Coffee. Hang on a moment, I have to get tuned into Iheart Radio – All 60's Radio is my favorite...... Thanks for hanging on, I'm back now. First song up is “Proud Mary” by the Association. 

 

I had a pleasant weekend, how about you? Everything was kind of on hold waiting for the Super Bowl. Big Shout-Out to the Baltimore Ravens. I was pulling for them. They have several Iowa connections. Of course Marshal Yanda (University of Iowa) from Anamosa was a captain. He plays right guard next to “The Blind Side” Michael Oher kid. Sean Considine, also from the Hawkeyes was on special teams. There also was a kid from Iowa State who plays left guard I think. Jim Caldwell, ex-colts coach, was calling the offensive plays. He is a Hawkeye alumnus. We are friends of the parents of an orthopedic guy whose office were part of the Ravens medical staff. So quite a few connections. It was a pretty good game with the blackout. If the blackout had not happened, it may have been boring.

What about the commercials? Anything catch your eye? The Budweiser Clydesdale commercial was a little disappointing in my opinion. The Paul Harvey spot was pretty good. I don't remember seeing anything that just knocked my socks off though. That may be because I didn't see many of the commercials because I had a pair of Black Pugs doing circles on my chest during commercials. Of course, they settle in during the game. They both like watching football. Barney the elder pug is going into the hospital on Wednesday. He is nine years old now. Seems he broke a back tooth chewing on a bone plus he needs a manny/peddy, teeth cleaning and tooth removal. Poor baby. Max his adopted brother is going to go nuts being without his bestie all day. I hope all goes well, fingers crossed. Barney is a trim 16 lbs. A real stud muffin.

I had the good fortune to survive another birthday. This was number 67 on Friday. I really tried to downplay it this year and for the most part I was pretty successful. During the day I just moped around the house and did not do anything creative – no gym, no shopping, virtually nothing. The family got together in the evening for dinner. They ate at a relatively new place called the Brass bucket, wait – that's not right, it was the Butcher Block. Everyone said the food was good and in ample portions. I was invited to attend also which I thought was very kind of the family. Also in attendance was Siegfried, a friend of Jennys. I had a steak; of course, the others went more for the sandwich or salad route. Siegfried you may remember as Sven. I mistakenly was calling him Sven, his middle name, which he hates by the way. The steaks were a little pricey but good. The service could have been better but it was Friday night at rush hour so that could be expected. On Sunday, after church I stopped at the store and bought myself a small birthday cake. It was good. Presents were not encouraged but I did end up with a Nook gift card and a new alarm clock. 

 

Now that I am 67 I don't know what to do. I have never been 67 before. Do any of you oldster have any advice? One guy told me to act like a kid. My response was that I don't think I ever grew out of the stage. I have been wondering about “Old Farts”. Is there a specific age to be classified as an “Old Fart”? Hey, I told you I am new at this.

In researching being 67, I ran across a list of perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70. The author swears these are true. You be the judge.

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expect you to run – anywhere.

4. People call at 9 PM and ask, “Did I wake you?”

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 PM.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated argument about pension plans.

Finally, NEVER, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. Just sayin'. Really pretty good points, at least for me.

I received several birthday cards, of course. I got one from my insurance agent, my financial adviser (said we should get together soon), car dealership, and my younger brother, the bald one. The girls, current wife, Jenny the elder and Debby, the younger had cards and were cute. I received kind of a mystery card from somebody named “I.M. Laffin. I don't have a clue who that is. I mean I know a lot of people but for the life of me I can't place this person. They are not listed in the phone book. It was addressed to “Doycie Bailey”. Now, anyone that knows me knows that is not how my name is spelled. Actually had to check the address to insure it was meant for me and it was. The card inside was cute and brought a good chuckle. The front had a rear view of a wide bodied person bent over and peeking back at you. The person was in full “Plumbers Butt” view, if you know what I mean. Inside was the message “Thought you might like some help blowing out your birthday candles this year.” There was some additional verbiage added which I probably should not repeat but it added to the humorous nature. Quite a hoot. Just wish I knew who sent it. Why? So I can get revenge of course. Rest assured I WILL find out. Right now I have a half dozen suspects. Finding out will be “Elementary” as Holmes would say.

I got a response to last week's blog from a friend that was interesting and provocative at the same time. This borders on knowing too much, I think. Anyway, Charles, not his real name, stated, “Speaking of travel plans; my wife and I have been to Intercourse, PA!” They seemed to enjoy it and had a really good time although it was just a quickie. He continued by talking about his model railroad, the “Hump Yard” and etc. and by informing me “And the RR has violated the fruit room”. This is some sort of code I think. I really didn't know how to respond so I didn't.

Thanks a lot to everyone for their birthday wishes and words of encouragement. They are greatly appreciated. The French Roast has become only a dirty stain in my cup and that means it is time for me to go. Have a great day. We will finish with “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals. Got to love the 60's but that is just the way I roll. Until we next meet, TA!