If the first day of 2009 was any indication of the rest of the year, it should be a blast. I woke up with one heck of a katzenjammer. I went to my grandmothers for our traditional New Year’s lunch. We had collards, black-eyed peas, ham, cornbread, chow chow, fatback, and enough Earl Grey to drown a pig.
After our extended lunch, I taught my Uncle how to take really good pictures with his new camera. I also tuned up his new laptop so that it would run more efficiently. We babbled for hours about all sorts of subjects.
Later that evening, I went to the store to pick up some essential ingredients for supper. As I made my way out the exit, I discovered a young man and woman arguing. I didn’t pay it any attention until the bloke started man handling his girlfriend. I told him that I’d stick my steel toed boot so far up his backside that he’d be spitting out lead for a week, if he pushed her again. (I have a very low tolerance for men hitting women.)
The guy looked me up and down then apologised to the girl. From what I understood, she hadn’t called him in a few days, so he came to her work and demanded to know why she was ignoring him. He let his emotions get out of hand. The manager came out and wanted to know what the heck was going on. The guy was banished from the property. I left victoriously but kind of felt bad for the guy, for I know what it is like to be blown off.
As soon as I arrived home, my cousin called and wanted me to come over and work on his computer. So, I grabbed my gear and headed to his house. We worked on the PC and talked about skirts (women) ‘til 1AM this morning. It was an interesting day!
Right, anger is not a good thing, no matter how many times Martha Stewart tries to say it is! It lurks in the dark and weak recesses of our souls awaiting the chance to erupt and cause destruction upon our lives.
You see, I don’t take losing easily. I’m not the type of guy to just give up and forget about his dreams. I’m a stubborn mule that won’t take NO for an answer. I’d climb every hill and eat granite to get to the summit. Never would I just turn around in shame and go home.
But, that is almost exactly what I did. The very fact that I gave up so easily has been driving me mad (not a very far drive. ). I should have never ever given up so easily. It is not in my character to be a quitter. When I was younger, I had to fight just to wake up every morning. Even in the last few years, I’ve had to fight the state for the right to drive a vehicle. And, I had to prove that I was competent enough to control me funds. They all wish they hadn’t messed with Jefferson Davis. Don’t even get me started on doctors!
I’ve been mad at myself for months for letting such an opportunity slip out of my hands.
Tuesday night, I was walking from the local shopping centre to my truck. A young man came running out from the darkness encircling a block of cars. He pleaded that I give him some money so that he and his girlfriend which was still at the petrol station could get some gas to get home.
At this point, I asked him which station. His eyes began to cross, as he pointed in a zig-zag motion. I asked him what her name was.
“Ma…Maa….Mary, yeah”, he slurred whilst pointing into the darkness.
“Do you know how many times I’ve heard this story, boy?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“No!”
At this moment, I was still moving towards my truck. I discovered two more young men hunched over behind a muddy and tattered Toyota Supra.
“I need the money”, he yelled whilst leaping towards me.
“They are going to rob you, you idiot”, I thought, as I reached for his collar.
He was no more that eighteen and slender like myself. So, I screamed for a guard that was on duty and threatened to beat him to death if he tried to get away. The two blokes lurking in the shadows ran off, leaving their friend behind.
“What in the hell did you and your pals think you were doing?” I demanded, as I shook him like a nut shaker shakes a pecan tree.
“They put me up to it”, he muttered, as the rent-a-cop made has way to us.
“What’z he dun?” The officer asked whilst relaying to the radio operator what was going on in the parking lot.
“Made a move to rob me”, I said whilst letting the kid out of my grip.
“Come on inside, I need you’z tah sign sum pap’r w’rk”, he mumbled, as he dragged the youngster through the entrance.
The security officer, with his belly hanging over the top of the desk, asked me what happened. As it turned out, the boy was only seventeen and had no prior convictions so he was released, but not before I had the chance to talk to him. I told him to stay out of trouble, but gave him one lifelong tip.
“Never ever mess with a white man with his head down, chances are he’s got more problems than you or just a nutter!”
“I’m ah…white man”, he said, as his eyes twitched.
“Do you want someone fecking with you, when you have your head down?”
“No!”
“Then why in the hell did you see fit to fuck with me”, I yelled while the rent-a-cop laughed.
He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. His father came in and apologised for any trouble. He said that he was a good student but was mixed up with a bad crowd like so many other young people.
I saw something within myself out there in the midst of the pallid street lights. There is part of me that loves the fight. I could chalk it up to my Cherokee ancestors. They did enjoy scalping their enemies.
Seriously, it is not good to let anger build up. Thankfully, I handled myself in a rational manner. I have not always been so refrained though. My short fuse must be gettin’ longer. That, or the kid got lucky.
Right! The three glasses of Chardy that I had with dinner are beckoning my attention!
Peace!!!
Don’t let anger build up in your soul. It’ll destroy the the loveliest part of you – your soul –, if you let it.
After writing the previous post yesterday, I went downtown to walk around and enjoy the lovely river music. I had to park on the far side of South Main street. So, I made my way up Main street. I stopped in a few shops to speak to friends, and continued on my walk up to the top of north Main St. I live in a very mountainous area. There’s about a 150 metre elevation difference between the lower part of downtown and the upper part.
Anyway, I took a few shots along the way up and started back down the other side. When I reached the City Hall Plaza, I caught the glimpse of a young lady in the crowd approaching me. I knew the bow in her hair, and the blouse she was donning. I knew the walk and the fake laugh. It was my ex girlfriend downtown with another guy.
So, I panicked and slowed to a turtles pace until I could figure out what to do. “What am I going to say…What am I going to say???” I cerebrated over and over while trying not to be obvious. I sped up a wee bit but still didn’t have anything worthy to say. Something marvellous came over me, and a huge smile overtook my countenance.
Just before we met in the gang of people, she leaned over and whispered something to him. I looked straight ahead, as we passed one another. A huge burst of laughter spilled out of my mouth. I couldn’t restrain it. I stopped to catch my breath, and her boyfriend (I reckon) spun around and gave me that South Carolina go to hell look. I smiled and muttered, "Ah, fair play to ya".
She proceeded to pull out her lipstick and smile. I can only guess she was hoping to see a fight. Given her demeanor and the time we spent together, she would’ve loved for two men to fight over her. What woman wouldn’t?
"What the hell is that supposed to mean", he demanded with nostrils flared.
The strange thing was that I wasn’t mad nor scared. Of course, he was small boned like me but about six inches shorter.
Laughingly, I yanked a cigar out of my shirt pocket, tore the wrapping off of it, and proceeded to light it up in front of him. Then, I said, "What I meant was better you than me, pal".
He turned around and muttered something like, "I aught to kick his ass".
She grabbed him by the hand and they continued walking.
People were whispering and snickering throughout the plaza. It was a grand end to a rotten day. How was your day?
P.S.: I know that I wasn’t going to post so many personal stories in the future, but I just had to post this one due to the humour of the situation. I’m quite proud of myself. I could have decked him without ever uttering a word. But, she would have liked that.
Dr. Don and myself went hiking Friday morning. We did a four hour hike down and back up a steep ravine that opens up at a large river. It is a six mile trail that we managed to traverse in one and a half hours. I came home and collapsed for a few hours. Then, I went downtown to the Friday night festivities. Cheap beer and terrible jokes abound!
Anyhow, I’ll post more pictures tomorrow night. This one is of Dr. Don (my cousin) gazing out into the distance. I do a lot of thinking up there above the city.
). I should have never ever given up so easily. It is not in my character to be a quitter. When I was younger, I had to fight just to wake up every morning. Even in the last few years, I’ve had to fight the state for the right to drive a vehicle. And, I had to prove that I was competent enough to control me funds. They all wish they hadn’t messed with Jefferson Davis. Don’t even get me started on doctors! 
