Tag Archives: 3B

Before We Fell or: We Live On

10 Tuesday Sep 2019

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Salutations™!!

Here we are, September 10. Today, 18 years ago, my ex-wife and I found out that we were going to be parents. We were on a high. The emotions were grand. The world our oyster, now, right?

We told our parents. We relished in the news. This is what we should have been looking forward to. We were going to raise this kid in a world full of hope and promise. And then…

That Tuesday came. Early morning, September 11, 2001. I had just gotten out of the shower and walked into the bedroom where the news was reporting that a (small) plane had hit one of the “Twin Towers” of the World Trade Center. Hmmm, I said. And prepared to go on about my business. I turned the television on in the living room and as I was watching the Today show, a second plane hit the other tower and we all knew at that moment, this was no accident and the world was to never be the same. We knew it the whole time. We felt it. We lived it. We didn’t have to live in New York, or Washington or Shanksville, PA to have our collective teeth kicked down our throats.

This high that we were riding was a sudden crash. We were gonna rule the world and suddenly, why would we ever bring a child into this world? Well, we did, thankfully. 3B was born in May and our lives have never been the same. His mother and I have been separated most of his life, but we’ve remained friends and we make decisions about him together. The BCPF has been with him for most of his life, too. She’s probably more strict on him than anyone.

So, even though the world fell apart the next day, and even though we thought it was a tragic world we’d expose him to, we did and he’s a wonderful young man today. He works hard and sometimes does his school work. But, he’s a respectful dude and he’s a protector of those he loves and cares for. I guess I couldn’t ask for more.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“He who fears he will suffer already suffers because he fears.” — Michel De Montaigne

The Last or: 13th Time

26 Monday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today was the first day of school in the WSFCS system. That means it was 3B’s first day. I know a lot of people were posting “first day of school” pictures on social media all day. I know some people have a problem with that. I don’t understand what the problem can be. You don’t like it, stay off of social media. That’s what I’d be told if I complained about something, right? Right indeed! It has happened.

I’m not big on posting mine on social media, although I have done it. And, of course, I’ll be adding one in this post and then sharing on social media so, yeah, I too will be adding mine. But, I get how people get tired of seeing it. I don’t care one way or another. We are proud of our kids and rejoice in it. I say this because today was the last “first day of school” that 3B will have. At least for the elementary/primary/K12 school life.

He’s a senior, a twelfth grader, last year. Senioritis kicked in around Third Grade so he has been living that for a few. I’m kidding mostly. I saw him a few minutes ago and asked how his first day was and he said “boring.” That explains what we’ll deal with all year. I love him and am proud of him, but I wish he had more gumption to do better in school. We’ll see what happens.

Anywhat! Here’s his first picture.

20190826_081544-01

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Starting a new job is always scary, or at least for me, it’s always scary. It’s like the first day of school.” – Sean Maher

A Dollar Short or: Terrifier

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

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Salutations™!!

To be perfectly transparent, I am writing this on Wednesday and not Tuesday as my son, 3B had me watch a creepy, campy and somewhat funny (read: eye-rolling) “horror” film called Terrifier.

It involves a clown who makes crazy-creepy faces and beheads, mames, mauls and destroys people that get in his way. It’s really kind of dumb but it was kind of fun as I’ve not watched a horror film in a while. Is it worth your time? I don’t know. I don’t know if it was worth mine. But, I did it.

So, take that with a grain of salt. Sorry about the delay.

Until tomorrow (or today)…
Scorp out!

—
“Punctuality is the thief of time, dear.” – Cat Lady

Seventeen or: My Boy

15 Wednesday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today, at 242p, my “itty bitty boy,” 3B, will be 17 years old. I remember getting up at 4am 17 years ago and getting his mother and myself ready to relieve her discomfort and welcome our child into this world. He didn’t want to come out, either.

One month old
3B out with Dad

We were there by 530a and got settled in. The doctor came in and they started the “induction” process. When he did that, her “water” burst and we went through all the towels, sheets and pillowcases in the birthing room. Seriously, it was like someone turned on a water hose and left it laying in the yard. It wouldn’t stop coming.

The baby, however, did stop coming. He didn’t want to leave the comfort of the womb. In fact, he went backward. Instead of coming down toward the birth canal (yeah, I hate that term, too), he went further up in the womb. On top of that, as they had started inducing the birth, contractions had already started. But, the baby’s heart rate started going down each time a contraction happened. We started to get worried. The doctor, Doctor V as we called him, seemed only moderately concerned. He waited around for a bit and then went and did some “rounds.” It was like we had cut off the baby’s jacuzzi and he was mad!

We stared at the heart monitor and sure enough, every time a contraction happened, the heart rate diminished. The nurses came in and checked. My mother and her mother kept us company, but it really didn’t help much. Dr. V called a few times and around noon — remember we had been in this holding pattern since around 6a — he told us that he thinks it would be best to have a Caesarean Section since this heart rate issue was starting to concern him, too. We spent around two minutes weighing the pros and very few cons. We told Dr. V that the C-Section was a go.

We rolled into the operating room around 230p and they had her split open and the doctor and nurse were tugging hard and pulling her apart. I sat down by her head and she was numb but mostly lucid. She was being jostled and wanted to know what was going on. I sat up straight and realized that I was over the curtain divider. I could see everything that was going on. I told her I was going to watch. I have a hard time with blood and entrails and things but this was different. I watched as they pulled my child into the world. I had a camera and was taking pictures of this happening. The first thing I took a picture of? His scrotum. I had a son and dang it! I was excited!

We named him after my father (which is who I’m named after) and set on watching him grow. And grow he has.

He’s a very intelligent kid, almost a genius, but he won’t use that power for good, it seems. Like many his age, he’s content with putting his nose in a phone or computer and whiling away his life. Well, he finally found something that he’s into and luckily is very good at, cooking. He’s in the culinary program in the local trade school and we have a few plans for him once he’s out of school. He’s driving and with a “speed bump” (he says tongue-in-cheek) a few months back, he does well with that.

He has a job. It’s not often that our first job is actually in the field we want to pursue, right? He is working in a restaurant and as far as I can tell, he’s doing great there. I know the owner, the GM and the chef and they’re happy with what he’s doing.

He’s growing into a fine young man and I love this “boy” with all my heart. 17, 5’11”-6′ and into weightlifting, food and video games. He’s smart, asks a lot of questions, loves football and is all around a great kid. I got lucky, really.

So, happy birthday, son. I love you and cannot wait to see the impact you make on the world.

Until tomorrow, I’m wiping the tear from my eyes…
Scorp out!

—
“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay

A Change of Plans or: Happy Mother’s Day

12 Sunday May 2019

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Salutations™!!

I’ll do my “haul” post tomorrow. Today is about honoring the mothers in the world.

My own mother, who on here I call Ma Mère is one of my best friends. Yeah, she carried me for 9 months. Yeah, she always made sure I was cared for. Yeah, she has always been there for me. She always taught me to be the best me I could. She taught me I can do anything I set out to do. She said I was her superhero. Yeah, I love that woman. I worked with her for 26 years and I still only live less than two football fields away from her. I need to spend more time with her. I can’t be this close and not be there more. 000mothers day

To my wife, The BCPF, just because you didn’t birth 3B doesn’t mean you’re not a mother, parent, carer, provider and you deserve major kudos and celebration today… and, every day. You have gone above and beyond what many stepparents have. You’re a great wife, a great partner, a great Steph-mom and I love you dearly. My kid does, too, even if he doesn’t always show it.

To my sister, we have always had a lot of fights and arguments and man, sometimes you can be a pain in the arse, but you’re my favorite pain in the arse. You’re a good mom to my nephews and a good wife to my bro-in-law (bless him). You do so much and I love you for it.

To my mother-in-law, thank you for giving me the work of art that is your daughter. She is the only reason I’m alive to this day and I thank and love you for it.

To my ex-wife. Yes, my ex-wife, the mother of my only child. You’re a great mom to my boy and he loves you immeasurably. He hates that he doesn’t get to see you as much as he’d like but you know he loves you. Thank you for being his rock and for giving him to me.

To all my friends who are mothers, to all my friends who have lost their mothers (she’s still there with you), to all my friends who have been called “mutha,” I love ya and hope today is a great day.

Until tomorrow, happy Mother’s Day…
Scorp out!

—
“I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me.” – Antonio Villaraigosa

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 4/27/19

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

It seems like forever since I’ve done one of these posts. We were still “in the dark” from the power outage and just went on about our day. We had breakfast and then did two stints at Underdog Records. The first was just to go in and get our haul and the second was to see (and participate) in Clay Howard’s LP release show. I was supposed to play bass but scheduling got in the way and couldn’t practice. I did lend my backup vocals, however. It was a good show. Loud and intimate. Anywhat! Here’s the haul:

Chuck_Mangione,_Feels_So_Good_(1977)

©A&M

  • Carole King – Writer: Carole King — This was actually acquired last week but it was our only grab in a truncated visit to Underdog, which actually could have happened on Friday, it’s all a blur now. But, this was her debut album back in 1970. She had written a lot of stuff but this was her first for her versions of the songs. VG++.
  • The Mountain Goats – In League With Dragons — The BCPF loves The Mountain Goats and we try to get anything we can. This is a brand new release that came out on Friday. It’s the “hardcore” 2xLP, double-speed mastered version that is yellow/green marbled. It also contains an exclusive black vinyl 7-inch featuring two non-album tracks. New.
  • The Cure – Pillbox Tales 1977-1979 — This was an import and “unofficial” release. Robert Smith sounds so young and at times didn’t sound like him at all. But, it was and it is. Great sound. VG++.
  • The Fresh & Onlys – Early Years Anthology — This is an American rock band out of San Francisco. The BCPF picked it up, I don’t know much about it. According to the bastion of all correct internet infotainment, Wikipedia: They are a key band in what has been described as San Francisco’s “new garage rock” movement, but their sound is equally aligned with pastoral psychedelia, brooding new wave, western twang, and jangly literate 80’s guitar pop. NM.
  • Kate Bush – The Kick Inside — If you ever know a Kate Bush song, you never forget the voice when you hear it again. That is the case here. I know her best for her work with Peter Gabriel and the tune “Running Up That Hill.” And, you can definitely hear the trademark Kate Bush warbly/high-pitched jangle. I love it, though. VG- due to some pops and skip or two.
  • Dokken – Tooth And Nail — It’s Dokken, it’s hair metal from the late 80s. I like that stuff. Yeah, I’m a sucker. VG/VG- because of the sleeve.
  • Linda Ronstadt – Silk Purse — Her second album and it’s all covers, as she was wont to do. Her thing was her voice. That was her personality and her vibe. She now has Parkinsons Disease and is unable to sing. This and all subsequent entries on this list is from the $1 bin and should be VG unless otherwise noted.
  • Nat King Cole – Top Pops — Nat King Cole. The BCPF. Done.
  • John Denver – John Denver’s Greatest Hits — 3B always plays “Take Me Home, Country Roads” when we’re cooking so, we have to add it, right?
  • Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good — Ol’ Chuck gets Yacht Rock Radio play, especially the title track, so why not have some on vinyl? I love that song.
  • Paris – Paris — This was Bob Welch’s (credited as Robert Welch) first project after leaving Fleetwood Mac. He formed this band with ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick and ex-Nazz (with Todd Rundgren) drummer Thom Mooney. The fact that Bob is on it and the cool neon green cover, are really the reasons I got this.
  • The Lovin’ Spoonful – The Very Best Of The Lovin’ Spoonful — As the name suggests. This is listed as Good condition and the cover sleeve is Poor because it’s falling apart.
  • Abbott & Costello – Who’s On First? — The BCPF found it and wanted it. That’s all we needed to know, right?
  • Europe – The Final Countdown — 7″ Single, not the full album, which I certainly want. People seem to hate this song, the band and the album. Kind of like Nickelback today. However, I love the band, this song and the album. So, I stick my tongue out at all of you.

So, it was a pretty great haul, even though we only got to listen to about two of the records because of the power/Clay situation. We will catch up a little today, I think. Underdog was hopping with people yesterday, partly due to Clay’s performance, but because people were just wanting to be there. Jonathan had hotdogs, too. Yum! Listen to each new episode of The Less Desirables to hear about the TLD/UR special of the week. And, use Discogs to catalog your vinyl, CD or even cassette collections.

Until tomorrow, keep spinning…
Scorp out!

—
“I’d like to see you in the morning light. I’d like to feel you when it comes tonight. Now I’m here and I’m all alone. Still, I know how it feels. I’m alone again. Tried so hard to make you see but I couldn’t find the words. Now the tears, they fall like rain. I’m alone again without you.” – “Alone Again” (Dokken/Pilson)

A Happily Recurring Theme or: Seventh Second

18 Thursday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

Note: I liked what I wrote about this day last year so I just copied it and reposted. It’s hard to write this story without repeating myself so, why fight it? I want to bring attention to the fact that I’m still here to annoy you, Dear Reader. I am happy to be able to say that (that I’m still here).

It was  six seven years ago today that I received my “zipper.” Being at the hospital before the sun came up, getting shaved from neck to (literally) toe, seeing my family, having my (then) fiance – The BCPF – standing holding my hand and trying to keep a happy face, having my parents pray over me as I get wheeled through some ominous doors, being moved onto a mostly comfortable operating table and telling stupid jokes to the operating staff before I just blacked out counting back from 100. That’s how I remember it.

I groggily stirred with a breathing tube snaked through my gullet whilst hearing a nurse, whose name I believe was Sandy, talk to me and me nodding that I understood whatever it was she was saying to me. The BCPF came in to see me, touching me, stroking my hair (I still had a little bit). I’m not sure of the timeline, I was still very doped up on morphine at the time. Maybe some time passed, maybe it didn’t, but Ma Mère came into the recovery room and in a moment we will all talk about until we’re no longer here, she patted me on the left shoulder and said, “see, you really do have a heart.” At this point, I pointed to “Sandy” and made a motion to bring me a writing utensil and something to write upon. In my continued, and glorious haze, I scribbled to my mother the following:

Leave the comedy to me!

I remember everyone laughing. My job was done, I went through another phase of “blacked out.” They had collapsed my lungs in order to get to my arteries and heart and whatever else they were doing with me and, as a lifelong asthmatic, my lungs and I have a long history of arguing. They weren’t wanting to cooperate and inflate so I could breathe on my own. So, recovery took a little longer than it should have. Then they wheeled me up to my own private room. I had to get up and sit in a chair. I asked for my phone and that’s when this selfie was taken:

Tim After Surgery

My son came in to see me, as did my family. I had put them all through a lot. They were tired, nervous, but happy that I was sitting there making stupid faces at them, I was alive. I had survived. Hand me my heart-shaped pillow and let me cough. There was no laying down for a while, that’s for sure. When I sat back, I could feel my chest shifting. After all, they did saw me in half. I didn’t lay down for about four weeks, actually. But, over time my strength came back and I was able to maneuver around like a real person.

On the way to that, though, I had people watching over me like a hawk. The BCPF made sure that someone was “on duty” with me the whole time, from my sister to my mother, her to her mother. Someone was always here. It got to where I had to fake needing to go to the bathroom just to go sit on the toilet lid and be by myself for a few minutes. I had some great friends bring me and my chaperones food. I can’t tell Chris and Ashley, Doug and Molly and Jerry and Jennifer how much I appreciate them doing that.

After this, though, The BCPF and I decided that we’re going to live. LIVE! And, that’s what we’ve done. We’ve been to Europe twice, the second a wedding/honeymoon expedition. So glad I got to see Notre Dame before this week happened. We accompanied friends to Costa Rica. We went to Walt Disney World with my family. We have time with each other. We enjoy just about everything we do. We collect records, we eat really delicious food, we hang out with really terrific friends, we just love our lives.

I have to really thank The BCPF for everything, because if it
weren’t for her, making sure I take my meds regularly, eating right, doing what little exercise I’ll do, going to my doc appts, and just living the heck out of IMAG0150me, I wouldn’t be here today to write this. She didn’t sleep much that first week. When she did it was in my hospital bed. My boy is also a huge part of my life. He’s almost 16 17 so he’s testing my ticker a good bit, but I love that boy to no end. They together are truly my everything. To my family, thank you all for your support and being here for me. To my friends, you’re all my bedrocks. You’re the foundation that I build on. To The Beer Dads, Jon and Paul, thank you guys for traversing this weird ride with The BCPF and me in our quest for World Domination. To everyone. I love you. Just… I love you. To Dr. Bret Borchelt. Thank you for “fixing” me.

I was 41 when this happened. I’m 46 47 now. I have to at least make it to 82 for me to be satisfied with it. I have to say, in all sincerity, I would never want to go through this again. However, in the grand scheme of things, it was all worth it and really, for me, wasn’t all that terrible. I think my family and friends had it worse than I in this ordeal. I got taken care of, waited on and yes had to endure some pain, but it wasn’t too awful. I’m just glad we have hit the “magic number” (no not three in this case) of six seven. That’s when the docs stop looking so closely at the procedure. I’m still here and other than being ridiculously fat, I feel great. So, all is well on this side of the world. I hope all of you have as wonderful a time as I do. Happy sixth seventh second birthday to me.

Until tomorrow, still kickin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Open-heart surgery is now part of a typical life experience for many people. Folks talk casually about ‘having a stent put in,’ as if they had their tires rotated.” – Roger Ebert

Silent Sunday or: Been KISSed

07 Sunday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

We didn’t get to Underdog Records yesterday due to our travels for the KISS concert. It was 3B’s and The BCPF’s first KISS concert and 3B’s first overall. They had smiles on their face all night long but some of that could have come from watching me.

I have seen KISS about 11 times now and I will say this show is in my top 5. There was no evidence of so-called lip syncing that people have talked about with Paul. I heard every crack in his voice in every song and especially during the interspersed banter. You could tell he was having a bit of trouble but he put on a great show. Gene looked like he was my age, not about to drop into 70. Eric and Tommy were great and on it. I do think Tommy was a bit loud but it was great.

3B was most impressed with Eric’s drumming, especially the obligatory solo. And, it was great. I know some people hate drum solos but I love them.

Also, I have very few pics because I purposefully didn’t take them or even pull my phone out once the show started except these few (the pic of the three of us was before the show).

Until tomorrow, recuperating…
Scorp out!

—
“Baby gets tired, everybody knows. Your mother tells you, baby has to show, yeah, yeah. Let me go. ‘Cause baby’s got the feelin’, baby wants a show. Baby, won’t you tell me? Baby, rock ‘n’ roll, yeah, yeah.” – “Let Me Go, Rock and Roll” (Simmons/Stanley)

Sounds Like Saturday or: The KISS Edition

06 Saturday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

Well, you had to know this one was coming. It’s Sounds Like Saturday time and I’m going to see KISS tonight and taking The BCPF and 3B with me. So, here’s a clip of one of the coolest things you’ll ever see, in concert or ever. At least to this Gene Simmons mark. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same KISS channel…
Scorp geeking out!

—
“The spell you’re under will slowly rob you of your virgin soul…” – “God of Thunder” (Stanley)

A Quarter Past or: Another KISS?

05 Friday Apr 2019

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Salutations™!!

25 years ago today, Kurt Cobain took his own life (or not according to what you believe happened). At that time I didn’t care. He “single-handedly” killed my music. He didn’t and as I’ve said, it was time for it to go, really, but at the time, you couldn’t convince me of that. It was 4 days before my first wedding. I really didn’t hear about it until I was on my honeymoon. And I didn’t care. Good riddance, I think I said. That was dumb and I totally get that, admit that, and regret that. I don’t think or agree he was the second coming of Lennon, but he was important and I now get that.kiss300

RIP to him, for sure.

Tomorrow, I will take The BCPF and 3B to Raleigh to see KISS. It will be my 11th time, I think, if I counted right, or if not, a good many and their first and probably only time. I have to admit that I am glad they are finally calling it quits. I’m sure this will be a show to end all shows but c’mon… they’re pushing 70 and why not go out before you become a joke? Paul’s voice isn’t the same and they look funny walking around in platform shoes, but man, I’m sure I’m going to be a giddy 8/9-year-old again.

It’s not about all that other stuff, it’s about how I feel listening to it. I still get tingly listening to KISS records; even the stuff I don’t like as much as some of their other stuff. It’s still a spectacle that all other bands try to imitate but usually fall short. This will be great. I have seats which are front row on the first balcony level so we are looking right over Gene’s head but slightly in front of him so we can see what’s going on. We’ll be eye level to him “God of Thunder” time, I think. Again, gonna be great. I know a few folks that are going and we’re gonna have a meet up beforehand, It think/hope.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“What else should I be? All apologies. What else could I say? Everyone is gay. What else could I write? I don’t have the right. What else should I be? All apologies.” – “All Apologies” (Cobain)