My father, a monkey, my drug, my dedication and a photo

My dad grew up not very far from where he lives now. It was a tiny (and I do mean TINY) two bedroom house until his mid-teens, shared with four other siblings and his parents. He didn't have much growing up, and I think that's why he was so smart with his money. They have that saying, "Having your money work for you" and that's what dad did. Whenever he had money, he invested it in whatever he was doing. Helping my grandfather paint houses, buying and trading stuff, anything. Soon, he had enough to put me through college, help out with my sisters when they got in a jam or mom or friends, or just whoever needed help, my dad could be that person. I have much admiration for the guy. It's hard to meet my father and not like him.

And I know where I get my techno-lust from. I may have gotten my video game passion from my mother, but as far as high-tech toys go, it's all from my dad. If my pop were to be born these days, he would be a gadget-hound, no doubt about it. His newly acquired toy is a 51" DLP HDTV and it is SWEET! Jealous? Yes, yes I am.

Anyway, last night, dad's flipping through the paper and I'm sitting there, watching G4TV (cuz I'm a geek) and a episode preview for "Icons" comes on. It's coming up next and it's about Peter Jackson's King Kong and the history of the Hollywood legend. Dad lowers the paper about two inches, "Ohh...King Kong." I smile and nod, knowing that we're in agreement of what we're watching next.

Suffice to say, we caught it and we're both stoked now. Plans are set for a viewing. Come Christmas evening, if anybody in the greater Ada metroplex wants to catch a showing of King Kong, you're more than welcome to join us. We'll make an evening of it. Presents and stockings in the morning, and then a 25-foot gorilla in the night. Afterwards, we may pour eggnog straight down our gullets. Interested?

(Patrick, this does not exclude a viewing at AMC - If I'm going to do it, I may as well do it right, right?)

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And may I just say that Lexapro is the most wonderful drug available to mankind? Do you know what today is? A few of you might. Anyway, look back through the archives for hints... Anyway, I'm not down, I'm not depressed. Just very mellow. The first time in 18 years. It might be a good Christmas after all. :-)

R.I.P. Shirley Ann

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Ok, Mom had pictures of us kids from my junior year in high school on her desk, and once I saw it, I knew it had to make it's blog debut. I figure if I put myself out here for all of you share and read, I might as well go deeper. How deep? Deep. Shit's a well, son.



Apparently, as far back as 1991, I had a chin. And I weighed less than a thousand pounds. And I had bad acne but was boyishly cute. So this is my New Year's...Ney, My mid-December's resolution: I'm going to shed as much excess baggage from my fat ass as possible. Naturally, I'm going to bitch the whole time, so you'll all get to hear about it. Delaney got me a sweet tie for Christmas, cuz she's cool like that, and I want to wear it with something other than a tent awning. Something nice. Something sophisticated. Padre' West might suggest a french cuff arrow-collar. Whatever. Just wanna be smaller and with less chances of attracting small orbiting objects. ;) Damn comet's always crashing into me. Crash...into me...

*Cue Dave Matthews*