I've had a rough 24 hours. I feel like I have been through the ringer. I was in a semi daze earlier, but I have snapped out of it and feel much better. I should survive the evening shift at the Bucket with the help of my little friend, Five Hour Energy Drink. Otherwise, I'd be toast.
I was up at 430 am on the computer trolling for a new job. The honeymoon is over at Elvis World and I have to move on. I was a hairs breath of resigning yesterday.
And I only have a few moment to reflect and jot it down here. Here, where I had high hopes of writing everyday, but I only missed five days out of the month so that's not so bad. I am jump started back into the saddle.
Back to Elvis world.
I was called into the back office and informed that while filling out paperwork for everyone to get a raise, it was noticed I was being paid Way Too Much Money and effective immediately, my hourly wage is bumped back over a dollar.
I was astonished and totally taken by surprise. I immediately asked when the vacated Lead position was going to be posted. it has been vacant for over a month and I was promised the position at the end of last summer. I am certain I probably asked the question in a not too happy sounding voice.
"Well, we need to talk about that. It seems you were written up for having a cell phone, after being warned no cell phones allowed, and "M" said you were angry and hostile about the constructive criticism."
Since when is disciplinary action constructive criticism?
"So, does this mean I am at the bottom of totem pole for the Lead position?'
She yammered on and on, making some correlation and concern she had that if I could not handle constructive criticism then I could be rude to guests.
Then I was told in a very round about way, that it was too bad I use to have a great paying job and now I know what it feels like to be on the struggling end of the wage hierarchy.
I knew right there I was in the middle of a reverse discrimination thing. There is no way out of this and I am absolutely stunned and so saddened that this the way it is.
Now I have the double whammy of being paid under my worth and having the wrong skin color.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Rainbows of the Soul
There is something about Elvis World that gives people permission to dress up. It should come as no surprise that people arrive dressed to the Nines as Elvis, Marilyn, Dale Evans, Colin Farrell, and even Gumby!
I believe some people do not do it on purpose. The Europeans look European. There is just a certain flair they have. It shows in their skinny jeans, their hair, their glasses, their back packs, their easy coolness. I have to admit, I have not met an ugly European. They are shiny faces and an openness that is not only refreshing but fills me with a longing for something I can not put my finger on. Perhaps a memory of better times.
The young kids shouting their independence and all looking remarkably the same. Did we do that too? All with long hair streaked with outlandish colors, skinny jeans, Ugg boots, and their noses glued to their i phones as they follow at a slower pace their parents with the hopes that no one will assumed they are connected. At least that's what I did. The parents do display a Kid in a Candy Store type of awe.
Am I stereotyping? Women from Texas; Big hair and knee high expensive boots.
Canadians? Just like us but like to show off their plastic money.
Australians? They buy the shops out and tell you how expensive everything is in Australia and how they have to buy new luggage to take everything home. And they show you their plastic money.
But it is those who dress up that capture my attention.
One day last summer I looked up and spotted a woman browsing in the front of the shop. She had one of those little hats from the 50's on her head, with the small veil that extended over her forehead. In her white gloved left hand she held the other white glove as she pulled a Gold Lame clad Barbie from the shelf. She slowly sashayed around the store until she emerged so I could get a good look at her entire ensemble.
She was in a beautiful red and white flared flowered dress. It was cinched at waist with a red belt. She wore stockings with the seam up the back and pretty little soft white heels.
My heart lurched in my chest as I recognized the outfit, the uniform of my Mothers generation and immediately my eyes filled with tears I could not hold back.
What is this emotion?
I have thought about the sudden burst of tears and realized that it is the young little girl inside of me who wants her Mommie and there she was. Out of the Blue. Without warning. Stepping out of 1959. She was so beautiful
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears. ~John Vance Cheney
Friday, January 27, 2012
Town without Pity
The Weekly Photo Challenge from Wordpress this week is........
HOPE
It is hard to believe that it is almost seven years ago we packed up, sold the house and moved to Ft. Wayne. Upon arriving we walked around the downtown area and I took a lot of pictures. Always a fun way to first view a city, through the camera lens.
Then we ran across this warning!!!
And I hoped it was not true.
Go here for more interpretations of HOPE.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Don't have a Grand child with a Dog Collar
Thursday Thirteen for January 26, 2012
First off, why is it that you never listen to your Mother? They can dispense the absolute best advice by sharing their life experiences. Yet, the irrefutable lessons we learn, the ones that truly reveal their innate universal validly, have to be understood the hard way. No one can tell you. You would never listen.
1) Never criticize, condemn or complain. This is like the mantra from the Dale Carnegie Training programs. Who likes to be around someone who is always complaining? I think I complain a lot, maybe not out loud so much, but in my soul. I do not like this situation and I realize it drags me down, compromises my happiness. I wish I could stop it and just accept things. Have you ever been around someone who is always criticizing? Or condemning? You just want to vacate the area.
2) All things pass. I try to remember what was bothering me at this time last year? Or last month? or three months ago? Sometimes I can isolate a particular incident, but on the whole the answer is no. So I try to tell myself not to get so upset by little things. Because unless it is death, taxes or love, it's a little thing. Everything else can be handled, maybe with drugs, but it's all going to be OK. (just joking about the drugs).
3) There is no relief in consuming large amounts of alcohol to make the pain go away. It does not work and only makes it worse. It only will bring on a terrible hang over and you may wake up in a ditch. Or worse, have a Grand child with a dog collar. (I love that commercial!)
4) There are no do overs in life. So when it comes to your kids, make them the most important focus of your life for their first 18 years of life. When they go to college - let go for god's sake.
5) Don't give advice unless asked for it.
6) You do not know it all so don't act like it. You do not have to be right all the time. Do not correct someone in public or point out how ridiculous they sound! If you know the Beatles were not inducted into the Rock-N-Roll hall of fame the first year and they insist they were, just say you must be wrong (even though you just heard all about the it the night before on The Heavy Metal Show) and tell them you need to look it up on the Internet. Sometimes it just feels OK to know you are right.
7) Be able to say, I'm sorry I was wrong . Mean it. Do not say, "I'm sorry, but...." just say, "I'm sorry, my bad." This also makes for a happy marriage.
8) Sleep on it. Do not jump on anything, even if it seems a sure thing. Even if you think you must react immediately - sleep on it.
9) Trust your gut. Your subconscious knows things. All will be revealed in time.
10) Listen to people, what they are really saying sometimes is hidden in between the words. Have you ever been taking to someone and to see if they are listening you stop before the punch line or the climax or the summation of bringing it all together? You leave it hanging? Just to see if they will say, "So? Then what happened?" Or if they will say, "OK see you later" and walk off. I swear, I try not to be that person who does not listen. Too much good stuff is given to you , like a gift if you only ask. If you only listen. So I think one of the most important lessons, if not the most important life lesson one can learn is how important it is to listen to others.
11) Never underestimate the power of a kind encouraging word. Saying "Thank you" or "You do that so well!!" goes a long way. I remember last summer when I was trying to run again and was really struggling and soooooooooooooooo slow. As I labored in the 100 degree heat on the paths in Shelby park a young high school kid running with a pack of high school kids whizzes by me and says, "Good Job". I really needed that. So, be a blessing to someone.
12) Don't take yourself too seriously. Life is too much fun.
13) Love is everything.
These are in no particular order! For more Thursday Thirteen go here!
First off, why is it that you never listen to your Mother? They can dispense the absolute best advice by sharing their life experiences. Yet, the irrefutable lessons we learn, the ones that truly reveal their innate universal validly, have to be understood the hard way. No one can tell you. You would never listen.
1) Never criticize, condemn or complain. This is like the mantra from the Dale Carnegie Training programs. Who likes to be around someone who is always complaining? I think I complain a lot, maybe not out loud so much, but in my soul. I do not like this situation and I realize it drags me down, compromises my happiness. I wish I could stop it and just accept things. Have you ever been around someone who is always criticizing? Or condemning? You just want to vacate the area.
2) All things pass. I try to remember what was bothering me at this time last year? Or last month? or three months ago? Sometimes I can isolate a particular incident, but on the whole the answer is no. So I try to tell myself not to get so upset by little things. Because unless it is death, taxes or love, it's a little thing. Everything else can be handled, maybe with drugs, but it's all going to be OK. (just joking about the drugs).
3) There is no relief in consuming large amounts of alcohol to make the pain go away. It does not work and only makes it worse. It only will bring on a terrible hang over and you may wake up in a ditch. Or worse, have a Grand child with a dog collar. (I love that commercial!)
4) There are no do overs in life. So when it comes to your kids, make them the most important focus of your life for their first 18 years of life. When they go to college - let go for god's sake.
5) Don't give advice unless asked for it.
6) You do not know it all so don't act like it. You do not have to be right all the time. Do not correct someone in public or point out how ridiculous they sound! If you know the Beatles were not inducted into the Rock-N-Roll hall of fame the first year and they insist they were, just say you must be wrong (even though you just heard all about the it the night before on The Heavy Metal Show) and tell them you need to look it up on the Internet. Sometimes it just feels OK to know you are right.
7) Be able to say, I'm sorry I was wrong . Mean it. Do not say, "I'm sorry, but...." just say, "I'm sorry, my bad." This also makes for a happy marriage.
8) Sleep on it. Do not jump on anything, even if it seems a sure thing. Even if you think you must react immediately - sleep on it.
9) Trust your gut. Your subconscious knows things. All will be revealed in time.
10) Listen to people, what they are really saying sometimes is hidden in between the words. Have you ever been taking to someone and to see if they are listening you stop before the punch line or the climax or the summation of bringing it all together? You leave it hanging? Just to see if they will say, "So? Then what happened?" Or if they will say, "OK see you later" and walk off. I swear, I try not to be that person who does not listen. Too much good stuff is given to you , like a gift if you only ask. If you only listen. So I think one of the most important lessons, if not the most important life lesson one can learn is how important it is to listen to others.
11) Never underestimate the power of a kind encouraging word. Saying "Thank you" or "You do that so well!!" goes a long way. I remember last summer when I was trying to run again and was really struggling and soooooooooooooooo slow. As I labored in the 100 degree heat on the paths in Shelby park a young high school kid running with a pack of high school kids whizzes by me and says, "Good Job". I really needed that. So, be a blessing to someone.
12) Don't take yourself too seriously. Life is too much fun.
13) Love is everything.
These are in no particular order! For more Thursday Thirteen go here!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Common Man
My goal this year is to read at least two books a month. I think I read a total of TWO books all last year, but this is a new year!
I just finished Book Two last night, Listening is an Act of Love, a celebration of American Life from the Storycorps Project.
I give it five starts, an incredible book. I cried all through the second part. The stories of common everyday people, just like you and me, are amazing. It was a thoroughly moving book. I grabbed this book off the bio shelf at the Goodwill because I thought someone had stolen my idea! When I first retired from Coke, and was taking it easy, I thought that I would go into Nursing Homes and interview people about their histories.
Someone beat me to it. And I had no idea that these stories had been running on NPR for years!
My subconscious was talking to me while I slept last night and upon waking I knew I had to commit to a mini Storycorp Project of my own focusing on the extended family I have surrounding me.
I woke up with a song in my heart! It has been awhile.
If you can find this book at the library grab it!! You will be engrossed for however long it takes to finish. I would have loved to have read it from cover to cover.
Questions to ask those you love, admire or even yourself...
What is the most important lesson you have learned in life?
I just finished Book Two last night, Listening is an Act of Love, a celebration of American Life from the Storycorps Project.
I give it five starts, an incredible book. I cried all through the second part. The stories of common everyday people, just like you and me, are amazing. It was a thoroughly moving book. I grabbed this book off the bio shelf at the Goodwill because I thought someone had stolen my idea! When I first retired from Coke, and was taking it easy, I thought that I would go into Nursing Homes and interview people about their histories.
Someone beat me to it. And I had no idea that these stories had been running on NPR for years!
My subconscious was talking to me while I slept last night and upon waking I knew I had to commit to a mini Storycorp Project of my own focusing on the extended family I have surrounding me.
I woke up with a song in my heart! It has been awhile.
If you can find this book at the library grab it!! You will be engrossed for however long it takes to finish. I would have loved to have read it from cover to cover.
Questions to ask those you love, admire or even yourself...
What is the most important lesson you have learned in life?
Monday, January 23, 2012
LAY DOWN ALL THOUGHTS,
SURRENDER TO THE VOID
It is shining, it is shining - The Beatles, Tomorrow Never Knows
In other words some randomosity....
I was watching television with my husband last night and he was flipping stations and landed on PBS and a bio history "period" piece of the 1960's and '70's focusing on the singer Phil Ochs. We didn't stay on the program very long but long enough for me to become very interested. Especially the statement he made that his subconscious stopped talking to him and feeding him inspiration. I truly understand that.
Then we flipped over to the VH1 station because he wanted to watch a heavy metal program. He had been so sweet to me recently that I did not complain or groan or get up and leave the room. I just decided to watch the show and to my surprise it was great! The host went ballistic on the nomination committee for the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame for the obvious exclusion of some of the his favorite bands and the inclusion of "rock-n-rollers" like Donna Summers ??????? etc. I loved it. Then Slash came out and they concluded that Guns-N-Roses would be a shoo in this year, the first year of their eligibility, just because of the drama that will surround "who will take the stage?". I believe Axel Rose is on the total outs with the rest of the band. Not to mention that the original drummer is a raging drug addict. I know this because he tried to turn his life around with Dr. Drew on celebrity rehab (great show -lol, my daughter folks). So that show was very cool too.
I once found a $10 bill in the post office parking lot about 25 years ago. Since Thanksgiving Day I have found a $10 bill on the floor of the Bucket, a $5 bill floating around the lot at the X-ing, another $5 at my feet in the parking lot, and a $40 Target gift card in the employee parking lot (but I turned that in thinking that they might claim it). The other day I was talking too much to a guest as I was giving them back their change. It was $2.53 in change. For some dumb reason I gave them $3.53 and I realized it as she was snapping her purse shut. Oh crap, I thought. I also thought, I'm not going to tell her I just make a mistake and hand it over. I let her walk away, it was so late, we were closing and we are never penalized for anything under $5. I'll be damned, there is a $1 bill laying on the floor in the deserted about ready to close shop. I am a money magnet. Ha ha ha.
I was running behind trying to get out the door the other morning and Joe made my lunch for me. That is why I watched the metal show with him. He's a keeper.
Daffodils are blooming in my front yard! Never have I lived in a place where I had daffodils in January! I'm not certain how I feel about this.
I have begun my Christmas shopping already for this year! It helps to work in a retail store and know a good deal when you see it. Employee discount makes it sweet.
I am so stoked up that Justified is back on! I swooned over Colin Farrell, I would have fainted over Tim Oliphant. Now I realize Tim is no Colin - but oh my, how I love me some Raylan Givens.
Oh and ............Go Big Blue!
It is shining, it is shining - The Beatles, Tomorrow Never Knows
In other words some randomosity....
I was watching television with my husband last night and he was flipping stations and landed on PBS and a bio history "period" piece of the 1960's and '70's focusing on the singer Phil Ochs. We didn't stay on the program very long but long enough for me to become very interested. Especially the statement he made that his subconscious stopped talking to him and feeding him inspiration. I truly understand that.
Then we flipped over to the VH1 station because he wanted to watch a heavy metal program. He had been so sweet to me recently that I did not complain or groan or get up and leave the room. I just decided to watch the show and to my surprise it was great! The host went ballistic on the nomination committee for the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame for the obvious exclusion of some of the his favorite bands and the inclusion of "rock-n-rollers" like Donna Summers ??????? etc. I loved it. Then Slash came out and they concluded that Guns-N-Roses would be a shoo in this year, the first year of their eligibility, just because of the drama that will surround "who will take the stage?". I believe Axel Rose is on the total outs with the rest of the band. Not to mention that the original drummer is a raging drug addict. I know this because he tried to turn his life around with Dr. Drew on celebrity rehab (great show -lol, my daughter folks). So that show was very cool too.
I once found a $10 bill in the post office parking lot about 25 years ago. Since Thanksgiving Day I have found a $10 bill on the floor of the Bucket, a $5 bill floating around the lot at the X-ing, another $5 at my feet in the parking lot, and a $40 Target gift card in the employee parking lot (but I turned that in thinking that they might claim it). The other day I was talking too much to a guest as I was giving them back their change. It was $2.53 in change. For some dumb reason I gave them $3.53 and I realized it as she was snapping her purse shut. Oh crap, I thought. I also thought, I'm not going to tell her I just make a mistake and hand it over. I let her walk away, it was so late, we were closing and we are never penalized for anything under $5. I'll be damned, there is a $1 bill laying on the floor in the deserted about ready to close shop. I am a money magnet. Ha ha ha.
I was running behind trying to get out the door the other morning and Joe made my lunch for me. That is why I watched the metal show with him. He's a keeper.
Daffodils are blooming in my front yard! Never have I lived in a place where I had daffodils in January! I'm not certain how I feel about this.
I have begun my Christmas shopping already for this year! It helps to work in a retail store and know a good deal when you see it. Employee discount makes it sweet.
I am so stoked up that Justified is back on! I swooned over Colin Farrell, I would have fainted over Tim Oliphant. Now I realize Tim is no Colin - but oh my, how I love me some Raylan Givens.
Oh and ............Go Big Blue!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
I need new glasses!
Just the other day 'Fire & Brimstone' at the Bucket said, "You should quit that other job and just work here.' She is concerned about me burning myself out.
I nodded in agreement and said something like, "If I could make X amount of money, I would just work here!"
Oh no no no no no no no. NO NO NO NO NO WAY!!!!!!!!
I lied. If I had to choose between the two places, it would be "So long, sayounara, see ya on the other side, asta la vista baby , good-bye to you, to the Bucket.
Because the following would never ever happen at the Bucket.
I am cruising through the ticket office when I am told Colin Farrell is in the house. He was spotted at one of the restaurants. That was the info at the time.
So I have a few minutes left on my break and I am standing outside the office and looking to the left and looking to the right and talking to one of the Security Guards about C.F. He says, "He is coming up on my left....."
My heart began to go BOOMDADABOOMDADADBOOMBOOM....BOOMDADDDABOOMDADADABOOM. "I'm not going to gawk at him, I will just look as he passes behind you......."
And then he passed behind him about three feet from me.
He is drop dead good looking.
I smiled at him. He did not make eye contact and moved on. As soon as he was a slight distance away I turned to get a damn good look at his ....retreating back.
Security says, "Go call Joyce and tell her which way he is heading." Then he took off.
I call Joyce, tell her how luscious and handsome he is and give her the trajectory they are taking.
About 15 minutes later she sticks her head in my store and says, "I don't know, he was okay. The girl he was with, a bow-wow. I don't like the pony tail, they kind of looked like trailer park trash. I don't know, I'm from Boston and I am use to seeing pretty boy Irish." I am bum fuddled. "I guess I need glasses more than I thought." She nodded and left.
Fast forward 20 minutes. She calls me, "Oh My God!! I was looking at the wrong people. He is a babe!"
I was relieved that my eyes still can tell if Colin Farrell is Colin Farrell and not some trailer park trash.
I nodded in agreement and said something like, "If I could make X amount of money, I would just work here!"
Oh no no no no no no no. NO NO NO NO NO WAY!!!!!!!!
I lied. If I had to choose between the two places, it would be "So long, sayounara, see ya on the other side, asta la vista baby , good-bye to you, to the Bucket.
Because the following would never ever happen at the Bucket.
I am cruising through the ticket office when I am told Colin Farrell is in the house. He was spotted at one of the restaurants. That was the info at the time.
So I have a few minutes left on my break and I am standing outside the office and looking to the left and looking to the right and talking to one of the Security Guards about C.F. He says, "He is coming up on my left....."
My heart began to go BOOMDADABOOMDADADBOOMBOOM....BOOMDADDDABOOMDADADABOOM. "I'm not going to gawk at him, I will just look as he passes behind you......."
And then he passed behind him about three feet from me.
He is drop dead good looking.
I smiled at him. He did not make eye contact and moved on. As soon as he was a slight distance away I turned to get a damn good look at his ....retreating back.
Security says, "Go call Joyce and tell her which way he is heading." Then he took off.
I call Joyce, tell her how luscious and handsome he is and give her the trajectory they are taking.
About 15 minutes later she sticks her head in my store and says, "I don't know, he was okay. The girl he was with, a bow-wow. I don't like the pony tail, they kind of looked like trailer park trash. I don't know, I'm from Boston and I am use to seeing pretty boy Irish." I am bum fuddled. "I guess I need glasses more than I thought." She nodded and left.
Fast forward 20 minutes. She calls me, "Oh My God!! I was looking at the wrong people. He is a babe!"
I was relieved that my eyes still can tell if Colin Farrell is Colin Farrell and not some trailer park trash.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
I'm the Hype Girl Today
Today I was Rosie to Shanika's Sophia Grace .
We are having this ridiculous contest at Elvis World to see who can sell the most of these little candy mint boxes. Not any mint box, but the new 35th anniversary box with the hideous picture. When I first saw the box I thought, "Great Balls of Fire! No one wants to see the "Elvis" of right before he died!! They want the young virile healthy Elvis in black leather!" Instead we have this very unflattering pic of him with his hair all eschew and him bending over the microphone looking like he is sweating up a storm and about to pass out.
And so, due to the picture being so unflattering, they are not selling. To make the contest more interesting, they are waving a carrot under our noses. A free meal at one of the restaurants EACH DAY to the one who sells the most tins.
It's on!!
I did win one day and I am pretty good at it. But there is this one lady who is the best! And it is getting Shanika down. She had decided to quit trying because she can't win.
Pure Bunk!!
Today I was the relief person for a certain section of E-World which means I give breaks and lunches to the merchandise team. I then go to the high volume stores and help bag, stock etc.
I went to Shanika and gave her confidence to sell those mints!
I would hold them up and demonstrate the many uses for the tin after the mints are gone. They are perfect for hiding change from your husband. You can put your pills in afterwards. You can look at Elvis every day. You can give them as an inexpensive gift!! Valentines day??
We rocked. We sold 14 of those suckers in about an hour.
For that day she was the winner!!
And for that afternoon I found out how Rosie must feel.
We are having this ridiculous contest at Elvis World to see who can sell the most of these little candy mint boxes. Not any mint box, but the new 35th anniversary box with the hideous picture. When I first saw the box I thought, "Great Balls of Fire! No one wants to see the "Elvis" of right before he died!! They want the young virile healthy Elvis in black leather!" Instead we have this very unflattering pic of him with his hair all eschew and him bending over the microphone looking like he is sweating up a storm and about to pass out.
And so, due to the picture being so unflattering, they are not selling. To make the contest more interesting, they are waving a carrot under our noses. A free meal at one of the restaurants EACH DAY to the one who sells the most tins.
It's on!!
I did win one day and I am pretty good at it. But there is this one lady who is the best! And it is getting Shanika down. She had decided to quit trying because she can't win.
Pure Bunk!!
Today I was the relief person for a certain section of E-World which means I give breaks and lunches to the merchandise team. I then go to the high volume stores and help bag, stock etc.
I went to Shanika and gave her confidence to sell those mints!
I would hold them up and demonstrate the many uses for the tin after the mints are gone. They are perfect for hiding change from your husband. You can put your pills in afterwards. You can look at Elvis every day. You can give them as an inexpensive gift!! Valentines day??
We rocked. We sold 14 of those suckers in about an hour.
For that day she was the winner!!
And for that afternoon I found out how Rosie must feel.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Weekly Photo Challenge #2
SIMPLE
Life use to be so simple with you.
Then you grew up.
For more interpretations visit The Photo Challenge at Word Press.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
January 19th's Thursday 13
UNDERGROUND RESUME
My Dad held two jobs after graduating from Graduate School. One with Standard Brands and then with IBM.
My Husband has had three jobs since graduating from High School (he attended some college in between job one and two), the FBI, (1 year) the Sheriff Dept. (1 and 1/2 years) and then the Rail Road (ever since).
I, on the other hand, never have seemed to have found my niche, my calling, my place it the world of the gainfully employed. I am always searching for that elusive perfect job.
And so, thirteen jobs/careers that I have held and embarked on in the hopes of finding that perfect fit since High School. And so here is my underground resume.
1) Lifeguard at the Country Club - This happened because I was not rehired as a life guard at the private swimming club, home of my swim team and illustrious star studded spot under the sun as a cracker jack at the back stroke. I had been fired the previous year, right before the end of the season, for heading to Lexington to get a grilled cheese sandwich at Frischers with that bad trouble maker and dear friend and owner of the black bug (in my header) and was late for work. Roger, the manager that summer (how do I remember these names???) was not playing that day and fired my butt. The next summer I thought all would be forgiven but it was not. I found myself getting my suntan at the Country Club that summer. Yet, I met two very important and influential people who had a major impact on my college life - CF and Ginny. We all were destined to head to Murray in the fall.
2) Clerk at the hosiery counter at the now defunct Wolf Wile Department Store - home from college for the Christmas break. Marched to down town Lexington and secured a position at the little bitty hosiery and glove and stationary department. I remember the ladies name was Paulette and she had platinum blonde hair that she wore in a bun. I think she must have been in her sixties, but I was only 18 so she might have been in her 40's. (hahaha) She thought I wore my dresses too short!! My first and only dabble in retail until recently.
3) Waitress at Shaker Village - summer of freshman year. I dressed up like a Shaker and was paid minimum wage - no tips. It was quite an experience and I gained five pounds! I found out about real cooking! I had heard about it. I knew it existed. But was unfamiliar with it until that summer, my only experience being my Mom's cooking and the cafeteria food at High School and college. I still have my Shaker Cook Book and still make the peanut butter cookies. Best ever! Lemon pie, eggplant casserole, corn sticks, and squash souffle .... on my.
4) Telephone Operator - One summer in between attempts to be a college student I signed on as a temporary operator because the regular operators were on strike! We crossed the picket line daily. This was the old days of answering calls with those cords! A call would appear as a light on the board and you would plug in. They would tell you what they wanted, a collect call, a person to person call (ah, the good old days) and you would put it through by documenting the numbers on an information card, by plugging in a second cord and dialing the number, noting the time (by a time stamper?) and making the connection and moving on to the next call. I would try to complete the most calls of everyone in an hours time. Can not remember if I ever succeeded. I excelled at the pay phone calls, because no one wanted them so they were readily available on the in bound. I quit when it began to interfer with my social life.
5) Tax Preparer - My Dad and I went and took the four month class together to become qualified to do tax returns. I did them for two years and to this day consider myself some sort of tax guru. I am trouble with the IRS. Go figure. Damn those computers. My Dad did taxes for Senior Citizens for many years after that.
6) Bar Maid and Bar Tender - this part of my life probably lasted way too long but was also the most fun I ever had working. Working?? Ha! It was very much exciting and I made very much money. I found out I had a really good head for remembering drinks. And subsequently remembering.(That was then, this is now) A table of six would come in and I would get their order, Tom Collins, Rusty Nail, Jack and Water, Bud, coke and a Tequila Sunrise. I never had to ask again. I would just go near the table, make a circular motion to indicate "another round?" and if they nodded yes, or held up a near empty glass I never had to ask what they were drinking. I just knew. If they came in days, weeks, sometimes months later I'd just know! "Here comes Crown royal and coke". No one had a name, actually, just what they drank.
7) Night Auditor - this was when I learned I had a knack with numbers! I did this all one summer at the Astro Village Holiday Inn in Houston. I lived in Texas for a year during a particularly stormy period in my life, but a good one in the long run.
8) Accounting Clerk - nine years of my life working the Corporate grind. I went to school in the evenings and finished my college degree. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of. But I wasted away in this office. But, the good up side, I had a fabulous collection of shoes and clothing!
9) Car Salesman - This was the job that made me tough! I worked with all men because Susa got fired. Thinking back I realize that I took enormous strides in my personal development having to stand up for myself among the sharks. It was the stuff sit com's are made of. I truly wish I had kept a detailed diary/journal of this ten month period of my life.
10) From Car Salesman to Chemical Sales - Industrial Supply Sales. My training was absolutely top notch. I was taught every trick in the book to make someone go, "What just happened?". When I interviewed with the Beverage Company and on my final interview, he held up a pen, handed it to me and said "Sell me this pen"..........I smiled and knew I had that job. And I sold him that pen, "I'd buy anything you're selling" Crazy Eddie said at the end.
11) Newspaper Employee - I worked for two newspapers! In the circulation department at one and the Advertising Department in the other. Neither worked out.
12) My beloved Beverage Company - Yes, I was a Coke pusher.
13) Elvis World - in the retail department. It could be worse I suppose. At least I meet people, odd people strange people fascinating people everyday. Case in point; Yesterday I was minding the shop in the Part III of Elvis World when two ladies rushed in. May I help you? Yes, I am looking for a TCB charm. So I showed her what I had, nothing that she was looking for because I only have trinkets and trash and only a smattering of the Real Deal. "I gave mine to Clinton" she tossed off this remark like a used tissue. Of course I bit "President Clinton?" "Well, he wasn't President yet, he had just won the Texas primary. Do you know he was more excited about that TCB pin!!"
I can't make this stuff up.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
TIME TRAVEL
Google is having a contest for grammar school age kids to have them create doodles for the Google logo incorporating the theme "If I could travel in Time, I'd visit......."
Which makes me think, where would I go? What would I like to do? Who would I like to meet?
The possibilities!!
The roaring twenties, like The Great Gatsby era. I would have loved to have been an expatriate living in Paris during the 1920's. I would have liked to be a fringe member of The Lost Generation. The Super group of mover and shakers of the early 1920's which include Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, Picasso. I would have liked to been a Flapper. Outrageous and shocking and dancing up a storm drinking champagne and flirting with Fitzgerald and Anais Nin.
Then again, I would have loved to have seen the super Rock-N-Roll groups of the 1960's right before they became HUGE. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles in Liverpool, Bob Dylan, the Dave Clark Five, the Kinks.
I would have loved to have been at Woodstock.
Because I am squeamish I would not like the Wild West. Being scalped and having to use an out house...no thank you. But to see the pristine prairies of the west, the Grand Canyon, the snowy mountains of the Rockies, the painted desert, all before smog, acid rain and litterers...?
New York City during the 1950's hanging out with Beatnik's would have been very cool. Going to all those snappy cafes. Meeting James Dean.
The middle Ages - no way.
To hear a sermon from the mouth of Jesus.
To see my Dad again as young and vibrant........
Which makes me think, where would I go? What would I like to do? Who would I like to meet?
The possibilities!!
The roaring twenties, like The Great Gatsby era. I would have loved to have been an expatriate living in Paris during the 1920's. I would have liked to be a fringe member of The Lost Generation. The Super group of mover and shakers of the early 1920's which include Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, Picasso. I would have liked to been a Flapper. Outrageous and shocking and dancing up a storm drinking champagne and flirting with Fitzgerald and Anais Nin.
Then again, I would have loved to have seen the super Rock-N-Roll groups of the 1960's right before they became HUGE. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles in Liverpool, Bob Dylan, the Dave Clark Five, the Kinks.
I would have loved to have been at Woodstock.
Because I am squeamish I would not like the Wild West. Being scalped and having to use an out house...no thank you. But to see the pristine prairies of the west, the Grand Canyon, the snowy mountains of the Rockies, the painted desert, all before smog, acid rain and litterers...?
New York City during the 1950's hanging out with Beatnik's would have been very cool. Going to all those snappy cafes. Meeting James Dean.
The middle Ages - no way.
To hear a sermon from the mouth of Jesus.
To see my Dad again as young and vibrant........
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Who the Hell is Pioneer Woman?
And What is She doing in my Kitchen?
Inquiring minds want to know what I do on my day(s) off. Like all accomplished goof-offs and procrastinators I lie in bed and read until my (near blind) eyes grow tired. Then I think about cleaning the house and upset my husband by vacuuming around the living room like it is the most important task I accomplish before the world comes to an end. I even cleaned the fan above the kitchen table. The filth and dust collected up there makes me realize I should have done that a long time ago.
I am tired from all the exertion and decide to make cookies. I am making them for a friend of mine that is in a rehabilitation hospital. The fact that he is diabetic does not hinder my determination to make cookies.
I have a recipe in mind, one that I perchance caught on FoodNetwork. It was the Pioneer Woman, Rea Drummond, the millionaire blogger who is making millions more every day. Probably every minute. Somebody somewhere is buying her cookbook or her memoir. Or staying at her Ranch Hotel/Bed and Breakfast.
I first became aware of PW years ago, perhaps when she first started her blog and was gaining popularity. Back before AOL-J Land went belly up, someone there mentioned that PW was a fantastic site! They were reminded of SloMo, an AOL blogger who quite suddenly, at the height of her Readership and more than likely on the cusp of being "discovered" , disappeared from the Blogesphere creating an incredible void that was hard pressed to be filled.
Was Pioneer Woman the answer?
I have to admit I have tried out some of her recipes and for the most part, they have turned out pretty good.
Fresh green beans cooked in a cast iron skillet with onions and chicken stock plus seasoning? Who knew? I do not cook green beans any other way since.
With such success why not try that lasagna recipe. Another success...damn it!! I do tend to doctor up the lasagna a lot, but otherwise she hit a home run.
So when I caught her on the Food net work making cookies I thought "What the Hell"
Guess what? They are very very good. She puts malted milk power in the mix. I added some cappuccino double mocha power along with the malted milk and cut the two sticks of butter to one and added 1/2 cup shortening.
Mmmmmmmmm....to die for!
I will send a big batch to my friend so he can share with his visitors. I wish I could visit him but I can not so these cookies will have to take my place.
Guess PW is not so bad after all. Guess I am just slightly jealous she burst on the scene and had immediate incredible success.
I suppose she deserves it. If only for these cookies....
Here is the link!
Inquiring minds want to know what I do on my day(s) off. Like all accomplished goof-offs and procrastinators I lie in bed and read until my (near blind) eyes grow tired. Then I think about cleaning the house and upset my husband by vacuuming around the living room like it is the most important task I accomplish before the world comes to an end. I even cleaned the fan above the kitchen table. The filth and dust collected up there makes me realize I should have done that a long time ago.
I am tired from all the exertion and decide to make cookies. I am making them for a friend of mine that is in a rehabilitation hospital. The fact that he is diabetic does not hinder my determination to make cookies.
I have a recipe in mind, one that I perchance caught on FoodNetwork. It was the Pioneer Woman, Rea Drummond, the millionaire blogger who is making millions more every day. Probably every minute. Somebody somewhere is buying her cookbook or her memoir. Or staying at her Ranch Hotel/Bed and Breakfast.
I first became aware of PW years ago, perhaps when she first started her blog and was gaining popularity. Back before AOL-J Land went belly up, someone there mentioned that PW was a fantastic site! They were reminded of SloMo, an AOL blogger who quite suddenly, at the height of her Readership and more than likely on the cusp of being "discovered" , disappeared from the Blogesphere creating an incredible void that was hard pressed to be filled.
Was Pioneer Woman the answer?
I have to admit I have tried out some of her recipes and for the most part, they have turned out pretty good.
Fresh green beans cooked in a cast iron skillet with onions and chicken stock plus seasoning? Who knew? I do not cook green beans any other way since.
With such success why not try that lasagna recipe. Another success...damn it!! I do tend to doctor up the lasagna a lot, but otherwise she hit a home run.
So when I caught her on the Food net work making cookies I thought "What the Hell"
Guess what? They are very very good. She puts malted milk power in the mix. I added some cappuccino double mocha power along with the malted milk and cut the two sticks of butter to one and added 1/2 cup shortening.
Mmmmmmmmm....to die for!
I will send a big batch to my friend so he can share with his visitors. I wish I could visit him but I can not so these cookies will have to take my place.
Guess PW is not so bad after all. Guess I am just slightly jealous she burst on the scene and had immediate incredible success.
I suppose she deserves it. If only for these cookies....
Here is the link!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Fire and Brimestone
Boy have I bitten off a lot to chew committing to the Nablopomo thing. I have missed two days and both times it has been on a Sunday. A tough day. I usually work the night before getting home at 1130ish and up and out to work at Elvis World the next day. TV is usually too good Sunday night to forfeit for the computer. Plus my husband is around and needs attention.
Hence, Sunday is tough.
Though all day I was rolling around the sand of a thought, a theme so to speak and trying to produce a pearl. My thoughts continually came to the wish that I was at church and not standing in the middle of a music shop talking and chatting up Elvis to a bunch of Canadians.
How I miss the hustle and buzz, the getting there. Now I am not really a religious person. I am Catholic by birth and have been there done that. I never wanted to be a Nun, I never wanted to go to Mass much less the confession! I recoiled from the lives of the Martyrs and Saints. I believe my lack of interest in the horror genre stems from my repulsion to being stones to death, crucified upside down, celibacy, burnt to death at the stake, having your head chopped off, being burned to death as an offering, having children cut in half. Horror stories? Look no further than the Bible.
No the religious life was not for me.
Yet I found a lot of comfort in attending the non denominational church with Joe in Lexington, the Mega church. I loved it. I loved everything about it. But I especially loved the donuts and coffee afterwards. That ended when they built the new church that included a cafeteria and cash registers. No more donations, based on the honor system, in the jar.
That's progress I suppose.
I loved the Bible study classes I attended because as I said, I shunned the Bible and it's gory lessons. But in a women's group, taking a Beth Moore class, it was just a wonderful experience of female fellowship I had never encountered before.
Trying to "out sin" your fellow class mates at second grade Confession practice does not count.
Since leaving the Lexington area we have not found a church to fill the void. And I feel the urgent need for spiritual guidance and nourishment.
Sometime ago I was having a discussion with one of my new friends/co-workers at the Bucket. I was telling her about seeing Joel Osteen preach on TV about being a blessing to other people and how it affected me.
She gave me a long look and took a few moments to choose her words. "I don't like him. Seems like a lot of psychology and hooey to me. I like my religion Fire and Brimstone." Then she fixed me with a steely stare. I figured she was daring me to say something.
After 12 years of Catholic schooling, I've had way too much Fire and Brimstone!! But I kept my mouth shut, I certainly didn't need a philosophical argument among the Christmas decorations and angel glitter.
Hence, Sunday is tough.
Though all day I was rolling around the sand of a thought, a theme so to speak and trying to produce a pearl. My thoughts continually came to the wish that I was at church and not standing in the middle of a music shop talking and chatting up Elvis to a bunch of Canadians.
How I miss the hustle and buzz, the getting there. Now I am not really a religious person. I am Catholic by birth and have been there done that. I never wanted to be a Nun, I never wanted to go to Mass much less the confession! I recoiled from the lives of the Martyrs and Saints. I believe my lack of interest in the horror genre stems from my repulsion to being stones to death, crucified upside down, celibacy, burnt to death at the stake, having your head chopped off, being burned to death as an offering, having children cut in half. Horror stories? Look no further than the Bible.
No the religious life was not for me.
Yet I found a lot of comfort in attending the non denominational church with Joe in Lexington, the Mega church. I loved it. I loved everything about it. But I especially loved the donuts and coffee afterwards. That ended when they built the new church that included a cafeteria and cash registers. No more donations, based on the honor system, in the jar.
That's progress I suppose.
I loved the Bible study classes I attended because as I said, I shunned the Bible and it's gory lessons. But in a women's group, taking a Beth Moore class, it was just a wonderful experience of female fellowship I had never encountered before.
Trying to "out sin" your fellow class mates at second grade Confession practice does not count.
Since leaving the Lexington area we have not found a church to fill the void. And I feel the urgent need for spiritual guidance and nourishment.
Sometime ago I was having a discussion with one of my new friends/co-workers at the Bucket. I was telling her about seeing Joel Osteen preach on TV about being a blessing to other people and how it affected me.
She gave me a long look and took a few moments to choose her words. "I don't like him. Seems like a lot of psychology and hooey to me. I like my religion Fire and Brimstone." Then she fixed me with a steely stare. I figured she was daring me to say something.
After 12 years of Catholic schooling, I've had way too much Fire and Brimstone!! But I kept my mouth shut, I certainly didn't need a philosophical argument among the Christmas decorations and angel glitter.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE
The Friday photo challenge at WordPress for this weeks inspiration is PEACEFUL.
One of the most beautiful spots in Lexington is also one of the most peaceful, the Cemetery. The botanical achievements in this resting place is phenomenal. Even in the midst of winter the scenery is awe-inspiring. It teeters on the formidable.
When I am home and am able to squeeze out a little bit of time, I head to the Cemetery located close to down town.
The world fades away in this hamlet of artistic beauty. Everything is quiet. Everything is perfectly harmonious.
Everything is at peace.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Superstitious ... ?
Who me? Friday the 13? Ha! I'm Catholic! I have a lot of things to be afraid of other than unfounded superstitions. Like dying in the state of sin and having to spend most of eternity in purgatory! Now that's scary. I do not concern myself with trivial irrational beliefs as Friday the 13th's, black cats, broken mirrors, blue moons & walking under ladders.
Now falling off a ladder, that's another story!
Speaking of being Catholic reminds me of my Mother, a devout Catholic who puts all her trust in prayer and the will of God. I am certain that the fact I had no sisters until I was 11, in her opinion, was the will of God.
I think it is God's sense of humor, maybe. Or sense of justice.
I was ironing a shirt for work this morning, a few minutes ago, going through the steps as my Mom taught me so many years ago. First the shoulders, then the collar, then the sleeves, iron the button area on the inside of the material, then flip over and iron next to buttons then in between buttons, then the body of the shirt etc. etc. etc.
I had all the "girl" chores to do while growing up and helping out with the ironing was one of them. I quickly found out Woman Work a hell of a lot harder than the Men when it comes to housework.
My list of "chores"....
Ironing
Setting the Table
Peeling the potato's
Washing the dishes
My brothers list of chores (there was three of them...well, two most the time)
Clearing the table
Taking out the garbage
What is the parity in that? None!! I had to wash up the dishes for a family of at least six including pots and pans! I had to stand on a stool to reach the water. Night after night, day after day, and I had no sister to share my chores with!!
Boy's had it easy.
When Kit arrived I had to add watching the baby, changing the baby, feeding the baby.... to my list of chores! What??!! But it was excellent training for my first job...babysitting!
So, God up High, thank you for my dishwater hands and my sister, who arrived way to late to help with the dishes but none the less is greatly appreciated.
Now falling off a ladder, that's another story!
Speaking of being Catholic reminds me of my Mother, a devout Catholic who puts all her trust in prayer and the will of God. I am certain that the fact I had no sisters until I was 11, in her opinion, was the will of God.
I think it is God's sense of humor, maybe. Or sense of justice.
I was ironing a shirt for work this morning, a few minutes ago, going through the steps as my Mom taught me so many years ago. First the shoulders, then the collar, then the sleeves, iron the button area on the inside of the material, then flip over and iron next to buttons then in between buttons, then the body of the shirt etc. etc. etc.
I had all the "girl" chores to do while growing up and helping out with the ironing was one of them. I quickly found out Woman Work a hell of a lot harder than the Men when it comes to housework.
My list of "chores"....
Ironing
Setting the Table
Peeling the potato's
Washing the dishes
My brothers list of chores (there was three of them...well, two most the time)
Clearing the table
Taking out the garbage
What is the parity in that? None!! I had to wash up the dishes for a family of at least six including pots and pans! I had to stand on a stool to reach the water. Night after night, day after day, and I had no sister to share my chores with!!
Boy's had it easy.
When Kit arrived I had to add watching the baby, changing the baby, feeding the baby.... to my list of chores! What??!! But it was excellent training for my first job...babysitting!
So, God up High, thank you for my dishwater hands and my sister, who arrived way to late to help with the dishes but none the less is greatly appreciated.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
January 12th - Thursday Thirteen
As a child, there is not a time that I can remember that our house was not encased and submerged in books. My mother was a librarian holding a masters degree in Library Science from Columbia. Don't you know I heard that enough as a kid!
Her love of books and reading was instilled in all her children, and as it so often happens, in her grand children. I fondly recall our trips to Downtown Lexington in the 1960's. To us it was the gateway to the rest of the world. It was our only glimpse outside of the farming community that held the answers to the mystery of life. It was vibrant, sophisticated and cosmopolitan. It was our New York City.
We always went to a small second hand book store on Limestone. The books were stacked everywhere and overflowing in the dark musty dusty shop. I must say this about my mother, she put little if any restrictions on our selections. I'm not certain why this is so. Perhaps she felt that if it was published as a book, it must have some sort of merit.
As children, and I mean under the age of 14, we were never restricted to the children's section or Young Adult (boring) areas. We could roam the stacks with abandon. I read Valley of the Dolls, Joy in the Morning, The Crowd, and Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones all before I left 8th grade.
No matter where I go, where I live, where I travel, where I end up upright, I look for the bookstores, preferably used. I am forever looking for that elusive copy of The World of Henry Orient, the original from the early 1960's. One of the scandalous books I read as a child and was ASTONISHED to find it re-issued as YA. What the hell are they thinking?? YA has certainly changed since I was doomed to the YA genre. But, I was never actually doomed to YA, thank God.
I was deeply saddened and horrified that C-ville had no used bookstores! I had to feed my addiction by browsing the Goodwill's for books. Just not right. 5th largest city in Tennessee. Go figure!
This is a list of the 13 bookstores that I have haunted over the years.
1) Dennis Book Store - Downtown Lexington on Limestone. Where it all started. Not certain what year it closed it door, perhaps when Mr. Dennis kicked the bucket. Where I began my phenomenal collection which has grown and shrunk like a living breathing creature throughout the years. Green front with dirty windows, books stacked everywhere, old bookshelves constructed from sagging boards, tables in the middle of the room with books scattered and calling to you to read me read me read me. And we did.
2) The Book Exchange on High Street & Tates Creek right off Euclid. One of my favorite places to search! Unfortunately, also closed. I remember the proprietor sitting behind the small area to the right when you walked in, surrounded by books and magazines. It was a second hand shop, specializing in paper backs. Nothing was arranged alphabetically and only a small fraction of the tomes made it to the shelves, but where stacked up from the creaky dirty floor until they threatened to topple over! The front window was filled with paperbacks also stacked to capacity to ensure every available space was taken up. Every so often you would find something you wanted from the window, but it was always faded from intense sunshine! He traded paperbacks. Two for one, and I was in there constantly. He has been gone a long time, maybe since the late 1970's. I could not find the name of the store on line but I remembered I might just have a surviving book from his immense collection. And I did - Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Price? $5.50 only!! (underlined) Collector! A lot of money in the 1970's!
3) Goodwill Bookstore on 51 in Horn Lake - my newest haunt. I love this place! They have such a fine selection of Cook Books that I can not stand it! On one of my "drop-ins" I found two vintage (from the 1990's) Gooseberry Patch Homespun Christmas cook-books. The last time I was in there I bought 7 books - $22.00. Not bad. And she said as I checked out (because I am in there at least twice a month) "You are such a well rounded person!" lol! My haul this time came mostly from the biography section.
4) The Book Cellar - @ the Main Lexington Public Library, in the cellar. My favorite of all time. When they opened, maybe in the early 1990's, I would be the only one in there. It is not that way any longer. My secret is out and now everyone goes there! Once I found a first edition of "The Vampire Lestat" for $50. But no Interview with the Vampire. Then they began selling the collectible stuff on e-bay. Bummer. I became addicted to travel books due to this shop.
5) Morgan Adams Book Store - Leestown Rd. Also Lexington. I believe that the Lexington area is one of the most educated area's in the US. the % of college graduates is extremely high, thus so many book stores! Alas, this one closed it's doors this past May. But all is not lost, it reopened when several employees purchased the inventory and assumed the lease. I began collecting hard backs because of this store! I use to be a cheap old paper back girl and then I graduated to hard backs. The store smelled funny. And I am being kind. It actually smelled like a bad tooth. Or really bad breath that I always associated with tooth decay. I still went in. Nothing comes between me and my addiction.
6) Hyde Brothers Book Store - Ft Wayne. Another wonderful used book shop. One of the best things about FW. Two stories because a huge collection is in the basement! That is where the travel books were located. Know what I loved most about this store? The old books that lived on the shelves really were alive! I would just randomly pull a book and discover all sorts of treasure's. Supposedly used as book marks.. I would find foreign money, old airplane tickets, business cards, girl scout identification cards from the 1940's. It was just like unearthing messages from the past.
7)Carmichaels - Louisville, new book store. Independent and full of great stuff. Note cards, postcards, moleskines etc.
8) Joseph-Beth - Best ever new bookstore. I believe that they re-invented the traditional book store. When it first opened at Lexington Green it occupied a different space. Smaller and more intimate, with huge comfortable arm chairs for you to sit and read! And, before cell phones, free land line phones peppered the stacks. I loved that. I used them all the time. Jo-Beth went the route of over expanding and not having a crystal ball to foresee the evil Kindle. Yet she endured, being bought from bankruptcy by the shopping center. A destination spot for anyone who knows anything coming to Lexington. You will just have to go and find out why!
9) Hawley-Cooke - Lousiville. A sort of clone of J0-Beth, but was snapped up by Borders in due time. Fantastic magazine selection. Several locations and fantastic marked down section.
10) Borders - You know, for a new bookstore I like Borders. I especially like the cards and what not's. I do not like Barnes and Noble. Go figure.
11) The Book Corner - New &Used book store in St. Mathews, a suburb of Louisville. I have found some fantastic stuff in there when I was looking for something specific. And that is very cool for a used book store.
12) Twice Told Books - Bardstown Road. Closed but not forgotten. A musty dusty shop with books stacked everywhere. Great name and I believe he is operating on line now, or was at one time.
13) Burkes Book Store - Used, Cooper -Young area Memphis. Love this store too! The civil war section is to die for. Laid back staff and wonderful stacks to get lost in. Rocking chairs readily available in every little nook and cranny.
There are many more, but I am going to stop for now!
Her love of books and reading was instilled in all her children, and as it so often happens, in her grand children. I fondly recall our trips to Downtown Lexington in the 1960's. To us it was the gateway to the rest of the world. It was our only glimpse outside of the farming community that held the answers to the mystery of life. It was vibrant, sophisticated and cosmopolitan. It was our New York City.
We always went to a small second hand book store on Limestone. The books were stacked everywhere and overflowing in the dark musty dusty shop. I must say this about my mother, she put little if any restrictions on our selections. I'm not certain why this is so. Perhaps she felt that if it was published as a book, it must have some sort of merit.
As children, and I mean under the age of 14, we were never restricted to the children's section or Young Adult (boring) areas. We could roam the stacks with abandon. I read Valley of the Dolls, Joy in the Morning, The Crowd, and Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones all before I left 8th grade.
No matter where I go, where I live, where I travel, where I end up upright, I look for the bookstores, preferably used. I am forever looking for that elusive copy of The World of Henry Orient, the original from the early 1960's. One of the scandalous books I read as a child and was ASTONISHED to find it re-issued as YA. What the hell are they thinking?? YA has certainly changed since I was doomed to the YA genre. But, I was never actually doomed to YA, thank God.
I was deeply saddened and horrified that C-ville had no used bookstores! I had to feed my addiction by browsing the Goodwill's for books. Just not right. 5th largest city in Tennessee. Go figure!
This is a list of the 13 bookstores that I have haunted over the years.
1) Dennis Book Store - Downtown Lexington on Limestone. Where it all started. Not certain what year it closed it door, perhaps when Mr. Dennis kicked the bucket. Where I began my phenomenal collection which has grown and shrunk like a living breathing creature throughout the years. Green front with dirty windows, books stacked everywhere, old bookshelves constructed from sagging boards, tables in the middle of the room with books scattered and calling to you to read me read me read me. And we did.
2) The Book Exchange on High Street & Tates Creek right off Euclid. One of my favorite places to search! Unfortunately, also closed. I remember the proprietor sitting behind the small area to the right when you walked in, surrounded by books and magazines. It was a second hand shop, specializing in paper backs. Nothing was arranged alphabetically and only a small fraction of the tomes made it to the shelves, but where stacked up from the creaky dirty floor until they threatened to topple over! The front window was filled with paperbacks also stacked to capacity to ensure every available space was taken up. Every so often you would find something you wanted from the window, but it was always faded from intense sunshine! He traded paperbacks. Two for one, and I was in there constantly. He has been gone a long time, maybe since the late 1970's. I could not find the name of the store on line but I remembered I might just have a surviving book from his immense collection. And I did - Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Price? $5.50 only!! (underlined) Collector! A lot of money in the 1970's!
3) Goodwill Bookstore on 51 in Horn Lake - my newest haunt. I love this place! They have such a fine selection of Cook Books that I can not stand it! On one of my "drop-ins" I found two vintage (from the 1990's) Gooseberry Patch Homespun Christmas cook-books. The last time I was in there I bought 7 books - $22.00. Not bad. And she said as I checked out (because I am in there at least twice a month) "You are such a well rounded person!" lol! My haul this time came mostly from the biography section.
4) The Book Cellar - @ the Main Lexington Public Library, in the cellar. My favorite of all time. When they opened, maybe in the early 1990's, I would be the only one in there. It is not that way any longer. My secret is out and now everyone goes there! Once I found a first edition of "The Vampire Lestat" for $50. But no Interview with the Vampire. Then they began selling the collectible stuff on e-bay. Bummer. I became addicted to travel books due to this shop.
5) Morgan Adams Book Store - Leestown Rd. Also Lexington. I believe that the Lexington area is one of the most educated area's in the US. the % of college graduates is extremely high, thus so many book stores! Alas, this one closed it's doors this past May. But all is not lost, it reopened when several employees purchased the inventory and assumed the lease. I began collecting hard backs because of this store! I use to be a cheap old paper back girl and then I graduated to hard backs. The store smelled funny. And I am being kind. It actually smelled like a bad tooth. Or really bad breath that I always associated with tooth decay. I still went in. Nothing comes between me and my addiction.
6) Hyde Brothers Book Store - Ft Wayne. Another wonderful used book shop. One of the best things about FW. Two stories because a huge collection is in the basement! That is where the travel books were located. Know what I loved most about this store? The old books that lived on the shelves really were alive! I would just randomly pull a book and discover all sorts of treasure's. Supposedly used as book marks.. I would find foreign money, old airplane tickets, business cards, girl scout identification cards from the 1940's. It was just like unearthing messages from the past.
7)Carmichaels - Louisville, new book store. Independent and full of great stuff. Note cards, postcards, moleskines etc.
8) Joseph-Beth - Best ever new bookstore. I believe that they re-invented the traditional book store. When it first opened at Lexington Green it occupied a different space. Smaller and more intimate, with huge comfortable arm chairs for you to sit and read! And, before cell phones, free land line phones peppered the stacks. I loved that. I used them all the time. Jo-Beth went the route of over expanding and not having a crystal ball to foresee the evil Kindle. Yet she endured, being bought from bankruptcy by the shopping center. A destination spot for anyone who knows anything coming to Lexington. You will just have to go and find out why!
9) Hawley-Cooke - Lousiville. A sort of clone of J0-Beth, but was snapped up by Borders in due time. Fantastic magazine selection. Several locations and fantastic marked down section.
10) Borders - You know, for a new bookstore I like Borders. I especially like the cards and what not's. I do not like Barnes and Noble. Go figure.
11) The Book Corner - New &Used book store in St. Mathews, a suburb of Louisville. I have found some fantastic stuff in there when I was looking for something specific. And that is very cool for a used book store.
12) Twice Told Books - Bardstown Road. Closed but not forgotten. A musty dusty shop with books stacked everywhere. Great name and I believe he is operating on line now, or was at one time.
13) Burkes Book Store - Used, Cooper -Young area Memphis. Love this store too! The civil war section is to die for. Laid back staff and wonderful stacks to get lost in. Rocking chairs readily available in every little nook and cranny.
There are many more, but I am going to stop for now!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
THE METAL BEAST
From "THE DAILY POST"
I would ask them to tell about some childhood memory, that is, to write it as carelessly, recklessly, fast and sloppily as possible on paper. Their only effort became to tell spontaneously, impulsively, what they remembered.
And I asked for childhood experiences for this reason. A child experiences things from his true self (creatively) and not from his theoretical self (dutifully), i.e. the self he thinks he ought to be. That is why childhood memories are the most living and sparkling and true.
From If You Want to Write
I have three brothers. I wanted a sister but my Mother kept handing over boys! I was 11 years old before I got a sister and by that time, it was too late. We were a generation apart.
But I always have my brothers. We share all the same memories and experiences. Three of us were born within 27 months of each other. I can not imagine how my Mother did it. I suppose she was just one of the many.
As I grow older I find my childhood memories are fading. I remember pieces of things, like tiny snap shots. The face of my brother in the car rolling down the incline headed for certain death, or a wild ride through the back of the garage and a head first plunge into the old rail road track gully that led to the tunnel. And my mother, obviously pregnant with Patrick, chasing the car, jumping in and slamming on the brakes in the nick of time to avert certain disaster.
Snap shot of same brother handing on the car door, my Mom taking a curve from Douglas to Morgan too fast, door flying open, brother swung out on door, door swung back and brother was redeposited into car.
Now we understand why car seats and seat belts are so important.
But I do have a lot of grammar school memories!
Such as our recess and lunch hour. The play ground was a seriously dangerous and wonderful place. We had a sliding board that was a least 10 feet high, two separate swing sets that had those heavy duty foot long links and heavy rubber seats that were retrieved from the shed and attached. We had the Mother of all Merry-Go-Round. A Metal Beast that not only went around around and around but also tilted back and forth, much like a top.
When the doors swung open from our tiny class rooms (we were a four room school house!) we raced to the Metal Beast to secure a place on one of the eight seats.
The game was to stand erect, spread eagle holding the top of the rungs with your hands and securing your balance with your feet placed at the sides of each seat where the rails connected from the top. Then you would be given a push and you would begin to go round and round, up and down and BANG the pole in the middle hoping to jar someone off, to have them fly through the air and land on their head so that someone else could take their place and the game would continue. Usually we had someone in the middle dodging the Beast heading for the pole.
Great fun! You would most certainly get squished if you faltered!
We were not a bunch of coddled sissies. We were Baby Boomer Kids. Our parents survived a depression and a World War.
We were born tough.
We would take wax paper and slick down the slinging board. If it was very cold, we would pour water in a path leading from the end of the board as far as we could extend it, sometimes precariously close to the jaws of the Death Trap. The object was to squat down and wrap your arms around your knees and FLY down the slippery slope, hit the ground and the icy course and see who could slide along the pavement the longest.
At times you would have to lay back in a prone position if you had enough trust to end up under the Metal Beast!
Those were the days.
The Death-Go-Round endured for perhaps 70 years until some wimpy kid fell off and broke his leg. Then it was deemed too dangerous and removed.
I wonder where? When I think of my hair flying and my legs pumping and my body swinging my weight from right to left to gain gravity defying speed I smile and I think how much fun that was.
Worth every skinned knee, every bleeding elbow, every concussion.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
THE LIST
I know I have mentioned this before. This confession of an obsession I have. I am a hard core list maker! They pop up everywhere. I was a natural at the Grace in Small Things I did several years ago because it was just second nature to keep a daily list of ....anything!
Since I tend to spend all my time at a job that does not allow any personal effects at all I over come that barrier by whipping off a ten inch piece of the receipt tape and use it as my writing pad. I fold it up and stick it in one of my pockets to have at ready if I need to add to it. Which as you can see by the mountain of slips, I add and add and add.
I have a (several) list(s) of possible blog entries. And I ran across it (one) the other day, the one I jotted down sometime right after Christmas. So I thought that I would use one of the idea's this morning.
TOUCHED BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
This is the Christmas season in retail! Desperate people buying those last minute gifts because the son's girl friend is going to attend. Desperate procrastinating people who wait to start their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve Eve! And later. Desperate people who have no idea what to buy. So they come to The Biscuit Bucket knowing that they will be helped and guided through the gifting process with a steady knowledgeable hand. 80 year old grandmother in a nursing home! No problem, take a look at this Fairy in a Jar! Ten year old gifted kid! No problem, look at this hand held Suduko challenge! Only $19.99 and we gift wrap for you!
Lord help me. Just to get away from the craziness I enjoy gift wrapping. Though I do not enjoy the gift giver hoovering over me as I crate an awesome outer shell to a 50% off ornament purchased because "i don't want to spend much"...but they want a million dollar wrap job. Sometime I'll ask, "What do you do for a living?" and I hear a wide spectrum of occupations. Inside my head I bark "Would you like me coming to your 'fill in the blank' and breath down your neck as you work?"
But I do not.
I just work my magic and hope to hell they do not call the corporate office and tell them I was mean (that almost happened this Christmas!)
But somewhere under all the excitement and dread building, the True Spirit of Christmas is lurking about.
Right after the incident of being curt and unaccommodating with a pushy guest I was bracing myself for a call into the back office for a tongue lashing and a warning. I was talking with the Retail Manager, expecting the worst when we were approached by a woman who recognized him as a Manager and touched his arm, "How many servers do you have working tonight?". We were packed and service was a little slow. Restaurants are notorious in trying to keep labor at a bay and predicting traffic and they are never correct! I thought she was going to call corporate and complain and wanted to have her numbers straight. She wanted the count for an entirely different reason.
10 minutes later, as I was looking for some type of candy for a guest a gentleman took my hand and shook it, "Merry Christmas and thank you!" As he walked away I realized he had placed a $20 bill in my hand. Along with a business card inviting me to visit the Bible Church.
I was astonished. It was not only me, but every brown apron clad over worked and under appreciated employee with in his sphere in a one minute period.
Then they were gone.
Wow.
Another incident. I was on the way home Christmas Eve and headed into Kroger. I know, what was I thinking! I was thinking, "I NEED SOME EGG NOG!!"
The store was torn up! People were everywhere. I had chosen a Kroger that I had never been in before and it was pleasantly Old School Kroger. Apparently in an area that did not warrant a remodel.
I stood inline (no self check out) and waited and waited. It was a long line. The cashier was really rocking though. Since I am a cashier at Elvis World I was watching her work it and was impressed how she was moving that line.
It was my turn! I had very few items and was rung up FAST. I ran my debit card through and hit the OK button and was handed my bag and held my hand out for the receipt....the receipt....the receipt....No receipt. She was out of tape.
She whips one out and reloads as the line begins to shift from one foot to another and crane their necks to see what the hold up was. The tape she put in did not load. She tried over and it did not load again. She removed it and examined it and called for Back-up. It was the wrong tape. The cashier behind her did not have a roll of thermal tape either.
The line began to disperse and head for other long lines to start all over. the grumbling was audible.
The lady behind me moved closer, into the space that usually is reserved for the one who is being checked out. the courtesy area so to speak.
"Don't worry honey" she said to the young green haired cashier with the orange fingernail polish, "We can wait while you fix this. I am in no hurry"
From way back in the line a lone voice called out, "Hell it's Christmas! We're all in a HOLIDAY mood!! It's all good" And that battle cry was taken up by all the people in line! "It's the holidays!! It's OK!!"
And it was. All good.
It was really was. The rattled cashier regained her composure, the tape was changed and I was on my way and everyone in the line was talking with each other, getting into each others space, so to speak.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Is Memphis Cool or What?
Most cities have a free alternative newspaper that is available once a week. I have encountered one in every city I have lived, with the exception of C-ville because can they really be considered a city? Cincinnati had the best! Ft. Wayne the slimmest and least political and informative, mostly just the bar scene updates. Memphis has one that leans more towards Cincy than Ft. W.
This latest issue has a small article about an art project that is in its third year. For a small donation you receive a hand stitched hand made 16 page sketchbook that you fill out with what ever your heart desires. Sketches, poems, photographs, found objects, water colors, collages, writing or whatever. The possibilities are endless.
Upon completion you return the small book by the deadline and they are put on display in a exhibition. The coolest part is how they are displayed! Suspended by thin wires and dangling into your hands for viewing and enjoyment.
I have a couple of days off in two days and I am going to find out how to get one!!
Memphis is a very cool place!
This latest issue has a small article about an art project that is in its third year. For a small donation you receive a hand stitched hand made 16 page sketchbook that you fill out with what ever your heart desires. Sketches, poems, photographs, found objects, water colors, collages, writing or whatever. The possibilities are endless.
Upon completion you return the small book by the deadline and they are put on display in a exhibition. The coolest part is how they are displayed! Suspended by thin wires and dangling into your hands for viewing and enjoyment.
I have a couple of days off in two days and I am going to find out how to get one!!
Memphis is a very cool place!
Sunday, January 08, 2012
A CADILLAC AND A PLANE TICKET
It's the Kings Birthday Week. The buzz, the atmosphere, the electricity in the air around Elvis World verifies the fact. Fans are pouring in from all over the world to spend the weekend together celebrating what would have been his 77th birthday.
Last night I had the assignment of being the guard at the door, the bracelet police so to speak. The event was a private affair for a select group of Fans.
A gentleman came outside later in the evening as things were calming down and humming along. He decided to initiate a conversation with me. He confided in me that he was waiting to meet someone. This someone was from Norway. We joked a little about how the Europeans were easy to spot, always sporting a European shoulder bag or a bulging back pack.
Then he introduced himself to me. I recognized his name immediately. He was a friend of Elvis' and was of enormous importance to the King. (I believe I signed a confidentiality contract so I have to be careful on how I word things. ) (I should pay more attention to what I sign.)
I asked him about his favorite Elvis memory. He paused a long time pondering the question. I was on the verge of interrupting his thoughts when he finally lifted the TCB necklace he wore around his neck, encrusted with diamonds and said, "When he gave me this." And nothing else, no elaboration, no explanation, no back story, just the statement, "When he gave me this."
Several moments later one of the Special Event organizers came rushing up to me and said, "There is a woman on the plaza who is not part of the Club. Do not, I repeat, do not let her inside." She looked over her shoulder and announced, "There she is!" and rushed off.
Both TCB guy and I looked in the direction she had indicated and saw a lone figure, a slight woman obviously homeless dragging a suitcase. She was dressed in several layers including a knitted scarf and a pull down hat. Her whispy gray hair surrounded her old face. She passed by without a glance in our direction.
"If Elvis were here he probably would have invited her in to feed her" I commented.
"If Elvis were here he'd buy her a Cadillac and a plane ticket........." TCB confided to me.
I liked that. I liked that lot.
I probably would have liked Elvis an awful lot.
Friday, January 06, 2012
MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY
I have finally stumbled upon the answer to why I am so cranky! While in the clutches of a mind numbing shift at Elvis World it hit me. I am just totally dying inside with this brain freeze of an existence. I have little creative outlet and I need that badly.
And it is The Birthday Week!
How do you describe the typical Elvis Fan? You can't because there is no stereotype. They come from all over the globe to Elvis World. Some of them over and over and over again. And they know your name! Not only because you wear it stapled to your collar, but because they remember you! They come from South Africa, Holland, England (oh God do they come from England!) and Scotland. A lot of Scottish. Ireland too. One evening I had the Irish back to back. The latter one rode a bus from Nashville to visit Elvis World. They come from Down Under and New Zealand. And good lord do they ever come from Canada!
New York to New Mexico, Connecticut to California. Brazil to Mexico. Well, they just come from everywhere.
They are young and old, male and female. Some are in wheelchairs and some in strollers. Some are very old. Like Elvis old. He would have turned 77 this coming Sunday. But when these women talk about Elvis, their eyes glass over, a dreamy expression takes over their faces and I see the teenage girl emerge. They are young again.
They want to engage you in conversation. I learned long ago not to admit that I am not a FAN. I just keep my mouth shut and listen. They always ask, "I bet you get tired of listening to this music all day long" (HELL YES) but I never let on. I shake my head and say, "Oh no, how could I?"
Their stories are sad, lovely, hilarious and haunting. I learned to listen.
A gentleman burst into the store shortly before closing Wednesday evening, having just arrived from Canada, with that bright euphoric expression that leads you to believe that a FAN has arrived and not a tourist.
He talked to me and made the ending moments of the day entertaining rather than excruciating and I thank him for that. Best story he told me. He was in Memphis with friends showing off. He took them to the Gates and they were snapping pictures when lo and behold a limo pulls up and the people outside the mansion swarm the vehicle for a glimpse of their King. The woman he was with ran up to the very darkly tinted window and snapped her last frame thinking (I'm certain this had to be the thought process) that she could tell folks back home that Elvis was behind that glass! Suddenly the sun roof opens and Elvis pops out waving at the small crowd as the gates open.
Damn, she has no film left!
He began this story telling me that once he saw Elvis at the mansion gates wearing his power blue jump suit. Naturally my first thoughts were "Did Elvis just wear his jump suits as casual day wear? Like walking to the security gate house to pick up the morning paper?"
That is how I amuse myself.
And listening to these incredible stories about a man who touched so many lives. And still does to this day.
Happy Birthday Elvis. Man do you ever still LIVE.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
THURSDAY THIRTEEN
And so it goes. The follies of my youth were spent hanging out at bars! I worked at bars and frequented a lot of bars. Here are a few that I remember from the roaring 1970's around Central KY.
1) The Post Lounge - Bluegrass Bar located at the Holiday Inn off I-75. Since it was located in the heart of Bluegrass Country and had only bluegrass bands, I can make the bold statement that it was the Best Bluegrass Venue ever. The house band was Stoney Creek. When ever we were stumped to book a band, Stoney Creek would step in. A lot of fantastic music passed through these doors. I was there the night Steve De Martino played drums for the J.D. Crowe Band and a brawl broke out. Briefly. Keith Whitley, Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs all were there. Not all at once but through out the two years I worked there. It was fantastic. And since I was working (barmaid and bartender) I remember it all - lol.
2) High on Rose - aka, the Club House. Best name ever for a bar. Sat on the corner of High and Rose, very close to UK campus.
3) The Up Start Crow - another great name for a smoky wood floor saloon. Also relatively close to UK.
4) The Terrace Room - an unlikely hot spot located at the Eastland Bowling Alley. The house Band was the Doug Breeding Bunch. They played - well they just rocked the house! Every night except maybe Sunday and Monday. It was packed every time they took the stage. People traveled from all over the state to listen to them. It was SRO. There was a line to get in! Once upon a time my BFF and I broke line in frustration and lied to the bouncer by telling them we had people in there holding a table for us. He let us in and we had to find a table quickly! Two unsuspecting cute guys were sitting at a small table for four and we swooped in. The fact that I know there names 30 years later, Steve and Rudy, must tell you that something developed from that chance encounter. BFF and Steve married.
5) Greensleeves - ah yes, the disco era. It was a very cool place that was loud. And we danced.
6) Stingles - fantastic bar close to UK.
7) Johnnie Angels - Still standing! As a matter of fact I was there this past summer dancing the night away! At one time it was the most dazzling bar in the South! A disco that had the most incredible light show, mirrored walls, the loudest music and the most outrageous characters!
8) The Circus - After hour club that was BYOB. Since "we" worked the clubs we never got a chance to party (???????????) so we had to have an after hours club and thus was born out of necessity. A disco, natch.
9) Some Place Else Lounge - another place I worked and it was kind of icky, for lack of a better word. It was a destination bar for the older crowd. Maybe had ladies of the night there - lol. I was too wrapped up in my own little world. It was a "50's" type place with a DJ who operated in the back of a chopped pink Cadillac. that place was packed every night with an older crowd. Older to me, since I was in my early 20's. I met a ton of people who were employees at SPE. We partied like 1999 on Sunday's making trips to Kings Island and the Drag Races.
10) Jefferson Davis Inn - I mentioned this small hole in the wall in an earlier post. If I remember correctly the bar was split into two rooms, the stage located on the corner of Limestone and the bar proper off Maxwell. We would go all the time to listen to bands, in particular the late and great Ron Harris. He was a force to be reckoned with. He is sorely missed from the Lexington music scene.
11) The Village Pub - what can I say about this absolute Hole In The Wall? It was owned by friends of ours (briefly) and so we made it our home base - more or less. It was the closest establishment to Keeneland and so the Horse crowd was the core clientele. We played pinball and pool. My BFF was a very mean Pinball Wizard!
The following are not located in LEX but played an enormous part in my 1970 bar experience
12) Cotton Club - Going South, baby. No more needs to be said.
13) The Great Western Music Company - Breaks my heart to even mention it but there it is.
1) The Post Lounge - Bluegrass Bar located at the Holiday Inn off I-75. Since it was located in the heart of Bluegrass Country and had only bluegrass bands, I can make the bold statement that it was the Best Bluegrass Venue ever. The house band was Stoney Creek. When ever we were stumped to book a band, Stoney Creek would step in. A lot of fantastic music passed through these doors. I was there the night Steve De Martino played drums for the J.D. Crowe Band and a brawl broke out. Briefly. Keith Whitley, Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs all were there. Not all at once but through out the two years I worked there. It was fantastic. And since I was working (barmaid and bartender) I remember it all - lol.
2) High on Rose - aka, the Club House. Best name ever for a bar. Sat on the corner of High and Rose, very close to UK campus.
3) The Up Start Crow - another great name for a smoky wood floor saloon. Also relatively close to UK.
4) The Terrace Room - an unlikely hot spot located at the Eastland Bowling Alley. The house Band was the Doug Breeding Bunch. They played - well they just rocked the house! Every night except maybe Sunday and Monday. It was packed every time they took the stage. People traveled from all over the state to listen to them. It was SRO. There was a line to get in! Once upon a time my BFF and I broke line in frustration and lied to the bouncer by telling them we had people in there holding a table for us. He let us in and we had to find a table quickly! Two unsuspecting cute guys were sitting at a small table for four and we swooped in. The fact that I know there names 30 years later, Steve and Rudy, must tell you that something developed from that chance encounter. BFF and Steve married.
5) Greensleeves - ah yes, the disco era. It was a very cool place that was loud. And we danced.
6) Stingles - fantastic bar close to UK.
7) Johnnie Angels - Still standing! As a matter of fact I was there this past summer dancing the night away! At one time it was the most dazzling bar in the South! A disco that had the most incredible light show, mirrored walls, the loudest music and the most outrageous characters!
8) The Circus - After hour club that was BYOB. Since "we" worked the clubs we never got a chance to party (???????????) so we had to have an after hours club and thus was born out of necessity. A disco, natch.
9) Some Place Else Lounge - another place I worked and it was kind of icky, for lack of a better word. It was a destination bar for the older crowd. Maybe had ladies of the night there - lol. I was too wrapped up in my own little world. It was a "50's" type place with a DJ who operated in the back of a chopped pink Cadillac. that place was packed every night with an older crowd. Older to me, since I was in my early 20's. I met a ton of people who were employees at SPE. We partied like 1999 on Sunday's making trips to Kings Island and the Drag Races.
10) Jefferson Davis Inn - I mentioned this small hole in the wall in an earlier post. If I remember correctly the bar was split into two rooms, the stage located on the corner of Limestone and the bar proper off Maxwell. We would go all the time to listen to bands, in particular the late and great Ron Harris. He was a force to be reckoned with. He is sorely missed from the Lexington music scene.
11) The Village Pub - what can I say about this absolute Hole In The Wall? It was owned by friends of ours (briefly) and so we made it our home base - more or less. It was the closest establishment to Keeneland and so the Horse crowd was the core clientele. We played pinball and pool. My BFF was a very mean Pinball Wizard!
The following are not located in LEX but played an enormous part in my 1970 bar experience
12) Cotton Club - Going South, baby. No more needs to be said.
13) The Great Western Music Company - Breaks my heart to even mention it but there it is.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
WHAT'S KEEPING ME UP AT NIGHT?
Making the commitment to blog everyday is daunting. There is only so much to write about. I found a web site on Wordpress that was presenting a daily topic for consideration. Naturally, it has not kick started 2012 as of yet! I am not much of a meme person, though I love the Thursday 13 and several photo challenges.
Yes, it's all coming back!
I have slept like a baby lately since I do not have a lot on my mind that keeps me awake. I worry about my Mother, but that is futile. As she has told me, do not worry, pray. I worry about my renters in Indiana, it seems they can not afford the house and that is my fault. I will give them one more month to get it together and then I will be forced to ask them to leave.
If that is all I have to worry about, then I am a very lucky person.
When I woke this morning I had the tail end of several dreams floating in the ephemeral space of unconscious and awareness. It is not unusual for me to awake realizing I was calming myself in the dream sequence by assuring myself that I am dreaming. This morning I was assuring myself that I no longer worked for the Beverage Company and I did not have to deal with the anxiety of not knowing where I had last seen my Hand Held! Or how I was going to get them a case for $10 and delivered, by the side loader, up a mountain.
Whew, thank God!
I also dreamed I was at yet another reunion and I had not taken any photographs. I know where that came from!! I realized yesterday that some thing is wrong with the DSLR. I have to see if I can send it back to Nikon to fix. If not, it means I have to start saving for a D-80. Woo-hoo!!
I also dreamed I was pregnant. Where did that come from? Nightmare!
I then caught a fleeting glimpse of myself rushing past a store front in Lexington, searching for my Hand Held and worrying about making that Beverage order. The building was the old JDI - Jefferson Davis Inn, one of the haunts of my ill begotten youth.
My purse was stolen there once and my Dad had to get out of bed and drive to downtown and deliver the extra set of keys to the car. Good old Dad. How I miss him. Had not thought about that incident in forever. Dreams as gateways into long ago memories?
Lingering in bed, I began to list all the old great bars that existed in my youth that no longer remain. Gone with the Wind. No one would be interested in the bars or the transgressions of my wild '70's existence! No one but me.
And then I thought, well hell! who is this blog for anyway?
Yes, it's all coming back!
I have slept like a baby lately since I do not have a lot on my mind that keeps me awake. I worry about my Mother, but that is futile. As she has told me, do not worry, pray. I worry about my renters in Indiana, it seems they can not afford the house and that is my fault. I will give them one more month to get it together and then I will be forced to ask them to leave.
If that is all I have to worry about, then I am a very lucky person.
When I woke this morning I had the tail end of several dreams floating in the ephemeral space of unconscious and awareness. It is not unusual for me to awake realizing I was calming myself in the dream sequence by assuring myself that I am dreaming. This morning I was assuring myself that I no longer worked for the Beverage Company and I did not have to deal with the anxiety of not knowing where I had last seen my Hand Held! Or how I was going to get them a case for $10 and delivered, by the side loader, up a mountain.
Whew, thank God!
I also dreamed I was at yet another reunion and I had not taken any photographs. I know where that came from!! I realized yesterday that some thing is wrong with the DSLR. I have to see if I can send it back to Nikon to fix. If not, it means I have to start saving for a D-80. Woo-hoo!!
I also dreamed I was pregnant. Where did that come from? Nightmare!
I then caught a fleeting glimpse of myself rushing past a store front in Lexington, searching for my Hand Held and worrying about making that Beverage order. The building was the old JDI - Jefferson Davis Inn, one of the haunts of my ill begotten youth.
My purse was stolen there once and my Dad had to get out of bed and drive to downtown and deliver the extra set of keys to the car. Good old Dad. How I miss him. Had not thought about that incident in forever. Dreams as gateways into long ago memories?
Lingering in bed, I began to list all the old great bars that existed in my youth that no longer remain. Gone with the Wind. No one would be interested in the bars or the transgressions of my wild '70's existence! No one but me.
And then I thought, well hell! who is this blog for anyway?
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Home of the Blues
While I was visiting Kentucky I realized that everywhere I went, and I mean everywhere, I found myself telling people I lived in Memphis.
This how the the conversation went in Old Kentucky Candies.
"Hello, where are all the hard candies?"
"We no longer carry them."
"What?!! (and in my head I yelled WTF!!) Do they carry them downtown?"
"No. The company is out of business."
"They were my favorite!" (I lied the pulled candy is my favorite and bourbon balls run a close second), "How long have you all been in this new location?"
"Four Years.'
"Great Balls of Fire! It's four years since I have been in here? And I came all the way from Memphis just for the hard candy...."
This is how the conversation went in Trader Joes, "I had to move to Memphis for you guys to open up a store in Louisville!! Please come to Memphis!!"
This is me in Coffee Times.
"Do you have a Coffee Times frequent user card?"
"No I live in Memphis but my sister probably does! Can I give her the points?"
Same deal at Jo-Beth, "I live in Memphis and I recently read that you guys have a store there! Is it as nice as this one?"
I swear, everywhere I went I had to let people know I lived in frigging Memphis! And I truly don't live in the town proper, I live in (gasp!) Mississippi.
I think I must like Memphis.
And I do!
Monday, January 02, 2012
VENI VIDI VICI
HEADLESS ELVILast Monday I was home in Kentucky for the holidays for several days and found myself up at the crack of dawn headed into town for a shopping spree!
I hit all my favorite stores beginning with Jo-Beth Booksellers and ending with Old Kentucky Candies.
As I drove home past the beautiful horse country side, the white fences of Calumet, the horse mural that adorns the built up airport runway close to US60, the entrance to Keeneland, and the Castle I realized that something vital and inspiring was absent from my life.
I had left my muse in Kentucky!! My inspirations, the jolt to my memories, the territory of my youth, the background to most my adult life were located in Central Kentucky.
It is essential that I stop being home sick. Home sick in ways that have permeated my soul and my existence. I have to start doing the things I love again. Beginning with photography.
I hope to do the 365 photos in 365 days.
If I can not carry around my D-50 I always have my cell phone.
Day One - Headless Elvi (Latin for the plural of Elvis!) (Three years of Latin....)(.....and they put you on the day shift).
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Too Much Conversation Not Enough Action
The retail shop had cleared out. A welcome reprieve after weeks of frenzied shopping and wrapping and my nerves along with my emotions growing thin.
As I finished my nightly ritual of straightening and replenishing I was lounging around the cash stand when my co-worker asked me, "Any new Year resolutions on the horizon?"
I shrugged and decided to share the top two, the virtual tip of the iceberg.
"I hope to make a commitment to go to the Y at least three times a week and to give up candy."
"What!! Give up candy!!??" (we are surrounded by candy!)
I nodded my determination. After all, I gave up ALL SWEETS for lent last year and DID IT! Now that is resolve. This is one subcategory of a large super set. I can do it. My teeth will thank me in the long run. In the mean time my thoughts raced to the two bags of candy cane kisses, the tin of chocolate pulled candy and the peppermint bark I still had hidden in the cupboard. There is a BIG mouse in my house who goes by the name of Joe and this hiding of candy is a sick and ongoing game we play.
I asked if he had any resolutions.
It was like the flood gates opened. "I am going to get closer to God." He told me how he has strayed from church and brotherhood.
"I am going to resume my good habits, which I have abandoned. I use to check my bank account every morning to make certain things were right. I cleaned my apartment every evening when I got home. Every evening." He shook in head in amazement. "I had some good habits that I need to get back."
"The third one is I am going to find a new job. One job. Not two jobs anymore. One job. I am missing out on my daughters growing up. I do not spend enough time with my family, my cousins my Mama."
I wanted to ask him how prior years had gone for him. If he had conquered his resolutions, but I didn't.
We discussed the barriers, emotional and the economy, for finding decent work.
I too want to find a single job. I find that I am turning into someone I no longer recognize. When ever someone asks me a super dumb question, like standing outside an exhibit at Elvis World and asking me what is it. And I say "You have to go in and find out"....and I say it with a smile, but inside I know.
I know I am just plain mean any more.
I too will find one job and only one job. I have set the bar too low for myself and have accepted my positions as fate, as the result of my age.
But that is bull, it is just laziness and fear that keeps me at these stupid jobs.
I hope this is not just talk.
"Talk is cheap" - famous throw off line I have heard a million times from my Mom.
As I finished my nightly ritual of straightening and replenishing I was lounging around the cash stand when my co-worker asked me, "Any new Year resolutions on the horizon?"
I shrugged and decided to share the top two, the virtual tip of the iceberg.
"I hope to make a commitment to go to the Y at least three times a week and to give up candy."
"What!! Give up candy!!??" (we are surrounded by candy!)
I nodded my determination. After all, I gave up ALL SWEETS for lent last year and DID IT! Now that is resolve. This is one subcategory of a large super set. I can do it. My teeth will thank me in the long run. In the mean time my thoughts raced to the two bags of candy cane kisses, the tin of chocolate pulled candy and the peppermint bark I still had hidden in the cupboard. There is a BIG mouse in my house who goes by the name of Joe and this hiding of candy is a sick and ongoing game we play.
I asked if he had any resolutions.
It was like the flood gates opened. "I am going to get closer to God." He told me how he has strayed from church and brotherhood.
"I am going to resume my good habits, which I have abandoned. I use to check my bank account every morning to make certain things were right. I cleaned my apartment every evening when I got home. Every evening." He shook in head in amazement. "I had some good habits that I need to get back."
"The third one is I am going to find a new job. One job. Not two jobs anymore. One job. I am missing out on my daughters growing up. I do not spend enough time with my family, my cousins my Mama."
I wanted to ask him how prior years had gone for him. If he had conquered his resolutions, but I didn't.
We discussed the barriers, emotional and the economy, for finding decent work.
I too want to find a single job. I find that I am turning into someone I no longer recognize. When ever someone asks me a super dumb question, like standing outside an exhibit at Elvis World and asking me what is it. And I say "You have to go in and find out"....and I say it with a smile, but inside I know.
I know I am just plain mean any more.
I too will find one job and only one job. I have set the bar too low for myself and have accepted my positions as fate, as the result of my age.
But that is bull, it is just laziness and fear that keeps me at these stupid jobs.
I hope this is not just talk.
"Talk is cheap" - famous throw off line I have heard a million times from my Mom.
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