The Bartender

"What can I get ya?"

I know, I know I used to go to the bar, think that I was something I wasn't, chat up the waitresses and make tasteless jokes to the bartender, but was I seriously like these people? Man alive these people make me stop and ponder... Do they really think that I am someone who actually cares? I love the "Listen, I'm an old man now but when I was young bla bla bla" or the "I know! I used to work in a bar myself, bla bla bla" or even better "Can you make a zuckerberg? I always drink zuckerbergs. Sorry? What's in it? Well, Umm I'm not sure, is it Baileys and something?" Everyone feels like by watching Cheers all those times that they actually sat next to Norm and Cliff and tossed a few back. Why is it that every Tom, Dick and Harry feels like they need to explain something to the Bartender about where they're from or why something works the way it does? Or let on that they are of somesort of importance? NOte to all of you bar humans: We are not your friends. Leave us alone. Tip accordingly.

Can ya tell that I just got home from the bar?

Softball Glory

17 years.

17 years ago was the last time that the Peach strapped on a ball glove and took to the diamond. Last night at Centennial Park in Rossland, BC; the Peach donned a 22 dollar Walmart mitt, a pair of old ultimate cleats and his worked-in Blues Jays cap and regained his place at shortstop, for "The Rush" men's softball team. Memories of crisply hit grounders, towering fly balls and cheers from the dugout flooded back. The butterflies crept in as he walked to the plate. The nerves showed as he booted his first 2 plays in the field. Emotions settled. Nerves dissipated. A double play was turned. A homerun was hit. Softball was being played. Things have changed since Little League. Sliding was outlawed, pickles were gone and chilled beer replaced water between innings. But thou rules have been altered, the crack of the bat, the snap of a ball into a glove and the smell of the fresh grass were the same.

17 years later, Peach was back at his place at shortstop.

The Life and Times of a Homeowner...

Well, we've been in our place for a week and things are really starting to come together. There are still a few bags and boxes that need to be unpacked but for the most part we are home. Up until this past week and a half chores around the house were always for my parents or at a rental and were tedious... "Kyle, mow the lawn; Kyle, clean out the garage; Kyle, move the firewood; Kyle, trim the hedge!" Well those days are over and the days of me doing work for me are on! As an example, yesterday I trimmed the Apple tree and turned over the garden in time to plant it in a week or so. Today I went and stole a load of gravel and tried to level the back alley (which is rutted to all hell) and watered the Cedar trees that I transplanted. I'm a regular Mr. Fixit! Next on the agenda: Cleaning up around the side of the house. See, it doesn't even bother me to say that. Well, I think I've just had an epiphany... people care when it's theirs. If that's the case, if I buy the school that I work at, I won't mind teaching all day, heck I might even like it! If I buy the grocery store, I won't mind having to go and buy groceries... Hey, I think I'm onto something.

We're Moving on Up!