Fire on Main Street

When you’ve been friends as long as Ed and I have been, there’s bound to be a few inside jokes. I was sharing one of them with Holly last night.

Whenever I tell the story about the “Big Jim Rescue Rig,” I always break down in laughter. I can’t get through the story without a chuckle or guffaw. Last night, I even cracked Holly up.

Big Jim was our era’s answer to GI Joe (though the full size GI Joes were still quite popular when we were kids).

Big Jim (and his pal Big Jack) were adventure guys. They could be, quite literally, involved in any activity. They were athletes. They were outdoorsmen (in fact, I was proud to have the Big Jim camper, myself).

And they could also be public servants. I’m not sure whether they were meant to be firefighters or what.  Maybe they were just supposed to drive along and look for danger and jump in to rescue folks in harm’s way (Barbie, Ken and their crew? Weebles? Or even the Fisher Price pals).

In any case, the Big Jim Rescue Rig was some sort of fire truck/rescue vehicle. It was the crown jewel of Big Jim equipment and included a walkie-tallkie style communication device. Like so many other toys from our era it was powered by 4 D batteries.

With this communicator, Big Jim and Big Jack could get a radio message from HQ alerting them to the nature of the emergency situation they were encountering.

One of our favorite scenarios was conveyed by this message: “Fire on main street. Bring the stretchers.” There was even an intro and outro sound of a siren. So, really, the entire audio clip was “Woo Woo Woo. Fire on Main Street. Bring the stretchers. Woo Woo Woo.” 

It was a cool gadget.

Thing is, it tended to drain the batteries. And if you didn’t watch it, the ‘cool gadget’ could quickly become the object of great mirth. You see, 4 D batteries on their last leg did NOT produce the message: “Woo Woo Woo. Fire on Main Street. Bring the stretchers. Woo Woo Woo.”

Instead, you got: “Woooooooooooooooooooe Woooooooooooooooe Woooooooooooooe (think “Whoa!”) Farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr onnnnn Maaaaaaaiiiinnn Streeeeeeeeet. Breeeeeeeeng the Stretcherrrrrsssss, Wooooooooooooooooe Wooooooooooooooooooooe Wooooooooooooe!”

That’s all it took. A serious game of Big Jim and Big Jack and their rescue mission degenerated into a couple wise guys laughing uproariously (and pushing the button over and over again until the D batteries were totally out of juice).

As an aside, my NFL Talking Football game (which was designed and fashioned after a transitor radio ‘broadcasting’ the game and also battery-powered) had the same problem. After too much use, one of our favorite calls: “Fumbled HIGH in the air. Up for grabs…the DEEfense gets it!” (followed by the sound of crowd cheering) transformed into “Fuuuuummmmmbllllllled Hiiiiiiiiiigh in the Airrrrrrrrr. Upppppp for Grabsssssss. The Deeeeee Fence gets it…Whewwwwwwwww. Whewwwwwwwwwwwwww. Whewwwwwwww.” (Crowd of sound noise with run-down D Batteries).

As I started relating this story to Holly, I started laughing; then she started laughing. I guarantee if Ed and I were talking about it, we’d BOTH start laughing.

We talk about how those days – pre internet, pre iPhone, etc  - were simpler times and truly they were. Imagine that a small toy - and set of four old D batteries - could turn into such tremendous entertainment for hours on end.

JG

Originally posted 2/18/2013

…to send the very best!

Lisa’s Birthday is today and I want to take this opportunity here in the blog to wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Many of you have also taken the time over the last six weeks to join in an ongoing celebration to mark her birthday. Starting on January 1 and going through today, friends and family, classmates and co-workers have been reaching out to wish her a Happy Birthday.

I passed the word to many folks that my goal was to collect 50 birthday cards and to give her each one of the cards over the span of 50 days: 50 cards for 50 days. I sent word in mid-December so I could start giving her cards on January 1.

The 50 cards started innocently enough as I left a card for her from her dad. On January 2, I left a card from one of our former professors who served as a great mentor in both of our lives and is a dear friend. From there, the 50 cards celebration took off.

She received cards from both of her sisters, my sister, all of the brothers-in-law, each niece and nephew as well as her uncle, her aunt, one of my cousins and my folks.

From friends, she heard from a number of her childhood chums and high school classmates. She received cards from some families from our baseball years and many of the friends she has met through FHS theatre. She received cards from a couple former students and a couple former professors as well as co-workers from the past and present and friends from her May Moms group.

In short, it was a true cross-section of her life.

When I began this celebration, I really wanted to do something unique to mark this special occasion. One of the goals was to show her how many people care for her and how much love there is for her from friends and family far and wide.

I think she felt that.

I also wanted to show her that we – me and the kids – wanted to do something special for her. And I wanted the focus to be on her and not us.

I hope and feel that is the case as well.

When I started this celebration, I had no idea how it would go. I feel it was a true success and exceeded my expectations. I know she appreciated what we tried to do.

For all of you folks who sent in a card or, if you weren’t able to send a card but sent your well-wishes, I’d like to say thank you and I know she thanks you, too.

JG

Originally posted 2/17/2013

Be My Valentine

Today is February 14 and you know what that means. Cards and chocolate; flowers and food. It is the annual day we celebrate looooooooove.

However you choose to celebrate this day – or survive it – I hope that you have a Valentine somewhere and that you are able to spend a moment to confirm that essential human emotion. Or at least that you get a good bite of a tasty confection.

On one of the morning shows, one of the personalities mentioned the practice many of us engaged in as kids – when we dressed up shoe boxes to serve as collection points for the classroom Valentine card exchange. I’m not sure why students aren’t allowed to do this these days. Back in the day, it was great fun.

Personalizing your own ‘mail box’ was almost as fun as getting the contents from inside.

As for the cards, themselves, they presented you a chance to make a great personal statement.

If you were a Scooby Doo fan, your card might wish the recipient a ‘Rappy Ralentine’s Ray,’ or perhaps a Hot Wheels car enthusiast would wish someone would ‘Zoom’ their way to a great day. “Happy Days” cards might feature The Fonz telling someone “Ayyyyyy - The Fonz wants you to ‘Be My Valentine!”

A trip to the local supermarket – and I suspect this part still holds true – was great fun.

But the classroom celebration, marked by a collection of cards and candy, was one of the highlights of the year, strategically located between Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday! The heart-shaped lollypops were always a treat.

Of course, that type of celebration was a mere moment in time. By the time we all got to Middle School, everyone turned awkward and then, the day, was more arduous.

In High School, there was a return to normalcy, somewhat, with the annual Valentine’s Dance and the practice of sending color coded carnations (Red for love, White for friend and Pink for secret admirer). It was a great fundraiser for SGA (or some similar organization). I remember contributing to their coffers more than once.

These days, the FHS chorus has a great program called “Singing Valentines.” Ensemble members fan out across the school to deliver a melodic message to that special someone for a nominal fee. It’s a great way to send a greeting and help a great cause.

As for me, personally, I got some tasty candy and lovely cards and, more important, some nice expressions of love from my family.

Outside, it was a beautiful day. Inside, there was a lot of genuine warmth.

JG

Originally posted 2/14/2013

Soothing Sounds

I’m not sure what it is but the sound of water falling has always been soothing to me.

It is such a universally pleasant sound and that is why it is included in white noise machines and those silly ‘fake rain window’ devices like the producers of the show ‘Friends’ used in the iconic scene when Joey and Chandler were temporarily not roommates and were sad to be alone.

Anyway, the sound is nice.

Last night, I started to get drowsy when I heard the shower running; this morning I awoke to the rhythm of the falling rain.

When I was a little shaver, I used to love to ride in the back seat of my dad’s 1966 Mustang and hear the pinging din as the rain gently fell onto the roof. The combination of that and my folks’ conversation served as a pleasant lullaby to a little guy. Other aquatic melodies from childhood – such as washing machines and dishwashers – also have had a similar effect over the years.

Maybe this is why don’t mind doing those two chores?

I wonder if this love of water sounds is imbedded in the family DNA. I told you about our ancestor – Arthur Gary – who first made the Atlantic crossing. Scores of Gary gentlemen made their livings on the farm but also spent time on the water. My grandfather worked, for years, on a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge boat. Quite literally, he experienced “Life on the Mississippi.”

Even though the next generation in my family didn’t work on the water – at least not long-term – - sometimes it seemed as though they were walking on water (or at least playing on water). During weekend family outings, they would take to the lakes and rivers of the Mid-South region and dance around the surface on skis and saucers.

Those were fun times for a tyke. We’d pack picnic lunches and head to a sand bar on the Mighty Missip. I played with my cousins and watched as my uncles and aunts enjoyed their weekend outing as well.

Aquatic themes have recurred throughout my life. At a somewhat older age, I taught myself to swim. I did this, in part, because, I knew that was going to be a key skill to have throughout life. I was glad to have mastered that tool, later, when I engaged in parent-tot swim classes with both of the ones. Later, pool parties were a staple for birthdays and end-of-year baseball team celebrations.

And, as you know, nautical themes played a key role during my high school years (You know…Admiral Farragut) as they have for my kids.

Now, we have another chance to celebrate the water. Next month, APAC is presenting “Pirates of Penzance,” the spring musical at FHS. Stay tuned for more information.

Fitting choice, don’t you think?

JG

Originally posted 2/13/2013

P’s and C’s

Four special words from yesterday warmed the heart and brought a smile to the face of baseball fans from east to west.

Pitchers and Catchers Report.

With that short phrase, baseball’s spring training begins. Soon, the 2013 MLB season will begin and, once again, fans will return to their favorite ballparks to enjoy the game.

“Batter Up!”

Of note in the South – also known as Braves Country - Atlanta pitchers and catchers were among those who reported to spring training yesterday. Some position players checked in as well. They were to have completed their first workout in Florida today. The rest of the team is due in Thursday, though many players will come before then.

For the Bravos, it was a momentous off-season, starting with the retirement of long-term third baseman and team icon Chipper Jones. He announced his retirement at spring training a year ago and then enjoyed a season-long victory lap around the MLB. Trades and free agent departures and acquisitions have helped transition the roster. Baseball pundits say this Braves team, on paper, is much stronger than the one we followed a year ago.

Of course, nothing was more noteworthy than the acquisition of the Upton brothers – B.J. and Justin – to play center field and left field, respectively, and to anchor the middle of the line-up.

I’ve never been to spring training (maybe someday). One of the exciting things about following spring training via the internet is to learn about all the position battles and roster questions each year. For Atlanta, this year, it would seem the roster is mostly set (with only a couple small decisions to be made).

Also in the spring, fantasy baseball players are getting ready for their upcoming seasons. But, that is a topic for a separate posting at a later time.

As for the MLB and our family, I’m sure we’ll see more than our share of games in person.  Last year, we saw two games on the West Coast and two at Turner Field.

When we’re not traveling, of course, we find the televised games on the various cable channels serves as a comforting and familiar summer soundtrack each year. If you are a Sunday nap enthusiast, the play-by-play with the background crowd noise, is a nice lullaby.

Not that I’ve ever experienced that.

Anyway, whether you are a die-hard fan like me, a person who enjoys the nostalgia of baseball games from yesteryear, or if you are a casual fan, take note. The countdown is on.

Spring training is officially underway; MLB Opening Day is less than two months away.

JG

Originally posted 2/12/2013

Don’t Worry Baby

Lisa sent me a link to a NY Times article from the weekend about stress. There wasn’t anything really groundbreaking in the article. It just talked about how we, Americans, work too hard and how we should take time to relax more. It’s a great idea. It just won’t happen.

Meanwhile, we’re all stressed out. (Perfect topic for a Monday, right?).

Everyone I know is stressed. Friends. Family. Adults. Teens.  Even kids. Everyone has too much to do. Folks have too much on their minds. We’ve all got too much stress.

The thing is…no one seems to have any idea about how to de-stress; how to relieve some of the burden that plagues us all. Some folks exercise. Some pray. Some meditate. Some sink themselves deeper into work. No matter. The relief is temporary.

Once the activity is over, we’re back to overpromising; overcommitting (and overstressing).

Some folks seem to cope better with the stress; others seem paralyzed by it. But no matter…it seems like everyone has it.

Back in the day, I used to find gardening to be a wonderful stress relief. And one day when I head ‘back to the farm,’ I hope to do so again.

If you’re asking for my advice (well, no one did…but I’m only halfway through this blog, so there seems to be plenty of space for it), then I think the best thing to do is to remember some simple techniques.

Stress the Positive –
A former supervisor of mine had some great advice about how to interpret information. We always want to imagine the worst. His advice was to imagine the best. His point was that if the news IS bad, there is plenty of time to deal with the bad news later. But if you get worked up about it to begin with, it leads to no good - especially when the message was good (or at least neutral) in the first place.

Worry is a Tax –
Another, similar, piece of advice comes from my dad who always quoted the old adage that ‘Worry is a Tax You Pay on Something that May or May Not Happen Anyway.’ (I think I got that right). In any case, like my former supervisor, ol’ Nick’s take on impending bad news is that when it happens, you’ll know. Sitting around worrying about it in advance does you no good (but a lot of potential harm).

Find Something Good to do -
For folks who tend to like to wallow in sadness, I think the best advice I can give is to pursue some sort of pastime. That activity could take the form of a household project or some volunteer activity or a new hobby. Sometimes, you just need some sort of creative outlet to expend all the nervous energy that tends to manifest when you are stressed. For all the high schoolers I’m around these days – stressed about future plans, upcoming tests or just life in general – the workdays for theatre and after school rehearsals are incredibly therapeutic.

One last bit of advice is to pray, meditate or ‘think good thoughts’ – whichever is most appropriate for your lifestyle.

I do that each morning. I organize my thoughts for the day – the worries and challenges before me - and I lift up those in the form of prayer to God. I always feel better after I do that.

In any case, no matter how you process information; no matter how you deal with the stress of the day, maybe the best advice of all is as simple as this: “Don’t Worry Baby.”

JG

Originally posted 2/11/2013

Friendly Face

I must have a friendly face.

Or maybe it’s more like my face says: “Sap. Will fall for scheme.”

Over the years, it seems like I am constantly the target of anyone peddling a product. Magazine sales. Coupon books (not the ones the schools sell). Super car buffing and detailing. The list goes on.

Panhandlers love me. Did I ever tell you the one about the young lady who just needed a little “gas money to get back to Chattanooga?”

In any case, over the years, it seems like I have been frequently approached in the name of commerce and free enterprise.

Back when the kids were little, there was this money making scheme that was spreading across the land called “Network Marketing,’’ also known as “Multi-Level Marketing” (MLM). Who knows? It could still be all the rage. I haven’t heard about it recently.

Fifteen years ago, I admit, I didn’t know about the practice at all. Nothing, that is, until I had been approached more than once. It seemed like I must have been the perfect prospect. Or, maybe it’s the friendly face.

All of these memories came rushing back a couple weeks ago when my dad told me a story about an encounter he had with a gentleman who approached him in the grocery store parking lot. Maybe the practice is resurfacing? Or maybe that fellow needed “gas money to get back to Chattanooga” too?

Anyway whatever the case, back in the day, it was clear I had a rapidly developing situation on my hands. I had to quickly become self-educated because in a one-year span, it became a frequent nuisance. Then, I developed some tips and tricks to avoid the traps.

If you might find it helpful, I’ll do a quick how-to. (If you’re in the business, apologies in advance).

Here’s a typical scenario.

Some polite, nicely dressed guy would find some reason to come up and talk with you out of the blue…might be admiring the kids…or the football sweatshirt you were wearing…or something like that.

In any case, he’d have an opening line. "Hey, I love that St. Louis Cardinals jersey. Are you a fan?” He’d engage you in friendly conversation. (Amazingly, he’d be from St. Louis or his sister-in-law lived there). Eventually, he’d introduce himself. I’d return in kind. We’d chat a bit more. And that would be that.

Well, the first time it happened, I had a nice encounter with the fellah in West Town Mall. I thought nothing of the three-minute exchange until I got a phone call late on a Sunday night – coming up on 10 p.m. - about two weeks later. The dude reminded me we had met in the mall and he proceeded to tell me about a great business opportunity. Eventually, I was able to politely interrupt and say “No, thanks.”

I gather the ‘opportunity’ is I would sell some products and he would get some benefits. I don’t think that is exactly how he explained it. I remember some buzzwords. “Tremendous growth potential” comes to mind.

The whole thing happened to me again a few weeks later. Same outline. Same type of exchange. Different guy.

About a week later, he phoned me, too. Again, it was late on a Sunday night. Another time, it happened near the meat counter in Kroger. Same outline.

I think I must’ve fit the prototype of a guy who they could recruit (um, I mean, who might be interested in “Tremendous growth potential”). I was a young(ish) professional. Family man. (I think Holly was about three years old at the time). Anyway, there must’ve been some reason I kept getting picked. Like I said…maybe the face.

On a third occasion, just a couple weeks later, I saw that the first gentleman was back in business - this time at Wal-Mart. He had found Lisa and started his routine one day near the mouthwash and toothpaste aisle. I think he was admiring the cute kid in the shopping cart.

When I saw him engaging Lisa, I briskly went over, reintroduced myself and reminded him of our earlier late night phone conversation I reiterated that we weren’t interested.

I might’ve added something about “Don’t bother us again and do I need to find a Wal-Mart manager and ask what he’d think of the 'Shakedown on Aisle 4.’

In any case, since that day in Wal-Mart when the kids were little, I haven’t been approached.

Maybe it is because the kids are older. Maybe it is because I stopped wearing sports jerseys after the Choppers days. Or perhaps my face doesn’t have ‘gullible’ stamped across the forehead.

Well, there was that one time about the gas money.

Still, I’m not interested. So if this ‘opportunity’ exists and you’re in the business, please don’t be offended.  It may be just the thing for you and it is wonderful and all that. But, also, please don’t ask me to get involved.

It’s just not for me.

JG

Originally posted 2/10/2013