The Broom Man.....

My brother posted about the death of a man who was a real part of my Omaha experience. From when I was a small boy there was The Reverend Livingston Wills, an elderly blind man who would be seen walking the sidewalks with his white cane and a bundle of brooms. I think even my mother, who is no friend to sales people in person or on the phone but that is another blog, bought a broom from Reverend Wills. Check Chris' blog, MaxsDad here for his graceful and eloquent writing.

I'll retreat to the less warm and fond memories. Chris touched on the mean blonde lady at the Countryside Pharmacy. She also was there from my early school day memories at Christ the King Elementary which was across Shamrock Avenue. We were forbidden to go there by the nuns. They actually patrolled the sidewalks of this small shopping center to chastise us (and beat us with a ruler was my assumption) if we were evil enough to go there. Along to that memory line, I once was told by my mom to pick something up down at "The Village" after school. Being a good son, who rarely got caught being bad but I got caught. I nearly had a meltdown as Sister Mary Butch not only accused me of trespassing, breaking nun rules and being a candidate for Hell but also lying about my sainted mother. A "good mother like yours" wouldn't send me to this commercial pit of sinful activities after school! Sister Butch KNEW that my mother knew the rules. I don't think I even told my mother that I was punished for that. My brother probably did if he knew. He not only got caught at everything he ever did wrong but seemed to enjoy making sure I got caught once in a while, too. The mean blonde pharmacy lady worked there until the last few years the pharmacy was open in the late 90s.

She always was as mean as anyone could be. She treated us kids like we were shitting on her counter when we bought candy, a soda or a Chapstick. She would warmly greet the nice, upper middle class, white, well dressed neighborhood residents. She'd either ignore or browbeat everyone else.

I stopped to buy some sundry item ten or so years ago when I was visiting from California once. She was very polite and gracious. After getting my change, she thanked me. I couldn't resist. I very politely said that she could have been this polite to me when I was purchasing things here as a small child and I would have more confidence in her courtesy now as an adult. She immediately wiped the fake smile off her face and said that I must have been a loud, obnoxious, rude shoplifter like all the kids that still come in here. I wanted to do something dramatic like put my purchases on the counter and say I didn't want anything from her. But I just left shaking my head. She died a few years ago, too. I doubt there are many good memories of her.

I'm still going to be watching the sidewalks of Omaha for the The Reverend Livingston Wills whenever I visit. They need statues of people like him in the public spaces in Omaha. They'll probably get one of Hal Daub instead.

TMI Tuesday again!

You find a fairy. With a wave of their wand they can change anything for you.

• What is the one thing you would change about your body?

A worked out body would be nice...since I hate working out. Thank you, Mom, for making sure that I inherited your metabolism and tendency toward being thin!

• What is the one personality trait you would change?

I'd love to be more organized and goal oriented.

• What is the one thing about your job you would change?

I wish everyone didn't assume they all knew what I do and how I do it and how they could probably do it better. It ain't what you thought it was when you were 8 years old...believe me!

• What is the one thing about your home you would change?

I bought this place new and because of circumstances I didn't get any of the builder options (countertops, outlets, can lights, flooring, etc) I wanted. None. I wish that they were all in the my place because some of them I really miss! The pin spots on either side of the bed with their own switches is the one I really liked. Even the builder was taken with the idea and suggested it to a few other people who came in after me. Sigh...

• What is the one thing about your Significant Other you would change?

uhhhhhh

• Who is the one person you would poof out of your life and why?

My former boss...the jerk. I think he has done and continues to damage people in the most horrible way.

• Who is the one person you would poof back in and why?

My Dad. I miss him all the time but particularly during this election year! I'd love to hear his cursing out of the GOP, and his quips about McCain. How much did that airplane he lost cost us?

Natural Disasters R Us

Update from the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Blizzards? Been there!
Done that!!

Tornadoes?
Yep...
Earthquakes?
Ditto!

I think I will take a hurricaneany day!But...uh....check back with me on Saturday, ok?

TMI Tuesday For Lea

1. Are you truly politically correct? Be honest.
Yeah, I think I generally I am. However, since anyone can be offended by almost anything, is it possible to be 100% politcally correct? My attitude really is

"Live and let live... if the goat's happy then I'm happy!"

...just keep your misbehaving children away from me during non-work hours, don't jaywalk in front of my car when I am less than 2 blocks from my home and never expect me to eat pork rinds! Do those simple things and we should all be fine.

2. Will you ever streak in public during rush hour? I have and given the same circumstances (and my near complete lack of modesty) I would again.




3. Would you ever do something sexual in public (more than 20 people around)? Only because this could mean anything from an act that is illegal in a couple of Southern states to this day (Sorry, Lea) to a simple grope, I can, once again, safely say yes.
4. Do you ever not have good table manners?
Most definitely!
5. Do you ever fantasize about a public sexual act? Describe. Nah! The general public is really not attractive enough to work their way into my fantasies. Do they work their way into yours? Seriously? Ewww! Bob Dole? Your next door neighbor...well, now hold on....my next door neighbor...hmmmm....

Bonus (as in optional): Have you ever gone through a true sexual fantasy? Describe. Gone through? GONE THROUGH? In High School wasn't EVERYTHING a sexual fantasy? I gone through those!

There's nothing like a man in a kilt!