This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's day, there is always a conflict between me and my alter ego . It's not overly conflicting, it's just that I am a mature, sensible businessman but I'm going through my second childhood and I like to party. It's a symbiotic relationship, which brings me to my current dilemma in preparation for 2008. While I'm trying to get my books and records prepared for next year, on the other hand, I would like to purchase a new jacket for the New Year's eve party. You're sick. I know ! What?
In the interim, while I try to solve the conflict between the two egos, my thoughts drift to past New Years parties at which I have either performed and/or attended. One, in particular, involved a situation where I was performing with a band at one party and also had a particularly attractive invitation from a lady who was having a party in another city, thirty miles away.
Once again, the two egos were involved and I was obligated to play until 1:00 a.m., however, the lady was extremely attractive and made me promise her that I would attend.
The question boiled down to: How does one have his cake and eat it too? Oddly enough, the answer was quite simple and right in front of my eyes. The performer who was scheduled to perform after me was a really good musician and friend. He was also involved with the lady who had hired us to perform. I asked him if he thought the hostess would mind if I stayed for the remainder of the party and invited a few friends.
He spoke to the hostess and she agreed, so I called the young lady in waiting and told her that we had received a special invitation from my musician friend to attend a gala party in Miami where he was performing and she could bring her friends. Although, in concept, my idea worked perfectly, the hostess was a bit overwhelmed when my lady friend arrived with thirty people in tow.
It also turned out that the two women knew each other and I had an immediate sinking feeling. Fortunately, mostly due to the late hour and the spirit of the New Year, both my musician friend and I were pardoned by the ladies and placed on probation. The conditions of the parole was that we take them on a weekend vacation in the Bahamas Islands and believe me, hell hath no fury like a woman shopping in the duty free shops in the Bahamas at our expense. Hey, it was worth a shot !
The Pictures: Faces of societies and cultures was the inspiration behind today's photographs. Browsing a site today, I came across a series of oddities which struck my fancy and so, from my mind to your eyes, I present today's find. Just to spice it up a little, I've also added a public service announcement that I like to call Q & A.
This Date In History: 1831; British naturalist Charles Darwin begins a five year voyage to South America and the Pacific as naturalist on the HMS Beagle. 1932; The Radio City Music Hall opens in New York City. 1945; In the aftermath of World War II, foreign ministers from the former Allied nations of the the United States, The Soviet Union and Great Britain agree to govern Korea jointly for five years. 1968; The first manned mission to the moon, Apollo 8, returns to earth safely.
Birthdays: Louis Pasteur, French chemist and biologist (1822), Sidney Greenstreet, British actor (1879), Marlene Dietrich, actress and singer (1901)
The Hits Just Keep On Coming:
An attractive blonde sits down next to a man at a bar who is watching the evening news. There is coverage of a man who is threatening to jump off a bridge.
The man says to the blonde, "I'll bet you $50 that the man jumps." The blonde responds, "Ok, I bet that he doesn't jump." No sooner does the words leave her mouth, the man jumps to his death.
The blonde reaches into her purse, takes out $50 and extends it to the man. The man smiles and says, "I can't take your money." The blonde says, "Why not?" The man replies, "Because, I watched this on the twelve o'clock news."
The blonde says, "I watched the twelve o'clock new as well, but I didn't think he would jump again."
On a serious note, I received this story today and it touched me. I hope it touches you as well.
Author and lecturer, Leo Buscalgia once talked about a contest he was once asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had just recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed on his lap, and just sat there.
When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen" ~ Bobby (age 7) ~
That's it for today my little billy goats. More tomorrow.
Stay Tuned !
6 comments:
3 things I'm not giving up for New Years
Beer
Burbon
And Blondes
Its a wonder you weren't thrown out of the party, LOL. Love the pictures.
Julie
I really enjoyed the pictures today. Those tats are something else! Thanks for putting "my" George in there too. I adored Leo Buscalgia and his wonderful stories of love. I read his books but listening to him talk and tell those stories about Mama, was even better. Anne
Billy Goats?? lol.... If you say so!
Hello to your alter ego....
Jackie
Ahh, Jimmy when will you ever learn, you men will never get to have your cake and eat it too, especially if you leave it up to a woman. (winks) Pickles helps me cry too! Loved that story. (Hugs) Indigo
Hi Jimmy,
This is my first time stopping by. I saw your comment in another journal. Thanks for sharing the photos and stories! I'd like to invite you to my journal, The First Amendment, Not Politically Correct.
Dirk
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