Life

Boom Boom’s Life Lessons #12

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One of the many gifts that Boom Boom gave us was the torrent of quips about how one leads one’s life.   He could say so much by saying so little.   A statement at just the right moment resonated in my young, eager eardrums.  How I interpreted or applied it was up to me.  No more words were spoken because no more words were needed.  Today, to kick off 2019 is a personal favorite.

After parking in the spot of his choice came the one mile walk to Tulane Stadium in the New Orleans Saints first years.  Boom Boom was sometimes a buyer and frequently a seller of excess tickets to each home game.  I was but 7,8, and then 9.  I watched.  I listened.  I learned.  He sometimes sold them for more money than other times.  He rarely sold to the first person he encountered.  He always kept the better seats for us.

One Sunday morning early in my tenth year and the Saints fourth year we turned the corner onto Willow St.  The stadium was quite visible a few blocks down.  The crowd, though still somewhat sparse, already had the supply and demand side represented.  He stopped cold.  From his coat pocket came three tickets.  “Son, put this one in your back pocket.  It’s the seat next to me.  Take these two and sell them for us.  I’ll see you in the stadium.”  “Ok,” was the best I could utter.  Quickly he strode into the distance.  I felt alone, all alone.

I bounced from one opportunity to another and then I made the sale.  Excited, eagerly I made my way to the stadium and then to the seat next to dad.  Have your sandwich he said.  “But,” I countered.  “I’m talking to this gentleman next to me son.”

Eventually he turned back to me.  “Well, how did you?”  “I sold them for $4.50 each.  I got $9.00,” I beamed.  He looked at me for what seemed like forever.  “Ok, son, I’m glad you sold them.  But, I don’t think that you got fair market value today.”

Fair.  Market.  Value.   Fair.  Market.  Value.   The words ricocheted around in my cranium like a pinball gone rogue.   I had no idea what those three words strung together meant, but it didn’t sound too good.

I wanted to ask.  He wanted to talk about the soon to start game and all of the strategy that the home team might employ.  And, so we did.

The lesson was more about getting “it” than it was about what “it” was.  Wasn’t it?  I’ve chased Fair Market Value and then some ever since.

 

Auld Lang Syne. Whatever That Means.

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The time grows short until 2018 is completely in the history books.  The year 2019 is fast upon us. If you plan to celebrate the old and ring in the New Year have some champagne to loosen the vocal cords.  When the ball falls and midnight is upon you belt it out.  Go ahead.  Belt it out.  The song, you know it.  Don’t you?  It’s Auld Lang Syne of course.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Ok, maybe you don’t know the words.  Who does?  You’ve been faking it this long.  Keep up the good work.  No one remembers in the morning anyway.  But just what is Auld Lang Syne?

“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well-known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s also sung at funerals, graduations, and as an ending to other occasions.

The poems’ Scots title may be translated into standard English as “old long since,” “long long ago”, “days gone by”, or “old times.” Consequently, “For auld lang syne”, as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as “for the sake of old times”.

It’s been around since 1788.  That’s a long time for a lot of people to mumble through a song that know what know the words to, nor cares to.

Pass the aspirin please.

 

What’s in a Name? Part 2.

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Today we continue our trip across the United States to uncover five more towns with funky names.  Sometimes the “how” of how they got these names is crazier than the name themselves.

Let’s start with a name of a fellow who has earned a day or two off.  Our trip crosses the US.  His went around the globe in 24 hours just 48 hours ago.  And while he would like to pack lightly, he cannot.

Santa Claus, Indiana

Originally called Santa Fe, the town’s name changed in 1856 when town officials learned that there was already a Santa Fe, Indiana. However, the town has certainly made the most of the second-choice name.  It’s Santa Claus, IN, and it fully embraces its “Christmas-y” moniker. Touted as a place “where it’s Christmas all year round,” Santa Claus features attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center.  Now do you believe in Santa Claus?

ZZYZX, California

No, we didn’t fall asleep with our fingers accidentally pushing down on the keyboard.  We promise.

Curtis Springer was a radio evangelist who tried to convince people he was a doctor by selling fake medicines on his radio show. He set up health spas around the country but never paid taxes on them. He established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944 at the spot, which was federal land, after filing mining claims for 12,000 acres surrounding the springs. He used the springs to bottle his water and provide drinks for travelers through the hot desert. He named the area Zzyzx  so it would be “the last word in health.” Eventually, the Feds caught up with his financial schemes and threw Springer in jail—for 49 days.

Burnt Store, Florida

According to local legend, the town gets its name from a trading house on the Peace River that was burned down in 1849. At that time, manager George Payne had recently held meetings with Seminole Indians, and he died in a Seminole attack shortly before the store burned. Though this account is questioned by several historians as a hurricane is thought to have demolished the first store while another account states that the trading post was abandoned long prior to its demise.  Regardless, Burnt Store remains today while its origin was somehow lost long ago.

Kickapoo, Kansas

Alliteration is always appreciated.  Yet, this town name has a pretty simple origin.  It’s the name of a Native American and Indigenous Mexican tribe still living in the area. A large,150,000 acre Indian reservation sits within the city limits. According to legend, the name means “wanderer.”  That sounds better than the alternative to us.

Hippo, Kentucky

No, there are no actual hippopotamuses living in or around Hippo, Kentucky. The name of this town comes from one of its twentieth-century residents, Bee Madison “Hippo” Craft. His nickname has nothing to do with hippopotamuses either.  The townspeople called him “hippo” as a rather insensitive shortening of the word they used to describe him.  That word was “hypochondriac.”  We’re sure that in today’s politically correct world there would be some opposition to how this name originated.  Hopefully his statue (if there is one) is safe.

Santa Claus covers a lot of ground in a short period of time.  Our guess is that he stopped, be it ever so briefly, in Zzyzx, Burnt Store, Kickapoo, and Hippo just like he did in New York, Los Angeles ,Chicago,Houston, and so on.

 

 

Remember to Say Thank You!

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Did you just get an other ugly sweater?  Gift cards are so in, yet so thoughtless.  Could the mashed potatoes be served any colder?  Who invited him?  Alexa, enough already.

Yep, ’tis the season.  Perhaps some simple advice would serve us all well today.  Say ‘thank you.’  That’s it.  It’s simple.  Just say ‘thank you,’ and tomorrow morning you can wake up and realize that you don’t need to go through this for another 364 days.

Need inspiration do you?  Take a look at this 42 second video.  In it Coach Orgeron shows us all how to be nice when choosing otherwise is foremost on our minds.  Just say ‘thank you.’

Coach is so nice he says it twice!

Oh, and, Merry Christmas!

Boom Boom’s Life Lessons #11

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One of the many gifts that Boom Boom gave us was the torrent of quips about how one leads one’s life.   He could say so much by saying so little.   A statement at just the right moment always resonated.  How I interpreted or applied it was up to me.  No more words were spoken because no more words were needed.

In Boom Boom’s later years he drove over to Houston to visit.  After dinner we sat down to one of his very favorite pastimes-watching baseball.  There were pots, pans, and dishes getting cleaned and clanging in the kitchen.  An unnamed five-year old and a determined three-year old were full of energy and buzzing about.  Through it all Boom Boom kept one eye on the Astros game.

When Jeff Bagwell stepped to the plate his interest heightened.  Bagwell was in the middle of a ten-year run that led to his recent Hall of Fame induction.   “Look at his stance, son.”  I had seen it thousands of times before.  “It’s unique son, no one would teach that today.”  “No doubt Dad.”  “He’s in the big leagues for one obvious reason son.  He hits the ball hard every time.”  “No doubt Dad.”

Bagwell hit a missile for a single to centerfield.  He stood on first.  Boom Boom wondered, “Can you imagine if you were his little league or high school coach and tried to change his stance or his swing son?”  Before I could imagine he continued.  “In life you should take what you do best and make it better.”  “Everyone has weaknesses.  Forget about them.  If you are really good at one thing you’ll prosper.”

Suddenly I didn’t hear the background noise.  Lee Trevino popped into my mind as another example.  Self taught he was.  And, he took that banana slice swing and practiced it till he was more accurate than almost anyone else on tour.

I never watched Bagwell in the batter’s box again and didn’t think about that moment.  Because “in life you should take what you do best and make it better.”

 

Please Pass the Cold Turkey.

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Well the weather outside is frightful.  It’s winter time.  It’s cold.  And, that also means it’s time for an endless stream of holiday parties and family gatherings.  At this time of the year well-intentioned people can be both trying and exhausting.  But, that doesn’t mean it’s time to not include anyone or ignore them once you are with them.  Simply stated, you shouldn’t “give the cold shoulder.”  Or, should you?  A few hundred years ago maybe you should have.  The origin of the phrase gives dual meanings.

Meaning: A rude way of telling someone he isn’t welcome or to ignore someone
History: Although giving someone the cold shoulder is considered rude today, it was actually regarded as a polite gesture in medieval England. After a feast, the host would let his guests know it was time to leave by giving them a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of beef, mutton, or pork.

Holy cow, who knew?  Cold beef, mutton, or pork doesn’t sound so bad after all.   Of course if you were shown the door for all of the wrong reasons perhaps it was indeed past time to leave.   Did you drink more cold beers than any one human should?  If so a few aspirin in the morning will get you to the next soiree.  But, after too many holiday parties it may be time to, well, dry out some?  If you want to go to the extreme perhaps you “quit cold turkey.”    Cold turkey means that you have dead stopped doing something that you used to do with great regularity.  Why is a sudden behavioral change described that way?

Meaning: To quit something abruptly
History: People believed that during withdrawal, the skin of drug addicts became translucent, hard to the touch, and covered with goose bumps – like the skin of a plucked turkey.
Cold adult beverages, cold shoulders, cold turkey, and cold nights make for a long winter.  ‘Tis the season.