Today a young man who the world adores turns 27 years old. No, I am not talking about the kid from the Six Sense. I am talking about Chris, no wait Charlie. Chris you wish you were turning 27 again. I know when I told Matt how old Chuck was going to be he sighed, saying “Wish I was that young, again”

My Birthday message to you Chuck is this: DON’T FUCK IT UP! Go out there in the next year and live it up. Let nothing stand in your way, woman or man. Show the “man” what it is about. Trample your enemies keep watch of your friends and make love to many a woman! The time for you is NOW! I declare this the YEAR of CHARLIE!

Ok, maybe that last paragraph was a little robust? Charlie, I hope as you wind down these last few years of your 20’s. You will make the most of your experience. You are a great young lad with so much to give. I am glad you are my friend and brother. All the best on this the day of your birth!

Chuck and the 28th!

This last Monday we celebrated our nation’s independence. I spent the day recovering from a hard night of speed reading. This intense activity can be murder on your liver.

On this day in the past we would get up early and ride the cog train to the top of Pikes Peak. When speaking with Chris last week, we both agreed we really enjoyed it and missed going up. In the last couple of years, we all ended up doing what everyone else does on the forth, drank till we fell over. Because lets face it, nothing in this world says freedom and independence like getting drunk!

When looking for a picture of Phill I ran across a couple of me, thought I might share. I know what you are thinking, not more pictures of Jim. Wait; maybe I don’t know what you are thinking. No, that is not true. Wow, look at that short hair.

It seems like yesterday, I was a single child. The joy of being number one, all of the light shown on me. Some of you understand what I am talking about, you only children. I too was that only child, but just for the first seven years of my life. It was 24 years ago today on a hot summer day in the desert southwest that all of that changed. I would like to think my life turned that day, for the better.

Phill you are my one and only brother. You are me in a bigger form. Let’s face it, as much as we long to be different, and we are? We are the same, both a product of our father and his father before him. You are the stand out, a genuinely great guy to be around, with a big heart and head. Everyone who meets you has nothing but praise and admiration. You know all that of course. Hell, you are ladies man!

Today is your day! Go out and have a drink on me. Remember, this year and the years ahead are what you make of them. Know that if you need anything, I will be there for you!

Have a great birthday!!

June 22, 1981

Today is May 5, Cinco De Mayo. It is the St Patrick’s Day of the Mexican people in America. Which means this is the day you eat really good food, un like St Pat’s day, and drink until you can not stand up.

I grew up in the southwest and this day was always a big celebration. Parties, food, drink and live girls have been the norm. What has always struck me as odd is that most people have no idea what the hell we are celebrating. Which of course is fine, we don’t really need a reason to get shit faced and fall down drunk. It just better when you can tell your fellow employees it was a holiday you had to drink.

The day in Mexico is more of a religious holiday than a drunken one. This shows just how out of wack Mexicans priorities really are. The history behind the day is as boring as all history. It seems the Mexicans had gotten themselves into a little debt. I know big surprise! They owed money to everyone and my brother. I still think they owe Phill something, what do you think Phil? The Mexican government had made a deal with the British and the Spanish. Who then recalled their invasion forces. But the French had bigger plans, their leader at the time was very short and wanted to prove himself. On May 5th the French landed a force to conquer Mexico. Really who cares about how much money is owed when you can have the whole country. Our friend Napoleon III had some grand idea of appointing a family member to over see Mexico. I think we can all see the error of his ways, you are not supposed to work with family. Things always get fucked up. This time out the French did kick some Mexican ass, but maybe Napoleon should have learned the same lesson America learned years earlier. You can not march onto land that is already inhabited and expect to rule. Wait, maybe we didn’t learn that lesson, where are all the Indians?

So to clarify, May 5th not Mexican independence from Spain, that was 1809 in September. It was the day the Mexicans got wupped by the French only some years later to get bailed out by the Americans.

Cinco De Mayo

I just want to send a special thanks to my friend Bob for inviting me to my birth city this holiday season. I had recent visited there over the Thanksgiving Day break and Bob heard how much fun I had on that trip. He has offered me the chance to return and make this a really rare holiday season.

Now, I am not going to lie to you, the women in the KC are above fair. If this was the sole reason to return, I would be there in a second. Unfortunately, I will have to pass this time. It’s not because I don’t want to return, because I am sure I do. I have already made some other engagement, which I am told I must keep.

Bob, thank you for the invite. It made me feel warm inside during this holiday season. I want to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays in one of the greatest cities in this fair Union.

Kansas City

It has been a long week. I spent the holiday with my family in Kansas City and let me tell you what a time I had? There is nothing in the world like taking your vacation and spending it with your parents. I swore a couple of years ago I would not do such a thing to myself again. It was with this promise in mind that I had been trying to get out of going the last couple of months. My grandfather is getting up there in age and who knows when the next time I will see him, so I went. Even though I am sure he will not remember me being there, man I can’t wait to get old. Just think I will be writing and forgetting all in the same moment. It should make for some crazy blogs. It should make for some crazy blogs. I think it will make it crazy?

I don’t want you to think it was all bad I did drink a bit. There were some good times, like when my father was falling asleep at the wheel. Sitting in a smoky house and smelling like the inside of a dank bar at the end of the day. Laughing and making small talk all the while trying not to scream out loud and run away. Those are just the highlights. I don’t want to get bogged down in those; I just wanted to let everyone know I had a good holiday. I am really looking forward to Christmas; I think we are taking the whole family to Arkansas to visit my uncle in prison?

Have fun!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN….again!

Carve ME

Here are a couple of really funny sites that were forwarded to me by my friend Sarah. The second one with the girls is a crack up. Thanks Sarah you always have the best forwards, keep them coming!!

Halloween costumes
Lie Ladies

One of my all time favorite holidays is upon us, Halloween. As long as this old man can remember I have been a fan of this week leading up and the day of Halloween. When I was younger it meant a week of fun. My mother, who is also a big fan, helped us decorate our house and get that perfect costume. I guess it is her enthusiasm when I was younger that has lead to my continued love of the day and week. In combination with my great memories as a child this time of year is kick ass!

In the past 7 years or so my roommates and I have hosted some great Halloween parties. In the tradition of our New Years parties there are usually an out of control drunken disaster! These new memories help to keep the spirit of the holiday alive and a hang over on the first day of November. So if you are in the area this coming Friday and you have a costume, drop by and say hi?

For those of you who have had the pleasure of attended the party in the past. Thank you for your continued spooky support of our on going challenge to throw a good party. For those of you, who never show up, damn you! This year let’s make it great, can I get some super models in the house?

Have a great HALLOWEEN!!!

History!
Party!?!