Ok...because you deserve it...I am going to complete this post. Enjoy!
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I have been to many concerts. Some better than others. But, only two have brought tears to my eyes.
The first...Sir Paul McCartney. It was unexpected. I was excited to see him, sure. But, 30 seconds into his first song (8 Days a Week), I had an epiphany. I was singing a Beatles song WITH A BEATLE! It gave me the cries.
The second...2 weeks ago. When I saw Weird Al Yankovic!
Now...don't get me wrong. I am not comparing Weird Al to Paul McCartney. Weird Al is definitely better than Paul McCartney.
Ok, I jest. However, Weird Al has easily been the most constant artist in my life since I was about 8 years old. That's when my dad handed me a cassette tape (remember those?). I'm not sure where he got it, but it was not an original album...it was recorded from another tape. On one side was the Greatest Hits of Blondie. On the other was the Album "Dare to Be Stupid" by…
I didn't post much last year. I tried a couple times. I see a few drafts in here. Most importantly a reflection on the passing of a personal hero: John McCain. Also, a bragadocious post about how I met Weird Al Yankovic! But, I never got around to finishing them.
2018 has been interesting. I'll be honest...it's been pretty rough. Not 2012 rough, that's for sure. But, still...it will not go down as one of my favorites. Lack of sleep, stress, family issues, deaths. All in the rear view mirror, now.
Let's look forward, now. Here's what I am excited for in 2019!!!
VACATION! Kim and I are taking a 10 day cruise in Feb. With no children!!! Don't get me wrong. I love my boys. But, being able to add "Sleep" and "Not needing to keep other humans alive" to my usual list of "No email, no phone calls and no commitments" is going to be very, very nice!My boys! I feel like I gotta back up that last bullet with this one. My…
We lost a great great man, today. My grandpa, Fred Pankow.
I have many memories of my grandpa. I spent most summers with him and Grandma in Michigan when I was younger. I didn't get out there nearly as much as I should have as an adult. But, I still looked up to him more than any other man in my life outside of my dad.
I could share many of those memories with you, now. Of fishing on Lake Miramichi, of trips to Florida, Canada or Mackinac Island, of hatching ducklings, or of the many letters he sent me offering me a quarter for every spelling error I found.
Instead, I would like to present you with another story. Grandpa loved to tell (and write) stories. This one is my favorite. Grandpa was a lifelong educator. He started as a high school teacher and retired superintendent. He even has a school named after him.
I regret that I wasn't able to have him meet Owen in person. I will miss him. I will miss his stories.
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