“I Am Here”
I started messing around with this little blog in December of 2021. Looking back on the decades, I wonder where the time has gone. I definitely did not take many of the easy routes – and I can at least say that it’s been interesting.
As I update this page in January of 2024, I’ll be 65 years old next summer. One of the few good things about being this old is that 99% of everyone you know has written you off…and you really don’t have much to worry about if you don’t “make it.” So you’re pretty much free to try anything.
I’ve been in Tennessee with my family for the last four and a half years, trying to get my bearings and simultaneously dodging COVID. I’ve worked some crappy jobs and finally managed to save enough money to replace my ten year-old computer. I’ve had a few side hustles that almost paid my way – but realistically I would have been homeless by now if not for my Sister and Mom. (OK, probably not “homeless” in the “living in the street homeless”, but likely not in Tennessee…)
Where I’m From
I was born in a small town in northeast Oklahoma in 1959.
My Dad founded an auto parts store in 1969 when I was about 9 years old and I grew up with the business. It played a major role in my life.
I’ve seen a few changes in technology, and been a constant user since my first computer in about 1983 – a Commodore 64. I traded it in on an SX-64 “portable” soon after I got it and had a lot of fun with that weird little machine. It was really cool, and only weighed a svelte 23 pounds.
Where I’m Going
This machine may (or very well may NOT) be a big factor in my life for the foreseeable future. I bought it with the intention of hitting the road, Easy Rider style (with less drug-smuggling and rednecks with shotguns, I hope)…
I’ve really enjoyed having it so far and have had it on a couple decent trips. I took it to my 45th high school reunion last summer (’22) in Tahlequah, OK. While I was in the area, I also caught up with friends from Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The old girl did great on the highway and I could tell immediately that this is what she was designed for.
Summer of ’23, I rode from Hendersonville, TN to Orange Beach, Alabama for a week with the family in a condo that was a nice relaxing time – other than the rave that went on in the upstairs condo on the last night…I managed to sleep through that, but the rest of the family didn’t. After the week in Orange Beach, I headed farther south to Parrish, FL – west of Tampa and hung out with my old hometown buddy Jeff Roberts. He’s got a sweet setup working for a guy that loves keeping him in off-the-wall car projects. We spent many an evening on the front porch of his (absent) landlord’s house – talking about the glory days. Always a good time. When it came time to head North, I ended up running 730 miles in one day. The weather had cooled off and was in the low 50’s. I loaded on every piece of clothing I could and put on my rain suit on top of that. It was a little bit “challenging” but I finally scooted home.
All in all, things are pretty good. I’ll be taking a final stab at the bar exam in July (’24) and if I manage to squeak through it, that’s gotta be some kind of record…graduate in 2009, pass the bar in 2024 – bet the odds are “not favorable.” LOL – we’ll see!
I hope you’ll check in on me from time to time, to see where life has dragged me – I’m sure it will be interesting.
If I can’t be an inspiration to those that are in similar situations, maybe I can at least serve as a great bad example – a cautionary tale!