HNT #40 - Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend! (AND Good Insurance)

Isn't this a beautiful ring and lady's hand on top of an obviously hairy-male forearm? Well, it IS HNT-copacetic -- it's MY dark-blond hairy forearm. And the diamond is brand new, presented after years of anticipation from her fiance to the sweetest WingHouse Mom I know! She was kind enuf to pose with me & allow me to post this pic anonymously on my Blog, and she's the best friend of my Top Doggie/ #1 WH-Bartender I may have mentioned a few thousand times in the past!

This sweet young mom has been committed to the relationship with her baby's Daddy, and very patiently has been waiting him out while she works WH, goes to school to become a Registered Nurse (smart & doing very well there), partying only occasionally with her close friends, and giving great care to her little girl & her fiance!

I am very happy for this nice couple, and it's good to see their relationship come to fruition. She just got her engagement ring (a full carat!) on Sunday and I'd love to show you her pic with ear-to-ear beautiful happy-smile! I promised her anonymity though but, rest assured, her pretty, smiling face IS inspiring and infectiously makes one instantly happy at HER happiness!

I love this pic! It does two things with opposite ends of my life! It reminds me of the first diamond ring I ever gave a girl I loved, and it reminds me of the LAST diamond ring I ever gave another girl I loved as she finally becomes truly independent from a serious ex-bf relationship!

HNT #39 - Legally Blonde, the Musical

Just went out to see this great comedy, "Legally Blonde, the Musical" today at Ruth Eckerd Hall for the Performing Arts in Clearwater, FL. If you have seen either of the Legally Blonde movies, you have the basic gist of the story but this has relevant songs to tell the story. The "road show" has younger performers (20-somethings) which is perfectly suited to this musical about Elle Woods who's graduating college and leaving her Delta Nu ("valley girl") sorority sisters for Harvard Law to reclaim her ex-bf.

This was my first time out in a long time -- last one was Ruth Eckerd Hall for ZZ Top a year ago. (I gotta get out more!) The crowd was predominantly (predictably) teeners & 20-somethings (& parents, in many cases.) So the audience was receptive from the get-go and enjoyed the performance and showed it with applause throughout. More teeners wore pink (Elle's "signature color") than anyone, and I was the only guy I saw in a pink shirt (C'mon, I HAD to wear it!) But the storyline explained that the only men who wear pink are GAY! Oops, MY bad! The storyline continued to say, "OR are EUROPEAN!" So that became my joke, "I'm not gay, I'm European!" when anyone seemed to notice my pink shirt.

I was disappointed when I got to the souvenir kiosk! They haven't produced DVD's of this Broadway show yet altho they had thousands of the original Reese Witherspoon movie in DVD. I think they misjudged the MOVIE sales cuz surely everyone who was interested in paying $40 - $70 for a seat already had seen the same DVD at home. But the kiosks DID have classy T-shirts and a CD for $20 of the original Broadway cast recording of Legally Blonde, the Musical! It has all the songs & gives an accompanying libretto with all the words -- I am going to sit down and read each word as I listen to the songs so that I can finally catch some of the lines I missed during the stage action! I should mention that the stage action especially kept MY attention! Very shapely bodies in slightly revealing costuming that was tres college-sorority-girl chic. The props & scenery were excellent in appearance and ingeniously movable! And the singing voices were all very good! The whole show was highly entertaining and especially enjoyable if you let yourself get swept into the "Elle Woods mindset!"

Of course, this matinee let out at suppertime and I had to pass by the Palm Harbor WingHouse on the way home. Naturally, I stopped for supper and traded hugs with all the 20-something Easter Bunnies working the WingHouse, one way or another. But that is another story for another time.... Hope you had a Happy Easter, too! Hop-Hop-Hop!!! Daddy Rabbit's outta here!

HNT #38 -- My eBay Win!

So FUCK the Russians!!

I had been all hot to trot to get a Russian sidecar having a military history from WW2 and I laid a $1500 deposit down on a Ural with the FL sales rep in Miami (a friendly Cuban-American cop selling motos on the side), and the HQ in Redmond/Seattle headed by a couple of Russians.

Apparently the Russian mindset is just the same as during the cold war -- even those living in America seem to have the totalitarian mindlessness which will keep them from thriving in a free enterprise economy. They stopped importing & producing Urals as their solution to the world economic slowdown: keep their last-year-model motorcycles in their showrooms until sold without any current year's!

Good enough for Russian Ivans in Siberia maybe, but not for this half-Dutchman middle-named "Ivan" in sunny Florida! When they couldn't even guarantee a delivery date 6 weeks ahead, I got my deposit back. The Cuban-American in Miami kept his word and sent it ALL back -- but the Russians are screwing his business outlooks with their medieval understanding of American economics and consumers!
I had to resort to eBay Motor Sales! My eBay win is a USA product, a good ol' Harley-Davidson with Velorex sidecar kit added on! It cost me just 1/2 of what the Russian Ural would have! Granted, it's a reworked '86 Sportster, but it has an upgraded engine from 800 to 1200 cc as well as a bright but impossible color for the Russians to consider: GOLD! Go Figure! The Russians offer Americans each of their models in only 1 or 2 colors, mostly dark & unsafe. Not consumer-oriented enough for the American proletariat, I assure you, Ivan!

Furthermore, Urals have piddlin' after-sales support and repair contractors -- one I called tried to talk me into buying an American bike instead of the Russian one, and the guy was a contracted repair service rep for the Ural company in Florida!! Harley-Davidson is probably TOO consumer-oriented with their trendy Harley franchise shops which are overly expensive except for parts and repairs. BUT they are smart about Americans cuz they ARE Americans.... since 1903!!! [I am obligated to start spouting a little of the Harley jingoism now, aren't I? Even tho I didn't buy my bike AT the Harley shop. ;-) ]

Above, I show you a mostly clothed, windswept ME by my Harley sidecar up near Savannah, GA where my younger son & I drove to pick up the bike & custom trailer that the owner also sold me. Too bad Daytona bike week had just ended before I had something to pull the bike there! But I need some time to learn how to master the sidecar driving which is very different from the regular lean-and-turn driving of a solo motorcycle! As soon as I replace the gear shift rubber cover by my left foot, I'm gonna start driving it around our MH Park to master the turning. Won't my neighbors LOVE me? I won't go nuts though -- besides, our speed limit is 15 mph in the park! You'd better believe there ARE also speed bumps everyfuckingwhere!

My latest tats, now, but see HNT below this one. Like my WingHouse #1-favorite said, "You're getting all tatted up!" (I think she likes them, too.) A week ago, I got the best tattoo artist I've ever seen to add my two combat flying medals below my AF Academy Falcon class-crest tat. In the middle, he wrote the names of the four countries in which I have had my ass shot at for the good old U.S.A.! (I only got to shoot back in 2 of those countries, BTW!)

Actually, they WERE LITERALLY shooting at my ass because we were overhead in the air and they were on the ground shooting UPwards. Well, shooting at my ass or my GONADS! Difficult to tell the diff from 3000-6000 feet below my sidefiring gunship! The medal with a propeller-cross is the Distinguished Flying Cross and the other with the diving, screaming eagle is the Air Medal. Repeat awards are signified by little bronze oak leaf clusters superimposed on the ribbons, but I left them off to avoid confusion and cluttering the tattoos. I have other medals including a Meritorious Service Medal but I wanted to show the specific combat-flying decorations and keep the larger tattoo aesthetically pleasing.

Inking the little details that Mike Sizemore of "Wicked Ink" in Clearwater, FL did so well reflects his 15 years' tattoo artist experience. Even HE said these were "challenging," but I've received numerous compliments on them in only the one week I've had them! See what YOU think! Check the detail in such a small, compact tattoo-space.

I'll try to find the first ink outline that Mike laid out before he started the heavy work. Some of you have liked seeing intermediate steps visually sort of like I like seeing some of YOU visually (heheheh)!

If I can find it, I'll add it as a PS below the finished pieces here. When you click-enlarge these you should be able to appreciate the superb detail & shading Mike gave them. He's well worth the $150/hour he charges! (There are good artists who charge less ($90-100/hr) if ya shop around--Just not THIS good!)
PS: I DID find the earlier tat pic where Mike had first inked in the outlines on the stencil of his drawing which was placed on the arm here. He is the first I've seen use this technique and I think it adds to his higher quality tats. It helps him get those straight lines perfectly straight using guidelines during the main tattooing. I didn't get a chance to look over the drawing for the stencil tho' before he applied it & you should always do that to see if the stencil looks exactly like what you want (things often get misdrawn from your expectations & it's a pain to correct things in an adjustment session 2 weeks later -- you HAVE to wait for it to heal before "touching up.")
Notice this pic shows a chart of Chinese characters on the wall with translations below--if you want one tattooed, they can do it from this or from online sources.

HNT #37 - Re-Do of my Falcon tattoo!

Don't know how this will go, but let me share an interesting text message I just received from a WH Girl I am well attracted to:
" Pray 4 me. I had a checkup 2day. I tested positive 4 sexy, I'm allergic to
bullshit, my blood type is pimpin, and the doctor says this is why I'm hott! "

I gave a funny smart-ass reply that was complimentary, but would appreciate the advice of any of you HOTT HNT LADIES who want to educate Richard-the-Dinosaur on how to handle this in Tampa Bay's hook-up culture of the day!

I started to write this post way back @ Xmas-time. So how might this sext be related to Christmas themes of WingHouse that week? (I HAVE played Santa officially in the past and I noticed girls unexpectedly started hitting on me & were much more receptive when I wore the Santa-suit. Doesn't it take women back to wanting to seduce Santa like they thought of as teeners?)

Actually, this reminded me of the joke my #1 FAVORITE WH bartender told me yesterday -- " Why don't Santa & Mrs. Claus have kids? 'Cause Santa only comes once a year! "

I LOVE my WH Girls!

Oh Yeah, they liked the final version of my AFA Falcon class-crest tat! Check it out above & comment, please. [Especially Ms. Inc.]

HNT 36: The significance of "Past is Prologue!"

[Not actually published 'til Thanksgiving eve!]

Adapted from a Blog comment I made to the writer of the blog, "Angel/Asshole":

Richard, Shhh... said...
Angel, I just found you today to read you say "So Long." You're the only other person I've ever known who has also quoted the saying outside the National Archives (it's in one of my poems) so you must be located around D.C. Many people do not understand "Past is Prologue," that we should not forget our Past, or we will be condemned to repeat it. Every time I appear to obsess over the evil woman of my Past, many observers think my salvation is in "forgetting" as they recommend.

But the effort of all my good and stupidly noble actions would become totally wasted by being forgotten; after all, MY actions & beliefs were the only honest GOOD throughout the many, many years of her false, deceitful relationship. I am proud of the good I did & I'm sad she chose to remain "incapable" of it. Her relatives who molested her as a child set her up at first, but she accepted the role and played the lying whore the rest of her life. If she wasn't whoring, she was lying about it with words or by "cover-up" goody-goody behavior after she stopped whoring (if she ever did.) So who wasted their OWN life? Much of my life was laid to waste BY her, but I didn't do it to myself. And THAT's the POINT! I can't forget HER drek without discounting MY good.

That Past shared with her was so lengthy, everything I see and do now has some reminder of something that ex- was deceitful about. It's a matter of building a new Life with the new freedom of remembering what was and was not good. THAT is how my Past is becoming the Prologue to my Now and brighter Tomorrow. I wish you well! I wish myself the same. [Note: I cropped my photo above to not show the beautiful WingHouse Calendar covergirl who posed with me cuz I haven't asked her permission to post on the Internet. But I can thank my ex- for enabling this pic by her bailing out of a supposed lifelong marriage, and freeing me to do things I never did when married.]

Oh Yes, HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2008! Gobble hearty!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY! Researchers Seeking Gulf War Veterans

[From the DAV Magazine just arrived 10 Nov 08]

An estimated one-fourth to one-third of veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War developed multi-symptom health problems, with new symptoms often continuing to develop after their deployment. Symptoms vary, but common symptoms include fatigue, muscle or joint pain or weakness, memory or attention problems, sleep changes, bowel changes or other gastrointestinal changes, and rashes or other skin problems, among others.

Research has recently affirmed a connection between at least some of the environmental exposures in the Gulf and the high rates of symptoms among veterans. But little is known about what treatments might be effective in reducing symptoms in Gulf War veterans -- who have long appealed for treatment studies.

The Department of Defense has funded a study performed at the University of California, San Diego to assess whether Coenzyme Q10, an over-the-counter nutritional supplement, may benefit affected veterans. This supplement holds promise, because it has been reported to reduce similar symptoms in other settings, and because it defends against biological processes that may contribute to these symptoms in Gulf War veterans.

Researchers are looking for affected Gulf War veterans who are interested in participating in this study. Those in the San Diego area are particularly sought. All subjects will participate for a year. They will receive Coenzyme Q10 during part of their participation, and an identical placebo (inactive pill) during a different part. After participation is completed, subjects and investigators will learn which agent the subject was taking at which time, and whether symptoms and quality of life among veterans were improved on the Coenzyme Q10.
Those who are interested, or would like to learn more, should call or eMail: Janis B. Ritchie, Study Coordinator (858) 558-4950 Ext. 203, jbritchie@ucsd.edu, http://gulfstudy.ucsd.edu/

HNT #35: Frost on the Pumpkins Makes Floridians put Clothes on!

Now don't get too excited -- it just means that we actually have to wear some clothes at night for a couple of months! It'll be warm enough again by Valentine's Day to get nekkid for our Sweetie(s). And I have HIGH HOPES!! Of course, if you already have Sweeties in your bed, disregard all mention of clothes! (It's probably too hot in there for you, as it IS!)

Here's a pic of the first PJ's I've worn in years! It's a true original HNT idea -- just a little skin showing, but no sex..... Altho I assure you Pre-Registration for Holiday Sex is about to open. Female registrants should send me eMail for an application! ;-)

TAMPA BAY IS HERE TO STAY!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LAST OUT AGAIN: ----> http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tb

Oh Ye of little Faith! Wait to believe til the 7th game of the American League Championship Series playoffs but, Boston, you had a run in your red pussy stockings - LOL It was the wrong KIND of run tho' -- Sunday night you needed BASEBALL runs and you didn't do it! I know... the blue cowbells musta thrown you off! So sorry...

SAY HEY, RAYS! Thanks to you, I now have a date for a World Series game with the Wing House bartender from the new WH 2009 Calendar known as Miss May! I certainly hope she MAY! (Don't tell her I said that -- it was a cheap joke, but I couldn't resist playing with the words.) She is gorgeous, tan, sexy, and still uses a "special" I.D. at sports bars in the area! Oh yes, she has 2 very small, feminine tats and piercings! And, if I get a special kiss, I'm gonna tattoo her initial on my WH Memorial Bicep! Stay tuned... Now, back to housecleaning!

HNT #34: Not Sure What I Had for You in my Computer

Let's see what I can find.....




Ah, yes... Here's a special, young friend of mine who will vote in her first election this year! She made some special pics just for me. We're May - December, you know. She wants to make some more pics BY and WITH me, she said. Guess I'm still a little shy....I've really been celibate way too long! LOL

But I really have to get "my place" presentable first. I just wouldn't be comfortable with it otherwise. With that in mind, I'd better get started cleaning..... C Ya!

PS: Happy HNT! (Leave lots of comments, K?)

I didn't know Hospice does grief counseling for ex-spouses, too!

I've been keeping up text messages and a phone call every day or two to each son. Idea is to check on their adjustment, to make sure they seem to be adjusting OK to their mother's death less than a week ago, and to share ideas and facts on the evolving situation as it gives me special insight into our personal story!

So far, things seem to be going alright. The older son, especially, is making all the arrangements for her body to be cremated in Tallahassee and have her ashes scattered on her extended family's main ranch, El Colorado, in south Texas. I'm sure he is learning a lot of new things dealing with probate attorneys, etc. Once I got a copy of her death certificate, do you think I'll be able to convince my tax attorney he really ought to get the IRS to collect her taxes from HER estate instead of directly and wrongly from ME, like they have tried to do for 20 years, now? I TOLD you she would still be causing me trouble because of her self-centered narcissism! Her body wasn't the only thing that was sick!!

"Ding, Dong.... the Witch is Dead!"

[Copyright 2000, all below by this blog's author]


TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

Once you have a relationship
you can never
Not-have-a-relationship
til one or the other [de]ceases.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Or
Out of sight, out of mind
But, not nothing.

Til ONE is nothing.
And then you have --- a memory.



I don't know what pic I'll find to post. I have none of her anymore. But I will extend the 24 hours a little that I gave not to speak ill of the dead. She passed away at 12:25 AM, Wed., 8 Oct 2008 in the ICU of a Tallahassee hospital. She told our sons to go home the preceding evening and, "See you tomorrow." About 2:30 PM of that "tomorrow," I started to get phone calls while I was in the shower and had left the phone by this computer. By the time I heard the urgent, second set of rings, I sensed what they must have been about. Checking the cell's "last call list," I found an uncharacteristically-timed call from my best friend in Tallahassee. My friend confirmed what I had expected. He had called when I didn't answer the sons' previous 2 calls from the shower.

He was surprised that I had no change in attitude or plans about what I was or was not going to do. It figures 'cause he has little psychological insight into ANYone's behavior or what causes it, ANYway! (History "majors" must understand facts, not relationships.) Which leaves him in the cold about any real understanding of the "no-fault" misery she is STILL causing me! WORSE than worthless... Thanks for NOTHING, EX-. We really did NOT deserve each other!