Halloween Plans

Here it is Halloween and I don’t have any real plans. I would love to take my kids treat or treating but they are now 27 and 30 and insist they are not kids anymore. Of all the nerve.

I’ve been invited to a few parties but I doubt if I’ll go. The last Halloween party I went to, I went as an accountant—wore a suit and carried a briefcase. Of course I used to be an accountant and it felt strange wearing a suit again. I started to get into it, asked people at the party if I could do their income taxes.

A neighbor here in Covington wants me to go out with him tonight, I think to a Halloween party but he kind of freaks me out a little. He can talk without moving his lips and so often what he’s saying sounds nuts. He let me take a video of him a few days ago. Here, take a look.

Is it just me, or does my neighbor seems a little psycho?

(Image found on Google)

Talking About the LOL Column in CityBeat

Sitting there, I started to think how this column came about. In the fall of 2003, web editor Brandon Brady wanted to start a web column call “Webitorial.” It would be an editorial column and he and I would be the principal writers.

To read the rest of “Wrapping Up a Column,” click here.

Everything I said in the column is true. It was a difficult essay to write and I felt sad that it was coming to an end. Having said that, doing this type of column for eight years is a hell of a run and I have no right to complain.

Some years ago, another long running column came to an end in CityBeat. When the end came, the writer closed it out, said goodbye—all that==and got no comments, feedback, nothing. A part of me was kind of afraid that might be the case with Living Out Loud.

That wasn’t the case. I want to thank all of you for sharing with me how much you have enjoyed the column over the years and for being upset that it’s ending. I mean, I’m sorry you’re upset, but it makes me feel good that many of you will miss it.

Let’s talk about the age thing. I’m a guy in my late 50’s and I never tried to hide that from my readers. The subject of my age never came up in discussions to end the column, but I know the way it is. I’m not cool and not young and I’m sure you will find something like that in my old space next week. As I said in the column, I’m not bitter about it, it’s just the way it is.

And CityBeat has not told me to go take a hike. Last week, I kicked around a story idea with one of the co-publishers and I’m sure I’ve got a few more essays left in me that will show up in CityBeat somewhere. I’m still a contributing writer, it’s just that the column has come to an end.

Some of you have suggested that I take Living Out Loud to another publication. Unless I’m offered a hell of a lot of money (hey, I’m not stupid), that won’t be happening. Living Out Loud started in  CityBeat and that’s probably where it should end.

So that’s it. Again, thanks for all your nice words and support, very much appreciated. Keep in mind if you want to keep reading me regularly, you can always come here. Our little “online” blog starts it’s fourth year next month. Who would have thought that?

(Graphic from CityBet)

Planning Out a Bus Trip

As most of you know, I believe in public transportation and in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that basically means taking a bus. I seldom plan any of my trips, so I usually end up waiting around for buses to show up. This past Thursday, I had some running around to do and decided to actually put together a plan.

Living in Covington now, I did a Google search and went to Tank and planned out what buses I would take to get me where I needed to go. I wrote everything down on a piece of paper. Ready for an adventure? Here we go.

At 1:30 in the afternoon, I got on a #7 bus driving down Madison Avenue. I needed to go over to Cincinnati and do a few errands. While doing this, I ran into a lot of people I know which is fine most of the time, but I was on a timetable. I had to get to 4^th and Main to catch a #5 bus back to Covington.

I ran into an old friend who wanted to talk about my Living Out Loud column in CityBeat. I told her what I’m telling you. I’ll write more about this right here on Sunday.

I made it to 4^th and Main just in time. I would normally take a #7 back to Covington, but I wanted to stop at a liquor store on Pike Street and the #7 doesn’t go by there.

I got to the liquor store around four. I had ten minutes to buy my bottle of vodka and get across the street to catch a #1 to take me back to 8^th and Madison. I even had enough time to smoke a cigarette.

It didn’t take long to get to 8^th and Madison. I got off the bus and walked home.

A few hours later, I opened that bottle of vodka and while drinking, felt very proud of myself for taking the time to plan my trip out. There was no standing around and getting pissed off at myself for being so disorganized when it comes to bus travel. I don’t usually do it, but I gave myself a pat on the back.

(Photo from tri-ed.com)

The Old Man Goes Back in Time to Revisit His Roots

The old man is me and I’m revisiting some music. Here’s Jefferson Airplane.

(YouTube video)

A Trick or Treat Public Service Announcement to our Northern Kentucky Readers

Halloween is Monday and as a public service to our Northern Kentucky readers, I’m posting the trick or treat times right here. Actually The Kentucky Post complied the times. I’m just ripping them off. I’m sure Cincinnati has their own schedule but I live in Northern Kentucky, so I don’t give a damn.

I doubt if any kids will come to my door as I live in an apartment building and the front door to it is locked. I guess I could unlock the door to the building, but it’s cheaper to keep it locked than to buy candy.

I think I’ll dress up myself this year. I’m going to go out as a 57 year old man who has long hair and who walks with a cane. Wait a minute, that’s me already.

(Photo from powerpoint.com)

Cadillac Ranch Can STILL Kiss My Ass

My friends at Cadillac Ranch (that’s a joke being as I have no friends at Cadillac Ranch) find themselves in trouble yet again.

Some months back, they had to close down for a while because of not paying their taxes. Now it looks like they’re not paying their rent. Fifth Third Bank is taking this all personal and wants them evicted. Click here to get updated.

I’ve been in the place once—Spring of 2009. Hungry and not liking the smell of Arby’s that I entered on the opposite side of the block, I went in there to get something to eat. Few customers were there and the crab cake sandwich I got was barely cooked and the fries were cold. Did I mention that the service was bad too? For a while, I thought my waiter had quit.

This isn’t why they can kiss my ass. Later in late September of the same year, their idiot manager cancelled the acts that were to perform at CityBeat’s Midpoint Music Festival at the very last minute. General managerGordy didn’t like the music he was hearing. You can click here to refresh your memory.

I’m not one that wants to see restaurants close in downtown Cincinnati, but in this case with the bad and expensive food, poor customer service and with the poor management, it’s not going to be a big loss.

(Photo found on Google)

Simple Thoughts and Guildlines for Life —A to Z

Attack whenever necessary.      

Big is always better than small.

Commonsense is always better than thinking with your heart but doesn’t always feel like it.

Dogs lick themselves and we should learn from this.

Eat it.

Failure is sometimes the best thing that can happen.

Goldstar really is better than Skyline.

High ground is better than low ground especially when it’s raining.

Izzy’s is overpriced but kind of worth it.

Just do it.

Keeping your mouth shut is less fun than speaking up.

Learn from your mistakes.

Men are dumber than women.

Night isn’t always darker than the day.

Old age doesn’t always make you smarter.

People sometimes like to be sheep.

Question everything.

Relax whenever possible.

Sex is better when it’s dirty.

Think. Enough said.

Understand what you’re saying before you say it.

Value friendships.

Watch for falling rocks.

X-rays seldom provide good news.

Young at heart is usually a good thing.

Zookeepers are nicer than gatekeepers.

(Graphic found on Google)

p.s. We will return on Wednesday!

Say Cheese

Ever wonder what food is stolen most in the world? Say cheese. Don’t believe me? Here, see for yourself.

Sometimes when I go into the Walgreens on Madison Avenue in Covington to pick up a few things, I’m getting off work and take my work bag in with me. Sometimes I notice that a Walgreens employee will keep an eye on me to make sure I’m not putting stuff in that bag. I’ve never stolen anything from thre including cheese. Just thought I’d throw that in.

(Image found on Google

An Hour and a Half

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I walked up to those bus benches in front of Walgreens in Covington to soak up a little sun. I only spent an hour and a half there, but it was a bit of an adventure.

To read my latest column in CityBeat entitled “Straight Man on Madison Avenue, click here.

We’ll be back on Saturday.

(Photo found on Google)

What Makes Life Worth Living?

We all have our own ideas I guess. Here’s Woody’s. . . .

(YouTube video)