Monday, May 13, 2013

An Eventful Saturday

WRITTEN BY CUBBY


Last Saturday afternoon Nate and I were making run into town to visit the local Richmond brewery when we happened upon a car (white Honda) vs. motorcycle accident about a minute after the crash. No Police or Fire Department vehicles were there yet. We were behind a line of about four cars and had an excellent view of the accident scene in front of us. The Honda was facing us and the motorcycle was on its side under the car's bumper. We couldn't see the driver of the motorcycle, but we didn't really have too much time to look because things got a whole lot more interesting real fast.

I saw some woman engaging the driver of the Honda through the passenger window. She was highly animated, flailing her arms about. We couldn't hear what she was yelling (windows were up, air conditioning on, and were too far away). We witnessed the driver of the Honda suddenly back up and drive away, allegedly fleeing the scene of the accident and allegedly committing a hit and run. The woman was clamped onto the car trying to keep it from leaving, but had to let go.

Nate was driving, and as the vehicle sped past us, Nate did a U-turn in the middle of the street and started chasing him. There was another vehicle in front of him (red truck) who must have seen what all had happened, and as the Honda was swerving all over the road trying to get past him, the red truck matched his moves and prevent him from getting away. Nate and I were a few car-lengths behind watching it all. A couple of blocks up the street, and by some gigantic coincidence, a cop had another driver pulled over for an apparent moving violation.

The truck stopped next to the cop car and alerted the policeman. Nate and I pulled up behind the Honda and boxed him in, preventing his escape, until the policeman could arrest him with his gun drawn! It was so cool!
As the alleged hit and run driver was trying to get away, I remembered I could shoot video with my handy iPhone, so I turned on the phone and put it into video mode as fast as I could. I shot this short video (shown at the end of this post).

I thought for sure the guy in the Honda was going to back up and crash us, or worse. We didn't know what was going to happen next. I didn't even notice there was a cop there until he seemingly appeared out of nowhere with his gun drawn. It was like one of those scripted reality TV shows! In my head I kept hearing "Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do?"

The video's not much -- just a few seconds as the arrest was about to be made. I was afraid the cop would spot me with the iPhone then confiscate it as evidence, leaving me without a phone for months. I didn't want to risk that so I stopped recording. What you don't see is the cop pulling the young man out of the car, handcuffing him behind the back, then calling in for backup. We left at that point. We had a brewery to get to!
Nate uploaded the video and a brief summary to the local Richmond TV news tip line, and we watched the news that night expecting to see at a minimum a two-second clip of the cop coming around the Honda with his gun drawn (I figured the TV station would use that bit as a teaser during the broadcast), but the story didn't even make the news. It turns out there was a second hit and run in Richmond on Saturday, one involving a death, and that one got all the air play. Our little hit and run was just too boring to even report.
This is a link to Cubby's blog: Here

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

50 THINGS


             



1: What would you name your future daughter?
                Christina
2: Do you miss anyone?
                Yes...lots of people...mostly my Dad and Mom.
3: What if I told you that you were pretty?
                I would smile and wonder what is wrong with you.
4: Ever been told “it’s not you, it’s me”?
No, but I've said it a lot...and it was true.
5: What are you looking forward to in the next week?
               Time with my lover.
6: Did you go out or stay in last night?
                Out to a fantastic Italian restaurant with a friend.
7: How late did you stay up last night?
                10:15
8: Honestly, has anyone seen you in your underwear in the past 3 months?
                Yes, and no more will be said.
9: What were you doing at 12:30 this afternoon?
                Watching a recorded show, The Chew.
10: Have you ever told somebody you loved them and not actually meant it?
No
11: Could you go for the rest of your life without drinking alcohol?
                Yes, but I wouldn't like it.  I think when we have to, we all can do things that we didn't know we could do.

12: Have you pretended to like someone?
                Probably, but no one comes to mind.  [My ex boss, maybe...does that count?]
13: Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?
                Yes
14: Is there one person in your life that can always make you smile?
                Yes.  And thinking of him is making me smile right now.
15: Is it hard for you to get over someone?
                No, it is not hard, it is nearly impossible.  I probably never actually get over anyone.
16: Think back five months ago, were you single?
                Yes, and I didn't like it.
17: Have you ever cried from being so mad?
                No, I don't cry from being mad, I cry when I am happy, and, of course, when I am very sad. 
18: Hold hands with anyone this week?
Yes
19: Did your last kiss take place in/on a bed?
                No...it was just before leaving the apartment.
20: Who did you last see in person?
                My son, just before he went to bed.
21: What is the last thing you said out loud?
                I'll fix your lunch in the morning.
22: Have you kissed three or more people in one night?
                Yes

23: Have you ever been to Paris?
                No.  I would love to go, but I want to go all over Europe.
24: Are you good at hiding your feelings?
                Not even close.  Anyone who really knows me can read me like a book.
25: Do you use chap stick?
                Yes
26: Who did you last share a bed with?
                My man.

27: Are you listening to music right now?
                No...it is the quiet of the morning for me.  Listening to the birds and the occasional school bus.
28: What is something you currently want right now?
                To be independently wealthy so that I can spend the rest of my life with those I love.
29: Were your last three kisses from the same person?
                Yes
30: How is your heart lately?
                My physical heart is healthy according to the Doc...my emotional heart is happy when he is close.
31: Do you wear the hood on your hoodie?
When it rains or when I am cold....windy.
32: When was the last time a member of the opposite sex hugged you?
                I honestly don't remember.
33: What do people call you?
                Dad, Mister, Sir, dumb-shit.  Many different things.
34: Have you ever wanted to tell someone something but didn’t?
                Oh yes...many times.
35: Are there any stressful situations in your life?
                Yes, more than we have space for here!
36: What are you listening to right now?
                The clicking of the keys, the cat's purring.
37: What is wrong with you right now?
                Oh, WOW.  Where do I start?  Sore leg muscles from extended hiking/walking with Cubby, a bit hungry as I haven't had breakfast yet.  But, all in all, I am a pretty 'right' guy.
38: Love really is a beautiful thing huh?
                It absolutely is!
39: Do you make wishes at 11:11?
                No, is that a S African thing?
40: What is on your wrists right now?
                Nothing
41: Are you single/taken/heartbroken/confused/waiting for the unexpected?
                Taken!
42: Where did you get the shirt/sweatshirt you’re wearing?
                I'm still in my bathrobe, and it's so old I am not sure, but I think it was a Christmas present from my kids.
43: Have you ever regretted kissing someone?
                I don't know that I regretted kissing anyone, although there were a few who I only kissed because it was the protocol...kind of expected.

44: Have you hugged someone within the last week?
                Yes, every day!

45: Have you kissed anyone in the last five days?
                Yes...same one several times.

46: What were you doing at midnight last night?
                Sleeping…

47: Do you miss the way things were six months ago?
                Not at all.  Nor a year ago.
48: Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone?
                Someone else, hate sleeping alone!
49: Have you ever been to New York?
                Yes, a few times, but only on business.  I really want a few days in NYC with my man.
50: Think of the last person who said I love you, do you think they meant it?
                Yes...that was a few hours ago, and, Yes, I think he meant it.

Friday, May 3, 2013

It's Spring!!!

Yes, SPRING!!! 
The mention of Spring likely elicits different memories and emotions from each of us, but the one thing that I think we can agree on, is that it signals a new beginning.  An opportunity to shed the old skin and start anew.  New buds on the plants readying themselves to grow and mature.  Ducklings with new down that will soon turn into beautiful feathers, learning to swim, hunt, and fend for themselves.

For me, this Spring is significant as it starts a new life for me as well.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Audition


As many of you know, several months ago I was a victim of downsizing by my former company.  For a lot of good reasons, I look at nearly all opportunities that I see.  One of them was very much out of my realm of expertise, but I thought, "Why not?", and proceeded to take the preliminary steps to apply.  The job?  An extra in a movie being shot near my home near Richmond. 
Who doesn't want to be in a movie?  It looked so easy, just go to the website, fill out a short questionnaire, pick a few pictures, and in a few days, someone will call you and tell you to show up for your $100 (or whatever they are paying).



I got the call on Monday.  I am so glad Cubby was around so that I could share my good news with him.  For just $199 for the first year, these good people were going to make my picture and all of my information available to the good folks choosing extras for a Brad Pitt movie.  Doesn't that sound just fantastic? 

Needless to say, they have not parted me from my $199.  Maybe it's all great, but I am one of those 'show me first' guys. 


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

A Great Article on Jason Collins by Jason Whitlock


Image: Jason Collins (© Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I know that many of you will immediately dismiss any suggestion that Fox may have something worth reading, but I urge you to just try it.  This article is good, IMHO, because it supports Jason Collins but acknowledges that we still have work to do.  Try it.

Jason Whitlock on Jason Collins future