Rasslin'

Cowboy Bob Ellis...
Dick the Bruiser...
Bobo Brazil...
Do you remember 'em?

I do.

I was never really a "rasslin'" fan.
But Saturday afternoons would frequently find Steve B., Hawkeye, and me jumpin' into the old Ford Station Wagon and Mom would drive us North on Bluff Road to the WTTV broadcast offices. We'd arrive early, 'cause those first in line got the ringside seats...
And that was the whole reason for the exercise...
The matches were recorded for broadcast on Sundays.
On Sunday we'd sit at home and catch glimpses of ourselves ringside at "the match" on Channel 4.

Of course the faces have all changed...
Are any of those guys still alive?
The sport itself hasn't changed much though, except there's a lot more money in it these days.
I doubt kids these days can go to their local TV station and watch an hour of rasslin' free!
(We grew up in a better time!)

It's Friday.
Are you rasslin' with anything?
Anyone?

Jus' Not Enough Hours In The Day

Pushin' retirement age...
Wasn't life supposed to slow down?
I think I took the wrong entrance ramp somewhere on this trip.

Cool, Or Fool?

How often do you go through this exercise?
"If I had a chance to go back in time, would I ?"
And if you'd like to go back, how far would you go?

I imagine going back in time now and then, but generally come to the conclusion I'd just like to correct a wrong I did at a specific time, then return to the present. Life comes with pain spread intermittently throughout, and the only way I'd consider going back is if I could make changes. Of course making those changes would change EVERYTHING that followed, so if I stayed in that new life I'd soon find myself with new things that would cause me pain.
Who would want to go through that again?

And that brings me to the memories we discuss so often here...
Most, but not all of us, have wonderful memories of our days walking the CG halls.
And the folks that don't have great memories?
They may think some (many?) of the rest of us were cruel to them.
And... we MAY have been cruel to them.

I can remember going through life back then, making decisions looking through the "Cool or Fool?" lens.
Elvis was cool.
Kookie Byrnes was cool.
We were sure they never did anything stupid... never humiliated themselves.
Embarrassing yourself was just about the worst thing you could experience...
I didn't want anyone to be able to laugh at something stupid I did.
I suspect we all spent 'Way, 'WAY too much time looking through that lens, trying to avoid being laughed at. It's painful to think of how much time I wasted, worrying about what others thought. But I know I often was quick to ridicule others for their mistakes.
Shame on me.

Our earliest class reunions were similar experiences...
Who did what with their lives?
What work are you doing?
What are you driving?
All that... gone now.
Good riddance.

We're considering a few events for "minis" soon. You need to come. You'll enjoy yourself.
The only requirement I can think of?
Bring a smile and some memories to share.
We can talk about how Cool "Palladin" of "Have Gun, Will Travel" was!

It's Friday and I certainly hope you don't think I humiliated myself with this post, but criticize away if you must!

My Suspicions were Correct

Back when I was 15/16, I had a big crush on a classmate.  I carefully timed a trip to my locker every day so I would "just happen" to meet up with my crush in the hallway of Center Grove.  Then I would non-chalantly be going in the same direction at the same time.  I think we were "an item" a year or so until I got sick of his boyish ways and told him where to go.

I can remember admiring his older brother Charlie.  He was a ton more outgoing than his younger brother, and seemed to "own the hallways" of Center Grove.  Charlie was popular, and I thought he must be a really nice guy.  Two days ago, and 41 years later, I confirmed my suspicions that Charlie really is a nice guy.

Before we left on vacation to Ft. Myers, I asked Charlie if we might meet up while we're down here.  Luckily, we were able to do that.  He and his wife drove two hours to see us.  We sat around my sister's condo and talked about Center Grove and our high school days.  Three short hours later, we went out to eat at a restaurant owned by a fellow Hoosier.  We enjoyed good food and good company.  The evening was "done too soon", but I've got more good memories to stow away for a rainy day.

Once again, my Vandy's Kids friends got me started on this path to reaching out.  I am not only finding new friends, but old friends that I've missed for decades.  I told Charlie that when we do our "valley walk", I'll send him photos of his old place.  I think he'll like that.

Love to all,
"Cissy"