He lived a simple life. Basking in the sunshine, soaking up the raindrops cascading down his tight outer shell. It was a good life. If was Fantastik. A great patch of friends to grow with. The mild mannered Peter Pumpkin had no worries, living under the radar. He would sometimes ask himself, orange ya glad?

Then one day, everything changed.

Plucked from the vine, nefarious strangers transported him to a market of despair. It was a market of fear. A market of fate. He was "acquired" by the diabolical Dr. MP, aka "Miss Prissy," or "Melon Puncturer."

Before long, Peter knew he wasn't in Kansas anymore. He was humiliated, gutted, sliced and diced, disfigured to the point where he had the garish face of a mammal. Not a human, not any animal per se. Just a cartoonish example of how plant life can be abused by the more "mobile" life forms. Then he looked in the mirror.

That reflection transformed him. He had new life! He had personality! He was no longer a pumpkin, he was different, unique, special! "Thank you, Doctor MP! You've perfected me!"

The doc purred... "You don't know jack. Don't say another word, or I'll make you a lantern." "Why?" he asked. The rest is history. Jack's face dances in the night, sparking fear and delight in children of all ages.

This year's Jack-O-Lantern is brought to you by...

Cutco Cutlery

Please make every effort to use their products and services.

:)

TG

Today, October 23rd, I "celebrate" my birthday. This day of the year means different things to different people, especially as you get older. For some it slowly turns from pending joy to dread. Not for me. But it has become a day of reflection, what you've done with your life, and what you haven't.

This particular go round, I got to thinking about how I used to believe how things worked, a simpler time. I mean, I had some really weird misconceptions! Mostly between the ages of four and six, maybe eight. For instance...

There was a time... when I thought moms and dads were born that way, like brothers and sisters. I wondered where my wife was!

There was a time... when I thought smokestacks made clouds.

There was a time... when I thought Nixon was the only president. Elections totally blew my mind.

There was a time... when I didn't appreciate the concept of clothes. I didn't realize running around naked in the front yard was taboo. Butt whippings brought me to my senses!

There was a time... when I thought all criminals were caught and brought to justice.

There was a time... when I didn't know what pain was, physical or emotional.

There was a time... when I didn't understand the concept of a lie, or love.

There was a time... when I hated going to church, and felt really guilty about it. I didn't realize it wasn't a matter of faith or devotion. I'm just not good at mingling with crowds of strangers.

There was a time... when I didn't fear anything but mom and dad. In fact, now that they're gone, I don't fear anything! I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

And there was a time... when I thought we live forever.

I don't miss those times. Maybe there's a part of me that does. They're not really memories, but a state of mind unhindered by reality. Anyhow, try to celebrate every day, because it's always somebody's birthday somewhere! :)

TG

The coin above is the original Liberty V Nickel, one of the coins in my grandpa's pocket purse. It was officially minted from 1883 to 1912. This particular coin was one of the first minted, and has a unique history.

The V nickel was supposed to be part of a series, including a two cent piece and a three cent piece. The designers were ambitious, using Roman Numerals to signify denominations. The two and three cent pieces were dropped from plans, and only the "V" was produced. The quantity, "V," or five, was prominent. They forgot one small detail.

They forgot to put the word "Cents" on the coin!

Some unscrupulous entrepreneurs (criminals) immediately noticed the discrepancy. They started gold plating them, and passing them off as five dollar gold pieces!

This is where legend kicks in. One of the main perpetrators was a deaf-mute man, Josh Tatum. Law enforcement couldn't prosecute Josh, though. Why? Because he never told a merchant it was a gold piece! He would buy something worth less than a nickel, and gave the merchant a gold plated V Nickel. It was up to the merchant as to whether they thought it was a five dollar gold piece! Josh would take whatever he got! Genius.

Whether Josh was real or not, is a matter of debate. But his name is supposed to have given birth to the phrase, "I'm just Joshin' ya!"

It only took a couple of months before the U.S. mint realized they had screwed up. And they fixed it. Yes, they came to their "centses."

Also...

Lau wanted to know what a billfold looks like! This is mine. And it's actually a trifold. But you get the idea.

TG

I inherited something really cool from my grandfather, via my father. I've heard they've been called pocket purses. It's a small, fist sized leather sheath with a clasp. It's something a dude can keep in his pocket, to manage his change and such. These are the ones my grandpa used:

I got these beauties with some great coins inside them, real history. That's another story. But as much as I love the coins, these pouches mean the most. Weathered and full of stories they will never tell.

How did the pocket purse die out? I don't know. Makes no sense.

I've always had issues with change in my pockets. I remember once (true life confession), I was at work. I was walking down the hallway, digging in my pocket for change to buy a soda. A coworker, good friend Mary, turns the corner, and I'm digging in my pants. She asks, "do you need to be alone?" LOL! I busted up laughing, and she just grinned.

If I had a pocket purse, I'm sure she would have had another smart ass remark! Maybe not, she was pretty cool. But maybe that's why the pocket purse died out. Time and cultural expectations can trump tradition and functionality.

TG

I'm turning 50! No, not years of age, this is my 50th Blog Post! I'll be turning 45 in a couple of weeks, but that's another story. I looked through some of my blogs, and they've really changed over time. At least how I blog, and why! I like to change it up. I've read many more blogs from my friends, and look forward to many more.

One thing I've noticed, there's a desire to express personal experience and feelings, and at the same time be entertaining. Would you rather hear about the mundane details, or highlights of someone's experience, or be entertained? So I thought I would try two different kinds of blogs, about my day.

Blog One

I work at a small community newspaper. My job is to create ads, and to make sure the pressmen get the printing plates they need to print the paper. Today was unusually tense. Because House was coming on tonight! So everything was going smooth, just waiting on editorial to finish the page layouts, then we would prep it and send it to the printer.

Well, things started running late. There was late breaking news. Time ticks on, and we finally get the layouts. But it gets WAY too late! It's a 30 minute ride home, at best, and I had a stop to make on the way! So, about 45 minutes before House is to begin I just say, "Sorry, but I gotta go, k?" They laughed. They knew why. So I got to make it to the House! lol

Blog Two

I showed up late to work. But it was cool, because I always show up late to work. I've found, if you always show up late, it's not late! And if you bust your butt and make things happen while you're there, it's not a big deal. Fortunately things went smooth all day. I easily got off work just in time to make tonight's House episode. Or so I thought. I had one stop to make. Maybe two!

Unfortunately, I was a bit psyched, and was driving a bit fast. I noticed blue lights (that would be the police) coming up behind me on the highway, from about a quarter mile away. If I got stopped, there was no way I was going to make House! So I panicked. Before he got too close, I saw a turn lane. I turned off my lights and went stealth, making the turn and stopping. It was really dark! The patrol car passed me. What a rush! Then I got to wondering, was he really going to pull me over? He could have been going somewhere else!

So I take an alternate route home. Oh, that stop I had to make? Liquor Store. In the parking lot, I notice several guys outside their car, pooling change to get their fix. I go in and make my purchase, and on my way out, they stop me by my car. They said they needed five bucks. I told them I couldn't do it. One of them says, "We're not asking..." Then I said, in that case, they would have to take it. I gesture to the liquor store window. My bud, the clerk, is watching the whole thing. They back off, and I start my short drive home.

Then I notice, once on the road, these guys are following me! I'm thinking, man, if I go home, they're going with me! I guessed they weren't House fans! Moments later, I see blue lights in my rearview mirror again! But it's not me they're pulling over. Yeah, that liquor store clerk was looking out for me.

Now, which blog would you rather read? One is the truth! :)

TG

I really enjoyed being a Caveman. There was something comforting in knowing you could do what you wanted, and if you screwed up, it's okay. You're a Caveman.

But now I'm a Small Wonder. What the hell does that mean? Is that some kind of miniature superhero? Do ladies chuckle? I don't know, I'm going to do the best I can. Hmph. "We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do..." Life goes on!

TG

I thought I might occasionally do a blog about things in my possession, and how I got them.

A few years ago, there was talk of a new Three Stooges Movie, a project by the The Farley Brothers. Well, it never came to pass (yet). But the talk got my Stooge Fever going. I love the Stooges! I decided to go on Ebay to see what kind of Stooge memorabilia they had. I wound up with these guys:

There was an auction on Ebay. This guy in Missouri was selling these action figures individually. And yes, they're action figures, not Dolls! :) I put a bid in on each of them, and watched the clock as the bidding came to a close. I did it! I had the winning bid on each and every Stooge! They were (and are) pristine, each in their own box (Moe's box is in the background).

K, I'll give a quick House/Stooge differential analysis, left to right. Moe IS House. He treats them all like feces, yet they all still follow him. Larry, he takes the most crap and gives the least back. So he's Chase. Curly, he tries to take the attention and gives Moe the hardest time. So he's Wilson. That third guy, he's Shemp. And he actually replaced Curly. Long story. But he's the most disagreeable. So he's Foreman! That other dude, at the far end, he's Curly Joe. He didn't come in till the later years. So I guess he's a new duckling! There were no female Stooges, sorry Cam, Cuddy. :)

But anyways, I bought these lil' guys for about $2.75 apiece. And the shipping was two bucks apiece! But I payed up, still a value. Then, a couple of weeks later, I get some snail mail from the dude in Missouri, the guy who sold them to me. There was $6.75 in the envelope! And a note: "Since you won the bid on all of them, and we shipped them in one box, the shipping didn't cost as much as you paid." Yeah, I was getting a refund from a decent dude I'll never meet. I thought that was cool.

TG

I had no idea.

I'm watching David Letterman last night, because he had Paris Hilton as a guest. I honestly do not remember a single word. She. Said. Then this dude comes on:

He's Emile Hirsch. Everybody but me probably already knew that. I'm really not a pop culture guy. Did I just say Paris Hilton? :) Anyhow, Dave's talking to him about his latest movie coming out, I think it had wilderness in the title, can't remember.

But Dave just casually throws out there, "and ya got that Speed Racer movie deal coming out next summer..." I dropped my pizza.

Speed Racer is, was, and always will be, the Ultimate Racer. I would be willing to bet, Dale Earnhardt would not disagree with me. I spent much of my pre-double digit youth watching this cartoon series, and just the words Speed Racer brought back a flood of memories. Thanks Dave! Speed, for me, is the finest animé ever created. That's probably because I don't watch animé! But Speed was the guy I always wanted to be. Here's a profile of the Boy Wonder (sorry, Robin), from the Official Website:

"Ready to take on the most treacherous courses, Speed faces the most ruthless villains as he competes in races around the world in such real-life destinations as Japan, Egypt, and Mount Rushmore, and other worldly places like Sandoland, Abalonia, and Flathill. Speed races blind or without brakes, he sets a new land speed record and races the car no one could drive.

Although important, winning races isn't Speed's primary goal. Sometimes, he will intentionally lose a race to aid a total stranger, but more often, he will win a race while aiding the likes of Inspector Detector in whatever mysterious situation he encounters."

There's also an outstanding supporting cast, including his cute-as-a-button gal Trixie, Mom and Pops Racer, Sparky his mechanic, and the mysterious Racer X! Spoiler Alert: Racer X is actually his older brother, who ran away from home. It's really not a spoiler. Speed and all the other characters are the only ones who don't know it. The audience is constantly reminded of it! There's also Speed's younger brother Spritle, and his pet monkey, Chim Chim. Great, great cast.

So back to the movie. This Emile Hirsch dude, yeah, he could be Speed. I just hope they don't screw the movie up. I'm not going to do a bunch of links to the series or movie websites, just google Speed Racer or Speed Racer the Movie. But they do have a great ensemble of actors, including John Goodman as Pops Racer! Yeah, this movie has potential.

Oh, I forgot to mention one of the most important characters, Speed's best friend (sorry, Trixie):

The Incredible Mach 5!

This is the Machine they will be using in the movie. Nice Start! Am I getting too excited about this? This blog would not be complete without:

The Speed Racer Theme Song
Here he comes
Here comes Speed Racer
He's a demon on wheels
He's a demon and he's gonna be chasin' after someone
He's gainin' on you
So you better look alive
He's busy revvin' up the powerful Mach 5
And when the odds are against him
And there's dangerous work to do
You bet your life Speed Racer will see it through
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer, GO!
He's off and flyin'
As he guns the car around the track
He's jammin' down the pedal
Like he's never comin' back
Adventure's waitin' just ahead
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer, GO!

I think the movie debuts May 8, 2008. I'll try not to wee in my pants. I just wish they would get around to making a movie for Jonny Quest! Wait, I just did another google search. Looks like there might be one in the works! I see another blog in my future...

TG

Have you ever had a friendship with someone that just died suddenly? I don't mean the person died, but the friendship just stopped? Nothing you could do about it? Live long enough, it'll happen! It's not casual, and I'm not good at it. But I'm doing my best.

"Though winds may rock your vessel and waves lap its sides, take count of your passengers when the calm resides."

That's just something I came up with. I put it in quotes to make it sound important! lol

Here's a tune I listen to when I feel sad:

No big deal, just had to get it out of my system! Life is good! Two four letter words that go well together! :)

Hello Sick Friends and Their Loved Ones!

Season Four is upon us! I knew it was coming, then the anticipation built up all of a sudden! So I did some House Cleaning!

I've got a new banner, kind of simple, but it might become a series of quotes. Maybe like the old burma shave signs! Anybody remember burma shave signs? lol. Probably not many. But you know the concept. When you're driving down the road, and there's a series of signs that are associated. Each sign says something different, and you have to take them all in to get the message. Kind of like life! I don't know if I'll do that, but I vow to get more active with my banners this season! Yes, I'm excited about the new season.

On a more serious note, I've changed my avatar. First time for everything. I thought about going in a totally new direction, but I can't abandon Wilson. A lot, or some, or one of my friends thinks of me as Wilson, on some level. So I shifted to the bad boy, black and white Wilson. Bet you didn't know he had that side! (I'd probably lose that bet) :)

I also changed my profile up a scosh. Nothing much new there! A Toast to Season Four! Everyone, raise a glass!

TG