It's Almost August

It's almost August and I have a lot on my plate. Kitten and I are headed to Las Vegas the first weekend. I'm looking forward to spending some time with her. I know that it has been tough on her the last couple of months, but I'm doing everything I can to ease her mind.

So, I'm moving. My lease is up at the end of August and I will have been in this house a year. A long, long year. Everything that happened to me in the last year combined with Kitten and I being back together pushes me to move. I love Nashville, but I don't enjoy it anymore. Most things here have a bad, bad memory associated with them. Even my job, which is a pretty good job, leaves a bad taste in my mouth now. Putting Nashville behind me will be a good thing.

North I go. I'm putting in my notice Monday and sometime between our trip to Vegas and our trip to the Big Easy, I will be moving in with Kitten. I admit I was wrong. There was a time when I said I'd never move someplace colder, but I have to try to do this for the two of us. I'm excited and a tad scared at the same time.

Friends

My friend, Cindy, recently wrote on her blog about how she tries to be a good friend and how she has struggled with crappy friends in the past, but now has great friends. It had me thinking about old friends, new friends and people I thought were my friends.

All and all, I think I've been lucky. I'm friendly with many people, but I don't take a lot of people into my confidence. Of the folks in the picture above (I'm the dork on the left end of the bench), I really only talk to one. One is an actor in California, one is a musician in New Mexico, the last time I saw one, he had recently been arrested for DUI, and one is legally blind living in Arkansas. The fella that took the picture is an architect in Chattanooga.

There was a time when I would have done anything for one of these fellas and they would have done the same for me. It's still that way for the most part. A couple of them became kinda shady and I don't think I would completely trust them. One of them made a point in the last year of letting me know that if I needed anything he was there for me.

As I grew older, I tried to surround myself with people that would make me a better person. Most of the time I was successful. A lot of my friends brought out the best in me. A couple turned on me, doing dastardly thing things like hitting on my girlfriend. Some surprised me with their generosity.

With one exception, I don't talk to the friends I have now on a regular basis. The only requirement I have to be my friend is to be trustworthy. My motto is say what you mean, mean what you say. Follow that simple rule and you remain on the good list.

I admit, there have been times when I was not the best friend and those times weigh heavy on my soul. All I can do is try not to make the same mistakes and recognize the moments when I can be a good friends. Oh, the one exception mentioned above? Kitten is my best friend. I'm a firm believer that your significant other should always be your best friend.

In 2005, I reflected on friends in a post. I had decided to write a mission statement and application process for being my friend. After reading over it, I think it still applies almost five years later.

Team Bat

Mission Statement: Team Bat will consist of the best friend that money cannot buy. We strive to be the best friend possible and provide 100% friend satisfaction.

Employment: The application process is simple. Ask. Team Bat does not discriminate based on color, creed, or sexual preference. However, be aware that Team Bat reserves the right to refuse employment based on planet of origin.

Sexual harassment: Team Bat has a strict sexual harassment policy. We encourage it. Same sex harassment may be ignored, but perversely, it is appreciated.

Pay: At no time will a person be expected to pay to participate in Team Bat.

Time Off: Team members are encouraged to take time off from Team Bat as needed. Mental health days may be taken at will. Be aware that extended absence from Team Bat in no way relieves you or Team Bat from friend responsibilities. Membership in Team Bat is considered a lifetime commitment.

Benefits: Benefits will vary according to the individual. Your benefit package is subject to change at anytime, basically because the team leader can be an ass. Benefits include, but are not limited to, gifts, drunken phone calls, beer, favors, event tickets, appliance repair, automobile repair, etc. Be aware, if your benefits are refused or not used, they may be reassigned to another team member.

Dismissal: Offenses that may cause dismissal are few. Lying, cheating, or bestiality will result in immediate dismissal. Other offenses that may result in suspension of benefits include jealousy, snooping through team members shit, showing up at the team leader's house without prior notification, outstanding loans, and breaking the team leader's shit. Team Bat is aware that the relationship between the team and the team member is a two way process and will strive to avoid committing any of the above offenses.

Vegas Baby!

Kitten and I are headed to Vegas in early August. Because we can. Don't hate us!

Roller Derby!

Kitten and I have done a lot since the last time I blogged. I was gonna give the low down on our 4th of July festivities, but she did such a good job, I think you should just go read about it on her blog.

We were unable to get together this weekend, so I was on my own. A buddy of mine let me know that his wife was out of town and he was on his own as well so we decided to go see the Nashville Rollergirls.

I remember roller derby when I was a kid. It came on TV and the T-Birds were always the good guys. I thought it would be kinda like the old roller derby, but it as a completely different thing. First of all, there was no banked track and rail. They just put some tape on the floor and bam! they had a track. The downside (or upside depending on what you like) is that if you were sitting on the edge of the track, you were in the "suicide seats". Basically this meant you were subject to having a roller girl end up in your lap at anytime.

The "bout" itself was fun to watch. The rules are fairly simple, teams score points when their "jammer" passes members of the other team. The girls had names like Sambo Rambo, Leanne Crimes, and Lady Fury. The coach went by the name Master Bates! Fun for the whole family I tell ya! It was a spirited match that ended with Nashville beating Tallahasse 159-70. Go Rollergirls!

The crowd was half of the entertainment. It was about 1,500 people. One third redneck, one third Vandy snobs, and one third bull dyke. As an aside, I wonder why dykes look angry all of the time? Like they need to kick somebody's ass? My gay neighbors aren't that way. Lesbians that I've worked with in the past are nice pleasant people. Put a woman in men's clothing and give them a short haircut and all of a sudden they have a sour look on their face like somebody pissed in their cheerios (I know it's a stereotype, but I swear that's what they all looked like last night). I digress. The crowed was spirited and lively and cheered not only the Rollergirls, but the cheerleader's half-time performance and the New Orleans style brass band that played. As for the band, they had this little kid with them, he couldn't have been more than four, playing a snare drum. He was wearing it out!

The kicker for the evening? As we are leaving, my buddy says "Hey, isn't that the hockey coach?" I looked around in doubt, but sure enough, off to my side, Barry freakin' Trotz, head coach of the Nashville Predators! Like a redneck, I hollered "YO, BARRY!" and he gave me the head nod. So, if you've ever wondered what hockey coaches do in the off season, now you know.

Anybody wanna go to the next bout?