Certamente

I was watching an episode (#17) of the Sopranos on HBO on Demand this morning and heard a song that I really liked. Of course none of the music was listed in the credits but I’m pretty good on the ol’ internet, so I started my search and found what I was looking for.

The song was called Certamente (Certainly, pronounced "chertamente") and it’s by an Italian group called Madreblu. I really liked the song and the woman’s voice. I didn't understand a word of the song, but it took me somewhere. I’m not sure where exactly, but it took me somewhere....somewhere nice.

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If you smell something funny, it’s probably the smoke from the friction my two brain cells are generating as they rub together, not unlike grasshopper legs, to generate thought. They go at a steady pace most of the time, speeding up when I have a particularly significant thought or idea. They sped up a little just a minute ago and set off the smoke alarm.

It occurred to me this morning that I really have no guy friends here in town. Don’t get me wrong...I have acquaintances, business associates, and coworkers, but no real friends; no one I’d call up to go fishing, beering (that’s a verb I just made up), watch a game or just to bullshit with.

The Warden jokes about it on occasion. “You don’t have any friends.
And we both laugh.

Maybe I’m just content with my little life, here in my little slice of the world, with my little family. But then again...

Maybe I’m just not a likeable person.
Maybe I have bad breath.
Perhaps it’s B.O.?
Or maybe I’m just really picky about who I choose as friends.

So I pondered the whole friend thing this morning for a few minutes over some coffee and some internet surfing and decided that my breath is fine, I don’t have B.O., and I’m a fairly amiable person. I think I’m just more selective about my friends these days. Then I wondered if I’ve always been selective, and am only now realizing it.

I’ve met nice enough people through my current job but, to tell you the truth, they’re just kind of geeky. Not that I’m the epitome of cool or anything...They’re just a little too square for me if you know what I mean. And we have nothing in common. Come to think of it, 99% of the parents of our kids’ classmates are pretty square...or overly serious and dull. Hmmm....Maybe my perspective’s skewed because I have a small group of very cool friends.

The best friend I have today lives in Dallas. Elliott and I worked together for a few years and became fast friends and bonded like brothers. I haven’t seen him since 2003, though we do talk on the phone and exchange emails every so often. He’s one of those rare “give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back” kind of friends.

When I was working down in Corpus Christi four of us who used to hang out pretty regularly: Me, Jim, Marco & Elliott. We’d hang out at Jim’s place most of the time. He had a detached garage that he called the Two Dog Saloon (He had two dogs that ruled the house). We’d hang out there, drink beer, listen to music, play darts, bitch about work, and just talk general shit like only guys can do. It was fun.

Marco lives here in town with his wife and newborn baby girl. He and his wife stay really busy with their families and friends (they both were born and raised here) so we don’t see them too often.

Two weeks ago Jim, who lives in Maryland, told me that he’s taking a job here in San Antonio. He, his wife and their baby will be moving here this summer. They were here a few months ago and the four of us went out for a few beers and barbecue. We talked about how cool it would be if they moved here. Now they are...and I think it is going to be pretty cool. Neither of them are squares, and they make fine partners for cocktails and barbecues.

All Jim, Marco and I need to do is get Elliott down here and we’ll have the little group together again.

I’m not sure of the aim of this post and, to tell you the truth, I think I’m rambling a bit so I’ll just shut up for now.

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The painter is coming today to do the trim work in the kitchen and to touch up some stuff he missed on the walls. We also have a plumber coming to unclog the main line. Every time our washer drains, it backs up in the sink and in the laundry drain. We had this problem a couple of years ago and thought the last plumber fixed it. Guess not.

Time to get to some chores.

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Quote of the Day:
If I ever went to war, instead of throwing a grenade, I'd throw one of those small pumpkins. Then maybe my enemy would pick up the pumpkin and think about the futility of war. And that would give me the time I need to hit him with a real grenade. – Jack Handey