Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[alaskaleftybass]

Just checking in to see if everyone is still alive and kicking!

After 42 years, I have tossed in the towel for the production audio side of our business, not a single gig for the entire year. It’s pretty clear that at our level live events will be impacted for several years or more. It’s time, but it still feels so weird. Fortunately I still have plenty of design work.

You forgot to mention-- it's a full time job for you to keep all of us yoyo's out of trouble here on TB!

 

[BassmanPaul]

The first Zappa album I listened to closely back in the mythical age of 1971ish was the soundtrack to 200 Motels. I was not possessed of a great enough vision of my own future to grasp that I, too, would achieve 200 motels well before my retirement.

Inquiring minds want to know what you were up to in those Motels??

 

[GwenOnBass]

200. Total. Man, that would have been nice. During the last 8 years of consulting work before the Motorola mothership went toes-up, I spent about 200 nights a year (!) in hotels, plus another 30+ sleeping on airplanes. Don't miss it a bit.

The empty desk and silent telephone "at the office" spawned speculation that I might not even exist. As long as I'm on site, there's money coming in.

The good folks "at the office" literally never saw me, not once, ever, until the day I left for the next gig exactly like this gig only better hahahah sure it was. None of this fancy telecommuting stuff, real, in-person toe-to-claw encounters. Up Monday at 3 to be ready by 4 to be at the airport by 5 to be on the 6 am flight. Can sleep through takeoff. Can sleep through anything in flight. Er, nearly anything. Don't ask what gets my attention in flight.

The swanky hotel in [major city] maybe sort of sometimes if you squint hard enough makes up for the best hotel in town in OMG there's a big problem in Muthalode guess who's going to fix it.

Truly I have absolutely no problem with retirement.

Inquiring minds want to know what you were up to in those Motels??

The precise rhythm* sounds a lot like —
return to my room when the presses roll and I'm holding a First Off. (the first newspaper of the press run)
:: that hotel phone ringer noise ::
Project Manager: did I wake you?
Me: it's 9 o'clock.
PM: what happened with the sports department last night?
Me: You couldn't wait to ask when I come in at 3?
and so on.

That's motel room fun. Truly I have absolutely no problem with retirement.

* lots of things have rhythms of their own. Like the sound of a high speed four tower offset press.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I had a history teacher that used to tell WWII war stories, every class, all year. One day a school board inspector audited the class, they walked out after ten minutes and slammed the door hehind them.

The stories were quite educational. Years later I found out that he was a Lt. Col in the field and after the war earned a PhD in military history. I was lucky to have him as a teacher.

 

[the slug]

best teacher I had in high school, AP chemistry. made his own LSD and wasn't afraid to share.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I had a history teacher that used to tell WWII war stories, every class, all year. One day a school board inspector audited the class, they walked out after ten minutes and slammed the door behind them.

The stories were quite educational. Years later I found out that he was a Lt. Col in the field and after the war earned a PhD in military history. I was lucky to have him as a teacher.

During WWII if you didn't volunteer you better have a pretty good excuse. It was almost tantamount to treason to not be in. After the war, the GI's who made it and came home were hailed as heroes and held up on pedestals. My dad served under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater. On one campaign, he went into a horseshoe bay that happened to be surrounded with Japanese machine gun nests. The troops hit the water off the landing craft and were caught in a crossfire for 6 hours. My dad's best friend was killed and became a shield for my dad who lay in that blood soaked bay while his fellow soldiers bobbed lifeless against him. Sometimes when he was drunk he would tell that story and cry deeply in anguish. A lot of the history of WWII was passed to my late brother and me through our dad. We heard the rest of the story.

After the Big One our boys went back to work and to a better than before US economy. High priority was given to GI's to reclaim their jobs that the ladies had faithfully executed while they were gone. My dad worked at Wrangell Institute, a BIA boarding school for elementary school children from up north. Often during his years there a new man would come in and Mom would ask what kind of guy he was. Sometimes the answer was, "he's a good guy-- US Army served in the Pacific." Sometimes he would just say-- "He's a Veteran, served overseas." That was Dad's stamp of approval. Serving in WWII Gave the men and women prestige and first crack at cream of the crop jobs--after all the horror they suffered they deserved to enjoy the rest of their life with their families, their own home, and a decent retirement.

Early in the 60's a then-Senator Kennedy was part of a political coalition that sent 'advisers' to Vietnam, whose North and South armies were in a civil war fighting for the soul of their country. Our country was up in arms--both for and against and most of the boomer generation in colleges were motivated to demonstrate against the government, and branding our troops 'war pigs.' I remember once seeing a news story on TV where a young soldier limping with a cane off a plane was greeted with dozens of privileged college students who pelted him with rotten vegetables. The young man had served to protect our country and he came home to this??????

The wars in the Middle East were also horrific and produced many veterans--most returned home whole but mentally scarred, many physically damaged goods. But they weren't greeted at airports with brass bands or protests. There was no fanfare, no handshakes or recognition and a "Thank you for your service." Sadly only families greeted them and occasionally in small towns the mayor would recognize them at 4th of July ceremonies. Our poor Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are mostly invisible and overlooked. Many die in VA hospitals or in their homes.

That's why it's so important that we continue to teach military history in college and I wish more people would take those courses. People who volunteer to serve their country deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices and bravery. Whenever I hear of a worker who's a veteran or someone passes me in uniform I reach out, shake their hand and say, "Thank you for your service." God bless them.

EDIT: Provided the cream puffs didn't object, it wouldn't hurt to teach military history in our high schools so they could learn how wars are fought and won and lost for our country. Maybe they wouldn't head into college with a closed mind.

 

[SoulReflection]

During WWII if you didn't volunteer you better have a pretty good excuse. It was almost tantamount to treason to not be in. After the war, the GI's who made it and came home were hailed as heroes and held up on pedestals. My dad served under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater. On one campaign, he went into a horseshoe bay that happened to be surrounded with Japanese machine gun nests. The troops hit the water off the landing craft and were caught in a crossfire for 6 hours. My dad's best friend was killed and became a shield for my dad who lay in that blood soaked bay while his fellow soldiers bobbed lifeless against him. Sometimes when he was drunk he would tell that story and cry deeply in anguish. A lot of the history of WWII was passed to my late brother and me through our dad. We heard the rest of the story.

After the Big One our boys went back to work and to a better than before US economy. High priority was given to GI's to reclaim their jobs that the ladies had faithfully executed while they were gone. My dad worked at Wrangell Institute, a BIA boarding school for elementary school children from up north. Often during his years there a new man would come in and Mom would ask what kind of guy he was. Sometimes the answer was, "he's a good guy-- US Army served in the Pacific." Sometimes he would just say-- "He's a Veteran, served overseas." That was Dad's stamp of approval. Serving in WWII Gave the men and women prestige and first crack at cream of the crop jobs--after all the horror they suffered they deserved to enjoy the rest of their life with their families and a home with a decent retirement.

Early in the 60's a then-Senator Kennedy was part of a political coalition to send 'advisers' to Vietnam, whose troops were in a civil war fighting for the soul of their country. Our country was up in arms--both for and against and most of the boomer generation in colleges were motivated to demonstrate against the government, and branding our troops 'war pigs.' I remember once seeing a news story on TV where a young soldier limping with a cane off a plane was greeted with dozens of privileged college students who pelted him with rotten vegetables. The young man had served to protect our country and he came home to this??????

The wars in the Middle East were also horrific and produced many veterans but they weren't greeted at airports with brass bands or protests. There was no fanfare, no handshakes or recognition and a "Thank you for your service." Sadly only families greeted them and occasionally in small towns the mayor would recognize them at 4th of July ceremonies. Our poor Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are mostly invisible and overlooked. Many die in VA hospitals or in their homes.

That's why it's so important that we continue to teach military history in college and I wish more people would take those courses. People who volunteer to serve their country deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices and bravery. Whenever I hear of a worker who's a veteran or someone passes me in uniform I reach out, shake their hand and say, "Thank you for your service." God bless them.

Great post, Will. The ones who cannot thank them are the ones who are covering for their reason(s) for not serving.

 

[beans-on-toast]

best teacher I had in high school, AP chemistry. made his own LSD and wasn't afraid to share.

Chemistry lab in high school was where the dope sellers would use the balances to weigh out and package their nickel and dime bags. I wondered if the teacher was in on it, he never said a thing.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I had a history teacher that used to tell WWII war stories, every class, all year.

I had a rabbi that used to tell WWII war stories, every Saturday, all year.

 

[beans-on-toast]

During WWII if you didn't volunteer you better have a pretty good excuse. It was almost tantamount to treason to not be in. After the war, the GI's who made it and came home were hailed as heroes and held up on pedestals. My dad served under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater. On one campaign, he went into a horseshoe bay that happened to be surrounded with Japanese machine gun nests. The troops hit the water off the landing craft and were caught in a crossfire for 6 hours. My dad's best friend was killed and became a shield for my dad who lay in that blood soaked bay while his fellow soldiers bobbed lifeless against him. Sometimes when he was drunk he would tell that story and cry deeply in anguish. A lot of the history of WWII was passed to my late brother and me through our dad. We heard the rest of the story.

After the Big One our boys went back to work and to a better than before US economy. High priority was given to GI's to reclaim their jobs that the ladies had faithfully executed while they were gone. My dad worked at Wrangell Institute, a BIA boarding school for elementary school children from up north. Often during his years there a new man would come in and Mom would ask what kind of guy he was. Sometimes the answer was, "he's a good guy-- US Army served in the Pacific." Sometimes he would just say-- "He's a Veteran, served overseas." That was Dad's stamp of approval. Serving in WWII Gave the men and women prestige and first crack at cream of the crop jobs--after all the horror they suffered they deserved to enjoy the rest of their life with their families, their own home, and a decent retirement.

Early in the 60's a then-Senator Kennedy was part of a political coalition that sent 'advisers' to Vietnam, whose North and South armies were in a civil war fighting for the soul of their country. Our country was up in arms--both for and against and most of the boomer generation in colleges were motivated to demonstrate against the government, and branding our troops 'war pigs.' I remember once seeing a news story on TV where a young soldier limping with a cane off a plane was greeted with dozens of privileged college students who pelted him with rotten vegetables. The young man had served to protect our country and he came home to this??????

The wars in the Middle East were also horrific and produced many veterans--most returned home whole but mentally scarred, many physically damaged goods. But they weren't greeted at airports with brass bands or protests. There was no fanfare, no handshakes or recognition and a "Thank you for your service." Sadly only families greeted them and occasionally in small towns the mayor would recognize them at 4th of July ceremonies. Our poor Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are mostly invisible and overlooked. Many die in VA hospitals or in their homes.

That's why it's so important that we continue to teach military history in college and I wish more people would take those courses. People who volunteer to serve their country deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices and bravery. Whenever I hear of a worker who's a veteran or someone passes me in uniform I reach out, shake their hand and say, "Thank you for your service." God bless them.

EDIT: Provided the cream puffs didn't object, it wouldn't hurt to teach military history in our high schools so they could learn how wars are fought and won and lost for our country. Maybe they wouldn't head into college with a closed mind.

When I was a kid, everyone's dad was in the war. They all sacrificed so that we could life a better life. Mine joined up with his brothers. He was working for an airline and they promised that his job would be there when he returned. One less thing to worry about. They kept their word and his time in the army counted towards seniority in the company. He landed in France on D-Day and went on to Germany via other countries. He never talked about the war other than the countryside in Holland. In the 60's he went back to visit his brother's grave in Belgium. A stark reminder of what they all went through.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I had a rabbi that used to tell WWII war stories, every Saturday, all year.

Shabbat shalom

 

[SoulReflection]

When I was a kid, everyone's dad was in the war. They all sacrificed so that we could life a better life. Mine joined up with his brothers. He was working for an airline and they promised that his job would be there when he returned. One less thing to worry about. They kept their word and his time in the army counted towards seniority in the company. He landed in France on D-Day and went on to Germany via other countries. He never talked about the war other than the countryside in Holland. In the 60's he went back to visit his brother's grave in Belgium. A stark reminder of what they all went through.

This seems more like a Memorial Day than a Labor Day but, it is all good. Those that truly "labored" are "memorialized" and that is the way it should be.

 

[the slug]

my ex father in law was on body detail in France. he doesn't talk about it. who can blame him. he's 96 now. love that man.

 

[beans-on-toast]

One of the top songs of 1945.

 

[beans-on-toast]

my ex father in law was on body detail in France. he doesn't talk about it. who can blame him. he's 96 now. love that man.

Not many are still alive to say thank-you to.

 

[beans-on-toast]

This seems more like a Memorial Day than a Labor Day but, it is all good. Those that truly "labored" are "memorialized" and that is the way it should be.

After the war, people labored hard to rebuild a better life. There were opportunities, jobs, and growth. Entire communities of new houses, schools, and stores sprang up in what was fields before the war. I lived in one of those post wartime houses. The streets were full of postwar kids.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

After the war, people labored hard to rebuild a better life. There were opportunities, jobs, and growth. Entire communities of new houses, schools, and stores sprang up in what was fields before the war. I lived in one of those post wartime houses. The streets were full of postwar kids.

Much similar to mine. Everyone had a dad wartime story. My childhood was much like "Stand By Me" except I was the older brother and our little gangs got along fine. Used to collaborate in mischief as a matter of fact!!

One of the characteristics of the WWI vets is they did remain very closed lipped about their experiences. Given that it was a much different war than the surgical strikes we do nowadays, I can understand why. My dad was often very distant and unavailable for me as a young man. But it was what Mom used to call "battle fatigue" back then.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

1. The first celebrated US Labor Day was on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City, planned by the Central Labor Union.
2. 10,000 workers marched from City Hall all the way to 42nd Street and then met with their families in Wendel’s Elm Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches.
3. Canada is said to have originated the idea of hosting a day honoring the labor movement. In 1872, they held a “Nine-Hour Movement” to show support for striking workers.
4. There is disagreement about who actually proposed Labor Day as a holiday. Some say it was Peter J. McGuire, who was the co founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others believe that it was Matthew Maguire, a machinist.
5. Oregon was the first state to celebrate Labor Day as a legal holiday in 1887.
6. The decision to make Labor Day the first Monday of September was approved on June 28, 1894.
7. Labor Day started as a part of the labor union movement, to recognize the contributions of men and women in the US workforce, but modernly is seen as a chance to celebrate the last weekend of summer.
8. Americans worked 12-hour days seven days a week during the 19th century!
9. The Adamson Act was passed on September 3, 1916 to establish an eight-hour work day.
10. Historians say the expression “no white after Labor Day” comes from when the upper class would return from their summer vacations and stow away their lightweight, white summer clothes as they returned back to school and work.
11. There is still a Labor Day parade in New York City, which takes place throughout the 20 blocks north of the 1882 labor march.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Hold on there, partners! In the US it's Labor Day weekend. Far as I ever heard, it's a celebration of the work of American workers, no military salutes required.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

@Morrighan , as an American on Labor Day, I'm sitting here doing nothing except browsing the internet. No labor this weekend for me (unless Carey catches me).