Happy Halloween

Exciting, except for one thing. I don’t have a clue what to wear. I need something that makes me look like it’s 1982. My former blue-blood life is hard. It does not usually follow me. I’m a worker now, not a blue blood getting into fancy hotels and sitting there like its an every day thing. She is staying in the best hotel in town, like that’s f’n normal. (At 20, that was the way it was for me too.)
What the hell am I going to wear????? And I have a messed up nose. And a Mini Cooper. And I think I’m 20 again. Calm down self. Could you imagine if she was one of the dudes — one of those dudes I knew back then???? I would be having a heifer like your mama cows. I have a mountain of work and now I’m thinking about what to wear to make me look 20. Please. It sucks being a chick.

@ whispergirl-you are so not a ‘chick’, you are 100 percent women. Don’t be intiminated-you are everything. I hate the word chick. Not you. I wish I could see that pic on your screen saver. Go out w/ her. Tell her how many things you have going on and rock the night! I have tons to tell you. It was a girl. Take those lessons and live! I will write you early-tomorrow. You make my day! Everytime I get a post from you its like X-Mas. You are the most beautiful girl in So Cal. I’m the better to know you! Christie-head up babe! Call me again, Jaap.

I was sure I read just about every post from Jaap and whisper.. I know Christie Lee, about being named from a name of a name and all of your memories with mom, family, oil etc.. etc.. Brother, nephew, neighbor, neighbors little girl, red guitar and the health concerns, dreams, ob new b, animals and all the ha ha`s… And You have implied youve “talked” to him, but I dont know the story.. Did you talk to him in a sit down atmosphere? Im soo ashamed I dont know this… When you have some time, please tell me the story here. Or tell me the post date and time.. I know your busy.. Just whenever you can.. Im going searching now. *knuckle punches Jaap*

@ whispergirl-I hope your evening went well. You certainly were looking good with your clothes choice. Don’t worry about where you are in comparison to her. Don’t, cuz you have dreams and they will work their way to you. I like books on history-”Team of Rivals”, “Band of Brothers”, “1776″,”John Adams”-oh boy I could go on. Super intelligent shapers and makers of America. I see that intelligence in you-words. Plus the hunger to know more-arts(I saw those lovely ‘dance/ballet’ pics). Do you know you are lovely? Agriculture, Latin, science, you understand. You commented on me being ‘grown-up’, I’m not sure what you meant by that. I get a rush out of delivarying babies. I will induce labor on 2 first X moms this week. The first timers are the toughest. I love what I do. I saw ‘Red’ on Sat. Christie-”All I really wanted to do was talk to you. Thats why I cut the checks.” Take your dance/skating lessons. Live! then ‘call’ me. I’ll write you back.

Not letters, J — 15 page “nightmares”.

No warranties on my stuff.

Thanks; I’ll get to you at that night-time when I have my time.

Lincoln was amazing. I have the book in mind. It will be my “present”. Hopefully you haven’t read it. I don’t have the luxury of viewing your library. Chose one for me too, okay? Something period, because I’ve read most of the good president books. I’m on to periods now. My new interest.

These are great boys. My favorite line, MM saying the ballerina pic was beautiful. Somehow I just don’t think the man who has memorized every DLR line has ever said “the ballerina pic was beautiful”. VHND got a handful when they got me.

J, I confused you with the “anticipation” comment? I was just wondering if the dad/father types, like you, have Christmas anticipation. You know, on Christmas Eve when you go to sleep and it’s really quiet and you know the next day is Christmas? Even without presents, I always feel that, just a little. That’s what I meant.

MM, come to think of it, sometime in the 80s my mom got this fake small tree that was predominantly pink. I hated it. She always wanted white flocked trees with white lights. Every year she tried to have one. I liked the green with muli-colored, and it was a war. I ALWAYS got my way on the Christmas tree. I suppose that’s why she got that little tree; one just for herself. Just like your mom. How amazing. Kids don’t get into the white thing and certainly not pink. (Am I becoming my mother??) Hey on DLR, I can’t tell a small story, and I could not do it justice, not in public. Someday, someday I will make a party with us three, and tell you. I promise. Back to this story. I wish soooo much my mom could have seen the hotel lobby last night. (Somehow I think she did; do you believe in that, that my mom can see me — I do.) Hey, and if the pink flowers were peonies instead of roses, I’m pretty sure that would have been Heaven, and I would have been checking my own pulse. I would say peonies cost too much, but considering the bills there, I think the hotel should have had peonies. Actually I looked; there were flower arrangements everywhere, but no peonies. Yes, I know that bill was high. But I think they should not have been talking about it. It’s insantiy. (CEO was like that too; he once wanted to send one of his planes to “pick me up” and take me back to Texas for a one-day meeting; I stopped it because they have commercial flights on the hour — who needs to fly the plane three ways, here, there then back here.) My friend says everything those friends of hers do is an exercise in spending money, and that one of the sisters does nothing but shop. They were on Rodeo Drive all day Saturday. If I had known I would have taken BFF around town and to my messy house. She would have preferred it. The really weird part to me is that they did not even go into the Chanel store. I love that one. She asked if it is worth it; so worth it — at least for a visit (and I have one dress and one pair of shoes, so I know). There is a movie (in French, with subtitles, Coco Before Chanel, or somthing similar, not RED, J, but a good movie, well I thought so, take the chick thing into consideration). At the end, that movie shows the Chanel store, and along the way Coco Chanel is formed into the person who will build her empire in her own way with influences from the men she loved and never actually had, or had other than “almost”; I suppose I identified with that.

BFF and I were trained a certain way by our families. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it, really. That training was full-on evident last night. We ordered tea, and after a few minutes we just went into the chronology of what we have missed. Lots of “hard” on both accounts. Lots of “building” on both accounts. All while drinking tea. I think the staff knew, because they catered to us. I spoke to her in a way that I can only with her. And she with me. With an occasional word, or look, that signifies huge amounts of time. We met in January 1981; we’ve been through all the men, her marriage and divorce, all the drama with my family, all my craziness, then hers, now neither’s (all really wild people overly calm down), all with just one or two looks to each other that told the story of our lives with only a smirk here and there. We could be a movie.

There is a picture lost somewhere in the 12,000 square feet that is her ex-h’s house. My brother took the photo. It was summer 1983, right before BFF’s wedding. Everyone who was anyone was there including my entire family, her entire family. It was huge. I was the maid of honor. I had a poofy dress on; light blue; my hair had grown out from the short cut of the summer of 1982 (when I was trying to hide from my father’s public business failure). She has lighter hair that was long and she was wearing her white wedding dress without the headpiece. (My brother took the photo before she and I had finished dressing, with all the world waiting.) In the photo, we held each other with our arms crossed over each other’s shoulders and smiled. Our faces said it all. That picture captured the absolute affection that we had for each other and this never ending “hanging out/secret telling/secret holding/gonna be just too too much/gonna take over the world/gonna go through a few men” that only we knew and only we could be in. Like the Mona Lisa, you just wonder what she is thinking. Both of us looked just like that. Innocent, intelligent, with the body of knowledge that only each of us knows. I saw that picture only once. I was at their house with it, looking at the professional photos, all beautiful, but not like that one. Ex husband took that picture away (austencibly to make copies), and despite my best efforts to get it back, I saw it only that once. I want it, still. On Sunday morning I was thinking of that lost photo (prompted because J always wants to know what I look like), and I was trying to remember whether the wedding was 83 or 82. I was struggling a bit; it had to be 83 because I remember having to get the blue dress into the red Corvette — a car I got after my self-bought sedan was stolen in January 83, and stuffing that huge blue dress into that car with everyone in the apartment building — everyone was at summer school that year — watching, like preparing for a royal wedding. Yesterday morning, I remembered 83, and vowed to find her. Four hours later, she called me. Yesterday, I spent the day writing my 1 1/2 papers. Then I dressed, and dressed I did J. Good make-up, a short-ish black short-sleeve sweater dress (Calvin Klein I think); a long nipped-waist amazing black jacket, and the black headband with the silver jewel-thing I wore to the Grammy’s with tangling diamond earrings, black tights and black high/but wide heel shoes which look a bit Victorian. It was just right even my hair. (I told her I was channeling my inner Audrey Hepburn, 1960s.) My friend was wearing black pants, cute boots and a pink/beige sweater that flatters her “upstairs” also with a black jacket and carrying a $7000 Hermes handbag. As I told you, she saw me first. Her voice is exactly the same. We passed a couple making out in the lobby, then decided to go into the Hotel restaurant/bar. I’m obnoxious because I have to have just the right table, and I, in keeping with that “thing”, was offered three, before I chose the most “hidden” one (next to the window so that I could see the decorations at the corner of Wilshire and Rodeo where those pretty buildings everyone identifies as Beverly Hills are). There was a band in the place; I went as far away from that as I could. We had two waiters. I ordered food; she did not (because she had that $800 dinner). She ordered tea, then told me I should have tea. It’s Southern Code. I ordered tea (herbal because I’m allergic to caffeine, itself a throwback to living just a little too much). The two separte waiters brought the tea in our two separate tea pots. So we sat drinking tea for just a minute. BTW, that’s what girls do in late HS in Southern society; train for “tea”. In HS, we all “pretend”; after some years it becomes normal. Both of us did a good job rebelling from our families and often were putting coins in the car to drive to do our things. When she got married that all changed and she (when I would allow it) took me along. When I needed money to get to the full downpayment for my house, I went to her, not to my family. When she divorced, she came to me. When everything happened, we were there. Always. But somehow we lost touch. For ten years, nothing. Her first statement; I thought you were mad at me. I almost cried. Then the tea came. So we sat drinking tea. I said that could never happen. I just got lost and became a hermit. She said that happens. That’s all we needed. Then, drinking our tea, and me picking at my (fancy restaurant “small” food), we went through ten years. In order, no fluff, the good, the bad, the ugly. Starting with my statement, my mom is dead. I went first; then she went. She, like me, is really focused on some things from the 80s; I told her “we were really young”; she said I know. I had my family’s business legacy; she had her marriage to a well-placed man. We made some off decisions, but we really were young, no more than 21 for a lot of it. We talked until midnight — three and a half hours, telling one event after the next, first me, then her. All ten years. All serious with a few smirks, like when she said her neice is “homecoming queen and and stuff like that”, and I said “like me”; she smirked and said “I know” — and when she asked if I want to go see Lady Gaga in every town in the Southwest, I said, “like Van Halen” (remember I’m not all VH outside of here), and she smirked again and said, yes, I suppose, but I’m not going to go find him, with this cute little elitist voice that says I-love-you-for-everything-you-crazy-girl. Nothing is different. Our two waiters kept bringing tea, and we kept talking. It was good. Lately, I’ve been bringing so many “old” people back, new partner, and now her. I want to go back. I really do. Neither of us acknowledged the slightest rebellion of our youth and early adult-hood except in the smiles and in the fact that her friend said she constantly talks about me, at which point I said I always loved her and she said she did too. They (the two sister friends) just shook their heads and walked away. I wonder what they know about me. Just like Gossip Girl. I told you I identified with that show; it’s the story of two girls who created a social circle and there is an anonomous Internet poster who talks about those girls and the cirle. You guys, she was really proud of me. And I was proud of her. Authentically. We both are building really amazing things (but with an edge that only the rebellion could create, so different than those other wife-like society girls, so different than even her friends who, as she said, have the entire goal only to spend outrageous sums of money), and of course, all dressed just like we were taught and drinking tea with perfect manners, also just like we were taught. We both talked about goals and money in a really practical way. We both work and own businesses, have houses, and do it ourselves. So, we drank our tea and we smiled. My mom would be proud. I wish I could make my mom some tea now. Pink and white peppermint Christmas tea.

In very Cinderella fashion, at twelve, she said you have to work tomorrow; your papers. So we walked to the valet area (past her friends at the bar who were running up another large bill eating oysters and drinking shots.) ALL the valet guys helped to get one Mini Cooper known as Mr. Mini. We fought over who was going to pay (I did); made fun of the Hermes purse, and a man walked up saying “I guess I’m not going to get my car anytime soon”. I said you’re going to have to wait for us; we haven’t seen each other in 10 years and we’ve known each other since 1981. I don’t think he thought we were old enough. He just stood there, watching and said he would wait. He smiled at us. While everyone waited, she and I stood at my car in this fairy-tale driveway full of overhead Christmas lights and little lighted trees and columns of fire for heaters to keep people warm, and she said “I like LA”. She asked where I lived (meaning in perspective, so I pointed and said in the hills over there, about 20 minutes away.) I said: come back for New Years; I know people who have these really amazing parties, I haven’t been in a while, but it would be fun. Then, so that the entire Beverly Wilshire valet staff could get back to taking care of other people, I got back in my car, while she took at least two of the valets away asking what this overpriced car was doing there. And that was the end of my night of my own personal “tea” in the pink and white Beverly-Wilshire Hotel with my life-long BFF, each of us overdressed, but completely telling our truths, and making sure each one knew we wont leave again. Hopefully, this story was not too girly. And in keeping with my favorite show (that ends with the saying XOXO Gossip Girl), good night boys. Oh and XOXO Whispergirl.

I tried to pick the best I could(not seeing your library). All the same, reading is something that I am getting into more. Almost done w/ ‘The Hunger Games’ trio. Take good care. MM hope all is well-greetings back at you. bye.

I’ll write tonight, hey J, on you haven’t “seen anything from me”, if you mean the “book”, it was supposed to be a present. It’s December 20. What? Do you always open your presents early? I thought I would sent it on Friday. But now it will have to be today because you are jumping the gun. (But tonight, I’m still thinking on one for MM. I can’t leave him out. I know yours already J.) If your reference “havent seen anything” means me on the other posts, no, I’ve been posting little silly things all over them. I’m “cheating” on you with Brian H. LOL. Hey, hint to MM, pay attention to those little posts of mine, and don’t comment on the substance, just pay attention. J, I’m really into Lady Antebellum. Did my Lady Gaga reference make you think of that, J? I’ve liked that group from the beginning. I love the song We Owned the Night. Here it is MM (since your probably not listening to much country); that song — it’s really good, a really good dream:

Tell me have you ever wanted
Someone so much it hurts,
Your lips keep trying to speak
But you just can’t find the words?
Well, I had this dream once,
I held it in my hand:

She was the purest beauty,
But not the common kind.
She had a way about her
That made you feel alive,
And for a moment,
You made the world stand still.
Yeah, we owned the night.

You had me dim the lights,
You danced just like a child.
The wine spilled on your dress,
And all you did was smile.
Yeah, it was perfect,
And I hold it in my mind.
Yeah, we owned the night.

When the summer rolls around,
And the sun starts sinking down,
I still remember you, ooo I remember you.
And I wonder where you are,
Are you looking at those same stars again?
Do you remember when…

We woke under a blanket,
All tangled up in skin,
Not knowing in that moment
We’d never speak again?
But it was perfect, I never will forget
When we owned the night.

Yeah, we owned the night.

According to J, who has confirmed to me he gets that “anticipation” feeling before Christmas (yeah), we have now established our Christmas as December 20. I love my presents J. More on that later. So here goes.

First, I have a common present for both of you. A friend of mine gave me this at least 10 years ago in hardback and I just recently donated it with many, many books from my library (because now I have a Kindle library and the physical books were overtaking my house). It is the Van Gogh Letters (where Van Gogh tells the details of his life to his brother and others). That’s us here, telling the details of our lives in “letters”. And because every notable book gets its own website, it’s online:

http://vangoghletters.org/vg/

So that leaves the personal one(s).

J, okay I admit you are the hardest. But not because you are difficult; I just feel pressure to get it right. I see your taste, and hopefully you haven’t read this one. It is Truman by David McCullough. It is huge, so it takes a while to read. But you can handle it. It is the story of President Truman, obviously, and I chose it, first because it is good and novel-like and second because I see similarities to you. He was the son of a farmer, who himself took over the farm, and while perceived as an ordinary man, actually framed every major decision that made the world what it is. Most of modern history is in that book as well as encounters with every major player of the 20th Century. He is a farmer who is in reality sophicated and powerful, and who takes on the world. That’s you. Sweet, grounded and powerful.

MM: You’re hard too because I don’t even know if you read anything except books about rock stars. LOL. That would be easy to get for you. However, I could never recommend one of those to you because I don’t care much for the “hey there was a bunch of drugs and a bunch of loose women” stories. You’re better than that. And that’s why I try to defend Dave. I feel badly that such a complex and charismatic person is perceived as only a party boy. I don’t see him that way. I know you don’t. (Hey and with me off my advocacy on that Eddie-book post Dave is getting ‘bad press’ again, I can’t keep it up forever.) So all that in mind, I’m keeping with the history/President theme for you as well. That leaves what to chose? For you, charisma. That’s what you like, and I don’t blame you. Me too. J mentioned the book Team of Rivals (the Lincoln book). The writer of Teams of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin, won the Pulitzer prize in History for another book, No Ordinary Time. It’s the story of FDR (actually Roosevelt and his wife) and the interplay with his presidency into modern time. In my view, FDR got where he got using his undeniable charisma. So that suits you (and your idol DLR). A book about a leader, no doubt one of the most significant, who used charisma in a positive and powerful way.

So there they are, politics aside (and I don’t agree with all of what they did) books suited to what I view as your core personalities. Also, those were instructive and powerful men in our modern times. Hopefully, you like the suggestions and comparisons.

J, I’ll write you later on your selections. I loved them. They are perfect, and I have read neither. I don’t know Dreadnaught, so good suggestion. I have not read that Kennedy book either. I will. Thanks for the major compliment on Jackie-comparison. And yes, I always felt poor. It is hard to keep up in that circle. I’m only a little in. I still work, really hard. But hey I know how to get where I want, and I keep up with just a few dollars in my pocket. Nobody knows. Only me.

Do you all like my song of the day? I know, a bit suggestive, but it’s pretty and it tells a story. A good story don’t ya think MM? I take it, J, you know it?

Merry Christmas. And while we seem to have gotten the book-presents out of the way, I’m not done giving Christmas wishes. Afterall, this is December 20.

@J: you have your a-game, always. And my suitor has now switched to Freddiegirl. He’s not that into good girls who drink tea. So hopefully you’ll take me back. MM talk to J, tell him I’m worth a second chance. LOL.

@Jaaphalen: Have you read my suggestion? I’ve had that one for a few years now, and you like this genre, so I did not know if you have gotten to that one.

@ whispergirl-Yes, the best presents ever! And I am working out! So give me that shovel-I’ll work up a good sweat. The lyrics from LA had my heart racing. If that doesn’t get you going-well your not alive. Your something Christie-no, don’t change. The exchange(Harry Truman). I had so much fun reading that. Merry Christmas! I’ll be going out w/ my doctor friend in early Jan. His birthday. We always take each other out as gifts. Usually, go to ‘Outback’ for a brew and steak dinner. Then a movie(Sherlock H.) this X. During dinner we bs and solve all the worlds problems(and each others!). We have fun, I really hope for you that you and your BFF continue. I knew you were special from your first post to me back in Rocktober(thats what we use to call it in HS). If I touched your life, let me say how much you have mine. You are delightful and fascinating all in one. Yes, my heart skips when I read you here. In Holland they have 2 Christmas celebration X’s. St. Nicholas Day is on Dec. 5th, then Jesus’s birth is celebrated on the 25th. So I didn’t mess up to bad!lol I hope you can get your stuff done. We are stepping up the extra work now so all we have to do is the basic work for the weekend. Thank-you for who you are. I’ll write you back a little later. bye.

I reread your post particularly where thing s hit your family hard. I remember how horrible I felt when the reality of my forward pricing contract kicked in at the last half of 07. I locked 60 percent of my milk, thinking it wouldn’t go higher. So 40 percent went at market, the rest locked in. Milked jumped up 3-4$ per hundred lbs of weighted milk. So if I produced 10,000lbs a day-easily 200, depending on some other factors as well. Every 10 days, every night I grinded about the loss. For us that was solid $. But we did well at other times(we put our own $ in). I(we) sucked it up and worked harder, smarter then ever before. We are clearing, and what doesn’t kill you, will strengthen you. But once the year ended the milk price plummeted. We were use to living w/ less-it was tough for those who couldn’t. Especially, if they were highly leveraged. The pain, the pain. I read your mom telling you that its all going. Your stomach twists. In my own smaller way I understand. You forged ahead and know one will punk you! You wisely pushed on for your education. I admire you. I enjoyed ‘The K Detail’ book. The author was super friendly to me. When you and I are jamming in your patio I tell you some of the off/record stuff. GB is 84+, but completely sharp. He has seen some things-Wow! I hope your day is super. By the way. My mom used to boil tea for all of us every morning. Have some tea w/ me Whispergirl-ok?

@Musicalmike: Look. I learned the winky too.
Do you like your book?

Jaaphalen: I just went and looked at our earlier posts. (I wanted to find when I first talked to you. It’s way back in September, talking about Dancing — the thread of my first appareance here; you talked about playing basketball.) Did you know someone posted a comment at the end of our 600 post? Turns out we are not alone. And I thought we were just torturing the moderators. Hum, I might have to tone down my comments (and my explicit songs). Hey, I think you’ve read Truman. If you have, tell me, and I’ll think of another. Okay? I still have four days. And I’m going to be Dutch (for the two Christmases). My suitor is back with me, but he still prefers Freddie. I’m conducting an experiment on the “good girl” thing. Still looks like I’m right, men prefer a hot blonde but still like hanging with me. I think I like that better. I get to be more free, and men make cool friends.

I too have a lot of work to get done now. So back to paper writing. The ones I’m doing now are worse. And I have an office party at 5:00 (they are supposed to be at 3:00, but someone does not know etiquitte here). Uggg.

I prefer you too. Actually “some clue”, but not enough; that’s why this is a fun. I’m an internet hot chick, but I am second choice there. I’m happy I found a book you have not read. It is good. And if you like the author’s other work, it is my understanding this is considered the best. Look at the 600 post. Originally, I put a “goodbye” to that post. Someone posted after. I wonder what he thought of the three of us. Check it. I’m not the end. And yes, we have to be torturing them. I wonder if anyone other than MM is here. If so, you need to speak up. I’ll get you a book too.

Re your first post, you made me look. (I figured out how to search for my name so I don’t miss any comments; Edit, on the tool bar and search on this page.) So, using that, I searched. We first started talking on the Keisha/DLR post (where I was discussing Dave’s dancing), and you said you play basketball. You mentioned your doctor friend. I said keep playing basketball. Even then you said you were 6’4″. You’re proud of that bubba. After that, we talked about the concerts, then the book 1984, then everything else. So there you go. I remembered the dancing was first. I suppose though you attracted my attention when you said you would take me to the concert. So you’re actually right. I’m sure you would have opened the doors too. I remember reading that going, okay I can say anything and this guy just keeps at it (I was telling you I had a storied past). And yes, happy hour was next.

Fun party. No not fun. A work party. I need to go get a present now.

Jaap. Oh, I see why you looked at the 600 post three weeks ago. BTW, that newest entry is in December; who goes to page 7 (or whatever) in December to make a post? Before that post was mine (you’re right); I was all sentimental and leaving the last post. Now I’m not the last post. I put the timing of “those years” in the post from yesterday; did that make you look now to re-read? Talking outloud, no you looked three weeks ago. What did I say then to make you read about my May 82 disaster? At any rate, you made me look today. We are the Van Gogh Letters indeed. And yes, “that” call with my mother was bad. But there are others of those in life. The one with my brother on 2/16/10, when I knew I had no more time with her, was worse. I would live through 100 May-1982-calls if I could have her back. But we survive — and it was never my money; it was my dad’s. I always wanted my education; you cannot live just on etiquitte and tea. I wanted to “play” the real game in the men’s world. You saw that early on too. But I think we should always be “ladies”; so I suppose the “training” worked.

I don’t fully understand the numbers on your forward contract “mistake”. Explain it to me more. I understand locking a price, but would not that just mean you lost what you “could have” made?? (I understand selling long/short; explain what happened.) And tell me about your faith- dreams.
When I was young, it was not tea. Then my mom would bring me hot chocolate at 5:00 a.m. when I had to get up for dance. She had this beautiful voice and she would place it in its cup and saucer on my nightstand and say my name or hun (everyone in Texas is hun) then say it’s time to wake up, here you go, here’s your hot chocolate — every day, J, every day. (And she worked and she was smart.) Until she died, she got up at 4:00 a.m. as a result of having to get me up so early for so long (or so I think). She said it was to have time for herself. I did not buy that. But she liked that early morning time. The tea was later (meaning an afternoon thing, but mom loved coffee, not me). Your mom sounds amazing too, very cute and similar to mine.

My party was not so bad. I bought a present to give (a blanket-throw that is nice) from Macy’s, on sale from $60 to $29.99; I asked for, and got, a price reduction to $19.99 (the present limit). I wanted my work friend to get it. We worked together today on a project, and I wrapped both of our group/game presents with her there. (All of this formal training in my life comes to some use; I’m good at making tea AND wrapping presents. She asked if they teach “present wrapping” in etiquitte class. I don’t remember. Perhpas I need a new etiquitte class; office friend — who is a lawyer BTW, said she wants to take one. I could start a new trend.) I “arranged” the present-party so she could get it. Everyone has to chose and then if the next person wants an already-unwrapped present they can take it. I was first, and lots of people took my present, so I just kept chosing, but leaving presents on the top of mine for her. She was second last and went right to it. (She was with me when we wrapped it, so she knew what was in it.) It was really cute. That’s the best part of presents — giving them. So I know now why you are hard to buy for. You get more joy out of giving. You still can’t get over it that you chose the Kennedy book for me. You see me as Jackie and you are just soooo proud of yourself. You sly little one, you. I’ll read that first, for you. But I still hope you like yours. You’re impossible. I really am trying to make this good for you. Hey and on Christmas, my LA girlfriend and I have already decided we will see Sherlock Holmes. Great minds think alike! And I look forward to tea on the patio with the secrets. Oh, and as for now, I’m still all Scarlett O’Hara mode — where she is doing her own manual labor work and making dresses out of curtains; you’re just the only one who knows. So, you’re my guest, no shovel needed. I’ve just kind of gone through the curtains, figuratively, so it doesn’t look so good around here. Remember, J, they don’t card your wallet. It’s the best lesson I know. Take care.

@ whispergirl-How was the party? I hope your doing great. I think for a New Years resolution-I’m going to be a better(faster) typer! I’m all thumbs. I was thinking about that ‘charcol art picture’ your father has. I’m going to stick my head out(just a little). You wonder what his g-friend thinks. I’m trying to see what he thinks. You say the picture resembles you and your mother. I think deep down in his heart beats feelings for you and your mom. There are(rightly or wrongly) a breed of men who cannot express love, or affection when they really do feel that way. Instead they’re really good at the opposite(not hate mind you-good at whining). Especially, toward their sons. It can be generational-what was his father like? I don’t know but I think deep down(and I know he has hasn’t even been ‘equitable’ w/ you in things family). He loves you. You and I reflect on the early 80s(VH) xs. I wonder if those xs in Alberta is where he would go back-maybe his heart lies there? To me the painting is not suttle. Here’s where I wish I were talking to you. I don’t know I suppose now would be a good time to switch gears-I just feel bad that all he sends is a wreath. I had 2 babies yesterday(chicos). I’m inducing 2 1st X moms this morning-which means I’ll have 2 babies coming in by X-Mas Eve or later. I always anticipate that. I don’t want the babies to get to large inside. I’m ‘getting ready’.lol Please take care. I’m gonna take your comment(on the other post) and listen to the radio interview. Gotta block out some time for it.

@Musicalmike: If you don’t post to me here before Christmas, I’m going to cry.

I loved your other posts on the main thread (on my comments about Dave saying, under his breath, “I can dance”). I always catch those comments too. Those are THE most important things he says because everything else is what DLR thinks we want to hear — the fantasy not the reality. His under his breath comments/side comments are all over that 1983 US Festival interview(s). He is sooo talking to himself on that one. That’s why it is the best.

@Jaaphalen: my father’s father invented “everything” for a steel company in the mid-west. (Steel town in the mid-west like DLR claims he is from, although not the same state, hummm what state, MM???) He was a methodical, unemotional man. And he had favorites. He was hard on my father, I think. My father is the middle of three boys (2 still living) and very, very “charmed”: good looking (like Paul Newman), smart, athletic and popular. I know very, very little of my father’s early life. I did not know he had a prior marriage and kids until I was 7. Father’s father raised those other kids. Whatever that background is IS the issue. I love my father. I remember the good. I told you. And he is hard on me because I too was charmed. But there is good. Here is one. In about 1987, when the money was very long gone, I was invited to a society wedding (of an important oil figure). Dad was all concerned about my outfit. We both lived in Dallas; it was before I went to LS. I was stressing over what to wear, and he told me he was coming over. He took me to Neiman Marcus. When a dad takes their daughter to Neimans to shop for a dress, they sit him in a waiting area that is outside the dressing room, put the girl in the dressing room, and bring the girl clothes. I modeled each one for my dad. He was extremely picky. The store went through about 10 dresses before he settled on one. All of them had some thing he felt was inappropriate, e.g., no peplums because only hookers wear peplums, no purple because a blonde (I had blondish hair then) cannot wear purple (again tacky). It was crazy. The one he chose was expensive, and I’m pretty sure he went without something so that “our name” represented by my constant ability to “get into places” would still mean something. It was dark blue and jeweled and classy. I really am the last great hope. He believes in throwing the bird out of the nest; that’s what he did. If I fly, and he is certain I will, then his last great hope will take care of everyone when he is gone. He knows what he is doing; it’s just ridiculously hard training. And yes, my mother absolutely was his true love. He moved to Canada one year before the family did in the 60s when there weren’t even places to live (because there was so much activity). He wrote a letter to my mother every day, and she to him. Those letters were in the chest in our hall (until my mother threw them out because she could not stand it). A lot were mundane, but some weren’t. I loved those letters. It showed the best version of him — writing letters, every day, in the bitter cold oil field (often times 70 degrees below zero, having to keep engines running 24/7 or the equipment was freeze) and his plans that his family with my mom would have everything — and never complaining, just giving a weather report. That’s in him, it’s just he does it in a very “difficult” and “unexpressive” way.

I am the favorite. It’s just hard being “his” favorite. I once asked him why he babys my sister and treats me this way; I was really mad. He told me you have to treat all of your kids the way they need to be treated, suited to their personality. I was angry, and I said, what about me. He said in the most calm voice ever, “you are my shining star; the one who can do anything; if I treat you like that, you will not do it and I want you to do it; you will have everything you want, but it is your personality that you must do it yourself, and when you have your business — any business, whatever it is, it will work, and then I will want in, but first, you must do this yourself, you are different, you are what greatness comes from.” Almost word for word. He has started to send me articles J (about what I am doing, very positive); he is coming around. And the wreath is not him; he has no control over that. As far as after my mom died, he tried to fix everything in my house, and paid for it; I did not tell him I was in default. I knew I would fix it myself. He worked so hard. And he’s in his 80s, doing physical work. He slept in the guest area, and I had no heater-thermostat (March-cold); I kept going in all night every night to turn the heater on and off so that it would not be too hot or cold. He slept so strongly, it looked a little scary. I made sure he had the best blanket. And he fixed my heater (meaning he finished installing the central system, retrofit into my old house), the Mercedes car, bought the car new tires, fixed a broken tire rim, cleaned the entire yard, built a part-fence, fixed the drain of the kitchen sink, the disposal and every little broken thing (except the bathtub and he wanted to fix that), all in a week. Recently he wanted to come again (but bro did not bring him). On Alberta, probably. I’m the one (child) who remembes it most. We used to go to cattle auctions (when we had two designer cows). I would go out into the freezing cold with him to see the cows, every day after school (when he got home). In the winter, they had flood lamps to see. There was an auction once, where he sat me at the auction-house-restaurant counter (no other kids were interested BTW) and ordered me my first cheeseburger. I did not like cheese. That place was all smoky from the grill, and I was the only female around, perhaps the only female ever. He said then that I would run everything because I was smart and strong. I remember that. I was about 9. And it remains to date, the best meal I ever had, bar none. After that, he started having me do addition of numbers from businesses on the adding machine, sitting at a desk with him on the weekends (again the only kid). And he took me to meetings, sometimes. I was in very early training. I even dressed like him, if for work pants and a little shirt/sweater, or in the “country” jeans and the same color shirt/coat. He talks to me now about that era like I remember what he remembers; if I don’t, I have to remind him I was at most 12. As for you, stop making me remember; you’re projecting me as a child again (we’re both 49 remember). This is too hard. I suppose he is coming around. It’s all going to be good in 2012.

Christmas is coming. Come-on mamma cows. I have to write now. And eat. It will be a really late night because silly VHND is distracting me.

@ whispergirl-Dave is from Indiana(MM I’ll bet you know to!). The 2 mommas look great-is that special baby in there? I will tell you. Yes, we are 49. I won’t bring that up again. Can I teach you a new word? Your mom(bless her heart) called you ‘hun’. In the Friesan language its called ‘schotge’. Pronounced-scott/chu. I butchered the spelling. You know I heard that way more then I deserve(bless her heart!). You and your friend going to ‘Sherlock’. Tell me what you think. My bud and I are going in early Jan. Tell me your dreams. The 1 day I wanted to hang w/ you is turning to more! Yes, I remember many of your posts. I would open doors for you-I would break down walls to if- you needed. Get something to eat. Do what you need to do-I know the feeling.

I think VHND has taken off for the holidays. If they manage to get this moderated before Christmas, then here goes:

Musicalmike: I feel the energy you have for everything, life, VH and even me (which I don’t deserve). I hope your holiday is really great; take care of everyone around you like I know you will. Play your music and alway keep teaching me about our heros, especially one DLR, okay?

Jaap: Thanks for all your good words always. I look here every day for you, always counting these post-numbers. Your words are my present every day. Merry Christmas to you and all yours, including those 400 cows. May the New Year bring you all things good. Nobody deserves it more than you.

Thank-you, I will post also. See if they ‘moderate’. Enjoy skating, and the movie. Plus take good care of that dear little girl..You be safe, we’ll chase some dreams together! Jake. PS-the contraction’s are starting! Keep your fingers crossed!

Where the ‘teens’ standing under missletoe? Making-out back in the day(hope mom or dad don’t catch us!). Go ahead and be greedy for life Christie. Because I can tell from whatever you get, you will have worked hard for it, and you will share it! I’ll be watching, and rooting for you. Merry
Xmas/ Eve! First momma delivered at 1am this morn. It was a bull(bummer). But both of them are looking great so far. 2nd momma will probably calf at noon or later today. Mom is a gorgeous cow. She’s starting to feel the tugs of birthing, sooo lets keep a good thought! I will write you-if they post all the better. Dave sells smiles(I saw that interview). You make me smile. Thank-you for posting me all those smiles. I wish you this day and all others life-in full! It will have its ups, downs and all around. But we’ll share them. We’ll ‘call’, and I’ll learn to type w/ speed and accuracy(I have soooo much to say!lol) You and your friend will go to the movies tomorrow, and its a good thing they turn out the lights. Because the 2 of you together would be a major distraction for the movie because you(and your friend to) would garner all the male stares because you both are soooo ‘pretty’.lol Bless-you girl! My heart beats on. Jaap,

First, there is sooooo much love on this site today. Thanks Jeff and crew for moderating on Christmas Eve. Wow. That’s working double duty for us VH diehards who love each other as much as VH and as much as we love you too VHND.

Merry X-mas to Musicalmike who is ignoring me. I might just have to tell you a “detail” of “my” story to get you to come visit me. Let me see what I can say???? Nope. I changed my mind; I’ll wait on that to get you to come back. First you have to say Merry Christmas Whisper. I so love to hear you say my name. Somehow I can hear it when you “say” it. And you were the first person to call me Whisper; now everyone is. That makes you special.

Back to J: yes I love everything machine J, everything. I have a really great respect for the machines and things that “make” anything. Remember in Pretty Woman where R. Gere (sp) goes from finance to making something. I was in LS when that came out, knowing I would go into the world of finance and then someday back to the world where things are made. I’m going to make lots of things when I get going. I have a really big vision. More on that later. And on my love of machines, perhaps I’m a terminator. I want to be that really cool Terminator girl from the Sarah Conner Chronicles (TV show about 4 years ago). She was a really hot bad ass (and she knows ballet too, danced in that series once to Chopin Noctrure No. 20 in C# Minor, the absolute best song ever, EVH should cover it, now there’s a suggestion, just EVH in guitar, it would be yummy, so sexual and gorgeous). There’s an image you can look up Terminator girl (Summer Glau) dancing in Sarah Conner Chronicles. (It’s on Youtube; I’ve copied it before.)

On equipment, I woke up this morning hoping I haven’t lost the last two equipment things I bought because I haven’t picked them up. I’m going to have to fight for those. (Money needs to fall from the sky.) Good news. Remember those two days I was in court? It was a trial I thought I would lose (because I had absolutely no witness to “authenticate” a document, not that you know what that means but it is essential). Turns out the other side put on a witness that could “authenticate” my document and he made my case for me. I was flying by the seat of my pants on that trial, a total crap shoot. I got the ruling, but was afraid to open it. I opened it on Friday; I won a $40,000 judgment for my client. If I can collect, I will get 1/3, so that is half way to the bond, and I have one thing I can sell. So I’m almost there. That “could be” my Christmas present. I’m sort of working myself right now (but at home). Can’t you see?

Back to fun. They sure had “something” in the skating rink. Okay, there, skating. There I could hold your hand “tiny” (that would be an odd sight) and skate you around. We are teenagers in this one, J. I was 5’3″ until I was 16, then I creeped up to 5’6 1/2″ (by age 17). So hopefully, I’m not my 5’3″ tiny-self with your 6’4″. And I loved to make out. It was the best. Is a girl supposed to admit that???? I had a girlfriend tell me (a few years ago) when she was talking to me that “oh you like HS s.x” She was trying to say I was “not advanced” or some-such nonsense. I suppose I found my home here. All HS and everything. And no, my parents never caught me. They went out of town a fair amount; and my HS friends had parties in vacant fields and big houses. Those were the days, lots of VH playing on crazy loud stereos. Lots of making out; I had a good pic of that one J. Good mental pic J. (I ran the free world, so I could get away with anything and not be “slutty”; so good then.) Meet me at one of those parties in say 1979; lets play a certain song, first track on VHII — You’re No Good; that break down part where Dave talks always “did it” for me, still does and nooooo I absolutely should neeeevvvveerr have admitted that. I’d steal you from your precious HS girlfriend!! At least for that one day in 1979.

Whew…. Okay, back to 2012. I’m also getting you a typing tutorial, so you can type fast. Another Christmas present. I break keyboards about once a year. I need a new one now. The “u” key is sticking.

I’m glad your birthing is going well. How many more to go??? I lost count. I think it is one. Go Mama Cow.

Thanks for your really public post on the second-main page. Last but not least. I like that place. Last.

MERRY CHRISTMAS WHISPER – MERRY CHRISTMAS JAAP!!!!!! Sorry Ive been MIA over here. Lately Ive only had time to pop in on the newer posts and spit my opinion out and then I had to run. Thank you for the book reccomendation on FDR, I will someday get around to reading it (prolly when I get laid off. That happens every year around the new year) I was an avid book reader back in the day. I love fiction. My favorite author was V.C Andrews. She writes dramatic/romantic novels. My favorite is the “Heaven” series of books… Get this! The mains characters name is “Heaven LEIGH” Yet another example of the great LEE/LEIGH! Im a very sentimental/emotional guy (dont tell) so me saying the ballerina pic was `beautiful` is no stretch. Thanks for the shout outs on the newer posts too! *hugs* And no more teasing on the DLR story! Hmph! Love you both, as much as one can “love” somebody on a platform like this. My best friends! JAAP AND WHISPER! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU. =\//-/=

@Jaaphalen: How’s my baby? Three little words. Only three.