Some of the guys: I use the term guys because knowing them as long as I do,from grammar and high school, I cannot bring myself to saying men, get together once a month to have dinner and then play some cards. Last week we got together for a special dinner to commerate a special milestone which I am not going to explain. Alot of the "guys" could not make it, out of town on vacation, etc. As it turned out there were 7 of us. Marty H, Howard P, Don K, Howard Z, Erwin P, Billy G, and me,JD. We were at Shallots Bistro for a nice time of dinner and cocktails. I want to thank Marty H for doing the leg work in organizing, getting a perfect table at the restaurant,getting the Maitre D to accomodate our needs, etc. etc. etc. Don K brought gifts, a special book for those who achieved the milestone thing. In addition he had a program where each milestone guy had to read a certain passage from the book that applied to the guy. It was really nice for Don to do the work to find the appropriate passage.
Now since it is my blog I am going to give my personal thoughts about the time. If there is anyone who reads this, they are certaintly encouraged to post their comments or thoughts at the end of the post. About the book Don gave to the guys, I cannot tell you much, to be honest it was above me. It was not exactly Archie and Jughead. However the others understood it and it created conversation about some of the meanings of the various passages and even had Erwin checking out a word with the Spanish speaking people who were working at the restaurant.
We sat there from 4 to 7 pm talking and resolving world issues, mainly focusing on the lack of education that public schools, for one reason or another, were not delivering to the kids. We also touched on other economic , social issues, etc. The guys opinions covered a wide range, from commies [jk, just kidding] to right wing nuts like me, not kidding. The point being because we are so close to each other, everyone can say what he wants without being put down. We might agree to disagree but thats it.
On the nights when we play cards one of the guys might notice and say the pot is light, some one forgot to throw their nickel in. Then someone would say the guy sitting next to him did not ante his nickel to which the guy would say he did , well I didn"t see you. Then the guy would throw in a dime to to prove his point that he did put the nickle in and we would all laugh. Two things: here these old successful nuts are quibbling about their nickles, AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY, and about remembering whether the other guy anteed up or not. Some of the guys might remember about something that happened thirty years ago while others can't remember what they had for lunch or if they even had lunch. Someone might be sitting there quietly thinking did he forget to have lunch and maybe thats why he is hungry. And at the end of the night, about 9pm everyone embraces the others either verbally or physically. We care about each other
After sitting in the resaurant for three hours having dinner and cocktails and agreeing about things, disagreeing, or agreeing to disagree we embraced and see you at the next game. After we left the restaurant I started thinking. While the other guys have matured intellectually, I have not and thats ok, it works for me: and even though now a days there are times that I might get reflective about things that I did not before, I am a corner guy and talk corner talk. Sometimes I fall into a trap and try to espouse some intellectual issues , when I hear myself I feel like I must be losing my mind. My point being that even though being me the guys keep telling me not to miss so many monthly outings, I should come.
At the risk of sounding MUSHY, think about this, Over the MANY years alot of us have lost touch with each other and about 6 yrs ago we started to reconnect on a monthly basis, and the first time on seeing each other it was not reconnecting, because there was never a disconnect. It was the same as it was in school. We care about and for each other and like being with each other. There I said it, Reflective and Mushy.
About Me
- Jay Norman Davis
- chicago, illinois, United States
- Education was in Chicago, Emmett Grammar school and The Austin High School. Higher education was the corner of Madison and Central, "The Corner" on Chicago's west side. On one corner of "The Corner" was a drug store with a soda fountain where you could get drinks, etc. Outside among other things we pitched pennies and just hung out. On the other side of the street was Emmett Grammar School and the playground {PG}. It had a huge ball field where we spent alot of time. And down the street was the Bowling Alley [BA]., with about 32 alleys and pool and billiard tables. Alot of time was spent up there also. The Corner was a busy place where there were always "Characters" around from young guys to older men. Bookies, Gambling, and just hanging out. This was what we did from around 6th grade on. No drugs, no violence, just fun and sports and hanging out.
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