Some snippets of conversations with friends this past weekend have stayed with me..
One friend complained about sitting on the tarmac at the airport for 20 minutes, waiting for her flight to take off. Another was trapped on the jetway for 15 minutes during a storm and couldn’t deplane because of lightning.
So they sat for 15 to 20 excruciatingly long minutes, poor babies.
The Oregon Trail was 2200 miles long. And depending on the time of year, it took you six months to reach your destination with the absolute certainty that a number of your party would not survive the journey.
Closer to home in 1846, three hundred Mormons crossed the Mississippi and wandered through the Iowa Territory. It took them 16 weeks to reach the Missouri River and again many died along the way.
One friend was about to leave on an Airbus, a plane with 5,000 square feet of usable floor space. That’s over twice the size of the average home. It would have held the entire Mormon party with room for 200 of their friends and made the trip in less than an hour.And it could have traveled another 9,000 miles without stopping if they’d changed their minds on where they were going.
Stop and think about that.
airbus-A320-cabin
We travel at 86% of the speed of sound, 35,000 feet in the air inside metal tubes that weigh 300 tons. And what’s our first thought?
“I had to wait TWENTY MINUTES to leave.”
MY friend then changed the topic from his flight delay saga to a rant about his faulty cell phone service. Seems he’d experienced two dropped calls the same day and had simply had it with his carrier.
Tragic.
Dick Tracy’s 2-way wrist radio was once the cartoon vision of our future hope.
Boy’s Life magazine referenced Tracy in a story introducing the tiny size of the next, big thing; the transistor radio. A radio so small you could put it in your pocket and take it anywhere.
In 1963 Billboard Magazine promoted a version of Tracy’s watch that you could actually buy. It wasn’t a two-way radio but you could listen to the radio on it.
Today there are 27 million more cell phones in the US than people.
Not only can we have two-way communication anywhere in the world for a ridiculously low price, we can see the person in streaming video, right in the palm of our hands.
Take that Dick Tracy, you’re so 1946.
In 1992 I bought a Compaq Prolinea PC running at 33 MHz for the bargain price of $2,400. I told the sales person I wanted “multimedia capability” and he looked at me like I was an alien and said, “What are you going to do with that?”
WebCrawler was my first search engine.
And it was called WebCrawler for a reason, with dial up limping along at 56kbps, I’d search the document I wanted from the FCC, click it, leave for lunch and hope no one called my house to interrupt the download before I got back. With luck I’d return to a full page document waiting on my screen with no error messages.
My iPhone has 100 times the capability of that desk top for 10% the price.
My point being, what do we really have to complain about?
Have our lives become so tedious that we lose track of the fact we’re going to be in California in two and a half hours instead of six months with no one dying on the way?
Why do we focus on 20 minute delays and stale peanuts?
Life isn’t perfect, but it sure is great.
Surround yourself with people who make you smile; people who see potential when you can’t see it in yourself.
When your circle of friends are happier, it’s a lot easier to smile.
Look around you at the truly wondrous times we live in.
As Edith Wharton once said, there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.
I don’t care if you’re the candle or the mirror, but please pick one.
Well……….somebody got laid today! LOL
Nice, PW. Very nice.
Nah, Jim, I’m basically a teddy bear. Some nay sayers on here, well, really only ONE, can’t discern satire from the real world. Thanks for your kind comment. Always appreciate your take on everyones pieces.
I have plenty to complain about Wilsun.
Pick a topic.
Dude, I dont want to get you on a roll; just free style for us!
you hypocrite. You complain about having to walk 20 feet because
of some sign that designates it for fuel efficient car…how stupid
and childish. for a 65 year old man on social security.
before you write another story….remember you’re the biggest
complaining whining goof off ever.
Do as stupid does…next timeyou have to walk an extra 20 feet
complain to yourself and wonder why you write for such
an upstanding site making a complete fool of yourself.
whine about the police…whine about shoes…whine about people
losing jobs…you sound like an old old mean old man….NOW GET OFF THE
LAWN SON!
Why do you insist on adding years onto everybody’s age, Harley?
Years that are not there. Because you want everybody to catch up to you or something?
I OWN you, son, wedged in your brain.
I’ll leave you with some truth; lions never lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
My story is up for three minutes and you’re commenting. Now, get back to cleaning my backside, boi.
PS; I still OWN you.
If I owned him, I would sell him to someone else. Having him around must drive you nuts!
If you could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he THINKS he’s worth, you and I could both retire wealthy beyond our imagination!
hey gramps….got some old shoes need
some new heels. Next time you’re headed
to larrytown stop by and pick them up.
I’ll give youa 75 cent tip….but make sure they spit shine befoere you bring them home
or better yet…go buy yourself one of those
shoe shine boxs. Theres a perfect corner right
outside bazookas with your name on it.
Heck …a little extra cash never hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My, my, my, Mr. Harley. I’m sorry your mother hated you, but isn’t this a little beyond necessary? I’m sure PW is honored by your rant, though. Indifference is the real insult to any person, so your anger only proves that he has some power over your thoughts and emotions. Congrats, Paul, you have a fan.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, steve r! Thanks for checking in!
The journey is not the distance between points A and B. Rather it is what is between A and B.
The trials and tribulations of the First World are humorous. Fear of NSA spying vs the typical FB page. Worrying that someone with excessive pigment will kill you if the Serve-And-Protect crew doesn’t do it first.
Look at all the hate in the Middle East. Then follow harley’s typical post or on TKC (you have to wipe the mud off your feet, most of the time, here).
cue the last track on National Lampoon’s Radio Dinner Album, What Do You Expect From A God Who Crucified His Own Son?
Amen, Orphan. Wish you’d looked me up Friday night. I was down front with Raley and Fredrocks…
I was too busy busting into cars before heading back to the hobo camp in Kessler Park.
When did this become an AARP blog? First this and now history of wrestling?
Because the name SteelyDanMan rings of someone who is current,trendy, relevant, and under 50? You should change your handle to something like LadyGaGaMan, you know, something current and not from 30 years ago.
+1000
Being an enormous fan of Donald Fagan, with or without the Dan, I let that slide. Cause you know, word has it I’m 65 and on Social Security.
OMG, Craig, we have to buy a short bus so you can start hosting a handicapped comedy night. This guy could sit on stage like Hawking and punch his jokes in his talkie box! Takes too long to be funny to us, but for HIS kind, HIIIIlarious!
I’m 29, ha.
My birth ushered in the Royals’ World Series victory. Plus, I know what good music is.
SteelyDanMan, sorry the wrestling piece was not in your wheelhouse of interest. I had suspected it would be a limited audience but my intent was really twofold.
First I wanted to acknowledge the 50 year anniversary of my friendship with Hearne, along with a story about its’ genesis.
Secondly, since the blog purports to be about Kansas City, I wanted to throw a shoutout to our hometown about it’s glory days as the center of an admittedly small universe.
Oh well.
Not dogging on your wrestling piece, Stomper. It was informative and shed light on a piece of overlooked KC history. Good job. Write more. I was just complaining about the recent content.
In the last year there’s been so many mistakes by the staff here that it made the national enquirer look like the new york times.
But despite the fact that not one of the writers or commentators
have proven me wrong one single time…I will march on…
proving that even if you can spell a word right doesn’t mean the
word isn’t a lie.
thanks for all the emails….:beat ” wins the comment of the week
and receives a $5.00 gift card to q-trip. Her comment andher
email were perfect….and yet sad at her story.
carry on fellows….life is fleeting…live each day as if its your last!!!!!!!!
If only harleys great grampa had been on time for that trip with the Donners we wouldnt have to put up with his babble. Every time harley types a comment, a proof reader gets his wings. Now get your helmet on harley and go wait for that bus to take you to your high profile gig at the sheltered workshop broom factory.
Mark that’s so unkind! He’s a jurnulust, righter and works with the finest doctors and lawyers in ‘merica!
Oh! And I own him!
He needs to ask his lawya friends why SureWest doesn’t bother telling the customer when a John Doe Subpoena is filed with them to acquire a his identity.
It’s interesting, he hates everything I write, but he’s so glued to everything I do, if a story goes up he’s commenting in three minutes! That’s how much power I have over that illiterate little man.
I need to stop typing so he can go back to wiping my behind for me.
to mark and wislun and the others:
I only ask that you go see some of the workshops and programs designed
to help those who really need help. The volunteers who work endless hours
with the kids who’s lives are being changed everyday by the work done
there. You are using these kids as tools to make fun of me.
YOu make fun of the kids who might have to wear helmets because of
head or brain injuries. You use them to make up the “most disgusting” jokes
you can. Attack me….leave the kids alone.
Use facts to prove me wrong…leave the kids who need help out of our
battle. The short bus comments…the sheltereded workshop….I’ve gotten
many emails where they absolutely hate you for disgracing the work and
the will of the people who attend and work there.
You are the most disgusting people anywhere. Using kids in need to
make a few old men laugh shows how horrid and vile you are.
Leave the kids out of this. They have no choice. Leave the thousands
of volunteers out of this….they have real hearts.
You group of old nasty filthy men have no conscience.
Using helpless kids to geta laugh from the 6 readers on kcc shows
what disgusting pieces of crap you are.
I will not allow it any more. The shelters and their supporteers
will find out what you are saying and doing.
I’m sure mr. hearne doesn’t need any bad publicity.
But making fun of kids with severe physical problems is not only
disgusting but shows what pieces of sh*t you are.
If you have comments…keep tem to me…leave the innocent kids alone.
It’s as if you’re making fun or harassing the kids your always refer to
to make a joke. You are all disgusting.
I OWN YOU, little man.
“….I’ve gotten
many emails where they absolutely hate you for disgracing the work and
the will of the people who attend and work there.”
The only emails you get are the ones you send to yourself. You’re forgetting some key elements of what “we” KNOW about you, JoJo.
On a side note, you’re about to GET an email you wont soon forget. Got back to making fruit roll ups out of your own poo, son. I own you.
Nice story Paul.
Thanks, Chuckster
Wow. You men are so grumpy, tacky in expression and opposite of the general feel of this article! No one KNOWS why Paulie is exhibiting other than crotchety, sarcasm and satire usually, but sex is the first thought?
I guess this is getting to be a site for grumpy, tacky men, not an interesting read for both sexes.
I know Harley is like little, cowardly bully, but really… “wiping my butt”. So CLASSY, Mr. Wilson. I agree entirely that Harley is entirely obsessed with you which only proves his multiple insecurities and his references to his experiences lead us all to believe HE is the retiree with a mean old man complex… But REALLY. Can’t you leave off dragging your pooing, albeit handsome posterior end into this???
I totally get your point, Veronica. I’m sure we all let it get a little out of hand because we have so few female commenters. You had a little crush running on me there for a while ; I sure hope Harley tending to my backside clean up didn’t tarnish that. He’s just doing what any personal valet or gentleman’s man servant would do; since I OWN HIM!
We collectively apologize for him. It’s hard for him to type on his Tandy computer using nothing but the pointer on his helmet. A swirling vortex of entropy, he is.
Good hearing from you, cutie.
Uhg. Pah-leasssse, show some gentlemanliness. No one’s gonna wipe your bottom except your mama or a nurse. Someone needs a time out!
bring it on….if yu wrote some good stuff we wouldn’t make
fun of you.
you got talent..use it….. and that beeer….come by
cigar box tonight….i’ll be singing with al!!!!!!!!
and rememeber …its all fun and entertainment…..
stan can’t wait to read it…..and neither can steve….or
the rest of my “kosher nostra lawyers!”………………………….
have a great weekend….
see ya at cigar box….i’ll een buy you a cubano from upstairs
from john!
Read your words….then make fun of my writing! The only thing that screams douchebaggery more than your comments is saying you hang out at Cigar Box! Impressive.
Oh, this is your tenth trip to make the same redundant comments on my horrible story. Why?
I OWN YOU, son.
Put on your sequined jacket and sing the night away under your stage name, Ho Lotta Nothin.
Im sure your faux mob pals love you.
“Kosher Nostra lawyers?” Nice….. enjoy the Ash Can. You don’t have the testicular fortitude to actually meet ME someplace and you know it.
Oh, I almost forgot; I OWN YOU, Harley Lotta.
sure you’re not mrs. wislun. you know a lot about his ______________!
you’re the king…hearne…. yes the jokes about
wisluns trip to meet the coblers was quite
funny….and my response was acclaimed by many
of my fans/disciples and readers and followers
but it is true.. Harley has brought the truth to
this sight.
thanks for the compliments and I appreciate you’re
giving me my own story line.
been very busy …will be sending you some real
news very soon.
thanks.
go royals
I count my blessings every morning as I drive to work.
It takes my mind off all the Harleys (and I’m not talking motorcycle) out there on the road.
Lib, the frightening part is Harley IS out there. And all that seperates him from YOU is a four inch painted line on the highway. With any luck, we can hope he’s just riding the Sheltered Workshop bus where he goes to build the boxes I sell to bust my quota sky high so I can OWN HIM, lock, stock and barrel.
I’m already drafting a story on the REAL Harley. It promises to be a fascinating and, ahhhh, jaw dropping piece.
Consider if he is one in a million then there are 300 more just like him.
More if you count JoJo
Im going to go kill myself after that, for fear you may be right!