Diary entry...lot o' shit in a few days...

So, I'm back from Indianapolis and Cincinnati and I must say, I had an interesting and fun time. I had a bunch of tests done to determine if I have AD and to help in the research of Early Onset AD, I met a lot of cool people, discovered "Steak and Shake",went to a casino with my gambling sister and my non-gambling brother, I saw my nephews; one of which I hadn't seen in 20 years, finally saw my sister's restaurant she's owned and operated for five years, ate a bunch of awesome Cincinnati food, drove past my old houses, sprinkled some of my Mom's ashes on my Dad's and Grandparent's grave, saw for the 1st time my oldest brother's band that he's been in for 25 years play at a restaurant on the harbor, went to that same brother's new house (first new house ever, he's lived in the same house since he was born and he's now 53 yrs. old...), missed my plane (I've flown somewhere every other year since I can remember, and never missed a plane... like luggage somewhere else, missed a flight..), and most done within 48 hours. I did testing Monday - Friday and Friday night we got to Terri's. It was fantastic in Cincy. My brother's gig was so fun. I saw my Aunt Jean and my sister's sister and step-mom and just had a blast. I danced and ate and reminisced. I also had a really sad feeling one day. I chalk it up to my being homesick and all of the fears coming into the light. I went to bed in silence one night and my head spoke to me so the next morning I felt sad. I drank a lot too so it might have been a hangover. But, overall, a very cool experience. I learned a little more about my brother that actually frightened me as I stated in my last post, but also, I got my sister to see how he behaves. I think I actually trigger a lot of his outbursts but now that I know, I'm gonna not talk about Jesus and politics (isn't that a rule of conversation anyway?).
So, the trip was cool but I won't know any results for 6-12 weeks and I will take a time out then post the results and either way, I'm writing a book. After soccer season I'll start it. Just for the record, I'd like to throw some shout outs: to Felipe, IamZod, Marti, Oil and Vinegar, Lisa, @DustyKennedy, Coletta, Cindy and let's see... Jeff? and... oh shit forgive me, I can't recall anyone else that might read this... is that sad? oh wait, Teresa read it once or 2...thanks to you all. i am so happy that I get to vent... you know this is like a diary with an audience? Mickfog..I know you read sometimes you son of a gun (at least your wife does anyway... and why haven't you signed up for twitter?...) And... it's therapy so if I'm not always entertaining... fuck off, I'm letting you read my diary... just kidding...thanks again. I do try to entertain and to keep you interested. Politics another day and probably some religion, why the fuck not?

Uncle Art passes away

I just found out that my uncle Art died. That is sad. I didn't really know him though so it's not as sad as one might think. But still, flesh and blood has passed on over to the other side. I feel sad to that. He was my father's only brother and was older than my dad so he must have been at least 75 or so. My dad's sister, my aunt, is still alive and doing well as far as I know. My dad passed away when I was little and I really didn't have much contact with that side of the family. Actually, we moved out of Ohio when I was like 6 so I don't have much contact with any of my family, other than the occasional phone call with my brothers and my sister. It's really a drag, I love my family, I miss them. Whenever we get together (it's rare, due to the distance), I am in awe of them. After living almost my entire life without anyone really like me (I'm a pretty odd duck), other than my crazy ass mother, I get giddy spending time with my siblings. They crack me up. The laugh like me and have the same sense of humor. It's really weird. My brother and I are 7 years apart and we actually grew up in the same house so I know him better than my oldest brother and sister. He was a total asshole to me when I was growing up and I stop resenting him for that recently when he "found Jesus"... that's a total different post (see "conversations with crazy" from 2008 postings). I am glad that he finally sees me as someone with a bit of intelligence and a real idea of how life works. He must have finally accepted the fact that I'm smarter than him... bitter much? I'm working on it. Any way, my oldest brother and sister are the ones that I have spent the least amount of time with and considering they are 14 and 17 years older than I, they are more like parents than siblings. They are really cool people and when the four of us are in a room together, I am happier than I ever thought I could be. I really wish that we lived closer or that I could take a trip to see them every other year or so. I want to have my kids grow up around them and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas at their house and them at mine. I have a family where I live now, my wife and her parents, brother and sister in law... even her grandma is like family, but that doesn't stop me missing my own flesh and blood. So, even though Uncle Art wasn't in my address book or even knew where I live or who I am (he did know who I am I think), it's still a relative and a part of my family and he will be missed. I wish his immediate family well and I hope he died peacefully. I think when my dad was around him and their sister, he was really happy too. There truly is nothing like your brothers and sisters keeping you reminded of who you are and where you came from, (especially when you occasionally can't remember where you came from or how in the hell you got to where you are). So long Uncle Art... see ya on the other side... have Thanksgiving dinner ready for me would ya?