Vicodin addiction

After getting my wisdom teeth pulled this afternoon (which was surprisingly easy and mostly pain free) I’ve discovered why people become addicted to Vicodin.

20 dollar bill ya’ll

Seeing an old $20 bill is weird. There’s no HUGE Jackson face. No big, Monopoly money looking numeral 20 on the back.

Plus it’s from 1963. I love old money. Somethings I like to think about where it’s been. What it’s seen.

wisdom teeth

I had my wisdom teeth pulled today. I only have the two on top, none on the bottom.

It wasn’t as bad as everyone said. I had my eyes closed the entire time because I did not want to see those instruments in my mouth, nor did I want to see the teeth coming out. I did keep them though. Nothing more interesting than seeing a tooth fully extracted.

rental car coverage

Just a tip:

If you are in an accident, and you don’t have rental car coverage, don’t tell anybody. Every person I talk to about my accident asks me if I have rental car insurance. I tell them no and they ask me “why not?” BECAUSE I DON’T! I don’t need it, we have two cars and can carpool, and I don’t need the extra expense no matter how little the cost.

I’m amazed at how people think they are helping by pointing out why you should have something when you clearly don’t give a shit about having it in the first place.

dictionary

I marked through the word jealous in the dictionary
hoping I wouldn’t feel so.

I scratched through envy
for its hold on me was getting tight.

I blacked out anticipation
for the results rarely live up to the hype.

I erased originality
because I couldn’t think of anything new.

I tried to throw the dictionary away.
wrap up the words and dispose of their existence and meaning.

cold in stl

It’s cold in STL
and you’re around…

I’m broken down in the middle of the road.
I’m blocking traffic; it’s no big deal.

I thought once I could fall,
while trying to run.
You came up and tripped me,
proving me right.

I’m on the side of the road now.
64/40 doesn’t look the same.
The sea of red,
2 & 3.
The see of yellow,
2 & 2.
It’s all frozen in the middle,
but I can still move.
No, it’s only frozen a little.

And it’s only noon.
It’s cold and cloudy in St. Louis.
And I’m loved.

It’s warm inside my wool.
And I’m loved.

And I’m still in St. Louis
And I’m still loved.

pennies

I’m living on pennies.
Kennedy takes up too much space.
Squandering my life, living in this copper place.

Haven’t enough to live
Too poor to die

I’ve slept in the soup kitchens.
Stole a spoon
but what for?
Stainless steel is cold, sterile and hard.

I’ve walked fifth avenue
Saks won’t have me.

Sleeping on the shelter floor,
I’ve set my shoes on fire for warmth.

Is living worth living if there is no one to live for?
Is living worth living if my only home is an asbestos-tile floor?

New York Times opens archives

The New York Times has opened its archives, online, for free access to all.

In addition to opening the entire site to all readers, The Times will also make available its archives from 1987 to the present without charge, as well as those from 1851 to 1922, which are in the public domain. There will be charges for some material from the period 1923 to 1986, and some will be free.

The most intriguing part of this story is the fact that the 1851-1922 archives are open. Just searching my hometown, and reading stories about Indian Territories and The Dalton Gang, makes this so cool.

Found poem

Here’s some poetry I wrote in a notebook that I just found. Must have wrote it back in 2005. (Hey, it’s the Internet. The Internet was made for poetry.)

——

You’re nothing but a parking lot poet,
yelling at empty spaces.

A blue-light special romantic.
Thinking every special is just for you.

——

The time of year when all is frozen.
When the 21st century fireplace
flickers through the window.

This is my time of year.
When the only warmth is contained in
four walls.

When your breath falls out of your mouth.

I love nighttime in the winter.
See the little dots of existence
late at night.
A single light signaling the life of another.

The steam of coffee.
The crinkle of leaves.

A yellow ribbon magnet does not make you a better citizen

I do a bit of driving. Almost everyday I get in my car and go somewhere.

I’ve noticed a lot of ribbons. There’s a ribbon for every cause, every disease, everything.

I wonder if the people who have more than one ribbon (usually for supporting the troops) really think they are more patriotic than, say, people who don’t have ribbon magnets (like me). I support the troops (every tax paying American does). I just don’t see the reason in buying a magnetic ribbon (probably made in China) and slapping it sideways on my car.

Now, if the money went to veterans’ families (especially those injured in this war) then I’d buy a couple of ribbons.