This is a PURE FLUFF piece. Please click on something else if you you’re looking for something of value.
I always turn inward on my birthday, which is today. (I beg you not to give me “birthday greetings” as this is not what this post is about.)
You ever look at your significant other when they don’t know you’re looking at them and wonder — “Why do I really love this this person.” — Do you wonder if you love them because they meet your needs (she’s so beautiful, or smart, or funny, or appreciate of me ..) as opposed to loving them for no specific reason whatsoever? Just because they are? I do.
Do you ever look in the mirror and in a brutal moment of honesty wonder to yourself, “Why would anyone love THAT?”. So imperfect. So many damned flaws. Thanks to my insecurities, I do.
I’m 61 today. I have no cancers. I have no health issues whatsoever, as far as I know. I’m healthier than many people half my age. I’m not particularly smart, or gifted, or rich. Yet, I have never known real need. It’s bitter cold outside, but I have a warm bed to crawl into. I have never, ever, known hunger. I have all the clothes I need, and a gorgeous mint condition 1995 Buick Century. My children are prospering, each in his own way. My parents are old, but alive and doing remarkably well, considering their age. I have a few close friends, and that’s all I need. I complain a lot, even though my life is good.
And I wonder …. I mean, I really wonder … WHY am I so blessed?? Am I more special than the mother who just lost her 20 year old son in war-torn Ukraine? More special than a child begging for scraps of food in Calcutta? Of course, not! So, why, why, why am I so lucky? I’ve heard many explanations, but I will never truly understand it. Indeed, do tell me, Lord … what have I ever done, to deserve even one, of the blessings I’ve known …. and all I hear is a Deafening Silence.
I rarely “pray” at all as I am not particularly religious. But, since G-d is silent yet again, today I’ll do the talking and offer up this simple heartfelt — “Thank You, Lord …. for everything”.
Happy Birthday Stuck
Thanks for all your contributions to TBP.
You are the straw that stirs the TBP drink.
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My friend, I thank My Lord for you a lot. Today especially, and if we were near we would – hopefully – hoist a pint in thanks for another year.
I have known want, but not the want of true 3rd world/war horror and poverty. And, if history is to be a guide I may know want again in my future, and maybe more horrific than I can imagine it, but not today.
Why? I think we’ve earned/or chosen, our lots in life. I think our Lord wants our souls to become closer to him, more pure, more immortal and that this world is a big university where we come and can choose to move closer to God, or turn from him and revel in the sins of the flesh and the evil that remains in man’s heart.
And think about it my dear ‘net friend, you, and your family, did not get to today scott free. Payments to human suffering – and learning, and growth – have been, and continue to, be made.
You are so right though. We have it so good. I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life and the ability to live a life of relative ease and comfort. So very grateful.
Or not. But this I know, chosing to be grateful for today, for people, for things, makes this life FEEL like a better place. I may not live in a mansion, or drive a Ferrari, or wear Prada shoes, or jet set to warm climes, but that doesn’t mean I cannot be grateful for the health of my children, the abundance of food of my plate and warmth of my furnace and Wallside Windows.
Hugs Big Guy, close your eyes and feel me plant a big kiss on your cheek as we clink our pints together and celebrate the day you were born. That is a special day to me. (((((hugs)))))
I TOLD YOU GUYS NOT TO DO THAT!!!!
We grovel, we fight, we bicker, we call each other bad names, we laugh, we joke, we share, we commiserate, we promise to hate each other forever, we forgive …. and, oh, yeah … we FLING MASSIVE SHIT at each other like there’s no tomorrow!
In other words, this place is about as close as one can get to “family” over the Internets. I would still be a blind sheeple without this joint setting me straight.
Thank you …….. for everything.
Fine (hmpf!), no b-day wishes. Just this, then.
Stucky , that’s a good question . Why would God Bless a blaspheming jerk like you.You said yourself you’re not smart , not really kind or generous. You are not rich .Never will be.So why is God to good bad people like yourself.Why did God bless any of us because most of us are just like you.
Knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.(Romans 2:4)This is the only reason Ican find that answers your question.Enjoy your prosperity while you have it .God is in the process of taking prosperity away from all of us as a nation.
You told me not to wish you happy birthday. So I didn’t.
Damn it Stucky now I feel guilty….. Happy birthday and I hope God gives you another 30 years. It’s possible. I had a grand uncle live to be 96.
“Damn it Stucky now I feel guilty.” ———– bb
haha No need for that. You’re a shit-stirrer … I get that. In fact, I voted thumbs up on that post …. and so should everyone else.
Shit happens… We are here because we are here. Some might look at it as a blessing not to be a wretched soul in Calcutta digging through trash heaps for sustenance. But within our blessing is a curse. We are in this time of plenty in order to bring down the strongest, most ruthless bunch of thugs and criminals the world has ever known… Or rear those who will do so. Live every day like it was your last, and be thankful for what you have been given and that you are better off than those poor bastards rooting through trash heaps… And happy birthday! May you have many more!!!
No need to beat youself over the “why”, Stucky. TE said most of what I was going to offer. So I won’t repeat. I say the lord’s prayer every night when I get into bed–not that I’m so religious, but what the hey? It can’t hurt. But while I thank the Lord for my blessings, I always ask for those blessings to my loved ones. I try to put them first.
Oh yeah…H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! ! !
Is this equivalent to a TBP circle jerk? Who’s that pivot man?
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T4C
Sehr schön gemacht!! Vielen Dank, Liebling
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EL-STUCKO
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Stuck…best wishes on your entrance into the shit-storm day..
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Stucky’s a swizzle stick? Who knew!
Happy b-day Stuckeroo! Enjoy them while they last because they do run out ya know!
Gawd damn Sensetti! That is one fucked up picture! See what drinking the Republipuke Kool-Aid does to you!
Stuck…Happy Birthday my friend….youve brought a lot of smiles to my face and yes introspection.
The timeliness of you post is ironic.
Today and for the next few day introspection is what I’ll be doing.I just got the news that my cousin was killed last night while riding his bike home. He was hit by a drunk driver who left the scene.
He was getting married in two months. He and his fiancee had been dating for a while.He wanted to make sure she was the right one because he wanted a marriage for a lifetime.
I’ll wonder why the Lord spared my life when I was sick and took away someone so young whose life was just beginning. So many thing to think of…soo many questions and in many ways…so few answers.
“Another year older, huh? You must be so thrilled.” ———– flash’s Willy Wonka
Sure. The alternative is a LOT worse !
TBP Spiceman makes thing interesting. We look forward to your take on most threads. Dam its fluffy here today.
Don’t question why you have the ball. Just run with it.
” … soo many questions and in many ways…so few answers.” ——- BUCKHED
My youngest son — a VERY religious fellow — still struggles with seeing his very best friend swept away in Lake Michigan and drowning … waters my son swan in a few minutes prior. “Why my friend, and not me?”
Waxing philosophical for a moment ….. what IF we were GIVEN THE ANSWERS we seek? We all like to think that that would make us, if not happy, at least content. But …. would it, really? With apologies to Jack Nicholson, could we handle the truth? What if knowing “the truth” would actually destroy us? We like to think knowing answers will set us free. Can we shoulder the burden of freedom? I wonder. According to one story it was in the knowing of answers which got the inhabitants evicted from the Garden. Perhaps not knowing — not here, not yet, not in this world — is a compassionate gift from God.
I am so sorry for your loss … and that I have no answers.
I’m guessing that is a picture of Sensetti and his bug-out crew.
Happy 71st birthday Stucky. Wow, I thought you were a bit older, but I hope you like the case of Depends I sent. Also, I was going to send you a couple of lobsters, but now that I think of it, I think you’ll be needing the Permastraw, an invention of mine that renders obsolete normal plastic straws. You just attach it to your 2″ thick eyeglasses and when you sit down for a delicious meal of old people porridge, presto, it’s instant feeding time!
Also, you mentioned a while ago about a foot mirror so you can see your pecker now and again. I bought you one but I could not fit it in the package. I’ll send it to LLPOH instead.
(Just thought I’d bust your chops a little Stucky. Happy birthday!)
“Happy 71st birthday Stucky.” ——- Archie
BLOW ME!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
I’m SIXTY ONE … 6 and a 1. And, yeah, get off my lawn, goddammit!
Happy Birthday oh large One. Many more! God Bless!!
I’ll be 60 next week. I have diabetes. One of my older sisters died a few years ago of colon cancer. My doctor says my liver does not look good. Do I drink? she wants to know. I keep repeating my old lead Phil’s words, don’t get old, Juan. (I called him a few weeks ago to tell him one of the guys died recently. He advised me, don’t be a stranger. His voice, sounded like an old man, he used to have a very nice voice, whenever he was about to say something serious he would clear his throat and you could listen to his august voice declaring his opinion on the matter at hand. I can see him every time I see Gandolf of LOTR. He got me my job of 30 years and his most early advice was, watch whose toes you step on, you may end up working for that person. True words indeed.)
I’m not smart, gifted, or rich and my Eric Estrada looks are gone. I recall Mrs Trambley upbraiding a fat kid named Hector: “you have no looks, no brains, no money, I suggest you study…” I am Hector now.
I have known hunger. Back when swamp coolers were the state of the art, we had no swamp cooler. I would lie awake at night because it was hot and my stomach was empty and I’d wonder about things like, what if my parents died? My happiest memory of elementary school was the time they instituted a breakfast program. We got an ounce or two of grape juice and a quarter peanut butter sandwich. At lunch, I would run home about a mile away to eat. I’d cross Alameda street, the old Highway 80, fly across the train tracks and dart into our apartment row.
El Tucci asked me if I was aware of the manipulations and brainwashing I’d been subjected to all my life. Of course. But he didn’t ask the most important question Stucky poses here, why am I so blessed? I asked that question one time when I was very low and all I wanted to listen to was KK’s song. It made me cry because I had shut up so much inside and I had no answers. It is because of mercy and the things my parents went through.
At 5:15PM today I will be dining at “A Toute Heure” … French for ‘At The Right Hour’.
Direct from the farm to the restaurant. Hand made pastries made fresh daily. Grass fed beef so fresh it’s still mooing. Oysters so fresh and delicious you’ll want to be reincarnated as one.
Don’t hate me. Ms Freud is FORCING me to go, kicking and screaming.
Five stars, baby. Watch it … and try not to be jealous as you eat your Dinty Moore Stew.
http://atouteheure.com/
El Siete
The more you reveal about yourself, the more I like and appreciate you. There are a number of folks here with whom I’d love to have a beer with before I die, and you are one of them.
Really nice story.
To all my friends on TBP!
Happy Birthday Stucky. EF
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(haven’t seen very many chicks lately)
Enjoy the day Stucky, you deserve it. My 53rd and mom’s 82nd were last week. She still works selling real estate, sold a condo last week. You’ve got plenty of time ahead of you. I do truly appreciate your gift for digging into interesting and provocative subjects. God has blessed someone special in blessing you. I’m glad he did.
Thanks much,
Bob.
Well Stuck – who’d have thunk – you and I share a birthday exactly 19 years apart!
Cheers!
Francis
@Stucky: I would say Happy Birthday, but you said not to so I won’t 🙂
I’ve pondered the same questions as you regarding life and why we’re surrounded by these particular people in our life who we love and are so dear. As previously posted here, I had an NDE back in 1978 and during the process all those answers came to me, but when I was revived I lost most of it.
All I can tell you is, love is why we’re here and is the #1 most important factor in being incarnate. We’re not allowed to have all the answers when we’re alive on Earth because we would live our lives differently. Maybe that’s why people we brand as “crazy” aren’t “normal”.
Don’t feel bad, Stuck. I’m older than you.
It just happens. I know what you mean about feeling blessed with undeserved good luck- everytime I pass my birthday, I think, wow, I am living decently in spite of multiple fuckups, I have no cancer in spite of youthful bad habits….how am I alive while so many of my friends, worthy people all, passed by age 40?
However, like the famous line in THE UNFORGIVEN, “deserve” has nothing to do with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Xt5OZJ1LrbQ
I have never, ever, known hunger. -Stucky.
Happy Birfday Moobs!!
Why are you blessed? Because G_D has a sense of humor I ‘spose 8^P
Stucky
Unless I missed it, you did not mention being blessed with tons of time to write creative wonderful articles and fight with me and Clammy, bb and the other folks who piss you off daily. Time to do what you love is a luxury, wish I had more of it that was not consumed by my business.
Happy 61st and many, many more!! Bea
Sensetti,
It is Elton John…the original lyrics were Please let your son go down…
I have been reading this blog for the past few weeks. This is my first flippant comment.
That was pretty limp, RAmin. I suggest you study the comment @5:24 for inspiration. One of those gals is our beloved Hot Lips.
“Enjoy your dinner.” —————- T4C
You have NO idea!! I actually had that drink … espresso, coffee, chocolate sauce, cream, and caramel. How did it actually taste? Something like below (a MUST! watch if you’ve never seen it before … if you’re in a hurry skip to the 1:45 mark and watch it to the very end. You won’t regret it.)
The place was dark, mostly lit by candles, and the font on the menu was small. Soooo, this was on the menu exactly as shown (I copied it), and of course my name is NIck, …
Soooo, this is what it said —– “nick’s mussel pot: bacon lardons, apple, applejack, cream”
Again, it was dark. So, I said to Ms Freud …. “Wow! They got Nick’s bacon hard-ons!!” She thought that was pretty funny.
Again, thanks to ALL …… for EVERYTHING!
.
.
Hey .. Francis Marion! Happy Birthday!!
Stucky says—” Indeed, do tell me, Lord … what have I ever done, to deserve even one, of the blessings I’ve known…”
That’s an easy one to answer. You’re blessed because you were a blessing to someone else in a past life. You reap what you sow. What you create in the lives of others, you will experience in your own life.
It’s called perfect justice from a perfect God. Else, how will you learn the ways of Righteousness.
You don’t have to be religious, just acknowledge a Creative Force, which you don’t understand is somehow operating in your experience in the earth.
“The sins of the Earth” is often heard. The Catholics have mortal sins, venial sins, sins of omission, sins of commission, etc. There is only one sin and that is the denial of God, that’s all. Just one. God wants you to humbly rejoice in the blessings that He has bestowed upon you and to do like wise with others, not question His judgement (wisdom). God causes the rain to fall on the evil as well as the good, because He loves all his children.
Stucky, I’m much older than you so you will just have to defer to my judgement.
Happy Birthday! http://www.321gold.com/banner_redirect.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.321energy.com%2F&id=324
Stucky, I can never get this right. I meant–
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RAmyn Hardwood says:Sensetti, It is Elton John…the original lyrics were Please let your son go down…
I have been reading this blog for the past few weeks. This is my first flippant comment.
That’s some funny shit right there. I can’t help Elton’s a ball juggler, I still like his music. And welcome!
Homer says: Dam, I’m bad at inserting stuff–again.
Homer, even if that’s true never admit it.
Sensetti, Empty Sky and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are amazing works. Please don’t let my small attempt at *humor detract from this excellent musician’s works.
*cock sucking, ass raping, gizz guzzling pervert who can play a piano.
goodbye yellow brick road goodbye norma jean one very good one very bad.
Stuck ought to be rammin some hardwood right now, doing the horizontal mambo.
A joke for you Stucky:
Did you know that before Michael Jackson died, he and Elton John collaborated on a song.
It was called “Don’t let your son go down on me”
All the best to you and yours.
Stucky – you’re the best! Happy, happy birthday.