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Post by lostthenfound on Jul 29, 2008 9:44:49 GMT -5
...................paitently standing at the entrance to the Centre waiting for his dinner, Zeppelin's "Rock & Roll" can be heard billowing out from a car speeding along Wynford Drive.
Its been a long time since I rock and rolled, Its been a long time since I did the stroll. Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back, Let me get it back, baby, where I come from. Its been a long time, been a long time, Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time. Yes it has. Its been a long time since the book of love, I cant count the tears of a life with no love. Carry me back, carry me back, Carry me back, baby, where I come from. Its been a long time, been a long time, Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time. Seems so long since we walked in the moonlight, Making vows that just cant work right. Open your arms, opens your arms, Open your arms, baby, let my love come running in. Its been a long time, been a long time, Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.
..........the smell of pizza and veal on a bun fills the warm summer's air!...... holy **** "it's about time" Michael yells out as the car speeds into the parking lot, where the hell did you guys go, China or something? The car makes it's way towards the back corner of Delcan's lot near the area not too far from the BBQ that is filling the air with the smell of terriyaki.
Suddenly a set of twins appear at the top of the hill just in time to relieve a hungry and tired Mike. Perfect timing guys, both lots are full so send the visitors down to the Shell building if you have to, I'll be back in a bit.
Walking down the hill towards the the side of Delcan's parking lot Michael slowly makes his way to his buddy's car. A few young ladies, friends of ours sitting on the concrete wall giggle as he struts by them flashing them a smile and casting them a wink through his Serengeti sunglasses.........the girls still giggling offer Michael a cute hello and continue about their business, presumably talking about the cute guys and all the great parties going on this summer.
As Michael approaches his buddy's car the sounds of Zeppelin that had had just recently filled the air has been replaced with the sounds of Japanese music as one of the local dance groups takes to the back garden area to perform a number of dances for the curious visitors to the Tokyo pavillion. An older man with greying hair, dressed in a traditional kimono steps up to the microphone and with one hand filled with cue cards and his other holding the mike, with a big smile and a "welcome to the Tokyo Pavillion" the dancing gets under way!
Michael unwraps his sandwhich from the paper and foil wrapping and begins to chow down on this little piece of heaven while at the same time the lady at the cash register is biting down on a slice of greasy pepparoni pizza and one of the bartenders behind the bar too takes his bites as he juggles between the orders for the beers and sake.
..........................the Japanese dancers now nearing their final performance for this evenings outdoor show begin gathering the visitors and putting them in a line for an audiance participation number. Michael looks over and gives his special girl a wink as she too heads up to grassy area for "Tanko Bushi" or the Coal Miner's dance...............dig and you dig, then you carry and you carry.........................
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Post by Krazy Kirin Nights on Aug 1, 2008 10:59:38 GMT -5
LTF,
You have brought back so many awesome memories from a time in the lives of many of us out here that will never be forgotten! Michael will always be remembered as a key volunteer for those years of service that he provided to the J.C.C.C.
Picnic included!
Krazy Kirin Nights
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Post by lostthenfound on Aug 14, 2008 10:08:48 GMT -5
Hi there Krazy Kirin Nights! Yes, those were some great times and the memories that were developed over those years are forever a part of me and locked in my heart and soul. Check out this Youtube link, this song takes me back to those great times! www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7OptZX6RfELTF
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Ghost Writer Sansei
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Post by Ghost Writer Sansei on Aug 18, 2008 14:12:26 GMT -5
Beautiful memories that make me feel so good inside! Great song (youtube link) too LTF.
I sure hope June and her family are enjoying your story, her children (especially the younger ones) will be able to see the type of character and personality that their father had and the impact he had on others around him.
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Post by lostthenfound on Sept 17, 2008 11:54:14 GMT -5
June,
It's good to be back, I was out of town for a while and have not had the opportunity to check on updates. I know that Michael's condition is not one that will improve, but I hope at least he still has moments when you can tell by the look in his eyes that he still remembers you and the children and all the wonderful times you did have when he was healthy!
Now where were we?.............................................thank you for watching our show and remember that these lovely dancers will be performing again in our auditorium in the next hour.........Michael's special girl wipes off her brow and smiles to wards him leaning against the wooden tent post sipping his coffee while all the time never missing a single moment of his special girls performance.
She makes her way down the large white stone steps and gives him a hug and kiss on the cheek and says she will see him later as she rushes off to once again serve the colorful Japanese themed drinks to the thirsty visitors and special guests.
Michael watches as she heads back to the cashier's table to pick up her money pouch and with every step she makes his eyes never leave her body and the thoughts of having her in his arms at the end of the night puts a sparkle in his tired eyes.
Well that's enough, I guess I should get back to the parking lot, and with that said he smiles to his friend who is making his round collecting overflow cash from the register and walks back to wards the top of the driveway and thanks the twins for covering his break and lets them know that they can call it a night. Just put the flashlight and walkie talkies in my trunk and enjoy the rest of the evening.
With the night almost at it's end the parking lot slowly emptying, the sounds of the taiko drums can still be heard echoing from within the auditorium and throughout the valley and ravine. Most of the volunteer parking lot crew have called it a night and only a few remain to do the evening garbage patrol. Out of respect for it's community and our fellow neighbors who have graciously let us use their parking lots, it is only fair that we pick up the trash that the visitors to our pavilion have left behind.
Closing time at the Tokyo Pavilion, must be the saddest time I know ( till the next night when we close again). The Caravan Committee are locking the front doors. And there is nothing we can do..... Have a drink with me! Taste the last drop of Sake. Have a drink with me my friend to our efforts. .............
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Post by june on Sept 17, 2008 15:41:01 GMT -5
You brought tears to my eyes as I was reading. Those were wonderful times and I remember them so well (as do you!). Please keep those stories coming, you have a large group who are anxious to read your recollections. I'm sure there are many who are reminiscing along with you and I! J
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Post by lostthenfound on Sept 29, 2008 13:22:41 GMT -5
June,
If my stories and recollections can bring out a smile upon a face or drop a tear along a cheek or two, although sad at sometimes but more from remembering the good times, especially on a beautiful face such as yours who has masked the pain and suffering so well, then from the bottom of my heart I say your very welcome and know that my memories which I share for all to read and for all who care are yours to keep forever in your heart.
LTF
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Post by Krazy Kirin Nights on Oct 2, 2008 7:32:39 GMT -5
Yo LTF,
I read your most recent chapter and wouldn't you know it, it felt like my heart was beating to the sounds of the taiko drums that you had mentioned!
Pretyy cool eh!
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Post by lostthenfound on Oct 3, 2008 7:25:34 GMT -5
……….the long day which had silently slipped into the night is finally at its end. Michael looks around and smiles knowing that he and his friends have done a good job and prepares to close up his car which doubles as his temporary office and partial home away from home, containing several change of clothing and all the paraphernalia that could carry him through the next few days if he should not happen to make his way back home during this week of festivities.
…..reclining in his front seat Michael sits back and reaches for his smokes……with his eyes slightly closed and as the cigarette hangs delicately from the side of his mouth the smoke dances its way through the open door and a familiar song could be heard dusting the warm summers air……
Hoverin' by my suitcase, tryin' to find a warm place to spend the night Heavy rain fallin', seems I hear your voice callin' "It's all right." A rainy night in Georgia, a rainy night in Georgia It seems like it's rainin' all over the world I feel like it's rainin' all over the world
Neon signs a-flashin', taxi cabs and buses passin' through the night A distant moanin' of a train seems to play a sad refrain to the night A rainy night in Georgia, such a rainy night in Georgia Lord, I believe it's rainin' all over the world I feel like it's rainin' all over the world
How many times I wondered It still comes out the same No matter how you look at it or think of it It's life and you just got to play the game
I find me a place in a box car, so I take my guitar to pass some time Late at night when it's hard to rest I hold your picture to my chest and I feel fine But it's a rainy night in Georgia, baby, it's a rainy night in Georgia I feel it's rainin' all over the world, kinda lonely now And it's rainin' all over the world
Oh, have you ever been lonely, people? And you feel that it was rainin' all over this man's world You're talking 'bout rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin', rainin' rainin', rainin', rainin'
…….his tired eyes now closed and his cigarette burnt down to the filter, ashes from a smoke that barely served any purpose collect in a small pile on the ground beside the open door….. still the music plays on as people and friends walk by not disturbing his moment of rest for they know he is tired and must wake up again soon for another day at the shop and return to the Centre to give a repeat performance of his duties as head of the parking lot crew….
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Post by Krazy Kirin Nights on Nov 10, 2008 8:07:14 GMT -5
Dude,
I just love your stories! Please keep them coming, and don't forget that you left Michael still sleeping in your last chapter.
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Post by lostthenfound on Nov 11, 2008 12:50:43 GMT -5
……….it’s amazing how a song can change the way you look at the world and feel at any moment in time giving you that opportunity to distance yourself from the insane and sometimes chaotic world and escape to a place of comfort and euphoria. Even if it is only for that short period of time you know that while the music plays, those four or five minutes belong to you, and nobody can take that special feeling that you get when losing yourself in a song.
…......……tap, tap, tap……Michael wake up…..Michael slowly opens his eyes to the deep voice of a man standing over him and the smell of barbeque chicken teriyaki close by, a petite women also standing there smiles at him with a look of concern for she knows he is tired and could use a good nights rest…….As they prepare to leave they wish him a good night and remind him that their daughter is waiting in the back and would like to go home soon, and with that he sits up and bids the couple a goodnight and assures them they themselves won’t be much longer.
As he props his seat back into the driving position he looks down at the pile of ashes beside his car and just then notices that he is still holding on to what appears to be the remnants of a cigarette. Only now realizing that he had fallen asleep for a much greater length of time, what he had thought was just a minute or two was actually three quarters of an hour…..he steps out of the car and with a flick of his finger the cigarette butt is launched to the cold and dirty grey pavement and as he reaches to turn off his tape deck another familiar song begins to play. But this time it is different and his special girl who herself is tired and like him wants to go home is now standing behind him, resting her chin upon his shoulder with her arms wrapped around him they embrace as if they were the last couple on earth and both slip into another world where the music once again has taken over the moment…….
Its a little bit funny this feeling inside I’m not one of those who can easily hide I don’t have much money but boy if I did Id buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show I know its not much but its the best I can do My gift is my song and this ones for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that its done I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss Well a few of the verses well they’ve got me quite cross But the suns been quite kind while I wrote this song Its for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue Anyway the thing is what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen
And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that its done I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words Howwwww wonderful life is….. While you’re…… in the world.
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Ghost Writer Sansei
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Post by Ghost Writer Sansei on Nov 27, 2008 10:26:54 GMT -5
Hi there LTF,
Your ongoing story about "Uncle Mike" is very touching and has taken me on a trip of emotional highs and lows!
Your descriptions are ones that can bring those moments in time that you descibe to life, to those out there who never really experienced those good old days of summer and the Tokyo Pavillion days!
Keep your segments coming as I look forward to each installment.
Ghost Writer Sansei
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Post by Crazy Kirin Nights on Nov 28, 2008 14:22:35 GMT -5
Hi there LTF, Your ongoing story about "Uncle Mike" is very touching and has taken me on a trip of emotional highs and lows! Your descriptions are ones that can bring those moments in time that you descibe to life, to those out there who never really experienced those good old days of summer and the Tokyo Pavillion days! Keep your segments coming as I look forward to each installment. Ghost Writer Sansei Rock On GWS!!! I agree with you 100%!
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Post by Casey on Dec 3, 2008 15:03:56 GMT -5
This message is for the author of the Memories of "Uncle Mike" - A Part of Our Lives story.
I have been following your story since the beginning and it seems that you have something in common with the main character "Uncle Mike" or at least were a very close friend of his at one time.
Your memories paint a wonderful picture that a lot of readers seem to identify with. Perhaps as you say it was a great time in your lives and that is why so many readers have made similar comments.
Keep up the wonderful words and beautiful stories.
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Post by june on Dec 3, 2008 15:15:53 GMT -5
I agree 100% - please keep the memories flowing. Your last story really made my eyes water from both happiness and sadness. I remember those days vividly. I am trying to tell my kids about those days but it's hard for them to understand and to imagine how Michael was back then but I'll keep trying. It's important to remember the good times!!! Thanks LTF! June
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