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Post by Zen Master on Dec 11, 2008 14:47:46 GMT -5
Hey there LTF,
I have to agree with June and Casey. Your stories of Uncle Mike are very heartfelt and seem to bring out such a personal side to each chapter. It is almost like you were writing down Michael's memories from your own personal experiences. Does that makes any sense???
I would very much like to know who you are. I am sure that whoever you are you must have a special connection to "Uncle Mike".
Anyways, I don't want to bore you or any of your followers with my ramblings. As June said "please keep the memories flowing"!
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Post by Zen Master on Jan 27, 2009 8:27:09 GMT -5
Hey there LTF,
It's been a while since your last segment and I am anxious to read on, are you still with us?
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Post by lostthenfound on Jan 29, 2009 14:58:19 GMT -5
Thank you for the kind words. I am still here! It has been a short while but the story does continue................................
……………how wonderful life is, while you’re in the world…………………..as the song slowly comes to its end, so does another long night at the Tokyo Pavilion. With the cool summers night air silently making its way through the once hot and humid parking lot Michael’s special girl shivers ever so slightly as they prepare to exit this now deserted lot that just hours ago was packed like the DVP during rush hour.
As Michael looks over his car to make sure that all the equipment has been put away he notices that his special girl is cold but of course trying very hard not to show it. He reaches into the back seat and grabs his leather jacket although worn and weathered still serves its ultimate purpose of male macho coolness and on the odd occasion keeping that one special person warm on just this sort of night. Now draped in his jacket and sitting in the passenger seat, Michael’s special girl gives him a smile, and even through her tired eyes he knows that the smile he is given is one of happiness, true love and understanding for no other person but she could truly understand the boy behind the man that has given so much to his community while sometimes unintentionally neglecting the ones he loves.
Putting his car into drive he looks back one last time to reassure himself that everything is just right……….with a few more goodnights and see you tomorrows he grabs his smokes from the glove box and flips another cigarette into his mouth. Reaching for the car lighter he notices that his special girl has her head resting against the window and has fallen fast asleep. He smiles for a moment…… then trying not to wake her he reaches over and locks her door and adjust the jacket so that it once again covers her up for the short trip home.
As he pulls out of the parking lot so do a pair of motorcycles driven by some Japanese rebels…hahahaha. The one rider on a brand new Suzuki Katana lifts up his visor and says goodnight to Michael. With that Michael looks out the window and he too wishes the rider a goodnight……..you be careful eh!......and with that the two motorcycles take off and quickly disappear into the cool summer’s night. Hmmmm, Michael grins and makes his turn onto Eglinton, rolling down his window he flicks the remainder of his cigarette out and watching it in his side view mirror as the orange ashes bounce ever so lightly off the pavement and into the air over and over like a ballerina on a cloud dancing to the sounds of a perfectly tuned orchestra…………
Rolling up the window halfway, Michael then reaches towards his tape deck and inserts another tape for the quiet ride home. The familiar sound of Billy Joel can now be heard as it quietly fills the inside of the car and for this moment takes him across the border………
Some folks like to get away, Take a holiday from the neighborhood. Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood. But I'm takin' a Greyhound on the Hudson River line. I'm in a New York state of mind.
I've seen all the movie stars in their fancy cars and their limousines. Been high in the Rockys under the evergreens. I know what I'm needin', and I don't wanna waste more time. I'm in a New York state of mind.
It was so easy livin' day by day Out of touch with the rhythym and blues But now I need a little give and take The New York Times, the Daily News.
It comes down to reality, and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide. I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside. I don't have any reasons. I left them all behind. I'm in a New York state of mind. Oh yeah.
It was so easy living day by day Out of touch with the rhythym and blues But now I need a little give and take The New York Times, the Daily News. Who, oh, oh whoa who.
It comes down to reality, and it's fine with me cause I've let it slide. I don't care if it's Chinatown or on Riverside. I don't have any reasons. I left them all behind. I'm in a New York state of mind.
I'm just taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River line. Cause I'm in a, I'm in a New York state of mind
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Post by Casey on Feb 3, 2009 11:47:27 GMT -5
Memories of Uncle Mike Part 10 That was so beautiful! You know so many people have covered that song and every version is special to me for personal reasons and my connections with the Big Apple and the West Coast Bay area! www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZh8YjbDiVkThank you LTF!
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Post by june on Feb 3, 2009 14:05:51 GMT -5
It's funny that Thomas has just recently started listening to some Billy Joel stuff and we were listening to this song and I mentioned how much his dad and I loved this song. Still can remember all the words.......will be humming it all day now. J
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Post by Casey on Feb 6, 2009 14:11:39 GMT -5
Hello June,
In San Francisco there are similar events as your Caravan and I have sent your message board link to some of my friends, who like yours volunteer their time to help make these festivals run smoothly and successfully.
I believe that these memories you share can be felt on the West Coast too!
The common thread being on how close our Japanese community is and how we strive to keep our heritage alive.
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Post by june on Feb 6, 2009 16:56:49 GMT -5
Hi Casey, San Francisco is very dear to us since we made some very good friends there during our "youth". We traveled there and have very fond memories. Glad that you are sending the link...the more that can share in this the better and hopefully it will go to some of those old friends that I have lost touch with! June
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Post by Zen Master on Mar 25, 2009 6:28:32 GMT -5
Missing you LTF!
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Post by lostthenfound on Apr 7, 2009 13:46:12 GMT -5
Hi Zen Master!
My apologies...I am still here but have been so busy. I hope to be adding another segment to the story in the near future.
LTF
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Post by Casey on May 13, 2009 7:12:59 GMT -5
Hi LTF,
How are things in Toronto? How is "uncle Mike"? How are you?
Please continue your story!
Casey
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Post by Zen Master on Jun 11, 2009 6:17:57 GMT -5
Hey there LTF, is this where the story ends?
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Post by lostthenfound on Jul 29, 2009 9:59:43 GMT -5
………I know it has been awhile and I do apologize for not posting additional segments to the ongoing story of “Memories of Uncle Mike” but it has been a very busy few months and I just recently found some time to sit back and reflect on some beautiful moments back in time.
As the early morning sound of the clock radio interrupts his few hours of much needed sleep Michael looks up at the ceiling, happily grinning knowing that after tonight it was all over till the following year……..well not really over, sure Caravan may be on it’s last night however the post Caravan celebrations and more importantly clean up has yet to show it’s vulnerable side.
Sitting on the edge of the bed Michael reaches over to his night table and picks up his cigarettes for his first official morning smoke. Quickly he gets dressed slipping on a pair of faded blue jeans and a t shirt that has its sleeves cut off and is barely displaying the once bright Hawaiian sunset from years gone by.
As he makes his way down the stairs the smell of a freshly soft boiled egg fills the kitchen and the familiar clanking sounds of a utensil hitting the insides of a cup as it stirs from side to side could be heard. Michael’s father looks up and shakes his head knowing that Michael did not get too much sleep lat night and reminds him that he is still required to come in on time for his Saturday mornings. Well aware of his responsibilities and not needing to be reminded of this, Michael rolls his eyes at his dad, grabs a few extra packs of smokes from the fridge and makes his way out the front door and jumps into his car for his drive to work.
With the windows rolled down and the Billy Joel tape still inside the deck from last night Michael turns on the music and as he pulls away from the driveway the neighbors and Michael’s parents were serenaded to the rockin sounds of Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rockin Roll to Me!”.
What’s the matter with the clothes I’m wearing? Can’t you tell that your ties too wide? Maybe I should buy some old tab collars? Welcome back to the age of jive. Where have you been hidin out lately, honey? You cant dress trashy till you spend a lot of money. Everybody’s talkin bout the new sound Funny, but its still rock and roll to me
What’s the matter with the car I’m driving? Can’t you tell that its out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile? Nowadays you can’t be too sentimental Your best bets a true baby blue continental. Hot funk, cool punk, even if it’s old junk Its still rock and roll to me
Oh, it doesn’t matter what they say in the papers cause its always been the same old scene. There’s a new band in town But you cant get the sound from a story in a magazine... Aimed at your average teen
How about a pair of pink sidewinders And a bright orange pair of pants? You could really be a beau brummel baby If you just give it half a chance. Don’t waste your money on a new set of speakers, You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers. Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways Its still rock and roll to me
What’s the matter with the crowd I’m seeing? Don’t you know that they’re out of touch? Should I try to be a straight a student? If you are then you think too much. Don’t you know about the new fashion honey? All you need are looks and a whole lotta money. Its the next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways Its still rock and roll to me
Everybody’s talkin bout the new sound Funny, but its still rock and roll to me
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Post by Zen Master on Aug 10, 2009 13:53:30 GMT -5
Hey there LTF, Welcome back!
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Post by Casey on Aug 11, 2009 15:51:03 GMT -5
LTF you are someone special who seems to have a special link with "Uncle Mike". Your segments seem to be very heart felt and genuine.
Your story seems so real to me that I even feel the joy and pain that is shared upon so many of you there in Toronto.
Keep the segments coming as I look forward to each chapter.
Casey
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Post by lostthenfound on Aug 12, 2009 13:45:30 GMT -5
Casey and Zen Master
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