Old Friends

Today I learned that a friend from childhood died over the weekend from a heart attack. He was 52.

52 is not a ripe old age. To complicate his life toward the end, he was also battling cancer.

Looking back, the signs were there. Though always tall, he seemed from my young eyes to carry a little more than was normal around the waist. I attributed this in my youth and ignorance to lack of an active lifestyle. Toward his end, that little extra vanished in Facebook photos. Again, in my ignorance, I attributed the weight loss to aging and as the result of good health habits; exercise, improved diet.

As it turns out, ignorance is not wasted on the young.

The sudden (to me) loss of my friend is hitting me hard, and harder than I ever would have predicted. We were on-again, off-again friends as kids, and Facebook helped us to reconnect. He often posted about his latest car acquisition or ski trip. Funny enough, one of the strongest memories I have of him is the ski trip we took back in the 70s to Bryce Mountain. I can still see him in my mind's eye.

And now, with him gone, what remains are memories. Tinged with the regret that I could have, should have, been more appreciative of the gentleness he brought to this world, is the observation that others are coming forward, via Facebook, to express their fond memories of him.

I've always said that one of the greatest pleasures of Facebook is that it allows me to bring the best people in the different phases of my life together in one place.

It looks like the best phases of my life just got a little more empty.

Another Craigslist Attempt

See the posting here.

FREE CHUNKS O' CONCRETE PIECES SMASHED BY HULK!

BAH! Former owner of house build big concrete pad in back yard, and Hulk no like concrete pad. So Hulk get rid of pad by SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! Now concrete pad many, many pieces because no rebar. NO REBAR! NO REBAR! 

Now Hulk no like many, many pieces either. So Hulk say,"Who want concrete pieces?" But nobody answer Hulk. This make Hulk sad, so Hulk post this listing on Craigslist and think somebody want concrete. That somebody you? Well come get it before Hulk start throwing pieces at Ironman. He make Hulk confused with all that talking and funny beard.

You tell Hulk if you want concrete. Take as much or as little as you like. Hulk no care. Pieces were 18'x28' pad, 4-6" deep. Hulk think about 9 cubic yards.

Love for Sale

So I'm on a Craigslist kick these days. I first sold a trailer hitch and just today I sold a poker table and two matching chairs. Here's the write-up for the table and chairs:

The Walking Dead Poker Table 

That's right, the very same model as seen in this season's The Walking Dead on AMC. You've watched the Governor plot and plan, manipulating Andrea for his own nefarious needs. All that planning and plotting is happening around a table just as you see pictured here. The only difference is that this table doesn't have zombie guts stained on the surface.

In all seriousness, this is a beautiful reversible game table. We bought it in Texas when we had a poker room. Now we are in Washington and barely have room for a deck of cards. 

When displaying the gaming side, you are treated to cushioned bumpers and a rich black felt playing surface. Flip it over and you have a beautiful wood tabletop.

The table is $250, and we're throwing in two chairs for free. That's right, I said free.

Don't delay, or we'll be using the table to block the windows and doors from the hordes of undead.

I had 3 potential buyers in 12 hours. I need to do this more.