The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Songs, melodies, rhythms, and beats are only part of it. The time or place that reunites us with an experience or memory is paramount to how we cherish certain songs, music, or performers.

Our emotions run wild up and down on the scale of life’s journey. I have had the privilege of going to almost 500 concerts. Not that plenty of other songs from all decades aren’t worthy to listen to when you have the chance, but here is my Top 21 list as I write this blog post. Maybe some of them are yours also – or if not, what are yours?

Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson
Amazing Grace – Judy Collins
City of New Orleans – Steve Goodman
Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray
Dance to the Music – Sly and the Family Stone
Desperado – Eagles
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
Go Rest High on That Mountain – Vince Gill
Have a Little Faith – John Hiatt
Hey Jude – Beatles
In Color – Jamey Johnson
In My Room – The Beach Boys
Kodachrome – Paul Simon
Lonesome, On’ry, and Mean – Waylon Jennings
Night Moves – Bob Seger
Something – Beatles
Song for You – Leon Russell
Try a Little Tenderness – Three Dog Night
Tulsa Time – Eric Clapton
You Never Even Called Me By My Name – David Allan Coe

Who Is Really Calling???

As a husband, father, grandfather, Realtor, School Board member, serving as a member on other boards, high school class reunion contact, political advisor, amateur food expert, and a repository of worthless trivia and knowledge, my phone is always ringing or dinging with incoming texts. So why in the Sam Hill do they think I have time for their meaningless drivel?

No, I don’t want to sell my own personal home to some blood-sucking leech who calls, wanting to give me 60 cents on the dollar so they can pay for their kids’ college debt. Nor do I want to buy a home warranty for my Moore residence, which won’t replace my air conditioner if it goes out until summer is almost over, and with an up-charge derived from the minutae of the fine print. If very costly, they will play the old “pre-existing condition” clause to back out of paying.

Next are the P.T. Barnum’s of the internet – those scabs who are going to move you to the top of “Google search” on Instagram, LinkedIn, Zillow, or Twitter. (As an old South-sider, I know that if they say that to everyone, then it’s virtually IMPOSSIBLE.)

NAR (the National Association of Realtors) has people claiming they represent them by insurance plans for Realtors, and would I like a quote or a phone meeting? Guess what, Bozo, I know you don’t represent NAR, so why would I trust my health insurance with a liar?

Although I’ve never made an online sport bet, a whole herd of so-called “bookie brainchild” people want me to follow their so-called “locks.” I assume if you ever did, the texts would flow more than Niagara Falls.

A billion car warranty texts – well, this is probably enough said, unsolicited fast-food “specials” texts, but who needs three pizzas for two-person household consumers?

Political surveys or begging for contributions – why should I give money for somebody to file a court case in the name of liberty in the state of Delaware? Delaware is the credit card (leech suckers) companies’ own little kangaroo court state to CRUSH consumers like you and me.

Political polls wanting to know if the election was held TODAY, who would I vote for? Well, it won’t be held until November 2024, so leave me alone – it doesn’t matter until then.

Next, they are wanting to give me a tax refund for Covid employees of mine – I don’t have any employees!!!

My caller ID doesn’t always work, so even if it says “scam likely”, it may be a legitimate call from a person who has been referred to me.

All this to say that technology is driving me CRAZY. See you there!

Citizen of the Year – Who, Me?

I was so surprised, humbled, and overwhelmed when attending the South Oklahoma City Chamber annual banquet and was named Citizen of the Year. They were sneaky and had my family hidden out until they started to play the video on the screen. They interviewed my daughters, Wayland Bonds, food critic Dave Cathey, and my old running buddy Steve Grizzle (who I found out does have a filter, thank God).

This honor is like a baklava, the Greek pastry which consists of dozens of thin layers adding up to create a desirable dessert. Let me explain some of the layers…

I was born an only child, so my buddies since five years old are like my brothers – Sam, Randy, Larry Roe, Larry Grizzle, Steve, Charlie, and Tommy (we recently lost Tommy, our very own hero). I have also been nurtured all my life by the loving people of Mayridge Baptist Church. Mac Teague and Bill Grizzle showed me by the example of a servant leader, and James Allison showed me hard work and customer service.

The next layer would be my fellow schoolmates and my experience at US Grant High School. Two outstanding educators who touched my life were Jerry Rickerts and Roy Peters. They told me I had a skill of communicating and leadership and encouraged me to use it for good. Also at this time was Charles Lewis, my first real boss. He managed Baker’s Shoes, which taught me to be humble, LISTEN, and ask questions of myself like, “Are they doing business because of you, or in spite of you?” Baker’s is where I first met Steve McDonald, who later would cross paths with me again. Another layer is my fraternity brothers from Sigma Tau Gamma. These men have been a resource and role models.

The next layer is the years spent at Southwest Typewriter/BMI Systems. Tom and Howard Russell, along with Shannon and Bobby Roberson, gave me the opportunity, flexibility, support and road map to put my communicating and networking skills into play, plus get involved in the community I grew up in and loved. I quickly went up the ladder in our industry professional organization, then locally was included in Rotary Club, South OKC Chamber board, YMCA, Boy Scouts, and more projects like Meadowbrook Acres, a new Y, park revitalizations, city and school bond issues.

Fast forward a few years, and I got to meet creative people like Mark Shannon (radio personality), Bob Hammack (ad genius and prankster), and Dave Cathey (food editor), which in turn led me to introductions to other creative-type people.

The next layer is very important. After working on bond issues, I knew Moore needed to pass one because of its projected growth. I met kindred spirits in Bob Briggs, Randy Scott, Dave Shugart and Mr. Mattocks. We started the ball rolling and then I was encouraged to run for the Moore Public School Board by Helen Cole, the Yaffee family, Glenn Lewis and the Venards (Debbie and Max).

I spent ten years there, doing projects to catch up and went through the terrible 1999 tornado effects. I met the Oklahoma State School Board Association there and had a burning desire to see how schools all over Oklahoma were run. I know that all were a little different. I switched to the Moore-Norman Technology Center board because we need to prepare students for life other than going to college. Skills equal job opportunity and no college debt. I represent Career Tech on the OSSBA board of directors, and see the balance of all education in Oklahoma. I’ve had the privilege to serve with fantastic superintendents Wayland Bonds, John Hunter, Jane Bowen, and Brian Ruttman.

I’ve always believed that life is helping, serving, and connecting people. This is a big part of the South OKC Chamber of Commerce and Career Tech. As a Realtor, I get to do it every day. South OKC and Cleveland County are great places to live, play, and have a business. Most of all, the people are wonderful. They have touched my life way more than I could ever touch theirs.

I’m a very blessed man!

The Choices Are Always A-Plenty

Our life is full of choices, whether they are on purpose or subliminal. We make our choices based on preference or referral, advertising or trial and error. Let me share with you several examples.

The burger dynamic of which one do I choose? McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Carl’s Jr., or Sonic – which do you prefer? I’ve asked several people and what’s amazing is, they do have a favorite, but also hear “I don’t ever cross their property lines” or “I HATE them!” Myself, I prefer Dr. Pepper and cube ice from McDonalds – plus, a cheeseburger is easy to drive with. I usually buy Whataburger to bring home, or Braum’s because I need a gallon of milk (and maybe some added ice cream – LOL!).

The next example will be tacos, the new fast food. These joints run the gamut – Taco Bell, Taco Bueno, Taco Mayo, Del Taco, Fuzzy’s (pick-up) and Jack in the Box (fried tacos). My favorite besides pick-up joints Tacoville and Los Tacos (the local legends) is Taco Casa. You may have a favorite from these or none of them.

Some people only eat tacos at home, in an inside full-service restaurant, or maybe not at all. I’ll admit I’ve used and probably will use all in the future. I’ll bet $100 bucks that some of you wouldn’t let some of the crunch munchos from a certain place or places ever touch your lips. Then there are the “taco snobs” who might get hot sauce in their turned-up noses because they “only eat authentic street tacos” from taco trucks (most have cilantro-onion breath – ha!).

Next on the “my choice is better than yours” train is gas and convenience stores. I have made several moves and choices over my lifetime. Earlier in my life, it was either gas OR convenience store (yes, sports fans, they used to be segregated, separate – two distinct stops). 7-11 was the dominant one back then, with placements near viable corners, but not ON corners. Why, you may ask? Well, because gas stations had the corners locked up (now CVS and Walgreens fight that turf war).

My independent streak had me stopping at Tom Thumb’s, Little Jim’s, and Mike’s, but I flipped to Circle K’s with their alluring appeal. Moving forward, others have come and gone. Valerio was never on my radar unless it was an emergency pit stop. The ones very much in play today are Love’s, 7-11, and Casey’s. Casey’s, the newcomer, is buying market share placements and seems to run a good ship, with pizza that is very tasty, blueberry fritters, and a clean joint, so time will tell. Love’s is a good travel stop, not a local must-go selection.

The new leader in my books in OnCue, which was the first with clean restrooms (7-11 bathrooms are always like a burrito explosion bomb). OnCue has a drive-thru and was first with roller treats (hot dogs and hot links). OnCue has leveraged their placements to key locations. Several of my fellow Realtors (mostly women) prefer the attention OnCue gives to its consistency. Bless your little heart if you still smoke, but those prices of a pack or carton could send a kid through college!

The final example is where you buy your drinks. The newest places are HTeaO or Black Rifle Coffee Company – both are going crazy. Sonic is huge and happy hour is always a hit. Where is your choice of beverage location?

Evidently the choice of one’s dispensary must be hard. I don’t know, as I don’t have a medical card. The names are rather humorous, but the locations are EVERYWHERE. Such names as Weedstock, Cookies, Stems, Not Your Daddy’s Stash, Cannabis Are Us, Woke Wellness, or Dab & Go. How can they all survive? I am glad that we got new marijuana taxes directed to help our rural schools to upkeep their buildings and busses.

Pick your choices wisely!