Back from the funeral. Was more upbeat than I thought it would be and more reflective than depressing. I guess the funeral director was a friend of the family or was just very understanding because Thursday night he let a group of us stay with Jason's coffin at the funeral home. There was about nine of us that used to go out on the weekends while I was still at Ft. Hood and we sat around all night talking, drinking, and trying to play some of Jason's songs on our guitars, Jay was a pretty talented songwriter.
It was cold and cloudy on Friday when we where at the church, but when we got to the cemetery the clouds broke, the sun came out, the breeze stopped, and it turned into a beautiful day. The really cool part was that a bunch of cops from Jay's old precinct came out in full dress uniform as an honor guard, I thought that was pretty touching since they lived over two hours away and Jay hadn't been a cop for two years but they saw him off as one of their own. The wake was kinda interesting because Jay's parents decided to play his favorite songs, one of which was a Stephen Lynch song that neither they or any of the other older relatives had heard before. . .priceless reactions. I have never seen an old lady go from crying to a look of utter revulsion to laughing, which was great because that was how most people reacted to Jason's sense of humor you where either disgusted, laughed your ass of, or his occasional horrific joke made girls cry.
Jay once told me, "You have way to much pain and soul in your voice to be singing rock. You should try singing some non-redneck country, that's where you'll shine." So I finally broke down and decided to learn a country song, he liked Christian Kane so I'm learning this song.
I still don't have the talent or the balls to try and play any of the songs that he wrote for me to sing though. Maybe in a year or two when I get more comfortable with a guitar, I've only been playing for a year.
Good and fun news:
This weekend is the Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia. Getting of work early Friday and I'm heading into New York to meet some of the guys, then we're riding together to Philly. Spending all weekend there bar hopping, Navy Bashing, and just chilling with some more guys I haven't seen in a while. I have very few people I actually consider friends and I rarely get to see any of them so we always go a little crazy when we get together. Plus, the guys I'm riding and staying with are more of brothers than just friends, one of the guys parents actually call me regularly and treat me like I'm another son.
Made a Starbucks run this morning before work, so I was in uniform, and a guy stopped me outside and told me I was a "Fascist fighting an unjust war." What the fuck?! At first I thought he was some hold over from the Vietnam protest era. When I realized he was being serious I decided to fight fire with fire. My response, "How can the military be considered fascists when fascism is a right wing based ideology that rejects the autonomy of cultural or ethnic groups when the military is currently being run by a left wing government and is known for being more racially accepting than any other group in America. While many parts of America still had Whites and Blacks only restrooms and restaurants the military was giving promotions based on merit and not skin color, thus allowing black men to be placed in charge of white men." Him, "Well, war is just a big waste!" Me, "I agree, war is waste. It is the most profound waste of life, time, spirit, and treasure known to man. War is an obscenity. But we know that it is far preferable than subjugation. The time, place, and cause of a war is far beyond the control of the Soldiers who fight; for all Soldiers suffer in war. Now if you'll excuse me I will get back to my job that allows you to safely talk shit to me without fear of arrest or other punishment." I don't think that guy was expecting a response like that. He probably stereotypes all Soldiers has blood thirsty, half-witted mongoloids, not realizing that many enlisted Soldiers and NCO's in the Army have college degrees and above average IQ's. I had to retake my ACT's and SAT's because I was applying to colleges for the Fall 2011 semester and I hadn't taken them since I was Senior in high school almost five year ago. Got my results back last week; ACT- 30 and SAT-2,000. That guy definitely picked the wrong random Soldier to fuck with.
It was cold and cloudy on Friday when we where at the church, but when we got to the cemetery the clouds broke, the sun came out, the breeze stopped, and it turned into a beautiful day. The really cool part was that a bunch of cops from Jay's old precinct came out in full dress uniform as an honor guard, I thought that was pretty touching since they lived over two hours away and Jay hadn't been a cop for two years but they saw him off as one of their own. The wake was kinda interesting because Jay's parents decided to play his favorite songs, one of which was a Stephen Lynch song that neither they or any of the other older relatives had heard before. . .priceless reactions. I have never seen an old lady go from crying to a look of utter revulsion to laughing, which was great because that was how most people reacted to Jason's sense of humor you where either disgusted, laughed your ass of, or his occasional horrific joke made girls cry.
Jay once told me, "You have way to much pain and soul in your voice to be singing rock. You should try singing some non-redneck country, that's where you'll shine." So I finally broke down and decided to learn a country song, he liked Christian Kane so I'm learning this song.
I still don't have the talent or the balls to try and play any of the songs that he wrote for me to sing though. Maybe in a year or two when I get more comfortable with a guitar, I've only been playing for a year.
Good and fun news:
This weekend is the Army vs Navy football game in Philadelphia. Getting of work early Friday and I'm heading into New York to meet some of the guys, then we're riding together to Philly. Spending all weekend there bar hopping, Navy Bashing, and just chilling with some more guys I haven't seen in a while. I have very few people I actually consider friends and I rarely get to see any of them so we always go a little crazy when we get together. Plus, the guys I'm riding and staying with are more of brothers than just friends, one of the guys parents actually call me regularly and treat me like I'm another son.
Made a Starbucks run this morning before work, so I was in uniform, and a guy stopped me outside and told me I was a "Fascist fighting an unjust war." What the fuck?! At first I thought he was some hold over from the Vietnam protest era. When I realized he was being serious I decided to fight fire with fire. My response, "How can the military be considered fascists when fascism is a right wing based ideology that rejects the autonomy of cultural or ethnic groups when the military is currently being run by a left wing government and is known for being more racially accepting than any other group in America. While many parts of America still had Whites and Blacks only restrooms and restaurants the military was giving promotions based on merit and not skin color, thus allowing black men to be placed in charge of white men." Him, "Well, war is just a big waste!" Me, "I agree, war is waste. It is the most profound waste of life, time, spirit, and treasure known to man. War is an obscenity. But we know that it is far preferable than subjugation. The time, place, and cause of a war is far beyond the control of the Soldiers who fight; for all Soldiers suffer in war. Now if you'll excuse me I will get back to my job that allows you to safely talk shit to me without fear of arrest or other punishment." I don't think that guy was expecting a response like that. He probably stereotypes all Soldiers has blood thirsty, half-witted mongoloids, not realizing that many enlisted Soldiers and NCO's in the Army have college degrees and above average IQ's. I had to retake my ACT's and SAT's because I was applying to colleges for the Fall 2011 semester and I hadn't taken them since I was Senior in high school almost five year ago. Got my results back last week; ACT- 30 and SAT-2,000. That guy definitely picked the wrong random Soldier to fuck with.
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
And you like Red vs Blue?! You're just gaining my respect crazyfast.
There's too many RvB quotes to pick favorites... Everything they say is great. ("Chupathingy" is one of my ringtones, though.) And I'm so jealous that you got to meet Geoff and Gus! Fuck.
I'm so, so glad you called the Random Starbucks Shit Talker on his poorly worded slur. I already can't stand when people pick unwanted political fights with strangers [there's a time and a place, if you're to be taken as anything but an asshole]. But this whole new idea that Communism / Socialism / Fascism a.] are the SOME-fucking-how synonymous, and b.] can just be applied to people you disagree with, like you'd do with any -other- "bad word?" NO. USE. A. DICTION. ARY.
UGH.
Anyway.
You are severely outnumbered, my friend. But one at a time is all you can do.