An inviting trail head near Cross Plains Tennessee says "Come on".
Boy howdy! This has been some kind of roller coaster (say what) ride of a year. Remind me to tell you about the cyber collpase of the 1/2 decade. The incorrect solution and the inevitable rebirth! Like the terrestrial orbit itself on the brink of rebooting; the world headquarters is fresh for another run. I'm even thinkin'.... Facelift in '09. It's been an upheaval battle at times, but we made it to the reset switch. T minus 16 and a half!
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Friday the 26th was a busy day at the store. Not a lot of returns though. After work I had to stop at the Chatterbox to pay my tab for the sing-a-long, when we left there it was chaos and crowd so I promised to come back and remunerate on a later date. I did and then I thought about going to the Nap-Town Roller Girl party afterwards at Birdy's but I was just to beat from a season of sell, sell, sell. Besides Jenni wanted to go shopping and we were waiting for our care package from Florida and Meredith and Michael. So I headed home and she headed out. Now I can tell you that if a UPS package is tracked and it says it will be delivered on the 29th, it's not going to be delivered on the 26th even if it is at the Indy hub. We had decided on Christmas day that we would head south to Jenni's folks home and have a late Christmas stay with them two days later, over the weekend. Jenni's brother John and his new bride Jennifer were there too, and with our arrival all of the Mason sib's were home for the holidays. The drive down was rainy through the middle of Kentucky but by the time we got to Tennessee it was sunny and 75°. There was talk of putting the top down on the convertible for the last thirty miles, but in the end we just left it up and drove with the windows down instead. My interest in history was piqued by a historical marker on TN 25 and we stopped so I could read it. It was a little graveyard and very interesting in design too. We stopped and stretched our legs and I documented a bit.
Before you knew it we were gathered in the living room or dining room snacking and waiting for the other package presenting parties to participate in pleasant plunder. Jenni and I had found some way cool robot toys at the toy store on Mass Ave and got one each for Hank and Logan, the nephews. They were a hit. The whole family had a great christmas and it was too bad that we only had a day to spend. John and Jennifer headed back east to Knoxville after all the presents were doled out and the sun had set, which meant that when the time to bed down Jenni and I would get the guest bedroom at David an Laura's (Sissy to the family) about a quarter of a mile's drive from the homestead. Sunday came too soon and we all gathered once again at the Parental palace for food and farewells. I got to watch the first half of the Titans at the Colts game before it was time to roll north with the warmer weather behind us. The trip north saw us driving and listening to the second half of the Colts game and then the Dolphins /Jets game.

Photos: (Side banner) Panoramic of the cemetery on Tennessee 25:
(Above) Historic marker that caused us to find the cemetery.
(Immediately above) Nephews Logan and Hank unwrapping and playing;
Logan with a robot walker.
-4:
Next stop: WildCard in SanDiego
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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The Last days before Christmas were a blur to me. Chuck Pace © 2008
This shot was taken on Christmas Eve at the Chatterbox.
Christmas Eve was a nice night and a not so nice night. The day started with a holiday breakfast at the Red Eye for whoever wanted to attend from the two stores. I was a little out of sorts not feeling myself, what have you. But the food was good and half of the Carmel staff showed up and about half of the Indy store was there too. This is the last week for Mike Novak too. He is taking a job at the American Legion here in Indy as a liaison and will begin liaising January 5th. Mike was at the store for just a few month south of 15 years.
Later in the day I was down with a very bad headache and Phil sent me packing at about 12:20, all I know for sure is that I laid down on the couch after taking migraine meds at 1:05 and other than taking off shoes and loosening my belt did not stir again until 6:15 when Jenni came home and woke me. Around 7:15 we headed back downtown for the unofficial sing-a-long featuring the dexterous digits of the dashing and debonaire Jane Pozek. The house was packed to the gills (I didn't even know it had gills until they where distending and flaring from the sardine solution to packing singers in a saloon). After the music started and the singing fluctuated from energetic to entropic and back a few times, and the smoke and the undulating crowds crowded and undulated just too many times I decided that escape was the better solution. Brock and Jess were in from Columbus with Travis and Liz, but were not afforded a place to be miserable with the rest of us and left before the festivities began with a beat and tempo. Six songs in and before the 12 days of Christmas, Jenni and I got behind lead blocker Deanne and made our way to the door and sanctuary. "Sanctuary!"
I took my headache to bed only to be unable to sleep. So I got up and placed wrapping papers around some items that were to be my wife's Christmas from me, meager as it was to be. Around 5:00 AM Christmas morn I stumbled into the bed chamber again and did find some solace from my somnolence (the longing for sleep) until a little after 10:00 when I work to the smell of coffee in the air-ducts and was revitalized enough to make my way out and be fronted with gifts and wife in festive giving patterns. It was a good day, and the head forgave me for the previous nights foray into the fray of frolickers.
There is the cap recapped in a nutshell not roasted by a recklessly unshielded heated hearth. More as I recover.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Tonight I am going to my first Pacers Game of the season at 10-17 they are not setting the court on fire but they do have a 6-6 home record. Tonight's opponent is the Nets from Joizee who are in the same division and are the 8th seed at 13-14. I'm hoping for a good close game and a win. But I will settle for a good game. As usual our host is David Andrichik. I will be back tomorrow morning with more details. Go Pacers!
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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I worked Sunday, one of the two Sundays that Roberts is open each year. There was football on the radio, though why AM1260 thought that the Patriots vs.Cardinals was the game to air I'll never guess. No the game that had the most meaning for me was the Steelers vs Titans. If the Steel Curtain cold close around the Titans then we beat the titans next week we would have identical records and they would have to go to the second or third tie-breaker to declare the Tennessee team the 1st AFC South team to win the division other than the 6 time AFC South Champion Colts. So Big Ben choked and Tennessee won.
After bowling last night where Each bowler Mel, Mike Wilson, Rich and I each had one good game, (o.k. Wilson had all three over average including a 212, but he's the only one) I got home and did some much needed Photoshop projects too late for anybody but one person's Christmas. I also watched the Giants vs. Panthers game go into overtime after a miraculous Manning type drive to tie with a two point conversion. So The Giants and The Titans have first round byes and home field advantage as long as they remain unbeaten. Still I'm looking forward to the all Manning Championship.
O.K. the cars running in the cold cold driveway and I have to get going. Maybe I'll see you at the Box tonight, I have to stop and pick up some Nicci Cookies, and deliver that Photoshop Job to somebody. If you contributed to the Cause you might see me there. And Billy Preston sang...
Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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It wasn't just Carole King who felt the earth move under her feet!
In 1954 Jesse Stone writing as Charles Calhoun penned the early rock classic "Shake Rattle and Roll" which was first recorded by Big Joe Turner. The best known and most successful recording came in the same year by Bill Haley and the Comets who "rocked" up the arrangement and changed some of the lyrics. Then in 1955 Elvis Presley recorded it for the first time for Sun records using Haley's arrangement and the original Joe Turner lyrics. Elvis recorded it again in 1956 this time for the big time RCA Victor label. This is the version that I have and like the most even though it received only luke warm attention and was never a hit.

Old Dome in rubble, East facade looking South.
The sky was still there after all, just waiting.
Yesterday at about 9:36 AM while at the Roberts downtown store that Elvis version came to me as I stood at the door and listened to the implosion of the Hoosier/RCA Dome two blocks west of me. The first concussive sounds started then and took on a few different notes as different charges were fired sequentially to drop the historic structure. The windows were rattling and the ground did indeed shake and the whole affair lasted about 24 seconds then peace and quiet (except for the sounds of crowds cheering further north on Meridian).

Please have any purses or packages open and step to the next available security checkpoint.
It would be almost three hours later before I got to see any of the carnage, I was on my way to the Circle Centre Mall for some power shopping, and I didn't have a camera except for the iPhone. After work I got a closer look and some shots before going to the Colts Pro shop in the new Lucas Oil Stadium. The most melancholy shot has to be of those steps. How many times since 1984 did I stand on or take those steps? Jenni's comment when looking at these photos?
"I saw Pink Floyd there, and Bruce Springsteen." Well Jenni, Shiel Sexton is the group that finally Rocked the House! Or reduced it to Rock and Roll-ing Thunder in the Dome!!!!
The last verse and chorus from the post title song!
I went over the hill, way down underneath
I went over the hill, way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes
And then you make me grit my teeth

Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won't do right
To save your doggone so

Go Colts
-4:
Next Week it's PEYBACK!
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Wow! we are in the home stretch now. I am only 4 and a half days from a day off. THE day off, the Holiday off. It is amazing how slowly some days can go, when the balance of them is nothing but a blur. Jenni has been going nuts on the buying thing, I have been sick and working so much I haven't done a lot of that (yet). The prognosis is a wet Christmas Eve, and a Sunny Christmas day. That takes about a third of the Holiday songs right off the table for the un-official sing-a-long at the Box with the Lovely (and talented) Jane Pozek. The "Lovely" thing is official by the way, it is printed on the Chatterbox table toppers of upcoming events, so you know it is true! Janey will be playing all your holiday favorites with her little digits (actually they are long and slender, see how they caress that wine glass in the photo), I digress. Favorites like: The Little Bummer Boy, Frost E the Blow Man (had a Very Long Fingernail), The Empty Tip Bucket Blues, Baby it's Cold (by this window) and so so many more.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Just like that fateful April day in 1912; the Band played on. This time none of the survivors had to be dragged out of the icy waters and onto the decks of the Carpathia and into a makeshift infirmary. No this time the freeze-line was beyond the windows and walls of the Chatterbox far south of the 41st parallel. o, this time the icy waters were in the form of snow flakes and frozen rain add mostly on the secondary streets of fair Indy.
The band tonight was the Jazz-tet that until March of this year was fronted, sided, no: more like inspired and guided by the late Dick Dickinson. I think the music was up to Dick's standard with Michael Moynahan on saxophone, Dave Scalia on skins (drums) and four year veteran and successor Jesse (the front-man in the back) Whitman on upright base. The first set was tight and the mix of songs just right. Near the end we were treated to a heart warming version of Christmas Time is Here (Guaraldi-Mendelson) from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with Mr. Moynahan on reeds.
At the break I asked Jesse the name of the group since there was no sign. I said, "Are you the Dick-less Jazz-tet? Or has it not come up? Well for that matter...?" I could tell he was at a loss for words, so I let him be.
Mr. Giles and Ms. Giles
Meanwhile down by the colder end of the Tavern (the jukebox/bathroom/backroom end) brother and sister Steve and Maura Giles were enjoying a quiet night celebrating Steve's 32nd birthday. Happy birthing remembrance (though thankfully none of us have to remember "that"!) Stephen.
These moments are the end of a nice evening at the "Box, the beginning of the evening saw me joining Mel for a Bourbon tasting. Mr. Ross Whitfield joined us before the festivities started and Mike McDaniel and Jeff Barber joined us shortly after. I did not partake of the Bourbon's myself, nor did Mr. Barber.

Maxwell and Jeffrey fresh from a Pacers WIN!
Near the end of the whole mess for me Maxwell Banks and his crony Jeffery (both friends of Chatterbowler Clayton Hamilton) came in an quietly brought glad tidings of great joy, for indeed the Pacers of Indiana had vanquished Warriors from the Golden State of California to build a two game winning steak.
With coat in hand an love in my heart I started the car, feeling that for at least a moment all was right with the world... and they heard me exclaim as I drove out of sight, I hope Jenni's o.k. , cause I don't wanna fight.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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I almost felt bad about this. But not for the intended victim, for the collateral one.
Yesterday Jenni and I went to the Madison Grill for Lunch. We go there a few times a month. The food is good and the waitresses are all very friendly and helpful. You can get discount coupons online to at www.madisongrillindy.com if you want to try it.
So there we are at the Grill waiting, after Ty our waitress brought drinks and had taken the order. I tell Jenni I'm going to read her the Bowling Post I did yesterday so she can "hear the drama and the writers intention." Out comes the iPhone, and I give a dramatic reading with all the proper pauses and breaks, with all the intensity and conviction. Then the food arrives and we chow down. I slip the iPhone back into my shirt pocket and soon we are on the road.
I drop Jenni off at the entry to her work then I head to mine. In my parking lot I conceive a "funny" duh moment, and send this text (from the iPhone).
"You didn't pick up my iPhone did you? I have looked everywhere and can't find it!!!
Jenni's response: No!!!!!!!!
I get out of the car and walk in, hang my coat and send: Duh, I'm using it to Text! Gotcha
Now here is where the almost feeling bad comes in...
Jenni's response: Ty is out in the parking lot looking for it! You Ass!
Followed by another quick response: Kathy and Cindy congratulate you! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh
So, like I said I almost feel sorry for Ty, but hey, I did give her a 45% tip since we used a $5 off coupon, and because of the Holiday.
I called Jenni and (this time) she caller ID'd my incoming and answered, "Duhr." I said call and tell them anything you want, but tell them they can stop looking. She said I had to call, and I said no.... I wasn't the one who got fished right off the Pier! So she called and said we found it, and thanked them for looking.
The irony here is that Jenni has a fishing game on her iTouch, I don't even need it! I landed Gulliblefish with an ether phone line!
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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The first two warriors of the Keg'lin clan gathered in a dim light alley. Soon there would be more. Soon there would be carnage. The warriors partook of grain based liquids in anticipation of the struggle ahead and waited for the rest of the clan to arrive. Donning special footwear and stretching they loosed up in preparation of the nights conflict. Soon another warrior arrived and began taking off the heavy clothing so that he may have greater mobility when smiting the 'Ten' who would not stay down. This most Recent warrior, Rich, carried three orbs of power, the other two had only one each with which to strike at the 'Ten'. Rich also choose to prepare with a grain based liquids before facing the formidable 'Ten'.
The battle would rage in two separate alleys simultaneously. The alleys themselves were very narrow, just 41.5 inches from side to side and on either side a treacherous gutter that would neutralize a power orb. Between the alleys was a covered channel and a combatant need only hold his hand over the mouth of the channel and his power orb would flow back against gravity and rest with the other orbs waiting for the next barrage. The three waited, warming their insides and steeling themselves. Another arrived, then two more including the mighty female Reb'. There were enough. Enough to wage the conflict and the first skirmish was soon underway.
A warrior approached each alley at the same time, KRis on the left, Dav'Sh on the right. The 'Ten' lined up in a wedge like the powerful Roman armies that swept Gaul centuries before. It began.
The first orb smashed into their ranks leaving only one standing. In the other alley a similar fate awaited those 'Ten'. When necessary the orb was tossed a second time then the warrior would seed his position to the next in line. 'Ten' regrouped and stood facing each combatant in rapid succession.
Halfway through the first soiree two final champions arrived to help do battle. D'andrichik and his initiate JenDen, the second female warrior. The late arrivals watched and fraternized with the original group of warriors until each warrior had ten times faced the relentless 'Ten'.
Before the next soiree the warriors regrouped to better take on the fearless foe. The men of the Moniker Dave: Dav'B, D'andrichik, Dav'Sh and their ally Rich the three orbed dueler took the left flank, KRis, Reb, Chuk and JenDen the right. Through the night the battle raged. Five soirees in all though Reb and KRis retired before the final pair. Rich joined those of the right flank to cover the loss of two duelers and the 4th soiree continued unabated. More challengers retired and the final skirmish saw Rich on at the throat of one alley and Dav'Sh eager at the other. Alternating between the two alleys they sent fusillade after fusillade at the 'Ten' scattering and decimating their ranks. Throughout the evening the individuals kept score, but when it was all over and the alleys darkened, the 'Ten' again stood waiting for another day, another conflict.

Thus went another night of bowling practice.

Chuck Pace ©2008 
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The lowly Lions made a game of it as the lowly often do. It is the pattern of losing that is the downfall of teams on the brink of success, the conditional response, the dare I say comfort zone. I hate to say that but I do believe the it is true. It is hard to bust through an established pattern and change, even if that pattern is one of failure. I would almost feel sorry for them, but not against my Colts Bub! Tony Dungy said much the same thing mid week, he wished the Lions and their coach success and triumph for the final two games, those after our meeting.
Meanwhile on the other side of the ball records were falling like my investment portfolio on the field. Marvin Harrison moved into solo third place all time for most receptions in a career with his 1st catch of the day, just 6 down from Andre Carter, and still a bunch away from the legendary Jerry Rice. While that was going on Manning moved ahead of Vinny Testeverde for 6th place on the career completions roster, and as a team the Colts became the first and only team in the NFL's illustrious history to have 5 consecutive years with 7 straight wins.
Tennessee lost yesterday while the Colts won, consider a scenario where the Colts and Tennessee both end the season 12-4, we would have to win the last two while Tennessee loses them, o.k? We have a short week playing in Jacksonville on Thursday, then 10 days to prepare for the final regular season game here against Tennessee. We would be tied wins and losses in the division with Tennessee @ 4-2. The media had all but given the division to Tennessee, saying yesterday that the Colts can not win the division, it must come down to a second tiebreaker if so. We should be the highest seeded Wild Card in the AFC with at least one home game, most likely against Denver although The Pats and the Dolphins are still mathematically alive, but don't completely control their destinies. Meanwhile the Giants are on top in the NFC even after an embarrassing lose to Romo and TO last night.
Here's to an all Manning Superbowl this year.
Go Colts
- 4:
Let's add another helmet on Thursday

It is Sunday and the recovery is well under way. I have been home and not so well since I left work on Friday at 10:30. Somewhere between Wednesday and Friday morning I came down with some wicked cold/flu symptoms. Thursday I was sniffling and sneezing a bit, Friday I went to work with an eye that would not stop watering, and ear that crackled each time I moved my jaw, and bursts of coughing that would deprive me of enough oxygen that I would be dizzy for twenty or thirty seconds after the fit was over. I called Jenni and asked her to contact our Doctor in Cumberland, within minutes I had an appointment text show up on the iPhone. I informed the powers that be that I was going to see the doctor and expecting to get a shot. I picked up Jenni so that she could have the car for a return trip and to continue her work day. At home I didn't have much time before the time. I started the truck and let it warm up for a bit, then headed off to see the wizard, or shaman or medicine man.

My Daily Bread, O.K. so I exaggerate, but...
To get a quick appointment at a Doctor's office actually means to get an opportunity to spend a lot of time at the Doctor's office. When I arrived I had a fever of about a hundred and just over a hundred fifty pages left in the Brisingr book I have been reading for a couple of weeks off and on. When I got behind the reception wall, the, hey I've been called to a higher plane call I had about 95 pages to go. A nurse followed me into the rome and did the inner ear temperature reading, and the blood pressure arm smashing and the embarrassing weight gain mention. I grabbed the kleenex box from the other side of the desk and dug back into the final chapters of the book after her departure. When the Doctor walked in I marked the page with one of my Roberts business cards and began to tell my story of woe and dread. The Doctor told me I was to sick to get a shot, since the shot's themselves take you down before building you up. Thirty five minutes later I was at the pharmacy counter at Meijer with three (prescriptions) scripts., which I was told should take about 30 minutes. I bought movies and oranges and orange juice and Zicam while waiting. The Movies Tropic Thunder, Hancock and Hellboy 2 were watched in that order over two nights counting and today. After Meijer my next stop was Wally World for my last script, a $4 medicine. A colossal sphere with hands at the Wally drop off counter and told me it would be 45 minutes. I went back to the Truck, grabbed the book and walked to the Steak and Shake across the parking lot. There Kathy made me feel right at home, I had 5 way Chili with cheesy fries on the side and a diet Cherry Coke. She even brought me extra napkins for my draining nasal passages and my sorry red weeping eye. While dining the iPhone counted down the minutes until I could retrieve my final meds and go home and finally rest. Kathy must have thought I was reading a very sad book because she asked what I was reading. When I said it is the third book in the Eragon Cycle I must have said it in the Ancient Language or in a Dwarfish dialect because she comprehended not a wit.

IPhone alarms and I'm back in Wally's arms. At the payment first window I stood and waited for 10 minutes to say and pay. Next they sent me consultation window to consult with a pharmacist who was currently consulting with a phone caller for another 10 or more minutes. Eventaully she came over, picked up the pouch and said, "Mr. Pace?"
"Yup." I said with a weeping eye and a sore throat and stuffy nose. This is amoxicillin, have you taken it before? "Yup."
"Do you have any questions for me?" "Nope."
Three and a half hours after I pushed through the door and into the Doctors office I was in the truck and heading home. I looked forward to crashing. Which first meant walking Charlie. Then putting the tea pot on, then taking a barrage of medicines, putting on sweats, making the tea. Walking Charlie again because he was sure it was time. I was on the couch for less than an hour when Jenni came home. I finished the book.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Yesterday was definitely one of those days to forget. One where everything went wrong or was cursed.
I got up nearly an hour earlier than usual to do my Chatterbox/Dickinson post. When I went to upload it to the WWW I must have made a keystroke error, because instead of embellishing the internet blogasphere with my wit, I created a duplicate copy of my three years of posts to my software platform.
When there was no time left to figure out the issue I left for work. I had forgotten that Jenni was scheduled for a dentist appointment and was not joining me so I drove in alone.
The interstate had more than it's usual share of blind 9 year old drivers and my frustration levels did not subsist. I got to my Starbucks and was told that not only was there not any Decaf made, there wouldn't be in the foreseeable future. A different Starbucks had lost water pressure and they were using the brewers of mine to fill several group pack boxes to transport there. I was offered and accepted a "mild" American decaf in place of my usual. I got to work without a second to spare and no time to unwind.
The day proceeded like it was less than two weeks from a major gift giving holiday. I was to be the second lunch which I would have to take alone due to the lack of wife three blocks to the east. I didn't realize that Mr. Novak was not in when I took my first call: a sensor cleaning request: I said I took lunch at 12:30 ish (which I would if I were the third lunch launchee) instead of 11:45 for the 2 spot, and ended up waiting an additional 1/2 hour for my customer to drop in for the service. So I got to lunch (alone) later than I should have.
After solo satiety I helped many customers, including some that just don't get it. I remained calm knowing that I would be the same way outside my sphere of expertise or knowledge, but that still doesn't help the psyche on a day from hell. Thursday is the dreaded long day and we were there until 6:30, then a lonely drive home in the dark without my passenger to grouse with about the day.
Before I got home I had to stop and fill up the tank on the convertible, to my overwhelming delight gas prices had gone up 35¢/gallon since my morning drive in.
Next I had to pick up a bottle of barley for the Friday night IBCFM (International Beer Club For Men) meeting, and was rang up by a grumbly old curmudgeon who tried at least 20 times to get my Mastercard to process as a Visa. He said the card was warped, cracked, and didn't work. I said other wise. Finally I guessed why he was failing at register 101, and said it's a Mastercard. He pushed a button on the register and it worked on the next try. Being resigned to the day I was having I had not been short, impatient or unfriendly. In a disgusted tone he said, "Well I'm not too SMART, 's why I work here! "
Home, no food and the computer to contend with. I deleted the duplicate history, reformatted my photo, and uploaded the We Were Listening post. Then while the joy of the day was still in me, I started to make this post. I thought it would be neat to try to flip the signature and comment thing over, just like my day had been. I named the file "title upside down" which the computer saw as html code when I dragged it in and messed up several lines of text, before crashing the whole program. luckily I had saved after the previous post.
That all took me to about 8:30, when I decided to soak in an epson salts bath. Well earlier Jenni had been doing laundry and I didn't get as much hot aqua as I wanted, plus I ended up dicking with the computer some more for about 20 minutes after drawing the water for my soak therapy. When I climbed in the water was barely tepid. So I drained about half of the luke warm and re-topped with 2 parts hot and 4 parts again luke warm. The water heater water was not back to a full usable temperature. Net gain? Short ,non theraputive epson salts wasting soak. I consumed a half a carton of Whoppers for dinner and trundled off to bed with the Brisingr book and a box of Kleenex's in hand. Par for the course, in the last 24 hours I had developed a massive head-cold or the flu.
I hope that that day was the completion of the rest of the years bad days.

footnote: Funny, that post didn't upload last night so I resubmit it today: 12/12/2008 1:01PM, then I go to bed with the flu and the throb from a shot. I will not be attending the IBCFM meeting either. Drat.

Where the Music Still Matters. The Chatterbox Tavern. Chuck Pace ©2008
How do you honor a legend? By remembering and sharing and mostly by carrying on. There was a lot of all of that last night at the Chatterbox Tavern on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis. An over Full-House of well wishers and rememberers were in attendance for the memorial event in honor of one of the city's finest sons, Richard A. 'Dick' Dickinson whose life influenced and inspired generations of Jazz musicians and aficionados alike.
It is only fitting and purely by design that David Andrichik should hold a tribute to Dick on a Wednesday, that was the night each week for well over 20 years that Dick Dickinson and his Jazz-tet of rotating and musicians took the tiny stage at the front of the Chatterbox and turned it into a house full of memories.
Last night there were testimonials and stories and e-mails and videos and hundreds of well wishers all missing and remembering a very serious, dedicated, and well-loved man to whom the music mattered. As a long standing member of the Wednesday Night Men's Club that has seen the loss of two of it's founding members: Bill O'Keefe and Ed Sanders in the past five or six years,I can tell you that Wednesday Nights on the Avenue will never be the same.
Even thought the crowds were there for fellowship, drinks, amusement and entertainment all those years, and often got a bit boisterous they were still there for the music. We were there for the music, we were there for release, we were there for friendship, we were there for live Jazz and we were enriched. I say today to Dick Dickinson, we were listening. You will be missed, and the stage hasn't been the same since your retirement this last spring, but it will be quieter now. The shuffle of drumsticks and brushes, cymbals and hi-hats has ceased and we are left with only the rhythm of our memories and the quite respect of the passing of a great man. The quiet is deafening. Yes, we were listening.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Tomorrows Post Today. Like the Early Sunday edition newspaper available after 5PM on Saturday.

Monday night at the Lanes. Few are called, many answered. A cadre of Chatterboxers converged at the Kegling construct on East 10th street. The early arrivals were golf grounds-men and Garden clubbers from the mid east side. David Sherry, Kristofer Bowman, Rebecca Hutton, with Christian Brown as the sole audience member. Next to arrive was Rich Culy and myself, then two more Davids, Andrichik and Beuke (who arrived in reverse alphabetical order). With eight you get more that egg-rolls and after the initial three were done with practice, a tandem of kegler teams took to the hardwoods.
Lane 5 featured Top down: David S, Rebecca, Chuck and David B. While lane 6 staged as follows: Kristopher, Christian, David A and Rich. Three games were agreed upon so naturally Christian played two and proclaimed that he was going home to a Roller Girl. The balance of us, not actually having access to a home that includes the Roller Girl feature; 4. Each bowler had a game to be proud of I think . David B, David A, Rich and I, " the seasoned (if not wizened) bowlers" with the most-est experience at pin intimidation each had at least one 200 game. Two late comers, Jeremy Hatch and LeAnne Bailey, who were just too special (spelled: antisocial) to play on our lanes sublet the lesser sides pair of approaches and runs for a couple of practice programs as well. LeAnne started with a stunning crushing dominating turkey (spelled XXX) then simmered down with a 9-, 8-, --, and... that's where I kind of stopped paying attention to them all the way over on lanes 3 & 4. I mean who's got the time to shuttle back and forth over all that real estate?
Meanwhile back on 5 and 6 (in the real world), side wagers were talked about, and the same seasoned but not wizened four put their monopoly money where the Parker Brothers told Milton Bradley to put his lunch! David B took 2, Rich took 1 and David A the final war-bux daddy, I would have got the chit and got off the pot if we had played 5 (I'm most certainly sure), but 4 was enough for the 7 that had been 8 before 1 had 2 go (She's a Roller!, high Roller baabee, yes she izzz). As for the games played with Cards only the undeserving won. Rebecca, Kris, David Sherry and I donated to the scholarship fund.
Hey, over half the population doesn't even have Balls, let alone Pins to knock over with them.
Please, do all you can.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Where do I begin? It might have began when she moved into the apartment across the hall in the "Yellow House" across from "Old" Herron School of Art at 1701 N. Pennsylvania St. We were friends for over three years before the day. You might say I began when she said yes. You might say we began when we each said I do. By then I was twenty three, she was twenty four and now its 25.
Today it the Silver day for Jenni and I's married lives together. Twenty five years ago when I was but a sapling at a mere 23 years old and Jenni just 10 months my senior we tied together our knots in Springfield Tennessee less than a dozen miles from the Mason family homestead of most of Jenni's non-adult life. While every journey has its dead-ends, and rough roads I am pleased to say I still have my beloved co-pilot along on the trip, and we are still enjoying the journey.
As I write this it is 1:50 AM on December 9th, and I just couldn't sleep. I got up at 1:01 with the express purpose of finding our old wedding photos, but I guess she has hidden them, because I didn't find them. I don't want to wake her so I will just pop up some of the markers on the lane of memories.
The one up top I call "Hey Flock of Seagulls!" Hubba-Hubba. 1982, I think we were heading out to Crazy Al's to see X or somebody. The rest I will caption underneath.

In the Trenches, One of the earliest shots, circa 1979/1980.
Just another day in my apartment, back then Jenni's was across the hall. Funny thing is they say the longer you have been together the more you start to look alike, and this was at the beginning. Thanks to Russel Akred for pushing the shutter on my "film " camera.

Did I Dream it? In the early years. I see the ring but I don't know the year. I think this was taken at my parents house before they moved to Florida, before Meredith.

Baby Makes Three, the happy mother and the Birthday Girl. 5/27/1985, Methodists Hospital, Indianapolis.

My Girls. I'd Recognize that Smile Anywhere! Early Spring 1989.
Jenni has borrowed Charles Nelson Riley's glasses, and Daddy is playing picture guy. Meredith is not yet four and we are living in half a double in the 12 hundred block of Keystone Ave..
I had been at Roberts for less than a year.

As you might guess, I have hundreds of other photos, but I still don't know where the Wedding shots are. Now it''s nearing 2:45 and I have to try to get some sleep. As I go to listen to my wife, partner and life companion, snore. I will sleep with a smile on my face.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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There are Worlds inside our Worlds the we Chose to see or Ignore. Look at the bigger picture through the smallest details.
Last night there was the unknown. Every day there is more unknown which eventually gets to be known. That is what a day is it is a promise of change, same, challenge and routine. A day offers each of us a chance to excel, coast or fail in many things, to most a day is primarily a new opportunity to do the same patterns and actions again hopefully better or with more assurance. Just like marital arts training repetition is a key to success. The things that we have not experienced add to the collective us the things we do over are slowly turned into automatic responses to an already accepted set of patterns. May your day be filled with puzzles, challenges and new a great mysteries, may you solve conquer and unravel your fair share of those new day experiences and may you do it all with a thought for those around you. Your new challenge may be old hat to a coworker or family member or friend, they may choose to guide or they may take a observational role to see how you adapt. You may have a unique reaction or a mainstream one, but have one. Choose to face your challenges and you will grow, hide or dread them and you are accepting that you can not face change.
Do stupid things. For a carefree spirit does not find them stupid, but opens to the possibility that they are only stupid to a less aware personality. Face every challenge with a positive attitude and you will have fewer regrets about your choices and solutions.
Don't try to be happy, try to see the happiness in others, don't try to do everything alone try to do more with your friends and family.
Smile. You are beautiful when you smile. Listen. Share. Love. Above all Love.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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I sit here before a blank canvas which is neither blank nor canvas. It is instead, a computer screen with text and windows open, but on the pane I am to write it is pure white (as pure as the phosphors and LED's can get it that is) except for these words that now grace its simulated writing surface.
I have a bit of a headache, I need to grab a sweater, I have to think of content. I have a bad headache. I have been in the med's cabinet, I pushed Dr. Caligari out of the way and went straight to the Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels.
Well here we go... last week I had Jenni pick-up a 500GB external Hard drive to augment the main frame and mobile command centers of chuckpace.com. I added it to the IT central hub on Thursday since I was off from the work that pays the bills. Since then it's been: Back up. Go forward. Rename. Copy. Delete. Hey I know this... this is Daft Punk's, "Technologic" from 2005's Human After All.

(Lock it, fill it, call it, find it,
View it, code it, jam, unlock it,)

Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start, format it,
Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start, format it,
Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick erase it,
Write it, get it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it,
Lock it, fill it, call it, find it,
View it, code it, jam, unlock it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch, update it,
Name it, read it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax, rename it,
Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start, format it,

Technologic
Technologic
Technologic
Technologic
Technologic
Technologic
Technologic
Technologic

I only used the last "verse" since it has all the components of the first two (which both start with Buy. it... thus the parentheses above ) plus the bridge. It is a toe tapper of a song, a fun little ditty that is also in a new Lincoln commercial too, weird.
Time for Football, almost.
Chuck Pace ©2008 
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Go Colts
- 4:
Time to add another helmet

Dick Dickinson's drum kit at home on the stage at the 'Box. Chuck Pace © 2008
If all the World is a Stage, then it's missing one of its best drummers, Dick Dickinson.
Dick succumbed to cancer on December 1st, and is being honored by his fans and friends at the Chatterbox on Mass Avenue. This Wednesday the 10th there is going to be a Memorial for local and National Jazz great Dick Dickinson. There will be live music, a military honor guard, and testimonials. The celebration of the man and his gift to the world starts at 8:00. I'll see you there.
Chuck Pace ©2008 

Wednesday Morning in panoramic

and the first shot look at the snow in the atmosphere it never made to terra firma.
Chuck Pace ©2008 

As I get older, and I'm doing it even as I write these simple missives, (those first 15 words were written by a younger me, I now have more experience than that foolish pre-15 word youthful version) it seems I get busier. Or to be exact it seems like the stack and list of things I haven't gotten done yet gets longer. Now I'm not talking about a bucket-list, I'm just talking about the everyday crap that comes up and it is a good idea to do stuff, the that can be put off until, stuff. The good intentions stuff. The unnoticed foundation stuff. The stuff.
Well my blogs take about 45 minutes out of each day on an average, some shorter, some longer, some.. Well as you are making me painfully aware my readers (and you know who you are) I have missed a few installments of the banality barrage that is my coexistence. 49 since my last post for you bean counters (presupposing that you labeled each day not blogged in my own uniquely chuckpace.com way as a bean, which is a stretch, possibly like a... hmm, a seed pod, but I digress) which is 36 hours and 45 minutes of not sitting in front of the computer before going in to work, or watching the game or, well usually not hitting the snooze button again.
To put it another way: I pay the hosting site service $11.00 per month to have a place to house my ranting and remarking and remembering. If I use the blog as a means of storing my ideas on a daily basis the cost is only 37 cents a day. By missing a staggering 49 days since the Big Gas Hole (now healed and resuming its previous occupation as a surface for driving and parking) I have made this post cost $18.50 ($ 8:13 in arrears + today's .37) so obviously with the tightening economy it is actually more fiscally responsible for me to post more frequently. I shall do my part to trim the waste out of my blogging expense and provide a more responsible disgorging of discourse.
Furthermore, if I manage a few posts today I can take that cost to product deficiency ratio down considerably. Two posts just $9.25 each, three, just under $6.17 each. There I have addressed the kernel computing crowd, the embryonic plant enumerators , the ripe ovule relegaters, or simply put, the bean counters.
Chuck Pace ©2008