[CUEBALL]

I am sitting here, getting ready for bed. I spent a while messaging my wife and kids, watched a movie on my laptop, and layed out my things for an early Army morning. I threw on my MP3 player an Album of my youth, (yes I still to this day call all music 'albums'). Pretty normal, except this Album was Blue Oyster Cult, and the song was 'Astronomy'. I don't know why, but I got a feeling I get many times a week over the past five or so years; one of memories of youth gone by, friends I have known and friends I have still, things I have done and experiences I have had. I am on my 2nd time through the song and thought I'd share some with the friends I have on this board. Seems strange to say that, cyber friends, but it is what it is.
I sometimes think that the choices I have made in life weren't the best, or weren't what I should do, or aren't totally true to me. I am a crazy, free spirited guy whose outer persona belies the truth within. But I think we are all that way to a certain extent, we trade certain things of our souls for the friends, families and world we have. We humans are a strange breed.
I remember the times I spent with my small town buddies, doing things of youth that I thought I'd never quit, with people I thought I would never grow apart from. I never thought in that time that I would ever get old, I would ever join the society that I despised. Who knew what they would think when they got older?
I remember cruising the streets, with many strangers along the way that you could share a few moments with and exchange a bit of ourselves at the same time. How they became a piece in the puzzle of our existence. Carefree optimism still abounds, but definitely in smaller doses.
How many of us would do it again, the excesses of youth, the trials and tribulations of our teenage years, the forward leaning brashness of our twenties, the homesteading resignation of our thirties, and for all that lies ahead? Many here understand what I mean.
I have had many friends, some good, some great, some gone. But listening to my Album choice tonight, I am reminded that we are all connected, my friends and I, and I am still hanging out in 1980 listening to a vinyl record we played those many years ago. My friends are still here around me, I bet they can hear it too. Bruce, Chris, Jeff, Tony.
Life is strange. Some choose greatness, some choose fame, while others choose fortune. I am content to choose experience and just smell the forest and lay in the grass. I would do it all over again the exact same way. And I sure as heck will, given the chance.
I suppose that's why I like my car as much as I do. Bridging the line between crazy nut me and the family guy me. The impetuous teenager at 150MPH and the refined father in the school parking lot. I hope that all your paths lead you where they should instead of where they should not.
I am glad to have known many here, and experienced with you tonight. Its what its about... sharing and experience and connection. Its about Memories.....Friends......Life!