Author Topic: Things in your life that you will remember  (Read 28366 times)

Offline jstephens9

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Things in your life that you will remember
« on: August 07, 2009, 09:48:28 pm »
I think there are things that either you do, hear, or whatever that will remain in your mind forever. This thread is dedicated to those things.

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2009, 09:57:16 pm »
I remember sitting in this very small, hole in the wall, diner of sorts in New York City shortly after the death of Michael Jackson having a breakfast sandwich. There were three fairly young, maybe teenagers, that came and sat down beside me. The place only had maybe 6 seats at a bar up against the wall. It is a very small place. The song "I'll Be There" by The Jackson Five came on the radio station the restaurant had tuned in. The girls were speaking French I think. One said, "Michael Jackson." The one sitting next to me said "How sad." As many times as I have heard that song this is the thing I will remember forever when I hear that song from now on. Very few words, but they expressed a feeling that was somehow universal in any language.

Offline milomorris

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2009, 09:59:25 pm »
Back in 1988, the modeling agency I was working for sent me on a go-see for a print ad for Benneton. They were launching a new men's fragrance called Colors. So I went to my appointment with woman who was doing the casting, and she said, "I'm sorry. You're just not black enough." After we stopped laughing, she explained that they were looking for someone with a darker complexion, and more Africanized features.

I'll never forget that one.
  The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2009, 10:07:26 pm »
And another memory of the same trip that I will always remember that also had to do with Michael Jackson. I was on one of the double decker tour buses that I love to take in New York. A car pulled up beside the bus blasting the song "The Love You Save" by The Jackson Five. There were 4 girls in the car having an absolutely great time practically dancing in their seats, particularly the girl in the back behind the passenger seat. I wanted to get her attention to let her know I loved the music they were playing. She looked up and I threw up my thumb and said "great music." She threw up her thumb and said "all right!!!" She jumped around even more in her seat. Another universal thought!!! These girls would not have even been born when that song was released. Since I heard more of what they were playing, this was a Jackson Five CD, not the usual Thriller CD which impressed me.

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2009, 10:11:24 pm »
Back in 1988, the modeling agency I was working for sent me on a go-see for a print ad for Benneton. They were launching a new men's fragrance called Colors. So I went to my appointment with woman who was doing the casting, and she said, "I'm sorry. You're just not black enough." After we stopped laughing, she explained that they were looking for someone with a darker complexion, and more Africanized features.

I'll never forget that one.

That is something to remember Milo!!! Thanks for posting here and keep posting please. So far I know I am sounding like a major Michael Jackson fan, but these were just the first thoughts that I wanted to get on paper. Actually I was more of a Jackson Five fan since those songs have that true soul feel to them which was not necessarily as true of the later Michael Jackson songs. That is why these things stick out in my mind. I love soul music!!!

Offline Katie77

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2009, 04:12:48 am »
I guess its pretty normal to remember hearing about the deaths of famous people.

Even though I was only 9 I remember vividly our next door neighbour telling my mum that President Kennedy had been killed.

And the morning, my little son was watching Humphrey B Bear, a cartoon morning show on TV, when there was a news break announcing Elvis had died.

And of course, the morning I signed in here, and went into chat as I usualy did back then, and someone said, "Did you hear about Heath Ledger", and I could not beleive what I was reading. Then I turned on the TV and it was on there everywhere, and I stood there dumbstruck just thinking, NO NO NO this cant be true.
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfection

Offline Front-Ranger

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2009, 11:08:58 am »
A moment I'll always remember was when my son and I were sitting by the woodstove in the evening after he told me about his day. He put one earbud of his ipod in my ear and the other in his ear and we listened to some of his favorite music. It was Santana's Black Magic Woman. I did not tell him that I danced to that music as a young woman when it first came out. I just let it be his music that he was sharing with me.
"chewing gum and duct tape"

Offline Katie77

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2009, 05:01:57 pm »
OH yes Lee.....the things our kids have said or done that are forever etched in our memory.

My son aged about 10 at the time, went away on his first school camp. When he came home he told me about sitting around the campfire singing songs one night, and how he cried and missed me when they sang "Country Road, Take me Home".

To this day, whenever I hear that song, I picture my little home sick son singing the words through his tears. He is now 38 yrs old.
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfection

Offline Katie77

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2009, 07:46:43 pm »
What a lovely story Gary, as are all of the stories here. And yes Jeff, a great idea for a thread.
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfection

Offline Monika

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2009, 07:54:52 pm »
One of the latest addition to my list of things ´ll remember is from Calgary a little over two weeks ago. I had just picked up my rental car at the airport and had found my way out on highway 2, heading south. The sun was shining and soon I was surrounded by the flat Alberta prairie. I had 5 days to myself. 5 days to fill in anyway I´d like. No deadlines, no "musts" what so ever. Just me, my car and the open road. My trip had only just begun. It was a perfect moment and I remember having a big grin on my face for several hours straight.

Offline Front-Ranger

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2012, 12:41:35 am »
This is a thread that needs more entries.
"chewing gum and duct tape"

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2012, 04:33:13 am »
 ;)

Offline Jeff Wrangler

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2012, 02:24:49 pm »
;)

Glad to see you checked in, Jack!  :D
"It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide."--Charles Dickens.

Offline RouxB

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2012, 03:38:52 pm »
A few years back I reacquainted with a man I had been seeing off and on for 20 years after not seeing him for a few years. We spent a great summer hanging out (as friends) but he talked a lot about his ex-wife and how much he wanted to get back with her. It made me sad but I put that aside. Fast forward to Christmas of that year and his ex decides to come visit him and meet his son. He was so excited! I didn't hear for him for weeks after she arrived and I just broke down and cried and cried and cried-more tears in that one weekend than I had cried in my life it seemed (that sure changed Jan 22, 2008). So, me and my broken heart just went on with life.

Holidays are over and I am back to my life. I drive up to my house after work one day and there is a basket on my front porch with flowers and presents and a card from  him telling me he loves me and once the ex got there he realized his feelings for her had changed and he didn't want to be with her. I went from being the saddest I had ever been to the happiest I had ever been.

There is no happy ending to this story though as we continue to see-saw in this friendship of ours.


Heathen

Offline Luvlylittlewing

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2012, 04:17:34 pm »
There are a lot of special moments in my life that I'll never forget, but one time really stood out.  I was dating a much older man at work, a scientist who was very well respected in his field.  He even worked with the guy whose research "Jurassic Park" is based on.  Anyway, we decided we needed some R&R and he booked a weekend outing to Pebble Beach.  My friend loved the area and was looking to buy property in Pacific Grove, as he wanted to retire there.  We set out early Saturday morning and arrived in  Monterey by noon.  All checked in, we left the hotel and walked up and down the streets of Monterey where we visited art galleries, saw entire families of deer walking around like they owned the place, and at night, we..well, just suffice to say that we had a great time!  I saw a few Hollywood B list actors hanging around the area; one TV star was smoking a cig under a street light, and I laughed as people walked by him, stopped, smiled and kept on.  We explored historic California forts and watched oldsters driving around the courses in golf "buggies" at Pebble Beach.  It was the best weekend I ever spent.  No kids: he had one young son living with him, and my daughter was a toddler.  My friend and I still get together once in awhile even though we live quite a ways apart.  We didn't get married because he felt I was much too young for him, and decided I needed a partner I could share my life fully with.  He didn't want me to be his nurse.  I was crushed at first, as I did love him and wanted to be with him, but in time agreed with his reasons.  

Offline RouxB

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2012, 05:37:34 pm »
I am going to make a point of coming your way this summer so we can get together.

There are a lot of special moments in my life that I'll never forget, but one time really stood out.  I was dating a much older man at work, a scientist who was very well respected in his field.  He even worked with the guy whose research "Jurassic Park" is based on.  Anyway, we decided we needed some R&R and he booked a weekend outing to Pebble Beach.  My friend loved the area and was looking to buy property in Pacific Grove, as he wanted to retire there.  We set out early Saturday morning and arrived in  Monterey by noon.  All checked in, we left the hotel and walked up and down the streets of Monterey where we visited art galleries, saw entire families of deer walking around like they owned the place, and at night, we..well, just suffice to say that we had a great time!  I saw a few Hollywood B list actors hanging around the area; one TV star was smoking a cig under a street light, and I laughed as people walked by him, stopped, smiled and kept on.  We explored historic California forts and watched oldsters driving around the courses in golf "buggies" at Pebble Beach.  It was the best weekend I ever spent.  No kids: he had one young son living with him, and my daughter was a toddler.  My friend and I still get together once in awhile even though we live quite a ways apart.  We didn't get married because he felt I was much too young for him, and decided I needed a partner I could share my life fully with.  He didn't want me to be his nurse.  I was crushed at first, as I did love him and wanted to be with him, but in time agreed with his reasons.  

Heathen

Offline Luvlylittlewing

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2012, 06:02:34 pm »
I am going to make a point of coming your way this summer so we can get together.


Girl, come on!  I would welcome a chance to hang out with you!  You'll love my mom and my sister!  My sis is always looking out for a social situation!  :)

Offline Front-Ranger

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2012, 09:33:05 pm »
;)
Friend, I'll always remember the time you, I and EDelMar spent exploring the Marin Coast, the headlands, and Chinatown in San Francisco in September of 2007!!
"chewing gum and duct tape"

Offline Shakesthecoffecan

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2012, 10:49:15 am »
I remember a wonderful road trip in the fall on 2005, before this thing got a hold of me, five wonderful days on the deserted Pacific Coast highway, from San Francisco to Seattle, twisting and turning with the ever present ocean blowing rain. It was a joy. I hope to do the southern part one day.
"It was only you in my life, and it will always be only you, Jack, I swear."

Offline Luvlylittlewing

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #19 on: March 19, 2012, 11:26:21 am »
That is a great drive - very scenic.  It can be a scary road to travel, though, with all the twists and turns.

Offline RouxB

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #20 on: March 19, 2012, 04:31:26 pm »
I remember a wonderful road trip in the fall on 2005, before this thing got a hold of me, five wonderful days on the deserted Pacific Coast highway, from San Francisco to Seattle, twisting and turning with the ever present ocean blowing rain. It was a joy. I hope to do the southern part one day.

Yeah cause you haven't been to visit me!

Heathen

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #21 on: March 31, 2012, 03:41:10 am »
You all thought you got rid of me.....lol.....well you know I always have to come here to share things that I don't feel comfortable sharing elsewhere  ;)

“Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” and “Glory Bound”……..songs such as these reminds me of a time probably around the summer of 1972……when a never ending memory happened to me. These songs always and will always remind me of a guy named Bill Stockton from Cincinnati, Ohio who I have never seen again since the morning I left Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. People in general don’t seem to realize that people who are growing up “gay” have the same thoughts, feelings, or whatever you want to call them that “straight” people do. I have absolutely no idea if Bill was gay or straight. It didn’t really matter at the time. I felt a connection to him and I will never forget him. When my parents left the beach that morning I cried to myself all the way back cause I knew I would never see him again. He made an impression on me that still lives today and that was decades ago. I think it is safe to say that I will never forget him as long as my mind continues to remember things. I have wished so many times that I could go back and relive those moments again.

I really have never forgotten those few short days or any of the events when I met Bill that summer. Some of it is a little foggy, but not too much so. My parents and I were staying at the Yachtsman which at the time was new and did not have the center tower as it does now. In fact there may have only been one part of the hotel at that time. I was at the pool and I honestly do not remember for sure if it was me smoking a cigarette or him. I think it must have been me. All I know is I saw a guy there at the pool that day that would become ingrained in my mind forever. I seriously would not be able to tell anyone now what he looked like. It was one of those things that was so strong the mental part of it really takes over in my mind what he looked like. I know he looked great. That much is for sure. Anyway, I was looking at him, but not staring at him. He came up to me and I believe did ask for a cigarette. I gave him one and we started talking. I have no idea what we did talk about. All I know is I had those feelings that have remained so rare over the rest of my life. You know it is those feelings you cannot put into words. It was a connection and I’m sure he felt it too.

I think at some point that day after we talked and were in the pool that we went up to his family’s hotel room and had sandwiches. I remember his father saying that their last name was Stockton like the town in California. Bill and I made plans to go to the Pavilion that night which was the big amusement park there, but I had to get my parents to go out to eat earlier than usual. I remember I worked so hard at that cause my main thoughts were about spending time with him. We did get back in time, but Bill was nowhere to be found. I remember my heart sank if I even knew at the time what that was. It turned out Bill was stuck in the elevator at the hotel. Finally, I knew what was going on and eventually they got him out. We went out to the Pavilion and of course we were supposed to be looking for girls. I don’t think we really were cause when we found some we both ended up not wanting to have anything to do with them. I remember us standing in line to ride the Octopus……I even remember exactly where it was located in the park. He was telling me that it would be his last summer to do things like that cause he was joining the service. He said he was 18, but even then I really did not believe that. I think I was maybe 14 or 15, but I was saying I was 17. You know what it is like during those years. That was our night and our only night. The next morning my parents were ready to leave since it was time for the vacation to end. I remember going up to where his room was, but it was too early to see Bill again. I’m sure he and his family were still asleep. I wish I could or would have left a note so that maybe he would get in touch with me again, but I didn’t. Instead I laid in the back seat of the car crying all the way back very secretly to myself. Sure I was sad to leave the beach, but I was sadder to leave Bill. I even thought of ways to try to get back down there before he left, but of course I couldn’t. I never was to see him again. I have wondered over the years what may have happened to him. I guess that will always remain a mystery. All these years later after so much has gone on in my life I still think of him and that time. If only I could have seen him one more time. I know how rare it really is to feel a connection with someone that strong.

Offline Sason

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #22 on: March 31, 2012, 09:04:02 am »
Did you ever consider searching for him via Google or Facebook?

Düva pööp is a förce of natüre

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #23 on: March 31, 2012, 07:40:55 pm »
Did you ever consider searching for him via Google or Facebook?

I believe I have tried that route. I remember years ago trying to find him by calling phone numbers of people with that last name in Cinncinati. That didn't work either and it was very time consuming  ;) Do you know of any of the people searches where you can really find people? I have looked for people before, but I always end up at a page wanting me to pay to find someone. That would be ok if it truly worked. I don't know if it does. Have you had any experience with those paid people search sites? Thanks for suggesting this  :)

Offline Sason

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #24 on: April 01, 2012, 08:07:16 am »
I have limited experience of searcing people myself, as here in Sweden it's usually easy to find anyone you're looking for.

But if he's on Facebook it shouldn't be a problem to find him, just type his name in the search box on top of the page ( I know, it took me a long time to notice it's even there too  :laugh:).  You may have to go through a lot of people with the same name, though.

Or try Google. I once found a long-ago-friend through googling her. I simply typed her name in, went through all the results, and found her due to the context her name was mentioned in. (I knew she lived in Spain, and the search result mentioning her name was in Spanish) It may have helped though, that her name is typically Swedish and not too common, which probably limits the number of search results. But, at least it's worth a try.


Düva pööp is a förce of natüre

Offline jstephens9

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #25 on: April 02, 2012, 03:25:35 pm »
I did try searching for him as you suggested, but with no luck. I wouldn't have any idea what he might be up to now or where he might live. I guess it was just one of those summer things and was only destined to happen once  :(

Offline Sason

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #26 on: April 02, 2012, 03:32:19 pm »
Sorry it wasn't successful for you.

Maybe someone else has a better idea.

Düva pööp is a förce of natüre

Offline Shakesthecoffecan

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Re: Things in your life that you will remember
« Reply #27 on: April 02, 2012, 04:05:02 pm »
Jack, try this:

http://www.ntis.gov/products/ssa-online.aspx

it is the Social Security Death Index. I have found people here, its not totally complete and I know you don't want to find people here, but it might be an answer.
"It was only you in my life, and it will always be only you, Jack, I swear."