I only have 13 weeks before I take my first steps and start crossing the Mississippi into Wisconsin so I will do weekly updates like this until then.. Although my profile provides the basics on the, who/what/how & why's for doing OLDGUYWALK. This is my attempt to fill in all the spaces.
DISCLAIMER- I am not a writer- (as you will soon find out) but want to share my thoughts via this forum and hopefully not put everyone to sleep.
First Chapter- A little self-reflection "Who am I" ?
OldGuy Stats-
Born April 1958 -" Ricky Robert”
Father; Richard Charles
Mother; Joyce Marie
Place of Birth: Milwaukee County Hospital
Weight: 6lbs 9oz - Length; 22 inches
2 brothers - Oldest; Roy Richard, youngest; Michael Paul
The story goes that my parents did not want to name me Richard because my older brother already had my dad's name as his middle name. From what I've been told my first name was based after a couple of popular 50's family sitcom's children's names (I LOVE LUCY & THE OZZIE and HARRIET SHOW) aka -"Little Ricky and/or Ricky Nelson" Thus began my days to getting used to being the brunt of some snickers and bad jokes.(especially now at 54 when called in the Doctors office) To say the least I needed to develop a thick skin sooner than most (kids can be so mean). In a way thou, this was the best gift my parents could give, because I had to learn to laugh at myself early on just to survive! I believe being able to not take yourself too seriously is one of the better qualities a person can have. In my case it keeps me humble along with providing a underlining tenacity to keep striving to overcome!
Between ages 7-13 I was always the shy fat kid that was the last to be picked for group sports on the playground. That all changed when I between my freshman and sophomore HS years I shot up 6 inches in height while dropping over 30 pounds. Suddenly I was over 6 feet tall and getting my driver’s license- wow my poor parents never knew what hit them!
Thru my teens, like most, I was a bit rebellious but all hell broke loose when I entered my 20's, and I really started to buck authority (long story). One of the coolest things I’ve done, even thou I had a tin ear, is self-teach myself to play guitar, ultimately joining a band (name "HIGH RISK') where we entered into a Battle of the Bands contest(lost) and cut 1 demo tape- needless to say the gig did not pay the bills.
I don't know how but I must be blessed because I finally found a lady willing to put up with me, whom I married late in life (after turning 40). Married life has been the most wonderful thing that an ex-bum like me could ever expect. 14 years now, we have 2 children (Girl & Boy) a couple of dogs and a nice home. I pinch myself daily trying to figure out how I got so lucky.
In a nutshell that's who I am. On the outside a nice guy, a pretty simple Joe, on the inside a passionate driven nutjob who always needs to watch his temper – (just ask my wife)!
... next What inspired me to do OGW?
OldGuy
No comments:
Post a Comment