Talking college hoops & Trump with a homeless guy...

I share a running gag with a homeless guy from the neighborhood. Whenever we run into each other I yell - "Trump," as a greeting. He in turn yells - "Hitler!" - The two of us get a kick out of it. Well, today was no different - "Trumppp!" I added a little extra vinegar to my usual greeting - "Hitlerrr!" - He spouts with a little extra vinegar of his own. We bump fists & he starts in with the politics:

"Your idol has lost his everlasting mind. I knew when this buffoon got elected things would be chaotic. To think this jack off pulled the wool over the countries eyes is a testament to how dumb people really are. What a fucking sham. Mueller is going to put an end to this soon." I have informed him on multiple occasions Larry Bird is my idol, not Donald Trump. I inform him once again - "Sure thing Mr. Trumpeteer," is his response.

Listening to his politics is entertaining (for a minute) & then it becomes cumbersome. I decide to change the subject to something less irritating - "You know what the big buzz in Kansas is right now?" My homeless friend is a big college hoops fan. His favorite team is Texas A&M. It's where he hails from - "They are worried Trump will get impeached," he says with a snicker. "No," I say with a laugh of my own - "It is conceivable KU could face K-State in the championship. With K-State beating Kentucky last night - anything is possible."

My homeless friend is skeptical of such a thing happening - "So what K-State beat Kentucky. If Kentucky could make a free throw the game wouldn't have been close. They just got lucky. They will lose to Loyola." - I disagree with him. Kansas State has a legitimate shot to make it to the final four. Even the diehards didn't think that was going to happen at the start of the tournament. I let him know it as well - "Look," he says with smirk, "Even if K-State beats Loyola they would have to win a semifinal game & KU still needs to win out on their side of the bracket. I would put the odds of a KU - K-State title match-up at 700-1. It's not to say it couldn't happen. It's just highly unlikely."

The conversation turns to politics yet again - "You know they have measures in place for what is happening now." I have no idea what he is talking about. I tell him such and he says - "When the country elects a mad man president. They have measures in place to protect us against the harm he will cause." Whatever Internet conspiracy podcast he is watching now: he needs to change. I don't know what else to say so I say the same thing I always do - "Man, you have got to stop with the conspiracy this & conspiracy that. You are starting to spook people. As long as the economy is good and he does what he says he is going to do with trade. He is not going anywhere."

As I am about to depart, he adds - "Time will tell with your idol Trump. I don't think he makes it much longer." He could be right. The truth is I don't care one way or another. I just want to see him get something done in China before he goes - "Also, good luck on your dream of K-State & KU meeting in the title game - I will tell you this now that I think about it. If Donald Trump can get elected president than anything is possible," we bump fists and then I pivot left and head up Durango.

Bute splits town + Roxy's next visit...

Bute split town early today. He is driving a truck he bought in Las Vegas back to Houston - "How long is it going to take you to get back to Houston?" He's made the Vegas to Texas drive many times - "In this little rice burner," he is referring to the 2001 Mitsubushi truck he bought in North town - "From door to door. I will be in Houston in twenty hours. Maybe twenty one. It depends on the weather." He loads his things in the back and says - "Well, good buddy. I will see you when I see you." We bump fists and say are final farewells. As I am watching him drive away a thought goes through my head - "I sure am going to miss that goofy son of a bitch."

"Why are you calling Jethro? We have talked about this before." I know Roxy doesn't want me bothering her, but it's hard. When you love someone you love someone - "I think you are the cat's meow beautiful. I feel like I am the luckiest guy in the world when we are together. I miss you so much and want to be with you sweet thing. When are you coming back to town wonderful?"

Roxy is a professional. I understand it. I don't necessarily like it, but I understand it - "Jethro, Jethro, Jethro," she has a habit of repeating my name when she is about to say something pleasant to me...I like it - "You are the sweetest thing on two feet. Every time I think you can't get any sweeter - You do. Oh Jethrro, I really do wish I was there to pinch those chubby cheeks of yours right now. My darling hillbilly from Kansas. You are one of a kind."

"Beautiful, you have got to come to town soon because I miss you so much and don't know how much longer I can go without seeing you. I know you probably got a lot on your schedule, But please gorgeous. I want to see you." The allure of a women like Roxy is too much for any man to resist. She knows it as well - "Jethro, I am a busy girl. I am hoping to get to Las Vegas soon. When I get there I might look you up."

We chat about the weather for a minute and then I say - "I wish you could have made it to town when Bute was here. He described you to a tee and hasn't even seen a picture of you. Do you think I could post a picture on Face Book telling everyone you are my girl?" Roxy is a pro. I get it. I just thought maybe she would let me try to make an honest women of her...not happening - "No you may not post a picture of me on Face Book. First of all, I am not your girl. You can't get that through your head for some reason. You know what kind of girl I am." Before I can respond, she says - "Look, I have got my other line going." - She then hangs the phone up without saying goodbye.

a week with the Bute...

Bute & his wife Trisha stopped by a little bit ago. They were planning on leaving today with him returning in a few weeks to pick up a truck he purchased. The plan hit a snag - "Honey, I can't help it if there is bad weather and the flight gets cancelled. I know you got to be at work tomorrow. Let's just head to the airport and try to fly standby." Apparently, the weather on the East coast isn't being very cooperative - "You might have to miss a day of work. I don't know what to tell you except to head out to the airport right now and see if you can fly standby." Her shift starts at noon tomorrow in Houston - "Let's go," she tells him - "I will be back soon boy. Keep an eye on things for me," he says as they hop into the rental - "I know I can get her a flight on standby."

Bute is a man of many talents - making bank in the air conditioning business is just one of them. He's a pretty astute car guy as well - "This don't look like a Mike Astle mobile. But it looks pretty clean." I was eyeballing a 2001 Mitsubishi truck he purchased in North town - "Man I like buying cars in Las Vegas because I know they are going to be clean. You never know what you are going to get in Houston because of all the flooding. I know Las Vegas doesn't have that problem." Bute bought a 2003 Tundra from my father last time he was in town - "This ain't no Mike Astle mobile," he says with a smile, "It will work for what I need nonetheless." He then points to the new tires and says - "It has new tires and runs stick. So you know I won't have to fuck with the transmission. It only cost two grand and I will get another hundred thousand out of it no problem."

Earlier in the week the two of us went for lunch in my favorite part of town - "There ain't nothing special about this place. We got a million of them in Houston." - Some of the time it is hit or miss in Chinatown. Establishments change hands frequently thus causing new owners and cooks. It's not always as authentic as a purist like Bute is craving - "Look," I tell him again, "This is just one of many that are under my thumb. That's the point of why we are here. So you can have a visual." We set down and order a couple of lunch specials. The food was disappointing and he let me know it - "This taste like the Panda Express." It was better than Panda Express, but not by much - "Do you understand what I am talking about when I tell you this is just one of many I can get online? We can go to another place if you don't like this. They're literally three hundred other places on the block if you want to try something else. The point of this whole thing, again, is to give you a visual of what I can get to given the right support." I can tell you with all certainty. My statement went in one ear and out the other. At least he got the visual.

I would like to end this post with a thought I am having...call it the village idiot thought of the day - "All and all it has been a pretty good time hanging with Bute the past week. We had a few minor issues to resolve. I think we got most of it accomplished."

hanging with the Bute...

Bute made his way to Vegas a few days ago & it has been a whirlwind of good times since - We spent today on the strip watching the tourney. The clock struck eight & both of us were beat - "Jesus, we are getting old buddy." -- "You got that right," he replies with a snicker. As we're cruising up Flamingo to the crib, he adds - "Do you remember the good old days when we could stay out all night long and be ready to roll the next day?" 

The two of us go back a long ways - "What about that time in Mexico when you were a kid and lived with your dad on the border." Bute was sent from Kansas to live with his dad in McAllen, Texas his junior year of high school. I visited him that summer - "You know how you and I would hang out in the border towns when you came to the valley. It isn't like that anymore. I don't go down there at all. Too dangerous nowadays." The last place you would catch me is a border town, not when I was young...it was so much fun.

We arrive at the condo and I say -"Erik told me today the blog makes me look like Trump man numero uno. Do you agree with his observation?" Bute pulls the lever on the recliner; positions himself all nice & comfortable; kicks his shoes off; grabs the remote; cracks his knuckles & adds - "Fool, your homeless buddy is right about you. You're a Trumpeteer if I ever saw one. He is your idol." I've stated numerous times in the blog my affinity for the president stems from his stance concerning bi-lateral trade with other countries, mainly China - "Look," I tell him firmly, "Donald Trump is not my idol. Larry Bird is my idol. The reason I support him is his views on how the country should deal with China. You know my history with the Asian community in Las Vegas. It is stronger than ever before. Business time is coming soon & I will be well positioned when his policies kick in."

Anyhoo, the talk turns to the good old days once again - "What about that time you made a vulgar comment to that girl from Emporia & she got all pissed off and kicked you in the balls. You were doubled over on the ground and she was standing over you calling you every name in the book. Goddammit boy! That was funny." I'm glad he thought it was funny because I sure didn't - "Yeah, I remember that chick. She was a pistol. I never said anything vulgar to her again after that."

We share a few more laughs and then I say again - "Trump is not my idol. He might be some of these other clowns idol, but he is not mine. Again, I like a few of his policies. Everything else I don't care about. He can take his Twitter account and shove it up his ass as far as I'm concerned." Bute shifts his weight in the recliner a bit; grabs the remote from his lap; scratches his head; clears his throat; laughs & replies - "Whatever you say Mr. Trumpeteer."

the homeless comedian...

There's this homeless guy who hangs out on the corner. The two of us share a running gag. Every time I see him I yell, "Trump!" - He reciprocates with - "Hitler!" - Today was no different:

"Trumppp!" I added additional vigor to my usual greeting. He in turn does the same - "Hitlerrrr!"- We share the usual laugh and he says - "Your guy is losing it. Did you see him the other day at some schmucks campaign rally? It's like he is auditioning for an HBO stand up gig." Here we go again with his politics. It's okay. I can take small doses - "The baboon pulled the biggest con job in history by getting elected president. The con is going to be over soon when Mueller tosses his ass out of office." It's the same old song & dance with my friend. Usually I give my spiel about the economy and Trump's willingness to tackle trade deficiencies with the likes of China & such. I decide to give it a break and change the subject to something less irritating.

"In a couple of days I will be at the Royal's training camp with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other. Bute is coming to town Tuesday for a week. Looking forward to it." -- "Is he the guy you told me won eight grand when the Astros won the series?" My homeless friend hails from College Station. He is a big fan of all teams Texas - "That's him," I reply, "He is Mr. Houston. When he comes to town we have much to discuss."

We chat about the weather for a minute and then he says - "Not your first idol Trump. I'm talking about your second idol Steve Wynn now. He is no longer relevant to the strip anymore." I have told him a number of times Larry Bird is my idol. Not Donald Trump, not Steve Wynn - I tell him again - I then add - "Don't kid yourself about things. He may no longer be a presence on the strip, but he is still plenty relevant. And stop calling him my idol." He laughs and says - "Don't lie to me boy. I know you are the president of the Steve Wynn fan club. Everyone knows Trump and him are your role models." I've suggested stand up comedy to my friend on a number of occasions. I figure it will give him something to do besides standing at the corner all day - "Maybe I will," he tells me after I suggest it again.

Our time winds down and I prepare to exit. Before I do he says one last thing - "When your buddy Bute comes to town bring him by the corner. I would like to meet him. Also, don't deny the fact that Donald Trump & Steve Wynn are your idols." I smile and remind him yet again - "Larry Bird is my idol, not those guys," we then bump fists. After the gesture I walk away.

straight talk from Roxy...

I started thinking about Roxy & how much I love her. She told me not to bother her & that she would, "get back to me when she was ready." I decided to ignore her instructions and call:

"What is it now Jethro?" It's her voice, it's her sultry, sexy, exotic voice - "Didn't I tell you I would call you when I got around to it? Why are you calling Jethro? I am very busy." - First of all, I was delighted she answered, she has a history of not doing so, after that I let her have it - "Has anyone ever told you that you are the most beautiful women in the world? If they held a beautiful poll you would be number one. I love you and want to know when you are coming back to town gorgeous." 

Roxy is a professional. I understand it. I don't necessarily like it, but I understand it - "Oh Jethro, you have got to be the most charming guy I have ever met. Sometimes I wish I could fold you up and put you in my pocket. Are all guys from Kansas as charming as you?" She has asked the question a number of times and I always tell her the same thing - "Sweet thing, you know I am one of a kind. There ain't a guy from border to border who could carry my jock in Kansas."

She leads a mysterious life. That's a big part of the attraction. I'm always prying for more about the women I love - "You have to come to Las Vegas again. I mean soon luscious. I want to be with you again." She clears her voice and says - "Jethro, Jethro, Jethro - I have to admit something. You are the most persistent bastard there is. I have told you time and time again that we are never going to be together the way you want. I have finally decided you are not worth the headache, thus we will not be sleeping together anytime soon."

She thinks it is the sex that bonds us. Believe me, it is a big part of the attraction. The thing is I have moved pass that, meaning the sex isn't as important as her other attributes. I tried explaining it to her, but she ain't having it - "Why can't you be a normal guy for once. You know I am way out of your league. It's your stupid blog that keeps me coming back. And even that sucks nowadays. Jethro, you are a big waste of my time." She then hangs the phone up without saying goodbye.

The business man...

I called my friend Bute in Texas today. He is going to be in town the 13-21 & is bunking at my place - "I got the day off from work on the 14th. We can head down to dad & Sharon's early in the morning. It takes four and a half hours to get there. We are going to the Royals/Cubs game." I wasn't planning on a trip to spring training until the 23rd. But I talked with my boss today & he said I could have the day off  - "It will have to be down & back because I have to work on the 15th. Plus I am headed that way again on the 23rd," I add.

Bute comes to town every year around this time & I am looking forward to his visit this year - lots more than any previous - "You are telling me that you are a business man. Am I correct to believe that?" Bute branched out on his own after twenty years. He is in the air conditioning business. Houston is his base market. From everything I am gathering he is doing quite well, but wants to do better - "That is what I am telling you exactly fool," is his answer to my inquiry - "I am curious to see what you can add to the mix." 

Bute & I tried a run at things a few years back. It didn't go as hoped. We were on two different planets in terms of how organic growth works. Nowadays it feels are prognostications are more in tune - "You talk a big game my man. I know you are kicking some ass now that you are on your own. When you come to town we are going to discuss a myriad of subjects I can prove beneficial. I hope you have your thinking cap on." I like to razz him a little now that he is Mr. Bigshot - "Don't you worry son," he tells me, "We are going to have a hell of a time when I come out. We will discuss things then. Make sure you have the place all nice for me."

As our conversation is drawing to a close, he asks - "How is your dad & Sharon getting along? I am looking forward to seeing them." I thank him for the inquiry & say - "They are doing well. Once spring training starts they become very popular. Also, Jamie (brother) & his family are going to be in town the same time you are. Maybe all of us can go to Amore's for dinner or something." -- "Sounds good to me buddy," Bute proclaims, "I will be out there soon enough."

I would like to end this post with a thought I am having...call it the village idiot thought of the day - "I go on & on about the potential of Asian consumers. If you take note of Macau's current gaming number- (thirty five billion) - It is seven times greater than Las Vegas'. The number is enormous. Now take this into consideration. The number in Macau is projected to double in five years to seventy billion. That's a lot of money!"

talking politics & love with a homeless guy...

The other day I was walking down the sidewalk minding my own business when out of the corner of my eye I spot a homeless friend from the neighborhood -"Trump!" I yell at him, without hesitation he yells - "Hitler!" - We share our usual chuckle over the gesture and he pipes - "It's like your guy doesn't know what the hell is going on. All of a sudden he wakes up one day and decides to levy tariffs on everything. His behavior reminds me of a temper mental child. The country is in lots of trouble as long as this clown is running the show. I still don't see why you like this guy. I thought you were smarter than that."

My homeless friend & his politics. Indeed, I find it a humorous lot - "I am going to tell you this for the umpteenth time. I am starting to sound like a broken record, so I want you to listen...Okay?" Like I said, listening to his politics is mostly humorous. Although, it wears thin at times. Today was one of those times - "Trump isn't going anywhere as long as the economy remains healthy & he does what he says he is going to do with China. As long as he does that. He is not going anywhere." -- "Okay dude, chill out," he says in a sarcastic tone - "Your idol isn't going to make it. I know it. You know it. Everyone knows it." - I shake my head after his comment and add - "Whatever you say dude," in a sarcastic tone of my own. I then change the subject to college basketball.

"My friend Bute from Texas is coming to town soon for the NCAA tourney. I am looking forward to seeing him. I will introduce you to him when he comes to town if we see you." Bute is a business man, but friend first. When he comes to town there is much to discuss - "Is he the guy you told me won all the money when Houston won the series?" My homeless friend hails from College Station and is a fan of all things Texas - "That's him," I proclaim, "He won eight grand when the Astro's pulled it off. Maybe I can get some of his good fortune to rub off on me?" I then look at my homeless friend & say intently (again) - "Bute and I have much to discuss when he comes to town."

Our conversation comes to a close, but not before he asks about Roxy - "How's your girl doing? Is she still as feisty as you were telling me?" I don't know whether to give him my answer or hers, so I give both - "If you listen to her version I am nothing more than a casual acquaintance - I call her my one and only. You figure it out." I bid my homeless friend goodbye and continue on my trek.