A good time.

Every week, on Tuesday nights, some wise people show family-safe movies downtown. A few Tuesdays back it was The Wizard of Oz. The week after, they showed The Goonies (I forgot how trite that film is. And fun). The scene that developes just before sunset is just as good as the movies, though a bit less cinematic. Families-moms and dads, kiddos, babies, and not-yet-too-cool-to hang-out-with-the-folks teenagers-with lawn chairs and picnic baskets enjoying the weather and a slower pace. Friends meeting on blankets with coolers of wine enjoying iconic moving images from their youth. The Wizard brought out a little Dorothy and her stuffed Toto. The Goonies brought out throngs that new every frantic word. FIFTY DOLLA BILL!!!

I ride the Katy trail after work. It's a good workout and there is plenty to look at as I fly along on my bike, listening to music. Usually I do about 30 miles and head home. On tuesdays I do 10 and head to the AAC. I never know what they are showing until the film starts. I missed a few minutes of the other films because I wanted to get a few extra miles in. Tonight I wanted to see it all. I rolled in, looking for a few hints that might give me a clue about what was showing. There was a blanket with a few young girls wearing poodle skirts. It's a either going to be West Side Story, or Grease. Either one would be okay with me. I've never seen West Side Story abd the few times I had seen Grease, many years ago, I was only paying attention to Sandra Dee.

Before too long, after the crowd filled in a bit more, the show started. The screens, large jumbo-trons on either side of Victory Plaza, filled wth a grainy image of a beach... Grease it was. The layout at the plaza is cause for the movie goers to face each other in the middle. At once, you could be watching The T-Birds listen to Danny sing about a girl he met on vacation, and with a quick glance down, see the eyes of the crowd fixed, the crowd singing every word. It was really cool to see. I mean to say, the movie was good. I never watched it more for a movie with a cool story so much as for the music, so I saw whayt was so cherished to so many. It was a really good film. More so, it was good to see folks enjoying themselves. There were no cares in their eyes; just time away from their worries and time with each other.

I miss this stuff.

Steps

Yesterday I hit a mark. I paid off the last of my remaining debt. 19K worth of back taxes gone. It is a bitter-sweet thing to talk about. Concidering the money will be used to pad the pockets of politicians in office only because of their swindling and deceit, it hurts. Concidering the money will go towards an illegal war, and by funding it, I am implicated in killing of our fine soldiers and innocent Iraqis, and the pillaging and burning of a country in my name (though I resist), it is disheartening. Concidering there is NO ACTUAL LAW that says I have to pay said ferderal income taxes - yet it is not worth the effort to fight the IRS' extortion - it is painful. I feel as though I am enjoying that the rape is over. Such a thing to smile about.

With this landmark, I only have my monthlies to worry about: rent, utilities, TV, phone.

My car is paid off, I have no credit cards, no student loans, no 30-year sub-prime flexible-rate mortgage sucking me dry. I can't imagine the feeling of those folks (and I know a few) that are dealing with all of this, plus a slew of maxed-out credit cards. It must be overwhelming. (Not saying that my way is better. My way has worse credit, and it actually worked out to my benefit.)

I plan on sacking away what I can and hopefully I will have a large enough of a roll to put down on a new car in about a year and afford something decent for once - without being strapped for cash on the 14th and 29th of each month. We will see.

Thanks for hearing me out. I feel like bragging a bit.