"Lonely Town" By R K Savage

The Following was written During a particularly messed up period of my Life.

I woke up this morning in some kinda' place,
My mind was spinning I was sorta' spaced,
Somebody told me what I did last night,
I couldn't believe it, It just couldn't be right.
No No No.

So I walked down the street to see what I could see,
There were all kinds of people they were staring at me,
I asked them no questions and they told me no lies,
All they were doing was livin' their lives,
In this Lonely Town.

This Lonely Town has got me runnin' around,
spinnin around gonna hit the ground,
Gonna find me a ride out of Town,
And I ain't Never comin back.

No I'm Never comin' back this way again,
Never comin' Back this way at all'
Never comin' back this way again
No No No.....

Workin' on The Chain Gang.

One of the Hardest yet most enjoyable jobs I ever had was working for Mayacamus Vineyards. Mayacamus Winery is pretty much at the top of Mount Veeder above the Napa Valley. One season in particular stands out from all the rest. It was Planting time and we were a crew of about eight to ten people. One day as we were hard at our labors clearing rocks and digging holes to plant the young vines I was digging a hole about 10 feet or so from my good friend Gary B. Every now and then Gary would let out a loud groan, sort of like "OOOhgg".

He must have repeated this about four or five times when suudenly I heard some one else let out a "AAHH" Followed By Gary's "OOOhgg" Then another
"AAAHH". Every one must have noticed this because almost simultaneously the
Rest of the Crew chimed in with "Thats the sound of the men workin on the Chain Gang". That as you probably know are some lyrics to a song from the fifties or sixties. The fact that this song came to the minds of about 7 people at the same time has always astonished me.

At another time of the year Known as "The Crush" The grapes are picked and the proccess of making the wine begins. This was my favorite time of the year because following the picking of the grapes the Head wine maker for Mayacamus always threw a big party for the crew. Sometimes it would be at the top vineyard which is all the way on top of the mountain. From there we could almost see the entire San Francisco Bay on a clear day. They provided all the food and of course the Wine, Ah yes the Wine. Later in the evening there was a bon fire and people would bring guitars and there would be singing and a good time was had by all. We worked really hard but after all was said and done it was all soooo worth it.

Take Down The Bird Feeder

You buy a bird feeder. Hang it in your back yard. Within weeks there are hundreds of birds taking advantage of the flow of free and easily accessible food.



But then the birds start building nests in the eves of the house and every other conceivable place. Then comes the poop. It is everywhere. On the patio, The patio furniture etc. Then some of the birds start to get mean. Dive bombing you and squawking and demanding that you fill the feeder when ever it gets low on food, even though you have been feeding them out of your own pocket.



Soon you can't sit in your own back yard. If you take down the bird feeder within days the birds will disappear, and your yard will soon be as it was, Quite, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.



Hummm, lets see... The government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education etc. Then came the Illegals by the tens of thousands.



Suddenly taxes went up to pay for free services; small apts house up to five families, you have to wait six hours in an emergency room, your kids second grade class is behind the other schools because half the kids don't speak english. You have to press one to have your bank speak to you in english, and flags other than Old Glory are being waved by people demanding more rights and free liberties.



Maybe it's time the government took down the bird feeder, Ya think?

Some trust being gained?

For about the last six months or so I have been feeding the feral cat colony that lives in our apt. complex. the particular group that I feed consists of about eight to ten cats. There is one mother and I assume by the looks of the others that they are her offspring. I have never been able to get close to any of them until tonight. The mother and three of the younger cats actually came within a few feet of me as I was sitting the food and water down. Mama Cat as I call her almost let me pet her for the first time but at the last minute pulled back. But just the fact that she got that close to me was a nice feeling. It felt as though she was finally starting to trust me. There is one large male I call "Big Blackie" He looks to be very old and walks as if he has really bad arthritis or something. He has always been really friendly and enjoys tummy rubs and being petted. But lately he doesn't seem to want to be touched at all. I really think that he may be getting ready to die. I sure hope that I am the one to find him so that I can properly care for his body. I hate to think of him ending up in a dumpster or even worse just lying there to decompose.

July Rain?

I don't know exactly how long its been since it has rained here in July but I know its been quite a while. I was surprised this morning to wake up at 5:30 and find that it was raining. Not only was it raining but it was raining fairly hard. What really surprised me was that it was really warm out for 5:30 AM especially since it was raining. The good thing about it was that it made the air smell really clean and fresh. Well other than that there is not much to write about today. More Doctors appointments today and tomorrow. God I get sick of doctors offices. The office where Debbie's Dr. is has nothing to read except National Geographic that are at least 8 years old and Golf Digest. This would be OK except that I have already read the National geographics several times and I don't golf. Actually I don't do much of anything except cook and clean and do laundry and go grocery shopping and I am getting to where I don't even want to do that any more. Depression SUCKS! I can't wait till Sept when the auditions for Mid-Summer Nights Dream start. I really want to get involved in Theatre again. I used to love it sooooo much. I have been away from it for so long that I am afraid I may have lost my confidence. But I think I'll give it a shot anyway.

Is my faith being tested?

"When I think of Heaven
(Deliver me in a black-winged bird)
I think of flying down into a sea of pens and feathers
and all other instruments of faith and sex and God
in the belly of a black-winged bird
Don't try to feed me
I've been here before and I deserve a little more".


I feel lately as if my faith is being tested.
The Bible says "Give and ye shall receive"
But lately it seems as if all I do is give and give.
I don't want to sound like a complainer but I spend 99% of my time doing for others while all the while my needs fail to be met.
Sometimes I feel like giving up. Packing up a back pack and hitting the road for parts unknown. But then the guilt takes hold and I just continue on with the same old day to day drudgery. Maybe if I get a part in the play that I am planning to audition for I will feel better, I don't know.


"When I think of Heaven
(Deliver me in a black-winged bird)
I think of dying
Lay me down in a field of flame and heather
Render up my body into the burning heart of God in
the belly of a black-winged bird
Don't try to bleed me
I've been here before and I deserve a little more."

Oh Well, What the Hell...

Its Saturday and thats about all. Not much to write about today. I have been really depressed as of late. Don't really know why either. Cabin fever I guess. Only things that happened today were not so pleasant. First we were watching "Snakes On A Plane" on pay per view and just when the movie was getting good Comcast "On Demand" screwed up so we couldn't finish watching the movie. Then this Idiot in a silver Camaro that Plays his music really loud with super mega Bass pulls in the parking lot. I have had words with him in the past and asked him nicely to turn it down. But he is an ASSHOLE and now when he pulls in he drives by my apt. really slowley and turns it way up and laughs his ass off yelling "Hey, You Got a Head ache?" Just a real ASSHOLE. I don't want to feel hate for anyone but I am finding it hard to feel anything other than hate for this guy. He just seems to want to make me miserable.

Mean kids

I thought I was mad the other day, but what I saw today made my blood boil. I have been feeding the feral cats that live around our apt. complex. Today at the regular feeding time I took the tray of food out to where I feed the cats. As usual I sat the tray down and walked away. Within minutes there were five or six gathered around the tray eating. After I went in the house I heard some kids yelling and as I looked out the window I saw a couple of boys throwing rocks at the cats and one of them was taking the food away. I ran out side and was able to stop them before they got away. I asked them what in the hell they thought they were doing and they just responded"Having some fun, That's all" I said How would you like it if I threw rocks at you and took your food away. About this time one of the boys parents came out and asked me what was going on and I told her and she just laughed and said "Boys will be Boys, Besides their just cats" God I wanted to strangle her. Some people just have no sense of right and wrong.

Ok now I'm Pissed

Last night I was watching "Americas Got Talent. Among the contestants were several very talented singers, acrobats, and one guy in particular that twirled Batons lit on fire. His act was really good. When it came time to put people through to the next round of competition the judges which include David Hasslehoff, Sharon Osbourn, and a Brit by the name of Pierse Morgan, put through some ridiculous acts including some weird Indian dancer that looked like he was just gyrating in some random way that didn't even fit the music, Some guy that went by the name of "Boy Shakira", this guy was particularly awful. And a host of others that should not have been put through including
"Leonid The Magnificent" I don't even know what he did other than walk on stage wearing a bunch of flowers looking like the chiquita Banana Girl. One guy that could really sing well by the name of Byron was sent home even though I thought he was one of the best. I am beginning to think that the show is fixed just to create controversy. Any way I may not watch any more.


In other news, Al Sharpton once again made an Ass of himself on fox news Channel in a debate with Harvey Levins of TMZ.com. He was complaining saying that TMZ had called Beyonce a "Roboho". Try as he may Levins could not get Sharpton to realize that they weren't Calling her a Roboho but saying that the outfit she was wearing looked like a "Roboho Costume".Whatever that is, anyway, Sharpton still would not relent and even bordered on making it a racial issue as he so often does. Sharpton by any stretch of the imagination is not the sharpest crayon in the box. Come on Al, Get A grip.

When Hoss Cartwrights 10 gallon Hat was 15 Gallons.

Today I was watching a really old episode of "Bonanza". You know, the ones where Hoss's hat looked twice as big and little Joe's was really small. It reminded me of the good old days when television was worth watching. Today there are nothing but cop shows and reality shows. I really miss the days of the television westerns. Shows like Gunsmoke, Lancer, The High Chaparral, The Rifleman, Maverick just to name a few. I remember the whole family would gather around the tv to watch Gunsmoke or "The Wild Wild West" which my dad simply referred to as "WWW". Sunday night was the only night of the week that my mom would let me stay up past 9:00 so I could watch "The High Chaparral" with her. It was one of her favorite shows. Every time I see it in reruns I think of Sundays, Curled up on the couch with my mom watching the adventures of Big John Cannon. I miss my mom.

"Hershey" The Great "Mexican" Chocolate Bar?

I recently saw a piece on the local news about Hershey's Chocolate Co. It appears that hundreds if not thousands of Americans are going to lose their jobs because "Hershey" is closing its Oakdale Ca. plant and moving the operation to Mexico. An American company is laying off Amercan citizens and moving the entire Plant to Mexico. I for One will no longer buy Hershey Products. I hope any one that reads this will join me in this boycott. I am Now A "Nestles" man. And I do not think they should be allowed to use the slogan "Hershey The Great American Chocolate Bar" any Longer.

Another "Taxi Fiasco"

As if the problems I had with the local cab company on the Fourth of July weren't enough. The Following day I had to take my cat Winston to the vet. I called a cab, Put Winston in his carrier and off we went. After the appointment was over I called for a cab to return home. They said it would be about an hour. That was fine because I could wait in the air conditioned office. It was about 100* out side. When the cab showed up the driver informed me that he could not take me because he has "Ailurophobia"(fear of cats). Know I'm not the brightest person in the world but if I was a cab driver with a fear of cats I would not even accept a call to an "Animal Hospital". He had to know going in that the chances were that it was either a dog or a cat. They should have sent some one else. When I went back in the office I over heard a lady on the phone chewing out the cab company and telling them to send some one that could do their job.
It took about another 45 minutes but I finally got a cab home. It is hard to Imagine a grown man in his Sixties being afraid of a 5 month old kitten in a cage. But I understand that these phobias do exist.

And a Special shout out to my Buddy Keath. Thanks for the mention and compliment. Glad to hear Cindy's mom is coming soon. And ain't that overtime check a blessing? Keep up the good work.

I Think I can I Think I Can I Think I can

Yesterday was the fourth of July and Debbie and I went to the Suisun waterfront for the festivities. Well for part of them anyway. We wanted to see the Band "The California Cowboys". We got a cab into Suisun at about 4:30 and the band started at 5:30. We were able to get great seats on the lawn in front odf the stage with easy in and out access for her wheel chair. The Cowboys put on a great show. Knowing how difficult it would be to get a cab home if we stayed for the fireworks I decided to leave at 7:30 so we walked over to main street and I called for a cab. The dispatcher told me that they would not send one into downtown Suisun because of the traffic congestion. I explained to the dispatcher that there was hardly any traffic at this time and that it would be no problem getting in and out. Still they refused to send one and told me we would have to walk to the Fairfield side of the Railroad tracks. This posed a problem as Fairfield and Suisun are connected via a Pedestrian overpass that goes over the tracks. It is a steep incline and I knew that with Emphysema it would be a problem for me to push her over the bridge. As we were ascending The overpass all I could think about was the story about "The Little Engine That Could". I just kept saying to my self "I think I can, I think I can". After having to stop half way up and hit my inhaler we finally made it to the top where it becomes level. There I rested for about five minutes and the we proceeded to Descend the other side. It was all I could do to keep the chair from getting away from me. We finally made it to the other side and I called A cab and they said it would be about 10 minutes or so. The cab shows up and some other woman weent running to it and jumep in and the driver drove off.

I was so tired and pissed off at this point thatI called the dispacher back and told her what happened and she said she would send another cab in about 20 minutes. An hour later, No cab so I called back and she said it was on its way. Another hour goes by and No Cab. So I called back and she said that she only had one driver. The bussiest night of the year and only one driver. I could hardly believe that. I guess i got a little nasty and she said "What the hell You want Me to do?" I flatly said "I want you to quit telling me 10 t0 20 minutes when you know that is not the case. Then she responded with "Screw you Now im am not going to send one at all" So being as it was a 5 mile walk home I was forced to call back and apologize for nothing just to kiss her ass to get a cab home. The taxi service in Fairfield SUCKS!!!!!. I NEED A CAR!!!!!!

Blast From The Past

Over the last few weeks I have been trying to write a story about The time that my Mom Booked "Country Joe An The Fish" at the Napa Fairgrounds in 1967.
I was only 12 years old at the time so my memories are quite vague. I was there but I was On the other side of the building at the concession stand selling sodas and candy. All I remebered was that one of the band members was assualted by some one in the crowd. As the story went, when the next album came out there was a game on the back of the cover. It was something like a Dice or card game. and if you landed on Napa it said "YOU LOSE" . I was trying to get as much info as I could so I found Country Joe's Web site and sent an email to the "Contact Us" link. I asked if any one knew any thing about the incident. This morning when I checked my email there was an email from a guy Named Bruce. It said " Joe sent me your email, I am The guy who was Hit several times by several people" He gave me his phone number and I called him. Turns out he was the bass player For The Fish in the sixties. Wow, The internet is amazing. I never expected to get that kind of results that fast.

Winston Winston, where for art tho Winston

Man was I panicked this morning. I got up at 7:30 to feed the cats and noticed that Salem was there but I could not find Winston anywhere. I looked in all the cupboards that he usually gets into and in the bathroom, under the bed every where. Then I decided to use the cat treat caller that I have, it is a jar in the shape of a cat and when you open it to get the treats it meows like a cat and they come running. I opened it and Salem came but no Winston, suddenly I heard a faint cry from the Patio. Apparently my Dumb ass bro-in law went out to smoke a friggin cigarette and let the little guy out and he was locked outside all night long. This really upset me because neither he or Salem have been outside on their own yet. I really don't like them outside at all because of all the feral cats in the area. Poor little guy must have been frightened half to death.