We were at a double-A baseball game. It was around the second or third inning. Day had all but surrendered to night's gradual but certain takeover. Wolfgang, Little Joe, and Little Joe's girlfriend were talking amongst themselves. Meanwhile, I was halfway through an order of nachos, and had been amusing myself by listening to the girl behind us asking her poor husband/boyfriend/brother things like "What quarter is it?" and "How come they got two?"
If I recall correctly, I had just finished barking along to the last few bars of "Who Let The Dogs Out" when Wolfgang turned to me and said, "Why didn't you tell me my name was Wolfgang?"
And there it was, that always unexpected and often awkward clashing of the blogosphere and the real world.
As you might imagine, I have been questioning everything the past few days, including my very existence (in the blogosphere). Is this the end of the Darryls as you know them? What a blow that would be not only to my blog but to Newhart references in general.
Speaking of concerts in the greater-Nashville area, I am supposed to go see Counting Crows tonight. I say "supposed to" because there has been one issue after another regarding the tickets. First, they were going to be mailed, then they were going to be emailed, and now they are supposed to be at will call.
I figure best-case, I get to see Adam Duritz belting out "A Long December." Worst-case, they don't let me in to the Ryman and I have something in common with Hank Williams. Then we go on a self-guided tour of the former Opryland location--which just happens to be my favorite tourist destination in all of Nashville--and I get to see a few Perseids while driving home. So, win-win.
While I am or am not at the Counting Crows concert tonight pondering the future of my very blog, which has become as much a part of me as any of my bodily appendages, I offer a repost. Originally posted in 2005, it goes along quite well with the subject du jour.
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OPRYLAND HISTORICAL TOURS
Announcing the all-new Opryland Historical Tours, by Bone. Come and relive the magic of Opryland USA. Tours are held Monday-Saturday, beginning at 9:00 AM, at the original location of the Grizzly River Rampage at the Opry Mills complex.
Each tour guide is arrayed in an original Opryland park employee outfit, and will share with you interesting stories, personal memories, and historical facts about the theme park. Each tour includes a a thirty minute video about Opryland USA, including footage shot by visitors to the park during its twenty-six years in operation.
After the video, you'll be able to walk thru the river bed of what once was the Grizzly River Rampage, where you will have plenty of photo opportunities. You can also take pictures next to the "Opry Mills Sucks" and "Gaylord Stole My Childhood" signs.
And browse thru tons several items of Opryland memorabilia, including an original Tin Lizzie, a log from the Flume Zoom, a skee ball, a half-eaten slice of pizza from Julio's, and some chicken wire from the park's famous petting zoo.
Refreshments are available, including fruit-shaped fruit drinks, just like those sold at the original Opryland USA. So if you have fond memories of Opryland, or even if you never got to go to Opryland because your baby sister always got to go where she wanted on vacation, you will not want to miss the Opryland Historical Tour.
Legal disclaimer: Opryland Historical Tours is not liable for the actions of any guests. We will not be held responsible for any legal action that may be taken against you or any member of your party by Gaylord Entertainment or any of its subsidaries, nor any physical harm or trauma that may be caused by the Opry Mills security. By taking part in this tour, you may or may not be trespassing, but most likely are.
Well, that's my dream. My entrepreneurial thought for the week. Or for the year. Whichever.
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot, with a pink hotel, a boutique and a swingin' hot spot. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..."
"Day had all but surrendered to night's gradual but certain takeover."
ReplyDeleteYou're an incredible writer, Bone. Thou shalt NOT stop blogging.
I agree. Don't even joke about not blogging.
ReplyDeleteWolfgang just needs to get used to the idea that he will famous one day because you are such an awesome writer.
ReplyDeleteI'm calling you. We need to talk.
ReplyDeleteI loved Newhart by the way. A true classic! I bet as long as we've known each other, you never knew that!
I read the other day about people making a ton of money blogging. Have you thought about that? Easy money!
Oh, so you were good in 2005 too? Somehow I find that disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see Counting Crows they were always in NY, playing at The Bowery, one thing I miss. They don't frequent the land of politics very often but they are coming to a pavilion here in September.
You shall not stop writing about the Darryl's
ReplyDeleteWe both know the reason Cooper's disturbed. I tried.....but a person has to come to Bone's blog when ready
Oh I love the Darryls post These paragraphs especially
ReplyDeleteAnd there it was, that always unexpected and often awkward clashing of the blogosphere and the real world.
As you might imagine, I have been questioning everything the past few days, including my very existence (in the blogosphere). Is this the end of the Darryls as you know them? What a blow that would be not only to my blog but to Newhart references in general.
Oh man, Cooper's comment cracked me up.
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple moments when the blog stood still, myself. One of them in particular led to me going in private in the not-so-distant past. I feel your pain.
I love the part about the girl behind you at the game: that's both torture and hilarity rolled into one! Though, I'm guessing that after Wolfgang said anything to you, you didn't hear much of anything at all!
I hope you got to enjoy the CC concert. Sounds like quite the run-around with the tickets! Not fun for the person dealing with that I'm sure!
The day the blog stood still indeed!!
ReplyDeleteWho else would turn real everyday into exceptional?? Life without the only blog I read this year??
It is eerie when the real world meets the blogosphere, but it can be added stress- soon characters will question why things were not mentioned. (or in the blog the story is TOTALLY different than what happened- to protect real persons or events) It is a delicate thing indeed. which is why Wolfgang is Wolfgang. I'm sure he is flattered.
if you stop blogging- we will have to exchange phone numbers and ask eachother "what are you doing?" and say things like, "You won't believe what happened!!!!!"
R8chel - Thanks. I like that. Very ten-commandment-ish.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Well, thank you. I put him off for awhile by telling him I'd email him my blog address later. (Much, much later.)
PennyCandy - Famous. Infamous. It's all pretty much the same, right? :)
Java Boo Boo - You're right! I never knew you watched Newhart. What other secrets you hiding over there?
Cooper - Oh, so you were good in 2005 too? Somehow I find that disturbing.
Yes, I was disturbing in 2005, too. Oh, that's not what you said?
Pia - a person has to come to Bone's blog when ready
I'm not sure what that means, but I like it. And it's cracking me up for some reason.
All these commandments have me feeling a little like Moses.
Thank you :)
TC - Yeah, she was funny for the first two or three innings, er, quarters. Then it started to get old.
I noticed you went private. I imagine that would kinda suck? Though I suppose at least you can write whatever you want.
Daily Panic - Your comment made me smile.
At first I thought you'd asked why his name was Wolfgang? And then I realized that I can't remember. I know I had a reason for calling him that when I came up with it, but I seem to have forgotten it now.
It definitely can be a delicate situation. Some things you blog and some things you don't. And I think most people understand that.
You went to Nashville again? One of these days we're gonna have to meet up :) Don't even think about not blogging. I love your blog! I am trying to get inspired to write on mine again :)
ReplyDelete"Worst-case, they don't let me in to the Ryman and I have something in common with Hank Williams."
ReplyDeleteThat totally cracked me up, Bone!
I live in fear of my Internet life and my real life colliding. Although only really from a work point of view.
ReplyDeleteYou can't disappear from the blogosphere though. I simply won't allow it. Actually, I don't think anyone round here would!
It does kind of suck. I've lost several long-time readers by going private: it seems that if they can't find me on reader, they forget all about me. But... it's also a relief to just not worry about things as much. Like the post I did for NaBloSoThaDraWe... I would have never posted that before going private. So...
ReplyDeleteI just realized I never commented on the Opryland part of this post. How about an update? You giving those tours yet?
By taking part in this tour, you may or may not be trespassing, but most likely are. Hilarious stuff :)
Bone I would hate to see such a delightful person as yourself stop blogging. It would be a great loss to the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteHope you got to see the CC concert. I'm off to eat supper now. See Ya~
Counting Crows is the group behind my blog URL. Butterfly In Reverse was never released so I doubt they played it. I guess it's for my own private enjoyment. Wait..that didn't sound good, did it? It's not like THAT private enjoyment. I'm just the only one that knows it exists since the release of the CD.
ReplyDeleteI still remain a blog enigma.
Please don't stop blogging! You are so funny, witty and smart. Your blog is one of the best I've ever read.....your friend should understand. Even if he is one of the Darryls....I mean everyone who ever watched the show remembers the Darryls. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou didnt mention your answer to Wolfgang... just curious...
ReplyDeleteI am in a bit of a slump with my blog too... I think Facebook has begun to take more time than I expected... then theres life in general... but really, its a lack of things to say atm.
Anyway, you havent lost ur mojo... this was still a funny post! How was the concert?
This blog has stood still for 7 days now...did you really abandon us???
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you are a great writer. Must keep blogging! Bone, we're blogger boyfriend and girlfriend. If you stopped blogging, we wouldn't be anything!
ReplyDeleteSo important question...what kind of nachos were you eating?
I always feel super awkward when people are like, "oh yeah I saw that on your blog".
ReplyDeleteLike blush and look away awkward. And I kinda want to be like, "blog? what blog?" but I don't.
And. I've missed you. RTR.
Jennifer - Yes, we will. I love Nashville. And be sure to lemme know if you start blogging again.
ReplyDeleteMama Zen - Thank you. It's not often I can work in a Hank Williams reference here.
J Adamthwaite - I pretty much stopped mentioning work a couple of years ago.
Thanks. I don't plan on disappearing completely. it just kind of made me rethink what I feel comfortable writing about, I guess.
TC - I can see that there would be good and bad to going private. I just figure if I get to that point, I'd just start a new blog or something.
Michelle Johnson - Aww, thank you. I did get to see the CC concert. Unfortunately, I somehow never got around to blogging about it.
Murf - I never knew that! I don't think I know that song, but I do have songs like that by other artists. Songs that were never released and that I'm sure no one else knows or remembers but that I still know by heart.
RedNeckGirl - You are so funny, witty and smart.
AND smart? Wow, thanks. Unfortunately, no one is going to believe I didn't pay you to say that :)
(On an unrelated note, you do have a PayPal acccount, right?)
Helene - I think I just kinda said, "Uh, I don't know." And then LJ and his girlfriend started talking about it.
The concert was fun. We had good seats, though I guess there aren't really many bad seats at the Ryman.
Living and loving life in a small town - Nope. I would never do that. And if I do, I'll let you know. Or if something happens to me, I will have designated someone to let you know.
OK Chick - Thanks, OKC. Um, they were just regular ballpark nachos with cheese.
Cami - Like blush and look away awkward.
Exactly. I think a lot of it is just that you don't expect it. It catches you off guard when you didn't know someone was reading.