
June 2, 2017 The
Kids Next Door
All of you who grew
up listening to the
Carpenters raise your hands! Living here in Southern California, it
is inevitable that you bump into people who lived around them. I live
about 10 miles away from their old home in Downey.
Saturday I met Ike
whose grandfather lived next door to the funeral home where the services
for Karen were held. He said on that sad day that street was jam packed
with celebrities. It was hard for him to realize that the "kids next
door" were so famous.
Back then in the 70s
these young prodigies not only embraced music but also the new technology
of multi-track recording --- using their own overlapping voices to fill
the background choir. And golden-voiced Karen was allowed to join the
band if she agreed to play the drums. Her singing was just an after thought.
They signed up with the brand new A&M Recording Studio which was owned
by Herb
Alpert of the Tijuana Brass fame. They were at the right place at
the right time and with the right talents. Little did they know that their
music would shake the music universe.
I think it was Ike's
uncle who was having drinks with Richard
shortly after their first hit records. When asked if he was a millionaire,
22 year old Richard nodded affirmatively. When he was asked if he was
a multi-millionaire, he just smiled.
Sadly, Richard didn't
stay that innocent. If you read up on his life you'll see he battled with
drugs and depression. He could have easily shortened his life like Karen.
But they say he has mellowed through the years and performs with his kids.
I'm happy for him.
That multi-millionaire
who lives next door? Don't be too envious. He may have his multi-million
dollar struggles too. Whatever card you are dealt with, God gave it for
a reason. Make the most of it.
TGIF people!
Changes
in Life Contributed by
Tom of Pasadena, CA
I dialed a number
and got the following recording:

"I am not available
right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes
in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return
your call, you are one of the changes."
Truthful
Renter Contributed by
Don of Kelowna, B.C.
A
lawyer, who had a wife and 12 children, needed to move because his rental
agreement was terminated by the owner who wanted to reoccupy the home.

But he was having
a lot of difficulty finding a new house.
When he said he had 12 children, no one would rent a home to him because
they felt that the children would destroy the place.
He couldn't say he had no children, because he couldn't lie -- we all
know lawyers cannot and do not lie.
So he sent his wife for a walk to the cemetery with 11 of their kids.

He took the remaining
one with him to see rental homes with the real estate agent.
He loved one of the homes and the price was right -- the agent asked:
"How many children do you have?
He answered: "Twelve."
The agent asked "Where are the others?"
The lawyer, with his best courtroom sad look answered "They're
in the cemetery with their mother."

MORAL: It's not
necessary to lie, one only needs to choose the right words
and don't
forget, most politicians are, unfortunately, lawyers.
TGIF Videos

Don't
Skip the Sex Talk Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA WARNING: Not for sensitive ears
Chinese stand
up comedian. Very funny. I love it when people don't take their
culture too seriously.
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Story
Behind "Earthrise" - First Shot of the Earth Sent by Charlie of New Jersey
Imagine what
it must have been like to be inside the lunar capsule and seeing
the only planet teeming with life.
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Lipstick
in the Mirror Sent by Charlie of New Jersey
Here's a video
version of a popular solution to a janitorial problem.
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Parting
Shot Thanks
to Don of Kelowna, B.C.

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