Thinking & seeing with your heart. (969 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.75 on 37 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Fat Tony (View user info) at 2007-07-09 15:34:47 EDT
Thinking & seeing with your heart.
I'm with my son on Santa Monica Pier and we're just kicking back talking about crap. We don't get to hang out much and I'm really loving our time together. Most of the people on the pier are somewhat happy. There was one man in a wheelchair who seemed to be crying and I didn't pay him much attention as we sat near him to watch the people fish. My son asked him what was wrong and I didn't want a wet blanket to fuck up my time with my boy, but 10 seconds into the conversation my heart took over.
My boy: What's wrong?
Old man: I miss the ocean is all.
My boy: You're here, how can you miss it? You're on it.
Old man: I should have said, I miss going in the ocean. (laughs)
My boy: So, why not just go? What's stopping you?
Old man: This chair.
My boy: Oh, sorry.
Old man: Don't be. Most bathrooms and restaurants are accessible, but the beach ain't.
My boy: We'll take you in the water! Right dad?
Me: (FUCK!) What'd ya say boy? (pretending not to listen to the conversation, praying old man will just go away)
Old man: I'm too old and too heavy. My wheels would sink in the sand. I've had a few people try and help, but it's too hard. Last time I went in the ocean was about 10 years ago, my son and a few of his friends backed up their truck near the wet sand and his friends took me in.
Me: (YESSSS! I'm off the hook!) Where is your son now? (DAMMIT! MUTHAFUCK! ZIP IT!)
Old man: He's moved back east. (whips out wallet) I've got 3 grandkids.
The old mans face lit up when he started talking about his kids and grandchildren. He was old and smelly but he was far from mentally ill. I'm ashamed to admit that I thought he was "mentally challenged" when I first seen him but I think all old smelly people are. Yeah, I'm a dick I know. After 10 minutes of conversation I'm really starting to like him, his name is Burt. He was with the United States Coast Guard and got injured during a training exercise. I asked if any of his friends from the Coast Guard ever helped him get back in the water and he said "Sure, a few times." But as time went on, they all kind of forgot about him. I hated the fact that I understood why.
Burt: I always wanted to die in the ocean. I guess God had different plans for me.
At first I wanted to help, then when he said those words I automatically knew that he'd drown himself if I got him in the water. I had a kick ass plan too, so fucking simple it's amazing. The water in Santa Monica is kind of far from the parking lot. It's not easy, but it can be done. After a few minutes more of talking to the old man I felt I should offer to help.
Me: Dude, if I help you get in the water you'd have to promise me one thing.
Burt: Anything.
Me: Don't off yourself. I can't have that on my head. Promise you wont drown yourself.
Burt: Are you kidding me? I respect God's work too much to throw it away with suicide. I thought I'd die in the ocean, I want to die in the ocean, but it's all in God's time.
Me: Give me your word you'll come back to shore and I'll help you get in.
Burt: (an ear to ear smile) I give you my word, I'll swim back
Me: Aight, sit tight and give me about an hour and I'll be back.
Burt: I'm not going anywhere.
Me: Follow me down to the beginning of the pier. When you see my truck again, come towards me.
The plan: It's incredibly simple. Get 6 or more 3/4" ply boards and make a moveable ramp. The wheel chair sinks in the sand but will be sturdy on the plyboard. Make a chain, move 5 the boards in front of him until he reaches the water. It's simple but it's a lot of fucking work. Sure the first 6 will be easy, but after that I'll need an ambulance. I know my boy is good for a few boards, but when you think about it, it's a shit load of work considering the distance we have to travel. Then we have to come back!
Finding the boards was very easy. Now I need help. There are no day laborers in the area. I'm willing to pay a hundred bucks to two guys to get him in and then out of the water. Problem is I can't find anybody. I'm going to have to rely on the kindness of strangers. I hate people, I'm not a people person. I get shit done because of money. I throw enough of it around until I get what I need then I'm done with you. This isn't a casino. This isn't one of my restaurants. This time I need to depend on people, people at the beach, who are out for a good time and not interested in making any money. Besides, most surfer dudes have rich family and could care less about the money I could throw their way.
I drive up and then park. I found Burt in about 2 minutes, he's got an ear to ear smile. "Burt, it's not going to be easy because the local PD will not allow us on the sand with my truck. But I've got a plan and we need a few people to help." He listened to my plan and said, "Son of a bitch! I never thought of that."
I asked twelve people for help. Most didn't even want to listen, all I said was, "Can you please help me? My friend..." And then they'd leave. I'm thinking this was a shitty plan and then my son approaches two guys who were obviously gay and they were more then happy to help. My son brought them over to me and they were eager to help put the plan in motion. Gays would be perfect for this, it's a serious cardio workout to move those boards and fags are usually in tremendous shape. One gets on the phone, "Meeta, mejo! Un gordito n un chiquito SOMETHING SOMETHING ayuda pronto!" Lose translation is: Look child, one fat ass and one little one something help right now.
Within 5 minutes the Calvary arrived. Six very thin, very sexy, very neat men all arrived and were more then willing to help. We explained the plan and everyone was ready. I then had to ask the obvious. "Guys, yous'll help me get him back, right?" They all laughed and said they'll see the project through to the end.
One bye one the boards were lined up on the sand. I handed Burt a new cigar and lit it for him. He had an ear to ear smile as I pushed him on the boards. After we were half way there, we had a small crowd and the men helping didn't even break a sweat. A few of the watchers asked if they can help and everything was working perfectly. One life guard waits until we get a few feet away from the waves and he tells us, "That's not safe. He can't go in the water." Before I could say anything Burt yelled at him, "Fuck off! I'm going in the water!" We all laughed and the fags helping were somewhat abusive to the lifeguard as they bumped into him to move the boards.
We got to the point where the board is in the water and the chair's wheels are wet. Two of the men help pick up Burt and carry him out to sea. No more then five steps in, Burt demands to be put down so he can crawl in the water/sand. A wave crashed in his face and he started laughing and yelling. After a brief struggle, he made it out to about 4' or 5' of water and he went below like a fish.
The life guard comes over to us and says he's called his tower for backup. I explained the story to him and then he went out to be near the old man. For the first time in my life, I was at the beach and didn't go in the water. There was no need. I couldn't possibly have any more fun and nobody else went in the water either. I guess we all felt it was his water and we didn't want to intrude. I seen a few of the guys who helped him crying. I fought not to cry, but I lost when Burt surfaced and waved to us and yelled out "Woooo hoooooo!" As he body surfed a breaker and came in he was laughing like a child.
Burt stood in the ocean about an hour. He came back and he had a few more people watching. The backup came for the life guard, but they watched his tower as he stood near Burt.
He came back to the sand and we helped him back into his chair. He wasn't paralized like I thought, he just had very limited movement in his legs. I offered him a towel and he said he wants to air dry, he hugged every one of us and kissed me on the cheek. Now to get the old man back into the parking lot. I thought the men were tired, but they took their time because they were relaxed and happy from watching somebody enjoy themselves so much. Burt asked to be wheeled up to the pier where he watched the sun set and thanked us all. I gave him my phone number and said I'd be happy to assist him again so long as he kept his word. He laughed and thanked me.
I asked the guys if they wanted to eat something and they all said yes. We went to a little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant about a mile away and we had a few drinks and laughed. They were some of the coolest people I'd ever met. I made a few new friends that day. A cripple and eight fags. Nine people I'd usually do just about anything to avoid turned out to be the best people I'd ever run into.
I'm not ashamed to call those men my friends, regardless of their sexual preferences. We exchanged numbers. On the ride home my boy asked me if I noticed those guys were fags. I said yes, but the "straights" and "normals" didn't want to have anything to do with our plan, did they? I don't care what those men were, they had hearts and that's all that matters.
Wish I could think like that more often. Usually I'll judge a person by look, speech, physical appearance, clothes, etc. Heart is all that matters. And of course money.
T
User Reviews
Submitted by czwij (user info) at 2007-07-11 06:28:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
this was good.
interestingly, your son brought out the best in you.
Submitted by FatTony (user info) at 2007-07-10 19:00:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I did take something with me, a lot actually.
1: Money isn't the key to all problems/situations.
2: Sometimes people CAN be kind for no reason.
3: You can't judge people on looks, accents or sexual prefrences.
4: When your guard is up 24 hours a day, you miss out on some incredibly cool people.
5: Satisfying one self isn't as much fun as lending a helping hand to a person who IS in need.
6: Ugly hole in the wall restaurants serve decent food.
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2007-07-10 15:04:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I think this is the first time I've ever genuinely enjoyed one of your posts. This was a nice thing you did, and it seems you've taken something very good away from this experience. Good on you.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2007-07-10 14:48:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Who are you and what have you done with Fat Tony?
Submitted by SunnyG (user info) at 2007-07-10 14:03:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oh tony,
i thought you were a jerk.
i was wrong.
here's a +2....homo
Submitted by orph (user info) at 2007-07-10 11:37:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice.
Submitted by kaioken (user info) at 2007-07-10 11:28:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Maddog (user info) at 2007-07-10 10:52:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Fatterrific (user info) at 2007-07-09 21:00:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hate you for making me +2 this.
Submitted by Void_Where_Prohibited (user info) at 2007-07-09 18:03:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
True or not, nice story.
Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2007-07-09 18:00:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:31:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/109529#2459936
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thanks rob
Submitted by Wildman (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:56:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I would'a just grabbed a hose and throw sand in his face.
Submitted by Zeglamancer (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:54:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I despise people like that in all facets of life. Its like the idiots I meet at work who worry about being politically correct and not offending anyone all the time.
Not to be racist but,
No offense but,
I'm sorry but,
Why be a little fairy about it? You mean what you said in the way you said it, so just come out and say it. As John Travolta said in Broken Arrow "Fuck em if they can't take a joke"
Submitted by FatTony (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:39:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cal, it had homos in it. It should have been right up your alley. Pun intended.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:37:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Zeglamancer (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:33:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Clearly ruining his rating is EXACTLY what you meant to do, if you indeed did not read so much as the title, yet saw fit to -2 him.
===
congratulations, you caught up with the sarcasm. here's your middle school diploma!
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:31:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/109529#2459936
Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:27:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
by no means am I trying to start a fight here, but didnt lisa say that she needed a break from Ubersite?
Submitted by Lisa (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:19:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Whats an Alter?
Submitted by Girlwithaclue (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:06:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice job!!!
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2007-07-09 17:00:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've been enjoying your posts lately. This isn't an alter's ploy to sounding like a decent human being is it?
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:51:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Fuck off! I'm going in the water!"
Submitted by forthewin (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:47:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:40:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Zeglamancer (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:33:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You know, I think this is the only time I've read something from Caul that really made just stop and think "God what a fucking idiot..."
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Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:25:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
i don't mean to ruin your rating but...i haven't read this...not even the title :-|
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Clearly ruining his rating is EXACTLY what you meant to do, if you indeed did not read so much as the title, yet saw fit to -2 him.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:25:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
i don't mean to ruin your rating but...i haven't read this...not even the title :-|
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:22:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by BadAssJulie (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:21:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:20:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't believe it...
but I enjoyed it.
Nice work.
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:08:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"but the "straights" and "normals" didn't want to have anything to do with our plan"
ahahahahahahahaha
good story though tubby.
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:05:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
awww
Submitted by Zeglamancer (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:03:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I hate people, I'm not a people person. I get shit done because of money. I throw enough of it around until I get what I need then I'm done with you."
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Words alone cannot express how much I sympathize with this excerpt.
Overall if this is a true story than good on you for your self-less dedication to another person's mental well-being.
Submitted by LittleMonster (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:01:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm getting soft
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2007-07-09 16:01:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by i_can_get_you_a_toe (user info) at 2007-07-09 15:54:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by lover101 (user info) at 2007-07-09 15:51:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Usually I'll judge a person by look, speech, physical appearance, clothes, etc. Heart is all that matters.
Most people are like this but are just wont admit it.
You did a really nice thing. A lot of people would have just walked away.
Submitted by FALLEN (user info) at 2007-07-09 15:45:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
See, you're not a total douche bag.
I'm proud of you Tony.
Good job.
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2007-07-09 15:43:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
right on.