Big Brother

The above pictures are of my older brother and I. I am, of course, the younger of the two. I think our ages were 2 and 10 in one and 3 and 11 in the other. And, yes, these would be from the late seventies.

My older brother got married this past weekend. I'm saddened by the fact that I wasn't there to help celebrate the event. I'm bummed I wasn't able to support my family in person. I'm also bummed that I missed the fireworks. On the other hand, I hope my immediate family can plan a real trip out to Texas to visit my brother and his new family in the near future.

In honor of my big brother's new venture, here are a few memories I have of our childhood:

1. Being out in the field behind our house. Ron would pick up a clod of dried dirt, say "This is your face!", and smash it into the ground.

2. In the same field, firing off Ron's model rocket.

3. Going with Ron in his 1967 Firebird Convertible (white, white top, red interior, and a 327 V8, I believe) to pick up a pizza at Godfather's pizza. I also remember his car breaking down on the way home and a flatbed trailer having to pick it up.

4. Trips to the arcade. This is back when games were $.25 and Q-Bert was the rage.

5. Going to Ron's baseball games, basketball games, and cross-country meets.

6. Playing Intellivision and being awed by my brother's prowess at Lock and Chase.

7. Water skiing with the family. Ron was extremely good at skiing and the knee board.

8. Ron had a Billy Idol button.

9. Ron once dated a girl with the last name of "Butz." I remember thinking that was pretty funny as a little kid.

Butz. That's funny.