Facebook Flashback... Shudder!

[DDT (12)]

                                              Facebook Flashback… Shudder!

SmokinJoe lobbied me long and hard to get on Facebook, so I could post pictures of my adventures… For years I simply couldn’t figure out how to do it with Photobucket… When I finally did figure that out, thanks to Troutdude for the tutorial, they soon afterward stopped offering that as a free service…

So, I finally gave in and allowed Joe to hook me up on Facebook… It took him the better part of an hour just to get my phone ready to use in that way… and, naturally, three days later I didn’t have a clue what all he’d told me or how to figure it out… I did manage to get so frustrated, though, I yelled out that the founder of that marvel of the twenty-first century could kiss me where I couldn’t, and then I symbolically ‘un-friended’ myself. I’d have done it for real, only I couldn’t figure that out either…

Thanks to Serk, though, I did manage to get on another free service, and I was also able to post pictures using it!!! With that, I just ignored Facebook from then on. By the way, I’ve received many ‘Friend Requests’, but I haven’t responded to any of them. I just don’t want to get involved with that whole scene, so while I mean no insult to anyone, I do hope I can be forgiven for not ‘Friending’ many of my friends…

Now, that is the recent history necessary to understand my ‘shudder’ experience… Some ancient history will also be necessary for the whole story to be entirely understood… Here goes…

During the Christmas break of my third-grade school year, my family relocated from Port Orange, FL, to Florence, AL. Dad had received a big promotion that had required a relocation… At that age, my sister and I had only one question… “Would we see snow at the new place?” FWIW, we did see some modest snowfalls during the years we lived there…

Well, when school started back after the holidays, I showed up at this new to me school, and life took a few unexpected twists and turns. I fell in love fairly quickly, but that was no surprise… I’d been doing that since kindergarten. What would have been a surprise would have been if either of those lasses had also fallen for me! Anyway, I was indeed the new kid amongst all those other young-uns who had been there all their lives… I wanted to fit in, but that would take a little time, of course.

I suppose it just goes with the role, and new guys everywhere get tested when they first arrive. My big test came that very first week, when Marshall Riddle decided to try me on… A mistake. I didn’t find him all that challenging, but I also knew, even at the tender age of eight, that I was not destined to be a pugilist of any remark… Nope, Randy Barlow had thoroughly convinced me of that back in first grade…

Conventional wisdom was that combatants become friends after an altercation… hmmmm, it appeared that might take a little longer than usual for Marshall with this particular new guy… Well, the day after my inaugural encounter, a guy about my height but slightly heavier was waiting for me just outside the door of our classroom. As I was making my exit, this stranger asked if I was Bruce Wood… “Yes, I am,” I’d innocently responded, not having any idea why he might be asking.

“I’m Mike Bradford… Marshall Riddle is my best friend.” Well, I don’t recall what was said next, but in a matter of mere seconds we were duking it out! We fought until it was broken up, but no winner was apparent. This went on for the rest of the school year… and for the next three years, too!!! Neither of us ever bested the other, but he just wouldn’t let it go, and I couldn’t back down… For three and a half years, not a single week went by without us having at it…

Mercifully, he went to a different middle school and high school, so no further encounters ensued… until… During the summer vacation between my tenth and eleventh grade school years, dad had changed companies and now he was getting another promotion. We moved fifty miles or so away to Decatur, AL, and life presented yet another set of challenges. I overcame those obstacles including several failed attempts at love, however, and I settled in rather well… for a while.

My senior year our school was playing a home game of football with a high school in Florence, AL, but not the one I had attended. I didn’t think anything about it… However, if I had it to do over again, I’d have just stayed home that night!

As I was exiting the stadium, I heard my name called from outside the gate and just off to my left… I looked, and I instantly recognized my old nemesis… Mike Bradford! Well, with lightning speed we’d picked up right where we’d left off in sixth grade!!! Again, just like every time before, no winner emerged, and the fight was eventually broken up. I left and never heard from him again… I think… but I’m not so sure…

The other day I received another routine Facebook friend request… from a ‘Mike Bradford’! I only recall ever meeting one person by that name… I can’t imagine he wants to be my friend even now, so… I ignored that request too, but I admit I’ve been keeping an eye out for that rascal ever since! I’m not certain he’d be able to recognize me after more than fifty years, but I’m not taking any chances!!!

If the next time y’all see me I’m sporting a black eye, well… now you’ll know why…

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

  What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

[DDT (12)]

What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

Thanks, Rob! If he hasn't gone downhill physically the way I have, I just may need some back-up!!!

DDT

[Thunderbolt]

I must say on this one Bruce I was thrown for a loop so to speak.  I didn't know where it was going but I will say that I was quite surprised at where it ended up. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

Thanks, Rob! If he hasn't gone downhill physically the way I have, I just may need some back-up!!!

DDT

Oh crap ! We are in trouble then.  I'll give you my best. But I may be only good for about 3 minutes. 

[Hook#3287]

What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

Thanks, Rob! If he hasn't gone downhill physically the way I have, I just may need some back-up!!!

DDT

Oh crap ! We are in trouble then.   I'll give you my best. But I may be only good for about 3 minutes.  

 3 minutes??  There you go bragging again

Cool story Bruce.

[Jess from VA]

I am reminded of the joke with the punchline:

Taekwondo, 3d degree brown belt.   Crowbar, Sears and Roebuck.  Thunk!  

Because of the Marines and hard times post-Korea, I lived in 17 locations before first grade.  I also had some experience with being the new kid on the block.  Dad taught me not to use my fists, but my elbows and knees (on soft spots), and a stick if there was more than one.  Today, I'm too old to fight (and cannot afford the dental work).  So I'll just shoot you (if you insist).  

[RDAbull]

What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

Thanks, Rob! If he hasn't gone downhill physically the way I have, I just may need some back-up!!!

DDT

I'll back you up Bruce.  You trip him, I'll sit on him.  Best kind of fight........short.

But now you have me thinking about how to avoid a kid I haven't seen in 50 years.  Must have worked.

[The emperor has no clothes]

What a great story ! (I'll keep my eye open for that Mike Bradford dude also !)

Thanks, Rob! If he hasn't gone downhill physically the way I have, I just may need some back-up!!!

DDT

Oh crap ! We are in trouble then.   I'll give you my best. But I may be only good for about 3 minutes.  

 3 minutes??  There you go bragging again

Cool story Bruce.

ok, 1 minute 15 seconds tops.
It really was a great story. 

[John Schmidt]

Great story, and brother can I empathize with the "new kid" syndrome. Dad was school superintendent back during WWII and the years following, we moved about every five years and the challenges started all over again. Fights? Oh my yes, but my biggest challenge was 5th and 6th grade, the two years following my adopted mother's death. It was a rather small school district and each classroom had one teacher for all subjects and two grades. Fifth grade I had Miss Noble, 6th grade I had Mrs. Schmidt.....one and the same persons. And since I was the "super's kid" I was constantly defending his and my honor. One day in 6th grade coming in from recess, Donnie Petersen felt it necessary to test me. All he was doing was talking and challenging me....big mistake. I spent my summers working on the farm and had a lot more beef going for me. He gave me one too many shoves and I let him have it, a roundhouse right across the left cheek. First time(but not the last) I ever cold cocked someone. From that day forward, Donnie and his two buddies wanted to be my bestest friends. 

[art]

Good story that most kids can relate, myself included. Those were still good times. As to now in my mid 70s there is no way I would want to fight.We just don't heal as fast.

[JimmyG]

Bruce, you sure brought back some memories of my childhood. Ten different schools in twelve years, I was always the new kid, always being challenged. I had to fight all the time. Won some, lost some. Last one was in Hawthorne High, California. When I started there in my senior year. I got called into the principle office and the principle gave me a stern warning. He said,"I know you attended George Washington High over there in Gardena for the past two years, we won't tolerate any of that here". You step out of line and your gone".   With that, I relaxed, finally, no more fighting. Wrong, got man handled by a guy in lunch line, when he woke up, I had already been whisked away by a friend I had made, and nobody tattled on me, and no one ever messed with me again there.  Like you, I'm sure glad we don't have to fight now, to old is a good thing sometimes.   

[John Schmidt]

......to old is a good thing sometimes
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Except on the front lines. There, we'd have to stay and fight 'cuz we're too old to run.     Sure hope they don't institute the draft and only call back the "over 60" crowd, or in my case over 75....well over. 

[MarkT]

Bruce!   I've been lookin for you.  This is Mike.  I changed my name due to an ex lookin for support.  I'll meet ya behind the bleachers after 6th period.  And don't be late or I'll tell everyone you're CHICKEN.

[Wizzard]

I got back at my nemisis,, we fought over a girl I grew to hate later so he married her. He has been miserable ever since.   Oh and better yet,, I married a girl he used to like,, that was 40 years ago,, we been happy ever since 

Good story Bruce

[baldo]

These are all great stories.......

[Misfit]

Maybe it is our own Mike Bradford, as in Psycho from AZ? Just a guess. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Maybe it is our own Mike Bradford, as in Psycho from AZ? Just a guess. 

[DDT (12)]

Maybe it is our own Mike Bradford, as in Psycho from AZ? Just a guess. 

Oh what a relief that is!!! That thought never crossed my mind... I guess my subconscious still dreads the possibility of that old feud resurfacing... and jumped to a 'worst case' conclusion... Psycho would be fine as a 'friend'... in fact, he already is, just not on Facebook. That psychotic other guy, however... nah, I do not like that idea!!! Thanks, Misfit, you've rescued me from some needless fears... At least, I hope you have... time will tell...

DDT

[f6gal]

Maybe it is our own Mike Bradford, as in Psycho from AZ? Just a guess. 

Oh what a relief that is!!! That thought never crossed my mind... I guess my subconscious still dreads the possibility of that old feud resurfacing... and jumped to a 'worst case' conclusion... Psycho would be fine as a 'friend'... in fact, he already is, just not on Facebook. That psychotic other guy, however... nah, I do not like that idea!!! Thanks, Misfit, you've rescued me from some needless fears... At least, I hope you have... time will tell...

DDT

Hey Bruce, I recently set Psycho up with a Facebook page, so it likely was him.  Facebook suggests friends if you have friends in common.  You likely popped up, so he sent the request.  He's sleeping right now, but I'll ask him tomorrow.  FYI, I don't think you need to be too afraid of him! 

[Farside]

  too funny! I enjoyed all the stories but DDT that was priceless.    Reminds many of us of ......
   When I moved from Atlanta to Tallahassee the summer before 7th grade that was when it started for me. I'll never forget Jimmy Allen, neighborhood bully, a year older but wasn't so tough. Always looking to fight me. Last fight was quick and never another one again. I pushed him into the pyracantha bush or also known as the "Firethorn" shrubs  I should have thought of that 3-4 fights prior!
  Then when school started no trouble at all.  Well that could of been from wearing a tank top with that little bush under my arms scaring the challengers away. That bothered me more than fighting, I kid you not! Kids can be really mean! 

[DDT (12)]

Maybe it is our own Mike Bradford, as in Psycho from AZ? Just a guess.  

Oh what a relief that is!!! That thought never crossed my mind... I guess my subconscious still dreads the possibility of that old feud resurfacing... and jumped to a 'worst case' conclusion... Psycho would be fine as a 'friend'... in fact, he already is, just not on Facebook. That psychotic other guy, however... nah, I do not like that idea!!! Thanks, Misfit, you've rescued me from some needless fears... At least, I hope you have... time will tell...

DDT

Hey Bruce, I recently set Psycho up with a Facebook page, so it likely was him.  Facebook suggests friends if you have friends in common.  You likely popped up, so he sent the request.  He's sleeping right now, but I'll ask him tomorrow.  FYI, I don't think you need to be too afraid of him!  

Connie, that makes me feel much better!!! Thanks for letting me know. Once Damon planted that notion in my noggin, though, I felt some immediate relief... Your post reinforces that, so now I'm sleeping better and my bowels have returned to a more or less more regular rhythm. When I saw that other 'Friend Request', though, it did... Well, I still find myself checking out the folks around me more closely than before, but my anxiety levels have been greatly reduced. Please tell Psycho I ain't snubbing him!

DDT

too funny! I enjoyed all the stories but DDT that was priceless.    Reminds many of us of ......
   When I moved from Atlanta to Tallahassee the summer before 7th grade that was when it started for me. I'll never forget Jimmy Allen, neighborhood bully, a year older but wasn't so tough. Always looking to fight me. Last fight was quick and never another one again. I pushed him into the pyracantha bush or also known as the "Firethorn" shrubs   I should have thought of that 3-4 fights prior!
  Then when school started no trouble at all.   Well that could of been from wearing a tank top with that little bush under my arms scaring the challengers away. That bothered me more than fighting, I kid you not! Kids can be really mean!  

Thanks, FS. Yeah, I imagine most of those on here can relate to the experiences we've had along these lines... You are so right, too, with your last sentence! Mean indeed!!! Hope you keep riding and posting... You've got something worthwhile to say, and many of us are enjoying reading about it...

DDT