The Wrong Name

I grew up in Long Branch, more specifically North Long Branch
We lived on Atlantic Avenue, right between West Street & Church Street
It was all I knew. I thought venturing beyond that to be a novelty
Didn't drive and only time I got on a bus was to go to school or go
volunteer at the hospital as a candy stripier yeah, I wrote that pink striped jumper thing.
My world was Johnny's Candy Store, Diamonds Pharmacy, West's Market and the Laundormat
I remember passing by the fire house, the ceramic shop on the corner and the back tracks to get to these places. That's what we called them. They were old tracks that lead from Cooper Avenue area into Atlantic Avenue and vice versa.
There was a cleaners, Randi's Dairy Isle across the street
It was at the Dairy Isle we all stood to get the bus to High School
My friend who lived over on Copper Avenue, would walk down the back tracks to meet up with me so we could ride the bus together. (Thanks, Friend)
To get the beach, I walked past all those places down to the end and there was Ocean Avenue which went on and on and on . So did the Boardwalk.
My memories of all this are vague. But I do remember there was talk of eliminating the back tracks and making it so there would be a road to go through it
Well life went on and I grew and left Long Branch, more specifically NLB
I don't remember when it was I first discovered it, but there it was
You could no go down Atlantic Avenue and make a left or a right on to Ocean Avenue
That's what I thought it was
I have now found out after all this time I have been saying "The Wrong Name"
It's Ocean Blvd or as I told by true LBer's (like myself) it's referred to "New Ocean Avenue'
Oh and that other Ocean Avenue at the end, it's still there
Only it doesn't continue on and on.
As for the rest of the area, Johnny's moved across the street, Johnny died and it's now has a different name and I am told some people still call it Johnny's.
Oh and last I was there, the same lady is working there from my teen years.
Diamonds is now over at Ursula Plaza, I'm not sure if Dr Diamond is still there (I doubt it, he was old, when I went into it)I often wonder if he ever realized it wasn't me doing the stealing. He would watch my every move when I would go in.
The laundormat turned into a bait & tackle store, which I think is gone now
The ceramic shop is gone.
My memories are both good and bad for this area and traveling through still sometimes places an ache in my heart
But now I know It's Ocean Blvd and I will start calling it by it's right name

Assuming & Communication

Just got through watching a rather odd movie It was about 4 kids running around stealing, breaking things and murdering. Think it was boys. Wrong it Was girls!
Set in the 50s it was about that old juvenile delinquency, They didn't blame it on the music, but the parents. Seems these parents were quite well off and gave their daughter, the ring leader everything. Everything but there time. So off she went with her 3 friends to find some thrills. OK It's not funny, but they actually took this guy in the weeds and raped him. Only the headline said "they criminally" attacked him.
The girl killed a cop, got sentenced to an all girls juvenile home, then went to jail had a baby in jail, and she died. The parents tried to adopt the baby and the judge denied them. But not before giving them a long ass boring lecture. But what got me was it made me think of how often we take things for granted How we don't explain things to kids. Recently I had my granddaughter over and we had subs for a late lunch (actually we only ate 1/4 of a sub each) Later on I gave her the other 1/4 of her sub.
About an hour later , she asked me what was for dinner. I didn't tell her the last sub was dinner, I just ASSUMED

Meeting Famous People

I;'m not one much for going out places or for that matter meeting
so called famous people
Far as I'm concerned everyone shits the same
Today I went to this Musician Discussion for the sole purpose
of getting to meet Billy Brown of Ray, Goodman & Brown (The Moments)
Now granted it wasn't like one of those "Oh I must meet him and my world will be complete"
It was just that he happens to be the last one left of a group I have loved
since forever and he felt like home

My dearest friend, Harry, had always talked about him and I wanted to see if he remembered Harry. Also participating in this discussion was Southside Johnny,
Bobby Thomas,& Nick Addeo

I have heard of Southside Johnny, can't say I knew much else then hearing his name now and then. I think I heard one tune by him and tossed it aside in my "it's one of those bang bang eat my guitar type music genres" part of my brain. I didn't pay attention that it said Bobby Thomas was someone who sang with The Orioles
But after they started talking and he made mention of this, my ears perked up.
Interesting to learn that Sonny Till never liked "Crying in The Chapel'

Sorry to say, I also didn't know much about Bobby Thomas and it seems being the eldest of the discussion, Mr Thomas couldn't remember much and seemed to repeat word for word quotes from an interview he did in 2009, http://www.uncamarvy.com/Vibranaires/vibranaires.html.

After they got on stage, I did recognize Nick Addeo. I saw him at a concert in Bradley Beach, couple of years ago. Thing was everyone kept talking about this song "Gloria that he did. Now in my head, I'm singing the one I know which is the one by Enchantment, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGOqmXhNzRY)
Then of course there is that raw song about that gal, Gloria by Them (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_j7i_ZVfxw&feature=related)
I remember singing this one all over back in my teen years Loved the grittiness of it.

Now here they were speaking about yet another song about this chick named Gloria only this one had a different spin on it. I did remember hearing it after I heard it(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQELbFggZM8) (Can't say much for the lyrics)
But it is catchy. Hands down, my favorite one is by Enchantment.
It was surprising to hear Nicky speak about his childhood days. That old saying of "Walk a mile in my moccasins" certainly holds true when you listen to him. You never know where someone has been to get to where they are at. Loved the fact that he spoke about helping others even though he himself was a person in need. Also it was wonderful to hear, he is still helping others still today

OK I'm rambling and the whole idea of this things is to talk about my reason for going. Turned out Billy Brown did not appear

But guess who was there, Bruce
He comes one walking in and saunters to the back and everyone just ignores him
Ok I have to say I wasn't quite sure if it was him. I had to ask someone.
All I'm thinking is this the perfect opportunity for me to pass off one of my cards to him. So, I begin to walk around, handing out my card and telling people about my website and just rambling and walking, etc. Walk over hand him the card and continue on. Mission accomplished. I do have to say he smells like a chimney
When they started the discussion, which was headed by Dan Wolfe, he was called up on stage Now is when all the cameras came out. I did notice that he shakes his legs a lot when he sits. Could be he was jonesing for a cigarette

Post Operation

It's over!! What a fiasco So much of all the babble on surgeries and the war stories. Mine is finished OK so not compeletely Seems o no one mentioned to me of this thing called "Internal Scar Tissue" It's this adhesion like thing. That's near the incision and feels like alump or a constant foot pushing on to your side. Yes incision!! They had to cut me Seems they couldn't see the what they needed and they made an incision. This is what I was told. See I woke up almost 4 hours later and was told this. Along with that I was given a transfusion and broke out in hives. Huh? And this was caused by? What? I don't know Today I went and had the staples taken out. The "adhesion" as I was told will go in stages and eventually disappear and I was also told some other mumbo jumbo doctor gobbety goo and totally let it fly right over my adorable brunette head. I do remember him asking why was I not taking the pain med UMM let's see I am not having enough PAIN that warrants me taking Percocet which you prescribered thus triggering another addiction. OK Buddy? I have enough troubles with my other addiction of alcohol Damned if I couldn't use a drink right now Have no fear it's a thought which will pass and never me acted upon.
Anyway I'm healing and me and my "adhesion" will have to get along for a little while and soon as the little bugger leaves I will let you know

Pre-Operation

It is now almost 11pm on Wednesday the 10th of November The day before I am scheduled for surgery. I knew the date but not the time. That is not until I called after 2pm today.
I was quite delighted when I told surgery would be at 7:30am and I needed to be there at 6am. See I am one of those early birds, I'm up when the worms are turning over for a few extra winks. My son who was bringing me is not one of those people. I'm usually up at 5am, take my meds and then eat anywhere between 6am-7am. My son and I went out to eat tonight and my phone rang
It was the hospital to tell me,, my surgery was rescheduled.
I now had to be there at 8:30am and surgery will be at 10am. Needless to say, this made my son quite happy after I told him. Me? Well that is why I am up right now.
I am trying to stay awake so I sleep late. It probably won't work But at least I can give it a try.

Hospital-# 3

This will end my stay at the hospital. Mostly because I have pretty much forgotten the details of what happened. I do remember one thing. That I plan on doing before I ever go back. I keep a bag in my house to use in case, I have to spend a night at a friends or for in case I end up in the hospital, as I did
The bag contains the following, shampoo, conditioner, soap, a soap holder, toothpaste, toothbrush with a cover over the top, mouth wash, baby powder, dental floss, nail file, emery board, shaving cream, ladies razor, compact mirror, hand & body lotion, face cleanser, hair brush and comb.
Some of these are in travel -size , some in regular If you do not have such a bag, I suggest you get one ready. You never know when you will need it. Another thing is if you can, bring your own meds and be sure you tell every doctor and every nurse you have your own meds. Don't let me tell you they will get the meds. It will end up costing you twice as much as you paid for them. Besides you know your schedule. They will be coming in and out of your room, all hours to give you the meds. If they walk in with a medication you already have refuse it and tell them you told them you had your own meds. Another idea is be sure and bring a notebook with you and write down every time, any doctor or nurse walks in to your room. Get their name!!. Also keep track of your bodies outputs. They will ask you. If you are told you are NPO (which means nothing by mouth), be sure every doctor and nurse knows it There will be a sign on your door, but some walk past it without noticing. If you can walk, then do it every day. Walk around the ward at least 3 times each day. If you don't they will come in and give you a shot in your belly to stop blood clots. Be sure and question everytime they come in with any medication you are not familar with. Don't forget to bring the charger for your cell phone. Yes, you can bring your cell phone so long as you are not on a floor that prohibits them. The phone in your room will let you get incoming calls at no charge, but outgoing are charged.
You can only get the TV & the phone. Not just one or the other. If you only watch TV in the day, take walk around, there is usually a lounge on each floor and you can watch your day time shows in there at no charge. Bring a good book and puzzle books to keep you occupied in the evening. This would also be a good time to catch up on letter-writing. A lap-top would also be good. But be sure you have place to keep it under lock and key. There will be times you wil leave the floor to go for tests.
Also be aware that each floor has kitchens with things for patients. Things such as saltines, graham crackers, tea bags, sugar, splenda, milk, juice, pudding, and jello. Most of the time you can go in and get what you want. Depends on the staff on your floor. Just don't abuse it. I kept ordering tea with splenda and they would give me sugar. So, I would walk down to the kitchen and take the 2 splenda and leave the sugar in it's place. Bring your own PJ's and a robe and your own slippers. We all know about those hospital gowns.

Hospital-# 2

My stay at the hospital, Which happened to be Monmouth Medical Center was short and long at the same time. Being waited on hand and foot was nice, but the boredom overcame all that. I slept most of the time, just to pass the time away. That is except when the doctors would walk in Had this one doctor walk in at 5 am, asking me how I was "I was sleep, mother fucker/ WTF!! Most of the time I couldn't remember things like "So when was the last time you had a bowel movement"
I'm sorry no one told me I was supposed to make note on that.
Advice to the hospital, post a chart in the bathroom so the patient can write down that stuff. Or at least have a clock that works in the room. My clock said 4:30 for days. Another thing I found out is doctors do not speak to each other
I was told by the medical doctors I could go home on Thursday after dinner.
Happy Happy Joy Joy I was so delighted. Started making plans and everything.
Got some things ready and decided I would take a midday nap. Guess who walks in These 3 doctors, one says his name and he and the rest are from the surgical team
Then he goes onto tell me, I am going in the wrong direction. They are going to put me back on the IV and I will be in the hospital for possibly 2 more weeks.
Say What? I lay there waiting for the nurse to hook me back up. An hour passes and I decide to get up. Take a walk around. I pass the nurse in charge and tell her what happened. She says OK with this look on her face of concern. About 15 minutes later, she comes in and tells me, you are going home. She called medical and told them, medical called surgery and they all talked it over. You couldn't get me out of there fast enough. I had everything packed and ready to go.