Category: Ashback Friday

Ashback # 8 – Wolverine Gull

Posted on by Ash Douglas

Hey everybody,

I received a comment on my blog this morning that was left on yesterday’s entry. It not only blew me away, but it also hyper-spaced me down memory lane. It was from an old friend of mine from my childhood. Scratch that, an old best friend of mine, and boy did it instantly put a smile on my face. I literally laughed out loud when I saw the handle that this person had used to post the comment. As you WordPress users already know, comments on your blog are sometimes left there by fellow bloggers, but sometimes they are left from email followers. I pretty much know all my email followers personally as they are mostly friends, family, and the odd coworker past and present. This person though, I believe has been visiting my blog for some time now and has finally made me aware of it in a very subtle way. Well, at least I’m 99.9% sure it is. I mean, it has to be. There is only a few living souls that I know on the face of this earth that would know the legend of the “Wolverine Gull”. (Dramatic voice)

Continue reading “Ashback # 8 – Wolverine Gull” →

Ashback # 7 – It Came From Outerspace

Posted on by Ash Douglas

outerspace.jpg

Ah, to be young again. I was in a googling wormhole a few nights ago and came across the movie poster you see above. As soon as this image popped up in my web search, I instantly smiled in recollection. I was a young boy, thirteen I think, some community group was putting off a showing of this at the dusty floored Catholic Church bingo hall and everyone in my class was going. It was a first for my tiny little outport town at the time, albeit, a modest attempt at recreating the real thing, but hey, none of that mattered to any of us. Once the last few kids had finished ass fighting for that lonely seat in the front that was a bit too close,  we were handed the classic paper framed 3D glasses with the thin plastic lenses coloured in blue and red. Yup, we were all there ready and waiting, anxious for the lights to go down, gorging on delicious popcorn and soda. 

Turns out, that this movie was the very first time I had ever gone anywhere other than my own living room to watch a film and it was in 3D to boot. Looking back at it now, it makes me chuckle. The movie is actually pretty terrible, if you were to watch it now in 2019, you’d be guilty of taking about an hour and twenty minutes off your life. But, back in the summer of 1990, on a lazy Saturday afternoon sitting on the most uncomfortable wooden chair known to mankind littered with half-chewed gum stuck all along its bottom…it was the best thing ever.

Stop dwelling on the negatives of the past, life is way too short people. Pick a happy moment in your life and let it breathe again.

Until…

Ashback # 5 – I Pity the Fall!

Posted on by Ash Douglas

mrtmrt2.jpg

Hey all,

Pictured above is the old 1983 Mr. T action figure, and no not a doll, an action figure. The difference is the kung-fu grip. Anyway, I was and still am I guess, a huge fan of the A-Team. I watched religiously every week as Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn’t commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military* Mr. T played B.A. Baracus, said doll. Damn it! I mean action figure.

Continue reading “Ashback # 5 – I Pity the Fall!” →

Ashback # 4 – Bump, Volley…Spike!

Posted on by Ash Douglas

FB_IMG_1444439538285
Yup, those were the days!!!

Afterschool practices and weekend tournaments were my only focus during this chapter of my life. Back when I hadn’t quite grown into my ears yet. Oh, how I miss the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The clean-shaven, beer shirt wearing, non-look at the camera bunch of guys you see above were once my comrades in arms. For all of high school, I had the awesome opportunity to be a part of a team with these fine lads. Volleyball, basketball, hockey, you name it. We were good too, I’m not just saying that. It was just great chemistry I think, most likely because we all got along so well. Best of all, we got to share a bunch of really cool experiences together, being on the road was one of my favourite parts. It was a great time in my life for sure. When I look at the newspaper clipping now, I wonder what everybody is up to. It’s been forever since I have seen or spoken to most. I think this was 1994.

Continue reading “Ashback # 4 – Bump, Volley…Spike!” →

Ashback # 3 – Very Very Sneaker there Mother!

Posted on by Ash Douglas

cokeshoes

Hello all,
I can’t recall the year, couldn’t even guess, but yours truly used to rock those kicks you see above. How cool was I? Gosh, I was about ten, eleven, maybe even twelve. I’m telling you, they had me at “that cool thing that I drink is now on my shoes”. Right away, I was awestruck. I stared and stared at those “make me the coolest guy in school” sneakers for as long as I could. A crosswalk had flashed don’t walk, so I had about a minute to take it in before we had to move on. I could almost touch them. They were right there behind a thin pane of glass, front and center, on display in the storefront of a sports apparel store. The whole time I was hoping that my mother at some point, might have seen me drolling and bought them for me. You see, I was a very shy kid and the chances of me asking for them straight out were pretty slim. Although go ahead and ask her now, she’ll tell you that I definitely don’t mind asking anymore. Love you, mom! No, dear readers, my signals must have gone unnoticed as my mother didn’t even turn around, didn’t even flinch. Then, just what I needed, the crosswalk switched and the little glowing man taunted me away from the window. I gave chase to the rest of the gang. Those Coke sneakers were all I could think about the whole way home, or more specifically, back to my aunt and uncles place in the city where we were visiting.

Continue reading “Ashback # 3 – Very Very Sneaker there Mother!” →

Ashback # 2 – That Afternoon…

Posted on by Ash Douglas

dsc_0311.jpg
We played and played. Dad, at your service, what game shall we play next? You couldn’t get enough of me and I couldn’t take my eyes off of you…that afternoon, together.