1/15
#ThreadChallenge
It seems impossible, but in my lifetime I have likely listened to hundreds of thousands of songs. Most have simply drifted in and out of consciousness. Many have taken refuge in my head. And a tiny few have imprinted themselves on my psyche. This thread is about one of those few.
It seems impossible, but in my lifetime I have likely listened to hundreds of thousands of songs. Most have simply drifted in and out of consciousness. Many have taken refuge in my head. And a tiny few have imprinted themselves on my psyche. This thread is about one of those few.
06:25 PM - May 30, 2023
2/15
#ThreadChallenge
The story actually begins in the mid-1970s when my (now) wife emigrated from Iran - at the age of 13 - with her brothers, seeking an American education. Her parents followed a few years later. The family eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest.
The story actually begins in the mid-1970s when my (now) wife emigrated from Iran - at the age of 13 - with her brothers, seeking an American education. Her parents followed a few years later. The family eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest.
06:26 PM - May 30, 2023
3/15
#ThreadChallenge
I came west from New York for work in early 1991. I left good friends and family for a new adventure. Shortly thereafter I met the future Mrs. W. We dated, she had me investigated by a law enforcement connection to make sure I wasn’t a miscreant, and we married in 1994.
I came west from New York for work in early 1991. I left good friends and family for a new adventure. Shortly thereafter I met the future Mrs. W. We dated, she had me investigated by a law enforcement connection to make sure I wasn’t a miscreant, and we married in 1994.
06:28 PM - May 30, 2023
4/15
#ThreadChallenge
Her parents had expressed a deep desire to become American citizens and to vote in the 1996 presidential election, so I became their coach. Despite a language barrier, we drilled until they knew more about state and federal government than many of our native-born patriots.
Her parents had expressed a deep desire to become American citizens and to vote in the 1996 presidential election, so I became their coach. Despite a language barrier, we drilled until they knew more about state and federal government than many of our native-born patriots.
06:28 PM - May 30, 2023
5/15
#ThreadChallenge
Shortly after the in-laws aced the citizenship exam we got news of a Clinton-Gore rally to be held in Tacoma in September. We made arrangements to attend the event with MIL, FIL, and our new infant son.
Shortly after the in-laws aced the citizenship exam we got news of a Clinton-Gore rally to be held in Tacoma in September. We made arrangements to attend the event with MIL, FIL, and our new infant son.
06:29 PM - May 30, 2023
6/15
#ThreadChallenge
On the day of the rally, 09/18/96, we made our way to the venue. We showed our tickets at the gate, but were told we couldn’t sit in the stands because MIL was in a wheelchair. So we were escorted to the wheelchair viewing section, otherwise known as The Front Row.
On the day of the rally, 09/18/96, we made our way to the venue. We showed our tickets at the gate, but were told we couldn’t sit in the stands because MIL was in a wheelchair. So we were escorted to the wheelchair viewing section, otherwise known as The Front Row.
06:30 PM - May 30, 2023
7/15
#ThreadChallenge
We were now just yards from where Bill Clinton would speak. The Secret Service agents were easy to spot. When the speech began I fumbled with a camcorder to try to capture some video. In all the excitement I had forgotten to charge the battery, which was drained.
We were now just yards from where Bill Clinton would speak. The Secret Service agents were easy to spot. When the speech began I fumbled with a camcorder to try to capture some video. In all the excitement I had forgotten to charge the battery, which was drained.
06:31 PM - May 30, 2023
8/15
#ThreadChallenge
Clinton - a great orator - gave an uplifting speech, with Al Gore, Hillary, and Tipper nearby. As the crowd applauded, Tom Cochrane’s Life is a Highway crackled over the PA system. The song was released in ‘92 but hearing it in ‘96, at this event, was a revelation.
Clinton - a great orator - gave an uplifting speech, with Al Gore, Hillary, and Tipper nearby. As the crowd applauded, Tom Cochrane’s Life is a Highway crackled over the PA system. The song was released in ‘92 but hearing it in ‘96, at this event, was a revelation.
Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway (Official Video) - YouTube
Music video by Tom Cochrane performing Life Is A Highway.#TomCochrane #LifeIsAHighway #Vevo
06:34 PM - May 30, 2023
9/15
#ThreadChallenge
Yes, it’s odd that the President of the United States would close out a rally with a tune from a Canadian artist, but … what the hell. It’s a fantastic song with a great message.
Yes, it’s odd that the President of the United States would close out a rally with a tune from a Canadian artist, but … what the hell. It’s a fantastic song with a great message.
06:35 PM - May 30, 2023
10/15
#ThreadChallenge
As mentioned, I was unable to capture video, but fortunately, CSPAN did.
Note to self: Stop trying to take video of everything and just enjoy the moment.
As mentioned, I was unable to capture video, but fortunately, CSPAN did.
Note to self: Stop trying to take video of everything and just enjoy the moment.
06:37 PM - May 30, 2023
11/15
#ThreadChallenge
Side note: Bill Clinton had the softest hands of any man I’ve ever met. And I mean that as a compliment. Soft. Smooth. Perfectly manicured. Like butter. 🧈
Side note: Bill Clinton had the softest hands of any man I’ve ever met. And I mean that as a compliment. Soft. Smooth. Perfectly manicured. Like butter. 🧈
06:38 PM - May 30, 2023
12/15
#ThreadChallenge
Life is indeed a highway - an adventure of our own making. We can play it safe or take a risk. Sometimes I’ll punch the accelerator and speed ahead. Other times I’ll take the exit and explore. I’ll take a few wrong turns, and if I can’t get back on course, I’ll chart a new one.
Life is indeed a highway - an adventure of our own making. We can play it safe or take a risk. Sometimes I’ll punch the accelerator and speed ahead. Other times I’ll take the exit and explore. I’ll take a few wrong turns, and if I can’t get back on course, I’ll chart a new one.
06:40 PM - May 30, 2023
13/15
#ThreadChallenge
As we know, there is one final destination for each of us, and we’re all going to get there eventually. I don’t want to go out with regrets, so I’m going to follow the advice of Hunter S. Thompson …
As we know, there is one final destination for each of us, and we’re all going to get there eventually. I don’t want to go out with regrets, so I’m going to follow the advice of Hunter S. Thompson …
06:41 PM - May 30, 2023
14/15
#ThreadChallenge
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
06:42 PM - May 30, 2023
In response to raised by wölves.
Aww, what a lovely story.
Good advice and some sweet moments.
Thank you for sharing.😊
Good advice and some sweet moments.
Thank you for sharing.😊
01:49 PM - Feb 09, 2024
In response to raised by wölves.
You do have a way with words. Good story, thanks for sharing.
07:34 AM - Feb 06, 2024
In response to Frank Schumacher.
Thank you, and thanks for reading, my friend!
07:48 AM - Feb 06, 2024
In response to raised by wölves.
Hello, a quick note to say I enjoyed your story. It went in all sorts of interesting directions! Immigrants, love story, Bill Clinton, Tom Cochrane... wow.
Thanks for sharing it.
And good luck in the Thread challenge. :-)
Thanks for sharing it.
And good luck in the Thread challenge. :-)
03:24 AM - Jun 05, 2023
In response to Gabe McGrath.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Gabe. I have your entry bookmarked. I started reading, then realized I would need more time. Love the creativity!
11:01 AM - Jun 05, 2023
