Tribute Type'0 Mood

in OCD3 years ago (edited)

Before I tell you about the time Curtis and I pulled an all-nighter in Compton you need to know Curtis. I've mentioned him before, he went by C.W, this isn't the last time you'll hear of him. He was the only man in my life who would've killed someone for me—glad I never had to pull that card.

I met him when I was 24, he was about 50. We crossed paths on a job site in Los Angeles. Biker to a T—President, Enforcer, Sergeant Of Arms, all that stuff. Six foot five about 260 lbs, French-braided ponytail down to his waist, goatee held together by an assortment of multi-colored rubber bands and covered in prison tattoos. When he carried a conversation, he swayed slightly side to side as he shifted weight between feet and his hands were always clinched tightly in fists either directly in front of him or at his sides—biker!

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C.W 02.21.1955 - 08.10.2013

See that fist? I always wanted to build a Harley. I grew up riding dirt bikes and had a few crotch rockets in my teens but a custom Harley I built myself was the dream. When I stepped foot on that job and saw Curtis, I knew I met my opportunity—C.W. He and I quickly became close friends.

His version went like this:

This punk kid wouldn't Shut Up about 'let's build a bike! Let's build a bike!' I told him for 6 months "I don't build bikes anymore—retired 20 years ago." But he wouldn't shut up! Every. Single. Day he's in my ear 'Let's build a bike! Let's build a bike!'

All I know is it worked! One day during that six month span of relentless pestering, that giant of a man flipped out on me! I remember looking up at him in my weld shop as he swayed side to side that morning, fists at his side. He was sincere and equally aggressive, I remember like it was yesterday, 'good morning!'

If you don't have 75 hundred dollars in your hand by the end of the day to order a frame and engine, I don't ever wanna hear another word about it, Do - You - Under - Stand?!?

I've been single most my life. To this day I've never sacrificed energy toward a mortgage or added responsibilities to myself possibly hindering my ability to save 75 hundred dollars. So I stopped whatever I was doing and dropped my tools, 'be back in 30!' I took off to Bank of America on the corner of 9th and Olympic—two blocks north of Skid Row.

Cash withdrawal, please

I've had men in my life much wiser than me say I learned more in that man's garage during that six month build than all of my previous life lessons and experiences combined. Well said. Six months later we were riding side by side on Highway 152 through Laurel Canyon—arguably the best time of my life. C.W taught me how to prioritize. I learned family doesn't have to share the same DNA to be family and he taught me how to build a custom Softail out of thin air. But this isn't about the build—it's about the time he and I were famous in Compton.

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Hot Rod

(Within a year we put an open primary on it, changed both controls, went through about three exhaust systems, repainted it, air-ride, new seat, reupholstered the new seat, an exciting project with no end in sight. I loved that man and I know he loved me back—Harley's were just bonus)

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We remained in close contact. I hadn't seen him for over a year, maybe closer to two, this is before FaceTime and all that. I was staying in Coos Bay, Oregon, he was still in LA, about a 12 hour drive. This would've been either 2009 or 2010, the Lakers won a championship that year. The downtown skyscrapers had strategically illuminated windows, Champions! We were surrounded by them when we left Compton at whatever time in the morning it was. That year. I jumped in my truck and merged onto southbound US 101.

I got there late and crashed at his place with the whole C.W clan. I ended up staying about three days, no big deal, I practically lived there during that build—know my way around the house in the dark, etc. We were eating breakfast the following morning prepared deliciously by his beautiful wife, the lovely Mrs. W. :ring: The house phone rang. He stepped out to take the call. "Eat up! We're going to Compton."

I'll go anywhere with Curtis. I've never felt safer prior to meeting him. The day he left I lost that security. I would've gone anywhere with that man and I did! Anyone dared give him a tough time, it's gonna be a bad day for that individual. I said 'he's just a big teddy bear' once on the job in front of other brothers cuz that's what he was—did.not :repeat: did.not go over well. I think this is the first time I've said "teddy bear" since. Now you know Curtis, C.W, The President. He was a husband, a father of three, and my truest friend. He held many titles.

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We're southbound on 605, Compton's about a 40 minute drive from The Valley. He told me we're going to Walt's sons birthday party. Walt was a big-time Superintendent for the City of Los Angeles, I'd never met him. His son's name is Javeer, he and his wife (forgot her name) share the same birth date so they're hosting a party at their Compton home together.

I've partied countless times in Inglewood, partied in South Central LA at the Coliseum I can't tell you how many times. Up and down MLK, Hoover Street, Figueroa, etc but I'd never been to a house party in Compton. I'm with Curtis, though, no problem.

We parked on the same street as the party, sun's still out, every sixth house or so has thugs on the front porch sippin on 40's and whatever else and the five houses in between are boarded up, abandoned and/or spray painted. There's stripped down cars on either side of the road unevenly balanced on cinderblocks—Compton. Out steps me and Curtis, the only white dudes they've ever seen walk their block without a badge. Compton isn't a place cops patrol, they don't respond to distress calls in Compton unless someone's dead. You're on your own.

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Welcome to Compton

Different world and I'm wearing a red shirt! Write this down: Do not wear red or blue in Compton. It's the only shirt I had and it didn't dawn on me how terrible it was until I stepped out of the truck. Two white dudes, I'm 6-1 and Curtis towers over me, tattoos up and down our flesh, his ponytail's swinging side-to-side as we walk down the street and not an eyeball isn't watching us like a hawk.

At the end of the street, down on the corner, beyond all those boarded up houses and stripped down cars, sets the only house on the whole block with nice paint, gorgeous landscaping, recently updated, you name it—it was in a world of its own inside a world I'd never been to. The vehicles at that house weren't stripped. Hummers and Range Rovers are parked in the front yard, the alley behind the house is lined with BMW's and Mercedes, what a trip! Whoever this dude Javeer is refused to leave the hood and instead made his little corner of the ghetto a paradise that couldn't have been more out of place.

We walked between several six figure vehicles parked in the driveway to a backyard gate—party entrance. There's a peace keeper at the gate about twice the size of Curtis frisking people as they entered. As soon as we stepped up, he contained himself and said something to the affect "I don't know how you guys got here but you might wanna go back where you came from." Curtis, "Lemme talk to Walt." He was surprised, "you know Walt?" Wait here, I'll be right back."

As soon as Walt saw Curtis at the gate it was smiles and hugs. "These guys are with me. I'm so glad you made it, it's my sons birthday party, welcome! Come in!"

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The house was so nice! As soon as we walked in the backyard we're met by a gorgeous custom swimming pool, there's a buncha women swimming and playing volleyball. The far left of the backyard has about a dozen chairs sprawled out and there's a big screen TV in the middle of the grass playing MTV type videos, the yard's a dance floor. There's a DJ playing gangster rap, it was the first thing we heard as we exited the truck. Must be about 10 monitors sitting on top of bass cabinets in every corner of the yard—loud! There's one of those big, industrial stove tops maintained by chefs in chef hats, they're flipping burgers, chicken, carne asada, etc. I could smell fried onions. Inside the main house is a fully stocked bar with a smokin hot bartender in a playmate costume. And immediately to the right of the swimming pool is another room, the door's open and it's shoulder to shoulder inside.

It's a pool table room and whoever Javeer is, he's a Laker fan!! The walls are purple, the floor's painted gold, the pool table's purple and gold, and it's packed! There's conversation, fellas are shooting pool, but a good number of people are staring at photos where the wall meets the ceiling. Lined around the interior walls, all the way up against the ceiling, is photographs of famous musicians with some sort of caption: "Thanks for all your help Seven!" "Couldn't have done it without you Seven!" They're lined around the room, I recognize most everyone: Missy Elliot, Kool Moe Dee, Run DMC, The Fatboys and about 50 others. "Who's Seven?" Curtis said that's Javeers street name.

About that time Javeer walks in the room, he's a music producer, "Curtis! I'm glad you came." They hugged briefly before introducing me, "this is Arts I was telling you about," we shook hands. "I'm Seven, nice to meet you." Javeer and I are still in contact, I'll tell you a funny story about him at Curtis's memorial—he was relieved to see me there!

We may be the only white dudes this community has seen within a three mile radius until now but we're here and it's known we're welcome. The host, the hosts dad, the hosts wife, they all welcomed us with open arms. The rest of the party wasn't concerned about us anymore and then, well, then the sun went down.

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The whole atmosphere changed. I haven't seen that many thugs in one location since the Too Short concert in Las Vegas. These dudes ain't commercial or radio thugs, either, they're gangsters and they're not shy about their shiny chrome pistols tucked behind their belt at the waist. I watched some of them set their pistols on the dominoes table to throw bones. It got real intense real fast—nothing compared to what happened next.

We're back in the pool table room, Curtis is shooting pool with Walt. I'm sitting down watching the pool game, staring at pictures on the wall, trying not to make eye contact with any of these guys and what's Curtis do? He introduced himself to the biggest, gangsterest, meanest lookin dude at the whole party. He just walked in the pool table room surrounded by about eight other dudes and he's about three inches taller and three feet wider than Curtis.

Apologies in advance for the language you're about to read but this article's dedicated to his wife and kids anyway, they'd have it no other way

Curtis stuck his hand out to shake dudes hand, "wassup man, I'm C.W, nice to meet you."

Do I look like I give a fuck about you mothafucker?! You wanna shake someone's hand, go find someone who gives a fuck!

I couldn't believe it! My heart took off running for Oregon. We're trapped inside a small room with about 20 thugs, I'm less than three feet from the action, one entrance, I have no idea what's about to happen but it's gonna be bad because I know Curtis and it's gonna happen Right Now because I know Curtis. I couldn't hear music anymore or anything. Their eyes locked and Curtis still has his hand out. He smiled as big as he possibly could, such a wide smile his eyes were almost shut. He's doing his side to side sway.

"I'll give you one more chance to shake my hand motherfucker or the next time you see it I'll be pickin you up with it."

No0O0ooo!!!!

Hole-e-fuck-ing-shit!! Yeah, Curtis said that. He said "next time you see it I'll be pickin you up with it" and called him a motherfucker. Now at this point I know one of two things is about to happen—them or us and it's gonna be deadly. I'm terrified.

That big ass dude who stood taller than Curtis spotted a tattoo on Curtis's extended arm. I don't know exactly what the tattoo was, I don't think I ever noticed it until that moment. It was just above his elbow, some type of U.S.M.C. special forces type tattoo. Curtis is a US Marine, too.

Everyone's on their feet now. He's staring at Curtis's arm and I see his eyes swell up, "whatchu know about.... whatever he said ..a b-bout th-that tattoo?" He's noticeably emotional, pointing at Curtis's arm. "This one?" Curtis explains how that was his unit however many years ago. Curtis proudly declared his military service and announced that tattoo on his arm with authority, "This one?!?" Well check this out!

Serendipitous, by the grace of God, a freak of nature, or maybe it's just because I'm The Luckiest Guy I Know, call it whatever you want but everything changed—the whole atmosphere. That big ass gangster said "did you know [John Doe]?" Curtis, "oh, yeah!! Johnny!" He goes on and on about how he and 'Johnny' did this and that, x, y, z, yata yata yata and that dude cried like a baby—can hardly stand up. He's leaning against the pool table with one hand, covering his face with the other, can't talk as he gasps for air. Curtis is trying to hold the guy up, I didn't know if he was having a heart attack or what.

"Hey man you good? You good?" Curtis is holding the guy up, "you ok?" The mood shifted in that room, all those gangsters backed up and gave the man space. He gathered himself enough to wrap his arms around Curtis, now they're embracing in the middle of the pool table room and that dude shouts, "this man knew my father!!! I'm Rudy, what's up 'Big Curt!!'" Shaking Curtis's hand, wiping his eyes with the other. The rest of the night, that was Curtis's name, 'Big Curt.' The whole party knew Arts and Big Curt.

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2008

I was standing on a curb

I thought we were golden when Walt met us at the gate—that's nothin! Now we got the neighborhood shot caller saying, "whatever you want, Big Curt! Arts, anything you need, you just say it" and yells as loud as he can across the whole party:

Listen up!!! Turn the music down!! Shut the fuck up and listen! I'm only gonna say this once!! If anyone has a problem with these two men, you have a problem with me and if anyone disrespects these two men you disrespected me, are we clear?!"

We went from golden to King's! Suddenly girls are talking to me, dragging me to the dance floor and stuff, they're bringing me food and drinks, I even got on the turntables a couple times. I'm throwing bones with these dudes in the back yard at $10/game on Rudy's tab while the DJ's music is so loud, you can hardly hear all the action in the pool less than 20 feet away—what a night! And I'm wearing a red shirt!!

We left that party shortly before the sun came up, drove toward the sunrise, it was probably 4am. The walk back to the truck was a lot more comfortable than the previous walk to the house. We're walking down the middle of the street and all those thugs hangin out on doorsteps weren't eyeballing us anymore. They're waving at us now, giving us head nods, we're nodding our heads back, Curtis says "you know why we can walk down the middle of this street at 4 o'clock in the morning?" "Why's that?" He stopped and did a couple 360's with his arms extended at shoulder height, "Cuz we were the first to arrive and the last to leave and they've never seen anything like it."

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I didn't see Javeer again until we buried Curtis about five years later. I've never seen that many people at an outdoor venue that wasn't selling tickets at the door, the bikes just kept rolling in. There must have been two or 300 bikes. I told his daughters "look, your dad was a rockstar." I was one of three to speak at Curtis's memorial, that's a funny story, too. Mrs. C.W asked me to speak, I was honored. She told me how some hot shot biker who was ministering the event suggested against it. "Mrs. C.W, with all due respect, I don't think it's a wise choice to have a non-member speak on your husbands behalf at a club function."

She loves me too. Apparently that dude didn't know who he was dealing with, she's Mrs. C.W. Her response went something like this: "C.W is my husband and Arts isn't just speaking on my husbands behalf at a 'club function,' he's speaking LAST on my husband's behalf at a 'club function,' deal with it!"

I had everyone's attention. I put everything I had into that two-page script, you could hear a pin drop. I left the amplified podium to applause, a few old friends rushed me for hugs, I was proud of myself. And who do I see next? Javeer–waaaayyy in the back. The only black dude in a three mile radius, he was even more intimidated than as I was the day I walked up to his gate.

As soon as I delivered that speech he was on me like flies on shit, I don't blame him! I gave him a big huge hug and shook his hand, made sure all 15 hundred of those tattooed sleeve having, long pony tailed wearing bikers knew if anyone disrespected him, they disrespected me. Curtis wasn't around anymore for my ultimate protection but Brian was! Best friends—Brian calls Curtis 'Bubba.' Before I left that party Brian gave me his phone number, "anything you need, Arts, my door's always open."

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Me and Brian

Almost there

Years have passed now, I haven't seen Brian since the memorial. I try to stop by the C.W house when I'm in LA—just haven't been there for awhile. A few years before we left the states, this would've been about five years ago now, I ran into Javeer at a taco truck in downtown LA—first time I saw him since the service. I still don't know how he and I ended up in the same place at the same time in a city with 20 million people.

We enjoyed lunch together, reminisced about old times and exchanged phone numbers. We talked about that night in the pool table room, he said, "oh, I knew Curtis would be fine, I was worried about the homies." I laughed, I asked about Rudy, "how's he doin? He still shot caller over there?" Get this! Rudy's Eddie Griffin's personal body guard now, he said "he walks Eddie Griffin down the red carpet 7 nights a week in Las Vegas." How funny is that? Curtis punked Eddie Griffin's personal bodyguard. Someone recently mentioned Eddie Griffin to me, can't remember who now. I hadn't heard that name since I ran into Javeer in LA, thanks for the reminder, you.

Thanks a lot for the pictures Mrs. C.W, sorry it took me so long to do this. I love you THIS MUCH. Please give Wesankel a kiss for me and come see us! Do - You - Under - Stand?

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Man...Oh boy...

There's people writing posts, and those writing well constructed, well thought, heart-felt stories.

There were a tint of Charles Bukowski in your rhythm. When something is that good, the only thing I want to do is take my guitar, it's almost like a defence mechanism (when you start wondering "but what am I good at ? What's the purpose of life...").

I am not this time, I am just gonna soak in the excellence.

Fucking great tribute...

Forgive me if I don't know how to respond to this one. The whole guitar thing and realizing there's inspiration here twisted my thumbs all up.

Much love @edprivat. Thanks for the reblog.

No worry that shit is damn good.

Damn dude. Phenomenal story. Curtis definitely sounds like the kind of guy you’d want to have your back. Must have been so cool to be able to give that speech too.

I think meeting Seven at that taco truck was pure fate man. I got goosebumps multiple times reading this.

I think Mrs. CW would approve of this story.

RIP big Curt.

Did you notice the 5th image up from the bottom? The one where he and I are arm and arm? See my Mac Lethal shirt? 😉 And Thats '08.

Lol, I hadn't noticed. Don't think I would have been able to read it unless you told me and I could put two and two together....like now. That's hilarious dude.

"Mac Lethal? What's lethal about him? Old age? Stroke face? A relapse going back to his old ways?"

"I'm a make out bandit, if you don't understand it, keep your one night stand away from me."
"Cuz I'm a make out bandit, if you don't understand it, keep your damn jealousy away from me."

-Mac

Hehehehe, I don’t deny his rapping capabilities. He can go faster than most, a talent I couldn’t accomplish if I wanted to. He also has some good lines, but a lot of them would be considered filler.

As Tom would say “you rap fast but every bars filler, we kept lethal but we lost Miller.”

As much crap as I talk about him, simply because my boy Tom murdered him, I’d still hop on the opportunity you had to travel and hang with him. You just can’t pass that up and I’m totes jelly you got to do that.

Maybe some day I’ll get to do that with Tom.

“I’ll take you and your bitch by the ear then smash ya together like Stone Colds beer. Being a fucking loser’s in your DNA, this ain’t a punchline it’s a PSA, the chromosomes from your ma and pa create retards and they name em DAVEEEE!”

Ouch, dead.

I wanna party with Tom, too. I'm sure I've said this before but I think he owes Mac an authentic Thank You.

The only MC I'd actually debate is Eminem. I denied it long enough and I love me some Rittz, Tech, Yela, but Em's just untouchable. Music is dope! We're all allowed to develop our own opinion.

I don't watch nfl anymore but when I did, I'd say "to be top 20 'anything' in the nfl is arguably the best in the league." Guess I feel the same way about music. 👍🏿

No doubt about it, that beef between them definitely helped catapult him to where he is today. I'm sure behind closed doors there could possibly be a sincere thank you or handshake, like "yeah, you killed me, but good job", "thanks man, glad we can put this behind us and just move forward, the past is in the past."

Now Em....like, who doesn't or hasn't at one time or another, said he's the GOAT. I know I did back in the day. In HS his CD's were all I listened to in my Mustang with subs and infinity speakers. You could hear me coming from a mile away..."say goodbye, say goodbye to Hollywood, say goodbye, say goodbye to Hollywood..."

But his new shit just doesn't do it for me man. I still think he has the talent to rap like he always has, but I've never really listened to rap because of how fast someone can go (hello Mac Lethal), but rather the content of their words.

Em has gone off the fricken rails with his lyrics, he's akin to a rapping SJW. I'm not even a Trumpite and some of his lyrics just give me the chills.

Tom, on the other hand, is basically the exact opposite. Saying things I mostly agree with in a really cool way, with no bashfulness in his words or videos. Top it off with no label, manager, producer, videographer...it's literally just him and his girl. How can you not be proud and happy for someone living their dreams like that, on their own?

I'm not ready to crown him the GOAT by any means...long ways to go for that. But Em, to me anyway, def doesn't have that top spot anymore. I'm sure he does to many, but I'd say that crown is up for grabs. Time will tell who snags it and for how long.

Much love talking about this shit man, and congrats on your 69, your HI (which was crazy!) and your payout...clearly the community agreed that your post was well worth the time to read it.

You don't always drop lines but when you do I appreciate it and that's not a spin on world's most interesting man either. Thanks man! I just got off the phone with the fam and they approve. They'd heard about that night, but that's the first time I painted a picture.

Thanks a lot for the reblog @intothewild.

69!!!!! 69!!!!!! 69!!!!!!

Big Curt coming through from up above!

Dude it's even weirder than that! If you really wanna trip out, check out my response to the Sweed here. That really happened. Put it on everything I know.

If you don't see me for a minute, I'm assuming the new position, I gotta come up for eventually

Damn. Sounds like one hell of a dude and one hell of a party. Curtis reminds me of an ol boy I used to smoke with, hell of a harmonica player, ex president, etc of the local chapter, solid dude. He played in a friend's band and one night between sets the band and half the bar went around the block to have a few tokes and when the law showed up he decoyed the cops so everyone holding could get away.

@dandays pester someone? I don't believe it!

"Rabbit." Curtis taught me that one too. When they were in packs they'd always assign a rabbit because who knows how many members ain't supposed to be on the street. If they got stopped, they'd wait for the cop to stop and then the rabbit took off saving everyone else.

The way you describe your buddy, I have to assume Big Curt played a harmonica.

First time I ever did that dude!

I have to assume Big Curt played a harmonica.

Pretty much. I think Mike was probably a few inches shorter but that sounds like the biggest difference.

"I'll give you one more chance to shake my hand motherfucker or the next time you see it I'll be pickin you up with it."

Holy shit! @dandays, I have to agree thoroughly with @edprivat words and sentiment here mate. I neither have words to express clearly in all its dimension how good this story and post is for me. Lotsa of Flashbacks & DejaVus fluttering in my outlandish entangled memory.

So, for lack of better words, just let me tell you this:

Even when I arrived late to read this outstanding tribute of a post. Even so, I've upvoted it with my supercalifragilisticusexpialidosously powerful vote of $0.01 cents no matter what. And just to join also to the Rebloging fest of what in my opinion is a fine post which should be shared across this blockchain just to check how many fuckers around here knows how to read, I'm obligued to put this post in my own blog simply to confirm that among my own followers. :)

And last but not least. I think my only option by now (for lack of words) is gonna be to musicalize my comment here with a great tune as my own homage to the unforgettable Big Curt.

Cheers!! :)

I was cool when I got to that part about supercalifragilisticusexpialidosously. Up until then I'm totally fuckin overwhelmed. Don't even know how to properly respond to these comments.

But then you were just like the rest of'em, I'm right back to 'I don't know how to give proper thanks for all this attention.' That song, though, dude. Really?!

Man I hope that 100% shows my appreciation. It was the Max, the thing won't go passed 100. There's TWO fucking names who mean the world to me that I didn't disclose in they're written in English on that song cover. *Can't make stuff up.

Thank you @port500bolos.

family doesn't have to share the same DNA to be family

Ain't that the truth?

An amazing, moving tribute to a teddy bear of a clearly special man. What a treasure.

Posted using Dapplr

I edited this, left out the last S in your handle

You're too kind @fionasfavourites, thank you. I just got off the horn with his wife, they approve. Thanks a lot for the reblog. 💖

I didn't know about that DNA thing prior, Inlearned so much from that BEAR!

I am blessed with many friends who are family. Especially since family... Well, least said, the better!

........ <- That's me saying even Less.

Awesome story, loved it!

I edited this. I forgot to say 'Thanks for the reblog'

Thanks dude. I see you keep an eye on me but this is the first you dropped me a line. Lets me know I did something right.

Thanks for all of it @joshman.

For sure, I followed you because your stuff is good, so please do keep up the great work!

Great to see this is getting the recognition it deserves!

Dude it's fuckin overwhelming. Took me two days to even come attempt responding to these comments.

I hope this is adequate for I really appreciate you coming back like this.

Thank you for your life story.There are so many people in the world and everyone has their own unique life story. I wish you all the blessings of life.

Thanks for following along. I haven't been able to bring myself back here for a little bit because this attention is overwhelming. Trying to articulate a worthy response is too challenging, I hope this will suffice.

What a read!
It doesn't matter who you are thug, white or black ; huge, monstrous or humongous everyone has a heart.
You've got a way of story telling, I loved it all the way.
Thanks for sharing such a personal beautiful story.

I saved this one for last. Good morning!

Thank you more than THIS for mining through my content to find this one.

And if you're gonna keep being so got dang nice you're gonna have to keep being on my page.

Thank you @sofs-su. Curtis was the closest I had to a father figure who was nearer my age than my grandfather. The two were the only men in my life. I'm flattered you dug this one up and learned about Curtis. Thank you.

I read a few of your recent posts but this one just grabbed my attention and kept it to the end. Let's say it struck a chord deep within me.
In your other posts you hide behind your humor, but this one showed me who you really are @dandays.
You are indeed the luckiest guy I know for having found a gem like Curtis. (I am a gal the luckiest gal I know)
It's been lovely getting to know you.
May dig up more when I find the time. 😁

Can't threaten me with a good time.

Thank you so much again, really. Now don't go tellin everyone I'm soft like frozen yogurt, I'll deny it. I got this ganksta persona to uphold. Or is it gangsta with a G? Or should it have an ER like gangster. The scary one! That's me.

Rawr❗️

Do I have to do anything now? You did it for me thank you 🤣 You can roar all you want but it sounds like a meow. 🤣
Okay just kidding my mouth is 🤐

Yay! 🤗
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Good evening sir, that was really such a fantastic post. Heartfelt , very moving. Curtis was quite a guy.
Finally, you hit the jackpot on this article , well deserved.
Congrats, you made it to 69. hehe

It's overwhelming @farm-mom. The weirdest thing happened in the middle of editing that article. This appreciation from the community. I haven't signed in for awhile cuz I don't even know how to respond to these comments properly.

I can only imagine. It’s got to be overwhelming but you have earned it my friend. You have really opened up with this last post , showing how thoughtful and kind you are even though your life has been tough.
Keep moving forward
Congratulations again on your awesome post.
Have a blessed day ❤️

What a story! Felt like I was reading a novel for a little bit. You need to write your whole life story in a memoir and you’d make big bucks from all that you’ve lived through. Keep ‘em coming!

I keep getting chills. I haven't signed in for awhile because the appreciation from that article blows my fucking mind. And then there's comments like yours..

I don't even know how to respond properly.

A nice piece in honour of a man that clearly meant a lot to you. It left me wondering if anyone would do the same for me. I think @taraz would right something here on my behalf, reveal all my secrets probably!

Seriously though, a good piece about a good man, written by a good man.

Respect.

Galen, I'm fuckin overwhelmed dude. Ima add the kp right quick. @tarazkp and then try to mumble my way through this.

Don't even know how to properly respond to these comments. I'm reading things like Honour, a good piece and by a good man and I just can't seem to reciprocate the appreciation to my standards.

I hope this suffices for 'Thank You.' It's all I can think of.

Thank you works pretty well and nothing more is required. 😶

That's a serious tribute to a serious friend. I've had some friends like that and I'd like to think that a couple of times I've been that friend. I too have done way more than my fair share of eulogies. To the point that I hate them.

I'm not quite as big as CW, but close. I'm sure as hell not as crazy. I've been in some scary situations but mostly managed to stay pretty low key.

I remember your bike. I'm pretty sure when I saw it was just north of the Pioneer Casino towards the remote motel. There's a low concrete wall there that I sit on when I eat my Coney Dog from the Casino, and I'm pretty sure your bike was near by.

I got to tell you. I've been to a thousand Taco Trucks in a thousand places. I think the only time I've seen someone I know is in Small Town America. (And one of those I remember was an Ex Wife :)) It's cool that you saw Javeer there.

This is my second try here, I do not know where my first comment went. I only know where it didn't go.

Trip out on the comment. Same thing happened to me when I responded to angryman, it just didn't show up. So Indid another one, same thing. Took three tries. I put this on everything, Tom, my screen type Hi just like that, no periods, just like that right in front of my face, right in the middle of two of my paragraphs, the were spaced just like all the other ones. Then the space was replaced with Hi. Pura will vouch but I understand if it's not believable. And if that's not believable, dude my fucking keyboard wasn't even open! I was proof-reading from my phone.

That's exactly where I was parked, on the bottom floor of that parking garage. My compass is a little screwy but it would've been that lot in the direction of Harrahs (hope that made sense). I hope we're talking about the same wall. That's the same parking spot I came back to my bike and all them dudes were around it watching some naked chick pose for pictures on my bike.

Get the fuck off my bike!!

Those dudes were "what's the matter, don't like a naked chick?" 'Not on my bike, get the fuck off and go crawl in someone else's property!'

That was my second of three eulogy's sir, I'm over it. I really appreciate you checkin this one out. Quite frankly I'm overwhelmed and not certain I'm even handling these responses correctly.

Now that is A POST!

Thanks @frot. Just got off the horn with the family back in LA, they approve as well. Thanks for the big vote dude.

NICE... Really NICE @DanDays... You tryin ta make an old man cry?!?!?!?

This is weird. When I came through and upvoted you, I comment too. Passed through to make sure I upvoted everyone and the comment's gone.

And now the damn autocorrect had 'fine' instead of 'gone.' I better stop Now.

Uh.. thanks for the reblog.. stop bein a female dog, and everything else you want me to say.

I'm sure glad you didn't use the word 'BITCH' here @dandays ... the pussy-assed cunts around here would have had a fit and bad mouthed you on Discord...!!!😎

Eh you think maybe you can stop by about every four hours or so and drop shit just like that? Drop it wherever you want so long as it's to me and I'll find it. Otherwise I won't find it.

Tribute of tributes, a wink to heaven and Dand the words are spot on

you have been upvoted by me and I wanted to thank you for the blogging share and I want to wish you a great Valentine’s Day tomorrow

9C055E6DA1E74F64AA12C083B47ACFB6.gif

Thanks for the Yoda @brittandjosie.

The reaction from the community on this one is overwhelming as shit!! That yoda was something I could just look at, watch it, and accept without beating myself up about 'I hope this is an adequate Thank You.'

It most certainly is and yes the blog was appreciated by many in the community and the fact that it was about someone so special makes it even greater

We've got our own "Curtis". Ours is "Big Mike". And wouldn't you know, one of my fondest memories with him was at a Primus show where he and my dad were my (almost) twin bodyguards keeping the drunk dudes far, far away. ;)

Some good memories here. 💚

Now I don't have to throw myself on the floor like an only child 'if Plants released it, it woulda got attention, wa!!'

Oh yeah.. you coulda done whatever you wanted that night. Ain't it comfortable?? I bet you love I when Big Mike rolls with you.

You're the best @plantstoplanks!

!BEER
for you

Cheers @eii!

What a story, full of passion and suspense, great job my friend.
Blood lines do not dictate family, but uniquely interconnected relationships may, and this friendship hit that mark for you.
Talk about sheer luck, hand shakes, hugs and a lot of respect sure beats the hell out of beat downs.
No shit, Curtis ended up serving with the dude's father.
Also freaky that you reminisced with Javeer years later, after running into him at a taco truck.

I have only taken part in a eulogy once, and it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.
Keeping yourself together while trying to put into words just how special the person was in your life is not easy.
It sounds like you nailed it, which doesn't surprise me. You have that gift with words and more importantly your passion and sincerity always shines through your being.

You mention the pride you felt with completing the difficult task of speaking at your friend's funeral, and you should have.
My son Derrick was the last person to speak at T's funeral, and his love for this guy and what he meant to everyone in the room brought so many to tears of joy.
I never knew he had it in him, but the pride I felt was an experience I will long remember.

Later Arts, a real winner with this post!
Say hello to sixty nine.

That's my third eulogy, @thebigsweed. Chris, remember him? The dude I wrote about a few years ago who OD'd. My mother was before him. CW was before her. I'm fuckin over talkin at dead people's service.

Curtis was his dad's superior! What are the F'ing chances of that?! The whole thing Sweed. It gets freakier. Bro I had a typo in this, it said "they're" instead of "their" at one part so I edited it. BUT.. when Curtis announced his tattoo, I said "pride" twice so I wanted to change the second one to "authority," I did.

Sweed.. my keyboard wasn't even up, As soon as I changed it to Authority, my phone typed Hi in between the two paragraphs. Just like that without spaces or a period. I looked like 'how could my finger possibly slide across the H and the I if my keyboard ain't even up?!?' So I deleted it. As soon as I deleted it I was "Pura!!! You'll never guess what just happened!"

Anything your DNA (it comes in a wide range of meaning) does my friend, I'm not surprised at all it's moving and fills you with pride.

Thanks for everything! Thanks for reblogging this one and thanks for having my back.

I saw that Hi like 'maybe I am still protected?!'

I just needed to stop in one more time. I'm not sure why I didn't include this in my first comment, I think it was just because of all of the excitement I was feeling by the Grand Slam you hit with this one @dandays.
That stuff with the Hi is freaky as hell. You know the big guy was looking down letting you know he still has your back and appreciates you recalling a friendship that has lasted longer than life itself.

You may have thought that I was a little over the top when I said that you are one of the best authors on #hive. Well, the attention this blog is getting proves one thing, I've got an eye for talent.

Have a wonderful day my friend!

I got the chills several times putting this together. And you just did it again.

@thebigsweed, ya'all are the best. While I got you, what do you think the problem was with that George Carlin one I did? Hope you guys are enjoying the weekend in Flo-rida. Ever hear of'em?

I have a hard time figuring how some posts I do, that may have taken many hours to put together receive little attention and some others that only take a few hours, see much more attention. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.
It does seem that once a post gets legs it seems to attract the attention of some of the big players.
I've never heard of Flo Rida, but I have to say I enjoyed this song. Have you ever heard of the song Slow Rider by Foghat, Before I listened to Flo Rida I thought of the song by Foghat.

I think that anyone who read your post had to have some chills running up and down their spine, if not, I'm not sure anything would move them.

I edited this. I should've mentioned something like "I probably said too much."

Good morning Sweed. Got you some more viewing material awaiting your genuine eyeballs. Take your time.

Foghat. Do I know Foghat?? C'mon man. I'm quoting Kid Rock so don't think I'm just an F-bomb dropping fool these days. Never mind, forget I said that. Kid Rock has a line in one of his songs that goes "I'd rather fuck to Foghat!"

I don't get it either man, I kinda had to stop asking myself why I can't get any whale autovotes. Sometimes I wonder what those whales would think if I left the platform and didn't come back and then I realize, if they gave a fraction of a shit, they'd support me currently.

So I just accept it for what it is. Flattered and humbled sometimes, confused and disappointed the others. When I post an article, like the one last night, I'm proud of the finish product. I also know for a fact if many other people would've released my content for me only with their handle instead, my content value would be on a different scale compared to Mornal.

Not sure what I did to get under their skin.

But I am sure about people like you, Plants, your wife, and a bunch more, there's a lot of you who genuinely appreciate what I have to say and it means the world to me and, because if that, the whale autovotes or lack thereof don't compare in value to the genuine interest my virtual friends show with my content.

Much love from us to you, @thebigsweed. Enjoy that Flo Rida sun.

It's all a mystery. Without mentioning any names, some people post several blogs a day and walk away with a pocket full of upvotes, when the content is, lets say standard shit.
Most times it comes down to who you know, not what you know.
It's funny how things go with blogging. A post worth 10 bucks puts 5 bucks in your wallet, but those 5 bucks seem to carry more weight than a twenty dollar bill sitting in your pocket.

A payout finally worth all of your effort, good for you!!!!!!

I sure do appreciate this support @thebigsweed. Keepin an eye on my like that because you're genuinely interested. I don't know bigger words or a fancier way to say it.

Brilliant story mate! I have had this open for a day or so and only just got round to giving it a read and am glad I did. Sounds like a night out in a movie and bloody awesome memory to have :)

It was a long one, I understand putting it off, thanks a lot for coming back by @tarazkp (I'll relay Galen's mesaage anytime) and thanks for the big vote. I appreciate all of it. Between the attention this got to the unexplainable weird thing that happened in the middle of editing, I don't know if humbling is the right word for I can feel it.

I love it

You wouldn't lie to a virtual stranger would you?

Thanks @davidmuhammed!

I'm a have to follow you...

The place just wasn't the same without you @paulmoon410.

Which place? Are we there yet?

I can not..

CAN NOT

Believe I upvoted myself! Dude I've responded to myself plenty of times but if you tell anyone I voted for myself I swear I'll deny it'

Wow exelente historia amigo, y las fotos se ven estupendas como las harley, gracias por compartir.

@prm4031. Es un placer, gracias a tou por leer y gracias por escribirme. Estoy usando un traductor, así que espero que esto resulte correcto.

Dios te bendigas! <-- Didn't use a translator for that, it's some of the rare Spanish I know by heart.

speechless.

I just read this one out loud to my wife @pooky-jax.

All 3407 words.

I think I just lost my voice. LoL

Once I started I could not stop. It was that good. This old trucker bikers thinks so.

Erie 2008.jpg

You gave me chills just now. I wasn't expecting the biker part. That was fun.

Thank you so much! I could type it BIGGER or

Something

Or however you'd rather I worded how cool it is you not only read but read out loud, my content, to your wife. I can't type it big enough.

Thank you, sir. And thank you @pooky-jax for listening. Enjoy the rest of your weekend you guys.

Wow Mr @dandays, what an epic tribute to a very special and unique man; you were blessed indeed by having someone of C.W.'s strength of character in your life!
You ALWAYS get a chuckle out of me and there were more than one here! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of that pub just to see your face:):)
Anyhow, tell me, did C W. help you reach the magic number?
Plus you broke all records with such excellent rewards, very well deserved!

@lizelle, I'm so glad you made it over here, thank you. The reaction this article received is overwhelming and I sincerely mean that. If you know of a more specific word than overwhelming, it's that too. Yes, of course Curtis got me to that number. Blessed. <--that's the word.

You're gonna love what I do with the reward from this one. Getting all three of them together is going to be a challenge especially right now with Covid but I have a plan. 😉 You'll love it.

Phenomenal story one to be inspired by...

RIP ... Curt 🙏

I miss that man every day. I don't reach out to his family often enough. It took nearly 8 years to put this together—way too long.

However, the reaction this article received from the community is worth its weight in love. Overwhelming is an understatement.

Thanks @kohsamui99, enjoy the rest of your week!

I can relate to your story i lost my closest friend 10 years ago he was more then a brother to me and i still miss him today putting this out will heal most of them damaged feeling time to let it all out he would want you to do that...

Take care buddy 👍

Your post has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
Try https://ecency.com and Earn Points in every action (being online, posting, commenting, reblog, vote and more).
Boost your earnings, double reward, double fun! 😉

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@ecency you're the best! Thanks secret admirer.

Had to edit this. Apparently I can't spLeL @knottydaddy.

We get'em every once in awhile @knottdaddy. Thanks man!

Sorry, out of BEER, please retry later...

@dandays, one of your Hive friends wishes you a Happy Valentine's day and asked us to give you a new badge!

Valentine's Day 2021

To find out who wanted you to receive this special gift, click here!

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

Valentine's day challenge - Give a badge to your beloved!
Time to go on your Hive Tour

And I know who the culprit is. Thanks Plants! Real cool things you do @hivebuzz.

Thank you @dandays, for this lovely comment! We wish you a happy weekend 😉👍

Congratulations @dandays! You received a personal badge!

Thank you for helping the Papillon Foundation by participating in the Weekly Hive Charity Giveaway.

Your support to "create better tomorrows from the ashes of today" is much appreciated!

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

Valentine's day challenge - Give a badge to your beloved!
Time to go on your Hive Tour

Dope! Had I known it was that easy I woulda done it a long time ago.

I'm a slow learner

Yay, nice said @dandays 😉👍