Me in my dew rag and tank

skip dew rag 5
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

This is a self-portrait taken in the Summer of 2002 in my office/den/cocktail lounge. Judging by the tank top, it was indeed Summer. I had just gotten back from a ride through Death Valley...or at least it looks like it did. The San Joaquin Valley feels like Death Valley at times, especially on a Harley. I remember the words of my late-departed Uncle Melvin Diddley, "Son, you just can't ride fast enough to get cool when it's 100 degrees". I never forgot that.
Uncle Melvin had a run in with a Demstey Dumpster in Barstow in the early 70s. On a ride to Vegas, he decided to grab 40 winks in that dumpster at the Dairy Queen in Barstow. Word was, it was actually a toxic waste receptacle from the chemical plant next door. You can still see a little glow eminating from his grave on a warm night.

Jen and Roth

Jen and Roth
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

Jenifer and Roth. Roth is Jeni's fiance, they will married in June this year. Roth is a super guy and we are extremely happy that Jenifer has hooked up with him. Considering the multitude of slacker, X-Gen dude, clowns running around out there nowadays...I think Jeni "scored" with Roth!

Jen and Jim

Jen and Jim
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

Jenifer and Jimmy, my daughter and son. Jimmy is actually James Raymond Hansen III, named after my best friend, James Raymond Hansen Jr. Jenifer, actually Jenifer Leigh Hansen is middle-named after Janet Leigh, one of us old guy's favorite actresses and her daughter, Jamie Leigh Curtis. Jeni was born in 1979, the year Jamie Leigh's movie, Halloween came out (and my first introduction to Jamie Leigh). Mom, Janet Leigh was in "Psycho". Another Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds" starred Tippi Hedren, another of my favorite movies and favorite actresses. So, to make a long story short, it was a toss-up with Jenifer's middle name. We chose Leigh since having to explain (and say) Jenifer Tippi Hansen would be a problem as Jeni got older!

Jamie Leigh Curtis

Jamie Leigh Curtis
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

Jamie Leigh Curtis. This is that pre-photo-shoot picture from a couple of years ago. She wanted to demonstrate that a lot of the so-called "glamour" in show business is mostly "smoke and mirrors". Most guys when they read the magazine article responded, "Yea, right!". That wasn't a body-double in "True Lies".

Janet Leigh

Janet Leigh
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

Janet Leigh. What can you say about Janet? Most guys my age would agree, she was one of the most attractive and classy starlets around. And Tony Curtis got tired of that!

Sammy

Sammy
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

The 3 year old retired racing Greyhound. He raced at the Phoenix and Albuguerque tracks, winning only 3 out of 29 races. Being a non-Alpha male, I guess he just wasn't "manly" enough to keep up with the macho dogs (plus he was always embarassed for squatting instead of lifting his leg!). That was fortunate for us because his lack of racing prowess brought him to our home. If you are interested in adopting a retired racer, search "grehound"...many sites will come up directing you to your local organization. He is the sweetest dog we have ever had.

Lucy

Lucy
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

The 5 year old Boxer. Lucy is...well...Lucy. If you don't have the patience for hyper dogs, stay away from Boxers. If you do have patience, you will be rewarded a thousand times over with dedication, affection, and playfulness. I would also recommend providing some sort of living plaything and animal companion in the household. The best would be another dog (a cat may need medication from your Boxer's constant pestering to play).

Sparky & Lucy

Sparky & Lucy
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

The 9 year old badger-hunter. Sparky is a recluse (sleeps in the closeet most of the day) and a grumpy old man. He is Loretta's baby and always will be. A very affectionate and demanding dog, he is also the boss of the other two (and us as well). Our Dauschund got big and fat, so now he is on a diet. We sometimes refer to him as "Our Little Yule Log with fur".

A New Hope

A New Hope is the title of the first Stars Wars movie (though actually Episode IV in George Lucas' series). With the New Year here (2005), it is nice to think that there is always that: Hope. In light of recent events in Asia, it is another moment in time to take stock in what we have. The "hope" is that we, you, all of us are able to step back a few paces...and look at ourselves. The "hope" is that we, as a species, will still be around at the end of this century...heck, through the end of this decade! The "hope" is that appreciation, tolerance, and goodwill can rule this planet.

My "hope" at times is that I will win the lottery. And, yes, as I drive in my new Hummer up the driveway of our brand new home in the countryside after playing golf at the club...my "hope" is that I will still desire to share the wealth...to share the fortune...to share the goodwill...and to empathize with people who need empathy.

I recently was fortunate enough to spend a little more than a day with my daughter, her fiance, and my wife in our home for the holidays. In the days leading up to the visit, I was feeling a little down and out about money, the holidays, life in general, and...that their visit was going to be so short. My shitty attitude caused a little riff in the force. I had to make a conscious effort to slap myself around a bit and re-think the situation. Nothing will resolve itself by luck, chance, or wishing...only by doing.

So this New Years...I truly hope you are planning to do the things that you have been wishing for...I know that I will be trying with all my might.

Jack Diddley

Loretta & Skip at the Edgewater Motel, Pismo

Loretta Skip Edgewater
Originally uploaded by Jack Diddley.

This is a shot from the Modesto H.O.G. Pismo Run in 2002. Loretta and I are hanging out at the Edgewater Motel where most of the riders stay. We like to stay at the Seacrest a few blocks away, they have nicer bathrooms and less cockroaches.