1/4/2019
The Gadsden, AL Blue Jug Alkaline Water and Health Market officially opens today. What should have been a 5-6 week schedule to get the store ready to open actually took almost 4 months. It is understandable that states, counties, and municipalities should be careful to protect against something strange happening inside businesses which they allow in their jurisdiction, but it is strange they do not guard against a stifling bureaucracy. In fact, each faction of licensing acts as though they are the singular protector of the people.
A building inspector should be able to go into a facility and examine whatever is in a building. Sounds reasonable, right? But, if a building inspector is just a collector of data, the government entity must also have a plumbing inspector, an electrical inspector, and a Fire inspector. Then, the health inspector comes in and says, let’s see what the state has to say about this. But, the state doesn’t see it so they categorize it. Since the Fort Payne city/county had never heard of a water store, they didn’t have any rules, they just said, “OK.” Gadsden, however, knew of the Fort Payne store, and upon checking around, saw there were no comparisons for this kind of store and, fearing they might make a mistake, stretched it out to include everyone they could think of for an inspection. This after several weeks of being unable to find an “approved” plumber to run a waterline and a drain. It’s just water, folks. … Rant over. Store is open.
Had a hard time waking up today, but I had an old Blood, Sweat & Tears SIMH as I did: Spinning Wheel—you know, “What goes up, Must come down, Spinning Wheel got to go ‘round. Talkin’ ‘bout your troubles it’s a cryin’ sin, Ride a painted pony let the spinnin’ wheel spin” Good rock n roll, right? It’s just a carousel.
Speaking of “good” rock n roll, if there can be such a thing, and add the recent holiday to my conscious mind reminds me of another “Mo” story. Such a great friend and most memorable character, Mo was a true entrepreneur, a man not afraid to have and go after his dreams. He, however, was never able to bring any idea to a successful end. He never made what’s commonly thought of as a good living, he just got by. But, he became so knowledgeable in several areas, I was always convinced he was going to have a real breakthrough and be successful. Never happened, unfortunately. But he did know and understand music better than anyone I’ve ever met. You might recall, I told this: he wrote and/or musically arranged over 8,000 songs in his avocation of barbershop quartet singing.
Back to the holiday thing; Barb and I used to have a new year’s eve party at the church. In one of these parties, we decided to play Trivial Pursuit. So the adults decided to choose up sides, then it was decided before we chose up sides, we should decide on a category: we chose music. both side’s captains come together and flipped a coin to see who chose first. Every body there knew the first choice was going to be Mo. There was much bantering, but finally came the flipping of the coin, I won!! so, I chose Mo. The other side just howled some more about not having a chance, there wasn’t any reason to play, etc. MO just busied himself and never said a word.
The questions started and we were all astounded: they were all about rock n roll music and Mo knew absolutely nothing about rock n roll. We got skunked! Mo knew old show tunes and old gospel songs, he never listened to any rock n roll at all! Let alone know Trivial stuff about it. The other side laughed us to scorn. It didn’t bother Mo at all. He said he was glad he didn’t know rock n roll! He may have been the better for it.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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