| 04/09/08 09:20 PM |
#20
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Steve J. Krivanek West
I been thinking about a story to tell, since reading Tony`s annoucment to play golf on the riverside at Rockwood golf course, "Riverside Rats", and its originate.
Now Im sure somebody will counter what Im about to say, or I will say as it means to me.
This was told to me years after 78 around 82-84. My brother Bill 5 years older then me was talking one day, about our childhood years. In the late 60`s Bill was 12 to 14 years, he ran around with a gang that would go and steal things then turn around and sell them to the local kids in the neighborhood. If they didnt buy they would beat on them. But one kid, 5 to 7 blocks to the north from us on Marigold. he told me his name but I have forgoten it now.
Anyway after two or three times coming across this kid and backing off him. My brother decided it was time to stand up to him and fight. As he said it He was surprized to have won the fight. The other kid, inturn after the fight got mad and called him a Rat, just a Riverside Rat for he, my brother had these big front buck teeth in the front of his mouth like a rat. He said, from that point on other people would call them The Riverside Rats.
Now at the time growing up I didnt know this but did know how he would get money, I seen the stuff they would steal from time to time. But didnt hear anybody say the word rat in the group or see anybody get beat up. But I hear it from others at a young age that it wasnt safe to be on the streets after dark. For the Riverside Rats gang would get me. lol. at first I would think about it, walking around by myself. but after sometime I can to the believe that it was all just made up.
Now going to High School I didnt know this story of my brother`s till years later. Our junor year here came Freddie Violante, any football player got to remember his first day or week No shoes and THE hair down to his ass. Lol. I was thinking that he wasnt going to make it, the team that is, with that hair and no shoes. for asking him if he was going to cut it. the hair or wear shoe on the first or second day. He telling me no he wasnt going to cut his hair or wear shoes for football reasons. I guess he decided that he did lov the game, and come to know he wasnt going to make it, even if they let him, without shoes and the hair.
In time Freddie and me became friends, So one day he told me, he had great news for me. After talking it over with some of the others he hanged out with. That they would put me in the gang or make me a member. The Riverside Rat gang. they had a hand shake the works ,, lol
Freddie would tell me they would go around and beat up on other groups of kids, for whatever - I dont know. An how he wouldnt pick on one person himself, his job was to roam and knock on guys as they fough on others. I took it all in as a grain of salt to say, but thinking it was nice to let me in on their little club and all their bad doings was pass them now. But was told that I should be honored to know the hand shake and all, and part of the group. All I was thinking just keep that J going around ,, lol.
Back to 82-84 with my brother, I told him that it was funny that he was the first and I was the last of the Riverside Rats gang.
Personal note, Im glad to be called a Rat. If in the right sentence. Not for the gang bs but as part of the area and the loco one would say from Carter Riverside. as Tony did and does, Him, Im sure he`s glad to sport the name. LOL
Second, I used to go river rafting or whatever one could use to go down the river on. all the time in school and after. coined - A River Rat.
Three, I was born in the year of the RAT. On the Chinese calendar. The Year of the RAT 1960 as far as many other in our class. Call it the Chinese zodiac or horoscope. I looked it up before this or a little. Note that many countries uses it in the east beside the Chinese. and it covers 12 years then mouths and its the start of the calendar and dates back over 5000 years to were nobody really knows were it started.
As we think of a RAT as a dirty rodent.As the chinese call it their ben ming nian. The RAT, from the internet. Charismatic, Intelligent, Leadership, Lucky, Popular, Sociable, Talented and Quick Witted. I maybe got 30% of that but seen all of it from my classmates.From another page Qoute;
" RAT; They are Intilligant, Charming and Ambitious and often sucessful in business. RATS are Quick to spot potential and put their creative and clear Ideas into effect. At times they may appear stubburn selfish and greedy as they a approach things Wholeheartedly. They are energetic and great organzers so if you want something done call a RAT. " Note: We are in the year of the RAT this year 2008. For others not born in 1960 59 year of the pig. Most chinese have their family plan to have their kids born that year more then any other years for the pig is to born in the year of wealth, 1961 year of the Ox or Cattle I didnt go that far to go check, do it yourself sorry. or Thank God for me to stop?
To: Jeff and anybody else, that read to this point. not bord out of there mines, lol. Did that get your roc`s off? or better then ROACHES and chic POXs. An oh yes I been looking for the person that gave me those POX`es. Tammie,, GGGggrrr.. hehehe
Now I know you got a differant story on the Riverside Rat Jeff, and Im sure as well, as you other peoples do too, AS WELL. YEAH I got to get that Spell chck on every page I go on,,"as well as" Grammer :-)
Ker-Banachek
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