RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER (1974) by Steely Dan

Totally forget that song until you hear it

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel thanks for the share my friend.

What an absolutely unique group and talent. They have a style and sound like no other.

The song reminds me of a Latina I met in San Antonio at a dance club during college. She was so fine and pretty, cute as a button. We danced and flirted. We made eye contact and smiled. We moved our bodies as if they were a gift to each other. She was stunningly attractive in every facet physically and emotionally.

I was stupid and did not get her number. I did not have any paper so I gave her my number on a dollar bill. She called and I was at the library studying. She must have eventually spent that dollar bill because I would never hear from her. It was love at first sight, and I have a small part of my erratic heart reserved for her. She is safely stored in my heart. I don't have her but I have the feeling. I can only muse with a smile and a sense of rue as what I experienced was like finding perfection in the universe of imperfection, and what could have been. Shit happens in life.

While I write down my rambling thoughts and drivel I realize that perhaps it is hard or impossible to fully let go of someone or something that you love. What is in your heart tends to stay in your heart. The funny thing is I experienced love at first sight again 39,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean with a Malaysian Flight attendant in a 747 enroute to visit my parents in the Philippines during Christmas break. That is absolutely the best time of the year to visit the Philippines because the temperature would is in the 70s-80s with low humidity. Otherwise the temperatures would be in the mid 90s with high humidity.

I notice I have nothing better to do so I will continue with my rambling thoughts. I had an aisle seat in the 747 and this female flight attendant walked by me and accidently bumped my elbow. I thought nothing of it until she did it two more times. The third time I saw her swish her lovely hip and attacked my elbow with it. I watched in amusement and wonder her little booty disappearing. Now I don't claim to have acute mental acumen, but I did realize perhaps she was trying to communicate with me with her lovely hips. Oh man she was just cute as a button. Another piece of perfection in an imperfect universe. I finally garnered the courage to walk to the front of the plane to talk with her. It killed me that we were at the wrong place and wrong time. I was in college and she was a working girl from another country. Well guess what? I also had to find room in my erratic heart to store her for safe keeping. Shit happens!

So now I am an old dude on the internet pouring my heart out over chicks that were way too hot for me, that escaped from me. I know I am old now because some grandmas are really hot. I am trying to find a way to end this incoherent narrative. I have said to my soldiers and pointed to my heart and said what is in here that matters the most. Perhaps I should take an inventory of what is in my heart. Find the totality of what is holds. Love. Values. Compassion. Happiness. Sadness. Feelings. Memories. A fighting spirit. Now I have to scrub this damn thing. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope all the bright celestial entities illuminate a wonderful path to your future for you and your clan.