Me or Bill Walton?

Not to end the intrigue. But, these are all pics of Bill Walton. My hair has never been that red. When my beard was that red it was never that long. Depending on when you knew me there might be a little resemblance to 1st two pics. Then, you pan out and realize he’s a giant and I am not.

Who has a better life right now? Me, or Bill Walton?

That’s what brought you here.

A relative celebrity or me? He played roughly 12 years in the NBA. I was a public school teacher for basically the same amount of time. He was coached by John Wooden. John and I are alumnus of Purdue University. We both love The Dead.

I’ll say this for him at 66 I can only hope to be able to move like him. Because at 39. If I were to go do anything relatively physical it would probably look more painful than watching him drag himself up and down the court at any point during his NBA career.

But here we are in 2019 he in his 60’s and me in my late 30’s I think it’s a push. At this point you might be wondering what the hell i’m talking about or wondering…

Do you know Bill Walton, Ken?

The answer is inadvertently, Bill and I have spent a lot of time together during my teenage years during the NBA season on NBC, and now most currently during the most recent incarnation of The Grateful Deal. I by no means have ever met him in person. Our connection comes most recently from through The Dead and Company. The Grateful Dead have connected us in a way that only The Dead ever have been able to connect people, pure joy and a love for music.

He sees them, in person and on the road. I see them mostly at home with my two young daughters watching most all the shows on nugs.net and Youtube. Except when they play at Deer Creek. I’ve never seen Bill at The World, or Alpine. When I do see him at a show I often wonder about the people directly behind him. Hopefully it’s in the open and not a seat. But, then I remember it’s a Dead show. Even if you are behind a living giant it’s all good.

I wish everyone could be as lucky as Bill and I. Going to Dead shows always has a way of reminding me that there are plenty of human beings out there trying their best to be kind. Construction workers, teachers, veterans, politicians, athlete’s, county prosecutors, TV personalities, cubicle workers, managers, clerks, etc.

Cheers Bill.

Hope to see you at the next show. Just not behind you.

Thanks for reading.

Ken