What...?

Guest Post - Isabella Woods - Nine Movies To Make You Proud To Be An American

2011-12-04T18:01:00.002-05:00

So many times, you visit the movies and you’re not moved at all. The movie has characters that mean nothing to you. On other occasions, the movie makes you feel good and proud to be American. Here’s a selection of those movies.

Air Force One

In the most unlikely of stories and one which stirs the heartstrings, Harrison Ford is as proud as any American in any movie he is in. However, he’s also President and in Air Force One, and he personally chases down a group of terrorists who have taken over his airplane. The movie takes you back to when the Soviets were the enemy. He’s tough talking and waves his gun at anyone who looks at him the wrong way. He will win through whatever the cost as his country’s future is at stake.

Glory

True stories add even more shine. This movie goes back to the Civil War and features African-Americans\' first fighting strength. The team collected from the North are slaves who fight to earn their freedom and be allowed to fight. Who would have thought it would take another 150+ years before we saw a black US President?

Having Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman in the cast raises the level as the movie shows how the all black company of soldiers led to 180,000 black people joining the US to fight for the North against the southern states. Powerful stuff.

Red Dawn

Defending the country’s rights yet again is the theme for this movie. A group of Soviet soldiers and allies start an invasion of a small American town. The people of the town bind together to stave off the invasion using the expertise they have such as natural bravery and outdoor hunting skills. They’re not military trained, but they’ll do their best to stand together against evil.

Top Gun

Movies that are based around being patriotic and also military always contain a lot of characters who struggle to find their feet, but then climb mountains. Top Gun is no exception. By the end of the movie you are almost in the cockpit with Tom Cruise and firing the weapons to take out the enemy. The love interest for Kelly McGillis and the song –Take my Breath Away – make this an extremely memorable movie. Experts have said the flying looked extremely life-like.

National Treasure

This movie uses artifacts from America’s history to prove a point – that America is great. Nicolas Cage is wonderful even if using the Declaration of Independence to stop bullets may be taking matters a little too far.

The story is unbelievable, but since when did that matter? A treasure hunter is seeking a war chest. His map is written with invisible ink. It’s on the actual document that helped the pioneers break free from the English. A full cast list takes you on a roller coaster ride, but don’t bother checking out the follow-up movie covering Abraham Lincoln’s assassination – nowhere near this movie’s five stars.

Legally Blond: Red, White and Blue

After the military and conflict movies, this doesn’t instantly have the same ring to it, but Elle Woods played by Reece Witherspoon – excellent in Legally Blond – returns to lead an animal rights battle against government; and wins. She shows that no matter how small, any one person can confront American law and if right is on their side, they can win through.

The Patriot

The title is enough to give you a clue as to the movie’s theme. Mel Gibson who takes on the British army during the onslaught of the American revolution and defeats them almost single handedly. Who would have thought they’d end up as one of two countries who are still our best friends?

Saving Private Ryan

You knew this movie would be included in the most patriotic list. This is the fall back position that even if one of our brothers goes down, whatever the risks, we’ll go in and bring him back alive. It’s a natural instinct.

With information that a mother is to be told that three of her sons were killed the same day, in action, the army decides they won’t allow the fourth son to go missing.

Here, fighting during the Second World War, a soldier goes missing behind enemy lines. His company searches for him and loses more of their team, but they won’t be driven off course. You can guess the end, but the sight of the flag will move anyone.

Independence Day

You probably wondered where this movie was. It has to appear on everyone’s patriotic movie choice list. The sight of Americans defending the country on Independence Day takes some beating. The enemy comes from another planet. What better enemy to be beaten in one last battle?

There are many other movies that demand recognition that you will be watching from your sectional sofa. Forrest Gump and Mr Smith Goes to Washington will have to wait their day to raise the flag, once more. Which movie would you include to complete the top ten?

Guest Post - Tim Elliot - Obama Administration Fails To Implement Program to Help Veterans

2011-03-03T10:40:00.001-05:00

Once again, Obama and the White House have shown themselves to be interested only in press and politics and not taking any real action. Although Obama recently made an announcement of the importance of the government supporting military families the White House failed to actually meet the deadline to implement a program that was supposed to provide comprehensive support of thousands of American families caring for veterans. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was signed into law over nine months ago in May 2010, and had a clear deadline for the program to begin- January 31st, 2010.

However, nearly a month after the deadline has come and gone the Administration is still yet to implement the program, aimed at expanding benefits for the caregivers of wounded veterans. The VA pushed for the plan because of the increasing number of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are receiving continued care from their spouses and families. Often times caring for a wounded veteran forces a loved one to give up their career and put their own life on hold to be a full-time caregiver and can cause significant financial burden.

The huge increases of veterans with long-term ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and mesothelioma has been extremely difficult for Veterans Affairs to keep up with. Both PTSD and TBI can take years of therapy to fully recover from, and although the mesothelioma life expectancy is only a little over a year it requires a large amount of care.

With ailments affecting veterans of all ages (most PTSD and TBI diagnoses are from the current wars, while mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t occur until in patients are in their 60’s and 70’s) it’s an epidemic that’s straining the VA and many veterans’ families to the brink. However, it appears as though Obama’s current charge that his Administration is doing everything it can for veterans is just more hot air from a White House that has no qualms with blatantly lying to the media.

Several programs for veterans such as the Wounded Warrior Project have put pressure on the White House and the VA to get the programs running as quickly as possible but it’s unsure what affect they will have. It’s time for the Obama administration to realize that people are going to demand that they follow through on their actions.

That's Crazy

2010-08-02T03:59:00.000-04:00

Heard on the news that sobriety check points in California process 800-900 cars when set up. They also boast removing 8-10 impaired drivers.

My math tells me that is about 1%.

Can it really be that many? In a city of over 14 million, that's a bunch of drunk drivers.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Last Airbender

2010-07-04T17:32:00.001-04:00

Ok... July 4th weekend. Spending it alone in Long Beach, CA. Thought I'd see a movie or two.

I spent $21 bucks. 9 on the movie (thank God for matenés) and 12 on popcorn and a drink.

The special effects were ok.

The water effects reminds me of The Abyss and that was how long ago? But then again how much can you improve on water effects.

The fire was nothing exceptional either. Except when the uncle made fire on his hands. The close up was cool.

3D... am I missing something? You can't watch the movie without the glasses, so I don't know but it really doesn't seem all that spectacular. Maybe it is because the movie was transferred to 3D and not shot in 3D. Time will have to tell.

The not so special effects... The benders tattoo seemed to move. Anything from the bridge of his nose to almost a half inch above his eyebrows. I would think since his tattoo was a major part of his identity, everyone would be on making sure it DIDN'T MOVE! Sheesh!

'We have to go' was the drinking phrase of the movie. And a big part of the mellow drama/over acting.

Do yourself a favor. Wait for the DVD. A buck on Red Box and 20 on you favorite cocktail will make a better evening than what I did.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I Just Got Slapped In The Face

2010-06-11T20:34:00.002-04:00

WOW!!!

Not really. Figuratively.

All my life, I always hated the fact that 'old' people resisted change.

"why do you need to be in the internet so much?","why do you have to have a pager", "I'll never use a cell phone and you don't need one" were just some of the jewels I grew up with.

Sometime there in my past I swore I'd always embrace new things… I've had a SLR digital camera for years. Cell phone, got it. Get a new one every time I can and always use the early upgrade. Camera phones, blackberry, full internet access. DVD recorder, got 2. Blue-ray, got it. 2-terra byte external storage hard drive, got one!

Today, I was asking for assistance in Word… 2007. I hate it, it's different, why did they mess with my WORD?! I could use MS Office products like nobody's business. Linking OLE objects, nesting data and graphs in Word then linking that to P-Point.

I was a Pro.

As I was grumbling about damn MS and changing the software, someone here quipped, 'damn MS for evolving!'

- - SMACK - -

*ouch*

I'm getting old . . . time to accept the new MS Office and stop resisting change.

Speedway Bill

2010-06-10T20:18:00.003-04:00

A friend died last weekend. I am sadden by the loss and heartbroken that I could not return to Indiana for the funeral. The funeral was today.

I was there in spirit...

I've been thinking about him and his family all day.

I first met Bill in the summer of 2006. Memorial Day weekend. A 'come one, come all' invite had gone out to all Indiana Patriot Guard Riders to come on down to Speedway for a BBQ. For those that don't know, the Indianapolis 500 is actually not held in Indianapolis. It is in a small land locked town inside Indianapolis city limits called Speedway.

Bill and his family have lived there many years, 15 if I remember correctly. As I rode in on my '83 Shovel, making enough noise to wake the dead, Bill took notice and smiled. I walked over and introduced myself and immediately I was welcomed. "There's the food, the hog will be done about 6. The beer is in that cooler, soda in that one. Pull up a chair. Welcome." The same welcome happened several times and many new friendships were started.

We sat and chatted, under a checkerboard sign that read "Welcome Scuzy Mucks". A nick name given to the regulars that attended Bill's BBQs. I still smile when I say that name. I don't know that I ever fully became a 'Scuzzy Muck' to the other guys but to Bill, I was one of them.

Bill Mummert a.k.a. SpeedwayBill, was laid to rest today. His smile and selfless service for veterans and the Indiana Patriot Guard (IPG) will be greatly missed. Bill's family honored the IPG and invited us to attend his viewing and memorial service.

Rest in peace Bill and God's peace be with the family.

I'm Allergic to Sea Food

2010-05-03T22:38:00.002-04:00

Shell fish specifically.

I can eat and do love fish and chips.

Tonight I had the halibut and chips at El Segundo Fish Co. In, go figure, El Segundo, CA.

If you should find yourself in the area, give them a try. Portions are good, service was friendly and the price was reasonable.

Including a beer, my dinner was $21.

El Segundo Fish Co. I will be back!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Why The Gun Is Civilization And the Real Author

2010-05-03T12:29:00.007-04:00

I do not really assume myself to be a writer. I do however appreciate good writing and do get rather irked when credit is not expressed correctly. I often spend hours looking for proof of authorship to articles and emails I am sent. I do this usually hoping to find other articles written by the claimed author but sometimes I find that the email has been mis-attributed. The below was emailed to me and "Why The Gun Is Civilization" is one of those ‘mis-attributed’ works. In my feeble effort to have those that may search for Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret) find the correct author, Marko Kloos, I have posted both names here. And reposted the full article... AND links back to the original and a discussion on plagiarism and attribution.

Respect,

DNR

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why The Gun Is Civilization

Written by Marko Kloos 23MAR07 link

NOT Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret) link

Human beings only have two ways to deal with one another: reason and force. If you want me to do something for you, you have a choice of either convincing me via argument, or force me to do your bidding under threat of force. Every human interaction falls into one of those two categories, without exception. Reason or force, that’s it.

In a truly moral and civilized society, people exclusively interact through persuasion. Force has no place as a valid method of social interaction, and the only thing that removes force from the menu is the personal firearm, as paradoxical as it may sound to some.

When I carry a gun, you cannot deal with me by force. You have to use reason and try to persuade me, because I have a way to negate your threat or employment of force. The gun is the only personal weapon that puts a 100-pound woman on equal footing with a 220-pound mugger, a 75-year old retiree on equal footing with a 19-year old gangbanger, and a single gay guy on equal footing with a carload of drunk guys with baseball bats. The gun removes the disparity in physical strength, size, or numbers between a potential attacker and a defender.

There are plenty of people who consider the gun as the source of bad force equations. These are the people who think that we’d be more civilized if all guns were removed from society, because a firearm makes it easier for a mugger to do his job. That, of course, is only true if the mugger’s potential victims are mostly disarmed either by choice or by legislative fiat–it has no validity when most of a mugger’s potential marks are armed. People who argue for the banning of arms ask for automatic rule by the young, the strong, and the many, and that’s the exact opposite of a civilized society. A mugger, even an armed one, can only make a successful living in a society where the state has granted him a force monopoly.

Then there’s the argument that the gun makes confrontations lethal that otherwise would only result in injury. This argument is fallacious in several ways. Without guns involved, confrontations are won by the physically superior party inflicting overwhelming injury on the loser. People who think that fists, bats, sticks, or stones don’t constitute lethal force watch too much TV, where people take beatings and come out of it with a bloody lip at worst. The fact that the gun makes lethal force easier works solely in favor of the weaker defender, not the stronger attacker. If both are armed, the field is level. The gun is the only weapon that’s as lethal in the hands of an octogenarian as it is in the hands of a weightlifter. It simply wouldn’t work as well as a force equalizer if it wasn’t both lethal and easily employable.

When I carry a gun, I don’t do so because I am looking for a fight, but because I’m looking to be left alone. The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don’t carry it because I’m afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn’t limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force. It removes force from the equation…and that’s why carrying a gun is a civilized act.

I Have A Question

2010-04-28T02:12:00.002-04:00

I had the privilege of dinner with my boss and his son this evening. We went to watch the Lakers play and as fate would have it the game was a blowout. For me, being one of the first times I actually went someplace to watch a basketball game, it was kinda boring.

Now, just for the record, this was not a baby sitting father and young son night out. Mark and Michael are both adults. They are co-managing the company as the elder imparts years of wisdom in the younger. Their conversations are varied and often passionate.

I can't help but smile at the struggle I know they have as the wisdom doesn't quite hit home for the younger and the unbridled passion to jump in with both feet escapes the conservative nature of the elder. I know my sons and I had these same struggles and I wonder who in my life was watching and smiling as I do now.

As the three of us sat half not watching the game the conservation took many paths, work, the people there, LA, the mid-west... politics.

The younger says to me "my dad wants to ask Obama a question. Has he told you? Dad, tell DNR what you want to ask President Obama."
The elder says to me, "Why do you want to change this country? I hate communism [socialism]. He is trying to make this country into a social state. Take my money and give it to people that have never worked. Not poor. Never tried. This is a wonderful country, you can be anything you want, you want a lot of money, you can make it. You want to be President, YOU can be President. When I left my country they were bringing about change. We were a strong country. Our currency was accepted all around the world... now &%€@ [cursing in another language]. My question for my Obama is this, 'what did you have when you were eleven?' [looking at me with great passion in his eyes] What did Mr Obama have when he was eleven?"
"Nothing." I replied. Half expecting an 'ah-ha' gotcha. But he simply asked "what does he have now...? He is President. Why does he want to change this country?"

So, Mr Obama, we have a question. After nearly 50 years, you have gone from (by all accounts) nothing to President. If it worked for you, Why do you want to change this country?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

1.2 Miles

2010-04-17T22:08:00.002-04:00

Not 1,200 or 2,400 like it used to be.

Life finds me now living one and two tenths miles from the beach. Today is my second or third trip to the place where sand meats water. Since the kayaus that was my life recently has subsided I took time this visit to look, to see.

Remember back in the 70s, there was a PSA commercial where an American Indian would stand someplace and observe the trash blowing up at his feet and we would see a tear fall down his cheek?

Today I watched the tattered remains of a gallon milk jug wrestle with the surf. Ten feet out, two feet, stuck in he sand, lifted back up and taken another six feet out. Ultimately is settled on the shore, partly stuck in the sand. I'm guessing it will stay there till next high tide, then be pushed further up on shore.

Where I sit right now, maybe 20 feet from the water, there are cigarette filters galore, packing peanuts, foam coffee cup scraps, a literal plethora of plastic bits and pieces AND too many other things to mention. I know on the coasts they don't necessarily use landfills as much as us inlanders do. They use ocean dumps. Now, I don't know if the stuff here on the beach with me is just trash from last years beach crowd or if it is the ocean returning to us what is truly ours but I do know it's shameful.

I know why coastal living folks are so pro recycle. This 'stuff' is literally in their back yard.

As conservative as I am, I, personally, need to do a better job reusing the stuff that I have.

As for the milk jug...
I put it in a trash can but I can't help but wonder, will it be back?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Randomness

2010-02-21T19:27:00.002-05:00

Sitting in a LA area Starbucks, some things occur to me.

I couldn't help but smile at a young Asian couple with their very young daughter. Speaking Chinese (I'm guessing) they chatted. Mom would giggle and chatter something while pointing at the little girl. Dad would smile and look at her in his lap and she would beam with a child's innocent smile. Absolutely the most precious thing I've seen in days.

This are has a lot of Asians. LA is the new mixing pot of America.

Four young men are sitting. outside chatting in their language. I can only imagine it is politics. Heh, maybe they are talking about the fat white guy typing frantically in his BB. LOL!

Outside there is blazing sunshine, palm trees, snow capped mountains, and thunderstorm clouds hugging some of the lower peaks. Truly an amazing place.

I could learn to like LA.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Anonymous

2009-12-12T22:18:00.002-05:00

Happy?

A Fan

2009-11-20T02:04:00.005-05:00

I have a fan!

Nice post, in a drunk, profound way. You're posting less and less these days. You hate California, and your life there, right? You left everything behind, the Barn, your friends, your family, the PGR...

At least, try to post more often. You have a good, direct and amusing, straightforward style, that its not that easy to find. In 4 words, you're fun to read. Despite all our differences.

Cheers from Europe/Portugal

I never thought my troll would be the one that comes back regularly to read my posts.

So, sincere or a smart ass jab? meh, who cares.

Everyone can stop reading here except "Europe/Portugal"

-------------------

Yes, I'm posting less and less. I'm on face book daily... or more. I must admit, I do kinda miss your ranting and posting here in a more anonymous manner.

No, I don' hate California, the weather is great and I'm meeting some really great people. I do miss the Barn, my friends, family, the PGR... There are PGR here and like i said, I'm making friends.

And thanks for the complement.

I Saw A Spider

2009-09-28T00:29:00.002-04:00

Yes tonight I saw a spider.

It’s at least 50 feet between the building I’m staying in and the one across the way. Yet he hung there… 40 feet above the ground, blowing in the wind.

If this had been Indiana, I’d say a storm was brewing. You know the feeling… A suspiciously warm night, a strong breeze coming in from the south… rain is coming, big storm. Big rain. But here in Southern California, phft, I don’t have a clue. This weather is… weird.

The spider.

He was blowing in the breeze, moving around at least two feet. Completely oblivious to the impending death that surly awaits him should he fall the 40 or so feet to the ground. But yet there he was, making his web. Working tirelessly to construct that which would sustain his life.

There was a point… somewhere.

I know, “What the f’hell?” Yet some how, for some reason, to me, it is… was profound.

Yes. I’m drunk.

29.95

2009-09-10T07:12:00.002-04:00

Sigh - when your 29.95 room comes with a fly-swatter. It should be obvious you're not going to sleep much... crickets. In the room. Under the bed. All night.

Oh, and now... no hot water.

If there was ever a sign I should just go back to bed, this is it.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

There’s a party at the Barn

2009-08-12T03:26:00.002-04:00

It’s 12:30am Wednesday morning and I’m not sleeping again. Not sleepy… maybe choosing not to sleep. I’m actually not sure which.

Earlier today a friend posted on FB (by the way, that’s where I’m spending most of my time these days) he was headed up to the barn to get some ink done. Sigh. Sitting at my desk (it’s really a table, I don’t have a desk… and don’t even ask about ‘an office’) I pondered on that statement just long enough to get a lump in my throat.

I’m here, they’re there. And life goes on.

I may have to drink a bottle of Jack this weekend just so I can pretend I’m there.

If, somehow, someone, were to read this and happened to get the Barn Bunch together for a ‘biker’ style (you know, fingers, moons, maybe ‘twins’) group photo and sent it to me… I’d be really grateful.

In My Short Time Here In California

2009-06-19T18:40:00.000-04:00

I’ve learned:

Traffic. No matter where you are from, where you have driven, the traffic in LA is unique. Here, the terms ‘defensive driving’ and ‘situational awareness’ have completely new depths of meaning.

It DOES rain in Southern California.

Palm trees, left to their own devices are gnarly. (note So Cal terminology) Nothing like you see in the post cards.

No matter how my day was, if I have to park more than 2 buildings away from my apartment, the day sucked. Yesterday (last night) I got a “notice of intent to impound” sticker on my car. I am in building L. I have had to park as far away as building A.

I get the heebe jeebes (we’re talking serious panic attack here) when traffic makes me stop on the highway under a bridge. All I can think about is “squashed like a pancake”…

The barbed wire on the sign poles is to keep people off the signs, not necessarily for birds. Some guy was on the news, being convicted of vandalism on (tagging) the big green highway signs. He did over $100,000 in damage. Said he climbed up on them at night and painted away.

The Left Coast

2009-06-18T10:42:00.000-04:00

Again, Not what I expected.

I expected a culture of hug the planet, save the trees, flow control faucets on everything, don’t drink sodas, only eat salads, you know, the left cost way of life. I also expected PC-ness to be running rampant.

From the people here, I have observed, they are worse than any Midwesterner. They litter, freely. We’re talking sandwich wrappers, empty cigarette boxes, multiple napkins… it’s almost disgusting. Use it, drop it out the car window. On the freeway, at traffic lights, in a parking lot… wherever they are.

There is fast food everywhere and everyone eats it. Now some times they tend to go for the ‘chuck-wagon’, (one of those traveling trucks that brings food to a business) What they get from there are fries with cheese, super sloppy burritos… all kinds of stuff that isn’t good for you.

Sidebar – the chuck wagon is more like a carnival food truck, not the little pick-up-with-a-heater-and-refrigerator like the other factory had. These have deep fryers, griddles, freezers and 2 or 3 workers in them. They must come from somewhere near by here because in the mornings, I see a half dozen of them on the road. Oh yea, they are here for breakfast too.

My apartment does not have flow control on the shower head. I was genuinely surprised to see this. The water pressure is great. I have the hot and cold valves turned less than one-eight of a turn and I can spray parts into my hair. Any more opening of the valves and I think the shower streams would cut my skin.

There are TV and radio commercials (PSA’s) telling everyone there is ‘mandatory water conservation’. Don’t hose of your driveway, take only 5-minute showers, fix broken sprinklers, etc.

PC – again, political correctness seems to be an elitist philosophy. Some customer name and or job name had something like fine china in the name. ho boy, you wouldn’t believe the vagina gags running around and being shouted over the walls. Funny, yes. Expected, no.

Maybe what I have been told is just from Hollywood. Maybe these people are too busy working and trying to get by in this crazy economy (like the rest of the country) to worry about what the Hollywood Elite seem to worry about. It’s kind of comforting but in the same since, it’s disheartening.

Being conservative doesn’t mean I’m not ecologically aware. I don’t litter, I try to eat right when time allows. And does any body really ‘hose’ off their driveway weekly or daily??

If I’m more conservation conscious than 70-80% of the left coast… what does that mean?

Minority

2009-06-02T16:12:00.001-04:00

That's me.

I went to Wal-Mart here the other day to get some supplies. You know, soap, paper towels, butter and such.

Anyway, standing in the checkout line I started looking around. First of all, the place was packed. Must have been 20 open register lines and all of them had at least 3 people waiting in line. It was packed like Christmas in Indiana. As I was scanning the crowd, just taking in the scenery, it hit me... black hair. OMG everyone here has black hair. That got me looking and I actually did find one guy with a ball cap on that might have had lighter hair.

Everyone else was latino or asian. I was the only 'white' guy.

The trend even carries on here to the new office. I AM the only white guy. There is one guy, Jesus, with red-black hair and the bleached blond/red latinos don't count.

Here it's not just appearance. It's language too. The owners speak hebrew, a couple guys in the office and a couple on the factory seem to speak it too. Then of course there is the spanish. In the middle of phone conservations they (the latinos) change back in fourth like it's the same language. On top of that, I know I've heard korean (seen it come off the printer too).

It really is amazing to listen to this modern day melting pot of cultures mix and enter act.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Work

2009-06-01T10:03:00.003-04:00

So... Yesterday I drove to the new office just to get a feel for the directions and the time required. Took me about 25 min.

I figured a 2 to 3 times the time... this being LA and all. Nope. Took me 25 minutes. I'm an hour early. On top of that, no one is here... The place is empty.

Think they closed and went out of business without telling me?

Naaw, me neither...

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Question...

2009-05-25T13:57:00.002-04:00

How do you, or more specifically I, tell some one they are being a dumb ass?

Besides the obvious, just come out and say it.

In a few posts below, I've talked about Tom. He has esophogas cancer. He says from years of smoking. Like since he was 19, since Vietnam.

Because he was a real man (his words) he never went to the doctors. If he had they may have found it early enough to make it not be fatal.

So... what causes a mid 40's, intelligent man to start or re-start smoking?? Peer pressure...? Really? Naw, can't be.

Ok... I'll just say it.

DC, you're being a dumb ass! Just stop smoking! Ok?
That shit WILL kill you!

And Steve, my gut tells me you aren't doing everything you should. I hope I'm wrong.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Turmoil

2009-05-21T00:03:00.001-04:00

What would you give up for a job?

Would you move...
... across town/city?
... across the state?
... the country?

I know, I know. I'm beating this to death.

BUT

I've said before, these PGR guys (and gals) around here ARE family. There is more love here than any church I've ever attended.

I'm gonna miss them. All of them.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Big Catch-Up

2009-05-13T14:17:00.004-04:00

Where the Hell am I...?

If you’ve asked a question recently, the answer is probably here.

Party at the Barn –
After lots of big plans and many people coming, it finally happened. Not as many soldiers as we would have liked and not as many friends as I would have liked but it was a good time. The Corpsman brother came up and got some ink. I got mine finished… well the outside. We’ll see if and when I get to the inside. Brian (the tattoo’er) sketched out a concept. It’s gonna be cool!

The Corpsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Blogger
(click'm for big'm)

The son –
Reserve center on or about June 1, then training in the California desert. Then off to the sand box. Unemployment aside, this is going to be a tough year for me.

The Test –
I passed. I am an official state of Indiana licensed bartender. Should get some apps out today. We’ll see what happens.

JOB –
Good news, guess I have one. They want me to do the contract thing for 4 weeks, then make me an official offer.
Bad news, like I said below, it’s in California… Los Angeles.

Tom –
Sigh.
He has asked me to take him to the Nickel Plate (local Steelers bar). He knows he’s going to miss the ’09 season so he wants to go have some of the bar food ‘one last time’.
We’re going today.
God! I’m gonna miss him!

IMG00133-20090508-2346.jpg

2009-05-08T23:52:00.000-04:00

I'm not drunk... I'm just drinking.
It is q good night at the barn!!

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Testing

2009-05-08T09:59:00.001-04:00

I hate tests.

I've spent the last two weeks in a bar tending school and today... in about 5 minutes. We have our final.

I have to write out the ingredients for 20 drinks and make 12 drinks in 8 minutes.

I'm sooo screwed!

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4 to 6 Weeks

2009-05-02T23:56:00.003-04:00

Sigh…

It is amazing the range of emotions I go through while riding.

Tom was told last week, “the chemo is not helping anymore, we are going to stop it and make you comfortable. You have 4-6 weeks.”

No, I guess it wasn’t really that cold when he relayed the info to me but is was that abrupt, at least to me. Since this post in October of ’07. I had gotten used to him being sick and not dying. It’s been 18 months since that ‘Stage IV’ post and he’s still here, I had become complacent. Now …

When I left his house this evening, I was in a rage. If I could have gotten to a computer then, this would have been a VERY different post. But a bit of a ride and some tears on the inside of my ridding glasses and I don't need to kill anything. I want to remember. I want you to know.

***********************
I’d guess about 7 years ago we (me and my family) were a little tight for money. So, I got a second job. I think I was making $8 an hour as a cashier in a Shell station. As football season came around, I was grumpy that I was missing all of the football games, not just the Steelers. See, I was working 10 hours Saturday and Sunday, plus 8 hours 2 or 3 days a week making ‘the shell station’ almost another full time job.

On Sundays (with my Managers permission) I started bringing a 13 inch tv to work. I would at least get to watch whatever game was on the local airwaves. Amazingly, quite a few were Steelers games. Customers would loiter and watch the game for a few minutes, once they figured I was going to do this regularly some would drop their wives off to get groceries then ‘go get gas in the car’. Heh, amazingly ‘getting gas’ would take just as much time as the whole grocery trip. One of those regulars was Tom. He is a Steelers fan. We got to the point where he’d stop at Subway and bring us sandwiches for the late games. He was a Marine… we became friends.

Tom, my friend, this is going to be a tough month. For both of us. Like another friend of mine says, “you are where you are suppose to be”. I am so glad I decided to work at that gas station.

God bless, God’s peace. I will not forget you.

Overheard #2

2009-05-02T08:59:00.002-04:00

"some diarrhea is good. It flushes the system of kooties. A lot of diarrhea is... shity"

Fire guys are hilarious.

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Overheard

2009-05-02T08:06:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting in an EMA CPR and AED training class and an old Marine talking about monies going to public colleges.

"they all are a bunch of God damned communists. How in the hell do they get millions of dollars to teach communism? Aren't we in America?"

I love this guy.

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Inquiring Minds

2009-04-27T23:48:00.001-04:00

So... about California...

It is a small company. Apparently they have hired 2 or 3 other 'experts' and they got screwed. One nearly took them to bankruptcy.

Yea, they wanted me to work for a bit, to kinda prove myself. I did. Seems they were impressed.

Being previously scorned they are approaching me in baby steps.

The next step is for me to work for them at their place for a month, maybe two. THEN they might make me an offer for full time permanent work. Right now they want me to do a type of contract work. Making a little less than I was, even a little less than Connecticut.

Did I mention it's a small company? Yea, no benefits. None. Not even a company policy on vacation.

I'd be an awful big fish in that pond... really big.

They talk a good game. Making all kinds of promises for the future. Big promises.

I'm all wierded out. I don't know what to do... Probibaly take it. We need the money.

* * * * * *

PS - coolest thing about this BlackBerry thing is I can address menstrual rags when they show up almost immediately. How cool is that? Just a couple clicks and the stench is gone.

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All Done

2009-04-24T22:09:00.000-04:00

Interviewing is done. Amazing how exhausting two days of question and answers can be... that or the jet lag is catching up with me.

Going to try going to West Coast Choppers in Long Beach before heading to the airport.

Wouldn't it be cool if I got to meet Jessie James?

I get home about 9 tomorrow, gonna be a long day.

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I Love Jack

2009-04-24T00:53:00.001-04:00

Almost done with the second double (strong) Jack and Coke. I feel good. Maybe i'll actually get some sleep tonight.

One more day of interviews, then home on saturday. Looking forward to riding in the first 80 degree weekend this year.

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Working

2009-04-23T17:24:00.002-04:00

Is it a new business model to bring in skilled people and require them to prove themselves by actually producing work or product?

I've been working on a reflector design all day... for free.

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We are everywhere

2009-04-22T22:34:00.002-04:00

It is a Steeler Nation!

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Grrr

2009-04-22T22:30:00.001-04:00

Stupid spell check. That should be traffic.

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Traffic

2009-04-22T20:54:00.003-04:00

405 105 interchange. How many levels of stopped traffic can you see?

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Yep, I'm in LA

2009-04-22T20:15:00.001-04:00

The first class steward(es?) was doing the 'thanks for flying with us, come again thing...'. She had a deeper voice than I do. And was over 6 feet.

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Question

2009-04-22T15:15:00.002-04:00

Why does everyone stand up to board the plane when they call first class only?

Granted the seats in the waiting area aren't great but they are much better than sitting on the plane.

Crazy, impatient people.

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Edit 02MAY09 - because if your last and there is no more room for bags in the over head, they get checked weather you want them to or not. Fuckers!

Overheard

2009-04-22T14:44:00.001-04:00

Sitting in an airport BBQ restaurant I overheard a NWA Captain buy the lunch of 5 Navy seamen.

Warms the heart.
I had to thank him my self.

Grrr

2009-04-22T11:36:00.002-04:00

So the plan was they (execs at this company) were going to pick me up at the airport and we would go to dinner. They just called... Reserved a rental car for me and will pick me up at the hotel.

Soooo... I will be in this monkey suit all day for nothing. The longer I have it in the more chances I have to spill something on myself. I really prefer to travel comfortably in jeans.

Oh well, at least I look good. (no comments DC...Dazd)

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An Interview

2009-04-21T22:44:00.002-04:00

Thursday last week an acquaintance gave me a lead to elite Lighting. I sent a resume, they called, we talked, they want to see me in person.

LA here I come. Yep, flying to Los Angles tomorrow. Fly back Saturday.

Hopefully I can send text updates while I'm gone.

I hope whatever (if) they offer me will let me stay here and not make me move to the west coast.

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Vice Versa

2009-04-20T00:02:00.002-04:00

Kinda.

You may remember my frequent trips to The Barn... Some of you may know of or about the Missus' trips to Camp Atterbury for training.

Well, this weekend we switched places. I went to Camp Atterbury for training and she went north to the barn. Granted she wasn't partying like I do but she was there, using The Barn as base camp and helping the local community.

I know she had a good time and some successes. I, on the other hand, was in school. Ground Search II. How to use a compass, how to look for people that might get lost... in the rain. Yea, rained all day Sunday. I got soaked.

The highlight of the weekend was going to a local Buffalo Wild Wings and watching UFC 97. Got back to the hotel about 1am. Good times!

*********

--- overheard at lunch Saturday;

Firefighter to attractive married lady, "so, what color is your equipment?"

Dead silence at our lunch table.

A different firefighter 'whispers' loudly, "I hope it's pink"

Lady with head in hands and turning bright red says, "some is blue and I have green and yes some of it pink."

The whole table burst into laughter.

It was great.

Dreams... Maybe Nightmares

2009-04-17T01:50:00.001-04:00

I had two this morning. Thursday morning. Yes I know it is nearly 2am Friday.

1 - I noticed a leak in our bed room ceiling. At least evidence of a leak. The ceiling was sagging and had that shiny wet look.

I called my wife over to see and told her not to poke it because it might rupture causing the drywall and whatever else to come falling down.

She poked it. Made a huge mess.

2 - We (me and the missus) are at some formal function with the CEO lady I interviewed with in Connecticut. She found me and said she had found her dog and cat. I was glad for her. Guess I knew they had been missing.

What I saw was this; the dog was nearly folded in half. Obviously hit by a car. Whimpering and in obvious pain. She said 'doesn't look like he is going to make it.' The cat, also hit by a car was cut open and also in obvious pain.

She had them both in a shopping cart... like you use at the grocery store.

She turned to head back into the function saying, 'they'll be dead soon enough.' And left them.

I woke up appalled.

If this is what my subconscious thinks of her, I'm really glad I did not take that job.

Sigh - why can't I just have raunchy sex dreams like normal people?

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Down Time

2009-04-17T01:28:00.002-04:00

This weekend I burnt off some... "bad attitude".

The missus and I went to see 'Monsters vs Aliens in 3D'

This is quite the funny movie. Even in my hyper frugal state this was worth the money for the escape.

Some time Saturday morning we saw one of those behind the scenes things... you know, where they show you who does the voice for each character.

I had wanted to make a mataneé but a re-attempt at geocaching Saturday afternoon had us trapesing around in the woods too long. I learned I am WAY out of shape. Barley walked 2 miles and I was pooped. I'm not really gaining any weight on these days... Weeks... months off. Just getting soft. I need to fix that.

Where was I... oh yea, the movie.

When (If) you see it, tell me if you can't help but wonder why she ain't naked. Then there is the fiancé... Does one assume 'all' parts grew in proportion? Poor guy would be nothing more than a living dildo. I mean how long can you make raspberries before everything goes numb? Talk about 'straping a 2x4 across you ass so you don't fall in'. Maybe if he could run in place for a few minutes.

I digress... Seriously, it was a good movie. Comedy was funny, the action was sharp, the 3D was unique. And the mad scientist-cockroach having Hugh Laurie's (House from TV) voice, classic.

I recommend it. This one is even worth full price admission.

Edit 02MAY09 - Fixed spelling and spacing.

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The Interview

2009-04-08T16:36:00.001-04:00

An interview and the prospect of employment in this economy should not be depressing.

This was.

17 years with one company and 20 years in one industry it is safe to say I'm an expert. Hell, I'm on a committee that writes the test questions for lighting professionals certification.

Today I interviewed for a technicians position with an instrumentation calibration company.

It's all i'm qualified for... An entry level, just starting, shit turd over minimum wage position.

Fuck me. I want to crawl under a rock.

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Another Week

2009-04-06T02:10:00.001-04:00

I can't believe another week has passed and I'm still not posting like I should... like I want. I'm still getting the occasional comment, so I guess a few are still stopping by now and then.
Big thanks to kat, becky, nancy, tani and airmanmom - you guys make me smile. I'll be stopping by soon, promise.
Thanks to kartman, lobo and DC - you guys don't comment but I know you come by. Thanks again!

Let's see... what's been going on.

21 update - it went well. Took the kid and some of his friends and his gf to BD's Mongolian BBQ. The food there is always good. It's an 'all you can eat cook it the way you want and if you don't like it try again' place. I highly recommend it. Seems he has my endurance for alcohol. He had 1 - long island iced tea, 2 - marguita's on the rocks, 1 - peppermint schnapps about 2 ozs, and 2 - Bailey's on the rocks about 2 ozs each.
He got happy, but never really got drunk. As we were leaving he was heal-toeing a line and touching his nose. Hahaha. Spent well over a hundred dollars but hey, your baby only turns 21 once, right?

Job hunt - ya know, with CareerBuilder sending me daily updates on new job listings, i'll bet I'm sending out 10-20 resumes a week. And still nothing! I've given up on the lighting industry. Right now I'd take anything, especially if it pays decent.
I did get a lead from a guy I used to work with. Seems one of their vendors is hiring. Spoke to the owner and he is giving me an interview this Wednesday. WooHoo!! Again, I'll let you know what happens.

The other son. He didn't call today with any more details. He was at drill this weekend. I figure the COs made them stay late for one reason or another and he didn't have time. Guess i'll call him tomorrow.

The weather here Saturday was GREAT! Bright sunny all day with a high of about 65. Started out kinda cool though. It was 29 when I left the house. Went with the missus to Lafayette for a search. I rode. Had to, it had been too long again. Plus the IPG (Indiana Patriot Guard) was having a meeting in the afternoon. We are planning the 2009 rally.
I left the search about 3 and rode over to Silver Lake. The Barn. Had the meeting, some cookout food, a beer and of course a double shot.
Left about 9, made it home about midnight.
It was a great day. Got to help the wife on a missing persons case, got to spend time and eat dinner with my PGR family AND rode nearly 300 miles!

Speaking of the IPG event, you all are invited! May 8 and 9. Seriously, drop me an email and I'll get you directions. Any one questions you, just tell them you are 'DNR sent ya'. I'll bet someone hands you a beer then apologizes for you having to know me. hahaha

Till next time.
If you can't be good, be good at it!

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Barocky Road

2009-04-01T15:09:00.000-04:00

In Honor of the 44th President of the United States , Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream has issued a new flavor, " Barocky Road .."

Barocky Road is a blend of half Vanilla, half Chocolate, and surrounded by Nuts and Flakes.

The Vanilla portion of the mix is not openly advertised and usually denied as an ingredient.

The Nuts and Flakes are all very bitter and hard to swallow.

The Cost is $100.00 per scoop.

When purchased, it will be presented to you in a large beautiful cone, but then the Ice Cream is taken away and given to the person in line behind you.

Thus you are left with an empty wallet, no change, holding an empty cone, with no hope of getting any Ice Cream.

Aren't you feeling stimulated?

21

2009-03-31T17:34:00.001-04:00

My youngest turns 21 today.

Jeese, am I really that old?

After watching DC and me get drunk he decided he wants us, his parents, to take him out and be his DD.

Responsible kid. Makes me proud.

Anyway... Should be fun. Doesn't have his dad's craving for plane whiskey. So we're gonna try some mixed drinks.

I'll post pics if he let's me take a few.

More about the other son THIS weekend.

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Joke Time

2009-03-22T14:54:00.002-04:00

jok The Dept Of Defense briefed the president this mornings

They told President Obama that 2 Brazilian soldiers were killedin Iraq . To everyone's surprise, all the color drained from Obama's face. Then he collapsed onto his desk, head in his hands,visibly shaken,almost in tears. Finally, he composed himself and asked, 'Just how many is a Brazilian?'

This is not surprising, since he obviously has no understanding of billion or trillion either.

H/T to DC

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Seems Uncle Sam

2009-03-20T18:25:00.003-04:00

...wants MY son.

Just got off the phone with my son. Seems the man I didn't vote for and have very little, if any, respect for has decided he needs my son to fight for him.

I've decided not to look at it that way. My country has asked... You have asked and he has said yes.

He says we'll know more next weekend.

I couldn't be more scared.
I couldn't be more proud.

Stay tuned for details and don't tell the missus. Nick and I agreed not to tell her till he knew for sure.
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Update

2009-03-19T23:29:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone!

Yes, I'm still alive. I survived the Blues Bash. Not for trying though. Looking back I was in a hurry to get my drink on. Too much of a hurry. I have no idea how much I drank... too much... too much shine, too much Jack and all WAY too fast.

Before the band finished it's first set I had fallen on some lady and was pretty much unconscious. (that is, I don't remember anything).

I have a couple pics... Guess i'll post them. I know there are more floating around. They'll have to be emailed to me... Maybe i'll post them too.

The job search is going slow. One company expressed interest but even that is waning. Plus I don't think I really want to move 1,400 miles east. Still have some money to make ends meet for a couple more months... I fear the recession will out last my cash reserves though. Wonder if I can get bailed out...?

PGR has been busy. We've had about 8 funerals in the last couple weeks. I RC'd Cpl Donte Whitworth. A very beautiful family. He was buried about ten miles from my house. Besides the Marine honor guard, a small group came in. Found out they (a Major, other Cpls and PFCs) were with Donte in Iraq. They were all home on leave but had come to Indy to be with Donte's family. To me, that speaks volumes about the character of the man.

Heading out (actually just got back...) to an IPGR members funeral this afternoon. He was killed earlier this week. Steve Ray. Owned a local pub and would often give a whole weekends profits to the PGR. He was killed when another driver turned left in front of him. Spoke with his kids (one daughter and two sons) this evening.

His older son (his name escapes me right now) said "he was doing what he loved. Riding on a nice day with friends. You can lie in a bed and wither away or you can just go... He preferred to go this way."

Stevie, you will be missed.

Hopefully this is the beginning of some regular posting and reading on my part. We'll see.

Please be safe and watch out for us riders, k? Thanks!

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Pic from the Bash

2009-02-23T10:51:00.001-05:00

Kinda says it all. Bigger post coming.

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The '09 Version

2009-02-21T06:46:00.003-05:00

Remember this... 2008 Mid Winter Blues Bash?

The '09 version started yesterday. I'm leaving today at noon. DC (the bastard) is already there.
Update (with pictures) to follow some time next week after I sober up.

Everyone have a great weekend!

We... He Won

2009-02-19T13:11:00.003-05:00

Remember this?

Web Design

Well, with 112,000 votes, it seems CJ and the They Have Names site one a free web page make over. Thanks to everyone that voted. I can't wait to see the new page.

Well Shit

2009-02-18T23:55:00.001-05:00

That didn't work. Fix it tomorrow.
Trying to send a long post "Today's Word is Cold" from a new blackberry has it's challenges.

Edit - 19FEB09 @ 1626 - Fixed the post, see below.

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Today's Word Is 'Cold' - Take 2

2009-02-18T23:31:00.002-05:00

... and sore.

Last time I rode was the long over due 'Therpy' session I had. Today, riding for SSG Burkholder was hard on this old man.

It was 20 here when I pulled out at 1:30 am... seems to me last tome I did this I said something about using a windshield next time. Well, maybe NEXT time.

Door step to staging area was 125 miles, about 2 hours. Things weren't to bad, fingers were a little cold and so were my toes but over all I was doing ok.

Semper Gumbi

The Illinois part of the escort was suppose to stop where we were, regroup, then all of us were going to head down the road.

5 or 6 of us were sitting at a weigh station and we could see about half a mile down the interstate. Blink, blink - we could see the Illinois State Police Escort coming down the highway, when 'zooom', they went screaming by at about 80 miles per hour. The RC (Dan) had this look of dismay mixed with frustration on his face and everyone else was looking at him like, 'WTF - Wow That was Fantastic'. Dan gathered himself and barked 'mount up. Looks like we're gonna have to catch them!'.

The Indina State police escort we were to have jumped in their cars the couple other riders there got on their bikes and 'vroom' everyone was off... except me. See, I know if i sit around fully dressed, I'll start sweating, then when we start riding again I'll freeze. So, put on my gloves, and face mask, zip up my coat, fire up the 'ol therapist and hit the road.

By now everyone is out of sight. I hit 90 for a mile or two and caught them in about 10 miles. Took my place at the rear of the procession right in front of the last police car. He never did ask me what I did to catch up. I wasn't about to tell him either.

The next stop was Mt. Comfort exit on I-70, just east of Indianapolis. This leg was just under a hundred miles. When I got off the bike I could not feel my fingers and I couldn't stop shivering. Being that cold was uncomfortable. Maybe I should be more like the other old guys and buy some electric gear, at least start using the windshield when it is under 32. I called it a day and as the group left heading for Ohio I headed home.

240 miles in 20 degree weather, a long hot shower and a nap with a heating pad and I was ready for the day to begin... after all... it was just 10 o'clock... am.

It Has Been A While

2009-02-16T23:51:00.001-05:00

It is nearly 2330 hours and I can't sleep. I wish I could say I forgot what this is like but...alas. I remember it all to well. See, I'm suppose to get up at 0130 tomorrow and ride to escort SSG Jason Burkholder.

I don't even know the whole story... Buy I do know he was killed in action, fighting for freedom. He is to be buried in Ohio tomorrow, and there was a memorial service in Illinois yesterday.

I almost didn't go. I made an excuse, argued it was too short a notice... Too cold... Too far to ride just to 'escort'. But I have to, I have to go. There is no excuse.

I have other things I could be doing... Should be doing. I have to do this. Much to the irritation of those I have an appointment with tomorrow, I may ride to the Ohio line. I may have to.

It is a heart thing and truly, I mean with no disrespect, if you do not already understand, I cannot explain it.

God be with all of the riders that will be out early tomorrow. And God bless the Burkholder family. I pray that you rest a bit easier, knowing that Jason is in my thoughts and I will not forget him.
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Help me!

2009-02-15T21:35:00.001-05:00

Web Design

Please vote for CJ and the They Have Names site for getting a professional make over.
Click on the ‘Ranked’ button above, then click on the pink ‘Ranked ___ vote now’ button. (You’ll need to scroll down a bit.)

I’m not sure I can even begin to list all of the things CJ dose for the Troops but I do know one thing he does and that’s manage and dedicate his time and money to is the web site “They Have Names”.

If he gets enough votes, the web site will get a professional make over.

So, vote, please. And remember, you can re-vote daily.

Oh, and if you are wondering why CJ does this, read here.

PS: this post stays on top until the contest closes on 15FEB09.

OK… The Interview

2009-02-11T17:10:00.003-05:00

Let’s see, where to start.

The interview trip was an add on trip to my twice a year committee meeting thing in KC (Kansas City). I bought the KC airline ticket about 2 months in advance. Then the CT (Connecticut) trip was added. That is, they wanted me there that Monday (the 26th) because of various schedules of people at the company. Interview would start with breakfast at the hotel with the CEO at 8 am.

No problem. Cancel the existing ticket buy a new 3 stop that jumps me all around, no problem.
Heh, right.
The first ticket was ‘non refundable’. Yea, they’ll cancel it and give me a credit for the purchase amount… BUT… to use the credit there is a fee and a processing fee and a convenience fee and a screw you fee and a fee fee. You get the idea. I was money ahead to just buy a second ticket that went from KC to CT and back to Indy and let the other one go, not using the KC to Indy leg.

Fine, whatever. Money hungry bastard airlines. Just FINE!

No issues in KC, meetings went well. The lighting geek in me has so missed the technical side of things. *sigh* it was good for my soul to be yucking it up with those people.

Fast forward to Sunday, the day I left KC headed for CT. Get to the KC airport, get my boarding pass, heading to Minneapolis. Get off in Minneapolis and the gate attendant asks me where is my connecting flight headed… as I say “Conne…” while looking at my boarding pass, I realize that I’m checked into the Indianapolis flight.
Great.
I explain what has happened to the gate lady and she directs me to one of the ticket counters where I can get a new boarding pass and all should be good. Luckily both flights laid over in Minneapolis.

I get my new boarding pass and hesitantly ask about my checked bag. “It is less than an hour before the flight leaves, there is nothing I can do with your bag”, she snaps. FUCK ME!

Why the colorful language, you may ask… Let us take inventory of the situation shall we; I’ve got a briefcase with some reading material in it. I’m wearing jeans, underwear, a t-shirt, socks and tennis shoes… that’s it. I have nothing else. No more clothes, little lone a suit. No razor and I didn’t shave Sunday morning so the beard is like sand paper. No deodorant. Nada, nothing.

OK – deep breath, CT is a thriving area and Hartford and New Haven are thriving metropolis’, right? There has to be a 24 hour something-or-other where I can buy the stuff I need.

Landed in Hartford CT at about 10 pm. Head down to the baggage area to find the unclaimed baggage office to see with is up with my bag. “yep, it is in Indianapolis” the baggage lady tells me in some eastern block accent that is so think I have to strain to pick out the English in what she is saying. It takes the next hour to get her to understand and communicate to the Indy office that I will be there Tuesday and they should hold it for me. She kept insisting they could have it 'here' for me Tuesday morning. Grrr, but I fly back to Indianapolis Tuesday.
Another half hour to get to and out of the rental car lot. 11:30 pm, I’m finally on the road for what Google tells me is an hour drive. Oh, and I haven’t had dinner yet. Good thing there weren’t any deer on the side of the road, I would have had fresh venison. And yes, raw.

Actually found a 24 hour Wal-Mart, thanks to an attendant at a gas station along the way. I get inside and I’m scanning the overhead signs as I walk… pants, black. Shirt, white. Socks, black. Underwear… Cool, I’m outta here. Almost to the check out and, DAMN “white tennis shoes will not go with this”, and head back to the back of the store for shoes, size 9. (Side bar – I always wear a 9. Have for years. These were too small. I nearly broke my finger trying to wedge them onto my foot. I think I know how you ladies feel cramming your feet into shoes. Let me tell you it felt good to get those bastards off at the end of the day. – End side bar) Done, good… SHIT, razor *sigh*, it’s going to be a long night. Grab a 4 pack of disposables, figure I’ll just use hotel bar soap to shave with… and you guessed it. Back into the store for contact solution and a contact case. Back again for deodorant. The whole demented shopping trip took over an hour. (Side bar – I also bought a duffel bag so I could get all of my new travel junk home. Being the thrifty guy that I am I bought a 4 pack of razors and a 12 oz bottle of contact solution. You might have done the same, after all, the bulk stuff is ultimately cheaper, right? Well… razors are not allowed on the plane in a non checked bag, trash’em. And 12 oz of saline at 8 bucks a bottle exceeds the FAA’s “4 ounces max of fluids in carry on bags”… trash it! Damn terrorists. - End side bar)

I finally roll into New Haven at about 1:00 am.
New Haven is a college town and has grown up around its founding father short sightedness. Alas, there are many, maybe nothing but, one way streets in New Haven. The hotel in on one, and I missed it. There is no sign or street address on the building. Fine, down to the next street turn left. I figure I’ll just do the four lefts thing and circle back and try again. Hahaha!! Whatthefuckever. The next two streets are one way the wrong way, yes two in a row going the same (WRONG) direction. On the third, I can go left. (Don’t ask me why I didn’t just do the four rights thing. Call it tunnel vision, sleep deprivation, I don’t know, I just didn’t. K?) I tried to keep count, I was about 4 blocks from where I needed to turn to get back to the hotel but there was construction, closing the road, then more one ways going the wrong damn direction again. Would you believe it took me almost 45 minutes to go 'around the block' and get back to the hotel? *big sigh*

I finally get checked in and up to my room. (see picture below). It’s nearly 2 am and I’m exhausted. As I’m about to lie down, I realize that the clothes, being new and in cellophane packaging, are wrinkled. Not like thrown on the floor wrinkled but those square ‘just came from the store’ wrinkles. I stayed up for another half hour and ironed.

Made it down stairs for the breakfast interview with the CEO. Everything went really well, guess I was running on adrenalin most of the day. The worst part was right after lunch. The VP of engineering took me on a ride around town to see the area and what not. There I am in a car, with a full belly on 4 +/- hours of sleep and the sun shining in on me. God as my witness, I was doing the whole 'head nod/jerk myself awake' thing for the last half of the ride. He said he didn’t notice. I talked with the CEO, the VP of sales and the VP of engineering. Also chatted with some of the other employees. They also had me take a 90 minute phyc test. You know;

If an employee after 3 years of flawless service begins coming in 30 minute late every day, do you;
A – fire her
B – talk to her once and fire her if she is late again
C – talk to her at least 3 times then fire her if she is late again
D – Do nothing

Great stuff.
I must have done ok. They have made me an offer. I guess you could call it that. Dollar for dollar it is about 5% less than I was making here. With the 35% increase in cost of living and 45% increase in housing, plus taxes, the ‘offer’ is a lot less. I will be talking to them this week about how far off we are. I doubt they are going to add 30-40% to their offer, so. I guess I’m not moving to CT.

Pending opportunities are in Raleigh, NC; Detroit, MI; Nashville, TN; San Diego and San Jose, CA.

Holy Crap, 2nd Place

2009-02-11T14:07:00.002-05:00

Last time I looked CJ was in 3rd at like 3,000 votes to 12,000… Now he over 22,000!!

Holy Crap!!

Go CJ Go!!

If you haven’t voted, please do. And remember, you can vote once a day.

Edit - Holy holy crap crap!!! CJ's now 1st with over 25,000 votes!!!
WHOO HOOO!!!
BTW - Its been just over 3 hours.

Welcome Home

2009-02-08T14:04:00.002-05:00

Welcome home!
2-150FA, Bloomington Indiana.

The Study, New Haven CT

2009-01-26T07:35:00.002-05:00

How do they come up with 'rack' prices for hotel rooms? According to the sign this little room is $1,500 a night...

That's more than the rooms in Times Square.

Aahhh Kansas City... I remember

2009-01-22T14:54:00.002-05:00

Aahhh Kansas City...
I remember it well.
Wonder if anyone would think I was crazy if I went home via Hays?

DNR IS alive, really

2009-01-21T18:56:00.001-05:00

So… how are you guys doing?

Me?

meh

A couple weeks ago the missus and I made it to the Indy 1500 gun and knife show. She picked up a Sig Mosquito .22 and I got a Taurus PT111, 9mm. We both have agreed, the next fair weekend day, we’re hitting the range. Even if we have to drive all the way to Camp Atterbury.

This extended vacation shit is getting old. I think I’m at 6 weeks now. It’s been freezing ass cold around here too. I know, I know nothing like Wisconsin or them other ‘real’ north states but for central Indiana, sub zero is ridiculous. Been making the ol’ furnace run non stop. Gas bill next month is gonna be nice…

What else?

Oh yea, the big coil spring on the garage door broke. It’s amazing how much you take those for granted. I’ll bet our double insulated door is 250 pounds. You know what that means, right…? Broke the garage door opener *sigh* some cheap ass plastic part that they don’t make a replacement for.

Last months gas bill was over $400, fixing the spring thing was almost $200, the new opener was $180 (I installed it or that would have been another $110). Can’t help but wonder what’s next. Don’t karma and fate know about the job situation here?

Speaking of the job situation, funny thing about the lighting industry, there ain’t much in Indiana.

Tomorrow I head out for my bi-annual trip to Kansas City. Then off to an interview. Yep, the first face to face interview. I’ve had several phone interviews… 30 minutes, 45 minutes, some over an hour. I know this because I’ve actually gone over on my cell minutes. Which sucks to the tune of $.45 a minute. Damn Verizon!

Anyway, the interview is in Connecticut, New Haven actually. The home of Yale… yippee. The wonderful interweb tells me there is a 32-36% increase in the cost of living between here and there. The big kicker is housing, it is 45% higher there. That’s just great.

Wow, I just read back through this post… things really aren’t as bad as this makes them sound. Hell, I stay up past mid-night, sleep in til 8, 9 sometimes even 10. I surf the web and watch TV all day. It’s great.

Miss you all, hope to make some rounds here soon.

Hummm...

2009-01-17T23:54:00.002-05:00

Why is cyan (sp?) pepper the same color, texture and temperature going in as coming out?

Happy New Year bloggosphere, Happy

2009-01-01T16:02:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year bloggosphere, Happy New Year!!

Aaaahhh… Therapy

2009-01-01T12:38:00.001-05:00

It had been 23 days since I was laid off and I finally got to spend some time with my therapist Saturday and even a little Sunday.

Saturday afternoon I had a little free time so I just showed up to see if she would talk. Man, she was reluctant at first, her eyes dimmed and almost went shut when I tried to start the conversation. She sounded more like I was awaking her from a long winters slumber. Groaning and moaning “leave me alone”. After begging and pleading and promising not to bother her again, she agreed to talk. And we talked and talked. We started at 1515 and didn’t finish until after 1830. 66 degrees and heavily over cast, we spent the entire time out side. Severe weather (tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm watches) be damned.

Sunday we chatted for about an hour, again outside. In and around down town Indy. Come to find out eh groaning wasn’t so much that I had awakened here, but more a feeling of rejection. The fact that ‘I’ had not been around recently was bothersome to her.

With a promise to return weekly we parted. As I walked away I could hear the occasional ping and ting coming from her heated jugs, I knew she was mind, and I WOULD return, often, for more therapy.

2009

2009-01-01T00:40:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Blogosphere!!

Happy New Year!!

27DEC08, Already

2008-12-27T00:22:00.003-05:00

Belated Merry Christmas everyone. I do sincerely hope you and yours had a wonderful day.
God bless.

And an early Happy New Year.

Promise, I'll be blogging again soon.

Anonymous

2008-12-18T16:55:00.001-05:00

Anonymity.

Under the veil of anonymity some choose to release a triad of anti comments. Anti comments being just that, they are against whatever the blog owner has said; be it conservative or liberal; pro gun or anti-abortion; waxed smooth of full on natural, they disagree and believe you need to know it. One has to wonder, do they seek out a blog and subject to pick on? Do they look for a link someplace and launch an attack? To what end? I mean what is the purpose? Should I be mad? Should I post cuss words back at them so they can grin and boast that they have hurt my feelings? Do I post pictures of my tears and call them ‘bully’? heh, I make myself laugh.

Trust me when I say, “Scarlet, I don’t give a damn!”, and you are not nor will you ever be ‘my friend’. You are a coward.

‘Anonymous’ has chosen these posts (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) to slander and assault *cough* me, though I do find the attempts humorous. Much like a heavy weight prize fighter would find the bantering jabs of his diapered, snotty nosed 3 year old. Humorous in the feeble attempt, laughing at the fact that they mean nothing.

There is even a complement in there, back handed as it may be, yet it still strikes my funny bone.

I must ask, do you or any of your troll brethren think you really bother me? Do you really believe that your powers of persuasion and your mastery of the English language are so superior that in 500 or so words you will change the core of my being?

Surely you know you are only lying to yourself.

This is my house, my blog, my journal. It is written for me. Everyone is welcome to read and even comment. But behind the veil of anonymity… please. Did your parents not teach you some level of respect for others? Alas, I suspect not. If they did, it has been lost on the empty space between your ears. Still, I bet they ARE proud…

Here, you know my name, my e-mail and many personal things about me. Yet you choose to reveal nothing. Lending nothing to your credibility. Because I know nothing about you, I choose to dub thee Scarlet. (Tom was taken) Not the southern lady in the infamous movie of old but the color, the deep dark sometimes black color of blood soaked rags. You know, the effervescent cloth layered with the stench of decay and rot that can only come from life that has not succeeded. Yes Scarlet, you are the discarded pad that is thrown away several times a day by nearly every woman in the world… about once a month. For that is all the longer you will last. Next year I will still be here, writing. You will be gone and forgotten thrown away with the putrid refuse, to be consumed by the starving dogs of your own hatred.

Believe me when I say, “Scarlet, I don’t give a damn”, that it is about you, your beliefs and the European country you rot in. You are not welcome here. You are not my friend. I will not keep you around here any longer than any lady keeps her rags.

Any more fantasy words of persuasion you care to share should be limited to your own blog, for your own mother. Because, really? Who else cares?

Catching up

2008-12-15T16:45:00.003-05:00

Wow! Has it really been over a week… 5th to 15th, guess so.

With no job you probably are wondering what I am doing… Had to do one of the hardest things ever last Monday. KF, the facility manager, had me come back in after 5:00 pm and empty my desk.

Computer files and paper files took over 2 hours and I forgot one whole drawer. Got friends on the inside that will get the last few things for me. 17 years of work life fits, albeit, not so neatly, in the trunk of my car… plus one box on the back seat and one on the front seat. Slept till noon Tuesday, that was a bad day.

I think I know what depression feels like.

I just got the boxes out of the car today. Still can’t stand to look at or in them.

What else… Oh yeah! Saturday the 6th the IPGR had it annual Christmas party. The missus agreed to drive me home so I had a few. By 11:00 I was, how could I describe it, aahhh, yes “Shit Faced”! I haven’t seen any photographic evidence but I think it is out there. If I find some, I’ll post them. I remember a Hairy chest contest, barely. Missus says I won. Somewhere in there I was relegated to water. And some one (D who shall remain nameless C) has this physical anomaly when he does shots, his nipples get hard (so he says, I personal have not witnessed this oddity of nature). All of the wimmen folks had to feel this condition and confirm it was true. Then Angle (a guy) commented on ‘not getting to feel’ and was acting all pouty… I lost it. And of course it was just as I had taken a big mouthful of water. I blew, a.k.a. showered, everyone with mouth spray and about choked myself. Just in case she reads this, Dawn, I am SOOoooo sorry. (She caught the majority of it on the back of her head.) hahah ahem…. *snort* I really am sorry. *wipes tear*

Good times!

The ex-co-workers had a ‘going away thing’ for me at a local tavern on Wednesday. I don’t know why everyone thinks I want to do shots… It was a good time. Got to say g’bye to everyone. The 4th, the last day at work, was a, ‘by, see ya’ thing. They wouldn’t let me back to my desk, just wanted me out the door.

My half brother surprised us by coming to town the end of last week, so we had dinner with him. It’s been about 3 years since we’ve gotten together; it was good to see him. The wife says we are sooo alike, it’s scary. Makes one wonder how much of your personality is genetic and not learned. We grew up in separate families but we look more alike and act more alike than my full blood brother. Weird.

Went to the local Steelers bar this Sunday. Good gawd what a nail biter. Still a little horse from all of the screaming.

That brings us pretty much current.
I'm throwing resumes at everything I can right now. I did get a severance but it will run out, and that make knots in my stomach.

The Ultimate Rejection Letter

2008-12-05T17:00:00.003-05:00

In trying to keep a stiff upper lip and a good attitude... the missus sent this. Made me smile, had to post it. Think I'll keep it on file for some of the inevitable rejection letters I'll be getting soon.
**************

Herbert A. Millington
Chair - Search Committee
412A Clarkson Hall, Whitson University
College Hill, MA 34109

Dear Professor Millington,

Thank you for your letter of March 16. After careful consideration, I
regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me
an assistant professor position in your department.

This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually
large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field
of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.

Despite Whitson's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in
rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at
this time. Therefore, I will assume the position of assistant professor
in your department this August. I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future applicants.

Sincerely,
Chris L. Jensen

Change

2008-12-04T16:41:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you choose change, sometimes it is forced upon you.

I was working on a 'bad blogger' post trying summarize all of the things that have been going on, what I've been doing.

But...

Today, my boss showed up unannounced.

As of 2:45 today, me and my position at JLG have been eliminated.
It is going to get interesting over the next couple months.

Maybe I'll have more time to blog, maybe I won't want to blog.

Time will tell.

Touching The Face of Grace

2008-11-21T08:57:00.001-05:00

I posted this one over at the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders blog.

Go.

Read.

Bring a tissue.

Riders Anonymous

2008-11-20T18:13:00.001-05:00

Hello, my name is DNR

It’s been 21 days since I last rode. *shudders*

Maybe this weekend. I can’t stand it. Missed a couple days with highs in the 40s. Bad part is I come to work just as the sun is coming up, and it’s been about 28 here. Then when I go home it’s dark and back in the low 30s. Even it gets into the 40s during the day, I miss it.

Gonna be in the 30s, high of 35 Saturday.

Yep, I’m gonna ride, even if it is 2 miles. My soul needs it.

Thankful - VIII

2008-11-18T14:03:00.000-05:00

The 3,000 troops we sent off to Iraq in January are beginning to return home. The first group of 100 returned to the New Indianapolis International terminal. Over about the next 30-45 days, they will all be home. I am thankful that a great majority have returned or are returning safely.

Companionship of a dog(s). I know, seems kind of shallow. This is definitely one of those “if you don’t understand, I can’t explain” kind of things.

40 + years. Yea, the day is near. Another year older. It’s been a good run. Here’s to another 40!

And here’s to another 10, click here to donate to Jim and Flo... and God bless you.

I Rescued A Human Today

2008-11-18T13:40:00.002-05:00

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

~Author unknown~

h/t to the missus

Just Funny

2008-11-14T11:36:00.001-05:00

I walked in to the office men’s room a moment ago and find Joe bent over one of the sinks, swishing water around in his mouth and spitting in the sink...

Tom is in one of the stalls pulling out miles of TP. From the side I can see he is facing the seat and his hands are above the walls waving what must be half a roll of paper around.

Zip, flush... more paper another zip sound, another flush...

I shudder to think what was going on in there 5 minutes ago.

Damn Dogs

2008-11-13T18:26:00.004-05:00

My knees hurt.

About 5 years ago I had that arthroscopic surgery on my right knee. Should only be a 20-40 minute thing the doc says. heh, I was under for an hour and 45 minutes. Lots of damage, including an over stressed patella to quadriceps tendon. In order to alleviate that pressure he did some cutting up the muscle to let it stretch out some and relieve the stress my knee cap is/was placing on my knee joint.

I never did get my strength back and the 6+ weeks on crutches stressed the left knee bad enough that it needed attention then too. I never did get it looked at.

Recently, like over the summer, in fact it was the trip out west, before I met up with DC. I was at a business meeting and the group went bowling. I went bowling. Yea, it was fun but Sweet Mother Mary of God! I twisted something and both knees swelled up to the size of softballs, especially the right one. The stiffness and soreness added a little challenge to the week of riding.

After some weeks of babying it and the swelling was almost back to ‘normal’. Yes, it exists in a constant state of swollenness.

Which bring me to yesterday and the title, Damn Dogs.

(See here for my introductions of OD, ND and me)

OD still goes out with an invisible fence collar. ND still has to be escorted, that is to say, taken out on a leash.

So... yesterday I get home and take the dogs out. ND is fast enough and we get back inside in less than 5 minutes. OD is out back, looking for a leaf. Yea, he has a leaf fetish. He’ll walk around the yard in ever decreasing circles until he comes across the perfect leaf, then he will circle the leaf, half in the ‘crapping dog’ position, half in the ‘sniffing the best leaf in the world’ position until, phfft. He finally craps. This ballet can take 10-15 minutes.

I know this is what he is doing. So I’m waiting by the front door.

ND has a ball fetish. She won’t sit in your lap without holding a ball in her mouth. Even comes to eat carrying the ball and drops it next to her bowl. After she eats, she’ll bring the ball and insist you throw it for her till she throws up her food.

Anyway, back to me waiting at the door. ND bring me a ball. She’s too excited to just let go of it and I won’t tug with her with a ball. After a couple second she gives up and drops the ball at my feet and backs up about 4 feet, crouches down and gives the famous border collie ‘lock eye’ stare on the ball. So I kicked it. This is good. Gives me something to do while waiting on the OD to find the perfect leaf.

ND is so fast she usually catches the ball before it gets by her. No mater where I aim it or how hard I kick it, she catches it 99% of the time. After about 10 times of this, I’m thinking, “ok, ya little shit, see if you can catch this one”, and I rare back and clobber the ball....

If you have any bad joints and I say to you my knee ‘popped’ you know. If you don’t have bad joints or knees, how can I explain it... It’s kind of a many rice crispies or many bubble packing bubbles all going at once mixed in with a jab from a rusty spike. All of this sound isn’t so much heard as much as it is felt, through your whole skeleton.

When my foot came back to rest on the floor, I about fell over. It was like standing on a wet noodle. I have no photographic evidence but I’d swear it bent completely backwards and sideways before I regained my balance.

ND thinks my hoping around and groans are a call to play so she popping around like a Mexican jumping bean. Dropping the ball then, because I’m bent over, she races to get it so we can tug with the ball.

Quick enough, the spike dissolves and I can walk. OD comes to the door and all is right with the world... no issues. HA, Riiiiight!

Today, every time I get up from my desk, I am reminded...

DAMN Dogs.

Olives

2008-11-13T09:47:00.000-05:00

This morning finds me with the familiar deep intestinal rumblings of overindulgence.

Flashback to yesterday... Had lunch at a little Greek restaurant near here. They sell bulk black Kalamata olives. I bought a pound. Ate over half by 3 yesterday afternoon.

The first trip to the crapper, which I feel deeply is just the beginning, yielded a black coating on my allotment of paper sprinkled with oddly shinny undigested olives skins.

It’s gonna be a good day.

Mr. Daniel's Tonight

2008-11-12T18:53:00.001-05:00

2 ounces at a time.

It's a good way to end hump day.

Road House Café

2008-11-12T17:39:00.000-05:00

And Cocktails

A small hole in the wall place in Eagletown, IN.

In the 17 or so years I lived here, I’d bet we driven past this place 1,000 times. DC and I stopped in here on our way home form the Lebanon mission for Harold Hancock October 31st.

When you drive by, it’s a road side dive. Looks like a house that someone has turned into a restaurant. Complete with front porch and a mail box attached to one of the porch posts. I don’t know what I was expecting but again, for 17 years, this place has been here. Somebody eats here often enough that it stays in business and the sign and curb appeal wouldn’t attract the weary traveler.

Inside... not much better. Hardwood floors that look like they could be a hundred years old. One row of 4 or 5 booths against the wall, one row of tables down the center and a bar.

As we walk in, the first thing I noticed at a little after one-thirty in the afternoon is that the places was packed. Only one booth was available and the menus were placed on the table, that says to me 'seat yourself' or your gonna loose the only open place to sit down.

The waitress comes over, quick enough and has the usual pleasantries; “how are you guys today”, “Whacha drink’n?”, “Special today is meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and corn for $6.50”.

That was easy, 2 specials.

We look around the place and it see that it’s actually a bar. A good old Indiana, smoking permitted, buy a beer or shot of Jack at 8 AM, bar. They were serous about the ‘and Cocktails’ part of their sign.

The clientele looked and sounded like a group of locals. Yelling across the room, “Hey Joe! How ya been?’, and the reply returned, just as loud. Lunch conversations center around the days work. Someone was discussing brakes and turning rotors, “no body does it right anymore” said one old timer. “All the gawd damned ‘break’ places want to replace the fool rotor.” Says another, emphasizing his disgust with modern day ‘break places’.

Our food arrived fast and hot. Without asking, I’d guess everything was home made and the corn wasn’t canned. It was good. Meatloaf can be dry, this wasn’t, very moist with a good flavor. The rest of the menu had the distinct look of your standard bar fare, burgers, pork-tender-loin and breakfast served anytime.

I’m definitely going back to the Road Side Café and if you ever find yourself west of Westfield on SR-32 in Indiana. Stop in, get the special, tell’m DNR sent ya.

Happy Day

2008-11-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

A Veterans day Thanks for you.

Thankful - VII

2008-11-10T17:58:00.001-05:00

Almost forgot again.

1 - My brain. Which seems to be failing me in it’s capacity to remember things like this. Seriously though, my health. Yeah I know it is a repeat but I’ve seen things in the past week that make me appreciate the good health I have.

2 - luck... I don’t know what else to call it. A friend has had a run in with the law. DUI. Blew a 0.08. That’s right on the line. I’d almost guarantee I’ve crossed it. I’m SO thankful I’ve been lucky. And thankful to Larry for sharing his story and waking me up. I won’t cross that line again.

PSA - If you drink, please don’t drive. - Thanks!

3 - Attitude. Yea, I got one. So do some of my coworkers. The verbal jabbing is a stress reliever. Makes the day pass quicker. Most of my coworkers are fantastic. For that, I am thankful.

Another Birthday

2008-11-10T13:01:00.003-05:00

U. S. M. C.

223 years today.

Happy birthday Marines!

While I was surfing around looking for something witty to post or link to, I came across this, The Marines’ Prayer. Found it at Marines.mil.

God bless the Marines, God bless my Marines.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind

Thirty Thousand

2008-11-05T19:26:00.001-05:00

Miles.

December 2nd will be 2 years that I’ve owned the Road Kind.

I’ve driven, ridden, put on over 30,000 miles. I got to thinking about that and this is what struck me.

30,000 miles in 2 years is;

41 miles a day, every day
600 hours @ 50 mph
25 hours a month @ 50 mph
5.75 hours a week @ 50 mph
Slightly more than once around the planet
5.5 round trips from LA to DC
12,000 laps around the Indy 500 track
750 gallons of gas @ 40 mpg
$1,875 in gas @ 2.50 per gallon

I’m actually at 31,500ish. With 28 days to go and the entire week of Thanksgiving off maybe I can add a couple more thousand.

I’ll let you know where I end up.

Thankful - VI

2008-11-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

Thanks...

I voted today. I cannot express how thankful I am for that right... for that privilege. I am so thankful for the men and women of our Armed Services that daily secure that right for me. Maybe not ‘fighting’ or ‘in the trenches’ but standing ready.

The wife and I made it to see our son in Louisville, KY this weekend. He is doing well. Lives downtown, on the tenth floor of an apartment building.
I’m thankful, and proud of him.

Friday I went to honor a Korean War vet. Harold Hancock
I am thankful for being a member of an organization that can bring comfort to a mourning family.

Another $10.You can join me here.

Turner Brown

2008-11-03T20:03:00.000-05:00

Skinny little white guy goes into an elevator, looks up and sees this
HUGE black guy standing next to him.

The big guy sees the little guy staring at him looks down and says, '7 feet tall, 350 pounds, 20 inch private, 3 pound testicles, Turner Brown.'

The white man faints and falls to the floor. The big guy kneels down and brings him to, shaking him. The big guy says, 'What's wrong with you?'

In a weak voice the little guy says, 'What EXACTLY did you say to me?'

The big dude says, 'I saw your curious look and figured I'd just give you the answers to the questions everyone always asks me..... I'm 7 feet tall, I weigh 350 pounds, I have a 20 inch private, my testicles weigh 3 pounds each, and my name is Turner Brown.'

The small guy says: 'Turner Brown?!... Sweet Jesus, I thought you said, 'Turn Around.'

Square Balls

2008-11-03T15:27:00.001-05:00

An elderly woman walked into the Bank of Canada one morning with a purse full of money. She wanted to open a savings account and insisted on talking to the president of the Bank because, she said, she had a lot of money.

After many lengthy discussions (after all, the client is always right) an employee took the elderly woman to the president's office.

The president of the Bank asked her how much she wanted to deposit. She placed her purse on his desk and replied, '$165,000'. The president was curious and asked her how she had been able to save so much money. The elderly woman replied that she made bets.

The president was surprised and asked, 'What kind of bets?'

The elderly woman replied, 'Well, I bet you $25,000 that your testicles are square.'

The president started to laugh and told the woman that it was impossible to win a bet like that.

The woman never batted an eye. She just looked at the president and said, 'Would you like to take my bet?'

'Certainly', replied the president. 'I bet you $25,000 that my testicles are not square.'

'Done', the elderly woman answered. 'But given the amount of money involved, if you don't mind I would like to come back at 10 o' clock tomorrow morning with my lawyer as a witness.' 'No problem', said the president of the Bank confidently.

That night, the president became very nervous about the bet and spent a long time in front of the mirror examining his testicles, turning them this way and that, checking them over again and again until he was positive that no one could consider his testicles as square and reassuring himself that there was no way he could lose the bet.

The next morning at exactly 10 o'clock the elderly woman arrived at the president's office with her lawyer and acknowledged the $25,000 bet made the day before that t he president's testicles were square.

The president confirmed that the bet was the same as the one made the day before. Then the elderly woman asked him to drop his pants etc. so that she and her lawyer could see clearly.
The president was happy to oblige.

The elderly woman came closer so she could see better and asked the president if she could touch them. 'Of course', said the president. 'Given the amount of money involved, you should be 100% sure.'

The elderly woman did so with a little smile. Suddenly the president noticed that the lawyer was banging his head against the wall. He asked the elderly woman why he was doing that and she replied, 'Oh, it's probably because I bet him $100,000 that around 10 o'clock in the morning I could be holding the balls of the President of the Bank of Canada!'

City of Sacramento Dishonors Veterans

2008-11-03T10:22:00.002-05:00

I received this e-mail over the weekend.

****************************************

I spent many hours on the phone with various agencies within the Sacramento government trying to get an answer to why the city is celebrating Veterans Day by taking the day off, but not planning ANYTHING to honor our troops. Check this out and make it viral. Make Sacramento provide answers!
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2008/10/31/exclusive-california-capital-ignores-veterans/

--
CJ
A Soldier's Perspective
www.soldiersperspective.us
They Have names
www.theyhavenames.com
You Served
www.youserved.com
You Served Weekly BlogTalkRadio Podcast
www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved

Happy Haloween

2008-10-31T16:43:00.002-04:00

Come to my house at your own risk.

Fwd:

2008-10-31T16:39:00.002-04:00

Let's see what happens...

Damnit.... Hold please...

See above post.

Thankful - V

2008-10-30T13:33:00.000-04:00

Before it completely slips my mind...

This weeks (late) thankful post.

1 - Our Veterans. This week I am attending the funeral of a Korean War Vet. God bless him. God bless them all. AND Ladies and Gentlemen, thank YOU for your service.

2 - Internet friends. Through a barrage of e-mails, from the far corners of the country, I(we) have confirmed a cancer survivor and Steelers fan will be getting some stuff that has ‘shrunk’ too much for me to wear any more.

3 - The cold weather. Now wait, don’t go throwing stones or flaming comments. I have allergies and a good hard frost usually kills or makes dormant everything that makes my eyes water, nose run and sinuses pound. So, yes, I am thankful for a good hard cold snap... now it can warm back up. I got ridding to do.

Another 10.

You can join me here.

Obama = Socialism - It's Not For Everyone

2008-10-29T20:27:00.002-04:00

Notice to All Employees

As of November 5, 2008, when President Obama is officially elected into office, our company will instill a few new policies which are in keeping with his new, inspiring issues of change and fairness:

1. All salespeople will be pooling their sales and bonuses into a common pool that will be divided equally between all of you. This will serve to give those of you who are underachieving a “fair shake.”

2. All low level workers will be pooling their wages, including overtime, into a common pool, dividing it equally amongst yourselves. This will help those who are “too busy for overtime” to reap the rewards from those who have more spare time and can work extra hours.

3. All top management will now be referred to as “the government.” We will not participate in this “pooling” experience because the law doesn't apply to us.

4. The “government” will give eloquent speeches to all employees every week, encouraging it's workers to continue to work hard “for the good of all.”

5. The employees will be thrilled with these new policies because it's “good to spread the wealth.” Those of you who have underachieved will finally get an opportunity; those of you who have worked hard and had success will feel more “patriotic.”

6. The last few people who were hired should clean out their desks. Don't feel bad, though, because President Obama will give you free healthcare, free handouts, free oil for heating your home, free food stamps, and he'll let you stay in your home for as long as you want even if you can't pay your mortgage. If you appeal directly to our democratic congress, you might even get a free flat screen TV and a coupon for free haircuts (shouldn't all Americans be entitled to nice looking hair?) !!!

If for any reason you are not happy with the new policies, you may want to rethink your vote on November 4th.

*********************************************************************************

Blog Roll and...

2008-10-28T13:49:00.004-04:00

My old blog roll host has gone away. I'm trying to use the new 'blogs I follow' here in blogger but it seems short... I read a bunch more than this. AND it doesn’t seem to go get all of the Google Reader blogs... Grrrr!!

If you were in the old blog roll and don't see your blog in the list below (down under the “They Say IT... NOT ME!!” section), let me know. I’ll do my best to get you added.

After the tattoo party last weekend (I think they totaled 18 people, 2 being tat virgins) and a weekend long search and rescue class, I'm beat and SO far behind at work it may be a day or two before I get caught up.

I need to go edit those pictures I sent in. One police officer and one fire fighter and me. Verizon adds so much crap in pix messages. I'll add some comments and re-post them, I have some more pictures too. Can you imagine getting a tattoo that big on your ribs? This weekend was his 2nd session, they are estimating 2 more, minimum. He'll have close to 30 hours in it when it's done.

Don't worry, the next installment in the Thankful series is in the works.

Also working a PGR mission for this Friday. A Korean War vet, double bronze star recipient. Not as hard on me as an Iraq or Afghanistan KIA, but still...

Better get back to it.

Be good, read ya latter!

2008-10-24T05:41:00.001-04:00

540am just getting started...

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2008-10-24T03:49:00.001-04:00

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required. Visit www.apple.com/quicktime/download to download the free player or upgrade your existing QuickTime® Player. Note: During the download process when asked to choose an installation type (Minimum, Recommended or Custom), select Minimum for faster download.

2008-10-24T03:47:00.001-04:00

its a tattoo weekend in indy again. Its nearly 4am and im next...

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Mo’s - Who Doesn’t Love Shamrocks

2008-10-23T17:38:00.001-04:00

Mo’s Irish Pub
13193 Levinson Lane, Suite 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
Phone: 317-770-9020
Fax: 317-770-9019

www.mosirishpub.com

Maybe it was the company... it always helps to be out with good people. BUT it always helps when going to a new place that the place is good too.

Mo’s could be called a sports pub. Lots of TV’s, the big huge flat panel kind. The décor was old world ‘pubish’ (heh, is that a word!!) though. Hand hewn beams and furniture built with what seemed to be too large pieces of wood. A huge stone fire place and at least 15’ ceilings finished the atmosphere. If the TV’s were gone, you could believe you were in an old world Irish pub.

Our waitress was Jane. On what was a very busy Friday night, she was prompt, courteous and able to crack jokes with and at us. She did a great job.
If you go to a pub, especially an Irish pub you gotta have the fish and chips, we did. And Irish whiskey. I know, you all are shocked. One shot of Jameson for everyone. It was very smooth.

The fish was tasty, crisp and portioned well. Jim, the manager, stopped by to check on us. Again a nice touch in a very busy restaurant.

All in all, Mo’s is a great place and we will be going back. And if you go, ask for Jane, you won’t be disappointed.

This One's Over There

2008-10-23T09:46:00.004-04:00

You may remember I run or post on several blogs.

Todays post is over at Indiana Patriot Guard Riders Blog.

Go.

Read.

Remember them.

h/t to CJ.

Conservative Charity

2008-10-22T11:00:00.003-04:00

An oxymoron, I think not.

HB over at Fat in Indiana has a post up in repose to momentofchoice. Seems MoC left a comment that says in part;

“...you might be expected to participate actively in helping others as well as yourselves to move this country forward. how anti-american! ... does the concept of having an open heart and open mind resonate with anyone here?”

The comment wasn’t directed at me, I do, however, feel compelled to reply though.

I have been lurking around this interwebz thing for many years now. The last couple, I have been posting here and reading blogs all over the place. I consider myself open minded and very accepting of most any lifestyle any one chooses to live. MoC’s comment about helping others and myself to move this country forward... irritates me. Not so much the comment itself, but the insinuation that I, as a conservative, do not have an open mind or heart and do not help this country, my community or the people here that need help. As HB points out, there is a profound difference between charity and the re-distribution of wealth. From my memory, I recall the liberal sites I’ve been to giving money to Obama, the DNC, Moveon.org or ACORN. The more conservative people seem to give to people, skipping the organizations that inevitability skim some off the top. They also give their time and a lot of it.

I had written a list of my donations, time and money, but cannot seem to word it without sounding like bragging. Suffice it to say, I give, to charities, directly to the needy, to my fellow man. Thousands of hours AND thousands of dollars.

My final thought; if I had more money, I’d give more. My needs being met, I’d be more inclined to buy a little extra for the food bank, drop a little more in the fireman’s boots at intersections. If I have less... if I’m worried about my next tank of gas, my next trip to the grocery store, I’ll give less.

I can’t help but wonder if that is how the ‘rich’ see tax increases....

EDIT: 10/26/08, because I wanted to.