Greetings all,
A few years have gone by, again. Wow, where does the time go? Things here at The Compound are pretty much the same. The restaurant didn't work out. We did the research and found the best way to do it would be out of the budget we had going in. So...we didn't do it. Probably saved all of Da's investment and our time and investment ,too.
The dags are well. The Bleu pup grew up and got herself all knocked up! Dumb dag. Nine pups from a Blockhead-ed pit bull. They turned out gorgeous and plenty smart, we found great homes for them all and, of course, we kept the all black one. She's Dot, turned out that she had a tiny spot of white on her chest and one on the tip of her chin. So 2 Dot she is. Fast as heck and a stone cold tree-rat killer! The brown dag, Faun, and her are the terror of the Compound, barking at all who pass and the stray breeze or critter that's dumb enough to go by.
We got to go visit Oregon this summer for the 70th anniversary of me Da's birth! Spent a few days with him and his lovely bride Anne. Went out to the Valley and caught up with my brother from another mother, Cole, and his boys. All seems well there, despite a contentious divorce. His heart is broken but he continues to impart great wisdom and an excellent example to those young men of his and they are thriving. We went back out to the Eastern desert and spent a few more days at Da's enjoying the family and celebrating his birthday. Good to see my Aunt Marty, Uncle Gene and my cousin Graham. I hadn't seen them or him in more than 15 years! It was good to catch up. My sister, Sarah and her young men came down from Spokane for the shin-dig and allowed as she had an old car that was just taking up space and money at her place and did we want to have it? Now you'll recall that I had gotten an old Honda from my great friend Craig a few years back. Well, the one my Sis had is 5 years newer and has 70k miles less that that old one. So me being the pragmatic that I am said "Sure! We'd love to take that car off your hands!" and then it dawned on me that it was 3000+ miles back to The Compound from Spokane and our budget was low at best. So began the fastest and least expensive trip across our Great Republic that I've ever taken. Five days from coast to coast with a couple stops at relatives of The Rev's on the way. We had a good visit with her Sis in Missouri and a day with Her Ma in Shreveport. We stopped in the Big Easy for a drink and a snack and made it home from Shreveport with the stop in NOLA in 16 hours! Long trip in just a few days, but we got to hit the monuments in South Dakota and Wyoming and a couple of battlefields in between there and home. Good trip all in all, if brief.
A special congratulations to my Ma in Oregon, Anne Graham. She having been duly elected by her city to serve on the City Counsel! She's going to be a great asset to that community! She's surely been good for our family and a sweeter lady you'll never meet. So, good luck, Annie, do good work!!
The big red bike is finally getting a revamp! Yay! I managed to save enough on my pittance salary and some help from the family to get it fixed a year or more ago and then the poor Rev's implants deflated. Poor dear was heartbroken. So, the bike fund turned into the boob fund. I sent her off to Shreveport to Ma's place and The Rev's old friend, Dr. Dan, fixed her all up! Oh my, does she look good! That old friend of hers did a bang up warranty job on her, sent the old bags back to the factory and got her the newest and hottest technology. As I said, whew! She sure looks great! Thankful for all the help from those who donated, you know who you are.
So I saved and scraped up and another few bucks and found a used motor with low miles online for cheap. Drove to Melbourne and dragged it back home. Got the old broken one out of the big red bike a few weeks ago and dropped the new (to me) motor and a couple of boxes of parts off at the bike Dr. and it should up and going here in a few days! I can't wait to feel that breeze in my face and taste the bugs in my teeth again! It'll be good for my soul, I NEED that ride daily to keep myself sane. It's been way too long and I am like a junkie waiting for my next fix.
So I'm getting close to the letter limit of my poor old hands and in closing...I'd like to say thanks to all who help us get through this wonderful life in all the ways that you do help. All the supportive love and collective good wishes, not to mention a few bucks here and there, continue to bear us up. Thank you all so very much.
Enjoy the life you have, it's the only one you get here.
Rainman
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Sunday, November 4, 2012
greetings all,
looks like it's been a few YEARS since I've written anything! holy lazy blogger, Batman!
speaking of Batman, my old friend the cat from North Dakota has gone to meet his maker. I guess he wasn't fast enough to get out of the way when the car that crushed him sped by and never even slowed down. nary a brake light did we see...bastards. he was a darn good cat, for 15 years he patrolled the neighborhood keeping those evil tree-rats and a few regular rats at bay. I miss him.
the puppy and old dags are well, Bleu turned out to be a girl dag, and she's a durn good 'un. The Rev brought home an orphan mutt from the alley behind her old job, and she is Fawn Liebowitz, back from the dead. silly lil thing and definitely NOT a black dag. first NOT black dag I've had in forever. really can't remember when, must have been all the way back in New Mexico days. Bleu is just useless as a life coach so Jake has to take up all the slack. they're good friends to us and we are thankful for them.
things here at the Compound are mosey-ing right along. no big news.
I'm still at the Metz's and have since bought and sold a share of another bar since I was last here. we're in the process of getting the math and recipes together to take a stab at opening a lil restaurant, A Cajun Soul Eatery. The Rev's coon ass cookin' and some of our friend Joe's home style southern Georgia grub. we just need a few good customers and we'll be alright, I reckon, both he and she are damn fine cooks and I can figure out the maths. we'll open sometime after the new year, hopefully in time for the next season, if we can get it all organized by then. wish us luck, we'll surely need it. I read that 80% of new businesses fail, with a lil luck we won't. she wants it real badly and I'll do what it takes to help her, whatever it takes.
the big red bike broke down a few months ago, so I've been bummed a bit, but the old Sporty is getting spruced up and should be running soon. knock wood. having issues with the front brakes, but I'll figure it out, or I'll get help figurin'.
the Heep needs a new master cylinder and the dang old Mystery Machine's tranny broke, so thank the Gods for a great friend in Craig Belcher, who just plain gave us an old Honda. seems he won't need it having moved to Cali a few months back so....I guess it'll be ours. can't thank him enough for the hand up he's given us, just hope we can find a way to repay the kindness in the future. he's found a beautiful life out there and we wish him and his new family well, it's the happiest I've seen him since we met oh those many years ago.
well, it seems I've gotten a cramp from all the typing, and I've caught you up on our lives, so i guess that's all the news that fit to print. I'll try to keep you posted a bit more.
enjoy the life you have, it's the only one you get.
rainman
looks like it's been a few YEARS since I've written anything! holy lazy blogger, Batman!
speaking of Batman, my old friend the cat from North Dakota has gone to meet his maker. I guess he wasn't fast enough to get out of the way when the car that crushed him sped by and never even slowed down. nary a brake light did we see...bastards. he was a darn good cat, for 15 years he patrolled the neighborhood keeping those evil tree-rats and a few regular rats at bay. I miss him.
the puppy and old dags are well, Bleu turned out to be a girl dag, and she's a durn good 'un. The Rev brought home an orphan mutt from the alley behind her old job, and she is Fawn Liebowitz, back from the dead. silly lil thing and definitely NOT a black dag. first NOT black dag I've had in forever. really can't remember when, must have been all the way back in New Mexico days. Bleu is just useless as a life coach so Jake has to take up all the slack. they're good friends to us and we are thankful for them.
things here at the Compound are mosey-ing right along. no big news.
I'm still at the Metz's and have since bought and sold a share of another bar since I was last here. we're in the process of getting the math and recipes together to take a stab at opening a lil restaurant, A Cajun Soul Eatery. The Rev's coon ass cookin' and some of our friend Joe's home style southern Georgia grub. we just need a few good customers and we'll be alright, I reckon, both he and she are damn fine cooks and I can figure out the maths. we'll open sometime after the new year, hopefully in time for the next season, if we can get it all organized by then. wish us luck, we'll surely need it. I read that 80% of new businesses fail, with a lil luck we won't. she wants it real badly and I'll do what it takes to help her, whatever it takes.
the big red bike broke down a few months ago, so I've been bummed a bit, but the old Sporty is getting spruced up and should be running soon. knock wood. having issues with the front brakes, but I'll figure it out, or I'll get help figurin'.
the Heep needs a new master cylinder and the dang old Mystery Machine's tranny broke, so thank the Gods for a great friend in Craig Belcher, who just plain gave us an old Honda. seems he won't need it having moved to Cali a few months back so....I guess it'll be ours. can't thank him enough for the hand up he's given us, just hope we can find a way to repay the kindness in the future. he's found a beautiful life out there and we wish him and his new family well, it's the happiest I've seen him since we met oh those many years ago.
well, it seems I've gotten a cramp from all the typing, and I've caught you up on our lives, so i guess that's all the news that fit to print. I'll try to keep you posted a bit more.
enjoy the life you have, it's the only one you get.
rainman
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I'm an American-American
i was at my bar earlier and a young, black man was there and i overheard him say to some other people,
"I'm not an African-American. I'm an American-American!"
this statement was one of the most beautiful that i've heard in the last few years, it gave me hope for our nation. this person has cast aside all of the pre-conceived notions of race and made the most extraordinary statement.
people, there is hope, real and visceral, and it is embodied in this statement.
spread the word....
we aren't:
irish-american
scottish-american
italian-american
polish-american
german-american
african-american
and so on, etc, etc.
we are all, american-americans.
thanks for reading,
rainman in daytona
"I'm not an African-American. I'm an American-American!"
this statement was one of the most beautiful that i've heard in the last few years, it gave me hope for our nation. this person has cast aside all of the pre-conceived notions of race and made the most extraordinary statement.
people, there is hope, real and visceral, and it is embodied in this statement.
spread the word....
we aren't:
irish-american
scottish-american
italian-american
polish-american
german-american
african-american
and so on, etc, etc.
we are all, american-americans.
thanks for reading,
rainman in daytona
Monday, September 7, 2009
the wedding, labor day and sundry...
greetings all,
well, once again i've managed to let a few weeks go by and haven't written a thing. been getting ready to get hitched in a couple of days. it hasn't taken to much effort, just get some vittles for the guests and send out invites. gonna do the ceremony offshore on uncle stingray's friend's boat then a reception at our buddy colleen's. we've invited folks from all over the country and it should be a good time, some folks know each other and some don't. can't wait to see the folks meeting each other, should be interesting!!
just wanted to touch base and i'll try to write more........but i've said that before, i think.
anyway, i'll keep in touch,
seeya, folks
rainman
well, once again i've managed to let a few weeks go by and haven't written a thing. been getting ready to get hitched in a couple of days. it hasn't taken to much effort, just get some vittles for the guests and send out invites. gonna do the ceremony offshore on uncle stingray's friend's boat then a reception at our buddy colleen's. we've invited folks from all over the country and it should be a good time, some folks know each other and some don't. can't wait to see the folks meeting each other, should be interesting!!
just wanted to touch base and i'll try to write more........but i've said that before, i think.
anyway, i'll keep in touch,
seeya, folks
rainman
Saturday, July 11, 2009
the passing of a friend
this morning i had to give my friend, Bouncer, the fatal dose.........he'd been laying around for the last few days and couldn't walk any more. he wouldn't even eat bacon. poor guy. well, he lived a very good life, killed a few tree-rats and an 'possum, or two. oh, yeah, and that little poodle that REALLY wanted in the fence. turned out she really DIDN'T want it. oh, well.
he was a good and loyal friend to me and mine, raised a good replacment dog in Jake, who'll hopefully keep up his good name. we've got a new pup in the works already, so hopefully Jake is up to the task of training him. Blue will be his name and he'll come to us when he's been weaned from his ma. he was just born a couple of weeks ago, so it'll be a few more til he moves in. can't wait.
buried the old boy in the front yard, next to a newly growing oak tree, hopefully the shade will keep him cool for the rest of time. sad day at the graham compound.
things here have been good these last few months, summer is here and it's hot. the rev is doing well, aside from some internal pains, hope we can get her to the doc and get it straightened out soon. we're gonna get hitched on 9-9-09, so if you're in the neighborhood, stop in and have a glass of cheer with us. my folks are coming from the great northwest and maybe her ma will make it, too. hope so.
well, that's most of the news that's fit to print, i'll try to get more on here than i've done this last few months, just doesn't seem like the everyday stuff is worth printing here. you know, work, tourist season, the like. when something does happen out of the usual i'll be sure to write.
have a great day,
rainman
he was a good and loyal friend to me and mine, raised a good replacment dog in Jake, who'll hopefully keep up his good name. we've got a new pup in the works already, so hopefully Jake is up to the task of training him. Blue will be his name and he'll come to us when he's been weaned from his ma. he was just born a couple of weeks ago, so it'll be a few more til he moves in. can't wait.
buried the old boy in the front yard, next to a newly growing oak tree, hopefully the shade will keep him cool for the rest of time. sad day at the graham compound.
things here have been good these last few months, summer is here and it's hot. the rev is doing well, aside from some internal pains, hope we can get her to the doc and get it straightened out soon. we're gonna get hitched on 9-9-09, so if you're in the neighborhood, stop in and have a glass of cheer with us. my folks are coming from the great northwest and maybe her ma will make it, too. hope so.
well, that's most of the news that's fit to print, i'll try to get more on here than i've done this last few months, just doesn't seem like the everyday stuff is worth printing here. you know, work, tourist season, the like. when something does happen out of the usual i'll be sure to write.
have a great day,
rainman
Thursday, April 16, 2009
follow this blog
just signed up to follow Niel Gussman's journey to the suck. check him out at http://armynow.blogspot.com/.
Monday, March 23, 2009
springtime in daytona beach
greetings all,
things here at chez graham are mosying right along. the spring breakers have come and gone for the year, bike week was kind of busy, and the racing was as fine as ever. both bars are in their little grooves and don't need much correcting day by day. just touch them up every now and then and they keep on rolling.
lost an old friend to a train crash last month and am real sorry i didn't talk to Kai Bodtker for a few years. the last time i saw him was at my buddy cole's place out in oregon a few years ago when my grandfolks had their 50 anniversary. he seemed ok then but since then he had lost his girlfriend and was feeling down for a while. there seems to be some debate whether or not he stopped on the track on purpose or not. doesn't much matter, i reckon, just knowing he's gone to the creator is sad enuff for me. if he did stop then it was his life and his choice. i only hope he found a better place for himself and i'll never knop til it's my turn to take the big journey. hopefully, i'll make it here for a bit longer, i'm curious to see what's gonna happen in the near future and the far, too!!
uncle stingray has spent a few bucks on the old boat this month and it's sitting in the boat slip right now. we're just gonna clean her up a bit and get some small stuff finished on her and we'll be out kill'n fish soon. or at least fishin' for 'em. i hear tell there's a reason they don't call it catchin' ..... don't know much about it myself, but uncle stingray is the scourge of the river, or so he says, so i'll get plenty of learnin' either way!! can't wait to get on the water, tho, i miss bein' out there.
life with the rev and me is pretty darn nice. we're still figurin' each other out but we don't seem to find much to argue about and what we do find is usually not worth spending to much time on. we have been getting better and better at understanding each other and i reckon it'll just get easier and easier. she's got a little garden going out on the deck and we cooked our first pan of lasagna the other night....best one i've ever been involved with, near 12 lbs. of noodles. meat, and cheesy goodness. froze most of it and nibbled the rest right to the bottom of the pan, licked the sides and the critters didn't even get a taste!! too bad for them, it is sure good food!! we have cooked some great meals together this year, and we seem to like the same kind of stuff, lots of meat and 'taters, some sushi bar every now and then, and some veg and rice to keep the body working right. we've both gained a few lbs. but that just seems to be 'cause we're awful happy.
well, that's about all the news that's fit to print. gotta get her up and fed before work and the laundry needs to go on the line, so......
have great days and nights til i talk to you again,
rainman
things here at chez graham are mosying right along. the spring breakers have come and gone for the year, bike week was kind of busy, and the racing was as fine as ever. both bars are in their little grooves and don't need much correcting day by day. just touch them up every now and then and they keep on rolling.
lost an old friend to a train crash last month and am real sorry i didn't talk to Kai Bodtker for a few years. the last time i saw him was at my buddy cole's place out in oregon a few years ago when my grandfolks had their 50 anniversary. he seemed ok then but since then he had lost his girlfriend and was feeling down for a while. there seems to be some debate whether or not he stopped on the track on purpose or not. doesn't much matter, i reckon, just knowing he's gone to the creator is sad enuff for me. if he did stop then it was his life and his choice. i only hope he found a better place for himself and i'll never knop til it's my turn to take the big journey. hopefully, i'll make it here for a bit longer, i'm curious to see what's gonna happen in the near future and the far, too!!
uncle stingray has spent a few bucks on the old boat this month and it's sitting in the boat slip right now. we're just gonna clean her up a bit and get some small stuff finished on her and we'll be out kill'n fish soon. or at least fishin' for 'em. i hear tell there's a reason they don't call it catchin' ..... don't know much about it myself, but uncle stingray is the scourge of the river, or so he says, so i'll get plenty of learnin' either way!! can't wait to get on the water, tho, i miss bein' out there.
life with the rev and me is pretty darn nice. we're still figurin' each other out but we don't seem to find much to argue about and what we do find is usually not worth spending to much time on. we have been getting better and better at understanding each other and i reckon it'll just get easier and easier. she's got a little garden going out on the deck and we cooked our first pan of lasagna the other night....best one i've ever been involved with, near 12 lbs. of noodles. meat, and cheesy goodness. froze most of it and nibbled the rest right to the bottom of the pan, licked the sides and the critters didn't even get a taste!! too bad for them, it is sure good food!! we have cooked some great meals together this year, and we seem to like the same kind of stuff, lots of meat and 'taters, some sushi bar every now and then, and some veg and rice to keep the body working right. we've both gained a few lbs. but that just seems to be 'cause we're awful happy.
well, that's about all the news that's fit to print. gotta get her up and fed before work and the laundry needs to go on the line, so......
have great days and nights til i talk to you again,
rainman
Thursday, January 29, 2009
greetings all,
been a while...that's how it goes here at chez graham...things are always slow to happen.
used to be if something needed doing, i jumped right up and did it. now, i'm a bit more liable to sit for a bit and contemplate the task.
well, this evening we went and spent $$$ on a new lawn mower, weed eater, and dinner at our local sushi joint, boy, we do love that fresh bait for dinner!!! couldn't afford the mower and such, but i figure in about a year or so it'll be paid off and i'll still have the mower to use. the yard guys want $50 or so a week to get it done and i can do it for a fraction of that. just got to force myself to do it. the old mower took a crap about 15 months ago and it's been yard art ever since. the rev has started to express an interest in the yard work. i'm afraid that once we start she'll regret all the "horticulturin'" h/t GUYK. luv that phrase.
we do have a nice little herb garden and a bit of mint she's planted. we went to the fair grounds a few days ago and got a couple of dogwood saplings for a buck apiece! figure after a few years they'll give some shade and a few nice flowers in the spring. our place used to be quite the showcase of local florida fauna, but after the divorce....i let it all go to hell. it seems to've been long enuff to wait for me to get back to it. sooooo.....if she's willin', i'm gonna help us get 'er done.
i do like me some pretty fauna, and a few bits of herb and a couple of 'maters and peppers are good to! all of a sudden i can't wait for spring to sprung!!
hey, good news! she's proposed!!! she had a dream that got we hitched on 09-09-09, so i reckon we'll probably do it that day. good as any other, i figure she's way smarter on that kind of stuff than i am, so i'll just go along for the ride on this kind of thing. we'll have been together almost 2 years by then and it seems she can still put up with all my idiosyncrasies, i'd be an idiot to turn her down!! hell, i am not the easiest guy to get along with.
so if you are in our neighborhood then, drop on by and we'll find a spot for you in the party!!
good to talk to you all, whoever you are...seeya later,
rainman
been a while...that's how it goes here at chez graham...things are always slow to happen.
used to be if something needed doing, i jumped right up and did it. now, i'm a bit more liable to sit for a bit and contemplate the task.
well, this evening we went and spent $$$ on a new lawn mower, weed eater, and dinner at our local sushi joint, boy, we do love that fresh bait for dinner!!! couldn't afford the mower and such, but i figure in about a year or so it'll be paid off and i'll still have the mower to use. the yard guys want $50 or so a week to get it done and i can do it for a fraction of that. just got to force myself to do it. the old mower took a crap about 15 months ago and it's been yard art ever since. the rev has started to express an interest in the yard work. i'm afraid that once we start she'll regret all the "horticulturin'" h/t GUYK. luv that phrase.
we do have a nice little herb garden and a bit of mint she's planted. we went to the fair grounds a few days ago and got a couple of dogwood saplings for a buck apiece! figure after a few years they'll give some shade and a few nice flowers in the spring. our place used to be quite the showcase of local florida fauna, but after the divorce....i let it all go to hell. it seems to've been long enuff to wait for me to get back to it. sooooo.....if she's willin', i'm gonna help us get 'er done.
i do like me some pretty fauna, and a few bits of herb and a couple of 'maters and peppers are good to! all of a sudden i can't wait for spring to sprung!!
hey, good news! she's proposed!!! she had a dream that got we hitched on 09-09-09, so i reckon we'll probably do it that day. good as any other, i figure she's way smarter on that kind of stuff than i am, so i'll just go along for the ride on this kind of thing. we'll have been together almost 2 years by then and it seems she can still put up with all my idiosyncrasies, i'd be an idiot to turn her down!! hell, i am not the easiest guy to get along with.
so if you are in our neighborhood then, drop on by and we'll find a spot for you in the party!!
good to talk to you all, whoever you are...seeya later,
rainman
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
haven't written in a bit so.............i stole this good idea.
I read this today at a regular read of mine: Blackfork
Any person with common sense could sort the whole mess out in about six months with the hard stuff being done in the first week. Want some hope and change? Here's a rough sketch:
Day One: Cancel the bailout. Privatize SS. Cancel Medicare. End the Drug War. Abolish the departments of Education, Housing, Homeland Security and anyone else standing around. Announce the vetoing of any spending bill without a 10% cut-(not in the increase, but in actual baseline budget). That's day one.
Day Two: March with the press to the steps of the capital and demand Congress institute term limits. Three sessions for the house and two for senate. Effective immediately. Everything will be vetoed until that passes. Period. Photo-op: Toss Ted Kennedy and Ralph Hall off the Capitol steps by the scruff of the neck. That afternoon you announce that the southern border will be sealed by airmobile infantry with National Guard beefing up the checkpoints. You also announce that the immigration service will streamline and simplify their procedures and policies so that workers will be able to come and work. Then you fly to Laredo and have a photo op tossing two illegal border crossers back into Mexico by the scruff of the neck. Any out of work bureaucrats from DC are invited to apply at the Border within 48 hours.
Day Three: Announce the end of corporate welfare including agricultural money. Photo-op: You pound ears of corn into the gas tank of a Prius, then set the whole thing on fire.
Day Four: Play golf. In the afternoon you announce US withdrawal from UN. Announce closing of UN in New York and invite them to set up in Kenya or Iceland. For a photo-op that evening you catch two drunk Coraguyayan ambassadors coming out of a dance club and toss them into their double-parked limos by the scruff of the neck.
Day Five: Live press conference where you shoot at the press with a paintgun while answering any question with "Tough shit."
Day Six: Start the issuing of 1,000,000 pardons for all gun law violators, drug violators, tax law violators, et. For a photo-op you toss a tax cheat and a medical marijuana inmate out of the front gate of a Virginia Federal Prison by the scruff of the neck.
Day Seven: Abolish the IRS and institute the Fair Tax. Announce the end of 70% of foreign aid. For a photo-op you toss a complete copy of the tax code from the top of the Washington Monument. That night a Marine helicopter carrier off Zimbawe sends a team to kill Mugabe's presidential guard and turn he and his cabinet over to the crowd outside.
Second Week: For a photo-op you pound a handmade sign in the yard outside the Whitehouse that reads: "Want Something? Apply inside." You abolish the BATFE and auction all contents of federal evidence rooms on Gunbroker. Photo-op: You nail a copy of the Bill of Rights on the doors of the Supreme Court.
I ove the way this guy blogs and am hoping one day to live the kind of life he writes about.....hiking the woods, shooting a ton of ammo and various varmits. Seems like we could do with this bit of common sense in our world today. Thank you, Blackfork, for living the dream, and writing about it for us. oh, and i just can't get enuff of the christmas card you posted from days gone by!!
I read this today at a regular read of mine: Blackfork
Any person with common sense could sort the whole mess out in about six months with the hard stuff being done in the first week. Want some hope and change? Here's a rough sketch:
Day One: Cancel the bailout. Privatize SS. Cancel Medicare. End the Drug War. Abolish the departments of Education, Housing, Homeland Security and anyone else standing around. Announce the vetoing of any spending bill without a 10% cut-(not in the increase, but in actual baseline budget). That's day one.
Day Two: March with the press to the steps of the capital and demand Congress institute term limits. Three sessions for the house and two for senate. Effective immediately. Everything will be vetoed until that passes. Period. Photo-op: Toss Ted Kennedy and Ralph Hall off the Capitol steps by the scruff of the neck. That afternoon you announce that the southern border will be sealed by airmobile infantry with National Guard beefing up the checkpoints. You also announce that the immigration service will streamline and simplify their procedures and policies so that workers will be able to come and work. Then you fly to Laredo and have a photo op tossing two illegal border crossers back into Mexico by the scruff of the neck. Any out of work bureaucrats from DC are invited to apply at the Border within 48 hours.
Day Three: Announce the end of corporate welfare including agricultural money. Photo-op: You pound ears of corn into the gas tank of a Prius, then set the whole thing on fire.
Day Four: Play golf. In the afternoon you announce US withdrawal from UN. Announce closing of UN in New York and invite them to set up in Kenya or Iceland. For a photo-op that evening you catch two drunk Coraguyayan ambassadors coming out of a dance club and toss them into their double-parked limos by the scruff of the neck.
Day Five: Live press conference where you shoot at the press with a paintgun while answering any question with "Tough shit."
Day Six: Start the issuing of 1,000,000 pardons for all gun law violators, drug violators, tax law violators, et. For a photo-op you toss a tax cheat and a medical marijuana inmate out of the front gate of a Virginia Federal Prison by the scruff of the neck.
Day Seven: Abolish the IRS and institute the Fair Tax. Announce the end of 70% of foreign aid. For a photo-op you toss a complete copy of the tax code from the top of the Washington Monument. That night a Marine helicopter carrier off Zimbawe sends a team to kill Mugabe's presidential guard and turn he and his cabinet over to the crowd outside.
Second Week: For a photo-op you pound a handmade sign in the yard outside the Whitehouse that reads: "Want Something? Apply inside." You abolish the BATFE and auction all contents of federal evidence rooms on Gunbroker. Photo-op: You nail a copy of the Bill of Rights on the doors of the Supreme Court.
I ove the way this guy blogs and am hoping one day to live the kind of life he writes about.....hiking the woods, shooting a ton of ammo and various varmits. Seems like we could do with this bit of common sense in our world today. Thank you, Blackfork, for living the dream, and writing about it for us. oh, and i just can't get enuff of the christmas card you posted from days gone by!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
the end of another year
greetings, all!
hope this missive finds all well in your respective worlds. merry christmas, happy hannuckah, and happy new year. hope you have a peaceful transition into the next bit of life, tomorrow being the beginning of the next phase of time....
we'll get a new president in a few weeks, good luck to us all on that note!!
hopefully the business part of our bar life gets busier than it has been these last few weeks. the economy has sure hit us in the service industry pretty hard. we too have struggled to make the ends meet.
my personal life has made a turn toward the good this year, with the rev's and my discovery of each other. we've weathered a few squalls and have come thru them, i think this bodes well for our future together! i may have a new gig next year, but i'm going to play that pretty close to the vest for now....don't want to jinx it! the rev continues to do well at her job and we look forward to the next bit of life, we 't wait to see what the new year brings!
thanks for listening and as i've said before i'll try to keep this up to date for all to keep up.
hope this missive finds all well in your respective worlds. merry christmas, happy hannuckah, and happy new year. hope you have a peaceful transition into the next bit of life, tomorrow being the beginning of the next phase of time....
we'll get a new president in a few weeks, good luck to us all on that note!!
hopefully the business part of our bar life gets busier than it has been these last few weeks. the economy has sure hit us in the service industry pretty hard. we too have struggled to make the ends meet.
my personal life has made a turn toward the good this year, with the rev's and my discovery of each other. we've weathered a few squalls and have come thru them, i think this bodes well for our future together! i may have a new gig next year, but i'm going to play that pretty close to the vest for now....don't want to jinx it! the rev continues to do well at her job and we look forward to the next bit of life, we 't wait to see what the new year brings!
thanks for listening and as i've said before i'll try to keep this up to date for all to keep up.
Monday, December 15, 2008
is it monday already?
howdy all, i can't keep apologizing for missing days, so i 'll pre-apologize right now. done, and done.
had a bit of a busy weekend, i guess... just spent time with the rev until she had to go to work on saturday and then a good buddy, craig showed up from his latest adventures in computer fix-it land. he was in hollyweird for the last few days and had a few good stories to tell,.. ended up having a few too many drinks...as if there was such a thing!!! closed the bar metz 2, at 2am then went for last call at my other bar, the one horse saloon. my partner, t.k. niceley, was there and when we closed up at three we went over to his pad and had a few more....next thing we know the dang sun is coming up!! nice how time flys when you are with good people and telling good lies.
we slept for a few hours and missed church (brunch!) but we went and said howdy to the girls at the brunch joint anyway. they're a fun crew and are as glad to see us as we are them. great food at their joint, caribbean jack's, a good view of the river and marina and always some unusual people watching. it's been kinda sad for the folks in the service industy here in town this year and when we get to spend some tips on good service we enjoy it. they appreciate it, too, as do we, when they stop by our place. seems like that $10 dollar bill just keeps bouncing from bar to bar to bar........
the rev had her slowest night yet last night...just 2 people for a couple of hours at one point. she called and said that she'd cleaned all the bottles and glasses in the place, wiped the coolers out, stocked everything she could, and now what was she supposed to do?? i told her to read a bit, but she allowed as how she forgot her book on the bedside table, well, bummer, just then a local guy showed up and she was, at least, not all alone in the bar. the package store guy is there, too, but he's on his side of the store and she's on her's. like i said, it's been slow here, and if not for our locals, we'd all starve and be on the streets.
got a comment from GUYK over at CHARMING, JUST CHARMING this morning, thanks, GUYK! i wondered if you'd ever end up here and glad to see you. i always read your "bit of wit and shit". now all i gotta do is figure out how to link him and get his blog and all the others i read on my reading list.....i'm not too savvy on these dang 'puters, so it'll take me a bit to get it just right. hope the link works.....
off to work earlier this mornin', did some bit off whiskey ordering and such, got a bartender that's getting surgery on her shoulder in a couple of weeks, so need to find a fill-in for while she's away for the next 6-8 weeks. know any good, honest, likeable suspects? got a couple of nibbles, but if you know someone, send 'em to me.
metz 2
2136 s. atlantic ave. (a1a)
daytona beach shores (in the winn dixie plaza)
386-252-1625
tell 'em i'll look at their application and if the fit is right i'll call 'em and set an interview.
i suppose i need to clean the filter on the pool and get some bleach from the pool joint, maybe do some housework and get some dinner going for the rev, she's back in the pit at 6pm so i better get my trottin' harness on.
guess that's all for now, hope you all have a great day and i'll be back for more later.
had a bit of a busy weekend, i guess... just spent time with the rev until she had to go to work on saturday and then a good buddy, craig showed up from his latest adventures in computer fix-it land. he was in hollyweird for the last few days and had a few good stories to tell,.. ended up having a few too many drinks...as if there was such a thing!!! closed the bar metz 2, at 2am then went for last call at my other bar, the one horse saloon. my partner, t.k. niceley, was there and when we closed up at three we went over to his pad and had a few more....next thing we know the dang sun is coming up!! nice how time flys when you are with good people and telling good lies.
we slept for a few hours and missed church (brunch!) but we went and said howdy to the girls at the brunch joint anyway. they're a fun crew and are as glad to see us as we are them. great food at their joint, caribbean jack's, a good view of the river and marina and always some unusual people watching. it's been kinda sad for the folks in the service industy here in town this year and when we get to spend some tips on good service we enjoy it. they appreciate it, too, as do we, when they stop by our place. seems like that $10 dollar bill just keeps bouncing from bar to bar to bar........
the rev had her slowest night yet last night...just 2 people for a couple of hours at one point. she called and said that she'd cleaned all the bottles and glasses in the place, wiped the coolers out, stocked everything she could, and now what was she supposed to do?? i told her to read a bit, but she allowed as how she forgot her book on the bedside table, well, bummer, just then a local guy showed up and she was, at least, not all alone in the bar. the package store guy is there, too, but he's on his side of the store and she's on her's. like i said, it's been slow here, and if not for our locals, we'd all starve and be on the streets.
got a comment from GUYK over at CHARMING, JUST CHARMING this morning, thanks, GUYK! i wondered if you'd ever end up here and glad to see you. i always read your "bit of wit and shit". now all i gotta do is figure out how to link him and get his blog and all the others i read on my reading list.....i'm not too savvy on these dang 'puters, so it'll take me a bit to get it just right. hope the link works.....
off to work earlier this mornin', did some bit off whiskey ordering and such, got a bartender that's getting surgery on her shoulder in a couple of weeks, so need to find a fill-in for while she's away for the next 6-8 weeks. know any good, honest, likeable suspects? got a couple of nibbles, but if you know someone, send 'em to me.
metz 2
2136 s. atlantic ave. (a1a)
daytona beach shores (in the winn dixie plaza)
386-252-1625
tell 'em i'll look at their application and if the fit is right i'll call 'em and set an interview.
i suppose i need to clean the filter on the pool and get some bleach from the pool joint, maybe do some housework and get some dinner going for the rev, she's back in the pit at 6pm so i better get my trottin' harness on.
guess that's all for now, hope you all have a great day and i'll be back for more later.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
cold wet days
short post today, sorry i missed yesterday. just hung out at home mostly both days. poor weather the last couple of days here...we both hurt quite a bit when the weather gets cold, so the bed and the comforter and a good book are key to keeping sane. i went to work for a bit this morning and then went for a new plug wire for the bike. the rev took me to dinner at carabba's (great food!), and now we're at home watching the bears beat up on the rev's team, the new orleans ain'ts. doesn't look good for the guys from the big easy, to cold, i figure. but we'll stick with them til the bitter cold end. if they win they have to keep winning for the rest of the season to make the playoffs. if they lose, well, next year is another season. hope all is well with your world, and i'll talk more tomorrow, if i can.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
nice quiet tuesday
greetings, all, got just a few hours of sleep this morning after drinking and writing 'til whenever. the rev bounced on the bed at 10 in a great mood and we went off on the bike to have some breakfast. got to Mike's Galley down in the shores and he was closed. now this was quite a letdown as Mike is a truly great baker. his bread and other doughy concoctions are the top of the line here in daytona. if you get a chance to check his place out, do it. you won't be disappointed, he's in the captain's quarters, just a few blocks south of dunlawton. right on the beach and just 15 or 20 chairs, but, the grub is plentiful and excellent!! well, next we went up to the new new york bagel joint and they were closed, too. strike two. so the next place north was the cracked egg, "under new management". not bad, and the folks were really nice. herself wanted eggs benedict from the time we left the house so that's what she had, i ordered your basic biscuit sammich. couldn't eat a bite, i think i was still feeling the effects of the sailor!!
damn, why are we always out of rum? because i drink it. we stopped at the boothill saloon for a pbr and found a few folks from our own bar there. she had a couple of beers and found a free jagbomb cup in the tourpack, then my buddy, brian, the tree conservation guy(read, tree trimmer) showed up and the next thing we know another and then another friend came in. we had a few more drinks than we planned, but it was good to catch up with folks we only see every now and then.
then to the appliance part guys for parts to the dryer. got what we needed for 30 bucks and a smile, better than a new dryer!! by the way, i learned a few years back from a great friend of mine, mike rotton, that if it's already broken...taking it apart to see if you can figure out how to fix it costs nothing. so i've over-come my fear of taking broken stuff apart, and this time it payed off. later in the day i finished replacing the fuse and other relay gizmo and, viola! the dryer works again. 30 bucks is way better than a few hundred for a new one. on the way home, we tried to stop by DL's place but he wouldn't answer the gate, so we went over to the circus for a brew or two, then back home for a nap before the rev had to get to work. she got there safely, i came home and read some, watched a bit of tube finally ate my breakfast sammich. and nodded off after reading for a few minutes. the alarm went off at 125am and i went to the bar and as usual, it was a "full moon over the metz", just your usual gays and lesbians selebrating thier coming "sick" day and the odd tourist or two. so here we are relaxing at the pad and i thought i'd jot a few words. gonna ride to st aug tomorrow, maybe, and i'll fill you in on it after. have a great wednesday!
damn, why are we always out of rum? because i drink it. we stopped at the boothill saloon for a pbr and found a few folks from our own bar there. she had a couple of beers and found a free jagbomb cup in the tourpack, then my buddy, brian, the tree conservation guy(read, tree trimmer) showed up and the next thing we know another and then another friend came in. we had a few more drinks than we planned, but it was good to catch up with folks we only see every now and then.
then to the appliance part guys for parts to the dryer. got what we needed for 30 bucks and a smile, better than a new dryer!! by the way, i learned a few years back from a great friend of mine, mike rotton, that if it's already broken...taking it apart to see if you can figure out how to fix it costs nothing. so i've over-come my fear of taking broken stuff apart, and this time it payed off. later in the day i finished replacing the fuse and other relay gizmo and, viola! the dryer works again. 30 bucks is way better than a few hundred for a new one. on the way home, we tried to stop by DL's place but he wouldn't answer the gate, so we went over to the circus for a brew or two, then back home for a nap before the rev had to get to work. she got there safely, i came home and read some, watched a bit of tube finally ate my breakfast sammich. and nodded off after reading for a few minutes. the alarm went off at 125am and i went to the bar and as usual, it was a "full moon over the metz", just your usual gays and lesbians selebrating thier coming "sick" day and the odd tourist or two. so here we are relaxing at the pad and i thought i'd jot a few words. gonna ride to st aug tomorrow, maybe, and i'll fill you in on it after. have a great wednesday!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
she's so mad right now, but she might be asleep, so...if i'm quiet and contrite...i might get a hug and kiss
Ok, so, things are gonna get in-tents (like boyscouts!) right off the bat... the REV is a person who actually had someone tell her and throw a weapon at her to go ahead and shoot him. She did. And for all the right reasons. He beat her, he was not a good man. Jerk lived...father of her children....all that it entails...trial ensued. She's a local personality (then on the radio) so the local news is all over it. The jury finds her NOT GUILTY. Now, a few years later...we meet...fall in love...our time so far has been spent in a figuring out process. She's got 3 kids, she can't see them... I have no experience with kids... besides everything else that I have no experience with! I was with the same girl for near 20 years before this. (divorced in '07) She (the ex) didn't have the same relationship with her kids that the REV has. The REV is one of the most vibrant people I've ever met. She's quick, witty, smart, well read, polite, kind, nice, amazing, smart, challenging, smart, unruly, pirate, stubborn, Taurian, funny(not queer, funny, haha, with a little bit of queer) smart, did I already say that? The REV is the one. It took me nigh on 25 years to get the fact that the REV was who I was looking for. Testing the rest, waiting for the big knock in the noggin! I tried to get it right....maybe i tried too hard. (ok, i can't remember to capitalize my capitals!) from now on i won't try. bear with me. she's so unusual, tonight, after the bar, we had a conversation about personal carry options (gun) at the bar. we've had a few gun talks before... and a friend gave her a neat little raven to carry. where we live, you gotta have a permit to carry tucked(concealed), however, you don't need one to carry open at your "work or place of business". the talk tonight was all about her right to carry at all. i think she did the right thing in her past situation...i want her to realize that her life has moved on. i was trying to explain to her that for a few $$ and a safety class she could carry tucked at work, and if at any time she felt uncomfortable, un-tucked. well, this opened the door, the conversation from hell. she allowed as how i didn't really know the ramifications of the options...as if, (i'm a carrier for 15 yrs)i couldn't grasp her situation. true.,..i couldn't. but i was trying to give her the new options and she went on & on about how i couldn't understand her past. of course i couldn't. i've never (and hope never to)shoot anyone. that's the whole point of concealed carry...you have to be aware and more alert to the crazy, idiotic, unruly, drunk, drugged, unexpected people in your life. you have to choose to be part of the solution, not the problem. but the talk dis-integrated to "you don't under stand" and i tried to explain that i truly couldn't understand her perspective, not having been though anything near what she'e gone through. stubborn... did i mention smart? so, i'm having a few rums (3/4 oz of sailor jerry, and a ginger back)she's gone to bed after a shower, and i love the smell of clean girl. i'm drinking and blogging right now and am glad for it. thanks for listening.............today, is another day. i can't wait to read the comments. so far my sis, her man, and me da, his lady and me ma, her man and herself (the REV) know about my blog. whew, i hope i never hear the end of this....
Monday, December 8, 2008
My 100
1. Started your own blog. (Today!!)
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyworld.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. (and flowers, and herbs...)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. (Both)
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.(trying.....)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.(I like to buy for service men and women! Thanks, Troops!)
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted drawn.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain. 53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China. (my Dad has!)
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving. (out of a perfectly good airplane!??!!??)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.(or twenty)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. (sorry, Mom)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.(Maybe)
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyworld.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables. (and flowers, and herbs...)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. (Both)
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.(trying.....)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.(I like to buy for service men and women! Thanks, Troops!)
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted drawn.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain. 53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China. (my Dad has!)
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving. (out of a perfectly good airplane!??!!??)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.(or twenty)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. (sorry, Mom)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.(Maybe)
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.
#1 on the 100 list
Holy Crap! What a pain in the butt it is trying to set this thing up....now I realize why all of my regular haunts on Blogger complain so much about it. Oh, well, it's up in it's basic form. That's about all I can say for now, except I've done one more thing on the hundred list. I'll post the rest of my "accomplishments" shortly. With luck this will continue to be a place to vent, learn and grow in my future writing. I'll try to have something to say every day or so, but until I figure out how to add links and such it'll be slow going. Thanks for stopping by and I'll write soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
