Adventure through life

Traders Talk back to Occupy Chicago

2011-10-29T16:58:00.001-06:00

We are Wall Street. It’s our job to make money. Whether it’s a commodity, stock, bond, or some hypothetical piece of fake paper, it doesn’t matter. We would trade baseball cards if it were profitable. I didn’t hear America complaining when the market was roaring to 14,000 and everyone’s 401k doubled every 3 years. Just like gambling, its not a problem until you lose. I’ve never heard of anyone going to Gamblers Anonymous because they won too much in Vegas.
Well now the market crapped out, & even though it has come back somewhat, the government and the average Joes are still looking for a scapegoat. God knows there has to be one for everything. Well, here we are.
Go ahead and continue to take us down, but you’re only going to hurt yourselves. What’s going to happen when we can’t find jobs on the Street anymore? Guess what: We’re going to take yours. We get up at 5am & work until 10pm or later. We’re used to not getting up to pee when we have a position. We don’t take an hour or more for a lunch break. We don’t demand a union. We don’t retire at 50 with a pension. We eat what we kill, and when the only thing left to eat is on your dinner plates, we’ll eat that.
For years teachers and other unionized labor have had us fooled. We were too busy working to notice. Do you really think that we are incapable of teaching 3rd graders and doing landscaping? We’re going to take your cushy jobs with tenure and 4 months off a year and whine just like you that we are so-o-o-o underpaid for building the youth of America. Say goodbye to your overtime, and double time and a half. I’ll be hitting grounders to the high school baseball team for $5k extra a summer, thank you very much.
So now that we’re going to be making $85k a year without upside, Joe Mainstreet is going to have his revenge, right? Wrong! Guess what: we’re going to stop buying the new 80k car, we aren’t going to leave the 35 percent tip at our business dinners anymore. No more free rides on our backs. We’re going to landscape our own back yards, wash our cars with a garden hose in our driveways. Our money was your money. You spent it. When our money dries up, so does yours.
The difference is, you lived off of it, we rejoiced in it. The Obama administration and the Democratic National Committee might get their way and knock us off the top of the pyramid, but it’s really going to hurt like hell for them when our fat a**es land directly on the middle class of America and knock them to the bottom.
We aren’t dinosaurs. We are smarter and more vicious than that, and we are going to survive. The question is, now that Obama & his administration are making Joe Mainstreet our food supply…will he? and will they?”

Revolution went from violent overthrow to co-opting the system - Daily Inter Lake: Frank

2011-08-28T11:25:00.000-06:00

Revolution went from violent overthrow to co-opting the system - Daily Inter Lake: Frank: Does any legitimate authority really think that communists
targeted the U.S. public education system as a means to transform
the American char…

Is this the truth or what?????

2011-07-01T19:42:00.002-06:00

Obama Administration Passes DREAM ACT by Executive Memo « Hot Air

2011-06-26T09:43:00.000-06:00

Obama Administration Passes DREAM ACT by Executive Memo « Hot Air

This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here » Blog Archive » I wouldn’t invade Nepal if I were you

2011-06-03T22:12:00.000-06:00

This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here » Blog Archive » I wouldn’t invade Nepal if I were you

YouTube - C-SPAN Airs Senator Rubio's Commencement Address to Ave Maria Law School Graduates

2011-05-30T10:09:00.000-06:00

YouTube - C-SPAN Airs Senator Rubio's Commencement Address to Ave Maria Law School Graduates

How To Hunt Elephants « Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated

2011-05-29T13:32:00.000-06:00

How To Hunt Elephants « Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated

Mr. President, Was This Book Really Necessary? | The Blog on Obama: White House Dossier

2011-05-28T20:57:00.000-06:00

Some days it just falls into your lap. . .

Mr. President, Was This Book Really Necessary? | The Blog on Obama: White House Dossier

Patterico's Pontifications » Rep. Anthony Weiner Selectively Edits Himself

2011-05-28T15:10:00.000-06:00

Can you believe this guy?

Patterico's Pontifications » Rep. Anthony Weiner Selectively Edits Himself

Time to stand up!

2011-03-25T20:48:00.000-06:00

Hear it here, the people of the world are standing up against those who "feel" they know what is best for everyone. The world is at war: Germany, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi!

THIS IS WHAT OUR SOLDIERS HAVE FOUGHT FOR!!!!!

Call your political representative to stand up for freedom! In the US, you may see peace but, there are those throughout the world that are sacrificing their lives for freedom. Our government needs to stand up against these Nazis (that's what they are) they are Nazis that are trying their best to control the people of the world. the murder of those who believe in true freedom will not be trampled into the dirt! It is time for us to speak! it is time for us with training and vision to stand up and tell those we have elected to take a stand for freedom!

The world's freedom depends upon our voice. . . it is your duty. It is your families duty. . .speak

Ha Ha!!!!

2011-03-15T17:48:00.002-06:00

Egypt; the beginning of WWIII

2011-01-30T20:28:00.002-07:00

If Egypt becomes an Islamist state they will cut off access to the Suez Canal. If the canal is cut off the United Sates will have no choice but to enter Egypt and take the canal. No other force on the earth has the resources to do this job to save the present standard of living for the world. We are closer to the brink of WWIII than at any time in history.

I do not want civil discourse

2011-01-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

In a Breath of Fresh Air this narrative helps our week begin:

I do not want civil discourse

Armor: Why The Enemy Flees At The Sight Of VOSS

2011-01-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm talking Bout!!!:
Armor: Why The Enemy Flees At The Sight Of VOSS

YouTube - Skateboarding Dog

2011-01-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have to try out this new linking tool: YouTube - Skateboarding Dog

Shooting rampage victim arrested at ABC-TV town hall meeting - KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & Sports

2011-01-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Please tell me when this all stops! Shooting rampage victim arrested at ABC-TV town hall meeting - KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & Sports

Belmont Club » Is Democracy Cool Again?

2011-01-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

Belmont Club » Is Democracy Cool Again?

Death threat at ABC-TV Town Hall event Saturday - KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & Sports

2011-01-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Death threat at ABC-TV Town Hall event Saturday - KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & Sports

Who are these People who don't like "Christmas"?

2010-12-28T16:46:00.001-07:00

Hitler believed religion had no place in his 1,000-year Reich, so he replaced the Christian figure of Saint Nicholas with the Norse god Odin and urged Germans to celebrate the season as a holiday of the ‘winter solstice’, rather than Christmas.

http:////www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1341272/Hitlers-Christmas-party-Rare-photographs-capture-leading-Nazis-celebrating-1941.html

Socialism and Reality

2010-10-31T19:22:00.000-06:00

October 25, 2010
Socialism and Reality
By Steve McCann
The images on the television screen emanating from Europe are a sobering reminder that socialism has failed wherever it has been tried and will always do so despite the best efforts of the die-hard true believers. The riots in the streets of France and Greece, the announced layoffs of nearly 500,000 government employees in the United Kingdom, and the potential national bankruptcy of Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Portugal are the current face of this failure.

Yet within the halls of power in Washington, D.C. there is a socialist/progressive cabal, and its titular leader Barack Obama, oblivious to this reality. These ideologues continue to cling to the belief that they have a unique ability to succeed where so many others have failed. The egocentric American Left know no bounds, and their determination to impose their will upon the United States has not and will not abate despite the results of any election.

Having been raised to believe in their preordinance to rule and incubated in an environment of national peace, prosperity, and a lack of adversity, these adherents to a powerful central government, with themselves at the controls, are incapable of change and admitting failure despite overwhelming current and historical evidence.

The original and present-day proponents of socialism fail to take into account one very basic but immutable factor: the fundamental nature of the human race as manifested in the industrial age. The most dominant trait mankind has, as do all living creatures, is an innate desire to survive and prosper.

While some may willingly choose to pursue subsistence on their own terms, to the majority of the human race, the path of least resistance is the most desired. Thus, mankind is susceptible to financial scams, gambling, crime, and resentment or violence towards those who may have more. But above all, many people are very open to the concept of a central authority providing them with the means of livelihood with no thought as to the how (the public-sector unions being the most egregious current example).

A secondary characteristic of human race, and the most dangerous, is the need by some to conquer or maintain total control over their fellow man. Lust for power has always been with us.

The mid-19th century saw the industrial revolution and the rise in living standards and education for the populace in Europe. It was during this same period that socialist/Marxist theory appeared. Those who considered themselves superior to the masses, and in the past may have achieved ruling status through the power of intimidation over the illiterate and unwashed, now had to look to other means to achieve control of the levers of governing.

The easiest course to assume this power was to promise, in return for the support of the people, that the state, through a new ruling class, would provide the citizenry cradle-to-grave economic security. Thus, a Faustian bargain encompassing the desire by the majority for ease of survival and others for the need to rule was entered into. The populace, having committed itself to this compact, would expect never-ending freedom from adversity.

However, within this arrangement is the seed of its own destruction. For socialism to succeed, it must have an economic underpinning that can provide the foundation for massive social spending. The Soviet Union, as early as the 1920s and '30s, proved that complete state control of the means of production was a colossal failure, as it could not produce sufficient wealth to support the population, and their version of socialism (Communism) had to be enforced at the point of a gun or by starvation.

Only the capitalist economic system, which is anathema to a powerful central government and its attendant oligarchy, can produce sufficient wealth necessary to underwrite a social safety net for the general public, promulgate upward mobility, and finance the security of any nation.

Capitalism, reflective of that portion of mankind choosing to seek subsistence on their own terms, does by its nature celebrate the success of the individual, not the collective. Individuals, separately or together, driven by the motive of self-enrichment, produce goods or services desired by others. In the process, jobs and wealth are created, thus benefiting society as a whole.

A massive tension exists between those who adhere to central government control and swear fealty to socialist philosophy and those who produce the wealth of a nation. As the state inherently has more power than the individual, once socialist doctrine dominates the ruling class, government begins a relentless process of injecting itself into the affairs of the individual and producer class.

Those who believe they have a manifest destiny to rule and are faithful to socialist tenets have an overwhelming egocentric psyche and a predisposition to control the populace and economic activity through laws, regulations, taxes, intimidation, and in extreme cases, outright force. The result is the inexorable march toward state control of the economy. Despite the history of failure, every new generation of adherents to socialist ideology believe that they can make this arrangement work and maintain their unwritten agreement with the citizenry.

But the reality is that they cannot, as the economic engine of capitalism will not continue to produce wealth if it is increasingly put under the thumb of bureaucrats and central planners inevitably attempting not only to institute governmental management of the economy, but also to regulate the day-to-day activities of all citizens. The motivation of the producer class will be stifled, and they will either drop out, join the dependent class, or simply move on to other, more hospitable countries -- a reality more in play than ever in today's global economy.

In due course, centralized governments will, as history has shown, turn to excessive and unsustainable borrowing, as well as inflation, to finance their societal obligations. The contract between the statists and the citizens who were promised cradle-to-grave security cannot be maintained, as the economic underpinning of this arrangement will quickly erode.

Social and economic chaos resulting in dramatically lower standard of living must inevitably ensue, and in some cases, these circumstances will lead to violence or revolution. No amount of promises, demonization of capitalism, seizure of the means of production, takeover of the media, confiscatory taxes, or printing of money will reinstitute prosperity or security for the populace. These desperate actions serve only to accelerate the downward spiral.

Within the United States, because of the socialist indoctrination of the governing class, this process is well on its way and will culminate, if not stopped now, in the end of this nation as an economic and military power.

The founding fathers of the United States, one of the greatest confluences of brilliant minds in the history of mankind, understood the basic nature of human beings. They accordingly set forth a form of government and written Constitution to greatly limit those who seek hegemony over the people and to limit the ability of the people to seek unlimited security from a central government. They recognized that only the individual free to pursue economic happiness will result in a society wherein all can benefit on a sustained basis.

President Obama and his minions represent the greatest threat to the United States since its founding. The images of failure from around the globe must not be lost on the American citizens. They must understand that the country's destiny rests in utilizing the governmental structure bequeathed to them by the founders to strip away, as quickly as possible, the power expropriated by today's ruling class.

The winning of elections is tantamount. However, there must also be a concurrent resolve to purge the destructive and delusional philosophy of socialism from the institutions of government. Only then can the United States avoid the fate looming over the horizon.

The Media will do ANYTHING to Destroy the America We Know and Love!

2010-10-31T08:40:00.000-06:00

Who Am I?

2010-10-28T06:21:00.000-06:00

You are a
Social Moderate
(56% permissive)

and an...
Economic Conservative
(75% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Capitalist

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Fall is Here

2010-09-19T05:46:00.000-06:00

She's the Next President!

2010-09-17T18:51:00.001-06:00

I just watched her in Iowa! SHE IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!

Muslims are not just killers they are haters of everyone and everything! Risks of Female Masturbation According to Islamic Teachings

2010-09-17T15:16:00.001-06:00

This is why I don't understand why every person in the United States isn't trying to drive these animals out of our country and world.

Written by a Friend, Mostly Cajun

2010-09-11T21:02:00.003-06:00

Still seething with righteous wrath…

An old post. Oh, hell, a bunch of old posts. The text is from last year.
9/11/01 – Three Years Later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
I went to work this morning. I had a pleasant day. We had a little technical hurdle to jump, but it’s something I’ve got quite a bit of experience in, so it was a little jump. I enjoyed talking to my co-workers. I did what my employer desires of me. At the end of the day, I got in my car and drove home.
Eight years ago almost three thousand Americans did exactly what you and I do every day. They left their homes to go to work. Some of them were likely NOT happy about it. Some of them were. And likely, some were indifferent. They left home, though, fully expecting to be back there at the end of the day.
It didn’t happen that way. Nineteen followers of a pedophile prophet decided that their version of religion called upon them to attack the innocent. They ended their lives by murdering three thousand of our countrymen who’d done no more than go to work in the wrong place.
There are those among us now who wish to talk to these enemies of America. They wrongly think that if we just sit down at the table with these murderous thugs then we can reach a consensus and they’ll see how peaceful we really are and stop attacking us.
Our enemies really want that we should all start lining up in the public square and bouncing our heads off the pavement five times a day. We should make our women wear burqas and become chattel to their husbands. We should shut down TV and movies except for programs approved by our new mullahs, and we should turn our churches into mosques.
They desire that we give up the whole tenet of law that brought Europe out of the Dark Ages and turn our legal system over to a set of rules as determined by mullahs with their heads firmly in the year 700 AD, who see that stoning is a fitting punishment for a girl holding hands in public. The same Americans who champion the “rights” of gays, lesbians and transgenders will happily talk about compromise with Muslims whose religion requires stoning for the same groups, oddly enough while allowing the marriage of pre-teen girls to old men.
I apologize not for these statements. The Muslim religionists, if allowed to carry their religion’s tenets to their logical conclusion, end up with a 7th-century society. Many of the ill-informed among us want to talk about the “Golden Age” of Islam, and they fail to understand that ALL that was propounded during these years was the result of learning that Islam captured from the societies it conquered. They took the golden eggs, then killed the intellectual geese that laid them. After the “Golden Age” petered out, Islam went into decline. Any advances enjoyed by Islamic society today is almost entirely the result of the work of other societies.
America’s homeland has not been attacked in eight years since 9/11/2001. The military side of me says that there are stories behind this success that we won’t know about for years. There are some, like the breaking of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, that we know only in part, and most Americans lack the understanding to realize the depth that is behind the little stories we see.
Apparently, for eight years we’ve been right. Realize, though, that one facet of asymmetrical warfare is that we have to be right EVERY time, but they only have to be right once. Who knows when the one lapse will be a cobbled-together low-tech lash-up of an atomic bomb, too big and ugly to deliver by plane, but not a bad load for one of a few thousand trucks coming over the border from Mexico, headed for Houston or Los Angeles.
I am also confident that for years the national intelligence assets have been playing stupid for the press. Us old soldiers know that it’s a lot easier to get a good hit in when your enemy thinks you’re a bunch of goofy bas*ards, helped along by your friendly media and the helpful idiots in Congress. Still, all it takes is a lucky punch. One lucky punch.
And Obama in the White House? He’s either an apostate Muslim, which they hate, or a useless tool who thinks that he can talk and lawyer his way through. And either way, it doesn’t look good, and that puts us back into the opening of this little post: One day you go to work, thinking it’s another fine day, and you’ll be home in the evening…

I'm Almost Getting Tired

2010-08-01T00:25:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy summer; Travel, Cozumel, Indiana, Wyoming. As it rolls on to fall in 4 short weeks I get more excited. Honestly, I don't think I have ever had more fun than I have had in the last year. I still have trout fishing in Wyoming coming up. Snow Skiing in South Dakota Wyoming and Colorado around the corner and finally a quick trip to Florida to see a real American hero.

Cozumel Bound

2010-06-26T05:30:00.000-06:00

Morning has started off fine. Made it through security just fine. We are all on edge but trying to maintain some semblance of decorum with each other. The Rapid Airport is small with just 8 gates and of those this morning there are only two needed. Our first leg is to Chicago. They over booked the flight and I would take the buy off but we have luggage worries so we passed.

True Secret Red Beans and Rice Recipe

2010-05-07T19:31:00.001-06:00

I have eaten "Red Beans and Rice" around the world. I have eaten "Red Beans and Rice" in New Orleans, Okinawa, Texas, Indiana, Mexico, California and even South Dakota. If I were to pick the finest place to have eaten Red Beans and Rice it would be Nicholas Junior High in Biloxi Mississippi but, Nicholas is no longer here so I've thought this over for several years and just never really wanted to reveal what it took to make "great" Red Beans and Rice but I will tell you now. See, the truth is that Red Beans and Rice, that you eat in New Orleans or Pop-eye's Chicken and other joints is not the Red Beans and Rice that Southerners eat. Those fake dishes are made with real Red Beans to please the people who "think" Red Beans are used to make "Red Beans and Rice". "Red Beans and Rice" is a recipe that does not involve "Red" beans. True "Red Beans and Rice" is made with Pinto Beans. Nobody eats Red Beans in "Red Beans and Rice". Red Beans are too damn hard all the time. The name is a "misleader" much like the names Iceland and Greenland were intended to be. That way most of you will never make "Red Beans and Rice" that is as good as what a Southerner makes and the secret belongs to us.

Here is a recipe for true "Red Beans and Rice":

1 pound Pinto Beans (soak over night in lightly salted water)
2 rings of Polish Sausage sliced medium to thin (I like the sausage)
1 Jalapeño Pepper
1 whole Yellow Onion
1 Smoked Ham Hock
3 cups of Rice
1 bottle Tabasco
Dash of Salt
Black Pepper

Soak the Pinto Beans overnight and remove the rocks. Anything that doesn't float should be removed. Place in a large pot cover with water and add salt, Smoked Ham Hock, chopped Yellow Onion and sliced Jalapeño Pepper. Cook on medium heat until beans are soft and the Onion is gone. Add all the Polish Sausage and cook until warm. Prepare rice in a separate pot.

To Serve: Fill a bowl three quarters of the way with the Beans and Sausage. Use an Ice Cream scope and place a scope of Rice in the center of the Beans. Flavor the "Red beans and Rice" to your taste with Tabasco. Please do not visit me for 2 days after. This will serve 6 easy.

What Have You Gotten Into This Time?!

2010-05-01T06:37:00.001-06:00

Well, now I have done it. Yesterday, I left work a bit early, went home and decided to clean underneath the seats of my Miata. I know, most of you are thinking "why would anyone be so concerned about how clean the underside of a car seat is"? I wasn't but, this is still a new car for me and Mary mentioned tat she saw a golf ball under the passenger seat and could not reach it and I thought "ya know, I should really check this car out and make sure there is nothing in this car that could get me in trouble". See, when you drive through a military installation gate everyday you are honestly providing unquestionable consent to allow the military to search your vehicle. If they find something in your car you could be banned from the base, fired from your job and other bad kinds of things. In the past the Military Police had offered a free new vehicle search to members so they could be sure that the car was clean. I have neglected to have this done since buying the car in October thus, I was cleaning under the seats. I cleaned under the passenger side, found a golf ball, change a couple of shopping bags and some old post-it notes. I switched to the drivers side and slide my watched encrusted left hand under the seat. I could feel some change, grabbed it and tried to pull my hand out. It wasn't happening. My watch was preventing me from pulling my hand from under the seat! I was STUCK, Trapped, the big "You ain't goin nowhere"!

I was close to panicking but, like being close to throwing up, I calmed down and tried to think my way through this. I tried, for some time (only and estimate because I couldn't see my watch) like 15 minutes but no good. The watch latch would not come open and I couldn't slip my hand out moving the seat forward or back. I tried everything including removing the seat mounting bolts (my ratchet and sockets were within reach). Nothing worked. I was able to get to my cell phone and I tried to think about who I could call. I couldn't call Mary because she doesn't have a phone (her choice) and she couldn't have solved this issue anyway. I called my brother Mike, just to tell him how stupid I was (he was throwing discus with his buddy Mark. Yes, the Olympic type discus, don't ask. . I'll explain in a future posting). I texted several people and generally just burned time. Now I knew Tyler had finished his day at school and it was just across town (15 minute drive) so I called him and casually explained my predicament. Tyler said he was on his way. I sat there for some time (15 more minutes) and thought if through to myself about what Tyler could do and decided I needed more help so I called 911. I explained my predicament again, was transferred to the Fire Department, explained again and they said they would drive over to help. Well, as all thing happen, everyone showed up at the same time. Tyler pulled in the driveway (brought a buddy because you can't see something like this alone) the Paramedics pulled up in front of the house (no siren) followed by a really big fire truck (with a very loud siren) and behind them all, my wife Mary!

My son and Buddy were laughing while waving the Paramedics up to the garage, the Paramedics came running up to help. I explained my condition one more time and one of the Paramedics (who must have a lot of free workout time judging from their size) used my ratchet to break a seat bolt loose. Lifted that corner of the seat and I pulled my hand out. Relief all around! That's when Mary came up with her High School Math Teacher voice said "What is going on here"?! With guilt filled looks, me, Tyler, Tyler's friend Josh, 2 Paramedics all looked at Mary and shrugged our shoulders in the guilty stupid boy fashion. We were busted! In the end, I spent a good hour stuck am glad it's over and will be more careful in the future.

Need a Life

2010-03-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of my guitar with the computer camera. I then took a picture of the computer showing the picture taken with the computer camera with my camera. Pretty cool!

Red Lodge Montana

2010-02-21T20:38:00.003-07:00

We traveled to red Lodge Monatana over the long weekend. It was quite a drive. 440 miles of snow covered slushy roads. If you haven't been there you have missed a wonderful place. The ski area has some dated equipment but the quality of the snow and the absense of crowds made the trip worth it.

The town is much like Deadwood in appearance (minus the gambling). This was our first morning drive to the ski resort. You can see here wasn't much snow in town. That all changed later in the day when mother Nature decided to drop 11 inches of fresh powder on us.

The majority of the runs are intermediate and they only had 1 high speed lift. The top of the mountain was right at 9,400 feet so you could see quite a ways. We had a good time and probably the best dinner that could be had.

HEY OBAMA! CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

2010-01-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Scott brown won in Mass today. It is possible to now stop the socialist takeover of our country. Say a small prayer of thanks when you get the chance. This strike against the Progressive Socialist Party is a strike against the enslavement of our Nation. HEY OBAMA! CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

North Platte Nebraska

2009-12-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

We had to leave South Dakota a day early because of the weather. We were having freezing rain and the weather forecast had an ice storm slated for the entire run to Texas. We drove to North Platte NE and have called it a night. We have a room in the Ramada Inn. Not bad, clean but not the best. We just finished dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. That was an experience! Our "waiter" was either very new and left on his own or an idiot. The tattoo on the back of his neck said "Stout". I asked what beer they had on tap and had to endure two minutes of him squinting at the bar trying to read the tap labels. I finally got a Blue Moon ordered by has to ask for it by name since he had problems reading. Tyler and I ordered wings, Mary ordered a Dip Trio (avocado, queso and artichoke/ spinach). "Stout: returned after 10 minutes with Tyler and my order and then told us they were out of avocado dip. I asked him to simply bring us chips and queso. 5 minutes later he brought us chips. I asked him where the queso was and he said, "the chips are free, I don't even know what queso is". None-the-less, we had fun.

Obama Accepts Nobel Live Blog

2009-12-10T05:37:00.004-07:00

He is standing and blinking slowly. He appears very appreciative for the accolades he so richly deserves. A fiddle player/singer with messed up hair just bowed to him. Now MSNBC are making excuses for why Obama is there without having accomplished anything and that "in fact" he has done a bunch of stuff and it is all amazing including rising from no-where to a very well deserved stage appearance to recieve a medal for all the things he is going to do, one day, some time, later. The fiddle player/singer with messed hair is finished. HERE IS COMES!!!! So exciting! His telepromtors are working well. Oops, something must have happened. He must have lost his place. He's back. His wife looks angry. (I'll bet he fears her wrath!) He just admitted to being CC of a nation in two wars. He is explaining why the war can't be his fault. Last resort, just war, in restraint. Proud yet......new threats are causing the world to buckle. Michelle still looks angry. I'll bet she is on his ass most days. He is quoting MLK now and how he is a product of MLK. Oops, Gandi as well brought him here. Now he's on track: I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I. I raise this point, I begin this point. Uh oh! He just credited the US Military? This is his best speech, to date. He is defending his right to defend the nation. This isn't going over well in Norway. Wow! Peaceniks are going to hate this! He is losing the left FAST! Oops! Back to I,I,I,I,I,I,I, torture, Guantanamo bay, I,I,I,I,I,I,I. Not much clapping. I think (for the American audience) he is pulling this off. He is going to lose the world. He is talking about Human Rights? I am shocked! It sounds like he read the Presidential Playbook! He is even talking about the freedom movement in IRAN! We are on their side! Oh MY GOD! He is acknowledging FREEDOM! He must have been drinking. Well, now he's on Climate Change. Damn, I wish I could stick around but I have to head to work. I hope he stays on track. Good Luck America, good luck........

Live Blogging Obama

2009-12-01T18:09:00.005-07:00

I started live Blogging Obama's speech but "I" just can't get past the "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII........................." forever talking about himself. Now he's explaining why he could not make a timely decision. 30,000 troops! Less than asked for but President "I" knows more than others how many soldiers are needed. He is talking about why he was wise to oppose the Iraq war in front of young soldiers. In my opinion, telling them why their hero's wasted their lives in Iraq. He droned on for 25 minutes about nothing and now he is back to talking about how he prohibited torture and built a new alliance with the Muslim world. He's a fucking overblown ego.....He's back to talking about the US mistakes. Kind of a low brow clap just took place. There must be "Applause" signs. I have to say that I have never seen the Cadets so under-whelmed by a speaker. He he goes on his "I believe" track. Must be winding down. Sounds like the same song every time. Now looking directly at the TelePrompter. It's over.

Time to do some planning!

2009-08-29T20:56:00.002-06:00

Here is my idea: I want to do a vacation. I want to do it someplace warm with a beach and the chance to scuba dive. I want a vacation that is all-inclusive. That means ALL drinks, food, room, everything is included in one price. Now I have taken vacations like this with friends and they are out there. In Cozumel Mexico they have all-inclusive resorts that pander to families and are not that expensive. Cozumel is a good place because it is an island. As an island you don't have the riffraff that you have on the mainland begging or trying to rip you off. The last time I was on Cozumel (4 years ago) there was not a street you could not walk safely. The island has a large contingent of Mexican Military and a police force that is above reproach. There are many all-inclusive resorts that could meet anybody's needs. The prices do vary but I will determine a place that is cost effective for anyone and their family. If you are interested let me know but I am going to invite all the people I have known over the last 25 years. This will include: family, friends, military, political, co-workers and for some even ex-lovers (ha!). I would suggest you do the same. This is not to be construed as a "family" reunion but a reunion of friends and family because the people you hold as friends and family I would too, without judgement. Heck, I may not even like them but they are welcome to go. So....if there is something specific we should look for leave a comment and I will incorporate it in the search for the "All-Inclusive Friends and Family Vacation"!

So Many Years but So Right For Today!

2009-08-09T21:18:00.003-06:00

Is This a Declaration of War Against The American People?

2009-08-09T11:31:00.001-06:00

Senior White House adviser David Axelrod and deputy chief of staff Jim Messina told senators to focus on the insured and how they would benefit from “consumer protections” in the overhaul, such as ending the practice of denying insurance based on preexisting conditions and ensuring the continuity of coverage between jobs.

They showed video clips of the confrontational town halls that have dominated the media coverage, and told senators to do more prep work than usual for their public meetings by making sure their own supporters turn out, senators and aides said.

And they screened TV ads and reviewed the various campaigns by critics of the Democratic plan.

“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.

Gary Indiana

2009-07-02T06:10:00.002-06:00

I drove through Gary Indiana yesterday. It was sad to see an industrial area like that at a stand-still. It even appeared as if the trains were not running. On the road we passed a GM plant. I know that out new government has told us they have saved GM from shut-down but it sure looked shut-down to me. It was an assembly plant with a skeleton crew in the parking lot and no new cars in the yard. I starting to think someone has been lying about the severity of this financial crisis. Think about what is going on: The military mission in Iraq is forgotten even though we have 120,000 soldiers in-country, Iranians stand up for freedom and we turn our back on them, Honduras fights to preserve their democracy and our president sides with dictators to try and make them put their impeached president back into office, the economy is in shambles and the congress passes the largest spending bill in all of history using money we do not have. Who is running things? Has America passed on? Do we no longer have a Constitution that our elected officials stand behind? At what point will Americans stand up against this treatment of our nation by the thugs in office? When do we throw the bums out?

Welcome to Wyoming!

2009-04-11T07:40:00.002-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in some time. I could give you a thousand reasons but I won't. Lets just move forward. This weekend we are in White Pine Wyoming ski resort. Some friends found it and I have no idea how. This place is in the middle of nowhere! Look it up on google and try to follow a map to it. It looks wonderful and the cabin we are in is really nice. The TV doesn't work, the shower downstairs was broken (I fixed it) and the thermostat is really screwy and is set to drop down to the 50's every 6 hours. Here is a photo of Tyler and Keylen with the mountain in the background. The top of the mountain is 9500 feet so we are up there.

2009-03-03T17:21:00.002-07:00

This is the video Tyler took of me popping off of the rail in the Terrain Park. My back still hurts but I'll make it to PT tomorrow.

Tuscon Bound

2009-01-26T11:24:00.002-07:00

I am waiting for my flight in the Rapid City airport. I held off eating until I got to the airport because they "used" to have a full service eating establishment here. I have now discovered that the airport has replaced the full service restaurant with a half-hearted refrigerated sandwich shop. These are the same sandwiches you see in the local convenience store. Except the convenience store charges a reasonable price. These food souces wrapped in old bread are going for over $6.49 apiece! Well, got to walk through security.

Ashley

2009-01-09T19:01:00.008-07:00

My dog Ashley passed away this week. She wasn't much of a dog. She only weighed 8 pounds but she had a heart bigger than she was. When it's a pet we all try to convince ourselves than "it's just an animal" and not as important as a person and in some ways we are right. But when we lose the ones we love (and I have lost too many as of late) holding a pet is a great way to grieve and being just 8 pounds makes it even easier. Ashley and me had a routine. Back when I owned a business she got up every morning and went to work with me. There was nothing so disarming as having your puppy sit in a potential clients lap. If a baby was present she licked the baby. If it was a small child, she sat quietly in the child's lap. The real payoff with Ashley is how she regulated my life. My whole adult life I was briefed to drive a different route home, don't frequent the same stores, meet with the same people or follow any standard pattern of behavior. When I left the government all that changed and Ashley was the force that gave me consistancy. Ashley was the "setter of routine". If I wasn't in bed by 9 pm she stood and barked at me because she was more than ready at that time. Every night Ashley slept beneath the blanket, but on top of the sheet, between my legs. In the morning, I would get up, put on my workout clothes and walk to the kitchen for coffee. Every morning on the same place, on my right leg, in the hallway, Ashley would jump up and put her paws on my calf pushing me into the kitchen. I would pour my coffee, get her a snack and head downstairs to work out. Ashley would finish her snack, come downstairs and bark for me to spread a throw blanket on the couch for her to lay on. In the afternoon when I got home from work Ashley and me would walk around the neighborhood finding places to pee. It was the same routine every day. I miss the routine.

Sitting In Texas

2008-12-27T19:44:00.002-07:00

It's Saturday Night and I am watching UFC (Ultimate Fight Club) in San Angelo Texas. It's been fun up to this point. Tonight should go well. Most of the people that put on airs have given up and it's just a bunch of guys left. We will watch the fights and then play guitar again.

The World Falls Apart for the UAW

2008-12-15T17:10:00.002-07:00

They worked so hard. They have given so much. The leadership of the UAW was on the cusp of greatness and it looks like it is all tumbling down.

Through fundraising and donations the UAW brought the Congress into the Democratic Party’s fold. Within a very short time the Union’s election machine raised and donated more money to an election than at any time in the worlds history and that bought, I mean brought, our nation an “new” leader. Unlike leaders of the past. The big “O”. A Chicago leaders’ leader. Trained in the womb of Chicago’s best.

Soon Congress would reconvene with a new leader at the helm of the Executive branch. Someone easier to work with, who understands “tit for tat”. Someone that understands that we are all imperfect and that a little scratch under the table is part of doing business. Congress was on track to pass the Card Check bill bringing the Unions to a level of power never achieved in world history and then something happened. The economy collapsed. The bubble burst. The air escaped. People stopped spending on credit. New cars no longer rolled off the most expensive manufacturing lots in the world. Overnight the lifeblood of the Union was becoming endangered. What will happen if the Big 3 go down? What would happen if they allowed the auto companies to fall into the chasm of bankruptcy?

Contracts would be renegotiated. Wages would drop. Union leaders would again be forced to take care of themselves first and as a result union membership would fall. Bankruptcy and restructuring would only help the company, employees and nation. It would do nothing for the union. Another course of action must be found! BAILOUT! At all costs prevent BANKRUPTCY! The UAW has reached deep in their pockets and started calling in chits. Pelosi, Reid, the list goes on and on. Who have we bought? Who owes us? Then like a second strike of Lightning the ground explodes with the revelation of our, bought and paid for, Governor. So much money. So much time. To have reached the pinnacle of power only to slide back into the gutter from which they crawled.

What Have We Gotten Into?

2008-12-11T11:11:00.006-07:00

Obama’s hands are dirty. He is on the edge of being indicted along with Governor Rod Blagojevich, Illinois chief of staff John Harris, George Ryan (jailed Governor from Illinois), Antoin "Tony" Rezko (shared illegal real-estate dealings), Chris Kelly and John Wyma. Obama is has met with Federal Agents on several occasions to provide testimony on his background and associations in an attempt to be seated as the next Commander and Chief. His associations with terrorist like Bill Ayers and social radicals, of the likes of Reverend Wright, have caused severe angst within the Federal Government but the criminal association are beyond pale. It is apparent that our elected officials see the only way for our fragile democracy to survive is to put into place a government that is acceptable by the majority before Obama is forced to resign from “The Office of the President of the United States”. But Obama isn’t alone.

What about his wife Michelle? Has she and Obama partaken in the same undue influential positions like Blagojevich and his wife want too? Michelle was placed on the Board of the University of Chicago Hospital for $273,000 annually, not counting stock options and benefits, while having NO background in business. What was she bringing to the corporate table? How about her position with TreeHouse for over $123,000 annually in pay and benefits at the same time? Just look at it! All Rod did was ask that his wife get the same opportunities that Michelle had.

So what do we do? It’s a lot like riding a tiger, isn’t it? Where will this pair of tigers take our country?

Gateway Pundit: HAPPY VICTORY IN IRAQ DAY-- November 22, 2008

2008-11-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Gateway Pundit: HAPPY VICTORY IN IRAQ DAY-- November 22, 2008

Here Is What I Believe.

2008-11-05T18:55:00.004-07:00

I believe that the media has won the election for a radical socialist from Chicago. I believe that if you question what the media wants they will try everything they can to destroy you. I believe that even after you have lost the media will continue to attack you and your family. I believe most of our media talking-heads are under-educated pussy's that like to hear themselves talk. I pray that the American people start standing up and attacking the media that has attacked our way of life, our Right to Privacy and our Freedom of Speech. One day the media will pay for what they have done and I fully expect it will be via the hand that they have elected to our highest office. I will stand and watch when these media talking-heads are taken away by the Obama "Armed Citizen Forces". When they are gone we will replace them with Journalist. As you Sow, Shall you Reap.

I'm feeling better

2008-09-01T15:56:00.004-06:00

I was starting to worry that Obama was going to walk away with the election. I am very happy that I am much happier now. Obama, pretty much, slapped Hillary in the face and never vetted her for the VP position. This in turn led McCain to the realization that a woman leader would be beneficial to our nation. He was lucky and found a great lady and mom named Sarah Palin to fill the slot. As result of all these wonderful occurrences I cooked a 10 hour brisket in Sarah's name.

Here is Sarah and the Palin Brisket!

Chelsea's Great Vacation Adventure.

2008-07-30T19:50:00.001-06:00

What a good time! My neice Chelsea from Indiana came out to spend the week with us. The first day she was here she had me riding bikes all over the neighborhood. Yesterdat she had Tyler ride with her tyhrough the parks across town. We spent last night playing guitar on the deck with drinks and Chelsea and Tyler went to the late movie while the rest of us hit the bed. It has been non-stop FUN! Today we hit Mt. Rushmore, Hill City and Bear Country. Lunch was at the Hwy 16 Diner in Hill City and was very good. Tonight Tyler and Chelsea are watching movies. Mary and Mom are watching "America has Talent" and I am working on more constructive things.

I saw a Badger today

2008-07-24T20:59:00.003-06:00

I was about 30 miles north of Belle Fourche today and when I pulled out on the road there was a badger in front of me. He looked rather sickly so I didn't get real close. A little history about Badgers : Badgers are the name of the Merkel Texas High School Team. Not that that is much history. I thought it was something. Not special, just something.

I'm Back at Work

2008-07-22T19:58:00.002-06:00

I'm back at work and heading to Montana and Wyoming on inspections for the next two ay. It'll be nice being out of the office. I'm worried about my brother Andy.

Guitar Man

2008-07-19T09:48:00.001-06:00

I recorded my brother doing this so Tyler could learn it. I have watched it about 12 times since. Mike is a real talent.

Which Fish is Bigger?

2008-07-05T12:41:00.002-06:00

There has been much concertation about who caught the largest Red Snapper between my younger sibling and me. Much to my angst my brother’s cohort in crime attempted to manipulate the photos of the fish through a diabolical secret software program called “Hold Your Fish Closer ®” Luckily I was able to definitively, without any categorical or indomitable question, determine which fish picture was the most accurate. As is clearly apparent that my fish must be the larger brother of the baby fish Mike caught. All is now calm in the world.

Music abounds in Pensacola!

2008-07-05T08:53:00.002-06:00

Everywhere we have gone in this town music is being performed. Yesterday at lunch we went by Mike's house. Not only was a fantastic lunch served for close to 60 people but we had a live band! This is MARK AND THE TRIBUTORS performing "Seminole Wind"!

Pensacola SCUBA experience.

2008-07-04T07:43:00.004-06:00

Mike and Mark Whibbs (Mike's brother-n-law) met us at a dock in Gulf Breeze this morning at 6:30 with Mark's 25 foot fishing boat. A thunderstorm had just passed overhead and we loaded all the SCUBA gear and took off for an old Liberty Ship that had been sunk by Nazis during WWII. Side note: Nazis are like Muslims only nicer. The ship was about 6 miles out into the gulf and at 85 feet. We set anchor. That took a couple of times, we kept drifting. Mike finally dropped the anchor right on top of the wreck and Mark went down the anchor line to check that it would hold. In the mean time Tyler and Mary were working into a state of "Green Gills". Mary recovered and Tyler made several offers to Neptune, the God of the Sea. When we got all the dive gear straight Tyler and joined Mark in the first dive, following along with camera in hand. Mark brought a Speargun but had no luck. We all came to the top about 30 minutes later for a much needed break. Mike and Mary dropped several lines into the water and
had already had many bites when we joined them. We needed to wait about an hour between dives so most of us picked up fishing rods. I hooked into 3 fish but was only able to bring one to the boat deck, a red snapper about 3.5 pounds. Not 5 minutes later I was standing next to Mike talking about the fact that "I had not gotten skunked and how happy I was" when Mike hooked into another snapper ruining my ability to tease him. Mike landed his snapper but it was to small to eat except on a cracker or something. After the fish going on ice Mark, Tyler and I put the dive gear back on and dropped down for another round around the sunken ship. The 2nd dive went even better than the 1st and at one point we were surrounded with hundreds of 4 foot Amber Jacks. The way back to dock we lost an engine but I think the slow down helped everyone recover their stable stomach. The whole experience was incredible and I can't say thanks enough to our hosts Mike and Mark.

Dinner at Mike and Jacinta's

2008-07-02T06:21:00.003-06:00

What a great afternoon! Tyler Mary and I went to Flounders for Raw Oysters. They were $8.99 a dozen which is way out of line but it has been so long since I have had them we got them anyway. Tyler had never had raw oysters and he ate more than half of them. Mike and Jacinta worked a regular day and after they got home Tyler drove us over to their house for dinner. Have I mentioned traffic? Traffic is something we don't encounter in South Dakota. I mean, now and then we get behind a tractor or something but we never really have traffic. Here we have traffic and it's on bridges. I have been having Tyler drive and I navigate. Mary has been really good keeping an open eye for things two dumb guys miss. Well, we faced the traffic drove to Mike's house and had a great dinner. Mike and Jacinta cooked ribeyes, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes and salad. All of this was chased down with some good red wine. After dinner the boys hide in the den so the chicks could wash dishes. At least I thought that was the plan because we went into the music room and shut the door. This made me very uneasy because I always like to help washing. Mike has always had issues helping with chores. This was always a hardship for me growing up. Tyler and Mike played guitar for the rest of the evening while I listened. I know Tyler learned a lot about playing and really loved the night.

I later tried to discuss trading a couple of items with Mike but he decided to manipulate me so I had to stop and take a breather (strategic move). I've been a horse trader a lot longer than Mike.

Jacinta and Mary had fun talking about old times and family. As was par for the course, Mike and Jacinta went above and beyond in providing us wonderful experience. Today, Mike is bringing over surfboards. I am sure another lesson is in store for me.

Free at last, Free at last! Oh Lordy, Free at last!

2008-07-01T13:44:00.003-06:00

The 1st photo isof Pensacola Beach, the 2nd is a tall building in Mobile and the 3rd is the Magnolia lined roads in Mobile.

Got up this morning at 0700. We left Jackson MS and drove to Pensacola. The road was very pretty. Hwy 49 in Mississippi was rolling hills and a ton of trees. When we rolled into Mobile Alabama the Magnolia trees lined the roads creating tunnels to drive through. Mobile is a town I would love to spend some more time in. It is full f old Antebellum homes. Pensacola was as expected. Very busy. We dropped Ashley off at Cain's Kennel and drove out to Pensacola Beach. Our hotel is very nice and right on the beach. I wish everyone could have been here.

This is how you know your in Shreveport LA

2008-07-01T06:47:00.003-06:00

This is a store that offers GRILL changes. I mean FRONT TEETH modifications! I really thought this was a fad that had gone away before I had my chance to partake! It was across the street from What-a-burger. Great lunch, good service.

Breaking Leroy

2008-07-01T06:44:00.002-06:00

This is the horse Leroy at the nursing home Bill is in. It's a 2 year old that had not been broke for riding. A young man (16) worked with the horse for 3 days and I was able to ride it around the arena. Kind of a spooking horse whispering thing.

The drive to Texas

2008-07-01T06:30:00.003-06:00

Pretty Highways of Texas, the way Mary looks at 5 in the morning and 2 county courthouse.

The drive to Texas went very well. We left last Thursday at 0300 hours, drove to Murdo (200 miles) and went south for 812 more miles. We did see on Bull Elk on the prairie of South Dakota. This was a 1st. The weather was thunderstorms, to include 1 inch hail, in South Dakota and hot the rest of the way. We stayed the 1st night in Liberal Kansas, The temperature was 103 degrees and not 1 of the 6 hotels we checked had an open pool. The next morning we drove on to Merkel Texas. One neat thing about Texas is the location of the county courthouses. The courthouse must be located within 1 days horseback ride from anywhere in the county. The courthouse is also normally in the town center.

The 1st week of Vacation

2008-06-30T15:12:00.002-06:00

Well, we are now in Jackson Mississippi. We had quite a visit in Merkel Texas. Mary's Dad is now in a nursing home and it is very nice. It is a private home run by a fantastic lady named Donna. Her husband Mel works hard tolerating her wry sense of humor while Donna goes about her day caring for people who badly need true caring help, making meals, feeding dogs, a horse named Leroy and putting up with family and visitors.

Traveling Day 1

2008-06-26T18:45:00.007-06:00

Blue Skies after the rain.

Ashley claiming her sleeping area.

We took off at 3 am South Dakota time this morning. We drove half way across the state and then headed south on Hwy 83 at Murdo. Just past White River SD Mary and I saw a huge Bull Elk standing on the Praire sytaring at the truck as we drove by. This is the first time either one of us have seen on in the middle of the prairie. Shortly after we ran into a big thunderstorm with 1 inch hail. We got off lucky with no dents. Nebraska Sand Hills went pretty quickly and we breezed through North Platte. The scenery got greener as we traveled further south and the temperature continued to rise. It was 55 degrees when we left Rapid this morning. We stopped in Liberal KS and the temperature was 103 degrees. Dinner was in the hotel and an early bedtime for me. A safe day of travel.

The Great Pactola Debacle Dive

2008-06-24T19:36:00.005-06:00

I know that some of you do not SCUBA dive and some of you do. It is a lot of fun but it is also dangerous if you are not careful and do not keep a cool head. Today we dove Pactola to practice our lost diver routine, gear reorientation and emergency procedures. This is all in preparation to our trip to Florida next week. My dive buddy is my son. Tyler is your regular 17 year old and like when a 17 year old does something you check it and double check it. The nice part about doing this while diving is that double checks are part of the program so no insult is taken. I have found that in most cases Tyler is more exacting than I am. We each brought 2 tanks with us and we planned on making 4 dives. The dives actually went pretty well, sort of. The first dive was planned to go to 60 feet but we never made it that far. It was a shore dive and the water temperature was 58 degrees. The air temp was 80 degrees. We wore 6.5 mm wet suits, hoods, gloves and boots. Our launch site was the north boat dock. Since it is a weekday the boat traffic was very light but we still used a floating flag. We have had record rains over the last couple of months and the waters visibility was only about 5 foot (if you didn't kick up any mud). A wet suit that thick is very hot, in addition, it means you also have to use a lot more weight to get under the surface. Last year I used 38lbs and Tyler used 24lbs. This year I opted for 40lbs and Tyler used 28lbs on nylon waist belts. We should have integrated them in our BC but we had never used that type of weight system in the past and we just wanted to make this dive work. Moving between the shore and water was very difficult and hot to say the least. We opted to forgo the gloves and put them in our pockets. Because the visibility was so poor I tied parachute cord from Tyler's wrist to mine. That combined with the flag line and the muddy water made things challenging. When we got to 30 feet the temperature started dropping. We both stopped and put on our gloves. We continued on down to 40 feet and cruised along following a compass heading since we couldn't see anything. After 25 minutes I stopped, we faced each other and I signaled to rise to the top with a safety stop at 15 feet for three minutes. I got an OK from Tyler and I started up. I was releasing air from my BC on the way up to slow my assent when the cord between us tangled around my arms and pulled them together and down. Tyler was not coming up as fast as I was and was dragging below me upwards. My assent rate kept increasing and I wasn't able to stop at the 15 foot level. I kept rising till I broke the surface, very much like a breeching whale,and I was literally tied up. When Tyler broke the surface he said, in a smart ass manner, "What happened to the safety stop"? I broke into some colorful lengthy flight-line vonacular until he managed to get me untied. It still took 10 minutes to remove all the rope tangled around me. Over all, it was a good lesson learned. We floated around, talked, discussed the event and approached the next dive with a bit more attention and less entanglements. We removed the cord between us and did a good 20 minute dive back to the boat dock via compass headings and touching. We took an hour break, had lunch and talked to the dock caretaker about diving and what happened. We then took 2 new tanks from the car and did 2 more dives under the boat dock area in 30 foot of water. Both of these dives went very well and involved some pretty tough navigation via compass and known structures. Tyler to the lead on both of these dive and we hit our goals near dead on both times. So, it was a good day, a learning day and Tyler proved his mettle. Tyler has a very cool head in crisis situations and thinks things through. I'm very proud of him and here is a picture I took today at the dock when we were finished. You might note that Tyler isn't so little anymore.

Dive Day Tomorrow!

2008-06-23T20:49:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow Tyler and I are heading to Pactola Reservoir to do a refresher dive before the trip to Florida. The water temperature is 55 degrees so we are going with 7 mm wet suits, gloves, boots and hoods. This will be a two tank day and we are both pretty excited. Water clarity will be in the range of 10 to 15 feet.

Lottery Winner!

2008-06-20T19:43:00.005-06:00

As most of you have learned, I am one lucky guy! Well, I won the lottery! Not the big one but the "Cooking with Eric" one. Eric is our local weatherman. I won his weekly drawing and that meant I won a $25.00 gift certificate! We spent it on Martini's! To tell the whole story, I started a lucky streak on Thursday night! That's right, a lucky streak! When I get on a lucky streak it normally lasts about 2 years. Well, my new lucky streak just started on Thursday and I won! I got out of the shower in the morning, told Mary to turn on the local weather and there it was #231, my number, the lucky number! I went down to the local TV station and made claim to my prize (gift certificate) and simply went on my way $25.00 richer! We stopped in the 1st local bar and spent everything on Martini's! Many of you may not have really noticed but the number I won with was "231" 23 has always been my luckiest number and here I was #1! That's 231! Here's to all of you! I fully expect this lucky streak to last for some time.

Vacation Time!

2008-06-20T16:41:00.004-06:00

I've taken leave and it starts, officially, Monday. We have travel planned starting next Tuesday. The plan, as it sits now, is to leave for Merkel Texas, (1200 miles) travel to Pensacola Florida (900 more miles) and enjoy ourselves along the way. I have estimated fuel costs for the 4,000 mile trip to be right about $1,600 with side trips included. It has been suggested that we not take the Tahoe but I didn't buy it to sit at home. I bought it to travel. My real plan is to eat my way across the nation. The 1st planned eatery is "Joe Allen's BBQ in Abilene Texas. If any of you have any favorite places to eat that are on our way, or even a little out of the way, let me know.

I have also decided that the MSM is to blame for our Nations problems.

Big Oil Bigger Fools

2008-06-10T19:24:00.003-06:00

Our Dimmicratic leaders have decided that our government can tax it's way to prosperity. This week they have made attempts to tax the "Wind Fall" profits of our Big Oil companies. Here is the news; The vast majority of the Big Oil companies are owned by mutual funds and pension accounts. If you have a 401K, IRA, 403B, Stock Pension plan YOU are Big Oil. This group encompasses the majority of America wage earners. If you want oil prices to drop our nation will need to develop our own resources. There is enough shale oil in Colorado to provide oil at our current usage level for the next 200 years. Research has demonstrated that untapped oil reserves in Montana and North Dakota are larger than all of Saudi Arabia's holdings. Yes, you can still worry about Global Warming if you want but I promise you, if we don't fix our nations fuel problem you won't be concerned Global Warming when the farmer no longer plows the fields because of fuel cost, when the trucker no longer delivers food because of fuel cost, when the school bus no longer runs because of fuel cost and our military can no longer defend us because of fuel cost. Dylan says; "freedoms just another word when there's nothing left to lose" and he is right. Don't allow this congress to make Freedom just another word. Don't let this Congress destroy our Nation! Please voice your feelings to your representative.

Nothing Good Came Out of the Sixties

2008-05-05T19:04:00.002-06:00

I take that back. There was one redeeming things that came out of the 60's and that was some of the music. But nothing from any of the social movements made any positive difference to our world. Free love, LSD, communes and really bad dancing. Free love took our moral state from one of innocence and a low rate of STD's to one at an explosive level. LSD has led us to drug over-dose, theft, prison sentences and broken families. I really don't have anything to say about the dancing, it speaks all on it's own. At this point I am sure you are wondering, what took him off on this tangent? Well, it was the Obama buddy, Ayers. Today I saw a picture of him standing on an American Flag. The picture was taken one week before 9/11 2001. Remember when we used to say naive things like "I'll defend your right to burn that flag! That's what freedom is all about" well, those days are over. I am now announcing that if I see someone burning the American Flag (Old Glory) I am going to physically attack them. This is going to be my form of free speech. I feel free to express myself in this manner. If I go to jail for expressing my freedom of speech, fine.

Thank goodness for email warnings!

2008-04-26T13:36:00.000-06:00

I am not making light of this and it is not the first time I have heard of this. It was an email, like this, that I believe, potentially, saved Mary from I don't know what. It happened in the Mall right here in Rapid City. Tyler was gone to the State Student Counsel meeting in Pierre and Mary and I had the afternoon free, as empty nesters. The weather wasn't conducive for fishing and I knew that Mary was bored sitting around the house. Normally, when Mary wants to shop I hang out in Borders Book store making small talk with who ever happened to be in the sitting area. Personally I like the leather chairs. My routine is to get a few magazines on Cruising Sailboats, SCUBA diving and Travel the Caribbean, magazines I would never pay for, but I find very entertaining, and sit around reading or gabbing. That day wasn't routine, not at all. I had decided to go to the Mall with Mary (a bit out of character for me) and walk with her while she shopped. In truth, I don't know what made me go with her. I say thanks every time I think of what could have happened if I hadn't had some kind of premonition or thought about that email warning. Anyway, while we were walking through the Mall a woman from one of those Kiosks approached Mary. I was standing to the side, looking at those "light up" cell phone covers with rhinestones, since the battery had died in mine. A woman, appearing to be fluent in English but you could tell it wasn't her native tongue, approached Mary. I could tell from my military OPSEC training background I took online that the woman had an Eastern European accent from the lower valleys of Estonia. She (lets call her Mika) Mika was holding what appeared to be a bottle of hand lotion an she was trying to get Mary to let her rub it on her wrist and smell it. This is when the memory of that email came rushing back into my mind! Acting on impulse, I threw myself in a body block across Mika's upper torso, laying her out on the floor of the Mall. I jumped up and was ready to hit her again when Mary must have come to her senses, realized the danger she had been in and dragged me all the way to the car by my collar. Judging from Mary's words in the car there must have been some sort of topical drug in the hand lotion because it affected her reasoning and she kept ranting about what the police would do if they ever saw Mary or me in the Mall again. The drugs have worn off over time and we no longer speak of the occurrence but receiving this email has let me know that I did the right thing and I will show her this email tonight.

Thanks for your help,

Your loving brother

Douglas Idol

2008-04-21T20:48:00.003-06:00

Tyler didn't compete for the Douglas Idol but the music teacher asked if he would do a performance involving Rock Guitar. Here it is:

We Have to Remember

2008-04-08T06:11:00.001-06:00

I think this is critical to our future!

2008-03-28T17:14:00.005-06:00

The link to this posting takes you to the Wall Street Journal commentary on the income taxes of the Obama clan. My concern isn't their taxes. My concern is voting into office a president that hasn't planned for his children's college much less his retirement or the future of our nation. From the looks of the tax return, what little money they put away, they took right back out. They suffer from impulse buying. This type of character flaw is the last thing we need for our country. This is the type of person that buys a Starbucks coffee instead of paying for their children's school lunches. This is the type of person that charges MORE on a credit card knowing they can't afford to make the minimum payment at the end of the month. This is a sign of being totally irresponsible!

Tyler Performing "Bad Moon Rising" by CCR

2008-03-14T21:56:00.003-06:00

This performance was Friday night at Douglas High School during their annual Cabaret. Tyler has really progressed in his musical skills. We really have to hand it to his music director Jennifer. How she brings so much talent out of all these kids is beyond me. Tyler was also awarded the "Louis Armstrong Jazz Award which is given to the student that the other jazz musicians feel has demonstrated a real dedication to the music.

Just back from Reno

2008-03-09T15:57:00.004-06:00

I had a good trip to Reno. I learned a bunch about the environment and how important Global Warming is to Attorneys. As TDY's go it wasn't bad but I would have preferred a place with a beach instead of slot machines. I happened across a fun blog site of a couple traveling through the Bahamas on a sailboat. You should take a look if you get the chance. http://fiberglassvengeance.blogspot.com. I do want to apologize for not posting for some time.I went through a change. I had my 50th birthday and I suppose I started counting the remaining days. I think I have turned that around. I started teaching "Financial Peace University" which helps me better understand why I do what I do.

Imad Mughniyeh is DEAD!

2008-02-13T06:13:00.003-07:00

I am glad. This pig is the killer of the CIA station Chief Buckley, Navy diver Robert Stethem and behind the Beirut bombing of the Marine barracks. He was hiding with Hezbolla in Lebanon. He was blown into a thousand pieces. I hope the dogs eat him throw up and die.

AJ in the news

2008-01-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

If you click on the heading a Youtube news story about the Omaha music scene will come on. The Guy playing the Fender Strat in the beginning is our friend AJ who is married to our friend Kristen.

Non-Profit organizations

2008-01-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

Many of you are familiar with the term "Non-Profit". Most of us envision a wonderful group of people that work for the betterment of others or to make something better. In the USA the Non-Profit corporation is classified as a 501 (3) (c) which is simply the tax code number for where you find the laws regulating the corporation that is formed by the Non-Profit Corporation laws. It is true, a Non-Profit corporation does not show a profit. Under the 501 (3) (c) rules they are not allowed too. So what do they do if they take in more money than they can spend? They can provide more services or they can pay it out in wages. Guess what happens in most cases? I really hate to sound negative about these things and I'm not encouraging you not to give to charity but what I am telling you is that if you give money to a Non-Profit corporation you have a right to ask to see their books and find out where they spend the money. Would you take financial advice from someone who wasn't willing to show you what they had in investments? Ops, maybe that's not a good example. Asking to see the books is not an invasion of anyones privacy. Remember, they are a Corporation. If they will not show you how they spend the money, you give them, why would you give it to them?

Duck, Duck, Goose

2007-12-18T19:24:00.001-07:00

It's Laura against the World!!

2007-12-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

I'm at home, waiting on the electric company. They are rigging my meter with a laser because for the last six years I have refused them free entrance to my house and they never get to read my meter monthly. So at the end of the year, they always have to refund my account because they overcharge me. I usually receive my yearly notice that if I don't let them in my house to read my meter they will disconnect me. So once a year I have the following conversation with them:

Me: I was told to call this number or you will disconnect my service.
DP&L: your address.
Me: Address . . . . . .you know, I ask every year that my meter be moved to the outside. It is ridiculous that you would actually expect me to provide a key to my house. I have four small children who are at home by themselves and am not comfortable with a stranger having access to my house. I mean, I am sure that you all are very careful on who you hire, but no one can be careful enough. You know what I mean.
DP&L: (scheduling appointment to read my meter) . . . . . . . .you will have to pay 500.00 to have the meter moved outside.
Me: then the meter will not be moved. You can read my meter in December like last year and not another month.
DP&L: we will continue to estimate your bill.
Me: you do that every year and then at the end of the year, you have to pay me back. I am fine with that and can use the Christmas money.
You're like a Christmas savings account for me.
DP&L: can I help you with anything else?
Me: Nope, see you next December.

This year when they threatened me, I got a guy named Greg who is one his way out to my house right now to put in a laser thing that will read my meter from inside my house. an electric reader will drive by my house, shoot it with a laser, and be able to tell what my meter reading is.
Cool huh? no more battles, threats, anger. Just peace with the electric company, finally.
1 Hour Later
Well, wouldn't you know that the electric guy showed up (he actually specializes in gas) and I have this "CT Box" - now, the only thing that I know for sure, is that the "T" stands for transformer and that this particular set up is usually found in commercial settings. Apparently I have an electrical box that is so large, 400 something capability, that I could actually power 6 houses twice as big as mine. Why? you may ask would someone build a house with that much electrical capability? I don't know that yet. There must be some benefit to have a source with that much power. The guy, after speaking with the electrical expert, told me that it is comparable to the large transformers on the telephone poles. Thence, they cannot hook me up with the laser technology because if they pulled the face of the meter off and plugged in what they use in today's standard, it would immediately blow. So, we are back to the once a year reading and I have a huge box with a single piece lock that I never noticed before today and was told in no uncertain terms to never, never, try to unlock it.

I take pleasure in knowing though that I have more power than any other residence in Ohio. Finally, I know that I have more power than a lot of people and it has been documented. The electric company is Vectren. I will have a picture taken as soon as I decide on a dress to wear.

Iowahawk knows the American dream.

2007-12-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Once again, Iowahawk puts into words the dreams we all have.

Happy Birthday Dad

2007-12-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the anniversary of my Dad’s birthday. He passed away too soon. Dad would have been 78. He was a great man. Everyone who knew him, had at one point or another, bucked up against him thinking they were in the right. I can't think of a time when he didn't help us see the error in our ways. Dad's ability to see things in the "black and white,” form a judgment and present a well spoken opinion showed his superior intellect and maturity. I don't believe there was ever at time that when I asked him for advice (and when I truly listened to him) that I didn't receive advice worth the time spent asking. I believe that I am the man I am because of him. I know I'm not near perfect, nor was Dad, but Dad was a man who worked hard at being as good as a man as he could be. Dad was a stalwart figure who bravely faced life and bravely faced death. All who have met him have visions of his bravery. When I think about my Dad and when he showed me what it meant to be brave I think of Okinawa and our own little Alamo. The Okinawan’s were facing a lay off and Dad was the responsible party. Dad’s office was on Camp Kewi (sp) a Marine Hospital location. The gates were guarded by Okinawan’s who let the Mob on post without hesitation. My mind tells me that there were 1000’s of them. The Strikers had formed a Snake Dance. One Marcher holding the person in front at the waist marching and chanting, snaking and surging forward. All wore hardhats and bandanas over their faces. I know they felt their autonomy gave them power. I also knew that not a one of them would have faced my father unmasked. In my Dad’s building were my brother Mike, Dad and me. Dad had already called the Marines. He had locked the two glass doors to the building and stood there defiant, looking through the full glass door. I remember standing behind him, scared but solid. We would not run, we would not cower. Dad had his arms crossed in front of him staring into the masked faces that were pushing and shoving against the doors. The doors did not break, the Marines showed up and cleared out the strikers. I learned a lesson that day, I truly knew what a leader was. I had witnessed it. If those doors had broken there would have been a fight and we may have gotten bruised or even killed but we would not have lost, you see, my Dad wasn’t like a regular man and I don’t want to sound trite but my Dad was like Davy Crockett. I hope I can be like him. I can only try, like he did.

The Season Has Started

2007-12-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

Terry Peak has opened and we hit the slopes for half a day. The snow was good. They can always use more. Only Stewart Lodge side was open but we mad plenty of runs between the Bloody Mary's. Later in the evening we went to a "Teacher" party. All the usual suspects were present. It was a good time but I was fully briefed on the way to watch what I said. I did get involved playing a game called "Red Apples and Green Apples." If you ever have the chance to play go ahead and pass on it. I did win.

Important Lesson

2007-12-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

1966: Upon being told that President Charles DeGaulle had taken France out of NATO and that all U.S. Troops must be evacuated off of French soil President Lyndon Johnson mentioned to Secretary of State Dean Rusk that he should ask DeGaulle about the Americans buried in France. Dean implied in his answer that that DeGaulle should not really be asked that in the meeting at which point President Johnson then told Secretary of State Dean Rusk:

"Ask him about the cemeteries Dean!"

That made it into a Presidential Order so he had to ask President DeGaulle.

So at end of the meeting Dean did ask DeGaulle if his order to remove all U.S. troops from French soil also included the 60,000+ soldier buried in France from World War I and World War II.

DeGaulle, embarrassed, got up and left and never answered.

Avocado Sandwich

2007-12-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I made Avocado Sandwiches for dinner. I learned to make these at a new wave restaurant I cooked at in Hattiesburg Mississippi back in the early 80’s. If you have not had them you should.

Here is the recipe:
1 sliced Avocado,
1 red onion,
Alfalfa sprouts,
Cream cheese, Mayo,
Light Rye Bread.

Toast the Rye, spread Mayo on the face of both pieces of bread, Spread Cream cheese on one piece, place slices of Avocado across the bread, salt and pepper, pile on Red Onion and Alfalfa sprouts and enjoy.

Deadwood South Dakota

2007-12-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

We went to Deadwood last night. This is our first time to go since last fall. I’m not a gambler. I mean, I will gamble but I don’t win. Therefore, I am not a gambler. I am a Giver Awayer. So, as I was partaking in Giver Awayer last night at a blackjack table I started conversing with the woman next to me. I didn’t catch her name but she is from Oxford Mississippi. She seemed nice at first. After a while she started making comments about my playing like “Oh, don’t hit that”, “Don’t split those”, “You can’t play cards”. I looked at her and smiled and told her “It’s okay lady, these are MY cards.” She got all huffy and kept commenting. I finally told her to shut up and butt out of my hand. That’s about when Mary and Cara showed up. I had about $40.00 and gave my seat to Mary along with the money I had. Now, Mary had had a few and she is certainly more tolerable than I am. So the woman started telling Mary how to play her cards. I didn’t know this. I had assumed she was just being mean to me. While I was standing next to Mary the Oxford woman’s husband came by the table and appeared to be a nice fellow. Funny, warm, just what you expect from someone from Mississippi. He left and she went right back to being mean. She was telling us that she comes to Deadwood every year for a week and comes every November because she loves it. She started telling us that she was staying in “this” hotel and last year in “that” hotel as if we are supposed to be impressed. Remember this is Deadwood South Dakota. There is nowhere you can stay that is impressive. There is no “fancy” hotel here and quite frankly most people here don’t give a crap where you lay your head unless it’s the streets and then we try to figure out how to help you. But here we were with the first rude person I had ever met from Mississippi and it was a woman to boot. I was taking a picture of Mary playing cards and this banshee starts telling me to delete the pictures because I wasn’t allowed to take her picture. I told her I deleted them. Of course I lied but I was trying to placate her. I walked away from the table and told my buddy that I needed to find the woman’s husband so I could ask him to go tell her to be nice. That little squirrel had slipped out of the casino. He was nowhere to be found. (I don’t blame him) So, now I had to do it. I gave my buddy my camera and showed him how to record everything in video mode. I went back to the table and got between Mary and the Bitch and started saying I was going to play the open spot. Ms Oxford told me that that spot was taken. I told her “Yep, it’s taken by me and you should pay attention to her own hand and leave me alone.” She told me I couldn’t play the spot and I told her to shut up. She got up from the table and said “I can’t play here with HIM at the table”. I said, “Then go the hell away, I don’t like you.” She left. Now I have to dedicate a blog entry to her and start posting her damn picture all over the Internet because If I don’t she may continue her tirade across the nation ruining Mississippi’s reputation. I just don’t believe she is really from Mississippi. I think she must have just married someone from Oxford and she is really from New York or California.

How to make big drug busts.

2007-11-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how your local law enforcement agency seems to pull over and find the vehicle with the huge stash of drugs or money? If you watch your local news you often hear “I pulled him over for an illegal lane change” or “They exceeded the speed limit by 2 mph”. The police then find 20 pounds of pot or a kilo of coke. Is it luck? Is it profiling? It’s neither.

I know that you’re thinking “Oh great! Another conspiracy nut!” Try this out: The Government has placed Ion Spectrometers in certain places throughout the Northern Hemisphere if not throughout the world. The idea is to detect WMD or explosives to help keep our world safe from terrorist but sometimes the detectors key on drugs. The Feds are not going to chase down a Toyota with 20 pounds of pot in it but they will drop a dime on the druggy with a local law enforcement agency. As the drug carriers pass through certain areas of the Nation they pass within the detection range of these sensor stations. The said vehicle receives a burst of radiation causing whatever substances are in, on or around the target to give off a burst of ions that are automatically measured against known substances. The matches that are identified indicate what drugs, money or chemicals are onboard. They radio a local law enforcement agency that watches for the vehicle and finds a reason to pull them over. If you think I am giving out some state secret you are mistaken. The source materials for the development of these sensors are offered to the public without violation of any patents to encourage development. Oh yeah, you should also know you can’t hide from the detectors.

Veterans Day

2007-11-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

Take the time today to say a small prayer for that young man or woman that is so very far from home wearing the uniform of our nation. They know they are doing something important. They know they are making a difference. They don't know that you are thinking of them or that you believe in their efforts and sacrifice. Since you don't write them, send packages or even email them say a small prayer. God will get it to them.

Remember the Freedom Fighters.

2007-11-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

Tyler

2007-10-13T16:55:00.000-06:00

Tyler playing Good Riddance

Bumper Crop!!!!

2007-08-30T19:22:00.001-06:00

My Tomatos have turned out to be a winner! Many of you thought I didn't have a gGreen Thumb! Well, the proof is in the pudding or tomato in this case. I cured the problems by just leaving them alone. The ripened just fine with no blight at all. I do have an issue with the size.

The Run Down

2007-08-30T05:02:00.000-06:00

I tried the diet. I managed to lose 10 lbs but I am pretty sure it was simply water weight. I did not mind the fasting and felt it did help me feel beter after the 3rd day. I'm going to continue the Herbal Tea and Sea Salt but only fast like every other week and then for only 2 or 3 days.

Tree Hugger Friend

2007-08-22T19:42:00.000-06:00

My Buddy, Rod, saw his picture and sent me this email:

The Buluga whale you pictured in your blog is quite the specimen of mother
nature at work. What a beauty. But, it is an endangered species because
the Sunday night Keystones (I can remember 12 last Sunday) are being
replaced with low-carb Rum and Coke Zero. If there is anything that can
motivate a person to lose weight, it is having his a photo of his bloated,
drunken body posted on the frickin internet...thanks buddy.

You just feel better knowing you can make a difference in someone's life.

Tyler in Concert last night at the Elks!

2007-08-22T05:03:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q0a9_2W2kM

Take a look at the link above and you can see Tyler's band playing Iron Man last night. The recording's kind of rough, I recorded it on my digital camera.

Central States Fair

2007-08-20T19:57:00.000-06:00

Mary, Tyler and I went to the Fair on Sunday. This is an annual event for us. We went for the Indian Taco. No Vendors were selling them so we settled for a brat (which wasn't very good) and a Philly Cheese (that was good) but cost $7.00 smaker roonies! We watched a Rock Band perform instead of "The Amazing Ted", musician, comedian and magican. He was a no show. Here is a picture of my friend Rod. He is really "Big" into sports. I have honored him as the 1st really bad photo I have posted. I let him know I was going to do it and he was very open about it. This picture was taken on a very nice Bahamian day. As you might guess, they had a Swim-Up Bar. Since Rod doesn't know how to post as flattering picture of me you will not see any. Rod is the true "Party Animal." There is not much you cannot get him to go along with. You put a couple drinks in him and make a suggestion, next thing you know, you can be anywhere from 90 feet below the surface to sky diving. He is available for parties. Click on the photo for a blown up version.

An Old Oak Tree in West Texas

2007-08-16T14:56:00.000-06:00

Very Pretty

Click on the photo to see it better.

Thursday

2007-08-16T14:43:00.000-06:00

The diet is working however, it is in a modified form. I had to add a dinner salad to my evening. I would also mention that when you make the lemonade DO NOT use anything but the organic ingredients! The taste difference is beyond believing. I tried using regular maple syrup instead of organic and it would make you throw up. Tonight we are going to Olive Garden. Okay, okay, I know I shouldn't but it's our 21st anniversary and I am going to have the salad so it will be okay. I left work early today so I could do some shopping. Many of you would probably laugh at what I bought her but I know she will enjoy it. Tyler and me went to the Farmers Market and I bought her some veggies and fruit. (green beans, two yellow squash, two peaches, a cantaloupe and a zucchini) The picture is of my son Tyler "Piloting" a boat in a stock pond. No lifevest no problem. If you click on the picture it blows up and you can really see him facing the unknown dangerous cows.

Day Three (Nobodies Perfect)

2007-08-15T05:02:00.000-06:00

I have done pretty well but I fell a bit yesterday evening. We went to Millstone Rest and I had a tossed salad. I had too. I was hurting too bad. Laura, Danette and Mike were right. I needed something to curb the headaches. I was eating aspririn like candy yesterday. I have dropped 5 pounds and it remained off as of this morning. I used a bread plate for the salad so I don't feel too bad. I'm back on the juice this morning after finishing my sea salt wash.

For those of youthat haven't seen this

2007-08-14T19:59:00.000-06:00

Here is the link to Tyler playing retreat for the South Dakota National Guard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyBfbTtoRgA