The bad and the good of 2009.

Here is why 2009 sucked. (in order of importance)

1. My father passed away in 2009 and suffered horribly for the first two months of this year.
2. Obama was sworn in as President of the United States of America.
3. An evil act was perpetrated upon a very good friend of mine for the simple reason of destroying him, financially, emotionally, and career-wise.
4. The marriages of some good people ended or otherwise turned upside-down.
5. Many of my friends lost their jobs this year.
6. A girl from my town died at far too young of an age.
7. The economy has almost literally broken me and many of my friends.
8. Did not play paintball once... grr.
9. Guns and Ammo prices went through the roof!
10. Obama is still president at the end of the year.
11. New was received of the end of the Jubilee Olde English Faire.


Here is how 2009 tried to redeem itself. (in order of importance)

1. My birthday, thanks to family and friends, ROCKED!
2. My family added a new puppy to the pack!
3. My wife got baptized this year!
4. My wife and I took over as leaders of the Youth Group at our church. (one of the best decisions I have ever made)
5. Attended the Youth Gathering in New Orleans with 32,000 other Lutheran youths for a week of amazing experiences!
6. My knowledge of wine and wine making has improved!
7. My daughter has embraced school rather than fight it!
8. I attended Gen Con again, and had a blast... and my gaming time with friends and family has increased!
9. I got new windows installed in my house!
10. My wife got a new car at no added cost per payment!
11. After way too many years, I finally had a successful deer hunting season with my son!
12. I have my concealed carry permits from both Pennsylvania and Florida!

The Buck stopped here.

After far too long of a time between deer kills, I finally managed to outwit, outplan and outsit one of God's most excellent game animals. The deer season started on the 20th of November and my son and I went south to Effingham to join up with a really nice guy I met last year. Both he and I are scout leaders and I think our desire to see boys take deer made for a common bond between us. He set us up in a deer stand that we had been in last year for one day and after some talking, we managed to arrange to get the stand moved to a new spot, lined up differently, and readied for the new season. The first day was a disappointment, a feeling that we have gotten to know far too well. Both my son and I sat in the "buddy" stand waiting and waiting. There was shooting all around us, but we saw no indication of deer anywhere near us. So after 10 hours of sitting, we hauled our exhausted butts back to where we were staying and crashed early. We decided that the next day, my son would go out on his own in hopes of seeing something in another part of the woods. (He did, but it was too far off to shoot at comfortably.)

That following day was warmer and I had moved into the buddy stand with out my buddy. The morning was quiet with little gunfire coming from around us and I thought to myself that it was going to be a repeat of the previous day. I was talking to my son on the 2-way radio telling him that our host saw a few doe moving in his direction, when not more than about a minute later I heard a sound unlike all the others I had tuned my ears for. Turning 180 degrees in my stand I see a deer, which I thought was a doe, heading up a hill, but it had slipped on the wet leaves and mud. Had it not been for that slip, I do not think I would have noticed it at all. I could not believe it. After all the years of getting skunked, a chance was now presented to me! I stood and turned, leveled the gun that I had not shot at a target in a number of years, (I still trust the sighting I put on it.) and, hesitated. Was my shot going to be clean, and merciful? I knew I would not miss, but I was worried I would make a wounding shot instead of a killing one. The distance was 80 yards out and below me. Would I need to compensate? All this went through my head in about a second when I knew I had to pull the trigger. Using a magnum load with a hollow point sabot, any hit was going to be devastating. The gun roared and echoed in the woods, and almost instantaneously, the deer falls and slides down the hill, front paws clawing at the air and dirt. I had hit it in the spine and lungs... a killing shot, but not a quick kill as I hoped. I radioed my son, something about a mercy shot, started down the ladder and jumped the last ten feet or so. I could still see the deer pawing and moving so I ran across the distance but stopped about 25 yards out as it was over on the other side of the stream. Wanting to wait no longer to end it's pain, I raised my gun up again and sent a slug through the right side of the deer's head. It was over.

I walked over to the deer and as has been my way ever since I began to thinking about the act of hunting, I said a prayer of thanks and respect to the creature that just gave me his life. It was then that I noticed it was a buck rather than a doe, so I felt better that a doe might carry on to this spring to bring another deer into the world. I would normally have attempted to drag the deer out from where he lay but it was more than I could have done by myself. I contacted my host about the kill and he said he would be around soon, but to sit tight as he spotted some deer in his area. I went back to my stand to keep an eye on things and when I got settled back in, I was surprised that I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Excitement, joy, adrenaline, and yes, saddness and sorrow all came up at the same time. I will have to admit, I am glad no one was around to see me.

Soon, when everyone was around to help haul the deer out, I gathered up my son and we headed back to dress out the deer. I insisted on having him be an active part of the cleaning of the deer and he went to it with very little hesitation. He even decided that instead of wasting portions of the deer, he would keep certain parts like the hide, the hooves and the tail to use for various purposes. I like that. I wanted him to go back out and sit in the event that he could get a deer, but he was just happy that we got one together, so instead we ate a bite of lunch, and headed home. Soon we will be eating our prize and reveling in the knowledge that we took this meat and it did not come from a grocery store.

At some point I will have to blog about why I hunt and why I think hunting is important, but not right now. Instead, my thanks for hanging in there and reading and sharing my story with me.

Later!

Noise... coming to a close...

In another full day, my experiment with being without a cellphone will be over. I have traveled without it, gone to work without it and simply done without it. It is kind of a relief in many ways. I don't worry about answering the phone immediately, I am not tempted to use it at all times, especially when becoming bored, and I have found that I can still communicate with others just fine, and immediate response is not really that big of a deal. The nicest thing was that I learned I don't have to respond to work email when I am not at work! (I was getting bad at that.) But what I find the most interesting is the expectation that others have of you. They EXPECT you to have a cell phone and have it on you. Much like I expect that when I call someone, I will call them on the cell phone I expect them to be carrying. They and I expect that the phone will be answered on the first few rings or if not, respond immediately to a text message.

The young lady who is doing this experiment with me says it sucks for her, but she is learning to plan ahead, make detailed arrangements in advance, and doing other things rather than disappearing into the cell phone. I will be excited to hear what other insight she has had.

I don't know if this had made my or her life easier but it was fun to try and I suggest that some of you try it yourself if you think you spend too much time with you phone attached to your ear or fingers attached to the key pad. You might be surprised at the experience.

Noise... day 2

I have been without my cell phone for two days now and so far the biggest hurdle I have had to face is trying to remember phone numbers that are stored on the phone. At one time, I used to pride myself that I could recall hundreds of different phone numbers for many different people, but now, I only seem to recall those that I don't have listed in my phone! (weird!) I still carry a paper sheet with all kinds of numbers listed on it, but it is so badly out of date that it is of little use anymore. I should update it. The other tricky thing is letting people know where you will be when they expect you to pick them up or meet them. However, it is not impossible to communicate with other if you don't have a cell phone, just a bit trickier.

Later!

Noise....

As a result of watching a video during my High School Sunday School class, I challenged the kids to go without their cell phone for one week. Only one student stepped up to the challenge. So far, it has not been a big deal, but it is a challenge. The young lady who is doing this challenge with me says that it sucks so far, but she has made the effort and is well into her 2nd day as of this writing. I will keep you informed as to hers, and my progress and feelings on this. One thing I can comment on right now, is that I have lived with out cell phones for longer than I have had one, but it is very hard to remember when I did not have one. It has become such a part of my everyday existence, almost like the pocketknife I carry everyday. It is funny how something that I did not have for so long, is now such a part of me.

Anyway, as the week goes along, I will give some thought to what it is like not having it.

Later!

A thoughtful barbarian

While surfing around, I found this passage from one of the best of the Conan stories written by Robert E. Howard.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or Crom's realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimer's Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content. Let teachers and priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content."
Robert E. Howard - Queen of the Black Coast

This is why no fantasy character can compare to Conan.. If some other writer had written this, it would be considered high prose, but since it was only a pulp fiction writer who created bloody characters it was pretty much ignored. Thankfully, R.E. Howard is being rediscovered thanks to the fact that geeks are now ruling the entertainment industry. It is about time! Now get out there and read some Howard!

Unforeseen design problems?

The clover design is a very nice accent idea in most construction, but if you don't take into account the angle of the sun as it moves across the sky.... you get a very happy walk way!

Because you always wanted to know...

Timeline of Middle Ages Kings of England
Timeline of the Norman Kings of England in the Middle Ages: 1066 -1154

1066-1087 King William the Conqueror
1087-1100 King William Rufus (son of William)
1100-1135 King Henry I (William Rufus brother)
1135-1154 King Stephen (nephew of Henry I)

Timeline of the The Plantagenet Kings of England (Angevin Line) in the Middle Ages:1154 - 1377

1154-1189 King Henry II (grandson of Henry I)
1189-1199 King Richard I (third son of Henry II)
1199-1216 King John (fifth son of Henry II)
1216-1272 King Henry III (son of John)
1272-1307 King Edward I (son of Henry III)
1307-1327 King Edward II (son of Edward I)
1327-1377 King Edward III (son of Edward II)

Timeline of the Royal Houses of Lancaster and York - Kings of England in the Middle Ages: 1377 - 1485

1377-1399 King Richard II (grandson of Edward III, son of the Black Prince)
1399-1413 King Henry IV (grandson of Edward III, son of John of Gaunt)
1413-1422 King Henry V (son of Henry IV)
1422-1461 King Henry VI (son of Henry V)
1461-1483 King Edward IV ( youngest son of Edward III )
1483-1485 King Richard III (uncle of Edward V)


And the Ranks of English Nobility: From greatest to least
(titled)
King - Queen
Prince - Princess
Duke - Duchess
Marguess - Marchioness
Earl - Countess
Viscount - Viscountess
Baron - Baroness

(untitled)
Baronet
Knight

Shootin' with Queenie

At the Fishers Rennaisance Faire, the Queen herself came to our encampment and had a go at shooting at the running Frenchman on our target line. Here are a few shots of the event for your viewing pleasure. I guess it was a good thing I wore my good cotehardie!

One of the best ever!

On Thursday the 8th of October, I celebrated my 44th birthday and I must say it was one of the best ever. I have, hands down, the best wife and kids of all the people I know. And I have friends that rock to the nth degree. And to top it off, my 83 year old mom can still make desserts with the best of them. I love birthdays. They are God's gift to you. It is your day and it should be celebrated. You don't have to share it with anyone. It is your very own holiday that celebrates you: not Martin Luther, Columbus, or any number of presidents. It is all about you. So go out and celebrate it! I usually take the day off and if possible, like to have a small fire outside for cooking hot dogs and brats on but this year it was raining pretty much from 8am to 8pm. But still! It was one of the best birthdays ever.

To start off, my mom was making for me, as requested, a red velvet cake. If you have never had a homemade red velvet cake, then I feel sorry for you. It is one of the most delicious, rich, and filling cakes you have ever had. (For the love of God, there is a pound of butter in it) My mother even made it with homemade cream cheese icing.... O.M.G.



And to make things even better, my wife purchased a gift for me that truly had alot of thought behind it. For my 44th birthday, my wonderful wife bought me a .44 magnum revolver.... yeah, like Dirty Harry .44 magnum. A Ruger Red Hawk, .44 mag. with 7.5 inch brushed stainless steel barrel with rosewood handle. Just frakkin sweet... I love that girl. Apparently my kids and some friends pitched in to make it happen too. My kids and friends are just the best.


And finally, while having dessert of red velvet cake, one of my best buddies pulls out a 20 year aged bottle of Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port. Talk about a match made in heaven... red velvet and tawny port. Yeah buddy, can you say orgasm for your mouth?



Anyway, I highly doubt I will get a .45 caliber anything for my 45th birthday, and they don't make guns in 46-49 caliber but I can see 50 from here! Makes you wonder what kind of gun goes with 50?

This is a birthday I will always remember.

Thanks!

Later!

Doing more with less...

The CiderHaus at the Jubilee Colonial Faire. Simple idea, simple set up.


Fellow re-enactors enjoying time at the tavern and getting ready for a skit.


The CiderHaus in full swing.

About two years ago I came across a new 18th century event being held at one of my favoritest places, the Jubilee College State Park, site of the Jubilee Olde English Fazire. Now it has another event! The Jubilee Colonial Faire! When friend Jenn and my daughter Cora went to visit the event for it's inaugural year, we discovered an event that was trying very hard to be an education/demonstation focused event rather than an event where entertainment, ceremonies, and shopping was the focus. This was my kind of event. In addition to that, it was very light on scheduled activities. No up for colors, stand around for roll call of the dead, stand around for more ceremony, be on ready for battle, go eat in 20 minutes and come back for more ceremony.... nope. Pretty loose schedule at the Jubilee Colonial Faire.

Well, I decided I wanted to do this event and last year made plans to attend with my cider press to demo how to make apple cider. Long story short, life got in the way and I was unable to attend in 2008. This year, however, I made some arrangements and despite life trying to get back in my face, I persevered and attended the faire. It was really quite fun and I have always wanted to do something that had real involvement with the other reenactors. The tavern was a natural choice and it seemed to be a good one.

Now here is the point of my posting. Ever since I have attended this event, I have been amazed at how enjoyable it was to do this event and I have given alot of thought as to why.

First and foremost, I was not packing for an entire group of people, nor was I thinking for them, or handling issues for them that should have been handled weeks, if not months before the event.

Everything I took could have fit in the back of my truck, but I took a small trailer to spread things out.

Set up was even easier. Two tents, a table, my press and some fixings and everything was done in about an hour, and without alot of struggle or people standing around wondering what needs to be done.

I could have done this entire thing by myself, but what fun is that, so with my family and friend Jenn, we entertained and educated people and enjoyed ourselves for two whole days with very little stress. Rain not withstanding, it was a very nice weekend.

I have been involved in re-enacting for well over 20 years now and still enjoy it, but of late I have been thinking about what could I do with less stuff and having to depend on fewer people. Currently, (at least with my medieval living history group) I need to have at least 15 people (of which 85% need to be older than 14 years of age) to commit to a weekend event for which we will get paid. As people and children grow older, thing get busier and event get harder to committ to. I am a victim of that myself! Also, everything seems to be far more expensive and that makes comitting to an event a real financial throwdown. So when I decide to do an event for with the medieval group, it requires not just my commitment, but the commitment of a whole bunch of other people. And over the years we have developed a show/demo that is quite good, but it also requires a ton of equipment to haul and set up. And it usually befalls on me to maintain, care for and clean the equipment.

All of this was put into perspective this last weekend when I saw that I can still do living history events without all the baggage and still get as much out of it as I do with a 1.5 ton trailer hooked to my truck and a set up that takes 4 hours or more and 8 people to do it. This coming weekend is another medieval event and the group is working with fewer numbers but with more expectation from the faire organizers.

As the winter goes along I am going to consider ways to cut baggage and how to do more, or the same, with less. I don't expect to cut out huge chunks of my re-enacting life and demonstration, but it seems that I might need to lighten my load a bit as it is becoming more and more difficult to carry on as it is.

All I Needed to Know, I Learned From My Dog

If only more people acted like dogs, this might be a better world.


If you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what you want.
If at first you don't succeed, beg.
Don't go out without I.D.
Be direct with people; let them know exactly how you feel by peeing on their shoes.
Be aware of when to hold your tongue, and when to use it.
Leave room in your schedule for a good nap.
Always give people a friendly greeting.
When you do something wrong, always take responsibility for it (as soon as you're dragged out from under the bed).
If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Nuns with Guns....

Forwarded to me by a good pal of mine...

(We can only hope!)

Ohh... I want one of these so badly!

An AK-47 styled .410 gauge shotgun! I want one so, so bad...

Go here to see it: The Firearm Blog

Irons in the fire....

Just a list of things coming up that excite me:

A BBQ 7 course meal reservation.... what could be better than 7 courses of BBQ?

An LYO trip to the reindeer ranch! Corn maze at night! I am sure to lose at least a few students!

A colonial trade faire where I will be setting up a "Tavern" to serve "cider" to the participants. Will be making homemade cider for this!

High School reunion photo shoot. While I don't like to do the job so much, it is really good money! Money, Money, Money... need some right now...

14th Century demo/ren faire in Fishers Ind. It is alot of work, but it is soooo much fun!

My BIRTHDAY! I love my birthday... even if I don't have a party or anything like that. This time I think I would like to have friends over and do some gaming. Never done that.... after a wiener roast of course...

The JagerFest at the Bayern Stube. Nominally to celebrate my birthday, but I don't need an excuse to go there to eat good German Food!

Camping with the family and dogs. We are going to a new place not far from home but one that looks like it could be hours away! Camping with my kids in the same trailer I camped in as a kid give me a special thrill for some reason. It is like sharing my childhood with them.

Being about 1/2 gallon away from having my house completely repainted... now of I could only get the time to do it!

Well, with this much stuff in the fire, I better get busy getting all the boring stuff out of the way!

Later!

And more from Wired!

10 gaming gadgets that will make us hurt ourselves....

OUCH!!!!

Leave to the Germans!

They have conquered the world of gaming and made it their own. All because of a little game called "The Settlers of Catan." It is a lengthy article but if you are a gamer, then you should read it!

Read about it here: CATAN

Thanks to Henry for bringing this to my attention!

L8r!

I would like one of these...

but fortunately, my neighbors have no problems with guns...

They work for us?!!?!?

This was sent to me via a friend. It is quite an eye opener. I truly don't know if all of it is true but I think, and am afraid it is. WARNING! The language is rough!


THE GUY FROM BOSTON

What rocked about Gen Con this year...

Gen Con Indy, 2009 was, as always, a great time for the family, friends and I. This year was maybe slightly better than other years.

For one, I paid nothing for hotel accomodations, even though we had to pack and unpack each night so we could go to our reserved hotel, find it a disaster, and with no room for us to stay there. Then we would head 4 miles west and stay at a swanky new hotel that would cost something like 150-200 bucks a night, but yet it cost us nothing. It was on the house so to speak from the hotel we were supposed to stay at. Seeing that they never had rooms for us, they sent us to the other hotel at their expense and still let us park in their parking garage which was only 5 city blocks from the convention center. Yeah we had to move around alot and didn't have a place to go to for a break, but what the heck! It was free!

Secondly, registration and scheduling was a snap! Due to a new system, I got into all the games I wanted and so did the family. AND we discovered the game room where you can just go rent a game for $2 or $4 and play to your hearts content! We spent alot of time in good old room 500! Discovered REDNECK LIFE too! Great game!

Third, and most importantly, I had a blast in each and every game I played. My first game was Tigris and Euphrates, a new game just learned a few weeks ago. My wife and I were to play this with two other people, but they never showed so we went at it by ourselves and found it to be a cutthroat sort of game when played with two people. While she did not stomp me in the game, my wife did defeat me soundly. She would say she trashed me. Another game I played and enjoyed, but would probably not purchase it, is Age of Conan: the Board Game. A good game, but it didn't hold my attention and there were too many small mechanics in the game to make it easily playable. I did enjoy the game, especially because of the theme, but it would not make it to my top 20 list in fun games.

The games I did enjoy the most were Memoir '44 and Battlestar Galactica the board game. Both of these games gave me an adrenaline rush and were hours well spent playing. The Memoir game is a tradition for the group I attend GenCon with. Four years now we have played the Overlord games and come out victorious! This year was my turn at the role of overall commander and we beat an experienced team with a "world champion" of strategy board gaming. Never seen a champion retreat in a battle strategy game before! Anyway, as a team we worked really well and I was happy that we all contributed our best to win the game. It was a hard slog but it was worth it! The other game, Battlestar Galactica, while not a game for everyone, is rapidly becomeing one of my favorites. The premise is that exactly as the show... Humans trying to survive Cylon attacks and plots. In the game, you don't know who is human and who is cylon and it makes for a very interesting game especially with the mechanics of skill checks coming in from everyone, and not everyone is playing to win for the humans! I did not win in this game but I got to play with my daughter and can see she is starting to become a gamer. She has a good grasp of complicated game concepts when she pays attention. Now only if she could translate that into grasping concepts in school.

The only complaint I have about this year's con was our visit to the Ram. The service sucked, the food tore me up inside, and they discontinued their sale of Taylor Fladgate 40 year port. For that alone, I will not return.

It was a great time and I can't wait for next year.
Later!

The truth-o-meter....

For anyone wanting the truth in politics, check out this site from the St. Petersburg Times!

The home of the OBAMA-meter!

Cool things lately...

Rather than join the cacophony of voices screaming and complaining and general negative voices on the Internet, radio and tv... I am gonna just list a lot of great things happening in my life. If you think negatively, which I am guilty of, you will create negative outcomes. Like I tell my son and daughter, "You make your own hell." Life is good and here is why it is for me....

My wife got her motorcycle license and now rides (even long distance) with me and friends! It really is cool to see her riding in the two wheeled brother-(sister) hood.

I have been on two great vacations. One to the Wisconsin Dell and one to New Orleans

I actually was able to witness really good thing happening in New Orleans when people come together with a conscious effort to change a place. In turn, they are changed themselves. Also, out of the blue, I actually got a phone call from a resident of New Orleans, calling me to simply thank us for coming to her town and making a difference. Never met her and probably never will, but we talked like old friends. One of the things I learned there is to listen to people, and really hear them. You will be amazed what you will discover if you shut up and listen instead of yammering on about yourself.

I got to see the WWII D-day Museum in New Orleans.and even met some vets from Omaha beach.

I have a new puppy. What can get better than that? Her name is Astrid Gudrun von Geiken and she is a AKC German Shepard. She is a beauty and very sweet and smart.

I am almost done with repainting my entire house.

All of my bills get paid on time. (thanks to my wife)

I have been able to game about a dozen times in the last month or two. Very Cool!

My daughter has joined the Cross Country team and seems (so far) to enjoy it! That also means she is in Jr. High now... which scares me a little but is still pretty cool in my book. She works hard to get decent grades. I hope we can keep it up in 6th grade.

My son is playing the bass drum in marching band - something that he really wanted to do! This makes me happy that he was excited about getting it. All to often he takes what is left over.

I took the Concealed Carry License for the State of Florida and passed. Now to get the Concealed Carry passed in Illinois. From what I hear, it is close to happening. That makes me really happy!

My wife loves me and I love her. So many couples around me are self destructing and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. Don't people talk anymore in relationships?

My wife and I are planning a wine and dine weekend. Vineyards and nice restaurants...

Speaking of wine, I made another 3 gallons of port for the church and private consumption.

And finally, as the last big blast of Summer, the family and I are heading to GENCON! Gaming and geeky heaven!!! I can't wait!



Dang, just writing this has made me feel better!

Later!

Have a great day!

Top of my head ramblings....

Much like the end of the year, the middle of the year (particularly August) is a very, very expensive time for my wife and I. Due to two particularly good Halloween parties we hosted, (15 and 11 years ago) both of our kids were born in the latter part of July and the early part of August, making their birthdays about 10 days apart on the calendar. Both my wife and I are huge proponents of celebrating birthdays and giving gifts to kids and making the most of their special days. Not quite like Christmas, but we do try to make the day special and memoriable. So we purchase gifts, make cakes, host a party or two, and generally shell out a decent amount of cash for the kids. We love them and they deserve it and everyone has a good time! But now, as the kids get older, and they advance in to higher grades, their activities in the school increase and with that, so do the school fees. So, to put the kids in school, get supplies, clothes, sport shoes and clothing, band equipement, medical checkups, and all those other things, and throw in the birthdays, it can be a bit tight in the home of the Longbowman. And because I am a geek and I must feed my inner geek, I bring the family along to GenCon in Indianapolis so that they can be my geek family at the biggest gaming convention in the US. (nothing is sadder than a single geek at a gaming convention.... maybe.) And then you have the hometown celebration (Old Settlers) that I have attended for every year I have been alive the following weekend and you have one very very broke family!

What to do, what to do? To be honest, I have no idea. Cut back on birthdays!? Hell no! God gives each of us a special day and it deserves to be celebrated! Keep the kids from doing so much in school. No way... bad idea. I didn't involve myself in much during my school years and regret it. Skip Gen Con? Possibly, but it is soo much fun and we all have a great time attending it as the last hurrah before school starts. Miss the old hometown celebration that I have never missed? Are you frakkin kidding? That would probably cause the end of the world...

So what to do? You know what... nothing... Do what we want to do. Suck it up, cut in other places or make money elsewhere to help things out. For those that complain about not having money, I feel for you, but if you spending your money and having fun and still complaining about not having money... stop. IF You are not having fun with your money, then you have a MIGHT have a right to complain. But that is your fault. But if you spend it on fun stuff and are still paying your bills, supporting your family, and making ends meet but with nothing left over like just about everyone else, then good for you! You can't take the money with you so use it to live and life will work itself out. God provides for those that make the effort.

August and the beginning of school will be over and then things will be more fluid in the cash department for my family. And we will have had a fun summer despite the fact we will be flat broke. Money is worth nothing if it is not used.

(inspired by a conversation with and unemployed friend who has really good attitude about money and how to use it.)

Later..

So True, So True, So True...

If they cats and dogs could write, it would look something like this-----


DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now...

The Cat!

The Potholes...

Ever heard of the potholes? I bet you have not. The Potholes are a natural feature in the creek bed of a small Indiana water way that over time, has eroded and cut out depressions in the creek bed to create "potholes". While walking along the bed you will find holes of icey cold water swirling about in a 3-5 deep hole that is just asking for you to dip into it. You have no choice.. if you want to work your way to the falls, or work your way back to the entry point, some of the potholes you must hit! It is a secret little place that only a few people at a time go to. It looks like Turkey Run State park, but only about half a mile long and not nearly as crowded or big. But special just the same. Two weekends ago I went there with family and friends. It was great! Sometime I will have to take you there, but until then, enjoy the photos!

later!

hideyho... off I go!

For those that care, I will be off on a Mission trip to New Orleans with the youth group from my church. I will not be doing much blogging here, (not that I have been lately anyway..) but I will be doing some from the LYO blog if you care to follow. The LYO blog is here.

One thing I really want to do, outside of the Youth Conference is visit the D-Day Museum, which I will then blog about on this site!

Later!

Does this scare you?

Take of look at this. This is happening, not in Saudi Arbia, Kuwait, or Iran or anyplace like that, but in Bridgeview IL, at the Hilton Hotel conference center!

here is the video

I find it interesting that the music used seems to be very warlike and ominous, as though it was a monster rising to the attack.

And if this is what is happening in the US, then why the frak don't the "moderate" muslims speak out about this? Why, because there is, in my opinion, no such thing as a moderate muslim. Until I start hearing them speak out about this, I will not believe that there is such an animal.

I have only a very few people I know that are muslim, and I think they are very intelligent people, but I have never heard them speak out about the rise of radical Islam. "If you aren't against them, you are with them." is a phrase that comes to mind.

Beware!

Never in my life....

have I ever heard a sermon that based on a decision I made concerning my faith and belief system. But my wife has. Just ask her about it. (If you know her.) She may not think it was, but oh yes, it was.

I think it was a sort of wake up call or a breath of fresh air for the Pastor.

Interesting what the question, "So now what?" can cause.

Later!

I viewed it first...

Just in case someone cares... I was reading Der Spiegel before Rachel Lucas commented on it! She recently commented on her blog, but I have been reading it for months! It took her moving to England to find out about it!


HA!


Later!

The Hunt for Gollum.

What could be better than finding a "prequel" to the Lord of the Rings movie on a day that promised to be kind of boring!

I was flipping through a number of entries on a blog I follow and found this little blurb... The Hunt for Gollum

So I followed the link and found the 40 minute movie, which for an indie film is fantastic and really captures the look and feel of the Peter Jackson movies!

Go check it out! It is worth 40 minutes of your time if you are an LOTR fan!

Later

Dungeons and Dragons post...

I don't normally post about D&D too much, be recently, there have been a few good blog links about the game.

Here they are:

20 Celebrities who play D&D

Everything I know, I learned from D&D

Later!

A great article.... "Why do liberals bleed?"

From a posting on Facebook. I had to post it here. This article makes so much sense!



http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/06/why_do_liberals_bleed.html

Never say that again...

At a local 18th Century/American War for Independance re-enactment, some said in passing that re-enacting is the ultimate in LARPing.. (Live Action Role Playing) In a small way, maybe that is true, but simple, innocent comment was enough to almost shake to the core, mine and my wife's desire to continue re-enacting! LARPing is strictly in the realm of fantasy role playing games, and from my understanding, has nothing what-so-ever to do with education, history, or personal development and learning.

I mentioned that and I think it was enough to salve over the idea that all us re-enactors might be doing nothing more than LARPing. Knowing that LARPing has nothing to do with public education and the passing on of knowledge and history and re-enacting does, then that is good enough for me!

Otherwise, I am gonna start yelling "Fireball, Fireball, Fireball!" and throwing nerfballs and such at the 42nd Highland regiment next time I am doing a battle re-enactment. Maybe then they will fall down... cause cannon and volley fire doesn't seem to work.

I am not a LARPer...

Later

Back to the basics of the game...

In three days, I will once again join my gaming group in the fantasy world of D&D. I have not played this game in quite a while and that is sad because I love the game. I played the snot out of this game while in grade school and high school and the memories of those gaming days will be with me forever. Now I am hopefully making some good memories for my son and some of his friends. But yet, I find I do not enjoy the game as much as I used to. I am not sure why, but I think it is because in this day and age of video games where saving character information is done at the push of a button, I have become the defacto record keeper of the charcter information. When the game is over, the characters go with me, I record the upgrades and advancements and then give them back when a new game starts. I don't really mind that because I know that my players, at least the younger ones, will never pick up the Core Rulebooks and read them. When I was their age, I had committed the rules to memory. Now, I find myself having to tell them what to look for, what to do and what to roll. I would love to have them be able to look through the books, find ideas, weapons, spells and tricks that would make the game more imaginative for them. They do well enough with the role playing but I think they really don't know the game deeply enough to make it more fun for me to be the Game Master... I think this time I am going to let some of that responsibility fall to them and see how it goes. We will see how it turns out and if it becomes more fun for me as the DM to test their ability to survive. If not, I guess I will just have to kill them.

Later...

It doesn't matter who won WWII, all it matters is that the good guys did.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy France during WWII. As you might have read, the Queen of England was not invited to a anniversary event in France and that opened up a whole can of worms about the very biased question as to what country won the war. I have my opinions as to who won the war and for the most part, I feel it was the combined efforts of the US, British, and French forces during Campaign Overlord, or the D-Day invasion and ensuing months. But to be fair it would be really hard to ignore the efforts of the Russians, but that was more of a grudge match that would have happened regardless of what else was planned. If it had not been for the need of the German OKW to divert more forces from the East to the West, because of the D-Day invastion, it might have been likely that Russia would not have prevailed as they did.

Any way, I am linking a small blog comment that has some humour related to the recent gaff by the Frenchies. It is here

And finally, my thanks to all those people that were involved in the monumental effort on June 6th, 1944.

Later!

Gimme back my bullets!

Maybe here is an explanation as to why I cannot afford to even plink around with my low caliber firearms!

AMMO SHORTAGE

But at least there is the hope that the tight squeeze will be loosening soon.

Later!

Ken Brannagh doing....Thor?!?!

Ken Brannagh, one of my favorite actor/directors and someone that people say I have a passing resemblance to is at the helm of a movie about THOR, the comic book hero. Huh? Brannagh branching out into the geek world? Whatever... I suppose it will be a good action flick, but I wonder what he is planning. It seems so unlike him to try his hand at this sort of film. I guess we will just have to wait and see. If you want more info, go to this article on the new THOR movie. In the article it alludes to Brannaghs experience with Shakespearean battle movies... who knows!? I think it is cool.

Later!

Gun owners are getting prettier...

It's quickly becoming a gun toting nation and that's alright with me...

BANG!

This reminds me that I need to look into buying another handgun.

Later!

reSTARTreked

I think enough time has passed that I can comfortably talk about the new Star Trek film, helmed by JJ Abrams of "Lost" fame. I am a Star Trek fan from years ago. The Original Series! (TOS) I have seen every episode dozens of times, have read all the related books, watched all the subsequent spin off series.. TNG, DS9, VOY, and Enterprise. Of all of those I was still a TOS fan. The Enterprise series was good too. I enjoyed the idea of what happened before the famed crew of the Original Enterprise took her out into the final frontier for her first five year mission.

But when the new Star Trek became a blip on my sensors, I was excited, happy, and very apprehensive. It was going to be a younger Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all of the Enterprise crew. And it was going to be a story of how they all came together on the Enterprise... but wait. I already knew how they came together. It had all be laid out for us in countless episodic background stories and together it became Star Trek canon law. How in the world would Abrams be able to retell all that again without screwing it up and giving new audiences something they can grab onto, especially if they are younger, like my kids and only have a smattering of exposure to the Original Trek history.

Well, he did it. And he, or his writers, did it well. By starting off with James T. Kirk's father and changing history from there, he was able to completely make a whole new history with changing the history I am many others have come to know and love. I will not tell you how he did it or the story line or anything like that, except that instead of fixing the timeline like has been done in so many other Star Trek episodes, Abrams let the "broken" time line become the norm and no attempt to fix it was made. The new time line would now be the norm and it is this that makes me so excited! There is now the opportunity for a whole "new" history and new adventures for Star Trek using the characters that made it the cult classic it is! Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all the belvoed characters have a new lease on life. It is great! I am excited again about Star Trek! There are even Star Trek action figures back on the toy shelves!

If you have not seen the new movie, you should. Some of you out there probably won't just because it is Star Trek, or you don't want to have to think about new characters and time lines, but that is your failing. Give it a chance. I will say, the new Trek is better appreciated if you know the history, but even if you haven't been a fan or even seen much of it, you will like this movie.

The only nit-pick think I have about the show is; 1.) Kirk was supposed to be born in Riverside, Iowa, not in space. 2.) Vulcan ships don't have weapons.

Other than that, I can live with it and embrace it fully!

Live Long and Prosper!

Album covers... I have had enough...

Without getting into too much detail, I am organizing a huge LP record sale as a fundraiser for my office. Since March 16th, I have been up to my eyeballs in musty, dusty records, tapes, and CD's. I have seen way more than my share of album covers for one person. And believe me, some of them are just downright awful. Thankfully, someone has gone to the trouble of compiling a bunch of them in one wonderful website.

That website is Worst Album Covers, and I present it to you for you viewing pleasure.

What is really bad is that I have seen most of what you will see on this site.

Enjoy!

Quotes... Big Bang Theory Style!

If you are such a sorry excuse for a human that you have not yet managed to see at least one episode of the TV sitcom the "The Big Bang Theory", then shame on you.

It truly is one of the best shows on TV and it is treat for the geek crowd. So much is written for the geeks and nerds of the world, and if you are into sci-fi pop culture, then you will laugh yourself silly.

I present to you just a smattering of the quotes and lines from this very well written and witty show. You can find them just about anywhere on the web, but here are some to get you thinking about watching this show. Read them all.. there are so many more.... Enjoy!


Leonard: Why are you learning Chinese?
Sheldon: I believe the Szechuan Palace has been passing off orange chicken as tangerine chicken, and I intend to confront them.
Leonard: If I were you, I'd be more concerned about what they're passing off as chicken


Penny: Why can't all guys be like you?
Leonard: Because if all guys were like me the human race couldn't survive.


Penny: I need some guinea pigs.
Sheldon: Okay, there's a lab animal supply company in Reseda you can try. But if your research is going to have human applications, may I suggest white mice? Their brain chemistry is far closer to ours.
Penny: I swear to God, Sheldon, one day I'm going to get the hang of talking to you.
Leonard: His mom's been saying that for years.


Sheldon: Ah, gravity - thou art a heartless bitch.


Penny: Yes, I know men can't fly.
Sheldon: No, no let's assume that they can. Lois Lane is falling, accelerating at an initial rate of 32ft per second, per second. Superman swoops down to save her by reaching out two arms of steel. Ms. Lane, who is now traveling at approximately 120 miles per hour, hits them, and is immediately sliced into three equal pieces.


Sheldon: I'm sorry but I'm not going to watch the Clone Wars TV Series until I've seen the Clone Wars movie. I prefer to let George Lucas disappoint me in the order he intended.


Sheldon: All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy!


Sheldon: How often does one see a beloved fictional character come to life?
Wolowitz: Every year at ComiCon. Every day at Disneyland. You can hire Snow White to come to your house. Of course they prefer if you have a kid.


*Discussing Paintball Strategy*
Raj: We need a plan. How about Operation Hammer of the Gods?
Leonard: I forget, which one is Hammer of the Gods?
Raj: We hide behind the Dumpsters in the parking lot and ambush people when they come to pee.


Leonard: How can 5 not be worse than 1?
Rajesh: Yeah, Star Trek 5 worse than 1.
Sheldon: Ok, first of all that is a comparison of quality not intensity. Secondly, Star Trek 1 is orders of magnatude worse than Star Trek 5.
Rajesh: Are you joking? Star Trek 5 is the standard against which all badness is measured!

(Arguing ov
er the name for their team after having jointly decided to take part in the University Physics Bowl:)
Sheldon: Teams are traditionally named after fierce creatures thus intimidating one's opponent.
Raj: Then we could be the Bengal tigers.
Sheldon: Poor choice. You know, gram for gram no animal exceeds the relative fighting strength of the army ant.
Raj: Maybe so, but you can't incinerate a Bengal tiger with a magnifying glass.


Raj: Hold on a second. Kreplach??
Howard: Yeah.
Raj: That isn't Klingon. It's yiddish for meat-filled dumpling!
Howard: Well, as it turns out it's also a Klingon word.
Leonard: Really? Define it.
Howard: Kreplach a hearty Klingon.....dumpling.


Wolowitz: Sheldon, I'd kill my Rabbi with a pork chop to be with your sister.


Penny: (Barges into apartment) Hey, guys! My friends and I got tired of dancing so we came over to have sex with you.
(The guys continue to play Halo).
Penny: Told ya.
(Penny and her friends leave).
Sheldon: Why did you hit pause?
Leonard: I thought I heard something.
Rajesh: What?
Leonard: No, never mind.

Cool dog sayings...

"The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." Samuel Bulter

"The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for 50 years and then died, what would become of me?" Sir Walter Scott.


Thoughts to brighten you day on a gloomy, cold, rainy Illinios Tuesday.

Later!

I WILL be back...

Sorry for not blogging for a while. I have been extremely busy as of late and no time for anything else. I will be back. With thoughts motorcycles and things like that. I know you can't wait...

Re-enacting in the future.

As many of you know, I and my friends and family are involved in historical re-enacting. We find it educational, challenging and fun. And for the most part, we focus on the daily aspects of life in the time periods we set our re-enacted personas in. Today, while driving to work, I noticed a skateboarder zipping down the block and thought to myself, "Two-hundred years from now, will anybody re-enact the late 20th and early 21st century?" If if they do, will they get it right? Do you think there will be skateboarding re-enactors? Will they have replica cell phones that they will spend their time on? What about laptops? Just what would future re-enactors do if they decided to revisit our time period? Will they focus mainly on the military events of the time, like most re-enactment groups do, or will there be some focus on the civilian population like some groups are doing now? Many re-enactment groups are forming civilian representations rather than focusing on just the military. Who knows. It was just something I was thinking about. Is there anything worth re-enacting in the late 20th and early 21st century?

Later!

Well, I can't use that excuse anymore....

According to THIS article, I cannot tell my kids to stop playing video games because it will hurt their eyes. I guess instead I should start playing them more! If I could only get my kids to let me get on the XBOX, I could cancel me eye doctor appointments. I hate going to the eye doctor. They stick things on your eyes!

Ode to my dad...

Prior to my father passing away more than two weeks ago, I had it in mind to write something about him and his life and what he meant to me and my family. I never got around to it, and when we knew his time in this realm was limited, I really tried to put something down. But try as I might, I could not come up with anything. Not that he didn't have a huge impact on all of us, but probably because I had already said it to many people as they asked me about him. I had told them simply, "My Dad is(was) my Hero." I told this to one collegue of mine and she sent me this poem about three days later.

SUCCESS
by Martin Buxbaum

You can use most any measure
When you're speaking of success.
You can measure it in fancy home,
Expensive car or dress.
But the measure of your real success
Is the one you cannot spend.
It's the way your kids describe you
When they're talking to a friend.

Friends, I tell you again. "My Dad was my Hero."

That life story did get written, but in two different ways. Two people, one a blood relative and the other just as close as one, told my dad's story in wonderful ways. One was in a endearing, touching, and funny video montage of family photos, and the other was in a letter written to him about how much he meant to all of us. So I am happy that the story of my dad got told in the way it did. It was far better than anything I could have ever done on my own.

Later!

And so it begins?

Check this out!


Marxism, Leninism, Stalinism, Obamaism. It is just the same old socialist attempt to control us and our lives. What you do, what you think, what you own.

Bet I am on a list like this now...

More Music to get fired up with...

I was browsing the site, Playlist.com and found a whole bunch of tracks from the Battlestar Galactica TV series soundtrack. If you have never watched this show, too bad for you. If you have, then you know what I am saying when I say is has to be the best Sci-Fi drama/action series ever produced.

I was going to post links to a number of the tracks that I think are the best but apparently that is not going to work from the blog site, so I suggest you go to my playlist and give it a listen. My faves are the Main Title, Prelude to War, Storming New Caprica, Dirty Hands, The Dance and Wander my Friends. And finally, you have to listen to the remake of Bob Dylan's Along the Watchtower, which fits so well into the series.

You know you are a Trekkie if....

You own Star Trek Cologne...


There are two other Trek related colognes that will send your personal ensign in to warp drive! Buy them all and be the envy of all the other trekkies at the convention. The Orion Slave girls will fall all over you!

Thoughts on leashed dogs.

I have been reading the book, "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote and am at the chapter called Looser Leash. In it, he details the need for looser leash laws or at least areas where leash free dogs can roam and play. The San Fransico SPCA advocates loose leash laws in its area, stating that:
"Off leash areas are essential to the well being of dogs. Regular off leash play makes for healthy, well adjusted dogs. It burns off pent up energy, builds confidence, improves a dog's social skills, and helps prevent aggressive behavior. Conversely, limiting dog play results in under-socialized, under excersized, under stimulated dogs and often leads to behavior porblem." (could this be talking about people too?) The New York dog advocacy group FIDO states pretty much the same thing. Kerasote even challenges the reader to this thought experiment.
"Put a collar around your neck, attached to a six foot lead. At the other end of the lead is a dog who is at least twice and perhaps four to thirty times your size. Now go to a party, and try to talk with an other human being while your dog pulls at you, barks at you, and, through the leash that connects the two of you, transmits its annoyance, impatience, hurry, and concern, Is it any wonder that there are so many neurotic dogs?

But yet, there were 4.7 million dog bites occuring in the US in 1994 alone. So where is the logic of having more dogs off leash?

Of those bites, 75 percent of the dog bites did not occur between an off leash dog and a pedestrian. As a matter of fact, only 1.1% of the dog bites occured in the outdoors where a off leash dog might be met. Rather, the majority of the bites were in the family home were the bitee knew the biter!! You run a better chance of going to the ER for cutting off your toe with your own lawn mower than you do from getting bit by a dog, leashed or unleashed.

The threat to the public from dogs comes not from supervised free-roaming dogs but from solitary, caged or chained dogs that spend their entire life in what is a red-zone that they call their territory. Cross that red-zone line and you have trouble. Living like this makes a dog depressed and aggressive. What is needed is an area that dogs can be leash free for hours at a time and release this anxiety and spend time with their own. Kerasote claims they need four things. Green space, safety from cars, exercize, and conversation with their own kind. And if you think about it, so do humans. As these criteria decrease in availability, you get stress, depression and psychosis sets in. In humans, we treat it with drugs and what not and wring our hands on how to deal with it. With dogs, we sequester them so that they are virtual prisoners in solitary confinement or we "euthanize" them.

Whether by instinct or accident, I have allowed my dog Gunnar to have a very loose leash from the beginning. I have taken him on as many family vacations as I can, I play with him EVERY day in an open space where he can run, jump and go silly. And while I have worked very hard to teach him to walk on a leash properly, I have let the leash go more and more and now he walks, under my command with out a leash. He is still a dog and has his territory (house and yard), but both in and out of that territory, he is a very well socialized dog with many friends and he has very polite manners. Maybe if more humans got off of their leash, went to a green space that was safe from cars, got a bit of exercize, and conversed with more of their own kind, maybe we would not bite each other so much.

And the next time your local park district is going to make another bare open field into another baseball diamond, step up and suggest a leash free dog park.

TAKE OFF YOUR LEASH!

Later!

The season of Lent.

I am a Lutheran and by most accounts, have never really observed the tradition of giving up something for Lent. But after a discussion with my Pastor a few years ago, I saw the reasoning, logic and devotion that takes place in the practice of giving up something for Lent. The first year I did it, I gave up soda pop... not things like Brisk ice tea or things like that, but soda pop proper. Fizzy caffinated soft drinks. Made it through without too much trouble and discovered that when I could have it again, I really didn't miss it. The next year, I gave up soft drinks, and potato based meals. Again, no problem and really didn't miss it. This year, I will add one more. Candy. I have a sweet tooth that you cannot imagine! I love candy. It is my premium gas for my high octane engine! Any thing that comes in a wrapper, or in a box will be verboten for the next 40 days. This will be tough. Hopefully I will find another fuel to use keep the metabolism up! The sacrifice and challenge will be good for me. I will keep you up to date.

Later!

Shut the frak up...

I have not really had much initiative to blog about anything because frankly, everything I can think about blogging about would just be about ranting or whining and I don't like to do either. There are way too many people bitching and moaning about useless stuff on the web, so I won't add to it. Instead I will remain silent until I find something useful to blog about. I will comment on some things that I could bitch about but will instead will find something positive about them.

I have to pay taxes this year again... but at least it is about 600 buck less than last year!

I continue to lose money in the stocks that I invest in... but I still contribute and have hope.

Winter just doesn't seem to want to let go of my neck of the woods... but at least it is not summer.

See.. this is pointless. Unless you have something really horrible to bitch about, quit being so fraking negative and trying smiling once in a while.

I am tired of all the drama that people are making for themselves. I often tell my son, "You make your own Hell." If you don't like your situation, change it and quit bitching about it. Right now I know so many people that are just doing their damnedest to make their own lives miserable. Try dealing with a dying parent, a mass of close friends losing jobs, and other close friends who are having their marriage exploding in their faces. These are things that can't be controlled. These are real problems.

Despite real troubles that are affecting me, I am going to refuse to bitch. I will handle it and look to the future and smile. I refuse to be unhappy. Life is way to short to mope about and complain... no one is listening anyway.

later!

Service dog!

Gunnar is not really a service dog, but he could be! We visited at the home my dad is staying in while he get therapy and recovers from an amputation. The residents there were incredibly happy and thrilled to have a big friendly dog like him come to visit. One, as you see, even gave him her ice cream. Gunnar was in olfactory heaven with all the scents in the place... especially after meal time! Gunnar was very well behaved and was friendly to everyone me met. It was a neat experience for everyone.

Later!

Cool things about dogs...

My dog Gunnar recently celebrated his 3rd birthday on the 14th (valetine's day!) and I was just thinking about how cool dogs are. If you have never owned one, I feel sorry for you. You are missing out on a special relationship that you can never find in any other person, place or thing. So, here is a short list of some of the things that I think are cool about dogs. If you would like, comment and add it to the list!

1. Everyone who has owned a dog, had the priviledge of having the best dog in the world.

2. Dogs can pee and poop outside and no one, (mostly) really cares much.

3. Dogs don't care what you do for a living, what you are wearing or what you look like, as long as you are alive and you are with them you are a god in their eyes.

4. Dogs always forgive, unlike most humans.

5. Dogs think everyday is an adventure.

6. Histories are full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends. (Alexander Pope)

7. A dog never questions who he is or what he is all about. He just knows.

8. Every dog is decended from wolves... that is cool. It even helps make Chihuahuas cool in a very small way.

9. God spelled backwords is Dog.

10. Dogs can sleep anywhere.

YIKES!!!!

Found this on the Financial News from Yahoo!

daaanng... Thing really are coming to an end...

Businesses that may not survive 2009...


Krispy Kreme. (KKD; about 4,000 employees; stock down 50%). The donuts might be good, but Krispy Kreme overestimated Americans' appetite - and that's saying something. This chain overexpanded during the donut heyday of the 1990s - taking on a lot of debt - and now requires high volumes to meet expenses and interest payments. The company has cut costs and closed underperforming stores, but still hasn't earned an operating profit in three years. And now that consumers are cutting back on everything, such improvements may fail to offset top-line declines, leading Krispy Kreme to seek some kind of relief from lenders over the next year.

The Audacity of Fame...

In the news recently we have two famous people who have done some things that I would call (in order) frakin' stupid, and the other arrogant.

Michael Phelps: Seen in a photo smoking dope from a bong. The stupid, stupid ass. Here he is, America's sweetheart and he proves to everyone that he ain't no better than some stoner surfer, he just has better endorsement. Smoking the dope is one thing, and for that I will have no respect for him. (Drug use is a major issue for me... drug use = loser in my book) Secondly, did he even think about this... after all the times that his teachers and what-not told him he would amount to nothing because of his ADHD or something like that, and the mother that would not beleive them and set him on a course to greatness. Then he goes and done something boneheaded like this... I guess he just proved all those people right. He would turn out to be a loser. Again, this just goes to prove my theory that most professional atheletes are over-medicated, over-paid, over-sexed assholes that do not need our adulations... and have no right being role models for our kids.

Christian Bale: Verbally lambasting a movie crew member on the set of Terminator; Salvation. Have you heard this diatribe? Holy Crap! He is one angry individual who needs to take himself a little less seriously. Afterall, he is only Christian Bale, the so-so actor of action movies. He must think he is someone very important to make the threats that he made to this crew member. Like most actors, because of the praise and recognition we give them -- for ACTING -- they begin to believe that they are entitled or deserve special treatment, or worse, think we really want to hear their original thoughts. I have not heard many actors say anything really intelligent on their own. Most of what they say has been written for them, so all the good stuff is made up anyway. Chill out Christian Bale. Go have a drink...

I have heard this alot lately since the election... "Too Big to Fail..."

You are never "too big to fail." Unless you forget that. These guys seem to have.

Later

Have I seen the future?

As of the time of writing this blog, my father is undergoing a below the knee amputation. The amputation was a long time in coming and probably should have been done months ago. For the last few months my father has suffered from pulmonary stasis, which, due to a very severe lack of blood flow in his lower extremities, causes him great pain and has brought on the development of gangrene. He has lost a few toes, and now, in order to stop the gangrene and pain, he will be about 10 lbs lighter and half a leg short. He was ready for this, after much soul searching and much pain.

I brought him in today at 5am through driving snow and slick roads. While waiting for the prep room he needed to use the bathroom. I don't know if he knew it or not, but while doing so, he was taking a leak for the last time on his own two feet. I recognized the significance of it, but I don't think he did. And while in bed, spasms of pain would shoot through his leg and I would have to massage it and rub it to get the blood to flow and decrease the pain. Aside from the doctor, I would be the last person to touch or rub his leg to make it feel better. While doing this, he would fall in and out of sleep while we waited for the nurse or the doctor to prep him.

While he slept I got to watch him and think about what he has been through in the last 10 years or so. Many, many years ago, it was discovered that he had a deformed kidney, but it was working for the most part and nothing was made of it. Then in the last 15 years or so, the doctors found that he had an aortic aneurism that needed repaired. These are found more often than not in people over 65, so it was repaired and the danger of a burst aorta was avoided. But then the problems really set in. My father has been a life long smoker, and avid fan of Old Milwaukee beer, and like all good Germans, he appreciates the heavy food of the Old Country. I think these vices caught up with him after many years. He has never been overwieght, but was never really someone that looked out to keep himself physically fit. His job was one of hard work, where being inactive was not an option, so in a way, was "fit."

The first of the problems to manifest itself, was Macular Degeneration, a vision impairement problem that steals your center vision. We had never heard of it before, but were very knowledable about it in very short order. It is a disease that at this time is no cure for, and can only be held off, not avoided. It is said to be hereditary, but that is not confirmed, and it is said to be more common in blue eyed people, but almost as many "other" colored eyes have it too. More likely than not, it is matter of past health, sun exposure to the eyes, smoking and diet. Anyway, my father now, has nearly no sight other than some peripheral.

Additionally, about 8 years ago, after a trip out of state, my father comes back suffering from the beginning effect of renal failure. Scary thing, renal failure. when your kidneys go, it affects your mind. Seeing my father in a delusional mental state was the scariest thing I have ever seen. Long story short, he has been on dialysis now for about eight years. He never wanted a kidney transplant because he did not want to bother anyone else with his problems. The problem with that idea though is that most people do not stay on dialysis for eight or more years. Dialysis, over time, can destroy your circulatory system. And that leads to it's own set of problems. Most of which my father is experiencing now.

He has no teeth left. They rotted out of his head due to the dialysis treatment. He has become physically weak, due to the sapping of energy from the treatment. His remaining eyesight was compromised. His appetite has ceased to exist. His stomach is prone to uclers and internal bleeding which at one point, caused a mild heart attack. His skin has become so thin, a band-aid can flay his skin as easily as a filet knife. And now, he has gangrene infections from the deteriorated circulation in his feet. Hence the amputation.

As I sat there and watched him, I thought, is this my future? I have every intention to live well into my 100's and be living well. But did my father think the same thing when he was in his 40's? What can I do that he did not so that I can prevent all the maladies that have befallen him? Many times, my father stated that he would rather die than continue to suffer anymore. But each time he said that, my family would respond that he is still with us for a purpose. What purpose? To show us how long a man can suffer and remain in pain before he has had too much? To show us that we need to appreciate our healthy years and plan for the sick ones? Or maybe to show us that our bodies are our responsibility and that they are gifts that need to be cared for and maintained.

My blood relatives are very healthy people who live well into their 80's and sometimes 90's. But my father is the one that has been given all the ills that usually are spread out among a number of people. Almost like he was the one to take all the ills and carry them for everyone else. Don't get me wrong. I am not comparing him to a Christ like figure, but more like a informational poster board showing all the things that can go wrong if you take your life, your body and your health for granted.

I am in my 40's. I weigh only about 10 pounds more than I did in High School, and I think that is because of added muscle, not fat. I still wear the same pant and shirt sizes as I did in 1983. I have never smoked, drink strong alcohol rarely, don't really like beer, and have a glass of wine maybe every other day or so. I don't think I over eat or eat unhealthily. I can still run a mile in 7 minutes or under. I work out at the gym 3 days a week and can bench press close to 200 pounds or more. My eyesight is good, hearing okay, and I rarely get sick. Hell, I still am CMV negative in blood type, something most people lose by the time they are in their 20's. I am extremely happily married and love my family. I like my job. I live where I live. And I still have goals and future plans.

So does all this mean I can avoid that which has plagued my father for the last 10 years or so? Or is it that, no matter what I do, I cannot control my fate? Like I said before, I intend to live well into my 100's. Anything less I will consider a rip off. So rather than leave fate to decide my future I plan on doing everything that my dad did not do. I don't know if any of you have older parents, but watching them deteriorate from strong vibrant people in the space of a few years is not a pleasant thing. I am close (physically and emotionally) with my parents and it is a tough thing to handle. Sometimes I even came close to hoping dad's wishes would come true, but I never crossed that line.

And now as I come to the end of this writing, I don't know why I am writing it other than as a way to get it off my chest and out in the open instead of bottled up. They say getting your emotions out is good for you. Well, I hope this helps a bit. And I think that after all this, I have come to believe that no one can take their life and health for granted. Take care of it, because beleive me, you do not want to spend your retirement going back and forth to doctors and hospitals. I want no part of it. When it comes time for Reaper to catch up to me, I want that mother-fraker to be panting, out of wind and drop dead tired.

Later...

Good Luck America!

We now have a new president of the United States of America! Personally, he is not the guy I would have wished in the office, but in America, leaders are elected, good or bad, by the people. We do not put people in office by the use of a gun barrel and threats. Leave that for the third world countries and those places less civilized. Every four to eight years we do this peaceably, calmly, and without bloodshed. That is what is truly cool about this country.

Obama is now president and alot of people have put their hope in them. I hope he is half as good as his supporters say he is and not nearly as bad as his detrackers say he could be. If we get that, we will have a good President. Obama is as far as I am concerned, untested and unready, but he seems willing to give it a go anyway. I am tired of the deification of him before he has even done anything. Let him achieve something before you start claiming him as the new messiah. I hope his advisors are the smartest people in the country. We need smart people now. We need people who want to help Americans, not just the people of a particular party, income level or race.

Whatever happens, I hope that only the best happens for my country. We are on the ropes now and need to stand up and steady ourselves. I don't know if Obama can do it, but I can only hope. Succeed or fail, it is in his hands now. He will be working with his own party, a party known for tearing itself apart when it has the power in its hands. I hope he remembers that there are more than just one set of party ideals represented in Washington. If he does not, he will fail in what he promises to do. We will become more divided. We will move ever closer to be a divided union like that one of 140 plus years ago.

We as Americans need to do what needs to be done to make this a better place. We need to manage ourselves better. We need to raise our kids better. We need to work together better. We need to be better Americans. We need another Greatest Generation.

They say that Obama is the new chance for America. I say they are wrong. We have a new chance every day we wake up. What we do with that day makes all the difference. We can keep on doing what we have or we can decide to make a change. If it takes a new president to start people up, then so be it. But you can talk all you want about change, but if you only talk, then no change will come.

Stand up Americans. Time to take back the place in the world that we worked so hard to get. We deserve it.


Later.

An interesting, yet unsatisfying weekend...

Let's see, I helped do cleanup on a new business starting in town, gamed with some friends, sent my wife off to a girl scout activity, went to church and Sunday school, helped my mom and dad out at home, stood in audience while my son became married,had sex and became a father in a XBOX video game, attended a Boy Scout committee meeting, and watched a movie with my wife all this weekend, but it still felt like I did nothing of much importance or quality.

I just can't lay my finger on it, but the weekend felt like a wash. All these things should have made me feel rewarded but they didn't. My wife's excursion to the Girl Scout activity was almost a disaster due to lack of planning on part of the hosts and organizers, and the game I was running just didn't turn out as fun as I would liked it to have. (And how can you not have fun with half a dozen kobolds running around trying to kill each other in order to eat babies?) Going to church on Sunday morning was good but at Sunday school I was all set to have a youth meeting with the kids, but found out it was put off until next week. So instead we went out for breakfast. We did have a very kind person pay for all of our meals without us knowing about it, so that was a reward in itself.

And helping my folks out really does make me feel good, but this time, because I know what I am doing in more in preparation for my father losing his right leg due to complications of ill health, I just was not feeling good about it.

Then my son is playing Fable II (a video game on XBOX) and he takes his character into the actions that get him married, buying a house, and having sex and making a family, which by itself was hilarious because he was so embarassed about it, but I could have turned it into something about life learning. Instead I went and made supper.

The movie was good and I always enjoy hanging out with my wife to watch a movie. It is part of what we do as a couple. But even that was kind of a let down.

I think it is because over the weekend and last week, a number of things, from friends in emotional strife, to my dad's ill health, and the ever-present gray frozen condition of Central Illinois, I just could not really enjoy this weekend, and that sucks. This was a great weekend, I just could not see it for all the downers that surrounded it.

Sorry for the complete uselessness of this blog post, but I just wanted to get it off my chest. Next weekend will be better.

later!

How happy are you?

I heard this morning while listening to the news, (I never really get to "watch" the news as I am making lunches and dancing around a very happy German Shepard at 6am) and thought I would look into it. This page: Pew Research Graphs gives you a bunch of graphs that demonstrate happiness among Americans. It has 30+ different types of American's status' , affiliations, or demographics that are graphed when they were asked, "How happy are you." It is interesting to note that Conservatives are more happy than Liberals, more money can apparently buy happiness, and the older you get, the happier you are. (I guess I will be a laughing fool by the time I am 100 years old.) What I am disappointed in is that dog owners are 1% less happy than cat owners. What is up with that?! I know this report is from 2006, but it was news today, so I pass it along to you.

Later!