Bodhran Roll, Please!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T16:21:00.004-06:00

For the first time in 2 weeks, I have internet. Don't know what the problem was... don't care... it's working for now.

I hope all had a blessed Christmas & I wish everyone a happy 2009.

Speaking of blessed Christmas's, this Christmas was an unexpected surprise. Things hadn't been going well financially in the Bodhran home & The Wife & I weren't planning on doing much for the kids this year..... just couldn't afford to.

Well, it seems that someone in our church happens to work in a parochial school here in town. Every year, this lady's school collects donations (in gift form) for a family "down on its luck" so that those kids can have something under the tree come Christmas morning.

Usually, the kids sponsored are from one of the poorer schools in town, but this year she decided to sponsor a Catholic family down on its luck from her church.....

Us.

When I found out (The Wife called me at my part-time job) I was speechless. Couldn't say a word.

This wonderful lady showed up at our door with 2 large plastic bags FULL of gifts for my children.

Now let me say The Wife & I aren't "destitute".... yet -- each kid had a couple gifts from us & Santa, & if our friend had asked us beforehand, I would've told her that we were alright & asked her to find someone who "really needed it".

Turns out, I really did need it.

For so long now, I've only focused on how rotten people are; selfish, rotten creeps.

This teacher from our church, her students & their parents have made me completely rethink how I view others. I can't assume that people are bad or self-serving when I'm confronted with such kindness from total strangers, & I'll never see others in that dark light again.

I received the best gift of all this year. I've had the burden of bitterness lifted from my heart. While there is still evil in the world, there are a whole lot of folks out there who are willing to make sacrifices for complete strangers, folks who care enough for their fellow man that they give of their time & money so that kids they'll probably never meet can have something to unwrap on Christmas morning. That means more to me than anyone can ever know.

There is more love in this world than I've ever wanted to believe was there.

Anyway, I pray everyone has a truly wonder-filled 2009!

Never Seen One Like This Before!

2008-12-12T12:02:00.006-06:00

I love reading old documents.

I've read all sorts of things including posters for escaped slaves, but I've never read one like this before, from the Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, VA, dated March 7, 1750-1:

Virginia Gazette
(Hunter), Williamsburg ,
March 7, 1750-1.

RAN away from the Subscriber, in Charles County, on Patowmack, Maryland, Two white Servant Men, a white Servant Woman, and a Negroe Man; viz., Thomas Long, about 5 Feet 9 Inches high, has a Scar on one of his Hands, black Hair, sandy Beard; had on when he went away a Cotton Jacket and Breeches, and a Felt Hat, but it is thought he has other Cloaths with him: He was a Scotch Rebel. Patrick Donahow, an Irish Man, about 5 Feet 7 Inches high, has black Hair and black Beard, and a little bald; had on when he went away, a brown colour'd Coat, two blue Jackets, one Camblet the other Cloth, without Sleeves, and both lin'd with red, a Pair of Pumps, Silver Buckles, and a fine Hat. Anne Harris, about 30 Years of Age, big with Chile, she has a long Face, with a Scar on the right Side of it near her Eye; she took away with her a fine Chintz [?] gown with red Flowers, a Dungear ditto, with red and green stripes, a Velvet Cap, and a Pair of fine Holland Sheets, with other Things of Value. Cooper, the Negroe Fellow, is about 26 Years of Age, and about 6 Feet high, has a Scar on one side of his Face near his Eye, has remarkably thick legs, and has lost one of his Toes; had on when he went away a Cotton Jacket, and a Pair of wide Trousers. Whoever takes up the said Run-aways, so that I may have them again, shall have Ten Pistoles Reward.
Jacob Andrew Minitree.

(all emphasis mine).

I've always known that not all slaves were black, but never before have a seen a poster for runaway "servants" in which one is described as "a Scotch rebel"!

To view the above (and other postings) in it's original (reproduction) form, go to longhunters.com.
Thanks, Long hunters, for keeping history interesting!

Back to Bodhrans!

2008-12-12T11:11:00.006-06:00

It is in the title after all....

So, for your listening pleasure, I've found a fellow who lilts while he plays. This is something I started doing at rendezvous after getting sick of complaining about a lack of musicians... If you can't play with someone else, play with yourself.

Uh..... wait....

Anyway, this guy's quite good.

Enjoy.

You Know You Work In A Public School District When...

2008-12-11T13:51:00.002-06:00

You pick up your ID badge & the district employee can't spell "Custodian".

According to my badge, I am a "Custodain".

It just makes me laugh.

Thankful & Penitent

2008-12-10T13:01:00.005-06:00

I got a job today. It's part-time, but I knew that when I applied & it's only for as long as I'm in college.

It's for the company in charge of cleaning the local schools.

That's why I'm thankful today.

Why do I feel penitent? Well, without getting too specific or invading the privacy of another, I, without thinking, had a hand in making someone I consider a friend feel even worse than he/she did in the first place.

I. Am. An. Ass.

I apologized earlier today, explained why I said what I said, hopefully without sounding like I was making excuses -- which I wasn't -- & begged forgiveness.

What I did was thoughtless, careless, and hateful. It doesn't matter that it was unintentional. I did wrong & I'm deeply sorry.

This incident has caused me to rethink my outlook on life & people.

I hesitate to write a lot about myself.

(Then why do I even HAVE a blog? I ask myself that, too, to the point where I sit with my finger hovering over the 'delete' button.)

I've shared, with whomever cares to read this excuse for a blog, a few things about myself here, but the things that make me ME, those people and incidents that had a part in shaping the man I am today..... Well, I wish I could talk about some of it, but I just can't, for several reasons: (1) It's just too painful, (2) I don't think anyone else would care, & (3) Most folks have their own burdens & I don't want to add to them.

This time I shared what I thought (at the time) & guess what..... I added to a respected friend's burden. He/She need lifted up, & I helped bring him/her lower. I tried commiserating & I blew it.

See what I meant about not knowing what to say? If one doesn't know what to say, one should say NOTHING!

If I'd remembered that, I wouldn't have added to his/her pain.

All I can say now is, I'm sorry.

It's About Damn Time!

2008-12-09T08:55:00.002-06:00

Heard about it.

Had to verify.

It's true.

Blago's goin' down!!!

Finally!

His arrogance has, at last, gotten the better of him. I mean, trying to sell Obama's senate seat in the midst of his on-going federal investigation???

Good God Almighty! If that's not arrogance, WTF is?!

Now can we please get a governor in Springfield whose next stop isn't the hoosegow?

What To Say, What To Say...

2008-12-08T22:38:00.002-06:00

Something with which I've always had trouble is: what can I say to someone who's suffering?

I hate cliches.

(I know there's supposed to be a ` or something over the 'e', but I don't know how to put it there!)

HATE. THEM.

They're what people say when they shouldn't say anything at all.

"I know how you feel", "Things could be worse", "I know what you're going through"....

MEANINGLESS!

That said, I have real trouble when it comes to offering verbal support to friends who are in real pain. What can I say that doesn't come off as sounding cliched?

A friend looses their job... I say, "that sucks!" because I don't want to bring up the fact that I lost mine too, & trivialize their pain by comparing it to my own & maybe making them feel worse not because of their circumstances, but because it could seem as if I'm trying to usurp their misery.

Someone's loved one dies... I say, "that sucks!" instead of, "I know how you feel because I've had loved ones die, too" for the same reason.

I just wish that I had the ability to verbalize sympathy without sounding like a Hallmark card.

I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones I do have I feel a fierce loyalty toward, to the point that I want to "fix" what's wrong, "kill" that thing that's hurting them so keenly, "defend" them from what so often turns out to be indefensible.

(Am I making any sense at all, or is this one of those "stream of consciousness" things?)

I don't like to burden them with my problems simply because I don't want them worrying about me when I know they have problems of their own; most of them much worse than my own.

I'm unemployed, going on more than two weeks now..... A friend of mine has been without work for over 6 months!

I have a sick kid in the house..... I have friends who have things wrong with them that even the so-called doctors can't figure out!

So what can I say?

The only thing I can seem to do is pray. That should be enough, right? I mean, I'm not going to stop praying for you. I just want y'all to know that when I say, "You're in my prayers", that I'm definitely NOT spewing forth a cliche!

It also doesn't mean I'll show up on your front stoop waving my arms around, shouting "GAAWWD!!" at the top of my lungs, or waxing eloquently with a plethora of 'thees' & 'thous'.

Not for me.

Unless you REALLY want me to, you know, scare the bejabbers out of your neighbors...

ANYway, I just want you, my friends, who are in many ways more like family to me, to know that yes, I'm perpetually praying for you (and for myself, too) & eagerly awaiting the time when we can once again enjoy each other's company.

Pax,
Wes

Wow... I've Never Been FIRED Before....

2008-11-24T12:54:00.006-06:00

Had a great weekend.

Woke up Saturday morning about 4am projectile vomiting.

I don't recommend it.

Had a couple friends come over

(one stayed -- God knows why -- and one who did the sensible thing & left).

Was feeling better this morning so I went to work.

Yet another hour later because, once again, my hours were cut.

I'm talking to another driver, who I'm surprised to see, hadn't left the dock yet. She's had her hours cut also, but now she's waiting for her truck to get back, & it's an hour late. She had 5 deliveries to make between Oregon, IL., Sterling, Loves Park, & then several pickups between Freeport & .......

I'll just say she didn't know how she was going to meet her deadline, 'K?

I mentioned something about "this fucked up company going down in flames".

Well, my boss (uh, former boss) came out of his office asking what I meant about him going down in flames. I told him I wasn't talking about him, I was talking about the company

(Straight Shot Express.... like I give a fuck anymore)

going down in flames because of a lack of planning, poor upper managerial skills -- on the part of those in Neenah, WI.-- & poor marketing on the part of the Sales Dept.

I also told him that conversations I have with other people don't concern him.

He starts in with "you don't do anything around here & when you finally get work you bitch about it!", to which I reply "that's bullshit and you know it!" & "so it's My fault we don't have enough customers anymore and you've cut 2-1/2 total hours from my work day?!"

That's about the time he gets IN MY FACE, which REALLY pisses me off, especially when he accuses me of getting in his face.

Other things were said, including: (me) "Friday's my last day. I'm thru with this fucking place", & (he) "What!?" & after some more indecipherable cussing on his part, I added, "Keep being a prick, ya cocksucker, and I'm done now!!"

Can ya guess what he said then?

"You called me a name! YOU'RE FIRED!!"

(me) "After all the names you've called your employees, AND ME, you're firing me for calling you a name!?"

(him) "I've never called anybody names!"

(me, laughing) "You're telling me that you've never called Gerald a 'stupid motherfucker'? You're telling me you've never called damn near every other driver here a 'lazy son-of-a-bitch? You're a cocksucker AND A FUCKING LIAR, TOO!!"

So here I am... Fired...

It doesn't feel all that bad. I mean, I'm not rushing to tell The Wife, but I've already got a lead on another job 2 hours later, & I'm starting college on the 20th of January. I would've been done with that cocksucker anyway!

Now I can call DOT & report the various violations that're on-going at Cheap Shit Express (the squatter living in the Men's room, the unsafe conditions of the trucks, the fact that Stan let's non-CDL drivers drive Class B straight trucks....)

Well, I'd better get back to that job application. Looks like I'll be cleaning schools again.

Roll on!

Now That I've Calmed Somewhat.....

2008-11-05T07:33:00.002-06:00

I have several friends I know that voted third party, & after thinking about my last post, I owe them an apology.

I know why you voted the way you did & I actually understand the reasoning behind it. McCain wasn't anywhere near the Conservative we needed, but he wasn't a communist, just the lesser "bad". I actually HOPE you're message to the Republican party came through loud and clear: "STOP GIVING US MILKSOPS, CHOSEN LARGELY BY DEMOCRATS FOR US TO VOTE FOR!" "WE WANT AND NEED A TRUE CONSERVATIVE TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY, NOT SOMEONE OBSESSED WITH 'CROSSING THE AISLE' IN ORDER TO WORK WITH SOCIALISTS WHO'LL STAB YOU IN THE BACK AT THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY!"

Was it something like that? I know I'd been screaming those messages for the last 2 years....

I guess what I'm REALLY pissed about is this: How many selfish, lazy, non-thinking brain donors there are in this country who continually vote for liberals, after all the damage liberals have done to our nation. The same people who continually fuck up are the same ones who say that they're the only ones who can fix what's wrong. How does that make any sense whatsoever??

It's so easy to be a liberal Democrat; there's no thinking involved. Everything they do is based on how they FEEL.

So, my fellow Conservatives, let's do what we can to get the Congress back in 2010.

Again, I apologize to my third party friends for my earlier outburst.

UP THE REPUBLIC!

Congratulations America!

2008-11-04T23:53:00.004-06:00

You've just elected our FIRST MARXIST PRESIDENT of the U.S.S.A!!!

Feel good?

Feel proud?

Well that's funny.....

Considering you've fucked us all.

You third party voters...

You wanted to make your "statement" & you did:

You were willing to accept an anti-American Socialist over a man who, despite his many, MANY faults, truly does love his country, who sacrificed more than the vast majority of us ever will for his country, for your "statement".

Was it worth it?

I wasn't a big fan of McCain, God knows! But 1 of 2 people were gonna win this election, one of whom is a man who's stated that his country sucks

(in different, no doubt more nuanced words),

wants to "redistribute"

(read: "confiscate")

the money of folks who work hard and give to other folks who don't, thinks it's just fine to let babies who survive their abortions die anyway since "that was the mother's intent in the first place", thinks his Black Liberation theology is a wonderful religion & his hate mongering "Reverend" Wright is a good man.....

I don't need to go on.

What else can I say but...

Welcome to the White House, mulatto messiah.

I hope our nation survives you.

UP THE REPUBLIC!

Now With 100% More Shirt!

2008-09-22T08:34:00.003-05:00

So, Saturday I loaded up with Contagion, his boy Boopie, & Shadoglare, and went down to Ottawa, IL. for some shootin' fun. I'd never been to the Buffalo Range before and I'm glad I went. The Plinkin' Pit rocks! Folks bring whatever they want - except metal, glass or toxic items - to place in the pit, & then shoot it.

Target of choice on this occasion.... Somebody's old printer. Watching chunks fly off that printer while hitting it with 7.62 x 54 rounds fired from Contagion's Mosin Nagant made me giggle like a little girl! I learned a couple valuable lessons also:

1. The mosin kicks like a fucking mule, as the bruises on my shoulders will attest, &

2. When firing the mosin, or any bolt action rifle, left handed, make sure your left thumb is well out of the way when working the bolt with your right hand. That mother'll slice it quite nicely.

As fun as it is to shot, I think I only put 30 rounds through that Mosin, mostly for reason #1.

The AK-47 now..... I wish I'd had at least another 300 rounds for that. Gawd, is it nice to shoot! I can see why a lot of AK shooters wear gloves though... That fore grip gets fucking hot!

The Walther PPK now, I think I was the only one who enjoyed firing that little gun. I didn't have the problem of "slide bite" that some complain about, & I wasn't overly concerned about hitting targets with it (most targets were at least 100 feet away, & it's only good for the first 50 or so), but for close up, it's not a bad little pistol.

The .357 was fun as well, but the newest love of my life?

The Colt .45 model 1991. That's about the most accurate I've ever shot with a pistol. There is nothing I don't like about that gun; the way it sits in the had, the ease of operation, everything.

I've got to get me one o' those!

We left the range around 2 I think, & headed back to Contagion's to find his lovely wife Ktreva, along with lovely Wil, Red, & Petey in the backyard, partaking of adult beverages.

Stuff gets fuzzy from there.... Graumagus showed up, as did Bruce & I think at least another 30 people....

Hell, I don't know....

I know that I'd brought the bodhran down & Petey & I sang some songs. I think I got ass-punched a couple times.

And yes, at one point I removed my shirt. Wouldn't you if it was covered in various and sundry stomach fluids & snot?

Not my most dignified moment.... Oh no....

Bottom line, we all had a good time & though I didn't feel up to blogging much (read: "I didn't want to yack on someone's laptop) I'm looking forward to Blogcrawl '09.....

Probably as a Designated Driver....

Blogcrawl 2008

2008-09-20T20:32:00.002-05:00

Yeah. It's happenin'.

I should probably wait till I'm sober......

I'm shirtless , I'm drunk.... that's all I should say right now.

Change Is Hard.

2008-09-16T23:15:00.003-05:00

Which is why I prefer bills.

*rim shot*

Yeah, I know....

Really though, for me change has always been difficult.

I'm not talking about the empty "promise" of change proclaimed by the liberal's mulatto messiah currently running for president, but actual life altering change.

Tomorrow I go to a local college to speak with an adviser about returning to school for my teaching degree.

I'm looking forward to it, don't get me wrong. This is a good thing; an end to my loooong series of dead end jobs; the first step to an actual career.

I just know it won't be easy. I just turned 38, I have a wife and 4 kids & I have to get a job to work around whatever hellish schedule I'm about to subject myself to......

But I can't let those things stop me. I'm done with excuses & I'm finally going to go through with it.

It's just scary for me, ya know?

I'd appreciate prayers, good thoughts, whatever sort of karmic support I can get.

Thanks in advance. :)

9/11 + 7

2008-09-11T19:56:00.017-05:00

Remember this?

And this?

Remember them, the heroes who ran in, many to their deaths, while everyone else ran out, .....

and the prayers the survivors offered up to their Lord on that day & after?

Remember the barbarians who did it.....

and the barbarians who celebrated their "triumph"?

Remember the victims....

and the families they left behind?

Remember those who fight so that this never happens again?

Remember.

I Know I Was Gonna....

2008-08-29T12:56:00.004-05:00

But I didn't.

Sorry.

I was gonna critique the Galesburg Heritage Days event, but well..... you know.

I just can't get excited about posting anymore. There's no inspiration, the words just don't come to me anymore. I have a head full of ideas but when it comes time to write them down.....

The only reason I'm posting now is that I took the day off originally because the sitter was going to be closed. Her husband kept it open, but I took the day anyway. Just to get some shit done around the house & yard without arguing kids.

What the hell, right? The bullshit I have to put up with from my incompetent boss, retarded co-workers, piss poor drivers, & customers who get upset that I'm not a fucking psychic, I deserve a "me" day.

Let me explain that last part. I go to a place of business to pick up freight. All I know when I walk in their door is: 1. How many pieces of freight I'm to pick up, & 2. What the approximate weight is.

That's all!

I don't know where their shit's going! They, the shipper, need to tell me that!
I don't know what exactly it is that they're shipping! They, the shipper, need to tell me that!
I don't know what service they want to use (Next, 2nd, or 3rd Day, guaranteed or not guaranteed). That's all information that I get from THE SHIPPER! I DON'T KNOW ANY OF THAT GARBAGE UNTIL. THEY. TELL. ME!!!

Many, many times I've had to listen to some fucking brain stem talking on the phone saying, "This guy [me] doesn't know anything!"

To which I've said, "How can I know if you don't TELL me? This is all information that I need FROM YOU if you want me to move your freight!"

Work's been bumming me out. I'm just not going anywhere, you know? My hours are still cut from 10 to 11 hours a day to 7-1/2 to 8. I need to get out. Every time I walk in that shop door, I die a little.

I need to go back to school. I've been thinking about it for awhile & by next spring, I'll be enrolled in school again.

What field? Teaching. History (or "Social Studies", if you prefer). To 6th - 12th graders.

The Wife thinks I'm coo-coo for Crazy Puffs. Not because I want to be a teacher, but because I want to teach history to packs of walking hormones! Truth is, I feel I can deal better with older kids than with younger ones.

It's something I have a passion for, history, ever since I was a kid. History never bored me & it always confused me why most people seemed to be so..... blah!.... about it.

My only problem is before I can start school, I have to get a different job.

A job that pays at least what I make now, because to tell the truth, I can't honestly say we're making it right now, & with a drastic pay cut, we'd be back in the crapper once more.

The Wife's been saying that if I need to take a job that makes less in the short run, to do it because in the long run, I'll have a degree & the certification to teach anywhere.

Heh. That sounds good..... Until the bills start piling up...... again...... and the fireworks start..... again.

Yep, we've been there before...

If there's anyone out there who's been in this situation, how did you handle it? How did you go back to school as an adult with kids and bills and such?

I really want to know.

No, I Don't Need a Drug Test, Thank You!

2008-08-20T21:58:00.005-05:00

Now that I've got a bit of time, I can fill ya in on the truck driving nun story.

Well, it's not so much a story as an observation, but here's what happened:

'Twas the middle of last week & I was pulling my truck into a TA truckstop, where I would wait for a call from my dispatcher telling me to go somewhere and fetch something.

I sit a LOT in my current job, waiting for such calls.....

Anyway, I'm going into the TA for a (diet) coke & as I open the door, there's an honest-to-God nun coming out. I hold the door for her, she smiles, nods & passes by.

Now I thought it odd that a nun was coming out of the commercial drivers door but I wasn't going to chastise the sister. I just assumed her station wagon was nearby.

I go in, pay for my diet coke, & walk out. As I do, the Penski rental tractor-trailer nearest the door fires up & when I look up at the driver, there she is: the little nun.... in full habit.... sitting behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler flatbed hauling a fork truck.

I was.... well.... speechless!

I walk back to my truck, I know, with my jaw hanging down, staring at this improbable sight as Our Lady of the Interstate pulled out of the lot & right on down the highway.

Friends, I can honestly say "I have seen about all there is to see, truckdriving." I've seen Africans right off the boat (one of which wore a dashiki!), Sikhs wearing turbans, newly arrived Asians, Eastern Europeans, & even a few Canadians, but if you'd told me, "Wes, today you'll see a Roman Catholic NUN driving a rig", I'd've told you to go take your meds.

Of course, when I told folks back at the shop what I'd seen, my DP wanted to send me to the clinic for a drug test.....

Maybe I shoulda went....

Ah well, that's what happened. Tomorrow I'll tell about Heritage Days, but right now I need to say my novena to Our Lady of the Open Road. +

Three Years Later....

2008-08-13T23:52:00.002-05:00

And I still don't post for shit!

It's been three years & two days since I started this blog.

I'm still wondering, "Why?"

I'll update soon. I have to tell somebody about the truck driving nun, but as I've gotta go to bed, it'll have to wait.

Yeah, I suck!

You Think You Know Somebody.....

2008-06-30T23:52:00.006-05:00

I don't know what to say about this.

This man is (was?) my friend. We had a lot of fun in "The Miserable Few" & later in "Twice Daily", the Irish bands that we played in together. He amazed me with his talent on guitar, bazooki, mandolin, banjo & anything else he played.

And then I hear a news story on the radio & later, in order to prove that this isn't the guy I know, that it's somebody else, I went to the original newspaper article & read this:

A Lindenhurst man has been charged with possession of child pornography found on his computer by a Kansas technology firm.

Peter Macdonald, 57, was arrested Monday by Lake County sheriff's police.

Lou Archbold, an investigator for the Lake County state's attorney's office, said Macdonald sent his laptop computer to Resq System in Olathe, Kan., to have a new hard drive installed March 16.

Technicians at the firm could not start the computer, Archbold said, so they called Macdonald for his user name and password.

Macdonald supplied the company with the information, Archbold said, and technicians found a pornographic picture of a young boy as the desktop background of the device.

Technicians also located several files they suspected contained child pornography, Archbold said, so they contacted local police.

Kansas police sent the computer to the FBI for analysis, Archbold said, and the FBI alerted Lake County authorities.

Macdonald was taken into custody at his home at 839 Colony Court. He was released after posting $10,000 cash for bond.

He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted and is scheduled to appear July 7 in court.

When I saw the photo at the top of the page, it was like getting hit in the gut. Denial kinda stops at that point.

I want to give my friend the benefit of the doubt, you know?

But as a father, I don't want to hear excuses, I don't want to hear lies, I don't want to hear rationalizations. Pedophiles make me puke. There's not a pit in Hell hot enough for those who get off on the victimization of children.

Even if one of them was my friend.

I still pray that this is some mistake. We all know people who've taken pictures of their little kids in the tub, running around nekked and what not, without one iota of a sexual thought - the kid's cute, & that's it.

Of course, nowadays that could be seen as kiddie pr0n even when it's plainly not....

I just don't want to believe that my friend is a pervert is all.

Their Intent

2008-06-26T22:19:00.002-05:00

I was happy to see that the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the 2nd Amendment.

That's partly sarcastic: imagine the Supreme Court having to "uphold" an actual amendment -- not a court ruling, BUT AN ACTUAL, ALREADY EXISTING AMENDMENT to our Constitution!

It disturbs me greatly that 4 judges voted to just toss out one of our most important freedoms, that of being able to defend ourselves from harm, with firearms, & that this already clearly defined Constitutional right wasn't held up BY ALL NINE JUDGES!

Those four liberal hacks claimed that they "didn't know the intent" of what our Founding Fathers meant when they wrote the 2nd Amendment...... Fuck, they didn't look too goddamned hard, did they, because my incompetent ass found various comments from several of the Founders on just exactly what they meant when they wrote:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always posses arms... -Richard Henry Lee, Additional Letters From The Federal Farmer, 1788

The Constitution [shall] be never construed to ... prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. - Samuel Adams, Massachusetts' U.S. Constitution ratification convention, 1788

Let us remember that if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it. - Samuel Adams

The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force far superior to any band of regular troops... - Noah Webster, An Examination of The Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, Philadelphia, 1787

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. -Thomas Jefferson, Proposed Virginia Constitution, 1776

Arms in the hands of individual citizens [may] be used at individual discretion ... in private self-defense... - John Adams, A Defense of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America, 1788

...[A]rms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them. -Thomas Paine, Thoughts On Defensive War, 1775

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force you are ruined. - Patrick Henry, Virginia's U.S. Constitution ratification convention

If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I would never lay down my arms - never - never - never! You cannot conquer America. - William Pitt, Speech, November 18, 1777

Necessity is the plea for infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. -William Pitt

(The Constitution preserves) the advantage of being armed which Americans posses over the people of almost every other nation ... (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. - James Madison, The Federalist, No.46

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion on your walks. -Thomas Jefferson, August 19, 1785

"...on your walks." Unless you're just walking around your house, I'm pretty sure he meant when you're not home!!!

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

(The above quotations were found here.)

That's just a few, but you get my point. THEIR INTENT & MEANING WAS CLEAR & JUST AS RELEVANT NOW AS THEN.

And if you still can't understand it, then piss off, 'cause I have no time for someone who can't read what's in front of them.

With Love (I'm sure) From Petey

2008-06-23T10:04:00.004-05:00

That sonofa..... I mean, my good friend Petey smacked me with this meme, & nice guy that I am...... aww Hell, here it is:

The rules:

1. Post the rules of the game at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

====================================================================

What were you doing five years ago?

I was working as a temp making rotary brakes. Exciting, eh?

What are five things on your to-do list for today?

1) Go to work
2) Come home to work (dishes, laundry, kids' baths, etc...)
3) Go down to Contagion's to fill out the online registration for Theatiki (seeing as how my 'puter's a piece of shit & barely able to handle this blog). I should probably ask him first, of course.....
4) Fill out this freakin' thing
5) Go to bed, so I can repeat steps 1 & 2.... into perpetuity.....

What are five snacks you enjoy?

1) Those Reese's Granola bars with the peanut butter on 'em
2) The Wife's cookies. Doesn't matter which ones; peanut butter, chocolate chip, peanut butter- chocolate chip, etc...
3) Peanut butter & honey sandwiches (are you seeing a pattern)
4) Cheese, the stinkier the better!
5) corn chips with salsa

What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?

1) Get one or two off-shore accounts
2) Pay off my & my family's debts
3) Donate a goodly portion to Catholic Charities, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross & whatever other worthy charities I can think of, all anonymously. I have ALWAYS wanted to do that -- drop a couple thou in a small church's collection plate, & walk away.... That'd be the BEST!
4) Get the fuck out of Rockford!!!
5) Take The Wife & kids to Scotland, Ireland, & England for a year... maybe longer

What are five of your bad habits?

1) Smoking cigarettes... a pack & a half a day now...
2) I drink a lot -- A LOT -- of Coke. I'm working on sticking to Diet Coke as of today
3) I get pissed easily, especially at fucking morons who don't know how to fucking drive!
4) I have a slight tendency to curse.... &
5) Sometimes I understate facts

What are five places where you have lived?

1) Roodhouse, IL. Born there, left there at the soonest opportunity
2) Ft. Benning, GA. All too briefly.. Long story & I'll not repeat it
3) Jacksonville, IL. For the one year I went to MacMurray College & thereby met The Wife
4) Champaign-Urbana, IL. Where The Wife & I lived after we married
5) Rockford, IL. God help me...

What are five jobs you’ve had? (a short list)

1) Security guard (briefly)
2) Fork truck driver in a warehouse
3) Machine set-up/operator in a paint/colorant factory
4) Machine operator for a brake manufacturer (very briefly)
5) Truck driver

Now I know I'm supposed to pass this on to five other people, but I know from experience that by the time I get these meme things, all my close friends have already gotten 'em, so what'd be the point?

This one was one the better ones: nothing nasty &/or nothing that was nobody's goddamned business....

There's that cursing problem....

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T20:52:00.009-05:00

I've always had trouble wishing anyone a "Happy" Memorial Day. It's a day of contemplation, a day for showing our pride in our service men & women, & a day for giving thanks to those who've sacrificed their all for their - our - country.

My dad, a veteran himself of the 1st Infantry Division - The Big Red One - sent this to me & I thought this would be best time to share it. Thanks dad, for this article and for serving your - our - country in the jungles of Viet Nam.

Hopefully, someday, I'll learn more from Dad about his experiences & with his permission, share them. I'm extremely proud of him.

"This picture was taken in 1918. It is 18,000 soldiers preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa. A gift from our grandfathers. ..

As the web site of the Iowa National Guard explains, the above-displayed photograph of a "human Statue of Liberty," formed by 18,000 posed soldiers, was taken in July 1918 at Camp Dodge, Iowa, as part of a planned promotional campaign to sell war bonds during World War I:

On a stifling July day in 1918, 18,000 officers and soldiers posed as Lady Liberty on the parade drill grounds at Camp Dodge. According to a July 3, 1986, story in the Fort Dodge Messenger, many men fainted; they were dressed in woolen uniforms as the temperature neared 105 degrees F. The photo, taken from the top of a specially constructed tower by a Chicago photography studio, Mole & Thomas, was intended to help promote the sale of war bonds but was never used.

A reader whose great-grandfather appeared in this picture passed along to us some contemporaneous information about the photograph prepared by the Committee on Public Information.

The design for the living picture was laid out at the drill ground at Camp Dodge, situated in the beautiful valley of the Des Moines River. Thousands of yards of white tape were fastened to the ground and formed the outlines on which 18,000 officers and men marched to their respective positions. In this body of soldiers are any hundreds of men of foreign birth, born of parents whose first impression of the Land of Freedom and Promise was of the world's greatest colossus standing with beacon light at the portal of a nation of free people, holding aloft a torch symbolic of the light of liberty which the statue represents. Side by side with native sons these men, with unstinted patriotism, now offer to sacrifice not only their liberty, but even life itself for our beloved country.

The day on which the photograph was taken was extremely hot and the heat was intensified by the mass formation of men. The dimensions of the plotting for the picture seem astonishing. The camera was placed on a high tower. From the position nearest the camera occupied by Colonel Newman and his staff, to the last man at the top of the torch as plotted on the ground was 1,235 feet, or approximately a quarter of a mile. The appended figures will give an adequate idea of the distorted proportions of the actual ground measurements for this photograph:

Base to shoulder: 150 feet.

Right arm: 340 feet.

Widest part of arm holding torch: 12-1/2 feet.

Right thumb: 35 feet.

Thickest part of body: 29 feet.

Left hand (length): 30 feet.

Tablet in left hand: 27 feet.

Face: 60 feet.

Nose: 21 feet.

Longest spike of head piece: 70 feet.

Flame on torch.: 600 feet.

Torch and flame combined: 980 feet.

Number of men in flame of torch: 12,000

Number of men in torch: 2,800

Number of men in right arm: 1,200

Number of men in body, head and balance of figure only: 2,000

Total: 18,000

Incredible as it may seem there are twice the number of men in the flame of the torch as in the whole remaining design, while there are eight times as many men in the arm, torch and flame as in all the rest of the figure. It will be noted that the right thumb is five feet longer than the left hand, while the right arm, torch and flame is eight times the length of the body.

Arthur S. Mole was a British-born commercial photographer who worked in Zion, Illinois. During and shortly after World War I, Mole traveled with his partner John D. Thomas from one military camp to another, posing thousands of soldiers to form gigantic patriotic symbols that they photographed from above. The formations depicted such images as the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Marine Corps emblem and a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson. The Wilson portrait, for example, was formed using 21,000 officers and men at Camp Sherman in Ohio and stretched over 700 feet. H is "Human Liberty Bell " was composed from over 25,000 soldiers, arranged with Mole's characteristic attention to detail to even depict the crack in the bell. Mole and Thomas spent a week or more preparing for these immense works, which were taken from a 70 or 80 foot tower with an 11 by 14 inch view camera. When the demand for these photographs dropped in the 1920s, Mole returned to his photography business in Zion .

This picture, as well as additional photographs produced in the same style by Mole & Thomas and other photographers (and featuring the patriotic themes mentioned in the preceding paragraph), can be viewed at the web site of Chicago's Carl Hammer Gallery."

(all emphasis is mine.)

To all vets out there, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Where Was I....

2008-05-19T09:04:00.003-05:00

Over the last little while

(since St. Pat's Day),

I flat haven't had the energy or the time to post anything. Politically, things are in the shitter

(I don't need to tell you that!),

Personally, not much has been going on to write about. I think part of my problem is that I have never, ever liked repeating myself & that's what a lot of blogging is about. You all know what I think politically, religiously, and personally

(Unless I really need to rehash something)

and I've always thought that if I have to say the same things over and over, then either (or both) of two things is true:

1. The intelligence of the reader/listener is sorely lacking
(not true in the case of those I call friends)

or

2. I S.U.C.K. as a communicator.
(the most likely of the two).

Well either way. let me try to catch up in what's been going on in the Bodhran Clan.

Firstly, Squeaks has been rechristened. Since he breaks wind with the resounding thunder of his old man, he is henceforth called Boomer. He's almost 3 months old now. I'll have some new photos soon.

Secondly, I was informed last week that my work day has been shortened from 9 am - 7(ish) pm, to 11:30 am - 7(ish) pm. The volume of freight over the last few months just hasn't been there.

For example, if I had more than two deliveries & more than 2 pick-ups, (granted I cover a large area), I was a busy man. Lately, I leave the dock with one delivery, drop it off around 10 am or so, and find a place to park until 4:15 when I go to my first of two daily pickups, unless I'm lucky enough to get called for an unscheduled pickup.

If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a voracious reader (and sometimes napper) I'd be bored off my ass! Hell, face it, I'm both of those things and I'm still bored off my ass with my job. I became a truck driver to see a whole helluva lot more of the country than the northeastern part of The Sheoples Republic of Illinois!

Damned familial responsibilities....

Anywhoo...

Thirdly, living history. Now, I know the history and origins of the bodhran, & to be honest although it is an ancient instrument it just plain wasn't in this part of the country during the time I reenact -- early French & Indian War.

It. Wasn't. Here!

Usually, I don't care (I seriously couldn't care less) of what most people think of me. However, I do have friends who are living historians (Seamus, Petey, Wil & others) & I'm not ashamed to say that I DO care what these fella's think in the context of historical accuracy.

While discussing the issue of the bodhran in the Northwest Territories in the middle part of the18th century, I challenged my very good friend and confidant Seamus to find information on the subject, knowing all the while what he'd find but hoping he'd find something I'd missed.

He searched, he cursed, he searched some more, he drank, he searched some more, drank more, tried to deny the evidence before him.... and finally came to terms with the fact:

There is no documentation that we could find of there ever having been bodhrans in this part of the country before the early 20th century!

Needless to say this sucks for me! It's what I do, I play the bodhran and sing Jacobite songs! What the hell do I do now?!

I strive for historical accuracy. For fooksake, I shaved off my facial hair after a discussion with Seamus and Wil about how improper beards were considered for "civilized" men in polite company.

How can one put a limit on historical accuracy? If I continue playing my bodhran at events, would I be perpetuating a lie upon those who come to reenactments to be educated in the life-ways of our ancestors?

I don't think I could LIE to people like that!

Oh, CRAP!

2008-05-19T08:56:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday a very good friend of mine got married.

I wasn't there.

I overslept.

Sorry Virtue.

*hanging head in shame*

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-14T22:49:00.007-05:00

Yeah, it's early but it's on a freakin' Monday this year.....

The first Monday of Holy Week?! The last week of Lent, when we're not supposed to have any fun at all?!

Sorry, but that's just wrong.

Here's my obligatory Irish Music contribution: The Chieftains & The Corrs; great music and hot Irish chicks!

And if you like that..... or not ;-)

Planxty, in 1979, singing one of my all-time favorite songs, "The Frost Is All Over"

For my friend Petey, who loves to sing sea chanties, more Planxty singing, "Sally Brown".

And for some kick-ass uillean pipe & bodhran playin', yet more Planxty from 1980.

(I wish I'd known about this stuff back in 1980!)

Here's one I just found, one of my most favorites to sing at rendezvous, "The Little Drummer", by, you guessed it, Planxty.

Christy Moore is singing..... when he had the hair of an oompa loompa.... ;-)

Ya gotta love the voice, though.

Well, I 'spose I should call it quits for now, but before I do, having recently learned of the death of one of Irish music's greatest singers, Tommy Makem, on August 2nd of last year, I found a song that he sang with The Clancy Brothers, and one that I want sung at my wake, "Isn't it Grand Boys". God bless ya, Tommy.

I obviously can't end on a sad note, so here's The Chieftains with Earl Scruggs, the best banjo picker I've ever heard.

(And who can be sad with a well plucked banjo around?)

And finally....

Well, almost....

The Chieftains & Altan.

Now for the last tune,

(No, really...)

I have got to end with a bodhran solo.

The incomparable Joe John Kelly!

Have a grand St. Paddy's Day!

I Blame Snoofy!

2008-03-02T16:53:00.004-06:00

When Snoofy was younger, she liked unicorns. As lots of girls do.

Now she's older, & it seems she's developed my sense of humor.

So.... My sense of humor + a young girl's love of unicorns = what Snoofy found on you-tube.

Blame who you will. *grin!*

I Hope This Is For Real...

2008-02-29T22:56:00.004-06:00

Long time friend of mine from Jacksonville, IL, whom I'll call "J-Mac", emailed this little gem to me. I hope to God it's for real! :^)

Most Syrians struggle to even read Arabic, much less have a clue about English.

So, how do a group of Syrian protest leaders create the most impact with their signs by having the standard 'Death To America' (etc.) slogans printed in English?

Answer: They simply hire an English-speaking civilian to translate and write their statements into English.

Unfortunately, in this case, they were unaware that the 'civilian' insurance company employee hired for the job was a retired US Army Sergeant!

Obviously, pictures of this protest rally never made their way to Arab TV networks, but the results were PRICELESS!

And Now....

2008-02-29T21:18:00.012-06:00

Heeeere's Sqeaks! Fresh out of the box....

So to speak....

Nurse Sarah (a fantastic nurse, BTW) took this picture not 30 seconds after he was born, at 5:39 pm, on the 22nd of February.

This picture was taken roughly an hour before Squeak's blessed arrival, just before The Wife was taken to surgery, after more than 24 hours of hell.

(We're smiling in anticipation of this crap being OVER!) Note the funny blue hat. ;-) I wanted to keep the scrubs shirt, but the nurses wouldn't let me.

"Oh man, I can finally stretch out!"

Not ten minutes after he was born, Sqeaks was taken to the nursery where they put him the baby warmer, put a teddy bear-shaped sensor on his belly, an ID bracelet on his arm, & a security monitor on his ankle.

"Done and done!"

The Wife with Squeaks. I think she looks pretty good considering what she went through.

She tends to disagree, but then, she would.

Love you, Honey! :-x

Here's Snoofy, Big Sister x3. She's especially protective of Squeaks. She growled at me.... growled at me.... when I went to take him away from her!

This is Magoo with her new baby brother. She's so proud of herself when she's able to calm Sqeaks when he starts fussin'.

Magoo? Calming?! Strange but true. I'm proud of her, too.

And this is Smooth (formerly "Baby Boy"). I think he's the most excited of all the younglings, 'cause he's not just a younger brother anymore; he's a BIG brother now!

The proud Da with his youngest (and last) youngling.

I was a cute kid, too..... wtf happened, I don't know. All I know is, I look like my dad

(minus the hair: hair's over-rated!)

and if I showed you a picture of me when I was two years old, and a picture of Smooth at the same age, you'd have a hard time telling which is which. I did!

The whole Bodhran Family.

God bless, ya'll!

And There Was Much Rejoicing....

2008-02-27T22:39:00.005-06:00

YAAAY!!!

The Wife & Squeaks are home!

Finally!

I don't think The Wife really wants me to go into any more detail about "the experience" other than neither she (nor I) had any real idea about how she'd feel after a C-section and for how long she'd feel like her insides were trying to fall out.

But she's home, he's home & that's all that matters right now.

Thanks to all for the positive thoughts, good vibes and prayers. We couldn't've gotten through this without you. :-)

Thanks too to Ms. H, one of the best next door neighbors anyone could ever have, for picking the younglings up after school & for fixing supper for a couple of nights. I couldn't've gotten a fraction of the things done that we needed without her. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I'll get pictures up the next time I post.

Peace to all.

This Sucks.

2008-02-25T22:17:00.003-06:00

The Wife and Squeaks were due to come today. That was changed to tomorrow.

Now they're not due to come home until WEDNESDAY...

...MAYBE...

Let me back up...

Since we couldn't bring 'em home today, the plan was to take the kids to see Mommy & baby brother when Snoofy, Magoo, & Smooth all got home from school.

(For those who don't know, Snoofy is our oldest girl, age 10, Magoo is second oldest girl, age 6, & Smooth (formerly known as "Baby Boy") is 5. I'll explain the "Smooth" thing later.)

While picking up Magoo and Smooth from their bus stop, I get a call from The Wife. She's crying.

Crap!

It's hard to understand someone when she's sobbing, so I asked her to calm down, we're on our way over.

We get to her room & there's a nurse in there. She asks us to go downstairs until she's done giving The Wife a "test".

A "Test" my pasty white ass.

We come back after getting snacks in the cafeteria, and there are FOUR nurses hooking The Wife up to an IV & doing various other things to her. The Wife is inconsolable at this point. She had finally been able to get up, eat solid food, walk around, feed Squeaks & go to the bathroom by herself & here they were putting an IV -- a medical ball & chain -- back in her arm!

I was starting to get pissed! That happens when someone causes pain to the one I love, as you may understand.

Me: "What the hell is going on here?! You said she was getting a 'TEST'. This isn't a 'test'! WHY IS MY WIFE CRYING!!??"

She said that they had tested The Wife already and found some "abnormalities" in her blood that showed that she has preeclampsia , & if they don't give her more magnesium sulfate for a 24 hour period she could suffer seizures!

Me: (relatively quietly) "Why the hell wasn't I told this at the desk!? I wouldn't have brought my freakin' kids if I had known you were doing this! They sure as shit don't need to see their mother like this! Why didn't you warn me!?"

You see, my problem wasn't that she needed magnesium sulfate, it was that I was told she was getting a simple test that would last for a few minutes & I could bring the kids back after that was done, no big deal.

It was a HUGE deal!

No child should have to see their mother in that kind of pain. Yeah, magnesium sulfate isn't gentle. The Wife was on it throughout her 26 hour ordeal of giving birth & it was a major factor in causing a lot of the pain she suffered.

Anyway, The Wife was crying, the kids were crying, & I was trying to appear calm and calm everyone down. At one point, Snoofy left the room without telling me where she was going. One minute she was rocking Squeaks, the next she was gone & Squeaks was back in his bassinet. So I go to the nurses station and ask, "Did you see a 10 year-old girl with long, dark hair go past?"

Nurse: (a little too laid back for my liking) "Oh yeah, she went out those doors a few seconds ago..."

Me: (a little too pissy for her liking) "You let young girls just walk out of here without their parents? Reeaal smart."

I found her quickly. She was curled up in a chair, crying. I held her and smoothed her hair and explained to her what was going on, that things really would be alright. She calmed down & we went back to get Magoo and Smooth, both of whom had started watching Hannah Montana on the TV.

Things finally wound down -- The Wife resigned herself to her condition (what else could she do), the younglings understood that Mommy needs to stay where she's safest, with the doctors and the medicine, for just a little while longer, & another nurse came to take Squeaks away to be circumcised.

The day pretty much sucked for all involved. At least Squeaks won't remember it...

Now, the "Smooth" thing: He likes to pat down his cereal before he puts milk on it, a habit he picked up from Magoo. Unlike Magoo, however, every single time he does it, he says, "Daddy, I made it shmoooth." He also touches the top of my head after I shave and says, "Ooo, shmoooth!"

I don't call him "Shmooth" 'cause I'm at least trying to get him to say it right.

I'm going back to see The Wife and Squeaks tomorrow morning, but I'm sure as hell not going in blind again, especially with the younglings.

More later.

Well....

2008-02-25T12:50:00.003-06:00

The Wife was going to bring Squeaks home today, but there's a little issue of her blood pressure being 114/95, so it'll be another day.

Hopefully.

Oh yeah, we're calling him Squeaks 'cause when he's nursing or just checking out his new blurry world he.... squeaks! I don't have to squeeze him or anything! Even though he is squeezable...

I'm waiting for The Wife to come home before I run down the timeline of that great, yet excrutiating day.... I wouldn't want to leave anything out.

Pictures to come soon.

He's Here!!!

2008-02-22T22:12:00.004-06:00

When I'm more semi-conscious I'll be more detailed with the goings-on of the day, but for now I'll say that my newest youngling, D.W., was born by C-section, at 5:39pm on this day after more than 24 hours of hard labor.
He weighs 8lbs., 12oz. , (the heaviest of our babies) & is 19" long (the shortest of our babies).

He's built like a little bulldog. Too cute, if I may say so....

The Wife is doing well, considering the special hell she went thru, but I'll get into that when I'm not falling asleep at the keyboard.

She's good, he's good, it's ALL good!

Good night, ya'll.

Today's The Day!!!

2008-02-21T14:27:00.002-06:00

Now's a good time to post after a loooong hiatus, because

(THANK GOD!)

in a couple hours The Wife's going to be induced,

(THANK GOD!)

because of her elevated blood pressure.

(THANK GOD!)

We're BOTH happy that the time's come at last!

I want to thank you, my friends, for your kind thoughts and prayers & know that I'll be posting more in the very near future.

Hooray!

Week 18...... The Pregnancy Continues......

2007-09-29T15:54:00.000-05:00

Thank God!

And to everyone who sent their thoughts and prayers for The Wife's well-being, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

The Wife is off bed-rest! That pesky placenta is back where it belongs, and The Wife and the youngling are doing well; both are healthy and the little bugger's growing like a weed. In two weeks we'll find out for sure if he's a boy or not....

The Wife knows. She was right about all our kids, so when she says she knows, she KNOWS.

Just thought I'd let you who care know what's going on.

Peace be with you all, my friends.

"I'm Thirty - Seven, I'm Not Old!"

2007-09-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

I've waited.... well..... 37 years to say that!

If you don't get the reference, watch this:

Happy Birthday to me....

I've had a good couple of days. The Wife was doing some research of her own on her condition. She found that, since she was diagnosed this early in her pregnancy, there is a good chance that her placenta will "migrate" away from her cervix

(Pack your bags, you pesky membrane & move along!)

within the next few weeks, taking her off bed-rest.... which she's awful at anyway: she sucks at "bed-rest". Not that I blame her -- when you have no choice in the matter, (being told you can't move or something bad will happen) is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from choosing to veg-out on the couch for days at a time...

So that's good news! Possibly.... We hope.....

Yesterday, Contagion came over bearing a gift, a product of hours of leather working that I found quite touching: He took a binder (such as I use to hold song lyrics for re-enactments) and hand stitched a cover for it!

NOT an easy thing to do!

He sewed it with a soft, dark brown deerskin covering the outside and thick cowhide leather on the inside. It's held together with sinew and has a deer antler button on the front, to be held closed with a braided sinew cord. On the inside cover is stamped:

"For Sengo...
...Because we forgive the Irish

Seamus"

On top of that, he spent a load of time hunting on-line for songs to go into the folder!

That in itself can be a pain in the arse, especially if your not sure of the name of the song you're looking for.

Thank you Seamus! :-)

Then, tonight I got home from work about 8pm. I noticed the garage door was open, so rather than go into the house by the front door, I went to the back, closed the garage, and went in the back door.

THAT threw a wrench into "The Surprise"...

The Wife, her Mom, our neighbor "Ms. H", & all my childerbeasts were lying in wait for me to come in the front door.... in the dark.

I hear "Ms. H" say, "Crap! He's coming in the back door!"

I'm laughing by now & stepping into the dining room from the kitchen I hear,

"Surprise!!!"

I'm swarmed by Snoofy, Magoo, and Li'l Man (he's not a "Baby Boy" anymore! *sniff*) yelling, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!"

Whatever bad stuff happened that day... just kinda disappeared from memory.

The Wife baked me a chocolate cake...

I TOLD you, she SUCKS at the whole bed-rest thing!

... and on it printed in frosting, "You're 37, you're not old!"

The kids made me cards (which I always love getting!), & The Wife got me a gift card for Barnes & Noble's.

I sometimes wonder how I of all people got such a great family.

Lastly, but not leastly (?)....

Thank you all for your prayers & kind thoughts and words!

I have had a true education in friendship these last few days/weeks. Some of you I've met briefly, some a few times, and some of you not at all. Hopefully someday we'll all have a chance to get together so's I can thank you all in person for all of your emotional support and prayers. I truly can't find the words to express my gratitude to all of you, as anything I might say would sound..... so..... inadequate... compared to the outpouring of good will toward me and mine.

Thank you all again, and again, and again......

Love,
Wes

Year Two....... Yippee.

2007-08-29T22:07:00.000-05:00

This last month has been full of ups and downs.

Three weeks ago, I took the family to the Bristol Ren Faire. We all had a good time. I met with a good friend of mine, Jesse (a.k.a, Jock Stewart) who was playing/singing on various stages. He actually called for a bodhran from one of his musician buddies and had me play with him, after "making me" sing a song while playing said borrowed bodhran!

Yeah, he REALLY had to twist my arm....... NOT!

It'd been such a looooong time since I'd last played and sang in front of an audience like that. I'd almost forgotten how good it felt!

The weekend after that was the Heritage Days Festival at Galesburg. After a two year absence, it was so good to go back, seeing good friends and meeting new ones.

Those were some of the high lights for the month.

Now the lows:

As I posted earlier, The Wife and I are expecting number 4.

That in itself is definately NOT a "low"....

The weekend after Galesburg, The Wife told me that she was bleeding a little bit. Well, that caused some concern, so we went to her OB/GYN. They monitored the baby's heartbeat and checked The Wife "down there" & everything came up roses: heartbeat was strong and the blood wasn't bright red (arterial), so they said just to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, come back. Ie, they couldn't tell us what was wrong, but hey, Mom and Baby are fine.

Last Friday AM, I'm awakened by The Wife shaking me, telling me that when she went to the bathroom, there was blood everywhere.

THAT woke me up!

I don't remember who was watching the kids, or even the drive to the hospital. I remember calling work, telling them "I'm not coming in today, I'm taking my wife to the hospital, she's bleeding.", and hanging up.

I drop her off at the Emergency Room Entrance and go park the car. On the walk to the ER, I tried to pray: for my wife, my unborn, et al. Now, I believe in the power of prayer; I've seen evidence of said Power. I also have a feeling that my prayers don't seem to carry much weight with my loving God. I thought of begging, pleading, bargaining, everything, and you know what came out of my mouth?

"I'm sick of begging, I'm sick of bargaining. Just do what You're going to do anyway and be done with it. If You want this one too, just take him quick".

Well, the short version is, Baby's heartbeat was 160 - strong and healthy. I asked the doc, "Then what the hell's wrong with my wife?! She shouldn't be bleeding!"

His answer? "We don't know. We do know that she's healthy & the baby's healthy, but we don't know what's causing the bleeding. Some women just bleed." He actually said, "We do know that she's not NOT having a miscarriage."

What. The. Fuck!!

Apparently he's never heard of double negatives.

He told her to make a follow up appointment with her (new) OB/GYN. Said appointment was Tuesday afternoon. I got home from work at 7:30 pm to find The Wife on the couch with ultrasound pictures, and got the good news and the bad news. The good news is, the baby is healthy, and from what they can tell at 13 weeks, IS A BOY!!! At the rate he's growing, doc says he could be born around Feb. 28 (it'd be so cool to have a Leap Year baby!). The original due date was March 4th, which means he's growing like a weed!

Whew!

The other good news is also the bad news. He knows why The Wife's been bleeding. She has placenta previa. If she over-exerts herself in any way, she could miscarry.

The Wife is on COMPLETE BED REST. She is not to work (she's a 1st Grade teacher), cook, clean, grocery shop NOTHING. She can only get up to use the bathroom and shower. ANY movement could cause the pregnancy to go completely and irrevocably pear-shaped.

This doesn't make The Wife happy, no sir, not at all. Or me either. Most nights, I'm lucky to be home by 8:00 pm. I can't cook supper for the kids after 8 o'- friggin'- clock!

Let's just say that The Wife is frustrated and worried and bored, and I'm going to be frustrated and worried and exausted for the next 6 months.

Nothing ever, EVER comes to this family easily.

Good thoughts and prayers are welcome.

And oh yeah, happy Blog day to me.....

Barbie - Rockford Style.

2007-07-30T23:27:00.000-05:00

I wish I could claim credit for this. Hell, I don't know who to give the credit to, except for whoever put a copy of it in the break room at work last week. Anyway, I'd thought I'd share it.

====================================================================

Mattel recently announced the release of the improved limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Rockford, Illinois market:

“Northeast Barbie”
This princess Barbie is sold only at Cherryvale Mall. She comes with an assortment of Coach Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Princess and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

“Roscoe Barbie”
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

“West side Barbie”
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash, preferably small, untraceable bills. Unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about.

“Rockton Barbie”
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbuck’s cup, credit card and country club membership. She is a “fund raiser queen.” Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won’t be able to afford any of them.

“Machesney Park Barbie”
This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken’s ass when she is drunk. Purchase her Chevy pickup truck separately and get a Confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

“South Beloit Barbie”
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Bowling Green Barbie’s house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top and multiple tattoos. Also available with a mobile home.

“River District Barbie”
This doll is made of actual tofu! She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Downtown Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

“Loves Park Barbie”
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

“Seventh Street Barbie/Ken”
This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

Un-freakin'-canny....

2007-07-14T19:34:00.000-05:00

Wes --

[noun]:

A lewd street performer

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

I can't argue with that! Thanks Ktreva. :^)

Have a Glorious 4th!

2007-07-04T08:12:00.000-05:00

I heard this presentation by Red Skelton -- one the greatest performers who ever lived & THE wisest -- while listening to the radio years ago. I just recently heard it again & it moved me as before.

First presented in 1969, his words are even more powerful today.

Have a wonderful & safe 4th of July!

I'm a Bad Blogger......

2007-07-02T20:17:00.001-05:00

No excuses.

Just haven't felt like it.

I have been busy since my last post:

I've been working more, which is a good thing;

Went to a lame-assed re-enactment in Ft. Atkinson, WI. To be fair, it wasn't a total wash. Contagion, my favorite surly Scot & Ktreva, his lovely bride, and Clone (my favorite proto-surly-Scot) were there, and we made our own fun. Not to mention that I received my Potawatomi name, Sengo. Read all about it, as told by Contagion, aka Seamus MacPhail.

And no, Sengo does NOT mean "asshole"..... I looked it up.

Let's see, what else.....

I had an absolute blast with Contagion at a couple of Raptor's games.

Thanks again, dude!!

Just this past weekend, The Wife and I took the kids down to their Memaw's & Pawpaw's (my parents' place downstate) for the month of July.... Now it's quiet in the house....

too bloody quiet...

It's only been two days & I miss the hell out of them!

Geeze, I'm forgetting something, I know I am.....

OH YEAH!

The Wife and I are expecting.

I knew I was forgetting something!

Oh, Boo - Friggin' - Hoo!

2007-05-31T09:44:00.000-05:00

Heard this story on the truck radio last night as I drove down and across Illinois last night, so I had to look it up in the socialist rag, The New York Slimes.

Some poor terrorist apparently committed suicide at Club Gitmo.

Boo. Fucking. Hoo.

In order to show what a compassionate Conservative I am, I'm going to start sending Care Packages to the poor terrorist detainees.

Inside will be a razor blade, a 3 foot length of rope, a bottle of MD 20/20, & sleeping pills, all in a clear plastic bag.

There! Four fucking different ways for you to send yourselves to Hell quicker, ya murderous sub-human pieces of shit!

Hey... I just want to do my part.

Anyone else want to donate?

Words Worthy Of Our Founding Fathers

2007-05-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

I was meaning to write a thank you note to our troops, albeit late, for Memorial Day.

Instead, I read this over at my good friend Graumagus' FrizzenSparks, & realized that I really had no words.

Grau, you truly are an inspired American.

All I can offer is a prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, bless and keep this nation safe from the traitors in our midst, namely our own media & politicians who value their own power more than their nation's well being.

Bless and protect our soldiers, sailors, airmen, & marines, Lord. Cover and shield them from the bullets of the Enemy, as well as from the hatred they face from their own so-called "countrymen", who would rather bask in the failure of their endeavour to protect us here at home.

Be with our wounded warriors, that they receive the honor and devotion they deserve from a loving God and from the citizens they guard; with our valiant fallen, Lord, and welcome them warmly to Your Presence. Be with all of their families, and comfort them in their darkest hours.

Finally, Dear God, give those of us at home the will and the strength to carry on the fight for freedom when our time comes.

Hear this prayer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit +

Amen.

I never was good at praying in public. And I really hope He's listening.

I'd Rather Be Working...

2007-04-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

But here I am. At home.

I like what I do - I enjoy driving all over the place, delivering goods that folks need all around the country. I love the fact that I can drive a truck by myself, with no one breathing down my neck, telling me what I'm doing wrong & being a general pain in my ass.

At least, I like it when I can do it!

For the past couple of months, we drivers had been told that the company's gained some new clients & that some of our existing clients were expanding, meaning that we would be moving more freight than last year.

Great!

Where the fuck is it!!??

Nobody knows.......

All I know is, I'm not making any money sitting here at home

(or sitting in the shop. I can - and have - sat at the shop all day long & not made a dime 'cause nothing's moving.)

I absolutely HATE the idea of having to find yet another, different job!

It's just depressing to me, because I know the only things available to me are meaningless factory jobs, or working on shipping docks.

(Now, I know there are some who enjoy their factory or dock jobs & that's GREAT! I'm just not one of them.)

Unfortunately, what I REALLY want to do for a living isn't available to me at all.........

Being a singer and bodhranii in a Celtic band.

Pfffah. That's a dead dream.....

Oh well, I should get on with the oh-so-fulfilling laundry as long as I'm home.

Heh.

Happy Tartan Day 2007!!!

2007-04-06T13:22:00.000-05:00

Wow. My First Gathering of the Blogs!

In honor of Tartan Day, & because I'm such a HUGE fan of Scottish music, I found a couple of clips I thought appropriate, about the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.

I'm nothing if not educational.

And this:

Hae a bonny day!

Another Great Scot's Band

2007-04-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

Found some more great Scot's music:

The Battlefield Band.

Sit back. Enjoy. Dance, if you want...

Never Let It Be Said That.....

2007-04-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm not fair.

Did a little Google Search for the Crann Tara, or the "Fiery Cross", & found two results that interested me for different reasons.

This one here, which for Wikepedia, surprised me by actually sticking to an historic perspective (although, they just had to put photos of Klansmen around a fiery cross), & this one, which is a long, drawn out, socialist propaganda piece about how the racists of Scotland have infiltrated "The Right" of this country in the government and the eeeeevil Christian Church, & brought the Burning Cross from Over the Water in order to terrorize "people of color".

Weel obviously, th' rrrreason therrrre ain't many Negrrroes in Scotland is 'cuz my ancient rrrracist kinfolk hanged 'em a'!

[Redneck-Scottish accent impersonated]

The reason that there are (or were) few Blacks in Scotland couldn't have been because, simply, BLACKS DIDN'T LIVE THERE!!!!!!!!!

(Bigoted assholes usurped the Crann Tara the same way they hijacked the C.S.A's Naval Jack, & turned it into a symbol of hate.)

In other words, it's pure vapid socialist puke.

But I'm being "fair" by linking to an actual historic reference, as well as to some dipshit communist piece of crap that tries to pass as history.

This is the first & only time I'll be "fair" here. I damn near vomited with the effort.

Besides, "fairness" is only a complexion.

The Gaitherin'

2007-04-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

You (both) may have noticed the Scot's rampant lion flag in my sidebar.

I 'spose I should 'splane

The Gathering of the Blogs is tomorrow. For more information, check out Absinthe & Cookies.

Now, I've never done this before, but I think even I can't screw this up.

....Wait....

Can anyone tell me how to get the Blogroll thingie to work?

Damn it..... Why do I do this???

UPDATE:

Well, that took some time. Added the Blogroll to my sidebar..... the long way.....

I need a smoke.

A' The Blue Bonnets (Are Over The Border)

2007-04-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

This is from an old recording of "The Corries" that I have got to learn!

Do you see the size of that bodhran?!

lyrics to, "A' the Blue Bonnets"

Chorus:
Mairch! Mairch! Ettrick and Tevot-dale,
Why my lads dinna ye march forward in order
Mairch! Mairch! Eskdale and Liddesdale!
A’ the blue bonnets are over the border!

Monys a banner spread,
Flutters above yer head,
Monys a crest that is famous in story,
Mount and make ready then,
Sons o’ the mountain glen,
Fight for the King and the old Scottish glory!

Chorus

Cam frae the hills where the hirsels are grazing,
Cam frae the glen o' the buck and the roe;
Cam tae the crag where the beacon is blazing;
Cam wi' the buckler, the lance, and the bow!

Chorus

Trumpets are soundin',
War steeds are boundin'.
Stand tae yer airms and mairch in guid order!
England shall manys a day,
Speak o' the bloody fray,
When the blue bonnets cam over the border!

Chorus x2

Scottological Humour

2007-04-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Heh, heh, heh.......

Just watch.....

And this. It's a little game they call, "Stump the Piper":

FYI, they're the Tartan Terrors, found at a Ren Faire near you.

Maybe.

(Hell, I don't know where you are, I'm just sayin'.......)

Bagpipes, Lawnmowers, & Sith Lords

2007-04-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right.....

The sound of the motor is the perfect drone!

Can't understand why the driver's wearing the helmet, though.

Unless it's the short mower.....

And now this guy....

What could I possibly add??

A Good Scottish Beat

2007-04-01T10:28:00.000-05:00

Tartan Day falls on the 6th of this month, & so to celebrate this part of my heritage, I'll post what I can find relating to things Scottish.

I'll start with this one, just to prove to someone that not all Scots lack rhythm. ;^)

I'm only sorry this clip isn't longer.

Hit And Run

2007-03-31T22:35:00.000-05:00

Some bastard hit my car! While it was parked! In front of my house!

I'd just come inside from having a smoke on the front porch & watching the thunderstorm. I took off my jacket & shoes, & had just sat down in my chair when my phone rang.

It was my neighbor, telling me that a white Neon had just shot down our street, hit my car, & took off up Woodruff, toward downtown.

Son of a bitch!

I went out & looked. The dumb fuck jacked up the trim on my door, took out the glass in my mirror, & readjusted the front bumper to an interesting new angle.

He also left behind his passenger side mirror, which I took inside to give to the police officer.

The Rockford police officers arrived in record time (for them), 45 minutes later, & while filling out the report, asked if I wanted the driver arrested.

Uhhh.... Yeah!

If they ever find the fucker!

I gave my information, told them what happened, & gave them the mirror assembly from the Neon. I also told them what the pizza guy across the street saw, & they said they'd find him & ask him some questions. They also interviewed my neighbor.

I have no delusions that they'll ever find this sack of shit. Hell, I doubt they'll even actually look for the prick!

What the fuck's wrong with wanting to park in front of my house without some jack-off vandalizing it or hitting it?

Ya know, this car may be a piece of shit, but it's my piece of shit! It's a 1989 Honda Civic that The Missus bought when she was 18. It has no muffler, no exhaust system to speak of, & sounds like an old army jeep. Actually, it sounds like it has one of those glass pack mufflers, only I didn't have to shell out the dough to make it sound that way....... It's just not worth spending the money to make it sound nice.

And I like setting off car alarms as I drive down the street.

Because the car's so old, I only have enough insurance to keep it legal. Just liability. The problem is, also because it's so old, the damage is just about equal to its value. I can't afford to fix it & I don't know how the hell I'm gonna replace it. The big problem is that I need it!

It figures that, just when we get caught up financially, something just has to happen to drive us back into debt.

Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. I'm gonna go take some muscle relaxants and some proscription-strength ibuprofen for the pulled muscle in my back.

Another story, not worth telling.

Please tell me things will get better........

Dontcha Just Hate It When....

2007-03-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

something significant, I mean something HUGE has happened, but you just can't be the first to post about it?

I do.....

It's Here!!!

2007-03-28T22:41:00.000-05:00

My tent came today!

Yay!

Oldies For Oldies.

2007-03-25T15:06:00.000-05:00

My dear saintly Mother e-mailed me titles of songs for aging Babyboomers.... You know, those now crotchety old farts & geriatric hippies from whom all our current world-problems flow?

Well, with all that aside, here's the Top Seventeen old/new hits for Old Farts.

(Geeze, Ma, you couldn't stop at an even number?)

1. Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.

2. The Bee Gees--- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.

3. Bobby Darin--- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.

4. Ringo Starr--- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.

5. Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.

6. Johnny Nash--- I Can't See Clearly Now.

7. Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver .

8. The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.

9. Marvin Gaye--- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.

10. Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade Of Hair.

11. Leo Sayer--- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.

12. The Temptations --- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.

13. Abba--- Denture Queen.

14. Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times (On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall).

15. Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.

16. Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.

17. Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again.

Yeeaah, my Mom ROCKS!!! :^)

Offense Intended.

2007-03-24T09:25:00.000-05:00

If anyone wants to be offended, keep reading; there's a little something for everyone.

What do you call two Mexicans playing basketball?
Juan on Juan

What is a Yankee?
The same as a quickie, but a guy can do it alone.

What is the difference between a Harley and a Hoover ?
The position of the dirt bag

Why is divorce so expensive?
Because it's worth it.

What do you see when the Pillsbury Dough Boy bends over?
Doughnuts?

Why is air a lot like sex?
Because it's no big deal unless you're not getting any.

What do you call a smart blonde?
A golden retriever.

What do attorneys use for birth control?
Their personalities.

What's the difference between a girlfriend and wife?
45 lbs

What's the difference between a boyfriend and husband?
45 minutes

What's the fastest way to a man's heart?
Through his chest with a sharp knife.

Why do men want to marry virgins?
They can't stand criticism.

What's the difference between a new husband and a new dog?
After a year, the dog is still excited to see you

What makes men chase women they have no intention of marrying?
The same urge that makes dogs chase cars they have no intention of driving.

Why don't bunnies make noise when they have sex?
Because they have cotton balls.

What's the difference between a porcupine and BMW?
A porcupine has the pricks on the outside.

What did the blonde say when she found out she was pregnant?
"Are you sure it's mine?"

Why does Mike Tyson cry during sex?
Mace will do that to you.

Why did OJ Simpson want to move to Arkansas ?
Everyone has the same DNA.

Why do men find it difficult to make eye contact?
Breasts don't have eyes.

Did you hear about the dyslexic Rabbi?
He walks around saying "Yo."

Why do drivers' education classes in Redneck schools use the car only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
Because on Tuesday and Thursday, the Sex Ed class uses it.

Where does an Irish family go on vacation?
A different bar.

Did you hear about the Chinese couple that had a retarded baby?
They named him "Sum Ting Wong".

What would you call it when an Italian has one arm shorter than the other?
A speech impediment.

What does it mean when the flag at the Post Office is flying at half-mast?
They're hiring.

What's the difference between a southern zoo and a northern zoo?
A southern zoo has a description of the animal on the front of the cage along with... "a recipe".

How do you get a sweet little 80-year-old lady to say the F word?
Get another sweet little 80-year-old lady to yell *BINGO*!

Why is there no Disneyland in China ?
No one's tall enough to go on the good rides

AND....LAST BUT NOT LEAST

What's the difference between a northern fairytale and a southern fairytale?
A northern fairytale begins "Once upon a time..."
A southern fairytale begins "Y'all ain't gonna believe this shit..."

Thanks to Chem for sending that to me. Now POST SOMETHING, DAMMIT!!!

Have a nice weekend! :^)

Regrets? I Have A Few...

2007-03-17T01:51:00.000-05:00

(I preface this post to say that I have, indeed, been spending time with my good friend, Jack Daniels).

To say that I have "regrets" in my life isn't to say that I regret my life as it is today. I understand that the decisions I've made have shaped who & what I am, but still...

I regret that I didn't make a career out of the Army. I enlisted at the age of 17, and entered service on September 21, 1988, 16 days after turning 18. I wanted to be an Military Policeman.

It turned out that the minimum height requirement for an MP is 5'8".... I was measured at 5'7-3/4". In my stockinged feet. So I was relegated to the ranks of the Infantry -- 11M.

(That's, "11 Mike", the designation for Mechanized Infantry, as opposed to 11B, or 11 Bravo which is "ground-pounder" infantry.)

Basic Training was fun for me, it really was! After the first three days, when I and everyone else was scared shitless, I began to see humor in what the Drill Sergeants were doing in order to 'break us down, to bring us up". I could laugh at their antics, while at the same time, understanding that what they were doing would make us better soldiers.

I learned how to strip (with my eyes closed), clean, and fire the M-16A2 (and hit targets at 800 meters, with open sights, consistently). I learned how to operate the S.A.W, the M-60 machine gun, and the M-203 grenade launcher, not to mention hand grenades and land mines.

I learned how to read a map, operate a field telephone (the PRC, or "Prick"), set an ambush, march in formation, stalk in the dead of night.... In short, I learned everything there is to know about how to take the life of another human being in the service of my country.

And I loved it.

But that wasn't enough.

Although I was in the best shape of my life, my physical and psychological prime, there was the matter of 2 sit-ups.

Yep. Two set-ups.

At the time I was 'listed, a soldier's minimum requirement for physical training (PT) was 42 push-ups in 2 minutes (I was good at 50), 52 sit-ups (which my Drill Sgt. counted at 56 -- good enough!), and a 2 mile run under something like 15 minutes (which I ran at 12-1/2 minutes).

I wasn't the best by far, but I did my best to all concerned...... Except to the grading NCO.

My first count on sit-ups was 50 -- 2 short.

My second count was 48.

My third (and final) count was, again, 50 (my Drill Sgt. counted 56).

Three shots were all we got.

My Drill Sgt. was PISSED! Not at me; at the grading NCO! Drill Sgt. Hill worked with me, trained me, and taught me to do "army sit-ups" just as he did them, and when that grading NCO failed me, Drill Sgt. Hill went BALLISTIC....... "How the fuck are you going to grade me when it's my turn?!", he shouted. "Pvt. F__ did 'em the same as me! Are you gonna flunk me, too, you dumb sonuvabitch?!?!"

I stayed at Fort Benning, GA, much humiliated, until February 14, 1989, when I was sent back home in disgrace. At times, I still, 18 years later, remember the looks on my parents' faces when they picked me up at the bus station. I still feel the shame of failure. Even now.

I was to have been shipped off to Germany, to one of ten Bradley units stationed there. Seven of those units were sent to Iraq during the First Gulf War.

I can't help but wonder, who took my place?

Granted, if I'd made it in the Army, I'd've never met The Missus, had my kids, etc.... But if I had made it, they wouldn't be an issue, now would they? I wouldn't know any better.

I'm happy with The Missus, & with my childerbeasts.

But still I wonder: Who died in my place?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2007-03-16T21:33:00.000-05:00

I'm posting this now 'cause tomorrow, I'm bound for Kansas. I have to leave at midnight tomorrow, so I'll be sleeping during the day, which SUCKS, it being St. Paddy's Day and all.....

(But I gotta make the cash, ya know?)

And so, I'm posting (and drinking) tonight, which should be interesting.

Before I start finding clips of Irish tunes and such, allow me to get political in an Irish kind of way. I have heard many, many times, that to oppose the British presence in the North of Ireland, one must be a socialist.

A fucking SOCIALIST!

Why? Because "Ireland should be for the working man", a term used by our our own Socialist/Communist/Liberal elite that actually means a man/woman who should depend on that "god", "The State", for all things.

Bullshit, I say!

Look at the father of Irish Independence, Padraig (Patrick) Pearse, who believed in an Ireland for ALL people; rich, poor, Catholic, Protestant, man, woman and child! Not just for the "working class". Read the Irish Declaration of Indepence. An Ireland for one and all, not just for a few.

I'm all for true Irish Independence, and I'm as Conservative as one can get.

How can this be? Because to live under a Communistic regime is to live in slavery.

Look at the old Soviet Union, China, and Cuba. Look at what happened in El Salvadore and Nicaragua during the 1980s and '90s. I have a brother-in-law who lived through the bloodshed in El Salvador, and he told me enough to turn my stomach regarding what the communists did to his country-of-birth.

How can anyone with a brain in his/her head say that Communism = freedom?!

To be a true Conservative, one must believe that government has a very limited role to play in the day-to-day life of the individual citizen. The government has the obligation to protect it's citizens from foes, foreign and domestic, and to raise taxes toward that goal. It's up to the individual to make his/her way, without government getting in their way!

What's bad about that? What's "anti-freedom" about that?

If anyone wants to argue the point, feel free. Unlike a Leftist, I'm open to debate.

Politics 101 is concluded (for now).

And now, so good ol' Irish tuneage:

Weekly Chuckle

2007-03-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

This one just can't wait. The Missus, being an elementary school teacher with a warped sense of humor, presented me with this gem, & with me being the sharing individual that I am..... Ah, fuck it, here's the joke:

A guy goes to the supermarket and notices an attractive woman waving at him. She says hello.

He's rather taken aback because he can't place where he knows her from, so he says, "Do you know me?"

To which she replies, "I think you're the father of one of my kids."

Now his mind travels back to a time long in the past and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I banged on the pool table with all my buddies watching while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery???"

She looks into his eyes and says calmly, "No, I'm your son's teacher."

Thanks to my brother-in-all-but-blood, Chemical Nova for sending that to The Missus.

Now post something why don't ya?!

Finally!

2007-03-13T14:23:00.000-05:00

I've been a re-enactor for nine years now, and I'm finally getting a new tent!

Saturday, before the whole Shedd Aquarium outing, I called Panther Primitives and ordered their Super Bell Wedge: 8' tall x 12' wide x 14' long, plus a 6' bell, putting it to 20' long. It took about 10 minutes to order over the phone, and it'll be here in 3 to 4 weeks, in plenty of time for Macktown.

I. Am. Psyched!

Next time I have money, I'm ordering the 16'x20' fly. :^)

What A Great Weekend!

2007-03-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

For once, a lot went on this past weekend. Most importantly, Magoo turned 6 on Monday, so the Missus & I took Snoofy, Magoo & Baby Boy (cripes, I've got to come up with another name for him - he's 4 for fucksake!), along with a couple of cousins, to Shedd Aquarium as a Birthday outing on Saturday.

Magoo loves "sea critters", she wanted a stuffed dolphin, & I thought, "Where's the best place to find a stuffed dolphin?"

(They're hard to catch, and you just can't find a taxidermist willing to stuff one anymore!)

On the way, we stopped at the Des Plaines Oasis for lunch. We ate McDonald's, & as the kids had never been to an Oasis before, we watched the cars and trucks drive beneath us. We were getting ready to go when the kids became fascinated with the crane game, just looking at the stuff inside, when this HUGE biker-type dude came over to the machine. He looked at us & said, "I play this game every time I come here." Okaay....

He put a dollar in the machine, & the kids were watching & cheering him on. Sure enough, on his second try, he won this spongy rubber ball the size of my head that lights up when you bounce it. Biker dude looks at Magoo and says, "This is for cheering for me so good", and gave her the ball! She was delighted! She said, "THANK YOU!", & he smiled and walked away.

That was cool.

We get to Shedd, & what's waiting for us? One huge friggin' line. Wasn't a problem, though, as the view of Lake Michigan was fantastic. The last time we'd gone there, Snoofy was 4, Magoo was an infant, and Baby Boy wasn't even a glint in my eye. The cousins had never been there before either. All the kids kept talking about how awesome the "ocean" is. Cute.

I won't get into every little thing we did, but I will say that if you go to the dolphin show, don't go to the last show of the day. The dolphins are tired and they're smart enough (barely) to say, "Piss off! I've been jumping and tail-walking all friggin' day, and I'm beat! Gimme a beer, stick a ciggy in my blow-hole and leave me alone!"

Add to that lackluster performance the inane comments of the presenter: "Dolphins can swim much faster than we humans." No. Fucking. WAY! Are you shitting me? An aquatic mammal can out-swim my landlocked ass?! Hell, I was just telling The Missus how slow those little bastards were swimming.... What a maroon.....

Anyway, we saw feeding time in the Big Tank (or the reef or whatever they call it) amongst the rays, sharks, various fish, and one HUGE green sea turtle (mmmm, soup... is what I said). We also saw the beluga whales along with the baby whale, which was really cool! Adult belugas are white, but the baby was black.

(Yes they were the real parents! Thanks for asking.) ;^)

We all had a good time, especially Magoo. She got her stuffed dolphin, a ball from her Biker-dude/Birthday angel, and she got to eat McDonalds for lunch and supper with all of us, as a family, and her two favorite cousins.

I don't think we'll be going back, though. I told The Missus that, the next time we go, I'm getting and wearing this.

Like a fart in church.....

Let's Try This Again....

2007-03-06T21:30:00.000-06:00

I finally got some new material so I'm bringing back

The Weekly Chuckle.

Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he'd just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut and bruised and he's walking with a limp.

"What happened to you?" asks Sean, the bartender.

"Jamie O'Conner and me had a fight," says Paddy.

"That little shit, O'Conner!?" says Sean, "He couldn't do that to you, he must have had something in his hand."

"That he did," says Paddy, "a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin' he gave me with it."

"Well," says Sean, "you should have defended yourself, didn't you have something in your hand?"

That I did," said Paddy, "Mrs. O'Conner's breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but useless in
a fight."

Thanks to my Irish accordian playing friend for that! :^)

Fine. Then I'll Say It.....

2007-03-01T17:33:00.000-06:00

So many folks on The Right in this country are so worried about "offending" those on The Left that, especially when it comes to the war, they don't want to call a spade a spade.

Fine. I will.......

Saying, "I support the troops but not their mission" is contradictory. You can't support our soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines if you don't support what they DO.

That being said, those on The Left who do not want our brave men and women to succeed in the war on terror obviously want us to lose this war. If we lose, the terrorists win.

(If my writing seems simplistic, it's supposed to be. Some Lefty might be trying to read it, and I wouldn't want them to become even more confused.)

Now how can someone who dreams of the downfall of our unique society, and victory for Islamo-nazism even remotely call themselves "Patriotic"?

They can't.

Ergo, if you're a Left-wing dingbat then You. Are. un-American!

Pure and simple.

A Whole New Wrapper.

2007-03-01T15:54:00.000-06:00

Well, ain't this exciting?

I got tired of looking at the same black background, so yeah, I changed it.

Of course, if you're reading this, like, with your eyes, then I really shouldn't have to write about it, should I?

Well, you'd appreciate it if you were blind, because then you'd need someone to let you know....

Or something....

Who knows, maybe I'll actually post something later.

An Irish Valentine

2007-02-14T00:02:00.000-06:00

This wasn't what I was originally looking for in an Irish Valentine, but this is what I found, and if you're inclined to listen for a bit, this is what you get.

You can't get much more Irish than Valentine O'Hara...

Happy St. Valentine's Day to you all... or both... whatever the case may be...

What The Hell'd I Do??

2007-02-13T23:05:00.000-06:00

Recently, I received a message from Contagion saying,

"Payback! TAG!"

And a link to a freakin' geek test!

"Payback?" I don't know what I did to warrant that, but okay, what the fuck, I'll take it.

I've come to find out that, indeed, I am 35% geek.

Somewhere around here I have a book of Monty Python scripts, and can recite "Holy Grail" damned near verbatim, I have quoted Yoda, I roleplay on a fairly regular basis, I do know what "GURPS" stands for, was a drummer in my high school marching band, routinely corrected spelling/grammar of teachers, co-workers, and bosses, have worn my kilt just for the helluvit, worked at a Renfair, enjoy reading sci-fi and fantasy books, as well as historical fiction and historical fact, listen and play music that hardly anyone else listens to, I like watching "Charmed", I do believe in dragons, fairies, leprechauns, unicorns.....

Ya get it? I'm. A. GEEK! I've made peace with it, embraced it, and made it my own.

So there.

Go take the test (if you haven't already) and let me know how you score.

And remember: Embrace your geekiness!

If You Like The Sad Ones....

2007-02-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

Like I know Contagion does, then you'll like this Christy Moore clip. I think it's from the '80s or early '90s.

If you're not familiar with Christy's performing style, he gets intimate with his music. That's the only way I can describe it: sensually, almost religiously intimate.

"The Middle of the Island" is one I hadn't heard before, but "The Well Below the Valley" is one I've enjoyed singing at rendezvous for a couple of years now.

I hope you get as much pleasure hearing it as I did.

Ya Wanna See a Real Bodhran Player?

2007-02-02T11:09:00.000-06:00

Hey y'all.

I've been told that I'm a pretty fair hand with a bodhran, but this guy.... Fan-freakin'-tastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ChbigufBC8

Embedding is disabled, so you gotta go there, but trust me, it's worth it!

What A Trip!

2007-01-21T20:27:00.000-06:00

Let me start by saying, "Mistakes were made", and not just by me...

I was to leave Rockford by 10 am on the 16th, be in Peoria to pick up the load by 12 noon (a real stretch in a straight truck), leave Peoria by 12:30 and be in Beaufort, NC by 5pm on the 18th.

That was the plan.

First off, this should've been a team run. Beaufort, NC is 17 hours away from Rockford, IL. I had to stop after 11 hours, rest for 10, and so on, rather than switch off with another driver so the truck keeps moving.

Secondly, I got to Peoria at 12:30 and didn't get loaded and gone until 1:30.

Thirdly, I made the mistake of going through Ohio, a state just as bad as Illinois when it comes to speed limits - 55 mph is just stoopid!

Now, I said that Beaufort is 17 hours away. Peoria wasn't in the equation. That should've made it 20. Also, traffic conditions weren't considered.

The whole way I was two hours behind schedule, and that's just frustrating!

I'll just say that by 5pm on the 18th, I was still 2 hours away from my stop. By the time I'd've gotten there it would've been about 8pm and the place closed for the night.

So I stopped for ten, as per DOT regulations.

Wait. It's gonna get better.

Next morning, around 5 am, I'm up and running. Found Beaufort fine. Found the cross street fine. Oops, I missed my turn. No big deal, just go to next street, around the block, and come back.

Yeah.

Did I mention that Beaufort, NC is on an island? Well....

I couldn't go down to the next block, because the truck wasn't an amphibious vehicle, so I did what I've done dozens of times before - pull onto the shoulder, reverse, pull forward, and repeat until I've turned the truck around.

What I didn't know was that it had been raining there for 2 and a half weeks, turning the shoulder into quicksand.

*Visual* Me in a 28' straight truck, front end stuck on one side of the road, rear end stuck on the other, up to the axles, two blocks away from my stop.

Funny, huh? It gets better....

I call my boss, tell him I'm stuck. He wasn't too upset, just asked where exactly I was (Steel Tank Road, Beaufort, NC.) and , said "I'll call a wrecker and get ya pulled out."

An hour later he calls me: "Where are you? The wrecker can't find you and I don't see you on the map."

We have GPS units installed in all the trucks.

I said, "Boss, I'm in Beaufort, NC on Steel Tank Road. He can't miss me; I'm in a big white truck blocking off the end of the street 3oo feet from the bay!"

Long story short(er), I sat there for FIVE BLOODY HOURS waiting for a wrecker to pull me out, all the while fielding questions from curious locals, most of whom were just wanting to help, but one conversation went like this:

Him: "Gotcherself stuck, huh?"
Me: "Naw, this just looked like a good place to park."

I'll tell you, the reason it took FIVE BLOODY HOURS to get out of the mud was because my boss and the DP (dispatcher) were talking to a towing company in Buford, SC.

That's Buford, South-fucking-Carolina!!! No wonder the dude couldn't find me, I was roughly 300 hundred fucking miles away!!!

I don't know how many times I told them "Beaufort. North Carolina".

NORTH CAROLINA!!!

When I left, the white board in the DP office had my name and destination written on it, along with truck number and cell phone number (it was all still on the board when I got back).

On their computer is a map to my destination.

And in the truck is a fucking GPS system, so they can find me anywhere, anytime, right?

They couldn't look on the low-tech whiteboard first? They couldn't look on my map? They couldn't look at the fucking GPS?!?

Well, they finally got a local wrecker, he was there within 15 minutes, and had me out of the mud in 30 minutes. I made my delivery and came home.

The return trip was uneventful.

THANK GOD!

In the morning, I'm going to have an interesting conversation with my boss...

Thanks for the good thoughts and/or prayers. That must've been what got me through. :-)

That's all for now. Maybe I'll let ya know how my chat with the boss goes...

God bless, ya'll.

I'm North Carolina Bound!

2007-01-16T07:44:00.000-06:00

I'll be back soon. I got a sweet run to NC. I don't know where exactly I'm going yet in NC, but I'll find out before I leave.....

Duh.

I don't usually get a run that far away: they're normally reserved for teams and I just don't play well with others, unless there're Irish session players and I don't work with any.

I just hope all goes well, with me being away and the family staying behind. I don't know, just got a weird feeling is all.

If you're so inclined, throw a prayer or good thought our way while I'm away.
I'm sure it's nothing, but still.....

Roll on, ya'll!

What Time Is It? Is It Still January?

2007-01-15T19:08:00.000-06:00

Damn, that was one helluva New Year's party!!!

Now if I could only remember.....

Something about glogg

(Mmmmm, glogg...)

and Harvey demanding I sing "White and Nerdy" while playing the bodhran, and LittleJoe picking up TNT

(Nothing funny there, he was picking her up. Physically. Ya know I can't write that in an unprovocative way...)

and Contagion (or maybe it was Grau.... things were blurry at this point) saying, "Hey, wanna see something sick and disgusting?"

(In future, for the LOVE OF GOD, say NO!!!)

Thanks Contagion and Ktreva! When it comes to throwing a party, nobody does it better! I hear I had a great time....... ;^)

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everybody!

Today/tonight there shall be much imbibing of alcoholic beverages, good company with great friends, and good food.

And with Sadam finally swinging in the breeze, it was a great end to 2006! Rock on Iraq!!!

Contagion has a clip of the bastard going to the gallows. Unfortunately, we don't get to see him swing, but I'm sure that'll be available somewhere.

I hear that the last thing Sadam said was, "Aaack!!!", but that's unconfirmed.

I'm sure the next thing he said was, "Shit, it really is hot down here!"

Well, I'm going to take a piss facing east in honor of the mass-murdering fuck.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-24T17:25:00.000-06:00

I wish everyone a Blessed and Happy Christmas!

That is all...

It Can't Happen Here, Huh?

2006-12-08T13:45:00.000-06:00

A terror threat in Rockford, IL?? If you don't think these nut-jobs are all over the place, then you just don't think.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061208/ap_on_re_us/terror_arrest

Thank God and the FBI this one was caught.

By the way, Shareef..... That's not a Presbyterian, or Methodist name, is it?

Dear Mr. President,

2006-12-06T14:36:00.000-06:00

Where did your balls go?!

Since the election, you've thrown Rummsfield under the bus, let Burton go from the UN, and let the liberals run rough-shod all over your military policy before they've even taken over Congress!!

You are the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, charged with upholding our Constitution as it is written, and with protecting the citizens of the United States of America.

Pull your finger out and unleash the hounds of hell!

If (hell.... when!) we cut-and-run from Iraq, when we give legitimacy to the two-bit dictators of Syria and Iran by treating with them (when they are the ones RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING THE VERY TERRORISTS OUR TROOPS ARE FIGHTING!), when we start to de-fund the war effort (and wait.... when Democrats take over Congress, it will happen), we LOSE!

And our children and our grandchildren will have to deal with the Islamonazi threat that we were too weak-willed to deal with.

By letting the liberals turn the war into a political issue rather than a military one, you are betraying the men and women who volunteered to face EVIL in order to protect us at home.

Oh, now we have to talk to, and negotiate with the subhuman scum who delight in decapitating their captives.....

They. Want. Us. DEAD!!! Do not pass "go", et al. They want us dead, and you cannot negotiate with that!

Leftists say that the Islamonazis are, "just like us. We are all one people".....

Bullshit! These are the same people who say that Afghanis and Iraqis "can't handle" freedom because they're too different from us!!! Which in itself is retarded thinking: Who the Hell wants to live in slavery??

Republicans, in this case, are not much better. They're busy being bi-partisan. Do you know what that means? It means "Republicans bending over for Democrats and doing everything the Left wants them to do", that's what bi-partisan means. And they want to lead by consensus....

You CAN'T lead by consensus! It's impossible! You lead by LEADING, and for taking responsiblilty as a LEADER!

So get your NUTS BACK and LEAD us!

Respectfully,

Wes

Let Me 'Splain.... No, There's Too Much. Let Me Sum Up...

2006-11-17T18:10:00.000-06:00

Too much time has passed since I last posted. I just can't seem to put words on screen for the last few weeks. So, for those who care, here's a summing-up for what's gone on since Trail of History 2006:

Trail was fun -- good friends, good music, and good booze on the one hand, and wet, cold weather on the other. Closed early on Sunday (which sucked beyond all reason), but the time I had was great with the time I had.....

Does that even make sense?!

(Oops, hold on a minute.... The Wife just brought me a McRib sandwich (a.k.a., bar-b-que crack on a bun) that I must consume with all speed!)

Uurp! That's the stuff! Now where was I? Oh, yeah....

Trail was short this year, but all in all, a good time was had.

After Trail I got bronchitis.... that I'm still fighting. Zythromax didn't touch it. 500 mg tablets of Levaquin seem to be having an effect. Doc gave me 10 of them, I'm down to my last one, and I'm starting to feel better. I still cough hard enough to make myself dizzy at times

(which is really fun whilst driving...)

but I'm sure I'll be better soon.

Hold on a sec.... I need a smoke....

*Cough, Hack, Wheeeeeze....*

That's better....

Let's see..... Trail, bronchitis.... what else....

Don't even get me started on the elections!

Hey.... Dumbasses (and you know who you are), take what pride you can in knowing that you: had a hand in undermining our military's efforts in Iraq and around the world, and that soon the Liberals you elected will have us fighting Islamonazis on this side of the world; that our nation's enemies ABSOLUTELY LOVE the fact that the cut-and-run crowd have come to power, and will be emboldened enough to spread their hate and murder even further abroad, while our ability to defend ourselves as a People will be hampered.

Thank you so fucking much for voting for terrorism and against YOUR OWN CIVILIZATION!!!

Now that I've gotten that out of my system... for now...

Didn't I tell you not to get me started?

What else....

The Wife had a birthday on the 2nd of this month -- she's as old as I am again, albeit a helluva lot easier to look at -- and Baby Boy had a birthday yesterday. Yeeaah, Baby Boy.... I'm gonna have to call him something else now (suggestions welcome), 'cause he's 4. Can you freaking believe that?!

HE'S FOUR FRIGGIN' YEARS OLD!!!

Cripes, I'm old....

That's about it for now. Anyone have any questions? Anyone?

Bueller?

23 Days And Counting...

2006-09-27T14:59:00.001-05:00

Twenty-three days 'til Trail of History, the last re-enactment of the year.

This year's actually a first for me: I'm going alone rather as part of a group. Because of that, I had to re-apply. Since I'd been going since '98 (but for a couple of years I had to miss), I thought that was a bit silly, but hey, what can you do? I sent in an application, complete with photos (thanks to Contagion), and a character history. Below is what I wrote:

I portray Tomas "Dhu" ("Black") MacGregor, or Tam to me friends. I am the only surviving son of Fergal McBrian, an Irish Jacobite from West Meath, and Fionna MacGregor, a daughter of James MacGregor, a Jacobite from Balquidder, Scotland.

I was born in Balquidder, Scotland and baptised Tomas McBrian, some years after the failed Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. An Irishman by blood, a Scotsman by place, and a fervent Jacobite by the Grace of God, I was there at the dog's dinner that was the Battle on Culloden's Moor.

Me da is there still.

After, knowing that McBrians were well known as Irish Jacobites fighting in Scotland, I thought it wise to take me ma's name.

(Although there were MacGregors at the Battle of Culloden, we didn't fight as a clan. Because of this there was more peril in being known as a McBrian than as a MacGregor!)

I tried to rebuild a life in the land of my birth, but the Sasanachs found more value in cattle and sheep than in Scotsmen, let alone Irishmen! So, selling what little goods and gear I had (but for me granda's claymore and me bodhran), I booked passage as crew on a leaky tub for the Americas.

Landing on the quay in Virginia, I've since come West trying to find a peaceful life away from the bloody English. But the Sasanachs are looking for another fight, this time with the French and certain tribes of Savages.

’Tis only a wee matter of time afore I take up me granda's claymore against the Bloody-backs.

Until that time, I find peace where I may, playing me bodhran and singing what Irish and Scottish ditties as come to mind - many of the Jacobite persuasion, of course - for what crumbs may come me way.

The "Tam to me friends" refers to the way it sounds when a Scotsman tries to say "Tom", so in effect, I'm "Black Tom" in English.

Just in case you were wondering.

I'll post pictures later, if I can remember how.....

Happy Birthday Harvey!!!

2006-09-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

Harvey's turning 40, Harvey's turning 40.....

Oh, wait.... I'm right behind him....

Four more years to go, but still....

Crap....

It's cool that we share a birth-month, though.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARVEY! :^)

El Rey De Cerveza??

2006-09-02T00:02:00.000-05:00

It used to be, when I wanted a cheap beer at a bar, I'd order a MGD.

Not after this.

If they're going to support ILLEGAL immigrants, I'm not giving them my money.

Of course, the Miller Brewing Company denies that they support ILLEGAL immigration.

Sure. OK. Right....

Apparently, Miller's just another corporation that's going to bend over the alter of political correctness and kiss the asses of ILLEGAL ALIENS!!

What the hell, there aren't enough of us LEGAL CITIZENS buying your swill, that you need to encroach on Corona's turf?!

FECKING CORPORATE WHORES!!!

It's Good Being Home.

2006-08-27T02:10:00.000-05:00

Just got home from Contagions' & Ktreva's house. I've had the best time with friends that I've had in a good long while.

And to add to the pleasure, Tammi was there!

Hell, last I'd heard, she was going back to Florida....

I guess if I wasn't using Insight as my provider, I'd be able to keep closer tabs on my MuNu friends.....

(though that should be fixed tomorrow, thanks to Contagion.)

I'm glad you're still around, Tammi. :^)

I'm kinda rambling, I guess 'cause of Mr. Jack Daniel's wonderful elixer.

(I'm not complaining in the least. I'm just sayin'....)

Cut me some slack, I've never blogged drunk before.

(Like anyone's reading this crappy thing anyway.....)

Ya know what? I'm gonna wait to post about my latest exploits 'til I'm sober, just because it took me about 3 minutes to type that last sentence.

See you after the hangover...

Holy Crap! It's Been How Long?!

2006-08-21T23:19:00.000-05:00

A year?! Geeze, I've had this blog longer than I've had most jobs!

(You think I'm kidding?)

And like most jobs I've had, there's no cake.

(Like I *need* cake.....)

Remember when I'd post every/every other day?

(Yeah, me neither.... I'm a bad blogger.)

I've lost touch with most (ok, all) bloggers I've met, but hey! It's not entirely my fault. Most bloggers I know are on Mu.Nu., and for some damned reason, my crappy 'puter won't let me read them most of the time, and when I can access them, it's with *errors on the page* and I can't leave comments.

I really need a new 'puter.....

Ah well.

Happy B-day to me, etc., etc.,.....

And I have nachos....

Job Situation, Part Deux

2006-08-15T17:20:00.000-05:00

I got the job and so far, so good.

Of course, today was only my second day, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

(When you've had as many job changes as I've had, that's the best I can do!)

On the down side, it looks like I won't be making it to Galesburg this year, either. I was depending on my last job to provide enough money for new gear, and well, gas money to actually make it there, so it just won't be happening.... AGAIN!!!

I'm getting really fed up with this crap..... Am I the only one on this continent that has this much trouble providing for my family and doing the things I love at the same time?

Of course I'm not..... It just feels like it.....

I've said it before and I'll say it again: This time things will get better........

Job Situation

2006-08-09T20:37:00.000-05:00

Oh hell, where to start?

Last I posted, I was "working" for Con-Way Now Expedited. Weeelll, as of July 22, they sold their expedited division

(WITHOUT WARNING US DRIVERS OR OWNERS)

to a company I never, ever, EVER wanted to work for -- Panther.

Something about liquidating assets in the midst of a law suit..... I don't know. All I know is, my mileage sucked before Panther took over, and it sucked even more after.

Translation: I ain't makin' no money!

After finally getting home after 4 weeks out, I run into Little Joe, who tells me about the company he works for..... They need drivers..... They need drivers badly!!!

Long story short, I went for an application on Monday, got a call for an interview on Tuesday, and got hired today.

No more paying for my own fuel (which was what was breaking me).

No more sleeping in the back a van like a homeless bum trolling for...... whatever it is they troll for (this company pays for hotel rooms).

No more sitting for days at a time wondering when I get my next load (it's deliver the load, and head for home).

If I want just local runs, I can take 'em. If I want long haul runs, I can take 'em. If I don't want a particular load, I can refuse it without repercussions.

If I don't want to work weekends, I don't have to.

And I'll be home a hell of a lot more, so I can actually get back to my Music.

And the family, too, of course.....

Now I just have to tell my former employer that she's now my former employer......

FRIENDLY REMINDER: If anyone out there is thinking about getting in the Expedited Freight business, do not, repeat

DO NOT DRIVE SOMEONE ELSE'S SEMI/STRAIGHT TRUCK/VAN!!!

BUY.. YOUR.. OWN!!!

You will NOT make money driving someone else's vehicle. If you can't afford to buy your own, you can't afford to be in this business.

Just some friendly career advice from someone who knows...

Yeah, Yeah, It's Been Awhile.....

2006-07-14T16:23:00.000-05:00

It's been so friggin' long since I've posted, and since I don't have a run 'til tomorrow morning, I figured now's a good time. Since it has been so long, it's just gonna be a long line of random thoughts....... drippings from my brain-pan, so to speak.

Galveston trip

The Wife and I had a great time! We went down to visit some old friends from her college days while the childerbeasts stayed at their Memaw's and Pawpaw's (my folks). Beautiful city, Galveston, and the Gulf.... I fell in love with the sea!

We all went swimming our first day there, and these are some of things I learned:

1. Ya know that spray-on sun screen that's advertised as spraying on evenly so you don't have to shmear it on? BULLSHIT! I looked like a freakin' leper about the torso and limbs! Happily, I did shmear it on the top of my head so I didn't look like a leperous cueball anyway. I ended up being burned to a crisp anyway so I may as well have saved money on the crap.

2. While floating in the ocean, contemplating the wonders of God's creation, I came to the realization that, while Nature is beautiful in Her complexity and wondrous in Her simplicity, Mother Nature is a right cunt.

I was floating in the sea, meditating and enjoying just... Being... feeling at one with the tide.... and then Mother Nature - that old bint - slapped me with a rogue wave that had me sputtering and swearing to all hell! I swallowed so much sea water, I still don't need to put salt on my food!

Bitch.

3. Another thing about th'ocean: Things feed in the 'weed.

Something bit The Wife on the toe. Probably a blue crab. It bled.

(The toe, not the crab)

There's a little scar. She's still talking about it. She'll show you the scar if you want to see it. She'll show you the scar if you don't want to see it........

*Ouch!* She only beats me 'cuz she loves me....

4. Went to a little hole-in-the-wall karoake bar with the girls.

Oh wait, did I mention that I was the only male in the group? No? Well, I was.

So there I wuz..... In a karoake bar with The Wife and 3 of our (female) friends and about 20 other patrons. While sober, I flipped through the book, looking for a song I could sing while less than sober, and I saw it......

Monty Python's, "Sit On My Face"!

Then I proceded on to my goal of being "less than sober". After my beer-and-a-shot, and some more beer, and a few somethings called a "Mind Fucker"(?) -- booze and raspberry, that's all I know -- I take my slip of paper to the DJ.

His name? "English" John. (and yes, he is).

He looked at the slip, looked at me, looked back at the slip and said, "YES!"

After the next couple of "singers", "English" John introduces my number as "an old English folk song". The music cued up, the words came up on the big screen, and about 20 Texans said, "What the fuck is this?"

The Wife said the crowd was stunned, and about halfway through, the guys were laughing and the women were still stunned. Everybody was laughing at the end, and John said he couldn't remember anybody singing "that song" so well. John's a good guy.....

for a Brit. ;^)

The girls sang some Billy Joel songs and "American Pie", we drank, and had a real blowout.

Good times. Goooood times.

Now anyone who knows me is thinking, "He mixed drinks?! That dumbshit!", but oddly enough, next morning I was fine. No horkin', no headache, nothin'. In fact, other than our one friend who abstained, I felt the best out of everybody.

5. While the girls went shopping, I went the Texas Seaport Museum to view the barque Elissa. Absolutely fantastic! I'd never been on a tall ship before, and even though she was moored the whole time I was aboard, it was great just to be there, read her history, feel the motion of her deck, and just imagine what it must of been like to sail her.

I would so love to learn to sail!

Well, that should do it for now.

Oh, I found a couple more odd names people have come up with, but I'll post them later; maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe.....

What Were They Thinkin'?

2006-06-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Driving around the country, I've seen some truly funky names of towns and such. Here are a couple I've come across:

Sugartit, KY. Boone County, just south of Cinncinati. Look it up.

Big Bone Lick State Park, also in Kentucky.

Toad Suck Park, AR.

And there are more. Lots more. I'll post 'em as I see 'em.

It's times like this I wish I had a laptop.....

Still Alive.

2006-06-19T07:15:00.000-05:00

Hey all! Figured since I'm home, I should probably reassure you that I'm not dead at the side of a road somewhere.

Right now, I'm getting ready to take The Wife on a vacation. Tomorrow we're takin' the younguns to Memaw and Pawpaw's and from there, the two of us are goin' to Galveston, TX to welcome in the hurricane season.

Well, not really. We're going down to see some old friends, but frankly that just sounds boring....

Anyway, until then, I thought I might give a little update on the job.

The first couple weeks were great. My first settlement check was 3 times what I was making as a school custodian! In my first week alone, I drove 2600 miles -- not bad for a cargo van (the go-cart of the trucking industry)! I drove through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa (which despite all the Iowa jokes out there, has really nice roads), Kansas (not as boring as I thought it'd be), Ooooklahoma (which was)....

Let's just say I drove alot; there're a lot of states people!

Everything went great, until.......

Pennsyl-fucking-vania.

(I warned you, LittleJoe, I warned you...)

It seemed like a good run.... Almost 900 miles from Atlanta, GA to Athens, PA.... a weekend run (pickup on Friday, deliver on Monday). I like those runs, 'cause if I have freight in the back, I can't sleep in the van and my company pays for a hotel -- not a great hotel, but hey, if it's got a shower, bed, and cable, it's all good!

Now for the record, P-F-A is beautiful country: the hills, forests, the all-American small towns.

There are really only 3 things I hate about P-F-A -- it's expensive as all hell, it's difficult as all hell to get around 'cause the highway system sucks, and it's a fucking vacuum when it comes to moving freight out.

After delivering Monday morning, I was sent to Erie, P-F-A to wait for my next load.

A chill went up my spine. The last time I drove expedite and was sent to Erie, was the Easter weekend before last. I spent that whole freakin' weekend in Erie!

So I get to Erie, and check to see how many other ConWay vans are in the area. Great, I was the only one, how long could it take to get a load?

Three days later, I was still the only one in Erie.

Pissed beyond all reason, I call dispatch. It went something like this:

Me: Please tell me there'll be something moving out of this God-forsaken area soon?

Dispatcher: I'm sure something will be ready soon. It's usually such a busy area. Just be patient.

(NOTE: This is a common dispatcher lie.)

Me: (biting my tongue) I've been patient for 3 days. It's past time for me to get the hell outa here.

Dispatcher: Well, I hesitate to move you because you're number one on the Erie board [area].

Me: (losing my mind in an understandable, albeit a most unprofessional way) I'VE BEEN NUMBER ONE ON THIS FREAKIN' BOARD FOR 3 FREAKIN' DAYS!!! GET ME. THE HELL. OUT OF HERE!!!

Well, something having finally clicked with the silly bint, she decided to call the Load Planner, letting her know that a driver was about to go on a homicidal/suicidal spree, who in turn called me and, in a most soothing voice and manner, suggested that I move to Cleveland, OH.

Cool, right? Finally moving, and that's good, right?

NOT in this case, because I sat for four more days in Cleveland. That's right, one. whole. week without a single load. The owner of my van is thinking that I'm going to quit. I'm surprised she's not quitting with this company. It's not like she's making anything if I'm not rolling, either.

I'm not tankin' the job yet though. I'm sticking with it. I do enjoy it. Boss Lady says things will definatly get better, and I tend to trust her -- she hasn't tried to screw me out of anything and she didn't raise a fuss when I asked for vacation time with The Wife - we'd made those plans before I took the job, but still...

Well, I have other things I want to post about and this one's gone for quite a while. I hear the crickets warming up, so bye.

New Job Looks Promising...

2006-05-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

Got a call a couple days ago from a person wanting someone to drive their van hauling expedited freight. Right now I'm just waiting for them to call back with the results of my background check, which I know is clean as a whistle, but formalities must be observed.

If it comes back today or tomorrow, I'll be leaving for Ann Arbor, MI on Sunday for a 2 day orientation starting on Monday at 7:30 am.

If they hire me, I'll be doing something I love doing -- DRIVING.... All over the country and maybe Canada.

Of course, this means I won't be home for weeks at a time, but having already told my (hopefully) new employer what I do on my "off time", and about my and The Wife's upcoming vacation at the end of June to Galveston, TX, said employer has no problems with it.

Cool.

I should be driving between 1700 and 2000 miles a week mostly to the midwest, southeast, and the east coast.

I'm not saying much more about it until I get my final call-back. Don't want to jinx it.

I'll write more later. I gotta fix lunch for my infected childer now.

Pax!

UPDATE:

Well, it's a done deal! Background check came back good,

(They still haven't found the bodies....)

so Sunday morning, The Wife's driving me to Ann Arbor, MI so I can attend orientation.

(At least now I'll have a "valid" reason not to post for long periods of time....)

I'm gonna miss being here, but seeing as it's still home, of course I'll be back!

(Sporadically and for short periods at a time, but still....)

What's gonna be really funny is the look on my current stupervisor's face when I tell him that Friday's my last day.....

I. Can't. WAIT!

ROLL ON, Y'ALL!!!

Not The Way I'd Choose To Spend A Day Off...

2006-05-10T10:53:00.000-05:00

Staying home with the kids today. The two youngest have scarlet fever.

Who the hell gets "scarlet fever" these days?!

Maybe it's a side effect of my being a re-enacter.... Portray life in the 17oo's, and have your childer contract interesting deseases like scurvy, small pox, malaria, and feckin' Scarlet Fever!

At least it's not lethal anymore; it's just strepthroat with spots, easily cured with antibiotics.

But *still*!

Three Little Words........

2006-05-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I heard a student say three little words to me that just warmed my cockles...... whatever those are.....

"You scare me!"

My job there is done.....

Gathering At Macktown

2006-05-04T17:20:00.000-05:00

Well, that was a short one!

Like you've never heard that before.....

I showed up Friday around 6ish and set up. Of course, nothing I set out to do can be *simple*.

First of all, setting up a tent, - even a small one - like with so many other things, is always better with two people rather than one, even if the other person's only holding one side for two seconds.

I had the two uprights pinned into the ridge pole and canted at an angle, with one side of the tent staked down. As I was moving to the other side to stake that sides' corners, it happened.

The fecking ridge twisted, causing the bolt to tear out the side of my front upright.

AARRGH!

An older lady across the way asked if I needed help.
I grumbled, "Rather late for that..." Then, "Ya wouldn't have any duct tape, wouldja?"

As a matter of fact, she did, and she laughingly got it for me.

Such a nice lady!

After getting settled (gear unpacked, fire pit dug, wood and water fetched, etc.) and after a wee visit with a friend whose mom wanted to hear me play, I heard the sounds of a guitar and singing: not sounds I hear often at rendezvous, unfortunately, so when I heard the call, I followed. It was the neighbors in back of my plot. I hung out with them for a good long while, listening to singing, telling stories, and generally laughing my ass off, until I wandered back to my tent, stopping along the way to talk with more friends.

Next morning, got up, got dressed, ate a breakfast of cheese, summer sausage, bread and apples

(Because I didn't have to cook it!)

and broke out the bodhran. I played for a while, chatting with passersby and having a good time, when it happened.

I placed my bodhran on my chair, and walked a short distance away. A freak gust of wind kicked up from the direction of my tent, and I heard a dull bang as my drum was blown off the chair, onto the edge of my firepit, a few scant centimeters from the fire.

NNNNOOOOoooo!!! My feckin' drum tried to commit suicide! AGAIN!!

(I'm thinkin' that pin-hole was self-inflicted, now...)

Thank God another grand woman, who was closer to it than I was, reached over and picked it up, saving it from certain fiery doom.

Bodhran secured, and with heart back in my chest and out of my throat, I went back to playing.

In between riffs, I'd chat with public, exchange banter with Contagion and Ktreva, and play with the Redcoat who came by briefly with his fife.

(That ROCKED.... I've rarely had the opportunity to spontaniously jam with another re-enactor/musician before, and certainly not with a Bloodyback!) ;^)

Soon after the fun started, it started raining. Back in the tent went the bodhran, and I began devoting all my time to tormenting Contagion.

(Don't feel sorry for him.... he gives as good as he gets, shy as he is....)

My favorite form of torture was going up to his still, while he was in the midst of interacting with public, with my little copper cup held out, and hearing him roar,

"IT'S NAUGHT RREADY YET!!!"

While he tried to hit me with a fire poker.

Good times...... Gooood times.....

FINALLY the public left and it was supper time. Contagion and Ktreva graciously invited me to supper.

Now, I must say this: there are few people I know who can really cook.... I mean really cook....

(The Wife is one, my mom's another, my grandma -- but she's dead now....)

and even fewer who can cook (without carbonizing what's in the pot) over an open fire..... in the wind..... with wet wood.

Ktreva cooked a chicken with stuffing and potatoes that was absolutely delicious, and for afters, her very tasty bread pudding with whisky sauce.

'Scuse me, drooling......

After a wonderful repast, drinks appeared and I, in my own humble way, entertained my hosts with bodhran and voice. After going through all my "happy" songs that I could remember, and knowing Contagions dislike of my "sad" ones, I decided to visit what clan members where there: Christopher, Grau, and others, along with those just hanging about in their camp.

(They don't mind the "sad" songs.)

Fun was had under the fly amid the wind and rain and free-flowing booze, until around midnight, when I decided to turn in for the night.

Sunday morning, I awoke to the sounds of trucks and people talking about the rest of the event being cancelled. Back to sleep I went for another couple hours, finally getting up about 8:30 packing up and getting home at 10:30.

So although the time was cut short, the time I did have was great.

I can't wait for the next one.

It's Only Mostly Dead.

2006-04-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

I wrote in an earlier post (Hell & Damnation!) that my bodhran grew a hole in itself. So I found the receipt,

(Miracle of Frreakin' Miracles! My dumb ass almost never keeps those things!)

and I emailed Roundstone.

I got a response that, while satisfactory, is odd in a kind of cool way.

First, the odd part: I was advised to take a small piece of strong plastic and super-glue it over the back of the pin-hole.

Just thinking about it, I know that will work - c'mon, it's goat skin and super-glue! - even though it sounds like a bullshite solution.

And the cool part: If it doesn't work (or in their words, "if it's not satisfactory", meaning if it does work but I still don't like it), they'll work with me, which means they'll replace it.

I love Roundstone!

By the way, some bodhran trivia: A leading cause of pin-holes appearing in bodhran skins is......

*drum roll*....

Insect bites inflicted while the goat was alive.

Interesting, huh?

*chirrup, chirrup, chirrup....*

Damn crickets.

Yeah, It's About Time...

2006-04-20T19:58:00.000-05:00

I've about had it at my work. I'm sick of the bullshit.

Yeah, I hear you: "There's bullshit no matter where you go", said in a snide, all-knowing voice.

Well, duh! I know there's bullshit wherever you go and wherever you work because, chances are, I've worked there, too!

I've had a lot of jobs in my life..... a LOT of jobs.... too fecking many to count.... and trust me, the one I have now......

TOPS. THEM. ALL!

It's time, me thinks, to go back on the Road.

I just spent 2 hours filling out apps, hoping that one of them sticks. It won't be the one that I really want -- I don't have enough OTR experience for that one -- but if all works out, after just a few months, I will get it.

I should tell you a little of why I feel this way about my sucktastic job but whenever I sit down to do just that, words fail me.

Feckin' words.

Enough for now. I'm going to bed early tonight and see if I can forget how to breathe.

Heh.

This Sucks.

2006-04-14T21:33:00.000-05:00

Finally get the nuts to blog drunk, and I've got nuthin'!

There ain't nobody around.

Must be nice to have a life....

I do have a question though..... Who thought it was a good idea to make hemp scented incense? Isn't the idea to mask that pot smell?

Just wondering....

Hell & Damnation!!!

2006-04-14T19:44:00.000-05:00

Went to a house session last night.

(That's not what I'm cursing. The session itself was fun - like minded folks sittin' around trying to remember Irish tunes we haven't played in years, and havin' a grand time).

What I'm cursing is the fact that my beloved bodhran has a pin-hole in it!!!

I'd noticed that there was a very small, very thin spot in the skin up near the rim. I'd avoided that area like the plague, taking care not to play that part of the drum, but despite that, a pin-hole showed up anyway!

Fuck!!!!!!!

I was looking forward to playing it at the Macktown Gathering in a couple of weekends. I'll have to take my "inferior" bodhran and pray that it doesn't crap out on me.

(It's very sensitive to humidity, to the point that when I try to play it outside, it's like smacking a plastic trash bag if there's more than 20% humidity in the air).

What can I do? I've emailed Mr. Kearns, just in case there's something he can tell me and/or do to remedy this situation. I've only had my bodhran since Jan. 2nd, for fucksake!

Ya know what? I know it's a day of fasting (Good Friday and all), but I'm gonna drink some Jack n' Coke.

(It's still fasting if you're not chewing, right?)

Besides, I have yet to blog whilst drunk, so I'll be giving that a go.

Soon.

Within mere moments, in fact.

Stay tuned.....

Just To Pass The Time.....

2006-04-11T16:55:00.000-05:00

Well, since my tat hasn't healed right yet and is doing some funky things that aren't really photogenic, and since I can't really post on an event that's happening in another week, here's a little something my Mom sent me yesterday:

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb

1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

3. Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

4. Rottweiler: Make me.

5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

6. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

7. German Shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

8. Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.

9. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!

10. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

11. Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or "We don't need no stinking light bulb."

12. Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

13. Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

14. Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

She's such a card.....

Finally! Something To Be Excited About!

2006-04-06T16:04:00.000-05:00

Hell yeah, I'm excited! I didn't think I'd be able to get in at this late date, but I'm goin' to Macktown!

I was all worried about not being able to go, and I shouldn't have been: you see, I was registered with Clan Chattan.

Apparently, someone didn't get the memo. Or this one, from the day after.

(What the hell, the person who registered me did so in good faith -- and since I don't think he ever goes on-line -- wasn't told I'd left. I'll thank him when I see him out there and 'splain things to him.)

Anyhoo, I called the Event Coordinator -- a lovely and gracious lady, to be sure -- thinking that I was way too late to register, and she told me that I was registered with the Clan.

(With a "C") Guess that line doesn't really work in print, huh?

>sigh<>non-drink related) and the EC knows of me, and likes what I do because.... well.... she allowed me to re-register as an independant after all.

The only thing that worries me - and some say I shouldn't be - is that I may need to be juried into this event since I'm on my own now. This is where the Booshway and/or Commitee Members come by my camp, check out what I'm doing in regards to: interacting with the public, costuming, what's in my kit, etc.

(In other words, making sure that I'm contributing to the event and not just sitting on my arse eating bacon all day!)

I'll probably need a photo of myself in period garb and my camp.

Some friends say I worry too much about this stuff, that I over-think things like this, and maybe they're right.....

I'm still nervous about it.

Well, I'm done boring y'all for now, so I'll get back at it later.

Maybe next week, maybe next month....

Got Ink?

2006-04-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

I finally got it -- my second tattoo. I'll say no more about it at the moment. I'm getting a picture of it for posting this weekend, so I'll give details then.

Contagion graciously said he'd take the shot.

I don't think I'll tell him where it is yet.......

Where To Begin...

2006-03-20T10:16:00.000-06:00

Right now, I'm recovering from the flu I came down with on Friday night

(and no, it's not St. Paddy's Day related)!

I woke up in the middle of the night, lucky to make it to the bathroom in time for all my bodily fluids to say, "Adieu!"

I was longing for death, but I'm better now.

Heh.

So. not counting my "Happy St. Patrick's Day" post, let me fill you in on what's going on in the House of Wes:

A week ago yesterday, Magoo had her 5th birthday. Magoo's my middle child, a girl in case the nickname should cause some confusion. As you know, I've sired three

(not 2, nay 4..... 5 is right out!)

children and each one has particular personality traits of mine that makes them, well, mine.

Let me 'splain: Snoofy, my oldest girl of 8, loves to read. She's also my most sensitive child; she has an empathy for those around her that's rare in someone so young. She's my Watcher; she'd sometimes much rather watch what other people do before (or rather than) participating. She has a beautiful voice for singing, but is usually too shy to sing, no matter the encouragement myself or The Wife gives her.

If she was an element, she'd be Earth.

Next is Magoo, who as I've said, just turned 5. She's my Doer, with no real patience to speak of (like her Da). Where her sister would watch someone do something before trying it, Magoo will jump right in. She's a daredevil. When she was 2, she'd climb on top of the couch or anything else taller than herself and (usually naked) fling herself from it. No fear at all. She also has a monumental temper (also mine) that flares hot and fast, to usually die down just as fast (I say "usually"). She has a passionate spirit. Magoo also has a beautiful singing voice, and it takes little encouragement to get her to sing, to my joy.

Of course, her element would be Fire.

Last but not least, is my Baby Boy. Three years old, he shares a lot of traits with both sisters: he likes to watch people, but he's also a doer. He'll sit quietly while Snoofy reads him a bedtime story, and then jump off the couch and onto his head with Magoo. Snoofy's sensitivity and Magoo's sense of adventure. He sings with both his sisters.
Baby Boy is my Laugher, a real joker. I can't count the times when I've had the shittiest day possible, and that boy had me laughing minutes after hitting the door. He has this "look" he gives, peering at you out of the corner of his eye, with this half smile on him that cracks me up!

He most reminds me of the Wind: he can blow in like a storm, tickle you with a breeze, and go like a sigh.

Those are my kids, the fruit of my loins, so to speak.

(Hey Tammi: LALALALALA!) :^D

So. Other than Magoo's birthday, I can't really remember what else went on.

(I hate going off on a rant, even a pleasant one; completely derails my train of thought)

St. Pat's Day was the worst one ever. For years, I was so busy every St. Pat's Day, what with playin' and singin' in pubs, for parties, for friends. It just hasn't been the same without the Music.

Enough for now. Maybe I'll go back to that subject, maybe not. Right now, I need a smoke (while it's still legal!).

See ya later.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2006-03-17T16:13:00.000-06:00

Just a short post to wish everyone out there a Grand St. Paddy's Day.

Slainte, ya'll!!!

I'll be back to posting soon, so don't get yer knickers twisted.
Until then; to appease Harvey for the moment, here's a bouzouki joke.....

Q: How do you make a million dollars playing the Irish bouzouki?

A: Start with 2 million....

Who Was I Talkin' To......

2006-02-27T19:30:00.000-06:00

At the last blogmeet, I was talking to someone (maybe Harvey, could've been T1G) about musical humor. If there's an instrument, there're jokes about it.

I'd forgotten about the comic strip Zookman, done by Mike Tackett for a couple of years starting in 2000. There are 15 episodes, all of which are funny if you have even a slight knowledge of Irish musicians and their (er, our) habits.

A "zook" refers to a Bouzouki, an instrument of Greek origin, much beloved by "special" Irish musicians everywhere.

(Actually, I love the sound of the things; just don't tell anybody!)

Read At Your Own Risk!

2006-02-27T19:00:00.000-06:00

My currently blogless blog-mamma, Anathematized1, sent me this link, and against my better judgement, I decided to post it.

Only click on the link if you want to get pissed off, disgusted, and/or if you don't have a full meal in your belly.

Above all don't read it at work or with children in the room.

You've been warned. Proceed at your own risk.

(You know you want to.....)

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0217062contract1.html

Bodhran Roll, Please!

Happy New Year!

Never Seen One Like This Before!

Virginia Gazette(Hunter), Williamsburg , March 7, 1750-1.

Back to Bodhrans!

You Know You Work In A Public School District When...

Thankful & Penitent

It's About Damn Time!

What To Say, What To Say...

Wow... I've Never Been FIRED Before....

Now That I've Calmed Somewhat.....

Congratulations America!

Now With 100% More Shirt!

Blogcrawl 2008

Change Is Hard.

9/11 + 7

I Know I Was Gonna....

No, I Don't Need a Drug Test, Thank You!

Three Years Later....

You Think You Know Somebody.....

Their Intent

With Love (I'm sure) From Petey

Memorial Day

Where Was I....

Oh, CRAP!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I Blame Snoofy!

I Hope This Is For Real...

And Now....

And There Was Much Rejoicing....

This Sucks.

Well....

He's Here!!!

Today's The Day!!!

Week 18...... The Pregnancy Continues......

"I'm Thirty - Seven, I'm Not *Old*!"

Year Two....... Yippee.

Barbie - Rockford Style.

Un-freakin'-canny....

Have a Glorious 4th!

I'm a Bad Blogger......

Oh, Boo - Friggin' - Hoo!

Words Worthy Of Our Founding Fathers

I'd Rather Be Working...

Happy Tartan Day 2007!!!

Another Great Scot's Band

Never Let It Be Said That.....

The Gaitherin'

A' The Blue Bonnets (Are Over The Border)

Scottological Humour

Bagpipes, Lawnmowers, & Sith Lords

A Good Scottish Beat

Hit And Run

Dontcha Just Hate It When....

It's Here!!!

Oldies For Oldies.

Offense Intended.

Regrets? I Have A Few...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Weekly Chuckle

Finally!

What A Great Weekend!

Let's Try This Again....

Fine. Then *I'll* Say It.....

A Whole New Wrapper.

An Irish Valentine

What The Hell'd I Do??

If You Like The Sad Ones....

Ya Wanna See a *Real* Bodhran Player?

What A Trip!

I'm North Carolina Bound!

What Time Is It? Is It Still January?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

It Can't Happen Here, Huh?

Dear Mr. President,

Let Me 'Splain.... No, There's Too Much. Let Me Sum Up...

23 Days And Counting...

Happy Birthday Harvey!!!

El Rey De Cerveza??

Virginia Gazette
(Hunter), Williamsburg ,
March 7, 1750-1.

"I'm Thirty - Seven, I'm Not Old!"

Fine. Then I'll Say It.....

Ya Wanna See a Real Bodhran Player?

Holy Crap! It's Been How Long?!

It's Only Mostly Dead.