Sidebar

All of you that have checked in at Justin’s site, thanks. You wouldn’t believe how excited he has been to read your comments. When he’s bartending and we talk on the phone at night, he asks “Has anyone left a message at my blog?”. I have to tell him who has been commenting, but he doesn’t want me to read them to him. He does that himself. I haven’t seen him this enamored with a project in a long time.

He truly counts you as friends, as do I.

I’ve only been blogging myself for a couple of months now, and you’ve made me feel welcome as well. Some of you I had been reading for many months before I started my own blog, and many of you are new friends. It’s been my pleasure to get to know all of you. I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel when you come by here and comment. Thanks for making my blogging experience so rewarding. I mean, who knew folks would drop by everday to see what an ‘ol southern boy was thinking everyday?

OK, OK, I’ll stop the damned mush-fest now.

But really, thank you.

I guess they’re getting more liberal…

OK, it cost me a pretty penny at offering, but I think the results speak for themselves.

An unlikely patriot

“No one can terrorize a nation unless we are all his accomplices.” – Edward R. Murrow

Justin rented “Good Night and Good Luck” over the weekend. What a movie! It shows what an insightful and intelligent man Edward R. Murrow really was.

He took on Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 50’s, when his power was at its highest, due to the communist hearings. McCarthy simply labeled someone as a communist and the label stuck. Many people who weren’t even aware of what a communist was, were labeled as such.

Murrow and his team at CBS News were the only ones with the balls to take on McCarthy and his tyranny at significant cost to them. They were labeled as communists, and Murrow was pushed into the background at CBS News because he had become too contoversial for advertisers.

You cannot watch the movie without considering the current parallels. Remember Bill Maher whose show was cancelled after his remark concerning the terrorists of September 11th?
That, and the attitude of the current administration concerning the war on terror. You know: The”trust us, we know who the bad guys are” kind of mentality.

Anyway, if you haven’t seen it, by all means go rent it. After you’re through watching it, I am certain you’ll be wondering like me: Where the hell is a good Ed Murrow when you need one?

If you’ve seen the movie, I’d love to read your thoughts in the comment section.

RAM, red lights and husbands…

After taking the high-speed internet out for its inaugural run last night, two things have become evident.

1. The computer needs the RAM I’ve ordered. It was a bit slow switching between tasks and sites.

2. I see a wireless connection in our future, and a laptop for Justin. This will keep us from stepping on one another’s toes and keep harmony within the family. Simple as that. (I had no idea this upgrade was going to cost so much.)

While I was at the office yesterday, Justin called me a few times asking blogging questions. I get home and sure enough, he has a little space of his own. You can see his blog site here: Under Red Light . I’ve talked about how creative Justin is before, so it certainly has the potential to be a cool place to go. Personally, I’d like to see some of his short stories, songs and art work over there. His is under construction, so you might be patient. I’m sure he’d like to hear from any of you that stop by.

So today, I’m tired because I was up a little late last night. I’ve got a lot of things I’ve wanted to talk about since Sunday, but today I just don’t feel it.

Let’s meet back here on the porch tomorrow and talk about a movie. What do you say? Iced tea is on me.

Photo courtesy of flickr, by Qaanaaq

Can you stand this guy?

I’m sooo excited. We’re getting high speed cable internet access at the house today. Justin is under direct instruction from me not to leave the house until the installation is complete.

Yaaay!

I’m also ordering memory for the computer at the house. I kind of wanted a gig, but the maximum for my system is 512 MB. That’ll be a great improvement, though. It currently has only 128 MB. (Thank-you’s to Larry and Jake for all the help.)

Yaaay!

By the end of the week I’ll be smokin’! My only problem will be getting Justin off the damned thing!

Yes, yes indeed, exciting times at our household. In one week we’re moving forward, blazing a trail if you will, straight into the late 1990’s!

I really had another post in mind for today, but I simply can’t contain my enthusiasim. Besides, I’ve got a little work to do outside the office. And let me tell you, driving in all that early spring sunshiny-goodness is a real pain. I’m a trooper, though. I’ll manage.

I’m positively bubbly!

Joke off Monday 3

I had a few posts that I was mulling over, but being the traditionalist that I am (yeah, right) went ahead and posted the third installment of Joke off Monday.

Hope you have a great week.

A man went to the doctor and said, “Doctor, I’ve got a problem, but if you’re going to treat it, first you’ve got to promise not to laugh.” “Of course I won’t laugh,” the doctor said. “I’m a professional. In over twenty years I’ve never laughed at a patient.” “Okay then,” the man said, and proceeded to drop his trousers, revealing the tiniest penis the doctor had ever seen. Unable to control himself, the doctor fell laughing to the floor. Ten minutes later he was able to struggle to his feet and regain his composure. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what came over me. On my honor as a doctor and a gentleman, I promise it won’t happen again. Now what seems to be the problem?”

The man then replies: “It’s swollen.”

Warning: Political post ahead.

I used to be a political news junkie. I read anything of political interest. Sunday mornings were all about watching the various political shows. I used to debate issues with friends that weren’t like minded in a civil way.

Something changed a little less than six years ago, however. I watched the theft or possibly the hijacking of the nation’s vote. When I say I watched it, I took notes the night of Election Day in 2000. I stayed up all night long, and watched the theft occur. I saw the little whiny s.o.b. on the television late that night saying he didn’t believe the results coming out of Florida that evening. Of course, we all know the chain of events that all of that led to.

You’re noticing I’m not typing his name. In my life, I rarely say his name. I only get angry when I do. I usually refer to him as the little s.o.b. When I see him on the television, I turn the channel or turn the damned thing off. I have truly decided he is not worth any effort on my behalf. You’ll also notice that there is no picture of him today. Although appropriate with the subject matter, I just can’t have a photo of his stupid ass here. How could I tune in to my own blog, seeing that smirking face of his?

If someone has done something so egregious to me in my life that I ignore them, it’s bad. There are folks that I dislike, and I can still be cordial to them. But, if I completely refuse to acknowledge your existence, I really do hate you. It comes from deep within me and it is a scar that will never heal.

Now, once again, there is the lying and deception, and I am not surprised. Everyone else is up in arms. Hell, I’m not. This is all I ever expected. This s.o.b. and his family have made a career out of lying, cheating and stealing to get whatever they wanted.

You may notice as well that I’m not discussing any issues. The issues are not relevant at this particular time. You can open up any newspaper and be just as disgusted as I am. I leave that for you.

You can do something. A revolution can begin with one. I’m not saying grab your gun. But, whenever there is an opportunity for you to vote, by all means, exercise that right. (Just hope like hell there is enough of us voting that the final outcome can’t be stolen by the Supreme Court.) This country deserves better than the amoral leadership that we are receiving.

Today, make the choice. Just stay angry long enough to vote. Become someone with a weapon. Go, push the button, pull the lever, or punch the ballot. You’ll be defending freedom in our country. You are the patriot.

I’ll step off the soap box now.

Photo courtesy of flickr, by Krugg

Just a quick post script: Rest in peace, Buck Owens. Daddy never could stand to hear you sing, but I always liked your voice. Whenever I hear Dwight Yoakham, I think of you.

Soul sharing

Justin is the most talented person I know. He can draw, paint, write, sing, act, play the piano and guitar. More talent in one finger than I have in my whole body. Very creative and always starting some project. He’s a laid back type B personality.

Me, on the other hand, I can do none of those things. (Well, maybe write, but the jury’s still out on that.) I ‘m good at my job. (I should be. I’ve been in the same line of work since I was eighteen.) I do my own repair work on the house and on our vehicles. Mow the yard. I suppose my creative outlet is cooking. I am very much a type A personality. Always moving, going, doing something.

But you wonder sometimes, how do two people that are obviously that different ever get together or find common ground?

I admit sometimes our differences seem huge, and we may argue occasionally, but not a lot. We usually work things out pretty readily when we do. Why? I don’t think either one of us would want to leave the other. Who else would be out there for us, anyway?

When you find something in life that is as special as what we have you hold on. Tight.

Even though we are both different and both of us can be a little stubborn from time to time, at the end of the day, I stay because I choose to. I don’t want to be anywhere with anyone else, because Justin compliments me nicely. You know, like salt and pepper. Pen and paper. Cornbread and beans. Yin and Yang.

I guess Huey Lewis was right when he sang about being “happy to be stuck with you.”

I get it, Brother Lewis. I so get it now.

Photo courtesy of flickr, by Joche

You might be from the south…

Okay, I know. Yesterday’s post really sucked. Justin checked out my blog and told me so. My apologies. Maybe today’s will be a little better and a lot more fun.

Please do not confuse this with a “You might be a redneck” post. Those that are from the south will remember most of what I’m posting today. Those that are from elsewhere, I’m sure it’s just funny to you. If you have any southern memories, please share them with everyone in the comments section.

1. You speak to ladies with their first name, but only after saying “Miz” first.
2. You learned how to make noise with a blade of grass between your thumbs.
3. Fried chicken makes you think of Sunday supper.
4. You’ve gone barefoot throughout most of the summer.
5. You’ve been fishing on the banks of a body of water with a cane pole.
6. A good ol’ dog was your best friend at one point in time.
7. You’ve swung on a rope out over a creek or river just to jump in.
8. You can drive a tractor with some degree of proficiency.
9. You know who Buck and Roy are and who’s pickin’ and who’s grinnin’.
10. You’ve listened to a preacher talk about fire and brimstone and really believed that hell existed because: the temperature of the church was well over 120 degrees.
11. No matter how much you try, you just can’t quit saying y’all when referring to more than one person.
12. Your favorite non-alcoholic beverage is, no wait, let me guess: iced tea.
13. You called your grandparents “grandMAW” and “grandPAW” or some derivative thereof.
14. Remember when breakfast wasn’t complete without biscuits and hopefully some gravy?
15. You know that a “come-along” is a tool and not some sort of sexual instrument.
16. You still enjoy a good porch swing on a big porch.
17. You’ve played in a barn.
18. You still call folks “ma’am” and “sir”.
19. On a related note to #14: hasn’t it always been “mama” and “daddy”?
20. You remember when men drove trucks, not soccer moms.
21. You’ve put peanuts in your Coca-Cola.
22. You might get a little misty when you hear Dolly Parton.
23. You know what “baarely taahlable” means.
24. Whenever someone dies, the first thing you do is start cooking for their relatives.
25. You know just how good an RC Cola and Moon Pie really are.

Photo courtesy of flickr, by Pixel Packing Mama

We are family

Okay folks, I’m a little busy at work today and don’t have a lot of time for a post. So, I thought I’d do a few pictures for you: Elvis, daddy’s boy, Justin, my heart and soul, and our poor little cute, retarded dog, Duncan.

Hope you have a great day.