tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274823002024-03-14T01:41:48.450-07:00Antwane Beefcakes and the Get Down GangBeefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-37338413966387754322009-06-09T10:52:00.001-07:002009-06-09T10:59:44.942-07:00The Twins<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Si6iNTYnN4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/neAQMal5vLg/s1600-h/IMG_0156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345388157160863618" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Si6iNTYnN4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/neAQMal5vLg/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Si6iNBdDruI/AAAAAAAAAe0/cSAjDKodJmw/s1600-h/IMG_0151.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345388152347668194" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Si6iNBdDruI/AAAAAAAAAe0/cSAjDKodJmw/s400/IMG_0151.JPG" border="0" /></a> Who needs Hollywood Rebels? I have 9th St. Tattoo and John. John was Spider's apprentice years ago. Spider did the right leg. John did the left. I'm really happy with the work- both are my own original designs. You can get a better (but short) look next time we're on a run or ride together and I'm dropping you.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-42364111602922028862009-05-30T07:04:00.000-07:002009-05-30T07:58:30.395-07:00Imperial Tattoo<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SiFJhWzi6hI/AAAAAAAAAes/ya1-dTOabeE/s1600-h/shop_medium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341631470444407314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SiFJhWzi6hI/AAAAAAAAAes/ya1-dTOabeE/s400/shop_medium.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Soon I will be getting a new tattoo. I've been working on a design for several months off and on and it's about 99.5% complete. There are several tattoo studios in Columbia. The tattoos I have were done at a place called Dream Catcher, done by a man named Spider. I really like Spider and his work. Unfortunately, at least for my plan, Spider has moved. I think moving was a good thing for him so I'm glad he moved. Now I have to find someone else to do my tattoo. Spider had an apprentice named John a few years ago, and he is a very good artist I plan on finding if he's still around. This decision was finalized yesterday after a visit to Hollywood Rebel Tattoo. I guess Hollywood Rebel is "the" place to go nowadays and several people have recommended it to me. I have been there a couple of times to get estimates on a couple of different designs. The problem is I always get the feeling that this place is too cool and not very welcoming to those who don't seem as cool- like me. When I went there yesterday there were about four guys hanging out in front of the store. As I walked up to the door they just looked at me like "What do you want?" I don't know if they worked there or were just hanging out. So I go to open the door and one guy asked what I needed. Obviously, he worked there so I told him I wanted an estimate. I showed him my work and we began to talk. A moment later, out comes this big guy cussing and throwing a fit talking about how he hates foreigners and how they can't speak English and blah, blah, blah. It was bad enough that the guy I was talking to kind of told that guy to chill out and then asked us to go inside with him where he then apologized for the other guy. I could tell he was a little embarrassed by the situation. We finished talking and we left. I knew at that point I wouldn't be getting any tattoo done at that place. I just can't see going somewhere to have my body permanently altered that has people working there who don't accept others. Language barriers can be frustrating but I felt like asking the big angry guy why he didn't just speak in the foreigners language if English was such a problem. The fact is that a foreigner who can speak English to any standard is doing a better job than an American who can't speak a lick of any other language because he or she thinks that English is the universal language. I love America, but we're not the center of the universe. It's ironic that a place that has rebel in its name actually has people with conformist philosophies. I don't know, maybe it'd be a good place to get a swastika tattooed on my ass. </div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-44496356340451817152009-05-21T07:02:00.000-07:002009-05-21T08:03:43.435-07:00Messing with a man's vehicle<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShVshg31tHI/AAAAAAAAAek/kEu0avSu1W4/s1600-h/typical_ding_drivers_rear_door_stratus_b4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338292256333214834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShVshg31tHI/AAAAAAAAAek/kEu0avSu1W4/s400/typical_ding_drivers_rear_door_stratus_b4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Some things are valued by women that men don't really care about. Other things are valued by men that women don't really care about and don't understand why men would value them. One of those things to this man is his ride. I've had several cars, trucks, and SUV's in the time I've been driving. Ever since my first car, 1979 Volkswagon Scirocco, I've always taken the best care I can of my vehicle. It's just something I do. Some vehicles don't need as much care. I used to have a Honda Element with plastic quarter panels that weren't painted. I could lean my bikes up against that thing and not worry about any damage. Also, all those vehicles were fairly cheap. I'd take care of them like they were worth much more than they were, but I knew little things happening to them was not a big deal. </div><br /><div>Now I have a Honda Ridgeline RTL- the best of the Ridgeline line. This is the nicest vehicle I've ever owned and I see no need to ever go beyond. So I take care of it like I plan to have it until it dies. Maybe 10 years- who knows? So I do what I have to in order to keep it in like new condition. Don't get me wrong- I use it for everything from hauling wood to mowers to furniture. But inside it's a luxury ride: big comfy leather heated seats, lots of room, tinted windows, quiet, and a way smooth ride. </div><br /><div>I always walk extra in parking lots so I can have plenty of room to keep others away from my ride. I don't double park- I think that's rude. But I always take the extra precautions to keep it safe. </div><br /><div>Yesterday, Leslie and I went to Flatbranch to meet with a group for a friend's birthday. There were no places to park at or around the restaurant so I wound up going to the parking garage. I parked on the end of a row near a handicap space and hugged the line of the handicap spot so anyone parking on my other side would have plenty of room. When we came out there was a piece of shit old rusty pickup parked next to my truck. When I got to my door I could see that the passenger of that heap had hit my door with his/her door hard enough to leave a nice amount of their paint on my door. It had been a hard hit but I guess the angle of the strike was such that a dent didn't happen. Since I was kind of dark in the garage I couldn't see how much damage there was, but I could tell that it wasn't just a matter of the other person opening the door and "oops" it tapped my door. It was scraped hard like, "Hey look at that nice truck I don't have, I guess I'll make a statement with my piece of shit and take them down a notch." As you can imagine, I was pissed. I knew immediately what I was going to do to satisfy my need to even things out. The air was to be released from the tires because what's worse than a flat? Four flats. What's worse than four flats? Four flats you can't fill when the air valves are removed. But... at the request of my wife and her informing me there were security cameras in the garage, I backed down and drove home. When I got home I immediately went into action with my arsenal of car care products. Luckily, I was able to remove the other vehicles paint from mine and buff out the scratches to the clear coat. So I was relieved and satisfied. </div><br /><div>It wasn't so much that it happened because we all know accidents happen. It seemed very intentional though. It wasn't a tight parking spot and it could have easily been avoided. The bottom line is this: I do not mess with people, their lives, or their property no matter what value I would personally place on it. It is theirs and I respect that. You know, do unto others as you would have them do to you. I want and expect the same from others. I really just want to be left alone and allowed to do what I want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. But when you mess with me or my family or property- it's on and not easy to turn off. I don't get doing things to others that are negative, but I do have a streak of wanting revenge.</div><br /><div>The whole situation reminded me of a scene from "Pulp Fiction" that you can view <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ePS1teP9G0">here</a> on the YouTube.</div><br /><div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-17009939455860699362009-05-20T06:48:00.000-07:002009-05-20T07:29:36.221-07:00Photos I don't want to seeI just did a photo shoot last night that I've been doing for three years now. It's easy, somewhat boring, and high paying. Shooting photos of local community members presenting scholarships to high school students is pretty easy. You have your American flag and green <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">drapery</span> background. Other than that you just have to position the people so the bad edge of the background (brick wall and advertisement board) doesn't show. Doing a shoot like this is cake. But who does the photos that show up on the side of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Internet</span> sites I visit? I'd like to know so I could punch them in the face. I don't want to see this <div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQLwgFGXnI/AAAAAAAAAd8/Nw9R0Nz0ZeY/s1600-h/teeth1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337904386213830258" style="WIDTH: 107px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQLwgFGXnI/AAAAAAAAAd8/Nw9R0Nz0ZeY/s400/teeth1.jpg" border="0" /></a> when I'm trying to compose an important email. Jeez! The middle shot looks like something from a Tool video. The top one looks like some kind of child molester. If I become a paid photographer, will I do shots like this for money? Probably, but I won't like it.<br /></div><div>Here's another one I can't stand: The fat man/woman mid-section shot. This is always accompanied by a diet pill ad. I find this repulsive. I don't want to see it early in the morning when I'm drinking coffee and checking out the weather online. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQQIcy3oCI/AAAAAAAAAeE/mTNhc-zM7RU/s1600-h/fat.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337909195695431714" style="WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQQIcy3oCI/AAAAAAAAAeE/mTNhc-zM7RU/s400/fat.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Sidebar photos need to be of things I want to see. Like this:<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTK3HUlfI/AAAAAAAAAeM/R9WqKoyvrkw/s1600-h/163_2006_sema_show_13z%252B2006_honda_ridgeline%252Brear_view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337912535655159282" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTK3HUlfI/AAAAAAAAAeM/R9WqKoyvrkw/s400/163_2006_sema_show_13z%252B2006_honda_ridgeline%252Brear_view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTLJR2ezI/AAAAAAAAAeU/nxXmoHUsR7A/s1600-h/schlafly_pint_bigger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337912540531161906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTLJR2ezI/AAAAAAAAAeU/nxXmoHUsR7A/s400/schlafly_pint_bigger.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTLLLIPZI/AAAAAAAAAec/RuTW5ODfPF0/s1600-h/sushi.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337912541039836562" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/ShQTLLLIPZI/AAAAAAAAAec/RuTW5ODfPF0/s400/sushi.bmp" border="0" /></a> ahhh... sushi. Now that's pretty. </div><div></div></div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-36375512458854909502009-05-15T07:20:00.000-07:002009-05-15T07:39:03.954-07:00Brainwashed Children Visit Columbia<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sg1-Wa4qSGI/AAAAAAAAAds/aWeuePVpQRY/s1600-h/051409_8859a_gp_Westboro_r125x125.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336060057143101538" style="WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sg1-Wa4qSGI/AAAAAAAAAds/aWeuePVpQRY/s400/051409_8859a_gp_Westboro_r125x125.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If Columbia wasn't so diverse I guess we wouldn't be lucky enough to attract the attention of those who feel the need to let us know we're all DOOMED! I'd rather live in a town like mine than one where no one cares to protest, march, or assemble because everyone thinks and is the same- or at least pretends to be out of fear. Sort of like the town where I work.<br />Check out Drew's photos of the latest visitors to Columbia. <a href="http://drewpiester.zenfolio.com/p307414784">Here.</a> I wasn't at the march, but I would have liked to have observed it. Probably better I wasn't there- I might be in jail right now. Just can't stand people pushing their morality on me or others.</div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-38558429176906047162009-05-04T10:37:00.000-07:002009-05-04T11:10:10.675-07:00Drew Piester Photography<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8sID7JqOI/AAAAAAAAAdc/qGWEJCUPSgM/s1600-h/Allan-old-camera.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332029000833935586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8sID7JqOI/AAAAAAAAAdc/qGWEJCUPSgM/s320/Allan-old-camera.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love photography. I'm not very good at it myself because I never put to memory what I read and learn about it and I don't experiment too much. So I'm a hack. Drew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Piester</span> is not a hack. Check him out <a href="http://drewpiester.zenfolio.com/">here</a>. </div><div></div><div>The above photo is not Drew nor did Drew take that photo. I was looking for a photo of Drew or one he's taken but I didn't want to break any copyrights. I did come upon this photo I liked. Connection to Drew: He's a surfer and he's got a dog. I'm a surfer too. I surf I-70 everyday in my truck. I am the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bodazapha</span> of the Columbia/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Boonville</span> break.<br /></div><div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-59353706114578197862009-05-04T07:59:00.001-07:002009-05-04T08:01:43.912-07:00Hope you had a good birthday Barry... Or should I say...Michael?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8C7DXlDqI/AAAAAAAAAdM/n0lc3nhxaUo/s1600-h/barry.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331983697369697954" style="WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8C7DXlDqI/AAAAAAAAAdM/n0lc3nhxaUo/s320/barry.bmp" border="0" /></a> Barry?<br /><div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8C_rAwYVI/AAAAAAAAAdU/SxlqHlskXaY/s1600-h/stipe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331983776730866002" style="WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sf8C_rAwYVI/AAAAAAAAAdU/SxlqHlskXaY/s320/stipe.jpg" border="0" /></a>Or Michael?</div><div>Either way, great hair.<br /><br /></div><div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-87155336919910983692009-04-09T13:41:00.000-07:002009-04-10T05:13:29.435-07:00Antwane Beefcakes and the Red Beans and RiceWant to make some good eats on a crap weather day? Make some red beans and rice. I used to live in New Orleans. If you haven't been there you need to go. I've never been to another city in the country that has such a unique flavor. It's not like many other cities that in my opinion could exchange names with another city and still be the same place. Maybe it's the age of the city, the culture, the food, the history... the smell. Whatever it is- it is its own and I loved it when I was there- except for being sick all winter every winter.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>My family and I ate a lot of good unique food while we lived there. Champagne brunch at what used to be the the Hilton on the River was one of a kind. I doubt the Hilton is there today after that bitch Katrina came through. I'd like to go back and see what it's like now. Back to the point.I think I will have posted after this post one (if not the only) recipe for red bean and rice that includes photos of the process- and aren't you lucky to have found it. So let's get it on! First you need a helper. This is my helper for the day: Ziggy<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5omxUY2uI/AAAAAAAAAc0/vO4et5KzF90/s1600-h/IMG_0097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806824881674978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5omxUY2uI/AAAAAAAAAc0/vO4et5KzF90/s320/IMG_0097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><div>He gets really excited about red beans and rice.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5onFZSFJI/AAAAAAAAAc8/3P9lkFCSy3I/s1600-h/IMG_0099.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5onFZSFJI/AAAAAAAAAc8/3P9lkFCSy3I/s1600-h/IMG_0099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806830270911634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5onFZSFJI/AAAAAAAAAc8/3P9lkFCSy3I/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5onFZSFJI/AAAAAAAAAc8/3P9lkFCSy3I/s1600-h/IMG_0099.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5onFZSFJI/AAAAAAAAAc8/3P9lkFCSy3I/s1600-h/IMG_0099.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Step 1: Get your stuff:</div></div><div><div>1 lb. red kidney bean (dry- not in a can dufus)</div><div>1 thing of celery</div><div>1 big onion</div><div>1 or two bell peppers (color doesn't matter- unless of course you're "that way")garlic- use as much as you want- I get mine from a jar minced- sorry, I'm not cool enough to chop it up myself. But like the Beastie Boys say, "If you don't like it, then hey fuck you"</div><div>1 lb. smoked sausage</div><div>few bay leaves</div><div>Some thyme leaves- maybe a teaspoon or so.</div><div>Worcestershire sauce- some (a few dashes)</div><div>hot sauce- I like Frank's or Red Hot or Crystal or Tabasco if you've actually got some down there (and no I'm not talking about your country region- look in your pants) </div><div>First you need to plan this meal for the next day. Soak the bean overnight in enough water to cover them. The next day they will look different. Yeah.</div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oVhZGL-I/AAAAAAAAAcE/sSrJtBn9JI0/s1600-h/IMG_0095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806528548679650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oVhZGL-I/AAAAAAAAAcE/sSrJtBn9JI0/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Drain out that nasty water and refill it with enough to cover the beans.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oVxHpYUI/AAAAAAAAAcM/bgOkRPRzmpA/s1600-h/IMG_0101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806532770455874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oVxHpYUI/AAAAAAAAAcM/bgOkRPRzmpA/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" border="0" /></a> Boil the beans for about an hour. Watch out for boiling over.<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>When you're getting close to the bean getting done, saute' the chopped up onion, pepper, and celery until the onion is just about getting clear. Don't overdo this because you'll be killing the flavor and forever be hated by the vegetable gods who WILL visit you in the night.</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oWGhDr9I/AAAAAAAAAcU/MLSDFD8KEQ0/s1600-h/IMG_0102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806538514182098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oWGhDr9I/AAAAAAAAAcU/MLSDFD8KEQ0/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oWZcAMzI/AAAAAAAAAck/guf82shXM9c/s1600-h/IMG_0104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806543593255730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5oWZcAMzI/AAAAAAAAAck/guf82shXM9c/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Throw all that vegetable stuff in the bean and add the rest of the seasoning. You really need to season it how you like- some like it hot and nasty, some like it smooth and easy. I'm a hot and nasty guy just in case you were wondering.<br />Add the sausa<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5uU9yHaBI/AAAAAAAAAdE/9NSLIVQ-tEU/s1600-h/IMG_0103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322813116059707410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5uU9yHaBI/AAAAAAAAAdE/9NSLIVQ-tEU/s320/IMG_0103.JPG" border="0" /></a>ge that should be sliced in about 1/4" pieces. Man, that's some good looking sausage.</div><br /><div>Bring it all to a boil again and then turn the heat down to a simmer. There should be movement in the pot while cooking- not a rolling boil by any means, but it should be mixing around. I call it "socializing" It's like, "Hey man, I'm sausage, who are you? Oh I'm bell pepper and I think I like you and your meat." That's nasty, but you're at least smiling now- right?<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5om7PAJCI/AAAAAAAAAcs/FQqv1v-c74s/s1600-h/IMG_0105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322806827543438370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5om7PAJCI/AAAAAAAAAcs/FQqv1v-c74s/s320/IMG_0105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Now, here's the deal, you need to cook this party for at least 3 or 4 hours. If you don't have that kind of time- wait until you do because it will be better. It will be even better than that the next day after it's all been cooked and cooled down in your fridge. When you are ready to serve it you need to have white rice (or some kind of rice) to put it on and French bread. You put the rice on your plate and ladel the beans over the rice. The bread goes on the side dummy. I really need to apologize for not having a picture of the finished product but by that time Mizzou was about to have their butts out of the NCAA tournament for this year and I had family over and I had a few beers in me. But if you put it all together and it tastes good- you done right. Cheers! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-48051495596467206722009-04-09T13:22:00.000-07:002009-04-10T05:14:46.074-07:00Ghost Bird<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5c2uciVjI/AAAAAAAAAb8/mJtMyiX1xlc/s1600-h/IMG_0093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322793904848918066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/Sd5c2uciVjI/AAAAAAAAAb8/mJtMyiX1xlc/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The other day in class- actually it was at least a month ago, things were as normal. I was telling all the students how they'd never amount to anything and have a life full of disappointment and regret. All of a sudden Mr. "B", the special ed teacher that claims to work in my class this particular hour, and the rest of us jumped. There was a loud bang and it startled us all. Just a few minutes before I heard pigeons cooing outside. In five years there have never been pigeons on or around the rooftop that is outside the windows of my classroom. Today there were. It made me think that maybe I should put a bird feeder on the roof so when they came to eat we could observe them. Wouldn't that be touching? "Oh look Jimmy, it's a bird at the feeder. Maybe you can talk to it and finally have a friend." </div><br /><div>After hearing the birds, things went on as normal, "No goddamnit! I said cross-multiply not divide you fool!" Then was the bang. None of us actually saw it happen, but the results are still there today. I'm not sure what the results are made of, but obviously something was left behind to let us remember the day by. </div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-75869327558041356302009-02-28T19:34:00.000-08:002009-02-28T19:48:01.853-08:00F'in Old Man Winter<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaoE_mnpE9I/AAAAAAAAAbs/FzjTrCt0Crg/s1600-h/OldManWinter-Face_000.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308060601554637778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaoE_mnpE9I/AAAAAAAAAbs/FzjTrCt0Crg/s320/OldManWinter-Face_000.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Gawd! Go away. Enough already. Winter needs to end. This has been a crap winter. Almost no snow, very cold for the most part, and boring. I just walk around my house going, "Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored, bored, bored." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Freakin</span>' sucks! I'm not built for this. I'm built for heat. I'm like a heat sink- long and slim. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disperse</span> heat. Short round folk keep it in. Everything is dead. I like things alive and green. Winter has it's place, but it's worn out it's welcome. Beat it deadbeat! </div><br /><div>I look forward to hearing the peep frogs peep. A true sign of spring. Soon enough I guess. March starts tomorrow and with that it's my birthday month and the month spring begins. Bring it. I wish you well on the ides of March. </div><br /><div>P.S. Brady, your prize for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">GCF</span> and LCM is on it's way. Took me a while to collect. You'll get it this week. Yeah!</div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-8498656496170992392009-02-22T10:49:00.000-08:002009-02-22T11:03:21.941-08:00Winter Float PictorialDid my first winter float on the Current River a couple of weeks ago. It was a unique experience. The weather was actually really warm for February- in the 60s during the day and the upper 30s at night. I got kind of cold sleeping but nothing awful. The fishing on the day of the float was bad. We didn't catch a thing and neither did anyone else we came upon during our eight mile trip from Cedar Grove to Akers Ferry. We had a good time and seeing the Current in the dead of winter is very interesting. You can see the hillsides and the way the land lays with the absence of leaves. It's dead quiet too. I didn't take any pictures on the actual float because it was just too risky having the camera out while trying to steer around all the rootwads. I think we saw close to 15 armadillos during the float and pictured below is one that visited our camp the day we got down there.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPbEc6tI/AAAAAAAAAaI/1_6wqw_qNRw/s1600-h/IMG_3044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698022844066514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPbEc6tI/AAAAAAAAAaI/1_6wqw_qNRw/s320/IMG_3044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgqRXZqmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/KgjnYanWCkk/s1600-h/IMG_3069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698484095658594" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgqRXZqmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/KgjnYanWCkk/s320/IMG_3069.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglni4l0I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/LpcuXDBWCR4/s1600-h/IMG_3068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698404150056770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglni4l0I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/LpcuXDBWCR4/s320/IMG_3068.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglRXCGHI/AAAAAAAAAbI/3FtT-jZDOmc/s1600-h/IMG_3061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698398194767986" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglRXCGHI/AAAAAAAAAbI/3FtT-jZDOmc/s320/IMG_3061.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglLsidYI/AAAAAAAAAbA/N74e2w3WNpY/s1600-h/IMG_3057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698396674356610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGglLsidYI/AAAAAAAAAbA/N74e2w3WNpY/s320/IMG_3057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgk6PkCGI/AAAAAAAAAa4/jJA8ZcYBCQk/s1600-h/IMG_3055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698391989422178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgk6PkCGI/AAAAAAAAAa4/jJA8ZcYBCQk/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgkRIcsMI/AAAAAAAAAaw/IDL-r8kVlxE/s1600-h/IMG_3052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698380953727170" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgkRIcsMI/AAAAAAAAAaw/IDL-r8kVlxE/s320/IMG_3052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPygUFKI/AAAAAAAAAao/dGb3hZ2MeKY/s1600-h/IMG_3051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698029134943394" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPygUFKI/AAAAAAAAAao/dGb3hZ2MeKY/s320/IMG_3051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPpl4fFI/AAAAAAAAAag/tQeQTKZEZjc/s1600-h/IMG_3050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698026742381650" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPpl4fFI/AAAAAAAAAag/tQeQTKZEZjc/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPr-o-II/AAAAAAAAAaY/x6fQjkpW1eQ/s1600-h/IMG_3048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698027383093378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPr-o-II/AAAAAAAAAaY/x6fQjkpW1eQ/s320/IMG_3048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPfrWtNI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3sZOUC9cfh4/s1600-h/IMG_3046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305698024080979154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SaGgPfrWtNI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3sZOUC9cfh4/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-33471248058826812492009-01-30T11:53:00.001-08:002009-01-30T11:54:49.796-08:00My Superbowl pick (just so it's in writing ahead of time)Cardinals 21-17Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-43015890188653599062009-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:42:19.963-08:00I burn my arm (or is that my calf)Can't tell since they are about the same size. Thanks alot fireplace!<br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKCt0fgNMI/AAAAAAAAAZw/b2bmkQDNv6Y/s1600-h/IMG_3037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296939835437626562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKCt0fgNMI/AAAAAAAAAZw/b2bmkQDNv6Y/s320/IMG_3037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Winter is kind of slow around here.</div></div></div><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKC1OdlPeI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/sE37aPIO-J4/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKC1OdlPeI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/sE37aPIO-J4/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296939962667974114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKC1OdlPeI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/sE37aPIO-J4/s320/IMG_3036.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Didn't seem like much at first. One of those burns that doesn't really hurt. That's because it freakin' killed all the nerves in it's path!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKC1BKAHnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/HqHvyqc-of8/s1600-h/IMG_3039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296939959096188530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SYKC1BKAHnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/HqHvyqc-of8/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>On the heal and looking forward to a cool scar. Way better than a lame lightning bolt on the forehead. You've got nothing Harry...nothing.</p><p> </p>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-40170547899745358902009-01-23T15:49:00.000-08:002009-01-23T16:23:49.701-08:00Profanity in Fiber<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXpdBr_Gk8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/1Qd3UleLIog/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294646595496088514" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXpdBr_Gk8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/1Qd3UleLIog/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Catchy title. This is my third year being the breakfast supervisor at my school. Basically, my morning consists of making sure I'm in the breakfast/lunchroom every morning by 7:35 when the students are allowed in. Then I get to watch them eat and hopefully clean up any mess they make. You'd be surprised how often they want to leave without cleaning up their area. It's really frustrating. It's like, "Why would you want to leave a mess? That's like taking a crap in the bathtub." So I'm like the breakfast cop. It's not all bad though. Lots of kids come tell me things they otherwise wouldn't since it's an odd time of the day. School hasn't started but they are there and a little more relaxed. Or maybe it's me who's a little more relaxed at that point- not sure. I also get free breakfast everyday and I get paid a whopping $50.00 a month for the job which is about $5.00 an hour. </div><div>So we have a big menu at breakfast:</div><div>Monday: Pizza </div><div>Tuesday: Sausage on a stick wrapped in a pancake (a breakfast corndog! Are you fucking kidding me? No. They even have syrup to dip it in.)</div><div>Wednesday: French Toast sticks (holy shit- this is a deep fried heart attack)</div><br /><br /><div>Thursday: Biscuits and gravy (THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK FOR BREAKFAST)</div><br /><br /><div>Friday: Sausage egg and cheese biscuits (second best day of the week for breakfast)</div><br /><br /><div>Now, you must understand this isn't the full menu. There is also a wide variety of juice and cereal. The continental school breakfast if you will. Thrown in with the mix we also have cinnamon toast, yougurt, bagels, oatmeal, and some other better choices.</div><br /><br /><div>It's not all as bad as it seems, but I often opt for the cereal with skim milk and a couple of juice cups. So this brings me to my main idea. This morning I got the Raisin Bran. I like this cereal. It's the most healthy of the ones they offer and a guy needs his fiber. So I open the cereal which conveniently comes in it's own bowl. All you have to do is pour on the milk. Well, on this particular day, they s<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXpdMt65YhI/AAAAAAAAAZo/O6WK5g_VuII/s1600-h/IMG_0089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294646784993878546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXpdMt65YhI/AAAAAAAAAZo/O6WK5g_VuII/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" border="0" /></a>hould have just called it "Bran". There wasn't one goddamn raisin in the whole goddamn bowl! It was weird and I took it as a bad omen for the day. A day I was giving a test. Fortunately, the test actually went better than expected. So let's see what you know about 6th grade math. I'll send a prize to the first person who can define "GCF" and "LCM" correctly with an example in the comments section. Good luck. This is not a joke- I'll really send you something. You have to say what the letters stand for and give an example of each.</div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-1145883650170225702009-01-22T11:31:00.000-08:002009-01-22T11:54:08.779-08:00Coach "K" on the track<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXjMsPBfVsI/AAAAAAAAAZY/QgIsmiHg1QI/s1600-h/track.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294206422293108418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SXjMsPBfVsI/AAAAAAAAAZY/QgIsmiHg1QI/s320/track.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I was just informed via email that I "got the job" for coaching track this year. My reply, "Wow! Well, I knew it was a close race." I thought that was appropriate since I was the only one in the race for the job. The high school has been lacking a full coaching staff for the past several years. Last year I was asked to coach, but I really didn't want to since I was already the cross-country coach. Not to mention the fact that the principal here at the time told me, "If you coach anything else it has to be at this school- not the high school." I was fine with that but the superintendent wasn't and ripped the principal a new one. Then he asked me to coach and I still said no. This year I decided to give it a try because they drastically changed the meet schedule and I also figured if I coached I would take the summer off completely and not work like I did last summer doing construction work. </div><div>Next week we start running "open track". Basically, I go run and if any other runners want to come out and run with me they are welcome to. It's basically preseason training. We'll see how it goes. I'm cautiously optimistic. It's going to be a lot of extra work of course, but the money is good, I like running with the kids, and I have a summer totally off to look forward to, and the kids want me to coach- so that makes me feel good. I was told that until I agreed to coach that several kids weren't going to run track because they didn't think it was worth it. I'm not bragging, but it's a pretty cool thing when a kid will come out for a sport just because you're the one who's going to be coaching them. </div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-47816649351999567852009-01-14T03:37:00.000-08:002009-01-14T04:02:38.443-08:00What's new?<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Wow! Just made my way back from falling off the earth. It took a lot to get back. Space is big and cold and the lack of gravity takes some getting used to. </div><div>A list of events:</div><div>Hunted and killed deer</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3SL99Y1eI/AAAAAAAAAYw/z_6--ygnAKs/s1600-h/12308+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291116240282637794" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3SL99Y1eI/AAAAAAAAAYw/z_6--ygnAKs/s320/12308+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Went to see the Tigers' first loss of the season</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3RzHbHEXI/AAAAAAAAAYo/moR5541uz48/s1600-h/12308+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291115813326492018" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3RzHbHEXI/AAAAAAAAAYo/moR5541uz48/s320/12308+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Finished another cross-country season </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3Rdsk_fhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/0xvVexzzN9s/s1600-h/12308+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291115445342928402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3Rdsk_fhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/0xvVexzzN9s/s320/12308+028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Seduced by brother-in-law's Honda Ridgeline</div><div>Traded Element for Ridgeline</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3QmfeQcHI/AAAAAAAAAYY/3F8s0t4g2yI/s1600-h/IMG_3006+(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291114496932212850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3QmfeQcHI/AAAAAAAAAYY/3F8s0t4g2yI/s320/IMG_3006+(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3TqDM7AwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/U174HEW5tBU/s1600-h/IMG_3010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291117856597672706" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3TqDM7AwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/U174HEW5tBU/s320/IMG_3010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Went fishing in Arkansas with Fish and Feather</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3SgiNTMII/AAAAAAAAAY4/ytarm1CKKyY/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291116593610436738" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3SgiNTMII/AAAAAAAAAY4/ytarm1CKKyY/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3S11jEemI/AAAAAAAAAZA/ved0o1YeEj8/s1600-h/IMG_2951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291116959579273826" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3S11jEemI/AAAAAAAAAZA/ved0o1YeEj8/s320/IMG_2951.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Caught zero- but still fun<br /></div><div>Visit from Santa</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3TaJqF4rI/AAAAAAAAAZI/WMsqXQxorH8/s1600-h/IMG_2984.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291117583452725938" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SW3TaJqF4rI/AAAAAAAAAZI/WMsqXQxorH8/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Cut and split firewood</div><div>Loaded firewood in the Ridgeline</div><div>Got Ridgeline stuck in mud and had to get help from a farmer with tractor</div><div>Signed up for track coaching</div><div>Wondering how that's going to turn out</div><div>Currently trying to stay warm</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-8261211848312471322008-09-28T16:28:00.000-07:002008-09-28T16:34:24.139-07:00Early Season Hunting<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SOAUZtdOPSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/bFpTfJAZFdI/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251219597445446946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SOAUZtdOPSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/bFpTfJAZFdI/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Went down to the Lake area last weekend and spent some time at the McNally Farm- beautiful. Killed some time and beer- no deer. Although, on Sunday morning, I walked out to my vehicle and 50 yards away a big doe stood looking at me from the yard. I didn't even have a shirt on at this point- so no shots fired. Early bow season is for the birds. But here's a nice picture from the farm.</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SOAUMS3MPGI/AAAAAAAAAQY/uOImjP2YCZs/s1600-h/McNally+Farm.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251219366968310882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SOAUMS3MPGI/AAAAAAAAAQY/uOImjP2YCZs/s320/McNally+Farm.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-62723904820232217982008-09-10T18:39:00.000-07:002008-09-11T18:42:13.645-07:00music therapy<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SMiEOLHt7aI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/TWzByer0Uf8/s1600-h/epiphone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244587145111137698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SMiEOLHt7aI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/TWzByer0Uf8/s320/epiphone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>When I was really little- like 4, my dad bought a guitar. It was a Yamaha acoustic electric. My dad is not a musical person. He loves music (as long as it's "uplifting"), but he's not a musical artist by any stretch of the imagination. In fact he's a real bad singer. I can't count how many hymns I suffered though as a teenager at church listening to him sing off key- and then off key in another key. I'm still embarrassed. But that's not the point. The point is he had this guitar and started taking lessons. He never got good and quit taking lessons. I used to mess with that guitar and I thought it was pretty cool I guess. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Years passed, now I'm like 9 or 10- you know, like first grade age when you're home schooled. And I going to this elementary school in Miami, where we lived and the music teacher thinks I'm real good. So I take these tests to go to this special school for the performing arts- and I get accepted. Pretty cool, I could grow up to be a rock star. BUT... it's in kind of a bad neighborhood- so my parents decide not to send me there. I was bummed, but I didn't protest. Besides, you don't have a lot of pull when you're 9 or 10.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>More years pass, I'm in high school (before I dropped out), and I'm taking this guitar class. It's a total blow off class, but it's cool and I learned some cool things, met some cool people, and had my first chew of tobacco. I met this guy Bill Kays and he could already play any song by AC/DC. I took my dad's guitar down to the sort of local music store and traded it for a piece of crap electric guitar and a tiny little amp. We lived in Osage Beach, which is part of Lake of the Ozarks, also known as the White Trash Riviera, and there wasn't much to do there through the school year. So I played guitar a lot and stared figuring some things out. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>1993- I start college in a wanna be branch dividian cult school also known as "AU". And that "U" should really be in quotes all by itself since that place was anything but a university. I have a dorm make named Scott. Never before and never since have I played guitar with someone more talented. I never learned more either. We would play for hours on the weekends and more than once Scott fell asleep while playing late into the night. We played a talent show once. It was a instrumental I wrote. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>The next year Scott moved back home and I got in this little group and we played at a coffee house in Longview, TX, a couple of times. It was fun. KAL remembers I'm sure since he was there with a HUGE mixing board and pro level speakers. We called ourselves "Little Brother". It was fun, but never as good as in practice since we were always nervous. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>1995- I move back to Missouri and now I live in Columbia, since my parents moved there. I'm going to Columbia College and I don't know anyone in town. So I start spending a lot of time playing guitar. I'm playing 3 or 4 hours a day and I start getting really good. I'm not trying to brag, but I knew I was making some crazy music. Sometimes I would quit playing because I would get scared from how good the music was. It was coming through me. I would occasionally play with other people when I'd get invited to play in party/jam session situations, but everyone would always start asking, "What's that chord?" or "How are you doing that?" but I didn't know since I was just going by sound instead of knowing names for it. I wasn't having to think to do it. I was just feeling it, and it was happening. I could never record what I was playing because when I would try, I would think about it being recorded and it never turned out as good.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Over time, as I got busier and eventually got a job, I started playing less and less and the guitar I've had since 1993 isn't sounding very good to me. For the past few years I've hardly played. I've had moments of inspiration, but they went out fast. I kind of felt like that time was over.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>But remembering back to that music teacher who thought I had some talent, and banging out tunes with Bill and Scott, and playing in my parents basement (my bedroom) for hours at a time, and remembering that feeling that I got when I knew I was really making music, and feeling like I need a creative outlet, I decided to get back into it. I never quit loving music, I just quit cutting out my own little spot of it. I heard this interview with jazz guitarist, Stanley Jordan, and his musical philosophy was so inspiring I almost went out and bought his newest album. As it turns out, I'm not that big of a fan of his music- but I really, really like what he had to say. So I got a new guitar. We'll see what happens. It's really just about how it makes you feel. Express and release. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-73127268262129830522008-09-03T17:59:00.000-07:002008-09-03T18:16:59.522-07:00Why did you turn off the jazz music?John Coltrane. He got in my head and I didn't need to blog for about three months. Then I went back to work and I need a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ventilator</span>. Now I think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Butthead</span> is in my head and I have lots of hate. More angry teaching. "No damn it! I said do the exponents before the multiplication!"<br /><br />It was a good summer. I started riding bikes again. I even raced three times so far this year. I'm racing Gary Boring this weekend in Jeff City. I'm going to whip his old ass! Then I'm going to sell my bike and quit again. I built a wood shed with the dude. Then he drank my beer and left. I have no wood. Weeds grew in our flower beds as I worked for the one they call Barry. Things got built, weeds got big. Less free time = more weeds.<br /><br />I don't work in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ISS</span> anymore, so no more funny stories from there. Fine with me. Nothing worse than being stuck in a room with pissed off middle <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">scholars</span> who didn't do it. I don't have much free time these days. Let me rephrase that. I don't have much time these days that I fill with doing what I choose. Even my dog is laughing at me...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SL81-TG1_WI/AAAAAAAAAQI/3_MkSKigicA/s1600-h/IMG_2361.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241967835679685986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SL81-TG1_WI/AAAAAAAAAQI/3_MkSKigicA/s320/IMG_2361.JPG" border="0" /></a>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-24854186675111405172008-05-21T09:21:00.000-07:002008-05-21T09:23:58.688-07:00Summer Break is 1/2 day away!!!<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SDRMRWbyqRI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ybnphjWcEyQ/s1600-h/Cadon_2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202867330483398930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SDRMRWbyqRI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ybnphjWcEyQ/s320/Cadon_2.JPG" border="0" /></a> Smoke 'em if you've got 'em!<br /><div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-71894400882277905162008-05-12T12:52:00.000-07:002008-05-12T13:11:14.567-07:00Time Revisited<a href="http://creativespark.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/dali_creativespark.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://creativespark.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/dali_creativespark.jpg" border="0" /></a> I think the last post like this had somewhere around 28 days to go before school was out. Now it's 7.5. Not bad at all, but I get more anxious as it gets closer. It reminds me of getting ready to go on an exciting trip. It's really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bizarre</span> having time off in a big chunk like a summer. Not many jobs like it.<br />Plans for this summer: Part-time job, maybe a couple of bike races, couple of float trips, read a book. Outside of that I intend to play it by ear. I'm going to try not to drive much and either walk or ride as much as I can. A trip to Dallas, and Austin may require some time behind the wheel though.<br />With the end of the year coming up I think I'm going to try riding my bike to and from work next week after 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> quarter grades are turned in and I don't have anything to teach. I've done the ride home before a couple of times, but I've never done the ride to work. I'm planning on leaving my house about 5:30am. We'll see how that goes. Should make for a good post.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-16974046423054444872008-04-30T07:36:00.000-07:002008-05-07T10:09:46.362-07:002008 First tirp to the Current RiverIf you're into the outdoors and "floating" in Missouri, (by canoe, raft, or tube) you've probably been to or at least heard of the Current River <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_River_%28Missouri%29">(info</a>) in southern Missouri. The Current River is a spring fed river with headwaters starting at Montauk State Park (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montauk%2C_Missouri">info)</a> and moving south towards Arkansas. This area is part of the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/ozar">Ozark</a> National Senic Riverways. There are a lot of small rivers to float in south Missouri, but the Current is my favorite of all the ones I've floated over the past 20 years or so. Clear cold water, excellent landscape scenery, and lots of trout to fish. At the headwaters at Montauk there's a fish hatchery run by the state where they raise trout. It's amazing seeing these trout in the tanks. They're separated by size and eventually released into the Current River to go where they please. When it's feeding time you can't even see any water between the fish because they feed so aggressively. I read somewhere that trout were first introduced to the Current by railroad workers coming from the west. From what I understand, most trout in the Current are from the hatchery and not "wild", but that some decendents from the original stock may still be reproducing outside the hatchery.<br /><div><div> One of my best friends of more than half my life, Morgan, and I headed down two Fridays ago for the earliest float/camping trip I've ever done in Missouri. The weather can be very volitile this time of year and a strong storm can change things for the worse very quickly when you're around a river. Flash floods are a real concern- it rains heavily upstream, you're downstream where it may not be raining at all. The runoff water from the rain upstream builds and a wall of water heads downstream while you sit on the bank considering your next trip to the cooler for another "coldun" (cold one) with your fishing line in the water. Next thing you know the river seems to be getting strangly bigger and you move back a bit to keep your feet dry. Suddenly you realize what's going on as the river rapidly rises and you grab your cooler to head for safety. You make it to higher gound as the rest of your belonging are swept downstream along with trees, brush, cattle,and the occassional human. </div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCSnXzJhMI/AAAAAAAAAP4/EnJSP7U5ko8/s1600-h/flashflood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197315175086654658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCSnXzJhMI/AAAAAAAAAP4/EnJSP7U5ko8/s200/flashflood.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, none of that stuff happened on this trip- although we were very aware of the possibility. In normal conditions the Current runs about 2' to 2.25' above Akers Ferry (One of the landmarks of the upper Current). 4' is considered "flood stage". On April 10th the Current was at 12' at Akers Ferry. That's a lot of water. Luckily, the water was pretty much back to normal when we got down there. We camped right near the river at a federal campground that is not widely known. I hope it stays that way because it's much better than most of the outfitter campgrounds which consist of a big field that's been overused. At those places you tend to be surrounded by people, loud music, yelling and cigarette smoke. This federal spot is pretty much hidden, quiet, senic, and non-comercialized. No one even works there. You just put $5.00 in a box and choose your spot. </div><div>We arrived about noon and set up camp. Morgan likes to really get things set up quickly when we camp. He says it bothers him until it's all done. I think that must be some primative instinct. We knew the possibility of heavy storms was in the forecast. Luckily, Morgan brought his weather radio. After setting up we headed to the river and started fishing- no luck- the water was still too high in this spot and fast with no cover for the fish to hide behind. Morgan tried to start a fire by rubbing sticks together for about 10 minutes. Then I got out the firestarter block and got the fire going. We were visited by our neighbors from about three camp spots over. They were a couple of guys from Kentucky visiting for turkey hunting. I only have two things to say about their visit. One: First impressions make a difference and the size of one of the guy's shirtless beerbelly was enough to worry me a great deal- it was awful. Two: When I say, "Well, we better get dinner started." that's your cue to bug out instead of poaching another coldun. Anyhoo, Thunder began to rumble in the distance and drew closer. We cooked dinner, (chicken with tomatoes and black beans) and just as we sat down to eat- it began to rain. Luckily Morgan has set up a lean-to with an extra wall blocking the direction the wind was blowing from so the rain couldn't blow in on us. It turned out to be a full on storm as we sat under our lean-to staying dry. As we listened to the computerized voice on the weather radio warning of the severe weather headed our way we came up with an emergency plan that consisted of Morgan running for higher ground and leaving me to grab what gear I could since it was pretty much all mine- bastard. Luckily, the storm came and went in about 20 minutes. After the storm, Morgan thought we better put a water mark stick down by the river so we could see if it started coming up. He notched it for reference and we felt slightly more secure. Turned out to be a nice evening and the sky even cleared. It got calm. But still I wondered if the river would come up and get me in my sleep.</div><div>The night was filled with me waking up thinking I could hear the river roaring as it rose to drown me. It turned out to be the wind blowing through the trees that surrouned us. It got fairly windy since a cold front was coming though. And as it does when a cold front comes through- it got cold. Down to about 40 degrees. I got up once to check the stick and see if the water on our marker was coming up. As I peered down the beam of light from the mag lite onto the stick I could see I was worrying for nothing and slept better the rest of the night- until our neighbors rolled in from a nearby bar at about 4:00am. They kind of hinted at us joining them on a trip to the bar, but I didn't bring my banjo and this wasn't <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance">Deliverance.</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>We got up the next morning<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPb3zJhII/AAAAAAAAAPY/7E-BZ6P-Nok/s1600-h/float.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197311678983275650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPb3zJhII/AAAAAAAAAPY/7E-BZ6P-Nok/s200/float.jpg" border="0" /></a> and got the fire going again, ate a pound of bacon, and broke camp. We saw one of our neighbors staggering to the outhouse about 8:30 and I was thinking he didn't make it up for the morning hunt. Morgan also discovered he had a tick on him in a real bad spot. I'll let you use your imagination on that one. We drove to Akers Ferry, about 9 miles away, and got picked up for the float by the outfitter. We were the first customers of the year. We put in about 9:30 and started our float by going right by the place we had camped before. Luckily, the river never came up whatsoever. It actually dropped a little. So much for the lost sleep over worry of a flash flood. </div><div></div><div>Something to keep in mind when going on a float. There are two kinds: Kind one: Float, drink, swim, and be rediculous. Kind two: Float and fish, have a couple but keep your wits about you for when you snag your line in a tree while getting turned around in a <a href="http://www.watershedactivities.com/projects/winter/media/tom-bailey.jpg">riffle.</a> The main thing to keep in mind is that it's either a fishing float or not. Don't try to mix a couple of people wanting to fish with others who don't. It just doesn't work- sort of like socks on a rooster. </div><div>Turned out to be a great day for a float- sunny and 70 degrees. The trout were very active too. I think between the two of us we caught close to 10 fish. It took us a while to find out what they were hitting on, (rooster tail)<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcnzJhLI/AAAAAAAAAPw/T290ro4Xo-s/s1600-h/rooste5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197311691868177586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcnzJhLI/AAAAAAAAAPw/T290ro4Xo-s/s200/rooste5.jpg" border="0" /></a> but once we did it got pretty fun.</div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcXzJhKI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3yVujFul1Dk/s1600-h/float2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197311687573210274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcXzJhKI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3yVujFul1Dk/s200/float2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>So to make a long story a little longer, it was a good first tirp of the year. I'm planning on heading down at the end of this month to do it again. It's good for your mind. Kind of clears your head. Here's a shot of Morgan reeling in a trout. Next trip- more pics.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcXzJhJI/AAAAAAAAAPg/59my_-lnSLA/s1600-h/float1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197311687573210258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SCCPcXzJhJI/AAAAAAAAAPg/59my_-lnSLA/s200/float1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-41059963590677383462008-04-29T12:32:00.000-07:002008-04-29T12:50:36.319-07:00Gardening at Night<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd753zJhHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/8FmS9vlvfC8/s1600-h/flower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194756929356399730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd753zJhHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/8FmS9vlvfC8/s200/flower.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd7xnzJhGI/AAAAAAAAAPI/tHUKSLtInT8/s1600-h/flower.jpg"></a><br /><div><div><div>We've been very busy in the yard between cold spells, planting, trimming, and mowing. It kind of becomes a part time job this time of year. That's alright though, it really beats winter.</div><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd7fnzJhFI/AAAAAAAAAPA/EE6XZeNljIY/s1600-h/springhouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194756478384833618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd7fnzJhFI/AAAAAAAAAPA/EE6XZeNljIY/s200/springhouse.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd7fXzJhEI/AAAAAAAAAO4/qdSY9jM5H08/s1600-h/crabtree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194756474089866306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd7fXzJhEI/AAAAAAAAAO4/qdSY9jM5H08/s200/crabtree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Leslie just had to get the pots done on Thursday evening. Then it became Thursday night. We needed light and it made for a couple of interesting shots.</div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd4tXzJhCI/AAAAAAAAAOo/DNAw-C0Ffl0/s1600-h/flower.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd4s3zJhBI/AAAAAAAAAOg/XZVx-xBl9Og/s1600-h/Leslie+plant.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194753407483216914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SBd4s3zJhBI/AAAAAAAAAOg/XZVx-xBl9Og/s200/Leslie+plant.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-43263118556051172412008-04-22T09:56:00.000-07:002008-04-29T08:34:52.016-07:00People who should stop telling others how to live- the short list<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4Y9HzJg8I/AAAAAAAAAN4/yfQvhsdaEJA/s1600-h/DrPhil_AP_2007_500.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192114858749428674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4Y9HzJg8I/AAAAAAAAAN4/yfQvhsdaEJA/s200/DrPhil_AP_2007_500.jpg" border="0" /></a>I just read an interesting article about this guy. <a href="http://tv.msn.com/tv/celebrityfeature/dr-phil/?GT1=7703">Here.</a> If all the facts in this article are true, I'd be looking for advice elsewhere. I'm not reallly surprised by what I read. I just find it irritating.<br /><br />And here's his buddy who is apparently disin' him now that his rep is sliding.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4ZeXzJg9I/AAAAAAAAAOA/XEEiOZ8EPrU/s1600-h/oprah20no20makeup21-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192115429980079058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4ZeXzJg9I/AAAAAAAAAOA/XEEiOZ8EPrU/s200/oprah20no20makeup21-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> She spends a lot of time talking about marriage. Funny, she's never actually been married herself. Tell Stedman I said hi.<br /><div><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cKnzJg_I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/I86Lm7q4XR4/s1600-h/Tkach%2520Photo0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192118389212546034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cKnzJg_I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/I86Lm7q4XR4/s200/Tkach%2520Photo0001.jpg" border="0" /></a> Most of you don't know this guy. Try to keep it that way. He's a self proclaimed "slave" for Jesus. He always reminded me more of Mr. French from "Family Affair"<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cKHzJg-I/AAAAAAAAAOI/1SoMwq3Yxwo/s1600-h/hwaphoto.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192118380622611426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cKHzJg-I/AAAAAAAAAOI/1SoMwq3Yxwo/s200/hwaphoto.jpg" border="0" /></a> Oh wait, this one's dead. He can't do much harm in that state. HaHa. <div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cK3zJhAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/cK75Uwh9diA/s1600-h/savchamp.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cK3zJhAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/cK75Uwh9diA/s1600-h/savchamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192118393507513346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SA4cK3zJhAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/cK75Uwh9diA/s200/savchamp.jpg" border="0" /></a>Let's end on a positive note. This guy is worth listening to. Ohh yeah!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27482300.post-32602734388664536832008-04-16T12:48:00.000-07:002008-04-17T08:24:04.625-07:00Elements of my lifeI'm kind of a vehicle guy. I've had seven vehicles since I started driving: 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Volkswagon</span>, 1 Ford, 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Toyotas</span>, and 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hondas</span>. Big whoop, I know. This post is just about one (or three) of them- the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Elelment</span>. If you've never ridden in an Element or at least taken a close look- you should. You might even be among the majority that think it's ugly. Well, all I can say to that is that you're ugly if you don't love my Element.<br /><br />Here's the family album of my "E" family.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYebzxD1I/AAAAAAAAANQ/wDGchWm4SC8/s1600-h/IMG_2250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189932900475277138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYebzxD1I/AAAAAAAAANQ/wDGchWm4SC8/s320/IMG_2250.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is the E I got in 2005 after riding in a friend's and loving it. Four speed automatic. At the time, this was the best E you could get- the EX. It had all wheel drive, waterproof seats, big stereo for a stock stereo- even had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">subwoofer</span>. I loved this E. Hauled everything in it- deer, wood, concrete, bricks, bikes (one time I had four bikes and three people in it), and anything else I needed. The E has over 75 cubic feet of cargo space. As a comparison, a Honda Accord Sedan has 12. So you really can put a bunch of stuff in it. I did a lot of bike race trips in this E. One of my favorite things about all Elements is that they have NO carpet. So it doesn't matter if you have muddy boots on or a dirty wet dog after a trip to the dog park. But I digress. On with the family album.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYfLzxD4I/AAAAAAAAANo/iDCUVo_Oxg8/s1600-h/IMG_2572.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYerzxD2I/AAAAAAAAANY/7n9Smezonw0/s1600-h/IMG_2251.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189932904770244450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYerzxD2I/AAAAAAAAANY/7n9Smezonw0/s320/IMG_2251.jpg" border="0" /></a>Another shot of my first Element.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYe7zxD3I/AAAAAAAAANg/XQOFmMOOYmo/s1600-h/IMG_2531.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189932909065211762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYe7zxD3I/AAAAAAAAANg/XQOFmMOOYmo/s320/IMG_2531.JPG" border="0" /></a>Oh, #2... kind of a redheaded stepchild. This one was an '08. In 2007 Honda made some nice changes (upgrades) to the Element. More horsepower, five speed transmission, standard painted quarter panels, traction control, airbag front to rear, and some other cool trim stuff like blue <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">back lit</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gauges</span> instead of standard green. I was able to sell my first one for a profit and pick up this one for a basic flip. It was like getting a brand new car for less than what I still owed on the first one. It was a good deal. I didn't go with the black this time because I wanted something that would look cleaner longer- black is really hard to keep clean. It was kind of a boring color- but it was different. Then, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">after</span> a few short weeks of driving, I started noticing a strange noise. To make a long story short, Honda's change to the transmission made this one "drone" loudly when at cruising speed. The exact speed I travel 250 miles a week for work. It got really annoying. So it went to the shop three times. Finally, it was discovered that ALL the new ones with the automatic 5 speed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">tranny</span> do this. My solution- get rid of it. I only had this brown cow for about three months. Kind of a skeleton in the family closet.<br /><br /><br />Then one day, this one showed up from Chicago on special order.<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYfLzxD4I/AAAAAAAAANo/iDCUVo_Oxg8/s1600-h/IMG_2572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189932913360179074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYfLzxD4I/AAAAAAAAANo/iDCUVo_Oxg8/s320/IMG_2572.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pretty. My favorite of the three. 2008 EX <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">AWD</span> 5 speed Manual. Like the one before it, this one is an '08 but since it's a manual transmission it's geared differently and doesn't make that noise that I couldn't stop <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">listening</span> to. It's much more fun to drive and the black is black. I also got splash guards and side steps with this one- nice touches. Since I've had it I also added a hood deflector (great for all the highway <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">driving</span> with semi traffic throwing crap up all the time) and a custom grill guard. At some point I'm going to get a short ram intake, torque dampener, and fog lights and bull bar. I plan on keeping this one for quite some time.<br /><br /><br />Where are they now: The 2005 lives in St. Louis and belongs to a nice family that does a lot of triathlons. The brown bag '08 also lives in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">STL</span> and belongs to a guy who works in film. I made sure he knew about the sound- but it didn't seem to bother him. He was very excited about getting an almost new Element for a great deal.<br /><br />Other Element facts: two power outlets (front and rear), front and rear seats fold down to make a bed (yes, I've used it), rear seats fold up into the sides of the vehicle or can be taken out completely to leave you with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">practical equivalent of a 5 foot truck bed.</span><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYfbzxD5I/AAAAAAAAANw/hdOLFpc-oUU/s1600-h/IMG_2574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189932917655146386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_1aBHujPQ1Nk/SAZYfbzxD5I/AAAAAAAAANw/hdOLFpc-oUU/s320/IMG_2574.JPG" border="0" /></a>Beefcakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978342794852237761noreply@blogger.com1