Big Bucks!

Big Bucks!

Quote for the Day

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

Louisa May Alcott


Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/louisamaya104679.html#CVIeiGvpQvsIJvdR.99
I am not afraid of storms as I am learning to sail my ship...

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

Louisa May Alcott


Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/louisamaya104679.html#CVIeiGvpQvsIJvdR.99I


Thursday, February 15, 2007

Maybe I shouldn't have got rid of the Chevy "CAMO VAN"

Just listen to a little classic Waylon Jennings here in "Chevy Van"....Taste the words....

I gave a girl, a ride in my wagon
She crawled in, and took control
She was tired, Lord her mind was a draggin'
I said, "get some sleep and dream of rock an roll."

Like a picture she was layin' there
Moonlight dancin off her hair
She woke up and took me by the hand
She's gonna love me in my Chevy Van and thats alright with me

Her young face, was like that of an angel
Her long legs, were tan and brown, Lord
Better keep your eyes on the road son, better slow this vehicle down

Like a picture she was layin' there
Moonlight dancin' off her her
She woke up and took me by the hand
She's gonna love me in my Chevy Van, and that's alright with me!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

The Red Rocket Thunder Devil Gun!

Well, you were right. And you know who you are. I did take the hit. But you were partially wrong. There was no peer pressure. No one cussed me out. They only asked the group twice. And for some unknown reason, I did it. Perhaps to prove you wrong as normally you have me pegged.


Yesterday at work, I was scheduled to be trained on use of the TASER device. I think that RED ROCKET THUNDER DEVIL DANCER GUN is a more appropriate name. As I sat in the training I listened to the instructor offer out the "voluntary exposure" to us as class members, I suddenly became very curious. As they say, curiousity killed the cat. I had to feel what this TASER actually was. I wanted to taste it. Life is made up of experiences you know. I'm like the Wolf in the henhouse wanting a taste of that sweet chicken. So, as the group left to meander over to the "room" where the Hell would be unleashed, under no ones pressure I began seriously contemplating taking this "voluntary exposure." I decided I would head out for a smoke and think this thing over briefly. I stepped outside, lit one up, and began thinking of my "mission statement" on my blog which is to "suck the marrow out of life" and said, "you gotta do it man." I puffed that cig down, jumped on the elevator, and began taking off my belt and vest. I saw some surprised looks on people's faces as I burst into the DT room wearing my white undershirt. I was ready for the pain.


I was sweating and pacing. I watched several others take the 5 second ride of thunder and began to question what I was thinking and if I had the personal strength to follow through with it. Next thing I knew, I was lunging to the front of the onlookers and being supported by two others under my armpits. As I faced away I heard a deep voice say, "you ready Jitters?" I replied I was and the next thing I heard was "TASER, TASER, TASER!" A quick pop, a feeling of a slight impact as the barbs stuck into my flesh, and then........


Sweet Jehosaphat! I




I SANG LIKE A TENOR! I think I said STOP! four hundred ninety three times. I must say the only way to explain it was as though someone shoved an electric charged broomstick into my ass and pulled the trigger while I was standing in 6' of water. I wanted it to stop, this wretched thing I felt rocketing through my body. My ass and leg and muscles felt like somebody had launched a barrage of bombs inside them......I hung on as I continued to yell STOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPP until the five seconds (which felt like 25 seconds) was over. The pain was immediately gone.....Wow.


My advice to all is, if you see this on a Cop's belt,


FOLLOW DIRECTIONS VERY CAREFULLY!


For those who have never experienced this and think I may be exhibiting signs of being a puscus, watch this video of a 1500 lb bull getting thrown on its ass!
This incident was videotaped and I can't wait to get a copy! 5 seconds of 50,000 volts....
(I must admit that a contributing factor to taking the TASER was that perhaps I would stop being jittery and maybe it would clear the gnats out of my head. It didn't work)

Lovin' Lobster

Valentines Day. Who thought of it anyway?

Today was a special Valentines Day for my girls......I made Lobster, Steak, Rolls, and Parmesan Encrusted Asparagus. Each received a beautiful flower and a kiss/hug from me.

Push play to watch "These Farmer's Blues" by Marty Stuart with special guest Merle Haggard.

Good Neighbors, No Fences.

I'm basking in a couple days off! I went out today and took the ol' tank snowblower through the deep thick drifts.....I noticed a good friend cleaning out his driveway as well.


The old saying "Good fences make good neighbors" doesn't hold water down here where I live....This post is the first formal introduction to that neighbor I've spoke of many times. The Farmer!

Almostgunlaker fans, I introduce you to another part of my life that I treasure. This old man toils each day starting early to maintain his farm. Today I want you to step back in time and see his tractor. The soft thump thump thump of his tractor working away can be heard well in my house and I always have to grin when that familiar sound fills my ears. You will notice that most of what is on the piece of time is homemade. Here he is plowing his driveway!


I have long discussions with this man about his views on life, how much he hates watching his country get run down, and I observe his undying steadfast drive each day to keep on keepin' on! As far as I'm concerned we don't need fences down here! I will be following up this spring with a post with an in depth look into his beautiful farm for you all to enjoy....

Here's a salute to you Farmer Ed (even though I tried to explain what the internet was and you told me it was "a bunch of hogwash!")

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Another Favorite!

This large ship lies at the bottom of Lake Superior, all hands lost.

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
of the big lake they call Gitchagumee.
The lake it is said, never gives up her dead
when the skies of November turn gloomy"

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Ever Heard of Bill Withers?

Until today as I watched the movie "Munich" I never knew who sung this song. What a classic.



Take some time and watch "Munich" when you can, a very good movie. It does have some real violence about the retalitory killings which occurred after the slaughter of Israeli's at the Olympics.

The New TEAM T Home Defense Gun

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Homeade Pizza's and Baby Boys

Ok, even though we haven't reached the anniversary date yet, I have something I need to get off my chest.....No holdin' back....


As I snowblowed today I had to stop and laugh at a sign I saw hanging on the anal neighbors house.....Do you remember the post about him and how organized his life was? Type in "Dandelions, Dishwashers, and Dissapointing My Neighbors" in the "search blog" box up above for further understanding. I stopped in full stride behind the old snowblower and had to shut if off as I looked in wonder at this sign.



I could not believe what I saw. Have you ever noticed that for some people, everything goes right? I'm talking about the people that have a 5500 square foot house, earn outrageous money, their wife looks like she just stepped out of the Victoria's Secret Catalog, they have every toy imaginable, and they are always smiling?



The sign said, "Its a Boy!"



Big deal you say, right? I must tell you of the severe longing I had inside me as each one of my children were born. That longing was to have a son. My own son. My little buddy for hunting, fishing, guy talk, working on cars. You know, A SON. I must tell you how miffed I was as each of my four children were girls. Now before you start cursing me, I will tell you that I recognize the selfishness and self pity I endulged in about this issue. I have harbored much anger and frustration over the fact that somehow it was not in God's plan for me to have a son. I have been involved in some pretty frank conversations with Him about this issue and wonder if my candacy was insubordinate.



On the flip side, I am so happy that God has blessed me with four beautiful healthy girls. They are all healthy. How can I complain? I love them so much.....



To continue this temper tantrum I get so frustrated when I go into a home and see a boy who has no idea who his father is. I have boldly screamed at God on many occasions about the fact I feel slighted and don't understand how He could hold back this longing I have.



Beyond my personal inner desire, an important issue is at stake: MY FAMILY'S NAME! As of today's date, the Team T name is dead. D-E-A-D. My father had three brothers and four sisters. That is 8 kids including him. One of his brothers passed away in a car accident many years ago. This left my dad and two brothers. Neither of my two uncles had boys which carried on the Team T name. My dad had my brother and I. As to date, (and unless a miracle occurs) the entire family name rests on my brother. He has yet to marry. (That's a lot of pressure). What an honor to be able to pass on the family name. I failed in this regards.



I have worked long past this issue and although it still frustrates me I embrace and love each one of my beautiful girls. I thank God for blessing me with them. And I stand unable to question why he blesses so many worthless and uncaring people with sons.



Most of all, I can only imagine the pain in watching His own Son be crucified.





Man..............................I was going to try and elaborate about the pizza I made tonight.....But after letting all that out, I will just show you the picture. It was a good pizza.

Wayland Waylon

This is one of my most favorite soft ballads from Ol' Waylon Jennings...

"Turn it all Around"

You can see forever standin' on a mountain top
The only way to break the drop, is to find the long way down.

It's not that I'm complainin'
I know I've had my day
I'd just like to find a way
To Turn It All Around.


Boots and jeans and diamond rings
Limousines that I got for a song
Knowin' all along the way, I'll wake up one day
and find it gone...

TEAM T OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

As of today, I updated to the new blogger....Which means nothing to you all other than I found 68 comments which you have all sent and I never saw before! 68 precious morsels that I never knew about until today. I went through and published them all. I don't know why they hadn't come to me before but they are all on their now!

The meeting of the TEAM T Oversight Comittee has been adjourned!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Two Big Dates Are Upon Us!

Two big dates are coming upon us folks, in just a week or so we will be celebrating a phenomenal resource in my life.....An outlet of anguish, a tablet of my ramblings......A journal of my joys, woes, and trivial everyday life.....ALMOSTGUNLAKERS will soon be one year old....I am planning a big celebratory post for the one year anniversary.....I must warn you to be excited and also to know that I will be bringing some items to the forefront that I only spoke of in code on this blog....Some will be angered, turned away, others intrigued.....Some will embrace it and others will flee.......GET READY! I am opening up even further....

The other day which approaches is Valentines Day. I must admit that I get more sentimental and in touch with my inner emotions as I get older......Which brings me to tell you of a few things which I love:

The sweet breath and warm embrace of my beautiful daughters as they sparkily tell of some exciting moment in their young lives.....

The torque and pull of a lively monster fish on my line.......

The wonderful relaxing feeling I get when I swing open the door to my castle after a 36 hour weekend of work only to see a pin-neat kitchen and living room....And the fresh smell of clean linen.....And to see my tired wife who toiled for this spotlessness sleeping softly in a warm bed....

The angel like countenance of my mother as she gleefully passes a basket of homemade valentines for my daughters.....All at 0640 in the morning as she got up early and drove to cater to my odd schedule....The passion she has for her unselfish serving of others and the truly Christ like manner in which she delivers her loving servant craft.....

The heavy fog on a warm lake as the sun cracks above the horizon as I slowly motor and throw my lines into the deep abyss.....

The tangy quench of sour mash whiskey after a belly full of fresh fried fish and bitter coleslaw....The contrast of an orange glowing embered cigarette on my lips.....

Brisk morning air and birds hammering away their early day chorus of joy.....

The strong pull of my Jeep in four wheel drive launching forward as the sky spits wafer sized snowflakes....

My dear sister who really knows and laughs at the depths of my craziness.......Her unfaltering pursuit of that which is Holy, Just, Righteous, and her undying vaults to partake in all life has to offer beside the everyday worldly rush in spite of all who would question her....

My dear father and his unquivering wisdom as I tell of what struggles I have......The calm re-assurance in his voice as he says, "son, I've been there."

A hot shower cascading on sore muscles and a peach apricot shampoo/conditioner soaking in my hair.......and overloading my senses......

The hot panting of my lover in my ear as I hold her tightly in my grasp....

The thump-thump-thumping of the ol' farmer's antiquated tractor across the street as he flawlessly careens across the field dragging a disc for yet another season of harvest. To watch his perfect execution of steering with a feather's grasp on the steering wheel all the while his gaze rearward at the fresh earth he has uncovered and tossed asunder for the 100th time......

Natalie's beautiful smile and gaze as I break, smash, and spill one more thing and the confidence in her eyes that she saw it coming all the while....

The familiar garbled voice of my brother as I flip open my cellphone and hear, "what'r'u'doin Gene?" The ease in which I can tell him of my struggles, laugh of his, and share in our common passion for ADVENTURE..........The ease of which we can begin garbling the words "allright" and simultaneously hang up on eachother without malice as the conversation dies....

Roaring fires....

The final click of handcuffs on a demon who has pilfered and stole innocence....

The roar of a siren and flashing strobe lights nearing close as I struggle with one much larger than me.....Only hoping to hold on long enough for that warrior behind the wailing siren and burning strobe light tubes to arrive and help me tie up the evil and haul it away for a too temporary incarceration.....

Big snowflakes.......

The hot glow and desolate warmth of an ice fishing shanty in the middle of a lake in darkness.....As I pull up a lunker Crappie through the ice......

The puffy softness of a dear pet snuggling and snoring softly against my leg.......Unaware of the toils and struggles of daily life.....

November, December, July, October, June-.....

A really big fat ass crazy big paycheck!

Ol' School Country.....Waylon, Willie, Merle, George, Don Williams, Paycheck......Nora Jones......

God in all his majesty.

My wife.


These things I love. These things are such a part of my soul you could not separate them with the finest of scalpels in the best surgeon's hand......



Sunday, February 04, 2007

My Kick Ass Snowblowin' 1986 Monster!




This wonderful blizzard we were blessed with has boosted my spirits! I love the feeling of adventure and bitter freezing cold as I arrive home from work in the morning and fire up the old orange monster! It seems that although I have a nice circle drive and a long driveway back to the TEAM T SERVICE GARAGE I can't get enough of snowblowin! This ol' bitch fires the snow like its full of buckets of anger! Man how much I enjoy coming home and throwing snow like a 6'4" bouncer throwing a little drunk guy out of a country tavern after he kicked out the footlights and grabbed the waitress!





Sometimes I can't get enough and go up into the yard just to widen the swath of destruction a little bit. After all, it's my grass and I'll widen the driveway it if I see the need!

I am amazed how this ol' machine rifles through the snow and seldomly bogs down. Hats off to this ol' orange monster.....She does her job with pride!

Best of all, this ol' monster has electric start. Just plug it in and push the button to crank over the machine until she fires while you cradle a softly aged Milwaukees Best Light! It is too bad I had to wait until I was almost 32 years old before I could enjoy the snow and not have to worry about shoveling.

I have vivid memories of shoveling the driveway since I was about 9 years old. I used to be s
o upset when the snow poured down and I knew that I would have to go and shovel for hours. And I never was a real big guy so it took all the energy I had. I still remember seeing the neighbor snowblowing away with his 10 horse 1984 snowthrowing monster and how jealous I was. I do recall on occasion faining death and exhaustion in the driveway as I shoveled hoping he would drive that thing over and finish our driveway......And you know, he never did!

That gives me a great idea. I think I'm going to get up early and surprise a random person with a drive by driveway snowblow today......Watch for the update!

And p.s., the robotic guy on the automated radio weather channel said that a mere 20 minutes with exposed flesh today will result in it freezing......Cover up the skin!

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Whiskey River

Here's an ol Willie Nelson Classic!

Whiskey river take my mind

Don't let her memory torture me

Whiskey river don't run dry

You're all I've got to take care of me.