the emalsculation of America

If you go to a baseball game and are fortunate enough to get seats close to the field, you had better bring your glove and watch out for flying bats, the wooden type, I am talking pro ball here. ESPN is on a roll again, but allow me to digress. First they piss me off with changing probably the most important baseball stat there is, RBI's. An "RBI" is a "Run Batted In". Two "RBI's" are two "Runs Batted In". "RBI" is a "thing". 500 RBI's is 500 "things". Why do they deem it necessary to say that "Runs" "Batted""in" is three things, it's not, it's one. You cannot break it down to three words, it's one phrase. ESPN calls it 36 "R""B""I", that would be correct english, IF, it were three different words. Ok, enough of that, most of you have heard my take on that already anyway. Now ESPN and SI are complaining about how dangerous it is to sit in a great seat at the ballgame. You might get hurt! Oh my, we can't have that! Are you kidding me? Hey, Ken takes a knife, that's what makes it a good game, right? Before you know it, the closest you will be able to sit in is in the upper deck, and a full set of catchers gear will be a requirement! Now, what would Harey Carey say about that? He couldnt direct the cameraman to any scantity clothed women, not that I approve of that sordid sort of thing, but then again, not that there's anything wrong with it either.
On Sunday in Taladega, NASCAR put on one of the greatest restrictor plate races I can remember. 57 lead changes between 25 drivers and a finish that was amazing! Carl Edwards, in the lead with the finish line in sight, moves up the track to block rookie Brad Kezelowski, Brad fakes high and dives down low, a veteren move, Carl goes back down to block but bad brad was already there. Carl spins and catches air at 200 mph or so, by the way, a Cessna takes off at 160 mph or is it "m's ph". Anyway, Carl's rocketship is on it's way back down to terra firma when the #39 car hits it and launches it up some 15-20 feet in the air, into the wire catch fence and back down to earth, breathtaking. Bad Brad wins the race, Carl, gets out of his completely destroyed car and jogs 85 yards to the finish line. The COT is amazing. It did what it was designed to do, both aerodynamically and safety wise. The catch fence caught the 3400 lb missle with only a little debris escaping and injuring one fan and scratching up 6 others. NASCAR rules of the yellow line caused the scenario, but the driver of the #99 car caused the wreck. He was penalized big time, right then and there! Get rid of the yellow line rule when the checkered flag is in sight, problem solved. Place a second net with the exact same dimensions behind the first one and hog ring it with Bostitch Aluminum Hog Rings, SR15-ALUM. They will blow with any impact, the second net, cabled at top and bottom will catch any debris the first one missed. Problem solved.
What the PC crowd wants to do is this: Slow the cars down, make it a penalty to block, cut the banking down, isn't that what we call, the Freeway? Guess what, nobody would care about the race. No fans, no race. But racing cars is just too dangerous, we cannot allow it. The drivers get fatigued after 500 miles, get sick from the carbon monoxide, etc etc.
Here is the real solution: Every 100 miles, park the cars. Allow everyone to get new tires on, get some fresh air, and....are you ready, you knew it was coming, they all get an orange slice and a capri-sun! There, I've said it, it's true, I'm so sick of it!
When I was a kid, you played baseball in America, that is IF you made the team. That's right, it was not an automatic. They called it "TRYOUTS", wow, how cruel. And guess what? Everyone on the team got a trophy, oh let me be clearer, everyone on the team that WON THE CHAMPIOSHIP got a trophy. Baseball teaches you to win and to lose. Every moment of this grand sport involves one person, on the spot, forced to perform. It builds character, which is wrong, I know but that was way back when the U.S.A. didn't give a rip what the other countries were up to. We were the one country that achieved! Now all we do is ring our hands.
SOCCER DID IT! Slowly at first, just a game. The #1 sport in the world, or the #1 world sport. We let it infiltrate our culture. Nobody on the spot, everyone gets a trophy, orange slices and juice for all, during the dang contest! Have you heard the term, Soccer Mom? Mom's protect their children, that's a good thing. Dad's push their children into uncomfortable life lessons.
Sometimes you have to get a bruise, get your feelings hurt, just to find out what you are made of. The game of Soccer is cool, I'm talking about how we let the culture of the rest of the world, through Soccer to overcome us. We're soft, and before you know it we'll all be wearing grey uniforms and marching in order! I just had to get it off my chest.

"You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell"!

Well, In your life you will witness a multitude of sights, sounds, and people. Regarding people,

some will leave you in awe, I watched Willie Mays catch and hit a home run, Michael Jordon sinking free throws with his eyes closed, Joe Montana rising above the level of meer human contestants and working the 2-minute drill to perfection.

Some are just fun. Harey Carey singing "take me out to the ballgame" at Candlestick.

Some can inspire. Thats the subject here. Here's a hint... "IIIIII've seen this book...b'fore".

Zig Ziglar, yes, the Zigster, is coming to Sacramento Feb 24. Its a day long deal with multiple speakers, and I must also warn that there is quite a few "billymayswannabe schpiels" mixed in the day. But the speakers list aint too bad. ...........................................................................................

America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, will show you how to make it through any crisis
The Greatest Olympian of All Time, Michael Phelps, will show you how to sharpen your competitive edge
World's Foremost Health Expert, Dr. Earl Mindell, will show you how to increase your health and energy
Top Sales Expert and Author of Get Motivated!, Tamara Lowe, will show you how to strengthen your sales and negotiation skills
President & CEO of Forbes Inc., Steve Forbes, will show you ways that thriving corporations use to stay ahead of the pack
Legendary Soldier-Statesman, General Colin Powell, will show you how to be a take charge leader

I'm going to see Zig. It will most likely be your last opportunity to see him in the flesh, he's 82.

Whoever wants to go, let me know quick as you can as we can go as a group for $19.

Hey, if you are up for a few sales pitches thrown right at your chin in rapid fire mode and you think you can take one for the team, it will be a good day.

Let me know, but at least you know where I will be that day. Cant wait to hear..." And maybe someday I will seeYOU, yesssssssssssssss you at the top!"

Katie Noel....Christmas baby girl

Well, got us a new little Grandbaby! Katherine Noel Hobbs, born 12-23-08, 9:24 pm, 7lbs 8 oz, 20 inches and a "Full" head of black hair, she is soooooooooooo cute.....breathtaking!

We are headin down to the hospital to get some of that "new baby smell".....hey, ya gotta take the good with the bad! Momma and baby....and Daddy are doin fine...and nobody passed out or had a siezure...that you know of!

Gentlemen, start your STAPLERS!

It was Bostitch Day at Golden State Flooring! Its been dead out there and I found out there was an open date for the Show Car, so I scheduled this event. Golden State Flooring just may be the biggest wholesale wood flooring distributor in the nation, and this location has been very slow and is usually left out of the event mix. After we towed an 87 Bronco out of the way.....wow, you couldn't have done that the day before huh? I actually about blew a gasket on that one, we got set up and had exposure to Hwy 101 Southbound in San Carlos all day.

The Stanley Race/Show Car was there.

We advertised it like crazy.

280 Contractors received phone calls with a "recorded message" on the previous Friday and again on Monday, the day before the Big Show. 80 received a fax of the flyer I made.

This flyer was also featured on the Golden State Flooring website exposed to 800 of their customers per day. So, we did our job preparing

for the event.

I made sure product was in stock.

I introduced the "Fastest Gun in the West" contest and they will call their events, "Who is

the Man with the Golden Gun". Cornball as all get out, but eeeeeefective.

This will turn into a "heritage" event for them.

I made sure they know, it's my event, I'm letting them participate!

The contest itself was a great success, the turnout overall was slow. The idea I have is to develop this in 2009 culminating in a head to head contest at the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) show next year. "

The Fastest Gun in the West" vs. "The Fastest Gun in the East"....that would be cool

During the final championship "heat", we had three guns going off of one compressor, this proved to be one too many for the compressor to keep up with.....learnt one there!

Each guy was FORCED to wear the Stanly Racing Cap to compete, pretty harsh huh? I was donned out in the Race Attire, lookin like some ole' race driver. Hey, I give the customer what they want. You wanna make fun of me? You wanna hurt me? Well go ahead, if it makes ya feel better!

Hey, I like me, my wife likes me, my customers like me, I'm the genuine article...

By the way, the rep I caught badmouthin my product to the purchasing agent back in May? As of Tuesday, the day of this event, He's GONE as a vendor to GSF! I don't play. "So F'n wipe that F'n smile off your rosey red F'n cheeks and pack yer shizite...yerrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRR OUTTTAAAA HERE!!

The Hawaii contest is tightening up. Derek is puttin the pressure on. It's close but there is only 3 weeks to go and I have a slight lead!

Lookin forward to being home with my bride and seeing everyone on Turkey-Day. later

"Brang yer Feesh Pole"

Uncle Bruce is the "Feeshin' Man". On a recent trip out to the lake, he had a day for the record books! This is why, when the weather gets bad, ya jes' gotta wet a line. This is his email:

Here is results and latest Story from last Friday. I had just finished getting things ready for Youth Hunt on Friday night and was lamenting the fact that summer fishing was all but over. The forecast was for high winds Friday but at 10:00am all was calm(west @ 5mph). I decided what the heck, might as well give the fishing one last go. I raced home,grabbed yak, and headed for the lake.

By the time I got there the wind was starting to blow(whitecaps). I debated just bagging it and heading home. After all I had just had a great summer of fish catching and a couple of really nice fish in October to keep me fired up about spring. Then I thought, "what the heck, what's the worst that could happen ?...........after all I do have a life jacket". I put it on while the whitecaps started appearing not just out in the lake but right in front of me in the cove. I piled in and started paddling like a mad man for the far side of the lake(the lee side) and protection from the waves. It took about 15 minutes to clear the breakers and reach somewhat calm water. Waves broke over the Yak the entire way and I'm drenched, but not particulary cold.

Time to fish. I start trolling two deep diving shad andthe Lowrance is showing me lots of rocks at 10-15 ft. First pass results in a good bump but no battles. I keep working the rocks in 12-15ft. and get spun around and towed out into the whitecaps. The battle is on and I'm getting amazed. Half my rod is under water and big waves are breaking all over me. After what seems like forever I get some line back and the fish decides to surface. Holey Moses its a giant bass! He immediately sounds and takes all the line back. I'm now in the middle of the lake and every wave is breaking over me. Finally I'm gaing ground again..........but I have a new problem. The shore is approaching very quickly and the fish isn't finished. Every time I get him close he sees the yak and freaks out and burns back to the bottom. Finally I'm so close to the rocks he can't get very deep and I'm able to grab a jaw and snap a quick photo, splash him back into the water and grab the paddle in the nick of time.Paddle back across lake to relative shelter and take stock. Fish is probably just shy of the one I caught in Florida asa kid but way bigger than anything else. Best guess somewhere between 9 and 10lbs. What a day! I start trolling again and immediately hook up to a 5 pounder that gives me a great aerial show. I don't even snap a picture, just laugh and keep fishing, immediately hooking and landing a smaller bass.

I look up and realize things are deteriorating. A bass boat comes crashing down the lake and slows to make sure I'm OK. I wave and realize it really is time to punt.................

Wind has turned into a full gale and I'm a pretty good distance (@ a mile and across the lake from the truck). Seeing the big Bass boat run for cover gets my attention. Reluctantly I reel in the lure still trailing me and head for for the truck. The bail pops open on the spinner and the crank bait plops back in the water. It must be a sign. I let about fifty yards play out, close the bail and set myself for the task at hand. I take a quick glance at the lowrance and I'm in 25ft of water. I keep paddling and all of a sudden I'm hung. I re-check the lowrance(29ft.) and pick the rod up, leaving the safety tether attached. The entire rod goes completely under, only my hands and the reel are above the water..................no I am not hung on the bottom..............its a submarine !!!!!!!! I just thought things were exciting earlier. I start laughing again as I'm in a full gale with water whipping everywhere and something huge is wanting to take me to the bottom. Hat blows off and paddle nearly gets away before I lash it down. I re-check and make sure all the gear in the yak is securely attached and turn my attention back to the fish. I'm losing ground on the reel as wind and waves are shoving me across lake and fish is not budging. I tighten the drag up as much as I dare and slowly gain just a bit of line back.

Eventually the fish is straight beath the yak and I have substantial line recovered. For the first time I believe there is a chance I might actually land the fish. An old problem is starting to materialize though.............I'm approaching the far shore way too fast. Quick check and still 25 ft of water. If I'm going to have a chance I've got to steer somehow. I unlash the paddle with one hand and use it as a rudder to gain a bit of steering and point the yak across the wind to slow my progress to shore. it also moves me closer to the truck. Another 5 minutes and the fish appears to be tiring. It comes out from beneath the yak and I see it for the first time. Catfish...........big Kitty. It sees the yak for the first time and sounds again. Good bye recovered line. Fish is back on the bottom. I look up and the rocks are getting way too close. A decision has to be made. Cut him off or risk getting rock smashed. If it comes to it I'm jumping out at the last second. I've got hip boots on and I'll just have to hope the yak is tough enought to take the abuse and all the safety tethers hold on the equipment. After all , the old man in the sea didn't give up, and I don't even have sharks to deal with.

At the perfect moment, the fish rolls alongside side, I scoop him into the yak, snap a photo, grab the paddle, spin the yak ..........and right there in the water is my hat. I snatch it out and paddle like a maniac, fish in my lap and truck dead ahead.

What a day ! No, a quick check of my phone shows I've only been on the water for an hour and a half. I spent the first thirty minutes getting across the lake and getting rigged up. In the past hour I have landed the largest bass I've caught in thirty plus years, a five pound bass, two smaller bass, and a 12-15 lb blue cat. All in conditions that a sane person would have simply turned around and done something indoors. What a Day ! When my cabin fever is at its very worst this winter, I'll simply break out some catfish steaks and head for the grill.

It is now a cold, rainy Monday...................Too cold for fishing ?

BB

"Rainbow Stew for everyone!"

Well, "you wont have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore". Sound familiar? Probably not, since it was given in 1952. That was Richard Nixon's response in the infamous "Checkers Speech". Thats kinda how I feel right now. Just think Brothers and Sisters, we dont have to answer for Shizite for at least 4 years and maybe even 8 years. Whatever happens won't be our fault, cuz there aint no more of us on the hill! It's like being on seasonal unemployement, it's gonna be a while and there aint nuthin you can do 'bout it, so ya might jes' as well put yer feet up and turn on "Opie and Andy" and veg out. Oh ya, and I do feel betrayed by Opie and Ange for that commercial, but he was right, but sadly, now he's left. hmmmmmm

Just think, FREE Health care, a job for everyone who wants one, and welfare for those who don't, and no more of that crap where someone makes more dough than me! We'll all be makinig the same money, right?

Wow, paradise. It reminds me of a song by the Great American Songwriter...and convicted felon...Northern Californian...the "Hag", Merle Haggard.

There's a big brown cloud in the city, and the countryside's a sin..

The price of life is too high to give up. and it's gotta come down again..

The worldwide war is over and done, and the dream of peace comes true,

We'll all be drinkin that free Bubble-up and eatin that rainbow stew.

When they find out how to burn water, and the gasoline car is gone.

When an airlpane flies without any fuel, and a satelite heats our home.

But one of these days when the air cleans up, and the sun comes shining through

We'll all be drinkin that free Bubble-up and eatin that rainbow stew.

Eatin rainbow stew with a silver spoon, underneath that sky of blue

We'll all be drinkin that free Bubble-up and eatin that rainbow stew.

You dont have to get high to get happy, just think about whats in store

When people start doin' what they oughta be doin', then they wont be a booin' no more

When a President goes through the whitehouse door, and does what he says he'll do

We'll all be drinkin that free Bubble-up and eatin that rainbow stew.

Eatin rainbow stew with a silver spoon, underneath that sky of blue
We'll all be drinkin that free Bubble-up and eatin that rainbow stew.

Wow, I feel so warm and fuzzy. We are finally safe. We're on our way to prosperity.

I think I'll go buy myself a tie-die shirt and some sandals or something.

But you know, there is another piece of good news in all this. AMERICA IS NOT RACIST!

We elected a man of color to the highgest office in the land and Sacramento elected Kevin Johnson as Mayor, and that is a good thiong. So, I dont want to hear any more shizite (I kinda like that word) about racism for a while, we're cured now, right? Free at last.. Free at last..(yep I'm goin for it) thank God Almighty, we're Free at last!

Well, our forefathers were God-Inspired and we'll get a chance to see just how good our Constitution is. We will survive this, and who knows, maybe I'll get to like the taste of Bubble-Up...everything you can get for free baby!

It's good to be an American!!!

If the liberal Dems can say that Sarah Palin isn't qualified to represent our country because she doesn't think like they do, then I can say Barak Obama Bin Ladin isnt qualified due to a few different things, which I shall now point out to the less "gutsey" observers out there....just kidding, (hey, I'm just giving ya want ya want).

I'm sure Mr Obama is a very nice guy, or not, but who cares. He seems to be a committed man. Its just that it scares me to think of the things he has been committed to over the years. And now he has all our answers and a chicken in every pot. We are about to give up a chance to have success for a hot meal. He could be a very effective Senator, I guess. But Praisident? I think not. "Come on now, we all know your name isnt Pete, its Pierre".

America, U.S.A., the States, the evil one, however we are known, is a great country founded on Christian values by Christian men and women. Our citizens are from all over the world. We bring in our family's culture and meld it in with the existing culture resulting in American culture. I dont have a problem with people immigrating here, I'll help you do it! You could be a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, whatever. I dont care if you worship sale sundays at Macy's, you are welcome here! But the Praisident, I'm holding him to a higher standard.

You gotta be a "purebread", someone who is steeped by history and love in the American Dream! A place where anyone can be anything they want....except for Praisident. I dont want my Praisident or his wife to hate or be ashamed of this country. Lets see, the only rules we have are, you have to be 35 years old, natural born citezen, non-felon, husband of but one wife....ooops I got caried away there. But I want a pedegree Praisident. Someone who loves this country the way it is today and appreciates how we got here. Someone who loves American culture, its rich, its poor, the good and the bad. Someone who sees a better future, yes, but someone who sees that future possible within the framework our forefathers developed.

CAPITOLISM BABY! It's the only system that rewards achievement. It's the achievers who create the wealth. Its that same wealth that comes to the rescue of every country in need. Its the achievers who create jobs to manage their wealth. and thereby make it possible for the rest of America to have the job, pretty much of their choice, to feed and clothe themselves and their families and create their own wealth. Its the achievers in this country that create the medical procedures that are the best in the world. The freedom we enjoy is empty without the wealth created by achiement. It's all up to the individual on where they want to be in the food chain. But as my least favorite "Country" band says..."Only in America" .

OK, you waited long enough, here it is...Barak has Muslim roots. He claims to be a Christian now, and thats all great, but his background is Muslim and that culture is in him and always will be. You say wow, you are harsh or narrowminded or whatever cliche you want, but the way IS narrow. I want our leader to be the very best American Man or Woman, that embraces Capitolism and Freedom. I dont want a Praisident with immediate family in Kenya.

I want his or her family to be from Georgia, and I mean the one next to Alabama.

Well tomorrow is the big day. It looks like we blew it. Maybe this is the wake up call the Conservative majority in this country needs. Four years of Socialism just might do it.

When you give a man a dole you deny him his dignity, and when you deny him his dignity you rob him of his destiny.– Zig Ziglar

Geeze, George McGovern looks pretty good now!....and by the way, "Carabou Barbie" is freakin funny!