Who'd you rather be today? A former member of the Tri-Lateral Commission or a future member of Hell?

Movie Review...

"The World's Fastest Indian" with Sir Anthony Hopkins was GREAT! I can't say enough good about this authentic rendering of a common man's dream to break the world land speed record riding a 1920 Indian motorcyle. The movie is set in the mid-60's I think. Sir Anthony Hopkins is an acting fool. His character, Burt Munro of New Zealand couldn't have been more like himself than was portrayed in the film.
If there are only four stars to offer, I'd have to max out the rating system.
What a great movie....
Though not everyone will like "The World's Fastest Indian," I don't think I know those people.
You will like it, and if you don't...don't tell me.

Where were you when you first heard?

James Brown, the "hardest working man in show business," "The Godfather of Soul," is dead. Age 73. I always dug James, except when he was beating women or threatening them with firearms. I'm that way with lots of guys though. Kirby Puckett for one. His music has a great deal in common with Polka. Ever notice how every Polka song sounds JUST like the next one? Or the previous one? The only things changing are the lyrics. I swear James Brown cut ONE music track and used it on ALL of his hits. My fave JB hit was "It's a Mans, Mans, Mans, Mans World." And who hasn't shaken a love thang to "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." And, for the timid, there was always "Get Up, (I Feel Like Being) a Sex Machine."

James we hardly knew ye...

Mom lives at Bethany Homes in Fargo ND.
She likes it pretty well. One of those things she likes are the dogs that reside there. One of them is this unnamed mutts. (It may have a name, but I don't know it.)
The dog was scurrying about and trying to move and mom was worried about it staying put while she posed. He smiled. She didn't.

On my mind...

My boy Curt lives in Denver Colorado. He's a manager at a college bookstore. He's snowed in. He plans to drive to Pocatello Idaho if he can get his car dug out from the driveway. Whew! Those Coloradans are getting their turn in the snowfilled barrel. In addition to dealing with the weather, Curt is hassling with his dear dog Duncan. Dunc', and Golden Retriever was constantly at the beside and behest of his master while Curt was sick sick sick a couple of summers ago. (Dog lovers know how they can offer at least a bit of a cure by licking one's hand or face.) So, when Duncan decides to devour (I love alliteration) about 40-feet of yarn, the human decides to save the dog. After much hassle and fundraising, ($4000) the dog has a surgery and is recovering with curt doing the human version of licking...(paying.)
I'm so proud my boy loves his mom enough to even think of driving that far to see her at Christmas on dreadful roads. But, also, I'm proud of his compassion for lesser creatures. Good for you, boy. A good human loves animals and mothers. And, just who the hell really thinks that dogs are "lesser creatures?"

NOTE TO EVERYONE AT THE GYM:
I didn't work out today. I've got a vacation day underway and chose to NOT workout. So, beat me for it. It was an executive decision made at 4am. I was up, had peed, drank a glass of water, and was prepping to leave. But, I decided that since I"ve been humping it six days a week for the past umpteen months, that I'd just curl up, roll over and head back to slumberland. I accomplished all, except the slumberland part. So, here I am, typing away instead of sleeping. At least I'm not pedaling.

NOTE TO JULIE, GENE, ETAL:
I read Gene in Northern Gleaner say that Lone Prairie's Julie says that to be a good blogger one must blog daily.
Allow me to say this about that:
"SIGH."
There's always something there to remind me of deficiencies.

Another friend, an Idaho boy, has a fine blog. It's called 4Idaho. You'll enjoy it, but you have to join a cult. He keeps a fine accounting of his life and thoughts on MySpace. (Shudder.) Uh, Rick....it's owned by Rupert Murdoch. It's a Fox-owned thingy. And, you'll pervert the children, twist the spine of users and damage the war-effort if you persist in forcing us to hang around with the strange likes of My Spacers. (But, I do many thing I'm not s'posed to.)

A special "hi" to Doug Leier, who useta' blog but has a life and doesn't anymore. But, he reads this lame offering. Also, "hi" to Pete Gregory, the owner of the railroad who's probably riding the rails this Holiday. You're a great friend amigo.

In case I don't get around to doing this again before Monday, "MERRY CHRISTMAS." And, good luck on the New Year.

I go to the Drudge Report first thing every morning. I visit it several more times a day. I congratulate Matt Drudge for this hardcore news blog? (The first blog I remember visiting.) I was dismayed when I first read of Bill Clinton's indiscrections with Monica Lewinski. It was a cold Sunday morning and I couldn't believe the guy could be so indiscrete. "Loose lips sink ships" was an "ism" in my day. And, NOTHING looses lips like that stuff.
Anyway, it appears that Matt has been hanging around Iraq of late. Thanks Matt...you're a good 'un, despite your conservative leanings...(You, of all people, should not be such a supporter and accepter of conservative and Republican ideals.)

Look who I found! It's a former Idaho Falls weatherman! Recognize him?

Embarrassing photo of Dumsfeld.

Courtesy of wonkette

Sorry I haven't written lately..

Saturday night in Fargo.
Crack ho's are being arrested in Chattanooga Tn., on the TV show "Cops." I love that show. It always gives me a boost to see that things aren't going all that badly for me.

I've had a couple of interesting medical adventures of late. I haven't told you about getting a touch of the Norovirus. Suffice it to say "I could've filled a coke bottle from the loft." That's a vulgar joke from my youthhood in Idaho.
It was only a couple of days. I missed my first day of work because of illness in about ten-years. That doesn't count surgeries and such.
Now, I have a mild cold. Stuffy head, tired, sneezing, yada yada yada. I've stuffed my nose full of Mentholatum Ointment. I took some Benadryl. It's a good thing I don't have booze in the house. Or handguns. (?)

Loretta is busy, busy, busy. She's making a dress for her sister Maryann. Her daughter Amber is getting married and this is a wedding day dress. She's getting it done. Man, what an undertaking!

I can recommend two books for the holidays. 1) "Certain Poor Shepards-A Christmas Tale," by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. It's the Christmas story through the eyes of some animals. A dog, a goat, a cheetah, some geese, and whatever...Ms. Thomas says that this very moving story proves that if man is worthy of redemption, it's because he's an animal and not because he's a man. Fundamental religionists may balk, but it is a charming and warm story. Try to find it. 2) "The Christmas Pig-A Fable," by Kinky Friedman, my guru. It is a GREAT little fable. The moral is that Jesus loves the itty-bitty teeny weeny little weirdos and pigs and bugs and loser poor people more than TV evangelists, right and leftwing nutcases and Popes.
I really, really, really like both books. I hope you'll try 'em out.

UPDATE: It appears they have crack ho's in Pittsburgh too. How would they make "Cops" without crack ho's these days?

Are you as excited about "Rocky Balboa" as I am? I loved the "Rocky" movies. This one looks to be closer to "Rocky" than the subsequent four sequels. Please, let's not call it Rocky VI. (Not everyone can read Roman Numerals.) My only disappointment is that Sylvest Stallone is close, personal friends with Rush Limbaugh. Sigh.

I have Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday off this week. Woo hoo!

Montego Bay Jamaica is dead ahead. We'll be there January 21-28. I heard from a friend that it took 25-hours to fly to Jamaica. Man, I'd hate that. However, you can forget a lot very quickly when basking in Caribbean sun, sand and water. Our flight leaves Fargo at 8am-ish. We'll arrive in Montego Bay at 12:30pm! Yeah mon'. Four-and-a-half hours! Coming back will be longer. We have to clear customs in Minneapolis! That's not too bad, huh? A couple of years ago we cleared customs in Laredo Texas. Gawd, what a nightmare that was. They didn't know we were coming and had to call in off-duty agents to snoop through our undies.

If I don't see or write again before Xmas, "Happy Holidays" to yooze and yerz.
Love ya'.

It's Not Even Christmas...

I now have the Gillette Fusion Power Shaving System. I remember back when we used to have Razors. No longer...It's a Shaving System.
Five blades ladies and gentlemen! Not Four. Not Six...FIVE BLADES!
And, it vibrates for a cleaner, closer shave.
Is this a great country or what?!

Ron Kress.....I Have Memories Too..

A legendary high school basketball coach has been laid to rest in Southeastern Idaho. I just happened to hear of the passing of Ron Kress. He's the guy we used to call the "little white-haired rat." He was a loud, crass, crude, vulgar, ignorant, obsessive little white-haired rat.
I was "team manager," (water boy) when he coached at Firth High School. His first gig was head coach of the Mighty Firth Cougars. He did both football and basketball. He also taught classes for which he was unqualified. He nearly blew up the school when they allowed him to teach chemistry one year. All he really knew was sports and the jocks that played them. He was masochistic to the enth degree. If he could make you suffer, he'd just relish the moment. If you were running laps and thew up, (I saw many that did-not me,) he'd be plain out jolly. Nothing like a pile of vomit in the middle of the running track....
He hated those of us that couldn't do the drills. He didn't like those of us that couldn't figure out that the hell he was talking about when he wanted us to run plays. We wanted to dodge balls. He wanted us to run patterns. That's all he wanted of anyone.

Here's the news piece I found. CLICK HERE
One of the most successful high school basketball coaches in Idaho history was killed this weekend.
Ron Kress was hit by a truck while chasing a loose cow on a highway near his family's ranch.
Kress coached 14 years at Highland High School and took the basketball team to two state championships. He also spent seven years teaching at Pocatello High School until he retired in 1993.

Don Cotant, Pocatello High School Principal: "I think the thing people will remember about Ron Kress is his enthusiasm for basketball. That was the love of his life."

Aa memorial service for Ron Kress will be held Wednesday at the LDS church in American Falls.
CLICK HERE



THIS IS NUTS! OR, I AM:

Think what you will of me, but, I'm thinking back on this fellow in only the worst of terms. Somday I'll tell you the terrible tale of my buddy Curly and the lifelong hell this "legend" unleashed on my former pal. No matter what they say, this "legend" deserved as much derision as adulation he's received. I'm not proud of those thoughts and responses. But, dang it, he was such a strong influence on my high school years, I can't let them slip by without honestly reflecting. He did very little good for me, even after all these years of retrospect. I could've been told that there was a future career in my field of expertise, (water boy,) even in the NFL. I was wrapping and treating sprains clear back when I was a sophomore in high school.
Nevertheless, this legendary Pocatello basketball coach never did anything to encourage me. He'd,in fact, throw things at me with intent of beaning me. Whew!
Good luck Ron Kress, from that water boy that you'd never, ever remember.

Now, tell me, why would I even dwell on this matter?
Sigh...

Christmas blah blah blah on the Prairie

The blue-noses thought they were in charge of the area's sensibilities last year. Some poor schmo who happened to be the director of Bonanazaville in West Fargo made a Satanic decision which resulted in untold death, devastation, abortions, child beheadings, divorces and twisted spines.
He decided to called our annual event at the museum "HOLDAYS ON THE PRAIRIE!"
OH MY GAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWD!
NOT HOLIDAY ON THE PRAIRIE!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH.
Local rightwing talk show hosts went apoplectic.
Jowels flapping, spit a flyin', hands a'wavin'. It was a sight and sound of epic proportions. Only the righteous could feel the fervor.
The rest of the infidels laughed behind his back.
Congregations grabbed pitchforks and hysterically demanded the life of the the curator. The streets filled with outraged parishioners wanting to know what happened to Christiandom. Why had the atheists taken over?
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Again, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGH.
Instead, the curator yawned, wondered, "What the...?" and left. It was no sweat off his chafed thighs. He just left and went back to the real world.
Now, (PRAISE THE BABY JESUS!) the powers-that-be deemed it time to change the name to refelct our more chaste sensibilities..This year, it shall be called, "CHRISTMAS MEMORIES." Ahhhhhhhh, now that's a secular name if I heard one.
Since Mr. Hoheisel, the former curator left in April to pursue a doctorate in Satanism I think, the executive board and new director have....drum roll please....come up with a NEW NAME for a three week annual event.
Now, you can come to our little bit of hevvin and not feel deprived of a chance to make it through the Pearly Gates without a detour.
Someone tell Northern Gleaner he can come home again.
The rapture can begin.
(Or is that rupture?)

Duffy's as we know it...is no longer

New owners take over Duffy's, "Pub of the Stars" today at 10am.
Dewey and Steve promise that they won't change a thing except add another TV in the northwest corner, open at 8am and open on Sundays. Other than that, they assure the regulars, things will be as normal as is possible in such an establishment. No one can assure normalacy when there's so much booze involved.
Frankly, without the Pat and Miriams influence, things can't be as they were, exactly. No matter how hard they try. It may look the same, but it can't be the same. Who knows, it may be BETTER. It just can't be the same. Pat and Mir were Duffy's.
It'll be my watering hole until they bring in pool table, set up 27 big screen TVs for sports viewing, and pole dancing in the back.
It'll be a nostalgic moment for long-term Duffy's regulars. But, we wish the new guys well.

Home at last

Loretta took Mom back to Bethany Homes on Friday. She'd been in Meritcare Hospital since Tuesday. She mostly just got some rehydration therapy and observation. Her, Uh....discomfort, is mostly under control. We've asked personnel there to help her make her way to breakfast, lunch and dinner for a day or two. A home health nurse will stop in on her once a day for a few days to make sure she's recovering.
Mom was concerned that no one would notice that she was even gone. But, to her surprise, when she and Loretta arrived, EVERYONE seemed to remark on her return and how she sure looked better yesterday than she did when we took her to the hospital.
She took dinner in the dining room and was "full as a tick" when she finished. She claimed to have downed two big slices of roast beef, and huge order of mashed potatoes and some buttered carrots. I hope she keeps it up. It does my heart good to see how well she CAN do.
Loretta and I will meet with the Home Health Nurse this morning and then it's off to the races....or at least Duffy's.
So, to all family, friends and well-wishers....thanks for the thoughts. Mom will very likely outlive all of us...

Mom is in the hospital getting some IV action today. She went in yesterday and will be out in a day or so. Maybe even today if she's feeling up to it.
The poor little lady.
Loretta is with her now.
I'm recovering from a slight bout of "the fluids" if you get my drift. It's been about a hundred years since I missed a days work due to illness. But, at least I'm not dying. It was just a bit....uh...damp...again, if you get my drift. Stiff, sore, achy, drippy....(y'know.) But, now that is pretty much behind me, (get it?) I should be back in action by Friday. No work yesterday, today or tomorrow. Lots of rest and I'll be back at it.
Poor Mom though, is having a heckuva' time. She fell and hurt her wrist, but that'll be fine too. She's a tough lady indeed.
I hope to heck she gets back on track right away.

Mom....

I checked in again on Mom today. She fell down during the night and has sustained quite a cut on her wrist. It'll be fine, but it hurts. She's had some continued typical symptons of gastro-intestinal problems. She told me she thought she should see a doctor, so we've made an appointment and she's going over in just awhile. Poor little thing. She feels pretty "punk" as she puts it. I'm confident the doctor will help make her feel better.
Loretta is with her now and I'm sure she'll be a big help. She got sick attending to Mom on Friday. Saturday L was suffering but seems to be OK today. I'm sure glad she's making it. It's a lot tougher on older ladies. Mom said "I hope this doctor is niced to old ladies." I'm sure he is.
Poor thing.

NODAK JACK IS BACK

I've chosen to move my blog over here because of yucky things being said about yerz' trooly on my previous blog. Not that any of it amounts to a hill of beans. But, since most of those that have this address are close friends and family, I don't want what some slimy-types may think of me seen by those I care for most.