This Montana Life

New blog.

2012-01-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

New blog site: www.thismontanadream.com . Check it out.

Spring Has Arrived

2011-02-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

A good sign...

Thank you

2010-12-19T09:54:00.001-07:00

I'm signing off indefinitely. Though I've enjoyed sharing my thoughts, it's time to move on. Thanks for reading.

GO SOX!

all material copyright 2005-10

Wow!

2010-11-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

borrowed from TED

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Falling - Random Sunday Thoughts

2010-11-07T09:47:00.002-07:00

Western Montanans are deeply entrenched in Fall. Most trees have shed their leaves, which (with the help of my family) have made their way to the edge of the curb awaiting the whoosh of the city vacuum truck. Skies paint a grey reminder that Winter will soon bury my thoughts with darkness.

- I've always enjoyed spelling the word vacuum. How many double u words exist in the English language? How about residuum or continuum?

- I'm really hoping for a snowy winter. These rainy winters are BS. If I wanted rainy winters, I'd move to Portland, OR. Bring on the white stuff. Really.

- Two years of government gridlock and a clearly stated republican agenda of getting rid of Obama... sounds like a lot of fun. Do any of those ass clowns really want to positively redirect their agendas to help those of us that diligently pay our taxes? America sorely needs campaign reform and term limits so that those jokers focus on something other than growing their power and getting re-elected. I'm not talking political parties here. I'm talking all the bums (with the possible exception of Jon Tester and Bernie Sanders).

- Do you ever wonder what you want to do work-wise when you grow up? Without going into detail, let's just say I'm re-evaluating how I want to spend the next 15 working years of my life. Precious few people find employment is a field that fuels their passion. Those that do should consider themselves blessed.

- How blessed am I? I share a home with two wonderful kids and a fantastic wife. Daughter discovered a passion for dance while son found a passion for music. What makes me happy? Watching my daughter dance and listening to my son play guitar. Pretty simple, eh?

- Lately, having mixed feelings about my Facebook addiction. I feel compelled to check FB first thing in the morning and last thing at night. God forbid that I should miss the fact that someone walked their dog or went to the bathroom. I like to play FB poker, but recently learned that FB allows third party vendors to track my every move. FB's lack of privacy creeps me out. Part of me hopes that FB disappears off the face of the earth. I guess I'm old enough to still want some privacy on my life. Most kids could care less. I suppose it's similar to my feelings on tats and piercings.

- Speaking of piercings, my 16 year old daughter yesterday got a second hole punched in her left ear. After I expressed reservations, she commented something to this effect, "Yeah, I know. Next thing, I'll be getting tattoos, doing drugs and going to prison!" God bless that kid! She's pretty well grounded and has no trouble putting life in perspective for me.

- I can't think of the last time I really had a relaxing vacation. Holding too much stress inside is very unhealthy. It's long past time to get back to a regular treadmill routine. Today's the day. A trip to Hawaii would also work wonders for my soul.

Be safe and, as Red Skelton so aptly stated, "May God bless".

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Old Rock Stars

2010-09-17T06:12:00.001-06:00

Tim Hawkins... funny.

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I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

2010-09-11T19:58:00.000-06:00

"I don't think he can see me."

"Well, maybe..."

Back In The Saddle

2010-09-05T10:30:00.009-06:00

My mind has been in a vacuum all summer. Between activities, Facebook and online poker (yes, I'm hooked), I left my blog behind. One of my friends finally emailed and said, yes, she reads my blog and what the Hell have I been doing all summer? I really wasn't sure anyone would even notice.

It must be Fall. I ushered my first Griz football game of the season yesterday. Well, I wouldn't really call it a game. The Griz pounded Western State College, a division II team, 73-2. I know teams get paid to play up a division, but I can't say it looked like much fun for either team. The Griz scored 21 points in the first two minutes. The most exciting play of the game was when a lightning storm blew through the stadium and shut the game down for approximately 45 minutes. I don't recall that ever happening before! Let's hope that the Griz play some teams that provide a bit more competition in the near future and the heavens provide warm weather for the remainder of the football season.

The kids returned to school. My son entered 7th grade with a positive attitude and my daughter rolled into 10th grade with a smile. Each day, I thank the Lord that my kids (young adults) have their minds squared away. Both bring home good grades on a regular basis, have solid friendships and hobbies that keep them on a positive path. My son seems to have turned the switch to "on" this year. He actually said he was looking forward to heading back to the classroom this year and stated that he likes all his teachers this year! Dance will soon envelop my daughter as the 10-11 season kicks off in about a week. She completed driver's ed this summer and has been chauffeuring the family around town for the past few months. Although, I'll worry when she finally heads out on her first solo journey, I'll also enjoy the fact that she can transport herself to her multitude of activities.

So here I am, enjoying my favorite season, Fall. I love the coolness in the air, changing colors, predictable schedules, sunny comfortable days and a general sense of calm. For some reason, Fall gives me pause from this planetary craziness and reminds me to breathe slowly again.

How about a dose of Rich:Poor?

Rich: The right and privilege to vote each November. Whatever be your political view, we have in America the right to freely elect our political leaders. One of my sisters may disagree (and I think she's right), but the democratic system allows us to peacefully choose the direction that our country takes. A few days ago, the CEO of the company for which I work, sent out an APB email and reminded all employees of the awesome responsibility that we hold as voters. I've always taken that responsibility seriously. In all of the years that I've been able to vote, I have done so. You should vote as well.

Poor: The other side of the voting coin. Increasingly, I have soured on the not the American political system, but the politicians that have filled the slate. If our national elected officials had any nards, they would get off the dole and take a hard look at how they are spending OUR money. I'm willing to bet that, out of all of the national elected officials, only a very small percentage is NOT on the take in some form or another. If you look at the poll numbers, a majority of Americans feel the same way. This is not news, but for today's politicians, the goal is to get re-elected, get a bigger paycheck and fatter retirement benefits.

I've soured recently to the point of considering a pass on voting. Never would I thought I would get to that point. But between the very real idea that our elections have been rigged for at least the last four presidential cycles and the fact that politicians on both sides of the aisles have become SO sleazy, I'm thinking about stepping back from the booth.

And, no, I don't think the Tea Party has any merit whatsoever. The Tea Party is a front for anti-government nut jobs that have tried to legitimize their position for years. Every few years, they reinvent themselves and try to capture frustrated folks. I am frustrated, but smart enough to stay away from the lunatic fringe! God help us if they actually elect a Sarah Palin/Glen Beck clone to a position of national prominence. Trust me, this group is as phony as any Washington insider. You can't hide a racist, right wing agenda behind a flag and a Sarah Palin face.

What we need is a return to common sense, integrity and decency. How do we get there? I don't know, but I really believe that most Americans want decency and common sense more that anything. That is really all we seek. Maybe someone will step forward and lead us in that direction.

Rich: Family Ties. I come from a family of one dad, one mom, one step-mom, two sisters, one half-brother and one half-sister. Yeah sure, it's complicated but few families are not these days. Through it all, I love each and every member of my family.

Members of my family openly and many times, painfully, share our views on topics ranging from politics to our our personality disorders ( :) ), but through it all, love shines. As I age, my appreciation for my family's dynamic grows. Thank you to ALL of my family members for your care, kindness, thought provocation and open dialog over the years. I've enjoyed our time together, despite the miles between us.

Poor: The Bush Iraq (make our friends REALLY rich) connection. As we gain perspective on the whole Iraqi situation, time will show that Bush/Cheney spoon fed giant defense contracts to their buddies' companies while completely taking the American people to the cleaners. The latest Blackwater revelations merely scratch the surface of the level of corruption that occurred during the Bush/Cheney years.

What Bush and Cheney did to the American people is sick and illegal. Both should go to prison for the rest of their lives. Why is our country on the edge of financial disaster? Look no further than the Bush/Cheney Iraq war years. While a handful of Bush buddies, gained extreme wealth through illegal contracts and shell companies, the American people got handed a pile of shit in the form of long-term debt and deficits. Throw the bastards in prison! We'll never recover the money, but they should at least pay for their sins against the American people.

And if all of that information doesn't really rub you raw, read this article from the Washington Post:

The true cost of the Iraq war: $3 trillion and beyond

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

We're in for a few more rocky years. Hunker down and try to stay positive.

all material copyright 2005-10

I know, I know

2010-09-04T08:37:00.000-06:00

I will have a full post tomorrow and get back on track now that summer has moved toward Fall. Thanks for your patience!

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Getting Ready for Fall

2010-07-17T20:38:00.001-06:00

Rutting season is just around the corner. So were these guys...

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They Grow Up So Fast!

2010-07-10T21:22:00.001-06:00

Next thing you know, they'll be running off and having babies of their own. Check out the cat in the last picture!

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Belfast to Boston

2010-07-09T22:02:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists...

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Jewel's Tribute to Missoula

2010-07-07T13:34:00.003-06:00

Jewel performed in Missoula on June 22nd, 2010.

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Conspicious Hiding Place

2010-06-15T17:10:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's that time of year again. How about hanging out on the clubhouse front porch?

Just a little too obvious, eh?

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Checking In - Post Israel

2010-06-12T09:24:00.001-06:00

I'm finally settling back to some semblance of a routine after crossing the pond and experiencing a touch of the homeland. As brief as it was, spending time in Israel deeply moved me in many ways.

The mere nature of the journey (visiting my ailing birth mom) was cause enough for raw emotion, but opening my soul to the treasures of the old city flipped a switch deep inside me. Walking through old Jerusalem sparked an ancient genetic fire within.

The Kotel, or Western Wall, moved me to silent tears. As I slowly approached the wall, I purposefully accepted the reality of my surroundings: Machine gun clad soldiers, tourists, young men and black-hatted datim (religious black-suited Jews). A wall of emotion swallowed me as I reached out and touched the last remnant of Jerusalem's second temple.Inside, I whispered a prayer for my family.

From Wikipedia:

The sages state that anyone who prays in the Temple in Jerusalem, “it is as if he has prayed before the throne of glory because the gate of heaven is situated there and it is open to hear prayer”.^[70] Jewish Law dictates that when Jews pray the Silent Prayer, they should face mizrach, towards Jerusalem, the Temple and ultimately the Holy of Holies,^[71] as all of God’s bounty and blessing emanates from that spot.^[61] According to the Mishna, of all the four walls of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall was the closest to the Holy of Holies^[72] and therefore that to pray by the Wall is particularly beneficial.^[61] Rabbi Jacob Ettlinger writes "since the gate of heaven is near the Western Wall, it is understandable that all Israel's prayers ascend on high there...as one of the great ancient kabbalists Rabbi Joseph Gikatilla said, when the Jews send their prayers from the Diaspora in the direction of Jerusalem, from there they ascend by way of the Western Wall."^[27]

A few minutes later, I entered a cavern adjacent to the Wall. Inside, religious people bent and bobbed with unbridled passion. I scrawled a note on a piece of scratch paper and carefully tucked it in a crack. My hope was that God would read the note in a quiet moment and understand my request.

Maybe it was the nature of my trip, my immediate state of mind, the enormity of the surroundings, a true brush with God or a combination of all, but I was truly touched by my visit to the Kotel. Hopefully, I can return again with my family to share a similar moment.

I would like to thank my brother, Aaron and his children, for sharing time at the Wall with me. Your insights were meaningful.

I'll end with another song from the modern age Mark Twain: Tom Rush, The Urge for Going (by Joni Mitchell).

Sometimes, Rain Brings Good Results

2010-06-06T21:04:00.001-06:00

The Road is Bittersweet...

2010-06-01T17:54:00.001-06:00

What a Long, Strange Trip it's Been

2010-05-28T05:10:00.002-06:00

I just returned from a week long visit to Israel. I had a very clear focus for taking the trip, to visit my ailing Mom. Without going into a lot of specifics, the visit was difficult, useful interesting, stressful and wonderful.

Though I didn't spend a lot of time touring, I managed to spend a day in the old city of Jerusalem. If you ever have the chance to visit the old city, I highly recommend that you take it.

Jerusalem bubbles from history from all religions and walks of life. Throw in the Shouk (the market) and you've got a real life Indiana Jones scenario. The place is surreal. The Kotel (the Western Wall of the Old Temple) almost moved me to tears. A wave of emotion enveloped me as I touched the Wall and whispered a private prayer in my mind.

I also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Despite the fact that I am not Christian, standing in front of the supposed tomb of Christ inside an incredibly rich architectural building sent a chill down my spine. Being inside the church is like going back through layers of time. It's amazing.

There is really no way to adequately describe the richness of the old city of Jerusalem. I did not have a chance to visit the Bahai temple and the Dome of the Rock, but a person could easily spend a week or two in Jerusalem alone without running out of sites to see. Couple that with the mix of cultures and you've got an amazingly diverse set of diversions.

Take the trip if you can.

Views from the Homeland

2010-05-23T12:53:00.000-06:00

Looking from the West Bank toward Jordan...

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It's Alive, Alive!!

2010-05-08T10:12:00.003-06:00

Hey all faithful! Yes, I'm alive, and how! In fact, my life has been filled with rich layers of activity. Between soccer, Bloomsday, work and Peter Pan, sleep has become a rarity. Yet, my energy level has remained high, as I've drawn positive power from from new endeavors and old standards.

Jump in and enjoy Rich/Poor:

Rich: Missoula Community Theater's production of Peter Pan. It's taken many hours of time, but working as a techie for MCT's production of Peter Pan has greatly energized me. Prior to this event, I hadn't spent much time in the wondrous world of theater. That changed several weeks ago when I agreed to be a backup fly operator for Peter Pan. Over time. my job morphed into the backstage safety dude. Now, I ensure that no-one gets hurt (or worse) throughout numerous scene changes in a complicated flying show.

MCT staffers put together am ambitious three week run of 21 shows. That results in a lot of late nights and sleepy days. We're in the midst of week two, with two shows running today and tomorrow.

I see why people get addicted to the theater world. Every show is a new adventure. With a multitude of moving parts, Peter Pan offers many technical challenges. Believe me, we have had some interesting near misses (in almost every show) but have managed to entertain many a patron with few noticeable flaws. We used to have a saying when I worked in the mountains: "The tree's on the ground, no-one got hurt. It was a good day!" The same thought applies at Pan.

I've gotten to know some very fine people through my MCT experience. These folks are committed to their craft and are some of the finest, entertaining folks I have ever met. Peter Pan will not be my last MCT experience.

Poor: The 2010 edition of the Boston Red Sox. You had to know that this was coming, but this year's Red Sox edition looks pretty sad sackish with little hope of change. Yes, it's early, but the Sox look old, weak and powerless. Last night, the Skanks busted Beckett for nine runs in 5.1 innings. Ouch.

The Sox can't hit, pitch or field. This was supposed to be the year of pitching and defense, but it's tough to win without scoring runs. Opposing teams are running wild against Sox catchers as well. David Ortiz without steriods is like an old garaged basketball at the end of a long winter.

In the back of my mind (moving dangerously close to the front) is the wager I made with my Yankee supporting coworker. Looks like I might be toting around a Yankee license plate frame on my car next winter... NO!

Rich: Bloomsday 2010, Spokane, Washington. It was my ninth time and my daughter's third. I love running the annual Bloomsday 12k in Spokane, Washington.

Bloomsday is not a run: It's an event. 30 bands played, nuns cheered, a priest blessed passing runners and neighbors provided cooling sprinkled showers along the route.

My enjoyment for the past three runs has come from running with my daughter. Though we didn't train much this year, we managed a respectable 1:33 time for the 12k. Bloomsday, for me, is about seeing my 15 year old daughter take it all in. She also manages to keep her dad on track. "Come on, Dad. Let's run to the next traffic light," she called. "Let's sprint the finish!" I consistently marvel at her positive outlook on life. I love that kid and the time I get to spend running Bloomsday with her.

Here's a video from a walker's perspective, but it gives taste of the course.

Have a great weekend!

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Love this song! Matisyahu

2010-04-18T14:49:00.004-06:00

Listen to the message...

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Wow - Watch and Learn!

2010-04-13T21:43:00.001-06:00

This is a pretty amazing video. You really have to pay attention, but it's fascinating stuff...

At Serious Play 2008, astrophysicist George Smoot shows stunning new images from deep-space surveys, and prods us to ponder how the cosmos -- with its giant webs of dark matter and mysterious gaping voids -- got built this way.

Happy 2010 Baseball Season!

2010-04-02T11:17:00.002-06:00

Red Sox vs. Evil Empire - Sunday, April 4th on ESPN...

"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time.” – Jim Bouton

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose

"Baseball's a very simple game. All you have to do is sit on your butt, spit tobacco, and nod at the stupid things your manager says." – Bill Lee

"Throw him low smoke and we'll go pound some Budweiser.” – Joe Schultz

"The good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong body, a good right arm and a weak mind.” – Dizzy Dean

"I went through baseball as a player to be named later." – Joe Garagiola
"The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up." – Bob Ueker

Honorable mention: "I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for three thousand dollars. That bothered my dad at the time because he didn't have that kind of dough. But he eventually scraped it up."- Bob Ueker

"Andre Dawson has a bruised knee and is listed as day-to-day...Aren't we all?"- Vin Scully

"Winfield goes back to the wall, he hits his head on the wall and it rolls off! It's rolling all the way back to second base. This is a terrible thing for the Padres."- Jerry Coleman

"My goals are to hit .300, score 100 runs, and stay injury-prone."- Mickey Rivers

"Cadillacs are down at the end of the bat." -- The Pirates' slugger on why he didn't choke up. – Ralph KinerHonorable mention: "If Casey Stengel were alive today, he'd be spinning in his grave." – Ralph Kiner

"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee."- Joe DiMaggio

"I won't be active in the day-to-day operations of the club at all." -- upon purchasing the Yankees in 1973. (He proceeded to become the most meddlesome owner in the history of sports.) – George Steinbrenner

Honorable mention: "Owning the Yankees is like owning the Mona Lisa."- George Steinbrenner

"There is nothing so limited as being a limited partner of George Steinbrenner.” – John McMullen

"When I was a little boy I wanted to be a baseball player and join the circus. With the Yankees, I've accomplished both." – Graig Nettles

"The evil empire extends its tentacles even into Latin America." -- on the Yankees' signing of Cuban free agent pitcher Jose Contreras. – Larry Lucchino, Red Sox President

"I'm the straw that stirs the drink." – Reggie Jackson

Honorable mention: "The only reason I don't like playing in the World Series is I can't watch myself play." – Reggie Jackson"You gotta believe!" – Tug McGraw

"Don't look back, something might be gaining on you." – Satchel PaigeHonorable mention: "My pitching philosophy is simple - keep the ball way from the bat." – Satchel Paige

"Can't anybody here play this game?" -- to his lovably awful 1962 Mets, who went 40-120. – Casey Stengel

Honorable mention: "Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa"– Casey Stengel

"I keep my eyes clear and I hit 'em where they ain't." – Wee Willy Keeler

"Nice guys finish last." – Leo Durocher"Say it ain't so, Joe."-- to Chicago outfielder Shoeless Joe Jackson, who was accused of helping the "Black Sox" throw the 1919 World Series. – Anonymous young fan

"It's a great day for a ballgame. Let's play two!"- Ernie Banks

"It ain't over `til it's over." – Yogi Berra The beloved Hall of Famer deserves his own gallery, but we'll also give honorable mention to: "Ninety percent of this game is half mental" and "If people don't want to come out the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?" – Yogi Berra

all material copyright 2005-10

Rich/Poor - Spring Arrives

2010-03-27T09:03:00.014-06:00

Yes, it's springtime on the Rockies. We're finally seeing some moisture in the form of rain and spitting snow, but I'm guessing it's too little, too late. We're in for a smoky summer.

Not much to report on the home front. Other than "Grease", all is quiet. Everyone in my home (including the cats) is on Spring Break except me. I can hear the sighs and fiddles playing already!

So I'll jump right into Rich/Poor...

Rich: Grease is the word! Yes, my daughter is a cast member, so I may be a bit biased, but the Missoula Community Theater production of Grease is awesome. After countless rehearsal hours, the kids will have performed 14 shows in two weeks. They will run through three shows today and two tomorrow, which will bring the production to an end.

Though the cast is entirely (except one fantastic school teacher) made up of high school students, the quality of the show is certainly on the professional level. Simply put, these kids can sing, act and dance! Grease showcases some of Missoula's finest young talent.

I will see my last edition of Grease to day at 5 pm (number 5 for me) and miss it already. The kids have gained confidence with each performance. It's been a joy to watch. I know these fine performers will cherish memories of the two week run for a lifetime.

Poor: Republican obstructionism for the sake of obstructionism. I don't think any of the bastards actually believe a word of what they say publicly. It's all about being against the Democrats. And the Dems are no angels either. I'm pretty convinced that our elected officials have only two goals in mind; getting re-elected and increasing the already bloated size of their wallets and purses.

Give Barack Obama credit. He said he would bring health care reform to the American people and he has now delivered. Health care will be a work in progress for the foreseeable future, but at least the foundation is in place.

As for the Republican argument that health care will bankrupt the country, what about the fact that 54% of the current budget ($1,449 billion in 2009) goes to national defense to fund two wars that the Bush administration began nine years ago? Might that money have been better spent on solving some of the domestic problems that have eaten away at America for years?

Please don't get me started! I'm okay with spending $940 billion on health care. Suck some of that cash out of the military budget and put it to better use.

And Republicans, stop worrying about trying to look so badass! Look at what's best for the people that "elected" you. Stop feeding fat contracts to your friends and look at the big picture.

Rich: Baseball season arrives on April 4th, 2010. The good folks at ESPN bring wisdom to scheduling. The 2010 Red Sox and Yankees kick off the season on Sunday Night Baseball. I can't wait!

I will provide my 2010 Red Sox predictions and projections in a future post, but I will tell you that the 2010 Red Sox Edition features probably the best starting rotation in the bigs. Sox brass also vastly improved the team's defense. The biggest weakness is hitting. Big Papi will have to "step up to the plate" and get his stick going early if the Sox are to overtake the evil empire in 2010.

Without further ado, "Play ball!"

Poor: 2010 American Idol. I'm not sure how it happened, but American Idol ended up with only one outstanding performer this season and that performer is Crystal Bowersox. Bowersox stands head and shoulders above the rest of the contestants. She hits on every performance while the others karaoke their songs. Interestingly, AI staffers certainly figured out early that Bowersox is the only draw. She ends up performing toward the end of each episode. It's the only way to keep the audience on board while suffering through the rest of the show.

Bowersox serves as a reluctant leader. Though she clearly leads the pack, she doesn't look comfortable performing in the AI venue. Crystal fits the coffeehouse mold. She will be an excellent studio artist and will, no doubt, produce outstanding music. I look forward to hearing her first studio release. And, hey - how can she lose when her name ends in sox?

Rich: Spring Break 2010. Wife and kids get a well-deserved break. Only wish I could participate!

Poor: Federal auditors receive jumbo bonuses while banks rank people over the coals. This story flew a bit under the radar, but REALLY pissed me off. Oh, and by the way, all of this activity occurred during the Bushy years of 2003-06. Coincidence?

Banks weren't the only ones giving big bonuses in the boom years before the worst financial crisis in generations. The government was handing out millions of dollars to bank regulators, rewarding "superior" work even as an avalanche of risky mortgages helped create the meltdown.

The payments, detailed in payroll data released under the Freedom of Information Act, are the latest evidence of the government's false sense of security during the financial boom. Just as bank executives got bonuses despite taking on dangerous amounts of risk, regulators got taxpayer-funded bonuses despite missing or ignoring signs the system was on the verge of a meltdown.

The bonuses were part of a reward program little known outside the government. Government regulators got tens of thousands of dollars in perks, boosting their salaries by almost 25 percent. Often, rewards amounted to a few hundred dollars for employees who came up with good ideas.

During the 2003-06 boom, the agencies that supervise most U.S. banks — the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency — gave out at least $19 million in bonuses, records show.

Does that annoy the hell of you as much as it does me? As the old Carpenters song goes, "We've only just begun" to uncover all the scams and scandals that occurred during those magical years of 2000-2008. Oh boy. And the Repubs complain about bankrupting the country by funding national health care? How about just trying to recover all the money that was stolen from taxpayers during the magic years?

On that note, have a fantastic voyage into the future!

Amazing AJ - Montana Men Going to the Dance

2010-03-11T21:34:00.004-07:00

Check out these two videos. They tell a pretty cool story.

And read these stories:

Never say die: Johnson's school-record 42 points carry Griz into Big Dance

Anthony Johnson is the hero of Championship Week

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Live Like You Were Dying

2010-03-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

In Need of Some Advice...

2010-03-09T12:07:00.003-07:00

Each year, one of my co-workers and I have a friendly Red Sox/Yankees bet. This will be our fourth time around. Year one started out pretty simple: Winner gets $20 (for the team that ends end with a better record or goes deeper into the season). Year two (my favorite), the loser had to wear the other team hat to work for three days, along with the $20 wager. That happened to be 2008! I believe the Sox whooped up on the Yanks in the playoffs that year. Last season, we went to the basic $20 and added $1 per win head to head (double for a sweep). Thankfully, my co-worker suffered such a tremondous loss of self-confidence from wearing the Sox had in '08 that he decided against re-running the hat element of the bet. Praise the Lord that I didn't have to wear that frickin' Yankee hat last season!

So we're trying to come up with something creative and fun for this season. We'll have the standard $20 season bet and $1 per head to head game, but we need a wager that makes the loser suffer some pain in a fun way. So put on your creative hat and throw me out some good, fun wagers. Let's see what you've got!

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Officially Over

2010-03-05T06:19:00.003-07:00

"Took the snows off yesterday. Only needed 'em maybe once this season. Hell, there weren't no winter in western Montana this year anyway."

I now declare winter in Missoula officially over.

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It's Almost Time. I Can't Wait!

2010-03-02T22:13:00.002-07:00

Rich/Poor - I Need a Hero

2010-02-28T10:59:00.006-07:00

What's up, world? Montana weather is nice in a scary way. Today is February 28th. The projected high for to day is close to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm talking February in MONTANA. WTF? This is the Rocky Mountain West, home of cold weather, snow and winters where you need a snow blower and snow tires.

Currently, the sun shines brightly (which is really nice) the thermometer shouts "47!" at 11 am on a Sunday morning. I'm surprised that the trees haven't starting budding out. The last remnant of the driveway corner snowpile melted away yesterday. I'm genuinely concerned about what summer will bear. Smoke, hellfire, damnation? Dry river and creek beds? Snowpack sits at 55% of normal. WTF?

I'm no weather prognosticator, but I can tell you from experience that Montana folks can expect a rough summer. The only hope at this point is that skies open up and rain regularly throughout June, July and August. Here's hoping for summer showers!

Rich: Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Since childhood, I've loved watching the Olympics. Designed in smart fashion, the Olympics bring a pleasant two week distraction every other year. The Olympic Committee displayed genius by offsetting the summer and winter Olympics, especially in this age of restlessness and impatience.

Who doesn't like to take a break from everyday life and engage in pleasant athletic distraction? The Olympic Games bring us together in positive fashion. GO USA! Go Canada! Go Jamaica! Regardless of which country to root for, it's just plain fun! I'm anxiously awaiting the USA/CANADA hockey final today. What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday February afternoon.

Poor: Lady Griz and Griz hoopsters lose a doubleheader to Montana State University in Missoula. People scoff at the 2012 doomsayers, but one has to question what is happening to the planet when the Montana State Bobcats men and women basketball teams come to Dahlberg Arena and beat the Griz in a day/night doubleheader. Something is just not right in the world.

The last time the Lady Cats beat Montana in Missoula was the year before Robin Selvig took over as head coach (1978). Yes, it's been 33 years.

The Ladies have struggled mightily in 09-10. Last week, the Sacramento State Hornets put up 100 points against Montana. Yes, it's been a struggle.

Although I work for the ladies hoop program, I am first and foremost a fan. In my seven years of working on the table, this year has been the most painful to watch. With the loss of seniors Mandy Morales, Britney Lohman and Sonya Rogers, we all (on the table crew) knew this would be a challenging season and boy, was it ever. I feel bad for this year's seniors, but the 09-10 season has to be viewed in retrospect as a rebuilding year.

I wish the team the best in the tournament. Stranger things have happened. Maybe they'll land in the dance after all, but I can say that February 27th is by far the earliest date that I have ended my season with the Lady Griz.

Rich: Friends. The Internet has created another avenue to connect with friends. I've bashed Facebook on this blog before, but Facebook does offer some positives. Since joining FB, I've connected with several old friends. It's been great to reconnect.

One of the coolest FB stories I've come across is this one: A few weeks ago, one of my high school friends received a FB request from a woman with a familiar name. It turned out that she was the daughter of a guy from our high school class.

The guy was a bit of wildcat in high school, but in a good way. Everyone liked him. As a kid, he could ride wheelies on his bicycle all the way through the center of town. He progressed to motorcycles and accomplished the same task. Billy was a bit James Deanian in his approach to life.

After high school, Billy joined the 82nd Airborne. We all kid of lost track of him. Apparently, after the army, Billy moved to Texas, married and became father to two daughters. And then he died in a motorcycle accident...

So here comes one of his daughters out of nowhere. She connects with many of her dad's old high school classmates through Facebook. Her dad died when she was 7 years old. How cool is it that we were able to share several stories about her dad with her and her sister?

And after seeing Billy's daughter's skydiving pictures on her FB page, I happily informed her that the apple didn't fall far from the tree! It's an amazing world in which we live.

Enjoy life where-ever you are!

One followup... I attended Bob Heinle's service two weeks ago. Of course, there were few empty seats in the church. Pastor Lowell Hochhalter, one of the Heinle's good friends, led an impressive memorial service for Bob. Mr, Heinle will be missed in Missoula.

all material copyright 2005-10

He Made the Ultimate Sacrifice for Missoula - Bob Heinle

2010-02-13T21:49:00.024-07:00

(photo from http://irunforbob.com/)

Thank you Bob and Lisa for your service to our community.

Update three - Here is the obituary from the February 16th edition of the Missoulian: (click link) obit. "The journey is the reward."

Update two - For all of you checking in, I've tried to provide updated info as I find it. My guess is that Bob and Lisa have lots of friends from all over the country. I offer my sincere sympathy. What a tragic loss for all of us. At least we know that Bob lived life to the fullest.

Update - The service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, located at 100 Foss Court E., near the intersection of Hillview and Alliance Way in Missoula.

Former Missoula Police sargeant Bob Heinle died on Friday, February 12, 2010 at Missoula Community Medical Center. Bob was shot in the line of duty in 1998 while pursuing a check forger named Jimmy Martin. After living 12 years in a wheelchair, Bob paid the ultimate price.

The day Bob Heinle was gunned down, I was working down the hall from the 911 Center in the County Courthouse. Thankfully, Bob's wife Lisa, then a 911 dispatcher was not at work that day. I remember the shock and horror as the scene went down. Any day that an officer goes down on the job is a bad day.

I knew Bob and Lisa, not well, but well enough to know that they were both incredible people. After Bob's shooting, I saw them in the community several times and took time to say hello. Bob always without fail, offered a smile. His positive attitude and outlook was infectious. Bob was a hero.

Last summer, Lisa ran her first ever marathon to raise awareness of, and money for spinal cord injuries and research. She raised over $20,000. I ran my first half-marathon on the same day. Team Heinle made it happen as Lisa achieved her goal of finishing the 26 miler. Bob waited on the finish line bridge and crossed with Lisa. The scene was surreal and incredible.

Lisa Heinle dedicated her life to seeing that Bob had everything he needed to live life to the fullest. Lisa deserves a million accolades for her dedication. She is a saint. I feel blessed to have shared a few moments with Bob over the years and I look forward to gaining inspiration from Lisa in the future. Here are three more articles on this incredible couple: Link 1 and Link 2 and Link 3.

My deepest sympathies go out to family, friends and all that were touched by Bob and Lisa Heinle.

____________________________________________________________________

From the Missoulian... (Thanks to my friend, Jamie Kelly, for sharing)

Bob Heinle, the Missoula police sergeant paralyzed from the neck down after being gunned down in 1998, died Friday at Community Medical Center. He was 47.

Because he died of complications from his paralysis, Heinle became the third Missoula officer in history to be killed in the line of duty.

News of his death hit the Missoula Police Department hard.

"He gave life a full shot," said Missoula Police Chief Mark Muir, who served with Heinle since they both joined the force in 1991.

Muir, occasionally choking back tears, described his friend and colleague as a tough, resilient man who continued to pursue his passions of hunting and fishing until he died.

He was a natural leader who quickly rose to the rank of sergeant early in his career.

"He was a very admirable figure who stepped up and provided leadership at a very young age in his career," said Muir.

Then came the 9-1-1 call that changed his life.

Early in the evening on Oct. 21, 1998, Heinle was the first to arrive after a bank teller reported a man trying to cash a forged check.

He gave chase to the suspect, James Martin, aka James Trujillo, shortly after spotting him in near the Western Security Bank on the corner of Orange and Broadway. About a minute later, another officer, responding to the call, found Heinle on the ground of the Salvation Army parking lot bleeding from the neck, and radioed the ominous words "officer down."

That officer, Leila Haack, performed CPR on Heinle before he was transported to St. Patrick Hospital. James Gene Martin was apprehended 30 minutes later; in May of 1999, he was found guilty of numerous crimes, but none more heinous than attempted murder of a police officer. He is serving a life sentence.

The Heinles moved briefly to the Craig Institute in Engelwood, Colo., which specializes in treating those with severe spinal-cord injuries, but Bob Heinle never regained mobility below the neck.

*****

The Missoula Police Department kept in close contact with Heinle and his wife Lisa over the last dozen years. Lisa Heinle became involved with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which raises money for and awareness of research into spinal-cord injuries.

Last June, Lisa Heinle ran the Missoula Marathon for her husband and the foundation.

Muir recalled the evening of the shooting. He was eating dinner at home but wearing his police radio when the chase and shooting unfolded.

"I heard it all happen," said Muir. "And by the time I came back down to the station, he had already been taken to the hospital."

There are 39 officers - 40 percent of the force - who worked for the Missoula Police Department on Oct. 21, 1998, and are still there.

Heinle's death is felt deeply in the department.

"It was a huge shock then, and it's a huge shock and loss to have him gone now," said Muir.

As for anger at the gunman? Muir said he has "mostly healed in that respect."

"Jimmy Martin is a man who made many bad choices in his life," he said. "His ultimate punishment is how he will be remembered."

Muir only thinks about the friend and colleague now missing from his life, the same man who raised his hand to take the vow to protect and serve on the same day he did.

"I kick myself now to think that I thought I'd have more time to spend with him," said Muir, his eyes welling up with tears.

Funeral services have not yet been announced.

Reach Jamie Kelly at 523-5254 or at jkelly@missoulian.com.

It's TRUCK DAY! at Fenway. Can Spring be far behind?

2010-02-12T06:19:00.002-07:00

Yes, It's finally here, Truck Day in Boston. The boys will be gearing up for the 2010 season soon. All is right with the world!

Happy Truck Day to you!

all material copyright 2005-10

Will You Be There?

2010-01-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

Finally, it has been explained...

2010-01-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

A Happy Day!

2010-01-26T21:53:00.003-07:00

In the continuing saga of my very real chest and back pain, I have advanced to a very positive stage over the past three days. Here is the short version.

Since my episode in April of 2008 (being jolted out of bed in the early morning), I have had one angiogram, two stress tests, a nuclear scan and an echocardiogram. All came back negative for heart problems. Yet the chest pain continued and even worsened to some degree.

After researching my areas of pain, I came up with a diagnosis of costochondritis, which is a painful condition that affects the area between the ribs. My doctor concurred, yet I still worried because the pain continued well beyond the normal time span for the diagnosis.

About a month ago, I had a follow up visit with a new cardiologist. He was pretty convinced that I didn’t have a heart problem, but wanted to rule out an aortic aneurysm or blood clot. Last weekend, I had a CT scan. Today, it came back “all clear.”

Coincidentally, at my wife's urging, I went to see a physical therapist friend today as well. She really has a God-given gift in her hands and can analyze and adjust things in a very short period of time. She checked me out today and found that two of my ribs were protruding more than they should have been. She said I probably suffered some kind of trauma (either soccer or more likely, restless sleep) that torqued and twisted my C4/C5 disks, which forced my ribcage out and spread the ribs a bit.

We are now in the process of readjusting those ribs and disks through manipulation and exercise.

As you can imagine, I feel that a great weight has been removed from my heart and mind. It’s really been a struggle for me, not knowing what was causing my pain. I’m a bit frustrated that the doctors I’ve seen couldn’t get out of their boxes despite the fact that I kept telling them in very plain words where the problem was. They just keep saying, “Well, we know it’s not your heart.” None of them really seemed interested in making an effort to find out what actually was causing the pain.

I spent a lot of time, money and anguish dealing with this situation, but in the end, I think it will have all been worthwhile once I am pain-free again.

Lessons learned:

As always, be your own advocate! You know when things are not right despite what a doctor might say.
Always get a second, third or fourth opinion.
Stay positive even through the pain.
Be persistent.
Trust your spouse, or other voices of reason.

And the Lights All Went Down in Massachusetts

2010-01-20T07:27:00.001-07:00

Electing a republican GQ nude male model as senator? Come on, Massachusetts. You can do better than that!

all material copyright 2005-10

Weekly Rich/Poor - Ringing in the New Year

2010-01-17T13:34:00.015-07:00

Yes, time keep marching on. We grow older. I'm passing over the midway hump as my kids grow into their prime years. Though I don't enjoy the pains of aging, I certainly smile at the sight of my blossoming youngsters. That's what makes my life worthwhile. What makes your life worthwhile?

How about a little rich/poor?

Rich: A sunny Sunday Missoula day in January. Until the fog rolled in a few minutes ago, sun provided Missoulians with a rare January treat. My daughter needed some updated resume photos this morning, so we headed outside. Just feeling sunshine on my face warmed me inside. It's a tease, but I willingly accept a taste of Spring in January. Say what you will about global warming being a hoax, but I don't need more than a glance out the window to know that Montana's weather has changed.

Poor: This stinking economy. Whether we realize it or not, the current state of the United States economy weighs heavily on our collective mind. First, the local pulp mill closed, then Macys pulled the plug on its Missoula downtown location. Missoula Community Medical Center announced a 50 person layoff, then Montana Rail Link followed course with a 46 person layoff. To date, my company has avoided layoffs through attrition and expense cutting, but the very nature of the beast wears on me.

A jobless recovery only helps those that have money. Eventually, other people have to earn a living. Otherwise, the whole frickin' thing will implode. Where is it going and when will it end? I'm more than a bit nervous these days, Answers have not flashed on baseball scoreboards a la Field of Dreams as far as know. Every generation seems to deal with these uncertainties a few times over the course of a lifetime, but this one appears deep and seemly endless. I pray for better times for all.

Rich: The seasonal return of American Idol. Yeah, this sounds shallow, but I'm glad the goofy show has returned for its annual talent search. I just like watching the first few weeks when the search begins. It's hard to believe that some contestants actually think they can sing. AI producers have added more humor this year, although the contestants provide most of the humor just by showing up. And now I can't get that damned "Pants on the Ground" song out of my head. Or how about this guy? Once the show gets on the serious side, I'm done with it. Until then, bring in the clowns.

Poor: My performance as a fantasy football coach this season. Just like the 09-10 Patriots, both of my fantasy football teams went flaming down this season. I blame myself. I did not adequately prepare this year and drafted poor players. The decent players I had seemed like they couldn't make it through two games without injury.

As the defending champion in one league, I held high hopes of pulling off at least a trip to the finals. But, my team died a quick death in round 1. At least I made the playoffs in that league. I didn't even have a chance to die in the other league. My team died well before the post season, although it did manage a late surge only to lose the toilet bowl championship. Sad sack season indeed.

Well, I think that's about it for now. I need to get on the treadmill and catch the end of Chargers/Jets game. Peace out.

all material copyright 2005-10

2010-01-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

Rich/Poor Year in Review - 2009

2010-01-02T09:54:00.009-07:00

2009... What to make of a year in the life?

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Certainly, these are interesting times in which we live. I suppose every generation feels the same. Imagine, if you will, living through the dust bowl, the great depression, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam era, etc. All brought trying times to those that endured. We are no different. Our standard of living certainly is much better than times past. Our pain, these days, comes more at an emotional level. I feel it daily in my bones and heart. These indeed are trying times.

So looking back, what events highlighted and lowlighted 2009? Here is one person's opinion.

Rich: A new start for America, The Obama presidency. Americans overcame a past ravaged with prejudice and hatred by electing a black man to the highest office. Despite claims that it couldn't happen, Americans showed in force that they were ready to move forward. Thank you, America, for taking it up a notch and showing the world that can indeed can progress.

Poor: Obama's first year in office, looking like more of the same. Remember the promise of change? He touted an end to war, government transparency, the closure of Gitmo, universal healthcare, fairer taxation, etc. Now, let's be real. Obama can't change a system steeped in lobbyist cash and good old boy mentality overnight, but I expected more of an effort.

Maybe it was all talk, a nice campaign slogan to get two feet into the White House. Maybe it was all said in good faith. Regardless of the reasoning, Mr. Obama quickly discovered the immense depth of D.C. corruption and cemented foundation that requires several bulldozers to to even begin to fracture.

Look at healthcare reform... well, who can? The massive, pork-laden bill is impossible to decipher. Why? Because it was designed by lobbyists to hide its contents . What we don't know can't hurt us. Right.

There's still hope. Obama has at least three more years to bring about real change. I wish him the best.

Rich: Music, the arts and all of the rest of the stuff that keeps us going. On the local level, I live for the show. Yes, it's personal, but the Curtain Up Company continues to shine its light on the Missoula community. The Company performed its annual "To Missoula with Love" show in November. 24 kids, ages 7-19, strutted their stuff for the Missoula community. I am consistently amazed by the level of professionalism that those young performers demonstrate. Kudos to director/choreographer Lisa Deer that pulls it off year after year.

I have the good fortune to see these shows come together from start to finish. I see the hours of rehearsal, the mistakes, tears, fears and drama that go into these shows. I see the passion that envelopes these young people. I see the dream. Call it living life vicariously; that's okay. I'm proud to play a small part in bringing Curtain Up shows to the Missoula community.

Poor: The end of an economic era in the Missoula community. The Smurfit-Stone Container linerboard mill west of Missoula will shutter its doors on January 5th, 2010.

Since its inception in 1956, the mill has provided good paying jobs to several hundred Missoulians. The ramifications of the closure reach far beyond the loss of 417 jobs. Many cottage industries have relied on the mill as a source of income. Local government, school and fire districts will be severely impacted as well. Smurfit-Stone was the second largest taxpayer in Missoula County last year. That's a big hole to fill.

Up to the time that mill owners announced the closure, Missoula had largely escaped the effects of the national economic downturn. No longer. The ripple effect of the closure in 2010 will be huge.

After years of smelling the foul odor of cooking pulp, I never thought I'd be sad to see the those doors close. But I now understand the economic impact. I also have friends that have spend their working lives in that mill. It's a sad end of an era indeed.

Rich: My beautiful family. Once again, my wonderful wife, son and daughter kept me on my toes throughout the year. They provided joy, happiness and maybe a wee bit of stress. Though it all, I felt loved, needed and respected. Who could ask for more?

Poor: Montana's dishonor for dealing with drunk drivers. In 2005, Montana ranked fourth in the nation for drunk driving fatalities. In 2008, Montana dubiously moved up to number two. It's time for Montana's legislature to step up and pass laws which more than slap drunk drivers on the wrist.

Driving drunk in Montana has been somewhat of an accepted practice for many, many years. In my 32 Montana years , I have seen more than a fair share of drivers with multiple DUI listed in the Missoulian. Many times, offenders are well-known community members or politicians. Judges have tended toward small fines and wrist slaps. Even after the legislature passed a law requiring mandatory jail time for repeat DUI offenders, judges continued to reduce sentences.

Frankly, I'm tired of reading about innocent people being killed by drunk drivers. It's time to get serious about Montana's drunk driving problem.

At 11:45 pm on December 26th, 2009, David DelSignore drove his 1999 Chevy pickup into four Hellgate High School students that we walking from one home to another. Two of the girls died while the other two were hospitalized. DelSingnore's blood alcohol content registered at .147 percent, well above the State's .08 allowable limit.

The four girls involved in the accident were Hellgate freshmen. My daughter is a Hellgate freshman.

Community folks have spent plenty of hours arguing about whether it not the girls should have been out walking at 11:45 pm. I'm sure there's validity in that argument, but the bottom line is that a guy went to two bars that evening and drank plenty of alcohol. He proceeded to get in his truck and drive. He drove off the road and killed two people.

I am saddened and sickened by this all too common Montana occurrence. I ask Montana legislators to finally inject some substance into Montana's drunk driving laws and I ask Montana's judges to take a much more serious approach to DUI sentencing. Enough people have died.

Sorry to end on such a sour note, but that's how 2009 ended in Missoula. I only hope that 2010 brings more positive energy to Missoula, Montana.

all material copyright 2005-10

My Wish for You - 2010

2010-01-01T18:20:00.001-07:00

Have a wonderful year...

Move Your Money - Truth in Saving

2009-12-31T17:36:00.005-07:00

Interesting concept... worth a thought.

http://moveyourmoney.info/

Happy New Year. Truthfully, I have low expectations for 2010. Obama has certainly not lived up to his promise of change. Missoula is beginning to feel the economic pinch of the market slide. Sorry to be bleak on New Year's Eve, but that's the way I see it.

all material copyright 2005-09

Happy Holidays to All

2009-12-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we're off to the great state of Washington for a few days. I wish you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous 2010.

By the way, the Griz lost the big one for the second straight year. This time, the score was 23-21. They're beginning to remind me of the old Red Sox... maybe next year!

Okay then, have a good one.

all material copyright 2005-09

Quick Update...

2009-12-18T06:01:00.005-07:00

Ok, unless you live a cave outside of Missoula (without a big screen HD tv), you know that the University of Montana Grizzlies football team is playing in the FCS (Division 1-AA) football championship game this evening at 6 pm (MST) - that's 8 pm for all of you east coasters. The Griz play the Villanova Wildcats in Chatanooga, TN.

Last week, the Griz beat Appalachian State in one of the most memorable games that I've ever attended. The atmosphere was positively electric. There was wind howling down the Hellgate canyon, EPSN's light banks, freezing temperatures and horizontal snow, but no-one left the stadium. The game came down to the last two seconds and when it finally ended, Missoula folks went crazy! Final score: Montana 24, App State 17.

That one game made all the Saturdays spent at Washington-Grizzly Stadium freezing my butt off worthwhile.

Check out the ESPN Hit of the Day:

Yes, there really football in Montana! Watch tonight (11/18/09) on ESPN2 to see for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

all material copyright 2005-09

Awesome video!

2009-12-17T20:01:00.001-07:00

Let the Hot Stove Season Begin!

2009-12-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Pink Carnation

2009-11-30T06:35:00.001-07:00

Just messing around with my camera...

all material copyright 2005-09

November Rich/Poor

2009-11-29T09:27:00.011-07:00

Okay, as much as I hate to admit it, Facebook offers a much quicker gratification for connecting with friends. There: I said it. People can sign in, post a one or two sentence blurb and be done with it. Still, blogging has a place in cyberworld.

Blogging requires thought, analysis and research. Sure, a person can create a blog entry filled with falsehoods, but it's just not the ethical thing to do. I try to put some time into sharing accurate information and informed opinion. Whereas one of my Facebook entries takes all of a minute or two, most of my blog entries take at least an hour, usually more (not counting photo entries, of course). But I'm old school. I studied the art of writing and a bit of journalism back in the day.

With that said, I hope that blogging does not become the printed newspaper of the web. I hope bloggers continue to infuse thought and reason into the continuing quest for instant gratification. I will try to do my part by spending more than three minutes on any given entry. Thanks for reading.

(Somewhat) Weekly Rich/Poor -

Rich: The Montana Griz football team's BIG comeback against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in round 1 of the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs. Okay, I admit that I'm not a very big Griz football fan. I think the team is over-hyped and was over-rated as the number 1 seed in the tournament. Since I usher at the games, I have attended all Griz home games this season. The Griz finished the season at 11-0, but I can't say that I was convinced that the team deserved to win all of these games. They barely squeaked by some teams that a number 1 team should have throttled. Yet, the Griz won all 11 regular season games.

Yesterday, however, the Griz pulled a rabbit out of the hat. For the first three quarters of the game, the Jackrabbits had their way. They controlled the game on defense and offense. The Griz looked ineffective on both. The Jacks lead 48-21 late in the third quarter.

Then the comeback began. Griz great receiver, Marc Mariani returned a kick for a touchdown. From there, the Griz scored 40 points to pull off one of the greatest comebacks I've ever witnessed. Final score? 61-48.

As I mentioned, I'm not a Griz nut like many Missoula folks, but, boy howdy, I have to give the boys credit for yesterday's win. Many folks left early. If given the opportunity, I would have exited as well. I'm glad I got to see a great finish. The stadium was electric down the stretch.

I guess I've got to work another game next week.

Poor: The right wing's continuous slamming of Obama. It's broken record time, but I get tired of the constant hammering from the right wing. I hear co-workers talk about how Obama is bankrupting this country by continuing the stimulus program and pushing health care reform. Obviously, these people have chosen to ignore the fact that Bush began the stimulus program and buried the United States in two seemingly endless wars. That is when the bankrupting of America began.

Obama is merely trying to follow through on his campaign promises while dealing the mess that was left on the White House table. There certainly are no easy answers or outs. Give the man a chance.

Rich: Thanksgiving. I offer thanks to my family and friends. I offer thanks to my employer for giving me the opportunity to succeed. I offer thanks to myself for building a beautiful life in this incredibly rich land of Montana. There is nowhere that I would rather live (although I could deal with a few winter weeks in Hawaii). I offer thanks for the wealth in my well-being. Many folks around the world suffer on a daily basis. I have no reason to complain.

Poor: Lack of Winter. Once again, Western Montana begins the white season sans white. November is bumping up against December and, while skies show gray, snow does not fall. Just like last year, I wish for snow. It's not just the aesthetic value that I desire; it's also Summer water. Montana's mountain streams have provided ample flows over the past few years. Without those flows, Summer skies will fill with fiery embers. Smoky summers are no fun.

Rich: Curtain Up Company performs "To Missoula with Love." Ranging in age from 7 to 19, Missoula's Curtain Up Company put on an outstanding show last weekend. The kids mixed holiday music and dance with some outstanding tribute pieces. Sets included a Farrah Fawcett Charlie's Angels dance, a Patrick Swayze Dirty Dancing number and my favorite, a 12 minute stirring Michael Jackson medley.

Curtain Up's job, first and foremost, is to showcase the talents of a committed group of kids. These youngsters put in hours and hours of rehearsal time leading up to each show. The hours show up in the quality of each performance. These kids excel beyond all expectations, as evidenced by the above photo.

If you're visiting Missoula on February 20st and 21st, 2010, pick up a ticket and attend a Curtain Up show at MCT. You will be amazed!

I'm proud to be a Curtain Up Company Dance Dad!

all material copyright 2005-09

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T10:11:00.001-07:00

Do I get a Thanksgiving meal too?

Just Another Sunday Morning in the 'Hood

2009-11-15T08:52:00.001-07:00

Bucks behave differently. They walk cautiously and deliberately. Check out this guy checking out my scent in the air. Then look at my shrub that he has used for a rub over the past few seasons. He's got those antlers cleaned up pretty good! I love living in Montana!

all material copyright 2005-09

This is it - Check it Out

2009-11-07T19:56:00.002-07:00

Saw Michael Jackson's "This is it" movie tonight... regardless of what you think about the guy, he was an awesome performer. It's a shame that folks never saw the full-out concert. It would have been unbelievable. The man just wanted people to experience an escape from a crazy world. Go see the show. It's worth the price of admission.

all material copyright 2005-09

The Yanks in the Series? Who Cares? Drop Kick This!

2009-10-29T20:07:00.002-06:00

Drop Kick Murphys

October Rich/Poor

2009-10-25T12:24:00.014-06:00

Fall in Montana; a large unknown. Some years, Montana offers up beautiful Indian summers. Other years, snow. The only certainty is sub 20 degree temperatures on October 31st, forcing kids to dramatically alter Halloween costumes. Ah, Fall in Montana. This year, an early cold snap (8 degrees overnight) literally froze leaves to branches. Fall colors never materialized as the frozen leaves simply turned brown. They now clunk to the ground instead of gracefully dancing to their final resting place.

What's rich or poor this week?

Rich:Neighborhood critters, of course. Local deer and elk get owly when nights cool. Hormones kick in as males huddle in with females. Big bucks roam the 'hood and bull elk hang with the herd on warm south-facing slopes. Last weekend, the elk herd appeared across the valley. I pulled out the spotting scope and counted 6 bulls among the 150 or so elk covering the hillside. I watched a couple of those bulls lock horns as part of the Fall dominance dance. The dance is truly a site to behold. Not many people have such an incredible view from their front porch. I appreciate each Fall day (weekends, a bit more).

Poor: Barack Obama's continuing sellout to corporate America. The man was elected under on a promise of change. So far, I' see more of the same. Barack continues to let lobbyists call the shots. What happened to transparency and integrity? I can understand Montana's Senator Baucus selling his soul to the devil, but I thought Obama would be different.

Obama has a mess to deal with in Afghanistan. Yes, that one belongs to Bush. The same old argument holds true: What would have happened in Afghanistan if Bushco had not diverted funds and resources to Iraq?

Health care? It's not going to be perfect out of the gates. Deal with it. Put something on the table, pass it, move on. Tweak the program along the way. It will be a 10-15 year process. There are other issues that require your attention, Mr. Obama, You have support from both houses of Congress. What's the problem?

Rich: Old friends, good friends. Last Thursday night, one of my old friends called. He said his dad died the previous night. My friend talked. I listened. He shared raw emotions as he recounted time spend with his father. He expressed doubt and fear. I listened.

As I move into the third quarter of my life, I realize that friendship is one of the greatest gifts that I have received. This in not earth-shattering news, but life throws reminders out once in a while to keep me on my toes. I try not to forget.

Offering support is an art. It's awkward at best. Buddy, Let me just say that you can call any time. We built the foundation many years ago, my friend. Whatever you need...

Poor: Montana property appraisals; bad timing. In it's infinite wisdom, the Montana legislature picked 2009, of all years, to increase property values as part of a phase-in program. Granted, the legislators could not foresee the future, but increasing property values in the midst of these difficult economic times is not a good plan.

The Montana legislature meets every other year. Because of that fact, legislators cannot effectively respond to rapid economic change. It's not their fault, but many Montanans can ill afford to pay hefty tax increases this year. My property value doubled from $63,000 to $130,000 in one year. My home value increased by almost $70,000. Are those numbers accurate? Not in this day and age. Do I have any recourse? Not much.

I called the appraisers office last week. Three days later, someone returned my call. He said I couldn't appeal until 2010 because I missed the 30 day appeal window. 30 days? Excuse me, but 30 days seems a bit small for an appeal window. Most people (including me) didn't even read the damned letter until my tax notice was on the way.

It's no wonder that people don't like government. It's an inefficient behemoth that moves at snail's pace. I know. I worked in local government for six years. Though the locals have efforted to move toward improved customer service and more efficient systems, they have miles to go before they sleep.

I will begrudgingly pay my taxes come November, but there will be many that don't. I can't blame them.

Have a great week!

all material copyright 2005-09

Saturday Surprise

2009-10-24T17:00:00.001-06:00

Not hanging around too long... hunting season opens next week.

all material copyright 2005-09

Bobby Hauck's protest of Montana Kaimin sheer bully behavior - Jeff Pearlman - SI.com

2009-10-24T12:43:00.005-06:00

Bobby Hauck's protest of Montana Kaimin sheer bully behavior - Jeff Pearlman - SI.com

Read the Sports Illustrated story about how our (Montana) notoriously big-headed football coach has dug a hole so big that even his head won't fill it...

A few other opinions of Hauck's boorish behavior:

4 and 20 Blackbirds

Missoulian

Grizzoulian

ESPN

Has he finally burned his bridges? The University of Montana football program has gotten so big, it can run itself. Players from D-1 schools WANT to come to Montana, so the program virtually recruits for itself. I don't think anyone in Missoula will really miss Coach Hauck if he leaves. From the way the current Hauck story has grown, Bobby may be leaving soon, wins and all.

all material copyright 2005-09

Going Quietly into Winter

2009-10-11T19:07:00.007-06:00

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.
—Rogers Hornsby

If we're going to win the pennant, we've got to start thinking we're not as good as we think we are. - Casey Stengel

I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen. -Bob Lemon, 1981

I never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes. - Leo Durocher

Slump? I ain't in no slump... I just ain't hitting. - Yogi Berra

The good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong body, a good right arm, and a weak mind. - Dizzy Dean

It's designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything is new again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains comes, it stops, and leaves you to face the fall alone. - A. Barlett Giamatti

Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down. It made me more determined. I wouldn't let that pitcher get me out. They say you can't hit if you're on your back, but I didn't hit on my back. I got up. - Frank Robinson

Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is. - Bob Feller

From the Shoeless Joe Jackson Character:

Man, I did love this game. I'd have played for food money. It was the game... The sounds, the smells.

"The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again. Oh people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come." - W. P. Kinsella (Field of Dreams)

“All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, ‘There goes the greatest hitter that ever lived.’” - Ted Williams, Former Boston Red Sox

I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it. - Carl Yastrzemski

all material copyright 2005-09

Red Sox Recap - Honesty in Reporting

2009-10-11T09:55:00.008-06:00

The regular season is in the books and the Sox post-season has now officially ended (in ugly fashion). With those facts in mind, how about an honest assessment of my preseason predictions? Here you go!

WHAT I SAID:

Jacoby Ellsbury (CF) Leadoff - With exceptional speed, Jacoby covers the outfield well. Ellsbury now has a full season under his belt. He needs to rediscover patience at the plate. Opposing pitchers discovered that they could pound him and get him swinging early last year. He clearly has leadoff speed, but that speed is wasted without getting on base. Expect Jacoby to work on improving his on-base percentage - .290 BA, 21HR, 62 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.301 BA, 8 HR, 60 RBI - Not bad... a bit off on the homers - did not account for the 70 stolen bases

Dustin Pedroia (2nd base) 2nd - How will the little guy follow up his 2008 MVP season? With another MVP caliber season, of course. Dustin gives all at all times. He will play second cleanly and take mighty swings at the plate. Expect a streaky year at the plate, but a good seasonal outcome - .320 BA, 22 HR, 85 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.296 BA, 15 HR, 72 RBI - Again, overshot the homers, but in the ballpark. The little guy proved once again that he belongs in the bigs.

David Ortiz (DH) 3rd - Papi feels good and pain-free in the wrist. That can only mean good things for Sox fans. People forget that Ortiz is only 33 years old. He should bounce back from his injury-hampered '08 campaign and return to the Ortiz of old. Without Manny behind him, Ortiz lacks protection in the lineup, but he's strong enough to make a statement on his own. Expect big power number to return to the big man this season - .282 BA, 41 HR, 129 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.238 BA, 28 HR, 99 RBI - Where did you go, David Ortiz? The months of April and May put the kabash on Papi's season. He ended in decent fashion, but should not, and will not be back next year.

Kevin Youkilis (1st base) Cleanup - As was the case with Ellsbury, Youk lost some plate patience last season. The result? Better power numbers. The "Greek God of Walks" still draws his fair share of free passes, but the power numbers are nice to see. Don't forget that Youk is a gold glove caliber fielder that can shift to 3rd base if necessary. Expect repeat '08 numbers this season - .317 BA, 33 HR, 112 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.305 BA, 27 HR, 94 RBI - Decent projection again. Youk was probably the Sox most consistent hitter in 2009. Expect more of the same in 2010.

JD Drew (RF) in the 5 hole - JD's biggest problem is staying healthy. Don't expect anything different this season. JD has already received a cortisone shot in his back this spring. Look for JD to split time on the field with either Rocco Baldelli or Chris Carter. Expect JD to spend time on the DL this season - .282 BA, 20 HR (at critical junctures), 64 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.274 BA, 24 HR, 68 RBI - Pretty darned close. J.D.'s playing time was limited this year, but he had a decent season.

Jason Bay (LF) 6th - Jason Bay is not Manny. In the clubhouse, that is a plus. In the lineup, that is a minus. Jason Bay will quietly play left field and hit well. From all accounts, Bay goes about his business in a Mike Lowell way, always a pro. Jason brings stability to the lineup and the clubhouse. Stability is a good thing. Expect Jason to have a quietly solid season in the field and at the plate - .301 BA, 34 HR, 103 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.267 BA, 36 HR, 119 RBI - Bay struck out too much this season, but still managed to lead the team in homers and RBI. I hope to see Jason back with the Sox next season!

Mike Lowell (3rd base) 7th - Mikey's back from hip surgery. He says he feels good. We must take him at his word. Mike is sliding, but provides so much positivity in the clubhouse, he can only help the Sox this year. Players typical see lower numbers following surgery, especially later in their careers. Expect Mike to have a sub-par year at the plate and a decent year in the field - .264 BA, 17 HR, 64 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.290 BA, 17 HR, 75 RBI - Mike spent a fair amount of time on the DL this season, but still proved to be a professional hitter. Though he may heading toward the end of a nice career, Lowell provides that intangible stability in the dugout. He'll make a great manager if he decides to go that route in the future.

Jed Lowrie (SS) 8th - The Red Sox have bought many shortstops over the past several years. None have panned out. Now, farmhand Jed Lowrie steps in. Lowrie covers the position well, but has to step up his performance at the plate. Jed has hit well this spring. He must continue hitting this summer. Expect a breakout season for Lowrie - .295 BA, 27 HR, 86 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.147 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI - Swing and a miss on Lowrie. An early season wrist injury took Lowrie completely out of the Sox picture in 2009.

Jason Varitek (C) 9th - After the off-season Varitek/Boras fiasco, Jason should settle in well behind, and at the plate. Jason needs to show that last season was an aberration and that he is, as Monty Python put it "not quite dead yet". Jason will bounce back and have a decent hitting year. He still calls a great game behind the dish. Expect decent plate numbers from a 37 year old catcher - .262 BA, 18 HR, 58 RBI.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

.209 BA, 14 HR, 51 RBI - The Captain started the season in fine fashion, but faded in a hurry. The homer and RBI projections came in close, but boy. howdy - another swing and miss on the batting average. As much as I like Jason Varitek, I fully expect that he will not be wearing a Red Sox uniform in 2010.

Starting Pitchers - Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Wakefield, Penny. Out of the starting rotation, Brad Penny could prove to be the steal of the year. Only two seasons removed from a 16-4 record, Penny looked solid this spring and comes into the season feeling healthy. John Smoltz will join the team mid-summer and will be available should Penny break down.

From 1-5, the Red Sox have one of the more solid rotations in baseball. Outside of Tim Wakefield's streakiness and Dice-K propensity toward wildness, Sox starters should perform consistently well throughout the season. Should anyone break down, the Sox farm system is well stocked with major league ready arms. No worries in the starting pitcher area.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

Beckett and Lester provided stability in the rotation, but the rest of the rotation proved chaotic through the season. The Sox finally had to remove Dice-K from the rotation after an erratic beginning. Penny actually provided some decent first half wins. Smoltz proved to be a failed experiment. Wake made the all-star team, but finally caved to age after the break. The Sox really need to take a hard look at replacing Wake with a solid number four next year.

Middle Relief - Masterson, Okajima, Saito, Delcarmen, Lopez, Ramirez. Once again; solid, solid, solid. Sox management has solidified a somewhat shaky '08 bullpen by adding Takashi Saito and Ramon Ramirez. Saito rang up 39 saves the Dodgers in '07 and should be healthy after coming off an elbow injury in '08. Ramirez posted a 2.64 ERA while pitching in the relative obscurity of Kansas City. He has struggled a bit this spring and may struggle a bit with pitching in baseball crazy Boston.

Overall, the Sox should have little trouble controlling the middle innings while Jonathan Pabelbon warms the pen.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

The middle relief corp provided strength through the season. Masterson went bye-bye, but the Sox gained professional hitter, Victor Martinez in return. No complaints there. Victor provided great strength in the middle of the lineup. Middle relief, for the most part, was a positive in 2009.

Closer - Jonathan Papelbon. What more can be written about the quirky Sox closer? Papelbon is an enigma. He ring leads the bullpen craziness during games, but he's all business once he enters the game. Expect another 40-50 save season from the funny Louisiana man.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

Pap was Pap. The Louisiana Loon seemed a bit more off kilter than usual this season, but still managed 38 saves. Don't be surprised, however, to see the Sox brass float Pap in possible off-season trades as they have a new young gun, Daniel Bard, honing his closer skills.

What you might see that you didn't expect in 2009...

Chris Carter may become a force by mid-season should JD Drew go down for a prolonged period of time.
Clay Buchholtz may appear down the stretch and provide some strong starts when the Sox need it most.
John Smoltz may be a prime time player during the playoffs.
A young fellow by the name of Lars Anderson may show up and blow your Sox off in September!
The Sox have hidden a treasure in the minors. His name? Junichi Tazawa. He may not be up this year, but when he arrives, you will be impressed.
Aging Yankee studs A-Roid and Cheater both miss considerable time due to injuries. The Bums reverse the trend from the last two seasons and fade down the stretch.
The Tampa Bay Rays perform well during the first half of the season, but also fade down the stretch.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

Chris Carter never materialized. Buchholtz did materialize and win some big games down the stretch. He even pitched well enough to win a playoff game (lost to the bullpen). Smoltz, well, as discussed earlier, proved to be a failed experiment. Lars Anderson never made it to the bigs. He, in fact, struggled in the minors all season. Tazawa showed flashes of hope - maybe next year. Worst of all, the NY Bums seem to have a legit chance of going deep this year.

Red Sox 2009 Predicted Finish - Theo Epstein may not have obtained the big Texiera prize during the off-season, but he built a team meant to last for the whole season. The Sox boast plenty of bench depth and even more depth down on the farm. The obvious weakness is at the catching position and right field. Backup catcher George Kottaras will be learning to call a game from one the best and hit 22 homers at Pawtucket last season. By mid-season Kottaras may have developed into a decent major league hitter. The Sox have Chris Carter, Mark Kotsay and Rocco Baldelli to back up Drew. Any of those three players will aptly fill the outfield if necessary. The bottom of the order will really have to step up production this season for the Sox to have success.

So far will the Red Sox go in 2009? This year's version of the Beantown Boys should either outright win the AL East or enter the post-season through the wildcard slot. With a strong rotation, above par bullpen and a stellar closer, the Sox should be playing in the October Classic this year. Count on it!

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

And now you know the rest of the story. Wait 'til next year...

all material copyright 2005-09

Rockport, Massachusetts

2009-10-02T16:26:00.001-06:00

Nice work, T-Pain! Funny...

2009-10-02T16:06:00.001-06:00

The Score Didn't Matter

2009-09-30T21:49:00.004-06:00

Cruising New Hampshire

2009-09-28T16:11:00.001-06:00

You Know You're in Lexington When...

2009-09-26T14:19:00.002-06:00

Billings to Boston

2009-09-23T22:03:00.003-06:00

The first leg of my road trip, two days of work in Billings, will be completed tomorrow morning. Then it's on to the plane from Billings to Boston. I arrive in the Hub at 10:30 pm eastern time tomorrow night.

In some ways, I'm looking forward to the trip. There a bit more to the trip than just a visit to Fenway. I'll spend time with my parents, siblings and friends. The high school reunion plans fell through due to lack of interest from former classmates, but a handful of good folks organized a potluck gathering. There will be no shortage of activities to fill my time.

So you can look forward to a few good photos from the Northeast, Hopefully, leaves in the north country will be turning to bright reds and oranges while I'm visiting. And I will definitely shoot a few snaps in the ballpark.

So have fun and check back in a few days. Take care, my friends...

all material copyright 2005-09

Outta Here!

2009-09-21T22:58:00.001-06:00

Heading to the holyland... no, not that holyland: Fenway Park! That's right, me and the Green Monster, just like the old days.

Oh I might see a few friends and family while I'm in the Hub, but what would a trip to Boston be without seeing the hallowed ground?

More to come...

all material copyright 2005-09

Funny Stuff - Borrowed and Enhanced

2009-09-16T21:53:00.002-06:00

A funny take on emoticons, "assicons":

(_!_) a regular ass

(__!__) a fat ass

(!) a tight ass

(_._) a flat ass

(_*_) an asshole

(_o_) an ass that's been around

(_O_) an ass that's been around even more

(_?_) a dumb ass

(_o^^o_) a wise ass

(_E=mc2_) a smart ass

(_13_) an unlucky ass

( Y ) a butt

(_$_) money coming out of his/her ass

(_#_) taking an ass pounding

(_x_) kiss my ass

(_zzz_) a tired ass

The Amazing Donald O'Connor

2009-09-06T17:42:00.003-06:00

This one amazes me every time I watch it. i know it's a repeat on This Montana Life, but it makes me laugh! I hope you laugh as well.

Happy 20th... The Journey Continues...

2009-09-05T08:47:00.002-06:00

Keith Urban

I'd be lost without you.

all material copyright 2005-09

Just Another Random Sunday

2009-08-30T17:24:00.009-06:00

Wow, this Montana life sure has become suddenly busy. For all intents and purpose, summer is over. The kids return to school tomorrow, the NFL is firing up (which means fantasy football prep time), after school madness begins this week and the Sox continue fighting for a playoff spot. I enjoyed summer but the next season has arrived. It's a big school year for the kids. My daughter starts high school tomorrow while my son makes the leap to sixth grade. 2009-10 will be a transition year for certain.

So how about some random weekly rich/poor tidbits?

Rich: Say hello to my new, old friends. In all madness, one can find calm. About a year ago, through Facebook, I connected with old friends in preparation for a high school reunion. Never have I attended one, but I felt compelled this year to rediscover my past. My high school class boasted a student population of over 650, so mostly, I wanted to meet new friends.

I booked a flight, reserved a room at the Marriott and planned my September journey. Then, last week, the email arrived: The reunion had been canceled due to lack of interest. The email saddened me.
Luckily, folks jumped in and started offering alternative plans. Within days, someone suggested a potluck. Another person offered to host a get-together at his home. Lots of ideas began to flow.

Bottom line - The formal reunion is off. The informal reunion is on. I'm really looking forward to the meet and greet with people I haven't seen for many years. It's all good.

And a hearty welcome to new readers of This Montana Life. Hopefully, you find some entertainment in the ramblings from the guy that went west!

Poor: Teddy Kennedy's death. I've never been a big Teddy fan. He drank too much, womanized and took advantage of his name. But in the end, he truly championed much positive legislation that enhanced benefits for America's less fortunate citizens. Some folks looked at Senator Kennedy's death as an opportunity to berate liberal democrats. That says a lot about the right. I don't remember democrats dancing in the streets when Ronald Reagan died. "Nuf said.

Rich: You know it; Red Sox working toward the playoffs. Yup, the Beantown boys seem to have pulled it together just in the nick of time. Thankfully, Boston released Brad Penny, dumped Julio Lugo (and reobtained a real shortstop) and somehow managed to pull together a pitching staff. I don't think they've got enough strength to go all the way, but all bets are off once the playoffs begin. If Beckett can find his swagger down the stretch and Wakefield finds a healer for his back, the Sox should be able to string together enough wins to get in. Victor Martinez is truly a pure hitter. I really hadn't seen much of him prior to his Sox time, but he can knock 'em with the best of them. Now, I'm okay with saying a graceful goodbye to Tek.

GO SOX!!

Bonus Rich: A rich Missoula August. It must have been the perfect storm of temperatures and rain, but the grass has thickened and greened well beyond that of a normal Missoula August. Over the past few years, I've had a tough time keeping the grass green during the summer months. Montana's been in a bit of a prolonged drought. My lawn has looked like a balding old man. Then August of '09 came.

Lately, I've been happily walking barefoot through the yard. Grass blades bend instead of breaking. Lush green has filled up bald spots and I've returned to a springlike twice a week cutting schedule. I know I've revealed this little secret before, but when cutting the lawn, I like to fantasize that I'm working the blades at Fenway. I cut fun patterns once in a while. It's a beautiful thing.

What's your dream?

Too Funny! Kids Never Fail to Reveal the Truth

2009-08-26T19:49:00.005-06:00

A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses… until they stop running.

2. Strike while the… bug is close.

3. It's always darkest before… Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate the power of… termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water but… How?

6. Don't bite the hand that… looks dirty.

7. No news is… impossible

8. A miss is as good as a… Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog new… Math.

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll… stink in the morning.

11. Love all, trust… Me.

12. The pen is mightier than the… pigs.

13. An idle mind is… the best way to relax.

14. Where there's smoke there's… pollution.

15. Happy the bride who… gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is… not much.

17. Two's company, three's… the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off til tomorrow what… you put on to go to bed.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and… You have to blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as… Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not… spanked or grounded.

22. If at first you don't succeed… get new batteries.

23. You get out of something only what you… See in the picture on the box.

24. When the blind lead the blind… get out of the way.

25. A bird in the hand… is going to poop on you.

And the WINNER and last one!

26. Better late than… Pregnant.

It's All Good In The Hood

2009-08-24T20:20:00.001-06:00

Sunday Cat Fun

2009-08-16T13:29:00.001-06:00

Sunday Thoughts - Obama, Baucus and Zip-lining Whitefish

2009-08-16T11:06:00.014-06:00

Good morning world! Hopefully, today finds you in good spirits, full of positivity and good health. Missoulians have been riding a wet wave of rain and cooler than normal temperatures this week, but I appreciate a bit of dampness in August. It sure beats smokey skies and fiery sunsets.

Without further adieu, I present this week's rich/poor segment!

Rich: President Obama's visit to Big Sky Country. Call me a hypocrite after bashing Palin for (supposedly) purchasing land in Montana, but it's nice to see the Prez spend some quality time in Big Sky Country. This morning, I watched one of his Montana town hall meetings on local tv. Obama, unlike his predecessor, took unscripted questions from real people and gave unscripted, honest answers. He called the repubs to task for throwing unscrupulous roadblocks in his path. I realize that Obama's plan is not without fault, but at least he's beginning to address the abyss of American heathcare. The system will never be perfect, but it certainly needs a major adjustment.

Back to Obama's Montana visit... The Prez offered up a few town hall meetings, visited Yellowstone (with the kids) and took a fly fishing lesson as a follow-up to a campaign promise made while campaigning in Missoula. The local rag offered up these choice tidbits on Obama's fly fishing excursion:

"He insisted that fishermen fish in the rain, so he said, 'Let's do it,'" fishing guide Dan Vermillion said. "The weather was really horrendous. We were all real cold at the end of the day."

"I found him to be a real good listener. He really wanted to learn about the whole experience of fly fishing," said Vermillion, who runs the Sweetwater Fly Shop in Livingston.

While fishing, Vermillion said he and Obama talked about everything from Montana land issues to their personal lives, and the president insisted on being called by his first name.

"We talked a lot about his family and the challenges he and Michelle face trying to keep his kids grounded in the surreal experience he lives in," he said.

I respect the man more and more for keeping it real. You have to give him that much.

Poor: Max Baucus' mad ties to the health insurance lobby. Max likes the game too much. He plays Democrat during election years, but sells out to the highest bidder during the rest of his tenure.

Montana once had a similar Dem senator named John Melcher. Melcher ended up losing his seat to the infamous Conrad Burns (now a paid lobbyist) in 1988 after playing the lobby game just a bit too much. John became known as a Melchercrat. Montanans are a tolerant bunch, but only a fool thinks he can pile too much manure on the brim of a hat without causing the hat to fall off. Baucus may be dangerously (and rightly so) close to knocking the hat off of his head.

Max might think he's five years away from his next re-election bid and people will forget, but I predict that Montanans will remember Mad Max laughing as he asked to have several doctors removed from a Senate Finance Committee meeting. This behavior flies in the face of respecting your neighbor. Max has been ingrained in the DC scene for far too long.

Hopefully, the Dems will find someone decent to run against Max during the next go round. It's time for the Maxocrat to step down. He sold out years ago.

Rich: Riding the zip-line at Big Mountain. Last weekend, the fam and I ventured north to the Kalispell/Whitefish area for a few R & R days. During that time, we booked a zip-line tour on Big Mountain. If you haven't heard of zip-lining, don't feel alone. Zip-lining is a fairly new offering at ski areas, especially in Montana.

Here's how it works: You strap yourself into a harness, throw a trolley over a cable line and launch yourself down the cable. Although you might be hanging 250 feet above the ground, zip lining is a safe, family fun outdoor activity. Check out the video:

Even though I've jumped out of airplanes, butterflies still tickled my insides before the first zip-line ride. Once I completed number one, the rest was relaxing and fun. Give it a shot if you're in the area!

On that note, I'll leave it on the pos. Have a good week. Gotta go watch the Sox on TBS!!

all material copyright 2005-09

Red Sox Meltdown

2009-08-09T22:10:00.003-06:00

All I can say is, "The Red Sox portion of my brain is about to explode!" After watching the Sox lose four in a row in the Bronx, it feels as if the ghosts of Sox past have returned.

All of a sudden, the Beantown boys can't hit their way out of a paper bag! The whole team seems to have gone into a slump at the same time and Theo still has not addressed the shortstop issue. Seattle Mariners veteran Chris Woodword is the best Theo can muster?

And what once was an impenetrable bullpen has become as porous as an earthen dam at high water. Bard gave up back to back jacks to trader johnny and mark ta cheata, Okajima lays another egg and the whole thing blows up again.

The worst part of it all? I have to go to work in the morning, hand $8 to a co-worker (double on a sweep) and eat crow until the Sox decide they want to play baseball again.

Palin, Montana and Other Thoughts

2009-08-02T09:33:00.005-06:00

Apparently, Mrs. Palin has quite a strong, vocal group of followers. After posting a comment on the story regarding her possible move to Montana and rumored divorce, I received several hits on the blog as well as some blistering criticism.

Palin's team now vehemently denies the divorce story. What is true? Only time will tell. Are we, as a nation, so enthralled with the comings and goings of a formerly unknown policitian? The hit counter says "yes". What is the fascination? Again, time will tell.

I do not fell threatened by Mrs. Palin. My concern lies with the nation's impression of Montana as a place where people come to hide. Certainly, there are other states (Alaska being one) that have harbored their fair share of notorious folks. I object to the idea of a paparazzi attack on our quiet little corner of the planet. My simple request is that Sarah find a bigger city from which to launch her next move. Montana is NOT the media hub of the west.

Please keep in mind that I am merely voicing my opinion. I hope Mrs. Palin runs for president in 2012. She would certainly keep the election process lively. It is a scenario that would excite me as well as the Democratic Party.

Let's just see where the proverbial chips fall. I will gladly eat crow if the rumors turn out to be false. But for now, I'm guessing that there's more than a grain of truth in those divorce whispers. All will be revealed in time...

all material copyright 2005-09

This is NOT good news! Why Montana?

2009-08-01T14:59:00.007-06:00

"AlaskaReport has learned this morning that Todd Palin and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin are to divorce. Multiple sources in Wasilla and Anchorage have confirmed the news.

A National Enquirer story exposing previous affairs on both sides led to a deterioration of their marriage and the stress from that led to Palin's resignation as governor of Alaska.

The Palins were noticeably not speaking to each other at last Sunday's resignation speech in Fairbanks. Sarah ditched Todd (MSNBC) right after the speech and left without him. Sarah removed her wedding ring a couple of weeks ago."
Sarah has recently purchased land in Montana and is considering moving the family there. Sarah Palin is originally from Idaho."

(source: Alaskareport.com)
____________________________________________________

What did we Montanans do to deserve this fate? We've already had the Freemen, the Militia of Montana, the Church Universal and Triumphant and the Unibomber. Now Sarah Palin? Why!

all material copyright 2005-09

2009-07-23T21:24:00.007-06:00

My father-in-law and I were emailing back and forth on the lack of common courtesy that folks display these days. I am also truly amazed at the lack of patience in younger folks . Many 20-30 year old folks just don't understand the concept of earning respect, credibility and promotions in the workplace. They have a sense of entitlement. I know I'm from a different generation, but I still believe that people should work hard before getting rewarded. Oh well, I guess I'm just an old-fashioned guy!

The Black Eyed Peas nailed it in this song. There's no video yet, but check out the song and the lyrics! And pay attention, you NOW generationers!!

We are the now generation
We are the generation now
This is the now generation
This is the generation now
I want money
I want it want it
want it

Fast internet
Stay connected in a jet
Wi-fi, podcast
Blasting out an SMS
Text me and I text you back
Check me on the iChat
I’m all about that h t t p
You’re a PC I’m a Mac
I want it..

Myspace in your space
Facebook is a new place
Dip divin’
socializin’
I’ll be out in cyber space
Google is my professor
Wikipedia checker
Checkin my account
Loggin in and loggin out
Baby I want it..Now!

This is the now generation
This is the generation now
We are the now generation
I want I want I want it now
I want the cold hard cash
I want I want I want it now
And I just can’t wait
I need it immediately
And I just can’t wait
I want it immediately
Cause time can’t wait and
I sure can’t wait
I ain’t got no patience
I sure can’t wait

We are the now generation
We are the generation now
This is the now generation
This is the generation now

I want money
I want cold hard cash
I’ll take your dollar and your euro
And you’ll have a blast
So take your day and your credit
And stick it up your ass
And do it now! I want it now!

Big money,
give me mo’ money
[Yeah I want it now!]
I need cas.. oh I need it bad
[I want it now!]
Quick in a hurry
Like your name is Flash
[I want it now!]
You make me wait?
And Im’a whip your ass
[I want it now!]
I want it now baby!
[Now!]I want it[Now!]
I want it[Now!]

Now!Fast, rapido
Really quick like torpedo
Need for speed is my credo
You need to feed this negrito
Sender, buyer, brother boat
Rapid like a thunder bolt
Activated rock the boat
Just ask Barack
who brought the hope to Now!

It was a now generation
And I just can’t wait
I need it immediately
And I Just can’t wait
I want it immediately
Cause if time can’t wait then
I sure can’t wait
I ain’t got no patience
No I just can’t wait
Not again
Expedite
No time for procrastination
Expedite
Improve my sensation

all material copyright 2005-09

Turn it UP!

2009-07-18T23:10:00.002-06:00

Early Weekend Rich/Poor

2009-07-18T18:38:00.012-06:00

Livin' the dream, Montana style!

Rich: A day at the beach. With temperatures climbing into triple digits, the family and I headed up to a nearby lake for the day. Going to the beach in Montana means something entirely different than a day at the beach in, say... California. Montana beaches are way less crowded! Some even abut one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48. Can you identify this beach (no cheating, you Facebookers)? Let's see how well you know Montana...

Hey! Check out the kid in the top picture. I believe she's wearing a Red Sox hat. There's a chance that she might be related to me, although I can neither confirm nor deny that statement. The other kid? Well, he's trying to stay anonymous and MAY be related to me as well. I really can't say.

Poor: Bush/Cheney. Hey, the Repubs haven't let go of Clinton. Why should I let Bushco off the hook? It will be at least another 2 years before I even consider letting those jokers loose. No mercy!

Rich: The Missoula Marathon. I can say, without hesitation, that running the half-marathon last weekend already ranks as one of my most cherished memories. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was not going nineteen to the dozen, but I got it done. Due to some on-going pain in my chest wall, I alternated walking and running. I would have liked to run more, but I just couldn't pull it off. Yet, I met all of my goals. Seeing the finish line was intense and crossing that line almost brought tears to my eyes.

Don't ever think you can't do something. I am proof that you CAN if you put your mind to it. I had to push through pain and believe in myself. What a great test! I have to admit, however, that my old friend Charlie's expression, "You're about as handy as a chapped ass." has new meaning after running the half! More to come in 2010...

Well, I'm going to leave it at that for today. Have a great one!

What a Great Day!

2009-07-17T07:44:00.001-06:00

I made it!

2009-07-12T16:16:00.006-06:00

I admit, my time wasn't impressive, but I've never run a half-marathon before. Now I have completed the Missoula Half-Marathon once.

The course was nice. There was one small hill at the start, but the rest was downhill or flat. The course ran along the Bitterroot River for the first four miles. The good Lord provided excellent weather conditions as well.

So now that I've run (/walked) a half-marathon, I'll probably run another. I had three goals going in: 1) Finish the race, 2) Finish under three hours and, 3) Be able to walk after I finished. I accomplished all thre goals. My time was 2:48, just under a 13 minute mile average.

I didn't intend to break the course record, just finish with some life left in me. As I crossed the 12 mile marker, I thought about running in the final mile. The mind was willing, but the legs didn't respond. I managed to kick it for the last 100 or so yards, but I thought my calves were going to explode.

So that's that. I got it done. After a few recovery days, I will find another run and continue training. There's no reason to quit now. I've climbed the mountain and lived to talk about it.

Have a great week!

all material copyright 2005-09

4th of July Rich/Poor

2009-07-04T09:13:00.016-06:00

My family and I enjoyed a busy, yet relaxing week in San Diego. We played the tourist games and Disneyland, Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo. We also spent a couple of days at the beach doing beach things. I actually managed to squeeze a 5 and 7 mile run into the week as well. Running at sea level make me feel like a running rock star. That was nice.

All in all, I found San Diego enjoyable. Initially, driving the 5 challenged by senses, but I adjusted. I didn't have any problem dealing with 70 something degree days. I could handle those conditions year-round. If you ever have a chance to visit San Diego, take it. There are plenty of pleasant distractions.

Weekly Rich/Poor -

Rich: Last week of Missoula (half) Marathon training. The thought of running my first half marathon brings nervous excitement. I'm finally to the mental point where I KNOW I can compete the task. That's a relief. During many runs, I have debated with myself whether I can pull it off. It's the old cartoon devils and angels fighting on my shoulders. The angels have finally pulled ahead. I can, and will finish the 13.1 miles with a satisfied smile.

Poor: The war in Afghanistan. In the words of George Santayana, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” The Russian army spent nine years trying to bring order to Afghanistan. They failed miserably. The Afgani situation is precarious at best. The U.S. needs to keep the Taliban fighters in check, but chances of success of slim. At least there is a justifiable reason for fighting in Afghanistan, unlike Iraq. Can you imagine how much further along the U.S. would be in dealing with the Taliban had our government not sqaundered so many resources and money in Iraq? Yes, much of the United States current problems go back to the miserable mismanagement of the Bush administration. Sad, indeed.

POOR: I JUST FINISHED THIS ENTRY (WITH A BUNCH MORE WRITING) AND FRICKIN' BLOGGER BLEW IT UP! SO HERE'S WHAT YOU GET FOR NOW. I'M TOO TIRED TO RECREATE THE REST. HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

all material copyright 2005-09

Funny Joke

2009-06-30T18:48:00.002-06:00

I think I saw this before, but it's still funny:

My Duck is Dead

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly and said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."

The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. The duck is dead," replied the vet.

"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever.

As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.

A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill.

"$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"

The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."

all material copyright 2005-09

A Few Quick Photos from San Diego

2009-06-28T23:52:00.001-06:00

Yeah, It's touristy, but still fun. More to come...

all material copyright 2005-09

Papi Sunday

2009-06-21T07:52:00.003-06:00

Happy Father's Day to all of my fellow dads (including you, Dad).

We dads tend to get overshadowed by Mother's Day, but that's okay. Moms deserve a lot of credit for all they do.

But we're pretty special too. Let's not forget that it takes two to tango!

You're probably wondering about today's photos. I read about Big Papi En Fuego on The View From 312 Feet. How could I resist ordering a few bottles? Papi arrived a few days ago. I ordered the original and "off the wall triple.)

Yesterday, I whipped up a veggie stir fry for lunch and threw in some "off the wall." Boy, was it ever eye watering, nose running good! Papi makes a pretty tasty hot sauce. Maybe I'll bold up and order the "Grand Slam" next time. You should give it a try as well.

Speaking of Papi, it appears that he is finally breaking out of his season long funk. The Sox have managed to regain 1st place despite Papi's slump. That bodes well for the rest of the season.

In other news, me and the fam are hitting the skies today for our annual out of state pilgrimage. This year, we're heading to San Diego! Yes, it's time to ditch the rain, break out the shorts and head south. I'm looking forward to some time by the ocean, riding some coasters at Disneyland, getting splashed by Shamu and running by the beach.

We'll be meeting some family members in CA at various points during the week. My wife's cousin and kids will be joining us for a day at the beach. Then, my sister and her son will fly in from Tucson for a few days. All in all, we should have a pretty fun week.

I'll try to post some CA pictures later this week. Well, have a great week. I know I will!

all material copyright 2005-09

I Really Like This Song

2009-06-17T23:07:00.000-06:00

Lilac Sunday

2009-06-14T10:59:00.002-06:00

Lilacs in the yard have come into bloom. With the lilacs come butterflies. I've been watching these butterflies cruise by my office window for a few days. Yesterday, I didn't have my camera ready, but today, I caught one of these beauties feasting on a lilac flower.

As far as I can tell, this variety of butterfly is called an Anise Swallowtail. If you are a butterfly expert, please correct me if I'm wrong.

This world constantly amazes me. If you open up your mind and start looking around with a different perspective, opportunities are boundless. Several years ago, when I dabbled in watercolor painting, an artist friend and I discussed how painters look at the world differently. We talked about how artists look at the sky and try to determine hues as well as color blends.

Artists also look at the world through a frame. Photographers, as well. Photoshopping has made framing corrections easier, but artists still view the world through frames. it's a different mindset.

Artists factor lighting into life. In photography, lighting is critical. Ansel Adams, one of my favorite photographers, would wait hours and hours for lighting conditions to change in order to capture dramatic nature shots. I have been working more on recognizing lighting in my photography.

There are many factors to consider in becoming a better photographer. The more I learn, the more frustrated I become. Most likely, I'll take at least a few more digital photography classes in the near future. Unless you practice and experiment daily with your camera, remembering how to adequately adjust settings is quite a task.

Okay, enough about that stuff...

Did you check out that Tower of Power video? Those guys really brought it. I just downloaded a John Mayer/Herbie Hancock song called Stitched Up. It's good!

As I've gotten more serious about training for the half-marathon, I've been downloading a lot of new music from iTunes. Any distraction from the one foot after the other grind of a long run. I've been loading more upbeat songs; more hip hop and funk. I'm still using my old iPod for running because it's more compact than the iTouch. Because it's only a 2gb however, I have to keep removing songs so I can replace them with newer stuff. I've been removing country/western songs. I like C & W, but I need more power for running!

I'm sure this is all very fascinating! Sorry, that's what's on my mind this morning. All of the above... and baseball.

The BoSox have been on a serious winning streak lately. You know I like that. The Sox continuing dominance over the Skanks has been marvelous! Beckett and Lester have come around, Ellsbury has come into his own and Jason Bay has shown to be more than an adequate replacement for the man-child. The Sox lead 4-1 over Philly as I write. Is another sweep is the works? (Update - No! I put the whammy on the Sox. Philly beat the pants off of the Sox today.)

Speaking of the Sox, The View From 312 Feet continues to be my favorite Red Sox blog. Author, Liz, never responds to comments (which is a bit annoying), but she has some amazing insight to Red Sox happenings on and off the field. Methinks that Liz may work for the Sox and that is why she does not reveal her true identity. Whatever the case, her inside view impresses and entices me to her website on a daily basis. Carry on, Liz...

Time to carry on. I was supposed to go for a 9 mile run this morning, but after a restless night, I postponed my trek. I will now have to run in afternoon heat instead. Running through the cottonwood bloom friday evening kicked the allergies into high gear. I'm trying to get that under control today as well. Ahh, how we punish ourselves!

Cheers. I wish a good week to you!

all material copyright 2005-09

Get U Funk Up!

2009-06-13T22:58:00.002-06:00

Just a little more TOP, no matter what time of day!

Baby Time

2009-06-13T12:15:00.001-06:00

Cat watching robin. Deer watching cat...

Another year...

all material copyright 2005-09

A Quiet Sunday

2009-06-07T11:22:00.005-06:00

I completed most of my crappy chores yesterday so I could relax today. Saturday, I cleaned the kitchen countertop, fed my daughter and three of her sleepover friends, cleaned the dining room table, cleaned the fish tank, went for a 5.5 mile run and took the recyclables to the recycle center. I also took the kids to the mall for a couple of hours. Yup, it was a Saturday. My wife attended a CE course for the day. That is why my day quickly got out of hand.

Today, I plan to watch the Sox on TBS while getting my miles in on the treadmill. This afternoon, the family unit will attend a graduation celebration for our friends' son. Like everyone says, kids grow up fast. My daughter graduates from eighth grade on Tuesday. It's off to high school this Fall. My son will start sixth grade next school year. Wow!

I'm so proud of my kids. Both are consistently straight A students (a B sneaks in once in a great while). For all the harping I lay on them, they really are great kids. They complete me.

I hadn't seen mama deer for a while. My daughter spotted her this morning across the street. I looked out the window and saw a fantastic photo op. I hope you enjoy the view as much as I did. If I could have locked the focus in on the deer a bit more , the shot would have really been special, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. I hope mama hides her youngster in my yard. It makes each June a bit better.

Well, the Sox moment has arrived. Have a great week!

Waiting For Baby

2009-06-02T07:41:00.001-06:00

Even though we removed much of the cover, mama deer returned to her favorite birthing spot.

all material copyright 2005-09

Uncle Jay Explains The News

2009-05-31T19:45:00.002-06:00

If you haven't watched Uncle Jay, check him out every Sunday night at

http://unclejayexplains.com/

The Smells of Early Summer

2009-05-31T12:49:00.007-06:00

Over the past few weeks, I've intensified my outdoor running regiment in preparation for the Missoula (Half) Marathon that I will run in July. Yes, I committed by turning in my registration. There's no turning back now. This will be my first half marathon.

I've increased my distances and have been somewhat following a training plan. Last week, I pulled off two 7 mile runs (it was a 3 day weekend) and ran an 8 miler this morning. Let me clarify one thing right now - I use the term "run" loosely. Normally, I run for as long as I can, then run/walk for the remainder of the session. It's kind of an interval training program.

Some days (usually non-work days) I feel good. Today, I ran a solid 4 before intervaling. Cool mornings provide the best running environment. Thankfully, the half marathon begins at 6 am. It's a bit early, but the coolness of a Montana morning combined with the motivation of running with others should provide enough pull to get me through. Sometimes, I have doubts, but overall, I'm starting to get excited about the race.

On to the Weekly Rich/Poor...

Rich: The Beatles - Love. Earlier this week, my musically inclined son mentioned the Beatles cd, Love. I went to Best Buy and picked it up, not really knowing much about it. I plugged it into the auto cd player on the way home and couldn't believe what I heard, the Beatles like never before. George Martin (one of the original Beatles producers) and his son, Niles, put together Love as a soundtrack for a Cirque Du Soleil production.

The cd contains a remixed and remastered collection of Beatles songs. If you like the Beatles, pick up the Love cd. The mixes and quality of the cd are incredible. I listened and felt that I discovered a whole new Beatles. The Martins stripped some songs down to just vocals and added dubs on other songs. I was truly blown away by this cd. Check it out. The next time I go to Vegas, I am definitely going to see the show.

Poor: Obama's middle of the roadishness. Yes, I knew that Mr. Obama was more middle of the road than people on the progressive side of the fence hoped, but he's becoming a bit too middle for my liking. Ultimately, the middle of the road is where politicians have to drive in order to accomplish anything, but people should live up to their words. Even Politicians.

Promises made should be promises kept, Mr. Obama. End the war in Iraq; create a better healthcare system for America; bring the Bush bastards to justice. Why is Dick Cheney running around the country sticking his middle finger in your face when he should be in prison? If he lived he Saudi Arabia, he would be beheaded and crucified. Okay, that's a bit extreme and I certainly don't condone the Saudi system of justice, but Cheney certainly should pay for his crimes.

Mr. Obama, the Republican Party has imploded, Don't loose sight of this fact. Live up to the promises that you made to the people that elected you.

Rich: The smells of early summer. Whether it's just while opening the door in the morning, running through town or just sitting next to an open door in the kitchen, the smells of summer have definitely filled me lately. I noticed it last week while driving through the neighborhood with the windows open; the scent of fresh-cut grass filtered in from one side while honeysuckle blooms filled me from the other side of the car. The smell of full-bloom Canadian red cherry fills the bedroom while the scent of wild rose rides the wind. I love the smells of summer. Nothing relaxes me more.

Then there are those running smells, which create quite an array of responses. As mentioned in an earlier entry, I run almost exclusively on one of Missoula's busiest streets, Reserve Street. I do so because I can easily measure mileage and there are lots of distractions. So back to those smells... Depending on how far I go, these are some of the smells that capture my thoughts while running Reserve; barbecued ribs (Famous Dave's), grilled burgers (Burger King, Wendy's), river water (crossing the Clark Fork River), cottonwood trees (on the path by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), diesel fumes (everywhere), decomposing deer (been there since last summer), my stinky self (no explanation needed), sprinkler water (love that one) and many others depending on the day.

I love this time of year.

Well, that's about it for this Sunday afternoon. Interestly, as I write these rich/poor columns, I lately find myself having a harder and harder time finding poor items. I guess that's a good problem to have, eh?

You have a great week. I hope you're enjoying life as much as I am these days. Take it when it comes...

all material copyright 2005-09

Springtime in the Rockies

2009-05-28T19:51:00.002-06:00

Baby season on the way.

A bad catitude!!

all material copyright 2005-09

If you saw ME in a police car what would you think I got arrested for??

2009-05-23T07:56:00.004-06:00

I received an email from a friend a few weeks ago. The email instructed me to answer the following question, then pass it along to other friends to see what kind of responses I would receive.

Here is the question, and the replies:

"If you saw ME in a police car what would you think I got arrested for??"

underage drinking... no, you've already done that....
Maybe indecent exposure for co-ed naked soccer??
I was going to say some sort of maddof pyramid insurance scheme, but that's not so funny these days.
I'd think the policeman was a dope because there’s no good reason to arrest you! : )
stealing beer from a bachelor party on a bicycle.
If you were in the front seat, i would just think you are riding around with some of your cop buddies trying to catch violators.
if you were in the back seat, i would think there must be some mistake in identity because "bill is innocent, he didnt do anything".!!! "You got the wrong guy".!!
Explaining the cause of fires in and around your neighborhood...
Slowing down traffic at Bloomsday!

Try it with your friends and see what you get back! I resent the email to more people and will add more responses as I get them.

Wow, the answers kind say a lot about who I am!

Hunting the Herd, Digitally

2009-05-17T19:30:00.005-06:00

When I hike the trail, I always hope to see the local elk herd. For the last year, I'd been shut out. That was not the case today.

As I hit the top of the ridge overlooking the next valley, I say about 25 head of elk sauntering up a field. I walked toward them. After another half a mile or so, I saw more elk. Then more and more...

All told, I'm guessing there were about 125-150 elk in the herd. Since I walked in from an upwind angle, I managed to get close enough to snap a few decent shots.

Once the herd spotted me, they started to move out. I didn't want to drive them too hard, so I turned around and headed back up the ridge.

Finally, I found them! As far as the location, I will never tell.

Living It Again

2009-05-17T15:11:00.008-06:00

Did you see the move "The Bucket List"? I watched it while flying back from Hawaii a few years ago. I really liked the movie. The concept was simple; make a list of everything you want to do before you die and get to work.

I went for a four mile run yesterday. While coming up the homestretch (the dreaded hill the the 'hood), I had a thought: Why not make a list of things that I wish I had done when I was young? It would be a bucket list of a different sort.

So here's my crack at it. Once you read my list, why not post a few of your own as comments?

Participate in team sports. Yes, I was small, but I could have found something that worked.

Be a better friend. Provide support in tough times.

Participate in school clubs.

Talk with my parents and listen to their advice. Ask for help during the tough times.

Study more and commit to "making the grade".

Say what is on my mind. Let people know how I feel.

Particiapte in community activities.

Play a musical instrument. Practice.

Mentor younger kids.

Be a better brother. Spend more time with my half-brother and half-sister. Many years separated us. I could have been a more positive force in their lives.

Of course, age brings wisdom, maturity and clarity. The picture becomes clearer as I get farther away. My life has been good overall, but I certainly could have moved in a more positive direction at an earlier age. Still, I have no regrets...

How about you?

Daniel Bard - Remember the Name

2009-05-11T06:48:00.003-06:00

The Sox brought up a kid from the minors Saturday night. His name is Daniel Bard. Just pay attention. You'll hear more about him as the season progresses.

The kid throws a 100 mph fastball, a change up and a slurve. Right now, he'll work from the pen. His minor league status is legendary. Stay tuned...

Sunday was quite a day for Boston sports. The Celtics beat the Magic, the Bruins whopped Carolina and the Sox pulled one out again the Rays. Nice.

New Year, Same View

2009-05-10T19:24:00.001-06:00

Lolo Peak

Wildflowers coming out

More flowers

One that didn't make it through winter...

Key iPod song...

Well I've been out walking

I don't do that much talking these days

These days-- These days I seem to think a lot

About the things that I forgot to do

For you

And all the times I had the chance to

And I had a lover

It's so hard to risk another these days

These days-- Now if I seem to be afraid

To live the life I have made in song

Well it's just that I've been losing so long

I'll keep on moving

Things are bound to be improving these days

These days--These days I sit on corner stones

And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend

Don't confront me with my failures

I had not forgotten them.

The Man-Ram Gets Caught

2009-05-07T21:51:00.000-06:00

Making the Rounds

2009-05-06T06:28:00.002-06:00

The information below is making the email rounds, but I thought I'd post it just in case you missed it. Oh, by the way, the Sox are 5-0 against the vaunted Yankees this season...

IDIOT SIGHTINGS:

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two..'

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

My daughter and I went through the McDonald 's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change..

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

IDIOT SIGHTING :

I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

From Kingman , KS .

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE :

My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceburg lettuce.

From Kansas City

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

Happened in Birmingham , Ala.

IDIOT SIGHTING :

The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING :

At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing.' Our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

IDIOT SIGHTING :

I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.

IDIOT SIGHTING

When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us... and the scary part is that they VOTE and they REPRODUCE!

all material copyright 2005-09

Ellsbury Steals Home!

2009-04-27T19:03:00.005-06:00

Not only did the Sox sweep the Skanks, but Jacoby Ellsbury stole home in last night's game. If you didn't see it live, watch it now.

I've watched a lot of baseball, but Ellsbury's steal was a sight to behold. Pulling it off against the (not so) mighty Yanks sweetened the cream that much more. Holy smokes, it was a thing of unmatched beauty!

Look at Petitte's reaction, then watch Terry Francona and Jacoby's faces in the dugout. Priceless...

all material copyright 2005-09