KY pt 2

OK - more stuff...and some other cool things...



3 - Louisville Slugger Bats (lib size, luke size, my size)
1 - Cisco backpack
1 - book on customer service
1 - KY Derby Mint Julip Glass
1 - KY Derby BB Cap
1 - MS Keyboard
1 - Swiss-tech Key Tool

and for the other stuff...

Here is a pic of a piece (yes, piece - $5.95) of carrot cake that was served to us as dessert. It was literally the size of my head! I took this picture myself - no camera tricks...

I also get to spend some time at "The Downs" and at the "slugger's" (no, not my house...Louisville Slugger - geesh).

While at Churchill Downs, I took several pics. Following are pics that reflect certain thoughts, I was having at the time...

This pic is titled "self-portrait-concerned" - This refelcts my thoughts on the horses racing and possibly getting hurt...no, not really...it does, however, reflect my concern for gambling at the track (although I did win $60 at the casino)...no, you're right...not that either. I was actually making sure the camera would take a picture. ;)

This shot is titled "self-portrait - stoic" - This reflects my confidence in the gambling process at the track and how it makes life better for us all...no...right again. It actually reflects the esteem I gathered when I realized the camera actually took the first picture (above).

My last self-portrait, titled "self-portrait - U4ic (sound it out)" demonstrates a mirrored effect of what I am sure you are feeling at the present to not have to see anymore of these self-portrait shots. No, really...that's what it's for. ;) heheh

Now..on to bigger, better...well, more like something different. hahaha

At the downs, I was able to get in an all out private shin-dig (semi-private actually, there were about 200 people there - but we all knew each other) and here are some things I learned.

1. I am too big to be a jockey.

2. I am plenty strong enough though. Out of all the people who tried the jockey simulator to run a thoroughbred around the track for +/- 2 minutes, I was the ONLY one to complete it. I think it's because of my legs. I was sweating profusely...don't let anyone ever tell you that racing a horse is not hard! I have a whole new respect for those guys...You have to hold your butt 6-8 inches off the horse the whole time while using the reins.

3. Words of wisdom can be found anywhere you look, if you know what it looks like.

Here's a couple other pics from the downs...

Now - on to the Louisville Slugger Museum (and no, not all of this happened on the same day)...

First - I have to say that this place was really cool (I even got to go up to Mr. Hillerich's office to ask a question b/c no one else knew the answer - he's the owner, btw - plus I think I'm going to get some free bats to be able to donate to a charity as well...I just have to write him back). There was a baseball field set up in the museum, a theatre, a whole area that had the bats of past pro's and their exact weight, length etc. Very cool. (Ster, I tried to find yours but couldn't. ;) Heh heh...) I even got video of a 95MPH fastball coming at me...way fast!

These are pics of the inside ballpark:

Here's some pics of the museum (btw, the glove is HUGE - it's right beside a pepsi machine):

And finally, here are some pics of the (shhh!) factory tour...

Well, there you have it. I hope you have enjoyed your tour of northern KY. Oh, and did I mention that tomorrow the "Blue Angels" are going to be here? Whoops. I'll try to get pics with them too if we stay long enough. ;)

KY Freebies

OK - I have been here a day and I figured I'd show y'all some of the free stuff I've gotten so far...

Here's the list:

1 Custom Maker's Mark Glass with wax - (Maker's Mark)
1 MLB Baseball w/Maker's Mark wax - (Maker's Mark & Louisville Slugger)
1 Microsoft Leather bound Coffee Flask
2 Trend Micro Red Wristbands
1 Trend Micro Backpack
1 Trend Micro Rubber "Thing" holder
1 Quantum Leather Biz card wallet
2 wooden airplane models (TD)
1 New York Snowglobe (McAfee)
2 Flip out calculaters (ViewSonic)
2 Magnetic Clips (Oracle)
2 sunglasses holders for cars (APC)
1 512MB USB Flash Drive (Kngston)
2 Decks of playing cards (Kingston)
1 HP Tote Bag
1 Set of Titleist golf balls and tees (Xerox)
1 Horse keychain (GE)
1 Bottle opener keychain (ipSwitch)
1 LS TShirt (Corel)
1ea Full versions of Painter IX, Paint Shop ProX, Graphics Suite X3 (Corel)

That's it so far...

To KY...

Well, I'm going to KY today and am dressed down. I wore a T-shirt and shorts and the T-shirt I wore seems to be a hit around here. Everyone has commented on it. ;) So, I figured I'd take a pic and let y'all comment on it too. Why not?



PS - Thanks John.

summertime mx fun

Well, we had a blast yesterday. Some friends were up and we got out the bikes and rode in the backyard. ;) There are a couple of jumps, one about 12' and one about 3.5'. Very fun. There is actually a track outline in the yard at the moment, but it should go away when it rains. Anyway, I thought I'd share a couple of pics of me and Luke. Luke actually tried the smaller jump, but wrecked. He still thinks it's fun...that's good.

Ninja Parties With Pirates, Takes on ATF

Sometimes real life is better than fiction. Here is a case in point. I wish I would have made this up....I remember my Wesley Foundation days...good times...

From FOXNews.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

TACOMA, Wash. — Ninjas just can't seem to get a break from The Man.
At least when one's discovered running around at night on a college campus in black sweat pants with a couple of hankies on his head.

Jeremiah Ransom found this out the hard way when Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm agents detained him as a "suspicious individual" after they caught him, ninja gear and all, lurking around the University of Georgia campus, the Associated Press reports.
"It was surreal," Ransom said. "I was jogging from Wesley to Snelling (cafeteria) when I heard someone yell 'freeze.'"

But the feds soon found that Ransom wasn't a masked man hell-bent on mayhem — he was just a regular, law-abiding ninja who'd been hanging with some pirates at a campus event.
Ransom told the student newspaper he was on his way back from a Wesley Foundation pirate vs. ninja shindig when the was nabbed by gun-bearing agents, but was released soon after he was found to have violated no laws.

The agents thought something was fishy when they "noticed someone wearing a bandana across the face and acting in a somewhat suspicious manner, peeping around the corner" then breaking into a run, Vanessa McLemore, the ATF special agent in charge, said.

University Police Chief Jimmy Willamson said Ransom was wearing black sweat pants and an athletic T-shirt with one red bandanna covering the bottom half of his face and another covering the top of his head.

2 fer on Weds...

2fer on Weds...

That just doesn't have the same ring to it as 2 for tuesday - oh well. I missed yesterday, it was pretty hectic, so I will make up with my 2fers today. Here goes:

1 - For those of you that know abot my recent back injury. I think I'm fine. I'm not hurting enough to go to the doctor anymore.

2 - For those of you who don't know about the excrutiating pain I've been in, I'll tell you about it:

It all goes back to when I...~~~~~~(dream sequence)

happened to be at work one day and looked up from my computer. Eevrything seemed hazy. I felt a cool breeze embrace me which reminded me of summers on the farm when I was younger. I began hearing the rustle of leaves and smelling the fresh scents of springtime. To my delight, the sounds and smells were coming from within my office! I stood up and turned to see that my pictures had come to life. What joy! I couldn't believe my eyes. I decided to take a closer look and investigate this odd occurance further.


With closer evaluation, I noticed that indeed the trees were moving! Incredible! This had to be one of the most remarkable things I have ever witnessed. It was all coming alive. I decided to seize this opportunity and jump into the beautiful forest and soak in it's tranquil beauty. Luckily, I remembered to bring my camera along with me so that i would have proof of this adventure.

When coming into the forest, I almost stepped on the most beautiful flower I have seen. I was so excited, I took this picture up close. It turned out OK.

All of this excitement had me famished! I decided to go over to a small cafe I noticed out by a river. It was nestled just above the banks and allowed a sight that was virtually never-ending. You could see a tiny city on the other side of the river, which I made a mental note of to check out later.

At the cafe the waiter came up to me and spoke in an odd language, I couldn't quite figure it out. The harder I tried to understand him, the more it seemed very foreign. Finally I just stared at him and said "Bring me the house special." To my surprise, he smiled and nodded and seemed to know exactly what I said. And when he brought the food out I was somewhat excited, yet bewildered at the same time. Their house special consisted of Dr. Ahh! soda, 2 candy canes and 2 bags of BBQ peanuts. How odd. But I must admit, it was the best meal I had eaten and filled me up quite nicely.

I then asked for a newspaper so I could understand what may be going on in this odd land. And when my waiter handed it to me, I became very dizzy and puzzled. On the front cover of the paper was their newly elected president. This couldn't be right. Where was I? This question kept nagging at me. Why would a country elect this person. The face was so familiar, yet I couldn't put a name to it. For some reason, all I could think of was to call this person Ms. Wood. But I knew that wasn't the right name. After what seemed like hours reading about the new president and an odd news item about someone being sold counterfeit drywall, I asked the waiter who their new president was - the name was not mentioned at all in the paper. And then my jaw dropped as soon as he said the name. This couldn't be! Dolly Parton? I told him I'd be needing a 2nd Dr. Ahh! and to bring it right away.

The sun was starting to rise. I had been there all night and didn't even realize it. I decided to make my way over to the city on the other side of the river. Once there, an old building drew me near. How fascinating! I had suddenly had a slight time warp. I was now looking at a house that had been a hospital during the Revolutionary War. How odd. I walked around the house and studied it. I was very intrigued. I walked up to the house and of course it was locked. So, I bent down, eye-level with the keyhole and peeked in. Amazing! There were stacks of what seemed to be a type of styrofoam drywall. I had stumbled onto the counterfeit drywall manufacturing operation! I couldn't believe it! Of all the things possible to see and find, I found the motherload of illegal activity. I had just read the article and they had been trying to find this for years. I guess no one thought of coming across the river. Now I was engaged. I had to solve this mystery. I walked around the whole house. No one was there. I pushed on another, smaller door and it opened. Carefully, I peeked inside and to my relief, I was the only one inside. I started digging around for any kind of evidence I could find to help solve this case. In the corner of the floor, something caught my eye. I went over to investigate. I bent down and realized it was a piece of paper folded up. I unfolded it and looked at it. It had today's date on it! Whoever had this must have just left before I arrived. Upon closer inspection, it was an invoice. An invoice for Barnes & Noble. Why would a B&N invoice be here?

I heard the sound of cruching gravel and realized someone was coming. Quickly I ducked down toward the door I had entered. I peeked out and no one was there. I heard the door up front unlocking. This was it. I dove out the door and stumbled down the hill (this is where I hurt my back) and headed back across the river.

I saw the same waiter at the cafe that had served me the previous night. I asked how to get back to the forest I had come from and he gave directions and I could clearly understand them! Thanking him, I gave him the B&N invoice and told him what I had found. I had to get out of there. He was so happy. He immediately called the police. I left while he was talking on the phone about a reward. Soon, I was back in the forest, my back aching. I curled up in a little ball to relieve tension in my back and as soon as I did, i woke up...~~~~~~~(end of dream sequence)

That happened about a week ago and my back is just getting better. No, it had nothing to do with wrecking off of my new jump. ;)

l8r

Citizen's Rights...

There has been a lot of hoopla in the news recently about illegal immigrants and what should be done about them. Obviously they shouldn't be here illegally. Our country was founded on immigrants, so I do understand the logic of immigrants being here and living and working to make a better US. However, i do feel they should follow the same laws that everyone else does. They should pay taxes, they should become US citizens, they should speak English, etc. I don't see why these things are so hard for some people to understand. Immigrants who came here 50-200+ years ago did that, why have things changed?

Now people are protesting and marching...blahblahblah. If they are not US citizens, where do they get the right to protest - or even be acknowledged for that matter? Why does the media make such a big deal of it? If my family decides to up and move to another country (use Germany for example) to make a better life, we will be expected to learn/speak German, file for residency, pay taxes, etc. Why is the US different? What is it about the US that makes every person in the world (yes, every person) want to live here? And yet at the same time, people (mainly the mainstream media) are always saying that the US is hated everywhere in the globe. I think I know why and I'll share it with you...

in my book when it comes out. ;)

Force Field...???

OK - I HAD to post this! I don't care if you enjoy military stuff or not - you MUST watch this! A new technology ("trophy") developed by Isreal that is unbelievable. My theory is that it uses sound somehow to discharge the RPG - the only reason I'm saying that is b/c of Isreal's effective research with sound as a type of weapon. Totally a guess - maybe not even logical - I know.

Anyway - check it out. Let me know how you think it works.

Interesting tidbit...

Tomorrow at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.That won't ever happen again. Cool, huh?

In fact, at 12:34 on May 6, 2007 it will be: 12:34 5/6/7

What a great day...

First, I would agree with the dumbass statement moreso than the straight ass statement. Thanks Kelly for clearing that one up. Gees...John...you even ate here friday...hahahahahaha.

Anyway, to further illustrate Kelly's point, I got Lisa to video me jumping the dirt hill. But, just for y'all, it's not on my bike, but Luke's. :) Yes, I figured I would live up to my D.A./redneck reputation. And you know what...that little engine pulled me up that big hill and even gave me some air! Unbelievable...yes I know. Maybe if y'all start being nice to me...I'll put video up of me and the big bike. ;) Just note - this is a 6MB file.

What's cool is that Luke saw me riding and jumping and started threatening me that if I broke his bike I would have to get him a bigger KTM and that he would not accept a fixed honda. This was very amusing (he really wants an orange MX bike). Then he proceeded to get on his bike and start riding around (for about an hour). NOTE: 22MB file - High Speed only.

Another amusing thing is that our neighbors came over (who are very cool, btw) and asked if they could ride my bike (which I obliged) and they even told me I could use their yard to ride in too! Can you believe it? I really am getting an MX track developed around here. Archie used to ride MX and is all about it. He even told me to find him a good used bike and he would buy it and we'd go riding. That's funny, yet cool. Anyway he opened it up through our 3 yards (which I did too and it is awesome, I must say) and his wife was telling him not to jump (he has back problems). He didn't, but I think it was because he was on my bike - after he gets his, he'll jump with me. hahahaha.

All this after an awesome day hiking up in the Laurels (after a good drive with the top off the jeep). Here are some pics. I even got sunburnt today. Ouch!

Totally worth it. :)

l8r

The Jump...

So, first - yes I jumped the dirt... No, I am not a master of it. I broke part of my bike. The jump is about 12' high - you can tell by the size of the backhoe - plus the jump is kinda downhill. Anyway, I thought I'd show you some of the pictures. And I spoke with the digger yesterday after wrecking (and going to the shop and buying what I needed and coming back and fixed the bike) and told him how to improve the jump. He has now "table-topped"it and packed the landing area more. He spent about an hour on the jump alone yesterday. Very cool.

Enjoy the pics...I will get more - it's raining right now so I can't go jump. Plus John and Beth are here and we are starting to eat... ;)


















broken perch



















fixed perch

















the jump


















take-off


















landing....

The Ground has been broken...

1st - go here for all the updates.

2nd - I'm so freakin excited about #1. I'm not so much excited about the house as I am about the dirt that is being dug up and placed strategically in the yard. YES! I will get pics if they're not up at the updated site. I am going to have a little MX track in the yard. So freakin cool. Jumps and all. I don't even think I'm going to relandscape the yard when it's finished either. ;)

Tuesday's 2's

1. Thanks to Steve, I am recommending this movie. ;)
2. One must also accept that one has 'uncreative' moments. The more honestly one can accept that, the quicker these moments will pass. -Etty Hillesum

As for that quote, I do not have a story finished yet that I said I would have done. So, there - I haven't thought of anything funny or creative. Now, I've said it, I'm cool with it...so let the creative times now roll...hahahaha.

Racin' The Way It Ought'a Be... BMS

Well, I just got done with the races at BMS, and I figured I'd fill you all in. ;) Nice of me, I know. So, without further ado, here's how my day went.

First off, I am sick - bad sinus infection. Why go to the race?, you wonder? Didn't it snow there yesterday? Isn't it really cold outside there? The simple answer to your questions is yes. However, since a Nextel Cup race at Bristol is the hardest sporting event to get tickets to and it is the largest sporting arena in the country, how can one say no? Especially when the ticket is free and it is a free suite ticket at that. Yes, suite. Free food, free drinks, free scanners, heat, comfy rocker chairs, glass all around to see the track, private restrooms, etc. You get the picture. Oh yeah, plus I got a track pass and met Robby Gordon. Good times. And if you're wondering (as I was), it usually costs people around $500 a race to be in a suite. Granted you really can't buy a suite ticket - most of them are owned by companies, but one is available for people who want a suite package for $1900 a ticket (but that allows you to get into a suite for all 4 races in a year).


Anyway, When we got there we parked right in front of the track (very nice, not the usual walking 2 miles...) went straight in (no line) and got our 1st of 2 wrist bands. Then we took the elevator up to our suite and recieved the 2nd of 2 wrist bands.

After hanging out up there for a bit and eating a snack or two, Robby Gordon (#7) came by the suite and said hey, signed some things, took some pics and chatted for a bit. Then we were off to the track before the race started. We got down there a little late, but seeing as I have my law enforcement connections, they all knew me and let us on in. Great guys. As we made our way around the pits, I got some pics of the cars, Kenny Wallace doing his thing for the Speed network (speedvision/speedtv) and watched them measure out some cars to make sure the vehicles passed muster. This one happened to be Robby Gordon's. Who, btw, happens to be one of the greatest racers of all time. He is one of the very few who has raced Nascar, open-wheel, Baja, etc..you name it. Very talented. - I think he's even done the Dakar...I'll find out.

After going around the pits, we made our way back up to the suite. Food and drink were aplenty and waiting. So I divulged. I watched the opening ceremonies and an old nascar drive around the track and then it was onto the race. Diamond Rio sang, F18's flew overhead, the guys started their engines...and they were off.

Well, in the first few laps, tires were blown, people had to pit. There were quite a few yellows and even one red flag. One thing I have learned - this is an awesome sport. What cinches it for me is when you can watch the race and listen to the drivers and spotters and crew, and even the officials, on the scanners. Man, it brings a whole other dimension to this sport. There is a lot that goes on that I didn't even realize. And some of those people really have some mouths on them...hahaha. And, some of those people really don't like some of those other people. Hahahaha. I listened to Kasey Mears, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Gordon, the Busch's, Kevein Harvick, Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth - yep, those are who I listened to for most of the race. I wish I had it recorded! This makes the race 20x more fun. Especially when you see someone like Jeff Gordon spin out someone like Martin Truex Jr., and listen to ol' #1 talk and know he's mad and to watch him get back out on the track and know what he's about to do (or attempt to in this case - until Tony Stewart comes in and screws everything up) and anticipate it. Of course in the end #24 got what was coming to him all day long, by none other than #17 Kenseth. And watching Gordon go after him after the race was fun too.

Bristol...wow. Even if you don't like Nascar, this one is a MUST SEE.

After the race, we watched the top few drivers interviewed and then went down to the vehicles and sat in them a while until we could leave. That was the only downside I could find...we were so close to the entrance, that it took a while for the traffic to clear out. Oh well, it was worth it! You really need to do this sometime.

Here are some more pics you may enjoy. :)

Missed tuesday

Alrighty, i missed yesterday's 2fer b/c the fam came home from FLA and they're more fun to spend time with than coming up with 2 things. That being said, i am willing to do some make-up work.

I am accepting one-liners or short statements, that you would like to see a story about. Give your inputs and I will pick one, or two - heck, I may even combine them all and write a story to be published on the blog (probably on next Tuesday or Weds.).

'nuff said.

Un-Pimp Your Ride

By far the funniet stuff I've seen in a while. Almost makes you want to buy a VW (Vee-dub).

;)

There are 3 commercials (so far) - look for them coming soon to a TV near you. Or you can watch them all now, click the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I0WfnhVs2s&search=volkswagen%20Un-pimp%20unpimp%20Your%20Ride

Three for Thursday

Well, I didn’t get a chance to post my 2 for Tuesday – so I’m making up with it by doing a 3 for Thursday. ;)

1 – I am sure you are all familiar with GoogleEarth. This is one of the coolest programs ever and a lot of fun to play with. If you’re not familiar with GoogleEarth, which has been out a long time, then you must be from the moon or Mars. In either case, there is also now GoogleMoon and GoogleMars. You can do the same thing with them as with GoogleEarth, only right now they are web versions. My favorite is GoogleMoon – if you zoom in close enough, you see the actual texture of the moon. People have been right about it for centuries.

2 – I couldn’t blog Tuesday because I was at Microsoft HQ in Redmond. This was the first time I had ever been to the campus headquarters and I can’t even describe how big it is except to say that in Redmond, there are 30,000 workers on over 8 Million square feet - and this link shows only part of it. I know some of you reading this are familiar with Eastman Chemical’s HQ, or Boeing’s HQ or other large companies similar. Well, to me Microsoft was vastly different. First it is not separated out from the city like most other large HQ’s. It is the city, intermingled with other businesses (like Intel and Nintendo) and shops and shopping malls, restaurants, etc. When we got off the interstate we turned right and pulled into the first Microsoft complex which had buildings 1-4 I think it was. Well, our meeting was in building 121. Yes, and these are not small buildings. It took us all of 30 minutes just to find our building. We drove all over Redmond trying to find it – and thank goodness we did. We wound up being 5 minutes early. Close. Oh yeah, MSN has it's own buildings and so does XBOX. Everyone was driving around in these white Toyota Prius Hybrid cars...something is in the works for that...I just know it... ;)

3 – I know I’ve said it before, but I love Switchfoot. A long plane ride means listening to a lot of stuff or reading a lot (which I’m finishing a biography on George Washington that is pretty good, too.). Well, for whatever reason, I had my nano on shuffle play and since I have all of their albums on there, they come up a lot. Finally I just started listening to them exclusively. If you haven’t heard their new album, it’s really good. Their lyrics are very insightful. I’m going to think about it a little more today, but I am strongly considering starting the process to bring them here in concert. I think people would come. Although, San Diego is a long way away. Hah.

No pics, nothing funny – just the facts. ;)