A Work In Progress...

Most of you know "that back in the day" I was a musician of sorts. For those who didn't... I'm a musician of sorts. Back then we played music of the time, the 80's. Guitar filled, loud and rambunctious speaking of girls and the things that should be done to them by swarmy musician type like we thought we were. Only in persona never by action. Oh sure, we had our mill of groupie types but not the mass following that we envisioned and certainly not the action associated with... in our feeble little minds. The more we played, the more fun we had. High school dance here high school dance there. We did play a bar once in the metropolis of Kadoka though and we trashed the one motel room we got at the only motel in town. Rock Stars...... yeah right.

As I embark on my 30th anniversary of my first guitar, I have picked it up again with the help of my younger brother John. The guitar is that instrument that everybody claims to know how to play. So when you say that you play most people pass this off mostly as a minor fib and chuckle because they really don't believe you. At my job, I have told some people that I do play with the same reaction stated before. A few of my co-workers have actually heard me play and are believers. I am in the process of teaching one of them the basics and have high hopes that she continues and thrives. Go Megen.

My brother and I have been learning some music with hopes of playing at an "open mic" someplace. Back in the day, we learned what was popular and simple so we could run around like rabid monkey's on stage like the musician's of the time did. Now a days, we are learning some music of today mixed with some of yesteryear that we never thought we could learn to play. The songs sounded too technical and we were just too lazy too learn to play. As an adult, it's not about the assgrabbing but about the joy of playing it. Our progress is slow going but moving forward. I will keep everybody informed when we plan to be ready and announce it. But until then, we practice at my apartment weekly. Much fun I'm having.

O' Canada....

Last night I went to our Hockey clubs match against the New Mexico Scorpions. Unfortunately, The Rush lost but none the less our guys played hard. Sure they play hard every night play. I was skeptical when it was announced that Rapid City was getting Professional Hockey. Well, with my skepticism gone I quite enjoy it. As you know, Rapid City couldn't get an Sexually Transmitted Disease and keep it with the record they have with Professional sports franchises. But that's another forum entirely.

It was after I got home and visited the club's website for stats on players did I realize something. 14 of the 19 player Rapid City has... hail from the Great White North... Canada. Why do you ask that I'm making a stink about it??? Well.. not so much a stink, more of a questionable observation. Why do we not have a flag with the big red maple leaf on it adorning our nice little rink? Just because these guys are playing here in the US doesn't mean that they aren't representing themselves and their country. Self loathing bigotry??? Probably not. An error on the Rush's mamagement.. Maybe. In all Fairness?? Ya goddamn right.

So.. next time you see an individual dressed in a suit with a name badge with RUSH above or below their name at a home game, ask them as to why we don't have a Canadian flag somewhere in the arena to show some respect to the guys whom entertain us with great hockey.

Hope It Works Out....

When it comes to semi professional and professional sports in the town that I reside in, Rapid City can't seem to keep one while it's here. First it was a CBA team called the Thrillers. After a couple of years... poof... no pro basketball. Then the tried with another Basketball team called the Black Hills Posse... Poof that was gone. Then Pro Arena Football in the Red Dogs... then suddenly the team owner scoots town in the middle of the night with all the revenue and money to that venture.

And now we have Pro Hockey in the Rapid City Rush. They are part of the Central Hockey League that competes against teams from Texas to Colorado and New Mexico to Mississippi. Granted, they aren't the NHL but it's pro Hockey. Any Hockey is good Hockey. So, in this venture I decided to jump on board and support this team thus becoming a fan of the team. I have the big red R stickered on my Xterra and I bought a Rush hat. This is as close to Pro hockey as this area will get. As an expansion team, we are under 500 for a record but who gives a shit. They play as hard as they can. Whether they win or lose I will remain a fan as long as they stick around. Go Rush!!!

Holy Moly....

When I was younger, the thought of paying for insurance on a service seemed like I was throwing money down the crapper. I still believe the car insurance people are the spawn of hell for what the cost are and no rebate of annual refund check for not having to file a claim. I understand that some of the money we individually pay offsets some of the costs for people who don't insure and crash into insured people. But in mind set that isn't fair to the thousands of drivers who never have to file a claim over many many years. But this post isn't about auto insurance..

Last year, reluctantly, I signed up for a vision insurance plan. I am supposed to wear glasses but never did because I didn't think I looked right in them. That was many years ago. Plus the fact that my daughters eyesight isn't perfect. Maybe I'd say a buck or two.

After not wearing my glasses for all those years I decided it was time to grow up and get an eye exam. My vision has stayed mostly the same over those years but I started squinting more and sometime that lead to mild headaches. I received my glasses today. Not a bad looking pair I might say so.

Back to my insurance story...

So, after consulting, after the fact, with some folks who opted out of getting the insurance I began to think of the logic behind it. Somebody told me that if you don't use the insurance, like the car insurance thing, you will be paying more than you would if you didn't have the insurance. So, i did the math with out the correct figures on exam costs, frames, lenses and any additional costs like scrtach-proof coating. My figures coincided correctly with the opinion of my friend. Needless to say I wanted to cancel my plan. But I didn't.

For the cost of the whole kitten kaboodle without insurance I would have paid $439.00. I nearly shit myself after seeing that figure. Speaking of that, I have a co-worker that opted out of the plan when my employer offered. She just spent well over $500.00 for her glasses and options.
Boy an I glad I kept the insurance. My total cost was $64.00. I did the math again. And you are goddamn right I saved. I understand that if you don't use the plan over an extended period, you are paying for nothing. Man... I'm glad. Now I just have to let my vision adjust to them.

I Can't Sleep....

I'm finding it difficult to sleep tonight. Tons of stuff running thru my head. I get this way every so often.

Thinking of somebody I used to know who really dumped on me. You think you know somebody and then wham. Well in the end... I really didn't ever care for her.

Thinking of my daughter and the road she is going to take. She tries hard and I hope she finds what she's looking for.

Thinking of people close to me.

Thinking of moving on with my life.

Hoping my car doesn't die on me.

Thinking at times that I could start over from scratch with one exception.

Thinking of my mother... she's not getting any younger.

Wishing that family loyalty still reigned supreme... but doesn't.

Wishing I could sleep tonight.....

I'm How Old????

Holy Shit!!!!!!! 42..... Holy Shit!!!!!!!!!

What Lies Ahead....

With the ringing in of the New Year, for most it was just another shitty Thursday with the exception of most having the day off from work (EXCEPT ME!!!). A new year signifies a moment of change and new directions. Most will perform their annual "resolutions" for the new year.

Let's talk "Resolutions"...

Okay. The biggie for the start of all new years is to lose weight. A noble concept and for some a reality. For the drubes who start on the first with a weight loss plan make it to whatever day ends on a Friday then the resolution turns to shit and viola... back to the shitty diet. And just because the name of the product has "Diet" in it doesn't mean you are on a diet. Unfortunately... I am one of those dumb asses. So in essence... today is Friday the 2nd, tonight you will most likely go have a carb filled beer or fruity cocktail concoction filled with sugar thus blowing your alleged diet out of the water.

So the moral of my little addage is. Don't change... we like you no matter how much hail damge you have to the humungous ass of yours.

Welcome 2009...

Hello 2009. I awoke today with a stiff neck and my left arm hurt.... This does not look very good.