Hola, and Happy Holidays here from snowy South Carolina. Yes, we actually had a white Christmas, the first I’ve ever seen here. The last one was a few months after I was born, but I didn’t live in this part of the state then, and wouldn’t have remembered it anyhow.
I, like probably some of you, am a fan of the Discovery - TLC series American Chopper. The show first aired back in the early 2000’s, featuring a father and son team that built custom choppers. Various theme bikes have often been the subject of the show. The combined talents of Paul Tuetul Sr. and Paul Jr. made them famous in the motorcycle industry, and Discovery Channel made them famous worldwide. Both father and son have histories of substance abuse in their past, but overcame their problems to build a very successful motorcycle business in Orange County, New York, which is about 60 or so miles upstate from New York City. The show was originally based on showing how custom motorcycles, literally works of art are fabricated basically from scratch. Another factor soon overwhelmed the technical aspect of the show. The Tuetul family squabbles and fusses among themselves, often heatedly, and sometimes treats the audience, as well as other shop employees to the spectacle of father and son smashing furniture, doors, windows, etc. in their moments of anger. What started out being a typical reality series about motorcycle fabrication quickly became a real drama series, a reality soap opera if you will.
A couple of years, Paul Sr. fired Paul Jr., and ended up suing his son for a variety of reasons involving ownership issues of the company, which is called Orange County Choppers. Paul Jr. struck out on his own, starting up a company called Paul Jr. Designs, and he now builds choppers practically next door to OCC’s original shop.
The former father and son team have not spoken to each other in about 2 years, at least as of the latest episode. For those of you who have watched the show, you probably have your own opinions about the issues that the family faces. I will share with you my opinion about the family fight. I feel that though Paul Jr. has often acted as a bit of a diva on the show, his design prowess is what put OCC on the map. Paul Sr. certainly had a lot to do with the company’s success, and is a fairly good designer himself. Since Sr. and Jr. parted company, Paul Sr. has actively tried to sabotage his son’s budding business. Paul Sr. has talked to various vendors of motorcycle parts and apparently has attempted to bully them into avoiding doing business with his son. Paul Sr. keeps playing the part of the victim, but it is lately becoming disturbing to me to see the lengths a father will go to in order to see his son fail.
Are the Tuetuls unique? Not really. Probably just about everyone who bothers to read this has experienced disagreements in their own families. I know my family has had it’s share, though for the most part, my immediate family is rather close knit, and I’m very lucky in that way. My father and me have certainly had our share of disagreements, but we managed to get over it, or at least I have. My father is now on the other side of 85, and he needs more and more assistance from his children, no matter how independent minded he is. With the recent loss of my mother, my brothers and sister worry about our dad a lot these days. Regardless of any past disagreements, I hope that my dad and I never stop speaking to each other. I can’t imagine not speaking to my father for months, or even weeks, and then hearing that he had passed away before I could talk to him. Life is just too fleeting to hold a grudge, especially with a family member.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. could probably relate to this sort of thinking. He and his father often argued and disagreed when Jr. was a teenager, and there is no doubt that Dale Earnhardt could be a difficult man to deal with at times. Fortunately, before Dale passed away in 2001, Jr. and Sr. seemed to be getting along better than they ever had. That peace of mind must mean a lot for Dale Jr. Had he and his father been on the outs as of February 18, 2001, Jr.’s father’s death would have been even harder for him to deal with.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New NASCAR Year
I hope all of you had a good Christmas. I'm not wishing you happy holidays, because it was Christmas, darn it.
Here's to a good 2011 season, and hoping that your favorite driver, no matter how lame he is, wins. I hope we make a few new year resolutions soon, and my resolution list says:
1. I resolve to write more often.
2. I resolve to write even oftener.
Does this make sense? I will do my best. The 2011 season is just around the corner, and I'm guessing it's going to be great. During my time off, I've written some great stuff, and I hope to put some of it on here soon.
Take Care!
Here's to a good 2011 season, and hoping that your favorite driver, no matter how lame he is, wins. I hope we make a few new year resolutions soon, and my resolution list says:
1. I resolve to write more often.
2. I resolve to write even oftener.
Does this make sense? I will do my best. The 2011 season is just around the corner, and I'm guessing it's going to be great. During my time off, I've written some great stuff, and I hope to put some of it on here soon.
Take Care!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sorry For Not Posting More
My mother just passed away after a long and difficult illness, and that's the main reason I haven't been around for a while. I hope to be back soon, and in fine form.
I've got quite a bit of analysis about the NASCAR season that I'll get to later.
I hope each and every one of you who reads this will check back in with me later, probably after Homestead.
Thank you,
Jimmy C
I've got quite a bit of analysis about the NASCAR season that I'll get to later.
I hope each and every one of you who reads this will check back in with me later, probably after Homestead.
Thank you,
Jimmy C
Monday, October 11, 2010
Things That Make Me Say 'Huh."
There is a show called LA Ink on the TLC channel, which I’ve had the chance to see on and off over the last couple of years. It’s about a lady named Cat, who does tattoos professionally. I didn’t know this, but apparently, the latest thing is to get a tattoo on your throat, at least in LA. Letting someone stick a needle in your throat, marring your skin for life, is apparently the ‘in’ thing now. At least in LA.
Now, I suppose I’m pretty backward. I don’t even suppose that anymore, I know it. It’s not just because I live in SC, which, in this case, doesn’t stand for ‘Southern California,’ but because in my case it means ‘South Carolina.’
I’m not much embarrassed about it. Even here, in the belt buckle of Baptism, people get tattoos. I don’t really mind. I think that most of the people that do get tattoos are idiots, and will one day be sorry they got them, but I don’t mind.
Back when I was young enough to be impressionable enough to even think about getting a tattoo, the only people I ever saw with them were old Navy veterans who had basically an ink spot on their forearm or shoulder, and by the time I saw them, it was pretty hard to figure out exactly what they were. It wasn’t until lately that I really associated tattoos with what they now are: A part of youth culture.
Unfortunately, I see more and more people my age or older getting tattoos now, and to me, that’s more than a little sad.
Clint Bowyer got penalized 150 points by NASCAR for basically having the back of his car jacked up by a track wrecker when he ran out of gas and was being pushed into victory lane. That kind of stuff makes me scratch my head.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. seems to be stuck in some time-space continuum, from which he cannot escape, running almost as badly as the guys with no real sponsors. Heck, sometimes he even runs worse than some of them. That makes me wonder.
I know that Bobby Labonte will be released from his present position, which means running laps and finishing 37th or so every week, and will be running in the 47 car next year. That seems like a decent step up for the 2000 champion, but I’m wondering how Marcos Ambrose will fare at Richard Petty Motorsports next year. Hmmmm.
Kasey Kahne will be driving a Toyota next year, I suppose, for Red Bull. Kasey might be setting a record for the most brands driven in the shortest amount of time by a Cup driver. Kasey Kahne started out in a Dodge, is now driving a Ford, and supposedly will be driving a Chevrolet in 2012, after driving a Toyota in 2011. That dude gets around, that’s for sure, and it’s really no fault of his own. Technically, he’ll only be quitting one job and taking another, but things in NASCAR are strange sometimes.
Martin Truex Jr. left the #1 Chevy at Earnhardt-Ganassi last year, and so far has no wins in his new ride in the #56 Toyota with Michael Waltrip Racing. Jamie McMurray, who replaced Martin in the #1, has won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis this year. I like Martin Truex a lot, but wonder how he’s feeling about that deal right now.
Do woodchucks really chuck wood, as depicted on the Geico commercials? Hmmm. I don’t think we have any woodchucks here in SC, which, of course, stands for South Carolina, not Southern California Tattoo Country. Since that is the case, I think I will wait until some furry varmint chucks wood at me before I chuck it back at him.
Does this Chase for the Cup seem more interesting than usual? Like, uh, let’s say, maybe it’s because a guy named Johnson hasn’t come along to dominate all of a sudden? I don’t dislike Jimmie Johnson by any means, but four in a row is becoming kind of boring. Let’s see someone new win it for the first time and be genuinely excited about it for a change.
Is it normal for a cat to like hot dog wieners? I have a cat who loves them. He’s even stolen one from me when I wasn’t looking. He likes steak too, which was not such a surprise to me. I know he doesn’t need to eat like this all the time, but I figure a treat once in a while is OK. Does that make me a terrible person?
Does anyone think that Rachael Ray is overextending herself? She’s seems a little scatterbrained on 30 Minute Meals lately. She also seems to be losing her voice at times. I like her a lot, but wonder if becoming the next Oprah isn’t taking it’s toll on her.
I’ve got too much time on my hands, I think. How about you?
Now, I suppose I’m pretty backward. I don’t even suppose that anymore, I know it. It’s not just because I live in SC, which, in this case, doesn’t stand for ‘Southern California,’ but because in my case it means ‘South Carolina.’
I’m not much embarrassed about it. Even here, in the belt buckle of Baptism, people get tattoos. I don’t really mind. I think that most of the people that do get tattoos are idiots, and will one day be sorry they got them, but I don’t mind.
Back when I was young enough to be impressionable enough to even think about getting a tattoo, the only people I ever saw with them were old Navy veterans who had basically an ink spot on their forearm or shoulder, and by the time I saw them, it was pretty hard to figure out exactly what they were. It wasn’t until lately that I really associated tattoos with what they now are: A part of youth culture.
Unfortunately, I see more and more people my age or older getting tattoos now, and to me, that’s more than a little sad.
Clint Bowyer got penalized 150 points by NASCAR for basically having the back of his car jacked up by a track wrecker when he ran out of gas and was being pushed into victory lane. That kind of stuff makes me scratch my head.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. seems to be stuck in some time-space continuum, from which he cannot escape, running almost as badly as the guys with no real sponsors. Heck, sometimes he even runs worse than some of them. That makes me wonder.
I know that Bobby Labonte will be released from his present position, which means running laps and finishing 37th or so every week, and will be running in the 47 car next year. That seems like a decent step up for the 2000 champion, but I’m wondering how Marcos Ambrose will fare at Richard Petty Motorsports next year. Hmmmm.
Kasey Kahne will be driving a Toyota next year, I suppose, for Red Bull. Kasey might be setting a record for the most brands driven in the shortest amount of time by a Cup driver. Kasey Kahne started out in a Dodge, is now driving a Ford, and supposedly will be driving a Chevrolet in 2012, after driving a Toyota in 2011. That dude gets around, that’s for sure, and it’s really no fault of his own. Technically, he’ll only be quitting one job and taking another, but things in NASCAR are strange sometimes.
Martin Truex Jr. left the #1 Chevy at Earnhardt-Ganassi last year, and so far has no wins in his new ride in the #56 Toyota with Michael Waltrip Racing. Jamie McMurray, who replaced Martin in the #1, has won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis this year. I like Martin Truex a lot, but wonder how he’s feeling about that deal right now.
Do woodchucks really chuck wood, as depicted on the Geico commercials? Hmmm. I don’t think we have any woodchucks here in SC, which, of course, stands for South Carolina, not Southern California Tattoo Country. Since that is the case, I think I will wait until some furry varmint chucks wood at me before I chuck it back at him.
Does this Chase for the Cup seem more interesting than usual? Like, uh, let’s say, maybe it’s because a guy named Johnson hasn’t come along to dominate all of a sudden? I don’t dislike Jimmie Johnson by any means, but four in a row is becoming kind of boring. Let’s see someone new win it for the first time and be genuinely excited about it for a change.
Is it normal for a cat to like hot dog wieners? I have a cat who loves them. He’s even stolen one from me when I wasn’t looking. He likes steak too, which was not such a surprise to me. I know he doesn’t need to eat like this all the time, but I figure a treat once in a while is OK. Does that make me a terrible person?
Does anyone think that Rachael Ray is overextending herself? She’s seems a little scatterbrained on 30 Minute Meals lately. She also seems to be losing her voice at times. I like her a lot, but wonder if becoming the next Oprah isn’t taking it’s toll on her.
I’ve got too much time on my hands, I think. How about you?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Things I've Noticed
I’ve been around for a while There’s actually quite a few things I’ve noticed. Bear with me here, please.
I’ve noticed that old men who do play by play for college football are sometimes bleeding idiots. Not specifically, but generally. But that’s just me.
I’ve noticed that NASCAR seems to have bent over backward to allow dirty play back into the mix as far as winning championships go. I Also just noticed that my chances of getting hired by NASCAR are about zero.
I’ve noticed that Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans are not respected very much. I think that’s a shame. I’m a Dale Jr. fan, but I’m also a Smoke fan and a Happy fan. I assume that I’m still disrespected, but I’ve only got one thing to say to you haters. Hammer You. Thank you. I feel much better now.
I notice that most people in the reporting business don’t take NASCAR very seriously. But, seriously, how can one run at 200 MPH and throw the races, like most of the geniuses seem to think they do. Does NASCAR have a master OFF switch that just cuts off a car that’s getting too competitive? Strangely enough, some people will believe that. Maybe I have some ocean front property in Oklahoma to sell them too. Call me. We’ll do lunch and talk about it. Just imagine it. You could be the first on the beach in Elk City. Wouldn’t that be a kick!
Is it possible for people from certain parts of the North East to pronounce the letter “H?” There’s a very good guy on the radio down here who pronounces words such as “Huge” as “Uge.” I know it’s a regional thing, but it still bothers me. God put 26 letters in the alphabet, so let’s use them, please! I don’t want Sesame Street to be telling me that “H” is feeling left out. That would probably make me cry. You don’t want to see me cry. It would be ugly and humiliating. Or maybe, Umilitating.
Is it possible for a guy named Brent, who’s been on ESPN for way too long, to quit calling the color guy “Herbie?” Even I, sitting here at home feel embarrassed for this guy. If you listen to ESPN or even other guys on the radio or TV, you’ve probably heard of him.
I notice that “Herbie’s voice gets shrill when he’s passionate about something. Like when Auburn makes a mistake. As I write this, I’m watching Auburn play Clemson. So far, the score is 17-3, in favor of the Clemson Tigers. So far, some Tigers are more equal to others.
I’ve noticed that most of the Kyle Busch Fans hate Dale Earnhardt Jr.. Huh. I’m a genius, aren’t I? Probably the reverse is true as well, but I’ve not met many true Kyle Busch fans. I’m not saying that there aren’t any, I just haven’t met many.
On that note, I’ve also noticed that lately, the media types have been referring to Kyle Busch as the bad boy of NASCAR, but it seems to me that Carl Edwards has been involved in far more incidents lately. Mostly with Brad Keselowski, which are the most popular incidents, but also with Denny Hamlin as well, which happened most recently in Sunday’s New Hampshire race. Speaking of New Hampshire, I can remember lying on the couch with my soon to be step daughter, who was about five years old at the time, watching a New Hampshire race. She kept saying “New Hamster“, I thought it was pretty cute, so I didn’t correct her. Later, I found out that she had been quizzed at school, writing the names of the states down in their proper places. I saw the big red X beside the word scrawled just above Massachusetts. It said “New Hamster.” Had I not had so much confidence in myself, I might have felt a little embarrassed. I thought it was actually pretty funny, until I made the mistake of relating the story of “New Hamster” to her mother, who was by then my wife. For some reason, she didn’t think that was so funny. I was then properly embarrassed. Actually, it would be pretty cool to have a state named for some little furry animal, I think. Maybe “New Poodle?”
I’ve noticed that Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a fourth place finish in Sunday’s New Hamster, I mean Hampshire race. I hope he can keep up that kind of performance for the next nine races. It’s way better than 30 something, 3 or 5 laps down. I’ve got some more things to say about Dale Earnhardt Jr., but I’ll wait until a future column to say them.
I’ve noticed that the South Carolina Highway Patrol has some officers assigned to this general area who seem to have way too much time on their hands. I was recently in a convenience store on state Highway 81, which is a fairly major road leading from Anderson, South Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina. I was working on a computer problem for the owners of the store, and when I walked in at 10:00 AM, there was a trooper sitting at one of the tables eating donuts and drinking coffee while he read the newspaper. I left the store at 1:30, and the trooper hadn’t moved, except to buy more donuts and coffee. I work for myself, but even by my standards, that was a long coffee break, or lunch break or whatever it was. I’ve also noticed that there are often as many as four or even five State Troopers on a certain stretch of Highway 81, often all within a 5 mile stretch. I know, because I’ve asked, that there are no such things such as ticket quotas for these officers, but I was once told there are such things as “performance standards.” Why one certain stretch of a state highway holds so much interest for these officers is rather mystifying to me, except for the fact that the speed limit changes quite a bit over this particular part of the highway. I suppose it’s better to catch mom and pop in the family Buick doing 7 mph over the speed limit, than to catch possible drug smugglers out on Interstate 85, which is very nearby, and possibly take a bullet in the chest or head. I’m not brave enough to do what they do, so I suppose catching speeders on Highway 81 makes sense when you think about it that way. Whatever it is, it’s our tax dollars at work. If you think I live in Hazard County, from the old Dukes Of Hazard show, you’d be just about right, I suppose.
I notice that even though it’s more than half way through September, it’s still hot here in the South. I’ve lived here for 47 years, so you would assume that I’m used to it. I don’t think I am. Right now, I’d rather be in Minnesota, preferably in the northern part, on a lake, fishing for northern, or muskies or something. It would probably be cool during the day, and pretty darned cold at night. I would consider that good weather to sleep in. Eventually, we’ll have our winter here even in the South, and we’ll probably have our ice storms, and occasional snow storms even. Then I’ll be complaining about the cold. I’ve noticed that I’ve done that before.
I’ll probably do it again too.
I’ve noticed that old men who do play by play for college football are sometimes bleeding idiots. Not specifically, but generally. But that’s just me.
I’ve noticed that NASCAR seems to have bent over backward to allow dirty play back into the mix as far as winning championships go. I Also just noticed that my chances of getting hired by NASCAR are about zero.
I’ve noticed that Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans are not respected very much. I think that’s a shame. I’m a Dale Jr. fan, but I’m also a Smoke fan and a Happy fan. I assume that I’m still disrespected, but I’ve only got one thing to say to you haters. Hammer You. Thank you. I feel much better now.
I notice that most people in the reporting business don’t take NASCAR very seriously. But, seriously, how can one run at 200 MPH and throw the races, like most of the geniuses seem to think they do. Does NASCAR have a master OFF switch that just cuts off a car that’s getting too competitive? Strangely enough, some people will believe that. Maybe I have some ocean front property in Oklahoma to sell them too. Call me. We’ll do lunch and talk about it. Just imagine it. You could be the first on the beach in Elk City. Wouldn’t that be a kick!
Is it possible for people from certain parts of the North East to pronounce the letter “H?” There’s a very good guy on the radio down here who pronounces words such as “Huge” as “Uge.” I know it’s a regional thing, but it still bothers me. God put 26 letters in the alphabet, so let’s use them, please! I don’t want Sesame Street to be telling me that “H” is feeling left out. That would probably make me cry. You don’t want to see me cry. It would be ugly and humiliating. Or maybe, Umilitating.
Is it possible for a guy named Brent, who’s been on ESPN for way too long, to quit calling the color guy “Herbie?” Even I, sitting here at home feel embarrassed for this guy. If you listen to ESPN or even other guys on the radio or TV, you’ve probably heard of him.
I notice that “Herbie’s voice gets shrill when he’s passionate about something. Like when Auburn makes a mistake. As I write this, I’m watching Auburn play Clemson. So far, the score is 17-3, in favor of the Clemson Tigers. So far, some Tigers are more equal to others.
I’ve noticed that most of the Kyle Busch Fans hate Dale Earnhardt Jr.. Huh. I’m a genius, aren’t I? Probably the reverse is true as well, but I’ve not met many true Kyle Busch fans. I’m not saying that there aren’t any, I just haven’t met many.
On that note, I’ve also noticed that lately, the media types have been referring to Kyle Busch as the bad boy of NASCAR, but it seems to me that Carl Edwards has been involved in far more incidents lately. Mostly with Brad Keselowski, which are the most popular incidents, but also with Denny Hamlin as well, which happened most recently in Sunday’s New Hampshire race. Speaking of New Hampshire, I can remember lying on the couch with my soon to be step daughter, who was about five years old at the time, watching a New Hampshire race. She kept saying “New Hamster“, I thought it was pretty cute, so I didn’t correct her. Later, I found out that she had been quizzed at school, writing the names of the states down in their proper places. I saw the big red X beside the word scrawled just above Massachusetts. It said “New Hamster.” Had I not had so much confidence in myself, I might have felt a little embarrassed. I thought it was actually pretty funny, until I made the mistake of relating the story of “New Hamster” to her mother, who was by then my wife. For some reason, she didn’t think that was so funny. I was then properly embarrassed. Actually, it would be pretty cool to have a state named for some little furry animal, I think. Maybe “New Poodle?”
I’ve noticed that Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a fourth place finish in Sunday’s New Hamster, I mean Hampshire race. I hope he can keep up that kind of performance for the next nine races. It’s way better than 30 something, 3 or 5 laps down. I’ve got some more things to say about Dale Earnhardt Jr., but I’ll wait until a future column to say them.
I’ve noticed that the South Carolina Highway Patrol has some officers assigned to this general area who seem to have way too much time on their hands. I was recently in a convenience store on state Highway 81, which is a fairly major road leading from Anderson, South Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina. I was working on a computer problem for the owners of the store, and when I walked in at 10:00 AM, there was a trooper sitting at one of the tables eating donuts and drinking coffee while he read the newspaper. I left the store at 1:30, and the trooper hadn’t moved, except to buy more donuts and coffee. I work for myself, but even by my standards, that was a long coffee break, or lunch break or whatever it was. I’ve also noticed that there are often as many as four or even five State Troopers on a certain stretch of Highway 81, often all within a 5 mile stretch. I know, because I’ve asked, that there are no such things such as ticket quotas for these officers, but I was once told there are such things as “performance standards.” Why one certain stretch of a state highway holds so much interest for these officers is rather mystifying to me, except for the fact that the speed limit changes quite a bit over this particular part of the highway. I suppose it’s better to catch mom and pop in the family Buick doing 7 mph over the speed limit, than to catch possible drug smugglers out on Interstate 85, which is very nearby, and possibly take a bullet in the chest or head. I’m not brave enough to do what they do, so I suppose catching speeders on Highway 81 makes sense when you think about it that way. Whatever it is, it’s our tax dollars at work. If you think I live in Hazard County, from the old Dukes Of Hazard show, you’d be just about right, I suppose.
I notice that even though it’s more than half way through September, it’s still hot here in the South. I’ve lived here for 47 years, so you would assume that I’m used to it. I don’t think I am. Right now, I’d rather be in Minnesota, preferably in the northern part, on a lake, fishing for northern, or muskies or something. It would probably be cool during the day, and pretty darned cold at night. I would consider that good weather to sleep in. Eventually, we’ll have our winter here even in the South, and we’ll probably have our ice storms, and occasional snow storms even. Then I’ll be complaining about the cold. I’ve noticed that I’ve done that before.
I’ll probably do it again too.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A Few New Pet Peeves
I know, I should shut up about this, but I just can’t. This is my site, so I guess I can get away with it this time.
What is it about people, of all ages, apparently, with the tattoo thing? When I was a kid, the only people I ever saw with tattoos were old Navy veterans, and they had something on their arms that might have been a portrait of their mom, or maybe a portrait of Waylon Jennings when he was smoking a lot of dope. We couldn’t really tell, to tell you the truth.
Now, it seems like everyone under the age of 35 has got to have a tat of some kind or other, and a lot of people my age, or even older have jumped onto this bandwagon. I guess I’m just a little bit too old school for this entire deal. I wouldn’t get a tattoo, any more than I’d get my ear pierced. I’m watching a show on TV about tattoos. Most of the people here are getting them to show friendship for their friends. What ever happened to just being friendly to your friends? Bake them a cake, or some brownies. Watch their pets, collect their newspapers and mail when they go on vacation. I’ve had a lot of friends in my life, but I never had the desire to have their names permanently attached to my epidermis. I guess I just don’t get it. Call me an old whatever, but I really don’t get that. Had I gotten my wife’s name tattooed to my butt back in ‘94, I’d really feel like an idiot now. There is a song that Duane Allman did back in the late 1960’s, and the first words of the song are “I ain’t seen my wife for two or three years, I’m a happily married man.” In my case, try for 5 or 10 years. I’m very happy I haven’t seen her during that time. I hope I never see her again, to be honest about it.
I’m guessing that the tattoo removal business must be just about as lucrative as the tattoo installing business. How many guys have had a few too many and had the name of some girl tattooed on their arm, chest, or whatever? How many girls have probably done the same thing? 6 months later, the Yellow Pages are out, and tattoo removal is probably the topic. Like I said, I’m old, apparently, at 47. I just don’t get the tattoo thing at all.
Another thing that irritates me is sports media, in general. Yesterday, the entire world, it would seem, waited breathlessly while Brett Favre walked up to the podium, and said yes, indeed, he would play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Duh. I knew he would. So did the rest of the world. Big deal. Great for the Vikes, bad news for the Packers, probably. Whatever.
Tiger Woods has been a major irritant to me this year as well. Not so much that Tiger cheated on his wife, etc. That’s his business. I’m not in a position to judge him. I do get irritated by the fact that most people who are supposedly in the know are writing off Tiger as a future winner in the PGA or any other golfing event, ever. Tiger is the best golf player I’ve ever watched, except maybe for Jack Nicholas, but Tiger has had a pretty rough year. I think he’ll be back, but I don’t see why there has to be 24 hour a day coverage on how bad Tiger’s season has sucked this year. Tiger knows he sucked this year. Anyone who watches golf knows that. I don’t watch all the events, but even I know that. I think Tiger will be back though.
I also get irritated by all the know it alls that have deemed Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career as being “done, like a Christmas turkey.” I actually heard that on the radio today. I suppose it’s a tribute to Dale Jr.’s fame that the only thing that the usual stick and ball sports guy can say about stock car racing is that Dale Jr.’s done. Dale Jr. isn’t even very close to being in the Chase right now. Nobody on any of the radio stations I’ve listened to have talked about Kasey Kahne’s move, or Mark Martin’s dilemma, or the fact that Kevin Harvick has been the leader in the points race just about all season. The only thing that the stick and ball guys can talk about is how Dale Jr. sucks. It makes me want to ask myself why A-Rod didn’t suck when it took him about a month to hit his 600th home run. What’s the matter, A-Rod? Need a shot of steroids?
Speaking of Kevin Harvick, he’s one of the major unsung heroes of NASCAR this season. Quietly, he’s been building up a substantial lead in the Cup series by scoring a lot of top 5’s and top 10’s. That’s how it’s done. A couple of wins doesn’t hurt either.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won 18 Cup races in his career, and more Nationwide races than that. Dale Jr., in my humble opinion, doesn’t need to explain a darned thing to anyone. He’s proven he can do it. If you know Babe Ruth’s stats, year by year, by heart, but have never been to a NASCAR race, and yet you have a job on TV or radio talking about sports, please, quit talking about NASCAR, when you don’t have a clue about what you’re talking about. Stick and ball dudes, most of really don’t have a clue: Shut up. Live it, learn it, earn it, and love it, and then I’ll listen to your idiocy.
I love NASCAR, and won’t apologize for it. I had a client a couple of years ago that ridiculed me for being a fan. She was a fan of Indy League Racing. Her sport raced “real cars.” I said “What the heck are you driving home?” She didn’t answer, after she’d given me a pretty dirty look.
Let’s give NASCAR another chance. It’s worth it.
What is it about people, of all ages, apparently, with the tattoo thing? When I was a kid, the only people I ever saw with tattoos were old Navy veterans, and they had something on their arms that might have been a portrait of their mom, or maybe a portrait of Waylon Jennings when he was smoking a lot of dope. We couldn’t really tell, to tell you the truth.
Now, it seems like everyone under the age of 35 has got to have a tat of some kind or other, and a lot of people my age, or even older have jumped onto this bandwagon. I guess I’m just a little bit too old school for this entire deal. I wouldn’t get a tattoo, any more than I’d get my ear pierced. I’m watching a show on TV about tattoos. Most of the people here are getting them to show friendship for their friends. What ever happened to just being friendly to your friends? Bake them a cake, or some brownies. Watch their pets, collect their newspapers and mail when they go on vacation. I’ve had a lot of friends in my life, but I never had the desire to have their names permanently attached to my epidermis. I guess I just don’t get it. Call me an old whatever, but I really don’t get that. Had I gotten my wife’s name tattooed to my butt back in ‘94, I’d really feel like an idiot now. There is a song that Duane Allman did back in the late 1960’s, and the first words of the song are “I ain’t seen my wife for two or three years, I’m a happily married man.” In my case, try for 5 or 10 years. I’m very happy I haven’t seen her during that time. I hope I never see her again, to be honest about it.
I’m guessing that the tattoo removal business must be just about as lucrative as the tattoo installing business. How many guys have had a few too many and had the name of some girl tattooed on their arm, chest, or whatever? How many girls have probably done the same thing? 6 months later, the Yellow Pages are out, and tattoo removal is probably the topic. Like I said, I’m old, apparently, at 47. I just don’t get the tattoo thing at all.
Another thing that irritates me is sports media, in general. Yesterday, the entire world, it would seem, waited breathlessly while Brett Favre walked up to the podium, and said yes, indeed, he would play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Duh. I knew he would. So did the rest of the world. Big deal. Great for the Vikes, bad news for the Packers, probably. Whatever.
Tiger Woods has been a major irritant to me this year as well. Not so much that Tiger cheated on his wife, etc. That’s his business. I’m not in a position to judge him. I do get irritated by the fact that most people who are supposedly in the know are writing off Tiger as a future winner in the PGA or any other golfing event, ever. Tiger is the best golf player I’ve ever watched, except maybe for Jack Nicholas, but Tiger has had a pretty rough year. I think he’ll be back, but I don’t see why there has to be 24 hour a day coverage on how bad Tiger’s season has sucked this year. Tiger knows he sucked this year. Anyone who watches golf knows that. I don’t watch all the events, but even I know that. I think Tiger will be back though.
I also get irritated by all the know it alls that have deemed Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career as being “done, like a Christmas turkey.” I actually heard that on the radio today. I suppose it’s a tribute to Dale Jr.’s fame that the only thing that the usual stick and ball sports guy can say about stock car racing is that Dale Jr.’s done. Dale Jr. isn’t even very close to being in the Chase right now. Nobody on any of the radio stations I’ve listened to have talked about Kasey Kahne’s move, or Mark Martin’s dilemma, or the fact that Kevin Harvick has been the leader in the points race just about all season. The only thing that the stick and ball guys can talk about is how Dale Jr. sucks. It makes me want to ask myself why A-Rod didn’t suck when it took him about a month to hit his 600th home run. What’s the matter, A-Rod? Need a shot of steroids?
Speaking of Kevin Harvick, he’s one of the major unsung heroes of NASCAR this season. Quietly, he’s been building up a substantial lead in the Cup series by scoring a lot of top 5’s and top 10’s. That’s how it’s done. A couple of wins doesn’t hurt either.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won 18 Cup races in his career, and more Nationwide races than that. Dale Jr., in my humble opinion, doesn’t need to explain a darned thing to anyone. He’s proven he can do it. If you know Babe Ruth’s stats, year by year, by heart, but have never been to a NASCAR race, and yet you have a job on TV or radio talking about sports, please, quit talking about NASCAR, when you don’t have a clue about what you’re talking about. Stick and ball dudes, most of really don’t have a clue: Shut up. Live it, learn it, earn it, and love it, and then I’ll listen to your idiocy.
I love NASCAR, and won’t apologize for it. I had a client a couple of years ago that ridiculed me for being a fan. She was a fan of Indy League Racing. Her sport raced “real cars.” I said “What the heck are you driving home?” She didn’t answer, after she’d given me a pretty dirty look.
Let’s give NASCAR another chance. It’s worth it.
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