The move and all that...

---Well, the move was kinda crazy in some spots. We started the day with minor rain showers, then by lunch we had heavy rain showers, then by time we were fully loaded up and over to the new pad around 130ish, it was snowing like mad which sucked. I think we ended up with 4 inches out of that storm. I tell ya what, this has been the most brutal winter I can remember in the longest time and I guess they are calling for another possible snow storm here this coming Weds. or Thurs.! At least this weekend is gonna be warm, like 45, so a lot of the shit we have on the ground now will melt off.

So back to the move. The 2 movers were great until they realized it was snowing something fierce and that they wanted to get done asap. All in all, we lost 2 lamps in the process, a file cabinet and a coffee table! The owner of the moving company who is super cool is gonna stop by Sunday sometime and take a look at the damages and see about reimbursement.

That was pretty much the high points of the move, the rest was real routine. Weve been here since Monday. Its been pretty darn chilly at night so its been nice having a pad with central heat instead of those damn electric wall heaters. But hey, at least this weekend, we shall see some major melt off of all this damn snow. There really isnt that much on the ground really, maybe 5 inches in most spots, but it just feels like 50, because weve had snow here since like November of last year. You all pretty much know how I feel about winter, I dont hate it really, but enough is enough.

Whats been going on in your lives? Hows things going in the cycle world PJ? What have you been up to Martin? Scott? Anything special?---

Im back up in this mother!!!

---Hi boys! Well, we got the move all taken care of and we are fully dug in here. Boxes unpacked, pictures on the walls, yeah, we are all set.

Whats been going on in your lives? I see all was quiet here? I just got the broadband all set up this evening, so duh, Im back online again and all.

Ill be around here and there....---

See you guys on the flipside!!!

---Alrighty boys, Im about ready to tear this thing down and box it all up, so I just wanted you to know that Ill be back soon.---

Sunday afternoon in Des Moines....

---Well, today is like a picture perfect day here, the sun is out and its really not cold at all, but tomorrow afternoon things are SUPPOSED to get hairy with the snow and the winter all over again. Man, I hope not! Or I at least hope it holds off until really late in the afternoon tomorrow or until tomorrow night so we can get fully moved and so my ex can make it back here safe with the kid. When they go to travel to hang out with her Mom they have a solid hour and 45 min. drive at the least.

Please, no more damn winter until tomorrow night!

We already ran a load of really fragile stuff over there this morning with the help of one of our neighbors' here. Lots of fun, lemme tell ya. Actually, it wasnt bad at all and I think this move tomorrow wont be bad either. The movers are set to be here at 9 AM sharp. We hope to be done by noonish.

Im pretty certain the dish and phone guys come Tuesday.

Where did Scott go?

PJB, you out there?

I think the Texas primary is next weekend or something like that where it looks as if Hillary will make her last stand. Oh well, ya cant win em all. I dunno who the hell Im gonna back. Maybe I wont back anyone, we will see.

Well, boys, Ill have this thing hooked up until later this evening, get back at me if you stumble across this and feel like chattin back at me.---

---SCORE on the weather front here in town. It aint supposed to get really bad here until very late tomorrow afternoon into the evening, which is great cuz we'll be moving in dry weather, but it sucks cuz that means Ill be doin some shoveling into the night tomorrow! Hopefully my ex will get her ass in gear quick enough to make it back into town too so Im not worried sick about them.---

Could it be the last time?

---That I post from this location? Very well could be. Im kinda bored and very sober tonight, 2 states Im almost always in, so I figured what the hell, Ill drop another blog entry. Where the hell has everyone else gone? I miss you guys.

Tomorrow at like 10 AM I think one of our neighbors who is super cool is gonna hook us up by letting us use the vast space in his pick up bed and run a load of fragile goods over to the new house, then after that we should be free the rest of the day to get any last second stuff done. I think Ill take down my p.c. early tomorrow evening if I can because we are SUPPOSED to have phone and cable here (which would include internet)through Monday sometime.

I think the Dish Network dude comes to the new place early on Tuesday to hook that up and I think our phone gets turned on Tuesday too, so that means my broadband modem should go in the mail Tuesday, something I hope to have by Friday, so I can be back online again by then. Its kinda weird, the internet company is bundled with the dish and the phone, but they wont ship out a modem for the broadband until they know your phone has been turned on. I dont make the rules kids, I just try to help pay the bills. Its an odd rule, but thats how it goes, get your ring a ding turned on and your modem gets put in the mail.

It will be weird being offline for a few days but it will be OK, because Ill have plenty to do around the new place and on top of that it'll give me time to hook up my p.c. again and get it set up exactly where I want everything this time and not feel rushed like I did when this first arrived here brand new a few months back. I gotta get new speakers for this thing one of these days, gosh do these ones that come with the system SUCK!

I honestly think its about time I quit pussy footing around the issue and just man up and give the quitting smoking thing a shot here pretty soon. It would make everyone in my life that I directly effect so much happier, it would literally save me thousands annually and would do wonders for my health. You cant beat those reasons. Ive been bull shitting around it for far too long now, I think the time may be soon. For reals. Perfect time is coming up too, new pad, so Im totally isolated from others and other people that smoke. Being here in an apt. setting didnt really help much, I have friends right here in the same building that smoke. It wouldnt be that way at the duplex. We have yet to meet our neighbor next door but rumor has it she is super ass cool. My kid effin HATES the fact that I smoke, shes always on me about it and my ex, who Im closest to here only smokes when she drinks so thats like only 7 nights a week so, haha, kiddin, Ill be here all week, try the veal....No for real shes the only one I hang with who smokes and if I stopped and told her I didnt want her to smoke around me, she wouldnt.

Its time for my Mother and I to move on past the physical memories of having Den in our lives here and just take his memories with us to the new place. Its time to start over, hurt free and happy knowing where he is and knowing what we need to do next in our lives!

Well, boys I think Im gonna have me a Margarita then its of to lala land, gotta be up early, busy day tomorrow. This is Lord Tippy, King of all Turtles, signing off, for now, I shall make my triumphant return soon!

And also, if you had to pick a song that best describes you and your significant other, what would that be? I have dibs on "Ring of fire" it fits me and my ex all too well. When the flame does burn between us, it burns at a million degrees, now if I could get her to only see that. Everyone else does.....So yeah, Ring of Fire.---

Just a reminder boys!!!!

---I will be taking my computer down sometime Sunday and then I will "go silent" for a bit cuz I gotta wait for my broad band router to be delivered to my new place. I HOPE to be online again by next Friday, but I dunno, time will tell.


You guys stay safe while Im gone and PJB, go sell 15 bikes for the week!


Try to, thats all Im asking,to keep this blog alive when Im gone.

Incase I dont bump into your cyber created words tomorrow or Sunday AM, I love you guys and Ill be back soon!!!!

Fuck Iran, Im moving and HIllary...

---Well, Im sittin here drinking some joe and some "breaking news" comes off the wire! I guess Iran has not stopped the process that is needed in order to enrich uranium, so basically they are still going forward with getting a nuke. Thats friggin scary kids! I couldnt imagine one of those crazy bastards in the Middle East obtaining nuclear weapons or the technology to produce them. No way.

How you guys feel about it?

I also wanna mention now, because I know on the weekend this blog is pretty dead, that Im moving on Monday. Ill be without internet for several days, I gotta wait for the high speed broadband kit to come in the mail or whatever, then I gotta hook it up before I'll be back. It will be good thing though, give me time to set this thing all up again and everything. So all in all boys, I go bye bye this weekend sometime and wont be back for a few. Try and keep things moving on here if ya can.

Im fucked up this morning in a bad way. I woke up and swore it was Saturday and I still feel as if it is.

I didnt watch The Dems. debate last night, did any of you? Im hearing about it now on the news, I guess it was pretty civil and they are saying that Hillary kinda gave a little "goodbye" speech. Kinda subliminal, but I just saw it and it was there. If she doesnt win Texas I guess shes done for and Obama will walk away with the nod. I still dont know how to feel about him. I dont know what kind of candidate my heart strings are pulling at. Im a rebel, pretty damn anti establishment and will vote from the heart. Its weird, a lot of my traits totally dont go with the flow of being a Republican, but indeed, today, I still am, BUT Im also looking at other things. I dont think Ill "jump ship" or anything, I just may not full on vote for my party this election. McCain's age really bothers me, he needs to pick a solid running mate, I just hope to God he doesnt start looking in Huckabee's direction! NO! That may be my final decider, who Obama and McCain pick for runnin mates!

I LOVE my WONDERFUL Country, but I dont like it's Government at all.

And dont you ever forget on me that George W. Bush is a jackass.

PJB, I know youre around, but where the hell did our Scott go?---

goodmorning boys!!!!

---Im pretty much over the Michelle Obama thing, but is still kinda eating at me this AM. Got in a huge argument with the ex yesterday over politics in America, wasnt good, wasnt good at all. For the first time, I dont know what the fuck to do and Im sick of people just telling me to vote this or vote that because thats who they are gonna vote for. I CANT do that, I have to have reasoning behind my vote casting otherwise it'll all be useless to me.

Im stuck.

And it sucks.


What have you guys been up to? Im tired.

Let that one go.....

There was a post here about my feelings towards Obama's wife, Michelle, but after thinking about and realizing Id be putting myself under the gun, I chose to sell myself out and delete it.

Yeah, its still cold here, how about there?

---Hello boys. Well, it looks as if this is gonna turn out to be a contest between McCain and Obama. Hillary is trying way to hard in my opinion as wanting to come off as being genuine and all she does is come off as a stale Clinton. Obama is on a role and so is McCain, so it looks to be that way headed towards November. My Mom said she had heard something this morning about part of Obama's platform once, or if, he takes the Oval Office was to bomb Pakistan. I will have to look into this. This doesnt sound smart at all if thats the real case here considering they are our only ally along with Israel, in the Middle East. Ill let you know if I find anything.

Here is what I found that was remotely interesting....


Obama said in a speech Wednesday that as president he would order military action against terrorists in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan if intelligence warranted it. The comment provoked anger in Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror.


Many analysts believe that top Taliban and al Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, are hiding in the region after escaping the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has come under growing pressure from Washington to do more to tackle the alleged al Qaeda havens in Pakistan. The Bush administration has not ruled out military strikes, but still stresses the importance of cooperating with Pakistan.

"There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again," Obama said. "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will."

The Associated Press of Pakistan reported Friday that Musharraf was asked at a dinner at Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's house on Thursday about the potential of U.S. military operations in Pakistan. Musharraf told guests that Pakistan was "fully capable" of tackling terrorists in the country and did not need foreign assistance.

Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said no foreign forces would be allowed to enter Pakistan, and called Obama irresponsible.

"I think those who make such statements are not aware of our contribution" in the fight on terrorism, he said.

Pakistan used to be a main backer of the Taliban, but it threw its support behind Washington following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Since then, Pakistan has deployed about 90,000 troops in its tribal regions, mostly in lawless North and South Waziristan, and has lost hundreds of troops in fighting with militants there.

But a controversial strategy to make peace with militants and use tribesmen to police Waziristan has fueled U.S. fears that al Qaeda has been given space to regroup.

In Pakistan's national assembly on Friday, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan said he would bring on a debate next week on recent criticism of Pakistan from several quarters in the U.S., including Tancredo's remarks.

It was a matter of "grave concern that U.S. presidential candidates are using unethical and immoral tactics against Islam and Pakistan to win their election," Afghan said.

Tancredo told about 30 people at a town hall meeting in Osceola, Iowa, on Tuesday that he believes that a nuclear terrorist attack on the U.S. could be imminent and that the U.S. needs to hurry up and think of a way to stop it.

"If it is up to me, we are going to explain that an attack on this homeland of that nature would be followed by an attack on the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. Because that's the only thing I can think of that might deter somebody from doing what they otherwise might do," he said.

Interesting, no?---

---Friggin freezin here! What have ya'll been up to? Well, today, they move my ex niece in law to a different center to make her hopes of escaping and running a lot more difficult. She has no connections where they are takin her. Ive been listening to the late, GREAT, American Icon Johnny Cash and it has never sounded better to me. Him and June Carter-Cash were a couple destined in the stars. I label Johnny as musics, well, modern music's first real rebel. He has inspired so many decent bands and groups out there I cant even begin to name them. And he did it all his way, he didnt give a shit about the big boys who controlled record labels, he'd tell them to go to hell. It was just about a man and his music.

Why do you think you hear of so many bands dying to start their own record label? This way they can control themselves. Why do you think a guy like Mike Ness is a millionaire? He partly owns a label and can do what he wants. They control everything from merchandising all the way up to the final say on touring. Thats friggin power on the music scene if ya ask me. Well, Mike's motor cycle shop doesnt hurt either Im sure.

What cha gonna do today?

Ive just been gettin a lot of my last minute shit packed up today and I wanted to jump online and blog to you guys before I get lost in the mess that is now my bedroom.

What primaries are today? Any? Alls I know is Hillary has to win to stay above water. Lets put some weights on her feet to help her sink. Not literally of course, but I just want her out of the picture ASAP. Even my ex, fuckin hates her and this is coming from a very seasoned liberal Dem.

OK boys Im going back to something important, that really matters in the world, Johnny Cash, Ill get you guys later.---

Funny

---I dont care what you think of the man, just watch, it gave me a few good chuckles---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dii3mzMQ3SQ&feature=related

this doesnt need a title =)

---Hi guys! I havent done much yet as of today and Im really not motivated to, so we'll see what goes down here. Its 13 degrees here right now and I know Im gonna have to dig my car out sometime today which will be a damn blast!

Didnt do much yesterday either, just let the snow storm we were under pass by. We didnt get hit too hard, but the damn winds, man, and the blowing snow set us up for blizzard conditions yesterday afternoon.

Im pretty sure there are a couple primaries this week that Hillary has to win to keep her head above water or else shes in deep shit. They are also mentioning it to possibly being too close to call between both of them in the end and then theyd turn to the "super delegets" to decide who gets the nomination and I think that Hillary has more of them on her side than Obama does. Gosh I cannot STAND HER!!! This nation wants something new, something different, weve already done the Clinton thing in the Oval Office, do we want it again? I dont think so. When I see her on TV, she comes off as being whiny and snipey, we as a nation, dont want that right now, we want something new. Gosh, I cant STAND HER! I would rather deal with the super liberal Obama in Office over her, at least then Id have a lot to bitch about and things wouldnt get boring. BUT, DONT count out McCain as of yet. There are a lot of ultra conservatives that wont vote for him, I know, but he has a lot of other things locked up. And on top of that, at least McCain would have a smart, sensible exit strategy to the war, hes not just gonna pluck our troops out of there like a damn, good for nothing Democrat would, ESPECIALLY Hillary.

I have to go to Menards today with my Mom. She wants to go, but for what, Im not so sure of. We will move a week from today so pray for nice weather in a week.

Also to kinda give you a heads up right now, Ill be offline for several days once the moving date is here. I have to wait for the broadband kit to come to me via UPS in order to hook it up and it wont even get mailed out until weve been in the house for a few days. So if my opinionated, loud ass, goes suddenly quiet next week for a while, thats why...just waiting for the kit.

I JUST found out that my niece who ran away last week plans on doing it again as soon as she gets out of the detention center and that all last week she was fucking wasted on coke, extacy, weed and LSD. I wasnt even doing some of those drugs at 16! Shes a damn lucky girl that she didnt get a hold of some bad blow or some tainted x, that shit can kill pretty easily. Id like to put a few slugs in the gang bangers she was hangin with personally, but I guess they are pretty serious about the lifestyle, whatever that means, for a very small town in Northern IA. But yeah, as soon as she gets the chance, she'll bolt again on everyone. her young life is fucked, if she doesnt wanna change it. Thats the thing about being an addict, Ive been there MANY times in my life, you have to look in the mirror and say "hey this aint workin, Im done." You have to change for yourself and for those around you that love you otherwise youre screwed. Falling in love was my big changer. I wanted to better myself for a lady, my ex, then came the kid which totally did it. I dont honestly look at users as losers or anything, but they have to want that change in order for it to work. As far as "celebrity inspiration," Mike Ness helped me to get back to being a human a lot too. Of course, he wasnt there by my side, thatd be weird, but his music was and it spoke to me. Social Distortions' music is not just a gay ass obsession with me, it used to be a life line. Now, I can just sit back and enjoy it! SxDx is very special to me...

But yeah, this beautiful, smart and sensible 16 year old girl is gonna destroy her life which makes me so very sad.---

Old mother fucking man winter

---Hes being a real bitch right now. We dont have much snow on the ground, maybe 3 inches, but the wind, damn, its blowing like mad, total white out conditions. Needless to say, I will not be going out in this shit today.

I am still thinking a lot about the marriage question I posted last night and Id love to hear more from you guys about it. Thanks Scott for your answer, it was totally honest and up front and it made me think about quite a bit.

Well, my ex (Gosh I hate that) niece got nabbed last night, thank God. She was intoxicated at the time and I guess she may have been using some pretty hard street drugs throughout the week. She in a detention center now until she goes back to see a judge this coming week. Im just happy shes alive, she was using some seriously hard stuff. I know what thats like, I know what its like to traverse down that path and when it hits you, it sucks, BAD. There are only a few things that keep me drug free today....my kid, my Mother and the influence of a few heroes that have been down the path already too and are now clean, kinda like idols I guess.

Well, have a good day, Ill check back every now and then since I aint goin anywhere today cuz of this blizzard.---

Im not quite sure

---If I should shake your hands and call you guys winners at the game of life, or laugh my ass off at you guys and call you suckers for getting seriously involved with a woman.

I know sometimes I feel like both and I haven't been married in years now. Man, what a tough call really. You guys seem to be pretty good at it though, you know, the whole being married thing, I know I sure as shit wasnt. No, no and no! But then again, if my ex wanted to go at another roll again, Id surely take on that challenge any day, but thats it, if another woman came up and asked me, Id laugh in her face.

I mean, what did it for you in all reality? What made you think or say, "Yes shes' the one"?


Take a half of day and think on it, but seriously, get back to me on this one, Im very curious.---

Saturday AM....

---Well, they are projecting that overnight here things will take a spin for the worse and tomorrow is gonna be a wash. Freezing fucking rain overnight that will turn to all snow by tomorrow morning. 4-8 inches, 40 MPH winds, blizzard like conditions tomorrow morning. My ass will be sitting right here then, screw that noise. Right now, all is quiet, sun is out but its only like 19 degrees.

Ill be goin to hang with the kid in a little bit doing the usual: chasing the little monster around the store as she laughs her head off. Its a little game we play, she knows when to quit. but for the most part, its all fun. Gonna be another McDonalds lunch then today, blech. Ill go over to her place tonight for a while to hang with them, but nothing too spectacular or anything will go down, Ill wanna get home early to beat this storm that will be moving in and then tomorrow, like I previously said will be a wash, I wont be doing anything in a damn snow storm. My car will be frozen shut anyways from the freezing rain.

Have a good one boys.---

Just when I thought...

---it was safe to go "back in the water", things look to be pretty rough here come late tomorrow night into Sunday. Rain, then freezin rain and then the snow. 3-5 inches here on Sun. Ive had it with winter now, its official.

Things have been quiet for my ex Mom in law today which is good good, she doesnt need anything else on her plate, little fuckin gang bangin wanna bes!But those are the ones ya gotta watch, cuz they think they have something to prove. I cant help with the situation as much as Id like to. I dont want some punk ass 15 year old puttin a hole in my chest or head just cuz he has a point to prove. Thats another thing, when did gangs get to be so complex? Where are the days of greaser gangs, just runnin around scaring the hell outta people? The worst of a worst fight may have involved a switchblade or two. I think things got or went bad when America lost it's innocence. From there on out, it was over with!

I just wanted to say have a good weekend kiddies, play it safe and smart.---

This and that.....

---Thanks for all the pics Scott, they were all great. I should be over at the new place right now painting but Im sick which sucks. Things are going pretty well over there, more or less.

If you wanna read about the real dealings Ive kinda had since last night go read my reply under the gang banger post Pete made. Yeah, it sucks. It doesnt effect me directly, but its still a mess cuz I dont want the ex takin my smalls(kid) up there right now if things are happening like that.

The sun is shining bright here right now, but I think todays high is 13 here. It says that right now its 6. At least there is no more snow in the forecast. Ive said it a million times, dont mind winter and all, but this season can be done now, its proven its point and its kicked some ass. Please go away now. I know you guys have had it super rough too with winters dealing's.

Talked to my buddy last night who knows some people and he said he hears that the mighty, unstoppable force that is Social D. is taking a little break from things right now. That sucks. Get in the damn studio and get that next album goin!!!

Anyone got any special plans this weekend? Nothing going on for me, just trying to keep warm. I dont think its gonna be super cold here this weekend, it'll be in like the 30s!

Talk later brothers.---

Last Photo

This is it boys, I guess I was not feeling very much like a wedding photographer on Tuesday. Not all of us in the scene Pete, and I are not in this image. It was a nice crowd and all of us were at least a little gray. Lots of hey how are ya's and lots of stories, Franks story of the half naked girl on his crane was the most entertaining, and then lots of tails from all of us who have worked in the service sector Mike and Pete had some real horror stories of catering gone wrong. Good times!

Gangs in the Military

This is totally wild. (I hope this link works)
Gangs, specifically Chicago Street Gangs are in Iraq taging, and generally being gangbangers.
but here's the thing.
These kids are being put in by the leadership so they can learn urban warfare.
Say what you will, that is EVIL fuckin' genius.
They get paid by a government they hate, to learn skills they want.

E, remember sitting around the QP scoring drugs off of the Chico Boys?