Posts

The Excitement of New Gear!

Image
  Every day, while scrolling through Social Media, I see where someone has just purchased new gear and they are so excited they just cannot help but share with the world.   I guess in the old days, before internet, we had to get on the phone (called a landline phone that had a cord attached to the wall), call all of our friends, and tell them whatever we just picked up or opened for Christmas.   Even though times have changed, and ways of communicating have changed, things have not changed much when it comes to "This is incredible!   This is life changing!   I have to tell somebody!" The excitement can be all we can take sometimes.   If we keep it in, we will explode.   It is like the day a beautiful lady is asked for her hand in marriage.   It is like the day the announcement is made that baby is on the way and again the day the gender is discovered.   As a child, you cannot wait to tell everyone what Santa left you under the tree or how m...

Breathe

Image
  I was playing on the playground at Greenbrier Elementary School with my friends.   They year was 1981.   I was 10 years old and in the 5th grade.    I had never gotten into any trouble at school for I knew the second I got in trouble at school; it would be double when I arrived at home.   We were playing around the basketball court just having a good time when a ball bounced just past me.   I reached down to pick it up, and turned around to give it back to whomever was playing with it.   I did not even get turned around good when my face was met with a flying fist of fury.   Apparently, this kid thought I was about to steal his ball instead of give it back.   My nose exploded, blood gushing everywhere.   The teacher rushed me in to see the nurse and another rushed the other MMA wanna-be into the principal's office.   It was not long sitting there; trying to hold my nose closed and stop the bleeding, that I heard several paddl...

Buy Once Cry Once

Image
  There is an old adage that states, "buy once, cry once." It is a term to describe the purchasing of an expensive item, of excellent quality. Implies that the owner will initially, have reservations or guilt for  buying  ... Yes expensive, but of great quality.   That is the concentration.   I have struggled for years, as most do, with discovering there is a huge difference between what I want and what I can afford.   What I want is the best.   I know I will never be satisfied with anything less.   I do buy the less expensive and sometimes it works out.   Most of the time I am swimming in a sea of regret, realizing patience and doing without, saving up for the best would be so worth it.   Yet, here I am again, on the edge of the cliff, wondering if I should jump or not.   Not really, but that is how it feels when you are faced with a decision.   Many items of purchased gear are end up posted by joyful owners throughout...

Others Before Self

Image
  Mine!  Mine!  I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree.  My daughter grabbed at her doll and held onto it like it was the last one in the world, just like I used to hoard my Matchbox Cars when my little buddies would come over.  There is a time in our lives when all we are concerned with us me, my and mine.   Whatever affects me is all that matters.  When I am hungry, I want to be fed.  I could care less if you are hungry or not and what trouble you have to go through to get me my food.  All I know is I want food and I want it now.  My toys are my toys and you better keep your grubby hands off them.  There is no "you break it, you buy it" slogan around me.  You don't break it because you keep away from it and do not touch it.  It is mine and when I go over to your house you can be the same way with me. I do no care.  All I am concerned with is right now and my stuff. I am not sure at what age I started...

Cancelling Rendezvous 2021?

Image
  This past weekend at the Rendezvous in the Ozarks, we experienced all kinds of weather.   I arrived on Wednesday morning with just a little mist on me at times, but for the most part, it was perfect and I had the windows down the whole way.   That afternoon when Artemis arrived to begin setting up, the rain began.   It was a light rain that turned into Thunderstorms that evening.   It was not that bad and we weathered the storm like champs.                 In talking with Rick and Brad of Natural State Overland at the vendor check-in area, I asked them what the projected attendance was to be this year.   They stated with the registrations and all they looked to set a new record despite the rumors of cancelling the event due to rain.   "Why would we cancel the event due to weather?" I asked.   This is what we do.   This is our lifestyle.   We live outside where...

Much-Needed Getaway

Image
  I don't know about where you live and what you do, but this year for me it has been one heck of a busy year so far.  With COVID restrictions and all that comes with that, being a couple workers down from injuries, five guys doing the work of seven has made it where we are working our tails off every single day. But today is the day I have been waiting for.  Today is Tuesday and it is the last day of the work week for me.  I have taken off the rest of the week for a much needed getaway.  Rendezvous in the Ozarks starts on Thursday and I am heading to Byrds Adventure Center in Oark, AR in the morning.  I will be working at, and camped in, the Artemis Booth all week and weekend.  I will be meeting up with old friends that I don't get to see much of during the year, and hopefully meeting new ones that will come around to visit.  It'll be a great time that I have been looking forward to all year.  The weather is supposed to be a wash out with ra...

Thumbs Down

Image
  Some things are just not our thing.  I have a list of things that are not "my thing."  Whether it is music that does not fit my style or food that does not satisfy my taste buds or things that are a little off or set off my OCD for some reason, I add different things to last non-written list for this reason or that.  We spout off the common adage, "nothing against you..." before we give others our reasons for not liking this or that, and that makes it ok to give our opinions, but sometimes those opinions are skewed and have no merit.  On Social Media, the giant Facebook has sad, angry and laughing face emoji's you can torture posters and let them think about what you are thinking about their post.  Even the Worldwide Video goliath YouTube has included in their "reactions" a Thumbs Down emoji that makes it easy to show your disapproval without anyone knowing your identity. This world is so full of negativity.  It almost seems at times that people are ...