I`m fine,I can drive ok 

} HELP {

Please kind readers, I need help. Some where out there in this huge Blog -O- Sphere there must be a answer for this overwhelming delema.
I suppose I should begin this posting by explaining the problem, it seems like I would have a higher expectation of actually resolving the issue. DON 'T let friends drive drunk. On the surface that seems like a idea that has arrived none too soon. In reality it is a problem.
On five seperate occasions,with five different people,I spirited the keys for the vehicle, away from the inebrieated (seriously) person. ON five seperate occasions I ran into serious problems with the person who wished to take a two ton ,loaded,weapon of mass destruction on the highways and biways of America.They had in their hearts no thought of how seriously this could effect anyone other than their loudly voiced desire to drive as proven by the statement of "I`m ok . I can drive. I`ve been drunker that this and have driven myself home.
Options had been given these wonderfull, loving, otherwise normal family members and friends. Stay here for the evening, Ok I will drive you home. Ok I will drive you home and another sober person can drive your car home. Look your not going anywhere it is too dangerous. Come on I will walk home with you.
Objection s have been raised like so many democrats on a entitlement program the reason against anything acceptable poured fourth.I need my car there so I can sleep. I am afraid to leave my car here cause someone will mess with it( please don`t allow the fact that I have already told you 20 times you can take your keys home with you and I would pick you up as early as 5 am to comeback after your car if that is what you want.)
In a few cases I was able to actually get them to agree to let me take them home. How foolish I prooved to be when twenty minutes later they showed up in a cab with the spare keys to get the vehicle that was so rudely taken from their control.One got so angry he decided to walk home got as far as the highway and promptly fell asleep on the side of the road.
~ THE CHASE ~
How in the world do I get them to go along with my simple request because I don`t want to go to their funeral. I don`t want to watch any of these good people crumble because they have crippled or killed another human or perhaps a whole family of those same humans. I know it would crush them ,I know it would make them feel like their hearts were breaking every moment of every day. How do I get them to know this and accept this. I don`t want their car. I don`t want it parked in front of my house as a status symbol. I don`t wanna go for a ride to take them home, I just want to see them live another day. A day with a ray of sunshine because you didn't kill a family or deprive a mother of her hugs and kisses from her child for the rest of time? How do I do this? Please help me. How............

I Need MORE $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 

} Here We Go Steelers.........{

Make no mistake, I am a dyed in the wool Steeler Fan and will always be BUT in the current negotiations with Hienz Ward, He has determined that he should hold out for more money. I absolutely disagree with that so called "wisdom"
Not to bring up ancient history but one of my personel heroes is a former Steeler legend named Rocky Blier. The Rock was a hero on more than the football field He is a Patriot and served his country honorably.
During his first year as a Steeler, Rocky was drafted and after boot camp was stationed in Viet Nam. He was unfortunate enough to step on a land mine and was told that he would never walk again let alone run. He told Mr. Rooney of his injury and Mr. Rooney held his position on the team.He held his position for two years untill Rock could re-hab himself good enough to return to the team and become one of the Steelers best. This little story was told to set the stage. The steelers are more than a team you play we pay scenario This is a team that will make a commitment and stand by it.
Now back to Hienz Ward, I have no clue as to what he has been offered and I honestly don`t care. I do know that he has been offered a eight million dollar bonus for signing his contract. If my memory isn`t failing me I recieved $100.00 as a bonus for signing my last contract. I realize that I can`t play football but I`m sure that Hienzwould run after the sight of a clogged toilet that I coped with on a daily basis.
Jerome Bettis has slowed a little and gained a few pounds and last year he stated that he would re -negotiate for a lower amount. Turns out he had the best year of his career. I think it is because he is a team player and Ithink that Mr. Ward would benefit from being a team player also.
At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley !!

}Arrests Made{

I was so pleased to see the Brits were able to arrest at least four suspected terrorists and I just bet they will "willingly" give up everything they know about the terror network world wide.
I know that the civilized Brits would never use anything but gentle techniques in their efforts to interogate the terrorists.
Oh and why is there no clamor about them accidently killing a innocent man just because he had a bulky coat and a heavy sweater on in record high temperatures, and oh yeah did I say he refused to halt after he was told to? Well no matter, Good thing he wasn`t in Gitmo everyone knows how us Americans abuse our prisoners.
Truth is as I see it is no matter what sort of torture the Brits or the Americans have to do to get to the bottem of this it is all necessary.Do it and do it now.

A Journey Begun 

{ A New Beginning}

I am so very happy to see the shuttle launch sucessfully today. Not very many people realize how many benefits we enjoy and take for granted because of the space program. Take for instance this very medium was stretched to be able to take care of the needs of the space program. In fact you are sitting on more computing power than all of NASA posessed in the fledgeling years.
All of the telemetry that you take for granted in monitoring your heart when you are in the hospital are a direct result of the research done for the space program.
Amost anything you can think of that is miniturized has been shrunk down to accompany even more things into space.
Even your basic $5 watch with a led or even a lcd readout has been developed for the space program.
The space program even helped Lance Armstrong win his seventh Tour De France by utilizing the streamlining techneques, and using the plastics and the titanium alloys that were developed for the space program.
If things have always been basically true then chances are they will always be basically true so project out what escalating our involvement in space will mean to us stuck here on Earth in even greater technologies to make our lives so much sweeter.........Hells Bells even good ol Tang was developed for space ....how can ya beat it.

What A Woman 

The Quiet Man

After all these years this film remains my all time favorite. It has something for every one from the coolest fight scene to one of the hottest romanantic scenes ever shot. It is after the wedding.....She is very disapointed that her brother won`t give her her dowery..........This to her represents a 300 year history of her familys` women scrimping and saving and putting this treasure together so that someone in the family can move into a better sort of life because of the "treasure" She explains this to her new husband who truly seems to love her. she tells him that untill she gets her treasure that she will not consumate the relationship. She explains that she will cook and clean and keep the land and be the servant tht she had been up untill she agreed to marry him but untill she can get her treasure she will be no more than that........ a servant. She turns and goes to the bedroom and slams the door in his face and he is ok with that untill she slides the dead bolt closed and that is when he knows he must show her that he is the head of this house. He kicks the door in................grabs her roughly in his arms........... Tells her that there will be no locked doors between us Mary kate except those in your mercenary little heart..........kisses her hard.........seemingly taking her breath ....sweeps her off her feet and carrys her to the bed and throws her onto the bed.....everyone knows he is going to have his way with her and he does.................he turns and walks out side and spends the night on the porch. He spoke volumes in that brief scene...........He made his wife know in her heart that there can only be one head of the house and it was him he also showed her that he respected her enough to not ever try to force her to do anything, and he showed her that he understood now why she wanted her dowery. At first he thought it was the money but now he knows it is the history and sense of family that went with the treasure. Wowsa what a movie !!!!!

} Viva La Difference {

Just a brief posting concerning the difference between the troops trying to restore order to Iraq and its citizens and the terrorist who were in charge previously.
U.S. Army PFC Stephen Tschiderer, A proud memeber of " THE BIG RED ONE" while on routine patrol was shot in the chest by a terrorist (note I did not say insurgent). After being shot and protected by his body armour Pvt Tschiderer recovered his wits and within a few seconds began to return fire along with the rest of his patrol. Within two minutes of him being attacked he had secured the person who shot him and was administering first aid to him.
That is the difference between terrorists and soldiers who are attempting to bring liberty to a country that has not known freedom for centuries.Oh by the way it has not been shown on the networks as far as I know and there is video available..........perhaps the msm wants our citizens to have a different view of the reality that is Iraq.At least that is the way I see it here on Arrathorns Alley

Just Me And My Shadow 

} I DID NOT KNOW THAT {

After a one hour meeting with my primary care physcian last night the road ahead apears daunting and i`m afraid a gazillion problems. I am a firm believer in the greatest journeys beginning with a single step and last night I took my first toddeling step at reclaiming my life.
He said that I must go through a complete physical to make sure that there is nothing wrong with me before I can become a candidate for the surgery. I must have a colonoscopy (brrrrruuuuuughhhh) thank you very much, a upper and lower GI Series. All sorts of testing like a stress test ( Bah ..we all know a 350 lb. guy has no stress at all) and extensive physocologic evaluation before they can decide if this choice is right for me.
I also must continue to diet in a effort to lose weight so that it is easier to have the surgery. Alright question number one.................. If I can diet sucessfully why do I need the surgery? I think there is a lot more to this than I suspected in the beginning. Is this a trick set up or are they really trying to see if my body refuses to lose despite my best efforts? I will look for answers in the next visit.
Doc says this will be about a three month long process I just wish it were done and I were on the road to recovery. I suppose the time will fly or so they say when your having fun.........More to follow when I know it so will you...........................

Better Days Are Comming 

A Journey Begins........

Well friends , I have decided that I will recieve many theraputic benefits from sharing my ordeal with you kind readers so I suppose I should start at the beginning.
About five years ago I fell from my roof and severely damaged my leg and foot. It was such a severe injury that it prevented me from working again. I ended up going on social security disability.
I could do nothing at all. Almost any activity was prohibited by the pain that that being on my leg/foot would bring. Needless to say I grew. People would bring me pies,cookies,cakes,feed me,all given in the name of love and so greatfully accepted.The pounds added up and soon I was a extra person. I have ended up with severe breathing problems, and a over taxed heart. I can`t lose weight by any traditional method because at this point I am so debilitated I can`t stand any activity. It is such a ordeal to bathe that it requires me stopping many times in order to get my breath. My body aches from head to toe due to fibromyalsia and the inalbility of my normal sized lungs to get enough oxygen to exchange my blood gasses. OH I forgot to mention I smoked like a old Dodge and as a result have emphysema also.
Well enough about the downside of this I have decided on a course of action which I hope helps me save my life. I have a great deal to live for and I want to live and see what my future has in store. I, after, much discussion with my physcian and my family and efforts of traditional dieting will attempt to go through the gastric by-pass process. I will be meeting with my doc this week to attempt to schedule a intial visit with a gastroenterologist who I hope can manage my case from beginning to end. I will keep all posted here as to my progress and I also hope to continue my meager attempts at writings that affect me enough for me to comment on these issues.
Let me say before this begins that I am hopefull that this will help me regain my life and help me get in good enough shape so that I can enjoy it.I will keep you all posted.

Ot Oh 

} For Those Who May Of Noticed{

To you kind readers who have missed my humble efforts at writing,I thank you for your patience. I have been in the hospital again in a effort to resolve a continuing problem. I have a temporary handle on it for now but it will require further intense resolution on my part which I am prepared to call on. I will get into its nature as soon as my plan of attack is more definitive.I hope throughout this ordeal that I will be able to share this experience with you all and perhaps gain a little support from you .As this unfolds I will keep as well posted as I can
.

Our Roots 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!



This was a excerpt of a speech by Richard Skelton He is better known as Red Skelton . He claims he heard this speech as it was given by his principle in Vincantes Indiana in grade school. It was made by his principal.


Boys and girls ,I have been listening to you recite the pledge of allegiance all year long and it seems as if it has become monotonous to you, or could it be you do not understand the meaning of each word? I would like to recite the pledge and give you a definition for each word . I meaning me , a committee of one PLEDGE meaning dedicate all of my worldly goods ALLIENGENCE meaning my love and devotion. TO THE FLAG meaning our standard, old glory a symbol of courage, and where ever she waves there is respect. because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job OF THE UNITED that means that we have all come together, STATES individual communities that have formed fifty great states. Fifty individual communities with pride and purpose, all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united by a common cause .and that is love of country OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC A republic a sovereign state to which the power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern and the government is the people .and its from the people to the leaders not from the leaders to the people FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION meaning so blessed UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE incapable of being divided WITH LIBERTY the freedom for one to live his own life without fears, threats or any sort of retaliation AND JUSTICE the principles and qualities of dealing with others FOR ALL For all boys and girls, it is as much your country as it is mine

whoopie 

Happy Birthday America

I know that throughout this great land people will celebrate the holiday and use the time off to maybe relax and enjoy the family, or swim, or perhaps a round of golf. We will BBQ all sorts of foods and drink all sorts of beverages. We will watch the children play Frisbee or badminton or maybe a game of backyard wiffleball. There will be children of all ages running through sprinklers and dreaming dreams of yesterday or maybe tomorrow. Dusk will come and Moms and Dads will light the sparklers and pass them to the youngins with the warning to be careful. The kiddos will write their name in the dark or maybe just make circles, but everyone will have fun doing it .Soon full evening will come over this great land and the big fire works will come out from their hiding places or the communities will start their displays or perhaps a American Legion post in small town America. They will burst into the night sky with the brilliant reds and whites and blues that only fireworks can bring coupled with the thunderous retort from the explosions that you can literally feel in your chest. Then perhaps those of us old enough to remember will remember the meaning of these explosions and take pride in this great nation. There is none like her anywhere in the world.

This great nation is so like the liberty bell that symbolizes our country. Sound ,sturdy, works perfectly .except for that little crack The manufacturers of the bell offered to fix that crack but we chose not to have it done. America is represented by that crack. Like the Liberty Bell we are not perfect, most likely we will never be. The crack reflects our little flaws like racism and sexism and God knows how many other isms. But America is strong and sound just like the bell. It symbolizes freedom and justice and will continue to for as long as we can hang together.

So somewhere in between hotdogs apple pie and our Chevrolets lets all remember what brung us to the dance and wish America a HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!