Hello DingBatters

May 24, 2013

Let's see where were we? Caught some fish last weekend, sorry, no pictures. Nephew Scott graduated from optometry school, sorry, no pictures. Went to Hershey PA for the annual OESP Expo, sorry, no pictures. But a good time was had by all, our names and pictures were not in the paper the next day; and MIL and SWMBO were out on the town in Memphis until 1:30AM, which by the way is 2:30 AM EDT. Come to think of it, just as well we don't have any pictures. 

This coming weekend is about more than the beach, picnics and family fun. It's morphed into remembering our deceased loved ones and race car drivers who died racing, a veteran's day, the start of summer and so on; but as I recall it was designed to remember those who died during service to our country. More often  than not that group was our nation's young and brave who came forward and paid the ultimate price. To say thank you doesn't even register on the scale of what you did for all of us, but thank you. 

From the South and 58 years old, hard to believe we didn't honor this day when I was a child. We remembered another day for another reason. 

I was fortunate to go to the Indianapolis 500 in the 1980's when the stands were full and the drivers included names such as Foyt, Andretti(s), Unser(s), Fittipaldi, Mears, Sullivan, Rahal, Bettenhausen, Rutherford, Vukovich, I guess I can stop now, but at the time it was a great mix of old and new in the greatest spectacle in racing. I was surprised at the crowd; I'm no prude but did not figure to see so many crazy drunks at 9:00 AM. Jim Nabors sang Back Home in Indiana, Linda Vaughn (Hurst girl) was in the parade lap, seems like Porsche even had a car there. And of course they dragged old Mrs. Hulman out to tell the drivers to crank them up;.What a day and what a rowdy crowd, but when the color guard blew Taps you could have heard a pin drop. Very emotional moment for 500,000 people

We move Jackson back to DC Saturday, so this picture is for you son. It is one of our refrigerator pictures and is one of my favorites. I never noticed that his "ride" is also featured in the background. He could spin a 360 on that on the terrace without hitting the wall. When he did it really well he would jump up and yell "Earnhardt." Have fun this summer, make a lot of money and enjoy those Ramen Noodles.  

Monaco Grand Prix early Sunday morning, Indianapolis 500 at mid-day, and the Whatever It's Called 600 in Charlotte that night. Racing's greatest weekend, safe travels

Bums
May 17, 2013

At home for a change this week, didn't get the things accomplished that I wanted, but oh well. This is birthday fishing weekend with the FO. We're trying for the Scuppernong and/or Little Alligator Rivers on Saturday in the jon boat; saltwater on Sunday down here. We'll have to see if the rain and wind will stay away long enough to catch'm up. Wish us luck.

We've all seen that little Calvin stickers on the backs of cars, You might remember he is the one with the overactive bladder.I took a picture a couple of years ago of him peeing on the words "Theresa Earnhardt." Someone has some real issues. Anyway last week on Fort Macon road I saw that little fellow peeing on the words "Roy Williams." The odd thing was that there were no other stickers or emblems on the car denoting his allegiance. This made me wonder if the driver was a UNC fan? Food for thought.

                                                     

And speaking of bums, that was after all the title of this week's entry; I recently finished Fire and Rain by David Browne. It's the story of the year 1970 and what was going on with The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, and Crosby Stills Nash and Young. I'd heard the book discussed on the radio and found a used one online. Some of those guys were taking illegal drugs! Some were certifiably bat guano crazy. The book was a little disappointing  but while reading it I "remembered" all of the anti-Viet Nam war bombings which took place in that time frame. The Boston bombing was shocking, but you'll probably be more shocked to know that according to CBS News between January 1969 and the spring of 1970 there were 4,330 bombings in the United States. The US Treasury estimated 40 a week. There were 20 a week in California alone. You might want to read those statistics again because I know I was amazed at the volume. There were so many innocent people killed and injured that the backlash began affecting the peace movement, so they stopped. It's surprising how we forget such horrible events over time. 

Well well well, off to the sweetest place on earth Monday; we are exhibiting at the annual OESP Expo. I know what you're thinking, isn't that the NAOHSM Expo? We're both correct, kinda.....they changed the alphabet soup. 

Mother's Day

May 12, 2013

First of all happy Mother's Day to Dink, TAR, and my favorite daughter-in-law who far exceeds any dreams I had of the perfect daughter-in-law and mother.

Dink is doing well with her new heart medication, she told me Thursday she feels better than she has in a long, long time. She said the new medicine has improved her Mobile-Al-Ill-ity. Do the math... mobility............

Moved Jackson home, went to DC for AHRI meetings, and even caught The Great Gatsby Saturday night. A very full week. What was my impression of The Great Gatsby? Sorry I don't do impressions. Ba da boom

Happy graduation to all of the graduates especially Amanda High!

Had a lot of fun Wednesday night with friends and family (?) at the Nats game. Rode the train up and back and happened to catch the 150th anniversary of Stonewall Jackson's death at 70 MPH down the AMTRAK trail.................yes, I just happen to know where the Shrine is, even on AMTRAK. Again, go figure, some things are important

Speaking of Jackson, Dean's List again. We're proud but you can do better Kahn Junior.....

Speaking of OJ, this seen at HSC:

That's funny, I don't care who you are. Let's see, in Jamestown news we found out this week that yes  indeed cannibalism reigned in Jamestown. I'd read that before, but new meaning to that weird uncle saying "got your nose" at the family reunions. I should know since I often if not always play the part of the weird uncle. 

And speaking of the odd and obscure, this from George Takei, yes we should have prepared Jesse for the end of Old Yeller

And that is funny so laugh and laugh hard. You know you have issues.  Happy Mother's Day. By jingo I think I'm in town next week, followed by the annual Fishin Optishin boys' birthday weekend bash. No pictures!

That Didn't Work

May 3, 2013

I thought the Lohan autopsy photos title would push some readers my way, guess I'll have to wait a while for that one, but I bet it's coming. By the way, if you googled that title this blog would be your number one choice. Sorry that was a cheap shot, I'll try to do better.

Went to go see the birthday boy last Saturday in Virginia; ended up at Appomattox Court House. Nice little piece of history that is pretty well reconstructed. The McLean house was dismantled and shipped to DC for a permanent display which never occured; later it was sent back home and rebuilt into the structure you can visit today.

Took a couple of customers to the Quail Hollow PGA tournament Thursday. Our rep in Charlotte always provides tickets; I don't think I've missed but one and I've always been a big fan of the venue. Charlotte does a great job of routing traffic, making you feel welcome, and the course is an excellent test which builds to a very tough finish. 17 is an all-carry par three over water, 18 comes into a stadium type finish with spectators around the last 200 yards. They have been awarded a major, the 2017 PGA will be there. But this year the weather has not been accommodating and green sod has been installed on several holes. It looks bad, it's wet, and it is supposed to rain all weekend. Several top players decided to skip this year's tournament due to the condition of the course. Screw'm. They've never played Green Hills in Nash County, where you had to step up when you walked into the clubhouse because it was a barn. Not a barn like structure, it was a barn. The greens were unlike those  in Augusta in nearly every way shape and form, but that's how I and many other people learned to play.

Prima donnas! I never liked Vijay anyway; fired his caddy because he smelled like beer from the night before............man, wonder how long I would have been unemployed for doing that? 

And on that note I think I will have a stiff one in a couple of hours, a glass of JW Red mind you.....but I did see this sign at a mortuary in Appomattox. For your viewing pleasure: 

Lindsay Lohan Autopsy Photos

April 26, 2013

Readership numbers continue to plummet, desperate writers take desperate measures, thought I'd get a jump on the future..............How many looks this week?

And what a weekend it was! We had a lot of fun at the High wedding, beautiful ceremony, lots of old faces, great food, really happy and honored to be a part of a wonderful occasion. 

Friday night.........before everything gets cranked up, a good picture, if I may say so myself.

And another great picture of a happy couple who enjoyed the weekend without children.

The best line of the night went to Margaret High who observed all of us gray headed men and quipped "haven't you guys ever heard of Clairol?"

Here's a happy guy, probably because I thought the bride had her hand on my ass, found out later, well I think you can figure it out...........................

And my apologies to all the offended. And speaking of offended (did I miss anyone?) looks as though Mrs. Lyons decided to remove her name from the Adopt A Highway program sign. Or maybe it was Mr. Lyons, either way as usual we come full circle; what started as a picture of the Highs ends up as a Highway sign..............OK, that was a reach

Charlotte NC and the Tiger-less Wachovia/Wells Fargo/Quail Hollow PGA, no pictures

This Is Big Andy, BIG!

April 19, 2013

10 minute post, sorry no shameless plugs in the title, maybe next week. And I should have some great pictures from the High wedding

Saw another repli-race car on the way home last week, very nice 65 Ford Galaxie 500, just don't have room and $26,000

Breakfast of champions!

Interesting view of how Shackleford Banks changed through the last few years

Not sure who Jackson James Riley is, or how this story relates to our Jackson's election

Lots of people hurting near and far this week and it makes me feel sad and helpless, but I hope they know my thoughts and prayers stay with them.

Well That Didn't Work
April 12, 2013

So much for the cheap and perhaps shady way of adding readers to this blog. I did get a few objectionable calls from a "Barry in DC" telling me not to do that again. Then he asked how much the tapes are.............

Took TAR on her first "new" bike ride Sunday. 0-60 in 4.0 seconds managed to blow her sunglasses off, still not sure how that vortex sucked her shades forward off her head but at least this time she didn't melt her boot heels on the pipes, actually pipe, this bike only has one.

Left early Monday for Indiana, got by the Speedway Tuesday afternoon for a quick run through the museum. That is hallowed ground if you're a racing fan, and Jim Clark's Lotus was on display

His F-1 car is the cover story in this month's Road and Track. That Lotus was my favorite Matchbook car, odd I would see his USAC car the same week. They don't like it when you try to climb into these museum pieces. Still only $5.00 for the Museum, got there too late for the lap. Lots of great cars if you ever have the chance.

Three open houses and now it's Friday morning and I'm in Knoxville TN looking at a couple of early calls and then a bolt for the shore. Glad I'll be home most if not all next week.

Great hypothetical sky views if you're so inclined:

http://twentytwowords.com/2013/04/04/how-the-sky-would-look-if-the-planets-were-as-close-as-the-moon-8-pictures/