The Passing of my Friend

Donny "Walrilla" Smith
5/23/65 - 10/1/2012

                                                                                     

 

  This is not the way We wanted to make our return to the 'blog' world, but it is the only way We know how to contact many of Walrilla's friends....   Hope you all will see this and pass the word.

 

 

  For those that were not aware, in early August, Donny was admitted to the local hospital after he nearly collapsed registering for college. 

 

  Yep, he was going back to make his brain bigger!

 

  After a series of test, word came back that he wasn't doing well.  He ended up having QUINTUPLE bypass surgery.

 

   That's 5 bypasses....

 

   He spent a few days in the cardiac ICU.  On Friday, he called to say he was in a regular room and was doing well, just in pain.  Sometime during the night, he suffered a stroke.  More test and treatments were performed and the final report was that the stroke had affected about 1/3 of his brain.  The stroke caused him to disassociate the left side of his body.

 

   He didn't recognize his left side as his body. 

 

  Over the next week, he FOUGHT an uphill battle as he had to be placed on a ventilator to help him breathe.  Eventually he pulled though to a point that he was sent to a neuro rehab  center to start therapy to regain use of the left side of his body.  He worked hard and in 3+ weeks time, he had started regaining use of his left leg.  They had him standing and as of this past Sunday, We were informed he was even walking a little, with assistance.  Sunday was a good day as We spent several hours together making plans of what we were going to do when he got better.  We left that day with plans for a Las Vegas trip spinning in our heads.

 

  Monday night We received a call from Donny's wife informing Us that he had just passed away.

 

   BULLSHIT!!!!  HE WAS GETTING BETTER!!!!  WE WERE JUST THERE LAUGHING AND CUTTING UP, MAKING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE!!!!  HOW IN THE HELL COULD THIS HAPPEN!!!!  HE WAS GETTING BETTER, STRONGER EVERY WEEK!!!!!  NO!  NO!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

   From what We were told, sometime Monday, a nurse checked in and found him not breathing.  Defib, CPR, ventilator and a mad rush to a Austin hospital.  They had managed to get his heart beating again, but it was just the machines keeping his body going.  With his wife and mother at his side, it was decided that the machines should be turned off....

 

   Today We laid our friend to rest. 

 

   Walrilla,  We still can't believe this.  You are Our Brother, friend and partner in crime!  We will always remember you and pray that you have found peace, that you no longer suffer in a body that burned out much faster than the spirit that drove it.  When Our time in this Earth has run its course, We will meet again, and that will be a good day!  Till then Brother, We live for you!  If it is within your power, watch over us, your friends, and smack us in the head if we are screwing up!

 

   In closing, We ask that if you have a story or remembrance about Walrilla to please share it with his friends. 

 

   People don't really pass on, they continue to live in the hearts and minds of those who loved them.



Doing something nice for the troops

Looks like Xerox is doing something nice for the troops. They are letting you send Thank You cards to the troops. For just a couple of clicks and less than a minute so head on by and have a look. Click HERE for site.

Hell Yes!!

I received this in an e-mail today. I hope its legit, and i hope it spreads.


All states should adopt this standard .
If all the sissy men , liberals , do not want to do there part to keep our country free , then they must PAY up so the rest of us can keep it free .


Here's a guy that has it right!

Vermont State Representative, Fred Maslack, has read the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (as well as Vermont 's own Constitution) very carefully. His strict interpretation of these documents is popping some eyeballs in New England -- and, elsewhere.Maslack recently proposed a bill to register "non-gun-owners" and require them to pay a $500 fee to the state. Thus Vermont would become the first state to require a permit for the luxury of going about unarmed and assess a fee of $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.Maslack read the "militia" phrase of the Second Amendment as not only affirming the right of the individual citizen to bear arms, but as a clear mandate to do so. He believes that universal gun ownership was advocated by the Framers of the Constitution as an antidote to a "monopoly of force" by the government -- as well as criminals.Vermont 's constitution states explicitly that "the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State" and those persons who are "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms" shall be required to pay such equivalent. "Clearly," says Maslack, "Vermonters have a constitutional obligation to arm themselves. They should be capable of responding to any situation that may arise."Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm, would be required to register their name, address, Social Security Number and driver's license number with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is not prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says.Vermont already boasts a high rate of gun ownership along with the least restrictive laws of any state. It's currently the only state that allows a citizen to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This combination of plenty of guns, and few laws regulating them, has resulted in a crime rate that is the third lowest in the nation."America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards," Maslack continues. "This makes sense: there is no reason why gun owners should have to pay taxes to support police protection for people not wanting to own guns. Let them contribute their fair share and pay their own way."

If you aren't will to defend and protect, then you should pay for those who do.

For those who disagree, "Here's your sign!"

The pic didn't transfer very well, so here is the text:
"My Next Door Neighbor wants to BAN all GUNS!
Their house is NOT ARMED!
Out of RESPECT for their opinions I promise NOT
to use MY GUNS to PROTECT THEM."

Gun Control ......

I was taught that gun control was the proper handling of a firearm. Some say hitting what you have sighted. Was sent this earlier today. Might be old, but I thought it was good.

We are Back!

Howdy Y’all! Believe it or not, we are back. After some much needed….

Court ordered…

…therapy, meds and quiet time, we can say that we are feeling better that we have in a long time!

Meds are GOOD! Meds are our FRIENDS!

Anyways, we decided to blow the dust of this site and see if we could come up with something to discuss.

You can see the dust cloud from space! We really need to hire a house keeper.

SO we have been having discussions lately about a subject we are not very knowledgeable about and have been forced to, heaven forbid, read. Now we know that most of the people that will/might read this are more knowledgeable on this subject, so please forgive me my ignorance. We are learning, but it’s a slow process.

Growth of stalactites is slow. And they are outpacing us at 1,000:1.

Fine, it has been a very slow process. The biggest problem that we are having is to verify what we thought was correct and finding that most of our assumptions are wrong. To add to the problem, trying to find factual information has not been as easy as we would have thought.

OK, for those of you who are wondering, we are trying to learn about government / politics. Well we guess that is really 2 subjects, since constitutional law and politics are about as closely related as quantum physics and finger painting.

Correct. And why after 41 years on this planet are we starting to get interested in this? Why, our new President of course! And all of the wonderful things his administration and congress are doing for us.

Uh, I think you meant “TO US”.

I was being sarcastic.

Oh.

The thing that started us on this path was probably the housing fiasco. Why in the hell did the government have to step in and save these assholes? Can anybody explain this to us? From our point of view, which may or may not be wrong, is that there was absolutely no reason the government had to step in to fix the issue. The banks and lenders could have and should have been able to resolve the issue on their own. Now like we have stated before, this is all new territory for us so we may be over looking something, but wasn’t a big part of the problem the A.R.M. that started out subprime and then ballooned up to the point where the people couldn’t make their payments? That the banks knew good and well these people would be hard pressed to make the payments once the rates went up? We realize this is probably a simplistic view of what happened and that other factors were involved, but isn’t that about right? OK, well until I can get this posted and someone comments we will assume we are correct. We hate ranting on assumed knowledge, usually comes back to bite us in the butt. Anyways, so we were talking about this and asked the question, “What would we do in this situation?” The answer we came up with was to work with the mortgage holders to get them into a position so they could make their payments. It seems like it should have been easy get themselves out of trouble. I mean, drop the rate to a normal rate, extend years on mortgage are two of the options we came up with and I am sure there are others. Point being, they could have and should have dealt with the mess they made. BUT NOOOOOO! They go screaming that ‘ALL IS LOST!! ALL IS LOST!!’ and the government steps in and says “WE WILL SAVE YOU!!” So with a wonderful PR push, the government sells the notion that the only way to “SAVE THE ECONOMY” is to bail these bastards out. So they give them BIG GOBS of money….. for??? It didn’t pay of the mortgages did it? Even thou the amount they said they needed would more than cover paying off all the mortgages that were in trouble plus a whole bunch more. Was it just to keep them a float till they could fix the problem? No. Unless the problem was they weren’t going to receive their bonuses this year.

OK, I am sure they remember, move on.

Fine, well while this was on going and before the bailout, we actually wrote our US senator and Representative to express our feelings on the subject. First time for everything I guess. And we knew we weren’t alone in the “no bailout” mentality and we knew many who were writing in to express their opinions. So when we heard they passed the bailout, we were pissed. We went and looked up the vote and TEXAS voted solidly for it. Now we were fit to be tied. So we decided to start digging for some information, specifically the legal process to remove / recall a US senator or representative.

If you don’t know, you are going to love this.

It turns out that you can’t remove or recall ANY federal appointee. It seems that once they are elected to office, they become federal and are no longer touchable by the voters who put them in office. There was a small nuclear detonation in our cube. Here it is if you want to read it.

Now it makes sense why I have never heard any of our elected official ask/poll for voter opinion on a matter, they don’t care because there is nothing we can do except not vote for them next term. Oh, political ads…..shoot me now.

Needless to say, the more that has been going on lately, the more irate we have become. We are not really big on conspiracy theories, but damn, something sure the hell stinks. Funny thing is that we have always had a secret hope the 2012 when pan out, that the apocalyptic prophecy would be fulfilled. In the 90’s, people told us things would have to get really bad really fast and it just wasn’t going to happen. Well we look around today and think there is a really good chance of seeing the prophecy fulfilled.

Oh man, not the doom and gloom again. I told you the alien masters will return and set things right. Remember, they started life here to watch it evolve so they could learn about their distant past. It’s kind of like observational anthropology. It will be great!

Did you take your meds today?

Yep, and yours too.

I have told you to leave my stuff alone.

By the way, you are out of Jack.

WHAT!! YOU SON OF A BITCH!

Don’t talk about our mother that way.

AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Should I call the therapist? She said that if you started having problems you should call. But since your shaking like a jack hammer and foaming at the mouth, I will make the call. Taking care of you, that is what I am here for.

First time for everything

Well seems there is a little game of tag going on, but its different in the virtual world. I am not sure how this works but I am sure some one will point out the rules I mess up.



Pick up the closest book to you and open to page 56. Write down the fifth sentence and the next 3 to 5.

OK. The closest book to me, by mere inches is :

"The Complete Paratime" by H. Beam Piper

It is a collection of his short stories about the Paratime Police.

Page 56 falls in the story "Police Operation".

He punched the designation on a keyboard; instantly, it appeared on a translucent screen in front of him. He punched another combination and, at the top of the screen, under the number, there appeared; Events, Past elapsed five years. He punched again; below this line appeared the sub-heading: Events involving Paratime Transposition. Another code-combination added a third line: (Attracting public notice among inhabitants.) He pressed the "start" button; the headings vanished, to be replaced by page after page of print, succeeding one another on the screen as the two men read.


This is early to mid 1960's Sci-fi. But I really like the story "Lord Kalven of Otherwhen". I usually read it once a year.

Just for your information, the book that lost out by mere inches was "Tick Tock" by Dean Koontz. It is also high on my list of favorites and reread often.

Now about the tagging... Walrilla said eveyone has done it, not sure how you would do it, so I will pass on the tagging this time. BUT... For the few who will stop by and read this, What is your FAVORITE book to read? I guess right now, I would have to say "The Dragon Riders of Pern" by Anne McCaffery. Looking forward to your answers.

Later :D

Ready, Set.....VOTE!!

Just a short one today. Get out there and Vote! If you voted early, "WAY TO GO". I am not sure about this "Deluge" I keep hearing about in the press. I voted just after lunch and was the 197th to cast a ballot. And I had only 2 people ahead of me. And make sure your friends vote as well. We might get through this yet.

See ya tomorrow, and we will see what that day brings.

And you were expecting?

I don't see why you are so broken up. It is just the way things work.

I know. But I figured there would at least be some feed back. That some one out there would feel like I do or at least understand what I was saying.

Well if you would post more, more people would visit and with more looks, more chances for some one to respond. Just forget about it. The world is going where the world is going and everybody is just going along for the ride. You should have been born 200 years ago and you would have been happier, but you weren't so suck it up, chin up and keep moving. And if all goes well, 2012 will pan out for us.

I have my fingers crossed.

Me too. So, are you going to bring them up to date on the latest happenings in our lives?

Sure, why not. Well last week I went to move my girlfriend down here. For those of you that don't know, I have been in a long distance relationship for the past 3+ years. And now I am trying to learn how to co-habitate. Not something I have much experience with and the experience I have says never to do it again.

Ya, I remember those times. Think it will be different this time?

I hope so. If it doesn't, I will probably be 50 before I look for another relationship.

And not only do you have a live in, you are now a pet owner too. Isn't that wonderful! EVERYBODY needs to have a pet!

I am allergic to hair, fur, wool and feathers. The only pets I could have as a kid were fish and turtles. And besides, I am not geared to be a pet owner. If something is depending on me to live, it won't.

Not even plants?

Nope, not even cacti.

Oh. Does she know?

I have mentioned it several times. Was she paying attention, I don't know.

Guess we will find out soon enough.

Probably so. Anyways, so after a 4 and a half day drive home pulling a trailer that was bigger and heavier than the vehicle towing it, we arrived.

And then the fun started :D

Oh yes. I mean I lived basically in one room bedroom/bathroom, and just forgot about the rest of the house. I mean I am rarely home. Friends don't stop by so why bother with the rest of the house. But now that is changing. Just hope I can adjust.

Have faith, people do it all the time.

Right and what, over 50 percent end in divorce? Not good odds. And nobody has ever come up with figures for people just living together.

Well I am sure it will be fine. Trust me.

Alright, we will see. Well I have to get back to work. There is a lot of cleaning and organizing to get done. God I hate house work.

You will live.

Later.

When did America change?

Alright, we are going to show our ignorance. We would like for those in the know to shed some light on some things. We appreciate all input and all opinions as we are very concerned about the over all perceptions of people in general.

When did the government of the United States of America, decide that we did not have the right of free will to make choices that only affect us? We mean, why is there a LAW that states we have to wear a seat belt when we are in a motor vehicle? The only entities that should be concerned if we wear a seat belt or not is our health insurance company and our auto insurance company, if we have personal injury as an option. That’s it. And they shouldn't be able to tell us we have to wear a seat belt. They may charge us differently for wearing it or not. But it will be our decision whether or not to wear it. Did the government “cow down” to the insurance companies and pass this to appease them? If so, when did the government start taking orders from industry? We hear you say, “They did it to reduce health cost and drains on Medicaid / Medicare / Social Security”. When did the government become a wet nurse? When did the people of the United States quit taking responsibility for their actions? Why is it that every time there is a problem, the government is supposed to be the fixer?

And when did the government start TELLING us what is in our best interest? If we are not mistaken, the politicians are OUR PROXIES! They are to forward OUR OPINIONS and DESIRES. When did they get the idea that they ruled the PEOPLE and the PEOPLE bowed to THEM? Or are they just trying to run the country because WE just don’t want the RESPONSIBILITY of THINKING FOR OURSELVES? Have WE become a nation content to let others lead? To have others tell us what is right and what is wrong? To have the freedom to choose and the freedom to act taken away from us because we just can’t be bothered with thinking for ourselves?

WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, not THOSE WE ELECT, are the government. Those we elect are our proxies. When we forget that WE are responsible. When WE, through freewill or negligence, give away OUR authority to others, WE will have no rights other than those handed out at the discretion of others.

And speaking of people, when did they change? When did they go from “I can work and achieve a better life” to “give me some of yours so we can be equal”? When did the socialist attitude of “I deserve and need” replace “I can strive and achieve”? We remember a time when a person would take any job available to avoid going on “assistance”. Now people have no qualms about getting “assistance”. People would rather take a handout than take a job “below them”. Where did kids today get the idea that the world owes them? That with out education and experience, they deserve 6 figure jobs? That some one will always be there to pick them up and dust them off and tell them everything will be OK? Why is reality a foreign concept to them? Is it parents wanting to be friends and not parents? Is it the parents that work all day, come home and don’t want to be bothered with raising kids? Is it the parents that spend so little TIME with there kids that they basically let the kids run wild, bailing them out of any trouble and coming to their defense when ever they screw up because they feel guilty about not being there all the other time? Is it because the kids have never learned that there are consequences for their actions? And when did we start rewarding just for participating? What’s the incentive to get better? We just don’t understand. That is probably why we decided not to have kids.

There is more to come, but I have run out of time, but the rant will continue as soon as I get back.

Until then, tell me what you think. Have you noticed these things? Is it just our imagination?

The Ice is begining to break....

Hi everybody! Hope everyone is doing well. This is not one of my "normal" post, I am working on that one now and should be up soon. I just figured since this was close to what that will be, I would go ahead and put this up. It was my response to an online article about "Joe the Plumber".

As stated by "Joe the Plumber", DO NOT PENALIZE ME FOR MAKING MONEY! If I work, I want the rewards. I want to get ahead in this world. I don't see why my acheivements should be taken from me and given to others. There are those in previous comments who are stateing that "Joe is the problem, he is greedy, he charges outlandish amounts". Wake up! Joe is working for a company. He wants to buy the company one day. Working for the company he is lucky if he gets 1/3 of the hourly rate that you are charged. OK, I hear you say, well then it is the company who is greedy and they are over charging. Have you ever ran a business? Plumbers and others have to be bonded and insured. They don't want to loose there business because of an accident a worker caused that ruined your house. Those policies are not cheap. Every service vehicle they own has to be fully insured and usually to a higher level of coverage than most drivers pay. Does the employer provide health care, if so, do you want to talk about that cost? The owner has workers, so he is probably paying into an unemployment program. Cost are high. It is expensive to run a company. Its a fact, some people are greedy. This is also a fact, most people just want to work and know that they are free to be as successful as their abilities allow them to be. Don't take from me to give to someone else, charity is an individual choice. Don't expect to be given what others have earned. Don't expect to be equal to those who earn a living if your are one who is receiving assistance. This country was made great by people who worked to make it great. We didn't ask anybody to grant us anything, WE EARNED IT! And that is a heritage I am proud of and will fight to continue!