tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71078181490643648442024-02-18T20:00:39.365-08:00Eighty Six the PoetDigital home of Eighty Six, also known as David Klenda. Poet, story teller, freelance writer and co-owner of Dragon Knuckle BBQ Supplies.Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-39083935471567414492017-02-04T23:51:00.001-08:002017-02-04T23:51:39.487-08:00The Dragon has Landed<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I told you my wife and I have been up to something at Amazon. You've been patient.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Your patience is about to be rewarded. Look what we found:</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq8_pHEwXNEYdIt1wdK55KuyFygAX9d0R5zfmBeS8KD86EYPkNG58guDDDirUmuxTR3bO8IzfrcZ7cvx1XwgiChweJZhOE7-gTnoXSoVgjJFDyvFdJJvgTngQ60onGC0tJ494SephNAA/s1600/DK01+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq8_pHEwXNEYdIt1wdK55KuyFygAX9d0R5zfmBeS8KD86EYPkNG58guDDDirUmuxTR3bO8IzfrcZ7cvx1XwgiChweJZhOE7-gTnoXSoVgjJFDyvFdJJvgTngQ60onGC0tJ494SephNAA/s640/DK01+%25231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Finally in our hands and soon to be on yours. We're taking pictures, running tests and finalizing our Amazon listing.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The big surprise: they're better than we thought. They're thicker and more durable that our initial samples. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Can your gloves withstand this?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4y7nobFFX7JgDK9iGmEq0NEDrIZ6Epp_Sq1ta6UVPKcJp5F0iPr-EtdS8zFgSK-5IGR5oqnW0HYTAGFCHM8VScFPZdkAuDV_10NQal6GKC-Ws_tFr-BmFcXWHmCJ3Fkib7lDub-38AA/s1600/IMG_2867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4y7nobFFX7JgDK9iGmEq0NEDrIZ6Epp_Sq1ta6UVPKcJp5F0iPr-EtdS8zFgSK-5IGR5oqnW0HYTAGFCHM8VScFPZdkAuDV_10NQal6GKC-Ws_tFr-BmFcXWHmCJ3Fkib7lDub-38AA/s640/IMG_2867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Yes, I put my hand on the stove, turned it up to High and left it there for a half minute or more. It wasn't hot. We had enough pictures and I was getting bored.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Can your gloves do this?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUYZJQALw_xK3TVBWPp6sPCZhFAoJaTL0Lg950enlFLQUtS8BO9oOgdclfAUHZmhHMThHxxvPTIwAwiauJ3FWnvxty3c1o88Xp9J6Kx3fh9l67ay1T15IM7JY4KcKfu0SwMNFWuk8ueo/s1600/IMG_3435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUYZJQALw_xK3TVBWPp6sPCZhFAoJaTL0Lg950enlFLQUtS8BO9oOgdclfAUHZmhHMThHxxvPTIwAwiauJ3FWnvxty3c1o88Xp9J6Kx3fh9l67ay1T15IM7JY4KcKfu0SwMNFWuk8ueo/s640/IMG_3435.jpg" width="608" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Yeah, I got the chimney starter going as hot as I could then picked it up. I held it long enough to get a few dozen pictures. Then I dumped the coals into the barbecue not because of the heat.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I had to make some ribs.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>In the kitchen, at the barbecue, on the grill or over the campfire we know heat protection is #1. But cut resistance is nice, too, so we incorporated Para-Aramid fibers like those found in bulletproof vests, fencing uniforms and motorcycle armor.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Not only can you do this:</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiwbVPTsBKk27mIdK0Ph7xc9skANBp21LfEKFBKpW4W8_Ub-P15u2rTeiNSntlDzYhBRLkl_Yby73Qw1DHXiXKhzAVo9R7ozWju-AqvhHzmgIc9PgDFNj32PYTPQouWpIIdoqbLrw3EU/s1600/Glove+and+Knife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiwbVPTsBKk27mIdK0Ph7xc9skANBp21LfEKFBKpW4W8_Ub-P15u2rTeiNSntlDzYhBRLkl_Yby73Qw1DHXiXKhzAVo9R7ozWju-AqvhHzmgIc9PgDFNj32PYTPQouWpIIdoqbLrw3EU/s640/Glove+and+Knife.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>But the gloves are extra durable. Those fibers aren't going to wear out.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>My Gorgeous Illustrator doesn't like it when we use this joke:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Will Dragon Knuckle gloves stop a bullet? Yes, if it's thrown at you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>(Our legal team doesn't suggest you try to stop a bullet if it's shot at you. Avoid those kinds of parties.)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>If you're thinking about putting your own products for sale on Amazon, have one free lesson on us. Remember the last picture? Amazon frowns on weapons in product pictures even if they prove a point.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>That picture with the knife may not be allowed in the final cut.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>How do we celebrate the arrival of our Dragon Knuckle gloves? How do you think?</i></span><br />
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<i style="font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOhvXrqEkXq9atVjy0jQ4x4jTriFT6UoVk6YbWsFDE5jeiBA8u8qzg07zto85evZHnLUfWNjkKz1paUE76b_TveKnbNsipnZo25qAY8tz8P0JLQlSKOMHBrGZqAY00XeAJypUMGDM0-E/s1600/2017-01-26+11.46.47.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOhvXrqEkXq9atVjy0jQ4x4jTriFT6UoVk6YbWsFDE5jeiBA8u8qzg07zto85evZHnLUfWNjkKz1paUE76b_TveKnbNsipnZo25qAY8tz8P0JLQlSKOMHBrGZqAY00XeAJypUMGDM0-E/s640/2017-01-26+11.46.47.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSsKMylheSANkmzD486CMmkgm5BvEO2s2BaO9Aipi04MwQrRe8qpkx4RQDHC2Cxj7utkP_Me70Pv4Wf9qEOrub6sDbEcdPIZOggXJVW2QUM0cNjJI81dPIswFkgVj77hf-4GCbky6XRk/s1600/2017-01-26+12.08.42.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSsKMylheSANkmzD486CMmkgm5BvEO2s2BaO9Aipi04MwQrRe8qpkx4RQDHC2Cxj7utkP_Me70Pv4Wf9qEOrub6sDbEcdPIZOggXJVW2QUM0cNjJI81dPIswFkgVj77hf-4GCbky6XRk/s640/2017-01-26+12.08.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjp_VjeIHM1mBUoeAhtDtLw1mtUZ_zYXDgiNEETdfn6eijul7wOmnjgBo4ASDKYm0VUbY_DGj8KdQsmWQe1Gei9HpNz1qLR5MUpTaVbsc_4snzcAcjIMyGuAZTAu-MbUDEQjR5qoPlLY/s1600/2017-01-26+12.23.35.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjp_VjeIHM1mBUoeAhtDtLw1mtUZ_zYXDgiNEETdfn6eijul7wOmnjgBo4ASDKYm0VUbY_DGj8KdQsmWQe1Gei9HpNz1qLR5MUpTaVbsc_4snzcAcjIMyGuAZTAu-MbUDEQjR5qoPlLY/s640/2017-01-26+12.23.35.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tYbWFNtxUkBeQbD-OZekE1o02wdQW7AkDnsXW2WglW814y3_BK6qqFyYxj7DY04v1Fq4TNsD7YxRFAYIkT5PtjsIJQjQlh26oPdyse3gRpG5fea4-kXzzFrNSHCIcNZd41a-TebBzlo/s1600/2017-01-26+12.42.16.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tYbWFNtxUkBeQbD-OZekE1o02wdQW7AkDnsXW2WglW814y3_BK6qqFyYxj7DY04v1Fq4TNsD7YxRFAYIkT5PtjsIJQjQlh26oPdyse3gRpG5fea4-kXzzFrNSHCIcNZd41a-TebBzlo/s640/2017-01-26+12.42.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AQcyUTDKFn4GnYk__qdCQbf52nmp_7eSQvNcg9hncTKAnzwHxyyxc1aPQrtbYnuPyCZufQgPjoDgSQfXhqRlYvxGS-sP4vSjmm6PXMm_LcK5OVqfFv-4Z5V5wECM6rxXUPXI1wVvzB0/s1600/2017-01-26+12.47.36.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AQcyUTDKFn4GnYk__qdCQbf52nmp_7eSQvNcg9hncTKAnzwHxyyxc1aPQrtbYnuPyCZufQgPjoDgSQfXhqRlYvxGS-sP4vSjmm6PXMm_LcK5OVqfFv-4Z5V5wECM6rxXUPXI1wVvzB0/s640/2017-01-26+12.47.36.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jerky's in the oven right now. Do you need Meta-Aramid gloves when you're only cooking at 170?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">No, but I'm on a beef jerky diet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Seriously. More on that later.</span><br />
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-89557595495141593592017-01-20T11:23:00.000-08:002017-01-20T11:23:52.686-08:00The Poet with Dragon Knuckles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42WUdb6Vy03a0S6VZwbvqTogk7va5sVjN7KcYG7mnQECXjXR9Cg-w6UbLL4sDK_nli44fIcue24xjgtYiBdLKKgmXDeQirMoww0BKBQsx-x5DXuHwiBmcAhHKHB30eDOawPa5SUjK5KM/s1600/Boxes+from+the+Manufacturer+1-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42WUdb6Vy03a0S6VZwbvqTogk7va5sVjN7KcYG7mnQECXjXR9Cg-w6UbLL4sDK_nli44fIcue24xjgtYiBdLKKgmXDeQirMoww0BKBQsx-x5DXuHwiBmcAhHKHB30eDOawPa5SUjK5KM/s640/Boxes+from+the+Manufacturer+1-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dragon Knuckle Day is on the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My Gorgeous Illustrator and I, acting on training from my new employer, are going into business for ourselves on Amazon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you've been reading this blog for any time you know if I'm not writing and she's not drawing, we're cooking. So something food related was natural.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Want to know more about the product? Check out <a href="http://dragonknuckle.com/">DragonKnuckle.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And please help us out with any chatter and exposure you can provide. As new business people, we'd appreciate it tremendously.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Gratitude and BBQ love will be your reward.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And if you'd like to help us further or go into business yourself, contact us directly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a recipe or BBQ story to share with Dragon Knuckle? Let us know.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i>Keep it Roasting.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-18581804478277957172016-12-16T12:11:00.001-08:002016-12-16T12:11:49.772-08:00Amazon and On and On...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBcvOxtoCS8Dhbzg30bIgchZISOA8I7jtRvW0ytdDnU0rTfJ8aTC98Ym7vBhCyAbTFmv3BNhpp7ay0tkMBG39Exetb6si28wpYSbzTGIierES8ffxCJXLz6Th0L8V6r2htgMYbScnfMU/s1600/12-15+Dragon+Logo+in+Red+Oval.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBcvOxtoCS8Dhbzg30bIgchZISOA8I7jtRvW0ytdDnU0rTfJ8aTC98Ym7vBhCyAbTFmv3BNhpp7ay0tkMBG39Exetb6si28wpYSbzTGIierES8ffxCJXLz6Th0L8V6r2htgMYbScnfMU/s640/12-15+Dragon+Logo+in+Red+Oval.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I've been writing. If you haven't seen it, it's because I've been writing for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnRood23/videos/" target="_blank">John Rood</a>, Kibly and the Azon Academy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Emails, product descriptions, blog pieces and all sorts of things detailing how John grew his business and how he coaches other people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I must be good at it, because I convinced myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My wife and I started his Azon Academy training. We researched products, worked with manufacturers, designed a product and now it's on its way. Our first shipment is being manufactured right now and it will be for sale soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a video about my experience so far:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwaLkmaM_H3QQgk9IqjGXY9vZdI-uJZ-9DVWEiEdSZL7COpcpbjfGR95yUM7S02bPxmYFRT5jrDbAg0Ka-zmg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do I think you should do it? Maybe. If you want to build your brand, sell products and create an income on your own schedule independent of workplace, then yes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a lot of work at first. It's not for dumb people unable to learn. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it doesn't take to long.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You know I don't trust a lot of people, but John and his team are some non-horsecrap people who want to sell and help people sell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My whole point of getting into freelance writing was to make a living wherever and whenever. This is that, just a subtle shift of direction.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't worry. I still get to write. I'll share my product page soon and I'm having some fun with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Gorgeous Illustrator and I both get to be creative. The logo at the top of this post is hers. Follow the link to see something of mine:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dragonknuckle.blogspot.com/2016/12/coming-soon-to-amazon-dragon-knuckle.html" target="_blank">Dragon Knuckle</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and what am I selling? For right now I wan't to keep that as a proprietary Dragon Knuckle secret. But here's a hint:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8LIj7QPcz0Zku9KPYaI5Gpy_pf_r8SU0bTQhIdTgwscQqvKIk-mywlvMVYyNJGvKjbQnSl0B2ipeVPL_PAv4Xy-YXO-Gb549Q_2DRaUyGsF4eN9T9A_ySHMETQyuCK18pOhbtHnAipk/s1600/5er+Haiku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8LIj7QPcz0Zku9KPYaI5Gpy_pf_r8SU0bTQhIdTgwscQqvKIk-mywlvMVYyNJGvKjbQnSl0B2ipeVPL_PAv4Xy-YXO-Gb549Q_2DRaUyGsF4eN9T9A_ySHMETQyuCK18pOhbtHnAipk/s640/5er+Haiku.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wait, that's the wrong picture. This one:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABF0F1bVuCajDwfs9uHZO4rmeqswuUuPnF3DUwNzEuuMPCotBWpsD8F7ZpLRJnCyS_7bxITyTj7Lj6_yEkxexCj4ng7BCNpI-soFi2jFz0ADjJhqjQlNLjf-kta0CCwqCrlF9i1GY7Ts/s1600/IMG_9296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABF0F1bVuCajDwfs9uHZO4rmeqswuUuPnF3DUwNzEuuMPCotBWpsD8F7ZpLRJnCyS_7bxITyTj7Lj6_yEkxexCj4ng7BCNpI-soFi2jFz0ADjJhqjQlNLjf-kta0CCwqCrlF9i1GY7Ts/s640/IMG_9296.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is for selling physical products on Amazon. To all my ebook authors: yes, I'm thinking of us too. Somewhere in the back of my head I'm hatching a strategy for ebook success.</span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-75188438567088157502016-11-07T11:31:00.000-08:002016-11-07T11:31:19.739-08:00No, I Don't Write For Free<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8302/7980557148_d5cba5b63e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8302/7980557148_d5cba5b63e_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/40385177@N07/7980557148/sizes/o/" target="_blank">Flickr</a> by nociveglia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am a mercenary writer. A word mule. My pen is on the street, hooking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">That's why I so rarely get to writing on my own blog. And strangely, with nothing written since August, October was the highest traffic month in the history of this site.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Probably some weird internet math there. It's still mostly meaningless.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Instead of a journal of what I'm up to, this has become the diary of stuff I thought I'd do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The murder mystery is still in the works, but I don't write for free. My experience with publishing fiction and poetry tells me it's wasted effort.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yup, that's blunt to say. But all you idealistic artists out there: learn how to make money. Do that and then you'll have the time, freedom and space to write art.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Starving artist" is one of the most true cliches out there. That's what almost every full-time artist does. The universe doesn't pay us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Meanwhile, I'm actually writing for money more that ever. I'm back on the Bright Hub horse and I'll put together six pieces on being an entrepreneur this month. A couple College Factual pieces, too. I have a bit going into the CopyPress blog later this month, also.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I finally landed a part-time work-from-home gig that's giving me about 20 hours a week. I write for an Amazon retailer that is branching into support and education for other retailers. I write emails, product descriptions, blog entries and whatever else. Like a true word mule. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My restaurant job is taking a seasonal down-turn. Don't look now, but I'm actually working and earning more writing from home than I am at a restaurant. I wish the hospitality job would produce more and make it a tougher competition.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It was one of my goals and now I reached it. Still not making enough to support a house and three kids, but I'm grinding.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Marcel novel is predictably on hold. I have no time for both word-muling and creative writing. That's how it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yet somewhere in the back of my mind I'm thinking about the ebook business. Our primary purpose at my new writing job is to help people sell physical products on Amazon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">There are many differences between selling ebooks and sprockets, but somehow the people I work with must be able to help authors too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm learning everyday. I'll find a way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Unless you have a nickel-a-word for the next paragraph, I'm stopping here. I need to get back to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-29611987337434104652016-08-16T21:55:00.001-07:002016-08-16T21:55:23.448-07:00Murder Mystery in the Works<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7312/9457767404_2ced1a7b8c_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7312/9457767404_2ced1a7b8c_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although no one reads the things I've written, I've never made enough money to buy a nice pen writing ebooks, no one paid attention when I performed on stage and I got a collective "whatever" from Slam judges, I still need to write.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a true need, like eating and mating. Through my misadventures in car sales, I never had the energy or spark. Now looking back at several months of inactivity, I got that itch. I needed to get back to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But at what? I have several projects I've thought about, blogged about, doodled about and scratched notes about. The one I decided to pick back up: the one with the best scenery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://eightysixthepoet.blogspot.com/2014/02/such-shimmering-maquereau.html" target="_blank">Remember Marcel?</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He's my sleuth. A French charter fisherman and dive guide. Here's his boat:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQBR_0LM6HyUujwdMgGpQmattiD4NMlYFtjtMqlmRVMJsx_Khjxf9pEksxkpfN61uiPkmOiJ9SdnzSU54FOnrjX14hEuk2RaTdS5guHNN17wUIw1hk_1fcSwLirHAPIHhNt8Y5kPIrIc/s1600/53+Hatteras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQBR_0LM6HyUujwdMgGpQmattiD4NMlYFtjtMqlmRVMJsx_Khjxf9pEksxkpfN61uiPkmOiJ9SdnzSU54FOnrjX14hEuk2RaTdS5guHNN17wUIw1hk_1fcSwLirHAPIHhNt8Y5kPIrIc/s640/53+Hatteras.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hatterasowners.com/Brochures/53C/53CB-0069.htm">http://www.hatterasowners.com/Brochures/53C/53CB-0069.htm</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And here's where he moors it:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpouUA9u4msLMQmwuNuXgoytEB7nB0qju_AIg-2krx6DkgmvpGdAO-sY7T9RYMPi2eJ6VqGy1Gnad8thxtKr-I4ho1LxRhWqxEzkKxxgbUY_tVgoDjMCgxCyAGCPx_244_q_ZwxMWiq8/s1600/Ronde+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpouUA9u4msLMQmwuNuXgoytEB7nB0qju_AIg-2krx6DkgmvpGdAO-sY7T9RYMPi2eJ6VqGy1Gnad8thxtKr-I4ho1LxRhWqxEzkKxxgbUY_tVgoDjMCgxCyAGCPx_244_q_ZwxMWiq8/s640/Ronde+Island.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span id="goog_2083340440"></span><span id="goog_2083340441"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/rhonde-island" target="_blank">You can buy it if you want.</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Well, fictionally I did buy it. And I put a resort on it. Then somebody died there and it's up to Marcel to figure out who dunnit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If Jacques Cousteau became a very reluctant Columbo, he'd be Marcel. Sort of. There's much more too him than that. I'm trying to avoid Inspector Clouseau or Pepe Le Pew. He's his own style. Mediterranean with a side of French Canadian trapper. Don't think he's Parisian or call him a frog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"I am no frog. Frogs, they cannot tolerate salt water."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Stay tuned.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-48116758658116530982016-07-02T03:07:00.001-07:002016-07-02T03:07:22.800-07:00Sympathy for the Devil (I mean Car Salesperson) Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2015/06/17/1ad8b923-9a41-45db-b7d6-f89c3b42e364/thumbnail/770x433/12a18a22c3b79924ebc0ed12bee3a0f8/2015bmwm235i-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2015/06/17/1ad8b923-9a41-45db-b7d6-f89c3b42e364/thumbnail/770x433/12a18a22c3b79924ebc0ed12bee3a0f8/2015bmwm235i-012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I spent eight months as a car salesman. I'm back in the restaurant business and couldn't be happier. Yet I learned some things. The first one: don't be so tough on car salespeople.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buyers are Liars</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a common saying amongst salespersons because it's true. My #1 takeaway from my time in car sales is that the salespeople are more honest than their reputation and buyers are less so. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Car salesmen are at the store everyday and represent a business that is always there. If they lie, they will be called on it. People shopping for cars can and will say whatever they want. Faced with a clod of bullshit, the dealership will invite them back to make a purchase and forgive them swiftly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The nicest guy I ever dealt with working for BMW was a sixty-plus retired fellow shopping for an exciting sports coupe. He said it would be the last car he'd ever own. He'd drive it for the next ten or twenty years and then pass away. Naturally, I wanted to help him make the right purchase.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The M235 is a hell of a car. For just over $50k you get over 300 horsepower and foot-pounds of torque. Most M cars are rear-wheel drive only, but you can get an M235 in all-wheel drive. Drive it all year round in the snow, sun, ice, mud or whatever. It's one of the best bang-for-your-buck machines BMW offers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This guy didn't want to spent much over $50k. The only one we had on our lot was around $56k. It had some options he didn't want. It was gray with a black interior, but he wanted one that was white with a black interior. He didn't want fancy options or high-end leather interior. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We almost made a deal on the one we had. A common question car sales managers ask is: "Can we sell the car for a price that would make you color-blind?" He said since this was the last car he'd ever buy, he didn't want to compromise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I got to work on the Build Your Own section of BMWUSA.com. When I cut out the options he didn't want and put in the basic black interior with the non-metallic white paint, we had the perfect car for just under $50k.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was mid December. He told me he had to spend some time with his mother over the holidays and would tell me what he decided to do after Christmas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I called him a couple days after Christmas. What did he do? He had driven over to Seattle and bought a white M235 with a beige interior for about $54k. It wasn't the car he told me he wanted, but he bought it anyway. He said he wanted to think about it. Instead, he drove someplace and bought a car.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We'd talked about what he wanted for a few hours over a couple days. I offered to bring that car from Seattle to Spokane for him. He didn't want it when I asked. But he bought it from them anyway. He thanked me for all the work I had done. He complimented me on my professionality. Yet I made no money for all the time I'd worked for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a snippet of life in the car business. When a person takes the time to listen to you, ascertain your needs and find a car for you, let him make some commission from you. Don't waste your time and his by buying something you told him you didn't want anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In retrospect, he was very nice. Yet I don't care at all if he's enjoying that car. </span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-35540094367804461352016-05-16T00:52:00.000-07:002016-05-16T00:52:06.293-07:00Eighty Six the Poet: Defibrillated<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7200/14018888031_2ecee8407e_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7200/14018888031_2ecee8407e_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bwintersperger/14018888031/sizes/k/" target="_blank">Flickr</a> by Bernhard Wintersperger</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's been a long time. I shouldn't have left you without a strong rhyme to step to.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Eric B and Rakim</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have many stories to tell, but let's start with the fact that I'm back from the dead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just took my dog for a walk, had a La Perla Maduro and recited a couple slam pieces for old times sake. It feels like the artist in me is waking up again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Go back a couple posts and read "Eighty Six the Poet is Dead". You'll understand how I was feeling about selling cars for BMW. What did I do after that? I quit my job, of course, but started working for another dealership. I was hoping to see more traffic and have a broader inventory. I did, but I still wasn't making much money. I was still dying inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I dumped that job and am back in the restaurant business. I'm working for a seafood joint with a great view that reminds me a lot of a great spot I worked at in Seattle. I'm back doing what I do best and am coming back to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The best thing that ever came out of my time in the auto business was meeting a fellow post-apocalypse fan. While staring out the window and waiting for customers (they call it "licking the glass") we got to talking about a potential novel. We have a structure, a calamity and two main characters. Soon we'll have some whiskey and cigars while knocking out some text. More to come on that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll write more soon. I will put what I learned about cars, especially the plug-in ones, on my other blog: <a href="http://www.whereismyelectricminivan.com/" target="_blank">WhereIsMyElectricMinivan?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I need to get back on stage and perform some verse. Then my heart will fully be back in rhythm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-46061556249292129152016-01-20T23:18:00.000-08:002016-01-20T23:18:41.825-08:00Cathartes Aura and the Apocalypse Zoo: Reformatted and Rereleased<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyctpMnIMFC9gSosnMOWHoSzeiPDBS_e94LWP2-jm3uogEhv1LIHYjGAKHcwXIUcxawltEBEab_Jjc_AJH_myWMMaM-AKfMzay1IELqyJ7bh0snyF-PSAVcg6zE65eHy-TGJNBm5kc4h8/s1600/Zoo+Cover+Draft+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyctpMnIMFC9gSosnMOWHoSzeiPDBS_e94LWP2-jm3uogEhv1LIHYjGAKHcwXIUcxawltEBEab_Jjc_AJH_myWMMaM-AKfMzay1IELqyJ7bh0snyF-PSAVcg6zE65eHy-TGJNBm5kc4h8/s640/Zoo+Cover+Draft+1.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hard to believe it's been nearly five years since I first published an ebook. Is it easier to believe that I've made almost nothing on that poem? I've earned more money writing about teaching preschool than from the best 10,000 syllables I've ever composed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you don't and it's all my fault. I've let myself shrivel as a creative writer. The business has beaten me until I've almost given up. But I won't give up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Cathartes Aura and the Apocalypse Zoo</i> is the post-apocalyptic story of a zoo on the day no one showed up, narrated by a captive turkey vulture. The story is built of one hundred ten-by-tens. That's 10 syllables per line, 10 lines per stanza, 10 stanzas per chapter and 10 chapters in all for a total of 10,000 syllables. Yes, I counted them all several times.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Step one of my rebirth is rereleasing things I've already written. When I first published <i>Apocalypse Zoo</i>, I didn't include a page break between each stanza. Smashwords strips them out anyway. Therefore, when you read it on your device, you will probably get more than 10 lines on your screen. It's difficult to consume one stanza at a time that way, which is how it was intended to be read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I just reformatted it to have only ten lines per page. I resubmitted it to Amazon:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.amazon.com/Cathartes-Aura-Apocalypse-Zoo-Eighty-ebook/dp/B004YTSUQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453358205&sr=8-1&keywords=cathartes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">As you flip through the pages on your device, you should get ten lines at a time. The whole piece should be easier to grasp that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please buy it and read it. $2.99 is as cheap as I can sell it on Amazon. I keep 70%. You'll spend $3 on less valuable things this week, I'm sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This poet is rapidly heading toward a future where his kids wonder whatever happened to his dreams. Help me achieve my biggest one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Coming very soon, the sequel: <i>Cathartes Aura on the Road from Nowhere.</i> Also reformatted. Then <i>Inside the Skull of David Priest</i> and <i>The Cheshire House</i> will get some new noise. <i>Growing at the Sun</i> also needs to become an ebook.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then I need to look into print-on-demand and get them printed in the real world. Who has some POD advice?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I want those books to start doing something for me. Then I'm getting back to work writing fiction. I haven't been myself lately. I miss being constantly exciting about building characters and crafting plots. Those things never leave my head once I get working on something. They haven't been in my head for a long time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm tired of being shy about self-promotion. No one does it for me. So please, buy the book, read it and share it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.amazon.com/Cathartes-Aura-Apocalypse-Zoo-Eighty-ebook/dp/B004YTSUQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453358205&sr=8-1&keywords=cathartes</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The writing is precise. It's exactly 10,000 syllables. How could it not be precise? It's physical, forceful and sensory. It's narrated by a soaring scavenger. You've read nothing like it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Three bucks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-70244926508465497712016-01-10T00:30:00.000-08:002016-01-12T22:43:54.559-08:00Eighty Six the Poet is Dead<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>RIP Eighty Six the Poet</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">October 5, 1974 to September 15, 2015</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/persia/tomb-of-cyrus-great-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/persia/tomb-of-cyrus-great-1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It happened fast and then it happened slow. So slow no one noticed, not even the artist himself. But he is no doubt gone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It happened the day he became a car salesman. At first, it seemed to make sense. All his life he'd worked in customer service. Then he became a mercenary freelance writer on any topic. What really interested him was his work with green cars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He bought his own electric car and loved it. Frustrated with the low income ceiling in the restaurant business, he chose to step into auto sales. He got a job with BMW, the best green car company in town. Like he'd done his whole life, he lowered his shoulder and got to work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He knew it wouldn't be easy. The hours would be long, but doubles in the hospitality biz never bothered him. He even imagined his writing could help him gain clients. He started <a href="http://www.whereismyelectricminivan.com/" target="_blank">Where is My Electric Minivan?</a>, aspiring to be a strong influence weaning people from gasoline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">But never did he have the time or the energy. He had to sell what the customers wanted. Getting up on his podium and banging his shoe about driving electric was a turn off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And he never earned what he wanted in the car sales game. He never wrote. He never appeared at EV events or sounded off on EV forums. He faded away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Poverty and failure will do that to a person. You don't want to be seen, you don't want to speak, you don't even want to be around people when you have nothing good to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Eventually, he ceased to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The 86 the Poet tattoo on his arm, rather than being an affirmation of purpose, became a mockery in the mirror every morning as he rose before dawn. He shaved, showered and put on a BMW polo before driving to work to put on an energetic facade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Coming home after earning no money to a family that needs it is like being fired every day. Except you have to keep going back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, analyzing all that has happened, he realizes his is nothing he used to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He doesn't write, perform on stage, go on field trips with his kids, make his wife smile, eat well, have fun or have cash in his pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It can't go on. He ain't going out like that. So I'm taking the CHAdeMO charger for my Nissan Leaf, sticking it in his chest and defibrillating his corpse. People always like poets better once they're dead anyway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ndclu_d7yJyO8VVsBNWZrSsALtSD1n1wAzlQ483j831-QF0xEwN07F2m8VTocT0OoUx3yFPq8RobH1stUXmgFZwtxHpUcWxU-VhbWAl7kAKNN0oGmbbaOi4NOIEH4KIAoMNJXcExjf8/s1600/Turkey+Vulture+Feeding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ndclu_d7yJyO8VVsBNWZrSsALtSD1n1wAzlQ483j831-QF0xEwN07F2m8VTocT0OoUx3yFPq8RobH1stUXmgFZwtxHpUcWxU-VhbWAl7kAKNN0oGmbbaOi4NOIEH4KIAoMNJXcExjf8/s1600/Turkey+Vulture+Feeding.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Eighty Six the Poet is dead. Long live Eighty Six the Poet.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pressure and friction.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The only way out</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>From between two millstones.</i> </span></div>
Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-91984274901945991122015-09-24T22:37:00.000-07:002015-09-24T22:37:11.133-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Rams Again?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The old women and one old man came to the rec room at the home to start the new season with their Seahawks. The snack table was a little more full, but not at the A level of quality and competitive preparation that surely will come as the weeks roll on.<br /><br />The old women don't like the Rams. The Rams are bullies and sneaky. The Hawks don't have to play them again until December. The old women were confident when their boys played the Rams last time that they would win. That didn't happen. Sportscasters talk about the Ram's special teams tricky plays. Coach Pete Carroll, though very clever himself, seemed not to be able to keep up.<br /><br /> The last play of the game when he sent RB Marshawn Lynch to charge through the Ram's D- line for the 1 yard play to get a first down and keep the ball failed. Some of the old women remember that last miserable play and interception at the Superbowl and said “Oh now he sends in Marshawn”.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> As they watched, the old women could see their mostly new O-line were hardly a match for the for the Rams D- line. Russell Wilson was beat up on and the new line worked to get it together, but veterans Russell Okung and JR Sweezy couldn't be everywhere at once. Russell was sacked 6 times. Each time the old women screamed “don't hurt him!” and even short of breath, they held it to see that their boy would get up off the turf OK. The old women believe that Russell has a big target on his chest and worry about him each game.<br /><br /> The old women missed the excitement of watching SS Kam Chancellor light up the field. Fill-in SS Dion Bailey looked like to the old women that he just needed a hug and years of experience. They knew, as only a practice squad player, he could not even come close to Kam. But so far, Coach Pete hasn't knuckled under to Kam and his agent. Failing to keep his feet under him on one the Ram's QB Nick Foles' last passes to Lance Kendrick, Dion showed he has a ways to go. The one old man in the room asked, “Did that Bailey kid just fall over his own feet?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">K Steve Haushka's botched “pooch” kick, whatever that is, just proved that the old women were not going to see a win today.<br /><br />The old woman keeping track of the penalty count announced that there was a total of 13 and, of course, the Hawks had more than the Rams. They were playing at the dreary, dark Edward Jones Stadium. There were not many Ram fans there and a lot of 12s made it to St. Louis. The old women were happy to hear them nearly out scream what Ram fans were there. One old women said she could see why the Rams wanted to move to L.A<br /><br /> The old women gathered up the leftovers from the snack table. Nothing is wasted. It would have been more fun to beat the Rams, but at least no one got hurt and Russell is OK. They take small victories where they find them.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-22517169880594554532015-09-10T16:25:00.004-07:002015-09-10T16:25:58.438-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Raider Run-In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />There were only an handful of old women and one old man for the Seahawks and Raiders game. The snack food was better.<br /><br />No question about who got the remote for the TV. Learning how to mute out the sound on the commercials is not complicated. Keeping the volume up above conversations is not complicated. One old woman took charge of the remote and another kept track of penalties. Hawks got the most calls. The refs were more officious than ever but reasonably fair.<br /><br /><br />The old women knew that the Raiders were at the near bottom of the pile for teams. It didn't matter. So many stars-to-be for the Hawks made the game more fun. Working for a spot on the roster kept their boys on their toes. Stand outs already were Tyler Lockett and Frank Clark. Lockett outran everybody and Clark just bullied the Raider's offensive line to get to QB Christian Ponder. BJ Daniels floored the old women when he stepped in at QB after Russell and RJ Archer. They said they did not see where a WR could go to QB. He showed he was a scrambler and could pass.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women are glad all the preseason stuff is over. They said now we can get down to some football. Mostly the old women were happy none of their boys got hurt too bad. Looks like backup QB Tavaris Jackson's ankle will be healed up soon.<br /><br />The old women are more than irritated with SS Kam Chancellor's money game with coach Pete Carroll.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />They heard that he will not play the starting game with the Rams. They cannot believe he owes over 1 million dollars in fines for not showing up for practices. By not playing on Sunday, he will be charged over 200 thousand dollars or some such amount. It is too bad. Being a jerk has cooled off one of his more vocal fan clubs (the old women in the rec room at the home) and he probably doesn't even know.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-15502623637260736012015-09-05T14:40:00.002-07:002015-09-05T14:40:16.835-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Charged Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The old women came to the rec room for the Charger game. They were a little uneasy. Their boys had lost both the pre-season games. They hoped this wasn't the outcome of all the games to come. Old women are black crepe hangers.<br /><br />It was a treat to have some left over Birthday cake to eat at the game. Earlier they gave one old woman a surprise birthday party. The old women take care of their own. Nothing is wasted. They forgot to get the ice cream out of the freezer until almost all of them had gone. One old woman took the ice cream home and said she would bring it back for the Charger game.<br /><br />The old women and the lone old man are forming opinions about this team of Seahawks, both vets and rookies. The love of QB Russell Wilson is tested. They do not approve of him being a shill for “healing” water. Kam Chancellor they think is acting like a spoiled brat. And they are happy their cute Coach Pete Carroll has not given into his demands.<br /><br /> Players are entitled to their own personalities. The old women get that the stress of fighting for a spot on the roster is hard but this preseason bickering is trying their patience. They thought the solution was a good spanking for the bad boys. That got the hands up of every old woman to volunteer for the job.<br /><br />The women are old, not dead. <br /><br />Two old men stayed through the whole game: one who was an expert on everything related to football and the guy with the remote. He took his time connecting the TV to cable. He wanted to just stick the cable wire out the window. One old woman had had it and she left unhappily. Reception was intermittent and annoying until he relented and attached the cable. The old women will rethink his remote duty for next game with the Raiders.</span><div>
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<a href="http://www.chargers.com/sites/chargers.com/files/styles/gallery__lightbox/public/2011/08-August/081111_SEAvsSD_MN_504.jpg?itok=Am2jBUVw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.chargers.com/sites/chargers.com/files/styles/gallery__lightbox/public/2011/08-August/081111_SEAvsSD_MN_504.jpg?itok=Am2jBUVw" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Charger game was close. Their QB Phil Rivers was hard not to like. Tall and fast is not what the old women wanted to see in an opposing team's QB. The Hawks' front line showed improvement. Most of the cheers were for LB Bobby Wagner. Add DT Brandon Mebane and OLB KJ Wright so the Chargers faced nearly 800 lbs of rolling boulders.<br /><br />K Steve Haushka showed he is not perfect but he came through when it counted for a Hawk win. </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Again the old women got to scream and cheer for WR Tyler Lockett. Watching him run all over the field and score a 67 yard TD gave the old women reason to believe this game would not be a loss. Coach Pete Carroll again screaming at the ref for what he thought was a bad call got some cheers. In a game where the other team got called for more penalties, the old women were happy for their boys and the win. </span><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />They couldn't eat all the old BD cake. Even old women have their limits. They did remember the ice cream.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-26773048717587506582015-08-30T13:08:00.000-07:002015-08-30T13:08:00.501-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: One Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-insider-blog/7rgfj/picture31867200/ALTERNATES/LANDSCAPE_1140/Seahawks%20Chiefs%20Football%20(5)" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-insider-blog/7rgfj/picture31867200/ALTERNATES/LANDSCAPE_1140/Seahawks%20Chiefs%20Football%20(5)" height="398" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Contributed by Kathe Frahm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women are still unclear how much these preseason games mean. They brought very little food to watch the first game but for the second they had more enthusiasm. Beating the Chiefs like a drum will be fun.<br /><br /> They are happy to see the defense work a little better and found a new sweetie in Jimmy Graham: cute and 6'7”. Graham and their Russell Wilson, showed a real connection for the few passes they completed.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women watched Graham and an old favorite, Luke Willson, at 6'5” talk on the sidelines. They laughed that they were among the few Hawks who could nearly see eye to eye. Watching handsome young men who are tall and have those great long legs again sidetracked the old women off into another conversation involving plays not found on a football field.<br /><br />One old woman invited her Granddaughter to watch the game in the rec room. This prompted the old women to at least attempt to tidy up their language a bit. Though the girl was eighteen, the old women worked to show a little bad language restraint. As the game went on, however, that effort became too much and when their boys just were not going to win, epithets learned over a long life offered whole new lessons in obscenities with no apologies to the Granddaughter.<br /><br />The lone old man keeps proving he has what it takes to stay in the rec room with the old women for nearly the whole game. They know he's there for the free food. Since he knew how to work the remote to mute the commercials, the old woman with the remote control duty relinquished it to him. He was reminded to keep the volume up to hear the conversations going around the room and the game plays.<br /><br />The Chiefs showed a good defensive line and pressured the Seahawks' QBs Russell and Archer to scramble. The Chiefs' QB Alex Smith proved he was ready for their season to start for real. <br /><br />At least this time the front line protected Russell and Archer better and no one got hurt. Watching DT Brandon Mebane do his belly roll and LB Bobby Wagner with DE Michael Bennett throwing Chiefs aside was all part of the fun. </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Being together is fun. <br /><br /> After the loss, the old women went back to their little apartments. Those that can will come back next Saturday to watch their boys unplug the Chargers.<br /><br /> This time the old women will again designate someone to keep track of Hawk penalties. They were called for 11 against the Chiefs. The ever adorable coach Pete Carroll didn't think all the calls were warranted. Hawks had 16 one game last season. They believe that if you get called on 13 but make 15 you're still ahead. Carroll did say the team had to get better. The old women say not always getting caught is better. They have learned fair play works best when you're winning.<br /><br /> For the Charger game the old women are sure the Hawks will win. They would like that. Maybe the snack table will have more than just a few days-old cookies.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-64710217317071188882015-08-21T00:20:00.000-07:002015-08-21T00:20:10.488-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Bronco Bucked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Contributed by Kathe Frahm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women and one old man weren't sure what they were supposed to see in a 'preseason' Seattle Seahawks game. They came to the rec room at the home only knowing that what they wanted to see was their boys just pounding the “Manning-less” Broncos into the soggy Seattle turf. That didn't happen. <br /><br />Some of the old women were not even sure who was going to play. One nerdy old woman had a roster list and was trying to mark off the names of the players as she read them off their uniform backs. Not a precise method, but a little helpful. They knew Russell Wilson got his money. So did Bobby Wagner. Marshawn Lynch was happy. But they did not understand why a favorite, Kam Chancellor, wasn't going to play. And why were other favorites on the sidelines was an often asked question. They agreed that it was a chance to let the adorable rookies get their feet wet.<br /><br />It is all very confusing and the numbers mentioned for contract signing seemed unreal. These old women, living off Social Security with just enough to pay the subsidized rent and buy some groceries, had trouble imagining just what a player's millions of dollars would buy.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Their Russell did not look like the star he is supposed to be. And then QB back-up Tavaris Jackson got carted off the field with an injury and that left the new kid, third in line, RJ Archer to face the daunting Bronco front line. The Hawk defense did not do well at all. Big and mean and fast is just what the old women like. That description started another inappropriate conversation related to physical size that had little to do with football.<br /><br />The old women did rediscover their Seahawk screaming and walker rattling cheering section when the rookie Tyler Lockett took off with a kick return of 103 yards in his debut game. The buzz in the room did not settle down until a little dizziness set in for some of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A trip to the sparse snack table helped some of the old women and the lone old man to refocus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The old women wanted more from their boys. They wanted the Broncos to lose. Waiting 6 months for a chance to watch the Hawks win again mattered. It is a hard thing for old women to brush off the disappointment of that last few minutes of the 2015 Superbowl. They really didn't like the tampering of game balls brought in by the Patriots to use as an excuse to explain away the loss. Their boys just should have won. One more loss in lives full of them doesn't get any easier. This year will be better. The old women are good at hope.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-80012242560405195892015-08-03T18:45:00.000-07:002015-08-03T18:45:02.334-07:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Preseason Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Contributed by Kathe Frahm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women will again come to the rec room. It won't be the same this year. They have lost some friends. When hearing of the loss of one of the old men, one old women said, "Now who's going to buy our fried chicken?" Grief is expressed in many ways.<br /><br />One really loud old woman and one too talkative old woman moved away. All though no one said “good riddance”, the old women thought it was for the good.<br /><br />The old women have had 8 months to shake their disappointment at losing the biggest game of the year. Their boys not winning the Super Bowl still remains an unsolvable puzzle: if Russell had only handed the ball off to Marshawn at the 1 yard line...</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />This new season will be for many of them even more confusing. Some old women are waiting for the final word on who actually will play for the Seattle Seahawks. Some of their favorite boys have been traded. But the old women are ready to watch Marshawn Lynch, Kam Chancellor, Steve Haushka and Richard Sherman. Finding out what the 'Hawks will pay to keep Russell Wilson past next year is of interest.<br /><br />Management at the home say the whole building is to be remodeled. This was to start this January. It hasn't.<br /><br />The old women at the home meeting, where this was announced, threatened to bolt the rec room door from the inside if even one construction worker interfered with a 'Hawk game. You can push around old women just so far.<br /><br /> A new couch would be good so the old women who need the front row for the TV wouldn't sink into the existing one up to their shoulders and need help getting out of it.<br /><br />The preseason games start in Seattle in August with the Broncos and the regular games begin with the Rams in September. Someone has already put the 2015-2016 game schedule up on the cork board. Maybe some of the old women will watch preseason, maybe not. At their age, everything has to count.<br /><br />A couple of old women want to start a pizza fund. It is a rare treat but all together they may be able to afford it once in a while.<br /><br />Some old women say they have added new Seahawk things to wear. Large, dangly earrings seem to be the fashion statement so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The clothing and food comparisons and competition will begin in earnest with the Ram game.<br /><br />The old women hope for a Super Bowl winning season for their 'Hawks. One commented that coach (Surfer Boy) Carroll was even more adorable than last season. That brought a few chuckles and inappropriate wishes that only experienced old women would say.<br /><br />Being together again in the rec room is important and looked forward to. The old women see each other in the halls and elevator once in a while, but laughing, screaming, cheering and jeering together matters. They are looking forward to watching their Seahawks play once more... their boys.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-76533008943741329512015-07-12T19:05:00.002-07:002015-07-12T19:05:11.344-07:00Blah Blah Blah: Niko's Preschool Talent Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span id="goog_84678878"></span><span id="goog_84678879"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the end of my son's preschool year, he had a talent show. "What do you want to do?" we asked him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He's a smart kid and good at many things, but not singing, dancing or typical talent show stuff. I suggested doing a song from one of the Czech fairy tales his mom loves. Who else is going to sing "Svítí Slunce and Hlavou" at the show?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We thought it was a great idea, but he was undecided. Then one night a week later when I was at work, he told his mom: "I want to do the Blah Blah Blah song."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7NVdklGi52s&ei=zxejVaDhDsbgoATSm6XIBQ&usg=AFQjCNFw6e7FXwMlyarDaf3NKYl8giFQ7A&sig2=-ffEcv7GEeJ4fOZsOeAIWw&bvm=bv.97653015,d.cGU" target="_blank">"Blah Blah Blah"</a> is a song by KRS-One and Just-Ice that I've played in the car for him and his little brother. It's fun and clean. I need those two suburban white kids to know what hip-hop is. I just never expected Niko to pick it for the talent show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Yet I was stoked that he did. The lyrics are about the excessive amount of much blah-blah in the world. Some of it is more related to the music industry, so I decided to rewrite it to be more preschool relevant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I gave him some pointers on how to memorize the piece. Performing spoken word has made me better at it than I ever expected. I read it aloud repeatedly and bit-by-bit stop looking at the page until I don't need to. You need to start early, keep the text in your pocket and live with the words until they stick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I never expected him to step up without text in hand, but with a week to go he had it nailed. That's my boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I hoped to find an instrumental version of the song, but never did. The beat is a bit too quick anyway. He did it a cappella instead. We never planned any choreography. I'm not sure what he's doing with his knees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I've been calling him NIK-Zero.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The audio is crappy. Here are the lyrics to help you understand. Many of the words are mine, but some are bitten directly from KRS-One's first verse.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Hey,
hey, hey</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Yo,
what these cats saying, man?</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Man,
to me...</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>All
I hear is blah-bitty-blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>People
always talking that blah-bitty-blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The
news is blah-blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Who's
the new blah-blah?</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>She's
the new blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Hanging
out with blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Now
blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Read
about the latest blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Some
blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Just
bought another blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Blah-blah-blah
on 500 channels</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Nothing
to watch but blah-blah and wild animals</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah
is in the video</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah
is on the radio</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Blah-blah
all day</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>And
blah-blah all night</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Nothing
but blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Means
something's not right</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I
keep away from the blah-blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>On
the TV, the tablet and computah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>So
give me a ball, a paint brush, a pen</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I'll
go down the slide and I'll go down again</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Give
me a book and a good place to read</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Fresh
air and sunshine are all that I need</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I'd
rather sing a song or stare at the stars</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Than
soften my head with blah-blah-blah-blah...</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>N-I-K-O
doesn't need blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I'd
rather cheer rah-rah-rah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Or
sing tra-la-la</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Or
dance cha-cha-cha</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>While
my sister says gah-gah-gah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>And
my brother laughs hah-hah-hah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Then
spend the whole summer doing blah-blah-blah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Go
to school in the fall saying dah-dah-dah</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Brains
are muscles</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>They
need exercise</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Feed
brains good things</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>And
they'll become wise</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>So
when school is done at LLCA</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Keep
using your brain or it'll go away</i></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Or
fill your head with pudding and tar</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>By
surrounding yourself with blah-blah-blah-blah...</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For the next two months you'll see me promoting our local <a href="https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=314&view=public" target="_blank">National Drive Electric Week</a> event with gusto. September 19 in Liberty Lake, Washington. I may be building a page dedicated to electric cars and solar power. Still in love with my Leaf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Blah-bitty-blah-blog.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-23938472339755170152015-06-23T15:29:00.002-07:002015-06-25T23:54:19.986-07:00Inland Northwest EV/PV Group Showing Off its Cars at Felts Field<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/375683_10201256317836595_1033253336_n.jpg?oh=ac1336335d4335ffc7f335562b5c1c66&oe=5632012C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/375683_10201256317836595_1033253336_n.jpg?oh=ac1336335d4335ffc7f335562b5c1c66&oe=5632012C" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Stay
current. Go solar. Drive electric.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The
Inland Northwest EV/PV Group, which works to bring awareness to
electric vehicles (EV) and photovoltaic solar power (PV), is holding
a photoshoot Wednesday, July 1. The event will be at Pemberton &
Sons Aviation at Felts Field at 6:30 PM. The media and curious
drivers are encouraged to attend.</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The
group is led by Jorgen Rasmussen, engineer for Frencken America in
Liberty Lake. He knows that the best transportation for the
environment is an electric car charged with solar power. Many people
have misconceptions about electric vehicles. They have not yet
learned EVs are powerful, easy to maintain, smooth and clean with
plenty of range for most drivers. As the charging infrastructure
improves, owning an EV will become even easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The
automotive industry responds to its customers. It designs and builds
vehicles it knows will sell. When the public demands cleaner
vehicles, the industry will deliver the products. Automakers do not
currently perceive a strong demand. The Inland Northwest EV/PV Group
aims to create that desire by enlightening the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">An
electric car is only as clean as the power charging it. Electricity
sourced from coal-burning plants results in a polluting electric car.
An EV charged by solar or hydroelectric produces no emissions. Adding
solar power to a home is not complex. Home owners can even see their
meters run backwards and their bills turn into checks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">March
16, the group held a photoshoot at Avista's Upper Falls Dam on the
Spokane River. With the group's help, Avista is showing the public
what it's doing to make a cleaner power grid. In addition to
hydroelectric power, Avista has built a solar farm in Spokane Valley
with 1512 panels. The Community Solar project will allow Avista
customers to lease a panel for $1400 each then receive approximately
$1800 in bill credits over five years.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The
EV/PV group is gearing up for National Drive Electric Week in
September. On Saturday the 19<sup>th</sup>, they will host an
education event at The Cork House in Liberty Lake from 9 AM to 1 PM.
EVs from Tesla, BMW, Nissan, Chevy, Think Global and Spokane's own
Commuter Cars will be available for test drives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To
stay on top of Inland Northwest EV/PV events, especially National
Drive Electric Week, join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/894706587223851/?fref=ts">Facebook
group</a> and register with <a href="https://driveelectricweek.org/">National
Drive Electric Week</a>.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-40416372626313104072015-05-18T17:30:00.001-07:002015-05-18T17:30:27.682-07:00Five Things Eighty Six Has Been Doing Instead of Blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://assets.carwow.co.uk/large/Nissan/Nissan%20Leaf%202013/Nissan-Leaf-2013--White-Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://assets.carwow.co.uk/large/Nissan/Nissan%20Leaf%202013/Nissan-Leaf-2013--White-Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you have an old friend you haven't talked to for a while? So many things have happened since you last spoke, you don't know where to start. Not knowing where to begin or how to explain your distance, you never get around to talking to that old friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">That's what my blog has become. Three months since my last post. Feels like it would take a tome to summarize all the happenings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But this is the internet. No one wants a tome. Let's do a list of five instead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5. Buying an Electric Car</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2011 Nissan Leaf, to be exact. As an academic exercise for <a href="http://www.bestgreencars.com/eightysix" target="_blank">Best Green Cars</a>, I began to study the market for used electric and hybrid vehicles. Most of what I write about for BGC are exotic concepts, dreams of the future and expensive premium cars. What's out there for the average family person like myself?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I realized one of the cars that retained its value the worst was the original year (2011) of the Nissan Leaf. Consumers in general were wary of the technology and were waiting for it to improve. Furthermore, a small number of Leafs in Arizona suffered in the desert heat and lost a significant amount of battery range in the first year. Nissan reacted by modifying the warranty. A seller's loss is a buyer's gain, in my case.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, a 2011 Leaf with 20,000 miles or so is selling for around $12,000. It was $35,000 new. Check to see if it's from Arizona, of course. But a four year old Leaf will still get around 80 miles of range. That's plenty for the average commuter. It will charge in your garage overnight. To be specific, from zero to full with a 110 volt plug and the supplied charging cord, it will take about 20 hours. Half that with a 220 connection and an after-market charging appliance worth a few hundred dollars.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And they're quick, too. Electric power is different from gas. Torque and horsepower are fully available at 1 RPM. It has only about 115 horses but a little over 200 pound-feet of torque. Quietly, it gets off the line in a hurry. It does not perform like an economy car.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And it has good room and visibility. It's not an econobox. I'm 6'1" and 230. I have plenty of elbow and head room. I hate blind-spots. When I look over my shoulder, I can see just fine. And two car-seats fit in the back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, when we're going long distance or taking all three kids, we take the minivan. When fewer than all of us are going around town, we take the Leaf. I'm not going to get heavily statistical here, but we're saving probably $80 in gas a month. We spend much less than $10 a month to charge the Leaf.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I think the #1 reason I went electric is because I'm a cheapskate. Sure, I love blue sky and fresh air, too, but my car payment is $1 less a month and my fuel costs shrank considerably.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Want some advice on finding the right green car? Just ask me. I'm full of it. I'm full of that, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4. Impersonating a Rock Star</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The restaurant I work for has live music every Friday and Saturday night. We have a rotating selection of rock/blues bands. One of my favorites is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnapTheNerve" target="_blank">The Nerve</a>. One night after they were done playing, we were sipping beer. I mentioned my writing addiction and they suggested I get on stage with them sometime. I declined, knowing that they are experienced professionals and I don't belong in their spotlight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The topic came up again later and eventually I said: "Hell with it." I did "Secrets for the Man" to the tune of "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed. It was a blast. If ever they were playing and I got off early, I'd do a bit with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our bartender mentioned to another one of our bands that I'd read with The Nerve. They were interested, too. It kept spreading. Now I've performed with three of our bands and will do so while still on the clock.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What I itch for now is the chance to rehearse with somebody and have a dedicated performance with a bigger crowd. I want to have time to write songs and help make original music.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's great fun and hugely flattering to realize a few musicians are playing along, taking cues from you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3. Looking For More Work</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I work routinely with <a href="http://www.brighthub.com/members/eightysix/articles.aspx" target="_blank">Bright Hub</a> and Best Green Cars, but I'm looking for more. I work at the restaurant four nights a week, rather than five, and want to work only three or two by the time my oldest gets to kindergarten. Working nights is cool when the kids are pre-school age. I get to take him to school, do field-trips and play around in the afternoon. But when my son starts getting home from school at 2:30 or 3 and I have to work at 4, it's going to suck.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, I need more writing work. After a couple years of building my resume, I think I can look for writing jobs with the same strategy I use when hunting for restaurant jobs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Rather than responding to Help Wanted signs, I go to places I want to work. Whether or not they think they need someone, I know they need me. I'm valuable and useful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So I'm getting on the virtual road to spread resumes and samples. I'm focussing on what I know and like: hospitality, green cars, football, food, cigars and beverage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I figured if I directed someone back to my blog and it showed I hadn't written in three months, it wouldn't be flattering.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2. Being a Monkey</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My family is fascinating. And time-consuming. And I adore them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My wife and I attended a parent-teacher conference for out five year old boy. (Things that make you fee like a grown-up.) Apparently, he's an academic beast. I knew this, of course. He's bilingual, has been reading for two years, asks fantastic questions and has a great imagination. He's very sweet and helpful to his class-mates, too. Before we sent him to preschool, he was so shy he was nearly afraid of other kids. No more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our three year old boy is the physical one. Since he first looked up at his big brother, he's wanted to follow him. Therefore, he figured the walking thing out at nine months of age. Yet where his brother was too timid to get involved in gymnastics or any other sport, he has jumped right in. He was recommended for the 3-5 year old gymnastics class a few months before his third birthday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Their baby sister has not beaten my son's 9 month record for learning to walk, but she's almost there. She has an appetite to be proud of. Early on, she stopped eating the bland, boiled homemade baby food. She wants just what we're having, spices and all, but in smaller pieces. If "pppbbbllllttt" is a word, she's already talking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My wife is an angel. She still hasn't slept for over five years. Some time soon I'll re-educate her on the meaning of fun. She's getting back into painting just barely but has not realized how good she is. All I need to brighten my day is to hear her laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Thinking of Writing</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've become a mercenary. I write for promised cash only. Sometimes this leads me to learn new stuff, which is great. I never would be driving an electric car if necessity didn't cause me to study them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Other times this puts me on topics I care little about. No, this doesn't mean the one you paid me to write. I'm talking about the other guy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Deep inside I still want to write my stuff, although I can't dedicate the time or energy to something history taught me won't sell. Just before I totally starved creatively, the music thing popped up and my pulse returned. I have few pieces are bouncing around my imagination:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Don't Say Blue.</i> A blues piece where the central rule is I can't mention the blues. "When you left, you took the yellow from my green. I feel like purple without the red." It would go great with a weeping, wailing electric guitar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I Told a Lie.</i> This tune has been echoing in my skull since before I started working with musicians. "Once I told a lie, nothing would return me to the truth." I have a drumbeat, a bridge and a rhythm for the guitar and bass. I just need the lyrics. Time, scarce time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>You Don't Know Me if you Don't Know My Wife.</i> A bit about how I'm defined by my family (aka Room-Mates). It was supposed to be a Valentine's Day delivery, but again, time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Off to track down more employment. Somewhere is the right partner for me. Poets and advertising go well together. Give me a certain space, a theme and an audience and I'll give you strong, evocative language with just the right tone and rhythm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-45575378946746996922015-02-16T00:05:00.000-08:002015-02-16T00:05:27.717-08:00Post Super Bowl Depression and Building Electric Cars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNmS0q-lnWN9jFXmstaQmJvoZsYVE2bAc9GfJK9kGvVpOOxZIRo99DeqLngNanI1Nxdgt21lOeLu_-VqsdzKuqNYIGQHqPsxWa-bij_-63TRAalk18vy-uaXnZJcQJX0VixNpo-MxKj4/s1600/00071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNmS0q-lnWN9jFXmstaQmJvoZsYVE2bAc9GfJK9kGvVpOOxZIRo99DeqLngNanI1Nxdgt21lOeLu_-VqsdzKuqNYIGQHqPsxWa-bij_-63TRAalk18vy-uaXnZJcQJX0VixNpo-MxKj4/s1600/00071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo by S. Monte Kase</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's been a long time since I've done a post and I owe you one. If it wasn't for Kathe Frahm's "Seattle Seahawks and Old Women" pieces (scroll down and read them, please) nothing new would be up here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Kathe got right to work after the Super Bowl expressing her feelings about the loss. I could scarcely handle my emotions about it and clammed up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But let's settle this. About the interception. Certainly running the ball with Marshawn Lynch was the highest percentage choice, but everyone new that was coming. I'm okay with attempting a pass to surprise the Patriots. On second down with one timeout, you can run or throw. If you run on second down and are stopped, you use the time out and then have to pass or risk running out of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/image/2015/02/01/ca0,115,4112,2856/Super-Bowl-Loss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.post-gazette.com/image/2015/02/01/ca0,115,4112,2856/Super-Bowl-Loss.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not okay with throwing an inside slant. Risky move. You need to throw something that either a Seahawk catches or it goes out of bounds. A fade to the corner or something high in the back of the end zone. Preferably with a run fake and a roll out so Russell Wilson has the choice to run. Too many things can go wrong with a pass in the middle of the field. Something did go wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Anyway, I can't change that. Still a good team with a bright future that was a couple feet away from winning the Super Bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now about my blogging. It's not that I haven't been writing. I just haven't been writing here. I've been busy with <a href="http://www.brighthub.com/members/eightysix.aspx" target="_blank">Bright Hub</a> and <a href="http://www.writeraccess.com/" target="_blank">Writer Access</a>. Through WA I connected with a person building a website about electric and hybrid cars. I've done a lot of work for that site and have become passionate about the subject.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Check out work by me and others at <a href="http://www.bestgreencars.com/eightysix" target="_blank">Best Green Cars</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have become pleasantly surprised that the electric car future is actually getting brighter. Sure, powerful and greedy forces are still pushing gasoline like crack. Yet great green vehicles are on the horizon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hate to wait? Build your own. While BGC is primarily about new and future vehicles, I have been trying to shine a light on the fascinating world of EV conversions. A number of creative and ingenious people are gutting gasoline cars and installing electric power-trains.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I hunted down some interesting cars and people, primarily through <a href="http://evalbum.com/">EVAlbum.com</a>, and received a strong response. Maybe too strong. I was hoping for one interview and ended up with several. Now I'm hoping to get the green light to put them all on the site, but it isn't up to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A couple profiles of converters are on their way to BGC already. I'm not sure exactly when, but I'll let you know. Because good people took the time to answer my questions and share their stories, I'm going to mention them here and now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://300mpg.org/projects/electro-metro/" target="_blank">Ben Nelson's Electro Metro</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ben took a $500 Geo Metro, removed the internal combustion parts and sold them for $550. Then he installed a forklift motor and a dozen batteries. It ain't fancy, but for less than $1500 it gets him down the road with zero emissions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://300mpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Metro_Hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="http://300mpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Metro_Hero.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo by Benjamin Nelson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://e-vconcepts.com/" target="_blank">EV-Concepts</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">S. Monte Kase has been disemboweling and electrifying gas-powered cars since the seventies, despite everything the government, oil companies and auto makers can do to stop him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo by EV-Concepts</span><br /><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://www.cztree.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Randy's 1985 Electric Fiero</a></b></div>
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Randy bought a previously converted Pontiac Fiero. He has done repairs, upgrades and very technical interior work to make it better than any Fiero ever was.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Courtesy of cztree.blogspot.com</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.evalbum.com/4999" target="_blank">Jean-Yves's Custom</a></b></div>
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This Frenchman has built is own electric vehicle completely from scratch. It looks like nothing on the road. It's an amazing project.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photo by Jean-Yves Belet</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.evalbum.com/4998" target="_blank">John's Datsun Fairlady</a></b></div>
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To compete in the 24 Hours of LeMons (a wacky event for cars costing $500 or less) John converted this Datsun convertible to electricity. He is one of the only EVs to ever race in this series.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Courtesy of EVAlbum.com</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://volts-on-streets.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Dietrich's VW Scirocco</a></b></div>
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Dietrich has converted a Scirocco and built a very detailed blog about what he has learned. To build your own EV, you have to do a lot of learning. Start by learning German.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Courtesy of EVAlbum.com</span></div>
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What I've learned about EV conversions is that the resulting machine is simpler than what it was before. It takes some study and some tinkering, but you can do it. It can be street legal.</div>
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I don't have the time to do it, but I could if I wanted to. If my eldest son was older, we'd be building his first car. He's certainly smart enough to do it and I have a wrench. We'd make a great team.</div>
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More on my feelings about green cars coming soon. Until then, investigate <a href="http://www.bestgreencars.com/" target="_blank">Best Green Cars</a>. The man behind the site is passionate, honest and deserves some support.</div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-56644687924897419832015-02-10T15:02:00.000-08:002015-02-10T15:02:27.176-08:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: One Last Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Editor's Note: We all deal with Post-Super Bowl Depression in a different way. The wrenching, shocking finale inspired Kathe to get her feelings written down almost instantly. My reaction was to think about the game as little as possible for several days, hence the late publication of this post. Please enjoy the last "Seattle Seahawks and Old Women" until September.)</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Contributed by Kathe Frahm</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One old woman was not in the rec room. She did call and say she was in Maui and would forgo the waves and beach and sun to stay inside and watch the game. The old women appreciated her sacrifice for their Seahawks.<br /><br />The snack table was loaded with every kind of food. None of it real expensive and most of it homemade. The Hawk blue and green cake did not get made. The old woman in charge of that had a painful attack of shingles and just couldn't bake. There was plenty to eat though. One old woman put a big 12 candle on her toffee cookies.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Everything was laid out carefully with all the spoons, forks, plates and napkins so no one had to get up to get anything during the game.<br /><br />Old women watch TV. <i>A lot of TV.</i> They work to keep up with the predictions, point spreads and Vegas odds making, but not understanding all that leaves them unsure of just what is going on. Listening to explanations from some of the more informed old women doesn't much help. They just want the game to be on, their boys to win and the snack table fully stocked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> A highlight is always the million dollar commercials. The most giggles were for the Viagra spoof for Fiat and awwws for the Budweiser puppy and Clydesdales. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The National anthem and fighter jet fly-over always brings cheers from the old women and the scene of our troops far away brought a few tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The game was everything the old women hoped it would be. Losing hurt. Their boys played so well with all they had and as was typical of the season's games, it all came down to the last few minutes. It seemed so easy for Russell to just hand off the ball at the Patriots' goal to Marshawn and win. That didn't happen.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women picked up the leftover snacks, put the couch back in the hall and just went to their apartments. This was one loss they all shared. They have had many other losses much worse than that of a football game. They still hope for the best.<br /><br />One old woman said that the Hawks will see to it that many of their boys will get much bigger contracts for 2015. So many of the players are all still under 30 years old and have good prospects for their future football careers.<br /><br />It is the nature of old women to look toward better times. Some have left the bad days behind. Others carry them around. But for a time, the rec room was a place for shared screams, laughter and really inappropriate comments on the nature of watching beautiful young men in tight pants.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-39858585726495551282015-01-18T23:56:00.000-08:002015-01-18T23:56:28.382-08:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Sent Packing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://c.120sportsstatic.com/assets/images/1/7/6/106634176/cuts/Marshawn_Gold_Cleats_CANVAS_dnuctufl_ioktzls0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://c.120sportsstatic.com/assets/images/1/7/6/106634176/cuts/Marshawn_Gold_Cleats_CANVAS_dnuctufl_ioktzls0.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It was quiet in the rec room during the first half of the Green Bay Packers game. The old women's "can't lose" attitude was a little shaky with their boys down 16 to 0. They all wanted to just give Russell a hug and tell him it was going to be OK </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Some old women who threw up their hands in defeat were roundly booed and told to cut it out and keep cheering their boys on. One old man who was born in Wisconsin as a Packers fan came in for a while. He had to leave though when the Hawks started getting some momentum going and the old women screamed. Two other old men stuck it out and one even helped serve food. The perfect host.<br /><br />The one old woman who was counting down how long it takes to make a TD for the Hawks to catch up was getting anxious. Most said to relax and remember when Russell threw TDs in the last few seconds to win games. Knowing it wasn't over, made the old women hope for a Russell, Marshawn or Kam miracle play.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">They got to overtime after the Chris Matthews got the ball on an onside kick. Marshawn took it in for a TD to tie and it just got better from there.<br /><br /> In overtime Russell threw 3 perfect passes to move down the field. The last one found Jermaine Kearse in the end zone and the miracle win.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Some of the old women wept right along with Russell during his post-game interview. It has been a long season for them. But they saw how fun and how much it meant to show up, scream loud and long, and share this Seahawk team.<br /><br />The Packers and Aaron Rodgers with Eddy Lacy played a remarkable and fierce game. <br /><br />The old women were fearful their boys would not catch up. Every Hawk offensive play was stopped short. When Russell took it in while the Packers' defense was mobbing Marshawn on the other side of the goal, the old women were hopeful this game could be turned around. The tide did seem to turn when punter Jon Ryan faked the punt and and passed it to Garry Gilliam for a complete surprise TD. The old women just shrieked and laughed and loved the show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> Plans were being made for Super Bowl Game day. The old women and the one old man who stayed sorted out who was going to bring what food and maybe some spiked Hawaiian punch. A '12' banner and a beefcake picture of Russell on the bulletin board set the tone. The old man wasn't too pleased and said if he put a scantily clad female picture up there the old women would have a fit. One woman said, "Whatever."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The old women and their Hawks need the 2 week rest until the Superbowl. They hope all that sun and warmth in Arizona won't distract their boys. <br /></span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-63786726764740123002015-01-17T15:05:00.000-08:002015-01-17T15:05:14.702-08:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Panther Kittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1.wp.com/gamedayr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Kam-Chancellor-jumps-over-line.png?resize=360%2C239" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1.wp.com/gamedayr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Kam-Chancellor-jumps-over-line.png?resize=360%2C239" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Contributed by Kathe Frahm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women are happy. They are just waiting for their boys to drop Cam Newton, in his tracks. The last time the Hawks beat this team, Newton made a real display of arrogance the old women found excessively annoying. True, the Panthers had won 5 of their last games, but the old women couldn't wait for Russell, Chancellor, Wagner and Kearse to give them a football clinic.<br /><br />One old woman bet the others Newton would challenge Richard Sherman and throw to his side of the field. They know QBs avoiding Sherman is a sign of respect and his ability to make big interceptions. Richard picked him off. The forced fumbles also made the old women scream. Kam Chancellor's 89 yard TD interception and 2 leaps OVER the Panther's line to block field goal attempts for some old women were the highlights of the whole year. They do love showmanship and they got it in this game.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Russell is confident and calculates in split seconds that his receivers are where he wants them to be. Some favorites of the old women are Luke Willson and of course their Marshawn. Luke has so much fun when he gets to into the end zone. Marshawn is the one Hawk nearly all the old women would want on their side in a fight. They marvel at his power to just keep going and his way of dragging any team's defenders with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So many of their boys have shown great talent and courage in this season. Last year even the most faithful of Hawk fans went into this part of the play-offs with a certain dread and fear of failure. The old-timers were promising a Hawk melt-down. Like always. Not so many naysayers this year. Watching Pete Carroll shepherd these remarkable young athletes to a winning season, has been a wonderful way to spend game day together, eating junk food and working to out scream each other.<br /><br />The Green Bay Packers are not a team to take for granted. Even injured with an calf strain, their QB Aaron Rodgers is worthy of respect. RB Eddie Lacy is said to be fierce much like Marshawn, but may be limited in play due to a bad knee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the old men called an old woman sick because she said all their boys have to do is aim for Rodgers' bad leg. You'd think he had learned that the blue-tinted pin curl and fluff disguises the fierce "just win" competitor inside.<br /><br />Sometimes the old women ask each other why these beautiful young men, their team, are important to them. They have had heroes in the past. Famous people, men and women, moved through their lives. Now, the sheer fun of winning almost all the time fills a need to claim some ownership of accomplishment. A small thing, but important just the same.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-62276016854722901272015-01-07T23:27:00.001-08:002015-01-07T23:27:20.104-08:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Battering Rams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Contributed by Kathe Frahm</i></div>
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Old women like that their Seattle Seahawks beat the St Louis Rams. They are not sure about all the wild card playoff stuff, they just know their boys won. They are also glad their Hawks get a week to rest while the other teams are fighting it out to see who will play them. Winning home field advantage is good. The 12s will make it real noisy for any of the opposing teams. The old women can scream and yell with the best of them and they do.<br /><br />The Rams got a little comfortable with their 6 point lead in the first part of the game. The old women encouraged each other by saying that's not going to last. They have not forgotten the embarrassment of having the Rams beat their boys earlier in the season.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Rams' QB for this game was an older player, another substitute, Shaun Hill. The pressure from the Seahawks' defense was just as intense and aggressive as the old women hoped it would be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wagner, Chancellor and Bennett led the best defense in the league, holding the Rams to a couple of field goals. They shut down any kind of running game the Rams tried, making a statement that the Hawks had come to play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women could not believe the fumble by Marshawn Lynch and the rare interception thrown by Russell Wilson. Russell did recover 2 of his own fumbles which made the old women proud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Key plays just got better and better. Bruce Irvin's interception and 49 yard TD run. Earl Thomas' strip, forcing a touchback. Big Jordan Hill's interception was a treat for the old women. They loved the look on his face: pure joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hawks players all around celebrated his catch. Marshawn's 9 yard TD and the Hawks defense dropping the Ram's Receiver, Tavon <br />Austin for a loss fit right into the game plan.<br /><br />Old women in this rec aren't given to swaggering. Not a lot in their lives are worthy of that. But the fun of making this team of talented young football players their boys gives an opportunity for a little bit of a strut.<br /><br />The old women will try to figure out which teams might play the Hawks in the play off count-down to the Super Bowl February first. But for now they are ready to get together in the rec room at the home, eat unhealthy snacks and show the old men how to properly cheer for their Hawks.</span><div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-74587495094110222542014-12-26T15:05:00.004-08:002015-02-15T22:53:40.669-08:00Seattle Seahawks and Old Women: Pluck the Cardinals Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Contributed by Kathe Frahm</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The old women in the rec room today are excited. They've followed their Seahawks all year and know this game with the Arizona Cardinals is a really important game to win. Many don't understand seeds, ties, and point spreads, but they do know by winning today their boys could have home field advantage for the playoffs and make them the winners of the NFC West.<br /><br />The snack table is full of holiday creations, not one of which is good for you.<br /><br />The Cardinals get on the board first. The old women are not pleased. The first field goal is where their boys start. After watching the hapless Cardinals' Ryan Lindley work to find his way as a starting QB, the old women relaxed and just watched the Hawks dismantle the Cardinal defense and offense. Seeing Wagner, Chancellor and Bennett throw Cardinal players around to get at Lindley brought out the blood-thirsty side of the old women. Even the 2 men in the room were taken aback by the ferocity of the screams to drop the QB. The old women commented that if the kid was going to learn anything it might as well be from the most aggressive front line in the game.<br /><br />Touch downs and interceptions by their boys reduce the old women to raucous yells and applause. The disbelief that the kicker, Steve Haushka missed 3 field goal attempts did quiet the old women down a bit. Motherly excuses took over the conversation: maybe he didn't feel well, maybe he had problems at home or on the team. That last was dispelled when he was encouraged that it was OK by his team.<br /><br />Richard Sherman picking off a Lindley pass and getting going in the right direction was pure Sherman. The old women think he has got the spirit of the Hawks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Russell Wilson just destroyed the Cardinal defense's game plan of keeping him in the pocket. They learned you can't blink and still keep up with his scrambling to the goal line. The old women scream “run Russell run” loud enough to have other residents on the upper floors come down to see what is going on. Three of the Hawks TDs were classic Russell. On the mark passes and trademark hustle is his game now. The earlier season shakiness seems to have passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Watching Marshawn drag Cardinals all over the field to the end zone is something they love. The old women were worried when he did not come out to play early in the first quarter. Many did offer a shoulder or tummy rub for him if that would help. They didn't sound too Motherly with subsequent very risque comments. Old women say they could always kiss it and make it better. Must be a Mom thing.<br /><br /> Luke Willson, a former Canadian Lacrosse player, brought the rec room group to their feet with his touchdown run. He is one of the fastest tight ends and was just having so much fun. The old women cheered him on as he lumbered down the field.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Winning this game and looking forward to burying the Rams next week makes these shared afternoons/evenings a gift well appreciated. Noisy teasing and constant shushing keep them together, keep them caring for one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />All the old women were a bit hoarse and one said she clapped so much her arthritic hands hurt. They did all over-eat so there was not much food to take back to their little rooms. Old women share. They know some can really use it.</span></div>
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Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107818149064364844.post-31027645215114572522014-12-18T16:27:00.001-08:002014-12-19T14:24:10.987-08:00The Creeper Report: Fantasy Football Week 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm getting to the report. I've been hired to write several articles on green cars plus some other things this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Besides, did any of us get to Week 16 on the backs of Titans and Jaguars? The Charlie Whitehurst/Chad Henne Bowl? You may want to play Jacksonville's defense here, but please have some better options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Baltimore is in the middle of a three game stretch playing rookie quarterbacks. Try that instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">$$$$$$$$$$</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alright. I knocked out most of my work last night. I wrote about the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi concept cars, the Toyota RAV4 EV. I have a piece on Tata, an Indian conglomerate, and a couple pieces on Elon Musk ahead of me. It's good to be busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I told you that last night would have little fantasy football meat on the bone. If you were crazy or desperate enough to start Toby Gerhart, Leon Washington or Jordan Todman, you earned double digit points. Both quarterbacks did so-so. Blake Bortles surprised me by playing with a sprained foot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How'd you like to be the guy that said: "Aw, screw it. I'm starting Chad Henne."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As for The Creepers, because I know you care as much as me, we're fighting for two championships this week. Bethanie's league has a Week 17 championship and I'm still in the final four. The only league I can't win is Andy's, where I predictably was bisected by the buzz-saw. DeMarco Murray didn't break his hand until he'd beaten me. I was still alive Monday night and only lost by 10 rather than the predicted 32. A top 4 finish ain't bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please note that we have two games on Saturday, so get your lineups ready before you black out tonight. And do us all a favor and black out on your couch or at least with your keys at the bottom of a bowl of Kool-Aid in the freezer, for safety's sake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you've made it this far, you know what you're doing. Don't do anything crazy. Here're a few notes regarding this weekend though:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rashad Jennings is Out</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fortunately, it's a nice clear O and none of that Q crap. Andre Williams is getting the start, against St. Louis unfortunately. That's a nasty D, but he'll get touches and is worth a play unless you're stacked at RB.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jonathan Stewart is Starting</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">DeAngelo Williams will play in an emergency situation. Cam Newton's back and should run sparingly, so that's Stew's job. I expect the Panthers to feast on Johnny Manwich, providing plenty of short fields and run-out-the-clock opportunities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jordan Cameron was a Blink</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What was that on my fantasy radar? For a moment last week, I thought maybe Jordan Cameron would benefit from Manziel starting. I was needy at TE and rolled the dice. One catch, four yards, crapped out. Picking up Dwayne Allen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Giovani the Back-Up</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jeremy Hill has firmly taken the lead and goal-line role in Cincinnati. Giovani Bernard is far from dead, but I'm not believing in him for the rest of this year. Against Denver, they'll be chucking it and neither back will see much groundwork. Outside of a big pass play, I don't think Gio puts up too many points.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I Hate the Raiders</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is not a news flash. Also non-shocking: the Jets offense is not good. I have Chris Ivory on a couple teams and don't want to start him. I have the chance to grab Latavius Murray. Seeing him play against the Seahawks in the preseason, he looked dangerous both running and catching it. He's finally getting a chance. Now, I don't like my heart making decisions my head should make, but I just don't want to put Week 16 in the hands of a Raider. Ain't owned one all year. Ain't starting now. Let's go, Chris Ivory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fantasy Football Reflections Coming</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good to look back while the season is still fresh in your mind to see what you did right and what you did wrong. What predictions came true and which were hooey? I did a lot of yapping this year. Let's see how much looks brilliant now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In the weeks following the season, I'll look into the draft, tight ends, defenses, individual predictions and next year's stars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Until then, good luck and happy creepings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Eighty Sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890895217472507280noreply@blogger.com0