This Is Not A Rodeo....

It seems like forever since I posted to my blog...But I guess it's really only been a few days! My how time flies....

And it's that time of year!
Yep...It's the World Finals of the PBR!!

And I am going to clear up a few misconceptions about bull riding on the Professional Bull Riders circuit.

First.... Only the top bull riders allowed to ride on the Built Ford Tough PBR circuit. These cowboys are not the ones that show up on a rodeo weekend to ride a bull. This is what most of them do for a living. And it's boom or bust.

If you don't make the 8-second ride, you don't get paid. Most of the top riders, however, do have sponsors. I don't know what that pays...Maybe enough to cover traveling expenses. Yes, they have pay their own traveling expenses for each trip.

They don't have contracts like most professional athletes. It is a week to week living. I was watching football a few weeks ago and they announced that one of the starters would be out for a few weeks with a broken toe. Broken Toe?? Mike White broke is neck six months ago and is back on bulls. If you ain't hurt, you ain't riding. That's the fact of the matter.....Separated shoulders, sprained backs, broken riding hands, broken legs (yes, Justin McBride rode in the Finals two years ago with a broken leg), bumps, bruises, and stitches.

It's part of the game. And they do it because they love bull riding. You gotta "Cowboy Up" to make it on this circuit.

And raise your hand if you think this is cruel to the bulls? And if you believe that a rope is tied around the bulls genetilia. And if believe that they use a cattle prod to make them buck. And if you believe that they are raised in small pens on some back road....

All wrong...These bulls are as famous as the riders. Reindeer Dippin', Mossy Oak Mudslinger, Scene of the Crash, Big Bucks...

There is no "stimulation" to make these bulls buck. They are either buckers or they're not. As one stock contractor put it, "Would you perform if you have a rope tied around you genetalia?"

They are usually raised from calves by the stock contractors and are normally considered to be a part of the family...like a dog that you take to a dog show. They are pampered and nurtured and well taken care of. Well, it's true, like it or not. These bulls buck to get the cowboys off their backs, and they love it.

One very famous bull (now retired) Little Yellow Jacket, used to try to get in the trailer to go to the events, even when they weren't gonna take him. He loved it. After he bucked off a cowboy, he would always turn around and look at the crowd and then stroll out through exit chute. He was not mean tempered, he never "went" for a cowboy once he was down.

They have their own personalities, some, like LYJ would usually do the same trip each time out...Two jumps and a turn to the left with a reverse thrown in there is the cowboy wasn't off by then...And he usually was. Some are rank...They will come after a cowboy, or anyone else that gets in the way, once the bothersome rascal is off his back. But usually injuries don't occur when you meet up with a rank bull.

That's where the bullfighters come in. NOT the rodeo clowns...the bullfighters. These guys know where the cowboy is and know where the bull is going. And know how to keep the bull off the cowboy. They run interference. I have seen bull fighters get between a 2,000 bull and a 150 pound cowboy to protect the rider. I have seen them literally cover up a downed cowboy with their own bodies in order to protect them from the bull. I have seen them do heroic things. Because they love it.

Gotta go! The broadcast of the finals is starting in one minute! Catch it on Vs. (Versus), the network formerly knows as OLN.

Laugh A Litttle!

After so many serious posts from my friends, I thought a little levity might be in order. Watch and laugh!

Happy Halloween!

One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure

The yard-sale saga just refuses to come to a conclusion. I have been getting my trash together for more than a month in anticipation of cleaning out of the extraneous crap that I have accumulated during the 5 years we have lived in this house.

And by the way, the stuff you accumulate is directly proportional to the amount of space you have to store more junk! We moved from a charming, 1100 square foot home to one more than twice that size. And have managed to fill it up. Aaaargh

Anyway…Hubby took this past Friday off in order to “get ready” for the yard sale we were supposed to have this Saturday. Well, no yard sale. Junk still sits in my dining room, in my garage, and anywhere else I have found to stash it. I have threatened to call the local charity to come and haul it all off. But Hubby wants to have a yard sale. OK. Maybe next weekend…

I have some fairly nice stuff I was going to put out for the yard sale, but felt like I was demoting it from treasure to junk without merit. I found a new and very charming consignment shop that recently opened and called the owner Friday. I told her about some of the stuff I thought she might be interested in taking on consignment. She sounded excited about my treasures. I’m gonna separate those out and take them to her next week. More fun than throwing them in the driveway at a price that I’m sure is lower than some others would be willing to pay.

And the thrift store is just down the road. I think that I might be able to buy some really cool things there and make money putting them in her shop! I love stuff like that!

Will post updates on the Trash to Treasure adventures when they are warranted.

Thanks for reading my Lame-Ass blog! (lol)

(Ooh...think I'll go check out e-bay....The ultimate Trash to Treasure store.)

My Alabama

I am stealing this from a post by Chicken&Waffles from GrayCharles. This poem evokes so much visceral imagery for me. And I’m blessed enough to get to see my Alabama everyday.

Daybreak in Alabama

When I get to be a composer
I’m gonna write me some music about
Daybreak in Alabama
And I’m gonna put the purtiest songs in it
Rising out of the ground like a swamp mist
And falling out of heaven like soft dew.
I’m gonna put some tall tall trees in it
And the scent of pine needles
And the smell of red clay after rain
And long red necks
And poppy colored faces
And big brown arms
And the field daisy eyes
Of black and white black white black people
And I’m gonna put white hands
And black hands and brown and yellow hands
And red clay earth hands in it
Touching everybody with kind fingers
And touching each other natural as dew
In that dawn of music when I
Get to be a composer
And write about daybreak
In Alabama.

-Langston Hughes

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And the Who Gives A Shit story of the day…

BRITNEY KEEPING MUM ON NEW BABY'S NAME

A mystery It's keeping me awake at night is growing around Britney Spears' second baby She's already had a baby?.It was widely reported that on Sept. 12 I musta missed that headline, Spears gave birth to a baby boy that she named Sutton Pierce. Spears has not confirmed those reports I've been calling and calling her, but she still won't tell me, and pics of little Sutton have yet to surface waiting on pins and needles for these photos. Sources tell the Scoop that may be because there is no Sutton Pierce Spears Federline Does this mean she didn't really have a baby??.

Taylor's Favorite - Fox Valley Restaurant And watch the Cat Herding video

Hubby and I went to eat at Fox Valley earlier this evening. As I left FBB chat, I told everyone there that I was going to eat at Taylor's favorite restaurant. Dana asked if we were going to Waffle House...Although I do like Waffle House, especially in the wee hours of the morning after imbibing more than my share of wimpy American Beer, it was Fox Valley Restaurant.

From the article in People Magazine:

Favorite restaurant:"Fox Valley, about a 10-minute drive from Birmingham."

I thought some of you might be interested in finding out more about so I found their website and am posting it here.

By the way, Taylor's favorite meal there is Steak and Cake. It happens to be my favorite too.

Tonight we sat at the bar and ate. I had a Crab Cake, a delicious Mixed Greens Salad, and a glass of white wine.

This is a really interesting restaurant. First of all, it's attached to an old but still open Shell gas station in a very non-descript run-down strip mall (if you can even call it that). It is located at the one red light in Maylene (population 3,887) . If you don’t know where to look, you won’t find it.

The decor is upscale without being snooty: linen table clothes, soft lighting, knowledgeable staff, great wine list, and a small bar in with one can enjoy a cigarette.

If you are ever in the Birmingham area, it’s well worth finding.
________________________________________________________________

http://www.birminghammenus.com/foxvalley/
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Fox Valley
Sample Dinner Menu

Starters

cream of potato soup with apple-wood bacon 4.50 6.50

roasted red pepper beer cheese soup 4.50 6.50

maryland style crab cake with brown garlic butter 8.50

fried blue crab claws with cocktail sauce 8.25

mushroom, cheese and spinach filled ravioli, simmered in
alfredo sauce with jumbo lump crab meat 8.50

beer batter fried U-10 diver scallops,
jumbo gulf shrimp and onion rings with baja sauce 10.25

char grilled jumbo gulf shrimp with drawn butter 8.50

fried stuffed mirliton pirogue filled with
sautéed shrimp and smoked sausage; hollandaise 8.50

fried green tomatoes with jumbo gulf shrimp, (two steamed, two fried);
fresh herb tartare sauce 8.75

pezze della nonna - tender pasta “kerchiefs filled with ricotta, mozzarella, fontina and spinach, baked in béchamel, topped with fresh tomato basil sauce 7.75

Salads
house salad - bleu cheese, ranch, greek, herb or raspberry vinaigrette 3.00

mixed greens with bananas, fresh berries, mandarin oranges,
pine nuts, goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette 4.75

greek salad – with feta, kalamata olives, tomato, cucumber and greek peppers 4.50

Sides
baked gratin of potatoes with buttered parmesan bread crumbs 3.50

fried eggplant rounds with creole sauce and parmesan 3.50

steamed fresh asparagus with hollandaise 4.00

Entrees
served with a house salad

pan fried pork tenderloin scaloppine stuffed with three cheeses,
proscuitto and fresh sage; tomato mushroom marsala sauce 17.75

char grilled 16 oz. new york strip with merlot butter and sautéed mushrooms 23.75

slow braised lamb shank with butter mashed sweet potatoes
and burgundy pan gravy 16.25

steak and cake – char grilled filet mignon and maryland style crab cake
with brown garlic butter 24.75

carpetbagger steak - char grilled filet mignon stuffed with
fried apalachicola oysters; sauce choron 23.75

maryland style crab cake entrée with brown garlic butter 19.25

baked stuffed grouper imperial - jumbo lump crab, gulf shrimp,
diver scallops and mushrooms 23.00

salmon en croute - north atlantic salmon fillet baked in puff pastry,
with sauce béarnaise 16.75

paneed macadamia nut crusted scamp fillet with passion fruit
honey mustard butter 18.75

blackened yellowfin tuna over creole sauce, topped with
cajun fried popcorn shrimp; hollandaise 19.00

pecan fried flounder fillet served with shrimp etouffée and rice 17.75

paneed horseradish crusted salmon fillet, char grilled jumbo gulf shrimp;
brown butter balsamic vinaigrette 18.00

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I will write my thoughts now while I am still angry, but will probably edit them later I’m sure.

I went to the local bar tonight to hear a band that I really like. Phil & Walon (and a drummer, which makes the band, Daddy Longlegs).

Anyway. My husband and I haven’t acted married in about 4 months now. Yes, we still live together. But he goes his way… And so far…. I have gone No Way.

Until tonight…Damn him…I was at the bar listening to and enjoying Phil and Walon. And talking to Walon and some friends between sets. Then who shows up acting all married and shit… my “husband”.

Now that just pissed me off! I was having a nice conversation and flirting with Walon (whom I know by the way) and my “husband” shows up and starts giggling and rubbing my shoulders and shit…

Well. Walon hit the road…. moved to another table…I am so mad right now…

I know that he sees (has sex with) other (who knows how many) women. And I can’t even get a night alone to enjoy a band I like and, perhaps flirt with a cute guy…

Aaaaaruugggh!

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"The Next Morning"

Ok...I'm not mad anymore. (And thank you for your sweet comment Coco.) I got home before Joe last night and just vented (see rant above).

I want to preface this by telling you that Joe has never, ever even come close to hitting me, is never verbally demeaning to me in any way, either in public or private, and does truly care about me....And we do love each other and tell each other that. But it just so happens that we make better roommates than we do a married couple.

He knew I was mad and asked (in the typical fashion that men do) "Are you mad at me?"

Duh

We talked about why I was mad. No voices were raised and after I explained how I felt, we actually laughed about the way he acted. He apologized and said that he didn't mean to cramp my style. I laughed and said "Hell, I don't even have a style anymore!" We talked some more about our situation, laughed some more, went to our separate bedrooms and to sleep...Not angry.

I made my point, he got it, and today is a beautiful fall day in Alabama.

Anyway......I hope everyone has a good day today. (And please, oh please, let my Tide team beat those Vols!)

What Does "Being Myself" Mean?

I sometimes check out my horoscope. I thought tomorrow's 'scope was particularly interesting.

You see, tomorrow night I am going to our local dive/dump to hear a band that I really like…Daddy Longlegs. You may have heard me mention Phil and Walon before. Absolutely talented and entertaining. I will post a review and (hopefully) a video in a couple of days.

I normally go alone to watch them perform and usually sit by myself and enjoy the show. (Sorta makes me feel like a stalker!) I will know, or be acquainted with most of the people there.

In my post, Outside Looking In, I talk about how I usually feel like I’m not really a part of the “party.”

But this horoscope made me to go “hmmm…”

If you find yourself trying to prove that you have something valuable to offer, it might be better to think this through first. Chances are you're naturally friendly, and get along with almost anyone. This may already be strength for you, and you probably have something great to bring to a crowd. Consider being yourself and not always trying to feel a part of things. Start by looking at your qualities to prove your worth to yourself.

I wonder what "being myself" means? Whatever it is, I guess I'll try it out tomorrow night!

More Picture To Make You ::THUD::

"Songs Don't Have Styles" - John Mayer

John Mayer on CMT Crossroads with one of the very best sing/songwriter/pickers in music today.

AND scroll down for the long-anticipated "Mutton Bustin" video!




And today was a better day!

Where Was My Good Thing Today?

This is a little embarrassing after my "Good Thing" post yesterday.

I began today with that the same mantra..."Something good is going to happen today."

Ya know, sometimes you just have one of those days....I kept looking for my good thing for the day, the one that makes me smile from the inside.

Maybe on the days that you really need to find it, it's there but you just don't see it. Or maybe it's not really there at all and you just have to find a way to move through the day. Who knows.

Anyway, it's 9:30 pm. I'm gonna check some blogs, pop in to chat, and see what happens.

The day's not quite over yet.

And an update on my prospective home building plans. I called the City of Montevallo today to ask about the easement issues relating to access to the lot I have been looking at.

At about 9:30 this morning, I left a message on the voice mail of the City Clerk to call me. I know that these things can be rather messy issues, and I really didn't expect anyone to call me back. After all, when you have v/m you're allowed to ignore it until either it goes away, or you finally relent and call back.

I waited until 1:30 and called back. I asked for Amy Feger and the clerk said that she was not available and offered to take a "real" message (my words, not her’s) for me rather than putting me through to her voice mail again. I declined and left her another v/m.

Surprisingly enough, she did call me back and was very pleasant; asking relevant questions and actually looking though maps while she was on the phone with me. I had that whooped puppy voice today so maybe she felt sorry for me.

I can't help it when I have those whooped puppy voice days. They just happen. And I usually don't get the help I'm looking for, because, after all, if I sound like I'm gonna give up that quickly, why not just pass me off to someone else's voice mail?

Oh well. She said she would check into it and call me back. She sounded sincere, but we'll see what happens.

Maybe the fact that she returned my call at all IS my good thing for today. It just didn't make me smile from the inside.

________________

(Yep.......I edited this part out...........................)

Monday, October 16th's Good Thing...

A few months ago, I decided to start everyday by saying to myself:

"Something good is going to happen today."

Usually I remember to say this to myself while I'm driving to work. This makes me LOOK for the good things. They can be very small but very good.

So even though the day is not yet over, I am going to post my "something good" for this day.

Today it rained. Which was good. I went out to the piece of property I've been looking at to check on the drainage issue. Didn't rain hard enough today to really see how the water runs off. There is a low spot in the middle of the property so I'll have to check it out again. Maybe it'll rain some more tonight.

And I saw a hawk on a power line looking for lunch. They are so cool!

And I read some awesome blogs that were all about "good things"!

So far, today's been a good day!

OH! And I just read the interview with Taylor on GCs blog!!! This day just keeps getting better and better!

My Nieces....

These are my nieces...

Biggest: Sadie Lynne

My dad once said that it is disconcerting riding down the road with a child in the back seat who has a higher IQ than you do.

My Mom and Dad's first grandchild.

Sadie Lynne once told her "other grandmother":

"I love Grandfather the best. No wait...I love God first, then Grandfather."

I told him, not too shabby, being second only to God.

Needless to say, they are completely in love with each other.

Second Biggest: Adelaide Rose

If Sadie Lynne is the Valedictorian, Adelaide is the Prom Queen.

This girl loves shoes...And I don't mean little girl shoes...I mean high heeled shoes. She walks around in my mother's shoes all day. She wears high heals better than I do, for the love of all that's fashionable.

For her birthday last year, her Mom, Shannon, took here to the mall and Adelaide tried on shoes...And not the little girl kind.

The Littlest: Ruby Beth (aka Ru-Ru)

The first few times I saw her, she screamed whenever I entered the room. Needless to say I was developing a significant "Aunt" complex.

I don't know her as well as I do the first two. But she has the weirdest and funniest facial expressions!

Mutton Bustin' -- This is too cute!!

Tiny bull riders in training!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbPKR3UMwOs&mode=related&search=

You have to be younger than 6-years-old and under 40-pounds to ride -- but
it's a trip the young and adventuruous will never forget.
It's called mutton bustin'.

That's where kids ride sheep like bulls and they get more points the longer
they can hold on.

Mutton bustin' started at the Travis Country Fair and Rodeo five years ago.
The event was so popular last year that dozens of disappointed youngsters had to be turned away.

But on Monday, more than 30 young cowboys and cowgirls saddled up on a sheep and clung to it like their lives depended on it.

The rodeo gave away trophies for first, second and third place finishes.

By Shelton Green / KVUE NewsBy Shelton Green / KVUE News

I Am Determined To Recruit You!

Here's a pretty good summary of the PBR.........






And here's a funny video of a newcaster trying to find out "Why 8 Seconds?"



=

You will get periodic updates, whether you want them or not! :)

George Lucas In Love

If you know Star Wars.........You will love this!







(Have I become the mad blogger?)

You may now post comments to my blog (I think!).

This One Must Be Shared!

A House For Me

I'm thinking about building a home.

My husband and I are (eventually) going to sell our house and, as many of you know, will more than likely be living separately.

Since I can't find a home that remotely appeals to me, I might buy a lot that I have my eye on and build a house.

Tell me what you think! Vote when you post your comment.....



1. http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/searchId.110988162/offset.1/Plan.HWEPL11044

2. http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/searchId.110988162/offset.1/Plan.HWEPL06848

3. http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/searchId.110988553/offset.1/Plan.HWEPL13060

4. http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/searchId.110988553/offset.2/Plan.HWEPL10115

5. http://www.eplans.com/house-plans.hwx/Q/searchId.110988553/offset.3/Plan.HWEPL00913

Outside Looking In

Why do I always feel like I'm on the Outside Looking In?

Even when I'm with people I love, I still feel this way. And I don't like it.

I always seem to be on the fringes of life.

I try to be on the Inside. I really do.

It sucks. Everything seems to swirl around me, without ever touching me. Conversations, friends, family.

I guess it's because I hold back. Do I hold back? I must.

What a bunch of crap. I'm not clever enough to hold any one's attention. People seem to talk around me. Why is that? I try to join in but once again.........talked around.

I hate it.

Maybe I'm not "engaging" enough. Too stunted.

I can be entertaining sometimes, I guess. But I don't seem to be able to add much to conversations. I think I'm amusing occasionally. But apparently I'm not as amusing enough.

I try....I really do. Don't get offended or defensive please....but even in FBB chat, I don't seem to be able to hold anyone attention or get "chatted up". Please don't try extra hard the next time I visit. It will only make me feel more ..... needy.

And I'm not needy. I very self-sufficient. Maybe too self-sufficient.

Anyway......Dana has issues with her self-esteem apparently but I love her so much. And I guess I have issues with feeling like I'm on the Outside Looking In.

Left Behind....

I have been left behind in the cloud of thick dust as technology has sped away from me!

Once upon a time, I could hook up a VCR AND set it!

I could set up a new computer and it would work.

I could set the timer on the stove without all of the beeping buttons.

I have just spent 1 and 1/2 hours trying to set up this blog site!

Now we have HD Cable (with the requisite set-top b0x), a surround sound theater system, a DVD player/recorder, a large screen TV, and a Playstation. The sheer miles and maze of wiring behind the "entertainment" center is not entertaining in the least. We have FOUR remotes to operate the television!

Wire color-coded connections leading from the cable wall outlet to the TV, to the Cable Box, back to the TV, into the surround sound system, out of the surround sound system back to the DVD player/recorded and then out to the TV and so on and so on and so on.........

I'm tellin' ya, the Griswold's Christmas looks like a pedal-car compared to our Ferrari of wires.

Please send me in a time machine back to 2001!!

Aaargh!