Poker Fever...

At football practice the other night, a kid announced that he is having a poker party at his house. It hit me at that point that the popularity of poker has become something that is starting to bother me. Now let me explain why. I found the pic above as I was digging throgh my archives the other day and I realized that truly Marty, Hauser, Nordic Man, and I are trendsetters. We would just put the call out, move the juke and the poker table to the garage and get a game on. That is another thing I truly miss about Wisconsin is the Garage parties. As I write this now, it is snowing. Really. Sometimes I wonder truly how crazy I am to live in Canada. Anyway, those games would always end way too late with someone saying something stupid and losing a big pot. I will always remember those games. The whole world and all my problems just faded away...along with all my change.

And it started even before that for me. Back in 1994 or 95 Don Schmith and Mr. Jay Villwock got a friendly floating game going on Thursday nights in Dead Moines. Which still goes on to this day weekly I hear. I am dissappointed that we do not have any pics from these games. It truly became what we looked forward to every week. There were some guys who came just to hang out. Murphy came to just be cool like us. Cal 'Morning' Wood always had one more card to beat you. Bastard. Scmithy's quiet cool at the table annoyed me. I liked to yell and swear at the table. No, really? Yeah. Great games. Mark Boden sucked ass always though.

Even, when I was in the Forest Service back in 1987 we would have a game at least every other week. So Poker for me has been a part of my life for a long time. It is just too bad I still suck at it. You would think I would have learned something over the years.



I have had a few games up here since I have been here. Good games except that bastard Robbie Macannally (in the middle) is that guy who always has one or two cards to beat my hand. We had a game at Strike Headquarters during the strike. Robbie came to that game. Here is Rob, a guy who is not on strike, taking all these guys money who have no money to lose. Cutthrought. Rob did buy pizza for everyone. I guess that makes up for it.

I am truly in a slump. Sandy Muldrew (front) is also a good card player. Jordi (back) also fancys himself as a card shark. I am not so sure about that. We don't play as much up here, mostly because I am too lazy to drive accross town to play or too busy to call one. Blair has a floating game going on a regular basis, but it is a bit too serious for me. I can't afford the stakes.





Really what I believe the game was about for us was a chance to get together with the boys, shoot the sh*t, have a few tasty beverages (and at Marty's place little smokeys), and just play cards. NO WILD CARDS. Missonary poker, as the boys called it, was my game of choice. Meaning just play with what is dealt you. Baseball BLOWS. Then we would get an occasional game of table hockey going while someone would make a trip to the can. Hauser could put it on the shelf and it drove me crazy.



Check out this pic of Marty late in a game at my place in Green Bay. Daryl M looks like he had had WAY too many. I believe that this was the game where Marty uttered those infamous words "I'm no queer or nothing, but I would fu*k Dee Snider in the ass..." Now, before you lay judgement on Marty let's think about it. 'We're not gonna take it' had just played on the Juke, and Marty had REALLY had one to many Leinies. Imagine us just minding our own business, playing cards, humming along to the song, and he drops this on us. Beer comes out of my nose. It was one of those lines that will forever remain in infamy. Let's hear from Marty and what he says about the event and in general his poker experience....He recently sent me an article on Dee Snider and it sparked this conversation...

"I was laughing when I read the Dee Snider thing too... I still don't know how much I had to drink when I made that statement, but I remember that Hauser couldn't play for like a half-hour because he was laughing so hard..

I built a room in my house that looks like a '50s diner with my juke box and beer fridge and I still get to play poker about once a month with some Wisconsin ex-patriots that nearby...

Rob Bub - an LA homicide detective from Glendale, WI
Pat Hanson - Set designer for The West Wing from Crivitz
Mitch Sanchez - Percussionist for Stevie Nicks from Racine
Paul McKinnon - His wife is the unit Publicist for Days of our Lives - from Milwaukee

We drink beer, smoke cigars talk/complain about the Packers and generally act like idiots while playing poker for nickels, dimes and quarters.

But nothing compares to the semi-regular games we used to play where men were men, we played poker with no more than 2 wild cards, bathroom breaks were kept to a minimum and Dee Snider got it right up the a**."

Wow that is quite a list of whos who. Marty truly has status. The guys I play with are camera guys and guys who work for a living. Sounds like a good game though. I wonder how the Dee Snider remark would play with those guys? With me up here I am the only one who talks about the Pack. Boy do they have problems. Let's not get started on that....yet.

So all you poker wanna bees better recognize that me and the boys have known for a long time ,what you discovered in the last few months. Poker is a great game. They have one thing wrong though. These newbees like to play texas hold 'em for big bucks, we played for change. It ain't about the money, it's about the social event. The BS, running smak, bitching about the Pack, drinking tasty beverages, and sometimes about "Fu**ing Dee Snider in the ass". You better recognize! Can I get a witness?

Anyway, so much for the rant about poker. Maybe I will have to put a game together here soon. I think I will wait till the snow goes away. Canada.

So as I was going thru my archive of photos I noticed that I had a lot of pics with 'famous' people. Now famous to me is different than the actual definition of famous. I won't go too far on this because this is the teaser for next week......




So have a nice day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!

Chuckwagons, Chris, and Gravity don't mix...

Hello and welcome to just a little love on a friday....

I had an interesting week. On Monday and Tuesday I was in Grand Prairie to shoot for a DVD at a ranch. The ranch in question was the Sutherland ranch. Kelly and his son Mark are Chuckwagon racers. Kelly, is 10 time Calgary Stampede champ and 8 time world champion. Now I know most of you south of the border have never heard of Chuckwagon racing, neither had I until I moved here to Alberta. It is a rodeo sport of such where a guy rides on a wagon, pulled by four horses, and he tries to outrun the other wagons.

The sport started back in the old west when the chuck wagon was the food wagon for the roundup. The wagon cooks apparently used to race to the next meeting point to get set up for the cowboys. Thus the sport that is today, except they do not carry food on the wagon. They do however carry a barrel on the back that is called the Stove Barrel.

Now for those of you who know me well, you know that I do not get along with horses. Robin Young knows this. We had many 'discussions' about horses. She loves to ride, I don't.

I remember the first year I was here in Edmonton, I was sent over to Skyreach Center to set up for a live at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Now to do this a person needs to go underneath where the live hook up pole is. I walk into the area and all I see is the ass end of about 30 horses. Plus the only way to the pole is to walk behind all of said ass ends. I immediately broke out into a sweat and all I could do was pace back and forth looking at the back ends of all these bucking horses. They were inside because the CFR is held in the winter. The security guard comes over and can see something is wrong. I explain my dilemma and he offers to walk with me. We made the walk with out being kicked in the head, Donna sometime swears I have been kicked in the head, and I do the live. The security guy still laughs at me about that every time I go over there.

So this assignment was not one that I was looking forward to on that front. I do however like to experience new things through my job. Curling would be a good example of that. Just look at my Brier post to relive that one.

So going into the shoot I had some reservations about being around horses. I had to basically 'nut up' as Jim Rome would say and just do it. Well if you check a map you will see that GP is north of here (I know, how can ANYTHING be more north than here) so I had to fly. Flying being even something else I do not enjoy. I just love sitting in a chair that is not designed for me with the chair in front of me in my lap. Plus don't even get me started on the service or lack there of, that the airlines give you. Air Canada being one of the worst on the planet. Security is a whole nother issue that just amazes me. I stood in line for a good 20 minutes and then the guy with the wand went over my shoes like they were made of nuclear waste, or newcler as W says. I really was hoping that I would get that guy on the way back after I spent two days walking in horse dung. Oh well, Robin again knows how much I love travelling. We spent that lovely weekend in Denver, what seemed to be about 20 days on the tarmac, and sitting in extremely uncomfortable chairs at O'Hare airport due to a snow storm back in 1997. Robin and I were not really on speaking terms after that one. But that is a whole nother story.

Back to the Chuckwagons story, I get sidetracked easy.


Here is a picture and some video of the Sutherland Ranch. Notice all the horses in the foreground. About 80 head, I believe.


Here is a pic of Mark Sutherland putting this horse, I believe if I remember right was called 'Deputy', into a harness. This horse had been in the loop for about a year. Mark was readying these two to run on the training wagon. They put a work horse, who knows what to do in front of a wagon or plow to help teach the green horse on what to do. Smart.


Here they are on the training wagon. I shot video of these two with my mini-DV cam. I had quite a ride. The power these horses have is amazing. You can see in this video because they took the corner and they are trained to accellerate out of the corner. Well I was not ready for the power and I fell. Click on the link and you can see me fall on my ass. Not the only time I fell in the back of the wagon. Oh and notice in the pic on the top I have mud on my face and my vest. The horses tend to throw a bit of mud.

In this next clip I broke the wagon as the horses took off. I just was not ready for the 'horsepower' that they had going on. Like a bullet out of a gun. Here just watch them take off.


These horses that they get are usually former race horses. Thoroughbred horses. The one on the right is named 'Bailey' and was bought by Mark this year at the track in Seattle. He was not sure about this one being a good racer but after he got him out on the wagon he liked what he saw.


Click the next link to see them run from the ground. They are not at full speed in this video because it is still spring training. They are running at about one quarter speed. It is still kinda fast, about 30K. You will notice that the wagon has truck tires. For real races they use the old time wheels. If you want to see them run in a race check their website here and watch them race at the Calgary Stampede.

So here I was, a guy who does not especially like horses running around a ranch that has nothing but horses. BIG horses. On the second day I had pretty much shot all I needed for the DVD so I was just hanging around watching when Mark handed me two of the horses to lead back to the pen. No you can imagine how I felt about that. He told me to just get in between them and lead them. I did that and guess what? They followed me. I know, crazy right? After that I even helped them chase them in the pen and I even rounded one up by myself. MAJOR breakthrough. Now don't get me wrong, I ain't gonna run out and buy one, or jump on the back of one at the fair this year, but this was a major step for a guy who broke out in a cold sweat at the CFR.

So the moral of the story is, well, I don't know, but I guess I have a new appreciation for horses and the guys who take care of them. Also one other observation from the trip. They tend to dump a lot so you need a good pair of shoes and eyes to watch where you walk.

Okay that's it, Have a good day and

GET BACK TO WORK.

TPB and Johnny H's pics....

Hello all of you whose actually take time to read my tripe. I have been busy this week with assistant coaching the O-Line for the Sherwood Park Wolverines. That's right, football coach. Me. Coach Berglund is rolling over in his grave. As I told Weiser, all I need to get is coaching shorts. I have the gut, and the attitude. We are 2-0 in the Edmonton Midget season. We beat the Seahawks and the Ravens. Only one TD given up by the defense. Nice team, lots of fun.

About all I have this week is some mail which consists of pics that I think you might find interesting. I got this one this morning from Trev. A buddy of his works in Wiinnipeg and got to hang with the Trailer Park Boys and has a pic to prove it. Speaking of the TPB the season premiere is sunday on Showcase in Canada and BBC America in the states. Check it out if you can....


'My friend Rusty....(I don't have to tell you which one) works at Global Winnipeg. Got a chance to hang with the 'Boys. I guess Ricky's holding the camera.
Trev'



Johnny H sent me some killer pics this week and some info on his upcoming marriage. I hopes to make it out to Beantown for the partay, but it is still within my one year at the new job so I cannot get vacation. But if there is nothing going on that weekend sports wize here in Edmonton, I can get away. But that would also mean commiting to a plane ticket now, so I don't know. I would love to see the Reds clash with the Sox. Man I used to love the Reds back when I cared about Baseball. When I was playing little league. I knew every player and their batting stance. I loved Johnny Bench and Pete Rose. I remember the world series against the Red Sox. At least I think I do. Anyway, we will see if I can get to Boston in June.

Please take time to send congrats to Johnny H for his impending doom...Meanwhile here are some pics he sent me. He did not tell me what they all were so I will add my two cents...

'CP-

It's been a while since I holla'd back.
Thanks for the pic with the Cup, I almost forgot about that. I'm sending you a pic of me and something else we may never see again; Chrirsto's Gates. Actually, it was kind of cool even if it was touristy. It actually made the Park look nice for the middle of winter. There's also a pic of me and the soon to be Mrs. H rockin' for the Sox in the heart of the Evil Empire. Speaking of Mrs. H, June 18th is the date. In between doing my taxes tomorrow, I'm also supposed to stuff some envelopes, so look for the invite to the shindig of the season in the next week or so. If you come, we're all going to Fenway for the Reds game on the 15th. If you give me a heads up I can get you a ticket. Probably from scalper named Sully, Whitey or maybe Fitz. It'll be a good time. We'll drink some beers and check out the view from our roof deck. I sent some other pics of our fine Boston winter and what not. Going to the game tonight. Schilling vs the Yanks and tomorrow I'll hopefully see the Sox send the Big Unit to the showers. Last time I saw him pitch Tatis of the Cardinals rocked him for 2 HRs.

H'



Pretty self explanitory, Sox V. Yanks



Johnny H and the lovely soon to be Mrs. H (Good luck with Johnny H, you are going to need it) in the upper deck of Yankee Stadium. Nice.



Not sure where this one was taken but I believe Johnny H is doing his best Britney Spears impersonation leaning against the meter. I know it is a stretch because Britney was leaning against a telescope in that video but....oh, never mind.



Johnny H in front of where he spent the night shortly after he yelled to every New Yorker (with slurred speech) "Whose your daddy know, all you Yankee bee-aaches"



Here he is modeling the color of the new curtains he is going to install in his apartment in Boston. He actually has one in his back pocket.



I will assume that this is the view from the aforementioned deck at his place. Nice view.



Okay, Johnny, you will get no sympathy from me on this one. Remember I live in the arctic circle up here. That is what my street looks like almost all winter. Hell it snowed here yesterday. No joke.

That is all I have this week. I hope you enjoyed Johnny H's slide show.

HAVE A GOOD DAY AND GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

The Onion is your best news source...

I saw this article on the Onion the other day and I had to share it with you all. I think the funniest thing about it is that it is probably not that far off, and the fact that there is a Fox 11 in Green Bay, where I used to work.

It is just too scary that if the networks could they would build a unit like this one....


MURFREESBORO, TN—Touting itself as "the only channel with a terror-alert system designed to meet the specific needs of central Tennessee," Fox News affiliate WMFB-TV Channel 11 debuted its terror-alert van Monday.



Above: The WMFB TerrorFirst! van.


"The team you trust to keep you informed is working to keep the greater Murfreesboro area—and your family—safe from Muslim extremists," said station manager Carl Bogert, unveiling the TerrorFirst! van at a press conference held in the "Terrorist No Zone" in the back parking lot. "When terrorism threatens the people of central Tennessee, Fox 11 is there first. Watch Channel 11 for up-to-the-minute coverage of where, when, and how the enemies of freedom are coming to get you."


Painted red, white, and blue, the TerrorFirst! van is the first mobile unit devoted to monitoring terrorist threats on a local level. The van is equipped with live satellite feeds to and from the Fox News channel, a fax machine prepared to receive alerts from the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, an English-Arabic phrase book for translating any intercepted al-Qaeda correspondence, and a field-issue anthrax-detection kit.


"In a minute's notice, the van can be completely prepped, on the road, and speeding toward any site of terrorist activity within the WMFB broadcast area," Bogert said. "Assuming two attacks don't happen concurrently, of course."


According to Bogert, the TerrorFirst! van features a rooftop satellite dish, a diesel-powered generator in case terrorists take down the Tennessee power grid, emergency snow chains for use in the event of a nuclear winter, a supply of promotional "Fox 11 News...Looking Out For You" T-shirts and bumper stickers, and a gun rack. The van is outfitted with several state-of-the-art monitoring systems, as well.


"TerrorDoppler can detect a dirty-bomb detonation of any significant magnitude from up to 40 miles away," Bogert said. "The van can transmit a map of contaminated areas to the station for broadcast. That way, Fox 11 viewers gain valuable minutes—time which could be used to plan escape routes, call loved ones, and gather survival supplies."



Above: The TerrorFirst! van patrols the streets.


A Fox 11 News promotional spot features footage of the van driving down Murfreesboro thoroughfares while flashing its trademark Terror Alert Warning Light, which informs Murfreesboro citizens of the current Homeland Security Advisory System terror-threat level. The images of the van are juxtaposed with grainy, black-and-white footage of a terrorist—actually WMFB production assistant Fred Fromme clad in a towel and bathrobe—lingering in doorways and back alleys.


The commercial ends with a message from Fox 11 anchor Bob Herlihy: "When terror strikes, don't get left behind. Stay ahead of the game with Fox 11."


Although the only criminal activity the van has uncovered thus far was the illegal dumping of several quarts of used motor oil into the sewer, response from Fox 11 viewers has been overwhelmingly positive.


"When it comes to keeping me and my loved ones safe, Fox 11 is 'on the case!'" said Murfreesboro resident Ed Nelson, expressing his enthusiasm about the new van to a Channel 11 camera crew. "Seeing the Fox News terror-alert van parked in front of the credit union or driving through the Piggly Wiggly parking lot makes me feel secure."


Nelson, who will appear in an upcoming local Channel 11 advertisement, waved his index finger and added: "Fox 11 News is number one in central Tennessee!"


Bogert ended the conference with some tough words for terrorists.


"Terrorists better think twice before targeting the good citizens of the greater Murfreesboro area," Bogert said. "Terrorists, if you're watching, I have one thing to say to you: If you attack, the Fox 11 News team will be on the scene just minutes later."


Though Channel 11 currently has the only anti-terrorism news van in the country, plans are underway to use the concept at Fox affiliates nationwide.


Have a nice day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

New shows that are killer...

The greatest show on earth. Trailer Park Boys.



A Great show...Invasion Iowa


So I don't have much to give you this week. I have been extremely busy this week with work, football, and McKenna being sick.

I did manage to catch the show Invasion Iowa on Spike TV. I really wish I would have thought of this one. William Shatner takes a crew to Iowa and shoots a movie. The catch is the movie is not real and the people on his crew are actors. They con the whole town into thinking it is real and get them to do crazy things. William Shatner is great. Just a nutball. The finale is tonight on Spike.

But the best show ever is on sunday April 17th. Trailer park boys show up for season 5. The funniest show on Canadian televsision. I believe that it is on in the US on BBC Canada. If you have the means please watch this show. Adam Cook compared it to the three stooges and Gilligans Island. These guys live in Sunnyvale Trailer Park and are small time criminals that usually end up in jail at the end of each season. Ricky chainsmokes and swears, Julian never not has a rum and coke in his hands, and Bubbles lives in a shed, repairs grocery carts, and takes care of all the stray cats in the park.

Here is Shocases promo for the show....

Showcase proudly presents ten new episodes of the Gemini award-winning Trailer Park Boys, a Showcase Original Series. Like all good stories, season five opens in a Nova Scotia jail…

Last time around all three of the boys (Julian, Ricky and Bubbles) ended up in prison. It wasn't so bad though. They had each other and Bubbles got to keep one of his cats with him. Oh and one more thing—they own the Sunnyvale Trailer Park now.

A few other minor things happen in the lives of the Trailer Park Boys. Grandmothers in drug dens; wheelchair fraud arrests; nasty rap videos; stolen rocket launchers; break-ins at the local college; dope shipped in shopping carts; Lahey getting an award and probably the biggest gun fight in Canadian television history—and that includes King of Kensington.

Just another year in the Sunnyvale Trailer Park.
No big deal.

Don't miss a moment of the action on Trailer Park Boys. Airing Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT beginning April 17.





My favorite character, Ricky. Troubled, but a quiet smart.
Check out the web site at http://www.trailerparkboys.com/ Lots of fun stuff to look at.



Have a good day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!!!