A close call

Last week while at work I had something happen that could have been disastrous. Once I clocked in the boss came over to tell me to run the rock breaker for the next two days. A rock breaker is just what it sounds like. There is a huge hammer at the end of the stick of a track hoe instead of a bucket. This is what we use for over sized rocks that will not fit into the jaw crusher. I don't normally run this machine but I am trained to run it. As I was lifting the lid that covers the engine, I was thinking about how heavy it was and how it would really hurt if it were to ever fall on you. As I continued lifting, I heard a click- assuming it was in lock position....and it wasn't. I let go and begin to bend over under the lid and in a millisecond.. I could feel something was not right ... and out of my peripheral vision I seen it coming down. I jerked back but I was a little late and that lid smacked me in the jaw under my lip. Once it hit me , I was frightened that I had lost several teeth but I did a quick feel around my mouth just to make sure I had my teeth. Next was my lip, I thought for sure I had cut my lip and needed stitches. I was spitting up blood and thought for sure I had some major issues but as soon as my boss go down there, I looked in the mirror and all I had was a little scrap on the outside but a busted lip on the inside. This could have been really bad. When you are on top of the machine like that- you are at least 8 to 10ft off the ground. What if that lid hit me in the temple and knocked me off the machine. I think I am very blessed to wind up with only a busted lip considering what could have happened. The Lord was definitely protecting me last Thursday morning.

Pocket change

Since I will be looking for a part time job in the near future, I think I have came upon a small way to make a little extra pocket change. Who knows- I might make a little extra cash and then again I might not make diddly squat. I can remember when I started going to tracks to ride and would think, man if only someone was here taking pictures and making posters. One day some dude came out, took some pictures and put them up on his website for sale and man ole man let me tell you.... it was not cheap. Well, since I have fell in love with photography, I have decided to start this little gig going but much better prices. I have been taking photos for a while now at the track but I have never had anyone ask for me to take their picture.. until recently. I don't know how it happened but now I have several people asking me if I could get some shots of them and make them a poster. That's right- a poster.... now tell me, everybody seems to like posters and how cool is it when the poster is of you. Like I said- I might make a little or I might not- but I'm having a good time at it either way. So there you have it... whatever your photography needs are - give the ole Bunny a call and I'll turn some of your life's greatest moments into a giant poster for you to show off.

For the past few weeks, I have took sort of a break from blogging. It seems like I am always so busy in the afternoons after work no matter what time I get off. I am either working on my bike getting it ready for the weekend or I am trying to sharpen my skills up on something else I have took interest in... which here lately is quit a few things. It's like something has zapped me or I got struck by a lightning bolt of knowledge ..... I dunno.... all I know is something is going on and that something is good... or at least I think it is. I seem to have took interest in how everything tics, what makes it tic and why. What I mean is - if you came up to me and said ... Hey Bunny, lets take this refrigerator apart and then try to put it back together.. I would be all over that... well as long as it doesn't take away from my blogging time that is. It's like I want to learn everything....I have even found myself studying the dad gum dictionary. I told you.... I really think I have been zapped by something.... and I'm always finding that I can't get enough. I don't mean to be a nuisance if I ever start to bomb you with questions- but it feels like I have to know or else I am going to go nuts..weird huh... When I get home in the evenings, it's all I can do to pull myself away from this computer...why... because all the information about whatever-the-heck-you-want-to learn is at your fingertips. Kinda like this blogging, this stuff has become almost addictive to me. I just love it. However, I love my wife way more than this computer so I took a little time away to chill out with ole Shell Bell. Since my little hiatus, I have been fully recharged and ready for some more good old fashion stories about who, what, when and where. In other words you could say - I'm back.....

More thoughts

This is starting to sound like my list of pet peeves rather than random thoughts... but don't you hate it when you are shopping in a store and the guy behind you gets a beep on his nextel and he answers the call on the speaker phone with the volume almost wide open. When I hear that crap I feel like yanking the phone away and smashing it on the floor....



Or how about when you are at an intersection and you see the person in front of you yapping away with someone in the car and several good chances to go are passing. They aren't paying attention to whats going on and by the time they get aggravated enough to go, the light catches you and once again- you have to sit through another period of light changes......

Almost done

I only have 1 more week before I spring the big I'm quiting on the boss at Vulcan Materials Co. It has been a long run but the time is approaching to where I must leave that place for another lifestyle. I have been with the company going on 9 years and I'm sure I will get called stupid or a few other choice words but at this point in my life - it will only ricochet. I will keep you posted as this turn of events happens.

Random thoughts

Instead of writing another story, I think I am gonna do a little something different this go round. I am going to share with you some of the things that go through my mind. This is how my crazy minds ticks>

• When you go to a restaurant, do you ever glance at other peoples food to see what they ordered????
  
• It just burns me up to go in a restaurant and get sorry service.
• Have you ever had the pleasure of using a Porto john... if you haven't- you don't know what you are missing. Once you go in you look down the hole and think .. OMG....WHOOF..... man that person must have been sick!!!!!!!!
• Pretty soon I am not going to have any more gravel in the driveway- this house does not have a fence so we let Jack out on a leash and he is blowing out his crap castles between the house and the trucks. Right in the way for you to either step in it or run over it and sling it all under you mud flaps.
• Don't you hate it when you are dipping a chip in a some good ole dip and the chip breaks off.
• It seems like every time I go to church, some parent brings their screaming kid into the sanctuary and it aggravates the dadgum heck out of me.
• I use to tell mom and dad that they had a boring life cause when they watched TV it was either Hee Haw or the news. Funny thing is I like to watch the news now.
• Is it me or is everybody else getting tired of the stupid car dealership commercials ... I mean the stupid things they do just gets on my nerves.... like Samson's used cars where the white headed guy says come on down... were dealing... or the guy at the Nissan lot going BAM while slamming a football down... get real... or even the ones they have the gorgeous women trying to convince you they have the lowest prices in town.... yea right... gimme a break here- I'm trying to watch Jo Dirt.
  

Driving Mrs Shelly

On Sunday afternoons there is something both Shelly and I try to treat ourselves to. We jump in the truck and take off to the city of ...... where else..... Charlotte. Even though the price of gas is sky high we still try to go. Its so much fun.... to me it's living a dream. When I was out of high school, I would drive up to Charlotte and then turn around and go back home. All because I love the vibes of the big city. I have always had a fascination for big city's and tall buildings. I remember when I was a kid and we would be on our way to visit my sisters and dad would go flying around 277. I always thought that was so cool while I glaze over at the sky line of Charlotte. It's kinda like I have always wanted to know all the roads around Charlotte and where they lead to and come out at. I use to be very intimidated to explore roads when I would drive up for the heck of it. Now It doesn't bother me at all- I actually love getting way out on a road and then trying to find my way back. Either we head towards the city( which is my favorite) or we will head for the country (which I enjoy almost as much also). It's so cool to see how people live in the country- although I already know this since I was raised in the country. You see people sitting on the front porch or their having a big cookout with screaming kids running all over the place. It is also cool to see old barns or old cars in the back yard that people just let sit there until it rots. When we head to the city, I like to get close to the center or either the perimeter of Charlotte. I just start taking turns and see where I wind up. You know, when we head to the city I'm trying to discover new places and new things and of course to see new sites. Next thing I hear, that chick of mine will say....man this area sure has grown up since the last time I came through. I use to come this way to work. It happens all the time. Here I am trying to go exploring and she has already seen it a half a million times. A few Sundays ago I was around south park area looking at the new tall buildings and was like man it would be cool to come and eat up here sometime... guess what the next thing I heard was.... yea me and the girls from work come out to eat here sometimes while we are on lunch.... what am I gonna do with that chick.... I'm sure there are very many people that would think we are crazy for driving around Charlotte but like I said... I use to dream about doing this when I was younger. If you told me something you enjoyed doing then I might think you were crazy... you see how that works... that's why we always say- different strokes for different folks. How cool is that though....to have a wife that enjoys sharing your dreams with you. That's my Shell Bell.

I can't believe it...we made it through a weekend without having a terrible waiter or waitress. I don't know what the deal is but it seems like Shelly and I have something marked all over us saying something like... we hate to get waited on or big tip for the worst service. There is a restaurant that I really like to eat at in Monroe called Napoli's. They have about anything you could possible want. There were a few times when we would go there, we noticed the service was a little slow. Well about a month ago we went back for some grub and winded up walking out. Shelly made the first statement and when either the manager or the head honcho stood up... I finished it. Boy it felt good to have a good meaning to be pissed off at someone. Hey - we were just sick and tired of that crap. We sat there and sat there and no one said anything. No drinks no nothing until a couple sat down behind us 10 mins later and the chick was on them immediately.

A week or two later we decided to eat at Logans steakhouse in Monroe and we almost walked out of that place. The only reason we didn't was because Shelly was going through this thing she calls P.M. S ing... and she wants nachos supreme.... man... so she got up and got a waiter and I thought a good smart comment would be much appropriate. I just don't get these freaking sorry slack young guns that can't pay attention to there tables or any other job. Sorriness is a huge pet peeve of mine. I cannot stand laziness or sorriness.

With all that being said... I am happy to inform you that Shelly and I had a super good weekend worth of good customer service. In fact, I seen a few things that actually blew me away. Think about this now.... knowing that you will more than likely get a better tip if you keep up with your tables- why in the dadgum world wouldn't you give it your best. It doesn't hurt to be nice.

Sunday 7-8-07

I don't know what it is but there is something about Saturday and Sunday that I really love. Don't get me wrong, I like Monday- Friday also but it just seems like the weekends were made just for me. I am not a morning person at all so I always look forward to the weekends. Maybe it's because I have worked my butt off thru the week for the past hump teen years and the weekend is my time to do whatever I want.... who knows... Ah... the joy of sleeping in and waking up to some fresh coffee and breakfast and being on your on time schedule... what a treat. This Sunday when I woke up - I got me some coffee and then sat back in the ole love couch while me and the wife watched a movie. After the movie we gave Jack a trim up and then went for a bike ride at Mcalpine park. After that we ran over to McDonald's for a burger and a mcflurry and then home to watch the races. Last but not least we went driving around Charlotte exploring and then to O' Charleys for some dinner. That's a wrap!!

Jack getting a scrub

Jack always looks like a little fox after we get through trimming the ole boy up..... crazy dog....

In rememberence of Tyson

I got an email the other day from Debbi ( one of Shelly's closest friends ) that her doggie passed away. I got the opportunity to play with little ole Tyson a few years ago when we all met up to go to one of there friends wedding. He was such a cute little doggie- always wanting his belly rubbed. He would charge up to you and flop over with his legs wide open just knowing you would play with him. When I was growing up we always kept our dogs outside but since I have been with Shelly, I have learned how you can become so close to your doggie.

I asked Debbi with her permission- I would post the email she sent out. Here is how it reads...

Our beloved Tyson has passed away. He will be deeply missed. Tyson was Bryan ’s first dog. Even though Bryan complained about Tyson (especially in the beginning) he did love him. They had their games they would play like how far could he make him slide on the kitchen floor when chasing him through the house.

When Tyson didn’t come home last night, not to mention we had the wicked storm last night, we knew something was wrong. Bryan went out and looked in the woods for him this morning with no luck. Then we took the car and checked the surrounding roads and found him on the highway. It looked liked he died last night. I think it’s one of the hardest thinks to do, to scrape you beloved family pet off the highway.

We had Tyson for wonderful 5 years. He was a personable smart little dog. We took him in as a stray from the neighborhood. He didn’t like getting in the water, he didn’t like storms and wasn’t fond of riding in the car. He always provided unconditional love. Tyson got along well with the other animals in the house, which I thought was because he was a rescue pet himself. I sure will miss my lit’l buddy Tyson!

Debbi

This one is dedicated to Debbi, Bryan and little Tyson... the cute little doggie.

Jack-a-roney

Ever since we have moved in our new house, ole Jack has figured out another way to get on Shelly's nerves. He has been panting like he just ran a marathon. In case you haven't figured this out yet, this really annoys Shelly. Since he is so old, I thought he was just tired from walking on the hardwood floors we have in the living room and the kitchen. You ought to see him.... poor old guy it looks as if there is baby oil all over the floor. After a while Shelly started to get a little worried about him... so she took him to the vet. Well she had a little bit of a scare when they told her it was looking like there could be a problem. They would have to wait till the final test returns before they knew for sure. When the final test came back they were all negative and Jack is fit as a fiddle. As far as the panting goes- I guess Shelly is just going to have to get use to it.

Weekend in Reidsville

It's Sunday night July 1st.... the time is 10 pm....and I'm completely wore out. I gotta tell ya though.... this is the best wore out feeling I've had in a long time. Enter Rolling Hills Motocross.



I got the buzz from my friend Mike Andrews that the ( what seems to be the annual ) race at rolling hills was coming up. Of course I was interested... this track is where I debuted my very first race... which was last year. To me this track is an icon for amateur racing in N.C. It has been open for racing since the 70s if I remember correctly. This place even looks and smells like motocross territory- with all the old tractors and barns around. Rolling Hills will always have a special place in my heart. Well, enough with the flattery lets get on with it.... here is how it all went down.

Saturday June 30th

I rolled out of bed at 6 am so I could get loaded up and ready to get out the door. I had to meet Mike at 8 am and Dale Davis was to meet us at 8:30 am. The plan was to go up for practice, grab a room in Danville VA and then race on Sunday. We got there at a good time, unloaded and went out to do our thing. I'm really happy we done it this way cause you get some practice in before the race and you can get signed up so you don't have to deal with it Sunday morning. After practice we loaded up and headed out to our hotel room... went to the Outback Steak house for some grub... came back and chilled out by the pool. It was a great day and to top it off like that made it even better. I was going to race the D class again which is the beginner class, Mike to a couple of vet classes and Dale signed up for the A pro and college boy class. All we need now is a good night sleep... big day tomorrow.

Sunday July 1st.. Race Day

After the Hampton Inn- smorgasbord breakfast.... we were ready to head back out to the track for some competition. Our motos were pretty close together so I didn't get to watch hardly any race that Mike and Dale were in. You have to be staged up and ready to go when it gets close for your moto... it's your responsibility to be there when they call your name for the gate. In both of my motos, I had a little competition. When the gate dropped I managed to get into 2nd by the second corner. I begin to get closer to the leader and by the 3rd lap I was all over him. We went through a pretty rough section and he made a mistake and I jumped into the lead. From then on out I just concentrated on racing the track until the checkered flag was out.
My 2nd and last moto was good and not so good... I got another second place start and once again the leader and myself pulled away from the rest of the riders in my class. I noticed in a few places, I was gaining time on this dude and knew I needed to make a move before time ran out. All of a sudden I had an incredible feeling of adrenaline come over me and I went all out... I poured out my heart and by the end of the section- I was right beside him and he knew I was there.... In the next section of the track I noticed he was a little shaky and my plan was to make the pass in the up coming corner. This dude got nervous or something as I was about to make my move... then disaster struck. He started swapping like a bull that just got his nuts squeezed- and down he went. Since I was so close to him, I ran right into his bike and I fell. When I lifted my head I saw his bike had my foot pinned under his frame and my bike was laying on top of me. I yelled for him to get the bikes off of me and I guess he panicked or something cause he got my bike off then stood there like a knot on a log. I finally got my foot out and as I got up I saw 3 riders go by and knew a few more had already gone by. I remounted and passed a couple of riders but I ran out of laps to catch the guy I needed to secure my 1st place overall win. You have score high enough in both motos to get the 1st place overall win. That's how it's scored. I got 1st place in the first moto and a fourth in the 2nd moto which gave me 2nd overall. I was bummed that it went down like that for me but that's racing. I would have liked to think I made the pass and rode to victory- but I will have to wait till next time. Over all, the whole weekend was a blast- we succeeded in what we came to do and nobody went home hurt. The one thing that I will always remember this weekend was the challenge of laying it all on the line... and seeing my wife hanging over the fence with a bandanna cheering me on as I race by. You know, we train all week and put in long hours of making sure your bike is ready to go so that when the gate drops- you have your weapon armed and ready to go. Sound like to much for ya???? Well just wait till you see that checkered flag come out and you are the first one to cross the finish line.... then you will see what I'm talking about. This is what we love to do and what we live to do. This is motocross.

A few pics from Rolling Hills

A few other well known racers... P.J. Larson (top). Jim Neese battling for the lead on #6. Not sure who 277 was but he was fast...

I got to see all kinds of action this weekend at Rolling Hills.... well what else am I going to take pictures of in between motos?????? get-er-done.......