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  • #2195741

    As I see it.

    Locked

    by ontheropes ·

    blog root

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    • #3150848

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

       

      • #3150839

        Boom!

        by oneamazingwriter ·

        In reply to Null

        :::::Stepping in quietly with two steaks in one hand and two sets of earmuffs in the other. I like dogs and want to see them happy.::::::

        Well, you have just stated anything I would say in any of the controversial discussions, so I don’t have to do that. You write better than I do, so I don’t have to do that, either.  (But I will keep at it because it’s fun!)

        That only leaves me my own blog, to visit other blogs, to spread fairy dust, and to learn more about IT.  Well, heck! That’s what I came here to do to begin with!

        I do have one question,though. What breed are the dogs?

        Great Post!!

        😀 Beth

    • #3149587

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

       

       

      • #3149533

        Smoking and the non-smoking section

        by oneamazingwriter ·

        In reply to Null

        I bet you didn’t know that MW’s sister Saved lives in Connecticut. Yup. I met her. I was at work taking a smoke break and in she walked. SW bathes and has her hair done. She wears nice HUGE clothes. But you couldn’t mistake the family respemblance or walk. SW let me know that I was going to hell because I needed to be saved for my body was a temple and I was ruining it. . She forgot to ask if I had a faith of my own, so I didn’t tell her. I simply said a prayer not to tell her that if I didn’t smoke I might be as big as she was from stuffing it instead of sucking it in.

        You and I are twins who were separated at birth, right?

        Got a light?

      • #3152540

        Smoking and the non-smoking section

        by ontheropes ·

        In reply to Null

        <retch> test

    • #3149529

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

    • #3163588

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

    • #3163107

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

    • #3161765

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

    • #3160250

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Null

    • #3159050

      Null

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      mt

    • #3270703

      During my downtime… My edit

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

       I disappeared one morning
      Left with just a warning
      Some thought I was finally gone for good
      But those doubters will just get rattled
      ‘Cause I’ll be back in the saddle
      Doing better than a body should

      Surprise, surprise I’ll be back again
      Who says I’ve lost too much to win
      That wouldn’t be too safe a bet
      No you can’t count me out yet

      My self-esteem diminished
      They said that I was finished
      Just a washed up piece of history
      But some things needed changing
      They did some rearranging
      My recovery won’t be no mystery

      Take some time to clear my head
      I ain’t lost and I’m not dead
      I’ll be feeling good as good can get
      So you can’t count me out yet

      Been knocked down a time or two
      From blows I didn’t see
      But I’ll be up off the canvas
      You ain’t seen the last of me

      So if you feel defeated
      Put down and mistreated
      Got to show the world there’s something more
      Just get yourself together
      No storm you can’t weather
      And come back stronger than you were before

      Look at me that’s what I’ve done
      Still raising cain and having fun
      I live my life with no regrets
      So you can’t count me out yet

      I’ll be feeling good as good can get
      No you can’t count me out yet

       

      Peace y’all

    • #3270702

      During my downtime…

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      I disappeared one morning
      Left with just a warning
      Some thought I was finally gone for good
      But those doubters will get rattled
      ‘Cause I’m back in the saddle
      Doing better than a body should

      Surprise, surprise I’m back again
      Who says I’ve lost too much to win
      That wouldn’t be too safe a bet
      No you can’t count me out yet

      My self-esteem diminished
      They said that I was finished
      Just a washed up piece of history
      But some things needed changing
      They did some rearranging
      My recovery ain’t no mystery

      Take some time to clear my head
      I sure ain’t lost and I’m not dead
      I’m feeling good as good can get
      So you can’t count me out yet

      Been knocked down a time or two
      From blows I didn’t see
      But I’m up off the canvas
      You ain’t seen the last of me

      So if you feel defeated
      Put down and mistreated
      Got to show the world there’s something more
      Just get yourself together
      No storm you can’t weather
      And come back stronger than you were before

      Look at me that’s what I’ve done
      Still raising cain and having fun
      I live my life with no regrets
      So you can’t count me out yet

      I’m feeling good as good can get
      No you can’t count me out yet 

      -Travis Tritt (my edit)

      Peace y’all

    • #3111108

      Big Truck

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Pix sent to me from one of my friends who keeps on truckin’.

      Have you forgotten 1

      Have you forgotten 2

      Have you forgotten 3

      Have you forgotten 4

      Have you forgotten 5

      Have you forgotten 6

      This truck driver has been pulled over numerous times just so the Troopers can get their picture taken with the truck.

      Lyrics to “Where were you…” by Singer/Songwriter Alan Jackson

      Where were you when the World stopped turning on that September day?
      Out in the yard with your wife and children
      or working on some stage in LA?
      Did you stand there in shock at the sight of
      that black smoke rising against that blue sky?
      Did you shout out in anger
      in fear for your neighbor
      or did you just sit down and cry?

      Did you weep for the children that lost their dear loved ones
      and pray for the ones who don’t know?
      Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
      and sob for the ones left below?
      Did you burst out in pride for the Red White and Blue
      and the heroes who died just doing what they do?
      Did you look up to Heaven for some kind of answer
      and look at yourself and what really matters?

      I’m just a singer of simple songs.
      I’m not a real political man.
      I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
      the difference in Iraq and Iran.
      But I know Jesus and I talk to God
      and I remember this from when I was young,
      Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
      and the greatest is Love.

      Where were you when the World stopped turning on that September day?
      Teaching a class full of innocent children
      or driving down some cold Interstate?
      Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor?
      In a crowded room did you feel alone?
      Did you call up your Mother and tell her you loved her?
      Did you dust off that Bible at home?
      Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?
      Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
      Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?
      Speak with some stranger on the street?
      Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
      Go out and buy you a gun?
      Did you turn off that violent home movie you’re watching
      and turn on “I Love Lucy” re-runs?
      Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
      Stand in line and give your own blood?
      Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?
      Thank God you had somebody to love.

      I’m just a singer of simple songs.
      I’m not a real political man.
      I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
      the difference in Iraq and Iran.
      But I know Jesus and I talk to God
      and I remember this from when I was young,
      Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
      and the greatest is Love.

      I’m just a singer of simple songs.
      I’m not a real political man.
      I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
      the difference in Iraq and Iran.
      But I know Jesus and I talk to God
      and I remember this from when I was young,
      Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
      and the greatest is Love

      And the greatest is Love.
      And the greatest is Love.

      Where were you when the World stopped turning on that September day?

      -End of lyrics

    • #3168209

      Independent Contractor – Truck Driving 101

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a truck driver’s story? One begins, “Once upon a time”, the other starts, “You ain’t going to believe this…”

      If you keep reading this, now that you understand that it’s not going to be completely tech-related, maybe you’ll have a bit of a paradigm shift. Generally speaking, from my experience, truck drivers are at least as likely to tell you the truth as anybody else, whether or not you want to hear it. What follows is the truth, as I see it.

      I don’t believe that people, in general, have much of a good opinion about truck drivers. In fact, I’ll venture to say that most people haven’t given truck drivers more than just a passing thought, if that. A passing gesture? Sure! Thought? No. I know I never really thought about it too much. I remember a time when big-trucks, a.k.a. semi-trucks, semi’s and big-rigs were just moving or stationary roadblocks. I think differently now.

      What if your high-tech career vaporized overnight like mine did? How would you continue to pay your bills and keep your head above water? If you have the recommended 90 days emergency savings you’ll be able to stay afloat for awhile, 90 days. What if you pass 90 days? If you’ve been working odd jobs or minimum wage jobs you can stretch the 90 days out even further. Now let’s pretend that you’ve gone to apply for every job in your local and extended area, you’ve passed the six month point, have never collected unemployment benefits, have no more savings account, a shoebox full of overdue bills and no job offers that you want to accept. What are you going to do?

      Me? I chose to learn how to drive a truck.

      During my job search I kept noticing one thing. There were always job openings for truck drivers. You may have just glanced over those job ads. Hopefully you’ll never find yourself in a position where you daily scrutinize every job and list with every recruiter you can find.

      Did I HAVE to take a job as a truck driver? No. I was flown out to an Eastern state, offered a job with one of the oldest companies in the World, a substantial salary increase, company car, moving expenses, etc. I turned it down. I had another Corporation level job offer at a large, Southern-Key state, leading edge aerospace firm. Better benefits, better pay, also a long way from my roots. I turned that down too. One more job offer, the best one really, also a long way from home, I turned down too. Why? That’s really not the point of this story, so I’m not going to tell you. If I could, would I go back and change anything about my job choices? No. Not to be rude, exactly, but that’s enough for you to know.

      Driving a truck as an Independent Contractor is a tough way to make a living. It’s tough as in long hours, hard miles in all weather, large expenses and just plain hard work. If none of that bothers you, dive right in. Truck driving is not for everyone.

      My training started a long way from home. I received free room and board and enough cash to keep me going just fine. My bills didn’t disappear but I’m not going to get into that either.

      I thought driving a truck, the mechanics of it, was going to be easy. After all, I’d driven practically every other type of vehicle, pretty well as a matter of fact. I’d undergone police pursuit training as a Deputy Sheriff. I had a lot of on-the-job training too. At that time my personal ride was a four-wheel drive, full size, pickup truck with automatic transmission. I could, and still can, singlehandedly turn a pickup truck, now an extended cab, around 180 degrees on a single-lane width gravel road, wet or dry, without coming to a complete stop or hitting a ditch. Am I crazy? I never said I wasn’t, if I recall correctly. I call it a calculated risk that I’m willing to take under the proper conditions. You’re free to call it whatever you like, of course. I can drift through a corner on snow, ice, gravel and sometimes rain-slicked asphalt with some of the best of them. I can turn my pickup truck around on a wet or dry two lane blacktop road with a little dirt on my side and end up completely in the correct lane under full acceleration headed back the way I came. I call it situational awareness. I know how to drive. Some of my few willing passengers will tell you that they put sturdy handholds in pickup trucks for a good reason.

      Even so, driving a big-truck didn’t come naturally to me. I remember two young women in my training class that amazed the instructors. I had to work at it.

      Do you know what an asynchronous transmission is? That’s a transmission that will only shift in a small rpm/speed range. It’s not like a Honda Civic. I can now show you how to “float the gears” in a Civic or most any other standard shift four-wheeled vehicle without using the clutch or hearing a single protest from the transmission. Now I can. I couldn’t do that before school. I’d never even heard of it before then. I can also show you how to “walk the gears” into a higher gear before you get too far past the intersection where you came to a complete stop while keeping your rev’s up enough to get you rolling at a good clip, quickly.

      There is a good article about shifting a big-truck at: http://tinyurl.com/mxwul. If you’re still reading this blog entry you might be interested enough to know the basics about big truck shifting. Go to the above edmunds.com site to check out their short, informative article. I’ll wait right here.

      ———

      Fine article, if you ask me. I take exception to his single day of experience “easy to master” remark. Put two trailers, a.k.a. duals, with 150,000 pounds of GVW under his seat, a 6 percent snow covered grade in front of him to climb or descend and he’d likely change his mind.

      Big trucks normally have anywhere from 10 to 13 forward speed transmissions. The air shifter can be on the side, rear or front. Some even have “automatics” but having never driven one, I’m not going there. Most big-truck drivers, from my experience, “float the gears”, using no clutch at all. You have to know how to double-clutch to pass the exam for your license. After that, to save your clutch, especially if you have to pay for your own repairs, you’ll learn how to float the gears.

      Trucks normally have a switch operated engine brake that can provide up to 450HP of extra braking power. With enough experience, a driver will use the engine brake as a pseudo-clutch. What is an engine brake? That is a device, also called a Jake, Jacobs and ocassionally a Jacobsen (sp) brake, that allows a 6 cylinder truck engine to cut out two to four cylinders and allow the diesel compression to help slow down the vehicle saving wear and tear and overheating of the expensive brake system. Jake brakes are the reason some trucks make a lot of noise while they’re slowing down. The truck driver is simply trying to save on costs and slow down quickly and safely.

      “Walking the gears”, is a quick way to get into a higher gear and use the huge torque the 450HP to 650HP engines provide. It consists of a fast double-clutch from the second gear, where you usually start, going through each gear the same way into fourth, fifth, sixth and on up into 13th gear when lightly loaded or bobtailing with no trailer. Note: Trucks can easily gain HP through fine-tuning of the on-board computer by an experienced technician. Many racing semi’s and a few duty trucks have virtually stock engines with 1000+ HP.

      In case you didn’t know, most states in the USA have a legal maximum weight of 80,000 pounds for 18 wheelers that has to be divided correctly among the steer axle, the drive axles and the trailer axles. That’s why you’ll see so many trailers with their tandems located in different spots. Failure to maintain correct axle weight at a weigh station can result in large fines. I will ask you to remember the 80,000 pound figure. That’s forty tons. If you intend to race a semi-truck to an intersection in your SUV, no matter how large it is, you WILL lose if you you get hit. I know of a pickup truck hitting the rear of a fully loaded semi where the driver didn’t even know he was dragging the pickup truck down the road stuck underneath his trailer. If 40 tons hits or gets hit by 3-4 tons, knowledge of simple physics will predict the outcome. Unfortunately, I know a truck driver who hit a four-wheeler (what truck drivers call a passenger car or truck) at just below the speed limit of 55mph. Two of the vehicles occupants, the driver and an infant were killed instantly; the other two passengers were critically injured and remain somewhat handicapped. The truck only required cosmetic repairs. The truck driver was completely uninjured and found not to be at fault due to multiple witnesses, the trucks on-board computer and Michigan State Police accident scene measurements. I guarantee that years later the truck driver relives that moment. I promise you, he does.

      Please know that a big truck has too many blind spots. Drive carefully and don’t ever expect to come out ahead in an accident, you won’t.

      Now, if you’re still interested in what a truck driving career consists of there are some things you need to know. First of all, according to some studies, driving a big-rig is one of the top-ten most dangerous professions. Second, unless you have at least one year of accident-free over-the-road experience with different types of loads, in all sorts of weather, there aren’t many places that will hire you. How do you get experience if you can’t get hired? Two ways: A) You work for one of the few companies that will hire you, at near starvation wages or B) You become an Independent Contractor and run your own business.

      Since starvation wages weren’t on my list of desires, I chose B. As a solo driver and Independent Contractor working for a good company you can earn $185,000/yr.+ gross. You do have all expenses to consider though. I’ll get into that and into the positive aspects of driving, there are quite a few, if there is any interest shown in this blog. There are several points of interest to those who choose and are able to remain in IT and other tech-related careers that I’d like to cover as well.

      Please feel free to prompt me to continue or to cease and desist with your comments or lack of comments.

      NeverBusted over and out!

    • #3167740

      Independent Contractor 101 Cont.

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      I appreciate the emails and comment.

      Here we go.

      In case you think you’re going to run out of things to think about while driving, as an Independent Contractor, you will have to effectively manage various costs to be successful. Below is a list of some of the costs associated with a typical refrigerated (reefer) truck driving business operation. I’m sure I’m forgetting something but I’ll remember it later.

      Tractor payment (lease or buy)
      Tractor insurance
      Trailer payment (lease, drop trailer or buy)
      Tractor fuel
      Tractor fuel discount (if any)
      Tractor oil (tractor oil, tractor oil. Get the stoopid leak fixed already!)
      Tractor routine maintenance (Do NOT void any warranty-place a fixed cost in a fund per mile. Your truck comes first!)
      Additives (Not! Unless it’s to balance the Ph in the coolant or to keep your cheap discounted fuel from turning into paraffin wax)
      Oil particulate tests (Every 4th oil change. Understand the results!)
      Reefer fuel
      Reefer fuel discount (if any)(see Additives)
      State fuel taxes (every state where you buy fuel-to determine overall price per gallon know the tax rates and discounts)
      Power unit repair expense (the tractor is a.k.a. the power unit- You might call your sweet little girl “Baby Blue” however)
      Driveline repairs <= $500 (limited warranty items)
      Miscellaneous repairs (If it’s broken, fix it! NO junky truck. EVER!)
      Trailer repairs (What do you mean the dealer went out of business and retired?)
      Reefer unit service
      Reefer unit repair (See Trailer repairs)
      Tires-Expense (how much you spent out of your tire fund)
      Tire fund total (how much is in your tire fund)
      Tire fund (how much you put in per mile)
      Tires (You need. How many?)
      Tractor tire labor (see tires)
      Trailer tire labor (see Trailer repairs)
      Chrome and “chicken lights” and excess weight (just kidding)
      Broker fees
      Load locks, pulp thermometers, tools, clothes, boots (You’ll eventually go to Texas, so boots)
      Laundry (new clothes)
      Fines (you’ll get them)
      Cargo insurance
      Cargo claims payments
      Equipment washing (Go into California with a load of produce and a dirty truck and let me know when you’re going to do that. It could be fun to see)
      Trip advances
      Lodging (During repairs.Try to breakdown in Reno, Nevada. Ask the receptionist for the truck drivers discount. Show CDL-65% off.)
      Gambling losses (tight slots)
      Gambling winnings (loose slots)
      Load locks, pulp thermometers, tools, clothing, boots (You”ve been to Texas already so forget the boots)
      Cargo monitors
      Wire charges
      Dog alarm (Yes you can legally take off all expenses for the cute little pair of 200 pound Rottweilers)
      Odor repellant
      Shovel (under tools I guess)
      Computer costs (Unless you’ve got the shortest route memorized. Sure you do… Where the fark are we?)
      GPS (Just EXACTLY where the fark are we? Oh look… Mountain goats… down there! See ’em next to the cliff?)
      Directions to every Walmart on the continent
      Pallets (bought and sold)(depreciation for used pallets that will be shortly refurbished into new pallets)
      Cash reimbursements
      Bubblegum and toasted w/cream cheese “Everything” bagels
      Trailer repair (What’s that doing way down here? Oh wait… Nevermind.)
      Trailer tire funds (broken down as above)
      Trailer washes (customers will not load trailers that are dirty inside)
      Pre-Pass weigh station (unless you like waiting in long lines at “chicken-houses”. Make sure it has a good battery. See Fines above)
      Lumper fees (A lumper unloads your truck, you will pay for that. See health insurance below)
      Psychotherapy (optional)
      Tire chains (don’t leave home without them)
      Meals (optional)
      Microwave oven, hot-plate and cheap charcoal grill that you’ll just run over anyway
      Larger DC/AC converter
      Weight tickets (You have correct axle weight by weighing out after getting loaded-see Fines above)
      Load payments (That trip wasn’t so bad after all)
      Health insurance and deductibles (See Lumper fees above)
      Life insurance (Make your sweet, little 100 pound wifey poo sad/happy. Unless she’s wih you, then just tick her off for fun occasionally and point in the correct direction towards your beautiful darling daughter and cute puppy dogs. Learn to duck quickly. Heh… missed me. See Dental insurance)
      Dental insurance (Guess. Feel free to tick her off. Side bets.)
      Compass (accurate)(dash mounted) (visible under any condition) (warrantied)
      License and permits
      Acccounting fees (If the paper has a number on it, keep it. Get an accountant that understands boot prints)
      Workers Comp. insurance (What a PITA! Get it!!!)
      Occupant insurance (passengers- a.k.a. little wifey poo. Duck! See Life and/or dental insurance)(Warned you.)(Duck!)
      Federal highway taxes
      State taxes (How far did you drive in each state? When? Prove it.)
      Performance Bonds (Non-performance may drastically change this. I wouldn’t know. Don’t find out!)
      Interest income and expense (What?)
      Miscellaneous cash/credit purchase (Burn your credit cards now, dance a little jig. Diesel fuel burns you know)
      Towing charges (You were sooo close. How much does that fuel and filter cost? Is that like real platinum?)
      Camptown ladies sing this song – doodah doodah
      The good thing? Private showers are free, if you buy enough fuel.
      The bad thing? One six pack of beer, twice a year.
      Cell phone (Sprint! With a nationwide account, no roaming. No matter what kind of deal the pretty woman in the truckstop offers, get Sprint. Besides, you’re married, aren’t you? Glance at hand… yep!) (I knew I was forgetting something)
      Sense of humor (priceless)

      What are your biggest expenses going to be? I’ll answer that with a question. How well can you drive?

      Normally the tractor purchase or lease costs will be anywhere from $350 to $650. That is a per week cost, every week. Parked or rolling.

      Fuel costs are very high. If the temperature is 110F in the shade are you going to sleep in the truck without it running? What if the temperature is -30F? If you shut your engine down, good luck getting it started if it cools down. My truck would normally only be shut off while: fueling, loading, unloading, talking to the nice Officer, when something broke or when I took a day or two off at home. It ran 24 hours a day otherwise. There are add-on power units (generators) that run on less fuel than your Class 8 diesel engine requires. They keep the engine oil and coolant warmed up and also provide AC. Add the costs associated with that to the above list.

      This post presents a clearer picture of what you have to consider, business-wise if you choose a truck driving career as an Independent Contractor. Can you still make good money driving? Of course you can because you’re going to learn how to do it right. IF you want to!

      As before, please feel free to comment or send email/peermail and I will post another installment. If you’re serious about switching careers there’s more that you need to know.

      Right now, for some reason, I have a headache.

      NeverBusted – Gone ByeBye!

    • #3167667

      There are very few things as satisfying as

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      typing into your blog only to have TR lose all of it.

      Whatever happened to the blog copy and paste function? Too easy?

      TYVMTR

    • #3167528

      Independent Contractor 101 Continued

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      I appreciate the emails and comment.

      Here we go.

      In case you think that you might run out of things to think about while driving… as an Independent Contractor or Owner Operator you will have to manage various costs successfully. Below is a list of items associated with a typical refrigerated (reefer) truck driving business operation. If I forget anything important or mis-spell anything I’m sure TR will just let me edit this without any problems.

      Tractor payment (Lease or buy)
      Tractor Insurance
      Trailer payment (Lease, Buy, Drop and Hook)
      Trailer Insurance
      Tractor fuel
      Tractor fuel discount
      Tractor oil
      Additives
      Reefer fuel
      Reefer fuel discount
      Depreciation
      State fuel taxes
      Power Unit repair expense (The PU is a.k.a. the tractor. You may choose to call your sweet little girl “Baby Blue”)
      Driveline repairs <= $500 (Limited warranty items)
      Miscellaneous repairs (If it’s broken, fix it! No junkie truck. Ever!)
      Trailer repairs
      Reefer unit service
      Reefer unit repair
      Tires
      Tire labor
      Broker fees
      Tolls
      Fines
      Cargo insurance-Bonds
      Cargo claims payments
      Equipment washing
      Trip advances
      Computer
      GPS (Lookit the mountain goats down there!)
      Trip payments
      Lodging
      Tools, load locks, cargo monitors, thermometers
      Laundry, clothes
      Pallets (Bought and Sold)
      Cash reimbursements
      Trailer washouts
      PrePass
      Lumper fees
      Meals
      Psycotherapy (optional)
      Scale tickets
      Health insurance
      Life insurance
      Dental insurance
      Workers compensation insurance
      License and permits
      Accounting fees
      Occupant insurance (Passengers)
      Federal highway tax
      Interest income and expenses
      Cash/credit purchases
      Camptown ladies sing this song – doodah doodah
      Cell phone

      If you’re still interested in becoming an Independent Contractor please comment or send peermail because there’s more you should know if you want to be successful.

      NeverBusted is outta here.

    • #3209745

      Just another lyric

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      You do your thing, I’ll do mine.

      Put me on a mountain, way back in the backwoods.
      Put me on a lake with a biggun’ on the line.
      Put me ’round a campfire cookin’ somethin’ I just cleaned.
      You do your thing, I’ll do mine.

      I ain’t tradin’ in my families safety
      just to save on a little gas
      and I’ll pray to God anyplace, anytime
      and you can bet I’ll pick up the phone if Uncle Sam calls me up.
      You do your thing, I’ll do mine.

      Hey I’ll worry about me.
      You just worry about you
      and I’ll believe what I believe
      and you can believe what you believe too.

      I ain’t gonna’ spare the rod
      ’cause that ain’t what my Daddy did
      and I sure know the difference between wrong and right.
      You know to me it’s all just common sense,
      a broken rule, a consequence.
      You do your thing, I’ll do mine.

      Hey, I’ll worry about me.
      You just worry about you
      and I’ll believe what I believe
      and you can believe what you believe too.

      I’m gonna’ keep on workin’ hard,
      make my money the old-fashioned way.
      I don’t want a piece of nobody elses pie.
      If I don’t get my fill of life, I ain’t gonna blame no one but me.
      You do your thing, I’ll do mine.

      You ain’t gonna be my judge
      ’cause my Judge will judge us all one day.
      You do your thing I’ll do mine.

      -Montgomery Gentry

      http://tinyurl.com/gug8n

    • #3278105

      We were soldiers

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Didn’t I make you proud
      go and lay my life down
      when you called my name?
      I thought I stood for something
      was doing the right thing
      when I went away.

      Now being back should be so simple
      but I keep getting these mixed signals
      from everyone.
      Why do folks sit and judge me
      who ain’t seen what I’ve seen
      or did what I’ve done?

      Didn’t I burn, didn’t I bleed
      enough for you?
      I faced your fears
      felt pain so you won’t have to.
      Yeah, didn’t I do my best
      and wasn’t home here when I left?

      I’ve seen boys fall to pieces
      grown men cry out for Jesus
      ’til they’re black and blue.
      I thought God was on our side
      weren’t we supposed to be the good guys
      that would never lose?

      ‘Cause I don’t see no ticker tape
      or five mile parade
      sayin’ “Thank you Son”,
      just folks that sit and judge me
      who ain’t seen what I’ve seen
      or did what I done.

      Didn’t I burn, didn’t I bleed
      enough for you?
      I faced your fears
      felt pain so you won’t have to.
      Yeah, didn’t I do my best
      and wasn’t home here when I left?

      -Montgomery Gentry

    • #3208830

      Remember the Tinman

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      There are locks on the doors
      and chains stretched across
      all the entries to the inside.
      There’s a gate and a fence
      and bars to protect
      from only God knows what lurks outside.

      Who stole your heart?
      Left you with a space
      that no one and nothing can fill?
      Who stole your heart?
      Who took it away
      knowing that without it you can’t live?

      Who took away the part
      so essential to the whole,
      left you a hollow body, skin and bone?
      What a robber.
      What a thief.
      Who stole your heart
      and the key?

      Who stole your heart?
      The smile from your face?
      The innocence, the light from in your eyes?
      Who stole your heart?
      Or did you give it away
      and if so,
      then when and why?

      Who took away the part
      so essential to the whole,
      left you a hollow body, skin and bone?
      What a robber.
      What a thief.
      Who stole your heart
      and the key?

      Now all sentiment is gone.
      Now you have no trust in no one.

      Who stole your heart?
      Did you know but forget
      the method and moment in time?
      Was it a trickster using mirrors
      and sleight of hand?
      A strong elixir
      or a potion that you drank?

      Who hurt your heart?
      Bruised it in a place
      that no one and nothing can heal?
      You’ve gone to Wizards, Princes and magic men.
      You’ve gone to Witches, the good, the bad, the indifferent.

      But still all sentiment is gone.
      But still you have no trust in no one.

      If you can tear down the walls,
      throw your armor away,
      remove all roadblocks, barricades.
      If you can forget there are bandits
      and dragons to slay
      and don’t forget that you defend
      an empty space
      and remember the Tinman
      found he had what he thought he lacked…

      Remember the Tinman.
      Go find your heart and take it back!

      Who stole your heart?
      Maybe no one can say.
      One day you will find it, I pray.

      -I think that the World needs more people like Tracy Chapman.

      • #3207194

        Remember the Tinman

        by beth blakely ·

        In reply to Remember the Tinman

        I absolutely love that song. I started singing it when I saw the title of the discussion but never expected that’s what you’d posted.

    • #3208542

      Life is too short

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Aurora Borealis

      One night last Summer we were camped at ten thousand feet
      up where the air is clear, high in the Rockies of Lost Lake, Colorado.
      And as the fire burned low and only a few glowing coals remained,
      we laid on our backs all warm in our sleeping bags
      and looked up at the stars.

      And as I felt myself falling into the vastness of the Universe
      I thought about things and places and times.

      I thought about the time my Father told me what to say
      when I saw the Evening Star.
      You know.
      Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight,
      I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

      The air is crystal clear up here,
      that’s why you can see a million stars.

      I remember a time a bunch of us were in a canyon
      of the Green River in Wyoming.
      It was a night just like this and we had our rafts
      pulled up on the bank and turned over so we
      could sleep on them.
      And one of the guys from New York said,
      “Hey, look at the smog in the sky!
      Smog! Clear out here in the sticks!”
      And somebody said,
      “Hey Joe that’s not smog. That’s the Milky Way.”

      Joe had never seen the Milky Way.

      And we saw the Northern Lights once,
      in the Bitter Root Mountains of Montana.
      They’re like flames from some prehistoric campfire,
      leaping and dancing in the sky and changing colors.
      Red to Gold and Blue to Violet… Aurora Borealis.

      It’s like the Equinox, the changing Seasons.
      Summer to Fall, young to old,
      then to now and then tomorrow.
      And then everyone was asleep except me
      and as I saw the Morning Star come up over the mountains
      I realized that Life is just a collection of memories and
      memories are like starlight,
      they go on forever.

      -C.W. McCall (my edit)

    • #3212815

      It made sense to me when I wrote it

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      O’ battered Heart
      Don’t cry anymore
      The things that caused pain have passed
      You’re like a rock
      On a seldom seen shore
      And if hate is their weapon you’ll last.

      They’ll curse, disbelieve you
      Steal from, mistreat you
      And cheat you when they try for it all
      But they don’t learn the real reasons
      To keep on Believing
      and if they’re not careful they’ll fall

      If they fall, help them up
      Don’t pause to smile
      Or experience mirth at their grief
      Or they’ll never learn
      That Faith, Hope and Love
      Are the true paths to Peace and Belief

      There’s no fear in you Heart
      You’ve seen it and judged fear insane
      So why still do you cry
      When they can’t say goodbye
      And have to leave you
      Alone in the rain?

      – Written by me, NeverBusted, upon the passing of my Father when I was 8 years old in 1965. My Mother still has the original.

    • #3209112

      Food for thought

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Click hereto go to the article.

    • #3282570

      Illegal aliens and possible solutions

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      This link goes to another off-site article. Please click here to view it.

    • #3284341

      Tattoos & Scars – Just because

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      A young kid stepped in from the cold
      and he ordered up a drink.
      He said, “Don’t look surprised old man I’m older than you think.
      If I was the talkin’ kind I could tell you a thing or two
      and since you didn’t ask, let me show you my tattoos.”

      He said, “I got this Rose in Memphis in some back old alley dump,
      picked this Eagle up in Dallas, man I sure was good and drunk
      and you know the way I see it, if it gets any worse out there
      a guy like me…  hasn’t got a prayer.”

      The old man poured some coffee
      he said, ” This one’s on me”,
      sat down his cigarette and rolled up his sleeve
      said., “Take a good look here my friend
      you see what these are?
      Just my ragged old and jagged ordinary scars.”
      He said, “I got this one in Paris in a War ‘fore you were born
      and this one when I was half your age workin’ on my Daddy’s farm
      and you know the way I see it, Son you ain’t seen what I’ve seen
      ?cuz tattoos and scars are different things.”

      He said, “I’ve been here for all these years
      and what I know is this,
      if you look and listen close
      a man will show you what he is.
      You know the way I see it, you’ve been ’round but you’re still green
      ?cuz tattoos and scars are different things.”

      A young kid stepped in from the cold
      and he ordered up a drink
      He said, “Don’t look surprised old man
      I’m older than you think.”

       

      -Montgomery Gentry

    • #3284336

      At this point in my life

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      My wife has been gone for the last two nights taking care of my Mother-in law while I stay here watching over the pups and the “kids”. Do I miss her? You decide.

      —-

      Done so many things wrong I don’t know if I can do right.

      Oh I, oh I’ve done so many things wrong I don’t know if I can do right. At this point in my life I’ve done so many things wrong I don’t know if I can do right. If you put your trust in me I hope I won’t let you down. If you give me a chance, I’ll try.

      You see it’s been a hard road, the road I’m traveling on and if I take your hand I might lead you down the path to ruin. I’ve had a hard life. I’m just saying it so you’ll understand, oh that right now, right now, I’m doing the best I can, at this point in my life.

      At this point in my life although I’ve mostly walked in the Shadows I’m still searching for the Light. Won’t you put your faith in me? We both know that’s what matters. If you give me a chance, I’ll try.

      You see I’ve been climbing stairs, but mostly stumbling down. I’ve been reaching high, always losing ground. You see I’ve conquered hills but I still have mountains to climb; oh and right now, right now, I’m doing the best I can, at this point in my life.

      Before we take a step, before we walk down that path, before I make any promises, before you have regrets, before we talk commitment, let me tell you of my past, all I’ve seen and all I’ve done? the things I’d like to forget, at this point in my life.

      At this point in my life I’d like to live as if only Love mattered, as if redemption was in sight, as if the search to live honestly is all that anyone needs, no matter if you find it.

      You see when I’ve touched the sky the Earth’s gravity has pulled me down but now I’ve reconciled that in this world birds and Angels get the wings to fly. If you can believe in this heart of mine oh if you can give it a try then I’ll reach inside and find and give you all the sweetness that I have.

      Oh…

      At this point in my life.

      At this point in my life.

      -Lyrics by Tracy Chapman

      Oh yeah… I miss her.

    • #3227703

      Another anniversary

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      In my opinion, I’m not especially smooth and glib. I can spend a lot of time writing and re-writing an article, re-read it and for various reasons decide to trash the entire thing or just file it away for “later”. So, what’s a frustrated writer to do when they can’t clearly state their thoughts on important issues and topics? I look for articles that are very close to something I wish I’d written, even though my experiences differ somewhat, and link to them here. If you’re interested in what I think click here. The biggest difference besides his personal experience is that sometimes I’m not very willing to expect, desire or hope that others forgive. I can forgive, if people stop what they’re doing and try to make amends. Saying “I’m sorry” while continuing the same behavior to harm me or others just doesn’t cut it. Nobody has said, “I’m sorry”. Being “sorry” that I feel the way I do isn’t the same thing.

    • #3227281

      Your US tax dollars at work

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      This Senate follows another trend with the House by commencing sessions in the afternoon at the beginning of the week and adjourning early on Fridays. So far this year the Senate has commenced at noon or later 18 times. There have been 20 Mondays in session and 17 of those have begun after noon. There have been two sessions beginning at noon, four sessions beginning at 1 pm, and 12 sessions beginning at 2 pm.

      Fridays have adjourned before 3 pm 13 out of 14 times so far this year.

      The Senate has also shown a penchant for days in session that last no longer than four hours. This year there have been 17 days in session that lasted for four hours or less.

      Amazingly, the Senate managed to meet for less than one minute on three days. In total 15% of the Senate?s days in session so far have lasted for four hours or less. When calculating that the Senate spent 17 days meeting for four hours or less, the number of full days the Senate will meet this year will plummet to 112.


      Take a break. You’re working too hard.

    • #3203425

      Don Quixote

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Through the woodland, through the valley
      comes a horseman wild and free.
      Tilting at the windmills passing
      who can the brave young horseman be?
      He is wild but he is mellow.
      He is strong but he is weak.
      He is cruel but he is gentle.
      He is wise but he is meek.

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a battered book into his hand.
      Standing like a prophet bold
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore

      ?til he can shout no more.

      ?I have come o?er moor and mountain
      like the hawk upon the wing.
      I was once a shining knight
      who was the guardian of a king.
      I have searched the whole world over
      looking for a place to sleep.
      I have seen the strong survive
      and I have seen the lean grow weak.?

      ?See the children of the Earth
      who wake to find the table bare.
      See the gentry in the country
      riding off to take the air.?

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a rusty sword into his hand,
      then striking up a knightly pose
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore
      ?til he can shout no more.

      ?See the jailor with his key
      who locks away all trace of sin.
      See the judge upon the bench
      who tries the case as best he can.
      See the wise and wicked ones
      who feed upon life?s sacred fire.
      See the soldier with his gun
      who must be dead to be admired

      See the man who tips the needle.
      See the man who buys and sells.
      See the man who puts the collar
      on the ones who dare not tell.
      See the drunkard in the tavern
      stemming gold to make ends meet.
      See the youth in ghetto black
      condemned to life upon the street.?

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a tarnished cross into his hand,
      then standing like a preacher now
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore.
      Then in a blaze of tangled hooves
      he gallops off across the dusty plain,
      in vain to search again

      where  no one will hear

       

      Through the woodland, through the valley

      comes a horseman wild and free.
      Tilting at the windmills passing
      who can the brave young horseman be?
      He is wild but he is mellow.
      He is strong but he is weak.
      He is cruel but he is gentle.
      He is wise but he is meek.

      – Lyrics by Gordon Lightfoot

       

       

      Same today as it was yesterday.  -TR link

       

       

    • #3203421

      Is “Globalization” partly responsible for the deaths of 100,000 Indians?

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Decide for yourself.

      This link goes to an article at http://www.progressive.org.
      The links within the article are interesting too.

    • #3202792

      Lyrics to Don Quixote

      by ontheropes ·

      In reply to As I see it.

      Through the woodland, through the valley
      comes a horseman wild and free.
      Tilting at the windmills passing
      who can the brave young horseman be?
      He is wild but he is mellow.
      He is strong but he is weak.
      He is cruel but he is gentle.
      He is wise but he is meek.

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a battered Book into his hand.
      Standing like a prophet bold
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore
      ?til he can shout no more.

      ?I have come o?er moor and mountain
      like the hawk upon the wing.
      I was once a shining Knight
      who was the guardian of a King.
      I have searched the whole World over
      looking for a place to sleep.
      I have seen the strong survive
      and I have seen the lean grown weak?

      ?See the children of the Earth
      who wake to find the table bare.
      See the gentry in the country
      riding off to take the air.?

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a rusty sword into his hand,
      then striking up a knightly pose
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore
      ?til he can shout no more.

      ?See the jailor with his key
      who locks away all trace of sin.
      See the Judge upon the bench
      who tries the case as best he can.
      See the wise and wicked ones
      who feed upon life?s sacred fire.
      See the soldier with his gun
      who must be dead to be admired.?

      ?See the man who tips the needle.
      See the man who buys and sells.
      See the man who puts the collar
      on the ones who dare not tell.
      See the drunkard in the tavern
      stemming gold to make ends meet.
      See the youth in ghetto black
      condemned to life upon the street.?

      Reaching for his saddlebag
      he takes a tarnished Cross into his hand,
      then standing like a preacher now
      he shouts across the ocean to the shore,
      then in a blaze of tangled hooves
      he gallops off across the dusty plain
      in vain to search again?

      Where no one will hear…

      Through the woodland, through the valley
      comes a horseman wild and free.
      Tilting at the windmills passing
      who can the brave young horseman be?

      He is wild but he is mellow.
      He is strong but he is weak.
      He is cruel but he is gentle.
      He is wise but he is meek.

      – Gordon Lightfoot

      • #3138265

        Lyrics to Don Quixote

        by local support ·

        In reply to Lyrics to Don Quixote

        Tribute goes to Gordon Lightfoot and thanks go to NeverBusted for bringing him to us.

        Tribute also goes to Niklaus Wirth

        \Local support

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