It would be funnier if it weren't so true...

Ok, I guess I’ll come ramble for a bit. Nothing super-exciting has transpired since my last entry, so don’t expect much. But, I was told that I’ve been slacking off in my “blog duties”. So, in an effort to sate the masses of dedicated readers (rolling eyes)… here goes.

Topic 1: Gas Prices Suck.

That’s no big batch of news to anyone. I just wanted to say that because I’m sick and tired of OPEC buying platinum-plated Rolls Royce’s while I’m eating mac-n-cheese. It’s high time we all went to an alternative fuel and let the towel-headed sheiks pound sand up their asses.

What’s wrong with ethanol? We can sure as hell grow us some corn! I don’t know so much about the CNG (compressed natural gas) option, because I have a sneaky suspicion that a severe collision might produce a miniature A-bomb effect and level several blocks. I’m not sure I’d wanna pay that kinda price for a fender-bender.

Topic 2: Jeep Being Recalled for Safety Issue.

Just got a notice about a safety issue that needs to be addressed on the wife’s Jeep. Apparently the oxygen sensor wiring stands a chance of coming in contact with the exhaust system at some location and poses a risk of an underbody fire. We can’t be having that. So the parts are on order and should be here by this coming weekend. It’s an unlikely scenario, but one that I’m not going to ignore…especially since it’s totally covered by the manufacturer.

Topic 3: Truck needs an alignment.

When I get time (and money) to get it done, the Ram is gonna need an alignment. It seems to be tugging a bit to the right. Not enough to notice unless you let go of the wheel on a long straight-stretch… but still…it does wanna wander to the shoulder. Also, I bought brand new “high-quality” brake pads for the front that are not supposed to make any noise whatsoever. I’m hearing a tiny, high-pitched intermittent noise from up there while driving. It doesn’t happen all the time, but I’m thinking it’s probably coming from those pads. I’ll probably have these double-checked when I get the alignment done… just to make sure.

Topic 4: Vacation is Due.

Citing the fact that the last “vacation” I enjoyed was a 4-day whirlwind journey to North Carolina nearly 5 years ago… two days of which included a non-stop, 13-hour, 840 mile drive each way. I think it’s high time for a decent paid vacation. That, hopefully, will be coming my way here in the next month. I will be celebrating my 1-year anniversary here at my current job, and will qualify for one week of paid vacation. I think a camping trip will be in order. I need some peace and quiet… some fishing time… and some sounds of birds and water. Down deep, I’m a nature person. But there are few times for me to actually drop everything and go out to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. That’s part of the reason I want my 4-wheeler so bad. When I’m on one of those… it’s like I’m free. Cruising down some dirt trail out in the middle of the woods is like being an roaming adventurer on a horse in ancient times… just seeing where the road might lead you. I typically take along my digital camera to capture interesting scenery. Oh well… we’ll have to see if my “steed” can be purchased with the next Tax Return.

Topic 5: Sunburn is Gone.

Yup…the roasted slab of meat that was my back has now returned to somewhat of a normal state. It has blistered, peeled, and turned a nice brown hue. If I don’t suddenly develop a severe case of melanoma, then I think all should be well now. It still itches a bit, but it’s just in the areas where the peeling borders good skin.

I suppose I’ll write more later. Ya’ll take care now… ya hear?

The 2006 Jeep Liberty 4x2

In an effort to satisfy my readers who are chomping at the bits for a peek at the new Jeep my wife is driving… Here is a brand new pic of it, freshly washed. The pollen will most likely claim it again tomorrow, but it’s clean for the moment.

By the way... I know who you are "Anonymous". I've known since the first Comment. There are only two people who have ever referred to me as just... "J". It's not hard to figure out who you are.

Say what you want about Dodge… but the proof is in the pudding. Kahne pulls off not ONLY another victory for the season, but this makes the second time he’s done it from pole position!!! He fought off contenders Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart to clinch the Texas Motor Speedway victory on Sunday, and I couldn’t be more proud. WAY TO GO KAHNE!!!!

I did manage to get the brake job done. I wasn’t aware that 2004 Ram’s had double-piston calipers on the front. And I assumed (like many a truck before this one) that it had drum brakes in the rear. That’s not the case! I have 4-wheel disk brakes…and the rear are anti-lock. Pretty impressive! It took a bit of examination to determine just how to get things taken apart properly… but as with most automotive projects that come in pairs, the second set of pads were a breeze. I rotated the tires, too.

I also got a chance to go muddin’ with my kids on our friends’ ATV’s… so that was a blast, too. All in all…not a bad weekend.

Howdy folks. Yup, just me again... wandering in to toss a few lines down. Not much goin on, thusfar. I'm about to do a brake job on the front pad of my truck, then do a tire rotation. No big thing... but it takes a little time. I'll probably come back looking like a Nigerian from the elbows down, tho.

Oh, before I forget... here's the picture of our new front deck. We have plans for a much larger rear deck, but that's still in the works. My dad did the framework and railings, but a friend and myself did all of the knee-work on nailing the flooring in place.

I would have already had a good pic of the Jeep...freshly washed...but before I could take a shot, she decided to head down to our friends' house. (and they live on a VERY...dusty road) I'M TRYING! I SWEAR!!

More later, as usual...

Ok kiddos… I know I kinda left ya’ll hanging at the end of last week, so I’ll give you the low-down on what all happened.

Do I have the tattoo? No. I’ll explain why. As I mentioned in the last posting, I was going to head up to 7th Street Tattoos to get some inking from Adrian. The price & availability at the time I wrote the last post was still up in the air. I got an email from Adrian later that evening before I headed to my 2nd job…and he quoted me a price of $150-$180 dollars!!! I just about shit my pants. $180 for THAT??

Needless to say, I didn’t have that much to spend on something so simple and small. I decided to concede and check with the place that my wife got hers at. I was told over the phone that I’d need to come in and see the guy that ran the shop. I was told to bring the design and he’d give me an estimate.

I finished up at the 2nd job, and after having butterflies in my stomach all day long….headed into Little Rock to hopefully tackle this hurdle. I got to the shop, and walked in. Naturally, I was the only 6’-7” cowboy with no ink standing in the midst of the “Inked and Pierced” of our society. The feeling, I would imagine, is somewhat like being naked on the 50 yard line at the Super Bowl.

I signed in and wandered aimlessly about…checking out flash and artwork…and all manner of painful looking piercing pictures. Eventually, someone who looked like they actually worked there came out. After clinking her way behind the bar, she asked one couple some questions…then came over to me. I told her that I had a tattoo design that I brought…and wanted to get it put on my shoulder. Now, keep in mind that I’d just driven about 30 miles to get here.

She said, “Oh, we couldn’t do a custom design tonight. We’re already booked with work. But I can get you a price...I'll be right back.” Immediately, my adrenaline high was extinguished. I felt cheated…disappointed…angry….and a bit sad. She came back quickly, and handed me the paper. “Here you go!” she said with a smile. The paper read… $180. I just about shit my pants for the 2nd time that day.

It was at this point that all hope went up like an oily rag in a burn barrel. I left the place, still being watched curiously by some anorexic chick with a spike through her bottom lip and purple hair. I decided that, as usual, I would be the one cheated out of equal treatment. All the way home, I felt like a heavy wet blanket of disappointment and frustration was laying on me. I did my best to just move on, that evening…but I’m sure my mood didn’t set well with the wife.

Since then, I’ve talked with several people about my experience with the two shops. All of them have looked at my design, the color, the location and size. They all echo the same sentiment. I was being robbed. They’re all glad I didn’t pay the price. At least I apparently made a good decision by not throwing cash at the first artist who quoted me a price.

I’m still getting it… but I’ve got a few more places to check out, first. As for the pictures of my new deck…THAT’S D-E-C-K….I should be able to snap those tonight. Also, since we’ve “sprung forward” on Daylight Savings Time, it won’t be dark by the time the wife shows up. I should be able to get some photos of her ride as well.

I’ll post more later. Ya’ll take care until then.