Oh yeah, Dave. Today you'll tell us all about the movie you were in...And what do I get when I check back all excited about some story of you arm-rasslin' Harry Dean Stanton between takes? Nuttin'. So-o-o typical of the Hollywood/Springfield elite to ignore their public..."totally pro", David, way to go.

I, on the other hand, will not disappoint. I am more than willing to blog out on some "brush with celebrity" flashback from my past...Lem'me think here for a minute...oh yeah, here's a good one. When my buddy L.L.O. and I were graveyarding at the Super Stop down in Branson, we sold gas and cigarettes and newspapers to all of the Branson stars. I vividly remember selling a tank full of gas to Mr. John Davidson (That's Incredible!), a newspaper and a Bit-o-Honey candy bar to Shoji Tabuchi, Japanese fiddle legend, not to mention sharing the stage with several well-known musical types who pretended like they didn't know who we were, ain't that right Jeff? And don't forget that guy that did the sports on the evening news who use to come in the record store I worked at.

Come on Dave, tell us what it was like...OK?

A topic I want to throw out for discussion, which is related to the best drive thread a few days back (still awaiting Dr. Wilson's drives). Here goes: Best/ worst/most interesting places you ever had to sleep in your car whilst rambling 'round the far reaches of our great nation.

1. A few truly memorable stays in the "Ritz Ford Pickup"; usually, if not always, due to a distinct lack of funds needed for what our Brit friends would refer to as "proper lodgings".
a. The State Park on the West side of the Rio Grande Gorge outside of Taos, N.M. I pulled in there late one January night on my way home to Albuquerque. Didn't have enough $ for a motel, and the weather didn't seem so cold, so I parked there and covered up with a blanket and started to snooze. Well, I started to get cold. Like I said, when I got there the weather wasn't so rough that I didn't think I could handle it, but I would wake up every so often and have to turn the engine on to run the heater for a while. It was kind of embarrasing because I felt like I was a real cry baby who couldn't stand a little chilly weather. Anyway, when the sun came up I headed on into Taos for some gas and a b'fast snack. When I went in the gas station to pay, I heard the guy on the radio say, "and currently here in Taos, the tempurature at 7:30 this morning is -9 degrees." Nine degrees below zero...no wonder it felt a little nippy.

b. The other end of the dial was several nights in the parking lot of an RV transportation company I was contracted with in Elkhart, Indiana. Seems they were in the middle of a record heat wave that July, and since I didn't have any $ for "proper lodgings", again I was staying in the truck. It was not pleasant. Hot, humid, dusty, and did I mention the hot and humid part? Several other drivers and myself huddled in the parking lot there, waiting for work to come in like those people camping out by the roadside in "The Grapes of Wrath". I half-way expected Henry Fonda to show up and start rolling a cigarette while the rest of us whittled or played the harmonica. I knew I was really in the financial underclass when some of the guys there came back one afternoon and said they had found some work that we could do that paid cash, and would I be interested? I said, "yep, what is it?" Well, they explained, there's a carnival getting ready to leave town and they need someone to dismantle the stuff for them and put it on the trucks. I was about ready to go, when I realized that I was on my way to do some job that could possibly hurt my poor old guitar playing hands, not to mention the fact that it was a job that even the guys working for the carnival wouldn't do. So, I politely declined the offer, as generous as it was.

Life on the road my friends, ah yes: The adventures of the cross-country rambler.

be good

Hey Howdy Hey......Looks as if all neighbors have been out of town.....Well, just so you know, I've been collectin' the papers and mail while you is away. I also let the dogs out, so now you know (WHO)...it was me....Cat's out of the bag now!! See you guys soon.

Note to Keiser; you might wish to re-check your understanding of the Mo. state bird's correct species. When you do, I think you'll find it to be a little more "blue" than a cardinal. Now look, if you want to root for a couple of eastern teams like St. Loo and NY, go ahead. It's still legal last time I checked. I was just commenting that I thought it was sad, almost along the lines of a cry for help. Besides, what do I care. Hockey season is getting into full swing about now, and before too long, the play-offs will begin: "The 30 Day War". Sports don't get no better'n that.

Recent web "finds", True West Magazine is online. Looked at it over the past couple of days, gunfighter articles and lots of stuff from "The 4", Dalton Gang, cattle towns, Dodge City, Abilene, Route 66, Gene Autry, etc. Pretty cool. Good artwork too. Check it out at www.truewestmagazine.com, or just click on the handy link in the "links section".

Got some Dove Dark Chocolate today, rather good I must say. Dark chocolate and Guiness, now that's breakfast.

be good.

HEY HOWDY HEY fellow neighbors!! Well I "Must" start out by respondin' to my geographically challenged neighbor regarding AMERICAN BASEBALL. Hey....two words fur ya! (APPLE PIE) ...= YANKEES / BABE RUTH "PS" CARDINALS / Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, "Roger Maris" (LEGENDARY ANCHOR -played for both great AMERICAN teams) Ozzie, Willie, "Jack CLark" (Nope. He may have also played for both teams, however he was more of a boat anchor) = State bird of MISSOURI / Last I knew this state is in AMERICA. HEY.....Get on board!!! NEIGHBOR Don't forget I was a BIG FAN of the now defunct, OZARK MOUNTAIN DUCKS. There........that's enuff.

Well neighbors....Ian and I participated in the Boy Scout PINEWOOD DERBY on sunday.....we did very well. We won't mention the fact that I slipped while using a 1 1/4" chisel and sliced the palm of my left hand wide open. BIG OUCH. Probably needed stitches, however, I'm very tired of paying my CO-PAYS....so I did a HOME JOB on it. If that does not work, I'm going to have the lovely and refined seamstress of the imfamous neighborhood corn pillows, Linda Wilson, fix me with the SINGER. And boy howdy can she sing. Reminds me of our State Bird, the CARDINAL, singing from the light poles in the Stadium where the Great American Baseball Team named after the bird Plays. ENUFF

Well...I am working my secondary retail job again tonight (WAL MARTS) as they say in our lil burg. HOWEVER, I'm about to get a real job this year ........ I think. I've applied to work for the City's Street department (Truck driving utility guy) / big cut in pay , but long on time off. I would have week nights and weekends off. THEN, me and fellow neighbor Wilson can start primin' the pumps in Springfield for the return of our East Coast Chapter President and Co- Founder of "RBGNC".

Well, be kind fellow Neighbors and Peace go with you. Till another time allows. Sooooo long.

Ah yes, The Ship. Cool, yet scary. The Alberquerque restaurant with Elvis as the motorcycle cop. I'm not for certain, but I think that Elvis 'moved' once or twice while I was looking at it, taunting me. Parody Hall. Yes, that be the name. Also glad you took me to Milton's, unchanged from the time (late '80's) of it's heyday in the '40's-50's? Would that be right for Milton's, or maybe older than that? Whole block's been razed since.

Saw a great show by Columbia, MO's own Deke Dickerson and the EccoPhonics. Just a great rockabilly/surf trio with lots of extras thrown in. By this I mean, he and the band expanded the normal horizons for that type of act and went down many roots roads, into Western Swing, Jump Blues, and even Bluegrass. Was interesting for me, since I had not seen Deke perform or even seen him at all, with the one exception of briefly bumping into him at Lou Whitney's studio in Springfield a couple of years ago, since he was a teen prodigy playing around Columbia in 1986. He was just Derek Dickerson back then. He always looked a lot older than his age and was always getting to play with the older cats. Was also nice to chat with someone who knew and remembered my sister. She was quite a fan and supporter of his late '80's band, Untamed Youth. If he's ever in your neck of the woods, I strongly recommend his show.
Well, that's all my bloggin' for now. I'm bloggin' hungry and tired. Heh. Jeff G.