Sorry This Took So Long

This one comes to us courtesy of The Original Beefstu.














Copyright 2009 Dunbridge Truckstop Global Media

Comin Up On It.

With glasses so full of nostalgia it is hard not to get choked up.
Memories kept alive by the people who are not.
Tales told and fates resolved.
Hearts warmed by a past burning bright as the present.

And yet we're all coming up on it.
Every day closer, every day becoming more folklore.

Overwhelming joy and camaraderie even through a lack of understanding.
Glimpses of a great history repeating itself.
Time has locked the away even the most ardent gavel.
You know you would stop lauging if you could.

And yet we're all coming up on it.
Every day closer, every day becoming more folklore.

The Miked






Copyright 2009 Dunbridge Truckstop Global Media

Five Songs

Today's songs happen to all be but The Tragically Hip.

"Throwing Off Glass"
"Fully Completely"
"The Luxury" - For Beth S
"Silver Jet"
"Grace, Too"

Look em up and enjoy.

Merry Christmas

The Miked

Thank Your Fathers Evolver.

As a person tries to grow, provided they do want to grow as a person, do we try to hold on to the past? Maybe we should hold on to different bits and pieces so that we are reminded not to make the same mistakes again? Maybe we should forgot the past and only concentrate our efforts on the future and progressing forward.

There are certain aspects of my past that I really do enjoy peeking in on from time to time. Yet there are other parts of my past that I know are best tucked away and left alone.

Recently I had a little piece of my past thrust into my face and although it was only slightly unpleasant it really cemented to me that deep down I really can make excellent character judgments. It also lets me see that sometimes right or wrong my actions can have an impact on other people lives. I know people are not perfect and we all make mistakes and for me leaving these people in the past was the way I chose to deal with the problem. I think it is what we choose to do with these experiences it what ultimately allows room for growth.

This leads me to the question: Can all be forgiven and can the past change and become part of the future again. OK so this is really two questions but I make the rules here. Can people change? Can your past become part of your future? I am going to have to chew on this a little more. I think I really know the answers to these questions in this particular case. But wonders never cease!

The Miked

5 Songs

Today's 5 songs:
"OK" - Local H
"Hook In Her Head" - Throwing Muses
"Rapture" - Pedro The Lion
"Right In Two" - Tool
"Stigmata" - Ministry

Enjoy

Miked

A Little Something New

This is a new series here at The Truckstop called 5 Songs to Work Out To. I am going to list the 5 songs that I worked out to and you can feel free to comment or list songs that inspire you to move.


Today's 5 were:

"Ocean Size" - Janes Addiction
"Tic" - Helmet
"Milquetoast" - Helmet
"Suicide Machine" - Hum
"Civil War" - Guns n Roses

The Miked

God Only Knows

For those of you that are not aware, in 1966 The Beach Boys released their seminal album Pet Sounds. And as I sit here in the twilight of my 37th Thanksgiving and given my current job/economic situation it would be easy for me to sit here and say that I really don't have much to be thankful for. Well nothing could be further from the truth. I continue to be blessed with the best group of family and friends. The love and support that I have been shown over the last two plus years is nothing short of incredible. I would like to thank all of you for the the free meals, love, support, free roof labor, free rounds of golf, free movies, free electrical work, love , support, The Dryer Fairy, free comedy club tickets, stolen three-ring binders, parking validation, hearing me bitch, free lawn mower rental, free Tiger tickets, understanding, love, support and everything else. God only knows what I'd be with out you.

The Miked

Little Rickey Turned 67!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an extended version of the multimedia experience from the party. If you would like a DVD copy or any of the picutres for your archieves please give me a shout!!

The Miked

Gap

Managed to push myself away.....and you as well my dear.

Miked

The Cycle Continues......or is it just narcisism?

When I was a boy (like I'm an armadillo now (Thanks Billy Crystal)) I spent a lot of time in my formidable years talking back to people and challenging authority. Not just that, but I would take time out of my day to say shocking things and push the envelope on inappropriate behavior. I am not really sure why but I would love to see peoples' reactions. Also I think I did it because I really wanted people to step out of what was normal and considered socially acceptable. It is true that I still enjoy pushing the level of absurdity from time to time and certainly my taste in art points to all things surreal or outside the "normal" definitions.

Jump ahead twenty plus years and although I still have an affinity for pushing the good taste envelope I have some friends who have children that were born around the time I graduated High School. In speaking with the mother of these children she was lamenting about her kids were not show ing her the level of respect she demands. I started to think about all the times I had said things in order to shock or dismay people and theorized that my work during my previous life could now be showing up in the complete lack of respect in her children's generation.

Of course, this could also be the whole "parents never understand theor children" argument as well. Maybe it is just narcissistic of me to even think I had any sort of role in it.

Miked

Pushing.....And Shoving?

When confusion sets in and decisions can't be made in haste, starting swimming.


Miked

Yeah Righ eh?

Seems Like A Risky Business.

I have seen it first hand and didn't know what it meant.
Now I am seeing it again and want to shout out loud.
I want to share it all.
But know that I can't.
That is someone else's mystery.
It makes it hard when you care and want the best.
Seems unfair not to tell the rest.
But no one ruined it for me though.
But that didn't make it easier.
Enjoy it while you're there.
It will be over before to long.
Secrets are only secrets if you never tell.

Miked

Name Your favorite Cause For Optimism!!!

Can it be theorized that even in the face of depression or personal tragedy that the ebb of the loss is usually a cause for optimism? Is personal tragedy or feeling down then the catalyst by which optimism is born? Does one need the other? Certainly there are people who have a genuine optimistic outlook on things. Are these the same people that face a lot of personal disaster as well?

I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and yet never have I had a more optimistic point of view. For once in my life I have nothing to loose. This is almost in the literal sense but not quite. Really though. I feel like I can take risks I have never taken before.

The Miked

Seriously

Those of you that have spent any amount of time around me you know how serious I can be. Also I am not bitching here just making an observation. Some time ago some great friends gave me a sign in book for my bathroom. It is a humorous book with a space for comments and anecdotes. I recently leafed though the pages of the book and read the comments. I could not believe how the comments were seriously related to bathroom oriented tasks. SERIOUSLY!!! Notes like "just tinkled" and "sorry for the smell". I was a little disappointed. I was sort of hoping for things like "its a boy" or "sorry about the mess". But alas it has not happened.

Miked

Of Mice And More Paradoxes.....

It is funny that I find myself growing older and reflecting on my life's experiences and I seem directly drawn to the parties and good times and the debauchery and the general shenanigans that went on and it is like a dream. It is so far back and so long ago that I have trouble remembering who that person even was. But the common denominator was always alcohol. It was everywhere and we were encouraged to consume ad nauseum. Alcohol for me was just a tool. It was the grease that lubed up an already twisted mind. I can prove this because I have done equally stupid shit stone cold sober. It is now that I have to contemplate the life and times of a college freshman and how the times have changed, or have they? Seems alcohol is still a very important piece of the puzzle, yet our society has gone bonkers in protecting (as if) people under the age of 21 from the grips of alcohol. For me the great paradox here is that I have had some really great times with alcohol, and I believe that it is part of coming of age. (not just 21) I still will never understand how you can go to war and loose your life for this country but you don't have the responsibility to have a beer. This said, I have also witnessed first-hand the negative effects of alcohol and would never encourage someone to start drinking. Life seems full of contradictions like this. I guess I am just fortunate enough to have come out the other side alive and healthy.

Miked

As Fat Albert used to say...

I am like school in the summertime. NO CLASS! I wish I could say that but the fact remains that we here at the Dunbridge Truckstop have been putting muchos muchos time towards higher education. I am all for the pursuit of higher academia but it is amazing how much of your time this garners. I apologize for not being more up to date with happenings around the Truckstop but such is the case.

Miked

Man You Give Great....

Back rubs..... I would like to thank the Village idiot in Uptown Maumee Ohio for providing yet another fun filled outing with the rollers. We made fast friends and even faster enemies (thanks Ian). Ah sweet alcohol. Sorry that we could not stab the guy in the top photo before he stuck his face in the picture, but that is just the sort of evening it was. As you can see these ladies have had enough alcohol so that they didn't even realize they were talking to us. They'll feel that in the morning.

Miked

Invasion At The Dunbridge Truckstop

The Truckstop welcomed the cousins from all points west and south. It was nice to see everyone and we do not get together enough. My mom was there in spirit.

Miked

More to come I swear.

Can't believe it has been almost a month.

Miked

We live to survive our paradoxes....

It is funny the way you can learn about yourself when you least expect it. I was recently talking with someone who is going through some tough shit in her life and she kind of had the proverbial "woe is me" thing going on. It is funny sometimes that when we want comfort and seek the advice from others and take the attitude of life having no meaning or my life is over why go on. And then I see the paradox, she knows she is strong and can get through the things she needs too. She knows right from wrong and yet she would have you believe that tings were of the contrary.

I to have used a similar technique when I have been in a couple of relationships. I would claim that I wanted everything I could possibly have out of the relationship and yet sabotage it just the same. I was afraid to make myself vulnerable and let down my guard. I desperately wanted to be in love but would act like an ass and deliberately ruin the relationship.

Miked

Four Letter Words

Here I am D-Day plus 765. What a learning experience this has been. I used to pride myself as being someone who never really showed a whole lot of emotion. It is not that I didn't have any emotions I just thought they were none of your business. They were for me only. It is funny that it took the death of my mother and the loss of my career to really make me question my life choices. To anyone who says that loosing your job and starring into the face of loosing everything else isn't an emotional battle I truly beg to differ.
I have been cursing longer than I care to imagine and for the most part I love a good barrage of curse words. But lately with my current situation I find that there is one curse word that seems to be making a move from bad to good for me. The love I have been shown over the last two plus years has been nothing short of extraordinary. My friends and family have shown me more support than I ever knew was possible. Without their love I would not have made it this far and have had the strength to go forward. For this I will forever be grateful and I love you all.

Miked

Screaming Insincerity

I love the fact that we have been relegated to find more and more emotionless forms of communication. Is just seems like in this age of the text message people have become masters at saying things with the least possible meaning and use it more as a tool of avoidance than of sincere communication. LOL has become the new generic slang term for everything. I mean come on when was the last time someone sent you the LOL and you felt like it was saying anything other that "fuck right off with your trite drivel"? If people meant any part of LOL there would be a lot of people in public LAUGHING OUT LOUD. We don't see this do we? NO. LOL as become the not so secret slap in the face. The "I can't believe I am wasting this time" gesture. Hopefully if you have read this far then you are LOL whatever that means!!!!

Miked

Can You Spell Photosysnthesis

After all it was just barbiturates. Nathan could not believe his ears. Carpet reaped of nonsense as the bell curve smoothed out the verdict. The keen edge wavered with an intent on the afterlife. Hugh knowingly walked into the vigilante history books. Anywhere but here screamed the lawnmower. Spring has bloomed yet again, so now there's that. Over and over and over and over again. Mathew commented briefly. Stubble blanks haphazardly from the harsh remarks. My day has just begun yet the biscuits already know their outcome.

Reprinted with permission.

Miked

Without Mothers

We would not have units like this! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!

Close one eye but not your bad one....

And watch the feature film "War Inc." Good stuff with John Cusack.

Miked

Blue Steel Beer

It is tough not to get wrapped up in your insecurities. But laughing in the face of what scares us the most is still laughing. It helps to humor this madness. The Truckstop interviewed the gentleman in the photo and he is an out of work blacksmith that is forced to do stunt double work in animated feature films. Adapt and conquer your fears. Laugh right in their faces.

Part three in an ongoing series.

Miked

Of Optimism and The Packaging Jaugernaut

Peaks and valleys and mixed interpretations. Learned behavior notwithstanding how else would we behave? Societal pressures attempt to tell us right from wrong but who told them? The quest for proper packaging is near and with it optimism for the future. These things should not be taken lightly. With this opportunity for optimism comes the return of a peak and a ramp to the positive. That's right unless of course I'm wrong.

Miked


Part two in the series.

Infection

Yesterday I was exposed to something very infectious. Something that the minute it hit me I knew it would leave a lasting impression on me. So contagious and it left me helpless. Don't laugh.

Miked

Listen Listen

Might I suggest some of the sweet sounds from the Band of Horses! Really good stuff kids really good!

Miked

Blast from the past

This was originally composed by me on January 20, 2004 and was asked to be re-posted.
Enjoy


A message to you my fellow Americans:

This is a warning, a mention of information designed to inform and support.
I had a terrible mishap, a turn of misfortune that I want to share in order
that it never happens to you or your loved ones.

My tale of woe starts with the running out of my *regular strength* Gold
Bond powder. I went to purchase some more *regular strength* Gold Bond but
fucking Rite Aide was out of it. That's what I get for going to Perrysburg!
I was forced as a consumer to go with the EXTRA STRENGTH Gold Bond. I can
only hope that Dr. Joseph Mengele gets some props for having developed this
torture device in the halls of Auschwitz. Only a Nazi "torture king" would
develop such a product for everyday use.

I was somehow hoping that I was going to enjoy the added benefits of the
EXTRA STRENGTH Gold Bond but this was not the case. Upon application to the
"seed" area I was suddenly doused with gasoline, lit on fire, electrocuted,
and had most of my genital area refinished with a fine cheese grater all at
once. The burning was unlike nothing I have ever felt before and never want
anyone to experience again. That is why I am writing this. For the sake of
mankind.

I sought shelter by returning to the shower in hopes of washing away the
powder and Quenching the fire that was now burning in my groin. THAT JUST
MADE IT WORSE!!!!!

I took me some advanced breathing techniques to finally regain my composure
and return as a functioning member of society. I ask of you to spread the
word and don't have what happed to me happen to you.

Thanks you and have a good day,

Miked

The sublties of Poverty and his friend Frustration

This is the first of a series on what it sometimes means to be unemployed.

Growing up I never wanted to be rich. I never had aspirations of being wealthy with money. I always wanted to be comfortable, have nice things and work hard to get it. Now here I am two years from having last cashed a legitimate paycheck and I find Poverty and his friend Frustration have been showing up uninvited to dinner a lot lately.

Not that this layoff hasn't been without it's upside. I have learned a lot about myself and have realized that I have a lot of family and friends that have supported me in a myriad of ways. For that I am completely and everlasting grateful and hope someday I can return the ten-thousand or so favors that have shone upon me.

But what I have also learned is that I can find some humor in the frustration. I know it is just a rouse and it will soon pass, that all this is, just a test of wits.

When this is over and I am back to work it should take me around three years of solid cooking and restauranting to repay the free meals I have received from friends and family over the last two years. These meals have been gifted in many forms. Be it the straight forward "come on over for dinner" or the grocery purchase, or what is usually my favorite the gifting of meat. I am above most things, a carnivore. Here again the gifting of meat comes in many forms and species and all is welcome with open arms and a clove of garlic.

As time has worn on I have been reaching deeper and deeper into freezer and pantry for nourishment. I have stocked up enough canned goods and frozen meat for just such a "back burner" or "rainy day" type of situation such as this economic climate.

I have been a member of Weight Watchers for about a year and a half and have had slow, but fair success with the plan. The eating regime that comes with loosing weight does not always bode well with canned ravioli or wild game and it is here where my dinner guests Poverty and Frustration remind me of that.

This past Friday I got some Deer Steaks out of the freezer. My normal diet has consisted of chicken breast covered in chicken breast with broiled chicken breast on the side and chicken breast pudding for dessert. Clearly my body is not used to and influx of wild game but times are tough the meat was free and tasted incredible as it came off the grill. Plus there was plenty left over for Saturday so it was an economic win-win.

Ah Saturday, yes well I opened the day as usual with two cashew granola bars and a glass of skim milk. Out to the barn for the changing of the snow plow and mower deck. Finished by one o'clock I had to run some errands and stop to see a few people. I Grabbed a handful of peanuts on the way out. At the first stop a friend of mine gave me some smoked deer sausage. Not exactly the pinnacle of Weight Watcher friendliness but a delicacy nonetheless. This sausage was made by an "oldtimer" friend of his who has mad skills in the cured meat department.

Now it would seem that about this time some sort of fuse had been lit and the gas build up in my lower abdomen was approaching critical mass. But, being a man, I enjoy the gifts of life, the simple things. This day's food combo provided farting and burping, both in spades. The gas was tremendous, a wretched stench that if properly concentrated could remove paint. Now I have always been more of a skilled burper and consider myself a pro in burp circles, so the things there were coming out of my top half were welcomed and of equal power as my farts.

Arriving home some four hours later (five-thirty P.M.) I skarffed the last of the leftover deer steak. It was about this time that duty called and I had to sit on the throne. It would have seem impossible with all that gas build up that this particular movement was going to be anything short of spectacular. It did not disappoint. This particular blowout was nothing less than nuclear. This must have looked like an upside down Old Faithful. The discharge was somewhere between cake batter and oil slick. The relief however was unprecedented.

Before I go much further I should also mention the potential of an additional catalyst. Between breakfast and the deer sausage I drank a beer. Now, I don’t regularly drink beer anymore but still like to have one once a month or so. Today I looked in the ice box and reached for a Schlitz. Now I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes, they still make Schlitz.

I originally did not think much of the blast as given the combination of things that I had eaten that day stranger things have happened.

Around eight P.M. I ventured to my friend Richie’s for a little get together he was having in his barn. It was soon after my arrival that I felt the pressure building yet again. This time there seemed to be a heightened since of urgency associated with the bouts of gas pains. I retired to the house and locked myself away in his bathroom for what was to be another round of nuclear warfare.

As I sat on the pot I realized that most of the things I had eaten that day would not have been consumed in the same combination or quantity/frequency had I been employed and not been on the reserves of my pantry. Now don’t get me wrong I am glad I got what I got and more than thankful for the support of the family and friends alike. But the fact remains that I would not of had cooked a whole package of deer steaks just for me. I would have had bottled water in the fridge and not had the Schlitz. Clearly the poor house has been the helping hand in this recipe for disaster.

I digress, after round two I felt even more invigorated and felt as though the worst had to be behind me. (No Pun intended) The rest of the evening was uneventful and I was home by 12:30am. Just before I laid my little head down on my pillow the sounds and pressure that were emanating from my guts was unreal. Borderline cause for concern really. Off to the office I go. KA BOOM round three reminded me of the Iraqi war footage of all the bombs and missiles going off in Baghdad. The smell was somewhere between rotting meat and leaf fire. Again euphoria. Surly I must be on empty.

I slept like a rock. Awake by 8:30am I got up took my morning urination and retired to the living room for some TV. It was about 30 seconds into channel surfing when again the pressure built. Again same effect.

My bout with the splatter poops lasted about thirty-six hours. Along the way ample amounts of Desitin were needed to squelch the burn. Thank god for Zinc. I don’t blame the bad food. I blame the economy.

Miked

Now Read This!!!!!!!

The Truckstop is reading a great book right now. "Death By Leisure, A Cautionary Tale" By Chris Ayres. Good stuff. Kind of the Loner's/Loser's guide to excess.

More later

Mked

YUMMY

I Plan On Reaping

Sowing some early seeds of something that could be very promising.
Something I have never been good at but really feel as though I could finally throw myself at this time.
To early to tell if proper germination has taken a foothold.
Yet has my interest peaked.
I swear i won't over water or under fertilize this time.

Miked

No Hear This!!!!!!!!

The Entrance Band

This is some fantastic head. They are on Thurston Moore's record label and they are the shit!

Save Second Base

Save Second Base

Comfort in Caring

Maybe we're no different
'cept for the fact we don't try yo hide it.
It's not my rule I don't abide it.

I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck - King Tut!

You can put up your front
and polish your look.
You think you show respect
by the liberties you took.

I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck - King Tut!

You can do what you want to do.
You can say what you want to say.
In spite of what you think
no one respects you anyway.

I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck!
I don't really give a fuck - King Tut!


- For Tiger and Tucker

Miked

Ouch My Hip

Make sure you are getting your proper amount of Tragically Hip tickets for their upcoming tour. Gotta love Das Hip!

Miked

Uncomfortable

Driven towards comfort?
Driven to comfort?
Decisions based on comfort?
Comfort driven?
Clothes, comfort driven?
People, comfort driven?
Decisions based on comfort!
Indecisions based on comfort!

Miked

The In sounds From Way Out!!!!

Run, do not walk, and get your hands on the new release from the Heartless Bastards "The Mountain" In stores now. Please remember to buy local It is good head!!!

Erica and the gang really refine their sound on this release and the syrup seems sweeter this time around.

Purchase Here:

http://www.thecultureclash.com/

http://www.findersrecords.com/

http://www.theheartlessbastards.com/

Mitchell

Calm Before The Storm

What is the proper demeanor when staring down the barrel of uncertainty? Making unpopular decisions seems to be a very popular thing to do these days. I think it takes just as much, if not more courage to fail, as it does to succeed. I cannot emphasize enough how important communication is to making anything work be it success or failure. Proactive communication is what has gotten me this far and the story is far from over. Sit back, strike up a Pall Mall, and enjoy the show. I am learning things everyday. Things I never even knew I was supposed to know, things I would not even have cared about 3 years ago. Renascence man ladies and gentlemen...Renaissance Man.

Miked

Torn and Broke Not Broken

As I ramp into 2009 I find myself reflecting on times when I had a total lack of responsibility and capitalized on every opportunity to act out in the face of social and moral standards. Now here I am all grown up and living in uncertain times and it completely reminds me of my younger days. Only this time I have all this responsibility and commitments. Usually being stuck in a life rut I would have circled the wagons rallied the troops and headed to the bar for a night of debauchery and mayhem. Now things are more complicated and it leaves me asking this question about how to maintain the feeling of being young in the face of some many unknowns and commitments? Sure I could throw it all away and become a bum, but I don't think it's my nature. Maybe this blog is a vent. Choose which side you're on.

Miked