thanksgiving

my goodness

I tried to post a pic

my storage is full

I am thankful that tomorrow

I'll be gone fishin'

and while it may be shallow and superficial

I remain grateful

happy thanksgiving

holidaze looming

the time of year where I rarely accomplish anything

wherein we spill the beans

last weekend I got the invitation of a lifetime

I was asked to join a scientific expedition through the grand canyon 

w/ the usgs

look fishy que no?

my expenses?

how much do ten cases of pbr cost?

oh yeah babe

happy birthday brother

happy birthday to you happy birthday to you 

happy birthday judgmental asshole

happy birthday to you

these gals think you wrock

see ya on the golf course amigo

on the eve of the superbowl or greenout day at the open

today's the greenout at the phoenix open golf tourney

I'm not there in person...

in spirit though?  you betcha

the past few years my brother has hosted a small super bowl/birthday party

this year chili and cornbread is on the menu

I was drafted to make the cornbread

jalapeno cornbread

oh yeah...giants over pats 24 - 17
though personally, I'd like to see both teams lose

a new year's gift for you

this was my favorite musical release of the year

I used to make a top ten list every year

last year two artists tied at the top
(john mellencamp and black dub)

unlikely allies if you will...

http://www.mediafire.com/?5z0co4e0tl7uu46 

dig it, eh?

2012

a new year is upon us

I don't have any idea what's in store

the previous year for me has been mostly marked by hardship

I've managed and will continue to do so

I've spoken in the past about the inanity of making resolutions

especially those of the health and welfare type

which we enter into w/ good and cooperative spirits

until we realize how much got am hard work we've set ourselves up for

and how comfortable it would be and is to relax

that said I have made two minor resolutions this year

health and welfare related

I will not be sharing the resolutions

though I may periodically update you on my progress or lack thereof...

last year I failed in my main goal of lowering my golf handicap to a single digit

I guess we'll have to continue that one...

anyways, at some point in the next two weeks it appears as though I'm gonna lose my planing forms

I guess I just thought they were mine...

and it is frustrating

which means I'll have to figure out the means of procuring a set of bellingers

and rather quickly at that

I am a firm believer that when you replace something anything

you should replace it w/ something BETTER

fortunately all the rods on the bench have all the grunt work done

which I guess means I'll be turning bamboo blanks into fishing rods

as this season progresses

at any rate, we'll manage, it's what we do

"hey, I've got an idea - let's go fishing!"

the holidaze season is over - get yer lazy ass back to work!

surfwear

the final hoodie I'll look at is made by o'neill

soft warm and cozy

lined w/ sherpa fleece (whatever that is)

cool black white gray plaid

stylish and very warm...
it makes perfect sense to me that surfwear should be warm
it gets cold on the beach when the sun goes down

I've really reluctantly become a fan of the hoodie

I now have five of the damn things

after having spent most of my adult life w/out ever owning one

two others I have but didn't mention recently...

you saw the pic of the schliske bamboo trampstamp

I wore that one everyday working in the shoppe this fall

the other one is a packer football hoodie that's also been pictured here before

I wear that one a lot

especially this time of year eh?

speaking of which, happy new year, all the best, y'know

I doubt that I make it to midnight

I didn't even make it until midnight
and the night was endless...

ballyhoo

so that hoodie shown below is the first one I had since I was a kid

my father gave it to me as a Christmas present one year

his client was involved somehow w/ eminem's management 

this sweatshirt is remarkably well executed and designed

the tag reads...

shady limited

future classic

8

anyways the cut is generous and comfortable

fabric is very warm and soft

love the kangaroo pocket (the primary reason I give the nod to pullovers)

this one's gotta stash pocket inside the joey pouch

here's another one...

but before we get to that here's a shot and a story

that right there is a 1975 edition of that classic album

I hung it on the wall in the tying den the other day

there's honest too goodness pot dust from back in the day

in the crease of the backside of that gatefold cover

nice detail in this macro shot

unfortunately revealing a bit of sloppiness in technique...oh well

still a pretty damn nice and damned effective fly

look at that flimsy rinky dink drawstring on the hood!

the only flaw in a fine garment

very warm durable piece of outerwear

this one's by carhartt
and is the only gift I requested....

tomorrow's new year's eve

and I'm gonna talk about the relative merits of hoodies

tomorrow on new year's eve

that's a preview
and a pretty fine hoodie
too bad it's so obnoxious
I don't care but the wife won't be seen with me in it...

year-end photo dump

just a few shots I cherry-picked

while looking through the iphoto library...

almost always my first selection for fishing...

brother in bamboo mike shay's adventure continues...
hopefully in a better place

you just know that there's a slob in there somewhere

I never did find him

guinness braised short ribs - my word!

a favorite shot of steve - back in the day

beloved wife anita on some of the best water in the west

stacked enchiladas and frijoles

this pic isn't so great, but I do like the texture indicated by the cheese on the beans

that red chile sauce is incendiary

lovely

this is my favorite shot from Christmas day...

beloved niece lili

a classic beauty

christmas eve

I don't know if I've mentioned that my sister resembles clay matthews

less so in this pic than another...

I'm pretty sure brianna shot that pic

speak of the devil herself - brianna recently renounced her vegetarian ways

she's got her hands full here

it was delightful to watch her polish off those two for real usinger's hot dogs

are things looking up?

could they get any worse?

I'm not really talking about anything in particular

my psychological fitness rodbuilding the american economy local politics

and number of things

so I got a rod order recently

w/ one left to finish for the poore girls

two fe thomas tapers for myself

and two possibilities still up in the air

I will order components after the holidaze

and move on from building a blank to finishing some rods

why in the hell am I building myself two more rods?

one of which is a clone of one I already use alladamntime

my mentor is leaving the state

there is oh so much I still need to pick his brains on

and just from a fellowship point of view

I enjoy spending tome w/ him 

and he will be long gone

though I get a sneaking suspicion that I may well be fishing for goldens this sunmer

post holiday blues settle in right easily

and they are less easy to shake

I suppose what I'm saying is that if you want a handmade

custom split cane flyrod - now just might be the time to order it

you'll be fishing it this spring

holidaze gift recommendation

for the angler/flytier/rod builder who has everything

and since no one can afford a bamboo rod these daze...

last year I picked up a print from local artist tim johnson

this one...

this year I'll drop a little Christmas cash on this one...

I really do enjoy his work and so will you

thank you kind neighbors

those freaking cookies were delicious

the other day my wife took a plate of cookies to the next door neighbor

the favor was returned last night

look at that polish beer!

anyone have any idea how to pronounce those names?

fairly likely that it sounds nothing like it looks...

muchas gracias amigos

a day late and a dollar short

but happy easter or as I prefer resurrection sunday

I'll leave the preaching to the professionals

nothing'll make a chiddler smile like a holidaze hot dog

sparky likes it

 well except maybe candy

she got that in the morning

lunch today - leftover burger and home-made fries

just look at those fries!

bcs championship game

after going 4-0 predicting the nfl wildcard games

I suppose I should offer up my take on this fiasco

while everyone involved in the bcs is busy patting themselves on the back

for finally getting the matchup of undefeated teams

where does that leave the tcu horned frogs?

a clear cut #2?

co-champion?

nosireebob

but that's not even my problem w/ it

my problem is this...college football should be finished for the year

on new years day just like it used to be
not on january 10th...

the big four or five since the fiesta bowl snuck in the back door

have been relegated to virtual irrelevance 

by this stupid national championship game

which in years past has barely determined a TRUE

national champion

in short leaving it no better than what we had

w/ the cotton bowl gator bowl sugar bowl rose bowl and orange bowl

I'll throw the peach bowl in there as well since I miss it

I like knowing how things played out and seeing the final poll on january 2

and turning my attention to the nfl playoffs
where it should be and currently is

and really now while we're at it shouldn't this bcs championship game have a stupid corporate sponsor attached to it since almost all the others do?

I'd suggest a feminine hygiene product...

the summer's eve douche bcs championship bowl

on to my prediction...

this game will not be as high scoring or as close as everyone thinks

31-24

and yes I prefer sec football to pac 10 football

auburn's defense is vulnerable

good night college football

until next year

they'll never get this thing straightened out

kickin' one hunnert million acres of wilderness ass

who'd have ever thought punk rock played in a stadium could sound so fucking good?

it does

and now you know

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ftpq6h


get some it's great

resolutions

I don't make them

there are so many things that I could resolve to do

only to let myself down when I fail to follow through on any of them

so I don't bother

on the other hand I could make a handful of self-serving and indulgent ones

but that's contrary to the nature of the damn thing

of course I want to golf more and lower my handicap

(as if three rounds a week isn't enough)

or go out and fish more

who doesn't want that?

nevertheless I intend to do just those things

just without resolving to do so

thus revealing what a selfish and self-centered bastard I truly am

whoopsie!

I guess I just did that

I do want to continue to do whatever I can to help my friends and family

and gift a few lucky folks w/ a nice fishing pole

do what I can to become a better husband

a better cook

expand my palate and repertoire of techniques

fix one more meal a week

pleasing my wife coming home from work 

to a home cooked meal w/ the enticing aroma that entails

my walk w/ Christ is always a struggle

necessary as it is to my growth as a man and a Christian

forgiveness is in my nature

though my vices are always a battle

(if you know me you know what I'm talking about)

having said that 

I should smoke less drink less stop cussing work harder and more often

spend less exercise more make better choices and decisions

indulge the wife instead of myself

watch less football and golf on tv

do more to serve the Lord

and follow so many other paths to improve myself

yet to resolve to do so is to set myself up for failure

and I won't do that

but apparently I know what I need to do