Clean-up and Getting Back to My Blog Roots

I am truly flattered by Crabcake's wonderful referral to my blog. The most flattering part of her comments was her statement that the materials here get her worked up and passionate about a topic one day and make her laugh the next. I started this whole blogging thing because I wanted to express myself in a creative way - I wanted the freedom to write about whatever I wanted to at that precise moment that I want to do it.

On some occasions, I have been worked up and passionate about something when I made an entry. On other occasions, I was amused by something that I wanted to share. Sometimes, I was just drunk. Crabcake's brief commentary about my blog delighted me because it (at least partially) confirmed my hope that you were sharing in this entertaining experience with me. Unfortunately for you, you could not share the experience when I was drunk, but I hope the rest was not lost in translation.

When Crabcake informed me that she was going to feature my blog as one of her top two, I laughed, I cried, I bought myself a Hallmark card that captured the moment, prepared an acceptance speech thanking those that helped me along the way (Garrett, Complete Game, Erin, PDD) and then responded that I would have to clean the place up in preparation for all of the new visitors that I was going to be getting. I wasn't able to do that until this morning because I was drunk last night - that's how I roll. I have now cleaned up the joint. The changes were subtle but necessary. I will point out that I have removed a couple of dead links from "Blogs of Note" and have added some new ones.

As Elton John once said, "the New York Times said God is dead." In this instance it is not God, but Jesus. The Jesus folks, as I predicted they would came and went like a comet - in a blaze of glory. It was bawdy, offensive fun while it lasted. Satan, on the other hand continues his recruiting efforts, although without the Jesus component, the question remains as to whether Satan will have the material to survive. Good needs Evil and Evil needs Good - otherwise it just may not work.

I also stopped whoring for the man. I deleted the link to Google News. It isn't like Google needs more publicity!

The additions were two - Crabcake gets an automatic bid for completely sucking up to me. You know how I love that! Pandering will be rewarded.

I also added Satan's ex-girlfriend, Shannon for a couple of reasons. First, she has been stopping by commenting from time to time, thus meriting some consideration. Second, Shannon posts some interesting questions on her blog such as, "Would you sleep with one of your husband's/wife's friends" and I love that kind of shit. Finally, Satan has pretty damn good taste - she is cute (and she doesn't preach to me like prior cute chicks)!

Cleanup is complete; on to the meat of this post:


I Love Westerns.

I love John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies. Every Saturday and Sunday, my family sleeps in. I have to pee around 7:30a.m. because I have become an old man, but I don't mind. I get up do my business and head downstairs to the big screen TV that occupies my family room. I bought it when I moved into this house in 2001 and I have loved that 52" bitch from the moment they delivered her.

The Duke and Clint kick ass on the big screen.

I love John Wayne's western characters. Without reservation I can say that the image of John Wayne is a significant force in my life. He represents honesty, integrity and unwavering loyalty. He is tough and hard, but he is pure good. John Wayne always made the right choice - even when he knew it may be the more difficult choice. John Wayne is the ideal. I want to be like John Wayne.


I have read several books about John Wayne. He was human, but all those who knew him said that he tried to live his life in the same manner as his on-screen image. He was very politically conservative and outspoken against communism - which gave him somewhat of a reputation in a very liberal Hollywood. He remained true to his ideals - whether you agreed with his ideals was your problem - but I understand that he never denied anyone's right to disagree with him. On one occasion in 1974, during the height of the Vietnam War, he spoke in front of a hostile crowd at Harvard. The crowd was well aware of his support for the war and hit him hard. He remained true to his ideals, listened to what they had to say, responded with his own opinions and ended the night with a standing ovation from those same students who had been prepared to string him up.

I won't use the word "unfortunately here, but I am more like Clint Eastwood. Clint's cowboy characters represent more of the common man. He knows right from wrong but doesn't always choose the "right" path to get there. Often, he is driven by his own self-interest but ends up helping those in need and protecting the weak or helpless. Watch "Fist Full of Dollars" this theme is clearly embodied there (see also: High Plains Drifter and the Outlaw Josey Wales).

Emulating my image of John Wayne is very difficult. What will be more easily accomplished is following in his footsteps. John Wayne spent a lot of time in various parts of Arizona, and I intend to combine my penchant for tourism, my love for my motorcycle (FLMG1) and my affinity for Western film over the course of the next few months - including photographs.

I intend to draft an article to submit to Arizona Highways magazine upon completion of my quest. It was just this sort of inspiration that brought me here to blogland in the first place and now I intend to press it to the next level.

With that, I ride off into the Arizona sunset....