Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Tidying Up

Let me give ya'll a bit of update on my last post since that seems easier than replying to the questions I've received via the comments and emails.

No, I didn't write the lyrics with any particular song in mind and I certainly couldn't write any music for it. I can barley play the radio much less an instrument. As far as singers I'd have to say it might fit Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, or on of those other Nashvillers than are prone to sing those kitschy cornball songs that mainstream radio seems to love.

Yes, it really was 106 here on Monday and actually the thermometer at my house said 109, but while the AC was out it was a mere 97 inside according to my digital thermostat. It cooled off yesterday and the mercury topped pout at a mere 102 but my AC kept the house nice and cool. I got off for only two hundred bucks because myself and a friend did the labor. That price was for parts alone.

And yes, The gas story is true. My neighbor across the road actually caught the guy in the act I guess after he hit my house. My neighbor actually raised a gun and was meaning to shoot at the guy until he caught sight of my house beyond the thief. But he did yell and tell the guy he was about to shoot.

The man fled on foot so he can't live far. There is a cluster of about 15 homes in my immediate area and he has to live in one of them. The police came and wrote a report and confiscated the gas can the guy dropped so maybe he got scared straight. If not, he will get shot eventually.

Here in Texas, most of us who live in the country do own guns. We also know how to use them. Now I am not going to start taking potshots at people for sucking the thirty bucks of gas out of my tank but I would if I though my family was in danger. However there are many who need much less to provoke them into squeezing the trigger. And yes my nearest neighbor is one of them.

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I mentioned a while back that I ws going to reorganize my blogroll. Well, I started today. I deleted everything but the links to agents and editors and started a new category called, THE BLOGS I READ. Yeah, I know that title isn't very imaginative but it's what I'm going with for now. Instead of simply sticking a bunch of links up at once I'm going to introduce them one by one and mention why I like that particular blog and link to one or two of my favorite posts. The order will be random and in now way does it reflect my level of admiration for that particular blog. Actually I'm lazy and whoever posted recent enough to show up on my google reader list will be next. All of these are blogs i subscribe to. And they will be listed in reverse alphabetical order just because I do lots of things ass-backward. Today I'm going to post three just to get things started, but most of the time I'll do these one at a time.

Today's first addition is, ATTACK OF THE REDNECK MOMMY. Redneck Mommy is hilarious, she has a sweet looking blog and you never know what she might say. Nothing is sacred or taboo in her view. Today's post is pretty indicative of her style so check it out here.

Numero two for today, FRAZZLED BUT LOVING IT. Monnik is a blogger that I can relate to on many levels. We are the same age, We're both parents and we both seem to have a million irons in the fire at all times. But she is slightly crazy because she likes to run even if nothing is chasing her. Her blog is about her life and like my lyrics yesterday there are ups and downs and she tells them all in an enjoyable style. Here is a happy one for you to check out.

And rounding out today's trio is WATCH YOUR STEPH. She's a fishing loving writer who also is an editor for the ODDVILLE PRESS. I've only recently discovered her blog, but I've enjoyed what I've read thus far. Here is a sample of a recent post from her.


I'm sure many of you already read these bloggers but if not, give them a read and tell them I sent you.

22 comments:

Patti said...

looking forward to seeing why you read all the blogs on the roll.

and, yep, we love out guns. and our beer. sometimes together...

Linda McLaughlin said...

I doubt the guy will try to siphon your neighbor's gas tank again. It's not worth getting shot over!

We're into beer out here in California, but guns, not so much, which is just as well since people sometimes shoot each other from road rage.

Linda

Unknown said...

I just read your chop sticks post, and I LOVE it!!!!! And I do believe it when you say someone stole your gas. I've been hearing about that going in my town as well, especially to people who live in apartment complexes. Thieving bastards.

And I've never read the 3 blogs you mentioned so I'll have to go have a look see!

Hope your sweat has dried off.

Barbara Martin said...

Interesting new blogs, Travis, especially the first one. It'll be interesting to see what else is on the roll.

Guns and neighbours can get pretty interesting, even when the mounties are called. Perhaps that particular story will posted one of these days.

Charles Gramlich said...

Doing a blog roll like that is a great idea. I started off my blog intending to do a brief bio on all my writer friends but I never got through it all. I should get back to that sometime.

Spy Scribbler said...

My jaw is on the floor. I hardly know where to start. Part of me is horrified that gas has gone so high that people are *that* desperate. I can actually see that. The other part ... I don't know.

Gas is high. There are still people working minimum wage jobs, and a $50 tank (well, I just paid SEVENTY-TWO DOLLARS!) is about 25% of their take home pay.

Crap, that makes me sad.

Lana Gramlich said...

I'm sorry for the recent troubles. I'm dreading the Summer, as our A/C just does NOT overcome the stifling heat down here. I'm planning on covering ALL of the windows with blankets & whatnot this time around, since light=heat, but I doubt that's going to help much. I really don't want to buy a window unit, y'know? I thought our brand new central air unit would be enough. <:(

Lana Gramlich said...

Oh, & thanks for sharing the blogs you like & why. I've been meaning to do something similar, myself, as soon as I get a chance.

Nicole said...

Travis -
I really can't believe he was taking your gas! I thought you were stretching the truth with your lyrics, but I guess not!
Nicole

holly said...

106!!! omg!!! it got warm enough here today to take off my jacket...for a minute...

Lisa said...

Great idea! I think I'll do the same over the summer.

The gas siphoner really has piqued my curiosity. I wonder what his story is...

Anonymous said...

I feel for people who are so desperate to have to siphon gas. I heard today that people in CA are taking advantage of getting a free gallon of gas if you run out of gas on the freeway...or something like that. Heard a story about it on NPR.

We get our AC fixed Friday and it is not near as hot here and I am miserable. I am counting the hours. Glad your AC is working now.

Anonymous said...

It was 68 degrees here today and I was sweating.

I'm such a pansy.

A pansy who prefers snow.

Thanks for the linky love, dude. I really appreciate it.

Phats said...

Hey Travis
Jesus that's HOT and no AC that would really suck, how'd you survive?

That's a neat idea with your blogroll, if I weren't too lazy I might even steal it, but alas I am lazy

debra said...

It's supposed to hit 90 here in NE Ohio today---we had rain yesterday and it's already humid, so I know that my hair will be curling big-time by the end of the day. We have woods around our house which don't let the heat and humidity rise too well. Goats would be the solution to the problem, I think.
I suspect the guy with(out) the gas will think twice before coming back to your place again.
Great idea about the blogroll.

March2theSea said...

the guy pulled out a gun!! whoa..that would scare the ever living EFFF outta me!

Josephine Damian said...

TE: Oh no! Had no idea you were in dial-up hell like me. I don't live in the sticks, but my house is in a small pocket where there's cable and DSL just a few blocks over, just not here. So close and yet so far.

*sigh*

I remember during the depression when my dad was a juvenile delinquent, him and his friends would siphon gas but only from the fancy cars owned by rich people.

No lock on the gas tank? That's a must if you leave your car outside. Anywhere.

Here in FL, EVERYBODY has a gun (including left-leaning liberals like me) - not just the folks in the rural area. Here, any dispute of any kind can escalate easily (and does) because we're all armed and grumpy over the heat.

Shauna Roberts said...

What a great idea to tell about your blog friends! I'm looking forward to reading about them and finding new blogs to visit.

Melissa Amateis said...

I hope they catch the guy who stole your gas. But I would have loved to see your neighbor yell at him that he was going to shoot. Ha!

JM said...

I randomly check out your blogroll, I will check these out too.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hi Travis. Sorry I didn't stop by sooner. And what a cheeky git nicking petrol from your car. How rude.

Rocketstar said...

Wow, first story I have heard first hand on gas theft which is only going to continue to increase, crazy.