Write it yourself!!

My sister Janie has been blessed with a rare opportunity. She has the chance to write her own job description in a real situation.
I hereby challenge all who happen along this blog to try the same thing. I tried it and it is a lot harder than you think! But it is not an exercise of futility! I learned many things about myself in less than 10 minutes. Try it --I double dog dare ya.
Here is my feeble attempt at a real job description designed just for me.

First I must list a few things for those of you who don't know me.
I love work! (any work, not just my job, but any work!!! When I get off work...I go to work)
.
I am a salesman! This is not my job , it is what I am. Deep Down in my soul. It is what I know and do better than anything in the world.
.
I value relationships and honor more than money.
.
I am a garner of favors! I would rather trade favors than anything else. It is a barter thing for me.


Scott's perfect Job Description

My base salary per annum is $1. I like to be compensated for what I accomplish but I don't need base pay. I also will not participate in any meeting, conference call, email carousel, or retreats that do not include clients. I will be involved with any thing or things that involve building a trusted relationship with our company or companies clients.

I will be payed a commision or %percentage of each and every $1 that comes to this company because of my efforts or actions. Overide! Gross! Profit does not concern me!

Clients may reach me 24\7. Anyone who works for me or my department will adopt this policy on a rotating basis. Support position must be covered 24\7 for maximum potential.

Our products must be flawless in design and reality. I cannot sell it , if I don't believe in it. If you say it floats-it had better float! And if it doesn't we will stand behind our product and replace it with another! And so on! I want to be able to hold my head up everyday, because we just don't bullsh+t! No matter what we sell--service is the key!

I do all the hiring and firing , and every teammate will sign a contract agreeing to my terms. I cannot lose a key player because he or she had a bad day , or week. I also will not work with a slacker so I must also control the terminations.

Now get out of the way and have enough inventory or hands to fill the orders! I won't tell you how to accomplish this and you don't tell me how to sell. If there is no profit in our products or services at this point...it might be time to shave some middle management and performance bonuses.

Finished.

Now I realize that I did not mention company vehicle, expenses, perks, travel, or retirement. This is because after reading what I had already written and knowing what is between these lines.....I can only work for me! It is that job description isn't it.......jeffe,boss, owner, or majority stockholder.
And this is why I go to work when I get off work!


Thanks for your time
Gotta Go!
Scotte

As if it needs to be said.....I CONCEDE.

I tried to match That Janie Girls challenge, but came up short . Very short! The idea was to post a blog every day for 30 days . I did not even come close , as you can probably read all my attempts this last month without going to page 2.
I concede this contest.
So that's sporting clays , and blogging that she is better than me at performing! I know there are a few hundred thousand other things that she is better than me at, but these are fresh on my mind.
The Oilman's event went great, I was there from 6.30 am to 7 .20 pm. I bet I saw 500 people I know and 3 short years ago, there were only 4 people that I knew there. This shooting sport is made for meeting people and networking. This year was the largest ever for the Oilman's Shoot and it was the best event I have been to this year. They gave away guns and money for nearly 3 hours straight and I even won enough to break even on the gun boards. My partner nor I won a gun for the second year straight. Sorry Mike...maybe next year!!!!
So yesterday and today were just recuperative days but at least I got the yard mowed this morning. Back to the grind tomorrow and meet with the new sales manager. Gggggrrrreeeaatttt!

CYA
SCOTTE

Oilman's Shoot is next week!!1

It seems like only yesterday that I signed up for the Oilman's Shoot at WindWalker. I remember thinking "This thing is a long time off...wonder why we have to sign up in June??"
Now it is time to shoot.

This is one of the most exclusive shoots in West Texas and it is not for a charity. This makes it even more rare. 2 man teams and I am shooting with my good friend and customer Mike Winfield. We always shoot this one and have a blast. Mike drinks non-alcoholic beer and I don't drink at all so we can commiserate about that.
He and his sons are all about the shooting sports and he usually spanks me at Clays. But this year I have been practicing and plan to shoot at least a 90 and hopefully closer to 100%. I have won something at this shoot every year and hope to keep the streak alive.
This year I am donating all winner guns to The Heart Association fund raiser and auction.
So far I have only won 1 , and I am hoping to add at least one more with this shoot.

Wish me luck,
Cya
Scotte

Ahhhhh! The Weekend!

This is my first real weekend off in months. I am so looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow. Late?? Yepper, I plan to sleep until 8 am in the morning. About 2 hours late for me. Well , 2 hours later than today anyway.
I know 8 am is not that late for most of the people living in modern society, but out here in West Texas , it is so late that the milk will go bad in the cow.
I hope the chickens will not cannabalize the eggs, or the pigs sizzle in the 100 degree heat-but dang nab it ....I deserve to sleep late at least every once in a while.
So you citified folk had better not be ringing my phone before 8.01 am tomorrow. And after that I will be out on regular duty, Conversing with the farm animals that constitute the normalness of West Texas.
YeeHi! Thank God I'm a Country Boy!

Oh, Crap, I moved to town over 5 years ago! Oil Well!
cya
ScottE

Wall Street Bar & Grill

I almost eat out for a living. No , I am not a food critic -but a salesman in the Permian Basin Oilfield. It is not are you gonna do lunch , but where??
I eat out everyday , most days twice , rarely 3 times but it does happen.
Today , I had the Fillet Min on with Mashed Potatoes at Wall Street Bar & Grill in Midland , Tx.
OMG!!! This has to be the best piece of meat ever!!!! This steak , while ordered by everyone at my table, is not the only great menu item at Wall Street! But it is always delicious from the first to the last bite.
The first time I ordered it - I thought Wow! this is a little steak!!, but it sure does fill you up.
Go ahead
Stop in and try it.
Tell em ScottE sent you---then order the Fillet!
or the Jambalaya
or the grilled chicken breast
or the oh crap now I am hungry again
Lisa !!!! Any of that Kettle corn left?????
Cya
ScottE

Guilt--Here is the Post I owe.

Today, I got a lady calling me about a job. How do you know how to react to a unsolicited job offer. It was worded in a way that made it very open ended.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in representing our production equipment company in the Permian basin?
I was reminded of working at the local paper in the 70's--when I needed a new paperboy - I would look for a young man on a bike and stop and ask him " Hey kid -You got a big brother??"
"I need a new paper carrier --You got a big brother or some bigger friends??" "What about me?" the answer invariably came from the young man.
Well in this day of uncertainty in the Patch- I took the high road. I am perfectly happy where I am ma am, but if you will email me , I will attempt to hook you up with the right person.
I got the email and it looks legit....but you never know.

Cya
ScottE

James Averette Age 63

James Averette was killed in a one truck accident about 20 miles north of Big Spring Texas on Hwy 350 Thursday Morning. He was a tool pusher for Wes tex Drilling. James was one of those hands that all oilfield workers aspired to be. Back in the 70's , we called him EverReady, cause he always was ready to work, fight, or laugh at some stupid antic we made up.

A throwback to the days of old, where a quick trip to the cattle guard solved many a personnel issue. Make em bite!! If you can't get it , you can't stay!! Put your little hands on it!! I have heard this man growl these words both to me and scores of others on drilling rigs all over Texas.

I have worked harder than I ever thought I could with his crew, and still count many of the hands I worked with in the 2 years and 4 months on Rig 4 at Robinson Drilling as some of my very best friends. I think that James had a strong and true heart- I will miss him as I go about my life in the oil patch.
The industry will miss him even more!!!! He was still making hands out of worms to the day that he died. You always felt like a worm around James Averette and it was not because he glowered over you, but because his knowledge was endless. Passing it on to a new hand never ended because he had seen and done it all. He made us all better people and oilfield trash.
For my dollar , there was no better toolie or driller , than James. I count the time that I worked for him as some of the best work I ever did. With the likes of Jerry (peewee) Jones, Jerry Jamison, Derrell (Drail) Pope, Terry (Fuzzy) Carter, Curtis James and even Mike McGrath.
Those were the days

I will miss you James. Don't worry I will get a bigger hammer!!

Cya
ScottE

okay--cowboy up!!!!!

Whew--What a week. Work is done - work is done. Crap gotta do those reports. Its my weekend at the cigarette store. Lawn needs mowing again. Wife and Gdaughter are out of town visiting #1 son. Its Hot! Too hot to even post!!!

I am going to the house because there is a contractor there and I am worried that he may cut in the wrong place. I have a rental property that needs a tending. My vending machine route owner operator has not made a payment in 6 months. It is time for some belated spring cleaning. I need to shed some of these looming things before they shed me.

So I am off to work the weekend.

Cya,
ScottE

Doctor's Visit

All is well. Did the checkup thing , today. Don't have to go back for 3 months.
Today it became official. I am way past flatbelly stage of larvadom.

When I went back to work in the Oilfield 3 years ago , I was pushing the scales at a sleek 185. I thought that I was in great shape and could carry the world. After following in thatJaniegirls footsteps and setting breakfast and lunch appointments every blessed day of the week , by the time I looked up again, I was up to 200.

When I had my heart attack on March 4th, 2009 , I was still at 199. Today at my checkup , I weighed in at..................................217. I have only been this heavy once before as a younger firefighter. I got up to 235 before getting to work on losing it again.
I quit smoking on March 4 th also, this is where this new weight gain begins. I eat all the time, from the time I get up until bedtime.
Food just doesn't satisfy me, I crave a cigarette! I don't want sticky platelets or constricting arteries , but I really want a cigarette.

1. At least 6 times a day, ( an improvement over 20 TD), I want to beat the shit out of somebody. Usually for something like a sneeze, or some offhand comment. Instead I eat...........and eat.
2. I know that it takes 475 licks to get to the chewy chocolate center of a tootsie-pop. By the way if you have not noticed they added some new flavors. Pomegranate and Watermelon are very , very good.
3. The peppermint puffs that sells at Sam's in a 3 pound tub, will last 14 days if my coworkers (thieves) will stay out of my food.
4. The "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE" key sticks when bombarded with sunflower seed hulls.
5. The sheer volume of sugar and Dr. Pepper consumed is compounded by a factor of my age (50). Sugar Diabetes is the most probable malady in my future.

So my new lot in life is to curb this new found appetite, because it does not fill my belly or my needs. I will blog about my efforts, but will not cage myself by only blogging about that subject.

I can already not blog about work, because there is always the outside chance that a coworker will stumble across this blogger thingy.

Cya when I cya,

ScottE

Dang, missed a day already.

See, keeping up with Janie has never really worked for me. I always had to cut my own trail just to avoid being swept up in the wake of That Janie Girl. It has been a fun ride and when the destination was reached I an always welcomed by the crowd that has accepted her. It is almost biblical, huh.

Those of you who know us , know of what I speak. She is a force all her own, and I love her for it. She has never been ruled by fear or intimidation, and I always felt like she knew that I had her back. It never really mattered to me how big they were ( a lot of that came from our big brother) if they messed with my sister, then they had to deal with me.

Still that way today, which could mean thats why its only the dogs who give her black eyes!!!!!
Love ya Janie!!! Hope we get to see alot of each other this FY2010.
Cya
ScottE

08-12-09

I am gonna take the THATJANIEGIRL challenge and try to post for 30 days straight. This will be my first in over 2 months.
I will attempt to be as open, truthful, and entertain you at the same time. If its not entertaining , at least stick with me for a couple of days. Maybe it will grow on you.

Today, Yard work calls. Too hot for midday work. Evening and early morning only.

I hope yall have a great weekend.

See ya,
Scott E

One Down--2 to Go!!!

Our eldest son graduated this weekend. From the University of Texas, no less! With Honors!!!!

We are so proud.........and he seems relieved. From the bad joke( " I don't remember filling out the paperwork to graduate") to the final hug goodbye, it was a memorable stay in Austin.

We ate at Juan in a Million for Brunch , Saturday, and met Tony's roommates there for a last meal together. Charlie will go on to be rich and famous in Film, and Chaz will rake up in Washington DC. While my son will write the copy of the Advertisements that both will need.

I really can't believe all of them made it in 4 years, I figured one or the other of them would fall by the wayside.

I am proud of my son and all of his accomplishments! Love you Tony!!!!!

Remembering 1981

This is a journey into time..... a time past......that still affects my world today. In 1981 , I was freshly divorced from my first---and working on a drilling rig in Sheffield , Tx. Air drilling was a first for me. This is a process where you drill an oil well with air instead of water. It was eerie for a West Texas roughneck to see a cloud of dust coming out of the return line. You could see it for miles and miles.
Oct 13, was a strange day for the daylight crew of Britton Rig #1. We had just moved to a new location and were rigging up. If you have never seen it , it is hard to believe. This is a dance, a ballet, if you will. The rig up trucks with gin poles raised, forklifts unloading pipe racks and pipe, the substructure is hammered together, the derrick is being raised, the motors and pumps lined up, the backyard is pieced together, and all of this is done at the same time. It really is something to watch, if you ever get the chance , just get and stay out of the way, WAY out of the way.
We had been in Sheffield for 23 days, and a new relief crew had been hired the week before. We were finally gonna get some days off. The 1" air line to the drillers console had been pinched during the rig move and had to be replaced. It was my job to replace it and when finished we would be done!!!! That was one job I never finished!!! During the process of replacing this line , the substructure of the rig was hit by a haul truck that got away from its driver. He was still in the truck, it just was stuck in gear and he could not stop. It hit the rig doing 32 miles an hour. Now this next part is the part that is still with me today.
I was standing on an I-beam to get a bite on the line that I was replacing. When the truck hit the rig , I lost my footing and began the longest 3 second trip of my life. We later measured from where I fell and it was 48 feet from where I landed. Now as I was on my way down, a co-worker tried to help me. He grabbed my feet as I started to fall, but as I flipped to be facing downward in a dive , he realized that he was gonna come with me . So....he let me go.
Don't blame him--I would have done the same!
Now I am falling face first-or I should say stiff arm first. I broke almost every bone on the left side of my body, some of them in many,many places. My hand, wrist, arm, elbow, shoulder, skull,and ribs were shattered. My hip , femur, knee and leg were split from the force of the landing,
My hip , and shoulder still give me little fits today, but I have yet to have the crippling effect the doctors warned me about in 81. But on days like today, where we reach 100 degrees less than 24 hours after a good little rain! It hurts like gravel is in my joints. Not enough to make me quit, but enough to remind me....You were not Superman in 81, and You are not in 2009 either.
So with an mixture of Advil, Motrin, and Bayer , I can get through a day like today in West Texas. Go Hawks!
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Here are some more of the BB Blast

S
Sorry , I posted this one twice and cannot erase.

Stick with me, I will learn this blogger dealio yet.

These events are a lot of fun. If you have never been ....you really have to check one out. This is the Bad Boy Blast sponsored by Conoco-Phillips and Halliburton Services. It really is a Blast. I never saw a real frown all day. Great event and all the proceeds go the local Police and Law Enforcement Agencies.

This is a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Anderson as they arrived at Windwalker Farms on Saturday. They not only helped sponsor the event, but shot and donated a German Shorthaired Pointer to the Silent Auction. Great People always seem to do great things, huh?

heres a pic or 3

I cannot get any pictures to upload to my blog. here is another attempt.

World's Best Medicine

Today was a tough day for me. Only as far as cigarette smoking was concerned though. It has been a little over 2 weeks and today it hit me. I really like to smoke. It calms me. It gives me a prop, to hold, and emphasis the point with. For over 30 years it has been a part of my life. I really wanted a cigarette today.

Still do !!!! But my Macz is at our house tonite, and she told me I smell good. A first for that statement from her. She just smiled as she hugged me , and said" Pop op you smell so good!" I said "yes ma am, Pop op quit smoking" She said " uh-huh, I know....thank you"
You know a guy really doesn't need much more than the woman he loves the most telling him thank you for motivation. I don't care if I do want a cigarette, I will no longer be a slave to the damn things.

Thank you my 2 year old angel,
I will never forget what you have done for me.
Love ,
Pop op (pronounced POP-OP)

By the way I own a tobacco store in Big Spring , Texas that grossed over 3.5 million last year. It is for sale!!!! $175,000.00 for inventory and name. Rent 1750.00 a month. Or $275,000 for lock, stock, and real estate. Just for the principle of the thing, its gonna be hard to be a non smoker while owning this store.
Thanks for your time.
ScottE

I know some of you read this thing.

You know what , I finally figured out how this blog thingy works. You have to spend hours , not composing good blog fodder, but reading and commenting on other's blogs. So here is to you guys , who read the blogs, but do not comment. I will if you will. I pledge to start commenting on all of the blogs that I peruse during the day. Of course this would be easier if the content filter from hell had not been introduced to our network at work. So it will be late night commenting from now on. As I can read your blogs but am not allowed to comment on them.
I understand the need for security, as the company who bought us last may, makes some part in the guidance system of the Cruise Missile. I especially liked the fact that words like--- sucker rod, stroke, nipple, joint, dope, and even tool and bite --are also words that are not allowed.

I work in the Oilfield people. You know , where we....nipple up, add another joint of pipe, increase stroke length, use a fishing tool, and get another bite on something every day. Dope comes in 5 gallon buckets, joints are 30 ft long, and there is a pusher on every rig.
Look , if your gonna play in this game, you gotta learn the lingo!!!! When in Rome..........

So , please don't try to rewrite the patch, especially the Permian Basin. Just change the filter to allow these words, and let me comment on me com padres blogs. It truly is networking at its finest.

Thanks for your time
ScottE

50 Years of Big Spring--Going..Going....Gone!!!!

March 21 Saturday at 10 am. The Boy's Club in Big Spring is closing and having an auction. I will be donating my services and they are donating 100% of the proceeds to the Kid's Zone. The Kid's Zone was damaged by vandals earlier this year, along with a totem pole that has been in the park my whole life. I think that donating to that project is a show of class from the Board of the Boys Club.

This auction has a unique set of items for sale. There is a cool thing about the caretaker of the Boys Club. Bert has been with Boys Club since 1959 , when he retired from Cosden. As an engineer he must have had a knack for organization because if there were 250 parts when they got it , all 250 parts are still there today. I mean, Wood Working --every tool, bit , auger, file , is there and in its place. Lathes, Saws, jigs, wood, scraps, and every thing used in woodworking.
Photography--A complete Darkroom-along with every camera since 1959- thru digital. Trains-2 or 3 HO train sets on boards-down to the passengers. Pianos, Organs, Weight Training sets, Sedlinger Trampoline, 20 Passenger Bus, Every Board Game, Books, plus old records, projectors, Kiln, molds, telegraph equipment, and more.
There are 2 Brunswick Pool tables, a Brunswick bumper pool table (rare) , Fooseball tables, air hockey, Ping Pong , Shuffleboard, and much more.

Just come to Big Spring Texas and you will see a tall building, The Settles Hotel, we are next door. On 3rd Street ( a one way heading west) just east of the Settles. This building is slated for demolition, and we are still waiting on word about the metal tile ceilings, and the new AC units.

Yall Come, I Promise there will be something there to remind you of fonder days.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

ps. Thanks for all of your prayers for me and my family! I know they made a difference.

Okay, I bet there is an oilfield explanation for this Deal.

One month ago to the day.  I thought I had a heart attack and went to the ER.  After a clean angiogram . my doctors and I believed that I was a medical miracle.  No Heart Attack-no blockage of any kind visible with or without contrast (dye).  If it happens again we will try to pin it down but most likely a hietal hernia or an ulcer, maybe even a panic attack.

Now you must understand that I have been smoking since I was 13 years old, I did quit for 3 years , but picked it up again on the way to Arlington TX to visit my bro in the hospital.  He had just been diagnosed with Cancer.  That was over 20 years ago.  I have been strutting around like a peacock for about 2 weeks, when I notice that just by pushing a dresser across a slick tile floor, I am completely out of breath.  My mind said Hmm.!

Last Saturday , I woke with severe heartburn at 7 am. I took some acid pills and then went to w-Mart to get something more.  Maalox Advanced and that did the trick.  After 8.30 I was fine for the  rest of the day.  Wed at 8am, I felt it begin in my belly,  I tried to shake off the foreboding feeling that came over me,  as the pain radiated to my fingertips, I would stretch and shake my hands to try to relieve the pain.  About 10 am I went to my local doctor, and we talked about panic attacks.  He tried acupuncture to balance my life force.  He then gave me a knock out shot, because we all knew it wasn't my heart.

Lisa came to pick me up and after 2.5 hours of tossing and turning, I agreed to go back to Dr. in Odessa , because he could set us up with a Stomach Doc.  Got to the ER at Odessa Regional and had the foresight to just say I am having chest pains.   As the cardiac ER folks , took over I explained that I had a clean angiogram  , less than a month ago.  Everyone smiled and said Oh okay cool and the world slowed down.  In about 2 minutes , they hooked me up to an EKG , and gave me some Demerol for pain.  In about 2 more minutes they came in and changed out my EKG machine , cause this one must be broken.  Same reading,  Dr. Jack and Steve leaned over me and said, Clean angiogram or no , You sir, are having a massive heart attack.......I looked at my wife and smiled.  She said, Why are you smiling??  Cause I knew it all along!   Never have I had heartburn, stress, or a problem expressing myself!   And the overwhelming sense of Foreboding is something that should be listed as a symptom of heart attack.

Dr. Naidu started emergency surgery and found my main artery 100% blocked and a second 80% blocked.  This unsettled him some but he went straight to work,  with a touch the 100% blood clot dissipated .  But the 80% clear plug had to be roto-rootered out.  He then inserted 2 stints to keep the artery wide. 

 

I know what happened in the ER in Big Spring a month ago.  They had me on a heart monitor and my heart rate and BP went thru the roof .  The young lady trying to start an IV blew up my vein and got blood squirted on her.  Then my pain went away----completely away!!!!  

I explained to Dr. Naidu what I think happened.  A blood clot formed and plugged my artery.  Then after 1 hour and 10 minutes , My body took over and forced the blood clot though my heart with such force that it actually cleaned out my piping.  Like running a rabbit or a pig though a piece of pipe.  These are not animals , but what the object is called that you send through a piece of pipe to clear any snakes, rabbits , skunks or sand out of the pipe.The term pig is used more in the refining end of the oilfield and a rabbit is what we called it on a Drilling rig or a Pulling Unit.

Heck fire,  We just pressured up and pumped the plug.  Just another day in the oilfield.  Only there is always the chance that the pipe will yield and blow a hole in such pipe.   In the medical field this is called a Widow Maker.  I will always feel blessed that I dodged that bullet, and I got to go home yesterday and see my 2 youngest boys and my granddaughter came over this morning.

I am now working on 80 hours without a cigarette,  and my sense of smell is just amazing.  I cannot drive my truck because it stinks too bad.  My office is just as gross and I will probably replace ceiling tiles and carpet next week.  Paint too if I have to, but for now Febreze baby Febreze!

I hope I can keep it up , but that feeling of impending doom, is a DAMN good motivator!

Thanks for your time.

ScottE

Okay I fixed my blog.

By deleting some old posts and removing the song option of my blog , I now am able to view this post . I hope you can ,too.
Lisa and Nick are back from the Mayo Clinic. The testing went well, but not that well received by Nick. He has matured so much during this ordeal. I don't think he will give us a fit at flu shot time this year. He endured many invasive tests and the end result is.........IT IS NOT Juvenile M.S. They believe they will have it narrowed down later this week and he has another appointment on the 17 of March. His problem is more than likely an auto-immune problem that could have stemmed from Celiac's Disease. (the inability of your body to deal with gluten). It also is the reason that he suffers from arthritis.
Please keep my baby in your prayers, he is a 14 year old boy, and Lord , I need him. A parents job is sometimes just too taxing. I must refrain from praying it away from him to me. Jesus will see to taking care of this problem-he always does! But a little extra prayers can't hurt. So if you are a warrior in Christ-lift him up and praise him-and ask him to watch over my son . A miraculous cure is not out of the question.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Lisa & Nick go east!!!

They left Wed. morning to head to Chicago.  Then over to Rochester to the Mayo Clinic.  Thursday A.M.-- the testing begins. 

Lisa says there are skywalks everywhere.  This is how they traverse a hospital town in sub-zero weather.  It goes thru the hotel, malls , restaurants, and more hotels , clinics, and support facilities.

Friday--back to Mayo for more testing, Hopefully a little less invasive than yesterday.  Hope that last appointment doesn't change their travel plans.  Made the shuttle and the flight.  Back in Chicago.  BBBBrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sat- Hang out in Chicago and wait for the verdict.  Meanwhile-Chinatown, Blue Man Group, Choice of a wide Gluten Free menu at every restaurant , not just outback.  Seems like there must be a lot of Celiac's in Illinois. Even the mom & Pop  shops have a gluten free menu.

Sunday-Its snowing again but only in Downtown Chicago.  Even the suburbs don't believe is it snowing downtown.  Bundle up - Gotta go see some sights!

Monday-Hope to have testing results and prognosis for Nick by 10 am.  Then we can schedule more testing.  Or they can come Home. Home-

It ain' home until they get here.   If they can't get scheduled , Then they will come home Today.  or Tonight!  Before Midnight is Today , Demit!

Thank the Lord for keeping mine safe - I pray he does the same for you and yours.

Thanks for your time,

ScottE

PS - I tried to insert some pictures of Chicago, snow, Rochester, and MacZ's new pajamas from China town. Silk with butterflies!

Something is wrong with this blog????

I don't have any idea what I did .  Too many off the wall (no not porn) web sites i guess.  I am trying to post this thru my new computer.  We will see

Thanks for your time

Scott E

End of an Era!!

Well, finally did it. That 12,000 ft building that has been a warehouse for the remnants of old business ventures has started it clean out phase. After the little hiccup of a heart scare last week, I hired 6 day labor guys here in Big Spring. We don't have a Home Depot so I had to call the local radio show ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR. Told listeners that I needed some help and would pay $10 per hour. I had 25 phone calls in the next 30 minutes. The oilfield really has put a lot of people out of work in the last month. So Sad!

Of these 6 guys 4 of them were excellent hands, the other 2 were the wore-out derelict types, but I am a equal opportunity slave driver. They muscled and finessed about 30 video games, 25 gum ball racks and carousels, pool tables, Snow-cone stuff, lawn mowers, furniture, beer boxes, mud engineer equip, and a butt load of other assorted crap onto trailers and down to the Auction House. Its gonna sell no matter what price it brings.

Lotta memories--I used to pay my 3 sons a penny a capsule to stuff toys, coins , fake jewelery, and other crap into capsules , then we would go out and make a day of filling machines with our goodies, then we would get the real goodies out (MONEY). Then back to the house where we would count , roll, and record. I think all 3 understand business better because we showed them what their time was worth.

I used to ask them--Do you want to go tomorrow ? We can see how much we made while we were asleep! ........................... They understand ---Do You?

But that was long ago, and now its done. I have officially gone out of the vending business! Too bad - 1- 820 count box of gum at Sam's $39 1- 59$ machine at Sams 1- decent location = $210.00

See thinking you might die------thought like------Oh Shit ! Someone is gonna have to go thru all of the crap I have saved in my life! Reprieve!! I'm gonna get rid of it now and spend the money!!!!!! Inheritance????? It was gonna be 35 more years before PacMan and NFL Blitz are collectors items. Maybe by the time we get this building empty and start on the second one , I will have a better idea ? Hopefully , enough for a trip to ................. Allen's Fried Chicken in Sweetwater, TX.
Thanks for your time,
ScottE

Musings while traversing the Barnett Shale.

Just rolled in from parts east. The Barnett Shale formation area around Ft . Worth , Tx. If you ever wanted to know what would happen if natural gas were found under your yard...look no further. These operators have worked around school zones, residences, alleyways, fences, parking garages, and more likely than not football, baseball, and soccer fields all around the West Metroplex.
It was pretty cool today to see a gas line jockey standing on the tool box of his pickup peering over a fence in a residential area. I had to stop and ask---checking for leaks???? He laughed and said "Yessir, every day , but I am behind! I have to finish before 6 pm. Why? No oilfield traffic after 6."
What happens if a leak occurs after 6 pm?
He said " Don't know Bud, never had one. Gotta Go"

Hope they have to rod these babies up some day. I know Janie ...They are gas wells....but a rod salesman can wish can't he????

If you guys ever get that way take 820 loop around Ft. Worth to the North . You can't miss it---The Oilpatch moved to the Metroplex. Metrosexual Pumpers ---Dressing up to Get Dirty ( or Pumping in Paisley and Pink) Watch for the show on Tru Tv!!!!!
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Wow! That was a great game.

Super Bowl is over and what a game it was. I hoped that Arizona would win, but Pittsburgh just would not give in. They have now won more Super Bowls than any other team in History. I sure hope Kurt Warner gets a chance next year. He is a super guy. So he should win a super bowl.
An ex dope dealer is gonna end up MVP. Just you wait and see. Ah so goes the NFL.
Hope you liked the commercials. Did you see one for John Crane , America. Hope so , cause it cost 1\2 million dollars for 15 seconds. I watched but I did not see it.....must have been pre-pre-game.
Luck to you and thanks for your time.

Cuckoo!!!!!

This little girl likes Cocoa Puffs. Even if it is just because it makes chocolate milk.

See--thats the reason we are afraid of computers.

Last week - Janie was a wishing she could get a new look for her blog. Ya know spruce it up a little and maybe help put some cheer into every ones life. (or at least that's the way I have it figured in my mind). After a blog about just such feelings ,That Janie Girl, must have gotten a lot of comments about changing templates and backgrounds and such. How do I know -cause I ain't blind yet. She did what we all fear-Lost her work-Template Gone-Content Intact!

My 3 sons have grown up with a computer. My eldest , age 21, could out type me by the time he was 10. None of them have any regard for the price of a computer and I always thought this was why they were so fearless. Back when a decent PC had 1 gig hard drives and the prices were 5 or even 10 times higher than now-my boys could shortcut me through any problem. I am still reluctant to short cut , even though I back up to a hard drive constantly.
So Sis don't despair, the old blog was pretty .........But the content was always the prize.
Thanks for your time
ScottE

Another Rant from ScottE

You are interested in opening a business! You don't say? Do you have any plans in order? What is your reason for wanting to go into business? Want to be your own boss? Want to golf and go home early like your boss does?

I have owned my own business for over 20 years. Not the same business for 20 years but for myself for over 20 years. I worked 18 and 20 hour days for the first few years. Then I figured out how to only work 1\2 a day. I know what your thinking—4 hours a day ---yep I want to own my own business, too. There are 24 hours in a day the last time I looked and yepper, I still work 12 hour days. That is usually after I put in a solid 7 for the Oilfield Co. which also employees me. I do count the hour between 5 and 6 am. As one of those 12 hours.

I paid my property taxes today. And my business personal property tax. This is after I paid the Texas State Comptroller .10 per pack floor tax for all the cigs on the shelf Dec. 31. This is on top of the sales tax the state pulls out of my account on the twentieth of every month. Plus the 2.89 that is added to each pack of cigs before I buy them. And of course there is income tax. Are you sure this is still capitalism—it reeks of fascism to me.

Save us Mr. Obama! We really are rooting for you to pull off a miracle to save our country. Everything I know about business has changed in the last 6 months. You don't file bankruptcy and reorganize. You don't throw out the rotten and bad, you give it a bonus. You just take on a new partner with a never ending cash flow. Why it's almost as if this new partner can just print greenbacks!!! If we need it our new partner will give us a cash influx. They won't even ask for receipts? Nope. They are faithful! So let's have a party, to the tune of $500,000. When government becomes a partner ……….. Trouble……..follows. How can we trust the government to run private business----this same governmental system can't run the country in the black. Do we think that collectively these men and women have more business sense than men like Lee Iacocca? Of course they do!! After all they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get elected to a $70.000 position. And they somehow always leave office rich, with book deals, speaking engagements, personal appearances and other more secretive endorsements. All Paid!!!!

If it is a high enough position in our government……free security for life. With a library in your state with your name and government employees. Oh and did I mention that when you decide to no longer seek office-you campaign fund becomes your personal monies!!!

A State impeached a governor today, for offering Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder, openly. He denies any wrong doing. He simply did in public what has been done in private for generations. Not smart, but brutally poignant. This guy knows how it is done—he is not making up his defense. He will probably lose-but I think he has a chance to beat this impeachment. Time will tell.

Sorry for showing my ignorance,

Thanks for your time

ScottE

Wow - Now how did I miss this part of Texas!

I had to go to Uvalde Texas yesterday. I don't remember ever going that way before and I thought it was breathtaking. Followed 83 thru Junction to Leakey (pronounced Lakey) and was just amazed at the landscape. This could surely be construed as God's Country. Rivers, Springs, Wet weather creeks, and trees galore.

Leakey is like going through a time warp to me. Every thing is just as slow and unhurried as possible. Every one in town is on Valium. This is one laid back town pop 345. HEB Ranch (yep , the grocery store) is in the most beautiful canyon cut by the Frio River, Garner State Park is right there too. It is worth the drive.

Ulvalde is a clean , enterprising town , looks like it has figured out the Bazillion Dollar Ranches can sustain a town.

Nice Nice Country. While this water looks very shallow it is actually over my head deep. If you look close in the top picture you will see an appaloosa catfish.

Guestamated weight about 5 lbs.

This was my view this morning at 6 am . What a refreshing trip.

Thanks for your time

Scotte

T
To the left and above are Macz and her rockin horse "Champion". She does love to ride, Cowgirl!

Above is our youngest son , #3, in his normal pose in front of 2 --count em - 2 puters.

This is #1 and Macz. Can you tell she is trying to get away. She can only sit for about 2 seconds. She came by that natural , we are all accused of the same thing.

I know that this is not a blog that gets a lot of attention .....Like Janies. But this is a good way for kinfolk to keep up with GRANDDAUGHTER EXTRAORDINARE.

Thanks for your time,

ScottE