Nanuq

Hambone, that is a stunningly gracious thing to say. Earlier you said he was not a good father, yet look at the grace you offer him. Words like those open a door onto your soul. They reveal painful histories and long struggles to reconcile wounds. Now you're grown and you've made peace with that part of your youth, and your struggle shows in the words you write about him. Yet you've come out on top, even though you still care for him today. That's an accomplishment to wear with pride. Game Called. Across the field of play the dusk has come, the hour is late. The fight is done and lost or won, the player files out through the gate. The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed, the stands are bare, the park is still. But through the night there shines the light, home beyond the silent hill. Game Called. Where in the golden light the bugle rolled the reveille. The shadows creep where night falls deep, and taps has called the end of play. The game is done, the score is in, the final cheer and jeer have passed. But in the night, beyond the fight, the player finds his rest at last. Game Called. Upon the field of life the darkness gathers far and wide, the dream is done, the score is spun that stands forever in the guide. Nor victory, nor yet defeat is chalked against the players name. But down the roll, the final scroll, shows only how he played the game.

"Jeremy was a race car driver" from............

Well guys the bug has hit again and I think I need a Tudor 7922BC. I've got a couple nice gens that never get wrist time. I'm willing to trade if you've got a nice 7922. Anyone?

Just now picking my jaw up off the floor......

Freddy, that is the most amazing DR dial ever.

Here's a photo from a climb this week.

Man that thing ROCKS. I love how you rounded out the case sides so it's not so flat and square... just like a 40+ year old, frequently serviced and polished gen should look.

Did the doctor say if the tumors had metastasized? Have they spread to other organs or are they still localized? If they have not spread, perhaps the doctors can do endoscopic surgery to remove them, and that will be much easier on your Dad. It is a hard question to talk about, but has he thought about a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order? That would take the decision from your hands and place it in his, and then if he does require drastic efforts to save him, the doctors will be forbidden from doing so. Then they will simply make him as comfortable as possible. This is hard to think about, but it's important. I'm sorry for saying it.

My honest opinion? Sorry........

Yes sir, it was issued to him as a spec-ops diver in the Navy and spent a LOT of time in ugly waters in ugly places. He told me some stories to make your hair turn grey. When he passed on his widow passed it on.

Spot on, Andy. The old beauty is covered with damage but it's barely perceptible at arm's length. It's just the result of lots and lots and lots of adventuring in God's green earth.

Hambone, how's it going this week? Hanging in there?

I was searching tonight and came across this. Man I miss those days. Dems, where are ya, man?

Up on top of Mt Baldy tonight.

Phil, you're spot on. We are extraordinarily lucky to have Andy here with us. He and the rest of the Mods team are excellent in every way. Well done, gents. Well said, Andy. I'm locking it down. Thanks for going above and beyond on this matter.

I see violent acts like this as the result of a broken society. A broken society is made up of broken people. Broken people live in an insular world and don't know, or don't care about the needs or desires of others. Maybe they were never taught, or maybe they quit trying. It might be overly simplistic but I believe societies are lost, one neglected, forgotten, isolated person at a time. Again perhaps overly simplistic, but I think in order to fix it, it needs to happen, one neglected, forgotten, isolated person at a time. Everyone needs someone to listen, to KNOW them, to truly care about them, and to be willing to set high expectations in their life. That person has to care enough to confront as necessary, encourage when it's impossible, and to be strong enough. How much is enough? You don't get to ask that question ... there is no "enough." So where do we start if we want to fix society? My choice was to immerse myself in the Boy Scouts. Every week I count it a privilege to hang out with screwed up boys. Maybe they don't have a dad, maybe they've been neglected, or abused, or told they're not good enough. But they keep coming, and they know three things: I care about them, I will accept nothing but their very best, and I will not stop pursuing excellence in their lives. You do that, you get plugged in to someone else's life like that, you be consistent, then watch in amazement as they do far more than you hoped for. We all need someone to confront us, care about us, encourage us and hold us accountable. That someone becomes the voice in our ear that cautions us, and cheers for us. We all know someone that needs that. We all have someone that knows we need that. If you're not already doing it, open your eyes and find those two people. Take the risk and become significant in their lives. You will never regret it, and you'll be on the path to recovering a broken society.

Here in Alaska concealed carry is legal without a permit. Many people are armed, and everybody knows it. The girl they interviewed said "he stood 4' in front of me aiming a gun at me". if that happened here I guarantee he would have hit the ground with 10 or 20 holes in him. My son and I teach firearms safety. It is critically important to be comfortable and familiar with your weapon. Then it becomes safe in your hands. I'd like to see a lot more people take that training.

@whoever, a simpler method to reduce the number of AK-pattern weapons in the black market is to fire the Attorney General, and everyone else involved in Operation Fast and Furious.

Taking an old-timer out for some exercise.

Those incorrigible Union elves...

That's why you and I drive old Land-Rovers. I don't know about you but my toolbox consists of a chisel, a brass hammer, a bigger hammer, a pipe wrench and a sledge hammer.

They are carved, with diamond blades, one at a time from blue sapphire crystals.

The world's most complicated watch. Truly spectacular. http://www.tp178.com/jd/uber-comp/artikel_4_2.html

Alright, look closely at this picture, and tell me that's not pure unadulterated smut right there. Want more? I give you..... the Gerber.