Ten years ago, the most tragic attack on US soil from outside our borders happened. If you were alive today and able to remember, you have a story. You know where you were and what you were doing at those exact times. A plane crashes in to the World Trade Center building. News goes on everywhere about it. People are talking about it. What kind of fool could have flown in to the buildings? It had to be some sort of mistake. A computer failure. At the time it didn't matter the reason. It was one of the rare times people weren't focused on whodunnit, but the what happened and what was happening. All eyes were on the tower. The gaping holes with the smoke billowing out. Thinking of all the lives on that plane, thinking of all the lives in that building.
Then the second plane hit like a missile in the second building. Shock, fear, outrage happened. People started realizing this wasn't a mistake. Someone was doing this intentionally. During these times and shortly after we start hearing other reports. A plane crashes down somewhere in a field. A plane flies in to the Pentagon. OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS. An attempted hijacking thwarted. Our nation realizes we are under attack.
Meanwhile back in NYC at the trade centers, our firemen, our police, our emergency units are trying their best. Trying their hardest to do what they do. To see if there is any way they can save the lives of the people in these buildings. Knowing they face eminent danger and the chances for survival for the victims or the first responders are slim and getting worse by the minute, they still do their job. Several enter the buildings and start clearing out what people they can. The nation watches in horror at the smoke billowing out of these two buildings that stand so tall in our town. Our state. Our NATION. Cameras from news crews, local press, spectators on the street are zoomed in on this horrible sight. People are freaking out because the poor souls trapped inside this building are jumping to their deaths. People had to make the tragic decision: be burned alive, suffocate from the smoke and flame inhalation, or jump to my death...
Then the inevitable happens. The first building crumbles to the ground. The smoke, the debris, the dust and ashes and bits of building shower the city. People run in fear and terror. An eery silence. People start to come out to see the damage, see what's left, see if anyone is still alive. As the dust starts to move out, the second building collapses. Again people flee for their lives as ton upon ton of steel and concrete fall to the ground.
Reports come across the air waves that all flights have been grounded. The military has scrambled fighter jets with orders to shoot down our own people if they do not respond to landing orders or deviate from their flight path. The United States sits...speechless...in horror...glued to the TV or Radio or what have you. The trainwreck that you can't look away from has happened. And it happened to us.
Me, it was a Tuesday morning for me. I was up, playing a computer game and munching on some breakfast. My wife who was pregnant with our son was sleeping peacefully. I get a call from a friend who's at the laundromat and he's watching the TV. He tells me to turn the TV on, that a plane just flew in to the World Trade Center. I'm not much of a news watcher but I turned on the TV and found a station that was reporting on it. I stood and watched for a few minutes as this reporter was standing on a hill on the outskirts of the city with the smoking building and it's twin in the background with a good view of the smoke rising. Just a few moments later, a second plane flew in and hit the second building. The reporter stops, touches his earpiece, turns around and stares in disbelief for a moment as the sound finally travels far enough for him to hear and the microphone to pick up the boom. The reporter turns back and look at the camera. Speechless. Slowly he says "ladies and gentlemen we've just witnessed live, a second plane flying in to the second World Trade Center building".
I stood there watching. Trying to process what I just saw. I knew I saw it but I still couldn't believe it. I decided to go wake Jennifer. "Honey, you need to wake up. Someone has flown two planes in to the World Trade Center buildings". Even to this day that's still such a strange thing coming out of my mouth.
I turned the TV on in the bedroom and by this time it was on every news station, every local channel, and several cable channels had interrupted their normal programs to bring this on. She woke up and started watching as they showed replays of the second hit. Then later on reports came in of a crashed plane in a wooded area. Then later reports and footage came in on a plane crashing in to the Pentagon. All I could do was stand there and hold my pregnant wife who weeped. What could we do? Nothing. One of the few times in my life I felt completely useless, helpless and worthless. There was nothing I could do.
The days events unfolded, almost every single TV channel was on this event now. I had to go to work that day. I got in my car and left, not really wanting to do anything. Thinking of everything. I remember Rick and Bubba, a morning show Radio program, staying on all day covering this and talking about it between news updates. There was not a single radio station playing music here in Birmingham. Everyone was talking about it. The city was so quiet while I was driving to work. There were not many vehicles on the road for a Tuesday afternoon. I generally went in to work as people were starting to get off and make their way homes but I remember it almost feeling like a ghost town.
I got to work that day. I worked in a call center for Capital One. They had turned the TVs on in the call floor area, wheeled in a TV as well. The floor was scarce. A lot of people either had left to be with families, or called in. I remember seeing one of the day shift ladies sitting there crying. I'd never noticed this lady before. Calls were still coming in, but barely, and most people were being re-routed due to phone lines being busy or down in the Northern area. One of my co-workers told me about one of our friends who was on the phone with someone who was in the World Trade Center when the planes hit and she was crying and begging for the Cap One associate to stay on the line with her. My friend told me that the call went dead and the associate was crying and had asked to leave for the day. My God I can't imagine having to be her sitting on the phone listening to someone dying. I am amazed at how compassionate she must have been to be able to stay there and talk to this victim. This person who was trapped. This person who had no idea she'd go to work and die today.
For the next week or so it was like being in another world. Things still seemed to be quiet. I remember breaks from the President coming on as we found out it was a terrorist attack. I remember everyone banding together. Everyone was being nice to each other Everyone wanted to help in some way. We had a lot of patriotic days where we wore patriotic clothing to work. Everyone either handed out flags or already had flags. We were United. We were One. We were Strong against others. We remembered those who were lost on that horrible day.
Ten years later, we still remember. Ten years later we still feel the pain. Ten years later we still have a remembrance day, a memorial day for our loss. Politicians and Political Correctness parties are trying their best for whatever reason to screw it up, but we still remember. Mayor Bloomberg has decreed to not have Clergy and First responders at the Ground Zero ten year memorial service. I'm sure he has his reasons, I just hope they are good reasons.
I'm sitting here now, remembering my time lines. Remembering MY story. Watching the clock as the time draws near to the time that ten years ago today changed our world. Part of healing is remembering. Sharing. Everyone needs to heal. Nobody needs to forget. As you go through your day, your new week, your LIFE, remember what happened that changed our world. Remember the tragic thing that happened in YOUR life on that day. Share it with others. If you have children, make sure they know more than just what a jaded history book tells them.
Take the time to thank a first responder for what they do. Firemen, Police, EMT's...so many of them are out there doing what they do for us.
It's summed up best by a documentary we watched yesterday called "7 Days in September". Independent filmography people got together and shared their films and memories. One guy filming was asking a fireman who was suiting up if he was going in to the building. The Fireman said he'd already been in there once. The cameraman asked if he was going back in in a shocked sounding voice. The fireman looked directly at the camera and said, "That's my job", as he grabbed his tank and walked towards the smoking building.
Thank you.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Food Hammer's Food Reviews: Logan's Roadhouse, Fultondale Alabama
So my mother was in town for a couple days and we decided we wanted some ribs. We have a few places around the area that boast 'the best BBQ', but I haven't been much impressed with either the taste or the price. I did remember Logan's does some pretty good BBQ though.
So we went to Logan's for a nice dinner. Got there a around 7 pm or so. We got a seat pretty quickly even though they were rather busy. I stepped to the restroom and my wife placed the drink orders. At some point there was a bit of confusion and a couple of the drinks got mixed up, but there again, as I said, busy night, and we had a party of 5, including two children so that really didn't concern me. The server gladly fixed the problems at no extra charge for the specialty drink.
We placed our orders. Logan's had a special (which I'm sad to announce went off special today...it was REALLY GREAT!!), "The Works" BBQ Platter. Ribs. Pulled Pork. And grilled chicken to boot, plus 2 sides of your choosing. All for a modest price of $21.99. I was questioning the portion sizes as to if it would really be enough. So we ordered this and the plan was to split it between myself, my mother and my son. When we got it, I was very impressed. It definitely fed the three of us, and then some! The ribs were awesome. Falling off the bone tender and the taste was great. Nice flavor in the sauce. The pulled pork almost melted in my mouth, and again a wonderful flavor to experience! The grilled chicken, it was very tender, moist, and you could almost cut it with just a bit of pressure from the fork. Just the way I like it and a good smoked flavor to boot. We ordered Onion Peels and the Cinnamon Apples for the sides which were very good as well, even for me not being a fan of onions I ate a few.
My wife ordered the Old Fashioned Cheeseburger hold the onions and pickles. I distinctly remember her saying to hold the onions and pickles. Unfortunately when our food came out, both were on there. She removed them and doctored her burger and ate it though, with no complaints on the burger.
All in all, with drinks and food for 3 adults, 2 people, the total came to around $44.00. I was very impressed with the food the atmosphere and the value!
So if you want a place where you can go, enjoy some music, some great peanuts and free rolls, an enjoyable "country style" atmosphere, and some very good food without having to break the bank, may I suggest the Logan's Roadhouse in Fultondale. Evidently they have constantly changing specials so you're bound to have something new and enjoyable every visit.
I give Logan's 4 out of 5 Hammers. Good job guys!
Stay tuned, you never know where Hammer will pop up next.
Thank you drive though.
So we went to Logan's for a nice dinner. Got there a around 7 pm or so. We got a seat pretty quickly even though they were rather busy. I stepped to the restroom and my wife placed the drink orders. At some point there was a bit of confusion and a couple of the drinks got mixed up, but there again, as I said, busy night, and we had a party of 5, including two children so that really didn't concern me. The server gladly fixed the problems at no extra charge for the specialty drink.
We placed our orders. Logan's had a special (which I'm sad to announce went off special today...it was REALLY GREAT!!), "The Works" BBQ Platter. Ribs. Pulled Pork. And grilled chicken to boot, plus 2 sides of your choosing. All for a modest price of $21.99. I was questioning the portion sizes as to if it would really be enough. So we ordered this and the plan was to split it between myself, my mother and my son. When we got it, I was very impressed. It definitely fed the three of us, and then some! The ribs were awesome. Falling off the bone tender and the taste was great. Nice flavor in the sauce. The pulled pork almost melted in my mouth, and again a wonderful flavor to experience! The grilled chicken, it was very tender, moist, and you could almost cut it with just a bit of pressure from the fork. Just the way I like it and a good smoked flavor to boot. We ordered Onion Peels and the Cinnamon Apples for the sides which were very good as well, even for me not being a fan of onions I ate a few.
My wife ordered the Old Fashioned Cheeseburger hold the onions and pickles. I distinctly remember her saying to hold the onions and pickles. Unfortunately when our food came out, both were on there. She removed them and doctored her burger and ate it though, with no complaints on the burger.
All in all, with drinks and food for 3 adults, 2 people, the total came to around $44.00. I was very impressed with the food the atmosphere and the value!
So if you want a place where you can go, enjoy some music, some great peanuts and free rolls, an enjoyable "country style" atmosphere, and some very good food without having to break the bank, may I suggest the Logan's Roadhouse in Fultondale. Evidently they have constantly changing specials so you're bound to have something new and enjoyable every visit.
I give Logan's 4 out of 5 Hammers. Good job guys!
Stay tuned, you never know where Hammer will pop up next.
Thank you drive though.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
One of those Roller Coaster Days...
Today has been one, definitely.
Started out with what I hope to become a normal thing for me in going to the park and walking a couple miles. So I came home and within a few hours, I find out that a friend, the brother of a very good friend, and a person that I used to work for, took his life somewhere early morning of July 26...Dave, I don't know what was going on with ya buddy, but you were a good person in my book and I would have done anything I could to help ya. I'm sad for the loss, but I hope you've found whatever it was you were looking for. I only wish you could have given it a second more to think about it before you did it.
Needless to say the family is torn up over it pretty bad. It's definitely one of those 'can't believe' things.
So, shortly after my stomach decides it's not going to be happy with me. Ups and downs all day. Nothing really bad feeling, it was more like it decided it was going to conflict everything my brain decided and go way far against it...
Spent some time hanging out with Mike, my brother in law, the one I CAN tolerate for more than a few minutes. We had some fun. Dusted off the old GTA Vice City game, and we spent a portion of the afternoon seeing how could blow up the quickest or something along those lines.
So later on tonight, I find out that one of my closest friends has completely topsy-turvied her time tables. She's dating this guy who's really in to her, and they're getting along well. They've decided together for them to move in together. Problem is, he's currently stationed in Nebraska, and will be moving to California soon. So that means she'll be moving. Plan was for her to be moving out in November. As of about 3 hours ago, she's decided to go ahead and get the ball rolling, so she resigned her job and will be leaving Thursday. All I can say is... uhh... well... that's about it.
I'm really happy for her and I hope this turns out to be everything she ever wanted. On the same note I'm very worried for her. I've met the guy, he seems nice...however, what happens when the newness wears off? What happens when she's 2000 miles away from anyone that can help her? Unfortunately, as her and I discussed, this is something you can't just sit on the sidelines and discover if it's going to work. I understand this and know this has to happen, but it doesn't change my worry factor.
I love ya, and I'll definitely miss ya. And I really do hope you'll finally have your prince to pamper you. But damn...
So, now it's off to bed for me I suppose...what kind of twists and turns will tomorrow hold? Nobody knows. We'll just have to see.
Thank you drive though.
Started out with what I hope to become a normal thing for me in going to the park and walking a couple miles. So I came home and within a few hours, I find out that a friend, the brother of a very good friend, and a person that I used to work for, took his life somewhere early morning of July 26...Dave, I don't know what was going on with ya buddy, but you were a good person in my book and I would have done anything I could to help ya. I'm sad for the loss, but I hope you've found whatever it was you were looking for. I only wish you could have given it a second more to think about it before you did it.
Needless to say the family is torn up over it pretty bad. It's definitely one of those 'can't believe' things.
So, shortly after my stomach decides it's not going to be happy with me. Ups and downs all day. Nothing really bad feeling, it was more like it decided it was going to conflict everything my brain decided and go way far against it...
Spent some time hanging out with Mike, my brother in law, the one I CAN tolerate for more than a few minutes. We had some fun. Dusted off the old GTA Vice City game, and we spent a portion of the afternoon seeing how could blow up the quickest or something along those lines.
So later on tonight, I find out that one of my closest friends has completely topsy-turvied her time tables. She's dating this guy who's really in to her, and they're getting along well. They've decided together for them to move in together. Problem is, he's currently stationed in Nebraska, and will be moving to California soon. So that means she'll be moving. Plan was for her to be moving out in November. As of about 3 hours ago, she's decided to go ahead and get the ball rolling, so she resigned her job and will be leaving Thursday. All I can say is... uhh... well... that's about it.
I'm really happy for her and I hope this turns out to be everything she ever wanted. On the same note I'm very worried for her. I've met the guy, he seems nice...however, what happens when the newness wears off? What happens when she's 2000 miles away from anyone that can help her? Unfortunately, as her and I discussed, this is something you can't just sit on the sidelines and discover if it's going to work. I understand this and know this has to happen, but it doesn't change my worry factor.
I love ya, and I'll definitely miss ya. And I really do hope you'll finally have your prince to pamper you. But damn...
So, now it's off to bed for me I suppose...what kind of twists and turns will tomorrow hold? Nobody knows. We'll just have to see.
Thank you drive though.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Food Review: Max Lager's Atlanta Georgia
Max Lager's is a brewery/restaurant in down town Atlanta that makes several homemade brews on the spot and has availability for sampling their brews as well as several other imports and domestics shipped from all over the world. For more information you can check out their website at http://maxlagers.com/
Several of my friends/family and myself were down town Atlanta Sunday July 17 for a meeting and decided to get some grub before heading home. I'd eaten at Max Lager's several years ago and remember a pleasant experience, so I was happy to repeat it when Max's was suggested for dinner.
Was I in for a major shock this time.
We got there, 10 of us total. I knew there would probably be a wait, on a Sunday evening, with such a big crowd. We were told an hour and a half. Expected, but not excited about it. I went back out to let some of the other folks know and in about a minute, one of the ladies said they had a spot for us. We were pretty happy about this, and within 5 minutes, the hostess was ushering us toward the back door. (I thought we were getting kicked out already!) Turns out they have a nice back patio with ample seating to accommodate us. We were a little scrunched in back in the corner, but hey, we're all close buds so we didn't mind. The guy comes out and introduces himself and his partner that will be taking care of us. Unfortunately I do not remember either of their names but they were both pretty nice.
So they asked for drinks and any appetizers, offering up home brewed root beer that's made right there on the spot. Several of us perked up and a couple ordered it, only after the fact to discover there are no free refills on the homemade root beer. No big deal, they'd stick with water. So the guy left to go put in our orders, and the lady brought us all water while we waited.
Then the guy comes out and says 'bad news, we are fresh out of root beer'. Well go batch up some new stuff since you make it right here buddy! So the two in our crowd settled for Pink Lemonade.
We finally got around to making our dinner orders in which surprise 2 was about to brink. The food was MUCH more expensive than I'd remembered. But I suppose for a nice restaurant down town Atlanta this was to be expected. We made our orders which ranged from burgers to chicken to an appetizer to fried cod and a few other things, but mostly we stuck to the burgers. I myself ordered the Max Bison Burger, in which at this point I'll say that my menu said the price was 13 dollars, where everyone else's menu had the same burger for 15. I asked the server about this and he said he'd give it to me at that price, then backtracked and said he'd have to check. Granted, we all pretty much just considered this in good fun, but he should have offered to check first, offer discount later.
Anyway, the Max Bison burger offers Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Applewood Bacon, and fries on the side, all for the modest price of 15 dollars, after he conferred with his manager who told him it would be 15 instead of the 13 as advertised. Guess they had a recent price change and forgot one menu.
Of course with most places now, they offer the typical garnish on top, lettuce, tomato, onion, and they give you condiments to put on as you please. My wife ordered the regular Max Burger, Medium Rare, and please no onion anywhere on the plate. The orders were placed, the servers came back at random intervals offering refills, delivering one appetizer that was ordered, and we had our merriment while waiting on our main courses.
With a decent wait time for food preparation, it came. Mine, the Max Bison Burger, looked well, but definitely not the size I would expect for a 15 dollar burger. When I removed the top to add my condiments, I notice, the Max Bison burger which boasted Cheddar Cheese, APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON, only had 1 medium slice of bacon. As did everyone else who ordered the burgers. My wife, who has an extreme distaste for onions, removed the top bun to discover a ring of onion on her burger, and one slice of bacon, of which she was nice enough to offer it to me.
One of my friends ordered the Codfish, and it comes with a side of tartar. He said it tasted very well, but for 2 moderate sizes of fish, you get a small cup of tartar, of which I believe when asked for more, the server said it would cost extra. Does everything cost extra these days, on top of almost ridiculously overly priced food?
So, with most of the food being precise of what everyone ordered, barring a few small complaints, we began eating. My wife, who ordered the Max Burger, medium rare, no onion, noticed that her burger was more done that my Medium cooked burger. But she was still willing to eat it.
At this point I will discuss the overall taste of the food. The Max Bison Burger was adequate, nothing really special about the taste. The fries had a very nice light seasoning on them definitely leaving me looking disappointed as I ate the last fry because I wanted just one more. Very tasty indeed. I did not hear any other complaints on the food from my friends.
After all was said and done, I finished my meal, assisted my wife with some of her friends, and helped finish the chips off from an appetizer that was ordered. I must say, it is the first time I have ever ordered a burger that expensive, and walked away hungry. I'm afraid I must say I was not overall impressed with my visit to Max Lager's.
Overall I give this a 2 out of 5 Hammers on the Hammer scale. Might I suggest either sticking to brewing, or reconsider how you do with your food.
Hammer
Several of my friends/family and myself were down town Atlanta Sunday July 17 for a meeting and decided to get some grub before heading home. I'd eaten at Max Lager's several years ago and remember a pleasant experience, so I was happy to repeat it when Max's was suggested for dinner.
Was I in for a major shock this time.
We got there, 10 of us total. I knew there would probably be a wait, on a Sunday evening, with such a big crowd. We were told an hour and a half. Expected, but not excited about it. I went back out to let some of the other folks know and in about a minute, one of the ladies said they had a spot for us. We were pretty happy about this, and within 5 minutes, the hostess was ushering us toward the back door. (I thought we were getting kicked out already!) Turns out they have a nice back patio with ample seating to accommodate us. We were a little scrunched in back in the corner, but hey, we're all close buds so we didn't mind. The guy comes out and introduces himself and his partner that will be taking care of us. Unfortunately I do not remember either of their names but they were both pretty nice.
So they asked for drinks and any appetizers, offering up home brewed root beer that's made right there on the spot. Several of us perked up and a couple ordered it, only after the fact to discover there are no free refills on the homemade root beer. No big deal, they'd stick with water. So the guy left to go put in our orders, and the lady brought us all water while we waited.
Then the guy comes out and says 'bad news, we are fresh out of root beer'. Well go batch up some new stuff since you make it right here buddy! So the two in our crowd settled for Pink Lemonade.
We finally got around to making our dinner orders in which surprise 2 was about to brink. The food was MUCH more expensive than I'd remembered. But I suppose for a nice restaurant down town Atlanta this was to be expected. We made our orders which ranged from burgers to chicken to an appetizer to fried cod and a few other things, but mostly we stuck to the burgers. I myself ordered the Max Bison Burger, in which at this point I'll say that my menu said the price was 13 dollars, where everyone else's menu had the same burger for 15. I asked the server about this and he said he'd give it to me at that price, then backtracked and said he'd have to check. Granted, we all pretty much just considered this in good fun, but he should have offered to check first, offer discount later.
Anyway, the Max Bison burger offers Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Applewood Bacon, and fries on the side, all for the modest price of 15 dollars, after he conferred with his manager who told him it would be 15 instead of the 13 as advertised. Guess they had a recent price change and forgot one menu.
Of course with most places now, they offer the typical garnish on top, lettuce, tomato, onion, and they give you condiments to put on as you please. My wife ordered the regular Max Burger, Medium Rare, and please no onion anywhere on the plate. The orders were placed, the servers came back at random intervals offering refills, delivering one appetizer that was ordered, and we had our merriment while waiting on our main courses.
With a decent wait time for food preparation, it came. Mine, the Max Bison Burger, looked well, but definitely not the size I would expect for a 15 dollar burger. When I removed the top to add my condiments, I notice, the Max Bison burger which boasted Cheddar Cheese, APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON, only had 1 medium slice of bacon. As did everyone else who ordered the burgers. My wife, who has an extreme distaste for onions, removed the top bun to discover a ring of onion on her burger, and one slice of bacon, of which she was nice enough to offer it to me.
One of my friends ordered the Codfish, and it comes with a side of tartar. He said it tasted very well, but for 2 moderate sizes of fish, you get a small cup of tartar, of which I believe when asked for more, the server said it would cost extra. Does everything cost extra these days, on top of almost ridiculously overly priced food?
So, with most of the food being precise of what everyone ordered, barring a few small complaints, we began eating. My wife, who ordered the Max Burger, medium rare, no onion, noticed that her burger was more done that my Medium cooked burger. But she was still willing to eat it.
At this point I will discuss the overall taste of the food. The Max Bison Burger was adequate, nothing really special about the taste. The fries had a very nice light seasoning on them definitely leaving me looking disappointed as I ate the last fry because I wanted just one more. Very tasty indeed. I did not hear any other complaints on the food from my friends.
After all was said and done, I finished my meal, assisted my wife with some of her friends, and helped finish the chips off from an appetizer that was ordered. I must say, it is the first time I have ever ordered a burger that expensive, and walked away hungry. I'm afraid I must say I was not overall impressed with my visit to Max Lager's.
Overall I give this a 2 out of 5 Hammers on the Hammer scale. Might I suggest either sticking to brewing, or reconsider how you do with your food.
Hammer
Thursday, June 30, 2011
I Remember
I remember
Being a little kid
following you around,
trying to do everything you did.
I remember
following you in the yard
tools in my pocket,
For you nothing seemed too hard.
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I wanted to grow up to be
Just like you...
Now the winds of time
Have taken their toll.
Age has taken over,
Your eyes have gone cold.
We sit and pray for you,
but we know it's coming to the end.
You'll go to meet your maker,
It's just around the bend...
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I grew up wishing I could be,
Just like you...
Wishing I could be,
Just like you...
It hurts so bad to know that my grandfather is in pain. He's come to the end of his days. The strong man I grew up with, watching him work, "helping him" do so much when I was just a little kid...I remember thinking he had to be the strongest man in the world, watching him lifting and moving things. And I wanted to be just like him. Now, I'm a big strong guy and my children watch me like that...and I have to watch him suffer as there's nothing that can be done. His time has come. He's earned his rest. You'll still be the biggest, strongest, best guy in the world to me.
I love you Granddaddy.
May your remaining days be swift and painless, and may the Lord take you in to his waiting arms.
John Hancock, Sr.
Hammer
6/30/2011
Being a little kid
following you around,
trying to do everything you did.
I remember
following you in the yard
tools in my pocket,
For you nothing seemed too hard.
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I wanted to grow up to be
Just like you...
Now the winds of time
Have taken their toll.
Age has taken over,
Your eyes have gone cold.
We sit and pray for you,
but we know it's coming to the end.
You'll go to meet your maker,
It's just around the bend...
I remember watching you,
working all day long.
Nothing seems to stop you,
You could do no wrong.
I grew up wishing I could be,
Just like you...
Wishing I could be,
Just like you...
It hurts so bad to know that my grandfather is in pain. He's come to the end of his days. The strong man I grew up with, watching him work, "helping him" do so much when I was just a little kid...I remember thinking he had to be the strongest man in the world, watching him lifting and moving things. And I wanted to be just like him. Now, I'm a big strong guy and my children watch me like that...and I have to watch him suffer as there's nothing that can be done. His time has come. He's earned his rest. You'll still be the biggest, strongest, best guy in the world to me.
I love you Granddaddy.
May your remaining days be swift and painless, and may the Lord take you in to his waiting arms.
John Hancock, Sr.
Hammer
6/30/2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
What's wrong with you people!!
Wow, so last week I joined a company called Varolo. It's a FREE way to make FREE money and I'm all over it! I sent out an invite to everyone on my friend's list because I know I have friends that could definitely use some money right now, and maybe 20 out of well over 500 have signed up. I've had a lot of people ask questions, 'seem' interested, but they haven't quite made it to the sign up page...
Here's a break down of it. Varolo is an advertising company that promotes commercials for companies wanting to get their product out there. They pay individuals to watch commercials. People are tired of seeing commercials every 10 minutes on TV when they're watching a show. People change the station on the radio when commercials come on, or just listen to CD's or iPods. People HATE HATE HATE pop ups, and ads on the computer. I know, I'm one of them for all of the above.
The skinny of it...companies have major budgets for advertising, and they have to get their name out there. So now they're paying companies like Varolo to handle their advertising. These companies set up multi-marketing networks to get people to sign up and watch commercials for their sponsors.
The way this company is set up, you sign up, watch the commercials. You get paid. You get others to sign up, they watch the commercials, they get paid, and you get paid for sponsoring them. And so on and so on.
Like the starter video says, you get 12 people to sign up and watch videos. Those 12 people get 12 each to sign up, watch videos and you're all making money, the more that sign up, the more you all make!
I've got a friend named Eric who signed up under me and he made a quick website that explains it simple and easy. http://www.edsvillage.com
Please feel free to check it out. Even a toddler could do this!
Anyway, I guess more or less I'm ranting about the people who NEED money but they're not willing to do something about it...I know I really need money, and I'm trying to do something about it! Why can't the rest of you?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A day of disaster, a life time of memories
April 27th, 2011.
A day that changed the lives of everyone in Alabama, and most everyone in the entire southeastern region.
Tornadoes and heavy storms ripped through the region, destroying entire cities, counties, everything in some spots. Hundreds killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands if not more than lost everything.
That night as the tornadoes moved on through Georgia and other areas, a light rain fell, then the clouds rolled away leaving a beautiful starry night. Almost as if mocking what happened throughout the day. The next day, Thursday, people came out to see the damage. Search and rescue crews started looking for lost people. Clean up crews started mobilizing to do damage control. Hourly reports of the dead were rolling in. All local channels were tuned to their city's disaster area and others.
All through Thursday people were giving reports of the damages, the losses, the death tolls...also about how people were banding together to see what they could do to help their fellow man.
Friday, the President flew in to Tuscaloosa, one of the bigger areas hit, and toured the area, amazed at the devastation. He signed a disaster declaration act to get federal emergency aid to come in and help with the clean up. Meanwhile the communities still got together and worked to help each other.
That Friday morning, my I was bringing my wife home from the hospital as the result of a jaw surgery to relieve her TMJ and an overnight stay. We came through one of our local towns, Fultondale, which the southern part was hit directly by the tornado that would later be measured as almost 2 miles wide when it ripped through the area. Buildings were demolished, homes destroyed, thousands of trees uprooted, thrown aside, dropped on houses and structures, trash and debris strown everywhere. I stopped in a few open areas to take pictures. One thing I noticed were patches of people here and there, trying to help where they could.
It's all very overwhelming. There's so much damage most people don't even know where to begin. Power was out for days in our area, and power will be out for weeks in other areas due to the tornado completely leveling power stations that will have to be built from the ground up.
Every little bit helps. Some people have formed help groups on social networking sites. Toomer's in Auburn formed a massive group linked all over the nation called Toomer's For Tuscaloosa. They have literally made contacts all over the United States that are sending, mailing, driving in things to help our crippled state. I have had friends and family out west contacting me to 1, see if I and my family are okay, and 2, see if there's anything they can do from afar to help. Some are sending supplies, some are sending money to buy supplies to take to areas in need.
People like James Spann are tirelessly helping out by sending messages here and there to areas in need and helping to direct people wanting to help or haul supplies to those areas. It's all so amazing.
I've contacted several companies I have dealt with in years past or I use and endorse their products to see if they may be able to help. I have had a few respond so far. Coast Products, known for awesome flashlights and knives are sending me a package of flashlights to carry out to those who will not have power for a while. This is a most gracious thing they have done and I wish to thank them for that, but I feel I cannot thank them enough.
I have helped with organizing a few cleanup groups, helping to direct people to areas that need help most, and am even attempting to gather supplies to take to a neighborhood where my mother lives and several others who were hit by the early morning storms and tornadoes. Sadly, most people view their area as just another spot on a map, so they don't get a lot of help up that way. My mother has kept me posted that some of the local churches have banded together and are taking food to those without and those who cannot get out for themselves, and offering assistance where they need.
Me and a friend drove up to Cullman on this past Sunday, which was another very hard hit place, and on the way home we drove through the center of where the damage was. We saw churches with tarps over the roof, but the doors and windows were open and people were inside singing the praises of God and being thankful for what they have. We saw people working to clear the rubble, and all seemed to be in relatively good spirits. People smiling and waving and everything...it's amazing.
I'm seeing so many people pull together to help their fellow man...unfortunately with the goodness comes those bad people as well, who are out for their personal gain, or those with criminal hearts that are looting and stealing what they can...those that are trying to scam what they can out of people who have already lost everything. It makes me sad to hear and see these reports come in.
It's times like these that will definitely bring out the worst in some, yet the very best in others. I am truly thankful to say I can live in an area that people give without thinking, help without hesitation, care without worry. I hope people view me as one of those as well, as the little that I'm doing, I'm doing what I can to help others.
Oh Heavenly God we ask that you place your healing hands on those who were wounded, breathe comfort in to those who are down and depressed, comfort those who lost loved ones and protect those who need shelter. Please help us to learn the lesson to love our fellow man, and help us to remember this always. This is the only way we can heal ourselves and take better care of our world.
Meteorologists are still studying the aftereffects to see the damages and the results of it, so far saying there were over 300 tornadoes that ripped through the state, and saying this is worse than Hurricane Katrina, Ivan, Opal, Hugo, any other natural disaster that's happened in the United States.
A day of disaster, a life time of memories...
A day that changed the lives of everyone in Alabama, and most everyone in the entire southeastern region.
Tornadoes and heavy storms ripped through the region, destroying entire cities, counties, everything in some spots. Hundreds killed, thousands injured, tens of thousands if not more than lost everything.
That night as the tornadoes moved on through Georgia and other areas, a light rain fell, then the clouds rolled away leaving a beautiful starry night. Almost as if mocking what happened throughout the day. The next day, Thursday, people came out to see the damage. Search and rescue crews started looking for lost people. Clean up crews started mobilizing to do damage control. Hourly reports of the dead were rolling in. All local channels were tuned to their city's disaster area and others.
All through Thursday people were giving reports of the damages, the losses, the death tolls...also about how people were banding together to see what they could do to help their fellow man.
Friday, the President flew in to Tuscaloosa, one of the bigger areas hit, and toured the area, amazed at the devastation. He signed a disaster declaration act to get federal emergency aid to come in and help with the clean up. Meanwhile the communities still got together and worked to help each other.
That Friday morning, my I was bringing my wife home from the hospital as the result of a jaw surgery to relieve her TMJ and an overnight stay. We came through one of our local towns, Fultondale, which the southern part was hit directly by the tornado that would later be measured as almost 2 miles wide when it ripped through the area. Buildings were demolished, homes destroyed, thousands of trees uprooted, thrown aside, dropped on houses and structures, trash and debris strown everywhere. I stopped in a few open areas to take pictures. One thing I noticed were patches of people here and there, trying to help where they could.
It's all very overwhelming. There's so much damage most people don't even know where to begin. Power was out for days in our area, and power will be out for weeks in other areas due to the tornado completely leveling power stations that will have to be built from the ground up.
Every little bit helps. Some people have formed help groups on social networking sites. Toomer's in Auburn formed a massive group linked all over the nation called Toomer's For Tuscaloosa. They have literally made contacts all over the United States that are sending, mailing, driving in things to help our crippled state. I have had friends and family out west contacting me to 1, see if I and my family are okay, and 2, see if there's anything they can do from afar to help. Some are sending supplies, some are sending money to buy supplies to take to areas in need.
People like James Spann are tirelessly helping out by sending messages here and there to areas in need and helping to direct people wanting to help or haul supplies to those areas. It's all so amazing.
I've contacted several companies I have dealt with in years past or I use and endorse their products to see if they may be able to help. I have had a few respond so far. Coast Products, known for awesome flashlights and knives are sending me a package of flashlights to carry out to those who will not have power for a while. This is a most gracious thing they have done and I wish to thank them for that, but I feel I cannot thank them enough.
I have helped with organizing a few cleanup groups, helping to direct people to areas that need help most, and am even attempting to gather supplies to take to a neighborhood where my mother lives and several others who were hit by the early morning storms and tornadoes. Sadly, most people view their area as just another spot on a map, so they don't get a lot of help up that way. My mother has kept me posted that some of the local churches have banded together and are taking food to those without and those who cannot get out for themselves, and offering assistance where they need.
Me and a friend drove up to Cullman on this past Sunday, which was another very hard hit place, and on the way home we drove through the center of where the damage was. We saw churches with tarps over the roof, but the doors and windows were open and people were inside singing the praises of God and being thankful for what they have. We saw people working to clear the rubble, and all seemed to be in relatively good spirits. People smiling and waving and everything...it's amazing.
I'm seeing so many people pull together to help their fellow man...unfortunately with the goodness comes those bad people as well, who are out for their personal gain, or those with criminal hearts that are looting and stealing what they can...those that are trying to scam what they can out of people who have already lost everything. It makes me sad to hear and see these reports come in.
It's times like these that will definitely bring out the worst in some, yet the very best in others. I am truly thankful to say I can live in an area that people give without thinking, help without hesitation, care without worry. I hope people view me as one of those as well, as the little that I'm doing, I'm doing what I can to help others.
Oh Heavenly God we ask that you place your healing hands on those who were wounded, breathe comfort in to those who are down and depressed, comfort those who lost loved ones and protect those who need shelter. Please help us to learn the lesson to love our fellow man, and help us to remember this always. This is the only way we can heal ourselves and take better care of our world.
Meteorologists are still studying the aftereffects to see the damages and the results of it, so far saying there were over 300 tornadoes that ripped through the state, and saying this is worse than Hurricane Katrina, Ivan, Opal, Hugo, any other natural disaster that's happened in the United States.
A day of disaster, a life time of memories...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Racism? Political Correctness? Or just stupidity?
So I'm sitting in the Gardendale Library while my son attends a class, and this evidently is a hangout for some kids from the Gardendale school system while they wait on their parents to come pick them up. I get John to his class, look up a few books for him, and while I'm doing this, I notice 4 black boys, probably 12-13 years old, maybe older, sitting in the kids section, occupying a table that's for the kids. They're being semi loud, but no louder than anyone else, so that's not a problem. One of them is talking on a cell phone, when not even 5 feet away, there is a sign that says "Please refrain from the use of cell phones in the Library- (place on silent) If you must take a call use the lobby. One of the employees asks him nicely if he'd please move to the lobby to finish his call. He sits there for a minute, then gets up, immediately grabs the side of his pants to hold them up, and walks towards the door. A few minutes later, he returns, having completed his call, but holding his pants at the waist line just above his crotch.
I was sitting a few feet away from where he rejoined his friends, and was on facebook at the time, and made a status update saying "dear Young Black America:
I was sitting a few feet away from where he rejoined his friends, and was on facebook at the time, and made a status update saying "dear Young Black America:
Food reviews
I think I'm going to start doing independent reviews, and maybe submitting them to companies. Might help them out a bit on this note.
Today, I ate at Wendy's in Trussville on Hwy 11 just before the big shopping plaza. I would give more information on location, but I do not recall getting my receipt.
First off, I haven't eaten at Wendy's in years. No major reason, other than there are none close by and I find better value other places. Today though, I craved fries and a frosty.
So I walked in to the restaurant, very clean upon first notice. The cashier lady was nice, friendly, and quick to help. I ordered from the value menu: a double stack, a value fry, a value frosty, and a value drink. All 99 cents a piece. She was very knowledgeable on the product in when asking if the double stack came with mayo she knew it did not. When I ordered a frosty, she asked nicely if I wanted chocolate or vanilla. To which I replied "vanilla?? When did they start making vanilla frosties?? That's a travesty! That's just wrong! It's always been chocolate! Why, I remember when I was a lad, we'd get CHOCOLATE frosties and dip our fries in them!" All in a joking fashion, in which she found rather amusing was my rant, and laughed with a reply saying they've been doing this for a few years now, where have you been?" I like that kind of humor.
I got my food, at a moderate time, but as the burger and fries were very fresh, I had no complaints. Wendy's has gone to a healthier french fry, having natural cut and using sea salts. Good taste, although it just wasn't the same taste I remember as a kid dipping them in to my frosty.
The double stack for 99 cents...hmm...this was my worst complaint. It wasn't much larger than a Krystal burger in my opinion, even with having two patties to Krystal's one patty. One might suggest that's what is to be expected for a value meal burger. Compare the size to McDonald's or Burger King, which have dollar doubles as well, and you'll be disappointed. I will however say that the double stack tasted great, leaving me with wanting just one more bite after I finished with my burger. I like that.
While I sat there enjoying my meal and watching the darkening skies, I slight rush crowd came in and they handled the rush very efficiently. I hope all were as pleased with the service as I was.
So in closing, I'll give my ratings.
Cleanliness: 5
Friendliness: 5
Product Knowledge: 5
Value: 3
Taste: 5
Good job Wendy's. There are not as many around as some of the others, but they definitely have quality over quantity in my opinion.
Today, I ate at Wendy's in Trussville on Hwy 11 just before the big shopping plaza. I would give more information on location, but I do not recall getting my receipt.
First off, I haven't eaten at Wendy's in years. No major reason, other than there are none close by and I find better value other places. Today though, I craved fries and a frosty.
So I walked in to the restaurant, very clean upon first notice. The cashier lady was nice, friendly, and quick to help. I ordered from the value menu: a double stack, a value fry, a value frosty, and a value drink. All 99 cents a piece. She was very knowledgeable on the product in when asking if the double stack came with mayo she knew it did not. When I ordered a frosty, she asked nicely if I wanted chocolate or vanilla. To which I replied "vanilla?? When did they start making vanilla frosties?? That's a travesty! That's just wrong! It's always been chocolate! Why, I remember when I was a lad, we'd get CHOCOLATE frosties and dip our fries in them!" All in a joking fashion, in which she found rather amusing was my rant, and laughed with a reply saying they've been doing this for a few years now, where have you been?" I like that kind of humor.
I got my food, at a moderate time, but as the burger and fries were very fresh, I had no complaints. Wendy's has gone to a healthier french fry, having natural cut and using sea salts. Good taste, although it just wasn't the same taste I remember as a kid dipping them in to my frosty.
The double stack for 99 cents...hmm...this was my worst complaint. It wasn't much larger than a Krystal burger in my opinion, even with having two patties to Krystal's one patty. One might suggest that's what is to be expected for a value meal burger. Compare the size to McDonald's or Burger King, which have dollar doubles as well, and you'll be disappointed. I will however say that the double stack tasted great, leaving me with wanting just one more bite after I finished with my burger. I like that.
While I sat there enjoying my meal and watching the darkening skies, I slight rush crowd came in and they handled the rush very efficiently. I hope all were as pleased with the service as I was.
So in closing, I'll give my ratings.
Cleanliness: 5
Friendliness: 5
Product Knowledge: 5
Value: 3
Taste: 5
Good job Wendy's. There are not as many around as some of the others, but they definitely have quality over quantity in my opinion.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What's wrong with these teachers??
More and more I'm hearing of cases when a teacher sends letters home to the parent of "your child is disruptive, he does not keep focus and attention, maybe you should have him tested for ADHD and get him on some medicine to help him." Then the parent takes the time, sets up the appointment, spends the money for the appointment, and the doctor says well yes, your child does show signs of ADHD, but not serious, and not enough for meds. He just needs to be challenged more. He's a bright child.
My thoughts on this are simply this is the way most teachers will deal with a situation, rather than getting out of their lazy comfort zone, and actually helping a child to learn, putting more of a challenge to him. There are a handful of good teachers out there that will do what they can, even make suggestions for your child and things he can do when he's not in school to help him...but for the most part, teachers HAVE become lazy, and will NOT move out of their comfort zone to help a child. My question to those, are, why are you in a teaching position if you are not in it to help the children? We have too many teachers of the young today, not just school teachers, who claim they care for the children, but they are in it more for their own personal agenda. For some, it's a paycheck. For some, it's a position of power. The chance to say, "I made a difference in that child's life"...but the difference you made, is not for the better, I can promise you that.
If you are going to be a teacher of children, do all that you can. And understand, that it doesn't take just one person to teach a child. Get as many as you can involved. Yourself, the parents, anyone that a child looks up to, is a teacher. If you can't be that teacher, then maybe you need to re-evaluate what you do...
My thoughts on this are simply this is the way most teachers will deal with a situation, rather than getting out of their lazy comfort zone, and actually helping a child to learn, putting more of a challenge to him. There are a handful of good teachers out there that will do what they can, even make suggestions for your child and things he can do when he's not in school to help him...but for the most part, teachers HAVE become lazy, and will NOT move out of their comfort zone to help a child. My question to those, are, why are you in a teaching position if you are not in it to help the children? We have too many teachers of the young today, not just school teachers, who claim they care for the children, but they are in it more for their own personal agenda. For some, it's a paycheck. For some, it's a position of power. The chance to say, "I made a difference in that child's life"...but the difference you made, is not for the better, I can promise you that.
If you are going to be a teacher of children, do all that you can. And understand, that it doesn't take just one person to teach a child. Get as many as you can involved. Yourself, the parents, anyone that a child looks up to, is a teacher. If you can't be that teacher, then maybe you need to re-evaluate what you do...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ahh, 2011 is upon us...
Well, a new year, full of new hopes, dreams, resolutions...well folks, I'm here to tell ya. We start off every year this way, excited. It's a new day, a new dawn, a new year. Things WILL be better. Then somewhere after a few months, we start falling off that high of hope, the humdrum kicks in, and we go back to mediocrity and the same old same old.
I hope and pray that this doesn't happen, and I hope we can all keep the positive notes going.
To date, since January 1, there have been tornadoes in Arkansas, birds falling from the sky, fish dying by the hundreds of thousands, both of those events happening in Arkansas. (Oddly, Arkansas is really close to the center of the US...could this be a sign??) Worldwide, Tranwrecks, massive earthquakes, shootings and killings, assassinations (ironically I find it humorous that a Pakistani leader was killed by his own Punjabi bodyguard...NEVER piss off your security guys, folks!), bomb threats, all sorts of things.
I think the mainstream media needs to stop reporting on all the bad things, and find something good to report about. Think about it. What's the last good thing you remember the news reporting? Me? I have no idea. But if we're force fed dull, doom and gloom, you're going to breathe it in, and exhale it right back out. You'll believe in it.
Our economy is worse, and I see no sign of improvement. It's gotten so bad that a very good friend of mine whom nobody would ever think or imagine him doing poorly has just about hit financial rock bottom. I know it happens to a lot of us. Me, it seems to happen every other month or so...but I've become use to it. I'm just a normal person. But this guy...this guy is awesome. He's so very humble, he literally does anything he can to help anyone. He goes out of his way to help people, and never asks anything in return. He SHARES his religion with others, not forces it down your throat and tell you that you're going to Hell if you don't believe in it.
He was recently let go from a management position because a high school student in his employ did not clock out before 10 pm, which is part of the child labor laws. It was an honest mistake, but upper management had to come down hard on him because of the rules and laws. This left him unemployed. The state will not give him unemployment. He does not qualify for assistance. It makes me sick because every day we come across people who are too lazy to get out and do something for themselves, walk in to state and federal assistance offices and walk out with a smile on their face and a check or some other kind of handout in their hand. If this is fairness in democracy, I'm disgusted.
I'd give anything to help this friend, he's been there for me and my entire family so many times that I've lost count. And he's never asked for anything in return, other than just my fellowship, which is given freely, at no cost. Ever. I cannot monetarily help him due to my own dire straits, but I can get the word out, and ask that those people who follow my lines keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
2011: Here's to hope and promise. Just do your best to keep on going forward, remember those you love, and those who love you. Remember those who go out of their way for you, and make sure you return the favor. Look for others you can help, no matter in what way. If you can be there for them, do so. Even if it's just a pat on the back, a hug during hard times, or a stupid joke to put a smile on their face. It helps more than you know, and kindness starts in small acts.
Happy MMXI.
I hope and pray that this doesn't happen, and I hope we can all keep the positive notes going.
To date, since January 1, there have been tornadoes in Arkansas, birds falling from the sky, fish dying by the hundreds of thousands, both of those events happening in Arkansas. (Oddly, Arkansas is really close to the center of the US...could this be a sign??) Worldwide, Tranwrecks, massive earthquakes, shootings and killings, assassinations (ironically I find it humorous that a Pakistani leader was killed by his own Punjabi bodyguard...NEVER piss off your security guys, folks!), bomb threats, all sorts of things.
I think the mainstream media needs to stop reporting on all the bad things, and find something good to report about. Think about it. What's the last good thing you remember the news reporting? Me? I have no idea. But if we're force fed dull, doom and gloom, you're going to breathe it in, and exhale it right back out. You'll believe in it.
Our economy is worse, and I see no sign of improvement. It's gotten so bad that a very good friend of mine whom nobody would ever think or imagine him doing poorly has just about hit financial rock bottom. I know it happens to a lot of us. Me, it seems to happen every other month or so...but I've become use to it. I'm just a normal person. But this guy...this guy is awesome. He's so very humble, he literally does anything he can to help anyone. He goes out of his way to help people, and never asks anything in return. He SHARES his religion with others, not forces it down your throat and tell you that you're going to Hell if you don't believe in it.
He was recently let go from a management position because a high school student in his employ did not clock out before 10 pm, which is part of the child labor laws. It was an honest mistake, but upper management had to come down hard on him because of the rules and laws. This left him unemployed. The state will not give him unemployment. He does not qualify for assistance. It makes me sick because every day we come across people who are too lazy to get out and do something for themselves, walk in to state and federal assistance offices and walk out with a smile on their face and a check or some other kind of handout in their hand. If this is fairness in democracy, I'm disgusted.
I'd give anything to help this friend, he's been there for me and my entire family so many times that I've lost count. And he's never asked for anything in return, other than just my fellowship, which is given freely, at no cost. Ever. I cannot monetarily help him due to my own dire straits, but I can get the word out, and ask that those people who follow my lines keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
2011: Here's to hope and promise. Just do your best to keep on going forward, remember those you love, and those who love you. Remember those who go out of their way for you, and make sure you return the favor. Look for others you can help, no matter in what way. If you can be there for them, do so. Even if it's just a pat on the back, a hug during hard times, or a stupid joke to put a smile on their face. It helps more than you know, and kindness starts in small acts.
Happy MMXI.
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