Two people have made the writer in me sit and take notice. One was an 85-year-old rancher who walked stiffly and slowly––I’ve been broken up so many times I finally had to get down from my horse, he told me later––into a coffee shop and then talked with me for a while. Pressed chinos, polished boots, straw cowboy hat, crisp shirt, he was authentic in a way I seldom see.

He came to the Big Bend at fifteen to survive the Depression and cowboyed on every ranch in the area, eventually owning one himself and becoming an influence. His card said simply, cattle and investments. There’s a local memoir about him called The Last Campfire. And he’s written a memoir himself: Shades of the West.

Some of the things he said: Life has been good to me. Children step on your toes when they’re small and on your heart when they’re grown. I used to have 18 cowboys and 100 horses. Now you can’t find 18 cowboys between here and El Paso. His dignity was immense, and later I realized that I had gotten to meet what was likely one of the last real cowboys. His name is Ted Gray.

The second person to raise the ghost of my writer was a waitress in Marfa. She reminded me of an actress called Lois Smith who was in East of Eden with James Dean. Smith gave off a vulnerability that was haunting in that movie. The waitress was slim, quiet, young, a tautness to her. I asked her if she was from the area, and she said no, she was from Alpine. Alpine is about 24 miles from Marfa. I assumed she was a student at the university in Alpine and had to work. The area’s magnificence has its grimness, too, a lack of easy ways to make a living. So, I asked if she was a student at the university, thinking to myself, she couldn't be more than a freshman. No, she said, with a swallow and quick glance at me. I’m just trying to raise a family. The words hit me hard, and I’ve been thinking about her since. I don't know her name.

There is a website for those who want him around.  www.bringbackbrettfavre.com.

The Cowboys play in Green Bay September 21st.  Tony Romo of the Cowboys is from Wisconsin.

-"Poor guy, he should just retire while he's on top."

-"It'll be so sad if he comes back and plays lousy."

-"I just can't see Brett with another team."

-"What if he gets hurt?"

-"He's too old."

The list goes on and on but these are the biggies.  Now, they sound like legit questions.  But here is my answer to all of them:  "SO WHAT".  It's not your decision.  It's Brett's.  We, as fans, don't have the right to assign motive to Brett for NOT coming back.  If a guy loves the game, still has the passion, the physical ability, and the desire, then who are we to make excuses for him?

To all the football fans out there here's my request:  STOP ACTING LIKE A FAN!  Put yourself in a player's shoes and empathize for a moment.  If he wants to come back, then let him.  In 10 years we won't be sitting around saying, "Boy, Brett Favre should have never played 1 more season."  But Brett Favre may be sitting around 10 years from now saying, "Boy I'm glad I gave it 1 (or 2) more seasons."  Who are we to rob that from him?  Here's the interview he gave last night to Fox News. 

If Tony has a publicist and you know who it is, please forward this post to them.  Tony needs to learn how to deal with the Jessica Simpson saga.  Instead of remaining quiet and aloof about the subject embrace it.  Providing the two are very close and still going strong, which it sounds like they are, Tony needs to find a message that will get everyone off his back.

The biggest fear Cowboys fans have is that Jessica Simpson is a "distraction."  To counter those fears Tony needs to come clean and say this:

"I am deeply in love with Jessica and she is a positive force in my life.  Not only do I feel happy around her, but she is a calming supportive voice.  When I am around her I feel at ease.  I no longer have a desire to go out and party all night long, I would rather spend an evening at home with her.  She has an amazing way of keeping me focused."

That takes all the ammunition away from critics.  Plus, when you are trying to hide something, people always perceive a problem.  Try it Tony, you may find all the people that interview you will then be totally disarmed and even happy for you.

Well first off I would like to introduce myself and say hello to all of our loyal readers. I am Barrett Johnson and I am the summer intern for Beckett. I am a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas and I am a junior at the University of Southern California. Needless to say, I have some great football teams to love so do not be surprised to hear some praise given to the Cowboys or college’s premier football factory when I chime in on this site.

This is the end of my first week working here and I have had a great time and feel very comfortable. Coming in to the first day I was not really sure what to expect, I have had jobs before and been in situations where I was new to something, but this has been my first true office experience and I was uneasy about how it would go the first day. Regardless of how I felt entering the situation, I am very glad that my first office experience is with Beckett. I mean I think that all of us dreamed of working for the company that fascinated us as youths, so I feel very fortunate to be interning with the company that captured so many of my hours of attention as a child.

My first day I was curious as to what my internship experience would be like, especially concerning what type of work I would be doing and how the people would be. The people at Beckett are wonderful. The fact that they all love what they do creates a fun and comfortable environment, which is especially nice for someone new coming into their world. Most of the people I met either told me, or I sensed that none of them had ever had an intern under them while here at Beckett. My question of what type of work I would be doing was still gray to me initially because in all reality it was gray to my superiors due to the fact that they did not know exactly where to put me to work.

It turned out that my first assignment I would have a lot of personal interest invested in. My first assignment was to organize my cubicle which had turned into the office mail drop spot. Walking into it, it seemed as if no one threw any mail away in this office and just stored it in this cubicle for the heck of it.

As I started to sort it and organize I realized that it was kept for a reason, it was all mail sent by loyal Beckett readers. So the next two days consisted of me sorting through countless mail crates, but in the process I got to see much of the perspective and insight of the Beckett reader either through contests they had entered or surveys they had filled out, or just a letter that they had written Beckett. Most of my jobs this past week have been dealing with organization but it has been worthwhile because it has given me a greater picture of the past few years and the work they has been done here at Beckett.

I look forward to the next few weeks and I am excited about the things that I know I will learn in that time. Until I write again, Fight On and Go Cowboys, I can’t wait for football season.

First off let me say I have always been a Tony Romo fan.  He seems like a genuinely nice guy and a grounded individual.  But if he wants to be a multi-million dollar quarterback in the NFL, he has to take the good with the bad.  Apparently he doesn't like being asked about his relationship with the lovely Jessica Simpson.

I did a one on one interview with Tony on Sports Extra last Sunday and he seemed to be grumpy about having to do a series of interviews with reporters around the country.  And when I asked, nicely, I may add, about Jessica he seemed to get annoyed.  Tony needs to realize the majority of viewers, not sports fans, want to know about Jessica.  And the sports fans simply want to know if she is a distraction.  He certinly has a right to date whoever he wants.  Cowboy fans also have a right to hope, his girlfriend is not a "distraction."

Tony needs to learn how to just deal with it.  He is a "celebrity" quarterback, whether he likes it or not.  I'm sorry for asking, but when you do an interview with Tony, it is the one question that has to be asked.  If you don't ask it, the reporter looks like an idiot.

Later, I offer up my public relations advice for Tony and how to deal with the Simpson Saga.

And one group from Phoniex, egged on by a local, decided whistling continuously on Charlie's patio was a good idea.

It wasn't.

This is the headline of his blog:   Attention whore Tony Romo falls into a pond at Lake Tahoe Celebrity Classic, how typical of dunce Dallas Cowboys quarterback

In fact here's the whole thing...

Tony Romo is making a public spectacle of himself on another golf course. This time, Romo went Woody Austin.

Yes, Aquaman has company. Say hello to the doofus Dallas Cowboys quarterback/attention whore Tony Romo as he falls backwards into the pond on the first hole at Edgewood Tahoe. That’s what Romo did in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship (which is a boring name for the best celebrity golf tournament out there) on Saturday.

Romo tried to hit out of a bunker with an awkward lie and found himself tumbling into the pond, where he landed on his butt (otherwise known as the smartest part of Romo’s anatomy). Romo told the Associated Press, “I got wet up to my belly button.”

With Romo, stuff like this is almost predictable.

The guy just can’t help himself. He’s going to find a way to make himself the center of attention while showing the lack of smarts that stops him from ever winning a single playoff game. Whether it’s bragging about shooting that 84 at Torrey Pines - that took him an unfathomable nearly seven hours to complete. Or butchering “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley Field. Or falling ass first into the water.

That’s Romo. Leading with his head.

Being stuck with his guy couldn’t have happened to a better set of bandwagon fans. And it must be nice for Jessica Simpson to feel like she’s the smart one in a relationship. No wonder why she doesn’t want to give Romo up.

Wow!  Chris sure does have some hate for Tony Romo.  Can't the guy just have fun and take advantage of the invites he gets without all the haters going after him?

Should the guy live his life in a closet?

I don't know why the public thinks this kid should be at Valley Ranch 25 hours and 8 days a week.  Sorry, they have an off season.    Romo has some thick skin because some shots like this are just unfair.

Apparently, in the simulation, a preseason injury to Devin Hester sidelines the All-Pro for the entire regular season and is key to the Bears' struggles.

HA! Who are we kidding? 1-15 doesn't imply struggling. It means Caleb Hanie was out there throwing to Brandon Rideau on fourth and long. It means every single player on the D-line suffered career-ending injuries -- with the exception of Dusty Dvoracek -- and the Bears were forced to scrape the bottom of the free-agent barrel for the likes of Darrion Scott and Courtney Brown.

Now, simulating an entire Madden season is usually a pretty good indication of where every team stands. Not once have I simulated a season and witnessed a team like -- sorry David Carr diehards -- the Texans making the playoffs, let alone winning the Super Bowl. So, it looks as if in this year's Madden, it'll take alot of talent and pure bravado to overcome the Bears' shortcomings -- something that me and my All-Pro difficulty-playing ass is prepared to do.

By the way, IGN's simulation has the Cowboys defeating the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIII, 25-22.

When a bunch of robotic cowboys and robotic animals from a big-budget spectacular mechanical traveling show go haywire and escape into the city of Los Angeles, it's up to one broken down ex-rodeo star and his son to round them all up before something terrible happens.

My Take: This is a great story for all ages. MYN is a very talented guy. He writes, reads all the character's parts and also composes the music for the story. Get it at thetransistorrodeo.com

Other works by

Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff

Number One With A Bullet a 2007 Parsec Award winner.

Diary Of A Madman , Shadow Falls, Shadow Falls Badlands,

The Doomsday Club, The Art of Surfacing, and

Where's My F*cking Latte.

Warning, Warning, Warning

Most of Marks work is pretty dark and strongly recommended for Mature Adults.

I enjoy all of Mark's Stories, but thats the way I am.

Click on any of the highlighted areas above to access there web sites.

And lets not forget the "World's Most Offensively Enlightened Podcast"

PACIFIC COAST HELLWAY

]]> http://amapearl.wordpress.com/?p=10 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:43:48 +0000 amapearl http://amapearl.wordpress.com/?p=10 Rodeo...oh rodeo.

I arrived home Friday afternoon ready to kick it into high gear with my girl Ashley. We got ready and were out right about 9:00 that evening.

My hometown has 4 bars. WR Bar is a biker bar I wouldn't be caught dead in, BB Bar is a known drug-exchange hangout, and the two others are definitely country bars. We chose the favorite for rodeo, let's call it the Friday Night Bar (FNB).

We got there right at 9, and we were not surprised to see that FNB was PACKED. We waited outside for 45 minutes and we were only 3rd in line! A group ahead of us left, leaving us 2nd place and they ended up returning later...to get their spot back. So, Ash and I bargained for a $20 and they can scoot in behind us. It worked out for the best!

That night, I drank like a fish, shook my booty with the cowboys and actually had most of my drinks bought for me! A 30+ pro-Cowboy (lol) seemed to be eyeing me while I was waiting for my drink, and he asked me what I was having (Coors Light of course) and without hesitation he got the bartender's attention, bought one for myself and Ashley and held out a crisp $100. I was quite impressed!

I saw so many people that I had not seen, met some new faces and made it a night to remember. Definitely made it count.

Saturday night, after an afternoon in the blazing sun at the rodeo, Ashley and I were faced with two choices. One: Rodeo Dance. Two: Saturday Night Bar (SNB). We opted for SNB and I met her and some friends over there. The second I arrived, they stopped me, the only girl out there, and made me wait in line. Yes, a one person line. I waited for 30 minutes! I was not a happy girl.

After I got in, it was a smaller bar, but more people I ended up knowing were there. I met this guy named Joe. I went to school with his brother, and Joe had brought along some friends that were going to police academy with him. I thought he was cute, but I was oblivious to the fact that he might have been into me, so I played it cool; the friend card if you may.

He told me that this Whisky Tango (White Trash) girl had come up to him and firmly groped him earlier in the evening. I could NOT believe some girl had the nerve to pull a stunt like that, so I told him I had the situation taken care of if she comes around again. I spotted the WT Girl and swiftly had my arm around him and began to whisper into his ear, all cutesy and such.

The girl walks straight up to Joe and sits right next to him and begins chatting. Joe introduced me as his girlfriend and everything seems to be fine...a little awkward but fine none the less. Later on, she leans over and whispers to him "Too bad you're not single" and walks away.

Lol. I saved him from being further molested that night. Needless to say!

Rodeo, oh rodeo. How I cannot wait for next April.

From Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune:

The Packers said Saturday that Brett Favre will remain their prisoner.

They will not grant his wish for his release and declined to discuss whether they would try to trade him or what his role would be if he returned to the team.

But Favre said last March he wouldn't play again. So maybe we shouldn't believe much of what anyone is saying.

What we would like to believe is Favre would be a welcome addition for almost every NFL team.

OK, the Patriots and Colts don't need him. The Cowboys, Saints, Bengals, Steelers, Seahawks, Giants and Rams are pretty set at quarterback too. Based on his play last season, Favre clearly would be an upgrade for every other team...like the Eagles.

...

Hostess prediction: McNabb doesn't finish the season.

...

Friday August 8th...preseason game 1. Eagles vs. Steelers.

America's team plays the following Saturday against the Chargers...

...

and if you don't think I brought up something gay in this post...just look again.

With just over 2 months to go until the BBFL begins season 3 my Redskins team needs big help at one position for sure, and that is Defensive Tackle.

In the Action PC game all defenders are rated out of 10 against the run, out of 10 against the pass, and can have a pass rush value up to 7 (the likes of Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware).

Exceptional defenders have an overall rating of 10+ (the likes of NFL defensive player of the year in 2007 - Colts safety Bob Sanders).  Don't forget in this league we have 55 man rosters, but its based on the NFL players REAL 2007 NFL stats.

My defensive tackles are rated as (1st number run defense rating, 2nd number pass rush ability rating)

Vonnie Holliday 6 - 1 (12 NFL games played out of 16 for the 1-15 Dolphins)

Ed Johnson 5 -1 (16 NFL games played as a Colt rookie) I picked this guy up in the offseason as a free agent

Michael Myers 4 - 1 (15 NFL games played but 4 is a poor rating)

Dwan Edwards 5 - 1 (16 NFL games played as DL and DE) - I also picked this guy up in the offseason as a free agent

This is without doubt the poorest set of defensive tackles in the whole league (20 total teams). So I have work to do !

I am offering up Plaxico Burres the giraffe like New York Giants wideout for a DT with a 7 rating or above.

Do any of you think any of my 4 defensive tackles have any prospects in 2008 ?

I think in true Princess Leia style 'my only hope' is Ed Johnson at the Colts, a man who was not even drafted but had in all respects a very sound rookie outing.

Let's say at this stage I am nervous about all 19 of my opponents 3rd string running backs, let alome their 3rd down backs and starters.

How important do you rate DT's in the grand scheme of NFL positions ?

At the end of May (2008), my daughter and I headed up the Fraser Canyon to the heart of British Columbia's cattle county; Ashcroft. We'd both been dreaming of a dude ranch vacation for years -- we used to ride together before she went off to uni -- and it is something we are both passionate about.

Based on those facts, we never doubted that we were in for a really good time, but what we didn't guess was that those three days at Sundance Guest Ranch would be categorized by both of us as "the best time ever!!!"

Visit the web album at Julie and Jen at Sundance and check out our amazing pics. And if you decide you want to go to BC's best dude ranch, follow the Sundance link, and don't forget to mention my name. (I'll get trail points toward our next weekend as cowgirls).

This weekend a group of girlfriends from across the country converged in Calgary for the Stampede. 

 Like the hats.

gen+loadedbow

© 2008 by Jenn Lassa, all rights reserved.

always been coyboys, okay

i'll wear the stetson