The Man From Placer Creek

"Dealing"

2012-02-10T08:02:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I deposed a "white-coat".I won't call him a doctor. He had a physician-patient relationship with a client of mine. After meeting with a "nurse" case manager for the insurance company, the one that pays his charges, he cut off all care because the person exhibited too much pain from a herniated disc where the nucleous pulpopus was pushing on the L4 and L5 nerves. Imagine pain from that, sheez. In writing to the insurance company, after a doctor had prescribed steroid shots and possible surgery, he stated that he had spent a long time "dealing" with the injured person and that he doubted anything would help her. "DEALING" a new word in the medical dictionary. Increasingly "white-coats" DEAL with patients instead of TREAT them.

Supremely

2012-01-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

Supremely interesting.

Ha!

2012-01-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

Haaaaaa! Flying to Boise to hear Supremes speak tomorrow. Appears the mayor, kennedy, gridley etal will be on plane too. If problems Matt and I will be able to handle it. Haaaaaa!!!

Good Luck

2012-01-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

Dateline Silver Valley.
MSHA Closes Lucky Friday Mine.

Idaho's Gov. Otter:
1. Holds one hour meeting with citizens.
2. He states:
a. "I don't know what to do beyond what I'm doing now, or what I'm trying to do now,"

TRANSLATION: Serves you right for being a democrat stronghold. Good Luck.

b. Otter said he will urge MSHA representatives to conduct a similar town hall
event in the Silver Valley, and fully explain the nature of the closure and the reopening process.

TRANSLATION: I will check back in a year. Good Luck.

c. He encouraged the community to organize a group of folks knowledgeable about
mining to meet with the agency's representatives to lay out their concerns.

TRANSLATION: Good Luck.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: It was Otter, who instead of attending the annual Sunshine Mine Disaster Memorial Ceremony, sent a representative in his place. The representative explained that Otter had a prior engagement that he just couldn't break and then read a one paragraph letter from Otter. It basically said: "Hi."

WHAT WAS THE PRIOR ENGAGEMENT THAT OTTER COULDN'T BREAK SO THAT HE COULD ATTEND THIS CEREMONY THAT IS HELD ONCE A YEAR??? I wondered too. I checked with Otter's office to see what his schedule was for that day. Turns out Otter was speaking at the regular monthly meeting of the Garden City (Boise suburb) Chamber of Commerce.

TRANSLATION: Its a long trip. The Garden City Chamber has a great salad bar. Its members are republicans and the Silver Valley is a democrat stronghold. Priorities are important, and you are not on the list.

Spotlights and Death

2012-01-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

Venturing out into the public spotlight causes one to risk tripping, missing, fumbling, or otherwise just plain screwing up. Even if a person spends his life trying his level best to do everything 'right'it won't matter to some. All that is needed is for the spotlight to be on, for just one nanosecond (thank you Robin Williams)when things go 'south', and some person may choose to 'freeze' that moment in time and to use it to try and define the person's life. (see ABC's Wide World of Sports--The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat clip with the ski jumper). Thus, in some people's books, so goes Paterno and, most recently, #10 Williams.

For me, regardless of what turns out to be the truth regarding the allegations surrounding Paterno's assistant coach, I choose to remember Paterno for everything good about his life. For #10 Williams, I will continue to view him with respect as one of the 1 in 100,000 athletes who work so very hard, everyday, and reach the pinacle of their profession.

I admit that I do hope that those who may choose to remember me do so from a similar perspective. However I can honestly say that frankly I don't give a rip what someone may choose to say because I know, regardless of what has and will occur, that I tried my best.

When I am summoned on Judgement Day, I will be there with a clear conscience. I will readily confess the times when I have fallen short, I will be secure in my knowledge that I tried my best, and I will rely on my faith. That is all that really matters. Speed bumps along the way only give a person information which can be used in ongoing efforts to do better the next time.

The $15 Good Neighbor Policy

2012-01-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

Matt snowblowed the snow in the driveway and in front of the house on Tuesday. He also snowblowed the neighbors' (several) walks and driveways. Last night I got to the house. Someone was snowblowing a single swath down the sidewalk past the house. He kept going and after a moment I didn't see him again. Upon getting into the house I learned that the person had come to the door on two occasions, and offered to snowblow our driveway for $15. The (New) $15 Good Neighbor Policy.

Back in the day once you were out shoveling (back then I don't recall ever seeing a snowblower)and once you 'got into it' you just kept going and going. Neighbors returned the favor. Good Neighbors. A simple thank you was nice, but not required.

99

2012-01-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

99 secretaries on the wall, take one down and put him/her to work, 98 secretaries on the wall.

It is amazing to me the number of persons who want to work but yet don't want to work. Working in my office is not a social hour. It is not a place to pass the time and collect a check.

Basic requirements: willingness to work and do whatever it takes; accuracy; professionalism in interactions with clients and others; and caring about out clients not only as clients but as persons.

I am a terrible interviewer and that probably explains why I seem to go through so many secretaries. One didn't close the copy machine cover and sunburned her eyeballs, one was a 'medival' reenacter who couldn't type, one was a computer instructor who after a week informed me that she had memory problems, and the others well I guess I will say they were collectors of checks.

The one shining light, Mary, worked with me through thick and thin for 14 years. So I ask, where are the Marys of the world?

Justic...er just business as usual

2012-01-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

Local 20 something former businessman, who two years ago shot another downtown pub crawler, was recently charged with heroin possession. He was sentenced to two years probation, 100 hours of community service, and 20 days on the Sheriff department's labor program. Same day a couple of other persons received jail sentences (10-20 days) for petty theft.

Soul Food

2012-01-16T08:36:00.001-08:00

13 hours in a goose blind. Matt 2. For me, just Soul Food. Love it!

I Shot An Arrow--Part 2

2011-08-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Archery season draws nigh! Matt got a new 'bow'. I shot mine, shot his, went and bought a new bow just like his. Ha.

Last year, at this time, I wrote:

I Shot An Arrow Into The Air
by H.W. Longfellow

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight...

Yep. Practicing for archery season...little mishap. The string release, at 3/4ths draw, did what it is suppose to do...later. It released. The arrow flew so swiftly, I could not follow it's flight. All was quiet, no screams of laughter...or pain...good sign.

Where did I place that beer?

This year:

I had the new bow dialed in. Then I noticed a 'plumb bubble' on the sight. Hmm. Okay.
I drew back, notice the bubble was off (probably normal for me)and I moved my left wrist back and forth attempting to center the bubble. In so doing my trigger finger touched the hair trigger and "arrow away"! Ha.

"Bang" off "Rocky" the arrow clanked. It was gone...nobody knows! Didn't hear any screaming eminating from the neighborhod. Sure all is well!

15th ANNIVERSARY OF "THE CHOICE"

2011-08-05T09:38:00.001-07:00

Time flys, boy howdy,even when things are less than sublime.

15 years...in retrospect, a long time. A different life...boy howdy.

Opening day of Art On The Green. Sunny and warm. Following tradition my staff and I went to Art On The Green for a German Sausage smothered with sauerkraut chased by a nice cold Coke. Upon our return to the office after an extended lunch, with our 'shirts' my partner and I had a meeting with the vice-president and chief legal counsel of our major, insurance company, client who had traveled from Portland for the sit down. (I will decide in a 'bit' whether I will post the insurance company's name.) Major equates to close to seven figures of billing per year.

After the usual pleasantries our esteemed guests moved the conversation towards business. They discussed the 'new plan' for legal representation. The insurance company had determined that it would authorize their counsel to spend no more than 20 hours on each case referred to their 'outside' counsel. This meant that there would either be no more work done on any specific file over 20 hours or the work would be at a cut rate...'for free'.

It needs to be mentioned at this point that an insurance company, in this case a workers' compensation insurance company, insures it's insured employers for lost wages, medical expenses, impairment benefits, disability benefits, and legal defense costs (attorney fees and expert witness fees with miscellaneous costs too). An insured employer's premium would be based upon a national rating system determined by a mega-computer in Florida. In other words every similar business would pay $1 for $1 of coverage. (well kind of) Then, based upon the specific employer's 'losses' over the policy year that baseline premium would be modified, up or down.

The modification is called, simply, the 'mod-factor.' If a business had no 'losses' for a number of years it could actually pay less than the base premium. In other words, 80 cents for $1 of coverage. Likewise, if a business had a lot of claims and/or some expensive claims the base premium would increase. In other words $1.50 per $1 of coverage. You can see how the cost of the insurance would impact any specific business' ability to compete.

Attorney fees, and expenses paid by the insurance company in defense of a claim filed against a business, are not considered in the mod-factor calculation. Thus an insurance company could pay such fees but not be able to charge it's insured for them.

It also must be remembered that the attorney hired by the insurance company to represent the insured business against a claim represents the insured business, not the insurance company. The attorney-client relationship is between the insured business and the attorney. It is not between the insurance company and the attorney. It is well known, however, that 99.9% of attorneys hired by insurance companies to defend insureds treat the insurance company as the client. The reason for this approach by these attorneys is that the insurance company is the one that will provide them with repeat, and usually ongoing, business.

My first question to the esteemed guests when told about the 'new' arrangement was "Are you going to tell your insured business, our client, of the 'new' arrangement." Their answer was a simple "No".

Now being in the .1% of attorneys that consider the insured business to be the client I had significant concern about this 'new' proposal. We were told that we could think about it for a week. We were told by the corporate counsel that out of all of the attorneys they had already spoken to regarding this change that only 1 (a 'friend' of the corporate attorney) had rejected the arrangement.

After our esteemed visitors left my partner and I called the Idaho State Bar Counsel. He is the person whose responsibility it is to lend ethical guidance to Idaho's attorneys. He confirmed, what I already had determined, that the insured business was our client and that the client had to be informed of, and agree to, the new arrangement.

The next week I wrote to the insurance company and advised them that to agree to such an arrangement would not be ethical. It's corporate counsel's response was, "Okay, box up the files and we will have them picked up tomorrow." My law firm consisting of two partners, four associate attorneys, a registered nurse medical case manager, and 12 support employees came to an abrupt end.

It is the 15th anniversary of "The Choice." I put it in quotes because, actually, to me there was "No Choice."

This "No Choice" led to substantial personal consequences for me, my family, my partner, and all the employees. Now 15 years later I can honestly say that there was indeed "No Choice". I would do the same today, in a heartbeat. Life has changed for us all. I guess that is what life is all about, change. I personally don't like change, and do everything that I can to prevent it, but the fact is that change does occur.

When a person, be they a client or otherwise, tells me that they can not do this or that for fear of the consequences I tell them that only they can make the decision. It is their choice. They know the right choice. It is just a question of whether they decide to choose it. I have, I admit, no sympathy for those that choose other than the right choice.

So, happy anniversary to me. Life is good! Different, but good.

Good Morning Greeting?

2011-08-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

So, 6:20 a.m. Saturday I am loading up the 'cruiser' (name unknown at this time--but that is another story). Matt's friend, Adam, pulls up to go fishing with us. Being the congenial person that I am, at least on Saturday mornings before I have had my can of 'whoop-ass' I greet him. "Hi, you must be Adam". He responds, "Yes. I would like to be able to say I have read a lot of nice things about you,...but I can't". Of course I responded to this opening salvo by giving him the traditional Kebo reply!

Hats and Uniforms...and Stuff

2011-07-29T08:22:00.001-07:00

Driving to work today I passed by the oil and lube shop where they were the hats and the bow ties...Visualize a light bulb turning on...Okay, got it? I am going to implement a "hat, uniform, and stuff" dress code for the office. Blue jeans, cowboy hats, complimented with a holster and a 9mm (or larger at the option of the person). Sounds like a plan!

Actually the thought of it reminds me of the early 90's when, after my former partner and I received more than the usual, and more specific, threats against our lives our office became an armed camp. 4 of us were packing heat, were wearing jeans, and our cowboy hats (memorabilia) from an 'office outing...e.g. hunting camp. (I actually preferred my 'Mad Bomber Hat' from the previous year's outing. It was (is)hunter orange with nice fur! Ha.)

Things were going well at the armed camp (e.g. office) until one day, employee A tried to come in the back door and it was locked so he was kind of pushing on it trying to open it. Smart staff. This event was brought to the attention of my partner. I was, luckily, absent from the office at the time.

My partner, believing that it was probably the latest psychotic that had threatened to kill him, went to the door and asked, "Who is there?" A reasonable question. There was no answer and the attempting to open the door continued. Of course employee A had a significant hearing problem, and didn't hear his question. Besides he was busy trying to open the door. My partner, of course, didn't know it was employee A.

When he didn't receive an answer to his question, my partner moved back to a nearby shoulder high banister, crouched behind it, pulled his 'hog' out of its holster and leveled it at the door. A moment later employee A was finally able to get the door open, with his key (novel idea) and it swung open. Employee A stepped in and, luckily, my partner...who by all accounts was shaking a bit, didn't open fire.

Just another day in the respectable practice of law.

At Last

2011-07-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday fishing trip. Matt and I are suppose to meet Dan at the office at 7 a.m. In my 'rush' to be on time I forgot "McManus Rule #1". I apologized. Oh, Rule #1 is that agreeing to meet at 7 a.m., translated into the "Expert Fisherman" language actually means somewhere around 10 a.m. Oh well, get gas, drive by the Northern Lakes Fire Station and notice the Hayden Days garage sale, observe fire hoses. Nuff said? Well, after some talking I was able to convince Matt to go and look with me. $10. Hmm. Told Matt to go get some money from the bank ATM across the street. He came back. Handed me $20. I asked, Why $20. His answer, I want one too. Ha. At last the proud owner of my very own, slightly used, fire hose. As I explained to the fireman on duty...I will be listening to the 'scanner' and at the next fire I will be there to assist! He got a funny look on his face. Don't know what it meant.

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm #1

2011-07-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

Take a look at today's Cda Press...it won't take long. Now, pull out one of the copies of the Press that you have from about 5 years ago. Now hold up today's copy with the one from 5 years ago. The difference is obvious. The older version is about 3 inches wider and about 4 inches longer...when it comes to news, I guess size does matter. Hmmm.

Nice Rock

2011-07-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Nice Rock. Separately each word is of no concern. Together, without context, both words are of no concern. Together, in the context of a fishing adventure, they are the scariest words I have ever heard in the out-of-doors.

How Does It Feel To Be A Criminal?

2011-07-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ah,the 4th of July...when our local governments make a huge number of their respective citizens criminals. Judging from the large number of airborne fireworks that I viewed on the 4th crime is rampant. What a joke....

Fishers Denied Federal Protection

2011-06-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

Fishers Denied Federal Protection??? Now that really chaps my buttocks! Seriously this was reported in the Press this very day!

The article reports that "Rocky Mountain fishers have been denied protection altogether." It also reports that "fishers once roamed throughout the forests of the Northern Rockies" and that "fishers do not prey on fish."

Well, boy howdy! Fishers did indeed once roamed throughout the Northern Rockies. I should know, I was one. I roamed hither and yond to fish. Now I don't. Heck I barely even fish anymore because of all the stupid "catch and release" regulations. Note I didn't say "laws". They aren't the same, and I am a traditionalist. I believe in laws, not regulations. Period. Why roam hither let alone yond searching for fish if you can't eat them when you catch them? Sheez.

As far as claiming that fishers do not prey on fish...well, okay, I admit that I am not the best fisher in the Northern Rockies but in my day, and now on the second Tuesday in June when the wild roses are in bloom, I do indeed prey on fish.

Write your congressmen and demand that they protect fishers! They can start by trash canning any "catch and release" regulation that Fish & Game promulgates, put the fun back in preying on fish. Do so, and perhaps grumpy old fishers will take a kid fishing!!!

godless

2011-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

I find myself wandering in a desolate world. Daily I encounter marauding bands of wannabes, crisscrossing the landscape in search of bounty for their lords. They care not what they leave behind, but seek only the spoils that the path in front of them holds.

The members of these bands are driven by the fear of displeasing their lord and losing their grail of someday being able to amass enough money so that they may too, someday, be a lord. They search daily for their idol, money.

You see, money is not my God. I am, indeed, godless in a godless world. From time to time I encounter wayfarers of like spirit, concerned with the path that they leave behind. They are easy to spot. It is almost as if we are drawn together by a force, a force greater than the god of the wannabes. I receive nourishment from them, and they from me, and then we move on.

During my travels occasions arise where I find myself on a narrow pathway and confronted by a band of marauders. I always offer to share the path with them but almost, yes almost, universally they declare ownership of the entire way. The inevitable then occurs. Sometimes I am left wounded and bleeding, other times not. I have been lucky, so far. Many of my fellows have perished on such pathways.

So you see, I wander godless, in a godless land.

ENOUGH SAID

2011-06-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Bury me with me gun son! If I am cast out of the sky, I will shoot the devil right between the eyes!

RATS ?

2011-06-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

An article in the Cda Press today, in what is laughingly called the Outdoors Section caught my attention. It was about a buck poacher pleading guilty. It wasn't the perp that caught my attention it was the Judge. Judge Quentin Hardin, a judge whom I have always (and that is a long time) had great respect for, was mentioned. Judge Hardin removed himself from the case for sentencing purposes because he "admitted that he doesn't think there should be a season for white-tailed deer."

My first thought was, Hmm, I didn't know Judge Hardin was anti-hunting. That puzzled me, so I continued reading. The next paragraph quotes Judge Hardin as follows: "They're like rats."

Loosely translated this means they should be shot on sight. Now, I don't personally ascribe to the position that they are like rats, but at least he is not anti-hunting. Also, since my "ability" to harvest whitetails is, well lets just say, "not so good" I am going to call him and find out where I should go rat hunting. Ha.

Worker's Compensation Words of Wisdom #1

2011-05-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

WORKER’S COMPENSATION WORDS OF WISDOM—No. 1

If you have suffered an industrial accident and injury and you are contemplating attending a “mediation”, by yourself, in an attempt to resolve your worker’s compensation claim, DON’T.

If you believe that the insurance company representative at the mediation, with whom you will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement, is going to offer you anything near the “fair” amount of benefits you are due under the law, you are wrong. If you think that it “might” happen, in your case, I suggest that you get examined for a closed head injury.

WORDS OF WISDOM:
Before you go to a “mediation” schedule an appointment with at least one attorney experienced in worker’s compensation. Start your search for such an attorney by looking in the Yellow Pages or by talking to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers for recommendations. Any consultation fee you might pay will be worth it.

Medical Update

2011-05-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

I am exponetially becoming dismayed by the state of medical opinions and reports that I review. Lets just say I review a lot of these opinions and reports. Recently I have begun to appreciate the saying that 49.99% of doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. When that percentage (49.99%) is added to the percentage of doctors who in my opinion are nothing more than paid whores for insurance companies (10%), and the percentage of doctors who in my opinion don't take the time to review their own charts, let alone the records of other doctors who have previously examined/treated their patient, (35%) the patient has a 5.01% chance of receiving an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What drives the 94.99% of the doctors that are less than reliable? Based upon my years, over 30, of reviewing medical opinions and reports I can only come to one answer. Money. Money for doing insurance company bidding; money earned from rushing through patients so that a set number of patients can be seen in a day; money that they won't receive if they render an opinion, or write a report, that does not say what the insurance company wants it to say; money, money, money.

Good Luck finding a doctors in the 5.01% percent that are driven by something other than the pursuit of money when examining a patient.

I can't tell you where you will find one of these 5.01% doctors. I can suggest to you that you will not find them in tall ornate buildings, you will not find them in hospital owned buildings and businesses, and that you will not find them on your first referral, if you are lucky enough to get one from the first doctor that you see.

Finding one takes research, word of mouth, and persistence. How much time a person puts into this effort should be at least as long as the 94.99% put into reviewing your chart just before they open the door to the examination room and say, "Hi Jo Bob, so what are you here for today?"

It is S-T-A-R-R K-E-L-S-O

2011-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Interesting (?) discussion on Opencda, the only 'blog' site that actually tries to report facts and discuss issues. (Except of course this one...Ha!)
********************
Discussion Starter:

No Conflicts…nothing to see here…keep moving…
********************

Comment:

I think we are unlikely to see a recall once people realize the Mullan Avenue Mafia would be allowed to see the petitions (with the signatures). There are quite a few people who would not sign out of fear of retaliation.

*******************

My Response:

Troubling it is, troubling indeed, for it to be even suggested that citizens of our fine community would not sign a petition out of the fear of retaliation.

FDR was right…”The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”

William Wallace had it right too, at Falkirk. To paraphrase William…

Sign the petition and you may be retaliated against. Refuse to sign and you will live at least awhile until they choose to retaliate against you for some other action, another day. If any elected official would retaliate against any citizen, for exercising his fundamental right as a citizen, you can be assured that official will retaliate against the same citizen, at the drop of a hat, for any reason…even one that couldn’t be guessed at. And shaking for fear while dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and demand the prima donnas on the city council let the citizens vote.”

I will just say that Coeur d’Alene’s city council seeks to break the spirits of its citizens into a state of hopeless submission. As for me, that is not an option. Hopefully it is not an option for you. So, stand up, smile broadly, and sign your name on the petition clearly and boldly for anyone, and all, to see.

For anyone that would seek to hide hide his name and cower in fear, a fear of retaliation, I say to you that you are a disgrace to your children, your family, and all of your ancestors before you who stood up to corruption and tyranny.

***********************
Follow-up Comment:

And Happy T nice pontification on who or why YOU believe, lets see how did you put it, a person is a disgrace “For anyone to seek to hide his name and cower in fear, fear of retaliation, I say that you are a disgrace to your children, your family, and all of your ancestors before who stood up to corruption and tyranny”
That’s exceptionally funny and ironic coming from someone using a fake name on a blog.

**********************
My Reply:

Gee Eric, I thought that everyone who views this site knows who I am. Let me spell it for you……. really……slow, S-T-A-R-R…K-E-L-S-O. Was that too fast for you? Try again, S–T–A–R–R…K–E–L–S–O. Hope you got it the second time.

Coeur d'ruption

2011-05-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

The only word that came to my mind as I "read" todays Cda Press front page articles.

KEBO MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL--UPDATE

2011-05-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

We are speeding towards the inauguralKEBO MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL! It is still on the schedule for err, August kinda.

Some changes in the 'line-up' have occurred:
1. There will be two categories:
a. Original Outdoor Film
b. Rough and Tumble Shoot'em Up Hollywood style
The winner of the 'Original Outdoor Film' contest will still receive a trophy!

The tentative 'Rough and Tumble Shoot'em Up' line up...so far is....
1. Boondock Saints
2. The Patriot
3. Boondock Saints II

We are also looking at interspersing Chuck Berry 'Gong Show' episodes!

Other suggestions welcome...

Stay tuned for the names of 'special' guests that will be appearing!

STEALTH

2011-05-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Friday May 6th...The Trilogy...3rd 1988 Landcruiser acquired. A real stud. Sure, no bullet holes and no grenade...yet. Its name...Stealth...After all it has a muffler and Sirius can't hear it coming! Ha! Stealth joins Betsey and Rocky. Betsey is going to receive a much deserved rest and 'touch-up'. Rocky, well lets say he is "still the same". There is not a better 'rig' on a mountain, (regardless if it is on a 'road' or down the hillside) anywhere, than a 1988 Toyota Landcruiser!

THE 5 STAGES...AND COUNTING

2011-05-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

The 5 stages of the practice of law...and still counting...are:
1. Belief in the legal system
2. Doubt in the legal system
3. Minimal hope that justice exists
4. Acknowledgement that justice is dependent upon "politics"
5. No hope that justice exists
6. ???

FOREVER--

2011-05-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Forever is not always a very long time, at least now-a-days.

Aaaa...NEW PIECE OF PAPER PLEASE...Bbbb

2011-05-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

The the front page on the local paper continues to amaze me. The headline continues to grow in size. Pretty soon the first page will be nothing but headline. I guess big headlines make up for a lack of content?

Upon seeing today's headline I 'flashed' on Bill Cosby's story about learning to print. He would take his telephone pole size pencil, then begin. "Aaaaaaaaaaaa, may I have another piece of paper please."

A friend mentioned to me that at least it saves everyone the cost of going to the optometrist by giving them a handy dandy in home eye chart.

Kebo Mountain Film Festival

2011-02-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

Attending the recent Banff Mountain Film Festival gave me a new perspective on what rich crunchy granolas do with their time. Go to film festivals. There were more rich crunchy granolas, wannabes, and plain crunchy granolas in one spot at one time than I have ever seen. I broke out in hives.

Oh well, so what do they watch you may ask? They watch mostly long and boring advertisements for something. One particularly interesting film, 55 minutes, chronicled two young men's "kayaking" across some sea. Had it been a kayak and not some indestructible "thing" that bore no resemblance to a kayak...hey it could have been great. The biggest problems faced by the duo were getting caught in a very slow moving whirlpool that left them going in circles for eleven days and having their kayak "bumped" by...egad of all things in the sea...a shark.

Watching this film made me recall a true adventure, before the time of Kebo. My brother, along with my expertise minimal help, constructed a canoe out of apple crates. Over the apple crates were placed sheets of fiberglass, and over that some sort of goop that made it stick to the wooden crates.

Upon completion of this worthy vessel we determined to take it out, on its maiden cruise, down the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River...at flood stage. Ha. Now there was an adventure. I only wish video cameras had been around then, and not just 8 mm movie cameras. I am not sure why, because we probably would not have taken one anyway, but heck who knows?

The details of the trip are, well lets say sketchy...about all I recall is getting high centered on a huge bolder in the middle of the raging river, no life jackets, and some poor kid falling into Prichard Creek and being swept into the North Fork. Lucky for him, seriously, we happened to be careening through the area at just that moment and plucked him out of the river and into the canoe...Ah, now that was an adventure.

So, in the Kebo tradition, I am proud to announce the First Annual Kebo Mountain Film Festival. Entries must be about outdoor adventures and be of actual and real events. The festival will be held in Calder, at a suitable location (e.g. bar) the films projected onto the side of a suitable building (e.g. bar) and the dates will be sometime in August...tba (to be announced) The winner will receive a huge, okay small, hand engraved (scratched with a rock)trophy...or something of similar value...Oh, and a beer on the house.

Gene Gene the Dancing Machine Dance Lessons!!!

2007-01-22T19:10:00.001-08:00