About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone


Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
Great idea, posting Lugnut's picture. We follow Pat's story on a daily basis, and while many AG'ers have had the pleasure of meeting Pat, most of us have not, so its really nice to be able to place a face with the person.

Also, what a great picture!
Go Pat!
The funny thing about that picture is that's the same hat he wore the whole time we were in Dallas!
Post removed 
Nrchy, the reason Pat wore that hat in Dallas was because I was the one driving.
Boy, that smile has mischief written all over it!

What kind of mid-air madness had Pat just accomplished? Been pulling aerial banners saying "Flip Flop Kerry"? Just drop fertilizer on your local "mary" field? Do a fly by and buzz your local Ida-ho brothel?

The only thing missing are his aerial victory markings on the side. Don't mess with the Bearded Baron!

Hey Pat, WOW, what a great photo!

I really liked reading Wbdillon,s post. What a great friend, and for you guys to have been together for so long, that is something to really cherish.

Just wanted to let you know my Sunday school class (all men's class) we are praying for you, Barb and Amanda.

(Man, I am just staring at my comp) because I feel saddened about the recent developments, your chemo and all, and its difficult to express myself, please keep us informed about your condition and keep your post long rants they are the best ones.

and by the way

"You look marvelous"

I'm glad you guys like that picture. I do too. It was taken the Sunday after Father's Day by my daughter Amanda. She and Barb had purchased a flight for me in the old Warbird. At the moment that photo was taken I was smiling at my grandson Scott who was being held by Barb. I hope the little guy has a small memory of that day and how much grandpa enjoyed the experience. I'm telling you guys, I could steal one of those old planes and fly it, no sweat. Thanks for posting it Joe.

I find myself staring at this monitor way too much without the ability to say anything to you guys. Speechless isn't a normal Lugnut condition. Fear isn't a usual part of my makeup either but I now fear the words I might write. I hesitate to say I'm getting a little better or a little worse. That part of living is very much like a yoyo. Up and down, over and over. I do feel better than a couple of weeks ago and can eat a real meal now. I consume a lot more fluids than before too. The unreal fatigue that goes along with this chemo hit me like a ton of bricks on Sunday afternoon. At this writing (Tuesday 7 a.m.) it seems to be lessening quite a bit. I'm hoping that I'll feel up to getting out of the house this afternoon with Barb. We both deserve a break from the confines of this house.

Tomorrow is my next scheduled doctor's appointment with chemo usually following. I've asked to postpone the chemo until Friday since Mick and Steve will be here on Thursday afternoon. That would work much better for our visit and I'd venture a guess that's what will happen. I can at least get the blood work and the doc visit out of the way so that Friday will be only a couple of hours for the infusion. I'll be really pissed if I can't have it my way.

For the sake of honesty I've decided to share with you what Jphii and I are doing. This is Lugnut at his best, IMO. Friday last Barb and I went to the crematorium to make my final arrangements. Everything is subject to change at Barb's desire but here are my plans. There will be no death notice. There will be no services in the traditional sense. I wish to leave this world in the same fashion I came into it, sans clothes. I'd feel best if one of my local friends were to witness my cremation. I'm not sure who to ask and even if it is appropriate to do so. I'm reaffirming here what I've expressed to a few, and that is I DO NOT wish to be baptized after death by the LDS Church. My belief system is based solely on the Holy Bible and have rejected Mormon beliefs while living and expect my wishes to be honored by them in my death. (Sorry about posting this but it is important to me) Anyway, Joe is making an urn for my ashes. The finished design isn't complete but let's just call it a rectangular box, about 3-4" deep. On the front there will be a recessed circle containing a vinly disk covered with gold leaf. The album label will have my name with appropriate dates and perhaps a song list of my top five picks. The photo Joe posted will be displayed below the record. So, old Lugnut's going to have his own Gold Record. I'll then reside in the music room as long as it exists.

This coming Saturday is the day previously scheduled to go fishing with Bill and Tom. I simply cannot do it but hope that Tom and Bill go together. I promise the fish will be biting just knowing that I should have been there. One of my favorite spots on the river is an eddy aptly named Osprey Hole because of the nesting raptor's that raise their young nearby each year. The river hits a rock face cliff, makes a hard right as a result but creates an incredible eddy about forty yards long at the cliff. A skilled oarsman can enter the eddy and with some effort hold the boat inside of it allowing the caster to fish to visible trout on the rise. I've caught some enormous fish there and just know that one is waiting to be caught in my honor Saturday. A big fish will work to escape the eddy if hooked and only a very skilled oarsman can get the boat out of there quick enough without capsizing to chase it downstream. That, audiophiles, is living exceptionally large. It is some of the best times you could possibly have. Maybe Mick, Steve and I could travel up there later in the day and share a campfire with Bill and Tom. That would be a hoot.

After writing about fishing I've been sitting here looking at this computer screen remembering how fortunate I've been to live where I do. Idaho is a national treasure that nobody seems to know about. Two thirds of it is public lands. Fish, wildlife, scenery to die for, historic places and unique people make up what I call home. I've said it before but feel compelled to say it again, Idaho is the most live and let live place I've ever been. It's beauty and charm will remain but it's changing so fast as to make my head swim. Where I live is growing at a pace that is truly frightening. Just like L.A., we have already peopled this valley beyond it's ability to sustain the masses with water. We've paved paradise and made it a parking lot.

Go Lance!
Great post, Pat. Good luck tomorrow with the doc. Can't tell about the paving part, but the description of the fishing hole, etc. sure sounds like paradise. Maybe Idaho has gotten a bad rap as home of skin-heads; I know it was never on my top 10 list until now, even tho my Mom and Dad lived in Cour d'Alane for short wille about 60 years ago.

Go Lance, indeed!!
.
Good luck tomorrow Pat. It is nice to hear that there are some up days happening. Do let us know how it all goes.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.
always wondered what you looked like!You sure look happy in that plane,thanks for sharing the photo!Go LANCE!!!
Hi guys,

Since you all liked the picture of Patrick, I thought I would move the ones I posted before to this page.

The first one is Barb and Pat

The second one is Pat with two mystery guests!

Some of you know who the other two are, I'm going to make the rest guess!

Joe
Steve I recognize, but the other guy, didn't he used to make horror movies?!? : )
Hey Pat,

I've been following this post since its inception. At times I feel guilty for being so encapsulated, like a passerby who stops to look at a car wreck. I don't know how you summon the strength to write about your life at this juncture with such grace and eloquence. I think you are more heroic than Lance as he carries on with cancer behind him. I admire you Pat. Though we've never met, I consider you a friend. Many of us have forgotten what it is to be human. Thanks for reminding us all.
Lugnut

Time to pull on that Springbok jersey again.We had an excellent victory over Australia ,yesterday.

Chris
Just a short note until things quiet down here in a few days. I have house guests and am thoroughly enjoying myself in spite of my limitations. A lot of locals are coming by today so this place is going to be a zoo. My sis will be here mid week too. My preamp has developed issues and this is driving me crazy. I don't have the time or the vitality to deal with it and hate leaving it for Barb to deal with. I'm very angry with Mick not having a US repair facility considering how many customers there are in the US. I'm pretty sure he's concerned about disclosing schematics to anyone but he should be smart enough to realize that these things are easy enough to reverse engineer by anyone determined to steal his secrets. As good as the Syrah can be mine is a real pain in the ass which I wish I'd never heard. Sorry to vent. At least that shows you I'm still alive. LOL.

Yeah, Jsonic I've been concerned about folks feeling like they are watching an impending train wreck. It's okay. I don't want any guilt here, just some little positive aspect to become a permanent part of you.

I'll write more later. Remember, I love your thoughts!!
We're not watching an impending train wreck -that's sudden, catastrophic, uncontrolled mayhem. If you have a mechanical simile, I think it is the USS Missouri - icon of the US Navy - retired and re-vamped, re-armed, re-painted and now part of US History at Pearl Harbour. Fought 3 wars - WW II, Korea, Gulf War and never gave up. Kept re-surfacing..... so now part of our lore. No, Pat, you're not a trainwreck.
Patrick-

Good "hearing" your posts. Perhaps Mr. Armstrong nailing down #7 will brighten your day a bit :)
Pat, FWIW, Mick mentioned to me a couple of months ago that he had made arrangments for US repairs. Drop him an email. Hope your weekend turned out great. We had just the perfect summer New England weekend. 85 degrees, low humidity, gentle breeze, brilliant sunshine.

And as for Lance, not only did he win #7, but he smoked 'em. Steady, unrelenting pressure, took the lead as usual in the mountains and then finished 'em off in the time trial. Quite a feat. He's been at the top so long, its sometimes hard to believe that he is only 33. Superman, for sure.
Good morning everyone. Went to the doc yesterday and surprise!!! I get a week away from chemo. That's really great news to me on several levels. The biggest being that maybe I can shake off the fatigue a little bit. I am feeling better in regard to eating and processing of food and that's a very good sign. I don't want to overstate this however. I've lost more weight. I continue to have fluid buildup in my abdomen which is telling, in that it means I still have tumors irritating something. All in all I'm pleased with how things are going considering I didn't think I'd be this well off a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words.

J.D., No I'm not interested in the AI. The Syrah works well enough and besides my cartridge is low enough output (.24 mv) that it wouldn't work without a step up tranny anyway. The insane part about the Syrah is that the problem is very intermittant. The good news is the CDP Alex sent sounds very good if fed a nice recording. I'm slowly acquiring a nice selection of digital music for those times I just want to relax. So much good music is available only on CD. I can now say I've rejoined the ranks of perfect sound forever. LOL. My daughter Amanda helped me shift some vinyl around in the shelving while we listened to The Waterboys and Greg Brown. We both enjoyed these disks a lot.

Okay, Neil Young fans!! Bill Dillon brought over a copy of the new Greatest Hits double LP set as a gift. To die for. The original master tapes were used and Neil himself was involved in the final mastering. IMO, this is worthy of buying even if you already have it all on other records. The instruments and vocals are more fleshed out than on the originals and rivals the sound quality of my Natilus Harvest. I'm not in total agreement that this is the definitive greatest hits though. Missing in action is Cortez The Killer which I think is his best work. Like A Hurricane has equally moving guitar work but the singing isn't on a par with Cortez, IMO. Hey Hey, My My (Out Of The Black) is another included probably for the guitar work, and one I would have not included. Otherwise I'm in total agreement with the remaining playlist. This LP would also be a great primer for those wanting to become familiar with Young without buying a lot of different LP's. I was somewhat concerned about the flow from one song to another but this wasn't an issue at all upon first listen. This is a limited production run like all of his vinyl released since 1990. Buying it is also a good investment. If you simply check the prices of Silver And Gold, Harvest Moon and what other later vinyl issues are going for you'll see what I mean.

I agree that Lance winning #7 is pretty incredible. No doubt about his dominance of the sport. (Did I hear a collective sigh of relief from all the European riders? He he.) I'm very curious about his comments regarding entering the political arena. Hmmm. I hope he keeps in mind that if that pack wants to get you, it will. Still, I wish him good luck.

My sister, Mary, will be here tomorrow evening. Hopefully we'll be able to really enjoy our time together. If nothing else we'll rediscover some aged vinyl with a few new vintages thrown in for good measure. I'd like to take her out to Ron's place near the Snake River. (you know, the porch that makes me want to listen to Our House) When Mick and Steve and I went out there I took my camera to get a porch view shot. Unfortunately, as navigator I got carried away shooting the bull and we ended up driving about forty miles out of our way and losing the light to get a good evening shot of the mountains. Maybe this time I'll pay more attention, get the shot and post it here so you guys know why I love it so much.

Thanks to Cello I installed my new (and cooked) tonearm cable last week with the help of Mick and Steve. After about 12 hours of play it seems to have settled down into what its meant to be. I'm very happy. The Airy 3 and the cable have taken my system to a level where the only improvements that could happen require replacing of major components. Not to boast. Really. Just the facts. I do think my system is maximized with the exception of some electrical which might happen in the near future. It really is time to just sit back and enjoy and that's a very good feeling.

Bluebull, the jersey was worn on Monday in celebration of our team victory. Denis, I'll keep resurfacing. Best to all.

Pat
Hi Pat,

So glad to hear you're getting a week's "vacation" from the chemo. Hope that gives you enough energy to have a really great visit with your sister.

I'm really glad to hear you say Neil Young is sounding the way you like him. It wasn't quite working for you when we spun him in Miami, but obviously something in your system or room makes a difference that counts. Enjoy!
Pat, after we talked I went to pick up that LP. Wouldn't you know it, it was sold! Guess I'll have to pilfer yours.
Pat, I'm glad you're in high spirits! Now you can enjoy your hobbies and have a nice time with your sister. Eat a big messy burger while you're thinking of us!
Doug,

If you would have mounted the cartridge right side up in Miami for Sleeps With Angels it would have sounded okay.
Pat,

I was confused and bitter. Larry promised me I'd be sleeping with angels. Instead I found myself drinking with orcs.
I wish there was a way to post how hard I was laughing reading the last two posts.
You seem to be in great spirits, Pat. Very glad to see that. Nothing like The Waterboys "This is the Sea" to give you some wings.
Pat, I'm glad to hear you are going to have a better than expected week and enjoy time with your sister. What "aged vinyl" does your sister like to listen to? I hope you do get those porch-view pictures at Ron's place and post them here.

All the best to you and don't bull too much and lose the light again. :~)

Lou
Hi Pat, we're just back from our trip and I'm catching up here. (Missed entirely too much of the Tour de Lance while we were away, and what little TV coverage we did manage to catch was mostly in French [which is Greek to me] since we were primarily in Quebec - not that I'm complaining!)

For some reason, the first time I attempted to open this thread the other day it failed to display or indicate the existence anything beyond page 9 - making things appear as if there had been no new activity or word from you since I last had a connection, around mid-month. That really bummed me out; am I relieved to discover it was only a glitch! Not to mention that you've been feeling decent enough to enjoy what you're able to do.

I don't ever go fishing these days. It had seemed an essential part of my being during my teens and twenties (spin-casting lures only), but I think you've inspired me to get out there again sometime soon, all by myself, just for the contemplative succor it provides amid this world of crapola. (Hold that last observation - I just looked up as I write this and see that hummingbirds have returned to the yard during our absence :-)

Oh, love the pix - but then, I already knew that you were (a la lingua jazzbo) a beautiful cat!

BTW, if the preamp ever needs to come out of the system for service, the PSFM (Perfect Sound Forever machine) does have the ability of connecting directly to an amp from the optional variable outputs, with a useful measure of integral attenuation control (digital, but who's counting while we're at it anyway?) available via the remote.

I read that Lance will soon embark on a cross-country bike ride with around 100 other cancer survivors, I believe starting sometime in late August in northern California and finishing up here in DC in about early October or so (better check me on the specifics). Maybe if it's not scheduled to pass too far away - and if you're feeling up to it and want to do so - you could possibly go and witness this somewhere along the route? In any case, we'll plan to get down to the finish and give some big cheers just for you.
Glad you are feeling better, Pat. One could actually feel the collective sigh of relief throughout Audiogon.... Enjoy your sister's visit.
Sota Cosmos should be here next week - apparently the motor alignment was so smashed in transport that there was no way, Kirk said, that I could have fixed it.........even with the help you so graciously offered.
Great news for a very deserving soul. I will continue my prayers for you, i still believe your going to beat this. I feel much to strongly your incredible journey has much more to experience. Keep giving yourself all the rest your body is asking for, you will be back!
Alex,

If Lance is starting in Northern California and going to D.C. then he just might come to Boise. There are several great bike races here and he'd be honored by we citizens if he did pass through. For sure, I'd get out to cheer at him.

The CDP may be a gift from heaven if I need to send the preamp off. I'd already considered the variable outputs.

And Alex, I'd really recommend you do go out and fish. About the only thing I can think of that I haven't done enough of is swimming. Now I wish I'd spent more time in the water. Simple things we enjoyed as kids are some of the best things we can do as adults. So much to do in a lifetime and never enough time.

Lou, Mary and I both are huge Neil Young fans so we always listen to his stuff when together. In the world of rock we both love the joint family tree that resulted from Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds. So many good groups and wonderful tunes came about as a result of those guys it still makes my head spin. You can imagine the vinyl I pull when we get on a roll. When my friends were here last week we pulled David Crosby's "If Only I Could Remember My Name". Man, I wish someone would find the master tapes and reissue this masterpiece to audiophile standards.

One thing for sure, of all the fine folks I've met personally here at Audiogon I think I'm most like Albert. I bothers me NOT if a record is less than audiophile grade IF the music moves me. I demand my system to allow me to enjoy the music I love. When Bill Dillon was over and we listened to NY's Greatest Hits he remarked how listening catapults us to a different time and place. My brother called recently and he remarked how much he doesn't like music videos because it ruins the connection the mind makes with where you were when you first heard a song. I agree with him 100%. It's too bad I'm not more like Albert. If I were I'd have about a zillion tubes to roll and my system would have a dead silent background too. But then I'd also tell many really bad jokes too. As if that's a bad thing.

Nate, I heard you laughing. And Doug, you know I love you but you need some rock 'n roll in your life while I need some more classical. Too bad we don't live closer so both could rub off of one another. Larry sent me some classical CD's I enjoy a lot.

FWIW, I can't figure this health stuff out at all. I felt like crap yesterday and today I feel really good. Go figure. I'm glad I'm feeling good today. One of my fellow club members is coming over this afternoon amd I'm betting he brings some vinyl that hasn't seen a stylus for years. And later we'll pick up Mary and probably go out to dinner. Barb and I haven't done that for quite some time and to think that was one of our weekly or bi-weekly dates. It would be nice for her to enjoy some small slice of the way things used to be with us. The poor woman might as well have the same thing wrong with her as I have. She's suffered right along with me and has remained cheerful in the process. Just for me. Bless her heart.

Denis, can't wait to get a report on your Sota. Please let us all know how it goes. Time to warm up some tubes and listen to The Waterboys again until my guest arrives. A good weekend to all.
Pat,

I play rock (and even some roll) alot when I'm driving. It keeps the energy and attention levels up. Classical is impossible to listen to in a car, or at least in my car. The dynamic range is too wide.

We recently acquired a (sealed!) copy of 'Trio', with Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmy Lou Harris (Warner Bros. W1-25491). Thanks to Swampwalker BTW for introducing us to it. Not rock and roll certainly, but also not classical. This is one amazing LP with three amazing singers. When Dolly sings "Wildflowers" the lyrics somehow bring Lugnut to mind:

The hills were alive with wildflowers
And I was as wild, even wilder than they.
For at least I could run, they just died in the sun
And I refused to just wither in place.

Just a wild mountain rose, needing freedom to grow
So I ran fearing not where I'd go
When a flower grows wild, it can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

And the flowers I knew in the fields where I grew
Were content to be lost in the crowd
They were common and close, I had no room for growth
I wanted so much to branch out

I uprooted myself from home ground and left
Took my dreams and I took to the road
When a flower grows wild, it can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

I grew up fast and wild and I never felt right
In a garden so different from me
I just never belonged, I just longed to be gone
So the garden, one day, set me free

Hitched a ride with the wind and since he was my friend
I just let him decide where we'd go
When a flower grows wild, it can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

Dammit. Now I'm gonna cry every time she sings that.

I will laugh though, whenever I put that record away. I own no other LPs with paperdoll cutouts of three skimpily clad ladies printed on the inner sleeve. There are even little garment cutouts to fit them. This is not a thing I ever expected to find in my music collection.
Doug, as long as you don't try to wear those little outfits yourself, you might be okay...
Pat (quoting you)

One thing for sure, of all the fine folks I've met personally here at Audiogon I think I'm most like Albert. I bothers me NOT if a record is less than audiophile grade IF the music moves me. I demand my system to allow me to enjoy the music I love. When Bill Dillon was over and we listened to NY's Greatest Hits he remarked how listening catapults us to a different time and place. My brother called recently and he remarked how much he doesn't like music videos because it ruins the connection the mind makes with where you were when you first heard a song. I agree with him 100%. It's too bad I'm not more like Albert. If I were I'd have about a zillion tubes to roll and my system would have a dead silent background too. But then I'd also tell many really bad jokes too. As if that's a bad

That's one of the biggest compliments ever. Being compared to Lugnut and his love of music and praise of my system at the same time.

I wish I had the money to fly you back to Dallas to listen again, I have the new CSN&Y 45 RPM's and the new Neil Young releases from Classic Records. They are absolutely stunning !

Last week we played them all the way through and no one said a word. Wish you were here.
Pat,

It is great news to hear you are feeling a bit better here and there. I am also bummed to hear some days are not the best. Please do give your body the rest it needs and hopefully the not so great days will continue to be followed with days in which you feel better. Keep that attitude up. We on our end will be keeping the prayers for you up. Enjoy your weekend with family!
Patrick

Better wear that Springbok jersey again....its HOT at the moment !! We beat Australia again today,in the first game of the Tri-Nations....

Chris

OK, come to find I had some (alright, many) of the details wrong about the cross-country bike ride for cancer research I alluded to above - like the starting date and location (and therefore the implied probable route), and who will be riding (including the extent of Lance participation in the actual tour :-) But in my defense...well, I probably shoulda researched this *before* opening my yap, but better late than later, so here's a link to the Tour Of Hope where everybody can find out more!
Hi Pat,

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better. Your project is moving, but slowly. Work has gotten a little in the way, but I hope to finish next week. I'll be out of town for several days over the weekend and will email you when I get back.

Keep the faith,

Joe
Was it just me, or did I hear Lance leaving the door slightly ajar tonight on OLN when he was asked at the start of his interview whether he was really permanently retired now? I believe his exact words were that "it would take a miracle" he didn't forsee for him to ever get back on the bike. Hmmm...not quite a flat denial - especially in his case.
Hi EVERYONE,

I'm up early today so thought I'd take the time to fill you in on what's been happening. Mary's visit was very pleasant. I probably bored her a lot since we only left the house one time while she was here. We did listen to some music but again not like times previously. Humorous story here too. Since I've had trouble finding things I can drink and tolerate the flavor of my wife recently picked up some bottled, caffine free "RX" brand "Stress" type tea. It's really tasty and not too sweet. Well, Mary and I both drank it while she was here and we both napped a lot. LOL. After reading what types of tea are used, they all are meant to relax you and put you to sleep. We went out to Ron's place (the one with the Owyhee Mountain Range view) and both napped there too. Ron was nearing completion on his music room he built in the second story of his barn. Nice room but long enough to create some acoustic problems. We also set up his system, at least temporarily, and fired it up. The BIX turntable has some speed stability issues we'll have to look into. GROAN. The poor guy is charting territory with every piece of gear he owns and I can't download from my head to his all the crap I know. And, what I know is rarely enough. As most of you understand, even reasonable hi rez playback is difficult to get right and requires a lot of research. Ron's a quick study and his room/system doesn't require a lot of tweaking but the problem is how busy he is with the rest of his life. He has a business to run which is located where major road construction is starting. Groaning for him as I write. He's getting his Nampa home ready to sell and has been busy moving into his new to him home near the Snake River. Of course, building the music room was a huge undertaking in the middle of this. His dad is moving soon and guess who will be doing all the work? The dad has more stuff than you can imagine. Moving from one farm to another and being an auctioneer like Ron his collection of cool, unusual stuff is too vast to describe. They are partners in a seed business selling high quality alfalfa seed for planting which requires them to bag the tonage of seed into 100# bags, selling and delivering it too. Like I mentioned, he is also an auctioneer which takes up several days per month. He also finds time to give a helping hand to "select" inmates paroled from our penal system. His criteria for helping them is pretty high. All of the ones he helps are non-violent offenders with no family support. He finds them a place to live, buys them a vehicle and insurance and either employs them or finds work for them. Some of them get returned to incarceration, usually for failing a pee test, or drinking if that's prohibited too. Watching the successes and failures of these guys has shown me that many are redeemable. I guess I don't see how they could have done it without his help. He's no bleeding heart just like myself but feels strongly that giving an ex-con $40 and saying, "go out and join society" is a recipe for disaster. His commitment is personal, costly and done without any fanfare. He is part of the solution, a lesson that most of us could learn a great from if only we were lucky enough to see it first hand like myself. Each of us has the power to change lives without screaming for the government to do it for us. Just like this thread has done for me but on an entirely different level.

My health is okay, I guess. Long periods of inactivity may be as much to blame for my fatigue as the drugs, and or the cancer. I had a week off from chemo and felt better for the break. I begun another round yesterday and that's why I'm so chatty today. Another round of steroids providing me with a boost of energy for a couple of days. That's good but the potential to blurt out something aggressive is always there and I must constantly fight that tendency. Most of my friends understand and laugh at me (or simply remind me if I don't apologize first) for it. LOL. Here's a good one. I can't remember who the passenger was in my car but about a month ago I was driving to Ron's store. On the way I pulled up to a very long red light at a five way intersection. Some poor young dude, with a horrible taste in music and the technology to make him go deaf at an early age, pulled up along side me with his windows down. I took the audio assault for about a half nano-second and screamed over to him to turn the f*&#@r down. I guess my look must have shown him I was serious because he did turn it WAAAAY down. Lucky I didn't get shot in the face. You gotta admit though that somebody NEEDS to say something like this and maybe I'm the perfect person, being kind of expendable as I am. LOL.

Barb is kidnapping me this afternoon. I know she has gotten us a really nice high roller room in a downtown Boise hotel for the night. She and I haven't spent a lot of time together alone without interuption lately. Sunday is my birthday and this is kind of a celebration of sorts. It looks like I'll reach the double nickel (my high school football jersery number) unless I get run over by a city bus in Boise or smart off to someone packing a pistol. I'll probably spend a few hours at the local record store which is only a few blocks from where we're staying. We'll just let the evening and tomorrow morning unfold.

Doug, if those lyrics remind you of me I don't want the tears to last long. Hopefully they will bring a smile to your face. And Nate, trust me, Doug won't be wearing a tutu any time soon.

Albert, sometimes the truth makes the recipient feel good. I meant every word. Who knows, maybe I can return to Dallas. I can do it on my own nickel too. Selling the Nova has given me the ability to do that. Maybe we can convince Gumby to come too and I know Nate is chomping at the bit to have a reunion. If I'm lucky I'll see you at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I wish I could make plans right now but don't feel that's the right thing to do. This situation is just so uncertain. You may want to consider getting the 45 rpm version of David Crosby's "If Only I Could Remember My Name" lp. I'd get it myself but decided to get a new 33 1/3 since changing speeds on my table is a pain in the ass. More world class druggies on this recording than you can shake a stick at and good stuff too.

Bluebull, sorry but it's been over a 100° here for awhile. I'm into T shirts, comfortable pants and sandals until we get some relief. Whenever it cools a bit I'll be rotating that jersey into my regular rotation of attire. People ask about it and I have several lies I tell them. Geez, people are so gullible if you can say it with a straight face.

Zaikes, I simply cannot understand those guys taking the southern route except that they will be hitting higher population centers for most of the trip. A northern route would be such a better ride for them on so many levels. Not to mention that we folks that live in the boondocks rarely get treated to anything resembling this. Still, I'll follow it, continue to wear my Live Strong braclet and hope that Lance stays out of the cesspool of politics. I'm hoping that he will enter some of the other races here in the states since he's proven what he set out to do in France. Alex, I again thank you for the CDP. I'm getting more enjoyment out of it than I thought I would. Luckily I picked up a matching stand for it and the tuner so I can integrate it pretty well in the room aesthetically. The Syrah line stage does it justice.

Joe, thanks for the update on our project. I'll forward you a photo of the finished piece for you insert here at the appropriate time. You too are a very nice guy.

If you guys were looking for me to bitch about things I want you to know that I could if I wanted to. Nothing huge, nothing new. No point in going over these things again. Life is too short to waste on repeating things.

I hope you guys have read all of this. Thinking now that since I mentioned that the 7th is my birthday....greetings and congrats are welcome but please don't send me any gifts. Everyone has been so kind already.

One thing you guys might get a kick out of. Since surgery in early January I've changed a lot physically. Weighing in a about 50 less than my fighting weight, aging and graying too. None of the chemo blasted all the hair away but drastically thinned things out, especially in my mustache and goatee. The eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hair disappeared. Most of this is coming back now but at a snails pace. Funny thing is, my head hair is so wavy now it's almost curley. Amazing new look for old Lugnut. Barb loves it but I dunno how I feel. It's kind of a cross between Art Garfunkel and Clint Eastwood. Too bad it's not as long as before all this started. Maybe my ponytail would have been more than pencil thick. LOL.

Have a good one guys.

Pat
he did turn it WAAAAY down. Lucky I didn't get shot in the face

Hah ! Bet the other guy felt the same way !

I'm glad you showed how you felt. It is not compassionate to blast your car system (and not compassionate either to build systems for sale that will do the blasting). I went up on our local mountain to watch the sunrise a few weeks ago and some kids turned the hip-hop up to blast. It was speak up or leave and I left.
Art Garfunkel and Clint Eastwood!?! Lugnut you cut a dashing figure!

I hope you and Barb have a great time. Happy Birthday.

Yes, I'm up for a reunion. I talked to Albert and Steve about it. Maybe in Denver?!?!
Pat,

I just logged on to see if you had posted today, and I'm happy to see you seem to be in high spirits. Have a great time in Boise, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Joe
Hi Pat,

Thanks for the latest. Of course we all cheered this one:

Some poor young dude, with a horrible taste in music and the technology to make him go deaf at an early age, pulled up along side me with his windows down. I took the audio assault for about a half nano-second and screamed over to him to turn the f*&#@r down.

I can just imagine how you'd look to a stranger if you let a little Irish show for a second. You probably scared the p1$$ right out of him. Were you wearing the Snoopy hat and goggles too? That would have been worth filming!

Doug, if those lyrics remind you of me I don't want the tears to last long. Hopefully they will bring a smile to your face. And Nate, trust me, Doug won't be wearing a tutu any time soon.

Not to worry, on either account. :-)
Happy Birthday, Pat. And FWIW, I've been looking for an excuse to go to Denver. My brother and sister in law live there, so I've got a place to stay and my wife would have something to do. Hope you continue to feel well.
Lugnut

Sprinboks defeated the New Zealand All Blacks yesterday.This was a great victory since the current All Black team is a class act.The Springbok jersey shure is hot at the moment.....
Remember,that jersey means a lot to many people here at the southern point of Africa.A lot of passion , emotion and history involved .
I hope you can get the same positive energy from that jersey ....

Chris

Pat,
Go to: rugby365.com, look under "Features" at "A True Springbok Supporter" and watch the video. Not only do I guarantee that it will make you smile, but there is also a message in it for you. You will understand when you've seen it. Go do it now..........
Hope your weekend was good.