Father's Birthday Gift

If you have met my father you will appreciate this more. Let's just say that he is a complicated man to buy a oresent for because he never wants anything (that is until the day before his birthday). So this year to counter-act this habit I found him something in advance. My father routinely feeds the bird in the backyard and maintains a garden; both of which routinely fall victim of small woodland animals. In recent years he has brought my brothers' paintball gun out of retirement to try and spook them, but the accuracy is not at all up to par. The old BB gun would have been the best option but it had rusted out after years of sitting in the garage.

This year I chose to upgrade to a high-powered pump BB gun with a scope on it. Yes, my father just turned 12 and I trust him enough to maintain his own weapon. This is WV so handguns can't be issued until you are 13.
Happy 12th Birthday Padre.

I AM WALKING AGAIN (VIDEO)

After 9 weeks of hobbling around on crutches after colliding with a tree out in Colorado I am now back in (limited) action. I have gained my Docs approval to start walking around and using my leg.

One more round of X-rays (Time number 5)

Waiting for some good news

Waiting can also be educational...

The spur coming up from the lower bone is what re-attached to my leg and is now hopefully connected to the bone and a healthy ACL.

This is my cheesy inspirational video.

Memorial Day at the Dixon's Farm

For the weekend Me and Bob headed up to the Dixon's farm for a little camping... (Apparently I go camping a lot). This is the campsite.

We even brought Hector along to enjoy.

Before going fishing I secured some line to my new-fangled-fishing-pole (AKA my guitar)

I think I was play Tangerine by Led Zepplin when this monster attacked.

Bob caught a fish as well... he has been lonely lately.

It is fun watching a one armed man trying to eat really tough steak

Hector was constantly the center of attention. Bob even used him to meet some ladies.

Then we gimps got our mothers to play a little bit of horshoes with us.



Team Collins 1 - Team Shaw 0



When it was time to pass out I recalled my victory.

The next morning we had breakfast. The Dixons had a special canopied one.

These Dixons just relaxed

I then followed suite.

Well it looks like it might be another day or two until I go camping again. All-in-all a good weekend and with any luck by next weekend I will be walking on both legs.

Speedy Clip from the Dixon's Farm

I spent Memorial Day weekend out on the Dixon's farm. I even caught some fish with my guitar.

Pre Memorial Day Cookout

To start off Memorial Day Weekend we went to the Umberger's for a little cook-out and some pool. Russel and his lady took on Team Gimp.

Bob Rocked it.

Team Gimp 4 games ... Russel Athletic 0

Then they built a crazy bonfire that nearly set some trees on fire

I couldn't hold my camera straight and it appears that they set some people on fire.

Bob was amazed.

Adios Beard

The other day I looked at a tree for a little while and it fell over. That is when I knew that the spirit of the lumberjack inhabited my beard. It is also when I realized that it was extremely itchy, so today I traded in my super tree powers and Grizzly appearance for a razor.


Side-view


It is fun to look homeless, but less fun to be homeless.

The razor strikes

And I got a haircut.

The pics were taken within 2 hours of each other. Beard you will be missed.

Bob Sleeps and Talks...

So Bob crashed in the recliner last night and I started watching a movie... I was just fading off when he started in on this speech of sorts. Apparently the Jennifer Lopez South Park Episode about "Taco Flavored Kisses" was on his mind amongst other things.

Hiking

In my attempts to get back into shape so I can start on my travels I went over to Bob's house and hiked the trails behind his house... (deep reflection moment coming up)

Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I-I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Then I remembered that Hector was with us so we just followed wherever he went.


Sometimes he decided that we were going the wrong way and turned around.

Bob quickly remedied that by kicking his ball over the hill.

(Notice the artsy black-and-white)

I think the B+W makes me look even more pathetic...

So I got in a decent workuot yesterday and today I spent time at the gym rehabbing the leg so that makes two days in a row of activity. I need a life.

Bonnaroo Dreams

So before I set off on my international adventure I am looking at spending some time taking in some music, sun, and relaxation down at Bonnaroo. With any luck I should be up and walking by then and I am hoping that this can be my first test for my leg.


Here is the lineup for the concert. I am looking for a few people to go with so if you are up for it just let me know. I have a huge tent so it should be about 4 nights of camping with great music.

50% Walking

So I went to the Doc today for my appointment and got X-ray set number 4.

I am refusing to chop the beard until I can walk... or until it bugs me beyond belief (which it is doing)

This is the video of the doc giving me the news and the rest of my day

I did get a cheap membership to another gym in town to use the in-pool treadmill. Hopefully I will have it to myself like I did today (I ripped this pic off their website)

All in all a pretty good day, should be walking in 2 weeks or so (if I am lucky)

To the Fort!

Some of the guys from camping decided to meet up a the Fort here in the burg for a few beers. I am not a big fan but every now and then watching someone try and karaoke a hip-hop song with a southern accent is amusing.


There was a special on Moosehead beer.

It wasn't as special as the one this guy had, but ours tasted pretty bad

Here is a few shots of the pool table.

Such exciting action


Eventually it got crowded and this guy departed because I have a Doc appt in the morning so I didn't want to get trampled and find out that I can't put wait on it tomorrow. I want to walk again.

Camping (outside the back yard)

So the other night I went camping with some friends... like 15 people or so. We got there while it was still daylight so I helped Bob set up his tent.

Here are some shots from around the campfire

Tyler Dean muggin for the camera

There was even "a" girl there. If you look closely you can see a can of Schlitz in the picture as well... high rollin.

To start the night properly Josh decided that it was his time to show his appreciation for Michigan. (If you don't know WVU sports you just don't understand). If you want to search Google for "Coach" "WVU" "Michigan". It is a start

Watch it burn.

Looks evil because it is...

After the demonstration Josh was OK, but I think Mr. Myers was suspect of him.

Bob and Aaron were happy as well.

To end the night we wrapped Mr. Myers in a large piece of aluminum foil and put him in the fire so he could keep warm during the night.

This guy opted for the nicer/dryer car sleeping. I just put up the tent to show that I could do it.