http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Doug4422&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Doug4422 en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:15:29 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/28952834/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/28952834/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:37:18 PST You are your own worst critic," and to be honest, I think it's true.

Take for example myself. Whenever I get an idea for a story in my head, I will continually critique it over, and over again, until I feel that it's presentable to the world. Some would call it obsession, I call it presenting a quality story, something I have noticed, on several of the fanfic sites on the net, seems to be sorely lacking. With the exception of a few dynamite writers out there, there is not enough quality fics in any genere, and to be honest, it doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. Folks, please, just because you have a computer, and a word processor program, doesn't mean you can pump out quality fanfics with little effort into them, writing a quality story takes a lot of time, effort, and a ton of work. Several of the stories I have written over the last four years have taken up tons of my time, for example, there is one story I have written, and posted, that took me two years of work, from conception, to final product. The story underwent several changes, and rewrites, until it became the finished product you can find on fanfiction.net today, something that I think needs a lot of work on the newer generation of writers cropping up on the fansites. I'm not knocking anyone for the work they put up, but please, try to put a little more of your own ideas into them, your stories will come out better if you use an idea in your head, and look it over carefully before you decide to start up your processor, and start typing, all you have to do is to simply look it over in your head, again, and again, until you have a polished, quality story you can post with pride. There are ideas that a person can get that just doesn't mesh with the characters you have in mind for the story, when that happens, simply think of a setting it will work in, instead of forcing the idea to fit, that doesn't work, and you can turn off a lot of readers, and readers are your main fanbase as a writer, the better your work, the more you will get noticed, it's as simple as that. Most pepole out there also have no regard for what's come before, and I have noticed a few writers out there that have a bad tendancy of ripping off the works of others. That's not only bad, but it can get you into a ton of trouble, and even banned from some sites. I can't stress this enough, but . . . USE YOUR OWN IDEAS!! I know this sounds cilche, but, what you do will eventually find it's way back to you, you just have to be patient, and keep working at it, and it will come around.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/24334028/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/24334028/ Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:58:20 PDT was killed some time ago while riding his bicycle.

This news hits particularly home for me, as he was a very close friend of mine, and , both of us would talk to him on a regular basis about upcoming works he was doodling, how certain pics he created caught our eye, and about life in general, the man was a true wealth of knowledge.

Even though I heard of this only today, I had a strange feeling about it for a long time now, as he had not posted in a long time, but it's not my place to bug people about posting anything, because it's been a long time for me as well.

This is indeed a sad day for us all, and I believe that the deviantart website should find a way to honor him, as he brought us so many good works.

To a good friend, here's hoping that we will meet again on the other side.

RIP Commander Argus

Until the day comes that we meet again, I wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas, SALUTE!!

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/23976522/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/23976522/ Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:51:37 PDT
During the late 1990's, he worked as a bouncer in a Toronto bar, where he met Wrestling legend, Bret "Hit Man" Hart, this led to his being trained by Hart, and Wrestling trainer Leo Burke, he first appeared under the ring name of "Martin Kane", and later, took the name of "T.J. Thunder," he was trained a little more extensively by Wrestling legend Dory Funk Jr. and began wrestling under the name "Test" shortly afterward.

In July 2004, he was released by WWE after having spinal fusion surgery to repair an injured neck, even though he was told his job was secure. He returned to the ring in May of 2006, and formed a tag team with Scott Steiner, which lasted only a few months.

He had his name legally changed to add Test to it in May 2006.

Since December of 2000, his on, and off screen girlfriend has been Stacy Kiebler.

According to an email received by a friend March 10, 2009, he had just returned from a trip to Japan.

He was found in his Tampa home by friends, the exact cause of death is still undetermined, and Tampa Police believe no foul play was involved.

On April 9th, Tampa Police stated his death was the result of an accidental overdose of Oxycodone (a legal opiate, primarily used as a prescription pain reliever, the two main names it is found under are OxyCotin, and Percocet).

Once again, Andrew "Test" Martin, dead at the age of 33.

Rest in Peace,

Andrew "Test" Martin

1975-2009

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/23333326/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/23333326/ Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:20:36 PST
RULES:

1.) You must fill out EVERY question . . . NO SKIPPING!!

2.) Tag five peopel afterward.

3.) Leave a message on their page, telling them they've been tagged.

------------------------------------------------

ARE YOU:

1.) Perfect? Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, no one is truly perfect, so, I would have to say no to that one.

2.) Tall? If you consider 6'1" tall, then the answer is yes.

3.) In your pajamas? Nope. Too Early for that yet, besides, I don't sleep in P.J.'s.

4.) Left handed? Last time I checked, and my handwriting sucks.

LAST:

Friend you saw: That wouls have to be Eric, an old friend from High School that followed me into the Navy.

Talked on the phone: This morning, ot the Barracks Commander, telling him that I might be late for watch this morning.

Person to text you: I don't do texts.

Was today better than yesterday, or the same as any old day? Worse, as we had about 4 inches of snow fall on us overnight.

Favotries:

Number? 69, dude!

Color(s)? Black.

Fruit? Apples.

Place? Home.

Questions and Answers.

Q. What was the first thing you did when you got up this morning?

A. Took a shower, what would a normal person do first thing in the morning?

Q. Do you have anything bothering you?

A. Yeah . . . do I plan on sharing it? Hell no.

Q. What's the last movie you saw?

A. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Q. Where is the last place you went?

A. The room I'm in now, of course.

Q. Do you smile a lot?

A. Only if something's funny.

Q. Do you wish upon stars?

A. Nope, what good will it do?

Q. Are you a friendly person?

A. I try to be.

Q. Where did you sleep last night?

A. Where else? In my bedroom.

Q. When was the last time you cried?

A. About 3 years ago, at my Great Neice's funeral.

Q. What was your last thought before going to sleep last night?

A. "My God, I hope it doesn't snow." Did it work? Hell no.

Q. Rate life as it is right now, onw being worst, and ten being the best.

A. 6

Q. What do you hear right now?

A. My radio playing REO Speedwagon's Easy Money.

Q. Does anything hurt right now?

A. My back, from pushing cars out of ditches.

Q. What's your favorite month?

A. June. Why? No f&%$#@g snow on the ground, that's why.

Q. What did you do last night?

A. Worked until about 11:00 pm, came home, and went straight to bed.

EIGHT EMOTIONS:

Are you missing something right now? No.

Are you Happy? In between, really, feeling mellow.

Are you sad? No, why? Do you want me to be?

Are you nervous? I don't get nervous.

Are you tired? Too sore to be tired.

About you:

Real Name: Douglas Brown

Nicknames: Brownie, Brown Dawg

Eye color: Blue

Zodiac sign: Capricorn

Male, or female: With a name like Douglas, what do you think? Duh, Male.

Smart: No, I just like dressing up like a State Trooper, walking around, and acting just like Jeff Foxworthy describes rednecks, if I passed the Police Academy, I better have something in the upper story, besides cobwebs.

Hair color: Brownish blonde, with streaks of grey.

Tall, or short: Right where I need to be.

Sweats, or jeans: Jeans.

Phone, or camera: Phone.

Drink, or smoke: To quote John Wayne "I eat as much as ever, I drink more than I should, and my sexlife is none of your Goddamned business," I'm also a smoker.

Tattoos: Definitely not.

Righty, or lefty: Lefty.

Firsts:

First best friend: A man named Rick, no last name mentioned, we were best friends throughout most of our lives, we fell out of touch after I joined the Navy, and I haven't seen him since his mother died a few years back.

First crush: A young girl named Wendy, again, no last names mentioned.

First pet: A dog, specifically, a Siberian Husky.

First big vacation: California . . . and it was the largest headache I ever went through.

eating: Not right now . . . too late to raid the fridge, I'll be up all night if I did.

Drinking: Home brewed tea.

I am about to: Light a smoke, sit back, and flip this P.O.S. monitor the bird.

Listening to: REO S... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/22382987/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/22382987/ Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:27:14 PST
"I'm not scary, I'm just opinionated."

The quote is from Eagles Lead singer/Guitarist/Drummer Don Henley, and kind of sums up a ton of things, the main thing it sums up is yours truly. Some would say that I'm not the prettiest daisy in the flowerpot, and sometimes I would even agree with that assumption, I mean, I'll be 39 in about two and a half days, I'm losing my hair, and I'm not the most physically defined man in the world, but then again, who, outside of the bodybuilding world is blessed with the physique of Adonis? The one thing I do have going for me, is the fact that I have my own opinions, and I'm not afraid to voice them, whenever, and wherever I please . . . some would say that I tend to think dangerously with that, but I say it like this:

"Think what you want, and say what you want, no one will tell you if it's right, or wrong if you don't say anything."

I also say, to a lot of friends, and there are those even on this site that will back me up on this:

"If you keep your opinions to yourself, how do you plan to make a difference in your own life, let alone the world?"

Now, I could get up on my soapbox, and rant for hours about the crap in the world, and blame it all on everyone but me, but the truth of the matter is that the small stuff is nobody's fault but your own, it's the larger stuff that's out of your control that you can rant about, but let's be honest, who's listening?

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/22316899/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/22316899/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:28:02 PST WTF?!

But, you live, and learn, and hope that it makes you a little wiser for the wear, but I say GOODBYE, AND GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2008!! And pray that 2009 will at least have less headaches, and unexpected surprises . . . one can only hope.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/21887268/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/21887268/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:12:58 PST
Yost, and former Classics IV guitarist, J.R. Cobb founded the group in the mid 1960's, and came up with such hits as "Stormy," "Traces of Love," and the original version of the song "Spooky." The group performed together for a short time, approximately five years, before remnants of the group reformed, with some new faces, and became known as Atlanta Rhythm Section, it was at this time, that Yost kind of faded into the shadows, and became relatively forgotten, having several of the songs that gave him an identity in the music world taken from him.

Perhaps one of Yost's closest friends in the music world was former Sha-Na-Na vocalist, Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, who had this to say,

"He was a tremendous talent, who did an extraordinary amount of work for that group. Paradoxically, I came to know Dennis in the later years, when he was in a massive struggle to retain his own musical identity, which was one of the saddest, and most difficult cases of someone losing the name of their group, when they had pretty much been the group."

Yost had been living in nursing homes since a fall he sustained in 2005, he is survived by his wife, Linda Yost.


Rest in Peace Dennis Yost,
1943-2008.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/21461860/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/21461860/ Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:24:21 PST
1.) A first was made politically, when the major parties had an African-American, running for President, and a woman, running on the presidential ticket, for Vice President, both Sarah Palin, and Barack Obama would have made history, had either been elected to their respective offices, however, it was Obama that pulled out the upset against John McCain, winning the election by an electorial landslide . . . in the popular vote, however, it was a very tight race.

2.) For only the second time in U.S. history, a sitting Senator was convicted for corruption while in office, Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens was charged, and found guilty of felony bribery, and while his seat within the Senate is still being debated by his Democratic opponent, the Senate has already put notification forward that he will not be accepted into the Senate, should he win reelection.

3.) We saw a record fall of the stock market to it's worst plunge since The Great Depression, falling nearly 3000 points within two months of trading.

4.) Massive home foreclosures, and high fuel prices lead to one of the worst recessions in well over 30 years.

5.) The massive fall of fuel prices late in the year did nothing to either ease, or bring back to life, the dying U.S. economy, which is at it's worst levels since The Great Depression.

6.) The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series, beating the Tampa Bay Rays in 6 games to give the Phillies their first World Series Championship in 18 years.

and 7.) We saw high levels of new homes, but record lows of home buyers, which lead to several lending institutions to either be forced to merge with competitors, or to declare bankrupcy, the greedy nature of Wall St. also led to several other institutions to fold, which caused the government to give Wall St. a $700 billion bailout package, which is still considered the most controversial move ever.

We also experienced some heartbreak, as we saw several icons in Hollywood, the music industry, the media, sports, and the writing world fall, the following is a short list of those icons we loved, and lost:

Paul Newman: Legendary Hollywood actor, won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as "Fast" Eddie Felson in "The Color of Money."

Charlton Heston: Legendary Hollywood actor, two time Best Actor Oscar winner for "The Ten Commandmants," and "Ben-Hur."

Eddie Arnold: Country music legend

George Carlin: legendary comedian, famous for the "Seven Dirty Words."

Jerry Reed: Country music legend, and actor "Smokey and the Bandit," and all of its sequels.

Harvey Korman: Legendary comedian, and one half of a stand up duo with Tim Conway, famous for his appearences on "The Carol Burnett Show."

Michael Crichton: Legendary literary giant, creator of such scientific thrillers as, "The Andromeda Strain," and "Jurassic Park."

Tim Russert: NBC Washington Bureau chief, and longtime host of "Meet the Press."

Bernie Mac: Legendary comedian, and actor "Oceans Eleven," and "The Bernie Mac Show."

Richard Widmark: Iconic Hollywood actor

Levi Stubbs: Founder, and lead singer of The Four Tops.

Heath Ledger: Actor, famous for his last role as The Joker in "Batman: The Dark Knight," and in the Oscar winning movie "Brokeback Mountain."

Roy Scheider: Legendary Hollywood actor, famous for playing Police Chief Brodie in "JAWS."

Estelle Getty: Hollywood legend, famous for playing Sophia in "The Golden Girls."

Suzanne Pleshette: Legendary Hollywood actress.

Jim McKay: Sports Announcer famous as the voice of ABC's Wide World of Sports

Bo Diddley: R&B singer, famous for his cigar box shaped guitar, and for his late 1980's Reebok commercials with Bo Jackson, in which he made famous the phrase: "Bo . . . you don't know Diddly!"

Sir Edmund Hillary: Adventurer, first person to climb to the top of Mt. Everest.

Isaac Hayes: Legendary R&B singer, famous for writing the "Theme From Shaft," and for providing the voice of Chef in the Comedy Central animated series "South Park."

Sydney Pollack: Legendary literary writer

Edie Adams: Legendar... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20766700/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20766700/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:42:24 PDT
Paul Newman: Academy Award winning actor "The Hustler," "The Color of Money," and "Cool Hand Luke." Lung Cancer.

Scott Kalitta: Drag racer, and two-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion. Racing accident.

Bobby Murcer: Former Professional Baseball player with the New York Yankees, the San Francisco Giants, and the Chicago Cubs. Brain Tumor.

Dith Pran: Photojournalist, and survivor of the Combodian Genocide, he was the subject of the Academy Award winning movie "The Killing Fields." Stroke.

Charlton Heston: Academy Award winning actor "Ben-Hur," and "The Ten Commandments," and former President of the National Rifle Association. Complications from Alzheimer's Disease.

Eddy Arnold: Country Music singer. Massive heart Attack

Harvey Korman: Actor, comedian, one half of a famous paring with Tim Conway, and a regular on The Carol Burnett Show. Massive Heart Attack

George Carlin: Actor, comedian, famous for his stand-up routines, and his skit "Seven Dirty Words." Heart Failure

Jerry Reed: Country music singer/songwriter, and actor, "Smokey and the Bandit," and all sequels, and his songs include the Grammy winning "When You're Hot, You're Hot." Complications of Emphyzema.

Tim Russert: Journalist, and host of "Meet the Press." Massive Heart Attack at the NBC news berueau in Washington DC.

Richard Widmark: Legendary iconic actor "Halls of Montezuma," "Judgement at Nuremburg," and "Murder on the Orient Express." Massive Heart Attack.

Bernie Mac: Comedian, actor, "Oceans Eleven," and "The Bernie Mac Show." Pneumonia.

Bo Diddley: Blues musician, and guitarist "I'm A Man," "Who Do You Love?," and "Pretty Thing." Heart Failure.

Heath Ledger: Actor "Brokeback Mountain." Suicide.

Roy Scheider: Actor "JAWS." Multiple Myleoma.

Estelle Getty: Actor "The Golden Girls." Natural Causes.

Suzanne Pleshette: Actress. Respratiory Failure.

Jim McKay: Sports Announcer, and the voice of "ABC's Wide World of Sports," and several brodcasts of the Olympics, and is perhaps most remembered for this broadcast during the 1972 Munich Olympics of the terrorist attack, adn the subsequent deaths of 11 Isreali athletes. Natural Causes.

Isaac Hayes: R&B singer/songwriter, and actor, remembered for "The Theme from Shaft," and as the voice of Chef on the Comedy Central animated series "South Park." Massive Stroke.

Jeff Healey: Canadian blues musician, and guitarist, blind since the age of one due to eye cancer, "Angel Eyes," and appeared as the singer, and band leader in the Patrick Swayze movie "Roadhouse." Cancer.

Ivan Dixon: Best remembered for his role as Kinch on the television series "Hogan's Heroes." Kidney Failure.

Sandy Allen: At 7 feet, 7.25 inches, she was, according to Guinness, the tallest woman alive. Heart Attack.

Irv Robbins: Buisnessman, and with Burt Baskin, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream chains. Natural Causes

Jesse Helms: United States Senator from North Carolina. Heart disease, and Prostate Cancer.

Luc Bourdon: Professional hockey player, Defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks. Motorcycle Accident.

Georgia Frontiere: Owner of the St. Louis Rams, and often called "Madam Ram," by the media. Cancer.

Mike Smith: Keyboardist, and lead singer of the British Invasion rock band The Dave Clark Five. Pneumonia.

And many others, the list is too long to place here.

As for reflection, well, let's start with the flooding in the Midwest this year, when several rivers, most notably the Mississippi, and Cedar Rivers in Iowa jumped their banks, and brought devestation down on several towns in the state, including the cities of Cedar Rapids, Waverly, and Waterloo.

Or, Hurricane Gustav, and Hurrican Ike, which devestated the coastline along Texas, and Louisania.

Again, the list i... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20733296/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20733296/ Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:24:40 PDT
Newman was an actor, buisnessman, and auto racer, winning an Academy Award for his role as "Fast" Eddie Felson in "The Color of Money," he was also nominated several times for an Oscar for movies such as "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Hustler," "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke," "Absence of Malice," and "The Verdict."

In the late 1980's he began the Newman's Own Salad Dressing company, which he founded mainly because of his dislike for what was out on the market at the time.

It was discussed, that Newman, a chain smoker for most of his life, was suffering from lung cancer, which was neither confirmed, or denied by Newman, or his spokesman.

However, it was announced that it was lung cancer that took the life of Paul Newman on Spetember 26, 2008.

Rest in Peace Paul Newman, you will be missed.

1925-2008

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20431527/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20431527/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:41:53 PDT
Reed was discovered by Chet Atkins in the early 60's, and went on to record in sessions with Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, and countless others, his songwriting skills led to him penning the 1962 Porter Waggoner number 1 hit "Misery Loves Company."

Atkins then asked Reed to record his songs in his style, and he would record them, which he did.

In 1972, Reed found his biggest acclaim with the number 1, Grammy winning song, "When You're Hot, You're Hot," and would follow that up with several others, songs such as "She Got the Gold Mine, I Got the Shaft," and "Eastbound and Down," which he recorded for the soundtract to the movie "Smoky and the Bandit," in which he appeared, he would appear in the two sequels to this movie.


Jerry Reed

1937-2008 Rest in Peace, son.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20175607/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/20175607/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:46:08 PDT
As most of you know, I work full time as a State Trooper in my home state of Iowa, but what most of you don't know, is that I work part time as a delivery driver for the local Pizza Hut.

Well, the other day, I was making a delivery to a construction zone, and stupid me found a fre pieces of rebar that I stepped on, not knowing they were there . . . well, it just so happens that being the klutz I am, I slipped, and ended up partially tearing a ligament in my ankle . . . OUCH!

Guess that's gonna keep me off the dance floor for a couple of months.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19886329/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19886329/ Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:51:10 PDT
Hayes was born in the rural poverty of a sharecropper's family in Covington, TN, on August 20, 1942, about 30 miles south of Memphis. Orphaned at birth, he, and his sister, Willette, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Willie, and Rushia Addie-Mae Wade.

Hayes was known in the R&B world for being one of the pioneers of disco music, and was responsible for writing a number of hits for other artists . . . those who used Hayes penned tunes to push their careers forward include Lew Rawls, Barry White, and Sam and Dave, for which, Hayes wrote their smash hit "Hold On, I'm Coming," but perhaps, he is best known for writing, singing, and producing the Oscar, and Grammy, winning "Theme From Shaft."

His influence extended well beyond the music scene, Collin Stanbeck, an A&R Executive at Stax Records, the label that Hayes helped make a landmark in the Soul/R&B industry stated, "When you think of soul music, you think of Isaac Hayes -the expression, the sound, and the creativity that goes along with it." But his influence extended well beyond that, his trademark bald head, full beard, and musclar frame, often adroned with a multitude of gold chains made him a fashion trendsetter when most of his contemporaries at the time were sporting blowout Afros, he was also a symbol of black pride, and an activist for civil rights.

He also acted in movies such as, "Tough Guys," "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka," and "Hustle and Flow," He recently wrapped up shooting on the movie "Soul Men," in which, he played himself. The film also starred Samuel L. Jackson, and Bernie Mac, who passed away Saturday, after a bout with pneumonia. And a whole new generation of fans became familiar with the man behind "Shaft," when, in 1997, he became the voice of Chef, on the Comedy Central animated show, "South Park."

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hayes was found by his wife, young son, and his wife's cousin in a basement bedroom, collapsed near a treadmill, he passed away an hour later at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN, only a few miles from his home in rural Shelby County.

Once again, Isaac Hayes, dead at 65.

We will never forget, Isaac Hayes 1942-2008

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19868606/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19868606/ Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:09:45 PDT
Mac was born Bernard Jeffery McCullough in Chicago on October 5, 1957, he grew up on Chicago's notorious South Side, with his mother, and his grandparents, his grandfather was a deacon at a local Baptist church.

Mac was one of "The Original Kings of Comedy," in the documentary of the same name, which brought black comics to a wider audience, one of his first movie breaks came in the George Clooney box office blockbuster "Oceans Eleven."

He also had credit on the small screen with a comedy show called, quite fittingly, "The Bernie Mac Show."

Mac suffered from a disease called scaroidosis, which is an inflammatitory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the bodys organs, but, according to Mac, the desease was in remission in 2005, he was recently hospitalized with pneumonia, which his publicist says was not related to the disease.

Recently, his brand of humor caught him a lot of flack, when he made a surprise appearence at a fund raiser for Democratic Presidential Nominee, and fellow Chicagoian, Barack Obama.

In the words of fellow "Oceans" co-star George Clooney, "The world just got a little less funny."

In an intweview with another fellow "Oceans" co-star Carl Reiner he claimed to be "in utter shock,' because, according to what he had heard, Mac had seemed to be improving.

In 2007, he stated publically, on Late Night with David Letterman that he had planned on retiring soon.

Once again, comic legend, and movie actor, Bernie Mac, dead at the age of 50.


Gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Bernie Mac 1957-2008

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19562053/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/19562053/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:08:27 PDT recently got a survey to answer, so, before I get tagged with it, I plan to answer it, so, here goes:

Who was the last person you had a phone conversation with for more than five minutes?

Dad

How old will you be on your next birthday?

39

Where is the one place you would like to visit?

Ireland. My ancestral homeland.

Who was the last person of the opposite sex you hugged?

My Ex-Wife.

Dark hair, or light hair in the opposite sex?

I have an extreme weakness for redheads.

Would you ever consider peircing your lip?

Not just no, but HELL NO!!

Do you like the majority of people you go/went to school with?

Not a majority, most of them forgot to grow up, and get a life.

How is your room looking?

Like the Space Shuttle landed in it.

Have you ever got sunburn so bad, it hurt to move?

Oh, yeah . . . about 20 years ago.

Do you toss and turn for hours at night, or do you fall right to sleep?

I haven't fallen right to sleep for 18 years.

Has anyone ever hung up on you?

Yep, mostly telemarketers . . . I hate those calls.

If you had a choice of going to a cruise to The Bahamas for a week, or Europe, which would you choose?

Europe . . . 22 countries in three weeks, 'nuff said.

What are you looking forward to in the next month?

Not a whole hell of a lot, except for being bored, waiting for speeders, the work of a State Trooper is never done.

Do you fall for people easy?

Definitely not . . . at least, not anymore, I'm a little more jaded when it comes to matters of the heart these days.

When is the last time you talked to number 1 on your top firends?

Every night.

Do you live with both your parents?

Yes.

What is it you truly want right now?

To hit a huge lottery jackpot, so that I can be financially secure.

Do you have any siblings?

Yes, three brothers, and a sister, all older than me.

Do you think you'll be married in ten years?

If I can find a woman that'll put up with me.

Where were you at 9 pm friday night?

At home.

Do you laugh at all the wrong times?

It all depends on my mood at the time.

Have you ever had your heart broken?

More than once.

Have you ever thought of having plastic surgery?

Have had it, lipo in the chest area, had to have it, due to health reasons.

Do you like your life?

I have some regrets, who doesn't? But I wouldn't change it.

Do you have more friends that are girls, or guys?

A healthy mix of both.

Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?

Not since I was about 10 years old.

Are you waiting for something?

No.

Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

It all depends on what they did, and if they're truly sorry about it.

Do you hate the last girl you had a conversatio with?

Better not . . . as it was my sister.

Is there something you always wear?

Yes . . . my military service ring . . . I never walk out of the house without it on my finger.

Who do you hate?

I'm not one to hold grudges . . . so long as said person doesn't start it, they have nothing to worry about with me.

Do you know anyone with the same name as you?

Yes I do . . . lives in the same town, even, his first, middle, and last names are identical to mine.

Ever spun around in circles until you got so dizzy you fell?

Never fell from that, but I have hurled more than once from it.

What is the most comfrotable thing you own?

A huge recliner, this thing is so massive, that when I sit down in it, my feet never touch the floor, until I prepare to stand up out of it.

Do you wear the hood on your hoodie?

Don't own one.

How long does it take you to take a shower?

3 to 5 minutes.

What was the last thing you were thinking about?

When the hell I was going to get off work, so I could come home, and prepare to crash.

If you could change your MIDDLE name, what would it be?

I wouldn't.

Is the moon out tonight?

Can't tell . . . huge Willow tree in the way.

Do you live on your own?

Nope . . . live with the folks.

Who's car were you in last?

2008 Dod... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18990109/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18990109/ Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:15:22 PDT
The son of Drag Racing pioneer, and legend, Connie Kalitta, Scott followed in his father's massive shadow, even facing off against, and beating his father on more than one occasion.

In 1994, Scott climbed the mountain, and became NHRA Top Fuel Champion, the following year, he picked up where he left off, winning back-to-back titles, becoming only one, of six drivers to accomplish that feat, those drivers include Don Garlits (1985-86), Joe Amato (1990-92), Kalitta (1994-95), Gary Scelzi (1997-98), Larry Dixon Jr. (2002-03) and Tony Schumacher (2004-07). Along the way, he made a name for himself in the world of drag racing, becoming a legend in the sport, several people that follow the sport recognize his name, and severl people that race the Top Fuel division today, that were around when he terrorized the ranks will tell you that they used to hate lining up against them, because they would ultimately get their rear ends handed to them. However, another drag racing legend, John Force said it best about drag racers, and the life they lead. 'It's something that we're all aware of everytime we suit up, and step into that car, that someday, we might not be coming back home.'

Rest in Peace Scott Kalitta, your race is won.

1962-2008

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18844481/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18844481/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:20:44 PDT
]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18812534/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18812534/ Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:47:34 PDT
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, here's the skinny.

My hometown is bordered to the east by the Mississippi River(which forms the border between the states of Iowa, and Illinois), to the south by the Skunk River(the southernmost County line), and to the far north by the Iowa River(located just outside of the town of Wapello, in nearby Louisa County), all three of which are badly flooded at the moment.

the Mississippi in this area has a flood stage of 15 feet, right now, it's sitting at 22 feet.

The Iowa River has a flood stage of 15 feet, right now, it happens to be the worst of the three, stage at the moment . . . 30 FEET!!

The Skunk River, and the Little English River are both the least flooded, both have a flood stage of 9 feet, and both are currently holding at 12 feet.

But all around us, they are just getting mauled by very severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes.

Just last night, a tornado touched down on a Boy Scout camp near Sioux City, killing four scouts, and injuring 40 more.

The Cedar River, near Waterloo, and the Des Moines River are both severely flooded, leaving the city of Waterloo virtually cut off from the rest of the state, the city of Cedar Rapids is flooded so badly, that half the town's residents were evacuated, due to rising waters from the Cedar River.

The town of Cedar Falls was completely evacuated, and I mean completely, to the point that it looks like a ghost town, one that is submerged in up to five feet of water.

The city of Moline, Illinois, which is located some 75 miles up river from my hometown has their own problems as well, they held a concert at the i Wireless Center earlier this evening, when the concert let out, no one could leave, due to flood waters from the Mississippi encroaching on the parking lot, leaving their cars headlights deep in water.

Can you say, "swimfins,' boys, and girls?

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18740067/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/18740067/ Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:41:33 PDT
About a week ago, I went up to the VA hospital, for my normal checkup, which I go through every three months.

Now, anyone that knows me well knows that at one time, I was a very heavy smoker, at nearly three packs a day.

That has since dropped dramatically, to where I am now down to less than half a pack in a week.

During my checkup, the doctors spotted a small area on my right lung, and were concerned that it might be the beginnings of a tumor.

However, after an ultrasound, which I basically screamed for, they found out that it was merely a depression of the fifth rib on the right side of my body, where my car door came in contact with me a week prior to.

So, once again, I have came out on the winning end of a checkup . . . you know, one of these days, my luck might run out, then, I'm really going to be in a world of hurt.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17918197/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17918197/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:12:07 PDT UNBELIEVABLE!! I got literally shaken out of my bed about five this morning, as a magnitude 5.4 Earthquake hit along the Wabash Fault line near the Illinois, Indiana border early this morning, and spent the better part of two hours cleaning up broken mirrors, and glass from inside the house, and replacing shattered picture frames.

Just to give you a bit of background on where I live, I live in the city of Burlington, Iowa, which is right along the Iowa, Illinois Border, on the banks of the Mississippi River, which means that I am, in all reality, not too far from the Illinois, Indiana border, so, yes, we felt the tremors here, and we felt them in a big way, we also got a taste of the aftershock, which was a magnitude 4.5, and, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it is the worst quake to hit the Midwest in over 40 years, even worse than the magnitude 3 quake along the New Madrid fault line in the mid 1980's. The tremors were felt as far away as Milwaukee, Des Moines, and even Atlanta. Definite wake up call for most people living within the IA, IL, and IN area.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17707035/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17707035/ Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:35:28 PDT
Heston is perhaps most known for his role as Moses in "The Ten Commandments." Family spokesman Bill Powers states that he passed in his sleep, with his wife Lydia by his side, but he did not state how the revered actor died.

Heston was famous for playing historically significant roles, such as Moses, El Cid, and Michaelangelo.

It was in 1959 that Heston gained his first taste of fame, when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film "Ben-Hur."

Other hits include "The Ten Commandants," "55 Days in Peking," "El Cid," "Planet of the Apes," and "Earthquake."

Among some of the most notable figures he played on screen, were Andrew Jackson ("The President's Lady," and " The Buccanneer"), Moses ("The Ten Commandments"), the title role of "El Cid," John the Baptist ("The Greatest Story Ever Told"), General Gordon ("Khratoum"), Marc Antony ("Julius Ceasar," "Antony and Cleoparta"), Michaelangelo ("The Agony and the Ecstasy"), Cardinal Richeleiu ("The three Musketeers"), and Henry VIII ("The Prince and the Pauper").

Once again, Charelton Heston, dead at 84.


Rest in Peace Charelton Heston 1925-2008

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17199603/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/17199603/ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:48:41 PST
For those of you that are unaware, pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal, with a very low mortality rate, it leads to uncontrolled blood sugars, and eventual spreading of the cancer through the blood stream, to the rest of the body, death is slow, and extremely painful, which is sure to come within a couple of years.

For some refresher on the actor himself:

Patrick Swayze began his acting career in the late 1970's, with a few bit parts here, and there, but, in 1981, he broke into the big time with a role in the movie "The Outsiders," he would go on to star in several action movies, such as "Roadhouse," "Uncommon Valor," opposite Gene Hackman, and the ABC miniseries "North and South," but it was his role as Johnny Castle in the movie "Dirty Dancing" that estabilshed him as a bankable top bill actor.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/16292487/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/16292487/ Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:43:09 PST
DAMN! Am I REALLY that old?

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/15924038/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/15924038/ Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:20:19 PST
Eric Medlen: NHRA Funny Car Racer, during a testing accident in Gainsville FL.

Luciano Pavarotti: Famous Operatic tenor, from a massive heart attack.

Evel Kenevil: Famous stuntman, and entertainer, once broke almost every bone in his body in an attempt to jump the fountain in front of Ceaser's Palace in Las Vegas, from a massive heart attack.

Deborah Kerr: Actress, known for her role opposite of Burt Lancaster in "From Here to Eternity," Complications from Parkinson's Disease.

Steve Irwin: Also known as The Croc Hunter, Organic poison from a Stingray barb.

Porter Wagoner: Country Music legend, Lung Cancer.

Boris Yeltsin: Former Russian President, cronic heart problems.

Ernie Wright: Former pro football player with the San Diego Chargers, and Cincinnati Bengals, played for thirteen seasons, cancer.

Marcel Marceau: French actor, and famous mime.

Robert Goulet: Actor/singer, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Wally Shcirra: Astronaut, one of the first seven Americans into space, flew in the Mercury, and Apollo programs, before taking over as Administrator of NASA, massive heart attack.

Jane Wyman: Academy Award winning actress, and ex wife of former president Ronald Reagan.

Yvonne De Carlo: Actor, played opposite Charelton Heston in "The Ten Commandments," but is perhaps most known for her role as Lily Munster, natural causes.

Phil Rizzuto: Hall of Fame shortstop for the New York Yankees in the 40's, and 50's, played opposite such Yankee greats as Billy Martin, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle, natural causes.

Dick Wilson: For over 40 years, played the role of grocer "Mr. Whipple," in the now famous Charmin commercials during the 50's, 60's, 70's, and into the mid 80's, his line of "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin," has become a part of American pop culture, natural causes.

Johnny Hart: cartoonist, creator of the cartoon strip "B.C.," and co-creator of the comic strip "The Wizard of Id," natural causes.

Don Ho: Hawaiian entertainer, most known for his song "Tiny Bubbles," heart failure.

Charles Nelson Reilly: American comic actor, complications of pneumonia.

Tom Snyder: Talk Show host, complications of Leukemia.

Merv Griffin: Talk Show host, businessman, created such game shows as "Wheel of Fortune," and "Jeopardy!," Prostate Cancer.

Anna Nicole Smith: Former Playboy playmate and actress, accidental drug overdose.

Kevin DuBrow: Lead Singer of poplular 80's Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot, accidental drug overdose.

Tammy Faye Messner: Former televangelist, and talk show host, once married to shamed Evangelist Jim Bakker, and was known for her exaggerated make up, which she would later ditch in favor of a more natural look, and was also a contestant on the reality show "The Surreal Life," she made lasting friendships on that show, including an unlikey one with Adult Film star Ron Jeremy, lung cancer.

Chris Benoit: WWE wrestler, and one time World Heavyweight Champion, and Interconniental Champion, suicide.

Werner Von Trapp: Entertainer, and singer, his story was told in the Broadway musical, and the movie musical "The Sound of Music," natural causes.

Earnest Gallo: Businessman, known worldwide for founding the Winery of Earnest and Julio Gallo, in Modesto, CA, natural causes.

and,

Dan Fogleberg: Grammy winning singer/songwriter, "Longer," and "Leader of the Band." Prostate Cancer.

as for the things that were life changing, take for example, at the NHRA Fall Nationals, located just outside of Dallas TX, earlier this year.

14 time NHRA funny car champion John Force was facing off against rival, and fellow drag racing legend, Kenny Bernstein, when something happened that would focus on safety in Funny cars for many years to come, Bernstein had crossed the centerline, effectively ending his weekend by disqualification, Force had the race won, until bad things happened, his rear tires began shaki... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/15908827/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/15908827/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:25:09 PST
Known for his on stage antics, gravelly bluesy voice, and ever-present suspenders, he lead Quiet Riot to their biggest hits, and was a constant in the group, from the time they first found fame, until their demise in the late 80's.

It was DuBrow, and the other members of the group that coined a word that is still used today . . . headbanger.

The word was born when they used the phrase Bang Your Head as part of the title for their first successful single effort, "Mental Health," which appeared on the album of the same name, they would later gain a huge hit worldwide when they covered a song from British rock band Slade.

"Cum On Feel the Noize," would become their anthem, and be perhaps their most requested song.

He was laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park Cemetery, next to his stepfather.

Rest in Peace Kevin DuBrow 1955-2007

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/14904477/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/14904477/ Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:31:28 PDT
As of yesterday, I am the newest Trooper on the Iowa State Patrol.

Granted, the job sounds a bit boring . . . patrol the main north/south highway in the eastern part of the state, from the Iowa/Missouri state line, to approximately 50 miles north, but still, it's good pay, and the benefits are to die for.

The medical benefits are killer . . . unfortunately, I still have to pay a small fee for each visit to a doctor's office, and a small feel of about $50 for an ER visit, unless the injury occurs in the line of duty, then the state pays for it all.

So, I now have nothing to complain about, I got my dream job, and I'm a very happy man . . . I figure, in about 20 years, when it's time for me to retire, I can lay back at 57, and have some fun with the remainder of my life . . . the only thing I have to complain about is the car I have to drive at work . . . I'm not exactly Ford's biggest fan, and that's what we drive . . . Ford Crown Victoria's . . . but, thank God, there's a fresh shipment of new cruisers coming in sometime next week, and the one I'm driving is slated for sale, the new cars are Chevy Impala SS's, so, that makes it all the better.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13652729/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13652729/ Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:21:23 PDT
On March 23, 2007, we lost drag racer Eric Medlen from an horrific crash while testing his car.

On June 23rd, the baseball world suffered a huge blow in the unexpected death of Rod "The Shooter" Beck, in his suburban Phoenix home, he was only 38.

and, June 25th, WWE wrestling legend Chris Benoit went on a rampage, murdering his wife, and child, before killing himself.

One question, what seems to be happening around us, are not realizing that the world seems to be unraveling before our very eyes?

I mentioned that I haven't been immune to the changes during this year, and I was right.

First, I started the year off in a cast, with a broken ankle, then, I finally get a broadband hookup to the internet, move onto a newer car from the one that I had, celebrate three years of writing the stories that you have all come to know, and enjoy, and finally, breaking my toe only a month ago.

Unreal how things seem to fall in place, when you look around . . . I have always said that there are things working in this world that no one, not even myself, can explain, and so far, I seem to be right.

Well, it does leave one with questions to try and find answers to.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13488358/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13488358/ Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:20:11 PDT
Trained by Stu Hart in the legendary Dungeon, Chris first found success in the business with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW), before the buyout that brought Chris, as well as most of the WCW talent to Vince McMahon's WWE.

A friend of 16 time World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, Chris was a member of the fabled Four Horsemen, with Flair, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard.

It took him 18 years of training, and hard matches, before he earned a shot at the World Heavyweight title himself, and won it against Triple H.

He would hold the title for for only a couple of months, losing it to another past legend, Eddie Guerrero.

According to the Fayette County Georgia Sheriff's office, these tragic deaths are being investigated as a double murder/suicide.

Once again, Chris Benoit, dead at the age of 40.

Chris Benoit
1967-2007
Rest in Peace, Champ.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13321570/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13321570/ Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:08:18 PDT
One in particular that seems to get some attention is one of my earlier works, " Fatal Attraction," I have now seen two full posters from that story posted on this site, and I'm amazed that it still gets as much attention as it did.

That story in particular took me the longest to conceive, and write, as it actually went through about four complete revisions, before I got the finished product, something that took me two years, and a lot of Alleve for my troubles.

The original concept for this story had Josh committing suicide, by jumping off the roof of the Space Center after a lengthy fight between he, and Ron, which was, at best, a stalemate, the second concept had Josh taking Ron with him, and finally, I had the final product, where Shego kept Josh from killing himself.

I consider it the highest form of flattery when someone creates a picture from one of my stories, and I even encourage it to a point, there is one thing, however, I prefer to have happen beforehand, that I am at least asked about it first. I mean, I don't mind, and chances are, I'm not going to say anything about it, but it would be good to know beforehand, unless, like a couple of certain people out there, who already have an advance notice that they can do whatever they like when it comes to my stories, they don't have to ask, because they already have my consent.

Now, I'm not climbing onto a soapbox, and giving everyone a lecture here, it's not my way. I just prefer to know ahead of time, if anyone plans to do any pics from any of my stories.

For those that read my last journal, I finally am able to walk without a limp now, my toe is healing nicely, and I am able to walk right again, thank God for that.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13207480/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13207480/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 20:32:21 PDT
For everyone out there, let me give you a bit of background here.

At the age of 37, I have had more broken bones than I care to count . . . well, earlier this evening, I added another to the ever growing list . . . a broken toe.

Earlier this evening, after getting off work, I stepped out into a thunderstorm . . . what's the usual reaction for someone that does that . . . they start running toward shelter, in this case, my car.

Now, again, a little background is in order here.

Because of my height (I'm six foot one), I don't buy small cars, because sitting behind the wheel of one of those crackerbox things, I feel like my knees are tucked up into my chin . . . my current car is no different . . . a 1995 Buick LeSabre Limited.

Well, running from the back door, to my car, I slipped on the wet pavement, and went skidding a foot into my car, and slammed my foot against the left front tire, effectively breaking the second toe on my left foot.

I'm not complaining about the broken bone, God knows I've had enough of them to know what happened right away . . . the only thing that I have a bit of a problem with, is that the doctors can't do anything with it, except confirm what I already know, and send me home with a hospital bill that's worth more than what I make in a week.

So, I didn't bother to go to the hospital, because I knew they'd be able to do nothing about it, except just tell me "Yes, Mr. Brown, your toe is broken," like I already know that, Sherlock . . . tell me something I don't know . . . "The bill is going to be about $90," Are you F%#@*$G KIDDING ME?!

And believe me, that's about what would've happened, I know myself all too well . . . and more than likely, instead of typing this journal, I'd probably be in jail for Enciting A Riot.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13080279/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/13080279/ Thu, 24 May 2007 18:55:46 PDT
It just blows me away that I would actually be the inspiration, or influence for another writer. I am also humbled at the number of people out there that actually read the stories I write.

It's kind of strange that when I think about it, all of this got started with a $150 bet made between myself, and my oldest brother that I couldn't write a story, make it as realistic as I could, and actually have it read.

Needless to say, he ended up loosing the bet, never did get that $150 dollars from him, though

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12981422/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12981422/ Wed, 16 May 2007 18:22:17 PDT Adam-12.

So, no . . . I am not finished with my own ideas, I still have them from time to time, just not as much as I used to.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12797691/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12797691/ Tue, 01 May 2007 00:39:03 PDT
On that day, NHRA Funny Car racer, and member of the legendary John Force Racing team, Eric Medlen passed from our midst . . . he was 33.

He worked for 8 years with John Force Racing, first with the crew of then team member Tony Pedregon, and later, with the man himself, 14 time Funny Car Champion, John Force, before he finally stepped behind the wheel of the Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang.

During an open test session in Gainesville, FL., he slammed through the steel barrier that protects the spectators from the action on the track, his car disentegrated, and was left with not much more than the frame, four wheels, and not much engine.

He was transferred to the hospital at the University of Florida, where doctors worked on him for four days, before the family finally honored his wishes, and had him unhooked from life support, he would cling to life for another three hours, before death finally took him from us.

Rest in Peace Eric Medlen . . . you will be missed.

Eric Medlen
1973-2007

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12573579/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12573579/ Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:48:58 PDT
For a while now, ever since his induction into Baseball's hall of fame, there has been talk swriling around Wrigley Field about Ryne Sandberg's number 23 being retired, well, dream no more, because it has finally become reality . . . his number will be retired during the first official game of the season.

This is a man that got into the Hall of Fame under his own merits, without ever having won a World Series.

His streak of 212 games without making an error is still the longest in Baseball history, his streak of over 500 chances at second base without a throwing error is also the longest in Baseball history, and his 13 Gold Gloves, and 11 All-Star appearences at 2nd base are an achievement in themselves.

Recently, "Ryno," as he was known, was given the job of manager with the Peoria Chiefs, an A club of the Cubs, he is now able to impart his wisdom, and talent on a slew of youngsters that are just breaking into organized baseball.

It is because of his hard-working nature, and the respect he has earned from many players within the Cubs organization, that his famous number 23 was never worn by anyone after his retirement . . . and now, it will never be worn by another Cub player again.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12303136/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12303136/ Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:55:11 PDT

I had to put out $2100 for a car because mine finally decided to die on me . . . can't complain with the deal I got, here's what my two thousand plus dollars bought.


A fully loaded 1995 Buick LeSabre, with dual climate control, dual air bags, dual power front seats, leather interior, and a V6 engine.


Not bad for an old hayseed like me, huh?

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12250946/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12250946/ Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:18:43 PDT
For those of you that aren't familiar with this band, let me educate you.

Boston first broke into the scene in 1976 with the million selling classic "More Than A Feeling," they didn't release another ablum until 1978, the name was "Don't Look Back," and the title track went platinum later on that same year, the last studio albom they released was the 1989 album "Third Stage," From that album, the songs, "Amanda," and "Rock and Roll Band," Went all the way to number 1 on the Billboard U.S. top ten charts.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12213125/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12213125/ Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:59:21 PDT I received a tag . . . the thing is . . . 6 wierd things about you . . . well, here goes nothing.


1. I sing in the shower.

2. I've been told too many times, by too many people that I don't look my age.

3. I have a thing about the smell of burning rubber . . . so much so, that I like to skin the hides as much as I can. [if you don't know racing lingo . . . . hides is a racing term for car tires]

4. I have a habit on occasion to be a bit of a daredevil, even at my age. It's landed me in the hospital approximately thirty times since I was 18.

5. Curiousity has never been a strong point of mine . . . if a person likes to keep a secret . . . let 'em have it.

6. I have not been on a date in the last 10 years.


And now [insert drumroll here] to tag sixvictims . . . uh, friends.

and they are:

and

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12033184/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/12033184/ Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:02:50 PST FINALLY! Finally, my father got tired of dial-up, and decided to get cable internet hooked up, talk about finally having something to match the comp we have . . . yeah, I am quite pleased, and it reflects in my e-mail change, so, look closely, folks, I have got a new setup

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11980766/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11980766/ Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:17:08 PST
We got hit with a pretty nasty ice storm Saturday night . . . just to give you an idea of what I'm talking about . . . I live in southeast Iowa, which is right off the trailing edge of Tornado Alley, so we get our share of bad weather . . . everything from Tornadoes, to full blizzards coming in from Canada, so our weather around here is kinda on the unpredictable side.

Well, Saturday, from almost out of nowhere, we get nailed with the worst ice storm this area has seen in nearly 30 years . . . snapping tree limbs, and power lines like they were made out of glass . . . within the space of two minutes time, I personally heard six power transformers blow off the poles they were attached to.

My hometown newspaper is on the net . . . you can actually see what I'm talking about at this site [link] trust me, the front page of the Sunday paper said it all.

But, now that most of the city now has power, the cleanup has started . . . picking tree limbs up off the roadways, clearing dead power lines off the streets, cleaning up debris out of yards, patching homes, vehicles, you name it, we're doing it.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11216075/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11216075/ Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:53:54 PST

Corretta Scott King Civil Rights Activist, and widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, of a massive stroke

Dana Reeve Activist for the disabled, and widow of actor Christopher Reeve, from cancer.

James Brown Soul singer, also known as The Godfather of Soul, from a massive heart attack

Steve Irwin Conservationist, and TV star, also known as The Crocodile Hunter, from being stung by a Stingray

Floyd Patterson Former three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, and the last person to fight Muhammed Ali in the ring for the title, from a massive stroke.

Robert Altman Hollywood Director, of a massive heart attack

Scott Geoffrion NHRA Pro Stock legend, of a heart attack.

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, from a massive stroke

Actor Bruno Kirby, of a massive stroke

Feminist, and author Betty Fredian, from a brain tumor

Journalist Ed Bradley, of cancer

Actor Peter Boyle, from a heart attack

Former U.S. Senator from Texas, and former Tresaury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, of a stroke

Oscar winning actress Shelly Winters, of a stroke

Rock musician, and founding member of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, froma cerebral hemorrage

Comedy actor Don Knotts, of a heart attack

Former Boston Celtics Head Coach Red Auerbach, from a stroke

Author Mickey Spillane famous for creating the character of Mike Hammer, from a massive stroke

Economist Milton Freidman, of cancer

Television producer Aaron Spelling, from cancer

Former Minnesota Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett, stroke, related to Diabetes

Soul singer Wilson Pickett, heart attack

Socialite, and sister of President John Kennedy, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, heart attack

Golfer Byron Nelson, stroke

Actor Jack Palance, heart attack

Talk show host Mike Douglas, heart attack

Soul singer Lou Rawls, stroke

and former President Gerald Ford The only man to become Vice President, or President, without ever being elected to the positions, of a massive stroke.

there may have been more, but I did not get the whole list, if I have left anyone out, I am sorry for that.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11121510/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11121510/ Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:32:27 PST
This morning, my nephew and I decided to chop some firewood for a friend, and he got a bright idea to be the one that used the chopping mull.

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, a chopping mull is like a combination of an axe, and a sledgehammer, with a pounding head, and an axe blade.

Well, my nephew was attempting to drive a wedge into a log that we had vut down earlier, when his sweatty hands slipped off the handle, and the thing slammed right into my ankle, breaking it in three places, and putting me in a cast from my toes, to my knee, I can't drive now, because it was my right leg he broke, and every time I let it sit naturally on the floor, it starts hurting like it's going to fall off.

I told him that he'd better not come around me for the next couple of weeks, because if he did, I was going to make sure that my casted foot came into contact with his jaw.

But, that's just me, and my rotten luck, the cast won't be coming off until late Feb. or early March, due to the severety of the break.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11087916/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/11087916/ Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:18:24 PST
Our current Governor, Tom Vilsack, has recently announced his candidacy for President, and has bombarded the state with mail, and leaflets announcing such, mind you, this comes from a man who started his political career as a mayor from a small town not too far from where I live.

I'm sure there's others out there that have seen this, and like me, think they're starting way too early, it also makes you wonder just what they're playing at, what kinds of sore subjects do they intend to address.

For me, I just wish they would wait for a little while longer than they do . . . but I guess it's a pipe dream.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10889590/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10889590/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:30:52 PST
Example, former Pro Stock Champion Warren Johnson holds the record as being the oldest person to ever compete in, and win an NHRA event, at the age of 62.

Erica Enders was the first female to reach the finals in the Pro Stock category, she did so at the Ameriquest Nationals, in Joliet, IL in 2005, only to lose to Jason Line.

Kenny Bernstein became the first racer to break 300 mph, breaking that barrier in 1992, hitting 301 during qualifying at the Mac Tools Gator Nationals in Gainsville FL.

Tony Schumacher became the first racer to break 330 mph, doing that feat in 2004.

And John Force holds the record for most championships in a single category, Funny Car, with 13, he also holds elapsed time, and mile an hour records in the funny car category, 4.466 sec, and 333.56 mph, during a run at a track in Yorba Linda CA.


If you want a try at these big numbers, I hope you ate your Wheaties before strapping it on, folks, beacuse you will need it.

Funny Car champion Gary Scelzi holds a shared record with Ron Capps, as having the narrowest margin of victory concerning a championship.

And NHRA Legend Kenny Bernstein, who also goes by the nickname "The King of Speed" holds the distinction of being the first driver to ever hold championships in two different categories, Funny Car, and Top Fuel.

As a side note, John Force has won his 14th NHRA Funny Car championship, check it out at [link]

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10764272/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10764272/ Sat, 18 Nov 2006 08:22:21 PST

He was well known for coaching several legendary Michigan teams during his 20 plus years as the head football coach, having won the Big 10 title 13 times, and taking his Michigan Wolvwerines to 10 Rose Bowls, as well as several National Championships, and this all comes the day before the bigest game in Big 10 history, #1 Ohio State, vs. #2 Michigan, with the fate of the National Championship riding on this one, of course, everyone is anxious, but none, moreso than the fans of the Michigan Wolverines.

Perhaps, he was best known for what has become known as the "The Ten Year War" between he, and then Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes . . . during that time, Schimbeckler had won five, out of ten games, losing only four, and tying once.

For those who had the chance to see him orchestrate some of the most well known games in Big 10 history, you got to watch a real treat, for those that haven't, then you really missed out.

Once again, we remember

Glenn "Bo" Schimbeckler

1929-2006

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10609408/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10609408/ Fri, 03 Nov 2006 23:18:38 PST
The good news . . . apparently, my sister was misdiagnosed, and instead of a tumor, she has a hernia, so, that'a a good thing.

Bad news . . . she was also diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes.

For those who don't know the difference between type 1, and type 2, it's the daily insulin shots, if you're type 1, it can usually be managed by proper diet, and exercise, type 2 has to be managed through the use of daily insulin shots, as well as diet, and exercise.

Type 2 is also the one that can lead to loss of circulation, usually in the arms, and legs, sometimes resulting in amputation, blindness, and can even lead to death, if not managed properly.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10564540/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10564540/ Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:03:49 PST
You would think, after four funerals in the span of a month, the near fatal blood infection that my sister-in-law had to endure, and the other troubles that have happened in my family this year, we would finally find some peace . . . not the case.

I found out this morning, that my sister is now suffering with a tumor in her stomach. This has brought all the pain the family has been through surging back to the surface.

She went to the hospital this morning to have some blood, and fliuid taken in for a biopsy, but, knowing my family's luck, I doubt that the results are going to be something she wants to hear.

Guess all we can do, is hope for the best, and brace for the worst.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10417324/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10417324/ Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:32:37 PDT
Kim Possible: What's the Switch is due out on the 19th of this month, and I already have mine on order, and waiting to come in to my local GameStop.

Oh, yeah, I intend to have that bad boy in my collection, I already own the first three games for GBA, and the fourth for DS, and now, I got this one as well.

Definitely happy.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10373094/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/10373094/ Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:09:31 PDT
I'm not much of a big Yankees fan, but still, when something like this happens, it effects not just the team the guy played for, but the whole of the major leagues, and this close to The World Series . . . it kind of brings back memories of other baseball players who had the same thing happen to them.

It was in 1979 when Yankees catcher Thurmon Munson died when his private plane went down on a farm in upstate New York, after mechanical difficulties forced it to crash land, he had been on a roll at the time, even though the Yankees didn't make it that year, and even if they did, it wasn't their year to win it, as the Pittsburgh Pirates walked away with it in six.

But, looking back, he wasn't the only great that has been lost to baseball so soon in their career.

The list is endless, if you think about it.

Pittsburgh Pirate legend Roberto Clemente was killed when the plane he was on crashed into the Caribbean, during relief efforts to his native El Salvador, it was New Years Eve of 1973 when this happened.

Great Yankee First baseman Lou Gehrig was forced to retire following the 1939 season, due to his battle with the diesase that now bears his name, a battle, which he eventually lost. He, Roberto Clemente, and Thurmon Munson are the only three players to go into Cooperstown, without waiting the customary five years after retirement, due to their untimely deaths, they also went in because they each held records at the time, Clemente was the recordholder for most home runs in a one month span, Gehrig was the all time consecutive games played recordholder, and Munson held the record for most consecutive games played by a catcher.

Cubs third baseman Ron Santo was forced to retire when Diabetes became too much for him to continue in the game, he would later lose both legs to the disease.

Kirby Puckett was forced into retirement after Diabetes rendered him completely blind, he recently died due to unchecked Diabetes.

And finally, there is the story of Monty Stratton, the first one legged pitcher in the major leagues, who pitched for the New York Giants during the 30's and early 40's, he had lost his leg during a hunting accident, but continued to play, for another three years until the prostethic leg he used began giving him problems, he was forced into retirement because of this.

And if you look over the entertainment landscape in general, you find a ton of entertainers that have had their lives, and careers cut short due to plane crashes:

Dean Paul Martin, actor, and son of Dean Martin, crashed the A-7 Corsair he was piloting into the mountains during a training mission with the Air National Guard unit he was attached to in 1981.

John Denver, legendary Folk singer, died when the experimental plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of California in 1997.

Rick Nelson, early rock and roll pioneer, died, along with his fiancee, and five members of his band, when his plane crashed on New Years Eve of 1985, after a faulty heater started an on board fire.

Otis Redding, Blues singer, died when his rented Cessna crashed into Lake Michigan in 1967.

And finally, everyone knows these three.

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. RIchardson, a.k.a. The Big Bopper.

All three died when the rented Beechcraft they chartered had crashed into a cornfield in north central Iowa in 1959. This day is often described as The Day the Music Died. And has been hinted at in the classic Don MacLean song American Pie.

]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9983294/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9983294/ Tue, 05 Sep 2006 22:53:01 PDT
She was quite a very beautiful baby, having most of the distinguishing features of my family. the mouth, cheeks, chin, and nose.

She was laid to rest next to her cousin this afternoon, at 2 o'clock Central Time.

The bad thing is that I lost what would've been my youngest nephew almost five years ago to the exact day.


Well, life does go on, and I have to keep pushing forward, even though it will not be easy, it will happen.


So today, I leave you with this thought; take the time to cherish, and appreciate those in your life today, because there will come a time when they're no longer there.


Doug ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9751605/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9751605/ Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:55:48 PDT
Six things, wierd habits about you, the main thing is to have fun, and be honest, well, here goes.


1.) I hold a very unnatural fear of heights, even though I stand over 6 foot tall.

2.) I grew up in a traditional Irish household, with a few leinient set ups on love, and marriage, my parents live by the old motto Love is blind, and you know what, they're right.

3.) In my family, it's not my father's temper you have to watch out for, it's my mother.

4.) Despite being half Irish, I am neither Catholic, or Protestant, I am a Salvationist, or, in simpler terms, a member of The Salvation Army.

5.) I'm not a big believer in fighting, but I will defend myself if push comes to shove.

6.) Even though I have a very strong stomach, I have gotten motion sickness on more than one occasion.

now, to pay this bad boy forward, let's see, who are my victims . . . err, friends that will receive the lucky message . . . got it.



Have a blast, boys. ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9641750/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9641750/ Tue, 08 Aug 2006 07:04:08 PDT , who, after almost a year of silence is back in full force . . . Me likes, now, we can finish our collaborative projects, and maybe even start a few new ones, who knows.

Well, there's the newest thing happening in my life, so, for those of you that are anticipating our collaborative efforts to grow, get ready, because the machine is back in action, and we're rockin' ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9381284/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9381284/ Sat, 15 Jul 2006 00:46:08 PDT
Geoffrion was an 8 time runner-up in the NHRA Powerade points championships, and, with fellow teammate, Darrell Alderman, made up the "Dodge Boys" team of the 1990's.

He first started as a teammate to Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson in 1987, and racked up his first event win that same year.

He signed on with Team Mopar Racing in 1990, and started a racing legend that would last until the present day.

During the fairy tale runs of the 90's for Team Mopar, it was Geoffrion, and teammate Darrell Alderman that led the charge, but that would come to a screeching halt on May 15, 1995, when someone broke into the Wayne County Speed Shops in Fairfield, IL, and destroyed so many parts, that the cars never returned to the track for the remainder of the season, when they did return, they never really were the same, and, in 2002, Geoffrion was released from the team, he would resurface in 2004 for a brief time, but would finally sink into the shadows, and become just a small footnote in Team Mopar Racing, but not in the eyes of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), several of the tracks he once raced on still bear his mark upon them somewhere, either in the elapsed times he ran on the track, that would stand the test of time as records, or his smile, and boistrious nature, when paired with Alderman.

Either way, he left his mark on the Pro Stock category, and the NHRA. He will be missed.


Scott Geoffrion
1965-2006 ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9348458/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9348458/ Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:35:20 PDT
1.) Write as truthfully as you can.

2.) Answer all questions . . . within moderation, of course.

3.) Pass this on to six devart friends.

4.) Above all . . . have FUN doing it

So, here's the questions, and I'll answer them myself, to get the ball rolling:

1.) What has been your favorite movie to date? It must have been seen in a cinema, or theater, and not on television, or owned on DVD.

Mine . . . without a question, the Original, the Best, the winner of seven Oscars . . . Star Wars, saw it in 1977, in what would later become the last operating Drive-in theater in the state of Iowa, it no longer exists, having been bulldozed in 1997, to make way for Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, and Ryan's Steakhouse.

2.) What is your favorite color when it comes to the clothes you wear?

Me . . . BLACK!! All black, all the time. Just call me Johnny Cash.

3.) Do you wear glasses, or contact lenses? If you don't wear either, just put N/A down as your answer.

Glasses, can't do contacts, they mess up my eyes something terrible.

4.) Favorite musician, or band to date?

I actually have two . . . REO Speedwagon, and Styx.

5.) What is your biggest dream that you have actually realized?

Mine . . . to be financially independent, which happened when I left home to join the Navy.

6.) Are you bilingual? (able to speak more than one language)

Yes, I am able to read, and speak English, and I can speak Spanish, to a certain extent.

7.) What is the most extreme thing you have ever done in your life?

For me . . . it would have to be being in the middle of a combat zone.

8.) (just two more to go) What, in your memory, is the single worst thing you ever did?

Me . . . I ended up in the bottom of a Tequila Bottle for a year and a half, good news, I kicked the habit years ago.

9.) Have you ever been outside of the country you call home? For those living in Canada, and Mexico, I will not include the U.S. as an acceptable answer, and I will not include Canada, and Mexico as acceptable answers for U.S. residents.

Yes, been to South America, Asia, Eurpoe, and Australia, on more than one occasion.

10.) (Final question) As a child, what Saturday Morning cartoon were you the most taken by?

No-brainer . . . Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

and now, the first six to get the tag from me are as follows:



And there you have it, have fun, people. ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9098697/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9098697/ Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:11:30 PDT

What makes it even worse, I'm stuck on very bland foods for a few weeks, and I'm not allowed to sleep on my stomach for two months, no problem, but so far, the one thing I hate, is these stitches poking me in the abdomen, making me feel like a voodoo doll.

But, everything's all well, and good, as long as it takes care of the problem I had, so be it


Hope everyone has had a good weekend so far, and hope that it continues that way for you all.


Doug ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9052187/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/9052187/ Mon, 12 Jun 2006 23:31:46 PDT
I went up to the VA hospital in Iowa City yesterday, and found out something that just REALLY made my day.

I need surgery on my stomach to repair a bleeding ulcer, they're talking about stapling something like 10 % of my stomach shut, which I don't think is all that fascinating, like the doctors up there do. *shudders violently*

However, I have been through worse than that, so, if all goes well, I should be back sometime Friday night.

I will be going into surgery Wednsday afternoon, and I'll be kept up there for a couple of days, before I'm released to go home, at least, that's what the doctors told me.

The procedure they're planning ot do is pretty routine, where ulcers are concerned, but I've never been one for hospitals.

I've never had a soft spot for hospitals in my life, even after working at one in the Security department . . . don't get me wrong, being a doctor can sometimes be a very noble calling, but I've always had a bad vibe in a hospital.

I'm sure you would ask why. Why would I have some childish fear of hospitals?

That is for reasons best left unsaid . . . I have my reasons, and I'll leave it at that.

But, this is going to be something I'm not looking forward to, I can tell you that, but, in life, as with anything else, you have to take the good with the bad, and just keep on going.


Until next we meet,
May you always have clear skys, and calm seas,
Doug ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8988043/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8988043/ Tue, 06 Jun 2006 11:39:34 PDT I got tagged to answer some questions, well, here's the rules, first of all:

1.) Must answer EVERY question
2.) BE HONEST
3.) Pass on to six of your DA friends
4.) Have fun, and let us grow together as a community.

Well, because you asked for it, here goes:

Name: Douglas Brown

Age: 36

Birthdate: January 6, 1970

Place of birth: Burlington, Iowa

Current location: Burlington, Iowa

Eye color: Blue

Hair color: Blonde

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 197 lbs.

Right, or left handed: Left

Heritage: Irish American

Shoes you wore today: Sneakers

Your weakness: Can sometimes be tempramental, and anti-social, all depends on my mood at the time.

Your fears: Unnatural fear of heights

Your perfect pizza: Homemade

Your most overused phrase on instant messenger: WAZZUP!!

Your bedtime: Between midnight, and 2 a.m.

Pepsi, or Coke: wicchever happens to be within reach at the time

Lipton Iced tea, or Nestea: Neither, I prefer mine brewed in an iced tea pot, using Luzianne tea bags.

McDonalds, or Burger King: Taco Bell

Chocolate, or vanilla: Doesn't make a difference to me, I like both.

Capuccino, of coffee: I prefer coffee, with some creamer, but I have been known to drink capuccino on occasion.

Do you smoke: Unfortunately, yes, half a pack a day, and what I don't somke in one day, my friends usually end up bumming from me.

Do you sing: Depends on the artist, but, yes, I do sing.

Have you been in love: More times than I care to count.

Do you want to go to college: Would love to, but can't afford it.

Do you want to get married: If I can ever find a woman that can put up with me.

Do you believe in yourself: Yes, because if you don't believe in yourself, no one will.

Do you get motion sickness: Haven't had it in fifteen years, last time, I was in service, and my ship was doing cold weather testing of it's systems in the Gulf of Alaska, we were getting slammed with 50 foot swells, and I got MAJOR seasick.

Are you a health freak: Not to any extent.

Do you like thunderstorms: Living where I do, thunderstorms are pretty much a common occurance, and you tend to get used to them, or be scared every day, so, I guess you can say I'm just used to them.

Do you play an insturment: Guitar, mostly for recreational purposes.

In the past month, have you drank alcohol: Does one beer count?

In the past month, have you smoked: Yes, half pack a day smoker, unfortunately.

In the past month, have you been on drugs: If you're speaking illegal drugs, the answer is NO!! If perscriptions, or over the counter medication, then the answer would be yes, cold medicines.

In the past month, have you gone to a mall: Yeah, the only bookstore in town is located in the local mall.

In the past month, have you eaten a box of Oreo's: No . . . why, think the Clint Eastwood movie "Every Which Way But Loose," Remember the orangutan in the movie, the problem he had with Oreo's . . . I have the same problem

In the past month, have you eaten Sushi: Sushi, where I come from, we call that stuff fish bait, HELL NO!!

In the past month, have you been on stage: Yeah, a couple of the local bars, playing two-bit gigs here, and there.

In the past month, have you been dumped: Not dating, so the answer would be no.

In a girl/boy: No clue, so, I have no answer for this one.

Favorite Eye color: Green, brown, or blue.

Favorite Hair color: I absolutely go bonkers for NATURAL redheads.

Short, or long hair: I prefer long hair, but not too long, past the waistline is too long for me.

Height: Nothing shorter than 5'

Best clothing style: I'm a casual kind of person, so, I prefer casual kinds of clothes, I'm the most comfrotable in a t-shirt, and jeans.

Number of drugs you have taken: If you're talking medical reasons, there's too many to list, I tend to be a bit of a daredevil, and it ends up getting me in some trouble at times. If you're talking the illegal kind, NONE!

Number of CD's I own: Nev... ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8969373/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8969373/ Sun, 04 Jun 2006 14:12:56 PDT
And here I am, 16 years later, still looking on that time as one of the major turning points in my life, I'm very thankful that I graduated high school, and glad I went into the military, because I saw things, and was able to do things that I would never be able to do otherwise, I got to travel the world, and see it from the perspective of a local, rather than a tourist.

Some people have asked me several times over the years, "If you had a chance to do it all over again, what would you change?" My reply . . . nothing, not a thing.

Something like that, you can never experience, unless you've got the money to do it, again, and again. ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8848314/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8848314/ Mon, 22 May 2006 19:08:06 PDT

~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8749120/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8749120/ Fri, 12 May 2006 11:53:45 PDT
Floyd Patterson died yesterday in his home in New Paltz NY, he was 71.

Patterson made a boxing first, when he beat Ingmar Johannson in a third meeting between the two fighters, and became the first two time heavyweight champion in boxing history.

Winning a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, he would go on to face Archie Moore in 1956, and start the first, of his two title regins, when he faced off against Moore, he tipped the scales at 182 1/4 pounds, the smallest heavyweight in the ranks at the time, in his last fight, in 1972, he still only weighed 188 1/2 pounds, he would end up losing that fight, against another boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.

But it was his three fights against the aforementioned Ingmar Johannson that were legendary in themselves, primarly, because Patterson was setting out to do what most sports writers of the day said was impossible, to be a two time champion.

It was in the first fight, that Patterson was knocked down an embarrassing seven times, losing the heavyweight title to Johannson at Yankee Stadium in 1959.

In the second fight between the two, Patterson rose to the occasion, knocking out Johannson by the end of the third round at the famous New York Polo Grounds, that match would take place a year later.

The third fight was pretty much the same as the second, with Patterson winning the fight in the third round, and silencing his critics once and for all.

Patterson's second title reign would come to an end in 1962, when he was demolished by Sonny Liston in the first round, and, as we all know, Liston would go on to lose the title to then Cassius Clay, in 1965.

After his embarrassing first round loss to Liston in 1962, he donned a fake beard, and sunglasses, so he wouldn't be recognized, but in the rematch between the two, Liston did recognize him, and knocked him out in the first round again.

In all total, after losing the title a second time, he would try for it three more times, losing all three matches, once against Ali in 1965, a match that most remember, because Ali was furious at Patterson for calling him by his given name, "Cassius Clay."

During that match, Ali kept peppering Patterson with jabs, and kept asking "What's my name?"

The two would later reconcile, when Patterson saw Ali eating at a favorite place of his. He walked up to Ali, and said, "Hello, Muhammad Ali." The two men hugged, and became fast friends afterward.

Patterson was once quoted as saying:

"They said I was the fighter that got knocked down the most, but I also got up the most."

During his career, Patterson met the canvas a total of 20 times, he would end his career with a record of 55-8-1 with 40 wins by way of KO, his career would later be immortalized, when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

For the last eight years, Patterson had been fighting a private battle with Alzheimer's disease, and for the last couple, he had been battling Prostate Cancer. ]]> ~Doug4422 http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8674461/ http://Doug4422.deviantart.com/journal/8674461/ Thu, 04 May 2006 17:18:41 PDT . He was the lucky 5000th visitor to my page here at deviantart, and for his troubles, he gets a custom one-shot fic, which, as before, will be an exclusive that can only be found here.

I will offer this again in the future. So, be ready for it. ]]> ~Doug4422