Vacation Diaries Part 2

Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Myrtle Beach I had Kidney Dialysis treatment in a center called Davita. Everything went pretty well there and this allowed my wife a break from home treatment to enjoy her vacation. The Beach Colony Resort was an awesome place to stay. Three pools, a lazy river, 2 hot tubs, a spa , a gym, an arcade, and racquetball courts made for a great week for all. The outside bar was a nice touch too. The beach access was easy to get to from the resort and my wife loved our lifeguard, Parker. He is a college student at Clemson and was there to rescue me when a one foot wave beat me up pretty bad. Perry had my back even though he almost drowned me. I still love him and he is still in the will. We enjoyed having my mother in  law and father in law with this year. We ate a joint called the Dead Dog Saloon in Murrell's Inlet that was really good. Perry had a cheeseburger and fries. Dolly Parton has a place in Myrtle Beach. It used to be a Dixie Stampede dinner show. Now it is called Pirate's Cove and it was an awesome experience. The food was good and the show was highly entertaining. We left Myrtle Beach on Saturday morning and went to Pigeon Forge, TN for a couple of days. We took Perry to the Hollywood Car Museum and saw some of George Barris' car collection. That was neat and the pictures are great. I wanted to go to Ripley's Aquarium which was fantastic. The highlight of our trip there was The Titanic Museum. It is a replica of the front of the ship built in the Smoky Mountains. We went on a self-guided tour and three hours and 45 minutes later we closed the place. What an experience! Overall we had a great time.

I'm BAAAAAAACK!!!!

I had a great vacation with my wife, our son, and my Mother and Father in law. The trip started Friday June 3rd after a round of home dialysis. My wife did all of the driving for me and Perry. On the first day, we went to Ashville, NC foe a sleepover. Lunch on Friday was at Sonny's Barbecue in Corbin, KY. What a great BBQ Beef Brisket! Perry had a Cheeseburger and fries. Stacy had a Pork trio plate. It was a great experience. In Ashville. we met up with Mom and Pop. Dinner was at the Apollo Fire Greek Restaurant. Everyone had a Greek salad but Perry. He had a cheeseburger and fries. I had a platter that had Greek salad, Lamb Gyro, Greek Meatballs, and marinated chicken. Chicken Alfredo was consumed by the rest of our party. That was a great find by Jim Johnson! Saturday morning, after a free breakfast at the hotel where Perry had a Cheeseburger and Fries, we caravaned to The Beach Colony Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. We spent a week there. We stayed on the ninth floor. Most resort hotels do not have a thirteenth floor or a thirteenth room on each floor due to it's unlucky connotation. My wonderful family stayed in room 914. This funny fact was not lost on my superstitious wife Stacy. She slept with one eye open for two nights.

Sunday was a wonderful day at the beach after a plate of Stacy's Famous Biscuits and Gravy. I was adorned in tan, flowered swim trunks, a tan, sleeveless shirt, blue and gray beach shoes, and a blue on blue beach towel, which is the size of Texas. My head was covered with the sharpest Panama Jack hat. To complete this picture. I was spray painted in SPF 60 sunscreen. The texture is comparable to the Maple Syrup at FlapJack's in Gatlinburg, TN.Right Said Fred was spot on! "I'm Too Sexy!"  For lunch, We had Ham and Swiss sandwiches. Perry had a Cheeseburger and Fries. After a late afternoon swim in the pool and hot tub, I attempted a lap in the lazy river. This was a great source of amusement for my family. Two scraped knees and three knots on the head later, we were back in the room for a great BBQ chicken breast dinner prepared by my beautiful wife. Perry had a Cheeseburger and Fries. What a fantastic start to one of my favorite vacations. TO BE CONTINUED...

It's a Goode Thing!

Last night, I went to dinner with my family. We took my mother to Edward's Drive In here in Indianapolis. We had a wonderful meal and then went for a ride. We stopped off at the home of my great aunt and uncle, Lonnie and Norma Rigney. They re both 82 years old and full of life and stories. My grandfather, Virgil Rigney, and Uncle Lonnie came to Indianapolis in the 1940s. they were a huge part of starting the Teamster's union on the trucking docks in Central Indiana. I sat for two hours and listened to stories about Jimmy Hoffa and Frank Fitzsimmons, both legends in the Teamsters lore. What a night!

I got to thinking about my last name. Are there any famous Goode's or Rigney's? I went to Wikipedia and researched both. Here is the information on the last name Goode:

• Alex Goode (Born 1988), British rugby union player
• Alexander D. Goode (1911-1943), US Army chaplain
• Andy Goode (born 1980), British rugby union player
• Coleridge Goode (born 1914), Jamaican British jazz musician
• Daniel Goode (born 1936), American composer and clarinetist
• David Goode (born 1971), British organist
• David R. Goode, retired CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation
• Elena Goode (born 1982), American actress who stars on the daytime soap As The World Turns
• Erich Goode, American sociologist
• George Brown Goode (1851–1896), American ichthyologist
• Harry H. Goode (1909-1960), American engineer
• Harry King Goode (1892 - 1942), British World War I flying ace
• Jeff Goode, American television show creator
• Jamie Goode, British wine writer
• Joanne Goode, former British badminton player
• John Goode (1829–1909), American politician
• John Paul Goode (1862–1932), American geographer
• John J. Goode (born 1956), Irish shipping magnate
• Lynda Tolbert-Goode (born 1967), American hurdler
• Malvin Russell Goode (born 1908), African-American television journalist
• Mary Goode (born 1979), field hockey goalkeeper from Ireland
• Matthew Goode (born 1978), British actor
• Milton Goode (born 1960), American high jumper
• Patrick Gaines Goode (born 1798), American lawyer, and legislator
• Richard Goode (born 1943), American classical pianist
• Roger Goode, South African DJ
• Roy Goode (born 1933), British lawyer
• Sarah E. Goode (born 1850), first African American woman to get a US patent
• Virgil Goode (born 1946), American politician
• W. Wilson Goode, Jr. (born 1965), Philadelphia City Councilman
• Wilson Goode (born 1938), former Mayor of Philadelphia

Fictional characters:

• Ebeneezer Goode

And we all know about Chuck Berry's famous little diddy, "Johnny B. Goode". I find it intriguing that my last name has appeared in so many walks of life. My cousin Roger is a South African DJ! So, that's where I get my love for music from...A mayor, a lawyer, an actor, and a wine writer too!!! I am overwhelmed!

So...now back to Wikipedia. The last name Rigney did not yield as much information. I found one famous Rigney. Bill Rigney, baseball player for the New York Giants (prior to the move San Francisco). Check this out:

William Joseph Rigney (January 29, 1918 — February 20, 2001) was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of Alameda, California, he batted and threw right-handed.
A 26-season major league veteran, Rigney played for the New York Giants from 1946 through 1953. His most productive season came in 1947, when he collected career-highs in home runs (17), RBI (59), runs (84), hits (142), doubles (24) and games played (130). An All-Star in 1948, he was a .259 career hitter with 41 home runs and 212 RBI in 654 games.
Following his playing career, Rigney served as the Giants manager from 1956-60, leading the club in its first season after moving from New York to San Francisco in 1958. He then became the expansion Los Angeles Angels' first manager in 1961, moved with them to Anaheim, and remained until the 1969 season, winning the AL Manager of the Year Award in 1962.

Isn't that cool! My son Perry Walls wants to take my name when he turns 18. That will be the biggest honor in my life! He is my legacy. It is Goode to be me. I love you all more!

I Spin The Songs...

Today, I have a lot on my mind. Who shot J.R.? Where's the beef? Help I've fallen and I can't get up! Do I really have ED? If it is supposed to make me feel better, then why are there so many side effects? Let me start by saying dialysis went great right up until the time my bowels decided to make boom boom. Well, enough about me. How are you today? I want to talk about music today. I have a good friend and former coworker that now lives in Charlotte, N.C.. He owns a small mobile DJ service. You know the guy in the corner at most wedding receptions playing "The Chicken Dance". He started out where most respectable "Announcers" began their careers in a strip club in Boilermaker Country. While in Charlotte, he decided to go to broadcasting school. Now he is interning for a funny morning show called Woody and Wilcox on 106.5 The End. Oh, by the way, he still has the mobile DJ business for now. In fact, his last gig was in a strip mall in Knoxville, TN. That is dedication! As a former high school DJ, I am in awe of his determination. He will succeed. Look out Howard Stern, Bob and Tom, Billy Bob and John Boy, and Woody and Wilcox. DJCrackerJack has the prize all the girls want and the boys wish they had! Look out! He was in the Navy. Do you have a request?


Osama Bin Laden: "Hit me with your best shot!"
Obama: "In The Navy"
Joe Biden: "She Bang! She Bang!"
George W. Bush:: "Freebird"!!!!
Dick Cheney: "Waterfalls"

Remember That One Time...

It is Memorial Day weekend. Time to break out the grills, fishing poles, and cornhole Gaines. The first official weekend of summer which does not begin until June 21. Time to drive to see family or stay at home and listen to the Indy on the radio and watch the Coca Cola 600 on TV. So much to do and only three days to do it. What is Memorial Day and its long weekend really? Here are some interesting facts about this misunderstood holiday.

"And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." Exodus 12:14 KJV. God wants us to set aside a time to remember. We must focus on blessing from Him, loved ones that have passed on before us, and our fine men and women of our Armed Forces  who have served fought and died for our freedom. God Bless America and her troops that defend Her.

Facts about Memorial Day.

1 It started during the Civil War in America. 620,000 people lost their lives for both the North and the South. We honor them.

2. General Logan made it an official holiday. "Gen. Logan, the speaker at the Carbondale gathering, also was commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. On May 5, 1868, he issued General Orders No. 11, which set aside May 30, 1868, "for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion" David Holzel @ CNN.com.

3.It was originally known as Declaration Day. The name Memorial Day popped up in 1882. It became a Federal Holiday in 1967 and was from that day forward known as Memorial Day.

4. The holiday is a franchise. "Our holidays were enacted state by state. New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day a legal holiday, in 1873. Most Northern states had followed suit by the 1890s. The states of the former Confederacy were unenthusiastic about a holiday memorializing those who, in Gen. Logan's words, "united to suppress the late rebellion." The South didn't adopt the May 30 Memorial Day until after World War I, by which time its purpose had been broadened to include those who died in all the country's wars." writes Holzel. Talk about a little bitter.
In 1971, the Monday Holiday Law shifted Memorial Day from May 30, to the last Monday of the month. Hallmark ranks it righ up there with Christmas, Mother's Day and Birthdays. McDonald's and J.D. Byrider do not have the corner on the franchise market!

5. Memorial Day has its customs. In General Orders No. 11 it is stated that "in this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed," but over time several customs and symbols became associated with the holiday.
It is customary on Memorial Day to fly the flag at half staff until noon, and then raise it to the top of the staff until sunset. we learn something new every day.

6. Each Memorial Day is a little different No question that Memorial Day is a solemn event. Still, don't feel too guilty about doing something frivolous, like having barbecue, over the weekend. After all, you weren't the one who instituted the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. That credit goes to Indianapolis businessman Carl Fisher. The winning driver that day was Ray Harroun, who averaged 74.6 mph and completed the race in 6 hours and 42 minutes.
Gravitas returned on May 30, 1922, when the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated. Supreme Court chief justice (and former president) William Howard Taft dedicated the monument before a crowd of 50,000 people, segregated by race, and which included a row of Union and Confederate veterans. Also attending was Lincoln's surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln.
And in 2000, Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity. The time was chosen because 3 p.m. "is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday."

Take time this weekend to reflect on all the great things we have been Blessed with in America. Unlike our schools and our Politicians let's remember,

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Ten Facebook Facts from CNN.Com and My Interpretations

10 fascinating Facebook facts -- and what they say about us

By Pete Cashmore, Special to CNN May 27, 2011 6:02 a.m. EDT | Filed under: Social Media

Mashable's Pete Cashmore says Facebook surveys provide intriguing insights into our online behaviors.

• Mashable's Pete Cashmore offers 10 fun facts about Facebook, which 600 million use
• No privacy controls for quarter of households with Facebook account, Consumer Reports say
• Another survey finds 48% say they look at their ex's Facebook profile too often

Editor's note: Pete Cashmore is founder and CEO of Mashable, a popular tech-news blog. He writes occasional columns about social networking and tech for CNN.com.

FACEBOOK is a fascinating tool used to connect with friends and loved ones worldwide. This article I found on CNN. com will tell us something about ourselves. My observations are in red.

(CNN) -- A study released this week revealed that 47% of Facebook users have swear words on their pages. A survey last week, meanwhile, showed that undergraduate men who talk about alcohol on Facebook tend to have more friends.
Whether it's our level of tolerance for swearing or the link between alcohol and bonding with friends, these Facebook studies provide intriguing insights into our online behaviors.
And yet I'd argue that Facebook surveys have a more fundamental role. With more than 600 million people actively using Facebook, these studies in fact provide a deeper understanding of our evolving cultural norms: our values, our morals and our changing relationships between one another.
Don't believe me? Here are some fascinating Facebook facts that just might serve as a peek into our 21st-century values.

1. 56% of Americans think it's irresponsible to friend your boss on Facebook

My wife is my new boss  and she will beat me to death with my own arm if I defriend her.

A survey released in February 2010 showed the majority of Americans don't find it socially acceptable to be Facebook friends with their boss. The study of 1,000 people by Liberty Mutual's Responsibility Project suggests that despite an increasing overlap between our work and home lives, we continue to value a separation between the two.

Meanwhile, 62% of those surveyed said it's wrong for a manager to befriend an employee on Facebook. And yet 76% of respondents said it was acceptable to befriend a peer on Facebook, suggesting what we truly value is that our work be judged on its merits rather than getting ahead based on personal relationships.

2. Facebook links about sex are shared 90% more than average

How come none of my friends send me this stuff? JK IDK LOL

Facebook confirms the adage: Sex sells. From February until May 2010, social media scientist Dan Zarrella processed 12,000 links to news sites and blogs. He discovered that links about sex were 90% more likely to be shared on Facebook than any other subject matter.
He also discovered that links with positive sentiment were more likely to be shared on Facebook than those with negative viewpoints.

3. People in Facebook relationships are happier than single people

Really?? Most of the drama I see on Facebook comes from people bad mouthing family and friends, My wife and I are happy and we are going into year 13!

In February 2010, Facebook marked Valentine's Day by comparing the relationship status of its users to their happiness -- this was surmised based on the level of positive or negative sentiment in the user's Facebook updates.
The result: Those in relationships were found to be slightly happier than single people. Those who were married or engaged were also happier than single people on average.
However, Facebook users in an "open relationship" -- where the partners are not exclusive to one another -- were significantly less happy than single people. Monogamy, it seems, makes us happy.

4. 21% of people would break up via Facebook

Not surprising since most guys"break up" before the relationship starts.

A June 2010 survey of 1,000 Facebook users -- 70% of whom were male -- found that 25% had been "dumped" via Facebook (via their significant other updating his or her relationship status).
Twenty-one percent of those surveyed said they would end a relationship by changing their Facebook relationship statuses to "single." While worrisome, the survey does show the majority of people do not split up via Facebook.
For this uncomfortable task, it seems, we still turn to more personal forms of communication. This particular study also appears to suffer from a little male bias -- a July 2010 survey found that 9% of women have initiated a breakup via Facebook, versus 24% of men.

5. 85% of women are annoyed by their Facebook friends

Just wtch the movie"Mean Girls". Enough said!

For women on Facebook, friends can sometimes be irritating. In a March study conducted by Eversave, 85% admitted to having been annoyed by their Facebook friends. Of these annoyances, the most cited was "complaining all the time" (63%).
Other pet peeves included "sharing unsolicited political views" (42%) and "bragging about seemingly perfect lives" (32%).
While I've yet to see a similar survey focused on men, it's probably safe to assume these feelings are universal: Our friends are a source of joy and occasional irritation.

6. 25% of households with a Facebook account don't use privacy controls

If I wanted my business on the streets, I would put it there. FB Hackers beware! My page has booby traps.

A June 2010 survey from Consumer Reports stated that "in one of four households with a Facebook account, users weren't aware of or didn't choose to use the service's privacy controls."
While Consumer Reports chose to interpret this finding in a negative light, I'd propose a contrary view: Seventy-five percent of households did take the time to understand Facebook's privacy controls, suggesting that privacy remains important to our society.
The same study stated that "Twenty-six percent of Facebook users with children had potentially exposed them to predators by posting the children's photos and names."
Again, the positive view would be that 74% of Facebook users with children did not post their photos and names -- suggesting that we value privacy.

7. 48% of parents friend their kids on Facebook

My wife runs my house . She tells me and Perry who we can friend. That settles that!

On the question of whether it's OK to friend your kids on Facebook, parents are roughly split down the middle -- 48% have chosen to do so. Respondents in a May 2010 survey by Retrevo admitted that this could be "awkward at times."
Parents were also asked about the minimum age at which their children should be allowed to sign up for Facebook or MySpace. Twenty-six percent of parents replied "over 18," 36% said "16 to 18," 30% said "13 to 15" and 8% said "under 13."
Opinions may be changing rapidly, however. A Consumer Reports survey released this month says the majority of parents of kids 10 and under "seemed largely unconcerned by their children's use" of Facebook.

8. 47% of Facebook users have profanity on their walls

Is that all? What about those annoying LMAO, WTH posts? I'm guilty!

As previously mentioned, a new study by the reputation management service Reppler has found that 47% of Facebook users have swear words on their walls, with these profanities being posted by a friend 56% of the time.
In other words: Nearly half of Facebook users are comfortable with swearing. The most common profanity on Facebook? No prizes for guessing: It's the "F-word."

9. 48% of people say they look at their ex's Facebook profile too often

Of the other 52%, 51% are lying, and the other one percent killed their ex.

In a January study by YouTango, 48% of respondents said they look at their ex's Facebook or other social-networking profile too often. The statistic illustrates one danger of social-networking profiles -- ex-partners are more accessible than ever.
But the survey also points to a degree of self-awareness among the respondents. While new technologies provide new temptations, it seems that many of us are able to control these behaviors.

10. 36% of under-35s check Facebook, Twitter or texts after sex

Are they looking for a 140 character review of thier performance? They must feel like they are the center of the Universe. No wonder we are having all of this bad weather.

An October 2009 study by Retrevo suggested that social networks are becoming an increasingly important part of young people's lives. Among under-35s, 36% admitted to "tweeting, texting and checking Facebook after sex." Forty percent of respondents admitted to doing so while driving, 64% said they do so at work, and 65% use these communication channels while on vacation.
Here, we might conclude that the next generation is driving society into a less desirable direction: a world in which digital devices are never put down, even in the most inappropriate of situations.
And yet if Facebook is our guide, I'd say our cultural norms have remained intact. We continue to value professionalism. We find great rewards in human relationships -- and most of us try to exit them honorably.

On the whole, we continue to value privacy. We try to look out for our kids. And as we have been since time immemorial, we continue to be fascinated by sex -- after which we go straight to Facebook to find out what our exes are up to.

I gotta go I am late for the Event, "The Unveiling of Justin Bieber's Tattoos" ;0-

Perry's Garage: The 2011 Version



My sixteen year old son, Perry, loves to build things out of Lego's, wood, cardboard, even dryer lint. He is fascinated with cars, especially the Bugatti. His dream is to open his own garage like Goode's Automotive in Hampton, VA. Perry visited there some years back and caught the bug. He is taking engineering and design as a freshman, and with be in the auto mechanic's shop class as soon as he can sign up. He is doing grunt work for a neighbor this summer to to earn money and stereo parts for his 1990 Dodge Shadow. Don't laugh! the Blue Meanie only had 9,500 miles on it when I bought it, and it hasn't reached 50K yet. ANNND, if I told you what I paid for it, you would not believe me anyway.

Back to Perry's dream...His garage will design, build and repair cars of all shapes and sizes. He wants his cousin Landon to do the artwork (See Below). He has a very best friend named Colburn that will be in the business too. I am not sure what he will do yet. BUT, he is big enough to lift engines by himself. I have a few more ideas for Perry too. Cousin Lauren can answer phones and do paperwork. Mom can do the books. Maybe, there will be room for your blind ol' dad to sit out front in a rocking chair and I will throw rocks at all of the naysayers. I can't wait for opening day!

My Nephew Landon Leffler drew this. He will be 13 years old in December. Look at the detail work in her hair!