Jan 01, 2007 to Dec 31 2007
| Back to the Science Board | Archives |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | art |
Message |
Wish I could tell you Tom that my art is doing
well.... Haven't had the feeling/passion to do much but the few oils I have done haven't been so bad. Haven't marketed them yet (not my yob) Hard to paint when a shoulder has to be at a certain height to do well instead of sitting on lap - lost perspective. Pain in legs and feet also don't help. Not feeling sorry for myself at all, just quietly waiting for my body to heal and the only pill I take is a vitamin again. Enough of this !! HAPPY N E W Y E A R FELLOW MARINERS. SURE WISH I HAD A CHERRY BOMB TO THROW ONTO THE FOOTBALL FIELD OUT MY BACK YARD...BUT ALAS THEY ARE ILLEGAL. JUST DO YOUR BEST IN 20O8......ALL THOSE THINGS YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO ...PUT THEM IN THE DRAWER AND IF YOU GET TO MAYBE 1/5TH..I'D SAY YOU WERE A SUCCESS. |
| Name : | Tom 'the Wizard' McKay |
| Email : | Santa, Just more kisses, hugs and all the rest |
Message |
Chris, Lynn, and Kathy, and all the Mariners out there,
Happy Holidays and may you be blessed with good health for the coming
year. And thanks so much for the inspiration in your
messages. Lynn, How is your art going? Lety is having a big show in March. She is really advancing in her skills. Next year she will graduate from UTEP with a BFA in painitng and a minor in drawing. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Kathy |
| Email : | Lynn |
| Message |
Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year to you
too... I didn't know about your accident and I'm happy to hear you are recovering. I agree, there is nothing like an accident, health scare, loss of a loved one or an actual illness to make us aware of how important family and friends are. We take sooo much for granted. Peace and love in 08 to all Mariner's. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Big Hurt |
Message |
Just terrible news. James Butler, our gym owner and
Superman Jiu-Jitsu expert, died outside the gym last Wednesday from an
apparent heart attack. James was only 40. He was a giant of a man in
heart, soul and spirit. He gave this old Gringo a shot at working with his
team for the past two years and was ecstatic with the success we were
enjoying. I was stunned and felt his death was just a surreal event. The
reality of his departure from this earth is just heart breaking. With all
my experience over the decades, I have never met a man who had the skill,
temperment, and ability to love nearly all makes of people yet when it
came to his sport, he was indefatigueable and unbeatable. He earned five
black belts and could even tap out the Brazilians and Puerto Rico black
belts. He was in the true sense a man of steel. Every martial artist
either in the area or traveling through who thought too highly of
themselves and stopped by the gym with a challenge met their match and
more in the great James. And he was a grand teacher. His day job with the
Soccorro Independent School District was to work with handicapped,
troubled and children or those with either a mental or physical problem.
He was named teacher of the year in 2006 and worked the Special Olympics
for years as well. When he had the time, he led his flag football team to
an undefeated season and a national championship. In his honor, they
retired his #1 jersey at his rosary and wake. I was fortunate to be asked
to give an eulogy. I did it with pride and a heavy heart. I am so hurt when the young people of our world who make such a difference in our children and adults are suddenly taken away that I sometimes can't stand it. I could understand my passing as I have reaped the fruits of a long and fruitful life; albeit I have made mistakes. I can't change things that I have no power over so I just wanted to pass on the word about James and just maybe, a few readers who knew nothing of James wondrous character and teaching will at least have heard of him now and quite possibly know of someone in their own life quite like him who was a difference maker in this tough, cruel but often good life. I didn't have a happy for days. I am happy that I was close to James and we were heart-to-heart brothers. The time was too short but oh so sweet. Just keep in mind the title from Kenny Chesney's latest number one song, "Don't Blink." Go on Mariners, Have A Happy...and don't blink. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | And then there was "Go Go." |
Message |
Kathy, great picks. Too bad you are stuck in the boonies.
Don't you get DISH? They have two horseracing channels. It is wonderful to
catch every big race in the USA and the world. My deceased brother would
have loved the coverage. It has been a blessing for me as I attempt to
find ways to deal with my medical problems. Garret Gomez broke Jerry Bailey's record today of 70 stakes wins today. He now has 71 as he masterfully won the big race at Santa anita this afternoon.He was made second favorite but that is only because he is "Go Go" Gomez. I think he might break Jerry's winning purse record of some 23 million as well. It all depends on how much more he rides this year.Imagine, he is the leading money rider, leading stakes rider, won 2 of the Breeder's Cup races and some jealous eastern assholes left him one vote shy of an Eclipse award? That is disgusting. Edgar Prado got it last year because of his excellent riding and connections even though Gomez outgunned him in monies won and in winning percentage. Edgar did win the big one last year and he has been a desreving candidate. But Gomez is the best right now and will be for a few years to come. Joe Talamo, only 18 (he was 17 a few months ago, travled to New Mexico and won the big ZIA race with a thrilling come from behind stretch run. Joe is making a few million dollars this year as both an apprentice and journeyman. Quite a story. Okay, gotta run. Have a Happy Next time: when I was at Caliente as a groom. It was 1951. |
| Name : | Kathy |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
P.S. A big congratulations to Lety also. What an accomplishment. You can both be proud!! |
| Name : | Kathy |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
Hey Tom, Wow...favorite horse of all time...You are right..there are too many. Personally, Secretariet is probably my all time fave, but have had many many favorites in my years of being an avid thoroughbred fan. I started following horses/racing when I was about 12 or 13. I was a pretty good handicapper at that age, if I may say so. Once my uncle took me to Caliente and I gave him my list and he, being the older wiser one, picked his own. Much to his dismay, he should have gone with my picks.. LOL... Do you remember when Caliente had that contest to name the filly? I think you won her if they chose your entry. I named her "Invincible Miss"... did not win. LOL. I didn't know that Jerry Bailey retired. Living here in the midwest is completely different from southern Calif. We get none/next to none news coverage of the Sport of Kings. I was very much aware of the Calif. jockey colony while living there, but again.... not much news. Is Gary Stevens still retired? Garrett is a fine young man and has done well. I think all my old favorite jockeys have long since retired...(hopefully not died).... Fernando Toro (one of the best turf riders ever), was one of my favorite riders. Chris McCarron. Lots of Louisiana boys on the circuit, at least used to be. I somewhere in my memorabilia have autographs of Stevens and Johnny Longden (he was standing in a crowd of spectators and I recognized him). As a youngster I remember asking my folks for a subscription to "Thorougbred of California" magazine. I loved it!! I used to make scrap books and would give anything to have them now. They were newspaper clippings of stakes race results and pics. from the 50's.... I am only about 5 1/2 hrs. from Louisville now and I hope to see the big race once before I die. I never thought I would ever be this close to blue grass country. Hope you can take advantage of your "Kentucky Colonel" status and see it too. In my opinion, jockies and thoroughbreds are underestimated as athletes. Oh, yes, just remembered another favorite horse... Phar Lap... he was sensational. Nice chatting about my favorite sport with such a knowlegeable person as yourself. If I ever get down your way, I would love to visit and talk and talk and talk ....ha ha. You take care of yourself Tom. |
| Name : | Kathy |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
Can't believe I forgot about the Breeders Cup..... Did you get to watch? What about that Curlin???? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Soon..... |
Message |
Hank, Thanks so much. I hope to get back to the boards
soon. I have about two more weeks of medical stuff and then hopefully,
will find some spare time. I hope all is well with you and all Mariners. And about them Chargers and Padres!!! What???? Maybe the Chargers will rebound. Marty Ball anyone? Have a Happy |
| Name : | Henry '60 |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY you big lug.. and many more to you. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Still busy with health issues. I do want to post some info
on Muslim Science (Ugghhh!!!)and the 'big Bang' updates. Perhaps
soon. HAve a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Soon |
| Message |
Hello all, I am slowly recovering from my accident. I know
I haven't posted in quite a while but look for some good science
soon. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Been over in Arizona for medical reasons. I'm back. I have
to catch up on some business and then I hope to get some interesting posts
done. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
I've had relatives in the hospital. It will be three more
days before I have time to post info. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Henry '60 |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
Actually this is the same color I saw all the time. But I
discovered I had a bad computer monitor and the colors I was seeing were
not what everybody else was seeing. Now that I have/bought a new monitor I can see what y'all are seeing. And I'm correcting the color on all the boards and photos. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | New York, New York. |
| Message |
No, But I was on 'Rags to Riches.' Made $8.60 for my $2
bet. More importantly, She not only beat the boys in the Belmont stakes,
she is the 1st filly ever to win the Belmont at a mile and a half. she is
the first FEMALE to tame the boys in over 100 years. Todd Pletcher,
blanked in 38 previous tries, finally gets a triple crown winner. Johnny
Velasquez, the jockey, fianlly gets his first triple crown win. A good day
all around. "Start Spreading the News,,,,,,," An El Paso Burgess High School grad was on the space shuttle. Kudos to him. More later, especially some startling news concerning the 'Big Bang.' I know of one (or many) anonymous who can't wait. Ha! Ha! Ha! Tonite we party. My wife made straight 'A's for the semester. Yesterday she sold two paintings and she is in two upcoming juried shows. It's country music night and we are going to get our boots on and do the 'two-step.' Yippee! If only Gene and Roy could see us now. |
| Name : | ???? |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Wonder if Tom was on it? |
| Name : | on the right |
| Email : | . |
| Message |
Just watched the spaceshuttle Atlantis blast off. What a spectacular sight! |
| Name : | Drats |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Googy g, Darn, I wish I had said that. Really amazing figures. |
| Name : | goofy g |
| Email : | hasta luego |
Message |
Tom, Off to Idaho for a week, sons graduating, visits w/friends and seeing those mountains and clear/clean water. (The Ohio river depresses me every time I see it!) We got steady rain finally, but it is looking like a drought summer here. Speak with you again soon via ma bell. Be good and behave :) sorry for the non-english Henry, forgive me my trespasses okay? |
| Name : | goofy |
| Email : | neat |
| Message |
« Another Great Sucking Sound | Main | NULLIUS IN VERBA »
October 25, 2006 Weighing the Web The Internet weighs two ounces. Driving it takes 50,000,000 horsepower Richard Karlgaard of Forbes has set me to thinking by comparing his soaring home energy costs with Google's multi-gigabuck power bill. $1,200 a month is a lot of Pacific Gas & Electric, but it seems to me that at just $3 a year per capita powering the global internet is a bargain even by third world standards. Yet somehow my own ISP bill gives me no joy. A dollar a day seems pretty stiff , because the electrons I feed my pet laptop are costing me about half a billion dollars a pound. Let me explain. I'm taking about the power that drives the bytes , not lights the lights. The late Bucky Fuller ,of geodesic fame, baffled architects by asking how much their buildings weighed. Not being paid by the pound , few gave much thought to what fraction of the stuff in their structures actually served a structural purpose. 9-11 changed that, for while a weight-is-no-object behemoth like the Empire State Building shrugged off an Army Air Corps bomber crash in 1945, the skeletal World Trade Center's collapse taught a different lesson in false economy : mass and energy still matter. So how much does the internet weigh ? And how many horsepower does it consume? Parts of the original DARPAnet were built like a tank to survive a thermonuclear holocaust. But much post-modern net construction is utterly gossamer, all air and microwaves. Wherever the two come together, boxes full of integrated circuits bear labels that specify how much power they can handle, and solid state textbooks reveal how much of the silicon gets hot, and how much just sits around . In short, you can do the math. A statistically rough ( one sigma) estimate might be 75-100 million servers @ ~350-550 watts each.. Call it Forty Billion Watts or ~ 40 GW. Since silicon logic runs at three volts or so, and an Ampere is some ten to the eighteenth electrons a second, if the average chip runs at a Gigaherz , straightforward calculation reveals that some 50 grams of electrons in motion make up the Internet. Applying the unreasonable power of dimensional analysis to the small tonnage of silicon involved yields much the same result. As of today, cyberspace weighs less than two ounces. It's hard to gauge its heft more exactly ,since devices vary in speed, but to get a handle on The Whole Web instead of just the suburbs we're wired to , try tripling that figure-there are maybe ten times more mostly idle CPU chips in PC's than servers, and fewer very busy ones in the world's comparative handful of supercomputers . Averaging globally , each person alive today has six watts of computational power at the disposal of their twenty watt brain . It's hard for Third Worlders to claim their six watt share of the worlds computing horsepower , but in wired nations like America or Japan, more energy is expended on surfing than thinking.Yet just as cars contain hydraulic fluid as well as gasoline , the net has more than electrons inside-- a lot of its wire and fiber optic infrastructure is shared.. Some cables crackle with live bandwidth while others slumber-- the mix of computer , TV and telecom traffic is unpredictable , and cable trunks branch like trees. It is easy to put a tape measure to the backbone of this shaggy creature, but the length of its hairy wiring is hard to guess at . Factal geometry suggests it still takes a staggering four miles of copper wire to connect the average US home to optical broadband . With copper at three dollars a pound , that 25 pound wire link to the nearest optical cable makes ultratransparent glass a staggering bargain at ten times its weight in gold--it does the work of a billion times its weight in copper. The almost infinite bandwidth of ultratransparent glass has pared the web down to run impressively well on ten nanograms of electrons per netizen, a figure optical computing may not much change , for it takes electrons to make photons. Just as well- if the net ran on recycled light , it would be weightless as an IP lawyer's word. As matters stand , it takes upwards of 50 million horsepower to horse those critical 50 grams of electrons around . When users push the pedal to the floor, the horsepower unleashed on the information superhighway exceeds the power of all the hybrid vehicles on the American road. Copyright 2006 Russell Seitz all rights reserved . Posted at 12:55 AM in Web/Tech | Permalink |
| Name : | To B |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Don't understand 0.2 millionths of an ounce. Is that 20% of one millionth of an ounce? Or is it 1/5,000,000 of an ounce? Aren't you mixing decimals with fractions? |
| Name : | B |
| Email : | |
| Message |
0.2 millionths of an ounce is the answer to the old question. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Theory |
| Message |
A theory is not an educated guess. That is an hypothesis. Just in case someone forgot. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Rosa************ You are such a good sport. Have A Happy..And give a hug to my pal Ralph. |
| Name : | Roannadanadana |
| Email : | |
| Message |
You answered the question just fine Tom. and who cares what the rest of the world thinks, vinegar is still the best cleaning solution in my book. :) |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Nobody answered the Q. How much does the internet
weigh? Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Clean, Purify, Health, Beauty, etc., |
| Message |
Rosanadanadana, I know vinegar is bitter when I take it
straight or use it as a cold remedy. Yet it has hundreds of uses. I prefer
apple cider vinegar as I believe it helps with cancer and a host of other
diseases and is a cleaning gem. I also like white vinegar on my cucumbers
along with tomatoes and salt and pepper. Vinegar is amazing. Thanks for the post. Have a Happy |
| Name : | To Tom |
| Email : | Rosanadanadana |
| Message |
Here's a question tom, for your psychological science/. In
the previous post, you asked who eg Hank, Jerry, Pluto you get the
idea. What is it with people who need to know these things? Can't we just ask a question without the whole dung world knowing everything about us and our bathroom habits. I personally like soft charmin, but can use the generic in a pinch. But those that leave the toilet lide up really pinch my hide and sometimes my butt. I really hate hard water as it leaves this crumbling grundgy white stuff you have to use vinegar and baking soda on in order to get off. Have you ever smelled vinegar Tom? My god, where do they get that stuff, you need nose clips to use it. And if it gets on your skin you stink all day long. My point is this Tom, t hat is my business if anyone asks. But they have to ask. If I ask it is probably a stinky question, but it is my question. Care for some vinegar? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Sex and Diarrhea |
| Message |
Errr, Ralph maybe?? Tomski???? Hank?? Ronald Mcdonald? The
new kid on the block? No matter. We don't have to wait, Escherichia coli has evidently been alive and well with our ancestors for tens of thousands of years. And because it is mostly in the gut, most of us don't think that we are too vulneable when it comes to sex. Uh Oh! Wrong.Urinary tract infections (UTi's)make up millions of doctor visits a year. Women are most vulnerable due to the thrusting of sexual activity, especially anal sex; childbirth, menopause, toilet habits,anatomical development, exercise with underwear,neonatal infection,and changes in sexual maturation. Ah, and then there is the safe oral sex. Oh yeah? The sharing during that encounter leads to bad infections of the bladder. Thrusting during sex causes the bacteria to move from the anus to the vagina if the anal area is not completely clear of fecal material of any size. Easily understood is the fact that if one has anal sex, E-coli will follow. There is an abundance of literature about E-coli on the net. Be assured that of the numerous types, with and without flagella, with and without mobility, uropathogenic types are by far the worse to gain entrance into ones urinary tract. Check out a Michigan University Health Science study that pinpointed the culprits. There is a time when boys are more susceptible and that is with neonatal UTi's. Circumcision reduces the risk. And don't forget, that next trip to Acapulco just might end up as an E-coli adventure rather than a vacation. take your own water or just drink wine. Oh, by the way ladies, please don't wipe from back to front; wipe from front to back. I wrote a joke about that one time years ago on this site. Have A Happy |
| Name : | E-Colitis |
| Email : | |
| Message |
How about E-Coli, Tomski? Can we count on that in the future? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | If Your Smooching Tonight |
| Message |
Gosh, who doesn't like to smooch? Okay, but consider the
following: eight-legged Demodex mites are nestled head down inside the
follicles of our eyelashes. They are constantly feeding on skin cells.
Your tongue and teeth are loaded with microscopic yeast as is your skin
and intestines. Your nerve cells might be quite full of the virus, herpes
simplex. And ancient DNA from ancestors of the far past make up 8% of our
genome. The total amount of microbes in ones body can be around a 100 trillion. The good news is that most of them are friends not foe. But when bloodsuckers like bedbugs, fleas, lice and other organisms invade the body, the battle is on. When we think we are losing the battle, we get drugs, especially antibiotics. And though they may fight the offender, they often disturb our body's ecosystem in the gut by killing the good bacteria as well. Don't play with the tootsies either.Parasitic microbes latch on to bare feet and communal showers, invade the skin, genitalia and scalp. They also creep under the toenails to set up disease. Ringworm, jock itch and athletes foot are just a few of the dangers they cause. Sex? Think thrice. Think Human Papillomavirus. There are more than 100 types of these rascals that can effect humans. We all know about the variety of warts they can cause. Not really. Most of us haven't a clue that there are 30 strains or more of this virus that are sexually transmitted. And the CDC (in Georgia) estimates that at least 50% of sexually active men and women will be infected with genital HPV at some time. Most dangerous of the strains are types 16 and 18. They can lead to cancers of the cervix, penis, vagina, anus, and rectum. That is why the new vaccine (not 100% efficient but pretty good) Gardasil is so important to check out. Then there are the standby bacterial and viral diseases like Syphilis, Gonorrhea, other herpes,Candida albicans and AIDS. Imagine???? Now, Have A Happy Date This Evening. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | If Your Smooching Tonight |
| Message |
Gosh, who doesn't like to smooch? Okay, but consider the
following: eight-leeged Demodex mites asre nestled head down inside the
follicles of our eyelashes. They are constantly feeding on skin cells.
Your tongue and teeth are loaded with microscopic yeast as is your skin
and intestines. Your nerve cells might be quite full of the virus, herpes
simplex. And ancient DNA from ancestors of the far past make up 8% of our
genome. The total amount of microbes in ones body can be around a 100 trillion. The good news is that most of them are friends not foe. But when bloodsuckers like bedbugs, fleas, lice and other organisms invade the body, the battle is on. When we think we are losing the battle, we get drugs, especially antibiotics. And though they may fight the offender, they often disturb our body's ecosystem in the gut by killing the good bacteria as well. Don't play with the tootsies either.Parasitic microbes latch on to bare feet and communal showers , invade the skin, genitalia and scalp. They also creep under the toenails to set up disease. Ringworm, jock itch and athletes foot are just a few of the dangers they cause. Sex? Think thrice. Think Human Papillomavirus. There are more than 100 types of these rascals that can effect humans. We all know about the variety of warts they can cause. Not really. Most of us haven't a clue that there are 30 strains or more of this virus that are sexually transmitted. And the CDC (in Georgia) estimates that at least 50% of sexually active men and women will be infected with genital HPV at some time. Most dangerous of the strains are types 16 and 18. They can lead to cancers of the cervix, penis, vagina, anus, and rectum. That is why the new vaccine (not 100% efficient but pretty good) Gardasil is so important to check out. Then there are the standby bacterial and viral diseases like Syphilis, Gonorrhea, other herpes,Candida albicans and AIDS. Imagine???? Now, Have A Happy Date This Evening. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
33% of the file sharing traffic is music tracks. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
59% of internet file sharing is attributed to folks swapping video files. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
9% of internet traffic is e-mail and 75% is due to file
sharing. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Weight Of The Internet |
| Message |
Great article in my science magazine about the internet. Let's test to see who else has read th article. Okay? How much does the internet weigh? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Correct. At age 65 my wife told me that it was time to
toot my own horn. So be it. And good things have happened since. Have a Happy |
| Name : | We've heard it before |
| Email : | |
| Message |
We've learned over the years that Tom is not one thing: MODEST. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Horses For Courses |
| Message |
Holy Tunafish, the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico is
tormorrow. It should prove very, very interesting. Street Sense will have
to run another great race to beat Hardspun and Curlin. Curlin will redeem
his self in this race and make it a dogfight to the wire. Hard Spun should
be close and maybe steal the race and if it is muddy, anything
goes. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
MV Alum. Your correct. What a shame he gets so little notice. Have A Happy |
| Name : | MV Alum |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Edwin Armstrong invented FM (frequency modulation)radio in 1933. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Ky Derby 133rd Running |
| Message |
Street Sense comes from next to last with only 3/8 of a
mile to go to run away with the derby. Jocky Calvin Borel, aka 'Bor-rail'
saved ground on the rail and luckily, no one backed up and he burst
through to mow down the field. It was stunning. For the first time in decades, the favorites hit the board. Hard Spun ran a spectacular front running pace and nearly won it all. Though Street Sense was the favorite, he was the higest paid favorite in Ky. Derby history at over 4-1. He paid over 11 dollars to win. A smashing race and I could see that many fans were having a delightful time. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Hank, Heavy spammers at website. Help! Have a HAppy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Another Grandchild Too |
| Message |
Goofy G. I am back from California. I didn't have a minute
to spare. Some of my tests were iffy. I have to see my heart speicalist as
soon as I can. As if ONJ, cancer, osteoporosis, and diverticulosis wasn't
enough to deal with. But 'Say hey, Willie Mays', I finally made it home,
albeit not before I went through some wicked weather on the road. I even
had to stop for a night due to hail, blowing dust and heavy showers.
Mud-caked my car. then I got sick from the food I ate at a local
restaurant in the desert and didn't sleep a wink. I arrived home yesterday
and was so hyped from driving that it took me five hours to get to sleep.
Today, I was so knocked out I couldn't even get out of the house until a
bit ago when I went to the grocery store. Tomorrow should be better.And speaking of better, my daughter in Lakeside had a baby boy Friday evening. I was right there. My 5th grandchild. How about them sweet apples? Curlin wasn't evern in consideration for the derby a few weeks back. Now, after his big Blue Grass win,the strong- looking, long-striding hunk of a horse might be the favorite for the big dance. Doesn't matter how good a horse he is and the fact that he has only three starts. If he gets a good break, is in the thick of things turning for home, he will be in the mix at the wire. And speaking of horses for the derby, any one of some 10 will have a good shot should they get positioning at the turn for home and don't have a troubled trip. Trouble will be-a-plenty as it looks like a full field will line up for the '133 Running of the Roses'. It should be exciting. I doubt that Curlin will win if he isn't managed well.And did you know that there has never been a disqualification in the derby? That means anything goes and believe me, there will be some real bumping, juggling and whips-a-flying throughout the race. Longshots win the derby often and that is because of the large field, post position, track conditions, horses for courses,hot jockey, early speed, tactical speed, turn of foot if positioned, trainers getting away with doping and of course, a ton of luck. In a short field, the favorites would more than likely duel it out. I don't thing a Secretariat is in the field. No Biz Like Showbiz, the mighty Curlin ane the Argentine invader could develop into great horses. Saturday will tell the tale. What could be more exciting than the greatest 2 minutes in sports when all is said and done? Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tpm |
| Email : | |
| Message |
I'll be gone for a spell. Medical stuff. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Right On |
| Message |
Goofy George, Thanks for the uplift. My ONJ is wicked
today. My e-mail is tmckay@elp.rr.com. My phone number is 915 591 6089. The Derby. Oh the Derby! Churchill Downs and the Twin spires. What a magnificent place. What a splendid place to be on the first Saturday in May. Next year might be the year for me. As for the running in 2007, it is up for grabs at this juncture. Nobody stands out and the post position draw is ever so important in this race. Traffic congestion, dirt in the eyes, boxed in, accidental or deliberate swats to the head by another jocks whip, possible doping and being masked, infections, injuries before of during the race, indigestion of the horse, constipation, shin problems, shipping sickness, been running on polytracks and now dirt, bad break from the gate, stumbling,saddle strap problems, crowd problems, jumping shadows, and biggest of all: how good and effective was the new shoes put on and when were they put on and did the horse sore up; and how balanced was the horse after the farrier put on the shoes. My deceased brother, Buddy McKay, was a top quarter horse rider in the 40's and later became one of the premiere farriers in this country, Canada and Mexico. He also became a Top-ten candidate for one of the meanest drunks of all time. Nevertheless, he once shod the first 3 finishers in the All American Futurity. He swam and shod horses that won The Little Brown Jug and the Preakness. I have never met another farrier who knew a horses feet better than my brothr. When I was attending MV, my brother took a 1500 dollar claimer, So La Ci, and shod him to greatness. He shod horses in $50,000 match races in the 50's and 60's and 70's and not a one of them lost. He was that good. He was also equally that good at getting drunk and fighting. Nobody, no matter what size of man, could whip him. He just whupped everybody who tried him and every tough who wanted to make their mark by trying him. Like his great uncle, the gunfighter, 'Bud' Frazer, Buddy wsn't about to let someone else get a notch on their belt off of him. And nobody ever did. One heavyweight boxer co-cocked him while he was drinking a beer at a bar. Blindsided him is better. He recovered and brutally beat that fighter so bad that he had to go to the hospital for days. Back to the Derby. Curlin, with only 3 outs, is looking mighty good. Inexperienced but it didn't show as he wiped out the talanted field in the Bluegrass. Cowtown Cat is coming around and looks sound when he pulled up. Great Hunter is a disappopitment but then again, his jockey got him boxed and then when he pulled to another lane, he was hit by another horse and knocked off stride. Don't count him out just yet. Octave was beaten a nose with Garrett Gomez up. However, he was flying at the end of a 1 1/8 miles. the Derby is an eigth longer. Street Sense was also in deep trouble as his jock seemed to position him badly and feel that he could win no matter what. Nearly correct. He too got beat a nose in a thrilling finish. He might be the favorite over Curlin. Means little in the Derby unless one gets a favorable draw and great break and positioning for the quarter pole. Circular Quay is such a muscular and well-cut horse. If he is growing like I think he is and if he is mature enough, he will be in the mix down the lane. Dominican is coming on strong. He might be a contender and he might be a pretender. Saturday, he was lights out. Scat Daddy is on the improve as well. He will need a good post to be dangerous at this distance. Kip Deville ran big too. Might be a stunner in the Derby. No Biz Like Show Biz, who lost his last race but grabbed a close second, should do well at the Derby distance. Funnny Cides trainer has him ready for the Derby. If the pace is right, he could jump the leaders at the quarter pole with his lighning move when unwrapped and speed to a 2 or 3 length lead. Curlin and Street sense, Octave or whomever, might find it difficult to run him down. The horse to look out for is Octave. It won't matter mcuh where he breaks from as he comes from behind. If Gomez rides him and he isn't too far behind, he could win this race. He was nosed out Saturday but not beaten as a top contender for the Derby. He might relish the extra distance. But Gomez can't lag too far back in the Derby or get trapped on the rail or brushed hard by others in the back of the pack. If he should get positioning at the top of the stretch, he could be a challenge to Curlin, No Biz Like Showbiz and Street Sense should those three end up in a head-to-head furious battle down the stretch. A sleeper? Kip Deville has ben showing stamina and speed. McCanns Mojave has some tactical speed and a good burst for a sizteenth of a mile when asked; good turn of foot. And then there is Zanjero. He upset the mighty Saturday and if your looking for a price and a sound shot at winning, here is your horse. Maybe 12-15 to 1. He is hot property right now and can run with any class horse. Others with a chance, albeit a long chance are, Officer Rocket, Cobalt Blue (Won Tough in California), Tiago (good longshot chance), Notional (Has good turn of foot), Any Given Saturday ( Doesn't seem to quite get there but always hits the boards), Chilokee and the one that might steal the whole damn thing with his front-running speed, Teuflesberg. This horse doesn't run out of gas when he hits the stretch run. However, he has been getting away with slow fractions on the lead. The Derby will see him challenged early. If there is a speed duel, and I think there will be, then Mr. T. is likely finished about the 8th pole. Perhaps not, he is bred classy. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Horses For Courses |
| Message |
Just two weeks till the Kentucky Derby. This past year went by way too fast. Ouchy!!! |
| Name : | not as old |
| Email : | . |
| Message |
Earlier I misspoke concerning the rules of the
International Fight League. In the IFL, fighters are allowed to "hold", go the ground, grapple and use other techniques that are not allowed in the World Combat League. Not that anyone is really interested. I just thought I should correct what I said. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | I am a Ky. Colonel |
| Message |
Goofy George, I do have real Kentucky Shot glasses; had
them a long time. However, I am always interested in more. I will e-mail you too. Say, are you a student at Morehead State or perhaps a Prof?? Did you know I as made a Kentucky Colonel this year by the Governor of Kentucky? True. It is just an honorary thing but has the appearance of being pithy. There are some valuable benefits that go along with the honor as well. I get discounts for the derby and other events, including motels, car rentals and free barbecue from the local colonels right at the track both Friday and Saturday. Next year, I might get lucky and attend my first ever Kentucky Derby. Here's hoping (toasting my glass of milk). Have A Happy |
| Name : | not as old |
| Email : | . |
| Message |
I'm not Tom, but Ultimate Fighting has been on TV for quite a while now. |
| Name : | Hey Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
So ultimate fighting is not on Tv yet, right? |
| Name : | not as old |
| Email : | . |
| Message |
Lately there are two "new" genres. Chuck Norris's "World Combat League" which allows no grappling at all but utilizes "strikes", hands, knees, feet and elbows. Fighters must continually fight and not "lag" or they can lose a penalty point to the opponent. It is a team effort with each fighter accumulating points for the team, or losing points as the case may be. There is also the "International Fight League" which, I believe, has, basically, the same rules as the "World Combat League" |
| Name : | Hey Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Is there a difference between kick boxing and ultimate fighting or are they one and the same? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Google/Dogpile |
| Message |
Crystal, Just google or dogpile in "tom mckay with cliff magic thomas' or cliff magic thomas with tom mckay.' Okay, have fun and Have A Happy. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Snow here too |
| Message |
Crystal, Ditto!!! We had a light snow. We also had
terrible winds all night long and the temperature sunk some 20 degrees
below normal. My booksigning went well. Made over $250.00. Cliff didn't make it in from Ft. Worth and that hurt. However, I covered things well. I had my kids put on a rocking/socking workout. I couldn't do much myself because of my injured ribs but 16 year old Nathan Martinez put on a superb performance and Isaac Barrientos did the same. Every onlooker was just stunned by Nathan's gig on the speed bag. Every method you can think of was in his repertoire. He was amazing. We also did boxing techniques and some sparring in the L.A. Boxing ring. It was all Kudo's for my kids....And me too. The weather was raining most of the morning with heavy winds. That kept our attendance down. Still, I sold many books and had a gala of a time. I arrived home in time to catch the Wood Memorial and the Illinois Derby. Time flies so fast. It is nearly Kentucky Derby time again. By the way, I have been such an avid horse fan that the Governor of Kentucky has made me a Kentucky Colonel. It is an elite club with top movie stars, athletes like Muhammed Ali, etc., in the mix. The club has a special deal and cookout for both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby-with discounts. So, since I have dreamed of but never attended a Kentucky Derby, next year, if I make it, we are planning on being there. Oh, what happiness if I make it. It has been a passion of mine for decades. Jimminy Crickets,I am so thrilled about the opportunity. And you can call me Colonel Tom McKay if you please. I have the confirmation. Say my good woman, you haven't checked out out the chance to buy my limited edition book. It is certainly different from other how-to books. Imagine if you will, a youth born with a hole in his heart the size of a silver dollar, operated on a few years down the line while running a 104 fever, sewed up with a 142 stictches etched across his chest in the form of a cross and his parents told that if he didn't do anything strenuous, the youngster might live to age 13 or 14. So, the youngster was labeled a sissy and picked on by other boys until he was 14. "What the heck" he said, as he knew the circumstances but joined up in a karate gym. The rest is recorded history. At age 22 he won his first world kickboxing championship as a 20-1 underdog to udefeated champion, Gordon Franks. He went on to win 7 world championships in 5 weight divisions and retired his last belt at age 48. No one ever put him on the canvass and he even knocked out the 'King of The Bloodsport," the amazing Paul Vizzio. Sounds like fiction and a ready made movie, eh? No, it is Cliff 'Magic' Thomas, the main character and subject of my book, "Magic! Magic! Magic! I was an assistant coach of his for over 20 years and I was there in 1980 when he became the 1st El Pasoan to win a world title in any sport. I was there for the 7th as well. Have A Happy magicthomas.com tmckay@elp.rr.com |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Snow here too |
| Message |
Crystal, Ditto!!! We had a light snow. We also had
terrible winds all night long and the temperature sunk some 20 degrees
below normal. My booksigning went well. Made over $250.00. Cliff didn't make it in from Ft. Worth and that hurt. However, I covered things well. I had my kids put on a rcoking/socking workout. I couldn't do much myself because of my injured ribs but 16 year old Nathan Martinez put on a superb performance and Isaac Barrientos did the same. Every onlooker was just stunned by Nathan's gig on the speed bag. Every method you can think of was in his repertoire. He was amazing. We also did boxing techniques and some sparring in the L.A. Boxing ring. It was all Kudo's for my kids....And me too. The weather was raining most of the morning with heavy winds. That kept our attendance down. Still, I sold many books and had a gala of a time. I arrived home in time to catch the Wood Memorial and the Illinois Derby. Time flies so fast. It is nearly Kentucky Derby time again. By the way, I have been such an avid horse fan that the Governor of Kentucky has made me a Kentucky Colonel. It is an elite club with top movie stars, athletes like Muhammed Ali, etc., in the mix. The club has a special deal and cookout for both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby-with discounts. So, since I have dreamed of but never attended a Kentucky Derby, next year, if I make it, we are planning on being there. Oh, what happiness if I make it. It has been a passion of mine for decades. Jimminy Crickets,I am so thrilled about the opportunity. And you can call me Colonel Tom McKay if you please. I have the confirmation. Say my good woman, you haven't checked out out the chance to buy my limited edition book. It is certainly different from other how-to books. Imagine if you will, a youth born with a hole in his heart the size of a silver dollar, operated on a few years down the line while running a 104 fever, sewed up with a 142 stictches etched across his chest in the form of a cross and his parents told that if he didn't do anything strenuous, the youngster might live to age 13 or 14. So, the youngster was labeled a sissy and picked on by other boys until he was 14. "What the heck" he said, as he knew the circumstances but joined up in a karate gym. The rest is recorded history. At age 22 he won his first world kickboxing championship as a 20-1 underdog to udefeated champion, Gordon Franks. He went on to win 7 world championships in 5 weight divisions and retired his last belt at age 48. No one ever put him on the canvass and he even knocked out the 'King of The Bloodsport," the amazing Paul Vizzio. Sounds like fiction and a ready made movie, eh? No, it is Cliff 'Magic' Thomas, the main character and subject of my book, "Magic! Magic! Magic! I was an assistant coach of his for over 20 years and I was there in 1980 when he became the 1st El Pasoan to win a world title in any sport. I was there for the 7th as well. Have A Happy magicthomas.com tmckay@elp.rr.com |
| Name : | Crystal |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
I love that! I love your story & wish you both the best. We've got a little SNOW FLURRY going on in Dallas. Unbelievable! |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Songs About Mexico |
| Message |
Sorry Crystal, I rushed that last post. Hey, it is getting
late and my Mexican Beauty is tired and I have a big day tomorrow. Time
for some huggy bear as a cold wave is rolling through El Paso. So, for a nightcap, I thought we and maybe you will enjoy this song about a cowboy in Mexico. Oh, I like Kenny and George's songs too, especially Eddy Raven and "I Got Mexico." But this catchy tune really relates to us and it is good. Really good. Have a peek. Blaine Larsen "I Don't Know What She Said" No hablo espanol Was all I knew of the local lingo That old pocket guide to Mexico Wasn't much help to this out of place Gringo When I checked into my motel room Was helped by a brown-eyed senorita She said, Buen venidos, Senor Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah Como estas, Buenos dias. I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it A little voice in my head said Boy, you won't ever forget it They say that Spanish is the language of love Well, I love the way that it rolled off her tongue I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it As I followed her down the hallway I was trying my best not to stare The angel before me was a rare beauty indeed Jay-Lo had nothing on her She winked and she smiled at me sweetly Said, Senor, aqu esta su mas vez Muy guapo, and something about ho ho's And I thought, oh, baby, whatever you say I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it A little voice in my head said Boy, you won't ever forget it They say that Spanish is the language of love Well, I love the way that it rolled off her tongue I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it Later that evening in a local cantina A Mariachi band was playing She held me close so her body would know That my body knew what she was saying I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it A little voice in my head said Boy, you won't ever forget it They say that Spanish is the language of love Well, I love the way that it rolled off her tongue I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it No, I don't know what she said But I sure liked the way that she said it Have A Happy |
| Name : | Crystal |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
You all, not y'all mind you, are a ways from Dallas! I would love to come meet you one day. What is it your wife does? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Easing The Pain |
| Message |
Crystal & Goofy George, Many thanks Mariners. Every little bit makes the pain a little less agonizing. Crystal, I have so many obligations and your right, I haven't been taking good care of myself. I have to overcome gravity and get chores done. My book signing this Saturday is a must. Have A Happy...Come see us..and my wife's exciting art. |
| Name : | goofy george |
| Email : | that smarts |
| Message |
Gravity is not kind these days. Hope you mend as quickly as possible! |
| Name : | Crystal |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
Take care, Tom. Most guys will "tough it out" and cause
more problems. I know, you're a smart man - but you are a man. I say this
as a wife & a person in the medical field. :) I wish you the best in your recuperation! |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Ouchy |
Message |
Fell in my home five days ago and punctured some flesh and
broke a rib high up. Hurts!!! Hard to breathe and nearly impossible to
sleep. Time!! Sure hope it heals over time. I had enough pain going with
the ONJ. All I needed was to compound the issue. Shucks, I'll make it, I
guarantee. Back later with some snappy science news. Have a Happy............And Don't Fall |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Ouchy |
| Message |
Fell in my home five days ago and punctured some flesh and
broke a rib high up. Hurts!!! Hard to breathe and nearly impossible to
sleep. Time!! Sure hope it heals over time. I had enough pain going with
the ONJ. All I needed was to compund the issue. Shucks, I'll make it, I
guarantee. Back later with some snappy science news. Have a Happy............And Don't Fall |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Spices |
| Message |
Hee Haw, It was nostalgia time. I just needed to put a
little salt and pepper on the site as it has been way too bland
lately. HAve A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Spices |
| Message |
Hee Haw, I was nostalgia time. I just needed to put a
little salt and pepper on the site as it has been way too bland
lately. HAve A Happy |
| Name : | To Randall |
| Email : | |
| Message |
You could havbe asked me that and I would have answered "yes." |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Randall, I haven't seen you post at the website for Cliff
'Magic' thomas and I. It is <magicthomas.com> Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Continued for Randall |
| Message |
Finally back to the necessary story: I didn't know Jack
about Fort Stockton. On a weekend when off work from MA Bell,I drove my
1953 Buick Roadmaster to the town to see what all the fuss was about. As a
youngster who had an alcoholic father that was killed at the end of WW2,
and whose Mother, older sister and older brother, all worked two jobs to
try and survive, it is true that three of us children were put in St.
Margaret's Orphanage in Ysleta, Texas. After we were out of that
disgusting place with the mean and bitchy nuns, life got better. We lived in one room for a spell, in an attic, in a housing project and finally in a basement on Upson Street in El Paso. But life was good except for those peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and powdered milk and bread for supper-many, many times. Oh, and beans from the County once a week. What all that has to do with our inheritance and why I went to Ft. Stockton is simple. Mom never had time to tell us about our relatives in Ft. Stockton or we never paid attention. Moreover, we were kids, not very well clothed kids, but kids nevertheless. As such, we just wanted to play and steal fruit from the trees when Spring and Summer arrived; and get enough money from odd jobs to eat a hamburger or Coney once in a blue moon; or better yet, save a quarter and go the the movies with serials on Saturday morning for nine cents and afterwords a 12 inch coney. Man, that was living. I didn't care one iota about our family history-except as a 22 year old and wondering what in the hell did I sign. Mom had given me a breifing that I actually listened to before I took off on the trip. When I arrived in Ft. Stockton, my cousin from the wealthy side of the family, Nita Lou Riggs, took one look at me and later told me she nearly fell in love with me. I was a WAPO in those days. Better yet, she introduced me to Betty Dyson, her best friend. We hung out together all Friday and Saturday and I visited the museum where we had actually lived during the Great Depression. It is quite appealing and many a western writer and artist spent time there, especially when the area was outlaw country. I liked what was going on, especially riding around with Nita and Betty, one of the local high school queens. I didn't like the fact that the memorial plaque outside the museum entry way only had the Riggs names. Our family was Annie's first family. That han't change to this day although I used to make requests. the Rigg' are still heavy players in Ft. Stockton. Barney died maliciously as he had lived. Buck Chadbourne, married to one of Annie's daughters by Johnson,killed Barney with a shotgun when the old drunken gunfighter had too much alcohol after Annie filed for divorce and had confronted her. I only learned a little family history then as I was head over heels in love with Betty. A year later she became my wife. I had to whip an old boyfriend first. He was a college QB but easy prey for me even though he was over 200 pounds to my 160. Betty and I had 3 children. I moved to Odessa, Texas when her father died, probably from the shock of marrying me. I was convinced to stay and help her mom. I went to work for the Butadiene Plant and started in the labor pool and worked my way up to Instrumentman but hated Odessa. Finally, I received an offer from Aetna Life Insurance Company and took it. I spent 5 months schooling at their home in Hartford, Connecticut. It was demanding but such a wonderful learning experience. I know it set me up for college. And I loved working for them but things wern't too well at home and after only six months as an inurance estate planner, I was on the El Paso Police Department. Ten yearslater, a friends wife that I despise, made fun of me because her husband had a degree and I didn't Okay, I took up the challenge, went to school full time while working all night as a policeman, still doing my pest control busines, coaching boxing, coaching optimist football and baseball, and still dancing when I had the opportunity. I really love to dance with my women and hold them so tight; as if our bodies were one. Uh Oh, I gotta go. The love of my life, Letticia is on the way home. And just wait till we finish the children's book. Her art is going to knock your eye teeth out. And maybe we will dance tonite in the kitchen to Kenny Chesney or Rocio Durcall. To be continued...... Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom/Ft. Stockton/MArriag/Museum |
| Email : | Water and A Lot of Other Stuff |
| Message |
Randall, I have been with the neurologist half the day and
the other half getting prescriptions, doing odd jobs and delivering 4 of
my books to callers. And now back to you. You are driving at something here and I'm not sure just what you are driving at.Without a shadow of a doubt, especially concerning a man like yourself who is evidently both wise at times and intelligent all the time, you already know the answer. And if not, you can Google it. For what it's worth here is the basic skinny: "H2O is the only natural solution for which the solid is less denser than the liquid form." Now that said, you can get a basics physics book at Barnes & Nobles are even on line and find some interesting experiments with solutions like glass, bismuth, gallium and what have you to be enthralled. I'm giving you the basic premise which I am positive about....you already know. Come on, I would love for some pre-teens to ask me that question if they weren't into computers. Too, I was a biologist but I still hang my hat with physics, cosmology, archaeology, geology and what I wish I could have had an opportunity to study as a young man, paleontology. I do take all the monthly publications of those sciences. I have also been involved in entomology for some 25 plus years of my life. From 1959-1975 I was the owner of Able Pest Control Company. I took the PCO courses from Purdue to get my qualifications. The tests were proctored at UTEP. I did 2 years, got my certification with a 94.6 average and 9 hours of advanced college credit in Entomology. I did that part-time while working full time as either a policeman, Sgt. In Charge of Criminal Investigations for UTEP, Acting chief of Police for UTEP, coach and science teacher at Marion Manor Middle School, coach, biology and honors biology teacher at Austin High School for 25 years. I graduated from UTEP at age 37 and the oldest ever 'Top-ten Senior.' I attained my Masters in 1975 witha 4.0 average.I was offered a fellowship to rutgers for a doctorate but my son coming down with Leukemia and a divorce shattered that dream. I always wanted to be a college professor, especially in a state like California.I also sold my company after the heartbreaking divorce. To help offset the cost of child support, I also worked part time at the International Bridges, worked as a private detective, and was doing so and bringing back a prisoner from Houston to El Paso when John F. Kennedy was murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald. I was at Sierra Blanca, Texas when that shocking incident occurred and I immediately drove over to the Sheriff's Department in that town to watch the proceeedings on tv with the local law enforcement officers. Why even my prisoner cried and weeped. So did I and my partner, David Rodriguez (I trained his son for 10 years and he is a 22-0 heavyweight and the current Texas Boxing champion. My business was licensed in Texas and I made more money from it than I did the full time jobs. I had an office in a trailer house on a busy street here in El Paso, Montana Ave. I got more credentials this way: After I was honorably discharged from the marines, I went back to my job at Mountain Bell Telephone Company. I was only 22 but an installer/repairman. But a trip to Fort Stockton, Texas was in the making and changed my life entirely from what I had planned. You see, while in the marines, I received a letter overseas from my Mother, who had just a few years earlier married a Catholic Brother about to be ordained a priest- and coincidence of coincidences, he was born in the same 400 person populated little town of Balmorhea, Texas just like me. Anyway, the letter had a form attached. It was a form regarding heirs of frontier woman, Annie Johnson Riggs, and stipulated that her old and famous hotel in Ft. Stockton was going to become a museum and since my brothers and sisters were heirs, we had to sign away any of our rights to the property to make it eligble to become a museum. Annie Johnson, before Riggs, was my great grandmother. After she divorced Johnson, she married outlaw and lawman, Barney Riggs. Barney is famous in Pecos, Texas for killing off some of the Jim Miller Gang and sending Miller hightailing it out of the county. Many believe that Miller killed Pat Garrett. Miller did indeed kill my great uncle, Sheriff Bud Frazer in am ambush while Bud played cards in Toyah, Texas. Barney went to prison for killing a man he thought was having an affair with his wife on a ranch outside Yuma, Arizona. He was sentenced to life in the Yuma Territorial Prison, a real hot hell hole to be sure. He got a pardon when the warden was attacked by a gang of Mxicans inside the prison and Barney helped free him by killing the one stabbing the warden. so, he went in prison for a killing and he got out for a killing. Pardon my straying, I am nostalgic tonite. |
| Name : | Randall |
| Email : | |
| Message |
So, would it be accurate to say that water is the only liquid that does not become more dense when cooled into a solid? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Dogpile |
| Message |
Go to 'Dogpile.com' and write in Cliff Thomas with Tom
Mckay. Or Tom Mckay with Cliff Thomas. Cliff Thomas with Paul vizzio.'
Cliff Thomas with Randall 'Tex' Cobb. Whatever. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Another Goody |
| Message |
Abel Rodriguez just called and he is going to also make it
happen with Barnes and Nobles. Another call came from Pasodale School and
we are negotiating a speaking engagement and book sale there. Another call
for Odessa, Texas. Another call from a huge campus with delinquents just
called. Another call from Meeks Karate, a huge school, just called.
Another book signing is April 7th at L.A. Boxing. another book signing at
the big stateline steakhouse is in the works. ETC. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Way To go |
| Message |
Cliff and I received 3 standing ovations at the Rotary
Club dinner and booksigning. And now requests are flying in as the word is
out about the motivation speeches we gave. We don't mind being alittle
narcissitic about our performance. It felt good and for Cliff it was like
the old world championship mdays. Abel Rodriguez,one of the most prominent radio and tv people in the area was absolutely captivated. He had never seen even one standing ovation at a rotary function much less three. He is negotiating with Cliff to see if his companies can do a documentary. Have A Happy Tom |
| Name : | No douby about it |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Right now Randall is stripping naked and his bathtub faucet is runnig full blast. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Seize the moment??? I think |
| Message |
Randall, Happy St. Pats. Just arrived home from a little
party. About the ice cube. Come on, you know the answer. However, for funs, just fill your bath tub to near overflowing and step in. Okay, how much water was displaced. Next, put the same amount of your weight with ice and measure the displacement as yours. Next, if you could be frozen with all your molecules and dumped in a swimming pool, would you float or sink? What time periods would be involved? If you were thrown in alcohol, would you float or sink? Now surely, what happened to the water molecules when it turned to ice? Yes, the equal upward force on an object in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. If this force is greater than the downward force of gravity it displaces, it will push the object up until it reaches the point where gravity and the buoyant force are equal. Simply put,ice has a lower density (sg)(not higher)than liquid water at temperatures equal to or less than zerp degrees Centigrade, the melting point of ice. Do ice molecules remain the same number as when it was liquid water? What change, if any, did they undergo? Did you take the alcohol test? N, that would be simply stupid. However, you can toss some ice cubes into a glass of alcohol and witness the results. Answer why the ice did what it did? The real neat question of displacement is with ships made of steel. What about objects that can both float and sink? Name some.How does the physics apply? Have A Happy...No Green Beer..unless you want to get the beer that ice sinks in????? What about illusions of heavy materials floating in water? I didn't say delusions...which happens to be a major problem with so-called civilization. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Randall |
| Email : | |
| Message |
If higher densities sink in lower, why do ice cubes float in water? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Wow! The rotary Club gave Cliff and I a feast yesterday at
the country club. And we sold $500 worth of books, Hooray!!! Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tex |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
Thanks! |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Little Hobbits Could Hunt Quite Well |
| Message |
Oh Tex, Someone already answered the Q. But, if you
google, go right ahead and put in 'floresienis.' So interesting. Hobbit
type hunters in Indonesia's Flores Islands. They were in competition with
modern humans...possibly. Enjoy. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Racing Fan |
| Message |
Greetings horseracing fans (You know how big I am about
that). Today was the day that Lava Man made a part of history at Santa
Anita Park. He was the 3rd horse in history ro win the Santa Anita
Handicap in back to back years. The amazing thing is that Lava Man was claimed for 50 grand a couple of years back. Since then he has won 9 straight races in California on both turf and dirt and bankrolled nearly 5 million dollars.Today he won 600 grand out of a 1 million dollar purse. He is the Sweetheart of California racing. Read the sports page tomorrow. Remember Seabiscuit? John Henry? Oh well, everybody has their own thing. I love my horseracing over football and baseball. I don't even watch basketball even though I coached the sport years ago and my teams were always winners. There were other big races today. Most are preps to help owners and trainers decide if they have a shot at the first Saturday in May.That is when horseracing has it's biggest event, "The Run For The Roses" or the Kentucky Derby. More later, I have some meds to take. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Texas |
| Email : | Tom |
| Message |
What was that about the skeleton? I'm going to google it... |
| Name : | What? |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Tom, I don't think there's a person here that has the faintest idea what you are talking about. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Big Racing Day |
| Message |
Back from the hospital. Did some tests and will have to
wait for results. Meanwhile, a big day for equines. Check out Santa Anita
and Gulfstream Park, Things are gearing up for the Kentucky Derby
hopefuls. Take a gander. Oh, the greatst claim in horseracing history,
Lava Man, will be the favored one today in the Big Cap at Santa Anita.
Check out the weights. Lava man is vulnerable today even though he hardly
ever loses a race in Californa. Imagine getting Lava Man for around 65 grand a few years back? What has this former claimer done? How about earning over 4 million? Some tough old horse, eh? Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | 17th |
| Message |
Today Lety and I are celebrating our 17th anniversary. We
met 18 1/2 years ago. What a lovely, memorable, mysterious and wondrous
ride it has been for this old Mariner. She is so much like the class of 54
Babe that Henry posted but much, much younger. Still, I have had so many
good times versus the bad ones. And though the river of my life now
narrows to a stream, I certainly have have had the benefits of an ocean.
I apologize for getting somewhat sentimental and nostalgic but one has to brag now and then and Hank has given us the space for that privilege. Thanks Hank. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | 17yh |
| Message |
Today Lety and I are celebrating our 17th anniversary. We
met 18 1/2 years ago. What a lovely, memorable, mysterious and wondrous
ride it has been for this old Mariner. She is so much like the class of 54
Babe that Henry posted but much, much younger. Still, I have had so many
good times versus the bad ones. And though the river of my life now
narrows to a stream, I certainly have have had the benefits of an ocean.
I apologize for getting somewhat sentimental and nostalgic but one has to brag now and then and Hank has given us the space for that privilege. Thanks Hank. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | |
| Message |
b. yep. It was a repeat but I was just checking. Have a Happy |
| Name : | b |
| Email : | Homo floresiensis |
| Message |
HOBBITS! |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Hmmmmm? |
| Message |
Thats's funny. I'll wait a while before tipping you off. Hmmm? |
| Name : | Nope |
| Email : | |
| Message |
Nope, don't know the little rascal, do you? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Q |
| Message |
Do you know the little skeleton that was thought to be human but is now going to be placed in a class all by itself? |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Super Bowl |
| Message |
Hmmm? Manning did well even though the weather was rough.
His receivers dropped many balls, likely due to the threat of getting
hammered. Indy didn't put Chicago away though until the 4th quarter even though they dominated the game-except for the first kickoff return by Hester. That guy is dangerous to say the least. Both defenses played pretty damned good. Too bad there was so many turnovers. As such, it was not a memorable game. But, the Colts have a ring for the first time. Lety barbecued today. The steaks and sides were just excellent. Yummy. Magic Thomas was here and he lost the wager. He had the bears and I had Indy. Tomorrow we will sell some more books. Get yours, it is a limited edition. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Books and Party |
| Message |
Enjoyed the kickboxing fights last nite and the great
party afterwards. The band, 'Papa Top' was just superb. I got my dose of
AC/DC, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, Jimmy Hendricks, The Beetles, The
Eagles and just about any great band you can name. A dad and son lead
guitar duo just blew us away. the kid is just 14 and can he get the licks
and riffs? Oh Baby, and Daddy is just a full Master of his art. My book is already a hot ticket. Cliff signed and Lety and I sold them Hee Haw!!!! Damn good fights too. Looking at a new promoter who is going to make it big again in the Southwest. If it wasn't for the good times, I would be looking to move from this over-taxed city and the extreme cost of health care. Anyway, Have a happy. We sure did at the Cockpit Lounge after the fight....again. Oh, Lety and I are going to corroborate on a children's art book this summer if my health holds up. |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Party |
| Message |
Hot-Dickety-Damn, What a great party after the weigh-ins.
Fantastic food, superb comaraderie and a classic rock band that would
knock your socks off. And tomorrow, after the fights, we do the whole
thing over again. I haven't had so much fun in quite a spell. And the
Cockpit Lounge was crowded asshole to bellybutton. I wouldn't be surprised
if there weren't 300 people there. I met some really good people too. From California, Arizona, New Mexico, Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Colorado. Excellent fighters and trainers were there. Many stars of tomorrow were there. National champions and a couple of world champions. Oh baby, tomorrow is going to be extraordinarily exciting. Have a Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Cockpit Lounge In El Paso |
| Message |
Tomorrow is the big day for our book signing. It will be
at the Speaking Rock Casino. And some great fights will be on the card.
Tonite are the weigh-ins at the Cockpit Lounge. That is going to be fun
too. If you want a book, order from me or go to magicthomas.com and order from paypal. The book is really fine this time around...for sure. See the new cover at the website. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | 2nd edition of 'Magic!' book. |
| Message |
Yippee! I was told by the publisher that I will have some
books next Tuesday or Wednesday. I was supposed to have them last week.
This serious ice storm has hampered the shipping. I sure hope they arrive
as I have a major books signing engagement at SPEAKING ROCK CASINO in El
Paso during some championship kickboxing fights. About 2000 people usually
attend. We are having huge rain and ice storms and they will last for a
number of days. I sure hope we get clear weather. I might sell some 50-100
books that evening if the weather is good. And I personally believe this
book is of top notch caliber. It is going to be fun selling it. Following
are some of the places I have lined up for book signings: 1. Jan 27, Speaking Rock Casino. Championship Kickboxing Show. 2000 fans expected.Cliff and I are also special guests for the show. 2. Marty Robbins Rec Center. We will have free hot dogs and sodas plus film. InApril TBA. 3. L.A. Boxing of El Paso. Also Free Hot Dogs, Hanburgers and Sodas.TBA (April) 4. State Line Famous Steakhouse. (April-May TBA. 5. Hollywood Davis boxing/Karate Gym and Dojo, Odessa, Texas, TBA. 6. Texas State Kickboxing Championships, Dallas (June, exact date TBA). 7. Jiu-Jitsu of El Paso, March or April. Hot dogs and sodas. 8. AKKA Karate of El Paso, TBA. 9. America's Best Karate (One of the largest Dojo's in the United States and where Cliff now manages), TBA. 10. Westside Kickboxing, grappling and boxing. TBA More to announce later. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Old El Paso and MArty Robbins |
| Message |
GE, It snowed yesterday. It has been cold, drizzly,
sometimes sunny and mostly dreary. However, this is better than the winds
that will start real soon and keep coming for four months and more. Still,
we will have a good amount of nice days. And then the heat, just like
Dallas. I can't afford even a trailer in California so I do the best I
can. I do love September, October and November in El Paso. What is nasty is the taxes we pay. That and the darn Baby-Boomers from California and Oregon who come here and pay bloated prices for real estate and make our taxes even higher. Homes that sold for 60 grand two years ago are going for 140-50 grand now. Homes that were country club styles, 175 grand two years ago, are now 300-500 grand. All that and UTEP raising tuition out of site. The powers that be seem to think we are Harvard on the border. And there is a rush to move here by retiree's. Well, maybe Albuquerque and Phoenix first and then El Paso. How in the name of comfort would anybody want to live in Phoenix? It is over-crowded, over-priced, hotter than a firecracker, full of hard-core criminals and gangs, murders every damn day,and dispicable driving conditions (Cal's don't mind that I guess). Albuquerque is scenic but has more gangs than San Antonio, El Paso and Tucson put together. If our leaders want a war, why not start at home? Wouldn't it be nice to have the National Guard stay home and clean out our own vicious problems? Anyway, have a happy and no, I don't want to live in Dallas. We have a good deal here in El Paso. We have outstanding horse racing about six months a year. And a casino. Ruidoso is only a couple of hours drive; ah, those mountains and trees. Mexico and New Mexico are next door. We have the second oldest bowl game, the Sun Bowl. We have a great and talented art community. We have Ft. Bliss, McGregor Range and we are even close to Carlsbad Caverns. We have Rodeo's and concerts galore. Oh, I love concerts. We have theatre and I even got a part when I was 50. I played the preacher , Jeremiah Brown, in the 4th most paid play, "Inherent The Wind." It was difficult work and such long, long hours of practice. Yet, it was a once in a liftime deal and I can honestly say "it made me feel so, so, so goood." If I was young and single, and naturally as good-looking as I was (* El Wapo), the I might give acting a shot. Maybe if there is reincarnation. And we have Rosa's Cantina...remember Marty Robbins? He was just fantastic and an athlete to boot. If you like dog racing, it is in Juarez as is the Market where we have a special lunch we make ourselves along with a couple of Tecates. There is Old Mesilla just over an hour away. White Sands is two hours The Aerospace Museum in Alamorgodo is an hour and a half. Las Cruces has multiple events we attend. And we have the best enchiladas anywhere...right here in my house, made by Lety or her Mother. Yummy!! I'll tell you more good things about El Paso later. Have A Happy |
| Name : | Good Evening |
| Email : | and |
| Message |
Happy New Year, Tom. How's the weather down your way? Dallas can't figure itself out... |
| Name : | Blue Field |
| Email : | Boise Dumps Oklahoma in OT |
| Message |
Just when I thought the bowl games couldn't get much
better,Boise, the WAC underdog pulls a stunning upset over Oklahoma by
going for 2 in OT and winning it on a Statue Of Liberty Play from the
1930's called by the two back up QB's. Could you believe it???? And who
would have thunk it when Zanbrazky was intercepted by the Sooners with a
little over a minute to go and hung up 7 on them at 35-28. But it was a
spot pass and the receiver blew the play. No big deal, Zambrazky drives
them close and on a huge fourth down, or game over, pitched a perfect
strike to a receiver on a hook and lateral done to perfection and score
tied. OT. Yes Baby, and Adrain Petersen scored on the first play for the
Sooners and it looked like the upset was going to be short. Not to worry,
on 4th down and chances looking slim, a handoff went to a wide receiver
who pulled up quickly and threw a perfect strike to his big tight end to
get six. And then came the killer strike. Since Boise has beat UTEP every
single year we played them (another reason we left the WAC) I knew they
used that old play. They used it once this year, against Idaho. Strange
thing, Boise runs all their modified razzle-dazzle plays to perfection.
They hardly ever fail. And they hit those three late in the game to
absolute perfection. Here is something to think about. Lowly New Mexico State, who lost like 16 straight games over the last two years, had Boise on the ropes and only some last minute heroics by Boise and their razzle-dazzle plays enabled them the win. Maybe they took State lightly as Oklahoma did Boise. But that isn't the real truth. Boise was just as physical as Oklahoma and was never intimidated. And I am thinking that New Mexico State, who does have one hell of a good QB in Chas Holbrook, is going to get some revenge on UTEP next year. We barely got by them this year after blowing them out last year. The outcome is likely to change next year. Hal Mummy's got some good recruits over there at State. Now if only Florida will bust Ohio States offense into shreds and makes enough plays to win and maybe Boise will end up in 3rd behind SC. Ohio State and Michigan could both drop to 5th or lower. Wouldn't that be great? Have A Happy |
| Name : | Tom |
| Email : | Talk About Refreshed... |
| Message |
...Did USC ever drill the Spartans. Geez, just what team
did show up against UCLA? Florida State manhandled UCLA. Go figure.
When USC is on, they are not going to lose. However, the Buckeyes likely will be National champions. Consider though that Florida would be undefeated if not for the robbery at Auburn. Don't give the trophy to the Buckeyes just yet. Gotta play the game. And how long has it been since State played a game?? and I think Florida can match them in speed. Oh, USC has need of a better kicking game if they hope to contend all the way next year. That is a real sore spot. If this had been a nailbiter, I don't think they would have the right stuff under pressure. Yeah, they had a bunch of field goals but it was never a sure thing. And those poor punts???? Anyway, what a win against #2. Sadly, Carr may be kicked out because of the loss. Isn't that something, get ranked #2, barely lose to Ohio State in Ohio and have your job on the line?? I wish we could get him here in El Paso. Evidently, our big-named coach, Price didn't do jack this year. We had a senior laden team and were picked to win it all. Yeah, we won 5 games. And our conference leaders got their butts whipped in every bowl game. We left the WAC and now I know why. We thought we could dominate a weaker conference. HA!!The WAC kicked ass in bowl games this year. Hawaii embarrassed Arizona State. Price has evidently had designs on using UTEP as a stepping stone back to bigger things. He rode previous coach, Gary Nord's, recruits to two 8-4 seasons and people were calling him a genius. Oh sure, he got our butts kicked good in both bowl appearances. And this year was a real flop. His own recruits were no shows in every game. I have to guess that he thought the seniors could win big without coaching since he and his sons were all out searching for jobs. And he had his eyes set on Arizona State. He got bumped and deservedly so. He has never had three winning seasons in a row. Of course, since we can't win but 2-5 games a season for a spell before he came, folks here were happy to go 8-4. However, expectations were high this year and we were a total bust. We even lost to a 1-9 team. When a talk radio host saw through the smokescreen, he was chastised by the community and the other media. Seems he was right on target. We have been the proving grounds in both football and basketball for coaches looking to move up the financial ladder and that is okay to a point. We have raised the students tuitions and other costs enormously to bring in a high level all-knowing, great recruiting coach. In actuality, Price's mild success has been due to Gary Nords recruits. And with the coach and his sons spending a lot of time and energy looking elsewhere for jobs, our team evidently didn't get the necessary preparation to be competitive. We stunk. Anyway, that is my opinion and I do get the Arizona newspaper enough to see how it all played out. Price wasn't their main choice and it must have hurt. Now he is stuck with us border bums and I for one don't see the recruits that can win next year. Oh yeah, and we have ponied up money from kids trying to get a real education to have this super coach win five games. We lost big to many bowl teams who got their rears kicked. However, Texas Tech only beat us in overtime and their miracle, history making rally to win a bowl game was just a wonderful thing to watch. That was our only good outing. Tulsa, Rice, Houston, New Mexico, etc., just clobbered us. Us, the pre-season pick. Mike Price might have to make El Paso his home for a few years if he doesn't get on the winning track. After his queer ordeal in Alabama, he was fortunate that we hired him. If he is really a good coach, then he needs to settle in, do some damn good recruiting,some heavy conditioning, some smart play calling and get a top-notch defensive co-ordiantor, and make us a winner again...not with another coach's recruits. As for his two sons, the offensive and defensive co-ordinators, I wish they would get other jobs. We all have allegiance to our children but this deal smacks of nepotism too much. They should get their spurs under some other head coach. They called too many bone-headed plays or sets here and we were downright predictable in every aspect of the game. And we had some real stars that should have shined. Johnny Lee Higgins is as good a receiver as their is in the country and he can do the punt return thing too. He will be in the pros, a shoe-in. Jordan Palmer ( His brother was MVP at SC and is now with Cincy) is a hot and cold QB with slow legs. He might make it in Canadian or European ball but he fumbles easily and his int's are 1st or 2nd in the nation. It would surprise me to see him in the NFL. We'll, maybe with Dallas....Parcells loves slow=footed QB's. Have a Happy...***I loved it when USC didn't try to tun the clock but hit all pass plays to score a td after Michigan scored and came with eight points in the 4th.That missed extra point would have been dire straits had the game come down to it..and many do. For now:Celebrate |
| Name : | Webmaster |
| Email : | refreshed |
| Message |
This board has been refreshed for 2007. To see past posts visit the Archives. |