The Daily Plunge » Journal

Life is What Happens…

Henshaw — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:22:42 +0000

Club Soda has done an excellent job posting the past few days. Hopefully, he can keep it up as my posts will be infrequent over the next two weeks. My darling wife Erin is scheduled for another brain surgery next week at Duke. This will be her third surgery in four years. After surgery we’ll have to decide on some treatment options. The doctors have recommended against treatment, but the tumor keeps growing.

We found out about this latest tumor growth back in July so we’ve had time to digest this, but the upcoming surgery always seemed a long way off. I’m sure everything will be okay and we trust God’s will no matter the outcome. We leave on Sunday and we’re going to spend a couple of days in Charleston before driving to Durham. Her surgery is on Thursday next week. There will be a lot of down time so perhaps I will write about the upcoming election. I’ve been a bit detached from politics, but I’ll be back to plunging in no time.

When I was Young and Profiled by the Cops

Henshaw — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:41:54 +0000

It was the Summer of 1999. I was but twenty years old back then. The world was my oyster or something. That summer I went to a music festival in Tanglewood Park. It’s been so long ago now I can’t remember anything about the festival other than the fact it was hot as hell. I went with my friend Jess, and I got the worst sunburn of my life. The band we were hyped about seeing that day was The Nixons. I don’t remember anything about their set. I’m sure when they played “Sister” it was forgettable amazing.

The only reason I mention the Summer of Limp Bizkit is what happened to me following the festival. Since I was twenty I didn’t touch any alcohol that day. It was a half hour drive from my house to Tanglewood Park. This would be a rather forgetful drive for most people, but unfortunately my means of transportation was a 1988 Hyundai Excel (aka The Blue Cloud). My first car earned that nickname because it was blue and it produced a lot of smoke. Much of that said smoke was actually exhaust inside the vehicle. There aren’t enough vegan organic meals to go around to make that a healthy lifestyle.

This looks a lot like my first car. Just add smoke.

I can’t exaggerate enough how bad of a car this was to drive. I can’t believe I drove it on the interstate. For example, the car wouldn’t idle so I had to give it gas when I stopped at a traffic light or else the car would stall. I had to continuously add oil to the engine because it was burning a quart a week. The Blue Cloud wasn’t exactly environmentally friendly. I’m sure my carbon footprint was the size of the Grand Canyon. To put it mildly the car wasn’t much of a status symbol. The day of the festival I was just happy it didn’t break down before I reached my destination.

In 1999, I was even skinnier than I am today. I guess it makes sense a cop might pull me over for being a sunburned ginger leaving a concert.

After I left the concert I drove home alone. As I was making my way back to I-40 a police officer pulled me over. This was a little unsettling. It was the first time the pigs the police had ever pulled me over. I pulled over next to an old church. The police officer informed me that I had pulled in front of a truck at a stop light. The police officer’s story was a complete fabrication. The car was so dangerous to drive I wouldn’t pull in front of a bike let alone a truck. The Blue Cloud was a deathtrap. The Hyundai would fold like a wet blanket in any kind of collision.

Basically what the fascist pig police officer was doing was acting on a hunch. I was driving a piece of crap car, by myself, and I was leaving a concert. We all know that music festivals are a mecca for beer guzzlers and drug addicts. In other words, I was profiled. The police officer thought it might be a good idea to see if I was under the influence. It’s still annoys me that he made up the story about me pulling in front of a car, but he didn’t give me a ticket.

My guess is that the cop was shocked when he found out that I hadn’t been drinking. Plus, the driver of the car was a polite twenty year old young man who was somewhat educated. My only crime was driving The Blue Cloud. Hey, if Al Gore had his way the cop would have arrested me for polluting the environment.

My point is that cops profile people all the time. People make decisions based on the best information available (well, sometimes). If a cop in Arizona pulls someone over and they can’t speak English, they don’t have a drivers license, or don’t have registration, there’s likely a problem. On my drive home that day I wasn’t angry that I had been pulled over for no reason. I appreciated the fact that the cops were looking for drunk drivers. My inconvenience is a lot better than vehicular homicide.

Halloweenhead

Henshaw — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:01:46 +0000

It’s been a crazy rainy Sunday here in the state of Florida. Me and my wife drove up to Orlando to watch a Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. We watched an inning before the heavens opened up. We sat through the deluge in our ponchos for an hour before the game was finally called. I love my wife.

Meanwhile bureaucrats in Washington schemed, bribed, and lied until they had enough votes to take over 1/8th of the United States economy. The Republic was nice while it lasted. “Halloweenhead” by Ryan Adams sums up this day very well. Here’s a great version of the song from the BBC4 Sessions Summer 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeVOweURMwA

company video 3.0

Henshaw — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:20:17 +0000

For the third year in a row I was in charge of my company’s video. It was a much larger product this year since I had to write, film, act, and edit the thing. I’m happy with the way it turned out.

trivia night in sarasota

Henshaw — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:19:57 +0000

I’m going to remember last night for a long time. It started with my cornhole team placing second in a Cornhole Tourney. Team Tony Danza (that’s us) took home $300. Not a bad payout. To celebrate we decided to go participate in trivia night at the local Buffalo Wild Wings. We played last week and had a good time. There were more teams this week and one older gentlemen immediately befriended my wife. He was a tall lanky fellow who was wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates cap. This led to a discussion with my friend about whether or not Sid Bream was safe at home in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS (he was safe).
We didn’t play very well this week. Most of the questions were outside our area of expertise. When it came down to the final question we were tied for 5th place. Then like manna from heaven the final question was who is after the Speaker of the House in the presidential line of succession. This is right into my wheelhouse. If I know anything at all it’s presidential trivia. The answer is the President pro tempore of the Senate. The answer vaulted us to a second place finish and a $20 credit. In my nerdlike glee I yelled “the correct answer is the Democratic Senator from West Virginia Robert Bryd.”
The old man was devastated. Once our friend, he now accused us of using our Smart Phones to get the correct answer. I guess he wasn’t paying attention when I turned the answer in something like 30 seconds after it was asked. Anyway he accused us of cheating. When I asked him if he knew who Robert Byrd was he answered, “He’s a staunch Republican.” Houston, we have a problem. It was full meltdown mode. The old man asked us if we paid taxes, and who paid for our health care. Then he asked us what famous monument is in South Dakota. Finally after we confronted him with the fact he didn’t know who Robert Byrd was or what party he belonged to he started to back down. He still didn’t apologize. The old man offered to shake our hands to which I replied “I’m sorry sir, you called us cheaters.” Ah, Victory!

a night in atlanta

Henshaw — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:11:15 +0000

My wife’s birthday is in a couple of weeks and her present was to see Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop of Travis in concert in Atlanta. We drove 7 1/2 hours yesterday in order to see the 7pm show at the Loft. It was a small venue for the sold out show. There were around 900 people in attendance. We buddied up with four guys who drove down from Charlotte. I think the six of us were the loudest people in the audience. We sat three rows from the front. It was super close.

It was a great show. Fran told stories about all the songs (many which are over 10 years old). They played for a little over two hours. We waited in the merch line after the show. I bought the tour bootleg and my wife bought a t-shirt. They signed both of them for us. Travis has always been known for being very friendly. They talked with everyone in line and took pictures. I’m weird about pictures. I think it’s strange to get pictures taken with famous people. If you get your picture taken with someone you should know them or something. Anyway, I talked to Fran briefly about the show and then we went about our way.
We met up with the Charlotte guys for dinner at a place called Tap. I had a fantastic Turkey Club sandwich that was amazing. Although it could have been because I was starving at the time. We stayed at the Artmore Hotel which had recently been renovated. It used to be a Best Western, but it was really cool. It has a big courtyard in the middle and rooms are big.
We rolled out of bed this morning and drove all the way back home to Sarasota. I’ve driven way too much the past two days. Thankfully Bojangles has opened a new location in Valdosta, GA at exit 16 on I-75. We stopped there today for lunch. Have I mentioned how much I miss Bojangles? We’re a little car lagged be we had a great time in Atlanta last night.

the daily plunge returns

Henshaw — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:26:16 +0000

I’m back! I’ve spent the past two weeks in North Carolina for my wife’s brain surgery. Everything went well, but it’s still a very trying and emotional process. She had the surgery on the 9th and every day has been a challenge. I’m so thankful she’s doing well and hopeful this will put an end to this thing once and for all. We’ll learn more in six weeks.
I can’t say enough about Duke University Hospital. Everyone was nice. I was happy to be back in NC for a few days, but we were both ready to get back to Florida. Two weeks away from home and friends is about all we could take.
Meanwhile, The Daily Plunge has been lacking any daily activity. So much has happened the past two weeks… Obama gave a speech that will only be remembered for Joe Wilson. Alas, it’s a different Joe Wilson. Whatever happened to “speaking truth to power?”
In less than a year the left has turned a complete 180. Protests used to be grassroots uprisings against the government. Now they’re characterized as angry racist mobs more concerned about the color of the president’s skin than the content of his proposals.
What else have I learned? Cable news really is horrendous. Fox and MSNBC are almost unwatchable. I’m not sure how anyone can complain about Fox. MSNBC has thrown objectivity completely out the window. MSNBC’s coverage of the ACORN incident is hilarious.
Speaking of ACORN, who would have believed it was criminal institution? Who saw that coming? I jest of course. It’s amazing that the press had to be dragged kicking and screaming to cover the story. I gripe a lot about the mainstream press, but the great thing about the Information Age is that real journalism still exists.

hello sarasota

Henshaw — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:30:15 +0000

Another successful trip to Priest Lake is in the books and I’m back in Sarasota. I didn’t read as much as I would have liked, but the weather was too good to spend reading. It seems I haven’t miss much news and the world hasn’t fallen apart. Priest Lake is a beautiful place and I can’t wait to return again.

priest lake 4.0

Henshaw — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:47:47 +0000

It’s time for my annual trip to Priest Lake, ID. This will be my fourth trip in a row and the first with my beautiful new wife. As per usual I’ve got a couple of books and the latest issue of the The Economist to read while I soak in the beautiful scenery. Technology is slowing creeping into park. Every year electricity and showers move closer to our quaint campground. While I can’t deny progress, there’s something very wonderful about being detached from this world for a few days.

the honeymoon is over…

Henshaw — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:04:03 +0000

As Sam so eloquently stated at the end of the Lord of the Rings “well, I’m back.” It appears as Club Soda has managed to keep things going well. I wonder if he had an awkward altercation with an Avon salesperson. My wife and I had a wonderful time on our honeymoon cruise. We took the Monarch of the Seas to the Bahamas. The weather wasn’t all that great but we still had a great time.
We walked around Nassau on Wednesday afternoon. I saw an Obama sticker on one Nassau plate. It’s great that hope and change made it to the islands as well. I know they’re not US citizens but they probably voted anyway.
The wedding went perfect. There were over 400 people in attendance. My wife is very popular it seems. July marks five years since I moved to Florida and I came here for the wrong reasons, but everything has worked out very well. I’m a very lucky man.