OK, I’ve been back since Saturday evening – and I am still trying to process everything I’ve seen/heard/learned. The ASTRA Conference and the TGTG catalog buying event sure left a lot of information floating around in the head.

Had a great time with several blogging friends (Gawfer, Political Pistachio, and Prying1) at Chronic Tacos in Corona – very sorry that more weren’t able to make it. One in particular (a certain Marine who just transferred back stateside but wouldn’t be actually stateside until a week after the meeting) I was really looking forward to being able to see (but his sister and her son did), and another (American and Proud) who’s schedule just would not cooperate.

Gotta run – more later.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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The American Specialty Toy Retailers Association is having their conference next week, starting Sunday morning. I will be at that conference, representing Kidstop Toys, along with the owner and her husband.

Gosh, this is the tough part of the new career – having to go to Anaheim, in June, and learn about (and play with!) a bunch of new toys, and meet the industry movers and shakers … [sarcasm=OFF]

I have arranged a meet-and-greet with some excellent blogger friends for Saturday evening. I have already met two of them in person, this is going to allow me to meet more of these fine folks. You will find them in the sidebar, with their blogs listed. I’ll have an after-action report when I get back from Anaheim.

Why after I get back, you ask? Well, we only have the one laptop between us, and since TMBWitW is the one tracking things like bills and whatnot, we decided it would be best if I left the laptop at home. Now, unless I can find a public access computer in the Anaheim Convention Center, I’ll be off line for the next week. It’s OK though – after the ASTRA Conference, the family and I will be enjoying some downtime together – TMBWitW and MEG will be joining me on Thursday of next week. I will also be catching up with a distant cousin, one who helped my family pack up for the move from the LA area to Colorado, before I was born. I don’t know if he reads this, so I don’t know if he’s aware of the passing of Dad, Lea Ann, and Mom – half of the group that he helped move …

At any rate, I will be MIA for a few days, at least. I am still connected by the cell phone, and if you follow me on Twitter, I will be twitting my adventures there, or at least I’ll be trying. Bosslady moves fast at these things, and I’ll be keeping up with her. One thing I’ve learned – tweeting and walking don’t mix.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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1,000.

Finally, after nearly six years in the blogosphere, I have finally made it to the milestone.

Along the way, I’ve made a lot of friends. I’ve met a lot of other bloggers, some I’ve kept up with, others who have fallen by the way side, still others who have passed on while still active (Old Ranter, Basti), and a precious few that I have actually had the pleasure to meet (Douglas Gibbs, Gawfer, Greybeard). There is a host of them in Southern California that I look forward to possibly meeting up with in June, after the ASTRA convention (Robert, Gawfer some more, Doug some more, maybe Jenn, maybe even John and his sister, and Paul).

I even made a run for president. Don’t you wish I was there instead of the bozo we have now?

I became a New Daddy.

My blog has been used as evidence by the City of Phoenix in an attempt to trample on the First Amendment rights of a private citizen.

Many other bloggers out there have published many more entries than I, heck, some of them *cough*Texas Fred*cough* do that in a matter of months.

I don’t write about politics as much anymore, my weight has popped back up to the 220 range since I quite the paper route, and I have landed in a job that I believe will carry me though my golden years.

I still enjoy working with wood, and get to do just that on occasion.

But, perhaps best of all, I still get to share my world with you, my loyal reader(s).

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

I know, it has been a while, hasn’t it? To refresh your memories, I will be publishing and updating as I go along, so come back and check for when it’s finished. All of these bloggers are ones that I read daily at least weekly as often as I can; they are all worth your time to at least go visit and read the one item I have highlighted. Let’s get started, shall we?

Before I get started on the round up, however, I want to give a shout-out to the mayor of Hurst, Texas, one Richard Ward, who still has not answeredf the questions I asked of him way back here. And he thought I would forget about him…

December 31, 2009
To: Richard Ward

Subject: MAIG, again!

As I was going over this year’s posts, I ran across our correspondence. Made me think of all the good times we had discussing Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

I know, you “signed off” to me, but I am kinda curious – just what has MAIG done since you joined it, besides stating the obvious (that mayors are against illegal guns)? I mean, I would hope that mayors are against ALL things illegal. Have you joined Mayors Against Illegal Prostitutes? Mayors Against Illegal Drivers? Mayors Against Illegal Immigrants? Mayors Against Illegal Left Turns?

No, you haven’t – because none of those things matter to a two-bit mayor who’s only hope of elevating his profile is to hitch on to some gun-grabbing group trying to cloak itself in pompous activity.

I am still waiting to hear from you regarding the basic premise of MAIG. Why does it need to exist, other than as a cover for some lefty gun grabbing bunch?

Basic question, please answer it. Unless you already realize that you won’t be serving another term and have decided to write me off completely.

Happy New Year!

OK, om to the round up, this time I promise!

First up is a Navy veteran, new to my blogroll, and a first FOR my blogroll – a site that is not a blog so much as it is a store. Larry Van Schuyver runs Sitting Pretty USA. He sells t-shirts, and a “portion of each sale will be donated to the VA Hospital volunteers who assist and care for our veterans daily.” Check him out, and if you are so inclined, help him out.

Alaska Steve is back from his vacation in the Lower 48, and he is promising more photos. So far, his series covers his and Goldfish’s travels through up to Boston. Can’t wait to see the rest!

Christmas greetings from Amboy Times, the Black Canyon Railroad Musuem, Evolution Right and Larry the Scoundrel.

Bushwack is wondering how crime rates could have dropped over on American And Proud.

Ol’ Broad has a New Year’s Countdown going on.

The ARRA News Service has a good article up about Obama running for placement on Mt. Rushmore, through the ObamaCare debacle.

The Wednesday Hero is honored on Assoluta Tranquilita and Old Soldier.

Richard has a nice little piece up about Global Warming on At The Water.

Basti asks why the epic fail in national protection?

Bloviating Zeppelin wishes us all a financial New Year – but the Obama Administration is doing it’s best to keep that from happening for everyone except the Senate, the House, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the State of Hawaii which is still reaping the benefits from everyone going there for the Obama’s Vacation.

GuyK has come down with a case of cellulitis in his left arm, so he wishes us a Happy New Year with the thought that his blogging will be kinda light on Charming, Just Charming.

More New Years thoughts on Christianity, written by Harvest Christian Fellowship.

The Cyber Crew has information up on Lt. Behenna. If you don’t know who he is, follow the link. One of the biggest many miscarriages of justice the Obama Administration is carrying out against the United States Military.

A little off the beaten path, but well worth the time, is A Jacksonian’s in-depth look at paranormal investigations that are all the rage on science channels these days. Find the article at Dumb Looks Still Free.

The spectre of Ron Paul rears it’s ugly head on Gateway Pundit.

Gawfer weighs in on Global Warming in his piece over on his self-titled blog.

Gunslinger thinks a Whiskey Rebellion is better than a weak Tea Party…

Tailgunner adds two cents over on Hoosier Army Mom’s Weblog.

“You might be grunt if…” – curious? Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome

Jenn shows off her dog abuse skills, and runs down the top stories of 2009.

Joe Scoggins has a thought and a prayer for Rush Limbaugh on Jo-Joe Politico.

Maggie’s Notebook has a diatribe on Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) (in this case, D stands dor Drunkard) and his “speech” on the Senate Floor.

New Years Greetings from Mail Call! Supporting The Troops and The Bull.

Check out the latest book review on Mary’s World.

I was hoping I would run across someone blogging about the Blue Moon today – Findalis over on Monkey in the Middle and Cube on the BLOG give us a run down.

Johnny T. Helms writes for more than one blog, read him on Our Sovereign Joy and the blog of johnny t. helms: chuch and state.

Greybeard has a video up about a remarkable landing and take off during the VietNam war on Pitchpull.

Questions about a Global Identification System on Political Pistachio.

Avatar doesn’t strike any chords, except bad ones, with RattlerGator.

Ablur posts on the HealthCare issue again, as he is one very steady voice that is consistently pointing out the lack of clothing on the Emperor over on Some Things Just Need To Be Said.

Fred reports on the thirteen Attorneys General with enough balls to sue the Feds over the preferential treatment that Nebraska recieved in the HealthCare fiasco – and wonders where the outrage is over the Louisiana Purchase of 2009 on Texas Freds.

Taco has the start of a series with LtCol George Goodson USMC (Ret) over on his blog, The Sandgram.

Third Wave dave weighs in on DHS lackey Janet NAPolitano. (personal note: as an Arizonan, I am very sorry that the rest of you had to experience her ineptitude.)

Yesterday, Tom’s Place was up and running. Today it whos an index page. Tom, if you see this, the changes aren’t quite working yet…

Over on Write on the Right Just John is trying to migrate to Windows & and is most of the way through the process. Naturally, with other issues, I can’t leave him an encouraging comment. For some reason, John, when I click on “Submit Comment” I get a blank page !?!

In the bad news section, there are some MIA blogs – Fire of Liberty, Fraud, Phishing and Financial Misdeeds, Gunny Goes Geocaching, Hidden Treasures, Samantha Speaks

When Your Only Tool Is A Hammer has gone dark. We’ll miss you, Hammer.

This concludes the last Round Up of 2009 – and possibly forever. This has taken me over four hours to do, and while trying to do this AND watch my now three year old MEG, I am reminded why I don’t do these anymore. Here’s to a Happy and Healthy New Year to all of my readers, and I hope to see you in the chat room or on the phone Friday night at 2200 hours (MST) for The “O” Word.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Hi there! It’s been a while – sometimes things get in the way of doing a decent round up. I’ve moved a few things around on my links – some have moved to “Not So Daily”, some have moved to “Endangered” and some have disappeared altogether – but it only reflects my inability to actually read all the blogs on my “Daily” list and trying to pare it down to the ones I actually read. If your blog landed on the “Endangered” list, then maybe an entry now and again wouldn’t be so bad… Just sayin’…

Larry, a retired Squid, had originally pointed me to this site which should not be viewed with a mouth full of beverage. Fair warning.

Speaking of Larry, let’s start the round up with him. He’s got a fantastic essay up about race, secession, and who can keep the slaves (and what makes slavery so irresistible to some) on Last Refuge of a Scoundrel.

And, riffing off a link in Larry’s blurb, take a look at Gunslinger’s entry. Pictures are worth thousands of words…

I know, here I am trying to pare down the list and I added her to it. So sue me. But, first you have to say, with a straight face, that she ISN’T worth the read.

Alaska Steve has been recuperating from shoulder surgery, and he’s starting to get out and about again on A Sense of Place.

Brother Johnny T. Helms has a link into Dr. Al Mohler on the future of missions on Amazed In His Presence and on Our Sovereign Joy. Scroll down and check out the tribute to Keith Green, also.

Health Care Sub-Round-Up

ARRA News Service, Assoluta Tranquilita, a byproduct of the obummercare is on Bloviating Zeppelin, Fire of Liberty, Gateway Pundit (by the way, GP’s mother recently passed on; scroll down and add your prayers to the comment list), Political Pistachio, Some Things Just Need To Be Said.

Richard spotted a white breasted nuthatch At The Water.

A word about Obama’s race-baiting cop comment from Basti on Basti Says.

GuyK has a bit of glee on Charming, Just Charming.

For a really in-depth look at the whole “Gates-Gate” incident in Cambridge, check out AJacksonian’s take on Dumb Looks Still Free.

This may be a little stale, but for most of us it’s worth a look. Ed Dickson has a post up about a nifty anti-ID Theft site on Fraud, Phishing, and Financial Misdeeds.

Gawfer has a note about financial misdeeds committed by (gasp!) congress critters on Gawfer.

Gunny has returned to the Land of the Rising Sun in time to recover form his vacation so he can get back to work on Gunny Goes Geocaching and laments the changes to his beloved Southern California on Write on the Right.

Some Euro weenie gets their head handed to them in the comments on Jenn’s Jungle.

Check your mindset at Jo-Joe Politico.

Maggie has a good article up about Thomas Sowell on her Notebook.

Kathy has Wednesday’s Hero posted on Mail Call! Supporting the Troops.

Mary’s World has a review up on “Blue Like Playdough” – looks like a good read.

Findalis has a post up about Tisha B’Av (a repost, actually) on Monkey in the Middle.

Stewart at Oath Keepers is asking for input on the new site.

What happens when someone gets TOO MUCH television exposure? Find out on Old Soldier.

My friend Greybeard is so talented – retired Army helicopter pilot, Viet Nam vet, currently flying medi-chopper – and a Race Relations Expert! No, really! Check it out on Pitchpull.

Unintended consequences of electing Obama – on RattlerGator Blog.

The love affair between a certain redhead and the United States Marine Corps continues unabated.

DemocRATS continue to ram Sotomayer through the process – details on Texas Fred’s.

Sometimes, no matter what you want to accomplish, someone will find issue with the way you are doing it. Big thanks to cube for pointing this out on the BLOG.

Taco Bell has a good story posted – from the Marine Corps Gazette – that you should read. If it doesn’t move you, you are either a liberal or brain dead. But, I repeat myself.

Third Wave Dave asks a simple question – where’s the proof?

Hammer is on vacation, and also leaves us with a really good question.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few good articles, but I sure didn’t mean to – please accept my apologies if you didn’t get mentioned.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!