USO Canteen FReeper Style FReeper FRiday....VetVetDoug's Cousin....October 18,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[SassyMom]

LOL....Don't you love it when the boss is gone? LOL

kneezles is doing ok, we are hoping that he will only have to work 8 hours tonight. ROFLOL.... yep, that rumor is true. He hates night shift. LOL

[Long Cut]

Don't I know it. I'm not after peaceniks today, as I have, as men do from time to time, fallen in love. As in tooken away. As in bliss.

DON'T WORRY! Mrs. Cut is, and always will be, my one-and-only. But the ladies here (and especially the men) will understand, one of the most maddening and interesting things about a true man (at least, to women) is his insane ability to fall in love with an INANIMATE OBJECT.

Such is the case, however. Recall, all, the look in a man's eyes as he examines a finely-made piece of craftsmanship and engineering, such as a rifle, or an airplane. You must admit, it goes beyond simple appreciation.

Of course, being men, we naturally reserve our affections for those machines which demonstrate POWER, ELEGANCE, and above all, VICTORY. Sinuous curves, so lovely on a woman, are also a plus. How else to explain the design of such man-favorites as the F-16 VIPER, SR-71 BLACKBIRD, the M-14 rifle, or the 1911A1 pistol? (okay, that one's kind of boxy, but then so is the aforementioned object of testosterone buzzes the world over, the HUMMER).

The point? oh yes, sorry, got carried away there.

My beloved Mustang Sally, loyal '91 LX 302 c.i. coupe, which I bought brand new and have driven happily(if not always at the legal speed limit) for 130,000 miles, recently broke a tie-rod in her front suspension, making her unsafe to drive at a sedate 55 mph, let ALONE the 90 or so I was going at the time. It wasn't unexpected; her speedometer hasn't worked since I was in A-school in Memphis (a Mustang speedo breaks at 140, BTW), her turn signals died about six months ago, her paint is chipped and worn off from the harsh winters she spent in Maine, and enough OTHER little things have gone wrong in the past month or so that Mrs. Cut, after borrowing her one night, declared that it was time to retire her (love only goes so far...anyone want a useable 302 Ford V-8 block and driveline?).

So, today, I'mn spending my leave car-shopping. I test drove a NEW Mustang. Blah. Boredom. I have a long fondness for 'Stangs, but maybe I was tired of them...What's THIS???

It was dark NAVY blue, with bright chrome wheels. T-roofs. Smooth, perfect skin, with no blemishes or scratches. Air, auto, tilt, AM/FM cd. Black leather interior. And, most importantly, a 330-horsepower Chevy LS1 aluminum block 350 under its(hers) long, evil hood. Of course, to a true skidmark artist such as myself, this was Beauty itself. A test drive was mandatory.

What a doll!

There is NO sound on all God's Earth like that of your baby's first cry, your wife's voice saying "I do", a jet fighter engine, OR an AMERICAN piece of old-fashioned Detroit iron at full throttle. The SS handled like a dream, launched like an F-14, and generally cranked like the loving engineers who designed it intended, and more. It was solid, tight, and didn't even squeak, not once(well, okay, once, but that was as I pulled away from a stoplight with a cloud of smoke that would bring an enviro-geek to tears).

Best part? She's (Mrs. Cut will get the honor of picking a name) a 2001, low mileage, and has a clean vehicle history(if you don't use carfax.com the next time you buy a car, you takes what you gets). And, she's only about twenty-one grand, being an auction purchase by the dealer.

Mrs. Cut gets to "meet" her tomorrow, and I'm sure they'll get along fine. Mrs. Cut, you see, likes letting her lovely blonde locks blow in the wind, and with T-tops AND that motor, they surely will.

I LOVE this country. I get a dream machine, which emphasizes EVERYTHING cool about America (and will drive liberals into conniptions,LOL), for an affordable price. What do OTHER nations have to compete, you ask? Trabants, Yugos, Hyundais, and camels. The closest country to ours, in terms of automotive panache', has got to be Italy, but the Ferrari and Lamborghini are, alas, far beyond the reach of mortal men, and not really in the same class as the SS, which is a TRUE "blue collar" performance machine. Sad it is, that they are no longer in production, due to a wide series of mistakes and miscues by its manufacturer, GM. The SS represents the zenith of the Firebird/Camaro line, being actually rated as the FINEST in their 35-year history.

And people wonder why I'm such a patriot. Imagine, if you will, approaching a liberal flower child/Earth mother in an eco-friendly econo-box with a Gore sticker, and passing them with your pipes roaring in time to "The Star-Spangled Banner", and vanishing in the distance just as they notice the NRA sticker and prominent "U.S. NAVY" decals. If they looked real hard, they'd catch a glimpse of the gorgeous blonde in the passenger seat.

I ask you, can life get any better?

Stay tuned, I'll let y'all know how the negotiations go. It's not a done deal yet, but I'm close.

[Long Cut]

Can I drive THIS???

[Long Cut]

BTW, Duchess, thanks for the suggestion that I write a book. I had no idea that I wrote well, but according to you and others here, I do.

I've actually started TWO books, and some short stories, but I always get writer's block. FReeping has really helped me practice "stream-of-consciousness" writing, however.

[Long Cut]

Okay, my totally-cool pictures crapped out. They worked fine in the previews! What gives?

[Long Cut]

Oh, well. I guess they won't work. Must be a geocities.com thing.

[Long Cut]

Oh, well. I guess they won't work. Must be a geocities.com thing. Let me try this one:

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

"It was solid, tight, and didn't even squeak, not once (well, okay, once, but that was as I pulled away from a stoplight with a cloud of smoke that would bring an enviro-geek to tears).

ROTFL! I smiled all the way through your post, and that's just one of the lines that made me bust out laughing.

I'm currently waiting on the arrival of my 2003 (I'm a fan of German automobiles, and I GOTTA have a ragtop), and I'm as excited for you as I am for myself. You'll have to let us know if she goes home with you tomorrow. Mrs. Cut is going to love her.

P.S. LC, you MUST author a book one day - you are a GREAT writer!

[Kathy in Alaska]

You, Sir, may in fact drive her! She's beautiful! But, there are conditions. You must be safe at all times and Mrs. Cut is to be protected at all costs.

Imagine, if you will, approaching a liberal flower child/Earth mother in an eco-friendly econo-box with a Gore sticker, and passing them with your pipes roaring in time to "The Star-Spangled Banner", and vanishing in the distance just as they notice the NRA sticker and prominent "U.S. NAVY" decals.

I love the mental image! LOL!

Minor problem, Sir, I don't believe you can link to geocities. We can't see the pictures, but I have them open in another window. You and Mrs. Cut will look stunning in her.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

BTW, Duchess, thanks for the suggestion that I write a book. I had no idea that I wrote well, but according to you and others here, I do.

I've actually started TWO books, and some short stories, but I always get writer's block. FReeping has really helped me practice "stream-of-consciousness" writing, however.

Good! I'm completely serious about that. You can really write, Long Cut. I'll be laughing about that car post for a month! (She's a beauty, BTW.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

If you write a book, put me down for one. I love the way you write, especially when taking on the dim ones. I can't tell you, well, I guess I am, how much I looked forward to the episodes of "your lads" learning sessions. It was like being in the room. Go for it!

[Long Cut]

Thanks. Sorry, I didn't know geocities was such a lame site. Jerks ruined a good post, too. Anyhoo, that one after DID come out well, and it's the correct color, too.

That ride is a sweetheart, let me tell you. Any suggestions on names?

[MoJo2001]

Wow!! This is awesome! You are very talented. Thank you so much. It is nice to see what an actual talented writer can do. Woohoo!!

[MoJo2001]

Who is driving? I totally forgot! LOL!

[tmprincesa]

COOL! MY FIRST AWARD EVER ON FREE REPUBLIC!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S REALLY WILD BEING HERE TO ACCEPT THIS AWARD. THIS IS SUCH AN HONOR! THERE ARE SO MANY WHO ARE MORE WORTHY OF THIS AWARD THAN I, BUT MOST OF THEM DON'T POST ON THIS THREAD.

THANK YOU JIM ROBINSON AND SNOW BUNNY FOR YOUR VISION, CREATIVITY, INTELLIGENCE AND DAILY INSPIRATION. YOU ACCOMPLISHED THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE. A DAILY THREAD WITH ACTION, SUSPENSE, AND AN INTELLIGENT, SUPPORTING MESSAGE FOR OUR TROOPS. THE CANTEEN HAS A GREAT TEAM. QUITE A FEW OF WHOM HAVE BEEN HONORED BEFORE. THEY MADE MY AWARD POSSIBLE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK TOMKOW6, HIGH WHEELER AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO POSTS THESE GREAT JOKES AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE YOU DO.

68-69TONKINGULFYATCHCLUB FOR THE DAILY FLOWERS.
KATHY IN ALASKA AND DAISY SCARLETT FOR THE WARM WELCOME TO BOTH THE CANTEEN AND FREEPER'S FINEST.

LADTX FOR HIS DAILY HONORING OF HIS FALLEN HELICOPTER BROTHERS.

MY ENTIRE COLLEGE FACULTY, YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

THANKS TO MY MOM AND DAD, MY BROTHER AND SISTER. I LOVE YOU.

AND FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LITTLE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDED ME WITH THE INCENTIVE, OPPORTUNITY AND MATERIAL THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO WIN THIS AWARD ON A DAY WHEN MOST PEOPLE CAME TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF VETVETDOUG'S COUSIN.

IT IS WITH GREAT HUMILITY THAT I ACCEPT THIS AWARD IN MEMORY OF 2ND LT. CLAUDE TAYLOR DEAN WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR MY FREEDOM.

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[Long Cut]

True story: As I was test driving the first car today, a 2002 Mustang GT, the salesman (a friendly, older gentleman) said absolutely NOTHING, and simply held on.

Upon our return, I asked to drive the SS. He said,"Let me get someone else...I'm too old to do that kind of stuff!" and walked away. I apologized to the second salesman, but I told him that if I'm testing a sports car, I'm TESTING A SPORTS CAR!

He was good about it, though. Sorry I scared ya, old man.

[larryjohnson]

Doug,You have a respect for the Military sevicemen's role in American history that is superior. It is reflected in your actions as well as words. If you can,I would like to see more pictures of Claude. If you already have,sorry as I scan from the middle of some threads then previous then last then previous.

[MoJo2001]

It's gracious of you to accept the award on behalf of so many people. It's wonderful to know that there are individuals like yourself that can think more about others than yourself. *HUGS* Thank God, your parents raised you to be a patriotic person and not a ME! ME! ME! person. Bravo!

[tmprincesa]

One out for four! Not too good.

Cynical - Definately, it's a sign of the times we live in.

Nasty - It's a matter of opinion and your opinion doesn't matter to me. So that gets put down as a wrong.

Old - Wrong

Man - Wrong again

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

The Humvee? You are! Need a hat? It sounds like you have "Foxy Cleopatra" hair (wow, she's a beautiful woman, and she can SING - but I digress), and I want to make sure you can see through the windshield! LOL ; )

How about THIS hat? (I likey!)