This is topic and my point is... in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
I just gotta ask someone what they do when work begins to stress them out. At least once a week I begin to falter, whether its some dumb question or lack of input, some days I get so worked up I can't handle it. I know well enough it has alot to do with my surroundings, my knowledge and the friggin weather. I don't do any drugs, not even aspirin, I don't drink alcohol, I don't go to bars, not into sports although I love to swim but not in this weather. I get a call almost everyday to head 200 miles south for more work for a couple days where the weather may or may not be warmer but its always interupted by a body shop or dealership needing me. I live in a cow pasture where my solitude mellows me out and the animals are friendly but outside of that I get weird when in the company of others who I find I can see through. I'm smart enough to know the difference between truth and fiction so whatever your anwser may be, try and make it honest and educational and outside of that please don't give me a lecture on how my lifestyle is the same as the next person.

Thank you
 
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
 
We all stress out from time to time. One I get into that groove I find my whole day gets out of whack until I formly put the brakes on and restart.

I believe our ability to handle stress changes throughout our life and depends on a whole lot of things including how busy we are and what else is going on in our life. How much sleep I get is probably the biggest factor in my life.

Some days I think I'm getting mellower and on others I am not nearly as sure or positive about life in general.

I KNOW it is all largely a frame of mind and like to treat it as such. Taking joy in the little stuff and forgetting the negative energy which surrounds us all is mostly a matter of simply purposely putting myself into that space. I try not to let anybody else determine my frame of mind by THEIR actions. I'm not responsible for their actions... only mine.

A hug from our little Phoebe is the best cure I know for my life worries.

-grampa dan
 
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
 
when work stresses me out?

that's easy..i wig right out...you've seen it...its not pretty but i do it and i get over it.

the quickest way to mello me out...is to watch my silly dogs. they always know how to make me smile...that and a little surfin'.
 
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
 
1: Step away from the vehicle...go grab a soda, coffee or something. Sometimes taking a break, even for just a few minutes, can relieve tension.
If a customer is standing over your shouder, be honest. Tell them you need a break so you don't make mistakes.

2: Bring a CD player and your favorite music. It can help you relax a little more while working.

3: I do go to a bar on occasion, but I keep it to the non alcoholic stuff. You can still socialize and unwind.

4: Remember your abilities. Wether it's a big job or small, it's still just a job. You'll get it done.

5: Take in a movie, try a restaurant you've been meaning to check out, take a drive and explore some new places. Relaxing after work and clearing the cobwebs gives you a better start tomorrow.

Work for a living, but remember that you don't just live to work.
Hope this helps, Joey.
Rapid
 
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
 
Ask yourself
"Will this matter in 5 years?"
Usually it doesn't.
If it does, allow yourself to worry about it for 5 minutes.
Then try to forget about it.
But remember, Joey, worrying is a waste of time.
Usually attending a Letterhead meet recharges my battery.
Love....Jill
 
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
 
Man. I get behind the wheel. Pump up some tunes and hit some country roads. Or I get on the bike. When I am stressed it is not a leisure ride but something to get my adrenalin pumping

If I am having a hard time coming up with ideas I so see a movie with special effects
 
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
 
Joey,
It sounds as though you know what ticks you off. I try to avoid even being around aggravating situations if all possible. Artists are sensitive as it is, so I just try to forgive as much as I am able to. We are all on a journey and make mistakes.
(maybe your destiny is to be an example for them; a tough road if you want it).
you have many, many gifts and ideas and there's a lot of cool folks that would benefit from them. Maybe you need to take a trip further away for a month or so? A meet sound like a great idea, as Jill mentioned. I've been a bit busy these days, and waiting for the warm weather, too.

[ March 19, 2006, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
 
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
 
When I recoginize I'm gettin' 'stressed' about work the first thing I do is step back and indentify what the real cause is.

9 times out of 10 it's one of two or three things:

1.The kind of work coming in is boring and and plain bread-n-butter stuff and I'm sick of it and wanna be creative, yet schedules and PR keep me too busy.

2.Missing deadlines is the leading cause of missing more deadlines . . .

3.Too many people to call, and too many 'little' things to be done workwise, mother/kidwise, housewise and ALLWISE . . . .

BLAH.


In all actuality, # 1, 2, and 3 can be summed up in one word:

People.


lol


Aside from crawlin' in a cave and hidin' there really ain't much I can do, except I . . .

. . .try to prioritize

. . .try to be realistic about what I can reasonabley accomplish . . .

. . . I sing.

Stuff like:

"Don't worry~~~ be Happy Wooooooo~~~~OOOO````oooo . . ."

Also I sing:
'~~~Storms never last, do they baby?~~~'


And when it's all really comin' down???

I get in my truck and drive to a place where I can stare at some beautiful horizon on the top of some hill. (I have about 4 favorite locations within' 20 miles) and meditate on how really blessed I am.

I also used to just take off and hike down a shallow creek all day.

Amazing how things that were once all screaming at once seem to line-up in a neat order of priority when ignored for a day or two . . .

lol [Razz]


Hope this helps. [Smile]
 
Posted by CJ Allan (Member # 52) on :
 
Stress Out............??

I just drop in to Letterville, look around a little, and end up bustin up laughing my ass off.......... [Smile]

Werks fer me
 
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
 
Joey; don't know myself, each one is different and handled thusly, some will tell you nothing bothers me and others will warn you to vacate area as I'm hot about something looking for a vent, as if I have to tell you that...you've seen me in action...but for most part, forgetting about it as soon as possible has worked for me the best, though, like I said, it's entirely hinged on severity of incursion...

Can I hijack this a moment to comment to Ryan on seeing his pro-stock m/c on the tube at Gainesville and it looked great, though Gann needs to slow down about.033 of a second next time, man, he had him covered too!!!

Now back to thread, tonite, dealing w/stress is being dealt with in here, content to follow CJ thru Letterville...... [Wink] [Cool]
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Joey...I wonder if you expect too much from the people you deal with? This in itself can cause frustration as you may expect an unrealistically high standard from those you come into contact with.

If the same standard of conduct/human traits were applied to you....could you really withstand scrutiny?

This is what my wife tells me....as admit, I can expect too much from people myself. I think it's good to reflect on....and if you think in those terms, it helps relax a person. Expect less, realize people are flawed, forgive a little easier, try and be a little more patient, etc.

There will never be anyone - no matter where you go - that won't irritate you or cause you frustration at some point. Even here, right?

Just...please....don't take it out on the cows. [Wink]

[ March 20, 2006, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
 
Hi Joey.

You strike me as the type that likes to make your own decisions and set your own schedule. It sounds like you are trying to get at a job 2 hours away, but the locals are putting demands on you that are stressing you out. Then you may feel like you've "let go of control" and resent intrusion on your time. When you feel that way, it is very easy to become annoyed and short tempered with the people around you that do not have the same knowledge that you do.

My gut feeling is that you don't want people to tell you what to do, which is impossible when you are working FOR someone else. Is it time to retire?? Then you will truly be your own boss.

Suelynn
 
Posted by Eric Barker (Member # 2972) on :
 
Joey, It's been a gloomy winter in the NW and especially so west of the Cascades. Even a peaceful cow pasture can be depressing when it's soggy.

I deal with stress by exercising. It's hard to be stressed when you're too tired to stand up. Swimming is one of the best stress relievers for me; good exercise in an environment removed from our normal existence.

We have an indoor community pool and you can also buy a pass to the college pool. If there's anything like that available where you live it would allow you to keep swimming all year.
 
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
 
All I can do is tell you some of the things I do when something starts getting to me.

I usually call one of a few choice friends and vent. I warn them right away that the call is going to be a little "b*tch sesson" ... and my wonderful friends all know what that means. DECOMPRESSION time. [Smile] Thank god for my them!

Another thing that keeps me on keel is that I can go seek out one of my cats, or the dog and get alittle pet therapy.

Working out does me some good sweating out some of that gunk too.

Sometimes I just get mad and start cleaning and reorganizing things around here. hahahaaa A weird girl thing I think.

In the grand scheme of it, there are really few things worth taking up alot of energy stressing about. Gotta learn to let go of some of our own crud we can bring into situations sometimes.

That's just my take on things with regards to my own "stuff".

Nettster [Smile]
 
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
 
It's a bitch gettin' old joey, but somebody's
gotta do it. Reading yer post reminded me of
my own anarchist life style. I just feel like
goin' out and killin' something. Not like
a person but maybe a few tin cans, bottles or
whatever.
In a way tho' I like the edge of being on the
line.
I am back part time doing Alanon, meetings and
it doesn't always cut through but sometimes I
can come away knowing I ain't alone.......and
some folks are worse off than me.

CrazyJack
 
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
 
...To relieve stress I like BIKE RIDING, but any exercise is terriffic. Also gardening, arranging flowers (don't laugh, it works), and petting my dog. Medation is also effective.

...You have to keep in mind that having stress in your life is a DECISION YOU MAKE.
 
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
 
not much bothers me....have resigned myself to the fact the place i live has some good people, ok people and then the ARSEHOLES!!! i do the best i can with most people, when i encounter with arseholes...i leave and stay as far away from them as i can becuse they upset my peace & tranquility.
did good up untill last monday. my big cat O.C. was missing. never came to supper sunday nite so i know somethings wrong.
monday afternoon i go to county pound...THERE MY O.C. in a cage like rat!!!! now iam p.o. but want to get my cat home.
lady at the counter is nice, she hands me a bill for $81.00!!!!!!!!!! I LOST IT....told her shoot the damn cat...she said dont swear at me....it went downhill from there. well next thing this guy comes up to the counter which looks like a sherriff shirt on...i pointed at him and told him STOP this where its at ..do not come round the counter cause if he does IAM GOING TO JAIL...& YOUR GOIN TO THE HOSPITAL!!!!! told him stay away from me, i will calm down....then the other lady behind the counter tells me IF I PAY $29...I CAN TAKE MY CAT HOME!!! now iam really upset and axed ..why didnt you tell me the $29 1st....and none of this woulda taken place(when i lost my temper, there was 6-7 other people in there and they jumped right in....cause they had same problem i was havin.
so i paid the $29 grabed my cat and went home....
now iam in search of the guy in the neighborhood who had the "cat cage" that traped my O.C. hes got some money HE OWES ME!!!!
 
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
 
There was this big ole cat...comin' round late at nite...yeowling, fighting with the other kitties....keeping me awake at nite...scenting on my truck and all around my yard.... [Frown]

Way to relieve stress??
I trapped the kitty and called the pound....

ahhhh

[ March 20, 2006, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
 
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
I want to take this time and thank everyone of you, because you brought a smile to my face. Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving for Crank's place in NorCal to do some work and pick up my Mercedes I left there 6 months ago, probably be back by the weekend. Most all of you hit the nail on the head between weather and incompetence I feel gloomy and always believed I am in the wrong place, although I do have many persons here where I live that are my friends, I think.

CJ and Joe, one of the reasons I call you guys is to mellow me out which always works. Suelynn, retirement isn't really gonna work for me as I don't really have a job to retire from and pinstriping is a big part of me which really isn't a job. I will however get back into gardening which I know real well and hopefully swimming at the local river when summer comes. I do enjoy riding my bicycle which I carry in my van at all times, cause you never know when you feel like it. My problem actually comes from persons who can't drive, don't use stop signs or use common sense and whenever I do a job or project I never have persons surrounding me as if theres a party going on, I don't stand for it unlesws of course it's a meet of some kind.

Oh well, thanks again for all the responses, I feel mellow already [Smile]
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
OP - you're kidding about the cat right? You got ****ed because you let it run wild in the neighborhood - probably crapping and digging in someone's yard and screaching in catfights all night keeping them awake - and they got fed up with it and hauled it to the pound?

Dude...consider yourself lucky. Out here in the burbs where I live....people aren't so accomodating about pets that are allowed to run loose. Frequently, they just **disappear**.

I think cats should be licensed - same as dogs - and if a person has a pet, they should have control over them so they don't infringe on their neighbors rights or invade their property. It's the neighborly, polite, right thing to do.
 
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
 
OP, you really do take the cake sometimes.

Maybe those eastern religion philosophies aren't working well enough. Try Costanza's Serenity Now!
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
The scene goes something like this -


John: "Oh look Marge....there's that dang cat digging up your prize petunia's again....

Marge: "John - do something! That cat whizzed all over my garden boots last night. Who's the irresponsible owner that let's that cat run the neighborhood?"

John opens door.

John: (In falsetto voice) Heeeeere Kitty, kitty, kitty.........

Cat: (curiously walking up to Harold) "Meowwww"

John: (delivering line inspired by "Home Alone"): "I'm giving you to the count of ten to get your yeller, lying, no good keester off off my front porch before I fill your guts full of lead."

Cat: "Meowwww, rarrrrrrr, meowwwwwww, hissssss"
(Translation - "Ok Johnny, take it easy - I'm going.....)

John: "One, two...ten!!!


RAT-a-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT -TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT]
(machine gun fire coinciding with wild laughter)

John: "Keep the change, ya filthy animal..."

[Razz]

[ March 20, 2006, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
 


[ March 20, 2006, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
[Rolling On The Floor] Wayne!

Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever" comes to mind for some reason. Goes something like this:

Well I don't know where they come from
Swiping my precious feline,
Now they're comin' for me
And I don't know why they're thinkin'
They can charge me a dime,
I hope they give it back for free

They give me cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever

The first time it ran away
I was just ten years old,
Caught it humpin' a kitty next door
I went and see the Dr. and
He gave me the cure
I think I got it some more

They give me cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever

It's nothin dangerous
I feel no pain
I've got to ch-ch-change
You know you got it when you're going insane
It makes a grown man cryin' cryin'
Won't you make my bed

I bruise the chin of my kitties' captor
With the stroke of my hand,
They know they gettin' it from me,
They know I love the fightin' and cussin'
When I "stick-it-to-da-man"
They know I do it for free

They give me cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever


[ March 20, 2006, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
 
Let's not get sidetracked poking fun at OP's story. It's easy to join in the "fun," but it can often be less than fun for the person being picked on.

I've had a problem with depression for years. As I get older, I'm beginning to understand events in my childhood, along with other junk, that I have allowed to affect my self image. These days, I am more interested in fixing the problem then the blame. It's not easy, but the reward of waking up happy is well worth the effort.

I'm a Soprano fan. Last week, I was watching an old episode. Tony was talking to his therapist about his experiences with the blues. She said something that I have never heard before.

Depression is rage turned inward.

That hit me like a ton of bricks. I've always had feelings of not being good enough. That may be one reason, I am so obsessed with a few things I do well, such as drawing and sign design. For the last 50 years, I've always known that I can valadate my value as a human being by simply demonstrating my "special" artistic talants. If only that was enough!

Many of us are very angry all the time. When you begin to get honest, it's painfully clear that most are really angry at ourselves. The anger is turned inward where it eats away at our souls. It makes us bitter. I'm convinced it causes all sorts of medical problems including heart attacks.

I don't have any real answers Joey. If you worked for a corporation, or the Government your benefits may cover the $150 a professional councilor demands. Those of us that have made the decision to be self employed, often have a real challenge, paying for benefits others take for granted.

There are all sorts of people like Joey in Letterville. They are our neighbors and friends. You need to know that you are all important. Not just because you can pull straight lines and draw pretty things. We are all much more than that. Most of you are somebody's hero. You may feel worthless inside, but others see you as a very valuable asset in their lives.

Making an effort to believe that could very well be a first step to feeling better. Finding a release for the anger inside us is another. You are not alone my friend.
 
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
 
Joey do as I do. Grab one of your favorite snakes and take him for a walk outside. Or go jump out of a perfectly good airplane, or jump on the motorcycle and take it up to 175 mph. Amazing but these little things make you feel suddenly alive inside and the stress just goes away.

I like to call it my extreme therapy!

I've been doing this crap for thirty-two years full time and there's no avoiding stress in business. Just too many variable and things we have no control over. And lets not forget the biggest pain of all...Murphy's Law!

I know with certainty that this low spot will pass you by soon. Cheer up and have a great day in spite of the world.
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Sorry Steve....kinda got away from me. OP's a pretty good sport I think....he tweaks me (when he can) and I think it's all in pseudo-serious fun - pretty good humor.

Ok OP...(arms stretched wide open) Let me have it.... [Wink]

I hear ya Steve...life's not always a bowl of roses and without sadness and struggles.

As you go through life, you begin to see that the people who always seem to have it together and are perpetually happy are actually faking it most of the time. Eventually the facade begins to crumble as things they cannot control cause pain and stress and they show their human-ness.....their naked reality.

I've personally met just a few people in life that have exhibited what I would call "truly positive" personalities....naturally nice and upbeat to a degree where you wonder if they are real humans....or some kind of Alien that is trying to covertly fit into the human race unnoticed.

I think people are outfitted at birth with many of the emotional and personality features they exhibit....and it is very difficult to change and overcome what nature has dealt. Encouragement and affirmation goes a long way in helping people cope.

Although I do believe that some of it is formed by habit, some physical makeup, and some through life experience.

Hopefully, people can sort through it and figure out how to reach a higher, more pleasing plateau. Life isn't easy...and you realize this the older you get - when you realize you're really not invincible after all.

[ March 20, 2006, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
 
Joey, I'm sitting here with my JR curled up beside me. Not trying to open old wounds here, but I'm wondering if it's time for you to get yourself another JR.

I know all too well that there will never be a replacement for a lost companion. But I know how my boys can calm me down and put everything into perspective, unless of course they're the ones making me nuts.
 
Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :
 
I close the door at 4pm and leave it all. It will still be there in the morning and I refuse to
worry about it until then. I come home to my little corner of the world with my chickens, dogs, cats, birds and goats. If I am really stressed out, I climb on a motorcycle and hit the highway for a while.
 
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
 
via con Dios
The only thing that ever helped me, Joey.
 
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
 
wayne...you aint that fer away....hope that cat had more then one frend...hehehehehe
todd....if i ever hit ya, i couldnt afford the medical bill you would hiy me with.
as for all of ya...the meditation and eastern philosophies work....for the most part...but kidnappin my cat and holdin him for ransom dont set well with me. also todd i dont live in the BRUBS like you "city folk". i got 2 arces of property and most i woods, so yea my cats run loose. dogs now are a diffeernt story..now they go round diggin holes ahd SHATING in everybodys yard....tood when is the last time you stepedd in cat poop?
glad ya all thought it was funny....i kinda chuckle now about it but at the moment...it was serious....see how you feel next time one of youre pets or kids do something wrong.......
 
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
 
Very interesting post! I used to get stressed all the time from scheduling conflicts and getting old doesn't have to be a bit*#. I use my wisodom more and more each day. You want to go out of town??? Simply go. So what if a body shop or new car manager needs you. This is pinstriping...not brain surgery. If so and so's car has to run around with a stripe missing off the front fender, is it truly the end of the world??? Sure, maybe to the anal person with the car it's an inconvenience, but damnit, life is full of inconveniences. Ever show up at a body shop or car dealer for an appointment where the customer never shows?
I had a body shop manager call me all frantic one time..."I've got an emergency!!!" I told him he should be calling 911.
I look at this very simply. If we can get to it we will. If we are out of town for a few days they will have to wait or call somebody else. If I have to sit around and let somebody else determine my schedule, I'll never get out of town, or walk along the river, go to a Letterhead meet, visit friends or any one of the countless GOOD things in life.


Of course, if you need to unwind, you can always walk out into that cow pasture right after a rain and gather those purple bellied mushrooms [Smile]
 
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
 
butcher the cat and have a stir fry for Joey.
 
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
 
I'm not stressed. I just wana know how to mend a broken heart. [Frown]
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Mending a broken heart?

One day...a guy will come along and he'll think of you in the terms of these Carpenter lyrics, and when it happens you'll know it was meant to be [Smile] :

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the <guys> in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.

On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

That is why all the <guys> in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.
Just like me (Just like me)
They long to be
Close to you.

[ March 20, 2006, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
 
When things start to get tatty for me I go to Karate. Beat the crap outta the bag. No not my friends, the bag hanging from the ceiling. By the time I work out for an hour or two I'm too darn tired to be stressed anymore. Then I do some Reiki and go to bed. By the next morning things generally look a little brighter.

By the way Donna that also works for broken hearts. Put a picture of your ex on the bag.
 
Posted by CJ Allan (Member # 52) on :
 
Hey OP....

Here's the kind of people i am around.........
a Friend in Denver wrote this up on another board we frequent.........

____________________________________

Only in the world of CJ Allan and Negotiable Tim........

Fade back to last Thursday. Tim stops at CJ's place on the way back from Daytona, en route to the swap meet here in Longmont, CO. , which is still 1,300 miles away.

Tim's travel time has enough slack in it to stop and visit for a bit, and Robin grills a few burgers, they shoot the **** for a while, and Tim has a few gifts for CJ - a front end and a wheel for CJ's bike, along with a dozen or so Daytona speed week T-shirts,, and other goodies

Tim's there for MAYBE an hour-and-a- half/two hours. Tim figures he's getting a little drowsy, and if he doesn't hit the road, he won't make move-in to the swap on Friday if he doesn't hit it. Tim says his good-by's, closes up his truck, and splits.

Forward to Friday. Tim's unloading everything here for the swap, and this cat jumps out of the back of his Ryder truck. Tim thinks "Damn", that cat must have been in here since I left Daytona!". So, Tim gets the cat, takes it inside the big building, gets it some water and food, and makes sure it's inside the building and he leaves.

Forward again to Saturday. Tim gets a phone call from CJ. It seems CJ has been looking for Butch, his 11 year old B&W cat, that his daughter has had since she was 5 years old. The cat's nowhere around, and they've been looking for a day-and-a-half, and mayby by dumb chance, did the cat crawl into Tim's truck while the door was open when Tim was digging the parts out? Tim says "Aw ****! THAT'S THE CAT!".

Now, right here you have to understand that this swap meet is in three buildings, at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The big building that Tim left the cat in is HUGE. They hold livestock auctions there, and they have big horse shows and events inside this place,it's got bleacher seating, and everything.

This morning, Tim gets all the kids together that are helping out at the swap meet, and says "I give the first kid that finds that cat $100.00, SO GO FIND THAT CAT!". So, all these kids are running around the whole fairgrounds, the buildings, the stalls - everywhere - looking for CJ's cat. Guess what? One of the kids FINDS THE CAT!

So, Tim's got CJ's cat again. Right now, it's in the bunk of one of the vendor's big display trailers, sleeping. When the swap meet is over, Tim's gonna ship Butch back to Kentucky via Nashville airport.

Like I said, only in the worlds of CJ Allan and Negotable Tim would anything like this ever happen. You couldn't make stuff like this up. Butch will have been on a 2,600 mile roadtrip this weekend, pretty good for an 11 year old cat. Butch appears to be taking this whole weekend in stride.

Oh yeah, the cat has a new name - when I talked to CJ this morning from the swap meet, he told me Butch is now going to be known as "Negotable Butch". What a trip!

__________________________________

The last word is, that they are snowed in and Tim smuggled Butch into a Ramada inn to hole up till the airpor opens......were the damn cat proceded to scratch Tim on the chin.....ungrateful feline......hahahah

Life is Good, when ya surround yourself with GOOD people....... [Smile]
 
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
 
Joey, there are lots of answers to stress.
What works for me is
1. tell yourself to get over it & be grateful things aren't twice as worse. (I've been through a housefire losing everything I owned at the time, and I've been through the family walking out of a car accident that by all accounts should have killed everyone). Compared with that, any bit of stress tends to shrink as I feel grateful that we're not going over that again.

2. Take a walk, with an animal or two. (Or the kids)
3. Phone a friend, or visit one. I'm lucky to have a couple of friends with whom you can just unburden yourself.
4. Lie down on the floor of the lounge. Within a minute, one of the kids will be sitting on your chest telling you a story while another fights for a piece of leg to sit on to tell you their story, and a cat will start to find a comfy spot beside your ear. If you do this outside instead, you'll need a mask as the dogs fight to lick you to death, watched on by a chicken or two.
5. Put the kettle on & have a cuppa.
6. What stress?
 
Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :
 
Oh, Donna, if I were a few years younger or you were about 2 hours older and I was still single,I would be on my way North to try to help mend that broken heart! Hang in there girl, it'll get better! [Smile]
 
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
 
Ian,
I couldn't have said it better.
 
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
 
I have only read a few replies..

Don't know or care what all the other stuff was about.

Joey..Spread open the wallet, book a trip to Isla Mujeres, ENJOY!!

A definite "stress remover"

(If ya don't believe me ask Monte Jumper)
 
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
 
cj understands .....cat aint much, cept hair and claws, but you get attached to em....i posted here nov/dec 2004 i had a cat die on me. we had here since 1995-96. tore me up as much as it did with my dad & mom diein.
cj glad you got the cat back.....i got a black tiger bob tail....and hes got the problem of climbin in evertything i get here...he even does ladders. went in the shop one dasy hes up in the roof purlin!!!! another day i lettered a new 18 yard dump truck....the guy was leavin with the truck....and "batman" was makin air...comin off the top of the tailgate!!!!!
 
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
 
Stressed?
Grab a shotgun and a bunch of ammo and head for the closest range! TYhe thump from a 12 gauge and turning a couple hundres of those clay targets into lil black sootballs in the air...will get rid of all yer stress and agressions!

Werks fer me!

[I Don t Know]
 
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Another good stress reliever? Shooting hoops.

I installed one of those really nice, heavy duty Goalrilla Hoops on the edge of my drive. I'll take a break and go out there (in the spring/summer/fall of course) and drill baskets for about 15 minutes.

Makes you totally focus on the shot and pulls your mind away from everything else. And hey, I've been getting pretty decent at shooting 3 pointers. So if Billups or Rasheed Wallace gets taken down....I'm here for you Detoit!

Free throws? Not a problem.

Oh....but I will need one of those motorized scooters because I'm only good for jogging down to my mailbox and back.
 
Posted by CJ Allan (Member # 52) on :
 
Joe,
Cat ain't back yet.......still snowed in in Colorado, [Smile]
and you're right.....it's just a damn cat.............BUT the damn cat is "Family" and that makes the difference.. [Smile]

Hey Cuzin Si,
.44 mag Blackhawk is always a good stress reliever.......especially takin out rqadiators of uninvited cars comin up our driveway........!2 ga, .45/,44, and dynomite are all GOOD.......heheheh

As far as fixin broken hearts......Ya might think about what ya did (or didn't do), to get this one....and make adjustments the next time around........ like not spendin so much time on keyboards ....... [Smile]
 
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
 
Making note to install air horns on burb before calling on CJ......new twist on "friendly fire"; "not so friendly fire." [Rolling On The Floor]

Hmmmm, lets see, 12 guage w/sabot rounds goes thru radiator and almost thru block...4 bucks next if first rounds don't discourage... [Rolling On The Floor]

Might have to write a book on that cat's travels...see news of one that bailed 80' out of a tree and landed on back and lived??? It's not hurt, just shook up, been in tree over three days or something... [Rolling On The Floor]

CJ...what's the bluegrass capitol of Kentucky??? Rosine? Where abouts is that? Ya, I know, and as a matter of fact, the dog did chew my map up... [Cool]
 
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
 
CJ,
Is your cat ever going to get home without escaping? Hope so.

[ March 22, 2006, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
 
Posted by CJ Allan (Member # 52) on :
 
Update on Butch the Cat.........

After gettin snowed in in Loveland CO..........they managed to get out the next day and made it to Redriver NM.........
spent the night and moved on, and spent last night in a Holiday Inn in Gallop NM..........

Today Negotiable Tim, and Negotiable Butch, are heading to Tuscon, to pick up a couple bikes..........then (hopefully) on to Riverside Calif, where Tim will get the damn cat's shots from his Vet...(Airlines won't fly him home without papers from Vet, and probably x-rays to pasify Homeland security......hahahahah)

They're havin a great time and Butch seems to be turning into a regular "Road Cat" just like my dog Arthur..(who's always on the road with me) [Smile]

They send several pics everyday so far, but I don't know how to post em.........or I would

Damn cat's havin the time of his life..... [Smile]
The old fool will probably get home just in time to drop dead from old age.......
But at least he had one final big fling, if he does....hahahah

Of course he's gonna be braggin, and talking long **** to all the dogs , and other critter's out in the woods.......... [Smile]

Lifes Good.......even for cats...... !!

[ March 22, 2006, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]
 


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