Not a fan of George Gee:
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dawqy?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=college-basketball
I'm glad that Louisville isn't in our conference anymore because I'm really starting to like Pitino, and would have been awkward.
Screw Pitino, as he did to the chick on the dinner table at Porcini's.
Get tired of the sanctimonious BS about Pitino how he is a saint. He really showed his sainthood to his family, friends, faculty and university with that episode.
Quote from: willie warrior on May 31, 2013, 06:14:41 PM
Screw Pitino, as he did to the chick on the dinner table at Porcini's.
Get tired of the sanctimonious BS about Pitino how he is a saint. He really showed his sainthood to his family, friends, faculty and university with that episode.
(http://www.wildcatworld.com/bounce/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/500x_screen_shot_2010-08-05_at_2.05.25_pm1-300x298.jpg)
Quote from: willie warrior on May 31, 2013, 06:14:41 PM
Screw Pitino, as he did to the chick on the dinner table at Porcini's.
Get tired of the sanctimonious BS about Pitino how he is a saint. He really showed his sainthood to his family, friends, faculty and university with that episode.
Pitino is right! Where did he say he was a saint? Gee's remarks were directed at Catholics too and are remarkable for their ignorance and intolerance--like yours. Imagine if a Catholic had made a comment about a Mormon at BYU.
Guys like Vitale, ESPN, etc. all idolize Pitino. Nuff said!
Quote from: willie warrior on May 31, 2013, 06:14:41 PM
Screw Pitino, as he did to the chick on the dinner table at Porcini's.
Get tired of the sanctimonious BS about Pitino how he is a saint. He really showed his sainthood to his family, friends, faculty and university with that episode.
Those closest to him forgave him. That's really all that matters to me.
Quote from: Terror Skink on May 31, 2013, 07:50:44 PM
Those closest to him forgave him. That's really all that matters to me.
Likely (and more importantly) all that matters to Pitino, too.
Quote from: Terror Skink on May 31, 2013, 07:50:44 PM
Those closest to him forgave him. That's really all that matters to me.
OK, so we should all give him a pass for his poor moral judgement. Lets start a group--Rick's Circle of Friends.
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 06:59:30 AM
OK, so we should all give him a pass for his poor moral judgement. Lets start a group--Rick's Circle of Friends.
Forgiveness can be a wonderful thing.
Hard to argue that a guy who expenses over $60k for bow ties isn't a pompous ass!
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 08:08:12 AM
Forgiveness can be a wonderful thing.
Said the Godfather to the other Dons if anything should happen to Michael when he return to the US. And then it became payback time.
Quote from: Terror Skink on May 31, 2013, 07:50:44 PM
Those closest to him forgave him. That's really all that matters to me.
Kind of a weird way if looking at it. If Rick beat his wife but his wife and family forgave him it's all good?
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 09:14:12 AM
Said the Godfather to the other Dons if anything should happen to Michael when he return to the US. And then it became payback time.
The Bible says it too.
Quote from: martyconlonontherun on June 01, 2013, 10:24:59 AM
Kind of a weird way if looking at it. If Rick beat his wife but his wife and family forgave him it's all good?
No because then he committed a crime.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 10:49:02 AM
No because then he committed a crime.
Didn't your initial comment say that your take on the situation ("That's really all that matters to me") is based solely on someone else's feelings about the matter? (odd)
Your take on a matter based on someone else's feelings, though, would be overridden by the legal process? Or would it be by
you judging that a crime has been committed even if no charges were filed (i.e., wife declines to press charges/cooperate)?
Weird.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 11:22:38 AM
Didn't your initial comment say that your take on the situation ("That's really all that matters to me") is based solely on someone else's feelings about the matter? (odd)
Yes. If someone cheats on their spouse and their spouse forgives them, then I am fine with it.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 11:22:38 AM
Your take on a matter based on someone else's feelings, though, would be overridden by the legal process?
Yes because by definition, such a crime is a crime against society. (ie, State v. Rick Pitino)
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 11:22:38 AMOr would it be by you judging that a crime has been committed even if no charges were filed (i.e., wife declines to press charges/cooperate)?
That is your first good question....and that is where a judgement using all the evidence presented to me would have to be made.
The bible, and more importantly Christ, also talks at length about forgiveness. How many times must I forgive?
Furthermore, there is a big difference between forgiveness and punishment for a crime. I would hope that if someone were to commit a crime and then asked for forgiveness, that I would be able to forgive them. That forgiveness does not mean I would then not want the person to pay for his crime. Forgiveness to some degree is also about each of us being able to acknowledge our own sins. As such, not being able to forgive, shows ignorance of our own failing.
Regardless of Pitino's personal life and choice of suits, he's spot on about Gordon Gee - a pompous ass if there ever was one.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 10:49:02 AM
No because then he committed a crime.
I guess porking another guy's wife on a table in a public restaurant (maybe family) isn't a crime if both involved are having a good time. There oughta be a law!
When as saucy a temptress as Karen Sypher knocks on a man's door he has no choice but to answer those primal urges...
(http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/AP-Ed_Reinke.jpg)
Quote from: keefe on June 01, 2013, 01:49:04 PM
When as saucy a temptress as Karen Sypher knocks on a man's door he has no choice but to answer those primal urges...
(http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/AP-Ed_Reinke.jpg)
Maybe 10 to 15 years ago. I think at the time she was the Strength Coach's (football?) wife. Wonder what she is doing for fun these days?
Wonder if we can get this thread up to 5 pages,
Enter: Posts about Marv Albert biting fetishes. Or how about some action on Morganna, the Kissing Bandit, or Brett Favre (the ole dongslinger) and his NY Jets honey!
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 01:57:43 PM
Maybe 10 to 15 years ago. I think at the time she was the Strength Coach's (football?) wife. Wonder what she is doing for fun these days?
Since she's in prison I would guess she is eating some rug
Quote from: keefe on June 01, 2013, 02:02:23 PM
Since she's in prison I would guess she is eating some rug
+1, well put.
Quote from: willie warrior on May 31, 2013, 06:36:42 PM
Guys like Vitale, ESPN, etc. all idolize Pitino. Nuff said!
Let's stop hating on ESPN. Those they idolize make money and win championships. I would love to be associated. Buzz making money$$$$, and Marquette with a championship.
Quote from: keefe on June 01, 2013, 02:02:23 PM
Since she's in prison I would guess she is eating some rug
I don't get it "eating some rug", is that akin to snapping at tuna?
Seriously though; is she in the slammer? If so she is definitely getting slammed.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 10:49:02 AM
No because then he committed a crime.
Breaking a commandment is fine. but breaking the law isn't? Good to see how you've defined your morals.
Quote from: Sunbelt15 on June 01, 2013, 03:05:34 PM
Let's stop hating on ESPN. Those they idolize make money and win championships. I would love to be associated. Buzz making money$$$$, and Marquette with a championship.
Lets see, winning championships like in Tebow, right. ESPN has become the PC police of sports, except for Costas. You cannot find any more PC than Wilbon or Greenberg. And when one semi-strays off base, like Kornheiser, they immediately smack him back in line.
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 05:17:33 PM
Lets see, winning championships like in Tebow, right. ESPN has become the PC police of sports, except for Costas. You cannot find any more PC than Wilbon or Greenberg. And when one semi-strays off base, like Kornheiser, they immediately smack him back in line.
Must be exhausting spending all that time worrying about what other dudes do with their junk.
Quote from: jmayer1 on June 01, 2013, 04:54:28 PM
Breaking a commandment is fine. but breaking the law isn't? Good to see how you've defined your morals.
It's even more bizarre than that. Breaking a commandment ISN'T fine by him... unless a spouse is OK with it. If they are not OK with it, he is not OK with it. If they are OK with it, he is OK with it.
Some people aren't big on principles.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 06:25:27 PM
It's even more bizarre than that. Breaking a commandment ISN'T fine by him... unless a spouse is OK with it. If they are not OK with it, he is not OK with it. If they are OK with it, he is OK with it.
Some people aren't big on principles.
Yeah, let's get pitch forks and torches! Who knows where Pitino lives?
I have principles, so I'll look down my nose at others with you.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 06:25:27 PM
It's even more bizarre than that. Breaking a commandment ISN'T fine by him... unless a spouse is OK with it. If they are not OK with it, he is not OK with it. If they are OK with it, he is OK with it.
Some people aren't big on principles.
(http://tadams4u.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/high-horse.jpg?w=300&h=300)
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 03:40:18 PM
I don't get it "eating some rug", is that akin to snapping at tuna?
Seriously though; is she in the slammer? If so she is definitely getting slammed.
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPqXVlk1hrgYt0fh-v_lFGf3dAMoQjqX0naVq18a_FVu1LwuTg)
Quote from: MUSF on June 01, 2013, 06:32:55 PM
Yeah, let's get pitch forks and torches! Who knows where Pitino lives?
I'm not sure where Pitino lives but I understand he spends a lot of time at a restaurant called Porcini
(http://cdn1.tauntr.com/sites/default/files/Porcini-Menu-Thumb.jpg)
nm
Quote from: jmayer1 on June 01, 2013, 04:54:28 PM
Breaking a commandment is fine. but breaking the law isn't? Good to see how you've defined your morals.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 06:25:27 PM
It's even more bizarre than that. Breaking a commandment ISN'T fine by him... unless a spouse is OK with it. If they are not OK with it, he is not OK with it. If they are OK with it, he is OK with it.
Some people aren't big on principles.
Oh this is cool.
Actually what I am big on is forgiveness. And I am not going to hold something over someone's head if he sincerely asks forgiveness and it is granted by his wife, his family and presumably his God.
Mathew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
John 8: 2-11: "2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11 "No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
"The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness."
William Blake
Foregivness is a wonderful thing. I wish I could practice it more.
Now, for more important things.....when pulling a spinner with a crawler harness, is it best to use a bottom bouncer or a lindy rig?
One week from now, my a$$ is in Canada.
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 09:24:29 PM
Foregivness is a wonderful thing. I wish I could practice it more.
Now, for more important things.....when pulling a spinner with a crawler harness, is it best to use a bottom bouncer or a lindy rig?
One week from now, my a$$ is in Canada.
I am joining 4 buddies from flight school at Gustavus, AK. Chinooks, halibut, ling cod, Dungeness crab, Cohibas, and Lagavulin 16.
Where in Canada are you headed?
Quote from: keefe on June 01, 2013, 09:27:42 PM
I am joining 4 buddies from flight school at Gustavus, AK. Chinooks, halibut, ling cod, Dungeness crab, Cohibas, and Lagavulin 16.
Where in Canada are you headed?
Eagle lake in Ontario. Great muskies. Good lake for walleyes too.
I am jealous of yor trip to AK. On the bucket list.
We've got one hell of a menu planned. Home made (and I mean home made) ravioli with Mrs. Bassi's red sauce, my home made Real Chili recipe, authentic chicken enchiladas, walleye tacos, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, washed down with southern mimosas, 4 pounds of bacon from Nolacek's in Thorpe, and the Animal's black bean and ham soup. Hope we can find time for some shore lunch and a couple of fish dinners. ;)
We will be swilling a mix of Crown and Pendleton. One of the fellas also has a weak spot for Zig Zang bloodys.
Be sure to post some pics in the fishing thread.
I think I'll hit the frig and make me a pb & j sandwich washed down with some Lake Michigan straight.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on June 01, 2013, 10:03:55 PM
I think I'll hit the frig and make me a pb & j sandwich washed down with some Lake Michigan straight.
My dentist says that the j can cause cavities when consumed with pb.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 08:41:56 PM
Oh this is cool.
Actually what I am big on is forgiveness. And I am not going to hold something over someone's head if he sincerely asks forgiveness and it is granted by his wife...
What's odd to me isn't the forgiveness or that you're "OK with it". Not at all. What's odd is that you're basing your take on your belief that his wife has "forgiven" him. Your opinion changing based on her feelings and/or actions, which could be quite complex and can't be well understood by you, is what strikes me as odd.
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 01, 2013, 10:50:59 PM
What's odd to me isn't the forgiveness or that you're "OK with it". Not at all. What's odd is that you're basing your take on your belief that his wife has "forgiven" him. Your opinion changing based on her feelings and/or actions, which could be quite complex and can't be well understood by you, is what strikes me as odd.
Ok, but where does the jab about principles fit in?
Are you saying that it is better to stand on principle from afar and not "be Ok" with Pitino, but it's not okay to trust the judgment of people who actually have detailed knowledge of the situation and are close enough to Pitino to gauge his level of contrition and overall character?
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 10:11:35 PM
My dentist says that the j can cause cavities when consumed with pb.
Tell him he's full of s.
Quote from: sixstrings03 on June 01, 2013, 06:12:48 PM
Must be exhausting spending all that time worrying about what other dudes do with their junk.
I don't, but since you brought it up, perhaps if the shoe fits....
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 10:11:35 PM
My dentist says that the j can cause cavities when consumed with pb.
but will he forgive you for eating the j?
Quote from: willie warrior on June 01, 2013, 01:43:25 PM
I guess porking another guy's wife on a table in a public restaurant (maybe family) isn't a crime if both involved are having a good time. There oughta be a law!
IIRC Pitino's assistant married her after his 15 seconds of shame
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 08:41:56 PM
Oh this is cool.
Not really sure what any of this had to do with my point. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, of course I generally don't choose whether to forgive somebody based on another person or the legal system's thoughts but that's another discussion. However the point stands that you stated you were okay with forgiving him because he didn't commit a crime, even though he did break a commandment. So, in your eyes, man's law stands above God's law?!?
Quote from: martyconlonontherun on June 01, 2013, 10:24:59 AM
Kind of a weird way if looking at it. If Rick beat his wife but his wife and family forgave him it's all good?
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 01, 2013, 10:49:02 AM
No because then he committed a crime.
Quote from: jmayer1 on June 02, 2013, 08:46:34 AM
Not really sure what any of this had to do with my point. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, of course I generally don't choose whether to forgive somebody based on another person or the legal system's thoughts but that's another discussion. However the point stands that you stated you were okay with forgiving him because he didn't commit a crime, even though he did break a commandment. So, in your eyes, man's law stands above God's law?!?
I haven't forgive him of anything. He didn't do anything to me. I simply said that I am not going to continuously rag on the guy because those closest to him seemingly have forgiven him.
If he broke God's law, that is an issue between him and God. If he breaks man's law, that is an issue between him and me...since I am a member of his society.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 02, 2013, 08:54:07 AM
I haven't forgive him of anything. He didn't do anything to me. I simply said that I am not going to continuously rag on the guy because those closest to him seemingly have forgiven him.
If he broke God's law, that is an issue between him and God. If he breaks man's law, that is an issue between him and me...since I am a member of his society.
Makes sense on the first.
On the second, so you're not a Christian? That's fine, just want to make sure I understand where you are coming from.
Quote from: jmayer1 on June 02, 2013, 09:36:01 AM
Makes sense on the first.
On the second, so you're not a Christian?
I'm a Christian.
Quote from: MUSF on June 02, 2013, 12:52:27 AM
Ok, but where does the jab about principles fit in?
Are you saying that it is better to stand on principle from afar and not "be Ok" with Pitino, but it's not okay to trust the judgment of people who actually have detailed knowledge of the situation and are close enough to Pitino to gauge his level of contrition and overall character?
Think of a principle as a rule. Whether or not you think Pitino's escapades with some chick at Porcini's (and the stuff that happened after) is no big deal or is a bad thing... do you have principles that you stand by to assess your take on it? Some people do, some people don't.
Sultan apparently doesn't - he needs to see how the wife appears to *feel* about it. He has no principle, or rule of his own. Unable to make the call by himself.
"It was an awful act. However, the wife and his family have moved on, so I'm over it." would be fine.
"Who cares? It's no big deal." would be fine.
"I'm fine with his actions because the wife is still with him." is odd.
(I actually don't care about this topic at all. And I think* Sultan may be moving towards a stance of "I'm over it" "I am not going to continuously rag on the guy...(family has) forgiven him", but still it's not clear if Sultan has any principle or rule on the initial actions, or if his take is simply based on how a third-party feels.)
Quote from: Jay Bee on June 02, 2013, 10:18:13 AM
Think of a principle as a rule. Whether or not you think Pitino's escapades with some chick at Porcini's (and the stuff that happened after) is no big deal or is a bad thing... do you have principles that you stand by to assess your take on it? Some people do, some people don't.
Sultan apparently doesn't - he needs to see how the wife appears to *feel* about it. He has no principle, or rule of his own. Unable to make the call by himself.
"It was an awful act. However, the wife and his family have moved on, so I'm over it." would be fine.
"Who cares? It's no big deal." would be fine.
"I'm fine with his actions because the wife is still with him." is odd.
(I actually don't care about this topic at all. And I think* Sultan may be moving towards a stance of "I'm over it" "I am not going to continuously rag on the guy...(family has) forgiven him", but still it's not clear if Sultan has any principle or rule on the initial actions, or if his take is simply based on how a third-party feels.)
I don't think people should cheat on their spouses.
Quote from: Terror Skink on June 02, 2013, 10:19:51 AM
I don't think people should cheat on their spouses.
OK, so you think his (brief) actions were bad, but you're over it. Wife appears to have moved on, so you certainly can as well?
My faith in you has been restored.
Can't wait for a Hibbert nh thread!!
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 09:45:28 PM
Eagle lake in Ontario. Great muskies. Good lake for walleyes too.
I am jealous of yor trip to AK. On the bucket list.
We've got one hell of a menu planned. Home made (and I mean home made) ravioli with Mrs. Bassi's red sauce, my home made Real Chili recipe, authentic chicken enchiladas, walleye tacos, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, washed down with southern mimosas, 4 pounds of bacon from Nolacek's in Thorpe, and the Animal's black bean and ham soup. Hope we can find time for some shore lunch and a couple of fish dinners. ;)
We will be swilling a mix of Crown and Pendleton. One of the fellas also has a weak spot for Zig Zang bloodys.
Be sure to post some pics in the fishing thread.
Snap-e-Tom made the BEST Bloody Marys. I miss it.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on June 01, 2013, 10:03:55 PM
I think I'll hit the frig and make me a pb & j sandwich washed down with some Lake Michigan straight.
Neat or on the rocks?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on June 01, 2013, 10:03:55 PM
I think I'll hit the frig....
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 10:11:35 PM
My dentist says that the j can cause cavities when consumed with pb.
If "hitting the frig" causes cavities, 4ever would have more silver in him than a downtown Las Vegas slot machine...
Quote from: real chili 83 on June 01, 2013, 09:45:28 PM
Eagle lake in Ontario. Great muskies. Good lake for walleyes too.
I am jealous of yor trip to AK. On the bucket list.
We've got one hell of a menu planned. Home made (and I mean home made) ravioli with Mrs. Bassi's red sauce, my home made Real Chili recipe, authentic chicken enchiladas, walleye tacos, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, washed down with southern mimosas, 4 pounds of bacon from Nolacek's in Thorpe, and the Animal's black bean and ham soup. Hope we can find time for some shore lunch and a couple of fish dinners. ;)
We will be swilling a mix of Crown and Pendleton. One of the fellas also has a weak spot for Zig Zang bloodys.
Be sure to post some pics in the fishing thread.
Glacier Bay is an incredible treasure. We drop crab pots on our way out then whack Chinooks and halibut all day before heading back. We only keep the 40+ lb kings while the halibut are between 80-140 lbs. The Chinooks are magnificent fighters and will make 3 runs before we land them. There are always random sockeyes, black fish and ling cod, too. On the water we drink Alaskan Amber, perhaps America's finest attempt at an Alt style, and Alaskan Summer which is a nice kolsch.
We have a group of 12 guys who met as 21-23 year old butter bars in flight school; we ended up driving Eagles, Lawn Darts, Aardvarks, and Warthogs but have been going to Gustavus together for 30 years. Because of wars, jobs, and women the annual cast of 5 is always different but has drawn from the same 12. We figured out once that statistically 4 of us should have been killed while flying along the way - maintenance failure, enemy fire, bird strikes, pilot stupidity, or sheer dumb luck from flying fighter aircraft. While each of us has several comrades who were lost along the way our particular group has been charmed.
Our guide lets us bunk with him as he has a 5 bedroom log house. His only request is that we stock his larder with fresh produce, 4-legged animal flesh, and booze. There are no Safeways or QFCs on Gustavus; foodstuffs are flown or barged over from Juneau. One of the guys is now a FedEx MD 11 driver so he crates up a pallet of fresh food and booze has it flown from Memphis to Gustavus. He even has ribs from Corky's and the Rendezvous in the shipment.
This time of year there is no nighttime in Alaska so we tend to stay up swilling Oban, talking with our hands, and looking forward to the next day's hunt. The stories get larger with every passing day and deeper with every passing bottle of single malt. The 12 of us are interchangeable and it never really matters who pitches up. And while airframes, women, duty stations, careers, deployments, enemies, and fine cigars have come and gone the constant of this trip has remained. Along with friendship. As I have slipped the surly bonds I have taken comfort in the knowledge that I have always had 11 wingmen who had my six.
Man, what is wrong with you. I hoped this would turn into a 5 page thread with Pitino/Sypher.
Do you think Rick is visiting her in the slammer, and with forgiveness bringing his family along?
Quote from: willie warrior on June 03, 2013, 07:02:29 PM
Man, what is wrong with you. I hoped this would turn into a 5 page thread with Pitino/Sypher.
Do you think Rick is visiting her in the slammer, and with forgiveness bringing his family along?
(http://daejasview.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/matthew-diffee-the-worst-part-is-the-horizontal-stripes-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg?w=300&h=300)
Quote from: keefe on June 03, 2013, 03:34:38 PM
Glacier Bay is an incredible treasure. We drop crab pots on our way out then whack Chinooks and halibut all day before heading back. We only keep the 40+ lb kings while the halibut are between 80-140 lbs. The Chinooks are magnificent fighters and will make 3 runs before we land them. There are always random sockeyes, black fish and ling cod, too. On the water we drink Alaskan Amber, perhaps America's finest attempt at an Alt style, and Alaskan Summer which is a nice kolsch.
We have a group of 12 guys who met as 21-23 year old butter bars in flight school; we ended up driving Eagles, Lawn Darts, Aardvarks, and Warthogs but have been going to Gustavus together for 30 years. Because of wars, jobs, and women the annual cast of 5 is always different but has drawn from the same 12. We figured out once that statistically 4 of us should have been killed while flying along the way - maintenance failure, enemy fire, bird strikes, pilot stupidity, or sheer dumb luck from flying fighter aircraft. While each of us has several comrades who were lost along the way our particular group has been charmed.
Our guide lets us bunk with him as he has a 5 bedroom log house. His only request is that we stock his larder with fresh produce, 4-legged animal flesh, and booze. There are no Safeways or QFCs on Gustavus; foodstuffs are flown or barged over from Juneau. One of the guys is now a FedEx MD 11 driver so he crates up a pallet of fresh food and booze has it flown from Memphis to Gustavus. He even has ribs from Corky's and the Rendezvous in the shipment.
This time of year there is no nighttime in Alaska so we tend to stay up swilling Oban, talking with our hands, and looking forward to the next day's hunt. The stories get larger with every passing day and deeper with every passing bottle of single malt. The 12 of us are interchangeable and it never really matters who pitches up. And while airframes, women, duty stations, careers, deployments, enemies, and fine cigars have come and gone the constant of this trip has remained. Along with friendship. As I have slipped the surly bonds I have taken comfort in the knowledge that I have always had 11 wingmen who had my six.
Sounds like how a week with the guys should always be.
When we get back from our trip, you have to enroll in three different 12-step programs to recover. One for drinking, one for eating, and one for swearing.
Here's to posting pictures of 100# halibut, 40# kings, 50" muskies, and 32# walleyes in the Scoop Fishing Thread next week. And safe travels to all.
Gee "retired" today, Ohio State just announced.
Hopefully he gets to keep his collection of bow ties.