Tv Commercials That Rock

Two of my favorite bands can't get played on the radio,but they are the soundtracks behind some cool commercials.It is sad,indeed,when ads play better music then the radio...but what can you do?

Here is a Black Keys song(10am Automatic)to a Shaun White/American Express commercial:




And here is the first of a series of really cool VW commercials using songs from Wilco's new cd,'Blue Sky Blue'.


Now,when you see one of those cool Volkswagon ads,you won't have to wonder who plays that great music.You will know:Wilco.

Funny Videos

I am in the mood for some funny stuff...here are three funny videos :-)

I've Been tagged

My friend Mixter has meme-tagged me! Here goes!1. All right, here are the rules.2. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.3. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.4. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.5. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.



EIGHT THINGS ABOUT THE DREW



1.The third most embarrassing moment in my life was when I ran out of gas on my driver's test.



2.I read three chapters of The Bible every day,and I have since 8th grade.



3.I have an extensive cd,cassette,eight track,lp,and downloaded music collection.



4.Climbing trees used to be my way of life.



5.I like beer.



6.I used to have a dog named Ing and another dog named Timex.



7.I blog:therefore I am.



8.My wife is by far the funniest person I know.


Tag,you're it:

1:Don Key

2:Osquer

3:George

4:Anne Varsmar

5:Zeplyc0k0k

6:David

7:Sam Spade

8:Error of

I'm Getting A Colonoscopy :-)

Yep,you heard right,I am getting a colonoscopy Friday,July 6th.Am I scared?Hell no.I'll be asleep.I am even excited about the ritual cleansing that I am supposed to do the day before.It should be quite the experience.Excuse the pun,but I'm betting on everything coming out all right in the end:-)))

[The stories Behind] Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep the rock band was named after a Charles Dickens character called,oddly enough,Uriah Heep.But here is another story of another Uriah's Heep.....

....2 Samuel 11

At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem.

One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.

David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of (Joab's armor-bearer) Uriah the Hittite."

Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her, at a time when she was just purified after her monthly period. She then returned to her house.

But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, "I am with child."

David therefore sent a message to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.

When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well.

David then said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and bathe your feet." Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king's table.

But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house.

David was told that Uriah had not gone home. So he said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why, then, did you not go down to your house?"

Uriah answered David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are lodged in tents, and my lord Joab and your majesty's servants are encamped in the open field. Can I go home to eat and to drink and to sleep with my wife? As the LORD lives and as you live, I will do no such thing."
Then David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, I shall dismiss you tomorrow." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the day following,

David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening he went out to sleep on his bed among his lord's servants, and did not go down to his home.

The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah.

In it he directed: "Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead."

So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong.

When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David's army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died.

Then Joab sent David a report of all the details of the battle,

instructing the messenger, "When you have finished giving the king all the details of the battle,

the king may become angry and say to you: 'Why did you go near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall above?

Who killed Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal? Was it not a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall above, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?' Then you in turn shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.'"

The messenger set out, and on his arrival he relayed to David all the details as Joab had instructed him.

He told David: "The men had us at a disadvantage and came out into the open against us, but we pushed them back to the entrance of the city gate.

Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall above, and some of the king's servants died, among them your servant Uriah."

David said to the messenger: "This is what you shall convey to Joab: 'Do not be chagrined at this, for the sword devours now here and now there. Strengthen your attack on the city and destroy it.' Encourage him."

When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband had died, she mourned her lord.

But once the mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her into his house. She became his wife and bore him a son. But the LORD was displeased with what David had done.

As a footnote,this baby died,but Bathsheba's next son was Solomon,became heir to David's throne,and was the wisest of all kings....Jesus' linage was from this line.

Support Our Troops?

I had links to all my information,but decided against using them and just let myself rant instead.Most of the links were to very graphic sights,and I in all honesty felt very uncomfortable linking people to these sights.Google the stuff yourself,if you feel the need.

I am for our troops.Not because it is fashionable to do so,nor because I never served.But,because I admire the courage of the men and women in our military.Being an American service person is patriotism at it's very best.

Because of this I have turned a blind eye to a questionable practice going on by our troops in Iraq.Just like I don't believe in 'My country right or wrong',I can no longer continue blindly supporting supposed injustices or wrongs going on in the war zone.For this I am grievously sorry,but I feel I must consider the morality of a certain practice going on by a very small portion of our troops.

The first thing I must say is that this thing most certainly must have always went on in one form or another in all war zones.That does not justify these actions.Secondly,I feel that these actions would be fairly limited if our troops had less free time on their hands.With private companies like Blackwater guarding our military posts,and supplying the meals etc,responsibilities that used to fall on the G.I's are now out of their hands,and they now have more private down time.

Privatizing military functions is one of the ways The Roman Empire fell.There are somethings our government should be liable for,running the military should be one of them.Getting rid of private contractors should be priority number one.

Military porn is becoming an increasing problem.There are many web-sights dedicated to military porn...too much of it gay...many sights promoting the participants as actual military personal.Hey,if you are over in Iraq putting your life on the line for political freedom and keeping America safe...more power to you...if this is how you want to spend your free time-go for it-but I feel grandpa and gramma would rather wish you were pulling MP duty or peeling potatoes,instead.

However,when you start trading photos of dead enemy combatants,for free porn,that is where I draw the line.I don't care how many enemy produced videos of our dead are posted on the net,this atrocity is wrong.First off,it is against the Geneva Code to post these photos.Secondly,we're the good guys.How can we convince the Iraqi people the glories of Christian democracy with our troops trading photos of Iraqi dead for porn?

I know,yes,I know,this problem is only a small one amongst a very small portion of our otherwise noble and likable military personal.Our troops are fighting in a inhospitably place,against a indistinguishable enemy.But with our reasons for being in Iraq already on questionable grounds,we really should be nipping this wrong behavior in the bud.

There is an old song by Tex Ritter,called,'Deck Of Cards',about a soldier who was 'going to be punished like no soldier had ever be punished before' because the WWII soldier brought a deck of cards into a church.Has the decency of America really sunk so low that trading cell phone photos of the enemy dead for pornography does not deserve some form of punishment?I hope not.

Recovery

Like an idiot,I went to work yesterday.The main point was that my company had still not gotten my check to me.Until last Friday,my company had always had a supervisor bring it out to us.Suddenly,they told us if we wanted it,we had to come get it.I neither had the time or the inkling to drive a hour and a half on Friday night to get it.Saturday morning,I headed up to my parents.Monday four different supervisors went,"Oh,I didn't know I was supposed to get it." Two even said that they would make sure I got it tomorrow(meaning Tuesday).

Monday night,of course was when I was told my blood tests said I needed blood desperately.I told my doctor that I had to go to work(I didn't say because I needed to pick up my check).They said that if I absolutely 'had' to work that I could,but that evening I needed to get the blood...

My hemoglobin was dangerously low(5.9),but I was guessing it probably had been for some time,so I went to work.Of course no supervisor even ever showed up(one was supposed to,but even though I waited an half hour after work,he never did).

So,last night I called the office.They told me that if I needed it to come pick it up.I told them I couldn't make it.They promised me they would sent it out with a supervisor first thing in the morning...I sighed...OK.

I was at the hospital from five in the evening until just after three this morning.I received two whole units of blood.They could not believe that I could have played softball-yet went to work.They said most people would have been way too fatigued and that my blood level must have been very low for sometime.

Like an idiot,I got up at 5:20 this morning.To be truthful,I felt good.The blood must had done it's trick,because -this blows my mind-I had more energy and was less tired then I was on a average normal day....Man,I 'must' have been two quarts low.

I was happy.I was feeling good.I was gonna get my check,perhaps mow the lawn,do the dishes,clean the house a tad,take a well deserved nap,and then go pick up Robyn and the boys at the airport in Columbus in time for their 10:55 arrival.

Yeah,you guessed it.I didn't get my check.The supervisor didn't even come out until quiting time and then he said very indigently that he never claimed that he was going to bring me my check.Technically,he was correct.He said he would make sure that another supervisor would bring it out to me,not that he would.I was pissed so I countered,"Yeah,I know you never made an attempt to get me my check."I think I was too high brow,because I don't think he understood what I saying.

Back to the office.They said if I wanted the check,I had to come get it...but by eight o'clock.Well,there went my freakin' nap time.

I am glad I am feeling good again.I honestly had no idea how bad I felt.It is 5:30pm the day after me getting blood,and on less then three hours sleep I feel better rested and more invigorated then I normally would...WoW!All I can say is,"Thank God."Though Robyn would add,You should also thank your doctor,and the hospital for getting you your blood."She has a point.

Well..off to mow.Yippee.I get to see the family tonight.All's well that ends well :-)

Bad News

I went to the doctor today because over the Memorial Day holiday I went up to visit my brother and after we spent the night drinking and eating smoked ham,I woke up the next morning with really swollen ankles.That and my back had been hurting me.Well,they checked my vitals and all seemed well.The doctor told me that just for the shit and giggles he wanted to get some blood work drawn.

I got something to eat,then went to play church softball.I went 5-6 and while it did wind me,I had fun.Then I came home.

I got a call from my test results at nineP.M....the first thing I thought was-uh oh,this can't be good news.The lady said that she was worried that my hemoglobin was soo low.She said that the normal range is from 10-20 whatevers but that mine was well below five!She said that I should probably get a blood transfusion the first thing tomorrow morning,and if I got into a car wreck it could be very serious.I told her that it was a couple weeks ago when I was feeling bad,but I was feeling good enough to go 5-6 at softball tonight and could it wait until after work tomorrow.

She acted like I must be mad,perhaps I am,But they still haven't gotten me my check at work yet and I am suppose to pick it up tomorrow.I am already late on our bills.They said I would probably have to go into the hospital for tests...I certainly can't do that with Robyn and the boys coming home Wednesday night.

I don't know if I am tuff or stupid.She asked if I ever felt tired.I said I've felt tired ever since the triplets were born.It has become away of life.I hate for Robyn to have to come home to this.it sucks....but what can ya' do?

Father's Day

Hi,Gang:-) I went up to see my recovering Mom & Dad for Father's day.It was a great time.So we went to Fremont to watch the 410's;305's and the late model trucks.Boy,was it dusty,but we had a blast.I never used my new cell phone to take video's before-nor You Tube.But this was fun.It was loud,dusty and dirty...everything you could want in a race.I am glad I got to do this with my father.It was fun.I hope y'all had a happy father's day,too:-)Pops is sitting in the middle with the red brimmed hat



P.S.When i got home,I visited with my in-laws.We had DQ which my Mother-in-law turned into banana splits.D'oh...I was too stupid to take photos.Talked to Robyn & the Boys while I was there.They head back for New Mexico tomorrow.

This is my Dad in his element

Little Things

News from my missionaries in Mexico.Our First United Presbyterian Church missionaries are helping to build housing for the nearly homeless in Juarez,Mexico.Robyn has been not just a very hard worker/leader,but the comic relief.If you know Robyn at all,you know how much of a hoot she can be.Good ol' Nik is going with the flow,up to any challenge,and helping to cook the supper.Adam,is also working hard,but is somewhat homesick(missing his gal & ESPN,I assume)and Tyler has five stitches on his maybe broken nose,and two chipped teeth.It was a late night accident,going as a group to an outhouse in the pitchblack darkness,and somehow-goofing around-he ran his face into a local buddy's fist.Robyn had to take him back to El-Paso for treatment.I wish Tyler could go to one camp,or mission trip without getting an allergic bee sting reaction,or a chipped tooth.Oh,well,all went well today.Maybe they got all the bad luck out of their system.God be with them.





My feelings is that the Immigration Bill will never work.Why?The simple answer is:WAL-MART.No,not that Wally's World hires them...they like taking their money too much.It is the same with the bill to make English the official language of America.It won't happen.Why?Wal-Mart prints most everything in both English and Spanish for one reason and one reason only:$$$$.As long as cash can be made off illegal immigrants,they will be staying in the U.S.The only way I can see to stop the Mexican flood is to severely punish all the companies that deal in their illegal labour...and we all know that isn't going to happen.I mean,there is no way I can blame the border crossers from trying to get the money here.Here's why.Say you are unemployed here in the U.S.(not too far of a stretch here in Ohio)and you hear that there are plenty of jobs in Canada making $100.00 an hour.Would you go?Would you go to support your family even if you had to sneak in to get the job?I would.Now,eliminate that $100.00 an hour illegal job...





Whisky?Whiskey?Spending some time alone without the family I have had plenty of time to ponder such questions.I mean,I thought all whiskey was w.h.i.s.k.e.y.,but it isn't.Scotch whisky is spelled without the 'e',but Irish whiskey is with the 'e'?!?The easy solution to this puzzling riddle is this.Countries that make this corn based beverage that don't have an 'e' in their name(ie Scotland,Canada,Japan,etc),don't use an 'e' in their spelling of whisky.Those that do have an 'e'(America,Ireland,etc)do.Of course America being America there are allot of rule breakers,especially with Bourbons.Whiskey(with the'e')is also the non-brand name,generic spelling for whiskey.And in Scotland,scotch is called,simply,whisky.Of course for me-basically a non-whiskey drinker,the best part is the whiskey in a glass filled with ice.I love the smell and the clinking of the ice in the glass.Rather smooth when sipped.Yes...the whisky/whiskey question gave me the urge to try some,and I did slightly indulge.I went low in.Canadian Mist.To my surprise,it wasn't sharp at all,but actually rather smooth....now,what am i gonna do with a 2/3's full bottle of whisky?I do believe it will gather dust.


I am a Coke-a-Cola person.I like Coke products,But I have been drinking the new diet Pepsi this week.It is called 'Diet Pepsi:Max.It has 46 mg of caffeine per 8 oz.serving(around half of a cup of coffee). I have been drinking allot of it.It has a nice sort of kick to it.


It sounds like I have been the mouse that has been playing while the cat is away...and I have been,a little bit.I have also been going to work every day and working around the house(just little things like fixing the garbage disposal).Millie the dog has got walked more,too.Today,up to see Mom & Dad.

Have fun people.God bless.

Paul vs. John

OK,I have to start off with a very lame joke....it's already out of date,but,I made it up a loooooong time ago,and seems to fit into this post...so here it goes:"Q:After Pope John Paul II dies what are they going name the next Pope?A:Pope John,Paul,George and Ringo.He'll pick up a crucifix guitar and sing ,'The Ballad Of John And Yoko'[Christ,you know it ain't easy.You know how hard it can be.The way things are going,they're gonna crucify me.] LoL...well I think it's pretty funny,anyway.

Well,anyway,while Robyn and the Trips have been gone on their mission trip to Mexico,I have picked up some music to help me make it through the night.I have been jamming to,My Morning Jacket:'Z';Bob Dylan:'No Direction Home'{Alternate and live versions of early Dylan stuff},Paul McCartney:'Memory Almost Full' and 'Instant Karma-The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur'.

All rock in their own way,but it is the Lennon/McCartney connection that has got me thinking.It is a winner by default victory for the Lennon based 'Instant Karma' compilation.But,come on,today's super stars singing John's best stuff:For Amnesty International (Honesty Disclaimer:I am a Amnesty International member)!?!It's great stuff(and I hear you can even buy more I.K. downloads off of I-Tunes).My favorite song version(amongst many many)is Jack Johnson's version of 'Imagine'.

How can Paul compete against that?Well,'Memory Almost Full' has gotten rave reviews(except from the two people that I actually know besides myself that have actually heard it.They both told me that it-in so many words- put them to sleep).It is being brilliantly promoted via 'The Star Bucks' label.And to my surprise,I do actually like most of it.Though I feel it is what I call'safe music'.Like Miller Lite,taste is not it's forte,but to be non offensive is it's strong suit.

Alas,the same can be said for the 'Instant Karma'.First off:Do not offend.I mean it has all the right people and all the right groups singing all the right songs...how could it go wrong?For that matter-after all-it is a fund raiser/conscious raising cd...it should appeal to the broadest audience possible...but not to have,"Woman Is The Nigger Of The World' on it is almost an insult to it's cause.

John vs.Paul.I think that together,there is/was no better writing/singing combo:EVER.But,John's reputation has definitely benefited from his early death.Sure he had Yoko and sit ins,etc,but most people would have to agree the Paul's early after Beatles stuff was every bit as good as Johns.Paul just had the bad luck of having to keep producing/making a new LP year after year.Paul has always been a song smith,and you can tell he somewhat misses John's input...but to put it bluntly,what is 'Imagine' but a reworked 'Yesterday'?

And by the way...don't you think it is just a tad too easy for a self made millionaire to sing about 'imagining there are no possessions?"

You maybe asking yourself,"What the hell is the point he is trying to make?"I don't know..maybe that living is harder then dying...or only the good die young..or perhaps Bob Dylan's outtakes kick ass over both of these cd's very easily...you decide.

It Takes Three Eights To Make A Twenty Four

Vrooooooom!!! Boogity,boogity,boogity.It's racing time.Old number 3 must be rolling over in his grave knowing that Junior is signing with Jeff Gordon's Hendrick racing team....well...at least he's still Chevy.

It's funny how the number's all add up.Dale Earnhardt was number 3 and Junior is number eight....and it takes three eights to equal one twenty four.One thing is for sure.Dale Jr. will definitely become number 3 when he hops into a Hendrick's racing car.He has no choice.Jeff Gordon's #24 is Hendrick's number one team and driver. Jimmy Johnson is number two.So,whether Jr.decides to race with the number 3 on the side or not,he will still be the number three driver for the Hendrick's organization.

It is both ironic and funny how much many Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans hate-with a passion-Jeff Gordon,and now their driver is going to have to roll over and be submissive to him.

But,despite his fan base,I feel this is the right move for Junior.He will have his best chance of winning a championship with Hendrick.

Now,I've Heard Everything

OK,now,I have heard everything.The U.S. was trying to develop a bomb that supposedly turned people gay.[honestly...read here].And this was supposed to help us win a war,how?

Quickies

The picture to the left was sent to me by my brother,Carl.It is actual hail that came down in Akron Friday afternoon.Luckily,he rode his bicycle to work and his wife,Tammie had put their cars in their garage.Cars that were left outside were heavily damaged.So was Carl's two sky lights in his kitchen and the siding on two sides of his house.





Our associate pastor,Gene Marie,(whom I have talked about before),gave a very nice sermon today about Pastor Will Bowen and his no complaint purple bracelets.Gene actually talked about how not complaining is a form of rejoicing and giving praise...the very things that are supposed to bring you closer to God.



Meanwhile,before hand,a nice lady in our Sunday school class was talking about how much she liked the 'Left Behind' series of books and movies.I bit my tongue because I don't care for them.My opinion is that Christ is not an elitist,and even if he was the 'rapture' would not be a very good way of judging people or forcing people to repent(I believe it is ludicrous trying to 'force' God on people).To my surprise,Robyn spoke up.Robyn teaches low functioning-last chance students.She told a story about a teacher showing these kids this 'Left Behind' based movie at Christmas time.She said how she had very mixed feelings about the movie being shown.Robyn didn't want these students who had done terrible things(and had terrible things happen to them) to think that they had no hope or any future.She thought it sent the kids a very wrong message....Of course I had to pipe in my two cents worth.I said,"Robyn,you mean you don't think no student should be 'left behind'?"



Well,at least I thought it was appropriately funny.

Finally,I am going to be left home alone for ten days.Robyn,Tyler,Adam and Nikolas are going with our church's high school youth group to Juárez, Mexico to help build houses for homeless people,pass out Christian literature and to visit and orphanage.I(hopefully)will spend my home alone time trying to clean the monster mess that is our basement and also try to get my record collection back together.It would be much appreciated if you would care to say a prayer or two for the mission team;for their safety and being able to do a good job.

Thanks,you been real,peace,love,dove,TheDrew

"King George The First" or "The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive"

I hate prophecy.I have vast experience with it...and I hate it!First off:you never know that it is true until after the fact.




A prime example of this happened to me.I was in high school,and I was just starting to date a girl that would become a prominent part of my life.

We-holding hands-as a couple- were walking down the hall when these chubby twin boys started chanting in front of us."She will break your heart.She will break your heart."



Maybe it was the fact that this prophecy came in twos[a traditional sign that it came from God] that led me to put value to it.But I felt the prophecy in it.That I believed that it came from God,on the other hand,validated the relationship.There was no way I would or could break it off.Though my relationship did not flourish in the way that I hoped(yes,the prophecy did come true)it changed my life forever,and I hold that relationship in great esteem in my heart.It is a treasure-like a diamond to me.

But I hate the prophecy.I always have.I always will.

What brings me to this story of old,is that there are different types of prophecy.One type,is God talking through people(ie the chubby twins).But there is yet another type of prophecy:literally seeing the writing on the wall(ie as in the Book of Daniel).Now,I am not claiming this to be the case...but it is damn close enough to scare the hell out of me.


Without congressional approval President George W.Bush has published a directive virtually making him King George(or dictator George,if you prefer) in case of a catastrophic emergency.( http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html )

This article explains this directive allot better then I could,but let me just give you the gist of it.Basically,in case of a terrible lost of life and/or property disaster,good old George is put totally in charge of EVERYTHING!And I mean everything.The wording is such that he can claim complete control over the United States Government.Congress and their ilk could claim otherwise,but the fight would be long and drawn out,and their(the Congress's) argument could be found noll and void on the grounds that they did not dispute it UNTIL after the fact of the disaster.

This is what gets me,it doesn't even have to be a terrorist attack.It could be another hurricane Katrina....any disaster will do.

I don't consider myself to be a loose cannon by any means-unlike those 'Loosechange' people(loosechange.com).I totally and truly believe in Truth,Justice and The American Way.I believe that if we as the American people don't give an inch into terror-then by definition-then,and only then-do the terrorist lose.

And as I said before:I hate prophecy.But(that damnable 'But')....

....This is where I see the writing on the wall.Just before the 2008 national election,especially if the schmo running on the Republican ticket is losing,there will be a catastrophic disaster[my guess-germ warfare against the Capitol Building] and King George will grow his little Hitler mustache and take total control.Thank you,Karl Rove.

I know what you are thinking:'Drew,you are giving into terror',because I am thinking it,too.The truth that makes this directive so scary is that I only found out about it a few days ago through a comic strip called,Candorville.This is the strip(click on it to enlarge it):

The question then remains...where has the mainstream media been?Why haven't they been all over this?This is MAJOR MAJOR stuff!

OH,YEAH.....

....I forgot.How stupid of me.

From This point forward I am boycotting all the major 24 hour news(and I use that term loosely)channels.They can just as easily fill their massive amounts of blank news time with attempted overthrows of our government as they could with dim-wit here,but($$$)they choose not to.Shame on them!

Can You Say:'AaaaaaaaaaaaH!!!!!!! '

{ With apologies to my brother,Ted,my Mom and all other wheelchair bound travellers..}

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Ben Carpenter got the ride of a lifetime when his electric wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was accidentally pushed down a highway for several miles at about 50 mph. His father, Donald Carpenter, was incredulous when police called to tell him his 21-year-old son was OK after the wild ride.
"I said, 'What happened?'" Donald Carpenter recalled Thursday.
He said his son had started to cross Wednesday afternoon at an intersection in Paw Paw, about 140 miles west of Detroit, where the truck had stopped for a red light. The light changed to green while Carpenter was still in front of the semi, which started moving forward.
The truck bumped into the side of the wheelchair, which then started turning forward, its handles becoming lodged in the grille, the father said. The wild ride had started.
"He's so low that the truck driver couldn't see him, and the truck headed out," he said.
The wheelchair, with Carpenter strapped in it, ended up being pushed by the truck as it sped down the Red Arrow Highway. Police said the wheelchair was pushed about four miles, but Donald Carpenter said it was about half that.
Ben Carpenter said while all of this was going on, he seriously considered the possibility that he might not make it before the truck came to a complete halt.
"I was probably thinking that this is going to keep going and not stop anywhere, 50 or 60 miles somewhere," he told Grand Rapids television station WOOD.
"It was pretty scary," he told WDIV-TV of Detroit.
The bizarre sight caught the attention of motorists, many of whom called 911 on their cell phones. A pair of undercover police officers who happened to be driving in the opposite direction at the time saw what was happening, did a quick U-turn, followed the truck to its business and informed the disbelieving driver, Donald Carpenter said.
His son escaped injury.
"He's fine," Donald Carpenter said. "Not a scratch. He was basically just scared."
Ben Carpenter, who has muscular dystrophy, lives with his parents in nearby Kalamazoo. He had gone to Paw Paw to ride on a trail with a medical aide who was on a bicycle, his father said.
The aide had fallen slightly behind Carpenter by the time he was crossing the intersection and, because of the angle, didn't see him being pushed down the road. She had no idea what had happened to him.
"She was frantic and then a driver at the intersection started honking his horn and said he's attached to the front of the truck," Donald Carpenter said. The aide then used her cell phone to call for help.
The father said being pushed down the road by the truck burned most of the rubber off the tires of the wheelchair, but otherwise didn't damage it. The tires were replaced Thursday morning, in time for his son to use the wheelchair this weekend at a muscular dystrophy camp.
"It's a very bad story that ended very well," he said. "We're just thrilled that he's still around."

Old-Been Around The Internet-photo+SNL

Hi,Gang,I couldn't think of anything to write.And,besides,I wanted to post something funny,so here is an old Internet stand-by.Plus the SNL sketch!!! I still laugh at these all the time ..thedrew

Here is a great article about Akron's own,LeBron James.I have to admit,I admire this 22 year young man.WoW!Only 22!

Yep,I am a Cav's fan.Go Cleveland:Win the championship!

Poor Fred Is Dead

Charlotte cried herself to sleep in her web last night.Wilbur's great grandson,Fred,was murdered by the neighborhood bully.Fred only wanted to sing and dance.He did a great soft shoe."He was large in every meaning of the word,"said the farmers wife.A wake in his honor will be held today at 2:00 pm at the farmer's house.Ribs will be served.

The National Anthem

I love singing our 'National Anthem' at sporting events and any other time I get a chance to listen to or sing it.It always sends chills down my spine and makes me very proud.

This is not a history lesson,but did you know that there are four stanzas?Included,here,are two videos and the lyrics to all four verses.Anyone up to memorizing them with me?




Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight'
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen, thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner: oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.