HAPPY MEW YEAR!!!!!!

As we all prepare to usher in 2008, I hope all of our memories of 2007 are great ones. I've loved being able to spend another year with my friends, my family, my loved ones, and most of all, the fabulous woman that I have been given the God-given honor of calling my wife for so many years. I am grateful for the privilage of having served so close to our bishopric as assistant ward clerk. They are truly three inspired, good men and we are all blessed to have them watching out for our ward. I do also want to say that I will never forget my intro to blogging, and the friendships I've made through that. I know all of you will be reflecting on personal memories of 2007 in the coming week. I hope all of you will find love , excitement, health and much happiness throughout 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY, from M.O.S.L.

(oh yes, Im happy that the 2008 Nascar season is only 6 weeks away also. )

Its the hap, happiest season of all.

Ride(s) of the week

'69 Chevy Impala & '68 Oldsmobile "Super Stocks"

These cars are special to me because this is the kind of racing my father would take me to on Saturday nights at the old quarter-mile oval track at the Utah State Fairgrounds during my childhood.

Quote of the week:

( I really think this deserves "The Quote of the year.")

"Jesus has been watching out for me for 83 years, he isn't going to stop now."

- Mabel Reed

yay team

Who else dey , who else dey, who else dey think gonna beat them Bengals?

GO away TEAM

Merry Christmas

Smilen Sylli and I would like to wish all of our dear friends in the blogging neighborhood a very merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous, and very happy new year

Idea?

I've found my new snow blower

Ride of the week

U.S.A.F. "Thunderbirds" F4 Phantom

(I never once said that the "The ride of the week" would be land-locked)

Quote of the week:

"You can be wise and happy, or stupid and miserable. The choice is yours." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

Ride of the week

Dale Earnhardt's "the pass in the grass"

Wrangler Jeans Monte Carlo

(during the running of the yearly all star race while running in 2nd place Dale was hit in the right, rear fender causing him to slide into the infield grass. He however maintained speed and control of the car, passing the leader while still in the grass. He shot back onto the track and won the race.

sNO!w

A lot of people seem to be sharing thoughts on the recent snowstorm, so I thought I would do likewise. Has anyone ever; wrecked a car do to dry, warm street conditions? or had to pay for expensive prescriptions because they caught a warm? Have they ever had to shovel sunshine from their driveways? or slipped, fell, and injured themselves on the sun? Lastly, has anyone ever noticed what is at the very center of the word snow.......NO. Yes as you can guess snow gets a big no vote from the MOSL also. I do have a fond memory of snow however. During my mission in North Carolina on one p-day my companion and I awoke to snow. Not much, only an inch or two, big deal. Well my companion being from Idaho and I from Utah didnt hesitate to hop on our bicycles and ride them to the laundrymat. Once there we started our laundry and then noticed the storm coverage on the tv. The local news was showing these horrific pictures of cars that lost control in the snow and slid off of the road while the newsman related stories of accumulations ranging from 1/2 to 1,5 inches and pleading for motorists to please stay home if they dont have to go out. I laughed.



So yes, I don't like the white stuff either, but I guess that just like Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, It's a sad, cold part of life we all have to live with.

Quote of the week:

"I can't believe people would take advantage of a kids mistake like that."

-local gas station owner after an employee's error started selling their gas at 32.5 cents per gallon

Prayer

I just wanted to share how I got my testimony of prayer. I was born and raised in Salt Lake, the youngest of four boys. Now I refer to myself as an "adrenalin junkie" now but the original adrenalin junkie in my family was my next to oldest brother Kurt. He skydived, hang glided, and even had a short stint with a racing go-cart. ( imagine 140 mph with your backside 1/2 inch off of the ground.) During his skydiving days, my brother and a buddy of his decided to attempt a world high altitude record jump. Their intention was to jump from 300,000 ft. This meant a freefall of close to five minutes prior to chute opening. The high altitude also made it necessary to carry oxygen tanks. The day of the jump came. Now I had seen my brother climb into the jump plane many times before, but this time he looked more like an astronaut than a skydiver. We all said goodbye and wished him and his friend luck, then they climbed into the plane and took off. We waited as the plane made its climb to jump altitude. The airplane was a barely visible speck when word came to the crowd at the airport they were on jump run. It was then that we all noticed a horrifying sight. A badly damaged parachute falling from the plane. As my brother was climbing out of the plane, his emergency chute ripcord handle caught the door handle of the plane, causing the chute to pre maturely open. The chute tangled around the wing of the airplane heavily damaging the chute causing it to only very partially open. This damaged chute was also causing my brother to fall at a much slower rate than intended so his oxygen was going to run out much sooner than planned. My brothers wife and two young boys, as well as myself and my family poured our hearts out to God just hoping he would protect him from a very deadly situation. As well as my brother prayed for the Lord's protection as he fell. This lasted until his oxygen ran out and he blacked out. He went down in Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is very big, rugged, tree covered, and just full of ways that this story could have ended in tragedy. He went down in a clearing, in a big, soft, snowbank, with a cross country skier passing by at that moment. The skier helped my brother out of his gear and helped him spread his chute canopy out on the ground. He was spotted by a search plane and rescued within an hour by the sheriff's department jeep posse. I will always remember his first word on his return to the airport upon seeing the military helicopter ready to go after him, " Gee if I had known that thing was coming for me I would have stayed up there." My attitude toward prayer was never the same after this. and oh yes the most dangerous thing my brother has done since then is raise daughters.

Ride of the week

USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E

as seen in Star Trek movies; "First Contact," "Insurrection," and "Nemesls."

Ride of the week

Jimmy Johnson's 2006 Lowes Monte Carlo SS

(Posted in honor of Jimmy's 2nd consecutive Nascar championship.)

Quote of the week:

"More power, argh, argh, argh." -Tim Taylor

ODE TO BLACK FRIDAY

Black Friday, Black Friday, a wonderful day. It means Christmas is just a short time away. We sleep off the triptofan from dinner last night . Then head to the mall, to engage in the fight. Our money is screaming, our charge cards are hot, as we eagerly seek the sales they got. We arrive at 5:30, by 6:30 we park. Then after a short prayer, into the mall we embark. The X-Boxes are gone, and so are the Wii's. There's one more I-phone, but no more plasma TV's. But wait, is that thunder? no nothing so tame. One woman spots the I-phone, another saw the same. They both take off running, both seeking the prize. They hit the floor fighting , but on the table the phone still lies. A young boy saw the box, and whisked it away. the last thing he said was "Have a great Christmas day."

Of course this isn't Christmas, it's greed run amok. Big businesses out there wanting a buck. The real Christmas, as we should all know, came with a young couple in a stable, under a stars vibrant glow. The greatest gift of all was given that night. There was no charge cards, no cash in sight. The gift came from a loving and generous Lord. A precious gift we all can afford. We should all be grateful, in so many ways. And from The Man of Steel Leg, Happy Holidays.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

TRUE STORY: Yesterday afternoon I recieved a phone call from a social security representative. Her first question to me was "Mr. Johnson, do you still have your amputation?"

ATTA-BOY

Way to go Jimmie !
2oo7 Nascar Nextel Cup Champion

Quote of the week:

"I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park"

-Mater

Ride of the week

'69 Firebird drag racing car, "Thumper"

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: thanksgiving, chapter 3

Ah, tis the holiday season, the day's almost here. When we enjoy a feast with loved ones gathered near. We thank God for his blessings, the big and the small, and pray for his protection the next day at the mall.

The mall in this season, see the Christmas lights glow. While a big man dressed in red yells out "Ho,Ho,Ho." The mall visit is worth it, for where else could you see, two old women fighting o'er a Playstation 3.

May your season be wonderous, in so many ways. And to all my friends out there, HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Thanksgiving from The Man of Steel Leg

RANTING (well, sort of)

Well yesterday our Kia got sick. It started sputtering and backfiring. That afternoon following a consult with Syls dad we decided we had corrupted gasoline. We put additives in the tank and hoped and prayed for the best. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. Last night while on route to Dad and Bobbye's for dinner the situation came back with a vengeance. So much for bad gas. After pulling over to make sure we weren't on fire we decided to press on since we were only a couple of blocks from where we were going. The car is in the shop today, and this whole experiance has caused me to think, why are my die-cast cars better than my real one? here are my top ten reasons why:

1. There are rarely any breakdowns.

2. Very economical

3. Very cheap to liscence and insure.

4. Maintenance is a breeze.

5. Bank Financing or trade in to purchase is not required

6. Simple to park

7. Can legally drive one in minutes

8. Doesn't promote global warming

9. Better mileage, far-less emmisions, and far better looking than a Prius

10. Tell me an individual who owns over 200 REAL cars

Farewell till we meet again

It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that in 8 short days we here at The Man of Steel Leg bid a fond farewell to a dear friend, The 2007 Nascar racing season. While the sorrow will be softened by the crowning of a new champion, we will deeply miss the sound of 43 high power racing engines, the sweet smell of burnt rubber and racing fuel, and the utterance of the immortal phrase, "Gentlemen, Start your engines." I know our sorrow will be short for we will meet again in a much nicer place than here, Southern Florida, but until February, farewell, you will be missed.

Thanks for the memories 2007

CAR OF THE WEEK

Kasey Kahne's 2004 rookie year Dodge Intrepid

Quote(s) of the week:

"You can't shake my head. Only I can shake my head, since I made that law" -Laura DeGraw

"Give." - The Little Stream

THANKSGIVING: Chapter 2

As many of you know my mother is recovering from hip surgery. Last night, while we were working in our basement, and enjoying our weekly visit from our dear friend Maura I recieved a phone call from her. She told me of many things she's able to do now. Small, meaningless, everyday things that people do, but for her six weeks ago were impossible.

I thought about this miracle today, and find myself thinking for my mother today as I did 9 years ago for myself. I'm thankful for the technology that has allowed my mother, as well as myself the ability to walk again. In this season of thanksgiving I also want to say thanks to all my friends who have taken a couple of minutes to spend with The Man of Steel Leg. All of your comments have become a source of great happiness and enjoyment to me. It's is really fun being one of an elite corp of independant male bloggers in our loop. "Jus' big old me and Papa D" I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving

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CAR OF THE WEEK

While I would never be so bold as to claim being as creatively talented as the stampers and card makers in our blogging neighborhood, I do claim a little creative talent of my own. While having been a model builder most of my life, I have amassed a large collection of completed cars. I have recently "retired" as a builder and have decided to display some of my creations to my friends. With this in mind, I now present:
CAR OF THE WEEK.

Quote of the week:

"Even the flags don't respect me."

-Ben Merrell

REBELLION!!

(Bloggers note: I hope that this confession doesn't harm my friends impression of me, but I was a rebellious kid. (GASP)
The following was copied by me when I was just 14 years old.
My friends, I give you now:
"The Battle Hymn of The Teenager.")

I'm Just a kid named Eric who has parents who are square.
I like my music loud, and its getting in their hair.
They're giving me a hard time 'cause my music's not like theirs.
They'll never understand.
Glory, glory to our teen-age
They'd like to keep me in the child-stage
Glory, glory to our teen-age.
When will they understand?
(Bloggers post-note, The Man of Steel leg will accept no responsibility for any teen uprisings as a result of this posting.)

THANKSGIVING

(bloggers note, See I told you I'd get serious once in a while.)
During the Nascar season there are two tracks competed on that the competitors have little to no hope of winning without the help of a friend. I think the same holds true for us in this race we all call our lives. So as we put Halloween away for another year and begin this season of thanksgiving I hope that we will all remember to thank all of our friends in our lives, and our families for the blessing, help and support they are in the rigors of our daily lives.

something to smile about

(Boggers note; If I can bring a smile to a friend who might be having a bad day, "The Man of Steel Leg" is a success.)
This is taken from a years old newspaper clipping recently found during house cleaning;
"There were once three indian squaws. One sat on a leopard skin, one sat on a deer skin and the third on a hippopotamus skin. The squaw on the leopard skin had one son. The squaw on the deer skin had two sons. The squaw on the hippopotamus skin was expecting triplets. This of course proves that the squaw on the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws on the other two hides.

"BOOOO"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

From The Man of Steel leg

Quote of the week:

"The inner mechinations of my mind are an enigma." -Patrick Star

Thought of the day

A newspaper advertised a saleprice on " Cordless screwdrivers." Has anyone ever actually seen a screwdriver with a cord?

collecting

Anyone who knows me know I'm a collector. I collect Nascar memorabalia But I've been a collector also of another thing. Tidbits of media intelligence. Here are a few of my favorites:

heard on local radio:

"We have heavy sun delays this morning but they only seem to be affecting the east-bound drivers."

Also on local radio:

"Forcast for today is partly sunny, but its partly cloudy out there right now."

Nascar pre-race interviews:

" Do you think you can win today?"

And my all time favorite :

" This basketball game is going to go down to whichever team scores the most baskets."

But seriously folks

I wanted to begin by offering a very heart felt, warm, and sincere thank you to all who called, and kept Smilen Sylli company during my recent trip to Utah. Much the same as my fictional blue-suited counterpart gets his strength from the warmth of the sun, I get great strength from the warmth of our friendship. Your care for my eternal best-friend made it much easier for me to concentrate on helping my mother while I was there. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all

Legend in my own mind

I've arrived. This blogging thing is really neat. I am so excited to join the blogging neighborhood. So if you are bored with reading those inspirational, self revealing, confessing all one's inner most secrets blogs...I am here to save the day. I promise to deliver meaningless pellets of useless information for your entertainment. Faster than a speeding download, able to sink into the deepest ponds...look there on the couch...it's a bear...it's a potato...it's the man of steel leg!