**

... and I can't fucking wait for this movie! May 2, 2008. Yeah, it's on my calendar. By the way, Happy Leap Day and congratulations to Sandi and David ... they're having TWINS! w00t! Have a good weekend, ya'll.

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The mesothelium is the lining in the abdomen that surrounds the lungs and organs. It secretes small amounts of fluid that allow the lungs to expand and organs to move smoothly against each other. The cancer in these cells causes the cells to go crazy and divide uncontrollably. This also causes the cells to secrete more fluid into the abdomen than normal. So far, they have taken two gallons out of him and he is full again.

There are only about 2,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. every year, so they know less about this kind than they know about ... say, lung cancer. They do know that it is mainly caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Dad has been a mechanic since he was a boy. Brake pads and clutches in cars used to be made of or contain asbestos. He also lived in a house that had asbestos throughout it (according to mom.)
They say that the earlier it is caught, the better chance of survival the patient has but he has been full of fluid since before Thanksgiving. Is that considered caught in time? I don't fucking know.

There are four stages of Mesothelioma. He is either in the first or second. We're hoping (praying) he's in the first.

He goes back next week to have the chemo port put into his chest, then the week after will start the chemo treatments. They are really worried about his weight loss as he has lost almost 45 pounds in the past couple of months. Shit, he lost eight since last week when he had his gall bladder out. The doctor wants him to eat about six meals a day and none of that sissy Weight Watchers shit either ... red meat, starches, carbs ... whatever will put weight back on him. He'll need it to fight the fight that he's in for. I guess we'll see and know more next week.

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 9:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

In other words, the new header is up. I'd like your opinion on it. Thanks!

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

that I announce the death of Grim the Rat.

Grim was a good and faithful servant who lived a life of relative ease. He was loved by one and all in the Gunn family. Well, except for Mommy Gunn. Did I mention he's a RAT? Yeah, she noticed that little fact, too, Sherlock Holmes that she is ...

He developed a huge tumor-looking thing on his jaw recently which signaled the beginning of the end. Eventually, the tumor-looking thing went away and it looked like he was going to be okay. He got his pep back and was more like the Grim of old in his latter days. I guess we could have taken him to the vet and seen if anything could have been done to prolong his life ... but did I mention? He's a fucking RAT!

Grim grew lethargic today and family gathered around, knowing the end was near ... but then Mythbusters came on and I had to go to the store, plus Ryan and Josh were playing World of Warcraft so Grim was on his own.

When I got back, we noticed that Grim had passed into that good night. So a funeral was held ... okay we dumped him in the bags I just got from the store and threw him in the trash can. Did I mention? He's a fucking RAT!

Rest in peace Grim. You will be missed ... until we can get to the pet store and replace you with a hedgehog. Of course, that may take a while beings how the transmission in my second car just blew up today. $1400-$1600 to fix. I mean Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot! But that's another post, this one is dedicated to the memory of Grim.

Godspeed, Big Guy!

Hmmmm. Wonder if I could take him to a fast food joint and order some ... nah, it'd never work. *sigh*

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

... which gave me a chance to do something I have been meaning to do for a while. I told you a while ago that I am working on a new template. I want to redo my header also and last night I got the means, motive and opportunity to take some pictures. I think this is the one I am going to use for the header. Obviously, I have some photoshop work to do, but I think this is a good start:

What's your opinion?

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Just talked to dad. They are on the way back from Shreveport where he had his gall bladder removed today. The surgery went well. He's a bit weak and doesn't feel like talking much. We know what was causing the fluid buildup now ... during the operation, they found cancer on his abdominal wall. I have no idea how bad that is or can be. He has an appointment with the oncologist soon. I guess we'll know more then.

*Update* Just talked to mom. The doc wants dad to start chemo immediately. She is a wreck, but holding it together through her faith in God. Dad is in good spirits. He joked about the three kids getting on a conference call to divide the spoils. I already called the double barrel shotgun and the 30.06 (that's a rifle for the uninitiated.) He goes back next Friday to get the gall bladder stitches out and i guess we will know then. Thanks again for your prayers.

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So Doctor Feelgood, our family doctor for the past 25 years, finally admitted he had no clue what was happening with dad and sent him to Shreveport to see another doctor. Dad looks like he's carrying around Charlie Daniels' body and Jack Skellington's head. It is so disproportional it's scary. I mean ... he really looks like a bulimic actress in the face but has a hellacious beer gut down below.

So anyway. He went to the new doc today. The new guy is going to take care of the gall bladder Friday. We don't know how he is going to deal with the fluid that is built up in his abdomen but at least his is going to do SOMETHING! And they know the gall bladder is bad so that's a start. I'm happy, mom is happy ... but more importantly, he is happy. We'll see what happens next week and where we go from here.

Thanks for all your thoughts and good Ju-ju! It has not gone unnoticed OR unappreciated.

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

... and have been since 1976, the year they came into the league. In Super Bowl XXXVII, the Bucs beat the Oakland Raiders to win their first championship in franchise history.

I thought that was a great game, but tonight? I think tonight was the best Super Bowl I have ever had the pleasure of watching and the first one in years I have watched until the last play was over.

I was rooting for the Patriots (anything or anyONE to get the whiney-ass '72 Dolphins to shut the fuck up) but I have to give props to the New York Football Giants.

Best.Super Bowl. EVAH!

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 10:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I am working on a new blog template. I am getting tired of this one and Josh, Ryan and I are working on the new design. It may take a while, but when we get it done, I think I will be extremley happy with it, and you might be too. I know the template as it sits doesn't work on all browsers and am working to rectify that. I think it's gonna be cool and I love working with the boys on shit like this.

I am thinking about getting another tattoo. I have always liked "The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy" on the Cartoon Network and have recently found an adult comic version of the series. You can check it out starting with the first strip here. This is the tattoo I want to get ... just the Grim Reaper, not the rest of it.

Dad has been to the doctor about twice a week trying to figure out what is wrong with him. Every time he goes in, the doc takes blood and other lab work but can't seem to figure out what the fuck is wrong! He is starting to get pissed. He has lost about 30 pounds now and looks like a skeleton ... except for his gut which still is fat and hard from the fluid that is in his torso. He says he feels better, but I think he is still worried. He goes in for a colonoscopy this week and has another appointment Thursday. He told me today that he is going to give the doc an ultimatum then: Find out what's wrong or I'll find a doctor that will.

I don't know if I told you but they drained a gallon of Karo Syrup-thick fluid out of his belly. They only stopped because the recepticle ran out of room to hold the fluid. I'm starting to get a little pissed at the inability to make a diagnosis too. I guess we will see this week what is up. Wish us luck.

Finally, a joke. So, two dyslexics walk into a bra ...

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 7:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

How DARE they ... fucking seditionist traitors

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out. The City Council has voted to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and "if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests." The measure passed this week by a vote of 8-1. The council also voted to explore enforcing a city anti-discrimination law, focusing on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week. Marine Capt. Richard Lund of the recruiting office declined comment on the council action. The recruiting office opened in Berkeley about a year ago, operating quietly until about four months ago when Code Pink began regular sidewalk protests. "I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. Code Pink is circulating petitions to get a measure on the ballot in November making it more difficult to open military recruiting offices in Berkeley if they are near homes, parks, schools, churches, libraries or health clinics. Some employees and business owners aren't happy with the weekly protests. "My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops."

The Berkley amendment is based on the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy ... but it isn't a military policy. "Don't ask, don't tell" is a federal law, passed during the presidency of Bill Clinton. The Marines don't have a damn thing to say about it. It is the LAW OF THE LAND! If they have a problem with it, they should take it up with the Federal Government, not the guy that has to show up for work everyday because that is HIS JOB!

Sorry ... I get a little crazy when shit like this happens. The city council only has the right to pull ignorant bullshit like this because the Marines, that they obviously hate, fought and died (and are still fighting and dying) to protect the First Amendment right of free speech that they basically spat upon by denying the rights of the Marines to operate a recruiting business there while at the same time giving the Code Pink wackos free reign to protest to their hearts content. (DAMN! can you say "run-on" sentence? I knew you could!)

Wanna know what I think?

Tough shit, I'm gonna tell you anyway. I think the federal government should pull every bit of federal funding out of the city until they reverse their decision. AND, if an earthquake or other natural disaster occurs? The National Guard should tell them that they are busy and when they recind that order, they might be able to come in and help. (I know that sounds fucking harsh, but that's the way I roll. Again ... sorry.)

But that isn't gonna happen. A Marine was presented with that scenario and said (and I'm paraphrasing here) "We don't appreciate or agree with what they did, but we would help."

Republican Senator Jim DeMint has sent a letter to the city council announcing that he is submitting legislation to recind all earmarks headed for Berkley.

This is a slap in the face to all brave service men and women and their families. The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money. If the city can't show respect for the Marines that have fought, bled and died for their freedom, Berkeley should not be receiving special taxpayer funded handouts. I am currently drafting legislation to ensure that American taxpayers aren't forced to pay for this insult by rescinding all of the earmarks for Berkeley in the Omnibus Appropriations bill, and to transfer the funds to the Marine Corps.

I think I am going to form a protest organization and ask the Berkley city council to give me a free parking spot and noise permit to protest the Code Pink protest and when they deny it, I'll sue on the grounds of preferential treatment for organizations they agree with and the denial of my first amendment rights.

If you don't agree with the war, fine. I don't give a shit. Just don't take your penis envy out on the guys and gals that are spilling their blood to allow you to make an ass of yourself. If we were living under Sharia law, your heads would be on a post on the road lining the entrance to the city.

Ass fuckers.

God I hate ignorant people.

Posted by Tommy Gunn at 12:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)