GibsonProrodeo.com Blog

The story of Texas Ranger H. Joaquin Jackson

Texas Monthly : The writing smacks of the truths that are hard-won from a lifetime of dealing out justice–sometimes on horseback, like the Lone Ranger used to do–in a lonesome terrain where your word is only as good as the gun and the reputation that back it up.

America’s 1st Freedom : Superb memoir . . . One Ranger is Jackson’s own story, a personal tale of adventure, service, love, grief, heartache, and hope. Yet embodied within its pages is the story of every Ranger–the pages of the book are thick with the weight of history. Jackson well knows his place in the continuum of the Texas Rangers, the history of Texas, and the epic of what is today the American Southwest.

Austin American-Statesman : A straight-shooting book that blow[s] a few holes in the Ranger myth while providing more ammunition for the myth’s continuation. . . . reads more like a novel than [an] autobiography . . .

What the hell!?

What a week! And I, for one, am glad it’s over. Bring on the weekend!

We’re still holding our numbers, but our previous week digits on www.Alexa.com have fallen big-time. I’m anticipating a pretty sharp drop in our ranking next week.

Speaking of numbers that suck…

George Bush, our wanna-be Texan president (who was born in Connecticut), has managed to break the record when it comes to the lowest of low popularity numbers. His disapproval rating’s at 71%. That translates to 7 out of 10 Americans think Bush sucks. Bill Clinton’s numbers weren’t that low when he wasn’t having sexual relations with that woman.

In fact, Richard Nixon’s sorry ass didn’t sink that low during the Watergate deal.

Barbara Walters is coming out with an affair she had 30-years ago with former U.S. Senator Edward Brooke. Walters describes him as “exciting” and “brilliant.” Brooke was married at the time, so I’d be inclined to describe Barbara as a “whore.”

What a week. Bush’s rankings have sunk deeper than my septic tank, our forum numbers are falling, and Barbara Walters is an old, cheap floozy.

My predictions for 2008 and 2009? Barring injury, Marchi’s our 2008 PBR World Champion.

For 2009, (or, November, 2008) Hillary gets the presidency (the liberals want Bill back), Barbara Walters becomes the oldest hooker in America, Spire sells the PBR at a loss, Randy Bernard resigns, and the season gets cut in half.

Thoughts?

Photo by Christopher & AmyCate

Chicago’s one of those major American cities where law-abiding citizens are not allowed to carry firearms. Permits are difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. The government has all that under control, so if you happen to be law-abiding, then no worries.

Right.

However, if you’re an outlaw, gun laws mean nothing to you. You’ll carry one anyway.

This weekend we have the PBR’s “Cooper Tires Invitational,” from Chicago, Illinois. I sure as hell won’t be there.

Last weekend, Chicago had 36 shootings, resulting in nine deaths. All in one weekend. Here’s the story from CNN.

That would be considered a busy day in Iraq. And we’re at war over there.

Photo by Ben+Sam

UPDATE: From CNN.com, “The $100 Fill-Up.”

I’ve heard diesel prices are in the $4.30 per gallon range, and more in some places. I don’t buy diesel, directly anyway, so I don’t know for sure. However, regular unleaded hit $3.59 a gallon here (up from $3.49 late last week).

We drive a fair amount (out of necessity), so the ten-cent increase translates to $25 or $30 per month more than we usually spend. That’s not a major hit, unless one takes into account the same thing happened last month. And, the month before. It adds up quick.

If I were to place a bet on it, I’d bet we’ll get hit again in May, June, and probably July. And, August.

I don’t know what effect this will have on everything else in this world of ours, but I do know the effect isn’t good. And it’s impacting everything.

How is it impacting you?

Photo by Paul Everett

It’s new, and it’s coming soon. It’s a new on-line radio broadcast called “PBR Prime Time.”

The first guest of the program is said to be PBR/VERSUS telecast announcer Justin McKee. Air times are Tuesday evenings beginning at 8 P.M. Eastern, and the program will run for one hour.

The show will take calls from listeners at 1-888-8000-PBR. Wild Bill from the GibsonProrodeo Forum and Talk Rodeo will be the host. We’ll have more details as they become available.

Check out the “PBR Prime Time” MySpace page here.

LATEST UPDATE: We just found out the first show is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd at 9 P.M., Eastern.  Our original information had the time set at 8 PM, Eastern.  Still no link for the location of the webcast.  As soon as we get the link we’ll post it here and on the Forum.

Image by Alun Salt

One of the blogs I check out at least every couple of days is called Daily Writing Tips.

If you do any writing at all (and who doesn’t), you may want to have a look.

It’s worth the trip.

I’ve been busy around here getting caught up. I’m still not there, but thought I’d touch base with everybody and say, “Happy Spring!”

Also, a big “thank you!” to everyone who participates in the Forum, and also provide comments on the blog. It’s great to have all of you.

Photo by Gaetan Lee

The CBR’s making some progress in the television/cable/satellite arena.  Reports are that not only have they signed with RFD-TV, but better yet, they’ve inked an 8-year deal with the Nation’s largest cable operation.  Comcast.

The PBR has VERSUS, with an occasional fast-dance with the network chubs at NBC.

Until now, the CBR was stuck with the Outdoor Channel, or some such.  Not anymore.  The RFD/Comcast package has the serious potential of putting some hurt on the PBR.  With an 8-year Comcast deal, quite possibly some critical hurt.

More bodies equals more sponsors.  More sponsors generate more revenues.  These combine to provide bigger purses.

Photo by Tanya Ryno

Photo by: http://flickr.com/photos/bovinacowboy/

I hate Winter. Always have. We seldom have snow here on the Redneck Riviera, but it’s not unheard of. We’ve dodged the snow this year, but we did get nailed with some cold.

Friends tell me I should appreciate the seasons. Embrace each one.

I embrace half. Spring, and Summer.

I’m a gunleather fan. In fact, a gunleather fanatic. It’s one of the things I do, so I’m constantly studying the work of other craftspeople. One of my favorites is Will Tucker of www.TuckerGunleather.com. He does phenomenal work, and his style is similar to my own. Tucker’s been building holsters and gunbelts much longer than I have, but I’ve been doing cowboy gear–more specifically–”rodeo” gear, for over two decades.

Tucker’s work is excellent, as indicated by the photo above, and the fact that he stays consistently back-logged some six-months at any given time.

If you have a few minutes, check out Tucker Gunleather. I think you’ll be impressed.