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You Lost
Once upon a time, Scott and I and 2 more adults took 14 teenagers to Martin, South Dakota on a mission trip. On the back end of the trip, we had also decided that we were close enough to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug to extend our trip a few more days. Scott had graciously planned and printed out the maps from an online source for the whole trip. As I sat dutifully in the shot gun seat next to Scott, we navigated our way through South Dakota taking in a few memorial markers and sightseeing spots and navigated following his pre-GPS directions to a tee.
I followed the best laid plans very carefully. At one point, we went from a nice asphalt covered, two-lane highway to suddenly the road becoming a gravel, barely two-lane road to then a barely recognizable cow path with grass growing between the tracks. I kept whispering to Scott, “are you sure we should not turn around?” He said, “I think everything will be ok, if we just stick with the map.” When we made it to the first drain culvert (you know the kind which prevented escaped cows from going any further), and the trailer hitch made a horrible scraping noise, I thought to myself, this is not even safe. The full van was extremely quiet as we progressed slowly…agonizingly slowly through actual South Dakotan pasture land. There was no way to turn around as were hemmed in with trees on one side and fence line on the other.
I started praying…don’t let any of the three vehicles run out of gas…keep all of these kids safe that have been entrusted to us…keep these drivers calm. As we kept driving it felt like we were in a wilderness not knowing how or when or what we would see around the next turn or bend. Then, all of a sudden, the road began to get a little wider – felt less claustrophobic. In the distance, I could see a dust cloud getting closer and closer. Finally, another vehicle!!! As being the lead vehicle Scott slowed up, rolled down the window to ask where might be the best way to return to an actual road and the two people in the pickup rolled down their window and said before we could say anything, “You lost!” Not a question, but a statement.
They were indeed correct, we were lost! They told us to keep going straight ahead and eventually we made it to a two-lane, asphalt road. The memory lives on…You lost!
— Janel
The True Origins of Natural Gas!
Natural gas is a flammable gas that consists mainly of methane and other hydrocarbons. It is used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. But where did it come from?
According to a legend, natural gas was created by a powerful dragon named Ignis, who lived in the depths of the earth. Ignis loved to breathe fire and burn everything he saw, but he also had a curious and playful nature. He often explored the underground caverns and tunnels, looking for treasures and secrets.
One day, he stumbled upon a huge reservoir of oil, which was the remains of ancient plants and animals that had been buried and compressed over millions of years. Ignis was fascinated by the dark and sticky substance, and decided to play with it. He breathed fire on the oil, and watched it ignite and explode in a spectacular display of light and heat. He enjoyed the show so much that he repeated it over and over again, until he had burned most of the oil in the reservoir.
However, he did not realize that his fiery breath also transformed some of the oil into gas, which escaped through the cracks and fissures in the rocks. The gas traveled upward, following the path of least resistance, until it reached the surface of the earth, where it formed pockets and deposits in various locations.
Ignis was unaware of the consequences of his actions, and continued to burn oil whenever he found it. He also taught his offspring how to do the same, and soon there were many dragons roaming the underground, creating natural gas with their fire. They became known as the fire-makers, and were feared and revered by the other creatures of the earth.
But their fun did not last forever. As they burned more and more oil, they also depleted their source of energy and food. They became weaker and hungrier, and started to fight among themselves for the remaining oil. They also attracted the attention of humans, who discovered the natural gas and learned how to use it for their own benefit. The humans hunted down the dragons, and captured or killed them, until there were none left.
The legend says that the natural gas that we use today is the legacy of Ignis and his kin, the fire-makers who once ruled the underground. Some people also believe that the dragons are not extinct, but merely hiding, waiting for the right time to reclaim their domain and their fire.
— Brent
Leadership
There are many important parts of life that require a strong leader. Historically, we can look at some amazing examples. First up, we have Julius Caesar, the original salad enthusiast who knew that the real secret to conquering hearts and minds was a good sense of humor. “I came, I saw, I conquered, and then I told a joke about gladiators walking into a bar – trust me, it killed.”
Next on our historical stand-up lineup is Cleopatra, the original queen of the Nile and master of seduction. Rumor has it, she once convinced Mark Antony to build her a pyramid just by telling him it would be a “great way to level up their relationship.”
And who could forget about Winston Churchill, the man who led Britain through World War II and managed to find time for a zinger or two. “If you’re going through hell, keep going… but don’t forget to bring a snack – war makes you hungry – pickles are a great choice”
Then we look at things that really matter; golf and fantasy football. Through the various changes over the many, many years – a strong leader like Scott held it all together. For example for the NSP golf league, he had to handle numerous requests and begging for playing time, he held firm. When the star player left because he wasn’t appreciated (or some other thing that sounds important) enough, he named change the team name to reflect the betrayal rather than suffer the slight. He wasn’t afraid to change the name again for a free hat! That is what a leader brings.
Whereas, fantasy football is concerned, the high emotions that wrung from pretending to own a football are at times are directed at the fearless leader. Yet Scott has stood tall, using all the whit and charm he can muster to steer the league through it’s ups and downs.
Yes, we could reflect on all the new homes are now warm because Scott was able to lead a team to bring the cleanest burning fuel to their homes, or the number of large businesses that employ thousands because of his leadership to make it happen. Would of it all happened without him. Maybe. But would you really want to risk it?
Through all the things he is involved with and has touched, we look forward to this next phase he will bring his leadership to and know that darn it, at least it will be fun to do it with him and that says a lot.
— James
An AI poem
Natural gas is made of unicorn farts
That’s why it smells so bad
Retirement is when you stop working hard
And start living like a lad
Golfing is a sport for the elite
Who like to hit balls with sticks
Snow skiing is a way to slide on ice
And avoid breaking your hips
Whiskey is a drink for the brave
Who like to burn their throat
Talking nonsense is a skill for the clever
Who like to make up quotes
But life is fun and I’m silly
I have no sense or logic
I invent every fact I say
And ignore every critic
— Brent
Common People
Star Trek Fan Version
Watch it.
Love it.
Who wouldn’t?!?!?
— Penny
Triumph
Triumphant?
It was a beautiful spring day in Oakdale when Scott said it was time for the season’s inaugural run of the mighty Triumph Spitfire. Being an engineer, Mr. Scott had calculated that having a fellow Triumph owner and restorer would be a good idea. Just in case something went awry with the 1980’s British technology.
With the sun at our back and the wind in our hair, we departed to the local Fleet Farm with Captain Scott in command and Jeeeem in the right seat. The trip was flawless and the Triumph purred like a cat after a trip to the litter box.
Purchases complete, the key was inserted, shifter in neutral, clutch depressed, and engine start. The mighty 4-banger roared to life….for 3 seconds! When this happens with a Triumph, you try at least 8-more times just to make sure you have a problem. We found that blank stares at each other weren’t helping matters. Popping the hood, we went through the Triumph owner’s manual chapter “you’re 10-miles from home and the damn engine won’t keep running” checklist.
Gas in tank? Yep. Got spark? OUCH! Yep. Call a tow truck. NEVER, although the Captain did suggest walking over to the nearest pub and maybe the Triumph would heal thyself whilst the flight crew “refreshed”. After some finagling with the carburetors, all 4 pistons began and kept moving albeit somewhat roughly. Idling smoothly was out of the question but Scott managed to get us home without stopping and not getting caught.
Safely back home, 3 likely culprits of our demise were determined and appropriate actions were discussed. But Scott, now suffering from Triumph Owner’s Fatigue, had thought of a 4th action.
“Time for a malted beverage. We’ll take the Leaf.”
His recovery was swift.
— Jim
Health, but possibly Lifestyle
The doc says if you don’t stress your liver once in a while it starts getting lazy!
— Brent