Back Again - But for how Long?

Back from MIA, but only for a sort while, then off (maybe) to VA, then back to MIA. And speaking of that, I just posted a new blog entry on my Shagmiser Blog - check it out.

Paul, Teresa, and the kiddos are due in late today or tomorrow. They need their annual ration of sun, sand, sea and surf (and don't we all). Kendra (sans Steve for now) and the girls are visiting sister Carrie right now, so we'll have a pretty good family group here @thebeach this week. Pretty cool.

Back to MIA in about a week and a half to help Robin and Kathie. Sister Melissa will be joining us this time for the help out while Robin takes on a secret mission to Gitmo. Really hush, hush stuff.

Sally's still fending off the tourons at the aquarium while Susan's spending all her waking hours at Dillard's. Me? I'm just doing my Internet thing, taking Mom to various doc type appointments. The really bad lower back pains she's been experiencing lately are the result of a compressed spinal joint (?). The ortho guy will probably do some outpatient procedure to correct the problem and hopefully relieve the pain. Then it's on to physical therapy, which she ain't too happy about, especially since they denied us getting her one of those power wheelchairs. But it's like the doc said, use it or lose it.

I hear that the SF Hales (Peter, Bekah, and the group) just visited Austin to catch up with twin bro Paul and family. We can't wait to hear all about it.

Oh yeah! Why a trip to VA? Next post I'll spill the beans.

Till next time,
Old Bro

Still at the Beach, Miami Beach

Well, I'm still in Miami Beach, visiting with Robin and Kathie, helping out, doing this and that, etc. Just laying back, enjoying the MIA summer heat (believe that), and watching the scenery along Ocean Blvd. in SOBE.

It's been awhile since I've been here, but not too much has changed. Here's a picture of the lovely couple and sister Melissa, taken awhile back at Morton's restaurant.

I'm due back in NMB maybe around this coming Tuesday. Back to my beach, with the sand, sun, sea, and surf. Cool stuff. More later, so TTFN.

Oops! I forgot to mention one thing. So if you're on an RSS feed for this, I apologize. Anyway, before I flew down to MIA to visit the younger Bro & Kathie, I bought a Kindle from Amazon.Com, and had it delivered to Robin's MIA address so it would be there when I got there (smart huh?). Anyway, I've been playing with it, and it is fantastic. Not only can I download from over 300,000 ebooks from the Kindle library, I can also download audio books from audible.com and listen to whatever I download. It's a reader, audio player, and all around cool gadget to lay out on the beach with (oops).

But here's the cool thing. The Kindle does NOT need to be connected to your computer to be able to download whatever book it is you want to read. It's got its own wireless network, separate from your computer wireless network. Much like your cellphone. So you can sit on the beach, search the Kindle store, find what you want, then download that book, all while sitting there watching the waves roll in. Pull down your shades, and begin to escape into the wonder of the written word. Now that is too cool.

Get your own Kindle here:
http://sallyhrecommends.com/sallysamazondeals

NOW, I'm finished.

Born Again American

This is a special video I just came across, and I thought it was worth posting here. Take a look, see what you think.

Now go to their website at:
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/

Well, tomorrow's the old 66 (and I do mean old). But there is a good side. Social Security says I can now earn as much money as I want without being penalized. Gosh, that sure is generous of them.

So if you'd like to see the sign of the times I grew up in, just click on this link:
http://www.billsretroworld.com/RETROLIFE.HTM

These pictures really bring back memories. Except for the Beatles wig - where did that come from?
That picture above is of the old Beach Movies we shot on Super 8 back in the 70's. Does that bring back any memories? What, me? Nostalgic? I don't think so! Just click on the picture for some shots of yesteryear.

Oh well, it's off to making scads of money now that I know Uncle Sam won't gig me for it. You all take care now, you hear? And visit my other blog over at the Shagmiser's Blog.

TTFN - Dick (the Old Bro, Disco Tricky)

Some updates - recently updated!

I've been really busy lately, updating this and that:

My Shagmiser Blog
My Internet Retirement Site
My Trivia Answers Site
My Shagmiser Projects Page

just to name a few. So I thought I'd post this for the both of you who follow this blog so you can check out my updates. I also updated the recommended links thingy down on the right (Blogger calles them Gadgets). Took out a lot of outdated links, and added some new ones. Pretty cool, eh?

On to fun stuff. Cynthia's headed our way to visit over Thanksgiving, and good old C.B. is also headed "to the beach." We're gonna have a full house for Turkey Day! Yahoo-ie! Also, nephew Keith is due back from Taiwan, filled we're sure with a wild story or 2.

The Little River / North Myrtle Beach Christmas Holiday Boat "in the water on the ICW" Parade is next Saturday after Thanksgiving, so we're all headed over to Sandy's to watch the parade of Christmas lit boats (or is it the Captian and crew who are lit?). Like previous years, I'll video the whole thing, then post if to YouTube and the http://www.digitalshores.net/ pages, so nobody will miss a thing. Be on the lookout.

Actually, you don't have to keep checking here for updates if you use an RSS feed, or just "Follow" this blog. Either way works.

Enough for now - mores courses to keep up with and websites to update. Busy, busy, busy!!!!

TTFN, and AMF
Dick

For S.C. Residents - some health record news

I just read this in the AARP bulletin, and for those of us in South Carolina, I thought it was worth passing along ........

" Personal records, all in one place. To encourage the use of electronic health care records, which would cut down on medical errors, AARP South Carolina is urging state residents to sign up for My Personal Health Record, a pilot project launched by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicade Services. As of September 2, 700 people had registered, giving them free web access to the previous 24 months of their Medicare records, including information about their medical conditions, hospitalizations and doctor visits. Users can enter their own information as well, including notes about medications, allergies, and services they've received. State residents with Medicare Part A or B can sign up for the project at http://www.myphrsc.com/. To learn more, e-mail questions@myphrsc.com or call 1-888-697-4772 toll free."

Now, for those of you not yet on Medicare or Medicade, there's another free service for posting your medical records online, and it's being offered by (who else?) Google. It's all manual entry (at last look), but it's a great way to keep all your med stuff in one place, online. It's called Google Health. Check it out.

We haven't been doing much these last few weeks, what with the season being over and all. WW came for a short visit, and Cynthia's due in a couple of weeks. Actually, we've all been fighting off flu symptoms and trying to dodge the off colored variants of same. Oh, well!

I thought these worthy of passing along. Hope it helps. That's all for today - keep those comments rolling in.

Two new happenings are almost upon us ........

Short, Animoto Video - just to set the tone and mood (swing)!



Yep! 2 things are about to happen .....

First off, Sally and I are going to be celebrating our 28th anniversity this coming weekend. That's a long time, especially in dog house years, not that I've been there the entire time mind you. But it's still quite a long spell. Maybe we'll party at the 30th mark, but this year we're staying low key. Maybe rent a DVD, pop some popcorn, arm wrestle for the remote. But it's been an eventful 28 years, filled with lots of experiences, travels (lots of travels), and the love and respect that only a relationship that has lasted can endure. Something tells me she's a keeper.

For those of you who know us, you know it's actually been longer than 28 years, but who's counting. I hope that Linda White's prophetic comment that long ago Sunday night in Mancino's still holds true.

Secondly, the Fall Migration is coming up in September, or Fall SOS. We'll be there, of course, especially for Fun Sunday and Fun Monday. Should be a real hoot this year. More on that later, or just check it out at http://www.shagdance.com/.

Well, no more banner planes have fallen from the sky, so we're pretty much back to normal. If you missed our original "man on the scene" video report of the first unscheduled ocean landing, you can catch it HERE, or on www.YouTube.com/shagmiser. It's in there somewhere. Search on rudyboo.

Here's something I found interesting ..................
You know you are living in 2008 when...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

TTFN - from all of us here @thebeach.

And don't forget my other blog, http://shagmiser.blogspot.com/

The Linn Family and other Ramblings

Kendra has posted quite a few blog entries on Steve's progress and life in general around the their household, especially now that Steve's home and recuperating. You really have to read it to understand, especially since Kendra has such a wonderful way words. James Thurber, move over. Check out Kendra's Blog.

Not too much happening here at the beach. Tourons are still here, clogging the beach. And the new beach replenishment program is underway, dumping sand on the beach dredged up from about a mile offshore and scaring the hell out of the natives. If I get a video of the process I'll post it here, somewhere.

Sally and I have our 28th anniversary coming up next weekend. Go figure. 28 years? Wow! She's now working days at Ripley's Aquarium downtown, and I'm still playing at being an Internet marketer. Had to apply for SS, and the first check just came in. Oh Happy Days now that the End of Days are near. 2008 is turning out to be a rather memorable year.

I keep adding to the NMB for Locals website, so if you're in the area, check it out. I try and come up with places local to our area you might find interesting since they are usually off the beaten track. Remember, NMB stnds for North Myrtle Beach (duh!). So I guess the full name of the website should be North Myrtle Beach for Locals.

Me personally, I am hitting the books again after lo these many years. I've got a PLR membership site I am ramping up for, taking Reese's TS2 course, and building up my MLM mini sites with Grandstaff's guidance. Keeps me really busy, off the streets, and out of the bars. So far. This stuff can be pretty intensive, but it's fun. But it's nice to know Molly Darcy's is only a golf cart ride away.

We hope and pray for Steve's speedy recovery (but with 5 breaks, it's gonna be a long road) and Kendra's sanity. Go check the blog ------ NOW! And leave a comment.

TTFN - we'll see you @thebeach.

Steve's Progress

I just read Kendra's latest blog post on hubby Steve, and it sounds like he is doing really well, improving, and getting stronger. Check out her ramblings on the Linn Family Blog. And post a get well comment. She and the girls would really appreciate it.

Well, Melissa's birthday has come and gone - another year sailing by-by. Send her a belated b'day card if you didn't do something originally. We've got to continue reminding her exactly how much water has passed under that bridge. She might not appreciate it, but hey - what's a family for?

It's been 6 months in the making, but the video "Attack of the Mud People, or How We Joined the Krippendorf Tribe" is now available at both http://www.digitalshores.net/ (Click on New Year's Sailing Trip) and http://www.youtube.com/ (search for tag beachmiser, mud people). You can post a comment here or on YouTube about the video. Plus, we want to send it viral, so tell your friends, or not!

I am outta here - TTFN!
BTW - New picture on the profile, check it out!

Mel's Birthday Today

Yep! It's my sister Melissa's Birthday today, and to celebrate the event, we built here a little web page, just for her Birthday:

Melissa's Birthday Web Page

So click on over, and enjoy some really great birthday videos. Who knows? You may even be in one of them.

Of course, I'm not gonna reveal her actual age. But send her some birthday wishes anyway.

The Linn Story, Dallas visit, ramblings

OMG - it's do or die traffic out there on 17 now. Our season is in full swing, and the tourons are out in numbers. But that's good because that's what our economic engine runs on, touristas.

I just got back from Dallas for a few days and saw lots of folks, but not nearly enough. Just not enough time. But everytime I hit (or even think about) LBJ or Central Expressway, especially during rush hour, I relish our little bit of touron traffic here at the beach, even during high season.

Met with the doers and shakers at the Dallas Dinner Table Friday and Saturday (Chris, Tani, and Tracy) to plan for future directions and web site redo's, then saw John, Susan and Pat by the pool, Tim and Ellen over wine, Blaine and Sheryl over dinner, and the ex-cells over happy hour. In and out. And my profund thanks to Cynthia for her hospitality. Dim Sum never tasted so good.

That recent storm you all probably heard about mostly just passed us by, but dumped a lot of much needed rain. That was a good thing.

Now, I'm off to read neice Kendra's blog and check on hubby Steve's progress. Seems he broke his legs during a boat race just a short while back, but is recovering nicely albeit rather slowly. Check it out and leave Kendra a comment. She doesn't think anyone reads her progress reports. We all want to wish Steve a speedy and healthy recovery.

If you've been recveiving way too much email spam lately, Neil Shearing just posted a video blog about Spam Arrest. Interesting, so check it out at his latest blog post.

That's it for now - and don't forget to send Steve your get well and speedy recovery wishes at Kendra's blog.

Senate passes Medicare Proposal

Well, it ain't about the beach, but it is about a subject very near and dear to my heart (literally). It's about Medicare, and the new proposal the Senate just passed (yesterday, I think) about improving Medicare. Specifically, the legislation that the Senate passed would:
o Ensure that Medicare patients continue to have access to care;
o Improve prevention coverage and services;
o Improve low-income protections; and
o Provide improved coverage for mental health services.

If you saw anything about it at all on the news, it was probably overshadowed by Senator Kennedy's return to the Senate floor. But this is important legislation, and it's about to be run down and over by a threatened Presidential veto.

If you agree with the proposal (it's called the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008), then follow this link to send your personal endorsement to your Congressional leaders:
In solidarity with millions of Americans that rely on Medicare, tell President Bush to Keep Medicare Fair by signing the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 into law TODAY!

In my state, both our Senators voted against it, why I don't know. But I am for it, and hope you would be as well. And if you agree with me, follow the above link and get involved.

That's it for now - Pray for Surf - and TTFN

2 New Places to Check Out

If you consider yourself a local, or an advanced touron, then I've got a couple of new suggestions for places to go and check out for yourself. Wango Tango and Snooky's. In fact, I've just added these places to my North Myrtle Beach for Locals website:

Wango Tango bills itself as a sports bar and cantina, has daily lunch specials, and is really laid back. It's in the same spot as the old McCatz on 17th Ave. South in NMB, but did not carry over the rough reputation the old McCatz had. It's a totally new place, with LOTS of screens with a multitude of feeds. This place is really new, so it will get mostly local traffic in the beginning, untill tourist traffic begins to find it, so for now it's cool. It's easy to find, obviously, being right there are 17. The bill of fare is bar basic but with some builtin special treats. And, they've got Dos Equis Amber on tap. Check with Josh, he'll fill you in.

Snooky's is really off the beaten path up in Little River, on the ICW. Turn towards the ICW off 17 North on Baker Street. In fact, the place used to be called Baker Street. As of this posting, it's only 14 days old, has some really good she crab soup, and a fried green tomato sandwhich that is really intereting. And the view of the ICW is fantastic. Snooky's has an outside deck and picture windows inside. It's owned by the guys who also own Deckerz in Ocean Drive, so the pedigree is there.

We've done lunch in both places, but nothing yet at night. I know Josh told me Wango Tango is planning on some live music and a more grand type opening is July sometime. so check back here when and if I hear about it.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Actually, I feel pretty good, considering I turned official Medicare age yesterday. Had a small backyard party with neighbors that could come over and gloat. Here are some shots. The rest I'll post to my Digitalshores.Net website as soon as I get all the other pix together.

And even though the one of me is kinda blurry, you can tell I was stokin' on a stogie and sipping some single malt. Don't get much better.

Thanks to all who came to help me celebrate, and especially to Sally and Susan who really put the whole thing together. And to all my neighbors who were kind enough to help me celebrate.

Some of the pictures are somewhat put together in a video format. Head over to Digitalshores.net and find the link for the party pictures. Our sincere thanks to Terry and Vivian for taking these pictures. Once I get CB's, I'll post the rest.

Beach, Bikers and Recent Happenings

Well, it's Harley Davidson Bike Week right now, here @the beach. We've got an estimated 200,000 (probably more) bikers roaring up and down the highways and byways and creating a lot of traffic. But's it's fun. If you've never experienced Bike Week, you're missing out. For pictures and stuff, go to the Myrtle Beach Sun Times Website and look at the pictures.

Jan and Greg and Jack just left last Friday, and we miss them already. This was the first time in 32 years since Jan and Greg had been to the beach, too busy raising a family in Dallas. Jack? Well, since he lives in Charlotte, he gets down here quite often, but we hadn't seen him since he and Becki lived in Savannah, a ways back. If you want to see a short video I posted of the visit, go to Jan and Greg and Jack Visit the beach.

Next up? Cynthia and Dina are due in around Memorial Weekend, during Black Biker Week. That should be really interesting. Our buddy Billy (WW) will overlap with them, and he absolutely loves (sic) Black Bike Week. Since we're only 3 blocks off Atlantic Beach (where the HQ is), we'll be able to hear some of the music(?).

A bunch of us went to Mayfest on Main Street, downtown Ocean Drive Beach (or North Myrtle Beach for those map retentive), and I made a jumpy, poorly shot, quickie video of most of what was going on. You can see it, along with the J&G&J Video at digitalshores.net by clicking either of the videos in the "Latest Beach Videos" box.

I've started a new website about our local favorites here in NMB. It's called NMB 4 Locals - check it out when you get the chance. It's still growing, and I add to it every chance I get.

That's it for now - so TTFN and all that.

Day After Taxes were Due

Free Ebook: The greatest viral marketing idea of all time

Yep! It's the day after taxes, and we're still here. Major ordeal. But the sun came back out this morning, I found a cool new "beach" show (look to the right), friends and family are starting to book, and life is grand. What could be better.

We're in the process of doing some "spring stufff" to the yard, trying to spruce it up, make it look better and all. I used to hate doing stuff like that in Texas, but this is actually more fun here. Not sure why, maybe it's the salt sea air.

I actually saw those Chinese Carp in the pond the other day. Now we're up to 4, and they are all huge, maybe 3 - 4 feet each. They are really hard to see, and I think I got a video, but it's too hard to tell because of the reflections off the water, and the general all around murkiness. But those elusive little critters are there alright. And since Spring has Sprung, it can get really noisy out there, especially when the bull frogs join the chorus.

The Beach Calendar is starting to fill up, so if you'd like to come visit, just let us know. Since this is primarily a "friends and family" blog, and only you know whereof I speak, you know you're welcome.

Gotta go, feed the fishies and all. TTFN .....................