Royal !!! First new post

[MonDak]

Not sure how interesting my stories or tales will be, but I'll try one and see how many boo's and hiss's I get from your regular viewers.
And I promise not to offend your mama since she monitors your activities.

I've been called a Gypsy, so I'll tell you how that started!

When the Alaska pipline was being finished, I deceided to venture off to other things and went to Iraq. When the plane landed and was surrouned by armed soldiers, and the people unboarding and boarding did'nt have any luggage, they just tied everthing they owned into bed sheets, including their pots and pans. I knew this country boy was out of his element.

One day sitting in the Hotel Carlton lobby in Baghdad a young man from an East German sports korp was sitting next to me asked me where I was from and where I'd been. He was there for some kind of sports tournement and explained that they're traveling was restricted. (this was before the wall came down) When I told him where I was from and where I'd been, he said "Ahh, you are Gypsy"

After being there for about three months, Iraqi athorities one day escorted me to to an empty warehouse, (picture a big empty warehouse with a chair in the middle with a light bulb over it) and spent all day questioning me. Saying I'm not interested was'nt an option. Was supposed to be there on a two year contract, but after that episode I deceided to leave and paid my own way back. I believe it was $240 from baghdad to New York.

Still have some Iraqi coins and dinar bills to remind me to stay west of the Mississippi where country is comfy.

 

[Royal]

Were you working in the Oil Business? Are you retired now or still working.

You never have to worry about these people panning your work. None of us started posting here that didn't worry at first but every dang person has gotten better in time.
Long storys are great! That way we get a better mental picture and storys with photos are best. Many of us old farts don't have pictures of our earlier adventures though.

It sounds like you have plenty of subject matter but it just takes time to write them. I have found that it is a ball reliving the old days.

Thanks for your post....Interesting.

 

[Micheal_R]

This was given to me by a buddy who was a 'guest' of Saddam during the first gulf war. Some of the stories he told me while they were captive.. well lets just say they kept me in stitches for a long time

Calm seas

M

 

[Art SC]

...doesn't necessarily mean anything...at least not in my case. I read pretty much everything sooner or later but don't always make the time to reply.

So type away, buddy!

 

[ojm bc]

n/t

 

[Sunny]

like you might have some interesting things to tell us, and we always like to hear from new people! That's a good introduction! Where do you live?

 

[Arkie John]

So....tell us an 'Alaska' story. I'll bet you have a few!

Welcome, by the way, to our little part of the world. This plac ebbs and flows and right about now, we could use a good story or three. <><

aj

 

[Dan-MO]

Welcome! You will find a great bunch of people here and I can't wait to read your stories!

 

[Lil Brother]

just jump on in and get your feet wet! It's good to see other people and hear their side of "things" Do tell us an Alaskan story or two.

No boos or hisses here, especially if you send "moose meat"! Mike kind of got some of us started on it; you know, just enough to make us want MORE!

Good to have you!

Lil Brother

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

to work in that part of the world. You were smart in buying that one way ticket home, too dangerous to work there. I found this story interesting and hope that you will post some more stories...you did great and from the responses that you have received, others feel the same way! Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas)

 

[Ron J]

n/t

 

[VT Dave]

Lets hear some more.! I once helped haul some of the components of the pipeline from Los Angles to Spokane!

Dave

 

[MonDak]

MB
Dug mine out and they look a little different. Saddam was'nt in power yet when I was there. I'd send a pic of it but my computer and camera skills are pretty limited. somewhere along the line I quit paying attention and technology passed by me like a fast moving frieght train. I do have an older digital camera, but I'm not sure it will take macro pictures, and so far I have'nt run across the power cord for it.

 

[MonDak]

I started out working for heavy equipment dealers, but later switched over to working for contractors. Quit working about a year ago. The last ten years I spent driving truck.

 

[MonDak]

I moved into a retirement community in Montana last fall. Having some second thoughts about it though. In the back of my mind I keep thinking I should hook up the 5th wheel and keep moving down the road. I do get some strange looks from the folks here when I back the motorcyle out of the garage and ride off into the sunset.

 

[MonDak]

Do have one Alaska thing that might make a story, but will have think back and remember a few things about it.

 

[Royal]

start writing the story, much will come to you that you had forgotten.

The best way I have found for myself is to write it as best I can remember, don't post it. Later go back and slowly reread it and try to add something to each paragraph to describe it better.

You will find that it is fun reliving the story and surprised at what all you will remember, that you thought you had forgotten.

 

[MonDak]

Good advise!!

I just did that, typed one in the notepad and copyed and pasted it into the forum message box.

 

[Sunny]

that you are still riding your motorcyle, and have your fifth wheel. Enjoy all your life, we make it what it is! Just gotta keep on "keepin' on", until we are done!