Back around 1988, I got a Fender Japanese Telecaster for my birthday.

I loved the heck out of that guitar. I even replaced the stock Tele pickups with some higher-output, single-coil ones from Schaller so that I could still get that Telecaster "snap" I loved so much but still drive some fair-to-middling distortion.

My blonde Telecaster came with a white pickguard, but I swapped out that sucker for a black, very vintage one that looked great on it. That Tele was a beautiful machine, indeed.

It was a beautiful machine?

Yes, indeed. Back during those horrible days when I was practicing law, I found myself very broke at about the time my landlord wanted her rent. Amazingly, my clients seemed to operate under the notion that the bill from their good friend The Hawg could wait, but my creditors seemed to think I should pay my bills when they were due.

So I had to sell the Tele. That thing booked for $900 at the time and I got $400 from it from a music store that -- undoubtedly -- turned around and sold it for a nice, fat profit. That was around 1998 so I've been missing my Telecaster for over a decade. My Fender Deluxe Stratocaster is a darn fine guitar, but it's just not the same, you know?

Is there a point to all this rambling? Well, there's about as much of one as usual. I got the idea that I've gotten a fair amount of money through paid posting on a couple of blogs so I ought to buy myself something just for the sheer hell of it. Being a cheap bastard, I decided to take a look at some Telecaster copies.

I did the research on the SX STL50 and learned those things have great bodies and necks and are an absolute steal at $109.95 (plus shipping). If you look at the one in the photo at the top of this post, that thing looks a lot like the Telecaster I had for years (the headstock isn't the same shape as a genuine Fender, but it's close enough for me).

I did some more research and found out that those little guitars are fantastic -- provided you don't mind replacing the pickups, tuners, electronics and (possibly) the nut. I put a parts list together and discovered that some honest-to-goodness Telecaster tuners, a matched set of GFS Hot Lead "Lil Puncher" pickups (humbuckers that are coil tapable and will fit in the single coil slots on the Tele with no routing), a new three-way pickup selector switch, new tone pot and a new "push-pull" volume pot (so I can force the Tele to run the humbuckers or go for the vintage, single coil sound) will cost me around $100. By the time I throw in a little more for shipping everything to me, buying a soldering iron and taking the whole mess to a guitar shop to get it set up after I'm done modifying it -- I can have a Tele that sounds great for around $225.

Hey, the modifications will cost more than the guitar, but that's a very small amount to pay to have a great Telecaster to plink on once again.

Any advice from you guitar enthusiasts out there will be appreciated!

A parody of the consequences of ObamaCare presented by FortHardKnox.com.

Check out how Willy and Friends feel Good about America!

ICYMI,  the blog Moonbattery posted the following:

If our new "spread the wealth around" economy has left you funemployed and you're looking for ways to kill the time you used to spend working, why not take up Obamopoly?

The game was developed by America Is an Obamination, which offers this description:

The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything!

Tokens include a bus, a teleprompter, a sprig of arugula and a waffle iron.

Wanna play? No??? Too bad, you're already playing… and quite frankly, in this game, nobody wins!

Except of course our socialist rulers.

A poll here in the Natural State revealed that U.S. Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) has a terrible approval rating of 36 percent.

I'm a Republican, so I should be happy about that, right?

Well, I'm not so sure. A dyed-in-the-wool rascal of a Democrat may jump in the primaries against Lincoln next year and that bugs me.

Should Lincoln fail at the primaries, can the Republicans pull of a win in a state that tends to send Democrats to Congress?

Yes, you can read all about my concerns and enjoy plenty of rambling by clicking here.

Will Vic Snyder Support Nancy Pelosi's Government-Run Healthcare [i.e, Obamacare]? He voted for Nancy Pelosi's TRILLION DOLLAR Simulus, her wasteful budget, even her wasteful National Energy Tax. Time to call Vic Snyder and ask him if he will now support Nancy Pelois's Government-Run Healthcare?

Woo - Pig Sooeeee!

10-4 Willy

by William Warren:

The motto for the Conway High School football team is, "14 Weeks!"

New head football coach Clint Ashcraft believes the goal the players should have is to not only play the ten week regular season schedule, but to also strive to play four weeks of playoff games.

The fourteenth game of the season, of course, is the Arkansas Class 7A High School Football Championship, played in War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

My wife created the above image, to give the players something to visualize as they put in the hard work to reach their goal.

We're just a few weeks away from the season opening kickoff. Our son, Dylan, starts on the offensive line at the center position. So we're really looking forward to the upcoming season.

GO WAMPUS CATS!

Fiends discuss the importance of "testing" something before you risk it all. This lesson is applied to the health care reform debate in Washington. Check out more videos like this at Not So Sure. [Source]

Yes, former Razorbacks Head Coach Lou Holtz may be running for Congress.

Sure, he's considering running in Florida, but we can still be proud of our former coach and root for him, right?

Read all about it by clicking here.

by William Warren:

Cartoon -- Couple Discusses Using Cash for Clunker Program:

"It's inefficient, drains our budget, and doesn't work well at all. We should trade it in!
So how much can we get for this clunker?" - - -> Pointing to the US Congress

[H/T ARRA News Service]

Just had to share. To visit some other Wordless entries -- or submit something of your own -- click here.

So which is it, Congressman? View the following video and referenced articles to find the truth! Marion Berry has long denied that he owns any farms that accept subsidies, yet his response to a question on the topic yesterday seems to contradict this. And the data shows "slick" Berry is may seem more dim witted with age but he has been more than smart enough to fleece the public for years.

ARRA News Service - by K. Ryan James: Just in case you were confused how the House version of Obamacare would affect you, here is an easy-to-read reference chart:

by Bill Smith, ARRA Editor and 22 year Veteran: Today, Arkansas will rally at 4 pm in front of the Army-Navy Recruiting Station in Little Rock to show support for our military. While most of the media, elected officials, and Commander-in-Chief Obama have ignored this terrorist attack in Arkansas, the rally participants will show their respect for our military and will mourn the loss of soldier Pvt. William Long, and will express concern for wounded soldier Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula, for their military comrades and for the families of the victims of this terrorist attack in the heartland of America.

Both soldiers were gunned down by Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, a 21-year-old African-American man who had changed his name from Carlos Leon Bledsoe after he converted to Islam. In Arabic, the word mujahid is the singular form of mujahideen, and it literally means one who engages in jihad. It appears that Abdulhakim operated as a "lone wolf" which is described in an article for STATFOR, a civilian global intelligence firm. The article by Scott Stewart and Fred Burton is titled: "Lone Wolf Lessons" and is identified on the STATFOR website as a "Global Security & Intelligence Report." It has a good rundown on the concepts and dangers of the "Lone Wolf" terrorist. However the most chilling part of the article is the allegation that the administration had ordered the FBI to “back off” of counterterrorism investigations into the activities of Black Muslim converts. An Arkansas source, a retired Army colonel, expressed that "this is a very damning allegation against the administration. . . . any administration. And yes, I am PO'd!"

Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad was reportedly already under investigation by the FBI joint terrorism task force after he traveled to Yemen and was arrested there for using a Somali passport. However the details of the probe have not been revealed. But, it is now it is clear that the FBI had a prior interest in this "lone wolf terrorist."

Skipping the article's "Challenges" and "Limitations" in dealing with the Lone Wolf terrorist, let's note the text that literally jumps off the pages of the report:

However, politics have proved obstructive to all facets of counterterrorism policy. And politics may have been at play in the Muhammad case as well as in other cases involving Black Muslim converts. Several weeks ago, STRATFOR heard from sources that the FBI and other law enforcement organizations had been ordered to “back off” of counterterrorism investigations into the activities of Black Muslim converts. At this point, it is unclear to us if that guidance was given by the White House or the Department of Justice, or if it was promulgated by the agencies themselves, anticipating the wishes of President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Bill Smith, ARRA News Editor: Yesterday, we heard the shocking news that a Muslim convert "with political and religious motives" shot two uniformed soldiers outside a Little Rock, Arkansas military recruiting center. Private William Long, 23, died, and Private Quinton Ezeagwula, 18, was wounded and is currently in stable condition. According to Lt. Col. Thomas F. Artis of the Oklahoma City Recruiting Battalion, the two soldiers had completed basic training within the past two weeks and were not "regular" recruiters. In the military terminology, the Army had allowed these two young men to return home after basic training for a designated period of time before reporting to their next military dusty assignment if they would work with recruiters and assist them in recruiting and talking to potential recruits.

Little Rock police are commended for quickly located and arrested Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, 23 who was previously known as Carlos Bledsoe before he converted to Islam. The scuttlebutt is that Abdulhakim relocated to Arkansas from Memphis, TN after converting to Islam and attending a terrorist training camp. He was reportedly already under investigation by the FBI joint terrorism task force after he traveled to Yemen and was arrested there for using a Somali passport. However the details of the probe are not yet known.

When arraigned this morning, Muhammud / Bedsloe entered a not guilty plea. However, Lt. Terry Hastings, of the LRPD said that the accused said, "He saw them standing there and drove up and shot them. That's what he said." Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas said, "Interviews with police show Muhammad 'probably had political and religious motives for the attack.'"

Of interest is the use of terminology describing this crime. The the news media are issuing the term "killed"and other plain wrapper terms with regard to the cold blooded murder of an American soldier and critical wounding of another. However, the news media used more inflammatory words like "murder " with respect to the recent shooting of late term abortionist Dr. Tiller.

Also, while the Obama administration under Attorney General Holder felt it was necessary to activate U.S. marshals to provide protection to various civilian individuals based on attack on Tiller, there has been no show of concern by the Obama administration over the attack on these young military servicemen on U.S. soil. Where are the compassionate public words of Commander-in-Chief President Obama or any of his key staff in regard to the death of one and wounding of another servicemen . This morning we reported on President Obama's announced nomination for the Secretary of the Army. However , the "Commander-in-chief" has not expressed concern for the fallen and injured servicemen in Little Rock. Again - there has been no condemnation of the killing of an American serviceman and the wounding of another in the heartland of America.

Also, there has been no expressed concern for the victims' families or for the recovery of the wounded soldier. Also, where is the expressed concern by the aforementioned Attorney General Holder or by the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. With Obama's planned meetings with Muslim Middle East leaders, Obama and his administration seems to be choosing to ignore this situation. The shooting of a military serviceman used to be a Federal crime? The Silence is deafening!

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text. Please go [here] to consider Chapters XXIV-XXVI.

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself, and [this week] such sites can be seen as:

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told). A review of the music of [Delaney (C.) Walsh] is posted this week.

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leisurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again. Go [here] to see more of such sites as:

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text. Please go [here] to consider Chapters XXII-XXIII.

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself, and [this week] such sites can be seen as:

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told). A review of [Rusty Rose] is posted this week.

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leisurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again. Go [here] to see more of such sites as:

Previously on All Arkie Army, the ARRA News Service reported on a new audio political ad from the NRCC titled Marion Berry - No Blue Dog - Lap Dog for Speaker Pelosi . Now some more good news: John Allison, III, a fellow Arkansas blogger at America, You Asked For It! has cleverly designed the following video for the NRCC ad. Enjoy!
The citizens of the Arkansas 1st Congressional District don't need a Pelosi "Lap Dog" or even a "Blue Dog" representing the 1st District. They need a real "Bull Dog" Conservative standing for Arkansas values, limited government and individual liberty.

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text. Please go [here] to consider Chapters XIX-XXI.

This is a guest post from my wife, Laura.

Well, things are getting a tad-bit crazy here in Conway, Arkansas.

Kris Allen T-Shirts

Just trying to get a Kris Allen T-shirt here in town is an ordeal. I spent an hour after work yesterday at HipSway, waiting on a T-shirt, only to leave empty-handed. I was told to come back this morning at 9am to pick up my shirts.

I then left for Ace Hardware (they're selling the official Kris Allen T-shirts) to see if I could get a look at their T-shirt design. I was initially told they would have a shipment of T-shirts delivered at 6pm, but the delivery was put off until 8am Friday. I liked the looks of the official design, so I decided to go back Friday morning and buy one. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at 8:05 am and their huge parking lot was full! There were two LONG lines: one to get your ticket(s) - limit 6 - and the other to get your shirt(s). Well, an hour later, I got my shirt and two more for my coworkers.

Kris Allen Concerts

When I got to work at Acxiom this morning, my coworker told me that her son (who works at the University of Central Arkansas - Kris Allen's alma mater) told her that people were in line, early this morning, to get tickets for the 3pm concert at Reynolds Hall. By 11:00am, the line had wrapped around the building. They started issuing tickets at noon. Doors opened at 2:15pm today.

We also heard people had spent the night downtown at Simon Park, to save their seats for the 5:30pm concert later today.

Kris performed at the Little Rock Riverfest Ampitheatre today at 11:30am. The crowd was estimated to be around 15,000. I-40 was locked up this morning from Conway to Little Rock as the fans traveled to see Kris perform at the Ampitheatre this morning.

Kris Allen likes Holly's Country Cooking!

My husband, Paul, picked me up for lunch and took me to Holly's. While paying for our food, Paul joked with Holly, the owner. When she asked if that's all we wanted he said, "Yeah, and we also need a plate for Kris Allen." She said, "Okay!" I told her he's just kidding. Holly said she actually has a huge order for him later on today. I told Paul I wouldn't be surprised if the American Idol crew asked Kris where they could get some good home-cooking and Kris said, "Holly's!"

Kris Allen likes Stoby's Too!

Paul called me a little bit ago to report that as he drove by Stoby's (which is three blocks from our house), he saw it was packed out and there were police cars and a black stretch limo out front. I told him I'm sure Kris is inside. Stoby's is another local Conway favorite, offering burgers, fries, their famous original cheese dip and other American cuisine. I personally like Stoby's for their crushed ice or as I like say, "the good ice!" Stoby's has a big banner on the roof that says, "Stoby's Supports Kris Allen With a Lifetime Supply of Cheese Dip." Funny, huh? Paul estimated there were about a hundred people outside of Stoby's waiting (cameras at the ready) for Kris to come out with ketchup on his shirt.

Paul checked our our 16-year-old son, Dylan, out of school early. He told him Kris Allen was eating lunch at Stoby's. Dylan's immediate response was, "I don't see why he would want to eat there, when he could've eaten at Holly's." Hehehehe!

Judges' Choice

It's just been announced that the song the judges picked for Kris Allen to perform Tuesday night on American Idol is "Apologize" by One Republic. I think it's a good choice.

Conway Downtown Parade and Concert

I plan on going downtown after work for the parade and concert. It's going to be fun to see how far away I'm going to have to park and how close I can get to the action.

I called into Alice 107.7 yesterday trying to win tickets to the American Idol tour at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock on July 25th. I was the winning caller, but I answered the trivia answer incorrectly! Dern. The question was, "When Kris Allen was in the Top 13, what song did he sing?" I guessed 'Man in the Mirror'.

Survey says.... EEEEEEEEEHHHHHH!

The right answer was "Remember the Time". I choked. I would've Googled for the answer, but I was in shock that I was caller #10. Can you say CHOKE!

Thanks for reading!






Related Posts:

Kris Allen's Homecoming Itinerary

Kris Allen and American Idol Are Coming To Conway!

Kris Allen: Conway's American Idol Sensation


Until next time,

Eat Well. Live Well.





Nutrition doesn't have to be hard. That's why there's The Pops™ and ER Fat Burn™.

Websites: The Experts Agree On Something. Finally. | Are Your Vitamins Safe? | WFN Affiliate

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself, and [this week] such sites can be seen as:

Kris Allen's Homecoming Itinerary*

THURSDAY

• 9:00 pm - Kris appears live on FOX16 News at Nine

• 11:30 am - Kris performs live at Riverfest Amphitheatre
• 3:00 pm - Kris performs live at Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at UCA
• 5:00 pm - Kris Allen parade in downtown Conway
• 5:30 pm - Kris Allen performs live at Simon Park in Conway
  

ARRA News Service - Rep. Marion Berry tries to cover his tracks when he is back home in Arkansas claiming that he is a farmer interested in agriculture in the 1st District. But as evidence has proven in the past, the only interest Berry has in agriculture is lining his own pockets with farm subsidy money. When he is home, he knows his district did not vote for Barack Obama. Sources have advised that Berry takes a few liberties and casts dispersions against Obama. But when he returns to Congress, he drops the agriculture label and is identified as a pharmacist. He doesn't want to be considered a "hay seed" in Congress with his liberal colleagues. He also turns tail and praises Barack Obama and rejoins the fold not as a Blue Dog but as a lap dog of Speaker Pelosi.

The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) has noted Berry's antics in Washington and also the growing conservative base in Arkansas 1st Congressional District and released the following addressing Congressman Berry antics. Click for mp3 Radio Ad - Enjoy!

Berry will definitely have competition in 2010 from the republicans. One candidate, Rick Crawford, has already announced he will challenge Berry.

It's official.

Kris Allen has advanced to the final three, and American Idol will be coming to Conway, Arkansas.

All over town, there are signs saying, "Kris Allen is Kick Awesome!" You see them on banks, restaurants and even on cars. The slogan comes from an interview with Kris, where he was asked to describe his experience on the show so far. He replied that he wants to live life with no regrets and his experience has been kick awesome. So now the phrase "Kick Awesome" has become the Kris Allen battle cry around town.

Kris' wife, Katy, works at Acxiom Corporation, the same place my wife works. Every week they get emails saying, "Be sure and vote for Kris!"

There's even a rumor where our 16-year-old son goes to school. Because Kris Allen is in the 'Top 3', the kids will get out early this upcoming Friday, so they can attend a Kris Allen homecoming parade and concert in downtown Conway. Of course, along with all the hoopla, American Idol will be there filming it all.

Exciting times in good ole' Conway!

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told). [A Cure For AIDS] is considered to this week.

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leisurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again. Go [here] to see more of such sites as:

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text. Please go [here] to consider Chapter XVIII: Contractual Obligations.

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself, and [this week] such sites can be seen as: