I'm not doing well.
I guess I should have expected this to happen. Or maybe I was just too busy trying to get some sense of normalcy in my life to actually realize it. Without going into much detail I will try to explain what it is that I am struggling with right now. I sometimes articulate better in writing.
My parents started an alpaca business. Like all businesses it takes time and money to build it. A successful alpaca business usually takes 2 to 5 years depending on the type of animal and the resources involved. My parents were at the half way point and had invested a lot into the growth of our business. My father also had loans and other investments that normally come with starting a business. The plan was that in two years or less we would be able to make a profit and pay off a lot of debt that was used to invest in the alpaca business. Unfortunately an evil man took my parents lives and our alpaca ranch will never see itself to the final product.
My parents business goes unfinished. Left behind are the loans and investments in the alpaca business that must be paid back. My brother and I do not have the money to continue the business. So all assets and investments must be liquidated to pay back the banks and anyone else we owe money too. What makes it even worse is that the debt is quite substantial.
To pay off this substantial debt, the alpacas my parents owned will be either repossessed or sold to the highest bidder. All vehicles and trailers to carry them in will be sold. My dad's tractor used to take care of the farm will be sold along with other household appliances and farm equipment. My aunt and uncle will be effected as well as they will be moving out of the home they were renting from my parents as we must sell it. I'm not terribly upset at selling these items. The one thing that will kill me though is the selling of my farm.
See, vehicles can be purchased. Alpacas can be sold and bought. Homes be bought and sold also. But a farm that has been in my family for generations is something that as time goes bye I can't part with. It's where my great grandfather made his moonshine during prohibition. It's where my grandfather built garages and barns. It's where my dad grew up. It's where my Aunt Mary and Aunt Teta would make the tastiest pastries ever!!! It's where my brother and I would play with Mikey and his Tonka trucks (which are in the wash house bye the way). I know my brother may want to get rid of the farm because it's where my parents died. But I want to keep it because it's where my parents LIVED!!!!
No one seems to understand my connection with this piece of land. I don't fully understand it myself. All I know is that at some point in time my parents dreams became mine. At some point in time the tradition and the love that my descendants had for that farm became the love I have for that farm. When I was in the hospital I wanted to get rid of the farm. I just wanted to get away from what happened as much as possible. But as time goes bye I realize that that farm is a part of me. It's as much a part of me as it was a part of my mom and dad.
I'm at odds with my brother with this. He sees debt and a means to pay debt off. He can sell everything and continue to live his life where he's at and do what he want's to do. The rest of my family continue to live their lives and deal with the loss of my parents. As for me, I am the one that has been effected the most of all. Everyone has their own lives except for ME! I have no where to go.
Every day I begin to feel the loss of my parents more and more. It's an emptiness that as life goes on continues to grow. I know it stems from the loss of connection to my parents. But the one thing that eases the pain is that one day I hope to return to where my family and parents lived. It's the only place where I still have a connection with my mom and dad. Without it I have nothing.
So the way things look is quite grim. Everything my parents own will be gone. One day my farm will be gone. Except for pictures and a few possessions it will be as if they were never here. My connection will be gone and I will be truly lost. Quite frankly I'm not handling it and I'm not dealing with it well. I am the culmination of every dream and hope my parents had. To see it all be destroyed is destroying me as well.
I just want to go home.....
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
6-26-06
Eye Update..
Went to the doctor. He says my eye is healing. Maybe in 3 to 6 months I may be able to see like a real person again.
Don't really feel like blogging much. Not really in the mood. Just thought you'd all like to know how how the eye is doing.
Has it ever donned on any of you that my right eye may be the most popular eye ever?
Went to the doctor. He says my eye is healing. Maybe in 3 to 6 months I may be able to see like a real person again.
Don't really feel like blogging much. Not really in the mood. Just thought you'd all like to know how how the eye is doing.
Has it ever donned on any of you that my right eye may be the most popular eye ever?
Sunday, June 25, 2006
6-25-06: AFC North Preview
What's up with the NFL's AFC North? A preview?
So what is up with the AFC North?
This division seems to be having the most problems keeping their players in check than any other division in the league. For those that don't know the AFC North consists of the Super Bowl Champions (Uhg!) Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ratbirds (Ravens), Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Browns. Except for Ricky Williams from Miami going to Canada to play ball, it's been pretty quiet in the NFL. Except for this division.
It started with Bengals Wide Receiver Chris Henry being arrested earlier this year. That's really no surprise because I was around Henry when he was at WVU and he was an idiot then and he's an idiot with a big salary now. But Cincinnati's problems didn't stop there. Recently a pair of linebackers were arrested also.
The Ravens have always been a problem. They have two players that should be in jail right now but instead they went to a Super Bowl a few years back. Their acquisition of has been quarterback Steve McNair made headlines but their resigning of Running Back and cocaine distributor Jamal Lewis had people scratching their heads.
The Cleveland Browns continue to have trouble with Running Back Reuben Droughns. Ironically he wears the number of previous Running Back and cocaine addict Kevin Mack. Droughns was a hold out of camp last year when he wanted his contract renegotiated. Then he was busted in Medina, Oh for driving drunk and now he was arrested for apparently shoving his wife out of their home in Colorado. Fortunate for Droughns his off the field problems have been overshadowed by the return of Kellen Winslow 2.
Lastly we have the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their first round pick this year Santonio Holmes has been arrested twice since the draft. I'm not surprised. He came from a dirty college organization who likes dirty players. Look at what they got with Maurice Clarrett? It makes you wonder how they got such a class act like AJ Hawk to play for them? But I digress. The second problem has been Quarterback Ben Rothlesburger taking a swan dive off his unliscenced motorcycle into an old woman's windshield. He say's he'll be back from a broken jaw injury to play in game one of the season but the jury is still out on that. If Kerry Collins had problems with a broken jaw, we'll see how Ben does. I wish his recovery well but I wouldn't rush it.
All four teams have had off the field problems while the rest of the league has been quiet. Let's hope that this all dies down and that in August these four teams are ready to play some ball. Pittsburgh has to prove they can still compete with the loss of Jerome Bettis. The Ravens have to keep their players out of jail. The Bengals await the return of QB Carson Palmer and hope to build off the success of last year. Cleveland is looking to not only have a winning season but possibly the surprise of the NFL. But as long as Maurice Carthon is the offensive Coordinator for Cleveland...I doubt they'll see the red zone much this year either.
My Predictions
Pittsburgh (They should win the division easily again)
Baltimore ( McNair should give them the momentum needed to jump start the offense)
Cincinnati (They will compete with Cleveland for the cellar of the division)
Cleveland (It hurts me to do this but I'm keeping it real. Cleveland will find ways to lose.)
So what is up with the AFC North?
This division seems to be having the most problems keeping their players in check than any other division in the league. For those that don't know the AFC North consists of the Super Bowl Champions (Uhg!) Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ratbirds (Ravens), Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Browns. Except for Ricky Williams from Miami going to Canada to play ball, it's been pretty quiet in the NFL. Except for this division.
It started with Bengals Wide Receiver Chris Henry being arrested earlier this year. That's really no surprise because I was around Henry when he was at WVU and he was an idiot then and he's an idiot with a big salary now. But Cincinnati's problems didn't stop there. Recently a pair of linebackers were arrested also.
The Ravens have always been a problem. They have two players that should be in jail right now but instead they went to a Super Bowl a few years back. Their acquisition of has been quarterback Steve McNair made headlines but their resigning of Running Back and cocaine distributor Jamal Lewis had people scratching their heads.
The Cleveland Browns continue to have trouble with Running Back Reuben Droughns. Ironically he wears the number of previous Running Back and cocaine addict Kevin Mack. Droughns was a hold out of camp last year when he wanted his contract renegotiated. Then he was busted in Medina, Oh for driving drunk and now he was arrested for apparently shoving his wife out of their home in Colorado. Fortunate for Droughns his off the field problems have been overshadowed by the return of Kellen Winslow 2.
Lastly we have the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their first round pick this year Santonio Holmes has been arrested twice since the draft. I'm not surprised. He came from a dirty college organization who likes dirty players. Look at what they got with Maurice Clarrett? It makes you wonder how they got such a class act like AJ Hawk to play for them? But I digress. The second problem has been Quarterback Ben Rothlesburger taking a swan dive off his unliscenced motorcycle into an old woman's windshield. He say's he'll be back from a broken jaw injury to play in game one of the season but the jury is still out on that. If Kerry Collins had problems with a broken jaw, we'll see how Ben does. I wish his recovery well but I wouldn't rush it.
All four teams have had off the field problems while the rest of the league has been quiet. Let's hope that this all dies down and that in August these four teams are ready to play some ball. Pittsburgh has to prove they can still compete with the loss of Jerome Bettis. The Ravens have to keep their players out of jail. The Bengals await the return of QB Carson Palmer and hope to build off the success of last year. Cleveland is looking to not only have a winning season but possibly the surprise of the NFL. But as long as Maurice Carthon is the offensive Coordinator for Cleveland...I doubt they'll see the red zone much this year either.
My Predictions
Pittsburgh (They should win the division easily again)
Baltimore ( McNair should give them the momentum needed to jump start the offense)
Cincinnati (They will compete with Cleveland for the cellar of the division)
Cleveland (It hurts me to do this but I'm keeping it real. Cleveland will find ways to lose.)
Saturday, June 24, 2006
6-24-06
If you can't drive it...don't buy it!!!
That's what I say to all you people who buy those huge SUV's and have to make three attempts to get in your own driveway. You know who I'm talking about. The same people who go to Wal-Mart and have to take up 2 parking spaces SIDEWAYS because they can't part straight. There always driven by a four foot eleven helmet haired soccer mom who can't distinguish between the blinker and the windshield wiper. I say there oughta be a law!!!
I hung out with two good friends today. There incredibly beautiful so I must say I was the luckiest guy in Barnes & Noble. Those two friends were Dipa and Kathleen. Not the Kathleen I have blogged about earlier but another one. I know so many Kathleen's it amazing. We had a blast. It was good to see them again. Dipa's mom was shot and killed by a burglar in their family owned store a few years back. Dipa was able to empathize with me. Kathleen came to B&N a bit later and it was good to catch up with her too. I missed them a lot. We used to work at Outback together.
Sorry I didn't blog yesterday. The power went out after some bad storms down here and I was unable to get online. We finally got internet back around 2pm today.
My eye is doing good. It's starting to turn white again. Just when it starts to look normal again I'll probably have to go in for more surgery. Just my luck. My brother's ankle is healing nicely. I talked to him only for a short time today. I hope to talk to him more tomorrow.
I had a good day. It was nice to see old friends. I'm gonna go to bed so I can get up early for church.
That's what I say to all you people who buy those huge SUV's and have to make three attempts to get in your own driveway. You know who I'm talking about. The same people who go to Wal-Mart and have to take up 2 parking spaces SIDEWAYS because they can't part straight. There always driven by a four foot eleven helmet haired soccer mom who can't distinguish between the blinker and the windshield wiper. I say there oughta be a law!!!
I hung out with two good friends today. There incredibly beautiful so I must say I was the luckiest guy in Barnes & Noble. Those two friends were Dipa and Kathleen. Not the Kathleen I have blogged about earlier but another one. I know so many Kathleen's it amazing. We had a blast. It was good to see them again. Dipa's mom was shot and killed by a burglar in their family owned store a few years back. Dipa was able to empathize with me. Kathleen came to B&N a bit later and it was good to catch up with her too. I missed them a lot. We used to work at Outback together.
Sorry I didn't blog yesterday. The power went out after some bad storms down here and I was unable to get online. We finally got internet back around 2pm today.
My eye is doing good. It's starting to turn white again. Just when it starts to look normal again I'll probably have to go in for more surgery. Just my luck. My brother's ankle is healing nicely. I talked to him only for a short time today. I hope to talk to him more tomorrow.
I had a good day. It was nice to see old friends. I'm gonna go to bed so I can get up early for church.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
6-22-06
More surgery...but not me...
My brother had surgery on his jumping foot today. To let those know what a jumping foot is, it's the foot that is used to plant down on the little white board in front of the big box of sand in the Long Jump event. If you step over the front of the white board then it is called a "fault" and your jump is invalid. My brother went to a meet last week where the white board was elevated 3 inches off the runway. He stepped down on it with such force that he injured his foot. His surgery went an hour and a half longer than expected due to complications they didn't expect. They had to take out pieces of bone that chipped off. Ouch! Well, he's drugged just like his brother and resting comfortably at his apartment. Chris's dog has stitches too. She just got fixed. So Becca is the only mammal in the house that doesn't have stitches. Let's keep up the good work Becca.
Today I ran a bunch of errands. I am still trying to get my mother's phone transferred into my name. Plus I need to get a new phone. Unfortunately I'm gonna have to pay full price for a new phone. The Verizon agent said that I should talk to customer service because the phone is still under warranty. So I will try that again tomorrow.
I've gotten to that stage where I call people and leave messages and no one calls me back.
It rained today. It was one of those really hard rains. I enjoyed it. I haven't been in rain like that in a long time. The rain was warm too. Oh yeah...
Long day tomorrow. Gotta bunch of things to do. Maybe I'll see a movie. I dunno. I'm still waiting for the metro-sexual superman movie to come out. The we'll see how Superman reacts when Lex Luthor breaks one of Superman's nails or messes up his pretty gelled and moused hair.
My brother had surgery on his jumping foot today. To let those know what a jumping foot is, it's the foot that is used to plant down on the little white board in front of the big box of sand in the Long Jump event. If you step over the front of the white board then it is called a "fault" and your jump is invalid. My brother went to a meet last week where the white board was elevated 3 inches off the runway. He stepped down on it with such force that he injured his foot. His surgery went an hour and a half longer than expected due to complications they didn't expect. They had to take out pieces of bone that chipped off. Ouch! Well, he's drugged just like his brother and resting comfortably at his apartment. Chris's dog has stitches too. She just got fixed. So Becca is the only mammal in the house that doesn't have stitches. Let's keep up the good work Becca.
Today I ran a bunch of errands. I am still trying to get my mother's phone transferred into my name. Plus I need to get a new phone. Unfortunately I'm gonna have to pay full price for a new phone. The Verizon agent said that I should talk to customer service because the phone is still under warranty. So I will try that again tomorrow.
I've gotten to that stage where I call people and leave messages and no one calls me back.
It rained today. It was one of those really hard rains. I enjoyed it. I haven't been in rain like that in a long time. The rain was warm too. Oh yeah...
Long day tomorrow. Gotta bunch of things to do. Maybe I'll see a movie. I dunno. I'm still waiting for the metro-sexual superman movie to come out. The we'll see how Superman reacts when Lex Luthor breaks one of Superman's nails or messes up his pretty gelled and moused hair.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Homesick
Homesick
Previously I blogged about some feelings I was struggling with involving feeling left behind. I've been doing better. There is a song by the Christian group Mercy Me that has been a help. Of course everyone knows who Mercy Me is. They had that song "I Can Only Imagine" that was played on every radio station every 15 minutes of every day for almost 6 months. I still recuperating from it. But beyond that they have a song called "Homesick". I have it posted as the music for my MySpace page if you want to hear it. I think you have to press play. I can't seem to get it to automatically play for some reason. But I want to share the lyrics to the song. It pretty much sums up how I have been feeling and what I'm going through with the loss of my parents.
HOMESICK BY MERCY ME
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times.
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you.
But the reason why I'm broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you.
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord won't you give me the strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now.
Help me Lord because I don't understand your ways.
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know.
But even if you showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I'm still here so far away from home
In Christ there are no goodbyes!
In Christ there is no end!
So I'll hold on to Jesus with all that I have,
To see you again...
Previously I blogged about some feelings I was struggling with involving feeling left behind. I've been doing better. There is a song by the Christian group Mercy Me that has been a help. Of course everyone knows who Mercy Me is. They had that song "I Can Only Imagine" that was played on every radio station every 15 minutes of every day for almost 6 months. I still recuperating from it. But beyond that they have a song called "Homesick". I have it posted as the music for my MySpace page if you want to hear it. I think you have to press play. I can't seem to get it to automatically play for some reason. But I want to share the lyrics to the song. It pretty much sums up how I have been feeling and what I'm going through with the loss of my parents.
HOMESICK BY MERCY ME
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times.
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you.
But the reason why I'm broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you.
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord won't you give me the strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now.
Help me Lord because I don't understand your ways.
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know.
But even if you showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I'm still here so far away from home
In Christ there are no goodbyes!
In Christ there is no end!
So I'll hold on to Jesus with all that I have,
To see you again...
6-21-06
Time for an update!!!
My eye is healing nicely. I am getting accustomed to seeing through it again. I can see my fingers when I wiggle them in front of my eye. The place I can see the best through my eye is Wal-Mart. I guess with all the lights there it helps my eye articulate shapes. I can say I have maybe 1/3 vision back right now. The oil is still in my eye and I'm wondering how I'll do after they take the oil out of my eye. I'm excited. My sight get's better every day.
Clemson got booted from the College World Series!!! Good!!! Do you know why Clemson fans wear orange? It's so they can watch games on Saturday, go hunting on Sunday and pick trash off the side of the road Monday through Friday. Clemson is where people go to college who are too dumb to go to USC. It's why the Clemson football team gets made fun of whenever they go to a bowl game.
I would have blogged sooner but I found out that Cartoon Network shows the new Transformers cartoon online. So I have been watching Transformers episodes almost constantly for the past two days. If you honestly know me then you will understand that I am a HUGE transformers nut and that life stops for me when it comes to the Robots In Disguise. Just to let yall know. The live action Transformers movie comes out July 4th 2007. It comes out a week before Harry Potter and his boring friends. The teaser trailer for TF'S will be out July 4th this year. Michael Bay (Armageddon, The Island) directs and Steven Spielberg Executive Produces. Dreamworks (War of the Worlds) does the digital effects. This is a big budget movie folks. No two hour toy commercial here!!!
My brother is having surgery on his ankle. He will be having it soon. I have to give him a call and get some details. I'll keep everyone posted on how he's doing. Chris's birthday was yesterday and Don and Gwen (In laws) made a surprise visit to Boise and had dinner with him. That was pretty cool considering they came all the way from Aberdeen, South Dakota to see him. They're really great people.
I went into Cracker Barrel to let my managers know how I'm doing and when I can come back to work. The morning staff is comprised of mostly single moms so I get mothered a lot!!! I don't mind it though. They take care of me and express a genuine concern for me. I can't express how much I appreciate that. And to think I just started working there too...
Well, that's been the past few days. I promise to pry myself from Cartoon Network and keep everyone posted more consistently.
My eye is healing nicely. I am getting accustomed to seeing through it again. I can see my fingers when I wiggle them in front of my eye. The place I can see the best through my eye is Wal-Mart. I guess with all the lights there it helps my eye articulate shapes. I can say I have maybe 1/3 vision back right now. The oil is still in my eye and I'm wondering how I'll do after they take the oil out of my eye. I'm excited. My sight get's better every day.
Clemson got booted from the College World Series!!! Good!!! Do you know why Clemson fans wear orange? It's so they can watch games on Saturday, go hunting on Sunday and pick trash off the side of the road Monday through Friday. Clemson is where people go to college who are too dumb to go to USC. It's why the Clemson football team gets made fun of whenever they go to a bowl game.
I would have blogged sooner but I found out that Cartoon Network shows the new Transformers cartoon online. So I have been watching Transformers episodes almost constantly for the past two days. If you honestly know me then you will understand that I am a HUGE transformers nut and that life stops for me when it comes to the Robots In Disguise. Just to let yall know. The live action Transformers movie comes out July 4th 2007. It comes out a week before Harry Potter and his boring friends. The teaser trailer for TF'S will be out July 4th this year. Michael Bay (Armageddon, The Island) directs and Steven Spielberg Executive Produces. Dreamworks (War of the Worlds) does the digital effects. This is a big budget movie folks. No two hour toy commercial here!!!
My brother is having surgery on his ankle. He will be having it soon. I have to give him a call and get some details. I'll keep everyone posted on how he's doing. Chris's birthday was yesterday and Don and Gwen (In laws) made a surprise visit to Boise and had dinner with him. That was pretty cool considering they came all the way from Aberdeen, South Dakota to see him. They're really great people.
I went into Cracker Barrel to let my managers know how I'm doing and when I can come back to work. The morning staff is comprised of mostly single moms so I get mothered a lot!!! I don't mind it though. They take care of me and express a genuine concern for me. I can't express how much I appreciate that. And to think I just started working there too...
Well, that's been the past few days. I promise to pry myself from Cartoon Network and keep everyone posted more consistently.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
6-17-06
OUCH!!!!
Did I mention Ouch! My eye socket feels like someone put a blender in it. It's hard for me to type on the computer so I will probably be on MySpace sparingly for the next few days. Did I mention that this hurts....OUCH!!!
I have pain killers but you all know how much I love taking those. I'd rather deal with the pain than be on some type of drug. I only take them at night to help me sleep. When I wake up in the morning I feel like I have a hang over. But it's just my eye saying....OUCH!
Be thankful none of yall have any type of eye surgery coming up. It stinks....
Did I mention Ouch! My eye socket feels like someone put a blender in it. It's hard for me to type on the computer so I will probably be on MySpace sparingly for the next few days. Did I mention that this hurts....OUCH!!!
I have pain killers but you all know how much I love taking those. I'd rather deal with the pain than be on some type of drug. I only take them at night to help me sleep. When I wake up in the morning I feel like I have a hang over. But it's just my eye saying....OUCH!
Be thankful none of yall have any type of eye surgery coming up. It stinks....
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
6-14-06
Today is surgery day!!!!
I went in an hour early to fill out paperwork and talk to my nurses. My surgery wasn't until 1:30. I was tired from the night before so I took a nap. Apparently the Dr. Hall didn't feel in necessary to wake me from my nap and then put me back to sleep so I was knocked out while I was sleeping.
I have no idea how the surgery went. I'm pretty upset about that. The doctors told my friend who picked me up some things. She told my aunt and uncle in turn they have told me nothing. The other thing that ticks me off is how much of a psychotic mother hen my aunt is. She was literally trying to wrap her arms around me to help me walk to the bathroom. I shoved her away and told her not to touch me. I'm also getting sick and tired of hearing "Do you need anything?" At first I politely said "No thank you." then I said "If I need anything I'll ask." now I just ignore her. She doesn't get it. I had a mother. She's not my mom. I'm also not one of her fragile pet dogs either. I've survived four freakin shots man!!!! I can handle some eye surgery.
My aunt is a nuisance in other respects. She has gone to every West Virginia newspaper where someone commented on the shootings and has left comments. But she only responds to the negative ones and her responses are hateful and call people names. That doesn't look good for me or my parents. But she doesn't get it. She doesn't understand that when she does this, public opinion turns against me and my parents. It makes us look as ignorant as the Eagles.
Other than that my surgery went well.
I went in an hour early to fill out paperwork and talk to my nurses. My surgery wasn't until 1:30. I was tired from the night before so I took a nap. Apparently the Dr. Hall didn't feel in necessary to wake me from my nap and then put me back to sleep so I was knocked out while I was sleeping.
I have no idea how the surgery went. I'm pretty upset about that. The doctors told my friend who picked me up some things. She told my aunt and uncle in turn they have told me nothing. The other thing that ticks me off is how much of a psychotic mother hen my aunt is. She was literally trying to wrap her arms around me to help me walk to the bathroom. I shoved her away and told her not to touch me. I'm also getting sick and tired of hearing "Do you need anything?" At first I politely said "No thank you." then I said "If I need anything I'll ask." now I just ignore her. She doesn't get it. I had a mother. She's not my mom. I'm also not one of her fragile pet dogs either. I've survived four freakin shots man!!!! I can handle some eye surgery.
My aunt is a nuisance in other respects. She has gone to every West Virginia newspaper where someone commented on the shootings and has left comments. But she only responds to the negative ones and her responses are hateful and call people names. That doesn't look good for me or my parents. But she doesn't get it. She doesn't understand that when she does this, public opinion turns against me and my parents. It makes us look as ignorant as the Eagles.
Other than that my surgery went well.
Danger: Bob's Political Rants!!!
Danger: Bob's Political Views...
I must let you know right now that this may upset a few people. You must understand that these are my personal views and for the most part they dictate how I vote. On the same token I am a member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and my allegiance the the Galactic Empire (Republican Party) is paramount. So...here we go!!!
Capital Punishment
Even after my parents murder I continue to be against capital punishment. For mainly religious reasons. I guess I can explain it this way. I don't have a problem with the man made and fallible United States Constitution allowing the death penalty if the American people want it. On the same token I hope and pray NEVER to be on a jury that has to decide on the fate of a person whose eligible for the death penalty. Why? Because no matter how much a person tries to spin it, I can find no place where Christ condones capital punishment. I've heard people spend half an hour yammering about Old Testament laws that really don't mean a lick since Jesus died on the cross. If these death penalty laws were still valid then we'd all still be worshiping at tabernacles and sacrificing goats. Hey! You could call off work for being unclean!!! But in any case, my parent's murderer will never be put to death by my hand. Nor if it was my decision would I have him put to death. But if the people of West Virginia decided to have him put to death then by the laws of the land he is subject to them. I do believe there are worse punishments then death. Dale Eagle will suffer in prison. Unless he accepts Christ, prison will just we his warm up for hell.
Gun Control Laws
I am still a strong proponent of gun control laws. I believe that every American has a right to own a weapon. I'll tell you right now. If I knew where the ammo was to the hand gun on my dad's dresser or the 30-yat six, Dale Eagle would be dead. I would have dropped him as soon as he came up the stairs. I know it sounds cliche but "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." I do believe that West Virginia may need to strengthen their gun laws or pay closer attention to who owns or is buying guns. But taking a gun out of the hands of someone like me who has to defend myself from garbage like Dale Eagle is in my view government assisted suicide. The system didn't do jack to protect me and my family. I'll be damned if I'll support a candidate or a law that will allow the system to make me more defenseless.
Gay Marriage
I do not support an amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. My reason is simple. Heterosexuals treat marriage as a joke. Heteros have no business deciding who should get married until they take marriage more seriously. Ironically in the bible belt there are states that have a 70 percent divorce rate. I thought the bible belt would be a place where marriage is considered sacred? It's even funnier that the people screaming the loudest against gay marriage are from states where the divorce rate is the highest. So if I were in congress I wouldn't even give the amendment the time of day. I blame heterosexuals for our society getting so decadent that we actually have to entertain the thought of proposing an amendment to our constitution to save marriage.
I will support this amendment though. I would support an amendment that outlawed divorce. If an amendment was proposed that outlawed divorce except for in the instance of physical abuse and infidelity then I would support it. That would make heterosexuals think twice. If conservatives are willing to infringe on the private lives of gays then why not infringe on the lives of self absorbed southern baptists?
President Bush
I think he's doing an alright job. I give him a C+. His polls are low because on one hand the people who hate him think everything he does is crap. The others who support him don't think he's done enough. Plus we have to deal with stupid moves like Harriet Meyers and Baghdad looking like a college campus after a bowl game win when we invaded Iraq. Bush's follow through is awful. I agree with Bush in principle but his implementation of policy is atrocious.
If you take Bush out of the picture and actually look at America, we are doing pretty darn good. Our economy still grows in spite of 3 dollar gas. People don't see how good we are going because of high gas prices. But we as Americans will adjust. The war on terror just scored bonus points and advanced to the next level with the killing of big bad "Z". Strategically that was bigger than catching OBL. Zarkawi is responsible of almost half of the casualties to our troops. His death is huge. We still gotta get OBL though. Just for the conscience of America and the people who died in 9/11. My point is that the war on terror is going in the right direction. The media doesn't want to show it but slowly we're getting it done. I believe Bush is dropping the ball on immigration. That guest worker program is a joke. My advice to Bush is close the border and then sift out the rif raf concerning the 11 million illegals that are already here. You don't have to send them all back but you can get rid of the ones that are criminals or health risks.
That's all for now. I just had to rant. If anyone is willing to go toe to toe with me on any of these issues, give me a few days. I may be drugged for a while. Heck! fire away anyway. I can debate drugged. Liberals don't make sense anyway. I'll be speaking liberal!!!
Goodnight everyone. May God bless you and America not tax you.
I must let you know right now that this may upset a few people. You must understand that these are my personal views and for the most part they dictate how I vote. On the same token I am a member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and my allegiance the the Galactic Empire (Republican Party) is paramount. So...here we go!!!
Capital Punishment
Even after my parents murder I continue to be against capital punishment. For mainly religious reasons. I guess I can explain it this way. I don't have a problem with the man made and fallible United States Constitution allowing the death penalty if the American people want it. On the same token I hope and pray NEVER to be on a jury that has to decide on the fate of a person whose eligible for the death penalty. Why? Because no matter how much a person tries to spin it, I can find no place where Christ condones capital punishment. I've heard people spend half an hour yammering about Old Testament laws that really don't mean a lick since Jesus died on the cross. If these death penalty laws were still valid then we'd all still be worshiping at tabernacles and sacrificing goats. Hey! You could call off work for being unclean!!! But in any case, my parent's murderer will never be put to death by my hand. Nor if it was my decision would I have him put to death. But if the people of West Virginia decided to have him put to death then by the laws of the land he is subject to them. I do believe there are worse punishments then death. Dale Eagle will suffer in prison. Unless he accepts Christ, prison will just we his warm up for hell.
Gun Control Laws
I am still a strong proponent of gun control laws. I believe that every American has a right to own a weapon. I'll tell you right now. If I knew where the ammo was to the hand gun on my dad's dresser or the 30-yat six, Dale Eagle would be dead. I would have dropped him as soon as he came up the stairs. I know it sounds cliche but "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." I do believe that West Virginia may need to strengthen their gun laws or pay closer attention to who owns or is buying guns. But taking a gun out of the hands of someone like me who has to defend myself from garbage like Dale Eagle is in my view government assisted suicide. The system didn't do jack to protect me and my family. I'll be damned if I'll support a candidate or a law that will allow the system to make me more defenseless.
Gay Marriage
I do not support an amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. My reason is simple. Heterosexuals treat marriage as a joke. Heteros have no business deciding who should get married until they take marriage more seriously. Ironically in the bible belt there are states that have a 70 percent divorce rate. I thought the bible belt would be a place where marriage is considered sacred? It's even funnier that the people screaming the loudest against gay marriage are from states where the divorce rate is the highest. So if I were in congress I wouldn't even give the amendment the time of day. I blame heterosexuals for our society getting so decadent that we actually have to entertain the thought of proposing an amendment to our constitution to save marriage.
I will support this amendment though. I would support an amendment that outlawed divorce. If an amendment was proposed that outlawed divorce except for in the instance of physical abuse and infidelity then I would support it. That would make heterosexuals think twice. If conservatives are willing to infringe on the private lives of gays then why not infringe on the lives of self absorbed southern baptists?
President Bush
I think he's doing an alright job. I give him a C+. His polls are low because on one hand the people who hate him think everything he does is crap. The others who support him don't think he's done enough. Plus we have to deal with stupid moves like Harriet Meyers and Baghdad looking like a college campus after a bowl game win when we invaded Iraq. Bush's follow through is awful. I agree with Bush in principle but his implementation of policy is atrocious.
If you take Bush out of the picture and actually look at America, we are doing pretty darn good. Our economy still grows in spite of 3 dollar gas. People don't see how good we are going because of high gas prices. But we as Americans will adjust. The war on terror just scored bonus points and advanced to the next level with the killing of big bad "Z". Strategically that was bigger than catching OBL. Zarkawi is responsible of almost half of the casualties to our troops. His death is huge. We still gotta get OBL though. Just for the conscience of America and the people who died in 9/11. My point is that the war on terror is going in the right direction. The media doesn't want to show it but slowly we're getting it done. I believe Bush is dropping the ball on immigration. That guest worker program is a joke. My advice to Bush is close the border and then sift out the rif raf concerning the 11 million illegals that are already here. You don't have to send them all back but you can get rid of the ones that are criminals or health risks.
That's all for now. I just had to rant. If anyone is willing to go toe to toe with me on any of these issues, give me a few days. I may be drugged for a while. Heck! fire away anyway. I can debate drugged. Liberals don't make sense anyway. I'll be speaking liberal!!!
Goodnight everyone. May God bless you and America not tax you.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
6-13-06
Tomorrow I have surgery on my eye.
I'm excited and scared all at the same time. The uncertainty of not knowing if I'll ever have site back is quite stressful. I guess I'll just have to see how this is all plays out.
I have bad news concerning my brother. He injured his ankle at the track meet. He's out for the rest of the season. I feel like he has this dark cloud over him. It seems like every time he gets close to his goal something always happens to knock him down. I am his brother and it really bothers me. I just wish for once that he could go to a meet and have his day. After all he's been through he really deserves it.
I've been working a lot the past few days. That's why I haven't been posting. I work a lot of hours. I need the money right now and it keeps my mind off things. I'm not trying to run away from it or anything, its just that sometimes the mind plays tricks on you and you think things you shouldn't. If I keep busy then I don't get the opportunity to entertain thoughts and second guessing that I believe happens after the experience that I had May 16th. Some of the thoughts I have are about what I could have done differently to at least save my dad. Could I have protected him. Was it a bad idea to go back in the house and call 911? Should I have gotten him to cover and tried to get us to safety? These are second guesses that I think are unhealthy. My other thoughts are about being left behind. See, my parents and I have different view about death than most people. It didn't bother us. We were so certain of our salvation through Jesus Christ that death was a mere formality. Death to us was just a passage in life that led us to the ultimate home. That home is with our Creator. I have a peace about my parents passing. But I get upset because I am not with them. I am left on this wretched fallen earth while they live in paradise. Everyone says that my survival is for a reason and I have a purpose. Right now I don't really care about my purpose. I was left behind. I am alone.
It's late. I must sleep so that doctors can put me back to sleep and then make me sleep after the operation. I guess this will be Bob's hibernation time.
I'm excited and scared all at the same time. The uncertainty of not knowing if I'll ever have site back is quite stressful. I guess I'll just have to see how this is all plays out.
I have bad news concerning my brother. He injured his ankle at the track meet. He's out for the rest of the season. I feel like he has this dark cloud over him. It seems like every time he gets close to his goal something always happens to knock him down. I am his brother and it really bothers me. I just wish for once that he could go to a meet and have his day. After all he's been through he really deserves it.
I've been working a lot the past few days. That's why I haven't been posting. I work a lot of hours. I need the money right now and it keeps my mind off things. I'm not trying to run away from it or anything, its just that sometimes the mind plays tricks on you and you think things you shouldn't. If I keep busy then I don't get the opportunity to entertain thoughts and second guessing that I believe happens after the experience that I had May 16th. Some of the thoughts I have are about what I could have done differently to at least save my dad. Could I have protected him. Was it a bad idea to go back in the house and call 911? Should I have gotten him to cover and tried to get us to safety? These are second guesses that I think are unhealthy. My other thoughts are about being left behind. See, my parents and I have different view about death than most people. It didn't bother us. We were so certain of our salvation through Jesus Christ that death was a mere formality. Death to us was just a passage in life that led us to the ultimate home. That home is with our Creator. I have a peace about my parents passing. But I get upset because I am not with them. I am left on this wretched fallen earth while they live in paradise. Everyone says that my survival is for a reason and I have a purpose. Right now I don't really care about my purpose. I was left behind. I am alone.
It's late. I must sleep so that doctors can put me back to sleep and then make me sleep after the operation. I guess this will be Bob's hibernation time.
Friday, June 09, 2006
6-09-06
I have a confession to make. I like the All American Rejects...
I have good news about the eye again. I will be having surgery this Wednesday. I am totally looking forward to it. My eye is going to hurt for a few days but if I can start to get some type of sight back in it I will be so happy. It feels odd too. I have blood in my eye and blood is heavy. So my right eye feels heavier than the left one. It's weird. The surgeon said that I may just have blood in my eye and no other problems. They won't know for sure until the surgery. Continue to pray for me and let's keep our fingers crossed.
Some of you have given me advice on how to deal with my wonderful family. I have taken your advice and the situations have been dealt with. There are some relatives that aren't too happy but oh well. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
My brother is on his way to a big meet in Indianapolis. If he jumps well then he will make it to USA's. That is a big meet because it's the national championship in Track and Field. It's his only shot to qualify too. So this meet is pretty important. He had other opportunities to qualify but he has been busy dealing with our parents estate and the loss of our parents. He's missed a few meets but all it takes is one good jump. I know he has it in him.
I'm gonna sleep in tomorrow because I don't work until 5pm. I've been getting up early all week. So it will be nice to get some late sleep. I don't dream about what happened or have nightmares. I guess that is something to be happy about. I do freak out when I hear loud noises though. Today at Starbucks one of the blenders made a loud pop noise and I literally dropped to the floor and covered my face. I was a little embarrassed when I got up.
Well, I guess no loud noises for Bob:-)
I have good news about the eye again. I will be having surgery this Wednesday. I am totally looking forward to it. My eye is going to hurt for a few days but if I can start to get some type of sight back in it I will be so happy. It feels odd too. I have blood in my eye and blood is heavy. So my right eye feels heavier than the left one. It's weird. The surgeon said that I may just have blood in my eye and no other problems. They won't know for sure until the surgery. Continue to pray for me and let's keep our fingers crossed.
Some of you have given me advice on how to deal with my wonderful family. I have taken your advice and the situations have been dealt with. There are some relatives that aren't too happy but oh well. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
My brother is on his way to a big meet in Indianapolis. If he jumps well then he will make it to USA's. That is a big meet because it's the national championship in Track and Field. It's his only shot to qualify too. So this meet is pretty important. He had other opportunities to qualify but he has been busy dealing with our parents estate and the loss of our parents. He's missed a few meets but all it takes is one good jump. I know he has it in him.
I'm gonna sleep in tomorrow because I don't work until 5pm. I've been getting up early all week. So it will be nice to get some late sleep. I don't dream about what happened or have nightmares. I guess that is something to be happy about. I do freak out when I hear loud noises though. Today at Starbucks one of the blenders made a loud pop noise and I literally dropped to the floor and covered my face. I was a little embarrassed when I got up.
Well, I guess no loud noises for Bob:-)
Thursday, June 08, 2006
6-08-06
Good news on the eye!!!
I went to my regular eye doctor today. He said that the blood on the front of my eye has receded. There is still some blood there but hopefully in a few days it will all be gone. Yay! Now if I could only see something other than a kaleidoscope of blood. Yup. I still have a lot of blood in the back of my eye and I will know Tuesday when my surgery will be for that.
I went and saw "The Omen" today. I thought it was scary and funny. Trust me, you'll laugh at things that you really shouldn't laugh at. I did think it was better than the original. Usually movies that are based on whacked out biblical theology tend to get bogged down with Catholic mumbo jumbo but this movie didn't. It flowed well because it was done from the husband's perspective. His view was that his family was victim of a series of unfortunate events and he slowly realized that it was the boy in his house that was the root cause. You'll laugh when you see the badly burned priest. He has his hood over his face and it looks just like the Emperor from Star Wars. You are just waiting for him to yell "Bring young Skywalker to me!!!" Plus the movie has some great scenes that could only be found in the Final Destination movies. To top it all off I do believe you will truly hate this little kid. I wanted to jump into the movie and just beat the living snot out of the little demonic brat. I give the movie 4 stars out of 5.
Tomorrow is another day to see an eye doctor. This is the one who is doing my surgery. I hope to get some good news from him too. Wish me luck.
I went to my regular eye doctor today. He said that the blood on the front of my eye has receded. There is still some blood there but hopefully in a few days it will all be gone. Yay! Now if I could only see something other than a kaleidoscope of blood. Yup. I still have a lot of blood in the back of my eye and I will know Tuesday when my surgery will be for that.
I went and saw "The Omen" today. I thought it was scary and funny. Trust me, you'll laugh at things that you really shouldn't laugh at. I did think it was better than the original. Usually movies that are based on whacked out biblical theology tend to get bogged down with Catholic mumbo jumbo but this movie didn't. It flowed well because it was done from the husband's perspective. His view was that his family was victim of a series of unfortunate events and he slowly realized that it was the boy in his house that was the root cause. You'll laugh when you see the badly burned priest. He has his hood over his face and it looks just like the Emperor from Star Wars. You are just waiting for him to yell "Bring young Skywalker to me!!!" Plus the movie has some great scenes that could only be found in the Final Destination movies. To top it all off I do believe you will truly hate this little kid. I wanted to jump into the movie and just beat the living snot out of the little demonic brat. I give the movie 4 stars out of 5.
Tomorrow is another day to see an eye doctor. This is the one who is doing my surgery. I hope to get some good news from him too. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
6-07-06
The cops are trying to catch me riding dirty!!!!!
You would think that would be the last song on the planet that I could identify with. I wouldn't but I'm currently living in the small town of Chesnee and living the near the wonderful sleepy little town of Landrum. These towns have only two cops. So Barney gets bored and decides to pull over anyone for going 24 in a 25 zone. When I heard this song on the radio I had to laugh because the Chesnee and Landrum police pull me over almost daily. Of course for no reason. I guess they're trying to catch me riding dirty...
666. Yesterday was 06-06-06. Not really. Actually yesterday was 06-06-2006. Which means that if it was really 6-6-6 then it would be the 7th century where the date was 06-06-06. So don't wig out over silly dates people. Besides, why do Christians wig out over this date but don't give a second thought to Halloween?
I have good news. Dale Eagle was indicted on two counts of first degree murder, and a count of malicious attack (or something like that). There were some other charges too and I'm sure they'll all stick. I was quite happy with what the grand jury was willing to charge him with. Now we wait for a plea and then get the trial started.
I have worked non-stop over the past three days. I worked over 10 hours yesterday. I made a lot of money which is nice. I will be having surgery soon and I need to save money for medical expenses. I have to fill out the West Virginia victims compensation forms but I may need a lawyer to do that. I don't fully understand a lot of the forms. There's information that I don't have.
I poked myself in the bad eye today. I went to get a glass and when I pulled it out of the plastic thingy my hand swung back and my thumb went into my eye. Just my luck. My eye survives a gunshot but I gouge my eye out with my own thumb. Really smart Bob.
Tomorrow I have a lot of errands to run. I'm gonna go to the bank and open an account for while I'm here. Plus I have to take care of more estate stuff. I hope to go to the movies tomorrow though. I'll probably see the Davinci Code with Kathleen. She just got back from being a Marine warrior for a week. She's now an expert marksman. I could have used someone like here almost a month ago. Well, it's good to have friends like that I guess.
Goodnight everyone...
You would think that would be the last song on the planet that I could identify with. I wouldn't but I'm currently living in the small town of Chesnee and living the near the wonderful sleepy little town of Landrum. These towns have only two cops. So Barney gets bored and decides to pull over anyone for going 24 in a 25 zone. When I heard this song on the radio I had to laugh because the Chesnee and Landrum police pull me over almost daily. Of course for no reason. I guess they're trying to catch me riding dirty...
666. Yesterday was 06-06-06. Not really. Actually yesterday was 06-06-2006. Which means that if it was really 6-6-6 then it would be the 7th century where the date was 06-06-06. So don't wig out over silly dates people. Besides, why do Christians wig out over this date but don't give a second thought to Halloween?
I have good news. Dale Eagle was indicted on two counts of first degree murder, and a count of malicious attack (or something like that). There were some other charges too and I'm sure they'll all stick. I was quite happy with what the grand jury was willing to charge him with. Now we wait for a plea and then get the trial started.
I have worked non-stop over the past three days. I worked over 10 hours yesterday. I made a lot of money which is nice. I will be having surgery soon and I need to save money for medical expenses. I have to fill out the West Virginia victims compensation forms but I may need a lawyer to do that. I don't fully understand a lot of the forms. There's information that I don't have.
I poked myself in the bad eye today. I went to get a glass and when I pulled it out of the plastic thingy my hand swung back and my thumb went into my eye. Just my luck. My eye survives a gunshot but I gouge my eye out with my own thumb. Really smart Bob.
Tomorrow I have a lot of errands to run. I'm gonna go to the bank and open an account for while I'm here. Plus I have to take care of more estate stuff. I hope to go to the movies tomorrow though. I'll probably see the Davinci Code with Kathleen. She just got back from being a Marine warrior for a week. She's now an expert marksman. I could have used someone like here almost a month ago. Well, it's good to have friends like that I guess.
Goodnight everyone...
Monday, June 05, 2006
Article with the Chronicle Telegram
Article from the Sunday Chronicle Telegram
I did an interview with a local paper from my hometown. This is the article that made the front page of the Chronicle Telegram...
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Story from the Monday, June 05, 2006 Edition of the Chronicle Telegram
Shooting survivor is luckiest man in the world
Former Amherst man speaks out about W.Va. killings
Adam Wright
The Chronicle-Telegram
After the man who allegedly killed his parents minutes earlier fired a hunting rifle into Robert Slatt's temple at point-blank range, the 31-year-old Amherst Steele High School graduate couldn't believe he was still alive.
The shooter must not have believed it either. He stood over top his victim in the hallway for only a few seconds before walking back down the hallway and down the stairs.
Slatt said he waited until he heard the front door shut and stood up, bleeding from the wounds in his head and shoulders. He called 911 and paced the hallway until police and an ambulance came because, he said, he thought that if he shut his eyes, he would never wake up.
Imagine someone driving a bunch of nails in a piece of wood, then hitting you with it. That's how it felt, Slatt said in an interview a month after the nightmarish day that took his parents lives and the sight in his right eye.
The shootings occurred at the West Virginia home he shared with his parents. The man who lives right next door, Dale Eagle, 62, is in jail, charged with killing Robert Slatt Sr., 56, and Tanna Slatt, 52, and trying to kill Robert Slatt Jr.
Slatt said the May 16 incident was the culmination of two years worth of disputes between his parents and the neighbor. It began, he said, with an argument between his father and the neighbor over blackberry bushes in which the neighbor pulled a gun.
His family moved to the West Virginia farm about four years ago after his father retired from Ford Motor Co. in Lorain. They used the property, which they inherited from an aunt, to raise alpacas animals whose fur can be sold like sheep's wool.
Slatt Jr. is now staying with family on the East Coast and does not want his exact location revealed for fear of reprisals from Eagles family.
I couldn't run
He said that early on the day of the shootings, his parents left in their Ford Explorer to go grocery shopping.
But, he said, about a minute after they left, he heard a gunshot.
Slatt said he ran outside and watched his parents vehicle speed down the 100-yard driveway in reverse and land in a ditch. When he got to the vehicle, he found the only one inside was his father, who yelled at him to call 911.
As he ran back toward the house, Slatt said he saw his mother lying on the side of the driveway. He called the police and, as he opened the front door to go back outside to check on his parents, he said he saw Eagle, wearing a hunting outfit, walking toward him with a rifle in his hand.
Slatt said he ran into the kitchen, grabbed a knife to protect himself and ran upstairs and into his parents bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He said he was overcome with fear, trying to think of what to do next.
He said he desperately searched for a place to hide in there. Realizing there was none, he decided he should run to his own room where there were bookshelves he could use to block the door.
I knew I needed to get him into a confined space, he said. I couldn't run because he was such a good shot, but he was 62 years old. I'm sure I could've taken him.
But, Slatt said, as he opened the door of his parents room, he caught a glimpse of a rifle and then heard a gunshot and felt a burning sensation of tear through his right shoulder.
He fell to the ground and tried to drag himself to safety but he said Eagle was standing over him, pointing the shotgun at his body. He said he fired again, hitting his other shoulder.
After a final shot to the head, Slatt said he lied still, hoping Eagle would think he was dead and leave.
Walking miracle
Slatt spent only a few days at the hospital, where, he said, doctors called him a walking miracle having escaped with no vital organs being hit. Some blood that pooled in his right eye has obstructed his vision but, he said, doctors are hopeful he will be able to see out of it again.
Before the shootings, he was a student at a college near his home majoring in political science. Now he doesn't know when hell go back.
Its frustrating. All those plans are up in the air right now, he said.
He often considers moving back to the farm, but is afraid that members of Eagles family, who all live just a few blocks away, will come after him.
Despite the incident, Slatt said he never regrets moving to the farm because he and his parents grew closer as they cared for the animals.
He says the shootings still haunt him, but parents taught him to always keep going, to move forward in life.
And, he said he believes there is something waiting for him, since he survived when he could have easily met with the same fate as his parents.
Every day I look in the mirror and think that I'm the luckiest man in the world, he said.
I did an interview with a local paper from my hometown. This is the article that made the front page of the Chronicle Telegram...
Previous Page | Home | Obituaries | Contact Us
Story from the Monday, June 05, 2006 Edition of the Chronicle Telegram
Shooting survivor is luckiest man in the world
Former Amherst man speaks out about W.Va. killings
Adam Wright
The Chronicle-Telegram
After the man who allegedly killed his parents minutes earlier fired a hunting rifle into Robert Slatt's temple at point-blank range, the 31-year-old Amherst Steele High School graduate couldn't believe he was still alive.
The shooter must not have believed it either. He stood over top his victim in the hallway for only a few seconds before walking back down the hallway and down the stairs.
Slatt said he waited until he heard the front door shut and stood up, bleeding from the wounds in his head and shoulders. He called 911 and paced the hallway until police and an ambulance came because, he said, he thought that if he shut his eyes, he would never wake up.
Imagine someone driving a bunch of nails in a piece of wood, then hitting you with it. That's how it felt, Slatt said in an interview a month after the nightmarish day that took his parents lives and the sight in his right eye.
The shootings occurred at the West Virginia home he shared with his parents. The man who lives right next door, Dale Eagle, 62, is in jail, charged with killing Robert Slatt Sr., 56, and Tanna Slatt, 52, and trying to kill Robert Slatt Jr.
Slatt said the May 16 incident was the culmination of two years worth of disputes between his parents and the neighbor. It began, he said, with an argument between his father and the neighbor over blackberry bushes in which the neighbor pulled a gun.
His family moved to the West Virginia farm about four years ago after his father retired from Ford Motor Co. in Lorain. They used the property, which they inherited from an aunt, to raise alpacas animals whose fur can be sold like sheep's wool.
Slatt Jr. is now staying with family on the East Coast and does not want his exact location revealed for fear of reprisals from Eagles family.
I couldn't run
He said that early on the day of the shootings, his parents left in their Ford Explorer to go grocery shopping.
But, he said, about a minute after they left, he heard a gunshot.
Slatt said he ran outside and watched his parents vehicle speed down the 100-yard driveway in reverse and land in a ditch. When he got to the vehicle, he found the only one inside was his father, who yelled at him to call 911.
As he ran back toward the house, Slatt said he saw his mother lying on the side of the driveway. He called the police and, as he opened the front door to go back outside to check on his parents, he said he saw Eagle, wearing a hunting outfit, walking toward him with a rifle in his hand.
Slatt said he ran into the kitchen, grabbed a knife to protect himself and ran upstairs and into his parents bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He said he was overcome with fear, trying to think of what to do next.
He said he desperately searched for a place to hide in there. Realizing there was none, he decided he should run to his own room where there were bookshelves he could use to block the door.
I knew I needed to get him into a confined space, he said. I couldn't run because he was such a good shot, but he was 62 years old. I'm sure I could've taken him.
But, Slatt said, as he opened the door of his parents room, he caught a glimpse of a rifle and then heard a gunshot and felt a burning sensation of tear through his right shoulder.
He fell to the ground and tried to drag himself to safety but he said Eagle was standing over him, pointing the shotgun at his body. He said he fired again, hitting his other shoulder.
After a final shot to the head, Slatt said he lied still, hoping Eagle would think he was dead and leave.
Walking miracle
Slatt spent only a few days at the hospital, where, he said, doctors called him a walking miracle having escaped with no vital organs being hit. Some blood that pooled in his right eye has obstructed his vision but, he said, doctors are hopeful he will be able to see out of it again.
Before the shootings, he was a student at a college near his home majoring in political science. Now he doesn't know when hell go back.
Its frustrating. All those plans are up in the air right now, he said.
He often considers moving back to the farm, but is afraid that members of Eagles family, who all live just a few blocks away, will come after him.
Despite the incident, Slatt said he never regrets moving to the farm because he and his parents grew closer as they cared for the animals.
He says the shootings still haunt him, but parents taught him to always keep going, to move forward in life.
And, he said he believes there is something waiting for him, since he survived when he could have easily met with the same fate as his parents.
Every day I look in the mirror and think that I'm the luckiest man in the world, he said.
6-05-06
Explain your negative!!!!!
That is a quote from the Dalek from last night's Dr. Who. The Daleks are a race of aliens that want to wipe out humanity from the universe. They're so methodical that they get wigged out when the good Doctor doesn't do what they calculate. Well, last night the Daleks captured Rose (the Dr.'s traveling companion) and told him to surrender or she dies. The Doctor said "No'. That wasn't the answer they were looking for and it wigged them out. So they asked him to explain his negative....
Second day on the floor at the Crack Shack wasn't bad. I got a full section and did pretty good. I'm starting to zip around with one eye. It's still a handicap though. I'm not as annoyed by people at this Barrel as I was in West Virginia. Maybe I haven't worked long enough. I'll give it some time...
I have good news. I took out six pieces of metal from my back this morning. I just squeezed them like a zit and they popped out!!! Pretty gross but I call it progress.
I got my digital camera working today. I found some pictures my dad and I took of our property and some of the signs Dale Eagle put on the right of way. One of the pics says "Enter at yourowen risk". I think he meant own but he's such a ignorant turd that he didn't even check his spelling. It's really bad when the person who killed your parents spells like one of the cows on a Chick Fillet commercial.
I continue to work on my book. So far I've typed out what happened and our last week together. I wanted to get that down while it was all fresh in my mind. I plan on writing this week about our time in the small 5th wheel trailer. We would run out of propane at 4am in the winter and nearly freeze to death. Yeah. Good family times. We were so overjoyed when we had a real working bathroom!!! It is going well and it's quite therapeutic to write the book. There's so much I remember. I hope it doesn't become a massive novel. I'm sure it will turn out fine though. I just wish it had another ending...
That is a quote from the Dalek from last night's Dr. Who. The Daleks are a race of aliens that want to wipe out humanity from the universe. They're so methodical that they get wigged out when the good Doctor doesn't do what they calculate. Well, last night the Daleks captured Rose (the Dr.'s traveling companion) and told him to surrender or she dies. The Doctor said "No'. That wasn't the answer they were looking for and it wigged them out. So they asked him to explain his negative....
Second day on the floor at the Crack Shack wasn't bad. I got a full section and did pretty good. I'm starting to zip around with one eye. It's still a handicap though. I'm not as annoyed by people at this Barrel as I was in West Virginia. Maybe I haven't worked long enough. I'll give it some time...
I have good news. I took out six pieces of metal from my back this morning. I just squeezed them like a zit and they popped out!!! Pretty gross but I call it progress.
I got my digital camera working today. I found some pictures my dad and I took of our property and some of the signs Dale Eagle put on the right of way. One of the pics says "Enter at yourowen risk". I think he meant own but he's such a ignorant turd that he didn't even check his spelling. It's really bad when the person who killed your parents spells like one of the cows on a Chick Fillet commercial.
I continue to work on my book. So far I've typed out what happened and our last week together. I wanted to get that down while it was all fresh in my mind. I plan on writing this week about our time in the small 5th wheel trailer. We would run out of propane at 4am in the winter and nearly freeze to death. Yeah. Good family times. We were so overjoyed when we had a real working bathroom!!! It is going well and it's quite therapeutic to write the book. There's so much I remember. I hope it doesn't become a massive novel. I'm sure it will turn out fine though. I just wish it had another ending...
Saturday, June 03, 2006
6-03-06
I'm putting two days into one....
Yesterday I went to a cookout. My friends Courtland and Ginger's parents invited me over to their oldest daughter's house for grilled chicken. Jim and Tish have three kids named Ian, Aiden and Mia. They're adorable. Ian is the oldest and he's into Legos and Star Wars big time. That was cool because I told him that when I was in the hospital I looked like Anakin Skywalker when he was injured and became Darth Vader. He thought that was cool. The rest of our conversations were about our favorite Star Wars games, X-wing fighters and Imperial Star Destroyers. Aiden is the youngest. He just kept giving me hugs. He'd walk right up to me and wrap his arms around my legs. Then he's ask me if I was hurt on my head an back. I would tell him yes and he's hug me again. Mia modeled her new bathing suits for us. She has the whole runway walk down too. I provide some improvised runway music. She's quite the ham. I had a great time over at Tish's house. It was fun to hang out and just enjoy life for a spell. We did talk about what happened but not much. We just talked about how much we missed Courtland (China) and Ginger (Missionary School in Pennsylvania). I was over their house until late and that's why I didn't blog.
I have good news! They're going to do surgery on my eye!!! Some people may think that's not good news but for me it is. I can't stand not seeing out of my eye. I don't like wearing an eye patch that makes me look like Jack Sparrow! I could be Nick Fury - Agent of Shield. But I digress. The doctor said that the blood in my eye is taking too long to drain. He said that if they wait then scar tissue may grow and cause permanent damage to my eye. So he wants to do surgery now, find out if there is any damage and fix it. I totally concur with his assessment. The sooner I can see the better.
Now to today. Check this out! I waited tables. Go figure. I called the Barrel to find out what time I came in. Tim (Manager) said from 6 to 10. But then he said I was waiting tables. He was surprised and asked if I thought I was up for it. I said yes. So I waited tables tonight and did very well. Just don't ask me to pour tea into a glass. My depth perception is still a bit off. I didn't make any money though. I keep forgetting to talk with a twang. That way they won't screw over the Yankee waiter.
I didn't wear my eye patch today. My eye looks like I have a severe case of pink eye. Except for the swelling on the right side of my face, I pretty much look normal. I am amazed at how much the Lord has protected me and allowed me to heal.
I know in an earlier blog I was feeling down about missing my parents. I am feeling better but the emptiness is still there. I don't think a person will ever be rid of the emptiness of losing a parent or parents. All I can say is that I am doing better and I know I will have my days. I will continue to lean on Jesus and seek His guidance through this. It will be difficult because I do believe that when God wanted me to know something he used my dad.
I have two people that I would like to personally give a shout out to in my blog. The first is Erin McNaughton. Erin has a heart of gold and has always been someone who let's the love of God shine through her. Thanks to MySpace we have been able to keep in tough and her words of encouragement have been a true blessing. Thanks Erin. You have no idea how much you have helped. The second person is Tina McHenry. Tina is a true prayer warrior and her zeal for Christ is contagious. Tina always knows the right scripture to share. Even in her own trials and suffering she shares what the Lord has shown her though it all. Thank you Tina, you're wisdom has been a comfort.
Well. I am checking out a church tomorrow morning. It's called Hope Point. I'll let yall know how it goes.
Until next time....
Yesterday I went to a cookout. My friends Courtland and Ginger's parents invited me over to their oldest daughter's house for grilled chicken. Jim and Tish have three kids named Ian, Aiden and Mia. They're adorable. Ian is the oldest and he's into Legos and Star Wars big time. That was cool because I told him that when I was in the hospital I looked like Anakin Skywalker when he was injured and became Darth Vader. He thought that was cool. The rest of our conversations were about our favorite Star Wars games, X-wing fighters and Imperial Star Destroyers. Aiden is the youngest. He just kept giving me hugs. He'd walk right up to me and wrap his arms around my legs. Then he's ask me if I was hurt on my head an back. I would tell him yes and he's hug me again. Mia modeled her new bathing suits for us. She has the whole runway walk down too. I provide some improvised runway music. She's quite the ham. I had a great time over at Tish's house. It was fun to hang out and just enjoy life for a spell. We did talk about what happened but not much. We just talked about how much we missed Courtland (China) and Ginger (Missionary School in Pennsylvania). I was over their house until late and that's why I didn't blog.
I have good news! They're going to do surgery on my eye!!! Some people may think that's not good news but for me it is. I can't stand not seeing out of my eye. I don't like wearing an eye patch that makes me look like Jack Sparrow! I could be Nick Fury - Agent of Shield. But I digress. The doctor said that the blood in my eye is taking too long to drain. He said that if they wait then scar tissue may grow and cause permanent damage to my eye. So he wants to do surgery now, find out if there is any damage and fix it. I totally concur with his assessment. The sooner I can see the better.
Now to today. Check this out! I waited tables. Go figure. I called the Barrel to find out what time I came in. Tim (Manager) said from 6 to 10. But then he said I was waiting tables. He was surprised and asked if I thought I was up for it. I said yes. So I waited tables tonight and did very well. Just don't ask me to pour tea into a glass. My depth perception is still a bit off. I didn't make any money though. I keep forgetting to talk with a twang. That way they won't screw over the Yankee waiter.
I didn't wear my eye patch today. My eye looks like I have a severe case of pink eye. Except for the swelling on the right side of my face, I pretty much look normal. I am amazed at how much the Lord has protected me and allowed me to heal.
I know in an earlier blog I was feeling down about missing my parents. I am feeling better but the emptiness is still there. I don't think a person will ever be rid of the emptiness of losing a parent or parents. All I can say is that I am doing better and I know I will have my days. I will continue to lean on Jesus and seek His guidance through this. It will be difficult because I do believe that when God wanted me to know something he used my dad.
I have two people that I would like to personally give a shout out to in my blog. The first is Erin McNaughton. Erin has a heart of gold and has always been someone who let's the love of God shine through her. Thanks to MySpace we have been able to keep in tough and her words of encouragement have been a true blessing. Thanks Erin. You have no idea how much you have helped. The second person is Tina McHenry. Tina is a true prayer warrior and her zeal for Christ is contagious. Tina always knows the right scripture to share. Even in her own trials and suffering she shares what the Lord has shown her though it all. Thank you Tina, you're wisdom has been a comfort.
Well. I am checking out a church tomorrow morning. It's called Hope Point. I'll let yall know how it goes.
Until next time....
Thursday, June 01, 2006
6-1-06
6-1-06
Eye Update!!!
Still the same. I haven't lost enough blood in my eye for them to make a valid assessment of my eye yet. So my doctor prescribed a steroid that will up the time it takes for the blood to leave my eye. Hopefully that will start clearing up my vision. My doc said that it's good that I can see shades of light through the blood in my eye. It's so good that I should have full recovery. Yay!!!
I hung out with my friend Courtland's parents today. We're gonna have a cook out tomorrow. I'm bringing potato salad.
I have to get up early tomorrow. I have a lot of family things to take care of. Most of it are things I don't really want to do but I have to. I hope and pray that no one who reads this will ever have to go through what I'm going through right now.
I talked to my grandparents tonight. They're doing better. But after talking to them I got to missing my parents a whole lot. So I'm a bit in the dumps right now. I miss them a lot. I miss talking to them. I miss sharing my day with them. We had so many plans and so many things to do this summer.
Enough brooding....I'm going to bed.
Eye Update!!!
Still the same. I haven't lost enough blood in my eye for them to make a valid assessment of my eye yet. So my doctor prescribed a steroid that will up the time it takes for the blood to leave my eye. Hopefully that will start clearing up my vision. My doc said that it's good that I can see shades of light through the blood in my eye. It's so good that I should have full recovery. Yay!!!
I hung out with my friend Courtland's parents today. We're gonna have a cook out tomorrow. I'm bringing potato salad.
I have to get up early tomorrow. I have a lot of family things to take care of. Most of it are things I don't really want to do but I have to. I hope and pray that no one who reads this will ever have to go through what I'm going through right now.
I talked to my grandparents tonight. They're doing better. But after talking to them I got to missing my parents a whole lot. So I'm a bit in the dumps right now. I miss them a lot. I miss talking to them. I miss sharing my day with them. We had so many plans and so many things to do this summer.
Enough brooding....I'm going to bed.
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