WonderMonkey

Yes, that's it. It has horn handles! Does that justify the price now? HORN HANDLES, Fish!

I purchased the Rec Teq 590. Several where in the running and in the end I asked my wife which looked more cool. I like the Rec Teq of the higher quality construction, but it comes at a higher price. I had considered making my own as @Tim-ANC said, but that would take me a long time to find what I want and then do it. Lazy? Yes, kindof, but when it arrives I'll be done after assembly, assuming it works right away. I have fresh hog in my freezer, it needs smoked! Until it arrives I'll use my smoke tube and dead smoker, or smoke tube and grill if I want heat, so I won't starve. Thanks for the input, everybody.

Which Pit Boss? Those are on my list to look into more.

Stainless steel construction?

Well my Masterbuilt electric smoker died this morning. I bought it when I was coaching, working on my career, etc. and liked that I didn't have to babysit the temperature. Since that time the pellet smokers have evolved and the price point has come down to where I'm going to get one of those. As my over/under, I'm going to use the Req Tec 590. It's about the size I'd need, and has the features I want. When I look at the other brands I'll compare against the Rec Teq. Treager, Pit Boss, Yoder, etc. I'll look at them. If you have a smoker and hate it, or love it, let me know. I'd like some real-world input on quality and features.

I really enjoy my cast iron, dutch ovens specifically.

Agreed. We have a shorter barrel one here. I'll probably get my own but my wife's home defense is the 12 gauge and her single-stack .380.

OUCH! I'd HAVE to fire that once, but it would hurt.

I'll do that.

An 8 ga? I'll bet that thing would tear your shoulder right off!

Nope. It was the little fella on the back of the bigger fella.

How about we have a forum gathering near where the thief lives? Or the next town over, and "things happen"?

The Farmer's walk is named that for a good reason, it replicates real world work, such as you moving that wood. I try to do functional, compound movements, to replicate what is needed in real life and the things that I do. Of course I do some isolated movements to fill in where necessary. Picking up a weight and carrying it is universal. Hauling wood would set you up nicely to perform this movement, because its roots are what you are already doing. As far as lifting with the back, it's easy to do and you have to focus to not do it. My dad (actual dad, Ohio) would give me heck LOUDLY to drive that home. Him being a journeyman welder he was around too many people who would ruin or just injure themselves by not doing it right. Even then, I have to give myself cues when I approach a bar and hope I don't get out of whack. I'm doing my trap bar squats with 315 lbs now, and the farmer's walks with the same. While I'm cutting calories I'm not concerned with improving on those numbers, but trying to stay the same to ensure I'm not losing lean muscle trying to not be such a fatass.

Dear 250lbs, I have found someone else. Though you have been replaced by 249lbs, that is only temporary as well. 249lbs is just being used. A stepping stone. I've got my eye on that cute 239lbs over there by the snack bar. We have been together on and off again for many years. Though we have had fun together, I’m not going to miss you at all. Now don’t try to get me back; it just won’t work. No standing outside the donut shop beckoning me to come in “just to talk.” I know that trick. No disguising the family-sized bag of pizza rolls as a container of carrots; I've fallen for that too many times! 250lbs, it is best for both of us that we part. I’m no good for you, and you certainly are not good for me. I remember when we met, do you recall that moment all those years ago? I steadily saw 248lbs, and then I had that large portion of lasagna and HELLO THERE 250lbs! And though I’ve strayed from you with 260lbs, 270lbs, 280lbs, 290lbs, and even heavier siblings, I always seem to find myself back with you, 250lbs. But no more. Be gone. Off with you. I banish you and all your older siblings. If you try to contact me, I won’t respond. Regards, Mike

Side, but slightly related thing. Ever watched a person on a mechanical bull that's been drinking? It's hard enough sober but they get in there and get on that thing. It's like putting a bag of meat with bones in it up there and then whip it around. Lots of whacks with the electronic bull or awkward landings on the padded surfaces. I never did it because I didn't think it was a good idea for me. Odd with all the dumb (fun) things I've done but never did that dumb thing.

Exactly.

I had never thought of the landing. For me, it would be my head being landed on. Though I know that I've watched it on tv and most do well with jumping off the animal.

I would think that riding a bull, or a bucking bronco, would eventually give one shoulder issues. I had some ropers in the family, but obviously that isn't riding on top of a bucking animal.

For me to run, and probably you back then as well, it would have to be trail running where you are in a more aggressive position and absorbing the shock. Straight up running? Nope. I only ran to support any ball playing or military demands, nothing else.

Yes it could have been anything. Hereditary, bad shoes, who knows? Obviously some people are just more prone to things. You are right, you just can't tell. I've done all kinds of fun things in my life and I'm fortunate to be having just the small issues. And there your friend may not have abused him body in the same manner and his knees are terrible. Very odd.

So .... the knee issue shows itself when on my bike, pedaling (because I don't push it, duh). I looked up a bunch of things that other people who ride a bike experience and was encouraged that I was experiencing exactly what they were, and it's not a surgery thing. I know that my google self-diagnosis doesn't mean much, but I did want to be a bit more informed when I went int. Luckily, the ortho zoned right into the issue quickly, and it's a form of Patellofemoral syndrome, and runners and jumpers also get this sometime. Basically, my kneecap wasn't tracking correctly as I was doing wheelies and stunts, which the ladies would ooh and aw about. There are all kinds of adjustments I could make on the bike, which I'll do some of them them, but resulting from the visit I got: A steroid pack to calm down the issue A lecture to stay off the bike until a certain day, and that day is 3 days past when I feel no pain A Donjoy Reaction Knee brace to keep my kneecap in place while on the bike. I don't wear it otherwise. While I was there I had them fit me for a brace on my right knee, which exhibits the symptoms of a Lateral Collateral issue. It's not an LC, but a brace that helps the LC would help my issue. I got a Drytex something. I wear this one when I'm doing activity which I have to change direction, like boxing activities or running from the Police. The braces are below, the Reaction on top, and the Drytex is on the bottom.

Pending my knee appointment, which is now tomorrow (Tuesday), I'll take two weeks to move into the following schedule to prepare for a June match. Daily: Shadow boxing 4x week: Morning (6:30 am) - Weight training (my own schedule) 3x or 4x week: Conditioning (depends on sparring) 3x week: Skill training 2x or 1x week: Sparring Some of the above workouts will be at the same visit to the gym, and what days things will occur depends on mine and others schedule. Example: Monday 6:30 AM - Squat day: quads, glutes, core (carries) 5:30 PM - Shadowboxing, conditioning, then skill work Tuesday 6:30 AM - Overhead press day, delts and triceps Noon - Shadowboxing then Arm Conditioning - Stamina work for shoulders, triceps, etc. Punching stamina, basically. Yes, legs and the rest of the body are involved but the arms give out first Those are the two types of days I'll do, with some variations. Wednesdays, Friday and Sunday will be no AM lifting. If my knee can get fixed QUICKLY I'll move some of my weight training into later in the day and use my bike and interval training to get my legs in better shape. I'd like to be down to 220 lbs for the fight, but I'd accept 230 lbs as I'll need some energy to get through the new schedule.

Thanks, thanks and yes, I always liked him. He was in the right era, with the other fighters around him all creating great fights.

I go in Monday to schedule my third knee surgery. Sure was fun abusing my body, but the price is being paid now! Should be another cleanout and the goal is to put off knee replacements as long as possible. I put the scheduling off until after this past Friday, which was supposed to be my latest fight. My normal bout was cancelled but I accepted an "exhibition" two weeks prior to the 12th, as a last minute replacement. It was a good time and it was against someone that they would never match me against in a real fight, but I basically went in and let them box their brains out, and I kept them honest with some action. It was tremendous fighting, even in exhibition, in front of a crowd, and I hope I can get my next knee surgery scheduled SOON so I can be ready for a June fight.

Thanks. Most likely I wouldn't put these through the abuse you may. In SE Ohio my work boots don't need to be so warm. I'd use mine primarily for pleasure outings (camping, riding) in Michigan and similar lands. Only by accident, which I tend to have on occasion, would I be in a situation to have physical damage. What I do like about the class of both of those boots you linked is their resistance to oil and acid. For me, that would mean just a bit more toughness and longevity though really I'm just imaging that and hoping it's true. Thanks for the info.