We Will Miss You Willie

Willie the Weimaraner 

We just got news that Shala’s Brother & his wife’s dog, Willie – had to be put down this morning.  Truly a sad day, as many of you here w/ pets I’m sure can relate to.  Willie was a Weimaraner.  He was a special dog, I loved getting the chance to play with him when we went to visit.  He weighed over 100 lbs, and so for most folks he was intimidating… but I love dogs so much that I would always end up wrestling with him in the floor - until he slapped me and made me remember that he was not your average dog.  Or when he would open his mouth and put my whole entire forearm in it… it didn’t take long before I would say… “Willie, get in your place.” 

And he would.  Sucking the corner of his bed the whole time.

As much power he possessed, he still was such a playful dog, seemed as if he was still a puppy, even though he had actually been in the family longer than I had (he was 8 1/2).  I remember that Shala took Mikey (our wiener dog) with her to visit one time and Mikey was a pup.  Even though Willie could have gobbled him up – it seems as if they were friends and maybe even Willie was a lil scared of him.  Or at least that is the impression Shala gave me when they got back.

Willie was a great dog.  He had little things about him that you could go on and on about.  His bird-dog expectations… or maybe his “scared of the dark”-ness.  I’m sure the list is longer that I could even begin to tell you.

We love you & miss you already Willie – you had such a big heart and such a playful spirit.  Thanks for being one of those lifetime dogs.  For those with pets, be sure to rub your lil or big guy on its head tonight.  Our thoughts & prayers go out to Russell & Sheila in this time of grief.

Thank You – Well… Most Of You

We get email/comments from our readers… all the time.  Sometimes it is just people being a smart a$$es about something… because that is what the internet was invented for. 

Have you noticed it lately though? 

Especially if you read sites like Reddit, Digg – Mixx… places where tons of nerds (like myself) are found on a daily basis.  Youtube is another fine example – check the comments any given day, on any given post and you will find people being total a-holes about everything.  Most are meant to be funny, but a lot are just there to give everyone a hard time.  Our emails & comments on this site are no different than those sites we mentioned.  Obviously on a much smaller scale.

What is sad is you can’t get a free pass from that stuff.  It is just like spammers.  If you choose to have a website that is public domain – get ready for spammers.  You can bet about twice a week (AT THE VERY LEAST), you are going to have to go through and spam & moderate your comments, emails in general.  You just have to be ready for it.

Some days you see pictures of things you never wanted to see (you know the ones). 

Or you wonder what this commenter is talking about…

“Wing.  Partial eloquent benovolent molecular treason feable lecture orange. Pollution fanfair V!4Gra prescription.”

It’s true.  You laugh because you know it is spot on.  I will get 17 spammers the minute I hit publish, because I say prescription twice. 

I say that to say this… the internet is in a bad state.  And sometimes you look at it and go… why do I do this to myself?  Why do I feel the need to be THIS connected?  Do I really need to tweet, facebook, mixx, digg & reddit all at once?

Then you get an email like this…

Hey guys,

This is just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your website.  I was searching for something I needed on google and your site came up somewhere in the top 10 of the search results.   The cool name got my attention, but DANGIT I got stuck for a long time on all the various cool content.  Sigh.  U guys are awesome, and I’ve bookmarked the site for viewing later.

Thx for sharing your thoughts with all of us.

Cliff
San Bernardino, CA 

Now I don’t know Cliff.  Never met him, probably never will to be honest.  But cliff took 5 min. out of his day and let us know that the 5 min. we took out of our day to write on this website/blog was appreciated.  That is why we do it, it isn’t for money or goodies… it all started because of a love of writing & communicating.  We were doing this long before there was anything to monetize about it.  And we are realizing that is what we need to get back to. 

Here is a comment we got the other day…

Nice job James, I appreciate your efforts. Smokin and drinkin beer are my two favorite hobbies, and I’ve never tried a cigarette. I stick to ribs and butts.

I”ve been BBQing for some years now, and I think you’ve captured the spirit of the exercise – it’s an art, not a science, and it takes trial and error to get the right results. I’d add one postulate to your fine write-up: It takes patience. If using a smoker or anything with a lid – Don’t keep opening the lid to admire your work; you’re losing heat. Don’t keep flippin the meat. Sure turn it from time to time, but they aren’t pancakes. I”m from the Philly area, and I think Northerners by nature are more impatient, so if you’re from north of the Mason-Dixon line – just relax. Let the pit/smoker do it’s job.

That one was on the How To Smoke Pork Ribs post. 

The guy’s name, “Smokin’” Marty.  This guy knew damn well that he could probably BBQ me under the table… but then he realized… this guy isn’t tryin’ to have a pissing contest… he wants to show people what works for him… tell a few jokes, give some people (that are searching) something to help them out.  And do it all while slightly drunk.  Well Marty – you hit the nail on the head man.  Thanks for your comments & dont’ listen to what anyone has to say… “Smokin’ and drinking beer” – can be a hobby.  I think it can.  I’d vote for it.  Thanks for the atta-boy & we totally agree – let the pit/smoker do it’s job!

All this is my proof… that the internet doesn’t suck so much after all.  Just when you think the whole thing is a sham… they reel ya back in.  Thanks readers for sticking around, we promise we are getting back to our old style of writing & having a good time while doing it.  Not every post is going to be garden based.  Not every single post will be BBQ based.  But each post will be authentic to the Double Danger style of blogging.

Whatever the heck that means.

5 Reasons You Should Grab A Pole And Go Fishing

Fishing, why are you not doing it?Recently I have rediscovered a love for fishing.  A simple thing if you think about it.  A hobby that when I sat down and thought about it (while fishing actually), holds a lot of great reasons more should give it a try.  If you are not someone that has ever fished, considered fishing or just someone that has allowed their busy life to steal something so relaxing and lock it up in storage…

Here are 5 Reasons You Should Grab A Pole And Go Fishing…

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