Val Strate

Here's my top five: 1) Kill Bill 1 & 2 2) Smokey and the Bandit 3) Star Wars 4-6 4) The Last Samurai 5) What Dreams May Come - I loved Robbin Williams in that movie. It was so sad but so moving. (Yes, I love sword play in my movies if you can't tell.)

Most embarrassing moment... Well, I've had quite a few in my short life time but here's one I think is embarrassing and I don't mind sharing. Looking back on it, I can laugh every time... I was 17. Now I've told everyone before that I had cows when I was growing up. Well, I'm sure people are familiar with county fairs and how they have county fair royalty each year. My county fair is no different. Well, as I was saying the summer of my 17th year, I threw my hat into the ring to run for the 'County Beef Princess'. It's a two year term. Once a girl is selected as Beef Princess she becomes Beef Queen the following year. In order to run for the position, candidates must live in the county, have shown some kind of cattle project at the fair before, and submit a page long essay on Beef. The essay I thought was rather good. I'll have to dig it up someday and post it. Anyhow, I had all the criteria to run that year and decided why not give it a shot. All the entries are taken at the beginning of the summer then at the county fair which is toward the end of the summer in my county, the Beef Princess is selected. After putting my application in at June, my little brain kind of pushed that aside. I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I figured I'd run but I'd never get it because my parents don't hold enough clout in the county 'beef community', or I wasn't talented enough, or I just wasn't pretty enough to get such an honor. I mean, it's every country girl's dream to someday be considered county fair royalty, isn't it? You wear fancy clothes and get a rhinestone tiara and do that fun little princess wave with your hand. You get a sash that says 'Princess' and get flowers. You ride around the fair grounds on a horse drawn wagon with other princesses and look pretty. What little girl doesn't dream of that? Granted it's not that big of a deal anymore but when you're a kid it's huge. So, anyhow, on to the embarrassing part, it's county fair time right, and for anyone who has never shown animals at a county fair at the beginning of the fair you have to set up and clean and care for those animals all week. Now when you get done with this job, granted your animal looks great but you look like a wreck. It's like the mess from the animal transferred from them to you. Now you are all stinky dirty and the animal looks all fluffy and sparkly and clean. So guess what, I was caring for my animal and in work clothes when the county fair queen contest was beginning. At the contest they not only announce the over all fair queen but they announce the other queens as well, like the horse queen and the lamb and wool princess, and the pork princess, ect. ect. So the goof that I am I duck my head in a second to see what's going on and the master of ceremonies starts to say he's going to announce this year's beef princess. Something in my head started to click but it didn't register. The next thing I know, he calls my name out and I freeze. I'm in my work clothes and I just realize I've been chosen to be fair royalty. I'm like, no... This can't be happening. Finally one of my friends prods me into the show barn where all the festivities are taking place and I accept my crown and sash humbly in a pair of holey jeans and a messy t-shirt. While I look to all the other girls who are dressed in formal gowns I'm in jeans and a t-shirt. I could have died right there on the contest floor. I later ran into my parents and cried back at my tack box for the next half hour. Being the teenager I was, of course it was the end of the world. I was going to just die. Now that I think about it every time, I laugh and think to myself how funny it really was and the saying goes what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Allot of my friends laugh too when they remember the incident. Infact, the moment was so funny that it inspired the President of the county Beef association to surprise his own daughter the same way when it was her turn to be beef princess.

He also was one of the celebrities caught in Rosco's speed trap.

Luke is right. Brian you didn't catch that one but I think there is another one you didn't catch as well that same day. "Topic: The odd, the strange, the weird, and the goofs! Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:29 pm" She posted the topic. You replied. Then she posted again and it was never answered. I don't know if the other judges agree on that but according to the results here it looks like not one but two are missing. Which to tell you the truth when I was tallying, from my view point you were always about two posts behind her. Sorry to disappoint you but it's the truth. Val

We lost another great figure in Hollywood and country music, Buck Owen passed away at age 76. He was on Hee Haw with Roy Clark. He wrote many famous tunes such as 'Act Naturally'. Many pop singers also sang his music. Buck you will be missed.

Well, to understand why many o'nights there was beef heart, tongue, or liver on the menu in my house growing up, you'd have to learn about the enviroment I grew up in. My parents raise beef cattle. So needless to say the freeze at home was always stocked with beef. So Alex, when you say what happened to the rest of the cow, go check the freezer. Of course one wall at home is covered with a real steer hide. Actually I think we have about four tanned hides at home and they are very pretty. Anyhow, being as it may that I grew up in a cattle raising home, I have a few more food hang ups... Tripe, Sweet Breads, whatever name you want to call it, - Cow Brains- Who wants to eat brains? Not me... I'm not a zombie. Plus after having a roommate who has taken parasitology, you learn some things you don't want to about things. This next one, many might not agree with me but it's kind of a cow thing too... It is a cardinal sin to put A1 steak sauce on filet migon! Put it on T-bones, porterhouse, prime rib... eh, that is ifie, but don't you dare put it on filet migon! That kind of steak is the juiciest, most flavorful, tender, cut of meat on a cow there is! Perfect filet migon melts in your mouth and is better than a lover's kiss. It's also the most expensive cut of meat on a cow. If I go to steakhouses on a date, often times my choice is filet migon. When the waitress asks if I need A1 I scoff. A1 hides flavor. You put A1 on shoe leather (grocery store steaks or tough meat) or burgers. You don't put A1 on mouth watering steaks. Don't get me wrong, I've had A1. It's a good sauce but to eat a steak and truly enjoy the experience you leave the sauce alone. Being that said, you guessed it, it's a sin to eat filet migon well done. Trust me on this, you are not going to get sick by eating steak that has been properly prepared that is cooked meduim rare. Hamburger, yes, you'll get sick. Steak, no. I've taken enough biology to understand why you don't get sick. Yes, I'm one of those people who likes their steak still mooing on the plate, especially filet migon. And White Castle hamburgers... I want a burger not a dinner roll with a shoe instert stuck in there. Call me grizzly... Val

I watched the TV Land award show and seeing John and Tom on stage together was heart warming. However the host's comment about Jessica Simpson was a little below the belt in my mind. The General Lee was famous way before little Miss Simpson was even old enough to wear a swimsuit, let alone breath. Jessica Simpson did not make the General a star. The General Lee made her a star. I think everyone on this forum board can agree that the General Lee is thee most notorious muscle car on television. BTW, does anyone know if 'The General' or any of the Dukes cast have stars on the Hollywood walk of fame?

I always did like Mclintock. Plus another favorite of mine is Quigley Down Under, Tom Selleck was the hero in this one. And another one I saw just recently on video which was on TV apparently at one time but now on video, is 'Johnson County War'. I think 'Johnson County War' is my favorite though. Burt Reynolds plays a character in there named 'Hunt Lawton' and I tell you he's an ornery cuss in that movie.

"I Feel Home" by O.A.R. There are few things pure in this world anymore, and home is one of the few. We'd have a drink outside, maybe run and hide if we saw a couple men in blue. To me it's so damn easy to see that true people are the people at home. Well, I've been away but now I'm back today, and there aint a place I'd rather go. I feel home, when I see the faces that remember my own. I feel home, when I'm chillin outside with the people I know. I feel home, and that's just what I feel. Home is reality, and all I need is something real. Feelin alright, headin out tonight, maybe out to a dark driveway. I say now some feel bored, and some are lookin for more. Well, we all just decide to stay. We got nothin to do, and I look at you I see something that I know and love. and with the crack of a smile we all stay a while we know from home there aint nothing above. Well in the end we can all call a friend well that's something I know as true. And then a thousand years and a thousand tears I confide in my original crew cuz to me throughout eternity there's somewhere where you're welcome to go I said it's something free that means a lot to me when I'm with my friends I feel home. I feel home, when I see the faces I remember my own I feel home, when I'm chillin outside with the people I know. I feel home, and that's just what I feel. Home is reality, and all I need something real Home is reality, and all I need something real I feel home. (I like this song because when I listen to it I remember Hazzard and the home town I grew up in. Sappy I know, but sometimes we all get that way. Guess, home isn't really an actual place, it's what you feel in your heart. The people you love and love you are your home.) Val

You think it's hard to keep up with! Try and score this thing. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

One of my favorite movies, Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 Kill Bill 2 *Bill visits his brother Budd to talk about 'The Bride' coming to kill both of them.* Budd - I don't dodge guilt, and I don't jew out of paying my come uppings. Bill - Can't we just forget the past? Budd - That woman deserve's her revenge... and we deserve to die. *The bride faces off with her rival Elle Driver a fellow assassin* Elle Driver - That's right, I killed your master, and now I'm gonna kill you too. With your own sword no less, which in the very immediate future will become my sword. 'The Bride' - @*&!#, you don't have a future. *The bride and Bill are talking during their final showdown.* The Bride - You and I have unfinished business. Bill - Baby you ain't kiddin'.

Ok... from last night romp around the board, here are the stats I have so far: Note these can change, depending on if I get more statics. MaryAnne scored a total of 69 points, (Due to the fact that I only have my results. So it could change once I get more judges results.) Brian scored a 38 in points value. (Only because the same as applies above.) Those are my results. If they are wrong or should be changed please let me know so corrections can be made. Looks like Mr. Coltrane has some catching up to do.

Tag... you're it! That's a good point. I don't think RR areas should count. As far as points go. If you're a judge you read something that MaryAnne or Brian wrote, put down a number 1 -10. That's the points. Add up all those numbers and when we're done with a round then post them in the point thread. I'll volunteer to add up the totals.

I think any post is fair game for rating. As far as awarding the points, it's up to the judge on how much it appealed to the judge. Points will be posted in the Post Hogg Point Result thread. PMing in this case should be a good idea. Note, Alex is keeping tabs on the number of posts.

Judges... We'll put the points here. When you've read the post put the number of points here at the end of the day that the posts are due. I'm going to PM an example of the score sheet that Doc came up with.

Well, there is a point a person can go over board. But my thoughts were simple, there are six judges right now. Nice even number. Two judges watching Brian - Pendragon and LS3. Two judges watching MaryAnne - myself and smarteepants Then two netural judges - LKDuke and Alex All judges can award each post anywhere from 1 to 10 points. So the highest value of each post for MaryAnne or Brian is 60 points. Judges you can decide how much a post is worth according to content, lyrical skill, smartmouth value, and gramar. Judges don't have to give explainations as to why they gave how many points they gave unless there is a huge dispute, which really I don't think there will be. Then you take those point totals add them up and you have the amount of points MaryAnne or Brian got for that round. Ex: Brian makes a post. The judges read it then post their point totals to a seperate thread. LS3 gives Brian a 6. Pendragon gives him a 9. Smartie gives him a 8. I thought it was a bad post and gives him a 4. (just joking) Then Luke an 8 and Alex an 8. Then you add those points up and you get Brian's score for that post. Which would be a 43 for that post. As far as who is watching who, that's for if we see any cheating going on. So LS3 is watching Brian to make sure that he doesn't delete a post MaryAnne might have put up then deleted. Same goes for Doc and me ect... How does that sound? I don't want to make this more complexed than what it is.

You know... I can see both sides of the issue here. Which this subject opens a huge ethical can o'worms here... Just how much should the press really know when it comes to celebrities? Another question that could be asked is because celebrities are in the public eye all the time should they be held to a higher standard? I do kind of agree that it's Tom's business and nobody else's. However, he's in the public eye all the time. He probably can't go to the bathroom without being spied on by somebody, (I'm exaggerating here but you get the point). If he knows that he's being watched all the time you think he'd be a little more careful? However Capt is right. Tom's human. No matter how much we'd like to think he's not, he is. I don't care for the idea of drinking and driving. It is wrong, but if he wasn't Tom Wopat the actor who played Luke Duke, everyone would dismiss this issue. Kind of sad how we over look things in society unless a celebrity is doing it. Isn't it? Which raises the two issues I brought up earlier.... Gives one much to ponder about.

Theraflu is nasty tasting stuff, but the germs must think so too. Cause I tell you what that stuff works wonders if you can swallow it.

Question for judges... Doc and I devised a system last night for how to judge this thing. I can give anyone who's judging a copy of the format if they would like it. However reviewing the format, I was wondering if us judges want to raise the stakes a little higher for MaryAnne and Brian? By giving points to each message posted. Example would be for each message posted is worth 10 points, based on gramar and language arts skill? A post could be one sentence like Brian said, but have it be an interesting and poignant statement takes skill. Us judges could give them a 1 to 10 based on the post and total the points up for each round? We could total the points each round and post them in a seperate thread here in General Discussion? What's the opinion here among the refs? Bad idea? Good idea? It'd let the general assembly get a little more excited and understand what's going on. What do ya'll think?

Ok... my food hang ups are as follows... 1) Liver 2) Pickled beef tongue - my folks love it, I hate it. It's tender but it has a funny texture I don't like. I think it's like eating a soft eraser, for anyone who doesn't know. 3) Heart 4) Bananna flavored stuff - Real banannas are good. Bananna flavored candy like laffy taffy *blech!* 5) Sushi and sushi rolls - they got raw fish and cold rice in there wrapped in seaweed. How can anyone eat that? 6) Blue cheese - blue cheese dressing I can sometimes tolerate. 7) Hotdogs in the microwave - They are horrorible. For some reason they don't taste as good as when they are boiled or cooked on hotdog rollers. But I'm really picky when it comes to hotdogs. My mom said it has something to do with when I was a kid. I had an awful experience eating hotdogs that came out of the microwave once. 8) Squid - It is an eraser. You cut into it with your fork and flies back at you. Oh Dude... this is my 100th post. Sweet! I'm finally a Hazzardite for Life, after I've ran around here how many years? *chuckles* Man, I've been behind.

*Ponders this for a moment.* Tell you what, you do good work on refing with me and you and I can discuss further employment with The Hazzard County Department of Wildlife over a rootbeer at the Nest. Deal?

Not a problem Brandy, I don't mind the backup at all. Just stay on the ball with things and most important have fun... You said you were new right? Well, you've made a wise decision friend because when MaryAnne and Brian go at it... It's better than a Friday night at Boar's Nest with free refills. Val

None taken... All's fair in love and war. Val

You would say something like that Doc. I know why yer spyin' on Brian. You just wanna see him... *puts hand over mouth to stop rant and blushes.* I'll watch MaryAnne. It'll be an honor to watch over such a skilled draw as the Deputy. Besides she doesn't need to play dirty because she's the fastest draw in Hazzard County. Guess that makes my job rather easy. *grins wide* Besides, since we're in the same time zone Doc, it's probably best that we are on separate teams for better time coverage.

*shrieks and grabs pigtails* Bribin' judges! Crickets and Crocs Doc... How could ya suggest something as despicable as that! This is Hazzard County home of good, law abiding citizens... Oh wait... that's Walton Mountain... Never mind....