My
Riverboat
Gambler
period
For
years, I had a secret desire to be a riverboat gambler. My
interest was due to the television show, "Maverick," a
western, starring James Garner that was filmed in the late
50's, and from "Huck Finn" by Mark Twain. Having dreamed
about it for years, and suspecting that I had unfinished
business from a former life, I signed on as a steward on a
big wheeler called,"The President" and was making my way
down the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans. It was
the Spring of '87. I had made a small fortune during this
period, but it was soon to come to an end. My demise came
after falling prey to a newspaper kid and his two sisters.
They ran the old, "We're homeless. Can you take us in and
feed us?" scam. The next thing I knew, my attention was
diverted by these "poor darling" girls, and the lil' shit
with the cap shot me right in the butt with my own derringer
and stole all my winnings. God I hate that! These helpless
sons o' bitches were entrepreneurs of the highest caliber
and mighty smart in the ways of the world. Makes me wonder
who their daddy was. I
had to "gut" a man once over pulling an Ace of Spades out of
his sleeve during a 7 card stud game. After that, I figured
I'd best be movin' on before I became paddle wheel
lubricant. They hang rock n rollers gone bad, ya know. And
so, my "riverboat gambler" period came to a quick end.
Fortunately, I had other dreams to explore.
Ft. Worth,
Texas Grand Champion Bull Rider
In
late 1987, another little known part of my life took place.
It was my RODEO period. While making my way back towards
California, I briefly indulged myself with a sport I had
long fancied. My sponsor was Henry Weinhardt
(Beer
Brewery in Washington
state).
I was 40 years old, and after only 6 months of working with
local cowboys up around Saragossa, I entered the 1987 Bull
Rider's Association Invitational, in Ft. Worth, Texas. Long
horns, they were, or was it short horns? Much to my
surprise, I won. I'm seen here on my last ride of the
championship competition. Having
reached the pinnacle of my efforts, I decided to retire,
leaving room for younger riders, who had dreams of their
own. I DID encounter resentment from some of the veteran
bull riders, finding notes left for me, saying such things
as; "I've got something you can ride," "Hope you lose, o'
muso," "Chuck you Farley" and more. Nasty things. You know,
... the kind of things that make ya proud .
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