Thomas t Highwayman's "20"
	"Playin on the Freeway" Title: Funny thing happend on the way to the forum this afternoon 10/27/2006 03:52 PM Went out earlier then normal today to do some shoppin and some "playin". Hit the REI for some Thorlos, took my bro to lunch and checked a problem w his car, then headed to the "Dusty" via "once thru the park" and over the bridge to Coronado -- goin to --SB-- I noted 2 vehicles on the NB GP where Washington WB joins 163 NB -- sooo -- comin back NB I'm "set" to react if they're still there -- they ARE -- so I make a lightining quick manuver in behind them w-out upsetting the traffic flow --[ JUST enough room on the shoulder for my rig ] and inquire as to the prob -- FT on the womans vehicle who had called her son to help her -- HE called AAA on discovering WHERE she was w the FT! AAA was due to arrive momentarily so I bade them adu and QUICKLY "exited stage left" to clear the arena. On to the "Dusty" where Shela had her romp, dump and chase -- -- nosed a few noses and sniffed a few tails [ SHE did that is ] Then -- hit the road once more and decided to pass thru the park and over the bridge again -- stopped to assist a family w a FT SB 163 on the RS in the park and was politely rebuffed in that "help was on the way, thanks" so went merrily on my way -- rendered aid at a 2 vehicle TC -- no injuries, thankfully -- hit the bridge over and back and while decellerating into the 5 to 1 lane merge from 1-5 NB to 163 NB I noticed a small car ahead of me running on a nearly flat "donut" spare -- well -- I got on the PA and informed the driver of the hazard and he promptly went to the RS and stopped -- whereupon the tire separated from the rim WHEW It was the SAME family I'd met SB some time before!! The person who'd changed their tire for them had forgotten or not bothered to AIR the spare!! A few moments longer and they would have been out in hi-speed traffic w a tire off the rim THEY were blown away that we should "meet" again -- as was I course I HAD air for them and sent them safely on their way. WHEW whoda thunk "Fate is the Hunter" was the name of a movie w Glen Ford [ about an airplane crash and the inconsequental { taken separately } chain of events that led up to it ] I was thinkin of that as they drove away. 10/27/2006 05:53 PM Sierra Lady That Highwayman angel was sitting on their shoulders today! SL ------------------------- and mine's riding "shotgun" ------------------------- 10/27/2006 09:46 PM SnowtigerDaniel I counldn't FR understand a QRS what you were LMNOPing about. 10/27/2006 09:52 PM Sierra Lady I guess after years of reading his posts, I've figured most of it out: NB = northbound SB= southbound FT = flat tire GP = gore point RS = right shoulder TC = traffic collision PA = public address system AAA = the "Adam Henry" who didn't put air in their spare!! SL 10/27/2006 09:56 PM SnowtigerDaniel OK. Got it! ------------------------- 10/28/2006 05:50 AM The Highwayman ------------------------ Originally posted by: SnowtigerDaniel I counldn't FR understand a QRS what you were LMNOPing about. -------------------------------------------------- Trust in SL Clairafy she will Yoda she might be [ vertically challenged crack this IS ] Good things come in small packages Thanks MLady ------------------------- 10/28/2006 08:36 AM Biker395 AH - Adam Henry. Hehe. I'll have to remember that one. Good job, Highwayman. It's a good thing you were around the second time. ------------------------- 10/28/2006 09:41 AM Sierra Lady You're welcome, Highwayman...I gather I got them all right? It also helps when you have a map fanatic/scanner buff/ham radio operator husband around that uses all those acronyms, too!! (P.S. to B395...SG used to use "AH" when dealing with one in the field. Those are the letters he'd use over the air on the radio, for obvious reasons, when the dispatcher would ask if he needed back-up or not!) SL ------------------------- 10/28/2006 02:16 PM XpbbobkanobiX That HWM is AOK ------------------------- 10/29/2006 06:43 AM The Highwayman Well -- thank you kind sir
	Highwayman ROBBED! Topic Title: I HATE THIEVES!!!!!! 01/27/2006 06:33 PM The Highwayman Went out to my "mini SAR rig" [ 87 Toyota hatchback FX16 ] this morning to run some errands. Noticed the glove compartment door hanging open - thought "gee that's strange" THEN noticed the cell phone missing so went inside to ask "witch" if she'd borrowed it for some reason -- NOPE -- went back out and noticed other things missing as well, THEN thought about popping the hatch to check the SAR gear in the back mostly all GONE I had unlocked the door to get in, so SCUM with a KEY did this -- older Toyotas are kinda notorious for having few key combinations and when our previous similar one was stolen -- it was WITH a key -- "witch" had forgotten to "club" it and it had been used in a week long crime spree before being recovered by PD for us. Thank my stars the club was ON this one or it would have disappeared as well Well, that sinking feeling set in and I called the PD who showed up to take a report and left with a list of items that would be identifiable if found -- I'm checking the swap meet this weekend myself :l Needless to say I'm PISSED and WOE to that unlucky scum that I might find with my gear as it has taken me YEARS to accumulate. I SHOULD have listened better to Shela -- she TRIED to tell me Little "scooter" NOW has alarm system 01/27/2006 06:42 PM southbayboarder Sorry to hear for the loss of your equipment. Sucks that people steal. Hope you find your equipment or are able to replace it through your insurance company. Good Luck! 01/27/2006 10:32 skibum4now Sorry to hear that, Highwayman. Why do bad things happen to good people? At least your vehicle wasn't stolen. ------------------------- 01/27/2006 11:17 PM Sierra Lady Big bummer. Karma will take care of them...what goes around, comes around (as you know!). SL ------------------------- 01/28/2006 11:55 AM Biker395 Damn, Highwayman ... I'm sorry to hear that. Sierra Lady's right. It's small consolation, but they'll get theirs. A night in a cage all alone with an amorous gorilla sounds like suitable punishment to me. I'll profess some ignorance here ... what is SAR equipment? 01/28/2006 01:11 PM The Highwayman "biker" -- SAR is Search And Rescue -- what I do on the highways, freeways, and back-country mountain roads -- I don't "hike" the backcountry -- "TOFTS" but mainly stick to the roads, although the "rig" HAS been on unpaved fire roads and trails a time or 2 The "gear" lost included my EMT first responder kit, an air tank with multiple accessories, a 12 volt booster - power pac, a 12 volt electric impact wrench kit, foul weather gear, a signal wand flashlight, a cell phone, a hand held air horn, and various other items [ some of which I'll discover in the near future I'm sure as I have need of them ] Have been to the local swap meet and pawn shops today with descriptions of some of the more identifiable gear and Diane Bell mentioned my loss in her column in today's Union Trib ------------------------- 01/28/2006 03:29 Flaskman quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "TOFTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hehehe...cracks me up. Bummer about your loss, I hope it won't stop you from doing your thing. What awesome karma you must have, I bet you get most of it back. ------------------------- 01/28/2006 09:33 PM SkiSomalia Your cell provider might be able to trace the location of the phone via GPS. It might be worth looking into. 01/28/2006 09:41 PM Watersurgeon Sorry to hear about your lose. Bottom line it sucks. I might recommend the 2WSS-AS in the future. Alarm That way when there breaking into your rig your going to notified by a page and you can take the emmediate and approriate action to protect your property, what ever that may be 01/28/2006 09:57 PM Sierra Lady 50 lashes with tire chains, perhaps? SL 01/29/2006 06:43 AM Biker395 Aha! Search and rescue ... that makes sense. I won't bother telling you all the things I thought SAR might mean. ------------------------- 01/29/2006 08:01 AM Sierra Lady Have you ever clicked on The Highwayman's website in his signature line and read about what he does to help people (not just his custom chain installations)? It's fascinating! SL ------------------------- 01/29/2006 02:32 PM The Highwayman Posts: 3997 Joined: 12/12/2001 THANKS! for the good wishes folks -- as you can see from the Karma CAN be a bit<h post --"karma" works -- at least this time Don't usually GET to see it as soon ------------------------- 01/29/2006 10:36 PM Biker395 Thanks for the tip, SL. You're helpful as always! So, Highwayman. You are a road angel instead of a road agent, eh? And what a RIG! If I found myself piled in a heap of snow out on some lonely road and you appeared out of nowhere in that rig, I'd think I either entered the Twilight Zone or was about to meet my maker. What a great sled! You have it exactly right ... there is no feeling in the world better than helping someone when they need it. It's actually addictive, no? That's it. I don't get down to SD much, but the next time I do, I'm going to impose my nosy self on your graces. Oh, and BTW ... congrats on catching at least one of the thieves. Swift justice is sweet justice. ------------------------- 01/30/2006 09:00 PM The Highwayman quote: ------------------------------ Originally posted by: Biker395 Thanks for the tip, SL. You're helpful as always! So, Highwayman. You are a road angel instead of a road agent, eh? And what a RIG! If I found myself piled in a heap of snow out on some lonely road and you appeared out of nowhere in that rig, I'd think I either entered the Twilight Zone or was about to meet my maker. What a great sled! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One CHP who came upon me in the night at an incident said "you look like something from outer space -- I could see you a mile away!" -- helps keep me alive, playing on the freeway, as I do -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You have it exactly right ... there is no feeling in the world better than helping someone when they need it. It's actually addictive, no? ---------- ---------- That's it. I don't get down to SD much, but the next time I do, I'm going to impose my nosy self on your graces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be it warm, we can "set a spell" on the porch -- be it cold, you can warm your hands on my "balls" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, and BTW ... congrats on catching at least one of the thieves. Swift justice is sweet justice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seems like leads developed from this case are helping to solve some other cases as well I'm told -- that DOES feel good thx "biker" btw -- the "balls" are the BRASS ones on my Franklin stove ------------------------- 01/30/2006 10:12 PM moreSNOWplease Someone stole my girlfreinds goggles from McCoy a few weekends ago. I mean nothing pisses me off more.... ------------------------- Biker395 Hey there Highwayman. I've had my car stolen a couple of times. On one occasion, the car was parked in a San Pedro parking lot while I was attending a funeral at sea. LOL. Only *I* could have my car stolen at a funeral! Interesting too was my reaction. What?! My car is here .... I've just forgotten where I put it. <quick glance around reveals no car in sight>. Oh, I know ... it's hiding under some other cars in the parking lot. <checking underneath other cars>. Maybe I'm in the wrong parking lot? <Quizzical countenance>. Maybe a friend took it as a joke ... because they needed it? Maybe I forgot to set the parking brake and it rolled into the ocean. It actually takes a long while for ignorant saps like me to figure out that the car was actually stolen and ain't coming back. Then, the realization that not only is the *car* gone, but all of the things inside of it. A scanner. A SSB CB. A stereo. A radar detector. In fact, my car was such a POS, I think they stole it to get all that stuff ... in particular, the scanner ... for nefarious purposes of course. They also got a car seat and some diapers. And, oh gawd ... my daughters little kitty doll. That's gone too. She was crushed. The car went missing for over a month, and the insurance company was about to declare it a total loss, when it was found abandoned somewhere in San Pedro. My daughter was with me ... hoping that the kitty would still be there. And it was! The thief actually had a heart and left the doll in the back seat. Maybe there is a *little* honor among theives. I told my colleagues at work about it. One had a sage comment: Next time, hide the scanner in the kitty. ------------------------- 01/31/2006 08:32 AM The Highwayman Humor is the armor with which we are able to cloak ourselves to handle the loss and yours is great thanks "biker" ------------------------- 01/31/2006 05:40 PM cloud9driver Posts: 1 Joined: 01/31/2006 re: "Have been to the local swap meet and pawn shops today with descriptions of some of the more identifiable gear and Diane Bell mentioned my loss in her column in today's Union Trib" I read that article last Saturday, and it really got me bent out of shape (not that you were not). To think of all the good things you have done over the years. By the way, we have bought chains from you awhile back. You were really helpful when we needed them as well. Anyways, we will be mailing in a little something for you to help repurchase some of your equipment. I also went on to a El Cajon news site and passed the word as well. There are those out here who appreciate all that you do. Keep up the good work and don't let the a**h***s get you down. ------------------------- Cloud 9 Driver Fleet/Safety Manager "I do know all the answers, but I've been sworn to secrecy." Title: Karma CAN be a bit<h ;) Topic Summary: I GOT him -- the thief Created On: 01/29/2006 10:58 AM YESSSSSSSSSSS Went to the swap meet today, walked through really FAST looking, and just as I was almost done something caught my eye -- something of MINE that was stolen last week Perp's arrested felony! -- The *one* item recovered [ he was asking $20 for it ALSO got him for stolen vehicle -- ------------------------- 01/29/2006 11:26 AM Oopsie_Daisy No way! For real? That RULES. Give us more details. Did you hogtie the perp with duct tape and then call the fuzz? DO NOT MESS WITH THE HIGHWAYMAN. ------------------------- 01/29/2006 11:27 AM Oopsie_Daisy (And did you sneak in a quick kick to the nuts?) ------------------------- 01/29/2006 11:49 AM cheapski Right on! So the big question is...did you use Z cables or ladder chains on him??? ------------------------- 01/29/2006 12:36 PM Oopsie_Daisy Or Spyder Spikes? (Owww!) ------------------------ 01/29/2006 02:25 PM The Highwayman quote: Originally posted by: Oopsie_Daisy (And did you sneak in a quick kick to the nuts?) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As much as I would have enjoyed doing so, I didn't touch him other then to thwart [ with my hiking staff ]his initial advance on me when he realized I was arresting him. When I first noticed my item, I made conversation with him about being at the swap meet and asked how he'd got there -- no car in the spot he was selling from -- He said he left his car "over there" and pointed in a direction. I made note of that, -- As the deputies were "interviewing" him I walked over in the direction he'd previously pointed, and THERE was a car, so described by some of my neighbors this week, as being seen cruising our neighborhood suspiciously. I looked inside, through the window, and there was a rag draped over the ignition switch [ so as to hide the fact that it had been punched ] I let the air out of 2 of the tires so any accomplice he might have couldn't escape in it and went back to get one of the deputies to come examine it -- it WAS stolen. It was locked, and the thief didn't have any ID on him and no car keys were found so there was going to be a problem tying him to that car just on my word UNTIL one of the deputies found keys rolled up in a towel where he'd tried to hide them -- one of them FIT the cars door Funniest thing -- on the dash was a frizbee emblazoned with the logo of the San Diego Sheriffs department! On a less funny note -- the REST of my SAR gear is most likely gone -- sold for pennies The officers DID release the item found, to me, after taking pics of it and ME holding it pointing to the identifing "marks" ------------------------- 01/29/2006 03:05 PM skibum4now Excellent that you caught him; you did the community a service. Sorry you didn't get all your stuff back. ------------------------- Heat is unnatural; bring on the next Ice Age!!! 01/29/2006 04:46 PM Oopsie_Daisy quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by: The Highwayman I didn't touch him other then to thwart [ with my hiking staff ]his initial advance on me -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Way to go, Gandalf! ;-) ------------------------- 01/29/2006 05:02 PM The Highwayman gotta admit, my pulse was racing. I've SEEN some fights and yelling matches before there and I didn't want THIS perp to get away note -- officer called just a bit ago to verify some info and mentioned the perp's good for a couple of other victim's belongings found in his possesion as well he'll be off the street for a while YESSSSSS! [ does "football spike" dance ] ------------------------- 01/29/2006 05:09 PM nyboarder Awesome! There is justice in the world after all. I especially loved the fact that you let the air out of his tires. It wasn't only Karma that get your stuff back, it was a lot of hard work on your part. 01/29/2006 07:34 PM Sierra Lady Right on, Highwayman...I'm happy for you! Too bad that most of your stuff was probably already sold. Way to go on being diligent in your search and knowing where to look! SL 01/29/2006 08:00 PM snowdreamer Good job Highwayman but be careful out there. ------------------------- 01/29/2006 08:21 PM Corporatedog Highwayman's Got Your Chains.............. ------------------------- 01/29/2006 09:00 PM freeze dried Highwayman, I'm so happy you were able to find the culprit, and in so little time! What swap meet did you find him at? 01/29/2006 09:27 PM The Highwayman quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by: Corporatedog Highwayman's Got Your Chains.............. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- forerunner of Yaxtrax? CD ------------------------- 01/29/2006 09:30 PM The Highwayman quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by: freeze dried Highwayman, I'm so happy you were able to find the culprit, and in so little time! What swap meet did you find him at? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- local drivein -- was "motivated" and lucky -- thanks FD ------------------------- 01/29/2006 10:09 PM southbayboarder Hey HWM! Glad to hear that you were able to recover a piece of your equipment and in the process get the perp who stole it from you. Unfortunately, you weren't able to recover all of your equipment though. Happy to hear that you caught the perp / jackass! One less crook on the street is better than nothing! Good Job! 01/29/2006 10:49 PM milesb Off the street? He's probably already out. ------------------------- 01/30/2006 07:45 AM The Highwayman Well -- acknowledging your sentiment miles -- he's up for felonies, not misdemeanors AND he violated parole, AND he's a repeat offender SOoo -- lets hope not ------------------------- 01/30/2006 11:12 AM XpbbobkanobiX Right on HWM!!!...to bad you didn't get to whack him with ur stick though...that would have been cool!!!!
	The Sandpiper -- a "life lesson" The Sandpiper - by Robert Peterson She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. "Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. "I'm building," she said. "I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring. "Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said. "It's a what?" "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy." The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance. "What's your name?" She wouldn't give up. "Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson." "Mine's Wendy... I'm six." "Hi, Wendy." She giggled. "You're funny," she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me. "Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day." After a few days of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. "Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?" "What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. "I don't know, you say." "How about charades?" I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is." "Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked . "Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter. "Where do you go to school?" "I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on holiday." She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home. "Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. "Why?" she asked. I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child? "Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day." "Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and--oh, go away!" "Did it hurt?" she inquired. "Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself. "When she died?" "Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off. A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-coloured hair opened the door. "Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was." "Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies." "Not at all -- she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said. "Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukaemia. Maybe she didn't tell you." Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath. "She loved this beach so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks,! she declined rapidly... " Her voice faltered, "She left something for you ...if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?" I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY. Tears welled up in my eyes and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the colour of sand -- who taught me the gift of love. NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less. Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis. This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment...even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses. This comes from someone's heart, and is shared with many and now I share it with you. May God Bless everyone that receives this! There are NO coincidences! Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us? I wish for you, a sandpiper.
	Highwayman's Links Workin in my "garden" profile of a Highwayman The Good Samaritan -- a comment on the state of things today - and what are YOU?
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