Family Matters

Photo Courtesy of CBRbull.com

If you don’t know already, the rodeo community is more of a rodeo family. That is, they come together in a time of need. Also, many people don’t realize that the job of a rodeo cowboy doesn’t quite come with “benefits.” Cowboys don’t get 401k’s and most importantly, they aren’t given health insurance. This is why the rodeo family is important. Anytime a cowboy (or cowgirl) gets hurt, people come together to help out in the ways they know how since rodeoing is that athletes form of income, in when they are hurt, they are penniless.

This past weekend was a wonderful event for PBR bull rider, Mckennon Wimberly. He was hurt in action and has been recovering and needing major funding to cover the cost of medical bills. Over the past few months, ranchers, bull riders, fans and multiple organizations have donated time, money and different objects up for auction in efforts to raise money for Mckennon.

Personally, I know that my uncle donated a bull calf to the benefit for auction. Exclusive Genetics auctioned off an EG riders helmet signed by Mckennon. It’s times like these that most people have actually been there before. It’s moments like this that I realize I love being a part of the family that comes together when someone is truly at the bottom.

This is something that people should look into. Whether its making a personal direct donation, or researching other things such as the Cowboy Crisis fund. Justin Boots is a big supporter of cowboys, and has their fund. Designating money to the PRCA or other organization is also encouraged. Cowboys do believe in karma and know what its like to be at their absolute worst. 

Join the family and help everyone out! 

"I ain't from Dallas but I can D-town boogie"

Yes world, this weekend I did something completely unlike myself. No, I didn't go skydiving, I did something much more frightful. I went to Dallas. I decided to experience my first Dallas St. Patricks Day parade and block party on Greenville Avenue. I fought the masses of 100,000 crazy DFW party-goers and experienced the plethora of green Dallas drunkards.

I must say, I usually don't give Dallas any credit whatsoever, but I will give them a blue ribbon for their St. Patricks Day. It was easy to survive the day too... 2 5 hour energies and a roll of Tums. The green beer was flowing and overall everyone down there was just looking for a good time. The good news was that more cars were towed than the number of people arrested.

The day consisted of fighting traffic due to blocked off roads and the 5K race that took place through the city. From our parking location, we walked to Greenville where we lined up along the block to watch the parade. After, we visited tailgate spots that people had set up and camped out from the night before, went to house parties along Greenville and of course visited a number of bars and pubs.

The best was seeing the boys (somewhat not in their normal state of mind cough cough) having a dance battle in the middle of the pub. Never will they make it as professional dancers, but we won't tell them. St. Patricks day on Greenville was an event that lasted for us from 8 in the morning until 1 am Sunday morning. Needless to say, it was only me and my friend George who can honestly say we made it the whole day with out a legitimate nap (on a couch), and never fell asleep at a bar.

The weather was perfect, but I will recommend face sunblock. I now have a lovely sunglass tan on my face.

This will probably the only time I talk up Dallas, therefore I shall see you in 364 more days.

Spring Break & Bone Breaks

This is by far the last "spring break" of my life. That is, in 60 days I will have to accept the fact I must join the real world. So what is there to do? Most people head for the coast and go a bit crazy. I thought about going home to Vegas. Yes it's Vegas, but who am I kidding it's just home to me and isn't all that special.

What is on my agenda? I contemplated and it all came together.
The beginning of the week you can find me in Austin, no I will not be there for SXSW, but I'll be hanging out with my buddy Jay of Reckless Kelly while he is at home for a few days before they continue their tour.

From there I will drive back to Fort Worth and catch a plane on St. Patricks Day. Where you may ask? No, it's not where the palm trees are blowing in the bahama breeze where drinks are served with paper umbrellas. I'll be on my way to Lake Charles, Louisiana. I've never been that far south in LA. That night I am getting picked up by my good friend Lance Coleman who is going to tear up the casinos to celebrate the holiday!

Friday morning him and I will head out of Louisiana and drive to Winnie, Texas for Don Gay's Bull Riding at Nutty Jerry's Friday and Saturday night. Lance will be bull fighting both nights. Let's hope it goes a lot better than a few of his other fights down there. More specifically the one that put him in the hospital after he got hooked in the rear and the bull tore his underwear off (had to call you out Lance).
From there we will drive back Sunday where I will get to enjoy the hospitality at the Coleman ranch, the family that owns Coleman Bucking Bulls. Sunday we will most likely host a bull riding down at the ranch and then Monday morning it's back to Texas.

To end this, one of my favorite bull riders is Ben Jones, he is one tough guy beat up to the bone (literally) but I love him for one specific reason: his victory dance. The only guy who can pull it off. Enjoy!