Thank you Eric Medlen, and Goodbye

Fans have lost a brilliantly lit star, and the world has lost a friend. I just don't have the words.

NHRA coverage of services.

Eric Medlen - Nitro Angel

NITRO ANGEL

Each week we watched you
As you climbed into your 8,000 h.p. earthbound rocket.
Your smile and your glow
Made us feel we were on that quarter-mile trek with you.

As fans we loved to watch
Blasts down the groove, win or lose.
As parents we swelled with pride
When our children felt your strength, whether victorious or “also ran”.

For all that you shared with each of us
We could not know how you shaped the lives and fed the spirits
Of our other racing heroes.

Your determination and your drive
This example has been your final gift to us.
Your spirit will live on
Long after the earthly burnout is done.

Into God’s hands
We entrust our Nitro Angel.
With a tear, and a smile,
As you make that final pass.

One last run
Alone, this time we cannot come.
Driving into that burning light,
No turn off we see from the shutdown this time.

Still, your smile warms us
As we empty the stands, and leave into the night.

Burnouts are Allowed in Heaven...

Eric Medlen, one of the NHRA's most popular drivers, died last week as a result of injuries received during a crash in testing at Gainsville. Medlen made his living by strapping himself into an earthbound 8,000 h.p. rocket, in itself a dangerous proposition. Despite the danger and the hard word, Medlen was known for his sincere smile and his unlimited energy. He loved what he did, and made the most out of his short 33 years. His impact will be felt long after he makes his last turn off from the shut-down area of this life. We will miss him as he teaches the angels a thing or two about drag racing.




Godspeed Eric.

Uh, Houston, we have a Problem

February Update in 60 seconds...

Wife does not have cervical cancer. Am relieved, and beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Two weeks later Gov. Perry orders that all girls in the state in a particular age range get the HPV vaccination, which is believed to sharply reduce the chances of cervical cancer. Parents emerge from WalMart, put their Whopper Size Slurpees down long enough to complain because HPV is a "sexually-transmitted" disease, and schools may as well give out condoms along with the vaccinations. Tell that crap to your daughter 15 years down the road when her life is cut short because she didnt get the vaccination. Every time I ask my ex-wife about the vaccination for our children, she says, " Oh, you mean HPV, that sexually transmitted disease?" No dumbass, I mean that nasty thing that causes cervical cancer, and it doesnt matter if it comes from HPV, from the stork, or from french-kissing the tailpipe with the engine running and the garage door closed...

I am in mourning for the loss of Anna Nicole Smith. As soon as I can scrape together enough money, I am going to go see the crying judge and prove that the child is mine.

Valentine's day came and went. Child number one seemed overjoyed at the gift, and sent me a thank you note and a birthday card and a picture of aforementioned Child Number one. Child Number one called me on the phone, talked for an hour and a half. Yesterday, Child number one shunned 4 year old step brother and told us to buzz off. 2 steps forward and one step back.

This week, I did a good thing. I did a really good thing for people I hardly know. I used my law license and knowledge as a keeper of the bloodmoney to do that really good thing. I might be able to stick with this lawyering stuff for a while after all.

I am gonna buy my wife a parrot with a potty mouth and a really bad attitude, so that she will have someone to talk to while I am work. Gonna name that damn bird...Formerly Living!