Hello Again!

[BarrelProof]

It’s been a while. Figured I’d give a quick update for anyone interested; apologies to those who aren’t.

I got laid off. Took a year and a half off after that since I was in school full-time. Found a different job after my wife had to resign to student teach. She finished her MS and got a job teaching. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in March 2022. I was recently accepted into a graduate program in Wildlife Biology on a Dall Sheep project up here in Alaska. The kids are still awesome and keeping me young. I started a business in addition to all of the other madness. I still appreciate astronomy. I don’t smoke much anymore, if at all - maybe 3-4 bowls a year. I hardly drink anymore, but enjoy this new lifestyle that sees me spending more time outside and with the kids.

I jumped on here because I’m starting to go through all of my pipe stuff in hopes of finding new homes for it. In the process, I forgot how much I love this place and the banter. I’ll probably stick around for a bit, at least until my ADHD takes over again and I find myself going down the rabbit hole of another hobby.

To those from back when, I hope you’ve all been well. To the new folks, you’ve found a great place. Here’s to you all.

 

[Ahi Ka]

How’s the shed?

 

[BarrelProof]

Still standing. It got a greenhouse for the second floor. Old photo, but you get the idea!

 

[BarrelProof]

Oh yeah, this happened back in June, too:

 

[Ahi Ka]

Are you gonna update your user name to “teetotal” or something now you’ve cut back on the brown and hitting the greens?

 

[BarrelProof]

Nope! I promise you my liver is still barrel proof. Plus:

 

[Ahi Ka]

That’s some nice liquor in the front…yeah that joke must only work when said with a sleazy American accent

 

[beefeater33]

Good to see you back! I was wondering if you got stuck up there in Scotland and had to spend the rest of your days playing the greens..............

 

[BarrelProof]

Good to see you back! I was wondering if you got stuck up there in Scotland and had to spend the rest of your days playing the greens..............

My brother and I have had an eye on real estate since June. It’ll happen.

 

[beefeater33]

My brother and I have had an eye on real estate since June. It’ll happen.

Weren't you working oil rigs up there?

 

[BarrelProof]

Weren't you working oil rigs up there?

Nope. I’ve taught classes in the oilfield in Aberdeen, but the oilfield has been in the rear view since they laid me off in 2020. I was directional drilling down in Texas when I first joined this site, but haven’t looked back since they canned me. My phone has been ringing off the hook for the last year, but I’m done playing that game.

This was just a trip with my dad, brother, and my dad’s best friend since he was a kid. He threw us into the lottery for 2020 (and we drew tee times) and then we got COVIDed. 2021 saw insane regulation that would have required us to pay almost $10k each for a UK certified, quarantine hotel, or some BS.

Fortunately, the fine folks at St. Andrews worked with us throughout the two year ordeal and we were able to make the trip happen a few weeks before the 150th Open Championship was played there. The stands were up, and everything.

 

[OzPiper]

Glad to see you back.
No rules to say you have to be an active smoker to keep posting.

 

[kcghost]

Good to see you again!!

 

[scloyd]

Welcome back Boomer. How's your daughter who lost her best friend? We'll, I hope. Nice to see you back on the forum.

 

[STP]

Good to see you back

 

[LotusEater]

Welcome back and congratulations on getting into that grad school program - it sounds very cool.

 

[BarrelProof]

Welcome back Boomer. How's your daughter who lost her best friend? We'll, I hope. Nice to see you back on the forum.

She’s doing well. It came back up this week because my wife’s grandmother passed away on Thursday and that’s the first time we’ve had to deal with anyone passing since “the incident.”

All in all, she handled that situation really well. A lot better than I think I would have if something so heinous would have happened in my life when I was that age.

And - even though I’ve been away for a while - none of us have forgotten your kindness and the momentum it gained here.

 

[canucklehead]

Hey bud good to see you're alive and well.

 

[trudger]

I remember the picture from when you arrived home from Texas to all the packages! Still impressive.

 

[BarrelProof]

I remember the picture from when you arrived home from Texas to all the packages! Still impressive.

For the uninitiated: