Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Best of Advice...

Back in the day, well actually the days before I was even around, my dad had a racehorse.

He said the horseracing game was definitely a learning experience, and they don't call it the sport of kings for nothing. He kept the horse at a cousin of his' stables and my dad's horse was the only one that won anything so he was about the only paying customer and they milked him for plenty.

Anyway... along the way he met a lot of colorful people.

One day before a race, he was visiting with a fellow named Rube. While they were talking, the jockey came up to Rube and asked him... "How do you want me to ride your horse?"

Dad told me that as he'd be around the various owners or trainers, they'd all try to give the jockey some jewel of wisdom about their pony. "Start him out fast, then let him rest a bit, and then when you get to the last hundred, give him what fer!" or "He's a closer so don't use him up too fast."

Everyone had just the key to winning, if only the jockey'd listen and perform as tasked.

The Jockey looked at Rube and my dad said this was an exact quote of the instructions that Rube gave him. He looked him straight in the eye and said, "Take the lead and steadily improve your position."

My dad admitted to me that this was the best advice he'd ever heard on the track.

****************************

Today's mystery lyric: (Remember the rules folks, no online searching of the lyrics, if you don't know it, you don't have the answer!)

Do you think that you are better
really better than the rest
realize there's a problem
I know that you can give your best

Answer to last lyric: Toledo by BTO.

33 Comments:

Blogger NYPinTA said...

I guess it's better then just saying, "win, dummy" but I've never watched a race where the front runner around the first bend came in at the wire. The only exceptions seem to be when the track is a mess. The odds on favorites don't want to chance their ponies in the mud, so the long shots usually take the prize. And that's my advice on horse racing.

11/16/2008 3:46 PM  
Blogger Beth said...

NYPinTA's first line has it. I don't know the song again. I SUCK AT THIS.

11/17/2008 1:29 PM  
Blogger The W.O.W. factor! said...

You know LL, that is so true! In our lives, we should all be striving to improve ourselves~and our environment, our world.
Never ever...quit learning and trying! Be the best you can be and then some...while maintaining genuine respect for yourself, others and all the gifts on earth.
(if I'm not misreading you, your Dad's lived his life with that great advice...and passed it forward, right?)

11/17/2008 3:28 PM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

Have you ever read Dick Francis? I love his books, but I have never been to a horse race, nor do I care to. They're a fun read, just in case...you know, winter's coming, so you'll be lazing by the fire. ;-)

11/17/2008 5:43 PM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

I don't even try with the lyrics since even if I know the song I wouldn't be able to come up with it. I need the music.

11/17/2008 5:44 PM  
Blogger Natalie said...

Reminds me of the only advice my husband ever gives me: "Just don't f- up and you'll do great."

11/18/2008 10:18 AM  
Blogger fermicat said...

That advice applies to more than just horse racing...

I never know your song lyrics.

11/18/2008 8:55 PM  
Blogger Tink said...

Proof that "there are no stupid questions" is a LIE. Although sometimes, stupid answers can be brilliant too.

11/19/2008 9:35 AM  
Blogger Train Wreck said...

Absolutley! THat is a wise man. I'll bet the jockey had to think on that for awhile.

Growing up my dad always said "I don't belive in Murder, but I believe in Killin people"
I never understood what that meant, as a kid. You can bet I understand now. If people would just stop and really listen, this world would be a lot better off.

11/19/2008 4:48 PM  
Blogger Jenn said...

it is a woman singer with a sultry or scratchy voice. I can hear the song in my head! Grrrr. I mean you could post a few more words of the song, eth?

11/20/2008 3:50 AM  
Blogger Deb said...

Little did I know I would find such profoundness here. The Terrorist (my dad) is much like "magnetbabe" in his advice. Gets the point across quite nicely.

Some moron played Jingle Bells yesterday on the radio so, until that's out of my head, I cannot do the lyrics question. Damn.

11/20/2008 4:39 AM  
Blogger Kimberly A. Suta said...

I love your icon!
I would love for your blog to be a part of blog4reel.com – the world’s first blog-to-film competition. It’s free! All u do is link this blog to blog4reel.com for a chance to win 2,000!

– Kimberly (co-creator)

11/20/2008 1:46 PM  
Blogger Thinkinfyou said...

Do you have a prize for the person that names the song to your obscure lyrics?
What's in it for us???

11/20/2008 6:11 PM  
Blogger Train Wreck said...

Yes I got your 2nd email, I had to get it out of my "junk" folder. You better check yours, sounds like that's where my response ended up! I emailed you when you were commenting.

11/20/2008 7:54 PM  
Blogger LL said...

P - These were mostly quarter horse races. They just ran the length of the front stretch so there really was no first bend.

Beth - You need to start listening to a better batch of music then. ;)

WOW - Erm... yeah. I'm sure that's what he meant all along. :P

Kath - nope... no Dick Francis. And you too need to listen to a better class of music.

Dr. Babe - I'm gonna have to start a book on wise ol' sayings such as that one.

fermi - So you can use that in the nuclear imaging world too?

MRS. Tink - Somehow that doesn't have the same ring to it that Lady Loser would, but... congrats anyway. There are a few stupid questions too...

TW - Dad said the jockey just smiled and walked away. And that saying needs to go into the book too.

JennyLu - Ayup... female lead singer, scratchy voice, but if I posted more words... that'd make it too easy, no?

Deb - Sorry to hear about your jingle bells... you should really get them looked at by a professional.

Kim - SURE! I'M IN!!! Send me the cash in small unmarked bills and the link is all yours.

TOY - damn... hoist on my own petard... erm... I mean... whazzamatta? Don't know the answer and so you have to deflect now? ;P You get the adulation of your peers around here and know that next time I'll really pull one out of the depths to try and stump you.

11/21/2008 8:20 AM  
Blogger ctheokas said...

The best advice I've read lately is too dirty to print here. And I'm not sure it's technically advice.

11/21/2008 8:55 AM  
Blogger tiff said...

Heh - sage advice, if the pony's willing.

No clue on the lyrics. None.

11/21/2008 9:17 AM  
Blogger Beth said...

I listen to good music. I just, I don't know, I stay in my loop and then if I hear something I like, I don't buy the album. I like old Motown and some classic rock. Some 90's bands too. Yeah, I do need to get more music in my life. You're right.

11/24/2008 11:42 AM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

Pppphhhffftttt!!!! I have good music posted at my blog right now. ;-)

11/25/2008 6:51 AM  
Blogger Jenn said...

LL I tagged you on my 4th picture post

11/25/2008 7:44 AM  
Blogger Train Wreck said...

Hello, Are you out huntin a tom? Are you gathering cattle? Are you ok? Well Happy Thanksgiving to you. Where ever you are...

11/25/2008 8:54 PM  
Blogger Mike said...

Also, if the horse doesn't perform, you can eat it.

And a full grown horse will fill your freezer feeding you for months!

Mm. Salty.

11/26/2008 10:20 AM  
Blogger The W.O.W. factor! said...

Hey LL? were you having trouble with blogger? Couldn't get your blog to load for past 1/2 day!

Just checking in making sure you got that big ol Tom for the family feast!
I can picture you out snaking thru the brush...gobble, gobble....gobble, gobble..
Oops..that's what you're going to do tomorrow! Gobble, Gobble!
Fill up the ol' belly!
Have a great Thanksgiving neighbor...
...and thanks for not calling me "long in the tooth" the other day! I might have had to virtually smack you had you ventured that trail. ;)

11/27/2008 2:20 AM  
Blogger Jenn said...

Happy turd day, I mean turkey day

11/27/2008 5:41 PM  
Blogger NYPinTA said...

It's December. Here's some advice: post.

12/08/2008 12:13 PM  
Blogger The W.O.W. factor! said...

Hey...thought you were supposed to be at the NFR??
Yep! Cookin' again! For some very APPRECIATIVE people this time around & NOT the kind of sweetbreads you are talking about!

I s'pose you like them huh?

12/08/2008 12:54 PM  
Blogger Jenn said...

Melaine? for the song

12/08/2008 7:09 PM  
Blogger LL said...

Post? Yeah... I could... hmmm... maybe I'll post a clip from YouTube without anything else...

Of Course I like Sweet Breads WOWie... Who doesn't?

Good guess JennyLu! Wrong, but good guess nevertheless.

12/08/2008 9:37 PM  
Blogger fermicat said...

You could post some Adam Ant videos...

12/09/2008 5:15 AM  
Blogger NYPinTA said...

fermi! Don't encourage him!
A video is still more than you've got up. Slacker.

12/09/2008 10:27 AM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

I'm with Fermi and NYPinTa...you could post a little more often than every four weeks.

12/11/2008 11:19 AM  
Blogger Train Wreck said...

WHen I least expect it huh? Will you be flying in , in your private jet? Landing in our pasture? Cuz I would least expect you there. YYou ditched me didn't you? Uh huh I see how it is. All talk...I was even wearing boots, the whole time!Did you make it to Vegas?

12/15/2008 5:55 PM  
Blogger LL said...

:ewink:

12/15/2008 9:59 PM  

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