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Topic: Hospital visit - Very Serious Update |
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 18 Apr 2013 6:11 pm |
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Was in the hospital for 4 days with no pedal steel in my life.Good to be back among the guys/gals.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
Last edited by Richard Sinkler on 20 May 2013 7:07 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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Quentin Hickey
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 18 Apr 2013 8:38 pm
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Well, as many know, I have depression problems. Well they got out of hand and I needed to head off the eventual outcome, so I took myself to the emergency room. That got me a few days in a psych hospital. The bad thing was, in the ER , my blood pressure was 276/148. In the psych hospital they got that under control. My diabetes was coming in at almost 300. They also got that back in check. So now that I can get back on my meds for diabetes, blood pressure, depression, and most of all, sleep (I only sleep 1 to 3 hours at a time. Things should get back on the right track now.
Bob, sorry. This probably should have been in the Extended Family section
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 18 Apr 2013 9:04 pm
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| Richard: Hope things are getting better for you. Take care. Paul |
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Robert Harper
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2013 11:48 pm Lack Of Sleep
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Richard, I understand the sleep deprivation issue. I too have had sleep issues due to a medical issue. For those not believing sleep deprivation is toture, I and I bet Richard can testify in a court of law to the fact that it is. So to keep it steel related. Not only was I too ill to sleep, but I could not bring myself to play steel or much else. I wish all the hours I was awake could have been been used perfecting my intonation, tone and technique
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"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 7:27 am
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Sleep deprivation was determined to be the underlying cause when my depression showed up way back in the 90's. I had insurance at the time and could get it treated along with the depression. But in 2006 , I hit crisis stage and tried to take my life. I lost my insurance in 2008 and have gone untreated for depression, hypertension and diabetes for all that time.
I sleep no more than 1 to 2 hours at a time. No matter what time I go to bed, how long of a day I have had, or how tired I am, I will wake up within a couple of hours. LAst Friday, I did a gig that requires a 3 hour drive to the gig, 4 hours for the gig, and a little over 2 hours home. got home around 4:00am. Got to sleep around 4:30 and was wide awake at 6:00am. And with some really devastating life events that just happened over the last few months got me to the crisis stage again. This time I went to the emergency room instead of a method of suicide. When they took my blood pressure at the ER, it was 276/148. They had other nurses and a doctor rush in to double check and it was always in that range (doctor said I should have been dead or in a coma from a stroke, but I showed no signs of even being close to a stroke, like headaches, blurred vision etc...). My blood sugar was 268.
Once they stabilized my sleep (at the psych hospital), me depression level decreased a substantial amount, suicidal thoughts went away, my blood pressure, while still a little high and being treated with meds, diabetes is down into the 170 range or lower and will also be treated.
Now, hopefully, the County has stepped in and is treating me with low or no cost meds, some therapy support. I do know that the depression, high blood pressure and diabetes will come down a bit once I can sleep and allow my body to it's recharging stuff that happens when you sleep.
I would like to ask that this discussion doesn't get into the morality or any other opinions about suicide. I have my thoughts and beliefs, and they can not be changed by anybody. I don't want this to become a religious issue. Please extend me that courtesy.
The bottom line is that I am getting help and I think things are going to get better.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
Last edited by Richard Sinkler on 19 Apr 2013 11:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 8:06 am
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I just want to wish you the best, Richard. I hope you can continue to improve and get the help you are seeking.
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HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 9:16 am
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| Richard: Have you ever been tested for Sleep Apnea? Without insurance it would be tough to play for the testing, and I don't know if Apnea would cause your symptoms, but it's worth reading a bit on line to see if it sounds like your situation. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 9:25 am
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I really appreciate the well wishes. Even though I have all my friends here and even on Facebook, I have felt totally alone. I have a lot of good friends on here, on facebook and in real life (not you all aren't real).
I am actually crying right now and I don't know if it's the concern you have for me or the depression (the meds take up to 2 -4 weeks before they are effective 100%. I am a strong person and have never needed help before in my life until the last 10years. I am too proud to ask.
The money (lack of) is really killing me (literally).
I want to say something about you who constantly bash people on food stamps. I want to say that without food stamps for me, I would have starved and would have taken my life. I realize there and millions who abuse the system and should not qualify. many of us really do have hardships where we need need help. The assholes that attack food stamp issues never take into account the people like me who don;'t want to be on them and embarrassed to admit we need help. I would hope you would show some compassion and not attack those of us that are really in crisis and need all the help they can get. Those who have never been in this situation, I don't feel are qualified to give an opinion, it;s something you know nothing about.
I am way too proud to ask for help here. In fact the last time I asked, I had some heartless piece of $#!t just tell be to get my ass to AA. I have no drinking or substance abuse problems, so that was the most insensitive, unintelligent , heartless, and just plain moronic statement I had ever seen on the forum. I had Bob remove it immediately and never received any help at all.
I really could use some help. I didn't even have the money to buy my tax software, so I wasn't even able to file.
EDIT: On top of it all, they sent me home with a vial of insulin, but no syringes. I have a test meter, but can't afford the test strips. I have approximately $40 to my name, that includes cash, checking, the $1 I have in savings, so unless the county helps with those, i am up a creek without a paddle. The test strips for my meter cost more that $50.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
Last edited by Richard Sinkler on 19 Apr 2013 9:44 am; edited 4 times in total |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 9:37 am
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Paul, yes I have done the sleep study, and had a CPAP machine for a while. But I couldn't use it. With the mask on the positive air pressure that the machine forces into the mask, it goes through your nose and it actually creates a vacuum in the mask. I sleep on my side and the pillow would move the mask enough to break the seal At that point, the mask lifts off your face about a half an inch and then slams back into your face quite hard. That pretty much wakes you back up. I decided that waking up periodically because I couldn't breath, wasn't near as bad as being beaten to death. It even happened if I pend my mouth. Being ignorant, stupid f**k I am, I never though to contact the CPAP distributor to see if there were other options for side sleepers. I then tossed the machine out.
Hopefully, I can get the county to give another sleep study and a new type of CPAP.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 10:15 am
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Just a little explanation about the title. I visit this forum several times a day, and it is one of the only things that keep me sane. being without it was pure hell.
EDIT: Changed title from "Sure did miss you all" to something more informative
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
Last edited by Richard Sinkler on 23 Apr 2013 4:12 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 10:18 am
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Richard: I have used a CPAP machine for several years. I've had a couple different masks and they do fit and perform differently. I usually sleep on my side and my mask works pretty well. I urge you to give the CPAP another try if possible.
I've got a gig Saturday in Fremont (The Saddlerack). How about I stop in and visit for a bit Saturday afternoon. Paul |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 11:22 am
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You know, that would be great. I have wanted to meet you for a long time.
I'll PM you my address.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 11:52 am Re: Lack Of Sleep
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| Robert Harper wrote: |
| Richard, I understand the sleep deprivation issue. I too have had sleep issues due to a medical issue. For those not believing sleep deprivation is toture, I and I bet Richard can testify in a court of law to the fact that it is. So to keep it steel related. Not only was I too ill to sleep, but I could not bring myself to play steel or much else. I wish all the hours I was awake could have been been used perfecting my intonation, tone and technique |
I also meant to touch on the problems and my attitude toward the steel guitar. The lack of sleep which leads to the depression, to where I got to the point where I hoped someone would steal my equipment.. I would leave it my truck which just has a vinyl cover and the tail gate doesn't lock. I live close to Oakland (the worst city for crime that I know of), and those lowlife criminal bastards couldn't even do me the favor of stealing my stuff. Just deciding not to play is not an option. The only thing I have that makes me ME, is the steel guitar. I could never quit, but losing my equipment would put me out of business and quitting would be necessary.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 1:28 pm
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My respect to you for talking to us about your recent problems. I sincerely hope they will pass.
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Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 6:41 pm Hang in there, Richard
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| Richard, good for you to have had the foresight to get yourself to the hospital. hang in there Bro. As for the food stamps comment, it's almost impossible to over-exaggerate the ignorance of some folks. Glad you are back. steve t |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 19 Apr 2013 11:05 pm
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Brother Steve. Great to hear from you. Wish I could get over there to visit.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Craig Schwartz
From:
McHenry IL
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 6:06 am
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Wow Richard , I just saw this post and actually read everything, You dont know me from Adam , but I know your name and have read alot of good posts from you, Your quite intellegent with this steel business and that is what makes you, I would think others and myself also look up to your type of personality,
My worn out parts of my body (because of the work I`ve done in the trades) hit me when I was just learning the PSG, Sittin at that chair made it even more painful, Enough about me ,
I would like to let you know that Ive become distant to those prescriptions the doctors give out, and have become a natural non FDA approved personality, but thats me and we all know the poison to cure one thing and create 10 more problems exists,
Depression : Eat alot of cashews
Diabetes : Eat or drink alot of cinnamon with honey in hot water & Make sure to always stir before sipping (drink the grindings)
The colon: The best thing for your colon is eat alot of sunflower seeds according to a butt doctor.
brushing your teeth: I`ve even changed my toothpaste to a natural paste, Wierd aint it, My trust was that the almighty dollar could fix anything (NOT True)
There are alot of natural remedies that dont poison you, And I am by know means degrading a Doctor with a 12 year college grad from anything , But I dont own stock in pill co. like alot of them do.
Bottom line is : GOD does Not make junk. Please dont despair over any of this, It also helps to go and visit your God, All this stuff took time for me to figure out (it wasnt overnight) what I was figureing out was, which pine box should I pick out....
I was wrong to think that way,
The doctor of the future
will give no medicine but
will interest his patients
in the care of the human
Frame, In diet and in the
cause and prevention
of disease.
Thomas Edison
I wish you well and hope to see more of you here.
Peace Brother
Craig
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME.... |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 6:34 am
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Hi Rich - Just checkin up on you !
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Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:16 am
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Hey Bud. Not doing well at all. I'm actually having a breakdown right now. Wish I would have died.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:24 am Beijing Girls are in your corner
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Richard don't rule out getting to Beijing sometime. All things are possible. Get better soon. Some of my friends send their best wishes your way. Huangjin says: "Don't you stop playing guitar, Richie; real men never give it up."
XuYing is not a trained nurse nor a doctor, but she assures me that things will get better. She and the others here are pulling for you to get some decent sleep which will, no doubt, help the situation.
Tang says when the clouds are getting black, don't forget to contact your family, friends and Forum buddies and also says to make it to Beijing soon. Steve is a great guy but can't really play a pedal steel guitar worth a bowl of noodles. Personally, I believe she is wrong but.... It's like that story about black Emmons PPs having "the tone"....
Last edited by steve takacs on 20 Apr 2013 8:22 am; edited 4 times in total |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:29 am
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Heck Steve. If I went there, I'd never come back here.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:29 am
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Pm sent
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:35 am
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I have had a few PM's with offers to help, and others with words of encouragement. Thank you all. Every little bit helps. I am in the middle of a bad breakdown right now and hope I don't end up back in the hospital, or worse.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Apr 2013 7:54 am
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Steve. Thanks for the pic. Made me smile. I may need to make it my wallpaper on my computer. I need to take up a donation drive to get a ticket to Beijing.
Just for your amusement, when I was in the looney bin hospital, I befriended this sweet Chinese lady. Spent 2 days pretty much glues to her side. Of all the people, both patients and hospital personnel (actually, they were pretty useless), she was the most help to me, and without her, I probably would have been held in there longer. Even though they advise against carrying on any contact outside the hospital, I really would have loved to have her as a friend. And she was as pretty as she was sweet and sensitive. I can understand why you love China so much. I truly wish I could get over there to visit you. know we have become good friends on here, and I always look forward to hearing from your. I'll always remember that one time you offered to pay my rent so I wouldn't get evicted and become homeless. Of course my foolish pride wouldn't allow me to let you do it. But that gesture has always been in my heart. We have never met, but I consider you one of my best friends.
EDIT: Sorry about the typos. Hard to type with tears flowing from your eyes.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
Last edited by Richard Sinkler on 20 Apr 2013 8:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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