A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-20-04 ~ RDB - Once.. Twice... Three Times

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, deadhead ~

rdb3's grandfather on the left, in 1951, and his father at right, 1973

I believe that I was an "ooops" baby; when I was born, my parents already had six children, with the oldest being a freshman at Ohio State and the youngest in the second grade. However, I do think my Pop was happy that I came along AND that I was a boy because his name hadn't passed to my three brothers. I don't think there's any way in the world that I was "meant" to be. But, nevertheless, here I am!   ;-)

rdb3 at two years, 1974

The youngest of seven, rd has always been extremely close to his parents. He was born and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio, but spent nearly every summer in Arkansas. His father owned a delicatessen, along with numerous coin-op businesses, such as laundromats and car washes. His mother worked in the Cleveland Public School System for over 30 years.

My father pitched briefly in the Negro Leagues for the Cleveland Buckeyes. By the time he got in, the color line had already been broken in the Majors, and since he was in Cleveland, he got to meet legendary Indians players like Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and my favorite: Satchel Paige. There's an 11" X 18" black and white picture of my father and Satchel Paige in their respective uniforms over the mantle at home. And he won't even let me scan the picture! One day it will be mine, but I can wait; Pop has to pass away first.

I was able to escape the Cleveland Public School System. I was in the 8th grade at the time. Father Juhas and another recruiter liked how I planted quaterbacks deep in the soil, never to be seen again until the next spring! Next thing I know, I'm at St. Joseph High. I received a tremendous education there. Also got to play football with Desmond Howard and Elvis Grbac, and Eric Riley in basketball. Clark Kellogg is also an alum. He is a commentator on CBS' NCAA broadcast for college basketball. Matter of fact, they retired his number at my school, but his number isn't in the rafters. They put his number on both sides of the half-court line on the court. Different, isn't it?

rd graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. (As a matter of record: six of the seven siblings hold degrees. Not too shabby, huh!) He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Information Technology/Systems. As he will tell you, "I'm a geek's geek. I'm elated to be back in the Information Technology field. My expertise is well-rounded (Linux, AIX, C/C++/C#, Java, Oracle, RHCE, among many, many others)."

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You can also find rd every week in our Military Monday threads - Vet Group 4. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne @ Ft. Bragg, NC, from 1990-1993. Thank you for serving, rd!

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For more on what makes rdb3 tick, about his politics and his Christian beliefs, he has this to say:

While I'm firmly planted on the political Right, I no longer consider myself a conservative because the definition of that term is murky. I'll admit that my political stance is hard to pin down, other than the fact that I'm a vociferous anti-Leftist. I also have no problem admitting that I detest Democrats and what they stand for on a level that would seem inhumane. However, I would be a political vagabond because I don't have a political home. Go figure. No matter how one looks at it, just know that I relish the autonomy gained by sprinting away from that God-forsaken plantation mentality. I take my faith in Christ seriously and without doubt (non-denominational/Calvinist).

Married for seven years, together for ten (with one stepson), rd says his pretty wife, pictured below, "still gives him butterflies!"

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There's way more to this guy! You could check his profile page and see much more than revealed here. He's been a FReeper since December 2, 2000; he flies three flags on his page - Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas:

           

He plays the bass guitar and the violin. His musical taste is very eclectic (just don't play country around him, he says!). He writes short stories and poetry and has an artistic side, as evidenced by the Dark Knight drawing below, which he did six and a half years ago in CIS229 class at SMU.

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And last, I love to cook. BBQ is almost religious to me (if you can pick up a brisket with a fork and remove it from the grill, then it is no good, or, if you need sauce with your BBQ, then it is no good).

That's about it. Nothing special. I'm a regular man.~ rdb3

A "Regular Man"...
...And Today's Finest!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-19-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[deadhead]

Congratulations rdb3, enjoy your day in the spotlight :-) It is so nice to get to know other freepers. Keep fighting the good fight, rdb3. I have had the opportunity to see the Buckeye football team in action several times (lots of fun) I have relatives in the Columbus area.

An "ooops baby"...LOL

Awesome profile, Billie!!

Hello All!!

Colleen

[rdb3]

Hope your wife enjoys it, and feel free to use any of the photos that I edited (though they will have the brown background because I vignetted them directly onto the bg)

Aw, c'mon now Mama Billie! Those images are already saved to my hard drive and the entire piece is in my /home directory.

Told you I'm a geek's geek! ;-)

And thank you for your hard work. It really made my day.

[rdb3]

We should get a FReeper/Buckeye tailgate party together next season!!!!

If I'm up there during the season, I'd love to attend.

[MEG33]

I have been thinking about brisket all day.I don't know how to do it on a Bar BQ.I just know how it looks and tastes and smells..heaven!

[rdb3]

It's not hard at all. Just time consuming while smoking, and at least 24 hours marinating. Oh, yeah. You do have to cut off that part of the brisket that is inedible because it won't rend. My dog likes that part. hee, hee, hee...

Hickory or mesquite? Personally, I prefer mesquite over hickory. Apple, cherry, and pecan wood is nice, but sometimes not that easy to find for a reasonable price.

After marinating, with your wood smoking white, put the cape-side (fat side) up away from the direct heat (put it under the vent so that the smoke has to go through the meat) Do not buy a brisket that has no fat. Believe it or not, the fat is important on a brisket. And the cape-side is always on top.

Allow 30 minutes for every pound of brisket cooking time, then smoke it to your liking.

To make sure you have the correct cooking temperature in your grill/smoker, test it by putting your hand (one-inch) over the grill. If you can maintain it for at least five seconds, you're at cooking temperature.

This I do, and I average about a 15-16 pound brisket. It's on the smoker for 9 hours.

And remember, if you can stick a fork in the brisket and simply lift it off the grill, it's no good. Why? Because it ain't tender enough. If you do it right, you will need spatulas (large) and/or a flat pan to get it off the grill.

I'm even better with ribs. But that's for another time.

Enjoy!

[farmfriend]

Oh, cool. One of my favorite freepers.

[MEG33]

Mouth watering....I know great brisket need a couple of big spatulas as it falls apart!What is your favorite marinade?

[rdb3]

Mouth watering....I know great brisket need a couple of big spatulas as it falls apart!What is your favorite marinade?

For beef, I use Atkin's Western Rub. Do not marinate beef and pork the same way.

Two different beasts (no pun intended).

[MEG33]

Thank you for the instructions.I'm saving this thread so I won't lose this.There's a guy I need to talk to about BarBQue!I enjoyed your being featured today.

[lonestar]

Good-morning and good evening. My server went down right after my morning message.

[lonestar]

I have a friend who played third base for the Indians during the 60's and 70's--Max Alvis. He was very good. He is pres. of my bank today.

[lonestar]

P.S.

Gig 'em!

[umbagi]

Thanks for the ping, Gracey, and great job, Billie (as usual)!

And a special Congratulations! to you, rdb, from another Texas coder. I've always enjoyed your posts, and now I've enjoyed getting to know you better reading the thread.

Truly, one of our finest!

u

[MEG33]

#145

[PokeyJoe]

Well, I know how to turn on a computer.....if the button is clearly visible. :-)

They have buttons!?

WOW! What will they think of next!?

[GailA]

Good Evening, just checking in, it was my quilt guild meeting time today. Seems I don't get any FReeping done until late, or only in short burst on quilt meeting day.

[The Mayor]

Hi Gail, I just got home a 1/2 hr go. I'm watchin W !
He sounds and looks good..

[Kudsman]

Nice profile. Good guy. Glad to get to know you better.

[Kudsman]

Good evening Mayor.

Did you see FoxNC coverage? It was priceless to watch the swimmer sqirm. He kept shaking his head and flicking his jowls. They kept showing all the Dem sourpusses and routinely panned the sitting rats. At one point my wife asked out loud, "how can they not support that?" I gently offered her a chuckle and a SITYS.

[potlatch]

Bump for a fellow Texan!