thedean

SCAM ALERT… Someone wants to send you $30,000,000

2008-07-12T23:34:00Z

SCAM ALERT...Someone wants to send you $30,000,000, You just won the lottery, Mr. Smith died and left you, £500,000.00 GBP (Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds and on and on!

Did you really think it was smart to sent money to an ad saying that some ungodly sum of money would be sent to you?

July 13, 2008 Cape Coral, Fl. USA

Yet another SCAM is going around the social networks. Don't be taken in by the promise of being sent millions of dollars for giving out personal info. Some scammers are bold, asking you to send money. Don't do it! I found out the hard way.

Years ago when I got an email that wanted me to provide personal and business info and forward it. I did what any other greedy person would do. I sent this poor woman (who lost her husband in a freak accident during an overthrow of a small country government...but not before he could transfer $10milliom to his personal off shore account...my cut would be $2.5), the paper work that was requested via FedEx.

Next, I looked for people with experience in international banking and investments. I found two at a very well known investment company. They found a NY attorney and I found a guy in Fl. that had connections with an off shore bank, where his wife was an attorney and officer. I personally met with all these people. They had years of experience, were all all very successful in their own fields, and they could not find a hole in the deal!

So we went forward, set up a meeting in Europe to meet face to face and to conclude the deal, but they said that they were poor people and wanted us to send two First Class airline tickets and $5000 to bribe the new government. Still no one saw any problems, it is hard for me to believe that we didn't. We told them that Paris was half way and we'd met them there. They never showed. We called but the number had been changed and we never heard from them, until they told us that we stole their money and they were going to send people that they had in the USA to kill us. No one was ever hurt, but some kept getting threats for months after.

A few years later a national newspaper did an article on the scam. Many people lost thousands of dollars and in the article it stated that 3 from US were killed when they went to meet. They're back!

Do Not under any circumstance respond to these types of emails.

I have included a few samples at the end of this blog.

The adventure was exciting and costly. It only got me for a few thousand dollars since the others paid my expenses, most of them. Paris was fun and I'd like to go back some day.

As a business person and provider of good advice, I'd like you to send my church a check for $15.00 US or more to assist with it's troubled financial condition. For possibly saving you thousands of dollars or maybe, your life, this really isn't asking too much. Please remember that the money is not for me... it's to further God's work!

I'd like you also to send this out to all on your email list.

Please make checks payable and mail to:

Cape Coral Community Church

811 Santa Barbara

Cape Coral, Fl. 33991

Attn:Scam Advice

or donate on line go to http://capepraise.com

Thank you and May God Bless You!

The Dean aka Dean Menier

dean@themenier.com

Full story http://http://deanmenier.com/blog

HERE IS THE LIST OF SCAM LETTERS

I’ve only listed a few so you can get the idea.

I wish to inform that I have dropped your ATM MASTER CARD worth $800,000 USD with FedEx Delivery Services. Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $230 USD which you will be required to pay before delivery. I did this because I was unable to make the funds transfer to your home account in your country. I have Travelled out of Nigeria to Switzerland for a period of 4 months to see my boss

However, this was not paid for because of demurrage. Well, I did forward them your delivery address, but a re-confirmation is important and when contacting, I advise you quote the parcel and shipment code to them for onward delivery to your re-confirmed address. The ATM MASTER CARD has pin number xxxx.
Forward the following when contacting FedEx Delivery Services

Your Name, Your Delivery Address, Your Phone Number and code below.
Find FedEx Contact Information Below:

UPS COURIER COMPANY
12 Air Port Road,G.R.A.
West Africa, Nigeria.

----------------------------------

Good Day.

I am Mrs.d Of the Ups Courier Company,I have a Confirmable BankDraft of
£500,000.00 GBP (Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds), that i deposited
the Draft with UPS COURIER SERVICE,West Africa,I travelled out of the country
for my hollidays and I will not return back untill the end of Augs.

I want you to try all your best and contact the UPS COURIER SERVICE as soon as
possible to know when you will get this package because of the expiring date.For
your information,I have paid for the Security Keeping Fee, Insurance premium and
Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or
meant to sponsor Terrorist attackin your Country.

The only money you will send to the UPS COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft
direct to your postal Address in your country is £60.GBP only being Delivering
Charge Fee of the Courier Company so far.

Again,don't be deceived by any person to pay any other money except £60.GBP
being the Delivering Charge .I would have paid that but they said no because
they don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to
contact the UPS COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this
below information.

============================================
Contact Person: Mr. Halite
Email Address: ups_custm.hk
Telephone4
Fax: +294
=============================================

Lastly, You are advice to send the below information to the Courier Company:

Your Full Name:
Postal address:
Direct telephone number:

Do send it to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to
give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and
know when it will get to your address.

Yours Faithfully

Address:3w
London WandNGER & ASSOCIATES
LONDON - UK.

---------------------------------
Attention:

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.
Jurgen
Krugger. I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was
returned
undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email
address on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Jurge Krugger
made
you a beneficiary in his WILL. He left the sum of Thirty Million, One
Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$30, 100.000.00) to you in the Codicil
and
last testament to his WILL.

This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and
true.
Being a widely travelled man, he said he met you sometime in the
past or
simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends
abroad who
wished you good, I am not too sure again. Jurgen Krugger until his
death
was a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of
Electronic &
Electrical Engineers and a German property magnate. He was a very
dedicated christian who loved to give out alms to the poor,hungry and
needy. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his
life
time. Late Jurgen Krugger died on the 13th day of December, 2004 at
the
age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution after 3
years and
thorough investigations.

According to him, this money is to support your humanitarian/medical
activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society. Please
if I
reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as
possible
to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant
time.

Note: You are advised to contact me with my personal email address
below:

I await your prompt response and please keep this very discrete and
to
yourself until the transfer of the funds to you is finalised.

Yours in Service,

BARRISTER

-------------------------

THE FOLLOWING LETTER IS HOW THEY GET YOU ON THE LIST!

DON'T DO THIS EITHER!

------------------------

The Free Lotto Sweepstakes,
PO Box 42 Peter borough
SE15 2UD
UNITED KINGDOM

Ref No: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312
Batch No:901/00319/HLP
Zonal Draw No: GMLA2-003
Grand Draw No: 12099

NOTIFICATION

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today of your selection
as one of the five winners of the promotional Free Lotto Sweepstakes
held recently as part of our EXPERIMENTAL BONANZA.

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
(£500.000.00(G.B.P).

The value of the amount comes to ($917,956.00 USD) Nine Hundred and
Seventeen thousand, Nine hundred and fifty-six United States Dollars.

Your email address emerged as one of the winning email addresses out of an
initial database of 300,000 email addresses.

Inother to claim your prize you are required to contact our claims
officer :

Name: Mrs.

Email address:

PAYMENT PROCESSING FORM
1.FULL NAMES:
2.ADDRESS/COUNTRY:
3.SEX:
4.AGE:
5.OCCUPATION:
6.E-MAIL ADDRESS
7.TELEPHONE NUMBER
8.INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:
A.CHEQUE. B. BANK TRANSFER.

Note that you are automatically disqualified if you are below 18 years of
age and illegal dissemination of this mail is highly prohibited.

Sincerely,
Gr
On line Coordinator
Free Lotto Sweepstakes.

Hope you found this useful and...PLEASE REMEMBER,

I'd like you also to send this out to all on your email list.

Please make checks payable and mail to:

Cape Coral Community Church

811 Santa Barbara

Cape Coral, Fl. 33991

Attn:Scam Advice

or donate on line go to http://capepraise.com

Thank you and May God Bless You!

The Dean aka Dean Menier

dean@themenier.com

The Company I was Using To Write My Blog Is Closing Down

2008-07-10T02:41:00Z

Written by deanmenierdocument.write(localTime('Jul 9, 2008 23:43 GMT')) on Jul-9-08 7:43pm

/9/2008 23:43 GMT

From: deanmenier.com

Hello from sunny Florida!

Sorry to say you won’t be able to comment on my babbling blogs and Ramblings here anymore, But you will be able to still look for me at the following places.

http://www.disaboom.com/MyDisaboom/Blog/BlogEntries.aspx

and

http://www.zimbio.com/account/articles

So if you don’t find me here …You’ve been looking for Blog in all the wrong places. If you haven't started yours you should think about doing it. You probably are a lot more interesting then you may think!

HAGO The Dean

OK one last song…

Lookin’ for love

I’ve spent a lifetime looking for you
Single bars and good time lovers, never true
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again.

I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I’m dreaming of…
Hopin’ to find a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
Another heart, lookin’ for love

When I was alone then, no love in sight
And I did everything I could to get me through the night
Don’t know where it started or where it might end
I turn to a stranger, just like a friend

You came a’knocking at my heart’s door..
You’re everything I’ve been looking for..

No more looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I’m dreaming of…
Now that I found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin’ for love

In all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I’m dreaming of…
Now that I found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin’ for love

I found it 35 years ago and it gets better as live goes on!

POR..Press on Regardless.

HAGO The Dean

“Ramblin On” The Continued Rambling of “The Dean” aka Dean Menier

Please keep me in mind if you are ever in the market for a home based business

Don’t Be Afraid Of Spiders….They Can Make You Wealthy!

Check this out and get your own Free Spider Web Marketing System, with 22 streams of income, All in one place. Dynamic Compression assures more your group stays involved & Makes Money!

http://deanmenier.com

Live Well,

The Dean,

Dean A Menier, SNP

BlackWidowSpider Partner

Cape Coral FL 33991

United States

Email: dean@themeniers.com

http://TheSpiderWebSystem.com/deanmenier

My New Favorite Club...ARRP!

2008-07-09T03:18:00Z

My New Favorite Club…ARRP!

Many many years have gone by since I was able to do all the things that I wanted to do. I was to young when I wanted to drive, drink, goof around with girls, and be responsible. Now I’m too old to enjoy the youth that seems to have flown by not just for me but for my kids, too. I look back at all the good times we all had and see a totally different kind of world that I grew up in and a very different world that my kids grew up in and even a more different world that my grand kids will grow up in. Where did all the time go? Slip sliding away? Speaking of that I don’t miss the Chicago winters. There I really was slip sliding away and falling down more than I wanted. Ask yourself this question, did you do all that you wanted to do? Well good news, there is still time. You may not be able to do it exactly the way you want to, but you still can do anything you want. The bucket list movie is a great idea for any one that can find Jack N. to front all the money. Think about it in a different way, He got paid back several time what he spent. What do you have that you can share with someone to help them and you get helped in return? Make your talents known to others and see what happens. That is if they are legal, moral and ethical. Start today and and live like there i s no tomorrow!

Be Well and HAGO,

The Dean,

“Ramblin On” The Continued Rambling of “The Dean” aka Dean Menier

Thanks for taking a look!

Best of luck, Quick question…

Want to earn $100 in the next 15 minutes?

Sign up for this, it’s free and when you confirm your sign up go to your home page and your $100 will be there! I made $1900 last week

http://selfbankfinancial.com/deanmenier

I forgot one thing, you need to be a Spider to get the $500 usual sign up waived so that the cost to you is nothing!

so sign up for the Free SpiderWeb Marketing System FREE and then sign up for self bank mobile

http://theSpiderWebSystem.com/deanmenier

HAGO…Have A Good One
The Dean
deanlyn@themeniers.com
239-910-7486

FREE- step by step
LEADS Capture Training
SpiderWeb Marketing System http://theSpiderWebSystem.com/deanmenier

Another Great Day, They’re all great…Some are just greater then others!

2008-07-08T04:18:00Z

Another Great Day, They’re all great…Some are just greater then others!

My day started out great and it got better from there. For some reason I felt really refreshed when I awoke. Did my morning prayers and asked for some work and the phone rang 3 times in 30 minutes. I was a happy camper,until I went to start the car and it didn’t want to do anything. So I went to my van and packed up some tools and started my day. First stop the bank, next to the first repair a quick fix of a faucet and off to Lowes to pay the monthly bill and Grab a bite to eat from the hot dog cart. I chose the grilled chicken fillet. Spencer went with the Italian Sausage. After applying about a pound of kraut and 1/2 pound of of hot peppers, onions, and relish, I couldn’t taste the chicken, so I pretended it was Italian Sausage. Off to the second repair, a stuck garbage disposal. Dave said do what ever needed to be done to make his tenant happy. So, I did and everyone was happy. Next the skies looked like they were going to open up and drown us, so we headed home and will go back to do that one tomorrow. Some day I’ll get caught up, but as the song says…Someday Never Comes!

Enjoy life and be happy and take chances…before you aren’t able to!

Don’t Think About it, DO IT!!! Cause………………..

Someday Never Comes!

First thing I remember was asking papa, why? ,
For there were many things I didn’t know.
And daddy always smiled; took me by the hand,
Saying, someday you’ll understand.

Chorus:
Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast; you better learn it young,
cause, someday never comes.

Well, time and tears went by and I collected dust,
For there were many things I didn’t know.
When daddy went away, he said, try to be a man,
And, someday you’ll understand.

Chorus
Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast; you better learn it young,
cause, someday never comes.

And then, one day in April, I wasn’t even there,
For there were many things I didn’t know.
A son was born to me; mama held his hand,
Saying someday you’ll understand.

Chorus
Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast; you better learn it young,
cause, someday never comes.

Think it was September, the year I went away,
For there were many things I didn’t know.
And I still see him standing, trying to be a man;
I said, someday you’ll understand.

Chorus
Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast; you better learn it young,
cause, someday never comes.

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm….someday never comes!

Thank you CCR.

I need your help with my new business. Please check it out and get involved! Also let me know what you are doing and perhaps we can assist each other.
Thank you!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Spiders….They Can Make You Wealthy!
Check this out and get your own Free Spider Web Marketing System, with 22 streams of income, All in one place. Dynamic Compression assures more your group stays involved and Makes Money!
http://thespiderwebsystem.com/deanmenier

Live Well,
The Dean,
Dean A Menier, SNP
BlackWidowSpider Partner
http://deanmenier.com

4th of July Weekend Comes to a Booming Halt!

2008-07-07T05:36:00Z

Went to a party at Joe's house for the annual 4th of July Bash. This year was one great time. We got there about an hour before dark for drinks and snacks. It was more like a ten course dinner. LoriAnn always goes way out of her way to pull out all the stops. this years was no different, oh yes it was this year everyone was happier then usual. The kids all played nice Marisa and Gabby were the perfect young hostesses, Chris looked wonderful as usual, Linda did shots...and that is always fun to watch, V brought her boat and a few friends and her family, she invited me bass fish and I hope she remembers to send the invite, Mr S (Poppy) was there with his usual happy smile, LoriAnn's mom was there looking good in her levi's and still not smoking, Praise The Lord! Peter and his girlfriend, pretty, with long wavy blond hair and a great smile and it was nice to see him smiling, it's been a long time, Spent time with Marty and Lisa and Jesse, what a big kid he is getting to be, Tina, Martin's mother in law was there and we talked about her new business and things that would never happen in my life time, John and his wife were there and she and Linda talked alot, John is going to take the Porsche home with him soon and see if he can locate the short in the radio, Two flowers were there and I can't believe I remembered their names Rose, Joe' sister and Daisy, whose husband couldn't be there because he was at work at his new Restaurant. If you are ever in The Ft Meyers, Fl. area, Stop in, I'm told the food is fantastic by several people. Let me know if you'd like the address and I'll pass it on, There were others there that I never got to say much more then hello.

NOW FOR THE NOISE...The Fireworks. As soon as they started we were visited by several neighbors, Here are a few names I don't remember, I do remember that they are rebuilding a vintage Charger and have 3 kids, Twin girls and a little guy that was stomping on poppers he and Jesse were having a ball. The family next door wasn't there and that's unusual. Event Master Joey "Piles" (called Joey Piles because he and Johnny "Poles" own a pier and lift install business, DOCKS and DECKS of SW Fl.) our Host, set off a huge display of rapid fire sky rockets. aeriel bombs, fountains and tons of bricks of crackers. His assistants, Two male and one female pyromaniacs (no names just in case) pulled off an almost flawless display! Except, for one multicharged rocket that had a mind of it's own and decided to go into the crowd. If you want to see the dead come to life and some new Olympic and World Hurdle,Sprint, and Long Jump Records, you should have been there. Marty was the only one hurt, not by the explosions, but by getting hurt feelings and getting mad at himself for burning a hole in his new Nike's. While the men ran for cover the ladies pulled the kids out of harms way...only kidding everyone help get everyone get out of the way.

Some serious good times had by all. My ears are still ringing and my hearing aid is at a louder then usual volume. The party split to in and outside for Kar e yok ee. I have seen that word 1000's of times, but I still can't spell it.

Joe And LoriAnn are great people and I love them and their family for always making Linda and I welcome!!!

Getting late and want to get home to unwind and relax with my beautiful wife!

More to follow...

Any way lets move on...I really should have listened to my mom when she said, "TURN DOWN THE MUSIC!" I've been wearing a hearing instrument for several years. They don't work very well I have tried several and the results are mostly the same. The last one I got was an Oticon with artificial intell. Sounds cool, but it ain't. You still can't hear like with the real thing...Your own ears. Think about it if it isn't too late. Have any ideas? Let me know, every little thing helps. It may also help someone reading this.

So here is a song about seeing. I also have poor vision and a detached retina. I may sound like I'm falling apart, it is really just growing older. BUT, 'I' am still pretty much fun to be hang with and 'Get Around' and along with all age groups. So, I think I'll do a different song instead. One by the Beach Boys I Get Around!

Round round get around
I get around
Yeah
Get around round round I get around
I get around
Get around round round I get around
From town to town
Get around round round I get around
Im a real cool head
Get around round round I get around
Im makin real good bread

Im gettin bugged driving up and down the same old strip
I gotta finda new place where the kids are hip

My buddies and me are getting real well known
Yeah, the bad guys know us and they leave us alone

I get around
Get around round round I get around
From town to town
Get around round round I get around
Im a real cool head
Get around round round I get around
Im makin real good bread
Get around round round I get around
I get around
Round
Get around round round oooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo

We always take my car cause its never been beat
And weve never missed yet with the girls we meet

None of the guys go steady cause it wouldnt be right
To leave their best girl home now on saturday night

I get around
Get around round round I get around
From town to town
Get around round round I get around
Im a real cool head
Get around round round I get around
Im makin real good bread
Get around round round I get around
I get around
Round
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

Round round get around
I get around
Yeah
Get around round round I get around
Get around round round I get around
Wah wa ooo
Get around round round I get around
Oooo ooo ooo
Get around round round I get around
Ahh ooo ooo
Get around round round I get around
Ahh ooo ooo
Get around round round I get around
Ahh ooo ooo

Well that's it for today, I hoped you like your time off during the long weekend.
Be Well and...Don’t Be Afraid Of Spiders….They Can Make You Wealthy!
Check this out and get your own Free Spider Web Marketing System, with 22 streams of income, All in one place. Dynamic Compression assures more your group stays involved & Makes Money!

http://deanmenier.com

Live Well,
The Dean,
Dean A Menier, SNP
BlackWidowSpider Partner

Happy 4th of July... And People, Let's All Be Careful Out There!

2008-07-04T16:48:00Z

Happy 4th of July,

July 4th in the U.S.A. is a celebration of a hard-won liberty. Lives were lost, people risked their lives and fortunes to prove that a people could govern themselves and create an environment where EVERYONE had the freedom to pursue happiness and prosperity.

There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Of those 56, five signers were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Their families were scattered and their wives and children died.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
Hard-won freedoms, but they believed in what they were standing for and were willing to give their all.

Since that day, 1,300,000 Americans have lost their lives continuing to hold the line for liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As a citizen of the USA, I personally wish to honor those men and women who continue to answer the call. America has changed, we are applying more and more restrictions to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But, the call to liberty is no less vital and desired today then it ever was.

I hope you will ENJOY this day with family and friends no matter WHERE YOU LIVE in this beautiful world. I also look forward to continuing to help you pursue your freedom to attain TIME and FINANCIAL PROSPERITY. I look forward to your continued success and growth as a Person and future leader!

Health, Happiness and Prosperity,

HAGO...Have A Good One
The Dean, SNP
dean@themeniers.com

America The Beautiful

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Her final version was written in 1913.

Here is a note from Katharine Lee Bates:

"One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."

America the Beautiful - 1913

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Me and How I Got This Way! "The Bike"

2008-06-03T20:30:00Z

"The Bike"

A tribute to my wife Linda By Dean A. Menier

As I sit here reminiscing thirty-five plus years later, a big grin comes over my face. Looking at my situation in retrospect, I wonder what my life might have been like had I not been at that place and time on that tragic day in '69. God must have had a plan for me!

Peace, free love, drugs, and rock and roll were what most of us lived for. I was no exception. I came from a loving family that wanted more for their kids than they had had. Since I was really good at playing the game, I got about anything that I wanted. Add girls, parties, lots of so-called undesirable associates, wheels and freedom, and I was a pretty popular guy. I had the world on a string, or so I thought. I loved the attention and used people to get what I wanted. Me, me, me, that's all I thought about! All this was about to change.

At about 10:30 am on August 19, 1969, I got a wake up call that would be the start of a series of events changing my life forever. This story starts off the night before, when, after 6 weeks of begging, I finally got my father to agree to let me buy a motorcycle.

It was a beauty, a 650 Triumph Bonneville, that Wayne, a neighbor, had just finished rebuilding. I even talked my dad into paying for it. It took a lot of prying to get my father to make up his mind, and against his better judgment, he let me have…"The Bike".

I didn't think it was a problem that his father had died on a motorcycle five years earlier. I never really got to know my grandfather, he lived in California and I lived in Illinois. Even though grandpa had 50 plus years of riding… I was much smarter, and besides…it couldn't happen to me. I was 19 and invincible! I was selfish and didn't take into consideration my father's grief. Dad was not able to say good-bye to his father.

Out and about, I wasted no time showing off my latest accomplishment. I picked up my girl friend and we went cruising to all of the in spots. In between Jack in the Box and McDonalds I was pulled over by the cops for having a faulty taillight. I talked my way out of the ticket by telling the policeman that I'd go right home and get it fixed. I really had no intention of doing that, the night was still young and I had more people to impress. Remember, I was cool!

It was a perfect night. The drive-ins were full, and tunes blasting from the car stereos. I remember that Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin, was playing. Little did I know that less than twelve hours later, I would be on that stairway.

I could hardly fall asleep that night with the anticipation of riding to work and showing off. I had made plans to pick up Harold. In the excitement to get out of the house early, I had forgotten the security badge that I needed to get into the restricted areas of the department store where I worked. When my manager told me I needed the badge, I said that I would go home and get it on break. I talked Harold into going with me, which wasn't hard. We had 15 minutes to go about 4 miles round trip...no big deal.

About half way to my house it happened. From out of nowhere came the car, smashing into my bike broadside, pinning my
leg between the red-hot motor and the bumper of the car that struck us.

Harold flew 156 feet onto a porch and yelled for help. I had no clue what had happened and blanked out. My left leg was shredded from the knee down and my femur had popped out, mid thigh. My left leg would later be amputated. I screamed from the excruciating pain. My arm twisted into an abnormal position behind my back, and a bone popped out an inch above the elbow. My skull was cracked open and had swollen to what was explained to me as, the size of a basketball. I was in shock and had blacked out instantly.

In the emergency room I was given last rites...but God was not ready to take me home. A team of a dozen doctors, nurses and paramedics worked to keep me alive, some on my head, some on my arm and some on my leg. The gift that God had given those people, prayers from everywhere, and of course God's plan for my future, pulled me through.

When I finally did come around, Dr. Loseff was looking me square in the eye and said," You had better thank God you are alive!"

My reply," I was just talking to Him!"

Rehab and therapy weren't easy. With the prayers and encouragement of my family, friends (some I knew and some I didn't) and relatives, I made progress. There of course, were set backs and people babied me.

Through this whole ordeal, I counted on Father John, an Australian hospital minister, for support and guidance. One Sunday, after service, Father John introduced me to three of the most beautiful people that I'd ever seen… Linda, Judy, and Evie. They were student nurses and greeted us with huge smiles and a caring, friendly, "Hello"! There was something special about these girls. They were the same age as I was, but they had plans for their lives. I did not, nor did my friends.

I pondered my future and asked God for His input. He answered me in an unusual way, saying..."Some people make
mistakes and don't get a chance to correct them...make the most of what I've given you!"

What started out to be what I thought was the worst day of my life, turned into the first day of my walk with the Lord. I spent 100 days in the hospital, which gave me a lot of time to think. Sometimes it's hard for me to admit this, but the road I'm traveling down now is much smoother. I've changed my ways and consider the feelings of other. I listen more and talk less. I enjoy helping others and do not expect recognition for it. The list goes on and on as I continue to learn as I grow.

Oh yes, one last thing. I've been married nearly 35 years (June 2,1973) and have two boys, Brian and Chris, and two great daughters-
in-law, Hester and Jayme. Gwen (Brian/Hester) was born in July of 05, our first grandchild. My wife's name is Linda and she was, as you may have guessed, one of the student nurses at lunch that day so many years ago!

God's plan was for me is to do more for others. I awaken each morning excited to see what He has planned for me today.
I am truly blessed!

Dean A Menier SNP

The Dean

Dean@themeniers.com