ROLAND-You gotta read this!

[DODGER]

I am a "constant reader" My son who is going through Army Ranger school and I both are. He sent me a letter just before he left for the 3rd phase, swamp it's called, in Florida. I will quote his letter because he writes much better than I do.

There were 31 recycles in the formation. I stood at attention waiting for my name to be called. The SSG said "Listen up men. I'm gonna give you a new roster number now, you know you're all six series now, right? Anyway, just listen up." He finished half the numbers and I became certain that, and hopeful of, the idea I would be assigned No. 619. Than number of power came and went. I sounded off with my name and six twenty four.
I took out my sharpie and wrote down my number that would be my identity for the next seven weeks. I was disappointed that it had not been 619. I put away my sharpie and notepad and returned to the position of parade rest. I dropped my head, I kicked the sandy ground. As I did this I noticed a strip of ACU pattern cloth emerge from the soil. It was a name tape. It was wet and nearly covered with mud. I kicked again and some of the mud fell away. I kicked again and the name tape flipped over. I picked it up and began to brush it off. I smiled. ROLAND it read. The Ranger student next to me looked down at my hands and then back up to my eyes, curioius. "My mother and I read the same books" I said. "Dark Tower" he said.
He ended the letter with -I just wanted to relay these few experiences to you in a way I wouldn't be able to over the phone. Hang on to that name tape for me.
I have been struggling to find a fitting gift for his Ranger graduation ceremony. Now, I have a wonderful idea, but don't know how to go about it. I have, after all the perfect bookmark (the name tape) if only I knew if it is possible to get a signed copy of the Gunslinger???? Anybody have helpful ideas or suggestions??? This would be too perfect for words. I need to get this done. Graduation is on March 8th. HELP!

[Moderator]

Steve's going to be on the set for Under the Dome most of this week so being able to get this done in time for you would be difficult even if he is agreeable to making an exception so can't make any promises, but will see what I can do.

[Lily Sawyer]

Steve's going to be on the set for Under the Dome most of this week so being able to get this done in time for you would be difficult even if he is agreeable to making an exception so can't make any promises, but will see what I can do.

Ain't she a nice Mod? -This is why we love you. :love:

[Shasta]

I really, really hope this works out for you. What a great parent!

My mom and I are both fans and she'd NEVER do this so I think you deserve some good karma!

If you can't get it signed and just want to find a cool rare copy of the Gunslinger, I highly recommend Dave at Bett's Books. I know plenty others here would back that up as well!

Hope to see you around the board!

[Moderator]

I've heard back from Steve and am sending you a PM, Dodger. Let me know if you don't find it.

[GNTLGNT]

...our Main(e) Man and the true sweet soul of the Board..Ms. Marsha, will make small miracles happen...and please thank your son for his service...

[DODGER]

Oh my God, friends and neighbors! I thought I was sending this out to the universe, but didn't get my hopes up. I knew if nothing else King fans would love the story. I'm not techy or very social media savy so bear with me. Thank you for the positive responses. As a mother, the whole Army Ranger training is almost more than I want to know about at times, so Roland and gang are a nice diversion. It has always felt like these books that I love were written just for me. You probably all feel the same way. So when my son became a convert it was a great bonus. I can tell him "long days and pleasant nights" and he gets it. I AM SO GIDDY! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everyone I know will soon be hearing about this. Shasta, I know your momma would do this, or anything else she could for you. DODGER
p.s. So very happy to hear the Dome is coming, love that one too.

[AnnaMarie]

Marsh, you and Steve amaze me. Reading this thread has really made my day. maybe my month.

Dodger, thank your son for us. :)

[SHEEMIEE]

I too have a strange story to tell.

only the other day i was finally convincing my wife to read the first in the long journey of DTs. she reluctantly began to read it in the study while i retired to the shed to retrieve my spade for a spot of gardening. I began to dig down around the roots of the hedge i was trying to pull from its roots when something pinged in my back and i froze in pain. I ended up on my hands and knees and crawled back to the shed too await my impending death.

As I waited for the "Death rattle" in the sauna like shed I noticed a book tucked under the work bench, cob-webbed and long forgotten. I reached underneath the table and pulled out a copy of "everything's eventual" and thumbed through it.

AND WHAT DID I FIND? only another chapter in the DT tale- the little sisters of eluria!!!!:51_002:


So mis mod, i reckon this too is a sign from long tall and ugly himself telling me I really need to get this signed for posterity as a wonderful dinner table anecdote.


PS my back is on the mend - but i reckon i need something as a little pick me up.

:33_002:

[Moderator]

Nice try, Sheemie, but no cigar. :pign:

[GNTLGNT]

Nice try, Sheemie, but no cigar. :pign:

...boy, the nerve of some people...and Sheemie...:pigupset:

[Lily Sawyer]

Steve's going to be on the set for Under the Dome most of this week so being able to get this done in time for you would be difficult even if he is agreeable to making an exception so can't make any promises, but will see what I can do.

Sundrop! Grab the kid and haul ass over to the set! He's in your 'hood, girlfriend!

[Sundrop]

Sundrop! Grab the kid and haul ass over to the set! He's in your 'hood, girlfriend!

Well, he ain't Johnny Depp, but I have some time to kill before heading to Nashville.

Marsha, you might want to give Uncle Steve a call and let him know I'm planning a visit......you know how I hate to show up unnanounced.

[Moderator]

Thanks for the warn....ummm, advance notice! :wink2:

[Shasta]

Okay, I need to hijack this thread to say this:

WHAT??? There's pigs? I LOVE pigs! They're my favorite animals.

This makes me irrationaly happy.

:pighappy::pighope:

[Tim D.]

Okay, I need to hijack this thread to say this:

WHAT??? There's pigs? I LOVE pigs! They're my favorite animals.

This makes me irrationaly happy.

:pighappy::pighope:


What a coincidence. Pigs are my favorite animal too. Bacon, ham, pork chops, sausage......

[Shasta]

What a coincidence. Pigs are my favorite animal too. Bacon, ham, pork chops, sausage......

Mean.

[GNTLGNT]

Okay, I need to hijack this thread to say this:

WHAT??? There's pigs? I LOVE pigs! They're my favorite animals.

This makes me irrationaly happy.

:pighappy::pighope:

http://www.funnypica.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Funny-Pig-45.jpg...:64:

[not_nadine]

What are those pigs doing?:oops:

[Shasta]

http://www.funnypica.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Funny-Pig-45.jpg...:64:

Whatever that is I want it for my birthday.

[DODGER]

Hi everyone. Just an update. I will travel to Ft Benning next week to deliver the most amazing gift to my son. MR. KING SENT ME A SIGNED COPY OF THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE!!!! WITH A PERSONAL DEDICATION TO MY SON!!! Can you believe that happy crappy? I am still in shock. Our family is so grateful. I always knew what kind of person our favorite author was from his stories, but still!!!! This will go down in family lore forever. I will post pictures of the happy event ASAP. Thanks to everyone. Keep upright and sniffing the air.

[Shasta]

Hi everyone. Just an update. I will travel to Ft Benning next week to deliver the most amazing gift to my son. MR. KING SENT ME A SIGNED COPY OF THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE!!!! WITH A PERSONAL DEDICATION TO MY SON!!! Can you believe that happy crappy? I am still in shock. Our family is so grateful. I always knew what kind of person our favorite author was from his stories, but still!!!! This will go down in family lore forever. I will post pictures of the happy event ASAP. Thanks to everyone. Keep upright and sniffing the air.

(you may want to be a little quiter about that so we don't all get jealous.)

[SHEEMIEE]

:29_002:

Hmm we are told please dont ask...

but if we dont ask we dont get...

Look what happens when we do ask...

...moral of story?

:stfu:

someone is going to be busy answering begging letters- 'cos i'm gonna start a daily barrage of sob stories until I gets me a signed copy of something too!

BAH...jealous- damn right.

[Moderator]

Exceptions are made when the circumstances warrant it, e.g. for members of the military and this particular story had a lot of pieces that put it in the chances are good an exception will be made column. Just begging for a book because you want one won't.

[kingricefan]

Another reason why Sai King is the best author and person out there today! No, I am not saying this to suck up or pave the way for a signed book of my own, I already have enough of those, just expressing my warm thoughts about 'our' favorite author. Even as popular and busy, busy, busy that he is, he still finds time for a simple (but somewhat life-altering) gesture!! You rock, Steve!!! :51_002:

[SHEEMIEE]

if finding a name badge on the ground and being in the army warrants an exception to the rules Ms Mod - I think a few more signed books should be on the way.

Exceptions suck, its like watching the folk in the Disney fast track queue skipping passed you after you've been in line all day to see cinderella (where the hell did that come from?)

Or the guy outside in the drive through pulls up and gets fed first, while you're still standing at the counter, waiting for your big mac after 15minutes.





Begging letter No#1.

I too am struggling to find a gift for my..er brother, who i am seeing for the first time in five years. I bet if he had the chance to read about Roland, he would love it. What would be even better is if I could get it signed by the author, so he could see who wrote such an awesome story. Funnily enough, his boss- who is called Odetta is a two faced woman who keeps him working late with no overtime- so he cannot afford the bus fare to take him to the library to read these fine stories. Imagine if he was to get one of these splendid books in the post.

Oh yeh, i was in the army too- and If you add all my military identity numbers together you almost, almost get 19!!!!! and spookily enough i was in for 9 years. i have 2 parents-- so if you times the served years by the number of parents who missed me dearly-------YOU GET 19!!!!

I have almost all of SKs book, well at least 9 of them.and i must have read each of them twice...........NINETEEN!!!!!

:crazy:

TA>>>DA!

[Moderator]

Steve has made a lot of exceptions for service men and women, this just happens to be the one that you've heard about. :smile2: I understand your point about the exceptions, though, which is why it's better not to do them but sometimes the rules are made to be broken.

[SHEEMIEE]

so because someone serve in the forces- they are better than joe blogs flipping burgers?

Bad practice!

give to one give to all- or don't give at all.

And don't go telling people - this is really peeing me off, dont know about the smiley faces anyone else hides behind.

No seriously, its not about the gift, its the practice of breaking the rules for someone because they appear on the SKMB - make a silky begging post - then disappear again.

personally,for me, it is jealousy, seeing others get the things I know are out of reach for me. It seems to be your personal choice as to who you move on up the tower-

service men and women are the same as any other serving member of the public- and deserve no more than the rest of us- its they who choose to take the pay - nothing special in that- And before folks get on their high horse next to me, I served 9 years.

Bitter constant reader.

angry face GRRRRRRRR!

[Moderator]

I'm sorry you feel that way but I doubt there's much else I can add that wouldn't piss you off more so think it's best to :zip:.

[mjs9153]

Humbly submit that you are wrong Sheemie,these guys do more in service than someone flipping burgers..they go through a physical and mental torture to attain that Ranger tab,all for the privilege of going to some third world to represent us and protect our interests and security..and in return are shot at,blown up,suffer privations and maybe get taken prisoner or seriously wounded or killed..for not a lot of monetary remuneration..I don't think a signed copy from his favorite author,whether Stephen King or Dr Seuss is too much to ask for such self sacrifice..
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4942481810653516&pid=15.1http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4510524085109663&pid=15.1http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4883185501145333&pid=15.1 Good luck to your son, Dodger,may he have safe travels and deployments..

[danie]

Bitter constant reader.

angry face GRRRRRRRR!

I'm sure Mr. King will send you a signed book soon.

[mjs9153]

Sheemie I don't wish this thread to devolve into bitterness,and I admit I missed the part about your ten years service,for which I thank you..not trying to get on you,but having served in a uniform capacity since 1987,have had occasion to escort funeral processions through my town,more times than I like to think about..and seen up close and personal the toll that the kids today are paying for their service.Physical and mental..I myself have exactly one signed book,and that is by Dick Couch,author of The Warrior Elite,which details a Seal class proceeding through training.Mr Couch,who was a Navy Seal himself and accomplished author,has several other works of similiar nature detailing the process that special forces operators go through..I wish more Americans would read these books and understand the lengths they go to,the special forces,and their sacrifices..I would hope that we could be happy for this lady's quest to get her son a special gift at this time of achievement..been reading SK since the late seventies,so a long time reader too,but not upset about not having a signed copy,as autographs are not too important IMOP,the story is..

[MadamMack]

Nice try, Sheemie, but no cigar. :pign:


:hahahahaha:

[SHEEMIEE]

Sheemie I don't wish this thread to devolve into bitterness,and I admit I missed the part about your ten years service,for which I thank you..not trying to get on you,but having served in a uniform capacity since 1987,have had occasion to escort funeral processions through my town,more times than I like to think about..and seen up close and personal the toll that the kids today are paying for their service.Physical and mental..I myself have exactly one signed book,and that is by Dick Couch,author of The Warrior Elite,which details a Seal class proceeding through training.Mr Couch,who was a Navy Seal himself and accomplished author,has several other works of similiar nature detailing the process that special forces operators go through..I wish more Americans would read these books and understand the lengths they go to,the special forces,and their sacrifices..I would hope that we could be happy for this lady's quest to get her son a special gift at this time of achievement..been reading SK since the late seventies,so a long time reader too,but not upset about not having a signed copy,as autographs are not too important IMOP,the story is..

Na, i'm just sounding off no real bitterness.

A few years ago, i went back to Edinburgh and found out that their was going to be a book signing by a guy I really admired. His name was Tim Collins. I was quite excited, as I had watched him on t.v giving his motivational speeches, and saying things as he saw them- no bulldust. His speeches had a huge influence on many people, and i wanted to thank him personally. Only i missed the signing.

But the lady behind the counter gave me a signed copy of his book that had been left over (I had to pay of course)
Although I thanked her and walked out the shop with my signed copy of Rues of engagement, By Col Tim Collins- I was left flat and disappointed. The signature meant nothing to me. I wanted to meet the man who stuck it up the officials who tried to burn him on the cross for doing his job. The way he was treated by the faceless government goons was disgusting.

So, no, I'm not concerned about books being signed really. Its just the fact that, in my mind, soldiers are soldiers.They do their jobs and move on. Just like any other john doe out there. They should be treated like everyone else, nurses,techies,teachers,garbage collectors, coppers, Board moderators, and street cleaners.

So yeh good luck to the young guy, may his days be long and his nights pleasant. No offence intended.

signed, Atropos- green eyed idol of envy.

[FlakeNoir]

My personal view is that what Stephen (or any other author) does with his/their time and merchandise is completely and utterly their choice. I would also not be put out by them changing the rules at any given time. They don't have to reach out to their public like this, it's not really any benefit to them (once they're earning this kind of do$h) other than to have those feel-good moments when they do.

SHEEMIE, in reply to your "They should be treated like everyone else..." (including Board Moderators) passage, you might like to know that I've never received a signed book from Stephen (and likely never will) and as this a voluntary position, Moderators are not treated any differently regarding Stephen's merchandise than any other "john doe" out there.
As for Marsha, well she and Stephen have been friends for a great many years, so this shouldn't apply to her at all.

No offence taken... ;))

[MadamMack]

My personal view is that what Stephen (or any other author) does with his/their time and merchandise is completely and utterly their choice. I would also not be put out by them changing the rules at any given time. They don't have to reach out to their public like this, it's not really any benefit to them (once they're earning this kind of do$h) other than to have those feel-good moments when they do.

SHEEMIE, in reply to your "They should be treated like everyone else..." (including Board Moderators) passage, you might like to know that I've never received a signed book from Stephen (and likely never will) and as this a voluntary position, Moderators are not treated any differently regarding Stephen's merchandise than any other "john doe" out there.
As for Marsha, well she and Stephen have been friends for a great many years, so this shouldn't apply to her at all.

No offence taken... ;))

Damn Skippy!

[MadamMack]

Atropos- green eyed idol of envy.

. . .:love: You remember the face of your father . . .

I'm just having a lil fun . . .don't get your wick outta wack!

[Spideyman]

Spot On, Flake !!

[not_nadine]

Love ya, Sheemie. :love:

[mjs9153]

That is why this board is so cool,so good..we can agree,disagree,get maybe a little perturbed at each other,but in the end,we are ka-tet..meaning SK's works have given us a little more insight into the human mind and soul,and pretty cool that folks here can share their thoughts..without real anger or retribution,but leaving room for thought.. thanks Sheemie didn't mean to sound off..
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.5008628579175327&pid=15.1http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4655638158312867&pid=15.1http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4634674402821557&pid=15.1Good luck to Dodger's son..:grinning:

[MemnochTheDevil]

I applaud this guy, his son, Ms. Mod, and Mr. King for making this happen. No matter how many people end up bitching about it, this was a great gesture. It is good to know people still try to do nice things for each other. The world is a slightly better place because of it.