Merry Christmas Everybody

This time of year is one mad rush, huh? Oh well, what you gonna do.

Guitars and Golf

When I was a kid, my life had its own sound track. There were tunes that played in my head (and in my 8-track) that reflected and affected my state of mind and it didn’t matter whether I was alone or in a crowd, I’d sing along. I sounded great singing along. So good in fact that I developed a notion that it would be cool to learn how to accompany myself on a guitar. One truism in the world; Chicks did the guitar player. Go solo, so to speak. The idea of making my own music appealed to me and how hard could it be?

I know, you’re way ahead of me. Yes it was always very hard for me, so hard that I gave it up after about five years of trying. Maybe it came much easier to George Harrison, Eric Clapton or Peewee Adcock. I felt like it was just getting worse for me, to the point that where I once sang out loud anywhere I happened to be, now I’d lock myself away when playing. I learned just enough to know it’s very hard and that I’m more or less tone-deaf and (surprise) I don’t sing all that well afterall. Then after a little accident with my hand, I quit playing cold turkey.

Leaping forward 20 years and my exposure to the campfire crowd of ITSA. The music there was infectious and I soon found myself singing out loud again. It got back in my head, so I bought a couple guitars to go with the old flattop I’d had from before and gave it another shot. Let me tell you something, I don't play or sing well anytime and not hardly at all if anyone is around. When forced to by circumstance and peer pressure, I play very tentively and sing as weak as possible. Most everyone is supportive and I don’t want to let anyone down, so I keep at it (mostly).

I practice and practice and it mostly sounds bad. If alone, I can actually open up a little and that helps. Sometimes I stubble onto an arrangement for a song I like, only to have it die like the dog it is when I play it. It’s a lot like my golf game. I play that poorly as well. I’ve tried to buy a golf game with countless new clubs. and it’s still no good. Shank em right, hook em left, top the ball and watch it dribble off the front of the Tee Box.

But you know how you’re up on the tee and no one seems to be watching and you suddenly turn into Tiger and smack it clean and long, right down the middle? The club feels like you just barely touched the tee and struck the ball dead on its sweet, soft spot, which resulted in one of those long, tall, slow motion drives that change your whole day and keep you coming back to play because it convinces you that there’s a golfer in there somewhere, after all.

Tonight with the house asleep, I sneaked into the next room with my guitar and I began playing my regular smelly junk. GOOD GRIEF. Then I turn to an old gem and I play it real slow (because it has an F in it and that’s slow or no go for me) and playing it seemed to work a little. It was in my range to sing along and for just that one song, it lifted straight and true and drove right down the middle. It’s them that keep me coming back to the music. Just don't ask me to play it for you.....

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

Jesco

I hate the Winter

Man, I get bored this time of year. Threre's nothing to do on weekends but sit around watching TV and wait for Monday.

Tammy and I watched some random TV show over the weekend, in which the sound track included that old hit from the 80s, “Can’t stop this feeling”. We sang right along with it. Pretty lame, uh? Well maybe so, but right or wrong it's a part of our past and maybe yours too.

Trivia time. In the early 1900’s Oldsmobile began manufacturing a heavy-duty flatbed truck that they dubbed the Speedwagon. It was the brainchild of the company’s fonder, Ransom Eli Olds. It was this vehicle that inspired the name of the band who made the song famous 80 years later. Cool

A Jug Full of Lightning

No, not the kind that might show up and then be passed around a campfire.

The old TY was getting a little tired and I thought that as long as I was at it, I’d prevail upon our good friends at B&J Racing to do a little of their magic on the top end pieces. Porting and polishing the cylinder and the head, along with the reed valve treatment that the Guru is famous for. I’d shoot a photo of the inside, but I’m afraid that’s top secret. Performance report to follow, maybe after the November 15 and 16 rides that’ll end the old season and begin the new one. It’s goin’ be SWEEEEET

Team Black

Well, I made the trip to Dickson a couple of weekends ago, for rounds 3 & 4 of the ITSA North American Championship series. I’ve rode better I guess, but it was still good enough to garner some first rate trials sponsorship. My good buddy Malcolm (aka Mennonite Mike) stepped up with some really sweet uniforms. Ain’t these shirts the coolest? I think somebody got a shot of several of us standing together wearing them and I hope they post it somewhere.

On Saturday I had a little run in with a tree that crimped my throttle cable, which resulted in a unscheduled and sustained full-throttle type situation , which propelled me through the ribbon in my section, plus two more in the next one. This could have been the end of my day had it not been for the all-out effort of my riding partner Peewee and the generosity of the Guru, who supplied the replacement cable. Now if that’s not some fine sponsorship, I don’t know what is!

It was a great weekend and as always, a great trial. There was a lot of good riding going on, even if I wasn’t doing any of it. I was especially proud of my old pal Barry, who stepped up and road like we all knew he could. Also doing an amazing job was FIRST-time rider Speck, who rode like he’d been doing it for years. I was also proud of young Doug, who rides way over the heads of his competitors and is a true joy to be around.

Props also to Dick (corncobs)and (of course) Charlie for an extremely nice campfire both nights. If you missed it, well you’re in luck because we’ll do it again next month. See you all there.

Men from UNCLE

So, my phone rings and the voice says "Is this Jessie Wallace and is this the same person who in 1965, took turns with his best friend pretending he was Napoleon Solo?". Unbelievable. From age 6 to 12, the guy on the other end of the line was as close to me as....well, as close as only a first best friend can be. I'd only spoken to this guy once since my family had dragged me away (kicking and screaming) from that world in the fall of 1968 and that had been 25 years ago. Tracked me down, called me up and pulled me back through the looking class! Wow

Maybe some of you have had the same sort of experience. The kind that zips through 40 years in about 40 seconds. It was as cool as a chrome communicator pen.

From Out of the Past

Does anyone know anything about the United Network Command for Law Enforcement? Years ago, I had an experience that sort of involved them. Classic story, I was young and all about having fun, looking for adventure and…uh.

So I’m at work the other day and my phone rings. I answer and the voice on the other ends asks “Is this Jessie Wallace, and is this the same person who……..” Well, if you know anything about that outfit, you can imagine the rest. Wow

Happy Birthday, Jake

Fire In the Hole

Here's a little clip recorded at the ITSA trials held at Charlie Nash's Farm (sorry, no sound). I've seen this cannon in action a couple of times before, but it's still fun to watch. Thanks to the Menonite Armory for troting out their big GUNs. Note: if you play with the slide controls on this veiwer a little, you can make Malcolm moonwalk. That's not something that would likely be possible without special effects.

People Have More Fun Than Anybody

That's what my good buddy Fearless Charlie Nash says and he proved it this past weekend at the ITSA series trials event he hosted at his family's farm near Paris TN. He had stepped up with short notice to fill in for a canceled event, so he could be forgiven for keeping the whole thing simple and sweet. Yeah, it was 'bout as simple as the space shuttle. He could have stepped off the stage of the Ed Sullivan Show, for all the plates he was spinning and balls he was juggling. He was like a Army (or National Guard) General out there. There’ll be plenty more on the weekend here later and also found by visiting the sites always linked from this site. For now, all I can say is “ At Ease, Soldier”.

Good Advice Here

Words of caution from the good folks at the British Columbia Ministry of Wildlife

Still Dancing

Check this guy out

Golf Fix

If you love golf, you might enjoy this little stress reliever. (Hope the Captain checks this out)

Too Close For Comfort

The following was sent to me by my future son-in-law and it hit remarkably close to home, so I thought I share it with my peers (you know who you are). Check THIS out.

A Chip Off the Ol' Block

Some of you may have heard me speak, or even read here about my daughter Leslie, who is currently in grad school in St Pete, FL. What follows is a little long for a post, but I thought it pretty good, so I have to share it. This is a thread of an email string between us about some new skills she has:
From the beginning:

To Jessie
From Leslie
Subject: Sea Ark!!!
>
>
> Hey Dad, just wanted to tell you that Jim and I went out today for a
> boat launching/driving lesson and we took out our Sea Ark!! It's
> exactly like yours! We were using a smaller boat last time but we
> took the Sea Ark out today and I trailered it down to the dock and
> then launched it. We launched near the airport by the Pier downtown
> and then we took the boat to the Pier and I practiced docking. After
> that we shot out into the Bay a little ways and then brought it in to
> the dock again. All went well until a squall blew in and I came all
> the way back to the dock with 3 foot swells. That was a little
> unnerving but she handled well. :) So does this mean I can drive when
> we're in for July 4th?? :) haha...


>
> Loves you,
> Sissy


From Jessie
TO Leslie

Dear Leslie,
>> I regret to inform you that our family is no longer possession of any
>> marine contrivances. It is an unfortunate coincidence that your
>> new-found skill should come just as we're no longer in position to
>> take advantage of it.
>>
>> I am happy to report that there IS water in the swimming pool and you
>> may expect to have opportunity to launch in it, one of the
>> sophisticated (Styrofoam) miniature flotation devices that we DO still own.
>>
>> I look forward to watch with pride this adventure.
>>
>> On another note, we've had a terrible outbreak of bird-flu, which is
>> currently confined to the rear garage. We suspect the now empty
>> facility appealed to the most unhealthy of those animals affected and
>> have had to quarantine it (as well as the area around it) for a
>> period of at least 6 months, or until after Christmas.
>>
>> Still look forward to your visit!
>>
>> Loves you
>> Dad


From Leslie
To Jessie

Dear Jessie,
>
> I'm so sorry to hear of this series of unfortunate events. The
> outbreak of bird flu you speak of seems quite unusual and my
> scientific background leads me to question the prognosis and
> subsequent quarantining in the lower garage. You might seek a formal
> second opinion because I am tempted to suggest some sort of digestive
> problem instead of what you call bird flu. It might simply be that
> said animals have been afflicted with a severe case of the bullshits,
> which can resemble bird flu but is also accompanied by shifty eyes,
> incessant clearing of throat, and overt sarcasm. Check into it and
> let me know what you find.
>
> I am pleased, on the other hand, to inform you that in addition to my
> boating skills, I've also become an avid motorcycler so could I borrow
> your harley??
>
> Sincerely,
> Sissy

UnDead

I've made an observation that I hesitate to mention...well, let me back up a little.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been a little remise in the taking advantage of photo opportunities. This past Sunday, we held Round 3 of the SE ITSA series in Goodlettsville TN. Trent Parks was host of this, his first event and it couldn't have gone much better. More on that part later; right now I'd like to point out that I not only brought my camera, but I took it on the trail and took dozens of shots of some good rides and great efforts. I got Peewee and Malcolm styling through mud holes and hillsides. I got Chip and Ray slipping and sliding (like everyone else) in several of the slick creek sections. I got one really good shot of Randy Blackwell doing a pretty good SUPERMAN stunt, with his bike on the back wheel while he hung on for dear life. Sweet, just because I was (for once) ready on the spot for the shot.

I get home, plug the ol' Nikon into the computer and prepare to access the photos inside. What did I find? The single shot above! The rest are just...gone. If not for the one remaining, I'd claim mechanical difficulties, or even operator error. But since this picture did take, I can only conclude one thing. Except for Ray and Graham, I've obviously been riding all day with a bunch of Vampires. Dang

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

We've all heard that before, uh. It's true that a photo greatly enhances a story, or sometimes it can say a lot on it's own. I take a camera with me almost everywhere I go, yet I get so wrapped up in whatever I'm doing, I can never remember to use it. I've seen some great shit too. I've seen all my riding buddies crash at one time, or many. I've seen wildlife acting tame and I've seen domestic pets acting wild. I saw Nubbie do a nose-drive into a dead cedar tree, stumble back to the camp fire and proceed to quote verse after verse of Poe's Raven. Bet my camera was in my pocket at the time. I've seen Charlie destroy more wood than all the dozers can in a week of mowing down the rain forests of South America, yet I got no pictures of him doing any of it. I've seen a good man shoot a short canon, with a shot that could be heard around the world (or at least anywhere on Big Bartons Creek). Or how about my good buddy R.Q. (young-at-heart) flying around the side of a hill, racing...well, racing something. I could have taken priceless shots of that!

I started this blog entry with the idea of giving a little report on the section-clearing trip to Trent's last weekend, then I got to thinking how much better (or at least mildly bearable) for anyone reading this, if I'd had some photos to put with it. I'm getting on Ebay right now, and find me some kind of Helmet cam, or lapel spy camera, or maybe even a pretty little college girl who likes to draw. Something...then watch out, because when you least expect it, you're elected......

"LONG AS I REMEMBER, THE RAIN'S BEEN FALLING DOWN"

When I think of really fun outdoor activities, warm air and sunshine are usually key ingredients. This past weekend marked the second ITSA event of the 08 seasons, up in Palmyra at RQ Old’s Vintage Hills Ranch. Me and Fearless Charlie got there Friday evening and managed to set up the old foldout in the only short rainless interval of the day. Still, we had a good time watching the “Old Brother…”movie on the laptop. Course it rained so hard you couldn’t hear the words over the noise, but fortunately I knew all the dialog and provided same until Charlie passed out.

Next day the gang all got there and the fun continued right along with the rain. Fact is, it rained most of the weekend and most of the time was spent huddle under various blue canopies, telling jokes, eating, and drinking beer. It did stop raining long enough to get in a few hours by the campfire, which is always the highlight of these weekend trips. The guitars and clowning around, takes me as close as I ever get to feeling like a kid anymore.

The next day we enjoyed another dry spell, just long enough to get in the 3 rounds of trials riding. As always, riding in the groups is a treat for me. I think this was the first time I’ve had a chance to ride with my good buddy Malcolm, who is riding the B-line pretty damn good. No doubt he’s still better at playing a guitar than he is at riding out of slick creek bottoms, but that won’t be the case for much longer. Seems like everybody is stepping up their riding game these days. It was good having Joe Brother to ride with too. Unfortunately, he was having some mechanical trouble with his ride, which forced him to quit early.

Rain started falling just as we finished up. I have to admit I was starting to get a little tired of the wet stuff by this time. I watched as the Captain struggled to get up the slick hill in his 4x4 Ford and when he stalled, I commented sagely that his four-wheel drive couldn’t be working. When it was my turn, I suffered the same fate. Good thing the Cornel had a fleet of tractors to pulls us up over the hill.
My thanks to my hero, RQ Old. He’s got a great place and he’s a fine host. Thanks too, to the Guru and Peewee who always promote a good event and this was no exception. I’m sure we all take their efforts too much for granted. I don’t want to think about all I’d be missing if we didn’t have this thing going for us and while the riding may have become a smaller part of it (for me, anyway), it’s still at the core of it. I’d have thanked my lucky stars for this weekend, if I could have ever seen them through the clouds! AH, LET IT RAIN.

Great Day

Me and Joe-brother were invited by our old buddy Peewee to come over and ride the ranch this afternoon. It's amazing, but even after the heavy rains of the day before, the ground was close to perfect and the weather was too. Trent came down, as did Bruce and the Scepter boys. As these photos demonstrate, a good time was had by all.

Here the Captain is engaged in some emergency repairs stemming from a noble attempt at a nasty tight turn and double-log combo that has claimed several victims in the past. His next effort was much more successful.

This is a good shot of Joe emerging from a ditch as he looked for something to make the location more interesting.

Barry (here) and Troy have been upping their game lately. The Scepter boys are going to a force to be reckoned with this year, as is Trent.

George T Bass 1947 - 2008

I've got a good fiend by the name of Bass. NO, not the Ernest T of Mayberry fame. TO date my buddy Malcolm hasn't written a song about big George. There's plenty about him that would inspire creative effort. Big, tall, and strong as a mule. I always thought he looked like the old TV star, Clint Walker. Worked full time until he retired a year or so ago, never sick. His hobbbies where always hunting, fishing, and helping everyone in our part of the world, at one time or another. He routinely volunteered himself (along with a few of his friends) to build porches, garages, roofs, and several complete houses. That's how I know most of what I know about driving a nail. Yes, a real man and a good friend. It was like everyone claimed him and so each lost him similtainously. I've never seen such a line as was spilling out in to the 25 degree air at the rear of the funeral home tonight. AH, say it ain't so!

Sweet As Sugar

My little girl has been a little under the weather lately, but she's on the road to recovery now and putting up wi.... ur, I mean enjoying my wife's company for a few days at her digs in old St Pete. I miss both of them when either is away from home, but let them both be gone at the same time the boy is in school and I find myself completely lost. Lost, mostly because all I do is eat and sleep and watch crappy TV all night. If somebody don't rescue me pretty quick, I'm going to look like fell-fed toad frog.