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.

12 Days of Christmas

Here's a link to a pretty good performance of an old Christmas classic. Don't take much to entertain me........

Highbrow Joint, Indeed

I have a birthday coming up in a few days. I’ve had several and I have never made a big deal out any of them. My Tammy (on the other hand) never misses a chance to do something special for me. A couple of days ago, she presents me with a pair of tickets to see John Prine in a show happening last night. She knows I’m a huge fan of this man’s music. It was a great show, opening with Mac Wiseman and then with Prine performing for better then two straight hours. The new Symphony Center only seats about 2000 folks and the sound could not be beat. Well, not “campfire” great, but pretty damn good. I had two tickets, so I took my best friend along with me. She had a great time too, plus she was willing to drive home. How can you beat that for a birthday?

A Real Charmer

I saw the cutest redhead the Saturday night at the Yearend ITSA banquet. No, I don’t mean the waitress. I’m referring to my good friend the Captain’s granddaughter, Brooklyn. She (like the rest of us) had big time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around her for long, but long enough to learn three things about her. She loves taking photos and ketchup, and she don’t care for my singing. That’s okay, I like ketchup better than my singing too. A doll.

OH S*^#@

Maybe this wasn't such a great plan afterall. Looks like a good time to abandon Ship!

It's over with now

Easy does it!

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

For the last three months when I wasn’t off riding my old Yamaha, I’ve been helping my old buddy Cornbread with the construction of a fine new magnum duck blind. We’ve been wanting one that floats and have been on the lookout for a pontoon boat shell for years. Well we finally located some pontoons and set about to build a blind big enough to be comfortable in, while being sea-worthy enough to hold up to the rough winter waters of the Tennessee River. The floats are 22 feet long and the frame is made of 2x6s with aluminum sheeting for walls. I finished putting the roof on the attached boat “garage” Sunday evening, just as the sun went down. We had it sitting on a flatbed trailer, ready to launch next weekend when Monday’s storm blew through town.

As you can see, the weight of the thing shifted a little. Fact is, it apparently went completely airborne, inverted in flight, before landing square on its roof. Unbelievable. This monster weighs more that a 1953 model four-door Buick and with (I thought) absolutely no aerodynamic qualities. What’s really amazing is the fact that I can’t find a dent in it anywhere! It’s just, er…. a little faulty in its orientation.

Fortunately, there was nothing else damaged on the place. Actually, I saw nothing wrecked (to amount to anything) in the whole area. The boy asked me how the wind could have done that without tearing through everything else around there. I told him it must have been like those missiles shot down through the mouth of chimneys by FA-18s in Iraq, a real surgical strike. Man, I got to start living right.

What Mambership Card Is In Your Wallet?

I’m once again I'm reminded of what the ITSA organization has done to enhance my motorcycle trials riding experience. Like a lot of riders in my area, I’m also a member of the STRA. I’ve got a little history with that organization, having been a part of it back in the late 70s and early 80s and then joining back with new interest about 5 years ago. I was also active in the AHRMA competitions until it became apparent that they didn’t really want me (a lowly trials rider) as anything more than a dues payer. Ever since my less-than-spectacular return to the STRA, I’ve been subjected to a decidedly cold-shoulder from a large part of the rank and file STRA membership. Now, I haven’t lost any sleep over it. I understand that it’s a simple case of a central core of elitist pricks being followed by a herd that's not capable of individual thought. They make a big deal about “welcoming” and “encouraging” new membership, but that’s just a farce. The only reason most of them pretend to want new members is to either fuel the enterprise, or to provide an additional fan-base for their imagined celebrity.

There is also a distinct bias in the STRA, or Modern over Vintage competition. Now (on the STRA bulletin board), there’s a long-time member who has had the “audacity” to call them on it. The initial response was a chorus of righteous indignation from the masses. They jumped on him like a pack of dingos on a crippled kangaroo. Then when their frontal assault failed to deter the criticism, they took the tone injured martyrs. Hypocritical bullshit.

I’ve got a modern bike and I like to ride it. I haven’t competed on it all year, but it’s not because I’m never welcomed when I do. I’ve just been busy. I’m still an STRA member and I will make more modern STRA events. I just wish I was good enough to beat’em. Thanks Lee, for speaking up and a big thanks to Bob and my fellow ITSA members keeping trials fun.

A Show Stopper

As I write this, Loretta Lynn is hosting the annual National Amateur Motocross held there. Its close by (about 10 miles), but the crowd is so huge these days, it’s a just a little more than worth the effort for me to take time for it. The boy had a rare day off yesterday and eased over to check out all the Dust Busting going on. He came home and reported that it was madness out there, but the show stopper wasn’t found on the jumps. It was trails champion Geoff Aaron who had everybody’s jaw dropping. He had his demo laid out and evidently proceeded to make the most of it. Sorry I missed it and it was only a one day stop. Pretty cool though and I even had a call from a guy who had never really seen any trials, but had watched the show and knew I was involved in the sport. I probably should have explained the (huge) difference between what he saw at the ranch and what I’m able to do, but I didn’t have the heart. Heck, everybody needs a hero.

Cool Site of the Day

My significant other sent me this LINK to a video of this artist working. He's fast and clearly ambu….uh, ambieee…..ammmm, ah heck, he can use both hands at once (I can never say ambidextrous). Anyway, check it out.