Hello from Kansas City Missouri!!!

I took this picture yesterday at the airport waiting for my hotel shuttle. I thought it was unique and kinda inspiring. The flight in was a little rough and from the looks of the ground and trees there had been some strong winds and rain in the area less than an hour ago.

About 2 years ago I took a class offered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). It was a 3 day weather class.

We learned about thunder storms, tornados, funnel clouds, straight line winds and hail sizes among other things. The class was intense and for me, extremely fascinating. Upon completion I received registration/certification as a ‘Storm Spotter’.

Basically, all that means is when the tornado sirens go off, I get to grab my handy-talky (HAM radio) and head for a place (safe and out of the way of danger) and watch the storm. *grin*

I’ve always had a fascination with storms, especially tornado and sever lightning. My engineering background and basic knowledge of electricity gives me a great respect and childish fascination with the amount of energy generated by the wind and colliding air masses.

If I have my way, some day the tornado video you see on the 6 o’clock news will be mine!!

A Price Has Been Paid

Some of you know I help on another blog. I chose to put this post there. Don't ask why, just go read and say a word of thanks to Terry. I believe this summer is 5 years without his son.

Is it Monday??

I have about 9 hours of work to do before I leave at noon for a business trip. I was too hot to sleep good last night, maybe got 4 hours. I have a headache that feels like a freight train running over me. An eye infection, Dr says no contacts. I hate glasses. I was late for work, thus skipped breakfast and I’m hungry. So hungry I’m eating cold (room temp) ravioli and drinking coffee.

Somebody just shoot me.

Dumbass Press

I got this link from a Minnesota PGR member. HERE there is a poll on the right, feel free to express your right to vote. You can vote and see the results right after but after that you’ll need to register. Fucking paper!!

Must have caught me in a bad mood, I shot this off to the author already. Really can’t stand reporting half truths. Everything from motorcycle deaths, drug use, hand guns, to Iraq and Afghanistan.

GRrrrrr!!!


Tim,

You know, you writer types that present half truths to distort a story just to make people gasp piss me off!! Report all of the facts, PLEASE!!

“200 percent increase from a decade ago,” but if the ownership has risen 300 percent then the overall rate has gone down. How many owners are there now compared to a decade ago?

What about alcohol? Of the 24 “motorcycle related deaths” this year how many had been drinking? If they had been drinking and riding, they are dumbasses and have done us all a favor by thinning the herd.

What about the other half of the accidents??
Was it a car?
Was it the car drivers fault?
Was the driver of the car drunk?

Do you even ride a motorcycle? And just so you know $20K and 200 miles doesn’t make you a ‘rider’. I’ve ridden almost 10k miles (yes, 10,000) since December.

DNR

What Was I Thinking?!!

I went to bed last night and could not stop thinking “infarction”... WTF!! My brain had to make that word up. Infraction, I’ve heard of, but farc. Jeese.

Guess what I was thinking about as soon as the alarm went off at 6 am ... radial infarction, cranial inFARCtion. SHIT, this is going to drive me batty.

So, in an effort to ease my brain, I looked it up... it IS a word.

WIKIPEDIA says;
In medicine, an infarction is the process resulting in a macroscopic area of necrotic tissue in some organ caused by loss of adequate blood supply. Supplying arteries may be blocked from within by some obstruction (e.g. a blood clot or cholesterol deposit), or may be mechanically compressed or ruptured by trauma.
Infarction is commonly associated with atherosclerosis, where an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, a thrombus forms on the surface occluding the blood flow and occasionally forming an embolus that occludes other blood vessels downstream. Infarction can also involve mechanical blockage of the blood supply, such as when part of the gut herniates or twists.


Good Lord, I hope this fixes me, I’d hate to have to look up all of those multi syllable words, I’ll never get any work done. Guess this is what I get for watching all of those Medical Examiner (Dr. G.) shows on Discovery.

What do you do to get a word or song out of your head?

Oh Good GOD!!

Would you believe that teaching children to behave leads to children that behave better...?

Yep, your Goverenment funded school of higher educations dollars at work.

HERE

Life Lessons

There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at the same pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The Chief then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons have passed and can be considered as one life.

Another Meme

Dazd tagged me with a meme. I hate this kind... ask me some silly questions or such but 8 things about me... that I want to tell everyone phst.
I’ll just use Dazd’s answers as a template.


1. Post the rules for the meme at the beginning of your post.
2. This meme consists of the blogger listing eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged in this post are to write their own post listing their own eight random items and list the rules.
4. At the end of the post/meme, list the folks you are tagging and leave them notice of such in their comments.

******************************************

1. I like to mix my food together, especially breakfast. Eggs (over easy), grits, potatoes; chop em up and mix em all together.
2. I am a night owl.
3. I hate the dentist. Last 2 time I’ve been (in 20 years) was to get teeth pulled. 3 the last time.
4. I don’t like dust.
5. I like cats as much as dogs.
6. I have worked for the same company for 16 years
7. I hate ‘tell us x things about you’ memes.
8. I love broccoli and cauliflower

I looked around, everyone I know has done this. I think Og and Dick would shoot me if I tagged them. So, If you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Jokes for Tuesday

Working on a long (2 parter) post about this past weekend. In the mean time, here are some jokes. One was e-mailed, one was posted in comments and one was told verbally. can you guess which one had me rolling...?

**************************

At the Pearly Gates


A man appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. "Have you ever done anything of particular merit?" St. Peter asked.

"Well, I can think of one thing," the man offered. "Once, on a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota , I came upon a gang of bikers, who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and smacked him in his face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground. I yelled, "Now, back the fuck off!! Or I'll kick the fucking shit out o f all of you!"

St. Peter was impressed, "When did this happen?"

"Just now, I still have the nose ring..."

**************************

Three guys are on a road trip. One says to the other two, "You know, we could be driving along here and get in a wreck and all be killed. If that happened, they'd take us to a funeral parlor and lay us out in caskets, and people would come and look at us lying there. If that happened, what would you want them to say?"

The first guy thinks and then says, "I'd like them to look at me and say, 'He was an honest, good man.'"

The second guy says, "I'd want them to say, 'He was a good doctor.'"

There's a pause and then the two who have spoken turn to the guy who had posed the question and say, "What about you? What would you want people to say if they were looking at you in your coffin?"

He replies, "Well, I guess I'd want them to say... 'LOOK! HE'S MOVING!!!!"

*******************************

Two hookers step out on to their corner ready to start an evening.

The first says “Ahh, I think it’s going to be a great night, the smell of cum is in the air.”
The second says, “Sorry, that was me, I burped”

Operation Arrowhead Ripper

I watch the news almost nightly. I watch with a great deal of distrust and skepticism the reports on the war and Iraq. See, mixed in with my sarcasm, I’m a bit cynical. And analytical, and in watching the news, something don’t add up.

I personally know 4 or 5 guys that are back from, going to (one for a second time) or are in Iraq. I also know, second hand, several hundred (probably thousands but I’d be hard pressed to prove it) that are back from, going to or are in Iraq. To a man, they would go back or so they say. I also know one that has volunteered twice to be part of an attachment with a special mission for a year but for seniority or short straw reasons he has been turned down... Too many others had volunteered. (ahem... *clears lump in throat* makes me VERY proud and scared shitless)

Now, again with my syndical side, I think, maybe they are towing the company line and being told to say that for the ‘moral of their brothers’, or else... BUT the 4 or 5 I know personally are friends, one is family. And the volunteer... guess he’s just a proud American too. I expect they all are being truthful with me.

So, today a friend sent me a link to a story on Fox News which was a trimmed down version of this Go here. Go, it’s a long read, I’ll wait.

*hums while rolling fingers*

On one had there is the mass media saying one thing and on the other there is the troops saying the opposite. Now I find a free lace reporter that agrees with the troops. He can see what we are doing first hand and reports on it, not just the explosions and blood that is seen on the first day and as reported by the main stream media. My understanding (so far) is that he imbeds into the city and reports there for days, maybe even weeks.

I think I found a new daily MUST read. If for nothing else to balance out the TV and mass media.

A Survivor

Last Saturday (June 30th) I rode to honor a friend. Some of her story is here. She is a hell of a lady and a survivor, a breast cancer survivor. I truly believe that if she set her mind to it, there is nothing she couldn’t do.

As you can imagine, being faced with and coming to terms with ones own mortality causes one to put things in a whole new priority level. One of her must do’s is ride a Harley. Not just down the street, but on a ride. It has been some time since we agreed to do a ride and currently she is off in Halifax, Nova Scotia checking off other items on her list. Between my schedule and hers we can’t seem to get this done, so I went alone, for her last Saturday.

I don’t have any pictures but there will be some here at www.rockforthecure.com, eventually.

Also, if you live in the Indy area, Steel Horse will air some footage of the ride Sunday night. The show is from 10:30 to 11:00 on MY-NDY (channel 23).

So, check it out and like Steve says – “Be There!”

BTW - The Pink is to honor all breast cancer survivors!!

USS INDIANAPOLIS

As I said in the post below, there is a parade Saturday in Indy. Please come. Tell your firends. Feel free to save and e-mail this image to everyone you know.

Thanks!!

Just Like When I Was A Kid

Happy 4th everyone, hope it was great. Mine was, we cooked out, watched fire works and I got burnt. Just like old times.

Flash back 12 hours...

I started out early this afternoon to wash the bike. We (the IPGR) have a parade Saturday (incidentally, if you are going to be in the Indy area 7/7/7, come down town) and I will be in it, to honor the survivors of the USS Indianapolis.

Any way, started out gong to one of those do-it-yourself car wash thingies. Afterwards I ‘had’ to drive around a little to blow the water off and I ended up riding over 100 miles.

Now, being the ‘hard core biker’ (heh, more like a ‘Wild Hog’) that I am, I usually ride with jeans and boots. Not today, no. Remember, I was just running down the street to wash the bike...

Have you notice on any of my avatars that I’m blond (reddish blond)?? That means very fair skin.

Yes, you guessed it, I am BURNT!! From the tops of my sneakers to just above my knees, my face, my arms, the backs of my hands and that every increasing glare spot on top of my head. They are all now stop sign RED.

I even keep a bottle of SPF 50 in the saddle bag. Some day I’ll learn.

Do You Feel What I Feel?

Has anyone ever told you something that kinda made you laugh but then a day or two later you thought about it again and maybe, just maybe it was in insult?

Last week I was told, “you know what your problem is? When you relate a story about (this story was a solder but they meant anything) you emotionally sound like you were there and that you are hurt or elated as much as the real people”.

Hummm...

Like I said above, I laughed. Kinda thinking they were poking fun or ‘just’ teasing. Looking back, I’m not so sure. There was a meanness to the tone, almost as if it were meant to be an insult.

Hummmm...

I think they were wrong.

If I can tell you about attending a funeral or memorial service and relate the expressions of a father, remembering his son with smile and tears, such that you cry reading or listening to me talk, I think I was successful.
If I can tell you about a little girl that runs up to her daddy at a welcome home and hugs him like the hero he is, crying so much you’d think she would run out of tears and you cry from the shear joy I have related, I think I was successful.

The story...

A service member returns home after 18+ months (2 tours, back to back) and is met by his family at the airport. It is a small gathering, no big fan fare, no TV news crews. Just the unwavering love of a wife, a daughter and a son. (10 and 15 respectively).

Before the family left for the airport they had decorated the house with banners, streamers and a whole store full of yellow ribbons. There was cake on the table and dads favorite soda... there was love everywhere.

The greetings at the airport were your typical ‘family member returns from Iraq’ greetings. Hugs, tears, more hugs and “I missed you so much”. And pictures, someone took pictures of those hugs and the love could be seen in every hug, every tear.

On the way home the unthinkable... a father seeing his children again for the first time, having missed 2 birthdays each and his anniversaries... ...there was wind, loud as if a train had swept down out of the sky and was running at them on the highway, the wind was so strong... then there was silence.

The family van had barrel rolled 3 times and flipped end over end twice. No one could remember these facts, the evidence was in the ground... impacts recording a single vehicle accident. And the wind was silent.

The dad and son were ‘treated and released’... mom... has lost one eye. The damage to her skull was too severe to save it. She spent several days in a coma. There were several days there that no one was sure she would make the next few hours.
‘she’s lost so much blood’ ‘swelling of the brain’ ‘she’s not responding’
They have ‘successfully re-attached her hand’. She has started to recover, she has come out of the coma. When she awoke from her coma the dad, still in his uniform, hasn’t been home, had to tell her that her daughter had died... at the scene. She had been crushed by the van, the impacts had recorded it. And that she had missed the funeral, they couldn’t wait. She was gone.

Before he could get home, this man lost and buried a daughter and nearly lost a wife. At the funeral, he was presented a picture, about 5 days old. A daughter, hugging a dad, her hero, crying so much you’d think she would run out of tears. At the bottom of the framed 8x10 print was a poem, written by the girl, a few weeks earlier. It was titled “My Last Welcome Home, My Last Good-bye”.

There was love... everywhere.

**************************************
A friend of mine, an Indiana PGR member... this was his niece and her family. Remember the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. Sometimes it’s not the tour of duty, sometimes the biggest sacrifices are when they get home.

And BTW – the “when you relate a story about people you emotionally sound like you were there and that you are hurt or elated as much as the real people” comment. I consider it a huge complement.

A Funny for Friday

A man walked into a very high-tec bar. As he sat down on a stool he noticed that the bartender was a robot. The robot clicked to attention and asked, "Sir, what will you have?"

The man thought a moment then replied. "A martini please". The robot clicked a couple of times and mixed the best martini the man had ever had.

The robot then asked, "Sir, what is your IQ?"

The man answered, "Oh, about 164."

The robot then proceeded to discuss the 'theory of relativity' 'inter-stellar space travel', and 'the latest medical break throughs.

The man was most impressed. He left the bar but thought he would try a different tact. He returned and took a seat. Again the robot clicked and asked what he would have. He responded, "A Martini please."

Again it was superb. The robot again asked "what is your IQ sir?"

This time the man answered, "Oh about 100".

So the robot started discussing NASCAR racing, the latest basketball scores, and what to expect the Dodgers to do this week end.

The guy had to try it one more time. So he left, returned and took a stool. Again a martini, and the question, "What is your IQ?"

This time the man drawled out "Uh ..... bout 50".

The robot clicked then leaned close and very slowly asked, "A-r-e? Y-o-u-r? P-e-o-p-l-e? G-o-i-n-g? T-o? N-o-m-i-n-a-t-e? H-i-l-l-a-r-y-?

ZEN Summary

A while ago I talked about my 2007 Desk calendar being a Daily Zen. I’ve saved up a few and thought I’d share them with you now.

April 14 – The path of the enlightened one leaves no track – it is like the path of birds in the sky. - The Buddha
May 2 – Life is what one wants in one’s soul. - D. H. Lawrence
May 3 – A root is a flower that disdains fame. - Kahlil Gibran
May 19 – Shadow owes its birth to light. - John Gay
May 21 – To be satisfied with a little, is the greatest wisdom; and that that increaseth his riches, increaseth his cares; but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not. - Akhenaton
June 7 – A school of trout passed by: the color of water. - Buson
June 12 – Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control – these three alone lead to sovereign power. - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
June 13 – “Childlikeness” has to be restored with long years of training in the art of self-forgetfulness. - D. T. Suzuki

Tart Invitation

I have this really long list of blogs I read, well, not as many as Dazd, but it is almost 50. (and, no, I don’t have them all in my blog roll. So sue me) Some I read daily, some weekly, some are more when the mood strikes me or when I just have time.

Twice now in the 8 or 9 months I’ve been bloging, an owner has changed their blog to be "by invite only"… WTF?!?

OK, ok – The first one was understandable (maybe the second one is too). Eddie (Dirk_Star) was being rather rudely attacked by some very hatful individuals. I happened to have had ‘off line’ discussions with Dirk so I knew his e-mail address. I asked what was going on and he gave me access. Now he disappears for over a month all because of some little person… I swear, people need to get their priorities straight. BTW – He has posted pics of this all consuming mixer of priorities.

The second one I found Thursday or Friday last week. “The World of L Tart”; couldn’t see a damn thing, not even an e-mail address. Apparently he can see who hits his profile, though, because he came to visit me. Cool!!

So, L Tart, if you come back, throw me a bone. I’d love to be on the approved readers list. If you know his Tartness… maybe you could put in a good word for me…

A Joke...?

A Somali arrives in Minneapolis as a new immigrant to the United States. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and says, "Thank you Mr. American for letting me in this country, giving me housing, food stamps, free medical care, and free education!"

The passerby says, "You are mistaken, I am Mexican." The man goes on and encounters another passerby. "Thank you for having such a beautiful country here in America!" The person says, "I not American, I Vietnamese."

The new arrival walks further, and the next person he sees he stops, shakes his hand and says, "Thank you for the wonderful America !"
That person puts up his hand and says, "I am from Middle East, I am not American!"

He finally sees a nice lady and asks, "Are you an American?" She says, "No, I am from Africa!" Puzzled, he asks her, "Where are all the Americans?" The African lady checks her watch and says..."Probably at work

FRIEND

Note:I wrote this June 14th. Today it has come to pass.

Wikipedia says;
an interpersonal relationship between humans
Merriam and Webster says;
1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : ACQUAINTANCE
Wiktionary says;
A person other than a family member, spouse or lover whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection.

I don’t know about the affection part, maybe ‘a connection’…

We make friends at home, in our neighborhoods. We make friends at functions or organizations we belong to, like church, the gym and of course (for me) the PGR. And we make friends at work. All of these friendships take time to develop, to form.

I have a friend, here at work, that I’ve known for about 2 years. Our friendship is new. We’re not “close friends’ (what ever that means) We’ve met each others better halves, but not been to each others house. I don’t think we’ve even had lunch. But this friend is strong, makes a decision and sticks to it. Knows who they are and they’re proud. Pride is a miss leading term in today’s society. Their pride is evident but not ‘puffy’.

I have recently found out that this friend may be leaving, heading home. Although I am happy that this long desired move may make things better, I will miss our conversations. Our sharing of some new restaurant, laughing at the characters in a new movie and talking about the South.

My Friend – Know that you will be missed and thought of often. Be well, be happy, be yourself.

A mission – Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bechert - Continued

A slide show.

A mission – Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bechert

Today we went to stand for SSgt. Michael A. Bechert.

Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bechert, 24, of New Castle, Ind., died on 14 June in San Antonio, Texas of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany.

His family only asked us to stand at the entrance to the grave yard. It was our honor. Ssgnt Bechert was survived by his wife and his 20 month old son.

God bless and be with the family.

Guest book

A Mission - Lcpl. Nathanial D. Windsor

Today I heard a father talk of teaching a son to fish and I thought back to the days I spent fishing with my sons. I heard about a son that even in his early years drew every picture with a flag in the background and thought about the pictures my sons drew and I still have at my desk at work. Stories about an infectious laugh and a sense of humor that was contagious and could light up a room. I heard a father speak, and cry, with so much pride in his son. A son, successful and proud, is a hero, especially to his dad.

This son, Lcpl. Nathanial D. Windsor, 20, of Scappoose, Oregon & Huntington, Indiana is a hero. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary, died from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq in March of 2007.

Today, we stood to honor this man, this hero, this son, as his family remembered him. They spoke of earlier days when a boy was excited to learn and tell everyone that there were man eating turtles in a local canoeing spot. A wiry boy with the heart of a Marine, even years before that decision was made.

God bless the Windsor family. No words can express the flood of feelings from this days events…

Thank you for your service and thank you for your sacrifice. You, Lcpl. Nathanial D. Windsor, will not be forgotten.

A Guest book.

A story.

Amazing!!!!

Go here. This is ... I have no words... this is an angel on earth.

PS: You're gonna need a tissue

This Blog is Rated

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:
gun (3x) slap (2x) hell (1x)

Found this at LL's place. Guess they caught me on a good week.

Friday's Feast #149

Friday's Feast #149

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.
I refuse to wear a watch on the weekends - My weekdays are full of meeting and time dead lines. I refuse to let my weekends be controlled by deadlines and ‘clock watching.

Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?
Piano – There is so much varity that can be played on a piano. Don’t get me wrong, I love a screaming guitar but to be able to sit down and play some jazz or blues.. that would be awsome

Salad
How long is your hair?
2-3 inches… short but not really short… how does one answer this question?

Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?
My son, this am – left the van on (keys in it) all night. Had to jump start it so he could make it to summer school.

Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
Microwave – more like the one I/we use most. It broke about 3 months ago, we bought a new one within a week and I installed it. Can’t live without it.

Meme Time - Again

Found this on Dazd’s page. I wasn’t tagged and ain’t tagging any one. Feel free to do this meme, if you answer it, let me know, I’d like to read it. If you want (don’t have a blog) feel free to answer in the comments.



WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Memorial weekend.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast beef

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yep

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Huh? Probably not, two people just like me… Isn’t that like a paradoxical impossibility?

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
No never…

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
In a heart beat, and para-sail, and cliff-jump and parachute out of a plane

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I’m allergic to milk, I don’t eat cereal.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Most of the time

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
No

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Cookie dough

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Sincerity in their smile and demeanor

RED OR PINK?
Red

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
weight, lack of physical fitness

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My parents

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black and brown

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Cinnamon pop-tart

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Some stupid commercial for Michigan

IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Silver

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Steaks on the grill

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Director of engineering

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Steelers football

HAIR COLOR[S]?
Blonde/red

EYE COLOR?
Blue

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yep, since I was 16

FAVORITE FOOD?
southern style veggies

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy Endings

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Ghost Rider

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue and white striped

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter

HUGS OR KISSES?
Kisses

FAVORITE DESSERT?
Chocolate pie like grandmother made, my mom’s is close. I’ve never seen it anywhere.

MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Didn’t ask any one

LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Any one that doesn’t read my blog…

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I’ve started one, it’s on my night stand. I haven’t’ read it in so long I don’t remember the title.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
“Square D Lighting Control – UNcomplicated.
The parent company’s propaganda.

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Mythbusters – Hollywood grenade myths (DVRed from earlier in the week)

FAVORITE SOUND[S]?
a pack/gang/gaggle/?? of Harley’s ‘getting it’ down the street
a talkative mocking bird – mother nature’s smart ass

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Neither

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Ayr and Edinburgh, Scotland

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Nah, just one in a million
In the US there are 302 million people, so there are 302 people just like me…

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
St. Mary’s Hospital for Women, Pittsburgh, PA

WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Ummm, not e-mailed so… N/A.



These are answers to another meme started recently… If you know the meme great. My answers are straight forward. If you don’t know the meme… well… what you don’t know won’t hurt.


No – usually hanging on to hard… it’s a rough ride sometimes…

A towel

Other parts

A towel

Wait for it…

No comment

Don’t care, just don’t kiss me…

No

Memorial Day Ride - Part 3

ANC and WRAMH

When the service was over we said our good-bys. The Georgia group was heading for home. I think it was about 1000 hours.

We went touring the grounds of ANC, saw the tomb of the unknown solder and watched a little of the Changing of the Guard. The shear number of head stones is amazing. "The Old Guard" (Army) at the tomb of the Unknown are impeccable. One particular part that amazed me, is during their turn, when they change directions they have to move their gun to their other shoulder. In one motion, this full size rifle snaps up off their shoulder and stands straight up in the palm of one hand for about a second. Their other had is straight down at their sides, then slowly moves up, then click, snap, slap and the gun is on the other shoulder. It is absolutely amazing to witness.

The Indiana Crew (L to R); Hoss, Larry, Mary, Lloyd, DC, Officer Baby, DNR

After ANC we went to WRAMH (Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital) intending to see an Indiana solder but found out he was not scheduled to be back until after we left. The process to find this out took us to 4 different buildings. The job of finding our intended solder was mine and I had gotten quite frustrated with the whole fiasco. Talking with the group afterwards and looking back, it couldn’t have gone better. We got to greet, thank and shake hands with about 50 solders. Their appreciation of us had several of us in tears more than once.

One young man, obviously in pain and deformed from an IED told us ‘a few more surgeries and I’ll be going home, thanks for coming to see us’,… and the tears flowed.

Another young man was walking around pushing a pole with about 4 IVs attached to him. Behind him was his wife pushing his wheel chair and walking beside him was his daughter, (she was 5 or 6) holding his hand. His wife was asking him ‘don’t you want to sit down?’ I didn’t hear his response, but I could see he was smiling and his daughter was skipping along at his side… and the tears flowed.

At the residence building we pestered a Sergeant and his assistant for what felt like hours. They were gracious, courteous and helpful the whole time. Continuality offering suggestions and even let us use there internet connection to confirm some information off the PGR web site. Before we left we gave them Indiana Patriot Guard Patches. Jokingly they remarked they would have them placed on their uniforms.

When we left WRAMH we went riding through downtown and parked and walked around a bit. It was HOT!!! We visited the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial and walked along the Potomac. We headed for the hotel at about 1800.

Saturday we went back into DC to hit the Rolling Thunder booths to get patches and be in the experience.

It was incredible! Bikes rule DC for this weekend. I’m sure if you were stupid or drunk you might have issues, but generally, bikes could do no wrong in DC. When we hit downtown we went into the area of the Lincoln memorial, stopped at a light then John (our guide) turned us across traffic, up a handy-cap ramp onto the sidewalk and we parked in the grass, about 200 yards from the Lincoln Memorial!! It was surreal. We shopped, I bought t-shirts, some patches and some helmet stickers. My favorite sticker so far is “I’m lost and I’ve gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, tell me to wait.”

Saturday night, after cooking out brains out in the DC heat again, it was back to the hotel area and then over to John’s for a cook out. I don’t know if it was just being HUNGRY or he had some special sauce, but everything was good, burnt chicken and stuck together pasta salad. Like I said we were hungry.

That's john in this pic.

Sunday – The Ride to the Wall, A Sea of Bikes

WOW – no matter what I tell you here, no matter what emotions you feel, put about 10 times more into it. And maybe, just maybe you’ll understand.

This day was… incredible, awesome, surreal… I hope I can express the idea. Maybe these pics will help. There is no way I can describe to you the sights and sounds associated with 450,000 bikes and 600,000 people.

The parking or staging area was at the Pentagon and opened at 0800.





The group was leaving our hotel at about 0630. I had to be at the meeting area at 0600 so I left the hotel at about 0445 (I was up at 0400). John had given me directions (little better than getting to the Iwo Jima Memorial). “I-66E to I-495N to I-395N” WRONG!!! Following these instructions, I ended up doing a loop around the DC belt-way. That only added about 90 miles and an hour to my trip. (I’ll let you do the math there) I made it to the staging area at about 0630, just in time to head over to the Pentagon.

I had to be there so early because I was part of what was called ‘Gold Star Escorts’. That is a group of attendees that volunteer to carry moms of KIAs (Iraq and Vietnam) from the Pentagon parking area (where we started) to the Vietnam Memorial Wall / Reflecting Pool area. This year there were more volunteers than there were moms, so I did not have a passenger. The ride through DC was about 6 miles. The streets were lined with people, and everyone was cheering, clapping and holding their hands out for a high five as we rode by. Especially the kids, so excited to see the bikes, a little apprehensive of the noise but oh man, their faces lit up like Christmas morning when any of us slowed down and reached down to clap/slap their hands.

We got through town and riding along the Potomac, hovering about 100 feet over our heads, was the Presidential helicopter!!! No way to know who, if anybody, was on board, but I waved any ways. Wonder if he got my picture?!?

The group I was with (about 30 bikes and 20 moms) must have all been new to the ride because we missed the parking sign and anything that said it was the end of the parade. We ended up getting back on I-66W and heading out of town. (Can you say OH SHIT!!!) In a great game of follow the leader we got off the interstate, wound through the burbs a little and ended up… BACK AT THE PENTAGON!!! What did we do there you might ask? We did what any self respecting biker would do, we cut back into line and went through the parade route again!!! As we were going by the Pentagon parking area I noticed that the Indiana group had not left the parking lot yet.

My bike is out there on the left, you can see it, right?
On our second time through, when we got near the Reflecting Pool I turned right into a park and went down a walking trail. I stopped in the shade of a tree. It was so cool, I was about 100 feet from the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument was to my right and the Lincoln Memorial was to my left. I toured the Lincoln, The Wall and the Korea Memorials. I also watched some of the concert and listened to a retired General talk about the work that was being done to bring home the remaining MIAs and POWs. It was about 1515, maybe a little after when I made it back to my bike. I was sitting in the grass drinking some water when my phone rang. It was the Indiana group wanting to know where I was… they had just gotten there and were going to go tour things. “Want to meet up and come with us?!?” Phft, NO WAY!! I was exhausted. I sat by my bike just living the experience. I guess I left about 1630, the parade was still going, there were still bikes coming into the area. I left the Pentagon parking lot at 1200, I heard that the last bike left at 1830. On my way out, again going down some dirt jogging trail, I passed right under the noses of 3 mounted DC police officers and their horses. They just waved.


The next morning we left DC and headed home. What a ride, what a weekend!!!

My pictures aren’t the best, which is part of the reason I was delaying this post. Mary has a CD of over 400 pics coming and I was hoping to use them here. But, alas, she is busy too. I promise, when I get them, I’ll post a few.

Edit: Corrected Honor Guard Reference (see LL's comment)

Need a Laugh???

Go here. and don't forget to read the comments!

Come back and thank me... LOL!!!



More Memorial Pics and post in the works, promise!

A Request...

A friend and PGR member Kat has had to hospitalize her husband. If you can spare a few minutes, stop by here and give her some well wishes.

Thanks!!!

Memorial Day Ride – Part 2

PGR Mission – Captain Herbert C. Crosby of Donalsonville, Ga

**********************************

NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense

No. 1294-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2006
Media Contact: (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public/Industry(703) 428-0711

Soldiers Missing In Action From Vietnam War are Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of three U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are Capt. Herbert C. Crosby, of Donalsonville, Ga.; Sgt. 1st Class Wayne C. Allen, of Tewksbury, Mass.; and Sgt. 1st Class Francis G. Graziosi, of Rochester, N.Y.; all U.S. Army. Burial dates and locations are being set by their families.

Representatives from the Army met with the next-of-kin of these men to explain the recovery and identification process, and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

On Jan. 10, 1970, these men were returning to their base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam aboard a UH-1C Huey helicopter. Due to bad weather, their helicopter went down over Quang Nam Province. A search was initiated for the crew, but no sign of the helicopter or crew was spotted.

In 1989, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) gave to U.S. specialists 25 boxes containing the remains of the U.S. servicemen related to this incident. Later that year, additional remains and Crosby's identification tag were obtained from a Vietnamese refugee.

Between 1993 and 1999, joint U.S./S.R.V. teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted three investigations in Ho Chi Minh City and two investigations in Quang Nam-Da Nang Province (formerly Quang Nam Province).A Vietnamese informant in Ho Chi Minh City told the team he knew where the remains of as many as nine American servicemen were buried.He agreed to lead the team to the burial site.In 1994, the team excavated the site and recovered a metal box and several bags containing human remains, including those of these three soldiers.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call
(703) 699-1169.

**********************************
A Patriot Guard Mission.

This mission was an opportunity for me to meet a fellow blogger and PGR member from Georgia, Mama Kat. Once we got to DC, I was going on this mission no matter what. We had just arrived in the DC area and it being nearly 2200 hours, I really didn’t expect the other Indiana folks to attend. A quick call to the RC (Ride Captain) and I knew the Georgia PGR were meeting at the Iwo Jima Memorial at 0630. KSU (kick stands up) at 0700.

Our hotel to the memorial was about 50 miles. Having no idea how or where to go and allowing for DC traffic, I elected to leave the hotel at 0500. I informed the Indiana crew of my intentions and with unanimous enthusiasm they all agreed that they were going too, ‘it was the least they could do for this hero, for Captain Crosby’.

DC traffic and signs, what signs?

I had asked several people at a restaurant earlier and spoke with John (a local who was hosting us for a BBQ dinner Saturday night) about directions to the memorial. Basically, everyone said I-66 east into the city and ‘follow the signs.’ Riiight!!
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Traffic was a breeze at 0500, nothing more that I-465 around Indy during race week. We passed the beltway exits and were headed for downtown, it was about 0550. As we rounded a bend at 60+ MPH we passed (yes, PASSED) the Iwo Jima Memorial. Great!! I missed the exit and there sure as hell weren’t any signs. Off at the next exit and… there is no on ramp west bound. Lovely, just lovely. BTW, did I mention that I am leading 4 other bikes? So, I fiddle with my GPS for a second trying to get the right scale and off we go, turn here, down through some neighborhood, left up a steep hill, a couple twists and turns and we came to a stop sign…the memorial was about 200 yards forward and to the right. Still no signs. Right looks like it goes off into the neighborhood again and straight looks like a drive way into a park, straight it is.

WRONG!!!

Straight was an on ramp back onto I-66!! We get off at the next exit head back east, get off at the correct exit this time and go off into the neighborhood a little and there in the back is the entrance to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Cool!! And it’s only 0615.

We parked and began introductions to some of the other riders that were there, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, New York and Ohio. We wondered around taking pictures and marveling at the memorial. Having seen “Flag of Our Fathers” a few months ago gave this visit a rather special meaning to me. BTW – did you know the Iwo Jima Memorial is about 4 times human scale? It’s HUGE!!!

The Georgia riders arrived and more intros. Kat, her husband Bear, the RC and their State Captain. Many others were introduced, but I am so terrible with names, I won’t even try listing them all.

Georgia Congressman Phil Gingry was there and presented their State Captain with a flag that had flown over the Capital building and certificate of authenticity. A second flag and certificate was presented to ‘supply sergeant’ Parker Thompson. (someone’s 10-12 year old son). It was a flood of emotions for everyone.

The Congressman rode over to and through ANC (Arlington National Cemetery) with us. The guards let us in a little before the official opening, so it was just us 50-60 bikes wondering through the hallowed grounds of ANC. With 10-15 full size American flags flying, I'm suer we were a sight to see. We made our way over to the Chapel and stood our flag line. I heard a Georgia Senator was there and a few other names were whispered in the line, quite the impressive who’s who list of politicians.











The Honor Guard, Caisson and 20+ piece band were the definition of ‘squared away’, ‘spit shined’ and ‘polished’. Everything they did was in unison and perfectly timed. When we left the Chapel we rode at a walking pace behind the Honor Guard and family to the burial site. There Captain Crosby received a 21 gun salute. A woman I believe to be his mother and other family members places roses on his casket. Many other Vietnam Vets that had ridden in also placed honor mementos and pins on his casket.

Twice, once at the Chapel and once at the grave site 3 large choppers (not Huey’s) flew over.

Take a look at this slide show, pictures are worth a thousand words. These pictures speak volumes.

http://jordan.fortwayne.com/ns/photo/crosby/


Next – ANC and Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital

Edit - 06/04/07 - Added a link.

Memorial Day Ride - Part 1

Eastward, Hooo!!!


Wow!! So much has happened. Guess I’ll start at the beginning.

We met up at a McD’s on Indy southeast side about 9 am Wednesday morning. Google tells me it is 595 miles, Indy to DC. The more scenic route we took was closer to 700. South central and southeastern Ohio are beautiful country. We stopped at little rode side rest area for lunch and made Marietta Ohio about 7 pm.

A quick ciphering and you’ll notice that was 10 hours on the road… That’s 350 miles (about half way) in 10 hours… That’s an average of 35 miles per hour. OMG!!! Women’s tiny bladders and smokers be damned!!! We stopped about every 60 miles (less than an hour riding) to smoke, stretch our butts and pee.

We stopped in a little town called Mt Storm in Virginia for lunch Thursday. For about the billionth time, I was told ‘riding through these mountains on such a bald tire was crazy’, yet again my response was ‘there is tread on the sides and that is where you need it most when riding through the mountain turns and switch-backs’.

This discussion was going on at just about every stop and I was actually beginning to worry. One of the things I was honored to have been requested to do Sunday was escort Gold and/or Blue Star Mothers (mothers that have lost a child or have a child in service to our country) in the Rolling Thunder parade. I knew there was going to be an inspection and had not even thought about my tires. I had proof of insurance, registration, license endorsement, extra helmet, back rest and windshield… but never thought about looking at my tires.

Afraid I would get rejected for the bald tire, I decided I would try to get to a Harley store and get one. The next town, Winchester was about 75 miles away. A quick call to the service department and they said they had a tire but that I needed to be there by 5 to make their closing time. The manager also said that we were 2 to 2.5 hours away. Windy roads, small towns and all that. It was agreed that I would lead to set the pace since I had the ‘bald as a baby’s butt tire’. And oh yeah, while we were eating, it had started to rain… hard, AND it was 3:15 pm by the time we suited up and left.

Heh, I took off, dodging rain drops and pot holes. After about 10 minuets I looked in my mirrors and didn’t see any one… I was out running them all. I slowed and Hoss caught up and told me the others were headed to the hotel and we would go on to the HD store. We made it there by 4:30. (2.5 hours my a$$, heh!!)

We got to our Virginia hotel about 8 Thursday evening. The HD store was about 100 miles from the hotel.



Next - PGR Mission

I'm Baaack!!!

Left Indy Wednesday at 9 am. Back Tuesday at 7 pm.
1,700+ miles on a motorcycle.
90+ pictures.

I need to get some sleep in my own bed and a shower… a long hot shower.

Very sorry to keep you all waiting, but I will post pictures and some stories tomorrow.

The Big Day - A Big Trip

Well, this isn't the post I wanted to do, but it will have to do.

Today, me and 5 friends from the PGR are leaving for Washington DC. Memorial Day has a very special meaning for me these days and riding to DC to view the Vietnam War Memorial on Memorial Day weekend will make it extra special.

While there we are going to visit the men and women at Walter Reed, honor a Vietnam vet (MIA) that is being buried at Arlington. (his remains were found and identified last year) Tour some of the other memorials and of course the Ride to The Wall.

I have a camera, I hope to post pics when I get back. Everyone take care and I'll blog to you next week.

Some PICS

Here is a couple shots out of my 25th floor hotel room looking down on Times Square.




A Church and The Empire State Building from the 12th floor/roof of a building on 5th Ave. We had a party/open house here. Also, check the cool lighting...

















Some of the pictures that are on display at the WTC subway stop





And finaly a couple pics at the WTC rebuilding project.



All of these picture belong to this post.

Of course click any image for a larger view.

Points to Ponder

Can you cry under water?
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How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
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Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
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Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
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Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
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What disease did cured ham actually have?
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How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
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Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
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If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
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Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
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Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
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Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
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Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
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Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
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If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
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Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
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If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
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Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
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If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
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If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
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Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
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Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
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Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
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Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
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Do you ever wonder why you come by here read this crap

A Quick Update

I wish I had more time to post.

Wow, my last post was May 3rd. Let’s see, what have I done since then…

I’ve been to NYC again. Went to the WTC site again. The subway stop at the WTC has art by the children of the victims hanging on the walls. It was very moving. Up at street level, it’s not so much a hole any more as it is a level area where construction is on going. There was more art (photographs) from the days and months after 9/11. I have some pictures, I’ll get them posted hopefully with this post…

I'm doing a lot of planning. Heading to DC on the bike this Memorial day/week. More on that later.

I'm a What???

Stole this from Mrs. JG.
Something is better than nothing, right?
Working on a 'real' post, hope to have it up tomorrow.

You Are a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

You are a traditional person with very simple tastes. In your opinion, the best things in life are free, easy, and fun. You totally go with the flow. And you enjoy every minute of it! Your best friend: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Ham Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

I think this one basically missed... I like grilled cheese ok, especially with tomato soup... As far as PB&J - YUCK!! Can't stand the stuff. Traditional... maybe. The rest is right on.

A Letter from My Hero

I published it here.

California - Today and Then

Do you know what happened back in 1850, 157 years ago?
California became a state.

The State had no electricity.
The State had no money.
Almost everyone spoke Spanish.
There were gunfights in the streets.

So basically, it was just like California is today, except the women had real breasts and the men didn't hold hands.

Last Weekend

Like I said last post the new job is keeping me hopping… But here is a short post of what I did this weekend. There is more, hopefully tomorrow.

Saturday didn’t start too early. Left the house at about 9am. Rode to Westfield and waited on some friends, together we rode north to Kokomo.

(It has been 3 days and I’m still getting a lump in my throut)

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, 31, of Prichard, Ala.

Pfc. David N. Simmons, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.

You need to see this

A mothers eyes
A sister cries
A BOY dies
A flag lies
A man cries

My eyes and ears ring with their sorrow…
He was 20… What were you doing when you were 20? I’ll bet you had not written a will ‘just in case’.
There is nothing so final as a flag draped coffin.
I sill cry, I am crying now.

Laughs

Busy busy busy. Seems all I have time for is to post jokes I get e-mail and read other blogs.

This one made me chuckle.

Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and Quasimodo were all talking one day.

Sleeping Beauty said, "I believe myself to be the most beautiful girl in the world."

Tom Thumb said, "I must be the smallest person in the world."

Quasimodo said, "I absolutely have to be the ugliest person in the world."

So they all decided to go to the Guinness Book of World Records to have their claims verified.

Sleeping Beauty went in first and came out looking deliriously happy. “It’s official, I AM the most beautiful girl in the world."

Tom Thumb went next and emerged triumphant, "I am now officially the smallest person in the world."

Sometime later, Quasimodo comes out looking utterly confused and says.

"Who is Rosie O'Donnell ?

Fridays Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of bread?
Hoagie buns or Italian. I love a good sub or a hunk of Italian bread to soak up left over spaghetti sauce.

Soup
When was the last time you bought a new pillow?
For me to use… never. I have 50-60 year old down feather pillows.

Salad
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net?
7 maybe 10

Main Course
What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?
102 BUT 98.6 is an average. My normal temp is 96, so when at 102 it was like anyone else being at 104. I had to sit in an ice bath for a couple hours. I was shivering like a leaf in a hurricane but never went below 100

Dessert
Fill in the blanks:
When I sleep I snore… This is a weird question.

My 2¢

Everywhere you go people are talking about the Virginia Tech shooting.

I’ll make mine short:
In the same situation as any involved (police, campus security, college leadership), I cannot with great confidence say I would have reacted any differently. Nor can you, I'd wager. Sitting back and “Monday Quarterbacking” or judging in hindsight is nearly as vicious as the attack. No one involved acted in a way intended to cause further injury or malice.

Lastly, to those that would demand tighter and more gun control;
“If guns kill people, pencils write miss-spelled words”

Missing a Friend

Those of you that maintain or write to more than one blog, my hat is off to you. I have nothing to post here, but I did post here.

Have a look, leave a note for my friend. His name is Tim.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Thirty Nine

Appetizer
When you were a child, which crayon color was your favorite?
I loved the metallic colors; gold, silver and copper. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, I colored had silver, gold or copper on it. Unless, of course, I had used them up. They were the only colors that were consumed completely.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how likely would you be to change jobs if it required you to move?
All things being even – 3 maybe 4
A better offer, part of the country I want to live in… 9 - 10

Salad
Take all the numbers in your birthday and your phone number and add them up, one by one. What’s the total?
If November is 11 (eleven, that is a number) and the year is 19xx then it is 2054
If the author meant to add all of the digits, i.e. November is 1+1 then it is 83
In both cases I used the area code in my phone number.

Main Course
Have you ever “re-gifted” anything? If so, what was it and who did you pass it on to?
No

Dessert
Name something you need from the store.
Cleaner for the shower.

Thursday Laughs - Making a Baby

The Smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife goodbye and said, "Well, I'm off now the man should be here soon."

Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer happened to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale.

Good morning, Ma'am", he said, "I've come to...”.

“Oh, no need to explain," Mrs. Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I've been expecting you."

"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that's good. Did you know babies are my specialty?"

"Well that's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat" After a moment she asked, blushing, "Well, where do we start?"

"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room floor is fun. You can really spread out there."

"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work out for Harry and me!" Mrs. Smith whispered to herself.

"Well, Ma'am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."

"My, that's a lot!" gasped Mrs. Smith.

"Ma'am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I'd love to be in and out in five minutes, but I'm sure you'd be disappointed with that."

"Don't I know it," said Mrs. Smith quietly.

The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.

"Oh my God!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.

"And these twins turned out exceptionally well - when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with."

"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.

"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to the park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep to get a good look"

"Four and five deep?" said Mrs. Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Yes", the photographer replied. "And for more than three hours, too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling - I could hardly concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had to pack it all in."

Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your, uh...equipment? "

"It's true, Ma'am, yes.. Well, if you're ready, I'll set-up my tripod and we can get to work right away."

"Tripod?"

"Oh yes, Ma'am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much too big to be held in the hand very long."

Mrs. Smith fainted

Miss Me?

Work and life get in the way of blogging, then throw work into the mix and, I'm sorry to say, you all take the back seat.

I've posted a couple things I've been working on (see below) and I have another great joke for Thursday.

Indiana has been hit hard this week with PGR missions. 3 funerals this week. I ride to Marion, IN tomorrow.
Tell a solder thanks today... for me.

Steel City Born, Steel City Raised

Ohhh yeah baby!!!

Born and raised, I have bumper stickers, licenses plates, frames, posters, Da Bus Ahrn city Collectors can and even Steelers Contacts... I bleed steel.

Here's a quiz, how did you do?!!

You are 100% Pittsburgh.

Great job! There's nooooo doubt about it. You're from Da Burgh. You deserve a reward, so go have an Ahrn City or two. And GO STILLERS!

How Pittsburgh Are You
See All Our Quizzes

What A Night

I have no pictures and I fear my words will not do this experence justice, but here it goes…

At about 9 pm Monday the 2nd, as the full moon had just broke the horizon, I decided to try our new ‘fire pit’. The moon was an eerie red, but quickly became the whited face of the man on the moon we are all familiar with.

Of course the wood I bought was wet and getting anything other than paper to burn was a challenge. Lots of smoke, the log pieces smoked long enough and I burned enough paper to turn them to coals. The only real fire came from some twigs I broke off of a dead bush from our back yard. Amaizingly, thought, it was very relaxing while it lasted.

The Missus and I (and the dogs) went inside but I still wasn’t ready to go to bed. I went back out to the deck and began watching the moon and it’s reflection off of the pond in our back yard.

The night was nearly still. If not for looking at the reflection, I would have said there was no wind or breeze. The moons reflection would shift and elongate as the subtitle breeze played with the surface of our pond. When the traffic noise died out for a few minutes, (I live in urban sprawl suburbia) the fountain of the neighboring pond could be heard. Splashing, playing on the surface… I could almost see myself in a thick forest near a waterfall watching the moon on a pool near by.

While staring at the reflection, a jumping fish would catch my eye and for a brief second the ripples of it’s free exhilaration could be seen. Then gone… but were they really? Can they traverse the 100 feet across the pond, I’d stare wondering at the reflection, “would the ripples make it across?”. Then the moons reflection would shift, almost violently and I knew the evidence of the earlier fish had made it across.

The highlight of the evening was when our local musk rat swam directly through the moons reflection. My simple elation in the joy of such a small life made me feel like a kid. The frogs were lightly croaking, ducks and geese could be heard in the distance, blocking out the cars and smelling the wayward whiffs of smoke from the earlier fire brought a renewed life to my soul.

It was a wonderful night.

It was a great night.

Which Fictional / Sci-Fi Character Are You?

Got this at Freddie's.

You are Raistlin Majere
An intensely private individual that chooses actions with care, you strive to further your own skills and powers.

This happens because I choose it to happen!

Raistlin is a character in the Dragonlance universe. He has a short biography at Wikipedia.

Biker's Zen (Wise Words From the Road)

Some of you may know Dazd and I are plugging away at an Indiana PGR Blog. I posted the Biker's Zen over there.

Stop by and say HI!!

Indiana Patriot Guard Riders Blog

Sun Shine

The sun shone beautifully here yesterday, especially in the morning.

The sun burns my skin. My fair Scottish roots have not served me well as protection form UV, ‘a’ nor ‘b’. When a foolish child, I spent my share of hours lying in the sun, to get that ‘glow’ or perfect tan. I have also burnt myself so bad that I got sick, blisters the size of silver dollars… within 12 hours, and a headache that throbbed with every beat of my heart, every beat made my head feel like it would explode.

Yesterday, I took my winter bleached white self out and sat in the sun. At the time it was about 68 degrees with a 20 mph wind. It was surprisingly warm. In seconds, I closed my eyes and turned to face the sun, removed my shirt and sat there admiring the glowing orbs I could see through my eye-lids. Simply feeling the warmth soak into my bones. Like hearing the voice and seeing the face of a long missed dear friend, it was good for the soul.

I have been burnt enough that I can tell when enough rays have struck me. My skins starts to tingle and is oddly warm. My exposed cheeks were first to say ‘enough’. (Unlike my avatar, I am fully bearded now. It’s a winter thing.) Barely 15 minutes and this long missed friend had worn out his welcome. Much longer and I would burn.

I returned to the UV safety of the house, all windows open as far as winters swelling would allow. I lounged most of the day, doing only what chores needed doing. Catching what things were blown off tables and counter tops, watching the cats and dogs, each in turn, visiting with our friend the sun, warming their bones and then going to whatever chores they might have.

The sun shone beautifully here yesterday, it was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful weekend.

How was yours?

Friday's Feast - #137

Forgot to post this Friday.... sorry!!

Appetizer
What are you proud of?
My kids, One a Marine, one the most caring big heartedguy you'd ever meet.

Soup
What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
2nd place in Effingham County Tractor Pull - Modified Garden Tractor Class (See here - under What one person influenced your life the most when growing up)

Salad
Name something you do that is a waste of time.
I watch too much TV. Love crime dramas.

Main Course
In what year of your life did you change the most?
1984 - I was 21. Had our first son and got married, moved out on our own... Started this life for real. This summer we will celebrate 24 years.

Dessert
Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Any 2-lane road, crusing along at about 50 MPH. The wind in my face, the sun high, mid afternoon. The meledoic drone of the big v-twin in my ears. Heading home from a welcome home. I'm almost sad when it ends.