Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Another request!
Let’s face it…             The fastest growing segment of motorcyclists is female riders. As a Rider Coach I have had many conversations with new riders and have found women riders to be attracted to motorcycling for the same reasons as men. Sometimes it’s for very logical reasons like economy or the sense of control or freedom of choice. Other times it’s that romantic freedom of the open road.              First, let me apologize in advance if I happen to over generalize or offend anyone as I attempt to convey the views of this Skewed ol’soul while describing a subject that involves many personalities. For this slippery slope can be much like playing a game of “Guess the shirt size” at your local buffet. Error on the side of caution or you might get your ass kicked.             I myself can attest to the increasing numbers of riding angels by the fact that in all but one class I have conducted in the last three years has been a class population comprised of at least half women. More proof of this gender specific trend starts with the fact that motorcycle manufactures are beginning to recognize an untapped market by increasing production numbers of motorcycle designs that address issues important to most female riders. Such as, lower seat positions for those who may be a bit vertically challenged and lighter weight machines. And products with design lines that may be better fitting and more attractive to female riders. Another indication is the many clubs and functions that cater to the two wheeled fairer sex such as W.O.W. and the women’s motorcycling conference.                With all due respect to all riders, and with complete recognition that big girls need… Uh-Hum… motorcycles too, the common theme I hear from the ladies is that of concerns for seat height and the weight of the bike when leaned over in a curve or Gaw’d forbid having to pick up a motorcycle after an unscheduled dismount. (We will cover this later). When asked by a new rider “What kind of bike should I buy?” I give all students, male or female, the same advice. I recommend all to start out (at least the first year) with a motorcycle 600cc or smaller that has the features and ergonomics you are looking for including a seat height that allows you to sit comfortably with feet flat on the ground.             I would like to give credit where credit is due. It has been my sincere honor to teach many people to ride. In general I’ve found women to be much better students then men. First of all due to a genuine thirst for knowledge they tend to be more cerebral in the process of learning to ride and in turn they are smart enough to listen to their fears and respect the need for proper preparation in acquiring the skill of riding. This seems to prompt the ladies to be more receptive to the techniques presented to them during the Rider Course and less likely to approach the class with reluctant acceptance they we sometimes see with males that are refreshing their riding skills or are there because they feel they have to, to get a insurance discount. Many times this “Have to” results in a lack of respect for foundation exercises and can handicap the over all learning experience through stubbornness or loyalty toward old habits learned from improper instruction of motorcycle operation.              A fun and predicable class scenario is when a husband (significant other) and wife sign up to take the course together. It normally goes like this:            When asked during the class introductions what they expect from the course.WIFE: Alertly and attentively will state while pointing at the guy next to her “I’ve been content riding on the back for a long time and now I’m tired looking at the back of his head and feel this is a good place to start so we don’t end up in divorce court because he can’t seem to show me how to use the clutch.”HUSBAND:  Kicked back with his feet up on the desk “Oh I’m just here because she didn’t want to come alone. There’s nothing you can teach me as I’ve been riding for twenty years… And ah, the divorce thing has a bit to do with it to.”             Ultimately in this situation the result seems to end the same way. The female, completely unaware of her continuous smile ends the class the better technical rider due to her realistic concern for her riding safety. While the male also ends the course a better rider then when he started thanks to his relaxed approach, he will also have a few “light-bulb” moments and sheepishly admit (at least to the class) he did learn some good strategies an techniques and improved his skills for his weekend spent.             While the reasons we choose to learn to ride can vary greatly from person to person one common bond among motorcyclist is what I call the “out there” factor. That element of riding that allows us to experience those meaningful aspects of riding. You know… wind in your hair (tough one for guys like me), being part of the landscape as opposed to riding through it and the common brother/sisterhood, all of those things that have become such cliché expressions that I have found a need to make up another term for it. The fact is that female riders are still very much the minority out there on the road so we may be compelled to have a different reaction, even if we try not to show it toward a lass in the saddle. Depending on one’s perspective, some people might react in many different ways ranging from “Hey that’s a girl? Don’t she know girls don’t ride motorcycles?” to complete acceptance as another rider deserving of the same respect you would give any fellow rider. Hopefully a rider of feminine persuasion  will be greeted with the warmest comradely found at any gathering of motorcyclist and not face the bias’, predigests and condescending remarks that were made toward the matronly pioneers of the sport.             My observations have taught me (again, in general) that women riders may be a bit less inclined to have the nerve needed to successfully handle a panic situation. Keeping in mind that they also tend to be much more disciplined in the over all preparation of a ride, therefore drastically reducing the chance of a panic situation or the degree of that situation when it does happen.             With less emphasis on opinion and more focus on fact, if you find the need to pick up your motorcycle from a laying position, first check yourself over well. If you are in need of medical attention simply turn off your kill switch and gas valve and seek that attention. If you stand up, brush yourself off and you are ok it is best to pick up your bike in the following manner that seems to work well when lifting a motorcycle that weighs more than it’s rider as is almost always the case.              After turning off the previously mentioned switch and gas valve, walk to the side of the bike in which it fell. Turn the handlebars to the fully locked position toward the fall. Stand by the seat facing away from the bike, bend both knees until your butt can push on the seat. Grab the nearest (low) handgrip with one hand and another solid point on the bike, like the back fender with the other hand. From this position simply lift with your legs until the motorcycle is upright, being careful not to go too far and tip the bike over to the opposite side. For more details and pictures of this method see http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/pickup.html             Other facts to consider when couples ride on the same motorcycle and both are skilled riders is always carrying enough gear and luggage for both on a long trip can be a challenge that is easily conquered when each rides their own machine. If rider number one gets sick or cannot ride  for any “other” reasons such as rider number one has had one too many, rider number two has the skills to step up  in rank and get you both home safely. Also co-operator just has a better ring to it then co-rider…don’t you think? Ride… Enjoy. Just my skewed point of view. Skewed  

Mood:  hungry
Now Playing: http://www.abateiowa.org

Let’s face it…             The death of a fellow rider is a somber story to hear or see. The silent seconds at a crash scene immediately following impact, quickly give way to the adrenaline educed thundering hearts of the first responders, progressing to shouts for assistance or the tones of cell phones dialing 911 and quickly escalating to siren wails of approaching professional heroes as hope hangs heavy in the air. While the human damage is being assessed and before it is determined if the rider will live or become spiritually airborne, our faith, our fortitude and our choices will be harshly tested in the hours, days and months to come through public debate.            

   Before due respect is paid to family and friends, before the cause is determined. Even before the witnesses return to their cars and routines of everyday life, our freedom to choose our mode of transportation will be on trial in the court of public perpetual ignorance. Under the influence of hearsay and with little or no knowledge of the circumstances that transpired. The human instinct to fuel wise tales based on human tragedy will set into motion the assumption that the crash occurred because…”The rider was not wearing a helmet “or because “Motorcycles are dangerous”            

    Without taking into account what other road users mistakes may have had to do with the crash they will say… “He was riding to fast!” Without knowing if the rider’s choices were driven by skill level or pucker-factor panic, the non-riding public and media will say with an all knowing and accusatory tone…”The rider must have been drinking.” Without even knowing… they will assume the rider was at fault.         

    Take the Ben Roethlisberger (Steeler Quarterback) case that has been given so much media attention lately. While he was crucified for riding a motorcycle and for riding without a helmet, little was said about the ol’bag that pulled in front of him and actually caused the crash. Due to the fact that he is a high profile athlete, he was unlicensed and lacking the permit that allows him to choose weather to ride with or without a helmet, the rest of us will suffer along with him as his wounds and injured ego heals. Much like us, how he appears in the public eye will be forever altered. And like us he will never live it down. Again, based on mistakes made in by others traffic.         

     Because of his choice not to heed local laws and based on her actions not to yield to his right of way, we will pay. We will pay through further loss of credibility, even those of us whom have the proper license, permits, training and pay road taxes that allow us access to public roads. We will pay through higher insurance rates.  Even if we ride conscious of our inherent risks because public and civil opinion will foster a “Fault for riding” mentality. We will pay through assaults on our freedom of choice as the helmet issue is reignited and revitalized with such an incident.         

    On the opposite end of the spectrum is Larry Grodsky from Pittsburgh. A life dedicated to Motorcycle safety and a personal hero of mine. Well known and highly respected was killed while riding within all laws and while wearing a helmet when a Deer entered his path as he was returning home from a Motorcycle Safety convention. Weather this was simply rider error to identify an unpredictable road hazard or just fate. The attention given to this ironic death of an icon was miniscule outside of moto-based publications. Proof of concept would be a small write up in a monthly Football magazine about the Roethlisberger event as opposed to front page coverage and the five minute segment sensationalized on CNN and other media sources every half hour for days. So how can we defend ourselves and the activity we enjoy from the erosive nature of pubic perception?        

     The obvious one is to reduce the frequency of crashes and incidents. Maybe just taking the time to recognize the bad or weak habits we have developed and have the fortitude to work toward improving those habits. We can take measures to reduce our distractions and be more effectively attentive by identifying circumstances such as sand in the curve or escape paths should another’s actions force us to make a choice as wildlife or someone else’s stupidity unfolds in front of us. Anything we can do to reduce the likelihood of a crash and the negative motorcycling shockwave it broadcast to the public is an action we have control over and is an action that should be put to use everyday.         

    If you are reading this publication, you like myself, most likely have a strong investment in how motorcycle related accidents and deaths are prevented, handled, documented and perceived. Opinion, statistics and out-right arguments can be volleyed all day, everyday to no avail when presenting your perspective to another differing opinion. If you have taken the time to read this column on a regular basis (my humble thanks to you) you are bound to have noticed the common theme of the need for training and constant reinforcing of skills. This, in my opinion is the best way to combat the increasing numbers that blacken the eye of all motorcycling issues brought forth in the public and political arenas that affect our freedom to ride and our freedom to choose.         

  So maybe you disagree with me on this point. That’s ok too! I have another angle for you. If you are superstitious at all or maybe you have noticed it only rains when you don’t have raingear with you and it’s always sunny when you do. Might this kind of karma work to our advantage if you are carrying a small first aid kit? Give’er a try! Do a few band-aids in your wallet qualify as a first aid kit? Probably not, but hey, a small advantage is better than none.          

   Also, if you have the chance, take the time to experience Slider Gilmore’s Accident Scene Management presentation, please do. It is packed full of great information based on injuries unique to motorcycle specific accidents and ways to employ others that might otherwise just stand around in saving a life should you find yourself with a thundering heart, shouting for assistance to help a brother when he needs you most. You’ll be glad you took the time.             Proper training reduces the odds of being in an accident. Should and accident occur, knowing what to do can save a life. Skewing the numbers in our favor this way will never hurt our cause.  Just my skewed point of view. Skewed

Road less traveled... oringinal huh?
Now Playing: http://www.abateiowa.org/preview/mainpage.htm

Let’s face it…            Sometimes you just can’t avoid the Super-Slab. It may just be my sense of mortality sinking in as I grow older but I avoid the Interstate whenever I can. If you share this sentiment there are many things we can do to make the best of the “road less traveled”.          

   Always keep in mind that you may need to put a bit more time in both the planning stage of your trip and schedule a few extra days in the long trips to accommodate the lower posted speed on secondary roads and engaging conversation with the inhabitants of small town gas stops, grub joints and maybe the hospitality of new found friends. Other things to consider that may come under the definition of “the experience” of a more rural route would be things like gravel roads (Man! That line on the map doesn’t look like gravel!), the fatigue of more days on the road and the lack of wake up call service at the Mom & Pop travel lodge where the budget minded traveler can save some cash-flow and enjoy a less generic chain-brand stay. Just a little hint… if the Triple A rating is done in a 1 to 4 “Roach” format… avoid it and opt for the Holiday inn off I-80 exit 129.            

  During the Planning portion, normally a winter / rainy day activity that I really enjoy, there is a virtual smorgasbord of resources to use to your advantage.  If you have access to the internet you can go to any search engine and get to any and all state DOT and Travel/Tourism websites to have the latest state maps and destination information delivered to you door, free! Also handy is the road construction and road closure info you can find on these sites just before you throw a leg over and settle in for the long haul.           

  To take advantage of many options and freedoms to travel the roads we wish, there are many other online resources available to help us enjoy our travels, like mapping websites such as www.mapquest.com, www.randmcnally.com and www.maps.google.com for mapping and driving directions that allow you to specify “avoid interstate or highway” in the search criteria. Another good one is www.byways.org for a list and maps of Scenic Byways all over.           

  Even more is the availability of motel information on websites such as  www.momandpopmotels.com or www.motelguide.com for a listing of those quaint lil’ off the beaten path / cheap hotel stops.  For camping facilities, try the best national parks in the whole world at www.nps.gov, and www. lovetheoutdoors .com for a good list of state parks contact information for all fifty states. Or even the trusty koa.com to find a KOA campground in the area of your destination. Another hint, it is always a good idea to call ahead to make hotel motel reservations. It does not matter if you are just down the road. It may save you some hard earned green-backs especially if you ask for the “Managers discount”. Trust me… it works. Push come to shove, the grass in cemeteries tend to be very soft and well manicured. Just be out at first light. *snicker*          

   Next would be the daunting task of deciding what to take and what to leave home. Make a list. Take a short trip. Scratch the stuff you do not need of the list. And always keep the gross vehicle weight of you machine in mind. Also consider you may want to obtain some souvenirs along the way. A book of stamps and a flat-folded box about the size of three t-shirts can save space and weight on you return ride home. Please be sure to double check what-ever it is you deem necessary to strap down. It is a sickening feeling to get to your stop and have no idea what mile marker that bag of needed clothes or the tent you planned to use as shelter tonight fell off at.           

  Once on the road, consider eating at restaurants at odd times of the day to allow you to get in and get out in the quickest possible time. Also if you normally do not wear a helmet, consider wearing one on the higher speed trips to avoid hearing loss to the wind. This also greatly reduces the fatigue I feel at the end of a long riding day. Besides this advantage it gives me a third line of defense from flying debris and critters at 55-75 MPH.           

  When you find yourself in a time crunch, and prioritizing the destination over the ride, the Interstate will allow you that option. Have you ever noticed how traffic seems to travel in clumps while all those cars and trucks are constantly jockeying for the lead or best position? This is an easy fix. Simply rolling on or off the throttle a bit and soon you will find yourself with nothing but open road between the packs that are miles apart. This allows me to relax somewhat and it affords me the best view a straight road can provide. That view can come in handy when things are coming at you at 85 MPH. This gives us a chance to see those freaking Highway Gators (Retreads) in time to avoid being bitten.             If you enjoy screaming down the Interstate with a group of friends it’s best to remind everyone before you head out that ability, endurance and gas requirements may vary quite a bit and that all in the group might not be as hardcore as the next. Nothing ruins a good trip faster than someone riding outside of his or her abilities. Something that has worked well for me is to keep experienced riders on the ends. One of the two most experienced riders up front (Road-Captain) and one at the back (Tail-Gunner). Have the person at the back of the pack wear the brightest, fashion disaster color they own. This way the Road Captain can tell with a glance the mirror if the entire group is still together. Depending on the size of the group, areas with a large number of exit and on ramps can be a real hassle as nobody likes to be cut off. If the Road Captain guides the group to the left lane, a lot of frustration and bird filppin’ can be avoided. Though, I rarely pass up a chance to shake my head in obvious disgust while slowly passing the members of the trailer pulling community.          

   For those of you who are not rally goers. You may not have had the opportunity to see the Blind Spot Display. It demonstrates how large the blind spot is from the driver’s position of a Semi tractor-trailer by parking four Police cruisers and twenty eight motorcycles at the same time, in the blind spots of the mirrors. This most defiantly inspires me to pay attention and stay out of these areas by constantly changing my lane position.            

  Common sense dictates that higher speeds equal longer stopping distances so adjust your space cushions accordingly to avoid the bumper sticker syndrome. Either path you choose. Keep dem’eyes open for Deer, dead or alive. One last hint… the live one’s are a little less predicable than the dead ones but no less dangerous.   

 Just my skewed point of view.           

Let's face it
Now Playing: http://www.abateiowa.org/preview/flyer.htm
Let’s face it…

Finding a common bond or a chance to connect with our kids is getting tougher everyday. Kids being bombed with year-round schools and ever increasing homework requirements for all of us. Not to mention hours with a game controller in hand, computer jargon and musical tastes dividing us and weakening the chains of our genetic anchor to each other.

Motorcycling can serve as a snapshot from the saddle of life. And provide an opportunity for some good old time spent with your teen doing a fun activity that has tons of growth potential and most likely increasing your stock in their eyes. This is the kind of activity that demands the kind of focus and attention that allows us to do this all while not having to listen to the little punk get lippy.

Imagine an activity in common that requires them to look to you for real guidance and companionship. There are as many approaches to this exchange as there are family styles and personality types within a family. Granted, your cause and effect may vary greatly, but a large percentage of the time, when the end of a good riding day or the end of a challenging road is eclipsed by the inevitable need to put the horses in the stall. The experiences shared will last forever through the memories of “time spent”. Those days of the good, and most of all the challenging times will generate stories that can echo through time as rare, influential episodes of parental acceptance.

These seeds can be planted at a much earlier age than the teen years or it can be fostered as a life preserver for a relationship tested by the natural, instinctive need for a child to separate from their maternal pack through hormonal induced agitation of his or her elders. Things like this can be molded as a chance to influence a positive, long-term life lesson or maybe just a good way to begin to breakdown the wall of immortality that most of us have felt in those early years. These types of experiences together can open lines of communication and begin preparing them, through an instantaneous, actions equal life and death lessons to be used during their own future driving privilege. Even if a lifelong hobby is not the result, simply learning to ride will promote a basic knowledge that motorcycles may be present on the roads they travel, much like the efforts of the share the road campaign.

It can serve as a chance to teach your kids how to conduct common mechanical maintenance or to recognize when to let a pro do the work. Also things like covering the clutch and brake when approaching an intersection to reduce their reaction time or other defensive driving techniques can serve them well in everyday driving, or even just working through the confusion endured from the necessary evil of insurance. All of these things can be conveyed with an element of “Kewl” to ears that might otherwise shut you out because you are the Dad and you know nothing about what is cool to them.

My own experience as a kid and a Dad, based on this subject matter, has resulted in some of the most pride filled, memorable moments in my connection to family. You see my Dad is not a motorcycle guy. So imagine my surprise and how his “Kwel” stock was raised when after he came home from work one day and with a favorable and supportive manner presented me with information about a motorcycle for sale that was actually within my price range! After pleading my case for years to an always negative response from my parents (who could blame them, Evel was my hero!) here was my rocket ship to independence! But in reality all it did was to bring me closer to the man that I had only seen as lacking any sense of cool and as the wall of intimidation standing in the way of my launching pad to fun. To this day I still do not know what changed his mind but for some reason on that day had had the faith and trust that I was ready. On that day I was given permission, under the conditions that I take a Motorcycle safety class and wear a helmet, to pursue what has turned into a life long hobby that has provided me with much enjoyment and many friends.

Fast forward 30 years and it is now my turn to trust. With much pride I watch my own fourteen year old son ride as if he was born to do so. Fortunately I am in a position to reduce everyone’s anxiety a bit as the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum and a well maintained, closed course affords us one small step toward independence and one giant leap towards “time spent”.

Thanks Dad! Thanks Dylan! I couldn’t have done it without you both!


Just my skewed point of view.

Skewed
skewed@easyriders.com

Representation equals respect.
Let’s face it…
The non-motorcycling public is very na?ve when it comes to motorcycling issues that are important to you and me. If you were to strike up a conversation with a member of the non-riding segment of society, you would most likely not get much feedback outside the helmet or loud pipes issue, as this is the extent of knowledge the general public has about our pastime and lifestyle.

While ABATE and AMA officers, staff and members work with due diligence in an untiring manner to protect our right to ride free at the government and political level. Is there anything the rest of us can do at the street level to improve our odds of having more support and being more politically persuasive when our choices are under bureaucratic attack?

YOU BET THERE IS!

Think about it brothers and sisters…
Kids do not wave at you from the back of the school bus when you are in your car. No one looks over at you while at a stop light and wishes they were you when you are in your ol’ pickup truck.
Likewise, members of the opposite sex do not succumb to a slightly faster heartbeat and a surge of emotionally induced lust when you start your four wheeled cage with a turn of a key like they do when you kick that scoot over. You know it’s true. Influence at any level can be our strength or our enemy. It’s up to us to seize every opportunity.

Daily as we ride, we are presented with an opportunity to shed a favorable light on the big picture with our actions on the street. Like, for instance. When you notice someone looking over at you, weather it be with malice or appreciation, be the first to give a wave. *Preferably with all five fingers that is.* And flash that friendly smile that has served you so well with all the babes over the years.

Or if you notice another rider, be it a brother or a stranger, doing mach-speed and jamming in and out of traffic or bleeping those straight-pipes at 3 AM through a quite residential area. Take the opportunity to politely persuade them towards the knowledge that when he or she rides in that manner they are representing all riders negatively in the eyes of the voting public.

You can step up to the plate and swing your heart at an issue that shines well on us all. It does my heart good to see the positive press and influence things like the honor guard and toy runs do for our common thread.

Self improvement is always a good angle! Realistically recognize that as we get older our reaction time, eyesight and skills diminish. So take a skills or safety course every few years. Practice those skills daily to keep them sharp and so they are there instinctively when that cell-phone jabbering, minivan driving, stereo-thumping, no mirror checking goober pulls the pin on that left hand turn grenade in front of you. You then you can react instantly with the precision it takes to avoid the tragedy and the pain and suffering of yourself, family members and friends. And it will greatly reduce the potential of becoming a negative statistic and giving your local newspaper one less chance to spin the “Motorcycle are dangerous” propaganda wheel with what always seems to be the last sentence in most of those reports.
“Biker Bob or Biker Betty was not wearing a helmet.”

Representation equals respect, period.

Just my skewed point of view…
Now giddy-up & get that skin in the wind!

Skewed

Thing to do
Mood:  vegas lucky
In this life time...

Well I guess I’d better throw my two cents in…

This is kind of an odd subject but one in which I have devoted a lot of consideration to. Sure, some of it is very unlikely to ever unfold, but hey, ya gotta aim high. I am of an age that has allowed me the wisdom *snicker* to understand the give and take of life’s opportunities. I am fully willing to live a modest lifestyle if it affords me the freedom to see the view from a few Personal Peaks.

1) Everest! I’m also of an age to know I will hav’ta settle for the IMAX movie on this one. But it does tie in the corny “aim high” and “personal peaks” usage above.
2) See the day in which we are completely debit free. Projected for the late 3rd quarter of 08…wish me luck.
3) Get my Pilots License. Co-op a plane.
4) Parachute solo. (Hopefully not immediately after getting the Pilots License. TeeHee)
5) Drive in a Demo-Derby.
9) Learn to count. Really I'd like to learn how to play the drums and guitar.
6) Travel? O’ya I’ve got a list a mile long And Chris is on the back of the bike in everyone of them Some of the better ones are as follows.

I will, via motorcycle and my own co ordinance, tour Scotland’s Isle of Skye where we will ride to the castle of my decedent’s clan.

I will tour Ireland where I will hunt upland bird behind real Irish setters and raise some Guinness in a real Irish pub.

I will ride the entire west coast from the northern most paved road in Alaska, clear down to Baja Mexico Where we will experience a huge transition in landscape, culture and lifestyles.

I will ride to the Grand Canyon. By way of Utah on down and Florida by way of the Great Smoky Mountains

I would also like to ride a Dual-sport bike across Mongolia. Mongolia you say? It just looks like amazingly beautiful land and people. Much less likely to happen than the others.

7) Finish the Bathroom project. HA!
8) Draw my last breath knowing I have achieved the list above and most importantly knowing I have served my family, friends and a few strangers well. Along every path I have chosen.

GB

What?s on your ?To-Do in this lifetime? list?
Now Playing: LACKofintrest.org
What’s on your “To-Do in this lifetime” list?

How about another one submitted by one of my faithful readers…

“You just found the genie in the bottle. You get three wishes. No fair wishing for more wishes. What are they and why.”

Ya know, most unselfish kind-hearted folks might spend the first one on “World Peace”. Me? I say let-um kill one another in the sprit of Darwinism and the need to satisfy their God. Whichever “God” that may be. Wow, talk about oxy-moronic! That sentence takes the cake…ummmm…cake.

My choices would be much more self-centered.

First. I would really like to meet and get to know everyone from the past thousand years or so that has contributed to the bloodline in which flows through my veins today.

Second. I would wish for my kids and grandkids forever to live in a manner that respects the moment they are "in" with the wisdom that self happiness is provided only by their own perspective and not by materialistic accomplishment. And not allow themselves to get caught up in the grind that has cost me so many unmemorable days. (Is that two wishes?)

Last… I’d wish for my Mom back. If you knew her and the pain she was in, you would understand how truly selfish this one is.

The good part is, maybe all of these will happen someday without the need of a genie or wishes.

How about you? What would you wish for?

A subject for next week… What’s on your “To-Do in this lifetime” list? Reply to this one today and think about that one for next week.

Thanks for stoppin’by.
GB

Family of choice.
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: You know the address
Family of choice.

It has happened to us all. We get a notion in our hearts (or maybe not). We read up on the subject through a vast array of “how to” books supposedly written by “Experts”(or maybe not). We prepare by setting up a home for the little one that is about to arrive (or maybe not). We anguish over hereditary heath issues. We wonder how he/she will turn out to be both in the near and distant future. We think about all the money issues. “Are we ready for this?” or maybe “Should we adopt?” Then you have to pick a name? Do we go with something traditional? Do we wait and pick one that fits? Do we go with a unique name that we will have to always explain the origin of?

Then that day comes. You walk out the door knowing very little about the future except that your house and your whole daily routine will never again be the same.

For me… I’m a dog guy so I am talking about getting a puppy. I know some of my regular readers are cat people. What ever it is that greets you at the door when you’ve been gone, whether it is for 9 hours or 9 minutes as if you’ve been gone for years. That’s kewl with me.

I know many pet owners don’t put this much work and thought into preparing to get a pet as I mentioned above. But I do. I love all types of dogs and have met a few cats over the years that I can tolerate. Ok, ok it was only one cat but a special cat he was.

I have been the fortunate friend/owner of 5 dogs over my 41 years. We’ll start at the beginning. Though it was almost 40 years ago I remember it like it was yesterday.
My family had had dogs before but we were pet-less at the time. (‘cept for my Sister! *snicker*)
A man living next door came over to inquire if we might be interested in a puppy as his Mother had some mixed breed pups that needed a home. I remember the look that was exchanged between my parents. My Mom being the “real” decision maker of what was ok under their roof gave a strong look of receptiveness to the idea. The neighbors timing was excellent!

The idea of a new family member was only reinforced when the neighbor return with a little puppy that fit in the palm of his hand and somewhat resembled a shivering white rat.
That white rat turn out to be a Chihuahua/terrier mix that graced our laps and lives for about 12 years. Her name was Mini. Appropriately.

Before Mini’s death came the first dog that was “mine”. He would be the source of many lessons for me about dog ownership, training (lack of that is) cost, and breeding. Mac was a buff/blond Cocker Spaniel with very aggressive tendencies. The cutest thing you ever saw as a puppy but as he grew he was a strong representative of poor breeding as are many current members of this breed. So much so,that our local humane society will not adopt out a dog with Cocker in them to a family with children. Surprising I know. The “family dog” of the 70’s & 80’s not fit for children in the 90’s. I hate to admit it but I contributed to the problem by allowing him to breed. In hindsight I realize that was a mistake. Breeding dogs based on cosmetic features or breed specific body traits is the WORST thing we can do. The “show dog” people have been breeding the brains out of certain breeds and sacrificing good dog personality for a breed standard appearance or demand for puppies of the current must have breed. It was the Irish Setters in the 60’s. The Cocker Spaniel in the 70’s. The Golden Retriever and Dalmatian in the 80’s and 90’s. Sadly I also contributed with a lack of training in Mac’s case. I was naive in how to stop his aggressiveness towards others. But, as PIZ would say, I CAN BE TAUGHT!
The heartbreak portion of this lesson came after I had moved out of my parent’s house to another town far away. Upon my return the years had past and Mom called to say it was time for him to be put down as he was full of cancer. I thought to myself “OK, I can do this. I haven’t been around him much in years. I can do this”. I called to make the appointment. I Went to Mom and Dad’s to get him. I loaded him up in my truck for the short ride to the vet for the needed release from his everyday pain and suffering. It was when I was parked in the Vet’s parking lot my tough skin began to thin. By the time I got him into the vet for our appointment I was unable to speak. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Luckily they recognized my duress and made it as easy on both of us as the situation could have been.

Living in an apartment as newlyweds we were not able to have dogs so we had our daughter instead ( just kidding Snug) it was a few years later we had saved and borrowed enough cash for down payment on a small house a block from where I grew up. With a baby and a house the next obvious thing to do was get a dog. Enter “Ginger” A corny name that I protested against. After she was with us awhile I thought a better name would have been “Rox” because that’s what she had in her head! One night on my way to my 3rd shift job I found myself out in the backyard looking at this dog that refused to listen to my command to come in. When I finally caught her I could barely keep myself from twisting the collar in my hand to the point of… well you know. I was pissed and I am strong. I put her down nicely and decided right then to find her a home before I did do something I would regret.

Next came Kodi. Though I was in my late 20’s Kodi was the dog of a lifetime for me. That perfect “a kid and his dog” dog. His life started really rough and he rewarded us for rescuing him with almost 14 years of loyalty, nobility and tenderness. I always wanted a Chesapeake Bay retriever. When I saw the ad in the paper I expected to find a bunch of well cared for hunting pups. What we found was a horror. Two puppies way out in the timber behind this house in a small chicken wire pen about 5 foot in diameter. Skinny due to the fact they were being fed vegetables and surrounded by mosquitoes and flies that were feasting on these poor pups to the point of large open sores on their head and ears. My first instinct was to not want to risk taking one home only to lose it to distemper or heartworm. My wife saw thing differently and boy am I glad she did. She refused to leave without at least one. With hope we could save one from this death sentence we took the male. Though his sores were worse he had more body weight and a calmer personality. On the way home we discussed that we wish we had room for both and whether we should call the authorities about the conditions. We did neither. I told a friend about it and ran out the next night to get the female. She died 2 weeks later from distemper.

Kodi with his ever clam strength and muscular features protected us without any real treat of aggressiveness towards anyone and blessed us with an honorable nature that I do not think will ever be matched by any friend, dog or human. Fourteen years later my life was shaken when my wife noticed a sore on his gum that turned out to be cancer. His loss affected this “Dog person” to the point that I said. “No more dogs! I am not doing that to myself any more”. I said, “I am now just a fish guy. I can flush a fish if I need too and it won’t hurt.” A defense that only worked until the pain wore off a bit to revel the hole in my dog lover’s heart.

Almost a year later I started looking at dog ad’s in the paper with no particular breed in mind. All I new was whatever we got I would not be able to compare to Kodi. It would never match up.

I saw an ad for mixed Mastiff pups way out in B-F-Egypt. I made a comment aloud about it. We did some research on the web. WOW! NO WAY! We found ourselves in the car on our way to Egypt. I told the kids the whole way out there. “We are not getting a Mastiff!” “Our house is too small!” After meeting the Sire and the Dame I changed my mind. Fact is if those pups could have had their heads growing out of their sides and I would have taken one home. Fortunately we got one with the head in the right place. Buster is now 165 pounds of expressive character and love. I’ll try to post a pic of him here but if it doesn’t work e-mail me and I’ll send you one.

Things I’ve learned:
1. When you get a pet. Remind yourself everyday that “THEE” day is coming so treat them well as you should with all in your life.
2. They are not human. Though many treat their dogs like small humans I think it is a shame to treat them like an inferior species like humans are. On the same “not human subject. Don’t be surprised if they bite. Animals do that when they think they need too.
3. Don’t pick a dog based on breed. They will surprise you. Sometimes the ugliest one is the best one. Just ask my wife.
4. Pit bulls an Rotties have gotten a VERY BAD RAP! They make great dogs when raised right and with love. Dumbass people once again are the reason for the reputation they have acquired.
5. When a loyal friend is greeting you at the door or just lying on the floor by you. Acknowledge them with a touch and time spent. You’ll both be better for it.


GB

Cha,,Cha,,Changes.
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: www.workinblues.com
I’m starting small. I will begin a venture this summer that I hope sees me through an early departure from the unrewarding daily task of working for somebody else.

I’d like to put forth several questions to you this week about business, customer service, employment personalities and general overall market strategies for you, the hard working consumers who are bound to have opinions.

I could go on for days/weeks about my disappointment in my current employer’s business decisions toward quality and the personality types they choose to promote. I am sure we all share this to some extent on a daily basis. I do not see this changing for the better. So it is again time to take the Raines myself and start down a path that I admit is very daunting and will test my mettle. This will be a business of very low overhead cost and rely highly on customer service that will *HOPEFULLY* promote a good, strong word of mouth cycle.

Knowing that all of you spend money on things and services you deem necessary and or vital to your personal happiness. And knowing some of you have owned your own small business and might have had time to assess things you might have done differently I look to you as sources of vital information to help me on my quest.

My questions…

What kind of people would you hire for your own business? This is a tougher question than it seems at first. For example:

I would hire a hard worker. Does this “hard worker” work smart? Does he/she work efficiently? Do they get along? Do they represent the type of professionalism you wish to convey to the public / customer base? All things that I think are important and try to do as an employee myself on a regular basis.

What kind of advertising catches your eye or ear?

Do you seek out good customer service? Or just a good price?

If you started a small business what would it be?

What mistakes have you seen other businesses make that you would warn me about?

Sorry this has taken on the form of a survey. But I really DO value your input.

Thanks.
GB

To get Stoned or not to get Stoned? That is the question!
Now Playing: www.fadetoblack.com
Superbowl entertainment?*

OK, I’m not like the Stones… Nobody needs to tell me. I recognize this Blog is going down in flames and just not getting the response I had hoped for.

The Rolling Stones on the other hand continue to make appearances to large audiences paying larger sums of cash for the privilege of watching over the hill rockers belt out tired old tunes that we all still like to hear. Emphasis on HEAR!

I have been a Stones fan my entire life of musical appreciation. And who can blame them for making live appearances when people will still dump money out of our pockets into theirs. But… but… but did you SEEEE that? Somebody, maybe best somebody who has been a longtime fan needs to tell them to STOP IT!

Mick… the only thing you got is the song. The moves and voice isn’t there any more, old friend. Damn for a minute there I was hoping he was going to show us a nipple like Janet last year just to ease the pain of watching with a little humor.

Keith… Man I hope I look that good when I’m dead!

Ronnie… Put down the crack pipe and step away. Dude, I think I can see your spine through your cheeks.

Charlie… Now Charlie rocked it out! But what is with the bulletproof glass? You might be the quiet one with white hair and a smile. But a pope ya ain’t .

It’s up to us folks. The truth hurts. Maybe hurts those who’s life is all about public representation more. But the sad fact is they will never stop until we, the fans tell them too. I have no problem with them going into the studio and cutting an album. I’ll probably buy it! But I REALLY don’t want to see any of them doing their patented Stones posturing from a Hover-Round. Please.

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans. A Championship season.

But the only thing worse than the officiating of the game, was my beloved Stones.

From a true fan.
STOP IT!

GB

We don'need no stinkin' green cards!
Mood:  rushed
Now Playing: www.ocfoundation.org
Topic: Another request!

*Aliens of the illegal kind.*

“We’re losing jobs like a children’s clown with Tourette’s syndrome.”

“If you watch the Tijuana border with night vision goggles it looks like the beginning of the Boston Marathon in Poncho’s.”

“It’s gotten so bad that the second ‘Sea’ in Sea to shining Sea is now spelled ‘S-I.”
~Dennis Miller

Hi everyone. As promised I want all of you to have an active part in the subjects we cover here on the Ramblings page. So the topic for this week was suggested by one of you. (Have I mentioned that I won the In-law lottery!)

I have family that lives in the Denver Colorado area and has expressed concern about the tremendous number of illegal aliens, mostly Mexican, that are swarming to their area. I hope they can provide some insight and I hope that experience can educate me on what the effects have been and what we can do about it. I admit I know very little about it.

Like pervious subjects we’ve covered. This one has been another learning experience for me. When the subject was first suggested, I thought “I live in Iowa. What the hell do I know about Illegal Aliens”?

After two or three days of research this is my Skewed point of view:

1. This about Iowa Governor Tom Vilsak whom I have never voted for and have never liked. I think that for other reasons. But this applies to the subject at hand and will give some of you an idea how our Governor feels on the subject. Also keep in mind Iowans voted him in after this for TWO TERMS! DOUH!

“Posted on 09/23/2002 8:33:59 PM PDT by CIBvet
Last Monday, Iowa's gubernatorial candidates held their first debate of this election season. (Or, rather, the Republican and Democratic candidates debated; the Green and Libertarian candidates were excluded.)
One of the debaters was Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, who made national news a few years back by advocating Iowa exempt itself from federal U.S. immigration limits and turn Iowa into an "Ellis Island in the cornfields." He even accepted an award for this absurd proposal from the extremist ethnic-identity pressure group, The National Council of La Raza (The Race).
However, in the summer of 2001, ProjectUSA brought its "Truthmobile" to Iowa and, working with local citizens, drew enough attention to the governor's scheme that popular resistance in Iowa was ignited. The backlash eventually made national headlines, the governor's popularity plummeted, and he quickly backpedaled, blaming the whole idea on someone else.
Now that it's election season, Governor Vilsack is hoping Iowans have forgotten about his reckless and unpopular proposal. Unfortunately for him, however, the ProjectUSA Truthmobile is back in Iowa. At Monday's debate, we set up the large red mobile billboard, with its Census Bureau statistic (Immigration is doubling U.S. population in your child's lifetime), right in the middle of a small crowd of Vilsack supporters.” I also found out that California (surprise), Arizona, and Kansas now issue Drivers licenses and privileges of the like to people here illegally including the ability to buy firearms. Wow… I had NO IDEA!
2. I can’t believe the fact that the penalty for employing a person here in the US under illegal terms is so light, almost nonexistent. I believe that if there is any hope of persuading a slow down in this trend it must start at this level. The way it is now, who can blame them?
3. Here locally I hear very little about this issue being a problem. We hear the occasional story of a raid at one of the local meat packing plants. A job most locals don’t seem to want. We hear the occasional story of a fiery crash of a van full of workers here illegally on the highway. They were probably headed to their jobs at the meat packing plant.
4. Have you noticed how many get popped while hauling 9000 pounds of Pot and not using their turn signals or speeding??? No wonder they dug tunnels to Cali.
5. Here’s where my opinion might piss some folks off (sorry). Morally, I am a fence jumper on this subject (pun intended).
I’m a white guy of Scot-Irish decent, with a shaved-head. People who don’t know me many times assume I probably have issues with members of other races. NOT TRUE! Now I may be splitting hairs here but I hope to provide a perspective all may not have seen or thought of.
What is your definition of “LEGAL”? I mean… I’m not so sure my descendants came to this continent legally? They just came here looking for a better life. Anybody of European or Asian decent should think about that before passing judgment on others for seeking a “better life”. Even if many generations were born here. I know some family that was born in Germany and Japan. They were granted citizenship and rightfully so... So you most defiantly have the right. But I came from others that may have committed this same infraction as these immigrants. Sure they got a piece of paper when they hit the shore but I doubt that paper was handed to them by a Native American. To hear older generations and history books tell it, Europeans were welcomed here. History is told by those who have hanged heroes.

I have a problem with our government going to other continents and trying to impose our morals and values on other cultures. Why are we so reluctant to accept those who want to embrace them? I also know in today’s volatile climate security is an issue more than ever. Why are we spending so much cash sending a Battle-bot to the Red planet to take pictures and give names to rock formations when we still can’t control our own boarders? I myself do not have any suggestions on how to stop the bleeding. But do we want the other side of that coin? Do want to shut the door completely? I don’t think we can compromise somewhere in the middle on this one. I know this country is ours to protect, but the earth belongs to us all. If you know some answers to these questions or have an opinion otherwise, I’ll be glad to listen??
I started with a quote, I’ll end with one.
“We are not enemies, but friends.
We must not be enemies, though passion my give strength. It must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell. When again touched as surely they will be by the better angles of our nature.”
~Abraham Lincoln
GB

Learning?s- Life by the Searchlight.
Mood:  lucky
Learning’s- Life by the Searchlight.

I started this Blogging page last month as “fun” way for us to converse on different subjects at the convenience of our schedules and figuring one subject a week might make it easy for us all to take the time to think about our opinions and “throw down”.

I had relatively little knowledge of this Blog culture and was introduced to “Blogging” by a friend of mine who has a page in which serves as his platform / soapbox. Appropriately called “RANTS”

Well this has turned out be quite a learning experience for me. Last weekend we went to the new, recently built library that is just mere blocks from my house. We wandered around awhile. I tend to stick to the non-fiction section as this is where my interests lye. My wife a book fan in a much greater scale than I, looked over the entire selection while my son hit his typical science-fiction section. My wife pointed out a book called “We Blog”. I shrugged with little interest but since I had only one book picked out (normal for me as I am a slow reader) I decided to go ahead and take it home and look it over.

After scanning quickly through the “What is” and “How to” introduction portion of the book I found myself drawn in by many aspects of “Blogging” that I had never considered.

Such as:
How this blogging culture provides the much needed ability for an unedited, uncensored, first person, immediate peer to peer account of events that happen to or in front of the “blogger”.

Things like the LA Riots, Earthquakes in San-Fran and Tokyo. The 9-11 attacks. And the Tsunami and Hurricanes that have been the focus of network media coverage. Again, an element I had not thought of previously.

But what “I” found most interesting…

A story of a son, whom in 2001 asked his Mother to be a “Guest Blogger” while he was away on vacation for two weeks. In which she seemed to enjoy. So much so that when she went to Paris for two months, to fulfill a life-long dream of adventures in a city she was enamored with. He established a Blog page for her as a neat way to keep track of her adventures while she recorded her thoughts and experiences abroad. This became a way of learning more about his Mom as a person than he had known about her in his entire life of being attached at the hip as a child. And he learned much more about her than he had previously, through a much deeper form of writing than the typical “Family e-mails” that had been his only exposure to her writing in the past.

It got me thinking…

Though it took on an almost voyeuristic form for him to be enlightened to her day to day reflections about the things she was passionate about and helped to maintain one’s sanity in a reality based world. I’d like to take a more direct route to getting to know all of you better.

Through this BLOG I am bound to express things that are important to me and might give those interested enough to read some insight into who I am and what I stand for that they might not have known before. Hell, last week my Sister found out after 41 years that I “have friends”. I found out that a one of those friends is as passionate about Motorcycling safely as I am when previously I thought he just “wanted to grow up to be just like me”. *snicker* And I found out that my niece really likes me, though I get to see her much less then I’d like too.

So tell me/us. Tell us about the things that are important to you. The things that help you maintain your sanity. Who you are? Maybe an important event in your life that you call upon daily that gives you the power to throw a forearm smash in the face of the daily B.S. that we all encounter.

Just some things we might not know about you already. I am not asking you divulge deep dark secrets like a minute by minute account of that hour you spent alone with a Catholic Priest. Or how you “spent” $5000 in 5 ? minutes in Las Vegas. I don’t want to know about how you tortured animals as a kid and I DON”T want to know about the events that took place the night you were in a jail cell with a guy named Ben Dover. No… Please…this is not a therapy session.

Just some things that you do for yourself. They might be therapeutic in nature. Things you enjoy, yet get lost to everyday normal conversation and are buried by the need to attend to daily needs like the above mentioned “family e-mails”

As an Example:

I love to garden. A seed planted (pardon the pun) by my Dad as a kid. Every year I grow my own Peppers. Jalapenos, Habanero’s, Onions, Cilantro and Tomatoes. Everything I need to fulfill “MY” Salsa needs.

I schedule my evenings around chezzy, brain sucking sitcom’s because at the end of the day I need a laugh that doesn’t require a big investment in thought or time.

I am an avid Recycler. Just ask my kids.

I lay awake at night… A LOT! You too?

I am an anal retentive Organizer / Pack rat. Not a healthy combo!

I love coupons. The cheap bastard that I am, I allow this shallow element of my personality to decide where we eat out that night! HA!

I have been known to be a Garbage picker.

I don’t play a video game unless the plot line allows me to blow shit up!

When I read a book it is usually an Outdoor Adventure set in the Artic with some spiritual and/or historical pursuit to it. I recommend “Into the wild” and “Into thin air” by Jon Krakauer, “The only Kayak” by Kim Heacox and “A rock and a hard place” by Aron Ralston.
I probably enjoy these subjects due to the fact that my fondest childhood memory is of playing “king of the mountain” on the giant piles of snow cleared from the playground of my elementary school. Needless to say, I was good at it.

This also probably has something to do with the fact that my favorite place on earth is the mountains of Colorado in the winter time.

I miss my Colorado family with the same intensity that I love my Iowa family and this tears at my heart daily.

I long for a simpler life. I can deal with tougher. Just want simpler. I was born too late as I long for the days when humans took care of their own and traded and bartered with our skills and supplies and inventiveness. Not money!

My proudest moments have been as the result of kids in my life. My own kids and their achievements in school and sports. And a kid whom I do not know his name to this day. A friend and I were just at the right place at the right time and I believe his life would have been extinguished had we not been.

A simple yet human connection through “Blogging”

I am now calling YOU OUT!

GB

.

Biker Scum!
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Whothehelldoeshethinkheis!.ORG
Topic: Another request!
Hey everyone.

How’s the world treating you this week? I’d like to thank those of you who took the time out of your day by responding to my e-mail and stopping by this page and reading and/or posting your thoughts on the Ramblings of a Skewed Ol’soul. I really appreciate the fact that most of us already do not have enough hours in a day as it is so, THANKS!

I have begun to compile Topical Subject Matter Suggestions that have come to me by comments on this page, e-mail and my own list of twisted observations. Please keep them coming. I will do my best to hit on one of these every Wednesday evening. So feel free to bookmark the address, stop by while you are surfing and give your own skewed opinion or “make fun of me” as requested by my loving Sis.

Well, the kids are both home sick today so I stayed home to do the “make chicken soup and hold the hair back while it comes back up” thing. So I decided to hit on a topic that is near and dear to my heart and was suggested by my good buddy Jaxson in the January 6th “Public Beacons” Post.

Motorcycling… Everybody’s got an opinion on this subject. So I‘spect lots of participation on this one!

Jaxson’s Comment:

”How bout' ranting about dumb ass motorcycle riders that buy a high end machine for their first bike and go out and get themselves killed or kill someone else before they even make the first payment?”

My skewed point of view….

I struggle to find a comparable experience for those of you who do not have a interest in riding might be able to relate too. For my Father and soon too be Nephew (not the same person HA!) “IT” would be flying. For my Brother “IT” is boating. I know we all have an activity that makes us feel good. (Not that! Pizboy) And Motorcycling is “IT” for me. And due to the fact it’s the week of MLK day I’ll say it… I have a dream!

My dream is a very attainable one. Once the Kids are up and gone and maybe a few times before then, I have a dream to tour the whole USA by way of piloting my scoot everywhere I wish to go. Camp-out, 2 out of 3 nights in State and National Parks. Traveling by way of any road but the Interstate and most of all, taking my time. Yeah, I’ve seen “Easyrider” a few too many times. But I do not consider myself a “Biker” I consider myself a “Rider”

The difference you ask? I bathe.

No offence JT! TeeHee. Take a fuggin bath wood’ya? Make sure you get all the blue eye-shadow and ruby red lipstick off this time!

I’ve gotta give my Bro’ JT credit in this public forum. The Eye-shadow / Lipstick line is his. And I know he’s taken a shower…via a fire hose…right after the body cavity search. *snicker*

Jaxson’s reference to “Dumb ass motorcycle riders” is a fair one. As with all segments of society we have our share of Dumb asses. We’ve all seen them.

Screaming bye your car at Mach-speed, when YOU are already doing the obligatory 10 MPH over the speed limit. Yeah, you know I’m right.

Or weaving in and out of traffic like the lane changing laws do not apply to them.

Or jamming through a quiet neighborhood at 3 am with their straight pipes.

OR showing up in the news media as a casualty statistic. Normally, immediately after making one of the aforementioned maneuvers while surrounded by cars and concrete.

These are the true “Bad Apples” of the Motorcycling segment of society today. Not the Gangs that are portrayed in movies and such. Yes the “gangs” do exist. But the members of gangs are not the real threat to motorcycling. The “dumb asses” are.

”dumb ass motorcycle riders that buy a high end machine for their first bike and go out and get themselves killed or kill someone else”
As Jaxson, so eloquently put it. He is a word master isn’t he folks?

These “Bad-asses” are the one’s that plant a seed in the mind of the voting public so when a motorcycling issue is brought up for vote in a community, the first thing that happens is that that seed begins to grow into an Anti-Motorcyling mentality among non-riding and even some riding members of the general public.

I hear things like:

“Riding a Big Bad Motorcycle makes me tough” BULLSHIT!
Taking good care of yourself and getting/going home your family makes you tough!

OR

“Loud Pipes Save Lives” BULLSHIT!
Riding smart, getting trained and keeping your skills sharp saves lives!
Loud pipes just make enemies for use all.

OR

The Speed to weight ratio of my superior machine gives me the right to ride this way. BULLSHIT!
The speed to weight ratio of your machine should be used as a defensive advantage. Not a OFFENSIVE one.

Remember… Speed doesn’t kill.
Instant deceleration kills!

Well. That just about covers my view from behind bars.

Handle Bars that is.

What’s you opinion on this subject?

Helmets anyone????

Skin in the wind ya’ll… Lezzz ride!

GB

OK. Most “normal” people use a Blog as a daily online diary. I myself do not have a life interesting enough to constitute a daily record for all the world to see. So I thought it would be cool to use this forum as a place for thought provoking conversation between all of us. You know… everyday observations with a twist.

For instance… Don’t you think a better name for the new movie Brokeback Mountain would have been Brown-eye Pass? Or maybe Sagebrush Sqeelers? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a homophobe. I just think they should be a little more honest with the consumer. Can you imagine the 70 year old fan of “westerns” that takes the opportunity to see a movie in a genera that is largely ignored only to be confronted by fudge packing cowboys on the trail? Only in America!

This is a prime example of “Off-topic” in my skewed point of view. All of you know me real well and are aware that I am very easily humored and many times a teeny-tiny bit abrasive so jump right in! Throw hat in the ring! (Jaxson keep your cowboy hat on please) Let us hear some things that you have on your mind. We can bounce around Politics, Religion, Price of gasoline and all the normal water-cooler stuff if you want, but I’d prefer to step outside the proverbial box a bit.

Now, on to the next subject which can be kind of volatile. Depending on how passionate one is on the subject of Religion. Since one’s SOUL is normally thought of in direct relation to one’s religious beliefs. I believe we have already established my lack of “normal”. Right?

My elder sister asked,

“if you refer to yourself as "ol", where does that leave me???”

Well keep in mind that this is only MY opinion. It is not intended to be a influential statement at all. When it comes to this subject I am a big believer in choosing your own path. Whatever sooths your continents and gives you the guidance you need to make your “shot at the buzzer”. For what it’s good for, I hope you all make a “Swish”. Cause I love you all.

The question was asked so I guess I should address the *request* for my opinion.

I once heard it put this way. “I do not have a religion but I have Faith. For religion divides people, yet everyone needs something to believe in.”

I avoid this conversation most of the time due to the fact that this is a “personal” opinion. And normally people get pretty riled up over this kind of subject when you have a differing opinion from theirs.

My belief coincides very much with many religious foundations and is such that we are here, now. Our actions here and now determine who and what we are in the next level. Your next level maybe “heaven”. And I respect that. My “heaven is here and now. Surrounded by the one’s I love, on a planet where true miracles happen everyday. I am not counting on the heaven conveyed in Christianity based religions. I know that my actions now will influence the next step. Even if it is just to make the world a little better by teaching my kids right from wrong or how to think for themselves with genuine concern for others. What if this is our chance? What if this is heaven? What if our true chance at living in a perfectly designed environment is now? What if existing at the next dimension is your soul being carried by the next generation and the generation after that? In a world we forge today with our actions and keeping “It” close to home.

Two people, that are very important to me, referred to me as “An old soul” when I was quite a bit younger and didn’t care much about the statement at the time. And not really knowing what they meant. It wasn’t until much later years that my wife referred to a friend of my son’s as seeming to have an “old soul”. It then hit me. I did see a lot of my own traits as a child in this kid.

So you see Sis,
I believe we have been presented a chance to go to “heaven” everyday, if we strive to make it as such by recognizing it every time we wake to a new chance. Already surround by our families and friends. In the comfort we provide ourselves by our actions. Not petty actions like the language that we use that was invented by a man that might be categorized by another man as being shameful. Enjoy, Here…now. What if?

What’s your ‘Skewed point of view”? Anybody?

On the next special episode of Oprah… just kidding.

GB

The public becons
Mood:  smelly
Now Playing: No really I had a request? Go figure?
Well the truth hurts...and according to my personal hero Red Foreman "so does a swift kick in the ass."

While I hope we can have some fun with this "Blog" thing. We all must realize that everything that is posted here can and may be viewed by anyone anywhere. So please try to keep names and personal info... such as my Red Foreman worship... to a minimum.

Also, please keep in mind that most topics covered here every week or so, may seem a lil' twisted and at times I may be guilty of an occasional rant though it is all intended to be a lighthearted conversation among friends and family. Never is it my intention to offend any of you. Well maybe just one of you. And you know who you are.

A few questions were asked of me in the "comments" section the initial post on Christmas day. So I guess that is as good of a place to start as any because I want YOU to be an active part of the subject matter that we cover! Pleeeazze?

"What is off-topic". And the (my) definition of an "Ol' Soul"

Stop back soon, you need to spend more quality time with your friends and family anyway, and less time surfing for porn.

You know I'm right!

GB

Downtime
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: www.kickinback.rot
Merry christmas!

Welcome Family, Friends and whoever!! This is all kind of new to me but please feel free to join in and throw your two cents in!

I will post sometimes off topic issues here and invite any and all to partake in the ramblings of a skewed ol soul...

Thanks
GB ol'Soul