The Home Run

Here is a short film that will make you feel good - be sure to watch it to the end...

• www.responsibilityproject.com/films/player/the-home-run/

Government Versus Individuals

With slight tongue-in-cheek consider the following:

If I obtain money from an individual or business by coercion or intimidation, it is called "extortion". If the government does it, it's called "taxation".

If I run a numbers racket, it is called "gambling". If the government does it, it's called a "lottery".

If I sell liquor without paying taxes, it is called "bootlegging". If the government does it, it's called "alcohol beverage control".

If I create a business that does not allow competition, it is called a "monopoly". If the government does it, it's called a "department, bureau, agency, etc.".

U.S. Debt Clock

Caution: this site contains disturbing images...

• http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Government Bailout

If you run your own business, you are probably wondering why you have not received any bailout money from Congress. After carefully evaluating those companies that have received taxpayer money, I believe you probably failed in the following areas:

• You did not pay yourself an exorbitant salary and outrageous bonus for poor management decisions
• You did not buy or lease any executive jets or other non-essential items for your company
• You did not hire more people than you needed
• You did not negotiate any non-competitive contracts with your employees
• You did not provide a poor, dubious product/service to your customers
• You did not use any quasi-illegal schemes to boost profits
• You did not use "creative accounting" in your books
• You did not have a highly paid lobbyist in Washington, only a highly paid elected representative

If so, you clearly do not meet the government's guidelines for assistance.

New Technologies

Here are some interesting applications using WiFi and GPS...

• Eye Fi – If your camera uses a SD memory card, you can turn it into a wireless device that automatically uploads photos to your computer &/or online photo sharing sites. You can also choose to have your photos “geotagged” to show where the photos were taken. Visit http://www.eye.fi/ for more information and costs.
  
• Koki – Is a free software application that when downloaded to your wi-fi enabled computer will automatically detect its location. This can be used with other online software applications for number of purposes including finding the location of your computer if it is ever stolen. Visit http://loki.com/ for more information.
  
• Spot – Is an affordable GPS tracking device that can identify your location and the automatically send co-ordinates and messages to family and friends via cell phone or email. You can even track your progress via Google Maps - Jason Jonas has developed a web page, http://jasonjonas.org/spot/index.jsp, to facilitate Google Map tracking. Visit http://www.findmespot.com/en/ for more information and pricing.

"Just because you are paranoid, does not mean that someone is not following you".

How To Ride A Moped

I am thinking of hiring this guy to deliver pizzas...

Lin Cove Viaduct

If you have not hiked the trail along side the Lin Cove Viaduct, I would recommend it highly. There is even a secret spot, known only to me and a few old Indian guides, where you can take photos like this...

Lin Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain, NC

Additional photos are at www.ncmotorcyclists.com/gallery/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=29

How to tell you're having a bad day...

Men's Room

Not for the easily intimidated...

Financial Meltdown

For a very entertaining explanation of how our country got into its present financial mess, visit www.brasschecktv.com/page/187.html

The Air Force Museum

I toured the Air Force Museum outside of Dayton, OH today. If you have not visited this facility, I would highly recommend that you put it on your "bucket list". It is a national treasure. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

Additional photos are at www.ncmotorcyclists.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=23

Stallion Trike

Recently, I rode with some friends in eastern TN and one of the ladies showed up in a new Stallion Trike. It’s a good looking machine and certainly a different approach to a trike as compared to a motorcycle conversion. For more information, visit their website at www.southwesttrikes.com/stallion.htm

The vehicle is classified as a motorcycle and requires a motorcycle endorsement to drive/ride.

Cumberland Falls "Moonbow"

Last weekend I visited the Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky to see a moonbow. It is like a rainbow but is created by the light of the moon, not the sun. Here is a photo taken at 10:00 p.m. with a five minute exposure...

Photo courtesy of Charlie West

Lees-ure Lite Motorcycle Camper

I purchased a Lees-ure Lite motorcycle camper from Jimmie Dawkins at Lite Tent Camper (www.litetentcamper.com) a couple of weeks ago and finally had the opportunity to try it out at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground (www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com).

I have always enjoyed the camping experience and in partiuclar the opportunity to meet other bikers at the motorcycle only campgrounds. Unfortunately, I have reached the age where I no longer like sleeping on the ground. The Lees-ure Lite solved that problem and put the fun back into camping. It is easy to tow, unfolds in seconds, and allows you to carry plenty of gear.

Communication Problem Between The Sexes...

For The Consummate Biker

www.cyclefaucets.com

Another Optical Illusion

If you stare at the photo below for serveral seconds, you will see Toronto's CN Tower...

Flying With Professionals

Some friends invited me to fly to Ocracoke Island this week end to do some kayaking. Here's a photo of Charlie and Debby making sure that I had a safe and comfortable flight...

Diesel Powered Motorcycle

I received a newsletter from Hayes Divisified Technologies announcing the commercial release of the Diesel Fueled D650-A1LE Bulldog! The 611 cc engine gets over 102 mpg and develops 32 ft-lbs of torque @ 4200 rpm. Unfortunately, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the D650-A1LE Bulldog will be $18,999.00.

I believe they start with a Kawasaki KLR650 and then modify it for their diesel engine.

The E-Mail Time Capsule

Send an e-mail to yourself in 20 years at http://futureme.org/

Hatfield~McCoys Trails, WV

I rode the Hatfield~McCoys Trails in southern West Virginia this past weekend. There are over 500 miles of off-road riding! The trails are marked green (easiest), blue (more difficult), and black (most difficult). The black trials are down right frightening in places and are truly for the experienced and not easily intimidated riders.

ATVs can be ridden legally on the streets of most of the small towns surrounding the trail system. It's very convenient to ride into town for gas, meals, etc.

Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast...

Recently, I was honored to be selected as an outstanding Famous celebrity in Texas, to be a judge at a chili cook-off, because no one else wanted to do it. Also, the original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.

Here are the scorecard's from the event:

Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili

• JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
• JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
• FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili

• JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
• JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
• FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to walkie-talkie in 3 extra beers when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

• JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
• JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
• FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced.

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic

• JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
• JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
• FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. bitch is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating.

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover

• JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
• JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
• FRANK: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. **** those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety

• JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
• JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
• FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili

• JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
• JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
• FRANK: You could put a ******* grenade in my mouth, pull the ******* pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my ******* mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my goddamn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. **** it, I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the ******* 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili

• JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
• JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank.
• FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to report)