Feeling better, thanks

I’m over my apocalyptic doom depression, for awhile at least.

I got in nice rides on both of my BMWs this morning and it isn’t even noon yet.

I rode the K65S to the post office, brought the mail home, and rode the K1200GT down to Panera where I picked up a couple of four cheese souffles for our breakfast.

But I suspect it was last night’s presidential debate that set the tone for an upbeat morning. Everybody seems to agree with my perception that President Obama imploded last night and Mitt Romney mopped the floor with him.

For me, the most significant analysis came from one of Obama’s minions speaking on FOX News when he opined that Romney won on style points but Obama had better arguments.

Guess what, Skippy. If you win on style points, nothing else matters.

I’m old enough to remember the Kennedy-Nixon debates in the 1960 campaign where the consensus was that Kennedy kicked Nixon’s ass. But most of the people who listened to the debates on the radio thought Nixon won. The visual impression of the candidates – style – came through to the TV audience, just as it did last night, making Kennedy then, and Romney now, the clear winners.

And just for the record, I thought Romney’s arguments had far more merit than Obama’s lame, worn-out talking points.

Gary Varvel nails it!

My old Indianapolis News compadre Gary Varvel posted this cartoon on Facebook minutes after the debate ended this evening.

Gloom and doom on a sunny afternoon

I’ve had a strong sense of foreboding all year, probably set off by the coming end of the Mayan calendar.

I’d pretty much gotten past the Mayan apocalypse scare, but there are other things that provide plenty of material for my subconscious to chew on and worry about.

Like the Nov. 6 presidential election. My gut tells me that Dick Morris is right – it will be a Romney blowout because:

1. Not a single person who voted to John McCain last time is going to switch over to Obama, and
2. The past four years have killed the enthusiasm of Obama’s base and empowered conservatives to take back their country, e.g., the 2010 midterm elections, and
3. Despite the mainstream media’s refusal to cover stories that make the administration look bad, the word is getting out about the debacle in Libya, the “green” boondoggle, and more recently Univision’s coverage of more Fast & Furious guns turning up at crime scenes, and, of course border insecurity as underscored by the murder of another Border Patrol agent in Arizona.

But the spectre of our country going down the drain with another four years of unconstitutional corruption won’t go away and it is deeply unsettling.

And then there are any number of people predicting the collapse of the dollar and, with it, the world economic structure. (Yes, I bought some silver, but probably not nearly enough.)

We have a friend who has stockpiled more than a year’s worth of food and water, guns and ammo, and fuel at a secluded hideout, if we have to go into full survivalist mode. We’re invited to her shelter, so that’s some consolation.

Then today I found myself watching a History Decoded episode in which the Rosicrucians – known to me mainly through their Ephemeris publications for astrology – are said to be predicting apocalyptic solar flares either this year or next as part of a 13,000-year solar cycle.

The consequence supposedly is the destruction of all electronic devices and the end of civilization as we all try to function without the necessities of life.

Lump that on top of personal and family turmoil swirling around us and you can see how I have a hard time envisioning a good outcome for us all.

Oh, yeah, and the New Madrid Fault just a few miles northeast of us is overdue for a cataclysmic earthquake.

Out with the old, in with the new

The Nelson Rigg SLR-Sport Strap Mount Tank Bag arrived about 5:30 p.m. and I had it secured to the bike an hour later.

The single rear strap was a problem because there is no central attachment point for it under the seat that will also allow the seat to fasten securely. The old Marsee had a long rear strap with two snaps that was secured to the bike with two body panel screws. At the moment, the single back strap is secured to the rubber belt that holds the tool kit in place, but that’s only temporary.

I just realized that I could reinstall a length of the old strap with its two attachment points and secure the new one to the middle of the old strap between the two body panel screws. That will be a job for tomorrow.

The bag is boxy and sits a bit higher than the Marsee. It came with a clear map case but I doubt that I’ll ever use it because it covers the solar panel lid and, besides, I have GPS and just about never use a map, especially since I need reading glasses to see a map.

I’ve shifted everything important from my old bag to the new and there’s still a little room left over.

The old Marsee bag.

You can see the back pouch fabric is coming unraveled and is not repairable. That’s the consequence of a decade of UV exposure and use.

Score!

I sniped this beautiful 7 1/8” Pioneer Trails lunch/salad plate this afternoon for a mere $26 on Ebay.

Now we have two of them.

No Shiloh Rally for me

I had a great time at the 2009 Shiloh Rally.

I just checked the weekend forecast for Savannah, Tenn., and it’s just about perfect for a rally – lots of sunshine, no more than a 20 percent chance of rain and autumnal temperatures.

But I’m not going to this, the 38th annual Return to Shiloh Rally put on by the BMW Riders Association of the Mid-South (BMW RAMS) because the Tennessee Valley Authority has wrecked what was one of the premiere club rallies in the nation.

Here’s the explanation from Spencer Bennett, the RAMS secretary-treasurer:

Dear BMW Friends;
For 38 years, The BMW RAMS have hosted the RETURN TO SHILOH RALLY at the Pickwick Dam TVA Campground. Historically, we have been able to negotiate agreements with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to ensure adequate camping for our rally guests at a cost that allowed for a reasonable rally fee.
Unfortunately, there has been a change in direction at the Knoxville TVA headquarters. TVA has decided to court a different type of camper as found in motor homes and camper trailers. In response, the TVA upgraded the primitive camping loop at Pickwick Dam TVA Campground and has refused to discuss any camping options with us. We encountered a similar situation in rally planning last year. Fortunately, the rally was salvaged in the final weeks when the TVA agreed to rent the middle loop so we could provide camping. However, there is no viable option this year, as the TVA personnel are not returning telephone calls and are no longer responding to e-mails from RAMS members.

Due to these ongoing issues with the TVA, and in spite of the wonderful support shown by the local community, the RAMS have been forced to move the Return to Shiloh Rally to another location next year (2013). We plan to have this new site ready to announce at the closing ceremonies at this year's Return to Shiloh Rally.
The uncertainty of what the camping fee would be, and the attendant inability to set an appropriate rally fee, has caused us to decide that this year the Return to Shiloh Rally will have no rally fee. We would have the usual Rally Amenities (Coffee, Door Prizes, Self-Guided Tours, Bike Show, Flea Market, Firewood, Band, etc.).
Each Rally Attendee will be responsible for paying their own camping fees and paying for their own Bar-B-Q dinner on Saturday night.
This will allow us to conduct the Return to Shiloh Rally this year without imposing an undue expense on the rally attendees. It is estimated that the out of pocket cost to each attendee for camping will be in the $24 to $28 range, depending on where they camp and for how long. This compares well with our previous rally fee of $30.
We realize that this is an unusual step to take but we feel that it is the fairest way to wind down what has become a very difficult arrangement with the TVA.

Please join us October 5 - 7, 2012 as we prepare to leave the “Best Rally by a Dam Site," en route to a new rally home!
Regards,
Spencer Bennett
Secy/Treas. BMWRAMS

I’ve been to four Shiloh rallies and might have been persuaded to make it this year, but it wouldn’t be much fun because none of my friends will be there.

Diabetic coma in a box

We found ourselves at a Super Walmart this afternoon because I had to pick up a couple of prescriptions from the pharmacy.

Maria took the opportunity to do some grocery shopping and as we cruised up and down the aisles we came across a “Clearance” section in the frozen foods. My eyes fell upon a Marie Callender’s Key Lime Pie, reduced from $4.98 to $2.

Seemed like a good deal, so I tossed one into the bascart.

When I finally got around to reading the nutritional info as it defrosted on the counter, I was stunned to see that one helping is 480 calories.

Holy crap!

We’re going to split one piece and give the rest to our neighbors.

MotorcycleGear.com–Why shop anywhere else for gear?

I’ve bought a couple of helmets, a couple of pairs of pants, two riding jackets and a pair of gloves from MotorcycleGear.com in the past 18 months or so and have come to appreciate their service and spectacular deals.

I’m on their email list and get a heads-up almost daily on the newest sale and closeout deals.

I’ve been watching for a good deal on a tank bag for my 2003 BMW K1200GT because the Marsee bag I bought when I took delivery of the bike in February, 2003 is showing its age. Specifically, the fabric on the rear accessory pouch – the place I put my tire patch kit, visor cleaning fluid and cloth and other stuff I might need quickly – has come unraveled to the point that the contents are no longer secure. Not even if I put them all into a Zip-lock bag and then put the bag into the pouch.

I shopped for a replacement at the BMW MOA Rally in July, but wasn’t ready to pay $200+ since I’d just bought pricey LED bulbs for my MotoLights and a $65 LDComfort shirt.

So I was more than intrigued by this morning’s email that included the $239.99 Nelson Rigg SLR-Sport Strap Mount Tank Bag for only $64.99. (They have a magnetic mount version for the same money, but my bike has a non-ferrous tank and magnets won’t stick to it.)

The basic bag is 12”x8”x6”, which is pretty much the same volume as my old Marsee and the strap mount arrangement looks like it will fit my bike just fine.

Concerned that their stock might fly out the door before I could place an order, I ordered one online right away. (Two days later – this model is sold out.)

Then I read the rest of the specs and discovered it’s made to accept a solar panel charging system for small electronics, like cell phones and iPods. Oho!

The charging system normally sells for $49.99, but was on closeout for $19.99. Not wanting to overpay for shipping two separate orders, I phoned MotorcycleGear.com in Shallowater, Texas – a small town northwest of Lubbock – and asked Nate, the Parts and Accessories manager, if I could add it to my tank bag order and ship both items in the same box.

Nate crunched the numbers and noted that my bill would fall just $5 short of their free shipping threshold.

He pondered a moment, then said he’d just throw a charging kit into the box for free.

Free!

I was blown away.

Needless to say, I am their customer for life.

Best political ad this season

This country needs more men like Col. West.

Friday odds and ends

Congratulations to my BMW riding friend Charlie Parsons, who retired yesterday after a long and useful career as a pharmacist.

Charlie ran the Super D pharmacy in Paragould, Ark. for several years. He opted to retire this month after Walgreens bought the Super D chain and announced plans to close several Super D stores, including the one in Paragould.

Charlie hired my stepson Austin as a pharmacy tech during Austin’s 11 months with us a couple of years ago.

I look forward to more rides with Charlie, now that he has a little more spare time on his hands.

Today is National Drink Beer Day. I have some Leinenkugel Oktoberfest in the fridge for just such an occasion.

Last night’s deluge deposited 1.1 inches of rain in our rain gauge, almost all of it within a 90-minute period around 7 p.m.

The Carmel Pine Cone weekly newspaper from Carmel, Calif., has this ad in this week’s issue:

Our garage door is back in operation. A couple of guys from Jonesboro Overhead Door Co. installed a new spring, which assists the motor in hauling up the door, yesterday afternoon. The old spring failed a couple of weeks ago and I’d been opening the door manually in the interim and doing most of my to-ing and fro-ing through the front door.

The influence of Ganesh continues to be felt in ways that I can’t discuss here. Yet.

My Indianapolis News compadre Skip Hess’s email appears to be compromised. I got an email from his address this morning that is clearly not from him and contains a highly suspicious URL that I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot mouse.

The BMW MOA at Sedalia, Mo.

Here’s an interesting little video put together by the folks at the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. I was at the rally in July, but I’m not in the video.

The soundtrack is by the German group Rammstein.

Here’s my favorite Rammstein video:

Cool site: Track the International Space Station

Here’s where to go to locate the International Space Station as it orbits the Earth. The position is updated every second. This screen capture was made at 4:40 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 when the spacecraft was directly over the southern tip of South America.

If you click on the Observation tab and input your location, you can see a list of opportunities to view the ISS as it streaks across your piece of sky at more than 17,000 mph.

You really can find almost anything on the Internet

Recalling that I was in Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, 47 years ago today, I wondered if there was any searchable record of my presence there.

Yep, there sure is.

There is a searchable collection of basic training squadron and flight photos and here is the list for the 1960s.

I was in the 3703rd Basic Military Training Squadron, Flight 1499. That’s T/Sgt. Wiggins, one of our training instructors holding the Honor Flight guidon in front of the group. My face is circled in red and my name is boxed in red.

As far as I was concerned, basic training was a breeze. I was immune to harassment, having gone through fraternity pledgeship in an era when hazing was routine. Much of our day was spent drilling. That was a big challenge for a lot of the guys, but my four years in high school marching band served me well. Beyond that, all you had to do was keep your wits about it and shut the fuck up unless required to speak.

I still have my copy of this photo rolled up in a mailing tube and, if I so chose, I could probably make a much better scan, but this will suffice for now.

How to be cool on a motorcycle

NEA District Fair Gallery II

The New York Post gets it right

What else can you call such a vile, evil bastard?

Stuck

This is where I’d be this afternoon if I had my druthers – gazing north at the Big Creek Bridge south of Big Sur on the Pacific Coast Highway.

I shot this photo at 2:10 p.m., July 23, 2010 – the last time I rode my favorite road.

I’ve done precious little riding this year – the European Riders Rally near Nashville in June, the BMW MOA Rally in Sedalia, Mo., in July, and the Indianapolis MotoGP last month. The only ride I have left to look forward to is up to Potosi, Mo., next month for the Falling Leaf Rally and that’s dependent upon weather.

I feel stuck – have for months – largely because of family uncertainties that I can’t discuss here.

A friend posted this on Facebook this morning:

On the 19 of September Ganesh Chaturthi began and is celebrated all over India. Hindus believe that Sri Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. His presence is felt on the earth for 10 days. I hope that you are all feeling his effects! Jaya Ganesha!

Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god, is also associated with protecting entrances. But it’s the obstacle-remover Ganesha that appeals to me and I’ve kept a small carved wood statue of him on my desk for several years to serve as the remover of writer’s block.

Various things have come to pass in the past few days to suggest that obstacles in our lives are crumbling and that positive change is in the wind. Whether it’s Ganesha or some other force at work, I’m guardedly optimistic that we’re getting unstuck.

47 years but it seems like yesterday

Forty-seven years ago yesterday, I raised my right hand in the Indianapolis Armed Forces Induction Center, along with maybe 50 other guys, and took the oath of enlistment in the U.S. Air Force.

I had lost my student deferment and faced with the prospect of being drafted for the Army or the U.S. Marine Corps. That scenario almost certainly assured I'd be fed into the meat grinder that the Vietnam War had become.

So, recognizing that the Air Force has no infantry, I reckoned my best chance of surviving this unfortunate episode in our nation's history was to wear Air Force blue for the next four years.

As it turned out, I was back home with a medical discharge (allergies) in a scant 41 days.

I didn't hide out in the National Guard or flee to Canada or declare myself a conscientious objector.

I'm neither proud nor ashamed. I played the game by the rules. I rolled the dice and I won.

But I have an undying admiration and respect for those of my generation who did go, especially the young men and women whose names are inscribed in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Blue Ribbon quilt!

Our goddaughter Maggie graciously let Maria borrow the quilt Maria made for her adoption so Maria could enter it in the Northeast Arkansas District Fair Adult Quilt competition.

And, of course, it won a First Place blue ribbon.

So did another of Maria’s quilts.

We returned the quilt and gave the blue ribbon to Maggie yesterday afternoon. She’s very proud of it and plans to take it to school to show her classmates today.

A NEA District Fair gallery

Click on photos to see them full size.