Catching up!

Ok, it has been quite awhile since I wrote anything here, so here goes. There have been quite a few changes in my life since I updated this blog. I have now been retired for 7 years! At first I was a little lost, not working after spending the majority of my life employed, chasing that dollar and providing for my family. Slowly I started to adjust to the new routine of doing whatever the hell I want... I have now fully embraced the retired life and enjoy every day as I please. Also I have another Granddaughter Whitlynn Anne. Between Ava Rose and her, they occupy the biggest chunk of my heart. As with Ava Rose, I spoil the shit out of Whitlynn every chance I get. I find myself comparing myself to my Mammaw, she spoiled me rotten back in the day. That's where I get it from. I have their pictures all over the house. More than my own daughters.... it's my right as a Grandparent by golly! Ava Rose is a teenager now and like all teens is consumed by her social life and friends and..... BOYS. Lord help me, although I do know where a few decent Gator holes are at locally. Gotta love living in Florida!

I still do the annual motorcycle trip to the mountains and enjoy hanging out with my family on theses excursions. Our circle has added a couple of new members over the last cople of years. What's that saying? "the more the merrier"? definitely applies in this situation. I'm down to 2 motorcycles again. I traded in the Dyna and Crusty about 3 years ago for a 21 Roadglide. Man I loved that bike! If you caught that "loved" as in past tense, you are paying attention. Unfortunately I wrecked that bike on our trip this year. Swung a little too wide coming out of a left hand curve, and the front wheel hit dirt and washed out on me, leaving me laying on the ground as I watched my beautiful bike tumble down a steeep mountainside!

This is what they managed to drag back up! Insurance totalled out that bike and paid me for it. I promptly went and bought a proper replacement, a 24 Roadglide to be exact! Now I love this bike! This one runs even better than the 21 did..... I promise not to make the same mistake with this one... I hope...Here is the new one

I have done quite a bit of work on my house over the past few years. New roof, new windows, new front door, ripped up all the carpet and tile in the house and replaced with new tile throughout. Painted all of the rooms, new baseboard, new cabinets and sinks in bathrooms. I built the table in my breakfast nook with the help of Chris.

It most definitely has been an adventure these past years, I hope you are doing good, in good health and living life to the fullest. Till next time, God Bless.

Beach Access

Anonymous 2:30, there was nourishment of the beach done after Hurricane Ivan for sure. "Beach nourishment is the adding of sediment onto or directly adjacent to an eroding beach. This "soft structural" response allows sand to shift and move with waves and currents. Dune restoration is commonly carried out during a beach nourishment project as well." The above quote is directly from The Army Corps of Engineers website concerning beach nourishment: https://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Coasts/Tales-of-the-Coast/Corps-and-the-Coast/Shore-Protection/Beach-Nourishment/

This is a picture of what is now known as Beach Access #4 today. The structure in the center portion of the frame to the right of the white building is the old Sundowner condos. This picture was taken Sept 17, 2004, the day after Ivan made landfall. Pay close attention to the shoreline and its' proximity to those buildings.

This picture is from Google Earth on Nov 30, 2004. Notice the dune line between the buildings and the shoreline? The Sundowner is marked as Beach Access #4. As you can clearly see there is a "dune line" that is not there in the first picture. Just as important as that fact is the one that this "dune restoration/emergency berm" project took place all along the shoreline in Perdido Key after Ivan. I have more pictures to show that happening. So that is a short answer to your question about it being done. Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?

Day ride during a pandemic...

Went for ride yesterday with a few friends. With all that is going on with the COVID-19 pandemic and the call for people to stay at home and government closing down businesses to contain the spread, this is how we do it. Still have the need to get outside and enjoy the day, especially when it is as beautiful a day as it was yesterday. A lot of restaurants are doing curbside pick up for their customers trying to stay afloat until we can enjoy a sit down meal again. One of those is East River Smokehouse in Navarre. We stopped in to grab a dinner plate and have lunch on our ride. The food was delicious and welcome relief from my cooking, thank God!
 After eating, we continued on our afternoon ride going from there up to the Blackwater State Forest. A couple of impromptu drag races, with me on the new bike, were had on the way up much to my delight. Not because I won, because I surely didn't, but because I didn't lose that badly! I managed to stay up with some big inch bikes compared to mine (117ci, 114ci vs 88ci). And since I just bought this new one, as far as I know it is bone stock...... for now. Hehehehehe.
 It is these little moments that make my day and reinforce camaraderie between my friends and myself. Not to mention bragging rights and tales of grandeur to be shared afterwards. I got the new bike up to 110mph and backed out of it at that point, which was apropos as the other guy was constantly pulling away from me by this point.

Fear and the futility in it....

 Well, here we are, April of 2020 and smack dab in the COVID-19 pandemic. The fear of the unknown has caused some severe reactions from our government and our friends and family. This single issue has divided people more than anything else in recent history. Amazing that the HUGE political divide is not entirely reflected in the conversations on this topic on social media. Some people that are at odds on politics actually agree on how we should be responding to the virus. But like National politics there are clearly two "sides" to how that should be carried out.
 I am torn myself on what is and is not appropriate. I have been staying home for the most part, and practice distancing when I do get out as best as possible. I have taken the opportunity to ride solo more often thru the week to avoid going bat shit crazy from isolation. At least I can minimize exposure for myself and others by riding the bike on short scenic rides. As I relayed to two dear friends on a late night call recently, I refuse to live in fear. Fear of this virus to the extent I lock down and stay home constantly. Fear of contracting it and it being the cause of my demise. Fear of anyone I love exposing me to it because they have to work and survive.
 I just bought another bike a couple of weeks ago. I know I can only ride one at a time, but variety is the spice of life. This one is in the Dyna family of the Harley bikes. Lighter and more svelte than Ol' Blue and Crusty. I'm looking forward to taking it on our annual trip in May to the mountains in North Carolina. Yes, I am optimistic and hopeful that we will be restored to some sense of normalcy by the end of May. I don't do well with fear, remember. So the Motorcycle Madness is being reinforced, and I just turned 65 this month. My buddies give me shit about the need for a trike in my future. That may be the case at some point because I won't give in to fear of being able to ride on two wheels. I will adapt and continue on, as I have always done.
 There is a solution to every problem, and it may not be exactly what one thinks is the best way. However it can be one that allows everyone to carry on in a dignified manner and the most beneficial to all. That is what is needed right now concerning the pandemic. A solution that will save lives for those threatened by this virus, and a permanent solution for all. We have the capability to do both, there are some smart people in this world, and I have faith it will happen. So, the  temporary solution to help people fight the deadly effects of this virus is in the combination of drugs readily available and vetted already. We should allow them to be administered to those that are in critical need to save their lives while the great minds search for the permanent solution. The ones that are pulled back from deaths door can help with the research for the permanent solution by allowing their blood to be analyzed and condition monitored afterwards. As it is being reinforced by everyone, everywhere, We Are In This Together!
 The only good thing to come from fear, is the resolve to not succumb to it and idly let it consume you. One erases the futility in it when they resolve to not give in to it. Stay strong, stay focused, and continue to be an inspiration to those that look to you for reference.

I really have fallen down on the job of keeping this blog going. It is roughly 5 years later and I am adding to my list of posts. A lot has changed over the years. First and foremost I am now RETIRED! Yep I finally took the plunge and retired two years ago now. I don't regret it one bit, and the cool thing is I still go back to work for Cox every now and then as a contractor. I work with my lifelong friends and ex brother in laws doing the same thing I did before, installing equipment and cabling it up in the MTC and STC in the Gulf Coast region so far. It's not an every day gig, just occasionally.

Also, I have another granddaughter! Whitlynn Anne Douglas. She is 2 1/2 yrs old now. I love her every bit as much as Ava Rose, who is going on 10. They both have complete rule over my heart and I still try to spoil the shit outta them as much as I can. I am on a fixed income you know..... LOL. Life is so much more fun with small ones around. Tomorrow I plan on taking Ava with me to the local County Commissioners meeting. She needs to be introduced to how her government works! I have become a little more politically active in my retirement. Go figure.

I still struggle with my diabetes and work on keeping it in check, not doing so good with that however.... I still love riding my bikes and even bought an ATV before I retired. I got one that Ava Rose and I can ride together. She loves to ride it, but I don't get to take it out too much. That's something I'm gonna have to rectify this fall. This summer has been brutal with the heat. We have had 100 degree plus days for weeks. My old body just can't take the heat so much anymore.

We went on our annual bike trip this year and rented a house in Waynesville N.C. that was just amazing! Spectacular views all around the house. It was on the ridge of the mountain and quite a trip to get to. But, definitely worth the effort and money spent. I'll try to add to this site more often as I remember and have things to share.

My Ava Rose!!!

I'm in a writing mood tonite, so I'll make a second blog entry....

I hit the Powerball earlier this month for a hundred bucks. I didn't realize it until this past weekend when I finally got around to checking my tickets. So with that cash in my pocket, I went to pick up Ava from day care as I normally do on Monday. We have a routine of going to Taco Bell for dinner, her choice of choices! So she asks if we can go when we are walking to the truck and this is our conversation......
"Not today honey, I have a surprise for you!"
"Oh boy Pop Pop, I love surprises!What is it?"
"Well, if I tell you then it won't be a surprise will it?"
" No, but I love surprises!"

Duly noted, and filed! So I head towards Target which is right down the road. As we start to turn in, she notices and gets all excited....
" That's Target, Pop Pop! That's my favorite!!!" (Just about everything is her favorite, for reference...)
"Yes indeed, that is Target, honey."
" Are we going there?"
"Yes we are, honey."
At which point she lets loose with a very excited giggle, she knows that her surprise lies in said store..... warmed my heart to no end.
"Pop Pop is going to let you pick out a couple of toys, and that is your surprise!!"
"Can I go to the little girls section? "
"you can go to any section you want!"

I thought her little head was going to explode. She was amped to the max at this point and I could barely get her outta the seat she was squirming so bad. It struck me at that moment just how much I enjoy spoiling the shit out of this kid. I don't know who was more excited, her or me. I chuckled so much watching her pick the toys she wanted. I tried to make sure she looked at different things to be sure what she wanted was what she got. She quickly made up her mind on two items and before I knew it we were on our way to the checkout counter.  I tell her we have to go by the grocery store and pick up some milk on the way home, and she is ok but anxious to get home to start playing with her new toys.  We pull into the parking lot of the shopping center and as we are headed into the grocery store she spots Beall's outlet store.
"I wanna go there, Pop Pop."
"And what do you want there?"
"I need some new shoes, Pop Pop"

OMG!!! She is already a shopping hound......

And the cycle is complete once again, like mother, like daughter...... I flash back on a shopping trip long ago with her Mom, when she was roughly the same age. We went to the Mall to find a certain pair of tennis shoes she just had to have. Now I know why it gives me so much pleasure to spoil this child! It's because I have spoiled her Mom and Aunt Maddie all of their lives to the very best of my ability!!!!!! It's genetic engineering at work, I can't control it. Hell I don't even try anymore, that's the truth. At least with her Mom and Aunt I held back some....... I think, I'm pretty sure I did, maybe....... but with Ava, no freaking way, I have no control. It's the beauty of being a grandchild, the grandparents have a moral obligation and downright legal right to spoil and pamper in any way , shape, or form, so help me God!!!! At least I'm not the only one doing it, both her Nana's and Grandpa  are just as guilty as me. Remember, we have a moral obligation and God given right, by golly!!  At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! In the end, I think I got the most out of that deal, I got to watch my Ava Rose light up with a big smile and make her feel special, which she is, no doubt.

And she got some furry slippers from Beall's.......... Come on, you knew it was gonna happen.......

Health & Food, or lack thereof .....

Hello again! True to form it has been awhile since I checked in. Madison is doing ok, thank God, although I feel like she has moments when it haunts her. I think of her (Princess), quite often myself and pray that I can see her, if that is in God's plan.
I have not been feeling too good myself. I had to have a stent put in due to a blocked artery, a couple of months back. I had this strange sensation for about a week or two in my chest. I liken it to the time I smoked Kool menthol cigarettes. I first noticed it when I was out in the yard working or actually piddling around. It was cold out and I took in a deep breath. That was when I noticed it, for lack of better description, an air conditioned chest sensation.  Kinda like smoking menthol cigarettes but more intense. It went away after I went inside and sat down, and I had that same sensation several times over the next week or so. It increasingly got a little more intense. It usually occurred during any kind of physical exertion. Then one morning getting ready for work it was real intense and all I was doing was putting on my shoes and bending over. That was it, I drove myself to the hospital that specializes in cardiac emergencies.
They immediately took me back and started monitoring and taking blood and all of that. I was in the hospital for the next 3 days gettin' fixed. I have never been so damn bored in all of my life! Three days doing nothing but watching TV, playing on the internet with my iPad and eating shitty hospital food, dammit man!!! My only saving grace was all of my family and friends coming by or calling to check up on me. I really appreciated all of the love shown to this Crazy Old Bastid', it warmed my hurt deeply.
My diabetes is really giving me fits of late. I am trying to get my blood sugar down to respectable level but it seems to be more elusive than the fabled pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow. It seems like no matter what I do it does not have the desired results. I'm taking three different diabetic medicines, two different insulin shots and one pill. I take a total of 5 shots between the insulin types a day, when I can remember to take them. I'm pretty good at doing the shots first thing in the morning, and in the evening, but the one at lunch is hit and miss.
Damn, I just checked my blood sugar since I was thinking about it and it was 134! That is the lowest I have hit in forever. And this is about 3 hours after eating my dinner!! I had a salad with blueberries, strawberries, sunflower seeds, cranberries and easy on the croutons and Zesty Italian dressing. I'll have to remember that and start eating more salad. I just can't eat salad all the time though, and therein lies the problem. Being a bachelor and incapable of cooking worth a fuck, I rely on quick meals thrown together from, or out of a package. That is THE problem..... my diabetes and my heart condition are confirmation that I need to change my way of eating.  I can't always eat the right thing but I can make a conscious decision to eat the right thing more often. Which is why I chose the salad with all the berries in it. And it paid off. Now I just have to refrain from "snacking" on the wrong thing before retiring for the night. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this getting old thing ain't for pussies!

Grief

I know I don't update this as I should but this is my sounding board. I write down what is going thru my mind at times when I'm being reflective. 

Today is a sad, sad, sad day. My youngest daughter Madison gave birth today to her 21 week old baby. The baby, Princess, did not make it. Madison is consumed with grief and it is breaking my heart into a million pieces to witness it. I hurt when she hurts, it's just the way it is. I want to be able to ease or remove her pain, but there is no way or no words that will do that.

 I can't say I know what she is going thru, because I have not lost a child or had a life inside me. I know that I would be totally devastated if something were to happen to her or her sister, God forbid. I am grieving my grand daughter, and my heart aches badly and I am saddened by the knowledge I will never get to play with her like I do my other grand baby Ava. I was so looking forward to spoiling her as much as I could. God will have to do that now, for me.

I worry that this will be the catalyst of Madison falling into depression and losing herself. It's easy to say " You'll get thru this.", when it's just as likely she won't. She will never be the same, ever again. If she does come thru it, it will be with a big hole in her heart and life. I know that my love and support will be helpful and critical to her well being, I just pray that our collective love is enough to do that. 

Grief is a natural process to the situation. And it takes time to ease that grief, but it never truly goes away. It is always right there, in the corner of your heart, waiting to twist it into a knot, and knocking you for a loop.

I love you, Princess, with all of my heart! While God takes care of you, He and I will be watching over Mommy!

Road trips

I am in Franklin, Tennessee near the end of a road trip with my best friends. We try to do one every year. We have a good time being together and riding our bikes to new and familiar places. This year is especially sweet as my buddies Danny and Carol are able to join us again. They did not make it last year as Danny had some health issues. 

Whenever you have a group of people riding there is always a certain amount of confusion and aggravation. I don't seem to be handling it too well this year. My patience level is extremely low and I am being difficult with my friends. Even though we set out to not have plans for being anywhere in particular on any given day or time, I still like to have a general idea of where we are going to wind up, it helps me plan out the ride as It seems I have been tasked as Road Captain. My friends don't seem to realize the stress they put on me to get them from one place to another with a minimal amount of fuss.

So, when we set out to go somewhere I don't want to be hit with a change of plans mid stream.  I guess I need to be a little more flexible, but it's aggravating still. I know my Diabetes causes me to be irritable and doesn't help either. I don't mean to be ornery, I just can't help it......

But overall, I enjoy being with them and doing exactly what we are doing, sharing good times and building memories. All of the little frustrations will be forgotten by the end of the trip and we will start looking forward to next years trip. Cycle to be repeated as long as the good Lord allows us to throw a leg over a seat! Because in the end, there is no place I'd rather be.....

Day ride- decompression

Every now and then, you just have to get away from all the bullshit at work. Take a day off and go riding. Doesn't have to be to anywhere specific, or of any distance. Just a day of relaxation. That's what today is, a day away from the stress, drama, and aggravation. Out riding with my buddy James. Eating lunch at Ozone Pizza, one of my favorite places in town. Kinda cool out but not too bad. These are the moments to live for!!!!!

Assholes....

You know, I have ran across some assholes in my life. I've even been an asshole myself before. Truth be known, I have been called that more times than I can remember..... But occasionally I reflect back on those times and question myself as to what I could have done differently. Introspection is a bitch, but necessary for growth. It paid off today
when dealing with one of the biggest assholes I know. Normally I would have lost my temper and reverted to hurling profanities just moments after getting shitty attitude from this short, fat, pencil dick, mother fucker. But today, I managed to not lose my temper and revert to my base instincts, and cuss the idiot out!! See, there is something to be said for introspection and growth!!! I now wait to express my frustrations in writing for this blog...... What was that Charlie Sheen said.... WINNING!!!

 My baby girl, Ava Rose is 3 years old now. Talk about Deja Vu! She looks so much like her Mom when she was this age it's not funny! She also has her very own personality with plenty of traits inherited from her Nana and Pop-Pop. More from her Nana though, waaaaay more.......

 She still has total control over my heart and rules supreme over my thoughts and affections. She loves to tease me when I go to see her and will run to her Nana, Mom, or Granpa and give them a big kiss while looking straight at me, with me howling in protest about her giving my sugar away. I always wind up getting some though.......

 She even knows how to play Pop-Pop for a present. The other day I was going to get some money from the ATM with my daughter Caitlin, and she announced she wanted to go "shopping"..... Really now, a three year old who already has developed the "shopping" habit? I'm doomed.......

 I couldn't go shopping as I had things at the house I needed to get done. She began to pout a little and when I got to the house I opened the back door to give her a kiss goodbye. She refused to give me a kiss, that is until I leaned down and told her that I would take her shopping later and buy her some toys, at which time she promptly offered up those little lips for a kiss...... which I gladly took my sugar and had to chuckle.  I am truly committed to spending the rest of my life spoiling this child as much as I possibly can. Her Mom may have something to say about that. But, it won't matter too much because I spoiled her as much as I could, she has no room to complain.

Friends

I went with my buddy, Danny, to pick up his new trike today. This entailed getting up at 5am and riding in 40 degree weather. Not something I would normally do on my day off!!! But, he has been hankering for a specific color and make Goldwing for awhile. He happened to find one and worked a trade for it. So we rode for 51/2 hours up to Haleyville, Alabama to get it. He is happier than a kid in a candy store with a pocketful of cash and I'm happy for him. All is right in the Universe again!!!

Politics

It is Election Day, thank God! Not because I want one man or the other to win, but because all the vitriolic hyperbole will be coming to an end soon.
I am really sick of the rabid fanatics spewing their hate filled garbage in my ear, on Facebook, in just about any conversation I'm involved in. Really people, I knew where you stood in the first two minutes of your pompous long winded diatribe the first time of the thousands of regurgitations you have shared.
And guess what, I could give a fuck less. No matter how many times you think you can change my mind, get a visual clue from me rolling my eyes and sighing heavily, you can't. I understand you think I am, and even call me, stupid, a moron, un-American, and a myriad of unfriendly names, simply because I don't think or feel like you. What have I done to elicit such a strong emotion other than simply disagree with you? Amicably, if we have discussed politics, silently if we haven't, at that!
Here's a revelation for you, your opinion on my beliefs matters not one iota to me. I have formed my opinions based on my personal experiences and my personal sense of morality and compassion. My principles and core beliefs have been the same my entire adult life. I am not someone who has drifted with the times and popular societal beliefs. I accept that you think and feel differently, and do so without all the hate and disrespect you have shown me.
America was founded by people who were persecuted for their beliefs in their home countries. Yet we seem to be so intolerant of those with different ideas in this day and age. Why is that? We send our sons and daughters off to war to protect that aspect of our great nation, and to help others in the world less fortunate gain that right! So why do you cheapen their sacrifice with your hate filled postings and rants about the "other" side? You surely don't honor them by dragging their memories thru the mud by using them as political canon fodder, so fucking stop it for Christ sake.
If you can't argue your point with intelligence and even temperament without reverting to vehement, caustic comment and accusations, then PLEASE, just do the rest of us a huge favor and shut the fuck up!

Rainy days

Well, here it is, Saturday, and I slept late this morning. Big mistake when I wanted to mow the yard today! It has been raining every day for about a month now. Not all day, but every day!
So I get up and fix breakfast, grits and toast with jelly. Research tire prices while eating and try to decide what tires I'm gonna put on the truck. Finally get off my ass and go out to mow the yard.
I'm working real hard to get my yard back in shape after a costly mistake with Tru-Green lawn services. They just about killed my yard. I have been following the advice of my good friend and neighbor, Tom, in the care of it since firing Tru-Green. It is starting to show signs of improvement too!!!
The last piece of advice he gave me was to raise the height of my blade on the mower. Can't argue with a guy who has the best looking lawn in the hood..So I raise the height on my mower and go to town. I love cutting grass, especially since I have a riding lawn mower. I get 3/4 of the way thru mowing the yard when it starts pouring down rain.... Shit. I wait for an hour and it is still raining, Shit again. It looks as though I am gonna have to wait for tomorrow before I can finish, unless it stops soon...
Note to self, get your lazy ass up earlier and knock it out. It supposed to rain again tomorrow.
Also, tell Madison to leave her key to the truck next time she and Austin go on a road trip....👀

A rare gem of a website that a friend turned me onto

Live From Daryl's House: This Month's Episode

 This is sooooo much like Hall & Oates it's unreal, but it is a new song by Daryl. Totally blows me away! I can listen to it over and over..... Had to share with whomever stumbles across this obscure little site! Enjoy!

What's so difficult?

I'm sitting here at IHOP trying to decide what to order. The booth next to me contains three young ladies and a single young man. The man is trying to tell the waitress that he ordered something last week, and the waitress is trying to tell him they don't offer that combination. However she is suggesting he get a certain item And the all you can eat pancakes can be ordered as a side. Dude, the girl works here and it is obvious, at least to me, that she knows what the hell she is talking about.
Quit trying to tell her she is wrong and go with it so she can get your order in and the girls, who are embarrassed, can eat too!!! I just want to tell the stupid little fuck to shut up!!!! This is just another shining example of my ever decreasing tolerance for stupid shit....

Changes....

The older I get the more resistant to change I become. It doesn't seem to matter what the change is either. Shit, it seems the only change I can accept and look forward to is changing my underwear!!! One of my co-workers made the comment about being gone within the next year and it brought immediate anxiety. He is a big part of our team and my memory..
Then the other day Chris made the comment about looking for a job in Jacksonville, and I can't get it outta my head. If that happens my daughter and granddaughter will more than likely follow. Now the thought of my grandbaby being gone has me terrified. I've been thru this already with both of my girls. Their Moms married Navy men and got stationed elsewhere. I remember the pain of missing my girls like it was yesterday. The fear of Ava being gone has me in turmoil. I don't think I'll be able to deal with it as I did with my girls. My heart is aching with the fear of separation.
I know that change is inevitable... But I don't have to like it one damned bit.

Misadventure in the digital realm...

Getting ready to go get some breakfast with Chris on the bikes. Nice and sunny and HOT!!!! This getting old stuff really sucks... Can't take the heat like I used to. We need to plan out what we're gonna do with Ava this afternoon. Today is Grandpa, Pop Pop, & Ava time!!!!
At The Awful Waffle waiting on a seat. Seems as though most everyone is hungry and had the same idea... Dammit Man!
Made it to Eastern Shore Harley, got a new Helmet. It was on sale and the girl gave me an additional discount on top of that. Chris got the same deal, so now we are gonna be twins.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2026204134527&set=vb.1226730571&type=2&theater

I took advantage of the wonderful weather we have been experiencing for the past week or so today with my Husband-In-Law Chris. This morning was rather cool and the thin skin and blood of this Old Bastid required the usage of my jacket. The bike made a funky noise a couple of times today like a lifter not filling up with oil or something. Gonna have to take it in to Martin to have it maintenanced soon...

Chris was feeling kinda spunky this morning as is evidenced by the video. He rolled on me after we took a turn onto a country road and thought he was gonna cut me down....NOT..... I dropped down a gear real quick to get my RPM's up and walked away after his bike stuttered due to hitting the rev limiter...yep, that's what the boy gets for trying to sneak up on this old man!!!!