Good Morning....or at least it is right now as I write this.
I haven't updated my blog in the last two days, I imagine if I were to concentrate on the happenings of the news of late, I would have plenty to blog about...I would be seething with frustration regarding the bail outs and other news items I have been trying to ignore. No, I try not to write about things that are just going to make me nuts for hours...if not weeks after investigation on my part regarding how it will affect me and my loved ones....nope, I just refuse to do that.

So, for now, the best I can do is tell you...I continue to walk on a daily basis...On Sat. I took my walk. I didn't do a measured walk, but rather walked my neighborhood. This isn’t very large. I live in a rural setting. On my dead end street there are six houses. On the street that it T bones into...there are twenty more house. With two nearly built ones sitting empty, waiting for someone to get the financing it takes to buy it...and move in. Sigh...housing is becoming a bad investment these days around here.

Now, what I do have in my neighborhood...is farms...small farm-ettes, and small cattle farms as well. I find it comforting to have my windows open at night...listening to the cows as they low at the farmer who is up on the hill above my house...bringing hay for his girls and their calves. Most of the calls these gals make sound quite urgent...like they haven't eaten in hours...cows are much like welfare recipients...big difference is when the cows start complaining...I actually find it soothing to listen to.

The farmettes around here provide shelter for several kinds of animals, which, I will not mention at this time, as I plan to walk today...with my camera, making sure I not only have the camera...but the stinking memory card as well. There are some great characters around here, which deserve their own time and honorable mention here in the blog. So I will introduce them to you this afternoon, once I have taken my walk, taken their pictures, edited the stuff...and downloaded to my PC.
Well, it’s time to start writing for money, rather than pleasure. It’s 5.30 AM…and I am ready to get hard at it for the morning…
Chessie

David Mann, Art Hero

I've been way over due to post some of Dave's stuff.

Summing it up. This ran in the "In the Wind "section preceding the center spread.

I'd been digging Dave's stuff since I first saw those tiny images of posters in the Roth ads. Choppers were mysterious machines so, I used to squint at those ads, trying to figure out just what the hell was going on.

In the Wind On Friday Night. This classic art was in the same issue (8/72), as the Bandit post below. Could be up the coast by Malibu or Ventura.

I like his early works the best. While not as detailed as his later work, there's a feeling and directness to them that just nails it.

Today's walk...It didn't suck!

I amaze myself sometimes. For more than a year, I have been making these promises to myself, that I will start being more active, get out go walking on some of the really good trails around here. I live near the APT...and really...if your looking for a great trail well you aren't gonna be disappointed to be there.

But...I didn't start on the AP trail...for crying out loud...didn't ya read up above? I haven't been active in almost two years...I sure am not gonna go out on a trail like that one till my legs have had the chance to do something besides sit in the computer chair, or veg out on the couch in front of the TV.

This is where I went...a short trail of one mile, with educational markers all along the way...ahhh...nothing like some education as you exercise your pathetically pudgy body...!
As I started walking, the chill was starting to bite at my nose...yes boys and girls, it's cold out here! I waited until 11:oo am to start this walk...by that time, it had warmed up...from 32 degrees to almost 40. Much better, and I knew I wasn't gonna go if I didn't leave then...yeah, I been there and done that with myself!

But hey, I loved it! I didn't do any power walking...I just strolled along...at first, looking for natural photo ops that I felt would look decent...I took dozens of pictures, and when I got home and started editing...I have seven...not bad for me actually!

I was beginning to think the wild life was only about squirrels...but!!!!! I was wrong! As I'm walking through the woods, and near the banks of the Doe River...I hear this really BIG SPLASH! "Man what the heck was that?" I thinks to myself...as I am peering through the dormant tree trunks and branches...I finally see what has made that racket! A two point buck! I spot him as he is making his way across the river! Yeah, he decided he would rather swim than be anywhere near me...bastard...reminds me of a few of my EX's...now I'm not that nuts-so...at least I never thought so...but I guess this poor young buck kinda proved Mother Nature's thoughts on me...sigh...I wish I could of gotten a photo of the guy as he crossed the river...I am gonna ask Santa to bring me a telephoto lens for my Camera...next year...this year...I think I have maxed Santa's gift giving...I already have my quota on gifts for Christmas and birthday from my family for '08!

I encountered two other people while I was there on my walk...on guy was a jogger...friendly and said hello when I did...the other was one of those snobby bitches...who you know...just by looking at her, her clothing, her attitude...the way she avoided eye contact with ya as she approached you...well the bitch...was just too fancy and too high flouting to make me feel comfortable about her being in my neck of the fricken woods...good thing she was goose stepping it outta there! LOL

Well I am gonna go walking everyday...build up my resistance to exercise, extend the lengths of the walks, and I am gonna get a whole shit load of healthy-ier things going on in my life...you watch and see!

BANDIT

Speaking of Keith Ball aka Bandit...

This could be mistaken for a Roth Poster. ER didn't use this shot, instead they ran a blurry one for impact.
Gleeped from Cro Custom's blog who gleeped it from Keith

I was 16 when I bought the August 72 issue of Easyriders and had no idea I would one day come to know this intimidating 6' 5" biker. I was fascinated with Outlaws but, thought he looked like the sort that might beat the piss out of a scrawny little wanna be punk like me just for crossing his path.


Still have this issue. I wonder, who was the hand model?


Bandit and Tractor from the 72 ER zine.

Soon after this issue, Keith joined the staff and eventually became the chief editor of the rag. He worked at Easyriders until 1996 and then split to start the online magazine Bikernet.com.


One of my favorite bikes... The Bandit Rat Pan. This bike was featured in a later issue as a joke test ride. Nowadays, way more dudes dig these types of scooters than back then. Stolen from Bikernet.com

Seven years ago, I met Keith at the Beach Ride. I was peddling my goods and he being an art lover, stopped by my booth for a look. We became buds and I've been supplying art, bike concepts, and articles for his website ever since.


The big fella today. Ripped from Bikernet.com

Turns out, Bandit is mostly a gentle giant, but don't dare get in his way.

My resolve is being tested!

Yesterday, I made up my mind to be more proactive in my life. Like I had been until this past year. So...one of my new resolves...to walk no less then 2 miles a day. Planned time to start on a daily basis...10 AM...well, it's 10.03...and it's sooo damn cold outside! It's 32 degrees, with a wind chill factor...hell I don't know what the wind chill factor is...but it's damn cold! Well, I am gonna do this. I have a place picked out. I want to go there because the trail is right next to the Doe River, and has plenty of picture ops that I want to use.
OK, wish me luck = I'm gonna go put on my warm clothes...and do this.
See ya when I get back with the pictures. And no...this is not about motorcycles today...I wonder how I am able to get so far off track?
Chessie

Man it's been awhile...

Well, I've been around, but not in spirit.
I've been busy with my book business...and with keeping Mom healthy...and Jeff happy.
He is pressuring me to get back into Editing and pictures...seems I dropped off the face of the earth this past year in those regards. I was fearful that Jeff wouldn't like me being busy with things outside of the home...and with me being gone to ride as much as I used to...so I haven't been out lately.

So now, I have made the choice to get out more now, rain or shine. This includes starting a devoted time to walk. I think I will start out with a two mile trek at first...steadily working my miliage up.

I also will be riding more. This past year sucked big time...I thought I was doing something for my relationship...but...the "something" I was doing wasn't good for it. So...I'll be off and riding again soon.

I got stopped in Oct. for my helmet. I have been using that helmet since 05...gotten stopped several times, but no one ever mentioned my helmet till now. So I had to go out and buy a new helmet...I actually like the way this one feels....it's not like the old DOT helmets...the ones that made me feel like I was wearing a parasail on my head! This one actually sits on my head without choking me. Still can't do anything about the mushroom look...but what the hell...ya do what ya do!

It's been raining here a lot lately,,, raining hard today...and yesterday...with snow expected tonight. So I'll let ya know what is happening...I'll be taking pictures on my walks...and I will let you tell me what you think of em...
Chessie

Ducati Recalls 2007-2008 1098 Models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R Models for Charging System Problem

Ducati has issued a recall of certain 2007-2008 1098, 1098 Tricolore, and 1098R motorcycle models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R motorcycle models.

The motorcycle charging system may be adversely affected by engine heat and stop operating. This results in damage to the voltage regulator and ensuing battery discharge.

7130 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.