It's May...isn't it?

I thought that April Showers were supposed to come in April. It's been one wet bitch around here lately. I'm not going to complain too much though. Here in Minnesota someone could shut the faucet off and it won't rain for the rest of the summer so we better take what we can get now. For purely selfish reasons I hope it slows down a bit though. It's making my grass grow too fast and putting a serious damper on the wear and tear that my motorcycle should be receiving. Today seems to be pretty damn nice out though. I'm thinking that a ride down to the Okoboji area for some tacos may be on the agenda for the day. Just to get some saddle time if for no other reason. Coming up the weekend of June 14th and 15th my motorcycle club is having it's annual party in Mt.Lake Minnesota. The Freedom Riders Pow Wow Daze Blowout will be kicking off on June 14th for it's 34th year. My band "Blue Water" will be playing on Saturday night along with other bands. There is beer, burgers, camping, live music and vendors. It's not the biggest party around but it's still a pretty good time. Especially in an area where your only options are the same old bar scene or the occasional evening around a fire in your back yard with some friends. If you're looking for something to do that weekend you may want to at least consider it. Anyway, that's about all for now. Have a good time and enjoy the day. Later

It's Bullshit!

So evidently in my neck of the woods we're supposed to get another winter storm over the next day or two. Now I'm a Minnesota boy born and raised. I grew up on a farm, I bale hay, I hunt, I ice fish and I'm not afraid of being out in the elements but what the fuck?! Maybe the past few winters have softened me up but Christ on a cracker this winter will not go away! It's like a bad case of some strange STD. Once you think it's gone it flares up and makes you piss fire for a week or so. I guess that I am being selfish because I want to ride my motorcycle and do some yard work. I know, we need the moisture for the farming, we need the moisture for the lakes and rivers for the fish and the fishing. However, I need the sunshine, warmth and motorcycle riding for my sanity! As I look out the window right now it is snowing, it's fucking April, knock it off! There, I've said my piece and I feel better. So the other day was the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. My wife is a marathon runner and what happened there scares the hell out of me. What is wrong with people? I can't begin to comprehend what would make someone want to do that to innocent people. Was it some extremist group? Was it some religious nut job? Maybe it was just some jackass who didn't get hugged enough as a child. Whoever it was or whatever the reasoning behind it something needs to be done about it. Something other than what has become the norm perhaps. I'm not saying dragging them through the streets or public executions or anything like that specifically. Just something other than putting them in a cell to rot for years while I pay taxes to keep the coward or cowards alive. What is to discourage similar behavior? Who knows the answers? It sure as hell isn't me I know that. Anyway, hug your loved ones today because who knows what will happen tomorrow. And if you're the one praying for snow STOP! Enjoy the day! Later

Holy Hell!!

I guess that I have let this thing go a bit. If anyone has been wondering why I haven't written anything for a long fucking time it's not because I'm dead or anything. I was just lazy. Then that lethargy turned into pure forgetfulness. Anyway, I'm still here in beautiful southwest Minnesota and surprisingly not much has changed in a year. It's pretty sad to say that you haven't missed anything except my nonsense ramblings. My band Blue Water is still playing out locally. We're all doing fine and sound better than ever. My buddy and I are planning another trip to Sturgis and I couldn't be more excited. Maybe this year I will try to remember to write about it when I get back. Beyond that I promise I will try be better about remembering that I have a blog. Anyway, Enjoy the day!

Well, it's here.

Winter seems to have remembered where I live.
We finally got some snow over the weekend. I'm not opposed to snow. It's actually a nice change of pace from the drab dirty brown of the post fall beauty. It makes me appreciate the fact that I live in a state where we have so many different types of scenery and seasons. Well, we have the same amount of seasons as most of the world but it makes me appreciate them anyway.
Often times about 3 months into it I'll find myself wishing that I lived in Florida or Arizona or some other part of the world that doesn't experience the bittersweet chill of a Minnesota Winter. I think that's mainly because I miss riding my motorcycle or opening the windows on my house.
The snow I can deal with. It's the cold that really gets to me. I've lived in or around Minnesota all of my life so you'd think that I would be used to it by now. I can tell you with 100% certainty that I am not and never will be used to the cold. I will tolerate it because this is where I am from and I love it here. That does not mean that I have to like it though.
I guess that I will go and take the batteries out of the bikes this coming weekend and start planning out the winter modifications. That should give me something to do I suppose.
I hope that you all have a safe and warm Winter. Also here's to hoping that this winter isn't as long and as cold as the last few that we've had.
Enjoy the day!

What's new?

So, how has everyone been?
I haven't written here since before Sturgis, so I'll start with that. Sturgis was a good time. The ride out and back was very uneventful which was not a bad thing at all. The weather was great and the traffic was tolerable.
I hadn't been to Sturgis since 2000 and now I remember why. I love to ride in the hills but damn do I hate the crowds. That just reaffirms my love for the smaller rallies. Don't get me wrong, I'll go again someday but it will probably a week or two before or after the rally. I think that's more my speed. Oh yeah, I bought a new GoPro camera to mount on my bike to take some cool video. I had a 4Gb SD card and like a 20Gb card. I filled the 20 with pictures and video and then proceeded to lose the damn thing somewhere between here and Sturgis. Oh well, fuck pictures I have a good memory.
Lets see, what else is going on. Oh, my band is coming along nicely. We've been playing out a bit which is nice. Here is a link to our YouTube site if anyone is interested. The name of the band is "Blue Water", I'm the singer.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bluewaterfromboji

Let me know what you think.

I've been trying to catch up on things at my house to get ready for winter. I finally got my new garage door in and all of my winter preparation chores done. My wife and I have been helping out my mom a lot the past few months since she is alone now. She seems to be doing fine though. I've been keeping a watchful eye on her to make sure she doesn't get too down. She's a tough broad though, I'm sure she'll be fine. Let's wish her luck!
I had to finally put the bikes away for the winter...kind of. They are in the shed but the batteries are still in just in case. As soon as we get snow I'll take them out and start with my winter mods, money providing that is.
My homebrewing is going great. It's a hobby that I absolutely love. I just bought a kegging system, because bottling blows ass!
I got a used refrigerator that is now my designated beer fridge. Due to limited space at my house it is out at my dads. That's fine though, he needs a beer once in a while too. I have 2 kegs so I can have 2 on tap at any time. It's fucking great!
For Thanksgiving this year I have a batch of hard apple cider, 2 gallons of wine and about 5 gallons of beer, all of which is homemade. I hope that's enough!

Anyway, that's a bit of an update for you all if you give a shit.
Enjoy the day!!

STURGIS!!!!!

It just about here. On Friday after I get off of work I'll be heading to my buddies place in Lennox South Dakota for the night. On Saturday we will be getting up early to boogie out to them there hills. I want to pull into our campground no later than 2 in the afternoon. That way we can get a little shut eye and then head out somewhere for some supper and a few beers.
I think that most of our time will be spent riding and seeing things. I doubt we'll spend much time actually in Sturgis, maybe an afternoon. I'm sure I'll buy some shirts and trinkets for the wife and offspring, see some friends and look at bikes. I don't know what we'll do for sure but I do know that I am going to go and see Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band at the Full Throttle. Oh, I will also drink whiskey.
If any of you are going to the rally have a good time, be safe and don't forget to where a condom.
Enjoy the day!

It's Official!

Yesterday I made my reservations for Sturgis.I went to Sturgis for the first time in 2000 and I said that I would never go back. There are too many people, everything is way too expensive and I hate crowds. I've spent every year since then at the smaller rallies. I love those but I'd been starting to think that it was time for something different.
Well my buddy asked me a while back if I wanted to go with him. we'd been talking about taking a road trip together for quite some time. After much thought I decided that I would give Sturgis another chance and now I find myself very excited about it.
I'm not sure if I am more excited about the ride out there or the rally itself. I doubt that I will spend much time in town at all, maybe go check out a few vendors or look for people that I know. Most of our time I'm sure will be spent riding and checking out the sites. I love the Black Hills, I have since I was a kid and I'm very excited to get back out there.
We're going to be camping at Rushmore Shadows just south of Rapid City. It's nice and quiet. Don't get me wrong I love to party and have a good time, but dammit I love my sleep too. Like I said I hate crowds and I don't think that I could handle The Chip or Glencoe. I'd probably get into a fight and my wife would not be happy with me if I got arrested. I don't need the hassle. So if anyone wants to look me up, that's where I will be.
You all have a good day and keep the shiny side up!
Later