Musings of a Contemplative Biker

Warning To My Massachusetts Friends

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:43:00 +0000

This is a letter of warning to my Massachusetts brothers and sisters. Get informed and join the fight.

I've been informed that many cities in the state are quietly passing motorcycle ordinances in secret backroom meetings. Most are having to do with noise ordinances as well as the EPA stamp requirement for your pipes. There is also word coming out of the state that some towns are setting up motorcycle only "safety" road blocks and writing tickets for non DOT "approved" helmets and for any motorcycle that does not have stock exhaust.

Check out what the MMA is fighting against in your area. There is also a new organization called the Justice Riders Committee of Massachusetts that has filed suit against the City of Boston. Both are fighting hard for your rights. Show your support to these organizations before Massachusetts becomes a bike free zone.

Alive & Kickin'

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:59:00 +0000

Just wanted to pop in and let you folks know that I'm still out here.

I haven't found a job yet. I can tell you that it's not for lack of trying though. It's a tough market out there and so many other folks are looking too. I keep applying for jobs every day though and know that when the right opportunity presents itself, God will let me know.

And after 14 years together and 11 years of marriage, I filed for divorce last week. I've had enough of the lunacy and it's time to save myself. Life is short and I've had way too many years of feeling miserable. It's time to bust down the prison walls and walk in the sunlight. My time lately has been consumed with this major life change and I know that the road ahead will be rocky but I can see promise at the end of the journey.

I hope that my words find you all well and that you're all getting some great rides in. I miss you all, my brothers and sisters. God bless.

Hiatus

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:49:00 +0000

To: My Blogger Brothers & Sisters,

Yep, I'm taking a little blogger break.

My life is a shambles and I need to take care of it. My marriage is on its way down the toilet. My daughter and grand-daughter are on their way back to Wisconsin or they'll be homeless by August. And yesterday, I found out that I'll be losing my job of 10 years in about 2 weeks.

Why do I expose all of this to you? I tell you this because I consider a lot of you like family. We've shared so much together over the past few years. I feel like I know so many of you even though we may have never met face-to-face yet.

Even though things are pretty crappy right now, I have to trust that there are better days ahead in all of these areas of my life. It's always darkest before the dawn.

Dean "D-Day"

P.S. Prayers will be gratefully accepted.

The Prison Inside Me

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:12:00 +0000

There were storms all around me.
Battering me from all sides.
So I ran.
I ran to where I thought it was safe
And I locked myself inside.

But now the beast is in here with me
And I lost the keys somewhere along the way.
I spend my days staring through my prison bars
And realize that the storms have long passed.
A lone ray of sunshine peers into my dungeon
And gives me hope that maybe…someday.
Oh, how I long to envelop myself in its warmth.
But I’m in a prison of my own making
Unsure of how long my sentence may be.

The beast now gnaws at my bones
And my screams for help go unheard,
Except for that little ray of sunshine
That continues to give me hope.
The door finally opens a crack
And I take a peek outside.
It looks so beautiful on the other side.
Why am I so afraid to step out into the light?
So afraid of what I’ve longed for.
This prison shackles me tight
Taunting that I will never leave.
But to give up hope that I may someday be paroled…
Never.

The beast is almost dead now
And my time is almost served.
I’m getting ready to step out into the light
And take my little ray of sunshine by the hand.
Never to run from the storms again.
Never to imprison myself again.

Sturgis: I Don't Think So

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:24:00 +0000

I've had several of you ask me if I'm going to Sturgis this year. I've been saying for months now that I'm going. I think I even told one person, "Come Hell or high water, I'll be there!" Well folks, the water has just overflowed the levee and drowned me. In other words, I'll not be going after all.

Some of you know that my wife was permanently laid off a few months ago after faithfully serving the same company for 13 years. It cuts our household income in half but I was still determined to get to Sturgis.

Until...
The owner of the company I work for called me in his office yesterday. He let me in on some confidential information that was not public yet. He told me that I might want to hang on to my pennies a little tighter because everyone in the company was probably going to get a 2-week "unpaid vacation" in July. So, the money will definitely not be available for me to go.

As sad as I am about this turn of events, I know that everything happens for a reason and I'm glad that some of you will be there. Be sure to take a lot of pictures for me!!

Riders To The Rescue

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:41:00 +0000

"I felt so helpless sitting there protecting her spine while we waited for the ambulance to arrive," said Casey Jackman. In a letter to Dean Akey from the Rescue Riders, Casey related the story of how his wife was still in the hospital after a terrible motorcycle accident on Mother's Day weekend. He wrote of how he had nothing better than a Band-Aid and sun block to help and how he will never again be without supplies or training to take care of someone in need.

Casey's letter emphasizes how we collectively need to support each other and the importance of being prepared. The Rescue Riders is a perfect example of living these values. Dean Akey established the Rescue Rider program about 5 years ago after he was in a motorcycle accident and no fellow riders had the training to help him. The program was developed to recruit, educate and organize bikers in support of each other and the communities in which they live. Rescue Riders receive training such as Accident Scene Management and CPR certification and use these new skills wherever and whenever the need arises. Being regular participants at motorcycle events volunteering as medics, they are able to be first on the scene administering care during the vital "Golden Hour". The "Golden Hour" is the time period of about one hour in which the lives of a majority of critically injured patients can be saved if emergency care is provided.

Dean Akey has been tirelessly promoting the Rescue Riders program by traveling around giving presentations to motorcycle groups. I was lucky enough to have Dean invite me to one of his recent presentations where he teamed up with Tony and Vicki Sanfelipo from Accident Scene Management Inc. in giving the law firm of Hupy & Abraham an award for years of supporting the motorcycle community and worthy programs such as this.

Do you want to ride for a reason? Check out the Rescue Riders program by visiting their web site at www.rescueriders.org.

Sons of Anarchy - Season 2

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:25:00 +0000

Those of you who are jones'n for a little Sons of Anarchy, here's some candid shots from the set while shooting Season 2.

Another Morning Commute

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Whoosh! A dump truck passed me going the other way. Man, I hate that! Why do they kick up the wind so much? Other trucks don't.

I looked up and noticed three geese flying parallel with the road. They seemed to be pacing me. Then they started honking as if to say, "Come on biker-guy! Let's race!" I obliged them and kicked their feathered asses.

I saw another biker up ahead. Do I know them? I sped up and realized that it was a guy that I met at a stop light last week. He's new to the area and basically has the same 30 mile commute that I do. I pulled in behind him and he gave me a nod over his shoulder to acknowledge my presence. I like riding with other bikers during the morning commute. It makes me feel safer. So, we motored down the road together but not really acknowledging each other again after the initial encounter. Rolling down the road, together yet alone. Hmm...together yet alone. A feeling that's been all too familiar to me lately.

I noticed that there are a lot of joggers out at this time of the morning. God bless 'em. I hate jogging so I admire these people. I admire their commitment to exercise that I don't have. I try but more important things always get in the way: like riding.

I turn off the main road as I head towards work. My fellow commuting biker continues up the road without so much as a head nod. Yeah, together yet alone.

Reflections From A Morning Commute

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:31:00 +0000

There’s a red Jeep in front of me today. Not like it’s that unusual but it catches my eye because it’s got California plates. Through the back window I can see that there’s a woman driving the Jeep and a young boy sitting in the back seat. I start wondering why they’re in Wisconsin. She’s not just passing through. She’s taking a back route that only local commuters use to avoid the highway morning gridlock. She probably just moved here and hasn’t changed the plates on her vehicle yet. Why would she move here from California? It can’t be because of the weather. Today is the first time in 6 months that the morning temperature has been above 50 degrees. So the reason has to be worse than enduring a Wisconsin winter. Maybe she left California in order to get away from an abusive relationship. Yeah, that’s probably it. She grabbed her son in the middle of the night, threw some clothes in the back of that Jeep and left town as fast as she could.

Seems like she’s checking me out. She keeps looking in her rear-view mirror when we’re stopped at the lights. Not that I blame her. I’m looking pretty good today. Wait a minute! The boy is turning around. He’s got to be about 5 or 6 years old, curly brown hair with freckles. Cute kid. He gives me a half-smile as if to say, “I like you biker-guy but you kinda scare me.” I drop my bike in neutral and give him a little wave. His little face lights up like Madison Avenue and he bares a huge toothy grin as he waves back to me. In her rear-view mirror, I can see that his mom’s face has changed and she is smiling now also. I think that I have now become their topic of conversation at dinner tonight. “Hey Mom! Did you see the man on the motorcycle wave to me?” “Yes dear. That was pretty nice.”

It gets me wondering. What effect will my little wave have on his perceptions of motorcycles? Will he forget about me by tomorrow? Or will he carry the memory of that chance encounter for the rest of his life? He is intent on watching me out the back window now as we motor down the road together. He keeps his eyes fixed on me even after they take a left-hand turn and start to drive away from me. The thought of his face lingers in my mind for a while and makes me smile.

I think it’s going to be a good day…

All Roads Lead To Sturgis

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:37:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I went to a book signing at my local H-D boutique. I picked up a copy of the book "All Roads Lead To Sturgis" by Edward Winterhalder and James Richard Larson.

Edward Winterhalder is the author of several books about bikers, the lifestyle and the outlaw motorcycle clubs. He was a member of the Bandidos M/C for several years and uses his experiences as the basis for his books.

The newest book "All Roads Lead To Sturgis" is Book 1 of a fictional series. I'm about half way through it and can't wait for the next book to come out.

Anyway, I went to the book signing. Edward Winterhalder was busy talking to folks he knew so I struck up a conversation with James Richard Larson who co-authored the book. He was a great guy to talk with and I found out that he only lives a couple miles down the road from my house. Add one more to the biker friends list!

James Larson is a real biker in his own right. This may be his first biker novel but he's lived enough of the life that he knows what he's talking about. James is the author of several previous fiction books about the Vikings.

Mid-Life Crisis: Part 2

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:36:00 +0000

I just got the video of my skydiving jump and wanted to share it with everyone.
Enjoy!!!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!!

Ready, Set, Jump!!!

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Seen as how my mother lives 5 hours away, I only had to give her the obligatory phone call for Mother's Day and then the rest of the day was mine. So, what to you do when you've got an afternoon to kill?

Jump out of an airplane, of course!

What a freakin' rush! It's definitely another one of those deals where "if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand". It's something that I'll definitely be doing again!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Slimey Crud Run

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:21:00 +0000

I went on a run yesterday for the first time called "The Slimey Crud Run". It was a warm sunny day and everyone was ready and willing to talk about their bikes. There were over 1000 bikes there and there was something for everyone. Harley, Honda, Norton, BSA, Triumph - mostly old and really cool! It's something that I'll definitely have on the calendar for next year!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

To see the official video from the newspaper and hear about the history of the Crud Run, check it out here:
http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/video/?bcpid=13960334001&bctid=22000441001

I noticed that One True Media kinda makes the pictures a bit blurry. To see better copies of my photos, you can see them here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2013522&id=1041451199&l=4d6cab6d79

Contemplative Thought For The Day

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:04:00 +0000

There is seldom any rational reason for having regrets about past deeds or events.

Because the past does not exist in any way other than in your memory.

Look Twice - Part 2

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Here's my picture from the ABATE Awareness Rally that I told you about a few days ago. Picture taken and published by www.bikerinformationguide.com.

Look Twice

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:21:00 +0000

It seems like every Spring that it takes at least half a dozen motorcycle deaths before cagers realize that we're out on the roads again and that they need to look for us. ABATE has a great campaign that they are running in several states to try to make motorists aware of motorcycles.

Last weekend, I joined up with a bunch of bikers from the Milwaukee ABATE chapter and held a sign such as this one for a few hours next to Highway 100. It's not really a highway like you think. It's more of a boulevard with lots of shopping centers and stop lights so drivers can get a good look at your sign. It was a good time with like-minded individuals for a good cause. These awareness rallies are popping up all over the state. I encourage each of you to visit your state's ABATE website and see if they are running an event such as this in your area. I have one of these signs that I plant on my corner every Spring as well.

Or if you prefer, here's the Brit's idea for motorcycle awareness.

Sons Of Anarchy Update

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:25:00 +0000

For those of us who can't wait for season 2, here's the latest update from the show's creator Kurt Sutter.
------------------------------
We're pretty much on schedule. My goal was to have four scripts written and approved by the time we start shooting and we'll do that. Have various drafts of the next four being written and well start breaking stories for 209 next week.

The first episode starts shooting on the 27th. Guy Ferland (who directed more episodes of The Shield than any other director) is directing 201, Albification. Guy did an amazing job on episode 107, The Pull, last season. I'm thrilled to have him kicking off season two.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions about what the 201 title means. I can tell you it's a theme for the season.

My entire, talented cast is back (with the exception of a few, whose agents and managers are twisting my fucking arm for more cash that we don't have and ultimately undermining their clients whom I won't be able to afford) and we've added a few new characters. As you probably have read, Henry Rollins joins us as AJ Weston. He's a prison hard Aryan walking a fine line between ultra conservatism and violent racism (if a line truly exists). His boss and the brains behind the organization is Ethan Zobelle. That role is still being cast.

As I've said in interviews, this season is all about internal alliances. For me, the big antagonist this season is just a catalyst to ignite the deep, primal conflicts within the club. Lives will be threatened, sides will be taken and Sam Crow will become the biggest threat to the Sam Crow.

¡Hola mis amigos!

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:01:00 +0000

Some folks have been after me to talk about my trip to Mexico last week but it isn't motorcycle related so I'll keep it brief.

The weather was beautiful the whole week we were there. Sunny and mid-80's: which is exactly what this northern boy needed after way too many months of cold, snow and gray skies.

A WORD OF WARNING: Be very careful about how long you hang your pasty white legs out in the mid-day Mexican sun! Yes, I burned them to a crisp and had to spend a little more time in the shade then I had wanted to. Not too big of a concern though when you have an outside bar to sit at.

The beach had plenty of palapas (palm thatched umbrellas) to lay under also which I found out was a perfect vantage point to observe all the European women on the beach. For those of you who don't know, the European women are always easy to spot. They're the ones who are topless. God bless 'em!

The resort and the grounds were absolutely beautiful! The pictures that I took of the lobby and of the outside foliage just doesn't do the real thing any justice. Everything looked literally picture postcard perfect.

And the food...OMG! The food! Don't ever go to one of these places if you're worried about your weight. There's always food being served in a couple places on the resort and lots of it. We went to the Japanese restaurant just off the main lobby one night and sat in front of the hibachi sipping Saki while the chef cooked up some of the best Japanese food I've ever had.

A couple of nights in Playa del Carmen rounded out the trip. The food, shopping and people watching in town was the best. There were musicians walking the streets wanting to play for you for a couple dollars like this little old man who played his wooden xylophone and serenaded us while we ate dinner at a curbside restaurant.

It was the perfect time for a vacation to chase away the winter blues. But it's Spring now, so let's ride!!

Little Girl...I Got Some Candy For You.

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:01:00 +0000

A Little 10-year-old girl was walking home, alone, from school one day, when a big man on a black motorcycle pulls up beside her.
After following along for a while, turns to her and asks, "Hey there little girl, do you want to go for a ride?" "NO!" says the little girl as she keeps on walking.
The motorcyclist again pulls up beside her and asks, "Hey little girl, I will give you $10 if you hop on the back." "NO!" says the little girl as she hurries down the street.
The motorcyclist pulls up beside the little girl again and says..."Okay kid, my last offer, I'll give you 20 Bucks "and" a big bag of candy if you will just hop on the back of my bike and we will go for a ride."
Finally, the little girl stops and turns towards him and Screams out...
"LOOK DAD,......you're the one who bought the Honda instead of the Harley......SO YOU RIDE IT!"

Time For Another Tea Party?!

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:15:00 +0000

As some of you have figured out by now, I have a somewhat rebellious nature when it comes to politics and the direction that our country is headed. Both parties have been self-serving and deceptive. I'm getting tired of them pissing down my back and then telliing me that it's raining.

I recently got an email from one of my state legislators regarding something called the Tea Party Protests. It's a growing movement across the country and I wanted to share it with you. It's through movements like this where your elected officials see your faces and hear your angry voices that things actually change.

The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the White House Administration and Congress. Specifically, the flawed "Stimulus Bill" and pork filled budget.
During Rick's rant, he called for a "Chicago Tea Party" where advocates of the free-market system could join in a protest against out of control government spending.

A few days later, grassroots activists and average Joe Americans began organizing what would soon become the Nationwide Chicago Tea Party effort. On February 27th, an estimated 30,000 Americans took to the street in 40+ cities accross the country in the first nationwide "Tea Party" protest. Organizers of the February 27th events pledged to continue on with an even bigger and better protest to follow the first. With April 15th being "Tax Day", it was decided to schedule the second round of Tea Party protests to ride alongside the tax deadline. And with that, the "Tax Day Tea Party", the second round of the Nationwide Tea Party protests, moved into reality.

Check out the Tax Day Tea Party website and see what your state is planning. Unfortunately, it's only through events such as this that some elected officials will begin to listen again.

Daily Observations

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Here's a little cemetary that I pass by every day.

My question is...

Can you really lease one of these spots?

Chuck Norris For President

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:54:00 +0000

I may think that Chuck Norris is the worst actor of all times but I like his politics. So when he said that he may have to run for president of the Republic of Texas, I had to see what he had to say.

That's right...I said "The Republic of Texas".

Read what he had to say...

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91103

Viva la Revolution!

Trailer Boyz

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:37:00 +0000

And now!

What all you biker wanna-be trailer queens have been waiting for...

THE TRAILER BOYZ TRAILER-TO-BIKE SPEEDOMETER ADAPTER!!!

Riding A Motorcycle Helps You Stay Young

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:41:00 +0000

That's the claim being made by the scientists behind a new study. The brain gets activated to increased levels over a car driver because it requires heightened alertness according to Japanese scientists which can lead to smart ageing.

After splitting the test subjects into two groups, the group that rode regularly posted higher marks in cognitive function tests. Japanese scientist Kawashima said, "I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute."

For those of us that already ride, didn't we already know this?

Gramps Gets A Gift

deanwolf68@aol.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:49:00 +0000

A lot of my co-workers have been having a lot of fun over the last two weeks calling me "Gramps" since the birth of my first granddaughter. Well, it seems as though some of my suppliers can't resist giving me a little ribbing as well. I received the "No Parking" sign in the mail today from one of them. He thought it was pretty funny. I told him that I would display the sign proudly in my garage.