Fall In Line with the People - Justice Democrats (Unofficial Ad)

Why We Need TRUTH Against The Machine

The Young Turks Election Day Coverage 2016

The Young Turks - Jill Stein Presidential Town Hall!

Josh Fox's Producer Faces 45 Years In Prison For Journalism

Why Conservatives Are DESPERATE For Hillary To Win

Jill Stein Censored on PBS NewsHour

OneRepublic - Feel Again

The facts

Fact is, I pushed you away time and time again. Fact is, I said words to you that will take a thousand I Love You's to change. The fact of the matter is that I took you for granted, and made you feel alone, and afraid. The Facts are the Facts, and that I can not change, but the fact is that the future is not yet here, no matter what they say. It's a fact that now I've begun to feel your feelings, and take inventory of how I must change. These are the facts and they are what they are and the responsibility, I claim. 

Ron Paul Over 205,000 Votes

Post-Presidential Republican Debate poll. As of 3:30 a.m. Sept 9, more than 205,000 votes have been cast. Ron Paul has widened his lead over Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. Paul has 57.1%, Romney 14.5%, and Perry 12.4%

Ron Paul Widens MSNBC/NBC Presidential Poll Lead; Over 205,000 Votes Now Cast | Huntington News:

'via Blog this'

Pudding Pops

Riding across the back roads of Sandusky county, while sharing a Jello Pudding Pop with my ferret DeeJay, I thought of my grade school teacher, Mr. Brown, who moon-lighted as a ventriloquist at local tomato farms and taught me everything I know about Jello. He was a pivotal person in my life. Someone I could always count on to chit chat about a topic of my choice. Thank you Charlie Brown :-)

DeeJay's NEW Facebook

> Ferretbook on Facebook <

(I've checked out the ferretbook app, it is legit if any other pet owners are wanting a Facebook for their Dooker's)

In prison for debt?

If people can go to jail for not paying bills, then why aren't the police raiding Capitol Hill right now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1AOJHglezQ&feature=player_embedded

Arlington National Cemetery

To friends passed on, and friends still with us everyday. Happy Memorial Day. Be well. Raise hell.

SaturDay

A little driving music to coffee my way out to the studio for Saturday rehearsals.

Little Miami Bike Trail

Good weather is brewing and it's about time to hit some Ohio bike trails. Little Miami is AMAZING, looking forward to a third trip on this beautiful Ohio Rail-Trail. existingtraillg.gif (1200×1550)

Music Therapy Can Calm Agitation, Relieve Depression : Internal Medicine News

Music Therapy Can Calm Agitation, Relieve Depression : Internal Medicine News: "'In dementia, the parts of the brain that have to do with music and emotional memory are preserved.'"

Ohio University Southern - Campus Tour

OSU is a very long way off, but I wanted to test this blogger button I installed on my browser :) 

Richard Rusch's learni...

The results of Richard Rusch's learning inventory are:

Visual/Nonverbal 32 Visual/Verbal 26 Auditory 18 Kinesthetic 26

Your primary learning style is:

The Visual/ Nonverbal Learning Style

You learn best when information is presented visually and in a picture or design format. In a classroom setting, you benefit from instructors who use visual aids such as film, video, maps and charts. You benefit from information obtained from the pictures and diagrams in textbooks. You tend to like to work in a quiet room and may not like to work in study groups. When trying to remember something, you can often visualize a picture of it in your mind. You may have an artistic side that enjoys activities having to do with visual art and design.

Learning Strategies for the Visual/ Nonverbal Learner:

Make flashcards of key information that needs to be memorized. Draw symbols and pictures on the cards to facilitate recall. Use highlighter pens to highlight key words and pictures on the flashcards. Limit the amount of information per card, so your mind can take a mental "picture' of the information.

Mark up the margins of your textbook with key words, symbols, and diagrams that help you remember the text. Use highlighter pens of contrasting colors to "color code" the information.

When learning mathematical or technical information, make charts to organize the information. When a mathematical problem involves a sequence of steps, draw a series of boxes, each containing the appropriate bit of information in sequence.

Use large square graph paper to assist in creating charts and diagrams that illustrate key concepts.

Use the computer to assist in organizing material that needs to be memorized. Using word processing, create tables and charts with graphics that help you to understand and retain course material. Use spreadsheet and database software to further organize material that needs to be learned.

As much as possible, translate words and ideas into symbols, pictures, and diagrams.

Bloomin Bulbs!

First official patrol of the yard for DJ 2011. The snow has cleared and there's a lot of ground to cover. First around the perimeter then out back to check the old abandoned ground hog holes. 61 and breezy but a nice break from the long winter.

Terra Jazz Band

Well... my first practice with the Terra Jazz Band went well. It was very intimidating setting down to the piano and reading through the music on site. The band's already familiar with the core tunes. I'll need to really bunker down on this one. Players include a fair sized trumpet section, five trombones, sax's with one baritone sax, upright and electric bass, two electric guitar players, drummer, and now me on piano playing a mix of big band and jazz standards. Well I'm off, got some listening to do and keep up with theory homework and get ready for vocal skills test next week. This semester is sure to go by lightning fast. Concert schedule so far includes a co-op show with the Fremont Ross Jazz Band December 2nd at 7:00pm at the high school.

Birth Certificate

A good friend made a comment that Obama was not born in the United States. Here is a good article from FactCheck with hands on photos and excellent sources. Just for anyone who gives a bleep, or those of us that really don't :) click here to continue reading from FactCheck http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html or at PolitiFact at the following link http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/jun/27/obamas-birth-certificate-part-ii/ also marriage certificate http://static.politifact.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/obamamarriage.jpg driving record
http://static.politifact.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/obamadriving.jpg birth certificate http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

Saw Prince of Persia and Karate Kid. I'd vote 3 and 4 stars in that order so far as pop movies go.

Define idiot

Happy Birthday Bambi!

Sent from my mobile. Enjoy.
_____________________________________________________________

RIP Nina

Sent from my mobile. Enjoy.
_____________________________________________________________

Dave's mom Nina passed away. I will miss her and think of her for the rest of my life. Nina was so selfless and was a little italian cooking machine always insisting you stay and eat, or she would cook u up a big bowl of sauce and pasta, or if u absolutely refused because u were not hungry she would set it in the fridge and say 'well its right here when u get hungry.' She was happiest when she was cooking and she ALWAYS brightned up a room when she entered. Well I caint say nuf good about her in a simple paragraph but, Nina was Loyal, Selfless, and so Loving. She would never tell u what to do or how to act. The only request Nina would make of you is that u 'Be Good.'

Spring Garden

Ahhh finally got that patio garden turned and planted. Staying simple this year several varieties of Tomato and four big red Bell Peppers. I think I'll break up the side bed and toss a few lettuce seeds in there just for something fresh until the good stuff is on. My fourth of July tomatoes will be the first to fruit. OH by the way thats a pic of my peach tree. Year two and it is bearing fruit :)

Magee Marsh

Old Crane Creek

If any of you remember the marsh and beach area of Old

Crane Creek it is now apparently left go. No picnic tables,

fire rings, etc. The beach is overgrown and abandoned.

DeJay had some fun wandering around until he saw the Lake.

He put out all four legs strait like an anchor and would have 

nothing to do with the water. However, the boardwalk is still

open and maintained. He put on a lot of ferret miles fur sure!

Once home the poor guy was dead to the world, crashed out

in his cage.

Birthday BBQ

Finally a nice summertime BBQ at Dave's studio in Hessville. Man it was great to fire up the lights and the grill to celebrate Nikki and Kel's Birthday. Always a pleasure to sit and play with great players like Dave, Chuck, Curley, and Matt holdin it together on bass. Thanks to all. Bambi and I flew in early and walked DeJay and Layla around the place investigating all the tall grasses and inside the studio. They were in ferret heaven. We took the bikes for a sunset ride but jammed right through. Curley came riding in on a japanese replica of a 38 bmw complete with side car. I jumped in along with the ferrets and Bambi jumped on the bike and away we went. That old thing got up to about 50 and got us all most of the way before a head gasket blew. Sputtered back to Curleys house, down the road from the studio, before we ran out of gas and finished out the last 50 yards on foot. Not a problem. It was a fun ride on a sunny day. Thanks Chuck for getting it together and to Dave for hosting I had a blast. Well worth the long winter's wait to get back out there. Looking forward to more throughout the summer and especially in the fall when we can add a nice bonfire to the day :)

Gross National Happiness?

Interesting Idea, Gross National Happiness.How much more rich would our intellectual, monetary, and natural resources be?

Tricycle � Bhutan, Gross National Happiness (GNH), and the Drukpa Lineage

Agatsuma

What a treat to meet and greet with Agatsuma. He is a master of traditional shamisen instrument accompanied by outstanding musicians including giant traditional taiko drums. I got to meet with them at the Japanese culture festival at Terra community college on Monday, and displayed a presentation of the shamisen at the show Monday and Tuesday at the Belleview arts center. DO NOT MISS the FREE upcoming show Friday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. at Sandusky State Theatre, 107 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky Ohio. Once in a lifetime chance to see master Japanese musicians perform live!

Sunrise on the Trail

  Sunrise Ride on the North Coast Inland Trail. It's been a while since I've had a nice early morning ride. Slept all night with windows open and crickets chirping giving way to morning songbirds by 5am. I put some coffee on and took time opening my eyes and the house. It was in the 60's by 5:30 and light winds from the east, no way was I passing this beautiful morning. It took some convincing to get Bambi and DeJay up but once out on the trail riding into the rising sun it all makes sense and feels great. Now for a few emails and morning meds (and the nap that follows). Off to the gym later for afternoon laps in the pool.

BBQ

man what a great week of good weather and awesome BBQ. Mikes then Bobs then Mikes again a grillin away. Thats whats up. Glad to meet some new friends and hang out with old ones :) sorry Bob couldnt pass up a golden one like that lol. Anyway im too stuffed to blog much. Coffie and homework on the agenda this morning.

Happy Easter :)

Holey Lima Beans what a week-end. Out to Mikes Friday for a grill and chill, and headed over to Bob's today for Easter BBQ!  DJ dint get to see much of the weekend as he was in the shithouse! threw bedding all down the side of the cage and over my bathroom floor. He did get to go shopping with Bambi and I yesterday after two days in the hole. Got some home-work done and picked some fresh songs for open mike nite Wednesday at Stone Street Tavern. Last month of Spring Semester starts Monday. Still undecided if I will take part-time classes or take the summer off to do some writing.

"If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" - John Wooden

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Hickory Hideout

Some nice weather yesterday and a chance to toss the bikes in the truck and visit the area parks. DeJay found a massive hickory tree completely hollow at the base of the trunk. There WAS a small hole that squirrels and other critters were using to get in... that entrance is now a bit larger thanks to an ambitious ferret and his desire to check it out. After clearing away dirt in true ferret form DeJay went inside for a look around. He was really deep in there man. This tree had quite a diameter and he used up most of his lead walking all around. Finally after a thorough inventory of every nook and cranny he appeared as you see here, face covered in dirt and satisfied with a job well done.

Clyde Park

Midterms passed, sunshine in the 60's, and a ride on the bike trail to Clyde Park. Dj's first trip there. Looking down at the waterfalls from the bridge. It was really nice to get out in the sun and out on the bikes. Bambi got to break in her brand new mountain bike and we made it back for burgers and rest. It's been a long week cramming for midterms and full up with loads of things to get done here and there. Time for a nice sleep and two more days of nice weather :)

DJ's New cRiBz :)

 

Transportation

Ah the first sip of fresh ground coffee in the morning, heaven. I'm off to pick up my new pick-up. Finally found transportation after weeks of bumming rides. It was down to a minivan (with destroyed interior form 4 kids), or an old Ford 150; I went with the truck. While it would be nice in a professional situation to have the seating of a minivan, the usefulness of a truck is just too much to pass by. In the summer I can just toss the bike and a cooler into the back and head out for day trips around Ohio. Besides shouldn't every middle aged guy have a big red truck? Anyways a full day today tags, title, insurance, and FINALLY a trip to the laundry. This will be a lot of stress removed. It's nice to see the light at the end of the road. Otherwise things are good. School is a challenge as always, DJ has a new cage coming this week, and with transportation I can start back at the local gym with a regular routine.

Hmm

Haven't wrote in a while ...

Weekend Update ;)

Do what you love and you will succeed. Week two of the semester is finished and I can feel the growing pains already :) This semester is going to be a challenge; Loads of homework for the weekend and wearing wrist braces at night from sore wrists. I had a nice evening off last night as Wednesdays are my Fridays. This morning sleeping in a bit and bloggin/email before I get up and start my day. Fresh ground coffee brewing is a thing of joy. I'll try and stay quiet so not to wake DJ. Once he's up he'll want to play and I have one appointment at noon today. I hope my replacement print-head comes in today I really got to get some printing  done for my homework due Monday. Wising you all a good weekend... even if it doesn't begin till Friday.

PS Lovely Bones was Awesome. Thinking of enjoying the new movie Book of Eli later this weekend.

Be well, Raise hell

Rick

Glory Greens :) Yum!!

Less than $2 per serving and 10min prep!

1 can Glory Greens $2
1 can Chicken Breast $2
1/2 bag Mozzarella $1
1 box Jiffy Corn Bread $1

This is one of my favorite tasting meals when I need a mixed greens fix. Preheat oven to 400 as per the Jiffy mix directions and get the mixture into a pan and in the oven. In a second pan dump drained Glory Greens then Chicken Breast meat and top with the shredded Mozzarella cheese. Pop the finished Jiffy Corn Bread out and put the other pan in setting the stove to broil. Everything is precooked so all you have to do is brown it. When the cheese is browned on top it's done. Trust me it will be plenty hot. Dish you out some of each and add a few shots of Franks Hot Sauce to step up the flavor. Tasty! $6 plus an egg and splash of milk makes four servings. Glory Products are made right here in Ohio and MAN do they do it right. Real southern flavored greens without all that cook down time. Keep a can in your cupboard and make this quick dish when you need a southern greens and cornbread fix :)

Snow Days

Out for a walk in the snow. First day back to class. Things are shifted around a bit. Practically the whole music department is being shoved into 2 rooms plus a trailer? I guess. Terras fixin to build a music department facility where D building is now. Construction begins after the new skilled trades building is complete. Steppin up the game this semester. Lots of homework and loads of practice time.

DeJay's first snow

Well we're getting a pounding of snow with no signs of stopping. Dejay had his first ever run in with deep snow... and he loved it! Nose first right down into it and plowed along the backyard like a shark in water. We went a few yards over to his favorite digging hole (an old abandoned groundhog hole) and he went clear in, tail and all. He did a good bit of running and kicking up the snow from yard to yard untill he heard a neighbors dog bark. His head when strait up prairie dog style up on his back legs. Another bark let out and we were in a full sprint back to the patio. It was a lot of fun for us both. He came in, shook off the snow, had a piece of raw bacon for a treat and now he's fast asleep in his cage buried under a pile of blankets.

Vacation!

Ah the smell of coffie brewing on the first day of vacation. Fall semester is over. Now its a nice 3 weeks to forget everything I just learned :) Pretty sure I did A o k on the two day written exam, but boy did I tank on the vocal and piano recitals. Not that thats a problem. Even with all the mistakes, I played right through, and showed I actually knew what I was doing. . . that it was just the nerves. The Faculty on the jury said I did very well and suggested that with another year of piano study I could consider work as an accompaniest. P.S. Of course I came home and played the whole piece without any problems. No worries it was my first Jury. Next semester I'll feel more at home under the spotlight.

Sunny 58 degrees!

A ride through town out to the west trail head. DJ and I found a new shelter built, nice one too. Could'nt let the little guy run around though forgot the long end of the leash. oh well Next time. Nice to get out on the bike for a little while and feel the sun.

Laundry Day

I can see my side patio through the door past the tree on the hill

Practice

Long Tuesdays, Theory is slooooowly getting interesting. We're starting to write four part harmony. Piano with John was fun as usual. Four more weeks to fine tune my sonatas for the jury. Now to sit at the baby grand for a bit and practice practice practice.

Daily Digg

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Sent from my Virgin Mobile

Daily Digg

Out for a morning dig at Birchard park this morning. It's another busy bit of fun in the ferrets life for DJ, plowing nose first into the loose dirt and shoveling it back with his front paws to make room for the next lot. The city was running their leaf vacuums and he was sure to poke his head up periodically and keep tabs on that loud ass machine creepin about the park. A lap around the restroom building and across the stage. A good sprint from tree to tree along the way-tail bushed all out like a bottle brush, he picked up on the scent back to the car and crashed on the passenger seat as we drove off.

The Israeli Ethnic Ensemble

Short blog bout a big show! As part of a partnership between Terra and the midwest arts... the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble came to Terra Nov,2nd and put on an awesome show. They came and had lunch at terra with music students and spent the afternoon hanging out and participated in a Q&A performance at four. Then a full performance at seven pm, including Israeli foods and presentations made by terra students and staff. It was a really cool day. I got to spend some time with these outstanding musicians as fellow peers in the music world. From playing pool to helping set up and most of all enjoying their truly talented performance. Thanks to the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble for taking the time to spend a day at terra.

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween 2009, some fun parties this year. I think Jay learned his lesson about Fu-Ki saki. Looking forward to finishing touches on Ruby costume next year (going daggar shopping :) To all my friends have a fun night and stay safe... remember to drive like your sober. The statey's are all over the place this weekend. Happy Halloween!!!

Taken on my Virgin Mobile

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Sent from my Virgin Mobile

Taken on my Virgin Mobile

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Sent from my Virgin Mobile

Two for Two

My friend and I have had some fantastic luck this year with our daytrips around the area. An earlier blog about Put-in-Bay's Christmas in July will explain our run of luck but I had to add this weekends visit to Cedar Point. Now for those of you who have gone to the park a million times and have vivid memories of standing in lines all day to ride a rollercoaster you should know that by the end of this blog you will want to kick me for having a day like this. I'll give you the summary version to keep it blog sized. A casual drive up rt6 toward the bay put us in the quarter filled parking lot about 11ish. Not sure what to ride first we walked strait on to the iron dragon since it was right there and there was no visible line. Well we did just that walked right up to the platform and got into a short like maybe 3 cars wait but that was because we wanted right up front for the view and to some riders this is worth the longer lines for first seat cars. Soooo yeah it was just the iron dragon but the lack of line made it a nice quick stop. Up next was, in my opinion, the very best designed coaster I have ever had the privilege of ridding. I had'nt had a chance to ride it yet because theres generally a line at least two hours long, but a coaster that broke 10 world records in 2000 was definately on my must do list. I had to have had the most dumfounded face when the same thing happened. There was NO line! Just walk your bus strait to the platform and ride (we waited a few cars for the front seat again). I know by now your warming up that kicking leg but allow me to finish before you decide how much jealousy you want to put into it. Well basically the whole day when like that. Walking right down the strip and strait on to coasters with no waiting in lines. We started to feel like we had the park all to ourselves. It was Great! At final tally the count was. Max Air, Raptor, Iron Dragon, Demon Drop. Magnum Xl, Corkscrew, Mantis, Disaster Transport once each never waiting more than five minutes for a car. Did we ride the Dragster? You know the one that STARTS at 300 mph with no hill or wait, shoots you 90 degrees strait up 420ft then right down head long toward the ground at the same angle. Yeah that one. Yup rode that twice. Fist time we had to wait a whopping few moments for the 1 car line. And the second time not only was there no line but the train about to pull out had two seats open so we walked right passed the platform entirely and onto the ride. Thats got to be some kind of world record for a ride that typically has four hour waits in the hot summer sun. This was our lucky day. Just cool enough for a sweatshirt. Enough clouds to keep the sun off us directly and obviously no big crowds. Same for the two rides on the Power Tower. Rode each side once. After having rode both i have to rate the blue side my favorite just by a hair. Its the side that shoots you strait down 240 feet at 50mph. The Maverick had a smaller 100ft drop buuuut its at a 95 degree angle. Yes thats means more than strait down :) Last but not least The Millennium Force. Now thats how you build a #@$*'ing Roller Coaster!!! 20 Nasa student engineers won the design competition and put together the best ride i have ever rode. I wont go on and on but i could, every turn was a full-on full-speed flight path. For the engineers out there... this thing has a 310 foot hill and the car is shot up the incline like a slingshot powered by 3 flywheels. Anyway we got on that one 4 times with no wait, in fact the last time we got on the crew said come on in and ride again... There was no one else waiting. So we hung around a few cars and rode the final train of the night. A rare and fun event. Sunset on the Maverick and moonrise on the Millennium. With such luck finding perfect days maybe the next trip should be to the Casinos?

Letter to Government Officials

Remember, remember / the fraud of September / the jet feul treason and plot / i know of no reason / the new pearl harbor treason / should ever be forgot.

9/11 Victims Demand Truth & Justice

To Local & County Government Officials,
Today, 9/11/09, you will be signing Proclamations and conducting 9/11 Victim's Memorial Services the same as you have done for eight years. As a volunteer for the Citizen's Campaign for 2009 Year of 9/11 Justice I request that you review the evidence of treason using the federal government's own undisputable evidence that controlled demolitions, not fires, caused the collapse of the Twin Towers and WTC 7.

You, like every U.S. citizen, are responsible for abiding by federal laws. United States Code 18, "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"....18 USC Par. 2382, "Misprision of Treason" states:

"Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States and having knowledge of any treason against them, conceals and does not , as soon as possible, make known the same to the President or to some judge or justice of a particular state, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both."

A grand jury investigation is requested to determine the parties responsible for placing and detonating the explosives in the Twin Towers and WTC 7. Those responsible for murdering the more than 3000 innocent civilians on that fateful day will only be brought to justice based on the uncontestable evidence presented in the "9-11 Truth Proclamation" that states :


9-11 TRUTH PROCLAMATION...



Whereas the President’s "9-11 Commission Report", according to pg. 7, "The Report of the Citizens Commission on 9/11", restricted itself to information that can be used to support the official conspiracy theory that the attacks were planned and carried out solely by al Qaeda", and


Whereas the chairman of the president's Commission, Thomas Kean, refused to review and utilize the evidence contained in "The Report of the Citizens Commission on 9/11" and


Whereas the 9-11 commission interviewed William Rodriguez , WTC janitor, who stated, in secret testimony, that he and 14 other people were in a WTC 1 basement office when, without warning, "the group felt a tremendous explosion emanating from somewhere below them in one of the five WTC sub levels and felt the floors tremble and saw the walls crack just seconds before the group heard another distant explosion coming from high above." and


Whereas seismographic evidence, 21 miles north of ground zero, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) stated time when the planes struck the twin towers (see table) prove that basement explosions occurred 14 and 17 seconds respectively for WTC 1 and 2 before the planes struck the towers, and


Whereas the Twin Towers and WTC 7, which was not struck by an airplane, all fell down in the same time as a freely falling object , and


Whereas the "smoking gun" indisputable evidence that explosives were used was contained in the red/gray layered chips in the dust when the Twin Towers and WTC 7 collapsed 9/11/01 (see May 2009 Rock Creek Free Press headline: "Scientists Find Explosives in World Trade Center Dust" by Matt Sullivan, Editor)


Whereas "The Report of the Citizens Commission on 9-11", Sixth Printing 2009, (pgs. 3, 7, 10 and 17) includes the above governmental and scientific evidence that proves the Twin Towers and WTC 7 collapsed in the same manner as a pre-planned controlled demolition, and


Whereas these facts were omitted from the "9/11 Commission Report"


Now, Therefore Be it Resolved, that "The Report of the Citizen’s Commission on 9-11" be utilized to determine the true cause of the collapse of the Twin Towers and WTC 7.



Seismic
FAA
Sec.
Collapse

WTC 1
8:46:26*
8:46:40**
14
10:28:14*

WTC 2
9:02:54*
9:03:11**
17
9:59:04*

WTC 7
Not Available
No Plane
-
17:20:33


* American Geophysical Union “AGU Release 01-28” November 15, 2001
(seismic data omitted from Official "9/11 Commission Report")
** FAA radar data and air traffic control software logic
(stated in Official 9/11 Commission Report)

Back from the Vet

D.J. is back home from his check up with the vet. Favoring his right front paw turned out to be a dislocated elbow that, after much trying by them, could not be reset. However he is walking much better on it, pouncing around like a rubber ball during playtime. He should have a happy long life with it and learn to use it well. I'm happy to have him back home.

Third Saturday In August

T.S.I.A. memorial was a blast!!! A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio did a great job putting it together. Meggits woods near Vickery was nicely cleared and groomed for event and camping. I went out for just a few hours friday night, saw a few bands, and of course a classic wet T-Shirt contest *wink* I'm sure the daytime events and saturday were just as much fun continued but I had enough heat for my tastes... and I was happily spending all day saturday recovering anyway *smiles*

My feelings on fillings

Not so bad. Just a small one to drill and fill. Figured there would be no problem, remembering how having my young adult molars pulled hurt less than I'd imagined. Quick and easy. Caint even see it. Next week will be a bit more intense having the bottom wisdom teeth pulled. As long as she doubles up on that stuff shot into my gums I'll be just fine. The worst part will be shewing on cotton the rest of the weekend at T.S.I.A. No drinking for me but It will be fun regardless. Once last visit at the end of the month for a cleaning and I'll be through with the tooth doctor for a while. Though I may not wait 17 years for my next check up. Still no word from the vet as I impatiently wait for DJ to return home.

Peace

Off to the Vet

Well DJ was just starting to settle into his new home when I noticed he was favoring his front right paw. Stepping lightly as though there might be some soft tissue damage. Since I just got him, the store is footing the bill to have him checked out at the Belleview animal hospital, but to do so I had to formally return him and let them take him to the vet. After he is healthy they will call and I can buy him back. Strange policy but saves a medical bill, so. Missing him already. He was really enjoying the new diggs and behaving very well. He's very vocal and when it's playtime he seems to be running on fast forward hopping all around and exploring all the new 'stuff,' claiming every item in the house as his property :)

Dick Jr, "DJ"

A new addition to the family after months of trying to find a local ferret to adopt and having no luck-I tried the pet stores. My new friend would be a Junior like me and named after my previous ferret Dick. Dick Jr, "DJ" came home with me from Sandusky Petco on August 1, 2009. He's an 8 week old male Sable (...thats the pattern of his coloring) with white fingertips on his front paws, born in May like me. Kel and I spent the day shopping up in Sandusky stopping by Petco before heading back to Fremont. Something told me to bring along my pet carrier just in case the right ferret happened to be there. I sat and watched the cage full with about 9 ferrets in all. They were all lumped on top of each other sleeping away but DJ was up and bright eyed playing in the cage. He was the only light brown Sable and I though his white front fingertips were interesting. He did good his first night home in a nice fresh cage, food bowl full of his usual brand, and plenty of soft blankets to snuggle into. This morning he clucked away and wanted to come out and explore his new home. We spent about two hours checking out some cool places around the apartment, opening and playing with new toys, and spending a few minutes getting used to his harness and lead. Once he was wore out he crawled right up next to my shoulder on the pillow and rested. He seems happy to bond with me in his new home and I'm happy he's here too :)

Are you kidding me?

A perfect day to visit Put In Bay! I am soo not kidding, from dawn to dusk perfect. Low traffic riding the bikes into downtown from the Miller ferry. A quick stop to the lockers stowing the saddle bags away. Thinking breakfast would be smart a quick glance downtown revealed every shoppe open for breakfast was packed with lines down the block, turned right around and headed strait back out of downtown. Actually never did go back downtown in the tourist traps. A good friend and I rode all over the island-maybe covering every single street. Viewing the neighboring islands from up top the International Peace monument (taller than the flame on the Statue of liberty) and also enjoying the island from the water by kayak-floating in the wake and circling Gibraltar Island.

The winery tour and tasting was memorable. Starting with grape juice, which smelled and tasted nearly like wine, moved up to their sweetest concord. It was incredible strong, uncut, pure wine, and by the time half a class was finished I was already starting to buzz. We thought we should try and make our way up through the mid to dry samples just to taste the difference. NO WAY. Could just sip the Pink Catawba, and the Burgundy??? well trust me its at least as strong as actual Burgundy. Thank gawd for the cheese plate. Leaving a table with full glasses it was fun but if we had tried to finish them theres no way we could continue on bicycle.

The day had passed by so quickly, peaceful secluded visit to the Island, it seemed only 3 in the afternoon to us but was actually 8 o'clock and we headed to the ferry. Wow perfect end to a perfect day catching a Perfectly timed ferry as the sunset exactly midway back to Catawba. The universe was definitely on our side for this visit to Put in Bay. Everything fell into perfect time naturally, peacefully, not to hott, and plenty of shade. It may be years and years if I ever get back to the Island and after a visit like this one... that will be just fine.

Finally some miles

Beautiful weather like last weekend was meant for riding. I've not had nearly the miles I usually put on during summer. School has been eating away at my free time. I suppose with the condensed summer quarter that makes sense. Anyway It was great to get out and loosen the legs up riding both sections of the NCIT, not a ton of miles but felt great all the same. A touch of sun was just what I needed to recharge for the final two weeks of class.

Long overdue visit to the dentist, last checkup at an army dentist in 1992. Lots of fun after watching 'the Horseman' last night :)

5to3

What a day man! Up at 5. A nice 20 miles at sunrise ride on the trail. Slightly cool with light fog enuf to see in the distance and laying along the orchard. Then a good two hours at the gym after breakfast and off to afternoon classes at Terra. After class I helped brother in law get my sister and family moved into their new house. A few good loads with the moving truck. Us three guys were wore out for sure. Oh wait theres more, lol, A trip to take my mom to the ER for her foot. And you know that was a three hour wait but we finally got out of there after midnight. Yeah finally home. Food, shower, and relax with a friend before crashing out hard by three. Goes without saying... today will be for resting

...well after a few errands :)

Concert in the park

Really good day today. A morning at grocery followed by some ass kickin cardio at the gym. Then twisting my brain into knots with homework for music fundamentals. By evening I was in need of a good break. The North Coast concert band performed at Birchard park tonight and it was a fun time. A pretty good crowd turned out. With a finale of Stars and Stripes and an encore of Roll out the Barrel the North Coast concert band did a great job!

Cosmic Voyage

When people say were part of something greater... This video puts things in perspective.

Summer on the Trail

Been out riding lately. Nice rides to Clyde and Elmore on the new section of the trail. Todays ride was really awesome. A cooler temp under the shade of trees on either side. Still early enuf to hear birds chirping loudly. Cottonwood drifting on the side of the trail like snow and everything Dark full Green!

Perfect

Dick is gone now

At age nine and a half Dick was finally too old to support his own weight any more and was just miserable. I had to wash him constantly from messing on himself and move him from the bed to the food bowl to eat. My best friend helped put him down Sunday May 10 2009. Dick and I put thousands of miles on the bike together and traveled through many adventures good and bad. He was my best buddy always. He is sorely missed.

Morning rain

Up and adam i arose and walked to the window, it must be raining i will open and let some fresh notrogen rich rain air in. Lifting the sill and blind to find...

Snow?!?

Oh well, off to the gym

Railroad Racer

An awesome ride to Clyde today. Dick and I stomp'in it out and gaining on a slow going train. Gaining on him we started at the back and actually overtook the engine before they switched gears and finally outran us. Dick had a good long walk around the Clyde gazebo, one of his favorite stops, then back toward home. Saw the first bunny of the season and even a small snake warming on the pavement. I hope he doesn't rest there for long or he will make a fine meal for the hawks.

Robot Chicken

Wow I really played there for about twenty minutes. A quarter to nine, she just left, and I sat and invited the instument to play. Really one of those end of the day studio sessions, just painting with chords. My skills increasing nine weeks into first semester Piano. Red and I had a great ride on the Elmore branch of the bike trail. Yes, bicycles. The kind you pedal. Oh it was beautiful, nearly no one else on the trail. Thirty miles or so round trip, and what a great headwind coming back. You really had to stomp good to get home. A great ride! Then back to my apartment. She ordered a foldover and introduced me to Robot Chicken on Comedy Central dot com. It was HILARIOUS!!! A fun day :)

Homework

So my homework this week was to write a letter to me back in the Army, when the wheels were flying off and I was falling apart. Somehow connect with him and give some comfort in that time.

Dear Richard,

You may not know it with no time to breathe but you may be numb. Like a scraped knee under a stream of peroxide your skin, your emotions, and the circumference of your mind may be having a feeling right now... numb.

Beneath the thin tingle of numb may be anger. Thickly caked like mud under the tread of your boots, carefully engineered and cultivated to make your body an effective killing machine.

But deep in the safest corner of your mind you are you... at your core. Tired, scared, and vigilant of the circumstances around you. I'm speaking now to that you of yous. The Rickey of your youth who has never been free to breathe.

Breathe, You are alive!

I am the you of the future and you are safe. I wrap you up in this moment, warm inside the wisdom of having survived all this shit. I can say that I know you know you will survive it, but allow me to take you further from it than you can know.

In the future you will become a living Buddha of compassion having known such suffering, The close people in you life will embrace you with thanks for what wisdom you share.

You will be a light of the Dharma. A teacher, a healer, and you will speak with a heart that is big and full with love.

Let's leave this place now for this time and see through the window through this suffering into your future. Gliding along serene bike paths as the morning sun breaks through the thick green leaves.

Listen to the sounds of the early birds chirping their song as you are given 24 new hours to be.

Breathe, You are alive!

This place is not for your Richard. Though you are strong enough to survive it, this Army is not your home and I'm here to take you away from it, right now in this meditation you have come back to your center...

Even though you may not know it.

100 Miles in March

Today is St Patrick's Day. We are halfway through the month of March and so far logged a full 100 miles on the bike!!! Awesome. Today was particularly beautiful second ride to Clyde, 73 degrees, actually had to stop and put on sunscreen. Does my spirit a lot of good not only to get out on the bike but the entire biochemistry that comes with being outdoors in the sunshine. Lots of cutting has been done along the Clyde section in Sandusky county. I suppose it needed doing but I will sure miss those overhanging branches of green. The winter has been long and feeling my skin warm under the rays really brings mindfulness that the cold is past.

Saturday was my second ride to Elmore through Lindsey, cooler then in the fifty's but loved every sun soaked moment. Stopping in Lindsey for hot tamale's from the local bodega. Home made and delicious. I also highly recommend the Lindsey cafe if your in need of a full service lunch or just an ice cream cone. Looking forward to many more rides now that spring is in full swing. With weather warming earlier it won't be long before I can enjoy my favorite sunrise rides. They are the most serene and beautiful attraction in the county.

Laundry day blog

Setting in the car rain steadily dropping on the metal roof I wait for the dryers to do their work as I post an update. My plate has been very full, school going well, playing regularly around town and at the studio, lots of piano practice at home. Got a laptop for school and recording as soon as the interface arrives in the post. I find my busy self wandering away from my center, loosing touch with my inner oneness... I make a note and rework my schedule to get back in balance :) Got out on the bike the last few days. Boy that ol trail will cure a man of such things. Beautiful weather and quiet conversations with the songbirds. Feeling closer to oneness after a ride Now a bit of housekeeping and prepare for a week full of projects and peace... In balance.

Jam Night

It seemed nearly impossible throat sore, stuffy head, and nursing an injured knee from slipping on ice at the library parkinglot (Mike Ferner gave a great Q&A visit mikeferner.org for more on this very special speaker and activist from Toledo) but "the show must go on" right? Well it did and it was a success! Everyone had a great time. Chuckie, Dave, Brandon, and I packed Stone st Tavern full for another great Jam Nite. Thanks to everyone who could make it out. We had some great players take the stage and special thanks to my online friends Chrissy and Susie for makin the trip in from Belleview just to see me perform. Yall are really sweet! Looking forward to Jam Nite again in two weeks. See you there.

Laundry part twah (for those of you keeping count)

Seems the best possible time for blogging, waiting on these machines to work their majic. Updates: school is rawkin, though its a challenge for sure. The instructors are not lollygaggin when it comes to homework... A full load for a guy trying to keep up. Ran into a good friend at the laundry. Killerz thinkin of the big move to Michigan. Medicinal mary jane is decriminalized up north now. I'll bet them border towns are really fillin up just the other side of the state line at Toledo. Open stage is booked for Friday at stone street, ive added a few songs to my toolkit this week and looking foward to jammin with area players but no long day for me this time ill be arriving late and leaving early. Got in too late last time and sleept through half my saturday class, caint have that. Dick is good really being lovey in his old age and prefers to be curled up on my chest whenever he can get the attention. Well dryers started and i have yet a run to post office. Check in again next time.

Jam Night

Awesome Jam Night Friday at Stone Street Tavern in Fremont, Ohio. Thanks to the other principal players and many area musicians who showed up and made it a success. Long day for sure 15 hours from load in to load out. Fun was had by all and I got a lot of very positive feedback from the crowd about my singing a few songs this week. I will add more from time to time. Loud as usual but I was present this time flew sober and loved it. Big huggs to Sue my dear friend. By the end of the night the place was rattleing from LOUDNESS chucks new speakers testing the limits of stone streets electric circuts. My Keyboard cutting in and out from low voltage. Packed it up around 2 and dropped last of the gear off by 4am then rolled through BK to find out they were already serving breakfast. Holey smokes a long day but I had a freekin blast! Thanks again to everyone who participated, were scheduled to play again in two weeks, see you all there.

Angry letter to a narcississtic mother

"Are you stupid?"

"Are you retarded?"

"Use your brain!"

"Get that Stupid look off your face!"

Did ur parents say mean things like this to you? Did their narcissistic personalities distort your self image? I know mine did.

These toxic phrases became embeded in my mind and my self image. Stuck in the nooks and crannies of my soul like rotten peanutbutter.

Fed a steady diet of junk food and junk words. Never in touch with how bad it made me feel. Just now at 35 relearning my true authentic self image.

I am a beautiful, talented, smart person with bad tapes stuck in his head. I may have had shitty parents but now "I" take care of me, and the legacy of shitty parents stops with me.

..(continued in next entry)...

Angry letter (cont)...

It makes me sick to hear the same trash come out of your mouth and into my nephew's ears. Stop molesting his beautiful soul, filling it with toxic mean shit.

Everytime I see him staying at your apartment he is being fed junk food, toxic words, and dogmatic lies. You and your shit germinating in another generation of children.

If you can not handle a five year old with love and care then do not have him over at all. If you can not cook real food and clean up your apartment after yourself then go to a nursing home.

If dishes stacked up for weeks like that when my sister and I were little u would have yelled and screamed violent words at us kids to "clean it up," but u caint do that anymore. Huh.

Stop guilting my sister. She has better things to do than be drug around by her umbillical chord. Stop bullying my grandmother over the phone she has survived enough narssissism in her eighty years. Stop baiting us all in with ur self centered drama and leave us alone. Asshole!!!

Love,
Rick

Snow-in Jam

Jam night was cancelled due to first winter storm in the area, 10 in due. Sooo... Snow-in Jam at studio YaY! Pretty good crowd for a snow-in all the principal players and then some plus a fair sized audience. Jammin at the studio can bee even more majical. The audio is fine tuned and the entire room becomes a swimming pool of sound. Stockpiles of pillows, blankets, pizza, and beer to last the night. Everyone had fun and got home safe, not the 10 in forecasted. Happy, lots of compliments as I took up the mic for a few songs. Felt good. I think i'll make a habit of it. Back home for the weekend. Sunday rehearsing I channeled lionel ritchie, "hello" learning new material. It fits my vocal range well, think i'll add it to the growing list. Started school this week, rawkin the spring schedule. Dick crunching kibble and i'm getting up for tea and toast, snowey rest day at home maybe work on a collage ive been meaning to do and more rehearsing. Been putting 2 to 4 hrs a day on the piano/sing.

Laundry part deux

Setting at the laundrymat across the street from my apartment. The one next to Sunoco thats ainted johndeer green. Waiting on dryers... Number six seems a little less hot than 7 and 8.

Had a nice holiday. Christmas day dinner ar my sisters Dennys in tiffin. Friday we had a family dinner at her house, lots of fun and tuns of food. KC got me a hilarious tshirt "I eat pussy like a fat kid eats cake" lol

Nice few days with Rita J up in sandusky. What a sunset over the bay tuesday night, simmering orange and deep purples. Lots of shoping and a ride across the rear cedar point causeway.

Lastnight was jam night at the studio. Open stage is Jan 9 at stone street tavern. And today... Well laundry cleaning some calendar work, pay bills and prepare for a busy week next with spring classes about to start. One last book to buy.

Dryers nearly done, dick is doing well, we'll both be in warm fresh sheets tonight. All is well in our world. Maybe a trip to the gym yet today and some practice piano.

a note

Awesome last studio rehersal for the year. Christmas holiday and a few weeks rest before spring semester starts. One more performance Jan 9th at Stone St Tavern.

Icy roads home 5in thick + rain

gigantic day today

going to sleep

yay, well done!

Winter

Beenie cap and sunglasses in the frozen laundrymat, folding warm pieces out of the basket grey and black mixed in with solid denim of my jeans. I grin at the sexiness of the scene. A tall drink like me working the dark fabrics into their shape then pulling a toasty warm carhart out of the dryer to wear back out into the bitter windy cold.

It's been a good weekend, sometime out at the project house and some good rest at home. Dave's kids were out a while, playing, Dan is a heavy hitting drum machine and Em paints beautifully with her voice. Watched them grow out there under studio lights, now adults they have really developed some majical melty tones.

Today starts the new week and I'm due a good day at the gym. Larnyx fat from too much sugar I need to work it out and get this big engine of a body back on the trax. Seasonal down comes around but I've got a new adgenda, so a cup of joe and slam some soy then off I go to rawk it.

Peace,
Rick

ps Winter now, the days getting longer, yay!

Cool nite

Not too cold tonite but below freezing, a thin sheet of ice covers the snow Nice break out in the quiet fresh air while they are jammin away in the studio. A little patch of sun this afternoon to break up a gray day.

Now home to rest,
Rick

Nogood Goodwill

Eek what a disaster. Swung past the new Goodwill store in Potter village plaza. Wow what a disaster... No no no I'm totally serious as a formally trained architect and as a shopper wow. First of all they moved from a perfectly large store to a brand new construction fully a hundred feet away. The parkinglot was redesigned sothat now the new building is compleletly cut off from traffic flow. The stores main door is far off to one edge of the new parkinglot. And the kicker?! They're selling dollar items directly competeing with the neighboring dollar store. Now I wish i could at least say that the newly doubled showfloor was stocked with fresh used goods for sale, but its not they still have all the old unsaleable garbagebound junk for sale. What a disaster... I know its a bit on the harsh side but be sure when you/if you attempt to find a way from the roadway into their new landlocked parkinglot with secret hidden doorway you will quickly see this is no improvemnt for Goodwill Fremont.

Wow wow wowie

Last week was busy, too busy! Heavily applied breaks yesterday only leaving the bed to change dvd's and cook food. Very nice rest, very nice. Still faint oder of icyhot rub I set a pan of water on to boil. Washing up at the sink, and prepareing a quick load for the laundry. It will be a busy sunday but I intend a leasurely pace. Breakfast burritos and emails followed by visiting friends and rehearsing out at the studio. Last week was a good example of my upper limiters, theyve been found and now I'll work on a nice average balance of expending energy. Need to find a good groove before classes start next month.

No damage done

Friday morning fun, letters to friends and family, organize paperwork from a busy and full week of apointments, dishes dry I put them away setting a pan of water to boil and give humidity to the dry cool fresh air let in the apartment from mornings open windows.

Open cupboard. I scoup some boiling water into a meedium bowl and mix lime jello for supper and fill a giant mug for a shot of instant coffie... Stirring... Thoughts of adding some instant dark chocolate to make it a mocha. Full honey bear falls out knocking coffie all over the counter, "phuckhead" reacting, then flush with a grin followed by laughter. The universe has given me a cleaning job this morning as I move out the refrigerator mopping up spilled coffie down the sides and even some splattered into the cupboard. A smile growing, no damage done, but a wonderful opprotunity to laugh at myself as i chuckle and clean... Finally sipping a fresh cup of mocha Joe... Mmmm full and delicious.... Like life

Part II

Just finished watching 'In the valley of Elah' Holey piss that was awesome movie, son of a crap, Tommy Lee Jones rocked it out right to the final scene. Must see this war movie!

Two parter, only got through half last night before I crashed. Full day today back to back appointments. Touched base with advisors at Terra looking into the classes ive signed up for. I think its gonna rock. Piano will be one on one 45 min piano lesson everyweek for the semester, and the Digital Arts class is distance learning. Five assignments a week via internet covering web authoring, graphics creation, and animation. Also some audio fundementals, ill go to the campus on saturdays for a few hours each week for Gen1000 basically an intoduction to the campus.

I think im set with that schedule. Well now to set at the piano for a bit

Peace,
Rick

Performance

Ahh,

..just setting down to rest before loading thee gear in from the car. 10:39 It could be 1:30 in the morning im so tired. Jam nights at the studio are like a performance load in load out, and drippin sweat Rawkin' 5 hours under warm stage lights. Dave and Chuck on guuitar and drums, Brandon was bringin some funk on the bass, and Enterprise stopped out to rawk out too... Green and Purple against the white soundproof padded walls. Swimming in Sound. I had a blast.

Well speakin of wich... No rest for the wicked still gota haul the piano.

Hot soak and a movie is in order. *runs the water then proping stormdoor open on the way to the car* No snow, its warm enuf to rain. Finishing, lights a candle unlaces his boots and sinks into the nice warm water.

Preevews start on the dvd player, 'In the Valley of Elah' with Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon

Peace,
Rick

Touching base

How am I? Meh, just kinda hangin in there you know. It's all good. Trying out some new meds, holey crap, one alone is like downing a whole gallon of jim beam, seeriously. Long story short i was on antideppressants for ten years and about 3 years ago was like, dang this, and just switched to diet and excersize. Anyway lately my highs and lows have been swinging big due to pushing myself really hard... Getting back into therapy, seeing doctors, noseing into bvr and back into school. So my therapist is like, "dude maybe drugs could help even things out" I trust her and im going to give it a shot. Week one was ruff, knocked out most the time. Considered returning them to the doc and saying no thanks-they were that ruff, but stuck to it.

Got myself a new bed as a veterans day gift. Holey smokes it's nice to be rid of that old used couch ive been sleeping on for ten years. Now i've got a proper bachelor pad. A bed, a piano, and me *wink* Well time for a lay down. Just quick update today.

Laundry

Chillin on a sunny November day in the seventies. Settin in front of the laundrymat catching upp with some cleaning. Dick and I had a nice sunny ride yesterday out to Lindsey on the trail before going to jam with Brandon and Chris in Clyde. Nice jam, a fun day. Today is great grandma Coles funeral. I never knew my grandpa Coles mom but mailed her photos from time to time. She was like over a hundred years old. Not going to the formalities, just dont have the energy for family today. Bit of a depressive swing comming on, used to them by now, get out in the sun and just let it run its course. Glad to see Obama won. War is over if we want it.

Im out.

Peace,
Rick

Halloweekend!

Awesome 68 degrees on Halloween! Got a couple nice rides to Clyde and back on the bike with Dick. We made our stops to the veterans walkway at Walsh park and the gazeebo in Clyde. A really nice fall colored trail this time of year bright yellows and reds still alot of green too.

Got over to help a friend clear his garden and rototill it under for winter Had an awesome workout this morning. Brite and early at the YMCA. Really kicked my ass too. The womens boot camp class is about that time and in the same area. I couldnt let the girls show me up so I pushed extra hard, Nice motivation.

Stopped in to see the Doc and check back on last weeks boodwork. Clean bill of health minus the high blood pressure, youll have that with chronic anxiety, but not high enuf to perscribe anything so im not due back till next year. Yay!

Nice day today temp wise with a touch of drizzle, pay bills and check emails, think ill take in a movie later and rest up from the fun weekend *wink*

peace,
Rick

Monday

Holey smokes a nice monday at the gym, just an hour but deliciously brutal. Had a golden sunset ride last night to clyde and back. Ran right into one of them posts that keep cars off the trail. Rolled onto the ground like an old ape, broke my good headphones, and sat and laughed my ass off. What a sight. LoL

Made a great contact at the local college who reffered me to a local therapist. It's been years and years since I saw one and I was sooo nervous. Compulsive all week over it. Bingeing and insomnia, but the meeting went just fine. She's brilliant, and we'll be working together weekly. What a relief.

Jam night was ok this week and im learning some new songs that rock. Hoping to record some as soon as I can get my hands on some proper gear.

Some appointments today and floors to scrub. Ttyl

Peace,
Rick

Endorphins Rule

Only those who risk going to far can possibly know how far they can go. That's been my mantra over the last few months and well... I found some limits Broke away from my rainman routine and pushed myself. The home version of exposure therapy. Anyway there were some messy bits; deppression, insomnia, medicating, bingeing, and all the usual compusions. Strong enuff a blow to get this veterans attention. Tipping the scales back my way, I put in a great 4 hours this morning at the crack of predawn and the endorphins are rockin my world. Now to make it stick. Clean the house, check emails, and I think ill stop into the library for a good book. Hopefully twilight is in. Three chapters in and it was going well, but for my slow reading. Ps. A Timmy Hortons going up near my house. Strange location for fremont but then Canadians do things there way eh? LoL

peace, luv, and ferret kisses,
Rick and Dick

An Awesome Weekend

Well it's worth noting wednesdays jam nite at "Last Call" got shutdown by the nursinghome across the street. I thought that was pretty funny, anyways this weekend was awesome.

Friday nite open mic with Chuck Pfiel at stone street tavern was fun. Had a fight break out before we played a single note. Like Jerry Springer but live. My sis stopped out with friends and the night was fun.

Saturday my sister KC and I went to Cedar Point and had a freekin blast. The whole park was done up for halloween. We rode six of the big coasters and were exhausted when we left.

Sunday Dick and I got out on the new section of the northcoast inland bike trail and happened upon the official ribbon cutting, that was a fun treat along with gorgeing on fresh picked apples from Eshlemans orchards.

Check me out on photo bucket for pics

Send More Cops

Not 'send the cops' no no no "Send MORE Cops!!!"

Saturday night at the Fremont Eagles Hall the rockinest Detroit band through these swamps in a while and opened by the WUZ band, a local favorite started by Curley and RC waaay back thirty (cough cough) years ago. Guyser singing and Buzz E Frets on guitar.

Send More Cops was playing with the Gunner Ross and yes they freekin played Evil by Cactus. Holey shitballz I could not believe my eyes. This a was a for real live rock and roll show.

Nice bike rides this weekend the new section of trail to elmore is comlete and rode to Clyde sunday.

Monday was meant for a good house scrubbing and the gym. Tommorow might find it dry enough to tend to some yardwork and gardening.

The Go Getter

Just finished watching the go getter. Holey flippin crap that was the very most kick ass movie in a while. A real fun comming of age road trip that started out crawling and finished with several soaring twists. Martin Hynes thank your for this feel good adventure.

Of course i'm leaving out the spoiler... CHECK OUT THIS FILM

The HIlls

Flatlands behind us
van flying down the road
beginning to get into the hills
Curley and I
Marley, his australian shepard
and Dick my ferret
Motley crue
van full of gear
sweat it out
81 and not a cloud
past Mohican Wilderness
into the edge of Ahmish country
to Kokosing gap bike trail
Mt Vernon to Danville
30 miles round trip
A nice ride for me
A brutal introduction for my friend

What a beauty
gliding through sunset sky
uptop of Kokosing Gap
beautiful massive hills
they heal my spirit
pristine hillside pastures
nightfalls with fog
highspeed last segment
sun gone lights on
pedal hard
end of trail before long
Awesome flight
pack it in to the van
cappuccino and slipknot
keep tired eyes wide
black country roads home
big bright stars
shadows of trees
dark window glass
mirrors my giant grin back at me
what a great ride
warm day crisp night
an adventuresome flight...
I love the hills!
note: come back again soon

Crack your Berry

Zero hour rush
Dude needs a phone that will work
Internet text and all

Wall to wall in the mall
Phone stores that sell them all,
IPhones to Blackberries
Contracts and charges
What the blody phuck

Long story shorter Tmobile Blackberry
with Armwrestled price
Out the door
in the car
one last check of the device
But it shows signs of failing
Back in we go

"hey man" says the short darkhaired clerk in a whispering voice, "the stuff you need will load... You just need to hack your Blackberry. Goto a site called Crack Berry"

Heads hung low
more stores
a frenzy
to the guy at the kiosk
"What to do?"

Calm cool collected
the guy had prestige
"Hold on ill hook it up"
proceeds to reprogram (crack) the Blackberry
while demonstrating with another in the other
Inside an hour the device was reborn
Perfect dialed in and ready to use

The moral of the story is... It will work, U just need someone to crack your berry.

Almost friday

One tired muldooner. Got a nice haul of walnuts out of curleys tree. A bumper crop this year. Hundreds of em. A fair lot of pears in this week too.

Today was meant for a bike ride, maybe sunset to lindsey. Planning a ride down to danville rail trail. Thats one of the most beautiful trails in the state hands down.

Dick is good. Walked the grounds last night after jammin with curley. Chuck and kel stoped out. Fixin to stop out to trackside friday night to set in.

Maybe a nice bonefire afterparty out to the studio.

A very cool nite for sleeping. 4 big comforters and every window of the 1974 camper open wide. Dick is huddled under here too already fast asleep. I have only my face and hands from under covers, thumbing the keypad. Eyes pulling shut. Full good day. Good nite.

What a Universe

Sunrise last thursday riding to scope out the progress on the new ten mile section of North Coast Inland Trail. I ride Fremont to clyde section in sandusky county most mornings. The new ten mile construction will link Fremont to elmore, Ohio. Starting in fremont i criss crossed the trail on country roads taking pictures and care not to disturb the freshly laid stonework' we dont want any delays in the october opening. I suppose dick and I prolly put on 50 miles covering the lenght this way but got good shots of each intersection clear to the portage river in elmore. All the pics are up on my photobucket you can link there through the pic below. I spoke with some local kids in elmore and they said they have walked the dirt path clearing up in to Genoa. So it must be passible althought I do not think that section beyond elmore will be receiving asphalt this year. Maybe in the next expansion *wink* So Dick and I camped out in Hessville a few days. Its a majic place fur sure. Music and authentic hippies everywere. Couple of great jam sessions ensued. I'm helping out with some hand work to earn a stage piano and get my music back. Its been too long since I dove into my gifts. I feel the time is right. Anyone in Fremont or near by GET to stone street tavern tuesday. Emily and Dan are fixin to play again this week after a great success last week. These kids have it dude! Totally originals totally authentic. Its a beautiful thing in a raw seatle way. Right out of the hessville swaps. Well a day of rest today catch up on laundry, gym, blog, and a nice sunrise ride. Headint back out to hessville the second half of week to knock out some more brushwork. http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb197/rickrusch/

Day at the beach

5 A.M. I peel open one eye to see the red numbers on the clock. Well theres only one way my ass is going to pedal up to the lake and thats by getting up and throwing the bags on the bike. Out the door I went. Stop off at BK for a breakfast sandwich and rolled my way down the road 20 miles up to Port Clinton Ohio. The sun was bursting through the big morning clouds in Giant beeming rays. The town from my childhood looks quite different now, new buildings and a changed skyline. None of the old demons of the past lived here anymore.



Another ten miles and I was at my destination East Harbor state park. Tall white egret bird standing his spindally legs into the wetland waters along the side of the road. I ride into the park on a nice bike trail leading me to a shelter house were I set up for morning solitude watching the birds and clouds roll into the sky. Lake erie stretches out on the horizon smooth like rippled glass. Though the silence gradually gives way as by noon a few hundred people have filled in to the beach.



Hanging out with a friend who was vending hot dogs near a water slide on the beach I was sitting next to a father of one of the children in line. He was about my age and after seeing my veterans for peace t-shirt asked if I was a veteran. Turns out he and I had served together back in 92. We talked it up about old times. What are the odds.



Well Ill tell you the odds. Just then my sisters father in law Steve came walking across the beach dragging what seemed to be a 400 pound cooler behind him leaving a ditch in his wake. Looked over to me sitting there and said, "Hey rick your sister is right over here." Wow you kiddin me? what a day. The universe was really showing off today.



I walked around the slide and there she was my sister with her husband Jeremy and my nephew Andrew. We went out for a swim together chatted about my Kentucky crush among other things and she invited me for BBQ with her and her inlaws. It was unexpected deliciousness. What a day!



Rode out as I had just enough sunshine left for my return trip rounding out a nice 60 mile day to the lake. I pulled into the house scrubbed off a full bottles worth of sunscreen I had accumulated during the day at the beach and nuzzled into my pillow. Blissfull, Happy, Content.



Peace, Luv, and Ferret kisses,

Rick and Dick

July

Well dang gone its hot out there and the garden is thriving in it. Tomatoes are commin on as fast as I can pick them, cucumbers too. Most of my lettuce has bolted in the heat and the spinach just never set in. The baby peach tree is packed full of leaves and the herbs have gone wild with the warm July nights.

Dick and I are mostly recovered from Cinci trip. I still have some numbness along my fingers in left hand, but my ankle is fine. Sun burn all healed up too, never did peel but boy was I lobstered. Mostly been spending time at the gym staying out of the heat and humidity. Regular routine of library and the Y. Not a whole lot of bike time but a bit. Scrubbed bathroom floors today and gave dicks cage a good scrub. Now hes snug as a bug in a rug, all wrapped up in freshly laundered t-shirts the whole place smelling of pine-sol.

Im itchin to get a good fall trip planned out. I think Southern Ohio near where I spent the best years of my childhood at Great Grandma Alices house in New Concord. She is long passed but It would be nice to just wander the ol stomping grounds and see if any of my old friends are still in the area.

I'm very happy these past few weeks, enjoying a crush on an amazing girl. I swear I could not have written a character like her. Life really is better than the finest fiction. Don't worry girls I'm still available for flirting *wink* Speakin of fiction just finished "the Fiction class" by Breem or was it Breen, anyways nice book. Reads more like a long short story. The ending was a little boxed in, but I really enjoyed the writing lessons tucked in the story. It was fun.

Put a few new pics up here and ther. Finally figured out how to get Digi cam hooked up to computer so I'll post them a bit more frequent. I did make a trek along the bike trail expansion west to Elmore, Ohio. It appears the County has got it all clear cut and ready for serious work to begin. Boy now you can get to areas that have not been cleared since Waaaaaay back in the day. Really brings back memories. More on that as construction continues.

Peace, Luv, and Ferret Kisses,
Rick and Dick

Peace

Cured! everytime, without fail. Love right from the heart of mother earth, wraped up in her arms as the trees pass by a swirl of full on green. Radical silence filled up by wakeing birds chanting their songs into the cool morning air. Father sky breaking through the clouded blanket above, shining warm rays against my skin. This gliding along the trail is a deep love and deeper healing. The remembering comes when you fly out into it.



Two weeks since Dick and I traveled to Cincinnatti, Ohio. Theres been some riding. Across town to library or grocery. A quick ride to the gym for a swim. But this morning our first time back out on the local trails. Not a big one but a brief ten miles before starting our day.



The nights are very cool for July but vegetables are coming on nicely. They stay warm at night being so close to the house, no big row garden here. I'll have another big bag of lettuce to fill today after i'm done here and have a stop by the gym. This stubborn last 20 pounds will get some attention this month. Also I will talk with my cousin Luke about getting some ink. It's been put off for too long. If I'm going to have tattoos I simply must have some from my own cousin, he is a great artist, and I am long overdue to add meaningful symbols to my totem.



Peace,

Rick and Dick

5 Days 500 Miles!

Well Yahoo maps said it was 420 miles, Fremont to Cincinnati, but I'm sure it was a bit more adding country routes and my detour through Dayton. My fingertips are still numb from 12 hour riding days, nursing my sprained ankle, and yes my ass is very very sore but Dick and I had an absolutely blast of a time for our first big tour of 2008 and I've got the third degree sunburn to prove it *grin* Follows are my notes in journal as they unfolded along the way...

Monday morning June, 16 perfect spring day. Everything is green. Tall grass along the country road is full from the last few weeks of humid summer heat. A stop by the library to check the last weather reports for all points south this week. I don't keep a schedule, been waiting for just whatever moment seems right in my spirit. Weather is perfect. I'm loaded up. The time is right to fly free on this journey.

Sunsetting with a massive low front flushing out the humidity like an ocean sized air conditioner. Dry 70's clouds puffed up against the big blue sky accenting their glowing orange tops. Rolling land. Low traffic. I started from Tiffin with the help of my neighbor and his astrovan. Fremont to Tiffin on route 53 is busy with trucks and not pleasant to bicycle.

Seventy miles covered till now. The red sun is sinking behind an empty shipping building. Dick and I tucked deep in the stacks of pallets behind the loading docks, a fence on the other side. Dusk passing now. If there is no sign from the neighbors across the fence we'll settle in here for the night. A patrol car passes through overnight unable to see the dozens of reflectors on my bike as it is hidden from view behind the pallet stacks.

Another hundred miles tomorrow to Urbana near Springfield and the trail head of the Little Miami Bike Trail. It's a converted abandoned railway. Eight foot paved bike path, no cars, with trees lining both sides and the Miami river alongside all the way to Cincinnati.

50's over night with not much lower dew point. I pack up the map and journal, fix Dick and myself up to be comfortable in the cool night breeze. Tarp over the foot of my bedroll to block the wind. Dick is long passed out. Curled up, a ball in my t-shirt, think I'll have a rest too. Crickets chirping loudly and the sound of water running gently over creek rocks. Good sounds for falling asleep to. Watching dark silhouette of tree branches sway against moonlit starry skies.

Six a.m. Tuesday up with the rising sun. Six miles into Forrest, Ohio. I find a local dinner serving hot breakfast. "Cheese omelet, potatoes, and buttered toast to share with my ferret."

"I used to have a ferret," said the cute twenty something waitress attending to the room full of old timers filling their bellies, "they are so cute!" I studied her shoulder length red hair and brite morning smile. A young Julia Roberts in my book. I flirted with her something fierce. She lost her track and forgot to charge the potatoes. "five dollars, seems a little cheap with coffee." I said, grinning. "Oh, yes." she admitted, grinning back. "Have a nice ride to Cincinnati!"

Dick was pleased they did not have butter substitute. Real butter makes his innards work hard but he loved the stuff and the off chance that he could have a taste. Breakfast and a wash up we were off again. Follow route 53 to Kenton about an hour and a half. Then all points south on 68 to the trail head. Today will be a hard push.

Holey Shitballs! Pushed WAY to hard. Rode Way-Way over a hundred miles through to Xenia. One love full on panic attack from yesterday afternoon at three to three this morning trying to sleep behind a half wall downtown. I could feel my heart was t-totally exhausted, and my body strung tight, only beginning to unwind by breakfast five a.m. as soon as the doors to McDonald's opened.

Just when I thought I could not keep going the universe tossed a wonderful new adventure my way. But I was not yet aware of it's unfolding. A few early morning hours on the trail Dick and I rounded a curve along the trail following a river with a sharp steep rock face on the opposing side. A skyline began rolling out from behind the wall as we made the turn. Hmmm those buildings look like... Dayton, Ohio! Damn that weak ass McDonald's coffee. I had made a serious wrong turn somewhere. Xenia has many other trails that spur off of the Little Miami Trail. Dayton was one. Holey Shitballs is right!

New Plan!!! We check out the Dayton trail system. After all we had never been before and this was a glorious opportunity to do so. I remember in my study of maps that it runs to downtown and then should spur off to the south for at least 25 miles. We were heading south anyway so this should be OK. When it runs out we will just head back east to find the Miami Trail again.

Orange bicycle detour signs darting over surface streets through downtown. Wahoo, fun! Back on the city path now and heading south. We find a nice place to unroll our pack for an afternoon rest. Dick is full of kibble and all comfy in his pile of t-shirts. He ate good throughout last night after poor eating and a stressed day. I know how the poor guys feels. Oops nope now he's up again and crawling down into the bedroll with me. Down to the feet, then up to the top again and poke his head out at me and back down again. I can feel him toss and turn against my bare feet finding just the right spot. Now for some mixed nuts and novel.

Wow this is more like it. Wrapped up in the sleeping bag. Cool air breezing across the river and licking my sun kissed face. Reading 'Lovely Bones' and feeding a constant rhythm of mixed nuts to my lips as I'm carried off into this bizaroo fiction suggested by a beautiful friend. Alice Sebolds writing is like quantum theater. The story lives in multiple dimensions all at once. I felt truly Bipolar, one paragraph laughing out loud, the next welling up with tears. What a rich-dark story. This book is going to be fun!

My toes are a toasty ferret temp 104 degrees. Dicks tiny paws wrap ed around the palm of my foot. Cat naps of the 30 minute variety. There is a huge clock tower at our skyline park. It's 5 story's tall if its an inch, and you bet it rings out like a five story clock as well. Not many riders going by since we pulled off the trail under some shade trees. I look out over Dayton's sunny skyline, beyond the river, and doze off. Set the snooze for 30 minutes. *chuckle*

I could sit here the rest of the day. Who would move with tiny arms wrapped around your feet, but even as I write I know I'm about to have a sun lotion bath and hit the trail. Hoping it dumps us off somewhere half as lovely as this.

Nice ride south from Dayton. The trail dumped us out at Franklin near Middletown, Ohio. I wish I had Carla's number just three miles away from her town, a shame not to stop in for a visit. I had emailed her my number initiating an exchange but did not get hers back in reply before leaving. Perhaps I'll return to my inbox and find it there waiting for me. Maybe next time.

At the end of Dayton's southerly spur I was now a truly lost white dude. I had no earthly idea how I would find my way back on the Little Miami Trail east of here after our little Dayton diversion, but I knew east should do the trick. I'll follow route 123 it seems to run southeast thought it is a hilly back road full of traffic escaping from the main interstate. Wandering all over these hills this afternoon stumbling occasionally on the odd bike trial. My general direction seemed to be on course. Flagged down a biker who said, "Oh, yeah this trail runs directly into the Little Miami Trail." "Best news all day," I exclaimed "Thanks brother!"

Smiling ear to ear Dick and I were back on course now with the sixetynine mile detour behind us. Riding south along the Little Miami River I began to recognize it from our last trip down. My wheels spun and spun with a new energy knowing our trek was back in order.

End of the line. Thursday morning after a good sleep in Milford, Ohio. I finished out the Little Miami Bike Trail into a town, I think, named Fairfax. "Good morning girls." I chirped to three Kroger employees having a smoke before going in to start their workday. I dawned my most cute, inquisitive face and asked, "Do y'all know if I'm near to a laundry or bike shop?" My rear wheel had become rather squirrely after all that street riding throughout downtown Dayton and it needed attention.

"Yeah," said the cute blond leader of the pack. Her hair done and more polished up than the other two. She carried herself as perhaps a manager of one type or another. "there's a coin laundry about a mile and a half up the road and a bike repair shop just past there."

"Beautiful!" I replied, "Thank you ladies." Riding away with a content grin. Fresh clothes, breakfast, and maybe put a wrench to this bothersome wheel. The shop opens at eleven I'll have an hour to spend with Susie Salmon in my book.

Smitty patched me up with a fresh spoke and the rear wheel runs true again. Eight whole bucks. A deal for curing a case of "squirrely wheel." Now I'll ride faster going it on a strait line.

Made a good rest there, clean and fresh. Stompin hard for the north it's the Giant and his sidekick at full sails speed. Xenia by dark and spinning wheels again with the dawn. Full days ride today stopping briefly to snap scenic photos along the path and finish off the trail and all points due north on 68. A nice four shoulder along route 68. Clean most of the way past Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Interesting part about riding away from the Ohio city named highest elevation is the coasting for a mile at a time passing down the highway hills. T-totally beat, exhausted, in Forrest Ohio just south of Upper Sandusky I was a little crispy around the edges and starved. Cleaned out a little roadside dairy bar, just across from were I had had my first breakfast and flirted with the ferret loving waitress, I ordered diner and gave a call to my neighbor, Tony, for a chopper out of here. 53 North through Tiffin is no fun with high truck traffic. I will gladly avoid this next section of dangerous road.

I think the boy working the counter did not know what to make of this sunburned traveler who when asked what size ice cream replied, "Just give me the whole bucket." Finishing my dessert I explained my traveling to some folks passing through on their way to Mid Ohio for the races, a car engineer with six that would be in the race. Hey if you happen by and read this blog... How many places did your cars take? I told him I'd have to look it up in detail but that Yahoo maps listed Fremont to Cincinnati as a 420 mile trip and that from my level of cooked I thought it must have been a bit more than that. All paved bike path from Urbana to Fairfax. The Ohio Department of Transportation bike ways are great throughout the state. Most importantly, I added, Guess what I spent on gas all week? ZERO!!!

Home now, clean, unpacked, rested. The films developed-everything ready to put up on my many blogs. Dicks been crashed out cold a full day now. Poor Guy. You know he does most the work out riding the trails. He developed quite an addiction to Gatorade over the week. Still a half a bottle in the fridge, I'll set him up a round if he decides to poke out from his sleep later and inspect that all the gear has been stowed and everything in it's place. He's a trip! The garden is watered with a nice warm thunderstorm rolling in. Perfect timing and great weather to fall asleep by.

Peace, luv, and ferret kisses,
Rick and Dick