Just Back From Florida

And the trip was fantastic. The motorcycle riding got old during the day due to heat, but we wised up on the way back by riding at night. Other than that, the first true distance trial (2600 miles) of my BMW K1200GT was a good one. The bike worked perfectly, as expected, and the only thing I may change about it in the future will be the seat...

As far as the scuba diving, I got to dive several wrecks, including the Spiegel Grove, the Thunderbolt, the Benwood, and the City of Washington. Several reefs were included as well. Lots of marine life- beats the hell out of a day (or a week, in this case) at the office! Florida Keys diving will definitely be included in my future expeditions.

I also stopped by the Coral Castle in Homestead, FL. It was really cool- in fact, I will be taking my wife there with me in the future. What a great accomplishment, and the chicks think it's romantic.

It's good to be back to my family- I did miss my girls. Time to get back to work, and ensure that my vacation money is sufficient for next year...

Epic Ride

Final preparations are under way for the motorcycle ride to the Florida Keys. Barring any potential tropical storms/hurricanes, the scuba diving should be great. I have yet to dive the Keys, so it will be fun to check out the wrecks in the area. I'm told that the currents there can rival that of Cozumel, so it should make for some interesting diving...

Combining two of my hobbies makes for a great vacation. Now I just have to figure out where to take my wife a little later in the year...

Re-accumulation Theory

All this populist, class-warfare, 'haves and have-nots' talk during the current Presidential campaign really makes me want to puke...

My favorite quote always goes something like this: "The wealthiest X% (X is a single-digit number) of Americans control Y% (Y is a relatively high double-digit number) of the wealth of this country." "This has got to stop, blah, blah, blah."

Here's my re-accumulation theory: Let's say we give in to these socialists, confiscate all the wealth of this country, and distribute it equally to every living adult. Assuming an economic system that's even mildly capitalist (like the one we have now), within 5 years, much of that wealth would be right back into the hands of those we took it from originally-within 10 years, all of it would be.

The bottom line is this: there are always people who are experts in their field. They can't help but succeed. Some are great investors, negociators, inventors, executives, workers, thieves, etc. There are also plenty of people with no motivation, and people who squander their money keeping up with the Joneses, betting, drinking, using drugs, etc. They are certainly free to do those things, but fools and their money are always parted. There will always be 'haves' and 'have-nots'. Get used to it. Instead of concerning ourselves with ways to take wealth away from the rich, perhaps we should start discussing how to teach some of the 'have-nots' how to create wealth of their own...

Random Quote

Deliberate with caution, but act with decision; and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness.--COLTON.

I Noticed

more motorcycles on the road today than normal (today is ride to work day - www.ridetowork.org )... That's a good thing - even used as plain transportation, bikes are economical and fun...

On a different note entirely, planning is well underway for the motorcycle/scuba diving trip to the Keys of Florida next month. Barring any hurricanes, the wreck diving should be fantastic!

Hope to See You on the Road

Another Proud University Bows to the NCAA

The Arkansas State Indians are changing the name of their mascot. The NCAA mascot Gestapo has ruined the identity of another University in the name of political correctness.

I'm happy that not everyone at ASU is pleased about this forced change (from the above linked article):
“None of us like this,” said committee member Bill Keedy, a former Newport High School football coach and a radio announcer for ASU football games. “We think the NCAA is ‘hostile and abusive.’”

I do as well, Mr. Keedy. And may I suggest a perfectly watered-down mascot name? Arkansas State Native Americans? Arkansas State Vegetarians? Nah, maybe not. I'm sure the marketing firm will come up with a gender-neutral, environmentally-friendly, non-confrontational mascot...

Trent Despot

“Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.”

So says Trent Lott (Despot - I'm coining the term today), Senator from Mississippi and arbiter of modern political speech and thought in America...

Talk Radio, you are free to use the term Trent Despot free of charge, as long as you give proper credit!

You Look Like a Fine, Up-standing Young Man, I Think You'll Do

I haven't posted lately, due to the fact that I've been working, riding my motorcycle, and taking care of my family... Generally trying to be a responsible human being. On the other hand, check out this story from right here in good ol' Southeast Missouri:

Who's Your Daddy? Paternity Battle Between Brothers

My favorite quote from the article is this: "I want to go to the Supreme Court," Raymon told ABC News. "If they can't prove it's me then they should throw it out of court." And as for the child support, he said, "The state should eat it." Ah yes. The State should eat it. Great logic. Irresponsible Ass.

Motorcycle Pic of the Month

Or at least an interesting one that I happened upon on the killboy.com blog:

I've never seen that color scheme on the road before- Gloves would have been a real smart addition to her attire...