Author Archives: shelldigger

12.21.24
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These Days?

I can’t listen to the news, for all the horse crap with the felonious orange, and his clown car of reprobates, shitting all over our democracy, and he hasn’t even taken office yet. It’s too darn cold to go diving, that makes me happy, but I’m out for a few months. So, that leaves riding the motorcycle, as what makes me happy.

Most days are too chilly for that right now. But every once in a while, even in winter months, we will get a 55-60 degree day, and with the right gear, that is doable without too much discomfort. I have nothing to prove by toughing it out on damn cold days. Nope, too old for that crap. Unless it’s damn important…

My wife, had never been on a motorcycle in her life. I told her after we were married I’d make a motorcycle mama out of her, despite not having a bike at the time. It took me a good long while to make the move and get a bike. But, being on the north side of being a young guy, I figured if I was going to get some riding time in, I better get to it. Wife was OK with getting the bike (2004 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100,) a little “meh” about it really, but we went and picked it up and still managed to sleep in the same bed that night 😉

I had to get my motorcycle riding skills back, it was in my 20’s when I last had a bike, so I spent a good 5-6 weeks (2-3 times a week,) riding the back roads, to redevelop my riding habits. It takes a minute to get comfortable again with shifting/downshifting, learning this bikes gear ratios and how it pulls/accelerates up/down the hills, leaning through the corners keeping your eyes ahead, and looking where you want to go. Should also mention making tight slow speed turns, and even moving the bike forward/back while sitting on the seat. There’s muscles there that had long forgotten they were once called upon to do these things. Once I got comfortable again with it all, I got my motorcycle endorsement, got insured, then I started pestering my wife to go for a ride.

You going to go with me today? You going to go with me tomorrow? She kept putting me off, but she finally decided she wasn’t getting any younger either, and we geared up for a ride. I took her on the back roads at first, keeping it slow. Went through a park near by, meandered along the river. All the while I’m half expecting a “take me home!” moment. It never came. So, I thought, let’s see how far we can get before that moment shows up. I got on a highway, ran the bike up to 55-60, no complaints. We got to town, and I stopped to check on her, get a drink, take a minute or two off the bike. She was fine. We took off again and rode for a good while, putting in 100 miles on day one. She took it like like a champ.

Now, it’s her, looking at the weather, and telling me “it looks like a good day to ride!”

So, yeah. That makes me happy 🙂

We both have protective riding gear, pants/jackets. Helmets of course. The bike has been modified from stock, previous owner had put in a K&N performance air filter, and aftermarket pipes on it. But they apparently did not know that you have to rejet the carbs when you do that. I know, because the tell tale sign of that is the exhaust pipes are bluing pretty good. Now is a good time to be down for a few days, so I ordered all the stuff I need to do the job. Probably after x-mas I’ll get on it. Getting that fixed will make me more happy 😉

I need a distraction from the shit show that’s coming. Felonious orange and co. are going to be quite the spectacle. I’m fine with the motorcycle giving us a happy place. You should probably look for one too…

Daily writing prompt
When are you most happy?
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12.07.24
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My Cynical Backside Says…

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
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With the re-election of the felonious orange idiot, I can safely say, that I now know my fellow men are mostly incapable of rational thought and reason. So, you take the silver lining where you can find it.

Other than that, it really hasn’t been a great year. But it’s nice to know, instead of wonder…

11.06.24
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What Is Wrong With You People?

How? How in the hell, knowing full well what this orange jack ass is, would you do this to our country?

My faith in people has been tested greatly in my years. My trust that there must be good people out there has been tried on numerous occaision. Now, I’m certain, there are more mouth breathing idiots in this country, than stars in the sky.

We deserve no less than what we get from this.

Buckle up folks, fascism is alive and well, and there may never be the America we once knew again. This orange idiot will tear it down from within, and he will sell us out to the highest bidder as he is doing it.

In case of nuclear attack, or another orange idiot presidency, bend over, tuck your head between your legs, and kiss your ass goodbye.

Been nice knowing you America. What we will have in the next 4 years will be nothing resembling what we once knew. We are well and truly borked.

10.08.24
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Easy

I’d build a time machine, and use it to go back in time. So I could explain to Fred Trump, the importance of using a condom.

I’m sure I could find plenty of other things to do with a time machine too.

I hope my answer demonstrates the absurdity of this question. As a verified adventure junkie, I can attest to the fact, that there is no adventure in “Guaranteed not to fail.”

Daily writing prompt
What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.
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09.24.24
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Brands

I tend to associate brands with corporations. I have found that corporations are pretty much the reason prices have been gouging us to the bone. Corporations have been raking in record profits, handing out insane year end bonuses, and beating us all down with hyper inflated prices, well above a respectable profit margin, and very much outpacing inflation.

All the while, they are not paying a fair share in taxes. Plus a lot of the money they don’t spend on themselves, goes to politicians, to grease the rails, to keep things just as they are.

So brands, to me, represent something I don’t care much for at all. But to some degree you can’t get away from it. The cars we drive, the food/drink we consume, the stores where we buy these things, all corporations with a “brand.”

You can’t get away from it. But I do work at limiting my handing $$$ to them. Most of the time I’d rather go home and have a peanut butter sandwich, rather than grab a burger in town at a corporate fast food joint. If my needs require me to walk into a Wal-Mart (corporate!) I do my damndest to just get the 3-4 things I actually need in there. I truly despise every moment I spend in a Wal-Mart. We generally try to get more of our necessaries at a smaller, local food store. My wife feels exactly as I do.

I don’t wear hats, shirts, or pants, emblazened with corporate logos. I refuse to advertise for them. Now if they wanted to pay me to wear that stuff, we could talk.

Corporate brands are nothing more to me, than artificially created propaganda, intended to get you to associate with their specific, brand. Once you’ve done that, who gets your money? They do.

I ain’t buying it. Fuck ’em.

Daily writing prompt
What brands do you associate with?
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09.22.24
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How To Read Code

The orange dumpster fire, recently said something along the lines of: “It’s too late for another debate.”

Using my handy dandy decoder ring, I read that as: “I really don’t want to be emasculated again on public TV.”

Did anyone else see the MSNBC presentation “From Russia with Lev,” last night? All the dots connected from the inside. With the bonus claim, that Faux News was involved directly, with the entire freaking encyclopedia of lines crossed, and laws broken. Like we didn’t know that already… But to see the claim matter of factly presented, gave me a moment of schadenfreude.

If you did not see it, and are of moderate political tendencies,* I urge you to find it. I tried posting the link here, but could not get it to play. Maybe you will have better luck.

*There’s no helping those who are too far gone.

09.22.24
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Best Advice…

I know I mentioned this somewhere recently, so forgive the old man rambling again thing.

When I was a kid, I had a job for a little while with TWRA, (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency,) much of the job was about opening and closing gates to allow water in/out of wildlife areas, putting in crops on wildlife reserves, and generally doing things to help foster wildlife in general.

One of our jobs was to acquire stakes to make crappie beds with. They had a sawmill in Natchez Trace State Park, and we went there to cut logs down into stakes, which were then taken out in boats, and driven into shallow water as crappie beds.

At the sawmill, there was a grizzled old sawyer, who sized me up, and offered me the best advice I have ever recieved.

“Never stand up if you can sit down, and never sit down if you can lie down.”

I was 16 or 17 at the time, I thought it was cute, bordering on funny, but not exactly ha-ha funny. But the older I get, the truth of that wisdom, becomes clearer every day.

The second best wisdom I have recieved was “Never believe anything you hear, and only half of what you see.” Which is truer today than it ever was.

Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
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09.21.24
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Energy

What gives me energy?

Anticipation of a good day diving.

Playing music with other people.

The knowledge that I have to complete 3 tasks before I can get to do the thing I need/want to do. Hopefully that energy lasts through the tasks that need doing, so I can actually do the other thing. I’ll bet that actually makes sense to some people besides me! Example: I have a batch of shells that need processing today, so I can get to a music event this afternoon. Observing, not participating, unfortunately.

Getting the call, a friend in need.

Hopping on a motorcycle and going for a ride. Oh, hey everybody, I picked up a motorcycle about a month ago! I grew up riding dirt bikes, I climbed the hills, jumped the jumps, popped the wheelies, and in general had a great time. Had a couple of Harley’s too, as a young adult. Then I went motorcyle-less for a long time. I finally had to face up to my innate desire to ride, and got a bike. It’s a 2004 Honda Shadow Spirit, 1100cc, king/queen seat, in blue. I went and got my motorcycle endorsement, because I’m “sorta” old and freaking responsible now. So I’m all legal. But yeah, knowing I’m going to get to ride, definately gives me energy.

Coming up from a dive, and seeing the biggest, blackest, meanest storm you’ve ever seen, coming down the river in your direction, will perk you up a little bit. If you want a thrill like that I can hook you up.

So, basically, anything that feeds my adventure junkie, gives me energy 😉 So, c’mon, let’s go!

Daily writing prompt
What things give you energy?
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09.12.24
by

Pop Quiz!

Which of these statements are actually true?

  1. Babies are being aborted at 7-8-9 months, and killed after they are born.
  2. Immigrants are eating cats and dogs in Springfield Ohio.
  3. Countries are sending their criminals, terrorists, and insane asylum inmates here.
  4. The orange idiot has a “concept,” for a better insurance plan than the AFA.
  5. They are coming for your guns.
  6. “Everybody,” wanted Roe v. Wade put to the states.
  7. Nancy Pelosi was responsible for security on Jan 6.
  8. Kamala Harris was sent to talk peace with Putin.
  9. Biden has taken money from China and Ukraine.
  10. We have given more aid to Ukraine than European countries.
  11. Crime is up.
  12. Central Park Five all pleaded guilty, then changed their minds.
  13. Donald Trump is a fine upstanding citizen, and is really looking out for your best interests.
  14. Two cities in Minnesota were burned to the ground.

If you are having trouble deciding which statements are true, there’s a good reason for that. It’s all BULLSHIT!

Bullshit, straight out of the mouth of the lying-est sack of shit I have ever had the displeasure of having to witness, as POTUS, and would be POTUS.

Can we please flush this orange turd in Nov.?