Time On My Hands...

[DDT (12)]

Time On My Hands…

So… here I sit… Three more days to fill with some sort of make-do activity to get me to KSU… Maybe I should have taken Bert up on that offer to just go ahead without him and leave for Texas yesterday, then meet-up with him in Hattiesburg next Friday… Yeah, I’d be loading our girl again right about now at some motel, getting ready for our second day on the road scooterizing and sampling various BBQ offerings along the way… Second guessing isn’t immensely helpful, as everyone knows, so perhaps I should shift my focus…

I could ponder world events, I guess… Nah, that only leads to near depression and certain disappointment in our species… I can quite easily get along without any doom & gloom to occupy my thoughts. Since ‘journalism’ long ago freed itself from the confining, low reader/viewership numbers of merely reporting mundane accurate facts, they have been having a field-day! Sensationalism sells, while ordinary, lack-luster information not so much… The current state of things is to be expected, I reckon, but I still don’t like it!

The myriad devoted splinter groups that have been formed responding and reacting to the fire-stoking of ‘reported current events’ of our time certainly have contributed to the general angst, unease, and unrest rampant in our society! Many, including this disaffected citizen, have begun more and more to just say no… to tune the crap out… Heck, I’m still refusing to even pick a side and join the fight… Not the most efficient way to have an impact, obviously; however… it does help in the maintenance of sanity…

I have no interest in keeping current on Gretchen’s most recent valiant struggle to keep assassins at bay, and I certainly don’t need to be updated on the status of Joe’s staff feverously conducting focus groups searching for just the right plausible rhetoric to ‘prove’ Trump is the culprit responsible for the canal blockage over in Egypt… Wokeness is marching boldly forward without me, ‘canceling‘ dissent and rewriting history, thus making the world a better place by appearing to look like the fantasy place they think it should… all in spite of us disbelieving, Kool-Aid avoiding, politically incorrect scoundrels.

I can also do without any new information to remind me how I’m personally responsible for all that’s wrong in the world, or that I’ve never accomplished anything in my entire life. Since I’m a straight, right-handed, white male, I’ve had it made and simply coasted along abusing others, while I’ve had everything I could want or need gratuitously handed to me…

What’s more, if I don’t pretend to agree with all those ‘truths’, then I’m labeled an obvious racist, sexist, homophobic pig… unworthy of anything short of total contempt. As far as I’m concerned, the ‘National Inquirer’ should also be considered part of the ‘mainstream’ news media! Yes, I am more than a bit weary of the ‘news’… I also feel little guilt for not keeping right up to the minute current on any of that ‘valuable, critical information’! OK, enough of that…

I am going to continue doing my laundry, packing my bags, getting my pills and such in their neat little places in those handy plastic do-dads to aid in the taking of correct daily dosages… and writing a bit… If you happen to still be reading this, then I sincerely thank you. This is one of those helpful, productive outlets for this homesick rider longing for a return to his place of comfort. If I can’t actually be on the road, it helps to think about it and to be able to express myself on the wonders of it all.

OK, I actually only have two days to fill, come to think of it… Tuesday will take care of itself, as it is then I’ll check the tire pressure and top-off if necessary. I’ll also crank our girl just to make sure all that’s involved with that process is in order. I think I’d be wise to check the charge level in my ‘Geek’ gadget, too, just in case that essential item might be needed out yonder someplace. Finally, I’ll be loading my travel gear onto our girl sometime before retiring Tuesday evening…

That still leaves today and tomorrow, though… Well, one thing I won’t be doing or even considering is tuning-in on the ‘news’! Nope, I don’t want to tempt fate by consciously opening Pandora’s Box or intentionally exposing myself to such a downer stuff bombardment… I just hope the world can get along without me.

DDT

[f6john]

I think the world will survive a little longer, but keep your cellphone charged and on your person. Joe, Kamala, or Susan could give you a call at any time once they realize they are in over their heads. Scratch that, they will never even suspect they are in over their heads!

[Valkorado]

GREAT read, Bruce!

"They" are trying to create a brave new world that we won't belong in.  I think the best thing we can do is reject their ideology and tune them out, and the best way to do so is embarking on a diversionary motorcycle journey.

Spring is here.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing and it's a brand new day.

Sounds like you're chomping at the bit.  I'll bet ALI is too!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Watching the “Andy Griffith Show” once or twice a day does me good. (I think you are weathering the storm just fine) Have a good trip 

[RNFWP]

Going through some of the same motions here... looking at forecast, routes etc. Thinking about what to take vs leave behind. Getting excited...! ...think I'm ready...

Not embarrassed to admit that I've avoided enough of the MSP (propaganda) that if I were inclined to know who all those folks / stories were/are I'd have to look them up. Don't miss it... I did hear (from a post here) that there's been a big cargo ship stuck in the Suez canal for days.
Similar to overhearing my nieces and nephews talk about music, memes, video games etc. I don't have a clue. Somehow, in the back of my mind, I think that I'd have even less of a clue of what's happening in my little 'real world' if I spend my time trying to filter through everyone else's BS.

[Rams]

No words of wisdom here.   All I can do is to invite you to come on over and spend some time enlightening myself as to the interesting ways of the world, sharing the details of what you've learned through your experiences.   Although, I have much to learn, at some point you could then go back and get Bert finding a different way there and back.

Well, lookie there, even in my less than adventurous ways, I came up with a plan you don't have to follow but, it is an idea.  
You really do need to see my bonfire water feature I just built.   It makes Mom happy.   What else could I ask for.  

Rams  

[hubcapsc]

Going through some of the same motions here... looking at forecast, routes etc.

A few years ago I FROZE going across north Georgia around April 1st headed to
meet the Tennessee folks to go to The Gathering Of The Fools in Texas.

The weather, which so far looks all bright and shiny, says it will be 31 on Thursday
morning... I'm going to be prepared this time...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

I think the world will survive a little longer, but keep your cellphone charged and on your person. Joe, Kamala, or Susan could give you a call at any time once they realize they are in over their heads. Scratch that, they will never even suspect they are in over their heads!

John,

I don't expect to ever hear from any politician seeking help from this 'drop out'. That's due in no small measure to my own realization that politics has nothing to do with good governance or moving the country forward... It is all about perks, power, and perpetuity. The 'noble' rhetoric is simply lip-service used as part of a marketing plan.

DDT




Seth,

"... and the best way to do so is embarking on a diversionary motorcycle journey..."

Yes, that was very true throughout much of my riding career... I think, however, that things have evolved beyond that in more recent times. I'm coming to look upon my present trajectory as the product of an alternative lifestyle having been chosen to replace the older more traditional style... I no longer need to fit into a work environment or any other usual social setting, so I can afford to live my own life as I choose... This one suits me better than anything previously tried! I do agree with the point of ALI and me both chomping at the bit to get back out there!!!

DDT




Ross,

"... looking at forecast, routes etc. Thinking about what to take vs leave behind. Getting excited...! ...think I'm ready... Wink "


Yep, we're definitely in the same boat!!! Keep paddling, and I'll do the same... see ya there!!!

DDT

Watching the “Andy Griffith Show” once or twice a day does me good. (I think you are weathering the storm just fine) Have a good trip  

Rob,

Yep, Barney & Aunt Bea, plus Matt & Miss Kitty, along with Perry & Della have so far enabled me to avoid the news, yet still watch TV! They do me good, too... I do hope you're planning on a surprise appearance in Hattiesburg! We can chat about all the things 'road scholars' do...

DDT




Ron,

And a solid plan it is! I'd actually contemplated doing just such a thing, but... I didn't. There will be a bit of Willy-Nilly wandering on our way to your thing, just not as much as I'd wanted... and, it didn't start as early as I'd wanted, either... Oh well, by the time I get a cold brew in my hands Friday afternoon, all the trials and let-downs will have been forgotten... See ya there!

DDT




Mike,

Yes indeed! Thing about weather this time of year down here... you can freeze or fry, be wet or dry, nail it on preparedness or... not, in any given year. Good luck with your trek... I've already changed my mind on what I'd be wearing a couple of times... Hope our guesses work for us!

DDT

[henry 008]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs

[DDT (12)]

Henry,

Hey, that could become my theme song! Not a perfect scenario, but one I'd rather have than the alternative... Hope to cross paths with ya this year... Perhaps we could spend some of that time on our hands jawing...

DDT

[..]

From the cooler to the heater.

Maggie Valley low Thursday morning 24F

Thunderstorms Wednesday so no escaping the cold front.

[DDT (12)]

Paul,

Sounds like the switch on your thermostat is getting quite a workout... Ahhhh, life in the hills...

DDT