Nice day to see a pig

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Today was another beautiful day for riding a motorcycle, so that is what I did. Kristin and I went for another ride. This time we went to the river. It was around noon. I was asking Kristin if there was a coffee place by the river. She said she didn't think there was. In fact there are very few places along the river that serve anything such as food and beverages. We did find one though that was open. We were able to buy a cup of coffee and sit on a porch and look out over the river. We noticed that there were two giant wind turbines, that were sitting on top of a mountain, or hill, that were not there the last time we were there. It is the sign of the times. Green energy. It was nice just sitting there and watching things and people. It was quite calming except for the two drag boats that were racing on the river. They were extremely loud and annoying. They didn't stay too long so it was not too distracting from what we were doing, which was nothing. As we continued on our ride we stopped at a motorcycle shop that I have not been in before. It's not too far from our house. The owner was a real nice guy. I asked him what he charged for labor to work on a motorcycle. The price was $55.00 an hour. That is a great price. That is $30.00 an hour cheaper than a Harley Davidson dealer. There were a couple of bikes that he built. They were both really cool. On our ride we also saw a pot belly pig that looked pretty funny. That is one of the benefits of riding a motorcycle. You get to see a lot of things that you normally wouldn't see while riding in a car. Anyway that is my day. As usual we talk about Jed and always get signs from him. It is just so hard, the missing him, the physical him. Jed we love you and miss you everyday. Of course you all ready know that. Goodnight world.

10 days off

Work is shut down for all of next week. I think that is about 10 days off. When I get back to work everything will be different. Almost all of the machines that are used to make laced wheels, will be gone. They are being moved to a company called syencreon. I don't know if that is exactly how you spell it but that is close enough. The workers at Harley Davidson who made the wheels,had at least eleven years experience and were paid $24.00 an hour. At Syencreon the workers have about one week experience and get paid $10.00 an hour. This is supposed to be better for the Co. and the customers that buy Harley Davidson motorcycles. I don't see how but I am not the one in charge of these kind of decisions. From what they tell me, I am not smart enough to understand. All I know is that I buy and ride the motorcycles. Or I should say I used to buy. I won't ever buy another new one. I need to know that the people that built my bike, knew what they were doing. Maybe in three or four years they will, but in my opinion, I don't see how they could now. It took me over eleven years to be able to make the amount of wheels that are needed in one day. I just don't see how people with one week of training can make a safe wheel. Just my opinion. It really is not worth much in this case. I am just going to enjoy my days off. I have no control about what happens at Harley Davidson. Kristin and I went out riding today. The weather is awesome. Next year I hope to be riding on a new Victory Motorcycle. They also assemble motorcycles in the U.S.A. Arlen Ness is associated with Victory. He is like the king of custom motorcycles. He also sent his condolences when Jed passed away. I don't remember getting anything from Harley. I bought a bushel of crabs from a friend at work. I did not realize how many crabs that is. They were very yummy.We ate until we couldn't eat anymore. Then we picked the rest and now have a big bag of crab meat. Yay! I wish I could say it was a wonderful day. It was as good as could be expected, but not what it should be. With Jed not here to share the crabs and sunshine makes a great day a little less shiny. Not to sound so negative, it just how I feel. I am thankful that we did get to laugh , smile, and share with people we love. Now it is time to say "goodnight". I love and miss you Jed.

The luncheon

Well the luncheon is over. It was, in my view, AWESOME! The amount of money raised, $11,430 is amazing. Especially for a first time event. I am very proud of Savannah. Of course that is nothing new. Seeing everyone there to celebrate Jeds life and thirteenth birthday was very touching. It is always a great feeling to know that Jed touched so many people in his short life. He still touches people everyday. The only downfall is that now missing Jed is more intense, if that is possible. I just want to say thank you to everyone for your support and generosity. As usual the employees at Harley Davidson were as generous and supportive as ever. Even though a lot of them will be losing their jobs. They get it. They know that childhood cancers doesn't stop or quit, no matter what else is going on. Now Harley Davidson the company is another matter all together. Something I will be writing about at a later date. I have to go to sleep now. Thanks again.

What can I say. Today is Jeds birthday. I love him and miss him. Of course I feel that way about Jed everyday. The luncheon is this Saturday. I know Jed would be quite happy with all the hoopla. He always liked a good party, especially when thrown in his honor. I hope everyone brings a lot of money for the auction. There will be a lot of great items. Hopefully we will raise a ton of money to help find a cure for childhood cancer and to help family s that are living this nightmare. Jed will be thrilled to know, that a friend that he never met, has lit a row of candles for him at the Vatican and that 13 balloons filled with red and white rose seeds will be released from Roma for his 13 birthday. That is just so awesome. Thank you Castiel.

Happy birthday Jed

When I wake up it will be Jeds birthday. His 13th. Happy Birthday Jed. I love you.

Janis Joplin

A future Rock Star


This is the second time that I am writing this. The first time everything disappeared into computer heaven, or wherever it goes when it disappears. This weekend is what they call bike week. It is really only a couple of days. I was not interested in going. Usually Jed would ride with me. We would go down and watch all the bikes in the parade. Kristin would ride her bike. Jed was very proud that Kristin had her own bike. He thought it was way cool. It is not that appealing without Jed. Another reason is that I am so disappointed in the company Harley Davidson. I mean, I love riding my motorcycle, but I would like riding any motorcycle. The only reason I ride a Harley is because I work there. I would never buy another new Harley. Not when you can buy a used one that is just broke in, and save yourself about five or six thousand dollars. Lets face it, most people keep their Harleys up better than their houses. Anyway enough of that. The last time I wrote on my blog, I made a list of some of the concerts and musical artist that I had seen. When I went to work the next day I started thinking about all of the artist that I have seen in my life. I wrote them down as I thought about them. When I was finished ,there was a list of 105 artist , I could have added to the list on my blog. I won't bore you with the whole list but I do want to write about one that was a real standout. That was seeing Janis Joplin at the fillmore west in San Francisco. It was April 4th 1970. I am pretty certain that it was a Saturday. My Friend Floyd informed me that Janis Joplin was going to be playing at the Fillmore that night with Big Brother and the Holding Co. That was a very big deal because Janis Joplin had split up with Big Brother about two years earlier. After the cheap thrills album was released. That album became a huge success. I had not seen Janis Joplin before that night, and was very excited to go. I was a huge fan after listening to the Cheap Thrills album. Yes Album. I remember when Bill Graham started to announce, about the special performance that we were about to see, the crowd stood up, and went wild. When Janis Joplin hit the stage it was electric. No one set down. She really was mesmerizing. I remember her singing "piece of my heart'. She never stopped moving and stomping her foot. They preformed almost all of the Cheap Thrills album, and them some. It is really hard to compare her to anyone. When she sang ball and chain, you could tell she was giving you everything. It was one of the best concerts that I have been to.Janis Joplin died six months later on Oct.4. The shows at the Fillmore west were usually great. It was just the right size. Anyway that is all for tonight. Jed I love you and hope that Janis Joplin is singing for you. Good night.

Whenever I read Savannah's blog it just blows me away. I am so proud of her and what she does. The THON videos are so inspiring. As much as I love them they usually bring me to tears. I watch them with mixed emotions. THON is definitely one of the good things that came from Jed illness. I have been to a lot of great concerts in my life. I have seen Janis Joplin, Jimi Hindrex, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, The Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart and the faces, Lee Michaels, Canned Heat, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Al Green, Alvin lee and Ten Years After, QuickSilver messenger service, Dr. John the night tripper, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddy King, Joe Crocker and the Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Bonnie and Delaney, Eric Clapton, Traffic, Stevie winwood, BlindFaith, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Reberta Flack, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Bob Seager and the Silver Bullet Band, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Crosby Stills and Nash, and Young, David Bromberg, Jerry Garcia, Old and in the way, Coldblood, Tower of Power, The Dixie Chicks, robin Trower, The very first Santana group, Journey, Huey Lewis and the news, Eddie Money, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchel, The Band, The last Waltz, Altamont, Leonard Skinner, The Allman Brothers with Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Match Box Twenty, Roy Clark, Glen Campbell,the Kinks, Blue Cheer, Grand Funk Railroad, and Credence Clear Water. In no particular order. A lot of these people, I was fortunate enough to see at the Fillmore West and Winter Land and the Avalon ball room, before they were huge stars. I was just a young kid when I saw a lot of these groups. I really have to thank my friend Floyd Nay. He took me to most of the early concerts in San Fransisco. The point I am trying to make is, even with all these great concerts, and a lot of them were great, is that THON, is in a league of it own. THON ROCKS. The positive energy that is inside the BJC on Thon weekend is the best. You really have to be there to get it. It's just one big arena of LOVE. Tears,Laughter,cheers and dancing. Wow,it sounds like the concerts I went to. If I would have studied more instead of going to concerts I could probably describe it better. All I can say is "WE ARE PENN STATE'. I don't know if anyone really reads what I write but if you do, remember what THON is for.FUN and to make money ,to help support Family's who have children ,who are fighting Cancer. The money collected in the months leading up to THON goes to the Four Diamonds Fund. You can read more about the Four Diamonds on Savannahs blog. Now I need to go to sleep. Goodnight Jed. I Love and Miss You Everyday.