Happy Birthday

March 15th already? It must be time for a certain little girl to turn three!

Happy birthday Kennedy Quinn!! Three already doesn't seem possible, but if you say it, it must be true!

Poppy loves you sweet girl!

Where Does the Time Go?

Two weeks until Spring Break and the school year will be three-quarters over, already. Looked at the calendar and February 2012 will be a thing of the past this week. Checked in on the neglected blog and found I have been MIA since December.

I haven't been riding much since getting back from Hawaii last June. The rest of the summer was filled with work around the house and the new pool. I can never see paying someone to do something I can do myself and that includes manual labor in the heat of the summer.

So, in October, on Fall Break, I took a teacher friend of mine for a ride up Yarnell Hill to Prescott. It was a great day to ride. Stopped at a café on the way for breakfast, walked around Whiskey Row and looked in all the windows, walked around the town square and just enjoyed the day. Time to leave and found Petunia had an almost flat front tire. Found a place for air and they called to have some Fix-A-Flat delivered to help me limp to somewhere to get it fixed.

Stopped at the two places I knew about and neither had a tube to fit. Since it still appeared to be holding we continued to home. All seemed well and soon the ride was back to highway speed. About 15 miles from home I could detect a heavy feel when rounding a curve and slowed down, knowing that the tire was going down. Turning off the Carefree Highway was a challenge with the low tire and I slowed further. Long/short the final turn into the driveway was almost impossible and the tire was almost completely flat. It sat that way until December when I took it off to have it repaired.

Then the Friday prior to New Years I had to get out of the house and ride. North was the destination of choice. North, in December, in Arizona, is iffy at best. We had had some winter weather, but I was willing to chance it. I found I had an issue with cornering when I first left. I’m sure it was because of the flat the last time I rode, but was surprised how long it took me to overcome that feeling.

North found snow! About nine inches and a very cool twenty degrees. The roads were wet and in the shadows there were a few patches of ice. It did make for an exciting ride. Arriving at Long Valley Café the folks inside looked at me like I was crazy and maybe I was. Only when I got inside did I realize how cold I was. My concession was to sit by the heater and to retrace my ride back down the hill I came up on.

Not ready to head to the house I made my way over to Highway 89A and headed to Jerome and the long way home. The day turned out to be a great riding day and the leathers were put away long before the garage was in sight.

I have ridden to school nearly every day since. I just need to find the time to get back out on the road and get some miles in.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Another year steam rolling to an end.  Where has the year gone seems to be a question I hear a lot lately.  It has been an event filled year for sure out here in the desert.  As much for what has happened as for what hasn't.  Maybe 2012 will find Petunia and me reuniting on the highways and byways of life rather than her sitting idly in the garage collecting dust. 

Merry Christmas to everyone out in Blogger Land and the very best wishes for a very Happy New Year!!!!

Tis is the Season of Giving

As we move into the season of giving and are asked to remember those who are unfortunate, it is important to think about who to donate your hard earned dollars to. Don't be fooled by the hype! Check it on Snoops before opening your wallet!



What an eye opener.... As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster or Holiday, please keep these facts in mind:

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses .

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

 

 

 

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 Billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

 

 

 

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

 

 

 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

 

 

 

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

 

 

 

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and Their families and youth!

 

 

 

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their Families and youth!

 

 

 

If you feel the need to sacrifice and donate to a cause, please think about supporting those who support our Veterans. I know their day was last week, but we should remember them every day. Especially during this Holiday Season.

Just Take the Money and Run

There is an age old adage that says......Figures don't lie, but liars figure. So, where is the benefit and to whom does it go to if I keep working until I'm 70? Do I really lose $1,184 a month?

Last question first seems to be true at first blush. But have you read the fine print?

From the Social Security site;

Assumptions: We estimate your benefits using your average earnings over your working lifetime.  If you worked last year, we will assume that you will continue to work and make about the same amount as you entered for last year's earnings.

You see, you have to keep working for those eight years to get that higher amount.  If you quit working and just delay collecting it counts against you and you get less than you thought you would get.  Also, I remember older folks preparing to retire claim they had to work all the overtime possible the last three years they worked because Social Security was based only on the last three years.  As stated above that isn't true today, it is your entire lifetime of working.  Does that mean you had better start working overtime now?  If you do I have a little surprise for you;

From an article on Bankrate.com...http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/5-little-known-facts-about-social-security-1.aspx....In keeping with the original intent behind Social Security -- a way to lift seniors out of poverty -- lower wage earners get a higher proportion of their earnings than higher wage earners.  The maximum monthly benefit that can be received in 2010 is $2,346.

There was a surprise for me in that article in the last sentence.  Max payment of $2,346?  The Social Security Administration official web site benefit calculator claims I will receive $2,650 a month if I wait until 70.  Looks like I already lost $304 a month and I haven’t done anything except not understood the disclaimer about these numbers just being an estimate.  That age old adage is coming back to me now.

So, who really benefits if I keep working?  The Social Security Administration gets additional payments from my employer and me to the tune of $8,320 a year.  True!  Look at your pay stub.  Whatever you pay your employer pays the same amount. So, if I work an extra 8 years I, and my employer, kick in another $66,560 into the kitty. Oh, and don’t forget we are currently underpaying our share of SS tax by 2% of our gross income because some guy wants to get reelected.

We also have to look at what average is.  Average is fifty percent. Half of anything is average.  Here that means every other person in line will die before reaching that magical age when they screwed the system and won the life lottery.  Don’t want to pop the bubble here, but have you heard about the consideration to make SS Means Tested?  The implication is if you saved for your retirement, have a pension, and paid into SS there will be a formula that says you don’t need SS income. So, sorry for you, but you don’t get any. 

With only three and a half years to R-day I have been looking hard at what is best to do. The conclusion I draw is it is all a gamble until you ask the most important questions; How much more will I be able to enjoy my retirement at age 62 than 70?  Am I willing to put in 8 extra years of the stress of working when it will take until I’m 80, 18 years, to break even?  Is there going to be a freshly out of college grad that is still idealistic that wants my job? 


Personally, I'm gonna climb on board with the get out early crowd and spend some quality time doing nothing that isn't fun.  I think I would rather not have to be anywhere at a specific time during those years and if doesn’t work out I can go take some 90 year olds Greeter job at Walmart.

Really

Anonymous comments on my posts fall on deaf ears.  Or at least they should. 

Who the Hell do you think you are?  Not only do you not know me, you are an Idiot!

"If you don't need Social Security why steal it from those who do."

Hey, Ass Wipe, just for Shits and Giggles I will respond.

I am a Baby Boomer born  in 1953 to a Navy veteran of WWII.  My father spent his tour of duty, defending your right to be the Village Idiot, in the bowels of an aircraft carrier as a fireman.  Sorry, Moron, he didn't put out fires, he stoked them.  Shoveling coal into the firebox to power the ship to the hot spots of the day.

My first job, paying into Social Security, was in 1965.  Do the math.  I'll wait while you get the calculator.



That's right. 12 years old.  Pop took me to work to get me out of Mom's hair.  What could a 12 year old do?  He had me digging ditches with a pick and shovel.  In those  days plumbers had to dig ditches to install the pipes that took the likes of you to the wastewater treatment plant.  Pop called it Learning a Work Ethic.  Instead of being like you I learned what a days work entailed.  Not only learned, but thrived and enjoyed the challenge of outworking the next four people who showed up.  Never dug a ditch?  Never swung a pick?  That's a pity.

That experience led to becoming an apprentice plumber at age 18.  Opening my own plumbing business, out of my own pocket, at 28 during a recession and employing 6 people.  During that time I payed both half's of my own Social Security taxes and the business half for six other people.  I am an expert on paying Social Security taxes based on my experience.

At 40 I went to college for the first time and received my teaching degree.  Been doing that for fifteen years now and am looking to be done in 2015 at 62 and collecting Social Security  regardless of if I need it or not.

You see Idiot, I will have payed into the system, at that time, for 50 years.  Never once have I questioned why they held the money from me, or why I had to pay for myself and employees, I followed the program.  All that time and I have heard and seen Morons like you milk the system and question how those who payed in should get anything back. 

Now, when I am getting close to collecting my Government is, also, suggesting I am somehow anti-American for wanting to start collecting "early".  They have given so much to so many who haven't earned it they expect those who have payed to continue to pay.  If I have payed into the system for 50 years why should I work an additional 8 years to fund Idiots like you? Whether I 'need' it or not isn't at issue.  Only a total Moron would believe that I am getting ready to "Steal" anything from someone who needs it.  The program was put in place to supplement retirement because the general public couldn't be trusted to take care of themselves.  You, Dumb Shit, are living proof that FDR was right about trusting people.

My only apology and regret is I don't know who you are, so I can personally kick your ass.

Fleecing of the Sheeple II

The big push I have been hearing and reading is don't retire and collect Social Security until you are 70 and you will make an additional 45% a month. Looking at their figures of estimated payments bear that statement out. On paper. However, what does that mean in the real world?

Waiting until age 70

 

    1466                                                                            2650

    x  96  (months age 62-70)                                        -1,184  Difference a month         

140,736/2650 = 53.11 months to recoup already collected benefits

     1466                                             2650

x 149.11 (96+53.11)                      x  53.11

218,595.26                                  140,741.50   

  

At age 74.4 (62+12.4) a net gain of 77,853.76

At age 74.4………77,853.76/1,184 = 65.8 months/12 = 5.48 years to break even.

62 + 8(to age 70) + 4.4 (years to recoup collected) 5.48(to break even) = 79.8 years old = 17.8 years of retirement already enjoyed.

Again, lets make it simple.

These would be the total numbers at age 79.8 if starting at 62

        1466                                                         2650    

   x  213.6  (months age 62-79.8)                 x 117.6 (months age 70-79.8)

  313,137.76                                                311,640    

 

Total payments at age 79.8 = +1497.76 if started at age 62

I know, I know people will say what if you live to 90? You will lose money! You will ultimately be in the hole. I've thought about that and have some figures for you. Again, these are based on my personal age and the following chart comes directly from the Social Security office for my birth date:

Notice Social Security claims the older I get the longer I will live. How much of that is to convince people not to retire and enjoy the golden years? But, because I’m not easily convinced I looked further. This site: http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/life-expectancy, says in Arizona the average Life expectancy is 77.4 total and 74.4 if a male. Ladies reading this need to know they are safe for an additional three years on average.

Using Social Security's longevity numbers, and live only to their numbers,  if I start at age 62 I would collect $362,395, at 66 $440,448, and at 70 $469,080. Makes it look like I am getting ready to make a huge mistake.

But from the other site, using a Life Expectancy average of 74 it would be $211,104 from 62, $190,464 from 66, and $127,200 from 70. Damn, maybe, just maybe, I'm not so dumb after all.

Besides those are the numbers. Pure and simple. Or is it? How is it possible that everything I have found and read on the Web and Government sites stop at this point and leave you with this thought....Here it is, make your decision, and hope, or pray, you are right. Why do I get the nagging feeling they are all leaving something out? They are all experts. They are looking out for our best interests. There can't be anything that all of them are missing, or leaving out, because they ARE the experts. But still.....I have the thought, the gut instinct, that I am becoming a Sheeple and am drinking from the trough of ignorance.

Fleecing of the Sheeple

Notice lately all the articles proposing that working stiffs should keep working until age 70? Figures touting that waiting until 70 will give you so much more money you can't afford to collect Social Security at age 62. Anyone done the math?

My brother-in-law sent Linda an article and suggested we should rethink our Plan. Let me show you what I found using my real world, personal, SS numbers that are the most current available;

At 62                                              At 66                               At 70

1,466                                             1,984                                2,650     Monthly Benefit

Waiting until age 66

1466        Difference a month         -518                               

x  48  (months between age 60-66)

70,368 / 1984(benefit at 66) = 35.5 months to recoup already collected benefits

     1466                                              1984

   x 83.5   (48+35.5)                         x 35.5

122,411                                          70,432      At age 69 (66+2.9) a net gain of $51,979  

At age 69………51,979/518 = 100.35 months/12 = 8.36 years to break even.

62 + 4(to age 66) +2.9(years to recoup collected) + 8.36(to break even) = 77.26 years old = 15.26 years of retirement already enjoyed.

Now some might not believe the math, so here it is in short, concise form.

These would be the total numbers at age 77.26 if starting at 62

     

      1466                                                   1984   

       183.12 (months age 62-77.26)            135.6   (months age 66-77.26)

    268,453.92                                          268,078.08  

Total payments collected at age 77.26 = +375.84 if started taking at age 62

That 25% a month bump doesn't look so good when it is compared to being free, as opposed to having to work an extra four years.

I'll look at waiting until 70 and life expectancy later. Right now I have to get ready to go to work. Only 42 more months of this for me and I'm done.

Halloween Funny

A bald man with a wooden leg gets invited to a Halloween party. Wanting a costume that will hide his bald head and wooden leg, he writes to a costume company for help.  A few days later he received a parcel with the following note:

Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a pirate's outfit. The spotted handkerchief will cover your bald head and, with your wooden leg, you will be just right as a pirate.

Very truly yours,

Acme Costume Co.

The man thinks this is terrible because it would emphasize his wooden leg. So he writes a letter of complaint. A week goes by and he receives another parcel and a note that says:

Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a monk's costume. The long robe will cover your wooden leg and, with your bald head, you should really look the part.

Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.

Now the man is really upset since they have gone from emphasizing his wooden leg to emphasizing his bald head. So he writes the company another nasty letter of complaint. The next day he gets a small parcel and a note that reads:

Dear Sir,
We have TRIED our very BEST. Please find enclosed a bottle of molasses and a bag of crushed nuts. Pour the molasses over your bald head, pat on crushed nuts, stick your wooden leg up your ass and go as a caramel apple.

Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.

Remembering

It has been a while.  Busy, Life, not any excuse except lack of anything to say?  Reasons are just excuses anyway. Sitting here on a Sunday evening waiting for tomorrow to drive down to Bisbee to recover a trailer and a dog. 

The blog has been on my mind for a while now and still no posts.  Boston Ann stopped by yesterday to drop off something for Linda and invited us over to hang out and share a few laughs, but after a full day of cleaning out the garage and shed it was to the neighborhood joint for a bite and beverage, home to a movie, and falling asleep.  BASTARD!!!!!!!!!

I penned this back on December 26, 2007. Two posts on one day! True, this is why I started to blog.  Sometimes a guy just needs to remember what the Hell is important to him.

Well, I thought I needed a blog. Why the hell does a 54 year old man need a blog you might wonder. The same reason everyone else does. Because it's there and I just might have something worth talking about and I need practice in my typing skills. The truth is, I decided this would be a good way to chronicle the  exploits on my Harley.


Yep, Harley. Wanted one when I was seventeen, but got a Honda 175 instead. Pappy finally gave in because the son of his boss was selling it. Got off to a great start too, when I rear ended a car at the first stoplight I was supposed to stop at. A wild eyed kid on a motorcycle for the first time, the wind in his eyes, Dad and sister following in the car, mister Big Shot himself, and BAM!!! It was a good thing that car was stopped for the light or I might have gone right through the intersection and my riding would have ended before it started. Pappy roared around me after I finally got it going again and made my first left hand turn and shouted out the window, "I'll see you at home if you make it that far." I did and here we are today.


Over the years I've had five Hondas from the 175 up to an Aspencade, a Suzuki, and now the Harley. The Aspencade at a time had a two passenger sidecar and trailer. The whole family, dad, mom, and both daughters went on trips on the motorcycle. The worst part of that was it took an hour to get gas because of the crowds that came to see how four people could possibly ride one motorcycle.


Finally, last February I spent my money on what I had really wanted for 36 years. Some folks don't believe that I am a man of patience, but I think waiting 36 years for something proves it. So now I am the proud owner of a 2003 100 Year Anniversary FLHTCI. My Electra Glide was purchased after searching for two months, riding sixteen different Harleys, and knowing I would find a bike that spoke to me. Finally I found it on Craig's List and scheduled a time to go the 60 miles to look at it. Can you believe that the day I was going to go it rained for the first time in 119 days in Phoenix? Not a sprinkle, a full out rain storm that lasted two days. I had to wait four days to go look at it and called to see if it was still available. It was and when I saw it I was shocked it was still there. A 70 year old guy had bought it in Minnesota new, added spoke wheels, wide white wall tires, and about $3,000 of other accessories. He trucked it to Arizona and took it out two times, in Apache Junction, and had to go into full lock up both times because of Snowbirds turning in front of him. He said he couldn't get back on it. When I say this bike was perfect it isn't just talk. It only had 3,987 miles on it and the tires still had the factory tits on the edges. Now ten months later it sits with 20,000 miles, ten new states it hadn't seen, a few more needed options like cruise control and highway pegs, and a great big book of maps of highways it hasn't seen yet.


Yep, I think I need this blog to help Petunia, I call her that because she's a Hog, tell the story of searching for the best, most fun highways that we can. That is my aim. I guess I might have to write about other things like the greatest grand babies in the world, but mostly this will be about the adventures of an old guy, a hog, and miles that haven't been ridden yet. Wave if you see me out on the highway.

Looking back I seem to have lost what I started this blog for. I want, and need, to get back to that motivation from four years ago. I need to get on Petunia, ride, experience the open road, and share the adventures with whoever may be interested. 

This is just the idle ramblings of  a biker who hasn't been biking.  I vow to change that!

Riding The 46th State

Many of you view Hawaii as the 50th state of these United States, but on June 15th it became my 46th state to ride a motorcycle in. We contacted Cycle City Harley Davidson to rent a bike about six months prior to our trip. Cycle City sent 3 conformation e-mails in that six month period that included a link for great roads to ride on. At 9:45 on the appointed morning we arrived in the parking lot to find this

a 2011 Heritage Softail, gassed, ready to roll, and sitting at the curb waiting on us to get there.  The folks at Cycle City Harley were as friendly and helpful as anywhere I have ever been and it was nice to receive that kind of customer service.  I highly recommend them if you ever get the the island of Oahu.

After a quick shopping spree we were off to look at beaches to get married on and to ride the roads of the island.  The parting words of the lady were, "You can't get lost here. Just keep riding and you get back to where you started. It is just a big circle here."  Printed copies of Map Quest directions in hand we left to find Paradise. 

Well, with all the one way streets if you didn't turn on the right street you had to go about four miles to get back to where you started. Bear left according to Map Quest isn't necessarily the first opportunity to do so.  It may be the second or third place to bear left.  On the left to Map Quest isn't always left.  Three time left really meant right.  After finding a beach that we liked it was off to explore Oahu from the seat of the bike.

Speed limits and traffic kept the speeds down to about 35 mph and rarely above 3rd gear. This was mostly OK because the views were spectacular and we stopped often. Heading east and around the island the water became turquoise and the sand white. The contrasting colors were stunning and surprising when comparing them to our side of the island.

The reason for picking the Heritage for this ride was to see how it would compare to Petunia.  There has been a thought in the back of my mind that I might want to make a bike change.  Well, after spending a bit over 200 miles on this bike my mind has been changed.  There is no comparison between these two bikes.  The ABS brakes were the only bright spot, to me, on this bike.  Comfort level, Petunia hands down is the winner.  I'm positive Linda will second that as she found the rear seat to be less than expected.  The bike was new, with only 600 miles on it at pickup, and not being broken in it had a few issues.  The most annoying was neutral being impossible to find.  On return I was asked if there were any issues and I mentioned the neutral problem and was told they would address it at the first service.

So, on a 608 square mile island we covered about 210 miles on our ride. We rode the coast for most of those miles, but did also cut across the interior when making our way back to Waikiki.  There were also all of those times we were lost and going in circles to get back to where we started.  But, being lost in Hawaii isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Memorial Weekend

I would like to stop on this Memorial Weekend and take the opportunity to offer thanks to all of the brave men and woman who gave their life defending the United States of America.  To all of the survivors of these Hero's, I send my thanks and prayers to you as well. 

Let all of us take a moment, as we enjoy the long weekend, to remember the true meaning of this important holiday.

Cinco de Keegan

It is again time to celebrate that famous day Cinco de Keegan.  Happy Birthday to my sweet little grand baby.

PS; her litter sister, Kenny, is pretty special also!!

Carnation milk - 65 YEARS AGO

A little old lady from Wisconsin had worked in and around her family dairy farms since she was old enough to walk, with hours of hard work and little compensation.

When canned Carnation Milk became available in grocery stores in approximately the
1940s, she read an advertisement offering $5,000 for the best slogan.

The producers wanted a rhyme beginning with 'Carnation Milk is best of all.' She thought to herself, I know all about milk and dairy farms. I can do this!

She sent in her entry, and several weeks later, a black limo pulled up in front of her house. A man got out and said, "Carnation LOVED your entry so much, we are here to award you $2,000 even though we will not be able to use it!"

ABCD - Will You Take Part?

Gary France over at USA Tour on a Harley - Davidson came up with this idea.

A Bloggers Centerline Day, or ABCD, will take place on Sunday 1st May 2011.

The plan is to inspire as many bloggers as possible to go outside and take a photograph of themselves on this day, wherever they are in the world. The photo can be creative, arty, contain more than one person, be in any type of location and can contain anything else you like. It must however contain the centerline of a road and at least part of you, the blogger.

There are 5 rules....

Rule 1 - the picture must be taken on 1st May 2011.

Rule 2 - the picture must be of yourself, and you must be a person that publishes a blog. You can include whatever else you like in the picture, including other people if you wish.

Rule 3 - the picture must include the centerline of a road.

Rule 4 – you should publish the picture on your blog on 1st May 2011, along with a few words about the picture and why you chose that location or pose.

Rule 5 - when you have posted the picture on your own blog, put a comment on http://garysusatour.blogspot.com/2011/04/abcd-will-you-take-part.html and include in that comment the address of your own blog post containing your own picture.

Gary France will then pick his favourite photos and publish these as being the winners. There will be a prize of $100 awarded to the overall single winner, as chosen by Gary.
In order to get this event known as widely as possible, please copy and paste this posting onto your own blog, including the title. Please do that today!
As a reminder to yourself to take the photo and post it, put an entry into your diary for 1st May 2011.
Let’s see if we can get as any people to join in as possible.