old-timer

The USA is really over digitized and inward-looking. When someone mentioned 'manual labor', they thought it was he name of the Mexican president..

April 7 American folk singer/songwriter John Prine (73) died of Corona. Here's a tribute... John Prine - When I Get To Heaven

A honda with the boxer engine, that's new You sure ?

Now thát would have made a difference. Like it did for Six... Just admit it... they never stood a chance... ! The wise man made a wise decision... So stop Trumping about (new verb, referring to Trump's slandering tongue) and live with it !

So you think that you can steel my wife's birthday and expect me to congratulate you ? Hah... ??? No way !!! H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! Have a nice day Stu !

My first home computer was a Commodore 16. It had the same (stronger) processor as the 'new' Com 64 (called plus/4 or something), which was to replace the original Com 64. This never happened though. Well, not on a scale that Commodore hoped. Mainly because there was so much software for the old Com 64 that would not run on the new Com 64, that people never bothered to replace their old indestructible C64. If I'm not mistaken, there also was a 128 K version, but that never made it either for the same reason. And when the first PC came, it was 'game over' for hobby computers... Generally speaking. Anyway, the reason for me to buy the C16 was that it had a set of Basic commands that made it easy to make music on it. Without 'peeking and poking'.... And I was more interested in music than in hobby computers. What else I did do though was teaching my girls to make simple programs in Basic and getting them a bit acquainted with computers And I bought a few games for them (or maybe they came with the Com 16 when I bought it) so they could play with it and thus get used to 'Computing'. Unlike my colleagues, I had a 'life' outside work. Mainly concerning music (active and passive), motorbikes (also as a part time instructor) , reading (history books), playing volley-ball and hobby a bit on my house... So after a days work, I did not care much for computers, I had other interests. Whereas my colleagues came home, locked themselves in their 'hobby rooms' and got to 'work' on their hobby computers, and later of course their PC's, till bed time.... and beyond. So next morning they could hardly keep their eyes open at work. And their hobby cost a fortune; always buying the latest, fastest, largest memory... Now I could understand how this computer hobby 'grabs' you, if they had some other profession, like carpenter, salesman, bookkeeper, farmer or whatever... But... we were : It-professionals ! In my case since 1969. We worked with computers the whole day, every day ! Don't get me wrong, I liked my work. I've done it all my life. It was very interesting and I've seen the whole range of developments, from punch-card up until smartphones. But I just cannot understand how people who are working with computers can have no other interest than... computers. Of course after the Com 16 I did have PC's or laptops too. But I still don't care much for games or video's or 'social' media. Well OK... a motorbike forum or 2, but that's about bikes, not computers. I've got a lot time off now, being retired, but I'd rather listen to music, or make music , or go for a walk or, better even, get up my bike and ride... But don't let this stop you, computer freaks...! Just be happy in whatever you like to do ! And fortunately there are always a few who do it for the benefit of others... They are called mods !

I can see that you did not do it the 'Oscar way'... Otherwise you would have said thanks to your father and mother, grandparents, your partner, children, neighbors, the queen, Boris, dentist, bike dealer, the army, Dutch forum members, red light district, local pub, NHS, BBC... and what not... Thank you for not doing that ! 'Preciate it.

Well done guys ! I'm always holding my breath when volunteers are needed for job like this. I know from experience when I was chair of the Dutch MZ-Club; just try to find them. Many people want to enjoy forums and clubs, but when it comes down to volunteering... Apparently there were more candidates, and that shows that it's a real good bunch in here ! Again, well done (all of you). Thanks and good luck !

And that's exactly why these threads are so nice; you get acquainted with music that you would normally never hear. And like (some of) it ! Next : Joe Bonamassa & Larkin Poe - Spoonful

As it happens, after I removed the front mudguard and the fork bridge, I noticed that the bridge could do with a little TLC. So I cleaned it, painted it with Hammerite and hung it to dry in my 'workshop'... Looking all nice and black again...

I do love my bike, but what made it a bit urgent was that the fork was leaking oil on my brake calliper. Don't want any oil there ! And this is where the rubber goes...

Replacing front fork seals. In a somewhat primitive 'man-cave'. More like 'man-canvas' really. But it works... Got a roof over my head and, more important, over my bikes' delicate parts.... Did the left one (culprit; was leaking...) yesterday... will do the right one today. Putting on some rubber protection at the same time... Takes my mind off the terrible weather.

Thank you for your sympathy, but there is more... Now I hate to be dramatic (really ? ), but what makes it worse is the fact that every year, in Whitsun or Pentecost weekend, there is a huge musical event in my home town center. It is called: "Jazz in Duketown". Starting on friday it lasts 4 days and 4 nights. There are several stages, some small, but some really big (on the 2 squares in the town) where, in an international line up, bands are playing. It used to be a real 'jazz only' festival, but since interest in jazz music has been declining now for many years, all kinds of music are played by all kinds of bands and performers. Now since I was going to my musical biker meeting in Germany these last 9 years, I always missed this event in town. But that was choice, and though I regretted not being here, I could live with the situation. The only time I would ever be able to enjoy Jazz in Duketown would be if, for some reason, I would not be able to go to Germany. So this year there was 'some reason' called Corona. But guess what... Big fat double sulk !!! But I'm OK now... It's all in the past...

And why are you checking on men who are checking out other men's arses ? (Unless you are the other boater of course...).

I do feel sorry for the rooster though... So close, yet sooo far...

I'm sulking... Big time... Pentecost weekend is the one weekend I'm really looking forward to. I'd normally go to a musical biker camping weekend in south Germany. Local bands and singer/songwriters are playing every night of the weekend, as well as visiting bikers who bring their instruments along. And I'm one of them, being a 'regular' in the line up for the last 9 years. This would have been the 10-th... Now there have been no rallies and meetings this spring so far, but I don't mind... But this weekend... It hurts... German government decided to loosen Corona restrictions starting June 1-st... Larger groups are allowed now and campings will open up as of tomorrow. But the news that this was 'probably' going to happen came too late. So the organizers had to skip this event altogether... So, I'm sulking... Big time... Previous meetings...

Years ago, when horse droppings in the streets were a common sight still, there was a little boy playing with a heap of horse dung. A police officer went up to the boy asking: "so what are you doing young man?". The boy replied: "Molding a postman". "Now why should you do that", the constable asked. "Well, postmen are sh*t", the boy said. He threw the dung back on the heap and started molding something new. The officer asked: "And what might that be ?". "Schoolteacher", the boy said. Again he threw the dung back on the heap and started to scrape as much dung as he could. The policeman thought he knew what was coming, and trying to outsmart the boy he said: "I get this feeling that a police officer will be next, right ?". "No !". "No ? Why not ?". "Not enough sh*t" the boy replied.

The song "The Corona Shuffle" was inspired by situations 'in the street' where people carefully and nervously try to find ways (literally) to pass each other by at 1,5 meter (5 feet) distance. It often looks like people dancing around each other, hence Corona Shuffle. Though some just couldn't bother...

Man goes to the Amsterdam red light district and tells one of the girls: "I will pay you 500 Euros if you have sex with me. But... I do fancy to slap you afterwards". Girl says: "Ok I guess, but how long will you slap me for ?". Man says: "Till you give me back the money"...

Joe Bonamassa - "Driving Towards The Daylight" Headphones on, volume on max, eyes closed.... Enjoy !