The Hypocrisy of Self-Gratitude

I've let this slide for a while, but it's time to speak up. Since the most recent earthquake in New Zealand it's become impossible to ignore the disgusting hypocrisy of people in this country and the modernized Western nations in general.

When a major earthquake struck Haiti a year or so ago, there was a huge reaction and outpouring of support to 'help'. Every worthless celebrity and average 'slacktavist' couldn't shut up about how important it was to donate money to help Haiti. Money, it's always about money. The reality is, Haiti was a shit hole long before a natural disaster came along, and it will continue to be a shit hole into the distant future. No amount of money is going to change that. Whether it was caused by some pathetic form of white guilt or just some selfish need to feel better about oneself by sending $20 off into the ether just to say, 'I helped'.

Now, two major earthquakes, larger in magnitude than what struck Haiti, occur in the area of Christchurch in the last six months. Where is response from the people of this fucked up country?? It doesn't seem to have the same value to help a small, modernized country as it does a cess pool, third world 'nation'. People in New Zealand are effectively being punished for being industrious, hard working, and actually maintaining building standards that ensure everyone's house doesn't fall over in the first stiff wind to come along. Sorry New Zealand, you don't have your hands out to the rest of the world everytime there's trouble so no one cares about helping you. Where are all the Facebook pages and P Diddy on TV begging everyone to help? No where.

I could write a book about this, but I won't. I simply have faith in what I've seen on my visits to NZ, one of the most beautiful places in this world. Like anywhere else, every person in NZ is not a saint. But what they do have is a majority population of tough, self-reliant people that don't sit around crying with their hands out when times are tough. They get off their asses and do the work that needs to be done to take care of themselves and their country. A work ethic a lot of people here could learn from.

Geometry Gone Wrong

Made a new headlight set up for the Evo. I robbed the 5 3/4" I had on it for my Sportster and I had recently picked up the two small lights so what the fuck. I liked the way the rectangular lights fall in with the space between the triple trees and the bascially rectangular opening in the Attack bars. Dig it.

Keep It Coming

Good progress on the Slingshot today. This bike is going to be great.



The front end is squared away: Bars/risers mounted, Fab Kevin front brake setup mounted and the brake bled, custom throttle setup, and headlight mounted.

Custom rearsets, brake side done.

They Can't All Be Gems

This is what the inside of a fucked up Triumph engine looks like. I pulled the head off the other day and it wasn't good. There was actually quite a bit more dirt/rust/whatever in the cylinders but I got most of it out before I took the pic. Oh well, this one's pretty much a boat anchor, but I can still tear the rest of the motor down and learn a few things about how it's put together.

Perception is Reality

If you didn't know better, you'd think we were discussing something very technical. In reality, Tommy is describing how much air he caught off of one of the huge rocks in the 'road' out of the campground in Arkansas on last year's Long Road.

Sunday and Things are Alright

Jam Packed like a Hooker on 2 for 1 Friday

The shop is full. Concentrated efforts to start clearing out some space are underway. Simplify.

I love mirrors

The Tale of Southern Dicks Penetrating South Texas

One week and a good 2500 miles divided into two 20 hour, straight through truck rides, and Jimmy, Tommy, and I made it back from San Antonio more or less unscathed. We got to spend some good times with our favorite Texan Chris Nelson and enjoy his unique brand of laid back hospitality. We also 'enjoyed' a rare winter storm and some of the coldest weather in South Texas history.


Chris' 60's era aluminum bodied hot rod bread truck. Built big block and a level of awesomeness that few four wheeled vehicles can compare to.


Me at the wheel of the Bread Truck from Hell, just to my right is the beastly engine that sends this fucker down the road 3 times faster than it was ever meant to go.


The four of us basking in the glow of having just finished bringing Tommy's bike back up to code and ready for another summer of heavy miles.


We made a couple trips to Austin and had the chance to hang out with Bacon, the original Canadian Kid. He just recently moved to Austin to further his work as the best up and coming vintage motor builder around. We got to check out his top secret shop in it's embryonic stage and things are looking good for him. As long he doesn't fall in with the skinny jeans wearing hipsters that seem to populate Austin he'll be good. Otherwise we'll just ride back down there and beat some sense into him. We're really doing it!

Despite me being sick as a dirty monkey for a good bit of the trip, it was a good time with some good friends. We got to meet a couple Texas cops, ate some great cheap Mexican food, and took a tour of some of the sketchiest gas stations between SC and South Tejas. Trust me Bro!

Living in the Quaker States of America

Stolen from the Horse blog. Apparently since the magazine is carried in Wal-Mart, they can't show a chick's ass in a thong. Sieg Heil Der Wal-Mart!! Fight the power with me by enjoying all that this young lady has to offer.