Moorhead, MN, and North Dakota floods 2009 slideshow

Click on the title below to watch the YouTube slideshow.

"If it keeps on raining,snowing the levee's going to break."

Fargo, ND flood

I must apologize to those of you whose blogs I regularly read and comment on, and apologize for lack of posting. I've been swamped with work as of late, and been working 12-13 hour days away from home. For those of you who don't know, I am an insurance adjuster. I've been away at Fargo, ND, and outlying suburbs handling claims for flooding. The Red River is Fargo's main concern right now, although other rivers, ditches, and just about anything that could flood here has. The Red River is now being estimated to crest at 43 feet. If this happens, and they don't get the dikes built high enough, fast enough, the whole city of Fargo will potentially flood. The dikes were only going to be able to handle 41 feet. Thank God for the fact that Fargo has three colleges around, and almost all of the students pitched in to lend a hand for several days sand bagging, and building up the dikes. There has been help from all over the country helping sand bagging. It is truly amazing what people will do for each other. Regarding sand bags, some trivia for you...From what I'm told, it takes approximately 70 sand bags to raise the dike one foot, and that is only for one foot of width. This is due to the pyramid effect of the sand bag dike construction. That my friends is a lot of friggin sand bags. Right now, I'm dealing with flooded basements, failing sump pumps, and sewage back up claims, not whole flooded houses. Hopefully I won't have to deal with whole flooded houses. I hope it doesn't go there. The flood waters are right up to the road sides in many areas, and fields look like the great lakes. Furthermore to insult to injury, we just had a blizzard two days ago, and it has snowed almost continually since then. Only the main roads are getting any plow service, as they have the city crews concentrating on building and maintaining dikes, not plowing streets. This makes for some awfully slow going, and the roads are slippery with compacted snow turned into ice. If you slide off the road, in many areas, you're going to go right into cold flood waters. I saw a truck in a flooded ditch yesterday. I've seen flooded tractors, and all kinds of things like it here. Then to top it all off, there are closed roads that are under water all over. The detouring you have to do to get around here, on top of the poor road conditions, is making the claims handling process go very slow. There are some areas with claims that we can't even get to until the water recedes. Oh yeah, don't forget about the fact that more snow, means more melt off to help feed the river. It's been really cold, so hopes are it stays this way until the river recedes a bit, and then melts SLOWLY. One problem they are having with the cold though is that frozen sand is not as water tight as wet soft sand. They dikes are leaking in some areas due to this. There was also an ice flow that damaged part of one of the dikes that needed repair. All in all this is just plain NOT GOOD!

I'm getting excited that I get to go home this weekend to see my family. But I am behind on home life in general, so no chance to get caught up on the internet.

I miss all of you, my internet buddies. I look forward to getting caught up, "someday". I'm on call to go back up to Fargo, and handle claims again depending on volume. I pray for the folks here that I don't have to come back to handle a total city flood.

When I get a chance, I'll try to post some pictures. I've got some really cool ones.

TTFN

Honda Odyssey

Designed around the concept of emotive quality that will move all who experience it, the new fourth generation Honda Odyssey provides an advanced fusion of the human/machine interface, a liberated feeling for all occupants, and a distinctive presence. So, the all-new Odyssey was developed with the goal of generating strong feelings in every circumstance: riding in it, driving it, and looking at it.

To fulfill customer expectations for excellent fuel economy related to growing awareness of environmental issues, the all-new Honda Odyssey is equipped with a 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped CVT, a combination that enables the vehicle to achieve both superior performance and class leading fuel economy of 13.2km/L. Moreover, the all-new Odyssey features DBW (drive-by-wire) control and an ECON mode which improves fuel economy by applying collaborative control of the CVT and air conditioner to reduce engine load.

Exterior design

• The exterior is designed around a concept of sensual dynamism, with richly contoured surfaces to express both dynamism and solidity for conveying elegance and power.
• The front view features sharp graphics, with headlights flowing out from the chromed bumper center portion and a sculpted V-line extending up over the hood from the front grill to impart a sense of speed and power. The narrow headlights add an intrepid feel.
• The side view features a fluid silhouette with a one-motion line from front nose to roof end. This combines with the strongly contoured surface in an expression of sleekness and power.
• For the rear view, the cabin has been strongly tapered and the rear window rounded to impart a compact feel for the cabin. Horizontally oriented rear combination lights add a feeling of breadth.
• The voluptuous body contours are further highlighted with a super platinum coating.
• Six color variations are available, including two new colors.

Interior design

• The interior is designed to achieve an advanced feel in a refined and comfortable space.
• The double-layered, gently sculpted instrument panel imparts a feeling of comfort and spaciousness.
• The 3D self-illuminating gauges and indicator lamps are laid out around the centrally positioned speedometer in a 3D arrangement and grouped into functional zones for instantaneous recognition.
• The audio, climate control, and navigation controls are positioned for easy operation in a highly intuitive center panel.
• The front seat cushions employ low-resistance urethane for low fatigue and an outstanding hold.
• A telescopic & tilt steering mechanism helps maintain the optimum driving position.
• Power train
• The 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine combines outstanding fuel economy with powerful performance, featuring class-topping 13.2km/L and strong, torquey response at all speed ranges.
• The torque converter-equipped CVT combines outstanding fuel economy with smooth and seamless acceleration, for a more comfortable driving feel in a wide range of situations.
• Efficiency improvements and weight reduction in the engine and transmission have helped boost fuel economy, while ECON mode supports even more economical operation.
• Utility
• The second-row seats feature a three-way split back that allows the left, right, and center seatbacks to be independently folded down, allowing a variety of seating arrangements with a single action.
• The third-row seats employ an under-floor storage mechanism to create a flat, easy to use luggage space.
• The tailgate has been made thinner and shaped to secure more luggage space than the previous model. The luggage space is even easier to use, with a flat floor and a flexible luggage board that extends all the way to the backs of the second-row seats when the third-row seats are stowed.

Body

• Improved joint efficiency at the upper and lower front pillar ends and other innovations result in a frame construction with outstanding rigidity. Optimized front/rear rigidity balance and stronger joints throughout also contribute greater dynamic rigidity.
• Strong, lightweight, high-tensile steel has been effectively deployed along with a larger cross-sectional area to allow the use of thinner materials while ensuring efficient strengthening.
• Road and wind noise have been kept to an absolute minimum by reducing sources of noise and vibration while making the body and chassis more rigid throughout to effectively prevent the vibrations caused by engine and road noise from reaching the cabin. Damping and absorption materials are also strategically located to block out unwanted noise.

Chassis

• The low center-of-gravity chassis combines nimble handling with a comfortable ride for all occupants.
• In the front, a double-wishbone suspension delivers outstanding straight-line stability and ride comfort.
• In the rear, the reactive-link, double-wishbone suspension achieves a compact design that significantly contributes to the low-floor platform.
• A more compact powertrain and innovative body design secure ample tire turning angle to achieve an outstanding, class-leading minimum turning radius of 5.4m.

Driver support functions

• Active Cruise Control (ACC) and the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) help alleviate the burden on the driver during highway driving. Availability varies depending on the type.
• All types come equipped standard with Motion Adaptive EPS, which works in concert with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to provide steering assistance for more stable vehicle control.
• Camera images are displayed on the navigation screen to reduce blind spots around the vehicle and facilitate smoother parallel and garage parking, as well as enhancing feelings of safety and security when driving along narrow roads or approaching 3-way intersections where visibility is poor. The Multi-view Camera System is available as a factory option on all types.

Safety

• The vehicle's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body provides a higher level of protection to vehicle occupants while also helping to mitigate impact on the other vehicle in a collision.
• The vehicle is also designed to mitigate pedestrian injury in the event of a collision, particularly to the head and legs, thanks to the use of impact-absorbing structures.
• The Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) with E-Pretensioners (driver and front passenger seats) helps anticipate collisions and mitigate injuries and vehicle damage should an accident occur. Availability varies depending on the type.
• A side-curtain airbag system helps mitigate head injuries due to a side collision in all three rows. Availability varies depending on the type.
• ISO FIX-compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether anchors (left and right second-row seats) are standard on all types.

Environmental performance

• All models are certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as having emissions levels 75% lower than what is required by 2005 standards.
• The M, L, and Li FWD types exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 25%; the M, L, and Li 4WD types by 10%; and the Absolute by 5%.

AN IRISH BLONDE IN A CASINO

Sorry this one is so late on St. Patty's day, but just had my first chance to sit at the computer today at 8:30 P.M. Central.

Anyway, I just got this emailed joke, and thought I would share.

Enjoy!


An attractive blonde from Cork , Ireland arrived at the casino.. She seemed a little intoxicated and bet twenty-thousand Euros on a single roll of the dice.
She said, I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when I'm completely nude.

With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and with an Irish brogue yelled, Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!
As the dice came to a stop, she jumped up and down and squealed...YES! YES! I WON, I WON!

She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her winnings and her clothes and quickly departed.

The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded.
Finally, one of them asked, 'What did she roll?
The other answered,
'I don't know - I thought you were watching.

MORAL OF THE STORY -

Not all Irish are drunks,
not all blondes are dumb,
but all men...are men.

Cystic Fibrosis Run

If you are in the Upper East portion of Kansas, or Lower East portion of Nebraska, or Upper West Missouri, then this is the run for you.

Please click on image below to enlarge if you are interested.

Finally after all this time, the puzzle is complete!

Back on April 29th, 2008, I did a post called Motorcycle Puzzle has whole family puzzled.

Motorcycle Scramble Squares not in order


My 13 year old daughter had a friend over this last weekend for a sleep over, and one of the things they accomplished was completing this puzzle that no one has done until now. We've had it for over two years.
I just had to post it for the record.

Motorcycle Scramble Squares in order!

Happy Friday the 13th all! As bikers we should all know about Lucky 13.

It's Friday, so lets talk FAT TUESDAY!


Or at least, Lets take a looksee at a funny Fat Tuesday Photo!

Spread the word

If you ride motorcycles, or are into motorcycles, please take the time to check out this blog. It is a definite keeper. Well worth the read.


Better Motorcycling

FaceBook

Say, Just what we bloggers need is one more thing to consume our time right?

Anyway, If you haven't noticed on my right side bar, you will see a "Find me on FaceBook" link. I just recently started F.B. for short. I've found lots of old friends from High school, etc, and lots of fellow bloggers as well.

I just had a fellow blogger ask me how to get the badge for his own blog.

Well, her's how:

Go to your FaceBook profile page. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page, and on the left hand side you should see "create a profile badge". Click on it and follow the steps. Select the one you want, and then you add it to your blog like any other HTML add on.

For those of you who have not signed up for the FaceBook Time/life sucker, I encourage you to do so.

Warning! Explicit photo! Dangerous breed dog category...

For those of you who follow my blog regularly, you know how much of an animal lover I am. Good care between our children and our pets must be taken. I find the picture below disturbing,and give you fair warning that what you are about to see is explicit.
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If you are the owner of a dog that belongs to a "dangerous breed" category, and you also have a small child , or children, please take this as a warning.

Do not leave your small children with a dog unattended under any circumstances. It only took a few short moments for the following to happen.

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But seriously folks, vicious dogs are in every breed, and so are nice dogs. It's all in the way they are trained, and loved. I've seen vicious chihuahuas. You don't see them on a dangerous breed list.

New Vs. Old, or shall we say educated.

A very self-important 20something year old was just dying to show off the new crotch rocket he had recently acquired.
He was attending his very first biker rally ever. He was chumming around with some of his young biker friends, and took it upon himself to explain to an elderly group of bikers with their full dressers
why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation, and why their bikes were so much cooler.

'You and your Geezer Glides grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one,' the young man said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. 'The young people of today are much more advanced than people your age. We grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon and the Internet. We have cell phones, nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers, automated manufacturing, amazing technologies, ...and,' pausing to take another drink of beer.

The old biker took advantage of the break in the kid's litany and said, 'You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young.....so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little shit, what are YOU doing for the next generation?'

The applause amongst the crowd was resounding...

I love old bikers. You can learn so much!

motorcycle models

motorcycle models

motorcycle models

motorcycle models

Toot Toot!

I wasn't going to do it, first of all because I didn't like the rules about listing only (5) other fabulous blogs. Hell let's just face it, I don't like rules.

But someone... Baron, who gave me the award, prodded me.

"Mr. Motorcycle Sir.... You are Funny man.
You should get on with it and process your Fabulous Blog Award..There is no time limit on when you can do it."


So here I am "tooting my horn" for you.

First off, not only did I not like all the rules, But I didn't like the picture.... either.

In my opinion...Considering this is a motorcycle blog, something like this would be a bit more appropriate.


Here are the rules to receiving this award:
1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post. (NOT GONNA HAPPEN) too many good ones.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions:
On your post receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.


So here are my addictions: (No particular order per line, but in order 1-5)
1. My Wife, My kids, My pets and My friends.

2. My Harley, I love everything about it. Suddenly, I feel the need for speed.

3. My Dodge Charger, (ditto above)

4. The internet, computers, and technogadgets, including music, Ipods, etc. (Excluding video games. I hate that shit.)

5. Tools of all kinds. This includes all of the things I get to build, create, paint, fix, remodel, etc. with these tools. (P.S. Art supplies count as tools in my book.)


My Fave Five blogs. Well, you know.... Rules were made for Sheeple.

Thanks Baron for thinking of me. If I was going to list some of the good ones, I'd be sure to mention you.

What's in a name?

Road names, Many of us have one, many of us don't.

Blog names, Most of us got.

A road name is traditionally not picked by the bearer of the name, but rather is bestowed upon them by a fellow rider of a group. Usually for something they have done, or in a way a right of passage earned in many cases.

A road name can be simply a nickname, a joke of sorts, or an honorable title.

I have no road name, as I do not typically ride in groups, or belong to a MC, or even a HOG chapter. I have a blog name that was bestowed onto me by an anonymous blogger, and to keep names secret, decided that when talking about me, Mr. Motorcycle was fitting. So when I started my blog, the name just fit, and it stuck.

The stories behind the names are what truly make them interesting.

Here is your chance to tell us your story weather it is about your blog name, or road name, or both. Weather you gave the name(s) yourself, or had it/them given to you, let's hear your story!