This is a link to the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary for retired/rescued chimpanzees and orangutans!!! Visit and support their efforts, please.

How ridiculous a term. yes, I live in a cone of uncertainty. CNN sells it as if it were high value information and vital to survival. But really what they are doing is pushing stress, tension, fear and loathing on people who already have enough stress in their lives. True, hurricanes cause death and destruction. True, we need to know where they might cause that death and destruction. But does the drama really do anything to help us move and keep our families and friends safe from harm? Hell no. Turn off your televisions except to get a position and forecast update every few hours. The rest of what you will hear is pure BS.

Moving through the hill country into west Texas is not a subtle transition. From the low rolling hills you dive into scrubby pastures and headlong into scrappy desert. Through the ranch areas south of Marble Falls, I think I saw more Buzzards than ever in my life. Hopefully not a portent of our bovine friends’ health. I did manage a sneak peek at a bunch of wild turkey near a small creek. Had to double check to make sure they weren’t strutting vultures. Anyhow, seemed the day of big birds, didn’t see much else in terms of wildlife. Did see some livestock…goats and lots of ‘em. some with black heads and white butts and some with white heads and black butts. Saw a few alpaca too. Mostly, i saw asphalt.

The speed limit on I-10 in west Texas is 80mph. It appears to be optional as well, to many of those infected by the Texas Big Truck syndrome. I think I peeled some of my face off. Once I stopped in Ft Stockton, I became reacquainted with flies. For some reason there are far fewer flies in New Orleans…here, they live with you everywhere you go.

Oh…and one more thing. Always pack a wine glass, drinking out of styrofoam SUCKS!

Seventy degree turns, blind hills, and Texas-sized gravel…wild riding near Lake Travis outside Austin. The limestone gravel, they call it that, is more like small boulders. Using weary overstretched leg, crotch and arm muscles I managed to coax the Pig (the new name for this Road King) up the steep, curvy hills. But the “gravel” almost kicked both of our asses. Almost.

It didn’t rain, not really. A few drops and when I left Janet’s (the client) home near Lake Travis, the Pig was a little damp. Once we hit the road she behaved nicely, perhaps sans luggage. Managed a couple of smooth curves and starts. Still need to take a pic of the Pig, maybe loaded, tomorrow. Meanwhile I am going to get in the hot tub.

oh…one more thing. Last night’s post was funny to me, mostly because of the miserable picture attached to it. Its good to laugh at one’s self. He was NOT happy.

Today really made up for it, though. The hills near the lake are filled with life. Many, many birds. Finches, jays, doves, small flitting things, hummingbirds overwhelmed. Janet’s stories of the critters about we fabulous…even if tragic at times.

The best fare by far at the laQuinta Inn in Round Rock has to be the wild blueberry muffins. Somehow I managed to crank open my eyelids long enough to slog down to the “free continental breakfast” area and snag a banana…and a muffin.

Yesterday’s ride was wildly varied from hades hot to swampass chilly. But it was consistently wet. After 8 hours off the road, i still feel waterlogged. Today I’m in Austin meeting with a client and chilling on Lake Travis. Mostly I think I’ll be resting my bones.

The Harley-Davidson Road King I am on ran well but feels like an overweight pig. I guess that’s where the moniker “Hog” comes from. Iron porcine monsters. Maybe after a few days on the road my attitude will change. But I am neither impressed by the bike, nor inclined to recommend it to anyone. There are so many other (less expensive) choices out there for a bike of this type.

Granted, it seems very reliable, even when put through some serious paces. Yesterday it spent about two hours cooking my hams while sitting in bumper to bumper creeping traffic that was detoured off the highway due to some serious accidents (weather-related). The bike didn’t miss a beat. But the heat coming off the air-cooled 96 inch engine was brutal. Another thing is the bike can handle all the crap i strapped to it. I’ll post a pic to remember that by. It more fits my rather large frame, especially will all the stuff. But I still prefer the ride a custom cruiser. Speaking of which check out Sucker Punch Sally! My new favorite shop-built custom.

Today looks warm and dry, i am headed out to ride!

Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.

This weekend taught me a few really cool things. I love learning, so its been a good weekend. First, there is an amazing, beautiful, artistic study of our collective and individual expression of emotion. Check out “We Feel Fine” at http://www.wefeelfine.org/.

There is also at least one company that is working to make solar energy capture affordable for multiple uses in building materials and other products. The work being done at Konarka is fantastic and should have a major impact as we move toward renewable energy sources. www.konarka.com

“When we fall on the ground it hurts us, but we also need to rely on the ground to get back up.”

~Kathleen McDonald

Now this is an excellent way to recycle and reduce a huge waste of resources…a composting toilet! But what a crappy name, The Envirolet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day

There is a transmission meditation group forming in New Orleans. If you would like to participate, please let me know and I will give you the information. This is a great opportunity to help others while helping yourself. It is the perfect expression of sharing the abundance we have been given during this time of resurrection and rebuilding.

Please help spread the word: Pangea Day, a movement to bring our planet’s human population together as one, happens on May 10th. Check it out!

i love you in a way that transcends everything that we think we know and understand. i love you from the core of our universe….from the beginning of all time….from the farthest reaches of thought to the most intimate ticklish places of your body. i love you. everything else is superfluous in the light of that love.