RickkciR

  I post a lot of political BS. I honestly don't lean one direction or another. I'm just not blind and know the diff' between Good and Evil. Back in '16 Hillary should have lost her security clearance as a minimum. Instead, the swamp turned their heads and hoped she'd get in. Ol' Don ... I wasn't a fan. I was in shock he was even in the running. Shocked he made it to the final ticket. I had no choice but to vote for him. There was no other option. Then, we endured 4 years of his bantering and posts/tweets..... but ... my life was good. Our Country was doing Great. He was ... is .. the right man for the Job at this point in time. Last time around, voting for him was a no brainer. Many of us watched an election that we deemed/believed to be well. how do I say it without getting banned again .... let's just say ... I thought I woke up in a third world nation after that election fiasco. Anyone with eyes and a brain knew what had just happene

 Few months ago, upgraded my laptop.  I STILL don't have the new one configured 100% like the old one...  but in all fairness, did I use all them apps anyways?  Still, I need to archive off my old personal email for future reference.  Maybe... tomorrow? Well, week or so ago, noticed my phone was acting up.  Wouldn't stay connected to my Wi-Fi at home.  Then, wouldn't give me a cell tower signal (you know ..5G, 4G .. whatever).  Toggle airplane mode.. sometimes worked.  Reset the power ... sometimes worked. Got deep into the settings and helped... I thought. Then it got to where Wi-Fi worked, calls over Wi-Fi .. but .. no cell tower.  Well, except when I'd roll into the store for help t-shooting .. then .. started working... you know, until I was a few miles down the road after they 'fixed it.'  Well, I finally said F' it , and upgraded to the newest , latest greatest, OMG phone in their lineup.  Looks like the last one.  Performs like the last one (when it w

  Another one in the books.... been doing these trips for over two decades, with my main company / product.  First five years were the Sales Meetings.  Then engineering related meetings.   In the end, they are always a great time for dozens of reasons.  Most importantly you get to reconnect with your peers and folks you do business with.  There is no substitute for it. Last year, I opted for the MGM Signature towers... basically, 1 -2 Bedroom Condos.  Their location is perfect, near the MGM convention center, but ..... out of the gambling mix/chaos. We were a 6/10th mile walk to the ARIA and Planet Hollywood. We were on the MGM casino property.   In the mix, but not the BS.   Still, next year I think I'll leverage some of the other properties I have points with. The changeup this year was that Lucy joined me.  In over two decades, she has never done one of my Vegas work trips.  There have been others to DC, but never this one.  Headed to DFW late morning, obligatory Admirals Club t

Sigh ....  I LOVE Summers.  Always have, always will. As a kid, grew up near the ocean (Cali', Guam, Hawaii). Military days, lot of time at the ocean, especially when stationed in Panama. And in that mix..... ton's of swimming pools, everywhere.  I've always been a pool freak my whole life and continue today.  We've had our own pool for 29 years and ... always will, God willing.  Hell, new home we're prepping to build ... we already have the pool 99% planned out and we haven't even selected whom is going to put it in yet. Last few days, been milking it ... pool here in Tejas is about 85 water temp which is a notch chilly at first (go figure!).  Outside temps in the low 90s this week.  Next week, we creep into the 80s outside.   I'm guessing by next weekend, I'll be rethinking hanging out in the pool.... but I know I'll hang in there until the water is into the 70s and outside temps... as well. On a positive note, we do a lot of time in MS where.... 

Got to tell you .... been a pet peeve probably my entire adult life.  Are you coming or not?   And if so ... bringing anything?  If not ... just let others know.  How fucking hard is that? Well, this past weekend found myself a notch perturbed.   When the smoke clears, the Host(s) have to have some clue how much food and drink they are providing if that's the case.  If it's a 100% BYOB and folks bring all the food, one still has to have a grasp how much space needs to be allocated.  And I've got a twist on it all......  if someone doesn't bring a friggn thing, how about tip the Host(s) in a tip jar for the food they provided?  Now .. there has to be a tip jar and most people with class won't put one up .. but ... one could at least ask? Now that all being said... the situation I'm referring to all worked out fine. The Host(s) had planned ahead with options to ensure there would be enough food for all no matter what.  They even provided drinks.  Most folks that r

Felt lil weird the last couple of years.  Used to going 100mph and trying to catch my breath between trips.  Lucy bitches .. I mean... complains..   .. I mean .. questions ..  why we are always going to Mexico.  Why we're always headed here and there.  To be honest, the shit can wear one out!  And .. I get it .. sort of.  Still, been way too long since we traveled south of the border. Well, back to holding on for the ride!   Last year did a lot of Motorcycle trips! Then, jumped in our Cage and did Cali' twice (Bday and Wedding) with Peanut in tow. But Mexico ... it's been since Nov '22 since we've been down there.  Hell, we almost bought a condo on the water this year down there, sight unseen .. but ... I had a few brain cells light up and passed on the opportunity.   Well....   now ...  we're back in the groove. Last night I booked a trip with the Fosters to Cozumel this fall.  Along the way, I'm all over the map with CVMA events all year and several more c

Been spending a lot of time on 2 wheels lately.  And when I do, the mind has time to wander ...  think about things ...  plan ahead ..  remember things of the past.  Funny thing is, I've realized my give a shit about this and that, has changed a lot.  Or has it? My biggest priority in life .. and has been for decades ... my 2 girls .  My bride and my baby girl.  Now that Jess has gotten married, I worry less and less in that department.  Her new Hubby is a rockstar and my concerns now are minimal.  Lucy's health overall is great.  She and I both agree she's going to outlive my ass.  But she's always on my mind.  With me working from home the last few decades, we are together basically 24/7.  She's my anchor; my rockstar. The older and wiser we get, the better our relationship is. Hell, when I take short trips now whether it be business related or personal (rare), we joke it's a lil vacation from each other.  Nowadays, I don't like traveling alone, but until

 Just has a great motorcycle related weekend at a  Tri State blowout in Jefferson !  I wrote about here ( click here) I've been planning this since last year. But it changed locations/venues to Jefferson TX which is a nice town and I'd only been a few times.  The last few times I'd attended this event I rolled in early, back before dark. This time I got us a Bed n' Breakfast downtown that was pet friendly assuming we'd be bringing Peanut.  To say they are Pet Friendly is an understatement.  Folks rolled in with one ... two ... sometimes three Fidos!  Still, it's a nice place and I'd visit anytime without a pet.   Now here was the real kicker.  I'd chose that for Peanut (whom passed away last month). What I didn't see coming was the FOOD!   One of the Owners (Jessi) is a top notch Chef (Jessi) is a top notch Chef and breakfast alone is worth the trip!  Daily Breakfast and drinks (unlimited Bloody Mary's and Mimosas if you are inclined) are includ

Wouza ... 37 awesome years behind us since we tied the knot.  Over 38 years since I got her on the back of my motorcycle and tried to swoon her (unsuccessfully that night).  Soon after tying the knot, we deployed overseas where our daughter was conceived/born.  Lucy has been through over two dozen of my long TDY/Deployments.   We've been to multiple countries together over that time frame.  The last thirty years or so, lived in the Great State of Texas.  Now, we're preparing for the next phase of our lives.   The final piece of the puzzle. Got the land... now.....  need to finalize the house plans.   By the time we're celebrating 38, should be in a different office, different view, probably still working... lol Bring it on!

 Damned.... two guys I work with ....  are preparing to pull the plug.  One is older, other is about ten years younger.  I know it's coming, but dragging my feet.   Thinking... two more years.  Why not, I keep asking myself.  I could have pulled the plug a few years ago.  Hell, my dad did it at age 55. The younger buddy of mine is doing it to enjoy life, less stress.  The older guy, shit is changing at his company and the headaches aren't worth the BS.  The stories he tells me of the crazy fux they are hiring making their lives painful, sounds excruciating. Me ....  at some level, still enjoying the ride.  But ... but ...   the day is coming.  Have to admit when I check the work email inbox and it's quiet... puts a smile on my face.  But .... paychecks are addicting. Almost time......

 Crazy part is I bought my bike several months ago on a whim.  Was fat, dumb and happy on my Chieftain. Lets go back two decades.  Owned a Kawi' Vulcan 1500.  That, was a nice sized bike. Then in '09 got a Kings Mountain Chief.  That .. was a big bike.  I was sitting on a few Victory Cross Countrys along the way...   Big Bikes!   Then I got a '14 Chieftain and .. they shrunk them.  Had to lower the boards, change out the seat and the bars and ... they were comfortable.  Along the way, owned 3 HDs ...  were't big bikes (Road King, Street Glide and Road Glide). Well, the Challenger... is a big bike! Now, I'm sitting with my feet firmly planted , straight legged.  The length feels correct to me.  Out the gate, comfortable!  I did change out the bars to some taller ones, but in all fairness .... I'm 6'4".  Over the last 4 months I've acquired two challengers.  I chose not to get a pursuit which is basically a Challenger with the lowers and tour pak.  I

 About 17 years ago, our daughter while in college asked if we'd chip in financially to get her a new puppy.  I don't remember if it was 300 or 500, but I was initially thinking "oh hell no!" .. get a mutt, for free!   Well, I got out voted by the two women in my life and ponied up the cash.  In hind sight, best money I've ever spent .... She and a girlfriend each got Puggles, that were siblings.  Male and Female.   I'd never heard of a Puggle back then; a breed that initiated from Pugs and Beagles.   Best of both worlds I guess.   Well, soon she visited us and brought the lil guy home.  Once in the home, he was on fire.  Jumping on all the furniture, hauling ass throughout the home.  I was soon yelling for my daughter to get control of him, before he ruined my furniture.  Before he broke something in the house.  Lets just say by the time she got him under control, tears were flowing and I looked like an asshole. We had a couple of labs at the time and they we