Haven't seen one of these from Penny and I'm probably breaking a few rules by jumping in here - so be it.

There's some people here who are not happy with other people here. Nothing new. The quantity is a bit more than we're used to, but the world is growing and so too is the population of Harley riders. So I think we're on track in regards to the level of noise. If you've been here a long while though, it's noticeable and there's a natural longing for "the way it was". Human enough response.

It was a bad year for a lot of people - we've had some riders down, lost friends and family, sometimes tragically. Death has called on my family again this year and it paid a house call on our friends in New York. There's stress in the world that ranges from fear of anthrax to two nuclear bullies trying to bluster the other into blinking. This one bears watching. There is certainly more wearing on the minds of people everywhere - as well as here at the VB&G. It shows. It comes across in the conversations, the prolonged "I said - you said" drivel that usually passes in a few iterations. It's there to see if you look.

This year was a bad one for my wife and me in terms of this interest we all share. My wife's mother died a day after my wife left for a much deserved vacation to Spain. We both felt a crushing hurt across 11,000 miles of fiber and copper. There is no good way you can tell the most imporant woman in your life that she's lost her mother. We canceled our lives for months while we helped each other and her family dismantle the home that had been a safe harbor for nearly 60 years. It is truly profound to see what little remains of people's lives once they've been taken from us. You all think about that.

Then came September 11 and we're still reeling from it. Somewhere in all that the .com implosion came to call and staying employed became a challenge. More stress. Many of you have similar stories - you've told them. This year we were able to put in only 4,000 miles on the bike - well below the norm. Stress, no release.

So the year is winding down and things are in a sorry state. Especially here. Look around - it's abysmal, you have to admit. I'm reminded of housing project areas that are run down with filth strewn about, and people who live there looking around for somebody else to do something about it. Well, that's us, folks. We've been shitting in our mess kits, making a mess of things, and now it's time to assess what's left. And do something about it.

There's only one right thing to do. If you don't know what it is you're not the person to do it - stay the fuck out of the way. If you do know, then it's time to start doing it. Here's why it's worth doing. In this past year there were some exceptionally good times that would not have happened without this place. Snarl Party, house warming party at Hoppy's, SNDR and the Cadillac Angles, SLIMEFEST III, Augua Noggin party, an Engine Party at Wolfpup's... And these are just things I did - you all did a lot of stuff too that was the direct consequence of this watering hole and that makes it valuable and worth preserving.

This place needs some cleaning up and some folks have already started. It's time, don't you think, to leave some of the pointless and petty blustering at the door? Time to take a little pride you what you contribute? This is my first shot at it - won't be the last.

Have a happy, healthy, worry free new year. That includes you too, George.

dp -- BS#3, LF#27, AH#95