This past weekend was a lot of fun for me. I rode my quad every day, met up with Cherise at the Valley Motor City cars and coffee event, ate some pizza, and made it over to a friend's place for a llittle get-together with a fire Saturday night. I also did some work around the house cleaning my room, dealing with laundry, doing an oil change on our lawnmower (a total mess), and chainsawing part of a massive tree which fell on our path through the woods during the crazy storms last week. I really wanted to take my boat out to fish, but our Silverado that pulls it is down with a busted transmission line, so I'll return to that idea once it is fixed later this week. No biggie. 

All of this is pretty standard stuff for me to partake in on my days off, but there was something else rather unusual I was invited to do that I am glad to have done. My brother asked me if I wanted to go mushroom foraging, and I wasn't completely sold at first, but decided to entertain the idea anyways. We hopped on my old four-wheeler and hit the woods, and it only took about two minutes for us to discover the motherload. There was a full hillside of this edible mushroom that looks like cheese, so we noted the location to come back to for harvesting and continued looking. 

It quickly became apparent that there are so many different types of fugus native to this area, and I did my best to document every species we encountered via photographs. There were tiny mushrooms the size of my pinky all the way up to some absolute burgers the size of my head or bigger. There were all different shapes, growth stages, colors, and patterns on these mushrooms too, making it difficult to know for certain which were or were not of the same species. My favorite ones that we encountered looked just like the mushrooms from Mario, with the red tops spotted in white dots. 

I really enjoyed being outside in the woods walking around looking for stuff. It almost felt like a side-quest in an RPG video game! Had it not been for the ravenous mosquitos, I could have done it all day. At this point, I don't think there's more than 10 square inches anywhere on my body without a bug bite on it, but I still can't complain; I'm just thankful I haven't had any bad run-ins with poison ivy. 

After harvesting the edible fungus we found, we ended up with a couple pounds. My mother took on the task of washing them up and preparing them for freezing, as there were way too many to try to keep fresh otherwise. Personally, I enjoy eating mushrooms, but they must be on something like a steak or pizza. I have not worked up the courage to try these ones we found yet, but I will.  It was ultimately just fun for me to hang out with my brother, learn a little bit about nature, and explore the woods looking for mushrooms; I would certainly do it again! 

I own my childhood dream car, a Chevy El Camino, and I love it with all my heart. It's the mullet of the automotive world, with business in the front and a party in the back! Though it is difficult to put into any one box, I have it registered as a pickup truck, and it definitely does some truck stuff - like hauling around my quad. Some people choose to call them "crucks." Personally, I think "ute" might be the most accurate description. 

Whatever you classify her as, Eleanor is a 1981 with an older 350 SBC paired to a 3 speed automatic with the stock one-wheel-peel rear end. A lot of work was put into this vehicle sometime around the turn of the century, and I would call it a mild custom. It has aftermarket race seats, a cool paint job, and a built motor. Future mods I'd like to do include an LS swap, big brakes, suspension/steering improvements, and maybe some fresh wheels. 

I baby Eleanor, but I'm not afraid to put the pedal to the metal and get a little squirrelly out there. She rips, and power is never the issue, but rather traction. All the weight in the front and a bed in the back makes for some smoky burnouts. It's a healthy mix between a practical classic Sunday driver and a muscle car, though it is far from immaculate show condition (nor is it a racecar). It's a driver as some may say, but I don't drive my Elky as much as I would like, primarily due to the price of gas and how thirsty the vehicle is for premium fuel. I spend at least three times as much driving anywhere in that as I would in my Civic, but that's the name of the game. 

I'm happy just being behind the wheel of this iconic American ride on any sunny day, but something that really gets a smile on my face is the sound of the exhaust opened up under an overpass. Oh baby! That dual exhaust off those headers is my favorite sound, bar none. I genuinely enjoy talking to strangers about my Elky, and can hardly go anywhere without starting a conversation about it. People either just give me a quick compliment on it, ask about the year and specifications, or tell me about their uncle/brother/friend/mom/etc. who owned one when they were in highschool. 

For as long as I can remember one of my favorite pasttimes has been attending car shows, and this weekend I'm excited for the cars and coffee event at Valley Motor City in the Falls on Saturday morning. It should be a cool event, and Cherise will be making an appearance there from 9-11am with lot's of prizes! I hope to see you there too; here's the link for more information, if you're interested: https://m.facebook.com/events/302996018909275?mibextid=Z0UBBX 

Storms are awesome, unless of course you're on the lawn of Blossom or another outdoor venue waiting for the performers to hit the stage, only to get stuck in monsoon-level rainfall resulting in the cancellation of the show. I personally had a really bad experience with this when I drove all the way to NYC, booked an Airbnb, and attempted to see one of my favorite acts play a music festival. 

It was on an island, and lineups were moved around earlier in the day to attempt to ensure that the headliners still went on. Well, in rearranging the schedule, the organizers actually did the opposite of this. I was front row, up against the crowd divider waiting for my most favorite band to begin, when a message appeared on the big screen announcing the cancellation of the festival for the evening. With this announcement, it was also requested that us concert-goers immediately evacuate the island. You can guess how well that went down, and alongside a mass of others I decided to stand my ground and not go anywhere. 

Oh, what a mistake that was. The rain hit fast and hard, and before I knew it I was amidst a mob of muddy and angry fans with no clear direction on where to go or what to do. It was raining buckets and the intensity of the situation in such an unfamiliar setting had me in fight-or-flight mode. People were flipping tables and borderline rioting. It's difficult to describe how crazy it really was at that time. 

I eventually pushed my way through the masses and made it on a Coast Guard ferry back to the mainland. From there, soaking wet, I walked about fifteen blocks back to where I was staying, in shock and disbelief as to what had just went down. I had originally intended to spend the following day in the Big Apple sightseeing, but after this unfortunate series of events, I packed up and left for home first thing in the morning. Let me tell you, that drive back was miserable, and I spent most of it in silence simply depressed at how my dream concert front row experience became a waking nightmare. Of course I was refunded for the ticket, but that was relatively insignificant in comparison to the money I spent to drive and stay there in Manhatten for the weekend. The worst part was knowing that I was front row and having that forever memory ripped out of my hands by mother nature and poor planning. 

As you can tell from me writing this blog to begin with, I'm far from over it. I can only assume that the festival organizers made the best decisions they could based on the information present at the time, but I still feel like they could have prepared for such a scenario better. There wasn't even any emergency lighting on the island, and I'd be shocked if no one was hurt that night. It was a bad time. 

Wednesday afternoon into the evening, we experienced some intense weather here in northeast Ohio, with lightning cracking throughout the sky and thunderstorms dumping cats and dogs worth of rainfall. It came in waves starting in the early afternoon, cooling things down and dimming the sky; there were some flash floods in the area and everything. I was happy as it made for some awesome pre-work sleeping weather, but it got me thinking back on this festival disaster I had a few years back. I minored in sociology in college, and after some reflection I realized this could be a good way to exemplify how our differences with one another are often fueled by a lack of understanding and compassion. 

It's no secret that our unique individual situations and circumstances influence our reactions and viewpoints. A farmer may need rain for his crops just as much as a house painter needs it to be dry for each to make a living. Without stretching too far, my takeaway that I'd like to extend to you is that when we disagree with others, it is important to take into account what they go through and how that influences their perspectives. Even if you go through what you think is the same thing, it may not be, like a rainy day- in the house opposed to at an outdoor concert venue. As you go through the day today, I ask that you keep this in mind, even if it's as simple as giving grace to someone who seems to have a bad attitude. There's an old saying that goes something like, "the same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg."

Just WOW! If you're into powersports like me, then there's a good chance you may have seen some of the buzz online about Can-Am's new performance side by side, the 2024 Maverick R. It is an absolute monster of a machine with a 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission paired to a 999cc turbocharged inline three cylinder engine, boasting a best in class 240 reported horsepower. I could go on and on about what makes this Polaris killer so special, from it's drivetrain to all of the bells and whistles inside, but I'd even get lost myself in all of the technical jargon. Just know that if you want a side by side and money is no issue, this is the one to get.

What led me to write this is not simply how cool and capable the Maverick R is, but rather the reactions and skepticism from the public (particularly from keyboard warriers in comments sections). The debate is over Can-Am's use of decisive suspension systems that just look weird. The company has dubbed it a heavy-duty-tall-knuckle design, a revolutionary new approach providing a plethora of advantages over traditional suspension setups.

There are 25 inches of front wheel travel and 26 on the rear, allowing for the Maverick R to conquer terrain that other offraders would shy away from. The knuckle is super heavy duty, and the way it is all designed allows for a substantial decrease in stress on surrounding componenets, like an 85% reduction in load on the front upper control arms. That's nuts! If you know anything about these types of rigs, you know they have a tendency to break, especially when it comes to the wheels, suspension, and steering. This pionering design should help alleviate that anxiety by decreasing the probability of breaking down and being stranded when you're out on the trails.

Additionally, this beast has nearly a foot and a half of ground clearance with a class leading 77 inch wheel base, which comes in handy when attempting all the ruts that the Jeeps and other road-goers have dug out.

What's most impressive to me is that the physics behind Can-Am's suspension have improved the center of gravity on the Maverick R, effectively reducing the vehicle's tendency to roll-over when cornering by half. That is just insane, and if all it takes is a goofy looking knuckle, then I am sold... Well, I would be if I had $35k lying around. The top of the line model fully optioned out goes for over $60k. Woah.

So why are people so disgruntled and divided about this sick new 'ffroader? Frankly, I don't really know. There are two main concerns I have encountered in comments sections on the topic, and I'd say only one is legitimate and fair. The first is that this design may be more prone to breaking, and I think that's simply untrue. The theory is that a tree branch or something else comparable would get stuck within this enlarged knuckle setup and cause a mechanical failure. I have no incentive to defend Can-Am, but based on my experiences with riding, if you take a tree to the front end on any machine bad things are bound to occur. If anything, it is more durable and capable of taking some abuse than the traditonal counterparts, with its beefy forged aluminum construction. I won't waste any more words entertaining such baloney, but I do understand the other concern.

It is over the wheel size restrictions, in that bigger wheels and tires cannot be installed without major suspension modifications. I get it; most everyone loves to customize their toy, and big expensive wheels and tires are a flex. They can provide increased traction, ground clearance, and top speed. Additionally, it's an easy way to modify the look of a side by side without any major fabrication. When it comes to the Maverick R, the amount of hours into research and developement would suggest that Can-Am has chosen the wheel size it sports by no accident. Unlike a Jeep or truck which has been intended for road use, this side by side does not need to be modified in any way to be ready to race through rough terrain. Besides, just as there is in any form of motorsports, there will certainly be an aftermarket community for this 4x4; I am all but certain there will be a big wheel kit made available at some point. On top of that, someone out there will definitely do some custom fabrications of their own design.

Everyone is ultimately going to have their own opinion on this thing, but if you ask me, it is totally gnar. I have never been huge on side by sides, as I prefer being out in the elements on a quad, but the 2024 Can-Am Maverick R might have me thinking twice about that. Imagine one out on the ice this winter, just tearing it up. I'm all for it, but I'll put a link for you to check it out and decide for yourself!

Information in this blog supplimented by: https://www.motortrend.com/news/2024-can-am-maverick-r-first-look-review/ <-Clink this link to see all the pictures!

Working the overnight air shift on WQMX has so far been a great experience for me. It has certainly been much different than I have previously been accustomed to, in a multitude of ways. My days are completely upside down in terms of my schedule, but it is actually working out nicely with all things considered. I have had some sleepy nights where I wondered if I would make it to the other side of the night with my eyes still open, but I've found that cranking the studio speakers and chugging an energy drink will keep me going. Constantly feeling tired wasn't going to work for me, so I had to adjust from my initial plan.

I originally thought that I could just catch up on sleep during the weekend, but with all of the fun we participate in with WQMX and my activities with friends and family, I had put my sleep to the wayside. This put me back even further, and come Thursday or so of the next week I felt like I could sleep a full 24 hours. Additionally, I've read research that claims you need consistent sleep and oversleeping on the weekends does not work in the long term.

My solution has been to sleep as much as I possibly can during the week instead. I'm not the type to loaf in bed, and when I'm up there's no going back. Needless to say, it has taken some tweaks and tuning to get right. As it stands, I sleep twice a day on either side of my shift for about 4 to 5 hours. Doing it this way is nice because I can still be up during the daylight hours for a good amount of time, without sacrificing rest. I expect this to be especially key come winter time when our daylight is drastically diminished daily.

There's a few things I'm still figuring out, such as communication ettiquette. For example, is it okay for me to send a text or email at 3 am? I have been scheduling emails to send around 8am, recently. Should I be frustrated with those who know my schedule and still call me at 9am? I usually am! Aside from those considerations, should I eat breakfast or dinner after work? Some 6 A.M. tacos don't sound too bad.... I also live on a relatively busy street where loud cars and motorcycles tend to distrupt my sleep, but I'm not sure there's an answer for that one.

What cannot go unmentioned are my blackout curtains. They have come in clutch and are undeniably a necessity for me now. I like a dark room to sleep in regardless of the time of day, and my curtains make it like a dungeon in my bedroom. I'm quite content with them.

So yeah that's a look into my nocturnal life as a live and local radio personality, and like I said, it's been working out very well. The days go by quicker with them seeming shorter, and it's just crazy to think that I have now been in this role for close to a month. Time truly flies, and with this realization, I have been trying to be more productive in my off-time. I have an extensive to-do list, and every day I try to check off no less than one item. Most have to do with my powersports or cars, and a day in the garage is anything but a day wasted for me. I don't have anything profound or inspirational to leave you off with on this blog, but I would like to remind you to take care of yourself, and make sure you get all the zzz's your body needs!

Too many fatal crashes occur on two wheels every year, and quite often it has nothing to do with the biker or their ability. A motorcyclist is 28 times more likely to lose their life in a fatal collision compared to other motorists on the road, and motorcycles are undeniably more vulnerable in nearly any given situation. Motorcycles are smaller, more difficult to see, and less intimidating than typical vehicles when headed in your direction. This leads to the too common occurrence of people pulling out in front of bikes, hence the need for the social campaign, "Look Out For Motorcycles." 

Unfortunately, the responsibility to ensure a biker lives to see another day seems to rest almost soley on their own shoulders. Driving a car you have a protective shell with seatbelts, airbags, and impact zones. This numbs the driver and detaches them from the dangers of what they are doing. It's quite apparent on a bike, on the other hand. Not only do motorcyclists have to deal with decreased traction, debris/hazards in the roadways, and unfriendly weather/environmental conditions, but we also have to be hyper aware of every single moving object within our eyesight and beyond. We must hold the expectation that we are essentially invisible to others, and that everything is out to get us. There are no givens on a motorcycle, and assumptions can be deadly when other drivers act unpredictably. Despite the increased difficulty in operating, motorcycles are constantly looking out for cars, but that seems to go unrecirprocated. What I'm trying to explain here is that it takes a lot to operate a motorbike in of itself, let alone with traffic and pedestrians all around. 61% of motorcycle fatalities occur within Urban areas. Additionally, 76% of motorcycle collisions are head on, suggesting that often something enters their zone before they are unable to brake in time. 

I don't want to suggest that motorcyclists are always in the right and that every accident should be attributed to vehicular negligence on the part of the car. Factors such as alcohol, lack of helmets, and speeding are substantial contributors to the fatality statistics as well, in reference to the biker. There will always be present danger in riding a motorcycle, but measures such as proper protective riding gear, a sober and clear mind, and loud pipes can make a positive difference. 

This blog comes in a timely matter because August is reportedly the most dangerous time for a motorcyclist to be on the road, with 14% of all fatal crashes occurring within the month. No one should get the call that their family member won't be coming home tonight or ever again, especially when the motorcyclist did nothing wrong. I ride and have many family members and friends that do as well. I have lost friends and seen lives turned upside down from crashes. For me, for those you know, and for those you don't, please look out for motorcycles. 

Statistics cited in this blog and additional information on the topic can be found at: Motorcycle Accident Statistics & Numbers For 2023 – Forbes Advisor

There's not much in this world I would rather do on any given day than ride my quad through some trails. Whether its Bear Creek or simply the swamp in my back yard, my Recon is like a magnet to mud holes. 

Riding with friends is not only significantly more fun, but also safer. On top of that, if you get stuck like I tend to do, there's another machine to help get you out. My good friend Tyler will drive straight into anything with no hesitation, and yesterday was no different. We approached my swamp, which had been uncharacteristically dry this summer, to discover it has been flooded-out from recent rain storms. Because of this, the makeshift bridge that I had made from disassembled wooden pallets was a few yards from where it was supposed to be. With it being submerged for an unknown amount of time and built from untreated wood, it was all but destroyed. Naturally we decided if we could not go over, the only way was through. 

Well, you could probably guess where that got us. Tyler has no regard, and is always the first to give it a go. His tires disappeared. The swamp literally ate his tractor, and after some muddy repositioning, we were still unable to pull it out by ourselves. My tractor wasn't going to do much, so it was time to get the quad. For a two-wheel-drive it is fairly capable, and it was easy to yank out the stuck Wheelhorse once we found a strong enough recovery rope. 

Most people probably make attempts to avoid getting stuck, but my friends and I often do the polar opposite. Since our riding area is relatively small, we find enjoyment in pushing the limits of traction whenever possible. The bigger the hill or the deeper the mud, the better! We actually say, "let's go get stuck." 

I am so happy that the weekend has finally come back around, and I intend to ride hard this weekend. I have a mechanic who is going to work on my quad next week, so I had might as well send it. Let's get a little mud on the tires!

My car is rough. It's an older Honda Civic that runs like a top and drives well, but years of rust-belt winter driving have taken their toll on the body and undercarriage. I was cleaning some of the dirt and grass off of my wheel wells this past Saturday, after parking in the grass lot for Neon Nights, when I discovered a fist-sized hole in the driver's floorboard. I've driven worse in the past, but with my new full-time position here at the station I am now driving substantially more and desire something not only nicer, but cooler too. 

I have a very specific taste in vehicles and there's no one type I seek out, but I do have some preferences. My ideal car is fun to drive, unique, potentially with a manual transmission, two-door, and any color but red. Of course, I need it to be reliable, but I also want it to be presentable and clean. It could be a car, truck, or van but it must be something that speaks to me. 

I've had many interactions on Craigslist and Marketplace in my lifetime, but this instance seems different. Generally I either need to sell something or need to buy, but I am currently in a situation where I have the luxury of not needing a car but rather wanting one. I've messaged quite a few sellers and my plan is to lowball the interesting finds until I strike a deal. I have gone to look at a Camaro and a Miata so far and both were comical experiences. 

The Chevy looked gorgerous in pictures and even walking up to it. It was a V6 car with considerable mileage and a rebuilt title, but the price was compelling and it seemed clean. I checked it out and all seemed decent until I layed down to evaluate the underside. If you've ever heard of lipstick on a pig, that's the best way to describe this one. I immediately found holes in the floorboard where I could reach up and touch the carpet, and at this point I shook the owner's hand and said thanks for showing me it. Hard pass. 

The Miata on the other hand was solid all around. It looked really good, ran well, and was everything I want in my next ride EXCEPT... I didn't fit in it! I tried every possible angle for the seat postion and still hit my head on the convertible top. The owner also presented the vehicle as a private party sale when he has a dealer's liscense. Those who do tend to be a lot less negotiable and open to offers; which is a commonality in my experience and a big turn off. It ended up being a nice car and he was a pleasure to chat with, but my heart wasn't into it and I had no choice but to walk away with the headroom issue. 

So, the search continues. Fortunately my Civic, Vicky, has a lot of life left in her, and I can take my time to find the best option. I am known to make impulsive decisions on stuff like this, but this time around I am really trying to find the balance between what I want and what I need. It's tough and takes a good deal of commitment and restraint, but I will find something that checks all the boxes for me within my price range, and I hope you too will follow your heart and your head on whatever big decisions you face. Go with your gut and don't settle!

I spend a great deal of time outside, and there is no doubt my favorite season is fall. We're not quite there yet, despite pumpkin spiced and Halloween items already being available at many businesses in anticipation of the season. The worst part about fall is that it is kind of like Sunday, in that it's enjoyable, but you know what is coming up next won't be fun. 

Anyways, no matter what the season is, I'm always looking forward for it to not be the one that it is currently. Come August, I'm just about done with summertime and these hot and sticky days. My biggest grievance is all of the mosquito bites I'm sporting right now. There's two awful ones right on my chest inches from one another, and I am pretty sure I picked them both up whilst riding the motorcycle. The one actually hurt and was itching me, so it's possible there was another insect in the mix. 

It's easy to complain with this feeling of discomfort as a constant for me, but I am trying to be more appreciative of any given moment, and right now things aren't so bad. In the middle of winter when there is no snow but its like 3 degrees outside, I get cabin fever. Although I'll be out in it regardless, I hate the cold. In the spring it's rainy. My complaint with fall my entire life has been that it marks the end of my summer break from school, but as a recent graduate, that's no longer an issue for me. So really fall is perfect, but I digress.

Thinking about what's good about your current situation is a must. If you get caught up in all the reasons things could be better, its easy lose sight of how not-bad your situation really is. As they say, it can always be worse. On most any freezing winter day where I have an annual flu and can't feel my fingers, I would trade 1000 mosquito bites for it to be summer again. With this, I hope you will appreciate the remainder of this Northeast Ohio summer season and enjoy every single day not necessarily for what it is, but for what is is not. 

Do you ever have something happen to you and your first instinct is to look around for Ashton Kutcher because you feel like it is so ridiculous it can't even be real?

Let me take you back a step. Recently I cleaned out my car. I vividly remember taking out my four floormats to clean them. About a week later I notice that one of them is not in my car. Your guess is as good as mine as to where it is now, but the realization that my set is now incomplete was a hard pill to swallow.

There's nothing unique or even nice about this particular floormat. What eats at me is the cold truth that I only lost one. I am one of those people where every little thing I own needs to have its place, and for just one of my floormats to have vanished is borderline enfuriating.

I looked far and wide, and I have since come to peace with the fact that it is gone. There's nothing I can do to change this, and I've chosen the path of simply laughing it off, at this point. It's just a better feeling. We cannot control what happens to us, but we do manage how we react to things. Don't sweat the small stuff and fixate on that which you have no power over; find your peace in this chaotic world by rolling with the punches. It's just a floormat!