 gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
My buddy Gregg calls me Sunday morning asking if I am free for a ride. So, I tell him I don't have the new battery yet, but if he wants to help me jump start it, I'll go. Gregg arrives with his H-D Heritage Classic. He has no idea where his battery is located. Now, the idea becomes let's pop start it. So, we march my bike to the top of my complex's ramp. I get her coasting pretty good and pop her into 2nd. She starts right up. Groovy. We hit the streets. (The new solo Le Pera is outstanding!) I get 5.5 miles from home, stop at a light; she dies. I push her into a gas station, noticing there is a steep parking lot adjacent. We proceed to again pop start her, only this time, she'll run for 5 minutes at idle, then die. I sadly have to leave her behind at the gas statiom, and ride on the back of Gregg's HD back home. Not Groovy. So, at around 10pm last night, I decide: I should take the car over there, throw the cover on her and lock the neck. In the darkness of the parking lot, I am fumbling with the key and the handle bars, trying to find the locking sweet spot. Suddenly, a spot light is on me! A police officer is now telling me to hold it right there. Again, not groovy. I humbly walk to his cruiser, and explain my situation. He smiles and tells me he thinks it's going to rain tonight. I thanked him for his weather report. Now, I check with UPS today. My new WestCo has arrived. Tonight, in the Spring Rain, I am heading back over to pop in the new battery and hopefully get her home... stay tuned. 
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
I could never leave my bike unattended like that. Then again, it's never left me stranded in 46000 miles.  Good luck gettin' it back on the road.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64 |
I would have been sleeping next to it or pushing it home. Calling a truck of some kind maybe even a tow co. and pay to get it home. I wouldn't have slept with my bike sitting somewhere, I hope it's still there, unmolested when you get there.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Quote:
I would have been sleeping next to it or pushing it home. Calling a truck of some kind maybe even a tow co. and pay to get it home. I wouldn't have slept with my bike sitting somewhere, I hope it's still there, unmolested when you get there.
Yeah, what he said!
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
Quote:
Quote:
I would have been sleeping next to it or pushing it home. Calling a truck of some kind maybe even a tow co. and pay to get it home. I wouldn't have slept with my bike sitting somewhere, I hope it's still there, unmolested when you get there.
Yeah, what he said!
+2, push that bad boy somewhere,anywhere. Ask me how I know bout that! 
Secondly, never, never admit you rode on the [Email]b@@@@seat[/Email] with the HD dude 
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575 |
Quote:
I would have been sleeping next to it or pushing it home. Calling a truck of some kind maybe even a tow co. and pay to get it home. I wouldn't have slept with my bike sitting somewhere, I hope it's still there, unmolested when you get there.
Ditto on that
What goes round comes round
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
The bike was fine, after having sat outside, all night.
I too am fine, after having to take a ride on the back of a Harley.
I appreciate the concern, all...
But honestly... you all shouldn't stress so much...
Really, I love my bike..but, it's a bike...and it if worst case scenario had struck... I am quite sure I would have been able to go on.
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29 |
I appreciate your attitude. But....
When mine died last year (fortunately only about 30 minutes from home), I spent the next 5 hours finding a trailer to go and pick it up to get it into the safety of my garage. It would have driven me nuts to leave it.
Black 04 TBA, AI gone, Freak, soft bags, summer screen, sissy w/rack
I was once on safari and some fiend lost the corkscrew. We were forced to subsist on food and water for many days - W C Fields
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64 |
I had a friend leave his bike just long enough to go to a phone and call a buddy for a truck. (was a really nice old pan) He called from a bar almost right across the street. He came back out to find his bike was gone, never saw it again. I couldn't afford to replace mine and it means a lot to me. I would never take the chance.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 63
Member
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Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 63 |
I once left my bicycle out in front of the house when i was a kid. I went in to get a glass of water, or maybe it was lemonade. I don't remember. i guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, when I got back outside, the bike was gone. My dad was furious at me.
But as it turns out, he was even more furious at the boys down the street who took it, to try to get me in trouble with my dad.
They got in trouble with their dads, and i got grounded for being irresponsible.
Should I have brought it into the house with me when i got something to drink?
Can't get the Fig Newton song out of my head.
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
Zen and Karma.
If I do good by all, I believe the same will come to me.
I believe this.. I stick to it.. Keeps LIFE shiny side up.
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
When I had my first Triumph, a 1971 Trophy, I used to carry a rope in my luggage in case I ever had to be towed. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
I used to carry a rope in my luggage in case I ever had to be towed.
....and I carry an extra clutch cable on the off-chance, myself or some wayfaring Canadian might need it someday. It could happen
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Quote:
Zen and Karma.
If I do good by all, I believe the same will come to me.
I believe this.. I stick to it.. Keeps LIFE shiny side up.
Haven't you heard? It's bad luck to be superstitious!
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
Zen and Karma.
If I do good by all, I believe the same will come to me.
I believe this.. I stick to it.. Keeps LIFE shiny side up.
Haven't you heard? It's bad luck to be superstitious!
Yeah Rob, I've heard that about being superstitious too!
(...but I always wondered if it's STILL bad luck to be just moderately stitious?....whaddaya think?) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
BTW...I have to ask here folks...Why would anybody not be a member of AAA, just for instances such as this???
Ya know, that REALLY comes in pretty handy sometimes. And, the yearly charge for their services, which now includes motorcycle towing on flatbed tow trucks, is really quite affordable too!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
I am a member of AAA.
I don't know if it's a Massachusetts 'thing' but they will not assist with motorcycle related problems (I called)
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well then maybe only certain state AAA's now have this premium "RV/Motorcycle" package that can be added on to the regular service, though it seems kind'a funny to me that this wouldn't now be available nationwide.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
Mike is correct, triple A will not tow bikes here in MA. However, Mike and I could get married here in MA so at least we've got that going for us.
Strangler
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438 |
Geez man, I love my bike too. It has successfully sat out allllll night in motel parking lots in the hinterlands without a problem. I have parked overnight on the street in the city 'cuz i was partying at a friends house. Normally lives in my garage. Sometimes a bike needs to sit out somewhere. It ain't the end of the world. It's a vehicle, albeit with a soul, but still just a vehicle. If it gets stolen, ya' ain't gonna die. I am not saying being careless with its security but man, if somebody wants to get it, they'll get it. Not worth all that frettin' over. Worth some concern but I know I can still sleep.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 323
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 323 |
Quote:
Geez man, I love my bike too. It has successfully sat out allllll night in motel parking lots in the hinterlands without a problem. I have parked overnight on the street in the city 'cuz i was partying at a friends house. Normally lives in my garage. Sometimes a bike needs to sit out somewhere. It ain't the end of the world. It's a vehicle, albeit with a soul, but still just a vehicle. If it gets stolen, ya' ain't gonna die. I am not saying being careless with its security but man, if somebody wants to get it, they'll get it. Not worth all that frettin' over. Worth some concern but I know I can still sleep.
Agreed. This is what insurance is for (insurance also covers the tow for about $1 extra per month).
-neight
2004 Triumph Bonneville Black
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
BTW...I have to ask here folks...Why would anybody not be a member of AAA, just for instances such as this???
Because AAA is a rip-off. I am in the industry and will tow for anyone except them. You will find in many places around the country there are no companies willing to tow for them. It also ends up costing you more in the long run than just paying for the tow the night you need it. They also will tow you home but then not to a repair shop or to a repair shop and then not home if you don't want to fix it right then. They have extremely long waits for response in most cases again due to the fact that most companies don't want to tow for them. Anything else you want to know? 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
AAA's new battery service is good. They showed up at my door, and installed a new battery in my Mazda3.
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017 |
You got that right Keith. Heck...till I moved up to MA, my Thruxton never even saw a garage. I'm looking for a garage for when I move back to Brooklyn in 2 weeks to keep my tools and the bike I'm not currently riding, but if'n I can't find an affordable one, both bikes'll be sleepin' under the stars.
edit: Actually it slept in Moe's garage for a night...possibly Shari's too.
Last edited by LitzerSki; 04/07/2009 1:36 PM.
Mark
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 828
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 828 |
I've found that if your battery is going bad keep your bike parked until you can replace it. Even if you can bump start it, the battery needs to be able to hold a charge in order for the bike to keep running (ask me how I know). You might be able to get down the road a bit but it will only be far enough to make it difficult to get home.
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Sleeping under the stars. Great phrase. Each and every time one of my sickles gets to stretch her throttle cables, they invariable sleep sans roof. Awakening the next morn to see the dew is a beautiful thing. After all, what a better way to wipe her down than when the dew has softened the prior days bug guts? Even rain is a blessing. That is about the only time my jacket gets cleaned. I get to use a garage for both girls. But each and every time they get out on the road, I relish looking at them all by their lonesome, begging me to hop aboard and ride. Good girl. See ya in the morning. When I got back from Virgina a week ago yesterday, for the first time I actually kissed Vera Lynn. Here she carried me, balls to the wall for over 1800 miles on the slabs. With a questionable clutch and dirty idle circuits. See now sits under the falling popcorn with 77823 miles on her heart. Every frickin one of which I wouldn't trade for nuthin. Dangit. I can't seem to shake the rolling thunder. Even after a long day in the saddle.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
I've found that if your battery is going bad keep your bike parked until you can replace it. Even if you can bump start it, the battery needs to be able to hold a charge in order for the bike to keep running (ask me how I know). You might be able to get down the road a bit but it will only be far enough to make it difficult to get home.
Bill from Cananda knows that. Our charging system won't output enough to energize the lectrics properly when the bat'tree is low. Pete and I could not push start Bill's sickle a couple of years back in the Lafayette Motel parking lot Canadaigua, NY.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Dang Moe! I'm startin' to get all misty eyed just readin' your post.  That's tho thweet...
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575 |
Each to his own i suppose , but i think bikes are a lot like people if you show them a bit of care and respect they will return it 10 fold
What goes round comes round
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Re: gather 'round for a story
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017 |
eh...I figger, beat the ****** outta 'em and they'll be too scared to double cross ya.
Mark
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