The Biggest Loser television show has captivated my household with my major draw to the trainer, Jillian Michaels. When she rode in to secretly maker her team on what appeared to be a slightly customized, debadged black Yamaha R6, I knew I was probably going to be hooked for another season.
It comes on after I get home from work Tuesdays.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
9-11-2007 Ride
I can't believe it's been six years. Doing the receiving, I wrote 9/11/07 all day long, reminding me of all that's happened over the past six years. Intersecting paths of good intentions, colliding in a whirlwind of disaster and the many miles that I've put beneath me.
I'm still trying to remember if I rode to work that day; I think I did. I would have been staring out the window at my Nighthawk as I heard the news report of one - then two - planes crash in New York. It was already a slow day. It had been getting slow. It was as if our whole country made one big depressing sigh - and then this.
A year later, I found myself attending a memorial service here in San Antonio. Afterwards, I wanted to be by myself for a while, so I took the Nighthawk out south of town, into the evening.
Two years ago, I observed a moment of silence with nearly 2,000 students at a high school named after a local graduate who died at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. A year after that, the respect was gone.
The best I can recall, I've ridden every anniversary of 9/11. It seems everybody knows someone - or knows of someone - who was killed that day. It brought out the best and the worst of our nation. It polarized us when most of us cared very little about that part of the world. And tragically, the people who attacked us cost the lives of many of their own people many times over what they took from us that day. So many innocent people lost over a violent ideology that only fuels its own self-destruction. Some would say that is the definition of evil. All I can think of right now is that it makes me sad. It's tragic all the way around. These antagonists have always been their worst enemy. Their actions brought down death and destruction to everything they ever cared about.
Naturally, I could never understand why they keep fighting. People naturally want peace, though they long for freedom. But something in our own nature - some call it the human condition - disturbs that balance and causes some people to lust after power. Then those that seek peace are killed. Those that preach love are persecuted. Those that extend understanding are beaten.
I will never forget 9/11. I will continue to ride on that day in memory of those that died free, so their sacrifice will not be considered vain. While the wound on our country is no longer a bleeding gash, it's still tender; we cope with it by ignoring the pain it caused. But the pain is a reminder that though we long for peace and prosperity, there are those that would take it from us. It is also a reminder of the terrible power we wield when we come together, united as a nation. It is a wondrous thing to watch our nation heal, and truly breathtaking the power we wield.
As I rode tonight, I could see the stars out in force, no clouds in the sky. I turned the bike off and sat there a bit. The milky way stretched across the sky. All of our struggles pale in comparison to the vastness of what is out there. Humans are tiny specs of dust that reside on the crust of a small planet that orbits a mediocre sun that fades into the background of a galaxy filled with thousands upon thousands of other stars, in a universe filled with thousands upon thousands of galaxies. Are struggles are truly insignificant, cosmically speaking. Yet we are "star stuff." We have a lot more in common than not. If only we could embrace that.
Just before I make my final exit, a large black "something" appears next to the bike in the middle of the road. I ride past it, but my foot kicks it. As I type this I'm icing it down to reduce any potentials swelling. I'm hoping this won't keep me from taking a long ride this fall.
But even if it does, it's a small thing in a big picture.
May a loving peace finally come to this world.
I'm still trying to remember if I rode to work that day; I think I did. I would have been staring out the window at my Nighthawk as I heard the news report of one - then two - planes crash in New York. It was already a slow day. It had been getting slow. It was as if our whole country made one big depressing sigh - and then this.
A year later, I found myself attending a memorial service here in San Antonio. Afterwards, I wanted to be by myself for a while, so I took the Nighthawk out south of town, into the evening.
Two years ago, I observed a moment of silence with nearly 2,000 students at a high school named after a local graduate who died at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. A year after that, the respect was gone.
The best I can recall, I've ridden every anniversary of 9/11. It seems everybody knows someone - or knows of someone - who was killed that day. It brought out the best and the worst of our nation. It polarized us when most of us cared very little about that part of the world. And tragically, the people who attacked us cost the lives of many of their own people many times over what they took from us that day. So many innocent people lost over a violent ideology that only fuels its own self-destruction. Some would say that is the definition of evil. All I can think of right now is that it makes me sad. It's tragic all the way around. These antagonists have always been their worst enemy. Their actions brought down death and destruction to everything they ever cared about.
Naturally, I could never understand why they keep fighting. People naturally want peace, though they long for freedom. But something in our own nature - some call it the human condition - disturbs that balance and causes some people to lust after power. Then those that seek peace are killed. Those that preach love are persecuted. Those that extend understanding are beaten.
I will never forget 9/11. I will continue to ride on that day in memory of those that died free, so their sacrifice will not be considered vain. While the wound on our country is no longer a bleeding gash, it's still tender; we cope with it by ignoring the pain it caused. But the pain is a reminder that though we long for peace and prosperity, there are those that would take it from us. It is also a reminder of the terrible power we wield when we come together, united as a nation. It is a wondrous thing to watch our nation heal, and truly breathtaking the power we wield.
As I rode tonight, I could see the stars out in force, no clouds in the sky. I turned the bike off and sat there a bit. The milky way stretched across the sky. All of our struggles pale in comparison to the vastness of what is out there. Humans are tiny specs of dust that reside on the crust of a small planet that orbits a mediocre sun that fades into the background of a galaxy filled with thousands upon thousands of other stars, in a universe filled with thousands upon thousands of galaxies. Are struggles are truly insignificant, cosmically speaking. Yet we are "star stuff." We have a lot more in common than not. If only we could embrace that.
Just before I make my final exit, a large black "something" appears next to the bike in the middle of the road. I ride past it, but my foot kicks it. As I type this I'm icing it down to reduce any potentials swelling. I'm hoping this won't keep me from taking a long ride this fall.
But even if it does, it's a small thing in a big picture.
May a loving peace finally come to this world.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Fortune Cookie
"Next week, your luck color will be green!"
What?! Okay, I'm going to open Lani's fortune cookie now...
"You have a charming way with words and should write a book."
Does a blog count?
I didn't even know I had a "luck color..."
What?! Okay, I'm going to open Lani's fortune cookie now...
"You have a charming way with words and should write a book."
Does a blog count?
I didn't even know I had a "luck color..."
Another night ride
No pics, sorry.
My friend and neighbor Doug and I rode out last night after work. He followed me for this short ride (and finally turned 10,000 miles on his F4, "Angelina").
We wound our way around Evan's Road, up Bulverde/Smithson Valley, across 1863 to Schoenthal Rd, and back into town via 3009 and 2252 aka Nacadoches Rd. This is formally known as "The loop" though Shoenthal Rd is a long-cut.
I still need to edit this map further, but here's the loop!
Doug asked me why we went this way since there's so much deer. I noticed a lot of traffic on the way home (in fact even loop 1604 was extremely busy when we got back on it around 9:15 PM) and just didn't want to deal with all that. We were safe and better off for it, anyway.
My friend and neighbor Doug and I rode out last night after work. He followed me for this short ride (and finally turned 10,000 miles on his F4, "Angelina").
We wound our way around Evan's Road, up Bulverde/Smithson Valley, across 1863 to Schoenthal Rd, and back into town via 3009 and 2252 aka Nacadoches Rd. This is formally known as "The loop" though Shoenthal Rd is a long-cut.
I still need to edit this map further, but here's the loop!
Doug asked me why we went this way since there's so much deer. I noticed a lot of traffic on the way home (in fact even loop 1604 was extremely busy when we got back on it around 9:15 PM) and just didn't want to deal with all that. We were safe and better off for it, anyway.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Feasting on Asphalt
The past couple of episodes have made me really hungry for pie. For no particular reason, rhubarb pie came to mind most quickly. So, I made my own "Feasting on Asphalt" adventure, though I broke almost every rule.
I hopped on my bike, took I-35 down to Marie Calendar's and bought the last (only?) rhubarb pie. I talked to only one person: the cashier. She asked me if I really eat "this stuff." I replied, "Sometimes you just gotta have a rhubarb pie." At least we exchanged smiles!
With nominal help from the significant other, the pie disappeared in less than 24 hours. The crust was nice, though a bit overwhelming. I prefer to have more filling than crust. It was still good.
Next feasting on Asphalt adventure: the return of the pie tin for my $0.60 deposit!
I hopped on my bike, took I-35 down to Marie Calendar's and bought the last (only?) rhubarb pie. I talked to only one person: the cashier. She asked me if I really eat "this stuff." I replied, "Sometimes you just gotta have a rhubarb pie." At least we exchanged smiles!
With nominal help from the significant other, the pie disappeared in less than 24 hours. The crust was nice, though a bit overwhelming. I prefer to have more filling than crust. It was still good.
Next feasting on Asphalt adventure: the return of the pie tin for my $0.60 deposit!
More parts coming
I got word earlier this week that my "new" headers are on their way and should arrive mid week. So, in one week, I should have a completely new exhaust system.
I mentioned this at work and got a name of a company in Houston that can ceramic-coat the headers for a not-too-high fee. This would nicely cut down on the heat coming off the bike onto me (which still manages to be an issue as it has been for all this generation FJR). I used a heat shield tape before which worked very well, but wore out with use and abuse. Rain, dragging over curbs, rocks and the like damaged the tape. Also, trapped moisture caused surface rust on the pipes. So, the coating will enhance the performance of the pipes, last longer and possibly even look better.
I mentioned this at work and got a name of a company in Houston that can ceramic-coat the headers for a not-too-high fee. This would nicely cut down on the heat coming off the bike onto me (which still manages to be an issue as it has been for all this generation FJR). I used a heat shield tape before which worked very well, but wore out with use and abuse. Rain, dragging over curbs, rocks and the like damaged the tape. Also, trapped moisture caused surface rust on the pipes. So, the coating will enhance the performance of the pipes, last longer and possibly even look better.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Lunar Eclipse Ride
Finally, I got to use my 500mm lens for what I originally intended long ago: astrophotography. I rode out into the hill country to catch some snapshots of the lunar eclipse this morning. Sadly, just as it was starting to get really dark, low hanging clouds rolled in and made everything pitch black. So when I moved on, those clouds became fog and made the passing more strenuous.
It cleared up for a few minutes on a busy road just outside of town, though not long enough for me to get the tripod back out and install the long lens. I was also having some trouble with the exposure, so I took some shots by hand, bracketing them in the hopes that maybe one would come out.
The larger pictures are formatted for a standard wallpaper size. If you see one you'd like for a wide screened monitor, just let me know :)
The moon turned a sandy-red color, then a pale Mars red as the eclipse was ending. Here's some snapshots taken between 3:30 and 4:30 this morning:
And last but not least - the "red moon" in the full resolution of my smaller lens, taken around 6AM this morning:
Now I'm off to catch a few blinks before getting ready for work. Oh, the humanity!
It cleared up for a few minutes on a busy road just outside of town, though not long enough for me to get the tripod back out and install the long lens. I was also having some trouble with the exposure, so I took some shots by hand, bracketing them in the hopes that maybe one would come out.
The larger pictures are formatted for a standard wallpaper size. If you see one you'd like for a wide screened monitor, just let me know :)
The moon turned a sandy-red color, then a pale Mars red as the eclipse was ending. Here's some snapshots taken between 3:30 and 4:30 this morning:
And last but not least - the "red moon" in the full resolution of my smaller lens, taken around 6AM this morning:
Now I'm off to catch a few blinks before getting ready for work. Oh, the humanity!
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