Corvette ZR1

I read an article where Chevrolet is one-upping the Dodge Boys with a super duper version of America's quintessential sportscar. The Corvette ZR1 is a 6.2 liter V8 powered car that will take you from 0-60 in about 3.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile in about 11.8 seconds. Makes you sit up and take notice. At a price tag of merely $105,000.00, makes you jump up and really take notice.

Of course, this is easily bested by a modern Japanese sportbike for around $12,000.00. Feels so good to be a bike guy!

Gee Thanks

I have a long weekend ahead of me... woohoo! We got some rain today; long overdue, and fortunately it was just showers on my ride home from work. Having to ride in downtown traffic on slick streets is not my idea of fun. The precip was short-lived as we look forward to fair days ahead with temps near the mid-60s. Tomorrow I give thanks, for it is Thanksgiving. So many things I am thankful for despite what anyone thinks (I'm really not so crotchety and cynical after all).

My friends invited me to yet another year to share in the traditional dinner. I will be riding. Friday is for recovering from whatever gastronomic damage was wrought the night before. It is Black Friday, and in such a sour economy, it is still recognized as the busiest shopping day of the year. I will be riding. Saturday and Sunday I hope to do more of the same, and perhaps Monday I will give it a break.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Aww, How Cute!

Late Autumn 2008

We are almost two-thirds into the fall season, and unlike the Arizona desert where I was born (and left at the age of 20), Northern California has the traditional four seasons. For the most part. Today's temperature reached 80 degrees, and Saturday's forecast calls for more of the same. Heck, the town of Napa almost hit 90 degrees today! We're breaking records here.

We really need some rain (and snow in the mountains), but other than that, I'm not complaining. I'm gonna don my leathers and go riding!

Yes On Prop 8

The California ballot had a proposition to overturn the recently approved decision to allow gay marriages in the state. The title of this post is a bit misleading, since I am indifferent on this issue. I have and had friends who are gay, and if they want to get hitched, so what? I'm straight, single (always have been and probably always will be) and non-religious. The people of California have spoken, and the majority do not believe in same-sex marriage, so what's with all the protesting by the "No On 8" proponents and their efforts to overturn the vote? You mean to tell me that I can raise a ruckus for decisions that weren't voted in my favor?

Now that I have a problem with... that and Gavin Newsom.

Britney's Child

News has it that Britney Spears' 2-yr old just got out of the hospital. He was sick from something he ingested.

Maybe that wasn't powdered milk?

Veteran's Day 2008

Thanks to all the veterans who have fought to defend our freedom!

Sweaters & Jackets

The chill in the autumn morning air brings sweaters to mind. I went through a brief adult phase where I considered it fashionable, which was later reinforced by a couple of girlfriends (consecutively, not concurrently!). Pendletons. Course knits. Big turtleneck collars. Zips and pullovers. To size, and oversized.

What was I thinking? What is it about women dressing up their men in sweaters?

Perhaps it is because of the stereotypes that the two contrasting outerwear conjures. Sweaters are civil, preppy and academic; jackets are tough, rebellious and baaad. Call me an enigma.

Except for this diversion, I'm really a jacket man. Always have been. I think it all began before I was able to freely visit any bar in the U.S., especially admiring the look of the classic bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses. Soon afterward I discovered motorcycling and jackets naturally came with the territory. Black. Leather. Jackets. Mmm, that wickedly pleasant aroma of new leather tickles my devilish fancy... but lately I've been wearing the more versatile armored synthetic jacket made mostly of ballistic Cordura nylon.

So what is it? What's a girl really want?! The inner sweater dude in me may be curious, but my James Dean-ian façade could care less. My motorcycle is my mistress and my jackets will be there to keep me warm.

Riding in the Rain

I'm riding in the rain, just riding in the rain... what a glorious feelin', I'm happy again!

The rains came. Last Friday. Except for he break we had on Sunday (which brought mostly blue skies and sunshine) our weather forecasters have been spot on regarding the precip that's descended on our region. I took light rail to and from work for the first time since the skies went dry last spring, and wouldn't you know, my train goes kaput to start off my weekend. Thankfully the outage only lasted about 20 minutes.

Wow, it just dumped cats and dogs outside as I continue to type.

Tomorrow morning the storms should be history and I can resume my two-wheeled commuting again. I was just thinking about the many times I've been caught riding in the rain... caught, I say, since I rarely consider heading out when the wet stuff threatens to fall. It's one thing to be rained on while close to home, and a whole 'nuther story when stuck hundreds of miles away. How far is far?

Portland, OR
Spokane, WA
Eureka, MT
Aspen and Vail, CO
Salt Lake City, UT
Flagstaff, AZ
the northern CA coast
the Sierra Nevadas

My friend wrote to say that he got caught riding in the rain on his commute home Thursday evening (whereas I caught only a few droplets). Not being a seasoned rider, his comment was that it was scary. Regardless of experience, it is scary having to share the roadways with idiots in urban traffic; I'd rather take my chances on the open road, hundreds of miles from home.