What are we doing with our lives? How is it that I/we spend most days indoors staring at a computer monitor all day and dealing with bullshit issues? I'm so tired of it all.
In a previous job, I traveled more, moved around the country and region interacting with people and the environment. Now, I'm stuck in a box with little time to escape and feel the sun, wind or air temperature on my face. I miss all that. Yes, there are trade-offs to be sure. Travel delays, security lines, the hassles of post 9/11 America. I'd take all that for the infrequent moments when I'm outdoors, in the real world, or just motoring down the highway.
Maybe that's why motorcycling appeals to me as much as it does. It's not the great (or sometimes not-so great) destinations that we arrive at, it's the feel of the breeze through a partially-opened visor, the sun on my forearms in the summer months, the smell of honeysuckle, rubber and gasoline. It's the lack of walls, PCs, telephones, emails, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. It's the quiet of your own thoughts without the interruption of extraneous distractions.
I'll admit to sometimes medicating myself with music, turning on the tunes for background noise or to kill time on a boring ride. I listen to talk radio most mornings on the way to and from the office, to numb the pain. But increasingly, I find myself switching it off, in disgust, at the sameness of today's rant, or the latest info on Brittany's meltdown. Who cares? Why are we so sheeplike that we willingly accept the pablum on TV and radio. Why am I afraid to listen to my own thoughts?
The truth is, I'm not. They creep in, when I allow, and when I am not overstressed or overburdened with work or other obligations. As I reflect, I think "What am I doing? Why am I living my life this way?" There has to be more. There has to be a greater satisfaction out of one's daily existence and, taken in total, one's life. That little voice I hear (along with the constant ringing) is the roar of dissatisfaction.
According to the Dalai Lama, the Secret to Happiness is to learn to be happy with what you have. How true. We all have so much and yet feel the pressure of our conspicuous-consumption society. Bigger, faster, sexier, Wow! We gotta have it. Mea culpa. But I'm trying. Not to go all Al Gore on ya, but I'm trying to consume less.
I'm a very lucky guy. I have a wonderful family, great friends and good health. We live in an incredible part of the country, with clean air, abundant water, mountains, beaches, little traffic and access to the rest of the world just minutes away. And we squander all that by breathing recycled air in a dank office environment, hunched over an LCD display sending worthless emails for crap we don't really believe in. Gotta pay the bills. Well, my psychic bill is overdue.
This year, I promise to do something more positive with a portion of my time, so I can look back on that accomplishment and know that I did something meaningful. I'm going to join the Surfrider Foundation (http://surfrider.org/) and do some volunteer work to help clean up our beaches and work to improve the water quality. It won't be easy as the nearest chapters are in Portland or Boston, but I'm going to try. Spring will be here soon and our favorite 12-mile strip of coastline will be awash in winter trash, debris and other crap. If you want to help, follow the link, join and donate money to a worthy cause. Or, if you know me, bend my ear and join me for the experience.
Yes, I want to lie on a warm, sunny beach with the smell of the ocean and coconut-scented sunscreeen wafting over me. But before I retire, I need to accomplish something. I need to do something positive so that I can look back on this time and admit to myself that I did more than shuffle papers and make empty promises. I need to rethink the job thing.
I know a lot of you already volunteer for cancer walks, Toys for Tots, Patriot Guard. So many people doing good. And still, there are so many needy people, so many less fortunate, so many causes. Pick one in 2008 and make it your own. Turn off the noise and listen to what your soul tells you is right, and act on it. How are you going to do more this year?
Oh crap, I'm turning into a hippie in my old age! Peace out everyone,
Joe Rocket
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Winter's almost gone...
Well, it feels that way, given that we haven't had a blizzard in quite some time. January has been a lot less snowy than the previous, record-breaking month. Sometimes it wears on you to face the cold snow and ice. I've used several hundred pounds of salt/ice melt on the driveway and it's still patchy with ice.
Last night we huddled at our local tavern for liquid cheer and to bask in the warm friendships that have developed in our little biker club. We are an odd assortment of middle-aged folk with the love of motorcycling as our primary raison d'etre. We can look past our differences and focus on the things that bring us together as a group. It's a mutual respect thing or recognizing that thing in each other that you have in common.
Our plans for Sturgis move forward. Now we are four and others have inquired about joining us for this adventure. It's open to all but small groups ride more efficently than large groups. Multiply two kidneys by the number of riders and you'll know what I mean. More riders means more stops for gas, pee breaks, food, aches, pains, etc.
I need to start shopping for a new seat soon as I have more or less resolved that I will be riding the VTX to Sturgis. So, I'll need to upgrade the stock unit, add a light bar and figure out what I can do about the crappy Honda side bags. It would be nice to have water-tight and lockable hard bags, like on the VFR. Does anyone make such an animal for the VTX 1300??? I'll need to peruse J&P Cycle and other catalogs.
The motorcycling "wish" book arrived in the mail a week, or so, ago. Of course, I am referring to the Rider Wearhouse catalog from Aerostitch, Duluth, MN. In it you will find hundreds of items you "must have" to start the season right. Excellent timing. I've already dog-eared a few pages and am saving the book for serious trip planning.
In a future post, I'll provide a gear checklist. Kenny B. sent me his and I have seen many others in the past few years. My challenge will be to travel light versus the desire to bring all the comforts of home along. Only so much room and only so many bungee cords!
Gotta go to work now. But it's Friday so it's mental dress down day. Let me clean up all the junk that accumulated in my absence yesterday, make it home, plop in front of a nice fire and kick back for a couple of days.
I hope you are all well and thinking warm thoughts. Spring is just around the corner...
Joe Rocket
Last night we huddled at our local tavern for liquid cheer and to bask in the warm friendships that have developed in our little biker club. We are an odd assortment of middle-aged folk with the love of motorcycling as our primary raison d'etre. We can look past our differences and focus on the things that bring us together as a group. It's a mutual respect thing or recognizing that thing in each other that you have in common.
Our plans for Sturgis move forward. Now we are four and others have inquired about joining us for this adventure. It's open to all but small groups ride more efficently than large groups. Multiply two kidneys by the number of riders and you'll know what I mean. More riders means more stops for gas, pee breaks, food, aches, pains, etc.
I need to start shopping for a new seat soon as I have more or less resolved that I will be riding the VTX to Sturgis. So, I'll need to upgrade the stock unit, add a light bar and figure out what I can do about the crappy Honda side bags. It would be nice to have water-tight and lockable hard bags, like on the VFR. Does anyone make such an animal for the VTX 1300??? I'll need to peruse J&P Cycle and other catalogs.
The motorcycling "wish" book arrived in the mail a week, or so, ago. Of course, I am referring to the Rider Wearhouse catalog from Aerostitch, Duluth, MN. In it you will find hundreds of items you "must have" to start the season right. Excellent timing. I've already dog-eared a few pages and am saving the book for serious trip planning.
In a future post, I'll provide a gear checklist. Kenny B. sent me his and I have seen many others in the past few years. My challenge will be to travel light versus the desire to bring all the comforts of home along. Only so much room and only so many bungee cords!
Gotta go to work now. But it's Friday so it's mental dress down day. Let me clean up all the junk that accumulated in my absence yesterday, make it home, plop in front of a nice fire and kick back for a couple of days.
I hope you are all well and thinking warm thoughts. Spring is just around the corner...
Joe Rocket
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Bitterest Pill
In my haste last night to put down my pseudo S&M experience with the cute DO, I forgot to mention that I have been listening to Dan Klass's The Bitterest Pill podcast for the past week, non-stop. I discovered "Pill" soon after buying an iPod and enjoyed it until he recommended another podcast, Cush's Things I Say. I got hooked on Cush and left Dan behind, until now.
Both are talented writers and speakers. I can sit here in my (home) office and enjoy as the mellifluous sounds wash over me.
But, Cush's posts started getting farther apart and I stopped listening. Then I remembered Dan. Now, in all fairness, the thing that drove me away initially, was the squeaky-clean family nature of the show. Where Cush would speak of getting laid or getting into fights, Dan talks about trips to Target and running into "Pilates bodies" and Japanese stewardesses and lusting in his heart, a la President Jimmy Carter.
Klass, I'm back. I'm sorry for the break. In the last week or so, I have spent all of 2007 with you. I especially enjoyed episode #99, which I think is posted on his web site under March 2007. You can find his stuff on the web or on iTunes. Here's a link to the web site:
http://www.thebitterestpill.com/ and I think you can just listen to that one story here:
http://danklass.com/pill/?p=387
This post is especially important for anyone over the age of 40 who works in a corporate environment. Spend some time with it and you will understand why you need to "Get a Thing of Your Own". Damn. It was like he was talking right to me. Oh, right, he was.
Give a listen, subscribe, whatever. But get working on your "Thing", whatever that might be.
I'll see you soon,
Joe
Both are talented writers and speakers. I can sit here in my (home) office and enjoy as the mellifluous sounds wash over me.
But, Cush's posts started getting farther apart and I stopped listening. Then I remembered Dan. Now, in all fairness, the thing that drove me away initially, was the squeaky-clean family nature of the show. Where Cush would speak of getting laid or getting into fights, Dan talks about trips to Target and running into "Pilates bodies" and Japanese stewardesses and lusting in his heart, a la President Jimmy Carter.
Klass, I'm back. I'm sorry for the break. In the last week or so, I have spent all of 2007 with you. I especially enjoyed episode #99, which I think is posted on his web site under March 2007. You can find his stuff on the web or on iTunes. Here's a link to the web site:
http://www.thebitterestpill.com/ and I think you can just listen to that one story here:
http://danklass.com/pill/?p=387
This post is especially important for anyone over the age of 40 who works in a corporate environment. Spend some time with it and you will understand why you need to "Get a Thing of Your Own". Damn. It was like he was talking right to me. Oh, right, he was.
Give a listen, subscribe, whatever. But get working on your "Thing", whatever that might be.
I'll see you soon,
Joe
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Short excuses
Yes. Christ, yes. I've done it again. My "normal" days got in the way of me writing to you (and only you. YOU know that, don't you?). Ah, but what is normal these days?
My bathroom is torn apart and we juggle the numerous lotions, potions and pastes out of the tiny master bath. Um, I think the correct term for this room should be "mistress" bath because I don't get to use it much. See honey? You DO have your own room! Anyway, I refer to it as "the spa" thanks to the teak shower mats from Brookstone. And I always ask permission before using "her" room.
The "boys" room is torn apart, thanks to a leaky bathtub that must be as old as the house. After a week of demolition, much dust and few cups of java with friend Jerry, it's almost complete. BTW, he does a good job and if you live in the Nashua area, look him up for this type of work. Just email me and I'll pass it along. So, the bathroom project coincided with yet another snow storm here. I took off 1.5 days to lend a hand, tote that barge, smoke that bale. With all that free time, I tried to cram in every personal appointment in the one full day. I'm beat!
Work is nuts and it seems to be that way for everyone else there, too. Something is afoot and I've heard rumor of an acquisition of a competitor. To pave the way for that, management has been pushing a few folks out the door. Others are parachuting (not in the "golden" sense) to safety. Me, I need help. I'm torn between my financial reality and a desire to do more interesting work. Some days I just feel like I am digging to China. I know that if I just stopped long enough to listen to my inner voice, I would be able to make sense of this odd assortment of skills & experience.
Ampersand apologies. I didn't sleep well last night (you did read the above paragraph, right?) and I am tired and taking short-cuts.
I wish I had time to take all of the constructive criticism I've rec'd on these missives and put it to good use. That would mean taking time and since I can barely keep up, well........So, I'll bump along. I'm afraid to wish for more time to write because we all know how THAT will come out.
Does this happen to you? I type "good" and get "god". And it pisses me off every time. Because I'm not religious and I know it's just my clumsy fingers at work and not the hand of God. Because I am sure She can type better than me.
I had a point to all of this, really. What I wanted to tell you about was my experience yesterday at the doctor's office. Remember when I stayed out last week to help on the bathroom and tried to schedule all of my personal junk in one day? The doctor's office called and rescheduled me for yesterday. In the interest of FULL DISCLOSURE, I've already shared this story with my wife. So, there!
My back has been bothering me for over a month. I mostly attribute that to age but this was a weird pain that caused a dull ache in my upper back, when I took a deep breath. I put up with it and only occasionally complained about it. You know, like every time I took a deep breath. And the pain appeared at about the same time that my upper back started to make these loud cracking noises when I stretched. So, I didn't really think there was a large tumor growing on the inside of my rib cage and pressing in on my lungs. Just only once in a while.
It turns out that my sporty new physician is an Osteopath and SHE was recommended in case I needed "an adjustment". I need a serious adjustment but that will take longer than an hour visit. (The chicken's the "special" today. Can I get a cup of psychotherapy on the side?) Now I have to describe her in detail. First, she seems really cool. Like "Hey, man, I went to Med school and know a bunch of shit." She is smart, cute, funny, engaging, petite. She's small. Man, she's tiny.
So, after all of the pleasantries, history, etc., she asks me to remove my shirt and lie on the table. Now I think she had a step-stool or ladder because, in one swift movement, she's up on the table straddling me. I'm not normally shy but, she had me in a clinch, her arms around my back and she trying to "crack" my back. She's up there on my chest, like a crazed Elfin mountaineer looking for purchase. To no avail. So, what does she do? She rolls me over. Or rather, she asks Shamu here to roll over.
And here we go again, she goes from standing beside me to practically sitting on me, trying to get my muscles to loosen up. Hey, I don't mind a little huggin' and a-squeezin' now and then! In the end, I think she got the muscle a little looser but I got the impression she was a bit disappointed that she did not get the results she wanted.
So, what does one tip for that???
My bathroom is torn apart and we juggle the numerous lotions, potions and pastes out of the tiny master bath. Um, I think the correct term for this room should be "mistress" bath because I don't get to use it much. See honey? You DO have your own room! Anyway, I refer to it as "the spa" thanks to the teak shower mats from Brookstone. And I always ask permission before using "her" room.
The "boys" room is torn apart, thanks to a leaky bathtub that must be as old as the house. After a week of demolition, much dust and few cups of java with friend Jerry, it's almost complete. BTW, he does a good job and if you live in the Nashua area, look him up for this type of work. Just email me and I'll pass it along. So, the bathroom project coincided with yet another snow storm here. I took off 1.5 days to lend a hand, tote that barge, smoke that bale. With all that free time, I tried to cram in every personal appointment in the one full day. I'm beat!
Work is nuts and it seems to be that way for everyone else there, too. Something is afoot and I've heard rumor of an acquisition of a competitor. To pave the way for that, management has been pushing a few folks out the door. Others are parachuting (not in the "golden" sense) to safety. Me, I need help. I'm torn between my financial reality and a desire to do more interesting work. Some days I just feel like I am digging to China. I know that if I just stopped long enough to listen to my inner voice, I would be able to make sense of this odd assortment of skills & experience.
Ampersand apologies. I didn't sleep well last night (you did read the above paragraph, right?) and I am tired and taking short-cuts.
I wish I had time to take all of the constructive criticism I've rec'd on these missives and put it to good use. That would mean taking time and since I can barely keep up, well........So, I'll bump along. I'm afraid to wish for more time to write because we all know how THAT will come out.
Does this happen to you? I type "good" and get "god". And it pisses me off every time. Because I'm not religious and I know it's just my clumsy fingers at work and not the hand of God. Because I am sure She can type better than me.
I had a point to all of this, really. What I wanted to tell you about was my experience yesterday at the doctor's office. Remember when I stayed out last week to help on the bathroom and tried to schedule all of my personal junk in one day? The doctor's office called and rescheduled me for yesterday. In the interest of FULL DISCLOSURE, I've already shared this story with my wife. So, there!
My back has been bothering me for over a month. I mostly attribute that to age but this was a weird pain that caused a dull ache in my upper back, when I took a deep breath. I put up with it and only occasionally complained about it. You know, like every time I took a deep breath. And the pain appeared at about the same time that my upper back started to make these loud cracking noises when I stretched. So, I didn't really think there was a large tumor growing on the inside of my rib cage and pressing in on my lungs. Just only once in a while.
It turns out that my sporty new physician is an Osteopath and SHE was recommended in case I needed "an adjustment". I need a serious adjustment but that will take longer than an hour visit. (The chicken's the "special" today. Can I get a cup of psychotherapy on the side?) Now I have to describe her in detail. First, she seems really cool. Like "Hey, man, I went to Med school and know a bunch of shit." She is smart, cute, funny, engaging, petite. She's small. Man, she's tiny.
So, after all of the pleasantries, history, etc., she asks me to remove my shirt and lie on the table. Now I think she had a step-stool or ladder because, in one swift movement, she's up on the table straddling me. I'm not normally shy but, she had me in a clinch, her arms around my back and she trying to "crack" my back. She's up there on my chest, like a crazed Elfin mountaineer looking for purchase. To no avail. So, what does she do? She rolls me over. Or rather, she asks Shamu here to roll over.
And here we go again, she goes from standing beside me to practically sitting on me, trying to get my muscles to loosen up. Hey, I don't mind a little huggin' and a-squeezin' now and then! In the end, I think she got the muscle a little looser but I got the impression she was a bit disappointed that she did not get the results she wanted.
So, what does one tip for that???
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Past bikes (or is it passed bikes?)
Happy New Year. 2007 is done and now I can look forward to messing up the date for the next few months until I realize it's '08 (and not '88)....Time flies! This week came and went too fast. Not enough got accomplished but, I made some small progress.
In my last post, I mentioned that I picked up a few camping items at LL Bean (http://www.llbean.com/). I plan to slowly accumulate everything I need for the trip over the course of the next seven months. We leave at the end of July and plan to be gone for sixteen days of riding and camping. It won't be an Iron Butt rally but I'm sure I'll be grateful to get horizontal each night.
Speaking of that, I got vertical today for the first time. I purchased an inversion table from Brookstone recently and found the time this week for the assembly. It took longer that I had thought but, this is a very sturdy unit, well capable of supporting my 200 lb. frame. I tested it out in a variety of positions, including fully vertical, with my head just inches above the ground. Very cool. I'm hoping that this will be a good way to decompress my lower back at the end of each day.
But, back to the topic of past bikes. I guess I didn't have any/many digital pix of my last two bikes so I had to troll the 'net to find shots of my last two rides. Here they are, in order of ownership. The first was a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 600:
In my last post, I mentioned that I picked up a few camping items at LL Bean (http://www.llbean.com/). I plan to slowly accumulate everything I need for the trip over the course of the next seven months. We leave at the end of July and plan to be gone for sixteen days of riding and camping. It won't be an Iron Butt rally but I'm sure I'll be grateful to get horizontal each night.
Speaking of that, I got vertical today for the first time. I purchased an inversion table from Brookstone recently and found the time this week for the assembly. It took longer that I had thought but, this is a very sturdy unit, well capable of supporting my 200 lb. frame. I tested it out in a variety of positions, including fully vertical, with my head just inches above the ground. Very cool. I'm hoping that this will be a good way to decompress my lower back at the end of each day.
But, back to the topic of past bikes. I guess I didn't have any/many digital pix of my last two bikes so I had to troll the 'net to find shots of my last two rides. Here they are, in order of ownership. The first was a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 600:
This is the first bike that I owned/paid for but there has been a long line of mini-bikes, dirt bikes and "borrowed" street bikes over the past 40+ years. I had always wanted a bike like this and did not hesitate to buy it.
My second bike was a 2002 Honda VFRA. To me, this is still the most beautiful bike built today, short of a couple of Ducatis or the stray MV Agusta or two. Here is a shot I found online:
You can tell from the shot how pleased the designers were with this bike. This was a redesign and a technological leap for Honda, at the time. In the past six years, this bike has gone largely unchanged. Rumors abound about larger displacement but this bike can run with all of the 600 or 750 class sport bikes and still give you all of the room you need for a weekend away.
That's it for tonight. I just wanted to post these two shots but got a little gabby. If you've owned either of these bikes and want to email me a photo of yours, I'll post it here with a note. Just send an email to me at joerocketmc@yahoo.com. I'd be interested in trading tales about them.
Thanks and have a great 2008!
Joe Rocket
PS - If you live in Southern NH and are looking for a group to ride with in the Nashua area, check us out online at our club site: http://www.amherstnhmc.com/
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all of you, my dearest friends and family! It's a quiet New Year's Eve as we sip eggnog by the fire. The Christmas tree is beautifully decorated but the presents have long been whisked away, from under it.
Christmas came and went and New Year's Eve will soon be behind us while the new year lays ahead. December has broken all records for snowfall and we are somewhere above 46" in one month. I hope January will be less snowy or I won't be able to get the bike out of the driveway when spring comes, thanks to the ice build-up.
Our planning continues for Sturgis. We've picked a campground and we've set the dates. We'll arrive in Sturgis the week prior to the rally and get some riding in before it gets crazy busy. I hope to shoot a lot of photos along the way and while we're there. Jerry will pack his pc so I'll try to send posts during the trip.
Over the holiday week, I shopped at LL Bean, in Freeport, ME and picked up a couple of camping supplies. I found this great little LED lamp from Coleman for inside the tent and a LED headlamp for those midnight trips around the campground. I want to find a Therm-a-Rest mattress (http://www.thermarest.com/) but LL Bean had few available after the holiday rush. I'll take a peek at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) or buy online, as we get closer to camping season.
I buy a lot of my gear at EMS. They understand outdoor gear and bad weather. I probably stop in to one of their stores every month, just to review new gear. I plan to stock up for the new riding season. Motorcycle camping is a lot like backpacking in that the amount of space is limited and you need to minimize weight.
In the coming months, I'll post a camping gear packing list and other preparations for our epic trip. We plan to do 1900+ miles in 4 days and then do some exploring once we land in the Sturgis area. Additionally, I'll post my bike plans, including the aftermarket seat, lights, etc. to modify it for the ride.
For now, I'm going to have a glass of champagne or wine, sit by the fire and daydream about the coming riding season.
Happy New Year and a safe riding season in 2008.
Joe Rocket
Christmas came and went and New Year's Eve will soon be behind us while the new year lays ahead. December has broken all records for snowfall and we are somewhere above 46" in one month. I hope January will be less snowy or I won't be able to get the bike out of the driveway when spring comes, thanks to the ice build-up.
Our planning continues for Sturgis. We've picked a campground and we've set the dates. We'll arrive in Sturgis the week prior to the rally and get some riding in before it gets crazy busy. I hope to shoot a lot of photos along the way and while we're there. Jerry will pack his pc so I'll try to send posts during the trip.
Over the holiday week, I shopped at LL Bean, in Freeport, ME and picked up a couple of camping supplies. I found this great little LED lamp from Coleman for inside the tent and a LED headlamp for those midnight trips around the campground. I want to find a Therm-a-Rest mattress (http://www.thermarest.com/) but LL Bean had few available after the holiday rush. I'll take a peek at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) or buy online, as we get closer to camping season.
I buy a lot of my gear at EMS. They understand outdoor gear and bad weather. I probably stop in to one of their stores every month, just to review new gear. I plan to stock up for the new riding season. Motorcycle camping is a lot like backpacking in that the amount of space is limited and you need to minimize weight.
In the coming months, I'll post a camping gear packing list and other preparations for our epic trip. We plan to do 1900+ miles in 4 days and then do some exploring once we land in the Sturgis area. Additionally, I'll post my bike plans, including the aftermarket seat, lights, etc. to modify it for the ride.
For now, I'm going to have a glass of champagne or wine, sit by the fire and daydream about the coming riding season.
Happy New Year and a safe riding season in 2008.
Joe Rocket
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Diet update
Just a quick note to (lightly) brag about losing 10 lbs in @ 3 weeks. What I'm doing is working.
So, maybe I'll allow myself a beer or martini tomorrow night at the Biker Bash. No, Snowy, I won't puke. At least, I'm not really planning on it.
Bones - I promised I'd blog about you next but, I've known you for 30+ years and I need to do it right. So many stories I could tell. Some of them are even true....
Peace out!
Joe Rocket
So, maybe I'll allow myself a beer or martini tomorrow night at the Biker Bash. No, Snowy, I won't puke. At least, I'm not really planning on it.
Bones - I promised I'd blog about you next but, I've known you for 30+ years and I need to do it right. So many stories I could tell. Some of them are even true....
Peace out!
Joe Rocket
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Okay, alright...I hear you already!
Sheesh! I wanted an audience and now they're throwing tomatoes! Who knew?
Three times this week I've been nagged to post to my blog. I'm sorry. Work is hectic and the holi-daze are here. Last week, I was single-parenting while my spouse was on a biz trip to a much warmer climate. Lucky her!
This week, I'm just trying to hold on until the Christmas holiday is over and then I can relax. I plan to have some time off and use it wisely to make this a better read. So...don't give up on me yet.
Regarding Sturgis, we've got a planning meeting coming up. We're going to try to decide on a location for there and maybe do some trip route planning (yeah, I know, turn left at Chicago...). So many miles between here and there and we want to make good time. Unfortunately, that will probably mean interstates a good part of the way. We'll see.
This week, I'm just trying to hold on until the Christmas holiday is over and then I can relax. I plan to have some time off and use it wisely to make this a better read. So...don't give up on me yet.
Regarding Sturgis, we've got a planning meeting coming up. We're going to try to decide on a location for there and maybe do some trip route planning (yeah, I know, turn left at Chicago...). So many miles between here and there and we want to make good time. Unfortunately, that will probably mean interstates a good part of the way. We'll see.
We did that (rode the interstates) the summer before last on a trip to Quebec, for dinner. It wasn't planned that way but the weather forecast did not cooperate and a 4-day trip putting around Canada turned into an overnight. We did manage to find a nice KOA campground (with beer!) right outside the city and a great french restaurant with very attractive servers a mile, or so, down the road. Almost stumbling distance.
That was the trip that nearly crippled me. The VFR got real uncomfortable to ride. I'm not sure if the seat or my knees were shot but I had excruciating pains shooting down my leg. At a rest stop, I joked about swapping bikes with Jerry but he remembers it as me begging to switch. Whatever. Speaking of Jerry, here's one of my favorite pictures of him, from last year's bike show. I call it "Squid Jerry". He mounted a world-class MV Augusta for this shot. Too funny!
Anyway, it's Tuesday AM and I need to get moving. Time for (another) cup o' Joe. It's F'ing cold out (7 degrees Fahrenheit) and I have to make the trek across the mountain. Boy do I miss the warm sun-kissed summer days. Nothing better than riding in a t-shirt with the sun lightly toasting your forearms. Oh yeah, winter arrives Friday.
Happy Holidays to all. I'll see some of you this week at the Biker Bash. The rest, drop me a note to say hello.
Thanks,
Joe Rocket
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Dieting
As I sit here, at my desk, eating raw broccoli, I wonder how I ever got to this point. My closest friends know that I started a diet last week and, I am happy to report that I have lost the "easy" first five pounds. But it has been anything but easy. I should have done more homework.
Yes, I know that there are a million different diet options. My decision to call a halt to the growing waistline was in response to a poor fit from my favorite (big boy) jeans. I REFUSE to buy a larger pair. It was the proverbial straw and I guess that makes me a hump...
So, I quickly flashed upon the last commercial that made an impression on me: Dan Marino touting Nutrisystem. I went online last month and ordered a month's worth of food. This will be so easy (I thought) with all of my meals already prepared and in the proper portions. What I hadn't counted on was the taste. As a paying customer, I feel that I am entitled to my opinion. Okay, I'll temper it somewhat: Ugh.
If fact, some of the meals are so bad, I skip them entirely and just have the salad that you're allowed. The breakfasts and dinners aren't too bad but some of the lunches leave me with this thought:
For those of you old enough and with a sense of humor, you'll be smiling right about now. Yea, Chuck Heston!
Speaking of Chuck, we watched The Omega Man (again) recently. Will Smith is making a splash with the third theatrical release of the story "I Am Legend". Charlie did it back in 1971 and Vincent Price did the original, way back when. For you movie buffs, check out NetFlix and you can find it (them) there.
Where was I? I want to send a shout out to my new friend Sandy. You can read her blog here: http://sandying.blogspot.com/
She works in PR and is the Social Media expert at her firm. She's been a big help in answering my "newbie" questions about blogging and very supportive, in general. A very cool gal.
Anyway, I have to get back to work. Since I'm not eating much, I had a moment to update this. If you've read any of my blogs, please add a comment, offer some feedback. And check out the nice ads from our friends at Google.
When I have more time, I will take the constructive criticism that I've already received and make this worth your time. For now, it's just me venting. But I'm blaming it on the broccoli......
Best wishes and Carpe Carp (seize the fish)!
Joe Rocket
Yes, I know that there are a million different diet options. My decision to call a halt to the growing waistline was in response to a poor fit from my favorite (big boy) jeans. I REFUSE to buy a larger pair. It was the proverbial straw and I guess that makes me a hump...
So, I quickly flashed upon the last commercial that made an impression on me: Dan Marino touting Nutrisystem. I went online last month and ordered a month's worth of food. This will be so easy (I thought) with all of my meals already prepared and in the proper portions. What I hadn't counted on was the taste. As a paying customer, I feel that I am entitled to my opinion. Okay, I'll temper it somewhat: Ugh.
If fact, some of the meals are so bad, I skip them entirely and just have the salad that you're allowed. The breakfasts and dinners aren't too bad but some of the lunches leave me with this thought:
Nutrisystem is Soylent Green!
For those of you old enough and with a sense of humor, you'll be smiling right about now. Yea, Chuck Heston!
Speaking of Chuck, we watched The Omega Man (again) recently. Will Smith is making a splash with the third theatrical release of the story "I Am Legend". Charlie did it back in 1971 and Vincent Price did the original, way back when. For you movie buffs, check out NetFlix and you can find it (them) there.
Where was I? I want to send a shout out to my new friend Sandy. You can read her blog here: http://sandying.blogspot.com/
She works in PR and is the Social Media expert at her firm. She's been a big help in answering my "newbie" questions about blogging and very supportive, in general. A very cool gal.
Anyway, I have to get back to work. Since I'm not eating much, I had a moment to update this. If you've read any of my blogs, please add a comment, offer some feedback. And check out the nice ads from our friends at Google.
When I have more time, I will take the constructive criticism that I've already received and make this worth your time. For now, it's just me venting. But I'm blaming it on the broccoli......
Best wishes and Carpe Carp (seize the fish)!
Joe Rocket
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Bikes I like
The list is long, but...I wanted to share this photo of a bike I saw this past summer. It is a mint (or fully restored) Honda 175. Not sure of the year so, if you can ID this bike, let me know.
I spotted it in a park outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. Absolutely gorgeous! Proof that one can ride a small displacement bike happily.
Let me know what your favorite bike is.
Thanks,
Joe
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Public Service ads, et al
Hi Kids!
Just a short note to let you know that I "figgered" out AdSense. Well, okay, I had some help. I met a nice young woman at an industry function and she gave some great insight. Thanks Sandy! Is it okay to plug your blog here? Let me know...
There's still so much to learn. I just printed out a small mountain of legal-ese from our friends at Google. It was part of the deal for AdSense. For now, you'll see some small public service ads in the periphery of this document. As I learn over time, I'll make some adjustments that will benefit all (but mostly YOU, dear reader).
Car problems were solved today. The Volkswagen Passat shorted itself out due to a crushed interior light. It just so happens that the fuse that controls the windows also controls the electronic "thingy" in the ignition that IDs your key. Hmm. Cars. What a pain.
Anyway, enough of that. I plan to muddle through the rest of my latest issue of Motor Cyclist magazine and dream about riding season. If you read my earlier posts, you'll see that I want a new Sport Touring bike from Yamaha. Come on. Admit it. That bike is hot!
Yes, dear cruiser friends: I would LOVE to take this ride on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide. If I win the lottery between now and August, perhaps. For now, with my bills, pending home repairs, Christmas, etc., etc. I'll aim a little lower.
I bought the Blue Beauty with Sturgis in mind. After one season (and following two sport bikes) I think it's too slow, has too small of a gas tank and lacks storage. It is the perfect bike for my normal "dubbing around" but a bit too small for a long ride. Before I put any serious money into it, I'm going to try to afford a replacement. If that fails, well, we'll see.
I guess that's it for tonight. I hope I'm not speaking to an empty room here. Let me know if you're out there. Maybe we can hook up for a ride sometime.
Peace!
PS - Big thanks to Zak, my personal mechanic. He does killer work for Porsche, VW and Audi. Later.
Just a short note to let you know that I "figgered" out AdSense. Well, okay, I had some help. I met a nice young woman at an industry function and she gave some great insight. Thanks Sandy! Is it okay to plug your blog here? Let me know...
There's still so much to learn. I just printed out a small mountain of legal-ese from our friends at Google. It was part of the deal for AdSense. For now, you'll see some small public service ads in the periphery of this document. As I learn over time, I'll make some adjustments that will benefit all (but mostly YOU, dear reader).
Car problems were solved today. The Volkswagen Passat shorted itself out due to a crushed interior light. It just so happens that the fuse that controls the windows also controls the electronic "thingy" in the ignition that IDs your key. Hmm. Cars. What a pain.
Anyway, enough of that. I plan to muddle through the rest of my latest issue of Motor Cyclist magazine and dream about riding season. If you read my earlier posts, you'll see that I want a new Sport Touring bike from Yamaha. Come on. Admit it. That bike is hot!
Yes, dear cruiser friends: I would LOVE to take this ride on a Harley-Davidson Street Glide. If I win the lottery between now and August, perhaps. For now, with my bills, pending home repairs, Christmas, etc., etc. I'll aim a little lower.
I bought the Blue Beauty with Sturgis in mind. After one season (and following two sport bikes) I think it's too slow, has too small of a gas tank and lacks storage. It is the perfect bike for my normal "dubbing around" but a bit too small for a long ride. Before I put any serious money into it, I'm going to try to afford a replacement. If that fails, well, we'll see.
I guess that's it for tonight. I hope I'm not speaking to an empty room here. Let me know if you're out there. Maybe we can hook up for a ride sometime.
Peace!
PS - Big thanks to Zak, my personal mechanic. He does killer work for Porsche, VW and Audi. Later.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Bikes versus cars
What is it about cars? Why do they break down ALL the time???
Last night, late, my teenager's car wouldn't start. Granted, it's an older car but, when was the last time your motorcycle wouldn't fire? Can you recall? I can't.
Do the major bike manufacturer's make a much better/more reliable/higher quality product than car manufacturers?
I've not owned a Honda car but I can imagine that they hold up well. Even if you do ALL the services on a car, it seems like you are ALWAYS spending money on SOMETHING! Services, repairs, tire rotations, alignments, oil leaks (okay, H-D has a reputation on their older bikes). You get the idea.
The average bike rider rides his motorcycle many fewer miles than an average driver drives. I get that. But, mile per mile, I would argue that motorcycles are a much more reliable (and fuel efficient) machine. So, why don't more people ride?
Well, I had a good year this year but, compared to some, they'd call it minimal. My latest issue of Motor Cyclist magazine (THE BEST bike mag) has an article about the Iron Butt Rally. 11,000 miles in 11 days. Holy Sore Tuchas! I'd like to qualify for an Iron Butt someday, but I'll need a more comfortable ride and to be in better shape.
Finally, do any of you have any ideas as to how to attract advertisers to this space? I'd keep it relevant and on topic. Bike stuff, gear, etc. All you'd have to do is check out the links and buy something if you thought it would make your ride a better one.
Thats all for now. It's been a long day, dealing with car problems. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Joe Rocket
Last night, late, my teenager's car wouldn't start. Granted, it's an older car but, when was the last time your motorcycle wouldn't fire? Can you recall? I can't.
Do the major bike manufacturer's make a much better/more reliable/higher quality product than car manufacturers?
I've not owned a Honda car but I can imagine that they hold up well. Even if you do ALL the services on a car, it seems like you are ALWAYS spending money on SOMETHING! Services, repairs, tire rotations, alignments, oil leaks (okay, H-D has a reputation on their older bikes). You get the idea.
The average bike rider rides his motorcycle many fewer miles than an average driver drives. I get that. But, mile per mile, I would argue that motorcycles are a much more reliable (and fuel efficient) machine. So, why don't more people ride?
Well, I had a good year this year but, compared to some, they'd call it minimal. My latest issue of Motor Cyclist magazine (THE BEST bike mag) has an article about the Iron Butt Rally. 11,000 miles in 11 days. Holy Sore Tuchas! I'd like to qualify for an Iron Butt someday, but I'll need a more comfortable ride and to be in better shape.
Finally, do any of you have any ideas as to how to attract advertisers to this space? I'd keep it relevant and on topic. Bike stuff, gear, etc. All you'd have to do is check out the links and buy something if you thought it would make your ride a better one.
Thats all for now. It's been a long day, dealing with car problems. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Joe Rocket
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday
Hi All! It's Sunday night (almost) and I am only here for a few moments. I have to go burn some meat on the grill before it gets too cold and snowy to use the grill.
The long weekend is almost done and we can expect some rain and more chill in the air. I washed my bike today and threw it on a battery charger before covering it for the winter. How sad! I always feel wistful on this day. Sort of like a death...
Here's a picture of the new object of desire for me. I had been hankerin' for a Honda ST1300 for sooooooo long but did not buy one due to the cost. I saw a recent article and have spoken to some owners of the Yamaha FJR 1300 and spent a few minutes reading the specs online recently. Wow! 145 hp and a wet weight of 548 lbs. Holy crap.
Here's a photo and maybe you'll get it. Of course, my cruiser friends won't understand why I am not buying a Harley Davidson....maybe it is the $25,000+ price tag!
Cheers! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Joe
The long weekend is almost done and we can expect some rain and more chill in the air. I washed my bike today and threw it on a battery charger before covering it for the winter. How sad! I always feel wistful on this day. Sort of like a death...
Here's a picture of the new object of desire for me. I had been hankerin' for a Honda ST1300 for sooooooo long but did not buy one due to the cost. I saw a recent article and have spoken to some owners of the Yamaha FJR 1300 and spent a few minutes reading the specs online recently. Wow! 145 hp and a wet weight of 548 lbs. Holy crap.
Here's a photo and maybe you'll get it. Of course, my cruiser friends won't understand why I am not buying a Harley Davidson....maybe it is the $25,000+ price tag!Cheers! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Joe
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Stinky Cheese
One more thing...........
We're on our way to Jerry & Marie's for a Stinky Cheese Party. This will be their fourth and our second. I'll have to describe it in detail later but, it is a whole lot of fun. Okay, maybe the cocktails and wine have something to do with that! Afterwards, we plan to participate in the Holiday Stroll, in downtown Nashua. I just hope it's not too friggin' cold!
Details tomorrow!
Oh yeah. One more thing...I'm trying to locate some pictures of my VFR800A that I last owned but can't come up with any. I want to post pix of all my bikes here but, I may have to do with a stock photo from Honda.
Cheers!
We're on our way to Jerry & Marie's for a Stinky Cheese Party. This will be their fourth and our second. I'll have to describe it in detail later but, it is a whole lot of fun. Okay, maybe the cocktails and wine have something to do with that! Afterwards, we plan to participate in the Holiday Stroll, in downtown Nashua. I just hope it's not too friggin' cold!
Details tomorrow!
Oh yeah. One more thing...I'm trying to locate some pictures of my VFR800A that I last owned but can't come up with any. I want to post pix of all my bikes here but, I may have to do with a stock photo from Honda.
Cheers!
Goals
Hi All:
Bear with me while I give this a go. I hope that this will work out and, if so, I'll share that news and success with you right here.
I could have called this "Blogging for a bike" but, I am hoping that the Sturgis reference will help me get more hits. Yes, sadly, this is somewhat of a commercial endeavor but don't stop reading this yet. Let me explain.
I ride motorcycles, as I am sure a lot of you do. I'm also employed in a marketing capacity for a company here in New Hampshire and I stuggle to find that eternal balance between riding all the time (like some of my retired friends) and work/life/family obligations. I'm not 50 yet and have been riding, more or less, most of my life. More on that later.
The goal of this blog is to help me to afford to buy a new bike in time for Sturgis 2008. To that end, I will try to find relevant topics and content that will keep you coming back to see my progress, to root for me and to help me reach my goals.
I hope that this works for all of us and I will try to find compelling information about riding, bikes, gear, camping and trip preparations that will keep you coming back.
For now, I'll sign off as it's the weekend and there's "stuff" to be done. I'll be back soon to ramble on.
Best wishes for a very warm and short winter,
Joe Rocket
Bear with me while I give this a go. I hope that this will work out and, if so, I'll share that news and success with you right here.
I could have called this "Blogging for a bike" but, I am hoping that the Sturgis reference will help me get more hits. Yes, sadly, this is somewhat of a commercial endeavor but don't stop reading this yet. Let me explain.
I ride motorcycles, as I am sure a lot of you do. I'm also employed in a marketing capacity for a company here in New Hampshire and I stuggle to find that eternal balance between riding all the time (like some of my retired friends) and work/life/family obligations. I'm not 50 yet and have been riding, more or less, most of my life. More on that later.
The goal of this blog is to help me to afford to buy a new bike in time for Sturgis 2008. To that end, I will try to find relevant topics and content that will keep you coming back to see my progress, to root for me and to help me reach my goals.
I hope that this works for all of us and I will try to find compelling information about riding, bikes, gear, camping and trip preparations that will keep you coming back.
For now, I'll sign off as it's the weekend and there's "stuff" to be done. I'll be back soon to ramble on.
Best wishes for a very warm and short winter,
Joe Rocket
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