Volume = Max

Hit the max volume in the Durango this morning.

Wasn't loud enough.

Ever have a day when you need the maximum volume - need it to quiet the internal volume?

Today is one of those days.

I'm really not sure there is a volume anywhere I can find louder then what's inside.

- b

Weekend in Installments

I should say Weekend(S), since I still haven't put together a page for the yard work weekend.

Anyway. I went backpacking this past weekend. Jen made me go. At first I thought she just wanted a weekend to herself doing nothing, but when I got home I found this.

I don't feel so bad going away for a weekend doing whatever when I think she's home relaxing, but when she's home doing stuff and I'm off playing that's not right.

But she made me go.

So far I have two of possibly five pages up from the hike. Check them out here.

- b

Safety First (Memories Cont.)

The Thanksgiving following the October Pocono crash on the "track bike", I had another crash of sorts. On my way to TN (with the TLR - hooligan street bike - in the back of the truck) to visit my folks for the holiday, I stopped to see my Grandmother in Wv. While there that night, my appendix burst. Eventually my bike and I made it to TN, but for reasons I can't recall, the bike stayed there when I was finally able to come home.

It was either Christmas or shortly there after, that I went back down. Along the way in Virginia, I stopped at a gentleman's house to pick up a "control unit" used for reprogramming the EFI on TLRs. Once in TN, it didn't take my father and I long to start mucking with the beast.

It worked. It was "seat of the pants" faster then before - not that it really needed to be, but what the hell.

Back home I had other cycle issues to deal with. The track bike was still banged up from the fall. With a few months still before track season, I set about fixing it. I also set about a full proof plan to finally achieving my race license.

A lot of time and effort goes into motorcycle racing from all angles. One of the most important and often missed is corner working. Corner workers are vital to track safety. They are the eyes and ears to all the dangers and issues that might arise during an event. They are as they are described - workers at each corner.

Using flags, they signal to riders track conditions, dangers and safety concerns. In the event of an accident or issue, they swiftly take care of it so racing may safely continue. In the mid-atlantic the main corner working organization is MARRC. They have a deal where you volunteer to corner work for a weekend, they give you a discount toward race school and earning your license. Essentially corner working is the ultimate race school. Standing in the middle of a track all day watching the action from a safety point of view teaches you real quick what's right and wrong as far as racing goes.

After a successful track day at Summit Point in mid to late March, I signed up for the corner working deal and paid my dues sometime in early April.

- b

Up All Night

Puppy was sick.

She first puked on the bedspread around 11pm. At least that had some of her dinner in it.

Around 12:30 she went again. This time only bile.

Then again at 4am.

We think that's it, but really can't remember.

I need a nap.

- b

Tunnel of Love

I dug a tunnel this weekend. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while.

It's four inches in diameter, though it didn't start out that way. No. Wait. Actually it did start out as four inches in diameter. It didn't take long to realize that wasn't gonna work, so I stepped it down to a two inch diameter tunnel as a pilot/bore hole.

The two inch tunnel went a lot easier, though I still managed to pull a hamstring doing it. Once the two inch was through, I went back to the four inch.

Finally it went through too.

- b

Dog Days of April

I think we averaged one or two moments of goodness


for an entire weekend of puppy (or piggy depending on your perspective) play.

She actually dug out a 1/3 of the mulch pile all on her own. So much was moved around, I thought Jen had started spreading it.

Speaking of mulch, we spent the entire weekend in the yard weeding, digging and spreading mulch. I'll build a page later this week when I get to it. In the meantime, you can check out the water conditioner work we had done earlier this week.

- b

Zapped

Gretchen spent the majority of day in the yard with us yesterday.

During one of our F-E-T-C-H sessions (you have to spell it out, otherwise she gets too excited when she hears the word), she ran over the invisible fence line to get her toy (bad throw. I know.).

It didn't appear to bother her much. I heard it beeping and she twisted her head a little like she had a bug in her ear, but that was it. Checking her collar, I saw there was some slack, so I cinched it up a bit.

A little later while Jen's Mom was standing in the shade of a tree outside the boundary, Gretchen went to go visit.

ZAP! Yelp!

She ran back to the inside of the yard. It really wasn't a bad zap or yelp. Just a reinforcement, which is what I wanted and she needed. So far she's done really well with the white flags designating the boundary, but she's needed a reinforcement to let her know there are consequences more then me yelling "Back" if she crosses the line.

We'll see how she does today.

- b

Garbage Car

I used to get really annoyed with Jen leaving garbage and all kinds of who knows what in her car.

This is the rental I've only had for a couple of weeks. Imagine after a few months in my own car.

I realize now it's a schedule thing. I'm always running around. By the time I get home, I'm too tired or careless to clean the car.

I mentioned this realization (i.e. apology) to her a few weeks ago. Just getting around to doing it publicly.

- b

#2 Memory Lane

So the beast of a bike was a lot of fun. So much fun, my friend convinced me (barely a month after buying the behemoth) to do a "track day" at Pocono Raceway in an attempt to earn our race licenses and start racing motorcycles.

Licenses are necessary to prove you're not some lunatic on the track and can handle racing situations. To get one you need to pass a short written exam and successfully complete a track day without crashing or causing a crash.

I didn't pass.

I hit the throttle too hard and too early coming out of one of the turns and low-sided my new 10k toy.

I failed the test, but I was hooked on riding the track. Within a month or so, I decided to get a track specific bike. I wasn't necessarily looking into the whole racing thing yet, but a bike I could take to the track was on order. I found this beauty not too far from me.

It was a (mostly) 1990 Yamaha FZR 400. Yes it was a smaller bike, but smaller was better. Smaller bikes were cheaper to maintain (they didn't wear out tires as often), and smaller bikes actually taught you how to ride. To go fast on a smaller bike, you had to (and could) maintain lots of corner speed. You didn't have a big fat motor underneath you to get you screaming down the straights. You had to scream it through the corners to do that.

Shortly there-after I went back to Pocono and had a blast.

I did really well, had a lot of fun and didn't crash. Unfortunately they didn't offer licenses on this day, so I went back about a month later.

Didn't pass that time either. I didn't really like the red anyway.

At this point it was mid October. Unless you went way far south, track-days were over for the winter. I receded to my garage to lick my wounds and prepare for next season.

- b

Memories

Way back around Christmas 97/New Years 98, I bought my Mom's '91 Honda Accord and towed it home from Tennessee.

There's some disgruntled story about that trip. I remember being so pissed (at my Dad I think), that I tried leaving in a snow storm. It took me forever to get no where, so I turned around and tried a few days later.

But that's not the point.

This car was a new opportunity for me. I had been driving a fullsize pickup for years. This car was going to be more professional. I was going to show more initiative and go out and meet people. I had also recently broken off my engagement to my high school sweet heart of 6 years, so I needed to get out and meet people.

It worked. I met a lot of people and spent a lot of time traveling back and forth between my apartment in the sticks and the big city Philly.

Unfortunately a little over two years after getting the car, it was stolen on one of those trips to the city. The cops were useless. The insurance company was great. Within a few days, they had taken ownership of the car and paid me more for it then I had paid my mother. A few days later the cops found it - or what was left of it. They actually offered a police escort for me to go see it. No thanks.

At the time that was a really painful situation. I'd never felt so violated in my adult life.

Now it's a little different. I don't feel as violated, but this crap with my Subaru is just as painful. It's been back in the shop for over two weeks. This is the third time it's been back. I've been told the original manager and the guy that worked on my car the first time are "no longer with us". That's great, but where's my car?

And where's my money? I paid a $500 deductible. Somewhere along the way my insurance company said they were pursuing the other company for damages, but I haven't heard anything in a while. I'm out a car and money. What the hell?

Back in 99 I made myself feel better with this.

With this nice weather and memories of how much fun that beast was, it's hard not to do it again.

- b

Mulch Man Prophecy

Our yard has lots of flower beds. The previous owners fancied themselves as amateur gardeners, though they used red mulch and white rocks in all the beds.

After two years, it was time to replace the mulch.

How do you do that?

Jen and I had never been faced with this before. How much mulch do we need? What kind? How do you figure out how much you need? How much does it cost?

We looked online and got some ideas/formulas and went to work measuring our yard. Total came out to around 20 yards. Price would be a little over $600.

Wow!

Is that a lot? Seems like a lot? How much is that really?

I started asking around at work. Most people were accustomed to jobs in the 5 - 7 yrd range, so twenty seemed a little over the top.

Ran the reactions by Jen and we decided to start with just 10 yrds. I placed the order and got it delivered.

The delivery guy was super nice and an expert at unloading mulch. He had the kind of service that made you want to order more right there on the spot.

Looking at the pile it looks both small and big. It looks small in the fact I know it won't cover all the areas we need to do, but looks big in the fact I'm glad we only got half of what we need and will have to spread this weekend.

With this amount of work, I'm probably going to need more beer.

- b

Free Range Puppy

Since getting her cone off and stitches out, Gretchen's been given free range of the house when we're around.

After a hike or all day in the yard, it works pretty nicely. She mostly just lounges.

If she hasn't had those things to burn off the energy, it's a little different. She splits her time between harassing the cat,

harassing CJ or harassing us. We're hoping she gets bored of it soon.

We've even stopped the sleeping in the crate at night, though last night I wished we hadn't.

We've been leashing her to the dresser next to her bed, so she doesn't spend all night doing the things she loves. It's worked for about week now, though last night she somehow tied herself into a knot. She was on her back and completely wrapped up in the leash. It freaked her out. She yelped and peed her bed. It was pretty nasty.

So she's back to a crate of sorts. We put her in the bathroom with a gate to keep her in. It's not as nice as her lying in her bed next to ours, but it's a lot nicer (and cleaner) then her getting into trouble - so far.

- b

Priority Fixing

Again?

Let's do it right this time

Mmmmmm Green Flash!

I had such a hard time at the distributer. I know I like IPAs and I know what IPAs I like, but I feel like I should branch out. I feel like I should try other IPAs or maybe even variety packs to see what else is out there. The problem in PA of course is you have to buy a full case, so what if I buy a case of something I end up not liking? And why buy a variety pack with things in it I know I won't like?

I decided I just wasn't in the mood for all that and went with what I know I like. Problem is I like Green Flash too much. Holy crap I like it! One just makes me drink another, then another and another. Before you know it it's noon already...

Presentation for the CTO went very well yesterday. I didn't feel my part went as well as it could, but overall things were good. Too good actually. We keep raising the bar for ourselves. At some point he mentioned we should all get our passports up to date and jump on planes to spread our goodness around the various offices across the globe. Not sure about that. We have enough to do on our own back here at home. Next deadline is the end of May. Looks like another six weeks of hell.

and good beer of course.

- b

Big Day

After a quick presentation in front of the CTO, things should get a little easier after today. We have a new person starting next Monday and the next deadline is more than a few weeks away.

That should leave plenty of extra time for -





house work.



Thought I was going to say cycling didn't you? I'd like to. That new trail at Marsh Creek was certainly inspiring, but I'm a little behind on my chores.

- b

Some Turkey

On our way back from our hike yesterday we ran into the turkeys again.

Though I should say just turkey. I think they (he) belong to the home at the end of the street - just beyond the stop sign.

We've seen them enough now to know they're not wild.

Though he did get a little wild when we didn't roll past quick enough. This is the shot of him actually pecking the car door.

Though rolling past wasn't quite good enough either as he started to chase.


We did get video this time I think Blogger will load. Let's see.



And no. Those aren't my boxers lying on the bank.

- b

New Park

Do you remember when they started the new section of the park? When they had all those big earth movers and excavators to add that six extra acres?

Yes. I remember. It was the spring of 08.

- b

The Energizer Puppy

After being couped up for two weeks recovering from her operation, Gretchen finally got to get out and burn off some of her excess energy. Little did we know just how much she had to burn.

We started the day with a hike around Springton Manor. The hike went as most hikes do, with her and CJ running and playing along the trails. There was also some creek play this time. (We took video of it, but I'm not skilled enough to get it compressed to a size that blogger will take.)

After the hike, it was dog training class. After class it was chores in the yard. Normally a hike and class would be enough to calm her down for the day, so we let her out in the yard with us expecting she'd just lay there while we did things. That wasn't the case. She followed me everywhere, which means she wasn't laying down and resting. I raked sticks, flipped compost, drained water off the pool cover, etc. I was busy from 2 till about 7 with her in tow the whole way. When I ran the tractor to cut some grass, she left me only to follow Jen till I was done. Occasionally she'd get some extra energy and quick game of fetch ensued.

About 10 o'clock she finally crashed.

Now we're up and ready for another day.

I did get some trim pictures up from last week.

- b

Hot Chocolate Dinners

A couple of us working late have been drinking cups of hot chocolate for dinner.

When you're stuck in an office after 7 with a growling stomach and nothing but free coffee and hot chocolate, you scrounge for whatever calories you can find.

Just a few cups will get you through till about 9.

- b

One of Those Days

I actually thought of putting my head through the drywall at work today.




























































































I'm sure one day I'll look back at all this and laugh - as the orderly pumps another vial of Thorazine into my vein.

- b

Back to Work

After a week of twelve hour days at home, it's back to twelve hour days in the office.

Ugh.

- b

Uh-Oh

There. That's better.

Good thing they come in 30 packs, cause they go fast.

- b

Progress

- b

No Grace

Gretchen has no grace with her cone. She's still crashing into stuff. I think she's miserable from the fact she can't do anything. She just doesn't care. Crashing is at least something for her now.

- b

Still Bent

Bodyshop took the Subaru back yesterday. Turns out it's still bent.

Bent cars just don't bend back.

They should have totaled it.

- b

Inbox

Some mail I received.

Remember the deer trap I posted about a while back? Here's a small example of its genius.

Also, I think we have a contender for Amber Alert #3.

Yes. It's an inside joke. No. I won't explain it.

Got a little more work done yesterday.

- b