Started a new site recently (Sept. 2005) that has more updated and better organized information about my hobbies -- motorcycles, kayaking and woodworking. It's just starting/growing and includes information about my Honda Nighthawk 750, BMW R1150R (old bikes), Yamaha FJR1300 and Kawasaki KLR 650. Soon I'll have more details around my kayaks and kayaking; Necky Elaho, Wilderness Systems Ripper, Necky Witch, Eddyline Nighthawk and Wilderness Systems Tarpon 130 tandem.

Been out of touch with the web log lately, so here's a brief update:

• Bought a '00 KLR650 in July and have take a few trips to the mountains to ride, including the Shenandoah 500 Dual Sport ride in October. Some local dirt/gravel roads around here with Neal.
• Have nearly 10,000 miles on the FJR. Recently changed the plugs, sync'd the throttle bodies, changed tires (myself), oil change happened at the dealer while getting a drive seal replaced.
• Went to the AMA races at VIR in Oct. -- but drove as I had my nine-year-old with me.
• Built some outdoor things -- outside enclosed shower, planting boxes, etc. More projects on the way.
• Haven't done nearly as much kayaking as I'd like this summer/fall due to other projects.

I recently did a little maintenance on the FJR, thanks in a large part to Warchild's excellent web site (www.fjrtech.com). I sync'd the throttle bodies, cleaned the air filter, changed the oil & filter, and changed the rear "pumpkin" oil. This weekend I'm going to swap out the plugs with irridium versions, check assorted bolts, lube pivot points and quite possibly pull the rear wheel and drive shaft and lube the shaft.

Back from a 2,000 mile jaunt down to St. Petersburg in Florida via back roads, over to Daytona, up to Savanna and back home. A fantastic adventure!

It's time to start some farkles on the new FJR, and revamp this site as well. So far I've added two powerlet outlets near the rear left footpeg for heated gear, and a third in the left dash area to power up my Garmin GPS V. Good stuff, all. I mounted a RAM mirror mount on the left mirror stalk placeholder on the handlebars.

Today I added a Vista Cruise throttle lock and promptly went out on a two hour ride to see how it works. Good stuff. Later this month I may head south toward Daytona, give or take 500 miles or so.

I picked up a new toy, so my old one is For Sale:

2002 BMW R1150RA (ABS). This is plain and simply a fantastic motorcycle. From daily street riding to long-distance touring, this bike can do it all. Just under one year/ 3,000 miles remain on transferable factory warranty. Excellent condition with many extras: accessory power socket, luggage rack, hard saddlebags, PIAA 1100x driving lights wired with Autoswitch, BMW factory touring windscreen, hand guards, hyper-lights, heated grips and ABS Evo power brakes. New Dunlop D205 sport-touring tires front and rear! Atlanta blue, 33,000 miles, dealer serviced & well maintained with no problems whatsoever. Garage kept and never dropped. You can finance this bike at low interest through Peoplefirst.com. $7,900. (757) 558-9753. Located in Virginia. Send me an email if you have any questions....

Click on the photos to open a larger version in a new window:

I'm finished with a kitchen hutch for a fomer coworker, except for some minor touch-up sanding and picking up one more drawer pull. Here's the finished piece (click on the photo for a larger version).

Some may know I used to be a reporter and editor. I did some work as a stringer for the Salt Lake Tribune and was always treated well and received a byline, even though I was running a nearby weekly paper at the time as well.

This, well, let's just say I'm glad I went to work on my own last month.

I managed to get out for the BMW Motorcycle Club of Hampton Roads Third Saturday ride over the weekend. Unfortunately, with temps in the 50s and light rain, II was the only one that showed up. So I rode around for a couple of hours and headed home to do some things around the house. Thankfully, I ended up at the mall instead where I invested heavily in the men's section at Dillards. Stockholders can thank me now.

Here are some photos, as promised, of my current project:

I haven't done much riding lately, but I'm moving right along on a furniture building project and hope to get out for a ride this afternoon. If that doesn't work out, well, there is always tomorrow while everyone else is at work!

Look for some photos of my latest project soon.

Look at me... I'm keeping this up to date! Whooo Hoooo. Here's a link to a really cool commercial that Honda is using in the UK. Lots of articles about this and it's pretty dang impressive.

Also, how about that guy in Colorado who amputated his own arm to get free of a 200-pound boulder! Reminds me of one of those jokes I heard in college -- the one involving beer goggles and waking up the next morning with someone who is significantly less attractive as the sun comes up. Big stones, my man.

With any luck the sun will come out today and I'll get out for a ride. If not, I'll be in the garage working on two new pieces of furniture. Did I mention I now have a jointer and planer? I'm gonna be like Norm.

I am very impressed with dreamweaver and hope to make some changes to this site soon that take advantage of the program. It works well as an integration between Fireworks and Dreamweaver to create images, etc.

I have been working on getting several of the sites I manage over to a new computer and onto Dreamweaver. So far, so good, although there is a lot of code to clean up. In other news, I have my bike back from the shop after the 30,000 mile service, annual service, inspection and a new rear tire (Dunlop D205).

I had to ride home in a sudden rain storm, which is never fun when you have the afternoon commute traffic AND a brand-new tire.

In the mean time, while trying to explain the concept of artistic license to my three children over dinner the other night... the middle child (who is 10) offers up.... "I know what that is... it's a little card with your picture on it."  Man I love her :-).

And this from Mighty Girl, writing to women about how to dress sexy, "Often what makes a sexy outfit look skanky is a lack of attention to detail. When you’re getting ready to wear something trashy, groom what’s showing. You want to look artfully mussed; you don’t want to look like a heroin-addict on the prowl."

Good point.

I signed up for the Palmetto Ramble in South Carolina in March and am planning to run down to Daytona Bike Week for a day or two afterwards.

Of course I promptly crashed and burned after Barry turned off the computer help, but never  mind that.  Neal and Mike were tearing up the track when I left.
 

I'm headed out for a loop to Charlottesville
and back on the bike tomorrow.  It appears that the usual suspects are indisposed so I'll be riding solo.

That's okay, 'cause last time I rode with Barry he was, er, seen in a compromising position at the first rest stop.  It wouldn't have been so damn embarrassing except it seemed to take him a long time to make the adjustments. 

He said it was cold out.

Note to self... remind Barry that "flash" photography involves a bright light that appears for a spit second.  That's it.  It really doesn't require any special efforts on the subject's part, no matter how enthusiastic he seems to be.
 

I'm thinking about a blanket chest or a garden bench.  But I'm not sure, yet.

Okay, this made me laugh.
 

I took my bride to get her wisdom teeth taken out yesterday.  She looks like a cute chipmunk, but I think she feels much worse.  There's a lesson here folks -- don't wait until you're 35 to get them taken out.

Good news from the Dunlop folks and frankly, I'm impressed.  I went out Sunday to go for a ride and while checking the air pressure and the tires, noticed several cracks in the tread wells on the front tire.  I took the wheel and tire into Adventure BMW on Tuesday and they mounted a new Dunlop D205 for me.  They then contacted Dunlop and scored me a 50% discount on the new tire, based on the tread life remaining.  I'm pretty happy with that, since by my estimates I was more than 50% through the tire.

So tomorrow, I ride with Neal and company.  Today, I pick up a Torx bit so I can torque the brake caliber bolts correctly.  Today, I play with Macromedia's MX studio.  Cool stuff.

But I made the most of it and had a good time.  I hope to get some miles/smiles in today once the  temps warm up a bit.  For now, though, some Johnny Mathis and coffee (decaf, don't ask).

The commute was a bit chilly this week, especially the morning one of the wires popped out of my Widder vest connection.  I think that after two+ years the wire just gave out, but an evening in the garage with a heater, the dog, electrical tape and a screwdriver had everything up and working again.  The connections are designed for easy fixin' and I was happy to have the heat again, especially since the next morning's commute was a brisk 28 degrees!

Oh yes, some of my pals in the Corporate office are busy this week after this kind of press.

I rode out to Franklin last Saturday -- about a 100 mile round-trip in brisk 40 degree temps.  Thank you Mr. Widder!  This is the time of year when I really start getting weird looks in the elevator headed to work.  I hope it's all the gear and the helmet, not the fact that my nose keeps running for 30 minutes after my commute.

Oh, BTW, tomorrow is my birthday.  I turn 35.  And I still haven't written a book. Hmmm.

What the hell, I've sure done a lot of other things so far in this go around!

Also... another photo from the rally.  This was taken from the top of Mt. Mitchell.  And some photos below of my current woodworking project in the beginning and middle stages.  These are some shelves for our front room, and a desk to house our two computers.  They still need the final painting, but they sure look better just with the trim and primer on them!  Click on the photos for larger versions..

Here's a photo that Paul took of me wrestling with figuring out the best route.  More later...

My middle daughter, who just had two teeth pulled in anticipation of me paying for an orthodontists Christmas, told me a joke that made me smile... why does the mushroom get invited to all the parties??? 'Cause he's a fungi.

BTW, yesterday for work I wore a sheet over my head with a dozen or so eye holes cut in it, and carried a paper bag with a rock in it.  I went around saying "I got a rock."  Less than half of the people got it.  However, one of the guys from IT who thinks like me came in dressed the same way.  Go figure.

The irony was also lost on all but a few people who understand my frustration at work these days.  Someone did suggest handing a football to my boss and asking him to hold it for me.  Good grief.

I rode home in the dark rain the last two nights, thanks to the time change and a yucky storm (that's a little-known technical term for those who don't watch the Weather channel late at night).  My ABS brakes paid for themselves a few times over last night as I was following a car a bit too closely through a green light in stop and go traffic and it suddenly slammed on the brakes.  I felt the ABS cycle in the rear tire, since I didn't use the front brake.

I'm driving today as I realized I got myself into the trouble spot by not paying enough attention.... I simply have too much crap running through my head right now to give the motorcycle my full attention, and I like life too much to ride when I can't give it my all.

Later.... I've received 6 or 7 emails in the last two or three days from R1150R owners (you know who you are) who came across my site and like at least some of what I have on here.  It's always a pleasant surprise to find out someone is actually reading this stuff :-).  One of them expressed some concern about the incident last night, so here's what I sent to him, for those interested in the details: