Just Some Random Notes

Despite my better judgement I've been wandering around Facebook for a few weeks. (I'm testing a theory: I think I'm just as anti-social online as I am in person.) Despite not being in Facebooks target demographic since I don't have an iPhone covered in pink glitter and a Hello Kitty backpack I do occasionally run into a nugget of good stuff.

Like World Class Driving. I don't know much about them but they'll be in town twice in 2009. Might be worth a look.

I'm still stalking the motorcycle track day websites. The schedule for 2-Fast is up. All mid-week dates as usual. Their performance last year impressed me so I'll make an effort to ride with them again in 2009. Unfortunately they only run at Pacific Raceways and the weather there is hit-or-miss until June. So I'm still looking for good early season dates.

I did run across this and this. I guess I'll scratch Fast Freddy off the list for the time being.

Also from Facebook I learned that there might be a 20-year reunion for my high school in the Spring. I'm trying to figure out
1) is it worth going?
b) what else I might combine in the trip?
iii) should I drive The Triumph down?

3500 miles in a TR6 is rough. On the driver, on the car, on the passenger, on the guy behind you inhaling burnt oil. But PCH in May in a convertible is achingly appealing.

Economic Downturn

I have no money. Alot of my no money is invested in stocks. And that no money is really turning into no money lately.

How do I respond? I go virtual window shopping. Perhaps someone else took a financial hit recently as well. Because they gave up a very nice toy.

$875,000? That's not completely crazy for todays values. But with a little foresight you could have had Clint Eastwoods for about 1/2 the price.

I'm Not Going to Make It

It's only been a week and I'm already stalking all of the motorcycle track day websites hoping they've published their 2009 schedules. STAR? Nope. APEX? Nope. NESBA? Nope. 2-Fast? Nope.

Everyday.

...

Gotta go, maybe one's been published while I was writing this.

I Give Up

Today was the day.

All hope is gone.

There's really no point in prolonging the inevitable.

I need to face the facts and get on with my life.

That's right, today I gave up on the riding/convertible season.

It's been raining since we got back from Canada. It'll be raining until two teaser days in March (which will, of course, be mid-week or on a weekend when I'm out of town) then won't really stop until mid-June. ... I know what you're thinking and I totally agree: no sane person would put up with this.

What does giving up on the season look like? It looks like cleaning up the garage. Actually putting things where they belong (instead of putting things somewhere convenient). All of the trackday stuff went into boxes. The tools came out of the portable boxes and go back to their permanent spots. Bikes get stuffed into corners and covered with sheets.

It's a sad day.

But nature abhors a vacuum. As riding/convertible season leaves it makes room for ... ... WRENCHING SEASON!!!

The wrenching list includes paint, electrical, gadgetry, cars, bikes, even some work on the garage itself. ... That's alot. I'm tired just thinking about it. Maybe I should start with a nap instead.

Canadian Lessons

Things I learned in or about Canada in roughly chronological order:

1. 1km = .624 miles. When the sign says "80" it means "50".


2. 1 liter = .2642 gallons. "$1.39" = $5/gallon.


3. Sometimes the valet admits it.


4. You can tour Canadian construction zones (at least in Whistler).


5. The Olympics will be much bigger in 2010 than they were in 1988.


6. There's alot of untouched wilderness in Canada.


7. Canadians are serious about hockey.


8. The CFL is not the NFL minor-leagues.


9. Peanut doesn't care. It's his house now and you better let him sleep.


10. Canadian political ads suck too.


11. Goats are not afraid of traffic.


12. The Nitro has passing power.


13. It's easier to enter Canada than the U.S.


14. Canadians understand "Keep right except to pass". Seattlites do not.


15. I think "Seattle" is Chinook-Indian for "The rain starts at the city limits."