Thanksgiving break was peaceful and relaxing and properly vegatative. I spent it at Kakashi's house and partook of a real family Thanksgiving dinner, numerous sessions of youtube-watching, two episodes of the Simpsons, an EXCELLENT movie (the 'Proposition') video games and various other time-wasting activities. It was nice.

I also took the opportunity of being in the vicinity of a 'Beverages and More' to replenish my stock of liquor with a seventy-five of Fighting Cock bourbon. Supposed to be pretty good stuff. We'll see. I also aquired (finally!) some proper shot glasses. Goodbye to the days of drinking out of teacups; may they never return.

I need to get some work done on my thesis. Now that the bike project is off my mind, I ought to have the leisure to do so.

Well, this is only a filler post, I've got nothing to say, and I'm waiting for a phone call. I'm going to go back to the Communist Manifesto (interesting reading btw, I highly recommend it).

Happy T-day, ya'll.

"Suzi"



Not bad for 24 years old, eh?

Kakashi: "Do you have to take pictures NOW? It's almost dark outside!"

Tasik: "But I want to have something to post - it's been days now."

Kakashi: "The pictures are going to suck."

Tasik: "I don't care, alright. We'll take better pictures later."

Kakashi: (grrrrrr)

Tasik: "And don't bother editing them."

Kakashi: (grrrrr)

Dang it, Blogger is being recalcitrant.

I'll try uploading pictures again tomorrow.

Spent an hour or so on Sat. practicing threshold braking. Managed to lock up rear wheel numerous times (one of which sent me into a scary skid - a good education in what not to do). I did not succeed in locking up front. This big girl hauls herself down in a hurry - braking from 30 mph seems to require a lot less distance than in a car.

Smooth, oh so smooth...I just can't get over that lovely four-cylinder resonance (and it's only on stock pipes!)

Whilst commenting on another blog and typing the phrase " '82 Suzuki GS1100E" it came to me that the perfect name might very well be the make abbreviation in the title transfer form.

Year Model - 82
Make - Suzi
License plate # - etc.

Suzi.

It's smooth. It's red.

I think it will work.

Just blew fifty bucks on a cheap bike cover, a quart of motorcycle oil, and a can of Blue Magic chrome polish.

The flying blue shadows are still imprinted on my memory. I haven't felt this good in a long time. A very long time.

When I was little I wanted to fly. Now I'm partially realizing that desire...

I found her! I found her! And she's mine! (dreams do come true)

Not sure what to name her yet, but she's the same age I am, and purrs like a...cat. It's a Suzuki 1100 (yes, an 1100cc) seventy-four-thousand miles old, and has the well worn, well oiled feel of an old leather boot. It's faded metallic red, all the pipes and metal glowing in sheer mechanical beauty. Not a spot of rust (except maybe under the exhaust pipes somewhere) And because it has a real engine, I can feel the exhaust note in my chest (crazy grin).

I drove her into town this morning to fill her up with gas. It was a beautiful experience, the cold wind pressing my jacket and visor, the blue shadow blur EVERYWHERE, the engine gently warm against my knees and seat, the exhaust grrrrrrsnaprrraprrrring to itself.

I'm in love.

I can't go on about it, because it's lunchtime, but pics are coming soon, I promise....)

I successfully completed the MSF Basic RiderCourse last weekend. I highly recommend it; it's fast paced, but fun, and you learn to do just about any low-speed maneuver you want to do with a street bike. You learn to swerve, u-turn, ride over 2x4's, and stop fast. Well, sort of fast. We didn't actually do any threshold braking where you get up to speed then haul it down at the squeal limit. But we did practice fast stops in turns, the whole straighten-up, square-bars and hammer the brakes. We were taught never to brake where the bike isn't perpendicular to the ground, always turn the head in the direction we want to go, always downshift while braking, so on etc and so forth.

I passed the final riding test with zero points (points are negative), and was given a completion card by Bob who had to stand on a chair to reach (all the MSF instructors' names are Bob. If anyone messes up, it's Bob's fault.)

Now all I need to do is carve a sliver out of next week and go to the DMV and get my motorcycle endorsement. The light approaches from the end of the tunnel...

I also bought my upper-body armor and jacket. Elbow guards, armored vest and a plain old cortex jacket. Now I'm covered with more armor than an LA cop. Nothing fancy, although I did spend time staring wistfully at the $500 Italian leather togs...

All's I need now is knee armor, rainproof pants, some kind of neck protection, and boots.

Oh yes, and a motorcycle. That part of it is...uh, not progressing....

And my muse is lost in the desert. I hope she finds her way out of it soon, because I'm getting frustrated...