SO I'm a Californian now.

I went home for Christmas and it wasn't home anymore.  That's how I know.

(Oh well, we all have to grow up someday.)

It sure was nice to have some peace and quiet for two days straight, though.  To be able to walk outside and hear nothing but silence,  DEAFENING SILENCE, and the distant gobble of wild turkeys.

"ya didn't get to heaven but you made it close, you made it close"

-Coldplay

31,000 miles.

Nein problems. (well, ok rattly cam chains, but that doesn't count)

Suzukis rule.

Annoying fact about sequential gearboxes: you can't downshift from 6th into 1st.

This is annoying chiefly when traffic comes to a smoking halt on the uphill freeway, and all one's attention is focused on stopping at the expense of shifting.  And then one is left, stock-still, while everyone begins to move off on their merry way.  And one ignominiously struggles off to the left side of the road and works the throttle and shifter until such gear is reached that one may actually move.  By this time traffic is moving at a goodly clip next to one's right shoulder and one hopes and prays everything clogs to a stop again, so that one may rejoin the stampede.  And then (a gap!!) one loses patience and performs a spectacular redline merge, bits of retread and litter flying in all directions.

bleach.

yeah, the solvent kind.

My hands smell like bleach.  (Had to scrub a sidewalk)  And that smell is penetrating...

I finally got around to ordering and installing the Suzuki gel seat for the DL.  Long, long overdue.  It feels like a different bike now, really, now that I don't feel like I'm sitting in a tree crotch.  Distances are now tolerable without ibuprofen.  And damn, the new seat just looks classy.  Slick, stylish fabric on the drivers half with elegant stitching all round the passenger accomodations.  It looks almost handmade. Almost.

Yeah, yeah it's getting there.  What amazes me about this motorcycle is that is has been perfectly acceptable bone stock for over a year and a half, and 30,000 miles.  The slightest addon's and modifications are necessary, and when made, seem to make a vast difference in the quality of living.  The electrical headlight switch relay boosted the headlight output by a good 40%; the Givi top box added all the practicality I need; the crash bars saved the radiator recently; the centerstand needs no explanation and now the seat makes it seem like I got cranky and fed up with the stock seat and replaced it, like any loving owner would.

Now all I need is handguards and to spend 3 minutes with a screwdriver and raise the windscreen...

oh yes, and I need to wash the damn thing.