Tempted to go into full-blown rant mode here, blues, but not sure it would help any! Sounds frustrating - very! Is there any resolution to this? Or are you just going to have to wait until something turns up? Seems like you've been doing a lot of waiting recently.
Motorcycles are meant to bring you a sense of freedom... Aren't they?
Take care
Dick
The Blog of Blues
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sv-wolf
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Hud
“Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley
SV-Wolf's Bike Blog
“Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley
SV-Wolf's Bike Blog
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Nalian
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- Location: Boston, MA
Re: the contacts - I used to wear them on occasion before I got lasik. What part of finding them in do you find to be the challenge - does it get stuck to your hand, or are you finding you're closing your lids before you can get it seated well? Also - what technique do you use to take them out? I had to try a few before I got the hang of which worked best for me.
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blues2cruise
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I'm still working on it. I have a feeling that the "Bossman" is going to get accredited and then train me himself. I'll post in when I know for sure.sv-wolf wrote:Tempted to go into full-blown rant mode here, blues, but not sure it would help any! Sounds frustrating - very! Is there any resolution to this? Or are you just going to have to wait until something turns up? Seems like you've been doing a lot of waiting recently.
Motorcycles are meant to bring you a sense of freedom... Aren't they?
Take care
Dick
I did manage to go for a ride this weekend.
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blues2cruise
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When I am putting them in, they stick to my finger...don't seem to want to let go.Nalian wrote:Re: the contacts - I used to wear them on occasion before I got lasik. What part of finding them in do you find to be the challenge - does it get stuck to your hand, or are you finding you're closing your lids before you can get it seated well? Also - what technique do you use to take them out? I had to try a few before I got the hang of which worked best for me.
Taking them out is usually just a pinch of the lens and they lift right off. I don't know why the left one got stuck....The lens was in only for a little over an hour.
I will be going back to the optometrist this week. They told me not to use them again until I go back.
So far I am too chicken to go for laser correction.
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blues2cruise
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blues2cruise
- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
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- Years Riding: 16
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- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
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blues2cruise
- Moderator
- Posts: 10182
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9
I was long overdue for a visit to my mother who lives up the coast from me. So---o-o-o-....since the weather was forecasted to be decent I decided to ride up there.
As you know I have been doing some short rides to get some stamina built up and to hopefully find the joy again.
I asked Doc if he was interested in doing a day trip.....silly question, I know. Doc is always up for a ride. I suggested packing a toothbrush in case we decided to stay over and come back the next day. My mother has spare rooms so having a friend along would pose no problem.
I got my gear together and loaded my things into the saddlebags. My gear now always includes a bottle of ibuprofen. I took one before I left home. I will take another one when I get on the ferry.
We met on Saturday morning by 8 Rinks. That's a local ice rink, hockey rink, sports place., etc. Meeting there means neither one of us has to go out of their way to make the trip.
We got onto the freeway and headed to West Vancouver and to Horseshoe to catch a ferry. Since I was ahead of Doc, I paid for both of us. He wasn't expecting that, but what the heck, Doc does a lot for me.
When you approach the toll booth there are several lanes. If you look up above the toll booth the lights will tell you which ones are open are closed and for which route. There is also a commercial vehicle and oversized vehicle booth.
I have been through the commercial vehicle booth a few times and it has never been a problem. The last time though, the man in the booth was being an o ring. He was rude and would not sell me a ticket. He told me this was for commercial vehicles only...(there were no commercial vehicles that morning) Stupid man....for the amount of time he kept me sitting there, he could have sold me a ticket and I would have been on my way.....
Nope...he made me back up my car out into the oncoming lanes and then move over to another lane. I told him I was going to report him. He treated me with such disdain that I was sure he flip me a finger.....maybe if there weren't security cameras all over the place he would have.
So, now I am sitting in the "appropriate lane" waiting for some bonehead at the booth who either didn't have enough cash or some other dumb thing. It was close to ten minutes waiting there. That's a waste of time and fuel.
When I got home I actually did make a report. The ferry corporation actually phoned me back with an apology.
So....back to this Saturday...As Doc and I rode down the "appropriate lane" to go to the toll booth, a ferry worker came out and directed us to lane 1.
That's the commercial vehicle booth.
Can't they make up their fricking minds?
There were just 3 bikes on the ferry this morning. The third was an R6. We chatted for a few minutes before heading off to get breakfast.
I had suggested to the R6 rider that he leave the ferry ahead of us. I was certain that he would be wanting to ride faster than I would, but he said no, he was just going to take it slow as well.
Ya, right....
We rode off the ferry at a sedate pace (requirement in the ferry terminal)
and started up the bypass road. It's a long uphill stretch of road with a speed limit of 80kmh.
We were doing about 90 and passing the slower vehicles and when we had a chance to move over to the right we did so. The "I'm just going to take it slow R6 rider" then went by in a blur. I did notice that he nodded as he went by.
Within a few seconds he was out of sight.
We stopped in Wilson Creek for a few minutes and then stopped again in Sechelt for a few minutes. I still don't have the same stamina I had before and the ibuprofen only does so much for keeping the aches and pains dulled. It's as strong as I can use without affecting my motorskills and judgement.
Riding on the Sunshine Coast Highway is a good season opener to hone one's skills. There are plenty of curvy sections ans ups and downs; unfortunately there are also wet spots at this time of year and sometimes sand in the corners. You need to pay attention to the road and the signage.
After arriving at my mother's we had a cup of coffee and then some lunch. We then got ready to go the big social event of the week.
The meat draw at the legion.
We spent a few hours there and then I drove the three of us in my Mom's car down to Sechelt for supper. My Mom doesn't care to drive on the highway and Doc had had a big beer so I drove. It helps that I know the highway so well also.
We dallied around in the morning and finally got away around 2. It is so hard to make an early escape from your mother.
The ride back felt better than the ride up. I could feel some fluidity coming back on some of the big curves. At one long straight stretch that was vacant except for Doc and I; I wound up the throttle to about 100 (speed limit is 80), leaving Doc far behind because he wasn't expecting that....I came back down to a bit over 80 and I actually felt a smile for a moment.
We had lots of time to spare so we stopped in Gibsons for a tea and tart break. We then fuelled the bikes and headed to the ferry.
We got off our bikes in the designated place (at the front of the line) and were jsut hanging around chatting when a military type man came over to chat about bikes. He sat down beside me on the concrete barrier and then proceeded to light up a cigarette.
I sat there for a moment because the wind was blowing the smoke away from me...but then the wind changed...I got up and moved away from him.
I don't care if we are outside....your smoke still stinks
At the end of this month new provincial laws will prohibit smoking in bus shelters.
The same will apply to patios.... It will be a wonderful change to be able to actually have a meal on an outdoor patio in the summer time..
Sorry...I digress.....but I despise smoking....I have spent much of my life ill because of second hand smoke....I have to avoid it. Us non-smokers have had to put up with the smokers pollution for decades....it's our turn...
(this is also my blog...so no smoking backlash allowed in here, thank you.)
When we got off the ferry, we were making good time up the Horseshoe Bay hill. We were in the passing lane....well...passing.....passing the slower moving traffic and keeping up with the flow of the faster moving traffic. In my mirror I could see a small white care very close to Doc's rear fender. He had tried to get them to back off...(now remember...we are travelling as fast as the vehicles in front of us) when all of a sudden, this little white car passed Doc on his right cutting off the other lane of traffic and then zoomed by me on my right and cut in front of me causing me to brake to almost 60kmh. If it had been warm weather out, I would have followed, taken my glove off and got a picture with my digital camera that was hanging on me, however, it was too cold to be taking my glove off. We could not get a license plate #.
The rest of the way on the freeway was mostly uneventful....except for the person in the van who was tailgating Doc. We were coming down the "cut" in North Vancouver. It leads to the 2nd Narrows (Iron Workers Memorial Bridge) where the speed changes to 70kmh. There is a reason for this speed change. There is a lane that exits in the same place as a lane that enters. The slower speed is for safety. However, I think that page in most people's dictionary must be missing.
The person in this van kept on Doc's bumper until they finally made their exit.....I gave then a well timed lady like finger.
We were on the freeway when Doc changed lanes and pulled up beside me. He mouthed the words "White Spot"? I nodded yes.
When we had been on the ferry, we had planned to ride the freeway together until my exit and then he would just carry on home.
So-o-o-o, we rode to the restaurant near where I live and had some supper before heading home.
All in all, I'd say it was successful weekend. I haven't ridden since then. If the weather holds, I will try to get out this weekend. Me and my ibuprofen.
ps......I have to go do something about my saddlebags....er..ahhhh...I mean the saddlebags hanging on the back of my motorcycle.
I thought I had them hanging in the right place, but when I put something in them, the weight lowered the right bag enought that it was resting on the exhaust pipe.
Now there is a melted patch on the bottom of the bag. I have to go attend to that today. I'm going to put them back the way I had them originally.
I scored 10 /10 for an image last night.
TTFN
I was long overdue for a visit to my mother who lives up the coast from me. So---o-o-o-....since the weather was forecasted to be decent I decided to ride up there.
As you know I have been doing some short rides to get some stamina built up and to hopefully find the joy again.
I asked Doc if he was interested in doing a day trip.....silly question, I know. Doc is always up for a ride. I suggested packing a toothbrush in case we decided to stay over and come back the next day. My mother has spare rooms so having a friend along would pose no problem.
I got my gear together and loaded my things into the saddlebags. My gear now always includes a bottle of ibuprofen. I took one before I left home. I will take another one when I get on the ferry.
We met on Saturday morning by 8 Rinks. That's a local ice rink, hockey rink, sports place., etc. Meeting there means neither one of us has to go out of their way to make the trip.
We got onto the freeway and headed to West Vancouver and to Horseshoe to catch a ferry. Since I was ahead of Doc, I paid for both of us.
He wasn't expecting that, but what the heck, Doc does a lot for me.When you approach the toll booth there are several lanes. If you look up above the toll booth the lights will tell you which ones are open are closed and for which route. There is also a commercial vehicle and oversized vehicle booth.
I have been through the commercial vehicle booth a few times and it has never been a problem. The last time though, the man in the booth was being an o ring. He was rude and would not sell me a ticket. He told me this was for commercial vehicles only...(there were no commercial vehicles that morning) Stupid man....for the amount of time he kept me sitting there, he could have sold me a ticket and I would have been on my way.....
Nope...he made me back up my car out into the oncoming lanes and then move over to another lane. I told him I was going to report him. He treated me with such disdain that I was sure he flip me a finger.....maybe if there weren't security cameras all over the place he would have.
So, now I am sitting in the "appropriate lane" waiting for some bonehead at the booth who either didn't have enough cash or some other dumb thing. It was close to ten minutes waiting there. That's a waste of time and fuel.
When I got home I actually did make a report. The ferry corporation actually phoned me back with an apology.
So....back to this Saturday...As Doc and I rode down the "appropriate lane" to go to the toll booth, a ferry worker came out and directed us to lane 1.
That's the commercial vehicle booth.Can't they make up their fricking minds?
There were just 3 bikes on the ferry this morning. The third was an R6. We chatted for a few minutes before heading off to get breakfast.
I had suggested to the R6 rider that he leave the ferry ahead of us. I was certain that he would be wanting to ride faster than I would, but he said no, he was just going to take it slow as well.
Ya, right....
We rode off the ferry at a sedate pace (requirement in the ferry terminal)
and started up the bypass road. It's a long uphill stretch of road with a speed limit of 80kmh.
We were doing about 90 and passing the slower vehicles and when we had a chance to move over to the right we did so. The "I'm just going to take it slow R6 rider" then went by in a blur. I did notice that he nodded as he went by.
Within a few seconds he was out of sight.
We stopped in Wilson Creek for a few minutes and then stopped again in Sechelt for a few minutes. I still don't have the same stamina I had before and the ibuprofen only does so much for keeping the aches and pains dulled. It's as strong as I can use without affecting my motorskills and judgement.
Riding on the Sunshine Coast Highway is a good season opener to hone one's skills. There are plenty of curvy sections ans ups and downs; unfortunately there are also wet spots at this time of year and sometimes sand in the corners. You need to pay attention to the road and the signage.
After arriving at my mother's we had a cup of coffee and then some lunch. We then got ready to go the big social event of the week.
The meat draw at the legion.
We spent a few hours there and then I drove the three of us in my Mom's car down to Sechelt for supper. My Mom doesn't care to drive on the highway and Doc had had a big beer so I drove. It helps that I know the highway so well also.
We dallied around in the morning and finally got away around 2. It is so hard to make an early escape from your mother.
The ride back felt better than the ride up. I could feel some fluidity coming back on some of the big curves. At one long straight stretch that was vacant except for Doc and I; I wound up the throttle to about 100 (speed limit is 80), leaving Doc far behind because he wasn't expecting that....I came back down to a bit over 80 and I actually felt a smile for a moment.
We had lots of time to spare so we stopped in Gibsons for a tea and tart break. We then fuelled the bikes and headed to the ferry.
We got off our bikes in the designated place (at the front of the line) and were jsut hanging around chatting when a military type man came over to chat about bikes. He sat down beside me on the concrete barrier and then proceeded to light up a cigarette.
I sat there for a moment because the wind was blowing the smoke away from me...but then the wind changed...I got up and moved away from him.
I don't care if we are outside....your smoke still stinks
At the end of this month new provincial laws will prohibit smoking in bus shelters.
The same will apply to patios....
It will be a wonderful change to be able to actually have a meal on an outdoor patio in the summer time..Sorry...I digress.....but I despise smoking....I have spent much of my life ill because of second hand smoke....I have to avoid it. Us non-smokers have had to put up with the smokers pollution for decades....it's our turn...
(this is also my blog...so no smoking backlash allowed in here, thank you.)
When we got off the ferry, we were making good time up the Horseshoe Bay hill. We were in the passing lane....well...passing.....passing the slower moving traffic and keeping up with the flow of the faster moving traffic. In my mirror I could see a small white care very close to Doc's rear fender. He had tried to get them to back off...(now remember...we are travelling as fast as the vehicles in front of us) when all of a sudden, this little white car passed Doc on his right cutting off the other lane of traffic and then zoomed by me on my right and cut in front of me causing me to brake to almost 60kmh. If it had been warm weather out, I would have followed, taken my glove off and got a picture with my digital camera that was hanging on me, however, it was too cold to be taking my glove off. We could not get a license plate #.
The rest of the way on the freeway was mostly uneventful....except for the person in the van who was tailgating Doc. We were coming down the "cut" in North Vancouver. It leads to the 2nd Narrows (Iron Workers Memorial Bridge) where the speed changes to 70kmh. There is a reason for this speed change. There is a lane that exits in the same place as a lane that enters. The slower speed is for safety. However, I think that page in most people's dictionary must be missing.
The person in this van kept on Doc's bumper until they finally made their exit.....I gave then a well timed lady like finger.
We were on the freeway when Doc changed lanes and pulled up beside me. He mouthed the words "White Spot"? I nodded yes.
When we had been on the ferry, we had planned to ride the freeway together until my exit and then he would just carry on home.
So-o-o-o, we rode to the restaurant near where I live and had some supper before heading home.
All in all, I'd say it was successful weekend. I haven't ridden since then. If the weather holds, I will try to get out this weekend. Me and my ibuprofen.
ps......I have to go do something about my saddlebags....er..ahhhh...I mean the saddlebags hanging on the back of my motorcycle.
I thought I had them hanging in the right place, but when I put something in them, the weight lowered the right bag enought that it was resting on the exhaust pipe.
Now there is a melted patch on the bottom of the bag. I have to go attend to that today. I'm going to put them back the way I had them originally. I scored 10 /10 for an image last night.
TTFN
