The Blog of Blues

[JackoftheGreen]

Blues, that picture of the lone eagle sitting on the driftwood is AMAZING, that's truly a beautiful shot. You should find some sort of contest to enter it in or something, people would eat that up. Especially here in America, it's our bird after all. (-;

What kind of still camera do you use?

[blues2cruise]

Thanks for the compliment JOTG.

I used my Nikon 5000. I've had it for about 3 years now. I also use a Panasonic Lumix compact for a lot of pictures. Most of my bike pictures are with the compact because it is just so darn easy to carry.

[blues2cruise]

I went to the annual motorcycle show this past weekend. Twice. The weather was so astonishingly good that hundreds of people rode their bikes to the Tradex in Abbotsford. I did not ride because I knew I would be coming home after the show closed on Friday and it would have been frosty. We've also been having a lot of fog lately so did not want to take the chance of slippery roads and also not being able to see...or be seen.

Saturday I went with Doc in is truck. His motorcycle needs repair right now so he couldn't ride. When we came out of the show on Saturday afternoon about 3:30, it was so nice out we were walking around in shirt sleeves.
I estimated a couple of hundred bikes on Friday and possibly double that on Saturday. I have never seen that many bikes ridden to the show before. Aside from the glorious sunshine and mild temperatures, parking was free for motorcycles.

The show was somewhat smaller than in past years. I also didn't take many photos. There were companies missing and displays that didn't come out. For example, there is usually a big section showing the custom built bikes...they weren't there this year.
I did get to see the Augusta in person. I still had the same opinion as in the Vote every Friday thread. I didn't like the little mud flap over the rear tire. Otherwise it looked good.

There were no side car bikes there this year. Ural usually makes a presence, but not this year.

There were a couple of non-motorcycle related booths...there was a vacuum sales booth....I could only wonder why....

I didn't bother with new custom ear plugs this year. Since I'm sleeping alone I don't need ear plugs anymore. My old ones will do for riding.

There was a booth selling sound systems for motorcycles....WOWEE! I wish I had a system like that in my car. I don't listen to music when I ride.

Here is a pic from outside on Friday.

There were that many again behind me. And double that on Saturday.

[blues2cruise]

I have three weeks vacation time booked for summer. Now I need to figure out what to do with them. I'm hoping to take a little road trip.

The last few years my vacations were sabotaged by someone. This year I'm on my own.

I have some ideas, but will wait closer to summer to decide where. There are so many places I have never been.

I better start saving some $$$. That's easier said than done, though.

I'll start by not buying so many expensive coffees out. When I think about it, it adds up to a fair amount over a year.

I know it's only February and most motorcycles are still parked. We're expecting snow today or tomorrow.... Although the weather has been dry and sunny, it has been below freezing, which makes the roads frosty, but it doesn't hurt to think about the summer.

I also have a problem with my respiratory system in that it acts up in extreme cold. It's the same reason I don't have ice cream very often, or have ice in my drinks. The extra cold makes me cough.

Not that I don't indulge in ice cream once in a while...I just have to have a small one.

3 weeks isn't enough to travel across Canada and back....that will have to wait until retirement. I'll have the time then.

I guess I needed something positive to think about....I have been reading too much stuff about our Prime Minister and his dictatorship. Now he is bringing about electoral reform....the basics....making it harder to get info to people about voting. Making it impossible for elections Canada to investigate the PMO. You may recall the Robocall scandal during the last election....

The PMO was responsible. The PM is getting away with so much corruption, it's disheartening.

There won't be an election until 2015. He can do a lot more damage between now and then.

He has pro-rogued government a couple of times so he would not have to face the truth. We, in Canada, still have a lot. Most of live a decent lifestyle and have so much more than third world countries. We have access to good water, fresh food and decent medical care. The majority of us have a roof over our heads. We can still be concerned over losing some basic rights....like voting.

It seems that these days, most politicians in positions of power don't really care what the majority think. They do what they want to do anyway.

Then that brings us to Rob Ford. How is it that he still has his position? He was here in BC recently and made more news headlines. For what, you might ask? Being drunk and incoherent.
When you are a public figure with the amount of responsibility a mayor has, you should conduct yourself more professionally in public. He has definitely made headlines, but for the wrong reasons.

If it were nice enough outside I'd go get a day permit for my bike and go ride and forget about all this negative news...but. it's too cold and I am home trying to get over a head cold. My judgement would probably be diminished anyway, due to a stuffy head.

Instead, I'll make a pot of tea and turn on some nice music and forget about the world junk for a while.

Rant over for today.

[jstark47]

I have three weeks vacation time booked for summer. Now I need to figure out what to do with them. I'm hoping to take a little road trip.

Mrs. Stark & I tentatively have Nova Scotia and PEI penciled in for early July. Come out and join us!

[blues2cruise]

I have three weeks vacation time booked for summer. Now I need to figure out what to do with them. I'm hoping to take a little road trip.

Mrs. Stark & I tentatively have Nova Scotia and PEI penciled in for early July. Come out and join us!

I currently have last week of July and 1st 2 weeks of August booked. I doubt I can change that to beginning of July. The senior people in my department took it. I sure do want to see Nova Scotia and PEI though.

Currently my union and my company are in negotiations for a new contract. Sure is a slow process. Some people are already talking strike. What a bunch of dumba$$es. We have a decent contract now. They have done with the non-monetary things and are now on monetary things. Our current contract needed some fine tuning...some wording was too vague...but in the financial climate of the world, it is unreasonable to expect a big increase in pay. I hope there will enough of us who vote no to strike if it comes to it. If it does happen, then my vacation will be sooner. Or..if there is a lock out....

The contract with current provider and the governing body is also done in 2015. What that means is that if a new provider is chosen, they will not be obligated to hire any of us. We would have to re-apply.

I want to sell my place anyway...so maybe I better think about getting it ready...just in case. When this contractor first came into Canada and took us over, we went on strike. It was a valid strike which I supported whole heartedly.
This time, I would vote no. However.. if it did happen I wouldn't be averse to moving, finding no brain job and renting a small place. I have already started downsizing my possessions.

When I first moved into this place, I honestly thought I would have someone moving in with me. It didn't happen. I don't need 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms for just me. I also had enough clothes to fill 2 double closets. That was because of never getting rid of anything. My stuff now fills just one closet.
Well...actually 2 closets....my bike gear is in one.

It's a hard job...to get rid of stuff. Just ask Doc....he moved into a trailer and due to no space, he had to get rid of a lot of belongings. It was not an easy task to decide what part of your life you get to keep and what part you have to say god bye to.

I still have much work to do to get ready before I call the realtor though. The last time, my place sold in three days and I was not prepared. I didn't expect it to go so fast. This time, I will be ready.

[dr_bar]

Just because you vote yes to a strike, it doesn't mean it ever has to happen. With a no vote, your negotiating team loses all leverage against the employer...

[blues2cruise]

I just finished looking through my road trip blog. I suddenly feel inspired again for another one. Reading through it made me remember the excitement and the adventure.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=17862

[jstark47]

I gave you the answer last week: PEI & Nova Scotia.

Just sayin'

[blues2cruise]

I gave you the answer last week: PEI & Nova Scotia.

Just sayin'

I did answer....

The dates don't work.