The Blog of Blues

[-Holiday]

Blues,
How are you feeling? Going to be ok for your trip?
Randomly thought about you today so just thought i'd ask...

[blues2cruise]

Thanks for asking. I have a feeling I will be ok to ride my own bike for the trip. My doctor says probably not....but I can feel improvements every day.

If not my own bike, then I'll go pillion.

My doctor says even pillion may be questionable because any bumps may too painful....but then she added....we can give you pain killers if this trip is so very important. She suggested going for a few trial rides on the back to see how it went.

Doc came by on his bike yesterday to go for a trial ride and although it's a bit difficult getting on and off, the actual riding was quite good....so long as I pay attention to the train tracks and big dips in the road.

I'll be going for another ride as a passenger tomorrow. A fellow from the riding club is coming by so we can go to Yamaha Customer Appreciation Day. I was originally going to take part in some demo rides, but that's out now. I would have loved to try out a Warrior or V-Max.

I guess I'll just take advantage of the free food now.

[blues2cruise]

I am so lucky to know people who are good and kind.

The Yamaha Customer Appreciation Day was today. I was registered to go and have some demo rides and a ride around the track...but due to my delicate condition at the moment...and no transportation.....I figured I wouldn't be going.

One of the men from my riding club emailed and offered to come and get me. We had a nice ride to the event and then took a look at the show and shine bikes, indulged in the free coffee and muffins and then the lunch later.

While he was dyno testing his bike and demo riding, I wandered and talked to people....and attempted to get digital pics of the racers. I need to work on my timing. With the lag time of digital, the race bikes were usually out of the frame by the time I got the photo.

Here are 2 people I know....they were promoting the BC Northern Stars riding club.



My ride today......



Me trying on a V-Star 1300 for size.



It wasn't very crowded because it is not well promoted. Yamaha doesn't get the information out soon enough for a lot of people. They could also improve on the signage.....You had to wander around to find things or ask someone where things were. It would be helpful if they had a better layout and better signs.....otherwise it was a good event.

My ride got me home early enough so that I could attend a photo competition tonight. A member from the photo club came by and picked me up. Our club came second over all. We were first last year. I had submitted an image for this event and scored a 20. There was one 27, two 25's, a few 23's, 21's. Mine scored a 20. And the majority were in the 17,18,19 range and then a bunch lower all the way down to 11.

I am pleased for my first attempt. My image was better as a print. It was originally from film. It lost some "pow" in the scanning.

Here is my image.....the theme was "Power". I called it power stroking the rapids. In the print, the kayak is really red.

[blues2cruise]

I don't know why, but this guy ended up in about four of my pictures. He must like the camera and walked around to be in some. Dunno.

[blues2cruise]

I was on the phone to the motorcycle shop this morning. The parts have been ordered. That's it. There has been no work done on my bike yet.

They were waiting for the appraisers report....They know me very well over there.....ya'd think they would have got things under way by now.

The insurance guy called me this morning. He had finally given the go ahead to fix the bike. Sheesh.....

I can't believe how slow the process is. Now I may have to fork out $500. deductible because they have been unable to get in touch with the guy who cause the collision in the first place.

And.....I need a new helmet and I can't get a straight answer as to how to go about getting it replaced.

Beaurocracy sucks.

[KarateChick]

Hang in there blues! I'm thinking positive for your trip and that all will be ready including you. Don't let up on the pressure to getting your bike fixed up.

I don't know why, but this guy ended up in about four of my pictures. He must like the camera and walked around to be in some. Dunno.

Umm yeah, so I'm gonna have to get the REAL story out of you on this...

[blues2cruise]

Seriously....I was actually taking a few pics of my ride and his bike while he was talking to the tech in preparation for the dyno test.

After I got home and downloaded the pics from my camera, I saw him in several frames. Funny.

[blues2cruise]

I was feeling so blue today because of everything that has happened, the lack of communication from the insurance company, the bike shop, the possibility of my holiday being wrecked, pain, boredom, no income (the wheels of government turn very slowly).

I went for some therapy. Two really great guys. Ben and Jerry .....I have been doing some photoshop work on some photos.............ie...cropping, editing, embellishing....

I am still in the learning stage, but I can do a lot of the basics and create some very fine images. I am putting together ten images for showcase night at the camera club. It's a "non judging" evening. We get to show some of our work.

[blues2cruise]

As mentioned before I have an injury that is preventing me from doing anything physical. Thank goodness for my computer. It has kept me occupied. Sometimes a bit too much, maybe, because I end up with sore, tired eyes. It does help to pass the time.

Last week at camera club it was what we call "showcase night". It is when we can show some of our work that we might not normally submit for critique and judging. I have been trying to work on my floral photography. Normally I do scenics, landscapes and portraiture.

I spent close to ten hours with the "Windows Movie Maker" that came in the XP package on the computer at time of purchase. It was quite a learning experience. I am going to purchase the Pro Show Gold. Using the windows movie maker is too labour intensive.

Here is my first attempt at a "photo show".

It takes about 4 minutes.

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/ ... lorals.flv

[intotherain]

As mentioned before I have an injury that is preventing me from doing anything physical. Thank goodness for my computer. It has kept me occupied. Sometimes a bit too much, maybe, because I end up with sore, tired eyes. It does help to pass the time.

Last week at camera club it was what we call "showcase night". It is when we can show some of our work that we might not normally submit for critique and judging. I have been trying to work on my floral photography. Normally I do scenics, landscapes and portraiture.

I spent close to ten hours with the "Windows Movie Maker" that came in the XP package on the computer at time of purchase. It was quite a learning experience. I am going to purchase the Pro Show Gold. Using the windows movie maker is too labour intensive.

Here is my first attempt at a "photo show".

http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/ ... hmusic.flv

It takes about 4 minutes.

Cool !