Weblogging from www.davesmock.com

Well, the end of another month, and a brief hiatus from posting. Spent a few days motorcycling with a swell bunch of folks that make up the Pink Bra Gang. A loosely organized group of friends that have been riding up to Penticton, BC together for the last seven or eight years. They stay at the same place - The Tiki shores, on Lake Okanagan, and the whole experience has become somewhat ritualized - with The Blues Brothers Too performing again this year, the antique auto show, etc. It is a great bit of fun and we were glad to have been included.

The local contingent (about sixteen bikes) forms up at Scooter Stuff in Alger and heads north for the border. We met our smaller group at a Starbucks on the freeway and rode with them all the way up and back.
These is them:

Hopefully, the old adage about a picture being worth 1000 words will hold, and here they are - these are from the ride up... Leaving Scooter stuff, rain gear (yes, there was a damp period)

This little fellow (and a thousand of his mates) joined us for lunch at Manning Park, in Canada
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I love this lady checking out Tom~~
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Over the mountains and into the SUN! Only another couple hundred miles to Penticton. Round trip was about 750 miles.
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Being as fond as I am of old cars, it was nice of Ann to humor me and look at them ALL! There were thousands - not as many as the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise - but this was pretty huge. I actually saw some cars that were in MI last year.

Another yearly event is 'Theme Night', which was Pirates! this year. We gathered in the courtyard off the main drag, dressed as Pirates! and bantered with the tourists. Arrgh, Matey! Give me your children!

While this was going on, the old cars were Cruising, doing illegal burnouts, etc.
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There was plenty of time for sightseeing, and plenty to see. Of course, one went - of necessity - everywhere on two wheels (or two feet - we did LOTS of walking). This was at a local eatery~~

Our hotel/condo, with the green palm tree on the sign - right across from the beach.
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We made the return ride an overnight, stopping in Winthrop, WA - on the North Cascades Highway.
Leaving Penticton...

Not too far into the return leg we ran across this fellow and his custom 'Short Bus', that he's been working on for thirty years! It is a really fine piece of work, too. He was temporarily vapor locked - but got back on the road, soon.
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We are happy to report that our 1992 Honda Shadow performed admirably, as the oldest bike and the only non Harley in our group. Ann's padded seat did the trick and we rode comfortably between rest stops - which were about once an hour, gassing up every other stop. The ear shields did help a bit keeping the wind noise down - but - this was a far different sort of ride from the last Honda we took cross country. That was a 750 cc in line four cylinder K2 Honda (vs the 1100 cc Shadow V-twin) with stock factory exhaust. This bike has straight pipes. The full Bell helmet I wore then cut out the wind almost entirely. This was quite a noisy ride, by comparison. Vroom Vroom.

On previous motorcycle rides of any length it came to my attention that the sound of the wind in my ears was deafening after awhile, due to helmet configuration. This was solved by gluing a couple pieces cut from my old wallet into the openings. I'll let you know if it works...

Other projects, ongoing but nearly finished - the Doggie Doolie hole. What a chore. Supposed to be 18 inches across and four feet deep. It's the four feet deep part that is a problem in this rocky soil. One cannot use a post hole digger, the tool of choice for deep but narrow holes under normal circumstances. Each spoonful of dirt must be hacked out from the rocks and then lifted out of the hole by hand. Along with the rocks.

At first we lifted each handful out by hand. That got old. Then went to tools - first a plastic jar. That worked until I couldn't reach the bottom of the hole. An old sauce pan gained another couple inches in depth - and with the addition of a handle - we achieved the required results. Well, nearly. About three and a half feet - but - the hole has the shape of an inverted light bulb. 18 inches wide for the first foot or so, then blooming into a bulb shape nearly three feet wide. This will last for another couple years, anyway.

At about the three foot depth we unearthed this pair of wires. No idea what they are for - our electric feed is off a pole. I'm guessing they go to the automatic reader for the gas, which line also runs in from the alley a few feet over. We nearly severed that one a few years back while digging to pour the concrete ramp to the back gate.

This pile of unearthed rocks and stones is nearly as large as the pile of dirt that came out of the hole... note that the grass has gone pretty dormant - that thirty days no rain...

The Doggie Doolie works by holding waste in the upper tank in a water and chemical solution - all three items are added by hand. Each time waste is added, the Doolie is 'flushed' by pouring in several gallons of water. There is an overflow that allows partially decomposed waste to fall into the larger hole in the ground where it continues to decompose and leech away.

Ann, wearing the 'Pirate' shirt that commemorates the Pink Bra Run, in which we will participate this year. More on this later~~

A couple years ago we installed a Doggie Doolie - backyard septic for doggie droppings. With four dogs, though smallish - we worked it pretty hard - and it's time for a new one. This means digging a four foot deep hole in our rocky soil. Ugh. Here it is about halfway done~~

This time we're 'screening' the dirt from the hole, and getting out the larger rocks, so as to be able to use it to level low spots in the backyard. If this isn't done, the mower has a field day slinging stones. Ouch.

Chico has worked himself between the stove and the fridge - and can't get out. Ann took pity upon him...

As you've no doubt become aware, having a 'QWERTY' keyboard on your cell phone is all the rage. We coughed up extra for the 'large' one.

The ease of use with the larger keys led us to want the QWERTY doorbell attachment, too...

Which naturally led to the qwerty microwave option - makes programming your popcorn ever so much simpler.

Training Tizzy became a snap, once we could properly program her, with the Toy Fox Terrier qwerty attachment.

In fond remembrance~~
Richard Osborne Ristine. My sister's husband's (Jim) father. 89 years on the planet. I was fortunate to know Dick, spending time in his company and under his roof. Our sympathies to the family.

Evelyn finds herself in the other Washington, the one we call DC. Seen here out the door and on the way to the airport~ Next stop -- Finland. Have BIG fun, Evelyn!

Richard and I found ourselves playing music a few miles north - in Bellingham. It was a lovely venue known as Woodstock Farms. Thanks to Joan for taking the pictures...

Started to do this yesterday, you may have noticed. Ran out of day. Maybe if I hadn't been tossing the Dummy...

Instead, I finished a book by Ben Sherwood, The Survivors Club. Then, I answered some questions on the Internet to establish my 'survivor profile' -- using an access code that comes with the book.

Mr. Sherwood has delved deeply into why some people survive and even thrive after suffering major life trauma - airplane crashes, wars, divorce etc. He then goes on to explain how and why they survived and what you can do to become more of a survivor. The profile was interesting.

This is called a 'learning curve' -
The game is the one mentioned a day or two ago, about the Crash Test Dummy

Internet oddities abound~~
Whoa! Might we not have been better off to let this bug remain in limbo?!

When cars were reasonable and so was the service...
This notice from your friendly Ford service guy was sent on a penny postcard.

A friend of Eric's, Mike, works for Dakota (the ship builders at the end of the street) - and he reports that it is almost time for the helicopter landing pad to be installed. This helipad will be different from the one on the last Candie's vessel, in that it will go above the pilot house, and be the highest point on the boat. The previous location was below the pilot house by about thirty feet, out over the bows - which gave the Captain a good view of things.

It also put him (and the pilot house) in the way during landings in heavy seas and wind. The helicopter had to not only worry about landing on a pitching helipad, but not careening into the lurching pilot house.

We also see that it is time to install the new propeller on the drydocked ferry. Quite an operation in itself, the working spaces being pretty tight...

I also realize that I've missed a lot of birthdays in May and June - folks sure like to cuddle up in the fall...

The spring ballet recital -- a major event! Performances both days, Saturday and Sunday. A few pictures~~
Evelyn danced solo again this year, the second time that I remember (Nutcracker being the first)-- her skills are quite remarkable. The dim lighting prevents most photo opportunities, as flash photography is prohibited.

My younger brother Adam, a 'few' years ago - Adam has to be pushing forty~
Adam was way ahead of the curve on the pouty lip thing...

Evelyn is going to Finland, as one of 14 teens in the US (and one of 2 from WA) to earn a scholarship from the Finnish government. She will spend 3 days in DC with our representatives in the Capitol before flying to Finland to live with a host family for then next 2 months. Ev, recently returned from France, you may recall - is becoming a regular citizen of the world!

Here's something for you Facebook types -- Ann began the day by documenting her experiences around the house and yard, posting the pictures.

Since Evelyn will be out of the country on her actual birthday we celebrated today at Barb and Paul's, and tossed in Anna's birthday for good measure. The splendid weather continues -- 20 some days in a row with no rain - we'll achieve some sort of new record this coming Wednesday if it stays dry. This is all by way of saying we rode the scooter to continue breaking in Ann's new seat cushion...
Note the top down on the Saab in the background. Can I remember to put it up this evening...?

Backing up a bit -- my sister Mardi is now a Blackberry fan and owner, and she Blackberry'd me yesterday evening to say they were dining at The Cove in Leland Michigan -- which is near their home. She had noticed that the restaurant had a live WebCam and suggested that I google it. I did, and was able to find them sitting on the outdoor patio! For a few moments there, it seemed like we were guests at the same table... As I was able to point the camera from my computer and zoom in on them.

I had to leave Barb's a bit early in order to make a prior commitment, playing music with some of the gang from the ukulele group. The Lutheran Church here in town had raised enough money to open a homeless shelter for women - and five of us played at the party in celebration. Unfortunately, I was only able to get Peggy, Tim and Paul in the photo - the first three on the left.

It is said that timing is everything -- even so -- I'd like to know the name of the technique that the Matador uses to get the bull to stand on his head~~

Whoa! Very fast week. Several things have conspired to keep us from posting --
A book we can't put down, Outlaw Journalist by William McKeen -- the life and times of Hunter S. Thompson. Dr. Thompson, (he purchased an online Divinity degree) was the undisputed father of gonzo journalism, the so-called 'new journalism' of the 70s and 80s. His books were great fun -- you may recall; Fear and loathing in Las Vegas, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, etc. Reading it is almost as much fun as reading Raoul Duke himself.

Some great weather. We forgot the convertible top for the second time this season, leaving it down overnight, and once again it didn't rain.

There's been some sort of rehearsal every day this week, as Richard and I have entered into several commitments to sing and play. We played locally last night and actually earned a few dollars. This might be a first...

Plus, the simple fact that I haven't taken any pictures and life has been pleasantly uneventful. This does wonders for my ability to loaf.

Not only do we seem to be encroaching on the Earth's atmosphere's ability to tolerate us -- but also reaching into the Seas, and upsetting the delicate balance there, as well. According to this website, these giant jellyfish are a result of overfishing their natural predators. More here

I guess you know that things are pretty quiet when the big news revolves around a motorcycle passenger seat - but that's the case. Today Ann picked up the new cushion, which straps to the existing seat, and gives a tad more padding where it counts. Maybe we'll get in a trial ride tomorrow...

Did you know that with Google Latitude, you can see where you (or rather your cell phone) is? It triangulates between cell towers and is pretty accurate.

This is a real shoe - note the actual black rubber 'heel' where the oddly located heel touches the floor -
It is, however, a tad weird, for sure~~ So it will probably catch on with a certain element of the fashion footwear world...

R n D (a clever contraction of Richard and Dave) will be playing in Bellingham later in the month. Drop by...

Where it all started, in the Windows World... Yes, we've come a long way - though some may question if there has been any improvement. There has, of course.

We were mentioning the 'improved' seat back on the sissy bar, as it's called - behind Ann, on the motorcycle. Old and new~~ or rather, new and old, that would be - small is old.

We tried it out again today. I had a taste for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and the nearest one is thirty five minutes away. Off we went...

Evelyn's friend Jordan has been in town. Her arrival Thursday was a surprise to Evie, who didn't know she wasn't in Belgium - where she's been living the last year or so. She left today, flying back.

Here's a website that is a TON of fun - however, you are cautioned not to go, unless you have a couple minutes to spare once you get there. I started clicking, and didn't stop for thirty minutes - an interesting, if somewhat different, website~~

In the 70's - made for a nice ride to Burlington, where we dropped in at the place working on the new backrest for the scooter. Surprise! It was done. Installed it on the spot. The cushion now extends about four inches higher than it used to, and a couple inches lower, as well. This improvement, and some additional seat padding - will hopefully make a five hour motorcycle ride a bit more tolerable for the passenger on the back. That would be, Ann.

Microsoft rolls out a new search engine - Bing. Word is, it's pretty good. Try it out~~

While you're at it, this is pretty cool, too - a website that does all sorts of clever things, as well as search. Solve all sorts of problems, make comparisons, well - check out WolframAlpha~~

Another day for record heat - mid/high 80's. Should be the last one, though - the barometer is finally falling. 65 - 70 is more the norm for this time of year. Last year we didn't get the hot weather until August - we called it, The summer that wasn't...

Here is Anacortes, our island city of residence. The red 'X' is about where we live, four short blocks off the water. The large land mass on the bottom left is Cap Sante - a few hundred feet of elevation. We've posted pix taken from that vantage point in the past.

In motorcycle parlance, these handlebars are referred to as 'monkey bars' - and the general consensus is that the higher the bars, the lower the IQ of the rider. This guy is below apes...

We did make an attempt to begin posting this month, it just never got off the ground. With temperatures hitting 80 and above it's hard to stay in the house. This kind of weather is most unusual -- we usually wouldn't expect it until August. I'm not complaining -- it's been beautiful.

You may recall that Richard had a small problem with a raccoon eating his goldfish. He mentioned at the time that his pellet gun was in the garage when he needed it. The raccoon has since returned -- much like the car battery thief who comes back the next day and steals the new one you just purchased.

I was pretty amazed when I finally lay eyes on Richard's pellet gun -- I thought it was mine, as they are identical!

I received this powerful pump gun on the occasion of my 16th birthday, some 48 years ago. Richard has owned his for 37 years - these babies have some seniority... I asked him to bring it with him so that we might make a few comparisons.

Leo is pretty interested in what Richard is carrying... our dogs are SO well mannered.
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Mine is a tad shinier -- I don't keep it in the garage...
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You probably noticed Cassady in one of those pictures~~
The pellet gun shoots a lead bullet slightly smaller than a 22, using the energy from compressed air - which is achieved via a hand pump built into the barrel assembly. If you can pump it seven or eight times the projectile has enough energy to bury itself in a half-inch pine board. It does make a good varmit gun. The raccoon lives, by the way -- must've noticed Richard pick up the gun.

Dick and Laura, Barbara and Paul, and Evelyn helped me celebrate. A fine time was had by all~~