Sunday, May 31, 2009

Keen Observations

I cleaned my coat this weekend.

In retrospect, I see that it really needed it. I don't do this very often because it is always a big production to clean and dry my jacket.

The dogs toy bin was emptied out and filled with water, and the jacket, minus the armour, was put in to soak. This time around I added my high-vis vest and my helmet liner to soak.

I stirred them around a few times in a rather futile attempt to mimic a washing machine and left the bin in the sun.

The heat of the day had set in when I returned later to hang them out to dry.

At the end of the day, when I brought them in, I learned something very interesting.

Items left drying in the sun, take an exponentially shorter amount of time to dry if they are left to dry in sunny hot weather.

Okey-dokey. Have to remember that one.

All of you suzie-homemaker-types, stop rolling your eyeballs at me. Auntie Balisada is "microwave compatible". I like my microwave ovens and my washing machine. Yeah, the washing machine grumbles because I kind of packed everything in, but whatever.

Where usually, my jacket is hanging in the bathtub all night (hmm, now that I think about it, this whole drying in the heat thing is probably why my sister was a bit confused when I wanted to dry my jacket in the bathtub the first time I washed it), this time it was dry before I went to bed.

Cool.

Well, getting ready for church this morning I kind of forgot about cleaning my jacket and was actually rather late because I was putting the armour in the little slots.

. . . and emptying the water from the pockets.

Yeah, I forgot that the pockets are rather water tight, so to speak, so that when water collects, it really collects, and drips out of the pockets when the jacket is turned every which way.

I am so observant too. I actually spent some time trying to figure out where the spot of water on the carpet came from. Looked at the ceiling. No, my ceiling did not suddenly develop a hole. No cups or bowls of water anywhere. The CIA is not going to snatch me up anytime soon because they need my quick thinking skills! It is a good thing I practice all the right motorcycle skills I need on the road!

A quarter of a roll of paper towels later, my pockets were dry and I was on my way to church.

Late but on my way.

I am not surprised that I didn't see the moped in my way in, because I was rather late.

But I saw it on my way out. Actually, I saw it in my mirror as I was getting ready start my motorcycle. Almost missed it on the way in and out.


And I worry about cars being observant enough to see me. Sheesh. I think that the pot may be calling the kettle black so to speak.

It was not until later that I recalled a conversation I had at church with someone. It is common knowledge at church that I ride all the time, even in rather 'interesting' weather. The day had finally come where it was nice weather and a lot of folks remarked to me how nice the weather was for riding.

One person, in mentioning the nice weather, stated that he should go home and get his moped.

Yes, Auntie Balisada, woman of quick intellect and sharp observations, has only just realized this might be his moped an hour or two after seeing it.

Now if I could just remember who I was talking to.


Ta!

Balisada

Monday, May 18, 2009

Spring Beginnings

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free."

So says the words at the base of the Statue of Liberty.

It almost seems like a Harley Davidson commercial. All I need is an artful photo of a Harley Fatboy in front of the Statue of Liberty and I am good to go.

It sounds corny, but really it sums up my Sunday.

I was delighted to discover that I was finally not the only motorcycle in the parking lot at church. I recognized the dual-sport, but there was another that I didn't immediately recognize. The owner chose to leave their helmet on their motorcycle, so I didn't get a chance to at least wave to the owner.

These past few months my mind has been troubled.

So when the weather was glorious after church, it didn't take much prompting to find me on the way to the coast for clam chowder.

Just a quick stop at work to pick up my cell phone, since I had left it there the day before, and I was on my way.

All motorcycles that I saw on the way told me that a lot of other folks were "yearning to breathe free" as well. It has been a long time since I have seen so many motorcycles.

There were not so many at the coast, probably due to the fact that it was rather nippy and foggy there, but the clam chowder at Mo's West was actually rather good.



So, it was a refreshed and happy Balisada that returned from lunch at the coast.

I paid more for lunch than I did in gas.

I really like my motorcycle.


Ta!

Balisada

Monday, May 4, 2009

Not Exactly

Wow.

So I watch the news every morning before I go to work.

I watch just enough to find out what the weather is going to be like for my dog and to find out if there are going to be thundershowers or hail. I will not ride in that kind of weather, so I try to pay attention.

This morning, to be honest I heard the man talk, but didn't take in the words.

All that I remembered is that there was something about rain.

Sweet pea, this is Oregon.

We get rain.

Lots and lots of it.

Like Eskimos have several different words for ice, we even have words for the different types of rain.

Honestly, I ignored him. It was one of those days where I was going to ride no matter what.

Well, this afternoon it rained.

Yes, actually rained.

Not a mist.

Not a drizzle.

Not a shower.

Actual rain, that actually made me rather wet.

My socks were not exactly squishy, but I was most certainly rather wet all over.

And you know what?

Still quite happy.

People who drive, often just don't get why we motorcyclists are still out in the rain, happily riding along.

If I ever figure it out myself, I will be sure to let them know.


Ta!



Balisada