2010 Kawasaki Concours 14

I went down to Team Powersports in Smithfield on Saturday morning. Justin let me test ride the 09 demo model they had there. First, everyone in the shop seemed very cool. Second, this bike is big and heavy, but once you get on it that all disappears. It handled like a featherweight at slow city traffic speeds. U turns and figure 8s are no problem. At highway speed it would lay over left and right with just a little flick.

In 4th gear when pulling out to pass someone at about 60 mph you can do about 100 by the time you’re at the front of the car you’re trying to pass. It doesn’t have a buzzy high revving 600cc sportbike power. It’s a sneaky, large 1.4L displacement power that just rockets you up to speed without much noise.

The adjustable windshield was pretty awesome. I’m really excited about putting on some serious miles now that I have a machine made for it.

Knee Slider Review

Cycle World Review

After the test ride I wound up buying the 2010 ABS model. They’re putting it together from the warehouse and it should be ready sometime this week.

The rest of my time and energy will be spent on hooking up my Zumo 550 and maybe even the XM radio feature, and planning routes. Anybody want to ride up to Indianapolis for MotoGP in August with Pete Slow and myself?

Snowboarding – Snowshoe, WV

I spent the weekend snowboarding (or trying to) in Snowshoe, WV. It’s about a 6 hour drive from Raleigh. I went up with Pete and Kenneth.

We randomly managed to run into Kurt and Lauren as well. I took a snowboarding class with Kurt. Lauren took a ski class. Kurt Lauren and I spent Sat and Sun going down all the green trails!

I hurt everywhere. I also hit my head pretty damn hard. Yeah, should have remembered that helmet. Towards the end of the second day I was starting to get it, but I was also too tired to make my turns fast enough.

I’d definitely go snowboarding again! Here are some pictures of Snowshoe.

Networkers / San Francisco: Day 1

I rolled out of bed at 4:07 AM on Sunday morning. Waited for a severely late Pete, and just barely got on the plane before they closed the doors at 6:05AM.

We got into SF around 1PM local time after taking the BART to Market Street. Little did we know that we were dropped straight into the Gay Pride Parade.

I joked with my friends that I should get a rainbow feather boa. When i got off the train 3 girls in front of us actually had rainbow feather boas. I didn’t even know they made them when I was joking about it.

Checking into the 28th floor of the Westin with a view of Alcatraz.
(Will insert pic later)

Walked from Market to the Embarcadero. Late lunch at Boudin’s. Walk the Ghiradelli for chocolate sample.

Walked back to the hotel on a “Stop at every tiny bar” route. This took many hours.

The first bar had $2 Guinness. It also was an Irish pub / Curry place. What?

We sat down next to random dudes who offered our table weed. We politely declined, but these guys were pretty cool. Remember the guys from “Training Day” who almost blew the guys head off in the tub? These were those guys.

The next stop was a “Rogue Brewery” bar. They had a ton of Rogue bers on tap which were delicious.

Next stop was some small Italian place I’ll never remember the name of. We walked to one section of town, and there were so many Italian restaurants to choose from that it was ridiculous.

That’s when we started on the wine.

After that we walked a long way home. Back at the hotel I still blew a .09 with my breathalyzer. Yay for not having to drive back home!

And now, breakfast.

Marco Melandri

We went out to Morton’s for some serious steak last night. It was the first time I managed to spend over 100 dollars on a meal just for myself.

We are sitting there and who walks in? Marco Melandri and most of his team. We weren’t sure it was him, but when the waitress confirmed the table was speaking Italian we were pretty sure.

We’re two for two. I’m curious to see which MotoGP racer we’ll spot today!

Dani Pedrosa

I wake up this morning at the Indianapolis Sheraton. I’m in the lobby hanging out waiting to leave for the race track.

Dani Pedrosa just strolls on by through the lobby and walks out the front door.

TFerg pointed and we looked. The guy is just as short as we expected. Awesome that he’s staying at our hotel. Strange that he’s just walking out the lobby by himself to the track.

Pics of Dani Pedrosa

Back from the beach.

I just got back from a week at the beach. It was pretty damn awesome and here are some pictures.

Right now I’m unpacking from the beach and packing to head out to Indianapolis for the weekend.

Woo MotoGP.

It looks like weather is going to get both of my vacation trips. The tail end of Hannah made the beach pretty rough at the beach house (although the week was great after that), and Ike is going to make for a wet MotoGP race. Oh well.

Time for me to get my stuff together and head to the airport. More about the beach and MotoGP when I’m back on Monday.

Sick Again

Being sick can suck it. I’m beginning to think there is something wrong with me. I’ve been sick about 4 times so far this year. That’s just not right.

What the hell am I doing wrong?

Also, I’ve been watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on http://hulu.com

There is some relief in that. It makes me feel a bit better.

I got an awesome birthday card from my Grandma in Florida, that helps too.

Otherwise, nothing good to report right now.

Feeling like I could use another vacation.

A Change?

I think I need a change of pace. I should do something different for a while.

I’m thinking more Linux maybe? More teaching maybe?

Maybe I should move somewhere else to see what that’s like. Any suggestions?

Post CCIE

There was a party, it was awesome. Everyone was there.

Pirates vs Ninjas

Jason came down to visit with his girl Ashley. It was the best time I’ve had in a while. Interesting and memorable events unfolded as always.

Since the party I bought a GPS for my motorcycle and have been thinking about that *Touring NC* goal. It’s within reach. I am looking at buying a taller windscreen and a more comfy seat to hook my bike up for longer rides.

I also had an interesting realization about girls, or at least what I’m looking for.

I would not classify myself as a happy person. If left to my own devices by myself I would pursue interesting activities, and I would be immersed in them completely. I would have intense focus.

I would be content.

I realize I will fall for pretty much any girl who I smile around. This is my tell tale weakness. If I am involved in a conversation with a girl and there is laughing, smiling, and me being happy, I am pretty much done for. This satisfies almost all of my requirements. It is a completely different sort of contentment. The positive interaction with a person (especially of the opposite sex) fulfills something I didn’t even know I needed. Now going without is painful.

It is this social interaction and sharing that moves me from a content person to a happy person. There is a line that is crossed where I go from full, to overflowing

For now I will focus on non-people activities, but watch for me to smile.. You’ll be able to tell when something is up ;)

Fun Weekend

What a long and fun filled weekend.

There was drinking at East Village. We ordered 20 shots at one time.

Bathing suit competition on Friday.

There was Rum Runners on Friday night.

Beach on Saturday for more bathing suit competitions. I don’t know who won. I think in the end I was the real winner here….

Sunday dinner involved Garbage Plates.. awesomeness.

I have pictures of all of these things.. but they won’t be posted until tomorrow since I left my camera at Lauren’s.. whoops.

I’ll post them when I get a chance.