The whole point of this exercise is to, of course, kill dead time. Well, technically I'm not in that mode. I'm trying to figure out what I should do now that I've 'grown up', per se. The bicycle business has treated me well and might still. I plan to throw quite a few resumes out at Interbike (cycling industries' tradeshow, for you all not in the know), am trying to figure out what kind of technical career I should pursue; IT, networking, etc. The stuff interests me in a way and it's a still growing field, so there's a possibility there.
And then there's music. I'm not going to run off and be a rockstar by any means that I know of. But I want to learn to record music at the very least. So in that interest I want to leave Garageband and move into Ableton Live. The 'Live' name comes from the fact arrangements can be played and arranged, well, live. And now they even have a looper built into it so you can record and replay guitar samples and record new ones on top of the last one. Nifty!
They have online 'how-to' movies like this...
http://downloads.ableton.com/movies/tour_of_live.mov
So that's what I'm up to. Looks like I'll be in Phoenix for a bit, barring someone at the tradeshow grabbing my attention. Portland rocks and I would like to get back there after the market recovers and/or my skillset has expanded somewhat. We'll see...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
German Word of the Day...
I knew of this before and now I'm going to use it. The German word of the day...
http://www.transparent.com/wotd/today/german.htm
The best or at least most prominent info I've found on actual sentence structure is the Wikipedia. That's a little more involved than a lesson a day, but I'll see what I can pull off.
Today's word? Gesund. It means 'healthy'.
http://www.transparent.com/wotd/today/german.htm
The best or at least most prominent info I've found on actual sentence structure is the Wikipedia. That's a little more involved than a lesson a day, but I'll see what I can pull off.
Today's word? Gesund. It means 'healthy'.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Diode
Another easy one today; The Diode..
My friend Andy offered up the idea that I should take notes to reinforce memory of certain fact, so this is what I typed out while watching this video and reading the wiki...
Diode allow flow of electricity in only one direction in a circuit. Effectively converts alternate current, AC to direct current, DC
Zener Diode, also known as avalanche diode low voltage, prevent damage to components
Signal Diode, low voltage
Rectifier Diode, hi voltage, so called because it converts AC to DC, ie rectification
Light emitting diode, LED
varicap diode is also used as a capacitor
1874 Ferdinand Braun, accidentally discovered first diode
Yungadish Chandra Bose, used similar device to look for electromagnic waves
P/N Junction Russel Shcumacher Ohl, 1939 discovered mixing impurities with semiconductor crystal, usually silicon, would allow control of how well it would conduct electricity, P = Positive, N = Negative (duh). Put them end to end, you have a diode
The interest here is not only in the knowledge of the parts. I would like to build a tube amplifier or two, for both instrument and hi-fi stereo amplification. I have a developed ear that hears that difference while playing guitar. I'm sure there's a difference with playing recorded music too.
One last note; As I'm out and about and may not be able to post here every day. This is an interesting thing to try though and I will endeavor to persevere...
My friend Andy offered up the idea that I should take notes to reinforce memory of certain fact, so this is what I typed out while watching this video and reading the wiki...
Diode allow flow of electricity in only one direction in a circuit. Effectively converts alternate current, AC to direct current, DC
Zener Diode, also known as avalanche diode low voltage, prevent damage to components
Signal Diode, low voltage
Rectifier Diode, hi voltage, so called because it converts AC to DC, ie rectification
Light emitting diode, LED
varicap diode is also used as a capacitor
1874 Ferdinand Braun, accidentally discovered first diode
Yungadish Chandra Bose, used similar device to look for electromagnic waves
P/N Junction Russel Shcumacher Ohl, 1939 discovered mixing impurities with semiconductor crystal, usually silicon, would allow control of how well it would conduct electricity, P = Positive, N = Negative (duh). Put them end to end, you have a diode
The interest here is not only in the knowledge of the parts. I would like to build a tube amplifier or two, for both instrument and hi-fi stereo amplification. I have a developed ear that hears that difference while playing guitar. I'm sure there's a difference with playing recorded music too.
One last note; As I'm out and about and may not be able to post here every day. This is an interesting thing to try though and I will endeavor to persevere...
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Knowledge, Creativity and where they meet
You know, I love caffeine.
There's something about the fire it lights between the synapses that just makes me aware of so many things that I'm in the middle of, things I could learn and things I could be making. This is rarely surrounded much by negative waves...
...and it really wasn't today either. I was well aware that as soon as the three shots of espresso kicked in an outlet for the inspiration would be taken out by pencil on paper. But since I was thinking about the inspiration when the caffeine kicked in, I concentrated on that and cross-referenced it with things that have skimming the top of my head, specifically things that I've wanted to do but haven't for the same reason that we all don't do these things; Time.
Today's excuse is of course being on the road. That argument holds no water. I have the internet. Why can't I learn a word or two of German a day? Why can't I learn about how a capacitor works?
I have no time, yet there are long periods of boredom. There are all these interesting things I want to do but for some odd reason I'm not making an effort. I figure the most obvious way around the problem is to go to school. When you're paying for it and it's on the schedule, you follow through. But I'm going to try to do is breath new life into the blog and try and learn something each day.
It's a small thing to learn that the German word 'nagel bett' means 'nail bed' (An odd thing to start out with, yes. Just happen to be watching The Big Lebowski with a friend and it was in there.) but it's more than I knew 20 minutes ago. if I can hold onto it, I'm a little bit closer to speaking German. If I learn another language, it will probably make learning other languages moderately easier.
So expect a new small challenge each day. It might be super-easy, it might not. If I have internet connection, I will post though. Play along if you'd like...
There's something about the fire it lights between the synapses that just makes me aware of so many things that I'm in the middle of, things I could learn and things I could be making. This is rarely surrounded much by negative waves...
...and it really wasn't today either. I was well aware that as soon as the three shots of espresso kicked in an outlet for the inspiration would be taken out by pencil on paper. But since I was thinking about the inspiration when the caffeine kicked in, I concentrated on that and cross-referenced it with things that have skimming the top of my head, specifically things that I've wanted to do but haven't for the same reason that we all don't do these things; Time.
Today's excuse is of course being on the road. That argument holds no water. I have the internet. Why can't I learn a word or two of German a day? Why can't I learn about how a capacitor works?
I have no time, yet there are long periods of boredom. There are all these interesting things I want to do but for some odd reason I'm not making an effort. I figure the most obvious way around the problem is to go to school. When you're paying for it and it's on the schedule, you follow through. But I'm going to try to do is breath new life into the blog and try and learn something each day.
It's a small thing to learn that the German word 'nagel bett' means 'nail bed' (An odd thing to start out with, yes. Just happen to be watching The Big Lebowski with a friend and it was in there.) but it's more than I knew 20 minutes ago. if I can hold onto it, I'm a little bit closer to speaking German. If I learn another language, it will probably make learning other languages moderately easier.
So expect a new small challenge each day. It might be super-easy, it might not. If I have internet connection, I will post though. Play along if you'd like...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Portlander's update...
Sorry it's been a bit since a post. Pretty busy, still trying to find work....
Bicyclin' Portland
So right before getting my friend Erik to send me one of my bicycles this way, I happen past a yard sale with an X-Large Univega most likely from the early 90's ,complete with slick tires, a rack and u-lock. All for twenty dollah(make you holla!)!
Boy, does this thing take me back. I had a Trek 820 from 1991 that was very similar to this. Cromoly frame and fork, 21 speeds, cantilever brakes. It's seen a bit of use but I didn't have to do too much to it; True the rear wheel a little bit as it took a ding somewhere, but that's it. Oh, there are a ton of things that I would do to this bike in typical habit like replacing all the cables and cleaning the drivetrain, but I decided to leave this lamb the way it is. Well, I changed the seat. Actually spent another twenty on a WTB SST takeoff saddle. Your seat is the one thing I will tell you not to ever compromise on. Two days on a worn-out gel saddle was enough! And boy was I beat the first day. It's not my first reminder that two months out of the saddle will catch up.
Perhaps the thing I enjoy about this bike the most is that it is 'just a bicycle'. I've been in a habit now of owning specific machinery for an application and I do love all the little details that go into such things. But this bike is not just the only such equipment that I had early on. It was all I needed. I wasn't and hadn't been in the industry when I had that Trek. And I rode it everywhere. I read books and lusted after other things, but the Trek was what I had and it just kept on truckin'.
Two Wheeled Elitism
The Bicycle runs rampant in Portland in many forms. The fixie hipsters are of course quite prevelant, but I've seen more old diamond frame Schwinns here than anything! A week before I left Phoenix, I turned down buying a black Schwinn Racer for $25 at Goodwill. Pretty bike, but I didn't it was the reasoning. Well, I could have probably gotten $150 for it in the condition it was in, perhaps $250 here in Portland. Amazing.
But bicycles aren't the only thing running around on two wheels here. You've got guys on scooters, either modern(like me) or vintage(maybe one day...), mopeds(the next thing to the fixie as far as hipsters. Google 'Puddlecutters'), motorcycles and of course cars. And everybody seems to have a beef about the other one. In fact, that's the most prevelant bitch I hear from the average Portlander; How people transport themselves about. Well, I suppose if you've got to be hostile about something, it might as well be that as opposed to something like "those damn Mexicans"...
Homesickness
It occured to me last week that I've been missing my peeps in Santa Fe and Phoenix quite a bit. Portland's got a lot going for it and I'm still seeking employment, but if things don't start bearing fruit by end of this month I'm going to give serious consideration to giving my love back to one of those places by end of July, most likely Santa Fe. I'll try to keep you posted. Whatever is supposed to happen will happen, eh?
Ciao!
Bicyclin' Portland
So right before getting my friend Erik to send me one of my bicycles this way, I happen past a yard sale with an X-Large Univega most likely from the early 90's ,complete with slick tires, a rack and u-lock. All for twenty dollah(make you holla!)!
Boy, does this thing take me back. I had a Trek 820 from 1991 that was very similar to this. Cromoly frame and fork, 21 speeds, cantilever brakes. It's seen a bit of use but I didn't have to do too much to it; True the rear wheel a little bit as it took a ding somewhere, but that's it. Oh, there are a ton of things that I would do to this bike in typical habit like replacing all the cables and cleaning the drivetrain, but I decided to leave this lamb the way it is. Well, I changed the seat. Actually spent another twenty on a WTB SST takeoff saddle. Your seat is the one thing I will tell you not to ever compromise on. Two days on a worn-out gel saddle was enough! And boy was I beat the first day. It's not my first reminder that two months out of the saddle will catch up.
Perhaps the thing I enjoy about this bike the most is that it is 'just a bicycle'. I've been in a habit now of owning specific machinery for an application and I do love all the little details that go into such things. But this bike is not just the only such equipment that I had early on. It was all I needed. I wasn't and hadn't been in the industry when I had that Trek. And I rode it everywhere. I read books and lusted after other things, but the Trek was what I had and it just kept on truckin'.
Two Wheeled Elitism
The Bicycle runs rampant in Portland in many forms. The fixie hipsters are of course quite prevelant, but I've seen more old diamond frame Schwinns here than anything! A week before I left Phoenix, I turned down buying a black Schwinn Racer for $25 at Goodwill. Pretty bike, but I didn't it was the reasoning. Well, I could have probably gotten $150 for it in the condition it was in, perhaps $250 here in Portland. Amazing.
But bicycles aren't the only thing running around on two wheels here. You've got guys on scooters, either modern(like me) or vintage(maybe one day...), mopeds(the next thing to the fixie as far as hipsters. Google 'Puddlecutters'), motorcycles and of course cars. And everybody seems to have a beef about the other one. In fact, that's the most prevelant bitch I hear from the average Portlander; How people transport themselves about. Well, I suppose if you've got to be hostile about something, it might as well be that as opposed to something like "those damn Mexicans"...
Homesickness
It occured to me last week that I've been missing my peeps in Santa Fe and Phoenix quite a bit. Portland's got a lot going for it and I'm still seeking employment, but if things don't start bearing fruit by end of this month I'm going to give serious consideration to giving my love back to one of those places by end of July, most likely Santa Fe. I'll try to keep you posted. Whatever is supposed to happen will happen, eh?
Ciao!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Midstate Oregon and Portland
When I pitched my tent that evening I had tried placing the tent in a spot the sun strikes. With only one tree next to the spot, I chose poorly. The dew quickly dried after moving it into the sun, no problem. I just didn't stir as quickly. I wasn't particularly in a hurry. I just knew this was probably my last night camping.
I packed up and headed north, the final goal exceptionally close. I arrived in Eugene about three hours later and spent a bit of time there but it was at such a time that I didn't really want to stay. Portland was so close! A mere 100 miles away! But at the same time I didn't want to arrive in the evening either. I made the decision to ride north til I felt daylight had run out. I made it just 20 miles shy of Salem, 70 miles to Portland. Not much to say about that area regarding scenery. I didn't stop and pop any photos, really. The goal was about reached and couldn't pause to take pictures of fields and sheep. I stayed at a hotel (gasp!), allowing for a shower and semi-proper bed.
I got up the next and headed on up, the goal to arrive by Noon. After a rather uneventful hour and a half...
I arrived at 11:57 am at my destination at the hostel I was staying at!
Now how can you celebrate such a thing? Well, you can have some awesome drinking chocolate...
Or how about some excellent sake? Sayuri. Highly recommend it...
So here I am. Have been for a week. I got a place month to month and Monday will start the intense jobsearch, although I plan to get a resume out tomorrow for an available position. Will he score? I'll be the first to let you know! :)
I packed up and headed north, the final goal exceptionally close. I arrived in Eugene about three hours later and spent a bit of time there but it was at such a time that I didn't really want to stay. Portland was so close! A mere 100 miles away! But at the same time I didn't want to arrive in the evening either. I made the decision to ride north til I felt daylight had run out. I made it just 20 miles shy of Salem, 70 miles to Portland. Not much to say about that area regarding scenery. I didn't stop and pop any photos, really. The goal was about reached and couldn't pause to take pictures of fields and sheep. I stayed at a hotel (gasp!), allowing for a shower and semi-proper bed.
I got up the next and headed on up, the goal to arrive by Noon. After a rather uneventful hour and a half...
I arrived at 11:57 am at my destination at the hostel I was staying at!
Now how can you celebrate such a thing? Well, you can have some awesome drinking chocolate...
Or how about some excellent sake? Sayuri. Highly recommend it...
So here I am. Have been for a week. I got a place month to month and Monday will start the intense jobsearch, although I plan to get a resume out tomorrow for an available position. Will he score? I'll be the first to let you know! :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Even more state parks...
I woke up fairly early and packed up the things, heading out about 9 that morning. Leaving the park by myself, no one there, was a bit creepy. I continued north...
More plains, but in the distance I saw what appeared to be an odd cloud. It dawned on me; "Holy shit! That's a mountain!" My own personal "That's no moon!" moment. I marked my mileage, just to have an idea how distant I was and mark visibility.
After passing through Redding, it became clearer but more importantly so did the whole of the mountain range. Most of what was visible had snow on it. It dawned on me perhaps there wasn't a clear path across yet. Maybe I would have turn around or stay in Redding. Not cool! After reconsidering, I realized I was on the interstate and it was most likely clear all the way to the 'top', so i pressed on...
Again, I can understand the boredom of Interstates. I specifically avoided I-10 when leaving Phoenix. No real scenery to speak of, long stretches of nothing. I-5 might be as repetitious, but it's definitely more lively with mountain passes like those above and plains right above them like those pictured below...
Yes, a dragon in the middle of nowhere...
I passed about 100 miles and stopped in Dunsmuir to refuel me and Natasha...
It's quite picturesque this time of year, but I can imagine it; Buried in snow with the sun barely peaking over the mountains in winter, just enough to snowblind you for an hour a day and make you snarl in anger and scream at it, begging it to actually melt this shit!!! But that could just be me.
I headed on and came upon Mt. Shasta and an outlying, conical sibling...
Little opportunity was offered to take pictures up til I got to Medford. But imagine again my surprise, 3 miles outside of Medford...
Yeah. Right...
I arrived at Valley of the Rogue State Park, about 15 mileswest north of Medford. Again, brilliant park...
Edit; Please feel free to click on any of the images. They will take you into my Flickr photostream and non-clipped versions of many of the pics. Also of note; I was 90 miles from Mount Shasta when I first saw it. If I had been paying attention it could have been 100 miles. Amazing...
More plains, but in the distance I saw what appeared to be an odd cloud. It dawned on me; "Holy shit! That's a mountain!" My own personal "That's no moon!" moment. I marked my mileage, just to have an idea how distant I was and mark visibility.
After passing through Redding, it became clearer but more importantly so did the whole of the mountain range. Most of what was visible had snow on it. It dawned on me perhaps there wasn't a clear path across yet. Maybe I would have turn around or stay in Redding. Not cool! After reconsidering, I realized I was on the interstate and it was most likely clear all the way to the 'top', so i pressed on...
Again, I can understand the boredom of Interstates. I specifically avoided I-10 when leaving Phoenix. No real scenery to speak of, long stretches of nothing. I-5 might be as repetitious, but it's definitely more lively with mountain passes like those above and plains right above them like those pictured below...
Yes, a dragon in the middle of nowhere...
I passed about 100 miles and stopped in Dunsmuir to refuel me and Natasha...
It's quite picturesque this time of year, but I can imagine it; Buried in snow with the sun barely peaking over the mountains in winter, just enough to snowblind you for an hour a day and make you snarl in anger and scream at it, begging it to actually melt this shit!!! But that could just be me.
I headed on and came upon Mt. Shasta and an outlying, conical sibling...
Little opportunity was offered to take pictures up til I got to Medford. But imagine again my surprise, 3 miles outside of Medford...
Yeah. Right...
I arrived at Valley of the Rogue State Park, about 15 mileswest north of Medford. Again, brilliant park...
Edit; Please feel free to click on any of the images. They will take you into my Flickr photostream and non-clipped versions of many of the pics. Also of note; I was 90 miles from Mount Shasta when I first saw it. If I had been paying attention it could have been 100 miles. Amazing...
Monday, May 11, 2009
ACTUAL State Parks
Forgive the absence of anything even remotely referring to State parks in the last post. I've been in busy-mode, trying to get things accomplished and the blog is well down the list of things actually that important.
So, I left Alameda on the 6th and headed up to Red Bluff City. A note in regards to Google Maps, GPS units and the best laid plans of mice and men; No amount of careful planning can make up for a wrong turn. After the late experience on the PCH 1 and peoples' comments on how services dry up north of San Francisco, I decided to follow interstate 5 up through the middle of California. I left Alameda, following a written set of directions taped to the bike and a GPS unit in my pocket, narrating turns on the off occasion. These things did not prevent me from taking that 'wrong turn', going into San Francisco. It's not often I can say I really hated going to San Fran, but hey; The road system is complex and confusing at this point. I had no desire to get into a 'Gordian knot' there.
Actually the worst part was having to spring 4 bucks for the toll going over the bridge. I decided at that point to stop at Treasure Island and snap some pics to try to get some of my money back...
After this little detour, I found the proper route and headed north towards Red Bluff. The route...
At this point I cannot find anything particularly unpleasant to say about the northwestern part of this country. I'm sure it has it's crappy element of people, but terrain-wise it is absolutely beautiful. I do admit a fairly large number of insects suicided on my faceshield and scoot. At one point I'm pretty sure I passed through a cloud of hornets, only realizing what they were after I passed through. Lucked out and didn't get any in the jacket.
I was about 20 miles from my goal when 1) I saw the sign for the State Park and 2) saw this...
The State Park system is quite nice through the area. I never stayed at a campground that wasn't state the whole trip. Super-cheap, clean and maintained. (Guess I'm a bit of a socialist.) The only drawback to this one was the insects. Ants, mosquitoes and ticks. A proper tent kept them all at bay though. I'll probably make a post later about equipment that I had and what I wished I had...
So, I left Alameda on the 6th and headed up to Red Bluff City. A note in regards to Google Maps, GPS units and the best laid plans of mice and men; No amount of careful planning can make up for a wrong turn. After the late experience on the PCH 1 and peoples' comments on how services dry up north of San Francisco, I decided to follow interstate 5 up through the middle of California. I left Alameda, following a written set of directions taped to the bike and a GPS unit in my pocket, narrating turns on the off occasion. These things did not prevent me from taking that 'wrong turn', going into San Francisco. It's not often I can say I really hated going to San Fran, but hey; The road system is complex and confusing at this point. I had no desire to get into a 'Gordian knot' there.
Actually the worst part was having to spring 4 bucks for the toll going over the bridge. I decided at that point to stop at Treasure Island and snap some pics to try to get some of my money back...
After this little detour, I found the proper route and headed north towards Red Bluff. The route...
At this point I cannot find anything particularly unpleasant to say about the northwestern part of this country. I'm sure it has it's crappy element of people, but terrain-wise it is absolutely beautiful. I do admit a fairly large number of insects suicided on my faceshield and scoot. At one point I'm pretty sure I passed through a cloud of hornets, only realizing what they were after I passed through. Lucked out and didn't get any in the jacket.
I was about 20 miles from my goal when 1) I saw the sign for the State Park and 2) saw this...
The State Park system is quite nice through the area. I never stayed at a campground that wasn't state the whole trip. Super-cheap, clean and maintained. (Guess I'm a bit of a socialist.) The only drawback to this one was the insects. Ants, mosquitoes and ticks. A proper tent kept them all at bay though. I'll probably make a post later about equipment that I had and what I wished I had...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
State Parks...
I had originally only planned for one day in the Bay Area. Upon looking at the weather forecast and looking at how far ahead I was over-all, I decided to stay another day in Alameda. I stayed with my friend Andy and his daughter Aurora...
Alameda is a very odd duck, I find. If you're a Trekkie, it's where they kept the 'nuclear wessels'. A 2 mile island sitting off Oakland, the Navy base is pretty much history, although you can go tour a retired aircraft carrier there. No, what you'll not is that it's a pretty nice little suburbia. You'' swear the Huxtibles and the Bradies are neighbors...
Have to run! More later...
Alameda is a very odd duck, I find. If you're a Trekkie, it's where they kept the 'nuclear wessels'. A 2 mile island sitting off Oakland, the Navy base is pretty much history, although you can go tour a retired aircraft carrier there. No, what you'll not is that it's a pretty nice little suburbia. You'' swear the Huxtibles and the Bradies are neighbors...
Have to run! More later...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
PCH-1, Part Deux
Ok, the Coast...
If you haven't done this ride, there are two things you should know. 1) June or July are optimal months to go. 2) More importantly, you need to do this ride. Here's the day and the PCH-1 sweet spot...
After leaving Cambria, it stays pretty straight for a little bit, but not for long. The road begins beautiful, sweeping corners that demand your attention not only because they're fun to ride on (even on a load-bearing scooter), but the scenery is spectacular...
After Big Sur it pretty much goes back into 4-lane through San Francisco. The only short-point was the weather and I was told by amny souls along the way the optimal time is June-July. Still, I am ten shades of happy to have done this, especially on the Vespa. Not that it was hard; I just think the scooter was the ideal vehicle to do this particular leg of the ride on.
Thruough Santa Cruz the weather turned shitty. I mean REALLY shitty. I broke out the rain jacket and pants and that probably made the biggest difference in being able to get to Alameda. I stopped in Pacifica and ate at the diner where I called the bike tour off, just to make some sort of acknowledgement I'd been through the whole route I originally planned on the bicycle. Sure, it would have been great to have done it on the bicycle. That didn't happen. But this did. :) More in the next few days...
If you haven't done this ride, there are two things you should know. 1) June or July are optimal months to go. 2) More importantly, you need to do this ride. Here's the day and the PCH-1 sweet spot...
After leaving Cambria, it stays pretty straight for a little bit, but not for long. The road begins beautiful, sweeping corners that demand your attention not only because they're fun to ride on (even on a load-bearing scooter), but the scenery is spectacular...
After Big Sur it pretty much goes back into 4-lane through San Francisco. The only short-point was the weather and I was told by amny souls along the way the optimal time is June-July. Still, I am ten shades of happy to have done this, especially on the Vespa. Not that it was hard; I just think the scooter was the ideal vehicle to do this particular leg of the ride on.
Thruough Santa Cruz the weather turned shitty. I mean REALLY shitty. I broke out the rain jacket and pants and that probably made the biggest difference in being able to get to Alameda. I stopped in Pacifica and ate at the diner where I called the bike tour off, just to make some sort of acknowledgement I'd been through the whole route I originally planned on the bicycle. Sure, it would have been great to have done it on the bicycle. That didn't happen. But this did. :) More in the next few days...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Pacific Coast Highway, part 1
When I left Chatsworth on Day 3 I headed for Cambria on the 101 to get to the ever-so-coveted PCH-1. I covered 220 miles this route...
The time of year might not be considered ideal for the coast. And probably for good reason. It was pretty nice going through Simi Valley...
I made the panoramic, so it looks a little funny!)
Made the Coast...
And on up through the 101 through San Luis Obispo...
And reached the PCH 1 proper. I was crossing the hill and went straight into some of the heaviest insta-fog I've experienced since the last time I was on this coast. I managed to find a campground, a few minutes of less fog and set up tent...
My arrival was one of either very good timing on my part or luck. Maybe both. Although Natasha can really move, the average speed I've maintaned is less than a car. But several outings have taught me how to add time for all those odd stops for pics, food, gas, etc. But if the battle is lost, i.e. covering a certain mileage within a day, the war is seriously won. I've been putting more miles in than necassary for the alotted time in days.
I'll talk more about that over the next few days.
The time of year might not be considered ideal for the coast. And probably for good reason. It was pretty nice going through Simi Valley...
I made the panoramic, so it looks a little funny!)
Made the Coast...
And on up through the 101 through San Luis Obispo...
And reached the PCH 1 proper. I was crossing the hill and went straight into some of the heaviest insta-fog I've experienced since the last time I was on this coast. I managed to find a campground, a few minutes of less fog and set up tent...
My arrival was one of either very good timing on my part or luck. Maybe both. Although Natasha can really move, the average speed I've maintaned is less than a car. But several outings have taught me how to add time for all those odd stops for pics, food, gas, etc. But if the battle is lost, i.e. covering a certain mileage within a day, the war is seriously won. I've been putting more miles in than necassary for the alotted time in days.
I'll talk more about that over the next few days.
Monday, May 4, 2009
"So I went to Chatworth (again)
"And I met the President(again)..."
Day 2's route looked like this.
I wanted to avoid LA's freeways as much as I could and chose this northern route through Apple Valley/Palmdale. Although scenic, it didn't allow for the LA Freeway escape and I had to take Highway 14 into Chatsworth. It wasn't as bad as one might think. Remain calm, keep your speed steady and all is cool. Escept for those little grooves in the road. I don't know why they scrape them in, possibly because it's concrete and wet concrete becomes very slick. All I know is motorcycles and scooters tend to shimmy a little on them. After getting used to it that wan't so bad, either.
I rolled into Chatsworth in the afternoon and saw my friend Dana and stayed with her family for the night...
You would be hard-pressed to find a cooler set of people, in my opinion.
Dana took me to the Upright Citizen's Brigade presentation of Billy the Mime. Chances are he won't be in your area, but here is a sketch he does...
I will report more later, as I am in company and am being rude. Ta!
Day 2's route looked like this.
I wanted to avoid LA's freeways as much as I could and chose this northern route through Apple Valley/Palmdale. Although scenic, it didn't allow for the LA Freeway escape and I had to take Highway 14 into Chatsworth. It wasn't as bad as one might think. Remain calm, keep your speed steady and all is cool. Escept for those little grooves in the road. I don't know why they scrape them in, possibly because it's concrete and wet concrete becomes very slick. All I know is motorcycles and scooters tend to shimmy a little on them. After getting used to it that wan't so bad, either.
I rolled into Chatsworth in the afternoon and saw my friend Dana and stayed with her family for the night...
You would be hard-pressed to find a cooler set of people, in my opinion.
Dana took me to the Upright Citizen's Brigade presentation of Billy the Mime. Chances are he won't be in your area, but here is a sketch he does...
I will report more later, as I am in company and am being rude. Ta!
Friday, May 1, 2009
The oblivion that is the Southwestern Arizona Desert...
Wow. What can I say about the first day out? I managed almost 300 miles dead even getting to Yucca Valley in California. The route looked like this...
And the scooter looked like this...
It's about 40 lbs of equipment. The biggest drawback isn't actually weight; It's wind resistance. It keeps top speed with a headwind down by about 10-15 mph. Sucky! It bounces around a bit when passing big trucks, but it keeps it's feet on the ground.
So what did I see first day out? Lots of this.
And this.
Actually after snapping this picture, it shot up to 104 degrees (!) All in all, still not intolerable. It dropped to 90-95 when moving. I wasn't sweating a lot, nor was Natasha. She just purred along. Thank you, water-cooling.
Also passed through Salome. This is almost the entire town in one picture.
It's hard to believe how populated the desert is in actuality. People actually choose to live there. Incredible! Also it's a bit greener than people know. It's not the Mideast by any stretch.
Mahalo.
And the scooter looked like this...
It's about 40 lbs of equipment. The biggest drawback isn't actually weight; It's wind resistance. It keeps top speed with a headwind down by about 10-15 mph. Sucky! It bounces around a bit when passing big trucks, but it keeps it's feet on the ground.
So what did I see first day out? Lots of this.
And this.
Actually after snapping this picture, it shot up to 104 degrees (!) All in all, still not intolerable. It dropped to 90-95 when moving. I wasn't sweating a lot, nor was Natasha. She just purred along. Thank you, water-cooling.
Also passed through Salome. This is almost the entire town in one picture.
It's hard to believe how populated the desert is in actuality. People actually choose to live there. Incredible! Also it's a bit greener than people know. It's not the Mideast by any stretch.
Mahalo.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Leaving tomorrow on a jet plane...
Well, actually no. Not a jet plane. Not even in a car. A scooter. I will leave tomorrow probably before 8am. I have certain peeps I will be in daily contact with, but if you want to follow me on Twitter, the name to search for is 'vallindsay2'. I won't make minute-to-minute posts, although I will try for at least twice a day.
Also, I will be posting to this blog every evening, if I am afforded a wifi connection. Wish me luck even though I hope I need none. :)
Also, I will be posting to this blog every evening, if I am afforded a wifi connection. Wish me luck even though I hope I need none. :)
Test trip last week, off to Portland!!
So I took the multitude's advice and made a test run on my scooter last week; 113 (aprox) miles north of Phoenix to Prescott, AZ. I fillef the tank and left last Friday at 9:00am on the dot.
No real problems to report. I took a seatpad because I had a nominal fear the seat was too soft. I was wrong. The seat's fine. The first leg was Highway 60 to Wickenburg. After I got past the traffic lights, I let the throttle carry me to 60 mph cruising. The buffeting wind from other vehicles wasn't horrible but was annoying. The dust devil I rode through? Different thing. It was brief but hit me hard. The first pucker on the scooter.
I filled the tank at Wickenburg to check the mileage. I calculated 78mpg. Not too shabby! I got to the other side of Wickenburg and headed north on the 89-A....
More of the same kind of riding first leg; Mostly straight highway. What 89-A turns into should be a pleasant surprise to anyone unfamiliar with it. The road starts up into mountains and turns into some of the sweetest curves any cyclist could dream of. It was a tad windy, but it didn't ruin the fun much. It has to be fantastic in the fall! At 12:00 noon I pulled into Prescott...
68 degrees and sunny. I'd be hard pressed to choose a better time to go, with Phoenix starting into the ninety-degree season. I didn't press myself on time with this trip; It took three hours almost exactly to get up there. My average fell
greatly with the mountains, but I don't plan to be in that great a hurry going up to Portland, either. Heading back I had discovered that I had a slight tail-wind coming up. Not a huge issue, but it was a lot noisier. It made me realize earplugs would be a good thing to have.
Averaging fuel use on the way back yielded 72mpg. I'm sure the headwind and some in-city driving was responsible for that. The trip read 230.6 miles and I got back into Phoenix at about 5 pm. With several scenic-lookyloo stops and fuel stops, I'm not displeased at all. I felt that i could have put another 100 miles on the scooter, too. So I believe with good weather 300 miles will be easy.
I will post this evening in regards to leaving for Portland. Ta!
No real problems to report. I took a seatpad because I had a nominal fear the seat was too soft. I was wrong. The seat's fine. The first leg was Highway 60 to Wickenburg. After I got past the traffic lights, I let the throttle carry me to 60 mph cruising. The buffeting wind from other vehicles wasn't horrible but was annoying. The dust devil I rode through? Different thing. It was brief but hit me hard. The first pucker on the scooter.
I filled the tank at Wickenburg to check the mileage. I calculated 78mpg. Not too shabby! I got to the other side of Wickenburg and headed north on the 89-A....
More of the same kind of riding first leg; Mostly straight highway. What 89-A turns into should be a pleasant surprise to anyone unfamiliar with it. The road starts up into mountains and turns into some of the sweetest curves any cyclist could dream of. It was a tad windy, but it didn't ruin the fun much. It has to be fantastic in the fall! At 12:00 noon I pulled into Prescott...
68 degrees and sunny. I'd be hard pressed to choose a better time to go, with Phoenix starting into the ninety-degree season. I didn't press myself on time with this trip; It took three hours almost exactly to get up there. My average fell
greatly with the mountains, but I don't plan to be in that great a hurry going up to Portland, either. Heading back I had discovered that I had a slight tail-wind coming up. Not a huge issue, but it was a lot noisier. It made me realize earplugs would be a good thing to have.
Averaging fuel use on the way back yielded 72mpg. I'm sure the headwind and some in-city driving was responsible for that. The trip read 230.6 miles and I got back into Phoenix at about 5 pm. With several scenic-lookyloo stops and fuel stops, I'm not displeased at all. I felt that i could have put another 100 miles on the scooter, too. So I believe with good weather 300 miles will be easy.
I will post this evening in regards to leaving for Portland. Ta!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bringing it on...
So, I inch closer to the move to Portland. Things are being boxed, other things cleaned and organized. And above all this, crazy apprehension. Now I've done this sort of thing before, with far less money. But I admit I'm bristling with the same confidence I had then. I'm not quite sure why that is. I could guess it's the fact I could piss away my savings. Maybe it's the fact I have such awesome friends here in Phoenix and in Santa Fe.
To be honest with the crowd here, I'd probably move back to Santa Fe before moving back to Phoenix. I liked my job enough there, have the friends, it's far more liberal and, although I don't define myself as such, if society labels me I might as well be with those on the same side, eh?
But that is failure-talk. I will move to Portland, I will find work and a place to live and I will be on top of the world yet again. Here is a somber picture to show my determination...
Yes, you can see it, can't you?
Also, here's the crazy part; Everything points to me riding my new Vespa up there. I will take like 5-6 days, I think. If I cover 350 miles a day it's 4 days away. A dawdle!
To be honest with the crowd here, I'd probably move back to Santa Fe before moving back to Phoenix. I liked my job enough there, have the friends, it's far more liberal and, although I don't define myself as such, if society labels me I might as well be with those on the same side, eh?
But that is failure-talk. I will move to Portland, I will find work and a place to live and I will be on top of the world yet again. Here is a somber picture to show my determination...
Yes, you can see it, can't you?
Also, here's the crazy part; Everything points to me riding my new Vespa up there. I will take like 5-6 days, I think. If I cover 350 miles a day it's 4 days away. A dawdle!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Reason to post!!!
Hello from the wilderness. I have made an addition to the family and need to make proper introductions. This is Natasha...
Natasha is a 2009 Vespa GTS250ie. She's everything I could hope for in such a vehicle; Fuel injected, watercooled 250cc and capable of 78mph and about 70 mpg. And to be honest, this is everything I want out of a vehicle with an engine on it for daily movement. Screw the Prius. This is what society should be thinking about.
End of month, I venture into the bowels of Portland, OR. With a little luck and lots of hard work, I should be able to establish myself there. I might even go to school, although not quite sure what yet. I've learned Vespa mechanics make 92 bucks and hour. Hmmm....
More to come soon...
Natasha is a 2009 Vespa GTS250ie. She's everything I could hope for in such a vehicle; Fuel injected, watercooled 250cc and capable of 78mph and about 70 mpg. And to be honest, this is everything I want out of a vehicle with an engine on it for daily movement. Screw the Prius. This is what society should be thinking about.
End of month, I venture into the bowels of Portland, OR. With a little luck and lots of hard work, I should be able to establish myself there. I might even go to school, although not quite sure what yet. I've learned Vespa mechanics make 92 bucks and hour. Hmmm....
More to come soon...
Monday, January 12, 2009
More of what's to come...
So, the knee. It's getting better, but slowly. It's easy to think nothing is wrong because I'm not in pain. One month off bikes and I went out for a spin. 8 miles in, pain. Couple more months I should be fine. I don't think I will attempt touring again soon.
All that aside, life has been pretty decent. It is good to be in the vicinity of friends while in Phoenix. I've got a part-time job with the Slippery Pig so the savings don't dive quickly. In fact I should be able to add a little to the savings, making the eventual move and establishment in Portland easier. (Yes, I'm still going to Portland. It will probably be in April, I think.)
Meanwhile I think I will head out to L.A. for a few days and hang out with a friend or two. Dana will be one. Here she be with her moodle, Willa.
I wish I could say exciting things are happening, but this is not the case. I am in one piece though. Shout out and let me know if anyone's stepped on some sort of metaphorical landmine.
Ta.
All that aside, life has been pretty decent. It is good to be in the vicinity of friends while in Phoenix. I've got a part-time job with the Slippery Pig so the savings don't dive quickly. In fact I should be able to add a little to the savings, making the eventual move and establishment in Portland easier. (Yes, I'm still going to Portland. It will probably be in April, I think.)
Meanwhile I think I will head out to L.A. for a few days and hang out with a friend or two. Dana will be one. Here she be with her moodle, Willa.
I wish I could say exciting things are happening, but this is not the case. I am in one piece though. Shout out and let me know if anyone's stepped on some sort of metaphorical landmine.
Ta.
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