That smell is smoking hair...
Sunday August 17th, Greg came over and we loaded up my bike next to his. The Fall semester started on Monday with myself participating in a hectic schedule. I worked a split shift coming in at 7 with a plan to get off at 12 to go to the track with Greg. That morning was a blur and when I finally left the office and sat in Greg's truck, I didn't feel good. Didn't feel focused, which should have tipped me off.
We got to the track and started this thing. Suited up, feeling better. I could sense Greg's hesitation which was to be expected. We took it slow at firs but Greg was getting quicker, and so was I. Feeling much more confident and quicker then I had the time before.
Should have been my second clue. About midway through the session, my speed increased drastically, even dragged knee a few times.Coming up to the corkscrew, "how am I going to take this, what am I going to do with my body?" The MISTAKE! Should have been concentrating on my speed, realized it at the last second, leaned as hard as I could, deciding not to ride off straight as I was concerned at what the bike would do hitting the dirt at 75mph. The tires lost grip, blaming it on the DOT tires, and lowsided at about 75mph. The worst part of this whole experience was the sound the cheese grater asphalt made against my poor candy. The leathers did their job with me getting up spitting dirt. The guy pulled up with the cart, grabbing my hands asking me to squeeze and "what day is it?" "August 15th?" "Close enough." I was fine, my ego wasn't, and mad was an understatement.
Should have been my second clue. About midway through the session, my speed increased drastically, even dragged knee a few times.Coming up to the corkscrew, "how am I going to take this, what am I going to do with my body?" The MISTAKE! Should have been concentrating on my speed, realized it at the last second, leaned as hard as I could, deciding not to ride off straight as I was concerned at what the bike would do hitting the dirt at 75mph. The tires lost grip, blaming it on the DOT tires, and lowsided at about 75mph. The worst part of this whole experience was the sound the cheese grater asphalt made against my poor candy. The leathers did their job with me getting up spitting dirt. The guy pulled up with the cart, grabbing my hands asking me to squeeze and "what day is it?" "August 15th?" "Close enough." I was fine, my ego wasn't, and mad was an understatement.
Turns out it was a good thing. The insurance company covered it and paid off the bike. I'll purchase a race ready bike in the Winter with the acquired funds. Getting out from under that loan allowed me to qualify for a much higher home loan. Which has been the next biggest stress in my life as of late. Exciting but stressful. I've put a bid on one place that looks like it's going to fall through because of a lawsuit on the HOA. If I don't hear any positive news today, I will put a bid on another place. A place with a huge master bedroom and bath. So we will see how that works out. I'm ready for it to just be done and for me to have a place. Fingers crossed something will be settled this week.
On top of all of this, multiple wedding projects have been going on. Shooting, editing, delivering, re-editing. I'm discovering it's not something I really enjoy.
Thats about it. The flames are extinguished at least for the moment. I can finally start to think again, now if I could just find a damn house, all would be perfect. Oh and I dinged 80 W00T!!!
Thats about it. The flames are extinguished at least for the moment. I can finally start to think again, now if I could just find a damn house, all would be perfect. Oh and I dinged 80 W00T!!!
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Riding a roller-coaster that you could fall off of!
Mon, Aug 10 2009 10:20
| Motorcycle, Racing, Candy, HPR
| Permalink
Another busy weekend. Saturday was spent running errands, driving all over Denver a lot of which was a waste of time. Had some good company though and was able to acquire a new pair of boots and gloves for the track. Saturday night was spent filming Ben's wedding. One thing I can tell you is that I'm getting pretty used to weddings although his proved difficult to shoot. I was beat Saturday night but had to pick up a few groceries for Sunday.
Sunday came. Woke up at 7:30 and took a shower. Made some coffee. Waited for Greg. He finally showed up and we proceeded to drain the coolant on the bike. That actually went pretty smoothly. Took a little longer then expected so we decided we had to meet Grubbs and Sam at the track. The real fun came when we loaded the bike in the truck. Getting it up there wasn't too hard we just looked like a couple monkeys strapping it down. It was secure enough to make it to the track without anything falling out though.
Made it to the track, paid, and got a quick lesson from Steve on body position, flags and such. Suited up and jumped on the track. I wouldn't necessarily say I was nervous, I was just focused. Followed Grubbs on the track and it was amazing how much different it is. Things came so much quicker. Had to focus on speed, breaks, body position, line, etc. When we got off the first session, I was literally shaking. Not out of fear, but out of such intense adrenaline.
I started off slow but as the day went on, I was becoming faster and faster. Had a few close calls, went off the track once at the corkscrew which turned out to be not too big of a deal. It was a great learning experience and I can't wait to get back out there.
Greg asked, "so how was it?" "Like the most intense roller-coaster you've ever been on and you could fall off at any moment!"
Lightly sleeping and dreaming
Tue, Jul 28 2009 09:02
| Motorcycle, Trivision Pictures, Racing, Candy, Weekend
| Permalink
I've spent a few restless night lately, keeping my self in that in between consciousness, where vivid imagery and physical emotion take hold. Lightly sleeping and dreaming.
Since the whirlwind weekend where I was too busy for my own good, starting with a work retreat then a wedding shoot, and then Sunday at the track. The track part is what brought me to this place of little rest. The last two nights I've dreamt of racing motorcycles. Over the last 6 months or so, it was never really a question of if, only win. Sunday however stamped that idea into titanium, antimanium, concreted steel. I AM GOING TO RACE MOTORCYCLES!
Now it's only a matter of time, just waiting to get the scratch together to get out there. I'm making progress. All I really need are a pair of boots. Hopefully I can make it to the class on August 16th. Then maybe a track day in Sept. Then the off season where I will get the rest together.
I only assume these restless nights will get worse as I actually get on the track. I have a feeling that it will be worth it.
A slice of spicy hot chicken and turkey pepperoni
"Where'd my two days go, come on earth, spin backwards and give them back!"
It's was a good busy weekend starting Friday with an apartment warming party at my friend Evan's place. After a treacherous walk through the rain soaked streets of downtown Denver we arrive and socialized with a good group of people.
Woke up early Saturday to go for a ride with Greg and Dan. As always I was a little late to the meeting when I did finally arrive we hung out for a bit because of the parking lot being packed because of the Mile High Nationals at Bandamere. Got a free 180 energy drink which wasn't very good. We rode north through Golden up in the hills. It was a fun and new route marred only by the slow speeds because of the slow traffic. Riding through Black Hawk/Central City was pretty neat. It's amazing how things look different under the visor of a helmet. We finally arrive in Idaho Springs where I had to use the little boys room and Dan needed to um...stretch his legs because of the previous nights activities. We ate some excellent pizza at Beau Jo's and the went home. The night was fun as Thuy came over with home made egg rolls. We hung out watched a movie and played a little bit of video games.
That's about it for my weekend, what did everyone else do?
It's was a good busy weekend starting Friday with an apartment warming party at my friend Evan's place. After a treacherous walk through the rain soaked streets of downtown Denver we arrive and socialized with a good group of people.
Woke up early Saturday to go for a ride with Greg and Dan. As always I was a little late to the meeting when I did finally arrive we hung out for a bit because of the parking lot being packed because of the Mile High Nationals at Bandamere. Got a free 180 energy drink which wasn't very good. We rode north through Golden up in the hills. It was a fun and new route marred only by the slow speeds because of the slow traffic. Riding through Black Hawk/Central City was pretty neat. It's amazing how things look different under the visor of a helmet. We finally arrive in Idaho Springs where I had to use the little boys room and Dan needed to um...stretch his legs because of the previous nights activities. We ate some excellent pizza at Beau Jo's and the went home. The night was fun as Thuy came over with home made egg rolls. We hung out watched a movie and played a little bit of video games.
I woke up entirely too early Sunday to meet Camille and her husband at High Plains Raceway for RMVR races. It was hot and long but a fun day. The most interesting event of the day was the remote control Blue Angels Jet having a rough landing and losing it's nose wheel as seen above. I started up WoW again last night and Jesse, Dan, Ray and I ran Utgarde Keep. I'm now 33% through 73 and am excited to nerd it up again.
That's about it for my weekend, what did everyone else do?