Resurrecting Me

Hello Lovelies!

It's been so long since I've said that.

The week has been long I must say. I'm still working blindly at sorting things but it's all good. You realize that some things in the past were...what's the word I'm looking for...louder than they are now. Everything is quiet now, except Smokey when he scares the shit out of me every time he barks at the screen door.

You know what I've realized about the quiet? Things in my head seem louder because there are no distractions and there is way more going on in there than I thought! Not necessarily a good thing.

So where to start with sorting that shit out? I have no idea and I'm just trying to take it one day at time but the days are the same so I've just decided to throw myself into the things I can control because there are way too many that I can't.

I've moved into a tiny home ( I can call it that now ) from a 5 bedroom, two story shack as I called it into a small 2 bdrm suite. Getting used to the size was tough at first but it's all good now. It's quirky and needs some TLC and that's ok. Now first off my room has this mint green trim halfway up the wall and around the ceiling... that's gotta go. What colour to paint it? Probably blue making it look a little country cottage but it is my favourite colour.

Throwing myself into projects is how I'm going to handle this new phase because not only have I moved house but now I'll actually be able to concentrate and afford to build my BSA and this makes me happy except that apparently I've been entered into a friendly competition between my shop boss and a friend of his. The two of them in their brilliance have myself and another woman who lives in Alberta both building against each other. I had no idea but we both have to be done by Spring.

Gee no pressure...

She was a 5 year plan though and I'm still in my window so it's just the time that I have to invest now ( besides the money ) and time I have.

There's routines I have to break like thinking that...

I have to stay home once I get home from work. I don't.
I have to make dinner. Nope. Last night I ate an apple and a granola bar for dinner.
I need to be in bed at a usual time. Ha, I had so much trouble sleeping over the past few months that a usual time is non-existent.
I have rules... A friend always says rules are meant to be broken.
I have priorities. Well...now...the only priorities I have are me and my dog.

The crazy Zoo I used to have is gone.

They have grown and moved on and I have left a relationship that spanned half my life and had it's ups and downs ( more downs ) but wasn't completely awful. I'm not one of those people that are looking to "find myself" I know myself and I know that I'm going to grow and change and hopefully become a better version of me, a stronger more decisive version that knows what she wants and goes and gets it instead of procrastinating because there are other things that need to be done or there are other people more important than me. My girls will always be at the top of my list even though they are off living their best lives I hope.

Lastly, I have resumed writing. After Kenny...there was no writing but recent events have changed that and I found myself writing before I even realized it was because there's a story in my head that needs to come out. So that's it. Those are the 3 main things that I'll need to concentrate on over the Fall and Winter besides Motor Monday and resurrecting Weird News Wednesday because come on some of that stuff was too funny and laughter is the best medicine they say.

It's true! If it wasn't for some of my friends in particular making me laugh at their sick and twisted sense of humour this would have been an even more depressing situation and trust me I've had my moments.

OK you guys have a great week!

See Ya
S

One Step At A Time

Hey! How was your week?

We've had a bit of depressing bipolar weather this week but during it all I think I have achieved that clarity that I've been looking for. I decreased the amount of stuff I had on my plate to much more manageable levels and decided to keep it simple to the things that are important to me. I have so many interests and trying to keep up with them all was tiring. I don't like them any less but some of them don't need to be front and center as I was trying to keep everything.

I don't need to do it all nor was I meant to so I'm sticking to the simple things that make me happy in this life.

That being said, on one of the beautiful days I left and took a walk to the shop to see what the guys were doing/building. I showed up and Choo was there poking at his Shovelhead and by the look on his face he was deep in thought. Once he saw me though he smiled and led me straight to a couple of Sportsters that were there. Obviously he had thought about my troubles and now that I have stepped over the customizing line he had an idea. I couldn't tell you the years of the bikes off hand because even if he told me I wasn't listening as I took them in.

He told me to sit on both of them and see what was comfortable for me. I'm 5'11" so comfortable is a must at this point. On mine the way she sits now with me having Forwards makes me hunched over a bit with the stock Risers. At first I wanted to change the bars completely but have decided now that mine are fine they just need to be raised and pulled back a bit more and I'll be adding thicker grips for my apparently long piano fingers to be more comfortable. I sit my butt onto the first bike, looks a bit older, beaten up and although it's a tad lower than mine the solo seat and 6 1/2" raised (dare I say it ) drag bars (could be wrong still learning all of this) she has felt comfortable and this is where I decided that thicker grips felt better.

I moved over to the other Sportster  at Choo's urging the one that looked much sleeker and bigger?taller than the rough around the edges one I had just been on. This one has the same stock bars as mine but for some reason even though they are a 1/2 inch shorter on 6" risers than the other ones it felt wider somehow and I didn't like that so much so I got off and walked back over to the other one and threw a leg over and sat back on it. Everything about it felt comfortable but I'm still not sure about the bars. I'd like to keep mine and that's how I've finally decided I'm going with the risers. So I start the search and the research into what I need and how to install them.

I have guys in my life that like to make it difficult sometimes and particularly a Smartass friend that likes to give me a hard time but if I do ask a question he'll generally give me the straight shot answer leaving room for me to figure stuff out without solving the problem for me.

Choo likes to point out the things I never thought of in a way that... sometimes makes me want to push him down the stairs but that's ok...for the most part. I guess...

Little things like I finally find a pair of Risers to order and then...

Choo: I found you some but they're Aluminum
Me: Really? Cool!
Choo: We can powder-coat them.
Me: Wait...why?
Choo: Because they're aluminum...
Me: *blink*...and?
Choo: Yours are black and they need to match your bike.

Now that conversation could have gone much better if he just said something like this...

Choo: I found you some but they're aluminum, if you want them to match what you have now then we can get them powder-coated black.

Well then...I know that I need help but really?

Oh well whatever it takes, I'm hands on learning just the way I like it and in the end it's my decision right??? Even if I make colossal mistakes, I'll learn and at least I have many avenues I can travel down for help and advice.

Now as much as it pretty much tears my heart out that my baby girl is leaving home at least I'll be able to bring in the 2 bike frames from the shop into the basement for our build bikes giving us room to work in the shop over the Fall and Winter customizing the other 2. Around here there just aren't other girls that build bikes that I have found yet.

So far I'm learning that there is a lot to learn and I'm invested.

Back to the search for parts.

Have a great week
See Ya
S.

First Ride of the Season Disappointment.

Well Happy Motor Monday!

So this Monday Segment seems to be going well!

 It amazes me how welcoming the Motorcycle community is overall. I have met and made many new contacts and hopefully friends in the process. Where I would usually be quiet and watchful, I have engaged with people from all over. It's funny that when it comes to Motorcycles and Books I have met the most interesting people from all over.

Last Wednesday I went out and got Insurance for my bike. Now I second guessed myself at every turn there. "Should I get it now?", "Should I wait?", "Maybe it's not the right time?" I took the day off of work specifically for this reason and I knew that it was more my fear riding me than anything else because if I was Insured then I would have no excuse not to ride. Now don't get me wrong, I am so stoked and excited to ride that I vibrate but that nagging voice in the back of my head says things like. "You've forgotten what you've learned.", "It was a one off season.", "You didn't ride enough."

True did I ride as much as I wanted to? No Partially because by other half would take my bike out more than I could once his broke down. This made me angry on so many levels but I didn't feel like I had the right to say no since he gave me the bike in the first place. It wasn't even him riding it that was my issue it was the free for all he took with her. If I had the opportunity to ride, i couldn't. I'd come home from work and my bike would be gone. this also made me hesitant to insure it because he's in the process of building his Trike and with me having insurance he'll figure he can have his way.

Not...this...year...

Does me saying no make me a bitch?

I mean I hope not but at the same time I don't care. It's my bike right?

Anyway, I trucked off to my Autoplan office with my papers. Never told Choo where I was going, I just decided that you know what? I was going to do it...and I did. My Insurance guy was happy to see me when we went into his office to start the paperwork. He looked at me and said "You're going to insure...it's March!"

I said "Uh huh.." and got back a hefty "Good for you!" he doesn't insure his until June but I figured if I'm insuring for a year then it doesn't matter when it starts. By the end of it I left with my plates, my current discount and being informed that next month I qualify for Road Star. The highest discount offered with a handshake and a bold "Have a good day Road Warrior." ( Ya...I beamed at that)

I made my way home with a bounce in my step in the rain and when I got in Choo asked me how my walk was so I tossed my plate in his lap and his eyes lit up. Right then I told him not to get that look in his eyes.

The rest of the week was plagued by rain so on Sat morning I went out to fire up my girl and do a pre-trip check before I go through the motions of dusting off my young skills. when I sat on her, I kid you not it felt like home and like she was happy I was there. I stroked her tank and asked myself why I was so terrified, I mean I'm still super nervous to get back out on the road but the memory of how she felt under me knocked some of the edge off. So I put the key in and...nothing.

My heart would have sunk but I was aware that it was possible the battery would be dead. this winter it was left outside temporarily when the temp dropped and we got snow. Choo had told me when he put her away that the battery was dead and he would attempt to charge it. Apparently that didn't happen, I also noticed that my rear tire was flat. Not completely but enough to cause me worry about a hole in which case I'll blame him because he rode the shit out of her. ( I think I'm bitter.)

He did come out and helped me change the battery, giving me his battery and making the hair stand on the back of my neck because I know what this will mean, so on my list is to buy a new one myself. After we tested and replaced the battery I gave it another shot, Fuel on, Choke out, made sure she was in neutral and started her up.

I love that sound...

We inflated the tire and I noticed what looked like a track line of where the rubber has worn away also causing me concern and this time my heart did start to sink until Choo produced another tire the same size and barely worn. Unfortunately I'll have to take it in to get put on but I'd rather be safe than sorry right?

I took video of it so to watch click the link below. Beware I am not good at that!

First ride of the season disappointment.

So this is all a part of the process right?

See ya next week!
S

Motor Monday - Spring is Here!

Hey!

Well Spring is finally here and even though it's still below zero here I feel like things are looking up! I have anticipatory anxiety about getting back on my bike and getting my bearings again. I can also thank You Tube for showing me endless videos from Motorcycle Vloggers who most of I noticed just like to put GoPros on themselves and talk about useless stuff while they're riding around and there are very, very few women Motorcycle Vloggers! That needs to change.

I'm addicted to Kickstands up and Scootin America with Adam Sandoval. I love Ride with Norman Readus and Babes Ride Out...love them too. I can't wait to be a proficient enough rider to make the trek to California to be a part of that. Let me know if the Links don't work, I'm never sure if I do that right.

So that being said, this week I will insure my baby and get back on her. I've told myself that I will be on her everyday I can. Last year there were so many times when I wanted to give up and almost did. I even cried about it one night in frustration of a day of stalling in traffic so much I wanted to die, but I didn't give up. Up until that point I hadn't transferred her over yet because I needed my learners. Once I got that it was off to the Autoplan office nearest me!

What...a...gongshow...

My bike came from Alberta and the guy who sold it to us had given us the wrong portion of papers necessary to complete the transfer into my name. Thank goodness he was a friend of our mechanic because we had to get Jon down to the Insurance place and give us the info on the previous owner. After we got that they plugged the info into the computer and it told them that the bike was registered in BC...well...what? They had already gone to my house to check the numbers on my bike and confirmed they matched the papers.

Me: No the papers say Alberta
Ins: The computer says BC
Me: So now what?
Ins: The previous owner needs to come in and straighten it out.
Me:...
Ins: *blink*
Me: HE'S IN ALBERTA!

After some minor raging where Choo just sat there quietly and smiled they told us that the previous owner could fax in a specific document to them and we could go from there. We went back home and Choo was about to leave to fax the paper to Alberta. The town only has 1 fax machine at the Post Office and Greg ( previous owner ) was ok with hanging out there until everything was sorted. He gets them, signs and faxes directly to the Autoplan outlet. We go back to the Insurance place and they received the document. Woo Hoo!

Until...

Ins: That will be (a stupid amount) per mo. (grabs the debit machine)
Me: Whoa...I have a 40% discount.
Ins: The computer says no you don't.
Me: (lean on the counter) The computer is wrong...

But now my rage is apparent because it's taken us almost 4 hours to get this done and frustration is nipping at me. Choo still sits there quietly smiling away which is really annoying. Finally she finds that I do have a discount and we finish up the paperwork I get my sticker and plates and get to go home and put them on her.

On the way home. I asked Choo why he was smiling.

Choo: Because you were a true biker mama in there ready to lose it if you couldn't get your bike.
Me: Ah...Oh...

Guys are weird.

After practicing all that time in my driveway. Working the clutch, running through how things were going to work without actually being on the bike. The day Choo pulled my bike around front and tossed me the keys was the most exciting and yet most terrifying day of my life. Maybe if the bike was smaller and not a 1200 but I am almost 6 feet tall. Every awful thought went through my head. "What if I can't do this?", "What if I can't balance?", "What if I can't get my feet up?", "OMG is anyone watching me?", well when I turned around my whole family was on the street watching me.

Great...No pressure there.

Choo came up beside me and reminded me of what I needed to do while he made sure my helmet was strapped on tight ( too tight I couldn't open my mouth ) and then stepped back. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears so loud it was like everything else faded away. My bike rumbled underneath me and I thought right at that moment that this machine might be too much, that I'd tip over but I eased on the throttle and slowly let the clutch out. She started to roll, I realized I didn't stall it and so I gave her more gas and got my feet up on the pegs. When I reached the end of the street I had to turn her around and I was not there yet to do it smoothly so I had pretty much mastered the 3 point turn... on a slight incline. Thigh pain...hell ya.

Once I had gotten her straight again I took a deep breath, shook out my shaking right hand ( the other one was still holding the clutch in ) and rolled on the throttle, let the clutch out and off I went back towards my love and support system as they cheered me on. Apparently I had the biggest smile on my face and I hadn't even noticed as I came towards them and stopped. Choo asked me if I was going to keep going when I put the bike back into neutral. I said yes but that my heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my chest and I just needed a minute to calm down in my excitement.

Best day ever was that first ride for me even though I only went up and down my street about 20 times and only stalled her 3 times (that time just wait).

My family was proud of me, I was proud of myself and the dreams began big and hard just like my bike.

The journey continues...