I have arrived in Seattle.  Here is the view from my room.  Took the photos quickly and stitched them together.  Of course, it is raining in Seattle.

I have been so busy that I can’t see straight.  Work of course has been a major factor in being busy.  Work is going well.  Very well in fact.  But like everything in life, it needs constant management to say a well oiled and fine tuned machine.  That and the fact that there are evil do’ers everywhere.  I love the security business.

So lets see, what to update everyone one.  How about the Jeep?  Well, it has a name.  Not sure if I told everyone.  For this point forward it should be called The Burro.  Ever see a burro NOT make it up a hill?  Me neither.  :)  I have changed so much on it.  I need to take a new picture of it.  The biggest thing I have done is change out the suspension.  I know next to nothing about auto mechanics.  Basically I know where to put the gas and how to make the darn contraptions go.   That said The Burro was purchased in part to learn.  So I decided to do the suspension myself.  Of course, I had a very good friend at work that very much knew what he was doing.  So the situation was more like he was changing the suspension and I was his assistant.  I purchased an Old Man Emu suspension from Australia since everyone told me they were the best hands down.  took a while to get here.  I suppose customs was rather busy.  It took 9 hours pretty much working 100% of the time but we got it done.  Just need to replace a couple bolts that we had to coerce a little too much.  I have now learned the difference from regular bolts vs #5 grade bolts and #8 grade bolts.  Being completely honest, I had no idea.  As long as I can afford it, I will be using grade 8 bolts on everything for The Burro.  Anyway, with the new leaf springs and the new shocks I ended up with about 4 inches of lift.  1.5 to 2 inches of that was just getting it back to stock.  The leaf springs and shocks that were on the Jeep were stock and completely worn out.  I can’t wait to get it out on the trails.  I am expecting to have a significant amount of fun.

Also on the vehicle front, Vanessa (my trusty BMW) finally has a new windshield.  Extremely long story fraught with suspense and intrigue.  Three different windshields to finally get the job done right.  The lessons learned? Only use BMW windshields in BMWs.  If someone tells you it is an aftermarket but will work, they are fibbing. They won’t work.  Needless to say it took two weeks to get everything done right along with a significant amount of frustration on my part.  But in the end everything is as it should be. 

L is doing quite nicely.  We just received her first High School report card.  She got straight As.  This was with Honors Algebra II and Honors Freshman Seminar (aka English).  So she is starting High School with a 4.5 GPA.  As you can imagine, to say we are proud is a big understatement.  I have very high expectations of her.  At this point in time she is meeting and exceeding those.  Maybe I should raise my expectations even higher?

Z is doing well.  She is gearing up for Christmas which is driving L and I nuts.  The current argument is the location to place the tree.    Clearly I am out of my mind for thinking we should just place it in the corner.  I have officially now been label Scrooge.

Charlotte is OK.  She is still slowing down.  Frequently preferring to sleep the day away.  Every now and then she gets an energetic spurt and runs all over the house but then 15 minutes later is completely exhausted.  She just recently develop an allergy to her flea and tick medicine.  Bad deal that was.  Watch your pets if you use the drops for flea and tick control.  She also has a bad tooth.  we are not looking forward to having it removed but we must do what we must.  I am sure the missing tooth will easily be handled with enough dog biscuits.

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As for me, I am good.  Still running when I can.  Schedule has been crazy along with rain.  But when I do get out on the trails I enjoy it.  Run at he Rock is coming up at he start of December.  I am looking forward to it although I still have to get my hotel room and make travel arrangements. I have not really traveled much except to Florida and back.  Coming up this week I will be in Seattle.  I am looking forward to going out there to take some pictures.  I did get a new flash for the camera so I am all set.  Oh, something I am doing I have not done in a while is building me a new computer.  For the last 10 years or so I have just been buying Dells.  They are good systems.  The one I have now has been working fine for 5 years.  Right up to last when when I started getting controller errors.  So in my research I found that I could save about $1000 by building my own system.  So after hours and hours of research I have purchased all the components.  They should be here waiting for me when I get back from Seattle.  I am cautious but excited.  When it is done it should be screamin’ fast.

That's about it for now.  I will leave you with this, a picture of a soda can.  Why?  Because it was there and I wanted to take a close up shot of something and use the new camera flash.

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Crazy good game I am playing.  Just came out this week.  Forza Motorsports III.  This is one of my cars.  As usual, click on the picture for a higher res version.

Another dreary day in Charlotte.

Well, the Jeep, A.K.A. The Burro, is coming along nicely.  While at work last week, Z took the Jeep and had the black rims I picked out installed.  I have to say, I am extremely pleased with how they look. 

Of course, click on the picture to get a better resolution version.  We also got The Burro some new seat covers.  US Army ones.  I like them.  Makes me feel good knowing I am supporting them in some form or fashion.  Also, they are the digital camo variety which I am fascinated with at this point in time.

The whole rear bumper saga has been solved.  Well, for the most part.  Long story short, Smitty Built has me as a customer for life because they are sending me not just a bumper but one with the tire carrier.  All for an extremely low price.  Been a while since I dealt with a company that actually takes action on their dedication to customer service.  I sure whish more did.

Let me know how you like the black rims.  It is not lifted yet.  The Old Man Emu lift kit is on its way.  Should have it installed by the end of October.

At the pool to pick up the dolphin girl from swim practice. She looks relaxed

For the first time, NHRA ran 4 top fuel dragsters at the same time.  I got the historic shot.  I was a bit nervous I might not get it but I did.  I have many others to post but this one was just way too cool not to post immediately. Click the picture to see a higher res version.

I love drag racing.  The raw power is amazing and unexplainable.  You just have to be there to understand.  I have tons of pictures to go through but want to pick out a few that would be representative of what I have been seeing while at the races.  Hope you enjoy them. Click on the pictures to see a large, higher res version.

This is a shot of a Mustang.  I love watching these cars.  The front wheels lift up off the ground and then slam down and the car is off!!! If I am not mistaken, I believe these to be rather close to being street legal.  Wouldn’t that be fun at a stop light?

 

 

 

 

This shot is of the Top Fuel Dragsters taking off the line.  These cars go 315 mph in about 3.5 secs.  This is the power I speak of.  If only I could get my BMW to perform as well on my way to work in the morning.

 

 

 

One of the best things about going to the drag races is the access.  We get to walk around the cars while they are staging.  Everyone is very open to talking and describing what they do.  By far, the most fan centric event.  Period.  In the history of events.  I take tons of pictures.  Such as this one.  They were getting ready to roll out to the track.  I just snapped it while walking through the cars.

At the drag aces today. Too much fun to explain.

L and I had a great motorcycle ride.  Albeit a quick one.  We have been there a couple times before but still enjoy going.

The ride was great.  Very comfortable temp wise with little traffic.  This time I took my big camera instead of the point and shoot.  Got some shots of L that I think are pretty good.

 

Let me know what you think of the pics. 

One funny thing did happen.  Well not so funny at the time but now I can laugh.  When we parked we got off the bike.  We were taking off our helmets and I was getting my camera off the back when my leg started to hurt.  I looked down and whoa.  I was standing right on a fire ant hill.  There was thousands of those little red buggers of death on my leg.  I started jumping around and wiping them off my leg.  Everything is fine now.  At the time not so funny but I was able to laugh about it later.

Thinking about this right now, I also wanted to put this out there.  My daughter is a very good rider.  She leans to the correct side and is fairly relaxed.  Speed does not bother her and I think she actually like the wind.  I really enjoy riding the bike with her.

Another dreary start to the day. I really need to get some missles for my car.

Yesterday and for the last week or so we have had great weather. Today, not so much dreary rainy weather. That means lots of accidents. All of them making me late. I really don't like to be late. Anyway, this is a picture from the cockpit of my star-fighter spaceship. See anythimg wrong?

In 1989 I honestly thought I attended my last high school footbal game. At the time, it was so far from thought that I might actually have a kiddo in high school . Thus I am at another high school football game watching on the sidelines. With my high school daughter sitting down next to me. And the real bad part is...her boyfriend is actually on the field playing. Matter of fact he just scored for the second time.

Another milestone today.  L is off to her first day of High School.  It is hard to believe that I actually have a kiddo that is in High School.  But I do.  Regardless of the fact that I do not feel old enough to have a kiddo let alone them be in High School.  Anyway, L is going to Independence High School today.  She has her book bag all ready.  I made sure she had pens, pencils and notebooks.  Well, her mother actually made sure.  I just checked the bag to be double sure. 

Of course she had to get some last minute FaceBook in before leaving as shown by example in this picture.

She had to get up at 5am.  Not a small feat in this household.  We are NOT morning people.  But she did.  Not only did she get up but evidently she was able to function at a high enough level that she could dress herself. 

 

The whole time we were talking and taking pictures, Charlotte the Wonder Pup was close by watching intently.  Not quite sure what was going on this early in the morning.  I wonder what she is thinking about.  Does she know it is L’s first day of High School?  :) 

Charlotte was sitting in a dark room and I took this photo with the onboard flash.  It would appear that all oft he light, every little bit, went straight into her eyes and reflected out.  “All Your Flash Belong to Me!”

 

 

I hope L has a good first day.  I remember mine being somewhat subdued as I had already been to High School all summer long for Marching Band practice.  Thus I knew a ton of people and was not overwhelmed by the whole place.  Independence High School is much larger than what she is used too.  more importantly there is far more freedom than before.  I read that as also far more opportunity to get distracted and mess up.  Much less hand holding in High School.  I suppose it is time to grow up.  Time to put on her big girl pants to get to work. 

Notice in this picture that she has her sunglasses on.  It is 6:15am and dark outside.  this was actually taken in our front yard.  Pitch black outside.  Standing in our front yard, doing the Queen’s wave with sunglasses on.  Should I be worried?

 

 

Of course, this early in the morning and one can expect a snarky pose.  Here it is.  The look of death from a teenager. 

Clouds are building on the horizon. Four columns of humid energy. Hope they do not converge.

I really dislike slow gas pumps.

This spider was hanging right outside my front door. I am starting to really dislike spiders. Sorry for no photographic point of reference. The main part of the spider was about as big around as a silver dollar. Z killed it with a LAX stick. Yep, a LAX stick. Ponder that for a bit.

I received this at work and thought it was too funny not to share.

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him
6. The espresso machine just finished
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature, and satellite
navigation system
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard

Top Ten Reasons Why Sportbikers Riders Riders Don't Wave Back
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to iPod, XM, and talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Top Ten Reasons Why Dual Purpose Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Off road elbow guards, chest protector, fanny pack, drink system binds them up.
9. Bark busters and gummy grips slows the hand from raising quickly.
7. Just can't take time out from doing that 10 mile wheelie through traffic.
9. He's passing street bikes off road on the right @ 60mph through the trees & rocks.
6. Too busy checking his enduro roll chart doing mental time/mile math so he wont blow the next check point.
5. Can't see other bikers through his 20 layers of tear off's.
4. The dude only recognizes Honda's with every after market race part known to man.
3. His killer 2 inch tall knobies vibrate so bad vision is obscured.
2. The chin guard on his full face helmet sticks out so much it blocks his view.
1. He's got his Mauna Kea 200 race face on and can't be bothered.

Top Ten Reasons Why Moped & Rukcus Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Scared ****less to remove a hand from the bar's.
9.Never road this fast on a two wheel anything before.
8. Full focus three inches from front tire. – how freaking true is this!
7. Freaked out on the extreme right side of the road dogging broken beer bottles and car accident trash.
6. Don't want to lose their grocery's in plastic bags hanging from the bar's.
5. Won't deter from the full attention military riding position.
4. Their mother & grandmother told them it was very, very dangerous.
3. Think it's hoodlum stunt riding.
2. Don't want to chance getting a reckless driving ticket.
1. 25 mph is too damn fast to try something stupid like that.

Pulling in to work today. Not very motivated at the moment.

!!! WARNING – NIGHT TERRORS POSSIBLE !!!

These six images portray Life and Death and all at the same time induce terrorizing nightmares for most.  I went to Florida for July 4th.  Did not really take many pictures while I was down there.  Did get this though.  A Banana Spider had caught a Bumble Bee in it’s web.  The bee was clearly dead and the spider was having a feast.  The images are fairly graphic.  It gave me the chills just to go through and cull out the shots I wanted to delete. 

Of course, if you have the intestinal fortitude you can click on the images to see larger, higher resolution versions.  Do so at your own risk.  I make no guarantees or maintain any warranties.  You are at your own risk and must make your own decisions as to how to view the pics. 

Looking closely at the bee you will see its “tongue” sticking out.  Rather morbid if you ask me.  The fact the spider has a freaky looking skull on its back is incredible ironic to me.