A Most XScellent Christmas!

[John]

Wildkat really outdid herself, again, this year. She/Santa gave me a laser thermometer, no it won't tell you how hot a laser is, just the temp of what ever you are pointing it at, a coffee cup with a pic of Twilite Special on it and a set of new progressive front fork springs...but wait there is more...so much more. She bought me a drive on motorcycle lift! Just like the ones real motorcycle mechanics use. It even has the air over hydraulic controls. Now it won't be such a pain in the lower back working on a bike. I'll just raise it up to a comfortable height.
She also gave me the DVD set of Red Green season 1996 & 1997! "If the women don't find you handsome, then they can at least find you handy". A Yes at Montreaux DVD and CD. My Mom, bless her heart, gave me a pint of PURE Maine Maple Syrup. Mmmmm.
So, what did Santa bring you this year?

[Dragonrider]

Sooo...what was the temperature of the coffee cup?

Art Geekiness--Part the Quad...

Lookee what I got for Christmas!



Picture swiped from Blick art supplies site. I had to rush to work today and didn't get around to taking pictures.

That's an airbrush...the complete everything...and NOT a beginner's gun.

The gun is an Iwata Eclipse series gun...a very versitle double-action, professional airbrush. It will shoot anything from food-color to heavy acrylics. I can do anything from enhancing my watercolor paintings to custom graphics on motorcycles (provided I have the skill, of course!)

This is just too cool. Easily my favorite gift of the year.

Why my favorite? Is it because it's expensive? No, that's not it at all. Expensive I can handle...I could buy it on my own.

Why then? It's simply this...the people that love me got me something that has no other purpose than to help me create...

I love to write, I love art, I love music. I love riding, experiencing new things, and I love to create things...whether it's art, books, buildings or whatever...

Of all the things in my life that I've accomplished...publishing my books is what I'm most proud of. I'm also excited about my dabblings in the visual arts...painting and drawing...

Examples of my artwork are here btw.

These are not things that pay my way. They are not things that are something someone with my defined role...my place in this world...would normally do. Society expects me to shut up and work at a corporate job until I drop dead. Expects may not be the right word...demands may be more appropriate. Step outside that role, and the pressures are immediate and not at all subtle to get right back inside...even, sadly, from friends and family at times. Lives of quiet desperation has somehow...become the required norm. That death of passion...when you finally abandon all your dreams...is when you've "grown up."

And yet, in experiencing and creating lies my passion. The people in my life got me something that enables that. This tool is for creating...that's it's only function. They went out of their way to get it for me. They got one that is not a cheap throw-away or short-timer, but rather a professional unit that will continue to serve even as my skill grows.

That's affirmation...it says they understand...and it's okay if I step outside my role, if even for a moment.

I can't begin to explain how much that means...

From my blog (in case you want to know that the first three art geekiness posts were about).

[skids]

Re: A Most XScellent Christmas!

I suppose you had to run out and get a fresh roll of duct-tape!

Originally posted by John
She also gave me the DVD set of Red Green season 1996 & 1997! "If the women don't find you handsome, then they can at least find you handy".

[TopCatGr58]

Well, let's see. I got a wallet, a $50.00 Gift Cert. for Game Stop, a caribeaner style watch, a MC styled T-shirt, a framed collection of the 4 MC stamps the USPS released this year, and a classic style controller for "our" Wii gaming system so I can play some of the older style arcade games, like Mario Kart64 that I D/L'd! I also received a pair of winter MC gloves from New Enough from one of the doctors/MC riders I work with!

But the most fun I've had with this Wii has been with the new game and controller I was given by my nephew/family! I really enjoy music, have all my life, but never really learned how to play any instruments with any proficiency. But some smart folks have tapped into mine and I'm sure many others desires to be able to play instruments, especially the "air" guitar, and so they got me the Wii version of Guitar Hero III, complete with the Les Paul styled guitar/controller! I had seen little adverts and blurbs about it, and in the stores, but I had never really tried to play it.

IT's a blast, and their collection of songs is pretty good since I'm a classic rocker, and so they can get those older songs fairly cheaply, and they have some of the more memorable riffs and melodies. SO....I give it a 2 thumbs up if you like classic rock, and want to play air guitar and a video game all at the same time!!

Here's hopin' you all had a Rockin' good Christmas!
T.C.

[planedick]

Fresh engine

I got the fresh engine in Pathfinder and finished the install on Christmas day. Two great test rides with no issues and NO LEAKS. Oh yeah, new carpet upstairs and of course the usual big box of chocolate. MMMmmmmmm

[webbcraft2150]

Re: A Most XScellent Christmas!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John
[B]She bought me a drive on motorcycle lift! Just like the ones real motorcycle mechanics use. It even has the air over hydraulic controls. Now it won't be such a pain in the lower back working on a bike.

************************************************** *
Cool!!!! Now we need ya to get a lathe and a cylinder boreing machine and WE all will be set up. Valve grinder would be handy to. Should we push for a CNC machine? BTW, I've seen your garage, where are you gonna stuff a bike lift? :

[John]

Webbcraft

I was thinking either keep the unused bike (FJ) on it, or store it on it's side when not in use. Hell, I've gotta make room to put the Bag Lady in when I get off my butt and finally get it honed, and the rings installed. Now that I have a lift, all of the reassembly can be done sitting in a chair, or standing. No more kneeling or sitting on the floor.

[prometheus578]

Lay it on it's side up against a wall...
Leave it up and use it as an extra work bench...
Leave it down in the middle of the floor and park your car over it....
See, no problem.

[John]

Park my car over it????

Originally posted by prometheus578
Lay it on it's side up against a wall...
Leave it up and use it as an extra work bench...
Leave it down in the middle of the floor and park your car over it....
See, no problem.

I wish. You've never seen my garage. There isn't enough space to get half the car in there, and that would be after moving three bikes out. I have to move two bikes out now when I work on one.

[webbcraft2150]

Originally posted by prometheus578
[

Leave it down in the middle of the floor and park your car over it....
See, no problem. [/B]

As mentioned before, I have seen his garage. The only way he is gonna get a car in there is if the throttle sticks and the Auto Zone MC gives it up at the same time. 'Course that would give him a tunnel to the backyard in which case he could build another shop. (John, make sure you move all the bikes out BEFORE you set up this "incident").

[SiP]

socks for hockey, allen key set, pods, carbs rebuilt, new coils, paint job (in progress), booze.
Played that Wii thing at a friends - spent boxing day trying to find one. Completely sold out!