I really don't have much time for cars any more. I mean, I like some cars, but overall my interest level is only slightly higher than my level of interest in, say, eliminating ring around the collar on my favorite shirt.
That said, Coop has taken some mighty pretty pictures of some mighty pretty cars while he was participating in La Carrera Panamericana 2009. If you haven't seen them already, I suggest you go and check them out. Like, now.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Gosh Darn Rolling Roadblocks
I can't stand Prius drivers.
I have some serious issues with the concept of buying a new car in order to be green or to save money (ostensibly on gas), but my dislike of Prius drivers has nothing to do with their poor grasp of rudimentary math.
It has to do with the fact that they block traffic.
See, I'm all for fuel-efficient vehicles getting to use the HOV lanes. And I'm OK with fuel-efficient vehicles being slow. Designers have to make compromises for high gas mileage. No problem.
I am not OK, however, with these jackholes sitting in the HOV lane going slower than the traffic to the right. If you are slow in traffic, then get to the right. I don't think it's too much to ask. Of course, you WILL probably have to stop yapping on your cell phone for a minute in order to notice that traffic is whizzing past you on the right. And you will have to deal with the blow to your self-esteem that is driving in the slow lane.
But then, you can still be all smug and superior knowing that your car is half electric. See? So it'll all work out. Now stop impeding traffic and get out of my way, because I can get the same gas mileage as you at 80 MPH.
I have some serious issues with the concept of buying a new car in order to be green or to save money (ostensibly on gas), but my dislike of Prius drivers has nothing to do with their poor grasp of rudimentary math.
It has to do with the fact that they block traffic.
See, I'm all for fuel-efficient vehicles getting to use the HOV lanes. And I'm OK with fuel-efficient vehicles being slow. Designers have to make compromises for high gas mileage. No problem.
I am not OK, however, with these jackholes sitting in the HOV lane going slower than the traffic to the right. If you are slow in traffic, then get to the right. I don't think it's too much to ask. Of course, you WILL probably have to stop yapping on your cell phone for a minute in order to notice that traffic is whizzing past you on the right. And you will have to deal with the blow to your self-esteem that is driving in the slow lane.
But then, you can still be all smug and superior knowing that your car is half electric. See? So it'll all work out. Now stop impeding traffic and get out of my way, because I can get the same gas mileage as you at 80 MPH.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Nanowrimo begins...
Hey folks!
I've started the annual month of novel writing madness. For those of you who care to follow along, you'll be able to read each (unedited) chapter as I complete them over here: http://holyrollers-immortals.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 23, 2009
November Approaches
...And with November comes another Holy Rollers novel. As always, I'll be blogging this year's novel attempt for your reading pleasure.
The basic story goes as follows: When Death becomes too depressed to get out of bed and do his job, people stop dying. Chaos and creation erupt as humanity's fear of death vanishes. Accountants become daredevils. Repressed geniuses unleash their great works. And certain gods get pissed off by mankind's newfound cheekiness and refusal to die when properly killed. Our favorite unemployed biker deities return to restore the natural order until Death cheers up enough to resume his work.
Stay tuned!
The basic story goes as follows: When Death becomes too depressed to get out of bed and do his job, people stop dying. Chaos and creation erupt as humanity's fear of death vanishes. Accountants become daredevils. Repressed geniuses unleash their great works. And certain gods get pissed off by mankind's newfound cheekiness and refusal to die when properly killed. Our favorite unemployed biker deities return to restore the natural order until Death cheers up enough to resume his work.
Stay tuned!
Monday, October 19, 2009
My Motorcycle Made Me Do It...
Have you ever noticed how your motor sounds kind of annoying at 8,000 RPM when you're just maintaining a certain speed, but it sounds awfully good when you're passing 8,000 RPM on the way 13,000 RPM?
...Yeah. This morning was kind of a fast morning, if you get my drift. Actually, it was so easy to ride fast today that I decided it might be best if I just stayed behind the Buick travelling at a totally sane and reasonable 75 MPH.
So, cruising along at a prudent and safe 75 MPH keeping a reasonable distance between me and the Buick, I was a little surprised when the Buick's pilot suddenly darted into the next lane to the right for no apparent reason. There was nothing on the road. I hadn't been tailgating. And they weren't moving to exit. Odd.
Then I saw the bright, flashy, red and blue lights of a police patrol vehicle approaching rapidly in my rear view mirrors. The adrenaline rush made my lips and nose tingle in an unpleasant way. I moved to the right, and expected the officer to follow me - in which case I would have moved left again to the nearest breakdown lane.
Instead, unbelievably, he sped by on my left. The Buick darted right back into the HOV lane, and I resumed following the great grey whale, with a close eye on my mirrors for more officers.
I felt pretty lucky, and I did my best to ride a little more conservatively. I really did.
It didn't work. I arrived at the office shortly after unintentionally racing another guy on a CBR between stoplights. I was just trying to stay out of his way. I really was. Maybe he just really wanted to check out my bike. It happens...
I'll tell you what, the Speed Four gets me into all kinds of trouble.
...Yeah. This morning was kind of a fast morning, if you get my drift. Actually, it was so easy to ride fast today that I decided it might be best if I just stayed behind the Buick travelling at a totally sane and reasonable 75 MPH.
So, cruising along at a prudent and safe 75 MPH keeping a reasonable distance between me and the Buick, I was a little surprised when the Buick's pilot suddenly darted into the next lane to the right for no apparent reason. There was nothing on the road. I hadn't been tailgating. And they weren't moving to exit. Odd.
Then I saw the bright, flashy, red and blue lights of a police patrol vehicle approaching rapidly in my rear view mirrors. The adrenaline rush made my lips and nose tingle in an unpleasant way. I moved to the right, and expected the officer to follow me - in which case I would have moved left again to the nearest breakdown lane.
Instead, unbelievably, he sped by on my left. The Buick darted right back into the HOV lane, and I resumed following the great grey whale, with a close eye on my mirrors for more officers.
I felt pretty lucky, and I did my best to ride a little more conservatively. I really did.
It didn't work. I arrived at the office shortly after unintentionally racing another guy on a CBR between stoplights. I was just trying to stay out of his way. I really was. Maybe he just really wanted to check out my bike. It happens...
I'll tell you what, the Speed Four gets me into all kinds of trouble.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Just a couple things
So, I hear (via Bolty.net's twitter feed) that Buell is halting production of new motorcycles. While I had no intention of ever getting one, I'm mildly bummed all the same. It's frustrating that the choices of American motorcycle are essentially Harley or Just-Like-Harley. I know Buell was also Harley-based, but at least he did something new with it.
And in other news, I just learned the other day that a major one-percenter club's clubhouse is within three blocks of my home. My immediate reaction was amazement, because in the four years I've lived in my current neighborhood, I've seen ONE member of that club, and it wasn't especially close to home. Once I got done being amazed, I started singing "These Are The People In My Neighborhood." I love diversity!
And in other news, I just learned the other day that a major one-percenter club's clubhouse is within three blocks of my home. My immediate reaction was amazement, because in the four years I've lived in my current neighborhood, I've seen ONE member of that club, and it wasn't especially close to home. Once I got done being amazed, I started singing "These Are The People In My Neighborhood." I love diversity!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dragging Up The Sun, and Stuff.
My morning commute is a pretty straight shot from East to West. As such, around this time of year, the sun rises behind me as I ride to work. If Arizona has anything beautiful, it would be the sunrises and sunsets.
Add to that the certain cool something that is casting a 100 foot long shadow in front of you and you've got the makings of a fine morning.
The temperature seems to have cooled off during the last week and a half, and I was darn glad I wore my winter gloves and a warm shirt this morning. Hopefully the weather will stay cool today, and I'll enjoy a comfortable ride home.
It seems the snowbirds are coming back, which must mean the economy is reviving. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because, hey, a good economy means jobs and people who want to buy a sweet Vespa ET4. Bad because, as far as I can tell, all the snowbirds do is drive around all day.
All the same, prime riding season is just cranking up here. I understand it's winding down elsewhere, and I'll do my best to have plenty of moto-adventures for y'all this winter so you can make it through the chilly season without going insane from the lack of riding.
Add to that the certain cool something that is casting a 100 foot long shadow in front of you and you've got the makings of a fine morning.
The temperature seems to have cooled off during the last week and a half, and I was darn glad I wore my winter gloves and a warm shirt this morning. Hopefully the weather will stay cool today, and I'll enjoy a comfortable ride home.
It seems the snowbirds are coming back, which must mean the economy is reviving. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because, hey, a good economy means jobs and people who want to buy a sweet Vespa ET4. Bad because, as far as I can tell, all the snowbirds do is drive around all day.
All the same, prime riding season is just cranking up here. I understand it's winding down elsewhere, and I'll do my best to have plenty of moto-adventures for y'all this winter so you can make it through the chilly season without going insane from the lack of riding.
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