What the @#$% Over?

I don't know where to attribute recognition for this quote, but I did find it a quite interesting statement, "I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death." I do believe that this could be my motto.

It finally warmed up enough for me to tinker in the garage this afternoon. It was probably warm enough yesterday, but I was too exhausted from lack of sleep to do anything. Being on call for my work can really impact my ability to get a good nights sleep. So with the warmth I did get one of my todo items done. My magna now has a VTX headlight. I'll take if for a test drive shortly to see if I can see any better at night or if I'll have ot give up night motorcycle riding.

Here I am again on call this holiday season, but don't offer your sympathies since I actually traded to have call this weekend ( and the next two as well ). If I have to be on call this time of year is usually the best for me. I am not much of a holiday reveler, and from a support standpoint most companies observer a year end close where there are no changes allowed. We all know the few changes the few problems. Maybe someday I'll get to give up this pager...(please)!

I really enjoyed my ride today: click here to view trip plan . I was a bit worried at first since it sprinkled rain ( yes it occasionally rains in the desert ) for the first 20 miles of my journey, but after Maricopa all was dry, although the temperature was never above 60 all day. I had a nice breakfast at the Space Age Restaurant . After that it was north on old US 80. A much more pleasent trip today than my previous one. On that day I realized about 10 miles outside Gila Bend that I had forgot to top off my tank. I decided to go forward ( a decision I truly regretted as I worried until the next gas station that I wouldn't have enough to get there ). Today however it was a calm relaxed and enjoyable ride. One the way back into Phoenix from Wickenberg, I saw my first vegetables growing in Arizona. There were huge fields of cabbbage alongside loop 303. I took my camera today and took some photos. click here to view photos .

Today I attended the initial meeting of the East Valley Motorcycle Riders Group . I now belong to three rider groups. In addition to the East Valley group I also belong to Maricopa Motorcycle Riders Group and the Phoenix Motorcycle Riders Group . Not much else going on today, it was "allergies from hell" day here so the afternoon turned into a nap.

Today was a mediocre day as far as productivity. The day started with a back-ache that lasted all day. The pain made work on the storage room difficult, but I did manage to get the inside all complete except for finishing the window cutout. Now I just have the external trimming and I can say job all done, "Lets Ride". I also manage to organize one box of odds and ends in the other room.

Sung to the tune of a Winter Wonderland Palm trees wave, are you listenin'? In the pool, water's glistenin' A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight Livin' in a desert wonderland. Gone away is the blizzard, Here to stay is the lizard, A warm sunny day, we like it that way, Livin' in a desert wonderland. In the desert we will have a picnic, Cactus, sand and rattlesnakes and sun. Christmas dinner is an old tradition, It's pinto beans and tacos by the ton. Later on we'll perspire, Temperatures rise even higher, A warm sunny day, we like it that way, Livin' in a desert wonderland.

Since I last wrote here many things have transpired in my life. The most significant is that I have become a motorcycle rider. I suppose finding something other than computers to consume my time and money was long overdue, but motorcycling? Go Figure. Oh well, hopefully I can add more about my new adventures here soon.

One of my unpleasant activities is visiting the doctor's office invariably being poked and prodded in unmentionable places. At least the verdict today for this seasoned old wizard was much less dire than expected so it seems at least for now we have the opportunity to continue our journey for a while more.

My plans for the day unraveled early on as I had to wait to see if my services would be needed to evaluate the removal of a piece of rack mounted hardware in a computer room downtown. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately ( quien-sabe ) I was not needed, so I spent most of the day configuring a new computer I was given as compensation for some of my work for the law firm downtown. I had to buy RAM for the system, but other than that it was fully loaded with Windows XP Professional and the 2003 version of the Microsoft Office suite. It has several other titles that may prove interesting in the long run. As soon as my PVR provider releases their software version next month hopefully this will become my home brew PVR since I can't EVER seem to find time to configure myth. In the evening I watch "Raging Bull". For all the accolades, I found this to be one of the poorest movies I have ever watched. Probably due to the content more than anything, as I sure it was finely filmed,

It was the premier night for SciFi Friday, and somehow my PVR failed to record the season premier of Stargate Atlantis. I suppose I'll need to locate a torrent.

Hopefully I won't be able to set many more record bicycle riding temperature days. It was 114 today when I arrived home, but I was much less affected as I found a way to cut thru the Sun Lakes Phase III Subdivision ...shhhhh...don't tell them.

I set a new record today. When I arrived home from work on my bicycle today the temperature was 112. My previous high temp ride home record was 111 set a week or two or three ago. The cabbage was a good compliment to the left over bratwurst and I can say that tonight's dinner was an enjoyable repast.

Our return trip from the White Mountains took us through Payson, AZ today. Much of the forest between Payson and Show Low, AZ still showed significant damage from earlier forest fires. I would guess the damage dated from the summer of 2005, but it could have been farther in the past I suppose. Payson was a very pleasing town to visit briefly. The temperature while warmer than the Pinetop/Show Low area, was still moderate and pleasant.

Today I took my first real hike. I hiked the 3.5 mile Conuntry Club Trail in the White Mountains of Arizona. The trail was nice and although I am still quite out of shape, I was able to easily complete it. I did however manage a blister between my toes, which is a first for me.

I am continually amazed by the diverse environment in my new state, Arizona. After a long week on call, I decided on a lark to see if I could find lodging in the White Mountains . A recent episode of Arizona Highways had highlighted this area and it really looked interesting, especially the part about being an average of 20 degrees cooler than the Phoenix area. I was quite surprised to find lodging at a Holiday Inn Express in Show Low, AZ. The drive to Show Low via Globe was very scenic, but a bit nerve wracking a few times as I was driving an Explorer which feels like it will turn over on the most gradual of curves. The accommodations were very nice, with free wireless internet, and we were even able to have dinner at Charlie Clark's Steak House the restaurant featured in the Arizona Highways episode. The restaurant was nothing to write home about, but the service was good and food average. All in all it was a great trip and I expect to return again soon.