Changes At Home

The past 3 weeks have been very eventful around the Wolf's Lair.  It started with my garage door going belly up and trapping my motorcycle inside.  That however, is the worst of it.  The rest has been nothing but good news!



The contractors have just about finished putting a new roof on the house.  It's a beautiful dark oak shingle with a flat black trim to compliment the white trim that goes around the house.  It looks absolutely fantastic and has been long overdue.  Along with the roof, they also replaced two sky lights that had been damaged this year in a hail storm. We've all heard horror stories about contractors, but so far this group has been really great.  Incredibly respectful and open about what they're doing. 

Along with the roof and sky lights, we are also have a couple of walls replaced in the house due to water damage.  The entire wall where the fireplace sits has been gutted and beams have been replaced.  And one of the walls in our bedroom has also been gutted and repaired.  We are hoping to have the new drywall installed next week.  We're taking this opportunity to remove the wallpaper in our bedroom because we hope to start painting our room after the contractors finish.

With all of this construction going on, our bedroom and living room are a mess.  All of the furniture has been moved around, covered with plastic tarp, and everything has a constant coating of dust and debris.  As annoying and inconvenient as this is, we aren't going to rush the process.  So far these guys are doing a good job and are going above and beyond to repair any damage as they find it.  But we hope everything returns to normal soon.  My wife and I have shared ideas on how to rearrange all of our furniture and start everything fresh for the coming new year.  I'm really excited about it and can't wait to get started.

We decided to revamp our bathroom this weekend.  Removing the wallpaper in our bedroom is easy, but our bathroom is a different story.  The guy who installed this stuff did one hell of a job.  The wallpaper steamer is doing a great job thankfully, but it's a slow process.  We had hoped that the bathroom wallpaper would come off in sheets just like out bedroom, but this stuff is like pulling scrap paper out of a spiral notebook.  Tiny strips, and it leaves the residue and glue on the walls, so we have to go over the same spot 3-4 times.  But we're getting there. Slowly but surely.

For now, it's a waiting game.  Once the contractors have finished, the next task will be the living room floor.  We all hope this will be the last major repair that's required for a while.  The future is looking bright, and I hope it continues to get better.

-James

Dad's 67th

Yesterday would have been my dad's 67th birthday.  He passed away this past March while riding home from Daytona Beach, he was less than 2 miles from home when a drunk driver turned left in front of him and my dad hit the back of the truck.  This being the first birthday since his passing, my family and I got together at my brother's house in Jacksonville for "Denny-Fest 2014" to celebrate and remember my dad, but also to get together again since we haven't all been together since the funeral.  The most beautiful experience from yesterday was meeting my baby nephew Luke for the very first time. 

It was a beautiful gathering of family and friends with great food and drinks.  We played some cornhole and ended the day with all of us gathering around the fire pit to say a few words for dad, and then we commemorated some of his ashes to the fire. He impacted all of us, and the stories told yesterday around that fire pit was a perfect example of how we've all become who we are today because of his encouragement and his guidance.  Dad wasn't right about everything, but it was a sure bet that the things he would say ended up coming true down the road.  I miss him.  We all miss him. 

The gathering yesterday has helped rekindle my desire for the Triumph Tiger.  The first hurdle will be to get the bike from my mom's place over to the shop.  The tires aren't roadworthy and the brake system needs to be rebuilt. That, combined with having limited space at my house to store the bike, has kept the Triumph on the back burner.  But after seeing how my sister fixed up my dad's Mustang, I'm not inclined to keep treading water anymore.  I'm going to be realistic and incredibly budget conscious.  As much as I want to take the bike to my shop with a blank check and say "fix it", I know that just won't work because I don't have the resources to do that (most people don't). I am so blessed to have the full support of my wife on this project and I couldn't be happier about that.  I hope she enjoys the Triumph just as much as I will.

Dad, you were a great man and I know you are with us all of the time.  Your stories are retold over and over by friends and family, and everyone loves you.  I can't wait to get this Triumph up and running so the next family gathering we have, I'll be able to ride out to it, and I know you'll be riding with me.


Ride safe, everyone. Please.

-James

Trapped Inside

With motorcycle riding season hitting its peak here in Florida, I was hoping to use the opportunity to cruise and document my trips. 

Yeah, that's not going to happen.

Last week, someone decided to leave yard tools propped up inside the garage door tracks.  They weren't in the way of the clearance sensor so the door began to close normally.  Once it got about halfway down, it hit the tools and damaged the garage door.  So now, my motorcycle is stuck inside a garage with a broken door.  Needless to say this was an unforeseen and completely unnecessary event.  Common sense would tell you to not leave something in the path of a moving object, especially one as frequently used as a garage door. 

With a new roof currently going on the house and two walls being gutted and repaired for water damage, replacing a garage door system isn't a priority, and the resources have already been allocated for the other repair projects.  I'm not upset that the door can't be replaced/repaired soon, I'm upset because the incident happened.

So now, the cars will be stuck outside and the motorcycle will be stuck inside.  This angers me because we're all disrupted by it. 

In the meantime, I'll attempt to post about different topics in an attempt to kill some time. 

-James

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival - Disney World 2014

Last Saturday I ventured down to Orlando for the Food & Wine Festival!


For those who are unaware, Disney Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida throws an annual celebration at EPCOT park to celebrate the food and wine that represents the culture of dozens of countries around the world. 

EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a park dedicated to Walt Disney's understanding of international contributions to the world as a whole.  The name EPCOT inspires the feeling of a futuristic world, and technically, it should.  But what's interesting about EPCOT is the park focuses less on the future, and more on the historical and cultural contributions of the main countries featured around the World Showcase:  Mexico, China, Norway, Germany, China, United States, Canada, France, Morocco, Italy, England, & Africa (the continent is represented in this case).

The festival runs from September 19th through November 10th.  Not only are all of these countries represented, but more countries are added for visitors to enjoy local cuisines.  This year, Greece, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Philippines, Poland are among the dozens of nations represented in custom food stands & booths around the park.

Thousands of people enjoy all of the food and wine they're willing to purchase.  Many people consider it a challenge and even go as far as making group t-shirts for "Eating & Drinking Around The World" and they check off the countries as they go.   It's really quite an experience and it is the perfect example of how Walt Disney World isn't just for kids.  In fact, EPCOT is the most adult-oriented theme park Disney has to offer.  Multiple 4 and 5 star restaurants represent the finer things in life for those adults looking for a nice escape from the daily hustle. 

My wife and I are annual Disney passholders and are certainly Disney "veterans".  The Food & Wine Festival is the highlight of our Disney trips and we are lucky to be able to experience it as often as we do.

-James

A Change In The Biker Community

Good afternoon!

I would like to address something I've noticed lately concerning the motorcycle community.  This of course is just my opinion.  I'd like to know how other riders feel about this, so be sure to let me know what you think.

A few weeks ago when my wife and I ventured to Daytona Beach, Florida for Biketoberfest, I couldn't help but notice that most bikers seem less friendly these days.  The respect and acknowledgement that bikers have for each other seems to be dwindling. 

In my opinion, it's protocol for a biker to nod their head or throw a wave to a fellow biker as they cross paths as a sign of acknowledgement and respect.  Driving a motorcycle sets you apart from other drivers on the road.  In a sense, it is a brotherhood.  Of course there are more distinguished groups of bikers in Motorcycle Clubs who have their own rules and regulations, but even for those MC members, is nodding to your fellow rider not a classic gesture?

On our Daytona trip, only a handful of the hundreds of bikers we encountered responded to our gestures.  I certainly understand everything is situational.  If it's not a safe time to take your hands off the controls, then of course don't do it, but I take issue with those bikers who act as if it's beneath them to return acknowledgement. 

My father used to avoid waving to other bikers on the highway, and one day I asked him why.  His answer was simple: 'Why should I risk my life by taking my hand off the controls at speed just to wave to someone? My life is more important.'  He certainly brought up a valid point, but I don't believe that is the mind set of every biker on the road, especially if you consider a large number of riders don't even wear basic protective gear.

I've also noticed an increase in wreckless and careless driving practices on the road.  If I'm at a stop light, I have no problem if another motorcyclist pulls up next to me and waits for the green light, but I have a huge problem with bikers who drive really close to me or directly beside me in the same lane. In my opinion, that is a blatant disreguard to my personal safety and to theirs as well.  What happens if I end up having to swerve or God forbid I lay down the bike?  I'm going to take out the other motorcycle as well.  Or if they have to make a quick adjustment, I could be killed or seriously injured.  There needs to be a basic understanding of the environment and riding conditions, and I don't feel many bikers have that.  Basic motorcycle etiquette is at an all time low.

My final argument derives from the type of motorcycles/motorcyclists I see on America's roadways.  Harley-Davidson.  I get it, they're America's classic motorcycle manufacturer and nothing screams red, white, and blue more than an American motorcycle.  I actually take issue with this. It isn't the fact that they ride a Harley, it's the manner in which they do it, and how they carry themselves.  I am annoyed by massive motorcycles covered in hundreds of dollars of chrome accessories on the road, being ridden by people who are more or less trying to create this "image" of what a motorcycle rider should look like.  No helmets, faux leather vests on 900 pound monster Harley's with massive body panels, sometimes blasting their music down the road. It's almost as if they're going for this "look", they all look the exact same, and don't have any regard for their personal safety, or for the safety of others (based on how they ride).  That, combined with how they present themselves on the road - arrogant, cocky, as my dad would say "king shit on turd island".  When in reality, they really look foolish, ignorant, and many of them are really assholes.

One of my best friends from my military days rides a Harley, and my father-in-law owns a Road King.  I've driven them, and I'm presenting my argument based off facts and experience.  I do see their appeal, especially for long rides or cross-country adventures.  But the attitude and personality of the bikers is changing for the worse.  The belief that a person must be a "bad ass" to ride because of chrome accessories on an enormous bike is incredibly elementary.  I own a 2008 Kawasaki Versys and a 1976 Triumph Tiger 750, but because I don't own a Sherman tank on 2 wheels, myself and others find ourselves looked down upon and shunned by these new upstart bikers who don't know the first thing about quality motorcycle sportsmanship.

I'm interested in hearing the opinions from other riders out there.  Is my view on this subject to be considered "old school"? Or does anyone else feel the same way? 


-James