Hello all and my best wishes to you all during your seasonal celebrations.
I have been enjoying a much needed break from work and blogging in order to recharge my batteries and pump some positive energies into my seasonal-affective affected attitude.
Sue & I have been enjoying some custom furniture we had ordered around Thanksgiving and were told to expect delivery toward the end of January. It arrived last Saturday and to Sue's delight we had new furniture during the holiday festivities.
I've been riding as much as possible to stay out in the sunshine and soak up the positive(anti-depressive) benefits of Sol's light. The weather has been great for riding with only the outrageous traffic as a detractor.
My Bro James took a Caribbean cruise over the holidays and shook off the cold down in the warmer latitudes. He should be returning sometime this week.
As I'm sitting here jamming on Stone Temple Pilots that's blasting from the iPod Docking Station; it occurs to me how blessed I am to have such a wonderful woman to share my life with and our children & grand children are all happy & healthy; how could I ask for more?
It always amazes me how music can touch me in just the right way to enable me to see clearly what my eyes sometimes fail to notice. Sorry for the touch of melancholy; music is a powerful force in my life and as such it gets my respect or adoration perhaps is the better word.
At the moment I'm listening to Pete Townsend's "Slit Skirts" from his 1982 solo album titled: All the best cowboys have Chinese eyes. The tune is about the concept of never giving up and it strikes a powerful cord within me every time I hear it.
I'm planning on taking an evening ride down to St. Pete tonight to visit Biff-Burger as it's the last Saturday of the year and there should be quite a crowd with the warm wether.
Well it's time to wrap up the meandering message. Have a Great Saturday Night!
LATER
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thoughts and Reflections
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 20
56 degrees f. with some high scattered clouds when I rolled out of the Casa for the Motorcycle Commute to the office in Tampa.
Traffic moved pretty well but was some what heavy for a Thursday morning.
I work my way to the front of the pack to ride on the open road.
Remember: If your not the lead dog, the view never changes!
There were a few FHP cruisers on the Veterans Expressway / Suncoast Parkway trapping cagers.
What a glorious day in FlatLand for a Motorcycle Ride!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,Florida,FlatLand,RilySi,Ride it like you stole it
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Ridiculous Motorcycle Ape Hangers
There are those among us that dream bigger than others.
Some of them should not be allowed near motorcycles!
There are so many things wrong with this that I don't know where to start.
Oh well, to each his own. Glad he's in Missouri and not FlatLand!
Probably a 'shop' job..
LATER
And the Ass Hat of the week goes to
Time Magazine
For making the Head Russian Asshat the 2007 Man of the Year.
LATER
Technorati Tags: AssHat - Asshat of the week - rilysi - Ride it like you stole it
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 19
Wednesday Morning in FlatLand saw 51 degrees f. under crystal clear sky's for the Motorcycle commute this morning.
Traffic was light and moved well all the way to the office in Tampa.
There were ZFHP cruisers scattered here & there along the route, running radar of course.
Stopped for petrol on the way in so I grabbed a shot of the pump showing the prices.
I'm so glad I don't commute in my Truck as it would costs $80.00 US to fill it up and it gets less than half the mileage of the R1200GS Adventure.
It's Hump Day in FlatLand and the riding is good!
It's Hump Day in FlatLand and the riding is good!
Have a great day everybody.
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida,RilySi,Ride it like you stole it
Monday, December 17, 2007
Dan Fogelberg - Dead At 56
We have lost one of the great musical lyricist and performers of our time.
Daniel Grayling Fogelberg August 13, 1951 – December 16, 2007, the singer and songwriter whose hits “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Lang Syne” helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56.
So long Old Friend, Rest in peace.
And the Ass Hat of the week goes to
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 
The Head Iranian Asshat closed 23 Internet cafe's in Iran, arresting 23 individuals for "immoral behavior in the Islamic state". 11 of the 23 arrested are women.
Ahmadinejad's blog is still on the net; I guess he's allowed to conduct immoral behavior in the Islamic state.
LATER
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 17
37 degrees f. with steady blast out of the North made for an interesting Motorcycle Commute to Tampa this morning.
This photo shows the Warmest Temp along my route this morning, which was 39 f.
Traffic moved OK on the surface streets for a Monday Morning but just slugged along way too slow on the Toll Roads, and for no apparent reason as there were no Cops along the route.
Still, it was a wonderful Motorcycle ride.
It's a glorious Monday Morning in FlatLand, have a great day!
It's a glorious Monday Morning in FlatLand, have a great day!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle,Commuting,RilySi,Ride it like you stole it,FlatLand,Florida
Friday, December 14, 2007
Excellent Customer Service from Touratech USA
Excellent Customer Service used to be the norm for business. Unfortunately those days are long gone, or so it seems.
Any of us that have made an online purchase of goods that for what ever reason just didn't live up to our expectations for those goods; have had to deal with making calls and exchanging email with the business in an effort to secure repair or replacement of the dissatisfying goods.
This is where the Cream rises to the top.
Businesses that make a point of delivering Excellent Customer Services easily stand out among the field of the many that don't.
Touratech USA easily rises to the top among my online shopping experiences!
A year and a half ago I purchased the Touratech Waterproof Tank Bag for the then new 2006 R1200GS Adventure. The Tank Bag is large, functional and Waterproof. Also, it's on the expensive side of Tank Bags as a whole but it's the Top of the field.
A year and a half ago I purchased the Touratech Waterproof Tank Bag for the then new 2006 R1200GS Adventure. The Tank Bag is large, functional and Waterproof. Also, it's on the expensive side of Tank Bags as a whole but it's the Top of the field.
After a year and a half of full time service on daily commutes as well as several long distance rides; the main waterproof zipper began to come apart.
After exchanging some email I sent the Tank Bag back to Touratech USA for Warranty Repair or Replacement. Honestly, I was expecting them to just have a new zipper installed which would have been just fine with me but they took it upon themselves to go the extra mile and send me a new bag which arrived this afternoon.
I have made many purchases from Touratech-USA and have always been completely satisfied with the products they sell.
Now I'm completely satisfied with their Excellent Customer Service as well.
Way to go Touratech USA! 
LATER
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 14
This mornings motorcycle commute to Tampa was in 67 degree f. with heavy Sea Fog along the route.
Traffic was heavy in spots but moved well
even with the fog.
Some cagers here drive like they lost their minds anytime there is rain or fog so I work my way to the front of the pack and separate myself from the stampede behind me and ride in the open road.
Strange how I found no FHP out along my route this morning; the Krispy Kreme sign must have been on.
It's Friday in FlatLand and hey, it's Florida Outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida,rilysi,Ride it like you stole it
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Out with the Old & In with the New, eventually
I have been seriously considering replacing the ageing BMW 2002 K1200LT with 103,000 miles on the clock.
The DragonFly has been a great riding machine and I have had wonderful adventures on her that have taken me all over on the highways, byways, back roads and pig trails of the United States.
She’s getting long in the tooth mileage wise and the maintenance upkeep is getting more costly as simple systems failures are popping up left & right.
Still, she’s a fine riding machine.
I have been drooling over a new R1200RT with all the bells & whistles.
The R1200RT is built using the same Drive train and Electrical systems of the R1200GS I already operate, but the R1200RT is a stylish street touring version while the GS Adventure is an Enduro or Street / Trail style of motorcycle. The GS actually stands for Gelände (Terrain)/Strasse (Street).
So what’s the RT have that the LT does not?
The RT has a Horizontally Opposed 1200cc Twin Cylinder Engine where the LT is an 1200cc In-Line Flat Four Cylinder.
Both power plants make more than enough power for Touring.
The RT has a six forward speed transmission like the GS, where the LT has 5 forward and one reverse gear.
The LT has a 5 US Gallon fuel tank where the RT has a 7 US Gallon fuel tank.
Both the RT and the LT are built for Two-Up Touring and have integrated saddle bags.
Both the RT and the LT have Heated Grips and Seats with power adjustable wind screens.
Both the RT and the LT have Cruise Control, AM/FM Stereo and Intercoms.
Both the LT and the RT are great curve carvers and both have ABS brakes and shaft drive.
The Gigantic difference between these two motorcycles is the weight. The stock LT weighs in at 800 plus pounds where the RT weighs in at a svelte 504 pounds.
So, anyway, the powers that be, that run this blog and provide me with outstanding Motorcycles that I get to ride daily, have given the nod for the new bike, in the near future.
So, I’ll be getting the LT ready to sell and stripped of all her Farkles that I can use on other bikes.
LATER
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 13
This mornings Motorcycle Commute was in 61 degrees f. with Sea Fog almost all the way to the office in Tampa.
From these photos you would think there was no traffic; when in actuality I had worked my way to the head of the traffic, to the open road between traffic clusters.
Strange how there were no FHP or Pasco County Cruisers out & about along the route. They must be off chasing Fog related issues.
It's Thursday in FlatLand and the Motorcycle Riding was good.
And Hey, It's Florida Outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,RilySi,Ride it like you stole it. FlatLand,Florida
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 12
This mornings Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in 68 degrees f. with no clouds or wind.
I followed a Pasco County Motorman for ten miles on SR54 before stopping for petrol. Needless to say, traffic moved slower than usual.
On the Suncoast Parkway / Veterans Expressway I followed a Pasco County Cruiser that had the commute speed slower than normal.
The median between the North and South bound lanes showed tracks where the FHP Cruisers have been jumping back & forth between lanes. Probably to write speeders.
Whatcha-Gonna-Do? It's Florida Outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida,RilySi,Ride it like you stole it
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 11
66 degrees f. with clear sky's and no wind for the Motorcycle Commute to Tampa this morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol was out in force along my route this morning.
I followed two FHP Cruisers on State Road 54 for miles.
At the intersection of Gunn Highway and State Road 54, I counted seven (7) FHP Cruisers with cagers pulled over along side the road.
Traffic moved well, even with the LEO escorts and you just cant find better Motorcycle Riding weather.
Another FHP Cruiser with cager stopped on the Suncoast Parkway.
It's a beautiful morning in FlatLand and hey, it's Florida outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida,Rilysi,Ride it like you stole it
Monday, December 10, 2007
Seasonal Affective Disorder
I
have been diligently taking all of the medications prescribed for me and have made some remarkable improvements with my attitude and general demeanor.
My quality of life, or should I say my enjoyment of life has improved as well since embarking on this pharmacological treatment path.
I've been fighting the onslaught of seasonal depression and attempting to just keep it at bay mostly through denial, which of course works as well as a glass hammer.
Since my early teenage years; I have battled with Seasonal Depression that’s robbed me of the enjoyment of the Christmas Season.
As the accoutrements of Christmas like decorated trees, houses adorned with multicolored lights, etc, start to appear I try to not even make eye contact with the decorations as they tend to just cause a saddening of my mood and ultimately the joy I see in others brought on by the season causes and equal and opposite reaction in me.
I get the feeling of hopelessness instead of joy. Like all the effort to decorate and procure gifts for others becomes an emotionally draining endeavor that ends with me just wishing it was all over with.
I never have truly understood my emotional reactions to the holiday season but none the less; the reactions are real and carry emotional baggage that weighs heavy on my mood and demeanor.
Perhaps I just need an adjustment to my medications this time of year, or perhaps it’s just something I have to deal with on my own.
The additional Sun Shine I get from Riding Motorcycles instead of driving helps quite a bit.
Anyway, I’ll work it out as I always do and I’ll try to not let this negatively affect anyone around me.
LATER
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 10
Yet another beautiful day for a Motorcycle Commute in FlatLand.
It was 65 degrees f. when I rolled out of the Casa for the Motorcycle Ride to Tampa this morning.
Very bright sunshine and no clouds made for a beautiful crystal blue sky.
Traffic was moderate and moved well all along the route.
A few FHP Cruisers were patrolling the Suncoast Parkway / Veterans Expressway and running Radar.
Hey, It's Florida Outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding,Motorcycle Commuting,FlatLand,Florida,Rilysi,Ride it like you stole it
Friday, December 07, 2007
66th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Today was the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor by Naval Air Forces of the Japanese Empire.
The Arizona sank in less than nine minutes after a 1,760 pound armor-piercing bomb struck and pierced the battleship's deck and detonated in its ammunition magazine, igniting fires that engulfed the ship.
Four in five servicemen on the USS Arizona 1,177 in all did not survive the day.
It was the greatest loss of life of any ship in U.S. naval history.
More people died on the Arizona than any other ship as 1,177 servicemen, or about 80% of the Arizona's crew, perished.
The surprise attack which began at 07:55am local time killed 2,390 Americans and injured 1,178.
Twelve ships sank and nine vessels were heavily damaged. Over 320 U.S. aircraft were destroyed or heavily damaged by the time the invading planes were done sweeping over military bases from Wheeler Field to Kaneohe Naval Air Station.
The last of the Surviving Veterans still able to travel and attend today's Memorial Services in Hawaii were present and accounted for; however its doubtful many will attend the next significant, 70th memorial gathering in 2011.
LATER
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 7
Friday Morning in FlatLand and the Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in a very comfortable 54 degrees f.
Very bright sunshine and thin scattered clouds were above.
I passed a few FHP and Pasco County Cruisers out ding their thing.
The traffic was pretty light all the way to the office.
Even the Toll Roads were clear with no traffic congestion.
Hey it's Florida Outside!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Commuting , RilySi , Motorcycle Riding , Ride it like you stole it , FlatLand , Florida
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 6
This mornings Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in a comfortable 50 degrees f. with heavy fog over most of my route
Traffic moved well over most of the ride this morning although there were several FHP Cruisers and Pasco SD Cruisers out running Radar.
I'm back riding the BMW R1200GS Adventure. The K1200LT is having problems idling so she's down for exploratory maintenance.
Have a Great Day!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding , Motorcycle Commuting. RilySi , Ride it like you stole it , FlatLand , Florida
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Cool Weather Riding Tips
Cool air has made it's way to FlatLand and it feels great to me. Riding in cooler or cold weather has it's rewards as well as it's dangers & discomforts if your not prepared for it.
A lot of riders in FlatLand (Florida) wear no gear at all, helmet included. Don't fret, this is not rant about Motorcycle Rider Safety. Just some suggestions that may make you more comfortable when you find yourself riding when its cold out.
I have and use Mesh Riding Gear for Warm Weather and Gortex Riding Gear for Cool/Cold Weather Riding. I also have a Gerbing's Electric Jacket Liner for when outside air temps drop to the low 50's f. and below.
I also carry Rain Gear in my side case. If you live & ride in FlatLand, you ride in the rain, plain & simple.
I also carry Rain Gear in my side case. If you live & ride in FlatLand, you ride in the rain, plain & simple.
Monday of this week saw temps at morning commute time of 47 f. that rose to the mid 60's by ride time home. There were very few riders out Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of this week and it's probably due to the temps.
In cooler/cold weather riding it's important to cover your normally exposed skin to prevent heat loss and wind chapping. Gloves are a must as is a helmet as you can lose a lot of heat from your head/scalp.
For some reason, a lot of folks completely forget about their Rain Gear when it gets cold out. Rain Gear can be that extra layer of Wind Protection that's just what the Doctor ordered when riding in the cold.
Your properly sized Rain Gear should fit over your normal Riding Gear and can really help to keep you warm & comfortable when riding in cool/cold weather.
Just a tip from a Rider, probably worth what you paid for it.
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding , Motorcycle Commuting , RilySi , Ride it like you stole it , Rain Gear , Riding Gear , ATGATT
Commuting in FlatLand - Dec 5
48 degrees f. for the Motorcycle Commute to Tampa this morning, under clear blue sky's with no wind at all.
Very bright sunshine was the order or the morning. Light traffic on the surface streets that moved well was an unexpected surprise.
Traffic moved well on the Suncoast Parkway & Veterans Expressway right up the Wilsky Blvd exit where I like to leave the toll road normally.
It's Hump Day in FlatLand and the Motorcycle Riding is good!
LATER
Technorati Tags: Motorcycle Riding , Motorcycle Commuting , FlatLand , Florida. RilySi , RilySi , Ride it like you stole it
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
RilySi Readability Test
I came across this Blog Readability test over on criticsrant.com and thought I would give it a try on this blog.
The URL for this blog scores GENIUS Level on readability, you folks are some smart individuals as it turns out! LOL.
Give it a try on your blog or home page.
Here are some other sites and their scores:
LATER
