Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Wrestling with Disability.
My plans keep getting put on hold as I haven't been out of my house since last Saturday. Not really, I mean I've rambled around the courtyard and down the patio, been to the garage, I even managed to mount the lowers on the Ural a few nights ago in prep for an intended trip to SJ to deliver some books for Kyle D to his brother Ian. Never made it. I have either been wracked with pain or asleep. I was supposed to meet up with Ian on Wed, then Thur, then Friday... all fell through, basically stood him up 2 out of 3 times because I was unconscious the first and last time.
What drives me crazy about this is there was a time when if I said I was going to be someplace, I got their 15 minutes early every damned time. I haven't quite grown accustomed to the idea that I can now commit to something and then twenty minutes before leaving my body will crash and I'll be out for the count.
You'd think this would be something I'd be used to. I spent a year in bed when I was 19 or 20. I spent last year in bed. I have lost the use of my legs (twice in the past for about a week each time). I've crashed physically more times than I can count. Even still... I find this whole experience incredibly frustrating.
How does one grow accustomed to the idea, to the realization that they are disabled? How does someone who is 26 reconcile the fact that this just might be as good as it gets? That the best years of my life may have been 6 years ago? How do I keep myself from growing bitter?
From an early age we are taught that we should grow up, get a full education, get a job, get a house, get a wife, have some kids, and as men - support them. That isn't necessarily exactly how I was raised, but Society no matter how progressive we might be, it is none the less engrained into us. To not do so reeks of failure, of personal failure. No matter how much I tell myself that I haven't failed, that this isn't my fault. Had things been different I probably wouldn't have a wife, but I'd have a job, and I'd have my own place.
So I wrestle with this. I continue to wrestle with it as I watch my friends moving forward in all these different directions and I find myself at home relying heavily both on my mother and the state to take care of me. When I am feeling good I feel like I am somehow cheating the system, and when I feel like I do right now I wonder what the hell I did in my last life to deserve this?
This isn't self pity, don't mistake it as such. I live very well, I am better off than a lot of people - disabled or not. I have support from family, friends, and doctors. I have my motorcycle, I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes, and I'm not dying. This just my vocalizing some of the thoughts of someone who is 26 who is faced with disabling syndromes and a debilitating disorder.
I tagged everyone in this, because right now I feel like standing on a soap box, because I'm not alone in this, there are a ton of people in my situation, and I think that it goes unthought of by a lot of people - god knows I didn't used to think about it. I'll probably regret tagging everyone in an hour because I don't like to make these sort of thoughts public, but I figure it never hurts if it makes a few extra people think about those less fortunate for a couple minutes - not me specifically.
My point I guess to end this, is if you can get out of bed every day, if you can move around without pain, if you can work, if you are capable of being independent - just take a moment every so often to appreciate it and realize how lucky you are.
What drives me crazy about this is there was a time when if I said I was going to be someplace, I got their 15 minutes early every damned time. I haven't quite grown accustomed to the idea that I can now commit to something and then twenty minutes before leaving my body will crash and I'll be out for the count.
You'd think this would be something I'd be used to. I spent a year in bed when I was 19 or 20. I spent last year in bed. I have lost the use of my legs (twice in the past for about a week each time). I've crashed physically more times than I can count. Even still... I find this whole experience incredibly frustrating.
How does one grow accustomed to the idea, to the realization that they are disabled? How does someone who is 26 reconcile the fact that this just might be as good as it gets? That the best years of my life may have been 6 years ago? How do I keep myself from growing bitter?
From an early age we are taught that we should grow up, get a full education, get a job, get a house, get a wife, have some kids, and as men - support them. That isn't necessarily exactly how I was raised, but Society no matter how progressive we might be, it is none the less engrained into us. To not do so reeks of failure, of personal failure. No matter how much I tell myself that I haven't failed, that this isn't my fault. Had things been different I probably wouldn't have a wife, but I'd have a job, and I'd have my own place.
So I wrestle with this. I continue to wrestle with it as I watch my friends moving forward in all these different directions and I find myself at home relying heavily both on my mother and the state to take care of me. When I am feeling good I feel like I am somehow cheating the system, and when I feel like I do right now I wonder what the hell I did in my last life to deserve this?
This isn't self pity, don't mistake it as such. I live very well, I am better off than a lot of people - disabled or not. I have support from family, friends, and doctors. I have my motorcycle, I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes, and I'm not dying. This just my vocalizing some of the thoughts of someone who is 26 who is faced with disabling syndromes and a debilitating disorder.
I tagged everyone in this, because right now I feel like standing on a soap box, because I'm not alone in this, there are a ton of people in my situation, and I think that it goes unthought of by a lot of people - god knows I didn't used to think about it. I'll probably regret tagging everyone in an hour because I don't like to make these sort of thoughts public, but I figure it never hurts if it makes a few extra people think about those less fortunate for a couple minutes - not me specifically.
My point I guess to end this, is if you can get out of bed every day, if you can move around without pain, if you can work, if you are capable of being independent - just take a moment every so often to appreciate it and realize how lucky you are.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
BOOTS!
Well there is a pare of boots that I have been wearing since I was 15. They are Redwing 1178's which from the factory look like this:
Yes yes, I know, Cowboy boots. They are also ace for motorcycling, which granted I wasn't doing at 15, but they are the same exact style boot that my father wore when he was living with and racing motorcycles, and thus he owned exactly 3 pair from when he was 20 till he died at 59, his last set lasted him 23 years, and they are still in a closet downstairs.
These boots are hand made in the USA, this specific type has a cork inner and outer sole. Single layer leather boots.
Mine have been through a great deal through the years. Countless theater productions (tech side), a slew of road trips including the trip I took to Mexico with dad when I was 17. They saw California when Steve and I drove cross country together fairly fresh out of high school. They went cross the country again with me on motorcycle, a motorcycle that poured a quart of oil a day out on the left one. They then saw 6 months in Phoenix, all on motorcycles - often with a foot down sliding around corners to combat sand. They have seen 9 New England winters, and probably 10 Summers, often running full duty for my feet's survival.
The nifty thing about buying a single pair of Redwing boots for $250 is the quality you get. They can take one hell of a beating and the only regular work is to get them re-soled every year or two for about $40, as well as saddle soaping and oiling them yourself every few months to keep them soft and water proof.
I am afraid over the last few years I have neglected them poorly. The neglect started on my ride to Phoenix when the oil caused two holes to develop in that left boot that was getting drenched in hot oil. One by the ball of the foot, and the other up in fron by the toe. I knew I needed to get them fixed, and yet somehow I let 2 years slide by without tending to these issues. The same went for the soles of the boots, which due to my sliding around corners on my 73 Triumph had a much shortened life span.
So a couple of weeks ago when my left boot was looking pretty gnarly with its 2 holes and a sole that was practically falling off, and my right boot which not only looked quite rough but also had the sole held on with electrical tape...
I was ordered by my mother to go and buy a new pair of boots. Same boots, but the stipulation was they had to be new. I insisted mine were fixable, but she demanded new ones! Now mind you, I am grateful, but I also tend to hate new things. I grow accustomed to wearing the same old battered clothes, and develop an affection for them. I have shirts that date back over 13 years that I still wear regularly.
I went to the local Redwing shop dead set on buying exactly what I already had, but discovered that they no longer make the exact model I have always worn. Sure its still the same number, but they don't make the inner pad out of cork any longer, AND the price has gone up. But fear not, Matt of Matt's Shoes suggested a compromise. I could get the same style boot made by H&H (another American company) which he had in stock for about $150, and then send my old battered Redwings off to be rebuilt for $90. So that's what I did.
My H&H boots are quite comfortable, supple leather - though far lighter than I am used to. They are excellent boots, and I will wear them quite often for motorcycling and when I have to look decent. But today my Redwings came back freshly saddle soaped, with new boot oil, new double toes stitched in on both boots (to match) which repairs the damage done before, as well as an oval on either boot repairing the one hole, and the other where it was wearing thin - which you can see in the rough picture of my boot. They have new cork soles, and some damage done to the cork lining on the right boot was repaired.
So by all spec they are like new, they don't look it to most people, but they look pretty damned sharp all things considered. These I will wear in weather, in the winter, and while working on my bike.
So now I quite comfortably have a pair of dress boots and work boots, both from long standing companies, both made in the USA, both the same style I am used to. I am quite pleased.
In other news tomorrow should prove to be a solid day. I will be filling the motorcycle with fuel, going to a doctor's apt, then meeting Ian to give him some books to give to his older brother. From there where it goes, nobody knows.
Yes yes, I know, Cowboy boots. They are also ace for motorcycling, which granted I wasn't doing at 15, but they are the same exact style boot that my father wore when he was living with and racing motorcycles, and thus he owned exactly 3 pair from when he was 20 till he died at 59, his last set lasted him 23 years, and they are still in a closet downstairs.
These boots are hand made in the USA, this specific type has a cork inner and outer sole. Single layer leather boots.
Mine have been through a great deal through the years. Countless theater productions (tech side), a slew of road trips including the trip I took to Mexico with dad when I was 17. They saw California when Steve and I drove cross country together fairly fresh out of high school. They went cross the country again with me on motorcycle, a motorcycle that poured a quart of oil a day out on the left one. They then saw 6 months in Phoenix, all on motorcycles - often with a foot down sliding around corners to combat sand. They have seen 9 New England winters, and probably 10 Summers, often running full duty for my feet's survival.
The nifty thing about buying a single pair of Redwing boots for $250 is the quality you get. They can take one hell of a beating and the only regular work is to get them re-soled every year or two for about $40, as well as saddle soaping and oiling them yourself every few months to keep them soft and water proof.
I am afraid over the last few years I have neglected them poorly. The neglect started on my ride to Phoenix when the oil caused two holes to develop in that left boot that was getting drenched in hot oil. One by the ball of the foot, and the other up in fron by the toe. I knew I needed to get them fixed, and yet somehow I let 2 years slide by without tending to these issues. The same went for the soles of the boots, which due to my sliding around corners on my 73 Triumph had a much shortened life span.
So a couple of weeks ago when my left boot was looking pretty gnarly with its 2 holes and a sole that was practically falling off, and my right boot which not only looked quite rough but also had the sole held on with electrical tape...
I was ordered by my mother to go and buy a new pair of boots. Same boots, but the stipulation was they had to be new. I insisted mine were fixable, but she demanded new ones! Now mind you, I am grateful, but I also tend to hate new things. I grow accustomed to wearing the same old battered clothes, and develop an affection for them. I have shirts that date back over 13 years that I still wear regularly.
I went to the local Redwing shop dead set on buying exactly what I already had, but discovered that they no longer make the exact model I have always worn. Sure its still the same number, but they don't make the inner pad out of cork any longer, AND the price has gone up. But fear not, Matt of Matt's Shoes suggested a compromise. I could get the same style boot made by H&H (another American company) which he had in stock for about $150, and then send my old battered Redwings off to be rebuilt for $90. So that's what I did.
My H&H boots are quite comfortable, supple leather - though far lighter than I am used to. They are excellent boots, and I will wear them quite often for motorcycling and when I have to look decent. But today my Redwings came back freshly saddle soaped, with new boot oil, new double toes stitched in on both boots (to match) which repairs the damage done before, as well as an oval on either boot repairing the one hole, and the other where it was wearing thin - which you can see in the rough picture of my boot. They have new cork soles, and some damage done to the cork lining on the right boot was repaired.
So by all spec they are like new, they don't look it to most people, but they look pretty damned sharp all things considered. These I will wear in weather, in the winter, and while working on my bike.
So now I quite comfortably have a pair of dress boots and work boots, both from long standing companies, both made in the USA, both the same style I am used to. I am quite pleased.
In other news tomorrow should prove to be a solid day. I will be filling the motorcycle with fuel, going to a doctor's apt, then meeting Ian to give him some books to give to his older brother. From there where it goes, nobody knows.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ural
First up we have the "leg guards" which are either plastic or metal depending on the company. I ordered a pair, and I have no idea if I bought plastic or metal ones, so we'll see. It's not the best picture of them, but it gives a decent idea of what you get, they'll do a half ass job of blocking the cold but they will for sure block any shit that gets thrown up in the wet.
^ You can also see one example of a spare gas tank mounted on the sidecar. Here's a better view of a tank mounted in the same place:
Now Brent has what he thinks is a 5 gallon can which we'll make mounting brackets for. I am thinking about mounting it off the rear instead of up front.
^ As you can see from that picture I think that mounting it in the back can provide a nice added weight for holding down the frame and the wheel in right hand turns.
The last thing to do before the weather really turns will be to get a Russian made windshield. Its not the same style that I wish I could have, ie something that bolts onto the frame instead of the handlebars, but its a simple design that will keep the weather off.
^ You can also see one example of a spare gas tank mounted on the sidecar. Here's a better view of a tank mounted in the same place:
Now Brent has what he thinks is a 5 gallon can which we'll make mounting brackets for. I am thinking about mounting it off the rear instead of up front.
^ As you can see from that picture I think that mounting it in the back can provide a nice added weight for holding down the frame and the wheel in right hand turns.
The last thing to do before the weather really turns will be to get a Russian made windshield. Its not the same style that I wish I could have, ie something that bolts onto the frame instead of the handlebars, but its a simple design that will keep the weather off.
This picture which shows a better view of the fairing (might get a different style, depends what is cheapest). The other thing I like about this picture, well its pretty obvious. You can also see the leg guards in this one.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Hospital
I don't know how coherent this is going to be, I haven't gotten very much sleep in the last few days, and I'm kind of medicated right now - more heavily than normal, but you'll note more or less proper spelling and grammar - and that is what you get when you combine narcotic pain killers with someone who is actually in pain. God know I should be asleep, I had a hell of a day yesterday.
I guess you could say it started Wed sometime, thats when I began to feel pretty hammered, couldn't get much sleep, couldn't move around all that much. That persisted through Thursday night. Then Friday morning came along and I was doing a little better, which worked because a friend needed a ride to work at 7:30am - which I provided, that is after all what friends are for, and he had no one else he could call. Then I picked him up from work at 4:30pm, and while doing so discovered some serious changes in the school I once knew (he's a teacher at my old high school). I also got to see a couple of guys I've known these last 3 years, and got to see his sister in law, who was picking up his nephew who just started as a freshman, I sort of think of him as the little brother I never had - so that was nice.
That also drained me pretty good, it used up my replenished reserves as it were. So Friday night sucked. I decided to go to bed around 2am, but the pain was up and I couldn't sleep. The pain spiked to a 10 at about 3am, temporarily knocking me out for a while (I pass out at a 10). The pain oddly was focusing more on the left side of my body than anywhere else. So I came back round about 4am, but couldn't move much, and couldn't get to my cell phone to wake anyone up. So I rode it out till 4:45ish and then got myself up and dressed.
I went across the hall to mom's room and woke her up telling her we had to go to the hospital. This was about 5am Saturday morning. Mom in true style got right up, dressed, and was collecting the last couple things she needed to go when the pain spiked again, this time (as it had already happened once earlier) I had absolutely nothing left, as it was I had barely been mobile, so I crumpled right there in the hallway. Told mom to call an ambulance. She handled it quite well, this stuff always flips her out a bit. I lay there curled up in a ball on my left side, face down on the floor waiting for the ambulance.
Fire department showed up first, they tried to prop me up but I ended up collapsing to my right, but they put down some pillows to wedge me up and gave me oxogen which was a new experience for me. Thats when the paramedics arrived, and they had to use a rolling chair to get me out of the house, so I got hauled into that, couldn't support myself, and they strapped me into this chair. Now mind you I am normally very adversed to being touched, lifted, or strapped down. But at this point I was in too much pain to care. The ride down the stairs in this chair scared the shit out of me.
But they got me out of the house, onto a gurney and into the ambulance. I happily live basically a straight shot to Memorial which is where they took me. I got a shot of some relief on the ride to Memorial, but even with it, the pain overrode the drug for a while and I was sobbing pretty good even when they had me in the room at the ER. But eventually the drug took full effect and I went all tingly and it dropped the pain down to about a 7 on my left and a 6 on my right. I promptly IV in arm turned over and passed out for a couple hours.
Around noon or a little after Brent showed up and kept mom and I company. Just prior to his showing up the pain killer they'd given me wore off and they had to inject me with something else, I have no idea what it was, but it sure as hell took the edge off (its getting hard to type). After maybe an hour or so they ran some more tests, and then discharged me with two scripts for pills, one an anti-inflamatory drug, and the other a narcotic pain killer. Brent went his way (after a handshake) and mom led me back to our car.
It was a 9 hour day at the ER and then another hour to get home including picking up the meds at Walgreens. Promptly went up to bed, and have been here more or less ever since.
OK the pain killer is kicking in, and no matter how much I like the song Shelter from the STorm by Dylan I am about to pass out. Peace fellas, really hard to type now.
I guess you could say it started Wed sometime, thats when I began to feel pretty hammered, couldn't get much sleep, couldn't move around all that much. That persisted through Thursday night. Then Friday morning came along and I was doing a little better, which worked because a friend needed a ride to work at 7:30am - which I provided, that is after all what friends are for, and he had no one else he could call. Then I picked him up from work at 4:30pm, and while doing so discovered some serious changes in the school I once knew (he's a teacher at my old high school). I also got to see a couple of guys I've known these last 3 years, and got to see his sister in law, who was picking up his nephew who just started as a freshman, I sort of think of him as the little brother I never had - so that was nice.
That also drained me pretty good, it used up my replenished reserves as it were. So Friday night sucked. I decided to go to bed around 2am, but the pain was up and I couldn't sleep. The pain spiked to a 10 at about 3am, temporarily knocking me out for a while (I pass out at a 10). The pain oddly was focusing more on the left side of my body than anywhere else. So I came back round about 4am, but couldn't move much, and couldn't get to my cell phone to wake anyone up. So I rode it out till 4:45ish and then got myself up and dressed.
I went across the hall to mom's room and woke her up telling her we had to go to the hospital. This was about 5am Saturday morning. Mom in true style got right up, dressed, and was collecting the last couple things she needed to go when the pain spiked again, this time (as it had already happened once earlier) I had absolutely nothing left, as it was I had barely been mobile, so I crumpled right there in the hallway. Told mom to call an ambulance. She handled it quite well, this stuff always flips her out a bit. I lay there curled up in a ball on my left side, face down on the floor waiting for the ambulance.
Fire department showed up first, they tried to prop me up but I ended up collapsing to my right, but they put down some pillows to wedge me up and gave me oxogen which was a new experience for me. Thats when the paramedics arrived, and they had to use a rolling chair to get me out of the house, so I got hauled into that, couldn't support myself, and they strapped me into this chair. Now mind you I am normally very adversed to being touched, lifted, or strapped down. But at this point I was in too much pain to care. The ride down the stairs in this chair scared the shit out of me.
But they got me out of the house, onto a gurney and into the ambulance. I happily live basically a straight shot to Memorial which is where they took me. I got a shot of some relief on the ride to Memorial, but even with it, the pain overrode the drug for a while and I was sobbing pretty good even when they had me in the room at the ER. But eventually the drug took full effect and I went all tingly and it dropped the pain down to about a 7 on my left and a 6 on my right. I promptly IV in arm turned over and passed out for a couple hours.
Around noon or a little after Brent showed up and kept mom and I company. Just prior to his showing up the pain killer they'd given me wore off and they had to inject me with something else, I have no idea what it was, but it sure as hell took the edge off (its getting hard to type). After maybe an hour or so they ran some more tests, and then discharged me with two scripts for pills, one an anti-inflamatory drug, and the other a narcotic pain killer. Brent went his way (after a handshake) and mom led me back to our car.
It was a 9 hour day at the ER and then another hour to get home including picking up the meds at Walgreens. Promptly went up to bed, and have been here more or less ever since.
OK the pain killer is kicking in, and no matter how much I like the song Shelter from the STorm by Dylan I am about to pass out. Peace fellas, really hard to type now.
Friday, September 10, 2010
House, Pepsi, Pipe Tobacco, Pills, and Boots?
Watching House MD, one of my favorite episodes from last season. This is the episode with one of the best death scenes I have ever seen on a TV show, and the music for the scene is Funkadelic's Maggot Brain, an excellent instramental piece.
So I got some new tobacco stuffs:
The Tobaccos are the favorite blends that I can't get from the Owl Shop.
Vintage Syrian which I discovered in California when I was living out in Phoenix:
Bombay Extra which was my father's favorite blend.
Presbyterian which I discovered IN Phoenix and just flat out enjoy.
I also got a "new" pipe which isn't all that new, but was in fact made in London. For $40, not a bad deal.
Pills are fucking with my head. Hasn't been a pleasant last few days. New boots are nice, same style as the old boots but I miss my old boots.
Anyways, more later I guess. I'm too fucked up to think that far ahead.
So I got some new tobacco stuffs:
The Tobaccos are the favorite blends that I can't get from the Owl Shop.
Vintage Syrian which I discovered in California when I was living out in Phoenix:
Bombay Extra which was my father's favorite blend.
Presbyterian which I discovered IN Phoenix and just flat out enjoy.
I also got a "new" pipe which isn't all that new, but was in fact made in London. For $40, not a bad deal.
Pills are fucking with my head. Hasn't been a pleasant last few days. New boots are nice, same style as the old boots but I miss my old boots.
Anyways, more later I guess. I'm too fucked up to think that far ahead.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Life
So it's been a solid last few days. The Ural is now totally legal. We mounted (we being Brent and I) the Windjammer II fairing on her a couple days ago, which gives it an interesting look. I have also begun to make Lowers. When you ask why didn't you buy the Ural fairing and Ural lowers, well fairing = $180+ and lowers = $40+ and I = Broke. So you get what you get. I need to paint the fairing red, and re-adjust the mounting bracket a little as it tilts to the right.
I am listening to what I would call an Amazing version of Josh Ritter's Thin Blue Flame at the moment:
I was looking through my cell phone earlier, and checking the "note pad" and the list reads as follows:
1. Its Complicated.
2. Wet dog. Vampire. Werewolf. Wizard. Warlock. Witch.
3. Methadone
4. Smart Water
5. Don't Stop Believing
6. Social Network
Now 1 is a total loss on me. 2 is as well, but I have a theory behind it. 3... I have no idea why thats in there, but the irony of having a Hunter S Thompson biography next to me right now isn't lost on me. 4 was a recommendation from a friend who knows I don't have an appetite due to the pills I take. 5 is a song that I actually kinda like but Totally forgot existed till I heard it last night. 6 is a movie I want to watch because I have a crush on Jesse Eisenburg hahaha.
Speaking of crushes, I am looking at the most adorable picture of this guy I like which I saw tagged on FB the other day. Good god... Its almost cruel, because he is another guy I can't have, so looking at the picture makes me both smile and it actually hurts a bit.
Anyways. I got new boots today, and I have sent my old Redwing's off to get repaired, The boots I got are the same style as the Redwings, but the leather isn't as nice, they were $70 cheeper than what a new pair of my old boots would cost, and I am getting my old boots rebuilt for $70. So for the price of one pair of new Redwings I am getting these H&H boots that are made in Tenn, and also getting back the Redwing boots I have been wearing for over 10 years, including to Mexico with Dad, and I rode cross country by myself wearing them - they'll get new soles, a couple holes patched, and leather toe covers to repair the split open seam on the front left toe. They'll also be oiled and saddle soaped.
I think I'll wear my Redwings in the winter time, and wear these H&H boots the nicer seasons, mostly because they do look Good right now, but also because they aren't as well made as the Redwings (they are still VERY well made) but I know what the Redwings can take, and I don't know what these can take.
I just took a short break to look up heated hunting socks which I will have to wear in the winter. I found a pair of cheap chinese ones that will work and only cost $30. I also just found a pair of slip on ice cleats for $14. I'll water proof the boots the regular way, and that will help quite a bit.
The Lowers I'm making (one down one to go) will protect my legs from the wind & wet. The Windjammer of course protects ME from the wind & wet, and you can get neoprene covers to go around your hands to protect THEM from the wind & wet. So all things considered, plus my brother's full face helmet, and I will be good to ride year round. Only thing left is to outfit the bike with Kenda Ice Racing tires - studded of course, and I'm solid.
Anyways, I'm gonna go take a shower, sitting down cause I'm like an 80 year old man hahaha. Peace!
I am listening to what I would call an Amazing version of Josh Ritter's Thin Blue Flame at the moment:
I was looking through my cell phone earlier, and checking the "note pad" and the list reads as follows:
1. Its Complicated.
2. Wet dog. Vampire. Werewolf. Wizard. Warlock. Witch.
3. Methadone
4. Smart Water
5. Don't Stop Believing
6. Social Network
Now 1 is a total loss on me. 2 is as well, but I have a theory behind it. 3... I have no idea why thats in there, but the irony of having a Hunter S Thompson biography next to me right now isn't lost on me. 4 was a recommendation from a friend who knows I don't have an appetite due to the pills I take. 5 is a song that I actually kinda like but Totally forgot existed till I heard it last night. 6 is a movie I want to watch because I have a crush on Jesse Eisenburg hahaha.
Speaking of crushes, I am looking at the most adorable picture of this guy I like which I saw tagged on FB the other day. Good god... Its almost cruel, because he is another guy I can't have, so looking at the picture makes me both smile and it actually hurts a bit.
Anyways. I got new boots today, and I have sent my old Redwing's off to get repaired, The boots I got are the same style as the Redwings, but the leather isn't as nice, they were $70 cheeper than what a new pair of my old boots would cost, and I am getting my old boots rebuilt for $70. So for the price of one pair of new Redwings I am getting these H&H boots that are made in Tenn, and also getting back the Redwing boots I have been wearing for over 10 years, including to Mexico with Dad, and I rode cross country by myself wearing them - they'll get new soles, a couple holes patched, and leather toe covers to repair the split open seam on the front left toe. They'll also be oiled and saddle soaped.
I think I'll wear my Redwings in the winter time, and wear these H&H boots the nicer seasons, mostly because they do look Good right now, but also because they aren't as well made as the Redwings (they are still VERY well made) but I know what the Redwings can take, and I don't know what these can take.
I just took a short break to look up heated hunting socks which I will have to wear in the winter. I found a pair of cheap chinese ones that will work and only cost $30. I also just found a pair of slip on ice cleats for $14. I'll water proof the boots the regular way, and that will help quite a bit.
The Lowers I'm making (one down one to go) will protect my legs from the wind & wet. The Windjammer of course protects ME from the wind & wet, and you can get neoprene covers to go around your hands to protect THEM from the wind & wet. So all things considered, plus my brother's full face helmet, and I will be good to ride year round. Only thing left is to outfit the bike with Kenda Ice Racing tires - studded of course, and I'm solid.
Anyways, I'm gonna go take a shower, sitting down cause I'm like an 80 year old man hahaha. Peace!
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About Me
- Jack Greenman
- Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War! But no, really, I'm a student to be a motorcycle mechanic, I'm 25, I write a lot, I eat less than I should, I sleep less than I should, but I like to get out and live. I don't drink, but I smoke a pipe. My sense of style is at Least 40 years out of date, I am who I am, and That's who I am.