One Morning Commute

On my way to work I am feeling pretty good. Riding a good speed on Harris Blvd. Traffic is light, just a perfect day. And that’s when I notice it bouncing.

You see I USED to tie my badge to my bike. I’d tie the neck wrap around the left mirror and then just stuck the badge in between the speedometer and the windshield. Usually I would do that after I get home from work, park my bike and made sure it was tight. I guess that particular night I forgot to do the last part.

Anyway, as I am traveling 60mph on Harris enjoying the morning coolness, I notice the badge holder starting to bounce. Immediately I check my mirror to see if there’s any car behind me. If there is I won’t attempt to save it. In a matter of second going 60mph the badge starts flying, hits the plastic fairing, the holder breaks and my badge flies off. Ughhh….

I put on the signal and pull over to the side. Park my bike. Have a pretty good idea where it could be based on my speed and wind direction. I start walking. See the bike right across the street. Check for traffic. Yup oncoming cars, however still a bit far. I walk over, trying to pick it up. Hear an engine roar. Another bike pulled over to a parking lot to make sure if I am doing ok. I give him the thumbs up and so does he. Again trying to pick up my badge and I can’t pick it up with the gloves on. And cars are coming fast. So, I kick the badge to the side. Move over and then pick it up. 

Pushing the limit and Riding at Night

Over the long weekend, Labor Day weekend, we decided to go camping on a very short notice. We made the decision so sudden and then after that tryint to get everyone to agree was even a bigger chanllenge.

By the time, we had a large enough group, most sites were booked out. We were primarily looking at Kings Mountain. Desperate I booked a Primitive Group Camp site at the Crowders Moutain. The site was a mile hike from the parking lot. And it was a test of our endurance both mental and physical, it was also a test of our friendship.

Overall, we hiked about 10 miles in two days and there wasn't a singles mile we were empty handed. We all had heavy loads on us and despite that we cared for each other, showed kindness to each other.

It was awesome.

Went riding during night the other day. I can relate to the coolness of riding at night. It felt cool and awesome. You do have to be more cautious at night making sure a SMIDSY doesn't happen.

The Insignificance of Significance

Recaps from a conversation last night:

We may say the world is perfect, things are balance and who could’ve done such a perfect job than god. But in the grand scheme of everything, the world we know is not perfect. We human are not perfect.

Looking at the universe, the earth’s revolution around the sun, it may appear grand. But when you stop to think the same is happening at galaxies near you and the process itself is same all around, now the whole scheme is not so magnificent from an earthly perspective. From there, the question should not be why we, the earth, universe are here but rather how?

Take a tablet, or software as an example. We wonder as to how it came to be, how does it work rather than why? Asking the why question, will invoke many different answers and each one is different and will not satisfy the general knowledge pool.

It is extremely hard to teach ideas, understanding vs. experience. Experience is knowing how to open Microsoft Word. Understanding is the knowledge of how the process works. However, if we have made this far, we are doing great. So far, we have established this marvelous world, human, peacocks, universe are amazing, beautiful; from an understanding point of view.

Now from here, for one/two months do not pray. Do not invoke/call/thank god in any shape or form. It will be extremely hard at the beginning, may take even longer than one/two months to get over the initial anguish, your own demon. If you are able to get over the initial uncomfortableness though, you will realize two things:

1.       How judgmental religious people are? Rather than asking question how religious people love to poke, comment on others.

2.       The absolute beautifulness of going beyond god. Seeing the Niagara Falls you won’t stop at thanking god but go beyond that. Explore how it happened, appreciate humans’ marvelousness of engineering the fall for our amusement.

‘There is no solace above or below.

Only us--

Small, solitary, striving,

Battling one another.

I pray to myself,

For myself.’

-          Frank Underwood (fictional character from the House of Cards)

High Visibility

If I could post a pic of me with all my motorcycle gear, I could demonstrate the meaning of 'glowing.' And I have had colleagues tell me, how I glow in the dark.

Countless time it has saved me from getting in trouble in the first place. On my way to work, as I am going through a turn, there's two blind spot on each side of the road. Heading in each direction, I have had people really notice me, and stopped from pulling in. From the beginning of my moto adventure, I realized I am going to treat riding from a different perspective than lets say the usual folks.

First, for me it is a mean of transportation. And that's all. Not a sport, but riding is a way for me to get from point A to point B. Second, which means learning everything I possibly can about the vehicle, techniques while minimizing every possible risks. I also set my priorities to help me focus. My first priority is my family, being able to spend time with them and being there for them. And my second priority and my true love is running. I love to go for runs and I plan on doing that for as long as I can.

You see treating biking as a means of commute only doesn't mean I don't have fun. I do, but being cautious about it. With that being said, woke up this morning feeling like going for a run at the Latta Plantation. So, I suited up and headed out the door. As I am waiting in my car to get on the main door my eyes felt a little sleepy still. I am waiting for the on coming car to pass. As soon as it passed, I motion to get on. When I look again. For a second, I see nothing. An empty main door, but only after that I realize there's actually a biker on the road. He was close to the car that just passed but on his dark bike, beige jacket and the half face black helmet, he was invisible this whole time. He looked me in the eye, he knows I didn't see him first and just noticed him. He nods at me for stopping on time and allow him to pass. I nod back but inside the thought of me not noticing him, getting on the main road only to have him hit the side or the rear (most likely the side) of the car terrified the hell out of me.

So, the lesson: please hear high visible gear. Leave the high beam on and if you see a car trying to merge or get on, swivel the bike to separate yourself from the background and make yourself more visible. Please.

Coincidentally, here's an article talking about the same issue.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/07/26/the-art-of-being-seen-on-your-motorcycle/#.UfK8M6hut8E.reddit

Rain riding...

July 23, 2013: Prior to that date, I was having a hard time concentrating. Twice the day before I made mistakes on my bike. You see my mind was somewhere else. I was thinking about how in few hours I will take the oath, I will walk down to receive the certificate of citizenship. I was wondering about all the time I have spent on getting to this point, the hardship, the joyous moments.

So on July 23 officially I became an American citizen. I was feeling many things. It was however sad afterwards. After the ceremony we went to celebrate the occasion at Safforn Indian Cuisine. My initial plan was to get  a bagel and coffee from Owen's Bagel and head to Freedom Park. But because of the heat, decided on the more popular option at our house, Indian restaurant. My wife suggested I call Mom, but I didn't. And that's the sad part of the evening.

Later that afternoon, I talked to my mom, my brother and except for my wife not a single one of them said 'congrats' or anything to that effect. It was as if my becoming a citizens is a no deal for them. I wonder if they will ever realize the value, the essence of becoming a citizen. If it will ever sink on them what it means to take the oath.

Talked to dad last night. Didn't even bother to ask how things are in my life. Just went on about how mom sucks.

Anyway, yesterday met with my wife after work to run some errands. I was trying to hurry up since it was getting a little dark and seemed like it might rain. Well, what do you know? I got caught in rain trying to get home. However, I realized as I am commuting more and more, rain or shine; I am starting to become more comfortable in riding. I still talk to 'Elanor' and correct myself. But now it is not as intimidating riding in rain as before.

And this afternoon during lunch went for a short walk in the garage to find a bicycle parked next to 'Elanor.' My heart sank immediately seeing the bicycle so close to my bike. I hope he/she got off on their right instead of the usual left.

Speaking of rain, now I know why you should have more than one riding gear. The obvious reason being, one gear getting soaked in rain and having to use the wet glove the next morning. Amazingly however, the helmet stays dry or else it would be quiet uncomfortable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLpJi9JL79g&feature=youtu.be&t=37s

Trip to Florida

This was by far the most awkward vacation we had taken. Considering everything we've been through since last year this time, we have been talking about taking a vacation. Go somewhere to ease our mind, but with so many things going on it seemed impossible.

On a whim, I booked the ticket to the Hilton Resort and thus the journey began. It was an odd vacation, cuz this time we weren't racing to sightseeing, taking loads of picture for Facebook or anything like that. It was just a relax, swim, eat, drink and play by the beach type vacation. Few things turned out great and few didn't. Like the car rental from Thrifty. Our bodies are still soar from the drive. It was one of the most painful car I have driven so far. The car was dirty, things were left from previous renter in the glovebox, things didn't even work properly in the car.

On the other hand the hotel worked out great. We had an ocean view room on the very top floor. I wish Hotwire had mentioned, there's a $10 resort fee each day. You can use that to your advantage by taking the hour free bike rental, getting free appetizer from the restaurant and few other amenities. The valet parking guys will try to get you to use the valet parking. But I found the self-parking much more convenient, and cheaper as well. They don't give you good direction on how, where to park.

Well lets get started then, shall we?

Friday we picked up the rental car and left home around noon. On the way to Daytona Beach, we took a detour and stopped at the Little Talbot Island. It is $5 per car to enter the State park but since my first time in Florida and we were only an hour and half shy from 8.30pm closing, the ranger let us in at no charge. Worked for us as well since we forgot to get any cash. LTI is amazing. My kind of beach. Not many people and the view is simply spectacular.

From there we headed to Daytona Beach. After getting to the hotel, I see the valet parking right in front but I am not using the valet. I look for the self-parking. Drive around and ask few people but no luck. Seeing how tired wife and kid are, I drop them off to check-in while I look for the self-parking. Driving around I can clearly see the parking lot but no clear way of getting there. Anyway, this is the self-parking spot. And when you check-in you have let the front-desk know you will self-park and they will activate your key to be used and charge it to the room. It is actually cheaper to do so and it is not that hard to find a spot. You can leave and come as many times you like and only pay $12 dollars for 24 hour. You must swipe your key on the second box when entering and exiting, don't worry about getting a ticket or swiping your credit card. Also even if you can't find a spot and just park under the tree or something, as long as you are a hotel guest you won't be ticketed/towed.

Next day we headed out to Ponce Inlet Ligthouse. Another true gem. The beach in the lighthouse park is quiet amazing as well. Had we known, we would have brought our swimming trunk with us and spend the day away on that beach. You can even rent kayaks to go over to some one the small lands on the Halifax River. We went back next day around park closing time and that way we didn't had to pay the fee to get in. Drove right in and it was amazing to see the park.

The Atlantic has some good waves. We can go quite a bit in and still be able to stand up. Do keep in mind in the evening the wave gets stronger and as bigger waves starts to form it will pull you backward as well. On Saturday evening as I am swimming, hitting the waves. After a while I decide to go back since the waves are getting stronger and the pull is getting stronger too. As I am heading back, some kids I saw earlier are screaming. And then one kid point out a kid to me and screams 'save him, save him. He's drowning.' First I thought they are messing around but then looking at the kids face I knew immediately he's terrified and in danger. The problem was, the water was pulling him backward and the land he's trying to stand on is a little deep. He tries to hold on to me, but being small myself I know if he holds me then we both will be in trouble. For a second I am scared myself, wondering the question do I save him or myself? And then with all my energy I push him forward and I start talking to him. As I am swimming/walking, I keep pushing him forward and try to calm him down. Finally he has enough land under his feet to stand up and walk. His mom comes over, thanks me and screams at him without actually realizing where the issue was.

Sunday we spent pretty much all day on the beach. Monday on the way back wife again had us take a detour and check out the St. Augustine Beach and drive through the town. This place has to be a trip of its own.

Daughter on the Bike

Yesterday I got home and after a long day in home Tina is going to the gym. Great. Well, I rode to work and now back again. Need to cover n lock the bike since we live in an apartment. Can't wait to move in to the house....=)

So I go out to move and cover the bike with our daughter. Just covering the bike is not good enough for me. It has to be in a spot where I can see it, check on it from our apartment. Being always worried more about our daughter, I tell her to hop on the bike in front of me. First she resist. She is hesitant. Then she says if I take the key out of the ignition, she will hop on. A three (soon to be four) year old, how do you come up with this kind of stuff??!!

After putting the key in my pocket, finally I get her to hop on. Only one problem. I am not tall enough to reach the handle bar with ease and maneuver. So, I tell her to get down and get up from the back. She actually gets down and up with quiet ease, as if she's done it before. I ask her to hold me real tight. I push the bike over with my feet to where I want to park it. Have her get off and then I cover it and lock it.

What was amazing is her reaction the whole time. She was enjoying every moment of it and after getting of the back she even patted and kissed it too. While I was getting ready to lock it up, she kept wanting to get back on it again and again. First I was reluctant and then I figured why not. If anything it will only encourage her down the line.

And that is true for any other settings as well, my friend. I have noticed, how she's become more and more of a book worm. She loves going to the library, buying(to her) books, and reading. Sometimes she will pretend to read herself and most times she will ask one of us to read them to her. She always loves collecting cars, playing with them to. She plays with cars more than dolls. A lot of these things are influenced by one of us, either intentionally or unintentionally.