I think it is time for me to come out of shell. I think it is time for me let everyone around me know about my disbelief. Why?
Last night wife got a call during dinner. She let it go to her voice mail. After dinner as we are settling down to finish the new Will Smith & Jaden Smith movie, she listens to her voice mail. Immediately she calls her friend back and tells her we are on our way. One of her good friends father has passed away.
So, we change and head out. We go to their house. People coming and living. The whole atmosphere is not as somber as I thought it would be. Someone reading a religious book, another person talking about afterlife from time to time. After a while they all stand up and pray, except for me. I seat quietly. After their prayer everyone gathers around to talk and pray for the departed.
Well, in this case it was mostly one person talking during this time and everyone else just bowing down. Out of respect, I join them and sit in. I can tell already where this whole conversation is going. It is directed towards me. I am amazed. The guy that was reading from a book earlier talks about why we should pray or how god will be super mad and all. And then we all pray for. Even during this prayer, only two lines, two sentences were about the person who has passed. I thought it was rather self-fish.
The guy that lead the prayer, pretended to cry comes up to me, holds my hand and tells me how I should pray. I should think about my daughter and wife, and pray. If I don't, they won't and on and on.
Out of respect to my friend, I keep quiet, keep smiling. I check up on my friend, how him and his wife doing. I tell my friend, if they need us for anything to let us know.
So, I think it is time for me to come out of the shell.
Kawi Shoutout
I would like to give a shoutout to Kawasaki for their awesomeness, both bike and the company. September 25, when the one year warranty on my bike had expired. Before that I reached out to them about an issue with one of the plastic fairing.
Ealier this summer, I had taken my bike to Ridenow Powersports Concord, to have them install the plastic protector on the back. They did an OK job. It was only later when washing my bike, I found wires hanging between the protector and the fairing on the back. So, I took the whole thing apart to put the wires back in place and a little screw section under the passanger seat of the fairing broke. According to Team Charlotte Motorsports, I had over tighten the screw and broke that section in the process. They didn't think Kawi would replace the fairing, but they promised to give it a try.
Next day I got a call from Ben at their service department. He said, Kawi came through and agreed to replace it. Kawi said, 'well mistakes happen. Let's take care of him.' Amazing. I took the bike over the week after and got a new fairing at no charge.
Thank you so so so much Kawasaki. Thank you. This nice gesture means a lot to me.
With that I also wanted to give a shout out to the bike itself, Elanor. She is a saver. Last night I went riding to pick up 'Iron Man 3.' If you haven't seen it, don't. I couldn't wait for that damn movie to end. During the whole time, the only entertainment was cuddling with my wife. On my way from, making a left turn at the signal. As I am cornering, I realize too many things going through my head at once. I am calculating the distance of the on-coming car, looking for gravels on the road, it is super dark and I am also trying to find my focus point for a smooth cornering. It was dark, urban living dark and as I am cornering fast I lock my eyes right in front of me, nope wrong place. And then between the cars on the other side and the road I try to find the spot. And Elanor responded to my each moves and she was smooth.
This morning I am coming up to a signal light fast and at the last moment it turns red from green. This is one of those time when I don't have enough time to speed up and just go and the distance is not long enough either for smooth breaking. I had to pull the brakes with all my grips. And she came to a nice beautiful stop just where I needed to.
Love you Elanor.
Ealier this summer, I had taken my bike to Ridenow Powersports Concord, to have them install the plastic protector on the back. They did an OK job. It was only later when washing my bike, I found wires hanging between the protector and the fairing on the back. So, I took the whole thing apart to put the wires back in place and a little screw section under the passanger seat of the fairing broke. According to Team Charlotte Motorsports, I had over tighten the screw and broke that section in the process. They didn't think Kawi would replace the fairing, but they promised to give it a try.
Next day I got a call from Ben at their service department. He said, Kawi came through and agreed to replace it. Kawi said, 'well mistakes happen. Let's take care of him.' Amazing. I took the bike over the week after and got a new fairing at no charge.
Thank you so so so much Kawasaki. Thank you. This nice gesture means a lot to me.
With that I also wanted to give a shout out to the bike itself, Elanor. She is a saver. Last night I went riding to pick up 'Iron Man 3.' If you haven't seen it, don't. I couldn't wait for that damn movie to end. During the whole time, the only entertainment was cuddling with my wife. On my way from, making a left turn at the signal. As I am cornering, I realize too many things going through my head at once. I am calculating the distance of the on-coming car, looking for gravels on the road, it is super dark and I am also trying to find my focus point for a smooth cornering. It was dark, urban living dark and as I am cornering fast I lock my eyes right in front of me, nope wrong place. And then between the cars on the other side and the road I try to find the spot. And Elanor responded to my each moves and she was smooth.
This morning I am coming up to a signal light fast and at the last moment it turns red from green. This is one of those time when I don't have enough time to speed up and just go and the distance is not long enough either for smooth breaking. I had to pull the brakes with all my grips. And she came to a nice beautiful stop just where I needed to.
Love you Elanor.
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.
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
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
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
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