What is in your cup?

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I've always had trouble with Romans 12:14... I'm not real friendly to those who attack me, especially without provocation. I guess I've still got work to do on myself...

Time for a glass of rum, a bowl of popcorn, and "Hellfighters!" A great old John Wayne movie based on the exploits of Red Adair, the oil rig firefighter.


Stitchawl

There is a reason I am calling this section of scripture "Living the Supernatural Life." (btw I am not allowed to link it here, but if you go to my blog you can read my lesson summaries - pm me for link) Romans 12 has some pretty tough commands to follow in it, and I do not personally believe it is possible for a human to follow them with only the power of the physical world to call on. When we look at people like Stephen in Acts 7 who while his enemies were stoning him to death (as in throwing rocks at him, not smoking weed ) he was praying for their forgiveness we can see how high the bar is really set.

More Coffee Coffee in my mug...

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

When we look at people like Stephen in Acts 7 who while his enemies were stoning him to death (as in throwing rocks at him, not smoking weed ) he was praying for their forgiveness we can see how high the bar is really set.

I don't think I'm there yet. I'd be praying for air support...


Stitchawl

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

My first helmet was a Bell also! Snell approved. But what I remember most is that it had a tiny little eye port. Almost felt like an early hardhat diver's helmet and looked more like something Robbie the Robot would have for a head!

These days I don't look so hard for Snell approval, as some of the European testing bodies take a stronger look, and have higher standards for several of the tests that "I" think are more important for street use. Snell standards were developed for the track, and they don't do a 'curb edge impact' test as there are no curbs on tracks! Also, until recently, Snell would not even consider a helmet that used anything other than a double D-ring for the chin strap.
Stitchawl

My first Bell was long before they had full face coverage. It was a "full helmet", but that meant only that it covered most of the back of your head. With a snap-on plastic face shield in clear or tinted. Helmets have come a LONG way.

And while I understand the track orientation of Snell, I still think I'd want to see that sticker on any helmet I bought these days. Though I admit, your new brain bucket is a definite winner, and I don't even know if it's Snell or not.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

As I told my son... 'Cover whatever you can't replace.' These days they are making more and better armor for riders, armor that doesn't feel as if you are wearing a clunky Knight's full suit, so there is no excuse for not using it.

When we go for a long ride we are wearing armor plate over virtually every joint in our bodies, yet it feels just like a pair of pants, jacket, and gloves. Boots too. For summer riding the clothing is a mesh net made of Kevlar so wind can pass right through, with 'pockets' that hold the armor in place over elbows, forearms, shoulders, spine, etc. Comfy and safe. I see waaay too many young people here riding scooters with 'baseball cap' style helmets, shorts, and flip-flops... and big bandages on their chins, knees, or forearms.


Stitchawl

Astonishing what they have now! I did my riding in the days when it was full leathers if you wanted protection. They were great, but on a hot day???

Almost out of oranges, I think I have just enough to have some this morning. I hate to go into town for more, even though I know he has a case waiting for me, because it will be PACKED with tourists. Not only is it May Long Weekend, but it's the international Longboarding event today (Attack of Danger Bay 10).

Also, a couple of new teas to try, starting with Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend.

[ProfCrash]

Juice right now. Waiting for the hubby to get home from tennis to se if wants bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Yesterday was great. A lazy morning on the deck watching the dogs while goofing off. Watched my softball team play a couple of games at 3. Went out with the team afterwards for a good salad and some sprite. Then off to a baseball game in really good seats. We left just as the 9th inning was starting to beat the traffic. The dogs were excited to see us. We rarely leave them for such a long time on the weekend, so we had fun playing the them and then had a nice cuddle while everyone wound down for bed.

[carpetmojo]

Old Peculiar fine ale - a brew from the Gods.......

[CRussel]

Peet's Major Dickason's is gone, and the last 1/2 glass of OJ is gone. Time to brew a pot of Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend. Report on it later.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Time to brew a pot of Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend. Report on it later.

OK, a quick report: This is a predominately 2nd Flush Darjeeling blend, with the solid body and almost winey bouquet you'd expect from a good 2nd Flush Darjeeling, but with more sharpness coming from a healthy dose of Assam. Apparently there's also some Congou from China, but I'm not picking up anything specific from that. Overall, a good strong "breakfast" tea, that will stand up well to milk while being fine without. This is a limited availability blend, and when it's gone, it's gone, and regardless will be replaced by a new Anniversary blend next year. I'm enjoying it, and will likely make it one of my regular morning blends here, though I doubt I'll stock up as some folks do.

[dreams]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

As I told my son... 'Cover whatever you can't replace.' These days they are making more and better armor for riders, armor that doesn't feel as if you are wearing a clunky Knight's full suit, so there is no excuse for not using it.<snip>

I had a friend that was in two motorcycle accidents. The first time he had so much asphalt in his body that he was in the hospital for months while he healed and was body scrubbed to remove the rocks and dirt embedded in his skin. He was actually in the burn ward for treatment. The second time (apparently he didn't learn from the first accident) he ended up with a head injury and broken legs (and yet again road rash). I never could understand why riders wouldn't use protection. I still cringe when I see people riding in shorts, short sleeves, and tennis shoes. I always flash to remembering what my friend looked like with whole body road rash.

When I ask why they don't wear better protection, they say it is because it costs too much. When I say it costs even more and possibly your life if you don't, they just say they are careful and nothing will happen to them. [personally, I want to strangle some of the wheelie riding Rocket riders. I just know someday one of them will fall in front of my car.]

/rant off.

Finishing my morning coffee and thinking of making some old fashion sun tea and maybe try adding some Pomegranate Syrup in it.

[CRussel]

I remember arguing with a friend when we both got new bikes (our first, little 80-90cc bikes, mine a Suzuki Sport-80, his a Honda 90cc). I spent the money for the absolute top of the line helmet (a Bell, only came in Silver, don't remember the model) and a leather jacket. He insisted he didn't need such silliness on a little bike. I gave him a hard time all summer, and finally near the end of August he went out and bought a decent helmet. A week later he went down on some sand across the roadway, sliding into a curb. He had some road rash, and a broken elbow. But the helmet was a write-off. But he didn't have a concussion or other significant head injury. Needless to say, he was somewhat thankful.

Tried a cup of Yunnan Gold Leaf this morning. Not terribly impressed. Definitely a China Black, but not up to my everyday Lion Mountain Keemun in complexity or interest.

Now, Phoenix Mountain Oolong.

[Stitchawl]

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, headin' for the train,
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained;
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna,
And was blowing sad while Bobby sang the blues.
With them windshield wipers slappin' time,
And Bobby clappin' hands,
We finally sang up every song that driver knew.

Freedom's just another word for nothing' left to lose:
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free.
Feeling good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues.
Feeling good was good enough for me;
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUxfp...eature=related )

Kris? Janis? Makes no difference... It's still good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

Good morning, everyone! Total eclipse of the sun this morning! What an experience. almost 100% blackout from the Kyoto/Osaka area. First time I've ever seen... err... not seen... this sight! Now on to breakfast with an eclipse-breaking mug of Yorkshire tea, and what you would call 'sushi rolls' made from last night's left-over Chinese Beef with Black Bean sauce dinner. English tea, Chinese food, served in Japanese style. What could be more inter-culturally done?

Originally Posted by CRussel

And while I understand the track orientation of Snell, I still think I'd want to see that sticker on any helmet I bought these days. Though I admit, your new brain bucket is a definite winner, and I don't even know if it's Snell or not.

Until 2008, Snell would not even test modular helmets, nor helmets that used any other chin-strap retention other than double D-rings, despite the fact that virtually all Military pilot crash helmets had switched away from double D-rings years before.

Snell 'was' the leader in testing standards for many years, and is still considered tops in the US. However, as with so many things American, they rested upon their laurels for too long and other testing bodies usurped their position in the world market. And as I said before, Snell's standards were all based around the needs of the track racer rather than the street rider. Snell's impact tests relied on a round ball striking the helmet or the helmet striking a flat surface. There 'were' no tests for the helmet hitting a hard edge such as would be found on a curb, car door handle, etc.

These days, the most stringent testing standards come from BSI (British Standards Institute ) and ECE Regulation (European.) There is actually one level up from that which is only found on a very few helmets, the ACU (Auto-Cycle Union) Gold or Silver badge, which is now required for all British track racing helmets. That said, Snell's name still carries weight in North America, just not so much as it used to in the rest of the world.

Astonishing what they have now! I did my riding in the days when it was full leathers if you wanted protection. They were great, but on a hot day???

My first riding jacket was a sheepskin lined leather jacket I found in a yard sale for 50 cents. It had been put in a corner of the garage soaking wet, allowed to dry in a bundle, and ignored for 15 years. I bought it, called a commercial leather cleaning facility in Boston (one of the places Dry Cleaners and Laundries use to send their leather good to be cleaned) and asked what I should do with this almost rock hard blob of jacket. They told me to put it into a commercial coin laundry washing machine with a mix of laundry soap and dish washing liquid... and run it through a couple of times. I did this, let it dry on the line for a few days... then sprayed it down with "ArmorAll." I wore that jacket for the next 10 years....

Originally Posted by dreams

I never could understand why riders wouldn't use protection.

Because they are very, very stupid. While I'm not in favor of helmet "laws," I think anyone riding even around the block without a helmet is insane. California doesn't have helmet laws, so the actor Gary Busey decided to ride to the corner market without a lid. He slid out on some oil going out of his driveway, hit his head and was in a coma for months...

Actually, the original proponent of helmets was a doctor Hugh Cairns, a neurosurgeon, who was attending T. E. Lawrence (we know him as Lawrence of Arabia.)
Lawrence had a crash on a Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle on a narrow road near his cottage near England. The accident occurred because a dip in the road obstructed his view of two boys on bicycles. Swerving to avoid them, Lawrence lost control and was thrown over the handlebars. He was not wearing a helmet, and suffered serious head injuries which left him in a coma; he died after six days in hospital. After Lawrence's death, Dr.Cairns began a long study of what he saw as the unnecessary loss of life by motorcycle dispatch riders through head injuries. Cairns' research led to the use of crash helmets by both military and civilian motorcyclists.

When I ask why they don't wear better protection, they say it is because it costs too much.

These days you can purchase the armor pieces at any good bike shop for under $20, and stitch them into a Goodwill store $2 jacket. No need to spend hundreds...

I just know someday one of them will fall in front of my car.

Everyone who rides a motorcycle will eventually fall off. It might be skidding on an oil patch or sliding on gravel, or getting clipped by another vehicle... but eventually, if you ride long enough, you will go down. The question is; will you be able to get up again?

Originally Posted by CRussel

But the helmet was a write-off. But he didn't have a concussion or other significant head injury. Needless to say, he was somewhat thankful.

Bell, Shoei, and Arai helmet companies used to offer free replacement helmets if you had an accident that involved you helmet getting damaged. They wanted the damaged lids for testing. Then people started abusing the practice when they wanted a new helmet by dragging their old helmets along the ground behind a moving bike.

Time for one more cup of tea... then it's off to do my chores. Like many people, at night I throw my change into a bowl. Well, that bowl is almost overflowing so it's time to take it to the bank to have counted and exchanged for folding money. Maybe I'll buy my wife some flowers...


Stitchawl

[CRussel]

Finished up the day with a Viognier from La Frenz. Very nice, but maybe not quite as good as the 2011 Rattlesnake Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from them. Not sure how much of their wine makes it outside of BC, but if you can get your hands on something from them, give it a try. They're making quite respectable wines, both reds and whites. Unfortunately, I can't drink reds any more, but these are good, food-friendly, white wines.

[aceflor]

Hi everyone! I am still reading this thread once in a while, but as the "season" has started here two months ago, we are pretty much outside most of our free time. Delighted to read our MR baby is doing fine. How many "freedom" weeks do you still have, Prof ?

We've just had a 5 days break (mid-term) with 30°C constant temps and decided to make it a "special kids" break, so we took them to Seaworld one day, to the attraction park the other, and to the hip beach the third. We indulged in everything ( junk food, all rides, gift shop, Beach Bar with DJ and VIP Lounge...), so were absolutely beat (and broke) by yesterday evening and I literally prayed them to give me only one meal of quietness. Petit Prince said I should stop moaning and asked when was my last quiet meal anyway.....

I recall it was August 26th, 2000!!! I have good faith to have another one by 2020, 2022 at the latest....

Going for my swim, have a nice day everyone!

[Latinandgreek]

Ahmad Darjeeling tea.

[amward]

Hello everyone!

Back home at last with a couple of bottles of duty free Bombay Sapphire so you can guess what I'm having! So good to be home.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by aceflor

Hi everyone!

Originally Posted by amward

Hello everyone!

Nice to see you both again!

Back home at last with a couple of bottles of duty free Bombay Sapphire so you can guess what I'm having! So good to be home.

I'll be over after dinner... Right now still drinking my Yorkshire tea!


Stitchawl