5 more days

It's nearly time for our trip. The forecast a week out is looking damp for Saturday so be sure to pack the rain gear on the outside chance the weather man actually gets it right for a change. The days will pass quickly so be sure to button up loose ends and make those last minute changes early this week. Pack early also to be sure you don't forget anything. Last minute packing almost always leads to forgotten items.

Come on Friday!!!

Federal "not so" Express

So I bought a new helmet on the 3rd, it shipped out on the 4th, and a few days later when it got here I didn't like it. So using the good ol' USPS Priority Mail I returned it to Pamona CA on the 7th. The helmet was received on the10th and on the 11th my refund was in my Paypal account. After work on the 11th I bought a different helmet from a different seller. My "new" new helmet was shipped out via Fedex on the following day, the 12th. I know this because the seller was gracious enough to  provide me with a tracking number. As of this very moment my helmet has still not arrived. Today is the 19th. 7 days? 7 days from California by a company with the word "express" in their name? And the thing that really confuses me is that, per the tracking number, my helmet spent a whole day in Charlotte going from one Fedex hub to another. I will most likely end up sending Fedex a charming little email expressing my displeasure with their less than speedy service. Will it fall on deaf ears? Probably but I'll feel better. Rest assured that, while I have always prefered the post office over independant contractors, I am now thoroughly convinced that I will always use the postal system for my own shipping needs.

Anticipation builds

The countdown has begun. 12 more days till we ride to Damascus for the weekend. The next two weeks are going to be filled with preperations of our road trip. Today I turned my rigid mount saddlebags (that I hated) into throwovers that I now love! 10 seconds to install and remove. They way it should be. Now if I could only speed up time.

When it rains....

Broke as usual and going backwards. Last week the dryer quits and luckily the damage was only $30. Money I didn't want to spend but at least I had it. Yesterday my wife says "The truck won't go faster than 35." Today after work I determine that I now need a new transmission. Fucking awesome!!! And it gets better. My transmission guy tells me the rebuild of mine is like $800 just for parts. I have to call him tomorrow to see if he can find me a used one cheaper than rebuilding. It's a transmission damn it, not a whole car. The sad part is that if I sold the truck as is, it wouldn't bring much more than enough to buy the new transmission. Like a rock my ass.

Too much money for too little work

Calling around today to find a place to mount a tire on the rear of my Sportster, I realized something. I am in the wrong business. One place I called wanted $50 to mount a tire. I then asked about bringing in just the wheel and they said $25. Still high in my opinion but better. This made me realize something. $25 to mount the tire and $25 to pull the wheel. The tire mounting I can overlook because even though they use a machine , tires are a pain in the ass to change. Now $25 to pull the wheel? Come on. I don't do this for a living or even more than once a year and I can pull/replace the wheel in less than 10 minuets. My math puts the labor rate for a tire change at $150/hr.  No thanks buddy, I'll pull my own damn wheel.

The best a man can get.

This sentance was a marketing masterpiece for Gilette for as far back as I can remember. Now while I personally disagree with this in most of their product line, I can honestly say that there disposable razors fit that bill. My normal male grooming routine (my face) really couldn't care what brand blade cuts away the shag as long as the job is done. My newly revisited hairstyle on the otherhand misses the smooth gliding comfort of their design. I'm sure Bic makes a fine ball point pen and a quality cigarette lighter but their razors will no longer be welcome on my scalp once the current supply is gone. They cut fine but have nearly no glide. Infact, in my opinion they are only one step above an angry Apache with a bone handle knife. I did manage to accomplish my touchup with only the smallest of incidents but I fear the next rondevous as the blades have now been used and have even less chance of cutting only the hair.

Do you know what today is?

Today is exactly 8 weeks till the Blistered Bottom Ride version 2.0. This guy is counting the days. Let's just hope the weather decides to warm up between now and then.