I've Done a Bad Bad Thing

The BAD Ride 2006 was yesterday (Sunday May 28th) and what an absolutely beautiful day for a motorcycle ride. Last year it rained on us, but this year just beautiful sunshine. Here we are before we set out for the day (Tom, Tim, Steve and Craig, with my bike in the foreground).

For those of you who are wondering what the BAD ride is, I'll tell you. BAD - Bikers against Despair is an annual motorcycle ride to raise money and awareness for the Distress Centres of Toronto. Just one of the groups that they help are kids who have been mentally, physically and sexually abused. This year the bikers raised over $300,000 (thanks again to everyone that sponsored me) and there were over 1500 bikes in the ride. It was crazy.

The route is different every year (with some similarities). This year the route took us through Terra Cotta. Up until Terra Cotta it was a beautiful ride. It is the most amazing feeling when all you can see in front of you are motorcycles and all you can see behind you is motorcycles. Then came the crazy curve before Terra Cotta.

Tim was in front then me, then I see in my mirror a motorcycle and motorcyclist go sliding along the ground hitting the guard rail. I was so freaked out. But, I couldn't get Tim's attention. I yelled at a guy on the road that a rider was down and went to get Tim. Finally caught up with Tim and we waited to see if the rest of our group came along. They didn't so we turned around and found Craig and Steve helping our friend Tom along the side of the road. Tom had hit some gravel on the curve when trying to correct for the turn, lost control of the bike and went sliding into the guard rail. He is so lucky. He's in a lot of pain, but nothing is broken.

He had just installed engine guards to his bike and they saved his leg and probably the bike. We left the bike on the side of the road and Tom got on the back of Tim's bike and we got him home to Mississauga. Tim went back last night and got the bike. It is ridable and had some scrapes and dents. So lucky. I was freaked out for the rest of the day. It could just has easily have been me. I probably took that corner a little fast as well. I was so slow for the rest of the day.

We picked up the ride after dropping Tom off and headed into Toronto to the CNE grounds. We have never gotten there so late and with so many bikes already there (the above picture is just one of the parking lots). It was crazy! The lineup for the barbeque was back to the parking lot. What a beautiful day, though. We watched the police precision riders. They are amazing. They come so close to each other in such a small space. It's hard to see it in this picture, but they are swerving in between each other at pretty high speeds.

Yesterday (Tuesday May 30th) was my second lacrosse game of the season. I took a little bit of a different route to the game and appeared to be more prepared for the craziness of the traffic. I didn't feel like I was going to die this time. The game was great as well. We won 8-3. I did get to set up one shot, but we were denied on that one. I'm glad I signed up again this year.

I finished 'Neither Here Nor There' and I'm now reading 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'. I didn't realize I was picking up a somewhat depressing book, but the other choice was 'Anne Frank's Diary', so I guess I was going to get depressing either way. The book is very different and I'm intrigued.

You're Out

Last night I had a great baseball game. My team went up against a Division 1 team and things weren't looking good the first inning. The other team scored 5 runs, but we came back with 3. The second inning we held them to one and we scored 5. From then on we were in the lead. I made a couple of great catches at home plate (one was really close and went to the runner and the other went to me) - this after Lisa and I were talking about how the guys never threw home to me. I caught a pop up at home as well. I was hitting really well, but only made it on base twice. The other team tied us in the last inning and I was up first. I made it to first and then ended up on third after the next hit. Next thing I knew Joel was running towards me at third so I had to run home and scored the winning run. Turned out an outfielder had thrown the ball to the pitcher. In our game, the pitcher only has to accept a throw from an infielder. This caused some mayhem that I was not paying attention to. Luckily I did start to pay attention and we won. Hopefully this means next week will be good for lacrosse and hockey.

Hockey Update

Once again our hockey team played against one of the competitive teams last night. We faired much better this time, 3-0 (for them). A much better showing. We are definitely starting to gel as a team. Unfortunately, I could not stay on my feet last night. I kept catching the edge of my skates. I received a number of cheers from my bench for one particularly (un)graceful trip, where I tried to unsuccessfully catch myself.

Tonight is our second baseball game. I'm hoping that I get a couple of good hits again. The last game I actually hit a couple of singles (which is rare for me).

Happy Victoria Day - Too Bad About the Weather

I have been remiss in blogging lately (thanks Jamie for pointing that out) ;) So, I'm going to try to be better, but I'm not promising anything.

So, what has been happening since the bike drop? My friend Tim hooked me up with a new brake lever so it is now pretty hard to tell that I dropped it. There is one other part I need to replace, but I don't have the $100 so it will have to wait.

I read 'Tara Road' by Maeve Binchy earlier this month. I found it to be very similar to 'Scarlet Feather'. She seems to be repeating herself. Or, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for her right now. The book was still good, just not at the level I was expecting. Now, I'm reading 'Neither Here Nor There' by Bill Bryson. A book about travels through Europe. Very funny! So far, though, he hasn't made me want to go anywhere. He has made me think twice though about going to certain European Countries :)

The last couple of weeks have been all about the television season (and series) finales. Jack Bauer once again saved the day and I can't wait until next January to find out what happens to him! If you are not watching 24 you must start watching this show, go out and buy the DVD! The Amazing Race 9 finished up and I was so happy when the Hippies won. They were my favourites from the first episode. I would have been okay with the Frat Boys as well as they did run a great race. Survivor was disappointing in that I was very hopeful that Terry would prove to be the greatest survivor ever. But, no that damn car curse! They better have him back for an all star season. Tonight is the season finale of Lost. Thank goodness, I don't have time for all this TV.

Last week my dad and I went out for a round of golf. It was perfect. Beautiful day for golf and I didn't completely suck. I had some really good shots and some really bad ones. I'm hoping to get out a little more often this summer to get a little more consistency.

My sports season has started in earnest. A couple of weeks ago I had my first baseball game and we lost. Last week I had my first hockey game and we lost. Last night I had my first lacrosse game and... we lost. Things can only get better.

In my hockey league this summer, we only have 6 teams. Three competitive and three recreational. Due to the shortage of teams, the two groups will play against each other throughout the season (but, these will be exhibition only games). Our first game was against one of the competitive teams. There goalie didn't show up for the game. You would think that that would be good for us, no, it wasn't. We had to play the first period like it was a penalty kill (which is fine for two minutes, but difficult for ten). We lost 9-0.

Last night on my way to my lacrosse game I thought I was going to die. I've never really had the motorcycle downtown during rush hour. Boy, was that scary. No one sees the bike at all. But, I'm going to try again next week (hopefully I won't die). I had a great time at the game, even though we lost.

For the May 2-4 weekend I headed up to Goderich to visit with my grandma. I really need to buy some rain gear for the motorcycle. The ride takes about two hours (depending on the traffic and the quality of the backroads). An hour and a half in I was cold and then it started to rain. Just a slight drizzle but by the time I reached Goderich it was really coming down and I was drenched and couldn't feel my toes. Grandma hooked me up with some hot chocolate and set me up in front of the little heater she has and I was good as new. We stayed in and watched 'In The Heat of the Night'. I'd never seen this movie and had always wanted to. Sidney Poitier is amazing.

Saturday I walked around Goderich and bought some of the best doughnuts in the world. (I can't go home without stopping at Culbert's for doughnuts.) Walked by my old house. Apparently, there are new owners and they have really changed the inside. My brother's old room is now a laundry room. They took out a wall as well. I guess it's just not the same house.

My friend Cara had a surprise 40th birthday party for her husband Jeff during the weekend. It was great to get to visit and see the kids. Teresa and I ended up having a great conversation with Pastor Dave (very funny guy). Then back to town to meet up with Grandma at the Legion. The Goderich Legion has a meat draw every week. Apparently, it is good luck to take a vegetarian because my grandma won meat twice. Then we went out for dinner with some of her friends. It was a really great evening.

Sunday was so cold! We didn't want to leave the house. But, leave we did. We needed to do some visiting. First we headed out of town to my aunt Judy's cottage. I hadn't been there since they first got it. What a great cottage. Overlooking Lake Huron is just a wall of windows. They just got a new puppy and he so cute. Made me want a dog (until I got home to my bad kitties and then I had second thoughts about the pets I already have). Then we headed to my aunt Lynda's for dinner. Another great visit (looking at pictures of my dad at my aunt's wedding when he was so young and without a beard).

Monday I headed back to the city. I didn't want to leave because it had been so relaxing. The ride home was dry but even colder than the ride there. I couldn't feel any of my fingers or toes by the time I got home. But, there was no time to really relax as I had to head back out to meet Lisa to go to a Blue Jays game. I was given free tickets to Monday's game against Tampa Bay (perks of ordering tickets for the company). The game was fun (except for the crazy lady who was made at everyone for showing up to the game late - especially the people whose seat she was sitting in). I went to get Lisa and I some beer (can't watch a game without beer) and when I came back she had this crazy story about how she had sort of caught a ball. While I was gone she wasn't really paying attention to the game and then realized that a ball was coming straight at her. It didn't hit her but landed at her feet and she scooped it up. Everyone around was staring at her (especially the kids). How do I end up missing the really exciting part of the game? The Jays did win and we came within one strike of getting free pizza. It's pretty sad that the fans will stand up and chant for pizza but not necessarily for a player.

This week looks to be bringing us much better weather. I hope so. I'm heading to the cottage in a couple of weeks and I want to be able to sit out on the deck.

Hope you all had a great Victoria Day. I'm super glad I wasn't camping!

The Drop

Well, it was bound to happen. I dropped my motorcycle. Well, not exactly dropped, more of a lay down. So embarrassing! Outside of the theatre on a Friday night. The steering column was still locked when I went to ride away (apparently when I thought I unlocked it, I locked it). Well, not being able to straighten the handlebars out posed a problem and the bike went down. There are a few scrapes and a bent lever, but all in all not too much damage. But, it certainly doesn't look as pretty as it used to. The only good thing to come out of this: I learned that I can pick up a 500lb motorcycle all by myself. Yes, adrenaline is a wonderful thing.

I went to the movies with my friend Tara. I haven't been to a movie in forever. We went to see the new Jennifer Aniston flick, 'Friends With Money'. It was pretty good. An okay rental.

In the book department, I just finished reading 'Running With Scissors'. This is a crazy book and has just been made into a movie. Apparently, this is a memoir of the writers life. I wonder if actually escaped adolescence.

Work

Our office is going through a major move in the next couple of weeks. My team got a little too big for the number of desks we have so they are moving us to another floor. Luckily I got to move early. It is so nice and quiet on my new floor and no one knows where I am. It's great.

I just finished reading 'Reefer Madness'. Very interesting. Today in the news there was actual a district attorney from the US talking about how Canada should not adopt the drug laws that the US has. He made some very similar points to the book.

I'm currently reading 'Stardust' by Neil Gaiman. I've only ever read one of his books before, 'Neverwhere'. I highly recommend him as an author. My brother has also recommended 'Good Omens'. It will definitely be going on my list. Don't you just love it when you find a great author?

Portugal Boy

I had such a happy surprise at work yesterday. Ricardo was back online. I haven't chatted with the boy from Portugal for a long time and it was weird that I was so happy to hear from him. He just makes me smile.

Spring

I love spring! It was so beautiful outside this weekend. I didn't get out on the bike a great deal this weekend, but I think it will be out alot soon. The summer bike rides are almost upon us.