Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
I Got A Job!
When it rains it pours! I had just got a job offer at a company I really wanted to work for when an old client called and said they needed help with the program I wrote for them last year. The system crashed and wiped out everything.
So I start with the new company on the 7th and work in Boston 12 hours a day until then. It's nice to be wanted (and paid).
Life lessons
From: Tony Foale
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street?
In their day, these men were considered some of the worlds most successful.
Now, 88 years later, we ask what ultimately became of them.
The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company,
Charles Schwab, died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson, went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of
the Bank of International Settlement, shot himself.
6 The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide
However,
In that same year, 1923, the winner of the worlds most important road race, the Isle of Man T.T., was
Stanley Woods.
What became of him?
He won 10 T.T. races between 1923 and 1939,
He lived on the Isle of Man and rode motorcycles all his life.
He lapped the island circuit at 82 mph in 1957 (The Golden Jubilee) aged 54
He was a wealthy man when he died aged 90.
The Moral:
F*** work.
Ride motorcycles.
So I start with the new company on the 7th and work in Boston 12 hours a day until then. It's nice to be wanted (and paid).
Life lessons
From: Tony Foale
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street?
In their day, these men were considered some of the worlds most successful.
Now, 88 years later, we ask what ultimately became of them.
The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company,
Charles Schwab, died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson, went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of
the Bank of International Settlement, shot himself.
6 The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide
However,
In that same year, 1923, the winner of the worlds most important road race, the Isle of Man T.T., was
Stanley Woods.
What became of him?
He won 10 T.T. races between 1923 and 1939,
He lived on the Isle of Man and rode motorcycles all his life.
He lapped the island circuit at 82 mph in 1957 (The Golden Jubilee) aged 54
He was a wealthy man when he died aged 90.
The Moral:
F*** work.
Ride motorcycles.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Harley I Could Love
The job search continues. Yesterday was a 6 ½ hour tag team interview. I was exhausted by the time I walked out but I think I'm going to make it to round 2.
Here's a video of a Harley I could love. I really like it that the owner has decided not to "restore" it. The fact that he actually rides it is another bonus.
Two phone interviews today. Stand back, my brain might explode!
Here's a video of a Harley I could love. I really like it that the owner has decided not to "restore" it. The fact that he actually rides it is another bonus.
Two phone interviews today. Stand back, my brain might explode!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dual Sport Quiz
Please answer all questions honestly and keep a list so you can figure out your score at the end.
1) What is an MT21 ?
A) Tire
B) Missile
C) A mountain.
2) When using a roll chart, on which side of the handle bars is it best mounted ?
A) In the middle
B) Right hand side
C) Left hand side
3) When riding off road on gravel with fully inflated tires, is it best to ?
A) Lower air pressure
B) Add a little more air
C) Find an alternative route
4) When riding along a very narrow trail with a drop off to one side, is it best to ?
A) Send your riding buddy along the trail first to see how he does.
B) Slightly lean your bike away from the drop off side, while counter balancing your bike with your body weight.
C) Place the bike in neutral, and try to walk it out.
5) While riding in an event you notice a rider with a flat tire, do you ?
A) Stop to help them
B) Close your eyes and hope they go away
C) Mark their position on your roll chart so you can advise someone at the next check point
6) You're pulling the best wheelie of your life in front of a large crowd, when you notice that you're running out of road. Do you ?
A) Push the cut off switch on your bike
B) Pull in the front brake and push down on the bars
C) Roll off the throttle and apply a little rear brake
7) You're riding along some twisty country lanes, when you come to a Harley rider broken down. Do you ?
A) Stop to help them
B) Ride on by while laughing loud enough for them to hear you.
C) Stop and grab your cell phone to call your buddies up, so they can all come over and have a look
8) You've just fallen off your bike and it's leaking gas on to some dried out grass. Do you ?
A) Pour some water on to the leaked gas to help break it down
B) Set fire to it, and wait for it to fully burn off
C) Dig up some dirt and cover the grass over
9) You come to a road sign which reads. "Not recommended for motor vehicles, enter at your own risk" Do you ?
A) Turn around and find an alternative route
B) Knock the sign down, and wait for some unsuspecting motor home driver to come along.
C) Give your riding buddy the thumbs up and go for it.
10) You're riding along a forest service road when all of a sudden a cat sized rodent jumps out in front of you directly in your line of path. Do you ?
A) Swerve in to the direction the animal came from
B) Open the throttle and try to ride over the rodent
C) Slam on both brakes and hope for the best
11) You're all alone and 29 miles from your camp site in the middle of a forest when you get a rear flat tire. You don't have a spare tube or any way of fixing the flat, but you do have some duct-tape. Do you ?
A) Wrap the tape around the tire and wheel and ride back to camp at a slow pace.
B) Remove the rear tire and wrap the tape around the wheel rims, and ride back to camp at a slow pace
C) Throw the duct-tape at that Harley rider that just blew by you, you remember the one you didn't help from question 7.
12) Is it easier to ride a bike with a ?
A) Front flat tire
B) Rear flat tire
C) Remove the air from the non flat tire so both are flat and level
13) You've just rode 200 miles through a desert and our air filter is as clogged as a Dutch mans feet. You have done a quick filter clean with some gas from your gas tank, but need to oil it. Do you ?
A) Use some baby oil from your bag of toiletries
B) Use any remaining oil off of your chain drive
C) Use some oil from your engine
14) You're just about to ride a stream crossing. The stream isn't too deep but the bed is cover in rocks. Do you ?
A) Take your boots off and walk your bike across
B) Lean as far forward on the bike as you can to help keep the front down and ride across slowly
C) Keep your weight to the rear of the bike and ride across slowly
15) Which of these three items would you find more useful on an adventure ride ?
A) Cell phone
B) GPS
C) Hydration system
16) Is "neutral" classed as a gear ?
A) No
B) Yes
C) A little green light comes on my instrument cluster
17) A trail is totally water logged, the mud is 2 inches deep along the entire length of the trail. Which brake has the most stopping power ?
A) Front brake
B) I'd use the gears to slow down
C) Rear brake
18) You've just hit reserve and know you have enough gas for 18 more miles. You have just traveled 18 miles from your truck to get to the point you are right now all down hill. But you know there is a gas station 19 miles further down the moutain. Which direction do you go ?
A) Go off exploring
B) Back to the truck
C) To the gas station
19) Which of these items would you find most useful in the desert ?
A) Empty water bottle
B) Book of matches
C) Lantern
20) You're riding along and have a sharp pain in your chest. Do you ?
A) Pull over and take an aspirin
B) Start coughing
C) Ride to a phone booth.
21) When riding up a steep rocky hill which of these three choices do you use the least
A) Brakes
B) 2nd gear
C) Horn
22) You're 45 miles from home, one of these three items is just about to fail on your bike. Which one would you prefer to break ?
A) Sub-frame
B) Clutch cable
C) Head gasket
............................
Instructions
Receive 5 points for every "A" answer.
Take away 5 points for every "B" answer
Receive 2 points for every "C" answer.
Scores
0 to 10 ... You don't own a bike do you ?
10 to 20 ... How long you owned your Harley ?
20 to 25 ... Not bad, let's ride sometime
26 to 34 ... Way to go !!!! you know your stuff.
35 to 45 ... Not bad, not bad.
46 to 55 ... At least it's only time you wasted
55 to 110 ... Keep taking the meds please
If you score was 30 points .... EXCELLENT !!!!!!
Top Rating.
This quiz is just for fun.
1) What is an MT21 ?
A) Tire
B) Missile
C) A mountain.
2) When using a roll chart, on which side of the handle bars is it best mounted ?
A) In the middle
B) Right hand side
C) Left hand side
3) When riding off road on gravel with fully inflated tires, is it best to ?
A) Lower air pressure
B) Add a little more air
C) Find an alternative route
4) When riding along a very narrow trail with a drop off to one side, is it best to ?
A) Send your riding buddy along the trail first to see how he does.
B) Slightly lean your bike away from the drop off side, while counter balancing your bike with your body weight.
C) Place the bike in neutral, and try to walk it out.
5) While riding in an event you notice a rider with a flat tire, do you ?
A) Stop to help them
B) Close your eyes and hope they go away
C) Mark their position on your roll chart so you can advise someone at the next check point
6) You're pulling the best wheelie of your life in front of a large crowd, when you notice that you're running out of road. Do you ?
A) Push the cut off switch on your bike
B) Pull in the front brake and push down on the bars
C) Roll off the throttle and apply a little rear brake
7) You're riding along some twisty country lanes, when you come to a Harley rider broken down. Do you ?
A) Stop to help them
B) Ride on by while laughing loud enough for them to hear you.
C) Stop and grab your cell phone to call your buddies up, so they can all come over and have a look
8) You've just fallen off your bike and it's leaking gas on to some dried out grass. Do you ?
A) Pour some water on to the leaked gas to help break it down
B) Set fire to it, and wait for it to fully burn off
C) Dig up some dirt and cover the grass over
9) You come to a road sign which reads. "Not recommended for motor vehicles, enter at your own risk" Do you ?
A) Turn around and find an alternative route
B) Knock the sign down, and wait for some unsuspecting motor home driver to come along.
C) Give your riding buddy the thumbs up and go for it.
10) You're riding along a forest service road when all of a sudden a cat sized rodent jumps out in front of you directly in your line of path. Do you ?
A) Swerve in to the direction the animal came from
B) Open the throttle and try to ride over the rodent
C) Slam on both brakes and hope for the best
11) You're all alone and 29 miles from your camp site in the middle of a forest when you get a rear flat tire. You don't have a spare tube or any way of fixing the flat, but you do have some duct-tape. Do you ?
A) Wrap the tape around the tire and wheel and ride back to camp at a slow pace.
B) Remove the rear tire and wrap the tape around the wheel rims, and ride back to camp at a slow pace
C) Throw the duct-tape at that Harley rider that just blew by you, you remember the one you didn't help from question 7.
12) Is it easier to ride a bike with a ?
A) Front flat tire
B) Rear flat tire
C) Remove the air from the non flat tire so both are flat and level
13) You've just rode 200 miles through a desert and our air filter is as clogged as a Dutch mans feet. You have done a quick filter clean with some gas from your gas tank, but need to oil it. Do you ?
A) Use some baby oil from your bag of toiletries
B) Use any remaining oil off of your chain drive
C) Use some oil from your engine
14) You're just about to ride a stream crossing. The stream isn't too deep but the bed is cover in rocks. Do you ?
A) Take your boots off and walk your bike across
B) Lean as far forward on the bike as you can to help keep the front down and ride across slowly
C) Keep your weight to the rear of the bike and ride across slowly
15) Which of these three items would you find more useful on an adventure ride ?
A) Cell phone
B) GPS
C) Hydration system
16) Is "neutral" classed as a gear ?
A) No
B) Yes
C) A little green light comes on my instrument cluster
17) A trail is totally water logged, the mud is 2 inches deep along the entire length of the trail. Which brake has the most stopping power ?
A) Front brake
B) I'd use the gears to slow down
C) Rear brake
18) You've just hit reserve and know you have enough gas for 18 more miles. You have just traveled 18 miles from your truck to get to the point you are right now all down hill. But you know there is a gas station 19 miles further down the moutain. Which direction do you go ?
A) Go off exploring
B) Back to the truck
C) To the gas station
19) Which of these items would you find most useful in the desert ?
A) Empty water bottle
B) Book of matches
C) Lantern
20) You're riding along and have a sharp pain in your chest. Do you ?
A) Pull over and take an aspirin
B) Start coughing
C) Ride to a phone booth.
21) When riding up a steep rocky hill which of these three choices do you use the least
A) Brakes
B) 2nd gear
C) Horn
22) You're 45 miles from home, one of these three items is just about to fail on your bike. Which one would you prefer to break ?
A) Sub-frame
B) Clutch cable
C) Head gasket
............................
Instructions
Receive 5 points for every "A" answer.
Take away 5 points for every "B" answer
Receive 2 points for every "C" answer.
Scores
0 to 10 ... You don't own a bike do you ?
10 to 20 ... How long you owned your Harley ?
20 to 25 ... Not bad, let's ride sometime
26 to 34 ... Way to go !!!! you know your stuff.
35 to 45 ... Not bad, not bad.
46 to 55 ... At least it's only time you wasted
55 to 110 ... Keep taking the meds please
If you score was 30 points .... EXCELLENT !!!!!!
Top Rating.
This quiz is just for fun.
Lucas Electrics
Here is some vital info for Brit bike fans. Stolen shamelessly as I try to prepare for a phone interview.
Rosko comments:
TECHNICAL EXTRA
ELECTRICAL THEORY BY JOSEPH LUCAS
Positive ground depends upon proper circuit functioning, which is the
transmission of negative ions by retention of the visible spectral
manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes
electrical circuits work; we know this to be true because every time
one lets the smoke out of the electrical system, it stops working.
This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing.
When, for example, the smoke escapes from an electrical component
(like, say, a Lucas voltage regulator), it will be observed that the
component stops working. The function of the wire harness is to carry
the smoke from one device to another; when the wire harness "springs a
leak," and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works
afterwards. Starter motors were frowned upon in British motorcycles for
some time, largely because they consume large quantities of smoke,
requiring very large wires.
It has been noted that Lucas components are possibly more prone to
electrical leakage than Bosch or generic Japanese electrics. Experts
point out that this is because Lucas is British and all things British
leak. British engines leak oil, shock absorbers and hydraulic forks and
disk brakes leak fluid, British tyres leak air, and the British defense
establishment leaks secrets ... so, naturally, British electrics leak smoke.
>From the basic concept of electrical transmission of energy in the form
of smoke, a better understanding of the mysteries of electrical
components - - especially those of Lucas manufacture - - is gained by
the casual user.
Popsdageezer in CT
Rosko comments:
reminds me of the NOS "Lucas smoke replacement kit" that went on ebay a few years back: http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm
Monday, February 7, 2011
Modern 2-Stroke
My head is going to explode from all the recruiter emails and phone calls. It seems the job market is hot, especially if you want to work in Cincinnati or Wisconsin. However, several realistic jobs appear on the horizon so I am hopeful.
While I'm working on the next medicine ball animation check out this article Herman sent to me. Two cylinders, four pistons, and SIX connecting rods! What is very cool is that a four cylinder engine can completely decouple two of the cylinders for zero loss when operating in economy mode. Check out the article here.
While I'm working on the next medicine ball animation check out this article Herman sent to me. Two cylinders, four pistons, and SIX connecting rods! What is very cool is that a four cylinder engine can completely decouple two of the cylinders for zero loss when operating in economy mode. Check out the article here.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Medicine Balls - Exercise #3
Most of my exercise yesterday was up on the roof again moving 2 feet of snow to the ground below. I credit a lot of the pain I don't have to these exercises. Your mileage may vary.
Today is another simple warm-up. I hold the ball at chest level then raise it above my head. From there I lower it to shoulder level behind my head. This loosens my shoulder and neck muscles and gets rid of the tension I get from holding the throttle when riding and from typing on a keyboard all day. Easy, and effective.
Need a web programmer?
Today is another simple warm-up. I hold the ball at chest level then raise it above my head. From there I lower it to shoulder level behind my head. This loosens my shoulder and neck muscles and gets rid of the tension I get from holding the throttle when riding and from typing on a keyboard all day. Easy, and effective.
Need a web programmer?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Medicine Balls - Exercise #2
Yesterday was spent exercising on my roof. In case you're not following the weather in New England we are experiencing unusually low temps and high snowfall. I had to shovel off the roof to make sure that it didn't cave in. If somebody mentions Global Warming to me I'm going to hit them with my snow shovel!
Today is another simple warm up exercise. I hold the ball above my head and then drop down while swinging the ball in an arc until it is between my ankles. Then I reverse and swing it back over my head. It's important to keep your back straight and not lean over any more than you have to. Simple and easy, it does the job without making you pass out.
Until next time, I'll be out shoveling some more.
Need a web programmer?
Today is another simple warm up exercise. I hold the ball above my head and then drop down while swinging the ball in an arc until it is between my ankles. Then I reverse and swing it back over my head. It's important to keep your back straight and not lean over any more than you have to. Simple and easy, it does the job without making you pass out.
Until next time, I'll be out shoveling some more.
Need a web programmer?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)