| Author | Message | ||
     Glitch |
Glad to hear that! | ||
| Kmbuell |
Great news! Rest easy for a few days and you will be back in the saddle! | ||
| Hughlysses |
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| Adrenaline_junkie |
Hot damn that's good news! | ||
| Ourdee |
Good to hear! | ||
| Tootal |
  | ||
| 1313 |
AWESOME NEWS!!! | ||
| Court |
John: That is great news . . . I head to the ol NYU Langone Cancer Center today for my updates . . . fingers crossed but I seem, as of the last check, to be on top of things. We're all cheering for you. Let me know when you get back in the area . . . I've scoped out some great BBQ (and better burgers) and we're Jonesing for a reason to gather the troops for some food and music. TIDBITS: The term "Jones" . . . as in "I have a Jones" came from Jones Alley . . . where the junkies used to hang out. IT's on my standard "Visiting NYC guest" tour. The term "Jones" . . . as in "Keeping up with the Jone's" came from my neighbor Elizabeth Schermerhorn Jones | ||
| Crusty |
Rainy Day, Dream Away My cancer has not returned. The urinalysis showed no malignant cells and the Biopsy had similar results. God has given me a Wonderful Birthday present! I guess I’ll never know why I was so sick after the procedure. The Urologist thinks it was a reaction to the anesthetic; several friends think it was food poisoning from the White Castles I ate for lunch, and one doctor that I spoke to socially expressed the opinion that it might have been caused by the biopsy, itself. That maybe the instrument wasn’t quite as sterile as it should have been. While I think it was the latter, I have no way of proving or disproving any of the three possibilities. I’ve pretty much recovered, though and that’s the important thing. Now that life is looking a bit more positive, I’ve become more motivated. Yesterday afternoon, I mowed the lawn, clipped some weeds and finally decided to destroy that ugly, scraggly rose bush. Then I threw a good sized Yukon Gold potato in the oven and fired up the charcoal grill and had a celebratory dinner of Rib Eye Steak, baked potato with beef gravy and mixed “Anti-Oxidant Blend” vegetables. I’m thinking of going camping later this week, if the weather is agreeable and I’m looking at making it to Buellvemberfest the first weekend in (when else?) November. I’ve picked out which cards I’m going to send out this Christmas; maybe I’ll order them when I get my Social Security next week. I’m also looking at projects around the house with renewed enthusiasm. It’s funny how much I’m reacting to the results. I really didn’t think the cancer had returned; and even if it had, it’s one of the most easily treated forms of cancer. Still, the feeling of relief is making me almost giddy. Well, I’d rather overreact and be happy, than be glum. I once read a comparison between an optimist and a pessimist that stated that while a pessimist is more often right, and optimist gets to enjoy life more. I think I’d rather be happy than right. | ||
| Ourdee |
Get out and live brother!  They mailed it to me. | ||
| 86129squids |
Awesome sauce, Crusticle! Glad to hear the news, and that life is rolling as it should with you. Hope to see you in Suches before too long! | ||
| H0gwash |
It is sooo good to hear that you're cancer free. | ||
| Court |
Things COULD be worse . . . .  | ||
| Ourdee |
Not much meat in that article. It does raise the question, "WHY"? (Message edited by ourdee on September 19, 2017) | ||
| Ourdee |
Crusty, Where is the next good flat track race around here? | ||
| Crusty |
Not until next season, I'm afraid. This Saturday, there's a 1/2 Mile in Fort Worth, Texas, then, 2 weeks after that, there's the Finale in Perris, Ca. If you go to FansChoiceTV.com, you can watch the races live. | ||
| Ourdee |
Thanks | ||
| Crusty |
Ketchup This evening, I fixed a sausage burger and roasted potatoes for dinner. It was a meal I was really looking forward to. it was 6 ounces of sweet Italian sausage (without skin) fried and covered with Provolone cheese on a toasted roll with Cain’s Sweet Pickle Relish, yellow mustard and Tabasco chipotle hot sauce. As always, I had Heinz ketchup for the potatoes. As I was enjoying this ambrosial repast, my thoughts turned to the ketchup. I was running pretty low, and I was wondering if I had enough left for the meal, or maybe I should bring out another bottle. (It turned out that I had just enough and didn’t need to open a new container). From there, I started thinking about the different spellings for ketchup. Heinz calls it ketchup; but Hunts calls it catsup. Then, I started wondering how ketchup is made. I mean, it looks like tomato jelly. Why don’t they call it that? Nobody has invented a unique name for grape jelly, why is ketchup called ketchup? Then again, how many people would ask for tomato jelly for their fries at Blubber King? I bet sales of ketchup would plummet if the name was changed. Still; it looks like Tomato Jelly; doesn’t it? I mentioned Cain’s Relish. It’s my favorite, and I think it’s only available in New England. David gave me a couple of jars for my birthday. I thought he’d found someplace local to buy them, but he had a friend in Maine send him a couple of jars so he could surprise me. It sure did. Last night, I had a Queen City Dinner Frank with (what else?) yellow mustard and Cain’s Relish. I prefer French’s Yellow mustard over Guilden’s Brown or Grey Poupon. Tonight, I had an old SOB (sausage on a bun). I used to use Cholula Chipotle hot sauce, but I can’t find it around here. The Tabasco Chipotle sauce is pretty tasty though, so I’m not complaining about it. Tomorrow night, I think I’ll have a burger. 5 ounces of 85% lean ground beef covered with extra sharp cheddar cheese sitting on a toasted roll covered with onions sautéed in butter, Cain’s relish (again), mustard and ketchup. I call this combination a Messy Burger. the name becomes obvious when you try to eat it. I usually have a triple supply of napkins at my plate, and even then, I sometimes need more. The flavor is worth it though. Instead of potatoes, I’ll fix beef flavored Rice-a-Roni. I usually don’t like to have the same side two nights in a row; though sometimes I do anyhow. The tread on the rear tire is getting low enough that I’m going to have to put the new tire on the Roadster pretty soon, I think. It’s not quite to the wear bars, but it’s getting close. I’ll keep an eye on it. Hopefully, it’ll last until it’s almost time to head to Buellvemberfest. I’m not putting much mileage on riding around town, so I think I can stretch it out without pushing the limits. | ||
| 86129squids |
Dangit John, I've gotta get you some of the hotdogs from Benton's down here in Madisonville. They're made in Louisville KY, a place called Fischer's. You can only get them at Benton's, or at a UT game, in the entire state of Tennessee. Forget about Hebrew National or Nathan's. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Jon, that's the best news I've had all year. I'm looking forward to seeing you in November. | ||
| Tootal |
Sent a PM. | ||
| Crusty |
Taking A Break I started painting the Dining Room. I’ve been using the brush around the edges; the windows, doorways, the corners and the baseboard. I used up all the paint that I poured into the little plastic bucket, which has all the edging about half done, so I cleaned the bucket and brush and I’m sitting for a few. I had a hard time deciding which way to spend my “Disposable” income this month. I’ve been sleeping on a futon, which is low enough that when I sit on the edge of the bed, I’m doing a squat. I also have no love for going to the laundromat, so I was thinking that maybe a cheap used washer and dryer would be a good next purchase. Since I’m spending about ten bucks a week on laundry, a washer and dryer would pay for themselves in a few months. That had a real appeal. However, the day David was here, he made a comment about the ugly pink paint and he was surprised that I hadn’t started painting yet. The reason was pretty obvious to me. I had other expenses to take care of before I could start on improvements that cost money. Hospital & Doctor’s bills, getting my Ohio Driver’s License, registering the Roadster here and getting the title transferred, an enormous water bill, test strips so I can check my blood; they all add up and they hit me all at once. Anyhow, this month I had a couple of extra bucks to spend on the house, and after thinking hard, I decided to buy the paint. I’m funny when it comes to paint. I won’t use the cheap crap. I only use Benjamin Moore. It’s been over 15 years since I bought any paint, and the price has gone way up. A gallon of Ben’s best is now $68.00 a gallon. Yesterday, I bought a gallon of Frappe (beige) colored paint and a roller, tray and 2” brush set and it set me back $83.00. However, the cost will be worth it when I’m done. I’m going to paint both the living and dining rooms the same colors; beige with chocolate brown trim. It’s a color combination that I like. Since this is my house and I’m living in it, I’ll paint it to please myself. I’m not sure what colors I’m going to paint the other rooms, yet. I might just do the bedroom the same, but the kitchen and bathroom will get different colors. Dondi is adamant that I need to save the cherubs in the bathroom. We reached a compromise; I’ll paint the bathroom last, but the cherubs will go. I hate those freakin’ hideous and tacky things. However, there are enough other things to occupy my attention, so I can wait. Their days are numbered, though and I’ll derive a good bit of satisfaction from removing them when the time comes. Well; I’d better get back to it. Or somethin’. | ||
| Crusty |
Blown Budgets, Spirit Animals And Clean Clothes A few days ago, I was looking at my money for the month, and I realized that I was in fairly good shape, for a change. I was wrestling with which purchase I was going to make; a real bed, a washer&dryer or some paint. One of the guys at my brother’s shop said he had a Queen size bed I could have, so I decided I’d buy paint. Paint was the cheapest of the three choices and I figured I could use some of the extra cash to order Christmas Cards, which I did. Then I discovered that I goofed. I forgot that I’d written some checks to pay bills. The excess money was because I wasn’t deducting the checks from my balance when I looked at my account online. Fortunately, I have enough food to last me until my next Social Security Deposit. Things will be lean for a few weeks, but I’ll get by. The part that hurts is that I was thinking about replacing the drive belt on the Roadster when I change the tire. Now, I’ll have to wait until the 25th. No big deal; that still gives me over a week before I head out to Buellvemberfest. I don’t know if the belt would last; it’s given me no indication that it won’t, but the current belt has something like 40,000 miles on it. I really don’t want to have it break while I’m traveling. Been there; Done that. Don’t want to do it again. I found the perfect “Watchdog” for Froggy and Dani’s place in the Hudson Valley. I had to get their new mailing address, so I could send it. If any animal is Froggy’s Spirit Animal, this one is it. When I came across it, I had to get it; it was too good not to. The Queen bed didn’t happen. The guy who thought he had it discovered that his wife had thrown it out a while ago. Oh, Well. However, a fellow Badwebber sent me a PM asking if I wanted a washer and dryer. His neighbors have them and are willing to give them away. He’ll even deliver them. I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, so I fully expect that something will go wrong (like it did with the bed). But it it does happen, that would be a very sweet thing for me. I’d love it if I didn’t have to go to the Laundromat every week. Then again, I wouldn’t see Vanessa, who works there. I think she likes me; she goes out of her way to talk to me when I’m there. I guess I should ask her out for dinner or coffee or somethin’ and see what happens. Other than that, life is just going on. The weather is Perfect; highs around 80º F and lows in the low 50s. That ain’t hard to take in the least. | ||
| Froggy |
This is my spirit animal: (And very appropriate given my binge eating of unlimited pasta at Olive Garden) | ||
| Ourdee |
That's one bad frog. | ||
| Crusty |
Why Is It? I just spent an interesting hour on Harley’s web site looking at bikes. It’s no secret that I’m drawn to the new Street Rod. If it made a bit more power, I’d probably go for one, but it only makes 50 (Claimed) Lb. Ft of torque. I want a little bit more. If there’s any truth to the rumor that a 900 is waiting in the wings, then maybe that would get me. However, in its 750 form, it just doesn’t quite do the trick. Then I looked at Sportsters. Harley has five different variants, and the one I’d want isn’t one of the choices. If I could have the fenders, fuel tank, seat and bars from the Superlow on a Roadster, then that would really speak to me. but that bike just isn’t available. If I were to hit the Lottery, then I could afford to have a dealer build it to my specs, but I’m poor and that option is only a pipe dream. Even with the Big Twins, there isn’t one that’s all that I want. I’d like a Low Rider with the suspension of a Fat Bob, but the Low Rider’s wheels. That’s pretty much the only Big Twin I’m even remotely interested in at the present time. It’s pretty much the same with almost every bike on the market. I’d have to make some fairly extensive modifications to make it what I want; and that’s assuming the specific bike is close to what I’m looking for. I was really pumped up by the EBR Black Lightning, but none ever got built. It wasn’t quite what I wanted, but I could see what I would do to make it so. Then LAP pulled the plug. For a while, I was determined to buy one of the remaining 1190s and make it my vision of a Red Lightning, but buying this house and spending all I can afford to fix it up has kinda caused that dream to fade. And the idea of riding it ti the Arctic ocean is exciting, but what do I do if something breaks?. Still, if I could come up with the dough, I’d probably try it. I have been known to do some, um, impractical things over the years. Back in 1999, I rode my Buell S3-T out to the DuQuoin Mile. I walked through the parking lot looking at Sport-Tourers, and I was amazed that they were all so big. My Thunderbolt was lithe in comparison. ST1100s, Kaw Concours, Yamaha FJs, even BMWs; they were all a lot bigger and much more ponderous looking. That S3-T was as close to the perfect bike for me as any I have ever owned. But it just wasn’t reliable enough. I believe that if Erik had designed an XB platform Sport-Tourer, I would have found my ideal bike. When the Ulysses XT came out, I was on one as soon as I could get one. But it wasn’t a real Sport-Tourer. I guess that I’m just an odd enough duck that not too many folks want what I do. Well; I’ve got the Roadster. It’s getting me around for the time being. And I believe it would get me to Tuktoyaktuk and back. Still, A new bike might be nice; If only somebody would build the bike that I want. | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
I recently trader for the new Roadster. The bars are too low, the tank is too small and the seat locks you in one position. However, the seat is surprisingly comfortable and the suspension is really good for a Sportster. I think it needs to be a couple inches taller in the back to make the steering a little more responsive. I really wanted to get the Street Rod. That's what I went to the store to look at. But I took back to back test drives and went with the Sportster. The handling is better on the Street Rod, in my opinion, but the ergos didn't work for me. In particular, the foot peg locations sucked. I could not find anywhere to put my feet that felt half way reasonable and there does not appear to be any aftermarket support for rearsets or anything like that. I feel your pain, nothing out there is what I want the way it comes from the store but I think I can build MY MACHINE out of this new Sportster. I may need to refinance the house though. | ||
| Tootal |
I'm surprised you didn't like the XT as I consider that a sport tour. My X I consider a sport tour since it has all three bags. I'm just curious what it was that you didn't like about the XT. When you were talking about the EBR Black Lightning it sounded like an XT with a more powerful engine.  | ||
| Crusty |
A Saturday In October Yesterday was kinda interesting. I had decided to do a little yard work, and trim down some more of the jungle behind the house. So I was out back with the pruning shears (Loppers) cutting down branches of the overgrowth when I heard a horn blowing, then the unmistakable sound of an automobile impact. I walked around the side of the house to see what happened, and it took a few minutes to get it sorted out. It turned out that the next door neighbor’s 5 year old had managed to get into the family minivan and shift it into Neutral. Their driveway is on a hill, so the car rolled backwards down the driveway, across the street (narrowly missing a parked car), over the curb, which caused it to turn 45º and finally, into a tree, which stopped it and caused the impact sound I’d heard. The blowing horn I had heard was another car on the side street who saw the car coming. The kid was unhurt, though terrified and the minivan got a smashed tail light, some broken plastic bodywork and it’ll probably need some 5 MPH bumper parts replaced. It was a bit more exciting than my description makes it sound, and it reinforces that kids can get into trouble is literally a minute or two. I had seen him and waved hello just prior to the incident. I was only going to fill one Garbage bag with cuttings when I went out back, but I kinda of got into cutting and wound up filling four. But the yard looks considerably better. There are lots more bags worth out there, but eventually, I’ll get it done. I talked with Don in Buffalo, and the next time he comes down to visit, he’s going to bring a chain saw and also a Hammer drill so that I can bolt my NoMar tire changer to the floor in the basement Last night, I watched the Flat Track Finale live on Fans Choice TV. The Perris 1/2 Mile was a narrow groove track (the track wasn’t narrow, just the groove), yet there was some really good racing that went on. Jared Mees won again on an Indian FTR 750, but Jeffrey Carver worked his way up to second on an XR 750. The way he was closing, if the race had been five laps longer, he might have won. But it wasn’t and he didn’t. J.D. Beach pulled off a banzai pass on the last lap to take third from Steve Bonsey. There were a few noteworthy Road Racers who were there as the road racing season is over, along with some Europeans who are discovering how challenging Flat Track really is. Besides Beach in the 750 Twins class, Toni Elias was entered in the 450 Singles class as was Hayden Gillim, English Flat Tracker Oliver Brindley was there, as was Maikel Dijkstra from Holland. It’s pretty interesting how the rest of the world is starting to realize that it’s a lot tougher to go fast on dirt than it first appears. Hopefully, before the next season starts, I’ll get one of those Google Gozinta thingies that sends the image from my computer to my TV so I can see it better. Now, I have Buellvemberfest to look forward to in a few weeks. That should be a good time. | ||
| Greg_e |
You should be able to find a good working washer/drier pair for around $100 on craigslist or the local facebook marketplace. That would break even in about 2 months |
