I Passed (barely)

Ok, so I spoiled the outcome with the title, but the interesting part is the "barely." This past weekend I took the Rider's Edge course through Ray Price Harley Davidson. At the beginning of the class the instructor asked why we wanted to take the class. For me, the main reason was for safety; if for some reason I had to drive the bike somewhere (you know, like if Jim got abducted by aliens), I would know how. The other reason is pure curiosity. I wanted to know what the rush felt like. And now I know. It's pretty darn cool.

Thursday and Friday night were classroom instruction. Saturday and Sunday was actual field work out at the VIP parking lot at Walnut Creek and by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, I was driving the bike. Granted, it was in a huge, flat, empty parking lot (with Bojangles' fried chicken and some puke leftover from Friday night's Tim McGraw concert), but wow. I have to admit, it was very stressful. There is so much to think about when you ride. Shifting, braking, swerving, leaning, the list goes on. Saturday afternoon we took the written test, and since I work at a testing company, I use that term VERY loosely.

Sunday started out with the figure 8. Whoever invented figure 8s should be shot. Luckily, there is never an instance in real life where you would have to use this. To get out of a tight spot you could do a three point turn, walk the bike, or have your much more experienced boyfriend turn the bike around for you...see, options! For some unknown reason, some moron decided it's a good idea to put it on the driving test. I would like to show this moron my scraped hand. During the figure 8 portion of the test, I dropped the bike. For those that have never done it, it's not fun. It's a little scary, could be painful, and is super-embarrassing. Thankfully I was wearing gloves, boots, and jeans (safety first people), and the training bike had probably been dropped 100 times before (not by me!) so everything was cool and off I went to the next part of the test.

As it got near the end, the stress began to build. I was tired, hot, and very nervous. This is the time that I was thankful I had selected the ladies-only class. Because I began to cry. Yep, biker chick crying. Not. Cool. The other girls in the class were so encouraging and helpful. Instead of quitting, I got through the last portion and was done. The six of us breathed a collective sigh of relief as he told us our scores. We all passed! Girls rule!

As a bonus to the class, I got to reconnect with one of my first friends when I moved to Raleigh at five years old. Neither one of us knew the other was going to take the class. We've come a long way since playing Barbie's, Nintendo, collecting stuffed animals, and riding bicycles. Now, we're both engaged to big bad bikers and learning to drive our own (different type of) bikes!

Through a teensy bit of blood, buckets of sweat, and a few tears, I passed the class. Next step, NC DMV!

Hold out for Happiness

I have hesitated writing this blog. Partly because it involves some tough things for me to remember, and partly because I don't want to jinx myself. The past fourteen months have been some of the best, and all because I have found someone to share the rest of my life with.

I've been here before. Fifteen years ago I thought I had found that someone and we got married. It was hard for me to admit that things just weren't right and I wasn't happy. Neither was he. We were so stubborn that we stuck it out for eight years trying our best. But I knew there had to be more and I was ready to try and find that person. And I did.

On our fourteen month anniversary, Jim, with the help of some of my co-workers, planned a surprise dinner at Rey's Restaurant under the guise of a business meeting. I had a suspicion that something was up (I'm a little more keen to his sneakiness now) but just in case was prepared for the meeting. Of course when I showed up he was there with roses, a suit, and his "Hi, babydoll" smirk, satisfied that he had surprised me, yet again! Rather than let me suffer with anticipation through dinner, he got down on one knee and proposed. Of course my answer was "Yes!" and we enjoyed a delicious dinner and dessert. What a lucky girl I am.

One of the main reasons I wanted to write this blog was to give hope to those that are still looking for happiness. Over the past few years I've seen those around me in many different stages of relationships. I have friends that aren't happy with where they are, some that are still searching, and some that have found their happiness. Though it took me a while to find my happiness, I'm thankful I held out and I wish everyone a similar feeling. Life is too short not to!

OBX

Last weekend was OBX bike week, my first, at OBX that is. We had 19 in a 3-story cottage on Nags Head. We had meals planned, rides planned, and drinks planned. Here are a few highlights: I had my phone out while riding the bike at 70 miles an hour (ok, sometimes 80, but don't tell mom) down 64 east. All the while looking to the north/northeast at the dark clouds and praying that we didn't hit the storm, Oh, and that I didn't drop my phone. The iPhone should really come with a dummy-cord.

I learned a new drink, the Peppermint Patty. First the chocolate syrup.

Then mix with the Peppermint Schnapps.

Yep, a York Peppermint Patty in my mouth. Delish! Try it immediately.

Then the best part, I got to "ride" a Harley. Get in the driver's seat, shift through the gears up to 60 mph, and everything. Granted, it was on one of those simulator thingys where the back tire is on a roller ball (what is that contraption called?), but still...I did it! Last September I won the Rider's Edge course at Ray Price at a charity auction. I have yet to actually sign up for the course, but being able to feel the throttle is, I have to admit, addicting!

Mas Tequila, Por Favor

So, I'm in Mexico City for a work trip. Today we went sightseeing. Among the churches, temples, ruins, and pyramids, I learned the most important thing of all, the correct way to shoot tequila. Our guide, Jesus, gave us the tutorial. Most of us have done the whole lick your hand, sprinkle the salt, lick the salt, shoot the tequila, suck the lime, thing. However, according to Jesus, this is the Hollywood way, yes, the gringo way. The correct method, which I will happily demonstrate for all of you upon my return, is as follows: sprinkle the salt on the lime, suck the lime and hold the juice in your mouth, shoot the tequila, and swallow all the yummy goodness. It's not nearly as strong, and tastes like a mini margarita! Thank you, Jesus!

Cornhole Newbie

Today we rode to Van's Bar in Bahama. It's the perfect place to hang on a gorgeous Sunday. Cheap beer, free food, lazy pups, and good ol' country boys who happen to ride. A new addition to Van's are the cornhole boards. After a brief practice round and tutorial for me (gasp, I've never played cornhole!), Dave and I took on Jim and Cathy. Here are Dave and Jim. Look closely and you'll see our fifth player, Gracie.

Don't worry, the bags didn't come anywhere near her. I guess Gracie just didn't want us to forget about her. And how could we?!

Since Dave and I won the first round, we played Wayne and Nan. Yep, we won that one, too (beginner's luck?), as you can see on the fancy scoreboard.



And behind that fancy scoreboard, we have the fancy potties...
- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Bahama

I've got the Fever(s)

Spring Fever: It's finally here, spring! One of the best seasons in NC, and if not for the pollen, would be THE best. But that title goes to summer in my book. With spring comes open windows (again, before and after the pollen, not during), grilling out (even better when someone else does the grilling!), walking the boys (especially on all the fun new trails around Cary), and the sunroof!!

Basketball Fever: Yep, March Madness. After the first weekend of the tourney, my brackets aren't completely busted, only partially busted (thanks a lot Pitt). Now let's see how far my Heels get, and how far the dookies don't get!

Motorcycle Fever: Finally time for riding!! Went on the first ride since October last Thursday, St. Patty's Day. There's almost no better feeling than the sun in your face and the wind in your hair when you're riding. Steve led a nice ride around Jordan Lake and we ended up back at Abbey Road for dinner (and Guinness!). Luckily for us it's just about a mile down the street from home. It's our new fave hangout, and bonus for trivia Wednesdays!

No medicine wanted for these fevers!

Stuck like glue

Like most retrievers, Chessies like to be close to their owners. Over the past few weeks this behavior has been even more pronounced. Dogs know when something is up. After being around all the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks of packing, they have been under foot at every step. Making sure we don't forget to pack them, too. Now, they are adjusting to their new surroundings. After sniffing every nook and cranny, and spending one night in the house, they have finally settled, somewhat.



That is, until the woodpecker comes calling...


- Posted from my iPhone

Chicago Taught Me a Few Things

Last week I went to Chicago for work. There are several of these trips each year, either to DC or Chicago. On this most recent trip to Chicago I learned a couple of things.

1. There are signs like this all over the place.

They are various colors, usually outside of hotels presumably to protect passersby from, well, falling ice. Really? I can't imagine living in a city where there is potential for a frozen dagger to fall from the sky. Next time I go in the winter I'll bring my hard hat. A pink one.

2. Fried pickles aren't nearly as good in Chicago as they are here. One should not order fried pickles north of the Mason-Dixon.

3. The Water Tower Place Sephora is a fun place to shop. Where else can the staff break into dance in the middle of the store when the latest Britney song comes over the radio.

4. To shop at Filene's Basement, you have to ride an escalator up.

5. Revolving doors. I'm not sure what I thought the purpose of a revolving door was prior to this trip. Maybe just a more efficient way to get people in and out of buildings? An expensive toy for kids to play in? But it was during this trip, with temps barely reaching 0 degrees, and where every store and hotel window had a sign asking patrons to use the revolving door, that it hit me...it's to keep all the cold air out each time someone comes in! Duh!! You don't learn these things in the south. Or maybe you do, and I was just having a blonde moment.

I'm sure there are more things that I learned, but a portion of my brain is still trying to thaw from the frozen tundra that was Michigan Ave. At least I got some fun lip gloss!

New Home

The bike has officially moved. It will call Cary home once again. As will Jim. I, however, will be calling Cary home for the first time. I can't believe I'm moving to the Centralized Area for Relocated Yankees. Yikes!!

The bike was ridden tonight for the first time in a while. I was a little jealous that I didn't get to sit on the back. Boy have I missed it. And the ride was just what Jim needed after a long weekend of home repairs.

Notice anything different about the bike?








That's right. No saddlebags or front fender. It's getting a facelift, aka paint job, after a nasty accident a year ago (Don't freak, mom. This was pre-Shannon). If only I could get rid of my saddlebags that easily!

And here is the totally stripped version. (of the bike...get your mind out of the gutter people).








- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Cary,United States