I look up, at the sky framed by trees
And walls and wires
Stars twinkling softly in the dusky sky
Cold and distant, impossible to grasp
I recall soft campfire lights
Where the stars were only an arms length away
The crisp globe of sky part of my evening meal
And the ground too
Crunchy soil and dead leaves moulding
The immediacy of their touch
Around me trees and people and stuff
All part of my soul, imprinted forever
Tonight i leap up and try
To recapture my sky
Mind reaching out across the cavernous reaches between
To hold a star gently in my mind
Caress it and marvel at it's brilliance
So far ... so far away from me the stars tonight
No more than ever, but somehow it's me
Too small to see
Where i end and where i am lost in
The light reaches out
Piercing my eyes and my soul
Longing for that union ... oneness
Where i am it, and it is me
Shining through me, like a candle in a million mirrors
But i alone and cold and dark in a foreign land
Feel the light reflect off my face
And show contrast between light and dark
Warmth and cold, me and it ...
Open my mind ... my heart my soul
Smash down these walls of fear and regret
Hate and malice and strife
Oh for open eyes to see the wonder of shimmering glory
That is our creation
For that instant sparkling ray of heaven
That shines upon my mortal mind
To know that light shines always ... pure and clear
And that only i turn away ... like a blind man
But even the blind know the sun
How then do i doubt the light?
How then do i mimic the madness
And question what is divine?
Like a flower bursting open in spring
Dazzling all with it's colour and scent
Allowing the cosmos to glow in vibrant harmony
So too must i
explode
Dissipate
Disperse
Myself
To fling my consciousness across the universe
And claim
My piece of sky
Friday, 29 April 2011
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Fracking bad idea
This is why Shell's ideas on fracking the entire Karoo (it will never be less than total destruction, that's how these guys work):
Bradford County's director of public safety said a Chesapeake well went out of control late Tuesday night. That means the well blew near the surface, spilling thousands and thousands of gallons of frack fluid over containment walls, through fields, personal property and farms, even where cattle continue to graze.
DEP is taking ground water and stream samples to determine the extent of the spill.
______________________________________________________________
A massive chemical explosion. So ... what chemicals?
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Hydraulic%20Fracturing%20Report%204.18.11.pdf
About every damn chemical ever invented in that list, and that's only raw chemicals, they do not show what secondary substances are generated by mixing etc.
For an excellent article on what fracking is, see here:
http://8020vision.com/2011/04/17/congress-releases-report-on-toxic-chemicals-used-in-fracking/
They have greased all the beaurocratic gears with plenty of oil dollars, and we commoners are expected to sit back and allow government to destroy our land. The time for a half brick approaches.
Bradford County's director of public safety said a Chesapeake well went out of control late Tuesday night. That means the well blew near the surface, spilling thousands and thousands of gallons of frack fluid over containment walls, through fields, personal property and farms, even where cattle continue to graze.
DEP is taking ground water and stream samples to determine the extent of the spill.
______________________________________________________________
A massive chemical explosion. So ... what chemicals?
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Hydraulic%20Fracturing%20Report%204.18.11.pdf
About every damn chemical ever invented in that list, and that's only raw chemicals, they do not show what secondary substances are generated by mixing etc.
For an excellent article on what fracking is, see here:
http://8020vision.com/2011/04/17/congress-releases-report-on-toxic-chemicals-used-in-fracking/
They have greased all the beaurocratic gears with plenty of oil dollars, and we commoners are expected to sit back and allow government to destroy our land. The time for a half brick approaches.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
The Parrot Rossi
We have taken into our household a parrot recently, looking after it on behalf of a friend, who is unable to look after him right now. His name is Rossi, and he is an african grey with a bright red tail.
What an astonishing creature!! Apart from the ability to mimic, his choice of words and his reactions to specific people is also very ... disconcerting almost. He is a very intelligent bird, and you can immediately understand that in the jungles, he would be the king.
His mimicry can be annoying, like over the last few days where he has taking to impersonating the cough that i have (i'm sick as a dog the last few days) ... but hearing yourself cough form the other side of the house is ... odd. He has a full reportoire of birds, whistles, clicks and squeaks and squawks, but words and almost prefect imitations of people. You hear a child ask and adult answer in one breath, and Rossi gets the tone and pitch just right.
He doesn't like me at all, which is apparently cos i'm a male, and he ... takes offense, or something ... ? LOL. He won't talk to me, and if i stand near his cage he goes silent, and watches me intently, taking no action while i'm there, the second i'm gone, he calls for attention "come to me", turn around and go to him, silent. He loves attention, and the kids all have their relationships with him, and he responds differently to each.
It's a shame he's not ours, in the sense that he hasn't bonded to us from young, and there is a whole other level of trust and interaction that can be accessed. Trust, thats an important word in this, and it's him that has to trust, and he does so very well, i wouldn't trust me either if i were him. But considering that this is all new to him, and different, he has adapted remarkably well to OUR environment, specifically. I do want him back with his "mommy", but until then i'm happy to have his noisy humour punctuate the air. For he is a very happy little bird, and friendly, in his own way.
peace :)
What an astonishing creature!! Apart from the ability to mimic, his choice of words and his reactions to specific people is also very ... disconcerting almost. He is a very intelligent bird, and you can immediately understand that in the jungles, he would be the king.
His mimicry can be annoying, like over the last few days where he has taking to impersonating the cough that i have (i'm sick as a dog the last few days) ... but hearing yourself cough form the other side of the house is ... odd. He has a full reportoire of birds, whistles, clicks and squeaks and squawks, but words and almost prefect imitations of people. You hear a child ask and adult answer in one breath, and Rossi gets the tone and pitch just right.
He doesn't like me at all, which is apparently cos i'm a male, and he ... takes offense, or something ... ? LOL. He won't talk to me, and if i stand near his cage he goes silent, and watches me intently, taking no action while i'm there, the second i'm gone, he calls for attention "come to me", turn around and go to him, silent. He loves attention, and the kids all have their relationships with him, and he responds differently to each.
It's a shame he's not ours, in the sense that he hasn't bonded to us from young, and there is a whole other level of trust and interaction that can be accessed. Trust, thats an important word in this, and it's him that has to trust, and he does so very well, i wouldn't trust me either if i were him. But considering that this is all new to him, and different, he has adapted remarkably well to OUR environment, specifically. I do want him back with his "mommy", but until then i'm happy to have his noisy humour punctuate the air. For he is a very happy little bird, and friendly, in his own way.
peace :)
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Helping a friend
So i offered a colleague some help with replacing his chain and sprockets, my garage is better than many i guess, and i don't mind getting dirty to help. So we went through after work, stripped the wheel and chain and sprockets and proceeded to fit the new ones.
The job went from bad to worse to stupid to broken. Very very quickly. You see, he was in a hurry, to go on a date, where he'd promised the girl a ride. So quickly quickly, everything in a hurry. I discovered that part of the reason for haste was a non working headlight. I also discovered his back brakes were worn. Not worn as in the pads finished and the metal is scraping, i mean the metal was finished, and the disc is nearly gone. The sprockets were finished, not as in replace now, as in, they should have been replaced several years ago. GONE. No teeth on the front sprocket. Back sprocket slightly less bad, but way past worn, and teeth broken in some places. The chain was similarly beyond any hope.
The job failed, miserably. And i'm glad. I'm torn over not being able to help a friend, as i had planned. I feel like a bad mechanic and friend, those feeling are normal kneejerks to failing in the garage, with any job. But when i get through all the egotistical crap, there is a slow realisation that the bike standing forlornly in a foreign place is preventing it being ridden. And that is a positive thing. For now at least i guess.
I love bikes, i tolerate bikers, and i sincerely wish to see many many more on the roads around us. But the caveat is that it can only be done within a safety orientated framework. The thrill of the ride lasts only as long as the metal that makes it move, when the metal fails, so does the thrill. And when metal fails at high speed, so too ends the life of the person on it, and pillion too, if you're counting.
I also watched first hand how NOT to approach a mechanical repair job. The slow, ponderous, thoughtful approach of all the mechanics i know is there for a reason. Even when things go wrong, which they always do, taking slow allows a solution, eventually. Battering your will against the hard reality of cold metal brings blood, and pain, and fustration, and broken metal. And broken wills too.
I'm glad that the bike is broken, and not the rider. I'm glad that the bike is now going to be taken and fixed, by those who are trained to do so. This doesn't change my views on home repairs though, i've just reassembled my own bike's engine. But i have a much greater respect now for both the bike and the methods of approaching the bike. On the road and in the garage, respect first and foremost, for without that respect, fear and even awe of the engineering, we are but children playing with a very hot fire.
peace and love
The job went from bad to worse to stupid to broken. Very very quickly. You see, he was in a hurry, to go on a date, where he'd promised the girl a ride. So quickly quickly, everything in a hurry. I discovered that part of the reason for haste was a non working headlight. I also discovered his back brakes were worn. Not worn as in the pads finished and the metal is scraping, i mean the metal was finished, and the disc is nearly gone. The sprockets were finished, not as in replace now, as in, they should have been replaced several years ago. GONE. No teeth on the front sprocket. Back sprocket slightly less bad, but way past worn, and teeth broken in some places. The chain was similarly beyond any hope.
The job failed, miserably. And i'm glad. I'm torn over not being able to help a friend, as i had planned. I feel like a bad mechanic and friend, those feeling are normal kneejerks to failing in the garage, with any job. But when i get through all the egotistical crap, there is a slow realisation that the bike standing forlornly in a foreign place is preventing it being ridden. And that is a positive thing. For now at least i guess.
I love bikes, i tolerate bikers, and i sincerely wish to see many many more on the roads around us. But the caveat is that it can only be done within a safety orientated framework. The thrill of the ride lasts only as long as the metal that makes it move, when the metal fails, so does the thrill. And when metal fails at high speed, so too ends the life of the person on it, and pillion too, if you're counting.
I also watched first hand how NOT to approach a mechanical repair job. The slow, ponderous, thoughtful approach of all the mechanics i know is there for a reason. Even when things go wrong, which they always do, taking slow allows a solution, eventually. Battering your will against the hard reality of cold metal brings blood, and pain, and fustration, and broken metal. And broken wills too.
I'm glad that the bike is broken, and not the rider. I'm glad that the bike is now going to be taken and fixed, by those who are trained to do so. This doesn't change my views on home repairs though, i've just reassembled my own bike's engine. But i have a much greater respect now for both the bike and the methods of approaching the bike. On the road and in the garage, respect first and foremost, for without that respect, fear and even awe of the engineering, we are but children playing with a very hot fire.
peace and love
Sunday, 17 April 2011
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
In fear of what my life or my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
~Wendell Berry
hat tip to K :]
And I wake in the night at the least sound
In fear of what my life or my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
~Wendell Berry
hat tip to K :]
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Back in the Saddle
It's day 3 since i rode my bike again, after a 2 week break, and it's a miracle i've not yet maimed myself. I can't stop, i can't turn, i can't balance at slow speed, nothing like that.
All i can do is try miss all the damned cars that seem intent on sending me to the hereafter. Had an altercation with a rich black bitch in a fucking huge white merc. After not stopping at a stop street, and pulling straight in front of my path without even slowing, she the attempted to drive away as if nothing had happened. So i pulled her over and explained what a brain dead bitch she was. I hope i ruined her day.
For my own part, i'm just trying to "reconnect" with the machine. Trying to get that feeling back ... don't get me wrong the bike, apart from sounding like either a beetle or a tractor, thanks to the valve lifters, has developed an engine tone an octave lower, only noticable once you open the throttle, but a deeper than usual ROAR lets me know there is plenty of grunt waiting for me.
The thing is, i NEVER "floor it", i never gun the motor as i ride, there's too much. I'm always riding very gently with the throttle, opening is small manageable amounts, gently pouring more power through to the wheels. That's why i love my bike so much, absolutely linear power band, utterly responsive to even the most sensitive throttle adjustments. Speed up, slow down, and all with the finest twitch on the throttle producing immediate results. Even when i do want to go fast, never the "dump" movement, throwing everything at once, but i keep the throttle at absolute minimum for the required acceleration, otherwise i'd have been thrown off a long time ago.
But it's tempting, that low throaty growl i hear under me when i give that little bit extra. It's that growl of an animal about to pounce, of pure power unstretching itself.
This weekend, i'll fix some of the valve clatter, collecting the footpegs today, and the plastics soonest, but i want frame sliders before i fit the new plastics, otherwise i'll crash probably 2 days after fitting said new plastics ..lol.
peace and love and safe travelling!
All i can do is try miss all the damned cars that seem intent on sending me to the hereafter. Had an altercation with a rich black bitch in a fucking huge white merc. After not stopping at a stop street, and pulling straight in front of my path without even slowing, she the attempted to drive away as if nothing had happened. So i pulled her over and explained what a brain dead bitch she was. I hope i ruined her day.
For my own part, i'm just trying to "reconnect" with the machine. Trying to get that feeling back ... don't get me wrong the bike, apart from sounding like either a beetle or a tractor, thanks to the valve lifters, has developed an engine tone an octave lower, only noticable once you open the throttle, but a deeper than usual ROAR lets me know there is plenty of grunt waiting for me.
The thing is, i NEVER "floor it", i never gun the motor as i ride, there's too much. I'm always riding very gently with the throttle, opening is small manageable amounts, gently pouring more power through to the wheels. That's why i love my bike so much, absolutely linear power band, utterly responsive to even the most sensitive throttle adjustments. Speed up, slow down, and all with the finest twitch on the throttle producing immediate results. Even when i do want to go fast, never the "dump" movement, throwing everything at once, but i keep the throttle at absolute minimum for the required acceleration, otherwise i'd have been thrown off a long time ago.
But it's tempting, that low throaty growl i hear under me when i give that little bit extra. It's that growl of an animal about to pounce, of pure power unstretching itself.
This weekend, i'll fix some of the valve clatter, collecting the footpegs today, and the plastics soonest, but i want frame sliders before i fit the new plastics, otherwise i'll crash probably 2 days after fitting said new plastics ..lol.
peace and love and safe travelling!
Monday, 11 April 2011
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Friday, 8 April 2011
http://soho.esac.esa.int//data/realtime/sps/lasco/c2/2011/04/20110407_1248_c2_512.jpgThursday, 7 April 2011
Thunder day
It's appropriate. I had to check which day it was first. I can imagine a great hammer smashing down through the ether, shattering and breaking and smashing anything it connects with.
After fire comes the melting. White hot metal pouring like rain across our horisons.
The bike is not yet fixed, more bits at the engineers. For some unknown reason, i had not 1 or 2, but 13 valves not seating properly. No signs that the valve hit the pistons or anything that extreme, just broken anyway.
Thanks to the last while, i'm now officially depressed. I'm a crap mechanic, apparently a crap husband, father, and all round fuck up. Can't say i'm surprised to hear it, just ... it's deflating i guess.
Aaaargh this merry dance we make ... what a load of bullshit.
After fire comes the melting. White hot metal pouring like rain across our horisons.
The bike is not yet fixed, more bits at the engineers. For some unknown reason, i had not 1 or 2, but 13 valves not seating properly. No signs that the valve hit the pistons or anything that extreme, just broken anyway.
Thanks to the last while, i'm now officially depressed. I'm a crap mechanic, apparently a crap husband, father, and all round fuck up. Can't say i'm surprised to hear it, just ... it's deflating i guess.
Aaaargh this merry dance we make ... what a load of bullshit.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Happy monday!!
Unlike everybody else i know, i like mondays. It's the fresh day, start the week. We usually start it wrong you know, like by going to work ... but it's a good first day i think.
I'm busy playing wrench monkey again today, but even the hardest job is made easier by friends visiting and sending support.
QOTD:
Originally Posted by DefyInertia
Don't waste your money paying some tool to molest your bike!
FROM: www.fz6-forum.com/
:D
I'm busy playing wrench monkey again today, but even the hardest job is made easier by friends visiting and sending support.
QOTD:
Originally Posted by DefyInertia
Don't waste your money paying some tool to molest your bike!
FROM: www.fz6-forum.com/
:D
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Time
Been busy, been busy waiting a lot too. Got everything together this afternoon, and it wouldn't start.
Looks like the cam chain is 1 tooth out ....
Just had an awesome roast dinner, so feeling human again, almost.
Looks like the cam chain is 1 tooth out ....
Just had an awesome roast dinner, so feeling human again, almost.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Metal madness
I've been patient all week, waiting for stuff to happen, as slowly as it needs (it's always slowly when you're in a hurry).
Got the cylinder head back from the engineers yesterday, even got them to use a die on the other threads to clean them out properly, all nice and tip top shape.
The plan was to get working this morning. You cannot rush around most the day then sit down to mechanicals, thats how you break things. I prefer to wake in the morning, able over to the garage, and start on some easy stuff, like waking up. And so last night was my boy's birthday, he and his cousin kicked me away from the pc so i went and wandered around the garage a bit, you know, just looking. Looked at my shiny clean head on the bench, and the spark plugs lying next to, and thought to myself, this is the easiest spark plug insertion i'll ever do on my bike, since i'm apparently so freaking bad at it, i may as well practice.
And i'm glad i did, the other 3 holes took the plugs perfectly, but the one thats just been done, not even halfway, then stuck.
I don't know, i'm not any kind of expert, so i'll have to ask, when someone has a chance, and take it from there. This is where self control is hardest, and while i'm quite upset, it won't help to express it, it any way.
I guess i'll go read a book, that never hurt anyone.
peace and love
Got the cylinder head back from the engineers yesterday, even got them to use a die on the other threads to clean them out properly, all nice and tip top shape.
The plan was to get working this morning. You cannot rush around most the day then sit down to mechanicals, thats how you break things. I prefer to wake in the morning, able over to the garage, and start on some easy stuff, like waking up. And so last night was my boy's birthday, he and his cousin kicked me away from the pc so i went and wandered around the garage a bit, you know, just looking. Looked at my shiny clean head on the bench, and the spark plugs lying next to, and thought to myself, this is the easiest spark plug insertion i'll ever do on my bike, since i'm apparently so freaking bad at it, i may as well practice.
And i'm glad i did, the other 3 holes took the plugs perfectly, but the one thats just been done, not even halfway, then stuck.
I don't know, i'm not any kind of expert, so i'll have to ask, when someone has a chance, and take it from there. This is where self control is hardest, and while i'm quite upset, it won't help to express it, it any way.
I guess i'll go read a book, that never hurt anyone.
peace and love
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