Over 1,688,468 furballs coughed up since March, 2003- 331 today alone! |
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We had our kitten Harley, barely five months old, euthanized last night. His last ten days of life were full of subcutaneous fluids, forced feedings, several antibiotics, and lots of love. In the end I was faced with a decision I never want to have to repeat. Harley’s immune system was damaged beyond repair by the feline leukaemia virus and, although we had managed to keep him alive for a few extra days, it wasn’t going to get better. Continue reading Letting Harley go… 
Earlier this year I completed a motorcycle skills training course, bought a Kawasaki Vulcan, and got my motorcycle license. I had ridden before back when I was still a teenager, but this time I actually got my license. Between May and September I rode about 10,000 kilometres- most of that was smaller rides in the 100 km or so range, but I had several 500+ kilometres days as well. During that time I learned a lot about riding, and more importantly about myself.
UPDATE: I’ve completed the WordPress upgrades, including an update to the site theme and correction of a problem with my “Archives” page. I’m expecting to find some problems over the course of the next day or two but, for now at least, it appears that the basics are all working
I’ve been really enjoying my motorcycle riding this year. So much so that I started planning for my “ultimate” touring motorcycle. I was weighing different features, reading dozens of forums and reviews, and lamenting the several years which I’d likely have to wait in order to save up the cash. As you might imagine, this non-stop motorcycle this, Harley that, whining and complaining started to get on the nerves of my lovely wife Irene. Finally, after hearing one too many “<sigh>I wish I didn’t have to wait another two years” noises from me, she snapped: “Kelly, if I can have two kittens, you can go buy your Harley on terms” Obviously, my lovely wife doesn’t snap in a mean way. And that’s how we ended up adding two more kittens to our already cat-crowded home… and it marks the beginning of a stressful period of uncertainty that is still not over. 
I received my iPad directly from Apple in early June and have been living with it since. I mean that phrase more completely than is usual with something of a technical nature: this device really has become part of my life, far more quickly and completely than I expected. The iPad is more than the sum of its parts: not exactly “magical”, but truly something new that goes beyond the mere technical details that describe it. And yet not all is well in this wondrous future into which this little booklet-sized computer has ushered me. The last piece has arrived, and my Vulcan landing pad is, for this year at least, complete. Behold, the Cycle Spinner:
I successfully passed my ICBC motorcycle road test on June 15. It was, like all tests, pretty stressful, but once I was finished the effort disappeared into my rear view mirrors surprisingly quickly. I’m planning on taking some sort of “advanced” training in a year or two: my feeling is that simply riding can improve confidence, but that there are some skills that require specialized practice and a knowledgeable instructor. I’ve been gradually personalizing my bike since I first bought it, but with my licensing behind me the brakes are off. I’ve replaced the grips, added a license plate frame, installed chrome trim on the fenders, put a gel pad on the seat for my aching behind, and acquired a sissy bar bag for when I need to carry a ton of gear. This is only the beginning of my list, which extends to include a new saddle, an air horn, new mirrors… I’m pretty sure, though, that I won’t be adding a cup holder (and yes, they are available).
I’m having a parking space built for my motorbike. There isn’t any extra room in the garage for it, and my car is tired of being parked out on the road. But like a lot of things in my life, this simple change is far more complicated than I was originally hoping.
The last shuttle mission has flown and, with nothing to replace it, the U.S. manned presence in space has ended with it. The shuttle astronauts in the picture below are the last ones we will ever see.
I’ve been sick with a sinus infection for the last several weeks, and am now mid-way through my second week of antibiotics. The infection was the outcome of my earlier flu that made my motorcycle lessons a bit more challenging. The illness has somewhat impacted my “biker geek” adventures, but hasn’t halted them entirely. I’ve managed to put a bit over 600 kilometres on my Vulcan, 200 of which was accrued on my ride yesterday with my Nephew Shane and his cousin. |
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Copyright © 2012 Kelly's World- A View into the mind of Uber Geek, Kelly Adams - All Rights Reserved |
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