Lopaka Lounge

I did it.  I finally did it.  Someone–out of nowhere–found out that I was interested in selling my Suzuki Katana and bought it on the spot.  Got enough money for a down-payment on a new bike.  I decided to go with a Honda because I wanted something affordable and reliable for my first official big-boy-all-growed-up motorcycle. 

Ray and I drove out to the big Honda motorcycle dealership near Tucson.  I took my riding classes there and figured they were all official and corporate and would take care of me.  I was wrong. 

After finally wrangling a salesman, I knew we were in trouble when he told us his name was Lumpy.  He handed me his card.

“Lumpy Lumpkin”

I shit you not.  Lumpy-fucking-Lumpkin.  I was interested in the Shadow Aero but Lumpy wasn’t making the deal I wanted so I started looking at the Shadow Spirit.  It’s a small step down from the Aero.  I was sitting on the Spirit basically telling Lumpy that I wanted the bike.  He started mumbling about being short staffed and the finance people were busy or something.  Basically, he wouldn’t sell me the bike.  I was flabbergasted.  Bitch slapped as it were. 

On the way back home, I decided to go to Cochise Motorsports here in Sierra Vista where I bought my chaps, jacket and helmet.  They had excellent customer service.  Shamefully, I didn’t go there first because they weren’t a big chain.  My bad. 

I called them and spoke to Stephen.  He had an 07 Honda Shadow Aero and he offered me a great deal over the phone.  I figured it had been there sitting on the showroom floor collecting dust.  It probably had a few miles on it too.  I was wrong.  This is what it looked like:

It was still in the crate!  A 2007 Titanium Shadow Aero VT750C!!  Now this is not a big old fancy schmansy bike.  It’s kind of on the lower end…but it’s all I could afford. I really liked its hint of classic styling.  I originally wanted the red and white one but Ray suggested that the Titanium was more handsome.  He was right.  It sparkles in the sun.

We did all the paperwork while the shop guys assembled my bike.  It sounds so nice saying that.  My. Bike. 

I guess the coolest thing was walking out and seeing the bike all shiny and put together just waiting for me.  I’m its daddy.  No one has ever touched it before me (and the guys that put it together). 

It rode like a dream.  Purred like a kitten.  A big kitten.  I’m not sure what to name it.  I’m sure I’ll come up with something clever. 

I bought it Wednesday evening and I already have 85 miles on it.  Ray said that he may be interested in learning how to ride.  That would be awesome.  This is one of the best areas to ride a bike.  Lots of open road and it’s warm.  I have a feeling I’ll be riding more now with this bike than I did with my old crotch rocket.  Man, that thing was a bitch to maneuver. 

Lesson learned; When you don’t get what you want, when you want it, there’s something better around the corner.  If you don’t see it right away, keep looking.  The universe has been very good to me and I am very, very grateful. 

Me and my Shadow on the road to my house. 
Who could ask for anything more?

Our friend Kevin makes bird houses out of old license plates.  When I got my motorcycle, I had the old smaller plate from the previous owner.  Kevin made me a little tiny bird house which I hung on the tree outside of our back yard. 

All last spring, I witched young bird couples shop around for a place to live.  The only problem with the tiny birdhouse was that the hole was too small.  Last year at the end of the summer, some wasps chewed away at the opening of the little bird house opening up the hole a bit.  The other day, I was in the yard and heard this bird happily singing away.  I finally realized that the sound was coming from the little house.  I guess we have a tenant this year. 

She just loves her new place and we love having her.  It’s a joy to sit out there and listen to her chirping away.  She seemed a bit apprehensive about us being in the back yard at first but we have all grown used to each other. 

Kevin built me another house out of a regular sized plate that I had from our other car.  There’s a for rent sign on it so pass the word if you know a cool bird.

After raising three children while working full time at the tender age of 51 (sorry to tell your age sis but it makes the story more effective), my oldest sister Betty graduated from law school.  There is no possible way I could have accomplished what she did.  I am very, very proud of her. 

My father–who could not attend–is proud too.  Finally, all six of his children are college graduates.  Dad used to say,

 ”I’m not going to force you to go to college because I know you’re going anyway.”

Betty and I were the late bloomers.  I was 33 when I graduated and she is 51.  It guess it was worth the wait.  Ray and I headed out to LA to attend the ceremony.  It was great to see my family and catch up with Betty’s friends that I have not seen for years.

(L to R) Ma in law Pat, niece Nichole, Betty’s kids: Ben, Sarah, Dan

Betty and friend

Moments away from grabbing the brass ring

It’s like being crowned

Congrats Betty!

Betty and our mother

The ubiquitous one-armed MySpace/Blog pic (brother John in the background)

All who attended on Betty’s behalf

The funny thing (to me) about the ubiquitous one-armed MySpace/Blog pic is that you can kind of see how my sister and I get along.  It’s impossible to chat with her without laughing.  We both have a warped sense of humor. 

Now all she has to do is pass the bar. . .

I spent all day last Sunday reconfiguring my studio.  After months of guitar practice and being focused on other big projects, I’m itching to start writing music again.  I wish I could afford studio technicians.  It’s really hard to have to do everything yourself.  What I really want is to assemble a band except this time I’m the lead singer/songwriter as opposed to the keyboard player who sings the occasional ooh, ohh, yeah, yeah in the background.

Ray and I are off to LA again today.  My sister Betty is graduating from law school.  I’m very proud of her…and it never hurts to have a lawyer in the family.

Oh, one more thing.  I finally bought an iPhone while I was in Chicago.  It’s totally bitchen’.  I figured I deserved it after getting the County’s website up and running.