Two Wheel Tuesday

Gathering of the Nortons, my favorite annual vintage motorcycle event will be held this Sunday. It is the biggest antique and classic motorcycle show on the East Coast in the United States.

Ten years ago after the event ended and I was getting ready to ride home, the owner of a vintage BMW motorcycle parked next to mine asked me if I was riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX14. By todays standards, the Ninja ZX14 is a very fast motorcycle which is electronically restricted to a top speed of 186 mph.

I replied in the affirmative, and said yes. The gentleman responded, "you got big cojones to ride that thing, that Ninja is a real beast on the highway amigo". I burst out laughing to what he said, and responded "yes, the Ninja ZX14 is very fast, but the posted speed limit on the highway is 65 mph".

His comment made my day. It's been ten years, and to this day his innocent observation brings a smile on my face every time I remember what he said.

50 Years On Two Wheels

I am lucky enough to be riding motorcycles in what is now my 50th year on two wheels. As a 17-year-old, I needed my mother's consent and her name listed on the bike's title and registration to purchase my first bike from the dealership. 

Three months later, I received my first real wake up call in life when I got drunk, crashed my bike and broke my leg while drinking and driving. I was a couple of months shy of my 18th birthday. 

A lot has happened since the day that I walked out of the dealership with my first motorcycle. I have no regrets. I cannot regret something that has taught me valuable and worthwhile lessons in life.

Masochists Must Be Having A Field Day

Why do some people prefer cold miserable weather? In my humble opinion, it must be because they enjoy pain.

Take a look at this picture, and in all honesty tell me, where is the fun of being outside with two feet of heavy snow and wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph? 

The April Nor'easter is pounding the Northeast from New England to New York, bringing heavy snow, rain, high winds, tornadoes, power outages and death this week. Masochists must be having a field day.

Another Trip Around The Sun

I am now accepting birthday dinners, lunches and gifts, all month long!

Last year, on April 4, 2023, I spent my birthday attending The Orange Turd historic indictment in Manhattan Criminal Court. I was interviewed by a NYC newspaper, and I video recorded this historic event for my channel. 

It's been freezing cold and rainy all week, so most likely I'll stay indoors today. I have plans to celebrate with friends in New York City this weekend!

The second picture is from 1959, when I was 3 years old. The last image was taken in 1983 when I turned 27 years old. Happy Birthday to me !!!!

Just When You Thought That Things Couldn't Get Any Worse

Are you following the news about the terrorist mass-shooting attack at a music concert in Russia last Friday? The latest report says that the Islamic group Isis took responsibility for the massacre.

There are also reports that all the terrorists were arrested after their car overturned while being chased by Russian police. One report indicates that the American embassy in Moscow warned that Americans should not go to large gatherings in Russia. Apparently president Putin dismissed the warnings as "Western blackmail". 

Now, Russia blames the Ukraine for the terrorist attack, while Putin critics suggest it was a "false flag" operation. In other words, Putin opposition claim that Russia carried out the attack against its own people to justify escalation against Ukraine. 

In related news, this morning Poland is accusing Russia of entering its country airspace, after Russia fired a cruise missile into Polish airspace to attack Ukraine. 

Methinks is going to get worse, before it gets better. 

When It Comes To Photography, Nothing Beats Today's Technology

My first real camera was a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 film camera, purchased as a gift to myself in 1988 after my divorce. The other camera shown on this picture was my first digital Nikon DSLR purchased in 2015.

Earlier this week I declined to participate in a conversation about taking pictures using film, and developing my own images in a darkroom at home or sending the film to a processing lab. Hardcore photography purists can be rough, and for some is hard to compromise. It is their way, or no way.

The last time I used my film Yashica FX-3 camera in 2002, I visited Washington DC and spent a week sightseeing the city. When I returned home, I took a roll of film of 36 exposures to get it developed. It was a huge mistake because the processing lab ruined ALL my vacation pictures.

When it comes to photography, nothing beats today's ( digital camera or smartphone ) technology.

Shaken, Not Stirred

It is been said that Ian Fleming, creator of Bond, prefers his martinis "shaken, not stirred", because shaking mixes the drink with air, making it colder and it preserves the flavor of the drink.

Recently, there were rumors that the new successor in the 007 film franchise was going to be a woman. But according to a British tabloid newspaper, Aaron Taylor-Johnson could be the next James Bond. The tabloid released a story this week saying the 33 year old British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role of 007.

Personally, I believe the producers missed a great opportunity in not selecting a female Bond. In my opinion, it is time the role of secret service agent Bond went to a woman.