Over the past month I've gotten into doing some regular hiking. Part of my way of getting fit and getting outside more. Living in the White Mountains of NH means I'm living in a virtual playground for hikers. Even in my town of Berlin there are plenty of places to go hiking.
About 4 blocks down the street from me sits Mount Jasper. A small mountain just behind the local high school. For a quick hike up and and back, it works quite well. I usually get from the my house to the top within thirty minutes. Makes for a good semi quick cardio workout. While a short hike, the views from the top are excellent. I can see most of my town from there.
By this time next year I hope to have hiked up the Presidential Range, particularly Mt Washington. Sadly the only one I've been up before is Mt Adams. I'm looking forward to this challenge...
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
2 wheels good... three wheels ...different-er
Trike Motorcycles have been around for years. In fact, my Aunt Denise used to drive one around quite a few years ago (she's a bad ass, or at least used to be. Now she drives a Smart Car). I even know a guy I was in a short film with that rides around on a traditional Trike, with the rear composed of an old VW car and engine, with a motorcycle type front wheel and handlebars. It's all decked out with a Native American theme. With his mohawk, it makes for a sight when he's riding down the road. (And now just realizing, why haven't I asked him to try his trike?)
Back in 2007, the Can-Am Spyder debuted. It's the flip side of the traditional motorcycle trike. These machines have the single wheel in the back (with power generated to via belt drive), with two wheels up front. Very cool-looking machines. It was created by Bombardier, known for their ATV's and snowmobiles. No other company makes Trikes like these
I've always wanted to try one, at the same time knowing I'd never want to own one. I figured they looked cool and all, but I loved the two wheeled motorcycles better. At that point you're just one step away from driving a sports car.
Nearby where I go for Aikido classes there's a dealership that rents the machines for 4-8 hours. I decided after class on Saturday to stop by the dealership and check it out.
It wasn't cheap, cost me about $190 once all fees/insurance was factored in. But it's been a decent summer for me financially, and you only live once.
After an introduction to how to maneuver in the parking lot, I was on the road for the next four hours with this unique machine.
The first thing to note is the lack of a "front" brake, as usually part of the right handlebar. Front/Rear brakes are applied via the right foot, where traditionally the rear brake is on a motorcycle. There's a push button for a parking break as well. The machines is a 5 speed, with reverse one click down from 1st when you push the R button.
The ride was excellent. Weird at first when steering. Whether motorcycling or cycling on two wheels, counter steering is the way to properly steer , but with trikes you figuratively steer the regularly using the handlebars. I actually wondered what the difference would feel like if they used a steering wheel on these. Didn't take me long to get used to. The front tires have unique traction and stability control. At no time did I feel like I might flip the trike on sharp corners.
So I rode around for four hours, with a break for lunch at my favorite cafe. Excellent riding, particularly with clear sunny skies. No issues with the ride. It was fun, but not something I'd want to own. Still love my two wheeled ride...
Back in 2007, the Can-Am Spyder debuted. It's the flip side of the traditional motorcycle trike. These machines have the single wheel in the back (with power generated to via belt drive), with two wheels up front. Very cool-looking machines. It was created by Bombardier, known for their ATV's and snowmobiles. No other company makes Trikes like these
I've always wanted to try one, at the same time knowing I'd never want to own one. I figured they looked cool and all, but I loved the two wheeled motorcycles better. At that point you're just one step away from driving a sports car.
Nearby where I go for Aikido classes there's a dealership that rents the machines for 4-8 hours. I decided after class on Saturday to stop by the dealership and check it out.
It wasn't cheap, cost me about $190 once all fees/insurance was factored in. But it's been a decent summer for me financially, and you only live once.
After an introduction to how to maneuver in the parking lot, I was on the road for the next four hours with this unique machine.
The first thing to note is the lack of a "front" brake, as usually part of the right handlebar. Front/Rear brakes are applied via the right foot, where traditionally the rear brake is on a motorcycle. There's a push button for a parking break as well. The machines is a 5 speed, with reverse one click down from 1st when you push the R button.
The ride was excellent. Weird at first when steering. Whether motorcycling or cycling on two wheels, counter steering is the way to properly steer , but with trikes you figuratively steer the regularly using the handlebars. I actually wondered what the difference would feel like if they used a steering wheel on these. Didn't take me long to get used to. The front tires have unique traction and stability control. At no time did I feel like I might flip the trike on sharp corners.
So I rode around for four hours, with a break for lunch at my favorite cafe. Excellent riding, particularly with clear sunny skies. No issues with the ride. It was fun, but not something I'd want to own. Still love my two wheeled ride...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
the First House
I was born in Bangor, Maine. One of the bigger cities in Maine. I'd lived in the area until I was 8 years old, when my parents, my younger brother and I moved to Berlin, NH, where my parents both grew up. I remember various things about the first 8 years. I don't remember the first apartment, and then trailer park my parents lived in during my first couple years.
I do remember their first house, right in Bangor. It was a small bungalow, with one bedroom on the second floor for my parents, and my small bedroom just off the kitchen and dining room on the first floor. We had a small back yard, and a patio my father and friends built. A nice front porch. Brown paint with white trim.
The street we lived on intersected the street Stephen King's house is on. My parents told me I was too afraid to go to his house on Halloween, this being the very early 80's and Mr. King not being as super famous as he is today. Not sure if he still does this, but back then he would put on a grand Halloween decoration scene at his house.
A couple houses down and across from us my friend Aaron lived with his family. Pretty much the quintessential childhood best friend. My parents have pictures of us together during Halloween and birthday parties.
Next door to us was a blue house where an old widow lived. Mrs. Moore was a very nice lady. With my grandparents all about a 3-4 hour drive away, it was like having a surrogate grandmother right next door. She'd occasionally babysit me. And I was always welcome to visit her. She'd let me play on her exercise bike, would tell me stories about when she was younger and about her husband, and she always had cranberry juice just for me. I still have a quilt she made me.
We moved just prior to when I started Kindergarten. My brother was born in May of that year, and that little bungalow of a house wouldn't do for the bigger family. So my parents moved us to a huge log home in a nearby rural town. New friends were made, new adventures. Good times.
Recently I visited the old house in Bangor. I'd gone to a concert with a friend in Bangor the night before, and stayed at the place she, her husband and kids lived in nearby Winterport, their first house. The next day I decided to check it out.
Thanks to the technology of Google Maps, I was able to get a first hand street view look of the place before I left for my trip. I pull over on my motorcycle, and there it is. Same paint scheme and everything. Even Mrs. Moore's house was the same blue color. Now I felt weird. I'm a big burly guy showing up on a motorcycle taking random pics of a couple different houses with my cell phone. I kept expecting people to poke their heads out the window to give me weird looks. I didn't check out much more of the Bangor area, but thought it was pretty cool to ride around before the long ride back home.
Kindergarten is starting this week for a lot of new students. And I wonder about the little one that used to live here, herself starting kindergarten in Rhode Island. I still miss the kiddo, and wonder if she'll remember this house.
I do remember their first house, right in Bangor. It was a small bungalow, with one bedroom on the second floor for my parents, and my small bedroom just off the kitchen and dining room on the first floor. We had a small back yard, and a patio my father and friends built. A nice front porch. Brown paint with white trim.
The street we lived on intersected the street Stephen King's house is on. My parents told me I was too afraid to go to his house on Halloween, this being the very early 80's and Mr. King not being as super famous as he is today. Not sure if he still does this, but back then he would put on a grand Halloween decoration scene at his house.
A couple houses down and across from us my friend Aaron lived with his family. Pretty much the quintessential childhood best friend. My parents have pictures of us together during Halloween and birthday parties.
Next door to us was a blue house where an old widow lived. Mrs. Moore was a very nice lady. With my grandparents all about a 3-4 hour drive away, it was like having a surrogate grandmother right next door. She'd occasionally babysit me. And I was always welcome to visit her. She'd let me play on her exercise bike, would tell me stories about when she was younger and about her husband, and she always had cranberry juice just for me. I still have a quilt she made me.
We moved just prior to when I started Kindergarten. My brother was born in May of that year, and that little bungalow of a house wouldn't do for the bigger family. So my parents moved us to a huge log home in a nearby rural town. New friends were made, new adventures. Good times.
Recently I visited the old house in Bangor. I'd gone to a concert with a friend in Bangor the night before, and stayed at the place she, her husband and kids lived in nearby Winterport, their first house. The next day I decided to check it out.
Thanks to the technology of Google Maps, I was able to get a first hand street view look of the place before I left for my trip. I pull over on my motorcycle, and there it is. Same paint scheme and everything. Even Mrs. Moore's house was the same blue color. Now I felt weird. I'm a big burly guy showing up on a motorcycle taking random pics of a couple different houses with my cell phone. I kept expecting people to poke their heads out the window to give me weird looks. I didn't check out much more of the Bangor area, but thought it was pretty cool to ride around before the long ride back home.
Kindergarten is starting this week for a lot of new students. And I wonder about the little one that used to live here, herself starting kindergarten in Rhode Island. I still miss the kiddo, and wonder if she'll remember this house.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
certificate
This morning in our Aikido class, my fellow Aikidoka Jeff and I were presented with our certificates for completing 5th Kyu in Aikido, from the headquaters of our small school and the Baltimore Aikido school... in Hawai'i.
Hawai'i... really, that's how they spell it. Neat. It's kinda nice to have the certificate. Even bought a frame for it. It will sit in my basement next to my framed Third Dan in Ninpo Chuan Fa and black belt.
Aikido rankings go from 6th Kyu (beginner) to 1st Kyu, with students wearing a white belt with their gi. After 1st Kyu, we'll test of 1st Dan (1st degree Black Belt), after that, it's black belts and Hakamas, which are black skirt-like pants that the samurai used to wear. My good friend Leane and I refer to them as the "fancy pants".
I'm really enjoying the class right now. Fellow student Jeff is an athletic guy in his 40's with a black belt in Kenpo. With just the two of us, it's kind of like private lessons with Jack Henry, our sensei. We've really been moving along in our studies, although Jeff and I both get tripped up in certain moves and how we try to not resort to old moves we know from the other styles we're trained in.
Lately I've taken some steps on behalf and at the request of Jack Sensei to set up a Facebook page for our group. I've gotten some friends to "like" the page. Also put up a few flyers for the school around the area. Jack is hoping we could get at least a few more people to round out the class. He started teaching Aikido at a health club in North Conway in February this year, there have been a few headaches with the club, such as having to switch rooms and mats around every class, and some overlap of other classes there. That'll be coming to an end, as the program is being moved to Conway at a local Yoga studio next month. Maybe we'll have a few less headaches with that.
Hawai'i... really, that's how they spell it. Neat. It's kinda nice to have the certificate. Even bought a frame for it. It will sit in my basement next to my framed Third Dan in Ninpo Chuan Fa and black belt.
Aikido rankings go from 6th Kyu (beginner) to 1st Kyu, with students wearing a white belt with their gi. After 1st Kyu, we'll test of 1st Dan (1st degree Black Belt), after that, it's black belts and Hakamas, which are black skirt-like pants that the samurai used to wear. My good friend Leane and I refer to them as the "fancy pants".
I'm really enjoying the class right now. Fellow student Jeff is an athletic guy in his 40's with a black belt in Kenpo. With just the two of us, it's kind of like private lessons with Jack Henry, our sensei. We've really been moving along in our studies, although Jeff and I both get tripped up in certain moves and how we try to not resort to old moves we know from the other styles we're trained in.
Lately I've taken some steps on behalf and at the request of Jack Sensei to set up a Facebook page for our group. I've gotten some friends to "like" the page. Also put up a few flyers for the school around the area. Jack is hoping we could get at least a few more people to round out the class. He started teaching Aikido at a health club in North Conway in February this year, there have been a few headaches with the club, such as having to switch rooms and mats around every class, and some overlap of other classes there. That'll be coming to an end, as the program is being moved to Conway at a local Yoga studio next month. Maybe we'll have a few less headaches with that.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Runs on calories...
Earlier this week I took my mountain bike for a sixteen mile round trip to the next town up north into the local village. It was a hot day, humid too. One of those days where a lot of people just stay by their air conditioners. However, I was feeling pretty good, particularly after an excellent weightlifting workout in my basement, where it's always nice and cool in the summer.
My ride went well, with just a gentle enough breeze to make the heat bearable. Thought I was drinking enough water, but when I got home I felt like I walked into brick wall. I recovered with some good hydration and proper food. Made me pretty tired for my Aikido class later though.
Sadly enough I've only taken my mountain bike out once this year, and only a handful of times last year when I bought it.
This year's different though. Being single again has been kind of a wake up call on getting my weight under control. Really not feeling comfortable in my own skin right now, excess baggage and such. I think getting on the bicycle regularly will help me out like it did oh so many years ago when I went from being a husky teen to the kinda guy that was actually in pretty good shape and thinking of going to college to become a personal trainer.
Going to school for Culinary Arts kinda sent me the other way. My own fault.
Also, some friends of mine opened up a bicycle shop in the next town south of here. They have group rides every wednesday and sunday evenings, so I'll have to check those out when my schedule permits.
Not liking the new bike I bought though. Got talked into the mountain bike I have, when I really should have gotten more of a Road/Commuter bike. Soon I'll have to get rid of the bicycle for something more fitting for the road riding I prefer to do. Also, need a better saddle. I'll be ordering through my friends' shop to help support their new business. They sell Jamis bicycles, a company out of New Jersey.
Think I'll go check out their website...
My ride went well, with just a gentle enough breeze to make the heat bearable. Thought I was drinking enough water, but when I got home I felt like I walked into brick wall. I recovered with some good hydration and proper food. Made me pretty tired for my Aikido class later though.
Sadly enough I've only taken my mountain bike out once this year, and only a handful of times last year when I bought it.
This year's different though. Being single again has been kind of a wake up call on getting my weight under control. Really not feeling comfortable in my own skin right now, excess baggage and such. I think getting on the bicycle regularly will help me out like it did oh so many years ago when I went from being a husky teen to the kinda guy that was actually in pretty good shape and thinking of going to college to become a personal trainer.
Going to school for Culinary Arts kinda sent me the other way. My own fault.
Also, some friends of mine opened up a bicycle shop in the next town south of here. They have group rides every wednesday and sunday evenings, so I'll have to check those out when my schedule permits.
Not liking the new bike I bought though. Got talked into the mountain bike I have, when I really should have gotten more of a Road/Commuter bike. Soon I'll have to get rid of the bicycle for something more fitting for the road riding I prefer to do. Also, need a better saddle. I'll be ordering through my friends' shop to help support their new business. They sell Jamis bicycles, a company out of New Jersey.
Think I'll go check out their website...
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Aikido
Over the past couple months I've had the opportunity to take martial arts classes again. An Aikido program opened up in North Conway , about a 45 minute drive away, at a local health club.
The instructor, Jack Henry, is a second degree black belt Aikido. He and his wife moved up from Baltimore to the N.Conway area to semi-retire. Jack is a former school teacher, and he definitely looks the part. While he and his wife enjoy northern NH, he really started to miss his Aikido classes, so why not start teaching?
The classes are held at 121 Fit. One hour classes every Thursday evening and Saturday morning. I'm one of only a few regular students. The price is $50 a month, which basically just pays for the fees to use the rooms and mats at the club. Basically means Jack is doing this pretty much non-profit, and mainly so he can spread the art he's come to enjoy with others.
Aikido is unique in that there are very few, if any strikes, including kicks/punches. The philosophy by it's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was to harmonize with one's opponent, to blend with an attacker's energy and take control of their "center". A person's center, or "Hara" is located approx two inches below the naval. A big part of the manipulations focuses on one's center, and being in control of it. The best way I can describe it, is that with it's focus on protecting your opponent, it's an ideal martial art for hippies!
One thing that makes it easy to converse with Jack Sensei, is that he also has a 2nd degree black belt in Kempo, the style that formed the biggest aspect of Ninpo Chuan Fa, the style that I'm a 3rd degree black belt in. Strangely enough, the only other regular student , Jeff, is also a former practitioner of Kempo, with a first degree black belt.
One of the more fun classes have involved a couple of my fellow black belts from the old school joining me for class. Leane was able to go to a few classes, and Tim joined us for one as well. While they both enjoyed it, they both lead busy lives, so have not made it a regular thing. That particular class which had Leane, Time and I was particularly fun, especially for Jack. He was very impressed with all of us, and appreciated how open we were to learning.
Also, just recently, my young friend and author Kyle, who has also learned from John, has started attending classes, car-pooling with me. I could see the doubt in his eyes as I explained how Aikido works. Aikido can look pretty fake and impractical to the outside observer, particularly if they've studied other arts before ( I know I did). After his first class, I could see how excited he was, and he plans on being a regular student. Kinda cool that I have a kindred spirit to car-pool with.
The Aikido 3D program has actually come in handy pretty well! It's helped me to understand the moves I'd been learning from all angles. An excellent purchase that was. It's particularly helping me prepare for June 30th, when I'll take my first test, for 5th Kyu. In contrast, the last martial arts test I took was for my 3rd Degree Black Belt, eleven years ago!
In Aikido schools, there are 5 Kyu levels to obtain before testing for 1st Dan, or 1st degree Black Belt. In most of these schools, all Kyu levels are white belts. I ordered myself a new Gi with white belt. Kinda neat to put on a new uniform, and particularly a white belt!
I'm enjoying my time with the class, and will definitely be sticking with it. I do still miss studying Ninpo Chuan Fa with John, and I will be sending him an email soon to check back if he'd be up for teaching again, even if it was just teaching me private lessons.
After a year of reading multiple books on various martial arts and missing the practice, it's quite satisfying to to be back in groove again, even if studying something new!
Konnichiwa
The instructor, Jack Henry, is a second degree black belt Aikido. He and his wife moved up from Baltimore to the N.Conway area to semi-retire. Jack is a former school teacher, and he definitely looks the part. While he and his wife enjoy northern NH, he really started to miss his Aikido classes, so why not start teaching?
The classes are held at 121 Fit. One hour classes every Thursday evening and Saturday morning. I'm one of only a few regular students. The price is $50 a month, which basically just pays for the fees to use the rooms and mats at the club. Basically means Jack is doing this pretty much non-profit, and mainly so he can spread the art he's come to enjoy with others.
Aikido is unique in that there are very few, if any strikes, including kicks/punches. The philosophy by it's founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was to harmonize with one's opponent, to blend with an attacker's energy and take control of their "center". A person's center, or "Hara" is located approx two inches below the naval. A big part of the manipulations focuses on one's center, and being in control of it. The best way I can describe it, is that with it's focus on protecting your opponent, it's an ideal martial art for hippies!
One thing that makes it easy to converse with Jack Sensei, is that he also has a 2nd degree black belt in Kempo, the style that formed the biggest aspect of Ninpo Chuan Fa, the style that I'm a 3rd degree black belt in. Strangely enough, the only other regular student , Jeff, is also a former practitioner of Kempo, with a first degree black belt.
One of the more fun classes have involved a couple of my fellow black belts from the old school joining me for class. Leane was able to go to a few classes, and Tim joined us for one as well. While they both enjoyed it, they both lead busy lives, so have not made it a regular thing. That particular class which had Leane, Time and I was particularly fun, especially for Jack. He was very impressed with all of us, and appreciated how open we were to learning.
Also, just recently, my young friend and author Kyle, who has also learned from John, has started attending classes, car-pooling with me. I could see the doubt in his eyes as I explained how Aikido works. Aikido can look pretty fake and impractical to the outside observer, particularly if they've studied other arts before ( I know I did). After his first class, I could see how excited he was, and he plans on being a regular student. Kinda cool that I have a kindred spirit to car-pool with.
The Aikido 3D program has actually come in handy pretty well! It's helped me to understand the moves I'd been learning from all angles. An excellent purchase that was. It's particularly helping me prepare for June 30th, when I'll take my first test, for 5th Kyu. In contrast, the last martial arts test I took was for my 3rd Degree Black Belt, eleven years ago!
In Aikido schools, there are 5 Kyu levels to obtain before testing for 1st Dan, or 1st degree Black Belt. In most of these schools, all Kyu levels are white belts. I ordered myself a new Gi with white belt. Kinda neat to put on a new uniform, and particularly a white belt!
I'm enjoying my time with the class, and will definitely be sticking with it. I do still miss studying Ninpo Chuan Fa with John, and I will be sending him an email soon to check back if he'd be up for teaching again, even if it was just teaching me private lessons.
After a year of reading multiple books on various martial arts and missing the practice, it's quite satisfying to to be back in groove again, even if studying something new!
Konnichiwa
Friday, June 8, 2012
moving on...
I've been avoiding this blog for a little while, mainly since I'm really not sure what to write about. My life has been in an odd state since becoming single again.
My ex girlfriend essentially gave full custody of her child to her ex-husband, lying to her family and I about what she was going to do with her daughter. And... there was another guy. So my respect for her is gone. I don't hate her, since hate implies that I want something bad to happen to her. If it wasn't for her family, all of whom I still care for dearly, then I would hate her. It's tough being close friends with one of her sisters, who is also angry with her. I had one friend tell me that her actions don't make her a bad person. My response was simply, "so cheating on her man and giving up primary custody of her child makes her a good person"? No reply after that. I thought I was a with a nice hippy chick, who turned into a shallow whiny child over the past year.
I really didn't want to blog about my breakup, but it would feel odd not to, like holding back. I'll forgive her someday, if she donates a kidney to someone I care about or cures cancer. A few people have a hard time with me being honest about my disdain for my ex. They don't like it, I ask them to take one moment and step into my shoes. I was a damn good boyfriend and also an excellent role model to Alice. I miss her dearly, and I feel now like all the time I spent with the little on was for nothing. However, as far as my ex goes, good riddance.
Ok, I'm done. I had to get that off my chest.
There have been some good things over the past couple months since. I'll get to those. Some good times to blog about.
Sorry about the angry blog folks. Promise there's positive energy I'll send out in the blogosphere soon.
Namaste and all that jive...
My ex girlfriend essentially gave full custody of her child to her ex-husband, lying to her family and I about what she was going to do with her daughter. And... there was another guy. So my respect for her is gone. I don't hate her, since hate implies that I want something bad to happen to her. If it wasn't for her family, all of whom I still care for dearly, then I would hate her. It's tough being close friends with one of her sisters, who is also angry with her. I had one friend tell me that her actions don't make her a bad person. My response was simply, "so cheating on her man and giving up primary custody of her child makes her a good person"? No reply after that. I thought I was a with a nice hippy chick, who turned into a shallow whiny child over the past year.
I really didn't want to blog about my breakup, but it would feel odd not to, like holding back. I'll forgive her someday, if she donates a kidney to someone I care about or cures cancer. A few people have a hard time with me being honest about my disdain for my ex. They don't like it, I ask them to take one moment and step into my shoes. I was a damn good boyfriend and also an excellent role model to Alice. I miss her dearly, and I feel now like all the time I spent with the little on was for nothing. However, as far as my ex goes, good riddance.
Ok, I'm done. I had to get that off my chest.
There have been some good things over the past couple months since. I'll get to those. Some good times to blog about.
Sorry about the angry blog folks. Promise there's positive energy I'll send out in the blogosphere soon.
Namaste and all that jive...
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