tomorrow

ok. i need to lay something out there. just in case ONE person reads this and it changes their thinking.

of course, it's about barack...

i'm continually surprised that so many folks argue about barack 'taking their money'

We need to remember that TAXES pay for things for US!
taxes can be used to pay for WISE military action, health and well-being programs, education, infrastructure, etc.

the current administration has USED YOUR MONEY TOO!! but they've squandered it away on a war that we should have never been in, a bailout of predatory lenders, tax breaks for the WEALTHIEST COMPANIES ON THE PLANET, and a health care system that will have our nation's health spiraling downward while our bills rocket skyward!

i'd rather throw my money (by the bundles!) to an administration that will spend my money WISELY in ways that will ensure the long-term security of our nation, create a more educated workforce, help keep it's citizens healthy, promote a more stable economy and FOR CHRIST'S SAKE keep or bridges from falling!

all of this creates JOBS. which equals MONEY! even for the RICH!

COME ON AMERICA!

Honda Upper Engine Rebuild

well. i might as well show my progress on the honda.

a bit of history: i bought this 1971 honda cb450 sometime in '06. it never did run right. tried rebuilding the carbs, plugs, etc. no luck. actually it runs well; it just won't idle. (the left side idles, not the right). :P so i decided to adjust the valves and tweak the timing last week.... long story short, i royally screwed something up and it wouldn't run at at.

so what better time to tear it apart!?!





















i guess i started taking her apart around the 28th of may? after pulling the head and cylinder sleeves, i cleaned up the valves and head. they were a mess.










the valve seats were pretty pitted, so i lapped the valves/valve seats.
















currently, the top half is in bits all over. and i'm waiting for parts to arrive. i've ordered a new cam chain, full gasket set, piston rings and cams.






































i was debating not to get cams, but the lobes on the intake were a little smeared for my liking.























so i am waiting on those as well.
that's it for now.

j

back from mamelodi

wow. in a nutshell...some things, awesome. some, not so much.

my heart is a bit heavy from what i've seen; trying to break back into the "nonsense" of american life is a bit difficult. the soul is lighter though. i've rediscovered my passion for music, and am anxiously applying all i've learned.
i have a refreshed perspective on my life here, and i am doing all i can to make those around me know how much i love them, and value their relationship.

i hope to have video of my travels to share soon,

love you,
j

yes, YOU!!

laid back week

well, i thought i was out of town this week....

nope.

the kids are on vacation with mom and dad in tennessee, and joanna and i miss them quite a bit. we plan to go down to visit sometime this week. i'm sure they're having plenty of fun and have forgotten that we even exist.

still need to finish terri's sign. (terri, it'll happen soon)

been a while

heya,

yesterday we went to taste of cincinnati. we haven't been in years, and it was better than ever. typically it's too hot, too crowded and generally lame. maybe the kids being older made it more enjoyable. they each got $15 to spend how they liked. zach got ribs and frozen lemonade and a ride (the tornado). alex rode the tornado also, and ate a rueben and potato pancake from izzy's.
joanna and i had a few things also.

well, the kids are fighting right now, so i'm gonna go.

oh,
my laptop's back. it's another bad system board. (3rd one now) it goes back in the shop again soon. this is getting really old....

busy bees

well, we're all a bit busy around here.

joanna's running the home-front over the next few weeks, as i a am out of town a lot. she's got an awesome garden going on the south side of the house, and is planning another on the north side.

wrote a "song" last night. (music only) alex had an awesome "family movie" idea to use it for. hopefully it'll be up soon.

oh, i have my laptop back....sort of. the new board is bad too. so it's going back in on the 24th.

check out the pics from the session in new york.

that's it.

More Frustration

good news: my laptop is still under toshiba warranty
bad news: part is on back order for "up t0 2-3 months" from the "authorized" manufacturer.

so i had to by my own part from a 3rd party, send it to the service shop and will have to pay for parts and labor myself.....

remind me again toshiba.....why did i buy the warranty?