Saturday, November 1, 2008

Sizzle….sizzle

Sizzle….sizzle. Stick a fork in it – it is done.

As I fearfully waited at the Mann-Berkeley Eye Center to get my eyes lasered, all kinds of thoughts went through my head. Why would anyone with two perfectly good (nearly blind, but still good) eyes want to voluntarily get burning lasers beamed directly into their eyes? And I was that someone?! The lady asked, “Are you allergic to Valium?” I looked up at her with my still unburned, but nearly blind, eyes and after the question processed in my sluggish brain, said “I have no idea.” At this point I was willing to take the Valium – a small dose she said…and in a few minutes the headache I’d acquired due to the lack of my morning cup of hot tea was reduced.

Soon I was called into the laser room. I can honestly say I was only a little nervous…by this time the Valium was doing its job, so no one was just freaking out. I was responsive enough to follow directions and prepare for the excruciating pain that lay ahead. Every one at Mann-Berkeley was more than nice, extremely gentle, and spoke with sweet voices. Dr. Caplin explained the procedure to me again, asked if I had further questions (the Valium answered most of my questions), and then began the procedure. One of the ladies commented on my beautiful green eyes. I remember when Roger had his eyes fixed several years ago; I was astounded at the beautiful blue color of them on the monitor as I watched from another room. I wondered if mine would be similar…in a greenish kind of way! The nurse assured me that they were :0) I’d watched several procedures earlier in the day, all in shades of brown eyes.

Oh yes, back to the torture session…step 1 was to make the flap with a laser. A contraption was placed on my eye like a suction cup. The flap was made on each eye. The only slightly uncomfortable suction was removed, and after a few minutes for bubbles under the flap to disappear, I was placed under the laser. Now this is the scary part. “Look into the red blinking light” was my instruction – focus went in and out, and the light around the red blink was very bright; sometimes things went completely black. After about 19 seconds of lasering, it was time for the left eye. For some reason this one was more uncomfortable, but was only for about 16 or 17 seconds…I did however think I smelled flesh burning which was freaking me out just a tad – in spite of the Valium – even though I lay perfectly still, plastered to the work table.

It was over. It was explained to me what I should be seeing, and it was so. Everything was fuzzy and cloudy…I wondered if the procedure was successful. My Halloween mask was attached and I was told to leave it in place until the next morning – except to place drops in my eyes. I was taken home and put to bed to give my eyes a chance to heal. At about 5 p.m. I could rest no more – I was starving! I wanted a Whataburger, Jr. Things were still blurry and made even worse by the eye protectors still taped in place.


Later, Jen and I sat out on the front porch to hand out candy treats while I terrorized the little masked goblins. I was glad Jen had come down for the weekend.

So this morning I woke before 5 a.m., ripped of the eye masks and began the testing. I can see the computer; that is good. I could see the clock, the grandpup…yep, all seems to be progressing well. It is off to Mann-Berkeley for a 9:15 follow-up appointment (one of many). So for now, all is well…I am sleepy again though – think I’ll go put those plastic shields back on and catch a few more ZZZZZ’s!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Finally! Our Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Texas Mile Story


We could not have ask for more perfect weather, light winds, cooler temps (high 80's), clear skies...well an 18 mph tail wind might have been helpful!

What a lonely spot it is on the Mile when you are the next rider up...time to think, to reflect...time to wonder what ever possessed you to do such a crazy thing!

Marie, Jen, and Brianne
Each year it seems we meet more and more people on the mile. It has grown so much over the past few years. There were three other female racers there this year, making this one even more exciting than ever.


This is Ralph and Deni's second Texas Mile with us - we love having them join in our excitement...and Ralph fixed us up some wonderful treats :0)
Chance thinks he is just another Grandpup to Ralph and Deni - all grandchildren/pups need extra sets of grandparents around occasionally!


Roger waits with our daughter - this is the point right before heading out to the runway.

A short burnout before the launch - then 222.555 mph from a standing start, on a 2005 stage one turbo Hayabusa...shut down area 1/2 mile.

How'd this picture get in here? Hey, it's our Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy tuner - Johnny Cheese's boots! Johnny did a fantabulous job tuning the turbo, offering advice and agonizing with us along the way :)

Aha! A more familiar version of Johnny Cheese. Jen happily presents the Cheese Man with a certificate of speed.
"Tuned by Johnny Cheese"

Jen is all business while preparing for a 222 mph run down the Mile

What a crew! Nate, Roger, Johnny Cheese, and Mike - all familiar faces on the Mile.

Jen pushed that little stage one turbo busa as far as it would go, pulling out the desired 222.555 mph run she has been looking for, for the past year. She had lots of help from her dad, her tuner - Johnny Cheese, Michael, Chance, friends...and of course me, her mom :0)

Well, here it is - after a struggle with my video camera, the program, problems uploading, along with other issues - it may be crude, but it tells the story!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Texas Mile! October 2008

Coming Soon Texas Mile details, pics, opinions.
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Main detail: Jen's top speed for the weekend 222.555 MPH!

Pics - more to come, but here's one



Opinions: I have lots of them! and will soon post them all along with more pictures from the October 2008 Texas Mile.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Center Point Pirate Football!

Grandboy Caden is a proud Center Point Flag Football Player


Caden, left front row
Grandboy Caden is having a great time playing flag football as a Center Point Pirate. Even though I’ve only been able to attend 2 of his games, I can tell he is 100 percent serious about being a good team player. I understand that his team beat the Cowboys today 21 – 0 and that Caden pulled off 3 flags (made 3 virtual tackles). Calling this ‘flag football’ is a bit inaccurate, since the two games I have seen included plenty of real tackles!

Norwalk, OH ~ AMA Drag Racing

Rumor has it that Jen and Michael have arrived in Norwalk, OH and that Cousin Wayne may have fixed some chicken wings! Test and tune is tonight and we are anxious to hear how it goes.

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I hear they had a great time, Jen achieved some new personal goals...and that we may hijack a picture or two to post soon. (That's what happens when the mom can't go...no details...no pictures! So, hopefully another update (at least a photo from Ohio) soon.

Texas Mile - NEXT WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

8 Second Jen has Arrived!

Roger has been working on the Turbo Busa now for several weeks - installing stainless steel bearings, new rear and front tires, new chain, and a ba-gillion (we all know what a ba-gillion is - it apparantly is the direction our national debt is headed) other little details that matter when you plan to take a motorcycle down a one mile track to set a new personal record.

Did you get that? A new 'personal' record - yes, that is what I said. The former female speed record of 222 on a motorcycle was shattered a couple of weeks ago. It now stands at 239! It is highly unlikely that our tiny stage one turbo can achieve this mph on the one mile track in Goliad. I suppose, if we have a 20 mph tail wind and no wheel slippage it is possible. (Don't ask me what all that means because I am clueless...I just hear them talk.)

Regardless, we will take the baby turbo to Goliad and try to have some fun, possibly setting another new personal record for 8SecondJen.

Speaking of new personal records! It is official...8 Second Jen has arrived! We decided last Friday was a perfect time to take the turbo busa to San Antonio Raceway Park as a pre-test for the upcoming mile. Never mind that the stretched busa is not exactly set up for 1/4 mile drag racing. It is designed to go fast...very fast...with optimum speed coming near the end of a one mile track, not a drag race in only 1/4 mile.
Jen and her Dad go over a few things before her 8.9 second, 169 mph run down the quarter mile. We predict low to mid 8's out of this bike very soon, as we anticipate retiring it from landspeed racing after the upcoming Mile.
Ready for an easy pass down the 1/4 mile track at San Antonio Raceway.
So, how did she do on her AMA Dragracing GSXR 1000 in San Antonio on Friday night???
She did okay - just show her the money!!

Jen finished 1st in Street ET, 2nd on her turbo busa in Shootout, and 3rd in Pro ET...not bad (next time she's going for 3 first place finishes!)
Having fun after the races
Hey...someone has to take care of the trophies!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I do not classify myself as a book fiend or anything like that, however as I look over at the dresser next to my bedside, I do see several books stacked one on top of the other...some waiting to be read...some freshly read, but still demanding my attention for one reason or another...some mine, some Jen's, some Kathy's. There are books about vampires, books about aliens, a couple of journals....

Recently, a friend at work handed me a book about racing in the rain. "Read this," Deni said "I think you will like it." What is this? A book about racing?! Seems I can't even get away from it at the office, and why is there a picture of a dog on the front anyway?

I took The Art of Racing in the Rain home at lunch and sat down on the sofa to read a few pages. Thirty minutes later I had to rush out the door to make it back to the office on time. I couldn't wait to get home that afternoon to read more about Enzo's theories on life, relationships, love, old age, ailments, and yes even racing cars in the rain.

Reasons I loved this book:
  • Enzo's racecar driver/owner Denny, secured him in the front seat of his car with a bed sheet, then took him on a wild ride on a road course. I felt Enzo's joy as he lived every lap of his very fast ride. I learned that two barks means, "Faster, faster!" (I will use the knowledge I gained by reading this book in my own relationship with grandpup Chance.)

  • There was the time Enzo accidentally got left at home for 3 days without food or water (except for toilet bowl water). Enzo began hallucinating (or not) as a stuffed toy zebra came to life, began dancing around and misbehaving with the other toys in the room. Enzo became quite irritated with the misbehaving zebra. Before it was over, that zebra had destroyed every stuffed animal in the room! Naughty, naughty zebra!

  • Enzo watched a lot of television - he KNEW that when his dog life ended, his soul would go on to live as a man. This he had learned by watching a documentary on TV. When he wasn't watching documentaries, he liked to watch videos of racing, or movies about racing. He used the knowledge he gained by watching television to ensure that he would be ready for his new life as a man when this one ended. With that in mind he lived his dog life fully and he embraced it.

This is great story about a dog's life from beginning to end, as told from the dog's point of view...and if I EVER get another dog, I think I will name him Enzo.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

UPDATED: More from Indy AMA Dragbike Racing

Jen with her Great Aunt Sunday ~ I absolutely love this picture; Jen with her toe socks and my wonderful aunt with her lovely pink hat. It is these things that help make special people magnificently unique :0)


Me, Jen and Roger waiting in line for a qualifying pass ~ note the wonderful Indiana corn growing in the background


Baby brother John, Me, Big brother Joe and Dad at O'Reilly Raceway Park

Cousin Wayne and Roger work on Busa clutch


Jen's new signature helmet



Jen's very handsome Uncle John shows some attitude - 2 days later on August 5th he became a Grandpa to baby Isacc



Me, Roger and Jen trying to relax before a test run




Just gotta' love the flowers growing up out of the top of my hat


Jen and her Uncle Joe discuss racing strategies


A little shade up in the stands never hurts. I try my best to protect Dad (Grandpa) from the hot Indy sun



Jen catches some extra rest before Saturday's time trials begin(wearing my favorite of her toe socks)




Cousin Wayne! Those are some great legs! Are you in competition with Jen and her toe socks?

Friday, August 1, 2008

Indy - O'Reilly Raceway Park

a.k.a. Indianapolis Raceway Park
Indianapolis, Indiana
AMA Dragbike
August 1 - 3, 2008
She's in line there somewhere!

Wow, have I ever been a slacker. We made it to Indy and completed an entire day of 'test and tune' when Jen's new custom signature helmet arrived via American Airlines (& Michael) - it is gorgeous! And it has now been thoroughly tested :)



Jen's Grandpa pictured on left on the turbo Hayabusa, Jen on the right at O'Reilly Raceway Park, flowers compliments of Aunt Sunday (homegrown) and new helmet designed mostly by Jen compliments of sponsor Akuma Helmets.

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We had a wonderful week and weekend with family and friends. Since we were so busy, you will mercifully get the shortened version.

Most importanty, Jen set a new personal record on her GSXR 1000 of 9.21 seconds in the 1/4 mile. She ran the wheels off that bike while entertaining amazed family members all the while.



~ Jen prepares to line up against this beautiful bike in Pro ET ~

One of the motorcycles she ran against in the first round of Pro ET was this beautifully painted wheelie bar bike. The detailing on this bike was fantastic, the bike incredibly fast, and its pilot a gentleman...even after she beat him!

During a rare break in the competition on Sunday, family members gathered under the shade of the awnings to chat, eat homemade rhubarb/strawberry pie, cookies, apples (all provided by our Aunt Sunday - pink hat, far end of the picture!) and drink gallons of refreshing water.

Hey ~ it wouldn't be an AMA Dragbike race without a picture of Jen's 'toe-socks!'



Jen and Michael prepare to leave pits to line up for a race


Sadly, all good things must come to an end as Jen says goodbye to her grandpa as Uncle Joe looks on.

I have a few more pics to share which I will post soon, so until then!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Oreo Cows!

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe what I saw! We are making our trek to Indy for Jen's race and there they were, standing in a field not too far from Tyler, Texas. An entire field of Oreo cows - it is the greatest thing I have ever seen...well, possibly not the greatest, but certainly right up there near the top of a very long list of great things to see!


Could these beauties possibly be a kin to the Belted Galloway cattle I found on the internet? Jen had actually told me about such things - it seems there are some more of these adorable cattles (is that a word...cattles?) somewhere near Kerrville, Texas. If that is so, I am afraid I will not be satisfied with this photo I found when googling Oreo cows - and yes, that's just what I googled. I must find them and get an actual picture :0)
Talk about having your milk and cookies!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Indy or Bust!

Hotel reservations have been made, entry fees paid, and days off work scheduled. Only thing left to do is get there...and pay for gas! This will be Jen's first AMA Dragbike race in Indianapolis and what a treat that will be. Indy is the racing capital of the world, making racing at Indy just plain special :o) It all begins on August 1st - watch for updates.


In the mean time, here are a couple of pictures from the Bristol Race last month (thanks to Yvonne for being there to take them!)



Rule #1 - Drink lots of water


Always remember, and never forget - there is a lot of waiting in line at these races!