It was a New Jersey kind of week...

This week my NJ bff was in town.  He's amazing, of course.  I mean...he IS my NJ BFF!!!!!!  I flew down to LA on Wednesday and drove up to Sacramento with him.  That night we ended up at Cheaters where people were stamped, songs were sung and pieces of art were explained.  BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!

Thursday we hung out in Sacramento.  We hung out at my folk's place, got Sandra Dee's, got trashed at Cheaters, saw what some of our fair city has to offer and rode motos until bolts fell off. Literally.

Friday we hit up Santa Cruz.  We tried to go to the mystery spot, but all we saw was this:

There were people in there, but we had just missed out on the last tour of the day.  We left the spot of mystery and headed over to FU Tattoo and visited with Nick Vargas (another wonderful human being).  We chat, I discussed possibly heading back down in June, we left for coffee.  Because I'm an addict.  After wondering around the also closed boardwalk, we hit up the pier and peeped some seals.  I talked to my cousin and we met up with her for dinner at Saturn Cafe before heading back to Sacramento for more adventures.

Today we woke up a little late and headed out to San Francisco.  We saw the Japanese Tea Gardens, I possibly got peeped by some girl with short hair and a lot of tattoos, and then we went to Haight Ashbury for people watching.  After getting some punch from Hobson's inside Nicholas and Brandorz, we walked around a bit.  Eventually we headed back to the car and did some sight seeing while driving around.  A quick trip to Ben Sherman and we headed home to grab yogurt and a Black Velvet from Bonn Lair.  It's sleepy time now, as Nicholas has got to wake up early to hit the road back towards San Diego, a whale's vagina, to catch his flight home.

And for whatever reason I can't get this song out of my head:

Dropping Brandon's Motorcycle

Haha...yeah I did.  Oops.  He didn't think it was as funny as I did.

So here's the haps:

We were out just taking a little putt while we had some time and the weather was nice.  Since my Suzi isn't registered and I'm mad frightened about getting 'er towed, Brandon let me ride his little Yammy.  We head out towards Jackson...we decided just to take a little trip about half hour out since I didn't have much time.

Apparently it'd been a while since I've ridden (before my last surgery) and I am such a retard that at one point I needed to shift up and kicked the shifter down.  Oops!!  I guess I thought I was riding an English bike?  Into second gear I went!!  I was thrown a little forward, laughed and recovered quite well without anyone the wiser.

We needed to stop and fill up both bikes before heading out.  As we go to leave the gas station, we have to do a routine little maneuver to get into the far left turn lane.  Brandon goes first.  I go to follow and as I'm trying to inch up next to him, I'm pretty much walking the bike with the bars turned all the way right to make my way next to B.  As I'm straddling the bike walking it up to the car, the bike starts leaning hard right (yeah...my good leg, what.the.heck).  I realize I can't keep the bike up, but don't want to just let it drop and hit the street hard, so I gently set it down.  It had to have been the most slow motion ridiculousness to watch!!!

Brandon's looking at me in disbelief.  I'm laughing in disbelief because not only do I actually set the bike down, I do it in the middle of the street.  Of a crowded street.  With a couple cars behind us.

Brandon shakes his head, sort of smiling and goes to ride his bike back across the street to the gas station so he can pick up the bike I'm no longer on. 

He stalls.

His bike is kick only.

He's gotta push it across 2 lanes of traffic.

He finally makes it back, picks up the Yammy, pushes it across the street and just shakes his head in disappointment.  Once he finally gets the bike running again (I flooded everything), he decided we needed a safer Rijel Route. 

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch.  I finally got to ride and I've now dropped a bike for the second time!!!  I'm an iiiiiiiiiiiiiidiot!!!!!!

Xmas Eve roommate ride

Brandon brought his new ironhead home the other day, which makes 3 bikes at our house.  What goes perfect with 3 bikes?  3 riders.

Once I woke up on Christmas Eve we all opened our gifts and peeped our stockings.  Brandon was checking the headlight on the sporty and we all decided we should go to breakfast.  Then we all decided we should RIDE to breakfast.  This was our first time riding together, each of us on our own bikes.

After taking 9823475028752849275 hours to get Brandon's bike kicked over, we all headed over to Fox & Goose.  It was pretty sweet riding in a lone wolf pack of three.  Brandon's bike was shitty in first and I got stuck at a red light.  For once Suzi was running pretty well, she must've liked the weather.  We took the long way too.  On purpose of course.  How would we get lost on a grid?  Yeah.  We wouldn't.

On the way home we took the busier streets and hit the heavier traffic (so like 10 cars on the road instead of 4).  We were on one of our main one way streets, 3 lanes wide with a red light and a few cars stopped in front of us.  When we would come to a stop, we'd be 2 - 3 cars back.  Brandon's a bit up ahead and I see him turn to look at me and I can see him smiling through his helmet.  I smirked and knew what he was doing.  He went to the right of the middle lane and I went to the left and we split the lanes to meet at the crosswalk.  In true Alissa style, she was right behind B.

Alissa was welcomed to a little bit of my favorite game: Shoot the Gap.

Crafting

I have a new idea that I want to try for an air cleaner cover.  I think I can make it work and am pretty excited about it.  The problem is finding an appropriate air cleaner I can use.

I stuffed my face full of deliciousness at my work holiday party on Monday night.  There were fantastic mashed potatoes, chicken, pie, tri tip and pork.  I had seconds in the dessert section.  And by dessert, I mean chicken.

We had a gift exchange and Alissa miraculously got me this year and I got the most wonderful gifts!!!!  I requested: a giraffe, an owl and socks.  She got me an owl necklace and buttons, a giraffe belt buckle and cashmere socks!!!  I got the best person for secret santa!!!!!

I'm stoked to figure out what I'm getting my folks for the holiday as well as a couple other people I need to shop for.  Brandon said my gift is not in his room and I'm bummed because I'd totally be rifling through all his shit to find it.  Yeah...I'm THAT bad.

Today was Todd's birthday and we went and had some wonderful company and wonderful food at the taco spot across the street.  I got to talk motos.  Then when I got home I got to talk MORE motos.  I'm a lucky girl.  Seriously.

Today was.

Things that shouldn't be complicated are complicated.

This holiday weekend has been a little dreary.  I didn't realize I'd miss my family on Thanksgiving as much as I do now that the day is over.  The Thursday at the end of November has always been the one time the whole family made an effort to get together.  I want to hug my grandma pretty bad right now.

Things didn't quite work out the way I'd hoped today, but I have amazing friends with wonderful words and good timing.  I was happy far more than I was sad and laughed 98237542089 more times than I frowned and that's A LOT of times!!

What's there to be bummed about?  I have a Norton in Lincoln and a donk in my room.

PMA ALL DAY.

The game needed me

This "weekend" of mine has flown by.  With friends making coming in from out of town for the holidays, the baking and the xmas crafting I haven't had much time to sit around.  Gone are the days of being a cripple who does nothing.  It's a blessing and a curse I suppose.

Tuesday I got to craft in a group and it was amazing.  I hope it can be a more regular thing and not just a once.  Ever.

Wednesday I was supposed to go shopping, but decided I should sleep instead.  I never usually turn down shopping, as it IS one of my favorite past times, but I was tired.  Brandon comes and wakes me up about 40 minutes later to see if I wanted to ride motorcycles.  I couldn't go back to sleep so the two of us did about an 80 mile trip out to Lincoln and back.

Katie was in town and we went to dinner and then to the bar.  I had a ton of fun and chair danced a lot of the night.  There were quite a few people there and it was far from a dull evening.  I didn't get to bed until about 4.  I was very tired when I woke up at 9 to get to my folk's place to start baking.

Today I made 3 lemon meringue pies and helped with the pound cake Jeannie Mae made.  I ate so much I thought my stomach was going to explode.  I filled myself so full I didn't have much room for dessert, but...me being me, I shoveled it in anyway.  Fat kid status.  Brother and I got so full that once we sat down we were physically unable to get up.  It's a good thing I spent that 3 minutes working out on the rowing machine before dinner got started.  I showed that meal who was boss.  There were only 8 of us for dinner, which seemed awfully empty, but it was an extraordinary group of people that I was very happy to have close and share dinner with.  I can't think of a single Thanksgiving where the entire party could fit at one table.

Katie came over pretty late after visiting with her family and I drove her home.  I'm not looking forward to going to work tomorrow, but I am happy there won't be any traffic.  Gotta be happy about the little things, right?  Gotta keep that PMA until my new schedule come January!

Alissa Tugaeff: Motorcycle extraordinaire/gold medalist.

Today Alissa and I woke up early and saw a dreary day.  About an hour later, much to our surprise, we caught a glimpse of hope as the sky started turning more blue.  We quickly showered and got on our super extreme and exceptionally fashionable motorcycle garb.  Because that's what motorcycles are all about, right?  Looking good.

Alissa jumped on Brandon's bike and I got Suzi out from behind the fence.  We took a cruise down the highway by the river and did some quick motocross.  We took a few jumps and got a little squirrley, but nothing we couldn't control.  After all, we are experts.

We met up with Turkmenistan's favorite wedding crasher and giant horse tamer, George Tugaeff and his lovely wife Monica.

After a couple drinks we got back out on the highway.  Once we hit the road we raced some thugs in a pimped out Escalade and took them for all they had.

Today was my first day back at work in 4 months, and it's not to be forgotten because our co-worker's nephew came in.  This is amazing because her nephew is Andre Phillips, Olympic Gold Medalist.  We got to hold and wear the medal, meet the man who is amazing enough to WIN the medal and even get to take pictures with him!  I got an autograph for my mom.  I'm pretty sure she's gonna be bummed that she didn't meet that dark chocolate goodness herself, but I know she'll be happy with a signed photo.

This picture is a little blurry, but there's a better one floating somewhere.  I'll find it later.  Nice jacket.

Last night was my first time

Riding in a group.  I've only ridden with more than 1 person one other time in my life and it was for a little over 200 yards.  That being said, last night ruled.  There were four bikes total and I completely loved it.

Brandon and I were to be at Scotty's by 6:30 and he's in Roseville.  Traffic at that time was going to suck and B knew I was nervous about riding in traffic, so he said we'd leave early to make sure we'd make it on time.  We headed out around 5:30 and we agreed I'd be in front on the freeway so that way I could decide if I felt comfortable enough to play a little game I call Shoot the Gap.

We got stopped at a red light right before the on ramp.  There were about 4 or 5 cars waiting for the meter at the on ramp and Brandon looked over at me and signaled to split the lanes...I shrugged, smiled and told him to go first.  The light turned green and pissed off about 8 or 9 cars.  Motos don't have to stop for metered on ramps, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight? 

Once we were on the freeway I felt comfortable, but not entirely ready to split lanes.  Traffic was moving at like 45 mph, so I felt comfy enough to stay behind cars.  When the traffic hit about 30, I peered down between the cars and saw a gigantic lane begging to be used.  So we did.  I don't think we went over 45 and when it came time to pass the old lady and the semi, I hung back.  I don't like big trucks and the elderly driving next to each other.  B laughed at me, but I told him "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck no!!!!"

We met Kip at Scotty's and went to pick up Annie.  We all rode downtown and no one really broke down.  Yesssssssssssssssssss.  

If I remember tonight I'll have to write about Kip's misadventure.  Muahahaha

Alissa's second ride

On Tuesday Brandon told Alissa she could ride his bike whenever she wanted...so long as she could get the thing started.

Yesterday B and I kept egging her on about riding the bike and finally she had time to go.  So we went outside and she hopped on the bike.  After brief instruction, it started right up.  I threw on my helmet and glasses and the two of us headed down the street!  I took her through the residential areas so we had to hit a lot of stop signs.  Everyone can use practice getting in to first gear, so that's what I had her do!  She only stalled a few times, but she seems to be getting the hang of it.  My leg also felt pretty good with being able to put the kickstand up and down.  That was my biggest problem the first time riding.  I've got no hamstring or quad muscles really and the motion for the kickstand was brutal.

Tonight I'll be riding with more than 2 people for more than 100 feet.  Yikes.  I've never really ridden with more than 1 other person before.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous.  And by a little nervous, I mean a lotta nervous.  I can't wait to rule the streets on Nigel instead of Suzi.

I was talking to Brandon about how I'm glad Nigel isn't up here yet.  There's no way I'd be able to start him on my own and I'll be damned if I ask Brandon to kick him over for me.  If I can't start him, I won't ride him...nor will anyone else.  ESPECIALLY Brandon.

Off to physical therapy.  Got to get this leg ready for kicking over an 850cc beast.

Knees in the breeze

I got on a motorcycle today for the first time in over a year.  I took Suzi for a spin around the block and when I got back Alissa jumped on the back.  I'm not going to lie...it made me a little nervous to have someone on the back of the bike, but I would never put anyone's safety at risk.  It felt good being on a bike again.  REALLY good.

Once Alissa hopped on the back, Brandon, her and I hit the road and headed to my folk's place.  We made it to good old Rio Linda and made a vat of wontons.  I think we made enough of them for about 13 people.  There were only 5 of us.  Yikes.  So if anyone wants to come fry some left over wontons that may or may not be good (it's unknown at this point)...please let me know.

At my folk's place Alissa got on Brandon's bike and took it for a spin.  She's basically a natural.

My dad also took the bike for a spin.  I was extremely surprised he didn't come back and tell me it was "a piece of shit," but he did tell me it needs some work (which I already know).

After Alissa took off for 15 minutes, Brandon freaked out and got Suzi and went to find her.  Apparently she made it down to THE busiest streets in a 7 mile radius.  How she did this...I have no idea.  She made it back safely and we were all off again first to Scotty's and then to Kip & Mel's for ANTM Wednesdays.

The ride from Kip & Mel's back to our place was...cold.  I kind of forgot and luckily for me Kip had hooked me up with a good scarf for the ride back.  My neck was warm.  Sore from keeping my head up against the wind, but warm.  I forget all the small things about riding.  Like how much I should get a full face lego-man helmet or how good it feels to have my wrist hurt from pulling in the clutch.  These things are bothersome, but in a very, VERY good way.

There was no game of Shoot the Gap.  I'm still trying to keep the bike in my half of the lane...especially with someone else on the back.  Besides, I would never do something that dangerous.  I'm responsible?  Pshyeah right.  Before you get off congratulating me, I'll probably be playing that game in no time as long as weather permits.

I love my new gloves.  I love my cowboy boots.  I love my friends.  I love my parents.

Google-ing my own name

I don't always google myself.  But every once in a while I think it's pretty funny.  I'll start with "rijel" then move to "rijel violet" sometimes I'll throw in "rijel lewis."  I got all tricky tonight and decided to pull the throw back "rijelviolent" and "rijel violent."

Not only did I find an old friendster profile that I can't seem to remember the login for to delete, but I also found a forum post from MotoHouston.com about an old Ebay ad Jeff had posted quite a few years ago.  This was part of an ad for an old 19" drum front wheel:

"instant legendary status. and hopefully your neighbor who comes by sometimes and drinks all your beer will then feel obligated to carry on the name, only now its "black-widow old-school spider-web-all-over-everything choppers....... legacy". you are a schmuck. don't buy this wheel. go back to school and become a lawyer or start a restuarant. i hate you already. no reserve. check my other auction items for smoking deals on harley and chopper junk.

if you have an important question, or you want to talk about your feelings, call me at 916 397 8495 jeff"

You may think he's an asshole.  I think he's funny.

This weekend

I got to hang out with Mercedes and her guinea pigs today.  This is Basil.

Has been ridiculous.  It's been a busy, busy 2 days.  Dinner tomorrow night at my folk's place.  I get to pick up my cousins and get some quality time.  It's late and Alissa just reminded me I have physical therapy tomorrow at 10.  Oops!

Dennis Lee brought my bicycle to the house.  The doctor said I can ride a bike so long as I don't fall off!!!  Hopefully I'll get some miles in soon.  Brandorz and I took a quick trip around the block earlier today.  It felt good and my knee didn't catch, not once.

And here's a picture of Brandorz "fixing" his tail light.  MacGyver.

The only thing that sucks about winter

Is not being able to do this:


Winter is the only time I can really get away with wearing 4-6 layers and not get totally ridiculed.  It also means I get to wear scarves, gloves, long socks and coats.  I also don't mind the rain and can't wait to puddle jump once I get my legs back.

I woke up a little bit ago from a super sweet 5 hour nap.  It's 3 in the morning and I think I'll try to stay awake to make the end of the week a "normal" one, besides...if I'm still awake at 7 I can go get breakfast!  It's kind of silly having a 5 hour nap when I'd only been awake 8 hours.

My crochet was kept at a ridiculous minimum today.  I so badly want to have "the itch" to work on it.  I did yesterday and I think that's why I didn't want to sleep.  I was too excited to work on what I was doing.

Physical therapy in 9 hours.  SIX days.

Holy Rollers.

Skeletons and motorcycles.  Is there anything better?

I am going to miss nights like these...

Hopefully motorcycles will soon fall into place and I'll be riding around like everyone else.  Bicycle soon.  I ate cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner today.  Living the LIFE.

Legs in 10 days.

Pawn Stars

New favorite show.  It's like Antiques Roadshow, but for dirty bikers and low ballers.  


Friday night I hit the porch and Saturday I ended up canceling on multiple people and stayed home since I had the house to myself.  I cleaned 90% of my room.  I washed all my clothes.  Working on the unfinished projects.  Also still working on getting out of this funk.  The roommates are helping with this...so are a multitude of other friends.


Today I went to breakfast with Brother, the usuals and Amanda for the first time in over 2 months.  Not only did I enjoy pretty good company, but I was also able to shop at Target and get heavy items since I had plenty of help around.  Later on in the evening I went with Brother to his and Brandon's soccer game.  They ACTUALLY won.  One of the guys on the other team was being a baby and getting all pissy because his team wasn't opening up for him.  So what'd he do?  He decided to get angry and physical.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a physical game, but I DO have a problem with someone getting overly angry and going out on the field with a vengeance when it's not warranted.  


Now...I would have had no issues with him being extra physical with Brother had Brother done something to him first.  BUT he didn't.  This asshole had the ball and was getting mad at Brother for taking it.  Then taking it again.  And again.  So what's he do?  Once Brother has the ball dude throws his elbow into Brother's back and then throws his entire body.  Then I saw Brother take a tumble.  Dude can body check all day, I don't care.  But the elbow?!  What the frick?  I literally almost jumped up from the stands and ran onto the field.  Luckily, I saw Brother get up with a GIGANTIC smile on his face!!!


After soccer Brandon and I hit up Safeway for some ice cream.  He made me a secret recipe Hirata Family Shake.  It was pretty delicious.  Chris came over and shortly after Jack & Jill followed.  The two of them ALSO got to try out the Hirata Family Shake.  


OHHHHHHHHH yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!  I also got to talk to Nick who was IN ITALY!!!!  Well...via facebook chat anyway!  I'm so incredibly jealous of that man right now!!!  Galavanting around eating in Italy and peeping the Vatican!!!  


Two biggest reasons I miss walking: 
1) Motorcycles  
2) Traveling


Breakfast with Jill in the morning!!!

Little miss "run home to her daddy"

Ran home.  To her daddy.


I finally went to the new gym at work.  The place is crazy nice with tv's at every machine and a big screen too.  I hopped on the stationary bike and rode for 30 minutes and just over 2 miles with zero resistance.  I went to physical therapy today and got to do "pool time."  I was in the pool just under an hour and did a multitude of exercises INCLUDING walking!  The pool was 4 feet deep, so I was only doing about 20 or 30 percent weight bearing, but it still felt fantastic to go through the motion of walking and taking steps.  My PT also scheduled me for 2 days of pool next week, which is 2 times better than the 1 I'm getting this week.


I porch sat tonight.  Brandon hung out for a bit.  Once B left it was just Jill and I.  It was strange being up there without 28934759420 people, but it was nice.  We had time for "girl talk" and did what girls do?  I think.  I don't really know...I can't remember the last time I hung out with girls who weren't tomboys. 


I've been spending a LOT of time on the interwebzz and today I re-visited moo.com.  They make postcards, minicards (which really are rather small and I use mine as bookmarks), business cards and greeting cards.  All of these...are completely customizable.  My favorite part: you want 100 business cards, but you don't want them all to be the same?  You can design 100 DIFFERENT business cards and the price is the same.


In other news, my friend Nick is headed to Italy tomorrow and I'm insanely jealous.  Yes.  Insanely jealous.  I would LOVE to galavant around a foreign country.  Well, right now I'd just like to galavant around.  A different country is an added bonus at this point.  I want to eat my way through several countries and am trying to figure out where to go next year.  I need to get out of the country.  And by out of the country I mean off this continent.  Due to my fantastic schedule I have already thought about a few places I want to throw money at.  One of the US places I want to hit up is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.  Random destination, I know...but they have anywhere between 600-1200 motorcycles ON display and there's a shuttle that takes you from the airport TO the museum and a hotel near by.  Other than the fact that it's in Alabama and I can't really think of anything else good there.


Next year should be amazing.  Hopefully I'll be back to my jet-set, sleeping on planes, never being home lifestyle.  

I apologize now

For yet another extremely addiction site: Uncrate


It's the "buyers guide for men" which obviously doesn't help my case in proving that I'm not completely a tomboy and am into dudes, but it's a good site nonetheless. 


To help maintain the fact that I'm still a girl, I DID find Outblush which is the babe version of Uncrate, however they do not have all the ish that I think is way cool like cars, motorcycles, electronics and furniture.  They DO, however have shoes.  Which is my favorite part.  I double checked, so not to make myself a liar and it looks like they DO have cars and stuff...there's just not as much content.  Maybe they need an expert like...me?  Probably.  I would love to have a job where I sit on the interwebz shopping all day long.


If you do, in fact, decide to go get lost on these sites and decide you need to purchase something...you can always check here: The Bargainist to see if there's a sweet deal.


I probably SHOULD get paid for advertising.  I'd probably make a killing doing so.

5 weeks and counting...

Until I can ride with some d-bags such as these.

Nigel has a girlfriend.

Her name is Suzi.  Here's a picture of the happy couple together!!!