18 posts tagged “road show”
The alternator covers on BMW "R" motorcycles are very odd creatures. One loose bolt and they will be more than happy to part company with you of their own accord, Leaving the hall timing sensors and other important engine bits exposed to whatever.
On the other hand try to install one, and it is almost impossible to get it in position. Threading a foot long piece of plastic through the maze of exhaust pipes underneath an 800 pound bike is not my favorite thing.
Particularly at 3AM, I swear my nieghbors must think I am on crack.
Why am I doing this you ask.
Oh I forgot to mention our car got repossessed during my last layoff.
So we are all motorcycles, all the time here now. Unfortunately the big Beemer that we depend on needs a lot of expensive parts which we can't afford right now. So, instead of sleeping I spend many wee hours rubber banding and duct tap[ing that contraption back together.
For lack of a better transition here I am often amazed at the paradigm shifts I have regarding my students. There was an incident in my classroom yesterday which I do not have time to relate now....but it involved my boots and it just got me to wondering what is it that DRIVES these kids so fiercly to be loyal to their gang and to be constantly on the highest state of alert for the smallest sign of disrespect.
It is no secret that pod casting is changing the face of the independent and established media alike. Originally embraced by the tech-savvy few who were interested in what each other had to say and had the knowledge to configure their feed aggregators, the technology is now mainstream.
Just take a look at the splash page for iTunes pod cast directory. What was recently devoted to high-quality independent content now sports names like BBC, NPR,C/Net, and the list goes on. On the surface this looks like bad news to independent content providers, but there are actually two pieces of good news here.
First, unlike the bad old days when the FCC chopped up the electromagnetic spectrum and handed out frequencies and licenses to their cronies and a few other lucky folks, the Internet is not bound by the same set of scientific limitations. There is as much room for content as there is bandwidth.
A corollary to the above example is the cost of involvement. Just the equipment alone to start a new radio station is enough to bankrupt a small country. However, to pod cast all you need is a mike, a computer and an internet connection.
Good news number two. There are still a lot of the large publishing companies out there who recognize the need to get aboard this this technological bandwagon. But, many of them simply do not know how. That, my friend, is where you come in.
Offer your services, offer your studio, it has been known to turn into a full-time job for some.
What a deal for the the big stake-holders too. They can launch themselves into what will soon be a very lucrative media stream, increase their subscriber base, and join the 21st century for the cost of one employee. They do not even have to train you. To me that just seems like a deal made in heaven for everybody.
The only thing I can see that we are doing wrong right now as pod casters is presenting ourself in the wrong light. If we want to get into business, let's act like we are in business. Get a business license, trade in that t-shirt for a polo (no pink please), and for god's sake buy some new shoes!
Let's go get 'em
I am finding myself in a bit of a quandary over the presidential election. I seemed to have fipped sides, although who can tell which side is which anymore. Once a staunch right-winger, recent events in my personal and business life have caused me to reconsider my values.
It is no secret that the middle class is disappearing in America and the rich truly are getting richer and poor truly are getting poorer. I find myself slipping into the latter class as do many, many others.
At the present time I am in need, again, of motorcycle parts. Unfortunately I am also cashless, but I do have a wealth of things of value both physical and mental.
I have started a parts-swapping bbs on the high slab website.
I made an appeal to folks on the Road Show Podcast and so far there has been little interest which I find curious. If anyone here would like to check it out go to:
Please register and post.....WE DON'T NEED ANY STEEENKING CASHOLA!!
I was talking to my rather young female assistant a few days ago. She is thinking of buying her husband a Harley for Christmas. She told me how she just loved to spend time at the new Harley Davidson super complex on the the edge of town.
I was impressed thinking that I had misjudged her for a girly girl when he was really an aficionado of the V Twin engine and all that goes with it.
That lasted one brief moment, then she said, “They just have the most adorable boots and the cutest tops there.”
I swear I could hear Sonny Barger turning over in his grave. But I just nodded and went on about the business of the day as any discussion of the true meaning of The Motor Company would have been lost on her anyway.
Thank God for the Charlie Brechtel’s of the world. When talking to the "Thunder Press" about his album "Made in the USA, Brechtel said, "Made in the USA" is a bit like a course in American Biker History 101...Yes, class as hard as it is to believe, there once was a time when we had only four gears, no shocks and had to carry three quarts of reclaimed 50 weight just to get down to the local pool hall,"
Now 50 years old and living in Angels Camp California he continues to carry the message of American Motorcyclisms through his albums, his concerts and his internet TV show.
Ok, that is the nasty stuff. Once we got onto the pier the staff was extremely accommodating and friendly. The boats were clean and in good working order and the maps and instructions provided were excellent. It is truly an experience not to be missed if you can just get past the entrance.
Once out on the water it is a true feast for the senses. Since the speed limit is five knots for all vessels the only turbulence is that created by the wind. And there are some amazing vessels on the water. Actually make that a plethera of amazing vessels in the harbor.
Many restaurants line the channel and have access from the water. It is not unusual to see large yachts maneuvering their way to "park" at one of the dining establishments there
Another couple of interesting attractions in the harbor is the world famous wedge for surfing and the giant Catalina Flyer which carries 500 passengers a day between the harbor and Catalina island.
There are not many day a year in that neck of the woods when one would run into bad weather either. And even if one does encounter bad weather most of the units are convertibles, or in Duffy Speak, Surrey tops
The cool thing is that Duffy's go so slow and are so easy to operate that anyone can get the hang of it wih five minutes instruction and five minutes practice Although 5 knots seems awfully slow it really is abou the right speed to see the harbor.
Of course Newport Beach Harbor is famous for its week-long lighted boat parade during the Christmas holidays. The parade originated in 1908 when Venetian gondolier, John Scarpa illuminated eight canoes and his gondola, the humble beginnings of what is now an intense competition, costing thousands of dollars. It was officially sanctioned in 1919. If you can make it down there on that week it is well worth the trip.
It is a trip well worth the time and money for a special occasion and I would highly recomend it.
For the latest information visit
A couple of days ago I was vistiting my brother in Newport beach and the sky suddenly cleared. We had a glorious day putt-putting around the harbor. I have put together a little slide show about it. It was my first attempt at using the Beyond Show softway so please for give the flubs0. They will get better.
Listen to our podcat at:
for the whole story.
Thanks
Bmeerman.
Greetings friends..
Sorry once again for my lengthy absence.
As I sat here typing just now I was tempted to pontificated on the meaning of art, life the universe and everything, reason however has prevailed and I will merely say that, finally, my new album is done.
As most of you know it is a musical journey through my summer motorcycle trip, horrific accident and subsequent recovery. I have attached a clip that covers all eight tunes on the album.
After much consideration I have decided to do the manufacturing in-house because all of the proceeds will be donated to Christmas charities and the overhead will be so much less. The downside is the packaging will be of slightly lesser quality but the music will not suffer in any way.
The album is called Lines in the Sand and is for sale on my website.
www.highslab.com/our_music.html
If you have any problems comments or questions please feel free to contact me.
Thanks
BMWeerman
