I’ve been thinking a lot about the CF that was 2009. I need to get my thoughts down. I also need fodder for my blog, so here goes.

Health

I tried to take control of my health early in 2009. I ‘m not usually proactive but I went to the doctor for a physical in April. Other than high cholesterol I was in decent shape for a sedentary cubicle drone. One week later an infection kicked my ass and put me in the hospital for 12 days. My leg still isn’t better, my left leg is now “acting up.” The only bright side to that experience was losing 17lbs., but I’m still on the hook for a few grand after my insurance paid 90%. I tried Weight Watchers and had some success but I’ve plateaued and now have to figure out what to do next.

Relationships/Family

I’m still dating Sherri. December 1, 2009 was the second anniversary of our first date. It hasn’t all been wine and roses (what relationship is?), but we seem to be making a go of it.

In August my dad decided to clean out his shed and brought me a truckload of tools, including a rollaway toolchest, an air compressor and a router table. He also brought a nice computer desk.

In September, my paternal grandmother died at the ripe old age of 89 (or so). She and I were not close but I rushed down to California to support my father (primarily) and the rest of the family (secondarily) during this trying time. I was able to reconnect with my family, even the completely cuckoo ones. I saw all my cousins together for the first time since the early 80s.  I took a leap of faith and drove my Shelby Dakota, taking it out of town for the first time, and not 100% confident in its condition. But it performed admirably, suffering only one minor problem. Saw this crazy cat on the way back. I also took the opportunity to not only indulge my love for In-and-Out Burger, but torment Sherri’s son who also loves a double-double. I tried to make it up to him by bringing one back but the little shit basically spit in my face. So I ate it.  No good deed…

House

I made virtually no progress on my house remodel. The palette of bamboo flooring to this day remains parked in front of the mustang in my garage. However, I did dip into my savings to buy a new roof. What came later in the year with my job made me glad I didn’t further empty my savings to work on the house.

Career

At the end of October I was called into the site director’s office and told I was on a 30-day furlough. Needless to say this career-limbo inspired me to think about other options. While it sucked in general I was heartened by my awesome co-workers who donated vacation time to me during this period. I’ve been back at work since the Monday before Thanksgiving, but the future is very uncertain and I can’t afford to rest on my laurels. Trouble is, there isn’t much for me to do in this town and I may have to consider moving if another furlough (or a full-fledged layoff) comes along.

Freelance Web Design Business

During the first half of the year I let SSDD Web Design languish. I didn’t seek new business and other than some ongoing maintenance for a couple clients and a stalled out project for one other, I had nothing going on. I even took down the web site and redirected the URL to JohnBedard.com. Then July brought me the opportunity to do a web site for a friend who was running for Helena City Commission. This project (and the aforementioned furlough from my day job) re-energized me and my desire to do freelance work and build something for my future. I updated my resume, started a portfolio web site and relaunched SSDD Web Design (redesign pending).

Shelby Dakota (aka “The Money Pit”)

I drove the Shelby most of the year without problems. In the Spring I purchased a set of Cragar Soft-8 wheels and shod them with Sumitomo tires. As mentioned above it made it to California and back. I had a bit of a wake up call, however, when I started totaling up all the money I’ve spent on it. At this point I’m basically pot-committed. Hopefully I can paint it in 2010 so at least it looks decent.

Friar’s Ride

With everything that’s happened I forgot it’s only been about a year since I established this blog on this domain, harvesting all the motorcycle content out of my old blog. I do intend to post more this year, update the design to an upgraded version of my old blog design and generally just try to grow it a bit. It will continue being focused primarily on motorcycling and secondarily on all things gearhead.

Motorcycles

Saving the best and worst for last. Not sure where to start. In June I took a nice little day ride with some of my coworkers. I managed to cross the 45,000 mile mark on my bike (picture taken just before), but I only put on 3k for the year (I had been averaging 6k). The annual British Columbia trip as just a clusterfuck. I try not to swear very often on this blog but there’s no other way to describe it so succinctly. Electrical problems. Trucking my bike to Spokane. Speeding tickets. Watching a friend crash and get air-lifted to Spokane.

The good news is that not only did my friend John survive and recover, he just bought a replacement motorcycle and will be riding again this Spring.

For the first time in a long time my Year in Cities had more car-based travel than motorcycle-based.

I didn’t make any progress towards my bike makeover (I blame my health issues in April), but I did go back to chain final drive, ditching the piece of shit aftermarket belt drive. Got to rivet my first chain ever. I also installed a Scottoiler; half the reason I tried the belt drive was that I hated lubing the chain. The battery I bought at the Triumph dealership in Langley, British Columbia in July 2008 died and when I contacted them they basically said go spit.

The good news for 2010 is that my buddy Gene and I did start on the gas tank mods. After the electrical problems that plagued me on the British Columbia trip, I removed the cheapo driving lights and the factory tachometer that was freaking out on me (I just hope it’s the tach and not my electrical system). I still need to go through all the wiring connectors and see if there are anymore shorts, burn-throughs or corrosion. I even contemplating ditch the stock harness and starting over, but I can’t imagine doing a better job overall than the factory.

Watch this space for a post about my updated plan for my bike mods for 2010.

Wrap it up, Friar

All in all 2009 was a real bitch. But life happens and usually it keeps going on. All things considered I’m probably more upbeat than I was this time last year. I call it laughing in the face of impending doom. Cheers.