Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Still standing...


My posts have been fewer and further between lately, the number of rides have dwindled, the tick of the odometer has slowed. Between a quick trip to Seattle to meet friends and another weekend jaunt two weeks later to Tacoma for the ACE Cafe Summer Shakedown at the LeMay Museum, I've been busy auditing Team Oregon classrooms preparing for the next step to become a classroom instructor.

Having a little fun while gathering up cones on the range.

The Instructor Preparation class finally arrived Saturday and eight of us gathered in Portland for a day of training, peer teaching and to write the knowledge test. Everyone was very encouraging and supportive of each other and all of us did exceptionally well under the guidance of the two instructors, one instructor being the legend himself.

Now comes the hard part, it is one thing to speak in front of a classroom of your peers who are experiencing the same fears, nerves and mistakes you are and a classroom of actual students hanging on your every word. I'm not going to say I can't speak in front of groups of people, I am just not comfortable doing so, especially in a classroom setting. I proved to myself that I could do it this weekend, although not well, I just have to get familiar with it. One reason I signed up to teach classroom is to challenge myself and overcome my fear of public speaking.

An unexpected tumble
Another reason my odometer is ticking less is my daily commute has ceased to exist. I returned to work on Monday from the Summer Shakedown in Tacoma only to find out that my job was in jeopardy. Unfortunately I was laid off, we parted on good terms and I am excited, positve and looking forward to the future. However, with the unexpected tumble I have had to put all of our remaining plans this year on hold as I juggle my Team Oregon training and job hunting full time. I'll be following Bobskoot's and V-Star Lady's lead by taking my bicycle down out of the rafters and dusting it off, not just for exercise, but to stick a little closer to home and save a bit of gas. Money is going to be a tight for a little while, the lunches out will turn to picnic lunches, motorcycle rides may turn to bicycle rides and we may have to forgo motorcycle shows and events this winter.

Dust myself off and carry on

I'm glad that we were able to get away when we did and enjoy ourselves this summer, it was great to ride to Hell's Canyon for the iMBC2012 and to meet everyone. We also really enjoyed ourselves in Tacoma for the ACE Cafe event too, we took Friday off to visit the Experience Music Project Museum.

Of course, growing up listening to AC/DC we just had to check out this exhibit.







It's a long way to the top if you wanna Rock n' Roll

We also checked out the Rolling Stones exhibit and Jimi Hendrix exhibit as well as other interesting displays.





Goofing around in the sound lab

Eddy Van Halen's signature guitar

Then it was off to Bamboo Garden for dinner before turning in for the evening.

Gratuitous food porn



After spending too much money on hotels in Baker City and Enterprise, then seeing how much fun everyone else was having tenting it, we decided to rough it Friday night. We stayed at Saltwater State Park between Seattle and Tacoma in the suburb of Des Moines.


We consulted with a friend who is an avid outdoorsman, search and rescue guy, surfer dude, Ural rider and regular Bear Grylls type who happens to be a distributor for Liberty Mountain. I asked his advice for a big enough tent to sleep two with storage for gear, yet light and compact enough to haul on the motorcycle so he recommended the Peregrine Radama 3 tent.

The campsite was small


and directly under the flight path of Sea-Tac International Airport

We love the tent!

With two doors and two vestibules this thing is huge yet weighs less than 8 pounds including the protective fast floor. It was quick and easy to set up, unlike the two plus hours our camping neighbors took to set up their tent. Always practice at home first folks, right Jim? Your advice rang true the whole time we listened to the neighbors struggle, swear and fight the impending darkness.

Unfortunately, we didn't sleep well at all, between the neighbors yelling, a custom chopper rolling into camp in the middle of the night and low flying 747s overhead every two minutes (yes, we timed them). Nevertheless, it was an adventure and the tent was fantastic.

We rose early and bugged out before anyone else was up and went in search of a Starbucks for breakfast. We checked our email and texted Sonja and Roland before heading over to the hotel and LeMay museum for the afternoon. Brandy posted up our adventures on Saturday (linked above) but left the British car display for me to blog.






Although a narrow display down one of the walkways it was nice to see the British represent.




























My mom had one of these when I was still too young to drive. I sure wish she still had it.




She does however, still own one of these....

but in a much nicer color "Flamingo Pink"

I hope that brings my blog up to date, now to catch up on all of yours, sorry to be so behind. Thanks for being patient, I'm still here and I'm still standing... just terribly busy as of late.



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29 comments:

  1. When the next Triumph automobile comes out...next addition to the stable. Period. Just so I can say I have one! The girls and I love you Troub (and your Buddy Bear too)!!!

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    1. I wish Triumph would build a car to compliment the Mini Cooper and compete with the Fiat 500, I do like the Fiat Abarth.
      Thanks SpartanBabe, I love you all too.

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  2. Troubadour:

    while I am a novice as compared to you, I am going to incorporate camping on my next tour. I like the freedom, the fresh air and the feeling of self sufficiency. I am working on another getaway soon and if the nights aren't too cold, I may camp.

    one of my favour cars is the Bug-eyed sprite. We nearly bought one many years ago.

    I truly hope this setback opens up new opportunities which were not available to you before. Often times new challenges can lead to greater rewards

    I only hope the best for you

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube


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    1. It is getting chilly at night, but it isn't the tent and sleeping bag that is cold, it is getting up and out of the tent and sleeping bag in the morning chill that makes you appreciate the comfort and amenities of a hotel.
      Thank you Bob, I get by with a little help from my friends.

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  3. Sorry to hear about the work situation. Thats a bummer, but sometimes these things happen for a reason and maybe you will stumble into something better by chance.

    The music museum looks fantastic. I love the cone stack of guitars. Just think back in the late 70's or early 80's you could have seen AC/DC at Pub gigs in Sydney. That would have been awesome.

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    1. Thank you, I believe things happen for a reason and I know I will find something better.
      The museum was pretty cool, I remember many of the albums when they came out as I stood there telling Brandy... "I had that one on record, that one on cassette and I remember buying that one on CD". I think they had an additional 13 albums in Australia that were never released in the US. Seeing them in a small venue back then would be pretty cool.

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  4. I used to regularly teach classes at Regis University, some of which involved standing in a class before students....yep, it's hard at first but you do get used to it once you realize:

    1. the students actually want to hear what you have to say.
    2. engaging them in the lecture by asking them what they think, their interpretation of what you just said, asking them questions related to the subject at hand and perhaps throwing in examples from yours and their own experiences.
    3. use the material on the screen to deflect their attention from you, move around and just speak clearly and strongly, it helps.

    good luck with that stuff, it's just techniques.

    dom

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    1. Thanks Dom, the great thing about Team Oregon is that it's not a lecture so I'll definitely use those tips, although I'll have to develop my classroom voice as I get more comfortable.

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  5. Sorry to hear about the job but I'm sure you'll do just fine after Trobairitz gets the second job so you can ride full time... ;-)

    I taught classes for about 18 years and even though I don't care for public speaking, teaching always seemed different and completely enjoyable. I still get the opportunity to teach workshops around the country and those are multiday, all day events. These are even more fun than the university classes.

    Wonderful photos of the British classics. I looked into getting a TR250 and a Mini Cooper but in both cases, the owners couldn't get them running when I stopped by to look at them.

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    1. She doesn't seem to agree with you on that Richard, however she is extremely supportive and would let me ride anytime I want.
      I didn't know you were a teacher, I'm sure once I get through the first class the others will come easy and be much more enjoyable.
      Too bad about the cars, although neither one would be suitable for Alaska, would they?

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    2. I figured she wouldn't be too keen on the idea. My wife didn't think much of my suggestion either...

      The Triumph and the Mini probably wouldn't have done too well. You see very few sports cars and even fewer old British sports cars around here. Older Porsche's are much more common. Old cars are typically very challenging to keep running around here during the winter. Starting fluid used to be something you always carried around in the trunk. Not an issue these days of higher compression and fuel injection.

      I taught database programming and several levels of computer networking classes here at the university. Occasionally, I get to teach workshops for Internet2 around the country.

      I'm sure you will do great on the classes. If you know the material, it's like talking with a group. The hardest part is getting them to respond as some may not want to show their level on knowledge (or lack).

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    3. I audited one more class Thursday night and it "clicked", I got this.

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  6. Cool blog Brad, as a guitarist I loved the guitar pics...

    Bitch about the job, good luck in the search for a new one.

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    1. Thanks Roger, is that guitar pics or guitar picks?
      No worries, I am much happier and confident something will come along.

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  7. Knowing you a bit I guess it is a good thing you had to part with the job, and have to find another although it might put a little restraint on you guys. Maybe you'll find what you're (really) looking for in your next assignment? Meanwhile I like your approach of 'facing the demon of public speaking'. One key to it might just be as simple as 'know your stuff' and KISS - keep it short and simple (you might have second language speakers in your group...)

    And speaking of... KISS (you know the band with the white faces), you looked awesome in that guitar pic. So natural! Let's go headbang some time ;-)

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    1. I thought KISS ment 'Keep it simple stupid'

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    2. Thanks Sonja, it was interesting how we were just talking the day before. It is all good.

      Chillertek, I've never heard of the Keep It Simple Stupid Army though.

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  8. Wow! So much has happened. Thanks for the update, and glad to see you are back, from those of us that couldn't see you in Oregon. I understand about the job. Sometimes easier to stay in an unfulfilling job than risk moving on to worse. Like the other said, it think it will just open more opportunities that weren't there before. Good luck!!

    As for the public speaking, Dom gives great advice. But also remember you are basically sitting in a room of people that actually WANT to talk about this stuff and learn. It will be like sitting at a chat location with other friends and shooting the breeze about bikes and techniques and stats and stuff. Soon, the hard part, will be your actual riding friends telling you to SHUT UP and stop lecturing them. Hehe

    Love the cone o' guitars. Though they snuck in some drums and keyboards. :)

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    1. Thank you Lori, I am confident now that I audited one more class. I just had to put everything I learned into play and now I can't wait to teach. My friends do that now, but for other reasons.

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  9. Brad, you will make an awesome classroom instructor for Team Oregon, they are lucky to have you. You have a comfortable, easy way of talking with people about riding and everyting else which is the perfect skill for this job and for your next job that pays the bills. The Team Oregon gig is certainly a plus on your resume. Wishing you good luck, but also wishing you have a bit of time to breath.

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  10. Sorry to hear about the job situation. Here's hoping you find something even better soon.

    I like the new tent. It looks like a good one, and should handle the rain well. You do know that you will get rained on at some point! :)

    You will do fine with speaking in front of a class. You have a fun and friendly personality, and you have a passion for your subject. Relax and let that shine through. All else fails, wear a kilt. That should break the ice nicely.
    Best wishes to you both

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    1. Hi Kari, I considered the kilt... maybe next summer, I've rocked enough boats lately.

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  11. Brad,
    So sorry to hear of the misfortune and every good wish for a successful outcome. It may very well open a whole range of doors for you to step through. Really empathise with the nerves in your training position - as soon as you've got one thing licked, along come a whole new set of challenges! There's little doubt though that you'll rise to the occasion and others will receive the benefit of it, as well as yourself.

    Take care and all the best....

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    1. Thanks Geoff, I signed up for the challenge myself and I'm up for it now. I'll keep you posted.

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  12. P.S, I've driven a Sunbeam Tiger like the white one in your photo which belonged to a mate. A lot of people try to drag them off at the lights thinking that they are the much smaller-engined Alpine!

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    1. That small block V8 sound even at idle should have given them a hint!

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    2. Richard::

      There was a used Tiger on the dealer's lot, in the 60's and it was only $1,800. always wished that I had bought it. Instead I bought a '65 Pontiac Parisienne 2 dr HT with 283 powerglide. after that I got into MGB's and Alfas

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    3. I always liked the Tiger since watching Get Smart as a kid. (Reruns of course).

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