Testing my suspension...

As some of you are no doubt aware recently many bikes, lots of people, craploads of cylinders, and yet only enough fuel displacement to power a V6 traveled from Canberra to Tarago in order to sample their cold tasty beer and their hot tasty sandwichs. Despite what seemed to be foolproof plans we somehow managed to misplace a rider at Bungendore (we also pissed off white-van driver). A wide range of bikes including L and P platers on 250s to the more experienced on their 1 Litres experienced the smooth roads and wide sweeping bends of Bungendore road. I used this time to test my new suspension settings. Despite Laurie (my suspension mechanic) complaining that being eligible for the super featherweight class is not condusive to stock springs, he did a superb job in ensuring my bike stuck to the road (and not, say, stuck to a tree).

So many bikes - it was great that two new comers could join us on this tour!

It was super to have so many riders in our little gang, a few more and I think we can start pushing around school kids for lunch money before moving onto larger racketeering schemes.

Its time I started eating more...

I received some advice from a fellow GSXR750 rider whilst at Canberra Motorcycle Centre (Mitchell) a few weeks ago.

This is his bike, which you will notice is the same as mine. Apparently there are not many of these in Canberra because he advises riders not to buy this colour scheme. The crafty dealer wants to keep the best for himself.

I was told basically that the manufacturers of the GSXR750 aren't to grounded in the real world and tend to set suspension springs in the bike way to tight. however for a measley $50 and 1/2 hour pf your time you can get all this soughted out by visiting a Suspension Specialist in Fyshwick.

Now what I was told is true, my bike handles 100% better when I'm caring 15 to 20 kg over the back wheel (this fact prompted me to ask CMC abou the issue). So I meandered on down to visit Laurie - the suspension mechanic - and get my bike fixed.

A spring!

He fiddled with the bike, checked compression with the bike off the ground, while I sat on the bike, and whilst it was at rest. Turned knobs and screws. He even pulled out a hammer at one stage (I always break into a cold sweat when mechanics use hammers). After he finished tinkering he looked me in the eye and said, "this is the best I can do, you're just to light for these springs." Its comments like this that send people like me straight to macca's...

This could be me, if I don't fix the suspension

I have two other options, ride around with lots of weight on the back, or spend lots of money on softer springs. So far I choose fast food. I will add the bike does perform a little better.

Dreams can come true

I've always wanted to do this. Now my life is complete

More on O-week soon...

How to perform human brain transplants

Because I know you are all interested. A 'leading' scientist in Transplantology - Dr Robert J White' published his method for transplanting heads in wikipedia, which I have dutifully cut and pasted for you all to see. Thankyou Dr White

1. The two 'patients' would be transferred to a specially designed operating room, equipped with apparatus for total body, human brain transplantation.
2. Two teams of specially trained surgeons, nurses, scientists and technicians are on hand. This is because the two patients will be operated on simultaneously.
3. Both patients will have to have a series of devices to monitor their brain and body activities during the operation. This will include brainwave, heart and blood monitoring. The most important measurement will be that of the brain.
4. The operation in both patients is directed at the neck. The incision encompasses the entire neck with surgical division of all the tissues of the neck, including skin and muscles. A stage is reached in the operation where only the arteries, veins and spine remain.
5. Bony vertebral elements of the spine at both the front and back are removed over several segments, exposing the spinal canal with its spinal cord and coverings. Metal plates are affixed to the remaining spine with screws above and below the area of absent bone. These will be used to fasten the spine together at the time of transplant.
6. The surgery on the blood vessels is the most dangerous part of the operation. This is because to be transplanted, the brain can only be without its blood supply for an extremely short time. Therefore 'Loop' catheters are filled with a substance to prevent blood clotting, and are introduced into each blood vessel in the patient, to enable vascular transfer to be carried out.
7. Since the blood vessel transfer is the most concerning part of the procedure a specially designed piece of equipment has been made available. This mechanically supports the brain circulation, or can cool the brain very rapidly to temperatures in the region of 12°C. This protects the brain for periods of over one hour if the blood circulation is completely cut off.
8. The loop catheters are now arranged so that the blood circulation is passed from the donor body to the recipients head. The donor body now supplies the circulation to the recipient head. The spinal cords are divided and the recipient brain and head are transplanted to its new body. Its body is now used as a transfusion source.
9. Both spines are fused together with the metal plates. The loop catheters carrying the blood supply are individually removed as the blood vessels are sewn together. If necessary the brain can be supported by the special instrument to provide it circulation or to cool it during these essential procedures.
10. Now all the tissues of the neck wound are sewn together including the skin, and the brain transplanted patient is moved into a specially equipped intensive care unit. Great concern will remain in the area of tissue rejection, infection and circulatory support. Appropriate medications will be required. Also this patient will require permanent respiratory support and artificial feeding.
11. When consciousness is regained we would expect that the patient's brain would function normally. They should be able to hear, see, taste, smell and think, and their memories should be totally intact. They can be instrumented for speech.

Many Monkeys died in the making of this procedure

We are one, but we are many...

I was wandering through some bookstores and came across an interesting book named 'Stuff White people Like". An aptly named book it seemed to describe a range of things white people do that we individually think are unique, but in reality many other white folks do too. Unfortunately the author must have received some terrible advice from his publisher because the address for the authors blog was printed on the front cover. Worth a quick look, I found the article on marathons particularly amusing when the motivation behind triathalons was explained.


http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/full-list-of-stuff-white-people-like/

I made a new friend!

Hello everyone,

Last night (Sunday 11th Jan) after watching an awesome thunder storm from my friend's room on the ninth floor of Fenner Hall I wandered back to my own room, which is located on the ground floor. A put my key into my door and opened the lock. Quick movement of some scutling creature caught my eye, and there - beside me - was one of the biggest spider's I've seen. I chewed on my still beating heart for a few seconds and wondered how I came to be next to the laundry (the laundry is two metres further down the corridor). I named him Ralph. and proceded to take photos.

His leg span is about the size of my palm

Here is a good view of his furry little face. Look at those fangs, aren't that cute!

Because I didn't want Ralph climbing into bed with me - as all my friends a wont to do - I decided it would be prudent to lock my door.
That should keep him out! In fact, if he can get through this near impenetrable door I'll have to rename him to Peter Parker.

Back home for Christmas

For the first time in two years I made it back to Albury for christmas. There was drinking, parties, family, and babies (however I didn't get to make any).

This is a baby.

I caught with old high school buddy Trent. We got stupendously drunk and won money on the dogs, before retiring to watch various Aussie movies (BoyTown, Crackerjack and the Castle). I also beat all of his times on mindsweeper...

Trent puts on a gun show - much to my delight

Christmas eve day was spent at a winery with the family. It was at a beautiful location that everyone got lost trying to find. We ate on a bridge above a creek that was teeming with wildlife. Fortunately I got to catch up with my cousin Oli and his father Karl (Carl?). We also got to kick a footy, feed Murray Cod and turtles (we also thrww ice at them), and make up an awesome game involving bouncing ice of tables and hitting chairs.

Karl (or Carl), Oli and yours truly

Christmas eve night was a small get together from the class of 2000. Most exciting was seeing Marcel Gordon, who now works in Zurich for Google (that's the internet company, in case you were wondering). Most embarrasing was being introduced to one of my peers younger sisters. I had no idea who it was, even though she had lived at Fenner this year. Most stupid was putting $20 on a game of pool against my mate Kleemo (holds a national snooker ranking).

I have no photos of this night, so instead of adding another baby photo here is a snooker table

The Big Day was super exciting as Ruby experienced her first Christmas.

Ruby and her Grandad posing for best smile of '08

She seemed super happy and was spoiled something shocking. For a five month old baby she got an awful lot of presents. However she lapped all the attention she received at the chrissie lunch from all family members present. It was good to see everyone again adn my schooner glasses have alreadt received a heavy workout.

The beautiful women of my family, my cousin, two aunties, Ruby's lovely mother Amanda, and mum. All our family is known for our gigantuan height. Many outsiders complain of sore necks after a Jones family reunion.

Finally Boxing Day was a BBQ I organised at my mates place, where I got to meet more friends from High School another baby - congrats Richard and Angela.

Organising a BBQ is tough, thirsty work

The Crhistmas break was finished with dinner at the pub. Before that however I go to take my brothers 6.2L Holden Senator for a spin. I've been told it goes fast but as usual I kept to speed limit. However there was a curious smokey smell hanging around the car when I returned home.

Dinner at one of the local waterholes. Ruby has already being introduced to the Gatt/Jones pub lifestyle - this was her second visit to the Paddy's in five days, and she visited the winery!

All in all I am surprised to say I enjoyed myself, I wasn't too sure I would. Here is a small tribute to christmas which will bring a smile to even the Grinch.

Get it - 'small' - oh boy! I'm a genius. Who else thinks there may be a few to many baby shots?