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June 13, 2003
I'm having surgery again. (Updated)
Well in light of the previous posting… I don't think I'm as important right now… I'm having another Desmoid Tumor removed from my abdomen wall. This is one that I've had for a few years and we are tired of the wait and see approach. “Did it grow?” “Did it shrink?” It is about 5” long and 1.5” across and in the top part of the muscle. The date is July 7 August 13. I'll be off work for 2 weeks and can't lift ANYTHING for 6 weeks. But all of this is not important right now. Take a moment and keep Nigel and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Also kiss your loved ones tonight and tell them, “I love you.”
Posted by pykeman at 10:39 PM | Comments (0)
Another candle burnt out before it's time...
I just heard from my “big brother” Kiefer that his step son, Nigel, passed away this afternoon. Nigel was on a country road as passenger and they truck lost control. Nobody was wearing their seat belt. Nigel died. I don't know about the other kid, was too stunned to ask. I'll be leaving in the morning to go over there to be with him and his wife. This SUCKS! They don't know when the funeral is but I'll be sure as HE** be there no matter what. Both Danie and I are beyond thoughts now. numb. He was the light of Kiefs life…. He didn't want kids, then he married into Sandy's life and Nigel came along with her. Nigel lit up a room when he came in because you know humor and laughter wasn't far behind. His goal was to embarass you, not the other way around… I swear to you they kid was a comedian. I think he was going to be a Junior next year. He wasn't afraid to walk into the kitchen in boxers and scratching himself… You'd sit there and say, “I can't belive he did that.” Everyone else didn't notice as they were use to it. I remember my last trip out there three or four weeks ago. He had just had prom the weekend before and went to his own as well as took a good friend to hers, always the gentleman. I just remember sitting in the kitchen and having his Mom tell me all about how he didn't think he was going, but then ended up going, and the scramble to find something for him to wear… All of this while he was in a far off distant town at track and field event. This is the kid who would show up at the local diner, The Bridge Creek Cafe, and without looking at the menu know just what he wanted, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And if you couldn't finish the meal, he would.
I need to pack and get some sleep. I don't know when I'll be back, or when I'll be heading back, but it will be at a drop of a hat for Kifer and Sandy and the whole damn town of Mitchell Oregon.
Posted by pykeman at 10:30 PM | Comments (1)
June 08, 2003
Ridden Long and Hard, and Put Away Hot...
I forgot to mention a “little” something I brought back from Mitchell on my last trip 2 weeks ago… a 1980 Honda CM-400T motorcycle. I had a few things to fix on it such as ignition switch, horn, and instrument lights. I took the ignition to work and had a wire re-soldered, Kiefer sent me a replacement horn, and I fixed the lights. All the wiring was also replaced correctly in the headlight bucket after I was done vs. just shoving the wires in like someone did previously. Also fixed was a wiring “issue” when the headlight bucket was replaced someone swapped the left and right front signals but “corrected” the issue by putting tape on the wires noting the change. This “issue” was only found after I put everything back together according to the wiring schematic and tested things… I hate it when that happens.
Prior to getting the repairs done I ordered a Shoe Z-two helmet. Last week I ordered and received a pair of Teknic Defender boots. Droid lent me a leather jacket. I was read to ride! (until I get my textile pants and jacket ;-) …
Well I came to Sunnyside, WA (the family hometown) for the weekend. Brought the bike in the truck along with four house speakers that Tom wanted (boy was that a sight!) Mom was planning on going to Hood River, OR to meet some people regarding the rehearsal dinner for Wayne's wedding. After that she was going to go to Troutlake, WA to see a house that was being built by a friend of a relative. This was a road trip with Mom, Grandma, Bunny, and Paula… A full load in the van! This morning I asked Mom if she minded if I took the motorcycle on the trip. She said it was a long trip. I told her it was a long trip with plenty of stops. She said, “You're an adult, so if you want to take it, it's up to you.” I took it. ;-)
It was a 266 mile trip! I rode it all! We stopped for breakfast in Goldendale, WA and then found out soon after that I get about 50 miles to the gallon on the bike and it has a two gallon tank (Thanks for the info Kief! You couldn't tell me earlier? :-). Ok math time 50 miles x 2 gallons = 100 miles in a tank. Distance from Sunnyside to Goldendale? Approx. 100 miles… The fun part is that I was able to milk it a bit and made it all the way down to the bottom of the Gorge and on to I-84 West and four stops on the way before I figured out that it was the gas =). Switched it to reserve tank and made it to the Dalles and filled up. I only took 4.5 gallons for the entire trip. I even rode all the across the Hood River bridge's steel grating deck… that was fun, and glad I can mark that off my list of things to do. The trip was great and I made great time, although I had to wait for Mom and the girls, they can't make it up the hills like I can ;-). Not bad for a first trip after my Team Oregon class and getting the gear.
Well enough of SNL and Chris Kattan's last show and season finale. Time for bed, I have to load the bike tomorrow and head home…
Posted by pykeman at 12:15 AM | Comments (1)
June 01, 2003
Now that was fun
Well I got to work in the yard by 9 AM and got everything cleanded up and weeds pulled. I got a chance to clean up the garage and basement (office area) but didn't do any windows.
We had between 13 and 15 people at Adam's Graduation party. One of the younger kids brought water balloons and there were a couple Super Soakers around. You don't have to be a math wizard to figure out what happened: Fun, laughter, tears, and a general soaking for a few participants (even one “adult,” Migraine Boy, was able to get a few rounds in.
Adam's mother made great BBQ ribs and bratworsts, four different types of salads (bean, pea, macaroni, jello type), deviled eggs, chips & dip, veggies and dip. And then cake. We had to roll everyone back up the hill after dinner ;-)
After our friend Droid took some of the kids for a ride on his motorcycle. I just had to bring out “mine” and park next to it, just to help his look better. Mine: 1980 Honda CM-400T His: 1993 Honda Shadow (600 cc). He even has a better horn… it was an interesting competition, my little beep-beep horn to his two beep-beep horns, I had no chance in H*ll. I couldn't resist not taking mine for a spin around the block.
After everyone had a chance to let the food settle and watch Adam play his new PlayStation 2 game, the Matrix Reloaded verison or learn how to play card games from Droid it was decide to to see Finding Nemo. It was a mad dash to the three cars as we had 15 minutes to get to the theater. We all pulled in and saw a long line and decided to go to the later show… All five girls left us there and four guys with one car and the mission to by the tickets. I believe the comment was made, as we walked away, that we looked like the group form Reservoir Dogs but a more nerdy.
We all ended up at Basking Robbins in Garden Home to have a quick treat then go for a walk on the old train right of way, strike that we decided to play on the play ground at the Washington County Recreational center across the street. After several games of tag and jumping from swings, both of which caused bruises, we headed to Tigard for the move. It was a great movie. I have come to expect this from Pixar. The one thing I was annoyed with was the way things have changed at the movies. Instead of the nice quiet slide show and “radio station” in the back ground they actually have ad videos running before the movie. Oh well what ever makes them a buck (speaking of which want a large Iccee for $3.75?!).
We all made it home at 11:30 PM our. Our friends, who are living in Vancouver, WA while the man of the house is in the Middle East (guess where), are staying the night as well as Danielle and Adam's younger sister. And don't forget Nick, Adam's best friend from Coos Bay. Please give Nick some sympathy as he had to ride the three hours from Coos Bay in the car with Katrinia… Another story for another time…
Well that is a short run down of todays events, tomorrow is minor cleanup as Adam and Danie's mother did most if not all of it tonight, it was great :-). I'll probably have to run to the store for breakfast fixings… better get some sleep while I can.
Posted by pykeman at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)