What did you do this weekend?

I didn’t drink alcohol. I’m taking the next few weeks to be sober and work on a personal project (digital planner for next year that includes the moon phases and pagan holidays). I didn’t feel tempted to drink at any point, even though I was around people who were drinking.

I got my learners permit and bought a motorcycle.

It's kind of wild to think that all you have to do to drive a motorcycle is show up at the DMV and answer a few multiple choice questions. Then you are given the go ahead as long as you stay off highways, don't drive at night, or ride with a passenger. But if you do those things, it will be a $25 fine. So wild.

The day after I got my learners permit, I called up quite a few dealerships. I had a few specific models in mind to purchase. I wanted to have a bike that would keep up with traffic conditions in the Bay area, could do light off-roading so I can go camping, and had ABS. Unfortunately, used bikes with ABS cost pretty much the same as a new bike. It came down to either purchasing a used BMW G310 GS or a new Honda CB500X. I ended up choosing the CB500X and couldn't be happier with the choice! The BMW G310 GS, even though it was used and ~$1000 cheaper, wouldn't have been able to keep up at highway speeds. And I was concerned about reliability issues.

https://i.imgur.com/lOzH2e2.jpeg

I grew up riding Honda dirt bikes and for a period of time in my teens, rode around on a little 50CC scooter. I was actually surprised by how well I could ride the CB500X after 10+ years of not being on a motorized two wheeled vehicle. I'm still in my initial break-in period so I'm taking things very slow. I started in the parking lots near my apartments, then graduated to laps around my block, and finally to a big loop around town. It isn't a crazy amount but I put 75 miles on it just doing those things.

I'm still getting a feel for it and am paranoid about tire slippage so I have been taking it as easy as I can. But what crazy fun. I rode for an hour and a half yesterday and the time flew by. All I want to do now is find all the side and back roads near me so I can keep practicing. My MSF course is going to be in about three weeks so no highway driving until well after that. Once the weather cools off near me I can only imagine it will be even more fun.

Helped my partner's brother and his gf move out of our apartment into their own on Saturday! Luckily they had very little to move, whole process took about 30 minutes which was great. After that I took my partner out for a little anniversary celebration! We went shopping for nice bras, since she hasn't gotten re-measured after a reduction several years ago and hasn't bought any new ones since either. She's over the moon about the new ones she got, they fit her much better now than what she's used to wearing.

As an aside, so many good present ideas can come from really paying attention when your partner is bitching about something. I've got 3 different present ideas for Xmas and birthdays just from the past month 😂

Sunday we had a wedding to attend for one of her friends. This was the "second" wedding that they had since their first last year was such a small affair, and they wanted to do it right with more people. Had a fun time, but I'm definitely feeling a little useless at work today.

Edit:

The birthday present I got for my partner back in May finally shipped and arrived over the weekend as well.

I attended my brother-in-law's wedding. It had been postponed 3 times, so it was nice to finally see them get married; they've been so patient. This was my first big family "event" that I've attended since Christmas of 2019, so it was a bit weird, but also pretty good.

For an October wedding, the weather was glorious, if quite warm. The ceremony was delightful though I might be biased as all my kids were in the wedding party in some way or another (bridesmaid, flower girl, ring bearer). The reception was in a cool converted barn and was really well done; great food, great activities, great music. My daughters sang the first song (If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys, a capella duet) and it was amazing.

Lots of great time with the family, albeit a bit distant and outside, but overall it was a lovely weekend.

Spent a small chunk of Saturday restoring the backup image and testing the server at my dentist's office (he's my dentist, I'm his IT department). Then went to go see my favorite elotes ladies for their pop up.

Back home, now that it's not hotter than the surface of the sun in my garage, worked on the Tercel project a little more. Finally picked up the correct timing parts (I was shipped the wrong timing belt in the correct box) and got to work. First up I cleaned and repainted the rear timing cover that doubles as a plate to hold the cam seals in place, then had to notch the cover because I'm making a mishmash engine from mishmash parts and it didn't clear the water pump (probably would have if I used a different pump). Still needed to grind down most of that rib to clear the timing belt anyway.

Next, take the crank nose and install the woodruff key that you made extra certain to not lose as it's easy to do so and a pain to find a new one. Then slip on the re-broached crank gear made to fit your new engine as the added block height and timing belt length means the timing is different and won't work with the old position. Align your timing marks for the crank and cams, get the belt past the tensioner, and spin the motor twice to ensure everything still lines up. If not remove the timing belt and repeat the process.

Also blasted and repainted some other (crank belt guide, spark plug cover) parts without getting after pictures, so here are the before/during shots instead.