Two years after taking the rider course, and one year after officially getting my M1, I finally bought my first bike!!!

It was crazy because I originally only went out to CycleGear to buy a helmet and jacket, and I decided to go and look at a couple bikes I’ve been window shopping on Craigslist. The next thing I know, I’m handling the paperwork and having my bike delivered the next day! LoL!

Oh man…it was REALLY scary the first ride. But I got the shaky bugs off after two days riding. Went over to the navy base and practiced leaning into my turns in the empty parking lots. Got the bike over 55mph, and got shifting smoothly down. It’s a lot of fun, and I’m really glad I did it. I just wish I had a better place to store it.

For anyone out there waiting and window shopping, just go for it! You’ll be glad you did!

Well, the tortoise table is done! I just gotta buy my tortoises now!

So i’ve been consciously trying to be more friendly when I’m out in public. And lately it’s been paying off!

I was shopping for a new shirt, and so I made small talk with one of the workers instead of brushing him off(i.e. “just browsing”). Well, turns out he’s from my same hometown, and he ended up giving me a 20% discount on top of the sale price!

Then I was buying some steak at the butcher…started chit chatting with the dude, and the next thing I know he gives me a free package of grass fed ground beef! Sweet!

And then today…went to specialty’s to buy some cookie mix, just came up realy friendly and asked if it came with a free cookie. The girl helping me said, sure why not. =D

55lbs down. 45lbs to go.

This year I’ve set my complete focus on losing 100lbs. I know I’ve still got work to do, but I know I will achieve this goal soon. The only way I’ve been able to make any progress has been to control, and overcome, any temptation that crosses my path. Discipline is crucial. So the theme of my new sleeve is: “I control my temptations.”

As a symbol of temptation, I decided I will use Sirens…mermaids. Sirens have always symbolized the tempting call to a man’s destruction. Their beauty and charm lure men in and destroy them. I think crazy, beautiful, feminine mermaids, with a dark side would look great as a sleeve.

Today I thought about including an octopus which would start around my chest and shoulders, and whose tentacles have captured the mermaid. The octopus is my favorite animal, and I think the water theme goes well together. Controlling my temptations.

I’ll have to let this idea marinate for a bit…