Chip's 32nd Birthday ~ My List

Ok - well, I am going to be 32. So - how about 32 gifts for this year:)

[1] Apple iTunes Gift Certificate
[2] Moravian Music: Storm In The Land CD
[3] Scooter Patch - MOD Target
[4] Book: "Chef at Home," Mike Smith
[5] Book: "A Need to Know," H.L. "Bud" Goodall Jr.
[6] Scooter Drink Caddy
[7] MOD T-Shirt - Extra Large
[8] Vjatka(Russian Vespa) T-Shirt - Extra Large
[9] Vespa Perpetual Calendar
[10] Vespa Key Chain
[11] Vespa Pint Glass - Primavera
[12] Vespa Poster
[13] Vespa "Allstate" Scooter T-Shirt - Extra Large
[14] Vespa "Geared for Performance" T-Shirt - Extra Large
[15] Vespa "Blue Print" T-Shirt - Extra Large
[16] Scooterworks T-Shirt - Extra Large
[17] Vespa T-Shirt for Kids
[18] Vespa Family Tree Poster
[19] Vespa Flywheel Holder Tool
[20] Vespa Flywheel Remover Tool
[21] Hanes Crewneck Undershirt - Large (tagless, get 'um at Target - see Sarah for details)
[22] Hanes Cotton Boxers - Large 38-40 (get 'um at Target - see Sarah for details)
[23] Blank CD-R's for music, copying CD's, etc
[24] Bow-Tie
[25] Bow-Tie
[26] Vespa Italy Flag Patch (1970's logo)
[27] Bow-Tie Local (Gordon's next to Fresh Market on Lawndale has 'um)
[28] Blue-Jean Trousers (see Sarah for details)
[29] Target - Michael Graves Bar Set
[30] Oneida Cocktail Shaker
[31] Moravian Star - 12inch
[32] Moravian Print - Coffee, Bun & Candle (First Moravian Church may have one)

Halloween Fun!

I think I may have had "too" much fun this Halloween! Here I am, bobbing for apples!

Apple bobbing has an interesting history (this is from Wiki):

"The custom originated among the Celts as part of their celebrations of the Samhain season, celebrations that grew into modern-day Halloween. The original custom generally took place during large gatherings of people. Apples were associated with love or fertility goddesses; the first person to catch an apple would be the next one to marry, a tradition that is echoed in the modern "throwing of the bouquet" at weddings."

Cool stuff, eh?

C.

2006 Christmas List

Here is my 2006 Christmas list:

>Vespa Scooter Part: Selector Box Cover (SCOMO.NET)
>Vespa Scooter Part: CDI Ignition Unit (Americanscootercenter.com)
>Vespa Scooter Parts: Fueltap Remover(SCOMO.NET)
>Vespa Scooter Part: Flywheel Remover Tool (SCOMO.NET)
>Vespa Scooter Part: Mudflap (Scooterworks.com)
>Book: "Jamie Oliver's Italy," Jamie Oliver
>Book: "Chef at Home," Mike Smith
>Book: "A Need to Know," H.L. "Bud" Goodall Jr.
>Flash Drive - Need 1GB (any store or brand should work)
>Clothes: Bowtie
>Clothes: Bowtie
>2007 Calendar: Scooters (Scooterworks.com)
>Book: Scooters: Red Eyes, Whitewalls and Blue Smoke (Paperback)
>Book: Haynes Vespa P/Px 125, 150 & 200 Scooters (Including T5): 1978 To 1995 Owners Workshop Manual (Haynes Motorcycle Repair Manuals) (Paperback)

Looking forward to a great Christmas!

C.

Vespa Restore Project #1: Barebones

Here we go with my "introduction" video for my first Vespa restore project (Quicktime only - sorry non Quicktime users):

>vespa_restore_1.mov

Watch for the blooper at the end!

C.

First Scooter Restore Project~1966 Vespa VBB2T 150cc

Here is my first scooter project (pics are few since it was almost dark outside):

Scooter and parts~



Speedometer (sorry for the blur)~



More to come!

C.

My Mama

I wrote the following about my dear Mama, Grace Ragland:


You know, everyone has a grandmother. But not many can claim their grandmother looked like a movie star. My grandmother, Grace Ragland sure did. When she married Bayne Ragland in 1936, Kernersville gained a blonde bombshell.

But Grace Ragland, my Mama, was not someone who was all looks and no brains. Although she certainly was as ordinary as you and me, and had a minimal education, she made a difference in her community. She had a genuine concern for the poor and disadvantaged in Kernersville and the surrounding Forsyth County community.

Through her writing campaign to county officials and the Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel, the terrible and inhumane treatment of the mentally disabled who resided in the old county home ended. In result of her actions, the residents were moved to a new facility and their basic human rights and needs became a priority.

My Mama also wrote in recognition of the deliberate humiliation and second-class treatment of African-Americans in our country and the need for change in racial relations, at a time when such attitudes were not considered “in fashion,” especially in the South. She wrote about what she saw as inherently wrong and malign to people, no matter of their color, religion or background.

You know, my Mama even wrote a Senator from Massachusetts who was running for President about what she saw as wrong in society. When he won the national election, he wrote her back and thanked her for her support and promised that he would help to make the needed changes in our country. She was so impressed with his communication; she framed his letter and hung it above her lazy chair.

Mama always acted with her heart and her intentions were always selfless, but it was nice to see that she was recognized for her beliefs and subsequent actions, even if we never could be too sure JFK really signed the letter he sent to her, or if it was a staffer’s signature.

My Mama’s attitudes about helping other people and standing up for personal beliefs certainly carried down to her children, and later her grandchildren. She taught her family to know and practice what was right, even when it made you seemingly unpopular and out-of-place.

Growing up with my Mama I had some wonderful experiences, especially with food - Mama was a great cook! I would like to emphasize that she could cook collard greens without using fatback, yet you could still taste the bacon flavor. Perhaps she knew this was healthier – I don’t know? But it was always prepared well and with care.

My favorite dish was corned beef and cabbage, with fresh corn-bread muffins. My Grandfather and I usually ate this while watching quality television shows such as Dallas or my grandparent’s favorite TV mini-series, The Thornbirds. (Ya know, I was too young to really enjoy watching these shows, but I wanted some good food so I tolerated the viewing – hey I was only six years old or so).

But my favorite experience with my Mama was fishing at Kernersville Lake, circa 1985. We visited my Mama’s nephew from time to time, and he often took us out on one of his “john” boats for bass fishing. On one of these occasions, near the “little island” in the middle of Kernersville Lake, Mama’s fishing line tightened - she had a big bass on the end of her line! Instead of reeling in the “old monster” herself, she handed her fishing poll to her grandson (me), and allowed me to catch the biggest fish I ever caught!

These are my recollections with my Mama – I know my Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins and other good folks here today could tell similar and/or probably funnier experiences with her.

C.

Discovery

Discovery Quicktime Movie

We Cooks should change our last names to Columbus (or Eriksson, depending on your view) for we have made so many discoveries this year. Join us onboard the good ship Cook and find out what we discovered in 2005.

Chip has discovered his passion for scooters. That’s right, scooters. He purchased a Kymco People 150 Scooter this Fall. It is a real beauty - wine color with sweet wheels, a sleek grill, a motor that purrs and a very supportive kickstand. He even has a helmet to match. He uses it to scoot to downtown for a snack, to UNCG to visit the library, to the local coffee shop for some pumpkin pie and to the barber around the corner to get a trim. He is Scooter obsessed. Other than that, he is enjoying computing, working and being a daddy.

Sarah has discovered her passion for vacuuming. What with Little Henry/Teddy being afraid of the vacuum cleaner, it is hard to find time to get it done. Chip likes to take little trips with him about once a week to show the little guy his favorite sites and taste his favorite foods. That is when I get to vacuum! I get excited about vacuuming and actually look forward to it. Who would have ever thought that someone would get so excited about that (except Martha Stewart)? Other than that, Sarah is enjoying being the little homemaker and mommy that she has always wanted to be.

Henry/Teddy has discovered the passion for learning. He gets the largest amount of stars for the most discoveries. He’s learned to pick his head up, hold objects, sit up, roll over, eat in his highchair, pull himself up, control the TV, walk around tables, use a computer and now experiment with standing on his own. What an exciting journey he has had so far. He is the sweetest baby. Rarely complains, sleeps through the night and loves to play. He’s perfect (we are not biased at all)!

The animal babies have made the discovery of what a baby is. According to them, a baby is a thing to watch with much curiosity, run away from and sniff constantly. Sassy (Saskia the corgi) and Vago (Zhivago the brindle lab mutt) have so much fun following the baby around telling him what they think he should be doing. Karl (tuxedo cat) and Helen (tabby cat) love to sit up high above the baby and observe his every move. Ruff, meow…

2005 has been a rewarding year filled with learning, laughter and love. And discovery too, of course!


C.

Chip's Christmas List

UPDATE: Some "scooterific" items added!

>Scooter Patches
- "Scooterist"
- "It's Not a Damn Moped"
- "Scooter Rides 5 Cents"
>Scooter Keychain
>Panasonic Pro Curve Triple-Head Shaver (Will take Norelco - looking for a Wet/Dry Razor)
>Call of Duty 2 (My addiction to games continues)
>Sleepwear - Men's Flannel Pajama Pants (any kind will do; need large)
>Home Moravain Church Cookbook
>Encyclopedia Brown Series - Need:
- "Gets His Man"
- "Solves Them All"
- "Keeps the Peace"
- "Tracks Them Down"
>Leather Jacket (Target only; Medium Size)
>Wood Folding Table (found at Target)
>8 inch Omelette Pan (found at Target)
>iTunes Gift Certificate
>Cold Heat Soldering Gun

I think that is it:)

C.

My 30th Bithday Wish List

Here we go:

Clothing~
>"Oh So Very Polo" Google Shirt (need large)
>Adobe button-down shirt (need large)
>Intel button-down shirt (need large)
>Men's Ultimate Khaki Flat-Front Pants with Teflon - Khaki (36 waist/32 length; NO WAIST EXTENDER)
>ASCII Tie
>Gordon's Menswear $35 Gift Certificate for Tie (at Fresh Market/Pieworks Lawndale Shopping Center)

Gadgets~
>WiFi Finder
>Google Icon Speaker
>Abacus
>Cold/Heat Soldering Gun
>Computer Tool Kit
>ATX Power Supply tester

Toys~
>Star Wars Bedding/Jedi version (any component will due)
>Star Wars Clone Trooper Action Figure w/Drinking Cup
>Star Wars Lego Darth Vader Transformation

Books~
>The Naked Chef (by Jamie Oliver)
>Backyard Ballistics (William Gurstelle)

More to come.....

C.

Pictures at FOSE

I have been in Washington, DC for the last few days attending the Federal Office Systems Expo (FOSE). I have a few shots...

C.