Sunday, October 18, 2009

An Appeal For The Biker's Breast Friend...

Edit 11/08
For all those who commented on the pics, thank you, I appreciate your enthusiasm, however, I have removed them at least for now. I'm sure we will post more like them in the future.

Now that I have your attention (Thanks to My Wife for allowing me to post the pics), I would like to take a few moments to talk to you about a subject very dear to me. For as long as I can remember, biker events have nearly always included some form or another of a chance for bikers to admire or ogle boobies (or for some of you "tits").
As you may recall, I have already professed my own personal love for them in a couple of posts.
Well, in case you didn't know, the boobies are under attack. No, I'm not referring to the attack from the religious right trying to keep them all covered up (although that one bothers me, too) but the attack from inside. CANCER.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, hence the drastic increase of those little pink ribbons everywhere. In observance of that, I wanted to drop a few facts about breast cancer for you.
First off, What is Cancer? Cancer is a disease that causes cells to mutate & reproduce at an unusual rate. Often these mutations cause a solid mass or "tumor" to form. Cancers are commonly named for the part of the body that they affect, thus as you might have deduced, Breast Cancer attacks the breast. Specifically, Breast cancer attacks the Lobules (the glands that produce milk) or the Ducts ( the path through which milk flows to the nipple). Occasionally cancer can attack the stromal tissue (including the fatty & connective tissue in the breast). Like all cancer, breast cancer can spread to other systems and can lead to death.

While the exact cause of breast cancer is still being researched, certain risk factors have been identified. Among them are
Age: 95% of new cases in women and 97% of deaths between 2002
& 2006 occurred in women over 40.
Family History: Your risk increases if a member of you family (mother, Sister, Daughter, Father, ) has had breast cancer.
Weight: The chance of getting breast cancer after menopause is higher in women who are overweight or obese.
The use of tobacco and alcohol, have also been identified as risk factors.
And, Guys, before you think you are out of the woods, you might want to read this:
Original KISS drummer celebrates surviving breast cancer

That's right... We are not immune.
It is estimated that over 192,00 Women and almost 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Without a doubt, early detection is the key to successful treatment. Women under 40 should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years, those over 40 should have one every year. A monthly self exam is also recommended, your doctor can show you how.
Please... Take the time, check your breasts....And, for the sake of all bikers...
SHOW THEM OFF! ! !

No, seriously, I'd like to see them... All of them... hell, just send pics of them to me! I know, it's wrong, but They're just the coolest...

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Is There A Doctor In The House?

Ok, So this last week has marked a very sad turning point in my Harley Owning life.
Last Sunday I was heading out to help a friend fix the brakes on his car. I got close to where I was going to meet him & his family and when I slowed for a stoplight, Kate lost power & died. It doesn't sound too bad, but it's never happened before. It continued to happen at nearly every stop until I got to his house. I checked my oil first, it was a touch low but not bad enough to trigger that kind of reaction.
I thought briefly that maybe I had gotten too much gas in the tank & blocked the vent (I've had some experience with that in the past) or maybe even got a batch of bad gas, but even after I replaced the gas at the proper level, the same symptoms occurred. When she gets hot and then I pull to a stop, she loses power.
When I pulled into the driveway from work on Wednesday She died again.
That's IT! I called the service dept. I was told my Mechanic was busy on a big job & couldn't work on Kate until next week. I made arrangements to drop her off for a diagnostic.
I dropped her off yesterday and was told he might be able to start on it THURSDAY, Ugh! SO I'm stuck for at least a week with no bike...
Day 1... Withdrawal tremors setting in...
I think maybe I need an intervention. Does it have the same effect if you request it?
I have no idea.
Somebody go on a ride for me, ok? And, by all means, any advice or encouragement to help get through the week is greatly appreciated.
I'll catch you on the road...