Jeff's blog

To utilize tethering on your Blackberry Curve 8830 with Verizon Wireless do the following:

- Setup Bluetooth pairing between laptop and 8830

See instructions elsewhere

- Add new modem in Windows XP

Control Panel/Phone and Modem Options/Modems
Search for modems
It will find "Standard Modem over Bluetooth link"
Complete the creation of this modem

- Create a network connection in Windows XP

Control Panel/Network Connections/New Connection Wizard
Connect to Internet
Set up my connection manually
Connect using a dial-up modem
Use Standard Modem over Bluetooth link modem
Give the connection a name
Phone number is #777
User name is your full 10 digit Verizon cellphone number @vzw3g.com
example: 3015551212@vzw3g.com
Password is your 10 digit phone number example: 3015551212


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jxs2151
Jeff Stevenson

Disclaimer: What you do with your motorcycle is solely your decision and, as a mature adult, you should make your own decisions. I am in no way recommending you use the method I describe below as there are inherent dangers when modifying the parts or function of any factory motorcycle in any way.


I first learned of the "O-Ring" throttle control method from a discussion forum website so the idea is neither original nor mine. The "discoverer" of this method, and/or the particularly good qualities of the Caterpillar(Cat) O-Ring is likely lost to time.

The idea of the O-Ring cruise control is to roll the ring into the space between the throttle grip and the bar end weight. The qualities of the Cat O-Ring part number 8M4991 make it ideal as it has a certain "stickiness" that will grip both the throttle and the bar end weight. Someone else could probably tell you the materials that make the Caterpillar part different, I cannot.


Description:

The bar ends on my 2006 Triumph Sprint ST conveniently have a groove that seems custom made for parking an O-Ring of this size when not in use and keeps it from rolling off of the end of the weight. Not sure about other bikes but it will work without the groove; just figure out a different place to roll the ring when not in use.




Here is the Caterpillar O-Ring in it's "resting" place in the groove:




Here is the trick to getting the O-Ring to hold the throttle well. Notice that in the left picture, there is little space between the throttle grip and the bar end. This is the normal position of the throttle grip. In the picture on the right, I have pulled the grip inward to create a gap between it and the bar end, a perfect size for the O-Ring to settle into:




Below is the O-Ring in place between the grip and the bar end:




I wouldn't say that it works as a perfect throttle lock since normal vibration eventually loosens the hold of the O-Ring, but when taking long rides not having to physically hold the throttle open all the time certainly can take the strain off of your right hand.

I ordered my O-Rings here but feel free to look around. I ended up ordering ten and have been giving them away to friends who asked about them. It is a cheap, inexpensive way to have cruise control on your bike.


The entire photoset is here.


Jeff Stevenson
jxs2151
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Think about this next time you go to Chipotle and order a burrito:

13" Flour Tortilla

Rice
Black Beans

Barbacoa (5oz)

Tomato Salsa
Corn Salsa

Cheese
Sour Cream
Lettuce
Chips

Chipotle Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 Burrito Amount Per Serving Calories 1835 Calories from Fat 642 % DV* Total Fat 72g Saturated Fat 24g Cholesterol 144mg Sodium 3908mg Total Carbohydrate 219g Dietary Fiber 18.5g Sugars 10g Protein 76g Vitamin A 147% Vitamin C 70% Calcium 59% Iron 40%

Try it yourself with this calculator

Jeff Stevenson
jxs2151
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If you are one of those drivers that plants yourself in the left lane, riding along at 60 mph and not feeling the least bit compelled to move over and let a faster vehicle pass, then yes I am one of those bikers that "weaves in and out of traffic" as I go around you.


Jeff Stevenson
jxs2151
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Went riding with the The Rockville MD/VA/DC Motorcycle Riders Meetup Group Saturday.



We rode the backroads east of 270 north to Thurmont, MD, stopping to eat at the Cozy Inn & Restaurant before proceeding west across Cacoctin Mountain on Rt. 77. From there we ended up at High Rock, near Camp David.

Check out this panoramic view from High Rock, looking out on Great Valley:

http://www.potomacwatershed.net/resource/antimono/hirkasse.html

Here's a shot of me at High Rock, standing as close to the edge as I am going to get when the dropoff is several hundred feet.




All the pictures from the ride can be found here.


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Jeff Stevenson
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Former UN Sectretary-General Kofi Annan recalled that when he was in school in Ghana, the headmaster Francis Bartels had once “put a broad sheet of white paper on the wall, with a little black dot in the right-hand corner, and asked, ‘Boys, what do you see?’” The boys shouted in unison, “A black dot.”

Bartels then admonished them, “So not a single one of you saw the broad white sheet of paper. You only saw the black dot. This is the awful thing about human nature. People never see the goodness of things and the broader picture. Don’t go through life with that attitude.”


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Jeff Stevenson
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Spent today riding with a great group of guys (and a girl) from The Rockville MD / VA / DC Motorcycle Riders Meetup Group. One group started in Olney, VA and we all met on Dock Street in Annapolis.

From there our group of ten rode to Tilghman Island, MD where we ate lunch at The Bridge Restaurant. Then it was back to DC in the Ocean City traffic.



All the pictures from the ride can be found here.

The quality may seem a little off since they were taken with the cell phone camera. Don't even ask how I got the moving, on-the-road pics.....it's probably not legal.


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On March 17th, the Anti-America crowd is planning a march in DC. International Answer, a group with known links to International Marxism-Lenism (www.discoverthenetwork.org) is organizing a march to the Pentagon to call for an immediate surrender in Iraq, the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, etc. Their planned march will take them past several memorials to our military. The last time this bunch showed up in DC they defaced the Capitol Building and desecrated the Lone Sailor statue that stands watch at the U.S. Navy Memorial.



This time it will be different. Several military veterans organizations are committed to protecting the sanctity of our memorials and are organizing to counter the Anti-American crowds impact on DC. A Gathering of Eagles is the main group and information can be found on their website.

Do you care enough to spend your Saturday standing with the veterans who defend our country?


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Thank you for taking the time to respond. It is my belief that the laptop is defective and not in good working order as promised. I would like to arrange to return the laptop for a full refund.

The problems are:

- Laptop screen goes blank for periods of time after being on for about twenty minutes.
- The laptop often does not boot at all

Please let me know when we can arrange an exchange.


Jeff Stevenson

I can come take a look at it. When is a good time for you and what is your address?

Jeff