Chopper #2

...this is my second edition Chopper...it is similar to Chopper #1, but has added features: ...Like real mirrors on the handlebars, that you can see in the second picture, and a crystal bezel for the headlight. The exhaust pipe is made of copper tubing flared out at the end, and the seat was finished with a paint that "wrinkles" while it dries. The gas tank was made with polymer clay...you form it into the shape you want then "cook" it in the oven to harden it. I then carved the groove and filled with it yellow clay and "cooked" it again, then you sand it like crazy to get it as smooth as glass, it's the first time I tried this, and it came out nicely.
I especially like the way the rear fender and wheel came out...After completion I presented it to my friend and co-worker: Brent Mitchell,
who I'm told displays it proudly on his mantle shelf at home.

(Double-Click the Picture to get a Close-up view)

Death Toll Update # 3

BixBloc.....4 (2-average size)
Little Looters.....0

Still no sign of "Mighty" Mouse...must still be recovering in rodent hospital.

Uninvited Guest

...it was a perfect Tuesday night, late September, 68 degrees warm, with a tinge of fall in the breeze. Perfect for baseball...thats where I was, watching the Brewers beating the Reds. I love going during the week...small crowds...and where I sit, I'm almost always off to myself, the closest people about (5) sections away..."PEACEFUL"...That night I went alone, as I do most of the time...you see I'm pretty much a loner, sometimes I bring along "Lor", but not tonight. I'm enjoying myself...letting myself relax after work, and getting out of the house...and away from those invading mauraders in my basement. It was about the 6th Inning...slouched down in my seat...feet propped up against the bottom of the railing...when out of the corner of my eye something scurries from under my feet and off to the left...about the size of a mouse and the same color too!!!

Scared the crap out of me!!!

Could it be...are they stalking me...have they been watching me ever since I wounded their "Mighty" Mouse leader... I've only noticed them in the basement... Are they watching me where ever I go? Are they there at work, waiting for the best time to exact their revenge. They couldn't have followed me to the ball park, could they? ... but...

No!!! This was "UGLIER"...This thing must of come from Outer Space...with it's long spindly legs...all (6) of them...the front (2) looking like a giant pincer, ready to strike. It was "Huge", the biggest bug I've seen "UP" here, must be about 4 or 5 inches long... the fear subsided quickly... you see, "I like bugs"... I actually take pictures of "Bugs".
...so, what was I to do, let this magnificent specimen get away... not on your life!!!
I dumped my soda and ice...helped the little monster into his temporary clear plastic prison and we decided to become buddies...we had to be buddies...you only go to the ball game with your buddies...Right? Well, we watched the rest of the game together...he asked me for a lift...so, I said sure...is my yard, OK? When we got home, I released him to my backdoor screen... took a ton of pictures... and left him in peace... he must of liked it there, he stayed for over an hour, and it was time for me to recharge, so I bid him farewell and went to bed, he was gone in the morning... I was informed that he was probably a "Cicada", so maybe we'll see him again in (17) years.


...UPDATE...OCTOBER 14, 2005...UPDATE...

Stratu, my learned colleague from "down-under" informed me that my "bug buddie" was probably not a
"Cicada"...so I did a little research...well, I found a guy who did the research...his name is :

David R Maddison...Professor and Curator...Department of Entomology...University of Arizona

and he wrote:
Jim,
What you have is not a Cicada, but a Giant Water Bug, of the genus: Lethocerus
of the family: Belastomatidae. They have piercing mouthparts, that can give one, quite
a nasty poke, and which hurts alot.

So, Thank You...Stratu and David for participating in "Bug Class" today