September 2015 – Mechanical Sympathy

Last Light of the Sun

September 30, 2015March 4, 2017 By Timothy King

I'm thinking about a final trip before the snows fly. I did Georgian Bay early in the perilously short Canadian motorcycling season, but now I'm thinking about a circumnavigation of Huron to end it. I've never been to Northern Michigan before and I'd be passing right past where Hemingway spent…

When the Pupil is Ready, The Master Will Appear

September 28, 2015January 13, 2017 By Timothy King

From a Zen Koan, anyone who has attempted to gain masteryin something has probably experienced this to some degree,but it doesn't usually happen in the education system.I always have my ear to the ground, waiting to hear from a student who wants something more than curriculum. On a good year…

Yamaha XS1100: The Midnight Saga

September 26, 2015January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

Buddy Jeff gave me a hand getting the XS1100 home the other day; he's an enabler.Getting it on the trailer was a bit tricky as the front calipers were seized. A couple of whacks with a rubber hammer loosened them up enough to get the wheel rolling. It took three…

Revised Seat Geometry=Happiness

September 21, 2015January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

After installing a new seat cover (with some modifications), I took the Connie out for a ride. The change in geometry is a compromise, but I think it's one I prefer. In raising the seat height I'm causing more forward lean, but I'm also easing knee flex.The gel cushion and…

The Ebb & Flow of Pedagogy in Education

September 19, 2015January 13, 2017 By Timothy King

The intention of Dusty World is to work through ideas I'm having around teaching. Since I'm a technology teacher, a lot of those ideas are tech-focused. This week, after years of forced contracts and an unbelievably rough round of negotiation, my union has voted to accept an austerity contract that…

Why Do You Like Bikes So Much?

September 12, 2015January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

Part of the pleasure is in the simplicity of the experience.It's analogue, immediate and visceral, yet still mentallystimulating, meditative even! Mark Webber knows.Asked by a grade 9 this week upon seeing my wall of motorbike photos ranging from Coventry Eagles to Kawasaki H2s. My answer:"Bikes are faster than cars in every way…

Rivers to Roads

September 7, 2015January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

Yesterday I took the KLX out for a stretch, today the Concours. I'm trying to get her up over thirty thousand miles this season. Thanks to today's run I'm a hundred miles closer.I first aimed at Marsville to have another look at the XS1100, this time in daylight. It's $500,…

Implications of a Situated Intelligence in Learning

September 7, 2015January 13, 2017 By Timothy King

One of the big shocks I got in philosophy was reading Bertrand Russell's Analysis of Mind. If you can get through it you come to the startling realization that we are barely conscious at all. Russell does a thorough job of demystifying how our minds work. With The Singularity looming a number of films…

Right Now It’s Perfect

September 7, 2015January 13, 2017 By Timothy King

Over heard the other day while everyone was getting ready for the first day of school: "It's clean, everything is where it's supposed to be, it's perfect!"I disagree. This is as far from perfect as a school can get. Give it a few weeks full of messy, chaotic learning and…

River Crossings & Riding In The Empty Quarter

September 6, 2015January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

I've been building a map of local green lanes and interesting back roads to use the KLX250 on. If you know where to look, there are some surprisingly tricky off-road bits around where I live. As I build up the map I'll have a list of go-tos that mean I…