From the President’s Desk

What an absolutely fantastic weekend was shared down at Jacko and Cathy’s in Kojonup — thanks guys! I personally would never have predicted the amount of fun that could be had with our increasingly uninhibited club members around a Karaoke machine. Thanks also need to be extended to Tina and Wally (Jacko’s boss) who allowed the overflow of people to sleep in the spare rooms of their house, evidence that Country hospitality is still alive and well. I look forward to sharing time with you all at Suzie and Giggles up-and-coming ‘Mystery Ride’. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, we have successfully completed our first group contribution to the Blood Challenge for 2004. Thank you to those who participated on Monday night. Other members who wish to donate at another time please remember to tell them you are a Club Virago member as this will still help to boost our own club total (and that of motorcyclists in general) perhaps helping to make our contributions a little more respectable in comparison to the amazing effort from the Police and other Essential Services. More importantly, your donation may help to save someone’s life.

To all members remember, you are the most important person in this club. For the ride of your life — stay on top! Puss ‘n Boots.

Well’ it was a long and winding road but it was great to have so many fellow club members following me without question (well, maybe some like — are we there yet?) down south to our hideaway at Kojonup.

The weather was perfect for riding when we left Perth and headed for Pinjarra and morning tea at the Heritage Tearooms. There we were met by other intrepid travellers and on leaving Pinjarra there were fifteen bikes in total heading for Collie. Chez added to the fun a few kms. out of Collie but we all rocked up safely and the only apology needed was to yB’s sore bum. Stretched the legs, topped up the tanks and headed for Lake Towcrinning? where we were met with a sausage sizzle for lunch, cooked by Cath and Lew.

With the bellies full and appreciation of the great views that are to be had in our neck of the woods, we our last section of the travel onto Kojonup, where once more the only apology was to VS’S sore bum. A quick walk after parking up and general stampede for sleeping arrangements saw us doing a tour of the Kodja Place Interpretive Centre following by billy tea and damper.

Off to the local for supplies and then to finally relax and lubricate the necks for a night of socialising and Kareoke (great use of the Cantonese dialed, Buddah and Whiskers) with new found fans of the club, Wally and Teena. (Many thanks have been extended for the hospitality they showed to our club members). Our neighbour at the back also appreciated the rendition of Tom Dooley.

After Sunday brekkie and photo shoot in the culde-sac the happy band was led off up the highway by our intrepid Puss-n-boots.

PS. The Pom loved Kojonup so much he reappeared with an excuse about leaving gear behind (we think his plan was to stay another night) but we convinced him to finish his post as T.E.C. (He knows where we’re coming from)

Thanks to all for making the weekend so memorable.

Welcome fellow bikers

For a short time we were privileged to have an article in the ‘Spark’ written by ‘The Phantom’, alas he has moved on to greater things but not before touching many hearts in a way they will never forget. I for one enjoyed his insights and it has inspired me to attempt to continue his work! I never expect to replace such a great person but I will work in the ‘SHADOW’ of ‘The Phantom’.

I ‘The Shadow’, will take you, the loyal readers of the ‘Spark’, through adventures that will chill your soul, tickle your funny bone, lift your hearts, and if nothing else take up some space in the mag.

I sit on my bike (my escape from reality) with my trusted lady friend (Jugs), sliding through the wann balmy night air thinking of world peace, the downfall of terrorism, saving the planet, and what the hell I ate to cause this gut ache I have! When all of a sudden I see a sign, a sign that could save my, and more so Jugs, life "Toilets", yes now I can relieve this hurting inside.

Finer, lighter and brighter we hit the road again. Jugs wraps her hands around me and snuggles in for a snooze, I tell her to hang on to something incase, she does, and that make me extremely happy!I We no sooner hit crusin speed when lights appear around the bend ahead, 4 lights, they appear to be evenly spaced, could this be 4 bikes? As we get closer Jugs tightens her grip (ooooh that’s nice), I can make out that one set of lights is from a semi and the others are.., oh no... it can’t be...

to be continued

Signed

The Shadow. (Choose to Cruise)

1. A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".

The teacher asked, " What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him"

2. A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I’m drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

3. A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten commandments with her

five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honour" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

4. One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mum?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Mum, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?"

5. The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘there’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, he’s a doctor.’ A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there’s the teacher, she’s dead."

6. A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face." "Yes," the class said. "Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position, the blood doesn’t run into my feet?" A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain’t empty."

7. The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

Great Truths About Growing Old

1. Growing old is mandatory: growing up is optional.

2. Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

3. You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.

4. You’re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

5. One of life’s mysteries is how a two pound box of candy can make a person gain five pounds.

6. God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind, I will live forever.

7. It’s frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

8. Time may be a great healer, but it’s also a lousy beautician.

9. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

10. Age doesn’t always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone.

(because of stupidity- proof is on some actual label instructions on items for sale)

tip off from someone