- Sat Jul 27, 2013 1:19 pm
#28024
Hey Bob, make sure and enjoy yourself!
Thanks everyone for the support. I know you aren't backing my cause, but I understand why. Lady T has been quite happy to read all your comments.
I guess in my case, its just frustration...it seems like I've given up all the fun stuff these past few years.
I gave up my pilots license well over a decade ago, because, quite frankly, buzzing around in a Cessna doesn't really cut it after doing strafing runs at 400 knots or pulling 7G ACM manouvers.
I gave up skydiving a few years ago because it is simply boring. Open door, feel wind in face, jump, spin, do a few flips or formation stuff for 30-45 seconds, throw out drogue shoot, and hang under parachute for a few minutes until landing. Wash, rinse, repeat.
I stopped being a real firefighter a couple years ago when I became Captain. Then it was just standing outside telling guys what to do over the radio. Now I don't even have that...9-5 desk job at Battalion headquarters. (Oh well, at least the guy I hand picked to run my old hall is doing awesome! I picked one of my Lieutenants and promoted from within, I made that a condition of taking the desk job.)
So really, biking was all I had left to hang onto. And no, Grump, I don't want to get back into it just to take that corner again. I've taken that corner hundreds of times with no problem. I was just trying something different this time. Usually I hit that corner deep, and when I hear the front tire start to howl I just crack the throttle and slide the rear tire out and spin it up. This time I wanted to try and hold traction, so I wound up leaning too far over and the exhaust pipe hit the ground and levered the tire up off the pavement. Stupid mistake. I know better. Wouldn't have even been that bad had it not been for the concrete curb. Couple bumps and bruises, and some wounded pride. It really hurt to lose that bike. Bella was the best machine I've ever owned and I went and broke her. (You may have figured out, Harleys don't really fit my style of riding.)
I guess I could get back into skiing...haven't done that in a few years. I think, though, that I might forget that I've aged and try to ski the way I used to when I was younger. That could be a bit dangerous, so I haven't really been wanting to go up to the hill.
Honestly, when you say the stuff all together, it sounds like I'm some kind of danger freak or something, but really, I'm actually very averse to risk. I just like to do things that make me think and plan to maximize safety.
I'm not even pushing 50 yet...I'm still pulling 40 along with me, and all of a sudden I'm stuck doing old man stuff. Just feels a bit foreign. On the other hand, I shot an 83 at the golf course last week.
I know I'm probably done with biking, so you guys don't have to worry. Its just a bit depressing is all. I do appreciate all the comments on here and emails I got showing concern for my well being. I love you guys, too. More so the girls, though, LOL.
Ok, rant over. I just needed to vent a bit. Thanks for listening.
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass
...its about learning to dance in the rain!