It's Been Way Too Long Baby

It's been awhile since I've had a decent ride. Ever since I re-did my permit several weeks ago, I have ridden around town, to and from work, just little jaunts, all good, but nothing great!
I did have a couple of opportunities, like when we went to the corn maze a couple of weeks ago, but for some reason I just didn't. I can't really explain why, something just didn't feel right. I wanted to ride, but couldn't bring myself to. What's up with that? Maybe because I had been so sick I still didn't really feel like myself? Maybe because I was feeling pressure to ride, when one of the greatest things about riding is supposed to be releasing my pressure?
All I knew was that it really had been too long. It was time, now I just had to find the time. But isn't it nice how sometimes time just finds you?
Sunday I woke up early after being up way too late the night before. The sun was shining outside, it was a beautiful day, but I couldn't get my butt off the couch. I watched a movie with the kid, well he watched the movie while I drifted in and out of sleep. He had been invited over to a friends house for the afternoon so Dave suggested we get out for a ride. He wanted to ride over to Carmel to have lunch at this place he had been telling me about for awhile.
So Dave took the kid over to his friends house while I got ready. By the time I was ready Dave had pulled Patience out of the garage and Willy D. and Carol were waiting outside.
It felt good getting on the bike and knowing that I was going somewhere fun, not just to work.
I was a little bit anxious because the road we were going to take is a bit curvy with some pretty good drop offs to the right side. I actually had never ridden that road on my own, just on the back with Dave. When we first started out on the road I thought to myself, "Well this isn't as bad as I remember." But then we really got into it, and I found myself talking out loud again. Telling myself to keep my head up, look where I wanted to go, pay attention to the signs, all that good stuff.
After awhile I relaxed and realized I had been on curvier roads than this and done just fine. Then I was able to really enjoy being out. I was happy, it had been too long. Why did I do that to myself?
We had a great lunch at the Running Iron, it was just as good as Dave said it was. The only bad part about lunch was a lady sitting behind me downing glass after glass of wine and crying, seriously, crying about how horrible her life was and how nobody understood how good she was at taking care of her family. And how she was such an amazing person. Dave was trying to distract me, but for some reason I just wanted to turn around and punch her in the face. I don't know why it bothered me so bad, it just did.
After lunch I called to check on the kid, his friends dad, who also rides, said he was fine and just go ride and have a good time, pick him up whenever. Cool!
So we were off again, just riding around in the sun enjoying the day. I need to do this more. There is no guarantee how long I have to enjoy this, I need to enjoy it while I can. That's advice I always give to everyone else, but somehow I don't apply it to my own life.
I'm working on making my life better right now, I'm going to stop procrastinating. I'm going to get stuff done. Wow, isn't it amazing what a ride can do!

Expectations

I've been thinking a lot lately about expectations that we have. Expectations for ourselves, for our lives, for those around us.
I've been thinking about how many of these expectations have set me up to be disappointed in myself, in my life, and in those around me.
I've been thinking maybe it would be easier if I didn't have any expectations, no disappointment, no feeling let down.
But what would my life be without expectation? Sure, there would be no disappointment, or would there? But what kind of life would it be to just go without expectation. There is a difference between being able to shrug stuff off when it happens and just being totally indifferent. Indifference is a sad way to live, I've been there. I want to be able to feel the excitement when something goes exactly the way I expected it would, or the surprise when it goes better than I ever could have expected, I guess I even want to be able to feel the disappointment when it just doesn't work out. In the end I guess that's the only way I can truly appreciate the rest of it.
When I really sit back and think about it, expectations have brought me far more joy than disappointment. So I guess I'll go about with my expectations and just work on being able to put things into perspective, things work out the way they are supposed to, whether we like it or not.

How Old Are You....REALLY?

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"

That is my grandmother's favorite saying. She will be 85 in less than two weeks, but you'd never know it. She has a little trouble getting around because of arthritis, but her mind is young and sharp. There are two things my grams does everyday, and has ever since I can remember.

1. Complete the daily crossword puzzle in the paper

2. Go to the bar to hang with her friends.

She seriously does this everyday, whether she feels like it or not. Now, my grams lives in a very small town, and I think she is the oldest resident there. Her friends range in age from teenagers to senior citizens. Everybody loves her!

I've been thinking a lot about getting older lately. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm "old" by any means. But we all have times in our lives where we take stock. We think about all the things we haven't accomplished that we had hoped to by whatever age. But this got me thinking about the things that I have accomplished that I never even thought about trying. Riding being the most obvious for me.

A couple of weeks ago I put together a party at work. It was a 30 year high school reunion. It was funny to see how the people who showed up right on time were dressed very professionally and seemed rather stuffy. They all looked like they graduated 30 years ago, or more in some cases. Then about an hour after the party started a group of bikers come wandering in. Laughing, full of life, leathers and all. You could tell these guys enjoyed their lives. And they looked young, in fact some of them so young that I actually stopped them to make sure they were supposed to be at this 30 year reunion. They were, and it was a good thing, because I noticed how once they got there the stuffed shirts loosened up a bit. It was like they suddenly realized that just because they were the class of '79 graduates didn't mean they had to act like they were past all the fun.
Doing something you love keeps you young. It can be anything that makes you happy, whatever it is don't let it go. Health, finances, or family can alter how you enjoy it, but no matter what find some way to enjoy it.
So my friends....How old are you, REALLY?

I'm Feeling Better Now

Man, the last few weeks I've been getting really cranky. (Shut up Dave)

My permit expired and stuff kept getting in the way of me and the DMV. There were a few days that I almost rode to work anyway. The rebel in me said, "Go ahead, it's not that far, you'll be fine." But then the responsible mom in me said, "This could be the day that something goes wrong. Think about the consequences of your actions. Do you really want to screw up and then never be able to ride again?"

So I left my girl alone until I could get legal again. She was sad in the garage, especially when Dave would pull Tramp in after a nice little ride. I was sad and getting cranky. I hated even walking into the garage and seeing Patience sitting there with that sad little puppy dog headlight staring at me. Patience, mine was wearing thin.

Finally the end of last week I was able to get into the DMV and make my world right again. I was finally able to get out a bit this weekend. No epic rides, but enough to start boosting the mood meter.

Now I just have to get off my ass and take the ride part of the test so I don't have to deal with this crap again!

You Want To Ride WHERE? To Look At WHAT?

When I was first presented with "The Mission" it sounded a lot like the needle in a haystack scenario, but once I learned all of the details it sounded more like an adventure that needed to be had.
I felt honored to be allowed to participate in such a voyage. I opted for the title of "Pillion Queen" for the day. Seven hundred miles in one day is just a little out of my comfort zone right now.

So it was settled. Dave and I would accompany Ms. MQ01 on a journey for a dead tree. A dead tree that held sentimental significance for a man we consider a friend although we have never met. By the end of the day that same dead tree would hold significance for the new friendship that was formed on that day.

Riding with MQ was hard! I say that in a good way. She rides hard, and I'm thankful I chose not to ride my own on that day. I look forward to someday being as skilled a rider as my new friend. I really admire her as a rider, and also as a woman. She is an independent woman, but she also understands the importance of having good people in her life. I consider the addition of MQ in my life a positive one.

When I think about my blogger friends who I've been fortunate enough to meet in person, I have to say that I've not been disappointed. So far I've met six of you and you have all been just as great in person as you appear on your blogs. I may not have wealth, but I have some pretty great friends thanks to this stupid computer, so I am a rich woman.

Anyways, I digress, here are some random pics from the day, ENJOY!

These horses came all the way across their coral just to say hi and check out Dave's bike!

Richmond San Rafael Bridge

Getting close:

Does anyone know who this guy is?

Especially for Ann & Linda:

Especially for Big D. and AHD:


The destination:

Dave's dead end road:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NASTASSIA!

Today is my niece Nastassia's 17th birthday. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It makes me feel old. She was born the summer I graduated from high school, and this year she is going to be a senior. Wow, time flies!
Nats is such a wonderful young lady. She has gone through some stuff in her life that could have easily made her bitter and play the victim, but she has risen above and is working hard to make a wonderful life for herself. She is everything I would want if I had a daughter. She makes me proud to be her Aunt.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATTY! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

I need to get caught up!!!!

My parents were here visiting from Tennessee for a week, they just left yesterday, and I finally have time to look at my blog. I feel like I've missed a lot, so I will be spending this next week trying to catch up. Maybe by next week I'll have something decent to post!