birdymaker
Straitjacket From: a third world country in the making
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another year closer to the grave
« on: October 31, 2007, 09:45:46 AM » |
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man do birthdays suck. it really started for me at 40. that transition from 39 to 40 was like a hard kick in the balls. and it gets worse every year. i look at my 16 year old son, and it seems like only yesterday that i was him. much the same as i look at my 85 year old father, and it seems like only yesterday he was me. the time goes by so fast. faster every year. the business that i work in only accelerates it. not unusual to work 75 hours a week, in fact it's the norm. as i sit here all busted up, the mortality thing has really been setting in. i am grateful to be just alive. in a split second it could have easily gone the other way. so i've made the decision not to ride anymore. i love the feeling of the wind in my face, the tone of the exhaust, the calmness that comes over you. shattered in an instant, by a careless driver. i can't be selfish with my life any longer. i know how lucky i am that i saw her even though she didn't see me. a full force collision, i wouldn't be here tellin you this right now. i have children that i want to see turn into adults. help them through the mistakes they make. teach them what is right. my wife wasn't happy when i started to ride again. and is really against my riding again. she has stuck with me through a lot of *feces* in our life together, and i owe her big time. this is a small price to pay for our happiness. so today i am 47 years old. way too close to 50 for my liking, and way too far from thirty. but just happy to still be here. thanks for the shoulder.
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women are like tornados. In the beginning there's a lot of sucking and blowing. In the end, the car's gone, the house is gone..
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Spanky
Full Metal Jacket
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2007, 09:55:31 AM » |
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Nothing wrong with the way you're feeling. I think it's a nice gesture to give up one of your passions for the sake of your family. Now maybe you can take up golf or something to fill the void. Here's to you feeling better.
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Uisce Beatha
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: In the Jar
Karma: 116 Posts: 7357
OfflineGet me the tank!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2007, 10:06:38 AM » |
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Happy Birthday AM. I made the decision not to ride over 20 years ago. I crashed my dirt bike and broke my collarbone. This was in the sand at 35 mph. Within a year of that I was on the other side of your story. I took a guy out on a bike. Not through what I thought was negligence or lack of awareness. I simply didn't see him. Sunny day, looking away from the sun, not tired, not daydreaming, not "impaired" IYKWIM, nothing. He just showed up about two feet off my front fender and a millisecond later was bouncing off my windscreen. Luckily he was kitted out or he might not be here either. Within a year I stopped riding and haven't been on a bike since. Here's to 47 more years of bashing Hondas and Toyotas.
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"If you're darker than a caramel, Reverend Al speaks for you." - Aasif Mandvi "Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man: no time to talk." - stroh
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
OfflineWe're doomed!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2007, 10:13:04 AM » |
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Hey who's to say? You know I might have changed it all. And now I'm glad I didn't know, The way it all would end the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, But I'd of had to miss the dance Having said that, A.M......I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Look at your family, tell them you love them. Look at your life, and realize you love living it. Look at those less fortunate than you, and help them when you can. Enjoy the gift you have been given....... And finally, ........
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« Last Edit: October 31, 2007, 10:24:51 AM by stroh »
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Uisce Beatha
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: In the Jar
Karma: 116 Posts: 7357
OfflineGet me the tank!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2007, 10:19:52 AM » |
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American Made: Alive
Stroh's video: Dead
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"If you're darker than a caramel, Reverend Al speaks for you." - Aasif Mandvi "Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man: no time to talk." - stroh
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Aske
Lederhosen
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2007, 10:22:27 AM » |
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« Last Edit: October 31, 2007, 10:27:08 AM by Aske »
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Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century. -- Chimpy McFlightsuit, CEO of Bu$hco Industries of 'Merka
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
OfflineWe're doomed!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2007, 10:25:41 AM » |
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American Made: Alive
Stroh's video: Dead
Well that's kinda like fallin' down the stairs when they call your name on The Price is Right. It's fixord now.
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Fuzzy
Full Metal Jacket From: Island of Misfit Toys
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2007, 10:30:28 AM » |
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Happy Birthday A.M. ! From one 40 something to another keep plucking away. Time does go fast but I look at my Mom and Dad. They are 70 and still riding the Gold Wing. Scares the *feces* out of me but they are having the time of their lives. Also lets me know that life just keeps getting better. Or at least has a chance of not sucking!
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"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." From Oh the Places You'll Go, by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
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Teed
Tartan Jacket
Karma: 16 Posts: 1723
OfflineNo QB!!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2007, 10:31:29 AM » |
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american made
Happy Birthday! Trust me there are a lot of kids out there who wished their dads lived to see 47.
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8 is Enough!
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worst_golfer_ever
Golf Shirt
Karma: 6 Posts: 408
OfflineMerry Christmas!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2007, 10:36:51 AM » |
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Stop keeping track of the years, just celebrate the birthday. Think of it as your own personal holiday.
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gleek
Flak Jacket
Karma: 107 Posts: 9511
OfflineE chu ta!
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2007, 10:48:47 AM » |
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Maybe you're now old enough to trade in your hog for a Goldwing like Fuzzy's parents.
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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stegerman
Tartan Jacket From: SW Corner of Rock and a Hard Place
Karma: 19 Posts: 1114
Offline"Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that!"
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2007, 12:30:36 PM » |
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being 39 I can full appreciate what you are saying. This year has been a suckewr for thinking about where I am and how I got here. Happy Birthday anyway and....maybe.... http://www.nvo.com/texasm...pictures/67BlueCamaro.JPGThis will help with the wind in your face.
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Think globally, act like you are the only one on the entire planet..
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spacey
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: Group W Bench
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2007, 12:45:48 PM » |
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And this on the day I'm working on closing a deal on a bike. Oh well, happy birthday anyway. I suspect you'll find yourself back in the saddle again before it's all over. I wrote it off riding in my early twenties for a number of reasons, but the itch just wouldn't go away. Your experience might be different. Whatever it is, hopefully you'll manage to fill the void one way or another.
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dystopia
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: Silicon Valley
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2007, 12:55:06 PM » |
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Happy Birthday, AM!
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PaunchyBald
Vest & Plus Fours From: SW Ohio
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Offlinethis place is hell on avatars......
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Re: another year closer to the grave
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2007, 04:12:19 PM » |
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OK Jeffro. Look forward to the grandkids. Get off the bike and live for them. Take pride in what you've done and how you've raised your kids. Life ain't fair. Guys like you and me know that all to well. Get better. I look forward to meeting up with you and maybe playing some golf next year. Many of us here would be proud to call you friend. So you've got that going for you, anyway.
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Soon to be your local trash man.
I don't play golf anymore. Well, maybe I do sort of. I quit keeping score, started drinkning beer and I started playing better.
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