Motorcycle Is Sold!

*Le sigh* Well, I did it! Found a serious buyer on Craigslist, and he drove--not kidding--almost 2 hours to buy the bike for his wife, and he brought cash! Got a good price for it, too. But it all happened so fast, that I barely had time to think about it. Which is probably a good thing, given my attachment to it. Now that it's gone, there's no going back. And yes, the extra cash will come in handy. Hmmm, now maybe I'll get that tattoo....

Motorcycle Is Sold!

*Le sigh* Well, I did it! Found a serious buyer on Craigslist, and he drove--not kidding--almost 2 hours to buy the bike for his wife, and he brought cash! Got a good price for it, too. But it all happened so fast, that I barely had time to think about it. Which is probably a good thing, given my attachment to it. Now that it's gone, there's no going back. And yes, the extra cash will come in handy. Hmmm, now maybe I'll get that tattoo....

I'm Selling My Motorcycle!

Lordy, this is like giving up a child--it's like "Sophie's Choice!" Well, maybe not--but it feels that way!

So why am I doing this? Well, I haven't ridden it much lately, only twice since last November. True, the weather hasn't exactly cooperated, but it seems my energy is going in other directions. And yet, I still have to maintain the bike, keep it all lubed up (*wink*) and running, and I just don't have the motivation--or the cash--to do so right now. And then I just felt like I should try and sell it. Since I'm trying to listen to my intuition more these days, I decided to give it a shot. I can always buy another some day.

I've had a lot of fun on the bike, but it is weird how "things" become an extension of your ego--which isn't necessarily bad but then again, not necessarily good either. I am not my bike! In a way, it feels freeing to sell it, to unburden myself from 1 more responsibility. Feels like I'm traveling lighter already!

Now, excuse me while I go bawl my eyes out!

I'm Selling My Motorcycle!

Lordy, this is like giving up a child--it's like "Sophie's Choice!" Well, maybe not--but it feels that way!

So why am I doing this? Well, I haven't ridden it much lately, only twice since last November. True, the weather hasn't exactly cooperated, but it seems my energy is going in other directions. And yet, I still have to maintain the bike, keep it all lubed up (*wink*) and running, and I just don't have the motivation--or the cash--to do so right now. And then I just felt like I should try and sell it. Since I'm trying to listen to my intuition more these days, I decided to give it a shot. I can always buy another some day.

I've had a lot of fun on the bike, but it is weird how "things" become an extension of your ego--which isn't necessarily bad but then again, not necessarily good either. I am not my bike! In a way, it feels freeing to sell it, to unburden myself from 1 more responsibility. Feels like I'm traveling lighter already!

Now, excuse me while I go bawl my eyes out!

Post-Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Because of the recent split with my partner, I was dreading the Thanksgiving holiday. However, things turned out well, in spite of all my worrying and fretting. My partner and I traditionally cook for my family--and he offered to do so again this year. I talked this over with some friends, and everyone said, "It's only lunch." Our counselor also suggested that, if we're serious about working on our relationship, we need to spend as much time together, especially during the holidays.

Well, Thanksgiving was great--good food, and no one had to get smacked with a drumstick! Also, the night before, I bought tickets for me and my partner to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. Wow--way cool! Loved their Christmas show--and I think it made the heart in this ol' Grinchy Claus grow a whole 2 sizes that day!

Also managed to get in some leisurely, refreshing walks, a great motorcycle ride earlier today--and finished stripping wallpaper from one of the bathrooms. So much to be thankful for: good food, close friends and family, health, freedom to spend time as I choose, great fall weather, music and so on. There is still much in my life that is uncertain, but I can see that despite the uncertainty, I still have much for which to be thankful. I hope your holiday was as refreshing.

Post-Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Because of the recent split with my partner, I was dreading the Thanksgiving holiday. However, things turned out well, in spite of all my worrying and fretting. My partner and I traditionally cook for my family--and he offered to do so again this year. I talked this over with some friends, and everyone said, "It's only lunch." Our counselor also suggested that, if we're serious about working on our relationship, we need to spend as much time together, especially during the holidays.

Well, Thanksgiving was great--good food, and no one had to get smacked with a drumstick! Also, the night before, I bought tickets for me and my partner to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. Wow--way cool! Loved their Christmas show--and I think it made the heart in this ol' Grinchy Claus grow a whole 2 sizes that day!

Also managed to get in some leisurely, refreshing walks, a great motorcycle ride earlier today--and finished stripping wallpaper from one of the bathrooms. So much to be thankful for: good food, close friends and family, health, freedom to spend time as I choose, great fall weather, music and so on. There is still much in my life that is uncertain, but I can see that despite the uncertainty, I still have much for which to be thankful. I hope your holiday was as refreshing.

A Weekend to Myself

My partner headed home to see family, a few hours away, and--thankfully--I have the weekend all to myself. Which I SO need. Things are civil at the moment, and he's still on his best behavior. Still no drinking. In fact, yesterday we ended up at last-minute birthday for a friend; we met at a restaurant/bar, and he didn't even have 1 drink, despite everyone else enjoying themselves. That's huge. Since we couldn't stay for dinner, I thought we'd invite everyone over later for some of the blackberry cobbler I had made. A few friends came over with bottles of wine, but my partner held his ground.

Later we talked and he said he wished could have a drink with the rest of us, like he used to. He said he knew that if he did, however, he wouldn't be able to stop. So that's good news, right? I wonder if he's finally turning a corner---but I'm skeptical. I have to protect myself. I need to see more progress, more change, more evidence. Going home to his family usually triggers more drinking, so we'll see what his mood is like when he returns home Sunday night. In the meantime, I'm going to take a long, deep breath and probably get in some time on the motorcycle to clear my head.

A Weekend to Myself

My partner headed home to see family, a few hours away, and--thankfully--I have the weekend all to myself. Which I SO need. Things are civil at the moment, and he's still on his best behavior. Still no drinking. In fact, yesterday we ended up at last-minute birthday for a friend; we met at a restaurant/bar, and he didn't even have 1 drink, despite everyone else enjoying themselves. That's huge. Since we couldn't stay for dinner, I thought we'd invite everyone over later for some of the blackberry cobbler I had made. A few friends came over with bottles of wine, but my partner held his ground.

Later we talked and he said he wished could have a drink with the rest of us, like he used to. He said he knew that if he did, however, he wouldn't be able to stop. So that's good news, right? I wonder if he's finally turning a corner---but I'm skeptical. I have to protect myself. I need to see more progress, more change, more evidence. Going home to his family usually triggers more drinking, so we'll see what his mood is like when he returns home Sunday night. In the meantime, I'm going to take a long, deep breath and probably get in some time on the motorcycle to clear my head.

Did You Know It's Now Illegal--in the U.S.--to Sell Dirtbikes/Motorcycles Designed for Kids?

In a well-intentioned effort to prevent children under 12 from being exposed to lead in certain toys, the government has tripped up and made it illegal for your local motorcycle shop or ATV dealer to sell vehicles for kids. You know, they might start biting on that lead battery terminal or something.

Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to write about politics for a while, but I can't help myself on this one. This is stupid and shouldn't be happening. It prevents kids who enjoy bikes and ATVs from getting replacement parts when needed, or from getting that shiny new bike they wanted, and it effectively eliminates an entire revenue stream for local dealers!

The legislation took effect in February 09 and is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). I heard about it through my subscription to "American Motorcyclist" magazine. I'm all for protecting children from lead in toys, but when you're riding a motorcycle or ATV, it isn't the same as chewing on an old windowsill!

It appears a stay has been granted on enforcing the law, but that only means fines won't be imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Technically, sales of these vehicles are still illegal, and any state attorney general could prosecute a dealer or private individual if he/she was pissed off and felt like it.

Read more here and ask Congress to exempt youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. I've sent in my request! Just think about the dealers--like they really need another economic gut-punch right now. And the children--think of the children!

Did You Know It's Now Illegal--in the U.S.--to Sell Dirtbikes/Motorcycles Designed for Kids?

In a well-intentioned effort to prevent children under 12 from being exposed to lead in certain toys, the government has tripped up and made it illegal for your local motorcycle shop or ATV dealer to sell vehicles for kids. You know, they might start biting on that lead battery terminal or something.

Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to write about politics for a while, but I can't help myself on this one. This is stupid and shouldn't be happening. It prevents kids who enjoy bikes and ATVs from getting replacement parts when needed, or from getting that shiny new bike they wanted, and it effectively eliminates an entire revenue stream for local dealers!

The legislation took effect in February 09 and is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). I heard about it through my subscription to "American Motorcyclist" magazine. I'm all for protecting children from lead in toys, but when you're riding a motorcycle or ATV, it isn't the same as chewing on an old windowsill!

It appears a stay has been granted on enforcing the law, but that only means fines won't be imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Technically, sales of these vehicles are still illegal, and any state attorney general could prosecute a dealer or private individual if he/she was pissed off and felt like it.

Read more here and ask Congress to exempt youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA. I've sent in my request! Just think about the dealers--like they really need another economic gut-punch right now. And the children--think of the children!

"Battlestar Galactica" Babes on Bikes

Normally, I'd show some hot guys on a motorcycle, but then I came across this photo of Battlestar Galactica actresses Katee Sackhoff, at left (Starbuck), and Tricia Helfer (Number Six) on Harleys! According to the site, the two women were on a ride in California earlier this year.

Way to go ladies. Hmmm, I wonder if we'll have motorcycles in space?

"Battlestar Galactica" Babes on Bikes

Normally, I'd show some hot guys on a motorcycle, but then I came across this photo of Battlestar Galactica actresses Katee Sackhoff, at left (Starbuck), and Tricia Helfer (Number Six) on Harleys! According to the site, the two women were on a ride in California earlier this year.

Way to go ladies. Hmmm, I wonder if we'll have motorcycles in space?

Let's Ride, Witches!

Just read about the Halloween Witch Ride in, where else?, Salem, Massachusetts. Found it posted over at The Wild Hunt. It's a biker charity ride, but Halloween costumes are encouraged. Looks like fun--and another excuse to ride your motorcycle.

Only one concern--how well can they see out of those masks? Keep the shiny side up and rubber side down!

Let's Ride, Witches!

Just read about the Halloween Witch Ride in, where else?, Salem, Massachusetts. Found it posted over at The Wild Hunt. It's a biker charity ride, but Halloween costumes are encouraged. Looks like fun--and another excuse to ride your motorcycle.

Only one concern--how well can they see out of those masks? Keep the shiny side up and rubber side down!