I choose to blog...Juggernaut style.
The Juggernaut (Marvel comics character created in the '60s.)
Special powers:
Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability
Regenerative healing factor
Force field generation
Virtually unstoppable momentum
So in this blog I power through and give you fine folks an update since my last blog. Which has been a long time. You will hopefully see within the update, my ability to regenerate a "healing factor" and also equip myself with a force field of protection before plowing through yet another wall. And, ...ah whatever, I don't even care about this analogy. I just thought "The Bloggernaut" sounded funny/cool/catchy.
This is where the real post begins:
Since my helmet post:
- I have completed my Basic Rider Training course.
- Gotten my license/registration/insurance.
- Looked at three bikes total.
- Bought the third looker and is it a looker or what!?!
- My sister had her baby and I'm officially an Auntie! ^_^
- Bought a battery tender (That was a long day of battery troubles and strandedness. Shout out to those who helped me, all you brothers at work) :)
- Bought a helmet that fits, protective jacket, and gloves.
- My awesome parent's came to town to be with their kids and new grand baby...also they came to help out at my sister's house. They went above and beyond! Massive kudos!
- Got to take my mom for a spin on my "new to me" wheels. :)
- Got to watch some of The Masters with my dad. I liked that.
- I found out mid-way through my parents visit that the place I work at is closing up shop and I only have thirty more days from April 12th until I have no job.
- I called to cancel my gym membership. In the process, the fellow on the other end asked me why I was canceling. I told him I'd been laid off. He sympathized with me and then asked me if I'd like four months membership free of charge. Um, yeah! That helps my moral! Thank you 24 Hour Fitness and guy I don't know! ...on top of four months free, the man gave me a motivational speech of sorts and encouraged me in my upcoming job searches. God bless that man! He's a friend of mine.
- I told a couple close friends about my job loss and their reactions both surprised me and made me laugh hysterically. One friend, who has been wanting me to find a day time job for a while because we don't ever hangout anymore, said "oh.....I'm sorry I'm not more bummed....that sucks, but, I miss you". If that doesn't touch your heart, I don't know what will. ;) The other friend/family, who lives in AZ, I told by email and asked for their prayers. Her reply, "Yay! Now you can come and live with us! ....p.s. sorry to hear about that, we'll be praying." I laughed sooo hard! I'm glad they felt comfortable enough to say what first came to their minds and didn't try to be sensitive about the whole thing. In other words, I feel the love, very tangibly.
- My lovely, and more organized in thought than me, mother helped me make a list of questions and tasks that needed to be completed surrounding the topic of college. We went together to the campus office where we proceeded to take care of business that would help me get closer to the degree I want (BFA). It's been a messier process than most have to deal with and that's my own making, but I'm learning the ways of the campus rules and like I said, getting closer to the degree I want. Thank you mom for your help. Y'all can judge, but my mom is welcome on campus any day! You too Dad!
- I finally checked the expiration date of my discount standby tickets only to find that they expired just under a month ago. No nearly-free flights for me this summer like I had thought. Very bummed.
- My bike wouldn't idle today. I rode it about six miles and it was terribly sluggish for it's breed and it would die even in neutral at lights and during take off. My mechanic suspects foul spark plugs given all the problems I had had with starting it during my battery problems. I believe that to be a fine assessment. Plus it sounds cheaper than the other potential problems I looked up. Fixin' to fix tomorrow.
- And on a very small note of disappointment, I picked up two gloves from the sidewalk a week ago and just finished repairing the cuts in both of them. After completing the repairs I began trying them on only to find that they are both for the right hand. I don't want to just throw them out but I can't think of any other use for them. Any suggestions?
Onward.
So.....my bike is pretty rad! Even with it's problems.
I knew it would be high maintenance when I got it. It's just that kind of bike, rather prissy for a Monster. I just couldn't say no to its cute face. It was like a puppy at the humane society that had my name all over it, the sweetest little thing. Except, it wasn't a puppy and it wasn't at a shelter and it wasn't little. It was a hefty thundering Monster, roaring in the deep echoing forest...of the inner city. It needed a tamer, a companion. It was lonely and silent without an accomplice. I took it under my wing (or rather, my bum) and brought it home to my lair where I made it comfortable in its cave, (It's in the garage). We have been best mates ever since (except for when its cold out, it doesn't charge, blows spark plugs, and stalls in the middle on an intersection...which seems to be almost every week so far. I forgive it, so long as it doesn't run me dry).
You probably want to know what it is now. I don't blame you. I guess I'll give you a picture too. You're welcome. The Black is a 1999 Ducati Monster Dark 748cc. It rumbles and growls and gets a lot of looks...even when it stalls. (probably mostly then actually....just keeping things in perspective, I'm proud but not unrealistic).
Flowers and leaves courtesy for my mechanic's eight year old daughter. Too bad they wont stay.
I don't regret my purchase at all. And I don't plan on selling it just because I lost my job. Especially not for that reason.
I really like my bike, I do. But at the same time, I don't get much pleasure out of looking at it or riding it. It is bitter-sweet to me. I reminds me of how I got it and who I lost. The association will always be there, and so will the emptiness I feel toward it.
I enjoy bragging about it to a degree, but I brag mostly because I know that's what people expect and even want. They want to know what all it's features are and how it sounds, ect.
The thing is, I have so many feelings (just about this purchase, not including the other aspects of life at the moment) that they begin to cancel each other out, in appearance. But in reality, I'm swimming in thoughts and emotions that contradict one another. I am excited about my bike and I really really like it...but at the same time I'm bitter about owning it and I'm indifferent toward it. <(This was to explain to you and to me, why I'm not a typical first bike owner. Why I'm not completely elated and fawning over my bike. Why I don't spend hours tinkering with it and cleaning it up. The bare minimum is all I can handle.)
I like my bike, but it's complicated.
I like my life, but it's complicated.
I like a lot of things, but I'll never be whole. Not till I'm home.
Most sincerely,
Sarah
