The good of being here in SoCal

[jhwalker]

Hot cars, especially Mustangs, high-revving motorcycles.

[SonicVenum]

The Tamed West has its advantages.

[jhwalker]

We stay in the house that Terri partly owns near Rodeo/Crenshaw blvds and I think there is an informal 'show-down area on Crenshaw. Some great sounds waft over to Potomac. The roads in San Miguel de Allende (dirt, cobblestone with frequent topes) will not support 2 gear full throttle acceleration. We are looking at the high-end Polaris models that support jumping (like https://rzr.polaris.com/en-us/rzr-xp-turbo-s/) to liven things up a little. in my dreams. Terri says if I sell the SPF and give her half the monay I am free to do as I wish with the rest... Problem is, I've had the SPF for 13 years, and am attached to it even it resides in Hastings NE.
waa waa waa

[jhwalker]

We stay in the house that Terri partly owns near Rodeo/Crenshaw blvds and I think there is an informal 'show-down' area on Crenshaw. Some great sounds waft over to Potomac. The roads in San Miguel de Allende (dirt, cobblestone with frequent topes) will not support 2 gear full throttle acceleration. We are looking at the high-end Polaris models that support jumping (like https://rzr.polaris.com/en-us/rzr-xp-turbo-s/) to liven things up a little. in my dreams. Terri says if I sell the SPF and give her half the monay I am free to do as I wish with the rest... Problem is, I've had the SPF for 13 years, and am attached to it even it resides in Hastings NE.
waa waa waa

[Tetge]

Because driving is a privileged, not a right, the State of California can make rules and regulations that flaunt age discrimination. I understand that this has to so to establish an age at which one can first obtain a license, but, California requires all persons renewing their licenses at age 70, or older, to come in and take the face to face eye test and also the required written tests, to renew their license every 5 years, as there are also no automatic extensions. This is a blanket policy that screams age discrimination to me, and it is especially irritating to have to take the stinking written tests after 60 years with a license. This is because the morons at DMV all drive auto trans Camary's, including the ones that write the motorcycle test questions, as, no matter how many times read that the middle of a lane is the place to ride a motorcycle since newer vehicles no longer leak oil onto the roadway, I can not subscribe to that. Also, I can not subscribe to DMV's stance that one should stop when approaching some sort of disruption ahead on the road, as riding around and through such things can be much safer than stopping and becoming the hood ornament on a Camary, that did not stop as quickly, even with nanny brakes engaged automatically.

So, when I fail the eye test, I will get a temp license and that can be handled with an exam and new glasses. But, when I can not pass the written test for motorcycles, and I missed the exact allowable number of questions last time, I shall have to sell off my bike. This all will happen within the next couple of months, and DMV does not care that a person successfully drove for 60 years, and rode for over 50 years, and survived. Some places value the expertise of their aged population and respect their accomplishments, but, DMV simply wants to insure that the dangerous elderly drivers are put down. Funny, however, as said bad drivers, and they often have the records to prove it, seem to manage to keep on being menaces in spite of the in person testing.

But, grumbling about City Hall does not good at all, so, back to trying to learn what various curb colors and signs mean, as if I ever have needed that info in 60 years of licensed driving, as those who took Driver's Ed could get an unrestricted license at age 15.5, back in ancient times. Problem is, as blind as i have become, and as dubious as my retentive memory is now, the eye test and written tests are daunting. and, they are not even accurate indicators of my current driving and riding skills. One more example of the paint everyone with the same brush, nanny approach.

[SonicVenum]

Buy me lunch, and I'll put on a gray wig, and take the tests for you.

[jhwalker]

Buy me lunch, and I'll put on a gray wig, and take the tests for you.

that should work...

[jhwalker]

So, along with selling the Mexican property and returning to the USA --- we decided Mexico is not the right place for an old, stroke-damaged guy to hammer out the next `10-15 years --- I'm selling my favorite toy, the SPF. boo hoo. My most recent visit to the MPH track at Hastings, Ne. to drive the track was so disheartening that the thought of it being there gives me no pleasure -- and it has always given me pleasure. Trying to write an honest sales pitch is difficult because I'm pretty emotionally involved with it. Many, many good memories. I'd like to give it to Adam, who did so much of the crazy mod work -- but he is a Japanese car nut (must be the genetics...). The other boys want it but have not earned it. It will be an interesting task to sell it. I don't plan to try to recover my costs -- so many 'vanity projects' -- but the market for these toys is good. It is strong, fast, and handles very well. I'll report back -- just want a 'fair' price.

[SonicVenum]

Good luck on the sale. I know you'll be sad to see it go, but I'm sure it'll fetch a pretty penny.

[jhwalker]

We will see. 'Expensive" properties usually take a while to sell, so we expect to be here another year -- which is ok since we like it here...

The change in my state of mind, now that we plan to leave, has been interesting.