Life Changes

[Tetge]

Good to hear that you are still there, and slowly mending up. I got to hand it to you for stubbornness, as riding the Ducati, or any motorcycle for that matter, after a long layoff, is not all that easy, for anyone. But, at least, the Scrambler is fairly low with a nice low CG, which helps with balance, and, once rolling, bikes become pretty stable. I always feel a bit uncertain these days when I first roll out on an infrequent ride on the KTM, which sits high up and is hard to get off and on, and has a long reach to the ground when on it, but, thus far, that fades away as the pleasurable sensations of riding kick in. It is still a very immersive experience to ride, and, the short geared big feisty single of the KTM, snorts and barks and whispers to me to be a mug. So, the allure is still there, but, it also is fighting a battle with my common sense that tells me that motorcycling is best reserved for the younger folks, and, for valid reasons. But, then, I tell myself, why not live some, as one never really knows what the future has in store for them. For instance, the dread virus from China has hit California, and Mexico just reported a case, and, it may be far more potentially dangerous than jumping onto a motorcycle for a ride about, especially for older folks. Not that I endorse your riding the Ducati, as, on the surface, that would appear to be madness, but, then again, it is said that history repeats itself.

[jhwalker]

I think riding my mtn bike will help my balance. I've always wanted to learn to ride a unicycle but none seem to be for sale here...

[SonicVenum]

Glad to hear you're healing up. Try to keep on that path!

[jhwalker]

A friend was diagnosed with ALS recently. He is going down quickly. A (was a) talented, erudite motorcyclist. Made his living working with wood. Can no longer talk, very difficult for him to walk. Can't ride. His wife is freaking out (naturally).
Another friend, a woman, just committed suicide. Hung herself with her husband's belt -- in the shower. Trying to understand how one gets there, where one concludes that death is the answer.
So I will listen to Adagio for Strings for a while today.
damn...

[jhwalker]

A friend was diagnosed with ALS recently. He is going down quickly. A (was a) talented, erudite motorcyclist. Made his living working with wood. Can no longer talk, very difficult for him to walk. Can't ride. His wife is freaking out (naturally).
Another friend, a woman, just committed suicide. Hung herself with her husband's belt -- in the shower. Trying to understand how one gets there, where one concludes that death is the answer.
So I will listen to Adagio for Strings for a while today.
damn...

[jhwalker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRCubAtPiKg

[jhwalker]

But maybe not this version

[SonicVenum]

Wow, sad to hear, James. Yesterday we went to a service for one of Rach's aunts. She almost made 80, but stomach cancer took her before she could get there. It was more a celebration of a life well-lived, than a sad event. Our time here is so brief, and we really do have to make the most of the time we have.

[jhwalker]

80 is a good number. Combined with a good life, todo bien.

Tetge and I may make 80 Me first (of course) since he is a young punk...

[Tetge]

......Tetge and I may make 80 Me first (of course) since he is a young punk...

The Social Security Administration provides a calculator that gives you the exact number of years and months you have left, based upon entering only your sex and date of birth. Some say that the calculator is not sophisticated and there was a disclaimer below the results reflecting the fact that individual results cold vary. But, it is sort of interesting to see what the statistics say, even though they are not actually worth anything on an individual basis.

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/population/longevity.html