tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post4642860453247599668..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-26254820597963109992011-09-14T19:50:55.552-07:002011-09-14T19:50:55.552-07:00Jack,
Weirdly enough, you've sort of hit the ...Jack,<br /><br />Weirdly enough, you've sort of hit the target fairly accurately. One day you're a devoted fan of a pursuit and the next finds you a slave to it.<br /><br />I am looking for emancipation. Or should I say the freedom to pursue what I want to just because it intrigues me, not because of obligation and responsibility.<br /><br />I know the answer to your word puzzle. Firstly, because I have told people to do the first three letters. Secondly, because I have done the last two with the mother of my children. However, I still have the cherished Mag Lite flashlite I won somehow on your blog so somebody else can claim my prize.<br /><br />Take care, and thank you so much for commenting. A blog guru such as you has plenty of demands upon his attention so I am humbled by your visit!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-84419208214387538072011-09-14T19:45:07.627-07:002011-09-14T19:45:07.627-07:00Joe,
May you find some fun yourself as you settle...Joe,<br /><br />May you find some fun yourself as you settle into the new school and meet the latest class in Joe's awesome classroom!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-83319995137388088092011-09-14T19:44:01.148-07:002011-09-14T19:44:01.148-07:00Harv,
Thanks so much for the call the other day. ...Harv,<br /><br />Thanks so much for the call the other day. It's very comforting to know that someone we haven't actually met in person cares. <br /><br />I found our long conversation very refreshing! We seem to have many values in common.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-48453440855121740892011-09-14T19:42:05.498-07:002011-09-14T19:42:05.498-07:00Orin,
Congratulations on the 5 year anniversary o...Orin,<br /><br />Congratulations on the 5 year anniversary of the blog. Sounds like you've come a long ways since our lunch date so long ago.<br /><br />May Scootin Old School live long and prosper. May the same be said of its author!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-91211071669864265712011-09-14T19:40:25.512-07:002011-09-14T19:40:25.512-07:00Brady,
Thanks for the well wishes. Sounds like y...Brady,<br /><br />Thanks for the well wishes. Sounds like you have some changes going on in your life, as well. Perhaps the secret is to simply go with the flow and enjoy the trip!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-90667038613503280082011-09-14T19:39:12.137-07:002011-09-14T19:39:12.137-07:00Circle Blue ( Keith )
There is certainly a value ...Circle Blue ( Keith )<br /><br />There is certainly a value in taking a breather and coming back fresher. Maybe it is time for a sabbatical. It's certainly much easier to think clearly without pressures of the moment.<br /><br />Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-25712527574487589422011-09-14T19:36:50.911-07:002011-09-14T19:36:50.911-07:00Allen,
I actually did think of you while putting ...Allen,<br /><br />I actually did think of you while putting this post together. Our situations are really similar but opposite, in a way.<br /><br />If I remember correctly you went from editing a newsletter or some other editorial function to being more involved in helping people in their lives.<br /><br />I'm already heavily involved in teaching motorcycle safety that has a big effect on people's safety and well being. <br /><br />I guess that's what makes it so much harder for me to decide. To go from something that makes such a difference to something less meaningful seems a bit frivolous.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your support, Sir!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-10925057340136718452011-09-14T17:40:11.777-07:002011-09-14T17:40:11.777-07:00Dear Irondad (Dan):
There was a time when I loved...Dear Irondad (Dan):<br /><br />There was a time when I loved nothing as much as I love trout fishing. Getting started, all I needed was a $25 license and about $50 bucks worth of gear. When I finally stopped, I had about $5,000 worth of gear and six shelves of tackle boxes. But trout fishing homed my love for he outdoors, and I moved to the woods.<br /><br />There I discovered deer hunting. Deer hunting is a pastime for the thinking man. It's chess with the elements of nature. Did you know that 80 % of the deer were taken by about 5% of the hunters? And all I needed was a $25 license and a $179 shotgun. That was my first shotgun. A cheap shotgun has all the advantages of a cheap divorce lawyer. When I quit deer hunting, because I had moved from the woods and my hunting friends had scattered, I had 17 rifles and shotguns, the average value of which ran about $1500 each. <br /><br />Then there was the model trains. You can really build a nice starter layout for about $14,000. There was not enough money in the world to ride motorcycles and play with trains... Not in my world.<br /><br />Tastes change... Circumstances change... People change... It took an 8 hour day, twice a month, just to oil those guns properly. It takes three or four hours to clean the tracks of that model railroad, and a course in electronics to run the new trains.<br /><br />And well, there is the motorcycle. <br /><br />Sooner or later, you simplify your life to enjoy what's left of it. I am flattered that you and others (not Bryce) like my work. But I want to very truthful about one point. While I have earned a living at this for 35 years (putting a kid through college and paying two alimonies), I start every day thinking, "Who the hell would pay 5 cents to read this shit?"<br /><br />I am always surprised. <br /><br />I know five writers out of work, and three professional PR photographers who are making 20% of what they made in 2007. The internet really ruined what used to be a good thing. I am thrilled that you are enrolled in an online course(s). It may lead to the most surprising developments. <br /><br />And as far as teaching the crowd how to ride a bike... Maybe all you need is a year off to learn a few lessons your self. Good luck... Let me know if I can ever be of assistance. <br /><br />Fondest regards,<br />Jack/reep<br />Twisted Roads<br /><br />PS to Bryce — KMAMF... (It's kinda like a word game.) LOL! Figure it out and win a prize!Jack Riepehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07531160098262862027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-91636623463998996202011-09-13T17:56:50.791-07:002011-09-13T17:56:50.791-07:00"It's time to have a little fun along the..."It's time to have a little fun along the way, don't you think?"<br /><br />I do! Have all the fun you want, Dan, and I'll be here for the ride!<br /><br />-JoeJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575182248998162641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-88534335932894335862011-09-12T16:52:39.021-07:002011-09-12T16:52:39.021-07:00First of all, Happy Birthday, old man (I still get...First of all, Happy Birthday, old man (I still get to say that) ;)<br /><br />There are windows of opportunity through which we really cannot see. But the light is bright out there. It beckons to open the door and explore. You should make the move which seems best to you. After all, it's your choice to make.<br /><br />HarvAmerican Scooterist Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16175082275638635145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-24283275966281312922011-09-12T16:07:41.664-07:002011-09-12T16:07:41.664-07:00Happy Birthday Irondad! Many happy returns.
You a...Happy Birthday Irondad! Many happy returns.<br /><br />You are certainly not alone when it comes to things near and dear. There have been many passions in my life that have fallen by the wayside. It's the shifting of the sands, the passage of time. Someone once said, if you're the same person you were 10, 20, 30 years ago, something is very wrong.<br /><br /><i>Scootin' Old Skool</i> is approaching its 5th anniversary, and while I would love to get a phone call from some big media company offering a princely sum, I'm not holding my breath. So for now I continue to wrestle with the direction my journal should take... I sometimes worry about whether there's anything more to say. Knowing such luminaries as Mike Royko and Jimmy Breslin often sat staring at their typewriters asking, "what in the HELL am I going to write about today?" is comforting, most of the time.<br /><br />I look forward to your continued contribution to the blogosphere.<br /><br />__Orin<br /><a href="http://www.scootinoldskool.com" rel="nofollow">Scootin' Old Skool</a>Orinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16135309284838958912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-44853881114169617042011-09-12T07:37:30.217-07:002011-09-12T07:37:30.217-07:00Dan,
Good luck on the new direction. It sounds li...Dan,<br /><br />Good luck on the new direction. It sounds like you're in the market for some change. You're not the first person to get that feeling, especially near their birthday. It was near my birthday that I bought my first motorcycle, after all. <br /><br />So happy birthday, belated, and best of luck. I know that it's not ALWAYS a motorcycle story, I have the same thing going on with my blog. A good story is a good story.<br /><br />Brady<br />Behind Bars - Motorcycles and LifeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03424120592303852860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-3982738308069824192011-09-10T19:04:41.114-07:002011-09-10T19:04:41.114-07:00As I read your post I was reminded of how importan...As I read your post I was reminded of how important Sabbaticals are. It is a stepping away from time. I was, also, reminded of growing up on the farm at a time when we rotated crops so a field didn't get depleted. Of course, now no more rotation they just hit with more fertilizer.<br /><br />Other then offering the term Sabbatical to the mix I have nothing to add. <br /><br />Happy Birthday, young'un.Keith - Circle Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11992667666539622569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-86690194718196482622011-09-10T14:56:23.015-07:002011-09-10T14:56:23.015-07:00Wow,
Reading this post reminded me of exactly what...Wow,<br />Reading this post reminded me of exactly what I have been experiencing during the last year. Remember my season of Life post in June? (http://allenmadding.blogspot.com/2011/06/seasons-of-life.html)<br /><br />I can totally relate to what you are thinking and experiencing. If I had any advise to toss out, it would be to move bodly with discontinuing something that has dominated your life and free up the time. Then take your good sweet time deciding what other interest to pursue full tilt. Dabble with the things that have perked your interest but you never had time to fully research. Kinda like taste testing.<br /><br />Once we get past the mid-life mark, having a scheduled that is jam packed and keeping us running looses its appeal. Definately make some time to spend with Katie. No one ever died saying, "I wish I hadn't spent so much time with my family".<br /><br />-PeaceAllen Maddinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975320122826127770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-25251669921023820822011-09-09T19:42:13.405-07:002011-09-09T19:42:13.405-07:00Bobskoot,
Yes, today is the big day. Thank you f...Bobskoot,<br /><br />Yes, today is the big day. Thank you for the second message and thinking of me. Love you too, man! Ironically I find myself alone in a hotel room in Portland and tending to the blog on this specioal day. <br /><br />I'm conducting a prep session tomorrow for newer instructors wishing to move on to teaching the classroom. At least I got to ride today.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-66203877698219684852011-09-09T19:38:49.401-07:002011-09-09T19:38:49.401-07:00Bluekat,
Thank you for the happy wishes.
Like ...Bluekat,<br /><br />Thank you for the happy wishes. <br /><br />Like you touched on, I think it's a combination of burn out and the fact that we spend so much effort doing what needs to be done that the days go by without much fulfillment.<br /><br />I hope that things work out for you to start exploring your own creativity in the near future.<br /><br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-41642727057469352222011-09-09T19:33:28.083-07:002011-09-09T19:33:28.083-07:00David,
Thank you for dropping by. From reading y...David,<br /><br />Thank you for dropping by. From reading your posts you have own frustrations to deal with there in S. Africa.<br /><br />Hope the Toy Run and everything else works out well.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-56571295751010072842011-09-09T19:24:21.894-07:002011-09-09T19:24:21.894-07:00Bobskoot,
Thank you for the birthday wishes!
You...Bobskoot,<br /><br />Thank you for the birthday wishes!<br /><br />You have pretty much nailed the crux of the matter in one of your statements, Oh Wise One!<br /><br />Too much time spent doing the bidding of others. Exactly what I'm feeling.<br /><br />Your strategy is worthy of emulating.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-87866649259799500162011-09-09T19:18:04.298-07:002011-09-09T19:18:04.298-07:00Geoff James,
Thank you for taking the time to sha...Geoff James,<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. I find it helpful. Seriously.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-66799509266686692922011-09-09T19:04:25.233-07:002011-09-09T19:04:25.233-07:00P.S. to Lucky,
By the way, how is the job change w...P.S. to Lucky,<br />By the way, how is the job change working out now that you've had time to experience it for a while?irondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-5141758878634858702011-09-09T19:02:17.200-07:002011-09-09T19:02:17.200-07:00Lucky,
Thank you for weighing in. Wise advise.
...Lucky,<br />Thank you for weighing in. Wise advise. <br /><br />Taking bold steps in a new direction is still fun. Kind of like taking up riding a scooter later in life, isn't it? :)<br /><br />Take care,<br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-85504338851762851252011-09-09T18:59:26.785-07:002011-09-09T18:59:26.785-07:00Bryce,
Like I wrote, my meditations are nothing li...Bryce,<br />Like I wrote, my meditations are nothing like what some, like you, deal with on a regular basis. Let me offer my condolences on your mother's passing.<br /><br />Three, five, or more years down the road is where I'm looking. What I want to see then will provide the navigational beacon now.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-24583051656716920842011-09-09T18:55:48.995-07:002011-09-09T18:55:48.995-07:00Richard,
What you say is all too true! Do you get...Richard,<br />What you say is all too true! Do you get really good at one thing or enjoy several to a lesser degree? I find I've dedicated most of my resources to mastering riding and training. It has also taken a lot of my personal fuel. I think it's time to see what else is growing in the garden.<br /><br />Thank you for the birthday wishes!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-77171725738318407192011-09-09T07:56:44.998-07:002011-09-09T07:56:44.998-07:00HAPPY Birthday to IRONdad:
By my calculations thi...<b>HAPPY Birthday to IRONdad:</b><br /><br />By my calculations this is your BIG DAY. Happy Birthday BIG GUY, and lots more to come. Today you are KING, do what you want, snap your fingers and your wish will be my command. phone in SICK and ride around taking photos.<br /><br />luv always, xox<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Riding the Wet Coast</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-28549515682696728352011-09-09T02:02:15.912-07:002011-09-09T02:02:15.912-07:00Best wishes and Happy Birthday.
It's hard s...Best wishes and Happy Birthday. <br /><br />It's hard sometimes, making choices between all the wonderful things that fill our life. Not always easy to figure out. My passion in life is art and drawing, but right now I rarely pick up pencil and paper. Creativity is sucked out at work or funneled into secondary endeavors (photography, blogging). Maybe some day the time will be right and I will return to that first love. <br /><br />My coworker is a photographer and took a five year break from photography. In his case it became more of a chore than a passion, and the cameras gathered dust. Eventually he returned to photography, as a profession and a hobby. He loves it now and does great work. <br /><br />Sometimes we just need a break. Or sometimes it's time for a new direction. That's what you get to decide and agonize over.Bluekathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13485258388887249275noreply@blogger.com