For some very wierd reason this very song with its'amazing lyrics played very loud in the office today, of all days .... and I'd never heard it played there before ! .... Was it telling me something?
Amazing film too .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbATaj7Il8
Born To Be Wild lyrics / Steppenwolf
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes our way
Yeah, darlin'
Gonna make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
I like smoke and lightnin'
Heavy metal thunder
Racing in the wind
And the feeling that I'm under
Yeah, darlin'
Gonna make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature child
We were born
Born to be wild
We can climbed so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild
Friday, 28 October 2011
Amazing BIG DAY - Thursday 27 October ... and let there be many more!
I amazingly overcame my biggest fear yesterday.
I finally knew I couldn't leave it any longer and took the courage to ask my work to take this special "time off".
What would the answer be? I had no idea!
And why was I so nervous ? I don't know but maybe it was because I really wanted a positive answer.
So what do you think the answer was?
All these months of palpatations and worry erased ...
YES! YES! YES! YES! and another YES! Thank you!
The most wonderful answer, silly me, but a bit emotional knowing one of the biggest hurdles (besides having already told Mum) had been successfully overcome and I have security to come back to.
So the reality of making it possible is getting a little closer - or maybe a lot closer!
Life is funny - it's everything or nothing, famine or feast - sometimes everything happens all at the same time - like today !
Amazing thing #2 - I took my Bonnie in to be repaired and was given a brand new Bonnie from Jack Lilley Triumph to use and wow what a bike and a half ! Amazing to ride it and know this is the same bike I'd be trying to get over in the US - so much power and acceleration - I could just feel that wind and warm sunshine on those long roads!
Amazing thing #3 - I talked to them about the trip when I dropped the bike off, just by chance meeting the owner and they seemed genuinly interested in the sort of trip I was planning with the unique slant of this woman travelling on her own across the open roads "less travelled". Really thought they would think me 1) unrealistic and/or 2) heard this story so many times before ..
I finally knew I couldn't leave it any longer and took the courage to ask my work to take this special "time off".
What would the answer be? I had no idea!
And why was I so nervous ? I don't know but maybe it was because I really wanted a positive answer.
So what do you think the answer was?
All these months of palpatations and worry erased ...
YES! YES! YES! YES! and another YES! Thank you!
The most wonderful answer, silly me, but a bit emotional knowing one of the biggest hurdles (besides having already told Mum) had been successfully overcome and I have security to come back to.
So the reality of making it possible is getting a little closer - or maybe a lot closer!
Life is funny - it's everything or nothing, famine or feast - sometimes everything happens all at the same time - like today !
Amazing thing #2 - I took my Bonnie in to be repaired and was given a brand new Bonnie from Jack Lilley Triumph to use and wow what a bike and a half ! Amazing to ride it and know this is the same bike I'd be trying to get over in the US - so much power and acceleration - I could just feel that wind and warm sunshine on those long roads!
Amazing thing #3 - I talked to them about the trip when I dropped the bike off, just by chance meeting the owner and they seemed genuinly interested in the sort of trip I was planning with the unique slant of this woman travelling on her own across the open roads "less travelled". Really thought they would think me 1) unrealistic and/or 2) heard this story so many times before ..
Amazing thing #4 - My good friend Bob (and an incredible film screen writer) over in Boston where I'm looking to start the trip is a the fantastic journalist for one of the Boston newspapers and is interested to do some coverage as I used to live over there ... As he emailed back "I just realized that we might be able to do that because you are a former Weston resident!!!! and we cover Weston, (aka -town outside Boston). If you could send me a few lines about your trip I'll see if I can get them in the paper!"
So creativity got the better of me for an initial strap line (he has a good sense of humour)
"Weston resident going West...on ... a bike !"
So let's see - but it all sounds like a good start in the right direction .... Westbound!
Saturday, 22 October 2011
3rd time lucky ...or do we make our own luck ?
So I've now welcomed lodger #3 this week and just hope she stays longer than the others!
That was a job in itself finding someone and also whose paying a lot less than the other 2 but at least it's some money coming in for the trip - something is better than nothing. Greed could also have stopped me but I'm now at the stage where months are running away and every little bit is good.
The bet on the Arc in Paris was a no go and didn't even come in 3rd - so not lucky on that front which makes me realize that we don't get things for nothing - you have to work for it ....
Talking about work, I received good news this week that I'll get a bit of commission on some business I generated from France for the rugby 6 Nations - Merci beaucoup ! :)
So lesson from this - do we play the lottery and dream of winning - yes of course we can, but we'll never have control in the outcome ...
That was a job in itself finding someone and also whose paying a lot less than the other 2 but at least it's some money coming in for the trip - something is better than nothing. Greed could also have stopped me but I'm now at the stage where months are running away and every little bit is good.
The bet on the Arc in Paris was a no go and didn't even come in 3rd - so not lucky on that front which makes me realize that we don't get things for nothing - you have to work for it ....
Talking about work, I received good news this week that I'll get a bit of commission on some business I generated from France for the rugby 6 Nations - Merci beaucoup ! :)
So lesson from this - do we play the lottery and dream of winning - yes of course we can, but we'll never have control in the outcome ...
Sunday, 2 October 2011
The Heat's now on !
The heat's now on both physically and mentally ...
It's 4.30 on Sunday morning and too warm to sleep. So let's blog. This weekend has recorded the highest ever temperatures since records started - 30 degrees in October - something is not quite normal !
The heat's also rising, with time helplessly going by too quickly, to really know if I'm ever going to be able to do the trip in the shorter and shorter timescale.
Like horse racing (I'll come to that!) there's lots of obstacles - tenant is leaving next week so I need to find a new one quick - I'm seeing a possible new one this morning - so let's see! Not that easy, already saw 2 last week who finally found something else - Lesson - don't get de-motivated - there must be a better solution somewhere!
I've also decided that if I'm doing this trip, I'm going to tell the bosses at the end of the year to give them enough time to digest and sort the short sabbatical away (for god's sake it's not a year I'm wanting just one and a bit month! :)). Otherwise I'lll also have too many palpitations over Christmas thinking about it !
Oh yes, horse racing ... It's the L'Arc de Triomphe today and I'm going for "So You Think" ....
Yes I do think I can and I hope he can win too!
It's 4.30 on Sunday morning and too warm to sleep. So let's blog. This weekend has recorded the highest ever temperatures since records started - 30 degrees in October - something is not quite normal !
The heat's also rising, with time helplessly going by too quickly, to really know if I'm ever going to be able to do the trip in the shorter and shorter timescale.
Like horse racing (I'll come to that!) there's lots of obstacles - tenant is leaving next week so I need to find a new one quick - I'm seeing a possible new one this morning - so let's see! Not that easy, already saw 2 last week who finally found something else - Lesson - don't get de-motivated - there must be a better solution somewhere!
I've also decided that if I'm doing this trip, I'm going to tell the bosses at the end of the year to give them enough time to digest and sort the short sabbatical away (for god's sake it's not a year I'm wanting just one and a bit month! :)). Otherwise I'lll also have too many palpitations over Christmas thinking about it !
Oh yes, horse racing ... It's the L'Arc de Triomphe today and I'm going for "So You Think" ....
Yes I do think I can and I hope he can win too!
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Take a risk .... and gamble ... or play it safe ...
I'm only too conscious that time is flying away and I'm making no massive dent into getting the money for the trip. Everything hinges at the moment on keeping the "MIRACLE" tenant who is paying good cash but knowing he may move out at anytime!
And Jesus, I've just had to pay another mega bill in paying for a new fridge after the old 80's one gave up the ghost last week! And then I've got to find money to repair the kitchen walls before the fridge is fitted and oh yes, I had to pay for an unexpected drainage bill last week - everything now is in 3 digits to get anything done - not anymore a couple of quid but always more than 100 quid ! How do people survive with the unexpected! But I promise to myself that I will not touch the hard earned money for THE TRIP!
OK - so I made a big decision this week in making life just a little bit exciting and endeavouring to make a bit of money!
I haven't mentioned this yet, but I love horses and I had an almost unbelievable and incredible adventure with historic flat racing "Sea The Stars" racehorse a couple of years ago in betting on every race he won - which was everything from the 2000 Guineas to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Luck, destiny or being in the right place at the right time - an incredible season and no horse has ever come close to him .... except maybe for Zenyatta in the USA who unfortunately didn't win the US Breeders Cup last year ... but came a very close 2nd - I became too confident and from what I'd done before, thought she'd automatically win her 20 races but nothing is ever sure and she didn't !
So I stopped speculating but hey the US Breeders Cup is coming up again and the ante-post on the favorite this year was just too tempting ... not a lot but look out for "So You Think" currently trained by Aidan O'Brien. This might just help to pay the bills :)
My next predicament is when do I take the courage to speak to my bosses when I feel I may have a chance with the money to fund the trip (probably won't know until the end of this year if I have the majority of the money I need).
A good piece of advice from a friend today ... don't conclude or worry about the outcome when it could be totally what you want to hear ! So does this mean my company will agree to giving me a 6 week "absence of leave" ? Only time will tell ...
Then I'm thinking of getting sponsorship money - why not contact my lcoal Triumph dealer where my Bonnie was originally bought from - would they be interested in having a link here or being branded on the bike - oh, I don't know ... maybe, maybe not ... don't know until you try ...
And Jesus, I've just had to pay another mega bill in paying for a new fridge after the old 80's one gave up the ghost last week! And then I've got to find money to repair the kitchen walls before the fridge is fitted and oh yes, I had to pay for an unexpected drainage bill last week - everything now is in 3 digits to get anything done - not anymore a couple of quid but always more than 100 quid ! How do people survive with the unexpected! But I promise to myself that I will not touch the hard earned money for THE TRIP!
OK - so I made a big decision this week in making life just a little bit exciting and endeavouring to make a bit of money!
I haven't mentioned this yet, but I love horses and I had an almost unbelievable and incredible adventure with historic flat racing "Sea The Stars" racehorse a couple of years ago in betting on every race he won - which was everything from the 2000 Guineas to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Luck, destiny or being in the right place at the right time - an incredible season and no horse has ever come close to him .... except maybe for Zenyatta in the USA who unfortunately didn't win the US Breeders Cup last year ... but came a very close 2nd - I became too confident and from what I'd done before, thought she'd automatically win her 20 races but nothing is ever sure and she didn't !
So I stopped speculating but hey the US Breeders Cup is coming up again and the ante-post on the favorite this year was just too tempting ... not a lot but look out for "So You Think" currently trained by Aidan O'Brien. This might just help to pay the bills :)
My next predicament is when do I take the courage to speak to my bosses when I feel I may have a chance with the money to fund the trip (probably won't know until the end of this year if I have the majority of the money I need).
A good piece of advice from a friend today ... don't conclude or worry about the outcome when it could be totally what you want to hear ! So does this mean my company will agree to giving me a 6 week "absence of leave" ? Only time will tell ...
Then I'm thinking of getting sponsorship money - why not contact my lcoal Triumph dealer where my Bonnie was originally bought from - would they be interested in having a link here or being branded on the bike - oh, I don't know ... maybe, maybe not ... don't know until you try ...
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Everything for nothing ....
Escaped from London a few weeks ago and drove the Bonnie a couple of hundred miles up to beautiful Herefordshire and Wales to attend the Big Chill Festival (www.bigchill.net/festival) at Eastnor Castle. The bike rode great - even tightened the chain myself before leaving! Great performances from Dionne Bromeld who made her tribute to Amy Winhouse her godmother, Janelle Monae, Brazilian stuff from Wara but Kanye West just ranted on about stuff - not good!
Just to say, the bike had taken me out of contact with the rest of the world and over just a few days found out afterwards that the whole country had been rioted and looted ! Sad, sad, sad.
London, Birmingham, Bristol you name it!
Total discontentment from so many people living in an "Everything for Nothing Society". It makes me sad that there are people out there that feel it is their right to just get anything they want immediately - without thought, remorse or guilt!
Only reason I'm bringing this up is that (and I'm definately not a preacher and respect that everyone has to do their own thing) what I'm trying to achieve on this "Go or Bust" Trip is the EXACT OPPOSITE.
If I can't get the money or get the time off, I'm probably not able to do it - oh yes, how easy it would be to get a loan or pay thousands and thousands on credit cards for that immediate adrenalin rush and easy way to obtain something. Think of the nightmare of then trying to pay it off! Would that make me feel that I had achieved something special - probably not.
I guess I was brought up with stronger values - statements I remember in childhood from my father like "don't spend what you can't afford", "just tie your belt in", "save for a rainy day", although not taken on board seriously at the time must have made some kind of impact.
Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not Mother Teresa - I've had to pay off massive bills and debts in the past but survival is more and more nowadays about keeping your head above the water in this stormy, unpredictable world we live in.
America and Europe are currently facing incredibly tough times, wages don't go up but we're all expected to pay more for basic stuff like food and energy bills. God, I thought food and keeping warm were essential for the developed world - obviously not!
Enough banter on nothing to do with bikes - only good thing that may come out of this is that the exchange rate with the US Dollar may be good next year when I want to go over - I'll certainly and hopefully get more for my £'s! That means more adventures and things to do on the road trip!
Just to say, the bike had taken me out of contact with the rest of the world and over just a few days found out afterwards that the whole country had been rioted and looted ! Sad, sad, sad.
London, Birmingham, Bristol you name it!
Total discontentment from so many people living in an "Everything for Nothing Society". It makes me sad that there are people out there that feel it is their right to just get anything they want immediately - without thought, remorse or guilt!
Only reason I'm bringing this up is that (and I'm definately not a preacher and respect that everyone has to do their own thing) what I'm trying to achieve on this "Go or Bust" Trip is the EXACT OPPOSITE.
If I can't get the money or get the time off, I'm probably not able to do it - oh yes, how easy it would be to get a loan or pay thousands and thousands on credit cards for that immediate adrenalin rush and easy way to obtain something. Think of the nightmare of then trying to pay it off! Would that make me feel that I had achieved something special - probably not.
I guess I was brought up with stronger values - statements I remember in childhood from my father like "don't spend what you can't afford", "just tie your belt in", "save for a rainy day", although not taken on board seriously at the time must have made some kind of impact.
Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not Mother Teresa - I've had to pay off massive bills and debts in the past but survival is more and more nowadays about keeping your head above the water in this stormy, unpredictable world we live in.
America and Europe are currently facing incredibly tough times, wages don't go up but we're all expected to pay more for basic stuff like food and energy bills. God, I thought food and keeping warm were essential for the developed world - obviously not!
Enough banter on nothing to do with bikes - only good thing that may come out of this is that the exchange rate with the US Dollar may be good next year when I want to go over - I'll certainly and hopefully get more for my £'s! That means more adventures and things to do on the road trip!
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