Covid19 Spare time

[diyer2]

To put it simply IMO, so many people are sheep, I've never been one. 

[Donstar]

Karnut and I have both been known to sing the praises of Dave Ramsey's financial wisdom.  The pandemic found us banking funds which has allowed me to purchase my Harley Davidson Freewheeler.  It is a "depreciating asset" but it is something to show for all of our unspent covid travel and entertainment money!   The funny thing is that my Freewheeler and respect for Dave Ramsey are only discussed in my online life!   In real-life,  if I mention Dave Ramsey I'm met with a, "Who is Dave Ramsey?".  If people come to look at my bike, more often than not, they'll start with, "What is this?  

[customboss]

1 minute ago, Donstar said:

Karnut and I have both been known to sing the praises of Dave Ramsey's financial wisdom.  The pandemic found us banking funds which has allowed me to purchase my Harley Davidson Freewheeler.  It is a "depreciating asset" but it is something to show for all of our unspent covid travel and entertainment money!   The funny thing is that my Freewheeler and respect for Dave Ramsey are only discussed in my online life!   In real-life,  if I mention Dave Ramsey I'm met with a, "Who is Dave Ramsey?".  If people come to look at my bike, more often than not, they'll start with, "What is this?  

You are both wise to follow most of Daves guidance. 

 

An aside and observation from my experience. 

 

Dave Ramsey is the mentee of Christian Financial Concepts founder Larry Burkett. I was a CFC certified instructor at my Church back in the 1980's and early 90's. 

 

Larry wrote books, spoke on radio shows including his own.....but GAVE AWAY most his biblical  info and instruction.  Larry passed away unexpectedly 2003.  

 

Dave has made a lot of $$ off Larry's foundational instruction that started in 1976. 

 

At age 62 I look back and see Larry as rock solid and Dave Ramsey as a stepping stone to getting back to Larry's more biblical foundation of money as a tool to help others not a destination in life. 

 

Larry Burkett cared more about his faith and others than making a profit and being dogmatic towards his employees etc.   I know that because he provided free materials to our churches and when I had little to help teach others at my church and I will forever be thankful for that. 

 

 

 

 

 

[KARNUT]

1 minute ago, Donstar said:

Karnut and I have both been known to sing the praises of Dave Ramsey's financial wisdom.  The pandemic found us banking funds which has allowed me to purchase my Harley Davidson Freewheeler.  It is a "depreciating asset" but it is something to show for all of our unspent covid travel and entertainment money!   The funny thing is that my Freewheeler and respect for Dave Ramsey are only discussed in my online life!   In real-life,  if I mention Dave Ramsey I'm met with a, "Who is Dave Ramsey?".  If people come to look at my bike, more often than not, they'll start with, "What is this?  

Everyone needs a hobby. Mine was cars. Growing up in the sixties there was a big toy box to choose from. Luckily I managed to trade, sell and maintain a reasonable budget so it didn’t get out of hand. Now retired and traveling mostly to the same place 3-4 times a year visiting family. I cashed  in my car hobby for card playing at different casinos with my wife. Amazingly for the price of rooms and meals it’s basically free. They give me free rooms and meals, I give it back in play. Sometimes I give a little sometimes take a little. As hobbies go it’s pretty cheap in comparison. As long as you don’t fall into the I’m going to get rich it’s a blast. It only works if you are budget minded. My brother in law just bought a boat. Talk about expensive hobby.

[Donstar]

My Harley trike seems to attract interested senior bikers.  The conversations generally center around an imaginary time in the future when they may transition to three wheels.  One person I spoke to on Sunday appears to be past the time when he should be driving anything on public roads!  I caution those who think of a trike as a safety net to  extend their biker days.   Trikes are physically demanding and  share the increased risks associated with motorcycles.  They may be big, but they're still invisible to car drivers!  The sad part of some of these conversations is an apparent denial of their position in the life cycle.   If you're old, embrace your age.  Some like to wait until tomorrow and we all know what they say about tomorrow!

[customboss]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

My Harley trike seems to attract interested senior bikers.  The conversations generally center around an imaginary time in the future when they may transition to three wheels.  One person I spoke to on Sunday appears to be past the time when he should be driving anything on public roads!  I caution those who think of a trike as a safety net to  extend their biker days.   Trikes are physically demanding and  share the increased risks associated with motorcycles.  They may be big, but they're still invisible to car drivers!  The sad part of some of these conversations is an apparent denial of their position in the life cycle.   If you're old, embrace your age.  Some like to wait until tomorrow and we all know what they say about tomorrow!

So true. Yesterday ruined my tomorrow.....

[Grumpy Bear]

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

  Some like to wait until tomorrow and we all know what they say about tomorrow!

 

Yes!

Tomorrow is the best time to do everything because everything can be done tomorrow! 

This is what THEY say, right?

 

Many years ago in HOG magazine (Harley's official rag) they covered a couple in there 90's still touring 2 wheel baggers. Rare? Sure but not unheard of either. And yes, she had her own bike . 

 

I haven't ridden in years. I could. Ability is still there and I still love a country two lane in the spring. I guess I lost interest when I started spending more time dodging idiots on cell phones crossing the centerline or some missy putting on her makeup. I know what to do for deer. Less certain about Dexter the Texter and Polly Purebred. 

[Donstar]

16 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Yes!

Tomorrow is the best time to do everything because everything can be done tomorrow! 

 

This is a fine mantra, not for everything, but for those activities you hope to see disappear.   My wife has a revolving "to do" list for me and many tasks are prefaced with, "Not today".  Just like tomorrow, these assignments never come.  However, these tasks may appear on today's list as another thing I forgot .  I struggled with the losing interest part of riding a motorcycle and I am capable of riding a two wheeler.  The effort required to dress for riding and the alertness required were too often assigned to tomorrow.  The physical demands were taking away too much of the enjoyment.   I had entertained giving up this activity so I carved more time out of my day to seriously review the pros and cons of bike ownership.  I knew that if I sold my bike, I will not likely return to riding "tomorrow".  Texter was a major con for my bike and s/he is still after me on my trike.  However, s/he forces me to be alert at all times. Texter ensures my adrenalin supply and sphincter muscle are functioning.  ( I was also a formidable Pong player in the 70's...)   Polly isn't a worry but Bambi continues to startle me no matter what I'm driving!  As an aside, wildlife and unleashed domestic animals are a significant challenge here for drivers.  My motorcycle safety instructor, 10 years ago, devoted a lot of time on the animal portion.  So far her words ring out when I'm choosing to dodge, deke out, or aim for center mass.  Hearing the clunk of first gear when sitting on a Harley, 2 or 3 wheels, is a #1 on my pro column! 

[Donstar]

I bought an item off of FB Marketplace for my trike yesterday.  The seller had a trike identical to mine and a similar rationale for switching from two wheels.  Later on in the day I met a guy on a trike at a stop sign and we both pulled over and chatted.  His story was also similar.   The  coincidence that stood out for me is both men mentioned covid as the catalyst to make the transition from 2 to 3 wheels.  They both spoke about taking the time to think and plan their futures while being aware of their advancing years and physical limitations.  I found these engagements cathartic.   This new vehicle was a major purchase for me and did create considerable stress.  A takeaway is our dilemmas are very rarely unique and we should never need to "suffer in silence"!

[Donstar]

My truck's info screen reminded me it was time for service.  I need to go out of town tomorrow so I decided to "drive-thru" our local quick lube.  I was pleased with the service but surprised when their payment device asked me for a tip %!  Has anyone else been asked for a tip for vehicle service?  Maybe this is a feature of the new normal  

 

[customboss]

13 hours ago, Donstar said:

My truck's info screen reminded me it was time for service.  I need to go out of town tomorrow so I decided to "drive-thru" our local quick lube.  I was pleased with the service but surprised when their payment device asked me for a tip %!  Has anyone else been asked for a tip for vehicle service?  Maybe this is a feature of the new normal  

 

Not in southern Colorado. 

[Donstar]

On 4/5/2022 at 9:56 AM, customboss said:

Not in southern Colorado. 

On Google reviews the owner responded by saying this tip feature was in response to customer requests and that customers are free to decline. (BS)  Next time, I'll plan ahead and save money by going to my dealership!   

[Donstar]

We are still dealing/living with covid.  Local news stated yesterday that over 50% of people in my region are or had been infected.  It is comforting how time, medicine and understanding has cooled fears.  Yesterday, for the second time in a week, I had a person say I can't come to their home because s/he had just tested positive.   Both times I went to meet outdoors, at a distance and masked.   How we interact with each other and how we behave as consumers have changed since pre-pandemic times.   

[KARNUT]

27 minutes ago, Donstar said:

We are still dealing/living with covid.  Local news stated yesterday that over 50% of people in my region are or had been infected.  It is comforting how time, medicine and understanding has cooled fears.  Yesterday, for the second time in a week, I had a person say I can't come to their home because s/he had just tested positive.   Both times I went to meet outdoors, at a distance and masked.   How we interact with each other and how we behave as consumers have changed since pre-pandemic times.   

It’s amazing how different areas are now dealing with Covid. With the exception of hospitals in Houston we’re normal here, have been for awhile. With the exception of my mother and mother in law we’ve all had it. It’s uncommon now to meet people who haven’t had it. Every one will eventually. At least finally medication is catching up. My daughter with lupus got hit hard spent a week hospitalized. Otherwise we all got through it. 

[diyer2]

We got our second booster.