My apologies mi amigos...

Post by **mcooperstein** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:52 pm

Well, I feel (yawn) like I'm waking up from a long winter. I've been really out of motorcycling since last summer, so much so that I have not even logged onto http://www.r1150r.net for over a month, and even then, I logged on, did a quick 'see'.. then logged out. I've just not wanted to be sociable, and my love for my Beakster has sort of waned. Hopefully, this will change now that the weather is changing. I've gotten my bike out of storage, had the tank repainted to cover up a small ding that happened when the bike tipped over on my driveway last summer. Gonna change oil tomorrow, do a quick tune up, then ride. Maybe...I'll rekindle my love for Mariah (my bike's name) and be 'back' online again.

Why have I been so out of it? Well, one reason (probably the main reason) is work. For those who don't know, I was retired software programmer for couple years, letting my wife the "doc" support me when I decided to go back to school and pursue a career in nursing. Three years later I graduated with a BSN and got a job at a big hospital an hour's drive from home. I was working long shifts...12 hours, 3-6 days at a time in cardiac critical care. It is/was one of the hardest jobs I've ever done. I just celebrated my 55th birthday, and wonder whether I should have gone into psychiatry instead, as I really believe I should have had my head examined three years ago when I started this venture! Well, no use crying now...I made my bed, now I need to try to sleep in it without it killing me! I quit my job at the hospital 4 weeks ago, and am now semi-retired once again while I decide what I want to do when I grow up! Maybe something in medicine, maybe go back to computers, I dunno.

Another reason I've been out of the loop...my health has been pretty crappy this last year. Not sure if my foray into nursing exacerbated my conditions or not, but my body feels burned out! Again...hopefully Spring and Mariah will change some of these things.

I've been getting emails from some of you, and I thank you for letting me know that y'all are still out there.

Been thinking about the Beakster Bash. Right now, Lord willing, I'll be there. Meanwhile, I hope all of my r1150r.net friends are doing well, and wish everybody the best!

Brian, if you get this, lets ride some! Just fire me an email, I'll respond, I promise!

Well, Got to go. Again, please forgive me everyone for not being around!

Regards,
Mark

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:10 pm

Good to hear from you Mark...I was wondering where you'd gone....so...back on the bike soon..Waa-Hoo!..that will bring some good feelings back.

I know too well what big hospitals and what icu/ccu is like..maybe you should have just cut back your shifts to just a couple a week...anyway...hope all works out well for you in the future...and the hospital will always be there if you want to go back.

Once back on the bike..take some pics of a ride for us...if you can't post them, just send that to me and I'll post them for you...and keep in touch.

DJ

Post by **mcooperstein** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:35 pm

DJ - all I can say is...

Thanks for the cheer up! I appreciated that.

Hey, here's a coincidence...my youngest daughter is a junior at college. Her boyfriend, probably the man she's going to marry... his name is also "DJ"... Donald Junior I believe! Aint that something!

Mark

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:49 am

Another DJ hey...He must be a good bloke then..

...btw..it's David John in my case...nothing to do with spinning records like some may think.

DJ

Post by **Biff's R** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 8:14 am

Mark,
Get out on the bike, and take a nice ride up Rt. 16. That should put a little smile on your face, and maybe pucker you up some too.

I never thought you were a day over 45.