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BIKERNET UNIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY CLASS STUDY, WHY ARE WE HERE?– When I drove up in my taxi cab at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many taxi drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.. So I walked to the door and knocked. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated’.
‘Oh, you’re such a good boy’, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’
‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said.
‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice’.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now.’
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching into her purse. ‘Nothing,’ I said ‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.
‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
–from Vern
TCB WISHES US HAPPY NEW YEAR– Hope all is well, have a great New Year Cheers from the TCB crew
NOISE THOUGHTS– I read some of your Motorcycle Noise Study. While I think it makes sense, I think the horse is already out of the barn. The Feds passed Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations 205, some time ago. In section 166(i), it states a motorcycle exhaust on a bike from 1986 or later is not to exceed 80 db. Elsewhere in the law (205.174.1) it gives testing procedures, something like full throttle in 2nd gear at 49′.
My point is that we’ll need to undo this law and lobby for some kind of noise waiver for the protection of bikes to get what you suggest. For now, things seem to be going the other way with cities looking to the EPA to curb the noise.
–Ron A.
ABATE of the Garden State
V-TWIN EXPO SEMINARS LOCKED AND LOADED FOR THE BIG SHOW– Seminars deliver precision targeted topics to attending dealers at 9th Annual V-Twin Expo next month in Cincinnati.
Agoura Hills, CA? V-Twin dealers registering to attend the 9th Annual V-Twin Expo held this coming February 7-9, 2009 in Cincinnati have access to industry veterans and topic experts at Expo hosted seminars beginning Saturday February 7th, 2009 at Duke Energy Center.
The 9th Annual V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati February 7, 8 and 9th, 2009 is not open to the public. The Expo is dedicated to dealers and exhibitors in the v-twin industry. With veteran industry and topic expert panelists leading the interactive seminars, dealers are sure to leave armed with knowledge and information to better prepare them for the upcoming season and beyond. Dealers bring your questions!
Scheduled seminars and esteemed panelists include:
The Untapped Markets: Selling to Women Learn how to attract and sell to new target markets in your area Saturday, February 7, 1:00 ? 2:00 PM Panelists: Genevieve Schmitt, Brenda Trumbo, Laura Klock, Amy LaBouliere
The Need for Speed: High Performance Panel Learn from experts how to turn the need for speed into shop profits Saturday, February 7, 3:00 ? 4:00 PM Panelists: Kendall Johnson, Scott Sjovall, Rob Schopf, Mike Roland, Ron Dickey & Dave Miller
Survival of the Fittest Part II Plan and prepare to be more profitable and busier next season. Successful shop owners share how they are doing it today!
Sunday, February 8, 11:00 AM ? 12:00 PM
Panelists: Randy Aaron, Dave Perewitz, Karl Horschal, Brian Klock, Jeff Derge & Jerry Covington
Combating Counterfeits and Knock-Off?s Learn how to shield your inventions and brands from counterfeits
Sunday, February 8, 1:00 ? 2:00 PM
Motorcycle Dealers Insurance 101 What you need to know about insurance from the bottom up. Sunday, February 8, 3:00 ? 4:00 PM
?With the significant changes happening now in the V-twin industry and globally, we strategically planned the 9th Annual seminars to be of specific interest to those dealers looking for real-time knowledge and opportunities in 2009 and beyond? explained Show Producer Jim Betlach. ?Each year the seminars draw standing room only crowds. This year, we are again expecting solid crowds based on early dealer registration and the sheer quantity of dealer submitted questions and inquiries about the seminars? finished Betlach.
The V-Twin Expo hosted over 500 exhibitors in 2008 and thousands of v-twin dealers in Cincinnati at the Duke Energy Center. The V-Twin Expo remains the one show to attend for v-twin dealers. Registration is a click away at: www.vtwin-expo.com
The V-Twin Expo by Easyriders focuses exclusively on the V-twin motorcycle market, takes place in Cincinnati and is the v-twin industry?s premier trade show. It has steadily grown over the past eight years in terms of exhibitors, exhibit space and V-twin dealers attending the Expo. The Expo attracts dealers from the US, Canada and world.
BIKERNET JIMS TOOL TECH REVIEWED– I have most of the tools mentioned in the Jims article and can say that they certainly have been a great help to me in getting work done.
Having the right tool makes the job go quicker and it comes out right saving me time and money. http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2544
You did alright, for once.
–Rogue
WOMEN RIDES NOW TRIBUTE STORY– Twenty-year-old, 96-pound Beginning Woman Rider Handles Street Glide With Ease: How Does She Do It?
How is beginner Stephanie Bertsos able to ride an 800-pound Harley-Davidson Street Glide in tight circles scraping the boards without dropping the bike?
This 96-pound 20-year-old shares her story with WomenRidersNow.com on how she became a highly proficient rider at slow speed maneuvers out-riding even veteran riders in just a few months in the saddle. The secret to her riding skills is an instructional DVD she watched and mastered enabling her to outride even the most “experienced” riders.
Visit this link on WRN to find out: http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFiles/DepartmentViewer.asp?DepartmentID=15&ArticleID=1124
–Genevieve Schmitt
WomenRidersNow.com
Motorcycle News & Reviews
(It’s not just for women!)
SUNDAY CANTINA PHOTO ART EXHIBIT–Two of my favorite things…
Whiplash Biker Photog
http://whiplashbikerphotog.blogspot.com/
MILE HIGH RIDERS BRAVE THE COLD– Hello Cybor dude, we look forward to more adventures in the ’09. TwoWheelers will send you the wildest shop deals all year from Denver, then Daytona and we’ll see you in Sturgis.
–Donna and Arlin
BIKERNET HAWAIIAN CORRESPONDENT PROVES THERE’S SUMMER SOMEPLACE– ” I LOVE MY JOB” Just down the beach from my place.
–Chris T.
BLACK MAGIC SHOW THIS WEEKEND– Here are some pics of the Black Magic Custom show. More to come on Thursday.
–FB
Hell, I don’t know where the show was?–Bandit
BIKERNET INVESTIGATES CHILD ABUSE– DETROIT,MI 1/10/09 (AP) – A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a Michigan courtroom drama today when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him.
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her.
When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to The Detroit Lions, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
–from Rev CarlR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE TO ESCORT PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA ON INAUGURATION DAY– On Jan. 20, 2009, at 12 p.m. President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn into office as the 44th President of the United States. Leading the way will be a Police Motorcycle escort riding a one-of-a-kind 2009 Harley-Davidson Police concept Tri-Glide Ultra Classic.
Lieutenant Scott Fear, Commander of the U.S. Park Police Motorcycle Unit, will lead the parade from the Capitol to the White House.
For more information on the Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide, please visit www.harley-davidson.com.
THAT’S A WINTER WRAP–Next week we’ll deliver on a D&D/Zippers tech for 2009 touring models, Mike Boen’s Indian Larry Tribute bike feature, Big Dog Wolf test from Jon Towle, and a fantastic rear pulley fix-it tech. Plus we have a Paul Yaffe interview by Glenn in Australia, and another 5-Ball Factory Racer build story is headed your way, along with another MRF legislative report.
Next weekend I’m going to disappear to work on the first Chance Book. We’re getting close to publishing it in March, and I’m not happy with some elements. I need to focus, rewrite and make it the best effort for the first Chance Hogan novel series. Later this month, the bros are hooking me up with a cabin with electricity near 48 Palms, California. I need the quiet time to finish Chance revisions. I wake up in the middle of the night and jot notes on scraps of paper. In the meantime?
Let’s Ride
–Bandit
