Firefly
03-07-2013, 08:45 PM
Hello all, long time no post...... Really miss all you guys.... life has just been pretty overwhelming (in good and bad ways) lately.
Many changes in my life have temporarily put my Spyder activity on the back burner... but rest assured I still have my 2012 Blue RT and like it very much.
While I really like my new RT, something kind of died when I lost my PE# 1977. I haven't had the same enthusiasm about this Spyder as I did the old one, perhaps because it doesn't need much modified on it...:dontknow:. I've done a handful of mods, but it just doesn't feel the same as wrenching on the original model. I love the ride and the creature features for sure.
The last 6 months have been very life changing for me, mostly for the better, but some very difficult trials and tribulations to deal with. My mother has had some serious medical issues that have become part of my daily routine for the past few months. Hopefully we're just about out of the woods and things will calm down, but free time is something I'm running really short on these days. Fitting riding back into my schedule will be great, although I won't be racking up the miles like I used to.
I have various conflicts for Spyderfest and am unsure if I can make it, or my annual big trip with my HD buds.. but the owners event looks very doable.
Here's a couple of photos of some of the good life changes I've had. The little guy is 5, his name is AJ and he loves the Spyder and short rides around the neighborhood. The pretty girl is 8 and her name is Stella. Stella is severely autistic and is mostly non-verbal. The Spyder instantly broke her out of her shell as she came running right out to it and jumped up on it. No rides for her, unless I can find a safe way to do it where she'll stay put. These two, along with their wonderful mother, take up much of my time now... along with trying to keep my business ventures running smoothly and try to make a buck here and there... which in Michigan is no easy task right now.
If you've never spent time around someone who is severely autistic, I highly recommend it. It's amazing the connection you can make and the different ways of human communication that can happen. This is a portion of our society that is growing and really deserves better treatment options. Fortunately with various changes in healthcare, both nationally and in Michigan, insurance companies will now be covering more services for those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
One thing I would ask of people, the next time you see a child screaming in public or that appears out of control, don't assume there is bad parenting or that the child is simply a brat - the child in question may very well be autistic, and until you've been around it much, you really have no idea what these families deal with on a daily basis. The old adage 'Walk a mile in my shoes' is one that fits quite well. I had previously been around a niece with Asperger Syndrome, which is generally on the more functional side of ASD, but dealing with the severely autistic is a totally different thing. Very humbling and eye opening, yet rewarding to learn how to communicate and bring a smile to the face of an autistic child.
I'll try and not be such a stranger, but doubt I'll ever be able to participate at the levels I used to out here (which some might prefer.... :roflblack:). Looks like I've got a lot of catch-up to do out here... I leave for a few months and all :cus: breaks loose..... Spyderfest moves, Len opens new dealership, New models released, Someguy learns to walk without tripping so much, etc.....
Hope all is well with everyone.. looking forward to re-connecting with everyone.637126371363714
Many changes in my life have temporarily put my Spyder activity on the back burner... but rest assured I still have my 2012 Blue RT and like it very much.
While I really like my new RT, something kind of died when I lost my PE# 1977. I haven't had the same enthusiasm about this Spyder as I did the old one, perhaps because it doesn't need much modified on it...:dontknow:. I've done a handful of mods, but it just doesn't feel the same as wrenching on the original model. I love the ride and the creature features for sure.
The last 6 months have been very life changing for me, mostly for the better, but some very difficult trials and tribulations to deal with. My mother has had some serious medical issues that have become part of my daily routine for the past few months. Hopefully we're just about out of the woods and things will calm down, but free time is something I'm running really short on these days. Fitting riding back into my schedule will be great, although I won't be racking up the miles like I used to.
I have various conflicts for Spyderfest and am unsure if I can make it, or my annual big trip with my HD buds.. but the owners event looks very doable.
Here's a couple of photos of some of the good life changes I've had. The little guy is 5, his name is AJ and he loves the Spyder and short rides around the neighborhood. The pretty girl is 8 and her name is Stella. Stella is severely autistic and is mostly non-verbal. The Spyder instantly broke her out of her shell as she came running right out to it and jumped up on it. No rides for her, unless I can find a safe way to do it where she'll stay put. These two, along with their wonderful mother, take up much of my time now... along with trying to keep my business ventures running smoothly and try to make a buck here and there... which in Michigan is no easy task right now.
If you've never spent time around someone who is severely autistic, I highly recommend it. It's amazing the connection you can make and the different ways of human communication that can happen. This is a portion of our society that is growing and really deserves better treatment options. Fortunately with various changes in healthcare, both nationally and in Michigan, insurance companies will now be covering more services for those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
One thing I would ask of people, the next time you see a child screaming in public or that appears out of control, don't assume there is bad parenting or that the child is simply a brat - the child in question may very well be autistic, and until you've been around it much, you really have no idea what these families deal with on a daily basis. The old adage 'Walk a mile in my shoes' is one that fits quite well. I had previously been around a niece with Asperger Syndrome, which is generally on the more functional side of ASD, but dealing with the severely autistic is a totally different thing. Very humbling and eye opening, yet rewarding to learn how to communicate and bring a smile to the face of an autistic child.
I'll try and not be such a stranger, but doubt I'll ever be able to participate at the levels I used to out here (which some might prefer.... :roflblack:). Looks like I've got a lot of catch-up to do out here... I leave for a few months and all :cus: breaks loose..... Spyderfest moves, Len opens new dealership, New models released, Someguy learns to walk without tripping so much, etc.....
Hope all is well with everyone.. looking forward to re-connecting with everyone.637126371363714