Yup folks, that's the sun setting on the last day of 2009 in beautiful Arizona.
As things wind down I'll be in for the night as I simply don't do amateur drunk night, especially after 8 years ago when a kid killed himself by running a stop sign and driving into the side a police car with two officers completing the New Year's Eve shift. The blame game of course started after that pointing fingers at the person's party he had been at and the fact that he was under-age, but in the end he killed himself, injured two others and destroyed a lot of property. For me it was a signal to chill on these invented party nights and be able to start the next day off like any other. Happy and healthy!
So, as you think back on the year and possibly raise a glass to toast in 2010, please be well and be merry and start the new year with a positive look at things to come.
Lucky for me I've had an few interactions here just at the end of the year that has reminded me of how fragile life is and how to not let those with small minds derail me down the path of negativity and drama. For me I'll be spending tomorrow and every single day forward focused on the positive, I'll literally apply all the things I've learned while riding directly to my life. No more will I concentrate on gravel (or those people like gravel) to the point that it controls me in a negative way. From now on I'll avoid those who wear the Drama banner like a badge of courage and simply spend time with folks who want to be good to each other and with those that like me want to explore, learn and share.
I want to especially send out a Happy New Year to the riders who use and interact with each other on www.southwestrides.com. These folks are the best collective of riders I've ever met, and self manage the philosophies of solo and group riding that they themselves have developed and sustain. Over the years I have managed a good 20 website forums with millions of users and SWR is the easiest simply because of the devotion to purpose that the users have. So folks, give yourself a pat on the back for 5 solid years and be proud that you have made SWR the most respected, most active and most motorcycle focused website in Arizona. I can't wait for the next 5 years!
Well, that's it for me, I ended the year with 23 bird strikes and tomorrow the count goes back to zero. Maybe the TTF ride will start me off strike free??
See ya next year!
