Helmutt

No cc's since early 2000s. When I was younger, with very little bills to worry about, there were guitar equipment purchases of retarded proportions ( +$20k over a few years time ). I just couldn't be trusted during that time. I'd cut them up after I ran them to their limits, pay them off, then get new cards, rinse and repeat. Haven't had one since. Wife and I obviously financed our home and vehicles, but for all else I go with the old addage that if we dont have the money, we cant buy it.

Touche'

Answered as I expected. And in our defense, the wife and I have been eating fairly healthy the last few months again. Raw vegs and salad, fresh fruit ( 1 apple, or banana, or orange - I need some sort of glucose ), most always fish or turkey for dinner ( very occasional lean beef ), typically a vitality trailmix as a snack between breakfast/lunch/dinner. All virtually daily. We do cheat on occasion at a restaurant or family gigs, but those can usually be counted on 1 hand each month. I portion my intake within reason when I do eat. I eat every few hours throughout the day from the short list above, followed by a dinner that is most generally healthy. My biggest hurdle is extra curricular physical activities in the winter months. I loathe the cold, but I tolerate it at work since I'm paid to do so, and my job can be considerably physical - leaving the cold evenings as my warm, relaxed, shutdown time. Hence, why my hibernation fat stores ALWAYS come back. Common for me to gain 30-40 pounds while it snows. I can shed it, but it takes a lot. Cant even rent a metabolism anymore at my age. The extra weight is surely a big contributor. I've carried at 300 pounds for about 20 of the last 25 years ( made a huge loss in my later 20s happen during a life change, but 4 years later it was all back ) and the better control I can get of my diet and exercise, surely the more my body's natural balance will take over again. I really just need to get motivated, and in a butt fierce hurry. Absolutely true. The older I get, the more I understand why health nuts are the way they are. When I was younger, I'd mock people eating salad at a steakhouse. Anymore, I consider those same menu items vs the more delicous choices - sometimes I win, sometimes my love of food wins. But, I'm seriously getting ever closer to what fatty's who've lost weight call "my time".

Bring a pile to the Epic ride and anyone that wants decals has to show up to get 'em = win win

I'll lead a medium group and if no other ( more experienced riders ) can help manage the tail of our pack, my wife can sweep for me ( Sena paired )

Thanks! I feel much better knowing what I have to look forward to Did your Doc ever advise you of what could've been done prior to your stage 2 that may have made a big difference? Or, is it just a complete and healthy diet regiment?

Saw this at IP a couple months ago, knew exactly who's bike it was when I saw the #10's all over it. Sharp and very equipped bike. GLWS Brian

I've got the opposite issue. My blood sugar naturally runs on the low side, and when I don't eat often, it ends up crashing into the low 70s or high 60s. Heart rate spikes, feel very jittery, shakes, headache sets in, then comes the tunnel vision. I'd passed out a time or 2 from it years ago. Makes dieting problematic sometimes since I need glucose regularly, making it difficult to keep things balanced without a ton of repetition in my diet....which is an absolute bore for a food lover. Sadly, I can pound tons of bad foods and sweets yet my sugar would rarely peak over 150. Most days, I simply use how I feel as a gauge to diet by, but that's definitely not a good idea. I should monitor my sugar much closer than just a feeling everyday. Good luck man, seems you've done right in getting your A1C way down.

Welcome to the forum -- the MSF course is the best way for new riders to learn the fundamentals and get licensed. Like mentioned above, stick with smaller caliber parallel twins or Vtwins to keep the bike manageable while you learn more. I'm a 650 Vtwin ( Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Ninja650 ) fan for new riders. It's forgiving enough to learn on, yet capable enough to keep you interested once you crave more bike. Good luck with the course, and on the bike hunt

I had Fontana add a couple extra Azalea 2br cabins for the group ( believe it was @ $179 group rate a night ) when the wife and I had originally planned hosting another couple - our plan fell through but they should still have them held for OR.

What model mower/engine? There are likely specs online to ohm out the coil's resistance to be sure it's good before putting it back together

It looked like that part of the subframe took quite a hit in the first pics. Once that leg is straightened out and welded, the tail will straighten up and allow the plastics to line up nicely again

Been there before, but it was a gound hog that darted directly in front of my tire. All I had time to do was stiff arm the bars and lean back as my ass slurped up the seat cover when I rolled over him. Luckily I stayed on 2 wheels as well.

PM me a price for the wifey

I'd like to take the wife along for some spectating to the G&J events this year. Her tiny ass would be great for this kind of racing, and I wouldn't mind trying the large-tarded-beginners-supermoto class someday too

I did the same. Daughter's going on 19 now and got her own place last fall. Free time and money are back once again. This^^^ Hesitation will piss you off in hindsight. Bike is back up for sale because it was meant to come back home....dive on that shit Brian

Sounds good. Hopefully we have a big turnout this year to add to the Epicnicity of it all

Congrats, Daddy to be! Hope you can make the ride, be good to see ya. Where's the move taking you to?

Damn, man. Traumatic doesn't even begin to cover your experience. Hopefully you keep improving more and more. Here's to hope that you eventually get to a point in life that's as near to normal as possible; not only for your sake, but also for that of your child's. Chin up sir, and trudge on -- you've survived what a lot of others would not.

Welcome to the forum

This doesn't have sealed bearings? I'd replace it with one that does or you'll just continually have this problem

Not to take anything away from physical lessons, there's just so much available online anymore....for free....that it's truly surprising there are still guitarists teaching at local music stores. I dont know the going rates now days, but in 1991 I paid $8 for a 1/2 hour lesson....once....he simply handed me a sheet of pentatonic scales and went over how to hold a pick and fret strings properly. That's it. Never went back. That same day I bought Dave Celantanos book of monster scales and modes for $12 on my way out of the store and learned everything I know on my own. A disappointment for me, but those were my only 2 options back then - books or teachers. Dont let my bad experience sway you. Pursue what works best for you. Try some lessons if you'd prefer one on one and be able to get questions answered, or surf the web for the answers. Hope you find it as addicting as I do

Since both of your guitars are fixed bridge, you can drop D quickly on either one. All of my electrics have tremolos, so they all lock down at the nut, killing quick tuning changes. If you have smaller hands, the ESP will likely feel like a "faster" neck ( thinner ) and be a little easier to reach/play. Both are great first guitars though.

I nabbed a Mustang from Ault on here a while back. Nice little amps for around the house. I use it mainly for acoustic electric - creamy chorus and good overall clean tones, just never been a fan of Fender's distortion. Then again, your guitars triple rail pickup config probably wont bring out as much of the bright bite that humbuckers tend to do. Practice and time investment are the key. You'll get what you put into it. Some just get it quicker than others. I was a slow learner, but I'm self taught via books on basic theory, chords, scales, and modes. Of course back then there was no YouTube, so now there's a vast audio visual database to learn from at your leisure. Good luck man, hope you enjoy it!

Did you buy an amp to play the guitar through?