Life can be happy too...

[paddy]

I had an awful day yesterday. I happened to look up an old friend in Facebook and saw something that was really hard to see. That combined with a extremely busy week at work got me a bit down.

What's this got to do with bikes. This is off-topic. I hear the sirens calling. Well here it comes. I'm feeling much better today. As if a slither of hope is peeking through the blinds. I rode home from work and it was a beautiful evening. The temperature was just right. The bike was going where I pointed it (which believe me isn't always the case). The sun was setting over the horizon. It's normally a 40 minute trip home, but today it took a wee bit longer.

I rode out to Shakespear. Road along the grass at the top of the dunes for the length of Te Haruri Bay. I know I was probably breaking some council bylaw, but it was really beautiful. I stopped, turned off my engine and just watched the deep blue sea lapping the sand while I sat on my bike overlooking the beach. I wish I'd had my camera. To be there on my bike and not just wandering around on foot made it all the more magical.

I explored some of the roads between Army Bay and Gulf Harbour that I haven't seen in a long time. Clayden Rd, Roberts Road, and then the icing on the cake: Hobbs Road. I want a house in Hobbs Road. It must be the only road left in Whangaparaoa that is still as it was when I was growing up. The Whangaparaoa of old. Before it turned into and extension of the North Shore. The open bush and tracks that I used to ride my pushbike along. The total lack of traffic lights. I miss that place. I wish it were there to ride my motorbike through now.

A evening like tonight - life is good on a motorbike. Now I need to clean the house. :-(

[White trash]

Life IS good mate, too often we forget that for sure.

The question on everyone's lips is, "What'd you see?"

[mikeey01]

"What'd you see?" :stupid:

[MadDuck]

Now I need to clean the house. :-(

Nah...dont bother. It will just get dirty again.

[Fatt Max]

Life is fucking great, so much so when it throws shite at you and you get through it.

Good on you mate for sharing the emotion. Emotions prove you are alive, passion makes the heart beat and throw blood throug your veins, love makes it all worthwhile no matter what form it takes.

I've seen so much taken away in 2009 which has made me wrap my arms around life and fucking have it.

Paddy, I salute you for sharing that.....it's life....and it is so much better on two wheels....

[wynw]

If life was easy there would be more people doing it!:banana:

[Fatt Max]

If life was easy there would be more people doing it!:banana:

Ooh, unusual angle....

Have you read the Art of War

[Genie]

I had an awful day yesterday. I happened to look up an old friend in Facebook and saw something that was really hard to see. That combined with a extremely busy week at work got me a bit down.

What's this got to do with bikes. This is off-topic. I hear the sirens calling. Well here it comes. I'm feeling much better today. As if a slither of hope is peeking through the blinds. I rode home from work and it was a beautiful evening. The temperature was just right. The bike was going where I pointed it (which believe me isn't always the case). The sun was setting over the horizon. It's normally a 40 minute trip home, but today it took a wee bit longer.

I rode out to Shakespear. Road along the grass at the top of the dunes for the length of Te Haruri Bay. I know I was probably breaking some council bylaw, but it was really beautiful. I stopped, turned off my engine and just watched the deep blue sea lapping the sand while I sat on my bike overlooking the beach. I wish I'd had my camera. To be there on my bike and not just wandering around on foot made it all the more magical.

I explored some of the roads between Army Bay and Gulf Harbour that I haven't seen in a long time. Clayden Rd, Roberts Road, and then the icing on the cake: Hobbs Road. I want a house in Hobbs Road. It must be the only road left in Whangaparaoa that is still as it was when I was growing up. The Whangaparaoa of old. Before it turned into and extension of the North Shore. The open bush and tracks that I used to ride my pushbike along. The total lack of traffic lights. I miss that place. I wish it were there to ride my motorbike through now.

A evening like tonight - life is good on a motorbike. Now I need to clean the house. :-(

Have no idea where you talking about....but I know the feeling. we all need to take time out and just 'enjoy' the moments we have. especially at this time of year when everything goes crazy.

I hope you have many more moments like today.

[Quasi]

thanks Paddy - so easy to get caught up in the frenetic, frantic pace that life seems to demand of us all now. And so easy to forget the joy of a red sun setting, warm sand under bare feet, the call of a tui, the roll of thunder, the smell of clean washing off the line from a sunny sky, so many other small priceless, cost nothing moments. Time for us all to stop for just a moment, be thankful for all the blessings we have.

thanks for taking the time to remind us that simple pleasues can bring so much joy:hug:

[Genie]

If life was easy there would be more people doing it!:banana:

life is easy....if you take the time to enjoy it

[Sharry]

Nice to hear how you enjoyed your ride home Paddy. It is amazing how good you can feel when you take the time to go down some new roads and reminise on others with your trusty stead :smile:
I helps to put life in perspective a bit eh.

[Kinje]

Thanks

Love that feeling of just stepping out and unwinding in beautiful surroundings

[steel001]

Life IS good mate, too often we forget that for sure.

The question on everyone's lips is, "What'd you see?"

+1 Enjoy every minute blah blah

WHAT DID YOU SEE?!

P.s. Probably easier to tell us because pretty soon people are going to start guessing, and my guess is that when they do...it's gonna get pretty ugly, pretty quickly :)

[steel001]

"I had an awful day yesterday. I happened to look up an old friend in Facebook and saw something that was really hard to see."

She used to be a 'she',
but now she's a 'he'?

[Piglet]

.....and saw something that was really hard to see

Was it one of those magic eye picture thingys ?

[Mom]

It is called smelling roses, and it is something that sadly many dont stop to do.

Life can be a shit sandwich, make no mistake about it, but I have to say there are many, many more things on the menu than sandwiches.

Thanks for sharing.

[Mully]

I happened to look up an old friend in Facebook and saw something that was really hard to see.

Was it a bikini shot of Helen Clark?

(Eww, I just threw up in my mouth)

[paddy]

Was it a bikini shot of Helen Clark?

(Eww, I just threw up in my mouth)

Yes, but did you swallow?

[paddy]

I not really going to get into what I saw - it really was a side point to my post. It just set the scene for the day before. The point of my post was just that it was such a beautiful night to right, with beautiful scenery, a perfect temperature, . . .

All I will say is that someone that I once knew very well had a profile pic of a particular setting that looked very "happy". That made me a little sad for a variety of reasons. Beyond that, I suppose, let the guessing begin. :-) But really, it wasn't the point.

[paddy]

While I am writing, thanks to all of those that offered up some green bling. I really couldn't care less how many little squares I have (okay - I probably care a little but my life doesn't revolve around it), BUT the messages that you wrote were really kind and really encouraging. I guess I originally wrote this post for me more than anyone else, but I was especially thankful for a few of the messages along the lines of "Thanks - that was just what I needed". I just wanted to say thank YOU. That really made my day. It was the cherry on top of the sunset so to speak.

[paddy]

.....and saw something that was really hard to see

Was it one of those magic eye picture thingys ?

They're not hard to see, they are impossible to see. Everyone just pretends that they can see them so they don't look stupid. I'm sure of it.

[Cheshire Cat]

AWWWWW!!! group hug! :grouphug: