Living Will....

**Blackbird** · 13th December 2006, 09:06

I’m feeling a bit introspective and philosophical at the moment, so just bear with me….

I turn 60 in October 2007. As far as we know, Mrs B and I are in good nick and we certainly don’t act our age (whatever THAT is supposed to mean!). In fact, I don’t feel a lot different to when I was 20 except that I’m not cramming for exams in an alcohol-induced haze and the sex is more regular now despite the lies I might have told my mates all those years ago!

Have worked 55-60 hour weeks for the last 30 years or so and have had some fairly big responsibilities and budgets to look after in that period. By and large, work has been pretty enjoyable but after all that time and several changes in ownership of our company, you see the same mistakes being perpetuated from the very top and get a mite cynical about whether you’re making much of a difference. One definition of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

Coupled with that, plenty of colleagues have burned themselves out or have keeled over at a time when they should be enjoying their life a bit more and maybe easing up a touch. In the same vein, recent tragedies involving KB members have also had an impact on my thinking about the future.

It would be easy to carry on working but at the end of the day, it’s a waste of a life if you get too old and tired to pursue the things which are truly important and spiritually fulfilling.

We’ve decided that around the end of 2007, we’re going to quit our jobs and move permanently to Coromandel, living life come what may, including trying to put something into the community up there. Bikes of course, will still be a big part of our life. The prospect of saying goodbye to a working life and a regular routine is actually quite frightening. However, it’s not as scary as not having lived life to the full and bitterly regretting the fact when there was the chance to remedy it. That would be a real tragedy.

**Macktheknife** · 13th December 2006, 09:19

If it helps someone to avoid the same situation as I had, then fine, but my rules of living are that my Family comes first, no matter what. The same rules applies in my death, if they (my family) object to the thread or its contents then I would want it removed.
I have no problem with the decisions made by the Mods recently, in fact I applaud them, it is very difficult to find a balance in these situations. This is not a democracy remember.
If my death helps someone, be it by organ donation or just awareness of a thing not to do, great! I believe that the value of my life will be found in the living though, not the dying.
Take care everyone.

**placidfemme** · 13th December 2006, 09:24

I couldn't care less either. After the recent events I've given Sam my KB logon and password, in the event that the unspeakable should happen I've asked Sam to come online and use my logon to let you know whats happened (if you don't know already). I doubt Sam would continue to come online and check what all your responses are, so anything offensive to come from it wouldn't affect her... same with my family, they wouldn't come on here either... so in effect you'd only be bumming yourselves out, and not my loved ones.

If anyone could learn from a "said" tragic event, then thats the most I could ask for...

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th December 2006, 09:33

I'm with those that say let the discussion go on. It was my life and my death, not my family's. My immediate family are all on KB anyway, and the wider family have no part of it or this part of my life. I seldom get too involved with the bullshit side of KB, rather try to utilise my life/riding experience to mentor online or on the road, so why should my death not continue to serve in that capacity? My only insistence would be that a modicum of 'good taste' prevailed, otherwise pull those posts, but let the dissemblance continue unfettered.

**crashe** · 13th December 2006, 09:36

For the record..... I only have a daughter and grandchild in my family.
(I do have siblings etc but pfffffffffftttttt as to where they are.)

My daughter will use my logon once she has hacked my password.
(if and when that happens... as I plan on living to well past the TON)

She may read the messages after that...
She would put in details of service time etc....

She also knows that I want bikes at my funeral....... as that is a part of me.

As to discussing what happens..... I would hope that everyone would be respectful as I do have non-biker friends who may come in either to login or post a message as they know I am a member of Kiwibiker.

**SwanTiger** · 13th December 2006, 10:01

I like WINJA's signature. GIVE ME DEATH OR GLORY OR BOTH. Couldn't give a shit what people said about me on this Forum and I don't understand why others would find anything said offensive.

I also like the quote that goes something like "A man should never defend his dignity, his dignity should defend him".

Originally Posted by crashe

For the record..... I only have a daughter and grandchild in my family.
(I do have siblings etc but pfffffffffftttttt as to where they are.)

You forgot about your Son!

**crashe** · 13th December 2006, 10:05

Originally Posted by SwanTiger

You forgot about your Son!

Yes my bad, my honourary son (Inlinefour)

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) 'son' from 'maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa'

**boomer** · 13th December 2006, 10:29

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I’m feeling a bit introspective and philosophical at the moment, so just bear with me….

I turn 60 in October 2007. As far as we know, Mrs B and I are in good nick and we certainly don’t act our age (whatever THAT is supposed to mean!). In fact, I don’t feel a lot different to when I was 20 except that I’m not cramming for exams in an alcohol-induced haze and the sex is more regular now despite the lies I might have told my mates all those years ago!

Have worked 55-60 hour weeks for the last 30 years or so and have had some fairly big responsibilities and budgets to look after in that period. By and large, work has been pretty enjoyable but after all that time and several changes in ownership of our company, you see the same mistakes being perpetuated from the very top and get a mite cynical about whether you’re making much of a difference. One definition of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

Coupled with that, plenty of colleagues have burned themselves out or have keeled over at a time when they should be enjoying their life a bit more and maybe easing up a touch. In the same vein, recent tragedies involving KB members have also had an impact on my thinking about the future.

It would be easy to carry on working but at the end of the day, it’s a waste of a life if you get too old and tired to pursue the things which are truly important and spiritually fulfilling.

We’ve decided that around the end of 2007, we’re going to quit our jobs and move permanently to Coromandel, living life come what may, including trying to put something into the community up there. Bikes of course, will still be a big part of our life. The prospect of saying goodbye to a working life and a regular routine is actually quite frightening. However, it’s not as scary as not having lived life to the full and bitterly regretting the fact when there was the chance to remedy it. That would be a real tragedy.

WHY wait.. do it now! i have and its the best thing i've ever done

**Blackbird** · 13th December 2006, 10:35

Originally Posted by boomer

WHY wait.. do it now! i have and its the best thing i've ever done

Because I get a much better company payout if I wait until I'm 60. I'm keen to make the lifestyle switch but getting more loot is worth waiting for a few short extra months.

**jonbuoy** · 13th December 2006, 10:38

You would learn more from reading,practicing and attending training courses rather than studying one isolated case. To argue and discuss this is goulish, morbid and not cricket.

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th December 2006, 10:56

Sorry, but it was two cases that have triggered this situation. And to state one's wishes should it happen to me/whoever is simply realistic. No-one wants another shitstorm.

**mstriumph** · 13th December 2006, 11:35

you are all [insert modifier of choice here - ok MSTRS? lol] nice guys

thanks for participating .... this thread is way more serious than i usually am

i know the poll options are very limited and i apologise for that, it was all a bit 'spur of the moment' - please PM the mods if you want anything added - everyone has a different slant on things

the recent tragedies just made me think how sudden it all can be - and how unprepared most of us probably are ........... and, consequently, the arguement and upset that can happen [much as its happened in several threads here] because we didn't make our wishes known.

'sticking one's head in the sand' has been a recurrent theme in some of the recent threads and - well - i'm guilty of that too. i'd much rather skip thru life pretending that, if i don't think of it, it'll never happen to me.

and, of course, it could

and, if it does, its going to be unpleasant enuff already without lines in the sand being drawn on KB and people having a go at each other

that's the reason for the post

the reason for making it a POLL was - well - i was wondering how many other people out there were being as ostrich-like as i was ........ and i wanted to provoke those people to think - and to plan - and to let their loved ones KNOW what they want .... [even if they don't bother answering the stupid poll or commenting on this thread - that's totally immaterial really]

to those people .... just [please] do it

thanks for listening
marion

----- ok - jester's cap back on ..... as you were!

**MSTRS:Me** · 13th December 2006, 11:38

Originally Posted by mstriumph

you are all pretty nice guys

[/B]

Hope you meant 'very'. I doubt that anyone would describe me as pretty

**James Deuce** · 13th December 2006, 11:59

I'm still stunned. It has nothing to do with being Ostrich like.

**Joni** · 13th December 2006, 12:06

OK, I have thought about this since the thread started...

If it was my time, and this is judging from the events over the last few days... I would not even want it on KB that I passed away.

The people who I care about and are friends who happen to be on KB, would know anyway... and I would ask my partner to give Spank a courtesy pm.

Reasons:
a) When Im gone, I dont want my loved ones to mourne... I want them to party and celebrate my life in joy... and stuff like the last few days makes that difficult.
b) Like Skel said, remember the good times and discuss and laugh about that... dont let the last conversation about me be about rider error I was guilty of.
c) I dont want to be associated with the crap like the last few days in life... so lets keep it that in way in death

Sorry, if that sounds hard... but right now that is how i feel.

and that me over and out on this conversation...