Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Just a Biker, Take 2.

Post 500 ~ ~ ~ Wednesday, 27th August, 2008.

Hello My Friends ~~ Nice to be with you again. I did this
post last night and when it published it had a large space
below it, so I tried to change that and eventually lost it,
So here we go again.

I hope the world is treating you kindly as we are in the
middle of the week. We had a lovely day yesterday with
nice warm sunshine and 17 C about 63F and we have more
to come with 19C which is late 60 s F - AND I have the first
freesia out ~ so Spring is nearly here.

We have another blogger birthday tomorrow. Please pop
over and wish Deborah Wilson a very Happy Birthday.
I hope you have a wonderful day Deborah.

The first article was sent to me by Sue and Bob. Thank
you for this one, as I liked it and hope you do also.

JUST A BIKER.

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But you didn't see me put an extra $10 in the collection plate
last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the
sidewalk. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local Mall.



I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when
you saw my bike parked out front. But you didn't see me attending
a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.




I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your
cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you
didn't see me, when I took time off work to run toys to the
homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my
friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.




I saw you roll your eyes at our Leather jackets and gloves. But you didn't
see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those who had none.



I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my
children were born or have their names written over and in my heart.


I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you
didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But you
didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my
child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.


I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take
the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get
soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But you didn't see me trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't
see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me,
Because I died that day you cut me off.



I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't see me.

Repost this around in hopes that people will understand the biker community.

If you don't repost this, it sucks to be you. I hope you never lose someone
who rides.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE
WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE
SURE WE ARE NOT IN "YOUR" WAY.
<><><>

Thank you Sherrill for this next one.

JOB DESCRIPTION,

Position: Mom, Mummy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop.

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent
work in an often chaotic environment.

Candidates must possess excellent communication and
organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours,
which will include evenings and weekends and frequent
24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive
camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports
tournaments in far away cities.

Travel expenses not reimbursed.

Extensive courier duties also required.


RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life.

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until
someone needs $5.

Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Also must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule
and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds
flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard
are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish
toilets and stuck zippers.

Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute
and an embarrassment the next.

Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the
worst

Must assume final, complete accountability for the
quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.


POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.

Your job is to remain in the same position for years,
without complaining, constantly retraining and updating
your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately
surpass you.


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.

On the job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.


WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!

Offering frequent raises and bonuses.

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the
assumption that college will help them become
financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left.

The oddest thing about this reverse salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.


BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition
reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options
are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for
personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and
kisses for life, if you play your cards right.

AND A FOOTNOTE?

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT --- EVER!!!

If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents.
<><>

What do you get if you cross an insomniac, an agnostic
and a dyslexic?

Someone who lies awake at night wondering if there
is a dog.
<><>

A couple of short blonde jokes I "borrowed" from Saint Nick
He has lots of jokes at his blog each Monday. Thanks Nick.

Why did the blonde keep taking off and putting back
the Pepsi bottle cap?

Because it said, "Sorry, Try again."
<><>

What did the blonde say when the airplane started to shake?

Must be an earthquake.
<><>

God : "Whew! I just created a 24 hour period of
alternating light and darkness on Earth."

Angel : "What are you going to do next?"

God : "Call it a day."
<><>

A father took his children to the zoo. All were looking
forward to seeing the monkeys. Unfortunately it was
mating time, and the attendant explained, the monkeys
had gone inside their little sanctuary for some
togetherness.
"Would they come out for some peanuts?"

"Would you?" responded the attendant.
<><>

Well that is it friends, I hope you found something
of interest. And if there is a large space after this.
so be it !! I won't be trying to fix it.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Love and best wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 500 ~ ~ ~ Wednesday, 27th August, 2008.
<><><>


16 comments:

Jim said...

Hi Merle, if I lost my blog trying to get rid of a big space, I wouldn't try the second time.

I have a theory about your big space. You always had a little space, now it has matured and like rabbits has multiplied. :-)

Thanks for the two short blonde jokes, they were new to me. I used to ride a bike, I put it up when Karen was born because I was taking too many chance with it.

We are Adi's grandparents, she isn't a real cheap dog. But Katrin is a high maintenance dog, I can see the $$$$ going out already.
..

Puss-in-Boots said...

I like that biker one...a lot of bikers belong to the Ulysses Club. That's for elder bikers. But when they're in their leathers and helmets on their big bikes, it's hard to know who they are. A lot of bikers do a lot of good for the community. Like everywhere, there are always ratbags, but that's life.

Glad the weather is warming up.

Hugs.

Gattina said...

In Holland only bikers are the kings on the street ! You have to be careful that you don't get hurt by them, they are all riding like crazy ! Two bicycles per inhabitant, can you imagine ?? Even cars have no right !

Dave said...

I lost my best friend to a motorcycle accident... so that means a lot to me Merle. Thank you for posting it.

audrey` said...

Dearest Merle

Yeah!
Your flowers are blooming beautifully again soon =)
I'm so happy for you.

linda may said...

G'Day Merle,
I liked the biker post, but bikes are still too bloody dangerous in my mind. Even when the riders are doing the right thing. Nobody said that when they get hurt the accident is their fault eh!

Lady Di Tn said...

Merle
I have known(Still do) lots of good people on bikes so I appreciate this story. I love the parent story and it is so very true. Blonde jokes are always welcomed. Do you remember my sunrise with all the space that Ken put in between. Bad ole Blogger. Peace

JunieRose2005 said...

Merle,

That motorcycle piece hits home. We lost my nephew and his daughter to a drunk driver who turned left in front of them!


Junie

Art Is Life, Life Is Art said...

Beautifully said! :o) Wonderful photos as well.

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle, I hate motor bikes but at the same time theres a lot of good people out there that are bikers who are always there at xmas to help distibute toys to the needy kids and know doubt help out at various charities...
great one liner blonde jokes .
Take care Merle im of early tonight ive had a few busy days,, Love Janxxxx

Peter said...

Hi Merle,If you put the curser at the bottom of the page when you are editing your post and keep pressing "backspace" until the end of your post is where you want it and then republish it comes out like you want it to.

Gigi Ann said...

Hi Merle,

I hope all is well in your part of the world.

I have met some bikers who were very nice. They looked like sweathogs, but they were kind and friendly. Never met them before or after...

Some times bikers are in our blind spot when we are driving and we just don't see them. I always try to keep track of where they are when I am driving and they are on the road at the same time.

Enjoyed your jokes. Until the next time have a nice week-end.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Merle,

That bike story kind of hit home for me. My husband use to ride a bike but back high school. When he was just seventeen he rode home after work in the fog, and someone went down an off ramp and realized they had went the wrong way turned around and headed back. Now they were heading the wrong way on a one way off ramp in pea soup fog. He hit my husband head on. Quite honestly if he didn't have a full face helment he would have died. As it was he broke or fractured all four limbs. And the guy who hit him? He blamed my husband, and when that didn't work he fled town.

My husband is fine now but he has occational problems with his knees.

Janice~

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

I'm glad you are having pleasant weather and I know you are looking forward to spring. I am looking forward to fall, but August has been a wonderful month for the most part.

I like your biker post. We must always respect people's choices, and not look down on them or be afraid of them just because they chose a different mode of living and look different .

The blond jokes are always funny. And yes, being a parent is a permanent job sometimes with many complications but with great rewards as well!

I enjoyed my visit as always, dear Merle. I hope your weather continues on the nice side, and that you have a lovely and enjoyable weekend. It is Labor Day weekend here, and we'll be having cookouts at the cabin.

Take care and stay well, my friend.

Love,

Renie

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Being a biker myself, your biker piece hits home. When my husband and I rode together on one bike, nobody saw us and it was as if we were invisible. Now that we each ride our own bikes we have become more visible and I feel safer. Maybe it's because people think the two headlights approaching are one car and take notice.

love,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

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