Bender Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Just to add to the general air of despondency with the world at the mo. I had a call from a friend early sat morn, from a hospital bed, he was unable to speak. I presumed it was a call to say that there would be no more calls in the future, not what you expect on a sat morn. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor about 9yrs ago, me and the wife went to see him back then and as he was sat holding their newborn son and explaining the diagnosis he sort of froze and went over sideways, I grabbed the little one as he went and 15mins later he was off to hospital. He's had multiple ops but is fighting a loosing battle. I rang his partner back on Sat morn and it's not as bad as I feared but still bad enough, he had a plate fitted to his skull and it's been rejected, caused more swelling and now he can't get more than one or two basic words out, he's stuck in hospital, lost his bed at a rehab and by all accounts has had enough. It's a shame for anyone in that situation but I can see how he would just want it to end, he's always been bike and car mad, I dug out some old pics and vids and sent them off to him with instructions not to reply, he can read and hear and understand but he can't get written or spoken communication out. It's easy to get wrapped up in the daily grind but we really should take a leaf out of @geofferz book and go live in Turkey with geofferz Here's a very old grainy pic from an old grainy video, prob taken on a very old Nokia 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Westerly Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 Bad news that. As you say don't let life pass you by. Years ago a guy I knew had an almost terminal heart attack when we were both in our 40's and a few months after that a colleagues brother died of a brain haemorrhage in his late 30's. After that I made a conscious decision to live life now and not wait for a mythical "better time". This being the main reason for me f**king detesting lockdown. I've no patience at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Can't really think of much to say to that, life can be really horrible at times 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooper74 Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 (edited) So sad Bender ... Across the road from our business is a very successful kitchen company run for many years by the owner Andy and his son. Andy is tall, very fit, lovely guy ... 6 months ago he walked from the business to his car and never made it .... no history of heart disease ... 61 ... Tomorrow is the funeral of my ex wife .... she became a little breathless at work, called my daughter to collect her, but died before my daughter could get her to A&E ... 62 ... I could go on .... I’m also 62 .... Live your life like its the last week ..every week ... sit in front of the tele or walk the dog in the pouring rain .... ? ... I’ll get my coat ... Peeing yourself in a care home is not a successful life outcome ... so don’t forget to live ... Edited March 15, 2021 by Trooper74 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynax Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 As harsh as it sounds i have been keeping my mind occupied on the future. I have been changing the flat around and looking at making the bedroom into a photography studio, and the hallway I will have as a gallery for my work. Got plans for some all day ride outs too 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 15 minutes ago, dynax said: As harsh as it sounds i have been keeping my mind occupied on the future. I have been changing the flat around and looking at making the bedroom into a photography studio, and the hallway I will have as a gallery for my work. Got plans for some all day ride outs too Nothing harsh about that, sometimes we find ourselves in situations not of our making, it's much better if you can get on with life because it won't stop while you come to terms with things, it's never easy and there will be ups and downs but life goes on. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Really sorry to hear about your friend, Bender, and it sounds like he's got a solid friend in you. As you say it's a dangerous game to let life meander by. I also totally agree with @S-Westerly, there's no 'better time' ahead. People used to try and discourage me from riding bikes (a silly thing to do, on so many levels) but I'm not delaying doing what I love now in order to see if things might get better later. I love my family, my bikes and (mostly) what I do for work; that's enough for me. Carpe diem! All the best to your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Really sad news, made me think of what my dad used to tell me ..... Don't live in the past "you can't change history", Don't plan too far ahead "you never know what waiting round the next bend", live for the here and now because that's what matters. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 (edited) Sorry to hear that Bender. Tough time for many people at the moment, even those without illnesses... I don't mean to rub it in with my Turkey pics. Bit of sunshine hopefully gives you all a smile. It's not all roses here - I work uk 9-5 (Turkey 12-8) in front of a computer, and yes lockdown has eased but pubs and restaurants close at 7 so my weeks are very dull. Weekends are fun. And I don't have my bike with me and they're eye watering expensive here! Cheers all Edited March 15, 2021 by geofferz 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, geofferz said: Sorry to hear that Bender. Tough time for many people at the moment, even those without illnesses... I don't mean to rub it in with my Turkey pics. Bit of sunshine hopefully gives you all a smile. It's not all roses here - I work uk 9-5 (Turkey 12-8) in front of a computer, and yes lockdown has eased but pubs and restaurants close at 7 so my weeks are very dull. Weekends are fun. And I don't have my bike with me and they're eye watering expensive here! Cheers all Rub it in all you like we can live vicariously through others. Your making the best out of your situation, re the bike is getting one shipped into turkey an option? Pubs will be open soon as tourists return 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 41 minutes ago, Bender said: Rub it in all you like we can live vicariously through others. Your making the best out of your situation, re the bike is getting one shipped into turkey an option? Pubs will be open soon as tourists return Oh no pubs are open - I spent all of Saturday in one They just close at 7 No, bike shipment to Turkey seems impossible - I've tried 5 companies... No bother - will be something to look forward to if I have to go back to the UK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 13 hours ago, dynax said: As harsh as it sounds i have been keeping my mind occupied on the future. I have been changing the flat around and looking at making the bedroom into a photography studio, and the hallway I will have as a gallery for my work. Got plans for some all day ride outs too Absolutely right mate - grieving won't achieve anything. Crack on, enjoy life, as per the advice in this thread. Good man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James in Brum Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 Could you ride one there from somewhere else for a giggle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six30 Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 enjoy life while you can ...... ive got less years to live than ive been alive now , which is a weird and bit of a scary thought . 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggie Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 It never used to register with me how young some people were when they died. I've been watching a Bill Hicks documentary, I've been a fan of his since my teens but its only just really sunk in that he was only 32 when he died. Scarily young but probably didn't seem that way when I was 18 and discovered him. When I think back on everything I've done since I was 32 that I would of missed it really makes me think 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Six30 said: ive got less years to live than ive been alive now , which is a weird and bit of a scary thought . Ah, but what might seem weird and scary to you may seem to others as light at the end of the tunnel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, James in Brum said: Could you ride one there from somewhere else for a giggle? Nope - they've thought about that - the import tax is roughly the value of the bike. I could get an older r6 here but it's £10k so... Edited March 16, 2021 by geofferz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 59 minutes ago, geofferz said: Nope - they've thought about that - the import tax is roughly the value of the bike. I could get an older r6 here but it's £10k so... Why so anti bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynax Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 1 hour ago, geofferz said: Nope - they've thought about that - the import tax is roughly the value of the bike. I could get an older r6 here but it's £10k so... Can't you get one shipped over as a box of parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 One of my favourite poems - At Lunchtime by Roger McGough. When the bus stopped suddenly to avoid damaging a mother and child in the road, the young lady in the green hat sitting opposite was thrown across me, and not being one to miss an opportunity I started to make love with all my body. At first, she resisted saying that it was too early in the morning and too soon after breakfast and that anyway she found me repulsive. But when I explained that this being a nuclearage,the world was going to end at lunchtime, she took off her green hat, put her bus ticket into her pocket and joined in the exercise. The bus people, and there were many of them, were shocked and surprised, and amused- and annoyed, but when word got around that the world was coming to an end at lunchtime, they put their pride in their pockets with their bus tickets and made love one with the other. And even the bus conductor, feeling left out climbed into the cab and struck up some sort of relationship with the driver. That night, on the bus coming home, we were all a little embarrassed, especially me and the young lady in the green hat, and we all started to say in different ways how hasty and foolish we had been. But then, always having been a bit of a lad, i stood up and said it was a pity that the world didn’t nearly end every lunchtime, and that we could always pretend. And then it happened . . . Quick as a flash we all changed partners, and soon the bus was aquiver with white mothball bodies doing naughty things. And the next day and everyday In everybus In everystreet In everytown In everycountry People pretended that the world was coming to an end at lunchtime. It still hasn’t. Although in a way it has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 3 hours ago, Bender said: Why so anti bike? Anti everything luxury mate. The government want everyone to be good Muslims thinking about the big man in the sky, not material goods. 3 hours ago, dynax said: Can't you get one shipped over as a box of parts Probably, but then getting it registered here, insurance... Faff, to say the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 3 hours ago, geofferz said: Anti everything luxury mate. The government want everyone to be good Muslims thinking about the big man in the sky, not material goods. Probably, but then getting it registered here, insurance... Faff, to say the least. Twats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six30 Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 5 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said: One of my favourite poems - At Lunchtime by Roger McGough. When the bus stopped suddenly to avoid damaging a mother and child in the road, the young lady in the green hat sitting opposite was thrown across me, and not being one to miss an opportunity I started to make love with all my body. At first, she resisted saying that it was too early in the morning and too soon after breakfast and that anyway she found me repulsive. But when I explained that this being a nuclearage,the world was going to end at lunchtime, she took off her green hat, put her bus ticket into her pocket and joined in the exercise. The bus people, and there were many of them, were shocked and surprised, and amused- and annoyed, but when word got around that the world was coming to an end at lunchtime, they put their pride in their pockets with their bus tickets and made love one with the other. And even the bus conductor, feeling left out climbed into the cab and struck up some sort of relationship with the driver. That night, on the bus coming home, we were all a little embarrassed, especially me and the young lady in the green hat, and we all started to say in different ways how hasty and foolish we had been. But then, always having been a bit of a lad, i stood up and said it was a pity that the world didn’t nearly end every lunchtime, and that we could always pretend. And then it happened . . . Quick as a flash we all changed partners, and soon the bus was aquiver with white mothball bodies doing naughty things. And the next day and everyday In everybus In everystreet In everytown In everycountry People pretended that the world was coming to an end at lunchtime. It still hasn’t. Although in a way it has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six30 Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 15 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said: Ah, but what might seem weird and scary to you may seem to others as light at the end of the tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynax Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 4 hours ago, geofferz said: Anti everything luxury mate. The government want everyone to be good Muslims thinking about the big man in the sky, not material goods. Probably, but then getting it registered here, insurance... Faff, to say the least. So what is it about Turkey that keeps you there ? You're not far from Italy or any other country for that matter, hell just nip over the border into Iraq you probably won't need anything at all to ride there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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