Our second house flip closed back in early August. The next purchase has become quite a challenge. Skyrocketing prices in the Tampa Bay region, especially our desired areas, have placed us in a grinder. Finding the right location with a property that has the right features, even what we would call our minimums, at a sensible price, well... Time it will take. Fortunately, we have that.
In the meantime, there's this:
Yep..gone and done it. Midlife crisis in full swing now. Could be worse.
It's a 2004 BMW R1150RT I hauled down from a dealer in Asheville, NC in early September. Not perfect, but it only had 13K miles and zero title defects. I've been wanting one of these for over 10 years..this one exactly, actually. And I got it cheap! Well, about that. I get it home to find it has some final drive issues that would eventually cost me $900, including a full inspection and service. Still, for what I paid - a complete bargain. Yes, let me be the first to say it, this is NOT a good first motorcycle. Thing is, I could buy only one, and the budget for it and all the necessary outfitting was low. One shot. It's my slightly used American-made Fender Strat.
Why this one? Simple for me really. I'm not a Hawg guy. I'm not the Florida roughneck, leather, no helmet, in flip flops rider. Instead, I dug the camera bikes circling the Tour de France pelotons during the Lance Armstrong era. Those guys were sooo precise - smooth. The riding position looked right for me, too. No monkey bars or submissive-looking rocketeers, and no house-on-a-bike Gold Wings. (although the new ones look terrific).
It didn't hurt that this was the #1 choice for law enforcement, either. Heck, that bike MUST be great? Well, it is for the most part, but after a few hundred miles, I can see the allure for the lower-slung cruisers with outstretched foot pegs. Every ride is different. This is my only for now, and I'm smitten. OK, now I am. The first few miles were an exercise in frantic anxiety. It's heavy! The clutch and throttle are so much more sensitive than the rebel 250s from the basic rider's course. It's akin having 12 hours in a Piper Tomahawk trainer and moving straight to a Gulfstream G550 bizjet. At least, that the way it felt for the first 200 miles. Now? The "left" seat feels...righteous.
I'll post more motorcyclia as my learning progresses. I'm averaging about 300 miles per week, purposely placing myself in more difficult situations to further bend the learning curve. It's a touring bike, and that's my goal. Once I'm ready, the long road awaits.
On to the other stuff...
Healing. Left thumb has its tricks now, but fully functional. I can play, but it's different. Thanking God and all his scientific friends for that.
Drumming/Music. Nope, not yet. I'm pretty much hamstrung for anything but uninspired pad practice until the new house hits. The evil plan included a return to regular set practice, then back to searching for that perfect original project. Trying to take in some concerts in the meantime. Coming up just after Thanksgiving is the Jimmy Herring / John McLaughlin show in Clearwater. Tickets in hand - can't wait to see Jeff Sipe again. Been over 20 years! Jesus...
Writing. Back into it full swing. "To Dust" is around 35-40% in the manuscript. Dust's Special Edition is in final editing. I'm *hoping for a Spring 2018 release for both titles. Don't forget to visit www.tnelsontaylor.com and www.facebook.com/tnelsontaylor for additional updates.
More soon!
/T
*life...you know...happens.
