No Pain, No Gain...

[DDT (12)]

No Pain, No Gain…
 
Ever heard that expression before? I used to hear it sometimes, but almost exclusively from folks I’ve known over the years who hung-out in gyms a lot… I never got into that myself… I used to tell them the only ‘gym’ I might have ever had any interest in were all spelled differently… ‘Jem’ as in stone doodads and babbles to please the ladies, and ‘Jim’ as in biker buds, friends, or family… I never got into that whole pain thing at all, either!
 
Well, that ‘saying’ came to mind Thursday morning, as I slowly awoke and tried really hard to return to the realm of semi-conscious living. I was sluggish for sure, my headbone was truly foggy, even finding my balance required some extra concentration, plus I was weak-feeling and completely uninspired to get going… even fumbling with the coffee to get it brewing was proving to be confusing and challenging… Heck, right from the git-go, in fact, I’d had to focus really hard just to remember from which side of the bed to make my dismount… and things had all seemed to be going downhill from there…
 
It was next phase of that old vaguely familiar morning-after post-party recovery process; not practiced much in recent years, and not at all in the last few months! However, I had no pain at all! I’d anticipated that pain possibility, though, but much to my great relief, none of that was present… so far, anyway… still, “Man, it didn’t used to be this hard,” was a continual refrain I’d kept mumbling to myself…
 
Yep, I’d imbibed way more than usual the evening before, but I’d had a very good explanation, I’d justified to myself at the time… See, it was a celebration with a dozen or so of some of the best friends I’ve ever had, and I’d simply felt downright entitled (wonder if that might now make me eligible for some government handout?) Anyway, it was then necessary to pay the ‘rest’ of my surprising bar tab… Oh yes, indeed! It’d still have been worth it even at twice the price!
 
That very morning before the party, I’d completed the last of thirty-eight radiation treatments (who knows how many total attempts though), but that arduous and nasty experience was now mercifully behind me and fading rapidly in the rearview mirrors! In case you’re wondering: “YES!” I absolutely was ecstatically happy and in a most joyous and jubilant mood!
 
Dang! What a relief all that had been, as I proudly showed- off the diploma to my assembled pals, that the clinic folks had just bestowed upon this soon to be rider again, marking that momentous milestone… I strongly suspect they were as happy to see this not-so-good patient finally leaving, as he was to be running at full-gait towards the exit door shouting at the top of his lungs, “Yeppers! Now it’s PTA for certain!”
 
No, really… I did get one…


 
In addition to some local pals of mine in the Montgomery area plus a special guest brought by one of them, there  were also four out-of-staters in our eclectic group of celebrants… Big Wolf and CB, who had told me they were definitely going to be there, had driven down from Tennessee… and then there was a surprise ‘Ninja Duo’ who also popped up out of thin air: Troutdude and MitchO! Dennis had just told me that same morning he wouldn’t be able to make it, and I had no idea at all Mitch was even considering it…
 
Holy Batstuff, Batman, this is way more than… Yes, I was feeling good already, but then being in the midst of such fine folks all there to help me celebrate… Nope, no way could I allow myself to let any of these good people down, so, “Bring us another round, nice-nurse-lady! This could go on awhile…” It did…
 
We were even set-up in their private room off to the side…
painfull poetry

We'd paused out on the deck when Big Wolf, CB, and I first arrived at party central... so I could gather my composure... There's always 'oldies music' on the outdoor speakers, and there just so happened to be a good one at that precise moment for... CB did not object when I took her hand and began to...

Now most civilized folks would not describe the weird gestures and gyrations I make as dancing, by any stretch, but... that's what I call it. Anyway, CB did a most skillful job of keeping her feet out from under mine, so no injuries were sustained... Then we proceeded to go inside... and a good time was had by all...

Special gifts had been brought for me of the dietary variety... Fried bacon and peanut butter cookies by Big Wolf and CB, and some of Sheila's unique specialty were presented by Troutdude...

From Tennessee...


From Louisiana... (I guess I need to work on shadow issues...)
exxon or mobil stations near me

Around 9am CDT Thursday morning, I finally was ready enough to attempt to head for home, so... I did. I arrived around 5:30pm EDT, and it sure felt good! My landlady and Taz were there to greet me, and everything was good. Our girl waited patiently in the garage, and she even seemed happy to see her long-lost seat occupier... Soon, baby, really soon...

DDT

[hubcapsc]

 

[Rams]

Bruce,
It pretty obvious that you are considered pretty special (not pretty).
Wish I could have been there.   I had no idea you knew so many pretty ladies.
I've very happy for you that your treatments are now done.   Stay safe my friend.

Rams

[Oss]

 

awe inspiring story

Truly happy for your progress

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ronald ? (You didn't steal someone's diploma, did you)

[RNFWP]

Well deserved celebration. Glad it was a good one.

[f6gal]

Ronald ? (You didn't steal someone's diploma, did you)

Hahaha!  I was thinking the same thing.  Congrats Bruce! 

[Valkorado]

How sweet it is!   

[Valker]

Well done, Bruce. We’ve been pulling for this.

[robin]

Congrats my southern friend that must be a great feeling and hope it stays with ya for a long time!!!!!!!!
     See ya down the road this year

[Bigwolf]

CB and I were glad we could be there for the celebration!  It was great to hoist a few in your honor! 

I’ll see you again some day somewhere out and about.

Bigwolf

[Skinhead]

Glad that is behind you Ronald.  Well done!  Sorry I missed the celebration.

[Beardo]

Congrats Bruce. Was a hard road you were on, I’m sure, but you powered through them like so many other miles you’ve travelled. So happy you’re through that.

[trout dude]

I’m glad I was able to make it to the celebration   It was Great to see everyone and glad the guests of honor graduated    See you soon Bruce

[John Schmidt]

Wow, looking at that group picture of you sitting there with a pretty lady on either side made me think of an onion in a petunia patch.   Bruce, I'm glad this phase is over for you, I know exactly how you feel.

On the day I was to receive my final bambardment of the nether region, I awoke to a blinding snowstorm. Over 6" had already fallen but I was determined to not miss my last appointment at 1:00pm. Did my usual morning thing, ate lightly, then headed out. Roads had not yet been plowed so decided I'd best stay off the interstate. I literally plowed my way through the side streets about 8 miles to the cancer center, gained a few points with those gals when I showed up...they didn't expect anyone to make it that day. I got my diploma as well, along with a couple hugs and some well placed kisses on the cheek. The folks that run that operation are really a great bunch, makes it a bit easier for us. When I walked out to the car, it suddenly hit me; the snow had stopped, the sun was shining and the sky was clearing. To me that signified a new beginning. 

[Bret SD]

Congrats Bruce!

Well done.. and you didn't even have to stand on your head 

[DDT (12)]

Some of My Friends…

Several thoughts occurred to me as I gazed upon the smallish assemblage that evening… There I was, celebrating a major event in my life, breathing a sigh of relief at having made it through a difficult period, looking ahead to more grand adventures apparently still available to this beneficiary of an already amazing array of incredible experiences… To returning to our girl in a day or two, and to whatever might come next for us…

All of that while in the company of folks, some of whom had gone to considerable bother just to be there, but all of whom had come not seeking anything for themselves, but only to express their own glad tidings and to share their good feelings with this unworthy person who so deeply cherished all that which was included in this event… Who so very much was so deeply grateful and absolutely delighted with the entire thing!

It seems like not so long ago at all, that I was convinced that I was a loner… a solitary being just outside the mainstream of life, more of a curious observer than an actual participant in communal or congregate living… Mostly by design, this self-styled not-yet-ready-for-primetime person who happened to ride was an earnest student but nowhere near a scholar of ‘us’… I had been a spectator but not an actual player. My head had been filled with questions, while I had trusted virtually none of the answers that had been given to me by those who mistakenly thought they knew…

Over time, the unscripted life I’d stumbled through actually had brought me to some of the most valuable lessons I’ve been fortunate to come across… One of those is the genuine truth and wisdom of John Dunn in his observation that “No man is an island, entire unto himself.” I clearly had been dead-wrong in my own assumptions about myself!

While reveling in the thought of solitude and a solitary journey, I had unexpectedly come across many, many genuine connections with others, a host of quality friendships, and I’d been reminded repeatedly of the completeness found only with the bonding and trust we discover when we truly embrace and care for someone outside ourselves. It’s those ‘joinings’ that actually fill the voids in our lives, and not at all the ‘trappings’ with which we adorn ourselves or the ‘signals’ we send… No rewards truly worth having can come only from calling attention to ourselves or broadcasting our ‘greatness’, they can only be found through… you know…

There are more fortunate folks in this world than I, of this I am sure. I am also dead-certain that I have never personally met anyone I consider more fortunate than this most fortunate traveler… My vast fortune, of course, is in the many friendships I have… Like the ones with those folks in the above picture and with the ones who read or reply to my threads, for example…

DDT

[Valker]

Well said. Thanks for inspiring some of us in your circle.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some of My Friends…

Several thoughts occurred to me as I gazed upon the smallish assemblage that evening… There I was, celebrating a major event in my life, breathing a sigh of relief at having made it through a difficult period, looking ahead to more grand adventures apparently still available to this beneficiary of an already amazing array of incredible experiences… To returning to our girl in a day or two, and to whatever might come next for us…

All of that while in the company of folks, some of whom had gone to considerable bother just to be there, but all of whom had come not seeking anything for themselves, but only to express their own glad tidings and to share their good feelings with this unworthy person who so deeply cherished all that which was included in this event… Who so very much was so deeply grateful and absolutely delighted with the entire thing!

It seems like not so long ago at all, that I was convinced that I was a loner… a solitary being just outside the mainstream of life, more of a curious observer than an actual participant in communal or congregate living… Mostly by design, this self-styled not-yet-ready-for-primetime person who happened to ride was an earnest student but nowhere near a scholar of ‘us’… I had been a spectator but not an actual player. My head had been filled with questions, while I had trusted virtually none of the answers that had been given to me by those who mistakenly thought they knew…

Over time, the unscripted life I’d stumbled through actually had brought me to some of the most valuable lessons I’ve been fortunate to come across… One of those is the genuine truth and wisdom of John Dunn in his observation that “No man is an island, entire unto himself.” I clearly had been dead-wrong in my own assumptions about myself!

While reveling in the thought of solitude and a solitary journey, I had unexpectedly come across many, many genuine connections with others, a host of quality friendships, and I’d been reminded repeatedly of the completeness found only with the bonding and trust we discover when we truly embrace and care for someone outside ourselves. It’s those ‘joinings’ that actually fill the voids in our lives, and not at all the ‘trappings’ with which we adorn ourselves or the ‘signals’ we send… No rewards truly worth having can come only from calling attention to ourselves or broadcasting our ‘greatness’, they can only be found through… you know…

There are more fortunate folks in this world than I, of jthis I am sure. I am also dead-certain that I have never personally met anyone I consider more fortunate than this most fortunate traveler… My vast fortune, of course, is in the many friendships I have… Like the ones with those folks in the above picture and with the ones who read or reply to my threads, for example…
I
DDT

If you are a loner, I must be something subhuman.  I would be envious to have half the friends you have. And with all due respect to them all (myself included) that is more a reflection on you. Good people attract good people.  I'm still amazed you didn't have a headache ! I'd have been hurting. 

[Daniel Meyer]

Congratulations on sticking it through the end of this chapter. Rock on DDT!!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Some of My Friends…



All of that while in the company of folks, some of whom had gone to considerable bother just to be there, but all of whom had come not seeking anything for themselves, but only to express their own glad tidings and to share their good feelings with this unworthy person who so deeply cherished all that which was included in this event… Who so very much was so deeply grateful and absolutely delighted with the entire thing!

Told you many times.... The Myth The Man The Legend.

Glad that is behind you now as I type this I'm 274 days away from my birthday and 274 days of having anyone tell me what to do. Hope to join you on a ride with no time limit on my part.  Ride On Bruce 

[hubcapsc]

274 days of having anyone tell me what to do.

I have a hard time imagining anyone telling you what to do, but I guess... 

-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

274 days of having anyone tell me what to do.

I have a hard time imagining anyone telling you what to do, but I guess... 

-Mike

I've got the best boss now I've had in 34 years working here I mostly check my text and do it . Kinda hate to go and will not know really until 60 plus 10 months if I can walk away ( September ) . Birthday is November 8 if it works out I'll be stoned November 9 .

[Farside]

  Looks like a good food & a good time celebrating your accomplishment. Sure glad you are now in your stomping ground to relax w/ your ladies.  

[henry 008]

Excellent! 

[Robert]

 

Hey were you the guy who was glowing in the dark 

[DDT (12)]

274 days of having anyone tell me what to do.

I have a hard time imagining anyone telling you what to do, but I guess... 

-Mike

I've got the best boss now I've had in 34 years working here I mostly check my text and do it . Kinda hate to go and will not know really until 60 plus 10 months if I can walk away ( September ) . Birthday is November 8 if it works out I'll be stoned November 9 .

Joe,

WOW! The closer that date comes, the more impatient you'll become! Yep, I surely know how that goes... I hope you're able to find that illusive departure day, though, and then bolt through the exit door! Man, I always enjoy traveling with you... and, I'd surely relish the prospects of an extended, indefinite journey together...

However, I do have one reservation... I'm not sure at all you can keep up with my pace for any great distance. Nope, I do harbor doubts that you could actually slow down enough to stay with me for any length of time!     That said, if your time does come in November, what say we go verify if Big Bend NP is still where it was last time I was down there...? Heck, we could even meander over into Arizona, too... Dang, now I'm starting to get excited!!!

DDT

Hey were you the guy who was glowing in the dark 

Robert,

Nope, wasn't me! I looked! I did wonder about that myself, though, but mercifully none of that came with the package of many other surprises... Gonna continue to need a flashlight at night after all...

DDT