Month: January 2018

We went Go-Karting for my nephew’s birthday this December.  It was my first time karting I think since I was 11, in Dunn, NC.  I had told my brother-in-law that I wanted to race before my neck muscles went out and I couldn’t do it, so this was a big day for me.  It was also my nephew’s first time – a huge day for him!

We got to go first, and my first misgivings were if I could hold my head up under heavy braking (I could) and if I could turn the wheel well enough with a weak left arm (also yes.). Those two things out of the way, I raced to 4th place and an addiction to go-karting!  It took several laps to find the line, but then it was about pushing the limits of the kart.  My nephew and son also raced after us, and they did really well- 3rd and 9th place overall!  Not bad for the 2nd and 1st time karting.  I think we all have a bug to race, karting is very fun.

I now have a new goal – win one race.  Well, beat my brother-in-law at racing first, he’s very good at it!  Again, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to do it, but can you imagine the publicity brought to the cause if I could be “Racing for ALS”?  And the winning races as an ALS patient?  I think it’s more do-able than we think.  Again, highlighting the reality that I’m not dead yet (‘I still live!’, quoting Edgar Rice Burroughs) and that I can DO normal things.  In fact, because it’s harder for me to do them makes them worthwhile!

Also add in that my ALS accent makes me sound drunk ALL the time, the guys at the Kart track were worried…  Which is HILARIOUS!!

Tomorrow I’m going to rant about innovation for people with disabilities – specifically, mobility.  Let’s open the door about wheelchairs.

It’s dumb, I’m such a goof.  You know, I watched “Top Gear” for years, I loved looking at all the cool cars, going to cars and coffee, all that stuff.  But I never “understood” it.  Family members are way better at this than I was, they GOT speed and fast cars and good handling and and and.  I just admired from afar and was rather afraid of excess speed.  And then….  I discovered it.  From a friend, loaning me his R8 for a weekend…

Holy cow, am I hooked.

Of course, now I get to mention Lou Gehrigs.  But in a good way, because now I am taking advantage of the opportunities presented.  I went Go-Karting with family over Christmas break.  Loved it, I’m going to go back and maybe try a league.  I’m looking for every opportunity to race and push the limits…. and yes, that might mean I get a speeding ticket.  In a very good way, I get to experience things that frightened me earlier in life, which wouldn’t have happened in the same way without it.  I mean, maybe a mid-life crisis, but I was quite happy with my little Civic until now!

It’s also a metaphorical look at time.  As I’ve said, this is about the time in-between.  I’m not dead yet.  But time is fleeting, time is fast – as much as we want it, time won’t stand still (that’s reserved for the Rush song, on my other blog “Greatest rock band of all time”).  I’m going to be present in the now, and in the moments that otherwise pass by.

And I’m going to GET THERE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!!!

(Quote credit to “Top Gun”, the most accurate depiction of Naval Aviator life I think ever envisioned by man, shirtless volleyball scenes and locker room scenes and cheesy mustache scene’s included.)