Have you ever?

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you have AH HAH Moment after AH HAH Moment?

This was one of those mornings for me.

It started when a friend posted this image on Facebook...

So what was it about this photo that made me go - AH HAH - I get it?

Well - here is my comment regarding the image:
My dad was a trucker with over 6 million accident free miles when he retired, I rode with him a lot as a young girl - I sadly see that the values of the old school trucker aren't there today in a lot of the new drivers. It is frustrating to see so called professionals who behave the way SOME do. Without the trucker, grocery store shelves would be empty etc - you are vital to the growth and prosperity of every country you work in - and I know first hand it can be a challenging job - but it would sure be nice to see more drivers out there with a sense of courtesy and kindness. Like in every community the few tar the rest - and that's sad...

So for myself as a rider, it made me look at the challenges our community faces and to realize that we are not as unique in the discrimination we face as we sometimes think we are. It may be wider spread in our community but truly, every community has it's bad apples that cause unfavourable light to be shed.

We, as people, need to take stock of our actions. Somehow we have to learn the art of empathy as people. When you can stop and think for that split second before you wick the throttle, before you decide to show off - and ask yourself will my actions hurt anyone besides myself?  If you can think of one person who might be hurt and stop yourself from hurting another you have impacted all riders in a favourable way.

When you join your one tiny action to my one tiny action to the neighbours one tiny action, the next thing we know we have an avalanche of positive action. That AH HAH Moment came to me as I looked at this growing stack of Canadian Tire Money...and the phone call I got from Kristina Toomey and her son Mark Mullen donating a set of prints - 9 in total of cast members of Sons of Anarchy to the Mountain Man's Employee Fundraiser we are calling Jobs for Christmas!

The next AH HAH moment came when I was looking for inspiring quotes to keep me on the good path I am on - being of service - and I came across this one : 

We must not only give what we have, we must give what we are. Desire-Joseph Mercier

And then a friend of mine sent me this picture:

I want to share with you my comment regarding this picture:

I am not a religious person, but I am a deeply spiritual one. No matter what name you give your creator, your higher power -being grounded in love, gratitude, in compassion and empathy, community, and being of service are the keys to a life filled with blessings and abundance. WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR TODAY? Me, I am grateful for Craig Renaud who sent me this wonderful picture....and all of you in my CHOSEN family. You make my heart shine.

Yes - I am a grateful human being. I feel blessed to have found this second career - a career of sharing, networking, helping, serving my fellow human being.

Yesterday I was beginning the task of getting my report ready for my grant.  We had set some reasonably high goals for ourselves last year when we got this financial shot in the arm to do some growing.

As I prepared this report, I realized just how much Ali and I have accomplished with the help of all of you and the Canadian Government via the Canadian Periodical Fund.  We are now reaching some 78,000 people a month with our web site www.beltdrivebetty.com Those people are visiting 4 times a month, for a whopping 202,000+ visitors generating over 2 MILLION Page views! That's PER MONTH!

I am filled with gratitude - I no longer look at the car crash that set me on a different path in life, this path... as a curse, but truly see it as a blessing in disguise. I am no longer angry when my legs and feet ache - when the cramps drive me off the deep end... I deal with the pain and smile because I know that that car crash put me exactly where I am supposed to be. 

In the flower shop I could only touch a handful of lives - help a handful of people but now I can reach out and do what makes my heart happy in a bigger way!

Helping people in the riding community have their voice heard, shining a light on their endeavours to make our community a better and stronger one, that's what I wanted to do - give us a place to celebrate all things rider.  When I set out 11 years ago to be a clearinghouse of information so that riders could find the news and information that impacted their lives - this is what I dreamed it could be.  

We are growing as a community, as a network, looking out for each other, sharing, helping, getting involved in ways that looked impossible 10 years ago. Whether you are part of our network on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIN or on our web site - we are making a difference!

I don't have all the answers and I am no guru of perfect living, I am just a human being that wanted to find a way to be of service, to have my life/my work bring value to others.

I am so deeply grateful to be a part of a movement of communication, sharing and collaboration, to be a rider.

I want to say Thank You for helping us to hit this milestone.

For the next 48 hours - when you refer a friend to register on our web site, the person who registers is going to get a free subscription to the newspaper and you are going to get the chance to win some BDB Gear. All they have to do is put your name in the PROMO CODE box on the registration form.

It's this Canucks version of Black Friday - a week late, cause that's just how I roll!

There is a ton of news in the feeds today and it is a mixed bag!

In Regina Saskatchewan - Wynonna Judd and hubby Cactus Moser who was recently in a motorcycle crash where he had his left leg amputated - rocked the house with a Christmas Concert.

Sad news out of Saint John NB - a rider is dead following a crash.

Out of Russia comes a bizarre road rage video where the driver of a van runs over a motorcycle.

Out of India comes an article on a significant motorcycle event called the India Bike Week in North Goa on 2nd and 3rd Feb, 2013.

Out of the US - Janus motorcycles - where everything old is new again?

Also out of the US a report claims riders are 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash.

The AMA Vintage Rally dates have been set for 2013

Out of Los Angles - a comedian takes the police on a heck of a chase

There's a ton more out there to read - so visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping YOU informed.

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails:

This one of this dog dancing is PRICELESS!

Bison Attack

Password Change...

Have a fabulous Thursday and for our subscribers - I hope you enjoy this week's Busted Knuckle Chronicles - Canada's ONLY Weekly Newspaper for riders.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Gadgets - are we out of control?

The news today is a rather diverse grab bag, everything from crazy motorcycle taxi drivers in Thailand to people who are reportedly thieves that appear to like riding motorcycles and all things in between.

Before I get into my question today about whether we are out of control with this whole gadgets thing...I want to address the alleged theft of toys from the Salvation Army in Toronto. One article that has drawn some ire from people claimed that David Rennie had ridden with The Salvation Riders Motorcycle Club and immediately used the headline that he had a love of motorcycles, to further paint riders in a bad light.

I do believe that while it may be questionable, it is perfectly natural for the mainstream media to find that "bad" connection to something in order to sensationalize a story.  If it bleeds it leads is a mantra of sorts from what I am told.  It isn't tragic enough that someone is actually supposed to have stolen toys from the Salvation Army, by the way - it just so happens he's a motorcyclist. Is leading your article with that statement an intentional tying of thieves to motorcycles?  Or is it less sinister than that? That is up to the reader and just how much they delve into the story and what their perceptions and sensitivities are.

The fact is, the mainstream media does this type of hype lead in to every segment of the population - public figures,  celebrities, athletes and on and on.  The bad people do NEVER creates enough blood on its own, it needs to be embellished for some reason...or maybe that's just me and my sensitivities...

The man has been charged as of this morning. It's in the courts hands and hopefully the truth will come to light and if he's guilty of being a thief - of stealing from children, then he's guilty - motorcyclist or not - the truth of the matter is, he is human first.

I'd love your thoughts on this topic!

Now, on to the topic that has my curiosity up big time...Gadgets on our bikes and in our gear...

I have one really big question - what is with all of the gadgets for our bikes and gear? Seriously - in the news today comes the announcement of Bluetooth enabled GOLVES. So now, by touching different pads on your gloves, with your fingers you can use your smart phone or Bluetooth enabled device - while riding.

OK, maybe I am out to lunch here but seriously? Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Beyond our motorcycles we riders all have one other thing in common - we are humans.  Give us enough gadgets and technology and we will be riding distractedly and deaths will increase and then where are we?

I thought - and maybe I am wrong here, but truly I thought the whole purpose of being on a motorcycle was to get away from the office, the grind....I thought the motorcycle was the epitome of the escape route from the treadmill.

Do I carry a cell with me? Yes, for safety. Do I listen to music on my bike, sometimes - through the stereo - I never use an Ipod or anything else.

Do I use GPS? Only did it once, did not enjoy the experience.

Although I am a bit of a geek - I do not use Bluetooth headsets or anything else that can distract me when I am riding. When I ride, I want to focus on my bliss - my joy, the wind, the road.

Am I an old fashioned Dinosaur or are these manufacturers of gadgets really needed?

For myself - heated gear, my helmet/bike cam and my stereo are the gadgets that make sense...the ability to stay warm and be better focused, the cam to capture those moments on video so I can play them in the winter when PMS is at it's highest and the stereo on the bike for those perfect riding days, a little inspiration that makes the heart soar even closer to the perfection that is riding.

Talking to people, worrying about work, dealing with issues - that shit can wait until I am stopped for fuel or at my destination for the night.

So, am I a dinosaur who is out to lunch and missing out on something wondrous or am I right and most of this crap is just gonna get us killed?

I'd love to hear your thoughts o this topic....

There is a ton of other interesting stuff in the news feeds today, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com, where our work is keeping You informed to find out what might affect your day or life as a rider.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

And remember folks - the 6th Edition of the Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine is just around the corner!  Beginning January , 2013 you will be able to post your photos and in February we open up the voting - make no mistake, this is a popularity contest!  You need your friends to vote for your bike in order to win and we are already getting some great prizes together...We have three Rider Training Courses to give away form Alberta Safety Council, Frogg Toggs Rain Suits, Liberty Eye Wear and a ton more great swag including Belt Drive Betty Gear!

We have a lot of fun, drooling over other people's rides, looking at modifications, getting ideas, day dreaming...

So, dig out those camera chips and start hunting for that perfect picture of your ride...

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone!
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider