After years of making the 11 hour round trip 7 times a year I'm thinking we'll only be at 2 maybe 3 games. Always loved the Hawks and always will no matter what, but gas, hotel, food,
ticket prices, and losing the entire weekend has gotten to be too much. If I lived closer it wouldn't be a big deal. Might get back to it at some point. I hope I do.
My son is moved out of the house now and can't commit like he could when he was younger, and I've made the decision that I'm going to do next spring what I've wanted to for a really long time. I'm going to buy a touring motorcycle and the girlfriend and I are going to make that our thing. When my son started kindergarten I started coaching him in baseball and had the privilege of doing that all the way through high school. Back then I gave up my motorcycle, my garden, fishing for the most part, and I don't regret any of it a single bit. I worked 45-50 hours a week and in the summer months probably spent another 30 on baseball in some form or another whether it was practice, games, or field work. He was a 4-sporter in high school and I'm proud to say that in 13 years of youth/HS sports I never missed a game or track/XC meet. Got to go watch him run state track and XC 4 times...do not regret a thing.
I'm only 44 so it's not like this is some big retirement slowdown or something, but my priorities are changing. I still work the same amount, but there's a lot of riding we can do in September and October while it's cool enough but not cold. I'm getting a bike I want and that means small payments, which I'm fine with. I'm financially comfortable but not a big earner and don't spend out of my means. Folks both died at age 57 without a pot to piss in and never got to relax, so if 4 years of very manageable payments on the bike I've always wanted will let me get some enjoyment as a couple and by myself, I'm going to do it (paying 50% up front). The flip side is that's going to eat the money I'd spend on Hawk football weekends. Which is ok. I'll still watch every game and still cheer for the Hawks.
Wow. Sorry that got into an existential post. If you read all that I apologize for the 5 minutes of your life you won't get back.
If you're a motorcyclist I'll start
a thread in OT right here where you can tell me what bike you ride and why. I haven't made my choice just yet but have it narrowed down to 2, possibly 3.
