Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year 2013



Another year has come and gone so it is time to reflect on 2012.




Of course, starting with most recent memories first, I'm thinking how terrible 2012 was and how the New Year simply had be better. But, then I looked further back and although the last couple months of 2012 were... let's say less than ideal, the rest of the year was pretty damn fantastic.


We miss you mom.

Unfortunately, along with two thousand and twelve playing me the unemployment card, my mom passed away on December 1st.

I took her passing pretty hard. My unexpected lay off was a bit of a blow, a difficult transition and an emotional roller coaster for me with looking for work all the while thinking of my mom.

We went to Washington in October to visit her as she wasn't doing well and although I didn't want to admit it, deep down we all knew we were there to say goodbye. I'll be forever grateful for making the trek north and getting to see her. It was only two short weeks after our visit that she was admitted to hospice where she received the care, attention and the  rest she needed.







Thanks so much to friends, family and most of all Brandy's love and support. I did my best to keep a positive attitude, eventually letting go of some resentment I had about my job and realizing how fortunate I truly am. I was able to evaluate what was important to me and discover what it really means to be happy, also life is too short and money costs too much.

It took me a bit longer than I expected to find work, I patiently waited for companies to get through the election, then the fiscal cliff scare and now year end budgets, but great news came when I was offered a position with a major distribution center and I start my new job in January.

Looking back through both of our blogs, reviewing photos and posts detailing everything else we did last year I must admit, despite the lows, 2012 was pretty awesome.

Just two weeks ago it was a brief conversation leading to a quick and impromptu decision to attend the Motorcycle Show turned into a welcome respite.

Thank you Andy for driving!

Another way to get me out of the house and blow the stink off, Trobairitz humors me and tags along when we go for hikes...


I say 'tags along' because I hike then wait for her to catch up.




 It's not that she's slow, it's the fact that she stops for so many photos.

This works out well for both of us as it gives her blog fodder and me a chance to catch my breath and admire the scenery.






Last summer we went to Seattle, camped out under the skies of Sea-Tac, saving hotel fare for the Experience Music Project Museum instead.



Then that same weekend met Sonja and Roland for the ACE Cafe Summer Shakedown at the LeMay Museum.

It was only two weeks earlier we met up with friends from Canada that we hadn't seen in years and plans for next year are already being discussed.

Jared, Brenda and Andrew from Penticton

Then there was the iMBC2012 in Baker City and Hells Canyon, what a fantastic trip. We made some new friends and the blogosphere became a little bit smaller.




Stig and Mrs. Stig came to visit and I got to ride with the famous Everyday Rider himself.



For 2012 I also got to ride a Triumph Bonneville for a little while.



And we visited giant marshmallow farms in Tillamook.




Fuzzy taught us how long February can really be with her photo challenge #29 in 29.
Great challenge but never again, it was fun and a whole lot harder than you'd think.


We also started the year off with a honey-do project...




And finally put down flooring in our home.


Of course I cannot forget all the support, the fun and the journey I started by joining Team Oregon Motorcycle Safety Program. I can't wait to get back into the classroom and on the range.


Team Oregon Instructor Training - Braking Clinic

OSU Visibility Day

Team Oregon Instructor Training - Cornering Clinic

My 'home range' at LBCC


So all in all, 2012 turned out alright. I had a lot of fun, made so many new friends and overcame some personal challenges. Of course without a commute the last four months of the year I didn't cover the same mileage I did in 2011, but even so, with 8653 miles I only came up 1885 miles short from last year. I'm closing 2012 with my odometer reading 43,227 miles and here's to many more miles and smiles in 2013.


Happy New Year everyone and shiny side up! 



21 comments:

  1. Good recap Sir!

    My condolences about your Mother.

    Congrats on getting out of the unemployed column soon.

    Truly let's hope the new year is better than this old one!

    dom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dom, I'm looking forward to such a great year in 2013.

      Delete
    2. Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  2. Happy New Year to you and Brandy! I wish you both the best for next year.

    I really like the header photo of the orange bike in the fog and snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wishing all of you a Happy New Year too Erik, thanks.

      Delete
  3. Troubadour:

    while I am saddened about your Mom, I am happy that so many things are falling into place for a healthy start into 2013. (Beau + new Job, and a fling to SFO to celebrate)

    Happy New Year and see you in 5 sleeps

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bob for everything, your friendship means a lot. Things do seem to be falling into place nicely for 2013.

      See you soon and Happy New Year.

      Delete
  4. You've had a busy year with lots of ups and downs. Our thoughts are with you, remember she still lives on in you.

    Hopefully 2013 will be a good year for you.

    Happy new year to you and Brandy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Steve and we both wish you a Happy New Year too!

      Delete
  5. Congrats on the new position. Is this the one you mentioned at the beginning of the month?

    Sorry to hear about your loss but it was nice that you were able to make it up for a visit her. Thiis is a great collection of photos for the year.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard, I don't recall which job we were talking about I've applied and interviewed so many. This is one I was hoping for though. Thanks for the congrats and condolences, 2013 will be a great year.

      Happy New Year friend!

      Delete
  6. Happy New Year to you and Brandy!

    Condolances and congrats for all your downs and ups in the past year. This was a great recap and I enjoyed reading it.

    I have one question though .. how do you get a clean enough mirror to take such and great photo as your top one? Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like it is good to put 2012 in the bank. Congrats on the new job and all the best in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an exciting, happy and sad past year. My sincere condolences to the recent passing of your mom.

    Looks like 2013 seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Congrats to the new job.

    All the best for you and Brandy from Sonja & Roland

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well written, so sorry for your loss it can't be easy losing a Mom! Giggled when you said Brandy stops to take many photos - she sounds so like myself :-) you see the world around with different eyes through the lens of the camera
    All the best to you both in the new year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brad so sad to hear of your Moms passing but know that your positive nature along with Brandy's support will carry you through. Am truly happy to have met you along with Brandy and the gang this summer ... here is to a much better New Year and New Job than Old.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Brad, truly I am sorry about your mum, you have my sincere condolences. Great to see the job front turning around for u.

    Looking forward so much in a few days...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Here is to many more rides, sleepy wore out Tigers,errr!! Offroad adventures, and many more drives.....(see what I did there.)

    I am still thinking that actually doing the international Motorcycle Show, internationally would be lots of fun... Lots of time to plan that trip though.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sorry to read about the passing of your mom Brad :( But am glad to see that you are still able to look at 2012 and see the good moments as well.

    Wishing you & Brandy much happiness and many blessings in '13.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy New Year! I'm very saddened to learn of your mother's passing. It was great that you were able to spend some important time with her. Loss seems to be a larger theme of 2012 for many. Here's to hoping that 2013 will calm that one down. And present us with some great fun and chances to laugh at ourselves!

    Congrats on the new job! Back to servitude to afford toys and vacations. :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments are more than welcome, however, thanks to an increase in anonymous spammers of late, you now must be a registered user to comment.

Thank you spammers!