camera56
Well-known member
I met Carolna through FJRChick. She’s younger than the standard “mid-life”profile, but hey, it’s my blog.
Carolina rides a big time bike, but she’s no squid. She gets the bike. She gets what it’s all about. She has a refreshing point of view. I wasn’t nearly that grown up when I was 24.
She also serves at the sharp end of the spear. I have nothing but regard for people who put on the uniform. So for any of those reasons, read and enjoy. You can read the whole thing at midliferider.com Here are a couple of snips . . .
Tell me a little about yourself.
Well, at 24 I’m a youngster, at least as far as most of my friends in the motorcycling community are concerned. I’m a Staff Sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard. While I’m technically trained as both a Paralegal (JAG or 27D) and a Transporter (88N), I’m currently doing miscellaneous admin work on temporary active duty orders. I have a family - married 4 years this April, with two kids - a 2 y/o and a 4 m/o.
When I went to Iraq, I went as a paralegal. I do have quite a few stories to tell. One of the JAG lawyers I knew in Iraq was SPC Charles Graner’s (of Abu Ghraib infamy) military defense counsel. Not to mention you hear all sorts of stories through the JAG grapevine about the crazy things Soldiers do on deployment. Since it doesn’t relate directly to motorcycling, let me know if you’re interested in hearing about them… I could fill a page with those stories alone. *lol*
What attracted you to motorcycling? Why do you ride?
What originally got me started was a friend of mine that I went to basic training/AIT with in 2001/2002. She was VERY into bikes, and her enthusiasm for the sport intrigued me. So on my flight home after training, I picked up a couple of motorcycle magazines to read on the plane. I don’t know what it was about those magazines, but something just got me.. hook, line, and sinker. Within 3 months, I was licensed, geared, and already had my Buell.
The reason I stuck with it (and still ride to this day) is .. freedom. Freedom from the cages. A getaway from everyday life. There is nothing like the man-machine interface that you experience when you ride a motorcycle. There just isn’t anything like the feeling of being in tune with the bike as you carve sweepers, tight corners, or the exhilaration (and respect) you feel for the power of the beast beneath you. It’s exciting. The only other time I’ve felt like that was horseback riding… in many ways it’s similar, I suppose.
What do you think about when you ride?
I guess it depends on where I’m riding.
If I’m commuting, I’m usually thinking about traffic (because drivers are insane!). But I try not to *think* too much when I ride… if I do, I’m too distracted. Unless I’m actively trying to learn a new technique, thinking about it too much actually makes me make mistakes. So I focus mainly on being smooth, not necessarily fast. A good friend always says, “Focus on being smooth first, and the speed will come.” Wise words, in my opinion, and it’s worked for me thus far.
This is perhaps an indelicate question, but how do you think about the “dangerous” part about riding?
I think it’s an inherent part of the sport. But I think the danger (provided you’re an alert and safe rider who wears the appropriate gear) is no more than driving a car. I’ve wrecked on my bike before. And I’ve been in car wrecks before. Either one can happen to anyone, even the safest rider/driver. Both can kill you. But I don’t let that deter me from doing what I love.
People have chided me before, telling me, “what about your kids?” Well… I could die walking across the street. Or from cancer. Should I stop enjoying life because I’m always afraid? I don’t believe so… If anything, my kids have taught me this as much as anyone. They fall down and get bumps and bruises.. but you can’t always prevent it - you just have to get back up (or in their case, help them get back up), brush off, and keep going. I’ve found I’m a happier, less stressed person when I get to ride.
Carolina rides a big time bike, but she’s no squid. She gets the bike. She gets what it’s all about. She has a refreshing point of view. I wasn’t nearly that grown up when I was 24.
She also serves at the sharp end of the spear. I have nothing but regard for people who put on the uniform. So for any of those reasons, read and enjoy. You can read the whole thing at midliferider.com Here are a couple of snips . . .
Tell me a little about yourself.
Well, at 24 I’m a youngster, at least as far as most of my friends in the motorcycling community are concerned. I’m a Staff Sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard. While I’m technically trained as both a Paralegal (JAG or 27D) and a Transporter (88N), I’m currently doing miscellaneous admin work on temporary active duty orders. I have a family - married 4 years this April, with two kids - a 2 y/o and a 4 m/o.
When I went to Iraq, I went as a paralegal. I do have quite a few stories to tell. One of the JAG lawyers I knew in Iraq was SPC Charles Graner’s (of Abu Ghraib infamy) military defense counsel. Not to mention you hear all sorts of stories through the JAG grapevine about the crazy things Soldiers do on deployment. Since it doesn’t relate directly to motorcycling, let me know if you’re interested in hearing about them… I could fill a page with those stories alone. *lol*
What attracted you to motorcycling? Why do you ride?
What originally got me started was a friend of mine that I went to basic training/AIT with in 2001/2002. She was VERY into bikes, and her enthusiasm for the sport intrigued me. So on my flight home after training, I picked up a couple of motorcycle magazines to read on the plane. I don’t know what it was about those magazines, but something just got me.. hook, line, and sinker. Within 3 months, I was licensed, geared, and already had my Buell.
The reason I stuck with it (and still ride to this day) is .. freedom. Freedom from the cages. A getaway from everyday life. There is nothing like the man-machine interface that you experience when you ride a motorcycle. There just isn’t anything like the feeling of being in tune with the bike as you carve sweepers, tight corners, or the exhilaration (and respect) you feel for the power of the beast beneath you. It’s exciting. The only other time I’ve felt like that was horseback riding… in many ways it’s similar, I suppose.
What do you think about when you ride?
I guess it depends on where I’m riding.
If I’m commuting, I’m usually thinking about traffic (because drivers are insane!). But I try not to *think* too much when I ride… if I do, I’m too distracted. Unless I’m actively trying to learn a new technique, thinking about it too much actually makes me make mistakes. So I focus mainly on being smooth, not necessarily fast. A good friend always says, “Focus on being smooth first, and the speed will come.” Wise words, in my opinion, and it’s worked for me thus far.
This is perhaps an indelicate question, but how do you think about the “dangerous” part about riding?
I think it’s an inherent part of the sport. But I think the danger (provided you’re an alert and safe rider who wears the appropriate gear) is no more than driving a car. I’ve wrecked on my bike before. And I’ve been in car wrecks before. Either one can happen to anyone, even the safest rider/driver. Both can kill you. But I don’t let that deter me from doing what I love.
People have chided me before, telling me, “what about your kids?” Well… I could die walking across the street. Or from cancer. Should I stop enjoying life because I’m always afraid? I don’t believe so… If anything, my kids have taught me this as much as anyone. They fall down and get bumps and bruises.. but you can’t always prevent it - you just have to get back up (or in their case, help them get back up), brush off, and keep going. I’ve found I’m a happier, less stressed person when I get to ride.
