FYI... I'm still alive... barely.

[trip]

Hi Guys,
Since my layoff from my 17 years as Webmaster for a health system, alot has happened. Many of you have included me in your prayers... for that, I am eternally thankful.

I thought I'd update everyone on my situation...I am happy to report that I have secured another job in the Tyler, Texas area. Beginning May 13th, I will be working as a Programmer Analyst with the University of Texas at Tyler. I'm excited and looking forward to becoming a part of the IT team at UT Tyler.

Anyone that has changed jobs in the past also knows that with any change comes some negatives. I will need to give myself at least 6 months on the job to build up any PTO. So, I won't be able to attend anything this year... if I attend anything, it will have to be on a weekend only. I'm going to try and get some weekend rides in this year, but I'm not expecting to take any significant time off until next Spring.

Also, as many know, tomorrow (May 1st) is the day that Jared officially takes over the VBA. Please join me in congratulating Jared. Please give him the respect and support that you've given me for the last 6 years. I have all the confidence in Jared and his ability to manage the VBA in a fair and forward-thinking manner.

I will be around the forum from time-to-time. I will be busy for a while learning and adjusting to a new job as well as selling my house and moving. I wish everyone only the best.

Trip

[jandreu]

Trip, great news and thanks for the update. Good luck with the new job, it's always worrying and exciting to make major changes in life.

[Bud2rat]

Trip, glad to hear the news. Hope all continues to go well for you and family. I, too, recently had to deal with a lay-off in the family. My wife worked in the health care business on the administrative side and she was let go 3 weeks ago. Keep in touch and ride safe.

[Sin City Stan]

Trip. Glad to hear you found a new job. Good luck.

[rickyboy]

Let me congratulate you Trip, on the new job. I'm happy that things are indeed getting better as you move forward. Thanks once again for your foresight to put this "whole thing" together and giving all of us a place to learn, chat and find a place where there can be some deep rooted camaraderie with people of the same interest.
I have no doubt that Jared will do a fine job, as he has already shown, as President of Vulcan Baggers Assoc.. Once again, my congrats. to you Jared.

I hope you find the time soon to do what we know you like to do Trip, and that's get out on your Nomad with your "better half" and enjoy the open road. My best regards. :cheers:

[Old Bear]

Wow, Trip in IT at UT Tyler ... that's a lot of "T"s! :tup:

Sorry, couldn't resist. As a fellow IT guy, I know how nerve-racking it can be. So many places now want one-year contracts, so there is no security. I've got three months left on mine, all I can do is hope for renewal. Sounds like you landed a good position in what will certainly be a stable position. Best of luck to you, we'll see you back on the road in no time! :cheers:

[crazygene49]

Congratulations! I wish you all the best in you new endeavor. I hope your move goes smoothly.:cheers::cheers:

[blowndodge]

On another note to the members:

Like Trip stated Jared is going to be the Grand Pooba here. He will need a lot of help and input from lots of the new members. Most of us old guards have moved on and the future of the VBA is in the hands of future and current kawasaki owners. Step up to the plate and take the bull by the horns!

Give Jared your best! He's taking over in a transitional time for VBA. He will need your help and support to move forward. Don't let aggravation with members lead you to complaining. He has his work cut out for him and doesn't need that. Us old guards are slowly stepping aside with other bikes, projects and hobbies. We'll keep peeking in to see how everyone's doing and getting excited about the rallys.

Please attend the official swearing in tomorrow............. :cheers:

[davidhollinger]

On another note to the members:

Like Trip stated Jared is going to be the Grand Pooba here. He will need a lot of help and input from lots of the new members. Most of us old guards have moved on and the future of the VBA is in the hands of future and current kawasaki owners. Step up to the plate and take the bull by the horns!

Give Jared your best! He's taking over in a transitional time for VBA. He will need your help and support to move forward. Don't let aggravation with members lead you to complaining. He has his work cut out for him and doesn't need that. Us old guards are slowly stepping aside with other bikes, projects and hobbies. We'll keep peaking in to see how everyone's doing and getting excited about the rallys.

Please attend the official swearing in tomorrow............. :cheers:

Will there be cake??? :tehe:

[cactusjack]

That's good news, Trip. Congratulations on finding a new job. It's too bad you won't be able to attend the National Rally, but putting food on the table and keeping a roof over your head is much more important.

Tomorrow Jared steps into the fire. I wish him all he best in his new position of leadership for the VBA!

[cnc]

Well trip I'm sure you have been on quite a rollercoaster ride of disappointments and hopes since losing your job, but it does sound like you now have some positive news. I'm sure you still have a lot ahead of you in terms of adjustments, moving etc, but I do hope that sometime in the not too distant future, you look back on this and be able to say in the end it was a good thing.

Jared, I wish you all the best in your new official role. May I suggest forget the free cake, nothing persuades people over to your way of thinking more than free alcohol!:lmao::lmao::cheers:

[glwilson]

Glad to hear you are gainfully employed again!

Hope to catch you again sometime down the road.:cheers:

[schoeney]

Hi Guys,
Since my layoff from my 17 years as Webmaster for a health system, alot has happened. Many of you have included me in your prayers... for that, I am eternally thankful.

I thought I'd update everyone on my situation...I am happy to report that I have secured another job in the Tyler, Texas area. Beginning May 13th, I will be working as a Programmer Analyst with the University of Texas at Tyler. I'm excited and looking forward to becoming a part of the IT team at UT Tyler.

Anyone that has changed jobs in the past also knows that with any change comes some negatives. I will need to give myself at least 6 months on the job to build up any PTO. So, I won't be able to attend anything this year... if I attend anything, it will have to be on a weekend only. I'm going to try and get some weekend rides in this year, but I'm not expecting to take any significant time off until next Spring.

Also, as many know, tomorrow (May 1st) is the day that Jared officially takes over the VBA. Please join me in congratulating Jared. Please give him the respect and support that you've given me for the last 6 years. I have all the confidence in Jared and his ability to manage the VBA in a fair and forward-thinking manner.

I will be around the forum from time-to-time. I will be busy for a while learning and adjusting to a new job as well as selling my house and moving. I wish everyone only the best.

Trip

We gave respect and support? Wow, is that how you sold Jared on the job?:lmao::lmao: Kids...they will buy anything:tup:

Seriously .....congrats to Trip in your new job. I changed careers late in life and know that it can be stressful.

Jared....congrats on your new job as well. You have a much larger pool of talent to choose your cabinet from than Trip did. That is a good thing. As you know Trip was really scraping the bottom when he hired BD and Kris :P:P

You can imagine how shallow the gene pool was when Kris hired me!:cry:

There are many great guys on this site and I am sure they will be actively participating. It is fun to help keep the herd organized and happy.

[ray2]

Good for you Trip and thanks for the update.

[coacha]

Congrats on the new position Trip.

Jared and all the new moderators, good luck.

The old guys will still be around to help the young bucks in the transitional stage.

[Netnorske]

Trip,
Glad to know things are slowly getting back to a place of less uncertainty. Change is always hard, but can also be a blessing in ways not yet realized. Best of luck to you as you move forward in your new position....and thanks for everything you did here for the VBA....(formerly KowaNOW)....without you it would never have come together like it has.

Jared has some big decisions to make as he contemplates how the VBA moves forward. The "old guard" remains a potent tool for information as we have "been there and done that" with these bikes, and while they may check in here now and then, they will most likely slowly evaporate as their interests eventually lead them elsewhere. The time is now for newer members to step up to the plate and show some leadership in helping Jared move the VBA into the future.

The thing that remains with me about this site is how much more personal intimacy it has over other forums (hence all the sometimes misunderstood crap-slinging), so cherish that as that quality is very unique to this group. Attending the rallies and meeting each other face to face is the best way to keep that going...:tup:!

[blowndodge]

Be careful of Kris's "personal intimacy" He's got an annoying habit of blowing in your ear or always being around when your picking up loose change!! :ohno::wtf::P:bird:

[manban9888]

Congratulations Trip. I truly hope this turns out to be a blessing in disguise situation for you. Thanks for all you did here.

[dank]

Glad you found a position. Hope life settles down to where you are back riding again soon.

[trosco]

Hey Trip, congrats on the new job. Take it that you are or will be moving to the Tyler area? Have a couple real close friends that live just off Hwy 31E between Tyler and Athens. Gonna meet them in Eureka Springs in early June for the VROC rally then come down to TX for a week or so before I head north and then west and work my way out to our rally. Don't know if you'll be to Tyler by then or if you'll have time but if you'd like to meet a couple local riders that are good folks (maybe drink some of their beer cause there is always beer) and that are also car guys (one has 1/2 doz lead sleds) drop me a line and we'll set a rendevous up. Else some other time as I get there 2-3 times a year.

[Top Cat]

Sounds like things are starting to coming together for you Trip.
Still a ways to go though what with selling the house and so on.
I hope your plans materialize quickly and things settle down so you and Kathy can get back to the normal stress free life.
Again, thanks for forming this group of bozo's, what a unique bunch.
Wishing you the best of luck :tup:

Jared, get to work http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/images/icons/th_pi_exclamation_mark.gif

[GIBBY]

Thanks for checking in and updating everyone. Congratulations on the new job and the upcoming move. You know, life is an adventure so enjoy every minute. Sure hope to see you soon, maybe you will be able to make it to Antlers for a day or something.

[cactusjack]

Am I missing something? You live in Lindale now and will be working in Tyler. That's 13 miles apart according to google maps.

[waterman]

Trip,

Congrats on the new job. Knew it wouldn't be long for you to find something else.

[waterman]

Am I missing something? You live in Lindale now and will be working in Tyler. That's 13 miles apart according to google maps.

CJ, some people (Brad, cough, cough) think that 1 mile is too far to go.:tehe::tehe:

[Todd]

CJ, some people (Brad, cough, cough) think that 1 mile is too far to go.:tehe::tehe:

13 miles would be a 2 day Cross Country trip for BD :bird::P:cheers:

[blowndodge]

Am I missing something? You live in Lindale now and will be working in Tyler. That's 13 miles apart according to google maps.

He'd never make it on a Harley!! :tehe:

:bird: you Joel

:bird: you Todd!!

I already have 4500 on my Victory in less than 3 months! :yep: How much riding have you done this year??

[chainsaw]

What they all said.

[cactusjack]

He'd never make it on a Harley!! :tehe:

:bird: you Joel

:bird: you Todd!!

I already have 4500 on my Victory in less than 3 months! :yep: How much riding have you done this year??

Naw, if he had a Harley, he'd move farther away from Tyler so he could spend more time riding it to work and back home.

[Todd]

He'd never make it on a Harley!! :tehe:

:bird: you Joel

:bird: you Todd!!

I already have 4500 on my Victory in less than 3 months! :yep: How much riding have you done this year??


If that question is directed at me......the answer is not nearly enough. I'm ashamed to go get my inspection done :hmm:

[blowndodge]

Naw, if he had a Harley, he'd move farther away from Tyler so he could spend more time trailering it to work and back home.

Typical

[Loafer]

If it's only 13 miles, then a plan to downsize might be the plan.

Trip, everyone before me said it all. I agree with all the good messages, and wish you well! :tup::cheers:

[waterman]

He'd never make it on a Harley!! :tehe:

:bird: you Joel

:bird: you Todd!!

I already have 4500 on my Victory in less than 3 months! :yep: How much riding have you done this year??

Let's see, 4500 miles in 90 days comes to 50 miles per day. Considering that we have only had 1 good day to ride and I put on 90+ miles I have you beat. :bird:

[blowndodge]

Let's see, 4500 miles in 90 days comes to 50 miles per day. Considering that we have only had 1 good day to ride and I put on 90+ miles I have you beat. :bird:

Keep reminding us that math is not your forte' :bird::tehe:

[landman]

:tup: what chainsaw said.

[1oldtimer]

Congrats Trip and Good Luck. I know that change is hard, but I am sure you will excel in your new endevors.
As well, Good Luck and congrats to Jared on taking over the VBA. I am sure he will catch just as much of the bs as you have here from time to time :tehe:

[fammdw]

Congratulations on the new career path Trip! Thank you for all you have done for the men and women of the VBA.

I for one, have all the confidence in the world that Jared will have a positive impact on the VBA going forward.

[usranger74]

Outstanding news. I wish you all the luck (not that you need it) in the world.:tup::tup::tup::tup:

[Rasta]

Congratulations on the new adventure and the best with it Trip! Congrats to Jared as well on taking over the group and sucess in this journey!

[trip]

Actually guys I thought I'd have to relocate, but since I'll be working in Tyler again, I'll just keep living in Lindale and commuting. Been doing that for over 20 years.

[jandreu]

Actually guys I thought I'd have to relocate, but since I'll be working in Tyler again, I'll just keep living in Lindale and commuting. Been doing that for over 20 years.

What, your not selling the house! I had a new business all set up, buy your house and charge admission as the birth place of KawaNOW/VBA.. Damm there goes another venture out the window.:cheers:

[petenomad]

Here's hoping things continue to go your way! We'll miss you and Kathy at the national. Hope to see you in Antlers (at least for Saturday).

[smbke]

As a relatively new member of the VBA I have to thank you Trip, from the bottom of my heart! If it weren't for what you've built here, I would not have the wealth of knowledge and experience of hundreds of Nomad owners at my disposal. With this site, I have been able to realize the full potential of my bike and my own abilities. It's reassuring to know that if I have an issue, there is someone in the forum that can guide me in the right direction.
The sense of fellowship and camaraderie in the VBA shows even through the good natured ribbing. Though I have yet to meet anyone in person, (a situation I hope to remedy in the near future) I'm beginning to feel I know many of you very well.
Trip, glad to see things are coming together for you. You should be proud of what you've created here!

[billmac]

Trip, hope the job works out well for you. Thanks for all your work as the founder and leader of Kawanow and VBA. The forum has introduced me to some great people, including you and the South Central leaders. The forum has also enhanced my travels and provided a wealth of info about the Nomad.

[jestephens]

Congratulations on the job find! I'm sure that takes a load off http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-dance001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) And don't be a stranger, I hope we see you next summer

[old dog]

Thank's Trip. Glad thing's are looking up for you. Hope to meet you some day in person to
thank you again.

[VulcanE]

Congratulations Trip, and THANK YOU for starting this forum. I hope all goes well for you, and because of this forum, I've made some life long friends, Thanks again Trip!

[Kawhead]

How did I miss this one?:hmm: Musta been spreading joy and gladness in another part of the forum.:shrug:
Thanks for updating us Trip, and I'm glad you found a new job. :tup:
The one thing that keeps me from leaving the job I have now, aside nobody will have me,:wtf: is I'd hate starting at the bottom again. All that kissin' up,,, waisted!:cry: Only a week or no vacation at all would kill me dead.:ohno: