Shop Math!

I was enjoying the un-self conscious rhytmic slapping of the black-clad master tech as he sauntered up the long hallway of MMI returning from a cigarette break. "What did you stop for, that was a groovy groove," I said as he looked up and saw me leaning on the outside wall of the classroom next to the vending machines. He held out his hand down low, palm out in the universal invitation for a congratulitory slap which I recipricated. "Way to go," he beamed, "you really pulled it out!" I modulated my response in the "manly" way..."thanks man," I said in the coolest tone I could pull off. However, inside I was delighted like a small child. No compliment has ever meant more to me. A few days earlier I could not have felt more differently.

You see my student career at Motorcyle Mechanics Institute had gotten off to a less than auspicious start. Just a few days earlier my medication had been changed and I had spent a couple of VERY long days just trying to stay concious in class and saftety seminar and had received a very disappointing score on my first test in engine theory, followed by being called out privately by my teacher Gabe and the physically intimidating T.C. and questioned why I had looked and behaved so drugged during T.C.'s safety lecure. Fortunately they both understood about bi-polar disorder and the effect of new meds and they spared me the ignomy of being escorted down to the office for a drug test. Still I was so humiliated by my poor academic performance and subsequent bad public behavior that I voiced my strong desire to quit the program right there. Fortunately that little "God Place" in my head had prevailed and I agreed to show up for class the next day.



Gabe Visser, Harley Tech and teacher extraordinaire and all 'round great human being

The next few days were rough, no insurance means I have been suffering through some tooth and leg pain that has been relentles, but on Thursday I aced the shop math quiz and pulled out an A in the course.

Feels Good!