The End of Great Rides?

I just realized that I have not posted anything for a whole month. I normally write about good, happy, memorable events.

This time I write with a heavy heart. I had just been betrayed by my own brother at the start of the year. Wounds have not healed yet and now I just found out that a biking buddy did the same last week.

Fortunately, I have friends who told me about it. Now I am burdened with the task of dealing with this issue. It has taken a toll on my health, work, relationships, and one of the loves of my life...mountain biking.

If you back read, I need not explain further. Last Saturday was the first time in my biking history that I will have to painfully admit, I lost my appetite. The zeal was no longer there, the excitement was gone.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to money...money the true god of everyone. Money, the one thing everyone desires.

I have decided to sell my bikes this week : a giant reign and an old school specialized M2. a friend just called to try to convince me not to go ahead with this. although it pains me, I cannot bear to have to put up with people I cannot trust, especially in the trails.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand life. You work and strive to become a better provider to your family and later on, you discover that people try to steal your livelyhood from you. Confronted they say they did not intend to do so. They merely wanted to show me how to earn more.

Good intentions? I think not. This is what you call dog eat dog. But the irony of it all is that dogs are not even like that. Part of my family are 2 dogs : a Pitbull named Bruno and the Shi tzu named Missy. They are a bundle of joy, hard to manage but definitely do not eat each other as the saying goes.

I think the saying should be : man eat man. Sad to say, this is true even among family members, friends, relatives, co-workers.

So never let your guard down or you get punched in the face.

So will this be the end of great rides? I really don't know.

The answer lies in how I will feel towards the people around me within this week.

Sad....

The Meeting of the Spirits

After searching "John MacLaughlin" at youtube.com last week, one of the results yielded a song entitled "The Meeting of the Spirits". It showed a performance of the then Mahavishnu Orchestra with Jean Luc Ponty on the violin.

It made me wonder what a meeting of spirits meant, last Saturday, I began to realize what it meant.

After four weeks of band rehearsals for the upcoming silver Jubilee of Batch '82 of our highschool, I had a chance again to play infront of a big crowd after a long vacation from my musical hobby.

The rehearsals were great, well...most of them, but I forgot the feeling one gets when a big crowd is watching.

Soundcheck was scheduled at 2PM, so I had my wife drop me off at my regular scooter shop to enable me to get my scooter. I then proceeded to the venue to check the equipment and how we sounded as a band.

To my disappointment, 2 band members did not show up on time. But when they did, we proceeded to run through the hardest songs to make sure everything was in place. My band mates told me we sounded great and that I should put in 100% more power to my drum playing, (according to our lead guitarist), a thing that would surely happen when I see a big audience.

And happen it did. We had to get home to freshen up, but due to the terrible traffic caused by the heavy downpour, I was stuck for more than an hour.

On the way driving, I thought heavily about the possibility of my youngest son watching the event. I went on to focus more on getting us there together on time.

I got there a few minutes later than the agreed time but it was OK as everyone was busy registering and greeting long lost friends, classmates, etc.

The rest of the guys showed up and voila, we were ready to set up and we were given the signal that we were on in 15 minutes.

Band leader freaked out, our bassist was missing. I called, and gladly got the good news that he was a few minutes away.

My next worry was my youngest son. Remembering his anxiety to see his pop play on stage for the first time in his life, I sent a text message to my wife that said : were on in 15.

Upstage, I sent a last message to her that said : starting in 5.

Then, my bassist friend, gives me a big smile and lifts a cold can of beer to sort of say..."enjoy the party". That did it all.

I was loaded before the show started ( to say the least), and according to our keyboard player...he was flying. Out in the parking lot, my son was flying too, running as fast as he could to catch our first number.

The rest is history. I can't say that the performance was flawless, but I can definitely say that the energy was superb, and all out.

While we played, I experienced the "Meeting of the Spirits". The smiles on the faces of my band mates after each song we played, the high fives and handshakes from the audience after the performance, and most of all, my sons embrace after I had just gotten off stage.

While I was changing to a fresh shirt from my sweat drenched shirt, he said "Pop, you were good". I guess during the 9 songs we played, his spirit met with ours too.

Testing My Endurance

Last weekend, after a fruitful meeting with a friend, I played sucker to an invitation to join a "24 hour mountainbike race".

Having a finger pointed at my face by someone who does not bike regularly, I gladly gave in to the invitation to a race that was to be held the following morning.

"Its only 15 laps per team member", I heard them say. And..."this is what we train for", we very convincing words from the "more experienced" guys in the group.

I picked up my wife from her brother's house, a stones throw away from our home. I told her about what was in store for me the next morning and she said "do well".

It sounded more like a sarcastic remark rather than words of encouragement. I could not blame her.

I woke up at my own pace. Still tired from 2 work outs at my home gym, a 5 km run, and a 21km bike ride the other day. I loaded on carbs, bananas, pineapples and lots of water.

At around 10:30am, I proceeded to the event site. Instructed by our "manager", I had to drop by their shop in Alabang for some instructions only to find out our "guru" was freaking out again because we were late.

Having no choice, I decided to buy some gatorade and bananas just in case.

When I got there, the place was festive and filled with mountainbikes of all kinds. Parking was limited and there was a city of tents surrounding the area.

Fortunately, I was able to locate my group and I was able to find a good parking space. Then off I went to suite up and get ready for the race.

The occasion was eventful. Just right after the mad dash at the starting gate, a rider bumped me and my friend. We attempted to try to help him up and say sorry, but we ended up eating all the bad words the guy could muster. My friend gladly returned the gesture.

At 1PM, I did my first three laps consecutively. One lap in 20mins, the next one in 23, the 3rd one in close to 30mins.

My computer's temperature gauge read 40, so I guess that was what slowed me down. I was then advised to stop and rest to allow a teammate to do his laps.

To cut a long story short, the scenario was the same for the next 13 hours. Bike...rest...bike...rest

My other teammate quit and went home with his promise that he would return the following day. The other one ( we were a 3 man team) showed up late in the afternoon and did his 4 laps and that was it.

We were all required to do 15 minimum, or our team would be disqualified. Well being the non-quitter that I am, I finished at 4am, my 2 other mates weren't quite lucky. One was a now show and the other one had to quit after doing another 4 laps the next day.

This was a first for me. I have never worked out till 4am the next day. Feeling tired, sleepy and fatigued from the long work week, I was surprised I made it.

I had a sore throat, and a big mouth sore that became even bigger during the race. I was biking in total darkness with only a weak light to guide me through.

What helped me finish was the help of friends. The guy who offered me soup every time I'd stop to rest. The chilled apples, the bananas. The story telling from the guys who did not race but supported us. The classic rock music from the ipods friends lent us to get us by during the night.

The cheers from fellow competitors and most of all, the words of encouragement from fellow rider friends who volunteered to accompany me at night while we all fell in ruts, slipped through muddy single track trails, jumped over ditches, and pushed our bikes up un-ridable hills.

Bottom line is "I get by with a little help from my friends"...and I made it. No trophies, no certificates. Just my dirty number and a picture of my cyclocomputer that reads 87km in 8 hours.

Will I do this again? Why not.

Ambushed by a Jesus Freak and Saying Goodbye to Aja

Not all of my scooter rides are great. In long rides there are breakdowns, at the track there are crashes or all sorts.

On the other hand, I can always say all my mountainbike rides are great whether solo or in a group, at any trail in any weather condition.
The worse ride I can probably remember was when I used my hard tail bike and by rear derailieur got eaten up by my spokes. Had to go home after doing only 3KM but still enjoyed every bit of it.

Last week, I experienced what I call the worse ride of all. The first part was the real ride that I enjoyed immensely. The second part was when we were ambushed by an over zealous, holier than thou preacher who told us that : If we do not have faith, we will go to hell.

The first part of the ride was a great new adventure. We rode fire rodes with long climbs on rocky lose terrain. The rest was all rolling at exciting speeds, with good company.

All of the 27kms. we did was a blast to say the least and was one hell of a workout for me that day. Until.....

We had to go back to the farm for lunch, and a desert that we all would never forget.

To cut a long story short, it was the best example of someone shoving it down your throat. The best hard sell salesman I have ever encountered in my entire life.

To end the story...I did not buy what he was selling. And, if that was his condition of getting to heaven, then his heaven must be a very lonely place.

I asked him a theoretical question where a man who is morally upright who lives in the bundoks, loves his family but does not know Jesus vs. a man who dresses like Elvis, knows the bible by heart but fools around and sells drugs...who will go to heaven ? I said.

His answer folks is Elvis is going to heaven.

I'd like to forget about that ordeal and instead remember a bike that I had to let go for family reasons.

Last night she was picked up from my house by her new and rightful owner.

I dreamed about owning a GB400 years ago. My dream came true when I found Aja at a shop near our place.

Well...that's life, there a certain things that you can't keep forever.

Aja is one of them but I am happy that it was for a good reason and that she is now in good hands and in a new home.

Heaven

It's my wife's birthday today and we both celebrate it with a simple lunch at her favorite pizza place. Sunday, we go out with the entire family to enjoy Yakitori at a resto I found online.

Last night, I kept texting her from a studio where a band rehearsal was going on for a highschoool reunion scheduled for next month.

It was actually our third and most fulfilling one as compared to the first two sessions that I can rate a 2 out of a perfect 10.

It has been almost 15 years since I have really played and rehearsed for a gig. The line up last night was a combination of rusty old musicians and professionals who play regular gigs. There was rythm guitarist and vocalist Jorge Marco, an old bandmate from highschool who is actually responsible for all this, and myself who I both consider the rusty old ones in the group.

The rest were the pros: my old bandmate Warren Norton who played lead guitar and sang back vocals, Patrick Choi played keyboards and back vocals, and Alan Dichoso on bass and back vocals. All play for a classic hard rock band called Grind Stone.

I came in late being skeptical and all about the outcome. Upon arrival, excitment filled the air and I was alive again.

Hearing them tune their instruments gave a hint of the good old days and how pros would really play. It was a totally different experience for me as the warm up jamming songs turned out to be kick ass versions of classic rock covers.

Each tune one would propose by playing parts of the song would be answered by a drum roll, bass lines, and mean guitar riffs followed by vocals and a tight jam would be the end result.

I was challenged because I found it hard to sustain shuffle beats to songs like Steely Dan's "Reelin in the years" and Toto's "hold the line".

As everyone said, at the end of the day we all had fun. Speaking for myself, I felt this scarry feeling whenever I would experience playing good music. It is the kind of feeling when your spirit lives, flies, and you start to loose yourself amongst the colors and notes and sounds that come together from people playing around you, two of which I have played for the first time.

I remember hearing an Indian who asked a jail guard in the movie "The Green Mile". Before his execution, he asked..."I wonder what would heaven be like?" He then shared a story about himself and his wife when they were still young and they would make love beneath the stars. After which he remarked " I hope heaven would be like that".

I personally don't believe in the concept of white coulds, and angels with wings, and everyone wearing white.

For me, there are moments in our lives when we experience heaven and when we look back, we just smile and cherish the moment. These are all archived in our brain and subconscious and it does not leave until the day we die.

Last night was one of those moments. Today, being my wife's birthday, my girl of 27 years...I look forward to more.

On a side note, that cool looking Ludwig Vintage drum set from the 60's with a 17 inch bass drum is one of my dream sets.

Who knows, I might be able to own one soon. It could be a good gift to my youngest son who now shows interest in playing the drums. If ever he does get into it seriously, I do hope he experiences heaven the same way I did....

Rubber Legs, My Own Mortality, and Getting Back In Shape

The last time I posted anything in this blog was 3 months ago. That was a month before the much awaited run bike run race I was supposed to join at Filinvest scheduled for the second week of May.

Due to the numerous distractions from my regular routine, I missed it. There was a race at the Carmona track 2 weeks before the duathlon that I had decided to join. Unfortunately, I crashed my newly painted Rudy Project Vespa twice during the practice rounds.

The first crash was a lowside crash when I miscalculated my braking at a long and sharp turn. Minor damages incurred and no injuries to my body.

The second crash was a highside crash when my throttle got stock in the process of shifting from second to third gear coming out of a chicane. I was thrown off my scoot, and I injured my left foot. With a swollen foot and big toe, I still managed to finish the race in last place. Not to mention the third heat was completed with a flat rear tire for the last 2 laps.

What a comeback! I tried racing again at my own club's trackday, but things were never the same for me. Have to shake off those butterflies in the stomach and get back to the old racing form.

This set me back major. Due to the injuries sustained, I was not able to join the duathlon and all my hard work and mileage gained during my running and biking sessions faded away.

Some say it was bad luck because I was assigned the number 13. Some say I was too eager. I say I lacked practice and my bike was going cookoo that day.

Anyway, being the tenacious person that I am, I trained as soon as I got well. My biking was again at par with my standards but my running had to improve further.

Then June came. I call it the party month. This was even worse than Christmas itself and I found myself drinking like a fish again.

At one party, about 10 of us downed 5 bottles of the dreaded agua.

To cut a long story short, I saw my fitness level fly out of the window in such a short span of time.

The coup de grace for me was when I got sick a week ago. Too much stress, lack of sleep, and to much effort to keep up with training intensity took a toll on my health.

Imagine being able to train at 60 to 70% of max HR and having a resting HR of only 48BPM? It was depressing to say the least.

Well, next time I will choose the parties that I will go to. Next time I will listen to what my body is telling me and I will apply the one step backwards two steps forward approach.

I write today to inspire myself to train again and reach my old fitness level.

I've already started running with rubber legs but with much desire to improve. Tomorrow I bike and on Saturday, I hit the trails again or probably do a reverse palace in the sky just in case the trails are wet.

I find myself lucky. At my age, I am still able to do these things. The other day, I was again reminded of my own mortality.

Our messenger died in his sleep at age 52. I still think that was a good way to go. But at 52, there are so many things to enjoy...like mountain biking, watching your kids grow, and making love to your wife.

He won't be able to do those things anymore that's for sure. But he is definitely resting in peace.

I'll post a picture of my banged up Vespa soon so you can compare it to my old photos.

Time for a paint job......

North-Zagaray

I feel a bit fatigued after doing only 30 kms. at a new trail north of Manila. The place is called Norzagaray in Bulacan...not North-Zagaray as my friend would say in his text invitation.

I found the terrain quite exciting offering us a lot of surprises as we went by each trail. I liked the sudden drops the most making the ride a test of nerves as well as a test of endurance. Looking back, the weekend rides and occasional down hill escapades proved worthwhile and served as our training sessions for events such as these.

Another part of the trip that I enjoyed was the mahogany forests that provided shade amidst the blistering heat from the mid-day sun.

The heat coupled with the un-ridable uphill climbs where we had to push our bikes up were the two main factors that contributed to most of the group's exhaustion.

The third factor that I forgot was hunger, as most of us did not bring food in the trail thinking the trip would be over by lunch time.

Well the bottom line is this was another one for the books in terms of fun, adventure and improved riding skills.

As I always say, I again look forward to the next one.

Great Rides

Last Saturday, I rode 42Kms. on my mountain bike. I estimate it was 85% single track at the trails of Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Silang, Cavite.

I started out too fast playing a racing game with a Thai rider who out raced me in the first climb. We ended up laughing about it after exchanging high fives, a gatorade and a buko juice.

The rest of the ride was uneventful except for a flat tire, a broken chain, and an injured forearm of an American rider who fell on a barbed wire fence and probably needed stitches.

My climax of the ride was when I was thrown off my bike when I picked a wrong line at the coffee trail. The result was scratches on my left knee and dust all over my left arm and shoulder. Nothing to worry about except being left behind by the fast pack.

This is what I always look forward to. My big day, Saturday. The day when I have to hit the trails and enjoy a great ride. I have been doing this for 3 years now. I have stopped counting the rides because I can no longer remember where I stopped counting. What I can remember though is that all of them are great rides.

This what I love doing, and I will keep doing this until I can. This is why I hate parties, wakes, overnight affairs, and out of town trips. Call me anti-social, I don't care...I just want to ride my bike on Saturday, run -hit the bag-lift-do ab work on Monday and Wednesday, bike again on Thursday, back to the trails on Saturday.

Next month, I look forward to the long holiday. This means more time with the family and more time to ride...ride...ride

The “Rudy Project” Vespa

Almost 5 years ago, I was a victim to my own frugality in having my Vespa painted. After 3 years of daily use, and 6 months of racing at BRC, I decided to have the paint job done by a friend for only PHP 6,500.

Being very busy at that time, and running on a very low budget, I had him do the honors. To my dismay, we did not get the paint color right for everything, and the outcome was horrific to say the least.

It was a combination of pale yellow ( as opposed to the old Italian yellow), with charcoal grey cowls, front fender, and horn cast. A far cry from what I had in mind.

Having no choice, I rode it to Banawe with Kawasaki eliminator mirrors. Coming back from the ride, I decided to have the left cowl air brush painted with my favorite band – Steely Dan. The air brush artist did a good job but painted it with enamel. To cut a long story short, in my next ride to Vigan, gasoline dripped on the artwork drawing tears from the eyes of the two Steely Dan members.

Saving factor – I said to myself, better paint the cowls in matte black, then I’ll put a front carrier in black and match it with a rear carrier with the same color. Voila! It looked better, a more utilitarian look this time but it resembled a PLDT service vehicle.

This is how my ride looked till August of 2006. After years of commuting, racing, and joining several long rides, all its battle scars were telling me it needed a paint job real soon.

Looking back, my Vespa was a looker when I just bought it. It was Italian yellow, with a black Vespa script sign on the left leg shield, and a mod target sticker on the right. All its rubber was white and it sported original continental white wall tires ( front, rear, and spare). The seat was covered in Tan, it had a Vigano rear carrier in chrome, and a rear mudflap in black and white with a Vespa script.

Moving forward, I wanted to try a sportier look having tried retro, mod, and utility, racing was my choice this time.

With a wife and 4 kids to support, a mountain bike hobby, and many bills to pay, the time was not right. One day, I had a meeting with the country manager of Rudy Project Philippines who asked me to do their online store. That was when the idea of having a Rudy Project Vespa came into my mind.

It was a good brand association, both brands being Italian. Good exposure for Rudy Project, great look for a sporty Vespa.

With that objective in mind, I rushed to my computer and did my research work taking a look at several items from their online catalog.

What caught my attention was an offroad/ downhill helmet that had spider web like stripes all over it. It had a Rudy Project logo, and the peak had “Rudy Project Racing” on it.

It did not take long for me to make a decision and I said to myself, this is the look that I want.

Having said that and having no second thoughts whatsoever, I called my good friend Nani “Dr. Scoot” Juarez to do the design concept. He finished it in a day or two then sent me an email with a drawing of how the bike would look. We both then went to Sabak sports where a drinking session of close friends was in progress, we gathered several opinions, and we came up with the final consensus of having the bike done according to Nani’s design.

To cut a long story short, I delivered the scooter to 2211 Works early August, upon receipt of the approval from Gabriele Boschi of Rudy Project Philippines.

It was a painstaking process of disassembly, preparation, cleaning and painting. Then the decals were installed and my final approval was sought.

I gave the go for the top coat to be done and lo and behold, my Rudy Project theme Vespa was finally finished.

It still had my old shaved stock Piaggio seat, Vitto side mirrors, and my old worn out signal lenses. Having studied what was needed to complete the final look, I decided to sell some of my accessories to raise cash for the stuff I needed to buy : a racing seat, a tune pipe, and round side mirrors in black.

The outcome gave a big smile to my face and as my coup de grace, I had a Rudy Project emblem sticker installed at the center of the back of my racing seat.

Future plans include upgrading to bitubo shocks, and more goodies for my engine. Meantime, I am very happy with my “Katy”, the name I gave my Vespa in 1999, and we both look forward to many more adventures.

Many thanks to : Gabriele of Rudy Project Philippines for funding the project, Nani “Dr. Scoot” Juarez for the design and implementation, the “Sabak” boys for their input, and my loving wife for giving it a thumbs up.

Pinoy Rock Icon

I was supposed to post this tomorrow but had some free time after finishing my usual late lunch of 6 bananas and pineapples.

Haven't had the time to go and watch Wally Gonzalez at Chaquico's. My commitment to myself and my 3 sons to watch him play at least once a month has not been followed since January this year because of "priorities" hehe, the best excuse in the world.

It is always a blast seeing him play. The music, the ambience, brings back memories of how as a young boy, I learned to appreciate Pinoy rock music.

It was the reason why my grandfather promised me a set of drums if he won at the casino 30 or more years ago...and win he did.

He saw me beating a makeshift drum set that consisted of ice cream containers, a chinese checker board for a snare drum, and fita biscuit can covers for cymbals, playing to Juan Dela Cruz music : Super Sessions Album.

After collecting his winnings, Lolo took me to Raon in Sta. Cruz to shop for my dream drum set. To cut a long story short, our house was then filled with long haired guitar playing people. And the rest is history.

I have not played for more than 10 years except when we celebrated our company's 2nd year anniversary at the old San Mig Pub at El Pueblo in Ortigas. Tropical depression was our entertainer then, and the singer was a college schoolmate from DLSU Taft. Fortunately, he allowed me to jam 3 songs to the crowds delight. We didn't play reggae, it was the stones and a song from the clash.

Not having the time and energy to play again, Wally Gonzalez in the closest thing to playing. The best way to hear good old Pinoy Rock the way it used to be.

I love it when the notes start getting together with the groove and I start losing myself in the process. Closing my eyes, it leaves a smile on my face that makes me feel I am 13 years old again, beating ice cream containers, fita biscuit can covers, and a Chinese checker board snare drum while a vinly LP plays the Great Pinoy Antiquities.

Wally has played all the favorite tunes I can think of but he has never played the Great Pinoy Antiquities.

I will find time to go and watch with my 3 sons within the month of April, afer I finish racing my Vespa at the Carmona Race Track and afer I finish the Duathlon organized by the Sabak boys.

Maybe I should send him a text message as a request and hope that he gives in to it not realizing that it is one of my dreams to see him play this song live on stage.

I can't wait to see them play again.

Seasons

It's audit season this month, followed by lent, then the dreaded rainy season.

Not sure what the reason was for putting me last in line in a long line up of companies that will be subjected to a final audit today.

Anyway, I do hope everything goes well as I always say to myself that "this will be over soon". I always say that to myself nowadays that my faith has faltered and I have found myself all "prayed out" so to speak.

So lent will be a different story this year simply because it will not be observed...speaking for myself that is.

During the days when I still believed in all the mumbo jumbo the priests have put in my mind about the catholic faith, lent was observed the way it should be : church visits, confessions, stations of the cross, and all that.

Now it will be quiet time with the family and biking up in the trails. Non of the skip the meat, walk around the village at 3:00am thing which I find silly and a waste of time and energy.

Besides, I have not eaten meat regulary for almost a year and a half so what else is new.

I have learned to believe that God is not up in the heavens. That if you sin against God you will be punished. If you do not repent, even your children and your children's children will all suffer. You will get hit by lightning and worms will come out of your eyes.

This is all cow dung to me now because I believe that God is not up there, God lives in the hearts of men. He lives there because he is the God of love.

Lenten season should be the time to reflect on the ultimate act of love a man can ever do. If we could only share this love in our homes, and everywhere we go then this world will definitely be a better place to live in.

Dreaming of Owning One

A year ago, my wife and I had one of our regular lunch dates. While at the mall, she pointed out a book to me that she wanted to buy for one of our kids. To her surprise, I could not read the text from where we were standing.

She pulled me to a nearby optical shop and had the optometrist ( is that the correct title?) check my eyes. This time I was surprised when the lady told me that I needed to wear glasses.

My choice was a pair of cheap but stylish frame in brown tortoise color. I had the lenses fitted in an hour then I went back to my office wearing my first pair.

I did not stop looking for another pair after that. So I ended up buying another one at ebay via e-2-door.com at a landed price of PHP 1,500. It was a blue reebok sports frame that my wife really liked, again because of its stylish look. A pretty good deal for a good brand and unique style.

The 3rd pair was not such a great deal at all but I loved the way it fit me. Simple and comfortable in a wire frame with black color.

Ideally, I should have a pair a day. Five pairs in total for each working day. All my glasses were square and rectangular so I thought I should have something round for a change.

After searching the internet, I found my dream pair : Rye handmade british eyeglasses frames in amber havana color.

The price is quite steep selling at USD 165.00 shipping not included.

I make it a habit to visit eyeglass.com to take a peek at least every week. Who knows, in a month or so, I might post a new blog with my picture wearing a pair of my dream spectacles.

Tell you about it later...

Public Masturbation

This is my first post and in all honesty, I find it hyprocritical to be doing this...posting at my own blog.

A very close friend of mine once said that blogging is like "masturbating in public". I agreed to this definition so here I am...masturbating in public.

If that's what he considers it to be then so be it. There are so many thoughts I have in my mind especially at night and I'd love to tell friends and family about them but I normally forget or simply can't find the time to do so.

So I guess that is the best reason for doing this. Share my thoughts and hope you enjoy them.

For starters, since we are in the topic of masturbation, I read in a book that God will punish you if you masturbate. It says that your hands will be turned into little wings so you can just fan it a little.

A magazine article on the other hand says that guys who are at least 40 years old should do it 5 times a week to prevent prostate problems or I hope they meant you should be able to "release" at least 5 times a week whatever the method may be because this is good for your health.

Well I suggest you show this to your wives for assistance or if you are denied, then you will have to visit the massage parlor section of manilatonight.com for "outsourcing" possibilities. The last alternative is the do it yourself method that I find hard to imagine for a man over 40.

Tell me about it so we can laugh together