I live in Milwaukee, WI and I'm 42. I have loved to paint, draw and sculpt since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I still remember my father letting me make some of my first drawings on the drywall he had installed in my bedroom. I was not yet in school. I was educated as an artist and I was a professional illustrator for 11 years but then I had to do....other things. Currently, I work as an artist/installation tech (art rental roady) for a company that rents sculpture and portable murals for special events. I have been searching for a different job for the past 2 years. I think I'm pretty close but I'm not placing any bets. I have 2 kids, 5 years old and 4. I will be divorced in June which has caused me a lot of distress over the past 8 months but it's getting better. I guess it's the worse thing that has happened in my life. I never expected to be starting over but then again, who does?

I bought my 14 just about 12 months ago (recognize the coincidence?). Previous bike was a Kawi Vulcan Classic 900. I've also done a fare amount of riding on my father's Vulcan Drifter 1500 and I hope he will hand the keys over to me some day when he's done with it. A sportbike is what I've always wanted to ride. I actually almost bought one back in about 1991 but insurance would have been so expensive and I was living in a high vehicle theft zone of the city. The 14 has proven to be everything I ever dreamed of in a motorcycle. It's honing my skills to levels I never thought I would try to attain. After 6000 miles, there is still plenty of things that I have not experienced on the bike but I am pretty surprized by what it has shown me so far. I enjoy doing maintenance as much as I like to ride. I do some high speeds fairly often so I feel paying extra attention to maintenance is pretty important. Also, I hope to keep the 14 a long time.

My hopes for the near future are to begin to do some artwork again. The spirit has fizzled out in me over the past few years but this isn't from lack of ideas or even time. I just don't belong to any community that appreciates what I do and have done. That will change. The art spirit can't be destroyed, I don't think. I have tried to not be an artist at least three times in my life. Each of these periods has lasted over a year. It always seems to come back. I'd like to reestablish the business contacts I developed as an illustrator and have another whack at it. I'm eager to explore the world of digital art media which I had been resisting for last 20 years.

I'd also like to own a second bike. I'm sure you'll hear all about that in posts on the other forums here.

Rook

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/3/2009 @ 9:28 PM *

Rook, sorry to hear about your divorce. Hope you get through it OK. Most of all, I wish you good luck finding the job you want.

Hello Rook,

You are part of a community here, spread over the globe, but no less a "community"! Good luck with your journey and I am sure things will be on the up for you!!

hey rook its Stephen how you going now mate, its bin a year an half since ya split buddy so you feeling better now mate? happy with ya job now ! like mentioned before we are all part of a world community hope things have got better for you.

Damn Rook... Divorce? Gawd. Man, I'm so sorry about that. My wife and I have been together 14 years this past 2nd of Dec., but we've had our roller coaster moments, to be sure. There was about a month (a little over 2 years ago) where I thought we were done, but counseling pulled us onward. HEAVY counseling. I think we're better for each other afterward, knowing where each other stands, what takes precedence, where our priorities lie for each of us and, most importantly, what types of things "fill our tanks". Basically, finding out more about what makes each other tick and realizing there really was a reason why we got together in the first place. We're stronger than ever now. I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to what caused you all to be where you are now, but I'd be more than willing to lend my ear to you. PM me for my contact info and you can call me whenever. This divorce shit's extremely rough.

Thanks, loaded. LOL, as you can see, I don't come down to check the profile thread too often but thank you anyway, Pal.

About time I update this thing. Life has taken some big turns for the better and looks like it will just keep going. My kids are still close and my younger daughter is closer to me than ever. Actually feel like we have the kind of relationship we should have had.

I am glad counseling worked for you. We went for 8 months. Actually seemed to make the X more pissed. Ithink it was too late a long time before counseling. I think we needed to both yield to the Higher Power. IDK if that would have even worked??? Sometimes you have to drift way the heck out to sea before you get rescued. I think I am there. IDK about the X. I pray for her. ][]

Thanks for the thoughts. Hope to meet you some day, loaded.

hey rook its Stephen how you going now mate, its bin a year an half since ya split buddy so you feeling better now mate? happy with ya job now ! like mentioned before we are all part of a world community hope things have got better for you.

Thanks, bean old buddy. Just past the 2 year point now and things could not have been better. You have me pegged, Cobar. Yes the job is new and impacts my life very positively. Thank God, things are bloody hell with our economy. I am grateful for the new opportunity.

Cheers mate Im glad ya are feeling better mate & things are OK now!

I'd also like to own a second bike. I'm sure you'll hear all about that in posts on the other forums here.

--and I did get that second bike.

still can't let go of the 14

Thinking about a third now. Just thinking. anyone have extra room in their garage?

Rook baby don't let the profound experinces change your essence and from what I see and read you have not let your situatuin divorce change you. It's hard I got two kids too, and in large I am fortuitous in my desire to be a great dad. A good husband, that my friend will require work. So I see you have a busa and a king. Dude I love the pin stripping. Really brings the blck to life.

On a completely different note on of my boys is making patches for a riding group we are trying to form. He is making some cool stuff. I'll email and share it with you.

Hope you get to what you love in your vocation and keep your chin up

Warm Regards,
Marcell

Thanks, Wolf. haha, missed this ...over a year ago!

Love yah Rooker!

Just found this thread.
Rook, it's great to put a clearer face to a guy that has been so much a part of what I have done to my ZX-14.
You are a champ mate and I owe you a beer...

* Last updated by: yannih on 1/4/2015 @ 9:48 PM *

Hey Rook, oh wow didn't know you also own a Busa.. nice the best of both worlds. Oh yeah btw, I'm also divorced from the 1st wife back in 2000 shortly thereafter, I bought a bike. I'd taken a long break but got back on the saddle. On my second marriage after being single for 6 years but now all is well.