No "No," All Systems Go

 Gun's Quote:

"I think it's a great idea!"

-Dr. Brown

"I think this makes sense."

-Fr. Vince

"I think you should go for it."

-Bill

"Well, you're an adult. If this will get your mind right, I'm all for it."

-Mom

"Gary, you've been happier in the last several months than I have seen you in years. Of course you should do it."

-Chris

Nobody said, "No." Not even Mom.

On July 12th, after meeting with Fr. Vince, I explained why I thought I should buy a motorcycle and how it could help teach me virtue. He agreed my logic was sound.

On July 14th, after meeting with my therapist, Bill, he agreed that getting started on a motorcycle would be very healthy and provide many benefits by challenging myself in new ways.

On July 15th, I met with my psychiatrist, Dr. Brown, who not only agreed that starting a new "hobby" was a great idea, but he was excited for it. Knowing I have been struggling for a while, he really emphasized that doing something novel could tremendously help my mental health, especially in light of trying so many other medical options with marginal success.

Only July 23rd, I watched a DanDanTheFireman YouTube video where DanDan interviewed a motovlogger by the name of "Walterrific." DanDan was interviewing Walter because Walter had a motorcycle accident and the two were discussing what happened, how it could have been prevented, how the EMTs did their job and the lessons learned. During the video, DanDan asked Walter about Mental Health. It was surprising to me... why did this have anything to do with an After Action Review of a motorcycle accident?

It was because DanDan and Walterrific had both publicly discussed that they had struggled with Depression on their YouTube channels. This caught my attention.

I looked up Walterrific's YouTube channel and searched for these videos that Walter posted about Depression. He was very candid and transparent, and I very much appreciated listening to his perspective. The idea that a guy in his late 20s was posting videos to a YouTube subscriber base of 2.4 million people about his mental health struck me as very brave. Beyond that, Walter talked about how his bike was his "therapy."

Even sitting at the DMV that exact same day didn't put up a barrier. (I decided to get the motorcycle endorsement just in case I decided to do this so that I could test-drive bikes) The State of Kansas mailed me a form to take to the DMV after passing the MSF, but they checked the wrong box. So, when I went into the DMV, they said they couldn't put the motorcycle endorsement on my license because the form was filled out wrong. Because it's the DMV and you wait for days to get in, I asked if we could call Topeka and work it out over the phone. Slightly taken aback by my request, the attendant asked me to wait for just a second and that she would go ask her supervisor.

Her supervisor shows up and re-explains the situation to me about the form. I asked again if we could call the Treasury Department in Topeka and straighten the situation out over the phone. Her response? "We are the Treasury Department. Kansas' DMV and Treasury Department are the same department."

"So... the form came from you..."

She just looked at me with those eyes and that smirk that says, "Touche."

"OK, you passed the MSF?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you did it on a motorcycle, not a tricycle?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Then she took out a pen, scratched out the incorrect box on the form, checked the correct one, initialed it, handed it to the attendant and said, "Process his license."

Seriously... even the government seemed to bend over backwards to make this happen for me. Nobody, and I mean nobody, said, "No."

It was as if the universe was conspiring to make this happen, and yet, there was a part of me that was still on the fence. Part of me was still unsure. Part of me was scared. This was radical. This was a risk. Was it really the right call?

On July 30th, I watched a YouTube video by Walterrific that would answer that question for certain.

It's Hard to Be Upset On a Motorcycle

As one last gut-check, I asked my roommate, Chris, if I should buy a bike. He looked at me like I had three heads. Between taking the MSF, doing the researching, seeking the advice and counsel of friends and family and being excited about the idea in general, I became happier. He could tell. He told me I would be an idiot if I didn't move forward. Sometimes you need tough love like that.

Defeating the ANTs. Virtue. Therapy. Nobody said "No." Nobody said "Don't do this." As a matter of fact, to my surprise, I was encouraged to go for it.

So, I did.

...and that's why it's a Gun's Quote!!