Hi all,
It has become a very natural practise that if I have to go anywhere crowded, I am driven by my wife or son. I have totally stopped driving the cars though I put my foot down in regard to my dream bike - azulita. Thats her name (I wonder why I decided it was a she!!??).
Anyway, today sunday is the day when I refused anyones company and have decided to go out and do all the wierd stuff I normally do on my own. I want to pick up a nice watch, that my son described to me and then planning to pick up some more clothes (a nasty habit).I then want all the girls to look at me longingly and then spend money on the stupiest of things.I am also very keen on picking up new MP 4 player - so lets see.
I still have not decided where I am off to but am all set to do so. Will give everyone details of Ananth's day out (like Baby's day out) and what I managed to do alone.
Keep your fingers crossed that everything has gone of fine for me as I would have finished with my day out by the time you read this post.
Love you all,
Ananth

Hi Ananth, Glad to hear that you have again put your foot done and are doing it your way. You sound like my kinda guy. After seeing your recent photos on this site I hope you brought your broom with you to beat off all of the women who will be longing for you when they see you out and about alone. Hope you had a great day spending lots of money! My daughter came home from the University this weekend and we are getting ready to go out to have breakfast. She said she then wanted me to go shopping with her and when I said I didn't really fell like it she said "please come with me Dad" which only means she wants me to bye her some cloths as she knows I can't ever say "NO". Hope you had a great day and that you didn't break too many hearts. Fondly, Steven

sorry....put your foot "down" not done. It appears that I have developed what is known as chemobrain!

You Dads and your girls lol

Hey You!
Steeing out on your own is a big thing!
My confidence was shattered during treatment and i hated leaving the house. I looked awful - i didn't even have the will to do my make-up! (and that's a BIG DEAL to me).
Having the Groshong line & a tummy tube i felt so vunerable- what if they got yanked out or something?!
But i got there in the end. & i realised people are far too engrossed in their own little lives to be interested in me!
Now i'm fine... Quite happy to strut down the street on my own!

Have a great day

Hi Steven,
Yep - had a great time going all around the place on my own. Though much to refrain me I took out my bike and I think I handled her pretty well in the crowded places as well. When you ride a super bike like mine all the women (girls, grandmoms, moms and all of them) really give you those looks and the guys hate you!!

I did do a bit of shopping but did not blow up as much money as I had planned on. I would keep getting calls from home to find out if I was ok - till I switched off my cell. I picked up the dream watch - Its a Tissot with the works in it and also indulged in some after shaves and deos - the only ones I use - Paco Rabbane(black musk), Paco Rabane - ultraviolet and one Tabac with their deos.
I wanted to pick up some clothes - some new stuff to hit the market - but then had A LOT of second thoughts as to how long would I really wear them. So it was a no no. Finally on my way back I picked up some great grilled chicken and Kebab rolls for all at home and a huge tetra pack of Brocolli Juice. I have not tried it out as yet but will today.

All kids are the same all over the world - be it your daughter or my sons. They finsd a way to take you out and then tell you something they want that is not to expensive and as you near the shop/s the prices increase with each step and by the time you have reached the shop its too late and have no option but to take out your credit card! My sons do not indulge in clothes too much as all their Ts', shirts, jeans etc. are sent by a friend of mine in South India, who manafacturers for Levis, Tommy Hillfiger and Gap.The guys have such a grip on this friend that he just cannot say no and sends the latest of stuff the moment the first batch is out from production. These guys are more keen on the electronic things and there is nothing left that they do not have and I am happy to say - it has become very tough for them to decide on anything new they would want.

Anyway, it was fun as I caught up with some friends who I had not met in ages (friends???) and spent some time just sitting on the edge of the road watching the world go by. I know that sounds whacko and everyone must have thought I was one but it was fun to different kind of people walk by. I had all these crazy vendors coming up to me and asking me in "pure" English if I wanted to buy some real Indian ethinic stuff and when I would not answer the guys would switch in to Spanish then French and then would make the grave mistake of abusing in Hindi. Then its fun to watch their faces and big eyes - that this guy can actually speak Hindi!!! Anyway - got home in one peace and then of course the nagging began as to why my cell phone was switched off? did I wear my helmet all the time? Did I go and hit anyone?
Did I pick any fights with the cops? and on and on......( and to think I am 49!!!) Oh yes - I got my ponytail braided in different coloured threads and now that looks very wierd but noone has said anything so far!!. The shock itself is enough for people to keep shut!!!!!!
I think in your case, Steven, your daughter really wants to be in your company and see no reason why you cannot indulge her once in a way. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she spends all the money you have in your wallet and credit cards!!!
Lots of love,
Ananth

Dear Cookey,
Where would men be without women? Where would have Adam have been if it had not been for Eve. Its just one of those things which age is no bar. Men are Men and Women are Women and thats the way it is. However, honestly I do not even glance at the young girls who dress up in ways that could drive any man nuts - as I can see my sons hanging around with them. All their age. However, that does not stop them from seeing someone different!

Dear Michelle,
Though I do go out its normally in the car as it is not too trying to drive around and if I am not upto it, my wife takes over. The bike is something else and the advantage of the bike is you have to lean forward to ride and cannot take a passanger unless(she) the person is clinging on for dear life to you!! I do wear all my protective gear when on the bike and look as though I have just come off the race track!! Just joking about the racing look but yes - I do wear my safety gear- arm, knee pads, gloves, special glasses and a really good helmet. I try to keep it slow and nice but at times when I find I am getting bogged down with some old guy driving as though he is a novice and drives in the middle of the road - I rev up and the guy gets a shock of his life as he can hardly see the bike streaking across. One thing I have stopped though is dragging as that does become tiring and however tempting it may get I refuse - and then she is too precious to get damaged!!
You are totally right about people being in their own world and as they cannot see any outward scars - like the tracheostomy and I have a normal voice and the peg tube, well tucked and protected under a T. - noone gives a second glass except to see what I am - if I am an Alien or British!!!!! . I have no idea why they club the two species to be one!!!
Lots of love and xxxx,
Ananth

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ANANTH,

Ananth,
We have a Honda CBR 100 (Blackbird) in electric blue, and a Honda VFR 750 and an old Ariel Huntmaster 650, so I know exactly what you mean about bikes. I just sit on the back !!

Dear Winnie,

Its strange how even one has the opportunities to drive some of the most expensive cars in the world one still prefers the bike. You have a super collection and I would love to VFR 750 and Huntmaster 650.Do you all still use them? and hope you really mantain them. I guess I have mentioned it earlier - I ride a 1000 cc Hayabusa, specially modified for me by the Company ( not many people with cancer really want to ride such fast and heavy bikes!!).
When I joined Mercedes Benz, I used to ride a Yamaha 350 cc - twin cylinder which was fast. The only hassle with the bike was if I was riding in the rain and water got into one of engines. The bike would continue cruising at a good speed and the suddenly as the engine dried up - it would take off alomst leaving the rider behind. The bike did not do well here in India due to the price factor and we had the same problem with the BMW 650. I truly loved the bike and one day when I reached home- I did not find the bike (I had been really busy and did not have time for her) and guess what - my dear wife had sold her off to a guy who had been pestering me for it and I had been putting him off.
My new bike- the Hayabusa was more of being capricious and even though I could have opted for a cheaper bike with a smaller cc - I went in for this one. Luckily Yamaha had already imported it into India and I did not have to pay the duty but even then it cost me as much as a new mid range car would cost. I chose the color and the changes which the Company did with charging as long as I did a publicity film for them. I had no problems with that and I think I looked pretty okay in the ads!!

Riding a 1000 cc in Delhi or for that matter anywhere in India is actually seeking a death sentence ( which most Indians have - they step infront of your car/bike suddenly. They willbe standing on the pavement and the moment they see you coming roaring down they decide to cross the road!!! .

All the same I had a great time and hope to continue for some more time. My younger son has taken possesion of the Honda 275 cc - Karizma, which is another bike everyone eyes as its the fastest bike in the market - made in India. Lets see if I can post a snap of the bikes.
Lots of love,
Ananth

Steven,
Out of curiosity, keeping your toughie image in mind - do you have those tatoos all the Marines keep putting on the arms etc. "Till death do us part", "Stevens Steel" etc.
It would be nice to know.
Love
Ananth

Ananth my friend you cheer me up no end.
Keep strong.
Love and regards
James.

Ananth, You really do make me laugh too. No....I have no tatoos anywhere on my body, but maybe now that I have Cancer in my life I need to get one. I hate to tell you this, but I actually hated being in the Marine Corp., so I did my 2 years and got out with a Honerable Discharge. At age 17, 18 and 19 I surely didn't need some Staff Sargent telling me what to do all day and I use to curse under my breath when I had to salute an Officer.....thought they were all stupid and that I knew it all. Also, didn't like seeing the officers sitting in the dining hall being waited on and eating off plates while I was walking through a slop line getting my meals served to me by being thrown on a metal tray. The life of a Private. So the best thing about the Marine Corp. was that it made me realize that I didn't like being bossed around and that I better go back to school when I got out. So I guess the Marine Corp. at least motivated me to go to College and then Law School full time during the day while I worked at night for 7 years to pay for it. Also created a great deal of arrogance as I came out thinking I was truly one hell of a "Bad Ass" ;-)))). We Marines always think we are the best. So you have any other good ideas for my new tatoo??? Honestly, looking back at my life I'm suprised I didn't have a Marine Corp. Bulldog in uniform put on my arm..LOL. Don't know what I was thinking? I guess I didn't want to fell the pain or hide my muscular bisepsy
Seriously Ananth, I hope your doing ok under the circumstances and not feeling to bad physically at this time. Your mental attitude seems remarkably strong so maybe you were some kind of Milatery BAD ASS in a former life ;-)))
Love and lots of respect for you, Steven

Dear James,
I am glad I am able to keep all of you'll in good cheer as at the end of the day, I would not like to see anyone feeling down in the dumps. We have all fought and are still alive - so why should we live a morose life thinking about tomorrow and after that. Life is what you lead today and make every moment worth living and something to be remembered by not just you but by all those close to you.

I was a gone case before I was diagnosed as I had no time to laugh, smile or do anything that would make people happy even though everyone told me I had a great sense of humor and it took the stupid crab to bring it up forefront.

I know this sounds a bit (or a lot!!) like bragging! Being very very honest I never liked to loose and in fact never ever gave loosing a thought. I guess it was something that my father taught me or bainwashed me into this manner of thinking. I have no intention of giving the crab of pulling me down whatever the circumstances - and that crab is going to have a tough time as long as I have friends like you and the rest around.
Smile!!!
With lots of love,
Ananth

Dear Steven,
I was actually waiting for that one about not being too fond of the Marines bit!! Keeping in mind that your armed forces make you do a mandatory fixed period of service, its not so in India. In fact India has the largest standing ( Voluntary) army in the world. I managed to miss out on my "forced" service in Spain as I was "studying" and when there are seven women to one man - you got to study really hard!!!
As regards to a tatoo - try one out which makes you show off as a macho guy with an attitude. I have a feeling you do that your daughter will refuse to be seen with you - but worth a risk. You could always get "MARINES SUCK" tatooed - but after that dont ever go to a bar where there are a whole lot of Marines. Cancer would be childs play to what the guys would do to you!! Actually I think its best not to have one as likes and dislikes change everyday and I remember I wanted a new tatoo each time I changed my girlfriend and thank God I never got down to doing it!! The Bulldog one seems a pretty good one.
I am taking one day at a time Steven and really have had no pains or aches so far. I know that time is not too far off but I guess it will come on sooner or later. I have no idea when or how much longer as I refuse to get myself checked up. I honestly do not want to spend spend days with a stupid drip and staring at the four walls of the hospital - and even the nurses - you got to see them. They looks itself scare the hell out you and they poke you as though they are playing darts! I would rather spend my time finishing all my work , completing my story(which has been long overdue)and which my mother decided to censor. have you heard of that song " To all the girls I have loved before" by Julio Iglesias? Thats the story of my life and my mum is more then sure there are going to be a whole lot of broken homes by the time I finish!!!

In my next life, I hope I will return as I am except this time but this time keep banging my head till I remember - marraige is bad for ones health!!! I know everyone will give me the brickbats but as my mum says I am the worst husband and father she has ever seen and it would have been better if I had remained unmarried.
Take care Steven and even if you did not like to be a Marine - you have fought harder battles to earn everyones respect.
Love,
Ananth

Good to see bikers on the site,although it would be better if nobody had to be here at all. I love bikes and tattoos. Didn't have any ink for a few years because I didn't think my body needed any more grief for a while, but back to getting tatts regularly now.
My bike really helped get me through my cancer journey. No better way to de-stress. Riding a Fireblade at the moment and got an FJ12 in the shed.

Where are the photos Hagg (and I don't mean of the bikes)! Show us those tatts.