Airwolf's Thoughts

Airwolf writes again!

2009-03-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes. —Marcel Proust

As I think about the different people I meet and the certain individuals that stand out, I always come back to the key factor: seeing with new eyes. The new eyes are the eyes of your friends. Not any friends, but people you feel a kindred spirit with, people that a certain synchronicity comes into play with. Oh, it is pretty easy to identify these kinds of friends if you mind and heart are open. You talk to them for a short while and time melts away, everything melts away and you actually make a connection, *bang*, and things change.....

Things change as you see things with the eyes of your special friends. It is almost magic and should be savored. Many people miss out on this, it really requires a certain innocent trust to allow yourself a new view, new feelings, new ideas.

For example, when I was younger, I would never trust some one's new idea until I examined it 100% until I was certain it was "for me." Now that I have taken some time to choose to be honest with myself and open to new ideas, I can hear an idea or thought from a special friend and pretty quickly say, "What the hell, why not?" That is freedom to be yourself, freedom to find out who and what we are. Seeing. I really love the idea that my mind gets filled with ideas that I trust. Could I visit any number of the friends I trust and just be willing to stand with them as the day unfolds? Yes, without reservation. Don't get me wrong, we are all individuals, but trusting and then acting on this trust is essential to growth. For if we don't trust, our heart gets smaller. If we don't act on this trust, our spirit dims. Life is short, trust and act according to your heart.

In my case I have found friends that I know are each one in a million and for that I am ever so grateful....

Airwolf

New Sights and Ideas

2009-03-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Still round the corner there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Well, Mr. Tolkien sure summed it up perfectly, didn't he?

Spending time getting to know people from all around the USA and the world has shown me many new roads and more than a few secret gates. Who doesn't remember the thrill as a child when we explored strange alleys, buildings, dark woods or new places? Oh, the excitement we had, the secret thrill of finding something new and imagining what it was all about.

Now, as adults, many people forget the search, the discovery and the enlightenment. We all get busy, we all go fast. I have been lucky to learn to slow down and take a look around. Wow! -- even as adults, the world is filled with very cool places, interesting people and new ideas. Take a look, take some time, enjoy the journey.

~ Airwolf

Random Thoughts

2009-03-02T23:47:00.000-08:00

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ~ Carl Jung

Hello faithful friends! It is 01:48 local time and I should be sleeping....

But this quote reminds me again of the value of friendship. The value is more than the relationship, the jokes, the time together; the value is the change that takes place. Let's admit is, part of what brings us joy in making new friends is the, as was put to me recently, matching of wavelengths between two people. This leads to a transformation and Jung said it so much better than I. This transformation happens in a quick instant, before we even know what or how things changed.

Also I mentioned "seeing" a friend, if face to face or, importantly, idea to idea. These ideas and thoughts are the transforming aspect of a friendship. Think of someone you meet in person for the first time and you wish to "grab" them and not let go?! This is a powerful feeling that most people do not act on, at least not at first meeting. But this shows the strength of the emotion. Our friendships outnumber our usual "love" relationships, yet the deep friendships match or can even exceed the usual romantic love we find with a mate. Is this a bad thing? In no way! What we see here is the range of feelings that brew inside of us.

Each of us, when open, is always a searcher. This searcher keeps the the mind open to new people, experiences, and worlds. Finding something new does not replace the "old" us, it transforms us.

Let us all hope we always stay open to the feelings, the ideas, and the sight of new friendships, feelings, and trust.

Trust? It always comes to this. You meet someone who you trust right away....what a wonderful chance to grow, to learn, to be.

Airwolf

Airwolf finds his thoughts again!

2009-02-26T21:41:00.000-08:00

I am a part of all that I have met. ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

Wow, this has been a few weeks of no thoughts for me, or so it seems. I have been thinking a lot actually, but as a friend pointed out, when the words come, they come.

So.... This quote really matters to me. In a very few months, I have made new and wonderful friends that, for the most part, defy description. Oh I am sure most will be reading this and will know who I am talking about, but the important concern here is this: what is our identity? Oh from the study of communications we know that we all have many identities that grow and change over time. What I am concerned with now is the impact certain people have on who we are and what we become.

Ok, now I know I am back to writing, since this is getting serious. Please read on all my friends. This will get more personal as I write more....

When studying identity development, one concept stands out. There is a term called "particular others." These "particular others" are important people in an individual's life whose opinions and behavior influence the various aspects of identity. Ok, this is pretty detailed. What is means is simple: people we meet and develop relationships with change us. That is not to say we change ALL of our identity (remember, we have many identities); we see changes in some aspects of who we are.

Isn't this wonderful?! I can say, for the first time in my life, I understand this concept, first hand. We learn, we grow, we understand ... all from who we meet, who we trust, who we respect. The changes can be large or small, deep or on the surface. The beautiful part of all this is that it becomes part of us.

Now don't say too quickly, "Well DUH, Airwolf just figured this out!" Come on, we all assume that we know ourselves, perhaps we recognize the changes, we we claim to always know ourselves. What I have found here is that we don't know ourselves, that is OK, and we are changing parts of our identity more than we know based on our interactions with others.

Now your head hurts.

I dream dreams of a twilight motorcycle ride, fast through low and mysterious hills, a friend on the next bike over. I glance over at his visor and see, not with my eyes, his smile, his wink as we both goose the throttle and find further road to eat.

I dream of a wolf walking hand in hand with a friend, sharing the joy of freedom and the knowing of a secret that really was always there for anyone interesting in opening their eyes.

I dream of spending the day with a friend, sharing laughs, having some adventure, seeing the joy of life through the interaction.

These three dreams are all based on "seeing." Think about that. The gear, the animal, the person. All require vision and all are just as real as the next. Don't forget that this is the true measure of us: opening our eyes, not being afraid, and just seeing.

Airwolf

Today and Tomorrow

2009-02-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each days a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

- Nickelback

And, by popular request, somewhat deeper:

One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.

— Andr Gide

Now I share this with you because this really sums up the point of our existence. Surely our purpose was not to stay in one place mentally or physically for 80 years? The song says, "try...." That is the key. We may not all do everything, but we can try and see how the other paths feel on our feet, boots, paws....

As I mentioned about expressing yourself and seeing the real you, taking steps in that direction of self discovery are essential. Before others can see you, you have to know yourself.....

Airwolf

Airwolf undersatnds

2009-02-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, the sage advice and friendship I have received from the select few who welcomed me as a friend have transformed into a key of freedom.

Arf?

That means, the ideas and loving care from friends has allowed me to focus my thoughts and share with others. The people who understand will always be very few and far between, but at least now I recognize them very quickly.

In the past days I have learned more about my motivations and drives than I have in the past decades! I have actual memories of sci-fi and fantasy worlds from when I was 10 that have eluded me all this time. I had just an inking of connection through bike gear, but the seed was missing. The actual point of origin of my first mental brush with this life. This life? Arf? This life of wanting to show the world or my friends the skin I wish to show them in order that they may better understand me. The skin that I choose, the skin that IS me. We all have more than one skin. But friends are and should be forever....these people learn about us from what we show and what we do. This leads to who we are. Nothing is sweeter than having someone know you.

--airwolf

Thoughts on finding others in the night

2009-02-01T20:50:00.001-08:00

Airwolf howled on a moonlit night in the dark of the ancient woods.

Did anyone hear, was anyone or anything listening or watching?

This is the story of many, many years. This all did not come up on me just recently my any means. For gear people, these feelings run very deep in their being. You cannot and would not dare pull this out. You would surely take the soul from the person.

In my case, my higher faculties ran the show and my gear ideas were forced to remain only ideas for far too long, but I didn't know that....other than the certain empty feeling when I looked sideways at open spaces and ancient vistas. The gear, whatever the type so long as it changes you from head to toe, is part of an ancient calling for humans. This is where we came from, a time of magic, changing shapes, and not depending just on your eyes to know someone.....

In any case, Airwolf howled in the woods and many heard him. He was not alone......

---Airwolf

Gear moved, head changed..........

2009-01-31T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hey there!

Remember what I said about gear people being a different race? Well, they sure are. All share the soul of friendship and expression, all share the wish to express who they are and who they wish to be in the hopes of meeting others with a similar calling. Wolves form packs. We all show the transformation that makes us, really us. So if you see a biker-wolf, you know who you are seeing. If you see any type of gear person, you are lucky since you are seeing them as they are. A friend suggested short and sweet, so I will keep this short! :D You know who you are, thanks!!

AIRWOLF MEETS TWO INTERESTING PEOPLE :D

Tonight, Airwolf not only made one new friend travelling and exploring on his own journey of discovery and life, Airwolf also met another...the very first Stateside person I connected with at the primal level. I have met some GREAT guys here in the USA and shared a lot, but the deepest understanding has been only over the ocean so far.... Primal is key.... Now remember, this is not a search for love or that type of relationship (one doesn't search for such a thing), but friendships and understanding. Now I can say, in addition to my most special and supportive friends in Europe who know who they are, I have met one, one special gear person here in the States (!) who understands all we understand and, well, is special. :D :D This friend read my thoughts as only certain gear people can do. It is scary and really, really good news. I was told they would "be out there" from some wise mates....I am glad I listened.

What does this mean? New friends. That is always good news!

--Airwolf

Nobody wants to be the last one there......

2009-01-29T20:23:00.000-08:00

Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares

- Nickelback

Greetings all friends and interested people! By now, many of you will have decided that I am insane or worse :D Actually I can see both sides of the argument and vote for “not insane,” but certainly different. I know, no fair giving me a vote, but this is my blog :)

Perhaps that is what makes any of us unique if not interesting. One of my goals here remains opening these ideas to people, who may be interested but somehow feel a bit crazy or scared to do much more than think about these ideas, let alone talk about or act on them. From my experience (and that is new to say the least) I have recognized the obvious: there are many more people interested in this gear-world than will ever come forward to try, talk, or explore. If just one or two get solace from reading my blog and think to themselves, “I may be crazy, but I am NOT alone.” This is a theme some of the best people I have ever met have shared with me, “not alone.” A powerful statement to drive the dark and lonely feelings away and to let some light in.

The Nickelback lyric up top works because it is a universal truth. When you find yourself part of a group like this or wanting to be part of a group like this, you can quickly find yourself adrift and unsure. Some good news for people interested or called to this type of gear interest we discuss here in this blog: we are such a small subset of serious gear lovers, we can be considered rare. Trust me, when you find yourself in a truly rare group that you belong to, you will find warm hearts, open doors and open minds. It might not seem so during your search…but don’t be put off, follow your heart, or as I was told, “when you see a star, sometimes you grab for it.”

This is going to be short today since this is a moving subject for me and I can never thank enough the friends that gave me a smile, a warm heart, and some supportive words.

-Airwolf

The People, Me, the Others

2009-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

-Nickelback

I mention this Nickelback verse from the song, "If Everyone Cared." This verse helps me make the jump from the talk about the facts of the gear-people to the hearts of the gear people and what really matters. If you have hung on this long, things are going to get more personal, more one on one and a whole lot less analytical....

Now I come to thinking more about this at a personal level with more heart. Up until now you have read a description, an outline, an opinion offered for your consumption. This is a little cold and will miss the point if I continue on this path. This really is not about just the definitions, the facts or the figures surrounding "them," this group, this race, these people.....because, well, I am part of "them" and I want to open the gate to others like me and others who are curious ( :D to you know who for the insight, but he is innocent).

Ok, this post also is titled The People. The People are the ones you care about, the friends you talk to, the people you learn about and share with. The People are not the group, the race, or anything like that...The People are the individuals you like, you love, you cry for, you try to understand and have them understand you. In this whole scheme, I don't want to forget that any group is only as worthwhile as the ties that bind you together. Now someone with a joke will mention two bikers tied up and that could happen ;) but in this case the ties that bind are the relationships and friendships that transcend skins, even gear. Good to remember that the gear becomes part of the person, so you do not have to focus on it but can look at your friends and grow from there.

The Others? I do not want to focus on an Us/Them scheme, but I admit that those of us into gear are a group apart and we revel in that, to be sure. I want to say that we don't want The Others, the outside world to be afraid of us, to be intimidated, to be wary. In fact, from the gate comment above, the gate IS open. Come up to us, ask what we are about, I promise that the people I know and call friends will take the time to share a good word, a laugh, even a photo. You might find an interest you didn't know you had in motorcycles, the gear, or just make a new friend. Even if it is just a passing "hello," I hope you walk away with a smile and an understanding that the gear is not a wall but a window :D Take a peek in, we only bite our friends once they get to know us ;)

Me? You would wait around to hear more about Me. I'll start here and see where this leads. :)

Please think about that Nickelback quote at the top. That is really what I am about. It might sound simplistic, but the words match the love I feel for my fellow man. Getting to know other gear people has made it easier to share warmth and ideas since having such a unique and interesting common ground is a great place to begin any friendship. Since I can't really make friends of all people, I look toward those I feel kinship with. Like I mentioned, I welcome the chance to meet others, escpecially if they seem me on my bike in gear and wonder "what is that about?" Especially here in the USA where full gear is rare, I love the chance to be in public and have someone ask about me, the gear, the bike, etc. I do not want to be only the enignma but also the new person they should walk up to and say Hello. :) Maybe they don't become part of this life, but they should be able to tell their friends, "see those people, they are nice and you can trust them."

That will lead me to tomorrow on pondering "trust" and what it is all about for people like us and perhaps, all people. ;)

-- Airwolf

Getting down to the gear and the people.....

2009-01-27T13:29:00.001-08:00

So it seems this is off to a prolific start at least! Many thanks to Gearfetisch for the first comments and making some ideas more clear for my readers. This is to you Gearfetisch:

The idea of the different race of people bears a little more investigation since I left you with that to think about. For the most part, I continue to refer to the sport bike group with full gear, a fully covered presentation that borders on (and sometimes exceeds) full anonymity.

Just like Gearfetisch sought to be clear on, this is not about origins or traditional "race" by any means; this is about the "feelings and choices" and more importantly the desire and innate attraction (more on that later) to be around people that share similar values, hopes, ideas, desires, and outlook. Now, this might sound vague and could apply to any distinct group of people or friends. I beg you to reserve judgment and consider the following. This certain group of gear fetishists, is a group that looks for the extension of themselves with the gear, through the gear, and most importantly, with friends in the gear.

What's going on here? This still sounds like a group of friends, albeit with a heck of a passion. Here is where you can pull some of this together.... These people are 100% comfortable in their bike gear. They are so comfortable, they can live, ride, eat, sleep and even go to the coffee house in their gear. It turns out that these people are comfortable in their own skin which just happens to be the gear they wear. You see where this is headed? A different race, based on a common drive/desire to show others who we really are. A gear fetishist shows people in the world one of two things: other gear fetishists can see right though the dark helmet, leather, gloves, boots and look at the person as they are on the inside. The general public likely sees a dark, sometimes humorous, often foreboding image that they may avoid or they may be pulled to at some level.

All this might sound like mush to some and I accept that. Reading is part of learning and I hope people will keep reading!

Here is a point to consider when you digest the words above: This group (I won't throw around the word race even so, since I am trying to make a point) of people have a very, very special connection though the gear but not only about the gear. They really are all about each other. I have found kindness, open arms, playfulness, honor, thoughtfulness, and even desire brewing in this select group....in that order. Think about what would drive someone to become what some outsiders would consider obsessed with the gear, yet not use this "obsession" for sex but friendship? This is not an obsession or a simple fetish at all but a change in the way of basic thinking about image, who we are, and what we want to discover. The journey is the destination.

Think about this as I leave you today. Everyone knows the stories about the knights of antiquity. Look at the common features of their lives, work, drives and loves and then compare this to some of the really serious biker gear fetishists you might know. Just a thought.....who stands together with his comrades while the rest of the world is not understanding yet is always intrigued? How many people do you know are happy *really* knowing their friends, yet willing to wear who they are totally on the outside....if people could see and understand, they would see no mystery at all...............

Airwolf and introduction to gear

2009-01-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Ok! First entry and I promise to be entertaining, talkative and Airwolf-ish. What is Airwolf-ish? Read on, read on....

This blog will talk about sport bike gear and the mental side of things that lead us to enjoying and participating in all this.

Likely you are reading this at my invitation or linked from the Gear Fetish.com community. In either case, you'll know pretty much what gear is all about and more specifically, sport bike full coverage type gear.

Now this may come as a shock to many, but I love full coverage sport bike gear in leather. I have an interest in other tight fitting, full coverage gear like wetsuits and the like. Perhaps this limits me, and I am sorry if you enjoy textile gear, socks, jocks, shoes or smelly blankets.....you likely won't connect (nor would you want to) with me on these levels. In any case, I am open to hearing and answering comments from all interested parties......

Where to begin? As a gear-fetishist I could follow one of several worldwide camps or none at all. I have quickly fallen in with the mainland Europeans and the Brits. These fellow, shall we say enthusiasts are into full head to toe sport bike leather with visor-down helmets, gloves and boots. This group seems to be complimented by an American guard primarily on the East Coast. The Americans seem to be as passionate about the gear as our friends across the pond, but the numbers here in the States are smaller. You likely know these people or know of them, so I won't make this list here. Let's just say, their behavior, gear, and actions instantly called out to me at a fairly primal level.

One more thing: Any comments are mine alone and are NOT a judgement about the quality or appropriateness of your fetish. This is about my gear fetish and the way I feel in my desire to share with others, especially others who feel like I do.

Let's consider the "typical" gear fetishist: this guy loves football or sport gear, he likes the way it feels, looks and performs...both on him, other guys and potential partners. Sounds simple. The gear ranges from football kit (full football uniform & all that goes with it) to baseball kit to even basic Lycra and UnderArmour type athletic wear. These guys often are passionate about what they enjoy and often do not get to share to explore with others. This is often a lonely pursuit. Other fringe gear fetishists such as the jock strap artists, sock collectors, shoe admirers or (as above) dirty blanket lovers are surely great people, but hardly engage in a life pursuit, let alone outlook changing.....to each his own, but my talks and thoughts will not address these fetishes.

This brings us me closer to my love, but not quite! Hold on, the ride will get faster and better soon.....

Now that I can discuss "serious" gear and the people that pursue this course, I'll talk about two major types here. Some guys will go to extreme expense and be VERY passionate about their gear, head to toe, inside and out (!). Once a guy is so driven (and don't be mistaken, there are some women into this, but I doubt we'll see them stand out), he will have one of two motivations and these are never black or white but usually one is primary.

These are simple motivations:

(1) To get laid as often and as kinkily as possible. The simple search for satisfaction! We have all either been in this mindset or still are. I make no value judgements here, but this is not my primary motivation nor that of most of the fellow gear fetishists that I call friends.

(2) To spend as much time in gear as possible, sharing the experiences with quality like-minded friends and explore the gear and the boundaries that present themselves.

Again, no harm, no foul, if you are looking only to get laid. Since I am looking at gear as an extension of who I am and not as a sex-tool, I will not address the wild world of using great gear to get naked as quickly as possible.

Here is the point where I lose three quarters of the audience! What? Not looking for hot sex? Not wanting to be naked? Wanting to connect (ehh gads) with others? Yeah, it might seem lame, but those still reading are who I am talking to!

Now I move on to the world of sportbike gear and what motivates, what drives, what excites the people into this world. Many of these guys also like other gear such as SCUBA, wetsuits, latex, rubber, etc., but one thing is in common: full coverage and no rush to get out of the gear....no rush at all.... ;)

This is getting long, so I'll end this day's entry with a quote from a very special friend...someone who understands a lot about this life and way of thinking. Take the time to think about this quote and if it even partially makes sense to you, I promise you'll enjoy this blog.

"Gearfetishists are a differenent race of people." - A friend to those who take the time to know him......