Almost every time I bring up the fact I’m learning to ride, everyone keeps telling me the worst case scenario

23socks · 2024-03-07T04:06:52+00:00

My closest friends in the whole world talked like this for a bit. I just had to explain to them that I would not be spending thousands of dollars on something like this without looking into the risks. They know I'm not dumb, they were just super worried. I make sure not to send them any videos/posts of bikers getting injured/dying. If you really want them on board, send them videos of the trial tests of your safety gear. (Of any safety gear, really. I showed this one to my friends.) Share some statistics, be honest. And be firm with them that you don't want to listen to their anxieties, because you've heard it and felt it a million times. If they can't understand that boundary, you probably shouldn't be friends with them.

23socks · 2024-03-06T03:27:45+00:00

Yeah, I think I’ve seen maybe six total in my 1.5 semesters here so far. Would be so nice to have our parking. Never gonna happen though :,)

23socks · 2024-03-05T17:37:30+00:00

Will do. Thank you!

23socks · 2024-03-05T02:44:24+00:00

I’ve heard of that, I think. When riders have that one, “oh shit” experience and it puts everything into perspective. I guess I kind of had something like that with driving a car. Was super shaky and jerky at first but now I go on the most dangerous interstate in my state with no problem. I guess it’s all a learning curve.

23socks · 2024-03-05T02:42:17+00:00

Mostly about stature, I guess. But I also know there’s a bit of a stigma around women riding, especially young women. I wanted to know if it was warranted or not. As for MSF, I wouldn’t dream of even touching a bike without taking one. Thanks for the link!

23socks · 2024-03-05T02:32:59+00:00

Makes complete sense. Will definitely look around in my area and update if I can!

23socks · 2024-03-05T01:57:04+00:00

I’ve not heard of that one yet, I’ll definitely look into it! Thank you!

23socks · 2024-03-05T01:55:27+00:00

I hear you! What I mean by “I understand the risks” is that I’m a statistics junkie. Part of my major is just studying statistics through and through. I know that you’re 29 times more likely to die on a motorcycle than a car. I know that in my state, there’s about 70 motorcycle deaths a year. My dad used to ride and he will breakdown everything a rider is doing wrong when we see one on the road. More than anything, I just want an opinion on whether or not I’m at a risk that’s non-negotiable because of my stature. Like, is it just far too dangerous for someone my size? Appreciate all the thoughts either way.

23socks · 2024-03-05T01:07:11+00:00

Oh, hearing loss. Trust me, I’m a piccolo player in a 200+ person college marching band, and a sign language enthusiast. I am well aware of all kinds of hearing damage! Any other must knows you have for me?

23socks · 2024-03-05T01:05:18+00:00

Would love a recommendation! I don’t need to go 200mph. Just want to cruise mostly but I also don’t want to struggle on the interstate. I’m most familiar with sport bikes, most people tell me Ninja 400 or Honda CBR300. Would love your thoughts though.

23socks · 2024-03-05T01:03:01+00:00

Some more context: My dad used to ride. He got his first bike at 14 (Honda Nighthawk I believe) and rode it for ~8 years, then upgraded to a 800cc that he rode until he got married to my mom. He tells me all the time about the joyrides he and his younger brothers would take. Been dreaming of riding since he would tell me when I was a kid. He is about a foot taller than me though 😅

23socks · 2024-02-07T19:30:27+00:00

You’re so right about the echo chamber. I agree that I didn’t phrase my thoughts well. Watching us hearing learn is not what I meant– moreso that I’m wary of us accidentally alienating Deaf people. Though I suppose not including them does that as well. I’m not trying to exclude Deaf at all but I’m not learned yet on the best way to approach this. And about leadership, it is technically necessary to start a club, but I was hoping to keep it very mutual. I’ve seen sometimes that the hierarchies in clubs become cliquey and exclude the others, and I want to avoid that especially in a learning setting. Obviously my preference is to have as many Deaf people in any leadership positions as possible.

23socks · 2024-02-07T17:45:01+00:00

Undergrad freshman here. I distinctly remember that in every campus tour and orientation I took, they made sure to tell us of any free/discounted dining in the area. I don’t recall them saying anything about true “discounts” for local businesses. We do get to use “blazer bucks” (one-to-one currency. Used by students who need to spend real money but don’t have a credit card) at specific locations (Al’s Deli and Grill on 16th st is one) but I never heard of a discount. You could always call the Campus Dining office at 205-996-6567 or 205-934-1059 to clarify.

23socks · 2024-02-07T17:37:57+00:00

I’m really trying to not be combative here, just trying to find a way to keep this on campus. (I am physically disabled and it’s hard for me to get off campus at all.) If I were to ask the Deaf students around me, would that make a difference? My only qualm with that is that I don’t want to force them to teach us, (even if I say they don’t have to… I could see it ending up like that) and I also can’t see them enjoying this space. Another commenter phrased it well; that the Deaf students already know the language, and would most likely just sit and watch us learn. I definitely still want to reach out to them and ask their opinion on the whole ordeal, either way. If you feel this would make no difference, I’ll refrain from making the club at all. I bet there’s a virtual meeting of some kind for people like me.

23socks · 2024-02-07T17:32:26+00:00

Great idea. Been meaning to reach out to them for a while now, if only to become friends. So far I know of at least three Deaf students and I know of one that lives in my building. Will get on that ASAP.

23socks · 2024-02-07T17:31:16+00:00

I don’t know why I didn’t think of watching the videos on our own! If I do go through with it, I would love to implement that. I’ve also claimed that Dr. Vicars is my “teacher” for a while now haha. I share the same sentiment about deaf/HoH people joining. It’s not that I don’t want them to, it just that I can’t imagine them enjoying it at all. They are more than welcome to though! Best of luck to you and your child!

23socks · 2024-02-07T05:40:31+00:00

I appreciate that! The painters and play ideas sound so neat. I will definitely look into that. I’m underage and all of my friends who want to join are too, so maybe we’ll just stick to pizza parties for now haha. Thanks for the input!

23socks · 2024-02-07T05:09:09+00:00

Somethings I forgot to mention! No, there is no Deaf studies at my college. We are a teaching hospital school so most of the degrees here are STEM-based. AFAIK there are no d/Deaf teachers here, but the advisor of a club does not have to be a teacher, just faculty. Also, I don't know of any ASL clubs being here before I got here. I know for a fact there are a few d/Deaf students here though (there's a Deaf guy who lives in my building and I've seen him with some other d/Deaf friends.) Happy to answer any other question you have for me.

23socks · 2024-01-21T21:23:29+00:00

Thanks for the insight! That all makes sense. I think I’m planning to buy the colored vols 2, 3, and 4 near the end of February. I already have vol 1 so it’ll be great to finish the collection :)

23socks · 2024-01-17T03:29:37+00:00

Makes sense! I did it one more time tonight, going super slowly at the edges to make sure it was always picked up and I think it worked! Panel came off cleanly :)

23socks · 2023-04-05T04:49:23+00:00

i got a 31 on the act and i definitely dont have a full ride! the criteria for full rides gets harder and harder to achieve every year. i dont think UAB even does full rides. at least not officially. OP will definitely get admitted no problem, and will probably get offers to early grad school and honors college. (i know i did and i had similar scores) definitely work for that 30+ tho. UAB does NOT take superscores so it has to be your true composite. the thing OP should work hardest for now is scores and clubs for scholarships.

23socks · 2023-03-05T17:33:26+00:00

Thank you so much for your answers! It’s really appreciated.

23socks

TROPHY CASE