Trillium Motorcycle Tours and Events

October 24, 2011

I am well aware of the fact that I am currently not able to keep my weekly schedule with the blog and I also admit that I am DROWNING – in work!   One person is only able to do so and so much and finally something has to give.

My own little business is picking up because we are looking into the holiday season and this is the first time I’m having to contemplate in how to move forward. It is getting too big for one person to handle. This new situation clearly  presents another roadblock and new challenges for me but hey I already made it that far and things will work out. Nevertheless I am happy and I am still trying to accommodate all my other responsibilities like for example keeping everyone up to date with the progress of the  To Drink the Wild Air project.  I am drinking the Wild Air on a daily basis all right and as unbelievable as it sounds I still was able to contribute with a little Interview to a very special blog.

You can find my short contribution in the Blog tab at Trillium Motorcycle Tours and Events  which contains the Women Rider’s Speak series.

Women Riders Speak is an interview series with female motorcyclists which appears every Monday. Through their stories, they illustrate the trans formative role motorcycling has played in their life. In this interview, Birgit Soyka of San Francisco, CA reflects on how at 51, after a riding gap of sixteen years, she reconnected with her youthful spirit.

When I read the mission statement of this blog it spoke to me immediately. I never looked at it that way because I always felt this oneness with the bikes and it took effort on my part to quit at one point in my life. However, the final statement in the About us tab in the Trillium blog is reflecting my personal journey in precise words and I am hoping that I can share my personal transition and mental transformation with others on this platform. Every transition has its own story, and there is any which way possible to change things in life when there is the willingness to do so. Read on, Trillium’s blog is full with stories well worth to be read.

Since it’s creation in 2003, Trillium’s purpose has been to create an environment which facilitates personal and professional growth through motorcycling. Hundreds of clients have enjoyed fantastic motorcycle experiences throughout the best part of Ontario, made wonderful friends and visited new places – geographically and metaphorically.

While continuing to fulfill its purpose, Trillium’s focus has changed to reflect this perspective-discovering the road to personal and professional leadership and transformation- while still retaining adventure and networking opportunities.


Book Review from myshelf.com

September 3, 2011

Shortly after my speedy trip to Sacramento for my quick guest appearance in the morning show Sacramento & Company I have received via Google alerts a book review I have not even anticipated.

Here is the link          http://www.myshelf.com/reviews.htm

“To Drink the Wild Air” was reviewed and featured in the Adult Non Fiction section right beneath Christopher Hitchens’ “Hitch22″and Stacy Schiff’s “Cleopatra”.

I take it as an honor to receive a book review from an established book review site like myshelf.com.

Here it is:

Another Review at MyShelf.Com


To Drink the Wild Air 

One Women’s Quest to Touch the Horizon
Birgit Soyka

Parendum Books
November 2010/ ISBN 978-0-9830398-0-8
Non-Fiction / Sports / Bio
Amazon 

Reviewed by Justin Feller

This inspirational memoir forced many personal questions I didn’t necessarily know that I had about how I’m choosing to live this life. Reading any book that causes as much self-reflection as this book does cannot be described as anything except excellent. Trying to be the first serious female competitor in a completely male dominated Californian motorcycle scene would be a lofty goal in itself, but over coming everything from career burnout, serious injury, isolation and even deportation makes this achievement completely inspirational. As you follow Birgit Soyka on her life journey you will without a doubt find yourself developing a closeness with this brutally honest, charismatic and often comical author that is rarely found in many books today. If you have recently been pondering that age old question, “Is this all there is to life?” then you will find this book nearly impossible to put down.

  

Reviewed 2011
© 2011 MyShelf.com

KXTV / SACANDOCO NEWS10

August 30, 2011

From my trip to Sacramento this Monday.

It was a great experience and the fastest 7 minutes in my life. 

Guest Birgit Soyka at KXTV Sacramento and Company News 10

‘To Drink The Wild Air’ – August 29, 2011

 Cynthia Butler     23 hrs ago
  • Pursuing what you want in life and actualizing dreams can mean taking chances, throwing caution to the wind and just going for it!

Author Birgit Soyka was racing motorcycles as a twenty-something in her native germany, when she slapped on the golden handcuffs and took a corporate job in the US. Realizing that she has lost her sense of spirit and zest for life, Birgit reclaimed her self and through a journey of wild adventures and experiences began to live again and become the person that she knew she could be.

Birgit writes about her life in her new memoir, “To Drink the Wild Air: A Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon.” Birgit talks about her life with hosts Guy Farris and Jodie Moreno. To read more about Birgit or to purchase her book go to todrinkthewildair.com

Sacramento & Company/News10

Copyright 2011 / All Rights Reserved


Sacramento & Company News 10 abc

August 27, 2011

Entrenched up to my eyeballs with transitional issues, time sensitive projects, business set-up and the occasional Happy hour I always have to expect the unexpected. And so it was this morning at 8 AM. While sipping my hot tea I am checking my mails minding my own business, expecting the usual and only the usual.

The first mail was an unusual one. The text read: Birgit, sorry for such short notice but there is an opportunity to be a guest on the Sacramento and Company morning show on Monday August 29 at 9.00 AM  in Sacramento. Are you available?

Flexibility is the spice of live…. of course I am available. Is it possible for me to switch from survival business mode into an inspiring and informative TV morning show guest talking about the “To Drink the Wild Air” story?

I don’t know but we will find out. On Monday morning at 9 AM on this live link.     Sacramento & Co morning show News 10

There was no time for any advertisement or Marketing. It just dropped onto my calendar out of the blue sky.

The show will be archived and can also be watched later.

I am off to Sacramento tomorrow afternoon  breathing the Wild Air !

 

 


Taking a summer break

July 6, 2011

It is time to take a break. I am exhausted.

I can look back to a successful first half of 2011 and only can hope that the second half will be as vibrant and full with suspense.

Looking back at the beginning of January of 2011 “To Drink the Wild Air” has acquired a number of accolades.  In between a very busy life, work, Associations, Clubs and Networking, birds and hectic social activities the book has appeared in  a number of radio shows, media write-ups, reviews, newspaper articles  and was introduced  at my launch party,  two motorcycle events, one book store event and  five public reading events. All this was accompanied by 24 blog posts to cover all the excitement.

I want to thank all my friends and of course my San Francisco fan base for your support and I have a feeling that this is only the beginning.  I have to re-group and organize and will tune in again sometime in August.

I hope everybody will enjoy a nice summer.

Dreaming about crystal clear waters and the wish that I soon can travel to those places again.

Birgit


Spiritual leadership in life

June 29, 2011

The turnout of the event last night at the West Portal Book shop was great. It was inspiring to me to see so many interested people and I was especially happy to see my San Francisco fan base.

I had prepared a 30 minute presentation and I was glad that everyone participated so nicely.  I spoke to many people I didn’t know and were inspired by “To Drink the Wild Air”. Thank you to the WNBA who gave me the chance to participate and thanks for colleague writer and friend Teresa LeYung Ryan whose support and expertise was indispensible.

Here are some picture from the evening.  Pictures capturing the essence of the moment, capturing the interaction and enthusiasm shared with me , pictures of all the happy faces looking at me while I was speaking about my adventures and thoughts in life.

It was great!!  Thank you for being there.

Introduction of the authors by the book store owner Neal Sofman

” To Drink the Wild Air”  San Francisco fan club !!!!

                                                                                                                  The presentation

Puzzled ????????????????

Teresa LeYung Ryan and  Birgit Wild Air

Wet Portal Book Shop


Exposure,Exposure,Exposure

June 21, 2011

Not to say that Location, Location, Location doesn’t matter. It does! Exposure in the right location is most ideal.

I can talk about a busy and eventful weekend.  With summer coming into full swing I also had to take advantage of the rare sunshine blessing us. Who knows how long it is going to last.  Hence that’s the reason for the delay.

Last Saturday I was part of a very dynamic group of authors who gathered at the San Mateo County Fair / Literary Arts event to introduce their books.  It was interesting to see the passion of each author about their accomplishment. These are the moments when it is most important to recognize the fact that a book made out of paper, pages, covers is something special. It is a different world and we only can hope that books will never fade away.

In the evening of the same day I went to our group launch party from the San Francisco Writers Community. By the time I arrived there was already a crowd. We had ten participants reading from their published books and spent the rest of the evening with good conversations and socializing. Also here I met again interesting people although I have joined the group already 2 years ago. This is the beauty in the Writers community. The constant flux of likeminded souls looking to bring their thoughts to paper to share their writing with the world.


Book Shop West Portal June 28 2011

June 11, 2011

This week I had to begin with preparing all the appearances of this month.  The last event this month will be held at the Book Shop West Portal in San Francisco.

I visited the book store last week and the moment I set foot into the store I immediately got lost in the world of books. Needless to say I didn’t leave the store without buying a book and I am looking forward to be part of the program on Tuesday June 28   7 PM

West Portal Book Shop   at 80  West Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA  

The program is organized by the WNBA (Women National Book Association) where I am helping out with organizing future book readings and book introductions at West Portal and/or other independent book stores in San Francisco.

The shrinking number of independent book stores need our support so please join us for this first event where two of our WNBA authors present their work as per below invitation. We will have a little wine reception and short readings with following Q& A sessions. I would be happy to see some familiar faces in the store. It will be fun and inspirational.

See you there.

For more info please check out the links:

WNBA San Francisco Chapter Book event

West Portal Book Shop reception

WNBA PRESENTS
Birgit Soyka and Teresa LeYung-Ryan
Tuesday, June 28 at 7 PM

Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) celebrates “Rebuild Your Life Month” with a wine reception and a special reading.

Birgit Soyka will read from To Drink the Wild Air: One Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon, her account of being the only female breaking into the male dominated sport of motorcycle racing in California, winning a championship against all odds and encountering injuries, destitution, homelessness, and the threat of deportation.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan will read from Love Made of Heart, a novel that explores the life of Ruby Lin, an adult child of mentally ill parents. The author will discuss ways to speak openly about mental illness stigmas and how to access resources for affected families. She is also the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days.


San Mateo County Fair / literary arts

June 6, 2011

The search for a bike is on. This actually turned out to become a job. So far I have not found anything suitable in terms of price and product. While the bike thing is dragging its feet more opportunities for the book came along. Last week I posted the Info about the two gigs in San Francisco scheduled for June. Now there will be one more live event.

I was invited to the San Mateo county fair on Saturday June 18 2011.

San Mateo county fair / literary arts

The literary division of the San Mateo County Fair fine arts dept will be hosting its 2nd annual Author Book Day on Saturday June 18th from 2 to 4:00 in Expo Hall. This will be another fun afternoon. Exact info will be posted once available.

June 18th will be a busy day. I hope to see some of you  either in the afternoon in San Mateo or in the evening in San Francisco.


Two Wheel Rhapsody

May 30, 2011

Since last week’s ride two wheels definitely have gained more importance again. But nothing else has happened ever since except the prep work of more book readings and a Group Book Launch party. Both events will be scheduled in June.

The collective Book Launch party is organized by the San Francisco Writers Community I had joined in December of 2009 to find out what it takes to write and publish a book and to get an understanding of promoting and market a book. I met many likeminded people and we are all on the journey together. This journey is exciting in its own way and deserves an evening of fun.

Saturday, June 18 at Café Royale, 800 Post Street @ Leavenworth, San Francisco  7 PM

The second event will be my first book introduction in a book store.  I am looking forward to this one since I have never done  a reading in a book store. I am sharing this evening with well established authors. I am looking forward to an exciting evening. This is a public event.

Tuesday, June 28 at Book Shop West Portal, 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco                                          7:00-9:00 PM

However – there is a lot more in the pipeline in terms of meeting new people, creating new opportunities, discussing and evaluating possibilities. The beauty is that the possibilities are endless.

Stay tuned. There will be more. One thing at the time.


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