Bon Voyage.....

Departures. 2 of them. Never completely painless or harmless. Nevertheless, not without reason.

Valentino Rossi ......

Multi MotoGp champion. Leaves Yamaha after 7 years, heading to the Ducati, to form the Italian dream team. He joined, when he was "disrespected" by Honda, the factory to beat back then. He took the Yamaha M1, a pig of a bike back then and turned it into a winner. Leaving Honda in the dust. Honda still regrets letting him go.

Mike Portnoy .........

Prodigial drummer. Face and percussive talent of the great prog rock band, Dream Theater. Leaves DT after 25 years with the band, having co-founded it with John Petrucci and John Myung. Entered the drummers Hall of Fame at the age of 37, recipient of countless awards and unarguably one of the best drummers in the world. Leaves DT because he feels the band is burning him out and feels better playing with side projects like Hail and Avenged Sevenfold.

Both legends in their own right. Both colourful personalities. Both departing when they are at the top of their game. Both relish challenges. Both infinitely passionate about what they do. Nothing less than 100% works for them. Both know where their heart is.

For me, these guys are heroes. And this sense, of following your heart and giving it all, I will try to inculcate in myself. Till then, here is wishing them the best of luck.......more records waiting for you guys!