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American Gothic, A Big Banana Split and Tiger Troubles

On Saturday I meant to just duck out for a few hours before the rest of the family got up. I figured I could buzz out to New Jersey, see the giant tooth and be back home by lunch time.

But, plans changed back at home and so I stayed out longer than I originally anticipated. It was cool but sunny, so I was only too happy to be exploring.

I lingered around near the Grounds for Sculpture to see ‘America the Beautiful,’ an homage to Grant Wood’s American Gothic.

And the dancers across the way…

I was flittering about exploring old cemeteries, looking for parked trains and other roadside odds and ends.

In the process of doubling back to take a picture of a boat-sized banana split, a lady who decided that she didn’t need to use her mirrors or her eyeballs while behind the wheel decided to back up in the parking lot without looking. She came within inches of knocking me over. I went to honk my horn and… nothing? What the hell?

In that immediate irrational thinking moment, I figured I just didn’t hear the horn because I had music on and the wind was blowing. It seemed impossible that the horn wouldn’t work. But, hey, guess what? When I pressed the button again? Nada.

Ever the optimist, I thought it had to be a fuse or something. I resigned myself to taking a look at it when I got home and went on about my day.

My Tiger Isn’t Feeling Well

Never once did I consider that along with my horn, none of my lights would be working either. I rode around for the whole day? Part of the day? Who knows – with no headlight and no tail/brake light. Scary!

The dashboard was fully lit up, the sun was up and so I didn’t pick up any visual cues that I had a greater problem. Now in hindsight I realize I could have looked for my own headlight reflection in the back on another car. But I didn’t. My life is a cautionary tale.

When I got home, Kenny immediately started poking around on my bike while I shed my gear. If you allow the bars to sit at straight ahead, unturned position – the lights and horn failed. If the bars were turned the bars to the right – everything worked. Turn to the left, nothing.

I don’t want you guys to think I’ve gone all smart and stuff so I will be using my usual technical language here.

There is a “thingy” below the ignition key tumbler that seems to be the culprit. If you press it up towards the key, everything works with the bars in any position. If you don’t press that “thingy” everything only works when the bars are turned to the right.

I’ve got to call the dealer tomorrow to see if I can get my bike in ASAP.

In the meantime, Kenny has cleared his Tiger for me to use – you know – if I should find myself in some type of rally emergency situation where I need to visit a giant elephant in south Jersey or something.

I have to say, it’s kind of handy having a husband that rides, too. :)

 

Sometimes It’s Like He Doesn’t Know Me At All – The Toothy Edition

Though I’m not much of a telephone caller, I must admit that I really appreciate the ability to make and receive phone calls from my helmet with my Sena headset. Sometimes I’ll be standing on the side of the road doing very important things and I’ll receive a call from home that would have otherwise gone unanswered for hours.

*ring-ring*

 Me: ‘Good morning, sunshine.’

Kenny: ‘What’s going on? Where are you?’

 Me: ‘New Jersey. At the world’s largest tooth.’

Kenny: ‘Ah.’

Where else would I be on a sunny Saturday morning? He’s so ridiculous sometimes.

 

Sweet, Sweet, Wienermobile – Good To See You Again!

I keep tabs on the whereabouts of the Wienermobiles by following them on Twitter. It’s important stuff. Very important.

On Sunday morning while sipping my coffee I read that one of the Wienermobiles would be on Long Island. As soon as I heard Kenny stirring himself awake I bounded into the bedroom overflowing with excitement. I could hardly wait to tell him the greatest news in the history of forever.

“Babe? Are you ready to experience the GREATEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE?”

“No.”

“The Weinermobile is on Long Island. Isn’t that great?”

::blink::blink::

He was so excited he couldn’t even make words.

When we pulled into the lot where the Wienermobile was parked I quickly clicked on the Sena bluetooth headset so that we could share the moment it came in to view together. As we rounded the corner…

“THERE IT IS! Look at that. Isn’t that just beautiful? Isn’t this just the GREATEST DAY of your LIFE?!”

“No. Not really.”

Look at Kenny, acting nonchalant about being parked behind the enormous weenie. Obviously, he was so overcome with emotion that he couldn’t really process the moment.

We parked and checked out the hot dog, got some stickers and whistles. I, very queenly-like, settled myself into one of the seats inside the ‘mobile to see what big time living felt like. For the record? It felt glorious.

As we started to collect ourselves to head out, I spotted people taking photos of the Ural in its parking space. You know, because there was nothing at all giant, orange and interesting parked anywhere within 30 feet of it.

Between you and me, I think Kenny was impressed by totally loved the Wienermobile.

Exhibit A:

That is not my Givi box. Just sayin’…

Two Resolutions and a Mystery Machine

When the new year rolled in there were two things that I resolved to do for myself.

One:
When I’m out in the world and I see something interesting, I need to stop saying ‘I’ll stop to look at it on the way back.’

Sometimes there is no going back. This is it, this could be my only chance. Stop and enjoy it now! I’ve burned myself with ‘later’ too many times.

Two:
Blog first. Twitter, Facebook second. I’ve kind of lost my way on the blog at times because the convenience of Twitter and Facebook make it so fast and easy to share what I’m seeing or thinking that it often never makes it to these pages.

I need to get back to my roots. Way back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the land I would post on my blog all the time. Small posts, big posts, sometimes just a picture – whatever. I need to get back to that.

Somewhere along the way I think I must’ve subscribed to someone else’s idea of how a blog should be run. Yea, not doing that anymore. Totally gangsta, right? :)

So, what do these things have to do with anything?

This:

The Mystery Machine was one of those things that I might have said I’ll stop later for. But, instead I swung a quick U-ey and soaked in all of its mysterious glory. {pats self on back}

So, cheers to the new year and to getting on with living on our own terms. And to the people who paint their minivans.