Winter’s last fart has echoed through North Texas, and we
are now seriously into Spring. In Texas (and not only in Texas, I’m sure) there
are two definite indications of the onset of Spring: one is the usual
daffodils, blossom on the trees, and steadily milder weather; the other is
bikers.
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| Red Nose Day |
You might think that Texas was an ideal place for a
motorcycle (or a convertible) – unlike somewhere with an altogether different
climate, such as, shall we say … England. This is only partly true. Winters
here are not so extreme, nor so long, but they are unpleasant just the same;
and summers are scorchingly hot, leaving most people dashing for the cover of
an air-conditioned mall. So Spring and Fall are the best times for
biker-watching, because the lack of legal requirement for a crash helmet,
coupled with the equanimity of the weather, brings out the Harleys in their
hundreds. I don’t think it’s anything to do with mid-life crisis, but, for a
guy, there is nothing so cool as an “easy-rider” cruising down the highway, hair
streaming in the wind, eyes protected by wrap-around shades, and long legs
casually stretched out to the front footrests. And it’s nothing to do with
women, because rarely do they have a passenger.
As you can guess, it’s been a quiet week here – no road
trips, so nothing much to write about save casual musings. But I do have a
picture of me celebrating Red Nose Day. Val very kindly shipped out 10 “red
noses”, and I distributed them at work on the following 3 conditions:
- If anybody took one, they had to wear it on Red Nose Day.
- They must donate $2 to a charity of their choice.
- There is no third condition.
All of the noses were claimed, and some of us wore them
proudly to the traditional Friday lunchtime curry.
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| Hummer |
I also have a picture of what must surely be the ugliest car
in the world – the Hummer SUV. You wouldn’t see these in England for two
reasons: if you get 10 miles to the gallon, you’re doing well, and there’d be
nowhere you could park the monstrous thing.
Only in America!
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