A Motorcyclist's Apology

This little Op-Ed piece from a recent edition of the Amarillo Globe-News, is pure genius. It's short, and totally worth your while to read in full by clicking the title link.

Yes, I've noticed that there are many very busy and important people on the roads. You all are hard to miss with the cell phones, laptops, breakfast bars, coffee, cigarettes and all, but until now, I didn't realize I was causing so much trouble for you busy, multitasking drivers.

I figured it out this morning, thanks to the nice lady working on the laptop who needed the lane I was in.

First, ma'am, let me say that when I honked at you from the shoulder, I didn't mean to startle you. My intent was just to give you a little beep to let you know the lane was all yours. But I was braking so hard, I couldn't lift my thumb off the horn button. My bad.

Mr. Moore's Heartfelt Tribute to Mr. Wilson

Probably the best salute to RAW since he passed from this shoddy plane.

Thanks to Technoccult

Jacques DeMolay, Thou Art Avenged!

ROME - The Vatican has published secret documents about the trial of the Knights Templar, including a parchment — long ignored because of a vague catalog entry in 1628 — showing that Pope Clement V initially absolved the medieval order of heresy.

Well, maybe not... but for news of Justice is good news, no matter how long delayed... those who have ears, let them hear.

Interestingly, tomorrow will be the 700 year anniversary of the original Friday the 13th...

Steampunk Hover-Scooter

Austin Sketch Squad's Weekly Drawing Challenge had this cool Steampunk scooter awhile back, just thought I'd point you that way...

Scooterists for Peace

Steve Guzman, impresario of the Scooter Scoop asked me to spread the word about a group ride to support Alix Bryan's Peace Ride. Here's what Steve has to say:

Saturday "Peace Ride" to Crawford, TX Hey! Got my 3CR3 Rally photos posted here if you wanna see 'em. So, what's next? What's your stance on Peace? Like to see more of it? This isn't a political bashfest, it's just a simple show of peace from scooterists. Alix Bryan has ridden 11,000 MILES (on her SCOOTER!) interviewing people across the USA and asking them how THEY define peace. Why not ride with me to meet Alix from PeaceScooter in Crawford , TX (95 miles away from Austin, roughly 3 hours one-way) and join in escorting her back to Austin. If you are not from Austin but are close enough to show your support, come on out to Crawford! If you have the guts to make the ride and support the cause here's what we've got going on. Meeting at Jo's at 9:00am THIS Saturday 10/13/07 Leaving Austin at 9:30am and arriving around 12:30pm for a pro peace rally in the streets of Crawford. Likely wrapping up by 2:30pm - 3:00pm for the ride back. IF you cannot make the ride, but want to at least meet Alix contact the Urban Moto Shop for info on the celebration at their shop (around 7pm). We'll have some food on the grill! Steve

I haven't posted yet about Alix's ride, though you can find a lot of cool posts about it by Crystal Waters on Girl Bike
. Crystal has also created some peace-sign scooter seat covers, and she'll donate 50% of the proceeds from their sale to Alix's project.

Rise

Back in the misty time of legends when the Dragon was in High School, this was his theme song. Years of therapy and intermittent Buddhist practice may have caused my attitude towards anger to become, shall we say, more sophisticated, but there is still a special place in my heart for Mr. Lydon's jeremiads. Plus we use the same dentist, and frequently the same hair-stylist.

Iain de Sane, hope this will make up a bit for us missing the Southern detour on our trip...

A tip of the Stetson to Warren Ellis.

New Home in New England

Just wanted to let friends, family, and regular readers know that Jes and I have safely arrived in Connecticut.
We unloaded the rental truck today, and everything survived the move. (Including our tempers, sanity and relationship!)
I'll post more about the trip in a few days, including some great photos from our visit to the Motorcycle Museum in Sturgis, SD.
We want to thank all our friends on the Left Coast who helped the move go so smoothly, in particular Eamon and Sky. Thanks also go out to Wally, here in Redding who was a great help with unloading the truck today.
Also deep and sincere apologies go out to the friends and family who we had hoped to visit along the way. Various logistical variables made it impossible to do the Southern dip which would have made those visits possible. In particular, I want to apologize to the Dragon's Southern correspondent and Japanese Pop expert, Iain de Sane, I promise we will be doing the Juanita's/Mid-Town bar-crawl soon, my friend.