No Leather Required

Today was a 1/2 day at work and we got to wear jeans. The perfect excuse to ride the moto in like I did last week and back at Halloween. The difference this time is that I have the option to wear my new leather chaps (if I give them back to C to wrap up as my Christmas present, along with my new, buttery leather gloves). Shockingly, it was a "warm" 54 degrees this morning unlike the last two times when I froze in at 50 or below and I opted out of this new luxury for the trade off I wouldn't have to have a bag pack for the hot commute back home. Still debating on those saddle bags for my bike.

So now I take the freeway to/from because I'm a bad ass...or maybe it's just pluralistic ignorance. More than both of those reasons it satiates the innate desire to use the carpool lane like the other motorcyclists in this congested traffic system we call Phoenix. And in general, I have to tell you, I was never prepared for other people's reactions to my new hobby.

Co-workers are always so tickled to come by and let me know they see my Harley outside and that they want to watch me ride away from the office. (Oh, um -okay). Male co-workers have flat out told me they have a whole new respect for me, while the older ones tell me they are "proud" of me. Other female co-workers tell me I look hot and some even go the length of offering to be my "bitch" so they can ride on back.

On the roads I get the intense stare, I am guessing people are trying to figure out if I am a chick under all this gear since I no longer have a long ponytail that sticks out of the back of my helmet. I had a intrusive woman in a big Chevy truck give me the stare down, I nodded to acknowledge -hi, what the hell, stop staring at me!?!? And then the old lady in her 60's, leathery skin, puffing on her cig with the windows rolled down proclaims with her head nodding--a "F*CK Yeah!" of approval as she passes. (Wow). Then I had a ricer/speed bike pass me on the freeway doing just over my 70 mph, look at me, wave, look back again, made his lane change and then gave me the thumbs up. (Pride). Perhaps he saw the 'bedazzled' Hello Kitty rhinestones glitter in the sun from the back of my helmet and saw my face to confirm--yup, chick.

And last, but not least in public while you walk around with just your gear on and helmet under arm. C and I have been riding more and more as a group etc. Friends reactions are the shocked "this is SOOOO coooool you two do this" attitude. (Thank you). And then today I ran a quick errand into Target on my way home. At first I thought I was imagining the sh*t grins I was getting from guys as I walked by, then there was another, yet another, that one with a double eye brow raise, him with that same approving head nod and the cashier who wanted to know what I rode (his face told me he was expecting to hear something like scooter and not Harley). Last and best one was in the parking lot I got a full-on mooky smile and a turn around check-her-out once over.

Not only do I love to ride, but this whole moto thing is doing heaps with putting a blushing red color over my cheeks and totally pumping up my self esteem! That's right, the married chick is still hot---and I am actually acknowledging it is not my imagination. I got checked out...Ye-OW!

Tip of the Day

Hold tab, THEN shake the soy milk carton.

...I woke up early this morning. Evidently too early as I was not fully functioning as I went to prepare my bowl of frosted mini-wheats. This all resulted in a large splatter pattern 4 feet out from my bare toes.

[Sigh] Some mornings you try to be the early worm....then you just end up meeting a bird.

Wandering Thoughts

Drove north and spent a weekend with my family. Take the car out for a good long ride and to let my thoughts wonder. Went out and took the folks around town to look at motorcycles. I think it is neat my dad wants to get into an old hobby and we could eventually ride together in a group. Now the challenge becomes getting the 4 hour trip to each other completed.

I am not at all on task for my diet, but I think 20lbs was a lofty goal. I got down to weighing 146, but with the holidays I am letting it all go. I can't imagine that getting me anywhere good on the scale.

Other than that, life has really blessed me. I have a wonderful and loving husband, a cute greyhound, great friends and new hobbies to explore. Got a lot of things checked off my "life's to-do list" --looks like I will have to add more items soon!