Thursday, April 23, 2009

The things you see!

Riding to work is fun. Riding FOR work is even more fun. When you park your bike multiple times, there's no telling what will be next to your bike when you come back to it. Such was the case yesterday. How many can say they've come back to their bikes to find the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile parked next to it? I am now a member of that club. For whatever it's worth.

I spent Monday and Tuesday with the Boss. Since he spends a great deal of time on the cell phone, we have this arrangement. I drive and he talks on the phone. It works out anyway, as he's from Spokane and I know the local area better. The Boss is all for me using the bike for work. It is so cool to talk to him on the phone and tell him that if he needs me he'll just have to leave a message. Being on the bike, I just can't answer the phone. Where it gets tricky is when he's down and we're making calls together. I haven't figured out a good way to ease him into riding as a passenger on the bike.

"Hey, Boss! Welcome to town. Ready to ride Bitch?"

Maybe one day he'll get his own bike and we'll terrorize the town together.

I was finally on my own yesterday. Last week I'd purchased a new shield for my Arai Corsair helmet. The parts guy was close, but no cigar. I didn't notice until I got home and tried to mount the new shield. Yesterday was my first chance to get back up to Portland and exchange it. The dealer is Bob Lamphere's, the same place I bought Elvira. So far I'm impressed with their customer service. Anyone can make a mistake. There was no problem getting it corrected.

The dealer opens at 9 AM and I was there when the doors opened. What can I say? I'm an insomniac! Remember, it's a 70 some mile ride for me in commuter traffic. Getting into and out of the dealer fairly quickly, I headed across the freeway to the mall. Starbucks with hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich was calling to me. Finishing both, I emerged to find this parked next to the bike.




I've seen it a couple of times before. Or maybe there's more than one. Both times, though, it was passing me in the opposite direction on a freeway. This time it was up close and personal. Come to think of it, I hope the driver wasn't trying to tell me something! Don't you all dare, either!


By now the mall's open for business. Starbucks opens much earlier. It was interesting to see how many people stopped to take photos. I had the point and shoot small digital. The folks I saw were using their cell phones. I hung around a while but the driver hadn't emerged by the time I had to leave. It would have been cool to take a quick peek inside. Oh, well. You can take a virtual tour by clicking here.

I have to say the this is one case where DRIVING for work could be fun, too!

Miles and smiles,

Dan









24 comments:

redlegsrides said...

cool coincidence!

actually I am sure it was the wienermobile guy hoping be able to park next to a good looking motorcycle.....his lucky day.

Lucky said...

Man, I can't believe that guy took up FOUR parking spaces. What a...

...Wiener.

One day I arrived home to find the wienermobile parked by my house. Alas, there was a wall between me and the Oscar Meyer-y awesomeness, so that's the end of my story.

irondad said...

Charlie6,
Imagine that. The weinermobile guy wanting to park next to the hot dog!

Lucky,
Well, you can't have people damaging your weiner with car doors, now, can you? I'm waiting to see where Riepe runs with this.

Come on, man, you can't leave us hanging. Make like Paul Harvey and cough up the rest of the story!

Take care,

Dan

Stephen said...

Uhhh....no comment.

Unknown said...

One good thing about the weinermobile, (aka: Jack's suburban ?) no one can say they didn't see you.

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

irondad said...

Earl,
Gee, I wish you'd quit taking up so much of my bandwidth with these lengthy comments!

Bobskoot,
I agree with the visibility part, although I've never actually seen Jack's Suburban. However, depending on how hungry someone might be, I could see some target fixation going on.

Take care,

Dan

redlegsrides said...

I don't know about that bobskoot....I've read the stories of cagers not seeing police vehicles with all their emergency lights flashing and siren blaring.....and still pulling out in front of them!

Jack Riepe said...

Dear IronDad:

Hot dog! Hot damn! I'd l'd love to have one of these wienermobiles, which I would use to cruise chicks. I would drive down the street, slowly coming up on the ladies, and I'd start to sing:

"My balogna has a first name, it's B...A...N...G...E...R. My balogna has a second name, it's G...O...O...D."

But I would be singing this like Enrique Inglesias, who many people feel I look a lot alike. THe truth is that sing this on my BMW K75 and do pretty much okay.

Fondest regards,
Riepe
Twisted Roads

kz1000st said...

I can relate to all of your recent topics in a strange way. First, my scooter is down for repairs so I had to stop being a weinie and finally replace the chain on my Kawasaki. What a kick to be back on something that rocks when you roll it. Second, talk about rust. Had to get used to finding my shift points and how to manuever a heavier vehicle all over again. Third, how good it is to get my hands dirty and get in touch with my bike again so we can hit the road again. Maybe even use the bike for an upcoming new job-and get paid for it. Now wouldn't that be something

redlegsrides said...

Hi Dan

it's been a while since you've posted, hope all is well and you're just really busy....

-Tim said...

Dude, where are you at? Haven't seen a new post in like 3 weeks?

Lucky said...

What, no new musings? Hope all is well.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Dan:

I promise not to sing anymore if you write another post.

Fondest regards,
Jack Riepe
Twisted Roads

Conchscooter said...

Okay if i weigh in and beg nicely, surely you will oblige...?

Krysta in MKE said...

I'm well into withdrawal by now...

Hope you're OK!

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Sir:

Your absence is now cause for concern.

Fondest regards,
Jack
Twisted Roads

Unknown said...

Irondad:
we truly miss you. Hope you are okay.

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

Steve Williams said...

I'll join the chorus and express my concern related to your blogging absence. I hope all is well and you are merely slogging through an endless list of lawn and homeowner duties.

Or on vacation living in a lifestyle you would like to grow accustomed to...

Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks

Krysta in MKE said...

OK, folks, I had an email from Dan about 5pm on Thurs. the 14th, so he was alive & able to type coherently as of then. Guess he's just VERY busy with real life.

Hey, Irondad - we worry 'bout you!

redlegsrides said...

Good news! Thanks Krysta for the update.

kz1000st said...

That is good news. He's probably out racking up more paid mileage. Soon this Blog will be called "Musings of an Intrepid BMW Owner"

Krysta in MKE said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Krysta in MKE said...

"Musings of an Intrepid BMW Owner"

Hey! I resemble that remark! : )

Anonymous said...

OK, i couldn't resist ...

http://v1.wordmess.net/2009/2/daily200709/079.jpg

*grin*

peace