Love At First Sight

I haven't blogged all summer! I can't believe it's been so long! The truth is that I have been so busy, that everytime I sat down to blog, someone or something would interrupt me and by the time I got back to it, it'd be outdated. But here's something that I started writing in July and is still current!

First of all: Woo-hoo!!! As many of you know, I got this BEAUTIFUL new bike. Not sure about any other place on earth, but this is what every kid in America traditionally dreams of owning: A new, shiny red bike (which later turns into a wish for a new, shiny red car)!!

So, let us start at the beginning.

I have been pulling my hair out since early June trying to buy a used bike in reasonable condition. In late June, I came across an ad, in which this woman was selling hers for $45. I went over and took a look. First of all, this bike was a year old, secondly, it had a broken pedal, and third, she couldn’t give it to me until the end of July. I was NOT going to cough up $45. She informed me that the pedal would cost me $5-$6 to replace. I said, ok chickadee, I’ll pay you $30 for it right now, or $25 at the end of July (since I’d only get a month’s worth riding out of it by then). Later I found out that the pedal was much more expensive, and it would end up costing me $20 less than a brand new bike of the same model. See ya!

And then it happened one day… and of course I have a tear jerking story about it. I was strolling along, minding my own business, trying not to let my eyes wander too much. You know how it is, right ladies? You go shopping to pick up a few household items, and you see something, and suddenly realize, you need it. My budget for the month was telling me, you don’t need anything right now and keep your eyes to yourself!

But 'lo and behold… There it was, on the top rack.... I turned the corner and it was like we'd been waiting to just run into each other all our lives. It's beautiful shiny cherry exterior with splashes of white here and there... the classic handlebars that are perfect for my need not to ride bent over... the wonderfully cushioned seat that is not only soft enough not to bruise my a*s, but big enough to accommodate the sheer bulk of it. I could hear "hallelujah" in the background as my mouth dropped open in awe... there was an inexplicable shining light surrounding the bike that blinded me to any other bike on the rack. I knew right there and then, there could be no other for me, this was it. I was ruined for all others...

I looked at the price and was shocked, and rechecked the brand... yup, a Schwinn... hhhmmm... was something wrong with it maybe? Then I noticed the very same one on another rack that retailed at 150 some dollars. But mine was below $100. I called a rep over to confirm the difference between the two, and when he said there was none and went to change it, I knew it was now or never. I wasn't going to let anyone separate me from my future bike!!! I kicked my Indian gene (kind of like vampire teeth, appearing at opportune times but not visible at other times) into action and stepped right in between him and MY BIKE. I was ready to fight, but turned out he was on my side. He smiled at me and asked if there was something the matter. I told him that since I'd found the item under that price, and had already decided to purchase it, they are obligated to sell it to me for that price. It was their mistake, not mine. He pulled it down for me, ripped that tag off and told me to ring it up right away while he was still on shift so he can verify what I'm claiming. Of course it was 15 minutes at the cash register while they tried to find a loophole… I don’t know whether they got sick of trying or they saw the damning gleam in my eyes, but they handed the sucker over.

Of course, by my calculation this meant that some time in August, I’d have to starve for about 1 week… Eh! Que sera sera, right? Anything for the BIKE! (Just kidding)

So in recent days I’ve wondered about this particular desire I was suddenly possessed with to own a bike. If it has been just a whim, I’d have given up early on when I couldn’t find one easily. I haven’t ridden since I was 12-years-old. After much contemplation, I let it be and just enjoyed myself. Riding at a long stretch with nothing but me, the wind and a beautiful day is such a freeing experience (albeit also a sweaty one!).

It was quite comical trying to re-learn riding. I had to force Brother into helping me which he thought was ridiculous considering my age, hahahaha. And then it came to me 2 weeks ago… while I was going down a long sloping sidewalk with the wind rushing at me. Life has been so complicated and un-fun for sssooo long. I even managed to forget some of the things I used to do for fun during and before my teen years. Bike riding was one of those things. Turning 30 has been some kind of life transitioning thing for me or something. *shrugging* I’m not sure what’s happening to me, or if this is some kind of pre-midlife crisis, but whatever it is, it’s been good for me in. Over the past year, I’ve gone back and begun doing the simple things I used to do, and find that they make me happy. :-)