There's something happening here...

Today was one of those days when it is exciting to live within walking distance of a state capitol. Saturday afternoon a neo-Nazi group held a rally on the capitol steps and the entire downtown area turned into an armed camp. I believe every Lansing cop was working today; in addition, we had police on loan from other cities, county cops, state cops, and National Guard troops, all patrolling the capitol grounds and much of the area around the capitol. Many of these people were outfitted with bullet-proof vests, helmets, batons, and some genuinely nasty looking firearms. Trying to drive through Lansing was an exercise in patience, as several streets in the area were blocked off, and you had an excellent chance of ending up stuck at an intersection at any time, either waiting on a group of people protesting the rally to parade by, or perhaps for a string of  emergency vehicles to come screaming through on their way to some urgent destination. I also counted at least two helicopters circling the area most of the afternoon. Anyone attending the rally (which I did not) had to pass through a metal detector and submit to a personal search. I have a handful of bearings in the pocket of my leather, and I am certain there would have been questions concerning those.

After the all the excitement had died down and things were a bit quieter, a group of students from MSU held a "Wash Away The Hate" demonstration and scrubbed down the steps of the capitol, which I thought was a great counterpoint to the Nazi group. For a little while today, with all the people marching around "singing songs and carrying signs", it almost felt as if we were living in 1968, rather than 2006. Amid all the hoo-rah, it is comforting to know that one of our nation's basic freedoms, the freedom of speech, is still very much a part of the American way of life. Even for a bunch of knuckleheads.

The weekend past

Another Easter gone by.

Chirp chirp!

I have to admit, I am impressed. The kid across the street has taught his car how to chirp.  At first I thought this meant that perhaps a Pontiac could catch the bird flu, but I have come to realize what it really means is that he has installed a car alarm in his vehicle, and that I have one more reason to leap for my telephone and punch out the number of the Lansing police with trembling fingers when I hear yet another alarm going off in the neighborhood. What a great thing these alarms are...kind of like a 21st century version of the neighbor's barking dog. I must have heard these things wailing away at least one thousand times since they were invented, and I have yet to witness anyone attemping to steal the vehicle making all the noise. If nothing else, these car alarms give me yet another reason to work for a move from the city to someplace out of town.

I wanna gripe!

Okey dokey! First and foremost, I have been made aware that people actually READ these thoughts of mine. This means I must put some care into insuring that whatever I publish onto the world wide web is not going to land my fanny in jail. Or, perhaps, cause a friend to decide they would rather not BE a friend. Hmmm...I suppose this means anything the statute of limitations has yet to run out on is off limits. Golly, the things I have to decide!

 

Now for the gripe. I was almost run over today at the MLK/Willow intersection by some color blind idiot in a pick up truck. That light had been green in my direction for a three count when this knothead came cruising on through to make a left turn. Of course, the fact that I was on my motorcycle meant he would have had the right-of-way after a 30 count, if that is what he wanted to do. None the less, it seems as if more and more people are regarding a red light as kind of a suggestion, rather than a directive to halt. Not just people in family vehicles, either. We are talking so-called professional drivers here, too.

 

Let me see, then there was the neighborhood boy that stopped by yesterday while I was working on my car and initiated a conversation with me by using the phrase "I heard a rumor..." - oh, boy! Talk about the wrong set of words to use. I explained to this young lad that life was far too short to for me to waste my time on gossip, and that if all he had to do to amuse himself was go around spreading rumors, that he needed to find someone else to pester other than me. I am not sure if I made much of an impression on this kid. In fact, I will bet I became the basis of some fresh gossip at that moment. Ah, well, life continues. Perhaps one of these days I will move into the desert and not have to listen to neighborhood chatter. Also, not be able to walk four blocks for a gallon of milk, as I need to do before the evening progresses any further. 

 

 

Friday slides on in on silken wings...

Good morning! An interesting day. Warm! A great day for riding, and not only did I return the salute to many other bikers this day, signs of spring abounded. Olds park had it's home opener with the Lugnuts this afternoon, and the place was packed. As torn up as Michigan Avenue is at this time I thought people would not bother, but evidently people are hungry for baseball. At least, hungry for baseball not rife with endless speculation concerning whether this player or that player happens to be loaded up on steroids. And, as for signs of spring, most ladies have removed a layer or two, which is not at all unpleasant. Also, I spotted my first 'Vette today, almost a sure sign that spring is in the air. I believe most 'Vette owners wait until the motorcycles have been out a month before even dusting off their vehicles. And, I spent part of today riding the bike wearing just a t-shirt under my leather.

I made a trip to Hunt's Hog Shop today with the intention of picking up a new helmet, and wound up leaving with a set of tires, thanks largely to the fact that Mark has them on sale, and that I will soon need a set, front and back. I have not replaced the front tire on the bike since I have owned it. This, however, will be tire # 4 on the back wheel, which I believe says something about my driving habits. It also pleases me to spend money elsewhere than at Capitol HD, when I possibly can. Also, I had a good time visiting with Mark, Tim, Gary, & a bunch of other folks I used to associate with on a regular basis and now seldom ever see.

Time, I believe, for a bit of a walk around the neighborhood before bed. It is very pleasant to stroll about and not have to dress for freezing weather. OF course, I am less likely to have the streets all to myself, but, I guess that is the price you have to pay.

Happy hump day

What a day. My first accomplishment was to head down to LCC and recover my student ID, which had been swallowed and kept by a card reader you have to satisfy when you exit the parking ramp. Typical of the difficulties you experience when trying to operate machines designed for automobiles while astride a motorcycle. I expected to have to surmount an endless series of obstacles in order to regain possession of this card, but the kid that returned it to me was very easy going and helpful. Turned out to be a pleasant day for a bicycle ride to campus and back home again.

The Weekend

Okay, on the topic of things David does to prove to the rest of the world that I am really not a genius. Just in case anyone becomes fooled, that is. Saturday evening we came home from the movies (Ice Age: The Meltdown, had a woolly mammoth that sounded a lot like Ray Ramono) with the knowledge that Daylight Savings Time was about to kick in, so, around the house I go resetting the clocks. I have this thing about clocks and probably have a few more than most people. Sunday afternoon rolls around, I made dinner, then we settled down on the couch and I thought I would catch the six o'clock news. I hit the remote just in time to see 60 Minutes go off the air. I told Jarek "Look at that, the networks have their times all screwed up!" and he said "Yeah, unless you turned all the clocks the wrong way." As the kids these days would say, "Duh!" I wound up getting the boys back to their mom about an hour and a half late. Good thing she & I get along. On the other hand, she was asleep on the couch when we rolled in and probably considered it a favor. I have repeated 'Spring ahead, Fall back' to myself at least 40 times over the past couple of days. Can't recall ever doing that before, but, I guess there is a first time for everything.

Now, time for my morning stroll. Guess I better get my coat out of the closet, as I heard the furnace kick on a little while ago. Still early April here in Michigan, my Michigan.