Bicycling and Pets
Today was a particularly stressful day. It started off by a stupid online purchase. I am usually very prudent but this one was accomplished in a lot of haste. Now I know not to repeat it again. I then participated in charity for our employees affected by Ike in Houston which lifted my spirits a bit.
I was caught in torrential rain while returning home from lunch, the one that soaks you to the bone. The old black rain jacket kept my upper body dry and warm but my pants got totally soaked by the time I could find some shelter. As I stood at the side of the road watching the cars go by at normal speeds, I couldn’t help but feel under prepared. I had an extra change of clothes at work, so getting wet was not a problem. The problem was the lack of visibility for motorists in heavy rain conditions. I was stuck in the two lane no shoulder part of my commute. The situation’s apathy carried with itself an accusation for not being in a car.
The snickering comments of the nicotine-pumping lung-burning suv-driving co-worker about this being the time to use a car did not help either. The discomfort of soaked socks and drippign pants is easily eclipsed by the lack of choice, freedom and the impassiveness of fellow citizens. I truly was running out of patience with each mounting mile like Hummers of gas.
A complete new rain wear is on order. It folds into a small pouch that should hopefully fit in my also newly ordered Minnehaha Small Canvas Saddle Bag. After work, I went to the bike shop in the St. John’s Strip Mall (Town Center) to get a new saddle for my dutch bike. The dutch bike deserves the likes of Brooks saddles but she will have to wait for the time being. The ride back home was uneventful for the most part. It was also pleasant. Cool breezes and random specks of thin rain drops kept my tempers cool. I am sure the very act of bicycling brought my frustrations levels down too. The better part is that Laya was excited to see me no matter how wet and grumpy I was. She did her supersonic sprints in my tiny bedroom and on my bed, sniffed me over and tried to play with me. She is a sponge for frustration. All dogs are.
Get a bike, get a dog and live a happy life.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:22 am
If its any consolation, I’ve been overseas during the entire monsoon season here and have to go out everyday for food (since there is no means of cooking in my apartment, no stove, no oven, no burner) and water (tap is not potable). I did buy a rain poncho from a market vendor for about $2 but have not used it. A kind shop owner gave me a free umbrella while I was taking refuge one day, but here where I am, we dont have the wind that I know will be whipping back home.
Glad Layla was able to cheer you up.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:39 am
the rain pants and jacket arrived this weekend. I am all set
Rain, shine, sleet or snow! (well, no sleet and no snow…thats why I am in Florida!)
September 29th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
What did you end up getting and from where? When you have time, could you post a link or pic of what you got? And I see I misspelled Laya’s name. Please tell her I apologize.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I’ll post something about it soon.