Out West

I'm moving, and I'll have use of one of these. OMG.

Farewell, Nashville

Time to go!  I'll miss ya.

Senses

We use our senses while riding, of course, but one of my favorites is the sense of  smell. 

Right now, the smell of late-season grilling greets my nose on the commute home. Freshly-cut grass is a favorite no matter the season. Sometimes, the unpleasant diesel and kerosene fumes, near the airport. Or the cigarette (or cannabis) smoke from a car a few yards ahead of me.

Soon will come the scent of dry leaves, wood-burning stoves, and dry, hard air.

Already, I dread the cold.

Requiem In Pacem

Andy Odom, who is my friend.

Sadly, Andy passed on August, 24, 2012, and I am just now learning about it. Andy lived with Type I diabetes, and used insulin. Presumably, he died as a result of a complication from this awful disease.

Andy was a regular at East Side Scooters, even before I started working there. He rode a Genuine "Buck-Ten" -- a Rattler 110cc 2-stroke. I sold Andy a cell phone tracking device for his Rattler a few years back. He loved making modifications to his scooter, and he had survived a couple of mishaps on that bike, only to succumb to something far more insidious and dangerous.

I often wondered how he was doing this year, and missed seeing him at our usual Tuesday evening meetings -- he was a hardcore attendee from the beginning, but I knew he had family and employment issues, and did not immediately think of his health being a particular problem when he had stopped coming by. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing, and ashamed that I didn't do more to reach out to this fine young man when I had the chance.

Not old enough, my friend.

It's He! It's He! It's Michael T.!

Sadly, Michael T. and his lovely wife Nora (and she really is  lovely; I bet one of Michael T.'s most-frequently heard questions is, "How did you land her?") are moving from Nashville to Boston next weekend. So, we wanted to hang out and ride One Last Time*, so to speak.

Here's Michael T., throwing goat and taking Wanda for a spin around Centennial Park this afternoon.

Steve's Vespa GTS250, and Michael T.'s rattlecanned Vespa P200E in the park.

The gang's scooters parked across from Hog Heaven, where Junior had to stop for eats. It didn't matter -- we were about to see an hour's deluge, and thus sought shelter, rather than doing a ride. Some days, it just works out that way.

Back at The Davis Manse. That's Michael T., over on the right margin, in black shirt and grey cap. At left, Junior checks his text messages, and Ross scratches his arm, laughing. He just does that.

Graham tells us about the Crying Kimono, while Junior continues engaging his phone.  ;)

Steve is telling one of his stories, again.

At any rate, Nora: Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye in person. We hate to see ya go, but Best Wishes for happiness and prosperity in Boston!

* And yes, I got Michael T.'s word that they'd try to return next year for Blue vs. Grey II.
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