Observations:

• Biking has made me a better driver. I've noticed that since I started riding on the streets, I've paid more attention when driving my car. I don't tailgate on the freeways anymore, and I look more carefully for pedestrians in driveways and crosswalks.
• Biking is sucking up my income. This shit's worse than smoking, people. I've spend so much money -- not only on the *bike*, but on books. Books about motorcycles. Books about motorcycle trips. Books about people who ride motorcycles. Magazines with pictures of bikes that are nothing like mine whatsoever. I need a new jacket. I need new pants. Need. Need. Want. Must....spend...more....money...
• Fear hits at odd times. I'm never frightened of the bike while I'm on it. I'm never frightened of the bike while I'm reading about people who have crashed. I'm never frightened of the bike when I think about the mechanics of it, and how bloody complex it all is. I'm frightened of the bike at 3am, when I'm lying in bed, and the cats are snuggling up against me, and half my brain is musing, "I can't believe you're risking your life voluntarily like this, I mean, really, how many lives do you think you have?" and the other half is screaming "shut up! bloody shut up! you have a project meeting in 6 hours, dammit! go to sleep!"
• Biking is addictive. The more I ride, the more I need to ride. The more I ride, the more I'm resentful of my car. Like, I was at my friend Alan's house tonight, watching a movie. Alan lives like 10 miles from me. I've never ever ridden the bike 10 miles at once before, much less on The Annoying Freeway On A Friday Night When All The Drunks Are Out(tm), like tonight. Yet, the *whole way home* in my Saturn, I'm like, "damn, I hate this car. Damn, I should be on the bike now. Bike. Bikebikebike." Again, this shit's worse than smoking, people.
• The more addicted I get, the more I try to hook other people. Real conversation between Kim (who took the MSF course with me) and I:
  Me: So, when are you going to get a bike?
  Kim: I don't know, money's kinda tight and I have to go to Wisconsin to visit my family for my sister's wedding and my mom is sick and...
  Me: Screw 'em! Buy a bike! I want to go riding with you!
  Kim: OK, well, I haven't seen a bike I really *like* yet, I mean...
  Me: Screw it! Buy whatever! Ride with me!
  Etc. See? Just try it, you'll like it. Everyone's doing it.
• Biking makes shopping more fun. I confuse everyone at the stores. Last time I was at Sears, I bought 3 bra-and-panties pairs and a full set of Craftsmen socket wrenches. Tonight at Walgreens, I purchased: asthma medication, Girl Brand shampoo, Girl Brand conditioner, Girl Brand shaving cream, a pink box of Kleenex, and the July issue of "Motorcycle Tour and Cruising" magazine. The cashier kept looking from me to the magazine to the rest of the items, back to me, back to the magazine, and finally waved at the magazine and said, "is, uh, *this* for you, too?" Hehehe. Gender-stereoptype confusion is fun for all.

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