Regrets for minimal posting today, we have had a very busy day of it prepping certain items for sale on eBay. The kindnesses of three occasional readers on our birthday nearly a week past put us over the top, in combination with other gratuities provided on account (one presumes) of these our casual scribbles over the years, for a new motorcycle jacket that was only to be admired from a distance, like, for lo, these many moons. All the moreso, given the fact that Major Harvey showed up to the last meet-up a-wearing one of his own which he’d purchased soon after the last time I mooed over the product line of Vanson Leathers of Fall River, Massachusetts. Which got our competitive juices flowing, which isn’t maybe as hard as it may seem and anyway there’s an economy to support, isn’t there?
There is.
In any case we are very grateful to those who made it possible to clad our torso in leather on the daily ride, if only for the safety that’s in it, and I’ll only point out that he who doesn’t casually ask for a 10% good-guy discount when shopping at the local mom and pop motorcycle shop will pay full price for everything and have no one to blame but himself.
And yet do we bear the dual burden of a Protestant upbringing and Catholic schooling, such that our deeply ingrained sense of frugality – I will not say parsimoniousness – is admixtured with a non-trivial dollop of guilt. So much so that any significant expenditure of filthy lucre on our own miserable needs sent us into a passionate paroxysmy of effort, grooming the lockers for gear now rendered redundant, complete with photographs and paeans of praise.
And anyways, there are still breeches to be bought. For the sake of all those poor Massachusettsans, shivering in the cold and dark, and counting on me for their next paycheck, maybe.
As far as you know.
Massachusettsans, eh?
Up here in Maine we call ‘em Massholes. Has to do with the driving, and all that, an apparent skillset that seems to prove problematic for them. All of them. Prolly something to do with their genes. We hope.
Nice jacket, though. Do let us know when you put stuff up on ebay. It’s where I do most of my shopping these days.
Lex, how about next time you have a get together you put a picture or three up? Be nice to see the Lex-ites out hoisting a couple.
In the market for a used Rallye 2 suit, are you?
Sigh…. No, actually. More along the lines of black leather with lots of zips, and without the Harley sigles. Chaps, too, if available.
It would also need to be in a size 44 frumpy…..
I still have a million dollar figure, but many of the large bills seem to have converted to change.
As much as we share the same enthusiasm for the open road and two-wheels, mine needs extended forks and 6-bend bars, a king&queen seat and a suicide bar at the back. And lots of black. Black & Chrome.
And here I thought Lex only wore Chinese motorcycle boots, cutoff jeans, Ray Bans, a Padres hat (facing backwards) and a big watch while scaring tourists on I-5..
Oops – almost forgot the glittery Liberace jacket.
Well, you got the big watch bit right anyway.
Liberace? Not so much.
Nice watch tho!
I though it pretty strange when young females made significant income from selling used “protective duds” on eBay.
Now ex-Navy officers are doing the same.
Change, they say. Change. This poor world.
It’s funny to see mention of the good-guy discount. I’ve been trying it for years, very often with good result. Sometimes they’ll ask what I mean and I’ll explain. Which sometimes gets a smile (and a discount) and sometimes doesn’t. Which is quickly followed by a “well, howzabout a cheap-bastard discount?” Which again, sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.
Nevertheless, I’m spending, I’m asking. It’s fun getting older.
Yak/
I’ve seen the total pkg you describe (more or less) out here on I-5 except for one thing–what the hell are “Chinese” boots–stumps the hell out of this geezer…..
Oh yeah, the flip-flops bit, right?
Lex, FYI…daughter made $30K this year on eBay. She can’t “work” outside the home, she has acute adult rheumatoid athritis (the really bad kind) but between different sales, some extremely smart shopping, the yard sale and stuff put to the curb and restored by her husband, she makes a nice little income online.
Virg,
Shower thongs.
bc … You say “it’s fun getting older.” Umm, in some ways you’re right, if you look at things the right way, and decide that you no longer may be the hottest thing going, but that gives you the right to say pretty much exactly what you want. I made that life altering decision when I turned 70, and I must say that the last ten years have had some bright spots mixed in with the aches and pains. And, as of Nov. 4, we’ve uncovered a rich vein of absurdity mixed with the angst induced by the market meltdown. Lotsa raw material here, and for at least the next four years, if we keep our heads modestly down.
By the way, Lex … I’ll bet you’ll look sexy in that new jacket. Post a pic, please, for the Lex Babes of all ages.
Marianne
I’ve started selling things on eBay as well. Jewelry, handbags, shoes – it’s absolutely amazing what people will buy. I’m hoping the income will help pay the balance due on our 2009 family vacation – as a surprise to my husband.
And yes Lex – you posted a pic of yourself on eBay for heavensake. The least you could do is the same for the Lex Babes who don’t chase down eBay links.
You know, let us have it for strength.
Nice jacket, Lex.
Have you considerd that it might just mean that some of your occasional readers own a piece or two of you now, though? No, no, I’m not angling for a picture like some others might. So unseemly that.
SJBill remarked “I though it pretty strange when young females made significant income from selling used “protective duds” on eBay.”
Reminds me of a joke shared between SWMBO and myself. Well, not so much shared as given, now that I reflect a bit more.
We were, due to circumstances, required to use a barrier method of contraception for a time. The Mood being upon us, and my being a smart-ass of the first order, said barrier was at hand and I couldn’t help but say, in my best James Bond sort of voice:
“Cover me — I’m going in.”
Yeah, seemed funny at the time. In hindsight, she wasn’t probably expecting funny. Or want funny. In fact, she didn’t seem to find it funny at all.
So, if the Little Tricycle Motor ever asks why she doesn’t have a little brother, the short answer is because her Dad is a smart-ass. Learned that lesson well, I did.
– Max
Lex, you’re giving up a Rally suit for a 2-piece bit of coverage? Send more details on your dimensions — I may just bid on that Rally unit, being in an area where temps can be 105 in the summer and -20 in the winter.
Hard to maintain that Biker Scum image wearing Carharts, don’t you know.
– Max
Lex, Please don’t take this personally…but that “Rallye Suit 2″ is soooooo…how shall I put it … BMX -ish …suggest for the good of human-kind you loose it ASAP. Best
PS, Aw1 Tim,Re your comment # 1 above … here in the Bay State we generally refer to you unfortunate denizens of the thankfully long expunged ( 1820) Eastern Counties as Mainacs …and on especiallly deserving occasions, such as this …Ass-Holes…congradulations.
Chap and I were discussing similar garb:
http://gmapalumni.org/chapomatic/?p=3330#comments
It’s gone! Sold at the “buy it now” price after only two days on auction. On what was supposed to be a seven day run.
Must learn how to mark to market.