Saturday, August 23, 2008

State of the Union

Are there any amateur demographers out there who'd like to take an educated guess as to why the large white section of the country is conspicuously absent when I check the logs to see from which states the visitors here come?  Except for the strays in the east, there's that big empty chunk in the Midwest.  Maybe if John Deere manufactured scooters?






When I happen to get a pretty picture, it's sheer luck.  I snapped this one last evening when I noticed that the sun was low in the sky.  I could have looked for a better setting without so many telephone poles, but I'm lazy.  The shot came out close enough to how I'd hoped it would.






I'm "sounding" blah here 'cause it's how I'm feeling.  The girls are away now and school starts for me on Monday with our first faculty meeting.  The kids arrive on Tuesday.  By the second week of September I'll be thrilled to be in my element again, but it's always hard to head back after being off for so long and enjoying the freedom that a life of total leisure might offer.

I'm hoping to do the commute on the scooter every day when the weather and its residual effects are suitable.  I think I'll manage the temperatures; it's ice and snow that I fear.  Hopefully they're a long way off, though the doom sayers around here are already suggesting a brutal winter.




7 comments:

Marc said...

Those upper Midwest states look like prime farmin' states, maybe they're too busy to check the Internet. No surfing the net over lunch at Starbucks (oops, make that Panera!) They're in the tractor, doing what folks on tractors do.

Of course, in Nevada, they're too busy gambling. Maybe if you blogged about Winning Strategies of Texas Hold'em.

And Hawaii is no surprise. If you had paradise right outside your door, would you even own a computer?

That's a nice photo of your scoot and the sunset. Piaggio is releasing a new BV250 Tourer which I am very attracted to, unless you tell me it's no good... The Tourer edition is a refreshed front end to look like the larger BV500.

Hey, I know you've said that you are a teacher, but I don't think you said the subject you specialize in...

I read somewhere that the Farmer's Almanac is calling for an especially cold winter. We've been lucky for quite a few years in a row, I guess it's time to pay the piper.

Joe said...

Marc, your suggestions about the absent states make a lot of sense.

I tried Googling "Piaggio BV250 Tour" and didn't come up with anything. Are you privy to some special sources of info?

I'm an elementary teacher - jack of all trades.

I'll take all the cold Mother Nature can dish out. It's the precipitation I abhor.

-Joe

Marc said...

Joe, my friend.... You are forgetting that they call it the "Beverly" in Europe.

Here is one site:
http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/51/piaggio-beverly-tourer-2008-400-250-and-125cc

And for those sexy Italian models draped over the Beverly wallpapers:
16 wallpapers to choose from: http://www.bikewalls.com/wallpaper/Beverly_Tourer/31927831/1024x768.html

In Europe, they also launched a Piaggio Beverly Cruiser which looks basically the same, but has naked handlebars, a full chrome exhaust, chrome forks, chrome rear springs, and more chrome trim bits here and there.
http://www.motohand.com/?id=133205

I don't think that we're getting the Cruiser though...

Too many choices might confuse the American public who are only starting to "think scooter". IMHO, that's we don't have the Aprilia Scarabeo 250 and 400 (to complement the Scarabeo 500).

Until I saw the Tourer edition, I thought the Scarabeo 250 was the ultimate scooter and was sad that it wouldn't be coming here. Now, my choice has shifted (to another CVT, lol...)

Marc said...

Elementary School = their minds are still open. Not quite cynical yet.

Heck, they might even pay attention in class. ;)

I don't mind the rain so much, at least you don't have to shovel it. That opinion might change when I have a scoot.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is "Wow what a photo!" A++ sir. That would definitely be my desktop photo if I were you :)

Just realized how long it has been since I've been to visit you...need to go do some "catch up" reading on your blog.

If you get a minute (five actually) pop over and watch my first ever, inaugural, "ain't never posted one before" (bet the educator in you loves that last line) ride video :)

Stephen said...

I've logged thousands and thousands of miles in those states, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Another thing to consider is not only the breed of cat that lives there, but also population density. Not a lot of folks out in that area; one of the reasons that I love it so much. If you've never been, I suggest a visit! Heck, I'll be your personal tour guide.

Scootin' Fool said...

hey, my wife is an elementary teacher too. She am smart!

I really like the pic. the telephone poles give it an artsy "desolated" look.