NEWSFLASH Man waits for bike as world turns

I'm getting my motorbike some time between tomorrow and next Thursday. The wait is a long one. Luckily I am not sitting watching the driveway or counting and recounting my money before it all goes. Yeah, um, nothing like that, pffft, no way.

What I am doing is shopping online for all the bits and pieces that will allow me to hit the road as soon as 1) I pass my test and 2) I have a bike to ride. I'm talking about a helmet, gloves, some riding boots, and most importantly, a jacket.

A leather jacket.

This is so exciting. Finally. Pretty keen on the RJays Vantage, but swinging around wildly, as is my wont. Better lock it in shortly though, 7 days goes quickly when you are really, really busy with stuff and aren't just looking at the photo of your bike online and telling everyone who asks just how nice it is and counting money and cleaning the garage so it has a spot, and stuff like that.

MITB

Cross and self-referencing: the new paradigm

Saw a pretty cool article in The Australian 'Review' section on the weekend. It's a long read but worth it if you are into blogging or writing, or comparing the two. Or something.

Check this out

What to wear on an autumn day

The weather is beautiful in Ballarat at the moment, and the trees are alive with reds, yellows and oranges. Victoria Street, our grand boulevard that is somehow deadly quiet to traffic, is stunning. Pretty soon those massive trees will be bare and the grey skies will frame starkly the branches, reminding me of a Tim Burton film.

Each night of late I have needed an extra blanket and the heater on low. Each morning I step outside and decide I won't need a jumper. Today it was 18 degrees at 830 as I left for work, but the trick here is, at 830 18 degrees feels warm. Late in the day, when it hasn't warmed up at all, it feels cold. Why is that?

I keep looking at my beautiful winter coat and scarf, wondering when I'll need them. Soon enough. For now, I get to wear the gorgeous cotton scarf my little girl gave me for Father's Day last year, and a thin beanie my wife knitted me. Such lovely items.

In the one day I can bask in golden sun while running early, then rug up against the cold winds late in the day. It's a great time of year.

MITB

On honesty

Here's some honesty for you.

Yesterday's post was extraordinarily middle class of me. It has left me uneasy and wondering what my blog is about. When I started it I thought I would be able to provide some pretty trivial and perhaps humorous commentary on things that turn through my head. Coffee runs through it often, perhaps literally I have that much. But looking back over On Loyalty, I really have to wonder whether I have better things to think about. I know it's light hearted and all, but dear me. How's this, an online existential crisis.

So to prove a point to myself more than anything, and to perhaps start a new theme where I transcend banality and confront you with the inner workings of a busy learned man, here's a list of things that I am contemplating now, in no particular order:

1. the 'acting role' I am starting with a government department tomorrow. how does this sit with me? round and round.
2. music. a friend introduced me to the band Tool recently. i bought a cd of theirs today. i am finding this to be quite profound.
3. children. another due in 10 weeks. serious stuff. a guy at the cycling club just named his new girl the same name as my girl. probably no link but very nice all the same.
4. networks and friends. meeting new people all the time, thought it got harder as you get older but apparently not. fun too.
5. hobbies. working hard to try new things and see where some passions lie. love reading and thinking but want something I can touch or hold or build. hmm.

Good, I feel better now. A decent purge, probably no more interesting but feels ok. :) Leave a comment and tell me how you view it.

MITB

On loyalty

It's finally happened. I knew it would at some stage, but it still caught me by surprise.

I know everywhere else has done it for at least a year, maybe two. But why change, and why now?

Do we deserve this?

It's affecting my decision making each day - I am now confused. I was rooted to one place, and now that is up for grabs again. Do I go back to my old place of comfort?

Why do you have to charge $3.50 for a coffee? $3 worked beautifully for you. You were different, and we looked past your average grind because the price was right. But now you cost the same as everywhere else, and when it all costs the same, decisions are made on other factors, not price.

To my old haunt two doors away, I ask solemnly and with cap in hand, can I please come back?

MITB