Somehow, with gritted teeth, heated gloves, and semi-dogged determination, me and Melody continue through the bitter cold, as well as our Shared Global Calamity with guarded optimism for the New Year.
Yeah, optimism. And I'm (mostly) sober as I write this.
Reasons? I'll keep stuff like politics out of this, and stick to close-to-home stuff:
- Family, friends, and community are largely intact, in-touch, and not (too) overwhelmed. To me, that's a Win.
On the scootering front, things have been very good in these parts:
- Clubbing: our local club has gone all-official, organization-wise, with a little help from out local dealership, which has been more than happy to help.
- About That Local Dealership: This dealership's owner mentioned to me that, in 2020, of all years, they managed to sell 100 Vespas, in addition to Piaggios, Indians (sold a ton of Scouts), and Zeros. Quite the change from four years ago when I felt like the Lone Ranger of Monmouth County.
- Future Roads: I do recall griping about the horrible state of highway and secondary roads in this part of New Jersey (not that my former home of NYC was much better). But things have improved enormously in the last two years, and I can honestly say I'm fairly content...except for the cumulative damage the last five years years have taken on my bike's shocks, which now require replacement, not to mention the damage New Jersey American Water is now exacting on our street which had only been properly repaved less than two years ago, because..."no coordination." (Talked to the Mayor, who is a pretty straight-shooting guy, and he agreed, but this time it wasn't the City's fault.)
- I'm still every bit in love with Melody as the day I rode it off the lot. Who'd a thunk it?
And I'm planning for warmer times: struggling to budget for t anew set of shocks (Malossi, for certain); longer rides, in different states (geographically, to be specific). To boldly, but safely, go where I haven't gone before on two wheels.