Friday, December 9, 2011

Courtesy Rider

A L O H A !



" You're only given
a little spark of madness.
You mustn't lose it.

Robin Williams












" Thanks
are the highest form
of thought. "

G.K. Chesterton













I like this shot
because it accidentally captured a plane 
and a bird;
but the bird is higher.
Click for a "birds eye view"




  > < } } ( ° >

     
I'm playing a new game
on my scooter.

It's SO much fun to be on two wheels-
just like that anonymous quote:
"Riding a horse is like riding the sky."

It feels like flying close to the ground.
A twist of the wrist 
propels, elates,
elevates!

Cars are driven, but you
RIDE a motorcycle.
Bikers call cars:
"cages."
4 Wheels get you there;
2 wheels make it
FUN.

 " RIDE TO LIVE-
-LIVE TO RIDE! "

This holiday season
I am playing a NEW game called:
"Courtesy Rider."

It was indirectly suggested to me
by the angry Honolulu Police Officer
who gave me a stern talking-to
last week.


He threatened to write me a ticket
but didn't.
Too much fun
can look reckless
I suppose. . .


So I now I am:
COURTESY RIDER!


No more zipping around through traffic
like a UFO.
Legitimate acceleration,
feels better
than playing hound & hare
with ME as the hare.


Thanks Officer.

Maybe you even saved
my life.

Nice early Holiday gift!

Now YOU be safe, my friend.
& Thank YOU for your visit!

What story, experience, or pet peeve
do YOU have
about DRIVING, traveling, or Riding?
Tell us all in comments.
                                                 Warmly, cloudia

33 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Back in the day, the smaller portion and I had it down to a fine art. He undertook the defensive riding whilst I, as pillion, made the appropriate gestures. A down side to riding is following cattle trucks. They all have upset digestions (fair enough) and it splatters the riders behind. Fun times just the same.
Ride well and be happy. Thanks.

Lynn said...

I (slowly) rolled through a stop sign in a residential neighborhood because (I thought) no one was around. But the Atlanta City Police were on the job! I guess since I was apologetic and remorseful he gave me a seat belt violation (even though I was wearing mine) - it was a much lesser fine. Thankfully. :)

Dina said...

Lucky you to have a scooter. But please be careful scooting in and around traffic. They do that here and I've seen so many near-crashes that it worries me.

Last week I saw a Honda 125 parked at Hadassah. I didn't know we had those in Israel. It's a lot like my two Honda 50 bikes that I loved. I'd love to have that new 125 but I have nowhere off-street to hide it near home. It would soon be stolen.

Anonymous said...

EGADS! You're STILL rowdy! (Do you need to read your book?) Settle down on that thing and enjoy the view. We don't want our Comfort Spiral splat on the street. Remember, there are goofy visitors like I was in '02 looking for the correct street that begins with a "K", and those folks will splat you!
Check into the electric version of the TRIKKE if you need to buzz around....for a fee. Aloha, DrumMajor

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh you just have to get M. Comfort to take a picture of you on your scooter, helmet at a jaunty angle, but no more dodgems, stay safe!! My pet hate is when people turn corners or take off at the feeder lights so slowly that it makes you want to shout rude things at them haha! Aimee thinks I have 'inside car rage' as I never would dream of sticking my hand out the window and making signs, I keep my rage nicely contained!! Love the shot with the bird and plane, clever you.

Daryl said...

Mostly I walk .. but then this is not a driving city

21 Wits said...

Ouch...but quite possibly he was your angel for the day! It would be horrible to zip through traffic in Mpls. Your bonus in the sky photo is just how I like my pictures ...to come home and discover what else I captured is very cool! Have a great safe day out there Cloudia....! Aloha!

Anonymous said...

I can't STAND cars or motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic! So dangerous -- not only for them but for me as well. Lucky you were stopped by a cop, Cloudia! Blessings!

DeniseinVA said...

I was once stopped on the navy base for driving 25 mph in a 15 mph zone and had to go to 'traffic court' to have my hand slapped. I got lost and was not supposed to be in the area I was in but it was my first time on the base, my husband was setting off for a six month deployment the next day and I was feeling miserable anyhow, and the ticket giver was so nasty I burst into tears, which startled him so much he suddenly became very apologetic and left quickly, but still gave me the ticket. When I turned up and had to chat to the CPO, he took my hand, smiled kindly and talked to me as though I was a child. My 'crying' reputation had obviously gotten around!!!

DeniseinVA said...

p.s. glad your experience turned out okay ;)

Freda said...

Sadly my confidence and enjoyment in driving is fading. Perhaps I need to make more effort. Incidentally I like the Robin Williams quote. Much needed

wheatgerm said...

I love scooters

Jenn Jilks said...

He may well have saved your life.
We would so miss you and your posts, and your comments on all of our blogs!

Cheers from snowy Perth!

Windsmoke. said...

Still a rebel at heart playing chicken on the road as we call it down here in OZ. The quote by Robin Williams gets my vote :-).

Anonymous said...

I feel confident in declaring that I have been given many sparks of madness. ~Mary

Myrna R. said...

Glad you took the officer's "advice". I don't ride a scooter, but I used to ride a sports car. My husband used to kid me about having a book of coupons for the police to use instead of tickets, because I got so many speeding citations.

I've been good lately, though. I now drive a boring car, but I'm safe.

Heidi said...

Your pics are beautiful, as always...Glad to hear you are not a "crazy" scooter rider any more. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

Always a safe road ahead for you !

Once I did fall asleep, while waiting at a red light during the night; guess that the traffic light did know more than me.

Please have a good weekend you all.

daily athens photo

Commander Zaius said...

" You're only givena little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.
Robin Williams


My spark needs a vacation.

Cloudia said...

Beep Beep!


LOL - LOVELY to see YOU

thanks SO much :-)

Rick said...

First, a beautiful tribute to the veterans of that horrific day in Pearl Harbor. I visited the memorial a number of years ago - very moving.

Loved your photos today Cloudia esp. the bird's eye view (must have been an eagle !).

Riding looks very appealing and I'd give it a try if it weren't for so many idi*ts in their 4-wheel cages. Just last week someone was killed here coming home for lunch when someone turned right in front of them. No point being dead right.

Aloha !

Cloudia said...

Right!

Thanks, Rick

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous skies - love that pink shot!

Ride carefully - and have fun!

claude said...

I think you live under wonderful skies, Cloudia.
I am jaelous I have always dreamed to have a scooter, a red one, an italian, a Vespa.
Aloha ans have a nice week-end, my friend !

Louis la Vache said...

The Robin Williams quote is similar to one «Louis» uses: "You have to be a little crazy to keep from going nuts!"

Re the scooter: if «Louis» were driving one, it would be the incarnation of "hell on wheels".
;-D

Kay said...

I love it that you were given a stern talking to, but instead of being angry or resentful, you took his caution to heart to be safe. I wish everybody could be like you. You are such a beautiful soul, Cloudia. Now, I really want you to be safe. My brother rides a motorcycle without a helmet and it makes me absolutely CRAZY! He won't listen though and he works for the police department, for goodness sake!

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely skyscapes, thanks Cloudia.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
magiceye said...

ride safe!

namaste /\ from mumbai
aloha!

Trotter said...

Aloha Cloudia! Happy to be here after my accident. Walking... not driving... ;)

Lovely colours...

Blogtrotter Two is around Scandola. Fabulous! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Betty Manousos said...

great tribute to the veterans in pearl harbour!



i love the different colour layers of the sky in the first shot the most!

terrific!

take care,

Pietro Brosio said...

Awesome views, Cloudia!
It' so nice your experience turned out okay :-)

Cloudia said...

you touch my heart with your kind comments- thank you