It may seem a bit insensitive to be declaring my new love so openly. I realize it hasn’t been long since I made the break from that unhealthy relationship, and so publicly at that.
I can’t help it. You know how it is when you’re basking in the glow of newfound love. You just want the world to know.
You want to spend all your time together getting to know your new love, discovering all the little things that make him (or her)* special. All day you find your mind drifting to the next time you’ll be together, striking out to explore the world from a new perspective, or remembering the special moments from that last time.
You drift off to sleep at night thinking about how lucky you are and you can’t wait to get up in the morning to see him (or her)* again.
Truth be told, I’m old enough to have been around the block a time or two, so I’m still a little cautious, but optimistic. It’s not just my new love: I’m not sure of myself, either. Can I take proper care of him (or her)*? If I learn to do everything right, will I end up getting hurt anyway?
It’s like riding a bike. This gender-neutral one. One of my favorite things.
I mean, things look good, but looks can be deceiving. Before we go too far, I want to be sure there’s not a slow leak in that front tire.
I had to take that tire off to get him (or her)* home and the owner’s manual strongly cautions about making sure the tire is properly attached, which only makes sense.
The brakes seem just fine, but the streets around here are flat. I don’t want to be headed downhill, carried away with the thrill of new love, headed toward water or a major intersection, when I find out things aren’t what they seem.
I have a plan, though, which led to the serendipitous discovery in the next and final piece of the three-part series, “A Few Of My Favorite Things.”
*For lack of an appropriate singular gender-neutral pronoun other than “it.”
Working brakes are always a good thing. Although, I’ve also learned it’s OK to let yourself go. If you crash into another bike, the owner would have to at least buy you a coffee!
I knew I could count on you for tips on rolling in style. Check that: brakes = good idea + good way to score coffee from strangers.
Oh, I’m with you.
There is a little part of me that can’t believe I’ll never have that thrill of a first kiss ever again.
That sounds really grim.
Sometimes I want to take a ride on some dangerous, unexplored street. If you know what I mean.
Indeed, I do. Indeed, I do.
Darius Rucker’s “History In The Making” put that whole idea of the last first kiss in my head. Darn him.
Love the color. I must add, I’ve never forgotten my first love. It was pink (it was the 50s, ok?). It had a white wicker basket and a white seat. There was no water bottle, no helmet, no fancy hand brakes, no padlock, no repair kit. If we got thirsty, we stopped at someone’s house. If we hit a curb or another kid and went flying, we got a bandaid. Pedal brakes worked most of the time. No one ever had a bike stolen, and if it broke, we walked it home and somebody helped us fix it.
No wonder you’re in love – that bike looks like it might have come with an accessory kit that includes access to that better time!
Your first love sounds like mine. It was the color of Pink Freud, over at Margie’s place (As I Age — over there in the links)! I ended up with a scar on my chin from the time I was racing Jeff, the Batman/Caterpillar Killer down the hill. My bike went one way, I went the other.
This one has a bell. A bell! I keep accidentally hitting it when I take my hand off the handlebar and put it back. There have been a few . . .um. . incidents . . where that has been humorously misconstrued. I just may get free coffee yet!
Does the guitar paper clip know about this?
I think the paper clip and I both know it is limited in what it can offer me, whereas my relationship with the bike is going places. Sad.
It’s funny that you got a bike. I was just thinking this morning about getting one. Weird.
Not weird at all. I’m in one of my intuitive phases. I knew you were thinking of it, so I had to scoop you. Oh, and yes, you should definitely have the double chocolate chip ice cream for dessert tonight. You’re welcome.
Smart, having a six-pack cooler on the handle bars.
Isn’t that cool? I hadn’t thought of a six-pack. It’s big enough for my camera and my Ambassador of Good Will (who’s on his way home from Scotland.) As soon as I know I can make it over the drawbridge safely, we’re going to town for an Annapolis photo shoot. Thoughtsy’s bringing her bike and we’re going to have ice cream, too.
I’ve still got a scar on my knee from when I was trying to manually raise the kickstand from one of my early bikes. Long story. This one looks way cooler than that. And I love the color!
The pain of first love never quite goes away, does it Real Debbie?
My advice would be to take it nice and slow before you go head over heels!
Or head over wheels!
Just like a woman; had to get the last word in, didn’t you? Ok, so you’re wittier than me. I can live with that!
I hope my new bicycle is as nice as yours! We bought a winter place in Arizona, and it came with two bikes – I haven’t even met them yet. I hope one of them likes me…
What’s not to
likelove?A winter place in Arizona? How exciting!
“At least when it doesn’t return my text messages, I know it wasn’t something I said.”
Just brilliant!
Thank you for noticing that. I clicked on your nuclear launch button, if for no other reason (although there are plenty) than your blog name is ten times more brilliant. . . I hope Kansas is ok.
You did WHAT ??!? Oh noooo !!!
Oh wait – I just checked the news sites, and none mention Kansas. So I guess it is harmless after all. I think… Or maybe we’ll only find out in December, but then I’ll be able to safely blame the Mayans.
I always suspected the Mayans had it in for Kansas. You know, I haven’t used that “nuke Kansas” line in years, but I brought it out of my archives just last week for my guest poston blogsitting over at http://blurtblog.net. And then I saw your subscribe button.
I’ve been experiencing a run of synchronicities lately. It’s fascinating and/or amusing.
Hmm, now that I think of it, this might not be true serendipity… I believe I read that guest post of yours, and that must be where I got the inspiration for the “nuke the world” (or just Kansas) line, although I didn’t realise it at the time. As a matter of fact, I remember I’d actually started out by putting something about the Mayans, and then switched to nuking Kansas…
I guess I’ll have to give you part of my royalties from this soon-going-to-make-me-a-millionaire blog. So you might want to start thinking about where you plan on buying your next dream mansion… or maybe not just yet
*Start* thinking about it? I spend at least 12 hours a day thinking about that.
Usually one has to worry about their love developing a spare tire, not a flat tire. I’m sure the two of you will be wheely, wheely happy together!
Haha! I like how you did that: wheely! Too cute.
Congratulations! New love is so intoxicating (even without the six-pack).
I had a similar experience with my newest bike and I’m happy to say our relationship is still going strong four years later. I can’t help but make comparisons between my newest love and my first one. Being with my newest bike is the most fun I’ve had since those early days, but there’s just no recapturing the experience of the first time.
It’s funny, but I happened to write about my very first bike in yesterday’s post. So, did you “borrow” the bike idea from my head? Or did I borrow it from yours?
Sometimes I scare me.
Just made it over there and what a fine post that is. That picture brings back memories — the banana seat, the handle bars, the reverse-pedal brakes.
That bike is sooooo gender specific.
That bell is so delicate. I’m not really Angela Lansbury.
And no training wheels. You are so daring.
I’m the non-hippie your momma warned you about.
I’m not sure I’m ready for a new bike; I’ve been hurt before.
Since I am uncoordinated and not in the least athletic, so I’m looking at the armoire behind it. I used to have the same one. Gave it to a friend who was moving into her first apartment and needed furnishings.