Trying to blend in
When I was 15 this bike seemed like the height of good taste. I used to ride it into town and around the farm quite happy in the knowledge that if anyone saw me on it they'd probably be envious. But then, when I started driving, the bike was neglected and for the most part has remained in the dairy ever since. (We have a very cold room at home with a stone floor and no heating where we keep the fridge, the freezer and a load of miscellaneous old stuff with which we don't know what to do. For some reason, we call this room 'the dairy') -
Fifteeen years on, I've brought the bike out of retirement and suddenly I'm conscious of the fact the most bikes are less colourful these days. Even brightly coloured bikes have more sense than to be more than one bright colour at the same time. I feel quite self-conscious cycling around the Birmingham on this brash fashion statement that really doesn't match my personality. (BTW. The piece of paper hanging over the crossbar isn't an ASBO issued for riding a loud bike in a built up area)
-
It's quite tempting to find some dark paint/spray and tone it down a bit so it might match my clothes better.
-
Alternatively, I could ride it in my Korean outfit!
-
I blurred my face in this self-portrait due to an odd expression. (I know, 'when do I not have an odd expression?')
posted by Rowland @ 5:38 pm
3 comments
3 Comments:
Why do you have a korean outfit?
And - more importantly - are those your hands?
Anon, # 2
Why do I have a Korean outfit?
Because a very scary American woman in Korea was selling them for charity. She wanted $10 for it. 'Where am I going to get $10 from?' I protested. She allowed me to pay 10,000 Won instead, which is probably worth about $15 or $20.
I think most Korean outfits tend to be more colourful than this bright silver example - compare Colin's wedding picture. I don't know whether the silver one is meant to designate something special or maybe a Korean astronaut, I just picked it out as one that was different, confident that I would never wear it; in public at least, I wouldn't be human if I didn't try it on.
Are they my hands?
Yes, though I might prefer it if they were not. Of course, if they were not, I might have suffocated or squashed the person behind me, which would not be preferable. I'd rather be lonely than a murderer.
Anon #1
What is the relationship between you first and second paragraphs?
Post a Comment
<< Home