Entering the Scooter World

In October I purchased a new 2006 Sachs/Tomberlin scooter.

This is a 49.5cc bike, automatic, top speed of 35mph - all of this makes this a "motorized bicycle" class for Massachusetts. This means: no license plate, no insurance, access to wherever a bicycle can go. As long as I wear a helmet and have a registration sticker, I'm good to go.

I get about 80 miles to the gallon (some folks get 100) and it's perfect for most of my commutes around town.

I use a backpack but am now considering some sort of modified bicycle panier bags for the seat.

(btw this pic is not my bike - but looks exactly the same).

Quirky....who me?

Bet at Nut Harvest tagged me with this meme, so here goes.

Six quirky things about me. Lots of people tell me I'm quirky, but it is sure hard to think of specific examples!

The rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag six other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

#1. I tend to randomly yell "burrito."
#2. I am called a "cat whisperer" and most recently a "goat whisperer."
#3. I'm 5'11'', 240lbs and ride a 50cc scooter.
#4. I live by a "todo" list.
#5. I know more that 100 ways to prepare ramen.
#6. I could live off beans, buttermilk and veggie juice.

Castle in the Clouds

On our vacation to New Hampshire this year we discovered a hidden attraction that was quite a surprise for us. I won't give much of the history, as that is part of the fun of the expedition, but I will say it was built in the 1910's and was used for entertaining the social elite before the depression.

We dined in the Carriage House, i.e. in a horse stall. But the food was good and plentiful. Also on the drive up there were places to stop and hike - as this was one of the original attractions.

So if you ever visit the White Mountains in New Hampshire you should try to make a trip to this little piece of history. Follow the link by clicking a picture above.

A Rare Find: The Cheese Plate

On one of our day trips this summer, my wife and myself went to a new place in Warren, RI that got rave reviews. It was called The Cheese Plate found at 54 State Street, Warren, RI 02805.

This is a typical plate:

Six different cheeses, dried fruits, nuts, olives and crusty bread; the best thing is to let the proprietor choose for you - that way you will try something you usually wouldn't.
He handles fine European cheeses and wines. If you are like us and not drinkers, a plate like this with a dessert plate, with sodas and tip is well under $25.

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Okay, I know that I'm an adult, but I really like what the guys at Big Idea produce. They are a weird combination of Monty Python humor and CS Lewis storytelling all in cartoons for kids (and closet kids). So not to spoil the new movie I'll just say it's a good family movie and you should take your kids and go see it. If you don't have kids, take your neighbor's kids and go see it. How many kids' movies pay homage to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "The Wizard of Oz" and the B-52's? Enough said.

Another New Gadget

Well, I finally added an accessory to my Internet tablet. I found that I was doing more data entry than I thought I would with it - bought it as a toy, and now it's a great tool.
I got a foldable bluetooth keyboard for it. The layout is exactly like the Palm IR keyboard, but it still works with other devices, including PCs and Palms. I can use the keyboard for my Palm TX too.
This keyboard is designed much better than the Palm keyboard - it doesn't need something flat under it to keep it from folding up on you.
This makes note taking, emails, and blogging much easier. The virtual keyboard was okay, but for a typist it is much too slow.

New England Weather

I guess one of the toughest things about living in New England is the weather. One week it can be blizzard conditions, the next week in single digits and the following week its in the 50's and 60's. I guess this is what explains my health - my sinuses don't do to well with rapid changes. I guess the only good thing about the unseasonable weather is that I get a chance to run errands on my Maddie. lol.