« of blobs, dawgs, and biking. | Main | in which Marcel dreams of a flying milk crate »
September 12, 2005
same rant -edited for clarity!
Rats!! The Wicker Park Pedal Pushers Parade-Brigade was something of a letdown for most involved, unfortunately, including the American Diabetes Association (speaking of rat-finks, maybe I oughtn't to bite the hand that feeds-or that says they are doing something-who knows what? Paying themselves? oh, listen to me being cranky -in the name of people like me-but I'm not sure what they've done for me lately) because I'm not sure if anyone paid the $10 donation to ride. Being as I am their fundraising raw material as it were, I figure I am off the hook. (In fact, I believe I should get a kickback. This is Chicago, right?)Dave came as the Special Cycling Diabetic Poster Child Guest of Honor.
Some highlights included putting faces with emails, in particular, some ratty e-friends. I'd looked for them in alleys, to no avail (or maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. And then some drunken boys lead us astray, as drunken boys will) and then lo, found them in broad daylight (well, ok, twilight, rats are nocturnal creatures) smack in the middle of Wicker Park, circling about, as rats will, on pedal driven contraptions in a splendid array of configurations. And me on My Little Pony, my plain but serviceable best pal in the world. (One day I will make you handlebar streamers, if nothing else, little buddy, I swear!) A particularly nice highlight was Tiffany and her bike mounted bubble machine! A bubble maching which, apparently is available at any party store (intended for weddings). It has been pointed out by one correspondent that several of these could make for a magical ambiance in future rides. Hm, this is something to look into, I think.
The really big bonus~ the ah-ha moment, happened in the park before the ride took off. It was the moment when I put together the man in the nipple helmet with the man I had been emailing about a basket for Marcel. Oh yes, the ingenius and much admired nipple helmet, which has caught my eye numerous times, at numerous events (including gay pride, as the mystery wearer circled his tall bike near the sextopede, or the Sexcycle, as its come to be known, where I was virtually invisible between Dave and Bart on their leashes, save for a pair of blonde pigtails and a protudinous pink balloon) and which helmet I've always wanted to grope, if only for the bouncy bouncy sensation, and the sheer lewdness of it all! But alas have never been able to catch up to before, as rats have a way of moving fast, by their very nature, and looking forbidding! This one was looking around for a light, when I copped a feel, right there in the park, ah yes, it was gratifying! Yea, verily. According to the wearer, a splendidly skirted and I daresay olfactorily heady, (in a good way, really!) not to mention fabulously furred (his own, not someone else's) and bejeweled wearer of the helmet, others have had similar, albeit even more forward suggestions as to what they would like to do to the helmet. It seemed unhygenic to me, but its not as though similar thoughts hadn't entered my mind. Oh yes, believe it!
The short ride for some reason required a police presence as usual. To be fair, the police seemed irritated, not because we were doing anything wrong but because they were bored. Like I said, the ride was short. However I have it from one tall bike rider that he was feeling somewhat harrassed. It helped that all of Wicker Park was somewhat chaotic and overrun Saturday night, due to the coyote and also the nice weather. Car traffic was almost at a standstill in places so blocking an intersection or two didn't detract from the basic gridlock too much.
So after the approximately 15 minute ride ended in front of something of a party (and another $10 donation being asked) there was a feeble attempt to get another ride going. Dave and I followed Tiffany and the bubble machine for a while but again the ride fizzled, and somewhere near Division and Damen we found ourselves outside a Guiness beer sponsored event, which featured Irish drinking songs of a putrid nature. We petted some really nice dogs, Bella and Jane, the barky beagle, before wandering back to Milwaukee Ave. and milling about, getting food, and wandering back to the thing where the party was. We surprised some naked mud wrestlers (now that would have been worth $10 but hey we got it for free- minus the actual wrestling) and tried unsuccessfully to go to this silly party which seemed to be some grumpy people telling us to come back later. Really they were awfully grumpy for people having a party. Not so conducive to fun. We left.
We listened for a while to this '80s cover band playing some Scorps, oh yes. And I think it was not Cory Hart but one of those guys.
Went to a bad art show.
Went home.
Some knitting was done over the weekend, too, the mismatched socks continue unabated. I am thinking this may become a fashion trend, poverty socks. Because I keep running out of yarn before the socks are finished, because boys have got big feet.
Oh, and Friday night, Audrey's show was excellent, as usual, and there's still time to go see it, and you really must, dear readers. But if you want to buy any paintings, too bad. They're all sold. Not surprising. You can still order her book though. Do it! You will be glad you did.
John and I also hit Zolla Lieberman Gallery, to see paintings by Maria Tomasula, the image on their web page does her no justice at all. Really. Go to it.
P.s. Big big big thanks again to John for taking me to get my eyeballs zapped of a Friday! You are the best.
Posted by pippypippy at September 12, 2005 12:28 PM
Comments
Hi! I see you're from Chicago, as am I. I was hoping to meet up w/other Chicago knitters and, well, knit! I'm stuck on scarves right now, and want to learn more. If you're interested, drop me a line (no, not a stalker).
Chae
Posted by: Chaeriste at October 24, 2005 04:07 PM