Way back when I was 11 or 12 years old , I read a group of four ( 4 ) books , by an author whose name was J. R. R. Tolkien . I liked them . They left a permanent impression on my little mind . . . Lately I've heard a rumor that some foolish person has tried to make a movie out of them . . . But , anyway . . . The mention of Harvey's hub brings up a WONDERFUL SUBJECT :
Mathom ; noun , hobbitish . A birthday present , especially one whose use has been completely forgotten .
"Hobbits give presents to other people on their own birthdays. Not very expensive ones, as a rule . . . "
"It was a tendency of hobbit-holes to get cluttered up; for which the custom of giving so many birthday-presents was largely responsible. Not, of course, that the birthday-presents were always new ; there were one or two old mathoms of forgotten uses that had circulated all around the district . . . "
Now THIS has great potential as an endless sort of tradition at The Cirque . The same old items could be auctioned off ( for worthy and charitable causes , of course ) year after year . I can see it becoming a matter of pride , to see who could bring it around again next year , in a higher state of polish , or on a nicer little display stand , etc. , etc .
While thinking about the fine tradition of "gifts" which circulate around and around , I couldn't help remembering also the story of "The Bottle Imp" .
The story of "The Bottle Imp" is the usual tale about the magical creature trapped inside the bottle granting wishes , but somehow the outcomes are always bad , very bad . It doesn't take long before the new owner of the bottle , and the Imp , decides to get rid of the thing . That's when it gets interesting . The bottle can only be successfully sold for LESS than the price that was paid . Which means , eventually , somebody is going to get stuck with it , for all eternity ! And if you fail to get LESS for it , than you paid , you soon find out that you haven't really gotten rid of it at all !! !!
But back to the good stuff , I propose that a new honor be created . The successful high bidder , and winner of the most worthy and charitable auction , will immediately be inducted into , "The Fraternal Order Of Harvey's Hub" . The honorable "Brothers Of The Hub" will henceforth be viewed by all with awe and respect , for their noble and charitable contributions .
Perhaps these brethren might also receive an actual authentic autograph , from Mr. Lou Deeter himself !!
Just me thinking again . Sorry . I'll try not to let it happen in the future .
Cheers ,
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
> Martin Appel wrote that he
>
> <snip> bought a front wheel with a high-flange Campagnolo track
> hub, (hope its a record) Fiamme Ergal rim and 32 welded spokes in nice
> condition for 24
> Euro not long ago...
>
> Not bad, not bad. In the spirit of the lost dog named "lucky" I have a 36
> hole Campy Record HF front hub I would sell for ONLY$40, including postage
> and handling to anywhere in the US. It's dirty and much used. Did I
> mention that one web is cracked through? But it would clean up "right
> good" and be good eye candy to show that even Campys can be broken. Make
> up your own story...I have no idea where I got it.
>
> After all, the goals of cirque including swapping stories and selling each
> other our mistakes at the least loss possible... :-)
>
> OK, ok, I'm embarassed. I'll donate the proceeds to the fund Dale is
> pulling together.
>
> harvey sachs
> mcLean VA