Greetings campers and T-Mart swappers
Still recovering from several long drives and many missed meals during the week, and enjoying other people's reports. Sometimes wonder if I was at the same swap. Just can't see it all. Not terribly chatty this week, but enjoyed seeing most of the usual suspects. Always a fun and therapeutic day with the kooks. Even "biplane guy" was out flying around on a less than comfortable day to be sitting in the frigid prop wash of an open cockpit, so we weren't the only people out there trying to make the most of the days before winter sets in.
A younger co-worker from the MTB generation finally decided to make the pilgrimage. Verbal exchanges in the week leading up to the swap were usually along the lines of "hey, maybe you'll find a "real" bike", to which he would reply "maybe you'll finally get out of the stone age", and would then descend into more esoteric philosophical discussions of related topics such as self abuse vs self mutilation along the lines of, "hey old man, is that your chair creaking, or just your knees" to which I would politely reply "get away from me boy, all that metal in your piercings attracts lightning". And it is in these small ways that friendships are maintained, and the battles between conflicting ideologies and lifestyles are fought on the individual level, non-violently and with a sense of humor. And no, he didn't buy a "real" bike, and I'm still quite happy in the stone age. We are who we are.
Other highlights of the day included accidentally running into Alexander von Tutschek outside the swap, early, temporary escapee from the Hershey vintage car gathering, and as wound up as ever, just twitching to get into the swap. A quick phone call determined that the designated recipient of my extra vendor pass was trapped in a traffic jam somewhere far from T-town, so the wrist band was handed off. And that was the last I saw of him, just a happy blur as he disappeared into the mayhem. I just don't know how the lovely Sharron von T can turn that guy loose on the unsuspecting populace of the US in general, and eastern PA in particular, with a clear conscience. Where's the gang from homeland security when you need them?
Not really in spending mode myself, but always derive entertainment value from encouraging other people to spend their money. Tagged along with the Lees for a while late in the day, and have to hand Paul the award for bottom feeder of the day for repeated bulk purchases of items of questionable utility and value (in the category of "For personal use only. Not for resale."). Took four people to haul most of it out to their vehicle, and while loading I jokingly pointed out to Paul that another individual loading up had put his stuff down to "rest his arms", and maybe there was an opportunity there. Paul took me seriously, and scored another pile of junque, much to the anguish of his long suffering spousal unit. Sorry Rita. This is how we met years ago, and the tradition continues.
I gotta go Larry "time for a nap" Osborn Stepping in the bear poo hideen under the leaves, in Bruceton Mills, WV