Motorcycles, I Harley Knew Ye

If I had my way, motorcycles would suddenly cease to exist.

Well, okay...I'm a reasonable man. For you collectors and hobbyists out there, you can keep yours as long as you don't take them out on the streets. Fair enough? Also, maybe some vintage motorcycles could be donated to world-class museums. Needless to say, I don't watch American Chopper or visit Thunder Tower very often!



Why the lack of bike love, you ask? One big reason: within the last few years, it's become clearer to me that there exists a double standard with safety laws in South Carolina concerning motorcycles and automobiles. It is state law that a seat belt must be worn at all times while driving or riding in a car. However, if you're over 21 and you ride a motorcycle, a helmet is optional!

Predictably, motorcycle fatalities continue to increase. In 2006, 109 riders were killed in South Carolina, and 81 of those were not wearing helmets. So, given that bikes aren't going anywhere anytime soon, maybe it's time to revise the helmet law, don't you think? There are complaints that helmets can be hot and can interfere with hearing...both true. Still, if you're already putting your life at risk by riding your bike, what's the big deal? You could even have fun with it and get an artistic helmet like the one below, whose theme is based on the film Predator:



Regardless, bikes are simply not safe with or without a helmet. What protects you from the neck down? A good friend of the family was involved in a motorcycle accident years ago and suffered brain damage as a result. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a helmet, but I wonder how much better off he would be today had he instead been inside an automobile, where one is much less likely to be sent flying from their seat and landing on pavement (provided that a seat belt is worn, of course). At least with cars, there is also the added safety cushion of airbags in the event of a crash.

I should also note that I am not a fan of loud noises, so motorcycles and I are natural enemies. They are major sources of noise pollution, as anyone who has ever had the misfortune of trying to sleep at night during Myrtle Beach Bike Week can attest to. I found myself in that very situation several trips in a row. Next time, I'll be ready!

Sure, motorcycles are less expensive to buy and own that most cars, and what with the current state of the economy, I know that counts for a lot. Nonetheless, the risk of injury or death (compared to cars) just doesn't seem worth it to me. Besides, what if you get caught in bad weather? Or make a sharp turn on wet roads? Or damage a tire? Or the person behind you doesn't stop in time? Or you don't stop in time? Or you're attacked at a stoplight by a pack of ravenous wolves who haven't eaten in a week?

So, if you have a desire to feel the wind in your hair, just stand in front of a fan. It's safer that way, and you can't beat the fuel efficiency!

Cavaliers Reunited

Mick Jagger once sang about time being on his side. Yes, it is: he turned 65 on Saturday and is still going strong as one of rock's living legends, so one would be hard-pressed to argue with him. Time was also clearly on the side of those who attended the RNE Class of '98 reunion this weekend because every single person looked fantastic and seemed to have been doing well since graduation, which I was glad to see. The reunion was a great time, and pictures are now posted on the Richland Northeast High School c/o 1998 group on Facebook.

Here is a recap of the weekend from my standpoint:

Friday Night - Icy's

I arrived fifteen minutes early and was surprised to be the first person there (other than some reunion committee members). Soon enough, our numbers grew steadily. We had a generous spread of chicken wings, nachos, and more. Despite the temptation to do otherwise, I did not partake of anything (save for a Diet Coke) because I knew that Murphy's Law would be in full effect: whatever I had in my hand would invariably find its way to my white shirt like a magnet! All in all, the turnout was decent, such that our reserved section eventually became rather difficult to navigate. The event was originally scheduled to finish at 8:00 but ended closer to 10:00, with some people going out for (more) drinks afterwards.

There were several people I could not recall from my RNE days, so I had the pleasure of being introduced to a few "new" classmates. Also, I enjoyed meeting the dates and spouses of some of the Cavaliers, and I admire them for standing patiently for hours in a room full of strangers while their significant others were catching up with old friends. Good sports, all!

Saturday Afternoon - Sesqui

While at Icy's, we were given our T-shirts to wear at Sesqui on Saturday. While I did not attend, Joey said that it was quite an outdoor feast: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, baked beans...and even fried catfish was served! Apparently, the turnout was moderate compared to the other events, with around 40 or 50 people showing up, but still a respectable number. There was also some rain, but fortunately it didn't start until just as people were leaving.

The spiffy T-shirt design...

Front:


Back:


Saturday Night - Inn at USC

This event was the climax of the reunion, just as anticipated. Many people showed up who neither came to Icy's nor the cookout, so it was easily the highest-attended event of the three reunion activities. In some respects, it felt like graduation day ten years ago in that there was excitement in seeing everyone gathered together, but also a sense of disappointment knowing it would be the last time for a long time.

The Inn at USC is a quaint but elegant venue, and we practically had the ground floor to ourselves (namely, the cafeteria and main ballroom). I arrived promptly at 7:00 and was asked to fill out an index card summarizing life after high school. My card, along with everyone else's, was pinned to a bulletin board detailing all our updates. We were also given a nametag to fill out and wear, as well as a program of events:



Before the program started, we had some hors d'œuvres in the cafeteria and socialized for a while (I was brave and ate this time, miraculously managing not to get a single meatball on my shirt or tie). Afterwards, we all migrated to the ballroom on the other side of the building. Jon and Joey both gave brief but poignant welcomes and reflections, during which I noticed several people dabbing their eyes (I came close myself). Tashia hosted a trivia game, quizzing several contestants about our senior year. The reunion committee then acknowledged its members, and a slideshow presentation was shown with pictures (taken both during RNE and also the years since) submitted by some who attended the reunion. The final slide listed a handful of names of fellow classmates who have passed away since graduation, and to whose memory the slideshow was dedicated. After the slideshow, the crowd mingled and began to disperse slowly as 11:00 approached; a graceful finale to a weekend of lively festivities.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the reunion, in addition to seeing familiar faces again, was having the opportunity to interact with former classmates from the perspective of adulthood. Though life is nothing if not a constant exercise in change, high school in particular seemed to be a period of upheaval for most of us, trapped in many ways between who we used to be and who we were then becoming. For my part, I am much more settled now than I was in 1998, and it was nice to see how everyone else had changed as well. By the way, congratulations to the many classmates of ours who are currently mothers-to-be!

It was indeed a weekend to remember, and I truly enjoyed the company of everyone who shared in it with me (many of whom I grew up with). The reunion committee did an exceptional job arranging and coordinating all of the events even in the face of possible low attendance, which was originally a concern. I'm happy to say, that proved not to be the case. To those who couldn't make it: you were in our thoughts, and your name was surely brought up at some point during the proceedings. Also, thank goodness for MySpace, Facebook and the like, which make it much easier for us to stay in touch. Isn't the Information Age grand?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Mick Jagger is still performing with the Stones ten years from now, when he will be 75. In 2018, at our 20th, may time still be on our side as well!

Trent Reznor gives us 'The Slip'

Yesterday saw the hard-copy release of 'The Slip', the new studio album from Nine Inch Nails. As most fans are aware by now, it has been available as a free download on the band's website since May. The limited edition package released yesterday (only 250,000 copies) includes the album, a DVD with five rehearsal performances, and a set of 3 stickers from the album artwork.

'The Slip' is just the latest offering from NIN, who went independent last year and have become increasingly prolific, having released five albums within the last 3 years. They, along with Radiohead and several other major acts, are creatively using the Internet to redefine how musicians interact with their fans. Cases in point: the innovative promotional campaign of last April's 'Year Zero' album, and remix.nin.com, where fans can exchange their own remixes of NIN songs as well as download rarities uploaded by Trent himself.

I missed NIN when they came to the Carolina Coliseum in '94, but I finally have the opportunity to make things right and balance the universe: I will be going to Duluth, Georgia next month to see NIN live in concert for my first time as part of their Lights in the Sky 2008 tour, which is said to be their most logistically complex tour to date. I haven't been to a good concert in years (the last artist I saw live was Clay Aiken, though I can't emphasize strongly enough that this was not my choice), and the NIN live experience is said to be almost legendary, so I know I'm in for a treat and will no doubt have lots to blog about after the show.

Some people who knew me years ago are surprised when they learn that I'm a NIN fan and have been since college, where I also discovered the joys of Pink Floyd and Metallica...a far cry from my days of Michael Jackson fandom, to be sure (hard to believe he turns 50 this year, along with Prince and Madonna)! I've come to appreciate good music in just about any genre, and besides, how can you not admire an artist who leaves a major record label and then releases a free album to his fans?

'The Dark Knight' sets weekend record

The film set an opening weekend record of $155.34 million, surpassing the previous record of $151.1 million held by 'Spider Man 3'. I was in the minority that did not contribute to this figure, though I'm anxious to see it within a few weeks after most of the crowds have come and gone.

I love going to the movies, but as ticket prices keep increasing, I have become much more selective about which movies I will let Regal rob me over, but I don't think I've heard a single negative comment about this one yet. Somewhere, Heath Ledger must be proud of his swan song.

Which reminds me...this town needs an IMAX. ASAP.

The Story of Christian The Lion

This video is for the cat lovers. You may need a tissue handy.

One degree of Kevin Bacon

Almost two years ago, I was having lunch with my girlfriend at the time when she mentioned that Kevin Bacon was coming to town to film a movie called 'Death Sentence'. This was welcome news considering that I grew up on his movies and had always admired his versatility as an actor. Also, I hardly associated my hometown with a major Hollywood production (save for 'Renaissance Man' years earlier). Not even three weeks after that lunch, Kevin Bacon was at my office on Main St. filming a climactic scene for the movie in our parking structure.

This particular scene was so complex that they needed to stay for an entire week to complete it (and it looks great in the finished product, by the way), so needless to say, many people at the state agency where I work were less productive than usual that week due to the excitement of a star on the premises. Often we would catch glimpses of the filming, and on a couple of occasions, Bacon would wave to people gathered in the courtyard while taking a break.

The real fun came one night early in the week after the cast and crew had wrapped up for the day, and Kevin Bacon had gotten inside a white SUV to be driven away. I was standing with a group of friends and co-workers on the sidewalk across the street, and just as he passed by, he signaled to the driver to stop, got out, and mingled with a very appreciative crowd. He shook hands and signed autographs generously for several minutes.

I managed to take a picture, and because the week was still young, I was able to develop it and get it to him to sign before they finished filming. That picture is attached to this note, as well as framed and displayed on a wall in the restaurant at our office complex. It was a memorable week, and I can confirm that Kevin Bacon is an all-around cool guy.

I was reminded of that experience today after I heard that 'Nailed', a political comedy which was also filmed here in Columbia (and in which the State House doubles as the U.S. Capitol), may not make it to post-production because of financial disputes. Here's hoping that it will, and also that the stars of Hollywood will continue to shine on our fair town.