Red Is A Flavor

While driving home from work today, I encountered something strange.  A adults-sized Green-Machine Big-Wheel heading Eastbound on Florida SR 404.  It was following a camera crane truck.  There was another “big-wheel-type” vehicle on the side of the road near US1, along with a helicopter apparently filming from overhead.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing this on TV soon.

I always wanted one of the green-machines when I was a kid.  The rear steering just seemed so cool, and power-sliding was easy.

Apparently, this thing of awesomeness was built by the Parker Brothers Choppers in Melbourne.  It has a 45” front wheel and runs on an 80 cubic inch Harley motor.  Check out this article about it from Wired

It turns out this thing was featured in the Hammacher Schlemmer Holiday gift guide, for the low price of $75,000.

This is the 9′ three-wheeled motorcycle inspired by the Green Machine, the classic big-wheeled pedaled tricycle from the 1970s. Its proportion, color scheme, and striking 45" diameter front wheel–the world’s largest–are so convincing, it compelled the toy’s 1975 designer to see the motorcycle for a side-by-side comparison with the original toy. At its heart rumbles an air-cooled, 80" cu. Harley-Davidson v-twin Evo–hailed by some as the engine that saved the iconic company–providing 60 horsepower for speeds up to 50 mph. The front wheel is driven by a chain housed in a protective cowling that replicates the toy’s frame and, like its predecessor, the cycle is steered by two handheld push/pull levers that control the two rear wheels via a directional linkage. The hand levers include brakes while a foot lever controls its manual 6-speed transmission. Its 8 1/2-gallon fuel tank is built into the frame, hidden from view, providing a range of 400 miles. 9′ L x 4 1/2′ W x 45" H. (450 lbs.)

Photo: Parker Brothers Choppers

Yesterday, I learned the diagnosis of my arm/wrist that I injured while snowboarding.  It is officially broken and I’m now wearing the first cast in my life.

While wearing it around the office, I’m finding two things interesting; people’s curiosity about it and their surprise when I tell them I broke it snowboarding.  The later truly amazes me.  I’m looked at in such a way that says “I should have known better”.

I am now 38 year old and I hurt myself doing something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a teenager.  What exactly is surprising about this?  The fact that I still chase my dreams and have refused to live with Adultitis (See Adultitis.org for Diagnosis and Treatment), or is it their inability to do the same?  Life is for experiencing that which I’ve yet to, without fear?  As we do not get a do-over at life.

Below is our official schedule for movies next week.  Movies start at about 7:30PM.  There will be plenty of popcorn and hot chocolate.  Possible fire afterward, depending on weather and time.  Come one, come all.

December 18 – A Christmas Carol

While I thought it would have taken a little longer, everyone hated our house without a dog.  So after an exhaustive search all over the southeast, we found Sophie.  She is a 4 months old and is already showing the intelligence we love of this breed.

In the three days we’ve had her, she’s had only two indoor “accidents”, the rest have been in her spot outside.  She sleeps quietly through the night in her kennel and loves to cuddle on the couch.