In a previous post I had mentioned that I have been riding a new mode of transportation. For some reason deep in my being I feel like riding a motorcycle was something I was meant to do. Like I have been doing it my whole life. This past weekend we went for a visit of the familial variety and made the long trek up to Weidman (Mom and Dick's place). Usually I am the one sitting in the navigator's position watching the world go by but since Doug's arm is still tied up (literally) it was my pleasure to have something to do for two hours and 15 minutes. Side note: Doug has one more day until his driving privileges are returned. He gets to see the doctor and get his stitches removed (gross!!!) and starts down the road toward living with the humans again.
But I digress...after about an hour of settling in we made our way to the kitchen/dining room to eat dinner. As I passed the refrigerator I noticed that my Mom had printed out a slighty different version of this picture (the one posted in Momma's Got a New Toy): 
Right above it was this:
That's right! The Thunder Chopper! Next to the Big Wheel, this was my favorite ride-on toy. I distinctly remember riding this especially after we had moved to the duplex on Watson Rd. We were new to the neighborhood and I remember it being quite the cool thing to have. After seeing this I now understand how I couldn't have made it through this life without a motorcycle. Of course, I have been completely obsessed lately and even if I can't enough riding in. I have been dreaming of my next bike (I really like the green one and I don't think that it's going to match my helmet) and looking forward to my Motorcycle Safety Course this weekend (finally my Motorcycle Endorsement will be complete and I'll be able to ride by myself!). If you have seven hours to spare sometime take the time to watch Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. Doug and I have been talking about taking some long roadtrips someday and are very inspired by their gumption.
Ok...Back to the topic. The interesting (and I suppose not too surprising) similarities don't stop there when it comes to my family.
Here is me at about 18 months...oh so cute!
Here is one of Baby Claire...
Sorry not that one. This one:
Neat heh!
And here's another! My brother posted this picture of my niece Sophia the other day. It struck me instantly that I have seen this scene before with another of my closely related set of genes. As promised Steve...
I think Sophia's form is a bit more snappy but in my vast experience as a teenager, young adult and now mother, boys are much more difficult to get to do what you want.
Since Doug was a second child there are very few pictures of his childhood. The couple that we have though you can see the mischievous nature through the faded yellowing pictures and the polyester lizard green lounge suit. Paisleys never looked so good! I think the thing that strikes me the most looking at those old pictures is that the look in Doug's eye is the same that I see everyday when Eddie is in his full Eddieness form. It's amazing Wayne and Norene didn't turn to something harder than the occasional Martini and Manhattan!
As a side note: This week I have really come to learn that being part of a family that communicates well is the best thing that I can ever wish for in life. I love you all very much and here's to magic mushrooms and iSight!
Nice masthead! It reminds me of the largest, most beautiful harvest moon that I've seen when I was driving back from Muskegon last weekend.
I suppose I should say something about the picture you posted of me. I'd say half of the picture was me growing up in an era of bad clothing. The other half was me trying to keep myself, and apparently those around me, entertained.
Speaking of motorcycles, I'll have to take some pictures of my new motorcycle and post them soon.
Posted by: Stephen McKenna | July 14, 2006 at 08:10 PM