The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For some people, I bet it is. Back to school. It's a wierd time, because it's chock full of excitement, anxiety and full-on fear. As a teacher, I find it extremely ironic that I feel exactly the same way as I did when I was the student - excited about the news friends I would make, afraid of some of the friends I made, and wanting to throw up a little bit, just for good measure. While I am excited by the prospect of all the new office supplies and trips to Target I'll be making, the mere thought of waking up 'early' is headache-inducing. I am trying to reflect on my first year and to learn from that. One good lesson did come out of it all - that worry is wasteful, that what happens, happens... either way. I can hear Billy Ocean now, like a wave cresting in my ears...don't worry...be happy.

Monopattino

In a perfect world, somewhere deep in the Sicilian hills, with a glass of pinot in my hand, on the way to a heaping plate of fresh pasta I would be coasting on a scooter. I have imagined the scene several times - me in a simple skirt and top, scarf wrapped around my head, huge Dior sunglasses, a basket with a fresh bread, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil from the vine, another bottle of wine, blue sky, rolling green for miles, the wind in my hair, an Armani model named Guiseppe riding in the sidecar...this was my Vespa fantasy.

Of course the reality is that though I may some day travel there, to date I have not been to Italy. I am an Italian-American, and I have had gelato. No Vespa, though.

I have, however, arrived in scooter-dum. I recently purchased a 2002 Honda Metropolitan II through a private dealer in Connecticut, which may be the way to go. Scooters are a hot commodity right now, what with the soaring cost of fuel and the fact that cars kind of suck. And with space for groceries or a six pack, these adorable, affordable machines make more sense than a (stupid) SUV. Bargain News and Craig's list are good places to start looking. If owning a scooter is even a possibility, just do it. Bite the bullet. Finance the bitch. Drop it like it's hot. Seriously...it will be one of your better decisions in 2008.