It's been some time since my last post - sorry, dear readers.

I replaced my helmet with a new Scorpion EXO-700 and I couldn't be happier. This helmet is, quite simply, better. The fit is better, it's quieter, it has a no-fog visor that actually works, the ventilation is awesome, and it feels a lot more sturdy. It is slightly heavier than the HJC, but not enough to make a difference. I'd highly recommend it. There was some news awhile back about an EXO-700 failing a randomly-administered impact and penetration test but apparently neither DOT nor Snell chose to withdraw their endorsement of the helmet or issue a recall; I'm therefore only very slightly concerned. Still, I kinda wish no-one had told me that piece of news, or that they'd told me before I bought the EXO...

There have recently been a couple of little "snapshots" of the things that make motorcycling a wonderful experience. Last Friday, riding home from a party hosted by a couple of riding friends, I found myself on I5 in a thick fog. Visibility was fine, but the lights of the cars ahead of me were blurred and haloed by the fog, and the freeway was mostly empty, and Pink Floyd's Echoes was playing on the XM. If you're not familiar with Floyd you may not understand the powerful sense of otherworldliness that this song can engender, but between that and the fog and the speed, I felt very alone, and very free.

...and yesterday, after merging from I5 to 525 on my way home, I found myself in the right lane with a newer Lexus sedan in the left. I glanced over and saw an adorable little blond girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, with her face pressed up against the inside of the back-seat window, staring in rapt attention at me. I waved to her, and she returned it with a wide smile. I guess some of us fall in love with motorcycles earlier than others.