Of Annoying Neighbors, Griping and Motorcycling

I gripe a lot. It’s what I do. And I never seem to lack things to gripe about. For example I could gripe about the tools that live next door to me and likely called Animal Control on me last week for barking and/or dangerous dogs (after one of them made gun gestures with his hand at Jojo – Jojo the dog who loves everyone – and my barking dogs are the dangerous ones because they bark? What the heck ever.), or I could gripe about how my stubborn mother not listening to her doctor caught up with her and caused me to not be able to go to Lake Michigan this last weekend for Memorial Day. Anyway, I’m going to stop right here with the griping. Despite all these annoyances, I had a fun and productive weekend.  I discovered a new obsession this weekend and it makes me happy. I spent the day Sunday on the back of a motorcycle riding down to Oliver Winery and through that part of the state, enjoying the scenery and finally understanding what being on a motorcycle is all about. I had so much fun. I was lucky that my first time was not like Carrie Bradshaw’s ride with Jack Burger. I had the honor of riding with good friends who are totally responsible and worked to make my first experience so great.  In the interest of bringing things that are pleasurable into my life, and keeping the things that aren’t out, I’ve decided that Sunday won’t be my last time on a motorcycle as a passenger (or as the driver) so I signed up for an ABATE-run beginner motorcycle education class in late September (apparently these things are hot – that was the first available…).  Life’s too short to spend it gripingall the time – sometimes is ok   That being said, if the next-door neighbors continue with the gun-gesturing and Animal Control hijinks, they are going to find out what trouble is.  Either they are dumb or just don’t care (or both) but they are in violation of some city ordinances and I know they are smoking things over there that they should not be. Now I’m not the kind of person that cares about that stuff or pokes their nose into my neighbor’s business or rats people out but if calling city-run organizations is now the way we are to be handling things in the hood, then the gloves are coming off. I will note that the Animal Control officer left after realizing there was no problem at my house – no dangerous dogs, no barking after-hours, no violations and probably noting that I live in a neighborhood full of barking dogs.