You Learn Something New Everyday

At least I try to.  Sometimes it just happens.  

I had a flat tire recently.  I had just seen Steve Yockey's play, Bellwether read at Actor's Express and returned to my car to find the rear right tire sagging.  Not completely flat, but definitely not right.  In pulling into the parking space earlier I noticed that I had run over a plate, and there were broken pieces strewn behind my car.  I cleaned up the glass as best I could with my bare hands, not wanting anyone else to suffer the same fate.  I replaced the flat tire with the spare with the help of the board president of Actor's Express.  Nice coincidence and even nicer guy.  Careful inspection of the tire lead me to find that the glass plate wasn't the cause of my tire problem.  A tiny nail was firmly planted in a small spot in the treads.  I thanked Bruce and went on my way.

I took my Honda to the dealer and they patched the tire for a very modest fee.

I have always fancied myself a tinkerer.  Not a mechanic, for that would entail more time, but I have been known to change my own oil.  One thing I always have done is check my tire pressure regularly.  Reduces the chance of flats and improper wear, as well as improved gas mileage.  Since the flat I have been meaning to check all four tires to make sure that they are all at the correct pressure.  QT is the best, because they offer free air.  I have stopped many times over the last several weeks, at many different times throughout the day, and have been surprised at the lines at the 'free air' station.  One or two cars at least.  Once I even had some jerk pull in front of me to cut in line!  What was going on?  All of a sudden, people are taking an interest in the well being of their cars.  Over the years I have rarely had to wait to fill my tires.  

Then it dawned on me.  Barack Obama.  He has spoken about how we can improve gas mileage by properly inflating our tires.  Talk radio has spent much time on the topic.  Now, I try very hard to keep my political views to myself.  They are often quite unpopular among my friends and family.  Theatre friends specifically.  How do you keep your fiercely political friends when a simple disagreement sets off a diatribe of misplaced hate?  It is really hard to appear to agree with everyone all of the time.  And I fear that even the mention of his name will bring a maelstrom of unwanted political comments into my blogosphere personal space.  No politics, please!  But, I push on.  I must.  My thought for the day is this;  If Barack Obama can inspire the people of the United States to check and fill their tires on a regular basis, then who's to say he can't inspire the nation to so much more?

I now fear being ostracized from my own family based on that comment alone.  Oh, well.  Such is the danger of lifting the veil on one's own personal politics.  As I said, I don't like to talk about it.  However, if you want an idea of what I think of the current state of politics you can check out Penn Jillette's podcast on iTunes.  Crackle: Penn Says.