"Bug" Time

Well folks, it's that time of year again..."Bug" season. You may be wondering what that means, to which I will provide a brief explanation. "Bug" season is similar to that of allergies or other seasonal disorders that affect us, however there are no pills that will alleviate the itchings of this malady. What I am referring to is the season of the year that inspires men to go after things. Depending on the man's interests, the items will vary...for a fisherman/hunter this will consist of constant catalog browsing of new gear, and probably the purchase of a new rod and reel or a few new flies or lures(don't ask me, the last time I cast a rod was in the 80's!).

For other men this time may inspire them to invest in much needed(honest dear) new power equipment to accomplish home improvement tasks(or so we tell our wives). However for me(and my good friend Scott who coined the term "bug") this season is not only new power equipment and a new pair of running shoes. No this season marks the beginning of gasoline powered lust for us and many others who suffer our ailment. The condition begins each year with the first sightings of sports cars freshly shined and awakened from their winter slumber. Some of these beasts have large V8 powerplants shaking the earth and reflecting Spring's flowers in their chrome clad wheels, bumpers and pipes. Others rudely interrupt the tweet-tweet of birds clamoring to build a nest with a shrieking exhaust note inherent to a small displacement engine of a highly tuned nature.

Indeed this is the time of year when it all begins for us. Each year every dealer and purveyor of motorsports goods must be visited whether in person or online to determine what the new "must-have" wares are. You see, this is the only way that this need can be satiated. Countless internet searches and a process of rationalization for the need will happen systematically. For me the process begins silently and progresses through a number of stages after the initial object of desire is selected. the process usually culminates with a non-chalant mention to Michelle of a new vehicle en-route in a few days. Her initial reaction is what you would expect, but then subsides to a disgruntled shoulder shrug. This year I am on the down cycle of one of these spontaneous purchases, as I just sold my last toy. That's not to say that the spring air hasn't inspired me, but the pending arrival of our 2nd child has pushed me back a little. For now I must be content w/ a new set of shoes for my truck. Finally, I wish to offer special thanks to my loving wife Michelle for dealing with me and all of my vehicular needs/fantasies, she's always great and as understanding as a wife could be!