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<<-- Android, The Biker | |
| Or, Andy The Yuppie? -->>
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| March 1998 | May 1999 |
I pride myself on being a nonconformist. Fortunately, my employer
doesn't place a high value on appearances. In the winter, I look like the
guy on the left... In the summer, I appear as you see above on the right.
My wife loves my big fluffy beard. So, I usually start growing it on her
birthday in September. For a little extra fun, I dye it green on St.
Patrick's day and I usually visit the barber the next day to have it
clipped off along with about 6 months growth of hair. For several weeks
prior to March 17th, I wear only blue jeans and black biker T-Shirts.
Then, after the trim and a close shave, I wear one of my best suits to
work. One of my favorite ploys is to surprise recent acquaintances who
have never seen me without a beard. They frequently have no idea who I am
until I speak and they recognize my distinctive voice.
I'll go out of my way to exaggerate the contradictions that support my
nonconformist ways. I'll eat dinner at a 4 star restaurant in February
while dressed as a biker. Or, I'll visit a customer site in the summer
riding my Harley Davidson Low Rider; wearing a suit with my tie flapping
in the wind over my shoulder. Effie loves to play mini-golf. So, we'll get
a group of biker friends to join us for an afternoon of mini-golf. It's
fun to observe the reactions of the locals and their kiddies when a "gang"
of bikers gets in line at the mini-golf course.
I suspect many of my upper middle class coworkers think I belong to an outlaw motorcycle club. On the other hand, I've been called a Yuppie and a Rubbie (a derogatory biker term for Rich Urban Biker) by my riding friends. Since there is no precise definition of "Yuppie" or "Biker", anyone could argue that I am either one or the other, both or neither. To whom does it really matter? Certainly not me. I'm having too much fun finding new ways to surprise people