Mooning at trains – a new sport maybe?

A German man mooning at railway staff in a departing train got his trousers caught in a carriage door and ended up being dragged half naked along the platform, out of the station and onto the tracks.  The 22-year-old journalism student shoved his backside against the window of a low-slung double-decker train when staff forced him off in Lauenbrueck for travelling without a ticket.

There’s an image to conjure with – a young guy being dragged along by the seat of his pants, baring his backside to passengers, and all the while managing to keep his legs and feet away from the train wheels.  I vote that this activity be developed into an endurance sport.  Whole teams could take part.  Imagine an eight carriage train, with a guy fastened into each door.  First one to put his feet down is the loser.  Great spectator sport too with all those windows.

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Driving a convertible car can seriously damage your ears apparently

It seems that cruising with the top down at speeds of 50-70mph (80-112km/h) exposes the ears to sound levels sometimes nearing those made by a pneumatic drill, and long or repeated exposure to this noise of the engine, road, traffic and wind could cause permanent hearing loss.  Researchers say that convertible drivers should consider wearing some form of ear protection, as motorcyclists do. Or they should roll the windows up to help reduce the noise levels.

The whole point of driving a car with the top down is to enjoy the wind in your hair, and be closer to the world you are driving through.  Isn’t it?  Imagine if you were to drive with earplugs inserted – how would you converse with your passengers?  Open top cars have existed ever since vehicles were invented and no rules have been needed for specific ear protection.  I can see the day coming when the powers that be force drivers of convertibles to have their heads trussed up like oven ready chickens.  They will be whizzing along country lanes in aeronautic helmets and goggles.  Looking ridiculous.

Or maybe not.  Think there will be a lot of used convertibles going cheap.

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30 years old or 80 years young – WELCOME

Welcome to the rantings and ravings of a midlifer.  Firstly, I think I should try to define middle age.  Before hitting 40 I had considered that milestone to be middle aged, but now I realise that middle age is pretty much a state of mind.  I have friends in their early 40′s who adopt an “oldish” approach to life.  I also know people in their 60′s who could be mistaken for 45 – 50  if you were to talk to them with your eyes closed.  I think that middle age or midlife begins and ends at different times for different people.  So, loosely speaking, this blog is for all those who can relate to its content, whether you’re 30 years old or 80 years young – enjoy.  Oh, and participate.

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