# tblJournal

Journal_title:
Pam Gotcher - the last of the early 30 - Archive

Journal_item:
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 


Today was the first time I've ever had someone say, "Gee, that looks like a jet-ski, without the water." Hmmm, and he was an older technical education (i.e., probably in our MS Certification program) college student.


 

Saturday, February 22, 2003 


Gorgeous day, windy, warmish. We had heavy thunderstorms overnight, and today I rode my Segway through the puddles and thought about how nifty it was that there were no problems with it getting wet, or with me getting wet!. 

Left around 9 to take a bank deposit, then to the PO to mail out my IRS - then to the library. With the bank, I just rode up to the night deposit, stayed on the Segway and made my deposit. I was able to lock up the Segway at the PO with no problem, but for some reason couldn't get the lock to work at the Library. So after screwing around with it for a while I gave up. A very nice gentleman had patiently waited for a demo ride, so I gave him one then. 

Lots of the same questions - but a new one - did Segway have me sign a liability waiver when I took possession? I thought, but did not say, "hmmmmm, are you a lawyer?" <G> I said not that I'd remembered. I remembered signing a PR waiver. But then I'd never signed a liability waiver with Honda when I'd bought my car. And he said, yes, that was right - it would be like buying a bike, etc. I did say that training was required at this point to take possession of the unit. Gave him a Segway postcard (I'd left one at the PO, too) and he took my name and phone and email, just in case any friends had any questions. 

I'd love to see lots of Segways in our town. Heck, even the cops wave at me, so I'm pretty sure there'd be no problem. 

Then I pushed the Segway into the library foyer and left it against the wall, w/o a lock. Went in and got my books, and went home.

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what the effects are of having more than 10 lbs in the front bag. Because I'm sure I had more than 10 lbs this morning. Other than more use on the battery, I *think* it seems to affect how fast I can slow down. 

Now I've got to sit down with the lock and figure out why the darn key wouldn't go back to it's proper position.



Tuesday, February 18, 2003 

Today was the first day I've been irritated with a motorist who was "too polite" - traffic was really heavy and I cross at a street with no light. Say, I'm crossing north to south, and this dude was in the turn lane east to west, about to turn north. By continuing to wait in the turn lane, when he had the right of way to turn north, he delayed me getting out across the street in a break in the traffic, which would have meant another delay of another 50 cars in each direction (east-west) before I could get out. In the end, I motioned him to turn and he turned very fast with squealing wheels - not into his own (northbound)lane, but into my (southbound)lane, (I was centerish, but in my lane) between me and the curb. I wasn't into his half (the northbound lane) of the road, so I'm not sure what his problem was. Very Wierd. 




Monday, February 17, 2003 

Back to work, thank goodness. New things are nice, but getting back in the saddle has a comfort to it. Cold, damp day, but the ride in was wonderful. At noon I glided to the PO, only to realize it was a holiday, and then home. People still stop and talk, or wave as I go by. I know that part of it is the newness factor. Wonder if it will continue - or how long it will continue. 

Oh, and I didn't mention this earlier, but I've been reading S.M. Stirling's book Conquistador (he does a lot of alternate history and time-travel writing) and it mentions the Segway in several places. There's a town on "the other side" (sort of an alternate universe that is the same as the current one, just way back in time that was found in 1946 and the story has progressed to 2009)where cars are very rare, and Segways and bicycles are available for use for the populace ("sign says, don't forget to plug in your Segway when you return it to the rack" ). I love it! Boy wouldn't it be great if we do get to the point where Segways are that common that bike racks with chargers are provided. 

Oh, and I emailed Gerri to find out if they wanted any of us early 30 to show up at the trainings (it was discussed at our training as a possibility, and would we be willing, etc.) - she emailed back and said that no decision had been made, that they were still discussing it, but she'd love to see us. <G>



Sunday, February 16, 2003 

Gads, I ache all over. <G> MUST be the lifting. I'm glad I've been using my knees, or I would hate to think of what I'd feel like.Gave my neighbor across the street and his son a demo ride - the neighbor was cautious at first, but got IT pretty quickly. Then we did his wife, but her believe in her klutzness was stronger than her belief that it could be compensated for, so she moved forward an inch or two, backward an inch or two, and then wanted to know how to get off. I'm not sure yet how to get around that kind of belief.



Saturday, February 15, 2003 

Assembled my Segway to go down to the PO today. When I started out, the battery showed practically full (blinking top bar) but when I'd gone about 10 blocks, it showed what it really was, which was over 3/4 depleted. So since I was only half way there, I turned around and came right back home. Have to remember that artifact - that if the machine has been sitting around for a while and not plugged in (and I hadn't recharged it since Wednesday night and had given all those demos) that the initial charge shown when it was turned on will possibly not be reflective of what is actually there. 

Then this afternoon, I stopped at Home Depot and bought some T-handled metric hex allen wrenches. I think these will be a lot easier to use. I'd bought a set in a swiss-army-knife configuration, but they actually are a bit loose in the holder, so you can't get the kind of leverage I was looking for. And Gerri, at our training, had a T-handled wrench when she was showing us how to take off the handlebar/control shaft. 

Finally, I ended up at the mall (Niceville is a very small town, we don't have a mall <G>.) (Fort Walton Beach is the next larger town on the gulf, about 20 miles away, and it does have 1 mall.) where I was due to meet the man who did the voice over on my WEAR-ABC interview. He was at a business fair there, representing Channel 3. Had to reassemble the Segway again and then had a great time with Christian Garman, plus the other weatherman/anchor (Allen Strum - who worried that the helmet might mess up his hair <G>), and finally the female morning news anchor (another one who is all legs in slacks with 4" strappy high heels - needless to say the full extension of the handlebars was needed again!) All three loved it. Then when I got back to my car and started to disassemble for transport home, there was a gentleman who came up and said he'd seen me on TV and he wanted to watch me take it apart, and a much older couple - but very well preserved (over 80, looked 70, max) and I suggested they consider it. You know, I think they just might! This whole mobility issue is a major one for folks of a certain age <G>. It was a great day, but getting cold and the sky was threatening, so I was glad to get home. 



Friday, February 14, 2003 


Today I was on the road.. (feels like I've been driving forever, but only since Wednesday) - Had training for a new computer system at work on Thursday in Tampa, took my Segway to show it off to a friend of mine who was doing the training. Ended up doing 4 demo rides during lunch, another 2 after the meeting, then drove to Orlando, where my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew demo'd it, and then down to Viera (Viero?) Beach where a friend, her husband, the across-the-street-neighbor who was just taking his trash out and who came running over to see it and ride it, and then he went back inside and got his father (in his 60's) to come out and demo it. 

Then on the way back home, I went through Celebration. I wanted to see what the new bag looked like in person. I threatened in a private email to run through the streets yelling "Motley Orc!", "Motley Orc!", but I didn't really. I saw 3 people on the streets on Segways. (I'm betting midday most people are at work.) However, I did find NEVrland, and went in to look. They've got a number of Segways on display, as well as locks, also have the kind of helmets we trained with. I bought a white one for summer <G>. (Jayne will understand the reference, I'm sure.)

When I went in, I explained that I knew the bags were for the Celebration people but that I really wanted to look, and the sales man (Justin) took it down and let me examine it thoroughly. It's red inside, and just as deep as the black bag, and looks quite sturdy. I was impressed. Then I mentioned that I had a Segway and pulled out my keys, and Justin took me back to the back, where, surprise of all surprises, Chris Gorglione was sitting. He was one of our trainers at the training session I attended. I stared at him and said, "You look so familiar - just like one of the people at Segway." And of course, he was! For those who haven't met him, when they did the release with GMA this spring, he was the one spotting Diane Sawyer. He's been sent down to Celebration to be the local man on the scene to work with the study participants and do the trainings and he's loving the weather - needless to say - and enjoying the work and the participants. 

We chatted a bit, and then he had to work with someone starting in the study (there are over 100 now!) and then afterwards, I suggested that if he hadn't eaten, we could get some lunch. It was just great. He provided me with a training Segway (since mine was disassembled in my car <G>) and we rode over to the restaurant. He suggested that we set them down with the platform up against the wall, so people wouldn't jump on the platform and break the kickstand. A good idea, and one I hadn't thought of. 

We talked Segway the entire time - and shared stories. He talked about how the video that we saw was the same one still being used. And how the training was being adapted (as they had anticipated). We talked about iBot and FIRST and how Dean Kamen really cares about making a difference for people in the world. The food was great, and since I still had a 7 hour ride in front of me, I didn't linger. 

Tomorrow I go over to Fort Walton Beach to meet the two weathermen from our local ABC affiliate, and will be giving them demo rides. Then I think I can hang up my hex tools for a while <G>.



Tuesday, February 11, 2003 

OMG, it was in the paper today. Front page, 2 pictures, above the fold, continued on page 6 article. And all good! I was expecting a photo with a 1" caption buried somewhere back in the paper. Here's a photo: 



And I had to take Ivan in today to get his staples out. Poor baby. He's had to wear a collar. He's done pretty well, considering. Has a hard time gauging where he can slip through openings and smaller spaces. I'll post a picture <G>.


And then at 10am, I had a call from Channel 7, from Panama City. I told them they'd probably need to wait until Monday to do an interview because I was going out of town the next day, and the girl said, "How about in 45 minutes!?" She was there, on time, and this time she was her own camera person. Lots less video taped, but the interview went off well. The most asked question from all my interviewers, "What do you do when it rains?" Followed by "What reaction have you seen from others?" They love it when I tell them about the thumbs up and the waves. Here's a link to the interview, as published on MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.com/local/wjhg/m270808.asp?0ct=-302Well that's my 15 minutes of fame <G>. 



Monday, February 10, 2003 

Gorgeous day, here in Northwest Florida - over 60 degrees and no wind, lots of sun. I Segwayed into work, and after about an hour was called by our local PR person saying the NWFlorida Daily News wanted to do a story. My PR person said that it sounded as if the reporter didn't know a thing about the Segway. I said, "Bring her on, we'll get her on the Segway, and she'll know a lot more!" 

The reporter called and we set up a time and place, and in 45 minutes she was there. She wrote down lots of stuff, (I'm beginning to sound almost coherent now), and I gave her a ride on the Segway. A little 86(wife)/91(husband) year old couple from Martha's Vineyard walked by and were enchanted, so she interviewed them, too. The reporter rode and, you know, the hardest thing is to keep people's self-programming from keeping them from having a good ride. She kept repeating that she was a klutz - and the end result was that she was very nervous - but I do think she had a good time. She actually stayed on my Segway a lot longer than I thought she would. 

She said the photographer would "catch" me on my ride to work later. So as I was riding back to my office after lunch (I go home at lunch), I saw a young man laying on the curb with a camera in his hands. He got lots of shots, but I was really backlit, so he decided to take another photo on campus where the sunlight would be coming in the right direction. 

Afterwards, I offered him a demo, and he took me up on it. Immediately we had about 8-10 collegiate high school students come over and sit down at a table nearby to watch. And as I was explaining the Segway to the photographer, they were listening avidly. After the photographer got off, they started asking me questions, so I spent about 10 minutes showing them the unit (not riding, but talking about it) and all the while the photographer is snapping shots of that. He shot snaps of things I wouldn't even have considered. (So much for "catch her on the way to work" <G>.) Don't know when this will come out, given that the other small newspaper has already done a story. (We told the reporter that, but she said, "don't tell me, I'll just pretend I don't know it.") 



Sunday, February 9, 2003 

(posted originally as a forum topic) Well, today was a milestone for me. I broke down my Segway. I was nervous about it, because I'm fairly mechanically challenged - well, actually I'm ok if someone will watch me the first time and give me feedback. We'd been shown how to do this in November at training, but it's been a while since I saw it. 
First I went over to Home Depot Saturday and got a HUSKY metric hex allen tool - it's sort of like a swiss army knife with a number of allen wrenchs. This morning, I took the front bag assembly off (not too hard, since I put it on to start with) and then I took the handlebars off. This made me a little nervous, but I had emailed Gerri, our trainer, yesterday and asked her to reiterate again what the "street name" for a 6.8 N-m torque was. (That's how tight you have to get that Hex allen bolt has to be set at when you reassemble the handlebar/control shaft assembly.) She got back to me practically within the hour - and on a weekend! I took the handlebars off, carefully unhooking the wires. Then I rolled the platform over and took off the batteries (did this before, so it was no big deal)- 

Then I rolled the platform assembly out to my car, opened the door, put the platform assembly sideways on one wheel, bent my knees deeply under the top wheel and taking the weight of the platform assembly on my thighs via the top wheel, lifted it into the passenger seat of my little car. Voila, it fits! All it needed was a seatbelt around the unit, and it's ready to go. 

THEN, the next thing was could I reassemble it and ride it, or would I be back on the phone tomorrow to Segway <G>. (I know, pt, you're laughing at me right now, but I am a bit mechanically challenged.)

Reversing the action, I was able to get it back into the living room and reassemble the whole thing - (the street name for 6.8 N-m is "three squeaks" by the way), start it up and ride it up and down the street! Halleluia.

Guys, the marvel of this machine is that it is so well made that even I couldn't screw it up. You are going to be SO happy when you get yours. You don't need an SUV or a van to transport - or even a huge car. Now I can take it to Orlando to see my brother later this week.





Friday, February 7, 2003 

This is the real start of the blog. Gonna jump in, but will try to go back and pick up some of my earlier thoughts, so that my first blog attempt will be quite long – and now that I’ve done it once in chronological order, I’ll edit it to bring it to the traditional, most recent info on top. I’ll get there, eventually <G>. 




Tuesday, January 28, 2003 

What a day of ups and downs! The WEAR interview was shown this morning, and I had to set a tape because my cat is going to have to have surgery. Apparently he has eaten something he shouldn't. He's a big ole maine coon, gorgeous and curious as all get out. Hasn't been able to keep anything down for several days. <sigh> Show, though, was excellent (even if I do hate the way I look and sound on TV). They had several teasers between 5:30a and 6:45a, and then a 3 minute segment. I've got it taped and will send it to pt for his website. 



Monday, January 20, 2003 

The interview went well. And I got Michelle and the camerawoman up on the Segway. Michelle loved it - well, they both did, and she is thinking of getting one for her sons. I think they're a bit young, personally. I think a smaller model would be more appropriate. Michelle is probably 5'10", easily, and most of that is in her legs, so there was quite a bit of oscillation when she first got on- I had to fully extend the handlebar - but she recovered quickly and "got it" re: the balancing. Her biggest fear was that she'd "break it." Told her it was built like a sherman tank, and not to worry. <G> 



Thursday, January 16, 2003 

Channel 3, our local ABC affiliate (well, local by 50 miles <G> - Pensacola) wants to do a story for their "Three in the Morning" show. How exciting - I'll meet with Michelle Nicholson, their local interviewer, on Monday, which is a holiday. We'll be on the campus at OWCC, which will give us lots of working room. Then the tape will go to Christian Garman, who will do the edits and voice over. 




Saturday, January 11, 2003 

The article came out in the Bay Beacon today - Nice - front page, below the fold,and complimentary. Del did his research and quoted everything just fine. Here's a photo: 








Tuesday, January 7, 2003 

Met with Del Lessard today - I was a bit nervous, given the recent SF ban, and wasn't sure what tack he would take. Would he be interested, would he be excited, or would he be somewhat confrontational? As a result I was probably a little stiff, worrying that I might say the wrong thing. But it turned out he was very interested. I got him up on the Segway - I really do think you need to do that so that they can *get* it <G>. I did suggest very strongly that he contact Segway's PR person, Carla Vallone to get the technical background. 




Monday, January 6, 2003 

Well, the PR person at the college where I work has proceeded to send an email to the NW Fla Daily News and the Bay Beacon re: the Segway. I think she's interested in getting more PR for the college where I work - but I gasped and said I wasn't supposed to be angling for PR kinds of things. She said, not to worry, that *I* hadn't, she had. Had an immediate call from Del Lessard with the Bay Beacon, our beloved Mullet Wrapper, (comes out 2x a week) and he wants to do a story. 




Thursday, January 2, 2003 

Back to school! This was my first "trek" of the "daily grind." Went a little early so that I wouldn't run into the big glut of cars that show up at exactly 8am. Rode the Segway into the building (yea for handicapped doors), up the elevator, and then into my office, where I parked. Wondered if it would cause any problems, but no one said anything.

The college president came in, saw the Segway, and wanted a demo ride. Took him out into the hall and after showing him how it worked, I put him on it. People came pouring out of offices to watch. Didn't get the handlebars up for Dr. R. - a shame, because I think he would have enjoyed the ride more. He oscillated quite a bit, but said he enjoyed it. Said it felt sort of like he felt learning how to ride a horse! That's the first time I've heard it equated to that!

Something I've noticed - it seems the older the rider (and I include myself in this), it seems to take a little longer for us to get our "seg legs." At our training, we had a 16 year old young woman who had no problem at all. Us oldsters seem to be more cautious. Maybe it's because as our bones get more friable, we are concerned with falls and fractures, so we tense up more. Now that I've had the machine for a week of riding, I'm much looser. 



Monday - Wednesday, December 30-January 1, 2003 

So far I've taken the Segway to the bank, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the PO and haven't driven my car hardly at all. These are all places it would really be too far to walk, but which are short trips driving (<3 miles). People have been very positive - lots of waves and thumbs up. 



Saturday, December 28, 2002 

OK, this is more workable. Road my trusty Segway to the library to show off to my friends in the children's section (I teach Origami Christmas Ornament classes there in November.) and then to the bank. As I went past the PO, a young couple came up and asked me about the Segway and I did two impromptu demo rides. It was fun riding up to the drive-thru window at the bank and making a deposit. As I went past the HS, there were groups of people on the practice field (what were they doing there, don't they know it's Christmas break?), but I heard kids yell, "Wow, I want one!" Today's learning was finding the handicapped curbs on my route. 



Friday, December 27, 2002 

TOO DARN COLD to go out. Rode it outside for about 15 minutes, then back in to recharge. Saw no one in my neighborhood! 



Thursday, December 26, 2002 

Home to Florida. The big box is in my dining room, and ready to unpack. The first thing I did was drag it out of my box. (Cats are really funny when they jump up on flaps of tall boxes and fall in <G>) Hmmm - gotta charge it 12 hours and then not go lower than 2 bars my first 5 charges. 




Tuesday, December 24, 2002 

Sitting in Marshall, Texas, thinking that my Segway is arriving in Florida on this very day. Can you say "antsy"? 



Sunday, December 22, 2002 

Another 6 hours of sleep... and no one seems to know exactly when we're going back to the factory - is it 9 o'clock or 10? We'd gotten both times from various people. Turned out it was 10, and I could have slept in again, darn it! <G> Today we got training on how to give demos... plus, an outside ride, on real ground! Down a nature trail (not too far, because there was some black ice down that way)and around the factory, and then through a nearby apartment complex. Then back to the hotel, checkout, (and where I found in the fridge the lasagna dinner they'd set aside for me for my arrival - nummm, something to eat on the planes going home!) the ride to Boston and back home. Tomorrow I go to East Texas. 



Saturday, December 21, 2002 

There is something about sleep deprivation <G>... But today was so much fun. Actual training didn't start until after lunch, and if I'd known that I could have slept in. But regardless, it was so exciting to meet all the other early delivery contest winners and their guests. The morning was spent getting to know each other, sharing stories and watching Kim ride around on her own personal Segway through the lobby, and through the dining area. Around 10 another woman joined us - Julie - After lunch, we were picked up and taken to the Segway factory, where training would be held.

There were so many of us that we were broken into two groups to train on the machines, but we came together first into a traditional classroom, and Geri started the didactic portion of the training. We got to see the parts of the Segway and an explanation of how it works. She did most all of the training standing on the Segway. Then we went out for our first rides. Julie came over to help me. I was amazed at the oscillation when I first got on. Julie said that was normal, and adjusted my handlebar height. So first we went forward just a little and backwards just a little, then progressed to practicing stops at a specifc point, then in large and little slaloms, and finally we were ready for the obstacle course, where we were trained on such things as power assist mode, going over different/uneven surfaces, stopping to pick up mail out of mail boxes (Segway postcards <G>), going over hills, going over high and low curbs, potholes, and even one wheel off and one wheel on curbs. One of our group got to be an example of what would happen if we lost traction - not pretty - don't think I want to try that. Won't find me riding over a loose tree branch or hose. Then we got to tour the factory tour, seeing where the Segway is actually assembled. All the parts come in fully tested, and are assembled at the factory, then the programming is done and final testing. It was fascinating. And there's lots of room to expand. 

Then after a photo session, where we all got to get our cameras out and Segway employees used our cameras to take photos of us on our new steeds, we left for dinner at Dean Kamen's house. It was an incredible evening. I just hoped I wouldn't fall asleep with my face in my plate. Although there was no guarantee that he would be there that evening, he was, and it was another one of those magical times we have in our lives. The house is fabulous. I took pictures right and left. Most of the same things I shot can now be seen on www.bookofseg.com - designed by Dean (is it too forward to call him "Dean"?), it consists of multiple levels and is "hung" so's to speak, from massive arches that come together at the top, over which there's a cupola. So the whole architecture is very open. Each level looks down on the surrounding levels. He took us on a tour of the house and told us stories of it's creation - including hiding staircases and a 2-story library, a working machine shop, a helicopter hanger, swimming pool, and numerous pictures (lots of Einstein) done by his dad, who was a well-known artist. 

Although we'd had drinks and hors d'oerves when we came in, by the time dinner was served we were ready. Surf and turf, starting with a baby greens salad, and topped off with a chocolate mousse to die for. Dean made us all stand up and talk a little about ourselves and what we liked about the training. He also had guests from overseas who were excited about the possiblity of introducing this technology into their countries.

And to top off the evening (almost midnight now, but I didn't fall asleep at dinner, so I'm making it...) Dean took us into his multimedia room and showed us video of FIRST (which is so very close to his heart - he encouraged us to get actively involved in FIRST) and also the IBot - he even came in on an IBot, showing us how it worked.

Finally - to the hotel and BED. 




Wednesday, December 18, 2002 

Call from Kim Stanley - she's doing my plane reservations. I'll have to come into Manchester on Friday, would that be ok? Sure! A limo will meet me in Boston, such luxury! <G> Today was our last day of school for the semester, and we had our annual Christmas lunch. I sat at the table with the IT department, and mentioned that I'd won the early delivery contest and had no one to go with me, and 3 people raised their hands! Gads, where were they when I needed them! <G> I checked the Segway page - and there I am, listed among the winners - Pamela, Niceville, FL - the very last name! 



Tuesday, December 17, 2002 

Got a phone call at work today, it was from Segway! Brenda Mahoney identified herself and said she was from Segway, and did I know why she might be calling... and I said I hoped it was because I had won the contest! She said Yes! I was so excited, I almost jumped up and down and screamed. The big question is When do I want to go train? Two dates left - next weekend, or the weekend of the 10th of January. Since I was scheduled to leave to visit my grandmother in East Texas on Sunday,I said, definitely January 10. An hour later I was looking at my schedule (I work at a community college in NW Florida and teach distance learning classes) and realized that I had to do distance learning orientations the weekend of January 10, so after checking with my dad to be sure it would be ok if we went a day late to Texas, I called Brenda back and rescheduled. She said I'd be hearing from someone else about travel arrangements. Also, I couldn't figure anyone to go with me. Family wasn't interested, no SO. So I guess I'll do it alone. That's fine. Oh - and I gave the credit card info for the rest of the charge.I was absolutely no good for work for the rest of the day! 



Saturday,December 7, 2002 

I thought I wasn't going to get an entry number, but it showed up. It was in an email I missed on one of my old email accounts (I've got to get that updated on Amazon.com). So I did it, I sent my entry. Doubt it will win - I'm not exactly the best writer. Certainly have never won a contest like this before. This is what I decided to send.... 

quote: 
For me, technology is truly the only “new frontier” and the excitement that comes from being a part of it is exhilarating. With the Segway, I get a double-header. My beloved hybrid car is inefficient on short trips, like to work or the library, and the new HT i167 fills that gap admirably – and it’s on the technological cutting edge. Segway is a ride into tomorrow. 





Tuesday, December 3, 2002 

Finally decided to order my Segway today. Part of the decision was difficult, part was so easy. I have been out of debt for 12 months, and this would put me right back in <sigh>. But I have followed this story for 2 years, from the first leak, and I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS. So I ordered. Then the question was... do I want to do the early delivery contest. Hmmm, it'll take a couple of days to get my entry number, maybe I'll try to put something on paper.


Journal_item:
Wednesday, February 26, 2003That's one of the frequent questions I get. Well, it was wet and rainy day today. It actually started raining on my way back to work from lunch. I stopped and pulled on a poncho. There was no problem with the traction, tires or anything. And when I came home, it had been raining for a while. 

I was amazed, even riding through the puddles, at how little water there was on the footplate. I forgot to put the plug cover up, and it was totally dry.  

The only thing I try to do is to grab a piece of wide tape (like we use for wrapping) and lay it on top of my keyport and display. I'm sure there's enough gaskets to keep any water out, but *I* feel better.


Journal_item:
Yesterday it was REALLY raining. I started out, and there was barely a mist, but by the time I was halfway down the first block it was apparent that it was going to happen big time.  

I had my vinyl poncho in my bag, so I grabbed it out and threw it on, and put the helmet on top.  When the rain started pounding down, I tried to keep my arms covered by clutching my handle grips *through* the poncho - i.e., holding onto the poncho and the grips. 

This causes one problem that I hadn't noticed before. It affects my ability to lean back. Ooops, NOT good.  Also, my bag and the areas that I usually tape off, which I didn't have tape for this time (power indicator button and the key well) were getting awfully wet.

Ultimately, I figured out that if  I draped the front part of the poncho over the front handlebars, it would cover the bag, I would be able to lean back because I wasn't pulling on the poncho, and all I would lose would be the visual of the power indicator.  Since I was going, I wasn't worried about whether I had power, and I figured if something went wrong there (which I didn't think would happen), I'd get a beep and/or a stick shake.  

Made the trip both ways yesterday in full rain. The only thing that got wet were the very bottom of the cuffs of my pants and my shoes a bit where I turned a curve in a puddle.  Oh, and my glasses on the way in. I needed windshield wipers on my glasses, so on the way home I just took them off and was fine.

Now, if someone would just develop a rain poncho that's about 2' longer on the front than on the back, I'd be a very happy camper <G>.

Pam


Journal_item:
I finally found one of my "limits" on my Segway. I won't glide to work in an active thunderstorm. Somehow this morning, when I opened the garage door and saw the lightening and heard the thunder, and thought about my electric HT, I decided, "Nope, not this morning."  

I don't mind rain, drizzle, wind, etc. (Snow's a little hard in Florida, but I'd probably ok snow, too.)  But thunder and lightening are outside my range of OK glides <G>.


Journal_title:
It's a Saturday Morning in the Neighborhood

Journal_item:
60 degrees, very cloudy, a bit windy and damp.   Even in Florida it can be a soggy day, so I started out with a jacket.  An hour and a half later, it was too warm... 

I made a conscious decision this week to be very careful when I'm in a building on campus, holding my speed down to walking.  This sort of filled my mind as I glided into the student cafeteria early in the week. I was in a bit of a hurry because I was on a time-limited project, so I took the Segway over to get a bit of lunch to go.  I realized that  so far my being able to remain on my Segway in the buildings on campus has been - probably- because the college president has given his tacit approval - (nothing like a well-placed, timely demo ride <G>).  But, there are political things that happen in the academic setting, and I didn't want to give anyone an opportunity to make a complaint.   

I also found out that increased weight in the top bag wears out the battery a bit faster. I was totally surprised to see that my battery was down 4/5 this morning, and it seemed to increase  after I put the 4lb container of "oxy-clean" in my front bag and started home from K-Mart.

Lots of great comments from people - I regretted worrying about getting home on the remaining 1 bar from the PO. I could have given 3 demo rides, right there. People waiting for me to come out of the PO.  At the grocery store, where I'd stopped for a second because someone asked me a question about the Segway, a young man asked if I either sold Segways or got a commission on sales. I said, "No-  not at all, I ordered off Amazon.com, just like everyone else.  But they're so much fun, I'd like to see others have them in town, too."

Pam


