Sunglasses Again

I sure seem to write about sunglasses a lot. I'm really getting kind of angry now... I am on my fourth pair of the summer. Which is why I don't buy good sunglasses. I lose 'em or break 'em. Of course, one could argue that perhaps I would take better care of my sunglasses if they were more valuable. What if I went ahead and spent a bunch of money and that isn't true though? What if I'm really just a naturally destructive force when it comes to sunglasses? Then I will have wasted money that could have been spent on my kids or starving kids or beer or beer for my kids (wait, no) instead of on proving something to myself that I already suspected! Gah!

 

Is there anyone out there who rides a bicycle often (or far) who does not think that sunglasses (or clear glasses) or goggles or something shielding your eyes is an absolute necessity? I couldn't have cared less when I was a kid, but I HATE riding without some sort of glasses now. 

 

The pair I'm currently wearing were purchased at a lost and found sale. They are those "Solar Shield" types. Some people like 'em because some styles will fit over top of eyeglasses. Others like having as much UV blocked as possible. I don't wear glasses though and I'm OK with a little UV action on the side (nudge nudge, wink wink). I thought they might keep wind and airborne crap out a little better, which they do.

 

I have two problems with these. Firstly, I knew peripheral vision would suffer a little, but I didn't count on my shoulder checks being WAY more difficult. I need to either lose these shades or grow a more flexible neck.

 

Secondly, especially when combined with my bike helmet and camera, I can't shake the feeling that I bring to mind Dr. Nefario from Despicable Me.

 

 

I'm still wearing them for now despite my misgivings. Another cheap pair will come my way, I am sure.

 

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

4 Dollar Headlamp!

I was at the dollar store today and saw something I knew my kids already had, a cheap head-mounted LED light. Ever since I saw my kids' I had been wanting to try strapping one to my helmet, and today was the glorious day.

$2. How could I resist? Another $2 got me two sets of AAA batteries for it. It came with elastic straps for placing it on your head that actually worked pretty well. My helmet wouldn't sit properly wearing the light that way. I wanted to attach it to my helmet anyway, so I took the straps off.

I was left with this cute little Star Wars lookin' thing:


The black dot is a push button that lets me choose 1, 3, or 7 LED operation. For something so cheap, it is reasonably bright, certainly comparable with most of the "be seen" lights in the $20 range, plus the hinged design allows me to adjust its vertical angle.





Its base was a nice size and had a foam pad on it, intended for your forehead. I considered velcro, but thought that it may work itself loose. I love zip-tying things, but didn't want those plastic edges inside my helmet (although I doubt they would have bothered me). I was also hoping to keep this the cheapest light ever. The straps that came with were elastic and soft, so I just pulled a Gilligan and lashed it to my helmet with the shorter of the two.



It is actually attached very firmly and I don't think I left any way for it to unravel. Inside the helmet, just some soft cloth:


I've always wanted a helmet mounted light that would shine where I looked. $4 and 15 minutes went into getting this one! Now the question is whether this Dollar Store Crap will stop working right away or not. My kids' lights have lasted really well, so I have high hopes.

To anybody who ever doubted my total coolness, I say, "LOOK AT ME NOW"! I've got Dollar Store Crap strapped to my head and I'm happy about it. Case closed. I am infinitely awesome.

Keep burning brightly, everybody.

R A N T W I C K