[post transcribed from a paper journal]
So there’s this hole in the front tire of my bike, and it’s probably an inch and a half across. I don’t know how it got there, except that that tire has seen a couple hundred thousand miles of travel. Perhaps it’s just too old. So, I’m going to have to buy a new tire, so that I can get to and from school the next couple of weeks. Which is money I don’t have to spend on Christmas gifts for people. Being economically challenged, I have a small, limited amount of money to spend on Christmas gifts. So small, in fact, is the money that I have for Christmas, buying the new tire will almost divide my money in half. Half gone, half left.
So anyway, I have a big hole in the front tire on my bike. I still need to get to school, and this morning there was no new tire to put on my bike. My father has suggested that I take the tire off his bike, and put it on my own, but I couldn’t find the right wrench. Then time was running short anyway, so I ran inside and got permission to use dad’s bike instead. His bike is an old “Suburban” with big handlebars, a rear-view mirror, splash-guards, a big comfy seat, and all of it half worn-out but still good. Bicycles just aren’t like they used to be; my father’s bicycle will probably last another 20 years.