December winds pound my face. My skin, due to periodic sweating and cotton clothing, feels clammy. I inhale cool, fresh air as I gain speed descending a rather steep hill. Surprisingly, most traffic I encounter makes way, the drivers courteous. Nothing like I'd expected before I started to ride a bike as my primary (and now, only) source of transportation.

I now believe that driving a car robs you, keeps you from noticing little things. For instance, the other day I discovered a quaint little field with two trees at the end of my street. Only someone on a bike or walking would probably pay attention to such a thing. I honestly feel more connected while riding a bike. A car causes me to feel closed off from the rest of the world. I wonder if that's always a bad thing.

I have a hamster, named Mr. Magoo. I've had him about a year now, and my has he grown. Last time on the scale he weighed 227 lbs. He likes beer, potato chips, and reality TV (except Amazing Race; don't get him started on that). I fed him spaghetti noodles when he was smaller. Once, a snake crawled into his cage. He thought it was a noodle and ate it. It gave him gas. You ever smell a hamster fart after eating a snake? It ain't pretty.

Politically, I've got to admit feeling a little sorry for Dubya. I mean, all his men are being indicted, probably going to be indicted, or are under some sort of investigation. Reports coming out of the West Wing say he's losing it. And in his speech, all he can talk about is the same old "stay the course" stuff we've heard all along. Now, anybody with an ounce of intelligence would look at poll numbers and know that nobody wants to hear that shit anymore. Even conservatives are backing away from him now. It saddens me to see him sink so low.

When you think about it though, Dubya's not the most unpopular thing in the Universe. That thought alone lifts my spirits. Sure, there are lots of things enjoying less popularity than the president right now. Here are a few:

• Getting hit in the face with a bowling ball
• Smelling a hamster fart after eating a snake
• Flesh-eating bacteria
• Peeing on an electric fence
• Dick Cheney

Feel free to contribute to this list at will.