The Harley Effect

     A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Michigan Horse Expo in East Lansing, to promote and sell my memoir. I wasn't sure what to expect, having never been to such an event before.
     What I discovered was what I call the "Harley Effect"—the wide range of people, from farmers to lawyers and every profession in between, who act perfectly normal until they buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle. At that point, they become weekend bad asses who don dew rags and leather chaps with long, shiny strips that flap in the wind.
     Like Clark Kent, emerging from the phone booth transformed into Superman, once these everyday businesspeople put on their black leather jackets adorned with Harley logos to match their square-toed boots with large buckles wrapped around the ankles, they become weekend Hog riders that travel from bar to bar in large packs.
     I prefer not to dress in a way to draw attention to myself. My usual attire consists of denim jeans, a button shirt with minimal flamboyancy, no cap or jewelry, and shoes or boots that are comfortable. Prior to leaving for East Lansing, my wife and a friend who attended the trade show with me warned me that I should wear a cowboy hat, or at the very least, a vest.
     Keep in mind, Michigan has had a long-lasting and brutally cold winter, so I wore a pair of insulated tan pants instead of blue jeans and a long-sleeved undershirt for warmth. I was comfortable in my choice of clothing.
     But when thousands of people began showing up dressed like good ole" Western cowboys and cowgirls, scuffing their freshly shined boots in the dirt—I soon felt out of place. Underdressed for the occasion.
     I was afraid I wouldn't have anything in common with them, but  they turned out to be some of the nicest people I have ever met. Many stopped by the booth just to say hi. Many laughed at the title of my book, Broken Rib Ranch. Some shared their own stories about when they'd broken a rib (or two).
     Overall, I had a great time, and have decided to attend the 19th Annual Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio, which is coming up in April. As a reminder, I have already written myself a note: "Need to buy a cowboy hat, get my boots shined, and find a leather vest."
     Hope to see y'all there!
     Tim Parsel