. Prescriptive care: go somewhere (not necessarily a physical location) that you feel stupid. Your e needs an occasional beating.

I had two of those moments yesterday. One: I attempted to put air in my bike tire, the front one. Hey, nothing my SAT-acing, yeshiva-trained mind can’t handle, right? Nope: I came in with a slightly deflated tire, and, not two minutes later, had a severely deflated tire. I needed roughly 5 staff-interjections, 3 tutorials on how to use the pump/adapter/hand-pump, one total intervention, and just felt overall like a class-A tool. The staffs’ looks — think: impolite reactions to incontinent adults — were not helping one bit.

Two: Got a haircut, which was nice and pleasant and expensive, BUT: I have a monster crush on the stylist, and just felt stupid, sitting there, having a silly crush on the person whose hands were expertly shaping my hair into a very tame and gentle mohawk. What should I say? Go for witty, understated? Will she even hear over the brash techno that’s inexplicably been chosen to aurally decorate this chandeliered, heavily mirrored salon? Ef it, I’m going for the slight eyebrow raise and cock, sending a look of confident interest, measured yet resolute. (Don’t know if it worked. But this is the path that ends in stupidity.) Get this — she takes her appointments by blackberry, so, and I’m sure this is critical to her stunning success with male clients, hands out her personal information to all. I’m constantly resisting the urge to email her e-nothings, like “Wow, this haircut is great! Thanks! Do you take payment in backrubs?”

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FirstBIKE USA Launches US Distribution of a Premium Toddler Balance Bike The FirstBIKE Balance Bikes that made training wheels obsolete in Europe are now available in the US. The award winning German design of FirstBIKE Balance Bikes proves that... They also prevent children from leaning their bikes in the direction of a turn because training wheels hold the bike fixed in a vertical position. FirstBIKE is a developmental training bike which enhances motor skills, builds confidence, and teaches proper two wheel balance and cornering. FirstBIKE Balance Bikes do not use a drivetrain- there are no pedals or cranks, no chain or sprocket, and no training wheels. Children as young as two years old can use FirstBIKE Balance Bikes and benefit from the fast-track program of two-wheeled riding. FirstBIKE Balance Bikes completely eliminate the need for training wheels, by letting kids practice the way that comes naturally. Deleting these complicated parts makes it possible for children to safely reach both feet flat to the ground on a much lighter weight bike, giving them a boost in control and self-confidence.

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