Roger Moroney says as an old motorcyclist, whose two-wheeling days are effectively done now, he always took aboard the warning signs. while on the road. Photo / NZME
Roger Moroney says as an old motorcyclist, whose two-wheeling days are effectively done now, he always took aboard the warning signs. while on the road. Photo / NZME
There are stop signs and there are give way signs and there are all sorts of signs with pictures on them.
Like a car skidding on shingle … and a train which appears to have smoke coming out of its chimney.
They fascinate me, these train warning signs, because theimage is of an old steam or coal train.
Which makes sense because an outline image of a current diesel locomotive would look like a loaf of bread.
And little kids are probably equally fascinated when they see the smoky black train on the yellow background.
As an old motorcyclist, whose two-wheeling days are effectively done now, I always took aboard the warning signs.
Signs advising of spilled shingle, possible black ice and road works coming up.
A bit of this and a bit of that and I rode accordingly.
In the verbal world there are plenty of warning signs and they emerge from childhood ... because kids always try and do things they shouldn't, but because there are no warning signs pasted around the house they figure all is well.
Until the verbal warning arrives.
"Felt pens are for drawing on paper with … now come away from the fridge door or I'll take them off you."
There are a string of warning signs, some thinly veiled and some very obvious.
"Before I take this any further," is a goodie, because the recipient of this statement knows he or she is in the position of maybe facing just some worldly advice … a sort of let-off chance.
"Don't get me started" is another well-used one, as is "you don't know the half of it".
Slightly off the warning trail, but still on the cautionary front, are comments like "you won't believe what I heard the other day" and "how could anyone be so stupid?"
It's like dealing with a potentially tricky and unseen situation … like going through Customs knowing you may have bent the rules.
And you give yourself away when the Customs officer asks if you have any undeclared items in your suitcase and you reply "no your honour".
That would be a judgment phrase solely brought upon by oneself … as all one can think about at the time is potentially being in court next Tuesday.
"You brought 70 cigars into the country and told the chap at the gate the bag they were packed in contained singlets and underpants yes?"
"Yes your honour," you reply solemnly.
"Got any left?" he then asks quietly.
"You can have a dozen for a fiver matey," one would respond.
"Case dismissed," he declares.
But I digress, so warning signs huh?
For the last month or so my well-aged old Nissan has occasionally stuttered and stammered whilst being started.
Some days no worries, but other times (when Jack Frost called by) a nagging pause before the starter motor stirred.
I went down the potentially loose connection path and tightened the attachments up and it sort of worked … but then a few days later there staggering start returned.
Clearly the battery … for it is about eight or nine years old.
So did I whip out and get a new one?
Nope.
That went on the back burner, like the battery itself and yep, third day of lockdown and the beast would not start, and the battery quickly lost power.
So I put it on the charger overnight and next morning the first few seconds sounded strong but it would not bite and faded too quickly.
So it's idle in the backyard for now although, but as an essential worker (shopper) I'll track a battery down and I shall soon be able to get back on the chain gang.
But hey, warning signs … ahh don't get me started.
Roger Moroney is an award-winning journalist and observer of the slightly off centre
