Once again, the Arts & Leisure world extends beyond the borders of the gallery. Yes, we've got the usual stories about the visual arts: women painters, youthful sculptors, even interactive shows based on patterns and process. But sometimes you gotta switch gears.

That's why this section's lead story is about the art of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Or should I say, hogs? Choppers, perhaps? Whatever they're called, these big bikes have become increasingly popular with the yuppie set, who need to feel wild-n-wooley every now and then after a long day at the office. As they raise the demand, the motorcycles become more expensive, making them inaccessible to the very blue-collar folk who helped establish the company in the first place. Read this story for the low-down.

Oh, and speaking of wild-n-wooley, try this on for size: This author wrote a whole column about his socks. What's strange about the article is that, coincidence coincidence, I once wrote an essay about my socks -- how they always seem to disappear in the dryer, how sometimes it's hard to find a match, and how sad it is to have to throw one away while the other's still good. And here I thought I was being original.

One author who's definitely got his socks on is Jeff Smith, writing his weekly editorial from Montana. Though Jeff Smith's stuff usually goes in the News & Opinion section, I couldn't help but suspect that Jeff is really on vacation, and writing columns carping about hunting laws and Californicators is just his way of relaxing.

That said, I'm going to kick back and leave the rest of this Arts & Leisure section for you to figure out. My socks are off and I'm goin' for a hog ride.