Unshaven, rested, relaxed. That’s what a week of vacation can do for a person. My friend Gordon made the photograph, my wife Kim said I looked relaxed, and I know I’m rested and unshaven. The past week has been an exercise in no plans, no schedule, no goals, no nothing. I like to think I’m a creature of habit but it’s more likely I’m a creature of circumstance. With no schedule to adhere to I’ve stayed up ’til dawn, slept past noon, hung out in coffee shops and generally watched the world go by.
And did some Vespa riding.
On days I didn’t sleep past noon I was out in the cold with the dog or on the Vespa. A week of that was all it took to acclimate to the frigid weather. Now everything from 20F and higher feels comfortable. Or at least tolerable.
This image was made on Sunday morning at sunrise with Junior in tow. A dog offers fine examples of how to embrace life at it’s simplest level.
Junior pausing briefly for me to make a portrait. Cold enough outside for his breath to freeze over the hair on his neck. He just walked through the living room, looked at me, and went upstairs to bed. “He know’s the day’s over,” said Kim. “No more walks, treats or food. Nothing left but to go to sleep.”
I’m almost in the same place.
It’s been a cold week with snow and ice and have helped thicken my riding blood. This morning Mr. Pumpkin looked particularly annoyed by the 18F temperature reading as I got ready to ride into town to meet my photography compatriots at Saint’s Cafe. Neither the Vespa or I uttered a complaint.
Morning has more attraction for me than any other time of day — visually and mentally. I awake quickly with no need for coffee or tea. Seeing the sun rise and the warm beams of light lick through the trees continues to cause the heart to beat faster.
Allen Street is still asleep at 8:30 on a Sunday morning. Plenty of parking and no traffic to contend with is fine by me.
Saint’s Cafe in State College, Pennsylvania. The holiday decorations have already gone up. The place seems personal, friendly and like home.
Simple pleasures during the vacation. Hot chocolate and a few moments alone with my thoughts.
The earlybirds. In thirty minutes the place will start to fill up and the hustle and bustle will become more pronounced. Being away from that pace for just a week makes the change seem dramatic.
During the past week the Vespa and I have ridden the familiar tracks and explored some new ones. The snow and ice have offered an opportunity to sharpen my skills and mind and the time away from work has allowed my batteries to recharge so I can jump head first into some big projects.
And the rides have given me a chance to catch up with old friends if only for a few moments. But mostly I just laid about in decadent sloth. So much for plans to organize my digital photos or straightening up the garage. It was far more satisfying to nap, eat, ride play with the dog, hang out with Kim and anything other than be a responsible adult.
Damn, I guess I need to go upstairs and shave now.
Very nice shot with the Vespa and the tree outlined by the sky!
As to your week spent with no plans/schedules/deadlines….sounds like the perfect week to me.
I’d call this the portrait posting.
You, Junior, a pumpkin and a quiet downtown State College, concluded with a horsey portrait. Now if you shave, will Kim know who you are? Will you? And where was the birthday girl’s portrait, eh?
Very nice photo of sunrise. Love the clouds.
Steve:
When your breath freezes over your hair then I know it’s too cold for me. As usual, I marvel over your cold weather photos showing your Vespa surrounded by ice & snow.
I liked the sunrise photo too. I’m wondering if you just stayed up late or woke up early
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Charlie6: Amazing how a week away from the noise can really charge up your internal batteries.
Bryce Lee: I’ve gone through several physical transformations and always seem to remember who I am. I had a few pictures I had made of Kim but none of them depicted her in the heroic manner in which I see her so I figured I would hold off until I get that one.
RichardM: The clouds definitely made the picture.
bob skoot: On that day I woke up early!
Steve, I associate shaving with work days. I don’t shave on weekends, and will go days on vacation without picking up a razor. I like that relaxed unshaven happy look on your face. Paul showed me enough of your haunts that I feel a special closeness with this post. All the best to you and Kim.