Photography Bonds
My friends Gordon and Paul at Saint’s Cafe looking a photographs — one of the common bonds among us. Paul I met at a large format photography workshop he was teaching over 20 years ago, and Gordon in the MFA program at the School of Visual Arts at Penn State nearly 10 years later.
I call them both friends.
Photography has driven connections between us and created conversation and travel to serve our collective camera masters. It’s a powerful enslavement that has been with each of us for a lifetime.
And both are riders.
Riders All
Gordon pilots a red Vespa GTS 300. I’ve suggested he could assume a role on Sons of Anarchy but would have to abandon the scooter. So far he’s shown no interest.
Paul is a more eclectic rider and at home with a Vespa or a Harley and everything in between. During rides I often have the opportunity to photograph one of his spur of the moment performances. I often wonder at what age a broken bone will occur.
Definition of Friendship
If I can call you at 3am and say “help!”, then you must be a friend. Having someone in your life that you know will be there when you need them, no questions asked, is a gift beyond treasure. I believe it’s a rare connection.
It’s not something we talk about or make an agreement about — I sense it. I hope the others do as well.
Views Through the Looking Glass
I’ve collected a number of pictures from our times together. Paul always has a new motorcycle love — this one several machines ago — a bright yellow Ducati 1098.
Gordon rides only his Vespa scooter. Not other machine has materialized in his garage. At least as far as I know.
It’s good to have friends who ride. They understand the obsession, the desire to get away on two wheels, the phone calls requesting a truck and pick-up at at remote location. This photo was made during a ride through Moshannon State Forest. Red may be the fastest color in Vespa mythology but the silver scooter is by far the more beautiful…
This has become a familiar scene while riding with Paul — his back stretching exercise which appears in a variety of locations — on the road, on the side of the road, on a motorcycle, on a scooter — he’s an equal opportunity stretcher.
A person is fortunate to go through life with a couple friends — especially ones with so much in common.
I’m a lucky man.
I have to tell you Steve. I love the pictures you always take of Paul’s bikes. I wouldn’t have the ambition to own most of them but they do photograph well. What I do like most are the shots of his Fly 150 next to your Vespa. The Fly is the one Piaggio product I would like to get at some time in the future and to see it ambitiously traveling next to yours is an incentive.
Paul has had quite a few bikes and scooters. A quick count in my head indicates three scooters, three Ducatis, two Harleys, three BMWs, one Suzuki, and one Kawasaki since 2005. I think I have pictures of all of them.
The Fly seems to do fine with the GTS on the routes we take. He and I are going for a ride in the morning though I don’t know what he’ll be riding.
Such a sweet post. I always love your photos and the emotion your words convey. You are indeed lucky to have two friends with whom you share so much in common. That inner belief that they’d be there when you need them is likely shared. That’s something I agree is usually felt, not always spoken, when you have a real friend.
It is good to have friends. Gordon moved away to New York recently so I don’t get to see him like I did. But the bond for me remains.
Another great post from my favorite scooter rider.
Thanks Brent for the kind words.
Wonderful tribute to your Triumvirate. I am just starting out riding, but I hope to develop friendships similar to yours.
I think a lot of riders form fast friendships with other kindred souls on two wheels. Best wishes to you on the ride and with friends.
Interesting posting. Your description of a friend at 03:00 is operhaps the best description.
of the relationship(s).
Sadly as one ages those 03:00 friends expire or leave your existence for any number of reasons; I tend to keep such relationships for 10-15 years and then we slowly drift apart.
Currently few acquaintances o friends; it is almost as one person noted, my destiny to destroy my relationships with others and then many moons later restart the relationship once again as if no space or time has intervened. I stop sometimes for 10-20 years and then the cycle restarts.
Keep your friends Steve, one day that may well be all you have!
I suppose there is an ebb and flow to friendships as circumstances change. I value them greatly so I try to keep them.
Hey Gordon. Are you reading this? What would happen if when the weather turns warmer Steve and I ride scooters to your new crib? Did you see my new three wheel Cushman?
Steve: Thank you for heartfelt and sensitive words. I’ve for the last 20 years referred to you either as my best friend or one of my best friends. My gut feeling is you will be there for me if I need you. I can’t say that about a lot of people.
It’s always an adventure when we get together!