It’s a good and simple philosophy.

Down the rabbit hole… That can be a satisfying path, especially as one thought leads on to another and another.

I’m not equipped to discuss Pirsig. I’m still struggling to reach the end of his book after many attempts. I get a little farther each time though.

And the arguments about aggressive riding — that’s like discussing the pros and cons of helmets or religion. No minds are changed.

And the art discussions — those are endless. Even the ones that don’t think Brady’s Civil War work was documentation but really just more propaganda.

Much to think and talk about during a ride!

Our consumer culture definitely pushes the notion of being better by using the fear that we’re not good enough the way we are. No wonder it’s so hard finding our way in life.

Adequate is perfect for so many situations but with so much information now available it can be easy to get lost in the search. Appreciating the ordinary and finding joy in it is a powerful step. I remember a comment by photographer Robert Adams where he summed up his feelings about making art — that it should help reconcile us to life. Perhaps being more connected to and accepting of the ordinary moments in which we exist is what he was talking about.

Thanks for taking the time to share your comments. They help me make sense of things as I move through the ordinary…

What motivates us to do the things we do is fascinating to me — creative or otherwise. I understand how one activity may drive another like riding or sailing pushing a desire to make photos. And how it can all come crashing down if one thing is removed.

Photography has been a constant companion my entire life and while I may give it a vacation from time to time it always returns. What I photograph can change but the need for that visual expression continues.

Speaking of railroads — I visited an exhibition earlier this week of the work of photographer William Rau. He photographed railroads at the end of the 19th century for the Pennsylvania Railroad and others. Fascinating look at the world then. He used BIG cameras and glass plates. 18×24 inch and larger. The exhibit was at the Southern Alleghenies Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Here’s to hoping we keep on working on something at some level until we can’t!

No argument from me about staying within limits. There have only been a couple times that I didn’t and they were pretty strong reminders to dial things back.

The MP3 is a really nice riding machine. I was especially impressed by it’s ability to handle gravel, especially in curves. Those two wheels up front give some surprising stability. Doesn’t mean it can’t fall down but more secure than one wheel up front.

Let us know how things are going with the new ride.

Hah! Maybe.

Sounds like experience and thoughtful processing of it all are at work in your life. It always is good to have an expert around to point out bad habits. Sometimes I think about it as apprenticing. I am the riding apprentice!

So many rabbit holes… so little time.

I think Anais Nin pretty much nailed it when she wrote; ” We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.

Your first paragraph took me to Persig’s “Zen & the Art of…….” (should have been social dysfunction, not Motorbike maintenance….Crawford’s “Shop Class As Soulcraft” is more apt in illustrating the connection of man to machine) The exercise and satisfaction in “making small tolerances smaller” ie; twisting the wrenches, does remove the mystery and provide various other benefits.

Then we go to the opinion that of those that feel that time spent off-road sliding the rear wheel lends confidence on the pavement/ And then the argument that aggressive road riding is an exhibition of overcompensation for inner insecurities….and the spiral begins…..

……which after another pint/latte/cup-o-tea brings us to “realism v. impressionism in the world of image capture” -be it by brush stroke or fall of shutter. And then we descend the rabbit hole to art history and beyond in the transition from simply recording historical images to emotionally telling the story…..think M. Brady’s civil war offerings v. Picasso’s “Guernica” .

Again, Thanks for the ride