My mind works like a mechanical clock with a few teeth missing in the main gears. As far as writing goes, it always begins as a stream of consciousness exercise. But then I go back and reorganize, edit, rewrite, and reinforce the ideas. I don’t spend a lot of time but feel it would be cruel of me to share things that literally enter the world as “blah blah blah blah blah.”

Finding flow is work. But worth the effort. And crazy because I have to pretty much let go of everything to see it.

I hope we’re all past the need to wear masks. I really do. But I persist until more is known about the variants and the spread of COVID. Wearing a mask and staying away from crowds is a small, small price to pay to reduce the scope of a pandemic. At least for me.

I had never thought about the way riding affects equilibrium but you’re right. That feeling of flying and freedom may be nothing more than my inner ear reacting to motion. Geez.

Best to you and your wife.

First off, Susan and I are also in the club of no-cold-no-flu-no-other-illness since the fall of 2019. The only known benefit of the pandemic for those of us who didn’t catch Covid.

Secondly, I would like to point out that riding is an actual source of prolonged balance. In fact, it’s not only equilibrium, it’s equilibrium in motion. And when you ride, you get to play with it, sustaining balance while challenging gravity all along the way. There lies the joy. Is there any wonder that toying with equilibrium in this way injects balance into our consciousness, our being, our very soul. Every ride is a form of vaccine.

But for this insightful post, I don’t think I would have seen that link that now seems so obvious.

I should go for a ride now.

Thank you Steve and Paul.

Greatly appreciated.

I’m familiar with the effect riding has in eliminating thoughts of health issues and other kinks in the plan of life. I know it must be the mental and physical focus riding demands that makes that possible, but I’ve wondered why I’ve not often been able to reliably reproduce those effects with other activities.

Maybe the scooter and motorcycle is magic…

Thank you for the kind words Steel.

It seems as if the vintage machines require a lot more attention than the modern ones. For someone who likes to just get on and ride, I fear a vintage scooter would frustrate me. At least from what I’ve seen with some of the ones around here.

But they are beautiful!

Having photographed my scooter and motorcycle so many times it’s almost become like a welcome puzzle to create new compositions. Especially of places that I’ve already photographed many times. Trial and error. And practice leads the way.

I think the bullshit clouds those bigger questions you’ve suggested Andy — who am I?” and “am I an artist?” was a big one for me for a long time. Having spent most of my career as a photographer on the commercial side of things it was difficult to consider myself an artist. They were something different. That questioning led me to return to school in the MFA program in Art. I have no problem calling myself an artist anymore. I create things. I’m an artist. It’s that simple. But it took years to give me permission. I don’t have to be any good, or sell or show anything. I just need to create.

You’re right about too much thinking that might lead to dark places. I’m always careful in this regard.

Mostly I just try and accept whatever comes along. And as far as identity goes, I know who I am. And I know I’m constantly changing. Like yesterday — I shaved!

Great comments from your followers as well.

Steel

Thanks John. Be well and safe in NH.