“There is no greater enemy to those who would please than expectation.
Montaigne
Inspiration is real. I just look for it in the wrong places. Or in the wrong way. And I hold onto an expectation that it will come if I just wait.
Sitting in the living room, watching the world through the picture window, has become seductively normal. Life exists in that view, and the images, thoughts, and dreams that float through my head comprise my sedentary existence. I began to suspect my inaction and lack of motion was responsible for the difficulty I was having in sitting down at the keyboard and writing. Or doing much of anything else for that matter.
I sat waiting all summer for the myth of inspiration.
Should and Try.
”I should go for a ride.”
“I’ll try to write a blog post today.”
Both are evasions rooted in dishonesty and a lack of personal awareness. They replace more direct, courageous statements:
“I’m not going to ride today.”
“I’m not going to write.”
But I lie to myself and wait for the myth of inspiration that promises abundant motivation coupled with joyous anticipation.
Perhaps there are people who possess both traits and never struggle to get busy with the tasks at hand. I’ve wondered how when I was working and had limited time available, I was riding all the time. And now in retirement, with an overabundance of time, it seems impossible to get on the scooter or motorcycle and go for a ride.
As a moto-commuter, I had to ride every day to get to work. But now, there is no carrot and there is no stick. But I wondered to myself, maybe there was something magical in that ride to work.
So I got up, walked out to the garage, got on the scooter, and headed out on one of the old routes I took to work. Maybe I would learn something about myself.
Therapeutic Value
Here’s how fucked up I am.
Almost as soon as the scooter or motorcycle is moving, I feel lighter, and whatever has been gnawing at my spirit evaporates. Every time. I can think of no exceptions. And despite this incredible knowledge, I can still sit on my ass and complain about a lack of inspiration, motivation, and energy.
Riding along a familiar rural road I’m struck by how much clearer my mind is and my perception of the world. And hot on its heels comes inspiration along with ideas, energy, and excitement to do everything from paint the dining room to sitting down to write another chapter in a book I’ve been nursing along for five years.
Time Machine
Almost 50 years ago I walked along this sidewalk for the first time. I was a freshman student at Penn State, 17 years old, and with little ambition to do much other than play. Some things never change.
What has changed is the view. This street used to bring the campus into view. Now it’s blocked by a 14 story high apartment building designed for student housing. For a moment though, I clearly remembered that other life.
Downtown State College, Pennsylvania
Since I retired my daily travels through town have dwindled to a rare occurrence. Many months now pass without ever finding the need or interest in coming into town. Especially since the public library closed due to the pandemic and my reading took a decidedly digital direction.
I miss hard copy books. Not owning them, but rather as objects to read that I can return afterward without concern of storing them in an already ponderous collection at home.
There’s still plenty of free motorcycle parking in town though once the students figure out where they are it becomes a little more challenging. As the weather gets colder the parking gets easier.
On this day the temperature was in the mid-80s but did little to dampen my excitement of being on the road. A quick trip to the stationery store to pick up a get well card and I was on my way.
Double Dose
No sooner had I gotten home I realized I had to ride back into town. My new iPhone didn’t save my library account number and I could not find my library card. Without it, there was no way to download a book I had been waiting on for months so off to the library I went.
What makes this a bit unusual is I was excited by the opportunity to ride the Vespa on a route I have ridden a hundred times or more. The myth of inspiration had been supplanted by real inspiration and engagement in the business of getting something done.
I would like to say it was riding that made the difference, but it really was the earlier decision to just get up and into motion. Everything else just followed.
It’s nice to find parking across the street from the library. Earlier in the day, a land yacht of a cruiser motorcycle took up half the spaces to keep itself out of the path of traffic.
Home
It’s difficult to express how satisfying it is to go for a ride. Especially when I don’t because I’ve embraced the myth of inspiration. Even a short, ordinary, familiar ride does wonders for my spirit. And it’s still as fun now as ever. I don’t need to understand the effect. Just remember the result.
I’ve not posted much this summer despite having a wealth of photos from various rides. Hopefully, the newly acquired inspiration won’t fade before I do a little more writing.
Wow! You are my inspiration to keep on riding. I stopped licensing my car in April. This is the way that I have to inspire me to ride every day. Your blog’s all put together in a book would be awesome. I ride a Piaggio Beverly 250 touring scooter or my Yamaha BWS 50 scooter. I needed a long blast of riding back in June. I road 2,000 kilometers in five days. I headed straight south from La Ronge Saskatchewan Canada to the USA Border. I accidentally sent to a Border Crossing that was closed in 2013. I turned around after visiting a couple of places. I felt like Forrest Gump. I see myself now as Gump in the Forest. I wouldn’t have even dreamt of such a ride if I had not been inspired by Scooter In The Sticks. Please continue writing. You never know who is been inspired to ride a nature mobile.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with your scooter Mick and for the kind words about the things I post on Scooter in the Sticks. I always appreciate hearing the reactions people have and the insight they provide through their own riding adventures.
I had to look for La Ronge in Google Maps — wow, that’s quite a trek from there to the U.S. border! If you ever share any photos or writing about your journey somewhere let me know.
I plan to keep writing as long as I am riding. And probably beyond that. Maybe someday I’ll consolidate some of the material from the blog into a book. It’s on my list!
Gosh, a notice of a blog post from you usually rushes me to it to get inspiration. Thank goodness I do not need it today as I have my first morning coffee in my 5th floor apartment just steps from the Rialto bridge here in Florence. Even if the first person I met was the lost luggage lady at the airport. The second person I met was a recently retired art teacher from the US who had just landed and he is here to study art for two years to refine his craft and a great inspiration.
Today will be a true Italian adventure. I will trek to the airport to get my clothing money, maybe, and to find out why my bag is going from Dulles to Istanbul to Ankara to Frankfurt to Florence. I ain’t making that up. Anyway, whichever why it goes ,it will be a true Italian adventure and I will get to meet locals all along the way.
Then I get to go shopping for new clothes for a fat guy in a country of skinny people and skin tight clothes.
(Glad I have funds to cover this or it would turn into a horror story, though I have done it before when I was poor.)
Adventures will eventually be shared here https://2021europe.blogspot.com/
You had me scratching my head at first trying to connect the Rialto Bridge with Florence Ken. Then seeing the amended comment straightened it all out. Perhaps the error was a subconscious nod to the mix up with your luggage!
Sounds as if you have embarked on another fine adventure and an opportunity to practice the quiet surrender of morning coffee and meeting fellow travelers through life. It’s been almost 30 years since I was in Europe but I remember well how everyone I encountered in the Alps fell into the skinny category. A more active lifestyle perhaps? Not sure of the explanation. Clothes shopping should be its own adventure.
Thanks for sharing the link to your Europe 2021 blog. I read the entry about trying to arrange flights, rental cars, and COVID information. At least you have one arm left after chewing off the other. I hope it was the left so you can still use the right on the throttle.
Please amend location to Ponte Vecchio
Important information!
Aging seems to bring with it some new changes and new challenges. Enjoy the ride!
Indeed it does. I look forward to the adventure every day!
Wow Steve,your post reminds me of an album my friend Steve S. Put out in the 80’s Titled I’m not strange I’m just like you.Funny now with all this time on my hands I seem to ride less too. I started out early yesterday morning right off the bat was a van in front of me plastered with bumper stickers that read●Covid-19 is a hoax. I thought wish i was in a tank and push his dam rear bumper up to match the front bumper..So I continued to ride down a familiar road ,but all i could see was the thought of that bumper sticker in my head…So i guess I’m saying for me state of mind even on two wheels wins out sometimes. Thanks for your post I really needed it yesterday,and everday for that matter…😷
My new slogan for “those” people..
Be Patriot, get a shot, help save someone else’s life!
“Be a Patriot, get a shot, help save someone else’s life!”
That’s a fine slogan Ken. One of the few that’s not so self-centered that it includes “my” or “me.” The plural pronouns in our country seem to be evaporating.
I work hard each day to accept the moment in front of me, however odd, strange, exciting, or moronic it might seem. My disappointment in how things unfold in the world is tempered by my acceptance of that reality and as best I can forgiveness for people, governments, and the world in general. Anger is just too toxic for me.
Hope you find time to ride more and smile more. Life is too short not to!
Inspiration, or lack thereof. At times I find myself in that place as well. It’s difficult to conjure up the motivation to do tasks around the house at times, and sometimes even to take a ride on the scooter. Like you, once I’m riding the inspiration returns. I just need to ride more.
According to Thoreau, “None are so old as those that have outlived enthusiasm”.
I hope to never reach that point in my life.
Steve, I hope you find the inspiration to ride, write and enjoy. Your readers look forward to the results.
Regards
Richard in Blue Ridge
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Richard. And especially the Thoreau quote. I too hope I don’t outlive enthusiasm!
I signed my retirement papers this week and I’m out at the end of next week .I’m not staying in Key West as
I have sucked this environment dry over the twenty years it took to get my pension. I wish you the best of luck but I can’t stay still and the prospect of getting on the road fills me with anticipation. Cheers, Michael
Congratulations on your coming retirement Michael. I look forward to adventures and photographs that you share on Instagram and your blog. Be well and have fun!
This summer, the Ural has been my primary transportation. If my wife and I are going somewhere, then I usually get a ride in the car. Fairbanks is a pretty small town so the road ridden are pretty much the same ones I used to commute on. And, some habits are hare to change. For example, I still get haircuts at the university barber shop. At least I no longer need to pay for parking. And they finally extended the motorcycle parking until October 1st.
If the cruiser was a land yacht then the Ural would be equivalent to a container ship.
Parking at Penn State is more problematic than ever. None of the on-campus parking garages permit motorcycles any longer and the only legal parking for non-permit holders is at the outer edges of campus at metered spaces. Motorcycles aren’t on their radar at all.
Since the library and art museum on campus had closed due to COVID, I didn’t venture there at all for the past 18 months. And now even less enthused.
Have fun on the URAL. I suppose the snow will be flying soon. Be safe!
RichardM beat me to the remark about how much space a URAL takes up! 🙂 As to inspiration, perhaps a then and now perspective posting of the University?
I’m not sure if I’m ready to venture back to the University yet. I’m happily retired!
Hello Steve,
Sujet intéressant et jolies photos !
Quant à l’inspiration, comme on dit chez nous:”l’appétit vient en mangeant”…
Hello Steve,
Interesting subject and pretty pictures!
As for inspiration, as we say here: “the appetite comes with eating” …
Laurent from France
”l’appétit vient en mangeant”
Perfect!
Thanks for sharing your stories with us. There doesn’t seem to be any good news in the paper or on TV. So it’s alway nice just to sit back and enjoy “Story time with uncle Steve”.
It is enjoyable to read stories even when you are struggling. But I guess that’s life. With out the struggling we wouldn’t know when the good times hit us right in the face.keep the stories coming.
Ps
It’s alway nice to have the Land yacht mentioned.
I wondered if you would notice your bike in the story. I smiled when I saw it sawing across the spaces. Not sure how I would have felt if it was someone else’s machine!
The world still feels strange to me. That may be a good thing for the reason you suggest.
Be well. My hair grows ever longer and wilder. Maybe someday I’ll darken your doorway.
Any time
Got to this one a bit late, but man, I can relate: my Summer has now become officially scooterless, with Melody still awaiting a few crucial parts that are still Somewhere On the West Coast (and hopefully not among the 40-odd container ships stuck off the California coast on account of…well, you know). This has put a huge dent in my mobility for my freelance work and general errand/task running, never mind taking a ride for the proverbial shits-n-grins with friends. As upbeat a guy as I am, this situation can make a sourpuss of me once in a while: taking the bicycle on the few errand runs where it makes sense is okay, but the fact that much of my route is seriously bicycle unfriendly makes pedaling around a good deal less fun. Riding shotgun in the car with Le Wife isn’t much more fun now, either. I keep reminding myself that I’m hardly the only person dealing with this nonsense right now, and some have it worse. Nonetheless, this sucks. Which, curiously enough, has encouraged me to write a bit more, although it took a good while to even think about writing anything.
I hope your parts and supplies arrive before the snow falls. Shipping and getting some things is just maddening.
I’m grateful I have two machines to ride so I should always have a spare should one become inoperable. And soon I’ll have my father-in-law’s Vespa ET4 in the garage too. Something for almost every mood. All that’s missing is a dirt bike and a cruiser!