When I left my office today it was getting dark, colder, and there were a few snowflakes on the seat of the Vespa. I prepared to ride home feeling flat and unmotivated to do much beyond hit the couch and read a book. As so often happens the moment the scooter roars (you have to help me with the appropriate verb) to life a smile eases into my face and the weight of the day and 35 years fade from my frame.
Out in traffic I was content to take my place on the road with my fellow travelers and enjoy the darkening day. I made a detour into the small village we call home to visit Kim at the salon where she was having her cut. I had taken all the money. I went in without removing my helmet, went into the back where she was under a dryer writing in her journal and proceeded to try and have a conversation. Her ability to hear was drowned out by the dryer and I’m sitting next to her with a helmet and earplugs. We sort of waved at each other apparently understanding. I could tell by the smile on Kim’s face that whatever was happening it must be good and I’m sure she recognized the smile on my face. I don’t know what it is about the scooter but making all sorts of little stops to see things and talk to people just seems natural.
From there to Agostenelli’s Market for some fresh bread. They have it fresh on Tuesdays and I just couldn’t pass it up.
It’s so good that I had to build a sandwich before even writing this entry. Not much gets between me and Scooter in the Sticks. So, the day was getting even brighter when I stopped in the town square to take a picture of the new Christmas decorations on one of the store.
From there a short trip home and happy relaxation. It’s a great evening.
IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTE: Notice my first vertical picture today! I am growing more open to new things as I get older.
Whines to life with the sound of an electric toothbrush in heat? Sorry, nothing like roar comes to mind. My wife never even woke up when I started mine, and IT was 200 romping-stomping CCs. Was practically silent, quieter than a vacuum cleaner, in any case.
I got happy reading this post. Then I got hungry. Very nice.
Have fun,
Bill
snow and ice up here in the great white north, won’t be riding for a while. as a matter of fact, i had to take the battery out tonight due to the temperature (-17C, 1.4F). it’s nice to know that a ride can make a long day at work seem like it never existed.
how about:
“thrums to life.”
“purrs into existence.”
love the pics
good journey,
giest
They should have tighter noise reduction regs on those darn vacuums!
John
I didn’t know Agostonelli’s had fresh bread on Tuesdays!!!
Suggested scooter equivalents to “roars” –
sneaks
putters
whispers
breathes
Great post. You know you’ve got the right bike when it gives you the “Big Dumb Grin” ™.
Reading your entries always reminds me of the mandate to “come to your senses.” You reap the benefits of doing that on your daily wanderings. The heightened awareness that is your companion during those rides brings rich rewards of “presentness.”
Hey Steve, thanks for the first comment. I’m thinking vibrates to life maybe, or buzzes, depending on the engine.
tinker: I don’t think whining or comparing the Vespa to a wild electric toothbrush quite touches on the sound. It’s such an agreeable machine that I think it has to be a solid, positive image. I know what you mean about it being practically silent though. Maybe the roar is only in my mind.
Bill: Maybe happiness and eating go hand in hand. Every scooter trip is a party afterall.
giest: You probably have a lot more long term snow and ice on the road than we have here. Unless it is an unusually heavy snowstorm the roads are generally clear and clean in hours. At least my commuting route. All I really have to do is cope with the cold.
I like purrs into existence or purrs to life.
combatscoot: vacuums and shop vacs are nasty. I have earplugs on my shop vac for everytime I use that thing. I remember as a kid watching cartoons on a Saturday morning and all was right with the world and my mother would come into the livingroom with the damn vacuum…
Hannah: fresh bread Tuesdays and Thursdays.
lucky: Breathers and whispers has a supernatural feel to it, like the Vespa is a ghostly body that I’ve made friends with. I’ll have to think about that one.
The Big Dumb Grin ™. That’s a special feeling isn’t it!
simplytim: What you describe is one of the powerful and unexpected outcomes for me of riding. Being present is a wonderful thing and so hard to come by. I have used photography towards that end and while it did deliver me into the present for periods of time it generally did not provide the Big Dumb Grin ™ that lucky refers to. Another great payoff in a chaotic world.
I posted a video awhile back that talked about using photography to be present. It can be found HERE
.
Sam: I like vibrates to life. It has the right feeling but not the sound. So I’m halfway there!
Steve,
I saw your video previously and was moved by it. I was the “anonymous” who left a comment there. Maybe I’ll resend it and see if it comes through with my handle on it this time and then you could remove the “anonymous” one.
I’m new to this whole Vespa thing, and I’m not yet even an owner. I pick up my 2006 LX50 tomorrow at 11:30, and I’m worried about the weather … it’s 23 F right now in Boston … but reading your post has given me hope, so thanks.
One more comment, from a photographer I once knew. If we were meant to take vertical photos, our eyes would be stacked on top of each other …
Justin
Nice humane portrayal of life, death and memory.
Jorge