I knew nothing of passion growing up. It was a word, and if I thought about it at all, that was associated with romance and sex. In my working-class upbringing I didn’t meet people who passionately pursued dreams or vocations. Just men and women who woke up, went to work, came home and then did the same thing the next day. At least that was the limit of my thinking about passion.
A recent interview by the guys who produce the Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars. got me thinking about passion. First as I asked myself why these guys dedicate so much time and energy to producing a podcast. But then asking myself the same questions as I thought about how much life I’ve been pouring into Scooter in the Sticks.
If you’ve never listened to podcasts, I can’t describe how lovely a gift they can be to anyone who’s curious about ideas, people, places or information on just about any topic you might imagine. Like Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars.
I got a message a few weeks ago from podcast host, Mark Helgen, asking if I would be willing to do an interview to talk about my blog, winter riding and any sort of experiences I might have had with spirits and the paranormal. Always excited to talk about riding, and curious about the rest, I agreed. You can listen to my ramblings along with other scooter stories and experiences in Episode 32 “Spring Scoot (er) in the Sticks”. My bit comes up during the last 15 minutes of the program. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple as well as other platforms.
Back to passion. My understanding of passion grew slowly. For a great part of my life it focused on the committment people made to their jobs, to that immense investment of time made to earn money to pay bills. No other understanding of passion existed. The absurdist philosopher Albert Camus once said, “The real passion of the twentieth century is servitude.” That’s it. It’s what I understood.
So here are these guys investing time and energy in a podcast which, as far as I know, doesn’t earn them any money. I have a good idea of how much planning, coordination, production and post-production is involved in making a podcast of the quality of Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars. I have a brand new microphone on my desk that I purchased expressly with the idea of producing a podcast. Or narrating videos. And it took only a little research to realize there was no way I was willing to dedicate myself to such a daunting task.
Passion. It can be the only explanation for the existence of the Chasing Ghosts podcast. I wish I would have asked them a few questions. The interview not only gave me a chance to talk about riding and some of my ghostly experiences, but afterwards, it had me thinking about my own passionate embrace of blogging about my own scooter experiences. For after over 1200 posts, a half-million words, and thousands and thousands of original photographs, how else can I explain such an investment in time and energy that doesn’t yield a cent other than passion, that strong emotional state that sustains an almost boundless enthusiasm for work after 15 years.
Yeah. Passion.
Anyways, check out the podcast. Cool to listen to other riders who have their own, unique passion for life on two wheels, ghosts, bars and a fellowship that’s crystal clear in their broadcasts. They do a great job giving voice to their experiences. I really appreciate the opportunity they afforded me to share a little of my passion.
Can’t say more. The temperature is rising toward 34F and the BMW K75 needs to go for a ride. I hear it calling and complaining all I ever ride in the winter is the Vespa…
Whew…1200posts? I’ve got a lotta back-catalog to catch up with, then…
Photography was my first brush with the idea of “having” a passion. I use the term brush deliberately, as my mother was a lifelong painter, and in spite of my best childhood efforts I felt the blank canvas wasn’t something for me to face. That’s how things have been ever since.
The most interesting, and content (if not outright happy) people I’ve known had something they pursued out of little more than desire/passion. (Yeah, I know, Diane Arbus et cetera.) I could get a tad maudlin and say that photography saved my life, and as far as my teen years go, that would only be mildly exaggerating the point.
Blogging? I think I mentioned a while back that I started two blogs some years back which have been gathering dust for a while, but which I hope to be reviving, one-at-a-time. Since just yesterday I had five broken teeth removed (long story), I’m spending the weekend slowly concocting just how I’ll manage this, as well as a possible occasional video blog revolving around the Vespa; I bought a Crosstour action-cam (essentially a poor man’s GoPro), ostensibly as a “dashcam” for Melody, but then I thought about making the occasional on-the-road video-essay. To this end, I spent a tad more cash for a cam with a plug-in microphone. Stay tuned.
Idea: Why not not interview the Chasing Ghosts crew for your blog? You can get those unasked questions in right here. And I can’t imagine them not taking you up on this.
The actually count right now is 1269 posts. It has crept up without realizing how much I’ve put into it.
Photography and riding are the two other passions in my life. Photography the longest running since it began in Junior High School back in the 1960s. It was satisfying then and my desire to pick up the camera remains strong today. I’m grateful to have these passions in my life. I can relate to the notion that photography might have saved your life. Finding something that you connect to so strongly can’t help but alter a life.
Good luck with your video projects. I’ve made a few and while I enjoyed making them, I’ve not been willing so far to make more. I have ideas for some motion essays but man, the time commitment to do it well is great.
Interviews — I have a written interview in the works. I’ll see how that goes before doing more. If things go well, maybe I’ll call the Chasing Ghosts guys!
Steve, we are all humbled and appreciative of your take and perspective of passion and podcasts—and especially when it’s ours. Not sure we can add to the content and beauty of your blog, but would be thrilled to answer any questions you may have. A lot of who we are and what we do, (including all that lack of common sense and good judgment) is posted for all to hear, but perhaps you could ferret out some odd little stories…
Best,
Mark from Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars.
Mark,
I’ll do some thinking about what I might like to know from you and your team. Right now I’m kind of distracted but hope to bring my mind and life into line sometime soon!
I love Podcasts. I wait till I get home from work later tonight to listen to it! Congrats!
Thanks!
Every day is a Saturday now 🙂
Another things to be grateful in life.
Well, I have never listened to a podcast nor given much heed to the idea but I think I have to try listening to one. Now I just have to figure out how to do it!
I listen to a variety of podcasts — some photography, one about money, and the rest sort of audio essays. My favorites at the moment are: Dave Ramsey, Lenswork, This American Life, Fresh Air, Minimalists, and the B&H Photography Podcast.
Is This American Life the show that was on NPR with Ira Glass?
Yes it is. The podcast makes the program available for me since I can’t always listen when it’s broadcast.
We are big podcast fans Steve and common for us to close out the day with a listen or two. I suppose looking at my list of subscriptions might suggest a passion or two? This time of year, when our weather tends to confine us on occasion, a comforting cup of coffee and an interesting podcast can do wonders. Listened to a bit of Chasing Ghosts last night and subscribed, looking forward to more episodes … Thanks for the lead(s)
We have such great options today for information and entertainment. When I think back to my younger years I had a couple radio and TV stations, book, records, the library and movie theaters. Now there’s so much more content available.
Not sure which was better…
Funny thing about passion is it’s really a gift.I have yet to meet anyone that is truly passionate about something who is not really good at whatever that is,and willing to share the knowledge and experience to anyone who shares a like interest. Find someone with genuine passion for something and that’s the go to source for advice ..
I agree with you Don. Most of the passionate people I’ve met were open to sharing and helping. I hope I can do the same with whatever little gift I might have.
Enjoyed hearing your voice today. Is it passion or insanity? The first photos that made me look twice was your little scoot covered in snow. I thought – that guy is crazy! Now that I have read your blog for awhile I love your crazy passion!
Hah. On any given day I wonder whether it’s passion or insanity!
I’ll have to check out the podcast so I can put a voice to the crazy guy who rides in the snow! 1200+ posts? I have a LOT of reading to catch up on. Passions? Being partially retired now, I dabble in many things and my wife thinks I’m AD. So many things, so little time. Reading, writing short philosophical essays, small woodworking projects and of course riding the Grey Ghost. You keep blogging and sharing your insights and photos – and I’ll keep reading!
Dabbling. I love the idea of that. Wish I dabbled more. It implies a freedom in my mind that’s unbounded by many constraints. A great pursuit in retirement.
Are you posting your philosophical essays somewhere? Always enjoy reading things like that. Especially from riders.
One of your best ;posts, and there have been a lot of them. I appreciate you, you’ve been and continue to be an inspiration. .
I had to put down just last week a dog that…got to give some post grieving thought to just what the late lamented Mojo brought into our household. We were darn lucky to share 12 years with him. Don’t know why, but seeing this post kind of help ease the hurt of that.
So thank you again…
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. They are such bright, fiery spirits in our lives but don’t burn nearly long enough. As I type this note my dog Junior is looking up at me, probably hoping to go outside for some ball fetching and air sniffing. He’s going to be 12 soon and I don’t like to think about a world without him. I can say, from having so many dogs in my life, that the hurt of loss has always dissolved in fine, good memories. It took time but it has always happened.
And thank you for your kind words about the writing I shared.
Great interview Steve. I put a link on your L2W Rider Profile.
So far I am still not super close to a new post, but the topic is very present daily in my mind. Who knows, I may find a path to get there soon.
I’m searching for the same path David. It’s crazy how far off I’ve wandered. Circumstances continue to draw me away. Have lots of material to share and write about but seem to be paralyzed when it comes to sitting down and producing something.
I used to work in radio and I have a hard time getting past the amateur banter and and waffle and lack of substance on podcasts. I have the same attitude to YouTube – if the speaker can’t get to the point I switch it off. I experimented this morning and one guy waffled for five minutes and still hadn’t got to the point of his video. Dead air was how we described on air silence, and dead air or hot air seems to bother only me, Mr Grumpy. But seeing as how its you I’ll give it a reluctant shot. And if you believe in ghosts be happy knowing I shall be gritting my teeth.
You’re right about the amount of amateur banter in some podcasts. They’re not all like that though. Just a rather unbelievable range of content out there. Making choices about what’s useful or relevant is the challenge.
Most of my YouTube video use falls into three categories. The first, how to do something. Might be changing the headlight bulb in my car or changing a filter in a heating system. I watch those IF I can hear what they’re saying and see what they’re doing. Those videos are useful. Like having an expert here.
And the next viewing category is mindless entertainment. SNL clips. Pranks. Whatever. I waste entirely too much of my life there.
And last is “education.” This might be a TEDtalk, interview with someone, news clip, history. Usually pretty specific and tends to be highly produced.
Regarding ghosts. I remain skeptical despite feelings I’ve had and stories related by people I trust. I’m skeptical about many things I guess but don’t expend much energy caring about it. I think.
No teeth gritting Mr. Grumpy. Life is too good to be angered or frustrated by the world! Walk that dog. Make another photo!