Balmy air flowed through the vents in my helmet on this glowing, late fall morning, a riding gift that grows more rare as winter edges closer. Soon the riding rituals will become a deliberation of gear and clothing, assessment and decision as the threat of frigid weather sweeps away the simpler joys of riding.
Riding a Vespa is a simple joy, one that I found late in life. Riding has allowed me to explore the notion of a simple life, at least for those moments on the road where little matters save the road unfurling ahead and the decisions and actions required to keep the scooter flying along safely.
I was riding into town to see my friend Gordon when I stopped to make this photograph, listen to the leaves rustle underfoot, watch the light dazzle thought the yellow leaves, and give thanks for just being able to stand there for a few moments.
It’s been that kind of week.
At Saint’s Cafe between sips of hot chocolate and bites of a bagel I read (again) on my iPhone something called the 100 Thing Challenge. A challenge to reduce your worldly possessions to 100. An arbitrary number but the idea is there is some value in untying oneself from weight of things, and more importantly from the desire to acquire more. I understand.
Yesterday brought a new Orvis catalog, another from LL Bean and one from Eddie Bauer. They were destined to join ones from B&H Photo, Aerostich, and a host of others already on my desk. Each offering songs of delight and desire for things that, well, I just don’t need.
So they’re all on their way to the landfill. I told Gordon how nice it would be to think about buying or shopping only when I actually need something.
I’ve been taking some tentative steps towards simplicity — getting rid of things I don’t use, don’t need, can’t remember why I have. And there is a lot of stuff. Don’t know how many things I have but I’m sure I have to be closer to 10,000 than to 100.
One hundred isn’t important. What’s important is slowing removing the extraneous things that collect so easily.
At least that’s the plan.
I showed up without any prints this morning. Gordon had a bunch including several portraits he made of me. I’m always behind the camera so the only time I have my picture taken is when I pass near another photographer. We all understand our predicament. We quickly create mutual admiration societies.
So the chase continues. I need to visit my basement workbench. I think there are 25,000 left over pieces of stuff from 20 years worth of projects. I wish it would all go away.