Today Could be the Day!...

When I was about 7, I learned to ride a 2 wheeled bicycle on my friend Zeke's little bike that I was a little too big for. I remember going over there for several days, pushing myself up and down the street, trying to acheive balance and motion at the same time.

For the past several attempts for my daughter to ride on 2 wheels, our mantra was, Today Could be the Day... I've been feeling a little bad because we haven't been out, trying to practice for most of the summer. Her schedule, I can't believe a 7 year old has one, and mine made it difficult for us to get out on the bicycle. But today, I made a concerted effort to get her out. I know that our past attempts, she was very close to acheiving that gyroscopic balance, but we never really made it to the promissed land.

Well today, several 10 yard accomplishments gave her some big confidence. We were waiting for her mom to pick her up and she really wanted to show off what she could do. Little did either one of us imagine that on her first attempt to show off, she would go and not stop! She went with mom chasing her from behind, down the block and then suddenly, around the corner! I ran inside to get my camera and when I came out, I heard voices calling me, but from the opposite direction. She managed to circumnavigate the entire block! I managed to pull off an exposure, but in my excitement, I just celebrated her long awaited achivement! After another run down the block, she came back and said that "Today IS the Day!"

The Key Maker

I've passed by his place many times over, but never felt compelled to use his services. I may need a duplicate key made maybe 2 or 3 times a year, and would often opt to go to Home Depot or some grocery chain that had a tool section. House locks and modern cars are no problem for these places, but I knew when I lost the one and only key I had to my motorcycle, those places would be of no use. My bike, almost 30 years old I knew would be an issue. I stopped by just a little before 10 A.M., and the owner, an older hippy looking dude with a pot belly was just opening his shop. I thought this was going to be a good experience as he was in fact early to open. I told him my situation and asked if I could pull the ignition to my bike, would he be able to make a key? His answer in a gruff, resounding voice was, $20.

Feeling somewhat optimistic, I hurried home and started taking apart my bike. Pulling the ignition to these older bikes is a lot easier than I anticipated, I better make sure I keep a lock on it!

The Key Maker works out of a parked truck, with steps leading up to an entrance at the back. On the door were a few signs that read, Watch your Head, Low Entrance and such... In this tiny little space, He works at a table with a vise on it. On another table, a quarter turn to his left were his vintage key machines and the other tools of his trade. He does in fact use a computer, for looking up referance material, but we're talking mid 80's. He also had his referance books underneath. His magnifying glass looked like it was 30 years old. One wall is covered with keys, labeled Lambretta, Fiat, Opel, Volvo... Some of the most gorgeous looking key blanks were hanging off these little hangers of vehicles that no longer existed.

I stay quiet, sitting in the one seat for customers, right at the door entrance, being reminded not to stand up too quickly! Seeing the history in this tiny little place was comforting. I knew immedietely I was in the presence of a gentleman of the old school. He knows the ins and outs of getting things done, short way and long way around. I did become a bit nervous as he was going thru a 2nd key blank with no resolve. He had tried using his reference materials and using the coded numbers on the lock. No luck. So he went old school... sticking in a blank and turning the key until it left faint impressions on it from the tumblers. He pulled out a file and started hand filing away at the impressions. About 10 minutes later, the key turned easily opening and closing the lock from the ignition. He pulled out a can of WD-40 and spoke his first words of general conversation. "No more graphite", he says. Over time, the graphite turns solid, and since it was a metal, would cause havoc on the electrical system in the igntion.

Watching this old codger work was really a pleasure. It wasn't that he demanded quiet, but seeing him work, calloused hands and eagle eyes, years of "living" just put me in a place to be quiet.

As the world moves on, technology making the world move even faster, there is still much admiration and artistry in simplicity.

A vision...

Early evening, the sun still has a ways to go before it sets over the hills to the west. I make a pizza run for dinner and the waitress flirts with me, only because I pulled up on a motorcycle. She talks about how she dreams of riding a motorcycle someday to feel the cool breeze against her skin as she speeds thru the air. I can tell she really wants to sit on it as she steps out to take a closer look. The expression on her face is not one of a person working, but for a moment, a brief visit with freedom.

I head back west, toward the sun, toward the hills to ride on Germantown Road. Enclosed in the woods, I'm now in the shadows, cool air as the road tunnels thru the trees as it climbs, twists and curves. Mostly desolate, I ride the road like I am flying thru it. Not at supersonic speed, but like I'm floating at a quick pace. I pull up behind a pick up truck, pulling a trailer. The driver is going a good pace and I don't mind being behind. But this driver acknowledges me and pulls over the side and lets me pass the 2 lane road. As I drive by, I get a thumbs up. Another dreamer?

I'm staring on the downward roller coaster ride on Skyline Road and then to Burnside to go back to civilization. On 23rd, I stop at a café not frequented by the Race Boys and Harley outlaw wannabees having their Soy Laté at Starbucks. Café Vivacé is at the far end of 23rd, housed in an old victorian house. There are seats open on the sidewalk, but I opt to sit outside with my Americano above on the porch. At that moment, I realize I am approaching those rare times wear I am at one with myself, everything slows down, almost standing still. It is the closest thing to a Zen experience as I can imagine. I sip and enjoy the moment.

Inside the café, there was an artists drawing, a women on her computer looking at photos of snowboarders leaping thru the air. A guy in the corner was reading the paper and another women, writing in her journal.

Below, I can see her a quarter of a block away. She wears a black long skirt, with a patterned white blouse. Her auburn hair is lightly blowing in the wind as her skirt flows with each walking stride. As she approaches, I really wanted to say hello, but she was having a chat on her cell phone...

The air is cool, but still. As I get moving, I get a nice breeze running thru my body as I head home. I'm on my last stretch of road, passing Mom's walking with strollers, dogs walking their owners. I am amazed that I get a peak out from a kid wanting to see the motorcycle as it drives by. Even a dog stops, looks at me as I ride by.

More dreamers...

2006 Superbike Champion...

The 2006 season of the Superbike series has ended with Team Tabula Rasa taking in the honors of Champion with "DMY" taking 1st place in all races. This feat has never before been achieved as "the sweep" ended with another easy win.

"DMY" taking on a victory lap around the course...



Actually, my daughter's growth in vehicles continues as she got to ride on my bike for the first time. She had to wait this long because she didn't have a proper helmet...

Oh, and she absolutely loves it!!!

Tone

You don't want to meet this guy in a dark alley. And don't let the fact that he rides a scooter fool you. Tone is the baddest of the bad...


Actually Tony is a really nice guy and a good friend. We met underneath the St. John's Bridge to snap a few photos. I wanted to document my bike as I received it and hopefully in time, it will transform into something more to my personality. Here it is as it stands...

Oh the Things I've Seen...

The morning started out with an Americano and conversation with Bob. At a little after 9, we hit the rode and onto hwy 14 headed East...











...Then over the Bridge of Gods and onto the Historic Scenic Highway where the photos above were taken. Just about 100 miles for the morning and early afternoon. All thanks to this...

My Suzi, or should I say, Jeanne...

Music | Amazed by Poe

I haven't had the time to really take the bike out for a long ride, but I've sneaked in 2 short ones. I'm sure I need a good tuner to dial in the carburetors, but still the bike has been a joy to ride. If I don't pull hard from a stop, the breathy exhaust is similar to hearing Jeanne Moreau whispering in my ear and I yearn to hear what else she has to say to me (in French of course...) if I opened up on the accelerator. At speed, the bike is solid and steady. I'm not sure how nimble it is when I go thru corners. I'm still getting to know the idiosyncrasies.

I do know I'll have to get a throttle lock, because my carpal tunnel bugs me after a few miles. I also have to sort out the turn signal problem as it doesn't work at all. The old technology should be easy to figure out, but I never was good with electrics.

All ready I know that I'm really going to enjoy riding a motorcycle again. Being out in the HOT elements and getting hit by bugs aside, I've enjoyed myself immensely. As I sort out the little issues that arise, I'll maybe think about a day trip where I can really get away. It is only looking bright...

The Light of Day...

Music | Jayne by Ornette Coleman

Beautiful bride, wonderful location, amazing light and not once was a flash used...

Traditions...

[music | A Love Supreme by John Coltrane]

Way back when, when I was a young'in, my Dad called for me while sitting in the car in the driveway. I can recollect I was between the ages of 7 to 10. The car was a really nice 1966 Chevrolet Caprice, silver with black cloth interior. Power windows and power steering and brakes. I'll tell you how I know about the power brakes in a second... My Dad is pretty conservative in his ways, and wasn't into lots of adventure. To my utter surprise, he asked me if I wanted to drive the car! I guess I was older in the age range I mentioned before, because now I remember just barely able to see above the dash and still reach the pedals even while sitting in my Dad's lap. Even in my early years, I knew cars. I can still tell you every car my Dad ever owned by year, model and make. Gas pedal, brake pedal and steering wheel. I've known the basics for many years! So, my Dad goes on to explain the "basics" and besides putting the car in gear, he lets me loose. Never once did he mention anything about finesse!!! I floored the big V8, slamming my body backwards, but still knew well enough to put on the brakes. We both lurched forward as I almost cracked my skull against the steering wheel. The adrenalin started flowing and I was on a rush!!! Patient, my Dad actually gave me another shot and I made it down the driveway sporadically, but I made it.

2006, July 2nd around 11 p.m. On our way back from checking out fire and belly dancers and fire eaters underneath I 5, my daughter and I are about 3 blocks from home. I don't know what hit me to make the decision, but she just had a birthday a few days ago, so I stopped the car, asked my kid if she wanted to drive. The look on her face was just priceless! Eyes wide open, she got out of her belt in a flash. She got in my lap and all she could do at this point is steer. So, I put the car in 1st and off we go. Now the difference between her and I is that she all ready has a sense of finesse. Slowly moving the wheel a bit to the left, a bit to the right, she keeps the car straight for the most part. Another big difference is that she got to drive 5 whole blocks with a few turns in between, obliterating my driveway experience... Her level of concentration was pretty damn good, and not only until after she got out of the car did she do her happy dance.

I hope when she is older, she will have the fond memory of driving the car with her Dad for the first time and reminisce about the joyous moment as I do...

The place we dream of...

Of Courage... "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."

E. F. Schumacher

And of Collaboration... "No one wants advice, only collaboration."

John Steinbeck

When in fact we have no fear to collaborate, and when these 2 elements combine, amazing things can happen. When living in the safe zones of our lives, being comfortable often leads to stagnation. Pushing limits beyond our comfort zone however gets the blood rushing, the heart beating and knowing in real time when we are in that zone of the unknown, we are alive.

It wasn't so much that I was leaving my comfort zone in my latest portrait session. I had planned, but left open room for serendipity. My subject however was asked to leave her comfort zone and open up in a way that was uncommon. There was a certain amount of tension in the air, but not the kind you could cut. This tension was malleable, almost gelatinous.

Going over the images, I later saw more depth in them than when my excited eyes were merely capturing them. Things that speak over a period of time often have the most to say. I love the fact that there is initial beauty, but these images may mean more to me because it opened up my eyes, my brain and let me into a new place that I only vaguely knew of.

The door was there to be opened, I take credit for having the courage to go in.