You like apples?
Those aren’t apples.
Good morning and welcome to the week’s tip.
The world is kinda making me lose my mind a bit these days.
I’m trying to maintain focus on what matters, and not get bogged down in that over which I have no power. I’m also trying to maintain a position as a positive force, and not contribute to the negative. And there is so, so, so much of that.
I’ve written about this previously. I think I even had a variation of this published in a previous issue of Dirt Rag but will repeat myself here, if only for my own benefit, and maybe even the benefit of one or two other people who maybe haven’t read it;
Terrorist rampages in Peshawar, hostages in Sidney, and racial tensions brewing at home. Environmental horrors at every turn and those hired to guide us seem to be utterly committed to driving us all at top speed into an apocalypse of their own creation.
And then I fall back on the only defense I have to any of it, being my own words and actions.
If I can live a good life, and not harm other people, and not adversely effect their own existence with mine, then it’s a win. If I can get out of this world without leaving too much of a negative footprint, then it’s a win. If I can effect even a semblance of positive change, and that could simply be having a conversation with a person who has a conversation with a person who has a conversation with a person who implements said change, then so be it.
Because really, when it seems that the world is falling down around my ears, that hope is all that keeps me going. That we as a community (this here readership) remain both mindful, and thoughtful. We appreciate and celebrate that which is foreign to us, because it’s different. We try to be a positive force on those around us, and to help make the world a little less angry, because we understand that sometimes a tiny bit of good can undo a whole lot of bad.
This is the hope that keeps me going, and though it might not seem like it when I post yet another compilation of gymnasts falling off of balance beams, or stories of hidden cans of beer along ride routes, my hope is that someone will become incrementally happier because of it, and perhaps make somebody else’s day better and so on.
Because as I said, in a world that leaves me feeling nearly powerless, this is the one thing that offers me some, and some is always better than none.
With the dawn of each new day, the importance of this mantra becomes even more so.
The importance of that mantra, and perhaps immersing myself in stories like Theron Humphrey’s;
If you’d like more information about Theron and his pup Maddie, you can track that down over on his website.
I could use a whole lot more of that in my life, and a whole lot less of my current condition.
However if I’m going to try and be optimistic about things, I suppose a benefit of spending nearly the last 365 days being in bed/pain/sick/attached to an IV/recovering/re-injured/etc. is that I’ve gotten a chance to look at everything I own.
In some instances, that means to read every single book/comic book/magazine in my possession, or sometimes that means to begin digging through my archives. To call it an ‘archive’ would be a bit of a misnomer. Mostly they just consist of file folders and boxes of random stuff that for one reason or another I decided to keep.
I guess this practice began when I was in high school when my beloved photography teacher encouraged his students to keep idea folders. This basically just consisted of portfolios of things we came across that we liked. It could be a photo or an illustration, or a quote, or whatever. The important thing was that the contents in question stirred some bit of inspiration inside of us.
I still have those folders from back then, and in the meantime have amassed clippings such as this one I came across last week;
Why would I keep such a thing?
Because I loved that car, and also I suppose because I loved the dog pictured in the top image.
Somewhere along the line, the powers that be at Trek Bikecycles caught wind that I had these images, and wound up offering me a selection of tires in exchange for digital renditions. Not a bad pay day in return for carrying two pieces of paper around with me for eighteen years.
And now, because I think it’s crucial for everyone to watch- From Ghostship Matt we have a video of an activity I am in support of 100%;
I don’t really know specifically what art is, but if I were a betting man, I’d say that was some.
Finally, before we part ways I’d like to show you a photo that was shot by a fellow named Christopher Horner, which very well might be one of the most well timed images in history;
For those with real damned keen memories, you might recall that this photo is not terribly unlike the one featured in my very first ever blog post on May 31st, 2006, though I’ll be damned if I can find a cleaner version of the image than this one. And just as I did a decade ago, I still can’t help but wonder what’s in that guy’s mouth;
And that right there I suppose is what is commonly referred to as schadenfreude.
Anyway- ten years on and I’m still very happily engaging in pretty much the exact same schtick.
So do you like apples?
How do you like them apples?
I just watched the Ikea competition and I am a better person because of it. Keep on keeping on AHTBM
In contrast to all things Ikea, the shite of the world, (and Monday mornings), may not be fixable with a set of Allen keys. However, I always feel a bit better about both after coming here.
Oh and somewhere, right now on it’s way to my mailbox, is a shockingly orange jersey with the words “Dirt Hooker” on the arm hole and a spot for a cold beer…
Life is good.
If the Norwegian had the proper base structure and a high floro wax he would of taken it. I recommend a little less time on the shooting range and a few more stair climbing interval sessions next time.
This is proof that good exists… Somewhere, in the vacuum of negativity and hatred, there are beams of light like you that make me remember the good stuff. The laughing-so-hard-coffee-comes-out-your-nose, post-ride beers, friends who have one’s back and the positivity of people I’ve never met but who try to make a difference…. Stuff. You’re all of this. So. Thanks for that.
Do you see what happens, Larry? Do you see what happens when you spend your life looking at a phone?
Sadly, Little Larry isn’t really going to learn the lesson, is he?
The guy in the Incredibles jersey is trying to protect himself using the force.
I loved that Chevy Impala and always dreamed of road-tripping in a team vehicle that was as cool. Team Clown had to settle with a Honda Accord, which had bikes valued way more than what the car was worth on the roof! Fortunately, one of those bikes was a Bontrager Race-Lite!
Thanks for the uplift. Between store skiing, Nerf and broken glass, and Theron and Maddie I made it all the way to about cloud 8ish.
As a shingles survivor I’m hoping you have a quick recovery. That is a pain I wish only on my worst enemies.