The blind leading the blind.

 Or if you will, 'don't follow me. I'm lost too.' 

I'm just here writing weekly words detailing how having fun is generally better than not having fun, and that making sure your own backyard is clean before worrying about anybody else's is a pretty good way to go about your days. 

Every day is a fresh new hell, but at least we're in it together. One thing I can say with absolute certainty- None of what is occurring is either equitable or sustainable. Th needle is moving. It's the only thing that gives me hope, and some days hope is all I have.

So, firstly, I want to send my friend Ross off to the great beyond with unwavering love and light;

When looking for a photo of his, I found this one he titled 'ERMAHGERD DERSCHERD', which even with my heavy heart made me laugh. That's just how it was with him.

He's been kicking the shit out of lung cancer for years, but agonizingly, it finally wore him down. Everybody knew Ross and not a single person (I can say this with unconfirmed certainty) has ever had an ill word about him. He was an absolute delight who it was impossible to be in a  bad mood around. 

It's people like him who've inspired me to try and be a better and more positive person. I'm not naturally inclined to be either, but certainly any time we crossed paths, Ross showed me how fun it could be. 

I feel lucky that he knew how loved he was, and that we got to have fun together a few times in this particular life. 

Now, as I move onto other matters, I need to revisit this conversation we were having last week regarding various grades of rides. So, one of the principals I was originally discussing this with was Megan, pictured here showing some enthusiasm;

She came by for a studio visit the other night, during which time went into some detail with one another about even finer points than I covered last week. She said she also got into the weeds with her partner Stan on the topic, but almost in the same breath said they were simultaneously just in a heated debate regarding whether or not cats have buttcheeks, so you can categorize the importance of what they discuss as you will.

We concluded that a bebop can only be done alone or with a significant other, and I mentioned to her when compiling the aforementioned list that I'd also eglected to include a 'mob', which can be a cruise, a rip or a shred, so it doesn't fit in order anywhere in order on the list. It's an umbrella that covers them all, but isn't necessarily any of them specifically. 

A mob is an (un)organized group ride on dirt, or the road, it can be a drug fueled late nigh 'Night Cat Mission', it can involve parking garages, trials sessions on the community college campus, dirt roads, singletrack, or swimming holes;

A mob can be on cross bikes on road, or a road bikes on trails, or a mountain bike on either. They are often times spontaneous in nature (but not always) which occasionally leads to a run that you brung type of directive;

'A mob' always must include three or more people, though somewhat contradictorily, one can also mob alone. The differentiation is subtle. The mob is foundational in the whole 'kids in a vacant lot' idea that I frequently push, but the most vital imperative for any of these types of rides is to never take it too seriously. There's too much of that in life as it is. The Bebop, The Cruise, The Rip, The Shred, and The Mob are collectively, and individually sacred territory that I refused to have besmirched by bad attitudes or Strava. Leave that shit at work, and the trash where they belong.

And thus concludes my Ted Talk. Thank you for your time and consideration on the matter. 

Speaking of the aforementioned Megan for a second... She's got a cat named Henry who is a bit of a fixture in this parts. When she and her partner Stan hang out at Structures Brewing, Henry resides in a little box on the counter.

Well, it seems as though Henry outgrew his little box so Stan made him a coffin that they wanted me to do a bit of adornment on, which I did, and I think he likes it;

I mean, as much as he likes anything, I guess. When he's out and about he a bit of a grouch, as illustrated in this drawing I did for said brewery a couple of years ago;

Moving along- I was watching next weekend's 'One For The Weekend' (spoiler alert)  and I learned of an artist named Alan Wolfson;

I'm on my feet applauding. Just absolutely stellar.

I've never been one for photorealism in painting or drawing, but this is just absolutely spectacular.

Finally, having said all of that, perhaps you'll allow me to direct you towards the newest episode of Revolting;

I may be lost, but at least we're lost together, and that almost makes us found.