Everyone needs inspiration. Bones is inspired by cleanliness and germ-eradication. The Heathens are inspired by Transformers, The Dirtbag is inspired by architectural innovation, Fury The Landscaper is inspired by a Subway sandwich done right and I’d venture that RoJo is inspired by the recent birth of his son. Artists get inspiration from pastoral landscapes and runaway flights of fancy within the reaches of their imagination. Some folks on the northside are inspired by a good meth rush, which in turn inspires them to stay up all night and peel insulation off of copper wiring so they’ll have a way to fund their next inspiration. Our kids inspire us to be better parents, our spouses inspire us to get off of our asses and do something with the day, and I would argue that coffee can provide some of the greatest inspiration of all.
But, like all creative types, I need to constantly hit my mental “refresh” button in order to feed the flow of ideas that come spilling out of my mind. Often times, this comes in the form of the neighbors, Truck 2 antics at the fire station, The Heathens or the myriad folks who play supporting roles in the comedy that is my life. I believe with all I’ve got that you can find all the material you might need right in front of your nose, if only you take the time to open your eyes and see the ridiculosity for what it is. But.
But…..once in awhile a change of scenery is in order, if for no other reason than to throw your chaos into perspective and give you an appreciation for little things like, say, the Amish out on the state highway. Sometimes I achieve this with a trip to the Northwest to visit The Dirtbag, I’ve found it on a road trip to a music festival in Steamboat Springs, Co and it’s been had floating down a river on a lazy summer day with a motley crew of amigos. The common denominator is that travel is the impetus for my inspiration. I may not be as worldly as I’d hoped to be by this age, but in my limited travels, I find it to be a crack cocaine of sorts: I always want more and more, there’s always more to see, more to experience, more to drink in and enjoy.
The corollary benefit to me traveling around more is that it also provides much more material to write about, and thereby gives you moments of levity (in the form of this site) from time to time. The reason I bring this up? I am in deep negotiations with The Wife as to the purchase of a dual sport motorcycle, which would give me access to a whole new range of material and inspiration. You may argue that you can hit the road in your truck just as easily, and it would be hard to counter that, but there is something about traveling by bike to small town festivals, redneck jamborees and different little hamlets around here that really appeals to the wanderer in me. To take a dusty county backroad with an amigo or two just to witness all that is offered for my visual consumption would border on a spiritual experience for an old heathen. You know, like my own version of Zen And the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance kind of thing.
And while she may have safety statistics, economic limitations and virtual practicality on her side of the argument, I’ll be utilizing divine inspiration as the cornerstone of my reasons to buy a motorcycle. I am also going to be relying heavily on needing to keep posts on this site fresh and funny, that you the reader have high expectations of low humor and that in order to accomplish this, I’ll need two wheels, a motor and a weekend here or there. I can’t let you down, and I won’t. It’s going to prove a tough fight, my friends, and her ability to be all “rational” and “level-headed” is going to work against me in ways I can’t even anticipate. Although it shouldn’t be necessary, I’ll even resort to guerrilla tactics such as…..well, I can’t say here, because she’s been known to read this once in a while. But trust me, it’ll involve behavior I am not used to, such as reining in some of my erratic ways. Hopefully the result will be a newly found sense of inspiration and a 650cc motor.
After all, who can argue against Zen and small town tractor pulls?
Nothing like two wheels and an inspirational road trip to be the next Che. (I ought to know) Buy a URAL with the obligatory side car and observe the quant peasants and their perceived social injustices on your road trip to manifesto. Not that I’m jealous or anything…
@ROJO
Once again, your socialist upbringing is rearing it’s ugly head. It’s not my favorite side of the Ro, but one I am willing to tolerate as long as you pay homage to the twin stick Peterbilt.
Always and forever.
Sounds like PAR-TAY time.
Have fun!!
Welcome to the 1/3 life crisis! We have been waiting for you! Why do our spouses insist on stifling our creativity?:) Brad had a rule until recently that I “could not” get a motorcycle until the kids were grown (hence, he GAVE that awesome bike to Fred!) Something about leaving him to raise the boys alone, life insurance, blah blah blah. I do believe you were here with us to witness the lifting of that regulation though. It’s on now.
@Candice
SCORE! One vote for the bike. I appreciate it Candice! Knew I could count on you…
@ourcrookedtree
I like how you look at this as an “it’s on now!” kind of situation. If I took an aggressive approach, I am sure I’d get the bike, I just wouldn’t have a home, per se, where I could park it.
It’s all about compromise friend. I don’t need to elaborate, but hubs and I have an “understanding” now. I don’t need to be aggressive if I make him think it is his idea. You are still new to the 1/3 life crisis; you will learn.:)