Pondering Stuff...

[DDT (12)]

Saturday (tomorrow) will be three weeks since I arrived 'home' from IZ18. I did go out and start ALI once... and afterward I even put the selector switch for the pet pencil (technical term) in the 'Off' position. (I'd neglected to do that when I'd parked her, not thinking we'd be stationary for so long.) Oh well, no problems so far and better safe than sorry, I reckon...

I need to run up to Montgomery, AL, for some doctor doings on Tuesday of next week. I'll be going in the car this time, because I also am past due for servicing that vehicle. There is a dealer in Montgomery, and I've used them for most of her needs over the years, and the closest one down here is in Gainesville, FL... and I just hate the thought of going there...

Naturally that will mean a return here later in the week, so... The demonic recliner will have another shot at seducing me into that dreaded lethargic state... the routine of vegging in front of TV and napping periodically. A sure-fire short cut to an early grave, I'm convinced, and something to be avoided!

The best cure by far I've found for that catatonic catastrophe is a road trip; so, that therapeutic notion will necessarily be floating around in my noggin for the next week or so, as I ponder what we might pursue and/or where we might wander this time...

It won't matter, however, as I already know what we'll do... just wander off and end up someplace doing whatever strikes my fancy then... just reacting to circumstances as they unfold. No plan is a good plan for this indecisive gypsy at this stage of life, so why tinker with a winning formula? Being a 'heat refugee' does incline me to limit the destination/direction possibilities somewhat however, but... who really knows...?

Over the last three weeks, I've done some serious reflecting and pondering about some stuff... For starters, I met some mighty fine folks in Roanoke this time - yeah, I always do, but this time there seemed to be more depth to many of the interactions I had. Some were with people I've known for several years, but this time I learned that I did not really know them at all...! Funny how that can be...

Casual acquaintances and light social interactions can be enlightening, to be sure, but actual dialogue with folks about meatier topics over time is necessary to really get to know someone... And, truly listening to a person and what he/she is saying, actually hearing the message being conveyed, is vital, if one is to accurately glimpse into the soul of the person... To gain a sense of the overall mosaic tapestry, while at the same time grasping the essence of the individual fibers and weave pattern of what it is that makes this person unique and worth knowing...

I had several conversations during that interlude with folks I'd thought I'd known, only to discover there was so much more there, and how much better off I was for having had those opportunities! Any one of several discoveries had made the entire trip worthwhile, but I was blessed with a number of those!

Those turned out to be the highlight of my entire 7000+ mile trek to that motel bench at ground zero... No plan, of course, but I'm thinking at the moment there is a strong possibility I just might show up at the next IZ, too...

DDT

[Serk]

I look forward to your musings and reports on this next inevitable wandering episode you will inevitably partake in.

I enjoyed our brief encounters in Roanoke, hope that one of these days we get to sit and discuss the fundamental nature of the universe in depth.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Always enjoy our talks Bruce I consider you a very intelligent individual and one of a kind.

[f6john]

We all need more time to ponder. That's what I'm doing mostly when I visit the VRCC. The rest of the time I'm absorbed with daily life and trying to finally settle down to a single home base.

I'm hoping that I also find a window of opportunity to wander some before age, desire, or ability leaves me in my easy chair.

[DarkSideR]

Bruce owns a car!? 

[msb]

Nice post Bruce! Many of us feel the same way...you have the knack for putting it into words

[The emperor has no clothes]

Always enjoy our talks Bruce I consider you a very intelligent individual and one of a kind.

+1, and just about the nicest person one could ever hope to know. It has been my profound pleasure to know him. (I had a great time in Spearfish but Roanoke was even better)

[Bigwolf]

I look forward to your musings and reports on this next inevitable wandering episode you will inevitably partake in.

I enjoyed our brief encounters in Roanoke, hope that one of these days we get to sit and discuss the fundamental nature of the universe in depth.

Bruce,
Ditto to what Serk said.

Bigwolf

[old2soon]

Been a mite too long since We had a face to face. You have The knack fer takin us along without us takin up space!  Couple of my Favorite Authors have a similar knack.  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Been a mite too long since We had a face to face. You have The knack fer takin us along without us takin up space!  Couple of my Favorite Authors have a similar knack.  RIDE SAFE.

I've always considered Bruce our in house Mark Twain. I'm very envious of the dude, in many ways. 

[Bighead]

Bruce owns a car!? 

My thoughts exactly  I will bet it is a 1979 model something or other with 12,000 original miles.........

[Dr K]

Bruce met you for the first time in Roanoak was definitely my pleasure take care my new friend

[Rams]

When gazing into a reflecting pool, it's almost impossible to understand the depth or lack there of with out jumping in.

Just know, if you really want to know, you will depart with wet feet as a minimum.

Rams

[Hook#3287]

"The demonic recliner."

Yeah, I got one of those too.

Sometimes, I can hear her calling my name from two towns over.

I do my best to not succumb to it's evil ways, but, alas, she wins more than I care to admit.

Bruce, get on that bike and ride and then tell us about it.

I always look forward to it.

[DDT (12)]

I look forward to your musings and reports on this next inevitable wandering episode you will inevitably partake in.

I enjoyed our brief encounters in Roanoke, hope that one of these days we get to sit and discuss the fundamental nature of the universe in depth.

Serk,

Be careful what you ask for...! Yeah, I do like to write about what's going on - sort of the finishing touch to my ride experience. Putting things down this way imposes a certain discipline and objectivity and forces me to strive for accuracy and completeness. Knowing my words might be read by others is a good way to capture a good overall perspective on the experience and to communicate that fairly. It also is rather pleasant to relive the outing while composing and then later when rereading...

As for the sit-down and discussion of the fundamental nature of the universe... That might take more than one session! Not a bad idea, though, as I'd love to hear your views... I enjoyed our encounters, too... looking forward to many more down the road!

DDT

Always enjoy our talks Bruce I consider you a very intelligent individual and one of a kind.

Joe,

Ditto!!! You are indeed 'one of a kind', and the catalyst around whom much adventure has been had by many, many folks, yours truly definitely included! Hope to do lots more sitting & sipping with you, my friend!

DDT

We all need more time to ponder. That's what I'm doing mostly when I visit the VRCC. The rest of the time I'm absorbed with daily life and trying to finally settle down to a single home base.

I'm hoping that I also find a window of opportunity to wander some before age, desire, or ability leaves me in my easy chair.

John,

Yeah, the struggle of middle-class America... finding the time and resources to attempt unlimited desires with extremely limited available time and wherewithal! I, too, have spent most of my life looking ahead at possibilities and deferring gratification... My time did eventually come, however, and I hope it does for you, as well... Believe me, it is worth the wait, and... well, you'll see when the time is right... Best of luck to ya...!

DDT

Bruce owns a car!?  

Josh,

Yeah, it's true... I find that rather hard to figure, too, but... In fact, I put just over a thousand miles on it last year... Well, I had a lot of help from my landlady...

DDT

Nice post Bruce! Many of us feel the same way...you have the knack for putting it into words

Thanks, Mike! You are a good presenter of soul-enhancing, spirit-lifting experiences yourself, so your compliments are most welcome and appreciated!

DDT

Always enjoy our talks Bruce I consider you a very intelligent individual and one of a kind.

+1, and just about the nicest person one could ever hope to know. It has been my profound pleasure to know him. (I had a great time in Spearfish but Roanoke was even better)

Rob,

Thanks, my friend! And a great big 'ditto' to you, too!!! The reward for pursuing a lifetime of 'doing the right thing', besides an approving conscience, is the friendship and respect of others who have made the same choice... Your words really strike home with me, as I consider you such a person...

DDT

I look forward to your musings and reports on this next inevitable wandering episode you will inevitably partake in.

I enjoyed our brief encounters in Roanoke, hope that one of these days we get to sit and discuss the fundamental nature of the universe in depth.

Bruce,
Ditto to what Serk said.

Bigwolf

Jerry,

We're overdue for another sit-down ourselves, my friend! I'll be out and about soon, so perhaps we can do something about that...

DDT

Been a mite too long since We had a face to face. You have The knack fer takin us along without us takin up space!   Couple of my Favorite Authors have a similar knack.   RIDE SAFE.

Thanks, Dennis... You have a unique way of 'writing with an accent' yourself, and I do identify with that particular dialect! To have nice things said about ones' writing by another who successfully engages in that pastime, well... it sure feels nice! Thanks again!!!

DDT

Been a mite too long since We had a face to face. You have The knack fer takin us along without us takin up space!   Couple of my Favorite Authors have a similar knack.   RIDE SAFE.

I've always considered Bruce our in house Mark Twain. I'm very envious of the dude, in many ways.  

Rob,

(Blush!) I'm just an ordinary guy who has had a chance to live a rather extraordinary life... and to ride an amazing 'magic carpet' to incredible spiritual realms!

DDT

Bruce owns a car!?  

My thoughts exactly   I will bet it is a 1979 model something or other with 12,000 original miles.........

Barry,

Actually it's a 2009... But, I did buy it new, and I now have a total of just over 50K original miles on it... Less than 5K in the last two years, and many of those were put on by another! Oh well, when one also has an option like ALI available, it just seems... well, you know...

DDT

Bruce met you for the first time in Roanoak was definitely my pleasure take care my new friend

Dr K,

My pleasure for sure... Looking forward to reading about all that lies ahead for you... my new friend!

DDT

When gazing into a reflecting pool, it's almost impossible to understand the depth or lack there of with out jumping in.

Just know, if you really want to know, you will depart with wet feet as a minimum.

Rams

Ron,

I miss the skull-sessions we've shared... You have a unique and interesting take on life and living, and I do enjoy comparing notes with you... Let's do it again!

DDT

"The demonic recliner."

Yeah, I got one of those too.

Sometimes, I can hear her calling my name from two towns over.

I do my best to not succumb to it's evil ways, but, alas, she wins more than I care to admit.

Bruce, get on that bike and ride and then tell us about it.

I always look forward to it.

Bill,

Yeah, the eternal struggle of leathergy vs. activity! Those reliners do have a way of putting their thumb on the scale and tilting the balance in the wrong direction, don't they! I'm not very successful when near one of those, so the best option for this gypsy is to throw a leg over our girl and hit the trail... Well, not like I did in Alabama recently, but you know what I mean... It was great hanging out with you in Roanoke... looking forward to doing more of that!!!

DDT

[hubcapsc]

the catalyst around whom much adventure has been had by many, many folks

Smokin' Joe, the catalyst... I like it! A good time seems to follow Joe around...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

the catalyst around whom much adventure has been had by many, many folks

Smokin' Joe, the catalyst... I like it! A good time seems to follow Joe around...

-Mike

No doubt!!!

DDT



Been that way since he was a kid, too...

[Skinhead]

Bruce,

It was a pleasure as always.  I don't know if I could handle the cold, dreary Michigan winters without a couple of your accounts of visits to warmer climes to get me through the cabin fever.  It is always a hoot sitting around stretching the truth with you, Joe, Mike, Gig, and the rest of the usual suspects at these events.  I don't know which I look froward to the most, the ride or the reuniting with characters I'm not lucky enough to see on a regular basis.  We have a special group here, I will always cherish the friends I have made over the years because of a magical chunk of metal and plastic.  I'm already looking forward to the next time.

[DDT (12)]

Bruce,

It was a pleasure as always.  I don't know if I could handle the cold, dreary Michigan winters without a couple of your accounts of visits to warmer climes to get me through the cabin fever.  It is always a hoot sitting around stretching the truth with you, Joe, Mike, Gig, and the rest of the usual suspects at these events.  I don't know which I look froward to the most, the ride or the reuniting with characters I'm not lucky enough to see on a regular basis.  We have a special group here, I will always cherish the friends I have made over the years because of a magical chunk of metal and plastic.  I'm already looking forward to the next time.

Joe,

Extremely well said! No way to embellish or expand on your words here. Well, except to simply add my own "Dilly Dilly!" I, too, am eagerly awaiting the next time!!!

DDT

[RainMaker]

Bruce

Although I had known of you via your eloquent and insightful posts over the years and had briefly met you in Asheville, this was my first time to actually sit and talk with you.  It remains one of the highlights of my trip to Roanoke and while I was thinking that I might not be heading out to another Inzane for a while due to the business interruption, the prospect of sitting in that group with you, Smokin' Joe and others, just listening to the banter and laughter, may pull me back sooner than expected.

As I told you at Inzane, before Roanoke, you were a legend to me.  Now you are a friend.

Keep the stories coming.  We'll be riding with you and our girl as we read.

Mark aka RainMaker

[DDT (12)]

Mark,

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I'd known of you too, primarily through this medium over the years... It was my distinct pleasure to get to know you in Roanoke, too. You are deceptively (but not intentionally, I'm sure) intelligent and insightful, and it was really amazing to observe the layers of that onion being peeled back and reveling such an interesting person! I'm looking forward to the next opportunity... If you feel something tugging on your arm, it'll be me channeling thoughts to ya!

DDT

[Oss]

As you prove time and again it surely is a blessing to be a free man in a free country riding a long ago paid for motorcycle and sharing ponderings with others.

I wish your blessings continue unabated, selfishly and unabashedly as I and all of us look foward to your writings like a kid waiting for the ice cream truck on a hot summer day

Cant wait till some computer type gathers all of your works into an ebook ( hint Serk)

[DDT (12)]

Evan,

Thank you very much for those kind words! You are another of those special people I had a special moment with during IZ18... You took me aside and shared some most insightful observations about myself and my journey, and you gave me some quite useful and timely feedback and advice. You were spot-on with your observations, and I was blown away that you would point those out in such a brotherly way.

The meaning of such a generous and thoughtful gesture was nearly overwhelming for me. It may not have seemed like that much to you, but to me having someone care enough to do that... well... I appreciate your thoughtfulness and helpfulness more than you can ever possibly know! Thanks, my good friend, you've made a difference in this world, and in this life in particular! I appreciate ya, dude!!!

DDT