Years ago, while I was a student (for the umpteenth time) at Ball State, I would get around by bicycle because I couldn't afford a car. It was then that I developed my habit of finding the shortest way from point A to point B. Or point A to points C, M, or W. In this case W was work. I also discovered that the shortest distance between these two points was also the safest for a person on two wheels after a close encounter with an angry driver.
On one of my late afternoon trips to work, a driver decided that she could turn right (in front of me) as I was riding through the intersection. She was in a hurry and apparently I was in her way, which she informed me of after she knocked me over when the rear bumper of her car clipped my bike tire and knocked me to the curb. It was so nice that she took the time to stop her car and inform me of that in some choice words before speeding away to whatever important matter she was late for. Never mind that I had the right of way. So I arrived to work late with torn pants, gravel in the heal of my right hand and a determination to find a better way to get to work.
A few trial runs, some exploring of where parking lots had entrances and exits, and I had my shortcut to work. The trip took me through numerous side streets, two campus parking lots and the rear entrance to a strip mall. It not only kept me off some of the busier streets and out of their intersections, the shortcut also cut fifteen minutes from my time.
On one of those trips is when the weird moment happened. I was riding through the parking lot just east of University Gym (or whatever they call it now) when I heard this strange noise in the wooded area between the lot and the homes abutting campus. It wasn't until I got a little closer that I found out that it was a guy walking through the woods, playing his bagpipes. Thankfully he wasn't in a kilt. Honestly, how often does someone hear the bagpipes outside of a parade route or the occasional police funeral?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Weird Moments: 1
Yesterday, I took my lunch outside at one of the picnic tables. Just a simple salad, hummus and crispbread. Luckily there wasn't anyone out there and I was free to read the book I had also brought with me. It's one I've been trying to read off and on for years now and I've proceeded further into the story than I ever have before. "A Prayer for Owen Meany" which many people have praised and I've tried slogging through for over some 17 years. And before you ask, yes, I'm liking it better this time. But that's not my story.
It was your typical late Indiana summer afternoon with crickets chirping and the ratcheting of cicadas in the background. Since I was at the back of the building, I wasn't hearing too much traffic noise. The view isn't that great back there. Your vista is out over asphalt lots half full with cars to sun dried grass lots in an industrial park. It was so quiet and peaceful that it was almost like being in the country. I forgot for a while that I was at work and on the edge of the city. In my mind, I half expected a tractor to come grumbling by.
And that's when the weirdness happened. Off from a great distance, the sound echoing through the clearness, came these three words: "TIN ROOF, rusted." Yes, from the classic B-52's anthem "Love Shack." Nothing proceeding those words, nothing after. Weird. And yes, the damn song has been running rampant through my head ever since. Damn it.
It was your typical late Indiana summer afternoon with crickets chirping and the ratcheting of cicadas in the background. Since I was at the back of the building, I wasn't hearing too much traffic noise. The view isn't that great back there. Your vista is out over asphalt lots half full with cars to sun dried grass lots in an industrial park. It was so quiet and peaceful that it was almost like being in the country. I forgot for a while that I was at work and on the edge of the city. In my mind, I half expected a tractor to come grumbling by.
And that's when the weirdness happened. Off from a great distance, the sound echoing through the clearness, came these three words: "TIN ROOF, rusted." Yes, from the classic B-52's anthem "Love Shack." Nothing proceeding those words, nothing after. Weird. And yes, the damn song has been running rampant through my head ever since. Damn it.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Art, wonderful art and the people who create it.
Under cool links I have listed a couple of websites for you to check out. Two women I've had the pleasure to get to know through another blog (um, that would be Haven's again.) I've added a link for art by Cathy DeLeRee and updated Sher Fick's link for her new site. Both women do outstanding - and affordable - work with found objects in completely different ways.
Kate McKinney (or Miss Kate Cake for me) is the next link down that you will find. She's a mother/writer/wife who has a way with words that is sorely under appreciated. She can make you laugh in one moment and make your heart and soul sing in the next one. I had the pleasure of briefly meeting her last year at one of Haven's (there she is again) book signings here in Indianapolis.
The next one is John Svara, potter extraordinaire. I've not had the pleasure of seeing his work in person, but just the photos alone make me catch my breath. I know of John indirectly and can tell you with complete lack of hyperbole that he is quite the renaisance man. Not only does he craft wonderful pieces out of clay, he also is a gifted singer/songwriter. He's also a woodcrafter and home remodeler. Oh, he's also a wonderful husband to a dear friend of mine (um, Haven) and father to their children.
The next "Cool Link" is for a slightly known author by the name of Augusten Burroughs. Some of you may have heard of him. If not, shame on you. His best known book is probably "Running with Scissors" which takes a look at a highly dysfunctional period in a teen boy's life and makes it both amusing and heartbreaking all at once. Unfortunately, I don't know him personally, but I am a huge admirer of both his body of work and his ability to have lived through some horrific times in his life and come out of it a stronger and more beautiful human being. Oh, he is also great friends with another writer I've talked about - Haven Kimmel. (Anyone else seeing a pattern here?)
The last two are more for fun than anything. Well, the last one is anyway. The Belief-O-Matic site is more of a tool for helping you in your spiritual journey. Have fun checking out those links. They've given me many hours of joy.
Kate McKinney (or Miss Kate Cake for me) is the next link down that you will find. She's a mother/writer/wife who has a way with words that is sorely under appreciated. She can make you laugh in one moment and make your heart and soul sing in the next one. I had the pleasure of briefly meeting her last year at one of Haven's (there she is again) book signings here in Indianapolis.
The next one is John Svara, potter extraordinaire. I've not had the pleasure of seeing his work in person, but just the photos alone make me catch my breath. I know of John indirectly and can tell you with complete lack of hyperbole that he is quite the renaisance man. Not only does he craft wonderful pieces out of clay, he also is a gifted singer/songwriter. He's also a woodcrafter and home remodeler. Oh, he's also a wonderful husband to a dear friend of mine (um, Haven) and father to their children.
The next "Cool Link" is for a slightly known author by the name of Augusten Burroughs. Some of you may have heard of him. If not, shame on you. His best known book is probably "Running with Scissors" which takes a look at a highly dysfunctional period in a teen boy's life and makes it both amusing and heartbreaking all at once. Unfortunately, I don't know him personally, but I am a huge admirer of both his body of work and his ability to have lived through some horrific times in his life and come out of it a stronger and more beautiful human being. Oh, he is also great friends with another writer I've talked about - Haven Kimmel. (Anyone else seeing a pattern here?)
The last two are more for fun than anything. Well, the last one is anyway. The Belief-O-Matic site is more of a tool for helping you in your spiritual journey. Have fun checking out those links. They've given me many hours of joy.
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