for awhile now, i have been a passenger on the back of #1BB's Yamaha V-Star Classic (not pictured.) I have loved being a passenger. I remember the first time I rode on the back of a motorcycle and how open the road felt. Everything was accessible and seemed closer to me. Other cyclists had told me this before: that you notice more, that you are moving through the world in a way that's closer to it. Suddenly, being a passenger in a car seemed so closed off from everything. I couldn't hear the birds. (I was surprised to find that on the back of a bike, I could hear birds chirping!)

Recently, I've read a bunch of books having to do with long motorcycle rides and I got it into my head that I wanted to get my Class M license and get my own bike and learn to ride before my 32nd birthday (which is coming up fast!) So, I decided in April to enroll in the Maryland MVA Basic Rider Course ($175 for the 17 hour class) that would get me started on a bike and at the end of which, I could get my license and be ready for the road. I didn't get into the May or June classes and so last week, I applied again and got assigned to the one weekend in July when I have late night gigs and cannot make the classes. Dealing with the MVA is never an easy task. Is it laziness or lack of funding that makes these people continue to resist technology and logic that could make their life easier (and mine)? Anyway, I'm not taking the class. I've decided to take the bike by the handle bars and use my in house personal tutor and learn the book stuff in the next few days, get my permit and start learning to ride.

In fact, I had my first lesson tonight in the parking lot of the Target in Towson. I was able to guide the 1150cc up and down a long strip of concrete and learn how to get from a dead stop and stay in first gear. I made some excruciatingly slow right and left turns. But after about 45 minutes, I actually was able to lift my feet off the ground and cruise along at a whopping 5 miles per hour. But it was freaking cool and once I got going, I could really feel what the bike was trying to do: go forward.

I dumped the bike once on my left side. I bruised my leg, but I managed to follow my instincts and do the right thing. Get out from under it before it fell and also to hit the kill switch in a reasonable amount of time (it might have been on it's side for about 2 seconds.) This is a massive bike for me to handle and so I'm looking for a smaller one to purchase. (The one pictured above is my favorite in the looks department and also, Ted Simon rode a Triumph. But the seat doesn't look good for long rides.) Anyway, #1BB's bike is too heavy for me. After an hour, my hands and legs were exhausted and it was exacerbating the problem I've been having with my wrists....but no matter--it was thrilling and I can't wait to do it again.

traveling with Jupiter

rather than be productive on my Memorial Day's vacation day, I decided it was time to dedicate myself to finishing a book. I used to be absolutely addicted to reading and would fly through books....but I feel as though I've been on a book drought. Having read a few duds, I lost my enthusiasm. Even on friends recommendations, I couldn't get it up to read more than a few pages a night. Nothing seemed to catch my eyes and race them forward like books I've devoured in the past. It was truly disappointing--like breaking off a friendship with a long time pal over something trivial.

However....after reading Ewan Macgregor and Charley Boorman's motorcycle trip-around-the-world-in-four-months journal entries (Macgregor and Boorman---as much as I admire their spirit and what they did.....their writing, like mine, leaves alot to be desired)...anyway, after reading that and seeing the name Ted Simon crop up more than once, I decided that would be the next book for me.

Yesterday, I finished reading Ted Simon's Jupiter's Travels. It is his story of his travels around the world on his Triumph motorcycle for four years, starting in 1973 at the age of 42. I could write a book of equal size just describing how relevant, timely, timeless, and fluid Simon is. You can read more about him here and order a signed copy from Simon himself: www. jupitalia.com

The Enoch Pratt Library System here in Baltimore graciously allowed me to renew this book over and over again, despite my late fees on it and I'm glad to have finished it. Unlike Macgregor and Boorman, Simon has a writer's voice and his descriptions are languid, sensual and observant. He floated through the world, observing equally his effects on the landscape and the landscape (and humanity's) effects on himself. A great journey book--good for a beach vacation, but better for a long (maybe 6,000 miles?) road trip.

I'm about to leave this computer to take a walk to my local Enoch Pratt Library branch to check out Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven.

#1 Band B***** and I watched The Illustionist and Strangers With Candy this weekend. I liked both, but SWC had a much better score.

I'm a little freaked out about the bees in our country. Why are they leaving us in such huge numbers? Was it something we said?

My new accompanist, Pat Kisicki and I attempted to rock it out, acoustic guitar style, on Sunday at Baltimore's Sowebo. Sandwiched between 2 reggae acts.....hmm...I knew what the organizers were trying to do, but pulling an audience back in was a little difficult. We should have been right next to the Bluegrass band on the schedule...oh well, maybe next year. I thought we played great though, despite the heat and I'm always happy to have someone else on stage with me. I'm hoping Pat will become a constant at my shows from now on. He makes everything sound better. We had a dancer in front for encouragement and as soon as I figure out how to post that video, I will.