Monochrome Monday ~ Utah
the only nightlife in Utah is clandestine
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
seen from the I-15 Utah is mostly empty
Monochrome Monday ~ California
California is both charming and rugged
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
The Getty Villa
Scenes on Sunday ~ Stelvio
there are bold drivers and there are old drivers
but there are no old bold drivers
One of the places in the world I most want to go back to is 15 miles of road between Davos in Switzerland and Stelvio in Italy. The Stelvio Pass.
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I drove it twice, once in a TR6
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and once in a 7
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Some are stupid enough to ride the Stelvio on a motorcycle. It is to be hoped that they had their life assurance up to date. Do not drive the Stelvio in bad weather or at night, unless you are very brave.
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
Detroit never dreamed that a road like the climb to the Stelvio Pass existed
Scenes on Sunday ~ Mountains
it isn’t about reaching the top
it is all about the climb
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
the distant mountains of the moon
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
10,000 feet from Coachella Valley to San Jacinto Peak
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
it’s 30 or 40 degrees colder
when you get to the top
and it’s not for those
scared of heights
Tunes on Tuesday ~ White Rabbit
I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date
In the 60’s and 70s we English were not listening to Californian music, so I have never heard this track from Jefferson Airplane before. Woodstock passed us by with barely a murmur The reason I’m playing it now is that we English greet or friends with; ‘white rabbits’ on the first of the month, which was yesterday. (Of course there has to be an R in the month.)
Convoluted I know, and on first hearing I’m not certain I like Californian surfer-dude bands anyhow.
But hey, I like Jefferson Starship, so I’m certain that Jefferson Airplane will grow on me, like a weed.
This track probably sounds better if you’re high.
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
To we English California is still
Alice through the looking glass
Monochrome Monday ~ Utah
the wilderness is not a place it’s a state of mind
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
the cold sea beckons
Monochrome Monday ~ Arizona
in reality, the Arizona desert is monochromatic red
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
road trip
Red Rock State Park
(poetry anthology on Amazon)
Scenes on Sunday ~ Jerome, Arizona
at least Arizona is different
Arizona is also big and mostly empty
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
I don’t know what happens upstairs
but they serve a great burger
Happy, Joyous, and Free
the only real prison is fear
don’t be afraid to go out at night, learn self-defence instead
Here in dismal grey England I’ve had an epiphany, not religious but perhaps spiritual. Lockdown goes endlessly on and and on and on ~ yet I am not going to waste my time being depressed, negative, and unhappy. What’s the point in that? Depression and misery never made anything better.
Instead of accepting that I’m imprisoned until Easter, at least, I intend to become free, adventurous, and charming again. I will be sexier and enjoy my life and loves more than ever before. People, places, and things I might have balked at, avoided, or eschewed in the past will now be on my agenda. There are a few exceptions to my venturesome audacious bucket-list; all of Africa, most of South America, booze, gambling, and drugs. Other than that I’m going to be bold, daring, and damned happy. Timid security isn’t on my future agenda.
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~ Helen Keller
The thing is, how can I do any of that when it’s against the law for me to go anywhere or meet anybody? Well, I am not against breaking bad laws, and anything to do with the coronavirus is a bad law on its face. But more practically, what can I do right now;
- Use the internet to connect more deeply and intimately with like-minded people.
- Go through my wardrobe again, get rid of anything that’s too dated, unflattering, or of inferior quality.
- Use the internet to buy some better attire.
- Improve my immune system by eating better and more healthily, drinking enough good fruit juices and lots of water, taking the right high-quality supplements.
- Exercise as much as I can, getting my trim shape back, and improving my energy levels. Meditate when I can.
- Get a solid 7 or 8 hours good sleep every night, rest when I feel weary during the day.
- Stretching my mind by reading more difficult and inspirational books.
- Get back to studying art, geography, literature, music, psychology, and sociology.
- Husband my resources until I can get back out there again.
All that means is that I am going to live as well as I can despite this fucking never-ending lockdown.
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jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
yoga is great exercise
just you try keeping that position for 5 minutes each side
