Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Photo Story: Bike

Here's the thing, the last time I saw you, you had the delivery job, you had that tricky riding between the cones, you talked about the circus, the triathalon, the possibility of adding a baby seat. And now, I can't imagine that any of that is possible. You're a lawn ornament!

Can I just say that that that delivery job was not going anywhere...

Compared to right now it was, compared to right now, I should say that a delivery job has everything to do with going somewhere, coming back, going somewhere new...

But it was not my dream...

So, you had a dream of hanging out with Mr. Rusty here by the old brick wall on every day of the week that ends with a "Y"?

You don't understand.

I don't understand, I don't understand why you have a sturdy seat, a fresh coat of oil on your chains, enough air in your tires to take you to Snake River and over, but you're just leaning and that excuse for a bouquet of flowers that you carry is starting to take root on the surface of the very same wall you're so attached to. I see bikes at thrift stores getting a new lease on life, I see bikes that are handed down generation after generation. I see bicycles that are transformed into merry-go-rounds. And I see you in a race with a lone, rusty wagon wheel, and quite frankly, I think he's gaining on you.

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do...

Your grandmother had a wooden seat, wooden wheels, and no brakes. They simply had to stop pedaling to stop. Pedaling backwards actually made her go backwards.

I'm half crazy all for the love of you...

You know what? I think you might make your name as a lawn ornament! There might be an imminent mudslide, you're preserved in your present condition, and civilization a thousand years from now will unearth you and they will receive your message of passive, nature-embracing, inertia-fighting, resistance to employment and their aggressive, over-worked, commercialistic totalitarianism will snap deep inside and a change, lordy lordy, a change will come over them that will return all of the universe into a more pleasant configuration.

It won't be a stylish marriage.

I can't afford a carriage.

May I say something now? I can tell that you're very concerned with my plans, my future. I wouldn't want your friends to look down on you for the state of my spokes. I get the irony of my situation, being a vehicle that's not in motion. Still, I don't get the vibe. Are you comparing me to a wheel that I just happen to be standing next to? Is my character dictated by speed, distance, velocity and direction? All bikes have a kickstand, all that I've ever seen. If you have a kickstand, doesn't that mean they stand still from time to time? You complimented my chain, my seat, you're not afraid of building me up a little, but is there some great threat that a couple of flowers is presenting. We're not growing younger, but don't we have time to stop and smell the flowers?

I do like white flowers.

See, that was a small compliment...

They could use some water.

Sheesh!

Ink-Filled Page Reading & Chocolate Tasting

Ink-Filled Page author Kessa Shipley will share her varied travel stories about Mexico, America, and beyond. Through her words, we'll visit candy shops, hot dog stands, and plazas full of demonstrators.

Meanwhile, we'll make an ad lib candy shop stocked with international dulces so you can feed your sweet cravings while feeding your literary yearnings.

Join us!

Tuesday, February 10, 7 p.m.
St. Johns Bookstore
8622 N. Lombard
Portland
Free

Photo: "Chocolate Cookies" by Teodora Vlaicu

Photo Story Prompt: Flower Box Bike

For your inspiration, here's the writing prompt of the week:


Write whatever comes to you--short or long, fiction or truth.

If you feel so inclined, send your writing in to photostory@indigoediting.com to be posted on our blog with other stories based on the same photo. If you'd like your name, Web site, and contact info to be posted with your story, be sure to include that too. Feel free to comment on each other's stories and just generally enjoy the process of playing with the written word and the world it creates.

Happy writing!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Everybody Reads 2009: Stubborn Twig


What if an entire city read the same book? According to Multnomah County Library, "We'd talk to each other about issues that matter and we'd celebrate the power of books in creating a stronger community." That's the premise behind Everybody Reads 2009, the seventh annual Everybody Reads Project for the library. This year's featured book is the Oregon Book Award winner Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler. Originally published in 1993, Stubborn Twig is the true story of three generations of a Japanese-American family living in the Pacific Northwest.

Pick up a free copy of the book to borrow at any Multnomah County Library or purchase one at participating bookstores like Broadway Books and Powells.

There are a variety of discussion groups, events, lectures, and activities happening through February. You can also take a survey to give feedback on book ideas for Everybody Reads 2010. Learn more at http://www.multcolib.org/reads/.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Photo Story: Grunge Car

I clearly had been rather upset at the time, my memory can still trace the lines I followed and the lines I crossed. Still, there weren't so many bricks at the time, the walls seemed lower, there appeared to be an alley through which I saw daylight. You ask me if I was drunk or on drugs or if I was trying to hurt someone, myself maybe. You weren't there. I can't admit everything to you. The dents will not stop me from moving on. They shouldn't stop me, but I fear the drive is over. Someone has left me here and I still have a lot of miles left in me, miles I will never get to enjoy. There're going to haul me away backwards and I'm just going to rust somewhere. I put a lot of work into going somewhere and now I have to hope someone robs a piece of me and carries me away, uses me to help them go forth and find a wall to crash into. Take me.