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ABCD: A Blogger’s Centerline Day

I learned of this, today. It’s not too late for other bloggers to jump in, but there are rules.

This is the first annual ABCD, A Blogger’s Centerline Day, where all bloggers are invited to photograph themselves and a centerline. I assume that means a road or highway centerline. Gary France, of USA Tour on a Harley Davidson, conceived this project, and he posted the rules of engagement for participants. (Also posted below.)

So, I headed out with two cameras to grab a photo and participate in this online event. I was not looking for a photo op that would cause hearts to stop beating or people to swoon. I just wanted to participate. So, I stood on the centerline with my Canon PowerShot Pro 1 on a mini tripod atop a guard rail post, and used the remote control to capture a few frames.

Centerline-Brent

I have some favorite roads for quick, stress-releasing rides. One of them is Ohio SR 350 between US 22 and the town of Lebanon. In the middle of this section of highway, a sign appears, “Semi trucks and camper trailers prohibited.” That’s because the road becomes very curvy with hairpin turns as it goes down into the Little Miami River Valley and back out again. It’s true. A semi would never get through there. But, a motorcycle … no problem.

In this photo, I am on the western side of the Little Miami River, and the highway is at a steep, hairpin curve exciting the senses going up, and testing the nerves coming down the hill approaching the even steeper portion of the inside curve. It’s a fun highway to ride as are all of the roads along the Little Miami River.

The five rules are simple:

Rule 1 – the picture must be taken on 1st May 2011.
Rule 2 – the picture must be of yourself, and you must be a person that publishes a blog. You can include whatever else you like in the picture, including other people if you wish.
Rule 3 – the picture must include the centerline of a road.
Rule 4 – you should publish the picture on your blog on 1st May 2011, along with a few words about the picture and why you chose that location or pose.
Rule 5 – when you have posted the picture on your own blog, put a comment on http://garysusatour.blogspot.com/2011/04/abcd-will-you-take-part.html and include in that comment the address of your own blog post containing your own picture.

Later, Gary says he will be posting links and photos to all who participate. Take a look at the creativity of the online community.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Just published: The Overland Expo interviews

On a separate page, Overland Expo 2011, I have just published the interviews produced from that event. Listen to Roseann Hanson talk about the Expo. Nicole Espinosa talks about being a single mom and start manufacturing a dual sport motorcycle accessory product. Ted Simon and Carla King talk about their adventures and books. Ara Gureghian talks about his journal, The Oasis of My Soul. Eric Hougen talks about his company Wolfman Luggage.

It’s all on the Overland Expo 2011 page.

Brent

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Earth Day 2011

It’s Earth Day 2011. It’s also Good Friday, and my own personal Fine Art Friday. To fulfill these days–celebration, worship and art–I set out with the camera and took up the microphone.

http://youtu.be/XAN49dypYtw

Brent

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Brent goes on the radio tonight

For those of you interested, I will be on SideStand Up tonight reporting about my recent travels to and coverage of Overland Expo 2011.

SideStand Up is an online radio show broadcasting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday. Host Tom Lowdermilk lines up a variety of adventure riders, authors, and vendors for the audience. In addition to listening to the conversation, you can also participate in the chat room giving you the chance to ask questions and meet like-minded folks.

Join SideStand Up tonight. I’ll be on from 8:10 to 8:30.

Programs are always recorded so that you can download and listen later, or maybe find a past program that you’re interested in. Makes for great listening while you’re traveling yourself.

Note: Scroll down the SSU page to find the TalkShoe Radio link.

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Lost in thought on the highway

She was driving a little slower than other traffic in the right lane of the Interstate with her arm hanging out the window. With her armpit nearly on the sill, her arm hung low with the back of her hand facing forward and palm to the rear with fingers slightly curved. It was quite the opposite of a child who might stick their arm out an open window as if it were a wing, twisting the wrist to cause the arm to fly up or down. Her arm just hung there. The wind created by a 70-mile-per-hour speed limit seemed to have no effect.

Closing the distance and coming up even with her car, her face came into view—unsmiling, a blank stare down the highway, the kind of look that had deep thoughts behind it. Only minimal attention, enough to keep her auto in the lane.

My thoughts of travel turned to pondering hers. Was she driving to work, a job she disliked? Was she on her way to meet someone, or an emergency with memories filling her mind? Was she running away?

Soon, her car was viewable in the mirrors, and I was lost in my own thoughts, rehashing decisions, remembering fond memories, and thinking about the future, and wondering if the young lady arrived safely.

See you on the highway.

Brent