This Is Your Heritage

My father passed away last month. Once he was in a better place and  finally at peace, the time came to go through many of his belongings and help my mother organize her new life. Part of that process was to empty out the old house. We did just that last weekend.
We had an estate sale to turn my parents old effects into some use able cash for my mother. I was assigned to work the cash box. I sat in that old garage in Corpus Christi and made change for folks as they bargained on the Hardy family icons. Strangers and old friends alike strolled through the home and picked through stacks of records, old books, furniture, board games, dishes, sheet music, and picture albums.  As these items came out to me and folks made offers on what they would pay, I realized that they were getting a good look at, and purchasing our family heritage. Not the heritage and memories themselves of course, but the icons that represent what we are. Not what we were, but what we are.
We are a family of musicians as evidenced by the sheet music and musical instruments for sale. We are a family of motocross riders, surfers, and music lovers as seen in the pictures of what our family members did on the weekends. We are a family of spiritual people as seen by the books in the library. We are a family of had workers as seen by the construction tools for sale in the shop.

I realized that the people that purchased our old cast offs were getting a look at who we are today and that they liked it. They asked questions about the books and about the images they saw in old albums. People laughed and we laughed with them when one of us told a story about an old baseball bat or funky pair of sunglasses. It is an honor to realize that we are a family of people that other people like. Its a good history. Its good to know that we are a good part of the community.

We still surf. We still ride motorcycles. We still pray. We still work hard. We still laugh. This is our heritage

We are a Sub-Culture but Still a Part of the Culture

Motorcycle riders, surfers, skateboarders, punk rockers, snowboarders, etc. All could be considered sub-cultures and usually are. The folks that participate in such activities are usually driven by the beat of a different drummer. Many times, the beat of their own drummer. They usually take a certain self pride in being independent and sometimes a little different. This is often the case with activities that are defined as lifestyles as well. Still, when we participate in such activities and subscribe to the lifestyle that follows, it does not mean that we can section ourselves off from the rest of our community. As individuals, we must remain a part of it.
Just as we have the freedom to ride our bikes, surf our waves, skate our park benches, and crank our amps, we also have the responsibility to use our influence to the common good. Not just what is best for our little group, but what is best for each of our fellow citizens.
This is why I am so moved when I see things like biker organizations doing toy runs around Christmas time and surfer groups doing beach clean ups. These things help the whole community. It makes our little part of the village important to the whole village. I understand that there may be a little bit of  "hey look at me" involved in these activities. No problem to me. At least its "hey look at me....doing something good" and not "hey look at what crappy thing I just did". Its the kind of recognition I don't mind giving.
I encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there to organize and do something great for your neighbors. Do a ride to raise money for a local charity. Put on a skate contest with the proceeds going to pay for new lockers at the local YMCA. Get your band to do a free concert to raise funds for charity health care.
Use your creativity here. Do something fun that raises money for something good. You will realize that we are not so different from each other. That we are all part of a big culture that could be so much better if we would celebrate our differences and use them for the higher good.

Riding Motorcycles Beats the Hell Outta Dropping Bombs

Hmmm, thats an interesting title there Jonathan. Well, its a little provocative. Sure, I get it. It is however, what I intended to say. Riding motorcycles instead of dropping bombs makes some sense. What do I mean by "dropping bombs"? I mean that if more of us start riding our motorcycles for something other than pleasure, it would make a significant impact on our dependence on foreign oil. Thereby, reducing the need for armed conflict aimed at lining up future oil reserves.
You may say that I am a dreamer. Hey, me and John Lennon right? Whatever man. It may be a small change but it is a do-able one. There are many communities around the world that rely on motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters as major forms of transportation. It could work right here in the good ole USA.
As an example, I need a few groceries this weekend. Not a major haul. A few items for a recipe. So, I grabbed a backpack, cranked up the bonneville and ran up to the market. The items fit nicely in my pack and I was back home in a jif. Probably burned about $1 in gas. Maybe less, and think about the emission reduction from driving my Toyota Tacoma to grab the sweet potatoes, and sour cream ( dont ask).
I understand that we are addicted to our trucks and sports cars here in America. We usually only crank up the bikes to go on a pleasure ride.
Lets re-think that though. Lets work the motorcycles into our everyday transportation needs. It makes sense, and its beats the hell out of having to drop bombs.