Monday, October 26, 2009

Dancing In The Dark


What do you fear most? Losing your spouse, your job, your life? My biggest fear has always been becoming one of them: The Normals. Nine to five in a numb case with no escape. Working, mowing the grass, going to church, conservative clothing, thinking and the slanted perpetual smile of the damned. A world of safe moves, station wagons, potato salad and small talk. Don't offend anyone. Don't say what you think. Network your way into the club man.

It's my private rebellion. My crusade against no one. I need little things, every so often, to keep me left of center. Surfing in El Salvador, a conversation with a homeless guy, a bike race, blah, blah, blah.
The time is right for riding in the dark. It takes a few weeks for the skin to grow back, for the perception to adjust. The first few rides are an exercise in twitch. The boring trail is transformed into something that demands every cells concentration. Every sound, every root, is amplified to the tenth power. There are no strollers, no dog walkers, no stink eyed hikers. The Normals are home monitoring the crock pots, and the evening news. They are moisturising. They are on their third cocktail, hoping to escape the judgement of a sideways glance. They are trying to remember the last time they had sex. They are dancing chickens with no heads. They don't know they are dead.


I know everyone does it. I know we are not making a summit attempt after two o'clock. We aren't on patrol in Iraq or Afghanistan. Lets not over inflate our adventures. That would be UNETHICAL!

People in cars look at me like I am weird. My neighbors shake their heads. My heart beats a little harder on the fast section of Cadillac. I force myself to let go of the brakes. I am not one of them. I can live with that.

W.B.Z.N.

12 comments:

Little Ball said...

nice!

Ms. Moon said...

Mmmmmm. Have you had your testosterone levels checked lately? You're scaring me.

WheelDancer said...

Say it brother!

If I wasn't 2000 miles away I'd have been right on your wheel. As it is I pedal my way into my office job with a huge grin that fades through the day but gets replaced on the way home. Yea, I'm the crazy one that rides his bike to work but when I leave the office I'm free and shake my head to watch all my co-workers just get into another box to home to still another box.

Another great post, thanks!

Spanish Mackerel said...

Well written sir! Let the normals enjoy their meatloaf and mashed potatoes while we run from the Blair witch! Its a shame they'll never know the thrill, but they probably couldn't handle it anyway.

Juancho said...

Bring Muffy over on Saturday. We can play some Bridge then throw some horseshoes.

BIGWORM said...

Bravo!

Human Wrecking Ball said...

L.B. thanks Bra.
Ms. Moon, I guess after feeling like a poodle for half the year, I am letting the wolf howl a lil'.
W.D. get yer ass down here there's always room on the chain for another link!
S.M. Thanks bro, it's good to be one of the dorks with a light on his head!
J. lets get out the black socks, sandals and plaid shorts so we can yell at kids to get off the lawn!
B.W. I can't wait to see ya flick your first armidillo. It's night ride season!

nicol said...

I love it! That first photo is supah' cool. I have some of your same fears and I am riding in the dark tonight too, so yay!

Anonymous said...

yep, some folks live like veal

Mark said...

So, night riders don't have to try to remember the last time they had sex? Interesting....

Human Wrecking Ball said...

December 03. I remember like it was yesterday.

Mark said...

Point taken. Night riding improves your memory...