I hear a lot about slow movements, slow food, slow money, intentional walking, slow life... there is a feeling in the air, a need to get more out of life, get a better feel for it, get into the meat of life, slide out of ethereal academic perception into the dirty hands, elbow deep in the guts of a deer kind of life. Over the last generation my experience has been so far removed from that of my ancestors that I feel this urge to chase it down and bite it in the neck.
When I drive across the state in Lola my '72 Baja Bug I get a good feeling. When I crawl under Lola to change the oil, fix the breaks, or pack the bearings, I get a good feeling. When I sit under a tarp in my back yard and take apart Mo-, my '79 Puch moped, I get a good feeling. When I cook breakfast for myself, I get a good feeling. When I invite 20 people to my house and cook them dinner I get a good feeling. In the middle of a trail ride on my ‘03 Gary Fisher, I get a good feeling. While cars are passing me with unlimited power and I can't go any faster, I am content and I get a good feeling. When I sit and talk with friends new and old, I get a good feeling. When I read Shop Class as Soulcraft, by Mathew B. Crawford, I get a good feeling.
I own a VW because it is paid off. I own a VW because I love it. I own a VW for the romance. I own a VW because I understand it. I own a VW because I always have. I own a VW because I can work on it. I own a VW so I don't drive too fast. I own a VW because I can customize it. I own a VW because it is pretty. I own a VW because it needs me. I own a VW because we are bonded. I own a VW because it is opportunity. I own a VW because I love the smell.
For whatever reason, owning a VW has an effect on me. It slows me down, it makes me flexible, it teaches me patience and it gives me something to look forward to. The poor souls that have to buy new cars, I pity. The poor souls that can buy speed, I pity. The poor souls that are speed limited by law, I pity. The poor souls that can never get there fast enough, I pity.
Economics is, at its base, an exchange of money for time. I could work less and have time to spend on my loves, or I could work more and have money to spend on my hobbies. I put more worth on time. As a part time worker I pay a high price in lost wages for my free time and have to remind myself of that regularly, but I find great value in that.
The other day I spoke with a guy about working on bikes. He talked about the new parts market and the constant need to buy new stuff. As he talked, I reflected on my bike and all of the things I could buy for it, all the things I want to buy for it, and then I think about all the riding I do without any of it. We have great tools at our disposal that are built to work for a long time, built to be repairable and upgradeable and I love that. I look forward to building up and maintaining my tools/toys for years and value the lessons I learn from that repair process. I am limited in my budget, but freed through my limits to go out and ride, or drive, or fix. The limits let me breathe.
Go cook some food, fix a bike, and take a slow drive. However, be careful you might fall in love with people passing you by on their way to more urgent endeavors.
Peace and Love
Mike
