On Top of the World

Late July 2012-

How long has it been?

How long has it been since I last exclaimed that titled expression? It used to be among my most associated catchphrases, much like "howdy" or "adios" are as of late. I was never really one to throw words around unless the circumstances were truly worthy of them- even a swear. Folks' ears would perk up whenever I threw a "damn" in... probably because I sounded silly but it roped attention no less. So when such a jubilant declaration suddenly falls from my little book of trademarks, looking back, it really says something about that period in my life. Don't get me wrong; being lit aflame, piloting my first plane and meeting my future wife (not all at the same time) were undoubtedly highlights for dinner parties and the grandkids but until this liberating adventure, it's difficult to recall many, if any, instances that inspired my old interjection. Now as I stand over this table which has shouldered my fervent efforts and mounting excitement for the undertaking at hand, they just seem to rush past my lips:

"I am, indeed, on top of the world!"

But before this particular day is immortalized in word and media, I best not leave out how my time has been in good company in a little Minneapolis neighborhood known as Uptown.

Since we weren't going anywhere anytime soon, I had to settle in for once and attune myself to the rhythm of city living. Though I still looked the part of a man of the road, the community Michael called home was also shared by hipster characters that made my raggedy, antiquated attire and untamed facial hair fit in just fine. I was even complimented on my taped up boot at the groceries. In case anyone is keeping track it now consists of guerrilla tape, masking tape, duct tape, electrical tape and a key ring.

A typical day involved sleeping in past my usual checkout time, writing, a brief workout, eating lunch from what the neighborhood believes to be a terrorist front of a deli, more writing, being dragged out by Mike and/or company for fresh air, some communal porch time with said company, washing the dishes then more writing until late into the next day.

Mike's apartment was a beautiful old building from the 1920s. I'd be joining him in occupying the bottom right section - the one with the doors always open and porch most often occupied.

The usual porch crew would consist of Mike's lady friend and up and coming musician, Emily, his lovable brother, Chris, and his geologist of a room mate, Kyle. That's him at the very end, patiently waiting for his turn of a favorite pastime of theirs.

He was thoughtful enough to leave me this the first morning after I had mentioned my long-time departure from a steady diet and vitamins!

Of course, those nutrients were often negated by joining in on the occasional hookah, trip to the local bar, and even a puff from Miss Mary Jane one day as an experiment to get over writer's block. Wasn't it Hemingway, himself, or who once said "Write drunk, edit sober?"

Besides rescuing people from burning buildings, the distractions indulged ranged from the sacrilegeously overpowered Netflix (in my day you watched whatever was on the tele) to night rides around one of the many lakes this part of the world is known for. My skewed impression of this state had been influenced by the movie Fargo despite the town actually being in North Dakota, so the high temperatures that I had hoped to finally escape only lingered and in full force. As a result, trips to a secret hippie beach would often occur in lieu of exercising indoors.

It's a bizarre feeling motorcycling in shorts and flip flops. After months of sitting, it was a real joy to stretch my muscles out and swim across an entire lake. It was all the more a joy to know I still had it in me! The lakes were a wonderful thing to have in one's back yard but what a shame that it's not worth braving a dip most months out of the year.

That said, it surprised me little how outdoorsy the city appeared to be in terms of joggers, paddle boaters, cult-status bicyclists and even marathon porch-sitters, for these usually-snowed in folks must take great advantage of what few months of sun they have to get out and mingle. With art festivals, block parties and countless motorcycle rallies, Uptown seemed just a pitcher of Kool-Ade shy of being a commune. Not long after settling in the tres amigos saddled up again to attend one of these events known as the Bearded Maiden Rally. We had to go just for the sake of the name alone!

Who says one can't carry all of life's pleasures on a bike?

There were a couple beefed up motored-bicycles that got me thinking outside the box with Napoleon if I ever plan to resurrect that project.

This next guy reminds me of the charismatic machine that Nickolas of the Gulls rides.

Now this won best of show in my heart. I'm not a fan of bobber style customizations but this paint scheme is the most beautiful ever to sit under the Triumph emblem.

But I still adore thee!

I was hoping to score parts the way I lucked out in Utah but the shindig didn't offer much beyond a place to show off shiny machines. The business on my mind since aiming for this northern destination was to get Chance all the proper maintenance for she was well overdue for the 18k mile tune up as a minimum. Let's list what else the beaut was going to need thanks to either road wear or breaking...

Rear wheel, head lamp bulb, brake pads, front disc, brake line, chain, sprocket, luggage brackets, right mirror, possible engine valve or two and saddlebags. Thankfully Nate's fiancé, Kate, has a motorcycle mechanic of a father named Mark with his own shop in town so as tall an order all that would be, he'd cut me a discount. Labor costs wouldn't be factored in either since I intended to do Chance and myself a favor by taking the opportunity to get very acquainted with my machine by doing all the repairs and replacements on my own. I'm sure if Mark's anything like the Desert Doctor, he'll bark at me if I'm doing anything wrong and keep me in line!

There still was the problem of making the money for the journey west as well as for the repairs. Chris mentioned that the biggest biker event is known as First Thursday in which supposedly a thousand cycles will occupy a few blocks radiating from an old pizza shop where the monthly tradition started. The picture he painted got me stroking my chin... The conditions for busking were ripe for the picking!

I had a little over a week to prepare. Getting this journal up to date was a chore for once as I often got distracted with filling Michael's apartment with the sound of potential repertoire pieces in addition to the signature Impossible Dream number. Songs considered were generally traditional folk songs that would give boomers a sense of nostalgia like Danny Boy and Loch Lomond. Other more newer, though still classic pieces included Someone to Watch Over Me and Moon River. Even a few sappy Josh Groban songs snuck out of me during those unofficial rehearsals just because I knew I could sing them well (I still believe he stole my voice). But without a proper stage and demographic, I doubted they could sell and ended up on the cutting room floor. Even my guaranteed tear-jerker trump card, Boccelli, didn't make the cut.

Speaking of which, I would need a catchy sign! A couple days before show time I scoured around town looking for an arts and crafts store. For an artsy town there was only one and they lacked the supplies necessary to fulfill my grand vision. I wouldn't brand myself a perfectionist but my imagination often gets carried away when it comes to image, presentation and overall showmanship so a permanent marker and cardboard was out of the question (unless I was trying to be ironic).

There's a lyric from a song most righteous - the lyrical introduction from the man, himself - "I am I, Don Quixote" which gave rise to the idea I had for signage.

"And a knight with his banner all bravely unfurled"

Why not? A medieval-themed standard would only be apt to accompany an ailing mechanical horse and delusional man on a quest!

The limited art store would be ventured three more times that day, with each visit's demands more bolder than the last. Eventually I gave up on finding what I needed from them and simply exchanged paint and markers with each trip as my color vision impairment (shared with Mike and his brother) failed to produce the desired pigment on my banner.

The medium that I procured and cannibalized was a cheap tourist shirt from a local pharmacy. The main pole which originally meant to hoist an American flag, came from Michael's grocery. The cross beams that I envisioned would stabilize the cloth were the toughest to come by. I will say that I was guilty of walking around the neighborhood snooping around yards for just the right short poles but the evening before the rally, they'd reveal themselves to have been sitting right under my nose the whole time - or rather my feet!

In the middle of the night, I unscrewed these perfect little buggers from the staircase that were pinning the carpet to each step in the hallway of the apartment. Sure, when I shared that news with my friend, the tenant who would be responsible for it, he displayed that bug-eyed look that said he forgot about the consequences of regressing to a younger, bolder me. Don't worry, no one would notice since they were dirty and lacked the original eye catching glimmer that took several attempts to reclaim in the kitchen sink.

Chris came over the next morning when I thought I'd have the place all to myself all day to rehearse and put the sign together while the roomies were at work. In the moment that I opened the door, the rumblings of all sorts of two-wheeled engines accompanied his entrance. Apparently the official get together time was 5pm but one thing about motorcyclists that was likely picked up from Easy Rider is we don't wear watches. Turns out this would be an all-day event and I had to scramble with Chris' help!

Duct tape here, chop with the knife there, superglue and freehand writing all over the place and voila! Perhaps my finest ghetto-rigging to date, if I do say so myself! The excitement came over me all at once then with all the panache of a turn of the century adventurer summiting Everest, my old catchphrase was declared!

No time to lose! Chance was saddled up with all my dingy, dusty luggage to showcase some authenticity to my cause with the dismantled poles and banner strapped underneath the Captain America helmet. We sallied forth with a Sancho Panza on a flaming yellow supersport in tow!

Delano's Pizza's parking lot was the stage and the eyes of my soon to be audience were already affixed on us as we rode past. Admittedly, my confidence took a jab so at first, I thought to ride down a ways and park away from the heart of the action. But then I thought back to the first rally I ventured near the beginning of the journey and about how it turned out. With a nod, Chance and I made a 180 and gallantly rode into the lot, coming to a purposeful stop in the very center, pioneering our own new row.

Besides the other cycles that flocked to my left and right, I was met with a handful of admirers within minutes of laying down my kickstand. One older gentleman couldn't seem to articulate how smitten he was that a man of my meager years was riding such a classic machine and beyond putting around town, which my dusty baggage gave away. The nods of approval came so quickly that I found myself much too bashful to sell our story. In fact, I was suddenly overcome with so much coyness that I insisted to Chris that I'd delay pitching up my sign, even justifying a strong desire to flee the scene by "checking out" the other bikes. Intuitive, as I have quickly learned him to be, Chris smirked, ceased to spur and left me to my purported sightseeing to find his fiancé and little cousin in the crowd.

My stalling tour of the expanding grounds revealed that the Drelling brothers were not exaggerating this time with regards to the diverse representation of bikes! For once, here was a rally that didn't seem predominantly cruiser or super sport but rather both and everything in between.

There was the Hayabusa, which I've heard to be one of the fastest two-wheeled beasts around. That said, I also heard that despite being masters of the straightaway, it's not meant to, well, turn.

A classic Ariel made an appearance! Long before settling on a Triumph my research constantly lead me to this company's aesthetic styling.

Speaking of looks, the following motorcycle looked more like a work of art than a machine that served any utilitarian purpose. Personally, I'd never ride it but it would sit proudly on a mantle above my fireplace if that were remotely possible. The attention to detail is astonishing.

The owner must be a pilot. I may have to steal the aircraft safety ribbon flourish for my "wingless plane" of a SAAB back home.

This one affirms my belief that sport bikes are toy bikes. I jest - I still say so but jokingly. I've come to respect anyone on two wheels, even if those wheels look like they belong underneath an action figure or Power Ranger.

Well, here's a bike suitable for the dark super hero in you: the Batcycle. At least that's what I called it.

Of course the cruisers jockeyed their way into some parking spots. I imagine they had to stake their claim earlier in the day since their baffling size would have limited themselves to being parked at the outskirts.

Now, is it just me or is the option of a cup holder indicative of defeating the spirit of motorcycling? Well, perhaps not - bicycles have bottle holders and with good reason but I'd imagine four or five jumbo speakers might bump your ride into the cage category (what bikers call cars).

Representing only one of only three other Bonnies I've seen in Minnesota (counting Michael's), Chance's blue brother from another mother graced us with his presence!

Stumbling across this next one was an honor. It was the motorcycle featured in the movie One Week which I had recently shown Chris and enjoyed a deep conversation with.

In retrospect, it's eerie how much my adventure paralleled the fictional young man's. No, I don't have cancer, I'm not getting married, nor am I Canadian (all any time soon, at least) but the quiet desperation, dare-inspired bravado, eluding doubts, questing for meaning in the face of uncertainty and an ending of which I will not spoil for either the movie nor my own tale - all have become surprisingly relatable. I am getting ahead of myself, though.

By the time Chris and company caught up with me the event was in full swing and if there was a time to rally this rally to my cause, it was now. Suddenly being on top of the world seemed a bit too high for comfort as the bravery I was supposed to be gathering during my time stalling was distracted by the aforementioned sentiments! Boy, oh, boy...

Well, if courage couldn't come from within, my confidant Chris pointed out that I could find it a couple blocks away... in a liquid form.

Recalling my performance around a particular bonfire, or at least what I could remember, it didn't seem too far-fetched a plan. Yes, it would taste absolutely horrible but if I didn't drink too much I'd still maintain decent control over the volume of my voice, remember all the lyrics and ditch the inhibitions that was keeping me from getting on with it! Albeit, considering my inexperience with alcohol, finding that perfect amount to imbibe will be the tricky part...

I had never been in a liquor store on my own accord before, so naturally, Chris was kind enough to take my shaking head under his wing. At first it was overwhelming but once I took in all the fancy bottles, amusing names and had nearly every single one of my honest questions answered, it became rather exciting! It's like a candy shop for adults.

Now, my tutor didn't fancy himself a professional singer by any means so I recruited the opinions of one of the store's employees.

"Excuse me but I'm looking for a very small bottle of something suitable for a person who just needs... a little nudge to perform by himself in front of a lot of people. Taste is no issue but it can't coat my throat or strip it of lubrication--"

As I continued tailoring this magical elixer that may not, at this point, exist, I realized how whimsical I was starting to sound but the young man in an apron could tell I was quite serious. His nods of consideration and momentary pause of contemplation assured me my needs would be personally met.

He answered with a question, "I take it you'll be singing out there," pointing to the amassing crowd in the streets. Nodding some more he continued, "I'm in a band so I feel ya. Let me show you what I've got."

With that, this long-haired rocker of a fellow, whose name slips my memory (bare in mind I drank after this), intelligently explained the properties of a couple choice drinks that wouldn't hamper my singing ability. Believe it or not but I settled on a Jameson whiskey quite honestly for the bottle size, price and it was the devil I knew. Once the clerk rang me up his curiosity got the best of him and began to politely grill me for my story. He was so enamored that he highly suggested that I make an appearance at a house party and wanted to help network. At first I thought it a strange place to busk but then again, this is a hipster town and I'm sure their musical tastes and venues must be quirkier than I. He had my most sincere thanks. Now to work!

I was wishing I had the charisma of Popeye with a can of spinach but I had to psych myself up to manage a swig of the vile stuff. My support crew followed me into an alley with a bottle of water to wash it down and Chris kindly taking the reigns with the camera. Janice, his fiancé, was a darling and sympathized for the torture I was about to lay down upon my taste buds. Between brave gulps and pitiful complaints, I felt compelled to bark at my friend's little cousin that he not remember or take after me in this regard.

I'll admit, the affair was rather comical.

Fast forward ten minutes...

The banner was sailing, my Captain America helmet hung off my handlebar with some cash already sitting pretty inside, my posse was cheering from the sidelines and there I was as loose as a goose with a can of spiked Coca-cola in my hand and a song in my heart! Now I wasn't singing just yet! As influential the whiskey was, I was still in the right mind to feel out the crowd and pick just the right moment to belt it out. In the meantime Chance and I were just having a ball drawing attention with our story alone.

I certainly did sing before the sun set that day, though it was far from my best as I didn't take into consideration that I'd be competing against the roar of a couple dozen cycles at any given time. That and I might have had more to drink than I should've because some lyrics completely went out the window, hah! But my spirit was definitely in it and I managed to make $170 dollars! Not bad for my first busk!

Well, I should be more specific about that amount. One generous fan of my circumstances donated me a new Triumph Bonneville T100 rear wheel which retails to $160 - easily the most expensive part that needed replacing! The other ten bucks was Chris' change in my helmet to point people's pockets in the right direction. I ended up giving that back appreciatively, though it was returned to me over a treated dinner to celebrate.

Now that I knew it was possible to sing my way home, I stayed up late that night planning not only my next venue but also a unique route west and the perfect place to make a triumphant homecoming.