My thoughts while at the Easyriders show, October 23, 2010

These are some thoughts that I wrote down while sitting at the Easyrider expo in Greenville,SC October 23rd. We went up to Greenville to setup at the Easyrider expo and try to sale some Zemplivin t-shirts. I was let go from my work about two weeks before and we really didnt have the extra money to pay the vendor fee but we decided to do it anyway.This was about 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon, Greenville is about 2hrs away and we had to be there before 7pm that night to sign up and setup our booth.We hauled tale and made it just in time. We got our vendors passes and got the booth setup. After that we headed over to a 24 hr fedex and printed up some flyers and a banner. When we got all that completed (it was about 2am) we settled in for a comfy nights slumber in our truck. As we awoke the next morning our spirits were high and our backs were aching. We were looking forward to selling some shirts and making some money. Well folks, we didnt sale a single shirt that day and almost got into it with the Easyrider people because we packed up an hour early and left. I did make some new friends though. One of which was Jan and John Pendleton the owner's of TheCarolinaRider.com, the website I write for now. The other guy was Chris Callen editor and the main man of Cycle Source magazine. He gave me a great bit of advice. He said " Listen, you want something, go get it! Don't let the bastards get ya down." I will never forget that as long as I live.
All though the expo was not a financial succes it was a success for us nonetheless. It helped me get my foot in the door and taught us some good lessons. Below are some of my thoughts as I sat at our booth anxiously awaiting a sale that never came.

As I sit here and watch the different people walk by, I can’t help but wonder how many of them actually get “it” or understand what this “thing” is we love so much. Do they truly understand the freedom that is provided by two wheels and the wind? Do they comprehend the unspoken love that is felt when my wife wraps her arms around me as we prepare to maneuver a tight curve? Would they sacrifice their jobs to follow their life’s dream? Can they really comprehend the meaning of “Zemplivin” or grasp what “Free to Fly” means? I would hope that the answer would be yes.

It is not an easy feat, following your dreams.  Many have died poor and destitute on the road to following their dreams.  They chose to sacrifice worldly possessions and financial gain to live free. Freedom is just as much a mental concept as it is physical. Yes we need money to survive but how much? Do we really need three computers and a flat screen TV in every room? Must we keep the world informed of our every move or accomplishment? Although I am young, I long for the simpler times. Yes the computers and TV’s keep us informed and connected but do we need so many? For a society that is so connected, why do I feel that we are growing more distant?

 My wife and I recently returned from a trip to the Smoky Mountains. On this trip we rode our motorcycle and stayed in a ratty motel one night and camped out in a tent the other nights. We enjoyed three days with friends we knew and getting to know ones we didn’t. One of the nights I sat around the campfire with a bunch of old salty bikers and motorcyclists. We passed around several bottles and a couple of flasks filled with God know what. We told tales, laughed, philosophized and became friends, all without the use of a computer or Facebook. This is what I would like to think social networking used to be. As I awoke the next morning a bit hazy but feeling rather good, I wondered if everyone had these experiences would the world be a better place. Instead of emailing or having a conference call, how about sitting around a fire and sharing a bottle and some stories, making friends the old fashioned way. I am very thankful for social networking sites and the internet because it has enabled me to make contacts, that year’s ago, would have taken a lifetime to make but I still feel we need that primitive contact.

 I believe my ancestors had it right when they would sit around the fire and speak of the days hunt or take a draw from the peace pipe and pass it to their friend or kin. I truly believe we are all longing for these experiences and that is why we have mosh pits, motorcycle rallies and bonfires. It’s a primal urge, we as humans are meant to be social. Maybe the social networking sites, texting and emailing are the next step in the evolutionary phase. I am confident though, that as long as there are true bikers and motorcyclists who truly love life and congregating with likeminded people that this will never happened. Until next time, take it easy. Zemplivin, baby!   http://www.zemplivin.com/     http://www.thecarolinarider.com/