for you...happy happy!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
bicycle diaries (director's cut)
this is four days too late. i let life get in the way of life and now, the red-letter day has come and gone, fragile and forlorn. so let's pretend it's the first of july again and that my little trangression had never been committed. again, my apologies to myself and a hundred kinds of self-soothing to follow tonight.
***
the northern way was born a year ago at 3:01 pm. there was no real purpose to it, no real reason to ride a bicycle to norway—that was just a metaphor. instead, there was a writer who had nothing and too much to say all at once, plus a large, anonymous void to do some decorating in.
it didn't even look like this in the beginning. it was dark, stark, spliced with photographs of bicycles taken in postwar berlin. there was less ambiguity then, less profanity, less sass, less sexual content. but that shit got old quickly.
and so the lights came on.
and suddenly, there was an icelandic singer opening and closing her mouth, with moonshine dancing on her tongue. there were yellow stickies, a box to whore in, fancy buttons to push. there were facetiae and delicate intellectual snobberies and nameless, faceless people going in and out of the door. it was all good—like having gatecrashers at a party over and over again minus the sensibilities.
needless to say, the right hand which wrote in pretty cursive went on indefinite leave. and in dead of night, all it took to be published was the right name (quick fix) and a password (over-the-counter therapy).
i don't know how long this pedaling will last. i don't know what i'll do when i finally get to norway. maybe i'll kick off my shoes. roll up the legs of my jeans. have some tea with milk. smile at strangers. give a nice, tall boy a kiss. take photographs of oslo. leave my bicycle by a grassy knoll for a lost soul to find. and walk barefoot to hungary.
there are no happy endings, really. those are just a reprieve for stories that have yet to finish telling themselves.
| o^o |91 kph |
91 Comments
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transience said...
happy anniversary to a blog that taken on a life of its own! to everyone who wants to share the love, bring it on. party hats are optional.
and just in case i forget to tell you: i had a really nice time.
11:26 AM
shadowbox said...
I raise a glass of Norwegian aquavit to you on this anniversary.
11:45 AM
Aleksu said...
Zorionak!
Happy first blogoversary!
I was lucky to happen upon your blog a few months ago, it was after the metamorphosis to the present stage, now I'm curious about those pictures of bicycles taken in Germany.
12:22 PM
milktea said...
To hungary barefoot. nice. my mother will not stop me from reading your blog then. :)
Trans, happy anniversary. we are having a nice time as much as you did.
12:38 PM
J41M3 said...
I hope that you get to Norway. I've enjoyed watching the journey so far.
2:57 PM
Jax said...
Yay Trans! I would've thought you'd have been blogging longer than this. ah well.
:: smiles and tries to be nice and tall ::
4:24 PM
claudzki said...
funny..i was just watching motorcycle diaries last night...
belated happy anniversary to YOur blog...indeed, it has come a long way from where it started [and that wasn't bad...]
here's to more years of trans and her northern-way!
mwah! :D
5:47 PM
anonymous said...
Congratulations on completing a year! It had been an amazing 'ride' so far and looking forward to much more!
5:50 PM
wala said...
hey sweetie. happy anniversary. i raise my mug of strong, freshly brewed coffee to moonshine, lovemaking full tilt on a bicycle, metamorphoses, and conversations with you. may you forever be insatiable for wordplay and moreso, foreplay;=)
5:51 PM
Roger Stevens said...
Happy blogday to yooooooo
Happy blogday to yooooooooooo
Happy blogday dear Transience
Happy blogday toooooo yooooooooooo!!!!
I don't suppose you'll ever reach Norway will you. And would you want to?
And where does Ms B fit into the grand scheme of things?
6:27 PM
bullish1974 said...
*raises flute glass*
6:39 PM
I.:.S.:. said...
*Flute glasses (or whisky tumblers) rise all over the world. Your health. Live lucky. (11 comments within about 15 mins of posting?)
7:07 PM
I.:.S.:. said...
Well, about 7-odd hours actually
7:08 PM
Mercurial said...
Happy Anniversary!
Cheers for ride. Though I hope Norway continues to elude you :O)
No offense.
7:14 PM
I.:.S.:. said...
but still
7:16 PM
I.:.S.:. said...
I'm being converted to comments gradually... They're like a conversation in a moment of time that solidifies and you can go back and look at... like wondering around in a world with stopped time, seeing where everyone was caught at the instant time froze..
7:24 PM
Fist said...
Happy ... 4th of July!
If you do make it to Norway, just make sure it's when the lights are on.
8:17 PM
Deek Deekster said...
i want to congratulate you on the persistent way you dally with us all and long may it last
gratulerer med dagen til dagboken din!
9:09 PM
RuKsaK said...
A year old - amazing you celebrity you. This place is a work of art from top to bottom - it's so totally yours and it's a lovely place to come and sit down, relax and drink words in - and the flavours you offer them in are simply divine.
What I'm saying is - I love this place and when I'm a year old hope I can be as proud as you should be of the writing you spill here (although I doubt spill is an accurate word here)
9:19 PM
SafeTinspector said...
I feel like the guy who walks in just as the party host finished telling a really funny story. You know, that time when everyone is just getting done laughing, and they're all catching their breath.
I look around at all the faces and ask, "What did I miss?"
The answer is, usually, "Never mind, you had to be there."
But I wasn't!
9:20 PM
snst_blvd said...
when you get to norway, get me a nice norwegian boy. =)
9:23 PM
Kerouaced said...
Norway is a forever and a day away, Trans. You can pedal and pedal and will cover plenty of ground but then you realize that the journey was much longer than you ever anticipated...
9:42 PM
wala said...
ahh a milestone.
things will never be the same.
...cheers!
10:34 PM
trine said...
well, if you ever *do* make it to norway I will be there waiting for you....
but i kinda hope you don't as it might mean the end of all this..
happy anniversary, transience, hurra hurra hurra!
10:43 PM
Potted-flower said...
Uh. Crap. What do you really look like then?? I'm confused...
11:37 PM
Rama The Drama said...
I definitely don't want you to get to Norway(esp. if you are hanging your boots there) because it's in YOUR JOURNEY that we get a taste of your smells,sounds and feelings that gets magically transformed in our minds through your picturesque words!
May you indulge us in many more travelogues of your Life in the coming year!Happy Blogoversary!
12:16 AM
jenn see said...
it's strange how time changes things.
unoriginal thought, but there you go.
cheers on a year's worth of writing.
12:42 AM
Mere Existence said...
I've been on rollerscates this entire time, but didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
12:50 AM
madgirl said...
((((u))))
so im wonderin
is the livin flow of your blog a reflection of an evolution within your self? or have you been makin the empty space more home-like? like - settin up the furniture you already had kinda thing?
either way
ive had a nice time peddlin after ya :)
2:00 AM
EGO SVM CAROLVS said...
Happy 1st! :) :) :)
More to come. :) :) :)
2:02 AM
gusgreeper said...
happy happy first.
if.you.went.away.i.would.die
i love it here.
2:20 AM
Sarah said...
i probably would have cheated and posted this as the first.. even though it's not the first anymore.
=) happy bloggiversary..
i've been at it not quite 7 months longer than you. although, i have half the talent with words and feelings.
"there are no happy endings, really. those are just a reprieve for stories that have yet to finish telling themselves."
quite.
3:25 AM
Cocaine Jesus said...
POP!!!
glug glug glug
*fizzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*
just pouring a glass (or two) of champagne.
enjoy.
4:04 AM
Jen said...
Happy blogiversary to you!
4:41 AM
Carrie said...
wow! congrats on lasting so long and good on the evolution of your blog..........btw..you're my daily epiphany....such a brilliant mind and so open. like a breath of fresh air. thank you. ;)
7:21 AM
Anonymous said...
I'll have a glass while you're about it, JC.
Cheers!
7:29 AM
Roger Stevens said...
I'll have a glass while you're about it, JC.
Cheers!
Whoops. That's better. Wouldn't wanna miss the cake.
7:31 AM
Wardo said...
You've done a lot in a year. Good job.
-A
9:05 AM
Lorena said...
happy to join your party, happy 1yr anniversary!! love how you filled us in on some of your reasons for starting it.
hope you never stop pedaling.
wonderful story :)
btw, in this film i saw "mr & ms smith" there was a similar quote which stayed with me long after the film. "there is no such thing as perfect endings, they are just stories that haven't finished yet" i loved it and loved how beautifully you have written it yourself.
i'll have some of that tea :)
9:21 AM
karma said...
happy anniversary sweets! i guess one can say you have come a long way. no, don't stop pedalling, ever. the fun is in the journey, not the destination
xxx
9:36 AM
jey said...
happy anniversary to one of the best blogs around!:)
keep 'em coming, trans!
9:47 AM
small squirrel said...
happy birthday babe. you are a seriously amazing woman. skip norway and run away with me to Italy... better shoe shopping there anyway! heeeee!!
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.
and buona fortuna, cara!
10:22 AM
small squirrel said...
you know I meant anniversary and not birthday.... well, bloggy birthday.
ah fuck it. I am just a dumb ass editor. HAHAHHAHAHHA.
10:22 AM
mariposatomica said...
happy anniversary! I enjoyed reading your blog post. Can't wait to see your blog entries on Blex's blog.
10:32 AM
therainandme said...
hey trans
happyanniversaryhappyanniversaryhappyanniversary...
cant imagine what it would be like not reading ur blog.
tc
1:27 PM
post said...
here's to hoping that you never stop pedalling!
or at least when you get to norawy, here's to hoping that you never stop writing!
1:28 PM
rolly said...
happy anniversary! I just hope the ending would be a good one. Like that boy you're generously kissing... lucky him.
I still believe in fairy tales, thank you.
1:50 PM
john said...
my world just righted itself (well, sorta) in time for your party.
i find reason in your words, that's why i linger.
happy anniversary.
1:57 PM
mrsmogul said...
That was a good post, I liked "tea with milk", I think I will have some of that today :)
4:18 PM
transience said...
i have to single out some people here. i can't help it.
blex >> i forget the link but every single photo came in black and white. my favorite was a bicycle stuck in snow.
monsterspank>> you have said much too much.
roger >> she is keeper of my secrets. but apparently not anymore.
mike >> my timezone is GMT+8. but you already know that, right? and you ramble well for a semi-virgin commenter.
deek >> dalliances are my specialty.
RuKsaK >> and i'm supposed to make a gist for your blog after that? the pressure!!!
safetinspector >> that was funny.
trine >> no, not the end. not yet.
potted-flower >> i can't really asnwer that question. but i do know you don't look like a duckling (gosling?).
mere existence >> you're still on wheels and that is the important thing.
maddy >> i just think i got to learn more html.
lorena >> i have to watch that movie. did i tell you i have a thing for angelina? no? well, i do.
jaime, ramchi, endlessecho, john >> thanks for being here again.
mercurial, mariposatomica, mrsmogul >> thanks for dropping by, newbies.
4:35 PM
Anil said...
many many bloggy returns of the day...here's to another year of pedaling up!
7:15 PM
Sara said...
well, hats off, hot damn, and the like. i hereby toast to you in the way too early morn. to norway!
7:58 PM
North said...
never too late to greet you. don't stop pedalling, keep it on!
8:53 PM
>sheE<>> so nice to see you back. thanks for the greeting. did i tell you we share the same age, sign and chinese birth year? huzzah!
>sheE< >> that was so sweet, you. thanks for the love and all that.
mitzzee >> i'm looking at the piccy again while i type this.
potted-flower >> hee. i'll send mine if you send yours. deal?
taryl >> no. no. and no. thanks.
blog ho >> with scones, yeah?
shadowbox >> she's not puking cum, if that's what you're thinking. she's swallowing then regurgitating the moon. pretty neat, eh? so you think i should lose the bike right about now? get myself a che guevara t-shirt?
alix >> i love what you said about entering a foreign film. that was so descriptive and highly flattering. thank you.
ygwin >> lovely pony. with the shimmery shoulders and romantic hair.
kathleen >> three years is a great achievement. congratulations!
slim whale >> vodka mudshake!
finnegan >> always so eloquent. okay, so how about a compromise? present progressive? i'm having a really nice time.
stella >> or new york. to new york on a taxi.
saturnyne >> hi back. i've missed you.
perfect virgo >> the travesty will continue, of course.
chris >> bring it on.
dlak >> what a lovely way to put it. i'm printing this comment right now. and i've set the font to 16-point dauphin. again, thanks for the gift.
allister >> you aren't so faceless to me.
kathleen again >> splendid. i will check out your answers as soon as i can.
blackops, srikar >> a great northern-way welcome to both of you.
2:37 PM
Potted-flower said...
very funny. You don't understand, though, I am ACTUALLY a cygnet. Its the truth!
3:45 PM
King of Space said...
"If, as you live your life, you find yourself mentally composing blog entries about it, post this exact same sentence in your weblog."
Maybe you saw this meme going around Trans, but after one year of blogging, It can help you evaluate where you are.
You know what? Me I actually think about what my bloggers I read will talk about. Until today, I never guessed a blog content, and this is perfect :-)
Happy blogversary Trans! TY for sahring your writtings with us
6:51 PM
A-hole! said...
so you popped your cherry, eh. good for you.
8:37 PM
transience said...
potted-flower >> a pretty, pretty cygnet.
king of space >> i've never really lived my life composing blog entries about it, but it's something to think about.
a >> more like popped the question, but that will do, too.
7:08 AM
gulnaz said...
an year of pedalling to norway, yowzaa!! my only regret is that i did not come across your blog earlier. i just love the way you use metaphors, love the way you write, totally!!!
here is hoping to see more of your special brand of moonshine.
the name of your blog, the format, everything fits in together...congratulations, you have done great! ;)
10:18 PM
Corsarius said...
it's a bit too late, but --
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! for your blog, i mean. ;)
Btw, Slip of the Pen recently turned 6 months old. June 30. You're 6 months older than me, blog-context that is.
6:52 PM
transience said...
gulnaz >> that was so sweet. esepcially about the moonshine part. thanks very much.
corsarius >> happy half-year! and better late than never, especially for friends.
11:16 PM
Potted-flower said...
settle down, now.
3:47 AM
anumita said...
Am I late? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the blog!!
And Norway is where we are all heading, furiously peddling to keep up. Once you reach Norway, we will wait for you to lead us through adventurous roads to another land of mystic and magic.
To the writer, transience, who the English language would be proud of! Cheers!
1:34 PM
transience said...
potted-flower >> i have! and with coffee, too.
anumita >> you're just in time for the drunken revelry. and thanks, dear, for the greeting.
2:29 PM
posted by transience at 11:11 AM on Jul 5, 2005
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