time

It does take a while, although seemingly less and less with each successive event. The anger, the disappointment, the negatively, the frustration at a situation gone Pete Tong. Is it the Vipasanna, or me just getting older and, while not necessarily wiser, more mellow? However, some people get more entrenched in their ways, more ornery, more irascible as they get older, so I do believe that Vipasanna mediation has had beneficial effects.

It's Friday, July 31 and I'm in Nice, France waiting for my motorcycle. After Menton, the plan was to ride to Spain - route not yet confirmed for most of the France part, but I would have likely ended up going through the Pyrenees at the tail end of it, where I could also do some hiking. Nice was a convenient stop along the way for the needed 50,000 km service on my motorcycle and all around check-up that I knew my bike needed. The rear brakes were shot, and the Beemer was feeling a little off in other ways that one gets to know when one rides that same bike for a long time.

Unfortunately, what should have been only be an air filter and oil change has turned into so much more, so much worse, and so much more expensive. Nice isn't my favourite place in France so I had only planned on being here for the minimum amount of time necessary, one day and one night, but fate and hard riding had other plans for me. A few parts needed to be replaced and some of those aren't in stock so they had to be ordered. They won't arrive until Monday and since it's summer, and like every BMW Motorrad service department in France, they're crazy busy, it'll take a few days before the bike's ready, hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday (Aug 5 or 6th), one full week after I dropped it off.

For about 15 minures after getting the news, I was kind of in shock at the timeline and costs involved, but then I started to accept my new reality and cycle through what my options were. Admitedly I was bummed because this meant the Pyrenees ride and hike plan might have to be scrapped, at least for now, since I am supposed to be in Barcelona by August 8. But I came back to the fact that this is all within the context of this amazing trip in Europe and shit will go sideways every now and then, just the way it is.

So I think Vipassana has definitely helped at being more accepting when things go wrong that are not necessarily my fault. I find myself sometimes able to pivot more quickly to the new reality and not get too bummed about what went wrong and not let it affect my mood too much. I may not be the happiest, sunniest version of myself when the shit goes sideways but I can usually be an acceptable version of myself. It's OK to be a little bummed for a little while, it's normal, just not too long.

I decided to visit Montpellier for a few days until the bike's ready and then I'll come back. Then it's on to Barcelona for a visit with my dear friend Carlos from SLP, Mexico and his better half, Barbara. Gi should be meeting me there in time for the solar eclipse on August 12th.

Finally, I just came back from a showing of The Odyssey. It was good but not great. Not sure what all the fuss is about. In that same genre of movie, I thought Gladiator by Ridley Scott was better. I think there was just too much to cover for it to come out as a cohesive, excellent movie.

Oh, and I also want to add a few pics from the great crew that were at Marina's place, kids included, and some pics from the day I spent in Vence. I had a great time just wandering around the many narrow, winding streets and also enjoyed the chapel that Matisse designed.

Peace and Love,

MikeRead more