THE JOYS OF ASKING

I'M A QUESTION GUY----I navigate socially AND directionally by asking questions. Oh the doors good questions open---for example: Saw this in a pet shop--puppy snatchers caught on camera walking out with several valuable animals. I asked for details. The thieves were a team--used distraction. The owner a small pet shop owner could ill afford the loss. (I sympathized--and sent her a copy of my poem--why we keep pets---seemed much appreciated)

In what must be the biggest bike shop in the world---they had thousands in stock--- I asked to see the most expensive. Can you see the price tag? $7,200. Made of carbon fiber of course. A single wheel cost $2,200.

I asked what it weighed--he got a scale and showed me--15.59 pounds.

Asked this motorcycling couple about a mountain pass enroute to Laramie--they told me and shared that they were on their honeymoon--I asked if the windblown hairstyle was intentional--she smiled and I photographed the moment.

Asked this guy a harmless question to engage him---learned that he was returning from Illinois where he had just taken his father's ashes. The patch says "in memory of Al------".

Quality graffiti on the walls of an abandoned factory near Laramie---I found it---

and this----

by asking this guy--Dan Lewis---why he was prowling the ruins. He's a nature photographer and author of DIRT a non fiction book about ghost towns of Wyoming.

I asked this Bolivian guy why Bolivia was landlocked---no outlet to the sea. He said they had one but lost it in a war with Chili----are currently negotiating hard for a 2 mile corridor to the sea. He then showed me his hometown and the exact spot where Butch Cassidy was killed. His was a booth in a Laramie Festival.

Was quizzing an ex sheriff of Laramie about the Sheppard Murder (a previous blog) when he took me on a tour of his office, showing me this rare document---a copy of an invitation to an execution.

And finally showed me this---the actual safe blown up by butch cassidy in that famous train robbery. The tv in the background plays the movie dramatization.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: Good question skills are an art form that makes personalities visible and differences obvious---a golden opportunity to absorb qualities I admire.

KODGER KING AMUSES HIMSELF

Below is todays mapping of yesterdays readers---and once again I note the reader on that 4x6 mile lonely Island of Annobon off the coast of Africa--or its near neighbors San Tome or Principe. Myself and my readers are very curious about you--give us a comment, please ,telling us about life out there. DEEP FREEDOM CAN ONLY BE APPRECIATED BY THE DEEPLY CURIOUS---It is the only effective antidote to the toxin of meaninglessness. The uncurious often fill up their lives with distracting and artifical obligations---like pets or gambling or status-seeking or money-making. Our real business here is to amuse ourselves---inexpensively. The following is me at my "work."

I begin my day testing whether Lama's really guard the sheep in their care. Several times I attempted to get near the sheep-----the Lama, amazingly, stepped in between--looking a bit menacing. The answer seems to be yes!

Early morning in a big Mall---stores not open--walkers welcome however--and I see this---an escalator cleaner--guy positions it, then lets the steps slide through a comb like device. Quizzed the operator--does this job several times a week--asked me to tell you to quit chewing gum (did you know it's illegal in Singapore)---and Ice cream----aaaaggghh such a mess!

A years-long set of friends, I learned---discussing vigorously as I walked past. Had a sudden inspiration: I stood silentely here till I had their full focus--they looked at me quizzically--then I asked without preamble: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT---FREEDOM OR EQUALITY? --then said: I'll be back next round for an answer.

Came back and was invited to sit. Sure enough--I had put my finger exactly on the dividing line of their political discussion. (and also on the dividing line of discussions across America). They seemed to appreciate the succinctness----I had instant friends. (have I mentioned elsewhere that PLAYFUL CHILD is the ego state welcome everywhere?)

Can you believe this? What if a store sign said WHITE SHOP. Had to see inside.

Owner was a bit touchy---managed to sneak this shot---typical of the products offered.

Ah---Barnes & Nobles Booksellers---a favorite way to amuse myself. I usually wind up buying one or more--guess they know that---and so let you sample the merchandise.

Spent the better part of two days here---A nature park at Ft. Collins, Colorado. This one a series of beautiful ponds with nice trails everywhere.

Like this boardwalk across a swamp. I've noticed that cities everywhere are doing wonderful things like this---art galleries--bicycle trails--nature parks---street art---festivals--music. Becoming people friendly and beautiful---I really think a quiet renaissance is underway. Denver is criss crossed with bicycle trails---and Eugene Oregon---my heart swells.

That's my favorite flower over there---California Poppies--growing in an old homested deep in the mountains along Hewlett Gulch trail. Hard to believe that two large families once lived in this remote spot. (Diana: take note---I have some foreground in this shot)

A harmless snake I almost stepped on--gave me a fright. Reflected on a poem fragment I wrote long ago: "If I could wish away danger, I surely would not----the evil in my world just thickens the plot.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: I'm tempted to jump ahead and tell about my exciting experiment--just concluded (tentatively titled--Waltzing across Wyoming) But I'm resolved to catch up with myself--reporting on my intervening adventures. I will try to blog every day till I'm current. I write this from the old mining town of Smelterville, Idaho.

ODDS AND ENDS----CATCHING UP

I'VE BEEN BUSY--these past two weeks in an interesting experiment ---will tell you all about it when I catch up with some prior happenings. This is a map from stat counter showing the location of my readers on 5/24/10. Of course I'm pleased to see widespread interest in Western vagabondage--but what struck me was that someone on the lonely island of Annobon, off the coast of Africa checked me out---sure wish I could hear from you sir or madam. I'm equally curious about you.

Saw this--got the story (more efficient way to bale hay--doesn't need a barn--won't spoil in the field) was moved to poetry: BETTER WAY

They're shaping hay a better way

rolling hay bales round,

lengthwise grain sheds off the rain

when left out on the ground.

Little is lost and saved is the cost

of stacking it round the farm;

but mostly heed, THERE'S NOW NO NEED

TO BUILD A HUGE HAY BARN

And I'm well pleased to save the trees

that would have built the barn;

perhaps indeed, we n'ere did need

to cause the woods such harm.

Barns like this one--requiring thousands of trees--the biggest barn in Kansas. (Colby)

An astonishing structure--in perfect condition--now part of a museum and occasionally used for county meetings---I'll show you the upstairs.

Big enough for a grand---anything. Weddings most often I was told.

Instant friends, Jacob and his father--(also Jacob I believe) in front of a real sod house --the first I've seen.

Oh this is ominous---I settled into Goodland, Kansas wal-mart and then it hit. Sirens sounded tornado warnings and hail pelted my vulnerable glass-covered solar panels. That's $1,500 worth of solar power up there. (but it's hardened glass and came through ok) I moved 3 times, trying to get my rig shielded from the fury. Later I met and interviewed a British storm chaser--his group does it for the sheer sport. Said the latest fad is to don a metal shark armor suit with helmet and let the tornado move over you.

Folk art like this can be found almost everywhere---same kind of guy--seized with a vision--like the builders of Coral Castle, Watts Tower, Salvation Mountain etc. This tower in Genoa, Colorado boast a view of 6 states. (I doubt it)

Could you guess from looking at the trees that a 50 mph wind is blowing? I got off the road and hunkered here most of the day. Notice the 4 stabilizers I have lowered to help.

Lucky, I chose to stay put. Just out of town, this hapless trailer---similar to mine was destroyed by the wind.

And a mile further on this scene speaks of the wind's ferocity. I must say--Kansas Weather scares me---I'll move elsewhere.

See that sign---"world's first rodeo" wellll I don't know--Prescott, Az makes the same claim. Anyway, Deer trail, Co was a lovely little town---shrinking however--lots of empty stores.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES ABOUT COPS: Visits by the police are very rare but After a night in a field, I had a visit from this one. More curious than official. I've become an expert at dealing with cops----here's the best technique: Step outside, smiling broadly and say "Hello there!--- boy am I glad to see you---can you tell me.........then ask a harmless question about the area. Then tell him how you're enjoying...........the area. The cop in him will melt and the proud booster of his town and county will emerge. This one was super nice--sat and visited for a spell---told me to make myself at home. If a cop visits me at night, my opening line is: Thank God you're here......I need......(a tire shop--radiator repair etc) What the cop wants to know is if you are harmless---respectable--respectful. What a cop cannot bear is disrespect. Of the three ego states in all of us--parent---adult---child---the best one to open with --in most situations-- really--- is playful child.

What I would have told the BBC about the Apple iPhone antenna, if they'd actually wanted to hear it

I got an email this morning from BBC World Service radio, asking if I'd like to participate in a debate to "discuss whether the Apple bandwagon is grinding to a halt" in the wake of the iPhone antenna problem. I said sure, and they asked a couple of questions about my views.

Unfortunately, when they saw my reply, they decided that my opinions were too similar to those of Computerworld columnist Mitch Wagner (link), who was also appearing on the program. It wouldn't lead to a good debate. They were very polite about it, and there are no hard feelings on my part.

(By the way, Mitch pointed out the most interesting line I've seen so far on the antenna issue -- Microsoft COO Kevin Turner compared the iPhone 4 to Windows Vista. "It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that." (link) That single sentence summarizes so much of what's wrong with Microsoft today: grasping at straws, in denial, not focused on what they must do to win, and a tin ear to what their comments sound like in public. The scariest thing is, I think they might actually believe the stuff they say.)

Anyway, back to Apple. I thought it would be good to share my thoughts that were too boring for the BBC. If they'd put me on the air, it would have gone something like this:


Q. On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is this for Apple?

A. About a 1.5, with 1 being utterly meaningless in the long term. Unless there is some huge, hidden problem that Apple still isn't telling us about, the story is now over.


Q. One newspaper headline here goes 'Apple has lost its touch.' Is that fair?

A. It goes beyond unfair, it's utterly ludicrous. Apple just shipped the iPad, a major new category device, and it's selling far better than most people (including me) expected. For comparison, the Apple Macintosh, which we all cite as a huge success today, sold about 70,000 units in its first hundred days of availability (link). The iPad sold 70,000 units in the first four hours (link).

Most companies would kill to lose their touch that way.

If you want to look at a company that has lost its touch, check out BP. Or Toyota. Or Dell, which allegedly shipped twelve million computers that it knew were destined to fail (link). But even that sort of huge mistake isn't usually enough to kill a company. Remember when Intel knowingly shipped millions of Pentium processors that couldn't do math properly (link)? No, you don't remember? I rest my case.

If you want to know what Apple would look like if it lost its way, go back in time and look at the company in about 1997.

But Apple today? They made a mistake, and they handled it poorly. Hopefully they've learned from it. Giving everyone a free case is a reasonable solution. The cost of the cases is less than the cost of the accumulated bad PR (not to mention the cost of the class action lawsuits, which were the next step).

The average customer pays almost no attention to this sort of inside-the-beltway news. A company has to screw up repeatedly over a long period of time, or do something flagrant like killing people, in order to really damage its image. As long as there isn't any other big problem hidden in Apple's products, I think this story will be forgotten in a few months.


That's not to say everything is going great for Apple...
-Google Android is gaining momentum.
-Many mobile developers would love to have a better alternative to the App Store.
-Various governments might decide its walled garden approach to computing violates the law.
-At some point, I still believe the web is going to make proprietary platforms like Apple's less relevant.
-Apple is getting so big that I wonder how long it can continue to grow at the same rate.

And maybe most importantly, Apple is gradually learning that the rules of behavior for a successful industry leader are different than the rules for a scrappy upstart. Aggressiveness that's cute in a five-year-old kid will get a 25-year-old football player arrested.

Compounding Apple's challenge, its very effective marketing and design has set a higher standard for its products than the one applied to most other companies. Apple needs to learn that standing in the spotlight shows off your scars as well as your beauty marks.

One step in that process if for Apple to be humbler and more open. I think that's a lesson they started to learn this week.

(PS: I listened to BBC World's coverage of the iPhone this evening (link). One report called the antenna "the biggest PR disaster in Apple's history," which shows that BBC reporters have very short memories. As for what Mitch said, yeah it would have been a boring debate.)

WHERE DOES THE KODGER KING SLEEP?

ONE MONTH'S SECRET HIDEAWAYS REVEALED---5/24/10 TO 6/24/10 Spent most of the day 5/24/10 hunkered beside a garage in Limon, Co, escaping a 50 mph wind that laid big trucks on their sides. In late afternoon things calmed down and I visited Deer Trail, Co. (home of the world's first rodeo) then north into the countryside looking for a suitable place to spend the night. Two miles out a lonely country road I found a firm level field and settled in.

Moving on to Denver, I found this vacant corner of an Aurora Wal-Mart---charmed the guard and was invited to stay indefinitely. The Nearby mega-mall entertained me, so I stayed 3 nights--5/25--27/10.

Then I shifted positions to this vacant lot to be near the City's bicycle trails and parkland---stayed here 5/28--29/10. No one troubled me or even asked what I was doing here.

I returned to the previous Wal-mart spot for 2 nights ( 5/30 & 31 )and then moved to a Home Depot for 2 days(no picture) to do some engineering on my rig----yes--they let me sit right there--never objecting). Then I moved to the Denver Suburb of North Glen, settling in here at the Moose Lodge parking lot for 4 days((6/4-7/10) while I wrote a blog entry, enjoyed the neighborhood and bought a new computer. The old one died.

A host of difficulties fell upon me all at once: 1. NM threatened to suspend my drivers license(prove to us that you live SOMEWHERE) 2. TV receiver died. 3. TV people shut off my East and West coast feed. (this is a big deal to us RVers as it allows us to watch Leno and all other programing 2 and 3 hours earlier. and 4. I cannot get my new computer up to speed. So of course I cried out to Brenda---the best troubleshooter on the planet , who let me join her here at the Greely Moose Lodge. In three days time she had shepherded me through the computer problem and assisted me in dealing with the bureaucrats of New Mexico. (a good story in itself) I installed the spare tv receiver that I carry and got it approved by Direct TV. The final challenge of getting East AND West coast feed approved is an enormous problem (as RV owners will attest) and requires the finesse of a poker player and the guile of a serpent. Diana managed half of the problem by locating the only town in America that now has no over-the-air tv reception--that fact is crucially important. (too complicated to explain why) My serpent-like guile wangled a legitimate address there from the post mistress in that ghost town. (dead as the town is--still has a live post office) BINGO problem solved--service restored.

Got a bright Idea for a new table and went here--in Greely, Co to build it. Took two days and I camped with no objection. (note to Newbies--DON'T ASK PERMISSION --everyone seeks to avoid the burden of responsibility---it is easier to get forgiveness than permission)
Stayed the nights of 6/16 and 17/10. The night of 6/18/ I stayed in Greely, Co Wal-mart.

Then 6/19/10 I moved North to the Visitor Center at Ft. Collins, settling in their parking lot overnight--woke to this sight in the morning.

Then moved to this parking lot of a terrific Nature Preserve---spent parts of two days bicycling and enjoying it. (night of 6/20/10)

Temperature got hot in Ft. Collins, so naturally I went to the mountains--Paul recommended the road up the Cache la poudre river--so up I went to cooler climes and spent the night(6/21/10) here at Hewlett Gulch trailhead. Spent most of the day hiking the trail.

Still too warm for me---Decided to go higher---7000 ft or better--noticed this pass on the road to Laramie, Wy. Went there---and as usual, a side road (pumpkin Rd) leads into the countryside--went out about a mile and settled in for the night of 6/22/10.

Next day on to Laramie. Settling on the edge of Wal-mart, shuffling in and out as I enjoyed the city and did my inquiries about the Shepard murder. Stayed 7 nights, all told. (6/23--29/10)

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: In one sense, I sleep in the same place everynight, comfortable--all my stuff handy, just like all the muggles. Moving changes only the scenery and temperature outside my window. Ah but that's a big deal, you see---as much for what I move AWAY from as what I move toward. All scenery fades in intensity--be it ever so beautiful. What everyone really wants is a fireworks style of life with an unending stream of brilliant-but -fading flash/experiences. These camping spots of mine may not strike you as lovely--but they are perfectly adequate for my taste. Often my chosen campsite borders something beautiful or interesting. Almost always it is free and that's important. Some may think that parking lots are lower-scale living, but I cherish a good parking lot home-for-the-night. Real comfort is in the head! ---as we-who-have- escaped fixidity know. Those who pay the big bucks to be plugged in to electricity in a high dollar campground suffer more than pocketbook drain.

THE MEANING OF A MURDER

REFLECTING ON A REAL MURDER- that I know about--nearby--I decide to go to the scene and let it speak to me. It happened in this state. Wyoming

In this city

Down this road

So I settle in just across the way.

And begin reflecting on this young man---Matthew Shepard--the victim.

Lured to this spot--Nov 26, 2004---robbed for his money, then MURDERED FOR HIS GAYNESS. This last fact attracted worldwide attention. News media from around the globe flooded the town for the story. Thousands of protest marchers converged to express their outrage. The task I've set for myself is to discover whether Laramie town is homophobic and to reflect on the deeper meaning of this brutality.

I tracked down the (then)Sheriff of Laramie---and found him playing the part of a sheriff in the annual Territorial Prison Festival. His name is Gary Puls (pronounced Pulse) and his new job is Asst. Supt of Wyoming Territorial Prison here. He was super-nice--gave me a tour of the grounds---answered my questions about the Shephard killing--and offered me a job. (no thanks)

I already knew that the killers were caught, convicted and sentenced to life. I asked what it was like to be at the center of world news focus. Unbelievably stressful he said---blood pressure through the roof. Was there any sympathy in Laramie for the killers? Absolutely none!

I checked that last statement out---asking all over town, people's opinion on the killing---these two guys crawled from beneath the car to tell me that they and the town were horrified. It's true--I found no homophobia in Laramie. The protesters who showed up found themselves preaching to the choir. Locals joined in to send a message to the world: homophobia is irrational hate and we will not tolerate it.

I took a day off to find MY PEOPLE---the Unitarians---and go hiking with them around Turtle Mountain. I'll reveal shortly why I choose to identify with them.

RANDY PHILOPHIZES: Millions are accomplices to this murder. Everyone who believes the Bible to be the word of God had a hand in the killing--and in every other act of homophobic persecution. Romans 1:26/27 (and a host of similar verses) declares homosexuality a sin and an abomination. And based on Biblical teaching, generations of Gays, Lesbians etc have been persecuted. Christianity is responsible for the CLIMATE OF OPINION that metastasises in certain minds like these killers. The Bible is just dead wrong on this issue and the Western world is slowly coming to realize it. We know now that homosexuality is and has always been a natural part of human and animal life. Not unlike red hair or left handedness. We're not sure of the details--just of the fact.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS:----BELIEF IN REVELATION ITSELF!!!---- Believing that there is a God---AND THAT HE WRITES ( OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF) AUTHORITATIVE BOOKS.------ I SAY THIS TO ALL WHO BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A GOD: --WHY NOT JUST BELIEVE IN GOD AND REJECT THE NOTION THAT HE WRITES OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF "HOLY BOOKS". (i.e. reject the notion of revelation) Believe that God leaves it to us to create and perfect ethics--- Just as he leaves it to us to invent technology, art, culture. Believing this ---will take away the worst effects of religion. And then--choose to live by real faith:--trusting your own deepest intuition. (that is approximately the Unitarian position--the only church I know that rejects all infallible revelations)

BELIEVE WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON AND MANY OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS THAT GOD LEAVES THE JOB OF ETHICS TO US.-------- THAT WAY,--WE-,-ALL OF US--PARTICIPATE IN AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE CODE THAT WE LIVE BY---A CODE THAT IS NOT YET PERFECTED--one that moves forward as we become more sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. THIS IS A LOFTIER VIEW OF LIFE---AS CREATIVE RESPONSIVENESS RATHER THAN THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF LIFE AS OBEDIANCE TO GODS WILL.

The global clash of ignorant armies largely represent "Holy Book" conflicts---There are 27 of them that claim to be inspired by god. Around the world children are infected with MIND VIRUSES of doctrines and wierd ethics that constrict their lives, impose needless guilt and fear.

MOST OF US HAVE BEEN INDOCTRINATED WITH SOME SORT OF MIND VIRUS---YET, I SAY EVERY ONE OF US IS RESPONSIBLE FOR QUESTIONING THEIR INDOCTRINATION ----SHUCKING THE CRAZY STUFF--AND BUILDING AN EHIC APPROPRIATE TO OURSELVES. (Have you REALLY questioned yours?)