I had so much fun reading this post by @thorgalle, who has been working with @Tarunika to help me and @jeff improve some of the messiest parts of Readup.
Really meta. I mean, here I am, getting to know a person, on Readup, using Readup, that I met through Readup, and I'm thinking to myself: This is the best way to get to know someone. I have already had a number of video-meets w/ Thor, sometimes really long ones, and so even before reading this I already felt like I knew the guy. But, alas, reading his writing makes the connection SO much deeper. A wonderful reminder that there's something truly magical about what we're doing here.
Today (Thanksgiving) I am so deeply thankful for the Readers on Readup. You people have changed my life, and I plan to spend the rest of mine working to keep improving yours, ours, together. The caliber and diversity of humans on this platform is absurd! I've been over-using that word ("absurd") recently, but I just looked up the definition and I think it actually really fits here. There's something "wildly unreasonable" about this whole experiment, something "ridiculous." It's just too many amazing people.
Gratitude is a wonderful, freeing feeling. I spend a lot of time trying to de-code Readup, trying to figure out how and why the magic happens, how I can bottle it up, analyze it, do something with it. Gratitude doesn't get in the way of that work, it enhances it. It creates these little spaces, gaps in time that slow everything down - almost like little moments of prayer - where I can let go of all the things that need to get done, and remind myself why I love this work. It's because of the Readers. Readup is, very literally, nothing without the Readers. An empty vessel. A frame without any art in it. A bunch of meaningless code. Readers bring this thing to life. So thank you, Reader, for giving me so many gifts: joy, peace, and being in the present moment.
OMG. This is SO OLD. Or at least that’s how it feels like, it’s actually only 3 years old (?!).
I was first confused, but then immediately happy to see this pop up in my Readup notifications. Thanks for surfacing it @bill! I can almost read this purely as a reader now, I’m barely remembering anything beyond what I wrote. I guess that is a power of writing: saving memories beyond pictures.
This tone of voice sounds so innocent, I’d dare say cute even. I’m sure revised it 20 times to work those periodic chuckles in there. Young Thor recounting the little but big adventures along an adventurous road. Ahhh. This was written by a 21-year-old student who hadn’t yet encountered realities of life such as “making money”, “working”, and “living on your own”. I don’t think I could (or want to) write in the same way again.
That said, I LOVED reading this. I really need to do this cycling touring again. It’s GREAT. Maybe I can rediscover some of these moments. And I need to update my website. And see if I can still write anything about the three times longer journey I did in the summer of 2018 (nothing on that now).
PS: I’m happy Readup picked up all the gallery images! But the 2 videos didn’t work on my phone. They’re not essential but pretty good too :)
This trip through France no only revealed the beauty of the land but also the kindness and compassion of the traveler. I loved the story of the confused old lady, the women who allowed you to camp with them despite restrictions and the vegan metal musician. Traveling by bike sure seems like a way to deeply connect with people and nature. The pitch dark ride through the corn stalks is definitely the stuff of horror movies - you are brave! Thanks for sharing your story. Wonderful pictures.
I had so much fun reading this post by @thorgalle, who has been working with @Tarunika to help me and @jeff improve some of the messiest parts of Readup.
Really meta. I mean, here I am, getting to know a person, on Readup, using Readup, that I met through Readup, and I'm thinking to myself: This is the best way to get to know someone. I have already had a number of video-meets w/ Thor, sometimes really long ones, and so even before reading this I already felt like I knew the guy. But, alas, reading his writing makes the connection SO much deeper. A wonderful reminder that there's something truly magical about what we're doing here.
Today (Thanksgiving) I am so deeply thankful for the Readers on Readup. You people have changed my life, and I plan to spend the rest of mine working to keep improving yours, ours, together. The caliber and diversity of humans on this platform is absurd! I've been over-using that word ("absurd") recently, but I just looked up the definition and I think it actually really fits here. There's something "wildly unreasonable" about this whole experiment, something "ridiculous." It's just too many amazing people.
Gratitude is a wonderful, freeing feeling. I spend a lot of time trying to de-code Readup, trying to figure out how and why the magic happens, how I can bottle it up, analyze it, do something with it. Gratitude doesn't get in the way of that work, it enhances it. It creates these little spaces, gaps in time that slow everything down - almost like little moments of prayer - where I can let go of all the things that need to get done, and remind myself why I love this work. It's because of the Readers. Readup is, very literally, nothing without the Readers. An empty vessel. A frame without any art in it. A bunch of meaningless code. Readers bring this thing to life. So thank you, Reader, for giving me so many gifts: joy, peace, and being in the present moment.
As Thor says:
Amen to that.
And thank you, Bill & Jef, for not just talking about this idea. But actually starting it, and keeping at it. Readup really is a wonderful thing! ❤️
I am so grateful for all the magic you and Jeff have created. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Thorgalle, Great travel story. It made me want to get on my bike. Best way to see the world.
Glad you liked it Plum, I fully agree. Not too fast, not too slow, just right.
OMG. This is SO OLD. Or at least that’s how it feels like, it’s actually only 3 years old (?!).
I was first confused, but then immediately happy to see this pop up in my Readup notifications. Thanks for surfacing it @bill! I can almost read this purely as a reader now, I’m barely remembering anything beyond what I wrote. I guess that is a power of writing: saving memories beyond pictures.
This tone of voice sounds so innocent, I’d dare say cute even. I’m sure revised it 20 times to work those periodic chuckles in there. Young Thor recounting the little but big adventures along an adventurous road. Ahhh. This was written by a 21-year-old student who hadn’t yet encountered realities of life such as “making money”, “working”, and “living on your own”. I don’t think I could (or want to) write in the same way again.
That said, I LOVED reading this. I really need to do this cycling touring again. It’s GREAT. Maybe I can rediscover some of these moments. And I need to update my website. And see if I can still write anything about the three times longer journey I did in the summer of 2018 (nothing on that now).
PS: I’m happy Readup picked up all the gallery images! But the 2 videos didn’t work on my phone. They’re not essential but pretty good too :)
This trip through France no only revealed the beauty of the land but also the kindness and compassion of the traveler. I loved the story of the confused old lady, the women who allowed you to camp with them despite restrictions and the vegan metal musician. Traveling by bike sure seems like a way to deeply connect with people and nature. The pitch dark ride through the corn stalks is definitely the stuff of horror movies - you are brave! Thanks for sharing your story. Wonderful pictures.
110000% vouch for cycling trips 😎 Such a fun read!
Legit travel read - from mud to Red Bull. Thanks for Sharing, T. Great-Gran = ur cycling Fairy Godmother, methinks.