Genius

"Everybody knows the thing about an infinite number of monkeys... An infinite number of monkeys is put to work at an infinite number of typewriters and eventually one of them produces a great work of literature. In what language I don't know. But what about an infinite number of writers in an infinite number of cages? Would they make one monkey sound? One genuine chimp noise? Would they eventually swing by their toes from an infinite number of money bars?" (DeLillo)

Opening Day

League of American Wheelmen

When I determined to found the League of American Wheelmen two years ago, I did so with the ideal in mind that every American should have not only a bicycle, but an education in the new art of bicycling and the benefits that accompany it: fitness, transportation and enjoyment. It has been my privilege to see this association grow out of nothing and it is a testament to man's ingenuity; how man receives but iron and rubber from the Earth and somehow, through his imagination, a wheel and tire come about - a masterful union indeed. It is my dream that the bright young Americans of today should be the greatest educated generation yet! Today, wheelmen, ride with the knowledge that you are now in control. Race forth with the vigor that brought forth the very wheels you now turn, that carry you. That is my challenge to you. Best of luck!

- Kirk Munroe addressing the League of American Wheelmen before the first American bicycle race, May 24, 1878, Boston, Massachusetts.

The Sound of Dogbark

Truth is easy to communicate, but hard to understand. - Philpod, Dr. Lawrence M., Professor of Animal Linguistics, Omaha University, Nebraska.

Swashbuckler

The average person understands little, and is aware of nothing of consequence.
- Yellowstone, Epson. Moscow, Russia. 1945.

Turn of the Century

A Simple Style

A sincere ignorance of fashion keeps one fashionable.

(second; collage by Max Ernst)

New Dawn Fades

I C (July 15, 1956 - May 18, 1980)

Nothing To Say

One of the most important things, which we often foolishly deprive ourselves of, is being honest with ourself. - Buffers, William Lloyd. Prague. 1640.

Round Trip

Days spent on the ferris wheel
Sitting and watching
the people who walk around,
the automobiles that come and go,
the shopkeepers and the business;
the charm of city life.
Each sequence shows something different and something the same.
I fell asleep on the ferris wheel.

The Successful Salesman Who Specializes in Driving Customers Away

Come on in, I'm open as can be, just take off your boots, and check your coat and bags. I've got the finest collection of old books and maps in the world, but don't waste your time browsing, no need to browse in this shop, just purchase away. Who browses in book stores these days anyways? In the basement there are great bargains on rare editions of modern classics but I doubt you're interested. You can check em out if you like, only one person allowed down there at a time of course, but you better not, I don't need no hooligans pilfering ma books! They're really just old pieces of junk nobody wants anyhow, you won't like em. Yup, short and sweet is the way to do it here, you better go. I'm the best of the best, but please don't come back, nothing more awkward than eager customers. Have a swell day!

- Donald E. Rumpfort (superb book salesman)

The Bookkeeper

Literature is not only in the hands of famous writers.

Happy Birthday Cecil!

A pioneer in the field of mobile photography, Cecil Vane roved the countryside in his photographic wagon, allowing many to see their loved ones apart from one another for the first time.

I look through the lens of eternity and bottle a frozen smile. - Cecil Vane (May 9, 1891 - unknown)

From One Thing to Another

"A screaming comes across the sky" - Thomas Pynchon (May 8th, 1937)

Maybe Strangers

A thicket of clouds veil the city
with a baleful seal.
On an indistinct street stands a lonesome lady
with an unreadable sign.
A man approaches her,
(each faintly illuminated by a winding string
of side-street orbs woven in the mist)
without the least symptom of interest,
and reaches into the pocket of an old coat
he happens to be wearing.
He hands the lady a gift
and she accepts, calm as the wind
that breathes through her hair.
In her blurry mirror
the man catches a glimpse of himself, adjusts his hat,
and then returns to her;
She looks away
with a shadowy sneer,
and he proceeds through the desolate fog of the city.

Sorrow's memory is a sorrow still

"Evenings I plan to enjoy the sunrise, and don't get out of bed; during the day I look forward to enjoying the moonlight, and remain in my room. I really don't know why I get up, why I go to bed." (Goethe)

Hide n' Seek

It's the elusive quality that makes a man free. - Telpholster, Daniel. Ascot, Berkshire, England. 1904.

In a fast world, safety is number one!

The industrial revolution was really quite useless. - Bhoatman, Rowan (Head of Hospitality and Locomotive Safety Inspector, American Railway Association).