The photo is from a trip to China when my brother lived in Chengdu. He and a friend had a retail bike shop. built custom bikes, made bikes out of bamboo, and hosted bike tours (day long or multi-week). I commissioned this vintage Flying Pigeon bicycle to get modern components, a Brooks saddle with matching grips, and a bell.

Here is what I’m up to NOW.

There were a few memorable experiences that made a huge difference in my life.

There was one experience early on, a springtime day in the 6th grade in gym class. We had to do the physical fitness test activities for the first time. On this particular day the activity was running a timed mile, and Mrs. Lumen was my gym teacher. I arranged this story, and a handful of others into a timeline.

The Welcome Collection

2012–2013 Road Trip: The Welcome Sign Mission:
What started as a two- or three-month road trip turned into a full-blown zigzag across the U.S., the kind of trip that blurs the line between accidental adventure and quiet obsession.
There was a lumberjack competition, a naked flash-mob pie fight, ten 10Ks, a handful of half-marathons, three full marathons, and four Vipassana retreats. There was one day, which was turned out to be exactly mid-way through, when I found a starfish.
I built a goat stanchion in New Mexico, a pergola over a flagstone patio in Oregon. Rode the Alaskan Marine Highway ferry. Surfed West Coast breaks from Oregon to SoCal. Collected early-morning old-man wisdom at diners in small towns I can’t spell.
At some point, I gave myself permission to get the photo, but only when it counted: me, the van, and every U.S. State Welcome Sign in the Union. I nearly got them all. All but Kentucky (somehow missed it) and Hawaii (where the sign is inside the airport and a round-trip ferry for the van runs about $5K). I’ll bring a cardboard cutout someday.
#welcomecollectn

Go to the Full Gallery

  • Regarding Elders (in general)

    Our elders are to be respected. The lifetime gives the reason cannot answer the question as to why.
    Seeking the wisdom of your elders, and embracing it, whichever way it’s offered is more valuable than it seems. A lot more valuable. Holy Mackerel Andy
    Alexander ‘Sandy’ Adamson
    My grandpa

  • On Action: Jeep-Boat-Jeep

    Talking about doing something and actually doing it are two very different things. This idea applies to a certain type of action, the kind that one knows should happen, or needs to happen, and for many it often doesn’t. My understanding of this type of action fundamentally changed one day when I was 11 years old. Now, it’s all
    Boom Boom Boomm… Bang it out!
    A bit from many influences, 3rd St porch 1992, and Costa Rica 2007,
    My mom and step-dad

  • Peace of Mind

    It’s peace of mind that is the reason behind all of the other reasons. that are said, and what’s behind our actions, decisions, choices, and efforts. When it comes down to it, all the way down, this peace is all that’s left. This became clear about 3 years in talking clients; the HS drop-out, the widows and widowers in there 90s, and the many in between, regardless paycheck or bank account.
    Financial Advising Practice
    2002-2010 Many of my clients

  • Incentives & Opportunity Cost

    The understanding that can be attained to navigate the value that is or is not presented, realizing the a choice is at the expense of something else, and often it is at the expense of everything else.
    Dr. Charles S.V. Telly
    My professor, Mentor

  • The Pain Never Gets Worse

    The first time I heard this was on a long run by a XC teammate. I heard this explained creatively on the WNYC program RadioLab in the show titled “Limits” on April 5, 2010. Feelings attached to effort are surprisingly subjective.
    Andrew Miller, XC Teammate

    Jad Abumrad & Robert Krulwich, RedioLab ‘Limits’ – April 5, 2010

  • Go alone, it will fail. Every time.
    Rest Assured

    When it seems like you’ve reached success on your own, imagine the difference in your success if a guide, not only with experience, one with the gift of mastery to share. Now imagine being surrounded with those you bought along the sharing in success.

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and transformation leads to finding purpose and determination.

My grandfather stopped me and my brother in the middle of playing when we were 3 or 4 years old. I remembered what he said, but it was years before I understood the meaning. He had just come inside after getting the mail, and looked stressed, but as a 4 year old, I thought I was in trouble for something but had no idea what.

There are a few skills that are fundamental and can transform your life.

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