Walking and Wondering

I'm trying to ignore the irony of the fact that I read The Lost Art of Walking by Geoff Nicholson during several evenings of walking on the treadmill.

Mr. Nicholson is my peeps. I don't do very well if I go too many days without a walk. I prefer my walks neat, thank you very much, without earbuds or iPods or any such. They are my time to wonder and wander. And Geoff (I feel we're on a first name basis) feels the same way.

This book perambulates through many topics, including "The Lost Art of Falling Down," (I am in complete agreement with his premise that falling down is child's play. . . and that it wreaks havoc on adults); literary walks and folks who actually have made money from walking.

What made spending $25 (at my local indie bookstore!) all worthwhile, however, was his discussion of street photographers, who shoot from the feet rather than from the hip. Some shoot randomly, some set up shots but all of them work out of doors, and in the streets. Just as I was bemoaning cutting a huge chunk out of WIP, I read this quote from street photographer, Martin Parr: "The thing you've got to remember is, most of the time there's nothing happening and suddenly it will happen, but you can't have the time when it happens without having all the dull time, so even though you're not taking good pictures, you're in the rhythm."

Yes! Most of the time I'm writing away and nothing good is happening. BUT if I'm not writing away, there is absolutely no chance of anything good happening.

Okay, so I know the economy is tight but I would suggest this is another great addition to your personal library. Especially if you buy it at your local indie bookstore. And think of the amazing karma if you walk to that bookstore to buy it! And feel free to read it while walking anywhere, even on a treadmill. From reading his book, I think Mr. Nicholson would get a kick out of that.