a little cycling and tolstoy


(photos taken on my iphone, near Offchurch)

I dusted the cobwebs off of my mountain back yesterday and went for a ride in the countryside. It’s amazing that when you look closer, you can find all sorts in your own back garden. There isn’t a need to travel to far off places to find and experience things you’ve never done before.

Anyway, it was nice to get out and ride. I did 16 miles altogether. (I went out for a short ride today. Boy, my butt bones ache!)

I’ve started reading Leo Tolstoy’s Family and Happiness and it’s got me thinking about literature. More specifically I’ve been brooding over the questions of why literature is important and what purpose does it serve? When I read literary works like Tolstoy’s I directly experience the intellectual gravity of literature. His exploration of the nature of love inspires me. It challenges me to think about what it means to be in love and what it means to be married. Reading Tolstoy reminds me why I want to write. I write not for fame or fortune, but to explore questions and concepts that plague me.

“Happiness is only to be had in living for another.”

4 Comments

  1. Lady Banana March 30, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    I’ve not been out on my bike since last October and I’m looking forward to the weather being a tad warmer before I brave it.

    Living in Central-ish London there’s not a whole lot of beauty to be seen in cycling distance sadly.

    Hmm forgotten how much the bum hurts at the beginning 🙁 LOL

    Reply
  2. chesca (exskindiver) April 2, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    hi clay,
    love that second photo.
    and all with the iphone!
    (i am addicted to mine)

    the achey butt bones feel good though i bet.
    but how would i know, when i have not moved my arse in ages.
    cheers,
    chesca

    ps. nice layout.

    Reply
  3. Soulcruzer April 3, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    LB, i think you should get that bike out and brave the weather…bad weather builds character…

    Reply
  4. Soulcruzer April 3, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    hi chesca,

    thanks.

    like you, i am addicted to my iphone.

    and come on get off your arse and get to exercising lol

    Reply

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