I am a motorcoach:
Continuing our January 2016 theme: Slowing the world down. The work of a motorcoach is to serve travelers, to enhance the passenger experience by provision of safe, sheltered, comfortable, timely accomplishment of specific destination goals. Done well, the work of the motorcoach on behalf of the traveler is not mere movement from here to there, but advancement of meaning and discovery.
Naturally, there are some things that are not part of the work of a motorcoach. A few examples are: expectation, speculation, offense, and consternation. A motorcoach intentionally heads out into a world characterized by things others might prefer to avoid, like, “traffic.” Traffic by nature is random and busy, which means there is potential for it to be chaotic. Expectation that things go a certain way in traffic is not among the disciplines of my profession; being prepared to handle whatever actually does happen is. Speculation as to why the little red vehicle swooped around me to fill in the measured space I was keeping between me and the vehicle ahead is not in my job description (see above); being aware of all facts related to the situation and responding with safe, appropriate actions is. Offense is irrelevant to my work because what was going on in the mind-center of the little red vehicle when passing me with its horn blaring is a little red personal matter, thus none of my business. Insulated from the influence of those three devils of agitation, consternation is banished from my experience – no agitation, no panic, no alarm.
Expectation, speculation, offense, and consternation belong to a particular category of the road experience: clutter. Elimination of the functions of clutter is one of the keys to slowing the world down.
MEETING THE NEWS on the roadways of America, first-hand, real time, real world news—going out and discovering the news . . .
News of Saturation: Weather patterns in recent years have followed a particular, measurable, and predictable trend, causing spring-like activities to encroach upon the beginning and end of winter. Temperature changes have a direct impact upon precipitation. As regional temperatures have increased, shortening the freezing effects of the winter months, wet onset has begun in late winter instead of spring and pushed past fall well into winter at the other end. This has resulted in greater precipitation and higher ground saturation levels, producing record regional flooding. How does this impact the work of a motorcoach? Several days of sectional closings of Interstate 44 and highways 47, 100, 50, and numerous others make navigation an adventure. (Much of the above was learned while hanging out with Two Four Nine, an especially well-read motorcoach who spends off hours perusing studies related to population dynamics by the Army Corps of Engineers, the St. Louis University Center for Atmospheric Sciences, and others. And you thought we were just gear-heads . . .)
News of Coffee: Did you know St. Louis was once the coffee roasting capital of the United States? I discovered this second hand, via discoveries made by passengers on a tour of coffee roasting establishments that included a stop at the Missouri Historical Museum for a coffee exhibit.
News of “Modern”: Spanning a period between World War I and the 1970s, Modernism is challenging to define. The broader discussion is one of varied aesthetics and sensibilities, much of which many creative giants of the movement resisted association. Stylistically, modernism was an intentional break from the classical and traditional forms of the past, conforming to modern ideas, like, “Less is more” and rejection of ornament in preference of the dictates of function over form (or purpose dictating design). Architecturally it was expressed in the creative embrace of concrete, glass and steel, and the harnessing and direction of rapid technological advancements reshaping society. (Part of an education received along a modern architecture tour.)
Selfies
Postmodernism – Voila! My sleek functional-form design sharing reflection with the ornamentation and classical forms of the St. Louis Courthouse in a quintessential “less is more” glass building.
At the St. Louis Abbey, designed by Gyo Obata of the global architectural giant, HOK; part of a modern architecture tour sponsored by the St. Louis Art Museum.
St. Louis University Cathedral – Five minutes west of the Gateway Arch, a few blocks south of Powel Symphony Hall (home of the world renowned St. Louis Symphony orchestra), and nearly next door to the famous and “Fabulous” Fox Theater, St. Louis University Cathedral is fittingly historic and majestic. My passengers are visiting a coffee house in the center of the St. Louis University campus.
Quote Of The Day samples
“The purpose of architecture is to shelter and enhance man’s life on earth and to fulfill his belief in the nobility of his existence. – Finnish Architect, designer of the Gateway Arch, Eero Saarinen
“If you’re not making mistakes you’re not doing anything . . . a doer makes mistakes.” – Legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden
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To all motorists that encounter “a little red vehicle” that cuts you off: try a wave of the hand (instead of a finger wag) and a great big smile (instead of a glare and lip service). You might feel better, rather than incensed; and you will get some interesting responses from perhaps a look of guilt, or remorse, or a total lack of how to respond by speeding further off so as not to feel so foolish. Turn the other cheek ( or fender) 🙂
Ron Cowan
“Offence is irrelevant to my work because what was going on in the mind-center of the little red vehicle when passing me with its horn blaring is a little red personal matter, thus none of my business.” This is an incredibly valuable sentence; its value grows as you apply it beyond driving.