It's that time of year again, Run For The Wall is just around the corner. May 19th several hundred of us will 'kick-stand-up'(KSU) and begin our 3100 mile annual motorcycle ride to DC and The Wall. I am in the midst of trying to shed another 10 pounds before we leave, I dropped eleven pounds in the past month so think it is do-able as long as I can maintain focus. I will feel every extra pound, every minute of every day on the ride. It's amazing how heavy even a six pound helmet feels after ten days and 3100 miles!
This past six weeks has led me on another journey of greater breadth but not quite as much intense effort. Although, this past six weeks I've been in; Penang, Malaysia; Singapore; Qingdao, China; Beijing, China; Tokyo, Japan; Washington, DC; London, U.K.; Munich, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Paris, France; Milan, Italy; another trip to London, U.K. and Santa Rosa, Ca.
I believe that I will have one more trip to China before I leave for The Run and probably another East Coast trip too.
I am constantly amazed at the diversity in perception of our country from continent to continent and even from state to state. Unfortunately foreign countries get a single portal view of us through the CNN looking Glass! Every foreign country believes that CNN reflects the feelings of and an accurate review of our populace. Never mind that CNN gets less than a third followers within the US, never mind that CNN is constantly 'amazed' by issues like Scott Brown and Tea-parties. We are characterized by CNN......Since CNN looks askance at the 'tea-baggers' so do most of the world, since CNN is very high on Obama, the rest of the world believes that he has a landslide majority of support here in the US and are concerned that 'so few in the US are able to thwart a president'.
It's like being below decks on the Titanic, if your port-hole was on the starboard side of the ship you saw clear sailing and a beautiful night approaching...that fateful iceberg and the threatening sea were on the Port side of the ship! There are accurate portals and myth-supporting portals. Thanks again Ted Turner!
