In a conversation with a friend about “the good old days”, I recalled the dopamine hit I’d experience when my second grade teacher hot glued a strip of satin cord diagonally to a sheet of paper to denote I’d hit my reading goal for the month. Complete all ten months, and I’d have all the colours in the rainbow (plus two?). To little Laura, this was the equivalent of getting paid to do something I already loved to do.
Now we’re mostly chasing something intangible: a digital symbol, whether it comes in the form of a star, heart, thumbs up, or an up arrow. We wait for these digital symbols to be transmitted via our little $800 rectangle screen.
My latest ride, uploaded to Strava, titled “Gathering of Juggalos” (alternative title: Burger’s Wienerfest), has received six Kudos so far. That’s six thumbs up: that’s four more thumbs up than I’m able to give myself. My incentive for this ride, though, was to be surrounded by the flesh versions of those kudos-givers. I activated Gracious Guest mode and toted a few cans of Bubly, chips, and popcorn (because Alexa isn’t a “chip guy” guy) to Burger’s trailer, just off the Lochside Trail. Burger was BBQing tubular meat and soy for those who spent their day for Truth and Reconciliation on their bikes. I rolled into the lot wearing a red nose, which was given to me by the roomie’s lady, who often keeps one on hand.
HELLO FELLOW JUGGALOS.
⭐❤️👍⬆️
Continue reading “Chasing that happy medium.”
