I dunno, that way
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Longish walks offer a humble narrator contemplative space, intervals of introspection, and a chance to not be plugged into the hive mind. I don’t do the ‘phone thing’ when out and about, for instance. I have the thing with me, of course, as I’m tracking my step count and miles crossed – just for nerdy fun. What I’m not doing, though, is tweeting or something. That’s an ‘at HQ’ activity, unless something extraordinary has just passed me by that I feel some urgency about, in terms of sharing it with the world.
What I focus in on mainly, and in order, are: personal safety, not injuring myself by ‘walking funny’ or taking unnecessary risks, the next destination on my path, and finally – photo composition. I’m always looking up, down, all around. Every now and then I do a little spin while scuttling along to see if I’m missing anything.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This particular walk began on the south/other side of the Monongahela River, saw me entering a shadowed vault under the highways, walking up a set of municipal stairs and then ‘boom’ – here I am. Which direction was I walking in? “That Way.”
In the case of this particular day, I found my toes pointed towards Point State Park here in Downtown Pittsburgh. It’s the tippy tip of the triangular delta which is theoretically the titular center of all things.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It’s a really ok space. This is right where the three rivers converge, and it’s a pretty popular spot. A few different flavors of Cop patrol around on bikes in this area; State, Local, Park, so it’s pretty safe. People spread out blankets and sunbathe or picnic. Dogs get walked. That sort of thing. It’s nice. Anyway, that’s where my toes had pointed me at.
Sometimes it’s best to ignore the satellite navigation in your pocket and just scuttle about – a wandering mendicant with a camera.
Back tomorrow.
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