Zweirad Szenen (8)—Western Caricature

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

16 August 2014—China's Lunar Calendar 2014 08-16
16 August 2014—Theory Cartoons: Persistent Identity
16 August 2013—China's Lunar Calendar 2013 08-16
16 August 2013—From the Geil Archive: Southern Mountain Museum
16 August 2012—Rural Religion in China(12
16 August 2011—Displays of Authenticity: Mongolian Barbecue

[a] Cross-cultural Cliché RL

So I was minding my business yesterday, flying along the trails (as I perceived the experience), and was stopped in my cinder-meets-rubber tracks by a scene I just couldn't comprehend anymore (despite having grown up in the 1960s, with Gunsmoke and Bonanza). 

I am not proud of this.

Yet here, in the middle of Bavaria (Franconia), I saw an almost unbelievably stereotypical scene from an American movie set...except that the juxtaposition is just too odd.

Cliché. 

It is a significant thread in our historical studies of other societies, and the German fascination with the American West has everything to do with one Karl May (1842-1912), whom I have been reading assiduously for the last three months (ever since I chanced to hear of him in a passing conversation at a café). He's a bit of a Jules Verne figure, but without the worldwide stage. In Deutschland, though, he has captured the imaginations of even the "latest" generation. The actor who played "Winnetou" in several movies just died, and it was national news.

So, I ask myself, how does such a scene even happen...anywhere, much less southern Germany, sechs, sieben, acht, oder neun time zones away...depending on how you count? Imagination, cliché, and the distinct power of certain writers to shape imaginings (and longings) for generations fuels it.

Karl May. We'll be "talking" about this very "accidental ethnographer" on Round and Square soon. There seem to be a whole bunch of them in the second half of the nineteenth century (men and women). Almost makes one think that something was going on....

As for the "scene" itself, I remain speechless.

[b] Karl May RF

Zweirad Szenen (7)—Disturbing Ende

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

15 August 2014—China's Lunar Calendar 2014 08-15
15 August 2013—China's Lunar Calendar 2013 08-15
15 August 2013—From the Geil Archive: Introduction
15 August 2012—Rural Religion in China(11)
15 August 2011—Middles: By A Nose

[a] Ende RL

O.k., yes, I stopped to take a picture. Is it only moi, or is there something vaguely disturbing about this image (as the corner turns)? 

Maybe it is just the "geography," but I am sensing Heideggerian strains here.

Zweirad Szenen (6)—Fundamentals

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

14 August 2014—China's Lunar Calendar 2014 08-14
14 August 2013—China's Lunar Calendar 2013 08-14
14 August 2013—Causal Contingencies: I Love Double Seven 
14 August 2012—Rural Religion in China(10)
14 August 2011—Just Do It Over: Introduction

[a] Got It RF

Back to basics. 

As I wove my way through a heretofore-unbeknownst-to-me little path, I found myself back in the Bavarian social world(s) of street signs and traffic markers (instead of shocking portrayals of Jesus on the cross in the middle of the woods—coming soon). 

And now, I see "Im Grund." My initial reaction (from English that I have only slowly learned not to "translate" into German)...was horror. Why would anyone reside..."Im Grund?" 

Well...genau. Of course. Im Grund is the point of it all. Ask everyone from John Wooden (look him up) to, well, the lunar calendar...in Lunar World. "Im Grund" (the Internet has fabulous search tools, so knock yourself out) is perfect. Immanuel Kant meets Aristotle...meets...all sorts of practical people (and I mean "practical" in the widest sense...far beyond Kant's First Critique).

And then I cycled away, thinking only of the circuitous meanderings of the Kritik der reinen Vernunft.

Im Grund.

[b] Fundamentals RF

Zweirad Szenen (3)—Warm Willkommen

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

29 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-29)
29 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (k)
29 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-29)
29 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Pilgrimage
29 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: Furnace Talk

After the long climb (gradual, and possible—while in good fitness—to speed up the whole route)...it is wonderful to receive a warm welcome into Kalchreuth. It's the top of the hill, and, even though it probably wouldn't even be a fourth category climb in the Tour de France, local cyclists from the entire Nürnberg-Erlangen area all train here (and race past me as I make my own way forward). 

I have the last laugh, though, because I truly embrace the wonderful hug that the little town gives me when I arrive. They just head downhill. I might even stop in for a coffee and a pretzel (heck, maybe even a beer).

While welcomes are not unknown throughout the world, it is less common to have warm and affectionate goodbyes. Stay tuned.

Zweirad Szenen (2)—Dear Dairy

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

28 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-28)
28 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (j)
28 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-28)
28 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Reading Geil
28 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: Southern Temple Entrance

[a] Moo RL

Oh, and what did I see on one of my rides, just a few days ago (along the canal, near Forcheim)? 

Well, "Wisconsin" turned the corner and rode right toward me before I slammed on the brakes (and took a picture).

Bavaria, Hokkaido, Wsconsin—I always seem to find my way back "home" (to milk and cheese...for better or worse).

[b] Milka RL

Zweirad Szenen (1)—Tough Curve

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

27 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-27)
27 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (i)
27 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-27)
27 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Opening Geil's Book
27 July 2011—Seinfeld Ethnography: Downtown

[a] The sign says it all...RL

So every day during my daily workout, I have to take a brief "quiz," a little "test." It adds up to twenty-percent of the grade, though, and that is hardly insignificant for a middle-aged rider. Every day, after ninety minutes of cycling, I face the tiny monster, and then power (this is how I like to imagine it) up its steep back. The day (or two) before a rest day, I sometimes have to weave a bit where the "back" arches a little even beyond twenty.

This is not hors catégorie by a longshot, but it is definitely my little daily quiz. 

Twenty percent.

I sure wish it looked like the photo every day... Seems like five-, six-, percent from here...

Zweirad Szenen—Introduction

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

26 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-26)
26 July 2014—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (h)
26 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-26)
26 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Meeting William Edgar Geil
26 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: The Road to South Peak

[a] Towering RF

Two-Wheeled (Bicycling) Scenes. 

It's as simple as that, and this "introduction" will be brief. Although it all started with cycling through Germany in the springs and summers of 2014 and 2015, this series will feature pictures from my rides all over the world, including a large number in the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region.

Round and Square has many long posts, but more than a few short ones, as well. That balance might make it all seem just a bit less overwhelming than the way it all began in 2011, with a thousand word post just about every day for almost two years. Content is not a problem on Round and Square anymore, so pictures (and a little bit of text) from cycling around the world seem to fit just about right.

Get on a bike (and carry a camera...er...phone). It will change everything. 

All photographs...after this introduction...are those of the Round and Square editorial board.

[b] Blowing it out RF