A few days ago, I described the nine things I want to learn this summer.
One of them was how to fix a flat tire on a bicycle. Problem is: you can’t fix a tire that isn’t flat. It’s a lesson of opportunity.
Opportunity Achieved
Yesterday, I woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and had a cup. And looking up, I noticed I was late. (Huh, huh, huh, huh.)
Another day in the life. Ready to ride my bike downtown – and my rear tire was flat as could be. It made that sad, little squeaky noise, like when one mistakenly wears one’s rubber soled shoes in the shower. Silly one.
Normally, I would have been disappointed to have a flat tire. It did scratch my ride during one of the prettiest days of the year.
But, since learning to fix a flat bicycle tire was on my List Of Nine Things To Learn This Summer, the flat tire seemed like a fully inflated opportunity.
I’m Pumped
During my last flat tire repair six months ago – at B1 Bicycles at 124 East Long Street, Downtown Columbus – my former CCAD student Sally taught me how to fix a flat.
I remembered how. As the pedagogy says: watch once, do it once, teach it once. (I still need to teach it once. If you get a flat tire, call me. Really. I’d love to tu-u-u-u-u-rn … yo-o-o-o-u … o-o-o-o-n.)
I had bought the materials from Sally last year – and patiently waited to ride over glass.
Did I ride over glass on purpose a couple days ago? No. That would be stupid. It wasn’t stupidity; it was serendipity. It’s funny how teachable moments happen when you ask for them.
Eight more lessons and I’ll be ready for the leaves to change.