What have you done while I’ve cycled the world?

Jan 6, 2014

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The story below is ironic/self-parodying/not serious!

I hoped that was clear but some of the comments suggested otherwise so I have added this introduction.

The purpose of the piece was to pillory the self-satisfied tone that “adventurers” occasionally adopt (I’m living the dream while you’re wasting your life) and highlight the evident flaws of taking such a position (e.g. it’s selfish and doesn’t contribute much to society).

I hate it when “adventurers” make it sound as if what they are doing is somehow better than what others do and I’ve expressed similar sentiments several times before (for example in my article Expeditions Are No Better Than Offices).

I hope this piece conveys a similar message.

[divide]

What have you done while I’ve cycled the world?

While I’ve cycled the world what have you done with your time?
Have you lived your life as I have lived mine?

I’ve been to countries, new places, met people, new faces,
I’ve camped out in mountains and wide open spaces,
Yes, I sleep where my hat is whilst you’re stuck at home,
Trapped indoors while I’m free to roam,

I don’t mean to insult ya,
But I’ve experienced culture,
The likes of which you’ll never see,
(unless it’s on wide screen TV).

A jaw hits the floor as I gaze out in awe,
At sights of such beauty never seen before,
And eyes look back, wide with amazement,
As I wheel my bike up onto the pavement,

They love me these people and I love them too,
I am an adventure, I’m a trip to the zoo.

You love your family, probably see them today,
I’ve not seen mine once since I’ve been away,
You’ve been out with your mates and had lively debates,
While I’m stuck in Neverland using Google Translate,

And if truth be told,
Conversation gets old,
When most of the time,
You talk in mime.

You work hard each day to pay your way,
While I just play at making hay,
You contribute taxes and cover the bills,
All I do is cycle up hills.

Sometimes I miss them, family and friends,
But there’s just one thing on which this depends,
The problem is that life never tends,
To tell you what’s around the next bends.

So, while I’ve cycled the world what have you done with your time?
You have lived your life,
And I have lived mine.

Comments

11 responses to “What have you done while I’ve cycled the world?”

Andrew

January 6, 2014

Hmm..Are you the author if this? I am extremely disappointed if you are. It reeks of smugness..especially the ;

”I don’t mean to insult ya,
But I’ve experienced culture,
The likes of which you’ll never see,
(unless it’s on wide screen TV)”

Like, what on earth? When did you develop this elitist attitude? I am sure millions of people have done a lot more worthwhile things whilst you’ve been off playing on a bike. How many lives did you save the past month, for example?
There’s always a fine line between showing off and blogging about interesting things, and I think you may come down on the wrong side of things with this post.
For the record, I have done many an adventurous trip in my time – but I do not preach or demean others. And anyone who ever says ”I don’t mean to insult you…BUT…” usually tends to end up doing just that. I’d loose that paragraph at least

Reply
1. Tim Moss
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Hey Andrew, thanks for your comment. I hope you read the second half of the piece?
  
  If I had written just those first paragraphs and meant them at face value, I would be a long way onto the wrong side of things.
  
  I’ve saved no lives, paid no taxes and made a minimal contribution to society. Travellers/adventurers often make it sound as if they are leading better lives than “people at home” and I hate that. They/we are not.
  
  It’s something I’ve written about before and I hope it comes across when reading the whole piece.
  
  Reply
NIck Waple

January 6, 2014

Hi Andrew,

As well as the second part of the piece I wonder if you have read Tims other posts so far on his journey. If you had I would have thought you would understand the message in this latest one.

I have known Tim many years and one thing he is not is smug. He may not have paid taxes since starting, or saved any lives, but I imagine he has enriched peoples lives he has met along the way, and made a contribution to society by educating some of us about the world outside the UK (as I write this from my desk in my 9 to 5 office job)

Those are my thoughts about his journey, not his, and this latest post is just a reflection on the fact that everyone has their lives to lead, and whether it be a 9 to 5 job with family close by, or cycling across the world sleeping next to dead cats, they are both as valid as each other. In my opinion, reading about his is just more interesting! :-)

The internet is a wonderful thing, but negative comments when not justified really bother me. I wish more people were as quick to write something positive as they are negative.

Tim,
I hope you guys are doing ok and had a good Christmas! Is it no shaving until Australia? Stay safe.

Cheers
Nick

Reply
1. Tim Moss
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Thanks for the comment Nick.
  
  It seems like you’ve picked up the message of the piece: I don’t really think I’ve “experienced culture, the likes of which you’ll never see”, it was just an example of what it’s easy to start thinking when you’re in the privileged position of travelling like this. Different people lead different lives, none better than the others.
  
  Definitely no shaving until Australia.
  
  Happy Christmas!
  
  Tim.
  
  Reply
NIck Waple

January 6, 2014

Cheers Tim, I think your beard may need its own twitter and blog by Australia!

Reply
Bill

January 6, 2014

Sorry Tim, but Andrew is correct. This has not come off right.

Anyway, I still enjoy the blog.

Reply
1. Tim Moss
  
  January 7, 2014
  
  Thanks Bill. I know it’s written in the first person but think of it as a story rather than my opinion.
  
  Glad you still enjoy the rest of the blog though.
  
  Reply
Nancy

January 6, 2014

Love it. Bet this was good brain exercise whilst spinning along.

For the record since you left I have:
• cycled to Paris
• survived my first ofsted inspection
• plastered 7 walls and a ceiling
• walked on the beach
• visited two castles
• watched fireworks with friends
• learnt to knit
• played mini golf in the rain with a dog
•half made a baby
• written 0 poems
• really enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your photos and regularly pondered whether I am jealous or not
• paid a few taxes but Definitly not saved any lives

N

Reply
1. Tim Moss
  
  January 7, 2014
  
  Thanks Nancy. Love the list!
  
  Only one question though… Who won mini-golf, you or the dog?
  
  Reply
Andrew

January 7, 2014

Hi Tim, Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear that there seems to be something lost in communication – for the casual person (I do not follow your blogs as such, just read a few articles in the past then saw the link to this particular one and raised the eyebrow so had to follow the link) I do not know you, but even then it seemed out of character. I don’t know what others were saying about part two or follow ups, but to me who clicked the twitter link, the article was just here in all its smuggness without any introduction, context or description about what you were trying to highlight. Glad, that this has since now been fully clarified above, so hopefully more casual followers who stumble on here don’t get put off. The pitfalls of social media eh..

Reply
1. Tim Moss
  
  January 7, 2014
  
  Hey Andy
  
  Really glad you came back. Thank you.
  
  Quite understand your response. My blog should be for casual visitor as much as the devout regulars (i.e. my mum and wife).
  
  Hope you’ve not been put off!
  
  Tim.
  
  Reply