I sat down with my first interview subject to discuss what the heck it even is that we’re trying to do here. Note: content edited for clarity.

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TLDR: These are the early concepts.

What is it even going to be called?

This sign is used to indicate motorcycle parking. It’s nearly as difficult to read in person.

This sign is used to indicate motorcycle parking. It’s nearly as difficult to read in person.

“I don’t know about the cool part, but I do like motorcycles.” -Seriene

Cosmo (CZ): So, I am calling the project Moto Notes. We can say it’s short for Motorcycle Notebook- which is probably an allusion to Motorcycle Diaries. Which I have never seen…

Seriene (SM): You’ve got to get around to watching that.

CZ: I’ve got to get around to watching it now, because I like this name and I don’t want to change it.

SM: Okay, so that’s copyright. I don’t think anyone has copyrighted the name that you said just now-

CZ: Motorcycle Notebook?

SM: Yes, not that. Motorcycle Diaries, yeah.

What is the point of the thing?

CZ: So… The scope of the project. The goal- I don’t know if by telling you these goals before the questions, if I’m biasing you in any way-

SM: It would definitely help. But that’s okay.

CZ: The goal is to have fun. Be sort of grounded in a specific place. You know, we’re in the Pacific Northwest, in Portland, and I just want to interview people that are local. That are everyday riders.

I want to celebrate the love and joy of motorcycles. And, like your everyman, you know. I’m not trying to ask you about racing or about wrenching.

SM: Yeah, you could, but you wouldn’t get many answers from me anyway, right?

CZ: True. True, true, true.

SM: But I can speak about the daily commute.

CZ: Yeah-

CZ: I mean, technically, we’re looking at everyone through the lens of motorcycle. Everyone’s a human, everyone’s had a motorcycle, and then through that you get to know their own experiences. And that they’re unique individuals with interesting stuff.

SM: Not many people do that.

CZ: And you’re a cool person that likes motorcycles.

SM: Yeah, I do.

CZ: That’s all I need to know.

SM: I don’t know about the cool part, but I do like motorcycles.

What does it look like?

CZ: What this actually looks like, what I want this to look like published, is an Instagram and a blog or a Substack. I’m not looking for profit, this is my passion project. Cause I like motorcycles and I have too much free time.

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Eventually, with the help of some friends (LINDA, this shoutout is for you) I’d settle on Notion to host the full transcribed conversations.

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The IG would be three pictures, or maybe four slides. You, your bike, you and your bike, and maybe one slide with a quote.

SM: I’d stick with the bike if that is okay. Ah, you might have noticed, I don’t put my pictures on Insta.

CZ: What if I have a really good picture of you?