DIY bamboo bikes

Check this out! A studio in Brooklyn offers classes for people to make their own bamboo bikes. My question: Can I make one with beautiful lugs?

depression

You probably know that I have 5 (half) siblings. This means that there are at least 5 people running around in this world who are crazy and brilliant in ways I can relate to directly. A few years back, I visited my little sister in Brooklyn. We talked for about 6 hours straight, and then she let out a big sigh.
Me: What's the matter.
Her: I have to break up with my boyfriend.
Me: Why?
Her: Because I can't talk with him the way I can talk with you.
Do I need to point out what's wrong with her thinking? No, I think you can see it. Sure, the relationship had other problems, and you should be able to have great conversation with your partner, but, well, anyway, I never got to know that boyfriend.

My brother is going through a terrible divorce. My heart aches when I think about those little girls. I would probably take them in if for some reason that made sense. (A terrifying thought -- to get a family I believe I want!) He shares a lot of his deepest feelings with me, and I give him a lot of advice. Because, while he's older than I am, his impulses are to make mistakes I would make. And I'm able to see that when they aren't my impulses. (Obviously I am not able to share details.)

All of which is to say that two of my siblings have been depressed lately. It's not a surprise; it's genetic. But, I believe, for myself (and presumably that extends to them), there's a natural cure.

My mom recently gave me a book on yoga posses to cure whatever ails you. The book explains that neurotic and self-destructive behavior (such as isolating yourself, drinking, smoking, and over-eating) block the depressions ability to serve its purpose and transform you out of that feeling. We might also tell ourselves stories where everything that might possibly make us feel happy again is impossible: "I can't make new friends" or "I can't buy a bicycle." But ultimately, the book appears to suggest meditation (and yoga in general) to help bring to surface repressed emotions that are causing the depression.

I've got my own program. Here's what I suggest:
* one hour of exercise every day: walking, biking, swimming, yoga, whatever...
* meaningful conversations with two different people every day. in person is best, but by phone is an ok substitute sometimes.
* avoid refined sugar, alcohol and caffeine. in particular, avoid all depressants (like alcohol). with stimulants, whatever brings you up will also drop you down.
* eat protein.
* drink water (6-8 glasses per day?).

Activity ideas (all are optional):
* remember something that made you happy in the past and do that.
* a change of scenery -- of course, "where ever you go, there you are." But sometimes a change of scenery can break us out of destructive patterns of thinking.
* positive affirmations
* learn something new -- take a class, get a book from the library, find a mentor on the internet.

You can chat on the phone while walking and sipping water. You have to eat anyway, right? So, you might as well do it with friends and make it healthy. My program shouldn't take much time if you do it efficiently. Get well soon so we can be happy together.

cute song

Ride a bike = feel like super girl

My launch into stardom...

What I love about my role in this film is that I am wearing a business suit and riding a funky bike. The two spokespersons represent a range of possible cyclists: various ages, genders, athletic abilities, trip purposes, and styles.

Announcing Treat Street Bicycles

I just heard some fantastic news. Bikeman Ben, our guardian angel bike mechanic of the panhandle, has signed a lease on his very own bike shop. Congratulations, Ben. Congratulations, San Francisco.

Here he is happily fixing someone's bike the other weekend.

The new shop will be at Treat and 18th Street. (Treat Street is near Harrison.) I'll holler when he's open for business; be ready to give him lots of it.

Camera person debut

Please love my very-contemporary Blair-Witch-Project camera work on this video (edited by someone else). Also, those little pocket cameras take pretty good video, hu? I may have found a new hobby.

Yeah, like I need another hobby!

random quote

"when your values are clear, your choices are easy."

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for many things: my family, my health, my job, my friends, my good looks, this beautiful city, the warmth of my community... and public bike pumps. This one is outside Valencia Cyclery. Thanks, guys!

Songs of Love

I've been thinking a little bit lately about the ways that people show they care. Rachel got a book for her wedding (which I have already blogged about) which explains that different people experience and express caring differently. From memory:
1) verbal statements of love
2) physical affection
3) acts of service
4) gifts
5) spending time together
I believe words are cheap. (And I certainly don't have any use for secret messages.) I used to have a lot of dried roses that a boyfriend had given me, and I made them into art. G's sister asked "what did he do wrong to have to give you so many roses to make you forgive him?" He didn't do anything -- that's how he showed love. That approach obviously wouldn't have worked for G's sister. I think I tend to express love through physical affection and acts of service (like cooking). I think I understand love primarily through spending time together. The system is flexible. For example, the gifts worked well for me since I also got adequate time. (Also, some people are easier to shop for than others.)

Actually, that wasn't my point. What's been running through my head is the range of song lyrics (the poetry of our era) about the ways people understand and express love. Specifically, Eliza Doolittle hollering in the London streets:
Don't talk of stars Burning above; If you're in love,
Show me! Tell me no dreams
Filled with desire. If you're on fire,
Show me! Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don't talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who's ever been in love'll tell you that
This is no time for a chat! Haven't your lips
Longed for my touch? Don't say how much,
Show me! Show me! Don't talk of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow. Show me now!

which I can relate to completely. But then there's Billy Joel's wise advice to:
Tell her about it
Let her know how much you care
When she can't be with you
Tell her you wish you were there
Tell her about it
Every day before you leave
Pay her some attention
Give her something to believe
Cause now and then
She'll get to worrying
Just because you haven't spoken
For so long
Though you may not have done anything
Will that be a consolation when she's gone
Which is all very well and good but maybe he should take her on a vacation too. I mean, even if he has no time to spend with her, he could at least send her some nice jewelry.

Gifts are tricky too. For example, in Sex and the City, Big sends Carrie roses for her birthday when they aren't together. He claims his secretary did it without consulting him. To me, those roses would be a lot more effective than sending a text message saying "I want you back." But that's just me, and both options are seriously tacky. I'm just saying.

Meat Balls Fresh Daily

SJ Bike ParTAY

Tonight is the San Jose Bike Party, a monthly celebratory bike ride in Silicon Valley. The theme this month is "where's waldo" and people have put up signs all over town. A few of us were talking about going until something happened... we saw the weather forecast. RAIN!

When I first became a San Francisco bike commuter in 1997 (before that I was a Berkeley bike commuter), I used to wear leggings and wool to ride on the rain. I carefully wrapped my work clothes (usually a suit) in plastic bags. This system was preferable to rain gear but involved some risk and carrying clothes.

Then, I went to grad school at Berkeley, and the rain system changed. Since I didn't have to "dress" for school, I bought rain gear to wear over my casual wear and called it. If my clothes got wet, I hung them out in the break room to dry... which occasionally they did (while I wore something else).

But to bike in the rain for fun... that's more than I have in me these days. Adrienne pointed out that this not everyone's attitude. We were particularly impressed that they cap the Worst Day ride at 3,000 participants. You guys go for it!

That said, we're all over the SJBP next time! See you there.

Bike Expo Poster

I'll be at the SF Bike Expo this Saturday. The excellent people at Mission Bicycle Company sent me this poster, and I think it's pretty cool.

Hope to see everyone there.

word of the week

ballast (n) an additional passenger taken solely for the purpose of using the carpool lane.

a quick thought on bikes and fashion

I've been biking as my primary mode of transportation for at least the past 15 years. I love the recent fashionization of the bicycle as exhibited by the Tweed Ride, Cycle Chic movement and etc. Everyone should understand that bicycling around, at whatever (slow or...) speed is healthy, happy and good for the planet. The bicycle can be a fashion accessory if you like; it also fosters an easy and liberating approach to getting around town.

NYT: This Just in From the 1890s

Dublin bike sharing program update

"More than 16,000 people have subscribed to the scheme since it was introduced just six weeks ago, making it the most popular city bike scheme to date in Europe, according to the council."
IRISH TIMES: City council to increase capacity of bike stations

Mission Night

Riding up 22nd Street from Mission to Valencia, this one's perfect San Francisco Cycle Chic. She rides a 10-speed in the quintescencial little black dress with boots. Blond hair cascades over her shoulders from beneath her helmet. Boots with bare legs are another SF thing -- the look walks that delicate line of our moody weather.

Zebra Bike

Parked outside Palo Alto Bicycles, this Zebra Bike must have been painstakingly painted. The stripe pattern is authentic, and I love the way the painter didn't stop at the frame: the seat and handlebars have stripes too. Maybe the stripe-naked front fork is a replacement from the original work of art.

In case you weren't already upset about trash in the Ocean

Midway
CJ shot these beautiful and incredibly depressing photos.

Zachary Levi

Since I seem to like to keep the general public apprised of my latest celebrity obsession, I'm bringing up Zachary Levi. OMG, he's so handsome it makes me want to throw myself out the window. Those glam shots on IMDb do nothing for me, but as a computer nerd, he's my dream boat. Just saying.

Sadly, I can see from the trivia that we would not make a good couple (bc he isn't a real computer nerd. bummer).

Life's a beach!

I love riding my bike to Ocean Beach, and I do it as often as I can. When friends come from out of town, unless they live in a beach town, I take them to the beach. The part that's tricky is adjusting their expectations. I tell them to wear a sweater, hat and scarf. Ocean Beach is cold as well as dramatic and beautiful.

This elegant lady had just arrived when I asked to snap her photo. It was warm enough for a t-shirt, but we were all glad our legs were covered.