I ride for fun!

Lots of fun things aren't also good for you, your community and the planet. Thank heavens we found the bike!

narcissus

I recently adopted a narcissus bulb from the local nursery. Here are photos of her best 3 days.

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.

Curry Lady

I was waiting for a table at a local Indian restaurant when this lady arrived with the Magic Curry Kart guy ISO a table as well. We used the time wisely - I shot her photo, backdrop: Valencia Street.

Her color pallet reminded of curry as well...or Halloween (although I took this photo a while ago)... or fall colors: orange sweater, yellow top, brown mini, tights and suede boots. Great look, Curry Lady.

Afternoon with Mikael

Copenhagen is the bicycle capital of the world, and Mikael Coleville-Andersen it's spokesperson as well as the leader of the Cycle Chic movement. He came to San Francisco last week to give a talk at SPUR Bike like the Danes. BikePortland provides a detailed summary of his talk which is unsurprisingly littered with the whimsical: raging bulls, vacuum cleaners, multi-vitamin viagra pills.... The man is appropriately employed in marketing.

Some of my favorite points in the talk:
* 56% of Copenhageners cycle for transportation because it is fast and easy.
* None of these people are "cyclists", "environmentalists", or "atheletes". They are simply practical people who have identified the best way to travel.
* "A2Bism" -- make it practical and possible for people to travel, like a river, the most efficient path.
* Nearly everyone is a "subconscious environmentalist"; they just need role models.
* Bring back the bike girl posters.
* "Green wave" -- when stoplights are timed for bikes.
* "Soft traffic" -- bikes and peds
* Cars should be required to have health labels like cigarettes.
* In Scotland, a study found that if they shifted their bicycle mode share from 1 to 18%, the country would save $1.6 billion. $1.10 is saved per kilometer biked. $0.53 is saved in public health, and people live an extra 7 years (my notes are this point are sketchy, but you get the idea.) Another study found each km biked, the government saves $0.25 from the tax base. Each km driven in a car costs the tax base $0.16.
* Mikael doesn't fix his own flats, and there are 22 bike shops within a km of his house. Fixing a flat costs ~$8.
* Lots of bikes are stolen in CPH -- people just use wheel locks. Home insurance covers them, and you complete the form online.
* Most bike lanes in CPH are separated from traffic and parking by a curb.

After the talk, a few of us went for lunch with Mikael. Adrienne took this picture of me posing with her bike in the spirit of Cycle Chic.

Her u-lock wore a sweater that matched my ensemble.

Erik Zo met us with his Bullitt. Here Mikael and Eric smoke and chat.

Not thinking, I rode transit to the event. This made my travel with the others to the Ferry Building for lunch inconvenient. No problem! Erik could transport me in the Bullitt. Insanely fun! Thanks, Erik.

I shot the following two photos of Mikael from the Bullitt. Check out Mikael's comfortable, yet stylish, suede footwear.

Mikael borrowed a bike from his hotel. Along the way, he shot video footage.

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon, Adrienne, Mikael, Richard Masoner and others.

Marin Headlands Art Ride

Every year, Andy Thornley of the SFBC leads a group bike ride to the Marin Headlands Art Studios during their Open Studios (in October). (He calls it his "fetish.") I joined the group 2 years ago, and again this year (deeply flattered by Andy's personal request that I attend).

The ride was stunningly beautiful of course. Really took my breath away. The buildings too always leave me with a feeling of awe of their patina beauty. (Turns out I love patina beauty.) This year, the art didn't overwhelm me. But I have complete faith in the creative process and its ups and downs.

Copenhagen, 1937 -- The Original Cycle Chic

Porchlight: A Storytelling Series

"Porchlight brings together an eclectic mix of story tellers for an evening of entertainment and inspiration. Each storyteller tells a ten-minute tale about a specific theme without using notes or memorization."

Not long ago, Porchlight had an anniversary party on a non-Monday which was awesome, and everyone came. Here, one chic cyclist has arrived and is about to start looking for parking.

I post this today because it's not too late to hear tales tonight. The subject is "Creepy" and it's "Porchlight's Open Door" which is sort of like Open Mic. Get in to the Halloween Spirit!

Monday, October 26th, 6:30 - 9:30
Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk Street, San Francisco
$5 at the door
21 and Over

Medium, or Adrienne's Birthday

A few of us met at a local coffee shop to wish Adrienne a surprise happy birthday. But, since it was a surprise and she didn't know about it, she decided to sleep in instead.

The good news is this bike was parked in front of the coffee shop. Those little size thingies for hangers in shops are so cute, and someone had the creative idea to put them on their spokes.

Here's a detail shot of the decoration.

Finally, here are the mums I got for Adrienne, a week later, having enjoyed their life in my kitchen instead.

unique use for the Muni Fast Pass

This bike was parked outside Rockridge BART. I love this use for expired FastPasses. They are beautiful! We should use them to decorate things we love like our bikes!

HSB

With the evening plans spoiled by:
1) traffic (I got home too late to go to yoga)
2) inertia (fuzzy slippers on)
3) hulu (I've already watched everything)
I find myself at a loss of what to do. Of course I should just go to bed, but I haven't had quite enough interaction for the day yet. So, I won't.

I have photos I should process and networking I should initiate, but not much interest in either. Instead, I'll try to catch you up on some of my latest adventures. I have been doing my very best to make the most of this one little life.

The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is still my favorite thing to happen in San Francisco all year, and I love a lot of things that happen here. Overall, it was way too crowded -- I want to tell them to charge a small fee or make the stages more spread out or something, but I doubt any of that is feasible.

I made it Friday night to see Lyle Lovett and his big band, most striking was the man with the unbelievable low voice. I said to Danielle: "If you were born with a voice like that, you'd be obligate to sing." I don't care for the cheeseburger song -- I think it makes light of lost love, which is sacred, but I enjoyed many songs they played that I hadn't heard before. We both loved Keep it in Your Pantry which makes light of lover's paranoia which is not sacred. I love cookies too. The moon rose over the trees and broke our hearts again.

Saturday, I arrived in time for Steve Martin who was funny every now and then and played some nice bluegrass. Then, I went to another stage for the Songwriter Circle, and Dar talked about urban chickens (one of my favorite people talking about one of my favorite things). Allison Moorer had an unbelievably beautiful voice, she kind of overshadowed everyone else. Next, another stage served Nick Lowe well -- I discovered him last year at this Festival. Then back to our little green blanket at the big stage for Gillian Welch, who is awesome, and had Emmylou Harris join her on the stage for a couple songs. I snuck away right after Steve Earle began to play as it was getting cold and I exhausted.

I had big plans for Sunday but again got trapped by my fuzzy slippers. It sure was a magnificent weekend.

Tonight at Zellerbach

Todd kindly got us guest tickets to Zellerbach tonight. I only discovered Ani in 2005. So, I hadn't seen her preform before, but, watching her, I felt afraid that she would burst into flames on stage she had so much energy. The muscles in her tiny arms rippled as she struck the guitar violently but with obvious purpose. Youtube doesn't offer much official to share; so, I'm posting a recent pirate video because, except for the sound quality, it was similar to what we experienced.

I know this is an old song. Tracey used to say it reminded her of someone she was in love with when living in SE Asia. I told that story to X last year, and he got defensive which is funny because now the song reminds me of him because of its content. He must have known it describes him.

My bitterness bores me when I feel it... which isn't that often. Chatting with a family member about the city vs. the country, I realized that I love the City because I love other people's feelings (ie, art). This family member loves the country, and I'm not sure finds empathy all that fascinating. So, while my own bitterness bores me, Ani's has retained all its strength ...even old bitterness she no longer feels. It doesn't matter that she is now happy and in love, this song about romantic disappointment brought tears to my eyes.

Ghost Bike

Beautiful, and incredibly sad, ghost bike photo by Michael Simonitsch

Dog-Lovers Bike Parade in NYC

...and another one... how did I miss this?

The First-Annual Doggie Pedal Parade: Dog lovers and bike lovers combined at the First Annual Doggie Pedal Parade in lower Manhattan. Sponsored by the environmental organization Time's Up!, the parade celebrated the city’s animal rescue groups and highlighted green means of transportation. Organizers also held a "Pup Your Ride" event, but even pedalers without pooches were encouraged to participate – by dressing up as their favorite animal.

Women bike for peace in the Middle East

Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Pedaling for Peace & Empowerment: "Follow the Women," a group of 250 cyclists from 26 countries, ride through the streets of Amman, Jordan during an international — and mobile — peace protest. The group kicked off its tour in the mountains of Beirut and traveled through Syria, Jordan, and the West Bank. "We're hoping to dispel the myth that this region is only full of conflicts," the tour's founder, Detta Regan of Berkshire, England, told The Christian Science Monitor. "We want to tell stories of the hospitality and the love of people."

I stumbled on this photo randomly but delightedly.

El Camino BRT Cycle Chic

VTA is planning to install full-scale Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a rail-like bus system, along three corridors in the County. BRT on El Camino and The Alameda is scheduled for 2014. As part of that planning, we have been scoping out current and potential bus stops.

People bike in Santa Clara County but usually either in spandex or ...very baggy pants. I was delighted to see cyclists at our first BRT bus stop on The Alameda; the first one in a lovely white sweater, boots with heels and riding a mixtie.


A moment later, another cyclist passed by porting much more your typical San Jose look and also typically riding on the sidewalk. The South Bay has pretty good bicycle roadway facilities, and the pavement is good, but without a culture of cycling both the cyclists and the automobile drivers don't know how to share the road.

Pigeon Point Bike Ride photos

Pigeon Point 2009

Chris, Daniel, Danielle, Kathy, Lindsey and I rode our bikes from our respective homes to Pigeon Point Lighthouse and back again. These photos show views of the ocean and the ridge, of breakfast, second breakfast and lunch, and of all of us having a whale of the time. Let's do it again soon, guys!

Poster party!

I'm participating in this event.
It's 7:00 - 11:00p. See you there.

Vélib' = bike freedom/free bikes

Tomorrow, I'm giving a talk on the Paris bike sharing program Vélib' at San Jose State University. In honor of this event, I'll post some of my remaining photos from this summer's Paris visit of people riding the bikeshare bikes.

Admire my tomatoes.

These are the first of this year's crop.

Women's happiness

My mom sent this over. It's interesting.

What's Happening To Women's Happiness? by Marcus Buckingham, September 17, 2009

I can't provide a whole lot of insight since I am relatively happy, and I'm a sample size of one. But comparing this life to my idea of my "perfect life", I would prefer to spend 80% of my time playing with my children, gardening, raising chickens, cooking together and listening to music made by people I love.

New York Bicycle Wedding photograph

I was delighted to see this wedding photograph as the lead photo of my TA StreetBeat this week.

Here's what it said: T.A. staffer Ryan Nuckel married longtime member Rachael Myers last weekend. Our sincerest congratulations to the happy couple.
Image courtesy Andrew Hinderaker

The evening saved.

Sometimes I want to call this blog "Chronicles of My Amazing Life"... like today for example. We were going to do some field work which would have caused me to get home by 5:30 instead of my usual 7p. But a meeting happened (that I wasn't invited to) where people realized they had made a huge error. Since the deadline was this afternoon, I was then called into a follow-up meeting and then required to do some reconciliation to account for the error. So, I took my usual bus home.

After work, I had an errand. The website of the place said it closed at 9. So, I dashed over there, arriving at 7:15 to find it closed at 7p. I nearly cried to the security guard; another customer reminded me "It's not his fault". I knew that. I just wanted the correct time on the website.

My mood was low as I rode my bike towards home. I took Hayes St., which is unusual for me, and a former grocery store was having an art gallery opening party. This is my native habitat; so, I locked my bike and sauntered in for a complimentary glass of delicious red wine. It's "joby inspired" and huge writing on the wall asked the guests to finish the sentence "I feel inspired when...". Everything was made from those flexible tri-pods including lamps, a bicycle, and a toy robot. On display were also film cameras without view lenses. I bought a book designed to "make you a better photographer" that really was just a series of cool art projects. Drunk shopping -- my part to boost the economy.

The event had a newspaper. The bios included "Derek Chen... recently returned to his first love, furniture." "Liz Kinnmark... hopes to join the circus someday." and Rich Hansen and his wife's "most ambitious project to date, daily photographs of their children." (I'm totally going to do that!) I don't know how I didn't know anyone there; these felt like my peeps.

A bicycle rally was planned for Gestalt House. I swung by since it was on my way home. Well after the starting time, the crowd was still thin ("bicycle time"). I saw two people I knew. I went over to recruit to our table another woman we recognized (she was alone) but got waylaid by a couple cute guys hitting on me. Eventually, I had to get away without the girl, but I sure was flattered.

The moon rose fast; so, I went home before turning into a werewolf. Here, I watched Chuck . Is it my nerd fettish or is he the most attractive character ever?

ACT: Brief Encounter

Marketing works. I wanted to go to this show because the Bicycle Coalition partnered with ACT for a "bike to the theater" night. That night didn't work for me, and neither did a whole bunch of other nights, but eventually we were able to select one.

This production was fantastic. I loved the whole multimedia thing they did, making it sort of like an old movie but then fading back to live and back again. The other thing I loved were the vaudevillian supporting characters. They rocked.

That said, the story kinda sucked. Let me run it by you: man and woman meet accidentally; they meet again. They start spending time together even though they are both in other relationships. They fall in love, but it doesn't change their home lives in any way. They realize this can never work, and agree to stop seeing each other over copious tears. Excuse me while I vomit in the corner.

In addition, main characters' acting was weak. The woman came across as very simple; maybe that was their intention. When the man spoke, I thought (after 20 years of dating) "he's lying. don't believe him", which makes the plight of these lovers a difficult situation to empathize with.

Naomi said that's her experience with ACT. They put on amazing productions of mediocre plays with bad acting. She's feels like they're wasting that talent.

Lilia Pilia on Bikes21

My photo is on Bikes21 today. Vote for me.

Not what a bicycle was designed for, but so wonderful anyway

Thanks, Kathy

[Streetsfilms] Sands Street Gets a Sassy, Center-Median Cycletrack

I really like solutions like this where cyclists are completely separated from traffic, pedestrians and parking. The separate level and sloped curbs also show a magnificent attention to detail and understanding of how cyclists use the road.

[Scientific American] Women = indicator species of cycling

How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road, To boost urban bicycling, figure out what women want, By Linda Baker
OK, so the title they gave the article gets it backwards, but the study brings up excellent points: cycling won't become a truly mainstream part of our society until women feel save riding on a city's streets. Women are the ones who are likely to feel unsafe. The solution is easy: prioritize bike safety.

It must be a big relief to know what to do. ;-)

[Dylan K] collector's corner

Dylan said: Saw this bike near my office a few days ago and had to
take a picture for you. Notice that the generator appears to have an
integrated wire (comes out of the handle-bar post), and even better -
check out the little camera holder on the handle bar!

Gift idea for me

Fusion Jacket from Terry Precision Cycling
Oops! I wanted it in pink, and they appear to be out of that color. :-( Never mind.

San Jose Bike Party Review

Someday, I'll make it to the San Jose Bike Party. In the meantime, here's a review someone else wrote.

David Byrne on Cities

First, the WSJ published his essay A Talking Head Dreams of a Perfect City where he identifies the best part of every city. San Francisco, he says, is beautiful but too small. The following week, last week, his book Bicycle Diaries was released. My pal Chris Carlson reviewed it in the SF Chron. Sounds like a sweet read.

Circus Bella

Last month, I had the good fortune to see Circus Bella at Fort Mason. All the performances took my breath away, but I'm still thinking about the guy who juggled downward, bouncing balls against things on the ground in combination with beepboxing towards a complete musical composition. Looking at the program now, I'm guessing his name was Bronkar Lee, but I could be wrong. David Hunt's slack rope performance is also still on my mind -- worried that he's going to fall.... Go see them perform again at Yerba Buena Gardens on October 18th.

Park(ing) Day: The Noodly Appendage (Pirates!)

Across the street from the Park(ing) instillation shown in yesterday's post, the excellent folks at 826 Valencia represent with a pirate ship installation. (Speaking of which, I believe tomorrow is talk-like-a-pirate day. I don't know why we need a special day to talk like a pirate -- we should do it every day we're moved to do so!)

In case you're wondering, "826 Valencia is dedicated to supporting students age 6-18 with their writing skill, and to helping teachers get their students excited about the literary arts."

When I shot their photos, residents of The Noodly Appendage "arrg"ed at me enthusiastically.

Park(ing) Day Map

Click here for the map

Park(ing) Day: Valencia

Valencia is my favorite "bicycle boulevard" in San Francisco, not just because I live near it. It has a quirky cool quintescenital to the City -- independent shops, restaurants and cafes line the sidewalks which team with gritty, real folks, and every one rides a bike. Yeah, we are a cliche of ourselves, but we like it that way.

Epidemics of our lives

NYT: Are Your Friends Making You Fat?
Study shows that health, weight gain/loss, smoking, drinking, having a family and being happy are contageous. What I liked most about the article is the idea that you have a responsibility to be the best you can be for your larger community which will then be heavily influenced by your healthy, thin, non-smoking happiness. Sadly, selecting friends who have the qualities you desire doesn't seem to make a difference.

[fixedgear] (Not a) Mixtie

Oh my word

This from fixedgear on flickr

[Bicycling] Dhani Jones lives carfree in Cincinnati

In an interview in Bicycling Magazine, we learn that Dhani Jones, the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker, lives carfree in Cincinnati and rides a fixie to practice even in winter.

(Cincinnati is close to my heart because my mother is from there.)