NPR: Rupa and the April Fishes
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Human Extinction
A friend recently got a vasectomy. He referred me to the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement as we discussed it. I’d definitely heard of them before, but I took the time to read through some of the site this time. They make some good arguments. I take a slightly more existential view of the matter. Nothing really matters; so, I do what I want to do regardless of the selfishness of that act.
Of course, as a carfree advocate, I combat this very same reasoning when I try to convince people to make smarter transportation choices. People get a lot of joy from children and cars. I just see cars as, hopefully, slightly less personally meaningful. Social pressure supports both desires. Reproduction has an additional push from hormones.
In one section of the website, they discuss the purpose of sex no longer being for procreation but instead for pairing. Pairing requires consistency to build trust. Another friend mentioned last night that men are biologically predisposed to want to have sex with as many women as possible. This also happens in women. Trust me. This desire combats the desire to pair; each precludes the other. Choose one.
But more than anything I found the site mean. Meanness is not compelling. …Even in elementary school bullies. See how that works? Did I lose you?
Of course, as a carfree advocate, I combat this very same reasoning when I try to convince people to make smarter transportation choices. People get a lot of joy from children and cars. I just see cars as, hopefully, slightly less personally meaningful. Social pressure supports both desires. Reproduction has an additional push from hormones.
In one section of the website, they discuss the purpose of sex no longer being for procreation but instead for pairing. Pairing requires consistency to build trust. Another friend mentioned last night that men are biologically predisposed to want to have sex with as many women as possible. This also happens in women. Trust me. This desire combats the desire to pair; each precludes the other. Choose one.
But more than anything I found the site mean. Meanness is not compelling. …Even in elementary school bullies. See how that works? Did I lose you?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Green Pigeon Control Hatches on Earth Day
San Jose City Hall bird watchers welcome three new peregrine falcons, By Mark Gomez and Denis C. Theriault, Mercury News, 04/22/2008 07:23:40 AM PDT
The falcons are so cool in so many ways not the least of which is that they keep the population of flying rats (and therefor the spread of disease) down around SJ City Hall.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Yellow Summer with Baguette
You know I love it when bikes match clothes. I also love it when a person carries a baguette in her messenger bag... and, for that matter, when people bike in skirts. Sigh.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Eligible-Bachelor Paradox
The Eligible-Bachelor Paradox: How economics and game theory explain the shortage of available, appealing men. By Mark Gimein, Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Gimein applies auction/game theory to the lack of eligible men in their 30s. "Where have all the most appealing men gone? Married young, most of them—and sometimes to women whose most salient characteristic was not their beauty, or passion, or intellect, but their decisiveness." While I plead guilty to being hopeless indecisive (and an excellent catch), I don't see his theory supported in my social circle and neither did the Slate Gabfest Members. It's true that I know many eligible women in their 30s and very few men. But I agree with the Gabbers that most people marry within their bidding rank (5s marry 5s, 8s marry 8s). I also note that just as many of the "bad ones" are taken as the "good ones". And, as alluded to in the essay, maybe getting married isn't the goal. Maybe it's just something we haven't done yet.
Gimein applies auction/game theory to the lack of eligible men in their 30s. "Where have all the most appealing men gone? Married young, most of them—and sometimes to women whose most salient characteristic was not their beauty, or passion, or intellect, but their decisiveness." While I plead guilty to being hopeless indecisive (and an excellent catch), I don't see his theory supported in my social circle and neither did the Slate Gabfest Members. It's true that I know many eligible women in their 30s and very few men. But I agree with the Gabbers that most people marry within their bidding rank (5s marry 5s, 8s marry 8s). I also note that just as many of the "bad ones" are taken as the "good ones". And, as alluded to in the essay, maybe getting married isn't the goal. Maybe it's just something we haven't done yet.
Peninsula Bike Chyck Uniform
In SF, people wear hoodies and chains. I noted the other day that in Palo Alto, people wear girl-tees with arty, comic prints and animal socks.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
To Wear a Helmet or Not to Wear a Helmet, that is the fashion (and safety) question
I ALWAYS wear a helmet. I have ALWAYS ALWAYS worn a helmet. My mother got a head injury once standing over her bike without a helmet when a dog ran into her, and she toppled over on her head. My whole family suffered for years from her injury. She was not, however, in motion at the time.
It's true that wearing a helmet flattens your hair. It also can look dorky. On the other hand, I once knew this really cool guy who wore his helmet all the time. We were sitting at a cafe for hours, and he never took it off. That said, I was compelled by this research that scientifically proves that helmets do NOT make you safer.
From Velo Mondial:
The active promotion of helmet use by cyclists is a fiercely controversial and often emotional subject, with views put forward with great conviction both for helmets and sceptical of their value. Controversy is particularly acute with regard to mandatory helmet laws. But the heart of the matter is: Less cycling increases risk for those who do cycle: Safety comes in numbers! It is also logic to wear a helmet if you are a child or a speed cyclist. Helmets do not help when in collision with cars; the difference in speed between car and cyclist or pedestrian cannot be compensated by a helmet. Helmets can even suggest to car drivers that the cyclists are safe. Then they are better off without. Read more at the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation.
It's true that wearing a helmet flattens your hair. It also can look dorky. On the other hand, I once knew this really cool guy who wore his helmet all the time. We were sitting at a cafe for hours, and he never took it off. That said, I was compelled by this research that scientifically proves that helmets do NOT make you safer.
From Velo Mondial:
The active promotion of helmet use by cyclists is a fiercely controversial and often emotional subject, with views put forward with great conviction both for helmets and sceptical of their value. Controversy is particularly acute with regard to mandatory helmet laws. But the heart of the matter is: Less cycling increases risk for those who do cycle: Safety comes in numbers! It is also logic to wear a helmet if you are a child or a speed cyclist. Helmets do not help when in collision with cars; the difference in speed between car and cyclist or pedestrian cannot be compensated by a helmet. Helmets can even suggest to car drivers that the cyclists are safe. Then they are better off without. Read more at the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Valley Commuter Vogue for Men
When people jump on their bikes to go home still wearing business suits, it makes the statement we seek!
In this second photo, the first guy just has a really cool bike. He's blocking our view of his Brooks saddle. The second guy changed his shoes and jacket but not his suit pants. He's also on a conference call. You can do that driving, but it isn't safe.
In this second photo, the first guy just has a really cool bike. He's blocking our view of his Brooks saddle. The second guy changed his shoes and jacket but not his suit pants. He's also on a conference call. You can do that driving, but it isn't safe.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Public Finance
A long time ago, I read an article put out by SPUR on how bond initiatives are irresponsible fiscal policy. By paying for public projects with a bond, we are, in a way, paying 3 times. The government issues the bonds. The public buys the bonds. The government pays the bonds back to the public with interest. Essentially, it’s a transference of funds (in the form of interest) from the tax base to the people who can afford to buy bonds. Instead, the article argued, we should increase taxes and save for the investments we wish to make in the future, planning ahead. Sort of like when individuals save money for a retirement or a down payment on a house.
But the public doesn’t want to pay more taxes. They don’t trust the government, and they don’t want it to have any “savings”. Do people think that a balanced budget is just a sign that they’ve paid too much? I admit that this is a gross simplification with many imprecisions. It’s also the way our tax system functions.
In addition to bond measures, we have sales and other taxes to cover our many many capital and operating needs. We pay gas tax (which is regressive – poor people pay more than rich people, and not just in proportion to their income), out-of-state-drivers’-license-car-rental tax, and transit fare. From our tax base, we pay the interest of the bonds we’ve issued for the expenses we didn’t want to tax ourselves to save up for. For this reason, I am always reluctant to vote for any bond measure. But I have to admit to myself that this is our financial reality. Sometimes, if we want the parks maintained, we have to issue another bond.
Another thing we’ve been exploring recently is engaging the private sector in providing public infrastructure (esp. in Europe where taxes are higher). Private companies will help provide public services only do it if they can make some money. But maybe projects where there’s money to be made don’t belong in the public sector? These private companies, I learned today, are also at a disadvantage for acquiring debt to fund… anything. We issue so many government bonds, and the government is, by definition, more stable than 99.9999% of private companies. The public isn’t stupid. They know they should get a higher return on riskier privately-issued bonds. So, private companies have to make an even higher return on their partnerships on public projects.
It’s a little bit like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Money moves around. What bothers me is that every time money changes hands, everyone who touches it needs to make a profit. (Sometimes called an economy.) When public transit agencies lack operating funds and social services are being cut, does this system still make sense?
I used to get upset by any kind of waste: food, time, money, love, flowers, sunshine, gasoline…. I’ve come to accept waste as a necessary part of life. Food turns into soil and love into learning. Money goes from individuals to organizations and back again. The rich get richer; my people try to stay middle class; and we worry about the underdog. But if there’s no one to step on, how can we climb? (You know I don’t believe that of course.) I could make myself crazy like a puppy chasing its tale trying to figure this one out, but I’m too old and tired for that. Instead I try to do things that keep my soul from spoiling, being the very best person I know how to be. I hope that that will be enough.
But the public doesn’t want to pay more taxes. They don’t trust the government, and they don’t want it to have any “savings”. Do people think that a balanced budget is just a sign that they’ve paid too much? I admit that this is a gross simplification with many imprecisions. It’s also the way our tax system functions.
In addition to bond measures, we have sales and other taxes to cover our many many capital and operating needs. We pay gas tax (which is regressive – poor people pay more than rich people, and not just in proportion to their income), out-of-state-drivers’-license-car-rental tax, and transit fare. From our tax base, we pay the interest of the bonds we’ve issued for the expenses we didn’t want to tax ourselves to save up for. For this reason, I am always reluctant to vote for any bond measure. But I have to admit to myself that this is our financial reality. Sometimes, if we want the parks maintained, we have to issue another bond.
Another thing we’ve been exploring recently is engaging the private sector in providing public infrastructure (esp. in Europe where taxes are higher). Private companies will help provide public services only do it if they can make some money. But maybe projects where there’s money to be made don’t belong in the public sector? These private companies, I learned today, are also at a disadvantage for acquiring debt to fund… anything. We issue so many government bonds, and the government is, by definition, more stable than 99.9999% of private companies. The public isn’t stupid. They know they should get a higher return on riskier privately-issued bonds. So, private companies have to make an even higher return on their partnerships on public projects.
It’s a little bit like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Money moves around. What bothers me is that every time money changes hands, everyone who touches it needs to make a profit. (Sometimes called an economy.) When public transit agencies lack operating funds and social services are being cut, does this system still make sense?
I used to get upset by any kind of waste: food, time, money, love, flowers, sunshine, gasoline…. I’ve come to accept waste as a necessary part of life. Food turns into soil and love into learning. Money goes from individuals to organizations and back again. The rich get richer; my people try to stay middle class; and we worry about the underdog. But if there’s no one to step on, how can we climb? (You know I don’t believe that of course.) I could make myself crazy like a puppy chasing its tale trying to figure this one out, but I’m too old and tired for that. Instead I try to do things that keep my soul from spoiling, being the very best person I know how to be. I hope that that will be enough.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mary in Business Wear
I know Mary from the Bicycle Coalition. She was stopped to take notes on architectural characteristics when I asked if I could take her picture. I explained that I liked her outfit, and she said "Because I look like a business person?" Well, yes, it takes all kinds!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
As she passed, I said, "You look great."
Yes, those are fishnet stockings, lace-up boots, and a short skirt.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Bahnhofstrasse
Its a shop on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. This is the high-end fashion-watch-jewelry-banking core of Zurich. According to my brother, there is a recent trend for clothing stores to also sell Dutch-style bikes like this. I didn't get the name of the store but could ask my brother.
-Jason
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Pink Weekends
I've been super busy lately which leaves me little time for my usual Deep Thoughts. Last weekend, for example, my gallery party was Friday night. Then, I was on the water for a very long day on Saturday. Saturday night, we cooked dinner and passed out. My friends went out Saturday night to see one of our favorite bands. Sleeping late at least one weekend morning is important to me; that was Sunday.
I get up at 6 on workdays. So, I can't very well go out with my friends to hear music (for example) on school nights. But live music cleanses my soul and makes my life worth living. On the other hand, so does sailing... and hiking... and riding my bike. With only 2 weekend days and only so much energy, which do I choose?
It seems a cryin' shame to have to choose. It's not as easy as deciding that Friday we go out. Saturday I sleep in. Sunday I do something active and outdoors all day. The band I want to see isn't always playing on Friday night. And the cruise I want to do isn't always planned for Sunday; they're usually planned for Saturday in fact. I only have so much control over when the things I want to do take place. So, I strike a constant balance, every week, weighing my options.
Speaking of striking a balance, I noticed something on the cruise on saturday about sailing club women. They wear a lot of pink. I wear a lot of pink too. I mentioned this to my fellow sailors (all men) and Mark suggested that it was compensation. It's a male dominated sport (like most), but maybe there's more to it than that....
Malu said:
"...after many years of teaching I notice that men and women have some differences in how we tend to do things in boats. We have a lot to learn from one another. One chief difference is that women have to think about how we're going to do things a little more beforehand because we save energy this way.
"Men have longer torsos & more upper body strength, women have longer legs & less muscle mass. If a woman wants to do something physically demanding in a boat requiring upper body strength, she'll expend less energy if she uses the right body mechanics. Would you like to learn to do a man overboard retrieval in 3 easy steps with almost no effort?
"You could call it being lazy, I call it being clever."
Another form of compensation? Perhaps. Maybe there's a reason for the pink. For now, I just like it.
I get up at 6 on workdays. So, I can't very well go out with my friends to hear music (for example) on school nights. But live music cleanses my soul and makes my life worth living. On the other hand, so does sailing... and hiking... and riding my bike. With only 2 weekend days and only so much energy, which do I choose?
It seems a cryin' shame to have to choose. It's not as easy as deciding that Friday we go out. Saturday I sleep in. Sunday I do something active and outdoors all day. The band I want to see isn't always playing on Friday night. And the cruise I want to do isn't always planned for Sunday; they're usually planned for Saturday in fact. I only have so much control over when the things I want to do take place. So, I strike a constant balance, every week, weighing my options.
Speaking of striking a balance, I noticed something on the cruise on saturday about sailing club women. They wear a lot of pink. I wear a lot of pink too. I mentioned this to my fellow sailors (all men) and Mark suggested that it was compensation. It's a male dominated sport (like most), but maybe there's more to it than that....
Malu said:
"...after many years of teaching I notice that men and women have some differences in how we tend to do things in boats. We have a lot to learn from one another. One chief difference is that women have to think about how we're going to do things a little more beforehand because we save energy this way.
"Men have longer torsos & more upper body strength, women have longer legs & less muscle mass. If a woman wants to do something physically demanding in a boat requiring upper body strength, she'll expend less energy if she uses the right body mechanics. Would you like to learn to do a man overboard retrieval in 3 easy steps with almost no effort?
"You could call it being lazy, I call it being clever."
Another form of compensation? Perhaps. Maybe there's a reason for the pink. For now, I just like it.
Monday, April 07, 2008
BART Vogue
The Bay Area is pretty big, but our primary regional transit system, BART, does bicyclists no favors to help getting around. We're not even allowed on the train during certain times, and when we can ride it, there's no place to put our bikes. That's OK; most of us figured out where to put our feet to keep the bike from rolling around the car.
This gorgeous lady sat down across from me in a blazer, scarf, skinny jeans and loafers. I also appreciated the mat black of her bike. I was too tired to talk to her, but I did surreptitiously snap this photo.
This gorgeous lady sat down across from me in a blazer, scarf, skinny jeans and loafers. I also appreciated the mat black of her bike. I was too tired to talk to her, but I did surreptitiously snap this photo.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Well-Dressed Gentleman
This well-dressed gentleman waited for the BART train with his Electra which I thought matched his clothing style perfectly. "No English" he told me when I tried to ask him questions; so, we'll never know. He clearly has a strong sense of style that extends to his choice of wheels.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Sailing Club Vogue, or another splash of color
We were nearly finished putting away our dingy when this windsurfer rode up to the club. I jumped at the sight of her matching helmet and dress. When I asked if I could take her picture, she said "hurry" bc the wind was up and vanity is no reason to miss good time on the water.
When I commented on her use of color, she laughed and showed me the orange vest she would have been wearing if it had been a bit colder.
When I commented on her use of color, she laughed and showed me the orange vest she would have been wearing if it had been a bit colder.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Five Things about Art this Month
1) We have a new show up at the gallery. The theme is Green.
2) You are invited to the opening party this Friday 7-9.
3) We got a write up in the Examiner: It’s easy being green, by Donna Domino
4) This month's post card features my photograph.
5) To receive announcements about my art shows and other activities, please subscribe:
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2) You are invited to the opening party this Friday 7-9.
3) We got a write up in the Examiner: It’s easy being green, by Donna Domino
4) This month's post card features my photograph.
5) To receive announcements about my art shows and other activities, please subscribe:
alt="Click here to join liliapiliaart">Click to join liliapiliaart
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