Hummingbirds

My close family friends, David Rowland and family, say: In May, 2008 a hummingbird built its nest in our back yard in easy reach of the camera....
photo also by David Rowland

Update and Carpool

I got home last night at 7:10 which is the same time I got home yesterday. I've been trying to watch Les Enfant du Paradise; so, I put it on and lay on the couch. The movie is 190 minutes long, in black and white, and French, and I try not to read the subtitles. I was sound asleep within minutes and woke up again at 11:30. I must have been exhausted.

I began this blog when I quit my job in 2004 to record my adventures. Since then, I haven't worked full time for more than a few weeks. Now, with plenty of work and a 3-4 hour commute (RT) on days I go to the office, I'm not even getting enough sleep. I always say it's about priorities. I'm just amazed at how much my life has changed in the last few months.

I found a carpool on 511 rideshare which was my employer in another iteration. We put so much energy into marketing and trying to engage employers, running PSAs, phone numbers on the highway, posters, prizes.... I asked my carpool buddies how they heard about it. They said:
* I knew something like that must exist; so, I did an internet search and found it.
* I heard about the (casual carpool). I was checking if there was one for our route and found the site.
* A friend or coworker mentioned it, I think.
We've had some challenges with agreeing on pick up location. Some people's schedules are erratic (mine, for example). So, that requires flexibility. It won't last forever, but I think it mostly works for now because we like each other. Strangely, one guy was friends with Tyler in college at Berkeley -- the world is small.

Brown Tights

I saw this couple one Tuesday morning. Their look is typical SF bike punk, with the hoodies and all, but I liked her brown tights under short cutoff shorts, fashionable sunglasses, and dainty shoes.
I also liked it that they seemed happy I was taking their photo....

I'm still alive.

I even still have interesting things to say. I just don't have time to say them. Please check my other blogs for more info on me.

Dreamboat

Great bodies of literature support the idea that women love moody, thoughtful men. Exhibit Mr. Darcy and Heathcliff. Why do you think the pages of Jane and Emily get so much play. It's the way we are.

I saw this dreamboat from the train window, clearly solving some major world problem, in his black dress shoes, chinos, and collar shirt. I also have a weakness for red bicycles -- this one is a fixie.

We love this band.

NPR: Rupa and the April Fishes

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?

Pierre the Peguin and His Wet Suit

Pierre Sheds Wet Suit for Real Penguin Suit

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.

Bus Wrap Art

Pierre Lapointe - Deux Par Deux Rassemblés

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Al Gore: New thinking on the climate crisis

I found this very moving.

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!

As she passed, I said, "You look great."

Yes, those are fishnet stockings, lace-up boots, and a short skirt.