I am sorry I haven't posted in a while here. But i do have some news, some good, some not so good.
I have started a 'new' blog called Cultivated Rustic. It will be more inclusive than this one, having a wider range of topics: including bike commuting, suburban micro-farming, food preservation, beverage brewing, various and sundry musings, and little enlightened nuggets.
I still have to play with the design and stuff. But it is up and going. I actually took over a blog that i meant to be a second blog to this one. Only I don't have the time for two blogs.
Which brings me to the bad news. I will post my bike commuting stuff over there. For those who want a blog that only is related to two-wheeled transportion, there are some real great ones out there. For those who worry that I will stop blogging about my commute.... well don't worry. Be happy. I will certainly continue to write about the world as I see it.... and i often see it from two wheels.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Morning Ride
It is really hard to take a picture with gloves on. I 
brought my daughter's old digital along with me (I still haven't bought one) thinking I might snap a few photos along the way. No way. I had to stop to take a photo. I used a backpack this morning so i got off the bike, took off my gloves and pack, dug out the camera, snapped the photo and put my gear back on. I kept the camera in my top pocket hoping to try a quick shot along the way. It was too dangerous attemtping to manage gloves and the old camera.
My morning ride was uneventful. It was cool but not cold, a balmy 35 degrees when I left. The days are getting longer and I did not need to use my light this morning. I will have to on the way back because I have class tonight and won't leave until about 8:30pm.
brought my daughter's old digital along with me (I still haven't bought one) thinking I might snap a few photos along the way. No way. I had to stop to take a photo. I used a backpack this morning so i got off the bike, took off my gloves and pack, dug out the camera, snapped the photo and put my gear back on. I kept the camera in my top pocket hoping to try a quick shot along the way. It was too dangerous attemtping to manage gloves and the old camera. My morning ride was uneventful. It was cool but not cold, a balmy 35 degrees when I left. The days are getting longer and I did not need to use my light this morning. I will have to on the way back because I have class tonight and won't leave until about 8:30pm.
Busy Weekend
I spent a lot of time outside this weekend. I built 
a temporary greenhouse. It is the worlds simplest design. Two ten foot lengths of 1/2 inch pvc tubing are attached and spaced every two feet on a square eight by seven foot frame. The frame is made from 2x6's I had in the garage and braced with plywood gussetts. Cover with plastic and there it is. Not quite that simple but almost.
Its purpose is to provide warmth and light for starter plant this spring. I assured my wife it is temporary. It will come down the end of April and stored away until next February. I will have lots of room, much more than enough to supply plants for my garden (or micro-farm) ....and so my fourteen year old son and I discussed the possible of growing about five hundred plants and to sell them at the farmers market (and give some away to friends). I think it may be a good way for him to make some cash, so i told him that he can have either $1 for every 3$ we make, or if it works out better for him, the proceeds after costs. Since the green house only cost about thirty-five dollars to build and since seeds and soil are dirt cheap, I think he would make out if we sold plants for $1 a piece.
a temporary greenhouse. It is the worlds simplest design. Two ten foot lengths of 1/2 inch pvc tubing are attached and spaced every two feet on a square eight by seven foot frame. The frame is made from 2x6's I had in the garage and braced with plywood gussetts. Cover with plastic and there it is. Not quite that simple but almost.
Its purpose is to provide warmth and light for starter plant this spring. I assured my wife it is temporary. It will come down the end of April and stored away until next February. I will have lots of room, much more than enough to supply plants for my garden (or micro-farm) ....and so my fourteen year old son and I discussed the possible of growing about five hundred plants and to sell them at the farmers market (and give some away to friends). I think it may be a good way for him to make some cash, so i told him that he can have either $1 for every 3$ we make, or if it works out better for him, the proceeds after costs. Since the green house only cost about thirty-five dollars to build and since seeds and soil are dirt cheap, I think he would make out if we sold plants for $1 a piece.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Frogger
So i waited at a busy intersection this morning.... no light, trying to cross four lanes (and a turning lane median) with traffic thundering down the lane and snow flurries blowing in my face. Unknown to me another bicyclist pulled up slightly behind and to my right. I waited. Almost had an opportunity to go... but no...i waited longer...and longer. Finally i saw an opening...nope, a car pulled out into the parkway further up. So i waited longer. It really was the longest i ever waited at an intersection. Finally I was able to cross to the median and then realized that the other bicyclist was crossing with me. Traffic the other way wasn't as heavy, still it was a wait.
"Wow traffic is heavy today," I said. I could see an opening and readied myself.
"Yeah," he said. Its worse than playing frogger isn't it?"
The opening came we went through and then he cut off to the right through a parking lot.
'What is frogger?' I wondered. I arrived at the office, made coffee and got settled. Work started, students arrived and i quickly became busy. At some point I asked two student workers about my coversation with the fellow bicyclist.
Apparently I am way out of the loop.
"Wow traffic is heavy today," I said. I could see an opening and readied myself.
"Yeah," he said. Its worse than playing frogger isn't it?"
The opening came we went through and then he cut off to the right through a parking lot.
'What is frogger?' I wondered. I arrived at the office, made coffee and got settled. Work started, students arrived and i quickly became busy. At some point I asked two student workers about my coversation with the fellow bicyclist.
Apparently I am way out of the loop.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Class
I am taking two classes this semester and will only need one more to finish my masters. My Monday night class is on Colonial Literature and my Tuesday night class is on Henry James. I am enjoying both, but am already tired from late nights and lots of studying after work.
In the Colonial Lit class I met a young woman who along with her husband is venturing out to be an urban homesteader. They have several window green boxes up and are growing vegetables. We talked briefly about food, problems with neighbors, and winter planting. It will be good to talk a bit more.
In the Colonial Lit class I met a young woman who along with her husband is venturing out to be an urban homesteader. They have several window green boxes up and are growing vegetables. We talked briefly about food, problems with neighbors, and winter planting. It will be good to talk a bit more.
How's the weather where you are?
I woke up this morning and it was a balmy 58 degrees F! Then the wind started to blow, the rains came and the temperature dropped down to 38. Its supposed to get to 25 tonight. Major storms are all around.
How is the weather where you are?
How is the weather where you are?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Counterfeit Specialized Frames
For those of you who have a Specialized you might want to read this. I thought this Ebay scam might be of some interest. Is your Specialized the real thing?
From Jan 2009 Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, 18(1), 6.
MORGAN HILL, CA- Specialized Bicycles points to evidence of an outside factory in the ongoing case of counterfeit versions of the supplier's high-end road framesets circulating the Internet.
Mark Schroeder, director of engineering for Specialized, said the fake frames are near duplicates of the Outside 3D frame shape, but the composite construction is different, which indicates an outside factory.
"These frames are not being sold/diverted out the back door of our factory, but are instead being made somewhere else. Where, we do not know nor have our investigators been able to find this counterfeit factory," he said.
They do know that the factory is in Taiwan or China as many of the customers who have purchased the fakes said the frames were shipped from China. Specialized also has reports of people buying counterfeit framesets while in China.
Specialized issued a press release recently detailing the fake S Works Tarmac framesets that its investigators started discovering on eBay and Craigslist earlier this year.
They are blue and red 2007 and 2008 frames and forks in sizes 52 and 54 centimeters with no serial numbers on the frame and/or fork or a fork serial number starting with K85L, or a headset carbon cone with FSA logo.
This isn't the first time Specialized has dealt with sales of fake products, but it is the brashest case the supplier has seen.
"Specialized is one of the more popular brands to copy in China," Schroeder said. "We have long been the target of counterfeits in China, but this was on low-end bikes that stayed in China. This is the first time we have had a high-end product so blatantiy ripped off?
Specialized could not estimate the number of fake frame sales, and said it's nearly impossible to stay ahead of the issue.
"The problem with tracking down the factories and sellers in China is that the Chinese government is unwilling to cooperate at the level we need to solve the problem," Schroeder said. "We proactively try to shut down sales on eBay and other sites through our team that monitors fake Internet sales. We monitor diese sites every day, but the problem is we can't stop every auction."
From Jan 2009 Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, 18(1), 6.
MORGAN HILL, CA- Specialized Bicycles points to evidence of an outside factory in the ongoing case of counterfeit versions of the supplier's high-end road framesets circulating the Internet.
Mark Schroeder, director of engineering for Specialized, said the fake frames are near duplicates of the Outside 3D frame shape, but the composite construction is different, which indicates an outside factory.
"These frames are not being sold/diverted out the back door of our factory, but are instead being made somewhere else. Where, we do not know nor have our investigators been able to find this counterfeit factory," he said.
They do know that the factory is in Taiwan or China as many of the customers who have purchased the fakes said the frames were shipped from China. Specialized also has reports of people buying counterfeit framesets while in China.
Specialized issued a press release recently detailing the fake S Works Tarmac framesets that its investigators started discovering on eBay and Craigslist earlier this year.
They are blue and red 2007 and 2008 frames and forks in sizes 52 and 54 centimeters with no serial numbers on the frame and/or fork or a fork serial number starting with K85L, or a headset carbon cone with FSA logo.
This isn't the first time Specialized has dealt with sales of fake products, but it is the brashest case the supplier has seen.
"Specialized is one of the more popular brands to copy in China," Schroeder said. "We have long been the target of counterfeits in China, but this was on low-end bikes that stayed in China. This is the first time we have had a high-end product so blatantiy ripped off?
Specialized could not estimate the number of fake frame sales, and said it's nearly impossible to stay ahead of the issue.
"The problem with tracking down the factories and sellers in China is that the Chinese government is unwilling to cooperate at the level we need to solve the problem," Schroeder said. "We proactively try to shut down sales on eBay and other sites through our team that monitors fake Internet sales. We monitor diese sites every day, but the problem is we can't stop every auction."
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inspirational?
I needed a break from work and wandered through the library. I saw a fellow grad student i hadn't seen in a long time. She recently married and and i was shocked at how much she lived since i saw her last. Anyway i moved on and talked to a guy who used to work at starbucks. i said hello and he immediately told me he saw me biking and began to ask a million questions. Several times he said i was insipriational. i was surprised that he saw me, knew me, and watched me. Of course he is not biking himself... but thinks i am doing a good thing. i guess thats good. though i have been majorily lax.
just before Christmas my riding slowed to a stop. Near zero temperatures, snow, rain, and the desire for comfort have bested me. It seemed to start while changing a flat in the dark at twenty egrees F. i must admit that seemed to suck a lot of energy from me. Additionally schedule changes, which includes driving my son to school and taking two grad classes, limits my two wheelin'. yes i am making excuses. yes if i really pushed it i could do it. yes i am gaining weight as i type.....
how do i get beyond the comfort factor and get away from the rode and onto the road?
just before Christmas my riding slowed to a stop. Near zero temperatures, snow, rain, and the desire for comfort have bested me. It seemed to start while changing a flat in the dark at twenty egrees F. i must admit that seemed to suck a lot of energy from me. Additionally schedule changes, which includes driving my son to school and taking two grad classes, limits my two wheelin'. yes i am making excuses. yes if i really pushed it i could do it. yes i am gaining weight as i type.....
how do i get beyond the comfort factor and get away from the rode and onto the road?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Bike Messengers in Seattle
Mike Kane from the Seattle Post-Intellegencer says this about his award winning phot series on bike messengers in Seattle:
This was the lead image for a series I did with reporter Vanessa Ho on bike messengers in Seattle. It was a satisfying story, though I found the community a bit hard to penetrate. A lot of media coverage has tended to highlight less-than-savory aspects of the culture, including abrasive personalities and heavy drinking, and as such there is inherent distrust of the media. It took some time but I did eventually work my way into some interesting scenes and I feel the resulting presentation was meaningful.
The series with audio can be seen here.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Excrement, Insulation, Bike Paths Trim CO2 Emissions in Cities
An interesting article in Bloomberg News:
From Berlin to Vancouver cities are creating bike paths, making windows air-tight and building cleaner power plants to counter the threat of global warming more quickly than national governments....
In Minneapolis, 100 miles (160 kilometers) of bike trails were installed in the past few years, bringing out cyclists even on snow-covered roads, according to the city’s Web site. The city is encouraging real estate developers to build more housing downtown to end the need for long commutes to suburbs, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said....
“We need to reframe the city and make it more compact,” Rybak, the son of a pharmacist, said in an interview. Still, Rybak said he doubts the combined reductions of cities will make enough headway in slowing global warming. The big changes needed, from insulating buildings to installing emissions-free wind turbines for power generation, must come ultimately from national governments because they have much greater resources, he said....
Bicycle commuting in New York is increasing by an annual 35 percent, the city’s Department of Transportation said in an Oct. 30 statement. More bike paths and a spike in the price of regular gasoline to a record $4.11 a gallon in the U.S. in July helped.
From Berlin to Vancouver cities are creating bike paths, making windows air-tight and building cleaner power plants to counter the threat of global warming more quickly than national governments....
In Minneapolis, 100 miles (160 kilometers) of bike trails were installed in the past few years, bringing out cyclists even on snow-covered roads, according to the city’s Web site. The city is encouraging real estate developers to build more housing downtown to end the need for long commutes to suburbs, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said....
“We need to reframe the city and make it more compact,” Rybak, the son of a pharmacist, said in an interview. Still, Rybak said he doubts the combined reductions of cities will make enough headway in slowing global warming. The big changes needed, from insulating buildings to installing emissions-free wind turbines for power generation, must come ultimately from national governments because they have much greater resources, he said....
Bicycle commuting in New York is increasing by an annual 35 percent, the city’s Department of Transportation said in an Oct. 30 statement. More bike paths and a spike in the price of regular gasoline to a record $4.11 a gallon in the U.S. in July helped.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Spammers
Well the spammers found me. I usually moderate comments and figured I didn't need that crazy letter scramble thingy. But alas they found me. The spammers have increased to a point of clogging my email. Today I had fifteen spam comments from places like Jordan shoes, runscape and costume jewelry.... please never ...ever... buy from these "businesses."
Anyway I need to turn on that letter thingy. To be honest I hate having to use it simply because it is a pain. My apologies to my real readers.
Anyway I need to turn on that letter thingy. To be honest I hate having to use it simply because it is a pain. My apologies to my real readers.
Friday, January 2, 2009
I'm back
My trip to Florida went well. It was just my daughter and I. We hit a five hour traffic jam along highway 95. That made our 12 hour trip much much longer. But we arrived in Hobe Sound safely. We rode to the beach everyday. Parking lots were full of cars but we had no problem finding a spot for our bikes.
I filled my panniers full of towels, and food, Laura wore a backpack. I wish I had my camera. I could only take photos with my cell phone.
This is a looking down Bridge Road. It crosses from Hobe Sound onto Jupiter Island. I am unsure of the type of trees along the road, but they line both sides of the road. They looked pretty cool. Anyway one day I rode down Jupiter Island just for a short jaunt while Laura stayed on the beach. It is a small road with lots of foot and bike traffic. Drivers are cautious. Its a great drive observing the stately houses on each side of the road. there are some very wealthy people there.
We stayed only three days. AS much as I enjoyed the beach and biking the reason for my visit was to see my mom. Her mind is sharp but her body is ageing very quickly. It was a good visit. We left Jan 1, early in the morning. Laura was a New Years baby and she spent her 21st birthday on the road. We stopped for some mexican food and she ordered a beer. She was so disappointed they didn't card her!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
Hey. I spent the day with the family. My wife and I talked about getting on our bikes today but it never happened. too many things are going on. It is supposed to warm here, so I think Sharon and I will go for a recreational ride midday tomorrow.
The University is closed for the next ten days. I have off but my wife is working. Part of the time I will drive down to Florida to visit my mom. I will bring my bike and discover what it is like to ride on flat land. She lives about five miles from the beach. I am thinking early mornings, a ride to the beach, maybe a little fishing and then ride home. We shall see.
Hope everyone has has enjoyed Hanukkah (may miracles of oil continue) and/or Christmas (may the poor be blessed).
God bless.
The University is closed for the next ten days. I have off but my wife is working. Part of the time I will drive down to Florida to visit my mom. I will bring my bike and discover what it is like to ride on flat land. She lives about five miles from the beach. I am thinking early mornings, a ride to the beach, maybe a little fishing and then ride home. We shall see.
Hope everyone has has enjoyed Hanukkah (may miracles of oil continue) and/or Christmas (may the poor be blessed).
God bless.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Warm Week
This past week has been quite warm, nearly sixty one day, but mostly in the fifties. Unfortunately the warmth is accompanied by lots of rain.
I didn't ride today. So instead i will catch up on some errands and pick up a few needed items for the holidays. I haven't done much shopping for Christmas except for a few online purchases. I did make a large purchase of computer components and a tower. One of the student workers helped me put together a new computer. Mine was ancient, more than six years old- which in computer time means it is still functioning but getting ready for retirement. Its retirement party will be on Christmas morning when we offically fire up the new family gift.
I didn't ride today. So instead i will catch up on some errands and pick up a few needed items for the holidays. I haven't done much shopping for Christmas except for a few online purchases. I did make a large purchase of computer components and a tower. One of the student workers helped me put together a new computer. Mine was ancient, more than six years old- which in computer time means it is still functioning but getting ready for retirement. Its retirement party will be on Christmas morning when we offically fire up the new family gift.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Rain
I didn't ride this morning. It was pouring when I left for work and so I felt no strong pull for the roadway.
Work was slow. Students are gone and its time for projects. i have student workers fixing up things in the stacks, a staff person catching up on government documents check in procedures, and another staff person preparing old periodicals to go into the the rare book room. I helped this latter person as she worked on some old Scientific American magazines from 1854-1855. Pretty stuff. Drawings of patents, agriculcultural tools, news of advances in industry, odd news bits and some very crazy inventions.
I also dug out a Harpers Weekly full of advertisements from bicycle companies during the 1890's. I would say the bike ads are the most common ads during that era. I'll try to scan a few and post them.
Anyway i met my daughters after work at a new health food store. It was full of variety and very expensive. Its too bad. i suspect in the long run, expensive organics won't cut it. I prefer the local farmers market. We had fun shopping together. My oldest wouldn't let me buy. She has celiac disease and requires gluten free foods. This store had a better selection than most. But I hate to see her having to pay twice the normal cost of food. It kills me.
I really enjoyed getting on my bike yesterday. It rained on the way home. It was no big deal. Just a shower. I did alot of meandering. I was (and am) in a meandering mood. Yesterday I did a lot of mindless weaving through quiet back streets and took my time getting back to my car. It was a stress buster.
I have been struggling with an issue, years in the making, that recently became a celebration. I was able to help a group of people give over twenty five thousand dollars and physical equipment to a local non-profit that supports low income families and the poor in our region. It was an unusual thing and the timing during a lousy economic period is interesting. Avoiding details -I will say it was complicated and personally stressful. But they decided a couple of weeks ago and they sent their first set of checks yesterday. Their generosity will help single parents and the elderly with some significant needs. Yeah! It was the coolest thing when it happened. There is a bit more work to be done. But Yeah!!! May the donors be blest!
Work was slow. Students are gone and its time for projects. i have student workers fixing up things in the stacks, a staff person catching up on government documents check in procedures, and another staff person preparing old periodicals to go into the the rare book room. I helped this latter person as she worked on some old Scientific American magazines from 1854-1855. Pretty stuff. Drawings of patents, agriculcultural tools, news of advances in industry, odd news bits and some very crazy inventions.
I also dug out a Harpers Weekly full of advertisements from bicycle companies during the 1890's. I would say the bike ads are the most common ads during that era. I'll try to scan a few and post them.
Anyway i met my daughters after work at a new health food store. It was full of variety and very expensive. Its too bad. i suspect in the long run, expensive organics won't cut it. I prefer the local farmers market. We had fun shopping together. My oldest wouldn't let me buy. She has celiac disease and requires gluten free foods. This store had a better selection than most. But I hate to see her having to pay twice the normal cost of food. It kills me.
I really enjoyed getting on my bike yesterday. It rained on the way home. It was no big deal. Just a shower. I did alot of meandering. I was (and am) in a meandering mood. Yesterday I did a lot of mindless weaving through quiet back streets and took my time getting back to my car. It was a stress buster.
I have been struggling with an issue, years in the making, that recently became a celebration. I was able to help a group of people give over twenty five thousand dollars and physical equipment to a local non-profit that supports low income families and the poor in our region. It was an unusual thing and the timing during a lousy economic period is interesting. Avoiding details -I will say it was complicated and personally stressful. But they decided a couple of weeks ago and they sent their first set of checks yesterday. Their generosity will help single parents and the elderly with some significant needs. Yeah! It was the coolest thing when it happened. There is a bit more work to be done. But Yeah!!! May the donors be blest!
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