I saw this trailer at Amsterdamize. Watching the scenes of the 405 freeway makes me want to cry, truly. This, more than anything, is proof to me that we all need to step back and look at what we are doing to ourselves. Forget the environment, forget the oil. Just think about what existing like this is doing to our souls and how it carries its mark on us into every aspect of our lives.
I am convinced that if we don't, as a people, re-learn how to depend on ourselves for our needs, that we are doomed. By continuing down this path, where we have no need to exert ourselves to achieve our ends, there is no way that we can have a future of health and productive living. The longer we wait, the more our lives look like the 405 Freeway through Los Angeles.
There is hope, if we chose to make it happen.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Time To Pull Out The Sawbucks!
Hopefully, you remember our friend Philip. He is the bicycle man behind "Travels With My Mule". Philip is a charity machine and uses his riding to raise money for various charities (what better reason to get out and ride?)
This month, Philip will travel from England to Texas to participate in the "Hotter Than Hell" ride and is using the opportunity to raise money for the "Daisy Appeal". Daisy Appeal is a an organization that raises money to create medical research and treatment facilities in Yorkshire, England. They specialize in cancer research and treatment and serve a community that is not, otherwise, adequately served.
We throw money away on all kinds of things, everyday. Do any of us need another headlight? Was the $300 front rack really $150 better than the basic one? Why not throw a few bucks at "The Daisy Appeal"? Philip is traveling across the world to ride in Texas in the middle of summer (barmy chap, isn't he?), so giving $5 isn't that hard. Head over to his blog to find out how!
This month, Philip will travel from England to Texas to participate in the "Hotter Than Hell" ride and is using the opportunity to raise money for the "Daisy Appeal". Daisy Appeal is a an organization that raises money to create medical research and treatment facilities in Yorkshire, England. They specialize in cancer research and treatment and serve a community that is not, otherwise, adequately served.
We throw money away on all kinds of things, everyday. Do any of us need another headlight? Was the $300 front rack really $150 better than the basic one? Why not throw a few bucks at "The Daisy Appeal"? Philip is traveling across the world to ride in Texas in the middle of summer (barmy chap, isn't he?), so giving $5 isn't that hard. Head over to his blog to find out how!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Travel & Friendship
I love meeting people. There are very few people I have met over the years that have not had something interesting to share. This last week, I got to meet, face to face, two more of my cyber friends- our very own Caryl, and Thom Bahde from "Old Bike Blog".
Our first stop was in Santa Monica to meet up with Caryl.
Caught in the act!
We decided to ride and walk around Santa Monica and Venice Beach. It was great watching Caryl shoot- she sees it and has it in the camera before I can get my lens in line! She is also just as fast at dodging out of the way of the camera and is wicked hard to get a shot of (but I got a bunch!)
Which comes first?
We both have a silly sense of humor, so this place was impossible not to shoot! Only in Venice Beach have I ever seen this combination (the place had "Medicinal" pot, as well). Speaking of pot...
I'd be looking over my shoulder, too!
Venice Beach sure sells a lot of it! With the bikes flying by all the time, it is SoCal's own little Amsterdam (and just like the Dutch town, the pot is for the tourists : )
Go team go!
seaside jazz
Caryl's version here
While walking along we saw so many things, it was hard to take it all in. Sometimes it is the, relatively, quiet things that stand out the most.
Caryl
me
Our first stop was in Santa Monica to meet up with Caryl.
Caught in the act!Which comes first?I'd be looking over my shoulder, too!Go team go!seaside jazzCaryl's version here
While walking along we saw so many things, it was hard to take it all in. Sometimes it is the, relatively, quiet things that stand out the most.
We found out we have a similar eye for material.
Caryl
meWhat does this have to do with bicycles? Well, let me tell you- bicycles seem to come with automatic community. Caryl and I met because she needed a bicycle and my stepfather sent her to me to ask about how to get the right one. He didn't send her to his favorite bike shop, he sent her to a person. That is the glory of the bicycle, the bringing together of people who would, otherwise, never meet. Caryl is 22, single and living in Los Angeles while I am a 38 year old, married, mother of three in San Francisco. A desire to ride as a part of life, mixed with a love of taking pictures of people on the move, has given each of us something truly special- a new friend.
A few more shots before I go-
first ride in a long time!
Hipsta pants!!
A basket full of Tiffany's. Or maybe, a dog.
Caryl calls us "fierce". I just want to jump the light : )
That camera is as big as she is!
Next story- meeting Thom!
A few more shots before I go-
first ride in a long time!Hipsta pants!!A basket full of Tiffany's. Or maybe, a dog.Caryl calls us "fierce". I just want to jump the light : )
That camera is as big as she is!Next story- meeting Thom!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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