Monday, June 23, 2014

A new approach




For anyone who has read my blog, you already know about my pet peeve. Namely, when I am at a stop sign on my bicycle, I hate when cars stop, when they don't have a stop sign, and try to wave me across. I always point to my stop sign and say "You have the right away."

Usually, I will smile and wave them on. I get it. They are trying to be nice and most don't know the law that says bicycles are vehicles too, when it comes to right-of-way laws. It's frustratingly comical as I wave on that first stopped driver and then the one behind him now breaks for me, and on and on. Or the old "I have a break in traffic soon as this car passes. Oh, he's slowing down. He's stopping. F@$k, there goes my break." For some reason bikes really confuse people. But, there's a new approach. This idea was Sarah's. And it simplifies everything while upping the ante.

Next time, when traffic keeps stopping, wanting you to ride across on your bike, there is a way to make their actions legal. Namely get off your bicycle. Doff your helmet. Now you are a pedestrian. Carefully walk across the street. Don your helmet. Climb aboard your metallurgic steed and become a bicyclist again! If there is a crosswalk nearby, do the same thing after carefully walking to the crosswalk. Very satisfying, very legal, very educational. Bicycles are vehicles. If they have a stop sign and you don't, you don't stop. Pedestrians are not vehicles. Every street corner is a de facto crosswalk. You must stop for pedestrians. Which is funny because when I am not on my bicycle and am a pedestrian, cars rarely stop. This is what makes this new approach so great.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Migration

Over the years, I've documented the shopping cart as a symbol of Spokane pride and gumption. Most of my best sightings were in the west central neighborhood and downtown. Yesterday morning I spotted this at The Park Bench in Manito Park. Maybe a product of global climate change or maybe an omen. Regardless, welcome to the neighborhood old friend, welcome.



Saturday, June 14, 2014

Goldfinch pests!

A blurry iphone picture. But, make no mistake - goldfinch are nibbling on the beets! Our fault for not having their feeder out yet.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, June 08, 2014

Iron Goat anniversary party

Rode down to the party on Saturday. Folkinception moved me to swaying and what not. Iron Goat beer was great. Stopped by Ramblin' Road on the way home for beer and food. Kind of a tough bike ride up the hill. I have the beginnings of a cold, I think. Hoping for healing after receiving the vision of the three alien kings.

YouTube Video

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday, June 06, 2014

The Captain Doyle


The memorial was great. Very moving. I had a drink recipe ready to go for the Volstead Act to use in making a "Captain Doyle." The Volstead Act was way ahead of me, and had their own concoction. It was much better than the one I had come up. I am not sure of all that was in it. It starts out with a rosemary twig ignited in a splash of absinthe. There was Jamison whiskey and a little bit of tomato too. Really good! Order one or two today!



Monday, June 02, 2014

Celebrating the life of Captain Doyle

The Spokane Firefighters Memorial Project will be dedicating its first memorial plaque at 6 pm on June 2nd, 2014 for Captain Leonard Doyle at the site of his death - the Peyton Building at 10 North Post.





“Leonard Doyle was the Captain at Station 4. At age 37, he had 15 years on the department. He and his wife, Freda, lived with their four children at 2333 South Grand Boulevard.



On June 2, 1956, Captain Doyle was called to a fire in the shoe store on the street level of the Peyton Building that eventually went to a third alarm, working fifteen engines and eighty firefighters. Captain Doyle and six other firefighters were advancing a hose lead into the fire when the floor collapsed from beneath them, plunging them all into the basement. Some of the firefighters already in the basement were trapped and injured by the falling debris. Captain Doyle was crushed under a falling safe. Seventeen firefighters were sent to the hospital and twenty-five others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.



Many were injured trying to free Captain Doyle. Many of the men said it was the worst fire they had ever been to.”



The Spokane Firefighters Memorial Project will be placing permanent memorial plaques at the site of each Spokane firefighter’s line-of-duty death. Captain Doyle’s will be the first installment.  For more information on this project call Greg Borg at (509)998-3617 or visit https://www.facebook.com/spokanefirefightersmemorialproject. The dedication time and place for each memorial follows: