Neat stuff

A possible Teletubby copyright infringement.

I never noticed these instructions on the back of the tickets at the Parkade. Perhaps this is why people park in the middle of the road in the Riverpark Square Parking Garage. No directions. Come on people.

I really like Wasabi Potato Chips, but am reminded of the sacrifice.

These chips are great. Although, I never thought about the poor horseradish who gave his all for my snacking, until I took a closer look at the bag. Poor little guy. At least he died with a kind-of smile on his face.

Nice article on how bicycling can transform cities...

After my nine mile ride home (phew) this morning, this article I just read on BoingBoing really resonated.

A snippet:

Invite a motorist for a bike ride through your city and you’ll be cycling with an urbanist by the end of the day. Even the most eloquent of lectures about livable cities and sustainable design can’t compete with the experience from atop a bicycle saddle.

“These cars are going way too fast,” they may mutter beneath their breath.

“How are we supposed to get across the highway?”

“Wow, look at that cathedral! I didn’t know that was there.”

“I didn’t realize there were so many vacant lots in this part of town.”

“Hey, let’s stop at this cafe for a drink.”

Suddenly livability isn’t an abstract concept, it’s an experience. Human scale, connectivity, land use efficiency, urban fabric, complete streets… all the codewords, catchphrases, and academic jargon can be tossed out the window because now they are one synthesized moment of appreciation. Bicycles matter because they are a catalyst of understanding - become hooked on the thrill of cycling, and everything else follows. Now a new freeway isn’t a convenience but an impediment. Mixed-use development isn’t a threat to privacy but an opportunity for community. And maybe, just maybe, car-free living will eventually be seen not as restrictive, but as a door to newfound freedom.

Of course there is this flip side as so eloquently stated by our own George McGrath:

Best Headline of the Day!

My neighbors don't use the phone book.

Ride of Silence and Spokane Falls Yesterday - Rapturous!

Wow, after days of really cold, really wet bicycle riding, this is what it looked like yesterday at the Ride of Silence. Nice.

In the parking lot where we started was a guy driving a car multiply placarded with warnings of the End of the World. Like there isn't anyone who doesn't know that's the day after tomorrow. Duh. Wanted to get a picture, but he drove his sedan/mobile billboard through the crowd in a fashion reminiscent of the wraith-like angels which figured prominently in the resolution of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I averted my eyes.





After a great dinner, Sarah and I visited the falls before our ride up the hill. Incredible. Couldn't help but think about the prophecy in the Book of Revelation "Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates."

Yes, standing on the bridge, I was a little afraidy. Prophecy fulfilled. Again.






My nephew and others have RSVPd to a Post-Rapture Looting Face Book Event, in case any of you Left Behinders are interested, you may want to do the same. You can find this here.

See you on the other side!!

Where is this?

All year long, steam pumps out of this hole in the ground. Where is it? What is it?

Where the Y was...

New Interim Assignment

My last assignment found me at a station only a couple of blocks from home. So, biking to work was out. But that was then...

I kicked off Bike to Work Week traveling to my new interim station, which is about nine miles (I think) away from home. I am embarrassed to say this is my longest bike ride of the year, at least with the Xtracycle. Still a very nice ride.

The artwork at Station 17, off of Indian Trails, is interesting. The public entrance/exit of the station empties out into a park festooned with wacky hydrants.

Hope you get to bike to a new place this week!

Mothers Day Present for my mom...

Haven't received a report on how it's working. Then again, I haven't been over to visit her since, so maybe it is working like it should.

Big story in yesterday's Spokesman-Review!

We out onion The Onion again!!!

My neighbor Josh kicks ass in this video!

Finally, a rug to go under your BBQ

At Rosauers

Look Good For Bike To Work Week!

This is probably the closest thing to an advertisement that you will ever see on this blog. Here goes!

My daughter-in-law Sarah works at Diva's next to Spoke N Sport in the Globe Building (Division and Main). She does all the hair stuff. And she's really good at what she does.

Yes, she cuts my hair, God love her. My pate is really not resume fodder material, yet she soldiers on.

I digress. During the month of May, Sarah is taking ten percent off what she usually charges if you ride your bike in. You can park it at the bike rack in back or bring it right in to the shop. Your choice. Oh, and if you mention you read about this on my blog, she's taking another five percent off - 15% all together.

Sarah has a spoke card for your bike too. Plus, you can use it as a beer coaster. I've seen it done. Here's what they look like:


I love Sarah. Not just because she is married to my son, but she is also one of the coolest, smartest, nicest people you will ever meet. More important for those of you who still have hair, Sarah does great work.

If you're interested, her number is 869-9775. If you're reading this from out of town and you are on a cross-country cycling tour, preface the aforementioned number with the much coveted 509.

Sarah has a coworker who will make the same deal with nails (finger, toe).

Bloomsday 2011

Very happy and surprised with this year's time. Turns out I was the 15th fastest 50 year-old overall and the fifth fastest from Spokane. Yippeee! I owe it all to clean livin'.

Sarah did really well too, so did Ike who kinda jogged it this year. Aidan slept in like a champ.

The end of the race was a big party - a blast. For all the Bloomsday haters (you know you are out there), it's worth coming to the finish line and the park just for the party.

Sarah and I cleaned up and had brunch and beer which was quite delicious, I must say (channeling Ed Grimley).

I have to admit I am still feeling really wiped out, sore and that my brain is not firing on all cylinders yet.

The really cool thing is I can start riding my bicycle in earnest again. I haven't been on any fun rides, other than commuting, this year. And I haven't even been doing that since moving to my neighborhood station for a month. It is only about 4 blocks away and I can walk there in seven minutes.

Swimming is full-speed ahead and I hope to dip my toe in the open water scene this year.

New Hardware Store in the Old Jones Pharmacy Building.

I am very excited about having a hardware store that I can walk to, or bring huge things home from on the Xtracycle. I was wondering how they were going to compete for parking lot space at Huckleberry's, but it looks like some possible parking spaces going in under the structure. Cool. As long as they have a decent bike rack.

It has been a great project to observe as it unfolds. It looks like it is going to be pretty upscale. I noticed this paint job on a metal column that has now been exposed. I wonder what the story is. It's on the east side, the one facing Monroe.

I like the design.

The gift that keeps on giving!

Last year at this time, my thoughts were on the Windermere Marathon. The course turned out to be quite short, requiring a turn around at the finish. Months later, I tried on my shirt and it proved to be a very strangely proportioned garment. When I contacted the organizers, they said they had many complaints and would get me a new one. This promise was a nice gesture.

This morning, I noticed an email saying that there would be fairly substantial charge on my credit card to "renew" membership to "Active Advantage." WTF? Who is this? So, after some log-in attempts to ascertain what this was all about, I finally found success. Active Advantage was the website in which I had to register for, you guessed it, the Windermere Marathon. That's how they had my credit card number.

I have to say that Active Advantage took care of the problem immediately, no questions asked (we'll see what the bank statement says in a few days). And I was able to enjoy this on-hold music for a while:



I sure hope the third time is the charm for the Windermere Marathon this year. I mean this. Yet, I might start wearing my shirt (never replaced) around town to help them advertise. It certainly would spur some conversation.

If you ran the marathon last year, you may want to check your junk email for "Active Advantage" and your credit card statement.

River Run 2011!

We didn't do the 50K, this year. Sarah did the 25K. I did the 10K and Ike did the 5K. We all did pretty good. I did 7:10 splits on the miles, which is faster than I expected running on the trails - way faster!

Really looking forward to Bloomsday. I am on the city's corporate cup team and was a little worried about how ready I would be for it. It's funny when you run for a team (even though I haven't met anyone on the team) how you can get a little worried about "letting the team down."

After the race I ran into a gal I recently met who was visiting from Baltimore plus neighbors, friends from work and even Hank!

On a strange note - I went for a swim afterward. I was getting dressed afterward and put on a pair of brand-new socks. I could feel something in one of them. Took the sock off and pulled out what looked to be a toenail. I thought this odd. It wasn't that long of a run. Which toenail did I lose? Upon examination, all my toenails were present.

When I returned home, I showed Sarah the toenail. She said, "I know exactly which toenail this." I said, "I know the one you're thinking of. It isn't it." Her incredulity prompted a quick sock removal. There was the suspect toenail, still intact, as I had stated. We are both flummoxed.

I wonder if these socks were returned.

They were made in the USA, so I know at least it's an American toenail.

Inspiration on a Saturday morning

Here.

Another great article and picture in the Spokesman-Review this morning!

A guy in Seattle wore a replica Civil War cap to work. In a twist, the work in which he was engaged was "unrelated" to any Civil War commemoration, according to the article. Now that is something!

I bet that people are going to start wearing caps to work that have nothing to do with what they are working on. Watch out!!