Wednesday, October 25, 2006

My Timbuk2™ Messenger Bag

Scared me yesterday. The way it adjusts is by pulling open a loop on the side of the bag, and shortening the strap that would go over your shoulder. All good, I guess.

Until you catch that loop on the mirror of a car. Fortunately, the loop would catch on the mirror of a parked car, because it's on the right side of the bag, and I am in America. Should you shoulder the bag with the opening side toward your body, it could get caught by the mirror of a passing car, assuring disaster. When I was riding in the wide open streets of Mesa -- this was likely not a problem. In San Francisco, however, where I might actually touch moving vehicles - or squeeze tightly between them, or they squeeze tight between me, this is a real serious life threatening risk.

So -- let's fix this. First -- flip the attachment point of the strap around and re-attach, then thread it back through it self to make sure it stays put. Open the clamp and take all the slack material out of the loop in the strap and flatten it against the bag -- then secure the clamp against the strap. If you don't know how this works throw the bag away. Just kidding.

Find a 2 inch Travato or similar buckle and cut the strap at a point below your shirt pocket and insert the buckle. Adjust it accordingly.

If you want you can also apply the same logic to the crappy waist strap that comes with the bag and increase it to 1 1/2 inches.

Always be safe -- and think ahead to stay alive.

Monday, October 23, 2006

A Short Ride

Despite not feeling well this morning at all, I did manage to pull off a short ride, and made my way into downtown for some Thai food and an espresso for an early dinner.

Today/Month

Swimming: 0/850 yd.
Riding: 10.04/33.91 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking: 0/3.6 Miles
Weather: Extremely nice (Some of you would be very jealous).
Food: Rahd Na with Pork at the Thai Satay.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Four Shillings Short


At the San Gregorio General Store, San Gregario, California.

I saw two performances this weekend of Four Shillings Short. One included dinner with Aodh Og O Tuame and Christy Martin at the Great Room in the Santa Cruz Mountains. And the other was an afternoon at the San Gregorio General Store in San Gregorio. Our hosts at the home concert, were excellent and the view, dinner and show were all superb.

The general store in San Gregorio is unique and vital to the community. So the event there was warm and happy in a way that speaks profoundly of the quiet coastal town. Someone asked me what I think of the show, and I said "What's not to like?" Everything about these shows was warm and friendly, in a way I remember from my grandfather. Audh Og and Christy both offered me a warm welcome as I returned to see another show today; they offered me a kindness and charity, that I won't soon forget. If you get a chance to see Four Shillings Short ... I'd go tomorrow. try their website for the rundown on shows in your area.


Audh Og plays a variety of fipple flutes, recorders and and renaissance wind (reed) instruments and is funny and charming throughtout the show.


Look at all those flutes.


Christy Martin mixes Irish folks songs with a Sitar (She also plays and composes traditional Ragas) with surprising and grand result.


I met this gentlemen from the bronx and Raphael, during the first of two intermissions.

Here's a one minute sample.



Make your own Razz!


Aodh Og stuns the crowd.


Christy plays a guitar, banjo, mandolin, mandola, and a custom bazooki (sp?).


and the Hammer Dulcimer.


I am happy!

Grand Canyon Trip Photos from Last Year

Saturday, October 21, 2006


Wendy Palmer
Jack Dykinga
Jeff Foott
Mark ... or was that Ru?
Ed Hench (our fearless leader)
Drew Eschbacher
Shelley Lake
Mark ..

Twelve days on the Colorado, September, 2005.

A Butta'fly


Here's a shot of Jack Dykinga -- holding up a butta fly -- so that I can take it's picture. This is a shot from my trip down the Grand Canyon in 2005. Captain Ed Hench and the unsinkable mystery falcon are both smiling in the background.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

New Fenders




Those are the new fenders, the bike reminds me of that cross check I was admiring. For 30 dollars my dreams of a new bike are answered. Now I have no excuse for not riding in the rain, especially since Jill is still commuting without fenders. Can you believe it?

You see I am still carrying around that Banjo Brothers rack top bag. That's because it carries so much stuff. It's a good bag and I am bragging about it around San Francisco. It did really well tonight carrying home the leftover Thai food. I even sent my friend over to the Banjo Brothers site today to get a new laptop bag messenger bag. I wonder how it is going to fare in the rain.

19 October 2006/October Total

Swimming: 0/850 yd.
Riding: 10.77 (daily total)/23.87 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking 0/3.6 Miles
Weather; Near dark and darker.
Food: Thai (Picture tomorrow).


19 October 2006/October Total

Swimming: 350 yards/850 yd.
Riding: 3.25/16.35 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking 0/3.6 Miles
Weather; Sunny 59° F.

Those are new fenders in that picture.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

About the Bike Specific Clothing ...


Photo credit

Remember when I posted this. I couldn't imagine the bike specific clothing ... however -- I am considering cutting off my new jeans just below the knee, adding tights, a yellow slicker, and fenders. That would kinda make them bike specific clothes. Maybe I should just cut off one leg ... of the jeans, thanks.

I've come a long way baby. Now I am thinking about fenders. Really. The truth is, being back in a cosmopolitan city is a delight. I can wear hats that are not sun hats. I haven't seen a polo shirt in weeks (thank the pantheon of gods), I can hack up my jeans with a knife, and wear a hard hat to work -- and no one will think less of me. I can even attach a pigeon pelican statue to my helmet. When I dress in a way that's funny, they laugh. It's good. The ancient Bob Dylan t-shirt gets questions and compliments. "Did you see him?" -- "Yes!" -- "Cool." When I wear cowboy boots, it's a statement, and not my way of life. No one assumes I am carrying a gun. So far, no one has pointed out that I am wearing a pink shirt. I can wear big ugly scuncis and big clips in my hair -- or let it get all ratty. No one cares.

Welcome home.

It's like that. I grew up here. I know the shortcuts -- the places to lock-up a bike. Where to get a flat fixed. The guy at the hardware store. Where to get coffee in about 20 neighborhoods. The best route through traffic. It's nice to feel so comfortable. California Dreaming. The way to the beach. Never mind about Fleming and John.

So here it is -- I am back to my roots. I got my pamphlet in the mail for the November election and I didn't even register. Let's re-elect Govenor Moonbeam in November -- he's my favorite of all time. As Mayor of the city of Oakland, he has been an outstanding citizen. I seriously doubt he is a s far left as "they" say. I'll vote in November, as I should.

I have been thinking i need the neoprene booties ... or a full body wetsuit.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

I went Over to the Dark Side ...


Of the moon. It was worth the trip. I hope you all are not too jealous. After all, I really only went because my son wanted to go.

Monday, October 9, 2006

Pick of the Week


Photo sandip.pakhi@gmail.com

Check This Out

My friend Julie's site for art on walls. She has been painting murals in houses and designs in homes for a few years now -- and the work and the site look great. Enjoy.

i Really Wanted some Kimchee Mandu ...

Last night.

WildBird on the Fly: 18 Whooping Cranes on their way to Florida!

This is really something: WildBird on the Fly: 18 Whooping Cranes on their way to Florida!

What? is that. That lead Whooping Crane looks like it might be a lot of trouble for him to fly. My question is -- since when do we have to de-ice the wings of a whooping crane? Go team.

Sunday, October 8, 2006

2003-2006 Polaroids and Contact Prints


Indian Water Lilies in Coastal California


Autumn Oregon Pond


Chardonnay -- Shan Creek Grapes


Morro Bay Harbor


Bamboo Chair and Red Banana


Yosemite Valley

I just found an interseting quote here: "If I'm going to Hell, I'm going there playing the piano."-Jerry Lee Lewis (born 9/29/35). If I am going to hell, I am going there with a paintbrush camera.

I am thinking of producing a show of poloroids and contact prints in 4x5 for gallery presentation. It seems a interesting way to ease into the showing of photographs, it' s kinda retro, and it's simple to manage. These images are all 4x5 polaroids.

What do y'all think?

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Have You Had Enough Yet?


Showy Stuff. From the official Blue Angels Website

Blue Angels

I took this pictures of the Blue Angels doing a flyby at the 12th and Folsom studios. Take a good look at the flying saucer in the picture, as it tries to escape.

It seems that the Blue Angels are in fact in San Francisco for Fleetweek.

Friday, October 6, 2006

Across the Street


Chicken Satay and Egg rolls from Manora Thai. It's the lunch combo. Includes that just devoured bowl of lemongrass soup.

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Are You Hungry?

I ate lunch a few times over at Manora Thai at Folsom and 12th in San Francisco. The Blue Angels are in town for fleet week. They did a few flybys


Rahd Na with Chinese broccoli.


Basil Chicken.


Basil Beef. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Calling all Single Guys



That's my kind of tune -- playing over at More Than Just Another Bike Blog. I am not sure I can make it -- however -- some of my friends might. Saturday next -- Menlo Park Caltrain station, 35 miles, moderately paced, with minestrone soup lunch at Barrone's afterward, I'll have the minestrone soup and Peter's Panini. Thank you!

The ride home today included a movie, The Illusionist. One of my friends managed to catch me on my bike as I was passing the theater in San Mateo. I didn't really manage to review a restaurant at lunch today (it was sad -- the restaurant). The movie was good and I enjoyed the company. Two thumbs up. Should I start reviewing movies?

3 October 2006 PM/October Total

Swimming: 0 yards/500 yd.
Riding: 3.28/13.10 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking 0/3.6 Miles
Weather; Sunny 59° F.


On the Way Home.

According to this the weather is going to degenerate tomorrow into rain. Do I believe them? NO.

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Kissling


Do you notice anything odd about this?


And this? Posted by Picasa

Train to Work


Bean Street Cafe for the double espresso.


Here's the commuter on the train. The train accomodates 32 bicycles so it's kinda nice. It's a bit like segregation, only it just effects bicyclists.

I sit reading The Journey Home, by Edward Abbey. I don't exactly know where he's going yet because I just started it. "Across the river waited a land that filled me with a strange excitement: ... a vast and silent emptiness smoldering with heat , color and indecipherable significance, ... For the first time I felt I was getting close to the West of my deepest imaginings -- the place where the tangible and the mythical become the same."


I am sure it wasn't here he was talking about.

So here is the bike graffitti, where the tangible and the mythical become the same. This was taken through the window of the train -- in case you're wondering.

3 October/October AM

Swimming: 0 yards/500 yd.
Riding: 3.28/9.82 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking 0/3.6 Miles
Weather; Sunny 60° F. Posted by Picasa

Monday, October 2, 2006

Train, train, train.


Photo Credit
I saw some cool bike graffitti yoday from the train -- Caltrain -- not that vandalism is acceptable behavior or anything like that. I am going to take the camera in tomorrow and see if I can get a picture of it ... I bet you can't wait. I had Thai for lunch, and then I had Chili Tofu (also Thai) for dinner. The rice is always important.

2 October/October

Swimming: 500 yards/500 yd.
Riding: 6.54/6.54 Miles
Running: 0/0
Walking 0/3.6 Miles
Weather; Foggy AM/Sunny PM. 62° F.

Ride, train, ride, Thai
Ride, train, ride, Thai
Swim Train
Dont think to complain.

The Route to Work, or The Road Home

Depending on how you look at it.


To the train station, 1.2 miles. Stop for coffee not included.


1.4 miles ...

Link to the actual Google map, where you can see me in the picture on my bike on Townsend Street. Just kidding. This is not the best route for a bike, but it is pretty close to my actual route. It is much better to get off Division at 11th and head to Harrison. Division is noisy and busy and although it wants to be bike friendly, it's not.

That's 2.6 miles x 2, or 5.2, each day. The hardest part of the ride is the endless stairway at the end, carrying the bike.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Seven Hills -- They Told Me

The great cities of the world have Seven hills. Rome -- San Francisco ... etc. That's what every one told me ...

This guy (Tom Graham) says there are 43 hills in San Francisco. Have you got you're hillclimbing gear running?

"At the very beginning," city archivist emeritus Gladys Hansen says, "San Francisco was a very small city and we had only seven hills -- which were copied (figure that one out -- if you can -- copied???? Hello.) from the seven hills of Rome. There was Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Rincon Hill, Mount Sutro, Twin Peaks and Mount Davidson. " He cites. But what about Potrero Hill, and that ungodly thing that funnels the wind into Candlestick Monster™ park (talk about wrecking history -- grumble -- monsterpark) . OK, so it's the hilliest city outside of La Paz, Bolivia (37000 ft, serious verticle -- like that). 43 hills. Second hilliest city in the world.

I particularly like this bit -- about San Francisco is a great center of world-wide commerce in 1859. Have a gold rush and become a center of world commerce:
When Dana returned, he wrote:
On the evening of Saturday, the 13th of August, 1859 -- the superb steamship
Golden Gate ... bound up from the Isthmus of Panama, neared the entrance to San
Francisco, the great centre of a world-wide commerce .

There are streets with stairs in San Francisco. Ride your bike up that. There are stairs all over.

He's right. It's a hilly city. I spent all day uphill in it.

But the Burrito at La Cumbre -- was worth the walk. If you didn't read that link, there is way more about the San Francisco Burrito than you ever wanted to know. The burritos at La Cumbre in San Francisco are famous the world over. The truth is -- if you want a really good burrito -- you need to cook a steak and throw it in. Carne Asada -- Salsa Caliente. Sweat. Eat. Feast. Add cheese.