Category: observations
ski lessons @ Green Lake?
From a roll of test shots I made today. They looked like they were having fun.
quote of the day
It’s times like this that remind me of the differences between “conservatives” and “libertarians”. Conservatives are, through no fault of their own, grim social maladroits incapable of thinking or drawing outside of the lines, constricted as they are by child-like notions of “that’s the way it always been”, “different = wrong”, and whatever religious hoodoo was drummed into their inelastic brains during their joyless and awkward adolescence.
Libertarians, on the other hand, are just assholes.
(Updated) …and yes, as has been pointed out to me: read this.
[From TBogg » Just As God Made Them ]
scenic mountain getaway
took three boys up snowboarding today and while I was off snowshoeing and picturemaking, I saw this. that’s a good amount of snow.
Aaron Goss is a jackass
I was out this week on some errands and my return journey took me past a recent accident scene where a cyclist was killed by a motorist. I noticed there was a Ghost Cycle in place and decided I wanted a picture of it. I’m violently ambivalent about cycling on the street: I would like to but I see too many stupid moves on the part of cyclists and motorists.
Down the street there is a more personal tribute by the friends and family of the man killed. Turns out he was a husband and father and a pretty accomplished rider. Many of the notes left referenced his connections to the local cycling community. The notes from his own kids and nieces/nephews were heartbreaking.
So why the title of this post? This post from a couple of years back might help (sorry I lost the pictures in some over-zealous housecleaning a while back, but it’s here if you want to see it).
Down the memory hole but this might be it…
Aaron Goss of Seattle is riding high on a custom tower bike along the 33 mile Chilly Hilly bike course on Bainbridge Island.
The 34th Annual Chilly Hilly bicycle ride on Bainbridge Island is a 33 mile route with 2,675 feet of hilly climbing.
In his own words:
I did not wear a helmet because I did not want to. I am a hyper skilled rider and am not going to hit my head if I fall off. A tall bike has different rules. They command respect. If you do fall, you just jump to the ground. Getting on and off is easy. The first time I rode it I wore my full face helmet, but it just got too hot. Balance is easy on a tall bike. They look dangerous but are not. Hell, people joust on them and I have not heard of any head injuries from jousting. Broken bones, yes.
Helmets are fine for those who need them. I made it thru the 1970s without one and I rode my bike everywhere! Kids hitting their heads while riding bikes is not society’s health problem! Kids sitting on the couch eating and getting fat and getting heart disease and diabeties is society’s health problem. In fact it is epidemic! Kids would fare much better if they rode bikes (or any activitiy) with or without a helmet! The kids I see in West Seattle on bikes (and there are damn few) do not EVER wear helmets. Most are first generation immigrants. They are great kids and none of them are fat! I don’t lecture them about helmets. I just ride my bike with them.
I haven’t asked him if he has changed his mind, but unpacking what I read above is that only unskilled cyclists are at risk for any injuries. He’s “hyper-skilled” whatever that means. So by inference, everyone who gets hurt or killed on their bike lacks skills or in some way doesn’t peg the Goss-o-meter.
I really haven’t thought much about this brouhaha since I first posted on it, but that tribute brought it all back. I want him and all his hipster pals to go to every family who has lost someone in a bike accident and tell them they weren’t good enough, it was their fault. Go tell those children it was their Dad’s fault, that he wasn’t as accomplished as Aaron Goss or perhaps a select few of his acolytes.
What must it be like to be able to suspend the laws of physics, to deny the weaknesses of human physiology, and to bet against the stupidity of humans and win? Lesser minds like mine can only marvel.
so where can I find a 10 cent magazine, newspaper or newscast
[W]e have a world in which phone companies have accustomed kids to paying up to 20 cents when they send a text message but it seems technologically and psychologically impossible to get people to pay 10 cents for a magazine, newspaper or newscast. [From Facebook | How to Save Your Newspaper – TIME]
My comments on FaceBook:
I haven’t read this piece [obviously, I have now] but I am continually puzzled over the handwringing. For years, newspapers have ceded ground to free papers (100% ad supported) and craigslist and the internet, acting as if broadsheets have a right to exist and tabloids are a different species. News organizations may be enshrined in the Constitution as a necessary element of democracy, but that’s a responsibility, not an entitlement.
Maybe this question is answered in the TIME piece, but how are revenues split between advertisers and readers? Just as people worried about ownership consolidation and corporate ownership of media source, what are the options for the newspapers? Who will pay the bills and to whom will they owe their allegiance?
Isaacson does mention the notions of allegiance and responsibility, quoting Henry Luce. Not something we hear much about: I hear that newspapers must survive but I don’t hear why or how they expect to.
change is good
This is William Kristol’s last column.
[From Op-Ed Columnist – Will Obama Save Liberalism? – NYTimes.com]
free music? free as in speech, that is
notice
A friend forwarded this:
“Dear World,
“We, the United States of America, your top quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service. The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located, and the software responsible was replaced November 4.
“Early tests of the newly installed program indicate that we are now operating correctly, and we expect it to be fully functional on January 20. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage. We look forward to resuming full service and hope to improve in years to come.
“We thank you for your patience and understanding,
“Sincerely,
“THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
genius? Sounds like it
This is what the iTunes Genius came up with, based on the first track.
My Mind Ain’t So Open :: Magazine :: Scree Rarities 1978 – 1981
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) :: David Bowie :: Scary Monsters
Senses Working Overtime :: XTC :: English Settlement
My Sweet Lord :: George Harrison :: All Things Must Pass (Disc 1)
Great DJ :: The Ting Tings :: Great DJ – EP
She Sells Sanctuary :: The Cult :: Pure Cult
Groove Is in the Heart :: Deee-Lite :: The Very Best of Deee-Lite
Do You Want To? :: Franz Ferdinand :: You Could Have It So Much Better
Rhythm Of Cruelty :: Magazine :: Rays And Hail 1978-1981
Heart Of Gold :: Neil Young :: Decade (Disc 2)
Sound And Vision :: David Bowie :: Low
Distant Smile :: Ultravox! :: Ha!Ha!Ha!
Mars :: Television :: Television
Just for a Moment :: Ultravox :: Systems of Romance
Amazona :: Roxy Music :: Stranded
Shake Some Action :: Flamin’ Groovies :: Garage Hits
Nostalgia :: The Buzzcocks :: Product [Disc 1]
TV Baby :: Magazine :: Scree Rarities 1978 – 1981
Five Years :: David Bowie :: Ziggy Stardust
Street Hassle :: Simple Minds :: Sparkle in the Rain
Change (Peel Session) :: Killing Joke :: 1980-03-17: Peel Session
Ball And Chain :: XTC :: English Settlement
Pretty in Pink :: The Psychedelic Furs :: Talk Talk Talk
Steady, As She Goes (Acoustic Version) :: The Raconteurs :: Steady, As She Goes (Acoustic Version) – Single
Talk to the Body :: Magazine :: Secondhand Daylight