"For an occurrence to become an adventure, it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it." ~ Jean-Paul Sartre

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Bicycles, not just for recreation


There are five grocery stores within a one mile radius of my house.  For years I have been threatening to ride my bike to the store for groceries.  The ownership of a Surly Disc Trucker complete with Ortlieb panniers has left me with little excuse.



This morning I used the last of the milk, the nature of milk being what it is replacement was assured.  On the way home from work I could have stopped and did my shopping but I had already decided that today would be the day I used my bike for something other than fun.
I got everything together and was on my way.  I was careful to make sure I didn't forget anything, lock, reusable grocery bag, you know bike stuff.  If I keep this up I'll bring the panniers inside and have the bagger load them up but I didn't want to look like a hipster.  This isn't Seattle after all.
With items purchased it was out the door and time to transfer them to the pannier.  Everything fit fine so there was nothing left to do but roll home.  On the way to the store the goal was getting there as quickly as possible so the most direct route was chosen (the same route I would have driven).  The way home was more lackadaisical and circuitous.  I cruised by one of the other grocery stores to check if they had a bike rack (which they did), then hopped a curb in Kohl's parking lot and rode down a little grassy hill, then behind the Sylvan learning center.  From there I rode by Qdoba and wondered why I never eat there.  Through the Arby's parking lot and by the pool.  Back in the residential area and on the home stretch.  The route I took home reminded me of when I was a kid, and used to ride my bike all over town.  My mental map of O'fallon, Illinois had alleys, parks, and greenways featured just as prominently as roads.  I knew which parking space in the Mcdonald's parking lot had the best transition to the Hardee's parking lot.  I knew where the city crews had piles of rocks that could be used as sweet jumps.  I know I got at least three feet of air one time.  Those were great times in my life and I was glad to revisit them.



When I got home I put the bike in the shed and the milk in the fridge.  It felt good.  Dare I say right.

Riding a bike to the store to get some milk is not a new or innovative idea, but still worthwhile.  Try it and see how you like it.


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Boston


I haven’t said much about the tragedy in Boston, and make no mistake it was a tragedy despite what Bill O’Reilly would have us believe.  The president called it a tragedy so Mr. O’Reilly had to be contrary as is his way.  In response to the president calling it a tragedy O’Reilly said, “It was not. It was a vile act of violence, designed to kill innocent people, including children…This makes me sick.”  No shit Bill, but a tragedy nonetheless.
Contradictory reports are still coming in and it is unclear what the facts really are.
One thing that is clear is that the runners will overcome, the American people will overcome, and Love will overcome!







I'm gatherin' up my friends today
And those who recognize the face
As the vision that changed my mind
From hate to faith
Was as simple as grapes to wine and
Sweet as
I'm gatherin' up my friends today
All these hookers and soldiers and swine
And would be saints
All alone in their rooms that sparkle in
Their eye
Play a song that they'll come outside
To see if

Love will overcome
If this love will make us men
Love will draw us in
To wipe our tears away

The day that I was so sweetly sung
By the wind and the thunder moved by
"someone"
The feelin' of being lived was so strong
The giver became the gift, all one
The day that I was so sweetly sung
The wind seemed to whisper softly, "oh
Son,
Don't wait for the seas to part or
Messiahs to come
Don't sit around and waste this chance, to
See it!"

Love will overcome
If this love will make us men
Love will draw us in
To take our fear away

Love
Love
Love
Love, hey, yeah

Love, this day now, this day that I was so
Sweetly sung, I know, I know that
Love will overcome

Love will overcome
If this love will make us men
Love will draw us in
To take our fear away, wipe our tears
Away
Love!
And all my friends are here
In the city I sing my song
In the face of the hooker, the soldier, the
Swine
I found it, I found it, I found love!

Love will, love will, love will,
Overcome
Over come

Monday, April 1, 2013

SayYesMore!


I am proud to have been chosen as a SayYesMore ambassador.  Such a simple and elegant philosophy that anyone can embrace straight away to add life to their years.

I have something that I have been putting off for a while but in true SayYesMore style I will put it off no longer and get started.  Look for updates soon!