Them and Their Bikes

I am not normally a fan of rap music (with the possible exception of early Beastie Boys and Grandmaster Flash) but this is pretty good…and it has a positive message (something, it seems, which is often difficult to find these days). It’s an ameture video which won a contest for 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld; it’s worth watching, and of course it’s only slightly more than a minute in duration.

>Them and Their Bikes

>I am not normally a fan of rap music (with the possible exception of early Beastie Boys and Grandmaster Flash) but this is pretty good…and it has a positive message (something, it seems, which is often difficult to find these days). It’s an ameture video which won a contest for 1MinuteToSaveTheWorld; it’s worth watching, and of course it’s only slightly more than a minute in duration.

A Few Toronto Pics (and a couple comments)

I was in Toronto the last couple of days and, as usual, was impressed. I go there once or twice a year–as I have for the past 25 years–for a day or two simply for a quick overnight (or two) getaway. It is a mere 100 miles (160K) from Buffalo, and only two hours away (if I–or the bus–drive slow) but it seems farther than that. While many Americans have disrespectfully compared it to being the “New York of Canada,” (because of it’s cosmopolitan feel, I suppose) I disagree and say it does this beautiful city a dis-service…this is an incredibly vibrant city and (to me) feels distinctively Canadian (and Canadians themselves are so friendly…yes, my Canadian friends reading this, you live up to your reputation). And according to the United Nations Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Maybe this is why they have such a great bicycle culture. And yes, Torontonians reading this, I know you will disagree, I’ve read some of the articles in The Star where the writer would whine about lack of bicyclist’s rights, segregated roadways, etc.  My response to that is try riding a bike in Buffalo for a month or so…it’ll make you pine for a tourist pulling out in front of you on Queen West any day of the week. Anyhow, thank you to my northern neighbors for offering such an interesting an hospitable city to visit…now here’s a few pics.

The top photo is a sign that greeted me as I drove my truck into the underground parking garage of my hotel (sometimes I bring my Dahon folder with me, but not this time). The photo on the left is a picture of a bike I saw parked on Bloor Street…it captured my attention because it looks like a bike that I would ride if my child were still young; a bike to carry everything you need and still plow through a bitter northern winter (an S.U.B., or a sport utility bicycle.). The pic on the right is a piece of artwork/bike rack made out of a giant bike chain that is at one of the entrances to the Kensington Market. But my favorite is the one below…Superman stopping a streetcar on Dundas and Yonge Streets, just to the left of Nathan Phillips Square.

>A Few Toronto Pics (and a couple comments)

>

I was in Toronto the last couple of days and, as usual, was impressed. I go there once or twice a year–as I have for the past 25 years–for a day or two simply for a quick overnight (or two) getaway. It is a mere 100 miles (160K) from Buffalo, and only two hours away (if I–or the bus–drive slow) but it seems farther than that. While many Americans have disrespectfully compared it to being the “New York of Canada,” (because of it’s cosmopolitan feel, I suppose) I disagree and say it does this beautiful city a dis-service…this is an incredibly vibrant city and (to me) feels distinctively Canadian (and Canadians themselves are so friendly…yes, my Canadian friends reading this, you live up to your reputation). And according to the United Nations Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Maybe this is why they have such a great bicycle culture. And yes, Torontonians reading this, I know you will disagree, I’ve read some of the articles in The Star where the writer would whine about lack of bicyclist’s rights, segregated roadways, etc.  My response to that is try riding a bike in Buffalo for a month or so…it’ll make you pine for a tourist pulling out in front of you on Queen West any day of the week. Anyhow, thank you to my northern neighbors for offering such an interesting an hospitable city to visit…now here’s a few pics.

The top photo is a sign that greeted me as I drove my truck into the underground parking garage of my hotel (sometimes I bring my Dahon folder with me, but not this time). The photo on the left is a picture of a bike I saw parked on Bloor Street…it captured my attention because it looks like a bike that I would ride if my child were still young; a bike to carry everything you need and still plow through a bitter northern winter (an S.U.B., or a sport utility bicycle.). The pic on the right is a piece of artwork/bike rack made out of a giant bike chain that is at one of the entrances to the Kensington Market. But my favorite is the one below…Superman stopping a streetcar on Dundas and Yonge Streets, just to the left of Nathan Phillips Square.

Full Moon over Allen Street (denuo)

On my way home from work tonight I was so taken by the moon I had to snap a few photos of it. I posted a photo of this a month ago from this same spot (at the last full moon…that photo was better; more dramatic, click here to see it). And though this image does not do it justice, the moon was/is incredible tonight. It amazes me to think that everyone on this side of the globe can see that same white orb up in the sky at the same time. And while I was there snapping pictures a car pulls up, and the window rolls down…”Do you want me to be in the picture?” the drunk (driver) asks me as he flashes me the peace sign with his fingers. No thanks, I respond. “Why not?” Ummm…I’m just taking pictures of the moon, I tell him. “Com’on…take my picture,” he pleaded. There’s something really weird, I think, about a grown man you don’t know nearly begging you to take his photo. And as I thought that I put my camera in my pocket, hopped on my bike and pedaled away. The trees below were directly behind me, ilumminated by the moon (and street lights) on Days Park. To read more about Allen Street, click here or here.

>Full Moon over Allen Street (denuo)

>

On my way home from work tonight I was so taken by the moon I had to snap a few photos of it. I posted a photo of this a month ago from this same spot (at the last full moon…that photo was better; more dramatic, click here to see it). And though this image does not do it justice, the moon was/is incredible tonight. It amazes me to think that everyone on this side of the globe can see that same white orb up in the sky at the same time. And while I was there snapping pictures a car pulls up, and the window rolls down…”Do you want me to be in the picture?” the drunk (driver) asks me as he flashes me the peace sign with his fingers. No thanks, I respond. “Why not?” Ummm…I’m just taking pictures of the moon, I tell him. “Com’on…take my picture,” he pleaded. There’s something really weird, I think, about a grown man you don’t know nearly begging you to take his photo. And as I thought that I put my camera in my pocket, hopped on my bike and pedaled away. The trees below were directly behind me, ilumminated by the moon (and street lights) on Days Park. To read more about Allen Street, click here or here.

Bikes Haul

Photo credit: Paul Freedman of Rock The Bike.
 

Firstly I would like to say that I don’t know who this person is or where the photo was taken (I came across it here), but I thought this was so impressive that I’d pass it along. The guy is riding a Mundo, pulling a fully-loaded 8ft trailer (looks like a bikes-at-work trailer), with another trailer/bike attached at the rear end (but oddly doesn’t have anything loaded on the Mundo itself). Impressive none-the-less.

>Bikes Haul

>

Photo credit: Paul Freedman of Rock The Bike.
 

Firstly I would like to say that I don’t know who this person is or where the photo was taken (I came across it here), but I thought this was so impressive that I’d pass it along. The guy is riding a Mundo, pulling a fully-loaded 8ft trailer (looks like a bikes-at-work trailer), with another trailer/bike attached at the rear end (but oddly doesn’t have anything loaded on the Mundo itself). Impressive none-the-less.

Something Beautiful

Photo Credit: The Buffalo News

It is so nice to see something as beautiful as this in the daily paper (which often seems to focus solely on the negative side of humanity). Pictured above is Gerda Klein–author, historian, crusader of tolerance, and Holocaust survivor–as President Obama places the Presidential Medal of Freedom on her. I find this image moving beyond words. To read the story in the Buffalo News, click here. To watch a 4-minute talk by Mrs. Klein, click here. To visit the Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation website, click here.

“Ilse, a childhood friend of mine, once found a raspberry in the concentration camp and carried it in her pocket all day to present to me that night on a leaf. Imagine a world in which your entire possession is one raspberry and you give it to your friend.” 
—Gerda Klein, from her memoir, All But My Life.