Mountain Man (aka Unibomber)

So, it would seem gigi isn't the only one around here with a side project. It has come to my attention that we also have a wiener in our midst (spelling intentional). Apparently vuduvgn (man, I really want to capitalize their names, but they just won't let me... slackers) has been going around Northern California and cleaning up at a ton of mountain bike races. For all of the press coverage go here and here. Now mind you, these articles don't even included the one win I personally witnessed in Napa at the Napa Valley My Suspension Is More Expensive Than Yours Classic where after whippin' some yuppie (and rabid Christian) tail, vuduvgn sailed past the finish line, rode over to me for about a ten word exchange, and then b-lined straight to his truck to slam a frosty beer. Nothin' like having a solid post-race regime.

Now, the reason I'm bringing you this news and not vudu is because our resident champ has taken a new job where he has finally, and woefully realized that screwing around on the computer all day doesn't a good worker make. I have not learned this lesson as of yet so, I'll be the water-bearer for now.

Given all of the congratulatory verbiage above, I'd like to be clear that my celebration of vudu is not totally unselfish. In fact, my dream is to someday start the Deluded Destroyers, a team of devastatingly powerful uber-cyclists that will someday crush all others in small cycling competitions around the US and then use their spoils of victory to leverage my takeover of regional cycling competitions around the globe, and thereby become supreme overlord of the mountain biking universe! ...Oh yeah, AND THEN THE WORLD!! (Which we would promptly give back once all of the Reds were sent to live on the moon)

The biggest problem with that plan thus far is they usually only give away t-shirts and tires if you win. Can you take over the world with untold numbers of over-sized tees and ten tons of Panaracers? I honestly don't know, I'm asking?

Anyway, good job my friend. I hope our plans for world domination aren't thwarted by your lack of a new Giant Reign with 6" of front and rear travel, 'cause that would be a real shame. Think of the children E. Sorry, inside joke.

Steppin Out...

So, it would seem that our beloved gigi has decided to add to the most important blog on the internet again... her own. Yes, it's true, I have no sway with this one. Oh well.

It's always refreshing to hear someone's voice you know well, come from a safe place. Enjoy!

Some Insight

I'd never come across this piece about Rove before, but it is one of the most compelling accounts of the way this man and the White House works. It's a bit long, but it's truly frightening and well worth the read. Here's a snippet to get you going:

...Rove was talking to an aide about some political stratagem in some state that had gone awry and a political operative who had displeased him. I paid it no mind and reviewed a jotted list of questions I hoped to ask. But after a moment, it was like ignoring a tornado flinging parked cars. "We will fuck him. Do you hear me? We will fuck him. We will ruin him. Like no one has ever fucked him!" As a reporter, you get around-curse words, anger, passionate intensity are not notable events-but the ferocity, the bellicosity, the violent imputations were, well, shocking. This went on without a break for a minute or two.

This guy is so feared in Washington that few ever speak about him on the record. After reading this piece and seeing the current story developing I'm now convinced, this guy is mentally ill. God help us.

We Got 'Em!... ?

Hello all! Sorry to let down our five readers out there by not posting for a while, but due to illness, work, and just plain distraction, I haven't been able to keep up my semi-regular job here. However, there's no better time to have a place to rant than now.

By now, I'm sure most of you have already heard of this whole Valerie Plame thing brewing in D.C.. If not there is plenty of stuff out there for you peruse to get you up to speed (like this Salon.com article, it's well worth sitting through the ad for a day pass for this one). The long story short is, Rove and Co. are screwed. Just how screwed you might ask? Well, being a visual guy, I always like to go right to the video tape... watch this first.

Now, as much fun as it is too see that chubby little weasel get pummeled by the press, it's even better when put in an historical context. You remember what he said, right? "Can't prejudice blah, blah, blah..." "Ongoing grand jury blah, blah...", right? Step into the time machine now for this video treasure (this one will take a while to load, be patient).

Holy smoke! That was awfully close wasn't it? Just get this fact neatly nestled in your brains folks, this is as big as Watergate. Don't let the Neo-Cons and Reds fool you. Avoid any and all media laziness. Stock up on the truth. Know the facts.

That is all-

Good Quality Video

Follow this link for a good quality video of a whale being exploded in Lane County, Oregon, circa 1970. Warning: large file and lots of bloody whale fat flying through the sky.

White Custer

I have a new favorite thing.
I'm sure all of us have seen the yellow magnetic ribbons on trucks, SUV's and other vehicles around our towns. They started showing up a year or so ago, they pretty much replaced the American flag that was in the window and ended up on the freeway somewhere.
Have you noticed that many of these ribbons are no longer yellow? They have faded, faded to a very pale yellow, almost white. The blue text remains, but surrounded by a field of white. A white flag typically represents peace or surrender, right?
We have a few ways to interpret this.
1) People are tired of the war, our troops dying or becoming tragically injured and want peace.
2) They are terribly distraught by the war and want to just give up and have their loved ones home.
3) Finally, they never really gave a damn in the first place and can't pony up the few bucks it costs to buy a magnet made in Communist China.

I don't have any interest in judging people that have these white ribbons on their vehicles. It's just a thought that came to mind when the vehicles come pretty close to me when I'm riding my bike to and from work. It also appears that Bush's approval ratings have been dropping because of not only the Iraq war but also because of domestic issues.
Is there a relationship between the white ribbons and what Americans think of their President?

Holy Holga!

I know I usually spend my time here railing against the "Reds" and the Man in general, but since I haven't been able to get a post out in a while (my last one was eaten by my unplugged computer dying of batteryitis) I figured I'd break form and show you something else.

With all of the Tech that swirls around my life, I've found a new love for all things simple and messy. With that in mind I share with you some photos I took with a camera I bought that can only be described as "cheap". Not cheap in the sense of "Oh, I could've gone for the leather interior, but opted for vinyl" type cheap. No, we're talkin "I coulda rode the bus, but opted to tie a rope to it's bumper and drag myself there instead". I bring you... the Holga. This thing looks like it came out of a crackerjack box. It's made of cheap plastic, it has light leaks like you wouldn't believe, and the shutter springs with the least satisfying noise I've ever heard from a camera... ever. I love it.

I love it because unlike digital photos, what comes out looks like nothing you could've seen with your naked eye. It's almost always half photochemistry and half magic (with some luck thrown in for good measure).


The Exploritorium in San Francisco is one of my all time favorite buildings.


The Holga is the best way to do weird double exposures.



So, for now I'm going to embrace my photographic imperfections. The rest of my imperfections will just have to wait.

Giro Crash

We were talking at work today about bike racing, crashing etc. I found this video clip from stage 4 of this years Giro D'Italia. Not to be missed.

Long time gone...

I've been incredibly busy and Finx is just lazy and fat, there, that should motivate him to type something!

I've been racing. I won my Napa race. Third time I've raced it and never did too well. It was a small field, only 12 of us, but I got first. Love that race.

I've been doing the Prairie City Series, we've raced 7 of 10 races so far. I'm in first place by 20 points, you can usually only accumulate 10 points per race. Our team, Xtreme Outfitters is in first place for the team competition. That's cool for us.

Tonight we start riding the Spaulding Lake Trail. It could be painful, it will be fun.

I start a new job in about two weeks. Little scared, little excited. Not sure how that will effect my free time and therefore time to post, I guess we'll see together.

Still looking at places to get hitched. Lots of options, all very expensive and not what we are looking for, not yet.

Finn is blogged out

He just linked me this and won't post it, so I have to. It's about 3 mintues of video showing how shitty the Army is. Lying to kids and threatening them. The push is on to get more poor kids to fight the rich mans wars.

Proof

The Reds get caught red handed screwing with the minds of frightened Americans. A handy graphic that lays out their strategery (no, that wasn't a spelling error, just trying to keep it real). If there's any doubt in you now that they played us like banjos because we were so high strung, then you're a moron.

Sorry, but it's true.

Cowards Beget Cowards - A Dispatch From A Not Too Distant Future

If there's one thing you can count on in this "post 9/11" world, it's that using fear as a tool to gently manipulate people is the best way to accomplish whatever deviant little plan you can come up with. Just try and remember to always wrap your ideas in the cloak of "security". I mean, there's virtually no end to the possibilities of what you can accomplish. Even that which would totally contradict the rational persons sense safety and privacy becomes commons place the second you deftly apply the "terror deterrent" brand.

Yes, countermand years of paranoid tales of control and domination faster than you can say "Nineteen Eighty-Four". Case in point: The mere thought of your Aunties being blown to bits will make the even the most intrusive high powered lens pointed at you seem somehow reassuring, and therefore totally worth the inconvenience.

But, if your intended populous seems somewhat resistant to your constant harping about this bad person and that, then simply do what ever good over-seer does and simply force change down their throats. I'm sure they'll all thank you in the end. However, if they don't, make sure to only use level 5 on their shock collars, as level six and above may result in them losing any memory of what they did wrong in the first place.

Little Wanker *Updated*

So it would seem that the British PM took a beating politically in the election yesterday. I guess supporting an illegal war against poor people somehow proved distasteful for the British people as a whole. Too bad that kind of thinking man's approach to politics never crosses the pond.

PRI had this great piece on The World about the elections in Great Brittan (Listen here) and it started to make me think this old American version of "Democracy" could benefit from some old world Parliamentary banter. GW and the Reds wouldn't have run off with the the last one if the real voices of the people were heard, not just the interest groups like the Swifties.

Speaking of Public Radio (well, at least public for now), there was another piece that got my thinking about the state of the union. This report focused on the latest trend to create religious law schools around the country. I'll say it again... religious law schools.

They're the ones calling it a culture wars folks, not the progressives. So if it's war they want... well, you get the idea.

UPDATE- My good buddy vuduvgn linked to this hard hitting news piece that does an excellent job illustrating my first point, though I really wish he would stop trying to alleviate my crushing sense of doom with giggles all the time.

Beer & Passion

I came across these TV spots that New Belgium Brewing has made. It's nice when you see moving images and get so moved you are ready to pack up and go do what you see in the commercial. These are great! Music, except the Jousting one, is by Devandra Banhart.

Bert and Ernie Are Dead

I realize it's been far too long since I've done my duty to this here blog, but it seems that either my life was too busy, or my blood wasn't boiling enough to give you faithful readers a piece of my mind. Well, that's all about to change.

It's like I've been reborn today. Yes, reborn with a giant ten-foot-long stick up my butt. Sorry to be so crass, but I'm haven't fumed this much since the last time I ordered double beans with my Chimichanga (different fumes, I know). What's gotten me so damn angry is, well, what always gets me angry... the Red takeover.

It was obvious after this last election that these guys were going to be playing for keeps, trying to establish "a permanent Republican majority" and what not, but what wasn't so obvious was how far these zealots were willing to go. Now, setting up franchises in media outlets across the country to spin your personal brand of lies as truth is a well worn trick of the old "Reds" and it would seem the new Reds are quite willing to emulate that technique by consolidating media outlets run by right wing mouthpieces. No surprise there. But was is surprising and what has failed to raise the ire of the last bastions of people wanting unbiased news based on fact, is the fact that the Reds are now making big moves to co-opt the CPB. That's right The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the same guys who taught most of us to count simply by bouncing neon puppets around while singing. The guys who actually spend the time to vet all the stories on their newscasts to banish any appearance of bias. These are the guys who actually care about us because they are us, the public.

Or at least, they were.

It seemed like I was always getting those emails from friends and family members that said that PBS' budget was under fire once again from the right. If you actually read the news now and then you'd realize that this was not the case, it was simply an urban legend to rile up some libs. But what's interesting to me is how pissed people were that this institution might be messed with in any way, shape or form. It's what's really happened that has left many dazed and confused.

In a move that shows how shameless these people really are about spreading their views at the expense of all others, the CPB will soon become the new FOX News (sort of). But the best part is, 48% of the country will end up footing the bill for something that would enrage them, had an email been sent to them asking them to sign a petition. Their killing us with our own swords people! And the truth bending is only going to get worse.

So, if you thought what happened when Buster traveled to Vermont was bad, just wait until those puppets start signing about how great it is to join the Army and Bert and Ernie are put out to pasture because they don't "represent traditional family values." The thought police are hard at work folks. It's time to stop being ashamed of being progressive and "liberal" and start freakin' out and screaming about this stuff before it's too late.

Leave the emails at home and go buy the biggest megaphone you can find!!!

Bike to Work

I know that riding your bike to work is not possible for everyone, but definitely viable for some. I encourage those who can to do it. My commute is only 3.5 miles each way with one hill in between. Not bad. Riding is a very invigorating way to start the day. Myself and some others are going to try to put on a Bike to Work day in Nevada County. The national day for Bike to Work is Friday, May 20th, 2005. You can learn more at Bike to Work. I started a to put out the word and encourage locals to ride, check it out here.

Come the Rapture, can I have your car.

Cause i'll be here. To quote Karen from Will and Grace, "it's funny because it is blasphemous."

"These are perilous times for people of faith," she said, "not in the sense that we are going to lose our lives, but in the sense that it will cost you something if you are a person of faith who stands up for what you believe in and say those things out loud."

We have diversity of color but no diversity whatsoever of faith or policy. I guess Bush is now supporting Delay now too. Drunk with power I say, drunk with power. They will get their comeuppance when all is said and done. Do away with the filibuster, eh? Sure, that may be good for you now, but when the tides turn, what then? We'll put judges in that outlaw marriages between men and women, lower the drinking age to 5, raze the suburbs and burn the cars...

I started racing again. I raced last Wednesday afternoon, got 4th out of 16 or so finishers. 38 minutes of pain, average heart rate was 188, max was 197. I'm good for another round this week, bring the pain. Erin and I rode the Chico Mildflower on Sunday. 62 miles, 2000ft of climbing, 4 hours, 40 minutes. Erin rode like a champ, steady climbing, some attacking, it was awesome. We had a faster overall speed this year than last year, and last year was all flat. Yea Erin!

I'm kinda bored with politics right now, it's warm, i'm commuting on the bike to work, flowers are out, beers must be drunk.

No deaths!? Little death...

After the deaths of Terry Schiavo and the Pope it seems like there is nothing in the news to scream about.
This is regarding the memo that circulated around our Congressional Republicans to address the Schiavo case: "Martinez, R-Florida, said in a written statement that he discovered Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his office.
"It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document," Martinez said.
He said he accepted the resignation of the staffer who drafted and circulated the memo. "This type of behavior and sentiment will not be tolerated in my office," he said."
Anyone want to join me in calling BULLSHIT!!!
I got back on the singlespeed this week. It's been a month since I rode it last. Cleaned up the bottom bracket and adjusted the fork, rode to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. A whopping 3.5 miles each way! I did ride it Tuesday and Wednesday night though for about 2 hours each night, 20 some miles, 2k of climbing, etc. I forgot how frigging tired that thing can make ya. Punishing. It's an awesome descender, but climbing is hell. Hell, I tell you, hell. I might have to spin on the trainer tonight to flush some of the poisons I built up over the past few days.
Sea Otter may not happen for me, no same day registration for Sunday...

Pope Snow

It looks like it's been about 2 weeks since I last posted.
Some things have happened since then. I raced the Cool mountain bike race. I got 9th out of 19 starters in the 30-39 sport class. I was 2 1/2 hours behind second place. My excuse? The critical error was when I moved my saddle back about 5mm the day before the race. During the second lap I had the feeling of a muscle being pulled, the sensation ran from my left "love handle" down my ass to just above my knee. Live and learn.
Terry Schiavo died in that time. During the 14 days between when her feeding tube was pulled and the day she died, 12 US soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan. We didn't hear much about those fellas did we? This "culture of life" propaganda is such hypocritical horseshit. It's not a culture of life. Sure abortions are bad and the GOP doesn't want abortions, but it really seems like they could care less about the rest of us. And, the only reason they gave a damn, or rather appeared to give a damn, about Terry Schiavo is because they thought it may be a good political move. They were wrong, but the media has already forgiven them for it.
The Pope died. Doesn't mean much unless you are Catholic. He thought war was bad and so is birth control...
We saw Kinsey, the movie, last night. Highly recommended. It was a very interesting delve into American sexuality and in general our perceptions of sex, what is right, wrong, fun, absurd and how our sexuality affects our social and emotional life. The movie answered age old questions like: "Is it normal for my boyfriend to want to touch my anus while we are having sex?" For me, on of the parts of the movie that really hit me was the story of a lesbian woman. She started off with a husband, kids, etc. Got a job and slowly fell in love with a co-worker. She didn't know how to deal with it and no one to talk to about it. She "took up drinking," her husband left her, she alienated her children and her life basically fell apart. She effectively ruined her life because of love. It was a very sad and incredibly powerful story that was put in the movie to validate Kinsey's life work. Go see it with someone young and someone old.

We went skiing. Took a Monday off to celebrate my birthday and went up to do an Angora Lake ski tour. Great weather, about 12" of fresh snow and high avalanche danger.

We woke up Monday morning with 6" of fresh snow in town.

We spent about two hours breaking trail in 12" of fresh snow.

We were rewarded with great views when we got to Angora Lookout.


We continued West on Angora Ridge.

We dropped down the the basin just shy of Angora Lake, then switchbacked our way up to Angora Lake with a nice view of Angora Peak.

Coming back down that section we had switchbacked proved a little difficult for our skill level.

It cleared up quite a bit for our return trip over Angora Ridge. Click here for a panoramic view.

community in the time of technology

I've been wondering for some time what my first post would be. Scanning the news of the day for atrocities against which I could rally, policy strategies and decisions over which I could rage in disbelief, anything of the abundance I feel is available to me right now to be furious about. I think I felt absolutely overwhelmed by my limitless choices. However, then I discovered (as I sometimes do) something that was a bit more inspiring to me that I wanted share. Something that provided a sense of soothing instead of boiling. That something was an article devoted to one of my favorite websites. A website started 10 years ago in San Francisco now spanning something like 19 cities on which an individual in Bangalore can find an abode in Chicago, where a person wanting a job with a soulful nonprofit can find a way to make a difference. The site offers just about anything for anyone and the great part is that it simply was started and exists today for the sole purpose of building a community of connection using this fantastic tool called the internet. Imagine that. Evidently, Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist, repeatedly turns away buyout offers and refuses to include advertising on the site because he wants to remain true to his belief "in the community-building potential of the internet". I assume that EVERYONE knows about craigslist, and maybe they do, but it felt better to me today to pass on information that was about being successful while also being helpful and (gasp) ungreedy. It felt better to me because that's the kind of stuff, however great or small, that I want to focus on. By making what I believe in bigger, breathing oxygen into it, the fires burning in our world become smaller. At least for me. At least for the moment.