Cruising the Mental Plane

Red Light Runners Compilation

2012-01-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

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When I see video's like this I think of this quote:

"The evolution of the brain not only overshot the needs of prehistoric man, it is the only example of evolution providing a species with an organ it does not know how to use."-Arthur Koestler

Great Weather for Biking in January

2012-01-25T22:11:00.000-08:00

Again the San Francisco Bay Area is having spring like weather which means great biking. Still thinking that summer is going to be colder than usual.

My Rails-To-Trails jersey arrived and my new Walz Cap. Rails-To-Trails is a great organization to support. They buy old railroad lines and turn them into walking and biking trails. As you can see it was a beautiful day in January for a bike ride.

The good thing about having a Wednesday and Thursday for a weekend is that the traffic is low. The rough part is not going on group rides.

Since I'm the only cyclist at work sometimes I think people just pretend to listen when I talk about cycling. But the way I see it I have to listen to conversations I really don't care about so they can listen to me talk about my bike rides.

I do like to see so many taking up bike riding. The more people that ride the better it is for bike riders. Car drivers have to get use to seeing bicyclist and that way they become aware and to look for bike riders.

1985-1988 bike riding was reintroduced to me in Japan. Was great riding in Japan because bikes belonged on the roads. Didn't have people honking at me or throwing things at me there. The bad part was that military personnel were not allowed to ride a bike during the winter because of the snow.

One thing I have noticed that I get honked at less and I haven't had anything thrown at me for some time. When I started riding in the States in 1988 it seems like I was honked at all the time and got use to dodging flying objects from cars. Got pretty good at judging when something soon was coming my way.

My Top 10 for the Minute:

1.Angels Are Hard To Find-Hank Williams Jr.

2. Left To My Own Devices-Pet Shop Boys

3. After The Fire Is Gone-Conway Twitty

4. I'll Never Smile Again-The Platters

5. Pardon Me-Allison Moorer

6. Dreamin'-Weezer

7. It's Oh So Quiet-Bjork

8. Just Plain Funky-The Bucketheads

9. Tally Ho-Jr. Walker and The All Stars

10. She's got You-Patsy Cline

Sha Na Na with The Ramones

2012-01-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

2011 Trek Transport Cargo Bike

2012-01-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is cool. Probably the best way to go bike touring.

thoughts

2012-01-17T19:18:00.001-08:00

I read this in On Bicycles edited by Amy Walker just something to think about, "The richest 20 percent of people consume over 76 percent of the world's goods. As far as I can tell, that's you and me."

I see the rain is returning. Hopefully I will be able to get some good riding before the rain comes. Not a big fan of riding in the rain and usually try to avoid it as much as possible, but if I get caught in it then I keep riding. I'm wet already.

I don't think of bike riding as exercising. It is just way too much. I like getting on my bike to see the sights or just run errands. It beats a car because I don't have to worry about having to find a place to park the car. Just lock the bike to a pole and off to Peet's to get my jasmine green tea and do a little reading.

If the weather is nice then ride up to Briones and enjoy riding the trails. Or ride out to Pleasant Hill and hit Barnes and Noble.

I have people tell me that they are going to start riding their bikes, but it seems like they never get around to it. One day they might, but they are going to have to realize that they like to ride a bike. If they don't like riding a bike then they will never get on a bike.

Not that I stop talking about my journey's on my bike. Maybe I should tell the guys that bike riding can boost their sex drive or bike riding can make their penis appear larger. The area around the base of the penis also thickens and gradually swallows a portion of the penis, about a quarter inch for every nine pounds gained. Bike riding helps prevent fat build-up, it keeps the penis looking as large as possible.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. Sacred Journey II-Kitaro

2. Born Under A Bad Sign-Homer Simpson

3. Things That Scare Me-Neko Case

4. Life Happened-Tammy Cochran

5. Nothin' To Lose-Rebel Meets Rebel

6. The Hustler-Crusaders

7. Cake and Eat It-Dead or Alive

8. Automatic-Prince

9. Rave All Night-Ho'Aikane

10. Yard Sale-Sammy Kershaw

Charley & Humphrey - Exercise

2012-01-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

Charley & Humphrey - Borrowing Without Asking

2012-01-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

Brompton Bike

2012-01-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

I finally pulled the trigger, I put an order for a Brompton folding bike. Not that the decision was easy. I thought about Dahon and Bike Friday. In the end it was the Brompton that won out.

I'm not going to get rid of my Quick, I do like the bike. But there are times I don't want to take it with me. Especially when I want to ride around San Francisco and the Peninsula area. Getting there on BART is the easy part. Coming back is the problem. There is the "no bike on BART times" and the crowded trains. Get at a BART station at the wrong time and there is a lot of trying to find something to do time. The Brompton will end this nonsense.

If I can get an earlier start time at work during the rebid process then I will use the Brompton for my commute to work. Ride BART to work and after work ride back to the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station. At least I can take the Brompton into the building. The Quick is a little more work. I have to put it on the bike rack on the car and when I get to work I got to lock it up to a tree in front of the building.

I still like the idea of using the Brompton for quick jaunts on bus or train and then going exploring somewhere by bike. The Path less Pedaled has put the idea in my head.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. Born To Be Wild-Steppenwolf

2. Planet Hell-Nightwish

3. Don't You Get So Mad-Jeffrey Osborne

4. She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye-Jerry Lee Lewis

5. Sunday Morning Coming Down-Johnny Cash

6. Just Another Fool-Allison Moorer

7. Blood and Whiskey-Dropkick Murphy's

8. When I Think About Cheatin'-Gretchen Wilson

9. Highway To Hell-AC/DC

10. Nobody Loves You-Garbage

60° North - A British Adventure

2012-01-04T18:52:00.000-08:00

Interesting get a folding bicycle and a sea eagle and I'm ready to go.

Good-Bye 2011

2011-12-31T18:23:00.000-08:00

Time to say good-bye to 2011. Really not a bad year. Got a new bike in February a Cannondale Quick 3. Then I got a Brooks saddle for it. Love that saddle. Hard to believe a leather saddle with no cushion can be so comfortable.

2011 was a wet and cold year. So much riding in the rain. But the end of the year was dry and got some good riding in. So everything is good.

On my economic front it was pretty good. The job was steady. I was able to pay off my credit cards and save a little money.

Met some good people and had some good laughs. I actually have complete control of my social life. I don't deal with drama so I get rid of it as quick as I can. I have a job that gives me enough drama and idiots which the job pays me to deal with them. My personal life I don't put up with it.

My Top 10 mostly played Albums for 2011:

1. Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul-Jeff Beck

2. Mayhem-Imelda May

3. Holy Wood-Marilyn Manson

4. Propositions-Bar-Kays

5. Swing Is Dead-Lee Press-On and the Nails

6. Showdown-Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland

7. Nevermind-Nirvana

8. Flamejob-The Cramps

9. Version 2.0-Garbage

10. The Pressure Is On-Hank Williams Jr.

New Year Check List

2011-12-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

NEW YEARS CHECKLIST
1. Buy a bike, or tune up your current bike
2. Ride it 10-15 miles a week
3. Less TV...more biking
4. Attend at least 2 Pedaler bike rides per month starting in the spring
5. Start eating better and maintain a healthy lifestyle

Lost

2011-12-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

I read this in The Lincoln Highway by Michael S. Williamson:

"As funny as it sounds sometimes getting lost can be good. There are travelers who consider getting lost an art. It can be a balm for the soul, allowing those who are lost to learn more about themselves by altering the predictable course of life." The quote of my life. I don't mind getting lost. Let the fun begin.

I always wonder what refineries are putting into the atmosphere. Probably why I have issues with Spare The Air days that won't let people burn wood in their fire places on cold nights. But trucks can sit with their engines running. The bridges won't charge $20 to cross on spare the air days. This is one of the problems with letting government have so much power.

I was at Vista Point when I started talking to a guy. He was saying how he is afraid to ride a bike because it seemed so dangerous. I told him it has gotten better over the years. I started thinking how crazy it was to ride a bike during the late 80's. I remember cars honking their horns, getting close to me, and throwing things at me. Now cars give me room and I haven't had anything thrown at me for a while. I do get honked at now and then but who knows what is going on.

I especially hate when cyclist are riding side by side running their mouths and won't let a car pass. Why can't they stop talking form a single line and let the car pass. Instead the car driver gets pissed, goes into the next lane when safe, and lays on his horn. Now that driver is pissed at all bicyclist.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. Suzy's Gone-Kiddo

2. Just Because your Mine-Teddy Pendergrass

3. Cold Blooded Lady-Ebonee Webb

4. No Talk Slot-Cameo

5. I Sang Dixie-Dwight Yoakam

6. Lydia The Tattoo Lady-Lee Press-On and the Nails

7. All My Life's A Lie-Smokey Robinson

8. The Last Waltz-Englebert Humperdinck

9. Cover You In Oil-AC/DC

10. Rock & Roll Queen-The Subways

Bike Across America - How Not To Quit

2011-12-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

Bikes and trains Study Tour

2011-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Plastics - PEACE

2011-12-23T16:07:00.000-08:00

Plastics - Top Secret Man (SCTV stereodub)

2011-12-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

2008 Hokkaido Japan Bicycle Journey

2011-12-22T18:04:00.000-08:00

Retarded Homing Pigeon

2011-12-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

My bike ride started slowly today. Riding up Valley View Road my legs weren't that strong on the climbs. The climb isn't really much. So I was thinking maybe a short ride. I hit San Pablo Dam Road and my legs started to feel better and I was really in a good groove. So I kept riding.

I hit Orinda and really felt better so I decided to go through Moraga and Lafayette. I figure I could catch BART at the Lafayette station to Orinda and head home. I know some will frown upon me hopping on BART, but I have no problem with it.

Things took a turn for the worst. Somehow I got off course and ended up in the hills of Lafayette. So I kept going forward and somehow I ended up by the Lafayette Reservoir parking area. I knew where I was. Hit Mt. Diablo BLVD and to the Lafayette BART station.

The retarded homing pigeon struck again. Seems like this always happens. I end up getting lost, but some how I find my back on course. All in all it was a great bike ride.

I am amazed at older guys on bike rides still have the stamina to ride as fast as they do. As I get older I feel myself slowing down. Though I don't ride as fast I am grateful that I can ride long distances. The rough part is living in an area with so many hills. I'll ride them, but I hate hills.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. Nipple To The bottle-Grace Jones

2. If I Had You-Alan Jackson

3. Call Me-Skyy

4. Beautiful Dangerous-Slash with Fergie

5. Wicked Ways-The Blow Monkeys

6. Beale Street Blues-Louis Armstrong

7. Skeletons-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

8. Dead Lovers' Lane-HIM

9. Gothic Lolita-Emilie Autumn

10. Dark Half-Lee Press-On and The Nails

Riding in the Cold

2011-12-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think I have to be crazy when I go on a bike ride when it is cold outside. There is always the hope that I will be able to warm up. But there are some days when it just doesn't work. Even if the sun is beating on me. Nothing is worse than a cold sun. The next day I will hop on my bike and think the same thing. I must be crazy.

I love the feeling of riding in silence on an empty road and enjoying the sights. It is always nice to have my camera with me. Never know when a nice shot will present itself.

I'm the bike rider that the fast riders see and they pedal harder and faster to pass me up and feel that they accomplished something. I think some probably keep a log of how many bike riders they passed up.

Eight Steps to Aging Well
1)	Eat a well balanced and varied diet. Your diet should be high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat. Especially important are legumes, whole grains, cold-water fish and soy. The Japanese who have a low rates of breast cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease eat a diet which is high in tofu and other soy products.

2)	Keep your immune system strong with zinc and vitamins C and E.

3)	Protect your vision by avoiding excess sun exposure - wear sunglasses. Eat foods that contain vitamins A, C and E as well as the carotenes, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

4)	Lower the risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke and cancer by limiting saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet and increasing intake of vitamins B12, C, E and D, folate. The minerals calcium and selenium, as well as soluble fiber, garlic, tea and grape flavonoids are also helpful.

5)	Keep mentally alert with B vitamins, antioxidants and Ginkgo. Although Ginkgo has been clinically tested only on people with dementia, it may help healthy people as well.

6)	Protect bones from osteoporosis with a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Take supplements to ensure you meet the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). Calcium supplements which also contain Magnesium, Zinc and Boron work better. Help your body make its own vitamin D by spending some time in the sun - a minimum of 10 minutes every day.

7)	Boost antioxidant activity and increase cellular energy activity with Coenzyme-Q10.

8)	Exercise. To maintain strong muscles, mix aerobic exercise with muscle-strengthening activities such as weight training. Weight-bearing exercises also keep bones healthy. When combined with aerobic exercises, they also keep weight down. Carrying excess weight has been linked to heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

From Vitamin Power Website. Visit for health information and natural health products.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss-Pat Benatar

2. What's He Doin' In My World-Eddy Arnold

3. The Great Pretender-The Platters

4. One Night In Bangkok-Murray Head

5. Hold Me Now-Thompson Twins

6. Would I Lie To You-Eurythmics

7. Someday My Day Will Come-George Jones

8. The Lie Which refuses To Die-Black Tape For A Blue Girl

9. Wild Streak-Hank Williams, Jr.

10. Voices Carry-'Til Tuesday

Riding Thoughts

2011-12-18T18:34:00.000-08:00

Got a Brooks Millbrook saddle bag for my bike. I wanted a smaller bag for longer rides with few stops. My large Topeak MTX bag was just too big for the rides. I still like the large Topeak MTX bag for commuting and running errands.

I like the Millbrook bag because I got room for my lock, extra tube, tools and snacks. Doesn't weigh me down either.

Love riding the back roads of the San Francisco Bay Area. Pleased to see some of the roads has nice bike lanes.

Left the house and the temperature was thirty-six degrees. Love riding in the cold. So nice not to over heat. When I do get a little warm I just ease up on the pedaling.

My Top 10 as of Now:

My Top 10 for the Minute:

1. Lifetime Piling Up-TalkingHeads

2. Bolero-Ravel

3. What Have I Done To Deserve This?-Pet Shop Boys

4. This Is Hip-John Lee Hooker

5. Pump-The B-52s

6. Little Ghost-The White Stripes

7. Cool-The Time

8. She's Got You-Patsy Cline

9. Christmas Eve: Introduction-Rimsky-Korsakov

10. One Less Bell To Answer-Gladys Knight & The Pips

Not too Serious

2011-12-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

Was on Telegraph Ave today and what a sad state. Not much there anymore. Stopped at Rasputin's and Amoeba records. Pretty empty. Hard to believe how much fun Telegraph Ave was in the 90's. Tower Records, Leopold Records, Amoeba, Rasputin, Blake's and Cody Books. People all over the place. Always something entertaining going on.

Riding my bike in thick fog is not much fun. Actually it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. Not much of shoulder, but bike riding around Pinole isn't a lot of options. Roads weren't designed for bike riding.

I'm really excited about the whole Mayan Calender and 2012. The earth needs to go through some kind of purification. I'm on the side that there are too many people on the planet. But if nothing happens life goes on and I'm still doing my thing.

The Benefits of Biking. Americans drive everywhere and cars are killing us.

My Top 10 at the Minute:

1. Talk To Me-Mickey Gilley

2. Got My Eyes On You-C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band

3. El Paso-Marty Robbins

4. Bass N the Truck-DJ Kool

5. She's A Bomb-UnAmerican

6. Time Off For Bad Behavior-Confederate Railroad

7. Devil's Johnson-Ethyl Meatplow

8. You Can't Show Me-Aswad

9. They Killed Him-Bob Dylan

10. If I Had You-Jimmy Durante

How the Dutch got their cycle paths

2011-12-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

bicycling across America, Nebraska part 4

2011-12-08T16:40:00.001-08:00

bicycling across America, Wyoming

2011-12-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

Pacific Coast Bicycle Tour (Seattle to Los Angeles)

2011-12-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

MORE LOVE FROM THE FRUIT ORCHARD...

2011-12-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

Oh Well

2011-12-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

McDonalds hamburgers are only 15% "Real Beef", the other 85% is meat filler cleansed with Ammonia which causes colon cancer. Now this is really disgusting. Guess I will have to stay away from McDonalds. Amazing what food companies are able to get a way with.

The calender says December but the weather in the San Francisco Bay Area says Spring. So because of the nice weather I left work early to go on a bike ride. Nothing like a ride to clear my head and relax. Would have never thought that riding up hills would relax me, I hate hills.

Looks like the weekend will be good for riding too. I do have my priorities set right.

My Top 10 at the Minute:

1. There, I've Said It Again-Bobby Vinton

2. Woman In The Castle-Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials

3. (She's My) Vampire Girl-Groovie Ghoulies

4. Refugee-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

5. Who Were You Thinkin' Of-Texas Tornados

6. Do You Know Where Man Is-Pam Tillis

7. Happy Together-Misato Watanabe

8. Tango Noir-Akina Nakamori

9, I've Got Papers On You-Pat Benatar

10. Your Day Will Come-Cousteau

Russ Packs The Brompton for Touring - PathLessPedaled.com

2011-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Life to the Max Show #123 - "Sleepless Til' Seattle" - New

2011-12-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

Amused

2011-11-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

An amusing look at Berkeley and biking. Berkeleyside.com.

My first two days back at my 4am start at work went pretty good. Which comes as a surprise. Usually it is one big headache. But I am tired. It is rough getting up at 2am. Basically it is the schedule from hell for a night owl.

Now I get back to my mid week bike riding. Of course I will be welcomed back by the wind. Would be nice if the wind would be at my back, but it will be in my face. What can I say the wind loves me.

My favorite picture of my old bike.

My Top 10 for Now:

1. The Tulsa Shuffle-The Tractors

2. Angry Johnny-POE

3. Love In Cold Blood-HIM

4. Julia-HorrorPops

5. Green Suede Shoes-Black47

6. Joke-The Fonzarellies

7. Mephisto Waltz No. 1-Lizst

8. Anything Goes-AC/DC

9. Boogie Man-Lee Press-On and The Nails

10. Voodoo Idol-The Cramps

Wandering Aimlessly

2011-11-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Went to the San Francisco Auto Show. Was pretty interesting. Fun to sit in cars I can't afford and not be bothered by some sales person. Honestly though I liked looking at the old cars that was at the show.

Was surprised to see all the people around the Hyundai Velositer. It was a nice looking car, but now to see how sales go.

I'm not looking for a car anytime soon. Hopefully not for another four years. But the Mini's sure are nice.

I still like roaming around San Francisco. There is a lot to see, but it still smells like a port-a-potty.

Walked by Operation San Francisco and I still think it looks like a homeless community. There was one tent that had potted plants in front. Talk about feeling at home.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Get It Up-The Time

2. Blue Lady In A Red Mercedes-Hank Williams Jr.

3. Working For The Man-Roy Orbison

4. Cold Dark World-Weezer

5. Take Me There-Grover Washington, Jr.

6. I'm In Love Again-Fats Domino

7. Sad County Auto Show-The Cramps

8. Mr. Groove-One Way

9. Victory-Bond

10. Take Somebody Home-Lili Haydn

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

2011-11-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Love coconut oil.

KIindle Fire Goes Back To Amazon.

2011-11-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

My Kindle Fire arrived on Tuesday and I was pretty excited. Couldn't wait to put it through the paces. But on Friday the Kindle Fire will go back to Amazon. I could not get the Fire to register. Kept coming up that I need to register the Kindle. So I went on my home computer and signed into my Amazon Kindle account. It was showing that it was registered. But the Fire did not get the news.So back it goes.

I don't have patience with trying to get equipment to work. As far as I'm concerned Amazon had enough time to ensure that the Kindle Fire was operational. They failed, so I will move on.

For what I was able to do the Fire worked well. I enjoyed using it.

Operation Wall Street has been going on since the Bail Out of Corporate America.

My Top 10 as of Now:

1. Just My Soul Responding-Smokey Robinson

2. Crucify The Dead-Slash with Ozzy Osbourne

3. There's A Method To My Sadness-Billy Joe Royal

4. Nobody Here By That Name-Patty Loveless

5. Ghost Wiring-Neko Case

6. Here's A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)-Travis Tritt

7. Last Night I Met Carl Perkins-Kentucky Headhunters

8. Burnin' And Lootin'-Bob Marley and The Wailers

9. Big Hair-Bellamy Brothers

10. A Thousand Miles From Nowhere-Dwight Yoakam

Minimalism

2011-11-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

Saw this bike made of wood at the SF Bike Expo. So cool. Now I have something to save for. Check out Renovo Bikes.

Best quote I heard about Occupy SF, "It is like a rowdy bar." Sounds like they are having a great party in San Francisco.

Time to start down sizing. Really don't need the junk that I have accumulated over the years. When I was younger I thought how I needed this stuff. Now all it does is collect dust.

It is great to hear about what cities are doing to increase bike riding. Still say that cars and bicycles can coexist.

Then again car prices are rising and keeping them running is getting more expensive. All that technology comes at a price.

With all the crazy things going on in the world it is always good to get on a bike and relax. All this craziness seems to disappear.

Becoming a minimalist is becoming more of an option everyday. Save some money and get rid of the bills and I can see me touring around the country on my bike. Life is looking better everyday. People can have the rat race.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. California Girls-Beach Boys

2. Chances Are-Johnny Mathis

3. I Cried a Tear-LaVern Baker

4. Puppy Love-Paul Anka

5. Since I Met You Baby-Ivory Joe Hunter

6. Don't Mistake Kindness for Weakness-Albert Collins

7. Ring Dang Dilly-Big Maybelle

8. Secret Island-Malta

9. Just Like You-Smokey Robinson

10. I Buy Her Flowers-Sammy Kershaw

David Byrne: How architecture helped music evolve | Video on TED.com

2011-11-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

David Byrne: How architecture helped music evolve | Video on TED.com

survival mode

2011-11-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

The way the world is going I guess all I'm going to need is a bicycle, tent, gun and bullets. It is getting insane out there.

Operation Wall Street reminds me of spoiled kids who are demanding their inheritance before their parents die.

Thanks to technology the job landscape has changed. I call it revenge of the nerds. They are getting back at the bullies. To get a good paying job now a days one needs to get a degree in engineering, computer programming, or in the sciences.

There is still the vocational option in plumbing, electrical, or some kind of mechanical. Got to have a skill to survive today.

Going to college for a degree in liberal arts is a waste of money. Can't go into debt for hundred thousand dollars or more and get a job for ten dollars an hour is not going to cut it.

In today's world one needs to know what they want to do by the time one enters high school. It is rough being caught in this transition.

America needs to rethink education. Also need to get rid of incompetent teachers. Union protection be damned. Students or American cannot afford the incompetence of a teacher.

Since the precedent has been set don't complain when I set up my tent in a park because I can't afford rent and my wages keep falling.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Son's House-Guy Forsyth

2. Life In The Jungle-Walter Trout

3. Hillbilly Joker-Hank Williams III

4. Fast As You Can-Dwight Yoakam

5. Mendocino-Doug Sahm

6. I'll Be Standing By-Gladys Knight & The Pips

7. I Believe In You-Mel Tillis

8. I've Cried My Last Tear For You-Ricky Van Shelton

9. I'll Save You All My Kisses-Dead or Alive

10. Wall Down South-Matt "Guitar" Murphy

Rambling Along

2011-10-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite cycling jersey. From www.elevengear.com.

Yea, Brethren, open now your books to Revolutions 53:12. When Sunday morning rolls around and the spousal unit says "Why don't you ever come to church with me?" Face it: You know that you pray at the church of the bicycle, and this is no false idol. You figure anything that can get you 100 km down the road for the cost of a bean and cheese burrito is worth praying toward. In fact, I think they otta make you reverend. Maybe you should hold forth on Sunday mornings at the front of your flock. Before the meek inherit the earth let them grovel on your wheel a bit. Halleluiah!

It is all about having fun when riding my bike. I'm out to see the world.

I want to take a trip to Easter Island one day. Work is really getting in the way.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Close Up the Honky Tonks-Dwight Yoakam

2. You Got To Stop-Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials

3. Tesla Girls-OMD

4. This Is Hip-John Lee Hooker

5. That's All I Need To Know-Alan Jackson

6. You're Something Special To Me-George Strait

7. 5 Shots of Whiskey-Hank Williams III

8. Nobody's Lonesome For Me-Hank Williams

9. Someday My Day Will Come-George Jones

10. Honky Tonk Hiccups-Neko Case

Small Wheels to the Coast

2011-10-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

I am finding touring on a folding bicycle interesting.

'Norwegian Wood' set for U.S. release - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety

2011-10-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

'Norwegian Wood' set for U.S. release - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety

Passing Thoughts

2011-10-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

I get a kick out of the whole Occupy Wall Street. Yeah they are mad at Corporate America, but it isn't going to create jobs. Personally I think that the job market is starting to change. With technology taking over people are not prepared for the new job market. It is kind of a Revenge of the Nerds.

To get an idea how the job market is heading Michio Kaku's Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100. Might want to forget about bank teller, middle management, accountant, and other jobs.

Richard Nixon might have been right. We don't need an abundant people with college degrees. With the cost of college on the rise maybe that sociology degree may not be worth it. Live a life of poverty working at Starbucks for $10 an hour. Plumbers, electricians, welders, and other type of a trade job is always needed.

Americans are going to have to rethink their attitude of that job is beneath me. The way things are going you are going to have to take the work you can get.

Glad I'm nearing the end of my work life and debts are just about gone. No more ball and chain of debt for me.

Now I can concentrate on what I want to do. Ride my bike, go on hikes, read books, and wander aimlessly.

My Magazine Subscriptions:

1. Momentum Magazine-Smart living by Bike.

2. Bicycle Times-Your Everyday Cycling Adventure

3. Bicycling Magazine-50 years of covering Cycling

Magazines I catch up on at the library:

1. Business Week

2. The Economist

3. Fortune

4. Time

5. National Review

6. Backpacker

7. Forbes

8. Car and Driver

9. Money

10. Sound and Vision

The Rain Comes

2011-10-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

The bike gods timing is off during the first rain. Got my bike ride in and when I arrived inside my house it started to pour down rain. Lets just call in pre-season. I know I shouldn't be picking a fight with the bike gods, but it is just my rebellious spirit.

I hate that amazon.com uses UPS for deliveries. Never know when the driver is going to arrive and all the driver does is drop the package and go. I rather have USPS deliver my shipment. At least I know when the letter carrier is going to arrive and he knocks on the door when I have a package.

After listening to people complain about their significant other I am glad that I'm not in a relationship. I like the idea that I can go on a bike ride for as long as I want and not worry about a phone call or getting in an argument because I stayed out longer than expected. If I feel good I'm gonna keep riding.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Let It Flow (for "Dr. J")-Grover Washington, JR.

2. Claudette-Roy Orbison

3. Just Like You-Smokey Robinson

4. It's Only Make Believe-Conway Twitty

5. (I Don't Have A Reason) To Go To California Anymore-Willie Nelson

6. Jungle Love-The Time

7. Let's Go Crazy-Prince

8. When I Think About Cheatin'-Gretchen Wilson

9. Red, White & Pink-Slip Blues

10. My Last Date (With You)-Ann-Margret

Video Montage - PathLessPedaled.com

2011-10-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Riding around the country on Brompton's. This is so cool. Amazing what people are doing instead of doing the corporate thing. Doing things their way. One has got to love it.

Not Much

2011-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Interbike 2011 - Surly Moonlander - PathLessPedaled

2011-09-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Oh What A Day

2011-09-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Some days one should just stay in bed. Woke up at 3:50am feeling like hell. I start work at 4am. I went to my cell phone to call work to let them know I'm not coming in because I feel like hell. Grabbed the phone and say the day and date. Wednesday, September 28. Wednesday is my Saturday, no work. Went back to bed.

Woke up at 8:30am. Feeling a little sick, but not enough to stay in bed. Decided to shower and hop on my bike and run some errands. So Riding in Hercules heading to the post office to check my mail I hear a loud pop. My rear inner tube exploded. So I found a shady spot and took off the rear tire, always the damn rear tire. Not the brightest idea. Slime was everywhere in the tire. The tube had split at the seems. So called for a ride to take me back home.

Good thing I was riding pretty slow. If I would have been flying down a hill and that happened it would not have been pretty. To top it off my feet are clipped to the pedals. Maybe I should have stayed in bed.

My Top 10 for the minute:

1. Blue Monday-Fats Domino

2. Do They Turn You On-The Whispers

3. Would If I Could-Auf der Maur

4. (Pardon Me) I've Got Someone To Kill-Johnny Paycheck

5. I Know It's Not Over-Cal Smith

6. Walk Like A Zombie-The HorrorPops

7. Legs-Art Of Noise

8. I'm Hooked On You-Al Green

9. Talking Loud and Clear-OMD

10. This Is Your Life-The Godfathers

Cob Webs In My Mind

2011-09-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

Go to college, go into debt so you can play in the high wage employment game. Plain crazy.

But if you default on your education debt you are pretty much screwed. You will be hounded for life. Lenders can garnish your wages, take your income tax refund, and have your professional license away. Forget about working for the government or collecting your social security. That can really suck.

My $15,000 I ended up owing isn't so bad compare to what students are paying. Of course I did my first two years at Contra Costa College, a community college. Then transferred. Also it helped that I worked for a company to pay $3000 a year for college. Kind of like dancing with the devil. The company sucked. Wasn't much of a fit. Other minus is they ended up choosing my major. I wanted to be an anthropology major. They wouldn't pay for it. So I became a business major. I hate business classes. But I can be pretty stubborn so I graduated and got my business major.

There are too many people owning dogs who should not have a dog. I'm pretty much getting tired of barking dogs. But people are so into their little fucking world to even bother to stop the dog from barking or they don't just care. Small dogs are the worst.

Got this shot and surprised how good it came out.

Today I realized I am incapable of following a route. I had a route planned on my bike ride. But there is always a different road I want to go down. So a 30 mile ride planned turns into a 45 mile ride. This is really not a bad thing. I am enjoying a bike ride.

My Top 10 for now:

1. The Walk-The Time

2. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes-The Platters

3. Come As You Are-Nirvana

4. Greyhound bound for Nowhere-Miranda Lambert

5. Stranger-Lili Haydn

6. One Nite Stand-Al Green

7. Out On A Limb-Teena Marie

8. All My Lovers-Black Tape For A Blue Girl

9. Everybody Get Dangerous-Weezer

10. Take Me With You-Prince

Alone

2011-09-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

Good thing I don't mind doing things alone or I would never do anything. Probably the plan that the cosmos had with me. Most jobs I have had have been swings or graveyard with days off in the middle of the week. Just learned to do my own thing. Probably why I like bike riding, hiking and wandering aimlessly. Carrying a book is a must. Can always do it alone.

Bad thing is doing things alone ends up being comfortable. When there is a group thing I want to do it takes me some time to work my way into doing it. Amazed that I ever got through a job interview. The only way I was able to do job changes is when I had no choice.

Not that I'm complaining because I have meet some great people along the way, but they don't stick around long either their choice or mine. Just enjoy the time spent together.

Wrote this as the beginning paragraph in paper about endings in college. Always liked it and explained a lot about how I look at things:

Endings in the life of a person will be experienced many times. Sometimes it may happen many times

one day. Some of the endings are prepared for and some are not. Some endings bring about great joy

and some great sadness. Many endings may go unnoticed.

So just enjoy the moment and the people along the way. Because your next breath is not promised.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Old Style Way-Hawaiian Style Band

2. Is This The Dream-The Zombies

3. Rebel-Aswad

4. Devil's Johnson-Ethyl Meatplow

5. Farewell Party-Alan Jackson

6. I'm Coming Home-Bobby Womack

7. My Elusive Dreams-Charlie Rich

8. You Look So Fine-Garbage

9, She Don't Love Me No More-Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials

10. I Can't Stop Loving God-James Cleveland

Retirement Mode

2011-09-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I'm in retirement mode. I have eight years until retirement. I'm doing what I have to do and nothing more. I will do my job the best to my ability but I won't stress myself out. I want to go into retirement relaxed and healthy. Corporate America rather stress me out and kill me. I want to spend the money I put into my retirement and not have others enjoy it.

There is always the chance of death and I can accept that. But I'm not going to go looking for it.

For those who think that they are going to get their paws on my money when I'm gone, forget it. It is going to my favorite charities. At least I know that the money is going to good use and not being wasted.

I'm also working on bringing my personal life into retirement mode. Riding my bike to the coffee shop and reading the newspaper and listening to retirees talk about the good old days and whatever else the want to complain about.

It also means training for longer bike rides and hikes. I want to bike from Washington state to Portland Maine. I also want to hike the Appalachian Trail, Georga to Maine. Hey I'm retired what else am I gonna do. It is always nice to have a plan.

Graduates from the Ivy league are working dead end jobs and applying for food stamps and have joined the working poor. Welcome to my world. But if they have to pay back over $150,000 in school loans they might be in a new category working poverty, because they are probably paying over a thousand dollars a month for the school loan. And you can't file for bankruptcy to get rid of them.

My Top 10 at the minute:

1. One Way or Another-Blondie

2. Walking Through My Dreams-The Big Bopper

3. Call Me-Skyy

4. Down By The Water-Pam Tillis

5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond-Pink Floyd

6. You Need a Great Big Woman-Candye Kane

7. Crucify The Dead-Slash with Ozzy Osbourne

8. Home Me In Your Arms (and let me fall)-Brad Paisley

9. Hello-Poe

10. Check My Baby's Oil-Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials

Too Old For This Shit

2011-09-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

It was weird when I had my first "I'm too old for this shit." My younger days I just bull dozed my way through life on youthful energy and all the new experiences. The first time I was forty. I got off work at 11:30pm and had a half hour to get to the Fremont BART station. The bike ride would usually take between 20 and 25 minutes.

The problem with going to the BART station was the wind blowing in my face and the freeway overpass. I didn't get out of the building until 11:35pm and the wind is blowing about 18 mph right in my face. When I hit the overpass and the wind is driving me nuts it hit me, "I'm too old for this shit."

Then it seems like I was saying that more and more. Working in a warehouse and running around all shift trying to get work done. Toward the end of the shift it hits, "I'm too old for this shit."

I hope the job I have is my last because I don't look forward to job interviews. It use to be one went into a job interview and answered some questions and maybe asked a couple of questions. Now you got to know the history of the company, who is their major competitors, what were the financials, and whatever silly question that might be asked.

I'm already preparing for my final "I'm too old for this shit." That is when I decide to retire. So the main thing is too get rid of all debt and then save like crazy. So when the time comes I retire into the sunset.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. Mayhem-Imelda May

2. Peter Gunn-Jeff Beck with Jason Rebello and Trombone Shorty

3. Young Man's Job-Old Dogs

4. Czechoslovakia-Black47

5. Rebellious Love-Gogol Bordello

6. Stepping Stone-Duffy

7. Shadowman-Lee Press-On and the Nails

8. Now I lay Me Down To Cheat-David Allan Coe

9. I Refuse To Be Lonely-Phyllis Hyman

10. I'll Fly For You-Spandau Ballet

So What

2011-08-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Rules cats live by:

1. Whatever you're reading is where he has to squat and lick his paws.

2. If you bought it for him to sleep in, then he'll never sleep in it.

3. If it's a totally inappropriate place for him to sleep, then he's sleeping there.

4. Boxes are amazing!

A picture of Alcatraz.

Has been a cool summer for bike riding. I like the cool weather, but I would like it a little warmer and less windy. Rough riding the hills with wind blowing in my face.

Views like this is why I like hiking.

Now if my job can hold out for another six months I will have my debt eliminated. Never doing the debt thing again. It is a relief that most of it is gone because now it is more manageable. Then it is save, save, and save some more. Easing my way into retirement.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Don't Believe in Love-Dido

2. Still The One-Headpins

3. Drifter-Sylvia

4. Poison-The Fonzarellies

5. You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me-Bar Kays

6. Cutie Pie-One Way

7. If You Think You're Lonely Now-Bobby Womack

8. It Feels So Good (With You)-Bloodstone

9. Do It To Me-Eve

10. Little Light-Chicken Shack

time off

2011-08-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a waste of money. The city of Hercules CA mismanaged the funds and the company involved overspent. Now it sits. Amazing not one politician or someone with the company went to jail. Politicians need to be held responsible and should go to jail. The politicians were just recalled. Now Hercules is doing all kinds of budget cuts. No wonder this country is in a financial mess.

I want my bail out too. Why should corporations have all the fun.

It is so nice to have some time off away from the job. I'm looking forward to retirement. I have plenty to do to keep me busy and the best thing is my time is mine. No company telling me when I got to be at work and when I can leave.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Strawberry Time-Seiko Matsuda

2. City Pavement-The Subways

3. Take Time To Know Her-Percy Sledge

4. Pretty Girl-Godfathers

5. Let Me Down Easy-Cold Blood

6. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend-Miranda Lambert

7. Life In The Fast Lane-Eagles

8. Dark Half-Lee Press-On and the Nails

9. Lady Lay Down-John Conlee

10. Rockin' Bones-The Cramps

I Ride

2011-08-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

If I ever thought about it I would probably be scared to death to ride my bike on the streets. Never know if I'm going to be hit from behind and left for dead or some road rage thing. So I don't think about it and I enjoy the ride.

I cringe when I see bicyclist acting like idiots. The usual stupidity like running a red light or riding in the middle of the road and slowing down cars even though there is enough room to ride on the side. Why do some bicyclist feel like they got to go out of their way to piss car drivers off. Now the driver is pissed at all cyclist.

Not that I don't get irritated with car drivers. Can't stand that the idiots can't use a turn signal to let someone know they are going to turn. Had some close calls. Sometimes it would be nice to carry a paint ball gun and shoot the car and make a point that they could have hurt or killed me.

The Pedaler bike shop in El Sobrante CA is the best. Bought my bike from them in February. Wanted to have it tuned up and it didn't cost anything. By a bike from them and get tune ups or adjustment for free for a year. Can't beat it. Their customer service is the best. The people who work there never make you feel stupid for asking a question and have no problem explaining things or sharing their knowledge.

My Top 10 right now:

1. What I Like About You-The Romantics

2. Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated)-The Offspring

3. Walk Of Live-Dire Streets

4. Johnny Got A Boom Boom-Imelda May

5. Bloodsuckin' Cowboy-The Spectres

6. Funkadelic Groupie-O.G. Funk

7. A House of Gold-BR5-49

8. Who's Crying Now-Randy Crawford

9. Lovin' On Borrowed Time-Bobby Bland

10. Don't Be Angry-Stonewall Jackson

Just Thinking

2011-08-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

I miss the Doggie Diner that was on MacDonald Ave in Richmond CA. Great to stop and have a hot dog after school while waiting for the 69A bus to take me home. Now there is a McDonald's there. Not a good trade off if you ask me.

Some times I think the best part of my bike rides and finding a nice place to rest. On a nice day there is nothing like a comfy spot under a tree. Pull out the mp3 player and listen to some classical music and relax.

My speeding down the road are done. I pedal at a nice comfy speed and enjoy the sights. Not in a hurry to get anywhere.

I keep trying to get into yoga, but I find it boring. Ten minutes into it I'm ready to call it quits. But every now and then I try it again but it just doesn't take.

Now that I messed up my right shoulder weight lifting is done for a while. All the wear and tear over the years is catching up with me. This getting old isn't my cup of tea.

When I was young I never worried about my weight. In my twenties I never got over one hundred and twenty-five pounds. Now to keep the weight off seems like a job. Though my diet isn't the best. I do like to stop at a fast food place to grab something. The white mocha's don't help. But I have cut back.Still sucks.

My Top 10 for the minute:

1. Stomp-Brothers Johnson

2. Only Happy When It Rains-Garbage

3. Montana Cafe-Hank Williams Jr.

4. My Best Friend's Girl-The Cars

5. Wake The Dead-Alice Cooper

6. Satin Doll-Duke Ellington

7. I Want To Hold Your Hand-Lakeside

8. Walk Like A Zombie-HorrorPops

9. Why Didn't You Call Me-Shelby Lynne

10. I Wish You Well-Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

What I Think About When I Ride

2011-08-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

Usually I think about nothing while riding. Probably the only time my mind is quiet.

I find it weird when all is quiet in my mind and all of a sudden that voice somewhere deep in my mind, you know the one that you can't control, makes an appearance.The one that wants to bring up your fears, failures, and doubts. The one at times whats to kill you. The only way to drown this voice out is to start thinking about whatever. Probably why when people are alone they crank up the music or watch television. Open a book and start reading. Or the most irritating is when people whip out the cell phone. Anything to drown that voice that we can't run from or lie to.

Favorite quote about the brain,"The evolution of the brain not only overshot the needs of prehistoric man, it is the only example of evolution providing a species with an organ which it does not know how to use.”-Arthur Koestler

Thanks to a schedule that made my weekend in the middle of the week I tend to ride alone. Not that it is a bad thing. I'm pretty good at doing things alone. Sometimes after being with people at work I rather be alone. What I like about riding alone is I can ride as fast or slow as I want. I can even change my route. Since there are plenty of regional parks around I can lock my bike and go for a hike. Find a comfortable spot and take a break. Sometimes life is good.

I don't worry about how far I ride. I just ride. It may be a long ride or a short ride depending how I feel. Sometimes the legs just don't have it.

I always have to have my binoculars, camera, and something to read.

Sometimes I think about how it seems I can't do things the easy way. I tend to make things on me more difficult than they should be. I think I like the excitement.

My Top 10 as of right now:

1. You Talk Too Much-Run DMC

2. Sounds of Silence-Simon and Garfunkel

3. The Bomb! (these sounds fall into my mind)-Buckethead

4. Midnight in Montgomery-Alan Jackson

5. Dames, Booze, Chains and Boots-The Cramps

6. Venus As A Boy-Bjork

7. Only Women Bleed-Alice Cooper

8. Bring Your Fine Self Home-Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland

9. Someone I Used To Know-Patty Loveless with Jon Randall

10. Call Me (come back home)-Al Green

Tour de France Thoughts

2011-07-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Another Tour de France in the books. Great job by Cadel Evans to win the tour. Not bad for a thirty-four year old guy.

Andy Schleck needs to get better at time trialing or get used to being the brides maid.

Thomas Voeckler was the best surprise of the race. What a great run he had.

Thor Hushovd winning two stages on climbs was great.

Worse commercials was Nissan especially with the gas powered everything.

Best commercials were by RoadID with Bob Roll. They were just fun to watch.

NBC next year during the prime time show please show the yellow jersey competition between Bob, Phil, and Paul. Some people are at work and this is a fun segment. But overall not bad.

Top 10 Right Now:

1. I Want To Hug You-John Lee Hooker

2. You Don't Exist Any More-Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials

3. Somebody Led Me Away-Neko Case & Her Boyfriends

4. If Drinking Don't Kill Me (her memory will)-George Jones

5. Tourniquet-Evanescence

6. Psychobitches Outta Hell-Horrorpops

7. Funky Ceili (bridies's song)-Black47

8. The Humpty Dance-Digital Underground

9. Twilight Time-The Platters

10. Big Pants Dance-Lee Press-On and The Nails

Oh Hum

2011-07-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Shirley Manson said her solo album didn't happen because the record company said it was too dark. What a bunch of jackasses. What did they expect.

Does not surprise me though. The music industry, radio station owners, and the FCC destroyed the making of good music. Seems like that all that comes out is some form of dance music or some kind of watered down pop music. Got country pop, rock pop, goth pop, alternative pop and everything else that has gone pop.

Good thing I don't need to rely on radio.

It is so nice to have the warmer weather. More time spent on the bike and hiking the trails. I love riding by the bay. Nothing better than a cool breeze off the bay.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Push It-Garbage

2. Can You Feel It-Fat Boys

3. Hells Bells-AC/DC

4. Shake It Up-The Cars

5. Last Sound-Elvis Hitler

6. Cool-Time

7. Controversy-Prince

8. The Grand Tour-George Jones

9. Mr. Lincoln-Hank Williams Jr.

10. Down Under-Men At Work

Tour de France

2011-07-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

The Tour de France is going on and I don't care too much for the coverage of the recap on Versus. Don't really care for the prime time show. Liked when Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen joined for who might win a stage in the yellow jersey competition between them. I could catch the competition at 5am, but I'm at work. Guess I could have signed up for the enhanced package, but it is not like I can sit at a computer or tablet to watch.

One of the problems when a big company buys a smaller company. The big company expects a smaller company to join their boring ways. At least I still get to watch the race which is the important stuff.

Bob Roll is the main reason I watch the pre-race. His insight on the race is great and he is funny. Surprised NBC kept him.

The Bob Roll commercials for Road ID trying to get someone to ride with him are the best.

I always ride with my Road ID.

I have not been such a modern person. I should have been lived during the 1930's or 1940's. More my speed.

Nothing worse than riding BART and some idiot has got to talk the whole time. I blame Corporate America for pushing for the ability for people to use their cell phones in tunnels. Liked it when people had to shut up when in the tunnels. Really who wants to hear someone argue with their significant other?

My Top 10 right now:

1. Things You Do To Me-Hank Williams III

2. Lotus Love-Yellow Magic Orchestra

3. Little Light-Chicken Shack

4. Tantalizin' Me-Fonzi Thornton

5. This Time-The Whispers

6. Drive You Mild-The Verve

7. Baby-O-Dean Martin with Paris Bennet

8. Whiskey, If You Were A Woman-Highway 101

9. Who Is She (and what is she to you)

10. Saturday Night-Commodores

nothing

2011-07-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

It is tough being the average working person. Nike closes their plants in the United States to foreign countries so they can basically be part of sweat shops. But Nike can pay millions of dollars to athletes. Just to show that it is about millionaire/billionaires paying millionaires. The working person gets shafted.

I know Nike isn't the only company that does this, but maybe if consumers quit buying their over priced garbage they might have to rethink their strategies or go bankrupt.

The weather has turned nice and the bike riding is great. Nothing like riding around with no particular place to go. The joy of bike riding.

This is one cool Surly Long Haul Trucker.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. I Don't Do It No More-Old Dogs

2. The Art Of Suicide-Emilie Autumn

3. Running In and Out Of My Life-Bar Kays

4. It's On The Rocks-The Donnas

5. God's Gift-Lee Press-On and the Nails

6. I'm Truly Yours-Phyllis Hyman

7. Only When You Leave-Spandau Ballet

8. Green Suede Shoes-Black47

9. Sun Is On My Side-Gogol Bordello

10. Have a Drink On Me-AC/DC

Let the Ride Begin

2011-06-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

The rain is finally going away and that means more bike riding. Going to be so cool to commute to work without getting wet. Not a big fan of riding in the rain.

Not a big fan of the HTC G2. When I had my Motorola Cliq I was able to get on the internet at work. The G2 does not allow me too. But it does let me make calls and text message. Maybe I should go back to my Cliq.

Love the Peet's cycling jersey I just received. It is a cool looking jersey. So if I wear and I'm at Peet's do I get a discount? Just kidding. Maybe.

Now can MTN Dew come up with a cycling jersey?

So now that California has received all this rain I guess we will have ten years of drought. People pray for rain during a drought then when it comes they complain that it is raining. As a species humans aren't very satisfied.

I am so thrilled that MTN Dew Pitch Black is back. My favorite flavor of all time. Hopefully it stays.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. Honey Hush-Johnny Burnette

2. Black Cadillac-Joyce Green

3. Where The Rio De Rosa Flows-Jimmy Lloyd

4. Luckenbach, Texas (back to the basics of love)-Waylon Jennings

5. Hold On-Rosanne Cash

6. Burning Down The House-Talking Heads

7. Domino-Roy Orbison

8. Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound-Hank Williams Jr.

9. Rock 'N' Roll Ruby-Warren Smith

10. Zero-Yeah Yeah Yeah's

drinking poem by H.P. Lovecraft

2011-05-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Come hither, my lads, with your tankards of ale,
And drink to the present before it shall fall;
Pile each on your platter a mountain of beef,
For 'tis eating and drinking that brings us relief:
So fill up your glass,
For life will soon pass,
When you're dead ye'll ne'er drink to your king or your lass!

Anacreon had a red nose, so they say;
But what's a red nose if ye're happy and gay?
Gad split me! I'd rather be whilst I'm here,
Than white as a lily-and dead half a year!
So Betty, my miss
Come give me a kiss;
In hell there's no innkeeper's daughter like this!

Young Harry, propp'd up just as straight as he's able,
Will soon lose his wig and slip under the table;
But fill up your goblets and pass 'em around-
Better under the table than under the ground!
So revel and chaff
As ye thirstily quaff:
Under six feet of dirt 'tis less easy to laugh!

The fiend strike me blue! I'm scarce able to walk,
And damn me if I can stand upright or talk!
Here, landlord, bid Betty to summon a chair;
I'll try home for a while, for my wife is not there!
So lend me a hand;
I'm not able to stand,
But I'm gay whilst I linger on top of the land!

P-Funk All Stars - Cosmic Slop

2011-04-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Fat Can Help You Lose Weight

2011-04-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

E-Readers

2011-04-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

One thing e-readers cannot replace is the roaming around a bookstore and finding a great book that I probably would not have come across.

I know that the e-readers give recommendations that are based on past reading, but sometimes they may miss the mark. It is just that pleasure of finding a book that may not fit into past reading.

Another thing is I like to scan through out a book. E-readers are limited that way.

Best thing is I don't have to keep a battery charged on a book.

Why is it every time I am off from work it rains. So tired of bike riding in the rain. Hell it is worse than washing the car.

My Top 10 for now:

1. I'm Always Thinking About You-Teddy Pendergrass

2. Woman of Principle-Trouble Funk

3. The Jungle-Ashford and Simpson

4. Piece Of My Heart-Val Young

5. You Bring The Sun Out-Randy Crawford

6. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams-Dean Martin

7. Haunted-POE

8. Satin Sheets-Jeanne Pruett

9. If We're Not In Love By Monday-Merle Haggard

10. Hello Darlin'-Conway Twitty

Stealth Bicycle Camping and Bicycle Touring

2011-04-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

Lost In My Mind

2011-04-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

I have always said, "In California you do not live, but survive." Just so expensive to live in California. Now read it for yourself. Hardest to Make a Living: California Not So Golden

Heard this on 680 KNBR. If Barry Bonds is allowed in the Hall Of Fame then he should have to go in as a Pirate. Makes sense Bond's Giants years are tainted with steroids.

After all these years I still miss Doggie Diner. During my high school years if I missed the 69A I could just walk over to Doggie Diner and have a hot dog. Now a McDonald's sits in the spot.

It is nice riding my bike in the cool weather. I don't like it too hot because it just wears me out and too cold just destroys my motivation. Right now the weather is perfect.

It is hard being a night owl in a day world. During the day I feel tired, but let the sun go down and I'm wired. Rough when I got to get up at 2am for work. Sometimes I wonder how I get the day shift from hell.

My Top 10 for the minute:

1, Something In My House-Dead or Alive

2. Wild About My Lovin'-Imelda May

3. The Love of God-Philip Bailey

4. Lollipop-Jugtown Pirates

5. Woman-John Lennon

6.The Fox-Ray Anthony and his Orchestra

7. Let's Dance-Benny Goodman and his Orchestra

8. The Line Begins To Blur-Nine Inch Nails

9, I'll Be Anything You Want-Auf der Maur

10. Leap Frog-Les Brown and his Orchestra

"YAC"-New York Bike Messenger

2011-04-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

New York City Bike Messengers

2011-04-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

The best way to get through traffic.

While bike riding through Pinole I can see why more people don't ride bikes. There are a lot of inclines. If someone is starting out riding a bike the inclines and hills would make people quit. Most people would want to begin riding on flat streets and work their way to hills.

That being said the inclines and hills can be over come. I remember when I started riding in the area I would have to walk from the Pinole Post Office to the car wash and then restart my riding. There was times when I wouldn't ride because it was a pain in the butt. Then the next day I would just go on my ride and deal with the inclines and hills. Though still a pain, but I don't have to hop off my bike walk. I may be slow but I have over come.

I actually like riding the area. Going down Pinole Valley Road and Alhambra is an enjoyable ride. I can ride out to Martinez, Pig Farm Hill, is hell. If I am lucky I can make it all the way up without stopping, but very slow going. But there can be rest half way up the hill. Yes I am weak. Riding around Martinez is worth it though. Especially the Martinez Regional Shoreline Regional Park. If I don't go to Martinez I can ride up Bear Creek Road and hit Briones Regional Park or keep riding up Bear Creek to San Pablo Dam Road. From there I can either go to Tilden Park or ride to Orinda. There is just so much to see and enjoy.

At the Martinez Shoreline.

For me it is all about the bike ride. I always like to see what kind of bikes people are riding. I mostly see the road bike crowd. But it is always nice to see someone on a touring, mountain, and hybrid bikes.

The bike I am riding. Cannondale Quick 3

World of Adventure - Bike Messengers

2011-04-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

MUNI train going down the tracks with door open and other things.

2011-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Amazes me how incompetent MUNI employees are. Must be nice to make over $100,000 and be so incompetent.

Riding up hills is such a pain. People say when you make it up the hill you get a great view and a nice ride downhill. But going up hills with wind in your face at 20 to 25 mph. Worse is when you get ready to go down hill and the wind is pushing you back and I had to peddle going down hill. Where the hell is the rest. Nice to ride 37 miles today with non stop pedaling.

Seeing this old train in Martinez was worth all the riding into the wind. I love old trains.

There is no better way to see the area around me than on my bike. It is just amazing what I notice that I don't notice when I'm in a car.

They just opened a Subway near my house. But the Del Monte Shopping Center has no bike racks to lock my bike to. It is like the owners of the shopping center are saying we don't want bicyclist shopping here. So I don't spend my money there.

My Top 10 for now:

1. I'll Save You All My Kisses-Dead or Alive

2. Crucify The Dead-Slash with Ozzy Osbourne

3. Money-Pink Floyd

4. Right Now Is The Hour-Elvin Bishop

5. Sookie Sookie-Seppenwolf

6. Turned to Black-Lisa Marie Presley

7. Walkin' Like Brando-Royal Crown Revue

8. Empty Spaces-Fuel

9. Don't You Want Me-The Human League

10. My Kinda Pick Me Up-Ashford & Simpson

My Big Dummy Bicycle

2011-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'm impressed with the Surly Big Dummy. One of these days I'm going to move up to one.

Bike Fenders

2011-04-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Two months ago I bought a 2009 Cannondale Quick 3. I decided to have fenders installed on the bike. Took it to the Pedaler in El Sobrante California. Front fender was not a problem. The rear fender was a problem. I didn't think about fenders when I bought the bike. The rear fender could not be attached to the chainstay. So Ian used zipped ties to attached the top of the fender to the bike rack and to the bottom of the bike. Fenders work fine.

Amazing Cannodale says this bike can be used for commuting and touring, but no way to attach rear fenders. I guess it is meant to be used for nice weather commuting and touring. Hopefully on newer models of the Quick 3 bikes this is rectified.

Now that being said. I love the ride of this bike. It has a little gitty up when I need it. Love how the bike absorbs bumps on the road. It is one smooth ride.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area check out The Pedaler. Good selection of bikes and the customer service is the best. The people who work there don't talk down to you. Their goal is to get you on your bike and riding.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. I Stood On The Banks Of The Jordan-James Cleveland

2. Slow Ride-Kenny Wayne Shepherd

3. Take Your Time (do it right)-SOS Band

4. Who's Crying Now-Randy Crawford

5. The Hardest Part-Allison Moorer

6. Great Is Thy Faithfulness-Larnelle

7. Teenage Lobotomy-Ramones

8. Lovin' On Borrowed Time-Bobby Bland

9. Morning Thoughts-Gil Scott-Heron

10.Gangster Attitude-Oran "Juice" Jones

Inexpensive Touring Bike, Bicycle Gear

2011-03-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Bike touring does not have to be expensive.

I can always tell when there is an accident on Interstate 80. San Pablo Ave is crowded with cars. Makes riding on San Pablo Ave a little crazy. Car drivers are impatient and honking at me. Not my fault the their was an accident and you are being delayed by having to get off the freeway.

Some people I know who do not ride a bike tell me they feel unsafe riding in traffic. I tell them I'm careful and feel very safe. With the accidents I've seen on the freeway it is probably more dangerous to be in a car. People thrown out of their cars or cars flipped over. It is crazy on the freeways.

I replaced my Topeak beam rack that attached to my seat post with the Topeak Explorer rack. I was carrying close to 20 pound weight limit. I like the Topeak Explorer rack. I can still use my MTX TrunkBag EXP, love my expandable panniers. If I go on a tour I can attach panniers to the rack.

Don't know why I didn't do it sooner but I added a mirror to my bike and I love it. Nice to be able to look what is going on behind me without turning around and taking my eyes off the road.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Hell and High Water-T. Graham Brown

2. Jack Daniel's,If you Please-David Allan Coe

3. Friady Night Blues-John Conlee

4. Fallin' In Love-Sylvia

5. Nightcruising-Bar Kays

6. Skeletons-Yeah Yeah Yeah's

7. I Don't Do It No More-Old Dogs

8. He's Still A Mystery To Me-Lee Press-On and the Nails

9. She Likes Rock N Roll-AC/DC

10. Rockin' Bones-The Cramps

warm weather

2011-03-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

The weather is turning nice and I have so many bike routes I want to do. Not only biking but hiking too. I love being outside. I love carrying my camera and taking pictures of interesting things I see. Going to be a great summer.

I installed a mirror on my bike and I like it. Nice to know what is coming behind me without always turning my head and taking my eye off the road.

I tried a mirror that attaches to my sunglasses but I didn't like it. Couldn't get use to it.

I love reading Bicycle Times magazine. It is a great magazine for all type of bicycle riders not just the road racers. Enjoy the Ride.

My Top 10 Reggae songs at the moment:

1. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner-Black Uhuru

2. Not King James Version-Steel Pulse

3. Never Give In-Pato Baton

4. Night Nurse-Gregory Isaacs

5. Bush Doctor-Peter Tosh

6. Crazy Bald Head-Bob Marley

7. Just A Little Herb-Aswad

8. Operation Radication-Yellowman and Fathead

9. Try Jah Love-Third World

10. Rave All Night-Ho' Aikane

Nothing

2011-03-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have come to the point I don't care at all for politics. Nothing really changes between Republicans and Democrats. Both parties give an illusion that they are doing what is in the best interest of their supporters but business goes on as usual.

Funny how bombing foreign countries is okay if you are the Democrat president as long as you do it with the United Nations. Just remember the Clinton presidency. War protesters are pretty quiet. But the Republican president who bombs and invades countries without the United Nations is in big trouble. Bring on the war protesters every few months. I would think it would be bad no matter who was in office.

The only thing I really care about is trying to get more bicycle access to roads and creating more bike routes. Two organizations that I love are http://www.adventurecycling.org/ and http://www.railstotrails.org. Adventure cycling does a lot of mapping bike routes across the United States and is an excellent resource. Rails to Trails buys old and unused railroad lines and turns them into walking and bike paths. Both offer magazines which are very informative and fun to read. Adventure Cycling has Adventure Cyclist and Rails to Trails has Rails to Trails. If you become a member to anyone of them you get the magazine as part of the membership. Please visit their websites and think about joining or making a donation.

On the local movement I belong to the East Bay Bicycling Coalition. Feels good to be involved in trying to get better bike routes and getting bicyclist more access to roads and bridges. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area check out their website http://www.ebbc.org/ and think about joining.

I love bicycling. When I'm riding life is good. I hate riding in the rain, but it has been raining so much out here it was either ride or remain agitated. I chose to ride. Still hate riding in the rain, but I feel a lot better after a bike ride.

My Top 10 for the minute:

1. Watasenakatta I Need You-Tube

2. Shadow Train-The Checkers

3. Johnny Got a Boom Boom-Imelda May

4. Pump Me Up-Trouble Funk

5. Nobody Will Ever Take Your Place-Cal Smith

6. Poor Man's Whiskey-Jugtown Pirates

7. Blue Yodel #6-Wanda Jackson

8. Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)-Yoko Oginome

9. Who's Foolin' Who-One Way

10. Here My Love Is-Ebonee Webb

The Bike Gods

2011-03-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

For the past week it has rained. This weekend it is raining. I take full responsibility for this. I should have never agreed to go to a Monday-Friday schedule. I thought maybe the rain would ease up and I could take my bike and ride BART into work. Then after work ride my bike back to the BART station.

Then on Saturday I could go for a group ride which I haven't done in over three years. No go since the rain won't go away and it is supposed to rain harder on Sunday.

So the bike gods in their attempt to make me miserable end up making everyone miserable. So for this I apologize.

My Top 10 for the minute:

1. Let Them Knock-Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

2. I Stand In Awe-Parachute Band

3. Too Lazy To Work, Too Nervous To Steal-BR549

4. Whiskey And Wimmen-John Lee Hooker

5. Rumor Has It-Reba McEntire

6. Honky Tonk Healin'-David Ball

7. Naturally-Naoyuki Fujii

8. Forbidden Love-Yu Hayami

9. Hello-The Checkers

10. Going To A Go-Go-EPO

A must-read- The surprising benefits of lemon!

2011-03-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Got this in an email from a friend. Found it interesting.

I remain perplexed!

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201.This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer!

Read carefully & you be the judge.

Lemon

(Citrus

) is a miraculous product to kill

cancer cells

. It is 10,000 times stronger than

chemotherapy

Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it

is very useful in all variants of cancer

. It is considered also as an

anti microbial

spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that:

It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers

, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

Institute

of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street, Baltimore, MD1201

rainy days

2011-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

So I decided to go on a Monday-Friday 6am to 2pm for the week. What I get is rainy days. If I would have been off on my usual Thursday it would have been a perfect day for riding. I get Saturday and Sunday off and heavy rain is expected. I can't wait to ride in dry weather.

The rough thing about riding in the rain is getting hot while wearing rain gear. I ride in cold weather wearing shorts because I warm up while riding. So on goes the rain gear and up goes the temperature.

The good news is by Wednesday and Thursday, my weekend, the rain should be gone. Looks like it will be cloudy and probably cold. But it will be dry. So the ride will be good.

I admit I get grouchy when I don't get enough riding in. I just don't feel like me.

I can say old age has hit. My evening routine during the work week is watching two hours of Matlock reruns and then going to bed. This is what happens when I got to get up at 2am for work.

My Top 10 as of now:

1. Raid-Lakeside

2. Talking To Myself-Cousteau

3. Put The Shoe On The Other foot-Albert Collins

4. My Kind Of Country-Van Zant

5. You Are Forever-Smokey Robinson

6. Nothin- To Lose-Rebel Meets Rebel

7. Soft Touch-Akina Nakamori

8. My Revolution-Misato Watanabe

9. Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd

10. Devil's Johnson-Ethyl Meatplow

daylight savings and such

2011-03-12T19:16:00.000-08:00

I hate changing the clocks back and forth. It throws off my body clock and takes me a couple of weeks to adjust. Really does not help when I have to get up at 2am and the sun is out to close 9pm.

That idiot President Bush was not content to getting the country deep into debt or starting wars in the middle east, but he had to move daylight savings time to March.

The only good thing about this whole daylight savings time is I can go for longer bike rides after work. Got to do something since I'm not going to be sleeping.

If the NFL goes on strike and there are no games the payback should be that when the NFL decides to come back and play people should just stay away. Let the players play in empty stadiums. But this is what people get for paying to watch millionaires play a kids game. The way I see it they don't pay to watch me work why should I pay to watch them work.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Nut Rocker-B. Bumble and the Stingers

2. Pancho and Lefty-Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson

3. Controversy-Prince

4. Shotgun Shell-Elvis Hitler

5. Me and Your Cigarettes-Miranda Lambert

6. Too Hot-Kool and the Gang

7. Rub It In-Billy Crash Craddock

8. Things That Scare Me-Neko Case

9. Occasional Wife-Faron Young

10. Amaranth-Nightwish

Bad drivers week 35

2011-03-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

I want his horn for my bike. Actually on the whole I don't have a lot of problems with car drivers. People holding their stupid dogs in their laps bother me. Can't California pass a law that dogs should be in the back seat only. Why the hell does some idiot got to hold his stupid dog in his lap.

Seattle Bike Expo - World Champion Artistic Cyclist Corinna Hein Performs

2011-03-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

Beauty Benefits of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

2011-03-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

Experience the Many Benefits of Coconut Oil

2011-03-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

All about the ride

2011-03-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Finally went and got some cycling shoes that look more like regular shoes. I want to be able to walk around when I'm off the bike. Also got some cycling liners to wear with my regular cargo pants. With gas going through the roof I attend to do more bike commuting. I rather be in my cargo shorts when stopping somewhere instead of the spandex cycling shorts.

I've had my new bike for a couple of months and I'm really enjoying the ride. I love the flat handle bars better than the drop down handle bars. The riding position is great. I love the upright position.

My Top 10 For now:

1. All I Do Is Dream Of You-Dean Martin

2. Happy, Happy Birthday-Wanda Jackson

3. Would These Arms Be In Your Way-Keith Whitley

4. Suzy Wong-Jacob Miller and Inner Circle

5. Now That You Are 18-The Audience

6. Hey Fellas-Trouble Funk

7. Branded Man-Merle Haggard

8. Jesus on a Greyhound-Shelby Lynne

9. In My Younger Days-Eels

10. Sing Me A Swing Song-Benny Goodman

This is my bike

2011-03-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

If gas prices keep going through the roof this will be the new SUV.

中森明菜 - ジプシー・クイーン

2011-03-06T18:27:00.000-08:00

baseball

2011-03-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

Feeling better now that games are starting to be played in spring training. Now if this rain would just go away.

My picks for the upcoming season:

American League

West

Oakland

Central

Chicago White Sox

East

Boston

Wild Card

Baltimore

AL Champion: Boston

National League

West

Colorado

Central

Milwaukee

East

Philadelphia

Wild Card

Atlanta

NL Champion: Atlanta

World Series Champion: Boston

Bar-Kays Live - Holy Ghost

2011-03-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

Taxes

2011-02-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

I got my taxes done today. As usual I'm irritated. The United States tax code really needs to be changed. If you can afford to get a good tax lawyer or accountant to do your taxes and you pay nothing or corporations pay nothing there is something wrong with your tax system.

But if you are the average person and you make a mistake on your taxes the IRS wants to take everything you own or throw you in prison for a few years. Again something is wrong with the tax system.

I'm not holding my breath. Congress isn't going to change anything. What do you expect from a bunch of rich people making the laws for the United States.

It is the working stiff who gets screwed by going to work and paying taxes to keep the country running.

Ever get the feeling the United States needs a good old fashion tax revolt.

Our leaders are corrupt anyway. They take bribes, called campaign contributions, from corporations, unions, environmental groups and who know who. Then politicians start making policies for whoever bought their services. Ever get the feeling that things need change.

My rant is done and I feel somewhat better.

Whatever

2011-02-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Saw this in the comment section in the San Francisco Chronicle about escalating violence against BART station agents. Gave me a chuckle.

New theme song for BART agents:

Trigger Happy Jack by Poe
Can't talk to a psycho like a normal human being
Trigger Happy Jack
You're gonna blow
But I'm gonna get off
before you go
My Trigger Happy Jack is just a
Drive by a go-go

I see $4.00 gas in California by the end of March. Gas prices have gone crazy out here.

I'm reading "Pedaling To Hawaii: A human-Powered Odyssey" by Stevie Smith. I really relate to this:

"This happens to me a lot. I get bored at the monotony of cycling for hours on end and my mind goes into demented idiot mode. I hope I'm not the only one.

Argh, the worst are those irritating little people in my head! The voices, and those bloody awful pop songs that keep playing, over and over again."

One time I stopped at a coffee place to get some tea. Lady GaGa was playing on the radio. When I started my climb I had that damn stupid song playing in my head. Damn near drove me insane. Then again I can be insane and think I'm normal.

T-Mobile said they lost 318,000 subscribers in the 4th quarter. So can I get an early upgrade. I'm ready for a new phone. Sign me up for another two years. Who knows maybe I'll flee to Verizon? Boy is this a lame attempt of a threat. But really can I have an early upgrade.

cobwebs in my mind

2011-02-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yep this is coming. While I was bike riding I saw gas prices up to $3.79. I would say I feel sorry for people who I work with who are driving 140 miles round trip to work a day. One idiot drives 180 miles round trip. It is going to cost them.

The problem is there are a lot of people driving long distances to work because of the cost of living in California and the low wages. So out of balance.

I don't know why I bother looking at the accuweather app on my phone. Said that the rain shouldn't come until 2pm. After 10am it is pouring down rain. Another ride getting soaked. I have no one else to blame but myself. You would think I would know better than to trust this app.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Psychobitches Outta Hell-HorrorPops

2. Baby Don't Go-Dwight Yoakam with Sheryl Crow

3. Come As You Are-Nirvana

4. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)-Dead or Alive

5. Watching The Wheels-John Lennon

6. Not A Virgin-POE

7. Lightning Is My Girl-Auf der Maur

8. Love Is Not Enough-Nine Inch Nails

9. Swingin'-John Anderson

10. I Wanna Thank You-Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly

ride ride and ride some more

2011-02-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

Watching these climbs makes my legs hurt.

With gas prices starting to go through the roof I love riding my bike past gas stations knowing it doesn't cost me a thing to ride my bike.

People worry about me when I go on my rides, but maybe they should worry about themselves when driving on the freeway. There are some horrible crashes on the freeways and all the metal doesn't always keep people safe.

As long as I'm healthy I will always ride, ride and ride some more.

yoga

2011-02-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

I have gotten lazy doing my yoga. So I have decided to do minimum of a half hour a day. Will probably be longer but I have to start somewhere.

This rain has been nuts lately. I have a seat post waiting to be put on my bike at the Pedaler bike shop. But I don't feel like riding to the shop in the rain to have it installed. They probably think I'm a flake. But hopefully the rain will let up on Saturday and I can drop in. I will probably leave work early to get it done. Really sucks having to work on Saturdays.

I saw the Jugtown Pirates playing at the Montgomery BART station and really enjoyed their music. They were sounding so good I bought their cd. Which I love. Sometimes the best bands are the ones that the music industry isn't shoving down our throats.

I have big issues with Corporate America. I still think it sucks that the FCC allowed corporations to own more than one radio station in a market. Use to get great variety of music and great independent music. Now all people get is the same crap and don't DJ's dare play something that isn't on the play list. No wonder music has gone down hill.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. She Tattooed Her Face-Jugtown Pirates

2. Real Old-Fashioned Broken Heart-Sammy Kershaw

3. The Trick Is To Keep Breathing-Garbage

4. Heart-Shaped Box-Nirvana

5. Toothache-Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials

6. That's A Pretty Good Love-Big Maybelle

7. Early In The Morning And Late At Night-Hank Williams Jr.

8. Bela Lugosi's Dead-Bauhaus

9. Blood Wedding-Black 47

10. Sugar On My Tongue-Talkingheads

Planning

2011-02-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Minneapolis is the number one biking city in the United States. One would not think this could be possible especially with the brutal winters. One has to think what is wrong with other cities in better climates.

So today was a rainy day. So I spent it at the gym. Doing plenty of core work and some upper body work. Sometimes it is just fun to spend the day working out.

Can't wait for the warm weather. I'm going to try to do more hiking this year. It seems that bike riding is taking most of my time.

I miss bike commuting. My start time sucks and the neighborhood where I work is not the best. Wouldn't want to be used for target practice. Got to love Oakland California.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Making Believe-Wanda Jackson

2. Sheena's In A Goth Gang-The Cramps

3. Welcome To My Nightmare-Alice Cooper

4. T-Bone Shuffle-Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Johnny Copeland

5. Greyhound Bound For Nowhere-Miranda Lambert

6. Cleo's Mood-Jr. Walker & The All Starts

7. Maria's Wedding-Black 47

8. Midnight In Montgomery-Alan Jackson

9.Look At Us-Vince Gill

10. Blame It On Love-Smokey Robinson with Barbara Mitchell

going on

2011-02-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

Borders has filed for bankruptcy. Not unexpected but it still sucks. I like hanging out at bookstores. The one in Fremont will be closing and that really sucks. When I have to work in Fremont I like to hang out at borders while the rest go and get something to eat. I will keep going on.

What kind of nut would still the bike brakes on my bike. At least they left the cable. To the bike shop to get new brakes on the bike. I just got the bike too. I hope this isn't the beginning of bad luck with this bike. Keep going on.

Got my vacation days approved which is good. I intend on getting lost. I have a total of twenty-four days off through out summer. Going on.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Joke-The Fonzarellies

2. Stormy May Day-AC/DC

3. Coax Me A Little Bit-Lee Press-On and the Nails

4. For Your Love-Ed Townsend

5. Fist Full Of Demons-Ghoultown

6. I Just Want To Make Love To You-Cold Blood

7. Monday, Monday-The Mamas & The Papas

8. Got A Feelin'-Hardware

9. The Winner-Bobby Bare

10. You Ought To Be With Me-Howard Huntsberry

Naked Bike Ride

2011-02-15T19:04:00.001-08:00

do the freak

2011-02-14T15:25:00.001-08:00

Windy Riding

2011-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

I read if you live in a flat area and you need to get better riding hills you should ride into the wind. I get a double whammy. I live where there are plenty of hills and lots of wind. When I ride up a hill I have wind blowing in my face.

It is said the best part of riding up a hill is the ride down. Most times this is true. Except when it is real windy and when I head down a hill the wind slows me down that I have to pedal so I won't fall over. Riding in the San Francisco Bay Area is one crazy adventure.

My Top 10 at the moment:

1. The Art Of Suicide-Emilie Autumn

2. She'd Rather Be Homeless-Old Dogs

3. Runaway-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

4. Country Heroes-Hank Williams III

5. Rains Came-Shelby Lynne

6. White Riot-The Clash

7. Mr. and Mrs. Used To Be-Loretta Lynn

8. Who's Leading You Now-HorrorPops

9. Black Cadillac-Rosanne Cash

10. Linda On My Mind-Conway Twitty

Shakin' all over-Wanda Jackson

2011-02-12T20:32:00.001-08:00

Just Riding

2011-02-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

Today after work I went for my bike ride and tried the nutcase helmet I just got. I like it. It has a great fit and is comfortable on my head.

Hopefully Sunday it doesn't rain and I can get one good ride in before the rain hits.

I really do got to stop leaving work early. I'm wasting so much of my vacation time. Just because I rather go for a ride than to be cooped up in a building.

Politicians need to start being brought up on charges for mismanagement of funds. Politicians are being bought and giving money to their pals while bankrupting cities and states. Time to start locking up the politicians.

Graffiti Helmet

2011-02-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

Just received my graffiti nutcase helmet. It is a pretty cool looking helmet. Can't wait to put it on and go for a ride to see how it feels.

Second Thursday in a row that I skipped the gym workout because of an extended bike ride. But with rain on the way I couldn't let such a beautiful day go by and come back early to hit the gym.

Gas in approaching the $3.50 a gallon mark. By summer it will probably be $4.00. The car will stay parked and I will do more bike riding. Would love to ride my bike to work but a 4am start time for work isn't going to allow it. Really don't want to ride through Richmond, Berkeley, and Oakland at 2am.

Good thing I'm taking more vacation time this year. Less driving and more riding. I'm going to be all over California on bike this year. Road trip.

My Top 10 for now:

1. Shakin' All Over-Wanda Jackson

2. Smotherin' Me-Imelda May

3. Disgusting-Miranda Cosgrove

4. Because I Love You-Tube

5. Suffocate Me-Angelfish

6. Complicated-Avril Lavigne

7. Among My Souvenirs-Connie Francis

8. 'Til I Can Make It On My Own-Tammy Wynette

9. Blue Velvet-Bobby Vinton

10. Spanish Harlem-Ben E. King

Cruising the Mental Plane

Red Light Runners Compilation

Great Weather for Biking in January

Sha Na Na with The Ramones

2011 Trek Transport Cargo Bike

thoughts

Charley & Humphrey - Exercise

Charley & Humphrey - Borrowing Without Asking

Brompton Bike

60° North - A British Adventure

Good-Bye 2011

New Year Check List

NEW YEARS CHECKLIST1. Buy a bike, or tune up your current bike2. Ride it 10-15 miles a week3. Less TV...more biking4. Attend at least 2 Pedaler bike rides per month starting in the spring5. Start eating better and maintain a healthy lifestyle

Lost

Bike Across America - How Not To Quit

Bikes and trains Study Tour

Plastics - PEACE

Plastics - Top Secret Man (SCTV stereodub)

2008 Hokkaido Japan Bicycle Journey

Retarded Homing Pigeon

Riding in the Cold

Riding Thoughts

Not too Serious

How the Dutch got their cycle paths

bicycling across America, Nebraska part 4

bicycling across America, Wyoming

Pacific Coast Bicycle Tour (Seattle to Los Angeles)

MORE LOVE FROM THE FRUIT ORCHARD...

Oh Well

Russ Packs The Brompton for Touring - PathLessPedaled.com

Life to the Max Show #123 - "Sleepless Til' Seattle" - New

Amused

Wandering Aimlessly

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

KIindle Fire Goes Back To Amazon.

Minimalism

David Byrne: How architecture helped music evolve | Video on TED.com

survival mode

Rambling Along

Small Wheels to the Coast

'Norwegian Wood' set for U.S. release - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety

Passing Thoughts

The Rain Comes

Video Montage - PathLessPedaled.com

Not Much

Interbike 2011 - Surly Moonlander - PathLessPedaled

Oh What A Day

Cob Webs In My Mind

Alone

Retirement Mode

Too Old For This Shit

So What

time off

I Ride

Just Thinking

What I Think About When I Ride

Tour de France Thoughts

Oh Hum

Tour de France

nothing

Let the Ride Begin

drinking poem by H.P. Lovecraft

P-Funk All Stars - Cosmic Slop

Fat Can Help You Lose Weight

E-Readers

Stealth Bicycle Camping and Bicycle Touring

Lost In My Mind

"YAC"-New York Bike Messenger

New York City Bike Messengers

World of Adventure - Bike Messengers

MUNI train going down the tracks with door open and other things.

My Big Dummy Bicycle

Bike Fenders

Inexpensive Touring Bike, Bicycle Gear

warm weather

Nothing

The Bike Gods

A must-read- The surprising benefits of lemon!

rainy days

daylight savings and such

NEW YEARS CHECKLIST
1. Buy a bike, or tune up your current bike
2. Ride it 10-15 miles a week
3. Less TV...more biking
4. Attend at least 2 Pedaler bike rides per month starting in the spring
5. Start eating better and maintain a healthy lifestyle