Just so you are not disappointed when you reach the end of this here blog installment, I do not speak of mashed potatoes at all. Except for the title of this post which has nothing to do with the body.
City Of Joy from daniel fiantok on Vimeo.
I stole this video from Stevil over at Allhailtheblackmarket.com, one of my favorite blogs. Of course, just behind this one. It is a video of Critical Mass riders rolling, something fierce.
Now Stevil, who, again is one of my favorite bloggers, disagrees with where Critical Mass has arrived. I would emphatically disagree with his disagreement.
I am a pacifist, in that I don’t believe in the use of violence to get my point across.
I do believe that conflict is necessary as a catalyst for change. If we are always avoiding conflict then we cannot voice our opinions, cannot exercise our rights, cannot get people to notice and we cannot create. It is through conflict that change is wrought.
Critical Mass focuses on this conflict.
Most people who disagree with Critical Mass disagree with the conflict that it creates with other road users, but isn’t that the point?
If the only reason to ride in Critical Mass is to create “safer roads” then it is an invalid activity that should be left for dead. On the other hand, if it is meant to foment revolution, to stand up to the tyranny of the automobile and create a world where bicycles rule, then it is the most valid thing that is being done for the cause as of now.
Enough of that.
In completely unrelated news…
KB headed off for the Land of the Prunes this weekend. In preparation she finally pulled out the iPod I gave her two years ago to take with her. I had to show her how to use iTunes which I have refused to re-install on my computer. We downloaded it on hers, and it took forever to get anything going. So I bought a new computer. The only reason I am telling you this is because I now have a computer that allows me to edit photos at a reasonable speed and things should be good to go from here on out. I should be able to have the guidebook in printable form by the end of the month. Kick asssssss….
For the first time since I went digital with my photography I actually sat down and went through my pictures, at least most of them. Having Photoshop that actually works made the whole thing a breeze. I forgot how much I enjoyed taking pictures. Hurray for me.
Below are a few that I liked for your enjoyment.
And your latest installment of Making Cycling Difficult.
Big d had a 4th on the 4th celebration last night that was quite enjoyable. I rode my knobby road bike to his house knowing that I would get to ride it home. Well, keeping it between the lines was a bit scary. Now the only reason you would want to ride a bike in this state would be, of course, to challenge your handling skills and to ensure that they are top notch. I thought I was going into the canal for a swim a couple of times, but I kept the rubber side down the entire way. As far as I remember, I didn’t hit any children, pedestrians, equestrians, cars, houses, or anything else that I wasn’t meant to hit. Apparently, I was really enjoying myself because I rode right past my house. If I hadn’t reached telegraph I probably never would have realized I had missed it. All in all, it was a good time had by all. If you would allow me the luxury of speaking for everyone present.
Peace. Love. and Revolution.