Morning coffee

Today is not so much a post about stupid people as it is a wonderment of how people can remember to get dressed in the morning. There are so many people running on autopilot each morning! Here in Portland, coffee is king. I love riding my bike to work, except all of the people just cruising to get their first fix of caffeine. They are only interested in getting to Starbucks, not really paying attention to the road. I get the wake up jolt from riding my bike when its in the upper 40's, not from a double tall mocha whatever.

Just something to remember if you are heading to Starbucks, or wherever, to get your fix of the morning: there are those who wake up by exercising, be it running or riding. Please remember this and pay attention to the road.

New Government logo

Thanks to 'Simply because it is' for the new logo. Sorry I haven't figured out how to paste the image yet.

http://simplybecauseitis.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-government-condom-logo.html#links

National stupidity

I don't even know how to describe this stupidity.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/13/holder-admits-reading-arizonas-immigration-law-despite-slamming/?test=latestnews

Well, I guess the fact that he is from the same political party that said they would have to read the healthcare bill to see what was in it should be all that I have to say. How can you 'voice concerns' about the Arizona immigration law if you have not even read it? There are laws that the federal government is not enforcing, so the state of Arizona had to pass an additional law. The police are not going to be stopping people just because they look like they may be illegal. In the course of their job, such as a traffic stop for speeding, they can request identification of all people in the vehicle. This is no different than in any state, but it just says that they must have identification. The catch in Arizona is that you have to prove that you are in the country legally before you can get a drivers license.

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for LEGAL immigration, but how can anyone be for ILLEGAL immigration?!? These people are breaking the law, and should not be able to use any resources that people here legally pay for, with the exception of a ride, in handcuffs, back to the border.

Jogging makes you stupid

Today started out great! It was nice and cool, the sun was just coming up, no traffic as I rolled quietly through downtown Portland. I crossed the Burnside bridge, heading for a quick stop to get a Powerbar for the ride home. I' stopped at a stoplight, which won't turn because I'm not driving an automobile. I look to see if any cars are coming, and I do not see any for at least a quarter mile. Now I realize that I was breaking the law by going through the light, but I did come to a complete stop first. Now, this is where the stupidty starts. There were 3 joggers that were doing the exact same thing I was, crossing against the light. As I get about half way through the intersection, one of these mental midgets says "hey man, the light is red". Since when is it ok to cross against the light just because you are on the sidewalk? I guess joggers are just holier than me in the criminal world.

More idiots

As I continue my quest to not drive for one week (about 84.5 miles this week), I continue to see idiots on a daily basis. Yesterday was the first time that I really saw this particular type of idiocy......speed up to pass me, stomp on the brakes, hit the turn signal, glare in the rearview mirror waiting for me to pass you so you can turn. Did passing me that fast really help you get to your destination any faster? Does glaring at me make me ride faster? The answer to both is no. The additional answer to the second question is it makes me ride slower, or to use language that would make a sailor blush.

Just because you have rectal cranial inversion (head up your ass, for those in California) doesn't mean that I should have to work harder. I am working on building endurance, not sprint intervals.

During this week of no truck, I've picked my son up from daycare using my bike and the Chariot bike trailer. For those of you who insist on glaring at me because I have a trailer behind my bike that has a small child in, GET BENT! That trailer is built to take all kinds of abuse. He is strapped in with a lap belt and a two-point shoulder harness. I tipped it over in Texas when some idiot decided to turn without signaling, and he was safely hanging in the harness. Of course he always wears a helmet, as well as riding gloves (because dad does). If you can figure out how to drive without buzzing me in the bike lane, we will be fine. In other words, put down the cell phone, the latte, your makeup, etc.... and pay attention to driving. You have a 2000 lb vehicle you are responsible for, so pay attention!

Idiots on two wheels

Since I decided that I would give up my truck for a week, I have been noticing that there are many idiots on two wheels. There are many people in Portland that have decided that they are too cool for a helmet. These same people are also the ones that blow through stop signs and pass on the right. They must believe that their tribal tattoo will protect them. Hey morons, that 3/4 ton truck you just cut off can turn you and your fixie into a grease spot and not even know it.

The other instance of morons is joggers. Can you run in a straight line? Can you not block the entire path? The trail along the river is multi-use, not f**king joggers only. Here is a quarter, go buy a clue!

Just a test

Just a test to see if I can blog using my droid

Biking to work, the store, everywhere

Well, I've decided to see if I can go for at least a week without driving. Its not some treehugger wish to reduce my carbon footprint, its just to save money and keep in great shape. I plan to try to ride over the hill from Portland to Beaverton on my way home Friday. Should be interesting, and I will put some pictures up.