Wren Schultz, Professional Juggler

In my continued pursuit for a life of multiple income streams (as opposed to, say, getting a real job), I recently lined up a juggling gig at a local school. Now I am far from what one might think of when you thinks of a professional juggler. I don't have a standard routine, I don't wear a flashy costume, I don't have the obligatory audience participation bit, and I tell the occasional funny joke*. My "act" is more about building excitement and education, perfectly suited for the 10-18 year-old age group. It turns out that there couldn't have been a better match between my "performance" style and these kids enthusiasm and learning style. They were attentive and duly impressed by my time on stage and asked lots of questions. When the education portion came around, they tried their hand at all my toys and each found his calling, more or less. There were "Hey, Wren! Check this out"s all around, which can't help but make any educator/coach smile. Not only was the juggling experience great, but the visit to the school was great as well. The school is a live-in school on a nearby island, so the trip out was through the San Juans on calm seas with beautiful weather. How many people can say that they commute to work on a boat? The school grounds are very well kept and super conducive to playing outside, which is essentially what we did my whole time there. This great experience was made all the greater in that it fits in with my ideal livelihood concept: getting paid for the many different things we have to offer and that we enjoy doing. So if anyone happens to need a juggler, housesitter, web developer, tutor, laborer, cheese tester*, public transportation coach, or environmental consultant, give me a call.

Wednesday June 27 2007

File under: work, juggling

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on Wed 27th Jun, 2007 02:40 pm PDT Saxtor said: Hey, I'll cut it, you test it, buddy! So the stories of caaaaaarrraaaazy hijinks at the "live-in school" in a far away harbor* were not witnessed during your visit, eh? I always knew those kids got a bad rap. ************************ on Thu 28th Jun, 2007 10:43 am PDT jenelle said: well, this ain't a job lead but something that might match your inspired ideas of livelihood: http://quarry.dreamsciencecircus.com/information_packet.pdf ************************ on Thu 28th Jun, 2007 10:45 am PDT jenelle said: oh, and if you find yourself in seattle on 7/7 and want to "labor", i gots a woodshop that needs to move up some stairs and into a basement. woot. ************************ on Fri 29th Jun, 2007 07:33 am PDT cardboard said: i like wrens discription of the "school"....other than the fact you cant leave it sounds like a great place to go to school. ************************ on Fri 29th Jun, 2007 09:28 am PDT Chris said: Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Who among us haven't looked at Wren with his homeless man beard, his Salvation Army clothes, his desire to not let "the man" tie him down with employment and his love of traveling through foreign states and countries without adequate supplies or money and thought "Yeah, now that's the kind of guy I want teaching at my kid's school!". Seriously though, I'd trade plenty of my teachers for ya buddy! ************************ on Mon 09th Jul, 2007 01:12 am PDT Siri said: I organized a baby shower for my friend this weekend & thought of you when her 3 year old niece asked me if I could "jiggle those balls". Very humorous. ************************

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Scraptacular

Scrapbooking is all the rage these days. Back in my employed days at www.PhotoWorks.com*, we were always taking the scrapbooking crowd into account when designing our products. ("Who would possibily want to order an empty book? Oh yeah, scrapbookers.") Besides knowing that scrap bookers might want to purchase an empty book and fill it with pictures themselves, I didn't really know much of the nitty-gritty about the world of scrapbooking. When I got back from Asia, I was thinking that I should a book together for myself. I had saved maps, ticket stubs, and of course had lots of pictures. When looking around and talking to people about scrapbooking, I found that it was much more complicated than putting pictures and ticket stubs in a book. You needed embellishments. "Embellishments, embellishments, embellishments", a scrapper* friend told me. That same friend recently put together a scrapbook of my scooter trip for me as a gift. Let me tell you, it was a fine piece of work. Embellishments galore! Now that I have an idea of what a proper scrapbook looks like, I might have a go at my Asia one again. Not that I have a chance of equaling the style that is this, this, and this, but I can try.

Saturday June 23 2007

File under: pics, misc

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on Sat 23rd Jun, 2007 07:02 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Did PhotoWorks wrong you in some way? Who do you now recommend for our photo-based projects? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:10 pm PDT Saxtor said: I'm with Ryan. Are you withdrawing your endorsement on personal grounds, or has their product suffered in some way? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:33 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, little wierd, but Ok ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:36 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, I cant spell today, I have a cold ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 04:48 pm PDT Amanda said: oh come now wren, you're embellishment enough! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 05:52 pm PDT Wilbur said: nice! that's TOTALLY how i'd picture you'd look in scrapbook form. ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:37 pm PDT Jule said: that is scraptacular! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:38 pm PDT Jule said: ah crap, that is what your post is called, i am not original at all, ************************ on Mon 25th Jun, 2007 12:20 pm PDT Sean said: Only 15 piece of flair? Come on. ************************ on Wed 27th Jun, 2007 06:53 am PDT Nesbitt said: I read the following article and thought Blog Du Wren. Thought you would enjoy it. Not sure if Baltimore's haul would be nearly as good.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/garden/21freegan.html?pagewanted=1 ************************

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Simple Solar Power

Sunny days here in the Pacific Northwest aren't as frequent as some other places in the world. In fact, we probably rank pretty low on the number-of-sunny-days-per-year list. But for a brief time during the summer, the sunny days outnumber the grey ones reminding all us Washingtonians that NW Washington is a great place to live. For this month's Environmental Project of the Month, I thought I would focus on the sun. Part one of the project is nothing new for me, but I want to share it in hopes of encouraging you to give it a try. Hang drying clothes is a wonderful way to harness the power of the sun and save electricity [and fossil fuels, if you have a gas powered dryer]. Not only is it great for the environment, hanging your clothes on the line is a great excuse to be outside on a beautiful day, if even for 10 minutes or so. Drying your clothes on the line isn't a summer only practice, even here in the northwest. For the past 5 years or so, I would say 90-95% of my drying needs have been met by the sun and wind. Part two of this month's EPotM is what I am really excited about. From junk found around the house, I've built a solar oven. (Plans abound on the internet if you are interested in giving it a try yourself.) Basically an insulated cardboard box with aluminum foil covered collectors, a well made solar cooker can get to 250-275 degrees. In test runs, I've only got mine up to 214. Right now, I've got a couple of baking potatoes and some lentil beans cooking. We'll see how my first home solar-cooked meal turns out. For those of us not ready or not in a place to make the leap to photovoltaic panels for supplementing our electricity needs (or even for those who are), harnessing the power of the sun through simple methods is a great way to reduce our impact. And speaking of how awesome the sun is, check out this audio ode to the sun. (For those of you at work (esp. in cubicles), be warned: The audio is embedded and hidden in the page so no volume controls or stop button is present. When will people learn that just because you can doesn't mean that you should?)

Tuesday June 19 2007

File under: food, environment

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on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 05:23 pm PDT Emilly said: Got Solar? ************************ on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 06:27 pm PDT Saxtor said: Speaking of photovoltaics, check out Google's Solar Panel Project website which appears to have just come online two days ago (and they've already generated ~20,000 kilowatt-hours or 3883 45min clothes dryer cycles!). The video that shows the scale of the array is pretty impressive. ************************ on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 07:20 pm PDT Saxtor's Boss said: Firstly, nobody would ever read any blogs at work, so crank the speakers. Secondsty, how does the bottle of pee on the table figure into the solar EPotM? ************************ on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 08:24 pm PDT jenelle said: nice sun illustration. my retinas burn. now my blood hurts. ouch. ************************ on Wed 20th Jun, 2007 04:27 am PDT Horge said: Think I'll use this opportunity to toot my own horn a bit (hope Wren doesn't mind). Anyone else wanting to go solar can read a book (pdf, 5.2 MB) I wrote as part of my work at my Bosnian NGO. If you want to see some of the other work I/we did on this project you can check out our website. ************************ on Wed 20th Jun, 2007 04:44 am PDT Horge said: Fine. BduW doesn't like the last part of my comment, so I'll just add it anew by itself: Y'all should also check out this NYT article about saving energy, and don't forget to try out the mentioned computer program to save energy, money, environment... ************************ on Wed 20th Jun, 2007 08:50 am PDT gretchen said: if your pee is that color, saxtor...errr, saxtor's boss, you've got some problems. plus you should read picture captions. ************************ on Wed 20th Jun, 2007 08:50 am PDT Saxtor's Boss said: Timely article about pee color And thank's for the heads up, I called Wren into my office to solve the mystery of the missing javascript captions ************************ on Wed 20th Jun, 2007 11:18 am PDT Sean said: Pfff, my pee's way darker than that. ************************ on Thu 21st Jun, 2007 12:11 am PDT Horge said: Thank you Wrennie for cleaning up my htmess. :) ************************ on Thu 21st Jun, 2007 12:11 pm PDT Sean said: My boots get hotter than your oven. ************************ on Thu 21st Jun, 2007 12:18 pm PDT Wren said: Sean, I don't doubt it. It turns out that NW sun isn't best suited for baking potatoes or cooking beans. That doesn't mean that I have given up, though. You should totally make yourself a solar cooker for over there. I would be impressed, and even give you a guest post if you got a picture and an account of your endeavor. ************************ on Fri 22nd Jun, 2007 08:20 am PDT Sean said: Would it help if you put some glass or something like that over the top of your oven? ************************ on Fri 22nd Jun, 2007 08:56 pm PDT Wilbur said: do solar ovens work inside too? cuz if it's raining i wanna be able to cook stuff still......hey where'd everybody go? ************************

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Local Music Equals Local Fun

Saturday evening, I found myself at Boulevard Park in Bellingham rocking to the sweet sounds of Spoonshine (Best. Band. Ever.). Even though the weather wasn't perfect (although it did clear up for a moderately nice sunset*), the turnout wasn't as good as it could of been, and I didn't have any juggling buddies to throw clubs at*, it was still the best Saturday night I've had in a long time. Oh, and any day that you get to hang out with a caped wonder can't be a bad day. Speaking of local music, rumor has it that the Red Note (current band of former Perfect Day frontman and local legend Shane Chapman) is playing at the Brown Lantern this Saturday night. It'll be a raucous good time, no doubt. (Okay, everyone is entitled to doubt. Far be it from me to tell you how to feel.) Anyway, it is good to poke my head in on the local music scene every now and again. Knowing the guys (or gals) that are up on stage always makes for a more enjoyable show.

Sunday June 17 2007

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 09:27 pm PDT jenelle said: indeed. I was fortunate enough to see those guys busking at folklife. it think it's safe to say that most bands which include an upright bass are going to be good. by the way, it sounds like you didn't make it to the solstice parade. whatsamattuh, you don't like seeing nekked peoples on parade?! ************************ on Fri 22nd Jun, 2007 08:49 pm PDT Wilbur said: yea next time they're playin around here call me i'd like to go see em. shane's playin this saturday? what time? i'd like to come down and see. prolly see ya there... ************************ on Sat 30th Jun, 2007 10:08 am PDT trista said: RED NoTE! RED NOTE! ************************

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Wear Sunscreen

Graduation season is upon us (and has been for some time if the "Dads and Grads" ads are to be trusted). It is a time for new graduates, whether from high school, college, or even grad school, to look ahead. It is also a time for non-graduates to offer congratulations and advice. Congratulations are easy. Advice can be a little more tricky. In a famous graduation speech/column* (often falsely attribute to Kurt Vonnegut*), Mary Schmich of the Chicago Times compiled her own list of advice to graduating seniors. It grew in popularity from a forwarded e-mail eventually to a top 40 song. If you've never heard or read it, I highly recommend it. The speech can be found here and Wikipedia's entry on the history of it can be found here. Not that many folks about to, or having just, graduate(d) read BdW, but I thought it would be fun to compile our own list of advice gleaned from our own personal meanderings, just as Ms. Schmich did. To start off the list, I will borrow 2 pieces of advice that I've come to greatly support. Know thyself* (Those Greeks really knew what they were talking about.) and Just do it (Perhaps a little pushy for an advertising slogan, but often valuable as advice when faced with decisions of action/inaction.) What say you?

Thursday June 14 2007

File under: misc, participation

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on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 04:49 pm PDT cardboard said: I have heard many but the advice my boss has given to be the most inspirational. The first is "You can never listen to to much ACDC or Van Halen". The second i might botch a little but comes from one of his dads good friends and goes something like this "man back in the 60's everyone was shooting smack and doing hard drugs while i was just smoking good weed and smiling the whole time." Another classic that i throw out pretty often but dont seem to live by is this "you will never look when your an old man and wish you had worked more" ************************ on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 10:31 pm PDT Emily said: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - "Who is George Bernard Shaw" (Another quote, non widsom-related, from my favorite movie Dream for an Insomniac.) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 12:10 am PDT Horge said: A few classics: "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but don't pick your friend's nose." and "It's better to be pissed off than pissed on." Otherwise, one of my own thoughts: the real power of a degree is not in the department or school which issued it, but in the fact that you did it. ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 08:54 am PDT amanda said: you sound smarter if you speak with Wikipedia quotes ;) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 08:55 am PDT amanda said: you sound smarter if you write with Wikipedia links ;) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 09:06 am PDT amanda said: but no, seriously, part of working is being unemployed and it's ok ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 11:28 am PDT Sean said: Stop Whining! - Mr. Kimble; Kindergarten Cop ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 03:13 pm PDT Amanda said: Serve others. ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 04:21 pm PDT Jule said: Be passionate about the things you do, especially those you do for fun. and make sure to invest in your 401k...(I had to put some practical advice in there) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 04:45 pm PDT Saxtor said: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." - Michael Pollan ************************ on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 05:52 pm PDT Chris said: Start accepting your own mistakes and failures instead of your parents' money; you learn more and your success is sweeter. ************************ on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 08:32 pm PDT erin said: at my graduation from undergrad our speaker was whats-his-name Hilton... and he left us with one piece of advice, "put the shower curtain in the tub". i wish this story was a lie... that's what you get for going to a state school in ohio. ************************ on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 08:27 pm PDT Wren said: I just came across this list of advice and I couldn't pass up sharing it. Enjoy! ************************

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4000 Miles Video

Inspired by a video put together by a friend of some of his transportation experiences in SE Asia, I decided to put together a little video of my recent scooter trip. I've got a long way to go before expecting an Emmy nomination in the mail, but it ain't bad for having only a 5 year old digital still camera and free editing software that comes with windows. If the inline version doesn't work, click here to go directly to the YouTube page. Oh, and for kicks, here are a couple pictures about the making of the video.

Monday June 11 2007

File under: video, travel

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on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 11:28 am PDT Sean said: Iraqi internet is too slow to watch videos. Poo ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 11:42 am PDT Siri said: Siri's internet is also too slow. Double Poo. ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 11:51 am PDT Wren said: I sympathize with slow computer/internet users, believe me. For those of you whom the youTube thing isn't working, right click here and select "save as..." or "save link as..." to download the video clip and view at your own leisure. ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 12:04 pm PDT AK said: I wish I could hear that music everytime I woke up in the morning. Better than coffee yes? ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 03:21 pm PDT Saxtor said: Hmmm, which is worse, driving while photographing, or talking on a cell phone... Good ol' Yakkety Sax. ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 06:08 pm PDT Andrew said: Very nice Wrennnn. I dug it. ...a grave! hahah! No No. Seriously, very cool. ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 08:18 pm PDT cardboard said: wait seans in iraq? whhhaaa ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 10:22 pm PDT Wilbur said: haha! nice wren! ************************ on Tue 12th Jun, 2007 11:06 am PDT Sean said: Jivin!! ************************ on Tue 12th Jun, 2007 01:54 pm PDT Sweet Julie said: So good Wrenny! What fun! What a crack up! ************************ on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 08:02 am PDT amanda said: your friend's SE Asia video was more fun, but this one was also worthwhile. in response to Saxtor i think driving while photographing is decidedly worse than cell talk, but texting might come close. btw, for those of you who had my blogs on their RSS feeds, i'm public again by popular demand ************************ on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 12:54 pm PDT the friends video said: I love it!!! Bravo!!! ************************ on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 09:38 pm PDT vertical banner said: Nice work Wren. I still can't figure out how you got some of those shots. Did you hire a monkey to climb around putt putt? ************************

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Internet Video-athon

It's a rainy day here in Anacortes, perfect for catching up on the latest happenings on the interweb (pshaw...like I ever fall behind). But besides the latest goings-on, it is sometimes worth reminiscing over the gems that have had their time in the spotlight and then moved along. I almost consider it a crime to hear when a friend hasn't seen (or even heard of) some of my favorites, so I thought I would use this opportunity to share. Because I have frisbee on the brain right now, I can't pass up sharing this gem (8MB .mov). If that doesn't get you inspired to play, then nothing will. Or if politics are your thing, check out these two classics of Will Ferrell impersonating President Bush. Here (QuickTime or YouTube) is one of my ultimate favorites: an ad for Sony's Bravia TV (worth watching in the high quality QuickTime). I know there have been a ton more over the years, but none come to mind immediately. And since sharing is a two-way street, you should leave a link to your favorite internet video in the comments for us all to enjoy. Ain't sharing a beautiful thing?

Saturday June 9 2007

File under: video, links

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on Sat 09th Jun, 2007 01:38 pm PDT cardboard said: Well wren I am glad you bring this subject because I do have a favorite internet video love to share it whenever I can. http://www.youtube.com/p.swf?video_id=Q5im0Ssyyus edit: I found this link also might work ************************ on Sat 09th Jun, 2007 08:24 pm PDT Sarah F said: my dirty mind loves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dmVU08zVpA there's a sequel "box in box" but it's not as funny. ************************ on Sat 09th Jun, 2007 11:09 pm PDT Wilbur said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz0ETbyFM6Q This was my favorite. Best skit I've seen in a long time...and also will ferrell. ************************ on Sat 09th Jun, 2007 11:14 pm PDT Wilbur said: lol...i forgot about the dick in the box one...box in a box...lol too funny. good one sarah. ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 05:02 pm PDT Wren said: It sounds like the first link isn't working for some people (Quicktime thinks it's so fancy...) so try the same thing YouTube style here. ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 05:46 pm PDT Wren said: Since it seems like SNL skits are the style of the times, I will add this one to the mix: Don't buy stuff you can't afford. ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 08:22 pm PDT Wilbur said: lol...nice wren. *high five*...high fiving is still cool right? ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 10:09 pm PDT jule said: for those of you new to the internet you may not have seen this one, a video from OK Go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINJQ5LRh-0 ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 10:28 pm PDT Wren said: Right on, Jule. I was going to mention that one in the original post, but then didn't. True story. Good video though. Come on, people, let's dig deep and find the ones that didn't make it to VH1s top viral videos. I want to see at least one new one that I haven't seen. ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 10:35 pm PDT Wren said: That said, however, I can't pass up adding this cult classic to the mix. Caution: not exactly the kind of clip you would see on Nickelodeon. Hey Kid I'm a Computer ************************ on Sun 10th Jun, 2007 11:06 pm PDT cardboard said: did anyone even watch charlie the unicorn?wtf man ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 06:00 am PDT Jule said: Hey Cardboard, the link didn't work. check the spelling and get back to us ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 11:24 am PDT Sean said: You're all a bunch of nerds. And not the Never Ending Radical Dude variety. http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/end.php http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWKHbSxnfB8 These are totally bodacious. ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 03:27 pm PDT Saxtor said: Gemberling is the story of my life. (and yes, there are eight episodes) ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 06:09 pm PDT jenelle said: beans lots of beans lots of beans, oh yeah.... http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/magical trevor/ ************************ on Mon 11th Jun, 2007 10:56 pm PDT Wilbur said: lol...damn some good ones there guys :-) ************************ on Tue 12th Jun, 2007 04:29 pm PDT Wilbur said: ok i remembered one i saw that i found hilarious for some reason...this is vid of some guy playing and narrating the hardest super mario bros levels ever...if you've ever played this super mario bros. classic, then you'll prolly enjoy this. be prepared for some swearing. :) there are a few of these, different levels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwvtREuu6yo ************************ on Wed 13th Jun, 2007 06:16 am PDT AK said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgqOKj1hdXM ************************ on Sun 17th Jun, 2007 06:12 pm PDT Wilbur said: anybody play wii?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnsfcB1m3lk ************************ on Sun 08th Jul, 2007 11:24 am PDT Wren said: Here's a short, fun, frisbee-related video: http://view.break.com/326764 ************************ on Mon 09th Jul, 2007 08:03 pm PDT Go! Turtle said: How about Social D's new song? I do enjoy the D ************************ on Fri 13th Jul, 2007 12:10 pm PDT Wren said: Okay, I'll stop commenting on this post soon, but I couldn't pass up sharing this one. It is possibly my favorite DVD extra ever, from the Matrix 2. ************************ on Wed 25th Jul, 2007 05:47 pm PDT Wren said: Speaking of music videos, here are a couple of classics: Chevy Chase in a Paul Simon video and Christopher Walken in a Fatboy Slim video. Enjoy! ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 12:52 am PDT Saxtor said: What about Zack Galifianakis in a Kanye West video? ************************

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Frisbee Season is Upon Us

The 2007 Anacortes Parks & Rec Ultimate Frisbee season is upon us! 'Round about March every year, I start getting excited to run around in the luscious green grass fields of Smiley's Bottom while throwing around the frisbee like the hippie I am. Then 'round about June, the weather starts to cooperate. This year, I've been designated as the facilitator which I suppose is only right because I've been participating for so many years now. In addition to running the P&R game, I've been helping out with the high school team. It has been great to get some extra playing time in as well as feel like I am making the world a better place by helping to train tomorrow's frisbee players. So if you are in the Anacortes area, set aside Tuesday nights to come join us for a game. Smiley's Bottom at 6 pm. All skill levels welcome. (Spectators and cheering squads welcome as well.) Hope to see you there! Oh, and for those of you who don't know what Ultimate Frisbee is, www.whatisultimate.com has this to say: Ultimate is an exciting, non-contact team sport, played by thousands the world over. It mixes the best features of sports such as Soccer, Basketball, American Football and Netball into an elegantly simple yet fascinating and demanding game.

Wednesday June 6 2007

File under: Anacortes, games

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on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 01:26 pm PDT cardboard said: swiiiirly haha pcu ************************ on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 04:44 pm PDT Emily said: Hmmm, we're talking about "luscious green grass" AND swiiiirly frisbees...??? ************************ on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 07:49 pm PDT Jule said: Nice work Wren! Coaching the high school ultimate team will be fun, but I bet they don't have as many keggers as the college team, but that can change... ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 10:55 am PDT Sean said: Bee bit my bottom, now my bottom's big. ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 11:03 am PDT Sean said: Don't take your cool crappy weather for granted. I long for the spring days that were less than 110F. And with boots, thick ol' cammie pants and longsleeve cammie shirt and a weapon, there's 20lbs right there. And then throw 50 pounds of helmet and flak jacket on top of that and lots of running around and some adrenaline, you've got a Sean who desperately needs a Flav-Or Ice. ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 02:08 pm PDT Wren said: Freeze n eat or drink it chilled! ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 05:22 pm PDT cardboard said: no no sean you need a chilly willy! ************************ on Thu 07th Jun, 2007 08:22 pm PDT Wilbur said: ULTIMATE!!!! ************************

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Two-wheeled Kin

To me, scooters are in a class of their own. They aren't beefy and macho like motorcycles, and they aren't efficient, sporty, and popular like bicycles. If you ride either a motorcycle or a bicycle, it is like you are a member of an instant club. Fellow cyclists will give you a nod or warn you of a rabid dog 2 blocks up. Motorcyclist will share specs, stories, and conversations about the latest and greatest gear with you. As a scooterist, I wasn't expecting to be accepted by either group. Luckily, I was quite wrong. Motorcyclist have this hi-sign that they give to other motorcyclist as they zip by one another. While I saw many variations on it, it usually consists of a left hand extended below the handle bars with a few fingers out. At first, I thought it was a sign telling me to slow down or something until Dave explained it all to me. Then, on this trip, I got into the habit and really grew to like this welcoming sign of camaraderie. Besides including me in their group with the hi-sign, motorcyclist I met on the road were invariable interested in my scooter and my trip. On the other end of the 2-wheeled spectrum, bicyclists, whom I thought might lump me in with the motorcyclist category, always gave me a smile as I scooted by. It was almost as if they were saying, "I acknowledge that you too are an outsider on this road made for high speed behemoths." When there weren't bicyclists around, I would frequently use their lane to inverse pass the cars that had built up behind me. Without a metal box to separate you from those that you met on the road, it only seemed natural to acknowledge them with a hi-sign or a nod. It lent an unexpected friendliness to my time on the road.

Monday June 4 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Mon 04th Jun, 2007 04:54 pm PDT Siri said: Maybe in lil' ol' Anacortes (or along the CA coast) bicyclists have a sense of camaraderie. However, the 'cyclists around these parts are rude, constantly trying to "outbike" everyone ************************ on Mon 04th Jun, 2007 04:59 pm PDT Siri said: (where was I?) and wearing those god-awful spandex unitards. My theory is the spandex cuts off blood supply to their brain (not to mention their undercarriage) ************************ on Wed 06th Jun, 2007 01:24 pm PDT cardboard said: Oh yes, while siri is right about people trying to "outbike" each other is all part of the GOD status you attain riding a bike. Pedestrian rules can be used but dont need to be followed and the same goes for traffic rules...just watch your ass around blood sucking bike cops. ************************ on Sat 09th Jun, 2007 11:12 am PDT Siri said: True dat! ************************

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Camera Obscura

Ever since I learned about them, camera obscuras (cameras obscura?) have captivated that neato-sciencey portion of my little ole brain. The most spectacular (and maybe the only) example of a camera obscura I have seen is at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Ten years ago, I passed through San Francisco and saw it. Since then, I've often thought of that dilapidated giant camera on the pier. This trip, I got a chance to return. For those of you who don't know what a camera obscura is, think projector. If you ever saw the movie Addicted to Love, one features prominently in that. It is essentially a series of lenses and mirrors that project into a darkened space whatever it is on the other side of the lenses. Wikipedia does a better job of explaining it here. Seeing a 10X magnified verion of what's going on outside projected in super-dooper HD quality (actually, there is no comparison to any digital format) for some reason just amazes me. The camera isn't aimed at anything particularly cool, but seeing just the waves crash or the sea gulls fly by is excitement enough. Perhaps it is seeing an image so crisp but having the sound muffled by the building walls that makes it such a surreal experience. Anyhoo, camera obscuras are neat. If you are ever in San Fran, I definitely suggest you stop by this place and check it out.

Friday June 1 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Fri 01st Jun, 2007 09:29 pm PDT Janet said: I think it would be the cameras that should be plural. How can the camera have more than one obscura????? ************************

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