DIY

I admire the folks who have lived their lives with the DIY philosophy...

I wish I was 15 again and could argue with my mother when she suggested I had my brother, some boyfriend, or some neighbor guy help me with some technical challenge I was having. For instance, if my car was having trouble, I was not encouraged to fix the issue, nor, was I encouraged to even completely understand what the issue was. Of course, I could have developed my own inner "gumption" to become a more practical and handy individual, but, alas, I chose to focus my attention elsewhere. So, I grew soft and did not exercise those "handy" muscles.

I am still not incredibly handy, but I have developed a strong desire to understand the technical world around me and to appreciate the process of learning how to do it myself - even when it means I have to give up some luxury in order to do so.

Spare Tube

A few months back, I had another particularly challenging day at work and was ready to practice yoga in order to re-claim some inner calm. When I approached my bike, I noticed the back tire was extremely low... the inner tube had a hole. Normally I would have just pumped some air and moved on...but, I realized, this wound was too big and pumping air would not do. Also, it was raining and cold, so I could not stand outside debating my next move for too long.

Although I had all the forces against me: foul mood, cold, rain and flat tire...I decided to turn this into a "yoga and the art of bicycle maintenance" moment. So, I moved back into the work space from where moments ago I could not wait to escape, turned my bike upside down and readied it to be repaired. Now, changing a tire is not a huge deal...but, had I had other options that rainy day, I most likely would not have had the bike with me in the first place. Instead, I had to sit with it, look at it, understand how to deal with it myself and... do it myself. Although replacing an inner tube is not major repair work, it did feel good to let go of my original plan and completely focus on the issue at hand. The repair became a meditation for me, as I had to move through my frustration in order to take off, insert and replace the back tire ( which, by the way, is not as easy as replacing the front one).

By the time I was done, I was pleased with myself...mostly because I was able to re-focus my energy enough to find the pleasure in the job. I was able to let go of the day while taking care of something myself. I had no choice...and, because of that, I had opportunity to step into that philosophy I so admire.

Albuquerque in 2035

Been poking my way through Mid-Region Council of Government's 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and let me chime in on what I think it says about ABQ.

First, you know the development on the westside, southwest heights, and Rio Rancho?   Well, there's more of that in our future. Here's a quote:

By 2035 the projected level of growth combined with an imbalance between housing and
jobs will result directly, and indirectly, in:

• a doubling of vehicle miles traveled per day from 16 million to 32 million
• a leap in vehicle hours of delay from 400,000 to 1.5 million
• one million daily trips across the Rio Grande (doubled from today)
• a reduction in the labor markets captured for key employment centers
• a compromised quality of life (which is often a key factor when employers are
• choosing where to locate their businesses)
• higher transportation costs which reduce housing affordability

Second, you think your commute sucks now?   Not much is gonna change.   And the only way to really keep it about the same is to improve the bus/train system.  Check it out:

Can We Build Our Way Out?
Preliminary analysis using the region’s travel demand model was performed to show the
magnitude of shift required from single-occupant vehicle (SOV) mode to transit modes in
order to meet the anticipated increase in river crossing demand. For example, in 2035
30 to 35 percent of travelers will need to be riding transit or using another non-SOV
mode to maintain reasonable vehicle speeds on Paseo del Norte. The other river
crossings showed similar results, reinforcing the need for projects that support reliable
people movement across the river.

Yep...good bye Single Occupancy Vehicles.

But now for some juicy bits about biking.  Let's start with this acknowledgment, "A significant challenge to increasing the use of alternative modes such as walking and bicycling is changing people’s perceptions, which in large part is accomplished through education efforts."   Right...let's end the perception that biking is not a viable way to get around our fair city.  It is.   The more of us who do it; the more the planners will design our roadways with us in mind.  

But this is not to say that biking/walking as it stands right now doesn't have some problems and pose some risks.   They write, "Safety is a considerable challenge because bicyclists and pedestrians take on
disproportionate risk with every trip, particularly in New Mexico and its urban areas."  Albuquerque doesn't compare favorably to other cities in bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities.  The report simply tells many of us what we already know, biking/walking is downright dangerous here.

The report really does contain a wealth of useful information about what getting around Albuquerque looks like and what it will look like.

What's guiding their decision making? It's nice to see that the Obama administration's Department of Transportation has implemented some forward thinking initiatives in regards to making cities more livable.

Ultimately, though, planning can only do so much.   The rest is up to us.   So talk to your county commissioner or city councilor and demand that our streets are safer for bikers and pedestrians, then park your car and enjoy the fresh air.

Specimen #2

The doctor says he wants another specimen and hands Mindy the small cup and says we can collect it at home.

Sperm Bike

The catch?   Once the specimen is collected, I have 30 minutes to get it to the small fridge in the Andrology Lab.  At 30 minutes, the little guys die and the sample doesn't give a true picture.   And this time, we want to collect it at home.  Unlike last time, this time is actually downright pleasant, but at the end now there's no bonding, no resting, no sitting back.  It's pull the clothes on, pull the cloth bag over my shoulders, sunglasses down, and on the bike.


By my quick calculations this trip would take maybe 10 minutes (barring no traffic problems) by car.  On bike, maybe 20 and that leaves the 5 it takes to get dressed and ready and maybe 5 to lock up the bike and walk to the lab.   We're cutting it close.

I guess nature thinks life would be more convenient with a car too.

My Other Bike is an SUV

Mindy and I were talking with a friend this morning, and the subject of how we are doing, how we are navigating/handling this came up.

We showed all the various accoutrements:  the rear rack and coffee cup holder on Mindy's bike and the fenders and permanent lights on my bike. Then Mindy said something I thought was curious and stuck with me throughout the day.  She noted that when she had a car it was a station wagon, and it was like another closet.  Her bike and its cup holder and rack, with a yoga mat strapped to it, was really just a sort of "station wagon" and my bike, with its fancy lights, slick wheels, fixed gear. was more of a "sports car"-- a cheap Italian sports car.

Villano Single Speed w/ Flip-flop rear hub

What I thought was strange was at how easily the metaphor came to her. And how easily we all just laughed and nodded our heads in understanding.  Cars have infiltrated our psyche, become something other than just a mode of transportation.

Now, as a writer, I'm sort of fascinated by words, by how words work.   So here's a mode of transportation that really didn't become even mainstream until maybe 70 years ago, but we know what a sports car is; we know what a station wagon is, and what they say about their respective owners.   Perhaps with time we'll have to explain the rare car with words like, "His car is sort of a Fixie," or "His friend drove us up the mountain in his car that's like a "mountain bike" or "We put all this gear in a "cyclecross" kinda car."

Sounds strange doesn't it?  But isn't that the transition I am hoping to make?  It's not just trading my car in for a bike; it's changing how I interact with the world, how I see the world.  And for that, language is a good place to start.

Grateful

Tuesday

Work left me sort of flat. Usually the act of getting in my body (yoga, running) is good medicine. Leaving work at 5pm, I knew I would head home and probably not do either one.

If I was in a car, that would simply add to the heaviness of the day. Instead, I took the long way home along the bosque and my spirit was lifted.

Spring. The air is fragrant, and I get a front row seat and a choice to commute on any path that will deliver me home a more satisfied and grateful being than when I started.

For our children

I was at the doctor's office today.

Before leaving, the nurse gave me a card to put on my car for parking.

"Oh, I don't need that, I don't have a car"...(one less thing to worry about).

She seemed interested. She wanted to know more.

"Well, we each had a car and they both gave out around the same time. I was told that it was better to get a different car - as opposed to keeping this one, as the cost was going to be more than the car was worth. So, we donated my car (after donating Don's, or, actually, leaving it on the side of Coors for KUNM to pick up) to KUNM as well."

"Well", she asks, "what about a baby?"

"We don't have a baby. Oh, I guess you know that [the appointment was at a fertility clinic]. You mean, what will we do when we have a baby? I don't know, we haven't gotten that far yet.."

Ibert Toddler Bike Seat

Yet, actually we have gotten there, at least in conversation and in theory. We figured, even if we did get a car with the arrival of a new soul, we would still like to have the car as the alternate form of transportation. We may be naive and overly ambitious, but, I do believe there are ways we can move through parenthood/child-rearing that can be both safe and philosophically sound for the entire family.

I am not suggesting an infant on my bike, but, we are a block away from a bus stop, five blocks from a hospital and in walking distance from grocery stores. The car can be used for emergencies as I will be responsible when it comes to the child's health. But, in addition to making sure my child is safe and secure, I want to raise a child who is aware of other options. I want them to know the experience of two wheels, fresh air, and the sounds of the world around them. I want to give them a chance to get it into their bones before the world starts to "re-educate" them. I want them to know that they can be in the world in many ways, not just the one that is dictated to them.

The Scofflaw-a persona poem

Bicycle, bicycle.
I like to ride my bicycle. I like to ride my bike.
I like to ride my bicycle. I like to ride it where I like.
The weather turns;
the wind blows icicles into my “what the fuck am I doing with wet hair” hair;
a bus blows by and honks only to pull up to the curb right in front of me;
a car nearly hits me because he answered his phone;
why do I ride?

After 2 minor fender benders, 2 major wrecks, and being thrown through a front window.
I realize, now, I hate cars.
I hate ‘em. I do.
They’re dangerous, dangerous, dangerous and driven by people who have nothing better to do….
than drive and eat dinner,
            drive and put on make-up,
            drive and drink coffee,
            drive and pluck hair,
            drive and put on DVDs,
            drive and text.
Drivers kill bikers.
You do.
Not that I could in prove it in court,
but all you people in such a hurry
that you compress air and gasoline in a combustible engine
then sit in your metal cages listening to Limbaugh or NPR or bad music
at 50 miles an hour want to kill me.
You do.
Me—the scofflaw cyclist riding in the middle of the lane,
            running red lights and four ways,
            jumping the curb to the sidewalk,
            crossing lawns and annoying your dog
            wearing dark clothing, refusing to signal,
            never surrendering the right of way
            as I flip you the bird when you lay on your horn.
You:   the Oblivious.
Running red lights while on your cell phone,
turning right but only looking left,
speeding up to 30 on a street posted as 18,
slamming on brakes and reversing into parking spaces without even looking,
and swinging your car door wide
right into me.
Bring it on, Oblivious!
I ain’t making it easy for you.
I’m getting off the road as fast as I can.
I’m wearing dark clothes, removing reflectors, never signaling, never using a light
because if you see me, you’ll hit me.
Give it your best shot, oblivious.
The Earth loves this scofflaw and not you.
So, when the next ice age comes and freezes the Northeast like a sno-cone
and all those obnoxious New Yorkers pile in their “never been off road” SUVS
or mini-vans with DVD players and move to New Mexico,
I’ll be the one biking by you in a traffic jam
on the Paseo Del Norte parking lot or Coors loading zone
and getting to work on time because I don’t need parking.
I like to ride my bicycle. I like to ride my bike.
I like to ride my bicycle. I like to ride it where
and how I like.
So, face it Mr. SUV, Mini-van, boom car, trucker,
I’m the future and the future is passing you by.