Adventures of a Car-Less Valley Girl in Los Angeles

When It Rains...

2011-12-13T02:58:00.001-08:00

I forgot to bring my bicycle in from the rain. Again. This is the third rain in about two months.

Thankfully, it's getting a much-needed shower; however, what I'm really worried about is its chain. I've heard that taking care to lube it and make sure everything is in working condition (brakes, gears, etc.), my bike should still be in good working order.

I just feel so badly for it. It's cold and wet out there. Interestingly enough, the one time I did bring it into the house, it rained for maybe two hours. Then I was too lazy to take it out for another week or so. When it was awesomely sunny. You know, perfect biking weather. I guess that's how it goes sometimes.

In other news, I've been away due to finishing up my degree in creative writing... gotta love finals week. But my thoughts have not been far away from cycling and transportation, as can be seen on a semi-regular basis via my Twitter profile. In fact, a fair amount of my observations on public transit lately have made to Metro's The Source on Twitter Tuesdays, under their #fail subheading. Not sure if that's such a great thing, but hey, someone's listening. Responding, however, is a totally different story.

I'll be embarking on new life chapters once my degree is obtained, though. Hopefully translating to a new job, a new place of residence, and maybe (maybe?) a car, or scooter, or something to better assist things that take place underneath the umbrella of life. But that is all still at the very least six months away.

My dream, which I don't feel is unattainable, is to move from the Valley to over-the-hill, or close enough to the Red Line on 'this side' of the hill so as to still be connected. But we shall see.

It's never a bad idea to have plans. Ever so distantly paraphrasing/referencing John Lennon.

Every Hour, Near the Hour

2011-08-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

I live a block away from a busy intersection on Balboa Blvd in the Valley. Balboa Blvd is an artery that services Nordhoff Blvd and Ventura Blvd - one being a major artery to California State University, Northridge; the other being a major, major artery alongside the 101 freeway, to many businesses/restaurants/grocery stores, and of course, Metro itself - rapid bus 750 and local buses 150/240.

My question is this: why does local bus 236/237 run every hour, near the hour? Near the hour is not of importance - why does it run once an hour?

I don't think I need to go into why I'm asking this question. The reason it is being asked should be plain enough.

If you miss the bus or the bus is late, it can prove to be quite a damper on one's day. Very often have I seen and passed by people multiple times within the hour only to see them still standing, waiting for the bus. Who has time to wait 45+ minutes for a bus to arrive? Just in case it wasn't common knowledge, nobody gets their kicks from being stranded.

Balboa isn't the only street to be affected by poor transportation planning. White Oak Ave, another street I lived very close to, is in the same situation. Winnetka Ave and De Soto Ave are also subject to this - there's no bus that even goes up Woodley Ave, at least not along its entire length.

With the exception of Reseda and Van Nuys Blvd, that I am personally experienced with, most streets heading in a north-south direction in the Valley are grossly under-serviced by Metro. (Sepulveda's local bus at least runs slightly consistently, but Metro recently stopped service of its Rapid line.) The east-west direction streets - although not up to par as they should be given the population and the need - are better serviced, but that's not saying much when your connecting bus heading north-south isn't arriving for a while.

Every-hour-service during the day. Does this make sense to anyone? Metro regularly toots its own horn about its frequent service, most of which takes place Downtown. Unfortunately not everyone works, lives, and plays there. And while the Orange, Red, Green, Gold, Purple and Blue Lines are awesome in their own right, with local service lacking, it is laughable to deliver oneself such praise.

Sadly, this is not news.

This is NOT okay.

Who OK'd this?

And how do we fix this?

Hard Times

2011-08-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I ride my bicycle and take the bus instead of going out and buying a car is because, honestly, it's more money than I'd care to spend on insurance, car notes, and gas right now. It's been that way for a while, at least the last five years, but with the stark economic downturn, even more so now.

For the better part of earlier this year, I didn't even buy a monthly bus pass from Metro. That is until my social, professional, and love life increased substantially, much to the appreciation of my self. In addition to covering more events, conducting interviews, etc., et al, I'll be the first to say that having a boyfriend is a really nice way to justify going from one-way fare/transfers to day passes to weekly passes to monthly passes.

But there are times when it's a good idea to think about saving money... you know, at the end of the month close to paying rent; thinking of meals that will last two and three days (hallelujah, Crock Pot and the oven, in general), and I don't know... thinking creatively so as to be able to save for vacations, small impulse buys, day-to-day stuff, and hell, the future.

I've been thinking that in the spirit of incorporating the physical and mental benefits of riding my bicycle, and somewhat monetary benefits of taking the bus (depending on your region), I'm probably going to examine different ways to save money, perhaps make money, and all around still have fun and live well during these difficult times that most everyone (except for the absurdly wealthy) has had to adjust to in the last couple of years, quarters, months, or weeks.

Look for updates along these lines! Thanks again for your support, feedback, and most importantly, for reading.

xoxo

The Top Five Worst Things You Can Do On Your Bike

2011-08-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most obvious of distractions are the ones least considered but when it comes to cycling, walking, or driving, however, eliminating them as best as possible would seem to be a good rule of thumb. Safer, walkable, livable streets - isn't that the goal?

I've composed a list of some things that were on my mind that sort of detract from that idea, whether intended or not. It isn't meant to call anyone out, but it was just something on my mind. Without further adieu:

The Top Five Worst Things You Can Do On Your Bike

1. Text. Last year, Philadelphia banned text messaging while driving, on one's motorcycle, while rollerblading and skateboarding. Lessening the distractions is the way to go, and I'll be the first to admit that when I was nineteen years old I was in an accident in part due to my cell phone. It happens. And when it does, if you're conscious enough to remember the accident, you'll feel like an idiot afterwards.

Also, I've almost been "walked into" by people who walk and text, which has proven more embarrassing for them than for myself.

2. Smoke a cigarette. Everyone has their needs, and needs 'need' to be met. Smoking is a loaded topic of conversation, but I'm going to allow myself a moment to say the following: seeing someone smoke on a cigarette is probably one of the silliest things I've seen (emphasis on "one of the"). Even if done so leisurely, bicycling is a cardiovascular exercise, which means you're using your heart and your lungs to effectively move oxygenated blood through your body. Props to you for being on the bicycle. As a suggestion, if only once out of how many times you find yourself on your bicycle, how about leaving the pack at home, trading it for water so as to enjoy the relatively clean Los Angeles air?

On the note of water...

3. Drink. Bad idea, and by that I mean anything with alcohol content. The last thing you should want while riding your bicycle is a DUI. Despite the ongoing debate as to whether or not bicycles are vehicles, the law in California is stated as such on none other than the website for the Department of Motor Vehicles. At the very least, this would do well to serve as a point of reference as to how bicycles should be operated, in this regard and in general. Bicyclists should adhere to the rules of the road. Even if on the sidewalk (something I don't encourage), you're riding with or alongside traffic in that capacity.

I mean, even pedestrians have to follow the rules of the road unless they would like to be run over. Pedestrians also can get cited for public intoxication. Why would a cyclist be exempt?

4. Tie your shoes. Especially when in motion. I often find myself asking how one even does that, even though I've seen the attempt many times. I'd personally be afraid of getting my lace stuck in the chain, then maybe bucking forward and rolling over myself. But that's probably just me.

5. Take off your sweater/shirt/etc. Actually, removing any article of clothing is probably not advised, especially if you wear glasses. What a mess. I'll extend this to apply to most anything you have to stop everything in order to do. This also goes to applying make-up and maybe eating. A granola bar, not so much. A double bacon cheeseburger, more likely than not.

Obviously some parts of this list are in jest and are fueled by a slightly irked personal opinion through observation, but never via a holier-than-thou mentality. How many times have you asked "why" and never received an answer?

Still, simply put, you'd be surprised at what things have been seen on the road - or maybe you wouldn't. It doesn't begin to cover half of what seems to be seen as exempt behavior merely because one isn't behind a wheel. There is more information out there to support the notion of riding safely and consciously than to support the notion that "I'm on a bicycle, who cares what I do?". The last thing the cycling community needs is another person to view someone as "just another cyclist" thinking they were above riding smart and with decency.

Happy cycling~

Photo via ftlauderdaleinjurylawyerblog.com

A Car-Lite Lifestyle

2011-08-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

I was dorking around on NPR.com and found an interesting interview from a few years back with Chris Balish, author of a book entitled How to Live Well Without Owning a Car, something that I will probably pick up in coming weeks when I'm done reading George Orwell's 1984.

In this interview, I appreciated that the author stressed enough along the lines of living without a car of one's own. Because anywhere you go, a car is going to sometimes be necessary. I mean, why else are there taxis in New York City?

Me, I love taxis, but only based on experiences in New York. Elsewhere, especially in LA, they're far too costly for the average person - a gauge I can understand due to the need versus the accessibility. (How many people have vehicles in NYC/Brooklyn as opposed to Los Angeles? That and everyone's got to make their dollar somehow.) Also, renting a car for the day can be expensive, but thankfully there are by-the-hour options such as Zipcar, for running around on errands or an evening out or something. (The only real con at the moment is that Zipcars aren't really located in or near the Valley, but at least it's proactive enough of a start.)

Also, living close to the Orange or Red Lines can prove to be a good option in a mass transit sense, however dependent upon the proximity of things one likes to do, or must do and everything in between, and the time of day or night in which they are to be done.

Local service would also do well to prove itself a Point A to Point B option. It is, in a lot of respects, but it could be better.

I'm more than aware that I'm beating a dead horse, but whoever's doing transportation planning - in the Valley, in Burbank, in Glendale and beyond - is not taking into account just how many people could benefit from local service seeing a bump in frequency and extended hours. If translated into dollars, making an investment in local service could stand to see Metro not having to cut jobs or lines as drastically as they have previously, and blah blah blah blah....

Suffice it to say, I'm not looking forward to taking 30 pounds of cat litter home from the store sometime tomorrow. I promise I will stop snarking on things soon enough and instead highlight the benefits of reading on the bus (about bicycle repair, perhaps) or the awesomeness of even the slightest headwinds when you haven't done your strength training for the day (or month).

Happy cycling/busing/walking/running for it~

Local Buses: Part One

2011-08-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

The other evening I was on my way home from Northridge when I saw a gentleman sitting on the northwest corner of White Oak and Saticoy waiting for the 239 bus to come. I was rushing home because I was about fifteen minutes late as far as getting ready to have dinner with a friend at a sushi place, which somewhat conveniently, was in the same block I was passing.

The only inconvenient things when my friend and I came back an hour later only to see the same gentleman sitting at the same spot, occasionally getting up and into the street, wondering where the bus was.

It's not rare that I'm in that same position. Sometimes it happens when I'm on Sunset Blvd waiting for the 2 (a line that I praise quite frequently), which can run ten or so minutes late heading west because traffic is awesome. (Very rarely does it run late coming from Beverly Hills.) But even though it's annoying when it happens, at least the 2 runs ever twenty or so minutes.

That said, an amount of local lines in the Valley run every 40-60 minutes midday, with a more than fair percentage of them being north-south buses. I really don't understand the reasoning behind it, and haven't for quite a while. If you've read here recently or at all, you know that I've come to the conclusion that local service needs attention if Metro's apparent goal of reducing fuel emissions and lessening traffic is ever, ever to get off the ground.

I only found out recently that there are local council meetings held in the Valley the first Wednesday of every month. Knowing that it's short notice, I still feel it worth mentioning that one will be held this evening at 6:30 pm at the following address:

Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center
6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

The intended agenda is highlighted in full here, per Metro.net.

I almost challenge next month for local service to make its way on the agenda, or at the very least, an item not on the agenda open to discussion. Why? It's because the squeaky wheel (or brake, or chain) that gets the grease, gets the lube.

I also challenge that anyone who is affected by local service in the Valley - whether you drive, cycle, walk, or bus it - attend and take in the information, if not join in the topics. And if you're not in the Valley (and if you are) check out and see if there is a meeting you can attend soon. Being informed and having a voice are the strongest tools a person or collective group can have.

Local service in the Valley is not the best, and during rush hour it is far from the worse. Thank goodness for the Orange Line and Rapid lines 741 (Reseda Blvd), 750 (Ventura Blvd), and 761 (Van Nuys Blvd). But what about Topanga Cyn Blvd? Winnetka Blvd? Balboa Blvd? Sepulveda Blvd? Laurel Cyn Blvd? Vineland? These streets heading in the north-south direction are just a few of the streets that benefit from local lines, but not frequently enough to efficiently serve the local areas. There are malls, schools, businesses, recreational facilities, bridges over the hill and accessibility to Metro itself that the having of more efficient local service would greatly benefit the economy. I don't even think the ways need counting. Aside from that, there are homes in which people hope to get to without having to walk three to five miles at the end of a work day.

I don't think I've left much out, and I'm not sure what else can be said at this point.

But if able to attend, whether tonight or next month, I highly encourage it. And if not, make use of Twitter regarding your thoughts and use the #metrolosangeles hashtag. Send an email. Write a letter. Start a blog. Take pictures. Get the grease, get lubed. It's a serious issue and I think it would be pretty cool to see local service boom.

Out of Shape (But Not Really)

2011-07-07T02:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I did something I haven't done in a while. A couple of friends and I did a forty-mile bicycle ride from Van Nuys, through Burbank, to Cypress Park and back, and to be honest, it was a little brutal. Perhaps it was the heat of the day or my personally not having done hills in a while (not that the hills were particularly grueling), but I just found it strange that for all the running and walking and muscle training I've been doing this year, the ride in itself was a little... tiring.

And it should have been, right? Maybe?

See, I'm not too sure it should have been. Granted I know that exerting oneself in one fashion is completely different than exerting oneself in another. Whether swimming, cycling, running, jogging, doing yoga, pilates, tae kwon do, jiu jitsu, picking up a twenty-five pound package or a small child - simply being athletic does not a Jack or Jill of all athletic trades make.

Maybe I just need a little more training on the bicycle, so to speak. We've done longer rides, in more brutal headwinds, on heavier bicycles - granted, in cooler weather - and for some reason it felt more effortless. But really, in the end, my debating it with myself does nothing other than spin my brain in circles. It was a good ride, we covered a long distance, and there will be more rides to come in the very near future. In the meantime, whether I cover a long distance or not shouldn't be the issue... it's being on the bicycle that 'should be', period - but only because it's important to me.

I guess what I'm getting at is that it's not really worth worrying about something if you're out there actually doing it and really pushing towards, and that one's level of activity really should be aimed towards their individual goals, whether funneled through a hobby (such as cycling or working out) or otherwise.

I love bicycling. It goes without saying that such 'training' in a recreational sense serves to help any aspect of life outside of the recreational realm (as far as making strides in commuting and/or running errands around town). Bring it on, I suppose.

No more whining. I am fabulous. And, frankly, if you're out there working it, so are you.

P.S. The extended LA River Path is most definitely something awesome. Much thanks to the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.

From the Valley to West Hollywood (and Back)

2011-07-05T20:44:00.001-07:00

I live in the Valley. My boyfriend lives in West Hollywood.

In this time in getting to know each other, I have learned quite a bit, especially transportation-wise. Transportation is always on my mind, even when I'm stationary, but let's just give it a go anyway:

1) There are three ways to get to West Hollywood, whether by car, bicycle or bus. (a) Take the 405 to the back end of Sunset and head to your destination that way, heading east. (Or, the 761 to the 2.) (b) Take the 101 to Highland, make your way to Sunset, and head to your destination via the boulevard heading west. (Or, the Red Line to Highland, and the 2.) Or, to me, at least, the most direct in the form of (c) taking the 101 or whatever side street of your choosing to Laurel Canyon where it bleeds into Crescent Heights, and head wherever it is you choose, because you're pretty much in the middle of it all. (Or, the 150/240 to the 218, then the 2. Feel free to write this down.)

I have not yet ridden my bicycle from the Valley to over the hill yet, but one of these days, I think I will. Bicycling in the Valley has made me brave and/or ambitious, which, in my vocabulary, can be substituted for crazy.

2) Depending on what you're doing, you don't have to drive much over the hill. Unless you're going to the El Capitan and then to Fred 62 and then maybe The Roxy for a late show, that is. Surprisingly, a lot of people walk and/or cycle in the particular area I'm referring to, so much so that to get in the car is a little strange, unless one is going to work.

3) The local 2 bus is thebomb.com. I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes for it, even on the weekend. And that's a fact. If the north-south buses in the Valley were as considerate, it'd be pretty nifty.

4) It's cool being on an island, as apparently West Hollywood is socially termed. And granted, there is always something going on. But it's nice going somewhere else every so often. I like the Valley, quite a bit. I used to not, but in recent years I learned how nice it is when something has the ability to become your own, or you learn where it lands in the scheme of everything else, geographically or otherwise.

Personally, I love the bicycle paths in the Valley, the hills, the hiking opportunities, the wide streets, the lake and art house theater down the street from my house, the parks and paved streets to run in, on and around, and the In-N-Out a block away... it's silly. It's a bit quieter. But it'll do for the next ten or so months as I finish up this current chapter in life.

And finally,

5) The distance between West Hollywood and the Valley really isn't the end of the world. This is coming from someone who does not drive the distance. I have mentioned before the one time I had been in a car after years of not driving and it felt like I was in a capsule and completely cut off from the world. Not to say that's how it feels to anyone who spends a lot of time driving, but I get not wanting to be behind the wheel. But comparing a convenience to the more time it takes to utilize public transportation is... maybe not silly, but let's just say I'm always open for a debate and/or discussion. On any front. Let's talk gas, insurance and waiting in traffic. Let's talk summer temperatures, and how going Metro takes about three times as long (but there's nothing a book and a fully charged iPod won't do to make it better). But still, even though Orange Line is a walk from my place, as it's always been, in about 25-30 minutes from that point I'm thisclose to being back over the hill, whatever it is I may be doing.

It's not news that I'm planning for a car-lite existence rather soon-ish. Someone on another blog said it best, paraphrased: "I'm not car-free, but I like to pretend that I am." That's always been the goal.

I really do think that's it for now. Collected observations are my favorite.

Local Service Still to Improve

2011-07-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am really excited at the thought of Metro expanding its rail service. The Orange and Red Lines have been really awesome in the years of their operation, and to be honest, the more the better.

However, the cost going towards the expansion of rail is depleting the function of local service. Let it be said, rail is awesome. But I feel that this is catering to the car culture even more.

Look, and cars are great, too. They definitely serve a purpose, especially since local service is virtually disappearing.

But if we're ever going to be reliable sans cars, or ever really achieve a 'car-optional' culture, local service needs a friggin' chance.

Back in March, The LA Times announced Metro's plans to cut local service in order to better transfer funds to the rail projects. As of June 26, these changes were implemented, which included the discontinuation of weekend lines, the shortening of lines in general, and some schedules have been changed to hourly. And yes, while others were extended or combined, the decrease of service is the most noticeable and is not the first change of its kind in recent months, nor will it be the last.

It almost seems like a moot point to even say anything about this because they are changes that will happen no matter what, in some capacity, at least. But I've always believed that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Hourly service does not cut it. Cutting lines doesn't cut it. Mediocre service doesn't cut it. Rail is awesome, but unless you have a car or are willing to pay exorbitant rates for a taxi, how exactly does one plan to get there?

If it's important enough (read: if it's bothering you enough), say something about it already.

And maybe, maybe in thirty years we'll see less backwards movement.

Photo via The Transit Coalition

Hot Hot Heat

2011-06-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

By now, anyone living and breathing in the LA area is looking back on those awesome weeks at the end of May and earlier this month in which it felt like Spring was going to untie its sandals and stick around for a little while longer, and a little while longer at that. There was breeze, 65 degree temps, and a clear view of Downtown LA on a sunny day. Smog? What's that? Summer? Where? Then mid-June hit and that last little bit of Paradise was gone.

Now that Summer has clocked us with its heavy hand, anticipating the worst should be a given when it comes to cycling for purposes commute-oriented or recreational - because the last thing anyone wants to do is collapse of heat stroke. I mean, unless someone out there really gets off on such a thing. No? I thought not.

I've been running a lot lately, and as everyone knows, running and cycling are two entirely different activities. However, I've found that the risk of overheating and testing of the limits of one's body come all to easy in both forms of activity. Generally during the first twenty minutes, I'm fine. It's when the last 25-40 minutes are realized and powered through that, later, it is decided that running earlier in the day would have been a better option.

Would it be all to convenient that said option would always be present; what to do when it isn't?

Exercise of any kind, if you're lucky, will produce sweat, which will cool down your body. But in order to keep that process moving, replacing the water lost is imperative. The first order of business would be to drink more water. Not guzzle; eight ounces of water before the ride is sufficient, then eight to twelve ounces every 20 or so minutes, depending on the length of the ride. My bicycle has two water bottle holders and I always carry something extra in a bag, or a few dollars should I run out and have need to hit a convenience store. Camelbaks and other lightweight-enough fluid packs will also do the trick.

Also, don't forget the electrolytes. Emergen-C is a favorite, but any other will do, as well. I also had a friend who, when visiting Tokyo, was on an excursion in the summer. The humidity was so intense that even the local people wouldn't go out (much). Their guide suggested fruits - packed with nutrients and water - to help with their bodies and heads. So for those long rides, relatively or otherwise, fruit is never a bad idea either. It's plum, peach and nectarine season, right? The juicier, the better.

So just think about it - the last thing anyone wants to do is be out of their natural water stores and a long way from home. And don't think that because its early morning or a warm summer evening that the body is exempt from such care. A one-two punch of listening to your body and prepping it before heading out into the heat of day is the best thing you can do going into these hot summer months.

CicLAvia 2011 #1, Just Around the Corner

2011-04-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

It's just around the corner - and, yes, by "it" I mean the first CicLAvia event of 2011! It will be taking place this Sunday, April 10th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. I was actually reminded of this a few weeks ago while on Sunset Blvd, having come across this lovely piece of work:

And here's an awesome panoramic stitching from and by a close someone who captured this and thankfully not the dumbstruck look of awe all across my face (click on image to fully view):

From ciclavia.org:

"Inspired by Ciclovía, the original, weekly street closure event in Bogotá, Colombia, CicLAvia opens LA streets to pedestrians and bicyclists, creating a temporary web of public space on which residents of Los Angeles can walk, bike, socialize, celebrate and learn more about their own city. On 4/10/11, 7.5 miles of roadways will temporarily close to car traffic and open for recreational purposes. From Boyle Heights to Downtown, MacArthur Park to East Hollywood, CicLAvia encourages Angelenos to not only make active use of their streets, but to rediscover the roadways and neighborhoods that too often go unnoticed in a car. Help open LA’s streets… take part in the second CicLAvia on 4/10/11."

The first CicLAvia that Los Angeles saw last October was quite an amazing sight and overall experience. I personally had never traveled on such normally busy streets in Los Angeles with as much ease. I had no idea what to expect other than approximately seven miles of streets were to be blocked off for bicyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers, pedestrians, etc - anyone without a car. A purely by-foot/by-manpower experience. I had the best time, an understatement at best, and the high lasted for a number of days afterward. I particularly remember being in front of the Ronald Reagan State Building at 300 S Spring Street and being amazed that I was neither stressed or rushing to get somewhere. The weather was beautiful, and everyone was out with their friends and family - it was a great time to be without a car. For all the simplistic terms of phrase, it doesn't get more simple yet honest than this: I had the best time ever. Read more about it here.

So don't forget, the event is set to take place THIS SUNDAY. Take pictures, bring your friends and family - it's free! Double-task it as a cheap and active date, if you must. My friends and I went Metro but there's plenty of parking as needed (riders, check out the event's map and directions here for information on "bike pooling" and which lines will get you where) Check out ciclavia.org for the route and much, much more information.

Two more CicLAvia events have been confirmed for July 10th and October 10th this year. Until then, get out there on Sunday if you didn't have the opportunity to last year. Join me atop this brilliantly pink cotton candy cloud of a delightful vision sans cars already.

Go Metro, Go Home (Maybe)

2011-03-21T19:35:00.001-07:00

Metro Los Angeles has a new phone number that replaced its former number back in December last year. This isn't breaking news, but is still good to know, especially if you have called the number before:

Due to state budget constraints and the recent emergence of the 511 phone number, which provides similar access, Caltrans opted to discontinue the 1.800.COMMUTE number. The cost of operating 1.800.COMMUTE is approximately $800,000 annually. Metro's cost for maintaining the 323.GO.METRO number is estimated at $12,000 annually.

This is also probably why the operating hours of the number (new or old) is and has been and will continue to be from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future. Due to state budget constraints, providing salary for someone to provide timetable information during the actual hours of operation is not a workable option at this time.

All right, so I'm being a little snarky. The phone line is definitely a benefit, and it makes complete sense to have its hours of operation coincide with Metro's peak hours of service. But, truth be told, there are more instances than not when a WI-FI hotspot, or even a smart phone/mobile device or whatever else isn't available with which to access Metro.net for inquiries and trip planning, much less a paper timetable. It would just be cool, and yes, convenient to have a means of information when you've missed a bus or experience some other unanticipated situation.

But Metro isn't always about convenience. (Now I'm not being snarky, I swear. I'm straight-faced.) On a related note, Metro.net, its signs and flyers notifying of the number change don't even mention hours of service. I think it's important to know such things.

Just imagine how frustrating it would be to call on a Sunday at 4:32 pm only to find out you've missed operating hours by two minutes, and essentially go find a book or if you're lucky an LA Weekly because you'll be waiting for the bus with no indication of when the next one will be arriving, let alone if it'll take you in the right direction - sorry, but not really; tough noogies; you're SOL, my fellow Angeleno; better luck next time. Why don't you just get a car?

But perhaps that's just me.

Speed and Strength

2011-03-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

On a bicycle, happiness is measured in a number of ways. For me, it's measured in speed and strength, and often the two come hand in hand.

I ride my bicycle at least four days a week as a form of prostration to the timeclock gods. It used to take thirty minutes and change to get where I need to go in the morning, but lately (sometimes due to enjoying my bed or hot shower for "five more minutes"), I've been rushing. Which is bad. However, I've made lemonade out of said lemon and have managed to train my body to cut out ten minutes of commute time. Which is actually pretty awesome.

During the process, I've found that my lower body is in a lot more good pain than normal; good muscle pain vs. bad muscle strain. Who needs a gym when you've got a bicycle, a commute, and the propensity to sleep in? I can't stress how important the benefit of a strong core and back is when it comes to riding long distances, or any distance in general, and I swear I will make a more concerted effort to leave the house earlier from here on in. But even still? No gym necessary - not for me.

Creative Muscle

2011-03-14T01:57:00.000-07:00

Poetry. No new formalism views here, no emphasis on rhyme scheme or the like. Just writing. I used to think that poetry wasn't really my thing. Poetry, like narrative writing, isn't easy to write. Both require the extension and flexing of a fine portion of the creative muscle. Like most anything else, practice makes perfect, and in an effort to do so, I figured I'd pick up where I left off - with an open mind and ready to be critiqued my peers and the like.

So this concerns a poem I wrote most recently on assignment, which in my opinion is still in much need of revising. However, the general idea of the poem happens to be about the public transportation system in Los Angeles. Me, I'm just wondering if you can pick up on any references.

reinforced

your arteries took a while to form
and you were born without bones
but your brain came before you

your heart had been on ice for a century
but the procedure went well. it’s beating
without the aid of machines

your nerve endings reach then recoil
due to bruised pockets of heat
with nowhere yet to go.
that will correct itself on its own

as for the skeleton, there’s a waiting list
another ten years at best

your arteries, metamorphosed into intestine
are pushing out the waste
but you’re sure to get new ones soon

- Lindsey D.

Google Maps Doesn't Like Metro Orange Line Balboa Station

2011-03-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Or so it seems.

The Metro Orange Line Balboa Station is the station I frequent when heading pretty much anywhere over the hill to Hollywood, Culver City, Westwood and beyond. For planning purposes I've utilized Google Maps over Metro's trip planner because in the past it has provided walking and bicycling directions as well as multiple (and I mean multiple) trip options via bus and rail to make it pretty much wherever. Also, I particularly enjoying using my home address and destination as points of reference instead of cross-streets, but that might just be me.

However, the last few trips I've planned via Google Maps in such a manner have seemed to neglect Metro Orange Line Balboa station, instead opting for the station one stop over at Woodley Station, and I'm not exactly sure why. This has made planning more of a cut-and-paste operation than the seamless procedure as it used to be. To be honest, it's not the end of the world. I'm just sitting here wondering why, though.

So my new method of operation is to find out when my connections - if any - are set to arrive so that I can plan my initial bus/train's departure in order to make it without a hitch. Again, it's so not the end of the world, but it's just an extra step that I wasn't used to making... one that I really shouldn't, to be honest.

There's really no more to it than that. Maybe I've been spoiled. Maybe something's up with Google's programming. Maybe I'm just obscenely over-aware, a curse and blessing at best. In either case I was just curious and will work around it. Any kink in the machinery is worth at least a second of reflection - yea, nay?

I really feel like Louis CK should be scolding me for not being happy, though.

Updates to Adventures of a Carless Valley Girl in Los Angeles

2011-03-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

So I've been writing here for a while, and I plan to continue writing for a long time. I really want to thank everyone who's been reading and providing feedback - you've been so inspirational and as a result I'm seriously contemplating a major goal shift (at the very least, a side-by-side concerted effort) along the lines of taking more active steps to get the word out about transportation planning in Los Angeles.

On that note, I've been thinking of some changes to make to this blog, which will largely include the addition of photo galleries. One, this will give me more reason to take my camera with me everywhere, and two, I've grown to love Los Angeles so much in the last year. I swear I didn't love it five years ago, but now? There's so much to do, to see, to eat, to experience here. There are so many people and so many stories - I friggin' I love LA. Also, there must be some kind of adventure bug that bites you at some point in life if not merely in your twenties, and I decided I wasn't going to let not having a car get in the way of it. How easily it can be to forget how much room there is to explore. Thankfully, interested parties frequently correct my thinking.

The Metro Red Line goes through LA from North Hollywood to Union Station and back many times a day, and one of its highlights is its stations. What makes them stand out one from the other is their individual artwork and construction. Also, I have a thing for station entrances and exits, their overall construction. In the rare instance that I'm not bounding down the steps to catch the last train, I've been able to stop and admire the artwork, and in many cases I'm surprised that I haven't noticed it before. (Well, not really. Catching the last train is more often than not the highest priority.)

Also, a friend and I were walking around downtown a couple of weeks ago and stumbled upon some artwork on Grand Ave that I swear to some deity took us both by surprise. I demanded he photograph it because, per the rule of 2011 it seems, I forgot my camera at home. If I can locate the photo I will, partly because I'm leaping and making a silly face but that's somewhat besides the point...

...the point being that very soon I will color up the joint with what Los Angeles has to offer in a visual sense, on bicycle, via transit. With this, perhaps the thought that expanding our reaches or at least working towards it with more wide-reaching public transportation (hello, high speed rail proposals and, of course, the Chatsworth Orange Line and Westside subway extenstions), better bikeways and better roads will follow even more.

Negative

2011-02-22T00:44:00.000-08:00

I complain a lot.

Sure, it gets cold and rainy and windy. Sure the bus arrives late or not at all. But really, complaining about it just makes it worse.

Sometimes paying for a monthly Metro pass is a pain in the posterior. Sometimes? It's a little too much to spend every month (in theory, in reality, etc.). I live somewhat close to an Orange Line station, and to be honest I should be grateful for Metro when it is punctual. So complaining about it, although at times completely justified, isn't really necessary.

Sometimes I don't feel like riding my bicycle to the grocery store because the street inclines ever so slightly and I feel every inch of road working my tired body (something often considered after a long day). Although the ride back is somewhat downhill, getting there is the worst part. But complaining about it? Really isn't necessary.

Sometimes people drive like idiots. Sometimes our inner road rage demon gets the better of us - yes, even when on a bicycle. Does it really do anything? (Does a driver revving his engine as he/she passes on the right, expressing his/her general dissatisfaction with a cyclist in the road do anything? ...The answer is no.) Reacting to someone's thoughtless decisions by encouraging your blood pressure to raise really doesn't help anything.

Also, there's that kind of headwind that you can feel, but not see. All of you who ride bicycles regularly know what I'm talking about. I know you technically can't 'see' wind, but you can see it moving street signs, leaves, or the wayward plastic bag. The most annoying headwind the universe can dish up is a wind that outwardly does nothing, but as far as you're concerned, it pushes back, pretty harshly, but in a way that only you can feel and could really use it to your advantage (two words: resistance training). So - you guessed it - complaining about it doesn't help anything.

Unless you've won the lottery recently or you really are making over $100K a year, times are pretty hard for most everyone. And even if they aren't things are annoying and obnoxious and rest on the nerves. The thing is that those things would be annoying and obnoxious and would rest on the nerves whether or not we have the chance to experience it, so if anything, a tweak in perception might, in fact, help where complaining won't. A few suggestions:

If it's cold, rainy and windy, getting on a half-hour earlier bus will allow for traffic and if it's toasty inside, all the better. (If it's an every-hour bus, I apologize. Take it up with Metro. I'm serious. Write a letter.)

Sometimes, I wonder whether or not I really need a monthly Metro pass. Sure, it can be considered a bit of insurance, since until April we're at least guaranteed some sort of precipitation that will bring May flowers. However, since I primarily ride my bicycle during the week and occasionally bus it on weekends, I have found that for the most part getting a monthly pass (at $75/mo. for cut lines and lessened local service) isn't fitting my life right now. $6 for an 'emergency' day pass? $3.00 for a pre-determined to-and-from errand? Rarely (aka never) adds up to the full amount of a monthly pass, at least not the way I've aimed to work it.

Is that the same for everyone? Not at all. The point is examining your personal situation and justifying the expenditure is all you can do. Check to see if you qualify for reduced fares. Carpool, or see if your place of work or school provides a subsidiary of some kind. But whatever you do, make sure to buy a pass of some kind. Per Metro.net, failure to do so (and when caught; I saw a guy in handcuffs for this the other night) "may result in a fine up to $250 and 48 hours community service".

And finally, whenever I don't feel like riding my bicycle at an incline or in a slight headwind that has the gumption to push back, I just count it as the aforementioned resistance training for the day. Birds, meet stone.

Our thoughts stay with us, our minds being the one place we can't and won't ever really escape, not even in sleep. If I could suggest one thing on account of this post (a reminder to myself if ever I've read one) it would be to try to fill one's head with as much positive reinforcement against as many realistic backdrops as possible. And when it comes to dealing with the relative and sometime blatant carelessness of others, it's good to at least try to get along with others in general, because everyone has their day, and for the most part, everyone wants a tomorrow...

That said - glass, half-full. Frown turned upside-down. It is, in fact, possible.

Why Driving in Such-and-Such a Way is Never a Really Good Idea

2011-02-08T16:05:00.000-08:00

I was going to navigate this post in a similar way that I do when things are on my mind and its easiest for me to - and in general, that's in list or general rant format. The thing is that I've already done so, a number of times now, and I'm actually a bit tired of feeling the need to do so.

I understand that people are imperfect, and that there is always something that can be done better to ensure that one is providing a safe road environment for fellow drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Everyone has a momentary lapse of judgement or clarity, of course. But some of us make some unsafe, often simutaneously selfish decisions that contribute to a scary domino effect that can really mess up someone's day.

To be fair on my word to point this out to those who operate cars, this is the most dangerous behavior that I've spotted recently:

-trailing behind cars making left-hand turns, making a left into an intersection that has well gone past your red light

-when making a right-hand turn onto another street, looking for cars coming from the left and not at all into a crosswalk at the right

-not allowing enough room for cyclists to be passed in a safe manner when riding in the road

-not using left and right indicators to signal a lane change or upcoming intended turn

-swinging open the car door into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles

-pulling out into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles

-making a right - or, in some cases, a left - when the arrow is, in fact, red (I've seen this at the Orange Line and have seen both a car getting hit and a car just narrowly avoiding getting hit)

-going against traffic lights in general

And in general not heeding certain signs, such as... well, ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, and so on. Running stop signs is another big one.

It's easy to forget operating machinery is serious business. Because I ride my bicycle in traffic I find that if I don't ride properly I will only disrupt the flow of traffic. Someone might miss me, but they may also be very annoyed with my behavior. Someone might miss me, and then they'll judge all cyclists by my lack of care. Someone might miss me, but then one day someone might hit me.

Point being is that one thing leads to another leads to another, and if we become too comfortable in the things that we know are not good habits, it will catch up to us one day. The things that we do to prepare for our drive, from the major - keys, gas, insurance - to the just as practical - buckle your seat belt, check your mirrors, stick the key in the ignition, get into reverse, then drive - will mean nothing if we don't forget that the environment in which we maneuver is much bigger than we are. Mess with the balance, and mess up someone's day. Continue to do so, and it's possible that that day will one day be yours.

I hope to never have to make another post like this again.

A Prologue to the Next

2011-02-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, my folks lent me their car so I could house-sit for them and still run back and forth between my house and theirs, and so on.

A while ago I admittedly had some issue with driving. It wasn't that I couldn't drive; it was more that I went a little, well, stir-crazy while doing so. I explained this to a friend the other day who also rides her bicycle enough to understand the following: that there is the potential for experiencing slight shock when going from riding one's bicycle for a long time to driving a car. Any change can cause slight waves, no matter how miniscule, this being no exception.

When riding my bicycle, I've found how easy it is to feel an incline or wind applying pressure from either side. You can feel your body pushing limits and getting stronger. You can smell such things as night-blooming jasmine, freshly cut grass and orange blossoms. You can't really experience those things when driving. (Not fully, anyway.) Going from powering a machine with my whole body to powering a machine with the touch of my foot took all the challenge out of it and did a quick number on my psyche, I'll tell you that much. But as usual, I digress.

Considering it's been about two or so years since that happened and that I have driven much more since then, I obviously didn't have that issue this time (although the difference in activity and energy level becomes apparent within a few days). Rather, the ability to drive offered me the opportunity to observe others' driving styles that end up being dangerous not only to themselves, but to others. (Also, happily, it helped me personally see that being an active member of the road - on my bicycle, at least - has made me much more assertive and cautious in general.)

In the last post, I focused on cycling and how important it is to not just consider oneself when on the road, but rather, by having the mindset that what one does can directly effect the other, the road can be a safer place to be for everyone. Along that same vein, the following post will basically make similar points towards drivers who could probably benefit from exercising more caution.

Why Riding In Such-and-Such a Way Is Never a Really Good Idea

2011-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

I've been riding my bicycle nearly every day during the week during my commute for as long as I can remember. At the very least, for the last three years. In doing so, I have to speak for and to those who can empathize: sometimes it's hard. When not always noticed by cars, or when dealing with those who can't obey the rules of the road/sidewalk - whether car, motor bike, fellow cyclist or pedestrian - riding with traffic can be a challenge. The best way to combat the already-present difficulty of maneuvering around and with other people is to be the best you can be on the road. Unfortunately, not everyone can do this.

That's why during this post I will present some various scenarios I've observed that you, me, and all of us would do better with and without on our bicycles.

1. Riding on the sidewalk. I understand that sometimes cars will push you off the road and it just gets annoying trying to be assertive and you just can't take it anymore. Well you know what - riding on the sidewalk is still a bad idea. For one, there are driveways and alleyways, which means that one out of five or so times, there will be a car poking its nose from out of the way, and may or may not be going at a reasonable, cautious speed. This is one of the reasons why it is best to stay off of the sidewalk, because you never know who may be looking from left to right for someone to come zooming by on their bicycle.

Another reason to stay off of the sidewalk is the presence of pedestrians. Whether you are going opposite ways or both are headed in the same direction, people don't always know how to immediately response when there is an object heading towards or sharing the space with them. Besides, on a sidewalk, there is the assumption that most activities taking place will be, well, of the walking sort. Also, if there are yards with walkways and gates, keep in mind that the persons entering and exiting may not always be on the lookout for a bicycle headed in their direction. Just assume that they won't be looking for you at all.

If you must be on a sidewalk, the only suggestion given here will to at least go in the same direction as traffic. This way, if a car is entering or exiting at a driveway, they won't be surprised to see you coming from the other direction. That's not their job to do so.

2. Riding against traffic - in the street. This will continue to make me upset. I don't understand why anyone thinks it's a great idea to ride their bicycle facing traffic IN THE STREET. I am actually wondering if I can do an informal interview with riders who do so just to get a few straight answers. There is no logic to riding your bicycle facing traffic in the street unless you are looking to kill yourself. I once saw a guy on a bike riding the wrong way... he made a left onto a street and was in the right-hand lane. He looked surprised when he was met face-to face with a angry horn of a car who was attempting to make a right at the street he had just turned off of.

Unless you want to die, do not, I repeat, do not right against traffic in the street. It is not safe. It is not smart. Be sure that everyone who is watching you do so is screaming "WHAT AN IDIOT; DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!" on the inside. The number of people I've seen doing so lately has increased to a ridiculous amount that it can't not be pointed out anymore. It's dangerous enough doing so on the sidewalk - what really makes you think that doing so in the street is any more practical?

Don't do it. Don't.

3. Riding without a helmet. There are a lot of college kids on bicycles on the CSUN campus, which is great. There's more than enough parking for them, although individual locking-up jobs need improvement, but I digress. This afternoon I visited the campus and counted two out of twenty-two riders who were actually wearing helmets. I was one of those two.

Okay, so a helmet may give you helmet hair and may sit funny sometimes - but just keep in mind that if it's sitting funny, it's not the right helmet for your head. It doesn't mean that you have to go without a helmet, even though the law says that over 18 years of age it it optional. This is somewhat of a sidepoint regarding general safety, as it is more personal. But, personally, I say that if you value your brain, wear a helmet. If you don't, then go on right ahead, business as usual.

4. Weaving in and out between parked cars. While riding in the street, I've noticed that some cyclists ride alongside parked cars, but then move closer to the curb when there aren't parked cars, therefore moving in and out, in and out between cars. However, this defeats the purpose of being seen while riding in the street. Making consistent moves is your best bet when riding your bike with traffic. Therefore, when weaving in and out between cars, you are proving to be inconsistent, unreliable, and more of a unexpected surprise for cars. This advice also goes to the cyclist that rides their bicycle partly on the sidewalk, partly in the street. Choose one or the other (again, preferably the street, out of the door zone).

5. Riding/walking against the light. On the Orange Line bike path, there are buttons that you can press at each intersection so one can cross the street and head to the other section of bike path. Not everyone remembers to press these buttons. As a result, some ride against the lights, which can mean anything from riding into the intersection when a left-turn arrow is green, or when a right-turn arrow on the opposite side is green, whether or not it is on their side of the street. The fact of the matter is - when it's your turn, it's your turn. Otherwise it will suck being the person who gets hit by a car because you are in the wrong. And for every cyclist that does so, it's another bad impression from drivers towards the rest of us.

Which brings me to my conclusion - ride for yourself, first of all, but most importantly, ride for everyone else. Meaning, look out for yourself by looking out for everyone else. Helmet issues aside, it is always a good idea to ride your bicycle with the assumption that not everyone is going to see you. With that in mind, make yourself visible. Be an active member of the road; don't be a distraction. Don't be a danger, to yourself or others. My hope is that these tips will help raise more awareness of one's surroundings, from the novice to even the most cautious, assertive rider.

On the Flyaway and Local Service

2011-01-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

I've been back in Los Angeles/the Valley for a week, and it has been a great week. Catching up with friends, celebrating my birthday, and enjoying the warm weather has been an absolute blast.

Having landed at LAX, I took the convenient, reliable and affordably-priced Flyaway to Van Nuys, which is a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. But with two heavy rolling bags and, well, no car, it was a bit of a challenge in figuring how to get home. There were two options, sans car: (1) walk a couple of blocks and take the 163, then walk a bit more to my house; and (2) walk more than a couple of blocks and take the 165, then walk across the street to my house. The real challenge involved more of the idea of walking and then getting my luggage on the bus without pulling my arm out of its socket than actually figuring out how to do it.

Now maybe I over-dramatized it, but I thought it over enough to call my friend Adam and have him pick me up, which was a total relief because I love him and couldn't have been happier to see him. Also jet lag had hit me in the head something fierce and it was really time to be done with the day already.

What's funny is that I heard a lot of people on the Flyway bus calling people - roommates, parents, friends, etc. - to come pick them up from Van Nuys. I was thinking how nice it would be if there was a bus line that made some kind of perimeter route just North, South, East and West on Woodley to other connecting buses. Wouldn't it be a nice thought?

I know that the 169 goes East along Saticoy, South a portion to Sherman Way, then back North on Woodley to Saticoy, continuing East (and naturally in the opposite direction once at the end of the line), which is a great start. But what about a main line along Woodley and in conjunction with perhaps Lindley in some respect, connected by Parthenia and Burbank Blvd? Both North-Southbound streets don't have local buses running much on them, yet there is a major university on one and a service to LAX on the other, among other things such as residences and businesses. It's not an issue of frequency, but at this point an issue of being there at all. In doing so, Metro might be able to service points along major East-Westward streets, which would lead to better efficiency overall to its Orange and Red lines.

I realize I'm rambling. Please let me know whether or not this makes any sense. If you must know (rather, if it wasn't apparent enough already), I think about this kind of thing all the time.

LACBC's First Sunday Funday Ride

2011-01-06T20:02:00.001-08:00

Valley folks, direct your ears - or rather your eyes...

This coming Sunday, January 9th, will be the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC)'s first Sunday Funday Ride, which was rained out last weekend, and - get this - it will take place in the Valley! So named the Valley Pride Ride, it will be held at Los Encinos State Park (map) at 12:00 pm. Unfortunately I will not be in attendance, but I can say that I can wholeheartedly get behind these rides, which are slated to take place on the first Sunday of every month.

According to the LACBC electronic mailer:

Beginning in January 2011, on the first Sunday of each month, LACBC Board and Staff will host a group ride for members! Each ride will explore a different corner of LA County and is free to all LACBC members, plus one guest.

January's ride, led by board member Heidi Zeller, will explore the San Fernando Valley!

For more information, please see our Sunday Funday #1: Valley Pride Ride Facebook event.

To RSVP please contact Carol Feucht, carol@la-bike.org. To volunteer as a ride marshal, please contact Heidi Zeller at heidizeller@gmail.com.

A couple of years ago, in the summer months particularly, my friends and I would do Sunday rides around the lake down the street from us. No matter how many people turned out it was always so much fun to see who else was out, to push ourselves and socialize. That the LACBC is bringing its first ride to the Valley is awesome. In my many recent rides to the Burbank area and beyond, I've been able to personally see how accessible LA is with enough will and manpower. (Let's see how I feel after I ride the hilly Sepulveda Blvd., though. I think I'll love it.) I encourage any and all to pass along info about these rides, whether or not you're able to make it every month. This is a great thing for the community, considering overall awareness and what great weather we get here. Also, if you aren't a member already, definitely consider it!

Happy cycling~

The First Ride of 2011

2011-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

I am already anticipating it.

I can see it now... the morning of January 11th I'll be excited to pump up my tires, put on my helmet and ride. By the time I hop on and go I'll not have been on my bicycle for over three weeks.

Last year my friends and I had a friendly competition of riding our bicycles 300 miles in the month of January. I'm going to try for it myself, personally, when I get back. 300 miles in three weeks? I think it's possible. If not, then I'll just shoot for the next 30 days.

Also, I'm really looking forward to taking part in my birthday ride. Basically, the morning of my birthday I go for a ride on a favorite route somewhere in the Valley. Whether it's a 25-mile loop to Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Northridge, Van Nuys and back, a hilly 10-mile ride to the Santa Monica Mountains at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park (down Reseda Blvd), or a sprint along the Orange Line bikeway - from Encino to Woodland Hills, to NOHO and back - it's a ride that I've done before and therefore a ride I love. I always make sure to give myself this present every year. I am so looking forward to it.

Are there any special or meaningful rides planned for you this year so far? All right, I won't be too hasty - let's start with the first quarter, at least. ;)

Happy new year, indeed.

Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

I've been spending the holidays and will be spending the first few days of 2011 in the tri-state area of Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. Naturally, I've been experiencing weather that I'm not really used to back in the Valley, but it's been an interesting transition to say the very least. Yesterday, my sister and I scraped ice off of the driveway until our hands hurt from the cold through our thick gloves... and yet this afternoon I was able to stand on the back porch and say hi to the neighbors in a t-shirt, sweatshirt, jeans and ski socks. Did I not mention that today's weather is colder than yesterday's? I've never been more grateful for sunlight, I'll tell you that.

If you know me at all, I'm always looking for a reason to photo-document, especially when it involves bicycles. So, while in Kansas (en route to Nebraska) I was able to get some photos of some bicycle-related things that caught my eye and smile (feel free to click on each photo for a bigger view):

The day I arrived, we ate at Local Burger for lunch. Everything is from local farms, fresh, organic and super-duper healthy. It was mad delicious.

"Eat", they said on their wall, and we did. I had an elk burger on a bed of greens. And in their window was this painting:

Squee.

Afterward, we headed to the main street of Lawrence, KS (aka Massachusetts St.), to stretch our legs and see the sights. While walking, I found this t-shirt:

...in the shop window of this establishment. We'll be back in town on Sunday, so who knows what I might ask for them to print up. Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Either way, free advertising.

On our way back to the car, I saw this...

...parked outside of this shop.

And this was in a random shop window. I really like the font and colors in the sign; also this is pretty much what I've been doing for the past two weeks. Hooray for the holidays!

Back in Falls City, we've been walking quite a bit - I walked to the Richardson County post office to mail Christmas cards; my brothers, nephew, sister and I walked to and around the partially-frozen Stanton Lake, and later in the week us girls took a long walk on a warm, spring-like day that would normally call for a sweater back in California. The next day there was slippy-slidy ice covering the streets. Today it's 23 degrees out, so there's not much walking around going on. Obviously people use their cars to get around town; there's little to no public transportation that I've seen, at least out here. Here? Here I can actually say that a car is necessary. It gets friggin' cold! Even then, in the spring and summertime, while people do drive most everywhere, my brother-in-law remarked about how people are out on their bicycles or hoofing it to the local store or in taking their kids to school. Which makes me put thoughts towards Los Angeles, and how I still stand by the thought that a car shouldn't be totally necessary out there, however spread out it is - at least not the be all and end all. There's so many more people and more businesses and retail spots - it's a huge city, if comprised of a lot of 'towns' smushed together. A reliable public transit system is nothing but common sense.

I don't normally make resolutions, but as encouraged by one of my readers and fellow bicyclists (and thank you so much for the idea), I'm going to see what volunteering opportunities are available back home in the realm of input regarding the infrastructure of public transportation. I am also going to see what it will take to perhaps minor in a field of transport engineering (continuing with my current major) so that perhaps this will become a career possibility. It's become too big a thing to overlook at this point.

That said, happy holidays and a happy new year from me to you this season and well into 2011! I'm really lucky to take you all along with me. As far as I'm concerned, it's a new year until well past the first quarter, so try to enjoy the brand-new-ness as long as you can.

Also, for those of us who like to ride our bicycles around the neighborhood, don't feel too pressed to take down your Christmas lights until at least mid-January.

Metro: Naughty and Nice

2010-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a particularly difficult day on the bus. I tend to say this when I haven't taken the bus in a while, which is fair on both ends - mine and Metro's, that is. However, as of late, I've noticed some things about Metro that have made me think and unfortunately become frustrated. Part of me thinks that these observations arise from the changes they're making as far as cutting lines or changing timetables, but this could also be general traffic or weather conditions. Or maybe it's none of the above. Perhaps the drivers are incompetent. Perhaps the system is faulty. Whatever the reason, I've not been happy with Metro. It's actually been more naughty than I'm comfortable with, and here's why:

1. Late arrivals, or no arrivals. More often than not, the buses I regularly take (the 165 heading east/west and the 230/239 heading north/south) have been arriving absurdly late, as little as ten minutes, as much as twenty. Five minutes late I can understand, even on a somewhat regular basis - but once it gets to fifteen or twenty it has become absolutely ridiculous. This fact makes me appreciate having a generally flexible schedule, but when people are depending on me, my commute is made all the more stressful. Sure, the easiest thing would be to take an earlier bus... but what happens when a bus runs every hour? I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be waiting around somewhere for an hour. Would you?

If you're lucky, most buses come somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes, but not always. It's possible that it's a matter of me familiarizing self with the new timetables - however, in referring to what info is live and online, I know they're arriving late. Arriving late causes an unfair domino effect, which can result in anything from missing one's connection to losing their job to getting a bad grade in class, if late one too many times.

In short, it's ridiculous.

2. The frequency of buses, and the hours in which they run. As far as I know, one regular bus that I take goes by my home stop for the last time of the night (heading east) at around 8:30 pm, and in the opposite direction at around 9:30 pm.... how am I supposed to get home after that, short of calling a taxi? One time I called a service just to see how much it would cost to get from Woodland Hills to Van Nuys... we were talking $40. I understand the demand of a personal set of wheels is not nearly as high on this coast than the east coast, but I'll tell you - if I can pay that same amount with tip to a driver in New York to get me from JFK to Williamsburg, I'm not paying that amount to take me all of four miles. No thanks.

Anyway, some bus lines stop earlier in the Valley. One in particular (the 150 on Ventura Blvd heading west) goes past Balboa Blvd at 7:30 pm on a Friday night, and that's the end of that line. Makes no sense, says I. Over-the-hill this is of very little issue. I always tell myself that should life position me somewhere over-the-hill in a residential sense, I will not argue it one bit. Should life position me way over-the-hill (and I'm talking New York) I will allow the current to take me.

03. Overcrowding. This may or may not be Metro's fault, but it needs some attention... one of the reasons taking the bus yesterday was such a pain was because of the overcrowding. Take away from the equation the heat, the mixing of smells of human flesh (and then some), the items brought on the bus, the multiple stops, the lack of ventilation, and that the driver wasn't assertive or proactive one bit. Take all of that away and save it for later. This was at 2:00 on a Tuesday afternoon when people are out and about. Does a bus running every 30-40 minutes seem reasonable to you? And on top of that arriving ten minutes late?

Needless to say, I'm picking up the car search again - but really how long have I been saying this? For a while, and I'm getting a little annoyed at the thought, to be honest. Now that things are winding down for the year/new year I can focus on it again. To be frank, getting a car wasn't that high a priority what with life being a little centered for a bit these last few months, which led to some extended use of my bicycle, the Red Line/Orange Line, Rapid lines, my legs, and kind certain persons who, let's say, I kiss more than hug these days (another story for another time). As much as it hasn't been that bad, I know it's not going to last forever.

It's rather difficult to love LA when there's not enough blood supply coming to one of its more bustling places of residence and business. Now, I could say that Metro would want for us to fall off and die (that is, look for alternative transportaion) but they're extending the Orange Line, which is scheduled for service in 2012, and offering free fare this holiday season (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 9pm to 2am both evenings - "and to all a good night", indeed). A little nice to balance the naughty.

But really, the best present ever would be to give some serious consideration to local service - anywhere in LA, but especially the Valley. I'm getting tired of hearing myself complain. The three aforementioned are the baddest of the bunch, and I realize that everyone's just doing their jobs so they can go home and be with their families or their TV or their game of Sims. But what if it took you an extra hour and change to get home because the last bus of the night didn't come? Or worse?

Oh, you bet there's worse.

M.I.A.

2010-12-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

Gosh. I've pretty much been away since before Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling it. I apologize for the absence - what with said holiday, landing into a self-induced food coma, and struggling to keep up with the last few weeks of this current semester, it's been one thing after another and yet another. Yet here I am with some breathing room before the next, quickly-approaching holiday and I'm here to say "hello".

This afternoon was my first off in a while. I took the time to do some baking, cleaning, and laundry, but what I didn't do was exercise. That is, until I bicycled over to my friends' house in Burbank for a total round-trip of 26 miles and therefore a decent amount of exercise. My friends were also gifted the gift of pumpkin pie. Upon this, I had two separate thoughts: I have definitely ridden more miles than this in one go; what's up with me? and Man, what I'd give to be part of a delivery-by-bicycle service.

Anyway, tonight was a great night for riding, to and from. Not too cold, although my feet did start to feel numb and my fingers ached something special. I don't know if I mentioned this, but in about a week and a half I'll be visiting family in Nebraska - the land of fifteen degree temps at four in the morning and lots and lots of snow. Two friends of mine also located in the Midwest recently shared photos with me displaying more snow than I've seen on the Angeles Crest after a temperature-related fluke. More snow than the folks at The Grove could ever display at their supposed winter wonderland. In SoCal. It's safe to say that I'm a little nervous, particularly about such things as:

1. Exposed skin. Even my eyes, or, say, the bridge of my nose. My sister says that she doesn't want me to lift my arm and have, say, my sweater go up with it only to have my lower back be exposed to the elements. Just what's going to happen to my eyes then?

2. Looming darkness. It's one thing for it to get dark at quarter-to-five-o'clock in the afternoon in the Valley. You can still go outside and ride your bicycle around the neighborhood, looking at Christmas lights (like I did last night). Something tells me you can't do that when it's fifteen degrees outside. My biggest fear with this is something happening a la the final scenes of The Shining. Freezing to death while enjoying the beauty of nature isn't on the vacation to-do list. And on that note...

3. Not being able to go anywhere. I plan to bring a couple of board games, my laptop, and whatever pie-baking skills I've got because I assume being indoors is going to be a daily thing. A novel daily thing, considering I intend to chase my nephew back and forth most days. Let's just say what I'm most nervous about is seeing the sun shining outside then running outside only to be stabbed rhythmically back indoors to where it's safe and warm. Then resuming watching of Donald Duck cartoons with the boy. "Hahahaha! Duck mad." Or so he says.

All joking aside, I really am looking forward to two weeks in a different climate. I assume we'll do just as much drinking as we did last April, if only a lot less fishing - which, coupled with baking and shoveling snow, will only aid in perpetuating the warmth only home could provide.

(P.S. Home is the Valley, LA, Hollywood, as it is also Williamsburg/Greenpoint, NY, and now the Midwest. In my opinion, home is where your family is, and I'm happy to adopt the city of Falls City, Nebraska, as my own.)

Hoof It or Bus It

2010-12-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

It's one thing to now own a car and it's another thing to not know how to drive, both of which are admirable in their own right. In either case it's a good idea to know what works for you, and more importantly, to own it as an extension of yourself. The other day I came across an article quoted by LiveJournal community Oh No They Didn't! about celebrities who do either or both - that is, don't own a car, and/or don't know how to drive. My personal favorite quote from the article has to be this, from Vincent Kartheiser (from AMC's Mad Men):

[... the star] takes two buses or the L.A. Metro to the set of his Emmy winning AMC show. "Instead of driving and being stressed out about traffic, you can work your scene, you can do your exercises or whatever on the bus," Kartheiser told The New York Times recently.

The massive cutie that he is besides. Check out more celebrities who hoof and bus it - like a lot of us in LA - via direct link at Oh No They Didn't.

Night Life

2010-11-25T01:17:00.000-08:00

With school winding down and the weather getting colder, I honestly haven't been out during the evening too much. I just get too tired, what with it getting dark earlier, and sometimes, living in Southern California, it's hard to determine how many layers are enough to avoid an unwanted chill. Oddly enough, however, it's for those same reasons that I find it nice to sometimes venture out into the nightlife.

This past Monday evening I headed to Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood to see my friend Ale play a set with her guitarist, Kyle. As always, they're a riot and quite the talented duo. I also made the pleasant musical discovery of Mimi Page, so all in all, not a bad evening. The venue was great, the company and talent even better, and there's nothing quite like cheering along worthy local musicians. But in all honesty, it was the night that was the icing on the cake. The slight chill in the air, puffs of gray clouds in the sky illuminated by the lingering full moon in the sky - it was just beautiful. There's something about warmth packing in your core, surrounding your neck and ears, leaving your face and all appendages somewhat exposed (can you tell I'm a writer? Or that I at least love words?). Running up and down the stairs from subway to bus is somewhat exhilarating in more moderate temps, what with the rush of bodies heading where they're going in a rhythmic - if not always synchronized - dance. For some reason the cold accentuates that, as it seems we're all rushing somewhere to get out of it.

It gets cold in Southern California, but thankfully not so cold that being out in it is as much of a danger as midwest or northeast/west temps, and so on. It's kind of nice that we have the option of enjoying it without necessarily worrying about what will happen if we fall asleep in it, say. I have to give Metro mad props - thank you for keeping the buses and trains warm and with less congestion. It's made for some comfy rides this chilly season.

So get out there and enjoy the night. It's calling...

"What's the Helmet For?"

2010-11-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

Back when I was riding my bicycle pseudo-regularly, I would actually remember the days that I would ride. It'd either be five days a week or spotted somewhere, sometime throughout. Now it's become so much a part of my every day that I don't... really think about it anymore. It's just 'hop on the bicycle and go' with me. It's become so routine (in a good way) that I'm often surprised when people notice that I ride something, if not a bicycle. But I shouldn't be, because for the most part, I'm carrying my helmet everywhere.

"So, what do you ride?"
"A bike."
"Motorcycle?"
"Bicycle."
-------

"Ah, what's the helmet for?"
"My bike."
"Motorcycle? Wow---"
"Nope. My bicycle."
[some verbal variation of "awesome" accompanied by a smile]
--------

A friend gave my current helmet to me last year. It's black, delightfully scuffed, and was manufactured by the great folks at Triple 8. I've worn others before but for some reason this one fits my head well. I'll probably check out one made by Giro but for now this one is serving me well.

And on the relative note of interesting conversations, it's served as an awesome pick-up line, too. Often there's the one line of "it shows, how many miles you ride" followed by the approving (if not entirely appropriate) stare. Oh, flattery. Flattery and bicycles. Quite possibly the easiest way I've landed a date living in Los Angeles. Girls are so rare on bicycles. I honestly haven't seen many with the exception of being on campus, and unfortunately not many of them wear helmets. Actually, not many people wear helmets to begin with, which is the subject I'll be glad to take apart at some other time. But when it comes to being on my bike, if I don't have my gear, not only do I feel unsafe, but damn do ever I feel like a poser. And unsexy. Girls on bikes are sexy. (Don't believe me? Check out this safe-for-work photo blog. We may not all be outrightly bohemian... but we're sexy and you know it.)

Still, as much as I don't always feel like toting it around, my helmet says something about me, and is in most cases a great conversation starter. I don't know what I'd be, cycling-wise, without it.

Happy cycling~

Windy City

2010-10-27T03:15:00.000-07:00

The wind has made an impression on the Valley the last couple of days, and I've been feeling every push on my bicycle. Riding in the wind can be a challenge, but it's such a good workout. I try to look at it that way, first of all. And then I ask myself, "Which would I rather ride in: the wind or the rain?" I'd take the wind over the rain any day, although drizzle has its charms. But when it is so windy to the point that you feel like you'll be blown off your bicycle and into traffic... well, I haven't had it happen yet, but let's just say that discretion is always a good thing. (And regarding that, I think this article from BikeCommuters.com is a fun read on dealing with headwinds on a daily-commute basis.)

The Valley is a huge bowl, as I like to call it. No matter where you look, you are surrounded by hills. North of Rinaldi, South of Ventura, East towards Burbank, West towards Agoura Hills - nothing but stretches of rock. Naturally, when the wind comes over and through them, it's going to whip and rustle and shift. That's just on the whole, the kind of wind you can feel anywhere. Sometimes when you're in a canyon of tall buildings, you can feel the wind just as hard. But thankfully that's only temporary. In either case, riding with or against the wind is only a worthy challenge if you're willing to take it. Personally, with the incline I deal with on my everyday commute, I can already feel my legs getting stronger, so I'll take it until I can't anymore.

Just so you know, wind, I appreciate you. You're one hell of a personal trainer. I'll hate to see you go, as really you're just another element to grow accustomed to until you're overtaken by the rain again... which is supposed to happen this Friday.

Whatever you have in store, weather -- don't rain on Halloween!

The Great Car Debate

2010-10-24T23:37:00.001-07:00

It's not a question of how or a matter of when; it just is. This has never been an anti-car blog; it has always been one of collected thoughts and pointed reports, so let the thoughts continue - scattered though they may be - in the form of the great car debate.

It's not exactly news (if it is, where you have been?) that I've made a conscious decision to purchase a vehicle. I'll be completely honest, though; CicLAvia totally distracted me a positive way. I have never felt more inspired to keep with my bicycle. It's realizing that public transportation has a fondness for 'indirect routes' that has me moving forward on the issue, this issue I'd dropped for the last couple of weeks.

Most all of us understand why routes are the way they are - they are to service the cities in which they run. And when serving the greater Los Angeles, you're going to take 'everyone's route' in the hopes that you'll get where you need to go out of it. Think about it: short-distance routes depend entirely on the number of stops, the length of time to transfer, and the walk, if any. 'Long-distance' routes - say, those that would fare better by use of the freeway - still get you where you need to go, but since it's a local bus, it's going to stay local and not express your ass where it needs to go (even if it is an express). Public transportation is a public experience, so a detour in the form of getting where you need to go isn't going to happen. Obviously.

In the last few years I've managed to lead a very centralized existence with work and school. This year, central is no longer an option, and it's been great. Granted, the time it takes to get where I need to go is a built-in opportunity to proofread work, edit, read, and return calls. But when it really comes down to it, I would save so much time with a car. Unless there's traffic, but you get the point. Anyone who knows me knows my love of Google Maps for having the best cycling and public transportation routes (and for being more accurate than Metro.net), but it's its 'driving directions' function in comparison that makes me bite my lip in contemplation.

If anything, the experience has shown me that Los Angeles is super friggin' connected despite its widely spread layout. I'm amazed at times at how many ways there are around this place. In the end, however, accessibility is the key point here - I prefer being an accessible individual and my surroundings being accessible to me. While the latter can also refer to being exposed to the elements - a factor of the bicycle I rather enjoy - it's something that can still be experienced in conjunction with a vehicle.

Did I mention how much I appreciate the hammering out of details in text?

So I'm back on the hunt, hopefully to be with car sooner than I'm projecting (a month, at the least). Look out car dealers... I'll be invading your property with my good credit sometime after I roam the streets of West Hollywood this Halloween.

Love is in the Air

2010-10-20T23:16:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening, I rode my bicycle from Lake Balboa to Burbank. Approximately 13 miles.

Monday morning, I rode my bicycle from Burbank to Northridge, and back to Lake Balboa. Approximately 20 miles.

Yesterday and today I rode my bike to Northridge, which is eight miles round-trip. I'll be riding my bicycle again tomorrow, another approximately 20 miles.

Lately I have been one with my bicycle, and it's been more than a satisfactory experience, lack of fenders and all. (Must appreciate the diligence behind slick, dirt-caked roads. Thumbs up, facetiously.) It might have a little something to do with the autumnal clouds coming over the southern hills below Ventura Boulevard, or the occasional drop of rain on my nose or forehead, to be honest. The thought that it's almost Halloween, almost harvest season, and the perfect weather to hop on the bike and not sweat like I'm under lights... I don't know exactly what it is. But there's a good energy in the air, and I'm enjoying it.

Soon I'm going to have to find out where there's a pumpkin patch I can cycle alongside every so often before The Great Pumpkin comes.

Viva la CicLAvia!

2010-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Better late than never!

CicLAvia came and went last Sunday, October 10, 2010, but that doesn't mean anyone has yet forgotten about it. This week alone I've doubled my per-mile count on my bicycle for the first time in a while. This wonderful promotion of livable streets in which bicycles, skateboarders, rollerbladers, pedestrians - pretty much anyone on or in anything but a car - stuck with me personally or days and is still in the forefront of my mind. In fact, I even put off looking to buy a car for a while. Circumstances have caused me to pick up the search again, but that's another story for another time. In the meantime, the positive message behind CicLAvia has been nothing but positive, and I hope it was an enjoyable event for everyone involved.

April 2011 will be your next opportunity to get on your bikes and ride with the city as a part of this - what I am referring to as a - perspective-changing event. It has also been said that there will be 4-6 CicLAvia events planned for 2011 alone. Will I see you there?

Happy cycling~

Back on the Bicycle

2010-10-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's so far been a total of three days that I've been back on the bicycle. Back to being carless. And you know something? I'm liking it, too.

As mentioned before, there is the huge benefit of being able to exercise while getting somewhere. Scheduling anything is an issue these days, and exercise either doesn't happen or is made possible through other more spontaneous means. If I'm lucky I'll fit in a workout twice a week. That's a far cry from the 4-5 times a week I was at before. Today I hope to fit in a recreational ride, and not merely a commute. The frame of mind is what differs one from the other, to be honest.

Now that the weather's cooler and more crisp, rides at any point of the day are going to be more enjoyable. Although I must admit I did something stupid yesterday afternoon: I left my head- and rear-lights at home. I had a feeling that by the time I headed home from school it would be dark to the point of being sketchy, if not completely dangerous. I knew, but didn't act accordingly about it. Sure, I made it home okay at about quarter-past 7:00pm without a scratch, but all it takes is one dumb mistake, one instance of oversight to ruin someone's day.

It's so funny, the idea of riding without the proper equipment and feeling absolutely naked without it. You wouldn't believe how many people I see wearing dark colors, with no lights and even barely any reflectors, weaving in and out of traffic, sometimes facing traffic. It doesn't matter if there's a bike lane, guys; if you're facing traffic you are going the wrong way. Such behavior shows that you don't care for yourself. I know that this sounds harsh but most drivers don't take bicyclists into account whether or not they can see them, and that's on a good day. At times I understand why - it takes one person doing the wrong thing to mess it up for all of us. And if one driver is thinking that, than you'd better believe that at least twenty more are, also. It's a feeling that no one is exempt from.

Simply put: bicyclists aren't second-class citizens. We're all out there putting our lives on the line - knowingly or unknowingly - in the name of fun and/or getting somewhere, both being basic, reasonable needs. Let's not make it worse for our fellow cyclists. Ignorance isn't sexy.

With all that said,
TGIF
and Happy Cycling~

Living Car-Lite - A Critical Analysis

2010-10-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

For the last week, I've had my mother's vehicle at my disposal while she's been away on business. It was really my intention to be car-lite for the duration of the week, and to be completely honest, that didn't happen. I drove everywhere, which - again, to be completely honest - was really nice. It was a hella busy week, what with school and commitments and assisting with my younger brother - getting him to and from school - so the errands that I'd normally take the time to set aside in my schedule to accomplish would be more "on the way" to do things, etc. Taking the bus doesn't really allow for that "freedom" as far as time is concerned. It takes planning, and, again, setting aside time to get things done. It's not an ordeal at all. It's more so an observation.

On that note, here are a few more observations concerning my time with car this past week:

1. Driving Music. I really don't listen to the radio while commuting, although my iPod does allow me to. But I listen to the radio so, so much when driving. Why do I mention this? Because there's so much crap music out there that it becomes almost deal-worthy when driving. I'm talking to you 97.1 KAMP-FM, 102.7 KIIS-FM, and to you especially, Katy Perry. That song "Teenage Dream" is godawful, but somehow tolerable when driving, as is any other auto-tune driven song. I actually downloaded Rihanna's single "Only Girl in the World" the other night. Last time I had the car I downloaded Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down" and Jay Sean's "Down"... I don't know what I was thinking. That's the power of a very limited playlist for you.

2. My Propensity to Cuss Has Increased. My friend Alex laughed the other night when I was making a left turn and a skateboarder made the left turn with me - on my left-hand side. With that, I called him a f*ckhead. (The skateboarder.) It's not road rage, don't get me wrong, but my verbage is definitely a bit more colorful, at least it is to any passengers. This kinda stuff is rolling in my head weather I'm a bus patron, pedestrian or bicyclist - it's just all the more audible when within the confines of steel and glass.

3. Parallel Parking. I'm not good at it. I'm a bit intimidated by it, probably because I'm not used to gauging size in such a manner. I didn't even cover it in my driving test seven years ago. First of all, I went for my driving test in Thousand Oaks because the traffic by the DMV was nothing in comparison to the one in Canoga Park. We backed up, used signals, and did a U-turn. But we didn't parallel park. I have never had to since, not really. But in other parking areas I do just fine. I am the queen of fitting into small spaces. The queen. But I will tackle this beast soon.

4. I Feel Like a Sloth. I went for a good portion of the week without exercising and I'll admit I felt a little sloth-like. Most of this was due to it being a very, very busy week in general - but when riding my bicycle as part of a commute it's like killing two birds with one stone. AKA getting where I need to go while firming my assets. It's interesting; while I've more time to do what I need to do with the car, I have less time to devote to exercising, only because I'm forced to schedule it in. Riding the bicycle, I don't have to.

And finally,

5. I'm Really Liking It. It's been nice being able to be at multiple places throughout the day, not having to section off hours of my day in order to get somewhere. It's been nice to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time, even with traffic. I like it, and do hope that once I have a vehicle of my own I'll be able to live car-lite instead of depending on the car all the time. My schedule will eventually confirm that. But truthfully, I enjoyed being able to get to the people I am more inclined to not see because it's hard to get to their house via public transportation. It was nice not having to run for the last bus of the night in the fear that I won't get home for another four hours until it starts running again. It's all superficial, I know... but it doesn't make it any less true. I am of the belief that it will become less so as time goes on.

It's not like I've never driven before, but it's been an interesting 'experiment', driving when I've been so preoccupied with the idea of it. It's firmed up the reasons in my mind as to why a car can be considered practical, especially when living in the Valley, and why it can be a good supplement to occasional use of public transportation.

In the meantime, however, I'll enjoy the relative simplicity of life without a car at the moment. Which, at this rate, won't be for longer than two months.

Car-Lite: A New Frontier

2010-09-27T04:24:00.000-07:00

So my mother called me last night while I was en route to a night of karaoke in Burbank. I wasn't expecting the call, but it's always welcome when my phone buzzes on account of her. We talked late last week regarding her leaving for Denver, Colorado, for business this upcoming week. Naturally, as a partial joke I told her I'd totally drive her in and 'look after' the car for her so she doesn't have to pay for parking at the airport. But seriously, I've done it for friends and family before and they appreciate the saving of the dollars. No shuttle, no taxi, just a willing friend/family member who will take responsibility of what they request while they're gone - in exchange for wheels.

So yeah, it was a joke-slash-sidepoint-slash-realistic-offer. Imagine my surprise when she took me up on it.

When I got her call, I had missed the connecting bus down Hollywood Way in part due to pride and in part due to a slow driver (details I will not go into at this time for fear of irrelevance). Let's just say that the prospect of a vehicle at my disposal for the next eight days sounded wonderful. Personally, I also found it interesting that the opportunity came quicker than anticipated, considering how much I've been toting around my intentions so recently.

That said, when applicable I'll be documenting my experiences with the car because it'll be an experiment of sorts... how acclimated will I get to the vehicle in a week's time? Will I slide into it smoothly? Will I feel "lost" without it once it's gone? Just how badly do I want a car and what comes with it?

Not that I'm going to sway myself in another direction. You'd better believe I'm going to invest in a car; there's no question. I just find it interesting that life sometimes offers situations to occur suddenly - to either cement an idea or deter from it. That's been happening a lot, actually, in other areas of life... another post for an entirely different blog, of course.

So yeah. That's where I am. Expect many a detail.

Happy Monday, all.

Dating in Los Angeles, Part Two

2010-09-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

The last few months have involved my actively dating again. Not one person in particular, mind, but many people. I'm still not sure how I like it, but it's not the worst thing in the world. There have been a number of mediocre instances and so far only one bad date, but the rest of it has been rather peachy. Entertaining. I've made a new friend. And in all that I haven't screwed anyone over, that I know of. Bonus points for me.

The other night I met up with a guy in West LA. I took the Orange Line to the Red Line to a Rapid bus and walked the rest of the way to his place. The route was a little out of the way but wasn't impossible to bear, mainly because I had a thick book for school to tear apart on the way. But I did compare the route to the time of day involved in getting there (he lives alongside the 405), and without a vehicle I went very much out of the way in order to get there. I'll have to check again because we met up later in the evening, but I believe that I could have taken the 761 - which goes on the 405 - a fair share of the way there.

This is just me pondering and wondering about better planning. One of the many reasons I'm glad I'm looking around for a car is because I am making these comparisons. These comparisons lead me to wonder why anyone in any place of authority thinks it beneficial to have such indirect ways of service in a city that is so spread out to begin with. The time of day shouldn't matter. In fact, I had a conversation with someone just yesterday about who thought it was a good idea to have some lines stop service at an obscure time, like 7:23 in the evening or something.

Metro, you've raised your fares and have cut your lines. I'm tired of asking, but I'll ask again without the million details: where is the benefit in this maneuver? Who really is benefiting? You have greatly emphasized the issue of class, and perhaps race, and tax bracket in the way that you have chosen to operate... a statement that is best for another post for another time, but still needs saying. Someone must think it's funny. But it's not.

Anyway, on a more positive note and to tie in the overall theme, I need to enter a little math into the love-connection equation---

All of my 'interesting' (loosely-termed) dates have been from online dating site OkCupid. The ones where I could see the end from the beginning. The ones I'll be writing a book about.

However, the ones where I actually got somewhere, I met the guy in real life. This most recent one I met at a party. Now, granted I found out about the party through friends online, but still. I'm more at a position where I can see the second date from the next block, and not a mile away. Perhaps. Maybe. Who dares know? (Rhetorical question.)

I really don't think I'm cut for online dating, but I won't rule it out entirely. There are some kinks to work out - such as, first of all, how willing am I to date so actively in general. I've got great people in my life and I'm okay with being single. That and I don't like the idea of going through a million people, but I guess that's where the whole needle-in-a-haystack imagery comes from. Pearl in an oyster, maybe?

I've made a few other good connections via OkCupid - including but not limited to a guy who wants to make a bikini for me to wear to the beach this weekend (long story, but kind of cute) - that, perhaps, having a car in due time will make easier to jolt, at least on my end.

Perhaps. It's just a thought.

Sayonara, Metro

2010-09-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

So it's not exactly news, but I'm going to soon be purchasing a car. Anyone who knows me knows that I've been saying so for a few years, but I've been seriously shopping in the last week or so. Most of this is year/price-comparison and insurance-quote-comparison, but I'm thinking in the next month or two to have a set of four wheels at my disposal.

Friends have joked that at that time I should change my Twitter account from CarlessValGirl to something more fitting.

I've been taking public transportation on and off for about five years. Within that five-year period it has been workable. However, the last six to eight months have definitely been far from pleasant. From buses that don't arrive on time to buses that don't arrive at all, to having to deal with wonky Sunday schedules and even weekday schedules that aren't conducive to having much of a life, it's gotten to be a bit of a thorn in my side having to fight with Metro day-to-day. Predictable commutes are one thing, and taking the Orange, Red, and Blue (etc.) lines are fine in and of themselves. The Rapid buses aren't a problem, either. Rather, it is the local bus system that is making it an inconvenience to get around in LA. Since I live in the relative suburbs of Los Angeles and not over the hill... well let's just say I'm in the market for something a bit more practical in making spontaneous jaunts as well as fixed.

Now, monetarily, going Metro is probably a good idea right now. Even more so, riding my bicycle is probably a lot easier on the wallet. I don't intend on giving either mode of transportation up, at least not my bicycle. Don't believe me? I don't think I ever shared the story of the few times I've house-sat for my folks for a couple of weeks. They let me borrow one of their vehicles so I could get to their house, my house, work, school and wherever else. It was great. But after about three days I kinda went stir-crazy. I felt like I was zooming in a capsule without feeling the air on my face. I actually panicked. It actually sunk my mood to such a low degree that I rode my bicycle into work the next few days, came home, and drove the car to their house. I have a feeling that when it comes to some local things I will make full use of my bicycle. For recreation, for here-and-there things. But if I have to run around town? It would be nice to have a car. Trends in the availability of the local bus arrivals, etc., have driven this point home more than ever expected.

Bicycling is as much a part of who I am as anything else, so I won't be giving that up. But as far as most other things go, it has been my view that it is only practical to go without a car in Los Angeles if you're at a place in your life where everything is centered and you're not looking to expand upon it. I'm twenty-five years old. Single. I'm not at that point and time yet.

Maybe I'm frustrated. Maybe I haven't explored all the options. But in this case, the car would be the option, not the sole everyday go-to. Tell me how many people in Los Angeles will tell you that.

The Only Girl

2010-09-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last night, New Guy, his friend and I went on a Midnight Ridazz ride around Lake Balboa, and once again I was the only girl in the group. I didn't mind, not really, but it's just funny that it happens to be that way more often than not. I really don't mind being surrounded by men.

I'm having fun with New Guy. He's cute, gentlemanly, and has the makings of a decent person. He actually checked out this ride because I'd mentioned it to him on our first date. But if anything right now, things are being taken slowly - and, similarly, I don't mind. Not really. It's nice to not be pressured into being ooey-gooey sticky sweet right away, or to break out the lingerie because we're at the three "non-date" mark. But it's also nice to be able to message back and forth/bitch about online dating with someone. Did I mention that he's cute? And my age?

Let me tell you, though, it's really nice when a guy takes an interest with something that you like. He's been all over this for the last couple of weeks. Take notes, guys - that's really, really cool.

Whatever happens, though, it's a little 'comforting' to know that if ever things go south I can hop on a bicycle ride like this and literally be surrounded by guys. Turn on the laugh and the smile, arch the back, and there you go; it's almost natural. I met four guys last night that fit the friend role really well (sans benefits, mind you), if not the romantic partnership I'm kindasorta looking for. Which I believe if I'm looking for won't happen, but that's a wholly different entry for a completely different blog.

Everyone was biking to a nearby bar by the time the ride was over... it had been a long day, otherwise I would have joined the rest of them; besides, New Guy and his friend were headed home because they had to be up early the next day. Depending on how things go by next week will determine if I join them or not, though.

Happy ~~hunting~~ cycling~

Cooler Weather

2010-08-29T14:54:00.001-07:00

This is likely to be a very, very short post, but it needs mentioning.

I am relieved - absolutely relieved - that it is no longer a million degrees in the Valley. I hope it lasts a while because I don't know how much more I can take. It is so nice to think that I might not be dripping in sweat when going to appointments, meetings or class this week. It makes me giddy.

That is all.

More Cycling Thoughts

2010-08-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

-School starts up next week and I have to say that I am super stoked about riding my bicycle there and back every day. Not that I don't do enough of that already, but for some reason I feel super cool on my bicycle. Not just being on my bicycle, but being a chick on a bicycle. I know I notice when women are on bikes. There's just something take-charge about a woman who rides in/with traffic. It smells of little to no fear.

-I haven't been working out too much lately, and I can tell you, there is a difference felt, more so than gaining weight. To be honest, I haven't gained weight at all - at least not fat. Definitely not muscle. But I feel more loose, more sluggish... I feel under-worked. It is nice to feel strong, and cycling (and running) has assisted me in feeling and looking strong this year. It's time to work it back into my schedule in a recreational, challenging way. A taut me is a happier me.

-I want to send out a heartfelt thank you to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for holding the bike summit at One Gateway Plaza today. A lot of issues were expressed about and it seems that there will be forward movement as far as the cycling community is concerned. Once again, I'm sorry for your accident a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if the accident was really what spurned on this action or not, but as a fellow cyclist, I'm sure you're more than well aware of the dangers we all face in riding the streets. It is of wonderful news that bicycling infrastructure will greatly improve by 2015. Suffice it to say that the overall awareness is appreciated, and that perhaps everyone - pedestrians, drivers, and fellow cyclists - will be made more well-aware of the many kinds of cyclists in our community and how we all should be considerate in the way we share the road.

-My friend Ash pointed me in the direction of these great shop rides hosted by Flying Pigeon in Los Angeles. They both sound great, but I haven't had dim sum in a while and would be down for trying the "Get Sum Dim Sum Ride". Looks like the next one is on September 19th, but I'll post an update on the ride close to when it rolls around.

Personal Victories

2010-08-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Life is all about reaching your goals, no matter how big or small.

I've been meaning to fix the flat on my hybrid for some time now, but the benefit of having two bikes is, well, not having to fix the flat right away. So I got away with riding my road bike instead for a little over a month until it got a flat. It was bound to happen anyway. I just didn't think it would happen so soon. The flat was caused by one of those springy-hinge things, too. So annoying, but I digress.

Changing a flat's always been somewhat of a big deal for me because I'm not really mechanical-minded. I can put two-and-two together on paper, but actually displaying it is not my strongsuit. About a year ago, my friend set up a "workshop" in our garage and invited his wife, their little girl, and my then-boyfriend to see how it's done. They already really knew how it was done (I swear their little girl would know how to change a flat if they let her), but of course and thankfully it was set up in a way where it was more for moral support of me and my insecurities of getting my hands dirty. So imagine that when changing my flat the other day my mind did go back to this workshop of sorts to do the deed correctly. And do the deed I did. It took me about twenty minutes because I thought I needed more tools than I needed, when I really only needed two of those plastic, erm... those plastic--- things? That you wedge under the tire and the rim to get the tube out, etc.

I know I sound so professional right now. It's a scream, really.

But I did it! And I can ride the hybrid, no problem. Just some simple tools, a hand pump, and a tube or patch kit is all that's needed if in a pinch. They weren't telling stories. Eventually I'll get out there and fix the one on the road bike because it was really nice getting out on it again.

I'm what you call a bit of a delayed learner. I soak up information but don't really use it until much later on. I'm also the kind of girl whose guy friends will readily help her in a pinch. That and I really haven't had a flat in over a year, to be honest... but it's nice to know that when it must be fixed, oh baby - YES, I CAN.

Darn You, Metro

2010-08-02T03:28:00.001-07:00

(Editor's Note: I was really tired when I wrote this. Apologies in advance.)

I buckled down and bought a monthly Metro pass yesterday afternoon because I can already see five days into this month where a day pass ("worth" $6) would be necessary. A few meetings here, a press conference/roundtable discussion there; a screening here, meeting up for a date or two, and various other errands that might come up or just meeting with friends... let's just say that I'd already be more than halfway in the hole towards $75 "worth" of rides via bus/rail. "Worth" is surrounded by quotations because the slight cynic in me thinks this is just some arbitrary number, like $62 has been before - but what do I know? Perhaps percentage really is key. That and to say something is worth something based on the judgement of anyone else but you is a general no-no to me - even if is "true". Yes, again with the quotation marks. What do you want from me?

I'll tell you, though, it was extraordinarily painful. $62 was enough when the pass was $62, but $75 for lessened service - especially on weekends and evenings - and the elimination of some lines altogether might as well have had the swiping of my card be the slicing of a knife instead.

Why oh why must the prices go up high? A redundant, rhetorical question? Yes, as, sadly, this kind of news isn't news at all, especially outside of Los Angeles. New York, San Francisco, New Jersey; some worse than others. But still.

It kind of reminds me of a parallel on grocery store shelves - the packages are getting smaller but the price is getting higher. Gas prices are getting higher why the MPG still makes the register sound with every revolution of the wheel. No breaks. None.

I'm frustrated. But you didn't need me to tell you that.

A Worthy Distraction

2010-07-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

(A brief look into a bright section of my evening that has something to do with being car-less in Los Angeles, if not entirely. Phrases/words have been bolded for purposes of relevance.)

On the Orange Line this evening, while on the way home from a free concert at Pershing Square, I met an adorable 26-year-old Ecuadorian doctor. He plays guitar, which is what sparked our conversation. I asked if he's tried playing piano. He said, no, it's far too difficult. My observation is that those who play guitar find it difficult to play piano, and those who play piano find it difficult to play guitar. I mentioned that I've played piano since I was three years old and can't imagine playing guitar. Cute. Glasses. Scruff. Nice hands.

I told him I take the bus and ride my bicycle nearly everywhere. We empathized on the idea that getting from one place to another is challenging without a car, but it's nice travelling by bicycle. Good for the legs. He doesn't mind taking public transportation, but at times minds the wait and the over-planning. I told him that it's likely that I'll have a car in six to eight months or so, but even then I won't see the need to drive it every day. Why every day, when you live in Los Angeles? (Talking more weather than actual commute, to be honest. Of course it all depends.)

He's so darned cute. He'll be leaving in two months. Still, the idea of two months is a decent enough distraction. Of course we exchanged numbers. There will either be coffee in the future, or I may never see him again. Who knows? Who cares? All that matters is that I walked home from my stop at Balboa Station with a lighter step than I have in months.

We Heart Bicycles

2010-07-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

I've been watching a lot of television streamed from Netflix's instant queue lately and online (via official websites, okay? I am not a pirate) which has made me realize how excited I am whenever I see a bicycle on a TV show or in a movie. In fact, I swear that I can actually feel my ears perk up every time. (Maybe it's just my brow lifting, but it's all the same motion - upwards.) The two most recent instances I can recall this happening are (a) regularly on Arrested Development (Michael Bluth [Jason Bateman's] bicycle and (b) on an episode of LOST... during the final season there was a bicycle in Jack's apartment. It meant nothing to the symbolism of the show, but I noticed it.

I'm sure there's more somewhere, but that's what I'm reminded of right off the bat. Oh yeah, on Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit, the district attorney at the time - I think it was Casey Novak - rode her bicycle to the courthouse; they dedicated a brief scene to it. Movies - Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, obviously. The Goonies. ET. And Juno... see?! Bicycles are fabulous and most everyone agrees that it feels good to hop on one and fly through the air with the greatest of ease and that it would be a moot point to even try to argue that it isn't. Sure, that's bias you smell, but naturally it's based on truth.

Perhaps one day - before I get the nerve to move to New York, that is - I'll feel the same way about public transportation in Southern California. I can even mention a couple of movies/music videos that have featured a Metro Red Line subway car/station. But trust me, this is not Manhattan, nor is it San Francisco, or Boston, or Paris. Hell, it isn't even San Diego... at least it isn't on this side of the hill.

Sadly.

How about you? This was really a quick list, but can you think of any movies/TV shows that have featured bikes in which your radar went off like "Aw, yeah!"?

She Lives, Breathes, and Rides

2010-07-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

It feels so good to be back. I haven't really gone anywhere, not physically at least. Although if I run into some extra money I might do a weekend on the East coast before the end of the year, but I digress. For a reason or two I needed to take a little break, and gosh, may I just say that I'm glad you're still here.

It isn't exactly news, but the temperatures have finally risen to their seasonable highs, and it's sure not an exception in Los Angeles. Anywhere from 95 to 100+ degrees has been the norm, but I swear every summer the rise of the mercury still surprises me. Walk outside just to run to the corner store and all your energy is sapped. I can't imagine being super-active in this weather. Although wait - I have been.

I didn't purchase a Metro pass this month. Mainly in an attempt to save some money and better use my bicycle for local errands - especially since my hybrid got a flat I've been lazy in fixing as of yet - I have been using my old road bike to get around town, for fun, etc. With the exception of the rear brake not working well and the fact that I'm still adjusting to the height and lack of cages, it really works insanely well. Because of all of those things, it is more of a "get around town" bicycle than a "get around town then climb a hill and add another twenty or thirty miles to the mix" like my hybrid is. In either case, I've reached my goal of saving money and also have been able to survive the summer despite the reduced use of the air-conditioned interiors of buses or subways.

Maybe it's just me, but I can deal with heat better than I can deal with rain. I won't ride in the rain, at least not intentionally. Perhaps it's the thought that it's easier to cool down than it is to dry off - especially when commuting. In an attempt to survive the heat I've been doing the stuff that needs doing indoors during the day - writing, writing, more writing, with the occasional errand being run - and venturing out during the twilight hours when the sun has decided to be a little kinder to us all.

Anyway, I'm glad to have made a glass half full situation out of the whole thing. It only reaffirms it with me that, no matter how you look at it, it's always a good time to ride.

Running Cycling Thoughts

2010-07-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." -- Albert Einstein

Apparently Einstein came up with the theory of relativity while riding his bicycle. If so, I think that I might start riding my bike a bit more. Me? I'm trying to figure out life. I think I've been trying to figure out life since I started working at thirteen, but at the present moment I'm going through everything. Money, people, politics of all kinds - and with all that comes the clutter. So, while on the bike this afternoon, I was able to let run through my mind the following thoughts:

-Damn. I really should have put on sunscreen.

-I really wish there was a workable market in Southern California for bicycle messengers. Can't you imagine it? Girls in tight jeans and tank tops messengering your stuff around town? I could totally do that. (Editor's Note: No, there are not bicycle messenger jobs in Los Angeles. Another pipe-dream-fueled reason to consider moving to New York.)

-What the... why the hell are you riding on the wrong side of the street? Do you want to die? If you die, you're not going to get where you need to go faster.

-I love riding in traffic. I don't understand what everyone's talking about, this "danger in the street" stuff. Riding on the sidewalk is not the way to go, especially with this gloriously winding street beneath me. It feels like I'm on a speedway. Ah, yes, I'm riding in the street, car turning left. Oh yes, I am going nearly 25 MPH. Go ahead, look. I'm looking right back at you. The better for you to not kill me.

-With Metro raising its monthly rate to $75 from $62 this month, I'm going to try to make the best of my bicycle, with more than just trips to the store or recreational riding. It's time to think outside of the box. My core and lower body will thank me.

-Why are there chickens by the lake? Does anyone else see this?

-I'm going to take my friend up on his dare and post a poll on Midnight Ridazz inquiring persons attracted to women of their opinion of women on bicycles. More so I'd love to know how other women feel when riding. Three years of riding and I still sometimes feel a little inadequate. Other times, however, I feel sexy. There's something about pedaling hard and fast only to stop at a light and feel a thin layer of sweat begin to cool my chest and torso. It can't be just me.

-I'm glad I didn't end up buying a car with my savings. Knowing how life can go sometimes, it could have meant the difference between living on the funds for the car and living in the car. (Okay, so that's not really funny. America needs some serious help. Hopefully some sense will come into the Senate when summer recess is over.)

-I really need to tune into Keith Olbermann tonight. And Rachel Maddow. I wonder if Rachel rides a bicycle... (be still, my beating <3)

-This street... freshly paved; smells like warm asphalt. And, oh boy, the trees lining it have formed a canopy of interlocking branches, like fingers against the backs of palms. Way to remind me of the one summer the street around the corner from the one I grew up on was re-paved and the trees had grown in. That's where you'd find us roller-blading. Falling down and roller-blading.

So yeah, nothing nearly as profound as Einstein's theories, but what were you really expecting? I think I got in a good twenty miles today, and more things hammered out than expected. Interesting what running errands and a detour around the lake can do for one's mental Rolodex.

I was thinking might do something like I did a few months ago and try to ride somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 miles on the bicycle this month. Any takers?

Dating in Los Angeles

2010-06-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

In case it wasn't painfully obvious, I am a single twenty-something in Los Angeles.

For the time I have been single I guess you can say I've enjoyed it - at least in the sense of not yet being married or having children. I like getting to know people with the potential of a relationship more so than not - as far as that's been concerned, however, it's been rather hit or miss. Some efforts have resulted in dates. Others have resulted in purely physical relationships. Every now and then, though, I'm surprised to get waist-deep in that "getting to know someone" phase with someone I'm super excited about. Like anyone else would, I go for chest-deep, then chin-, then eyeballs-deep. Sadly, whether a native or a transplant, Los Angeles is full of flakes. Dates can be fun. Slimy rejection after concerted effort... mmm, not so much. It's only then that I tend to go back to square negative one - a place where I'm not really a fan of being single anymore.

However, seeing as I live for the thrill of the gamble, my friends suggested I try one of two things: OkCupid (I've had an account for a long time; re-started a few weeks ago), and going out and just being around people, with no real aim to hook up or find someone. I've fallen into relationships that way before. So naturally I've been doing both.

Oddly enough, I've been able to meet a lot of people on account that I ride my bicycle and make use of public transportation in LA. It has made for some alarmingly interesting inquiries and overall conversation. I've also met a few people while riding my bicycle on rides arranged by the folks over at Midnight Ridazz. It's actually only then when I don't mind guys saying things in my direction while on my bicycle, being that the ratio of women to men on such rides is generally pretty low. If that's not enough motivation to go on more group rides, I don't know what is.

Everyone wants to feel special. No one wants to feel cheated or lied to. Such are the things we deal with when putting ourselves out on the line, and in reality we're all capable of being the latter to someone else. Sure, I'm totally adding fuel to the fiery topic of dating/attaining relationships and the politics involved, but I guess part of me is also sending a message to the universe: which mainly is to keep jerks disguised as nice guys at bay this go-round.

But first I think I'll need a better radar.

Two Wheels to the Pavement

2010-06-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

Riding my bicycle is fun, whether it's for reasons of transportation or recreation. I've been taking part in more of the former than the latter lately, so I made sure to take part in some good recreational riding this weekend. Friday evening I went on a short twelve-mile sprint to Woodland Hills and back along the Orange Line bicycle path. Saturday afternoon I rode down Reseda Blvd past Ventura Blvd and up into the Santa Monica Mountains. I am happy to say that I only stopped once up and along the incline, which (at least to me) is a little brutal at times. But still, what a great workout. Doing so means no additional lower body workout for the day as well, so I can't argue with that.

With today being the first day of summer, it's going to be interesting to see how the weather evolves as it does every year - from mild to scorching hot, but still refreshingly cool in the evenings. The next two months are going to be relatively free until things pick up again towards the end of August, so I'm going to try to get back in fighting shape on my bicycle - long and/or challenging rides on the weekends, some recreation for the benefit of my sanity.

Endorphins are delicious.

Walking in LA

2010-06-18T02:14:00.001-07:00

I spent the better part of this evening with some friends at the Key Club in West Hollywood. Great night, even greater company. I hopped on the 2 and stopped at the In-N-Out on Sunset/Orange for dinner on the way home, walked up to Hollywood/Highland to catch the Red Line to NOHO station, then walked on home from my stop. Easy commute, especially with a fresh LA Weekly in tow.

Traveling late at night isn't an issue for me. I don't necessarily own the night but I'd like to think that the darkness and I are on good terms. Actually, we're practically best friends when the streets are well-lit and when parts of town are bustling and relatively full of activity (Hollywood, Silverlake, etc.) Once I get back to the Valley from over-the-hill, though, I can't help but feel like someone's going to kidnap me.

Case in point - not more than an hour ago I was walking up the street before making a left on the street that I live on. A car driving in the opposite direction made a U-turn and decided to slowly drive alongside me. I didn't look at the car directly; I kept on walking, although I kept it in my vision in the corner of my eye in case the driver tried something. But all I kept on thinking was "Keep driving; don't you dare stop your car or say anything to me or I will scream." The car followed me for about thirty seconds. When they saw that I wasn't going to give them any sort of attention, they then made another U-turn from the right lane and continued along their way.

I don't know what this person wanted. I wasn't drawing any attention to myself. I was wearing jeans, a tee-shirt and a sweater - but even if I was in a dress and sandals that doesn't give them the liberty to intimidate the life out of me. (But it is for reasons such as this that - with the exception of hair and make-up - I dress down when going out.) I was just a young woman walking home from a night out - but maybe that's really all the reason they needed. I wish people realized that just because a woman is walking down the street it doesn't give you permission to do whatever the hell you think you want to do so early in the morning. It reminds me of elementary school as much as it reminds me of the opening scenes of an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Even if I was carrying pepper spray or a small weapon - which I have somewhere - would I be able to fend this person off if they tried to abduct me?

Now I no longer wonder why I feel safer wandering around Manhattan at four o'clock in the morning than I do my quiet neighborhood just before one. It's ridiculous, unfair, and a sexist violation that I don't approve of at all. I called my friend after this had happened, and he suggested when I go out that I call friends and/or family and tell them where I am and when I intend to be home so that if in the event that I don't let them know I arrived home safely they'll know something might be up. This is from my friend, a grown man who has a car. As a woman, who is admittedly more vulnerable without a car, I should probably be more inclined to do so.

Like I said before, the night and I are on good terms with each other, but sometimes someone has the gall to try something and it all goes back to square one. I've been going out a lot lately. Might go out tonight; might not. Still, with or without a car, are there any precautions you take when you know you'll be out late at night? Do you rely on more than just your intuition and reflexes? What's your take?

Rant a la Metro Los Angeles

2010-06-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

This evening was a tad ridiculous, but that's to be somewhat expected when taking public transportation in the Valley.

The last few weeks, as mentioned, I've been getting around to film screenings in the Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Century City, WEHO, and Burbank areas with honestly little to no fuss in getting there and back (I've also been meeting my friend and boss there at times, so when things run too late I've been getting very appreciative rides back to my place)... still, that said, the distance covered has been great, as well as the time in getting there. But like I've always said, if I have a book, a notebook and pen, or music I am set for however long it takes. So long as I'm on time or early to where I'm going, I could care less at how long it takes.

So color me a little surprised when I still find it to be more difficult to go three-quarters of a mile to my favorite Mexican restaurant for a take-away dinner than to get to the Four Seasons Hotel during rush hour. I waited somewhat patiently for the bus for 16 minutes until it decided to come, realizing that maybe there was an accident or traffic or whatever the case could have been. But when the bus finally arrived, the driver was paying so little attention that it blew past the stop completely. It didn't help that the next bus was going to come another thirty minutes later (this was t 6:30 pm, Monday afternoon. Thirty minutes in between buses doesn't make sense to me, but how valid is my opinion?). I've had this happen when I actually had somewhere to be, and it didn't make my bosses happy one bit. So I walked, both ways. It was good weather out, so it didn't bother me as much as it probably could have - but still. Maybe I'm living in the wrong area of town. Maybe I need to live closer to Ventura Boulevard, where there are at least three lines (two local, one express) running until midnight or slightly later?

Another day, another rant.

I love you, too. :)

Impromptu, Informal Spin

2010-06-14T08:35:00.001-07:00

I went out last night with my good friends to celebrate another good friend's birthday. There was karaoke. There was beer. There was staying up until 2:30 am and sleeping in my clothes on the couch with the dogs. It was a great night.

There was also the task of getting up in the morning and making a brief trip to the mailbox. My alarm was set for 7:30 am so as to be ready to walk the half-mile round-trip to and from the mailbox. On my way out, however, I noticed my bicycle standing in the rack next to the other bicycles that honestly hadn't been ridden in a while. Of course I contemplated taking it for a spin. Not only would it get some attention but it would also cut down on actual walking time so I could get a start to my day a little faster. I strapped on my helmet, hopped on and went.

The school just across the street from the townhome complex I live in was just starting the session for the day. Cars were zooming around the corner and up and down the street. The sun was just beginning to warm the cool air surrounding, and I found myself groggily singing along to some V.V. Brown song that's been stuck in my head for days. I dropped off my letter at the mailbox and turned around to head home, but figured what with the added benefit of time thanks to my two wheels I'd take a short spin around the neighborhood. Last time I did that was around Christmas time, during a dark and damp evening, when everyone's houses resembled iced gingerbread darlings with lit-up gumdrop accents. I wallowed for a bit in my beer-induced somewhat-sleepiness - if not a hangover - and slight high from the influx of good company this past weekend brought while the rest of the world went about their business. I zig-zagged up and down the maze of streets contained within the block and bordered by main streets; I looked down at my dress shoes and realized I should probably head on home and change if perhaps I thought to go on a longer ride...

It was nice. As a brief side thought, I've been suffering from a mad case of writer's block lately and have an inkling that maybe a ride might help grease the wheels a bit more. We'll see what this afternoon holds.

More updates to come. Thanks for sticking around.

Happy cycling~

Discouraged

2010-06-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

So lately I've found myself a bit discouraged on the no-car front.

I've been without a car for the last five years. It's not been too bad of an experience. I have a life. I've acquired and maintained professional, romantic, and platonic relationships. I get intense workouts. I'm able to go to movies, to the store, to clubs and all else. As long as I allow myself enough time, I can get around and about with almost no fuss.

That said, I am finding it hard to work the car-less angle in some areas of Los Angeles. At times it is simply difficult to function without a car. I feel badly because the purpose of this blog was to show that it is possible to exist without one here, but I've found that it's not really possible unless you have the patience of a saint. Someone actually told me that the other day - that I have the patience of a saint.

I just came back from Trader Joe's and the girl at the register was making all these seemingly positive comments but it felt like she was talking down at me, like I wasn't from this planet since I was - gasp! - actually taking my groceries home by bicycle. Perish the thought, right? Interestingly, riding back was a bit uncomfortable and I found myself a bit self-conscious. For the first time I felt off-balance and hoped to God that my left shoulder wouldn't pop out of its socket thanks to my packed-heavy canvas bag. Although admittedly I bought a lot of groceries, so that feeling was my fault... I'll make a personal note to hit TJs a little more often than every three weeks now that I'm in better spirits.

In addition, I've been getting around lately - mainly press screenings, art showings, other events and other such mingling/milling-about outlets. I've needed to get out anyway, as much as social situations make me nervous. But it goes without saying how much I appreciate my friends, as sometimes I'm offered a lift home when most local bus lines near my place have stopped running. I always make sure to have a roll of bills set aside specifically for contributing to gas; besides - as friends have also said of the company - it's nice having someone to talk to. Still, I can't help but feel like an inconvenience at times, as others seem to think I'm incapable of functioning since I don't have a car. That and strangers' remarks lately have been getting under my skin concerning this, quite like Register Girl this afternoon. The statement "I don't know how you get along without a car!" in particular has been grating my nerves. Sometimes I feel like saying something to the effect of "You know, I don't know how I get along being Black and a woman either, but I manage to do just fine!" But I'm a nice person.

In recent light of Metro's fares increasing, DASH's fares also increasing and cuts for the Commuter Express (more information here), it's getting more than a fair share of annoying in thinking about how the powers that be don't seem to care about the ridiculousness of their actions.

And as much as the thought of gas, insurance, and a down payment unnerves me at this moment where unexpected funds are already a nightmare, it's becoming a bigger thought every day something like this happens. And like most other situations, there's little I can do other than sit back and watch it all unfurl.

(sigh)

News to Me

2010-06-03T00:23:00.000-07:00

While on the Metro Red Line this afternoon heading to Hollywood & Highland for a press screening of Splice, I noticed something informative-like posted on the subway wall - namely a notice that Metro's fares would be rising. Again. Joy. If for some reason anyone else wasn't in the know (I hate being the last to know), here are a couple of links to information on the changes to take effect July 1.

July 1 Cash Fares - Metro.net
July 1 Passes & Tokens - Metro.net

(Information on current fare for this month can be found here.)

You know, I'd like to applaud Metro for raising fares yet again. It's not enough that some people are buying milk and eggs but not bread because they realize they can't afford all three items once they get to the cashier. That spending days and nights indoors at the risk of sanity serves as some people's monetary relief (feeling like a cave-dweller is so in). Thank you, Metro, for helping people decide between food and sanity, for giving us something else to figure out how to pay for. How dare we think that life's other problems weren't enough? Thank you even more so for continually refusing to provide stellar bus service in the Valley. Your fleet of buses still are arriving every 30-40 minutes like clockwork, are stopping service after 8:00 pm, and weekend service is as crappy and scarce as ever. Go team!! You rock!!!

Oh, Metro Los Angeles. You're the needy, financially draining yet distant girlfriend we never had. I'd feel for you if you weren't such a bitch.

I'm aware that New York's monthly fares are higher ($89; MTA); San Francisco's is just below (at $70; BART)... Boston's got it pretty good so far ($59; MBTA). But personally, I believe that a $13-a-month increase for the monthly pass is a bit steep, as well are the various other increases, from base fare to day pass. These days, whether it's gas, food, insurance, maintenance, sales tax - it's all on the rise. It never ends, on any end of the spectrum. All of us are either making less or the same amount of money, yet we're being forced to spend more. I think this is what they call "spending self into a hole", except it's not a flavor of indulgence. It's the necessities of daily life that add up. And if we don't get where we need to go, then you've got one sad city.

What's Metro going to give those of us in "the boonies"? Hope? That things won't shut down more than they already have due to its $204-million gap in its operating budget? That buses will hopefully not stop running after 7:00 pm instead of 8:00pm (on some streets)?

It's possible that I'm over-reacting. I'm tired and it's been a long day. But I'm curious: how much is bus/railway fare where you live? Have you seen any increases in the last few years?

There was this little pamphlet I picked up on the local bus today that reads: "Transit Flicks Video Contest -- Show us why you like LA County transit. You might win a free pass for a year!" I thought it was a corny/cute idea until LA County transit lost itself a couple of points in my book with these developments. But if it means the chance at a free pass for a year, well then, hell. Might as well get creative.

I Love NY

2010-05-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today I had a meeting in Hollywood, which despite any topic of conversation - personal or business - is most always a pleasure. Heading home during somewhat-rush-hour (just after 5:00 pm), stopping at Hollywood/Vine at Trader Joe's (I was out of cereal!), and jumping back on the subway without having to wait for more than five minutes each time reminded me of New York. When I was bringing in more money I would visit my brother in New York twice a year, for a week to week-and-a-half at a time. Of course I loved eating, shopping, and wandering around the museums, but what I loved more than anything was taking the subway.

At any time of day or night, the L would get me from Brooklyn to Union Square and back without me having to wait more than five minutes. Sometimes I'd run through the turnstiles and past the closing doors without a hitch. I loved the rush at four in the morning heading back from a club, feeling a strange sense of calm at a time of day when I am anything but. Most times, if I'm heading home on the subway after midnight in Los Angeles and walking the mile or so to my house in the dark, I'm super on-guard. Sure, there's a very slim chance someone will jump from out of a bush and knife me, but I'd like to think that if something similar happened to me in a better lit part of Brooklyn, perhaps someone stumbling home in close enough proximity would hear me scream. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, but whatever.

Suits, artists, musicians, bums, models, schoolkids, wanderers, concert/theater-goers, writers, janitors - everyone and their mother was on the subway today. No demographic was singled out, no ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic class. The subway was for everyone this afternoon, as it is most times of day in New York (not always in LA). Naturally, the question among my East coast friends then and now seems to be that unless you live in Long Island, why have a car? Answer: not everyone lives in the city. Sometimes, "a car is necessary".

My West coast friends feel the same. I've come to grips that the Valley is one of the more obvious suburban areas complementing the "big city" we have here - although plenty of surrounding cities could easily fight for the title. When it comes to the question of going elsewhere besides the hustle, bustle, and glitz of the city, how else are you to get to the beach and the mountains (mad sucker that I am for day trips)? So faint the whisper of a car tickles my ears - a car as an option, and not a necessity. Ding ding ding ding ding... if only in a perfect world.

Anyway. Gotta love Hollywood, Los Angeles proper, and anywhere else that welcomes the use of two legs and bicycles as transportation (even if said Trader Joe's on Hollywood/Vine has no bicycle parking - a post on that soon). If I had more money, I would move. Los Angeles will never be New York, but it is still one amazing city. I hope to never leave. And if I did, it wouldn't be for long.

Apologies

2010-05-28T00:07:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to shout out to anyone and everyone who has been reading here recently, to give a heartfelt THANK YOU SO MUCH for following my adventures in making it in and around Los Angeles without a car.

I sincerely want to apologize for the lack of posts, or rather, the posts that have been made which - I truly believe - haven't been quite up to the degree of quality that I've set for myself and readers. It's been a difficult few weeks on a personal level, and unfortunately that tends to impede on any gusto, desire, and general outlook. Life happens. But when that transcends into one of my favorite forums of communication with the new and great people I have come in contact with... well, plainly, something needs to be done other than more of the same.

That said, I think I've turned a corner, and hope to very soon give you more of the attention that you have been giving me on this common thread of cycling, a healthy lifestyle, and general well-being for ourselves, friends, and family.

In the meantime, I would love it if you checked out the CarFree Challenge to take place next week, from June 1 to June 7, here at TransFormCA.com. Please, tell your friends. How few miles will you drive next week?

Being that I already drive zero miles a week, I think I'm already there. Y tu?

Again, I truly want to thank you.

Happy cycling~ xo

Google Maps, Take Me Away

2010-05-25T16:25:00.001-07:00

This afternoon I took a much deserved bicycle ride down to Mulberry Street Pizzeria on Ventura Blvd between Balboa and Louise. It's easily one of the best New York pizza places in the Valley - and this statement comes from my roommate and ex-boyfriend, both native New Yorkers. That and their eggplant parmigiana is enough to feed two and is simply all sorts of ridiculously delicious.

Since I've been there a million times and needed to get out of the house (been writing too much) I thought I'd grab their lunch special - two slices of cheese pizza, half a salad and a drink - which was more than satisfying. I think my stomach might actually object to dinner tonight. But of course this post isn't merely about one of my favorite places to eat, but actually getting there and getting there safely. I figured the most direct route would be the best, when I really should have just referred to Google Maps and their directions by bicycle function. Getting there in the most direct way was actually the most useful for getting there by car, and therefore not the most ideal by bicycle. All other times I'd been there were on late-night dates or meeting with friends, so naturally I didn't think about it. Besides, I was starving.

Sadly, the direct way involved riding on the sidewalk for a spell. My whole thing with riding on the sidewalk is that unless you're riding in a residential area with your child it is likely more dangerous than riding on the street. Here's why: riding in the street allows for far more predictable maneuvering; besides if one car sees you in riding with traffic, they will probably (not definitely) look out for you. As opposed to riding on the sidewalk, often opposite traffic, going up and down curbs and in and out of driveways - completely unavoidable - it is more likely that you'll get struck by a car. It sounds backwards, I know, especially to the non-commuter - but it's all shades of true.

That said, once I got there, there was no bicycle rack of any kind. Imagine how lame I felt locking up my bike to a parking sign, but in being the only option it was relatively secure in the parking behind the establishment. It kind of reminds me though, when I went to get a new phone at a Sprint store in January and I couldn't find bicycle parking anywhere - this was also in Encino on Ventura Boulevard. Now I'm not saying it's the Boulevard's fault, but most establishments surrounding the area are not pedestrian-friendly, let alone bike-friendly. Just an observation.

I really feel that as of late I've been going on rants and I do apologize. It is a gorgeous day outside and I intend on getting back into it after I wrap up things this evening. I guess I just have to accept for a while that to some people bicyclists and pedestrians are as much a myth as unicorns and leprechauns, and therefore are catered to in a one-in-one-hundred need. And I guess as far as getting around by bicycle instead of trusting merely my instincts, my motto should be "Make Frequent Use of Google Maps and Be Happy".

Health Matters

2010-05-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am so, so tired... oh, how the night-bleeding-into-morning look clashes with my drive.

Two weeks from now is the 10th Annual Los Angeles River Ride, and as stated numerous times already, I will be riding my bicycle 70 miles. No sweat. That said, I haven't been really keeping up with good nutrition, hydration, and sleeping habits. Working and playing hard should be no excuse, but even with it being completely lame it is still a reason.

Up until about two weeks ago I was the average Jill's model of fitness and nutrition, if not sleep (trust me, if I could program my brain to let me sleep past 7:00 am after being up until 5:00 am, I would - and I'd likely look to profit off of the idea). What can I say; life got the better of me. It happens sometimes. Now that I've noticed the detour, it's time to get back on track. Get in the saddle. Set aside the time. Eat well despite any stress. Don't work through meals. Go grocery shopping. Drink water; get electrolytes. Adhere to a schedule and make it work... because the last thing I need two weeks from now is to have a embarrassing spill en route to the city of Long Beach before I hit the water station.

"Well, at least there's no backseat."

2010-05-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

This video was brought to my attention from one Miss Jessica Lewis from TransFormCA, an advocacy group based in the Bay Area that works in support of "world-class public transportation and walkable communities". An advertisement for their annual Car-Free Challenge - which is to take place this year from June 1 to June 7 - I found this to be super cute... probably because it features a bicycle.

Check it out:

And click here to learn more about Car-Free Challenge 2010.

Valley Metro Service vs. Over the Hill (or Slave to Oil)

2010-05-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

As mentioned previously, Thursday and Friday last week involved my heading over the hill to the Century City then Beverly Hills region of Los Angeles for some film press coverage (said coverage that has so far taken me three hours to transcribe fifteen minutes of Q & A, but I digress). What I discovered is that as long as I have music, a book, paper, and a pen, I am fine with taking time to get where I need to go, even if it takes much longer than use of a vehicle. However, I had it kind of hammered into me as to why some people in the Valley choose to have a car over taking a part in public transit. While over-the-hill may have a lot more surface street traffic at odd times of the day than the Valley, there is one thing that it does have that the Valley would find far more valuable: more transit, more often.

Getting where I needed to go took just under two hours, with traffic. Getting home, however, took two and a half hours, without traffic. The buses over the hill came so often that there was no need for a timetable. Back in the Valley though, the longest wait involved the 165 heading west from Vanowen and Van Nuys. I must have waited about thirty minutes, because I got through a good portion of Coraline on my iPod nano. Not only was that ridiculous, but... well, I'm just going to leave it at ridiculous. Because ridiculous it was.

In talking with my friends yesterday (and riling up my feelings about it all), I am still lacking understanding in how the Valley is left with such poor service when we have as many people if not more as over the hill? Especially when you consider the amount of residential space and that perhaps it would be nice to get home under an hour at 10:00 pm, or even make it twenty blocks without having to wait a full thirty minutes for the metal contraption that will take you there. What about the West Valley? The Orange Line ends at Canoga station, just before the Westfield Topanga Mall - a mall that conveniently caters to just cars. There is no pedestrian pathway to the mall. In order to walk to any of the stores, no matter where you enter, you must walk through a parking lot. How's that for safe? In addition, there is no bike lane and no bus that won't take less than 20 minutes of your time to wait for it to arrive. So even trying to get there in a greener sense will probably make your temper burn a slight red.

I realize that I'm going off on a rant and ramble here but the issue runs mighty deep. In another example, I used to go to Los Angeles Pierce College and every night that I got out of class at 9:45pm, I had to wait an hour for the next (and last) bus of the night. It was the only option, considering the bus that ran parallel to the street I actually lived on would have stopped service about an hour and a half prior. Spring nights weren't so bad, since they meant breezy rides on my bicycle. But the winter nights were plenty irksome and uncomfortable at times, waiting in the cold.

I'm just saying, if people with cars work weird shifts or go to night school or need to make a late night run to a CVS or whatever the case may be, isn't it at all possible that people without a car might need to do so as well? "That's the way things are" doesn't cut it any more, neither does "Well if you don't like it, get a car." Forget that nonsense. Any bustling city's inhabitants should be able to span its distance with little problem or fuss. It should be a given. I hate pulling this card, but what else are our taxes going to that is making this a relative impossibility? What will it take for the car to be an option, and not something you'd be lost without?

Quick and Random

2010-05-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a Trader Joe's run on my bicycle, as I do every week. And as I do every week, I mention to the cashier/grocery-bagger that I ride my bicycle, so they can fill my backpack and canvas bag because I won't be needing the paper bags. And as what usually happens every week, I get into a nice conversation - usually asking if I'm from New York or Chicago.

"Nope, I've lived in the Valley my whole life."
"Really? I'm just amazed; you don't worry about toppling or feeling weird side-to-side on your bike with the groceries?"
"Nope, I do it every week (also with the hope that I'll finally win a $25 TJs gift card, but I digress)."

There's a weird sense of pride that people think I grew up elsewhere because I ride my bicycle instead of own a car at the moment. But also it made me think, well, why can't Los Angeles be known for bicycles as transportation as much as Chicago or New York? Why are we so behind? Everything has its purpose, and as I've mentioned before, I'm not against cars or eventually getting one (maybe). But as far as the day-to-day goes, I'm making do without one for now (and appreciate those who offer rides when options are limited). I don't pat myself on the back every day I do. I just ... go on as usual.

The person doing the talking was very cute, very nice. I assume they were being just that - why I always hold this fantasy that I'll pick up the love of my life at a grocery store, I don't know. Anyway, after name-dropping Midnight Ridazz for group rides, we talked about the pedestrian/bicycle path that runs alongside the Orange Line bus way. I was then recommended a movie I am ashamed I haven't heard of - Fuel, a film whose DVD apparently comes out on June 22. I'll be checking it out. Has anyone else heard of/seen it?

On my way to unlock my bicycle, I heard a customer behind me say "I can't believe it; She's... wow. I don't know if I'd be able to do that" - namely, ride a bicycle nearly everywhere. That made me feel really good. And that's all I have to say about that.

"I've Got a Date with the Night"

2010-05-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

I love twilight, mostly because it pleasantly mimics sunrise, a time of day I am normally sleeping through to appreciate fully. Summer nights seem to come a lot sooner in southern California than most any place else, another reason I might not be able to move, ever. The other night I went for a five-mile run at around 8pm and it almost felt like I was at the beach. The smell, the swirl of the breeze, the layers of color across the sky that take after an oceanic horizon. It lights me up inside, and, naturally, to quote Sheryl Crow: "If it makes you happy, then it can't be that bad."

Some of my favorite times on my bicycle involve the twilight, watching a yellow moon rise through a rose and violet sky, being framed by silhouettes of trees and lamp posts. And hell, I've a soft spot for the blinking of head and rear lights through partial darkness. For some reason during the summer I feel the most creative, the most active. There's always an unintended surge of new life. Ah, l'amour.

Getting Around Town in a Pair of Heels

2010-05-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

(A brief shout-out to all the women out there who ride their bicycles in high heels and skirts. I am not brave enough to do so. It sounds like it'd be fun and endearingly cute, what with the right pair of plum-colored tights. But be it a gust of wind or an odd general angle, I am not willing to give up a shot of the goods so easily. That and I can't imagine a pair of pumps fitting well within the cages on my pedals. I'll give it a whirl one of these days, though, and will report back to you.)

Every now and then something requires my getting somewhere in more formal dress than jeans and a sweater. Whether covering the opening of a dance academy in Hollywood or just heading out to wherever the bass is pumping, at times I'm inclined to wear high heels and a nice dress - and in such cases I make friendly with my TAP card and take the bus. Metro.net is my usual source for bus routes and corresponding times to get where I need to go, and while it's generally reliable, its lack of direction and non-user-friendly map makes travel a bit sketchy.

This Thursday and Friday I'll be heading to Beverly Hills for a press screening and conference, and while I won't necessarily be wearing heels, I'll not want to be a sweaty mess. In preparation, I GoogleMapped the addresses, just to make sure I knew where I was going, then noticed the Get Directions drop-down menu, which, among other options, included public transit. Not only did it tell me what buses to take and at what time, but exactly where to walk when transferring. Way to make my life easier. Absolutely brilliant; beyond sexy. I want to write someone a love letter. Metro, you need to play Catch Up, and quickly... and that's all I have to say about that.

Bike to Work Week LA

2010-05-08T01:02:00.000-07:00

Yay! Every year, like Christmas and birthday season, I so look forward to National Bike Month. Sure, every month is Bike Month around these parts (except when it's raining buckets), but this is when it's official. Cities all across the US are declaring their week in which to hold Bike to Work Day, with the hope of encouraging the use of bicycles as a lifestyle inclusion. Despite the state of the economy, bicycle infrastructure has been improving from New York, NY, to Long Beach, CA - and I guess you can say that because of the state of the economy, people are taking to bike paths and lanes like they haven't before, therefore improving their lives all around.

All this positivity makes me wonder why in the world it was so difficult to find any information on Los Angeles' Bike to Work Week, supported by Metro.net? Don't get me wrong; Metro has some great information - specialized guides on bikes and safety, and info on the 2nd Metro Bicycle Roundtable Meeting, which I myself will try to attend. However, there was no specific link on Bike to Work Week. In fact, Google 'los angeles bike to work week' and it is the fifth option down. The four preceding results are from prior years, from other sources.

I just found it a little interesting that I wasn't the only one having this problem. Seems that the key is Googling 'Bike Week LA'. I sincerely believe the name was changed to accommodate the number of persons that will not be biking to work this year as they likely were last year, if you know what I mean. The inclusiveness is much appreciated, but not everyone is going to know to search for the event as such. Also, it's May. Why is there no info on the front page?

That said, here's a flier about the week-long event, including information on prizes, sponsors, and a calendar of events:

Monday, May 17, 8am: Bike Week LA Kick-Off Event at LAPD Headquarters

Tuesday, May 18, 8am: Blessing of the Bicycles at the Good Samaritan Hospital (visit goodsam.org for more information)

Wednesday, May 19, 8am: Downtown LA Bike Ride starts at Olvera St

Thursday, May 20 Bike to Work Day:
6-9am: Pit stops will be distributing refreshments and sponsor giveaways.
All Day: Free rides on Metro and other carriers. Visit metro.net/biketowork/ for more information.

Friday, May 21: Bike to School Day

Sounds like fun! I hope in one way or another we're all able to get involved.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Multiple Random Thoughts

2010-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

No formality, no intro, no conclusion; just thoughts. And... go!

-This afternoon I saw a man on the Orange Line bicycle path with his big dog who was not so coincidentally taking a huge crap on the dirt alongside it. (The dog, not the man.) Not surprisingly, the man did not clean up after his dog. It was so sizable that the man himself might as well have pulled down his trousers and did it himself. He actually had the nerve to say good afternoon to me as I ran by (if I don't bike, I try to run at least five miles a day)... I slowed down to see if he would pull out something to clean up the mess, but no. No attempt. If I'd not been coming up on mile 4.5 I'd've yelled at him. I'll bet if I run by tomorrow it will still be there. If you can't be bothered to clean up after your dog, why the hell do you think someone else will? It's disgusting and far from environmentally friendly, you jerk.

-I rode my bicycle for a quick Trader Joe's run at twilight - a time of day that is already my favorite - but this jaunt in particular was, dare I say, enhanced by a feeling akin to flying. The seat of my bike felt a little higher, which let off a little on my knees and lower back. The black of the asphalt and the dark blue of the sky blended into one level of darkness despite my head and rear lights. The night air was pleasantly cool, wrapping its way around my legs, forearms and waist, kissing the back of my neck and ears. It was all so lovely. Then I realized that my roommate had taken the liberty of tuning my bike and adjusting things. Perhaps he saw that my bicycle was screaming for help; perhaps he was just being helpful - in either case I'm going to make a point to learn my bicycle better than just the surface stuff. I already know how to adjust my chain, disconnect/re-connect my brakes and remove my wheels if necessary. Now it's time to get a little more personal. Ride documentation is great and all, but methinks I'm going to get my hands dirty, if you get my drift.

-This may sound horribly morbid, but in the 2+ years I've been regularly riding my bicycle, well, everywhere, I have okayed within myself the possibility that I might die while riding. Ideally this scenario would involve me being 95 years old and having the time of my life, but sadly the scenario(s) involve(s) vehicles and me not making it to my 30th birthday. It is sad and actually exceptionally morbid, but in an odd way it has made me less afraid of death. This isn't isolated only to bicycling; it pertains to being a pedestrian and driving as well. I can only do what I can. If I die in the right, trying to avoid something and being proactive as I can - well, what more can one person do?

-The 10th Annual Los Angeles River Ride is in almost exactly four weeks, and I will be doing the 70 mile ride. If anyone would like to do lunch with me afterward, I will be starving. Hit me up.

Bats Day

2010-05-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

Bats Day at Disneyland is one of the many yearly traditions I partake in. It's pretty much on the same scale as Christmas and my birthday. That said, I was very happy to have "celebrated" it this year with a few good friends and some happy haunts.

In an effort to make this post bicycle-related, I happened upon this "poster" in New Orleans Square at about midnight, just before wandering over to Main Street, U.S.A., for some ice cream and a few moments in the cinema:

If you're unaware of how Cycles Brion came to be, here's an excerpt from the history of Olivia Brion, suffragette and inspiration behind Brion bicycles and interestingly, Heron Lake Winery (no, I don't digress; take in your your history lesson):

Ancestry of Olivia Brion: How Cycles Brion Came to Be

During the high Middle Ages, three vineyards at the edge of the city of Bordeaux achieved fame for the exquisite quality of their red wines: Haut-Brion just north of the Pessac road, Laville Haut-Brion a quarter-mile to the south, and, between them, Basse-Brion. For fifteen generations these vineyards were lovingly cared for by the two branches of the Brion family– until the 1870s when the terrible advent of Phylloxera threatened to end forever this tradition of greatness.

The Haut-Brions dug in their heels: they mortgaged their chateaux to the hilt, tore out all their precious (but dying) vines, and replanted with the new American rootstock. Slowly they were able to restore their vineyards and winemaking.

Comte Pierre Gilles-Gascon de Blanquefort de la Basse-Brion [...] changed his name to Peter Brion and moved to Paris, where he invested the £200 in the new technology of bicycle making. His "farthing-penny" design did not sell well, and the disconsolate Peter declined into days of absinthe at the Lapin Agile. His daughter Mercedes took over the business and created a woman-friendly design with herself as model. This was a runaway success and restored the family fortune, paving the way for the even more brilliant success of Olivia Brion in the next generation.

Well, would you look at that; you learned something today, as did I. Let's pat ourselves on the backs, shall we?

Anyway, Bats Day. I really liked my outfit this year:

And these were just a few fun photos in general (I stayed until far after closing, when there were absolutely no crowds);

Silly, but whatever. It's possible that more will surface, with crowds donned in all sorts of expressive attire.

I mentioned some time ago that I'd eventually make a point to bicycle to Disneyland one of these days... perhaps this summer. Oh, bicycle fever. We all could stand to "suffer" from it - just a little bit.

Time to fall into bed. Every cyclist must have their sleep.

Simple Bike Ride

2010-04-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Listening to Little Boots and I'm in a really good mood.

Yesterday I went for an impromptu bicycle ride in conditions I usually prefer to not (read: really windy) but once I got out there, it wasn't so bad. South, East, and West riding wasn't so bad - once I went North it was a bit interesting. The only bad thing I guess you could say was that at times I felt I was being pushed from the side, so my wheels had this odd slippy-slidy feeling. Other than that, it was a beautiful day for riding.

Here's a blurry me in my riding outfit:

Aside from my cell phone, sunblock and water, this is what I usually carry with me (paper, pen, money, cards and ID in the event of an emergency; lip gloss and perhaps mascara in the event of an attractive someone):

This would be my bicycle.

I haven't named it yet, but we've been through a lot together. Some great rides. I've never experienced a flat with this one, and I've been riding it steadily for going on a year and a half.

I usually start out all my rides on the Orange Line Bike Path at White Oak and Oxnard in Encino:

Sometimes I continue along, heading West until I reach Canoga Station in Woodland Hills.

In between points I usually happen upon some beautiful flowers growing, especially during this time of year. It makes for a more pleasurable ride all around (some of the following photos were taken while in motion, so please excuse the quality):

I try to pay attention to all of the signs, which is why I'm surprised when others are surprised when they get into accidents or why there is a bicycle on "their side of the pathway":

I mean, the pathway seems to be clearly marked to me, but what are you going to do except ride, walk, and drive safely? On the return trip I sometimes keep going down the pathway past the Velodrome, baseball and soccer fields until I reach the park:

And then I head up Balboa Boulevard on home. It ends up being about 15 miles round-trip - a simple ride whether sprinting or coasting at most any time of day. Depending on what's going on this weekend, I might try a longer ride up to Granada Hills and back. We shall see.

TGIF, everyone! Make it a great weekend.

To Be Bespectacled or Not to Be Bespectacled

2010-04-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Seriously, that's the question.

I prefer to wear glasses on days when I'm not interested in wearing my contact lenses - either I wore them too long the day prior or I'd rather not be bothered. My optometrist said that my eyes are really dry and I need to invest in some re-wetting drops; until I remember the next time I'm at Target I've been making good use of my glasses. I love them so and would wear them everywhere if I could - but at the monetary rate they went for I am simply too afraid to think about riding my bicycle while wearing them. What if they fell off? What if my vision was so sharp that I got a headache? (It's happened before.) I can barely see without the aid of something, so to not wear them is not an option.

I happened upon an amusing interview from ESPN, talking with bespectacled BMX-ers about their experiences and perhaps considering alternative options. Naturally, some ride with; some ride without. Some say that as long as you're wearing a helmet they should stay on - something I never thought about, but it completely makes sense. Sadly, I can't find the continuing article that details experience of "some of the guys that used to rock glasses [who] have since moved on to other options", but in the meantime I guess I'll just accept that if they can wear their glasses while doing tricks, then I can wear mine while riding uphill both ways.

Now that I think about it, I could always invest in a glasses strap, perhaps one in a deep violet hue. Oh yeah, I'm totally feeling it now, especially since (per one of the guys) "when you're riding, [glasses block] out dust and debris from your eyes and you look sexy". Something tells me that I can function comfortably within that advantage.

Weekly Conundrum

2010-04-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

I love going to the local farmers market every Sunday. Rain or shine, at some point between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, you will find me there. While it's the promise of consistently good produce that keeps me coming back, it's also the sense of community, seeing familiar faces, knowing where my food is coming from. It just feels good, and I don't know how better to express it.

I walked there today, about a good quarter-mile from my house. After this weekend, I just wanted to make sure the ol' legs were still responding to messages from the brain. That and the weather was just great. Taking in the bright colors of the flora and fauna springing to life helped a lot as well. I normally ride my bicycle to the farmers market, but I'll have to admit that sometimes it's a bit of a pain. Not always, definitely not if I get there before 10:00. But today I got there at about 11:30 and, understandably, everyone wanted to get their goods for the week.

The Encino Farmers Market is actually met by a bike path and has signs surrounding it that encourage the use of bicycles:

The great people over at the Midnight Ridazz community have even put up one of these "Caution! Pass With Care" signs on the southeast side of Louise/Victory:

What makes me wonder is why with all the bike-friendly signage in the vicinity the only available bicycle parking is this (this being behind some petition tables positioned at a small entrance to the market, well away from where could be considered remotely accessible)?

Add that when the traffic getting in and out looks like this:

...and this:

...and that the state of the pathway looks somewhat like this (one of the good portions):

...it all can be made out to be something of a "why do I even bother" kind of situation. But I bother anyway, as it's a highlight to my week that I would rather take part in than not. Granted I walked today and there was a lot more honking and cars turning left instead of right out of the driveway than normal, but it was still a delight. The woman I get cara cara oranges from gave me a free avocado. I am not complaining.

My roommate has written emails about the bicycle parking situation, but that was about six months ago. Until then, we're making do (and enjoying the delicious fruits and vegetables while we're at it).

Bad Pain

2010-04-24T00:44:00.000-07:00

Today was not a great day. It started off great - a great workout, a stress-free ride home, some reading/writing/editing done, and the promise of an afternoon at Disneyland to sweeten the deal. I wore an excellent outfit and a smile on my face. At 70 degrees and sunny (and in being in the company with my father and younger brother) it was going to be a fabulous day to end a rather sub-par week. I was never more wrong in my life.

The afternoon quickly took a 180-degree turn en route to The Happiest Place on Earth when my lunch decided to come up in a brown paper bag. I was actually relieved, as I had felt queasy and hot in the car for the past thirty miles. What threw me off was when we got to Disneyland - I was ready to resume things and party down as I always do. But I didn't. I made a beeline straight to the Grand Californian Hotel restrooms and puked my guts out. Three times.

I had to assume this was a bad case of food poisoning. What else could it have been? I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. I'd not been having dreams of fish. An hour later I met with my brother in the Park to get some ice cream - figuring a scoop of rainbow sherbet might help things along. While in line, I took a sip of electrolyte-laden Gatorade in the hopes to replenish what I lost. A minute later, I ran to the restrooms by The Gibson Girl and proceeded to make out with the toilet.

I told my brother I'd be going to First Aid to lie down.

Two hours later, I felt worlds better. No queasiness, no nothing. A bit sore from the forward-moving/bending and morning workout, but no biggie. I felt like me again, and that's all that mattered. Crisis intervened, if not averted. The staff was even kind enough to provide a wheelchair for free (and two sick bags) if in the event that walking around made me feel sick.

I felt great, if not pathetic. Sadly we didn't go on many rides, with the exception of The Haunted Mansion. I even walked around a little bit and felt good. It wasn't until we were wheeling it to Fantasyland that my hips, lower back, and thighs started killing me. I attributed it to sitting down and voted for ditching the wheelchair, but for some reason we didn't. What if something happened? By the end of the night, however, I was writhing in pain during a showing of The Enchanted Tiki Room. I was not enchanted. I was in PAIN. I needed to leave. I needed to lie down. It was not funny anymore. This was at about 8:30 pm.

We thought we'd be heading out at about 9:30 pm, but it turns out our ride wasn't able to get there until 10:40 pm, so for an added hour and change I was in absolute, dizzying pain. I could not think. I swore uncharacteristically, pissing off my little brother. And after swirling a few sips of water around in my mouth (I was afraid to swallow), I made friendly with one of the sick bags. Needless to say, I was miserable.

On the way home I was able to stretch on the backseat of the car and sleep for a good 45 minutes. Having headed upstairs to call it a night, I find that while I am still sore, I feel relatively okay. I ate a bowl of cereal and drank water just to put something in my system, and everything has thankfully stayed down.

Now the question of the day: what was wrong with me? I really don't know what my body was telling me not to do, but this experience reminded me that sometimes sh*t happens and there is very little you can do about it except cry, swear, and later apologize. Especially with physical activities, sometimes it's going to hurt. The only real bad pain I've had as a result of cycling was when I fell really badly - twice. One time, I'd gone down a steep incline and inadvertently hit the brakes too hard, causing my bicycle to flip out from under me and land on top of me as I skidded down part of the hill. My right hip has two gnarly scars on it, and my abs felt like over-stretched rubber bands. The other spill involved me running off onto the dirt from a pavement path and wiping out like a loser - lovely road rash on my arm, and again the skin on my right hip tore. It was fabulous. Both times I went to work the next day. I really shouldn't have.

Sometimes you need to take a break. I don't plan on getting out of bed tomorrow for anything or anyone. No brunch, no bicycle ride, no nothing. Sometimes you need to exercise your right to chill out. I'm really upset that today turned out the way it did. And that's all I have to say about that.

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

Did you do anything special this Earth Day?

Last year I totally missed Earth Day. It's only now that I realize that it's Earth Day that I shouldn't have felt as bad as I did. Today I did nothing different than I already do - I rode my bike, I took mass transit, and I walked. I could have been greener, I realize; I could have limited today to just man-powered devices. I'll make a note of that - but for tomorrow, and not merely for Earth Day 2011.

Let's face it - one day will not do much to help with the globe's ailment other than raise awareness and incite good feelings. But, hey, that's the start/furthering of something positive, something proactive. While everyone goes to bed with a smile on their faces knowing they did something to help the state of the Earth, my fear is that things will go back to "normal" tomorrow, and the next day. So, I pose a question to you: what can we do everyday? What can we adjust with the goal of emitting less toxins than we are already? Hell, even if it's not toxins, can we lighten up on the electricity? The water? Admit it; whether reverting to sunlight until 6pm or limiting showers to ten minutes or less, every little bit helps.

Think back to elementary school. I remember my first grade teacher, Miss Pikes, telling us five-year-olds that the plastic rings on six-packs of soda cans can be dangerous to animals. Twenty years later and I'm still snipping each ring before I throw them out. The three R's are now Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and have been, again, for the past two decades. What do you remember?

So yeah, I didn't do anything different today. Nothing was uncharacteristic; nothing was a chore. Today is Thursday, April 22 - another day in another year. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Why I Will Not Be Seeing "The Losers"

2010-04-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

(Editor's note: If you haven't noticed already, I - like others - at times have strong, one-sided opinions on things I have no idea about. We all do, but at the same time we are all entitled, as long as we realize this fact. It makes us comfortable. It validates something, I guess. Naturally, most everything stated here is based on opinion and experience. I've never let anything get to the point of personal insult, and believe that in normal circumstances as long this unspoken rule is applied, anyone should be allowed a rant. That said, feel free to continue, and as always please take anything I say with a grain of salt.)

I have so far seen a few films this year that I thoroughly enjoyed - and by "thoroughly enjoyed" I mean that I didn't want to get up and walk around as a result of being antsy and irritated. I'm honestly not the biggest movie person you'll ever meet, but I pick potential favorites like I pick a pair of shoes or someone to get to know better - show me something good and (while never guaranteed) it's possible I'll buy. Favorites I have - Donnie Darko, Fight Club, Eraserhead, Little Miss Sunshine, Coraline and others - just don't ask me to be excited over, I don't know, Hot Tub Time Machine. I won't write it off completely but likely will enough to rent it eventually. There are still a number of films that I intend on seeing this year but as it has stood since I was last a hopeless doting fangirl, unless I expressly show interest I will likely want to do something else.

Therefore, as mentioned, I will not be seeing The Losers, the most obvious reason quite possibly being the trailer. Because of it I've already seen the best parts of the movie, and don't find it logical to spend $15 on a plot I'm no longer interested in seeing unfold. Also, like Wanted before it (the Fight Club rip-off that it is), I honestly can't believe that someone of Zoe Saldana's stature can kick ass in the way that she's supposed to - just like I couldn't believe Angelina Jolie's stunts. Both actresses are effing beautiful, have appealing figures and dirty mouths; I get that - that didn't keep me from laughing so hard during the latter film. I remember having received complaints from the neighbors. I share the same sentiment for Saldana as I did for Jolie: just have sex with the lead already and be done with it.

Aside from the fact that it looks super contrived and unnecessarily over-stylized (advertising is everything), the biggest reason I will not be seeing The Losers - at least in the theater - is because, well, I'd much rather throw my money towards one of these, or perhaps these. I really want new pedals and grips for my bike. Hell, I'd like a bowl of matzoh-ball soup from Greenblatt's or to get either my rook or daith pierced. You know what I'm saying? Any of the aforementioned is likely to be far more pleasurable an experience than sitting through a two-hour bleh-fest. The threat of a kick in the teeth would probably produce more adrenaline. Different strokes for different folks, I guess - and that's all I have to say about that.

I Like It Rough

2010-04-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I woke up just after noon feeling super sore. Sore toes, sore calves, sore knees... sore thighs, hips and waist. Sore shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists and jaw. No, I hadn't gone on a bicycle ride, or worked out (with the exception of a 5-mile run earlier in the day). I certainly didn't meet anyone special. Rather it was the collective result of a typical Saturday night involving friends, much laughter, and a pair of lace-up leather heels. Choose your own adventure, much?

Which brings me to the pain, the type that was very reminiscent of intense weekend bicycle rides that, admittedly, I haven't partaken in for quite some time. It's been hard getting people together and coinciding schedules, but to be honest there's no excuse not to get out there on my own. In training for next year's LA Marathon (I believe in taking my time), I've been running and building muscle, getting used to the good, deserving type of pain that requires a clench of the jaw, controlled breathing, and a deep stretch before bed. But there's nothing like the good pain of a long bicycle ride.

Although I haven't done so in a while, I enjoy that (with enough water and the right pair of Novara padded shorts) I can hop on and go for hours. I intend to do a 35-50-mile ride this weekend, and this is the event I'll be partaking in this June. Only 70 miles. Eventually I'll work my way up to 100.

I'd totally quote Madonna's "I'm Breathless" right now, but that might be toeing the line a little more than I originally intended.

It's A $in

2010-04-20T00:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not a fan of Ke$ha - not a real fan, anyway. I actually think aside from her hair, she has a very unkempt look and perhaps I could get an STD just looking at her. What a horrible thing to say, yes, but what can I tell you? She's grody. However, a few days ago I downloaded two of her singles - "Tik Tok" and "Blah Blah Blah", the former after its constant assault on the radio; the latter after watching Kevin of The Kevin and Bean Morning Show on KROQ's parody of just how effing ridiculous she is. And she is. I am not denying that fact.

I write music reviews and feature bands on semi-regular basis - schedule permitting - and as a result am open to new things. A lot of new things, however, sound the same, and Ke$ha is no exception. She's going for an edgy sound that falls short tremendously, causing everyone to write her off as delusional. Perhaps that's her goal? I've streamed the rest of her album Animal elsewhere, and it just gets worse... with the exception of "Backstabber". I don't know what to tell you, but as buzzed-in-the-club music, it works to a degree. Can you tell how confused I am?

That said, the two previously mentioned singles are great walking music - and I walk a lot. It's not necessarily dance music, but it's icky pop, and I don't know what to tell you (yes, I'm aware this is the third time I'm using this phrase) - the tempo for each song is about the same and the songs are so full of air that I can't put any lasting thought into dissecting them. I can't help but smile at how silly it all is, and what "talent" is now defined as. At the same time, her persona reminds me of the Facebook photos of some girls I knew and wanted to be when I was younger. Let's just say that the grass is dry and brown on the other side as far as I'm concerned. Ugh. Greasy hot mess.

Ke$ha needs to stay in the studio and never come out. (Some people might object to the first portion of that statement, but I digress.) If she were some faceless individual I might be able to tolerate what she and her people are going for, but the fact that she comes out trying to be an actual performer is what's sad and embarrassing. The troll belongs under the bridge. And that's all I have to say about that.

Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before?

2010-04-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've been taking the bus somewhat regularly for the past twelve years, starting when I got my first job as a student aide at age thirteen (previously mentioned in this post). Initially my mother would take me to work, but she understandably got tired of driving the ten or so miles - which I found interesting because she pushed me to apply for the job in the first place, but I digress. Long story short, for the benefit of both parties she taught me how to take the bus. She told me which one to take and at what time. She also told me to have a book handy if in the event that I got bored. The most invaluable piece of advice she gave was that I not draw undue attention to myself or talk to strangers. I took this as an opportunity to observe the hell out of who came through the doors at nearly every stop. This I could do. This I did, happily.

I grew familiar with a number of people in my first year on the bus: the older gentleman of about ninety with the jet black hair, the big n' tall woman who sometimes smelled of chicken noodle soup. One particular day in winter, however, a man came on the bus that I would never forget. His head was bald, his face shaven, the corners of his mouth soft and drooping. He was all dressed in dark blue save for a pair of brown shoes spotted with age. He carried a big rolling bin draped in a black plastic bag with a Linus-blue blanket on top of it. The handle had duct tape wrapped around and through it. That wasn't enough, of course - he wore a pair of yellow goggle glasses that literally magnified his eyes to the size of silver dollars. That day he stood in front of me, grabbed onto the bar overhead for balance and inadvertently or otherwise proceeded to bore out my soul as he towered over me. I was already tired and cold that morning, but at that moment, I quickly became frightened for my life.

Over the years we would see each other again - he would board the bus, and I would sit further away from the front, where he generally liked to sit or stand. This guy and I probably shared a space every day for the next five years thanks to that East-West bus each morning.

Fast forward another six years to 2010 (read: this morning) and to my taking a North-South bus as part of a regular commute. Who should I see board the bus just like it was yesterday? Creepy Mangnify-Eye Guy, that's who, except for one difference - he was wearing a khaki green hat. Still had the rolling bin. Still shaven, eyes still big as saucers. He could afford to be cleaner, but at least he looks healthy. Actually, he hasn't aged a bit. Perhaps he's Death.

What? You were expecting more?

A Pedestrian's Review of Kick-Ass (contains pseudo-spoilers)

2010-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

I saw Kick-Ass last night.

A lot of critics said that what really bothered them about the film was the fact that young people/children were shown killing relentlessly, and at a few points were being beaten to a pulp. To be completely honest, neither of those things bothered me. Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass/Dave Lizewski) and Chloë Grace Moretz (Hit Girl/Mindy Macready) handled their roles like pros. Seriously, everyone and their mother knows Moretz killed it. She's amazing. And no matter what anyone says, Johnson was great in his role. Of course it helps that I find him insanely attractive (those lips!; that hair!; those eyes!), but I digress.

So yeah, it wasn't the shootings through-the-skull/out-the-chin that bothered me, or somewhat watching a guy be microwaved to death (although, as a friend noted, I jumped at the blast). It wasn't Hit Girl calling the bad guys see-you-next-Tuesdays. It wasn't even Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong) later kicking the shizznit out of her that bothered me. Before I continue, I need to explain that I'm not an advocate of crass language or overt violence, but rather find it can be "appropriate" when "in context" (as "appropriate" or "in context" as one can get). I thoroughly enjoyed 300, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2, Sin City, Gangster No. 1, and all other such clever, bad-ass, blood-laden films. Don't dare ask me why. Don't criticize the directors, producers and screenwriters as to why. Do consider the R rating.

That said, there were two things that rattled me, at least longer than they probably were supposed to. One scene involved Nicolas Cage. The other involved a hit-and-run. Both scenes were painful to watch, but I'll leave it to your own devices to figure out which one bothered me more.

Rating: 9.75 out of 10

From the View of the Street, Part Two

2010-04-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

In addition to riding my bicycle, I utilize public transportation to get around, whether for responsibility or leisure. Sadly, Los Angeles doesn't have the most reliable or available or service, but for what it is, it's okay. I've been taking the bus regularly since I was thirteen - to school and to a part-time job with the LAUSD - so there's something to be said about its overall impact on my life. For instance, if people ask me how to get from Point A to Point B, I like that I can list off a few lines going in their direction. I like knowing this information myself. I also like the relative freedom of hopping on, taking a seat, and getting where I need to go.

For all the "no muss, no fuss" experiences I've had, there have been some serious "WTF?!" moments as well. This entry will cover some patrons' habits that - while extraordinarily general - fall in the middle. That fact, however, doesn't make them any less annoying and discourteous.

My biggest observational peeve involves those who take the outermost seat in each row of two seats. This I can understand if the bus is empty, but even then I don't really. Perhaps it's just preference, but I'd rather sit by the window so that should someone take a seat next to me, (a) I don't have to slide over and/or (b) they don't have to crawl over me. Which brings up another point - if you're not comfortable with being surrounded by people, then you might want to get a car. If you find yourself taking public transportation in Los Angeles for as many years as I have, you will inevitably experience having someone's crotch in your face, and it won't be mutual.

Pulling the cord for a stop shouldn't be complicated, but I can understand if you've forgotten your stop was coming up and you yank the thing with an unintended force. Realize, however, that pulling it once is all that's necessary. There are these flashing signs on the trains/buses now that say STOP REQUESTED, and for some reason in between flashes some patrons re-yank the cord with just as much gusto, sometimes causing the thing to break. I have been on buses before where the cord legitimately didn't work before, so at times it's justified - but in that case, a little "Driver, next stop, please" works just fine. And if he/she doesn't listen/didn't hear you, an impassioned "STOP!" never hurts either. I guess that's why they installed those red STOP buttons on the newer buses now. They got tired of people yelling at them.

I realize that we now live in a modern age where men don't have to necessarily be chivalrous, as in giving up their seats for women, women/men with children/shopping bags or the elderly - but I'm a 25-year-old woman who will give her seat up for a man who looks like he's 60. I will gladly stand unless he says no. My point is that it should be common courtesy to think of others. I guess that's what this whole thing is about, actually. Sometimes I admit to being a little aloof - either I've had a really crappy day or my iPod is turned up a little too loud - but it's rare that I miss out on an opportunity to make someone's moment a bit easier. It's my little give and take with the universe, what can I say?

To be continued...

From the View of the Street

2010-04-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

(Editor's note: I am writing this during the early hours of Tuesday morning and I have not yet gone to bed; therefore, it is still Monday in my mind. Forgive any references to "today" or "yesterday" as Monday and Sunday, respectively, as technically they will be one day behind.)

(That said, this is not an anti-car blog, neither is this an anti-car entry. I have owned two cars in the past, and one of these days life might result in my getting another car; I still have a driver's license in case of emergencies - I just believe that people sometimes forget how much control they actually have. Ironically, it has taken being a pedestrian and cyclist for me to realize that. These are observations on ridiculously haphazard driving habits that are considered by some to be normal. As BikeSnobNYC has so eloquently said, "idiots travel by foot, car, and bicycle"; rest assured that I have plenty of material lined up for the "foot" and "bicycle" portions, which will soon follow. Thank you for your understanding. Without further ado:)

Traffic-wise, the last two days have been particularly adventurous. Sunday brought the rain, while today threatened rain but instead brought pockets of unexpected traffic not abnormal in the West Valley[-ish area]. I'm not exactly certain what it is about either situation that brings the worst of driving habits out of people. While somewhat influenced by outward elements such as slick roads or too many cars, there is a degree of selfishness and disregard that seems to compete for being the utmost reason behind such habits. (Seriously, someone should make a bumper sticker that says something to the effect of "One a$$hole decision, a lifetime in traffic.") For example, it seemed during the last couple of days that most drivers were either not looking both ways (for other cars, pedestrians, or cyclists), were cutting in front of other cars, speeding towards stop signs (leaving skid marks and smelling of rubber), or trailing behind left-turning cars well after the opposing light had turned green. It was almost as if their inner jerk hadn't seen the sun for a while and was making up for lost time.

I appreciate being observant when it comes to driving trends and habits as much as I don't because it tends to anger me. Actually, what tends to anger me as much as frighten is when I see indicating factors that a car accident has ended on the sidewalk, not on the road - already horrible in itself. I recently saw one of those new bus benches - thick, ridiculously heavy beige plastic - smashed to pieces, bent, and broken. The middle seat was nowhere to be found. Now, I understand that life or the universe or God (or whatever) allows what eventually happens to happen (and should the worst happen we have to deal the best we can [if we survive]) - but when it boils down to it, we have a say as to whether the decisions we make are for the better of all or for the better of our need to get somewhere a little faster. That said, I'm so glad that I wasn't sitting on that bus bench. Blood belongs in the body, not on the pavement.

Cars are machines. They can be efficient modes of transportation, or they can be weapons. I have a feeling that if more people really and truly realized the power source behind the operating mechanisms (read: the general you) we would see a sizable percentage decrease in what are considered relatively avoidable accidents. Let's face it: such accidents are as much a result of oversight or being in the wrong place at the wrong time as they are a result of being a f#$!%ing jerk. The sooner the latter is realized and dealt with, perhaps more accidents can be avoided.

To be continued...

Warmer Weather Activities

2010-04-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try and fit in a long bicycle ride in before 8:00 tomorrow morning - not only because I want to get on with the rest of the day, but because it's getting rather warm this side of the Valley. Keep in mind that it's not yet mid-April. Soon will come the months in which it will be ill-advised to do any strenuous outdoor activity after 10:30 am on any given day. Bad air conditions, heat stroke, dehydration - you name it, and the Desert... erm, the Valley pretty much specializes in it.

One thing that I need to invest in before it's too late in the season is a bottle of sunblock. Every year I tell myself that I won't be in the sun for too long, which isn't a lie as much as it is a gross underestimation. When springtime rolls around it is mad playtime. I live for April through October because, naturally, when the working day is done, girls just wanna have fun - my only deal is being three different shades of brown until the season ends. Hence the need for sunblock.

If I could veer off topic facetiously for a second, for some reason it seems that the fact that people with more melanin tan is some sort of a newsflash (if only phrased in more ignorant terms). I only mention this because of the kick I got in elementary school when I was "educated" by some classmates that 'black people don't tan'. I remember looking at them like they were aliens, but still find it hilarious years later and therefore mention it when it's somewhat relevant. Yes, my skin tans, but I personally don't find it worthwhile to spend hundreds of dollars a year on it as a seasonal accessory. With that said, uneven skin tone will be the bane of my existence until kingdom come. No matter what I do, my face will be a different color from my abdomen until at least late October - unless I buy a jumbo-sized bottle of sunblock. Although, over the years I've gotten really good at explaining the flesh-colored bathing suit.

Among other things besides sunblock, at least twice the amount of water, electrolytes, and water-rich fruits or vegetables are good "must-haves" if you're taking a ride in the heat. Unless you enjoy the feeling of collapsing on hot asphalt, of course. Now that I think about it, hot days mean deliciously cool evenings and therefore refreshing night rides - so it might be worth it to save up all energy until twilight hits.

EDIT: Weather updates say that tomorrow will be cloudy and cool, mid-sixties-like. Thanks, universe!

Fascinating

2010-04-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

Recently I had mentioned there being an island close to Cancun that is car-free. I found some information - not on the island, but - on Vauban, a district in the city of Freiburg, Germany.

Here's a YouTube video:

Here's a Wikipedia link (jump here for 'Transport').

It's all so fascinating, the measures some cities have made towards smart planning. How do you find it - as a wave of the future, or a breath of fresh air from the past, per our very-easy-on-the-eyes The Resident reporter?

Centered

2010-04-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

My roommate got an idea from somewhere, I don't remember where exactly, to draw up a map of our neighborhood and to represent in some way a two-mile radius in all directions. So he did - as a result we've a modified Google map with a bright red circle therefore highlighting various places within "comfortable" bicycle-riding and/or walking distance. This so far includes (but is not limited to) the bank, the post office, a pet supply store, a few favorite restaurants, a few grocery stores, the every-Sunday farmers market. Again, I have no idea where my roommate came up with the idea, but it was a fabulous one. With its being stuck in plain view on the refrigerator, it serves as a good reminder of how possible it is to have one's life centered when it comes to the important things. Don't get me wrong; I like heading over the hill to Hollywood or the beach as much as the next person and manage to lead a life outside of my comfort zone. But in living in the Valley for the whole of my life and not really knowing what it has to offer, I've begun to like it more the more "limited" I've been. Surprises are found in holes in the wall, and in getting more acquainted with the Studio City area (a favorite, quite naturally), I've found it a little less imperative to head over the hill as often. At the risk of sounding redundant, it's a little like being over the hill without being over the hill - hip, chill, posh, and all other such loaded adjectives - except things still close around 9:00 or 10:00 pm, which I've always found insanely weird. Oh well, their businesses, their rules.

Still feeling torn when it comes to investing in four wheels, although not really. Yes, I'm referring to a car, not a Radio Flyer wagon, and therefore a never-gonna-happen these days due to unpredictable funds and exhaust fumes. Besides, I'm still loving the sweet smell of spring to be bothered [too much].

Women and Bicycles, Part Two

2010-04-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

To be honest, I wasn't aware that the first of these entries was a Part One, but after biking to the market today, I couldn't help touch on the subject of wanted and unwanted attention.

Sunday is my "get everything done" day, from grocery shopping to cleaning to taking out the trash to appearance-maintaining - all the things that need to get done to make the week run smoother. I'd already done the aforementioned with the exception of heading down to Trader Joe's via bicycle. Usually I like to be done with shopping by 2pm, but due to other pressing matters (read: sleep) I headed out a little later than intended. I hopped on the bike at around 4:30 pm, noting it was a bit chillier than usual when I noticed two guys on bicycles heading up behind me. I was naturally a little surprised but kept on riding. All of a sudden I heard a distinct "Wooo! Girl, I like your booty! I LIKE YOUR BOOTY!" I made a right on the next street.

Normally this doesn't bother me, but for some reason it did, as it invaded my space. I remember one time being told by some guy as I was mounting my bicycle that my thighs were 'thick and luscious'. My face was flushed out of anger and embarrassment, to be honest. First, no woman likes for her thighs to be described as thick, especially by a stranger. Second, the resulting responsive feeling was not one of flattery. It was eerily akin to the one time my ear was tongued out of left field in a club on New Year's Eve one year - I mean, really! Who was this guy?! Anyway, I eventually made it to Trader Joe's, but when locking up my bicycle I realized I'd left my wallet at home. So I bicycled back, grabbed it, and headed back. By the time I got there, the store had closed. Damn you, Easter Sunday. I didn't even get off of my bicycle.

Turning around, I headed back up the street and decided to sprint it back, just for fun. Rising body temperature cutting through cold air is always a thrilling sensation. Whoops, hollers, and whistles cutting through my euphoric space, however, aren't so much. Considering that I was wearing jeans, a bulky sweater, very little makeup and a helmet, I just don't know how anyone could find me attrac-- wait, let me re-phrase. How do you want me to react, gentlemen? Do you want me to give you my number? Take off my clothes? Drop it like it's hot? I mean, I know that people look, especially on warmer days and in tighter clothing, but I'll take the double-take over anything else any day. But I guess you can't help people, and you can't help what attention you get.

It's just so as;dl;ksflsk;'lk sometimes.

Letting Off Steam

2010-04-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

This might not make sense to some of you, but it will make sense to others. Trust me, if you don't have a car and at times rely on public transportation in the Valley north of Ventura Blvd you'll understand what I'm venting about.

Metro is generally great when it comes to the Orange, Red/Purple, Blue, Green and Gold lines, but it's a constant fight when it comes to local buses. I try to avoid them at all costs, finding that my legs and bicycle are far more reliable at times. Still, when it's the only option, it's the only option. Sometimes I'm surprised at having a stress-free ride, but the only time that happens is when I'm not pressed for time. I often (daily) wonder how Los Angeles and its surrounding cities can call itself a city and still have at times a crappy execution of service. I'm venting, and since I'll be on a roll I'm throwing in some non-MTA material as well...

1. Connecting buses and their operators - if you see a bus has stopped at a red light and you have stopped at the connecting bus stop, why not wait a minute or two for the first bus to potentially let passengers off so they can cross the street to get on your bus instead of having to wait another 40 minutes?

2. Very happy to see the prominently placed bike lane on Reseda Blvd; bravo. Now, why does the 741 Rapid not operate on Saturday/Sunday? There are a million people looking to get somewhere every day of the week, not just Monday through Friday. While I understand the underlying logic, I don't understand the lack of availability. Sure, the 240 is operating, but not often enough. (This sentiment also applies to some lines stopping service just before 9:00 pm during the week.)

3. North/South buses tend to run very few and far between - not just on the weekends, but during the week. In fact, during the weekend I just pretend they don't exist. I am extremely thankful that where I generally need to go requires an East/West bus (whether heading to Hollywood or Woodland Hills), but good grief, man.

4. I find it a little ironic that the area bordering Warner Center Transit Hub has the most ill-paved streets and sidewalks. It is a deadly feat to bicycle on Canoga Ave between Owensmouth and Oxnard, and to be honest it is a real shame. It is literally right around the corner from the Hub. Also, the "I've a Lexus; hear me roar" mentality in the vicinity of Topanga Canyon Blvd/Victory is just... I don't know. You couldn't pay me to bicycle on Topanga. I'd be asking to die.

5. And finally, the problem of congestion. No one likes to ride in a bus that jam-packs patrons like sardines, but when you have to be somewhere, there's little to no choice. People have to be places; they're going to be pissed if they have to wait for the next bus. I remember one summer afternoon heading home from work at about 2:00 pm and the bus was already filled to capacity. The operator had to drive past a stop crawling with people; it was so sad. This bus in particular was running every 30 minutes that day - is that hint enough that there should be a touch more frequency? I mean, just a touch?

These are pretty much rhetorical questions, but if anyone would like to answer/discuss/vent, please do. I normally don't complain about Valley public transportation, because when it's good, it's exceptional. But when it's bad, it sucks like you wouldn't believe.

Mind-Altering States... of Mind

2010-03-31T21:04:00.001-07:00

Back in Los Angeles. I didn't ride the bike today; I feel rather run over and bushed. I might or might not ride tomorrow, depending on how tired I am. For comfort's sake, I prefer to keep two feet on the ground until my head feels less foggy.

I did experience an increase in energy when my friends met me at the Flyaway, but after it had subsided I seriously contemplated staying in bed all afternoon. I'd have been perfectly content with that. Then I realized that perhaps indulging in a healthy dose of emerging sunlight would help cut through the muck. So I walked about two blocks to the corner market, on a mission to fill the frigidaire with foods corresponding with the rainbow-array diet I've grown accustomed to, and ultimately to put my body through the lifestyle-oriented detox it so desperately needs.

I so love vacationing with family, but it tends to result in ingesting copious amounts of mind-numbing, liver-hardening substances - and quite honestly, I never refuse. It's pretty much an annual faux-Rumspringa. Thankfully, one drink doesn't lead to five like it used to when I was younger; my limit is generally two. Still, I always feel like such crap afterward... goodness knows how many cups of black tea and electrolyte supplements it will take to balance my system. (However, I confess: I kind of dig the break-down and repair process. More on that in the not-so-distant future.)

If you haven't guessed, this is in some way related to cycling. Can you see where it's going?

(ahem) Let me drag you by the hand to the subject of drinking while riding one's bicycle and how I don't understand it. Like I'm some saint, though - on one party ride last year I was guilty of having one sip of the worst hard cranberry-lemonade leading to perhaps the most ill-gotten buzz, what with the impeding headache and awful taste in the mouth. All I can say is that alcohol can't possibly be worth the aforementioned unpleasantness or the screwing with overall operation and safety. Drinking and riding isn't as huge a problem in some circles as it is in others, but if I've said it once I've said it a million times: if you're going to advocate for the recognition of a known fact (read: that bicycles are vehicles) then you might not want to drink during the act. I'm looking at you, hipsters with your Pabst Blue Ribbon (I have to thank Bike Snob NYC for that one). A DWI and penalty fine's going to clash horribly with your red sneakers. Couple that with the alarming rate of people who go without their helmets, and you've a layered discussion that will bleed its way into a few posts.

It's all so exciting!

On the Familiar Note of Travel

2010-03-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Apparently there's an island resort off the coast of Cancun where cars are illegal. However, you can walk, ride bicycles, or ride around in golf carts.

I'm intrigued and want to learn more. Does anyone have an idea what the name of this resort might be?

Am heading home tomorrow, facing another seemingly long day of travel. The flight itself will only take 4.5 hours, but it'll take just over eleven in total travel time. It's tiring me just thinking about it... isn't it funny that - even after a few days' vacation - one can still be so, so tired?

(welcome to adulthood)

Women and Bicycles

2010-03-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

In my experience, a person riding a bicycle can be a rare sighting. Therefore, as you can probably imagine, a woman riding a bicycle can be even more rare.

My friend and I have been known in the recent past to ride in organized bicycle rides as part of the Midnight Ridazz community (Pedal Punx and Critical Mass being favorites), and honestly speaking, the ratio of women to men is rather low. The ones that are present will automatically get more attention than, say, the guy with the double decker tandem bike. She will be stared at, but not approached. She will probably be the one person who the clerk at 7-11 will let use the employee restroom because she doesn't have the equipment to whip it out behind a garbage bin (based on a true story). We've gone riding in all seasons, often at night until the early hours of the morning. The party rides, what with the music and colorful characters, are always super fun. As a single woman I try to get away with wearing as short a skirt or figure-hugging an outfit as possible just to see who stares (but, of course, will not approach). I always kept thinking that such rides would be great places to meet people but like most of life's arenas, it seems that everyone is window-shopping but not looking to buy.

Most times I feel rather sexy on a bike. There's just something about powering through with one's own relative strength, being kissed by the sun and eased along by the breeze (I <3 U, spring weather). I've pretty much been riding everywhere for the last two years - when working, to work; to school; to the bus station; to the farmers market; to my folks' house. I don't know everything about how bicycles work nor will I pretend to, but getting my hands covered in grease as a result of fixing my chain is a badge of honor in its own weird way. I like the way my legs pulse after a thirty-mile ride as much as the next person; I enjoy climbing hills; I'll even accept the battle scars of a sick fall down an intimidating incline.... it's only when people mention that I'm a woman that makes it something out of the ordinary, more noticeable than intended. But really the only difference between myself and a man is that if a fall causes my bike's frame to slam against the precious area between my legs, it's likely that I'll still be able to bear children...

Anyway, I really just wanted to set the stage for what will surely be future discussions, which I will gladly continue at a later time.

Report

2010-03-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

I saw one bicycle parked outside a Costco in Missouri. By the way, I find it interesting that you can walk in any Costco in any city in the country and automatically feel at home. But I'll admit that unless there's a coast involved, I'll probably have no idea where I am.

According to my brother-in-law, there is no public transportation where we are currently - no bus, not even in the main parts of town. There is a train stop down the road, but it's non-commuter; mostly for deliveries or passing through. We've been fishing and drinking, and I love it. We're taking a break until it stops raining. Until then, my nephew and I are taking in some of Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies (this one and this one in particular). His reactions are priceless.

Torn

2010-03-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

I would like to buy a car.

Wait... let me back up.

I would like the relative freedom to go wherever I want or need to go at any time of the day or night. I would like to not "depend" on others (those who I am expressly appreciative of) when it is too late or too wet to attempt to get home. For you, I gladly shower you with gas money, buy you drinks and/or do your dishes. You're simply the best.

In contrast, I don't want to be fighting in rush hour traffic with other drivers who are trying to inch into the tiniest of spaces. I don't want to come out to my car and find a dent that was obviously not there when I went into the store. I don't want to deal with tail-gaters, I don't want to pay for parking, exorbitant insurance rates, and seemingly never-ending car notes.

I do want a car one of these days, and I intend on purchasing one next year (I've been saying this for five years, by the way). I only anticipate that one day the job description might call for one; until then, I am making do and am actually in love with Los Angeles as a weird result. I think I'd just be very interested one day to see what attitude change this bustling city would undergo if, say, turning 16 didn't necessarily mean "let's go get my permit and look at cars" along the lines of "look Ma, I'm on my way to being a grown-up".

Just an observation.

Rehash and Document

2010-03-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

So tonight I'll be boarding a plane heading to Nebraska for a few days to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. My older brother will be flying out from New York, and even with my flying out from LA with a layover, we somehow managed to schedule our arrivals within one minute of each other. We're just that cool. Anyway, East and West will be meeting in the Midwest for some food, fun, and family. I truly don't think I would ever have imagined that I'd be going to Nebraska, but what can I tell you - recent life has been all about firsts.

Lately I've been doing an informal photo project documenting bicycling in Los Angeles - sights from certain rides I've been on, the state of bike paths, street sign verbiage - you name it, I'm capturing it. But what has been getting more of my attention is the poor lock-up job people have been doing to their bicycles in public places, most especially on my university's campus. I mean, I used to be one of "those people" who would lock just their frame or their front wheel to a bike rack, but I've since invested in a cable lock (and found one buried in my closet, schwing!) and now feel worlds more confident about the security of my bicycle than ever. There's a lot of education to be had on the subject, apparently... I intend on helping to get it out there. Why yes, I have more than touched on this subject before - feel free to check it out here.

This all leads pretty much to what I'd like to do in Nebraska if I have the time - documenting the bicycle life in Falls City (population: approx. 4000). My assumption is that since it's such a small city that people are probably walking or perhaps making use of some alternative form of transportation - a bicycle, perhaps? - until they must absolutely utilize four wheels. I wonder if or how I will be proven wrong. I'm sure it'll be fascinating either way.

P.S. Hey, look at what I found!

Disregard

2010-03-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

On the way home from errands today, I noticed a totaled car on the side of the road. It looked like it had been pushed up onto the sidewalk as the result of an impact. I tried to think another possible scenario to explain the sight - maybe there was an accident and the car was pushed over to the side. But outside of that, what other scenario could there be? It literally looked as if the car was parked on the side of the road, erratically hit by another, and left for the owner to come back to.

If that was the case - and I really hope it wasn't - it doesn't surprise me. Why would anyone want to stick around if they caused such damage to another's property? The whole thing brought to mind the issue of hit and runs involving cyclists, and the total disregard when it comes to fleeing a scene. It doesn't surprise me that people don't take hit and runs seriously when it comes to flesh and blood operators, much less their metal encasements (if any are present).

There are so many stories about drivers getting away with damaging property and taking lives if not violently throwing a wrench in them. While the act itself may be an accident, the act of fleeing is deliberate, whether or not it's done out of fear. In such cases, the fleeing party should be prosecuted, or at least the case should be further investigated. The party who got hit - if they're lucky to have survived - shouldn't track down who hit them because the police department did not take their case seriously enough. I don't say this much, but this is America, people! As cyclists we take pride in our strength but we are still vulnerable. It reminds me of when I'm stopped at a light with drivers, who at times rev their engines and speed off when it turns from red to green. You're in a car, and I'm on a bicycle; of course you're going to go faster than I am. So naturally if a car hits me, who do you think is going to suffer the brunt of the damage?

Thankfully the LAPD is taking steps to bridge their relationship with cyclists instead of burning it down completely. I have to ask, though: if it weren't for the many advocates and citizens who made themselves heard, how long would it have taken, how many more people would have been injured, and how many more would have died until someone paid attention?

I hope I'm wrong about the aforementioned scenario I observed today. Even more so, I hope that LAPD one day proves me wrong and makes a firm promise about how seriously they will take hit and run cases.

Sources: LA Streetsblog

You Are What You Eat

2010-03-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

How many times since elementary school have we been told to eat five a day, get 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, and drink at least eight glasses of water? By now it should be part of our lives as breathing and wearing clothes, but national health reports will tell you differently.

I used to weigh 170 pounds, none of it being muscle. The fifteen-year-old I was then wouldn't have ever imagined to be a slightly muscular just-above-120 with no real obligation to the scale anymore. But like most every woman in Los Angeles, I am preoccupied to some degree by the circumference of my thighs. It just is what it is. However, as an active person trying to maintain performance ability, I can't think too much on looks alone. In an effort to balance the scales (figuratively speaking) I've decided to take on The Daily Plate at Livestrong.com again.

Livestrong.com is a [free!] community resource on all things nutrition, fitness, and health. Last year a few friends and I tried it out with different goals - some of us wanted to eat better, others wanted to lose weight - but of course we all were faced with the potential mistake of not looking at it as a lifestyle change. Realistically, if you're aiming for a clean-running engine or to modify your body outside of subdermal implants and enlarged lobes, that's the way you have to look at it.

In anticipation of warmer weather activities, I've started and modified a number of new workout plans. What I wasn't expecting was for my body to respond in ways that I wasn't previously used to (retaining uncomfortable amounts of water the biggest one). Despite the hard work, I can't say for sure that I've lost weight or inches thus far, although I feel and look more solid. But like last year, I'm going in with the goal to be more in tune with my body and make good nutritional decisions. It's not like I eat crap to begin with. I eat organically, with complex carbs thrown in, every 2-3 hours, minimum 64 ounces of water. It's just that I've just been a fan of the occasional kamikaze and slice of tiramisu in recent weeks (and as we learned yesterday, I could probably stand to sleep a little more).

So starting today I'll be keeping myself in check by entering foods, supplements and drinks, etc., into the application - from gold star achievements to caloric indiscretions. I hope to do a top-notch job athletically in coming months as a result, whether running or cycling. And if I get a better-looking body out of it, even better. Goodness knows I don't have the money for elective surgery.

Feel free to join me and several others!

Photo via extension.unh.edu

I Want to Ride it Where I Like

2010-03-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

I rode my bike almost twenty miles today. There was a time when that was considered to be "not enough", but... well, I have a confession to make. The minute I got home from my ride I went upstairs and took a nap.

Now this could very well have been a spell of residual tiredness from the very exciting weekend that only a short skirt and pair of violet faux alligator heels can bring, but either way I was bushed. I have ridden 30+ miles, half-centuries, and from Azusa to Long Beach without feeling sore the next day. Why today was any different I don't know.

I try to average five to six days of cardiovascular exercise and weight training, considering myself to be very active. In addition to cycling, I also run, doing more of the latter lately than the former. But what I've realized is the truth in that the physical strengths resulting from one activity differ greatly from the other. Sure, the types of endurance built by either or both rely on similar muscle groups and techniques - but running five miles isn't the same as riding ten miles.

One of my future goals is to run in the LA Marathon, perhaps next year. Since I've a longer history in cycling than running, however, I intend on doing the 100-mile portion of the LA River Ride this year (read: June 2, 2010). In preparation for it, the tentative plan is to ride every day if possible - doing longer rides on the weekends (40-50 miles a pop) and eventually increasing to 70-75 miles in one go, so that when I do the hundred, it will be the first time accomplished. With about two-and-a-half months to train, nutrition-wise and physically, I think it can happen.

In short, I seriously want to justify taking a nap.

Photo via readingclassic.com

The Way She Moves, The Way She Walks

2010-03-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, whenever I took the bus it was very rare that I wasn't in a rush to actually enjoy the ride. Either the bus would come too late, not at all, or break down two miles from work, therefore making the usual commute an abnormally high-stressed point in the day. My schedule is a little less pressing these days, but I still appreciate that commuting by bus means getting from Point A to Point B while simultaneously reading or putting on make-up without angering other drivers. Also, my inner social observer is gifted an all-access visual pass to people-watch. From style of clothing to accessories to the amount of dirt accumulating underneath the nails - resulting in thoughts ranging from "WTF?!" to "ooh-lala" - the writer side of me is always inspired, with a potential character born every ten minutes.

That said, I can't help but think that constant exposure to people in such a confined space makes me a little more observant than usual and therefore more sensitive to trends and styles that people would normally let slide. Take the pre-faded, pre-worn shirt or pair of jeans look, for example. We all know that there is nothing vintage about a faux vintage Justin Bieber t-shirt. You can't faux-vintage a sixteen year-old dreamboat's image in 2010, unless that dreamboat is Corey Haim (may he rest in peace). Another trend perhaps would be the bouffant, especially when assisted by the Bumpits. Holy hell. An irrational waste of plastic.

But all in all, a quick change in expression, mannerisms, reactions, the way one shifts their weight when the bus jerks suddenly - it's kind of fascinating. In a way it makes me miss New York. In visiting the city one to two times yearly, I've grown fond of the variety of people - age-wise and social class-wise - and at times the corresponding fashion. Who's reading what, who's rocking what. However, I have friends who for some reason say you can't miss somewhere you've never lived before. Of course I disagree, but that will have to be elaborated upon at a later time.

And, oh, the inevitable, sustainable love/hate relationship with lots of bodies packed into a small space. I remember my heart beating out an interesting rhythm while in line for the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland once; rush-hour knows how to push the panic button just as hard. When wedged in like sardines after a long day only to crawl down the street and stop at another bus stop and to pick up more souls, crawling even further until one must push their way out the doors as if shopping at Macy's on Black Friday - it's all a bit ridiculous and should inspire a more concerted look at the frequency of buses. I truly believe that every thirty minutes isn't enough. Why not every fifteen (and why not after 9:00 pm? Okay, all right; one issue at a time).

Apparently I could go on. Rather, I should probably invest in a red pocket-sized notebook and pull a Chelsea Handler, making note on the details of my orange-boxed, florescent-lighted life instead of my horizontal life.

Photo via safran-arts.com

Morbid Curiosity

2010-03-19T00:04:00.001-07:00

I think the smartest piece of advice I ever received from a friend was the following: ride your bicycle like someone is going to kill you.

Before I am misquoted, I did not say "ride your bicycle today as if it's your last". While that would be more poetic and ideal, what I actually said was: "Ride your bicycle like someone is going to kill you." However morbid a thought, it is packed with truth, and I find myself thinking this often while riding. Let's just face it head on - whether on foot or atop wheels, not everyone is paying attention. You could be wearing the brightest shade of orange, looking every which direction and using all available common sense - but all it takes is one person to pick something out of their teeth and therefore mess up your day.

I prefer to ride in the street wherever I go because for all intents and purposes a bicycle is a vehicle. I really think that cycling on the sidewalk is a dangerous preference, but I also believe that it is more dangerous to put yourself in what you believe to be harm's way. So while directed primarily at those who ride their bicycles in traffic, everyone of all backgrounds can benefit from this hammering of information. Now, without further adieu:

1. Stay out of the door zone. Staying out of the narrow area between parked cars and the right lane - the door zone - will give you enough room to avoid any collision with the swinging open of one's driver side door. It also allows for room to move a little to the left if any cars start edging out.

2. Look over your shoulder. If you don't have a rearview mirror device tacked onto either your helmet or handlebars, go about it old school and briefly look over your shoulder for oncoming traffic before you make a move out into the crosshairs.

3. Look ahead. With or without use of a vehicle's turn signals, one should be able to at least have a good idea of what a car is going to do before it does it just by the way it's moving. Is it slowing down? Is it coming to a corner in general? Is it not stopping? As an aside, viewing most driving as unpredictable will actually make riding with, in, and around through and intersecting traffic more predictable. Look at least two driveways ahead and down the street long before you get to it. And for the lovely alleyway between buildings/homes - slow down, or better yet, stop.

4. Look everyone in the eye. Example: when coming out into an intersection while an oncoming car is inching rapidly into its left turn, look the driver in his/her eyes. Why? For two reasons: number one, the expressions are generally priceless. But more importantly - and therefore number two - you are seen by the to-be offender. They acknowledge your existence and are either forced to stop, recognize an error in haste, or both. (Hopefully.) And while they still might inadvertently try to kill you in some other instance, you'll still have the satisfaction of knowing that you were seen.

5. Check for signs that a parked car will be moving. Reverse lights, brake lights, a slight puff of exhaust and a silhouette of a head above the driver-side head rest are all surefire signs that a parked car might be gearing to go and quite possibly not see you when they pull out into traffic. Points 1., 2., and 3. will help in this case. With enough space to stay/get out of the way, allowing for other cars to pass, if any, and spotting the car from a block away, you will be able to get out of the way without a scratch.

Aside from the blatantly obvious - not running yellow-red lights, learning/using hand signals, the use of head and rear lights (which should be built-in at this point, but what do I know) and staying away from dark clothing at night - I find that that basic tips like these find their tried and true place in a number of bicycling situations. Whether riding on designated bike paths or commuting in light to heavy traffic - rinse, repeat, and use daily.

Photo via treehugger.com

Bikes, Peds, and the MTA - Oh My

2010-03-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

This month I purchased a bus pass. I anticipated that I'd be doing a lot more commuting than I had been in recent months, so it only made sense. I've also been battling some sort of sinus infection for the last week, so I'd figure I'll take it easy. The only drawback is that I haven't on my bicycle nearly as much as I like to be. However, I predict that I will soon enough. Honestly, once the relative cold and fickle rain leads into warm springtime temps, I'll be back on the bicycle quicker than you can say Midnight Ridazz.

So enters my love/hate relationship with the Metro Transit Authority. I'm rather thankful that there are other means of transportation outside of a personal automobile. I find that commuting by bus gives me time to enjoy things - reading, for instance. People-watching. Thinking. Those sort of things. I met with friends at the Getty Museum on Saturday, which was actually a pleasant experience - two buses in under an hour and I was there. It was surprisingly a satisfactory experience.

The only thing I don't enjoy is when buses come either too early or too late (or not at all), or too infrequently, or stop running after 9:00 pm. I understand that the Valley isn't Ventura Blvd or Hollywood, but I still hold to the viewpoint that if there are people, there needs to be transportation beyond the spectrum of 5am and 9pm. For now, that's all I have to say on the subject.

I hope to make more frequent entries now that I've opened up the lines of discussion to "other than bicycles". The wheels tend to run a bit better when lubricated with all-encompassing point of view.

Simple Pleasures

2010-02-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

My boyfriend's back. He's got the truck, so now it's just me and the bicycle. Rather conveniently, it's supposed to rain consistently next week, but I'm a trooper. It won't faze me much if it's just drizzle. Slight drizzle is as good as refreshing as a tall glass of water and its variants. And if not, then oh well.

I love my bicycle. Although I had the option of four wheels for the past two weeks, outside of stocking up on toilet paper and cat litter I rode my bicycle where I needed to go. The temps have been in the mid-seventies with very low wind-resistance, so despite any early morning grogginess, every ride has been a great one.

In the last two weeks I've realized the strength of my legs, oddly having moved faster and with more strength than ever (perhaps a way of resisting the urge to be sedentary). I've also found that it took a lot less time to get where I needed to go by bicycle than by truck, and not once did I shell out one cent that I haven't already spent on parking. Of course every mode of transportation has its time, place, and benefit (I love taking the train when I can - Pacific Surfliner represent), but I'd be lying if I said it didn't please me to no end knowing that a hop, beeline, and snap of the lock at times meant a quicker arrival than a firing of the engine and incidental rock star parking.

Life's simple pleasures, indeed.

Photo via smallsight.wordpress.com

Two vs. Four

2010-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

I didn't ride my bicycle today. I was far too tired. With a pseudo-hectic schedule (imposed by others and myself), life has simply caught up with me. I'm never prepared for its arrival; therefore, I'm exhausted. Not many people would find that enough of a reason to not ride their bicycle, but... well, let's just say that I've been awake for six hours and I'm still cutting through the grogginess of early AM on nearly seven hours' sleep. Unwarranted.

So I decided to drive my boyfriend's truck today. When I started the engine, I couldn't help but wonder about something that's a been a bit of a back-and-forth self-debate for a few years. Before I begin, I'd like to preface with a quote byBikeSnobNYC, that "idiots travel by foot, car, and bicycle". No one is exempt.

Driving isn't necessarily a brainless activity. I would like to think that in the most ideal of situations all drivers are paying attention and have their wits about them (a fantasy, at best). In my cycling ventures I've noticed the following [what I call typical] symptoms of Vehicle Acclimation: delayed reactions, instances of alarm, tail-gating, brake-happiness, and speed-OD'ing. There's always one that will mess it up for everyone.

Oddly enough, in situations where I feel less than on I've found that driving or taking public transportation is a plan B that rarely fails, at least when it comes to my standard of comfort. I've never found driving to be all that difficult. In some cases, for lack of a better phrase, it's like riding a bicycle - hop in and go. Contrary to what some say, driving is not rocket science (beware anyone who thinks it is). God forbid you must think to parallel park or make a u-turn, but on the general whole, if you've your senses there is no reason that a car cannot be an efficient mode of transportation. Unfortunately, not all of us are that gifted.

I will never say that I'm the best driver in the world, but I'd like to think that having been a pedestrian for, I don't know, ever and a cyclist for the last few years has helped me with driving in ways that I couldn't imagine if I never had the exposure. On a bicycle you can be booking - especially downhill, especially in traffic - and booking on two wheels in a precarious situation is often as intimidating as it is exhilirating - and it's just as exciting the second and third time as it is the first. It only makes you want to climb higher and go faster. But if I didn't make good use of my peripheral vision, obey traffic laws or exercise overall caution, I'd probably have broken both my legs by now.

I don't know if many strictly-drivers can say that, but why would they? I can understand how the thought wouldn't have need to arise unless one was in an accident or ever has a close-call. Driving/being driven is comfortable, yet I appreciate knowing what it feels to be vulnerable. I don't have to get in an accident to do better, and my reflexes are sharp enough that - in not having steadily driven for six years - I can hop behind the steering wheel of a rarely-handled Ford F150 and not freak the frak out.

Now before you get all up in arms, trust me when I say that if my boyfriend were not in New York and didn't leave me his truck, I would have ridden my bicycle today. I suppose the purpose of this is also to say that no matter the circumstance - if it's "too cold", "too wet", or you're "too tired" - you should never feel bad for relying on a plan B, even if when you look back on it in hindsight you could've ridden your bicycle without a hitch. And in the meantime, use any and all "vulnerabilty" to your advantage, because it will only make you more badass.

Happy cycling~

Do You Love Your Bike?

2010-02-04T11:42:00.001-08:00

This is a question that has been nagging me for the past three weeks. I would like to direct this question to anyone and everyone - but most especially university students. My mother works at CSUN, and living close by I try to have lunch with her a couple of times a week. In my heading up there, I've noticed that it's very much the bike-friendly environment as it's always been - so much that even I can overlook the multitude of riders who decide to go without a helmet. Small potatoes; their brains, not mine. What I am least enthused about, though, is the way a lot of students have been securing their bicycles - or rather, have thrown caution to the wind and forgone any real sense of security whatsoever.

CSUN is in the north Valley and has a lot of security, a fact that I believe has bred a common line of thinking: that there are so many bicycles on campus; who'd want to take the time to steal my bike? I can kind of understand that. I can understand also that when late for class, sometimes you might only have time to throw a u-lock on the front tire and slide into a seat. There also might be the reasoning that as long as the bike's got a lock on it, it's locked up - plain and simple.

Now, the latter reasoning makes absolutely no sense to me. Whether you've a cable, a u-lock, or a chain - if you're merely locking the front tire to a rack, your bike isn't properly locked up. And while I can understand throwing on a lock quickly to make it to class - I'd rather be two minutes late then know that I did a half-assed job at making sure my mode of transportation was locked as best as possible.

If one has gone long enough without the threat of their bicycle being stolen, I can understand the thought of not finding it absolutely necessary to buy a second lock for the rear wheel and frame. It wasn't long ago that I slacked in effort when locking up my bicycle, and even now I sometimes question whether I'm doing it "correctly". I do know that it would break my heart of my bike went missing, or any part of it. Wheels, seat; you name it, heart crushed. Besides, I'd have to figure out how to get home. Then I'd feel stupid.

Whatever one does and wherever one goes, one should be able to leave their bicycle parked without any real nagging doubt that someone will take their ride home. I don't think anyone wants to be the person whose bike went missing because it was just too easy. At least if you did everything right and for some freak reason it still went missing, the plaguing thought of blatant naivete will be a lessened issue. Sure, you'd have to figure a way home, but at least a guilty conscience wouldn't follow.

Perhaps it's only me, but nothing these days is more pleasing to the eye than a well-locked-up bicycle. It's a sign that someone's been paying attention, which I wish wasn't as few-and-far-between a sign of intelligence as it has become.

Surely there's a remedy somewhere for this?

Photo by gruber via Flickr

Remain Seated Please

2010-02-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

I found the bicycle parking at Disneyland yesterday.

On the east side of the Resort towards the hotel trams and to the far right of the dog kennels there lies - well, not a ton of bike parking, but enough for the one in 2,000 people (or less) who might ride their bicycle to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Disneyland is approximately 48 miles from where I live. I have biked a half-century (50 miles) before, and from Azusa to Long Beach (approximately 59 miles), so the idea of bicycling to Disneyland isn't that far a stretch. With my friends' friendly competition for the month of January having come to a recent close, I for sure know that I am comfortable in riding relatively long distances, having cycled at times almost 40 miles a day. I only hope to be riding a lot more during the month of February.

I just don't know at this point of anything more than 60 miles in a day. With the round-trip distance to the Disneyland Resort totaling nearly 100 miles... well, let's just say that I've not yet trained for a century or greater. It's not that I couldn't or wouldn't do it. I would never have thought I'd have ridden my bike to the city of Paramount from Griffith Park, or across the way from the Queen Mary herself. I've been inspired by the great weather we've been having lately;. At this point, bicycling to Disneyland is merely a fun thought

Still, 2010 so far has been all about trying something different, or at least working with a new approach instead of the old and stagnant. So here's the deal, then: I will work out a feasible route and set a goal for, say, early spring to ride on down to Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. (I'm actually a little surprised in perusing teh interwebs that someone hasn't mapped out a route already. Looks like I'm own my own!) Either I'd play at the Park for the day, book a cheap-ish hotel down the street and ride back the following morning, or perhaps I'd have the gumption to ride back the same day. Who knows?

What will be fun this month will be keeping track as to my endurance and overall abilities, and perhaps I will aim at an ambitious act either in late March or early April. Yeah, I may not like being dirty, or tired even, but I'm all about an adventure. And when it comes to Disney, it's nice to know that Walt and I have something positive in common.

Wanna ride with me?

Water, Water, Everywhere

2010-01-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

It's been raining in Los Angeles since last Sunday afternoon. I remember it well. After not being able to bicycle to the farmers market because I'd slept in, my boyfriend and I decided to drive. It was then that the skies opened up.

There exists a passionate love/hate relationship between the rain and myself. Love it because it cleanses the air and hydrates the ground, prepping a healthy arena for springtime to eventually blossom forth. Hate, however, due to sludge, flooding, and persistent wet.

The other day I had an appointment that required an earlier start if I was to get there by bus. Since an earlier start was not part of the equation, I biked it. It was cool, cloudy, and a little damp in getting there, and I hoped with every fiber of my being that I'd be allowed the same conditions while returning. Mother Nature proved to be a prankster with her slight drizzle as I hopped on my bike for the return trip home. Turns out she was not to be so abiding by my request.

Watching the cars go by while cycling home in the downpour, I could see there being a definite purpose behind windshield wipers and good traction in all but usual circumstances; a benefiting from a reinforced frame while hurtling through space at 40 MPH. Cycling in torrential rain is almost enough to make one wish they had a car (almost). Of course people looked at me like I was crazy - my curls were sodden, my makeup all but gone, and I'd nearly lost a contact lens - but I had to get home.

I don't prefer to bike in the rain. Living in SoCal - where it rains for three to four weeks maximum all year - I've not made time to be equipped for it. Still, my adventure in the rain inspired the thought of what could help the next time I decide to test the sky - a bright yellow rain poncho. Simple, visible, and it can usually fit over any backpack or messenger bag. Eventually I'll be hitting up the web for rain wear that would work for the protection of even formal/business wear (jackets, pants, etc). For the foreseeable future, however - poncho to the rescue.

Streetsblog Los Angeles is welcoming all stories about commuting in the rain this week... join in on the conversation.

Happy cycling~