May 1, 2012

NINE DANGEROUS THINGS YOU MAY BE LEARNING IN SCHOOL 1. The people in charge have all the answers. Never question authority. Do not comprehend the main message of The Wizard of Oz. 2. The government knows what is best for you. Just watch TV and buy anything advertised there. The product placement items are especially important. Credit card debt is good. 3. The best and brightest follow the rules. You will be rewarded for your subordination. Your superiors will receive greater rewards, but they have their own rules. 4. What the books say is always true. There is no such thing as propaganda or brain washing. Believe everything you are told. 5. There is a very clear, single path to success. The 1% are on it. Everyone else is prohibited from traveling it. 6. Behaving yourself is as important as getting good marks. Whistle-blowing and thinking your own thoughts are not allowed. 7. Standardized tests measure your value. Your value is your obedience. 8. Days off are always more fun than sitting in the classroom. You are trained from a young age to base your life around dribbles of allocated vacation. Be grateful for them. 9. The purpose of your education is your future career. You are merely a tool to be exploited and victimized by the plutocracy. Bonus lesson: Do not read anything by George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Franz Kafka, ... Do not listen to any music by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, ...

The United States of America

It has been my privilege to visit our nation's capital on two occasions. One was in 1976, at the end of a bicycle ride from Oregon to DC. The other was in 2009 to visit my son who was serving as an intern for a federal agency. Each time, I have been awed by the monuments and the tributes to the virtues on which this country was founded. Now, I am more convinced than ever that our elected officials have been bought and paid for by special interests -- corporate or union. It is my intention today never again to vote for a Democratic or a Republican candidate.

some philosophical / theological musing

Pre-Figuration

that from which all proceeds

Trans-Figuration

that in which all is brought together

Con-Figuration

that by which all is brought together

succulent

flower

rose

glass artist

concrete artist

Neighborliness

Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur

Is there anybody who has it figured out better than Wiley Miller?

http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2011/11/28

Is the Democratic Party just another tentacle of the plutocracy? Do the Democrats know that, deep down, they and the Republicans have been serving the same masters for decades?

John Muir Wilderness, Goodale and Silver Passes, July 31 - August 4, 2011

Devil's Bathtub

Sunset

 Descending Goodale Pass

Papoose Lake and peaks

Chief Lake and peaks

Up Silver Pass from northeast

Looking southwest from Silver Pass

Monitor Pass

Rode from the intersection of Highways 395 and 89 to the top of Monitor Pass.  This is one of the peaks in the Death Ride. Took me three hours up and 20 minutes down.  People who complete the entire Death Ride have my utmost admiration.

LA Skyline 1972

LA in 1972.  Click on photo to see the whole shebang.

65 Austin Healy Sprite

My folks put a down payment on this nifty Sprite as a high school graduation present.  A great summer vehicle in Orange County.

62 Ford Ranch Wagon

My folks bought this 62 Ranch Wagon new.  Had a 292 V-8.  Great sled of a car.

56 Ford 2-Door Wagon

My folks bought this used.  Here we are in Zion National Park.

Tour de Tahoe

Rode around Lake Tahoe.  72 miles.  Elevations approximately 6250 to 7000 feet.

 Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City.  One of the best bike shops in the world.

Nice day on the Nevada side.

A very nice day on the Nevada side.

Amazing grates.

Tunnel vision.

Nice day on the California side, too.

Back in familiar territory.

Watch for bears, er, bikers.

Near the home stretch.

One more mile to go.

Crossing the finish line.

Sprocket Rockets Forever!

Tour de Tahoe

Dream Come True Bike

Thanks to Chris Wiscavage for putting together such a great machine.