danielo writes stuff here

this blog moving to posterous

2008-07-21T15:24:00.001-07:00

Some changes are going to make it easier for me to move all my postings from this point over to danielo.posterous.com. Please bookmark accordingly.

danielo & sagan haul a bike up the hill

2008-07-21T11:21:00.003-07:00

Here's how Sagan and I got Steph's bike up to her at work on Sunday. Our longest train yet is me, Sagan on a tag-a-long, a kid-trailer attached to that, and Steph's bike with front wheel locked into the trailer, with rear tire trailing. Worked like a charm.

(this post mirred at danielo.posterous.com)

danielo is also posting at posterous

2008-07-21T08:10:00.003-07:00

I started mirror posting over at Posterous, in order to test out the service. It's a new blogging platform with an ultra-clean simple setup. All posting is done via email or SMS. In addition to the clean look, I like how they handle multiple pictures (as in this post). Check it out, let me know if you like it more or less.

danielo & sagan hit the races

2008-07-20T21:53:00.003-07:00

On Saturday, Sagan and I went downtown for the Boise Twilight Criterium, which he and I can report was AWESOME. He rode in the kid's ride with Kristan Armstrong, then we went back downtown for the women's and men's rides. Some pics:

(this post mirrored here)

danielo suddenly realizes the problem

2008-07-18T10:32:00.005-07:00

Perhaps you're not listening closely.

When I say "Maybe you don't need an automobile," and you hear, "Maybe you can live your present selfish and unplanned lifestyle without the crutch it's built around," -- that's evidence that you must have axle grease in your ears.

I am fairly certain that you can't, actually, continue to live your car-addicted lifestyle and give up your automobile addiction. You also can't give up snorting cocaine and still snort cocaine -- that doesn't make sense. But I am also certain that you might very well not need that automobile. Maybe you just need to embrace the fact that a better life, free of automobile addiction, is not only feasible, but also rewarding, and perhaps even exemplary.

And before you start your whining about how hard it would be, I refer you to my previous post, and to the summary of it:

YOU'RE NOT A BABY, QUIT YOUR WHINING AND BUCK UP.

Walk. Ride a bike. Take the bus. Carpool. Vanpool. Just leave the goddamn car at home!

(this post is mirrored here)

danielo suggests a new campaign message

2008-07-17T13:55:00.003-07:00

I think I'm just tired of it all. I'm tired of "oh gosh, the gas prices are so horrible," and I'm tired of "these days I hate driving." Here's what I think: I think that every single American adult with an IQ of at least 60 knows that personal automobiles are selfish, excessive, and harmful to the environment. I think those same people know there are numerous options available to them besides single-occupancy vehicles. And I think it's time we stopped letting people act like helpful infants, and instead insist they start acting like responsible adults.

LEAVE YOUR GODDAMN CAR AT HOME. And before you whining automobile addicts start your typical avoid-the-topic blather ("but I don't know how to get to work, I don't know the bus routes, it's too far to ride a bike... blah blah blah"), here's a news flash: YOU'RE NOT A BABY ANYMORE, and it's not the world's job to change your diaper. Buck up and FIGURE IT OUT.

danielo wants to clear up something about Cynicism

2008-07-16T13:03:00.004-07:00

I'm a Cynic. That's Cynic, not "cynic." A Cynic is not (necessarily) bitter, jaded, pessimistic, or negative. A Cynic believes that life should be lived with virtue by being in balance with nature and avoiding the trappings of wealth, power, fame, and material possessions. Cynicism is, in my estimation, similar to Buddhism for its admonition to avoid material possession and the ethical trappings of civilization.

Read up a bit more on Cynicism. This article, in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, is an excellent overview.

danielo reads craigslist ads for the laughs

2008-07-16T11:19:00.002-07:00

Survival Preparedness (Boise, Nampa, Caldwell)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-07-15, 10:46PM MDT

I am getting myself prepared for what looks to be a rough go of it. All signs are pointing to a total collapse of our economy as we know it. I truley hope this is not the case. But I would much rather I had some sort of a plan and be prepared then find out it is to late.
I am not in anyway advocating any type of vilionce. I am not a bible thumper although I do believe there is a higher power.I am not a racist, nor will I affiliate with anyone that is.
I am looking to find men, women, and couples of like mind. To start off I would like to keep it limited in the size of the group. Looking for people between 40 to 60 years young. Also would hope to find people with all types of trades background.ie.metalworking,electrical,computer,medical,milatary,survival training ect.
I would like to keep this a local project for now. If you live in the Treasure Valley area and think you might be interested give me a call. 989-XXXX.
Please no "Rambos" .

I'm guessing "English Teacher" might not be the demographic this person is seeking...

danielo.org returns

2008-07-15T17:59:00.002-07:00

Domain returns. Blogging hiatus over. ~~Emails will get through!~~

Correction: Emails will SOON get through, settings not quite in place yet.

damn it

2008-06-23T08:00:00.003-07:00

danielo feels kinda "meh" about peanut butter in general, but that doesn't apply to the new stuff he just tried

2008-06-21T17:00:00.004-07:00

P.B.Loco kindly sent me a free jar of their gourmet "adult" peanut butter as a housewarming gift. (Meanwhile, they give away several jars daily via their Twitter page.) From their several gourmet flavors I chose European Cafe Mocha. The jar arrived Friday.

I have always been, and remain, rather "meh" about peanut butter. I eat it occasionally, usually when there's nothing else to eat. I keep some on hand because it's cheap, it lasts, & because I make Thai peanut sauce from time to time.

However, this P.B.Loco concoction is WOW WOW WOW!!! The coffee flavor is bold, and the chocolate is subtle. Most importantly, the whole thing is brilliantly balanced, and completely delicious.

My 5-year old son tried it, and loved it, and was incredulous when I told him there's coffee in it. My roommate tried a finger-full of it and said, "Oh my god. That's ... wow, that's amazing." And that pretty much sums it up.

danielo hates weather forecasters

2008-06-20T10:12:00.006-07:00

"It is particularly upsetting when you publish the current conditions as ‘Sunny’ and I can look out my window and clearly see that it is raining. Perhaps you have become confused into thinking that the weather is entertainment and not about providing sensible and useful information based on science. I am left thinking that the rare occasions the actual weather resembles your ‘forecast’ could be explained by pure coincidence. As the saying goes - even the sun shines on a dog’s ass some day."

That's a short clip from this terrific article, "Open Letter to All Weather Forecasters," by CyclePig. Read the rest of it. Seriously.

danielo remembers

2008-06-16T22:21:00.003-07:00

I worked with a fellow at Flying Pie Pizzaria years ago. My experiences with him were always very positive. I found him to be one of the most gentle, courteous people I've ever met. Years after I left Flying Pie, on the occasions I'd run into him, he'd remember me, give me a warm hug, and ask me how things were going. And he'd smile, pause, and listen, like so few people do.

He had revealed to me that he had very narrowly escaped a drug-ravaged life. About the time I left Flying Pie, he had gotten back together with the mother of his young daughter, and was doing well. When last I saw him, he was soon to have another child with the same woman.

This Sunday -- Father's Day -- less than 10 blocks from my house, he killed himself after an extended standoff with police. His newborn daughter survived, but was with him when he shot himself. I can't assume other than that drugs overcame him one final time.

I will cherish my memories of him. And I will remember how tenuous is life, and happiness, and safety. And I will let myself tear up a bit even now, as I think about him smiling at me warmly.

danielo & son collect trash

2008-06-14T16:29:00.004-07:00

My son and I embark on a new project starting next weekend. It's something I've had in mind for quite awhile, and now that his bike skills are getting better, we're ready to begin. Click the image above for more info. We're in need of a couple of of supplies, if you might like to donate:

(1) A couple of long-arm "grabber" tools, something along the lines of these. We're not looking for new, or pretty, tools, just functional ones.

(2) Large trash bags, preferably heavy-duty to handle the assortment of litter we collect.

Please write to us at litterbusters@danielo.org or leave a message at (208) 419-0955. We're near the North End in Boise, and prefer to be able to pick up the items nearby.

danielo wonders if you want this very nice jersey

2008-06-13T11:43:00.006-07:00

Do you want a super nice cycling jersey? Do you live in Boise? Will you trade me for some chocolate? If so, this is your day.

I have a men's Fausto Merino Wool Blend jersey from Ibex clothing. Retails for $125, is purple/blue in color, and sized XL. It's a nice-looking jersey, to be sure.

I won it recently from Bikehugger via a Twitter contest, and after it arrived yesterday & I put it on, I couldn't get it off fast enough. I believe it to be very well made, and of an extremely high quality. However, the fit of the thing feels like sticky death to me, and I hate it. It's been worn, by me, for about 30 seconds. Other than that, it's brand-spanking new. Meanwhile I'll stick to t-shirts.

If you want it, live in Boise, and will trade me for some chocolate, let me know, and we'll arrange a meeting. First-come first-served. I'd consider shipping it out of town, but would prefer not to. We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it, okay?

ADDENDUM: I'm not looking for $125 worth of chocolate. Maybe in the range of $5 would be suitable. $10 if you're super generous, or work for a chocolate factory.

ADDENDUM ADDENDUM: On second thought, if you work for a chocolate factory, you ought to pony up a bit more chocolate than the average Joe.

danielo thinks employers should spread a bit of love

2008-06-12T09:56:00.008-07:00

Our local rag got a mention here, regarding an article about employer support (or lack thereof) for cycle commuting. It got me thinking. At my work, there are no bike-specific accommodations or facilities. However, I don't really need any. There is a place in front I can lock up and a covered area in the back lot for when it rains. There is a shop bathroom I can sponge off in on hot days, and a hook I can hang my clothes on.

But you know what would absolutely thrill me, and would cost my employer absolutely NOTHING, yet which I have never received?

A word of appreciation.

My employer is, I suspect, quite typical. They offer a sort of passive support for what they perceive to be a quirky habit. As long as I am indistinguishable from those who drive, they permit my quirkiness.

Why don't more offer an appreciative tone to employees that choose not to drive? Why don't more employers recognize the benefit these non-driving employees offer to their business? Do they fear that the acknowledgment may lead to demands for further accommodations like locking areas or showers? Are they just clueless? Most likely, yes to all of the above, particularly the cluelessness.

We cycle commuters are a resilient, self-sufficient bunch. We have to be. That's sort of the spirit of living a car-free (or partially car-free) life: one must learn to do things differently, and to plan ahead more than car-addiction requires. I have never even considered demanding showers, bike racks, or anything else at my work, preferring instead to adapt to what is available. After two years, I've got things pretty well laid out, and I'm comfortable.

But it would absolutely tickle me pink if just once, my employer acknowledged that my choice is more than a quirky attitude, and more than a rebellion against status quo. It's also providing a tangible benefit to my employer, and to my community, and to the world at large.

I think all employers would be wise to show more support for their non-driving employees. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the simple, cost-free, endeavor of acknowledging the benefit of not driving to work every day would do more for promoting car-free commuting than installing showers or bike racks. People respond to feelings, and it would feel very good to be recognized for being a responsible person.

How shall employers be encouraged to make this simple effort? As a cycle commuter, it would feel rather silly for me to ask for a pat on the back? Maybe advocacy organizations like our own TVCA could develop a short pamphlet to send to employers. Would it work?

Here's my suggestion for a simple pamphlet/flyer:

Do any of your employees cycle, take transit, car/vanpool, or walk to work? Have you thanked them lately?

When employees choose wise commuting options, employers benefit. The health benefits of walking & cycling lead to enhanced workplace mood, increased productivity, & decreased insurance claims & sick leave. Van/carpools & transit reduce impact on transportation infrastructure, reducing maintenance costs paid by taxes. They also reduce the impact of personal vehicles on your business's parking facilities. With ever-increasing fuel costs, employees who leave their cars at home get to keep a larger portion of their paychecks, & that makes everyone happy.

Do you have any employees commuting wisely? How much would it cost you to offer them a simple "thanks" today?

Earth Minute: 6 Ways to celebrate!

2008-06-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here are TEN ways you can celebrate Earth Minute, coming up June 28, 2008, from 12:00:00 AM to 12:00:01 AM. Leave a comment with your own ideas for celebrating!

1. Stay asleep. By not waking up, you'll avoid needing to use lights, and you also won't breath as hard, so you'll conserve oxygen.

2. Don't turn on lights. If you do wake up, try to leave the lights on for at least half of Earth Minute, to help conserve light and energy and stuff.

3. Don't burn tires. If you do wake up, avoid burning tires (or tyres, if in Britain), at least until after 12:00:01. Burning tires pollute the air, dude.

4. Buy Earth Minute products. There is almost no better way to support the Earth Minute cause than buying themed merchandise.

5. Drive slowly. If you're headed for a latte, then drive a few MPH slower during Earth Minute. If anyone honks at you, flip them the Earth Minute bird.

6. Take the bike rack off your car. On your way to coffee, you can decrease drag on your vehicle, and save even more gas, if you take the bike rack off first.

danielo and sagan have new rides, and you'd be jealous if you saw 'em

2008-06-09T08:28:00.005-07:00

That's Sagan with his new custom-built "chopper" bike in black/gold. We picked it up at the vintage bike swap near our house this weekend, from the very nice Clancy, who built it for his kids (thanks, Clancy!). S was hesitant at first, as the steering is a bit fishier than his previous bike, but after we got home, it wasn't 15 minutes before he was riding it smoothly. It has a "bike pipe" attached to the back, that amplifies the "card-in-the-spokes" effect, and can be turned on/off. I wish I had one!

He's not the only one who got a new bike -- I picked up an 80s-era Raleigh Technium off Craigslist for a great price, and have been thoroughly loving it. I don't have a picture of it because every time I set up to take one, I just jump on the bike and ride it instead! I'd been watching Craigslist for a few months for a street frame in my size and prize, and this deal popped up on payday. Huzzah!

Sunday, Sagan and I took our new rigs for a spin and ended up going 7 miles round trip, which was the longest he'd ever gone in one trip. It's gonna be a fun summer.

danielo thinks about readerboards

2008-06-06T14:18:00.003-07:00

Certain folks know I have a strange attraction to readerboards. This post might become part of a larger project someday, but for now, it's just an out-of-place commentary.

Readerboards are nearly-subliminal advertising. They impact a viewer's brain for, at most, a few seconds. As with outright subliminal messages, their strengths and weaknesses are often intertwined.

One obvious weakness of a brief message is lack of content. You can't describe even one full product in a few seconds. The flip side of this is that by forcing you to decide upon the most important, and most attractive, element of your message, you are lead into a concentrated message that may just be stronger than if you were to wash it out with details.

Subliminal messages tend to bypass the critical mind. This can work against you message, if your message is complex. However, if you're crafty enough to know that you're slipping past the critical mind, it can work to your advantage. A successful readerboard message might be completely unrelated to a product, but may instead create a simply emotional response, which then becomes attached, subconsciously, to the experience of driving past your business. At the subliminal level, this emotional impact might prove to be profitable.

In all cases, a careful consideration of the peculiar ways in which a readerboard interacts with its audience is critical for success.

danielo wants to plant seeds with bubbles

2008-06-06T08:56:00.003-07:00

This is one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen:

The Bloom device is meant to be a subversive and inspirational tool for our concrete jungles. Similar to the tuft of a dandelion as the wind carries the seedling, we propose a way of dispersing seedlings with bubbles and bicycling. Seeds are co-mingled with a bubble mixture and upon pedaling to your destination , you release the floating seeds which land in cracks and crevices throughout the city streets. Over time, the seeds grow into flowers and plants to create a green "fringe" to our sidewalks and streets.

Found via Makezine.

danielo starts a revolutionary new charity service

2008-06-06T08:19:00.004-07:00

I am pleased to announce a revolutionary new charity/donation service that I'm rolling out today. I call it danielo's "Your Choice Giving". This donation service gives you the freedom of saying where your money goes. It works like this: for every $1 you give me, I'll donate $0.50 to any charity you specify (minimim single donation $20). And, if you want to split your donation among several different charities, that's a-ok with danielo's "Your Choice Giving". And, I'll even come to your location and pick up your donation (in the Boise area, other areas by appointment).

Also: don't forget about Earth Minute, coming June 28.

danielo appreciates laughter as much as the next guy but...

2008-06-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

The World Laughter Tour is groups of people who get together and laugh, just to ... laugh. The laughter circles are led by "Certified Laughter Leaders" (CLL), and the WLT will teach you how to lead such events for ... well, it's not entirely clear, but the discounted sessions for return students creeps up close to $300 (which includes a box lunch). Books and other materials are additional, each in the $20 range.

These are not stand-up comedy or improv classes, these are classes to certify you how to stand in front of a group and tell everyone to laugh. Do people pay $300 to learn to tell other people to laugh? I would consider paying $300 for a course on stand-up comedy, which, one could argue, is coercing people to laugh. I may be the fool here, for working so hard when I could simply get a certificate and demand that my audiences laugh.

danielo nearly met simplot once

2008-06-02T11:06:00.003-07:00

J. R. Simplot cut into my grandmother's funeral procession many years ago. That is my only direct experience with him. Now he's dead. I've probably eaten many pounds of his potatoes.

danielo explains how to yell about a customer service issue

2008-05-29T10:43:00.004-07:00

I consider myself a blackbelt in customer service. My work history attests to a wide range of awkward, difficult, and downright bizarre customer service scenarios, and I also happen to be a very picky consumer who believes in good old-fashioned customer service. I offer the following advice to "the fellow who destroyed his chances at getting help" yesterday at my present work, and to everyone else who gets mad from time to time.

SCENARIO: You go in person, or perhaps call, into a business to complain about something that went wrong, and you have a legitimate reason to get worked up, and maybe even pitch a fit. Sometimes, you need to pitch a fit, when something has gone spectacularly wrong.

HOW TO LOSE THE FIGHT: Scream at the first person who helps you. Ta-da, you lose!

Here's the deal: Whoever greets you at the counter or answers the phone is a low-level grunt. The manager doesn't greet walk-in customers, and the owner doesn't answer the phone. By getting worked up in front of a grunt, you lose in three ways: (1) The person you're screaming at most likely has no power to help you, so you've just blown your best "worked up" angry energy on the wrong person; (2) Because you just screamed at a grunt, they're not going to make any extra effort to help you, and they're not going to be in any particular hurry to see your problem solved; (3) When the grunt does get around to presenting your case to a higher-up with power to help you, they're going to describe you as "a jerk up front who's mad about...", and that's not going to inspire the higher-up to be particularly generous with you.

HOW TO WIN THE FIGHT: Be polite with the grunt, and explain that you have a complaint that you don't want to bother them with, and that you need to speak to a manager right away. The grunt is not interested in dealing with your complaint anyway, and if you're nice to them, they'll be all to eager to get someone else to deal with you. Then, when you're talking to the next person, explain what you're problem is, and find out if they have the power to help you. That requires, of course, that you know what you want before you start this fight. The second person you speak to might STILL not be the right person, in which case, you need to get them to find the next person up. When you're sure you're talking to someone with the power to give you what you want, let 'er rip. Get angry, get loud, and get demanding.

danielo built a bike rack

2008-05-27T08:36:00.002-07:00

The 9-foot ceilings in the new house offered a perfect opportunity for me to build the bike rack I'd admired online (at mike.sapak.info). Materials were less than $18, and after about an hour of hand-sawing and drilling, the sucker is solid and functional. Still needs a coat of paint. Better pics at sapak's site, my camphone is crappy.