I turn 60 years old today!
I know, it’s just a number, but it’s still a milestone. No everyone makes it to age 60, so I’m grateful to have made it this far.
Just three years after the close of World War II, 1948 was an eventful year whose happenings were to launch many of the social and political trends of our time: » Read the rest of this entry »
Gas here is now $4.40 per gallon and I got a bike (the Electric Blue Novara Runabout pictured here). I purchased the used bike at the Community Cycling Center, a wonderful place that takes donated bikes, refurbishes them, and resells them at reduced prices to help finance their operations and outreach, including classes on bike safety and mecanical repairs. A most worthy cause.
I bought my helmet at A Better Cycle, “a worker owned and collectively run used bicycle shop in sunny South East Portland” that, wouldn’t you know it, closes every May 1 for International Workers Day. (Welcome to the Peoples’ Republic of Portland.) The two spacey 20-somethings insisted on this one, the Bern Watts. It’s a “multi-impact” hardhat style developed first for skateboarders and adopted by bikers.
So what’s with the “multi-impact” thing? “Oh, that way you can fall on your head repeatedly and not have to replace your helmet,” he said, “I have one and I store it in the freezer so my head keeps cool in the summer. Awesome, huh?”
Uh, yeah, dudes. Awesome.
We have moved to Portland, Oregon! Well, at least I have. Mike is helping finish off some end-of-fiscal-year things at his employer and will join me in a couple of very long-seeming weeks. I spent several solitary and reflective days driving from Washington, DC, to Portland. My stops are numbered on the map. I learned things driving across the country for the first time. Warning: this is a long post. It may take you as long to read it as it took me to drive it. » Read the rest of this entry »
Congratulations to all the couples who wait in line starting today to get marriage licenses in California. Waiting today will be easy, because some of you have waited decades for this day. You are part of history today. (I’m thinking especially of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, who have waited more than 50 years for this day.)
And congratulations, Californians, for making it possible. California has broken the barriers of discrimination on many other occasions. The state was founded by a diverse mix of peoples seeking a better life. During its rocky history the many different groups of Californians have worked our their issues with each other and blazed the trail for others. As in the past, the rest of the country will follow your lead in the march to equality for all.
