Pet Shop Boys
We’re All Criminals Now

Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve changed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’re blamed
We’re all criminals now

Just a routine procedure
(We’re watching you)
A sample of your DNA
(The things you do)
Queuing to be finger-printed
(You could be dangerous)
Going to the USA
Another routine procedure
(We’re on your case)
Driving in your car
(We’ve seen your face)
Stopped and searched and questioned
(Some place before)
Can you prove who you are?
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve changed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve been framed
We’re all criminals now

Hey, hey, hey
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey, hey
We’re all criminals now

Got the bus to the station
Music playing in my head
Ran to get on the tube train
Police shot someone dead

Don’t ask me how We’re all criminals now

Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’re blamed
We’re all criminals now
Hey, hey
Don’t ask me how
We’ve been framed
We’re all criminals now

I have some non-PC comments, but I will let you have your own…

The Ride of Silence…

Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride

- Mike Murgas

There are several politicians in the world that are just so boxed in their private universe that whatever they do is somehow justified. A typical examples are US politicians that support the coal industry. As a consumer of electricity in US, I am part of the problem. However, short of not using electricity and protest, there is not much I can do. These politicians, on the other hand, do have power to make the change. But they seem to refuse to do that. Cynic in me would consider this to be caused by the politicians being payed by the evil-doers, but I sure hope that the reason is that the politicians are just not informed. How could anybody sacrifice the parks, the rivers, the drinking water, the air, and so on and be complacent in destroying the world for their children and their children’s children.

To make my point even stronger, watch this video and consider these politicians.

I have been driving a bit too much lately… Well, here is the comics (Bicycle Comics – Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery) pretty much demonstrating how I felt.

The Bet Goes To...

Just Like Riding A Bike

Didn't You Just Fill the Tank?

Turn! TUUURN!

The Nightmare is Over

I am consistently harassed by car drivers when I ride bike to work or back home. Most of them seem to be annoyed by the fact that I am on the road where they think only cars should be. But according to CA Department of Motor Vehicles, I have all right to be there:

Permitted Movements from Bicycle Lanes

21208. (a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

(b) No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100) in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.
Amended Sec. 5, Ch. 674, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.

In other words, if there is no bike lane, and this is not a freeway, I have a right to be on the road. Also, if there is potentially damaging stuff or some other obstacle on the bike lane, I can go on the road.

The following videos really made my day. Thank you Amy for letting me know. Also, thank you Matt for making them. The put tears in my eyes.

Don’t forget the 2005 and 2006 editions.

These videos are just another proof that the world is a really happy and pretty place. Let’s work together to keep it that way.

Have you ever done something that was so crazy you thought at the same time: This was awesome!!!! and I am such an idiot!!!! Well, I did that on the way from the ride. It turns out that I got so excited that I totally forgot how to ride a bike… SAFELY!!!

But first thing first. This weekend I did an awesome bike ride organized by San Francisco Bicycling Coalition called Seven Hells of SF (Steepest Hills of SF III) Tour. There were about 20 to 30 people of various skills. The leader gave us a ride sheet and disclaimer. Something about gruesome death and dismemberment.

So we started the ride and soon we were at the first climb. One cool thing about that climb. On the way to it, some surfer dude from a jeep pulled half of his body out of his truck and asked if we are doing that climb. Upon confirmation, he exclaimed: YOU GUYS ROCK!!! In a surfer dude lingo.

So, since the first climb was super tough and I wasn’t prepared for it, I lifted the front wheel and the bike turned quickly, so I had to step off the bike half way up the climb. But I quickly jumped back on and finished the climb. Next climbs went without incident, but I did have to repeat one, so that the ride leader some photos of me.

Awesome ride and SFBC did a great job organizing it.

Ok, so the crazy thing. On the way back, I was having way too much fun riding over the hills of SF. I was going up and down roads and avoiding the stopped traffic. Do you know you are way faster on the bike in SF? Anyway, on one of the downhills, actually on the flat section in the middle of one of the downhill, the guy in front of me made a quick stop. This caused me to squeeze my break, but unfortunately I squeezed the front one a bit too much… This was a bad idea, since it caused my rear wheel to lift. For some reason I was still moving, but I was propped up on the front wheel. I knew I was going to die, but I enjoyed the moment anyway. It was, for the lack of better word, AWESOME!! Some strange luck or supreme being’s intervention caused my bike to fall back on both wheels and I was able to ride away with nothing but a slight whiplash. And I had a huge grin on my face. I am talking the grin that would shadow the sun. I just did a front freaking endo with my bike and recovered. I figured out that the people behind me are probably still washing their pants.

Ok, that is it… I escaped sure death on Saturday, which means I will probably get ran over by an ASSUV today.

Interesting video showing why cyclists should be riding in the middle of the lane and not on the side.

On Saturday I started day by biking up Old La Honda road, down west 84, up west Alpine Road and back down Page Mill. The weather forecast was rain, rain, and rain. Of course the big difference between US east coast and west coast is that on the East coast when the forecast gets it wrong, the weather sucks big time. Here in California, when the forecast gets it wrong, it is a gorgeous day. Case in point, Saturday.

Anyway, in the afternoon I attended the Memorial Ride for Matt Peterson and Kristy Gough that were killed by a Sheriff deputy a week before. There were about 1000 cyclists all possible color and shape. We started at Foothill College and ride towards the Steven’s Canyon Road. The nice thing was that police was super cooperative and they blocked road for us. The ride itself was slow, but it was really nice to see so many cyclists joining. At the end, there was a small memorial for the cyclists that included a big cross, team jersey, lots of flowers, etc.

On Sunday local Sheriff deputy allegedly drowse off while driving on the Steven’s Canyon Road, cross double yellow line and crash into three cyclists. Two of them died, one was taken to the ER. Some more information: “Oakland cyclist killed Sunday was a world champion athlete“

In the spirit of this, I would like to ask all you drivers, watch this video and next time you drive, make pay attention. Think of it this way: If you are hit, you have airbags, seat belts, etc, you may have some scrapes. But, if you hit me, I will probably die.

Ok, why are insurance companies so weird? The health one are probably the worst, but I will save this for some future rant. After having an accident with my car, I called the other driver’s insurance company. They were, well, the word helpful would probably be really far on the list. They were returning my calls after days of leaving messages. They are probably really busy.

When I finally talked to their claims agent, he asked me if I will go through my insurance or through them. I wonder if people who are not guilty actually go through their own insurance just to make things simple. That said when I called my insurance first, they asked me what car I drive and what is the license plate etc. After explaining them that I have been their customer for years and that I have been driving this car for more than a year, the operator said that this is claims department and not customer service. Well, their computer networks are probably really secure and so they cannot just check their customer information.

But, to go back to the original story. After waiting for the other insurance company for about a week and talking to the person, well, I was not impressed with their performance. Eventually I faxed them the estimate from the body shop and they send me check without telling me that they are accepting the charge. It took me a while before I realized why there is some random company sending me check.

My favorite body shop was more than happy to fix my car in no time. In the mean time, I was driving rental, which was some random American SUV. One day I will complain about SUVs, but for now, let me just say that this is not comfortable car at all. It is big, but it drives much worse than my Scion tC. The good thing is that after the body shop fixed the bumper everything else worked out. I guess if denouement is good, everything is good.

Do you still remember my rant about people driving through red lights? Well, isn’t that something? The day after writing that rant, I was a victim of that exact traffic violation. Fortunately, I was driving slow and I had a seat belt,otherwise I would probably die.

Anyway, it started as any other trip to the dentist. This was my second appointment to put a crown on top of my brand new implant. After spending tones of money, this would be pretty much it. So I drove to Saratoga Springs the usual 87 north to exit 15. During the drive north, there was another person in Scion Tc driving about the same speed as I did and we were honking each other up until exit 15. There that person turned right, while I turned left.

In the same spirit I drove down 50 towards down-town Saratoga Springs. After a mile or so, just after passing the Loughberry lake, the light turned red, so I stopped. I was actually wondering about the car next to me driving through the red light and thinking how stupid that was. And then, all of a sudden, like somebody would take a giant hammer and whack my car.

So, I called quickly my dentist and told him I will be late and then went outside and check the damage. The rear bumper was bent and scratched but I did not see any damage on the rest of the car. After taking some pictures with my phone, we drove to the side of the road, where I called my insurance and she called hers.

It took forever to explain my insurance people all the information. For example, what is the make and model of my car. Are they crazy, just look on my file. It is not like I have hundred cars. Also, what is my address and so on.

Throughout all this fiasco, the driver of the second car was complaining that she is late to religious ceremony. Also that it is a minor thing and stuff like that. I canceled my appointments for the day and it wasn’t even my fault. But I guess religious ceremonies supersede all other things.

Well, the quippy things about this whole development were the following two things. First one is that I have been at the body shop with this car within the last year already two times. First time I ran over the truck tire which smashed my front bumper and second time when somebody keyed my side. Now the really quippy thing is that the driver of the other car said to me right after the accident: “I really thought you are going to drive through (the red light)”.

There are several day to day things that just throw me off. Interesting example of is the traffic laws in this country. I guess it is not much better somewhere else. Maybe some countries have more elaborate laws or higher punishments, but overall this are extremely funny. So, I could be writing about how in Italy a man can be arrested for wearing a skirt, or that it is illegal to kiss on the French railway, but hey, I am here, so I will write about this place.

Turns out there is a great number of people that die in car accidents every year. And for some reason the major causes of this, according to the message the media and government is sending, are speed and not wearing the seat belt. Ok, I can imagine a scenario where speed will cause an accident. For example let say I am driving really fast, and I cannot make a turn, or I cannot stop in time, or something similar. Ok, I buy that, but seat belt? Now, don’t get me wrong, I use it every time, but what is the worst thing that will happen if I don’t? I guess I can die, but I think if this is my decision to die, people should respect that and let me. I guess I can imagine a scenario where not wearing a seat belt will make accident bad. Let say the driver is launched through the window and he hits somebody.

So, what is this rant all about? Well, my question is why is there not more emphasis on the more obvious causes of accidents. For example, how about driving through red light, or passing over solid line, or, and this one may strike close to home, not use the signal. It turns out that there is no real emphasis on that. I see people at least once a week driving through a red light, or pass over the solid line. I would say about 30% of people do not use their signals at all.

I guess the priorities are important. Everybody will drive 55 miles an hour on the straight four lanes highway for hundreds of miles, wearing seat belt, but when you come to suburbia, all bets are off. People will disregard the signs, ignore the laws, and so on. And you wonder why most people die close to home. Well, nobody lives on the highway these days.

Another interesting one is the one about very obvious signs (black on white, about the size of notepad), such as “Slower Traffic Move Right” and “Do Not Drive On Shoulder”. The image on the right was taken today on the local road. As you can see, there is actually not only state law, but also an actual sign that people should not drive on the shoulder. But here you see at least three if not more cars doing just that. And all this just to save ten seconds wait. Now add to this the fact that our lovely suburbia with on average 1.5 acre per lot does not have enough space to put a decent bike path or sidewalk anywhere. That means that all pedestrians and cyclists have to share the road with people like the guy in the dark Buick.

I guess overall the problem with the society is that it is getting pejorated enough to just want to solve complex problems using simple solutions. It is easy to blame all the accidents to a simple problem like speeding. But at least in my reality, it is never that simple. Speeding can make accident worse, and not wearing seat belt will make your chance of survival smaller. That said probability of causing an accident by driving fast or by not wearing seat belt seems much, much, smaller than by driving through a red light or outside the specified lane (passing or driving on shoulder).