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books, David Byrne, newspaper/media, ride on

Faster than a walk, slower than a train.

November 28, 2009 12 Comments
“This point of view–faster than a walk, slower than a train, often slightly higher than a person–became my panoramic window on much of the world over the last thirty years–and it still is.” -David Byrne, Bicycle Diares

A personalized rack. Mine, all mine.

A personalized rack. Mine, all mine.

——–Thanks for your patience. Finally, here is my meligrosanized view of the fun read:
Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne.

I received an email from Penguin group book publishers.
Cool.
This would be the first book I receive from a publisher before the piece is officially released.
Nice.
And it is a book by David Byrne.
Rad.

This book makes you think and relate. Makes you consider your surroundings with the bicycle as the machine to become the viewer, a citizen, an involved resident of your city. Mr. Byrne observes things that we can universally relate to. As wanderlusters, as tourists, as people on bicycles, as pedestrians and as people that want to see a city belong to people with limbs rather than cement maze monsters.

Reading the book puts you in a position that we can relate to one another as cyclists. Past the cities infrastructures (or lack thereof) bike lane views, dead end streets leading to highways only, Byrne explores the local flavor of each city included in this diary. My favorite parts, are all about the food. I would be a rockstar just to be fed around the world, local food in its authentic environment. And global coffee. Oh goodness.

Of course we are not international stars, but he presents us with more than a few instances that made me feel as if was sitting with a good music-loving bicycle-fanatic friend of mine, chatting into the smoggy sunset from the corner of a tiny café in Mexico City. Juana Molina, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and Mercedes Sosa (RIP). His analysis of streets, music, women and tight jeans in Argentina had me rolling. Perhaps one of my favorite chapters is Argentina. I have not been just yet, my fellow boludos.

There is this relationship that is formed between the book and yourself. If you are into artsy things -I am- it was pretty nice to read his description of the dinners and collaborations he has had throughout his career with his fellow comrade, Sagmeister.

Bike both ways.
Bike both ways.

His vivid stories between Karaoke nation, eating a good meal before or after a show, going for a little bike stroll around any given city to stretch out the mind and body before a presentation, will keep you reading til the end.
Of course there is a small SF chapter, but will let you read on that yourself. Though I must say he also talks about a presentation given by Johnny Ives when he visited Silicon Valley. We all visit Silicon Valley every so often, it’s ‘only’ 45 minutes away. A mini-van tiny new suburbia city (from the bike lane perspective IMO at any rate). I was cracking up when he said something in the likes of “…People in Silicon Valley live near work, so they can go home, and continue to work, and wake up and go to work.” Sounds very sad, but it is quite the culture down there, and therefore true.

Overall his humor just layers this delicious cake of a book and it also includes pictures from the bike lane he has taken. He dedicated the book to his daughter (“–who doesn’t ride a bike…yet” -DB)

*I have seen a few reviews around the blogesphere, but not sure if people noticed as much as I did, one of my favorite paper parts of the book. Yes I smell books when I first get them, I try to guess the main body font(s) and I look if the total number of pages means anything. Mmmmmhh.
Paper inspector detects a playful little monster at the bottom area of the pages in the book.
Enjoy the little video:

[flickr video=4091650855 secret=161e35ea4c w=400 h=300]
– – –
Now get off this computer gadget, grab a copy and enjoy it.
♥Cheers .xo/m

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bike science, David Byrne, deepsaurus, fun, ride on, San Francisco Bike Coalition

Lecture diaries.

November 28, 2009 5 Comments

September 29th, 2009
David Byrne spoke in San Francisco at the Herbst Theatre.
The tickets sold-out quickly but to my lucky luck, my fabulous friend Deep, hit me up letting me know that he had a spare ticket. Awesomeeeeeeee.
So after we had some yummy crepes for dinner, we headed over to the theatre. It surprised me that there was no bike valet parking that I could see (or did I totally miss it?!…), but well, every meter and sturdy fence between Van Ness and Grove st. was beyond jammed-packed with bicycles.

Deep at will call. DSDSSSSUPER!
Deep at will call. Saves the day. DSDSSSSUPER!

I attended the lecture after reading the book, so many of the points Byrne touched upon, was almost like listening to a live version of an already summarized version, which was nice. We all want to someday have bicycle traffic as Copenhagen, yea yea. We all know that. Europe is great.
He talked with his own elegant humor a bit of crap about Texas, which I’m sick of people always talking so much shit about Texas. The 2 photos he displayed from Austin, were underneath a freeway. Meh. I have been to Austin (&I know is UNLIKE the rest of the state) but I read numerous blogs from people on bicycles based out of the Lone Star land, and that are tremendously active in their community, so I don’t think they deserve that. Sure it is a freeway mess, but I can say that there are some great people that do try and care for cities, and for their future. The bicycle community in Texas might be very very small, but it is there. And wagging 😉
I don’t think that was his point, or I’m sure hoping it wasn’t but so, ok I’m just saying… And come on, we don’t have to even go outside California to talk crap about conservative non-bike friendly crap like that. Bakersfield anyone?

ANYWAYS -David Byrne looked fantastic. I know he has said before that he dresses as if he is pretending to be someone else, but whatever. His style is swoon, his humor was present and he looked divine, dressed impeccably in all-white. I hear white jeans are the hit in Argentina. Angelical – period.

Slideshow
Slideshow

SFBC Executive Director Leah Shahum & the one supervisor in SF that does not own a vehicle and commutes by bicyle David Chiu, also gave interesting personal bicycle stories and points of views about our beloved city and what direction we are headed.

Your city diaries.
Your city diaries.

Shahum also said something like: ‘Ok, let’s not focus on Europe so much for the moment, and see the changes that are happening now, in the States.” I really enjoyed her before and after photos of various US cities included in her slideshow. Asides the NYC closure area of times square, she of course had to proudly present our own SF street closure series (which I was so happy to see on the big projector screen!!) such as the Castro/17th corner, shown below.

David Byrne checks out our market/castro 17th plaza.
David Byrne checks out our market/castro 17th plaza.

Emeritus Professor Michael Tietz, was also part of the panel and perhaps my favorite perspective because he admitted he was not a cyclist now (I calculate he is in his 70-80s) but has a vast knowledge about all things urban, development and structure. There was (it is SF, so there always will be) a smart ‘question’ from the Q&A at the end of the lecture, directed to him on how he thought was the best way to make SF bikers TO STOP at red lights. His reply was something similar to:
“Well, for motorized vehicles as well as bicycles, you can place a cop on every corner of the city for that sole purpose and ticket everyone for a week, then, I supposed you can say you tried”

The lecture hall was filled not only by bicycle enthusiasts, but also by season ticket holders to the Herbst Theatre lecture series and loyal David Byrne fans. Many signed books were sold by Books Inc, a west coast indie bookseller. Good experience overall.

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las neighborhoods in SF, the frenchie

Ding ding, who goes there.

November 28, 2009 1 Comment
Ding ding, who goes there.
3rd ave near Geary.
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busbozo, coffee love, qué cute

Yup.

November 28, 2009 No Comments
I love this.
This pin belongs to Ade. Friends let friends drink lots of coffee 😉
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gizmos, newspaper/media

Face time.

November 28, 2009 1 Comment

By popular demand, Bikes and the city is now on facebook. This interwebz multi-networks is a little too much for me, and Im a terrible facebook user but everyone seems to enjoy it – so I’ll do my best 😉
Be a fan and do your thing. Tell your friends. And go ride 😉
**link is here: Facebook page
if not working, search Bikes and the city. ♥ok bye //

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busbozo, coffee love, from the bike lane, fun, las neighborhoods in SF, ride on

Bikes and the gobble.

November 26, 2009 9 Comments
Gobblerz

——————–
Thankful.
What do I get excited about this time of year. Family, coffee, music, local holiday beer and kickin it with my peeps.
This bicyclette year rocked.
The energy the city emulates has kept me going with a full tank of pedals, photos and good times. Meeting new good friends, reconnecting with old, food, coffee and bikes and coffee and boys.
Love you all.
Thanks for reading. /xo♥meligrosa——————–

Get excited.
Get excited.
Hi Beans. Say hello to my little new friend.
Hi Beans. Say hello to my little new friend.
We are at it again.
We are at it again. /30mi. ride to the Mill Valley-Muir Beach 4 points.
Friend At My Side
Friend At My Side /On Alemany

Above and below photos by busbozo
Falling Down
Falling Down

Yikes.can’t believe it’s been a year. Keep them coming, life.
——————– ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ——————–

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fun, las neighborhoods in SF

Spare the Turkey Day ride.

November 26, 2009 No Comments

My bikey friend Greg is organizing a turkey ride for all of us that are city dwellers that don’t have to go anywhere for the food feast. Unlike me, last Saturday during a rad show, I hit the mosh-pit pretty hard and will be resting my knee… And overworking my stomach.
But if you are around, check it out & take pics!!

Spare the Turkey Day ride.
1pm Panhandle statue.
Bring food and drink if you want.

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