tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59555832024-03-17T11:11:16.965-04:00gwadzillaRants on Cycling and on Life:
Photos of people and bicycles that pass in front of my cameragwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comBlogger23069125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-21949481813083737882024-03-16T15:53:00.002-04:002024-03-17T11:10:43.520-04:00I did not even have to go to Brightwood to go to Brightwood Pizza... but really I was trying to go to La Coop... (the punch line... I got held up on Kennedy Street... story below)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZGjpBOcQspLdPT8wWVf7gIA66MqaUzmU8lUVcbQGatEE6ASdnEdZxk1cRxzWk7VPaA6mzYfKTnofCj4nABQ675Scc7iX4wY0AyxTZOV4RhFnAqX_ITUH1C9I_swUOoZP5XCbtIDJgHslRzTKqi6twjJ0M1f6b6qZZ_B1nzXMVJjsRW6usGD7ww/s759/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-16%20at%203.51.18%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZGjpBOcQspLdPT8wWVf7gIA66MqaUzmU8lUVcbQGatEE6ASdnEdZxk1cRxzWk7VPaA6mzYfKTnofCj4nABQ675Scc7iX4wY0AyxTZOV4RhFnAqX_ITUH1C9I_swUOoZP5XCbtIDJgHslRzTKqi6twjJ0M1f6b6qZZ_B1nzXMVJjsRW6usGD7ww/w305-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-16%20at%203.51.18%20PM.png" width="305" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">let me reread this</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">do a quick edit...</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a little rant here -</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a rant that was a topic of conversation before it happened</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as tipping and the times is a popular topic </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TIPPING!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When do we tip?</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When do we not tip?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we all want to be tipped in the appropriate situation</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we do not want to be FORCED to tip in the inappropriate situation</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ski Lesson? Bicycle Mechanic? Mover? Flower Delivery? Food Delivery? Tour Guide? hair stylist\barber?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">any service? </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I think not... or maybe if the worker went above and beyond or met a deadline that was thought could not be met... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">so... restaurants and bars have a known expected tipping protocol </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BUT! THAT TIP IS SUPPOSED TO BE PRE-TAX</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PRE-TAX!!!</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">WE ARE GETTING BULLIED AND SHAMED INTO GIVING MORE THAN WE AGREED TO... but we comply </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we always go off the total</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">when it is supposed to be 15-20 percent of the pre-tax bill </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">today we got the treatment</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">woke to a beautiful spring day in the District went for an urban dog walk with recently graduated from college son Dean and Didg the dog</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">checked to see if la Coop was open as I had heard word that it was at risk of closing</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">sure enough-</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">checked on line... La Coop has CLOSED - the cute house off Kennedy and First was closed for business, but it said that La Coop has a Pop Up at a spot on the 700 block of Kennedy Street at the cider spot</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">so... Dean and I walked Didg on a loop we do not normally travel</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">rather than the woods... we took to the street</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">on leash instead of running free </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">it is good to mix it up</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we walked past our Cheapie Chinese Spot... Twin Dragon</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">then past our favorite Caribbean Joint... Andrenne's </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">coffee was the mission... I was headed to walk the dog and get Dean a coffee</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I had glanced at the web to confirm that La Coop was now closed... but saw that there was a pop up at Brightwood Pizza and Bottle... but I did not look close enough...</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the La Coop pop up closed at 1... but we were there... so... we figured we would get some lunch and whatever they had in the way of coffee... even if the pop up had closed</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">so... Brightwood Pizza and Bottle it would be...</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the menu had all sorts to Pizza options as well as a few sandwich options... as Dean went to go wash his hands in the bathroom I scanned the menu...</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not think that this Pizza or Bottle are in Brightwood</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">not sure... but I think that the Brightwood border ends at Kennedy and Georgia a few blocks away... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">it was a beautiful spring day...</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the most beautiful of days!</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">no humidity... no bugs... strong sun... cool breeze...</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">seemed like a good day to eat at a sidewalk cafe </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the staff was friendly... the two people working there were dog friendly... it was a cozy atmosphere... Dean and I ordered two sandwiches and a coffee for Dean... we asked for water... then they rang it up... it was then that we were informed... there would be a 22 percent service charge </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">there was hesitancy... we were there... no reason to back out now... but what? 22 Percent Service Fee?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a 22 Percent Service Fee?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">as the woman informed us about the service fee... we were pointed to the water station... WHAT? What is the Service? No Table Service? No Wait Service? </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What was the 22 percent for?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and that was 22 Percent most definitely POST TAX!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But for what?</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">what is the service that they are completing?</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">taking our order?</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">making our sandwich?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">JUST CHARGE ME FOR THE SANDWICH!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">MAKE THE SANDWICH 22 PERCENT MORE EXPENSIVE</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">SELL THAT SANDWICH FOR 20 Bucks instead of 16 and then a HIDDEN FEE!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">instead of a bullshit policy of a service charge for a service that you are not completing </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">seating us at a table and then taking our order could be consider being a service... but they did not do that... </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">cleaning or clearing a table could be a service... but they did not do that...</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">bringing water to the table may be a service... but they did not do that...</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">checking in to see how we are doing and if we want to order anything else could be a service... but they did not do that... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">just like taking an order, making the sandwich, bringing the sandwich to the table... those are all BASIC SERVICES... not services that merit a SERVICE FEE... without those services... there is no transaction... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the water station was nearly empty... had to tilt the water cooler to fill the glasses... wanted more water halfway through my meal... but did not get it... for fear that it would have been empty... and really... it should not be a situation where I need to tilt the water cooler to get the last drops of water... come on... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dean and I laughed... those were DATE PRICES!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">but really... JUST CHARGE WHAT YOU WANT TO CHARGE instead of a bullshit hidden fee as you are about to swipe the credit card </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">would I buy that sandwich for 20 bucks?</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">NO.... BUT I DID!</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I enjoyed the sandwich... but it was no 20 dollar sandwich</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and the service charge</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the service was basic </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">12 percent would have been generous </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">22 percent service charge for the less than basic service</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">not enough water</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">no napkins </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">no service other than the basic service </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and then naming a restaurant after the adjacent neighborhood is idiotic</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">anybody with any sense would have named it KENNEDY STREET PIZZA AND BOTTLE... </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">my take away as I walked away from this white oasis in an area where the seeds of gentrification are in place was that these prices will keep the locals out... not really a neighborhood pizza joint </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the real locals will not frequent this place and the new condo owners will</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kennedy Street Pizza would be awesome </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Brightwood Pizza and Bottle was a let down </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we could have gotten more for our money at Parkway Deli </span><br /><br /><br /><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#kennedystreet</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#whiteoasis</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#22percent</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#servicecharge</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#whatservice</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#gentifuckation</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#nicethieves</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#unreasonable</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#notevenanapkin</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#selfsevice</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#waterstation</span></span>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-46022981670793535202024-03-08T11:10:00.005-05:002024-03-08T11:10:48.320-05:00Ms Andry VANITY Plate in the District... wearing ignorance with pride... imagine if people were proudly Misogynist and had a vanity plate saying such.... people are stupid <p>WHAT A PLATE</p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">mis·an·dry</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">/məˈsandrē/</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">noun</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>noun: misandry</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men (i.e. the male sex).</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"poorly disguised misandry"</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">cracks me up...</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">as if being a Subaru does not imply that point on its own</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I did not see the tag</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">but last week I did see a woman with an electric shaver in the driver seat of her Subaru at a stop light </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Misandry</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">DescriptionMisandry is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against men or boys. Men's rights activists and other masculinist groups have characterized modern laws concerning divorce, domestic violence, conscription, circumcision, and treatment of male rape victims as examples of institutional misandry. Wikipedia</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc1rH_7Byfbn7AC9cAfG7cBBtbqg3358wpLrEZ-U8AU6VIW_8mV-aokIS1jSv-pr4D51NXAt9EWL3sYc5MKi2dZpeV0IZwf8vGtl1MEfKBuUwaV8EyLzvQK1jcRtTa7j6OrCjmYPIIQDVhzKm2VV8niUmCRFPJewt2QKUcg9q8QhZM0pz4DftQg/s802/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-08%20at%2011.07.41%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="593" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc1rH_7Byfbn7AC9cAfG7cBBtbqg3358wpLrEZ-U8AU6VIW_8mV-aokIS1jSv-pr4D51NXAt9EWL3sYc5MKi2dZpeV0IZwf8vGtl1MEfKBuUwaV8EyLzvQK1jcRtTa7j6OrCjmYPIIQDVhzKm2VV8niUmCRFPJewt2QKUcg9q8QhZM0pz4DftQg/w296-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-08%20at%2011.07.41%20AM.png" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-83997077740449323462024-03-08T10:02:00.002-05:002024-03-08T10:02:11.224-05:00The City Needs MORE PUBLIC TOILETS... but... but there is a BUTT!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Washington DC could use MORE public toilets...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Downtown there SHOULD be more public toilets...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the various parks and on the various trails around the city... there could be the need to put in some public toilets...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Semi-recently there was the installation of toilets at Pearce Mill... over due...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so many people meet to go for rides and hikes from this spot</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then also</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so many people gather for events, picnics, and parties at this "groves" in Rock Creek Park</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKQ8aff1i3VgDIU_J6vKSvOYwVR2njiwhQIwVOH9uHdzd7kBxEu9ZCOKAxHVKViuolySmA-d3UTD-2Ink6sb0W6wwg3h2kRUfeoM_RkXNQIMccCy_amUcNvhRGOC0QwdUUp3ZyGUeRF-j3tEmcoTLiqTDm0eQRdsnuS955pBza8jmtYLy30LZWQ/s720/0rock%20creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="720" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKQ8aff1i3VgDIU_J6vKSvOYwVR2njiwhQIwVOH9uHdzd7kBxEu9ZCOKAxHVKViuolySmA-d3UTD-2Ink6sb0W6wwg3h2kRUfeoM_RkXNQIMccCy_amUcNvhRGOC0QwdUUp3ZyGUeRF-j3tEmcoTLiqTDm0eQRdsnuS955pBza8jmtYLy30LZWQ/s320/0rock%20creek.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">BUTT...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just a little further north on Beach Drive there are some "older" public toilets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in my years of riding bikes and hiking dogs on these trails I had some awkward encounters</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">walking up on "boy on boy" encounters</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some of these spots become meet up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">too isolated to entertain homeless people</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but there are still the "short comings" of having these public toilets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they attract unintended behavior </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m21sLiOFGcltX6ZfnmcfpFwqcXstOt-xPfDHw2r_rbAJ_pdZn_sEc_ZAG0xJdql7n3noGFMM_wVMVPcwd3CDvvgymgleG09rMlnlhyphenhyphen58ZvgSD_DNz-Vr9uP-kp8a6KWOl8fs1jVIIx33rWj278aECnBkJc4z4RMZLIpX5all-i4knRSOkVf30g/s486/rock_creek_map_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m21sLiOFGcltX6ZfnmcfpFwqcXstOt-xPfDHw2r_rbAJ_pdZn_sEc_ZAG0xJdql7n3noGFMM_wVMVPcwd3CDvvgymgleG09rMlnlhyphenhyphen58ZvgSD_DNz-Vr9uP-kp8a6KWOl8fs1jVIIx33rWj278aECnBkJc4z4RMZLIpX5all-i4knRSOkVf30g/s320/rock_creek_map_sm.jpg" width="242" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there is some talk with the ANC of my neighborhood</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they have mentioned that they are working with the National Park Service to bring facilities to Fort Slocum </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I just do not think it is a good idea</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel that a public toilet will not be so much for the neighborhood visitors of the park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but instead</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it will draw people to hang\party\and camp at the park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the toilets will be trashed and too dirty for man or beast in the first 24 hours</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">if heated...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">people would sleep in the stalls over night</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">why not?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I just do not think that a bathroom at Fort Slocum would do more good than harm </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it just would not get the upkeep and clean up that it needs </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">downtown some of the bathrooms handle things such to avoid things getting trashed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the freshly renovated Franklin Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they have an beautifully designed public bathroom </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but... but...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but they are doing things differently</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the bathrooms had a attendant</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they are monitoring the area</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they are controlling access to the toilets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">WOW!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they guy granting me access was polite </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the toilet was CLEAN...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not a drop of urine on the toilet seat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">toilet was clean when I entered</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I made sure it was clean when I left</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I thanked the attendant</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we spoke about the notion of "why we can not have nice things"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">voiced my appreciation for his efforts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so different than going to the bathrooms at the Martin Luther King Library </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the smells... the sounds...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">trying to wash your hands in the bathroom while the person along side you is undressing and taking a bath in the sink</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we need more public bathrooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so that...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">private restaurants are not responsible for being the bathrooms to the public</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is DISGUSTING</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">total roll of the dice</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so many fast food places are kind enough to share their bathrooms with the public</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and sadly... it shows...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they can not clean things as fast as they get messed up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as cruel as it may be to refuse people from using the bathroom</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it makes sense </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just as Franklin Square has an attendant in the public bathrooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when the National Portrait Gallery had its Holiday Bazaar there were public toilets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they had a trailer with new and clean heated bathrooms were onsite</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">these toilets had an attendant controlling access to the bathrooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ah...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was neat and clean</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and well heated</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">more than likely locked up in the evening and not opened until the Holiday Market started</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">is the attendant the ONLY solution?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">maybe the facilities do not have to be heated and nice</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">simple and clean would be enough </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">basic Porta Johns here and there will routine cleaning should be enough </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">enough on this</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just wanted to throw this down as I sip my coffee</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4Gx2wpIEdSUuaDomHLTX6HJin8xHqarbJ_JcOxeXUbdlCdwEXzQH9gamRcZ7e0NpMVBTXNkxHloVK_zcHVZK7GqhbDky0c62eRlEVaGQ1lGU0dZfYCUcbWcsJz_lPcafao2PNRuQ5acdiqRLaXSskYqkpyB-V9alvwX7vWqDwNgA-8T4Tq0jKA/s810/pee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="810" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4Gx2wpIEdSUuaDomHLTX6HJin8xHqarbJ_JcOxeXUbdlCdwEXzQH9gamRcZ7e0NpMVBTXNkxHloVK_zcHVZK7GqhbDky0c62eRlEVaGQ1lGU0dZfYCUcbWcsJz_lPcafao2PNRuQ5acdiqRLaXSskYqkpyB-V9alvwX7vWqDwNgA-8T4Tq0jKA/s320/pee.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-39479961128680040592024-03-06T18:29:00.002-05:002024-03-06T18:29:22.468-05:00Watching this now... Fugazi's Barber<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf8ZyURMbxW3ZfgGPdi44dXjuRF-QpflNnFHZrmcx50BQ3SFQCcn6q2IWwHKzq43LkGPcokk3unyiuZUV_ODcc7X18b7YfvBz0c6p347g-qRKZmhgQqvyDZPY2zDjXvfmr6TWExSJ2Ts0yKaSEGCT7yljR0ofTcMRGvLnleXnPIHnSzZtsqGE0A/s400/kiki%20bike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf8ZyURMbxW3ZfgGPdi44dXjuRF-QpflNnFHZrmcx50BQ3SFQCcn6q2IWwHKzq43LkGPcokk3unyiuZUV_ODcc7X18b7YfvBz0c6p347g-qRKZmhgQqvyDZPY2zDjXvfmr6TWExSJ2Ts0yKaSEGCT7yljR0ofTcMRGvLnleXnPIHnSzZtsqGE0A/s320/kiki%20bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kiki and Ian on Bikes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a short film</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fugazi's Barber </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuHwmqb2asA">https://www.youtube.com/watch</a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jzWKztbSlXCCwQEHZCBCChTrJP5A5K3ZcVlpkYXDosqJh6VhyIGgL8gcYq1XLBvg27aqdQAzOskbdxNId2NvPgAS9Me8bcD_ZBSNJ1JF2De9Faw7B7yXT-VQtKG4SFOeLTDdof74NDNCXUhLF2qbjncUw-GpVUmN5jbSU03UzKTHpGs4ZkK60g/s400/Ian%20S.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jzWKztbSlXCCwQEHZCBCChTrJP5A5K3ZcVlpkYXDosqJh6VhyIGgL8gcYq1XLBvg27aqdQAzOskbdxNId2NvPgAS9Me8bcD_ZBSNJ1JF2De9Faw7B7yXT-VQtKG4SFOeLTDdof74NDNCXUhLF2qbjncUw-GpVUmN5jbSU03UzKTHpGs4ZkK60g/s320/Ian%20S.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-48882666948904585442024-02-23T12:33:00.002-05:002024-02-23T12:33:25.785-05:00ah... slower than Molasses... just sold a kid's bike on Facebook Market Place... <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9AZluJkwVYYKY1c9YWCEpLYcHhP3xfSQEWg_59XWAoNsQ0lbI-jNGJtIMiFdZJFUlYTG1W2L_1hQn40tNzTEoainSRCmfDT8U1drFb_fY_POwSzcNICSw9TcDK785AWgH7hLPL-Wrk3Tb20WdMVdT7g45ovzLF1lF3U9CVdCdgnLL0C0T2f_iA/s960/Wheelies%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9AZluJkwVYYKY1c9YWCEpLYcHhP3xfSQEWg_59XWAoNsQ0lbI-jNGJtIMiFdZJFUlYTG1W2L_1hQn40tNzTEoainSRCmfDT8U1drFb_fY_POwSzcNICSw9TcDK785AWgH7hLPL-Wrk3Tb20WdMVdT7g45ovzLF1lF3U9CVdCdgnLL0C0T2f_iA/w400-h400/Wheelies%204.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the start of the week I was starting my way up towards home after a day on the bike as a Field Bike Mechanic for Capital BikeShare </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">with traffic wizzing by I stalled at a red light and waited for the light to change </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">another cyclist pulled up along side of me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">looked familiar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not sure why</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">took a look at his bike and made a comment</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he looked back</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">looked away</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then looked back as he started to pull away</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he said "you look familiar "</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">to which I said, "yeah... I sold you a bike on Facebook Marketplace"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he looked forward and started to grumble</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">buyer's remorse?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was 50 bucks for what I called in the ad "a project bike"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">complete road bike except for the rear wheel </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">KHS or Jamis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can not recall... it was a dumpster find</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was hard to decipher his grumbling </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">something about the seatpost</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">no matter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that guy was dancing like a gold miner striking it rich when he made the purchase</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was priced as it was </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">because it was being sold as it is</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">parts alone... heck... front wheel alone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this guy did better than break even</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">guess he thought it was an easy flip that would make him rich </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would have not sold it for 50 bucks if that were the case</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">oh well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">no hard feelings</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but... feel what you will</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was an honest sale</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the price was good</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all in all</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">fair</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWOHYVEjBa_qdY3M4o1Hp-yZ9qgKQr19K2azcmkPOg-NDxjroiuZftJJjC-bNQzQpNAEs7tNTfytB5CQevzj1YRgao82eK17K1oksKQyANXPYmXF9CrVNoeZLD_7bSVx6bF_hrZTH3kNwEgEemz7ltEF17r57_Mfx2R0y26eviZSMXBLgKZjpSw/s960/wheelies333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWOHYVEjBa_qdY3M4o1Hp-yZ9qgKQr19K2azcmkPOg-NDxjroiuZftJJjC-bNQzQpNAEs7tNTfytB5CQevzj1YRgao82eK17K1oksKQyANXPYmXF9CrVNoeZLD_7bSVx6bF_hrZTH3kNwEgEemz7ltEF17r57_Mfx2R0y26eviZSMXBLgKZjpSw/w400-h400/wheelies333.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a number of bikes and bags on Facebook Marketplace</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">which reminds me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I need to measure a bike frame and a large Chrome bag</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I really can use the money</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am not using much of this stuff</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">today is a good day to make that happen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I saw someone looking for a suspension fork</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have that same suspension fork</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">time has passed... wonder if he still needs it...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I still have it</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a basement and shed full of parts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">parts and broken bikes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">lots of broken bikes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some bikes waiting on parts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some bikes waiting on repairs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all bikes waiting on me</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhcr1to4w5SBWK5PpS97MSnqu2Eoek_IBsF9rZAtYuSUJ3OkjtY9eom8tUIqQFAn28NE5p753levl7zsfYXOeC8oowodR8dt_dTY6V8oa0nMLtX4EIZ-zu7IfbcS0ZG1bGLOLPBkQ2iLkGILxQk-JbenJPJrxFeUbwq_n3FWXRz7du40EHwjUzQ/s1800/Wheelie%20Vin%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhcr1to4w5SBWK5PpS97MSnqu2Eoek_IBsF9rZAtYuSUJ3OkjtY9eom8tUIqQFAn28NE5p753levl7zsfYXOeC8oowodR8dt_dTY6V8oa0nMLtX4EIZ-zu7IfbcS0ZG1bGLOLPBkQ2iLkGILxQk-JbenJPJrxFeUbwq_n3FWXRz7du40EHwjUzQ/w133-h200/Wheelie%20Vin%202.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Ld6IrSjgnzBQxyqqp6sDh2tSflyFGdnOHrxQWvVkavnUtkVJqvgRjJQgG0dCkwbUSzkvXr5_Mn4H5WTZEU1_WpFsa8a4plqiUXA9yX0LQgjDVGKUMRMFv7-Tv1PH9nUhHzNUaMJY47yt3VHBdRZTfUqF-zTQHp40Pp7XYAjVgvahQtIRbnhAA/s1800/Wheelie%20Red.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Ld6IrSjgnzBQxyqqp6sDh2tSflyFGdnOHrxQWvVkavnUtkVJqvgRjJQgG0dCkwbUSzkvXr5_Mn4H5WTZEU1_WpFsa8a4plqiUXA9yX0LQgjDVGKUMRMFv7-Tv1PH9nUhHzNUaMJY47yt3VHBdRZTfUqF-zTQHp40Pp7XYAjVgvahQtIRbnhAA/w133-h200/Wheelie%20Red.JPG" width="133" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then also...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">last week I had someone asking about a 24 inch wheel kids bike I was selling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not much asking</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">more trying to arrange a time for meet up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">lots of cancelations </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">okay... maybe some cancelations... maybe once or twice</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but a good deal of back and forth online before agreeing on a meet up day\time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">after rushing home from work for a convenient meet up twice before and being greeted with cancelations</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(no big deal really)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I came home confident that today was the day that the bike would be sold</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there had been some cash or Vemmo </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">with all the cancelations... I was a tad worry of someone paying electronically and immediately canceling that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do not know what people do</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">another person wanted me to leave a bike out for them to grab and they would PayPal me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess I could get the money first</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">still fearing the cancelation of the wire transfer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I delay the walking of the dog</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">get a wrench, Allen set, pump, lube, and rag</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">did a quick glance of the bike</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">needed to air up the tires</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">wheels were straight</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">brakes needed adjustment</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">gears were good</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">chain\cassette show room new</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this person had talked me down from 150-100 bucks</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they went 75</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I agreed to 100</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she wanted to pay electronically</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted cash</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">like clockwork the buyer arrived</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a young mom in her business casual pulled up across the street</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I already had the bike out front and was waiting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she was clearly not a dog person </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as she shied away from my normally aloof dog</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the bike looked good</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a little talk about this and that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried to show her the adjustment of the quick release on the seat post</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ability to raise the handlebars with an Allen key to the stem </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is awkward in these times</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in these modern times</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the woke times</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do not know what she knows</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am just sharing information</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">does she know what a "minimum insertion line is?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">lots of people ignore this and make their bicycle unsafe</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so... I shared this information</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">trying not to mansplain </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she redirected the question to a "child's age"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I told her that the bicycle size has less to do with a person's age</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but more to do with that person's leg length\height </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she asked about my kids</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when they rode this bike</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when really... my kids never rode this bike</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this is another dumpster dive </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">rather than lie... I was more vague</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">saying I do not remember what age they were riding what size bikes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but again saying... it has more to do with height</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guessed it would be a good fit</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we did not even get into wheel size</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I just assumed she knew what size bike she needed for her kid</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the adjustments I suggested are micro adjustments</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">these can not make a wrong size bike fit a child</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">these adjustments can just make the right size bike fit that child better</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I offered to help load the bike into the car</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she denied the offer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used that money to get an Ethiopian dinner with my son deal later that night</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for a hundred bucks...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">SHE GOT A DEAL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">an essentially NEW kids bike... maybe 300 or so new... for 100 bucks</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">if it is the correct size bike!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Facebook Market Place... slow as molasses at times... but when it works out... it works out...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this was a fair deal</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in both cases</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">low price</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">good value</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">money in my hand</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">bike in theirs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RrPRsnKuV9vZ5uNeKQXfH9yROj1HfB9gaqp-o1wYjqjWVv64GCdiuJoMcbmBv9CtSybrAHfJ-8itIvRdTYaQr37cxpUV3zNz2RARIpCf9tmd7MftGdown8ip0PtYV5iJijII1QbpOzqPxtOkyQr9uAbJU3afa7UOF18C1L8I1MlbVRfqccPR9g/s1800/Wheelie%20Dupiont.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RrPRsnKuV9vZ5uNeKQXfH9yROj1HfB9gaqp-o1wYjqjWVv64GCdiuJoMcbmBv9CtSybrAHfJ-8itIvRdTYaQr37cxpUV3zNz2RARIpCf9tmd7MftGdown8ip0PtYV5iJijII1QbpOzqPxtOkyQr9uAbJU3afa7UOF18C1L8I1MlbVRfqccPR9g/w133-h200/Wheelie%20Dupiont.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nOq_94vWMqN2IpwgCywmIjueytY90i1zGD6S5KLe1ktnjwSgQO3jclF9ClVkNQZBStnuMqXut4C6wm2CvWmzZldF0oLzh5hV0ARMd5hqW786luGhVTHyIti7fcdpcs5UuiJdQy-bvDp0JCHmXuOTgRalQjmG86MnN-WnjhOR724wePIYZl2QYg/s1800/Wheelie%20Dagain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nOq_94vWMqN2IpwgCywmIjueytY90i1zGD6S5KLe1ktnjwSgQO3jclF9ClVkNQZBStnuMqXut4C6wm2CvWmzZldF0oLzh5hV0ARMd5hqW786luGhVTHyIti7fcdpcs5UuiJdQy-bvDp0JCHmXuOTgRalQjmG86MnN-WnjhOR724wePIYZl2QYg/w133-h200/Wheelie%20Dagain.JPG" width="133" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">now to get that fork...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">measure that frame...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">measure that Chrome bag...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">list a few more things</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx9qATRZRQDVUlxbUw9ENoFEOErzPSdGcuxByHIGO0-V9J2EME0LvmBisC9OCr3_Tj-oYuMGK5ROgyykt1mfeYfZcZ22vM7zsxv_f6aG2U2PuWnnhU5VmoQ1aW2JOrLKAaKV8lWc1QhhX_m-37ySY99sRCzYWqo81uoyPJCTdDxUHp0WHrIrMcw/s960/Wheelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx9qATRZRQDVUlxbUw9ENoFEOErzPSdGcuxByHIGO0-V9J2EME0LvmBisC9OCr3_Tj-oYuMGK5ROgyykt1mfeYfZcZ22vM7zsxv_f6aG2U2PuWnnhU5VmoQ1aW2JOrLKAaKV8lWc1QhhX_m-37ySY99sRCzYWqo81uoyPJCTdDxUHp0WHrIrMcw/s320/Wheelie.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-87398931038932483752024-02-17T11:49:00.002-05:002024-02-17T11:49:32.966-05:00Humanitarian... Not Political... wanting the killing to stop... wanting to stop a genocide... these things are not political, they are Humanitarian <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb5DTQmyDwahyphenhyphenvT05rMkCpt0sfBEQM_d6sQOeRlRL9asbBLzsCXe1qMRfVNmSBeBA7q_8vkFgvn4drLLApEG0jO5xDVrBKNiUto1x09bkBc0hxs4tfHFqayrWU1srBciCBzRJRBu8M9aXzNMyNLa3k4SuKsNVE2V4DqdpHWMMyjjzaff5EYua3A/s616/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.29.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="616" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb5DTQmyDwahyphenhyphenvT05rMkCpt0sfBEQM_d6sQOeRlRL9asbBLzsCXe1qMRfVNmSBeBA7q_8vkFgvn4drLLApEG0jO5xDVrBKNiUto1x09bkBc0hxs4tfHFqayrWU1srBciCBzRJRBu8M9aXzNMyNLa3k4SuKsNVE2V4DqdpHWMMyjjzaff5EYua3A/w400-h304/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.29.11%20AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">waking up to a dusting of snow in the District today</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">today is very different than last Saturday</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">last weekend I hosted the <b>Free Gaza Alleycat</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was an event adjacent to\collaborating with a slow paced social group ride; <b>The Great Ride of Return</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">both events were not for profit events in support of the <b>Gaza Sunbirds</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">look into the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they are a group of para athletes that have paused their training to focus on getting relief to the people of Gaza</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would say that the Gaza Sunbirds are not a political group</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">their actions are humanitarian </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org">https://www.gazasunbirds.org</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">check out the Gaza Sunbirds page</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">give if you can</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1GH4bvA3vR-hVDzusU6S51x2sF-kjLM3b96I4hk6GXcYq0dRFntps4nZ7w1UEwAMgIgGoJuDtqi_LlWu9QpC5EmaxU4UrNkWjWkl4uPxE4OuFGJDgrvBy7RnClgo3pZzoltP6yk6Gc2h7KsIB3mDdoglbMdR_fzl-zna5FO0nUslX44FzmQTdA/s614/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.26%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="614" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1GH4bvA3vR-hVDzusU6S51x2sF-kjLM3b96I4hk6GXcYq0dRFntps4nZ7w1UEwAMgIgGoJuDtqi_LlWu9QpC5EmaxU4UrNkWjWkl4uPxE4OuFGJDgrvBy7RnClgo3pZzoltP6yk6Gc2h7KsIB3mDdoglbMdR_fzl-zna5FO0nUslX44FzmQTdA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.26%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">on of the checkpoints in the Alleycat was a mural near Logan Circle here in DC</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FREE GAZA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a dove... some poppy flowers and a poppy bud... with bombed out homes in the lower sections</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this mural has been defaced</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">civil discourse?</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">someone has come and spray painted over the Free Gaza message</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only to have the artists return to clean up the mural</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the people with spray paint return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and yes... you guessed it... vandals with spray paint return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it has been quite a back and forth</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the mural was clean for the Alleycat and the Ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the mural has been blacked out again</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sure... Free Gaza does have political implications </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a CeaseFire Does Not!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Free Gaza Alleycat was in support of an immediate ceasefire </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">stop the bombing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">stop cutting off supplies</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and I say it again indifferent words</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">stop the killing </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">stop the bombing and stop the killing on both sides </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JYIuCgIaZBZ4yoFOUYYJ9yecgS-Unn20qoqNJcXVaEueZn0tqq21EZQ_XI4JlEkg_E8p_B_JJiZyy-L6CAgyMOAYE0i2OMEoraYsg-A6AYLFVG_Lmu2eIHN0GUHYn3atGJHB6My9lIidxmY1i1yiykdHolRX95OYLIi2dRCVCepfq-h93A0hbA/s427/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="394" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JYIuCgIaZBZ4yoFOUYYJ9yecgS-Unn20qoqNJcXVaEueZn0tqq21EZQ_XI4JlEkg_E8p_B_JJiZyy-L6CAgyMOAYE0i2OMEoraYsg-A6AYLFVG_Lmu2eIHN0GUHYn3atGJHB6My9lIidxmY1i1yiykdHolRX95OYLIi2dRCVCepfq-h93A0hbA/w369-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" width="369" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Alleycat was about raising awareness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">raising awareness to what is going on in the Middle East </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">more specifically what is happening between Israeli and Palestine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was awkward</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a few would be Alleycat racers said they did not know what Free Gaza meant</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I asked them to go online and research it</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I asked them to watch the news for a few minutes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I should have just asked them to come out and discuss</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">although the conversation at the ride might be one sided</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there is valuable information to be shared</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this day was about raising awareness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">talking about the Middle East</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">talking about Palestine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">learning about Gaza</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">lots of information was shared that day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">too bad more people were not there to offer up their opinion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not counter protestors... not looking for counter protestors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just more people there to talk, listen, and learn</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">emphasis on listen and learn </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyZ9BiaDRA1kFs4MGrmpu6MODXNvLq_k9l2TsDX4FQmR6mbgMl8ElCo0vxm9_es2WcZjRwG0b2oio1Xqys_PqE-YVzrENRZTKWJ5-rxytQvx86LoBzTKvFTsnODToc_yITBfNqJE5fM6mQbW35Lov3LE2xFnLidAuceCLOfs3DQorq-bfbY__iQ/s663/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyZ9BiaDRA1kFs4MGrmpu6MODXNvLq_k9l2TsDX4FQmR6mbgMl8ElCo0vxm9_es2WcZjRwG0b2oio1Xqys_PqE-YVzrENRZTKWJ5-rxytQvx86LoBzTKvFTsnODToc_yITBfNqJE5fM6mQbW35Lov3LE2xFnLidAuceCLOfs3DQorq-bfbY__iQ/w350-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" width="350" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all around DC there are FREE GAZA messages</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will admit... I do not like graffiti or the posting of flyers when it defaces property</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">especially on memorials or other historic properties</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but blank walls... train cars... sign posts... sure</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just not someone's home or a no historical sites </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and please</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not in nature </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in preparation for the Alleycat I became more AWARE of all these posters, signs, and spray painted messages</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was thinking that I could help to raise awareness by throwing this event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just as the Free Gaza mural near Logan Circle has been covered over</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there are people going around and peeling off or spray painting over these posters and flyers with the Free Gaza message </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there are people who feel strongly about the issues</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">from a human perspective</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">from a humanitarian perspective </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is wrong</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">killing innocent women and children is wrong</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">destroying civilian homes is wrong</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">pushing for genocide is wrong</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as part of the Alleycat </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers had to travel to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the White House</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but instead... across the street from the White House</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they had to take a selfie with the Peace Vigil in the background </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">STOKED TO RUB ELBOWS WITH THIS TEAM!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">TEAM PEACE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT8JwsDdmNkDVp_V2SR5xLOp3UvxTlqoWGQXycT9Oz_n1tZyvxw8nz7BzWPKWQc2uHwP6f_83NmAkfU6PKv-5H72_Zh-KrthyhU48s3tLrxIxrUYoDDEMnPj8rAoM0KfVhaV9Tyx0oQzG6dYC8I_IoqPrapqErR14-6hUBk0f8QzmsIQCpXpniQ/s716/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT8JwsDdmNkDVp_V2SR5xLOp3UvxTlqoWGQXycT9Oz_n1tZyvxw8nz7BzWPKWQc2uHwP6f_83NmAkfU6PKv-5H72_Zh-KrthyhU48s3tLrxIxrUYoDDEMnPj8rAoM0KfVhaV9Tyx0oQzG6dYC8I_IoqPrapqErR14-6hUBk0f8QzmsIQCpXpniQ/w325-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" width="325" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was able to bring in Falafel Inc as a sponsor</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the owner of the Falafel Inc is the son of Palestinian Immigrants</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was no hesitation for Falafel Inc to offer support </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried to get an estimate of how many riders might be attending</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had to make a guess</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we settled in on </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">100 Falafel Sandwiches and 100 Tangerines</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">WOW!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">thanks Falafel Inc!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">on the manifest Falafel Inc was a check point</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers had to choose one of the three DC Falafel Inc locations</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Maine Avenue by the Wharf </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Potomac and M Street in Georgetown</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">or</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2000 Pennsylvania Ave near GW</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers would select the most logical of the three locations to work in on their manifest route</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then pick up a sticker and take a selfie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks Falafel Inc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Racers and Riders FEASTED on falafel sandwiches and tangerines at the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.falafelinc.org">https://www.falafelinc.org</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurwP7OgsGA3CaY8kskX60Wtf_58oPwhjSiNxjy0FMS4Tg3Da5BZ7FSfWdSFfn1LOO7sYX0TDYiFeyMK8OfkK6a4-DCvk2SWW1gzxPdaubYyTF48yvpbreAb-utbTBeEjr8hjeynxEKfHbaxcX0xQSTcEm8C_zP-1CK30lX4sGFufTg-BUTjmwSw/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurwP7OgsGA3CaY8kskX60Wtf_58oPwhjSiNxjy0FMS4Tg3Da5BZ7FSfWdSFfn1LOO7sYX0TDYiFeyMK8OfkK6a4-DCvk2SWW1gzxPdaubYyTF48yvpbreAb-utbTBeEjr8hjeynxEKfHbaxcX0xQSTcEm8C_zP-1CK30lX4sGFufTg-BUTjmwSw/w305-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" width="305" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in addition to Pick A Falafel Inc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was Pick a Mosque</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">three DC Mosques were listed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Islamic Center was the most logical selection</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all racers chose the same mosque</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9NT9aDiMzws0FHX6cHOOclOiXDKONJjncx-Gw_blX_I0KbnF4K6x2ex2PbttAA3_6U9dv9kadTz0I1u7ICYSQvRh9M2kALEEo5IobsmaPOCnNGKcSQJ9FuckQytqMzu0TrXxy_XO-1yAVL-xMNjh4d3EE_H1hmQBNxGAPqIa3vZz7GoB_CdtQQ/s713/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.23.20%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="591" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9NT9aDiMzws0FHX6cHOOclOiXDKONJjncx-Gw_blX_I0KbnF4K6x2ex2PbttAA3_6U9dv9kadTz0I1u7ICYSQvRh9M2kALEEo5IobsmaPOCnNGKcSQJ9FuckQytqMzu0TrXxy_XO-1yAVL-xMNjh4d3EE_H1hmQBNxGAPqIa3vZz7GoB_CdtQQ/w331-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.23.20%20PM.png" width="331" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in addition to Falafel Inc</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was another Middle Eastern restaurant on the manifest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mama Ayesha's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">on Calvert Street in Adams Morgan is a locals favorite</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mama Ayesha's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">on the side of this restaurant is a mural of Mama Ayesha flanked by the most recent US Presidents</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers had to take a photo of their bike leaned against the mural under Mama Ayesha</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O2CYgv09Qsi-Lni5uOXjAg1FAJ6DpxneM3Eat_FbTBcQXO9z5ZKEhyphenhyphenaqPpAIyVE4L3AMxGelWBbSroxdTUnYIydGNvfebjRKQuHc07fis-dQN7i-XkwUhNdaGD7VB0bu-kZ1cbrqxISWihMHc8J2KXU8c-11pGMP77agKH0sz8CqSGrPaSyjow/s499/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.15%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="499" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O2CYgv09Qsi-Lni5uOXjAg1FAJ6DpxneM3Eat_FbTBcQXO9z5ZKEhyphenhyphenaqPpAIyVE4L3AMxGelWBbSroxdTUnYIydGNvfebjRKQuHc07fis-dQN7i-XkwUhNdaGD7VB0bu-kZ1cbrqxISWihMHc8J2KXU8c-11pGMP77agKH0sz8CqSGrPaSyjow/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.15%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the manifest was OUT OF ORDER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers were able to make their own route</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but really...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there would be many ways to skin this cat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there would be a best way and a bad way</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">selecting further out mosque or Falafel Inc. could change the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">knowing the Whitehaven Shortcut </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">well... that could shorten your day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">depending upon your route</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0G9WVFM7rerP8CTPqS6yW95gABs7cscpvtFYB0rnvWXzRLkaiXNfqkO5CpikKFrbN5qTOY7N6U7gFbdyW6pzhS1Q6PoGoqiYZr_ZejSmDS9EII_L1NbtVrhsrTUNxokenW2qmtfGoK-hDZYXhAfDaW_CXRKZXzqbsfwDbjn3XZyGtnSx3gZ0lg/s881/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.33.59%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0G9WVFM7rerP8CTPqS6yW95gABs7cscpvtFYB0rnvWXzRLkaiXNfqkO5CpikKFrbN5qTOY7N6U7gFbdyW6pzhS1Q6PoGoqiYZr_ZejSmDS9EII_L1NbtVrhsrTUNxokenW2qmtfGoK-hDZYXhAfDaW_CXRKZXzqbsfwDbjn3XZyGtnSx3gZ0lg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.33.59%20AM.png" width="258" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the top 4 racers finished within a minute of each other</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">stranglers came in shortly after</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only 4 finishers had complete manifests</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtoOonTpcdozZqB_6liqX8RgQ26PihbUoORNAEb7GV0ZM4qFGkkrq6R__S-1wtrpSgy3evmdxlGznhestM4xMDKjEnPhjMsObJvYJdVRiR38Foey4m3u_SwtaWBDxatoqt5ejkWId8IgSFgmQHmkPvZYvYGt2LG6fil4mLiubzwZzKZIEWEt9pA/s744/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtoOonTpcdozZqB_6liqX8RgQ26PihbUoORNAEb7GV0ZM4qFGkkrq6R__S-1wtrpSgy3evmdxlGznhestM4xMDKjEnPhjMsObJvYJdVRiR38Foey4m3u_SwtaWBDxatoqt5ejkWId8IgSFgmQHmkPvZYvYGt2LG6fil4mLiubzwZzKZIEWEt9pA/w309-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" width="309" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was confusing... but did not need to be</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Free Gaza Alleycat was intended to be a collaboration with a Free Gaza themed ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the notion was simple</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we all meet at the same place</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">people socialize and share ideas about Gaza before the race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the slow paced social ride does its loop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then simultaneously</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Alleycat racers ride their loop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">estimating a time such that they all end at the same place at roughly the same time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">by my design we were all set</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I created my Alleycat manifest and waited for the information of the Start and Finish locations</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some miscommunication</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was lack of communication</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a last minute change </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride changed the finish and did not share that informations</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so much for a collaboration </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWD6M7HLsQCRCmgKDy9vyaGqnww90232nX4rxExsqJgw52b9mvWiBODJ6Uoj5dFHWiDG8kiXzYpZ83SeLpuNWJQi2YH-HBEEvywLTfLdPizIIcn3AYCD3f9c6JqaaDbeDyIZ4BYstrF4eUMzvFHpNM6Sj4qRLXY2LTQEpD9DW8xvnjmDqT5YkeQ/s627/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.47.49%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWD6M7HLsQCRCmgKDy9vyaGqnww90232nX4rxExsqJgw52b9mvWiBODJ6Uoj5dFHWiDG8kiXzYpZ83SeLpuNWJQi2YH-HBEEvywLTfLdPizIIcn3AYCD3f9c6JqaaDbeDyIZ4BYstrF4eUMzvFHpNM6Sj4qRLXY2LTQEpD9DW8xvnjmDqT5YkeQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.47.49%20AM.png" width="303" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were two locations with Pick Ups on the Manifest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Museum of the Palestinian People</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Middle Eastern Book Store</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">these two spots were next door to each other on 18th Street </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this spot was 2-3 blocks from the intended finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">somewhere along the line the finish for the ride was changed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride did the loop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">looped past El Tamarindo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the spot that I was TOLD was the ride finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the spot that I went to with the ride leader\ride creator who said El Tamarindo would be the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but on ride day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I saw the ride roll up towards El Tamarindo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then ride past</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were smiles... there were waves...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was no telling me or the Alleycat racers that the finish location had changed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would not have selected El Tamarindo as the ride or race finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I suggested two places</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Kalhil Gibran Memorial on Mass Ave NW on Embassy Row</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">which is beautiful and has a big piece of park space to accommodate the bicycles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">or maybe</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">if they wanted food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I suggested </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don Juan's in Mount Pleasant that would have Lamont Park across the street for people congregating outside </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then also... the stage... the stage would have worked for post ride words and song </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziS0AY_0UXQ1qVF2sZPE8K8PVZKNAp71P1oSRrZl2tQ4Y-_mXPQ38tOR45Q1EBR1-y_lgl2leQw2DdjxgDd8-qp-AtMOAmK-QgwZCNKwv3jSepJRpBTSs4Ez48zrYjHcWiWRz6LBkZ_avLgpzgUat7hQCzDuaCYidvQ8GrTo2OI-AIeaeEhuS9Q/s701/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.21%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziS0AY_0UXQ1qVF2sZPE8K8PVZKNAp71P1oSRrZl2tQ4Y-_mXPQ38tOR45Q1EBR1-y_lgl2leQw2DdjxgDd8-qp-AtMOAmK-QgwZCNKwv3jSepJRpBTSs4Ez48zrYjHcWiWRz6LBkZ_avLgpzgUat7hQCzDuaCYidvQ8GrTo2OI-AIeaeEhuS9Q/w334-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.21%20AM.png" width="334" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Whitehaven shortcut is a great way to get from Mass. Ave Embassy Row to Upper Georgetown</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Islamic Center and the Kahlil Gibran Memorial are on Mass. Ave near the Whitehaven shortcut</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then... the shortcut pops out on Wisconsin Ave. not far from the address that was previously the Palestinian Embassy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">racers had to take a photo of their own reflection in the reflective front windows</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">following instructions</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the racers strongest skills </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">grading manifests</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hate the subjectivity of these things</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it should not be subjective </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv3PuZ2Xk1BPJ2MtLZY7UurODTFd2_F2nGgV0EJkyfiGw2r9BtQHa678F-nCufHohN6xJtDvf5EV6ou2IRqxhUYzmwECsbdaesYeWiWwZv1MyCk4pOYAqazPfCtoEeLE_WVqhedqDXDT2TNOkknryoMs5dH1vQReYCIFr-hg1fnAwWAKv0asfxg/s713/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.08%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="589" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv3PuZ2Xk1BPJ2MtLZY7UurODTFd2_F2nGgV0EJkyfiGw2r9BtQHa678F-nCufHohN6xJtDvf5EV6ou2IRqxhUYzmwECsbdaesYeWiWwZv1MyCk4pOYAqazPfCtoEeLE_WVqhedqDXDT2TNOkknryoMs5dH1vQReYCIFr-hg1fnAwWAKv0asfxg/w330-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.08%20AM.png" width="330" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some back and forth in the days leading up to the Alleycat race combination</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could read read the writing on the wall</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but I maintained my course</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">my effort was to contribute to the Free Gaza themed ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I worked to promote that ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I brought in the food sponsor for the ride </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the notion of chaining the Alleycat race date was suggested several time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">to me... that was not in the spirit of the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that was not my intention</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had already had communication with the Gaza Sunbirds about the event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had three pick ups expecting us that day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and of course</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the pre mentioned food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDaSopToljvYFQ_QNJ_rxD9HhTJ7RPeEeHnRCdZutpESbFcvrojADGOLJfJMzAsxYuMume9pSxxQNiRoKrnAS7Q4YRb1qwI8T-I1IHOtHh9cFjcSku0_N7kEfYFqrr7u0t2Dj4MBsVk_V4ebvHWiNUiwblZldYqdULd-R0fr1dDl6-FY3P83Igw/s675/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.46%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="585" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDaSopToljvYFQ_QNJ_rxD9HhTJ7RPeEeHnRCdZutpESbFcvrojADGOLJfJMzAsxYuMume9pSxxQNiRoKrnAS7Q4YRb1qwI8T-I1IHOtHh9cFjcSku0_N7kEfYFqrr7u0t2Dj4MBsVk_V4ebvHWiNUiwblZldYqdULd-R0fr1dDl6-FY3P83Igw/w173-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.46%20AM.png" width="173" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8q-RoT6B5B8FoTX83kkhg6DlA9xUa30sMSbSVszCZp5LEqpdFRRygcpnT_lhxZS3Hd4Wyebaj6IB3-HX65NlAD7pck521O9UIGwef2jKGAYYN3W5sIFNqZiqVrR-jBI6PBjze17QYGQcgRThfzGMbwYfvVAlnt3lFPHl9SZeywpfpkcj_OEWvg/s716/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.28.12%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="583" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8q-RoT6B5B8FoTX83kkhg6DlA9xUa30sMSbSVszCZp5LEqpdFRRygcpnT_lhxZS3Hd4Wyebaj6IB3-HX65NlAD7pck521O9UIGwef2jKGAYYN3W5sIFNqZiqVrR-jBI6PBjze17QYGQcgRThfzGMbwYfvVAlnt3lFPHl9SZeywpfpkcj_OEWvg/w163-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.28.12%20AM.png" width="163" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the manifest had nice stops not including the start and finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were those two pick ups that were addresses right next door to each other</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had created a QUICK CAT</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Quick and Clean</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Short and to the Point</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">something that could be done in under an hour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">to match up with an hour long social ride </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I felt that my Alleycat was FUN and INFORMATIVE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the addresses played in perfectly with the Palestine theme</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the manifest is reworkable...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there is opportunity to borrow from this manifest and create a new and different Free Gaza Alleycat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">these addresses with a few additions</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">instead of out of order</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">put them in order?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-KCi3Xtb5RWvja1upkiZ5oXG-royq76vp8tPdGribbZQdvRah5Q9Gtl5sQUDETCGHZ3N1L5v89VjYBN8L_xuGmo5z0UVn5hLrTQ4O9bUThALArqWJCfZpn7U3WgGQeq1l5iiBG2lzuT2vb65ELnUoxy_OxurJuT0cZTJFOlkKOZp3qJvpsTD2g/s611/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.35%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="589" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-KCi3Xtb5RWvja1upkiZ5oXG-royq76vp8tPdGribbZQdvRah5Q9Gtl5sQUDETCGHZ3N1L5v89VjYBN8L_xuGmo5z0UVn5hLrTQ4O9bUThALArqWJCfZpn7U3WgGQeq1l5iiBG2lzuT2vb65ELnUoxy_OxurJuT0cZTJFOlkKOZp3qJvpsTD2g/w193-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.29.35%20AM.png" width="193" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm7-u4MQZSS2pbng1H0ONNNVXqJgf8_0V3PCW5kOKII9y_4kfU4_ytbaj4H488M4d_SlxrcI4qj7tVMCArXz_5M94JXu1i6EOwNFdqCWBXyh87n684q5KJK595BRIKOpj2FaKE2D_mxJe-tYwblgxSwp1ULilTDER-wRDyEQyROhuWLe_Brlf7Q/s582/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.30.10%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="575" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm7-u4MQZSS2pbng1H0ONNNVXqJgf8_0V3PCW5kOKII9y_4kfU4_ytbaj4H488M4d_SlxrcI4qj7tVMCArXz_5M94JXu1i6EOwNFdqCWBXyh87n684q5KJK595BRIKOpj2FaKE2D_mxJe-tYwblgxSwp1ULilTDER-wRDyEQyROhuWLe_Brlf7Q/w198-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.30.10%20AM.png" width="198" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">add a few more places</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the watermelon is an icon that is used in the Palestinian protests</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the watermelon mural a few blocks off from Logan would be an easy addition </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">make people go to one of the further mosques instead of getting to choose</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as with any Alleycat... the options are... not endless... but there are many many options</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so many way to play this</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so many ways to make a similar theme with a different race </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38Au66KSs6Jid0_L33iUsN21RG1N4O6oIBI4d2xvQiqUy47k5TDa3eUvLtPZZCH-G2lUWdtV17af7yes8mRPypE604v1jKDpHVr9-WcV-n64D312QL53otbXTvN5FsJrJ-qtCPgjkTSVvYp7nS1M_mcdmK_yeI6Wu4zpV0_b5PWB1e_nmzn4uQ/s536/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.13.31%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38Au66KSs6Jid0_L33iUsN21RG1N4O6oIBI4d2xvQiqUy47k5TDa3eUvLtPZZCH-G2lUWdtV17af7yes8mRPypE604v1jKDpHVr9-WcV-n64D312QL53otbXTvN5FsJrJ-qtCPgjkTSVvYp7nS1M_mcdmK_yeI6Wu4zpV0_b5PWB1e_nmzn4uQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.13.31%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was a good day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the race was not as big as I had hoped</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride was not as large as I had expected either</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">glad I stayed the course</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">glad I hosted the race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">even with the push back</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">even with the undercurrent of dissent</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">even with Jerry Povich and Maury Springer games going on around me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I persisted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">looked at the bigger picture</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the DC version of 90210</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but bigger picture</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the cliques</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the lover's quarrels </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not the interpersonal relationships</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">none of that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried to ignore the hecklers in the cheap seats and stay my course</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">even though it was small</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was well received </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">of course... I would have loved to have more racers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that said... I always expect more racers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the start line I was able to enlist a dozen racers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but only 6 or 7 made it to the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the end...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Marine Corps marathon may have tens upon thousands of runners</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but the race is really just the top five men and top five women</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Alleycat is really no different</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we had a race for the podium</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the top three are some of the top winning Alleycat racers in this moment</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they got to duke it out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">while the stragglers got distracted by the Social Ride and its ease versus the complexity of this actually very simple manifest </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PiqQugzdwpB8Q5lnuRyfkeMsnziBaGvnx3-uw4-ZclHgXkEXV7qIyfIwuvxxknXCnoQ6nzp5tf28yy6cxM0hgNJOev5-_L2D4iF2R7eRCui0feTOvwfgNPqT2HFpOaw1aETagvv8vt2RvuiSmpYVaIHYq4a-6LdotX-8-76DD_wA4kboD-Xe3g/s870/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.44%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="870" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PiqQugzdwpB8Q5lnuRyfkeMsnziBaGvnx3-uw4-ZclHgXkEXV7qIyfIwuvxxknXCnoQ6nzp5tf28yy6cxM0hgNJOev5-_L2D4iF2R7eRCui0feTOvwfgNPqT2HFpOaw1aETagvv8vt2RvuiSmpYVaIHYq4a-6LdotX-8-76DD_wA4kboD-Xe3g/w400-h301/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.44%20AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some scoring confusion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as there often can be</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">tried to be fair in my strictness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">did not want to take the fun out of things by being too strict</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">((think Dead City at Fort Slocum Park))</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the end... the chips fell where they fell</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that is how things were scored</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and it seems fair enough</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the TOP THREE got FREE GAZA posters that I made with Key Han Solo's Stencil </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Top Five all got prize bags with some SWAG</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">here is how things were scored in the end</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sleazy Greg finish FIRST... with GregP in his shadow... and then Biggs and Bruce less than a minute after...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">BUT... Sleazy's selfie at the Free Gaza Mural did not have a Peace Sign... he went back to correct that...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">also... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sleazy's selfie at the former Embassy of Palestine had his reflection... but almost by luck</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">while Biggs did not have his reflection in the photo... he was there... but INSTRUCTIONS...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">confusion... struggles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">should I have created a tie?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it got scored as fairly as I thought I could </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">TOP FIVE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brian Clark aka Biggs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sleazy Greg</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Legend Bruce</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fast and Friendly Dave</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mordie finish 5th </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(more the first finisher with an incomplete manifest)</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATnzWS2FFdaOFQ7eqMy1MK9GwwFMMHQp-jShvaxk-bqmVDBQ0GZsJjG3ctozKTPC4fixkmdwqoYAIj5HSTwfadlmYjcwkrXF6jEquNm_JwrocAeMEAcQKAhGEqIwTDPRLwp-WaZIVkwNgZmvi_f423BQTnuhkfbslxrTKpGppq2QSKaqhdvL2Jw/s699/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.05%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="583" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATnzWS2FFdaOFQ7eqMy1MK9GwwFMMHQp-jShvaxk-bqmVDBQ0GZsJjG3ctozKTPC4fixkmdwqoYAIj5HSTwfadlmYjcwkrXF6jEquNm_JwrocAeMEAcQKAhGEqIwTDPRLwp-WaZIVkwNgZmvi_f423BQTnuhkfbslxrTKpGppq2QSKaqhdvL2Jw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.05%20AM.png" width="267" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">although I was not looking to finish in the Alley by El Tamarindo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it all worked out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">my son Dean picked up food from Falafel Inc</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">after the racers and those hanging at the finish were fed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I went to the Museum of the People of Palestinian People and handed out falafel sandwiches and tangerines</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I got to share in the day with the riders</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">even with the debacle of the finish </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx6zZ5LUShc_qrLfUaC_D0pPi0Al0CuAN7i9pifh97b4JnfU_MOjzQtZPK2tpSMiBK2O41xDnRykisegiDrPisQolEbYnSXAhq0_k1AC7o9_dyZ4vt5L4ccjuMepLSMdUb51dJZ9GrtxO4dayXHBoAv__XEvCcl5gE3X4P9MAgr0nLHEvvayJ2g/s765/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.52%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="584" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx6zZ5LUShc_qrLfUaC_D0pPi0Al0CuAN7i9pifh97b4JnfU_MOjzQtZPK2tpSMiBK2O41xDnRykisegiDrPisQolEbYnSXAhq0_k1AC7o9_dyZ4vt5L4ccjuMepLSMdUb51dJZ9GrtxO4dayXHBoAv__XEvCcl5gE3X4P9MAgr0nLHEvvayJ2g/w153-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.52%20AM.png" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0sVr_AkDLyolbvDUbaOVrzsvqNISFoC8HGwLZbNYWUXR1S-w_n6QlC12eFdxftwFt9JytYAWM6aH6bZZptrjKKzKfTbC4Zd6qoO63PM0eh8jgIwrQLyPMp2_DVVAly2ANKn3RdE-4x8KHslHo4qzCkEF8CJck2PWHjyANqhSvAMpb3IJupGN2Q/s727/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.48.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="589" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0sVr_AkDLyolbvDUbaOVrzsvqNISFoC8HGwLZbNYWUXR1S-w_n6QlC12eFdxftwFt9JytYAWM6aH6bZZptrjKKzKfTbC4Zd6qoO63PM0eh8jgIwrQLyPMp2_DVVAly2ANKn3RdE-4x8KHslHo4qzCkEF8CJck2PWHjyANqhSvAMpb3IJupGN2Q/w162-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.48.04%20AM.png" width="162" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was not to gather</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was not to socialize</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was good to get out there and talk about Palestine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">to share ideas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">to listen to ideas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">while gathering and socializing </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">although I missed the performance by Opera Girl</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we did get to chat at the finish while I was handing out falafel and tangerines</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">her insight was deep and profound</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was the conversation that I expected the people all around me to be having </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was a success</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the whole process involved spreading the word</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not just spreading the word about the ride and the alleycat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but spreading the word about Free Gaza</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">initiating the conversation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when I first posted about Free Gaza on Facebook I was met by some push back</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a knee jerk reaction</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some people were triggered</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were some immediate </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">UNFOLLOWS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were a few</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FREE THE HOSTAGES responses when I wrote FREE GAZA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were two rapid responses from me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"yes... Free the Hostages...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FREE GAZA - FREE THE HOSTAGES - AND FREE PIZZA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want all three</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but right now we are talking about FREE GAZA"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then also I would say...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Your knee jerk reaction of FREE THE HOSTAGES when I say FREE GAZA sounds like a MAGA supporter saying ALL LIVES MATTER when someone says BLACK LIVES MATTER"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">GAZA LIVES MATTER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just like</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">UKRAINIAN LIVES MATTER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Humanitarian... not Political...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">CEASEFIRE NOW</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">today it is cold in The District</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">DC woke to a dusting of snow</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so... last weekend was better than this weekend for so many reasons</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was talk that I would get more Alleycat racers had I hosted the FREE GAZA ALLEYCAT the following week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that some of the ride participants might be interested in doing the race </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">etc. etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but really... that was not the plan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the plan was for a collaboration</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for me to work as a subset of their group action</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">my adjacent contribution would be in addition to and not in competition with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but this was not understood</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">which was confusing to me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it all seemed so simple</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">had I hosted my race on another day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not in collaboration</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would not have SPAMMED the Internet with invites to the DC Great Ride of Return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would not have told strangers on the street about the social ride and to find information on the Native Woman Ride Instagram page</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would have gotten 30 Falafel Sandwiches and 30 Tangerines if I were just promoting the Alleycat </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not 100 of each for all</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">glad I did it</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">glad it went well</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was a success on so many levels</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peace in the Middle East</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ceasefire Now</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Free Gaza</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">STOP THE KILLING </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">check out the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Donate to the Gaza Sunbirds if you Can</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org">https://www.gazasunbirds.org</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWlgqKb_I2jkz19AzfNjZy4c8kFg17e9EaidsyScKwCn47JbEdX21gt83ZuxhwKf2yNm3BEVVH0K4g8jP7I_Bpl3_G28Odgh7OphRACgEmeKjP8Th0a1AHgYCfbVzi8L6lCXDSvoTb_XmL3H4dvM04e5_QGk9kgHdWhIZhseW2IGrqK3HoKvjfg/s732/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.30.38%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="582" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWlgqKb_I2jkz19AzfNjZy4c8kFg17e9EaidsyScKwCn47JbEdX21gt83ZuxhwKf2yNm3BEVVH0K4g8jP7I_Bpl3_G28Odgh7OphRACgEmeKjP8Th0a1AHgYCfbVzi8L6lCXDSvoTb_XmL3H4dvM04e5_QGk9kgHdWhIZhseW2IGrqK3HoKvjfg/w318-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-17%20at%2010.30.38%20AM.png" width="318" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-34702102920654137122024-02-16T09:09:00.002-05:002024-02-16T09:09:40.085-05:00DC Folk Lore Legend Left Hall died last week... for better or for worse... Lefty will live forever in our memories... <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWW6pagS7UvqEMBJxb3bq1u507KLi4rBaKH54j9wCdgrnxfFOtijjb-K5jyH6wNQsVqhZLJOcW1HJegbEzOyd14vzhKU0wePdYjdhr4dqnbs7yh3zdVAzfgClRe610v9QymkgdkpJ5qnItRui3miDM6UmrxraEYy0Zwgj8mRKP2s-QG169Zs6cg/s376/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%209.05.45%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="376" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWW6pagS7UvqEMBJxb3bq1u507KLi4rBaKH54j9wCdgrnxfFOtijjb-K5jyH6wNQsVqhZLJOcW1HJegbEzOyd14vzhKU0wePdYjdhr4dqnbs7yh3zdVAzfgClRe610v9QymkgdkpJ5qnItRui3miDM6UmrxraEYy0Zwgj8mRKP2s-QG169Zs6cg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%209.05.45%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><i>"Hurt People Hurt People" </i></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">that does not make it okay... but it does help to explain things a little</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Lefty was a riddle...</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>now... I am not a Psychologist </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">and</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">I do not claim to know anything about Transgender </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">but...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><i>do you think Lefty might have been a good candidate for being Transgender?</i></b></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><i>Do you think if Lefty were born in these times rather than those she would have identified differently?</i></b></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><i>Was her rage tied into a Body Dysmorphic Disorder?</i></b></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">just a thought...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b><i>thoughts?</i></b></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Peace to Lefty </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Give if you Care to Give</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kendall-lefty-hall">https://www.gofundme.com/f/kendall-lefty-hall</a><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Gwadzilla Mentions of LEFTY</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">I always thought it would make an interesting documentary to compile stories of the Legend that was Lefty</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://gwadzilla.blogspot.com/search?q=lefty">https://gwadzilla.blogspot.com/search?q=lefty</a><br /></div></div></div><p><br /></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-21453005086603611432024-02-16T09:01:00.005-05:002024-02-16T09:01:52.231-05:00Upshift DC... Mobile Bike Mechanic and MORE!!!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j11_t9WzsLjbBCxQiiuw9WTdVHlvToEzO3zDBusFIFWt6DRA0FtLWRmq0qk-InFQJNROwgUm1z7xCZG_BnAFOQuQ_XZV6YHy9wsDNghrl-X4qIQ2-Z_-TF2uBw3DXe7wu5mkjTk9jYtMsfqjHG22eC6WoVEu1i9Np0WR6KZnRGrBgZn__mItPA/s728/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.55.38%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j11_t9WzsLjbBCxQiiuw9WTdVHlvToEzO3zDBusFIFWt6DRA0FtLWRmq0qk-InFQJNROwgUm1z7xCZG_BnAFOQuQ_XZV6YHy9wsDNghrl-X4qIQ2-Z_-TF2uBw3DXe7wu5mkjTk9jYtMsfqjHG22eC6WoVEu1i9Np0WR6KZnRGrBgZn__mItPA/w321-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.55.38%20AM.png" width="321" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">rolling home in the final moments of my day as a Field Bike Mechanic for Capital BikeShare I passed by a sidewalk scene</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was Leah Fantle of UPSHIFT DC</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a mobile bike mechanic operation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">MORE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Leah worked as a Field Bike Mechanic some years ago...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Leah worked for Gearin Up Bicycles as well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">where else did Leah work?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have never seen her resume...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but I know her reputation </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Leah is an excellent mechanic who is very thorough </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">if you are looking for a mechanic that does house calls in Washington, DC</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">contact Leah of UPSHIFT DC </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.upshiftdc.com/ ">https://www.upshiftdc.com/ </a><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="QFw9Te" jsaction="rcuQ6b:pdOLIe,rysOMe;qako4e:EWnfbd;agoMJf:EWnfbd;D4azhe:EWnfbd;qmOkV:ZTCSKe,ypQoS,peH7Nc;VjXcvc:lVRyvf,kQslJf;CpMfbe:g81FKd,kCq1A,NkJOu,pkQzee,pc2EQb,mByJ6b,MLW7ce,gx3W4c,Kn2pB,JcS7v;Qhw78b:oDNoof;s2yng:CLZnDb,TXpe8b;lJyiZb:qaDTSe,HOic6b,ZTCSKe;sT00Fe:kreI9e,RHer4;XrDNQd:Gzidhe,RHer4;ssxfTe:qH83Jb;RDfcSe:aIx5xb;zzJfGb:lI0Nd;A5dP1b:H3p8Qb,ZTCSKe;SuwQzc:VROTkf;CmWMuf:oF67le;dsztce:GgTdAd;" jscontroller="QwxRbe" jsmodel="DtTOnb odhsff aQxxRc" jsname="T118cc" style="display: flex; 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margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="580" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5yP9Y4XjCxpTigUXnS1vv11IlzszKKKF4YvAtgiiy3isHIGq5QSqR0_JKnHOerxo0LFRGAsRufNnrN3phdZCtlryrzX4fsENcG1rdbdFTRtoNNaIheR9knhCESkTabXsaWM2PqpjtsaSeZE2wmWZJknBjq5R4-SpJ0AVxFWLcjiQ0z3WS3NXRw/w305-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.55.26%20AM.png" width="305" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-54053424552791893322024-02-13T10:13:00.005-05:002024-02-13T10:13:38.661-05:00Happy Birthday Dani... I hope that these pre-transition photos bring back good memories as that is the intention <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQtwZigUncj_aqtcAJ66a2u_8iEyZUEF2xkWmFW7yqM3VlE0t8LA_ToqRiKnhguuM0LOv-Gn7cb5B74ZDjb3U6OTAS6abQWK5Vvkp3ey2U_x-dNO6mhoi5M6wu8tXDVcnt0MA8Cbt4YNAhmCC3fenOHVisHOS1arh5J31OR4Fd3fOFME_UJJT2A/s714/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%2010.11.50%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQtwZigUncj_aqtcAJ66a2u_8iEyZUEF2xkWmFW7yqM3VlE0t8LA_ToqRiKnhguuM0LOv-Gn7cb5B74ZDjb3U6OTAS6abQWK5Vvkp3ey2U_x-dNO6mhoi5M6wu8tXDVcnt0MA8Cbt4YNAhmCC3fenOHVisHOS1arh5J31OR4Fd3fOFME_UJJT2A/w328-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%2010.11.50%20AM.png" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Happy Birthday Dani!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I hope you are celebrating with friends in Portland!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-15152868914343059782024-02-13T10:07:00.004-05:002024-02-16T08:19:13.564-05:00Race Report: Free Gaza Alleycat - The Promoter's Perspective (draft-will read and maybe proof - maybe)<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNb2c-9qXpYFP-ltrlC8wp5SGu3iNXOOeZaROKyidfwIednJ8c9epCjhSvTFrvQjSplGcvevtVfpU601BkZ2Es0j_awTzzwdzkK66WqWkxPxjdg9UqUNyxBf5A8NDRWY9aGerDYx2BTXsysseyLAlvJoevgwtYfcBr9vavKVNE5iLjpBsbv_Vmg/s501/GAZARIDE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNb2c-9qXpYFP-ltrlC8wp5SGu3iNXOOeZaROKyidfwIednJ8c9epCjhSvTFrvQjSplGcvevtVfpU601BkZ2Es0j_awTzzwdzkK66WqWkxPxjdg9UqUNyxBf5A8NDRWY9aGerDYx2BTXsysseyLAlvJoevgwtYfcBr9vavKVNE5iLjpBsbv_Vmg/w324-h400/GAZARIDE.png" width="324" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>last Saturday February 10th was the Free Gaza Alleycat in conjunction with a social ride; The Great Ride of Return... let me try to get some ideas down about the day</i></div></i><span><div style="text-align: center;">months prior I had been making small talk with my friend Guarina of Native Woman Ride</div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I voiced my interest in hosting a Native themed Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that would correspond with Guarina hosting a DC Native Bike Ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> we talked about a number of spots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">turns out there is an App created by a professor at AU that included a number of the potential checkpoints</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.american.edu/magazine/article/dc-native.cfm"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Elizabeth Rule's Guide to Indigenous DC</span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">the overlap was extensive</div></span><span style="text-align: center;">I had seen a film that Guarina had made about US History pertaining to the Native population and boarding schools</span><br /><span style="text-align: center;">so much of that information was new to me</span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span>I felt like I wanted to help get the information out</span></span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span>the film is called the Carlisle 200</span></span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.nativewomenride.com/films">https://www.nativewomenride.com/films</a></span></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Native History Month had passed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was the end of fall and the onset of winter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">which means it was not really Group Ride or Alleycat Race Season</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so... it was nothing more than the planting of a seed<span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">then October 7th there were the Hamas attacks and then the Israeli retaliation </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the world looked on as Netanyahu responded aggressively</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the attacks... the bombing... the cutting off aid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was beyond <i>"tit for tat"<span> </span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">it was clear that Netanyahu was pushing to eliminate the Palestinian state</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Netanyahu was pushing for Genocide</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">or </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so it appeared watching the world news</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were posts by Guarina about the plight of the Palestinian people and the Free Gaza movement</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">then... Native Women Ride hosted a short bicycle ride</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I missed the ride... but saw some clips online<span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">when Putin lead his assault on the innocent people of the Ukraine I looked on and wondered what I could do </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I thought that I could try to gather bicycle donations for the people of the Ukraine </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but early in my effort I learned that it would not be so easy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my contact at Bikes for the World said they did not go there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there would be no way for me to attempt this without partnering with a group already lending aid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">more searching I learned that it would not be so easy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and then talking to my now dead friend Joy... there was the question... how many Ukrainians remain in the Ukraine? Joy said they had all already evacuated... they said that there would be no Ukrainians to send bikes to... so I shelved the idea...</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the clips from the Free Gaza Ride\Skateboard event were awesome </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was a solid gathering of protestors in support of Palestine </span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then shortly after that event in talking to Guarina there was mention of trying to put a little more planning into the next ride... another Free Gaza bike event.. to make the ride bigger, longer, and to have the message reach more people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I suggested hosting an Alleycat along side the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Guarina and I met and talked</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was decided...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would host a Free Gaza Themed Alleycat that would coincide with the Free Gaza Themed Ride (The Great Ride of Return)</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">there was a glance at a calendar</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">two fast approaching dates were considered</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the more near date anticipated better weather</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">Guarina decided that she would host the ride on February 10th</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I felt like that date worked for me and I could assemble a QUCK CAT in that amount of time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__s-V-Z_RWjarxQ3G0p-IyBibHkU47SsGU_980SSKBcD4rUlcOjlD59QBTNBTyZN1KA4K3NCTRLLzE67BXo8cH2mfFcftPsWTV9IR2k6fGUKEZKsuPoPoyRC5IMpKwGHJ7_R_56wXcg-s5IZZyQM3b_4hIeI4kxpX3X21mcm1fXYxMy7lubyug/s1440/FREE%20PAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__s-V-Z_RWjarxQ3G0p-IyBibHkU47SsGU_980SSKBcD4rUlcOjlD59QBTNBTyZN1KA4K3NCTRLLzE67BXo8cH2mfFcftPsWTV9IR2k6fGUKEZKsuPoPoyRC5IMpKwGHJ7_R_56wXcg-s5IZZyQM3b_4hIeI4kxpX3X21mcm1fXYxMy7lubyug/w400-h300/FREE%20PAL.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the planning started</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the back of my mind I started to store potential Free Gaza\Palestine themed Alleycat Check Points</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><div style="text-align: center;">first I thought in generalities...</div></span><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>what mosques? what restaurants? what Free Gaza\Free Palestine Graffiti?<span> </span>WHAT ELSE?<span> </span></i></div></i><span><div style="text-align: center;">as I worked my bike share mobile mechanic job I rode around the city</div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">collecting potential checkpoints each day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">noticing Free Gaza Graffiti here and there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">discovering a Mosque I had never noticed before on a street name I had never seen before </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a rough draft was coming together <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1F1S22IiEqOzejrmveXTud5W7-w8EajVPCxxM5CjVFnaPWBSrI8whH6WWXRil7vc84ILjjTxuSpTxK7jMZrUmfXKR3xA2NozKJqq2tOirKXWGHdhrKrsuS1o3Sim0eGOJjeuN1m1J9gcoSK1h_pJgs2-en_nhamnjIUNy-amnnVCz8s9bnRkUQ/s663/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1F1S22IiEqOzejrmveXTud5W7-w8EajVPCxxM5CjVFnaPWBSrI8whH6WWXRil7vc84ILjjTxuSpTxK7jMZrUmfXKR3xA2NozKJqq2tOirKXWGHdhrKrsuS1o3Sim0eGOJjeuN1m1J9gcoSK1h_pJgs2-en_nhamnjIUNy-amnnVCz8s9bnRkUQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" width="280" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I worked on the Alleycat aspect of the day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Guarina worked with a cast of volunteers on the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it would be called <b>The Great Ride of Return</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">simultaneously around the globe on February 10th groups of cyclists would be gathering to ride in support of Gaza</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">more specifically in support of the <b><i>Gaza Sunbirds</i></b><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHiq-FuRZHw_UIh26BjzBPX7KxYoVPoiPG3QNH-jtMrnS0iJAElirC6ZuN2WEABzfw77kNue2ID2uH7jHh4qxx8rfICN7P_-ekptlkCGT_1T6qu4nOZ-qMGYErUAYzQpdtN0iiItBwuBJpjR1ZSym7HqmFQohsI_EREplRSsYfTQo5uzjpjMyBw/s225/FLAG%20PAL.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHiq-FuRZHw_UIh26BjzBPX7KxYoVPoiPG3QNH-jtMrnS0iJAElirC6ZuN2WEABzfw77kNue2ID2uH7jHh4qxx8rfICN7P_-ekptlkCGT_1T6qu4nOZ-qMGYErUAYzQpdtN0iiItBwuBJpjR1ZSym7HqmFQohsI_EREplRSsYfTQo5uzjpjMyBw/w400-h400/FLAG%20PAL.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Check Out the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a group of Palestinian para athletes who are taking a break from focusing on training\racing </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and have altered their attention to delivering relief to those in need in Gaza</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">bringing food to people who can not get food due to the cut off of supply chains etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">both events would be Not for Profit events</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">asking participants to make a donation to the Gaza Sunbirds </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Check Out the Gaza Sunbirds Page</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Donate if you Can </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org">https://www.gazasunbirds.org</a><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuadodzEpwf9aaLfaNf7ZGsZrf1C034-FRPbDptVic2MDeUySV2974c_uRLIxRMk_0f3suAJeDMoD8Ud9Ag011CgXu_fhDznOdbWzRMstwSXh16BFsvyV4k3R4VmVtsiml7T4vZrp7rcBqmb_06FJjjwr3C2hob2BhmtKKSOO-JN0pH3UqstMDA/s1025/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.48.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1025" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuadodzEpwf9aaLfaNf7ZGsZrf1C034-FRPbDptVic2MDeUySV2974c_uRLIxRMk_0f3suAJeDMoD8Ud9Ag011CgXu_fhDznOdbWzRMstwSXh16BFsvyV4k3R4VmVtsiml7T4vZrp7rcBqmb_06FJjjwr3C2hob2BhmtKKSOO-JN0pH3UqstMDA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.48.52%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the notion on my part was this</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would throw the Alleycat part of the day</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would work to promote both events</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">spending more of my attention on promoting the ride rather than the Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as the Alleycat is for Alleycat racers </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the social ride no drop ride would be better suited for everyone<span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8ItTJRgFpS89SPfWje2ANGNgSQU3n9aUvsKGNcg6FfWKOTh3Swq_XxHCtvhuruGkfJ_Kt1s3fH-S9YhxQ6H_WWNcQQzH0IwMJgG9l_3tjr_nKgKxK1N4VLZWcFuwaocxi-QEirIp25cum02axg4nV3y0t5wjHOinxG1oZUkODcsm4MPWQlwypg/s688/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.28.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8ItTJRgFpS89SPfWje2ANGNgSQU3n9aUvsKGNcg6FfWKOTh3Swq_XxHCtvhuruGkfJ_Kt1s3fH-S9YhxQ6H_WWNcQQzH0IwMJgG9l_3tjr_nKgKxK1N4VLZWcFuwaocxi-QEirIp25cum02axg4nV3y0t5wjHOinxG1oZUkODcsm4MPWQlwypg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.28.30%20PM.png" width="275" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Alleycat and its Free Gaza theme was coming together </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I started to share Clues on Instagram</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also shared Not Clues on Instagram...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">photos of a distant mosque was shared</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then a photo of the Cairo building</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">would my Instagram help with clues... it might</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but do not depend on it giving up the full manifest </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the early days of planning there was a bit of a question mark</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was not sure of the ride was a sure thing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">this late planning made my Alleycat seem to be a bit of a maybe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I planned I kept the thought that it was a <i>maybe</i> in my mind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">one day early in the planning I ran into Sleazy Greg</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greg came straight out and asked</span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WHEN IS THE NEXT ALLEYCAT?</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was not ready to announce the Free Gaza event</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so we talked</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greg talked about a Valentine's Day theme Alleycat... having perfume bottles, roses, and heart shaped chocolates as prizes instead of bicycle themed stuff </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as much as I might like the idea</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I rolled my eyes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I know from hosting races in the past... it is best for the promoter not to spend much of their own money... as it is tough to break even... the more you spend... the less you get back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and then of course</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Valentine's Day theme implies women</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How many woman race Alleycats these days?</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What women would be racing this Valentine's Day race?</i></div></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sounds more like a Lonely Hearts Club Alleycat than Valentines Day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so... I poo poo'ed Greg's suggestion</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then tried to pick his brain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was curious about the semi political spin to the Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was wondering what people thought about the situation in the Middle East</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">how people felt about Palestine </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">what people thought about this Free Gaza movement</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greg<i> (who just got back from a trip to Egypt)</i> was in support of the Free Gaza movement and the notion of Ceasefire Now</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(I think... not trying to put words in someone's mouth or claim to know the ideas in their heads)</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we rolled off in our separate directions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">me off to repair more Bike Share bikes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">him off to make more deliveries </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPB0mFFD3Z8GtJYm41H74RfNU1tEdbUoXUNM0JSPWc403faWkN5BTCQDdxH5R-zv7V97RRdGJNUKieS78cZd5exOdjJ7j_JpfkVQl_1CVtwPxQXF5-ew2HuWtACqarUGUFB4UuFIKNiP6koy-4a17-QAKFa-4iVSrU0aEqhgZJS2g-XT6i5GbsQ/s680/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-30%20at%208.25.24%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPB0mFFD3Z8GtJYm41H74RfNU1tEdbUoXUNM0JSPWc403faWkN5BTCQDdxH5R-zv7V97RRdGJNUKieS78cZd5exOdjJ7j_JpfkVQl_1CVtwPxQXF5-ew2HuWtACqarUGUFB4UuFIKNiP6koy-4a17-QAKFa-4iVSrU0aEqhgZJS2g-XT6i5GbsQ/w344-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-30%20at%208.25.24%20AM.png" width="344" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">more and more checkpoints came to mind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">although there is no current Palestinian Embassy </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there is a plaque at the previous Embassy of Palestine in the 1700 block of Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were many Middle Eastern restaurants in the District</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">several boasting Palestinian dishes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">some claiming Palestinian descent</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">more potential check points</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Alleycat... the potential Allecyat was coming together</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I shared ideas with Guarina</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">mentioning the weather... how the selected date had warm temps but chance of rain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">mentioning conflicts... like the approach of Valentine's Day taking would be participants who would be working overtime delivering Valentines in the days before and after the 14th of the month</span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">these things seemed worth considering</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">these ideas were taking into consideration</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the maybe ride was starting to sound more definite</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">which made the would be Alleycat more definite</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in anticipation of the day I though about prizes and such</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure... I have a few items in the basement that could work as prizes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but I did not think I could pair these companies with this Free Gaza themed event without their consent</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">again...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">although I am in support of a Ceasefire and the Free Gaza agenda</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">what do potential Alleycat racers believe?</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">on Facebook I posted about the event</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">some high school and college friends commented with UNFOLLOW when I posted a post in support of Gaza</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a friend from the cyclocross race community commented UNFOLLOW</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I felt that this topic was causing a trigger response</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">this is a topic that is polarizing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">yet I maintained</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I saw my support of Gaza and the Gaza Sunbirds more as a Humanitarian effort than a political effort</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I developed a come back for the hair trigger response of FREE THE HOSTAGES when I said FREE GAZA</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were two standard responses</span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Free Gaza... Free the Hostages... Free Pizza</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I want all three</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but right now we are talking about Free Gaza"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and also... I told people...</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"To say Free the Hostages when I say Free Gaza is like saying All Lives Matter when I say Black Lives Matter"</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not sure if these efforts dispelled the intensity of the attacks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">maybe I have been UNFOLLOWED by these people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it is a shame to not have a civil conversation about something so important</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in my daily travels I passed an artist in an alley off P Street near Logan Circle </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the artist was finishing up a beautiful Free Gaza mural</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we talked... I was in awe...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">many people passed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">for every 20 positive responses there was maybe one negative</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">one man came up with an Anti Palestine agenda</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the artist and the opposition debated</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the artist spoke circles around the man</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the man sounded like a Holocaust denier in the way he spoke against the Palestinians </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">too much propaganda confusing the truth </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the mural was finish... yet almost immediately</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in under 24 hours after completion the mural was covered over in black spray paint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">what a shame!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the artist came back days later</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">after long days and long nights of creation </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the artist came back and cleaned up the mural</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but again... almost immediately...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the mural was vandalized with black spray paint again</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the back and forth was frustrating </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not only was this a beautiful piece of art</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but a beautiful message</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and of course</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I wanted this spot as a checkpoint in my Alleycat </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure enough...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the counter people returned with black spray paint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">vandalizing the art</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">blacking out the message</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">forcing the artist to return and clean it up again</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">luckily... the mural would be clean on Race\Ride Day!</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXSaf5m2FtPG64Kk8rnez-0urpYI4F_HtHh8Sd5OCrnnXwFlS4qw9ci8I1Duqa_599h7wQySbF70pcRyaZTgIbyXSL5RQkqb0WtpDPYfYjLApLCgxWoQFMyx3EP4GtgsCRvSpjaVsEB9wqJDqEnQtZ-gA_mW4Ls_y5O8gjwsLihGIecdidT3iVg/s614/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.26%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="614" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXSaf5m2FtPG64Kk8rnez-0urpYI4F_HtHh8Sd5OCrnnXwFlS4qw9ci8I1Duqa_599h7wQySbF70pcRyaZTgIbyXSL5RQkqb0WtpDPYfYjLApLCgxWoQFMyx3EP4GtgsCRvSpjaVsEB9wqJDqEnQtZ-gA_mW4Ls_y5O8gjwsLihGIecdidT3iVg/w200-h157/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.26%20AM.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibocBzBnCWc33S0FFm06q1qgfurDsxeV8FgfzYGN7z4Qdl1v2LuAp6-Kw11w12es4UUvAIhMTF_zB63gslxcIIk_-aBT7ahVcxL2yiJbTjbgtYv_gKQyIfpUVPzfSUEfEI-LD11AUx_316mX5KEqHjKFW3RFT8ACqd8EL7-jbLboVFlJDLA12mhA/s579/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.43%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="579" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibocBzBnCWc33S0FFm06q1qgfurDsxeV8FgfzYGN7z4Qdl1v2LuAp6-Kw11w12es4UUvAIhMTF_zB63gslxcIIk_-aBT7ahVcxL2yiJbTjbgtYv_gKQyIfpUVPzfSUEfEI-LD11AUx_316mX5KEqHjKFW3RFT8ACqd8EL7-jbLboVFlJDLA12mhA/w200-h137/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.28.43%20AM.png" width="200" /></a><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the timeline to this story is jumping around</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">writing the story off the top of my head</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am not so good with timelines sometimes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF7h5CuVzVtEAjustcgJrbhudSVSg2DB7xumFnY1NDoOFv0YKngKFhg8r_XtVf80CzTeEBqkouhsaiv_tjDLLr3-3smsSC-lVA0OvzOmq5XAushSq_qKhd3ANgbwJ0Sht4MX6CZGGtbQGIBImNUHoKYIBFKWdH3j0O4SRTvv03B8iRz4fvNbU_w/s616/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.29.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="616" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF7h5CuVzVtEAjustcgJrbhudSVSg2DB7xumFnY1NDoOFv0YKngKFhg8r_XtVf80CzTeEBqkouhsaiv_tjDLLr3-3smsSC-lVA0OvzOmq5XAushSq_qKhd3ANgbwJ0Sht4MX6CZGGtbQGIBImNUHoKYIBFKWdH3j0O4SRTvv03B8iRz4fvNbU_w/w400-h304/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%208.29.11%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I was trying to sort out the notion of prizes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a Graphic Artist\Street Artist friend of mine announced on Instagram that he was working on some Free Gaza themed posters for an event in Baltimore </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Han Key was getting together with a few like minded friends to create some posters for an event that would be bringing together a long list of artists each with a Ceasefire - Pro-Palestine message</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I saw Han Key's FREE GAZA DC Flag poster using the poppy flower as the stars to make the DC flag</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that poster looked perfect as a prize for the Free Gaza Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I awkwardly invited myself along</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Key Han invited me along without awkwardness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">offering up for me to copy his stencil and make some posters in his art space</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so after work... I met up with Key Han and others to make some posters</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Key Han ask Key Han Solo on Instagram</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/keyhansolo/">https://www.instagram.com/keyhansolo/</a><span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8KJ4-bZc3dGBOYIoPOR4RldGhy3_yadnoy5uQ4r-ylsi-k9XDXxGmJLx-WPfCd3exEjZPzGKZAXX3Gu2oFUZmsPp_izeOp24A0Wd7xbeSR4qEhGiE8ro8WJHGJDz6qkT5QxZMQGkVtW6uqEWlCE1V1inqtHOVIq9d9-B5XCt92_AGCcXXR8CJA/s732/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-30%20at%208.25.39%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="589" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8KJ4-bZc3dGBOYIoPOR4RldGhy3_yadnoy5uQ4r-ylsi-k9XDXxGmJLx-WPfCd3exEjZPzGKZAXX3Gu2oFUZmsPp_izeOp24A0Wd7xbeSR4qEhGiE8ro8WJHGJDz6qkT5QxZMQGkVtW6uqEWlCE1V1inqtHOVIq9d9-B5XCt92_AGCcXXR8CJA/w321-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-30%20at%208.25.39%20AM.png" width="321" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the posters came out nicely</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the planning was coming together nicely </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was getting more and more potential checkpoints on my potential manifest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but I was waiting...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was waiting to find out the the start point and finishing point of the Native Women Ride ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so that the Alleycat could start and finish with the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but Start and Finish had yet to be decided</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the event date was getting closer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">closer than I would usually be without making any announcement of event day specifics</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there had been no real announcement for the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there had been planning </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but no formal announcement of start location or start time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I took the ride start date and start time and started to create flyers saying "details to come"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was all feeling a little last minute for me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">although I am not very good at planning ahead</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would normally be this far into the planning a month out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">when things were still being decided a week out </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq48C4_KHifZ7Prl0l8obIAO3CKWChw1Jo-bIDy2SauuD_XHrVnzHsLQlMK5odZqloWRkJqin6Z7tOXEyBLl_n1mXSUhalHps5ZeemIdYL8jJN0ziis_31UHvyOrDc3ra08GdMhnr5SmFyT_fv90nS8n4Lbpybec_X2epgF-j5nEo_GXDVKb2qCg/s814/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%208.41.25%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="814" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq48C4_KHifZ7Prl0l8obIAO3CKWChw1Jo-bIDy2SauuD_XHrVnzHsLQlMK5odZqloWRkJqin6Z7tOXEyBLl_n1mXSUhalHps5ZeemIdYL8jJN0ziis_31UHvyOrDc3ra08GdMhnr5SmFyT_fv90nS8n4Lbpybec_X2epgF-j5nEo_GXDVKb2qCg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%208.41.25%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I tired to give the ride organizers space</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the ride would be there thing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the alleycat would be mine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it would be a collaboration </span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but it did not feel like a collaboration </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">by this time...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my manifest was all but finalized</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all I needed was the ride start point and the ride finishing point</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so that I could finalize the manifest and then do a test of the Alleycat route</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but... but...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that information was uncertain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">they were not sure where they were going to start or where they were going to finish</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNxI6tsi6JDxbOe9hoZY39OD38GMZ6zZFzdy_reSULlSm2UbZWO5de5nadkwygtZ8-Ez9SP3cY35E6AvEwNhiCPVD9oKYOJRrCjBo0gHnO6EBSMKE09eatCnoQ8gdh4vi9vd1s8gJunrcpFGfuOGDVP9JYFLQJ-839-wMxgO5v8Q-BpVxcQVbUQ/s625/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-07%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="623" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNxI6tsi6JDxbOe9hoZY39OD38GMZ6zZFzdy_reSULlSm2UbZWO5de5nadkwygtZ8-Ez9SP3cY35E6AvEwNhiCPVD9oKYOJRrCjBo0gHnO6EBSMKE09eatCnoQ8gdh4vi9vd1s8gJunrcpFGfuOGDVP9JYFLQJ-839-wMxgO5v8Q-BpVxcQVbUQ/w199-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-07%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png" width="199" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUhDUi-OEpBQRMmilekH75Cm7cvzK5_vBfQ5OFeF1KHxeTfb8xKxb1IMTmgplQQWwNHyZLV96Ln3t9cRpYXVT294KsT1N5Y94xmlZbeG9t21HRk8yI0FjFOJEpJvAe9RpP3L0OSOyF5xVvOko1-GK5hOH2ycEw1k6LXMRCBuZUqUoyHIT5v87fw/s811/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.55.11%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="811" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUhDUi-OEpBQRMmilekH75Cm7cvzK5_vBfQ5OFeF1KHxeTfb8xKxb1IMTmgplQQWwNHyZLV96Ln3t9cRpYXVT294KsT1N5Y94xmlZbeG9t21HRk8yI0FjFOJEpJvAe9RpP3L0OSOyF5xVvOko1-GK5hOH2ycEw1k6LXMRCBuZUqUoyHIT5v87fw/w200-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.55.11%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was a Ride Organization electronic forum that was created</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was on that Internet Chat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was some banter </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not all productive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was a poll that was less than a poll</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and well... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in many ways those chats were counter productive </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">just distractions </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">those chats did not bring the information I needed</span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and all I needed was the Start and Finish location </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was awkward...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I waited for an Instagram post about the ride event</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was yet to surface</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">one ride loop map was shared with me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but soon it was said that the route was not final and that map was not the actual ride loop</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was talk about a Dupont Circle start but still not a finish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I went ahead and did a pre-race ride </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">needed to get an estimate that my Alleycat could be complete in under an hour</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure enough...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">45 Minutes with the unofficial start and finish points</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I did the course in 45 minutes </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not quite at race pace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not taking selfies and not making pick ups at each location</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">figured racers on race day would still hit that 45 minute mark while completing the tasks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was set... well almost</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">for this to be a collaboration</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the intent was for people for both the ride and the race to meet at the start to hang out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and then get on their bikes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">move at different paces</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then end at the same location at roughly the same time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I felt that I had done that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I created a short Free Gaza themed manifest that COULD be done in 45 minutes to an hour</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">longer to those that create a bad route or get lost</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ32JBDIFfNUd3hohQXsq6CLAHW4VHPdxT7ZAEMUXQeBNxJz7zyzJeDoHk3rtlHFyAqVoWIf3tHqZsg4OsI_eZp7gs6Bb1HvsYO-ujPn6bHo02XMxCT_w99lavW2hFBus-plxlQ9EKNxQyi_54BhZhreh9Z4ezQ8VrjP9dtq84E7fFfDsxp4zsDQ/s1027/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.50.44%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1027" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ32JBDIFfNUd3hohQXsq6CLAHW4VHPdxT7ZAEMUXQeBNxJz7zyzJeDoHk3rtlHFyAqVoWIf3tHqZsg4OsI_eZp7gs6Bb1HvsYO-ujPn6bHo02XMxCT_w99lavW2hFBus-plxlQ9EKNxQyi_54BhZhreh9Z4ezQ8VrjP9dtq84E7fFfDsxp4zsDQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.50.44%20PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">it was awkward </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I felt a little left out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">although I did not want to plan the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I did feel that I needed the Start and Finish locations to collaborate with the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that information was late to be decided</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that information was late to be shared with me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then... Guarina gave me an invite to join her to pre-ride the ride with her the day prior to the event</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YES! PERFECT! THIS COULD ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUromg-TmVrF08gD-umx3E5xXMcIUdru6sKLlxG_cF5IUUEfr02GjwVJWXa4AfkxyOdpkPL487hnNFdQfwLzcoXyFvq__aaxVvbBNpwBMg-TgQ9RyCGZ3XcxvdcUj97p9jGAURi2OUJn0MC8xjnIYsZmkt6z6GG3fGEBz75TUhJR1qjcQ1XwWCAw/s627/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.47.49%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUromg-TmVrF08gD-umx3E5xXMcIUdru6sKLlxG_cF5IUUEfr02GjwVJWXa4AfkxyOdpkPL487hnNFdQfwLzcoXyFvq__aaxVvbBNpwBMg-TgQ9RyCGZ3XcxvdcUj97p9jGAURi2OUJn0MC8xjnIYsZmkt6z6GG3fGEBz75TUhJR1qjcQ1XwWCAw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.47.49%20AM.png" width="303" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Friday before the Saturday Event I met Guarina, David, and Stephen at Dupont Circle for a pre-ride of The Great Ride of Return</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was on my Niner Single Speed geared for dirt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a gear slower than a beach cruiser on the street</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I spun around the city and followed David and Guarina as they rode the route </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">great... this would be the FINAL information that I needed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we started at Dupont and we were looping around the city with the goal of ending at El Tamarindo </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">David was the route creator</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Guarina had offered for me to make suggestions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">David had it covered</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">David had factored in a large ride that was to take the streets in protest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">avoiding bike lanes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">holding the lane in the street</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">personally... I think we could have ridden in the available Bike Lanes knowing that on event day the parade of cyclists would be in the street... but oh well... I rode where I was most safe on the pre-ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we rode... I tried to take a few photos as we rode</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but... being on the slower bike not knowing where we were going</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all the photos were of the other three riders' backs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so... as we rolled up 18th Street from Dupont area towards El Tamarindo on Florida Ave in Adams Morgan I spun ahead</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I rolled up ahead to the Museum of the Palestinian People at 18th and T Street</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ahead of the three riders I pulled out my camera ready to snap a few shots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I waited... I waited...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">wow... I must be fast...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then David rolled past solo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I snapped a few photos as David passed the museum then as he kept rolling I motioned for him to come back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with some persuasion David came back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">when David returned I mentioned the Museum of the Palestinian People</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">instead of listening David talked about how he went there two weeks ago</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I started again... saying how I had met with the curator and how she had invited the ride to come to the museum for water or tea... I voiced question how the ride might pause there... questioning where all the bikes would go... but left it as something to consider... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">David and I then rolled forward to the finish without Stephen and Guiana</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the ride loop would go up 18th past El Tamarindo on the right</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">only to loop back and approach El Tamarindo from other direction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">DONE!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">David and I talked on the sidewalk out front of El Tamarindo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I withheld any suggestions as it was his group ride and my Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">no need to offer up suggestions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all I needed was the ride Start and the ride Finish locations</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and well... it seemed as it now I had them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Manifest Done</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Manifest Ready for Print </span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1A2cjwJgOMTeG2DF9Axpi2kPeJMmCwcdHckZz8dmfMKhYKwa7DBEcUVorWjLqUGMnQjnSGhf-WLdsPFQnNQO8_cq2QUQa5leP_H5hGXVDT0laH5il6PAelKU4nXzr_H1XVU9qpd-HK32QBUAbt6NroIkEXN6mOUuF59Y-t77wIaPmmFbpkrwFw/s535/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.17%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="495" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1A2cjwJgOMTeG2DF9Axpi2kPeJMmCwcdHckZz8dmfMKhYKwa7DBEcUVorWjLqUGMnQjnSGhf-WLdsPFQnNQO8_cq2QUQa5leP_H5hGXVDT0laH5il6PAelKU4nXzr_H1XVU9qpd-HK32QBUAbt6NroIkEXN6mOUuF59Y-t77wIaPmmFbpkrwFw/w185-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.17%20AM.png" width="185" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbir-DX6vkwK3VQtsZRz0rTCSohtS-n572xghYVZjhV9vYevT3WXpBDZ5Orek-NZNQUL9Rgtt36eLN6QZlUFPfjSCSDBCjnN5plSpjvno6UXd9nOHBdhbN04xE_0mpyodOBsRFmDW05WJCLh3l4LFAvgJ8fkSMhJ7z6nwOZKKdmHElkWvG6szzRw/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="581" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbir-DX6vkwK3VQtsZRz0rTCSohtS-n572xghYVZjhV9vYevT3WXpBDZ5Orek-NZNQUL9Rgtt36eLN6QZlUFPfjSCSDBCjnN5plSpjvno6UXd9nOHBdhbN04xE_0mpyodOBsRFmDW05WJCLh3l4LFAvgJ8fkSMhJ7z6nwOZKKdmHElkWvG6szzRw/w153-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" width="153" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was interesting to me that Stephen and Guarina did not ride the final 4 blocks of the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh well... no worries... I tried not to give it much thought...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Start and Finish locations had been determined</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I rode off for home to eat some dinner and finalize the manifest </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that night would be pretty chill</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">everything was pretty much all set</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I created a few small prize bags and then had the Free Gaza posters created with Han Key's stencil as prizes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I WAS GOOD!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">now all I would need would be racers</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">racers?</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">racers are often the missing component of a bicycle racer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there needs to be <i>"buy in"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I knew that there was some waffling </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in addition to the messengers doing Valentine's Day messenger work on that day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">some would be racers would be traveling or whatever</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were a handful of would be racer volunteering for the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and of course</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was the notion that the Alleycat was political</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">some people were not sure where they stood on the Free Gaza discussion </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so that also brought some racer hesitation </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">at least I had the Start and Finish information and could finalize the manifest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF3qkWdxNG-JWZIUhlSTXTL2F6aISC2PAVTeSyAWJSk4KeOMNYOFpdaNhHPA6p8zJUk5KAtIvWjKDh-n3x7tUunbMjr7DQ5TzBR7dQNt09JgOGHUfQWrUiajbo-G4dtqVyDetsNXQm4vgaCK40ExuEJFZ0NICBpJSZFILb8D5hstTwp45gC5QHw/s713/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.23.20%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF3qkWdxNG-JWZIUhlSTXTL2F6aISC2PAVTeSyAWJSk4KeOMNYOFpdaNhHPA6p8zJUk5KAtIvWjKDh-n3x7tUunbMjr7DQ5TzBR7dQNt09JgOGHUfQWrUiajbo-G4dtqVyDetsNXQm4vgaCK40ExuEJFZ0NICBpJSZFILb8D5hstTwp45gC5QHw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.23.20%20PM.png" width="265" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">RACE DAY!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">DUPONT CIRCLE!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1:00 Meet Up!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Saturday Morning was greeted with warm weather in the District of Columbia</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a wonderful day to be out on the bike</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">woke up slow and I went to Fed Ex in Silver Spring and printed out the manifest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then I worked with my son Dean to handle food pick up from Falafel Inc</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">after that I jumped on the bike and headed to Dupont for the start</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">at Dupont I was excited to see all the people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but honestly.... I was a little surprised</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were people... but I expected more people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I had SPAMMED the Internet</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I had shared Guardian's Native Woman Ride Flyer's ALL OVER the INTERNET</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">any regional Palestinian group on Facebook</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all sorts of bike groups on Facebook</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">shared multiple times on Instagram and Twitter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">reached out to individuals "one on one" through DMs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I even approached ANYONE wearing and Keffiyah and invited them with a <i><b>"Hey Nice Keffiyah, do you ride bikes? There is a Free Gaza bike event this weekend"</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">where I had a conversation sharing more detail</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">pointing them to the Native Women Ride page</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">telling them about Opera Girl singing at the finish etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there seemed to be a positive response</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">most everyone I spoke to seemed elated about the protest opportunity </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p5ZJlZj35uvb_gnQFh0m5uVnP1SnZeDRq6tMvtKbJB9fwCmvM6dC-KjmHGaKzuPKzisek-p6kLJvTDrA4F-3YPHJWxLDAsUmpLURxFFcBw3E5zjxnyy6NZXK-VA3TDMIgcrJ3jJbNfZY3qQ5jPyX4iuSlJNGM9EJ-nv55DqgUE2EWr4j0ec6mA/s744/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p5ZJlZj35uvb_gnQFh0m5uVnP1SnZeDRq6tMvtKbJB9fwCmvM6dC-KjmHGaKzuPKzisek-p6kLJvTDrA4F-3YPHJWxLDAsUmpLURxFFcBw3E5zjxnyy6NZXK-VA3TDMIgcrJ3jJbNfZY3qQ5jPyX4iuSlJNGM9EJ-nv55DqgUE2EWr4j0ec6mA/w309-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" width="309" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">at the ride start point the volunteers were working like Gaza's Little Helpers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the signs that were made earlier were being attached to bikes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">riders were showing up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was getting exciting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the ride would leave at 1:30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Alleycat would have registration at 1:30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">again I was met with Waffling about racing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I tried to sway some <i>"maybe racers"</i> into racing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I thought I had</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">at 1:40 I had a pre-race meeting to shoot for a 1:45 Start</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">fearing that waiting until 2 would be too much time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Biggs was torn... Biggs thought he might want to just do the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but then Bruce rolled in just in time for the pre-race meeting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WE HAD A RACE!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with Biggs\Bruce\and Sleazy we had a fight for first</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then with Dave P\Hawken\Stephen etc. and a list of others</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we had a full list of racers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I handed out manifests and answered any questions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the wannabes were confused</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as other racers moved off quickly to their first checkpoint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were people standing around reading the manifest </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">looking confused</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure enough... it was over their head</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">over their paygrade</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">most of these late to leave the park racers would flake on the Alleycat shortly after leaving the circle </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">of course I would not know this til later</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">still in the circle late riders showed up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I sent riders to catch the ride</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Head Down Connecticut Ave... Right on H Street... Right on 15th"</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I tried to get the would be Alleycat racers motivated</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">they were not motivated</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the action of these <i>"would be racers"</i> reminded me of when my boys were kids and I would try to get the other kids to join in on kickball or ultimate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">they were not all there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">if they are not all there... I can not make them want to be there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">they may not have the capacity to be there </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh well... I tired...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with the ride off riding</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the racer off racing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I rode to a few of the checkpoints to try and snap a few shots of racers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">to the Peace Vigil across from the White House</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">talked with the protestors</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">snapped a few shots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">saw Bruce roll through</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then off to the FREE GAZA mural at P Street near Logan Circle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">snapped a shot of Biggs as he rolled through</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then thought I best get to the finish before the first finisher arrives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so off to El Tamarindo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">at El Tamarindo I hung out with a few of my friends and a few other stragglers... all of which showed up of the Ride, but were minutes late and could not catch the ride... so they went to the finish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I coordinated with Dean who was at Falafel Inc at that moment getting food for the finish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then... like clockwork</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the first racer rolled in</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in almost exactly 45 minutes the first 4 racers with complete manifest finished and then a 5th without a complete manifest </span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4e-3oVqqnfhWu47SmFPdtbAHz-bqxNhZhyphenhyphenFJ16ob_BqSmm9QNdtLFg9h_onMc32b0oNRcnH0KnATMsqcMGJv6ZTwAcAa1LrXWgTywakxVGD9cMbzcwAes2yzyDix7t5zAbu1MaD_eaPRZ92-YWHINMP35oQgnUBu-0P8EQE7vwxJfjuthy9mrQ/s427/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="394" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4e-3oVqqnfhWu47SmFPdtbAHz-bqxNhZhyphenhyphenFJ16ob_BqSmm9QNdtLFg9h_onMc32b0oNRcnH0KnATMsqcMGJv6ZTwAcAa1LrXWgTywakxVGD9cMbzcwAes2yzyDix7t5zAbu1MaD_eaPRZ92-YWHINMP35oQgnUBu-0P8EQE7vwxJfjuthy9mrQ/w184-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuolemgkps-gJaEH1M5VzJSIbmut0HlGYcZ7yV6Sgv39wBrXZ9Px9rYzRVmxtxO8C6RsEHfCgeyPkZdy2jIbzi574Cg3lBF8JOpRsGlmXIxhFWnczjer_t-GXypLDCxlvJeB9hmeWEJjsl9cVQ0EhjQNFL-AIVNLEtXcYGGWrux8urYugLLf2_g/s716/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="581" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuolemgkps-gJaEH1M5VzJSIbmut0HlGYcZ7yV6Sgv39wBrXZ9Px9rYzRVmxtxO8C6RsEHfCgeyPkZdy2jIbzi574Cg3lBF8JOpRsGlmXIxhFWnczjer_t-GXypLDCxlvJeB9hmeWEJjsl9cVQ0EhjQNFL-AIVNLEtXcYGGWrux8urYugLLf2_g/w163-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" width="163" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I started grading manifest straight away</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were selfies... there were pick ups... there were selfies and pick ups</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the selfies and photos had specific instructions</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7LdEUqCH1LrWmikxhbgcyavRPG1JYjEyaIBstpA1mX5TzISkmPIXos6zk1o9bMj_99quiUjHrTfkX740BDa3PE36OI7EMI5xE-QTpUlC-WkujOn92LyNj1CV6jgKTK4zuBJ-csa3Z8uz2LsKd64kxn4rtFQJHmEVV13r0azKkRNT4Eghe94Lw/s881/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.33.59%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="711" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7LdEUqCH1LrWmikxhbgcyavRPG1JYjEyaIBstpA1mX5TzISkmPIXos6zk1o9bMj_99quiUjHrTfkX740BDa3PE36OI7EMI5xE-QTpUlC-WkujOn92LyNj1CV6jgKTK4zuBJ-csa3Z8uz2LsKd64kxn4rtFQJHmEVV13r0azKkRNT4Eghe94Lw/w323-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.33.59%20AM.png" width="323" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I felt that the manifest was simple and clean</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">typed... not hand written</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">card stock paper... not standard printer paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there were options...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pick a Mosque had 3 options... The Islamic Center on Mass. Ave being the most sensible... the mosque on Islamic Way was close... but did not lure anyone in that direction as it was in the opposite direction of the rest of the checkpoints</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pick a Falafel Inc. had three options... I felt that the GW Location would make the most sense.. but thought people could create a route where the Georgetown location made sense... but a trip to Maine Avenue would have been foolish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and then the selfies and photos had a few specific instructions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A Selfie with aPeace Sign at the Free Gaza Mural</span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your Reflection in the doorway at the former Embassy of Palestine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">etc... etc...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it made scoring difficult...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in Alleycats past I have been frustrated that the scoring is not more strict</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure... this is not a photo class at the Corcoran </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">heck... it is not even a photo class at UDC</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">BUT... it is an Alleycat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and to emulate the day of the messenger... there can be instructions</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a filing could ask for a signature or a time stamp... or both</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">failure to complete the task... well.. failure to do such is not doing the job</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sleazy did not do the Peace Sign and went back to the Free Gaza mural to correct his error... which took him from the first finisher slot... but it was not clear if Biggs had his reflection at the Embassy of Palestine...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I tried to grade things strictly... I tried to be fair... I tried to be as strict with everyone... but... it is a game... I also wanted it to be fun... I did not want to ruin their fun...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I finish scoring the five racers around one or two more racers rolled passed... told me their dilemma</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">how they came to do the ride... started the Alleycat... saw the ride and jumped in with the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure... whatever... you be you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that was a similar story for a number of the people I tried to enlist to race at the last minute </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I get it... no worries...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">somewhere in the scoring of the manifest we saw David leading the ride</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">they were doing the path up 18th</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the ride looked smaller than the group that left Dupont Circle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sure enough... the ride went up a few blocks </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">then made their approach towards El Tamarindo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the riders approached</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">riders smiled... riders waved... riders rode past...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that was weird?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">where are they going I thought?</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr1OCc6SzTql11ycdEp4RKzzY-dULFvoR32GAgBPd9Tx60P9pjEDKjhEVfnry-bN319lWGaznLKXNOb_kBYW2gOyim7VjSJbqhyyR-YIivxFM_c4k4wLravAN6lyoUpKhujG9sGe0a-z9IpRKb-6-xRKEbXKv_6IZ9_v-vKytp1LvbduMkQHj8w/s727/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.48.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="589" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr1OCc6SzTql11ycdEp4RKzzY-dULFvoR32GAgBPd9Tx60P9pjEDKjhEVfnry-bN319lWGaznLKXNOb_kBYW2gOyim7VjSJbqhyyR-YIivxFM_c4k4wLravAN6lyoUpKhujG9sGe0a-z9IpRKb-6-xRKEbXKv_6IZ9_v-vKytp1LvbduMkQHj8w/w518-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-11%20at%209.48.04%20AM.png" width="518" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my son Dean rolled up with food from Falafel Inc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">100 Falafel Sandwiches</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">100 Tangerines </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">THANK YOU FALAFEL INC.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.falafelinc.org/">https://www.falafelinc.org/</a><span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WE ATE!<span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I passed out Falafel Sandwiches to the racers who had finished</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my friends and others that had missed the start had falafel sandwiches and tangerines as well</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I figured I knew where the people from the ride were</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the manifest were graded </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">people needed to be fed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I drove my son's car with the Falafel Inc sandwiches and tangerines to the Museum of the Palestinian People </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I gave out sandwiches to riders</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we smiled we laughed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">short exchanges about the day as I passed out the food</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">saw Dario and Opera Girl</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">learned that I missed the performance and that I could see it online</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(which I did... the poem is moving and the singing is glorious)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">after I handed out the remainder or the food I headed back to El Tamarindo to finalize the race</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we did awards</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">top five</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Biggs\Sleazy\Bruce\Davep\and Mordie in 5th</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NICE! GOOD STUFF!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">who went where first? what was the most logical route? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">who used the WHITEHAVEN SHORTCUT? Which Falafel Inc. did you go to? Which mosque did you select?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the end... Biggs was first.. but it was sort of maybe a tie between Sleazy and Biggs... as the photos were a little less than perfect... but... let the chips fall... let them fall where they may</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that is how it was scored... that it how it was scored<span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">DANG ALLEYCAT SCORING!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ALLEYCATS AND THEIR GLITCHES<span> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all in all it was a wonderful day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we learned more about Palestine and Gaza</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we got to show our support of the Free Gaza movement</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we increased exposure of the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we raised money for the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Ride\Race Collaboration was a Success</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not without its glitches</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a bit of a communication breakdown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">some unnecessary confusion</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but all in all... it was a major success</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CEASEFIRE NOW</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">FREE GAZA</span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Native Women Ride</b> on Instagram</span></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/native_women_ride/">https://www.instagram.com/native_women_ride/</a><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn3UkkFfJVcbDBhbQUAkT64kFKBuEXgRVIzh6BF7_FiNpz4iuRVUYkPOO4821QdnYnTinPpmwf-HzYpRGNIUeYiQdvxeMpa2-fz6ZhUKF1P2BWzYYjgVbH-CHkKy_fB2N5ktxmB7Mn8NsSC-bqA3YlBs-iGl930eaFb8TcNi0_C0tgrDbrifo9w/s868/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="868" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn3UkkFfJVcbDBhbQUAkT64kFKBuEXgRVIzh6BF7_FiNpz4iuRVUYkPOO4821QdnYnTinPpmwf-HzYpRGNIUeYiQdvxeMpa2-fz6ZhUKF1P2BWzYYjgVbH-CHkKy_fB2N5ktxmB7Mn8NsSC-bqA3YlBs-iGl930eaFb8TcNi0_C0tgrDbrifo9w/w400-h226/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.11%20AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">thanks everyone who volunteered for The Great Ride of Return</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks to everyone who came out and Rode or Race </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks to all the sponsors and supports</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Falafel Inc </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks for being a Checkpoint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks for all the food</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks<a href="https://museum-of-the-palestinian-people.myshopify.com"> Museum of the Palestinian People</a> for being a Checkpoint Pick Up and for hosting the ride end </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">thanks <a href="https://www.middleeastbooks.com">Middle Eastern Book Store</a> for being a Checkpoint Pick Up</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSdRyuUwj2QKJYAAYWsYvX72j5OXt7iUhrAltJDmOmLlhzXkXPnWj9kck6rFJQHhqal5QTRuFWoDt2F8SwgnQUE7rpJCgqT-eEOdCYDMhpcHhchWurv8bJypF4wffWkLe4dLrzIKVYDVu4fjLwJMPMvvP0X_8yOnzNLMgpvNYmcVbLXlMUvxWBw/s870/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.44%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="870" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSdRyuUwj2QKJYAAYWsYvX72j5OXt7iUhrAltJDmOmLlhzXkXPnWj9kck6rFJQHhqal5QTRuFWoDt2F8SwgnQUE7rpJCgqT-eEOdCYDMhpcHhchWurv8bJypF4wffWkLe4dLrzIKVYDVu4fjLwJMPMvvP0X_8yOnzNLMgpvNYmcVbLXlMUvxWBw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-13%20at%207.34.44%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNb2c-9qXpYFP-ltrlC8wp5SGu3iNXOOeZaROKyidfwIednJ8c9epCjhSvTFrvQjSplGcvevtVfpU601BkZ2Es0j_awTzzwdzkK66WqWkxPxjdg9UqUNyxBf5A8NDRWY9aGerDYx2BTXsysseyLAlvJoevgwtYfcBr9vavKVNE5iLjpBsbv_Vmg/s501/GAZARIDE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></i></a></div><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not all of the places on the App would be part of the Alleycat... but some</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was an idea... a suggestion... something to be considered for later </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">just the talking stages </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">a collaboration of sorts </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">all the FREE GAZA spray painted messages </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the planning on the ride seemed a little behind schedule</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the event date was rapidly approaching... it seemed that the ride route had not yet been created </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have heard an excess of propaganda from both sides... the lost lives are enough truth for me to wish for a Ceasefire </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>surprised anyone has read this far... has anyone read this far? </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">those chats did not bring their ride any closer to being created </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">those chats were more like hecklers than constructive contributors</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the poll that was created... it did not poll the masses but only a few people... that poll was just a frustrating distraction as was the chat room </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">using somewhat arbitrary starting and finishing points </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">which meant... all I needed was for the ride to share their Start and Finish Locations and for them to create a ride route that would take roughly the same amount of time </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was not clear to me if this was in fact a collaboration</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was working to promote the ride... but I did not feel as if there was help to promote the Alleycat</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there was a undercurrent of chatter in the city... I could not read what was going on... what were people saying? what were people thinking? It seemed that people did not understand that this was a collaboration. That the Alleycat happening WITH the ride was an effort to have a bigger gathering... more exposure... higher energy... and more fun... I was trying to ADD TO THE DAY... but I felt like I was being left out of the planning </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">where are Stephen and Guarina? </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">maybe the Social Ride could pause a the museum as it headed to the finish </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in my mind... I was all set...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it seemed to me that the route had been finalized</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the ride would start at Dupont Circle and then end at El Tamarindo </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">which means... the Alleycat would do the same... I was ready to complete and print my manifests... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dupont Circle and El Tamarindo </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the house of cards was starting to fall... I moved about enlisting people who often race Alleycats to race the Alleycat instead of the ride... people seemed to be swayed in the Alleycat direction... I had a dozen or so racers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">BRUCE!!! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not just a Selfie... but a Selfie with a Peace Sign... READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I thought I might know </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Glad I could help to promote The Great Ride of Return</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Glad that I could bring in Falafel Inc to UP THE FUN FACTOR and feed the masses</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Glad I hosted this FREE GAZA ALLEYCAT</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Glad it is Done </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>nearly a week has passed since hosting the event</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>it is all still a bit of a question mark </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>not sure why the collaboration went the way it did</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>not sure why someone would agree to a collaboration and then not collaborate </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>glad I participate</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I worked hard to spread the message about The Great Ride of Return </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>in spreading the message about that ride... I got the Free Gaza message out</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I also spread the word about the Gaza Sunbirds</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>and...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I threw a cool Alleycat in support of the Gaza Sunbirds</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>and</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I was able to lend support for The Great Ride of Return</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>it was good... glad it is done</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Why is the Watermelon used as a symbol of Palestine?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/08/1222718339/why-watermelons-are-symbol-of-palestinian-solidarity#:~:text=Palestinians%20and%20their%20supporters%20would,symbolized%20Palestinian%20resistance%20to%20occupation.">https://www.npr.org/2024/01/08/1222718339/why-watermelons-are-symbol-of-palestinian-solidarity</a><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm2Swb1ny3DP8MlEyIpm2mEpwXvet0HzR0zrNF3fjSRS9EVqYp5k2DWed_cDBZeHF6-ka4MziTVCswDC7L7tntlTyVsDSseihCu7oaoEVi-irxYGRsUnamWDh4c-jgNJ0zAeaKuGjg6g2NdYmi5b9Mwj7SBIrV6w-seR_zSxfQaIDMEH47Q2cfQ/s536/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.13.31%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm2Swb1ny3DP8MlEyIpm2mEpwXvet0HzR0zrNF3fjSRS9EVqYp5k2DWed_cDBZeHF6-ka4MziTVCswDC7L7tntlTyVsDSseihCu7oaoEVi-irxYGRsUnamWDh4c-jgNJ0zAeaKuGjg6g2NdYmi5b9Mwj7SBIrV6w-seR_zSxfQaIDMEH47Q2cfQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%208.13.31%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p></blockquote>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-43017336781749765172024-02-12T16:30:00.002-05:002024-02-12T16:30:11.183-05:00The Cairo... when it was built it was the TALLEST "residential" building in Washington DC!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHtnRpAsxPdMhmqkAmauY3yY4wqax_xdZ2xQLYoGLrTff_qjUMeuebFxvhEYp7IfydQc4AOJZXQl98CO0HMkFUSJKqTcMKFFpsv9sgELIk1Sf2TEvTciys85EYZPQv_iMN1uTXBC5wpLoXUdOBWPhu8mSkUzwKqhOyxjno81cZwYy8c-ebtXsrQ/s688/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.28.30%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHtnRpAsxPdMhmqkAmauY3yY4wqax_xdZ2xQLYoGLrTff_qjUMeuebFxvhEYp7IfydQc4AOJZXQl98CO0HMkFUSJKqTcMKFFpsv9sgELIk1Sf2TEvTciys85EYZPQv_iMN1uTXBC5wpLoXUdOBWPhu8mSkUzwKqhOyxjno81cZwYy8c-ebtXsrQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.28.30%20PM.png" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cairo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on the Wiki Page</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cairo">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cairo</a><br /></div><br /> <p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-37123101202296123242024-02-12T16:27:00.002-05:002024-02-12T16:27:09.224-05:002101 Connecticut Ave NW... Gargoyles on the Roof! NO JOKE! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynmaK_QKHJf178ceVaIVjY8v6uQ2H25hpl9QfZRaXgkQ1VKOyCKlrR8PY8VpEWjj3baJ7cusZmv1-7z4jCq8_Le17cUXSH0Td5IV00C6RXBmiTFV6w8pqOYYqrfVXzLwCKVW9aLJbFPVlT2hCTkN1Hn_ZkxL8y2XATwyr7ZoD20SlN4NE22lRqQ/s753/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.24.01%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynmaK_QKHJf178ceVaIVjY8v6uQ2H25hpl9QfZRaXgkQ1VKOyCKlrR8PY8VpEWjj3baJ7cusZmv1-7z4jCq8_Le17cUXSH0Td5IV00C6RXBmiTFV6w8pqOYYqrfVXzLwCKVW9aLJbFPVlT2hCTkN1Hn_ZkxL8y2XATwyr7ZoD20SlN4NE22lRqQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%204.24.01%20PM.png" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in my daily travels I try to appreciate the city around me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sometimes taking photos of these things to share with others</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2101 Connecticut Ave NW</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is the story here?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">realtor says this</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://hagenbergstrom.com/2101-connecticut">https://hagenbergstrom.com/2101-connecticut</a><br /></div><br /> <p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-80553779741697690832024-02-12T16:19:00.004-05:002024-02-12T16:19:32.363-05:00The Gaza Sunbirds... <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlkbAkyVkp3YdAPwiz3X998N1X58-cFFa1aC_sv5S_AK9qXSstK6lNDlAK6R5PJSG7ceaw76kfrH85jTAQcGehyphenhyphenOvYsiC4RPP_LdZSw3uGxVv2rmjHtJYMfYwe7-4L7MJnTt13eKysNewPHfqvU-NoGrBN89S_3mVq2ppvuUpl1z1pMfh_bRppQ/s1025/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.48.52%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1025" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlkbAkyVkp3YdAPwiz3X998N1X58-cFFa1aC_sv5S_AK9qXSstK6lNDlAK6R5PJSG7ceaw76kfrH85jTAQcGehyphenhyphenOvYsiC4RPP_LdZSw3uGxVv2rmjHtJYMfYwe7-4L7MJnTt13eKysNewPHfqvU-NoGrBN89S_3mVq2ppvuUpl1z1pMfh_bRppQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-09%20at%2010.48.52%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org">https://www.gazasunbirds.org</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; text-align: left;">The Gaza Sunbirds are </span><span style="background-color: #d3e3fd; color: #040c28; text-align: left;">a para-cycling team, consisting of 20 athletes, based in the Gaza Strip</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; text-align: left;">. The team was founded in 2018 when Alaa al-Dali, an Olympic hopeful cyclist, was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 16, 16); color: #101010; text-align: left;">The Sunbirds have turned their focus from training for the Olympics and para-Olympics to saving lives by providing food and water to Gazans.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPOOlrhApD4tcW48s-e95_NIPK4Faymh4SMvvCIUCTOveVst4iX0aUk1l_827-UbIfBWAMURCjKCB5wLj5L5lkoWFUgcdFExISHDqa5pNDdYI8cOriTaFbl0Zg_3iFznx3-OgPm-0TOo48-OvYyhavvqiYapfTyGU5LDJf4_7omgQ2d_hH2ZdDQ/s693/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.12.37%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPOOlrhApD4tcW48s-e95_NIPK4Faymh4SMvvCIUCTOveVst4iX0aUk1l_827-UbIfBWAMURCjKCB5wLj5L5lkoWFUgcdFExISHDqa5pNDdYI8cOriTaFbl0Zg_3iFznx3-OgPm-0TOo48-OvYyhavvqiYapfTyGU5LDJf4_7omgQ2d_hH2ZdDQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.12.37%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-43274874569467562112024-02-12T16:14:00.003-05:002024-02-12T16:14:31.262-05:00Capital Bike Share Station Request Tool<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nQAVtOjtP-8EnA_qnXyWtSpk9FuFxRnAuYHLoQEIh8ZDE5enMgbFqmqGcJlHfTdicochYJYa06QPPnrPEaz8VN8ujjmMX0WL-JR_f1IYXbQHmlnV-C2gGsYvIvKIxWUyJstuxWUvNcwoC2VAC0Zsbb7rjGLqAB8XHXqk8dGM77_UP5Miz2dPCA/s720/Cabi%20Fenty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nQAVtOjtP-8EnA_qnXyWtSpk9FuFxRnAuYHLoQEIh8ZDE5enMgbFqmqGcJlHfTdicochYJYa06QPPnrPEaz8VN8ujjmMX0WL-JR_f1IYXbQHmlnV-C2gGsYvIvKIxWUyJstuxWUvNcwoC2VAC0Zsbb7rjGLqAB8XHXqk8dGM77_UP5Miz2dPCA/s320/Cabi%20Fenty.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Capital BikeShare Station Request Tool</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://cabistationrequest.dc.gov">https://cabistationrequest.dc.gov</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">COOL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">best course of action...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Contact your ANC and Request that they PUSH for a Capital BikeShare Station where you feel one is needed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then also</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">use the <a href="https://cabistationrequest.dc.gov">Capital BikeShare Station Request Tool</a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAOmy6MGSkdvTz1rNhWiL88MCdOhJtieITKWcWIagQm9U07vCwIS-I-MLMoSu6rTFdfxJvxuIzXTJw8To1C3_40LK0O9IgsEmKvji6Eky2zsBR0-YuVLKaKdQwOP4kgsJokJQQFCbZPfx4wcQcyAvdGpKGw-S9rnhAoDKrtTD7dNRko7gn8eWqQ/s1368/Cabi%20Coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAOmy6MGSkdvTz1rNhWiL88MCdOhJtieITKWcWIagQm9U07vCwIS-I-MLMoSu6rTFdfxJvxuIzXTJw8To1C3_40LK0O9IgsEmKvji6Eky2zsBR0-YuVLKaKdQwOP4kgsJokJQQFCbZPfx4wcQcyAvdGpKGw-S9rnhAoDKrtTD7dNRko7gn8eWqQ/s320/Cabi%20Coat.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-44520645634908889422024-02-12T10:08:00.001-05:002024-02-12T10:08:20.304-05:00Free Gaza Ride and Free Gaza Alleycat... DONE! The day is behind us... everything went pretty well<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQl5CwQM8TOKkcwXjus7qpZfOVpyrs-woTrMhLLwmeD44o4HrhRFEKbc-Nvf65nbRTT-448RiyD5osqK0STsEBSGmJkC1hU-19-RAM8LFAYDOZHvvksXuc3yP1azDVaDT7HnmbBSjHxMExQ03ZEFMNvrxvLE23ZDWnEbciQ2Jaz7JQVR1mi_3SA/s765/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.52%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQl5CwQM8TOKkcwXjus7qpZfOVpyrs-woTrMhLLwmeD44o4HrhRFEKbc-Nvf65nbRTT-448RiyD5osqK0STsEBSGmJkC1hU-19-RAM8LFAYDOZHvvksXuc3yP1azDVaDT7HnmbBSjHxMExQ03ZEFMNvrxvLE23ZDWnEbciQ2Jaz7JQVR1mi_3SA/w305-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.52%20AM.png" width="305" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this weekend past there was a FREE GAZA event collaboration</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I teamed up with Guarina of Native Woman Ride to host a Free Gaza themed event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Native Woman Ride hosted a slow paced family friendly bicycle group ride called The Great Ride of Return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then... adjacent to that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hosted the Free Gaza Alleycat (a messenger race\a bicycle scavenge hunt)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the notion was simple</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride starts at a certain time at a certain place</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride ends at a certain place at an estimated time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the goal was to have Alleycat Racers do a race that would finish in roughly the same amount of time as the Social Ride </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSOHSV2q34WOYNnjqQmpk9t9L9MDamJjI-EG3Rtx15vVuS-3too3S_XA1zHPtZa-HSJjrHub7zHEDB7rev8L_x1FWOx3jocba57aXK-RFADNY1eG2FlXtikL9g4-n5Nk4EMP2UGdJLjFaGven1OHmeTXlmtxP22y0nn6Ii5HTqMXkN21N2XBrxw/s716/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="581" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSOHSV2q34WOYNnjqQmpk9t9L9MDamJjI-EG3Rtx15vVuS-3too3S_XA1zHPtZa-HSJjrHub7zHEDB7rev8L_x1FWOx3jocba57aXK-RFADNY1eG2FlXtikL9g4-n5Nk4EMP2UGdJLjFaGven1OHmeTXlmtxP22y0nn6Ii5HTqMXkN21N2XBrxw/w163-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.52%20AM.png" width="163" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3wILK_P1GgKYq5cWs_16VLrrnqo2ykiY81gDds9SK-9zb1_aK7DTWUa_Yj4jdIhhPBLFzMK3laOcmyB5Ab69wkw2ju034MNlF4DOEbwi6HYUQARlxk9Za2DqBtctGQa4qBQVjFis3SZvr402UbrXxnyJ8jJXTkiq3VDvx5F3NkFF81crDmfBwg/s663/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="581" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3wILK_P1GgKYq5cWs_16VLrrnqo2ykiY81gDds9SK-9zb1_aK7DTWUa_Yj4jdIhhPBLFzMK3laOcmyB5Ab69wkw2ju034MNlF4DOEbwi6HYUQARlxk9Za2DqBtctGQa4qBQVjFis3SZvr402UbrXxnyJ8jJXTkiq3VDvx5F3NkFF81crDmfBwg/w175-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.23.12%20AM.png" width="175" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">everyone met up at Dupont Circle at 1 PM</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">with a the ride taking off at 1:30</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(bummer for all the late riders)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">((there were half a dozen late riders))</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">while the Alleycat did registration at 1:30 and started the Alleycat Race at 1:45</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some confusion...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">maybe people thought the Alleycat was a PUNK ANTI RIDE THING</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when in actuality...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was a Collaboration </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not a Competition</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride and the race joined forces to bring attention to the situation in Gaza and more specifically the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">both events were Not for Profit events where there were suggested donations for the Gaza Sunbirds </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PLEASE CHECK OUT THE GAZA SUNBIRDS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Donate if you Can</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">GAZA SUNBIRDS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana;">GazaSunbirds.org </span></a></div></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE1ptoz5eEXUPjOYOQM6AsL-15ECF4CE8H8kNcYi3PiEDqpiHWZ1r1ElRXllDLox8h_33K0a1PY4uRTKMzik6CuDBnR2-fT-DojV6dye3m3glGzvSZ0x2Sa5lBuXfY2mw7cXRVQdZkp3oTqLZQo-7k2TL9I7i9kjjfU0GfbeYo3WohciRtYHrNw/s761/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE1ptoz5eEXUPjOYOQM6AsL-15ECF4CE8H8kNcYi3PiEDqpiHWZ1r1ElRXllDLox8h_33K0a1PY4uRTKMzik6CuDBnR2-fT-DojV6dye3m3glGzvSZ0x2Sa5lBuXfY2mw7cXRVQdZkp3oTqLZQo-7k2TL9I7i9kjjfU0GfbeYo3WohciRtYHrNw/w305-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.39%20AM.png" width="305" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the event day was met with unseasonably warm weather</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a chance of rain</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the rain held off</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">yes... it was a beautiful day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a great day for a bike ride </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXpee3_erEDB8-mO_UKGMrHMiQfxGVWtj7_po4YqmNP0hbuyfCCEAHz7pXkl_Y6wVXqZLtZ5pqXFoEw4P0Q0ZPqV-YdKBuC7LNjyFIm6yfkNINyWc0e78usGD6602AhmBmC9n0iCGjvvzb63RWI1hc1Xts3YkygIioTaCZsJo69riVJmHQ-BLcg/s699/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.05%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="583" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXpee3_erEDB8-mO_UKGMrHMiQfxGVWtj7_po4YqmNP0hbuyfCCEAHz7pXkl_Y6wVXqZLtZ5pqXFoEw4P0Q0ZPqV-YdKBuC7LNjyFIm6yfkNINyWc0e78usGD6602AhmBmC9n0iCGjvvzb63RWI1hc1Xts3YkygIioTaCZsJo69riVJmHQ-BLcg/w334-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.22.05%20AM.png" width="334" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">on the day prior to the race I joined in on a pre-ride of the Ride Loop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it all made pretty good sense</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we rode from the start to the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as we were blocks from the intended finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I called David the ride director back to the Museum of the Palestinian People</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">mentioned the invite from the curator of the museum for riders to stop in for water or tea</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not much was said about my suggestion </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we pedaled to the end at an El Salvadorian restaurant as the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I withheld my curiosity of where all the bicycles would be parked\locked up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the race was my thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride was there thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was not my place to micromanage their planning </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">no worries... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they were organizing a ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was organizing the race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I did not want to be too controlling about their thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just as I would not want them being controlling of mine </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was all set...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">my Manifest was set</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just needed to coordinate my manifest with the ride start and the ride finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">doing the ride seemed like the final word about the Dupont Circle Start and the El Tamarindo Finish </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkPSUIUKjbVdBJpmoihmrIMjkwOVs4pisz0ta1hHegwso0-1ylzhftJGW9iJFxAZa8l7czqzHb0atSb20tiFacuUPF5YuihIB1e_TaU6qxOdXMt__FqZmkgeefhuuil-F1bNZlKROSTqaPhmLBwUxvfXm6T9brjcaYbitRIpkoAxs7Fs2I8BpsA/s702/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.35%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="604" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkPSUIUKjbVdBJpmoihmrIMjkwOVs4pisz0ta1hHegwso0-1ylzhftJGW9iJFxAZa8l7czqzHb0atSb20tiFacuUPF5YuihIB1e_TaU6qxOdXMt__FqZmkgeefhuuil-F1bNZlKROSTqaPhmLBwUxvfXm6T9brjcaYbitRIpkoAxs7Fs2I8BpsA/w344-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.35%20AM.png" width="344" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Alleycat had its awkwardness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as mentioned</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a misconception of the collaboration </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">about this being ONE event with TWO ride options</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ride or race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">slow or fast</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">somehow that was misunderstood</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some backpedalling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some people were torn</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alleycat or Social Ride?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was suggested that we host the Alleycat on a different day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">maybe some of the riders would race? maybe there would be greater attendance if we did the race on another day?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">maybe true... maybe not true...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that was not the intention</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the RIDE AND RACE were to happen on the same day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had several sponsors for THIS DAY (including FOOD)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had several PICK UP POINTS for this day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had planned to host a race with the ride on this day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was no desire to change the race day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the point of me doing an Alleycat in Conjunction with the Native Women Ride event was to use my Social Media efforts to bring MORE attention to the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only so many people are interested in Alleycats</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so... I thought I could promote the dual event with greater success</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYqSEwz8UQjPTuI60yySF1qyuDNLUen5a3ltFoKF0StGJ9M66jVSX8jSnl7HPxM1vvpGIMWolOuTOQaiQUi8NYcQuwQHglcHohFBy0RGhubVTNXnyr_WMCrZV7inUH_J4ChNUWBqbYekzbvzG4jdxHkkVzVeqGrpS9PUojS9A857jcGtP7ds4Rg/s427/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="394" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYqSEwz8UQjPTuI60yySF1qyuDNLUen5a3ltFoKF0StGJ9M66jVSX8jSnl7HPxM1vvpGIMWolOuTOQaiQUi8NYcQuwQHglcHohFBy0RGhubVTNXnyr_WMCrZV7inUH_J4ChNUWBqbYekzbvzG4jdxHkkVzVeqGrpS9PUojS9A857jcGtP7ds4Rg/w369-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.28%20AM.png" width="369" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">both the ride and the Alleycat were well attended</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but really</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">neither had the MASSES that I had expected</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the weeks prior I had spend a good amount of time promoting the ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">spent more time promoting the ride than the Alleycat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as the Alleycat needs Alleycat Racers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Ride Needs bodies on Bicycles </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Alleycat is not for Everyone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Ride... the Ride is for Everyone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so... as planned we had the race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were some strong legs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we had a potential top three</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there may be 30 thousand runners in the Marine Corps Marathon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but really</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">only the top 5 in the men and the top 5 of the women are actually running to win the race</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9KQd-Eo1SCSqNw35D2BkBCe87IND3CcC0udNc7kYz_96Y06f2n5sPAkOHrIQ3PfdXy1gHJElbtqSBNDD6QSg6N8x0mmSFTpwOuppVymFJvy7Vntz_1w0YC84ECEkVaNIBeeodEYmahIVFkLswxR4YuuQyZoEq_-oS4cJT2Ei5mDXtb30xvgZag/s535/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.17%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="495" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9KQd-Eo1SCSqNw35D2BkBCe87IND3CcC0udNc7kYz_96Y06f2n5sPAkOHrIQ3PfdXy1gHJElbtqSBNDD6QSg6N8x0mmSFTpwOuppVymFJvy7Vntz_1w0YC84ECEkVaNIBeeodEYmahIVFkLswxR4YuuQyZoEq_-oS4cJT2Ei5mDXtb30xvgZag/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.17%20AM.png" width="296" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was a struggle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">thought I had convinced some would be Alleycat racers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">yet they flaked and did the ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">mid Alleycat some Alleycat Races saw the group ride... ADHD kicked in... and they jumped in on the ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">kids these days</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">had the same struggle trying to get the kids to play kickball at the park after school when my kids were kids</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">oh well... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">kids these days</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">very few kids these days are as cool as my kids </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I feel that I was successful in throwing my event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the ride and the race were well run and well attended</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were no injuries and very little conflict </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">people were having a good day in the spirit of the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was confusing at the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as intended... Top Alleycat Racers finished in roughly 45 minutes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as we gathered at the El Tamarindo finish I scored manifests</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">amusingly... I saw David the ride leader of The Great Ride of Return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was David and SOME of the ride came rolling through</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">David lead the ride up 18th... they looped back and came towards El Tamarindo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we cheers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they waved - they smiled</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then... they kept going</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">where did they go?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">where were they going?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I thought they said that El Tamarindo would be the finish?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">they did not stop? where did they go?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had a good idea where they went... the Museum of the Palestinian People was just two blocks away</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had thought it could be a good stop for the Social Ride </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess they decided somewhere along the line that they would change the finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but... but... but they did not tell us</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">which was fine... but not really</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would have liked the Alleycat racers to get the same post race experience</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we missed Fairouz Foty speak and sing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it all worked out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was able to get Falafel Inc. as a sponsor of the event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">my older son Dean helped out with my friend Marina to pick up 100 falafel sandwiches and 100 tangerines</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he brought the food to the alleged finish</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">after I felt I had all the Alleycat finishers fed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I drove my son's car filled with food two blocks away and fed the masses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the all it all worked out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there could have been better communication</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were a few glitches</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some conflict </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but I think those things could be easily ironed out in the future</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the end... it is not about me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was about the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and the day was about Palestine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this was a FREE GAZA themed bicycle event</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was about drawing attention to the need of a Ceasefire in the Middle East</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and more specifically</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the relief effort of the Gaza Sunbirds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">glad I joined in... glad I was able to lend some support</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1VXTvPSyCCL9A_57GY67c0VyCQOkjeL313U_5D-Znl7NWLrM2zgLNY2giXO0FB6L-EPUzGx85DDD_S-ohCOzURw_eUEGL_dZcx2_4QhvnZ_0-RYJhwxgblccNNxKsNhMQO-cGqDwjtGD-U1eCzkdjldqoGCJV-V_vtes75LS_dRFzON0DCRFBw/s744/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1VXTvPSyCCL9A_57GY67c0VyCQOkjeL313U_5D-Znl7NWLrM2zgLNY2giXO0FB6L-EPUzGx85DDD_S-ohCOzURw_eUEGL_dZcx2_4QhvnZ_0-RYJhwxgblccNNxKsNhMQO-cGqDwjtGD-U1eCzkdjldqoGCJV-V_vtes75LS_dRFzON0DCRFBw/w309-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%209.21.05%20AM.png" width="309" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">IT WAS AWESOME!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I toured a few checkpoints with a few people who were late for the ride and then after seeing Brian Clark aka Biggs at the FREE GAZA mural CheckPoint I figured I best be at the finish waiting for Alleycat racers to finish and for my son to drop off food</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there was some Alleycat Scoring Confusion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it all got sorted out</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the end</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this was the top Five</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brian Clark aka Biggs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Greg aka Sleazy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Legend Bruce </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fast and Friendly Dave P</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mordie in 5th</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">there were prize bags with some SWAG</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the TOP THREE FINISHERS each got a Free Gaza Poster as designed by a local Graphic Designer\Street Artist Han Key</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PLEASE DONATE TO THE GAZA SUNBIRDS IF YOU CAN</span></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-8546776127612350592024-02-09T09:30:00.002-05:002024-02-09T09:30:25.176-05:00FREE GAZA ALLEYCAT this WEEKEND Saturday February 10th... Dupont Circle 1 PM<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCPANB269SdlrH2ifuIJN3kXnVPoYV-inUduxj8hPbMExNj8oyi0lRSVD7CTg35meNQ8RODaOf1JFer6lQ4EzudkMhOgWGhivsAmh4-Vt6gy8auLdfJRDW7dL5TA-GVG1He5UxcN_XvosWGRunggWudjPnUQbFspk0dOduKEz6lZooEJWamp8zA/s811/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.55.11%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="811" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCPANB269SdlrH2ifuIJN3kXnVPoYV-inUduxj8hPbMExNj8oyi0lRSVD7CTg35meNQ8RODaOf1JFer6lQ4EzudkMhOgWGhivsAmh4-Vt6gy8auLdfJRDW7dL5TA-GVG1He5UxcN_XvosWGRunggWudjPnUQbFspk0dOduKEz6lZooEJWamp8zA/w400-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.55.11%20PM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alleycat this Saturday </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FREE GAZA ALLEYCAT </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saturday February 10th</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dupont Circle </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1:00 <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>Meet Up</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1:30 Registration </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1:45 Pre-Race Meeting\ then Start </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Free Gaza Alleycat is in conjunction with a slow paced family friendly social ride, The Great Ride or Return. Ride meets at 1:00 and Starts at 1:30 </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Native Women Ride on Instagram for more information or just show up</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Event Sponsored by <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/falafelinc?__cft__[0]=AZVuOgTVoszLUx2uR8mEHxnLH6Ke3VgRJNKY_gqyW9LBtVm1rE-BdK2uokY5oz7gPvDRKZa-LXYDXv-9e55YllQGlm4SeSTHJ9BLayBp7tSNPZWnRCoy-frOYHGdc0jHjrfHuM6PDi0L7FTSuuRVS3XzYQmiEiOyykxGy_Bpkzj82pvI_ZSDglaxbwQmyb9uDCU&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">Falafel Inc</span></a> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fund Raiser for the <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/gazasunbirds?__cft__[0]=AZVuOgTVoszLUx2uR8mEHxnLH6Ke3VgRJNKY_gqyW9LBtVm1rE-BdK2uokY5oz7gPvDRKZa-LXYDXv-9e55YllQGlm4SeSTHJ9BLayBp7tSNPZWnRCoy-frOYHGdc0jHjrfHuM6PDi0L7FTSuuRVS3XzYQmiEiOyykxGy_Bpkzj82pvI_ZSDglaxbwQmyb9uDCU&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">Gaza Sunbirds</span></a></span></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYDrKvcjV78iPc_9ohmpmJQ1GCfZMluQICChEgBasHEFbIOpWk0Mp1kk9RZrgnLP8DDG27N1l8jThhIYVhxzY0TjHmCzwlxMm4XAvleBuJLauvkp41vQCDT2DfIyTXi6zybNo8bjDcCfounlkMXK3m_mBciu4zvh3JOvremy4rhTLzBNXDu3GA/s693/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.12.37%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYDrKvcjV78iPc_9ohmpmJQ1GCfZMluQICChEgBasHEFbIOpWk0Mp1kk9RZrgnLP8DDG27N1l8jThhIYVhxzY0TjHmCzwlxMm4XAvleBuJLauvkp41vQCDT2DfIyTXi6zybNo8bjDcCfounlkMXK3m_mBciu4zvh3JOvremy4rhTLzBNXDu3GA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-08%20at%2011.12.37%20PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Donations to the Gaza Sunbirds are appreciated</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">go to the Gaza Sunbirds page to learn who they are</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">then donate as you see fit</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gazasunbirds.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana;">GAZA SUNBIRDS</span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQHFX74ops7UqR-cJIdjY4xL1eclAtXb9AMi50a7mMcddSbfpao-LLkiyvXc_EIt7Saf_o9zzyOhb1hiM9C7wLNjrbsTxzP7hLiO00baowmO0YiAuUF2iyP4uEhiukC3lGFYsCfHP9H15IiyRcvk8hrKMqgdkjFq1Yi0GQoDi4FeY_cR-CfgOLg/s625/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-07%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQHFX74ops7UqR-cJIdjY4xL1eclAtXb9AMi50a7mMcddSbfpao-LLkiyvXc_EIt7Saf_o9zzyOhb1hiM9C7wLNjrbsTxzP7hLiO00baowmO0YiAuUF2iyP4uEhiukC3lGFYsCfHP9H15IiyRcvk8hrKMqgdkjFq1Yi0GQoDi4FeY_cR-CfgOLg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-07%20at%2010.52.57%20AM.png" width="319" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Free Gaza Alleycat is in CONJUNCTION with The Great Ride of Return</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not in COMBINATION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is a COLLABORATION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been working with the ride leader sharing ideas etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been promoting the ride... seeking sponsors not just for the Alleycat... but for the Alleycat and the Ride</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Falafel Inc. will be a sponsor of the Free Gaza Alleycat and The Ride of the Return!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.falafelinc.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Falafel Inc.</span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTlADdA51DhNYROJLdfZqU1Q_8h4VIs_NJkFegkNig7_imSCmUFoe9bUS2-jdGXSMzd_avhuGm4MPfMYLY6f87xyjvQQD1jdjygSG5LljLzSR-M3irudxDH2fQbKp7-QbppwFoa_901-PGUEEnL6jfr5q-veQxoVgXVjV4plld9T-GbPTOw6Stw/s821/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.13.14%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="821" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTlADdA51DhNYROJLdfZqU1Q_8h4VIs_NJkFegkNig7_imSCmUFoe9bUS2-jdGXSMzd_avhuGm4MPfMYLY6f87xyjvQQD1jdjygSG5LljLzSR-M3irudxDH2fQbKp7-QbppwFoa_901-PGUEEnL6jfr5q-veQxoVgXVjV4plld9T-GbPTOw6Stw/w200-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.13.14%20PM.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2nXgWfJ5c0UqAF_CagP7RBuGi1EbdHSgkHKW-olMO_GqEJu_6_5Bb7WkDiIyTX_tLXHZJix453cdkNfyqQJ0dq8EGMM0-ek8TRpjlqBOOfCYg3xKevhoaZ8oz7HJ-KYEKTUBecGPD0XKiQ0FxXAJ5RoZ5ROXgirZDcRKgGr0St9igA9X0LKyaw/s814/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%208.41.25%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="814" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2nXgWfJ5c0UqAF_CagP7RBuGi1EbdHSgkHKW-olMO_GqEJu_6_5Bb7WkDiIyTX_tLXHZJix453cdkNfyqQJ0dq8EGMM0-ek8TRpjlqBOOfCYg3xKevhoaZ8oz7HJ-KYEKTUBecGPD0XKiQ0FxXAJ5RoZ5ROXgirZDcRKgGr0St9igA9X0LKyaw/w200-h198/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%208.41.25%20AM.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>SHARE THE INFORMATION</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>TELL YOUR FRIENDS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>COME OUT AND RIDE</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>COME OUT AND RACE</b></span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ESgfEw-Cny053D3LuueBEIo6XMNk6SROnAMSwATcsr6r7NvE10DZXhrTzmy9UwQehemXdsl5S8xmisiNkAN5vemVatyRi1k0JQ7R7jehesA6NQyO_9eltIaMf6gD5V5YnNOj0RPnsxa1rldC1ETufMlsZUpHmb35k9cvKtDOWUIeWdx5sN2pIA/s821/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.09.51%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="818" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ESgfEw-Cny053D3LuueBEIo6XMNk6SROnAMSwATcsr6r7NvE10DZXhrTzmy9UwQehemXdsl5S8xmisiNkAN5vemVatyRi1k0JQ7R7jehesA6NQyO_9eltIaMf6gD5V5YnNOj0RPnsxa1rldC1ETufMlsZUpHmb35k9cvKtDOWUIeWdx5sN2pIA/w199-h200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.09.51%20PM.png" width="199" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqctdwaOtBz8jK5MhbQtdKxVWuzgwL6CWU0w8-35P2DKVZ7q2WLOd8Obp_p2Z_j2xKGhAgHZDpUTH4NU3KCaxW-Zj_cC1yzPhjelrFDyOD85KVMVjtqouMgrw7NYa8zA-P0H5cQQTZppDytrnCYwUN3uy7QjNDOudQaIk5mfbN6_IaEF1efDfgQ/s824/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.08.44%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="824" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqctdwaOtBz8jK5MhbQtdKxVWuzgwL6CWU0w8-35P2DKVZ7q2WLOd8Obp_p2Z_j2xKGhAgHZDpUTH4NU3KCaxW-Zj_cC1yzPhjelrFDyOD85KVMVjtqouMgrw7NYa8zA-P0H5cQQTZppDytrnCYwUN3uy7QjNDOudQaIk5mfbN6_IaEF1efDfgQ/w200-h198/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%205.08.44%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the objective is for the Ride and the Alleycat to Meet at the same start location</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the events will be staggered starting a few minutes apart </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Ride will run its loop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alleycat Race will do its thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ending at the Same Place at hopefully roughly the same time!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Words and Song at the Finish Location!</span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ63lSOCWuQA-A-tTWqoYGbz_MtnFlDa927UVgUynjxGcxop7IUkCgpLpRfJGUDNHTgtDGfUuO46TP_BFDn5nhxJ0ifAUWs06r-LjpmUrW192AzrdtSZiFmJz5utjwKBa_YvC2fUmyAlw5FFhd9brYCsDXHWHv431tBEalU7aPbApJYD611AXCOw/s816/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%204.58.36%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="816" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ63lSOCWuQA-A-tTWqoYGbz_MtnFlDa927UVgUynjxGcxop7IUkCgpLpRfJGUDNHTgtDGfUuO46TP_BFDn5nhxJ0ifAUWs06r-LjpmUrW192AzrdtSZiFmJz5utjwKBa_YvC2fUmyAlw5FFhd9brYCsDXHWHv431tBEalU7aPbApJYD611AXCOw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-04%20at%204.58.36%20PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in addition to the support of Falafel Inc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Ride\Race will loop about going to Middle Eastern\Arab\Palestinian places of interest in Washington DC</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the finish Opera Girl will be performing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Opera Girl is Fairouz Foty</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fairouzfoty.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FairouzFoty.com</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I look forward to it... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">see you there!</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4DU8ggm_bEd0btvIN-tznRo3ZNJOHLhzMRM5na5_uLnHZcO2ZTB15GLaeUm0G2AUAmiilL4ilZTqVBRFyMfP_NZRkPYPxun-_hlhDZ-snX4mT8aMylPlE8_A1alSPUaTYnmOBymiy9HsBlRZSPSDQMH6Jcsx6Jav8R4rbPBq3C5VPMMwjuoXWQ/s501/GAZARIDE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="405" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4DU8ggm_bEd0btvIN-tznRo3ZNJOHLhzMRM5na5_uLnHZcO2ZTB15GLaeUm0G2AUAmiilL4ilZTqVBRFyMfP_NZRkPYPxun-_hlhDZ-snX4mT8aMylPlE8_A1alSPUaTYnmOBymiy9HsBlRZSPSDQMH6Jcsx6Jav8R4rbPBq3C5VPMMwjuoXWQ/w162-h200/GAZARIDE.png" width="162" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0EBNDb-Q4SXJ8Koo1dIw1-OkyF_EaZSmRvDu8xHVcCstWmw970c2Nz00n8aHVzIw3aTf29nLFSRYNfgz2k9_NNxC87HYdSQbmVkvzp-v2niAyVDOmOI6bLRtbsasFCVHzSeGLFJA6dif9_0u69dIBaJZOuYiKbkmaDY6fnLUsu_0qU7fqpwl1w/s501/GAZA%20BW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="405" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0EBNDb-Q4SXJ8Koo1dIw1-OkyF_EaZSmRvDu8xHVcCstWmw970c2Nz00n8aHVzIw3aTf29nLFSRYNfgz2k9_NNxC87HYdSQbmVkvzp-v2niAyVDOmOI6bLRtbsasFCVHzSeGLFJA6dif9_0u69dIBaJZOuYiKbkmaDY6fnLUsu_0qU7fqpwl1w/w162-h200/GAZA%20BW.png" width="162" /></a></span></div></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-52058316716975351232024-02-09T09:16:00.001-05:002024-02-09T09:16:06.468-05:00Lefty... RIP Lefty... Good? Bad? Complex? Confused? No matter how you describe her... she was Legendary!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvniyHEXVLokIQrdqWfmi5a1EoZF052sGtd9gTi5iWqVJA6NmsEjwlCtpy81IPccLz_jZMI6lE2lGSAPqxw89zjVt5laRxZ-oH5F8MXRNygx1awa4fc_ocHWH69cajjNMTFeZ1IsLbkmXe1P8RnC9drbFEIrAl9-IeBLN2uXJ9gQUTp9WhrxCExA/s720/Lefty%20rip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvniyHEXVLokIQrdqWfmi5a1EoZF052sGtd9gTi5iWqVJA6NmsEjwlCtpy81IPccLz_jZMI6lE2lGSAPqxw89zjVt5laRxZ-oH5F8MXRNygx1awa4fc_ocHWH69cajjNMTFeZ1IsLbkmXe1P8RnC9drbFEIrAl9-IeBLN2uXJ9gQUTp9WhrxCExA/w400-h300/Lefty%20rip.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">DC Legend </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">DC Lore </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">RIP Lefty </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>were a colorful character and very much a part of the DC Punk Scene in its prime... </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sorry that you will not be around to tell your stories </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as I am sure you have many </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peace to you Lefty </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You are not forgotten</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lefty will live on in our Memories</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana;">as accurate or untrue as those memories may be </span></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGL_yN0SKpSWSGXjzR8XpaAXRamT7f96lpfjNNtCR0xMQahlPfl2ZcVjGem0NerRoqDx2AS4MWLEwYDQByea_KvjWPpuf7nvKs-nLbdo7NGlwz6YqxG-hXIyhsaAEE4SV7cZeLzBT2Zg6DoK1aKTc6BW6L92hDtP-fPPJn9PYFtNa1nMVwXJCNA/s711/lefty%20full%20cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGL_yN0SKpSWSGXjzR8XpaAXRamT7f96lpfjNNtCR0xMQahlPfl2ZcVjGem0NerRoqDx2AS4MWLEwYDQByea_KvjWPpuf7nvKs-nLbdo7NGlwz6YqxG-hXIyhsaAEE4SV7cZeLzBT2Zg6DoK1aKTc6BW6L92hDtP-fPPJn9PYFtNa1nMVwXJCNA/w296-h400/lefty%20full%20cartoon.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">did I know her?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">was I friends with her?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">did I have engagement or encounters with her?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">what were my impressions of her?</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsF5dtyeNL6Cs3LPSyDWpdsjZQEfJETlPUj7S-8JDlIHf2DUMZQdm3kHvWn5MiZrnlQMJDnpIi9QKoYiPOfmxoDmMWzkIholEhjo7Kv09nQLIRZfwKRxUHVNuYQKvlv5kY2uaoOLWRQBNl_R54-4p66s9mNS4pETcp1S3ZBSFIQeF8Th3SgQqoQ/s1800/Lefty%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1234" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsF5dtyeNL6Cs3LPSyDWpdsjZQEfJETlPUj7S-8JDlIHf2DUMZQdm3kHvWn5MiZrnlQMJDnpIi9QKoYiPOfmxoDmMWzkIholEhjo7Kv09nQLIRZfwKRxUHVNuYQKvlv5kY2uaoOLWRQBNl_R54-4p66s9mNS4pETcp1S3ZBSFIQeF8Th3SgQqoQ/w137-h200/Lefty%203.jpg" width="137" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgBLZkn0W4BdCU9OQOha-t4WMJpmtmCbO-7Y2GWatu6LgVUkZz4-T7HGv1LVQ80nawEySxJXRgo7UJscgVuU5WvcoAFs2yG0RIPli4yq6S7DZA58XvWZ9c4z6IzR8Lh4jREcRhIv7ndL_pxa2rm8CsrzSRMApkdv6oBXVXgUfQAvPcWBjXCYL3Q/s1592/Lefty%201.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="940" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgBLZkn0W4BdCU9OQOha-t4WMJpmtmCbO-7Y2GWatu6LgVUkZz4-T7HGv1LVQ80nawEySxJXRgo7UJscgVuU5WvcoAFs2yG0RIPli4yq6S7DZA58XvWZ9c4z6IzR8Lh4jREcRhIv7ndL_pxa2rm8CsrzSRMApkdv6oBXVXgUfQAvPcWBjXCYL3Q/w118-h200/Lefty%201.jpeg" width="118" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I did not know Lefty as much more than the stories or her reputation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would see her... of course I would see her...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she was here, there, everywhere...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">she was an integral part of the scene</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wilson Center... RAR... Dupont Circle...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Georgetown...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">people went to shows...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but people went to shows to hang out...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">if people could not forge the stamp on their hands to dodge the five dollar cover</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">people would just hang out in front of the venue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">lots of just hanging out</span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhK6pbeSZ-9RNL3aHuwXAkW6FX7vpUW40vpkWqBbqREk0Oz3D0hMjHYePHMv7iknwiqNWS0rtMShhFcOvxnawJquxwbh6UNFEpYGyIT75CQrXFj4FO_3ZuMsIAjBaex0RfBLSkKunt5HOjT67sh2pMG6tW_qI2ERHUrolEYPcs1aNe1-T916y6A/s1800/Left%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhK6pbeSZ-9RNL3aHuwXAkW6FX7vpUW40vpkWqBbqREk0Oz3D0hMjHYePHMv7iknwiqNWS0rtMShhFcOvxnawJquxwbh6UNFEpYGyIT75CQrXFj4FO_3ZuMsIAjBaex0RfBLSkKunt5HOjT67sh2pMG6tW_qI2ERHUrolEYPcs1aNe1-T916y6A/s320/Left%202.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">yes... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had my encounters</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">nothing too negative</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some aggressive encounters from her</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all was dispelled quickly</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">once I recall her criticizing my wearing thin basher braces and she thought they were cool but was pissed that I was wearing them and that I was not a skin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and other such similar "tough guy" or maybe "bully" encounters</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaVIq7k-XudYp0xrebuOXJgNV4FPle8sstaKxUYT7Rqwobx3yGy3zipLNpRXgbgqOoUehpKXvBucM71DK-zWlEjKBZFAMb-yb6ISdJo6G4tSnY5H_XRBHSc3zaEo_y1BwKKPG2gZpM4CUTohkTh1chpGmN55sWIvTVsp85b4t-9ChfIrSdRo1Ww/s699/930%20Left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaVIq7k-XudYp0xrebuOXJgNV4FPle8sstaKxUYT7Rqwobx3yGy3zipLNpRXgbgqOoUehpKXvBucM71DK-zWlEjKBZFAMb-yb6ISdJo6G4tSnY5H_XRBHSc3zaEo_y1BwKKPG2gZpM4CUTohkTh1chpGmN55sWIvTVsp85b4t-9ChfIrSdRo1Ww/s320/930%20Left.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">RIP Lefty</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sorry that you are gone </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">would have loved for you to spend some time to clear the air</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in adult life I ran into you in various parts of town while I was doing my BLOG thing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we talked... I asked to take your photo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">you said no... you thought it was weird... I get it...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">what were the stories?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">what was the truth?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Who was Lefty?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Why was Lefty who she was?</span></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-28345613699547392312024-01-05T11:11:00.006-05:002024-01-05T12:06:53.094-05:00Car Driver on NextDoor... "let he who is without sin cast the first stone..." <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShGU98YZgOnMtKD4AWkcDEaUkJ1xVpMDa-3gcnGYqK5eJFjq7VNQJXzfMHJYhr8wWmfnkl4FHNTydv53cQP5dE51pGetwIVp_BoPPMjwxmvZZtIOjbpItWHLyTUeqs7YXc3H6HUa2OkqTSEk7pHyVz1Y5HyiCD98vhiN7pR7JCbFcJnIUJ1o3mg/s823/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.11.07%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShGU98YZgOnMtKD4AWkcDEaUkJ1xVpMDa-3gcnGYqK5eJFjq7VNQJXzfMHJYhr8wWmfnkl4FHNTydv53cQP5dE51pGetwIVp_BoPPMjwxmvZZtIOjbpItWHLyTUeqs7YXc3H6HUa2OkqTSEk7pHyVz1Y5HyiCD98vhiN7pR7JCbFcJnIUJ1o3mg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.11.07%20AM.png" width="234" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NextDoor...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NextDoor is HILARIOUS!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is so funny to hear the opinions of the people around the city</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the comments side with the car driver</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the comments are clearly Anti-Bike</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not an original thought</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">John White on Fox News telling his side of the story</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/dogs-injured-after-cyclists-throws-rocks-through-drivers-rear-windshield-in-road-rage-incident-police"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FOX NEWS DC</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FUNNY\NOT FUNNY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the anti bike lobby immediately agrees with the ONE SIDED STORY of John White</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">when I hear the story of John White I hear the voice of a bully</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">driving their car in an entitled fashion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">believing that he has more right to the road </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that the cyclist must clear the path so that he can pass</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the use of the horn is never gentle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is like giving someone the finger</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">can I gently give someone the finger?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess I can</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but it is still giving someone the finger </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJehjoXr9KFGh1brusRIZaMhU7esjB_gUzIuqYGHxmebVh3YOzcS1sI1ra1Zvej0EznYW0gAmV6jjfyhGUgzL_WIZtSq0e1aop0PyPy8EqfnlXCffRa7YMK6aUmfDf-Px4t4SzgK-2P5de5OVcZkhmgpoITjhQfKacwVz6kZa4dFv_f6xmWGrSEw/s895/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.14.26%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="589" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJehjoXr9KFGh1brusRIZaMhU7esjB_gUzIuqYGHxmebVh3YOzcS1sI1ra1Zvej0EznYW0gAmV6jjfyhGUgzL_WIZtSq0e1aop0PyPy8EqfnlXCffRa7YMK6aUmfDf-Px4t4SzgK-2P5de5OVcZkhmgpoITjhQfKacwVz6kZa4dFv_f6xmWGrSEw/w264-h400/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.14.26%20AM.png" width="264" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzklpb7BQ2uwD3oeJihmAIrRUPwF4VSYYAJmWH_HH_tENIK_nYlqSkT6PBBcwlOWPkpl9kW_-ZYi6DnxvReiFDFishIKuE1-0_5NeVpRlwxpfMqTUU2KzNyZO4By7dzpluWs-BpmGxKtPsWSaYhKHp7y9zf7ANzuqtm-_VWjFylBy8IQbbMFU0ig/s509/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.10.20%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="509" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzklpb7BQ2uwD3oeJihmAIrRUPwF4VSYYAJmWH_HH_tENIK_nYlqSkT6PBBcwlOWPkpl9kW_-ZYi6DnxvReiFDFishIKuE1-0_5NeVpRlwxpfMqTUU2KzNyZO4By7dzpluWs-BpmGxKtPsWSaYhKHp7y9zf7ANzuqtm-_VWjFylBy8IQbbMFU0ig/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.10.20%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu6Hp1KMUJScv_dcD7UNGCA7XQYEW8bSiJsuNy3T53jaUVuoFjxflO6peAZt4e-t3ZBmjzv9k3XVNasUtjaVoPHOeVcuSb5y7xqOU_9KyCSTkf8DFXUXtLVVJ7j8Fne4RykW9KLGGK2wVunZVGK5KOzUS_edt1oxt3M5XcgY74gUnqy-kTsuZ0w/s669/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.07.16%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="409" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu6Hp1KMUJScv_dcD7UNGCA7XQYEW8bSiJsuNy3T53jaUVuoFjxflO6peAZt4e-t3ZBmjzv9k3XVNasUtjaVoPHOeVcuSb5y7xqOU_9KyCSTkf8DFXUXtLVVJ7j8Fne4RykW9KLGGK2wVunZVGK5KOzUS_edt1oxt3M5XcgY74gUnqy-kTsuZ0w/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2010.07.16%20AM.png" width="196" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we had some back and forth on Next Door</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the comments are hilarious</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the Anti Bike Lobby jumps to John White's side</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">eating up his lies like candy </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ACTION AND INAPPROPRIATE REACTION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the actions of the cyclist were brought about by the actions of the driver </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am amused...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">totally not amused...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">THIS IS MY EVERYDAY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">turns out the driver's name is not John White </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but Frankie Sanderson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and funny...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">he is a hair stylist and his hair piece is awful </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not fooling anyone with that cat on his head </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-driver-says-cyclist-shattered-rear-window-injuring-dogs-in-car/3507636/?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DCBrand&fbclid=IwAR1uZ4L58iZM-29Z_tHtWWdV-r9smv0tIhTqaDbipPfIf8mLzvPtZyjo1cw">NBC Washington</a> tells the same anti bike story </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I really need to start a GWADZILLA PODCAST</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could rant on this stuff</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I just removed a comment on NEXTDOOR where I got ugly and personal </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNYuoSs9jD_19SONgi0g9aBXjcN55vXr7vS-gfNoGjgEPy2ppPNDQ1a-As-3k4NZd0YmuKmJ8ijRT6tB9bOPV8lH68o_6XL8oFk4_S9vDEtRpov0_9KLnj1SV_dXHgVufxo7FTacC1jE-M4yh1LQvHge7m4RwVoLesm9HBpMEP15ohhX3JrYlPg/s623/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2012.05.45%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="623" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNYuoSs9jD_19SONgi0g9aBXjcN55vXr7vS-gfNoGjgEPy2ppPNDQ1a-As-3k4NZd0YmuKmJ8ijRT6tB9bOPV8lH68o_6XL8oFk4_S9vDEtRpov0_9KLnj1SV_dXHgVufxo7FTacC1jE-M4yh1LQvHge7m4RwVoLesm9HBpMEP15ohhX3JrYlPg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-05%20at%2012.05.45%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-35785166185232141982023-12-18T10:07:00.003-05:002023-12-18T10:10:37.624-05:00White Elephant Party... DCMTB's Bicycle Themed White Elephant Party<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeLa_Bxz2inVFJljt4XewR4_ugWjXbbxLQaFc5XG8DOAJCbmZqvy5UH31zRv9xbW2vNWx0aN38zvfYms40gTZQg7HF32f__6taMRiKXxSdnpOsgMI-iWTPl_4U0Xa1SoC_t_2D0BZL1g1Wg4YPpCF8vzVGPXIqC8MV0gD6TZ12-_MHO1MdbUQtA/s720/Elephant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeLa_Bxz2inVFJljt4XewR4_ugWjXbbxLQaFc5XG8DOAJCbmZqvy5UH31zRv9xbW2vNWx0aN38zvfYms40gTZQg7HF32f__6taMRiKXxSdnpOsgMI-iWTPl_4U0Xa1SoC_t_2D0BZL1g1Wg4YPpCF8vzVGPXIqC8MV0gD6TZ12-_MHO1MdbUQtA/w400-h300/Elephant.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">last night I attended the DCMTB Holiday Party</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we have a fairly recent tradition of a White Elephant Party</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a Bicycle Themed White Elephant Party</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">me...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I created a stocking stuffer style Alleycat SWAG Bag!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">some random items... bicycle items...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all from the boxes of Alleycat Prizes I have in the basement</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the gift was poorly wrapped but well received</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was stolen TWICE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">me...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">what did I get?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I got a lump of coal!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a good number of items are there for the comedy sake</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the photo shows a Golden Crank Arm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a prize that is not part of the team tradition</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the humor of my White Elephant score is that I got what my brother brought</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">two very NEWISH 8 speed cassettes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do have a number of bikes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not sure if I still have anything that is 8 speed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">oh well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess I got stuck</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just as a number of us got stuck with something that we did not want</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">too many White Elephant jokes and not enough goodies</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that said... it is all about the fun and not about the prizes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it was fun</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy Holidays!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Great to see everyone...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pooch, my brother, and myself have all been on this team for over two decades!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">WOW!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnlc3tPhEvTN4bqQCigGVkFbmDi_KTdyy51XTCtCJ0KHGLBqoHxE2o9Nhw0XjTryV7T0a12Xu_6fPSMJeCSSB1mxeA1-15iFaR66CxKwwh8PWccH1fWHI9nL4Db-3uVfBgAp6qHvHhtERtPCMvSYMurmt_k1V9iTO2H4_wO9vly2ytA8d08WfEw/s720/kissman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnlc3tPhEvTN4bqQCigGVkFbmDi_KTdyy51XTCtCJ0KHGLBqoHxE2o9Nhw0XjTryV7T0a12Xu_6fPSMJeCSSB1mxeA1-15iFaR66CxKwwh8PWccH1fWHI9nL4Db-3uVfBgAp6qHvHhtERtPCMvSYMurmt_k1V9iTO2H4_wO9vly2ytA8d08WfEw/s320/kissman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-3752837779000008942023-12-15T12:29:00.001-05:002023-12-15T12:29:16.721-05:00a collection of Polaroids from my friend Jason's wedding 20 years ago... <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImsQWhihyphenhyphenZqg7R3wS8OlyV6vqCVqQwMCiruizIFQ1J6XryF8ZTk8JLremq4zOmiBmLqdvVyTFGHrinEPFNblVxSwxWGCR5iVXXmM7vQqnYefwrZRoaEJKxD3QZQaKgxxKvT2d94vuDe96gjTuXxJcbWzdbqzEiDgkM3uPOOHxHd6xJIvWVlGj_Q/s1194/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2012.27.57%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1194" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImsQWhihyphenhyphenZqg7R3wS8OlyV6vqCVqQwMCiruizIFQ1J6XryF8ZTk8JLremq4zOmiBmLqdvVyTFGHrinEPFNblVxSwxWGCR5iVXXmM7vQqnYefwrZRoaEJKxD3QZQaKgxxKvT2d94vuDe96gjTuXxJcbWzdbqzEiDgkM3uPOOHxHd6xJIvWVlGj_Q/w400-h291/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2012.27.57%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">many Mount Pleasant Memories here..</div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-81139514062654721302023-12-15T12:21:00.003-05:002023-12-15T12:21:59.478-05:00AI... AI much like the eBike is here whether you like it or not... but there should be some sort of measure and control of both of them... <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjb2k_h7Tw77rz0lUnNV1ZmyzpX7XxWfVjzKBPAv5sst_r2l8jnF0NjGd_LWhm9v_hMbzKhutkJZ3isMDFHdLlKcA7uCOA3xIeU0P9AoUvtSI7TZ3UpXKNN3tXvW2_sPFMhfGkPf_y0J0xVYksd-svgqlyStFoK_IjE6JKcQQMel7qGBoTULj7A/s526/MOOSE%20AI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="526" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjb2k_h7Tw77rz0lUnNV1ZmyzpX7XxWfVjzKBPAv5sst_r2l8jnF0NjGd_LWhm9v_hMbzKhutkJZ3isMDFHdLlKcA7uCOA3xIeU0P9AoUvtSI7TZ3UpXKNN3tXvW2_sPFMhfGkPf_y0J0xVYksd-svgqlyStFoK_IjE6JKcQQMel7qGBoTULj7A/s320/MOOSE%20AI.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Man on a Moose</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sepia tone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">hand writing data on the print</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">looks so real</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">IS IT LIVE OR IS IT MEMOREX?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sadly... that image is more than likely AI</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FOOLED AGAIN!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">now... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can not confirm that it is real or fake</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a quick Google and I found some logic leaning towards AI</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">AI just like the eBike has its place</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">just as I hate about being fooled by a cool AI image </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hate being fooled by an eBike </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">the future is ELECTRONIC!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">or </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at least Electronic Assist</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have yet to even play with AI</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but I have ridden eBikes before </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOWfQQcUhbK9XOUhHoisM2jKjRXB-e_jxKHvzf3R6ZZHxmxBOMAFG5LdO-5ND25kmdvUzpk2q0-jn2gkgD67qKYuBz8IdyfP_pkcLS9_lEZgWXmR33jHhxpCH1lIeIDiDOdOTXN_jo-vf9ds91sLtBVxneGzXpq3RE5U2_fyE6Tlf9XE1F_0fdg/s526/ZILLA%20Dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOWfQQcUhbK9XOUhHoisM2jKjRXB-e_jxKHvzf3R6ZZHxmxBOMAFG5LdO-5ND25kmdvUzpk2q0-jn2gkgD67qKYuBz8IdyfP_pkcLS9_lEZgWXmR33jHhxpCH1lIeIDiDOdOTXN_jo-vf9ds91sLtBVxneGzXpq3RE5U2_fyE6Tlf9XE1F_0fdg/s320/ZILLA%20Dean.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-6974059888880394862023-12-15T11:50:00.003-05:002023-12-15T11:50:50.308-05:00Broken Readers... trying to clean up... it is good to see trash as trash!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhtwAw98nfsxEFLR0RluT6j0ZSpyyZG6Qwy0-OZBGxIc2mp7o4PYMUTqerKyq85CZcBb04c-a_0XZdOj9VSEcFuRRLNjj-tZuZKwrrkSnIc2M9-MwaIMFcNALRoiuImSZM9Deu4PTyQFJUt442DjGQPj0FIP3S2CkhJqaRbMve9oSLPm_1dJGaQ/s564/Toby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhtwAw98nfsxEFLR0RluT6j0ZSpyyZG6Qwy0-OZBGxIc2mp7o4PYMUTqerKyq85CZcBb04c-a_0XZdOj9VSEcFuRRLNjj-tZuZKwrrkSnIc2M9-MwaIMFcNALRoiuImSZM9Deu4PTyQFJUt442DjGQPj0FIP3S2CkhJqaRbMve9oSLPm_1dJGaQ/s320/Toby2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so... a few months back I got an ad for reader aka reading glasses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh man... I am old</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Interweb knows my market</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but wait... who is that?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">he looks familiar!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know him!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">THAT IS TOBY MORSE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1QLG10znLtk" width="320" youtube-src-id="1QLG10znLtk"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">okay... so the reality is I do not know Toby well</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I knew him "when"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">when I was in college</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Toby was a young skater in the local punk\skater community</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh wow... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the energy... the passion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">THE INTENSITY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Interview with Toby Morse</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.howweare.net/post/48390476137/10questionstobymorse"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ten Questions with Toby Morse from How Are We</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">hold on... I need to flip the record</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">no... not the new <a href="https://pitchfork.com/news/minor-threat-announce-new-ep-out-of-step-outtakes/">Minor Threat single</a> the came out on DISCHORD Records last week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but the Beatles album I have spinning on the turn table</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I m back...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">where was I?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh... so I saw this ad for Caddis Readers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it was cool</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">their linkage to Toby was AWESOME!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it made sense</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but I lack the money to test the economic sense of a 150 dollar pair of readers versus 15 pairs of readers that I throw away when they break</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">fast forward to now...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">last week I went to catch the Soulside\Scream show at the Black Cat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WOW!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so clean... so crisp... so powerful...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">both of them</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">each of them has risen to such a pro level</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but enough on that... more to the Caddis Readers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">being tired from my bike all day bicycle job I took an Uber to the show</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">considered getting a ride back from friends</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but the Uber made more sense</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so... I caught an Uber</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Uber arrived</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">initially I reached for the front door to ride shotgun in the passenger seat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">that door may have been locked</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">but really... I quickly noticed that there was far more leg room in the backseat</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so I went ahead and got into the back where the drive may have wanted me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">as I slide in I felt something</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I had sat on something</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh... what is that?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh... glasses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">bummer... someone lost their glasses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">dang... bummer... I pull out my readers and see that these readers are my specifications 2.0</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">tried them on</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there we go... a fresh set of readers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">more hip... more cool than my three pack from Costco!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">BONUS SCORE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">seemed like good Lost and Found potential</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">it seemed unlikely for the owner to be reconnected with their lost readers </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not looking to argue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">not trying to rationalize </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">just trying to share that I got some Caddis Readers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in black not camo </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://caddislife.com/collections/eye-appliances?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20435349800&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj_CrBhD-ARIsAIiMxT-8cu3p1giDiVcbxmTHX2hq5iLuoXGnDHFa7v-f7wzR0LMyKnQO9kAaAumyEALw_wcB"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Caddis Life's Site</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">now... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">how long before I lose or break these?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">trying to keep them not as my daily readers, but my adult with adult readers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">like going out or being with other adults</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">images of Toby Morse with Ian Mackaye</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ian was an influence on the development of Toby's ethos</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">cool to see them catching up and connecting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">also always to see Toby and Company out touring and playing shows</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">love seeing my friends achieve their dreams!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/H2Ogo/"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">H2O on Facebook</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I need to check out Toby's Podcast!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onelifeonechance.com/oloc-podcast"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One Life One Chance</span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQMpamp4bFHWt3eV5L7es1RxQArTPfeNAXYnwpG6dvXo9HG9sIvJagapafWcWLxOm5a1IPqyqVkiE4yYkj2zgvaxNnFVl5GvjC3ynp1SGQ3oi5xFACcwiqzcm6vuzfjYMhdIeXrI8t08gq4IbeUIjIS0JtjvJhZhI9FWAWvlNUHyYGLAX2sG6hA/s627/Toby%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="617" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQMpamp4bFHWt3eV5L7es1RxQArTPfeNAXYnwpG6dvXo9HG9sIvJagapafWcWLxOm5a1IPqyqVkiE4yYkj2zgvaxNnFVl5GvjC3ynp1SGQ3oi5xFACcwiqzcm6vuzfjYMhdIeXrI8t08gq4IbeUIjIS0JtjvJhZhI9FWAWvlNUHyYGLAX2sG6hA/s320/Toby%201.jpg" width="315" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /> </span><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-6973404399872001522023-12-15T10:54:00.002-05:002023-12-15T10:54:31.975-05:00ah... I am trying to sell some old bikes on Facebook Marketplace... the time commitment is annoying<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGDyrcwqy0SnfTv6GizNpOAOhbrSJo6VWYn9o3MIIw-0HC8nsDCqDTk7Cz1glFAOeqoSPEaim3wyz-2KVCZaFJxYYJGQx1lWoxmSnMfT7iCQFVSXGhJgyJGOPOP9UXhwVkMQLbKiosGtZGrVPhufrgHymnlsJYw-CANOI-XBgYGpMapwEOsZT5A/s796/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.51.43%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="586" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGDyrcwqy0SnfTv6GizNpOAOhbrSJo6VWYn9o3MIIw-0HC8nsDCqDTk7Cz1glFAOeqoSPEaim3wyz-2KVCZaFJxYYJGQx1lWoxmSnMfT7iCQFVSXGhJgyJGOPOP9UXhwVkMQLbKiosGtZGrVPhufrgHymnlsJYw-CANOI-XBgYGpMapwEOsZT5A/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.51.43%20AM.png" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all those jerseys have been GIVEN away</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there was little or no interest</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which is understandable</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but now</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I get too see some of my DC Bike Messenger friends wearing my old jerseys</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which is fun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">also funny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as I do not think I would fit into the majority of these items </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but yes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the time it takes to sell something</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the questions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the requests</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the back and forth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the low balling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and those are the positive aspects of selling stuff online</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">if something gets sold... it is a win</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but really...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">most things get given away or donated</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as the sale process is so time consumming </div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2A3sR3UsMULjKWq8FHM-xh3smKCdOy8AGLQUyLDYoOlauczhEoCV2MAvQ8j73CaUMr-5Hxdu4iLNPGWSq5IPJJ_2vFheSbpVspc9Y8rQ0aCKBF4gnMo6yz6nk5FGEtDvIHlEgSrttmPpGI_ncOxzAdMLvRSzrGrRtPUZhraj8_oVgd7XZQ-ZSw/s767/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.51.13%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2A3sR3UsMULjKWq8FHM-xh3smKCdOy8AGLQUyLDYoOlauczhEoCV2MAvQ8j73CaUMr-5Hxdu4iLNPGWSq5IPJJ_2vFheSbpVspc9Y8rQ0aCKBF4gnMo6yz6nk5FGEtDvIHlEgSrttmPpGI_ncOxzAdMLvRSzrGrRtPUZhraj8_oVgd7XZQ-ZSw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.51.13%20AM.png" width="244" /></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-65962548274121505562023-12-15T10:25:00.002-05:002023-12-15T10:25:26.672-05:00time suck... distractions... my love hate relationship with Words With Friends... hard to moderate... it is a compulsion as much as a pleasure... it is an escape... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik66pr3miaOT_xIKQ5yzEM_jrhovYAqxDhIpS4mNcaBdHoAhrQUL35m8re51SBbeU4PhmZ1LqIDLkSClWuvbxT60ozOByu1ZmJjUKRDIT0iMca10h-aV2mVLR_t5L4I6Y21Fg0RETEyZFw6n_dgEoxPr0YT2uZdvBRXfe7gDuocKcbYrVWYVFh7A/s390/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%205.28.39%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="286" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik66pr3miaOT_xIKQ5yzEM_jrhovYAqxDhIpS4mNcaBdHoAhrQUL35m8re51SBbeU4PhmZ1LqIDLkSClWuvbxT60ozOByu1ZmJjUKRDIT0iMca10h-aV2mVLR_t5L4I6Y21Fg0RETEyZFw6n_dgEoxPr0YT2uZdvBRXfe7gDuocKcbYrVWYVFh7A/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%205.28.39%20PM.png" width="235" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">there are things that I NEED to do...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">right now I am not doing them</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Words with Friends </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh how I love thee</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Words with Friends</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">oh how I dread thee</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Words with Friends is both friend and enemy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I need the escape, but at times the distraction detracts too much </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">should I take a break?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">is it all or none?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">can I moderate?</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOD_LVOh71Dvr2fd5COkUQp6U1D1kVdaZLLEXk2_qGiNOBwQH3nB9Fnsk35qCtNkDmBSJSAziaCWnt6-6rl_KeXpahJ0HTB0W0_pWV3Jf3UxiAqaeleh3hnONUHdAykXSEBhhhmPw7J8YbNtY2s8zf3xClmujbjO-6SRKABDkFmRHOB4f4cfHHA/s802/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%205.24.46%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOD_LVOh71Dvr2fd5COkUQp6U1D1kVdaZLLEXk2_qGiNOBwQH3nB9Fnsk35qCtNkDmBSJSAziaCWnt6-6rl_KeXpahJ0HTB0W0_pWV3Jf3UxiAqaeleh3hnONUHdAykXSEBhhhmPw7J8YbNtY2s8zf3xClmujbjO-6SRKABDkFmRHOB4f4cfHHA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%205.24.46%20PM.png" width="187" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955583.post-90169729839351633062023-12-15T10:21:00.004-05:002023-12-15T10:21:52.314-05:00A Year in Strava... it tells a story... <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg4s-EDKp5-P_81aOHN-g92eiVlGUdtjOrz9yGfuWz_LkIrw7GszvG8B-LkCj8SP6bTha-uQaXC_WvR__DwAZCoZcPYZsDjHZn3zjPUQ8AJK_Ox9Sz5wiwDeZ1_XfwKU9G8t2TJ-pfhIhAS-jinUyWh6xotEXtA5PWA1DnXc-hYv8c-dXwH97ew/s839/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.14.05%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="705" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg4s-EDKp5-P_81aOHN-g92eiVlGUdtjOrz9yGfuWz_LkIrw7GszvG8B-LkCj8SP6bTha-uQaXC_WvR__DwAZCoZcPYZsDjHZn3zjPUQ8AJK_Ox9Sz5wiwDeZ1_XfwKU9G8t2TJ-pfhIhAS-jinUyWh6xotEXtA5PWA1DnXc-hYv8c-dXwH97ew/w336-h400/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.14.05%20AM.png" width="336" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">STRAVA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ah... how much we all love our STRAVA!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">STRAVA TELLS A STORY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">after each ride\hike\swim we get to share our story</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the end of the year</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">we have the STRAVA STATISTICS that tell another story</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">this is my STRAVA STORY for the year</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it does tell a story</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a story of a Field Bike Mechanic for Capital Bike Share</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">most of these miles are WORK MILES</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">not PLEASURE MILES</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in years past with an office job I may have ridden fewer miles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but those miles may have been faster and more fun</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">different than work miles </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No Need to hammer when on the clock for Capital BikeShare</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">it is all about keeping pace with the day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and then...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I walk my dog each and every day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I do not Strava my daily hikes with the dog</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">do those hikes count?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">if I ride the bike or hike without using Strava</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">did those activities even happen?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is my STRAVA YEAR IN SPORTS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">that does tell a story...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">next year I may need to tell another story</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">working as a mobile bike mechanic is not quite paying the bills</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJLkrH04NhLizEDrDqBRwHcUDJoqRuvEzOB2Wsvizgq0YvLrSsh3ASW4V27y-lvtsKwPNBu0HUIbIpkgBeRNAJjFv7JhQnFTa5eTGVngZHhdqOMyJK-qFcYEl6xQU9L0Tn2BYeeQTB7j15v2MT3jNN9BTi-yMKAJztdPM5OGzmT_-1Jm9u3zTg/s590/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.13.53%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="590" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJLkrH04NhLizEDrDqBRwHcUDJoqRuvEzOB2Wsvizgq0YvLrSsh3ASW4V27y-lvtsKwPNBu0HUIbIpkgBeRNAJjFv7JhQnFTa5eTGVngZHhdqOMyJK-qFcYEl6xQU9L0Tn2BYeeQTB7j15v2MT3jNN9BTi-yMKAJztdPM5OGzmT_-1Jm9u3zTg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-15%20at%2010.13.53%20AM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>gwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.com