whatcha on about boy?

The Good People:

Garbage Collectors:
You guys (and girls who look like guys) regularly collect our filth and refuse. Your profession keeps our homes and institutions free from festering trash and horrible diseases. People may look down on you, they may say any trained Chimpanzee could do your job, and they would be right... but you are still important! Without you society would simply rot. You should get paid more.

Doctors:
Your knowledge of medical science heals the lame and allows the blind to see. Hell, you guys alleviate more pain on a daily basis than any Jewish carpenter and you don't even get worshipped! I know you get a lot of crap from all those patients who self-diagnosed their genius selves on Web MD but keep your heads held high, you'll get the last laugh when they come crawling back leaking organic coffee from their back-ends. Oh, and I know med school was expensive but I don't really think you should get paid more; I know the 2010 BMW 7-series looks nice, but stick with your M3 for another year. Rough I know, but the economy is down and we all must make sacrifices.

Missed Connections People on Craigslist:
Your endless optimism makes my days just a little brighter. Sure, I've been there, seen a hot chick in the supermarket or on the beach, but I never thought to post an anonymous add on the Internet pleading for her to answer back. But you guys do just that! It doesn't matter that she didn't see you staring at her ass for a half-hour while she enjoyed a picnic with her boyfriend in the park, it doesn't matter that shes never actually heard of Craigslist, it doesn't even matter that you look like a grown up version of Chunk from 'The Goonies'. She'll respond, she really will.

Life without a Car

Contented pedestrian says his life is simpler and healthier without a car

Now if we could just get a few thousand more of these guys this town would start looking a lot better.

Sheldon Brown passes away at 63 years of age

I was shocked to read today that Sheldon Brown, a long time inspiration to me, and many other cyclists passed away from a heart attack on Feb. 3. I have been reading Sheldon's website and journal on and off for a good 6-7 years and I can certainley credit his vision of the bike as formative in my own life. Sheldon believed the bicycle wasn't simply for fun and recreation, but could also be used as a positive force for health, the environment, and happier, friendlier communities. Sheldon also had a strong mind, I enjoyed reading his thoughts on religion, politics and the environment; and I know its a tired and overused phrase, but if more people thought like Sheldon Brown the world would be an unequivically better place.

Sheldon had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for a number of years, a disease which drastically cut his ability to ride his bikes, not to mention making walking and moving around difficult, and as of late, nearly impossible. But if you read his journal entries you won't get a hint of self-pity or anger; he somehow had the mental strength to take things in stride. I think Sheldon knew that living on this planet doesn't entitle us to anything; I always got a sense from his writing that life is something to be cherished because this is all we have and that we must appreciate it while we are here.

The community has lost a legendary advocate and a great person.