Monday, December 29, 2008

Ghost Bike Hunting

Ghost Bike Hunting
Heard about Ghost Bikes on The Point on Dec 18th. You can listen to the segment at 3:00 in the second audio clip. The interview includes Michael Kalmanovitch of Edmonton Bicycle Commuters. EBC was the first group in Canada to place Ghost Bikes. One thing that would have improved the discussion on the Ghost Bikes is the recent U of C study that shows that roadside memorials may improve safety.
Tay’s study shows that the markers appear to have significant short-term safety benefits. As part of his study, he placed mock-up memorials at selected intersections with red light cameras within the City of Calgary. In the six weeks after the markers were installed, nearly 17 percent fewer drivers ran red lights than in the six weeks prior to installation.


While I was in Edmonton over Christmas, I wanted to go see a Ghost Bike so I found the list and headed out to find one. The one I found was for Christopher Scott. I surprised to see that the official picture on the site is credited to none other the blogging buddy Ian McKenzie. And yes it's the same Ian as on my blog roll as the picture is indeed in Ian's flickr stream.

Update: While I love the Ghost Bike idea on many levels, I wonder if it will scare non bikers off. When people realize I ride on the road, I always hear I could never do that, I'd be too afraid.

- Peace

Saturday, December 20, 2008

4200 KM Done!

4 Riders at 4200 KM
Ken, Dave and Calvin rode with me on my final 20 KM push to 4200 KM. It was cold. Weather report says -23c, but it's always colder in Fish Creek. Thanks guys!

- Peace

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

4100 KM in the Snow

4100 in the Snow
Hit the 4100 KM mark today, 98 KM to go by Saturday. Will need to pick up the pace a bit. Didn't know we'd have way more snow the normal when I decided to plan the party 10 days earlier than last years. Nice to have a challenge.

- Peace

Free Alt Christmas Music MP3s

Sounds Familyre a record label that includes Sufjan Stevens, Wovenhand and Half-handed Cloud released a A Familyre Christmas Vol 1 for 2007. I just found it. For 2008 they are releasing a track a day between yesterday and Christmas that will be Vol 2. Put some Alt folk in your Christmas listening this year!

- Peace

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Snow Blowing at 4000 KM

Snow Blowing at 4000 KM
Hit the 4000 KM mark tonight, two hundred to go. If I can keep up the pace of the first ten days of December I'll hit 4200 in time for the party on the 20th. It would suck to have planned a party and then not be quite done in time.

- Peace

Monday, December 08, 2008

Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!


A fan video of Sufjan Steven's Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!

Loaded my Xmas playlist on the ipod this morning - 284 songs from classical to metal. While I have six versions of Hark the Herald Angles Sing, I've got plenty of non traditional tunes to space them out. I do find it puts me in the Christmas mood, a healthy mix of darkness, lament and celebration.

BTW you can build your own Alt Xmas song collection by one, Geek Dad has arranged a free download of BNL's version of Jingle Bells though only for Dec 08.

- Peace

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Dusk at 3900 KM

Dusk at 3900 KM
Hit 3900 KM yesterday, just 300 KM to go.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Wish List

Convenience for those who say I'm hard to get a gift and confession that yes I enjoy getting gifts on my birthday and for Christmas.

Rez Box Set - probably only available on line, so click the link.

Star Wars Prequel Trilliogy

Batman Begins

The Dark Knight

Batman: Gotham Knight

Pinhole Cap

Beyond Homelessness by Brian J. Walsh

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe

Prince Caspian

Pentax DA 50-135 F2.8 ED SDM

Pentax DA 16-50 F2.8 ED AL


Lensbaby Composer



Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom


USB Headset

- Peace

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Looks Like Harper Pulled a 'Joe Clark'

Stephen Harper isn't the first conservative Prime Minister to think that the Liberals wouldn't bring down his minority government during a Liberal leadership transition. Joe Clark made the same mistake in 1979. Clark had won a minority, and Trudeau had announced he was stepping down but had not left yet. Sound familiar?

Maybe Stéphane Dion's long goodbye was inspired by Tredeau? It looks like Dion won't be the second Liberal Leader not to become PM. I'm guessing he'll be the first leader of any party to become PM six weeks after leading his party to their worst election result in modern times.

Strange Times.

- Peace