What I've learned about biking in Boston

Between cruising the streets on my scooter through all temperature and weather for the last 3 years, and now riding around on my new road bike, I've learned quite a bit about biking, traffic, pedestrians, road markings, safety and of course, the selfish nature of drivers once they get behind the wheel.  I will be sharing some little things bit by bit.

Starting with something that all beginner commuter bikers might form a variety of opinions on: Bike Lanes, which are (thankfully?) popping up more and more throughout Boston and Cambridge.

Boston Biker has provided me with plenty of great information and insight to begin thinking about these lanes from the perspective of a biker and a driver, and does an excellent job of explaining HOW to use them.

Good advice from How to Use a Door Zone Bike Lane (a bike lane that has cars parked next to it):

You are going to have to trust me on this, but having two predictable vehicles (car and bike) interacting in a predictable and planned way (bike stays in a straight line, car moves over slightly passes then resumes position) is MUCH MUCH safer, than a car door randomly opening and breaking your face, collar bone, or worse. People get tossed into traffic and run over by doors opening, people swerve into cars and are run over when doors open. There is no easy way to predict when a car door will open, and getting doored is horrific (even at low speed) so the best method of dealing with it is to STAY OUT OF THE DOOR ZONE.

So far once of my confusions is when roads have bike lanes and then don't, and then do again, like when crossing over the Charles at N. Harvard or Western Ave.  I witnessed an argument between biker and driver about the biker taking a lane (a "driving" lane) after the bike lane disappeared, to get over the bridge.  There are signs on Rt. 28 near Storrow Dr about how the biker CAN take a lane, and I'd hope that maybe more signs like this will be put up around the city.

That's all for now.

p.s. New website coming soon with lots of fun stuff!

The Weekend Ahead

This is gonna be a busy weekend. Jen, Cyn, Jackie and Coop are visiting. So much fun is to be had. Here's a graphic preview...

Hint: *CLICK* the photos (especially the softball one!)



Coming to a bar or couch near you...


Saturday Afternoon Triptych








And just for fun...some dead fly art.

Thoughts on Disappointment

Just some thoughts for today...

Disappointment is the feeling of dissatisfaction that follows the failure of expectations to manifest. Similar to regret, it differs in that the individual feeling regret focuses primarily on the personal choices that contributed to a poor outcome, while the individual feeling disappointment focuses on the outcome itself.^[1] It is a source of psychological stress.^[2]

Disappointment, and an inability to prepare for it, has also been hypothesized as the source of occasional immune system compromise in optimists.^[9] While optimists by and large exhibit better health,^[10] they may alternatively exhibit less immunity when under prolonged or uncontrollable stress, a phenomenon which researchers have attributed to the "disappointment effect".^[9] The "disappointment effect" posits that optimists do not utilize "emotional cushioning" to prepare for disappointment and hence are less able to deal with it when they experience it.^[10][11] This disappointment effect has been challenged since the mid-1990s by researcher Suzanne C. Segerstrom, who has published, alone and in accord, several articles evaluating its plausibility. Her findings suggest that, rather than being unable to deal with disappointment, optimists are more likely to actively tackle their problems and experience some immunity compromise as a result.^[12]

Lose/Win people bury a lot of feelings. And unexpressed feelings come forth later in uglier ways. Psychosomatic illnesses often are the reincarnation of cumulative resentment, deep disappointment and disillusionment repressed by the Lose/Win mentality. Disproportionate rage or anger, overreaction to minor provocation, and cynicism are other embodiments of suppressed emotion. People who are constantly repressing, not transcending feelings toward a higher meaning find that it affects the quality of their relationships with others.
-Stephen Covey

Character is the foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character. Without character, all effort to attain dignity is superficial, and results are sure to be disappointing.
-R.C. Samsel

Weekend happenings and some future events...

Can't wait for fall in Boston...hope it stays decently warm enough to ride around for a few months!  Here are some upcoming events this weekend and in the next few weeks.

Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival: Ends Sat Sept 26

Join last year's 70,000 plus crowd to enjoy some of the best jazz, groove and blues music in the country in the heart of Boston.

Official Site: http://www.beantownjazz.org/

For tomorrow's schedule: http://www.beantownjazz.org/schedule.html

Hub on Wheels

• When:Sun 9/27 (8AM)
• Where:City Hall Plaza
• Address:1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 
• Cost:45.00

• For one day in September, Storrow Drive becomes a bike path.

  Join us for the 5th annual Hub On Wheels- Boston's only citywide bike ride takes place. It's your chance to ride along the Charles River with no cars getting in your way, explore the greenways and the shoreline, the neighborhoods and the communities we call home.

  Furthermore, your participation helps public school students get the technology and the skills they need to succeed in today's world. All of the proceeds from Hub On Wheels will benefit Technology Goes Home, a non-profit organization providing technology training and computer equipment to give these students the edge they need.
  

For additional information please visit: www.hubonwheels.org.

Bike Tours of Cambridge -- Oct 4, 2009

Discover new places and interesting routes between them on rides organized by the Cambridge Bicycle Committee. Most tours are themed, with brief talks and an informational brochure of images, text and map. The tours are accessible to all bike riders, moving at an easy pace in a group escorted by the Cambridge Police bicycle patrol. The rides are free of charge and end with free refreshments!

Next Ride: Pedaling the People's Republic – A History Of Political Activism In Cambridge

Sunday October 4, 2009

Departs 10:30 AM from Cambridge Common

Please arrive by 10:15 AM

http://cambridgebikes.org/

Uppereast - Oct 8, 2009

And...starting Oct 8 there's a new Thursday night women's night in Cambridge at OM. Check it out!  http://www.shuttavac.com/uppereast/

NY and St. Patty's Day

March NYC-1200C
Originally uploaded by Circuitree

Photos from my last trip to NYC, it's been quite a while...

Click for more.

More Boston Bike Stuff - News and Fun!

After YEARS of driving, biking and scooting roughly down North Harvard Street toward Harvard Square, it is wonderful news to hear it's going to be repaved, RIGHT NOW! The work will be done from July 13-25, bikers should stay on the sidewalk on the north side, and scooters beware, especially if the road is wet!

In addition to the smooth roads, bike lanes will be added on N. Harvard street (and parking decreased).

Turns out in 2010, the rest of N. Harvard street toward Cambridge St. will also be re-paved.

For more info, read the full article: Get ready for street paving in Allston

*******************

HUB ON WHEELS 2009

Get an unobstructed view of the city and a chance to fall in love with Boston all over again. A ride for everyone. Hub On Wheels is your chance to ride a car-free Storrow Drive and to explore the greenways, shoreline, and neighborhoods we call home.

WHEN: SEPTEMBER 27, 2009. There's also a race the day before. Check out website for more details.

Ride Logistics

• DATE: Sunday, September, 27, 2009
• START TIME: 8am
• LOCATION: City Hall Plaza
• DISTANCE: 10, 30, or 50 Miles
• FESTIVAL: Music, food, and fun 9am - 2pm
• FREE SNACKS & GIFT BAGS
• COST: $45 dollar registration fee
• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
• OPTIONAL DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING
• CHARITY: All proceeds support Technology Goes Home, click here to learn more!

MORE INFO: Hub on Wheels

**************************

More awesome events:

Bike Friday's: Ride into work with experienced ride guides. July 31st and August 25th. Learn more and register at www.bikefridays.org.

Rock, Roll and Ride: Community bike days for the entire family. July 18th, July 25th and August 8th. Click here to learn more.

Tour de Farms: Aug. 1 (sadly, I can't attend) Visit urban and community farms in the Boston area by bicycle and get a chance to sample fresh, locally grown food. Click here to learn more.

Don't use FreeCreditReport.com without reading the fine print! Really, just save yourself time and don't use it at all!

I needed to check my credit. I joined freecreditreport.com and just asked for the report with no added services. But really, the site is BS. Avoid it. Here's why:

It pulls your report from Experian, an already government required free service. Then it offers you monitoring of your report and help on ways to raise your credit. You may think you've said no to those offers, but WRONG you've signed up for credit monitoring.

You are asked for your credit card number and enrolled in a program that you really aren't aware of unless you actually read the Terms (who does that?). It explains that you aren't being charged for anything at the time on the page where it asks for your card and makes it seem they're just collecting account information in case you request further services.

A day or so after the report, I was charged a dollar. Showed up on my statement as from FCR.com. OK. A dollar, that's fine. I let it be. I continued to get more emails from FCR offering me services, which I immediately deleted.

Over a week later I see an unknown, unnamed charge in my BoA account (which is EMPTY because I just went off unemployment, started work, but haven't been paid yet!!). By calling the bank, I find a phone number attached to the charge and then called the number and guess what? Freecreditreport.com. Apparently, I was enrolled in a 9 day free trial and I didn't cancel it in time. An email maybe a day or two ago reminding me of this would have fucking been appreciated.

I assumed since I hadn't heard "scam" talk about this site I didn't need to look into it beforehand. But really, doing a basic search brings up some interesting info I wish I'd discovered before I got hosed.

In late 2006, Florida’s state attorney general’s office launched an investigation into Experian’s business practices, citing a “failure to adequately disclose negative option enrollment … deceptive advertising, misleading domain name, and failure to honor cancellations.”...

FCR is a shady and dishonest venture from Experian. I found that I was billed for a year of their service after giving my information for a one-time “free” check. When I disputed the charge, I thought that I had just been careless in enrolling. What a SHAM! – Erik, NJ (MSNBC’s Red Tape Chronicles blog)...

When I called to try to get a refund, it was pretty clear they weren't going to offer me one. They even tried to sell me on the redit monitoring service which would fight identity theft. I retorted that I was never interested in that and hit No, thanks for anything like that which had come up while I was registering. Finally, he cancelled my account and said I'd get an email confirmation. Well, that still hasn't arrived!!! If I run into any problems with the cancellation I'll have to follow the advice of this guy and this guy.

Bottom line: the safest way to request your free annual credit report is through AnnualCreditReport.com. Period.

Bay State Bike Week

Thanks to Yelp, I just find out that next week (May 11-17) is the Bay State (that's MA's nickname for all those of you who may not know) Bike Week. There are events throughout the entire state. See Calendar of Events.

Bostonian's can bike to work as part of the Mass Commuter Challenge. I've already been biking at least some of the way to work (weather permitting) but I can certainly try to do it every day next week.

The site registration is a little confusing as it sets up a page where you can email friends to accept donations for the ride. However, the pledge amounts for this event are in miles, not money and I'm not sure where money would go IF you had some donated.

Anyways, you can even join a bike convoy to City Hall for Mayor Menino's Bike Week Festival on Friday morning, which is a police escorted ride to downtown Boston.

I'm registered to ride for Harvard to work each day and also joining the Allston-Brighton convoy for Friday (will I get up early enough..?). For that I need a helmet though...guess my moped helmet will have to do.

It's been a while...photos, friends music and such

I have a handful of new photos up on my flickr account. Items include kittens we are fostering for Black Cat Rescue who are available for adoption, a Patio Series (link coming) I am starting for the Spring/Summer/Fall that takes place..you guessed it..on my patio. Maybe I'll start an Other People's Patios series as well. There was also a Psyforia event that I finally posted, pretty sweet lighting effects and kids dancing.



One of my favorite new uploads was of a show back in September of MeandJoanCollins. They recently had a CD release jam at the Paradise with World Inferno Friendship society (I am not allowed to take photos at the Paradise...) and an awesome article/interview published in the Boston Phoenix. Check it out here. Please check out their upcoming shows!!!!

Flu-Frenzy

People, relax.

Words like "pandemic" really get blown out of proportion.

Check out information about another pandemic flu in Spain in 1918:

It's estimated that about 28 per cent of Canadians and Americans contracted the Spanish flu. Worldwide, an estimated 2.5 per cent of the sick died of complications, which made the pandemic one of the most lethal flu outbreaks in recorded history. But there's another way to look at those statistics. You might observe, for example, that they mean that even during the worst ravages of the 1918 flu, 97.5 per cent of those infected survived and recovered...So, even if we had a repeat of the 1918 flu, the chances were seven out of 10 that you wouldn't catch it and if you did, the odds were better than nine out of 10 that you'd survive.

I did find something cool though. Search trends can tell you a lot about where and why a topic has become of interest. This is reminiscent of the Lycos50 (from Deano!) and the cRANKy top ten search I worked on.

One way to possibly track the spread of the swine flu is to look at where spikes in search activity around related terms is occurring. Google already does this with its Google Flu Trends, and has now extended that analysis on an experimental basis to Mexico with a site it just put up called Experimental Flu Trends For Mexico. These maps represent Google’s estimates of actual flu outbreaks based on correlations between search activity and how many of those people are really sick.

Check it out: Google trends for "swine flu" AND you can do this with any term, play around with it! For example, the top state searching for gonorrhea is Tennessee...better be careful at Bonnaroo!!!!

Oh yeah, and if you think you have swine flu, check this out: http://doihaveswineflu.org/

Photos up from NYC trip

Click on the photos to get the the page. Or visit this link.

MASS VOTERS: Voting info and if you have trouble..

If you have a problem voting, call the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

If you live in Boston, and need a ride to the polls, call MassVOTE at 617-542-8683.

MassVOTE.org

Here are some voting Q&A:

Where do I vote?

Click on this link to the Secretary of State's office, type in your
address and it will give you the information about your assigned
polling place. It will also give you a list of links to your state and federal elected officials.

http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

Can I still register to vote?


No, the deadline for registration in Massachusetts was October 15th.
But, you can go to this site, download the form and register today so
you will be ready for the next election.

http://www.eac.gov/voter/Register%20to%20Vote

What time are the poles open?

The poles open at 7 am and close at 8 pm. Voters in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote.

Do I need ID to vote?

Maybe, maybe not. If you have registered recently you may be asked for
ID. And, if your right to vote is challenged, a photo ID may be handy
to have.

Our advice is to bring both a photo ID and proof of residence. The
state website talks about what ID to bring. "Acceptable identification
must include your name and the address at
which you are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid
driver’s license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank
statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document
showing your name and address.

What if they can't find my name on the registered voter list?

This one is so important that we're going to quote exactly what the
Secretary of State's office says at the link provided in details below.

If you think you may have a problem, print out that page and take it with you to the poles.

"Ask the election officer in charge of the polling place to check
your registration by looking at the inactive voter's list and by
checking to see if you are registered in another precinct in that
municipality.

If they still cannot find your name, you may
go to city or town hall to attempt to establish your identity as a
registered voter or you may cast a provisional ballot.

To
cast a provisional ballot, you must execute a provisional ballot
affirmation before a precinct officer at the polling place declaring
that you are a registered voter in the city or town and reside within
the geographical boundaries of said precinct. You must also show
suitable identification.

After the election, the local
election official will search for records to confirm your voter
registration. If your eligibility is confirmed, your ballot will be
counted. If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, your ballot will
remain sealed in an envelope until such time as it is required to be
kept and then will be destroyed without being viewed."

How do I file a complaint about a the election process?

There is a national site that has the information about the process for filing complaints in every state.

http://www.eac.gov/voter/state-complaint-procedures/election/complaints

Originally posted in "The Circuitree", a spew of thoughts and media by Sam Schwartz.

New Fall photos

I've got some images posted from the Topsfield Fair, the Allston Street Fair and the Boston Ahts Festival (most just glass blowing demonstration).

More fall foliage and scenes from NYC to come.

TOPSFIELD FAIR

ALLSTON STREET FAIR / BOSTON AHTS

Enjoying Fall This Weekend (10/18/-10/19)

Here are some fun outdoor things going on this weekend. Because I play softball on Saturdays I might only make it to this stuff on Sunday, but either way, seems like lots of fun.

Boston Pumpkin Festival

Going.com

CITY HALL PLAZA: Saturday.
When a Guinness World Record and 30,000+ pumpkins are on the line, it's pretty safe to say that not all these jack-o-lanterns are going to be prize-winning pieces of artistic prowess. Nevertheless, we'll be checking 'em out this Saturday.

Fort Point Open Studios: 249 A Street Coop

Website: http://www.fortpointarts.org/

Friday 4-7pm, Sat and Sunday 11-6pm.

Come visit the studios of 200 artists, explore our unique and evolving neighborhood, and discover new artists and treasured favorites.
Tour studios, meet artists, see public art outside, performance, and more, and participate in hands on art projects. All of our studios are within easy walking distance of each other, and we have plenty of free parking. Open Studios events attract about 10,000 visitors to our neighborhood, offering the public a rare glimpse into the living and working spaces of artists.

Head of the Charles: Regatta
Saturday and Sunday from BU to a bit past the Eliot Bridge along the Charles.

From Going.com: "You haven't "done" Boston until you've rounded up Muffy and Chaz from the country club, casually draped a sweater around your shoulders and proclaimed this year's regatta to be "the best display of coxmanship" you've seen since your days in New Haven."

Rowing isn't really my thing but I like roller blading or biking down Memorial so this might be a fun day to do this and take some photos of the rowers.

Chivalry

Is chivalry still common, or does women's independence make it considered inappropriate?  I know women who are offended by overtly chivalrous behavior from men or their partners/lovers.  I know I am offended sometimes, but other times I appreciate it.  Why?  And why does a discussion of this have to be about gender? Why should I feel badly about accepting free drinks or having a door opened for me? What term, maybe better than politeness or respect, could be used to separate chivalry from the sexist fundamental Western values that bind our civilization.  Chivalry grew out of a dark period and was based on moral behavior and knighthood (honor) and it's implications don't have to be gendered! Right?

Amongst my closest friends chivalry tends to be more closeted, but in some sense maybe we need more of it out in the open. Maybe not in the traditional sense but in standing up for our friends, loved ones, reading a situation that might be uncomfortable for someone and stepping in to assist (without being that jealous lover.)

Maybe we as women need to really BE more independent instead of just saying we are.  For example, when a bar owner is hitting on my friend and I, "accidentally" showing us porn on his laptop (= sexual harassment?), we put up with it and laughed at his perverted jokes simply because he offered us free shots.  A bar owner (of a respected JP bar) should not behave that way but it also doesn't help that we, who consider ourselves strong, independent women who look after ourselves, are validating his behavior.  Maybe if I expect to be respected I shouldn't allow him to make me look like a drink-whore. Maybe other men in the bar didn't realize that we were actually just using him...but at whose expense?  Is it a privilege of an independent woman to do this?

I think I might have made up for this Friday night when I booted a young "gentleman" from a gathering at my house.  Many of my friends later told me that they heard the things he was saying yet for some reason nobody told him to cut it out.  Maybe if he'd been called out a bit earlier in the night he wouldn't have kept going or disturbed so many women.  I don't like that happening to my friends at all, but especially not under my roof a place that unlike a bar, I can actually do something about who is there.   Recognizing women are independent doesn't mean you should stand by while they are being demeaned.  Somebody should say something.

I guess that night, that person was me. I guess I wore the "balls"...and I think I might do it more often.

Drunk New Yorker grabs train cables, suffers extreme shock and then sues Amtrak for negligence?

Via: Universal Hub

"So this barhopping New Yorker up in Boston climbs on top of an Acela train at South Station late one night in 2006, reaches up and is promptly zapped with 27,000 or so volts, leading to serious burns and injuries, including the loss of his left arm [and eventually his left leg as well!].

Naturally, he's suing Amtrak for gross negligence, because it failed to do enough to keep idiots from climbing on top of trains and grabbing hold of electrical wires..."

Read more...

Original story from the Herald

So much *Aht* and Music in Bahston this weekend

This is one of those weekends where I must hop from event to event to soak up all the awesome-ness...especially while it's still *kind of* warm out.

Here is the breakdown:

FRIDAY NIGHT

Silent Rave Boston (7-9pm): Stop dancing by yourself in front of the bathroom mirror. Get outside with your kindred souls and rave the night away in Copley Square. Bring your ipod and dance!

Open Mic/Open Stage at Casa Bonita, a hip art studio in lower allston run by a couple of wacky youths (aka my friendz!). And guess what, $5 entrance w/open bar (aka TONS of free beer)

If you want to play, here's the deal. You get 15 min or less to prove you've got talent! email casabonita@gmail.com if you want to play, or join the Facebook event.

Here are photos from the last Casa Bonita event which was a HIT: here and here and here

SATURDAY

P R O V I N C E T O W N M U S I C F E S T I V A L
I just discovered this online today. The awesome folk/blue grass band I saw last night, Tripping Lily will be performing there along with Magic of Steel, a reggae and calypso group and many others.

Music will go from 5-9pm.

Energy SOlutions day: 11:00am - 2:00pm, Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common

Mass. Interfaith Power & Light and the Sierra Club are sponsoring an Energy Solutions Day on Boston Common at Parkman Bandstand. Join with others to enjoy the fall day, listen to music and learn about energy solutions which will save you money, cut your greenhouse gas emissions and promote good stewardship of the planet. Plus, get a free energy-saving lightbulb while supplies last!

For more information or to volunteer, contact Carol Oldham (617-423-5775; carol.oldham@sierraclub.org).

SATURDAY NIGHT

LAURA MARLING - JOHNNY FLYNN - GREGORY HOSKINS - MUMFORD AND SONS: SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE

6:00pm - 9:30pm, ICC 557 Cambridge St, Allston MA

Tickets available through www.massliveevents.com for $10 + $2.75 Service Charge

10pm-2am
Rhymes with Dolores @ the Precinct in Somerville. W/ guest Adam Pell and Dave Shulman.

"If you’ve ever wondered “What does Justin Timberlake listen to when he masturbates to himself in the mirror?” now you have your answer. This EP is clever, sexy, and not to be missed. In “Watch You Sleep” you’re riding shotgun with the creep on the Subway who tries to rub up against strangers. “Some Day” is the gem of the record and would bring Marvin Gaye to his knees. It highlights the finer points of a hookup that never quite happens, which is hard to understand because singer Captain Chet Katz offers to “…cup your boob, if you want me to.” “Bomb Ass Headies” has the Afroman effect of making you want to rip a thousand bong hits. At the same time you might find it in your heart to forgive those dirt balls at Bonnaroo who used to say “Who’s got my headies?” Who needs therapy when you’ve got Rhymes with Dolores? -The Noise, Boston

SUNDAY


The 2008 Allston Village Street Fair will be held on Sunday, September 14th from 12pm to 6pm following the Brian J. Honan Memorial 5K Race and the Allston-Brighton Parade (which by the way blocks off a LARGE portion of Cambridge street). The Allston Village Street Fair will take place on Harvard Avenue from Brighton Avenue to Cambridge Street.

This 2008 years street fair will showcase Allston’s thriving art scene with street performers, art exhibits, vendors, and 2 stages of live music on Harvard Ave. featuring over 30 bands who are donating their performances to this amazing cause. Some of these AWESOME bands are: THREE DAY THRESHOLD, the ALLSTONIANS (Ska), THE SOAP STARS (Mikey P's new band) and CASEY DESMOND.

Also, Emily and Casa Bonita followers will have a vending stand set up to sell artwork and crafts from Casa Bonita. For more info, check what Emily posted on Facebook.

Weekend events: The Boston Ahts Festival

This will be the 6th year for (ähts): The Boston Arts Festival

For 3 days, Christopher Columbus Watefront Park (Aquarium stop on Blue Line, not far from Faneuil Hall) will be transformed into an Artists' Village. Over 60 juried visual artists will exhibit and sell their original works of art. Two stages will feature peformances from Boston Ballet, Blue Man Group, Zili Misik, Bon Savants, Buffalo Tom and much more.

Friday, September 12, 2-7:30 PM

Saturday, September 13, 12PM - 6PM

Sunday, September 14, 12PM - 6PM

Here are some of the acts that caught my eye:

Friday 5:45pm-6 Blue Man Group: Blue paint will be flying along with a tempo of pulsating sounds from this beloved group who are now mainstays within the Boston arts scene

Saturday 12-12:45: Zili Misik
Performing African, Caribbean & American soul, this vibrant all-female group will bring back memories of warm summer days

Saturday 3:45-4:15 (Garden Stage) Pan United
A steel drum explosion from this energetic group

Saturday 5-5:30 Everyday Visuals
Music from local indie group considered to be the next big thing. They were also named "Best Rock Act" in the Improper Bostonian this year. One of my favorite local bands!

Sunday 3:45-4:15 (Garden Stage) Ritmo En Accion
Vibrant dance performance from this local troupe. A teen group now running for 7 years, this troupe has danced at salsa events internationally

Sunday 4:15-4:45 Iyeoka
Performing original work with some popular covers, this young spoken word artist / soul singer recently was featured on a compilation album covering U2's "Desire." I met Iyeoka at Bonnaroo playing with the Press Project and she is quite amazing.

Sunday 5:45-6:15 Bon Savants
Demonstrating music versatility, this popular local indie group will be playing from their album "Post Rock Defends the Nation"

2 Kind of surprising local incidents I read about today

A handful of my friends just moved to Coolidge Rd in Lower Allston. I hope none of them had their cars on parked on the street this weekend. Somebody rammed into about 4-5 cars, on BOTH sides of the road! The first few are scratched but some are pretty F*CKED up!

Check out the story here: http://allston02134.blogspot.com/2008/09/multiple-coolidge-rd-cars-damaged.html

Also, a BC student jumped off a Comm Ave building onto a tree branch and landed! Wow! All his drunk ass friends urged him to DO IT AGAIN! So he did, and this time, didn't make it. I used to live in buildings like this and while hanging on the roof is fun, it's incidents like this that have made me afraid of heights!
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2008/09/06/bc_student_seriously_hurt_in_leap_from_balcony/

As the college year begins, I wonder if this is the kind of shit I have to look forward to in my neighborhood...

Tattoos and America

Heard a great piece on NPR this morning about tattoos, tattoo history and tattooing in modern America. According to the story, 40% of Americans between the ages of 24 and 40 have ink! But the U.S. tattoo culture is nothing compared to some of the world's body art traditions.

This piece examined the Maoris from New Zealand who have been tattooing for millions of years. They also draw a connection between tattoo design and wood cuts, which I found interesting.


Find the NPR story by clicking on the image below. Click listen to download the podcast.


There is an exhibit concerning Maorian tattoo at the Peabody Essex museum called: "Body Politics: Maori Tattoo Today". The exhibit lasts until January 2009.

I love photographing tattoos, and I find some of the best at music festivals I attend. Some other tattoo photos I have taken...

Circuitree Going Green: Plastic Bags

Last night I went to Stop&Shop to stock up on food to bring to work so that I no longer spend $50 a week at the office cafeteria. Even though my cart was only half full, the lady bagging my food used about 15 plastic bags! One for bananas, one for dishsoap, one for pasta sauce.... this is totally unnecessary. I wasn't even asked if I want paper!

I enjoyed reading this article on Alernet: The Great Plastic Bag Plague

They're ubiquitous. They accompany us home each time we shop. They swirl about our oceans, they cling to our trees, they drift down our city sidewalks, they adorn metal fences, they're consumed by animals.

They are an urban tumbleweed, a flag of the consumer era.

Each year across the world some 500 billion plastic bags are used, and only a tiny fraction of them are recycled. Most of them will have a short lifetime with a consumer -- they'll be used for the few minutes it takes to get from the store to home and then they're thrown away.

Yes, I have bought the reusable bags from Whole Foods but between my car and moped, I don't always have them with me when I go shopping. After this market trip I think I am going to make sure that I have 3 reusable bags in each of my vehicles.

You might say, "But we reuse them once we get home!" Well, only 3% of bags are actually reused and they still end up being throw out at some point.

Here are ways that plastic bags are awful for our environment:

• Turtles mistake them for jellyfish and suffocate inside them.
• Bags can take hundreds of years to breakdown, allow tiny toxic bits to seep into soils, lakes, rivers and oceans.
• The manufacture of plastic bags add tonnes of carbon emissions into the air annually
• Approximately 60 - 100 million barrels of oil are required to make the world’s plastic bags each year
• China uses around 3 billion plastic bags each day!

So, this frustration led me to Reusablebags.com, where you can buy cheap reusable bags online and learn about how to cut bag on your plastic use.

Here is also a short, humorous film about plastic bags.

Also, check out the Plastic Aint My Bag campaign.