she rides like a dream!

oh man i flew to work today on my fancy fixed up bicycle. i am pretty sure i got here faster than i ever have before, and the ride was super smooth and enjoyable. i am so happy with all my handiwork! next step, build a fixed gear bike from the frame up.

last sunday i went to my first zoobomb, 'my virgin bomb', as all the zoobombers say. it was totally hilarious. marc accompanied me, and we tried to ride after the MAX (the light rail), but missed it completely. it's a pretty silly sight. all these people, on their mini-bikes (many of which have smaller wheels than i ever imagined possible), take the MAX up to the top of the zoo (washington park) and bomb down from the top. the ride is super long, and you never have to pedal once. you can ride all the way down to the tram again, and then it repeats. i recognized a bunch of friendly faces at the top of the hill, which is always reassuring. my bomb was wonderful. i ended up losing marc who was running first aid, and had to stop and help a girl who broke her finger. this weekend i have sunday off AGAIN! which is wonderful. and i will be sure to be zoobombing again.

actually this sunday river, jules, dave, kelsey, and more of us are heading down to corvallis for their juggling festival. it should be a good dose of juggling, which i haven't been doing much because of all this bicycle mania.

love,
kelly

giant life choice update

i'm not going to graduate school next year. yeah. crazy.

other stuff:

next week i am meeting with city repair to apply for funding for the 'ballyhoo', my free fun event this summer. jonathan, a buddy of mine thinks i have a good chance of getting money and/or sponsorship from them. if that happened the ballyhoo would fly off the charts in terms of credibility. i am so stoked about it i'm about to explode!

at women and tran's bike night i did a bunch more work on my bicycle. it is officially ridable!!! this week i changed the front gear cable and housing. adjusting this guy was really tricky. the cable tension was super sensitive because the front dérailleur was rubbing pretty bad on the chain. after messing with the limit screw (which there is only one of b/c of my crazy french bike) and adjusting the tension forever i finally got it to a good place, with minimal rubbing. first thing i did was fray the new cable by over tightening the pinch bolt. again, the dérailleur is super weird and old, so you can't see how far you are tightening it, so that was a bit of a bummer. but, salvageable. i also adjusting my front brakes. next week i'm tightening my head set!

that's all!

love,
kelly

reason kids are the coolest #11

today, while biking through ne portland amid the cherry blossoms and AMAZING sunny weather i witnessed another true testament to the power of kids at play. a young boy alone in front of his house had tied one end of his jump rope to a piece of wood jutting out from the facade of his house. then he would get it going before jumping in and utilizing the house as his partner. when he spotted me watching him he stopped and looked a little embarrassed. i wanted to yell, "keep going, you're amazing!" but it wasn't quite appropriate.

as i pedaled on i reflected upon how rad and unique this scenario is to most people's daily 'adult' lives. the creativity and drive to build your own fun, with or without other was really inspiring. i was just thrilled to see this kid outside playing in the sun, rather than in front of a tv screen.


the streets of portland = constantly inspirational stuff

keep on keepin' on.

a must visit in portland

this delightful friday i woke up feeling too comfortable to move. i was having strangely intriguing dreams. the ones that blend my new environment with characters from my past. it's fun to watch how my old acquaintances behave in my new life. plus, my two comforters weren't oppressively hot (as they usually are). i was perfectly content with the idea of shutting off the world for at least the next 6 hours.

however! portland opportunities are limited! i am probably heading off to graduate school next year, so i feel like i need to soak in as much of this city as possible. thus, i jumped out of bed, and listened to some terrible pop music from 107.5 MOOOVVINNN' while dancing around in my underwear before venturing outside my room.

lozito was cooking up some spicy chai, and shared a cup with me as we reflected upon our weeks. i never see my housemates anymore because i am rarely at home. it's both tragic and a positive reflection of my success finding community spaces to interact with in portland.

i often exit my house in a tizzy. i don't know why. i have this irresistible urge to blast out of my home and tear through the streets with an adventurous urgency. i'll be totally mellow up, and then 3 minutes before i decide to leave everything accelerates to light speeds.

i sort of love it.

minutes later i was flying down hawthorne with a big smile on my face and the wind stretching my blond curls. i've finally started bicycling more since i've had this car. (today is the last day i have it though. thank god.)

i went to cup and saucer for a breakfast date with revphil to discuss my 'first quarterly moon castle ballyhoo'. he is a serious event organizer in town. it seems as though he has his paws in everything fun that happens in this rosy city.

throughout the morning i gleaned some tips, and i've been directed in a few different directions. event planning is really fun because i have an excuse to meet with the people i really admire and love that i've become close to in portland since my recent transplant.

anyhow! now to the most amazing encounter of the day:

i own a beautiful little manual typewriter that has cursive type, and is a total cutie. however, it's in terrible shape. there's actually cobwebs between the keys. so, i talked to a friend who suggested i take an adventure into n. portland and visit Ace Typewriters.

i drove down lombard forever. in fact, i drove further than i imagined it could ever go. i could feel my portland consciousness expanding by the block. i am really excited about moving to ne portland because i will be more able to explore this foreign territory. anyhow, i made it to the shop.

i toted my machine in and a scruffy older man in plaid directed me towards a towel-upholstered counter. he had a soothing soft demeanor, and i could easily imagine him working with these intensely complex and fragile outdated machines in his poorly lit shop forever.

he called my typewriter a 'good little machine', which seemed like a powerful complement coming from this typewriter guru. he told me if it was red it would be worth 2,000 dollars. after examining it he offered to clean it and fill in missing parts for 25 dollars.

i asked if he had grown up in this shop, and of course he said, "yup. dad has been here since '60." his father was behind a shelf reading with a spyglass that lit up. a really special sight. his dad's desk was full of tinkering tools that i imagine have had homes on that very same desk for over 40 years. the space felt like an ancient den with years of grease and wear worn into the corners. matt (the plaid fellow) moved and adjusted my machine with a delicate, yet deliberate hand. the unique clicks and pings that emanated from the metallic components were as soothing as a lullaby. i instantly feel in love with this ageless shop. it felt like stepping back into time, when folks spent their lives learning one trade. this man's extensive knowledge of something that is technologically extinct was spellbinding. my typewriter suddenly took on an entirely new romantic quality. i was in love. i didn't want to leave. i wanted to spend days exploring these shelves and tinkering with the rows upon rows of wooden boxes full of components and typewriter tools.

he said this shop was one of the last of its kind. he also said that in 3 months this place was getting demolished. the landlord had sold the property to a company that intended to put up condos. my heart sank. i expressed my concern and asked if they would move. he said he wasn't sure yet. then, after a short silence he said, "the spirit of this city is dead." i almost started crying right there. what a scene. this craftsman's world was all but gone. a world that values quality before anything else. a man who had probably stood by his incredibly cheap prices for repairs solely on principle. when looking at ribbons he grabbed a washer to fit over the spool post. i asked why. he said the new plastic ribbons didn't fit right. i asked why they switched? he sadly explained, "it's cheaper. but, these days everything seem to be losing quality and increasing in price."

i left with an invaluable oral history of the typewriter, and a miniature portrait of the lives that were molded by this ancient technology.

is trade dying? will small craftsmen be obsolete by the time i raise my children? i hope not.

visit ace typewriters on 7433 lombard street. just to talk with matt if anything. it will be worth the trip. the old man behind the shelf told me the 75 bus goes all the way down to the shop, and in 3 months this truly historical site will be demolished.

other day details:

peninsula park looks amazing. i'm visiting it in the summer. without a doubt.

love,
kelly

bikeworks is the shit

so, last night was another episode of bicycle mechanics at n. portland bikeworks during the 'women's and trans bike nite'. here is a list of the latest bicycle updates:

1. a) i used a chain breaker to remove my chain for cleaning.
1. b) using de-greaser i rubbed off a bunch of the grim and rust of my chain with wire brushes.
1. c) i successfully replaced the pin on my chain, thus reattaching it.
2. i also took the wire brush to my cogs to get rid of the rust there as well.
3. i replaced my derailer (yikes!) one of the pulleys on the previous one was missing a bunch of teeth and it was also crappy and partially plastic. my new one is the same brand, but it's all shiny and metal. and used! hooray for cheap used parts.
4. i replaced my rear gear cable that was all gross and fraying.
5. i also learned how to adjust my limit screws, and now i can go into all the gears that i couldn't before!

that's all!

i can't believe how much work needs to be done to my bicycle. it's funny how much gets neglected when you have no idea what type of work your vehicle needs. i rode it for 2 years without doing any maintenance, and now i sure am understanding what the implications of that are! so much to replace and buff up. i am learning so much though, which is really great. plus, being in a shop full of rad ladies cranking away the nite feels really good. the energy at n. portland bikeworks is exquisite.

NON-BIKE RELATED NEWS:

1. i am planning a massive free fun 4-day event from may 31st to june 3rd. it is going to be amazing, and all of you should mark that date on your calendar so you can come and visit. i am going to be living in my yurt, and everyone can stay on the floor in the greatest cuddle puddle of all time.

the event is titled, "the first quarterly moon castle ballyhoo (a modern day hullabaloo)" and here is a sprinkling of some of the fun activities:

*wacky haircuts/head shaving
*blindfolded face painting
*sidewalk chalk and genitalia pretzels
*daily theme parades
*conquering local mountains
*bike in movies

just this tuesday i met with 'dead letter b' at a cool warehouse space (called the watershed) where he said he would host the party for saturday night! there will be bicycle fun all day and loads of debauchery all night. i'm building up energy slowly. i have breakfast dates with loads of people who know how to run events this week, and i think people's excitement will only help fuel the ballyhoo fire. we will create a community building monster!

2. i started binding books again at the iprc. so far i've build a neat sketchbook with envelopes built in for taking all my lists and mini-drawings with me. the iprc (independent publishing resource center) seems to have an endless supply of resources for me as a creative being. it has opened up so many doors since i've been here. i would never have printed w/ gocco, made a zine, read zines, met funny geeks, bound books and journals, or stayed up too late without the iprc.

3. i'm no longer sick!

4. i went out to dessert with will last night at the pied cow and it was absolutely delightful. i had a slice of marionberry pie and a honey lavender milk steamer. i was in heaven throughout the entirety of the visit. warm milk drinks, funky interior design, and low lighting get me every time.

5. i filed my tax return online...i think. all that mumbo gumbo is too much for my brain right now. right now i have "8453-OL form by oct. 15" scrawled on my arm right now. it's apparently a form i need to fill out? what? where do i get it? if i don't fill it out i guess they deny me access to online filing next year. at this point i could care less. sometime i will get 47 dollars in the mail. or so they say...

that's all. i am tired. i am going to sleep like a little baby tonight. then meet with revphil and talk 'business' tomorrow at the good ol' cup and saucer (amazing portland breakfast place). world famous veggie scramble here i come.

yum.

face smashing...overhauling...bag pipes.

i'm still under the weather, which is really getting me down. mainly because i was given a car for two weeks, and really didn't want to drive it all the time, but since i've been sick it's really easy to just grab the keys when i run out the door. i've found that driving leaves me in a terrible mood, and i can't wait for the car to be taken away this thursday.

however, neat things i've been able to do because i have a car:

1. pick up big black food composter for the kitten shak from swan island.
2. see my sister's tennis match before work (she attends Lewis and Clark, which is too much public transit and too far a ride right before work).
3. went dumpster diving all over ne.
4. was the 'hot lips bus' for all my coworkers at the end of long nights, making everyone's life a little easier.
5. i've been a pizza fairy all week, dropping off pies to friends all over town.
6. i drove my out of commission bike up to n. portland bikeworks for women's volunteer nite.

crappy things about the car:

1. paying for gas
2. paying for parking
3. being in a car
4. being angry because of traffic that i know i could avoid on my bicycle.
5. not being outside with the wind in my face each day.
6. not exercising because i don't have to ride to work.
7. being everyone's ride bitch
8. adding unnecessary pollution to the atmosphere
9. feeling guilty all the time about #8.

memorable event recap for this week:

1. at women's bike nite i discovered that my road bike needs A LOT of work. i was going to true the wheel, but the rim was busted so i had to get a new one, as well as a new tire. i learned how to transfer my freewheel to the new wheel. i also replaced my brake cable and its housing. i replaced my back brake, and transfered my brake pads. it was really neat to do so much, not to mention the fact that all that only cost $66 because n. portland bikeworks is so cool.

2. i found out that i can move out on APRIL 16TH!!! so i will be moving into the kitten shack next month.

3. nickey, helen (new roommates!), and i did yard work all saturday morning. i really miss working in the garden. however, doing so brought up a bunch of memories from the farm, which lead to missing lebn, which was aggravating. i wish i could contact him, and let him know about my life because of all the people who would appreciate everything i'm doing, he's #1. but, i still have lots of issues with our ending, and i think it would probably be healthy to stick out the year without talking to him, unfortunately. i really miss my best friend... anyhow, we cleared black berries, ripped up the old garden, prunned the trees, and generally kicked ass all morning. the weather was sunny and amazing. summer in portland is going to be unbeatable!!!

4. i went on a delivery yesterday night, and it was totally absurd. after knocking a cute pooch jumped up on the door barking up a storm (dogs LOVE pizza). the owner grabbed him frantically, and he attempted to open the door, and while doing so simultaneously slammed himself in the face. yup, opened the door into his face SUPER HARD. he let go of the dog for an instant. it tried to bolt, so he tackled the dog which almost bowled me over. finally he shut the door after restraining the dog, and i asked, "are you okay!?!" to which he responded, "NO, i just got hit in the face." he handed me the cash, didn't say anything else and went back inside. it all happened so fast that i had no idea how to react. or, if there was something better to have done. i imagine it was rather embarrassing for him, although the pain was obviously worse than the embarrassment. bottom line: it was totally crazy.

5. i called a buddy who i was sort of seeing for a while to get a pint of guinness after a long day at work on st. paddy's day only to receive a pathetic request to pick his drunk ass up from downtown. i figure i have a car, and i would really love the help if i were in his position, so i drive down to pick him up. it's a huge hassle to find him, and he is beyond wasted when he gets in the car. he's hollering out my window and being a total jackass during the ride. i decide he can walk his stupid ass home, and head to my house (which is close to his). i realize he's so drunk the only thing to do once i get home is bolt out of the car, slam the door to my house before he can come in, and then he can wander his way home. well, i try to get out, but he is hanging onto me. i tear him off of my arm, and start running for the door.

i know, totally ridiculous.

he bolts after me, straight towards our 3.5 ft tall slab of concrete that we call our 'porch'. safe to say, he eats it...hard...face first into the cement. he starts moaning about losing his teeth. i am furious inside with all of my housemates looking at me like i'm a heartless bitch for not helping this drunk fool. i go out, and he hasn't knocked out his teeth (thank god), but he's torn up his lip pretty bad. i am ready to send him on his way, but my housemates suggest we drive him home. i suggest we go get a pint of guinness and leave him at the bus stop. once he hears that he charges off screaming, "why do you hate me!!" "my fucking face is bleeding"

i chase him and get him in the car. good ol' lozito sits in back with the raging douchebag who is muttering all sorts of ungrateful bullshit at this point.

we got him home, and the ladies kindly accompanied me to 'zack's shak' for hot dogs and that pint of guinness i've been aching for all nite. i fellow in all the garb even came by and played the bag pipes, which was rad. all in all it ended up being pretty funny. safe to say i won't be calling this dude ever again. by sara and lauren's suggestion i've changed his name to 'fuck face' in my phone, so as not to be confused if he ever attempts to call me again.

WHAT A NITE!

lessons learned: a. i'm too nice. b. angry drunks are horrible people. c. men who play the bag pipes are totally hot.

how everyone had a better st. paddy's day than i.

enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

dumpstered flowers...aaahhh, how cute!

last night i had dinner with the fabulous nickey robo of sprockettes fame. it was the first time i had really hung out and soaked in the glory of the 'kitten shack'. also, the gals living there sounded really hip to the idea of me moving my glorious yurt into their backyard, which is super exciting. the yurt is making the journey down here with the help of the jolly van at the end of the month. only thing left now i replacing me at the old house. i can't wait to move! reuniting with my circular home, hanging out with the rad bicycle ladies at the kitten shack, walking up to birds singing perched directly above my head, cheap rent (!) allowing me to have more fun and dedicate myself to things i actually care about, and oil lamps!

nickey baked up some mean vegan brownies, which we chowed down on while watching donny darko. once it got late enough we piled into the vehicle i was gifted for a week to hit the town in search of plentiful dumpsters. we hit new seasons first. it's super well lit, and tricky to be very stealthy. when we first walked into the little gated area we heard the door open, and skittered off. but, it was just a young looking dude, so we waved from a distance, and wandered back towards the gold to inquire as to whether he would mind us digging through the trash. he was cool, and told us to go right ahead. we found pre-packaged 'pear gingerbread coffee cake' that was delicious! there were also a lot of good looking veggies.

the next few stops were all bakeries, and we ran into nothing but locked up dumpsters. it was really sad. we picked through a flower dumpster, which was the best smelling trash i've ever meddled with, but we found only clippings.

then we headed to trader joe's. i had a good feeling about it, which was entirely warranted because it was amazing! we collected TONS of cheese, packaged edamame, blue berries, grapefruits, and fresh flowers! we piled our loot into bags, took a quick glory picture, and ran like hell to the car because nothing this good could last for long without transforming into a disaster. it was too good to be true.

anyhow, nickey being the adorable gal she is, wrote a cute note and left flowers on the doorstep of the guy she's been seeing. it made me wish i could do the same, but living vicariously through her was glorious enough.

i dedicated today to fixing my sad bicycles. it was pretty hilarious because:

a. i'm super sick right now. i've spent all week rocking the hot scratchy voice in a big way. i've been seducing men left and right on the phone while taking pizza orders.

b. i'm really clumsy all the time, and when i'm sick it only escalates. so, dragging all of my bikes out of our already awkward basement to the living room was a nightmare.

c. i didn't change out of my pj's that morning, and the drawstring of my fleece pants found it's way between the tire and my rim while i sitting on the floor changing it. so, when i was done i stood up, and my house full of visitors witnessed the wheel yank off my pants. it was pretty funny, we all had a good laugh as i deflated the tube and freed myself.

all in all i ended up changing a tube on one bike, patching a different tube, adjusting some brakes, breaking a chain with the intention of putting it back together (but, i pushed the pin all the way out...bummer), and pumping up a bunch of tires. it was a fun day.

later i am heading up to the women's and trans bicycle nite to learn how to true a tire. my road bike wheels need some serious love in that department.

hooray! portland adventures are the greatest. why haven't you guys all moved here yet? what's the holdup?

mmr and the loss of my voice.

i woke up friday morning feeling like hell. my throat was scratchy, it felt like pressure was continually building in my head, and i was tired. however, today was a fancy day, an occasion not to be missed. it was the second friday of the month and thus at midnight that night the MIDNIGHT MYSTERY RIDE would begin! i spent work taking care of myself. i drank more water than i can last remember, i sucked on cough drops, and ate soup. surprisingly enough i did indeed feel better by the time i clocked off, which was awesome. it was a true display of the concept 'mind over matter'.

that night i rode downtown to the 'shanghai tunnel' to meet up with 92 other people at midnight to head out to an undisclosed location on our bicycles. this was my first ever 'midnight mystery ride', and i was nothing less than ecstatic. i always experience a tinge of fear or intimidation when approaching a giant crowd of potential strangers in portland, or. silly thoughts fly through my head predicting alienation, self-consciousness, and just not fitting in. but, as i neared the crowd familiar faces began to pop out. the bicycle community here is totally rad and welcoming, and i think that is why i'm so magnetized towards them. i was welcomed with hugs, smiles, and friendly conversation.

at midnight (well, around midnight at least) the countdown began, and we all took to the streets as the greatest bike mob ever (besides all those other great bike mobs...that happen all the time in this magic city). people watching smiled, waved, and shouted encouragement. i feel like everyone that has been doing the 'portland bike culture' thing for more than a few months is really used to this phenomenon. a. that giant groups of cyclists get together and take to the streets causing general car confusion and extravagant levels of fun b. that pedestrians and even drivers are so supportive of the bicycle flock. mini-bike winter was the first time i had really reveled in the glory of taking over the street by bike. i love it, and this delightful friday ride had me giggling and smiling the night away.

we headed out towards n. portland by way of naito parkway. there were tons of railroad tracks, and it seemed like they had an even more pronounced hunger for bike tires than usual. at nearly every set of track some poor unfortunate rider caught their tire and went flying. i had never actually seen this happen, so it was really crazy. everyone (i saw at least) ended up being okay, and jumping back onto their stead.

we ended up at this great beach under the train bridge. the clicketty clack of the tracks from underneath the bridge was really neat. everyone was enjoying themselves until the pepper showed up and shined obnoxiously bright lights down at us dissolving all the good times instantly. one of the cops even grabbed a bottle of alcohol, and chucked it. the glass shattered all over. it was totally unnecessary, and far more destructive than anything we were up to. they booted everyone out, and we rode off again.

aah! i'm almost late for work. quick recap of the rest of the night:

1. i got a slow leaking flat.
2. everyone stopped and helped me fix it.
3. we ran into a few other people with flats, and everyone stopped to help them.
4. that's awesome to see.
5. revphil and dan played fun balancing bike games with me.
6. a car sped by too fast and we yelled at it.
7. we rode to a neat spot under a bridge.
8. chops switched my perspective on the bridge and we marveled at how neat it looked for a long time.
9. the bike trailer bonfire got going.
10.a bunch of us climbed down to the water.
11.another fire was started thanks to a dried out christmas tree.
12.great conversations ensued.
13.we found paint and had a good ol' time doing a little art.
14.we stayed up until 5:30
15.everyone rolled out to their respective hoods in great little groups.
16.i got home at 6, slept until 11
17.i went to work for a really long time and felt really crappy.
18.now i can't talk (my voice is gone) and i'm late for work today.

hooray! all in all a great time was had by everybody.

love,
kelly

ps. i'm too late for editing

first portland flat.

so, it happened. my first flat tire in portland. i was attempting to roll away from common grounds coffee shop only to hear a fwap, fwap noise emanating from my back tire. what a bummer! i was on my way across town for a juggling adventure, and really didn't want to mess with my day's flow so i hauled my bike up to the 'bicycle repair collective' on belmont. i told the dude i needed to repair a flat, and he just rolled my bike away. i asked if he could guide me through it, doubting my ability to work on my stead (unfortunate but true). but, he quickly caught on to the fact that i didn't need much direction. at one point he even called me 'mechanically inclined', which was pretty fun. one of my lofty portland goals has been to learn how to fix my bike, and eventually build my own bike. i am slowly moving towards that place. i think the summer will accelerate my motivation on that front. i am starting to get really good at adjusting my brakes, which feels good. for some reason brakes were always intimidating to me before. practice makes perfect!

i can't believe i made it 5 full months before i got a flat. that's pretty impressive. however, i've been told by everyone that bike flats come in waves. i feel like everyone i talk to about it warns me about the impending swarm of bike mishaps i've unknowingly freed from the floodgates. i've heard so much about this imminent bicycle doom that i've begun to have nightmares about getting flat tires in the middle of the freeway.

hopefully my luck continues to flourish, and i remain accident and flat tire free this summer. cross your fingers...

strange...

being outside of portland is really strange. i've been spoiled by portland's amenities. specifically the social and environmental consciousness there. i've only been wandering the streets of santa barbara for a few hours and it feels markedly different. i asked a woman at our hotel where the local coffee shop was, knowing there is a neat little local roasting company within walking distance, and she immediately pointed me to a starbucks. i told her i was looking for the local place and she vehemently re-recommended starbucks. i gave up on trying to convince her i didn't want starbucks, and set out to the streets to find the damn shop myself. i ran into a man on the way who asked, "do you know where starbucks is?"
"yeah, but there is a cool local shop just down the street that i am trying to find right now. it's really close i think," i replied.
"but, where is starbucks...?" he stated with a rather annoyed tone. i pointed up the street and walked away.

i found the local place and it's really neat, as predicted. it feels a little bit like the bar in 'cheers' (that silly old television show). i think that atmosphere is emphasized by the awesome collection of local old men sitting around tables, shooting the shit. rad.

another portland misconception: i made my coffee order and as the woman at the counter reached for a paper cup i exclaimed, "oh, it's for here." imagining that there would be ceramic option...but no. bummer.

everyone on the street was really friendly this morning, which was a nice change of pace. the plane rides were full of folks that weren't very talkative. maybe there is something about flying that shuts people up...who knows? the fear of death?

i'm at the beach in sunny, gorgeous california and it feels great. i'm trying to soak in as much as possible, and when i come home, i'll share the sunny love.

-kelly