2 weeks

It has been 2 weeks since I decided to ditch the truck and attempt to ride to work everyday. Its not the nicest ride in the world but its relatively flat and I get to work in almost the same length of time it would take me to drive.

I can't stress how amazing it is to feel so free from the constraints of urban development. STOP! GO! SLOWDOWN! Fraser highway has been under construction for the last few weeks due to lane widening. @ 8:00am there is a line of 100 cars stopped waiting for their turn to drive another 20 ft only to wait another 2 minutes to do it all over again x 4. They look at me in envy as I skillfully weave amongst their hunks of convenience like i was Hermann Maier and they were all but gates on a giant ski hill. OK that's an exaggeration but I do feel the uncomfortable tension when I pass by and I must say "It feels good!" You never know maybe I might motivate someone to try it themselves.

Anyways, inspired by Cyclist Extraordinaries: Nicole and Lenny I decided to throw up my daily route and some of the other adventures I have accomplished since 1 month ago. Thanks to Lenny for the handy tool.


North RD and Lougheed to Fleetwood 14k total complete route



16k 1 way



Ocean Park to Crescent Beach 15k complete route






Online Pedometer

The day after Earth Day

I know what you're thinking. "I came here to hear a lude southern hip hop jam but all I get is how to save the Earth!!!" I'm sorry. My objective was never to leak music every week. Theres plenty of bee bop a doo here to sift through. I will however, talk about what interests me. Right now the topic is that of Cradle to Cradle Design.

Cradle to Cradle is waste free design that sends materials back to the "cradle" rather than the "grave". Its basically taking a material and turning it into either a technical or biological nutrient. A technical nutrient such as William Mcdonough's book "Cradle to Cradle" is a material in which can be broken down and recycled as is. In the introduction Mr Mcdonough explains that "The materials used for this book are made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers and can be circulated infinitely in industrial cycles." A biological nutrient is material made to be consumed. An example would be a t shirt with chemicals that wouldn't do harm to your body but instead supply it with good stuff?(still getting my head around that one). Anyways theres a renewable ton of information going around related to projects using this kind of technology. From buildings like that of the Ford River Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan which has a 10 acre green roof to entire Chinese cities being designed to be completly sustainable. Check out the links. :)




Ford Rouge Dearborn Truck Plant
Frito-Lay Jim Rich Service Center & Offices
Nike European Headquarters
Ideas worth spreading

On some GHETTO SHIT!

The lovely lady brought to my attention an amazing speech given by Marjora Carter a once underprivileged African American women who is in the process of "Greening the Ghetto" of The South Bronx. Check out her TEDtalk and educate yourself on green roofs, the heat island effect and her plans for South Bronx, NYC
Also copped one of these T's for me and the lady.

Greening the Ghetto

This song is so relevant d/l after the link.

Grand Master Caz - South Bronx Subway Rap

Un-Lucky Dube

Luck Dube was a huge contributor to South African culture and music. In the 80's he started making reggae music. It took a while to gain support from his native country but it happened and he want on to make 22 albums. His message was Anti-Apartheid and was never accepted by the pro white government which was disbanded in 95' He touched millions of people internationally and helped many people through impossible times during the apartheid.

He was shot dead October 17, 2007 by apparent hi jackers. I wonder if they knew who he was? Would the outcome have been the same if they knew that someone so dedicated to Africa was the one they were about to kill?


D/L Lucky Dube - Prisoner
RIP
Buy his Cd's @ Amazon

The 11th hour Soundtrack

While grocery shopping last night I stumbled upon the 11th hour. A documentry narrated by Leo Decaprio about climate change and you guessed it what we are doing to help turn it around or make it worse. I really enjoyed the movie's content. Stephen Hawkings, David Susuki amongst others share with us some amazing opinions. The dvd comes in an enviromentally friendly package and cost me only 8 dollars in the store (4.99 @ Amazon)

What really got me going is the films score. Ever since the Bad Boys soundtrack I have been obsessed with cinematic music. Its amazing to see music compliment a picture so well as it did in the 11th hour. Most of the tunes are ambient and give the film either a depressing sorrowful tone or completely the opposite; inspiring instrumental segments.

After doing some research I found a band featured on the soundtrack named deaf center from Norway. They produced an album named "Pale Ravine" This album is inspired by old 8mm films and it easy to understand how after listening. The album has a classical sound with pianos and stings but includes sounds from storms, rusty machines, buzzing flies and voices gasping for air and little glitchy electronic noises. Be warned though, I find this music really evokes fear even without the accompanying visuals.

Check it out!


White Lake - Deaf Center (click link for d/l)
Buy Pale Ravine by Deaf Center
Do your part!
Buy the 11th hour soundtrack @ Amazon

Gorilla Zoe

Remember "Coffee Shop"? That was Gorilla Zoe's way of saying "Crack House" Now hes back w/ "Juice Box" another word for vagine I'm guessing. I love Gorilla Zoe, hes full of shit but his delivery is always on point and I love his voice. I also think its awesome when you can't relate to anything a rapper speaks. Its like some outer space shit.

Gorilla Zoe Featuring Yung Joc - Juice Box

Talk Box

Remember this guy? Peter Frampton

Besides oral sex hes the first thing that pops into my head when i hear this jam.

Lil Wayne - lollipop Remix