Friends don't let friends buy at a Big Box Store

Posted on Apr 18th, 2009 by

The kitchen is almost done. Maybe 10 hours or less. I'm enjoying it more and more every day. The process was long and drawn out but the results are worth it.

My favorite part of the kitchen is the backsplash tile. While people ooh and ah at the granite the process of finding the tile was so much fun.

It started with finding a local crafts store

http://www.tutiendaazteca.blogspot.com

Often I'd go there after perusing the farm market. One day I spotted some hand made tiles, this was well ahead of our being ready for the counter top but it sparked my imagination. I went back, there were a few more. Back again and there were smaller tiles. Back again and the owner was out of tiles but heading to Mexico soon.

I came back and chose a few more of the new stock. Gradually I had enough for the kitchen.

The tiles mix patterns of the moon and stars, some are floral, and some have kitchen implements. I like the idea of bringing the outside in as the small patio table brings the inside out. This is just another trick that may make my small space seem bigger.

I envisioned the decorative tiles lightly splashed almost at random in a plain tile background. Then began the surprisingly difficult task of finding plain fawn/cream color tile that would fit the decorative tile, not clash with the dramatic granite counter, compliment the hand made tile.

Finally success! And guess where? Sincere Hardware again, of course.

With a sketch from Gena and tile done by Hilary the look came together. Hilary found electric faceplates that look like they were made for the tile.

Sure, one could go to a box store, hand the staff (if you can find someone to help you) the measurements and leave with a backsplash. But this is so much better, each tile with memories of a day at the farm market, the search for perfect tiles.

And the effect, much better, and not out of a box.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (226)

Living peacefully, free and fearless in what seems a violent time

Posted on Nov 30th, 2008 by

onyourleft

Pictured above a neighbor teaches TKD outside my home on the public greenspace.

I have a healthy respect for and healthy fear of guns. I won't own one, nor would I have one in my house.

But it's so violent now? And you are out there on the road, riding to work or long distances for fun. How do you live peacefully and freely in what can feel like violent times?

I feel we need a healthy balance especially as women of taking normal precautions, using common sense. This "be afraid, very afraid, stay inside, lock the doors and play with the computer" message keeps women down. It also leaves us sedentary, unhealthy and isolated from our neighbors.

Is it meant to do that? I'm not sure it's not meant to.

But you say "OYL, you're a 2nd degree black belt, in training for 3rd, it's different for you"

No, it's not.

As a martial artist I train for that 'ah hah!" moment of "oh,it's supposed to be my other left foot". I try to get one technique right every class. Really. It's fun, essential part of my physical training and part of my eclectic spiritual practice. I don't train to be the biggest baddest Mo Fo on the block. At five foot nothing that's laughable.

People come to MA for a variety of reasons including a perceived need for self defense. Few last long with that attitude . Most find other satisfactions from training, others drop out the moment they get 1st degree black belt .... or just leave.

I believe in avoiding confrontation, escalation or dangerous situations at all costs and de-escalating conflict whenever I can.

On the other hand I hope this is true of me that if an unavoidable conflict occurred .... I'd either win or there's going to be enough pieces of the perp on me that there's going to be an airtight case based on DNA evidence.

But let's just not get into that situation in the first place shall we?

Now, get out there and walk the dog, run, swim, hike, RIDE! Be fearless, ride as if you own the road and be free.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (245)

Climb as I say, not as I do.

Posted on Nov 30th, 2008 by

onyourleft

Disclosure; I don't climb well. I'm a sit and spin and someday get to the top kind of gal. Climbing on a bike seems like the best example of athletic effort that combines strength and knowledge.

It's not enough to have strength or just technique. Without the combination of the two you will suffer.

Sometimes we suffer even WITH both.

Some days you will feel there is not a low enough gear for the hill and some times you feel like you need more resistance from the gears.

Here are a couple ways to get both gears.

Some call this "the magic gear". On a climb where you "run out of gears", you're in the lowest of granniest of granny gears and wish there was a lower one just shift it 1-2 gears higher (this may mean shifting under load and sometimes .... you just can't do that! but if you can with proper technique, that's another blog post...) then climb standing till you've got a little rest then voila!! shift down 1-2.

It's magic, lower gears!

Or if you feel the need for higher gears and more resistance ...let the bike come to you. If you need some resistance to climb standing feather the pedals and let it slow down a little till ... voila!

You can stand.

Learn to climb standing in the pedals. It rests the muscles you sit and spin with, stretches your back, hamstrings. You use alternate muscles and get a little rest and stretch on the road.

Watch pro racers climb and you see them rocking the bike as they do. Don't worry, you won't fall over.

The feeling I try for is not rocking the bike but relaxe the hands and you toss it back and forth lightly like tossing a light bean bag from hand to hand. Keep the upper body relaxed, especially hands and wrists.

Don't forget to breath!

Pictured above I ride Bike Against the Odds, a ride that benefits the Breast Cancer Fund. My smile is twofold. I'd just climbed Old Tunnel Road feeling faster and stronger than ever before and I'd just taken advantage of another tip; using the angle of a banked turn to give a miniature descent just into a climbing turn. It was just enough to get me up that next steep bit.

Photo by Mark Fong, Marc Fong, Jr. and Carol Melanie Galan who provided photographs for the Breast Cancer Fund. Photographs may not be reproduced, copied, televised, digitized or used in any way without permission of the Breast Cancer Fund and/or the photographer.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (54)

My first attempted back to back century

Posted on Nov 26th, 2008 by

onyourleft

my first try at a metric century was a training ride for the AIDS ride from SF to the RussianRiver, camp overnight then ride back. Got to the top of the first hill and a rider passed me and turned right...

First lesson I learned of cycling: just 'cause someone turns does not mean they are on your ride!

I followed them. Golden Gate National Seashore is breathtakingly beautiful, and I'd love to ride it again someday, anyday, anyone!?

But those 20 miles were not on our route!

Ten miles out I realise I'm lost, ride 10 back and by then everyone, which includes my camping gear and car keys is in front of me, decided nothing to do but forge ahead.

From there I was on the route all the way.

Due to a series of near misses that are comical now, David the ride organiser thought I was ahead of them all. C'mon, it's me! Ahead??? He kept pulling up the route signs ahead of me, luckily I had the map.

I was about 15 miles from the end when I stopped at a tiny store to "make my own rest stop". David who by then had been to the end and "where's Trek?" was going backwards in a panic to find me. Boy was I glad to see his truck. Tired, hungry, cold, fog rolling in, I gladly took the ride in.

Deffinately some moments of panic out there in the most remote parts of Sonoma and Marin counties thinking "no one knows where I am".

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (65)

How to pack for AIDS Lifecycle

Posted on Nov 26th, 2008 by

onyourleft

The 'bag o' the day" method works for me. Some pack by category ie: bag of socks, bag of jerseys, bag of shorts .... whatever keeps you organized. You don't want to waste time in the morning hunting for gear. The idea is get out of camp quickly.

Each bag had socks, shorts, jersey, bra.... everything for a day in the saddle.

One bag is marked "cold" with long sleeve jersey, full finger gloves and undershirt, wool socks. Even in California in summer you may need it.

Another bag was for red dress day, another bag had no jersey, why? I buy a Lifecycle jersey on the ride. The other 4 bags pretty normal bike outfit.

I bring 2 large plastic garbage bags.

My routine is arrive in camp, park bike, eat dinner first! I learned that here and from my tentmate on 3, then put up tent (or find that kindly and super ultra fast tentmate had done that already-thanks ALC 3 & 4 tentmates if you're lurking) drag luggage to tent, grab sweatshirt and sweat pants and shower stuff, toddle off to enjoy toasty warm clean shower, once clean and changed to clean sweats toddle back to tent and toss sweaty smelly toxic waste bike clothes into garbage bag.

Spend rest of time in camp in clean, warm and comfy sweats 8-)

You will find that crumbled up bike clothes take less room, the bag compacts on itself. I brought no street clothes. In fact on my last ALC's I flew back in bike duds 8-)

You have to light your tent and light your way back to it. I also brought some little things to wear each day, paper leis, toy neclaces to give to the kids who come to the towns of like Bradley where they hold a BBQ for us. The kids and parents apreciated that, getting something from the riders.

Lastly let this be your AIDS Lifecycle packing slogan:

If you can't ride without it bring two.

If you can do without it don't bring it.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (49)

How to choose a dojo Part 1

Posted on Nov 14th, 2008 by

onyourleft

Two of my next door neighbors homes got robbed today. This brought up a little bit I wrote a while back about self defense.

Martial arts is not self defense although training could be useful in that heaven forbid I ever need it .... again

A self defense class is not martial arts.

A good self defense class may be mixed or women-only, take 1-3 days and give you good basics. Check schedules of an adult school near you or ask your local police for a recommendation.

Puhleeeese, don't even talk about kick boxing in the gym. Fabulous aerobic workout, fun, get you in great shape .... worse than useless as defense.

My Sensei (teacher) is a woman, the classes are mixed. And it's a good thing.

I like training with the guys, they like training with me. In a good dojo they will treat you well. I like knowing that if some 6'5" guy attacks "alrighty there big fella, you're shorter than Scott and I can throw and pin him" and the guys like knowing if someone 5' nuthin' attacks .... nah, that's not gonna happen.

But when we do some techniques like koshi nage they run the other way because it's soooooo hard to do with someone shorter

And sensei comes around and tells them "if you can throw Onyourleft koshinage, you've got it!"

If you would feel safer taking a class that you look for a good self defense class.

Martial arts is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. My goal is never stop learning, and never use it.

If you decide to take up an art look for a good teacher. Don't worry about the style. Look at the school and teacher.

How did you feel about the teacher & school?

Watch a bunch of classes especially beginner classes, you're going to be one for a loooooooong time.

How do they treat beginners? How do they handle someone training with an injury? Do they warm up? Cool down? Do they seem concerned with safety?

We're so lucky in my school that unless she's away all classes are taught by the head instructor. Very unusual for someone of her rank. Go to a bunch of different classes because at most schools different advanced students teach different classes.

Watch an advanced class. You should feel inspired, almost a sense of awe. That's your teacher! That's your style.

That's how I felt when I first saw Aikido demonstrated. At the time I was already 2nd kyu (upper level brown belt) in Wa Do Ryu Karate, I saw Aikido at a demo and said "I gotta do that.". Two days later I'd signed up. That was about 1980 ... here I am still trying to learn it. Guess I'm slow

or it's something you never master.

www.ai-ki-do.org

Well, off to the dojo. Have fun, be safe everyone. Happy Thanksgiving.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (100)

11/02/08

Posted on Nov 6th, 2008 by

onyourleft

Pictured above part of the crowd waits in the downtown Oakland Marriot hotel as election results come in. But this is a blog of events two days before.

I went to the Hayward Demos for a couple to phonebank the Swing States. Afterward as I drove on Mission there was a long line of people with Yes on 8 signs. They were probably there because there had been a No on 8 vigil the night before.

Not an original idea in the bunch.

There sure were a lot of them but on the corner across the street were 3 fabulous women standing in a tiny traffic island, a Mom and her two 20 something year old daughters with No on 8 signs. Did I mention the day was cold, windy and pouring rain?

Drivers honked in support of them. How do I know? I saw several drivers honk and if the Yes on 8 people cheered they would indicate with a thumbs down or other gesture of the hand "that was not for you, bub" ;-)

I circled back around, parked, then walked down Mission waving my No on 8 sign over my head to cheers from the ladies and jeers from across the street.

I did not want to think much about that those jeering are my neighbors. I told the gals I can't stay long because I was going to put signs up on our bike/ped overpass.

That's another story.

It's pouring rain, the Mom was in a t-shirt, I gave her my rain jacket. I was wearing an old one, no big deal I'd found the jacket free when someone lost it at an athletic event. And I am the queen of outdoor gear so it's not like I don't have many more, even had another in my car.

At first she refused. She said they vowed to stay there till the Yes on 8 leave.

I said she had to keep it, "it's the Christian thing for me to do" after all she's out in the rain on our behalf. She laughed.

I think it made a point to the fundies as I handed her my jacket, turned as she put it on and headed back to the car in my shirt in the pouring rain .... that's the kind of support we have! Take that!!

Whether it's been phone banking, visibility issues or just moments like that I've met some great and very supportive people.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (80)

Green Wedding

Posted on Oct 24th, 2008 by

onyourleft

Last Friday we got our license. Saturday we got married.

To my family and friends don't worry, the date is still on for May. Prop 8 polls still change daily from win to loose to win ... I feared we'd loose the chance to marry in my own state.

So I asked K. if she'd marry me now, she said "YES!"

We rode our bikes to Alameda County Center. I'm an East Bay gal so this was perfect. Everyone there was nice, professional. Security asked us right away if we were getting a license. How could they tell the two nervous gals want to wed?

As we filled out forms a family waited nearby for one of their sisters to wed her partner. One of the gals asked "Do you want us to take your picture?"

Soon we were called to the desk to get our license. You get a lot of cool booklets and pamphlets such as info about family planning.

License securely in my backpack we unlocked our bikes and headed back home. We stopped for Thai food along the way and to swing by my favorite bike shop.

At the shop we got congratulations and picked out a short sleeve jersey for K.

Then we headed home.

Although prop 8 did pass I remain hopeful. Please surf over to www.whitehouse.gov and read the Civil Rights goals and aims of OUR President Obama. He has a goal of protecting our rights.

I remain hopeful that more couples can have the happiness we feel right now.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (133)

Tagged with: family friends growing life love loving gratitude

06/26 2005 Ride report AIDS Lifecycle 4 - Day 8

Posted on Oct 14th, 2008 by

onyourleft

I decided to ride to BART for the Pride parade today.

I'd read that Lance and the team including gorgoeous George do at least 3x the miles of the tour de France in training. So one of my goals for training this year for the Lifecycle was to put in 3x the training miles of the 585 mile AIDS Lifecycle ride.

As I clicked in and rode away from home my odometer on the bike went to 000.01, that's 2,000 miles. Probably had something to do with why I
did better this year. Ya think?

I got off at Embarcadero station and there were lots of Lifecycle riders there, which was a good thing.

I forgot to bring directions to where I was supposed to meet up so i followed them.

I could not resist a ride on Market St and Mission, it's not often the busiest streets in San Francisco are closed to car traffic. It's even LESS often that I get to ride them between what seems like endless blocks of the womens motorcycle contingent. Nice bikes.

I found the other riders and it was a bit like old home week. We all miss the camraderie and kindness on the ride. There was another Mondonico on the ride this year, we would bust into Italian whenever we saw each other on the road. He showed me that cracked the frame in a crash, did the ride anyway because he thought he had to ship it back to Italy fix. That takes months. I expressed concern that the crack would grow more severe and he should take care of it right away. I told him that my mechanic can get it fixed in LA and gave him Chris's number he was veeeeeery happy about that.

Also got some nice pix of the Dusty's twin on the ride.

Nearby a bike messenger had a flat and 3 Lifecycle riders just swooped
over and helped him fix it in a couple minutes, instant pit crew.

The messenger asked "you just do this for other riders?"

yep, we do.

Assembling around us were a mottley crew of other groups; gay chearleeders from LA, SF and Edmonton Canada marching together, A Traditional Chinese Lion Dance School, an all male review that's a tribute to Madonna
and...and....I'm not sure what these folks were on rollerskates in costumes I can only describe as looking like huge human chrysanthamums made of balloons but they were real neet.

You can imagine the noise, three cheer leading troups, Chinese cymbals
and drums of the dancers, Madonna in drag cover band on the trailer al being danced to by the balloon things and then the parade begins ..... on time as always, really!

I've been to every SF Pride parade 'cept 2 since about 1975 yet I
still get goosebumps when the womens motorcycle contingent fires up
their engines and roars by.

I wasn't prepared for how emotional riding in the parade was this year probably because I wasn't prepared for how emotional doing the ride
again and completing it would be this year either.

My ex, Leslie and her partner, well wife really 'cept it was annulled (that's the ex I'm good friends with) spotted me and called out, I rode over to them and they shouted "you're our hero".

Aw shucks folks, I dunno about that ;-) My hero's still the crew.

Everyone liked my "Impeach Bush" Cycling socks, even while stopped some people in the crowd said they liked 'em, and several women
on BART. Got them years ago, thought I'd be done wearing them by now. Available at fine local bike shops near you.

After the ride I hung out in the Civic Center for a bit, ran into a few friends from work, had a bite to eat, perused the various booths, Different Spokes bike club tried to recruit me (yes it's true folks, we recruit!!) then headed home.

After the parade the the ride always feels officially "over" to me. Kinda like closure so I headed home to my dog Mae.

Access: Public What do you think? Print views (88)

Search

Browse Posts

Tag Browser

Archives

Friends don't let friends buy at a Big Box Store

Living peacefully, free and fearless in what seems a violent time

Climb as I say, not as I do.

My first attempted back to back century

How to pack for AIDS Lifecycle

How to choose a dojo Part 1

11/02/08

Green Wedding

06/26 2005 Ride report AIDS Lifecycle 4 - Day 8

Next

Gaia Community

Explore

Inspire

The Gaiam Network

Favorite Quotes