Cycling With Children

Last spring I wrote an article for Toronto’s cycling magazine, Dandyhorse, about commuting with kids via bicycle. The full article is available in the 2011 summer issue. It speaks about how cycling is economic, environmentally friendly, and really a rewarding experience.

After this morning, even I'm looking forward to my break on the subway this winter. I’ve been getting tired. A good tired. But tired. Come March, however, I'll be dying to get back on the road.

 Alex and I on a much warmer day.

Bike Safety: An Invisible Helmet

Brrr…It was a cold ride in this morning. Before the season completely wraps up, lets talk about biking. Do you bike to work? Do you bike in the rain? Do you bike in the winter? I bike most of the year. I do stop shortly after old man winter arrives, because it’s just too cold, and too dangerous, to take the little one on the back. They don’t clear snow from our bike lanes in Toronto, making it even more impossible to get around.

Of course, I take great care when cycling, but sometimes, when I get to the downtown core around rush hour, goodness! Some mornings I have to laugh when I think of how people like to participate in extreme sports (i.e. bungee jumping, bull riding, and skydiving) to get a rush from that brush with death. I usually get this feeling for free every morning from a taxi driver. (Long after I’ve dropped off Alex of course.)

Next question: Do you wear a helmet? I do. Although I hate my hair when I get to work. I came across this hilarious solution, an invisible helmet! It’s a collar that (allegedly) turns into an airbag when you crash. While it doesn’t look that confidence inspiring, it’s an innovative concept.

Collar

Airbag

Images borrowed from Hovding.

Hallowe'en Preparations

What are you going to be for Hallowe'en? This year Alex is dressing up as Rocky Balboa. I'll be tagging along as Mickey Goldmill.  (It was a toss up between him and Mr. T. Tough call, I know.) Her costume is made up of a hodge-podge of Value Village paraphernalia and home made items (i.e. the championship belt).

This is an especially exciting year because Alex may actually get what's going on. Even though she didn't quite understand it in the past, she was not left out of the festivities. Here are a few pictures from Hallowe'en of yesteryear. The first costume, circa 2009, was at the tender age of nine months. The second, taken the following year, she was one of her favourite Sesame Street characters.

I've always loved Hallowe'en. The opportunity to look absolutely ridiculous while showing off your creativity. My favourite costume was the one I wore in grade four. I was Anne of Boleyn. My mom sewed me a long gown and attached a high cardboard collar so that no one could see my head. I carried around a mannequin's head, that somewhat resembled mine, in my arms all day.

What was your favourite costume?

For the Love of Books and their Readers Continued: Snooping

Following my post on bookshelves, I decided to ask a few friends for snapshots of their bookshelves. Anonymously posting, lets see if we can figure a bit more out about these folks. If you were at a party in this person's home, or on a date with them, what would you gather from this display? 

Of course this question led to others. 

In addition to just WHAT they read I also started to ponder, what about the way they arrange and display their books. Take for instance my friends who really just have a book room, rather than a bookcase. Could we say this couple does not have time to worry about such mundane structures as bookshelves, as they're too busy reading their books?

The topic of ebooks came up. This NYTimes article dubbed Snooping in the Age of Ebooks, raises the frightening issue that such insight into a strangers world maybe impossible with the rise of electronic readers. 

Well, as far as my home goes, I'm completely transparent. While, I do adopt technologies, but I think I will always collect physical books. I like to hold them, bend them, write in them, and accidentally spill coffee (okay, red wine) all over them.

Bookends

To continue the discussion on bibliophilia and geekery, lets take a look at bookends. There are so many options that can be used to hold an upright row of books in place. There are the simple black metal bookends, usually seen on half-full library shelves. For those who want to add a bit more pizzazz many bookstores and gift shops have funky options that will nicely accent a bookshelf. 

Or, for minimalists, there are many household items that could work. One suggestion is filling empty mason jars with rocks, sand, or coins would make cool bookends. When I was on a tour of the Tenement Museum, someone stated that they use antique stove top sad irons as books ends.

There are so many ways to add an extra touch of self expression to a row of books. (Check out the boot below.)

 On top of my shelf.

 Two metal bookend options from Etsy

Boot found on Bookshelves

For the Love of Books (And Their Readers)

This hilarious poster has been circulating Facebook. (Please excuse the language.) Personally I think it's an excellent policy.

Lets take things a bit further. Do you think it's possible to fall in love with someone because of what they have on their bookshelf? (It hasn't happened to me yet, though I have fallen in love with someone because of what they've written.) It may not be as crazy as it sounds. The books someone chooses to read and the books they choose to keep can say a lot about them. You can really learn a lot about someone if you read that shelf carefully. (Of course if you really, REALLY want to know someone, it's all in the medicine cabinet. But that's another post for another time.)

Images borrowed from the lovely Blookshelf.

Saturday Afternoon

A little humour for a blustery Saturday.

Image borrowed from ROFL HARD.