This could be crazy

I am considering some things lately. Here are a few of them:

1. Buying used for one year. Clothes, shoes, etc. The only thing I may buy new if needed is bike parts...I use it too much to risk.

2. Selling my car. From there I will either a)not get one or b) get a really cheap one for emergencies.

3. Learning to play an instrument. I am thinking acoustic guitar because I can't fit not afford a piano. I have been wanting to do this for a long, long time and I think now may be the time.

4. Making it a point to write as much as possible. I have gotten better at this, although this blog may seem to prove otherwise. However, I have been writing in a journal more and enjoying the act of putting pencil to paper. So much so that I want to write even when i don't want to write.

I think that is enough for now. Too much probably. These are the ideas that are rolling around in this tiny head of mine (seriously, have you looked at my head lately...it is really small. Like, childrens helmet and ski goggles small!).

Come to my prom! Support Bici...and me

I know I haven't talked much about it on here, but I am in the process of starting a Non-Profit bike shop, Bici Co-op. Check it out here: www.bicicoop.org.

I am really excited and passionate about this and can't wait until we get it up and running. I think it will have a great impact on Birmingham, in terms of advocacy and bike-friendliness. We hope to be a place in the community and for the community. Bikes are the most efficient form of transportation in the world and a great option for greener commutes as well as a reliable way for lower income people to get to work. Most of the problems with bikes are a)asquisition and b)maintenance. Bici will tackle both as cheaply (or free) as possible. No one will be turned away for an inability to pay. Our goal is to teach people to maintain their own rides and then give them a place to do it and tools to use, under mechanic supervision to ensure safety.

For Profit bike shops are great places, but are daunting and often cater to affluent members of the community. Makes sense since they are for profit. We want to get the rest of the community on bikes.

If you have any old bikes or bike parts and would like to send them our way, send me a message. We are in the process of becoming 501(c)3, so can write you a receipt for your donation. We also have an amazon wish list and are taking financial contributions. The shop is going to be located in the Highland Park area, next to the Unity Church. This is close to downtown, Southtown, UAB, Crestline, Avondale...you get the picture. This side of the mountain actually has no bike shops at all, let alone anything that would be affordable.

Please come to our prom and support this Community Project. It will a blast, and you will be doing something good.

Got Questions? Want to help? Need a bike? email me or comment.

thanks friends!

MIA

Sorry for the lack of posts here. Bikeskirt has been taking up a lot of my time, as has Bici Coop.

I am in Atlanta right now for a conference on how to start a non-profit bike shop.

and I.am.exhausted.

Hope you are all well. I do miss you all. And I miss this sweet little blog.

15 seconds

Christmas...Merry! Merry!

Still wondering what to get me for Christmas?

Um...this will do. (minus the weird facial expression please...and add a bouquet of flowers if you don't mind)


image from Copenhagen Cyclic Chic

Scramble!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could get this in Birmingham? Or if we could even get enough Pedestrian/Bike traffic to warrant it?

This is suicide

Some friends of mine being bad-ass.

I love the cycling 'scene' in Birmingham. These guys are making riding cool again, which I am hoping encourages more folks to take to two wheels (gears or fixed).


Sunday Night Sprints from Velo Ghosts on Vimeo.

video by Veloghost

Help! I need somebody...

To help me build these shelves. I have a wall this is crying out for them. I will provide supplies, and BEER (or whatever else you want...within reason).



Oh won't someone please come to my rescue?

picture from Apartment Therapy.

creeps please do not apply. There are no 'special benefits' from doing this. FYI

Little Darlin' it seems the snow is slowly melting

Pictures from Easter!
Some were taken by me, some by family...some even by my 5 year old brother. There are many, many more, but these capture the day pretty well. Enjoy.

Weekend round-up

This weekend was more social than most. It felt like my 'coming back into the real world' weekend, which was nice though daunting. Here is the run down:
Friday: work 1/2 day, in jeans. Pissed off at the impending weather doom. After work, made some killer guac. and headed to Susan's house with CJ for some catching up. Laughed so hard that I cried. We joked, mourned, celebrated, ate good food, drank good drinks. It was so refreshing. That is the way I would describe Su...refreshing. I could tell dirty jokes about ex boyfriends and politicians and we would just laugh, laugh, laugh. Loved it.

Saturday: Brunch with friends that was a bit of a friend set up. Walked around Naked Art, admiring the great local art and reminiscing about when it was Zoeys, and VRichards was too small to seat everyone (I miss it). Then I went and illegally printed some Screenplays from a library. I am not going to say much, except that we got busted and I still got the print-outs and saved the day. I am such a bad ass! Like Uma Thurman, without the killing and the Quentin Tarantino dialogue.
Speaking of dialogue, next month starts Script Frenzy, the month long insanity of writing a full length screenplay in 30 days. I participated last year with friends and this year am the leader of the Birmingham Region. It was such a fun event and I highly recommend it to everyone. It is just 30 days of free flowing ideas and typing any bad idea that comes to mind. No editing, just writing. It is a rush and I rediscovered my love of writing from it. I actually went on to enter a contest, which I placed 4th in (a big deal for a beginner). If you are interested, check out the link and get in touch with me. You won't regret it. More posts to come on it. ANYWAY, I also read some scripts this weekend.

Saturday night I went with CJ to the Magic City Art Connection benefit soiree. What a scene. The Birmingham paparazzi was out in full force, as were everyone who wanted to see and be seen. We mingled, had our pictures taken, drank some free beer and hit the road...to the Speakeasy to see Vulture Whale. What a fun band of nice guys who make kick ass music. Check em out. Always enjoy their shows. Also played some rousing games of Foosball, which created a bit of a crowd (people seem to love dressed up girls drinking beer and yelling at the table,not to mention talking complete smack to each other!). Stayed and saw a few songs by Tiger Piss...an, um, interesting band. Got home late, smelling like smoke.
this was a crowd of people that I had not seen in about 2 months, and I was very nervous. It was great. I went with a safe friend, and eased into the social scene. I don't think that I will be back in full force, but occasionally it is nice.

Sunday, I did what is becoming routine. Sleep late, then bike to Starbucks to read and hang out. Got a call that I am getting an antique dresser, chest and new Queen sized bed this week...as a gift! Yea! I am trying to make my apt homey, especially my bedroom...this is going to do wonders for that. Am so very, very excited. A nice end to a nice weekend.
Well, I have another script to read and some dishes to do. This time change thing is messing me up, but I love it! Daylight at 6:35!!
Have a good week.

So wonderful

These are bike locks AND planters. Imagine a city with these on the streets. Take the place of old, ugly, metal bike racks.

image from www.heavypetal.ca/plantlock.jpg