Well, it didn’t take long at all! Based on the attendance at the event, and the overwhelming response via emails, posts, blogs and a survey put up by the office of the mayor, Bike Miami was declared a success and will now be expanded into a monthly event!
The next Bike Miami happens on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, and we plan to be there for sure. With a declared monthly schedule, we can now look forward to additions to the formula to be tried out little by little. At the top of my list? An expansion of the streets closed for the event.
Awesome news indeed. Thanks to everyone that worked to make this happen.
I have posted pics of my cats before, but there are hardly that many pics of my rabbit, Fergus, so here are a couple:
Here he’s playing with a log treat I gave him. Fergus’ nickname here is Spykiller, because he is suspicious of everything that comes into his area. He always eyes his food, especially if it’s something he doesn’t recognize, and every toy or treat gets tossed about a few times before he gives it more than cursory attention. This log, for example, got tossed about like a caber at a Highlands Games for a good five minutes before he decided any spies hiding inside would be dealt with and he could go and eat the treats inside.
He’s a good bunny, actually very docile, if a bit of a recluse. His time with us, however, may be coming to an end soon, as we are starting to look for a new home for him. My wife is allergic to rabbits (something we discovered 10 years ago when we got our first, Pele) and it has gotten worse with time, not to mention we still plan on moving to Seattle, and we would not be taking him with us. We’ve also realized that our prime bunny parents time has now passed, and that’s not fair to Fergus. So we enjoy his company while he remains with us, and hope to find him a very good home that will give him all the love and attention he deserves.
Highmoon Media Productions and MonkeyGod Enterprises present The Mask of Marruk.
Human sacrifice, vengeful gods, hungry giants, haunted forests, and a besieged town whose history is written in blood. Just another day on the Blood Plateau.
It has been two hundred years since Marruk has last been summoned and now the Baron’s daughter has been kidnapped. In The Mask of Marruk our heroes are asked to rescue the missing girl and in the process save the town of Fanghorn View from a catastrophe of historic proportions. All that stands in their way is a secluded giant, a cult of dark druids, and an army of savage orcs from the Blood Plateau.
The Mask of Marruk a 3.5 fantasy adventure for 5th to 7th level characters.
Written by: David Kurd
Cover by: David Rourke
Artwork by: Carolyne Dear, Sean Duerden, Samir Wallace, Peter Wooley
Fully Bookmarked
Today was Bike Miami, an event that made part of Downtown Miami car-free for 5 hours, from 10 am to 3 pm, opening it up for cyclists, skaters and pedestrians, taking a page from such events as Ciclovía in Bogota, Colombia. By all accounts the event was a success, with attendance estimated at around 2000 people, give or take, given how everyone was zipping around.
Overall, I am elated at how well Bike Miami turned out, and at how many people came out to enjoy an area of the city that most of us, in general, rarely ever visit with any kind of regularity. It was just amazing seeing all the different kinds of cyclists–Lycra lizards and slow bikers, mountain bikers and BMXers, singles and couples and families, old and young, men and women–everyone just sharing the wonderful experience that was Bike Miami. I cannot think of anything that went wrong during the time I was there, and if you force me to, the only thing I can recall is one dude who tried to take the intersection of Flagler and Biscayne, in front of Bayfront Park, at a moment when the cops were letting cars through. The cop asked him, “What do you think we’re here for?” So yeah, save for that one guy who thought the laws applied to everyone except him, the day was without a hitch. Which reminds me to send out special thanks to the City of Miami Police, all of whom were super nice to us riders and even shared the ride at times.
We arrived shortly after 11 am and parked at Bayside Marketplace. The lady at the entrance asked us for a Bike Miami flyer in order to give us the special discounted fee, something I had not seen was a requirement for the reduced rates at either Bayside or Mary Brickell Village. “I need a proof of what you’re here for,” she said; we simply pointed to the bikes strapped to the back rack. A few minutes later, we were riding down to Bayfront Park, heading towards the trong of bikes, huge grins on our faces.
One of the big bookends of the Bike Miami route, Bayfront Park was packed with people riding and walking about, enjoying the simply wonderful weather we had: low 70’s, breezy and sunny. There were a number of kiosks from various sponsoring groups, including the Florida Bicycle Association, which had a bike valet service, as well as a tune-up station for quick-fix issues. Though I wasn’t able to use their services on-site, I was very glad to have been able to talk to the tech at hand, who told me precisely what is the problem with my rear tire and what I need to ask for when I take it to the shop.
While we waited for some friends to arrive, we took a look at The Moving Wall, the touring copy of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. Though my wife has seen the (much larger) original in Washington, DC, I have not, so I welcomed this chance to take in the sobering sight of so many names, each one an individual who perished in this horrible war, each one a life with all the potential in the world cut short abruptly, violently. Most sobering of all was thinking of each of the names being added practically daily to a wall-to-be recording the toll of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them, much as it was in Vietnam, barely into adulthood. I found myself wishing silently for that future wall’s expansion to be stopped as soon as possible, with the help of G-d.
Still waiting, we decided to ride around Bayfront Park, mingling with the hundreds of fellow riders, stopping here and there to look more closely at something or other, reveling in one of the most important points of this event (and excellently put in the logo, above), being able to “explore the city in a new way.” We were having a lot of fun just checking out all the cool bikes around, and even meeting special attendees like Mr. Clucky, the rooster who likes to ride perched on the handlebar. Once our friends finally showed up, we took off up Flagler St. to check out the rest of the route (after a quick Starbucks pit-stop).
When I first moved here from Puerto Rico 13 years ago (wow!), I used to take a bus and the Metrorail from Kendall and go walking around Downtown just for fun; it was a way for me to get to know my new home city. I did that for maybe a year and then stopped. At the time Downtown was a somewhat decaying place with a few interesting spots but devoid of non-9-to-5 life. My, how have things changed. Bike Miami attendees aside, there was a lot of people walking around, going about their daily business, shopping at stores that now gave life to former empty or abandoned storefronts. Downtown was quite lively, especially given how many shops were closed (note to Downtown merchants: open your stores for the next Bike Miami and enjoy the benefits of the increased traffic).
After riding to the end of Flagler St., we decided to follow 1st Avenue all the way down and over the bridge. I will say that all these mornings of riding to synagogue across the Miami Beach-North Bay Village bridge have certainly paid off; I was able to put some initial speed into it and climb the slope without any overt effort (remember, my bike has a single gear).
On the way down the slope, a pair of riders shouted at us, “Long live the Slow Bike movement!” To which I shouted back, “YEAH!” It took me a moment to wonder why exactly had they said that, figuring that it was because of the style of our bikes (i.e. not mountain or speed bikes). A few seconds later another rider shouted, “Hey, I know you guys from the Slow Bike Miami Beach blog!” What?! That’s just wild! To those of you who recognized us, thanks for saying hi and for following this blog. If you read this, say something in the comments!
When we reached the Mary Brickell Village (aka. Lil’ Cocowalk) we parted company with our friends, who decided to ride down to Key Biscayne. For our part, we parked and walked around the village, just checking it out, enjoying the de-factor mini-street fair at the other bookend of the Bike Miami route.
The rest of the evening we spent simply riding around, exploring as much of the city as we could, especially the waterfront promenade and Bayfront/Bayside. We walked the entire length of the marketplace, something we hadn’t done in more than 5 years, and bought a few things and had some (very expensive) drinks at a waterfront bar.
As we were leaving Bayside to take one last ride around Bayfront Park, we got recognized for the blog again, which doesn’t stop being weird and cool. We then rode around the waterfront promenade, across the bridge onto Brickell (checking out the Miami Circle along the way) and quickly into and out of Brickell Island. And because the day wasn’t awesome enough, right before we left we spotted a pod of dolphins swimming very close to the shore.
After spending almost half an hour strapping the bikes to the rack again (personal note: need to get a new bike rack with longer posts, as well as a new camera that doesn’t take blurry photos), we went back home extremely pleased with the wonderful day we had and figuring out that for the next Bike Miami we’ll just ride our bikes into Downtown Miami.
I eagerly look forward to a next Bike Miami, and then the next one after that. I want this to be more than a one-time event, I want this to be something that becomes a part of our culture. Miami has the perfect set of circumstances–flat terrain, year-round nice-ish weather (especially during the autumn and winter) and a desperate need to have its people connect across all its many cities and neighborhoods in order to breathe new life into it–that could make it another Amsterdam.
So thanks to Mayor Manny Diaz, the City of Miami and all the volunteers that made this such a fantastic day. Now, let’s get ready for the next Bike Miami!
A few moments ago the major networks called the election in favor of Barack Obama, unofficially naming him the 44th President Elect of the United States of America.
I am stunned and speechless.
As I watch John McCain concede the election, I have a knot in my throat and my eyes water.
It never occurred to me that I would see the first African-American President of the USA, and yet here I am, sitting on my red couch, in Miami Beach, amazed and incredulous.
Obama has just given his victory speech, and regardless of how I have sometimes felt about his oratory, tonight it hit me, it affected me, it penetrated me. More than that, it inspired me, and that is precisely what I expect President Elect Obama to do for the next four years, to grab that amazing and unprecedented energy generated by the hundred upon thousands of followers who made his election possible and turn it into action for the betterment of this country.
I am so proud right now of my country.
May G-d bless and protect President Elect Obama as he embarks on this new journey.
May G-d bless and protect all of us Americans as we embark on this new journey.
Write one paragraph in the comments, here, detailing your fictional or real election-day adventures (whether you’re choosing to vote or not!) in the style of a pulp adventure and I’ll work it so you get a special code to either:
- Buy Spirit of the Century in PDF for only $5 (normally $15), or
- Buy Spirit of the Season in PDF for only $1 (normally $5), or
- Both!
This offer ends at midnight, so get your comment in soon!
It was a nice November morning, cool but not cold; the kind of temperature you can get away with just wearing a nice jacket or duster. Absentmindedly, when leaving the house, Judah Hammerstein had grabbed his mystic duster instead of his regular one. “Expecting a fight at the polls, are you?” Matthew D’Israeli teased him when they met downstairs. “Hey, winter’s just around the corner, and you know what the snow tends to bring.” They both laughed it off as they walked to the polling location.
Judah stood in the long line waiting for his turn to cast his vote. Sitting on a nearby bench, still visible from Judah’s current place in the line, Matthew happily gulped down the stash of roast beef-on-rye sandwiches he’d brought. Not yet a citizen, Ben had to sit this election out, though he certainly hoped to remedy that for the next one. About twenty feet ahead, he was pretty sure he saw Codenames Dancer and Prancer in their civilian guises also waiting for their turn at the polls, and he briefly wondered where Nick Saint and the rest of the Reindeer Men voted. Uptown? Brooklyn? Queens, maybe?
His reverie was abruptly broken when a scream erupted from within the polling place, immediately followed by dozens more. Chaos exploded as people ran in all directions. Chairs and desks flew through the air, some almost landing on a group of frightened citizens save for Matthew’s quick reflexes and brick-hard fists. In an instant, Matthew was at Judah’s side, with Codenames Dancer and Prancer, now in full costume, joining their allies scant seconds later.
“Good to see you, girls,” Matthew greeted the twins. “Live nearby?”
“What do we have here, Hammerstein?” Prancer asked, ignoring Matthew’s question.
From the building where people were supposed to be doing their civic duty emerged a figure clad in a red and black military uniform, chest covered in what seemed to be hundreds of tiny golden medals, a flowing cape catching the autumn breeze. “Flee, you insignificant plebes! I declare the Election Day at an end. For now begins my time as sole ruler of this nation and the world! Say good bye to democracy and say hello to THE DESPOT!!!”
Dancer chuckled. “The Despot? Is that the best he could do?”
“And here I thought we still had a few weeks to wait before the busy season. Good thing I grabbed this duster this morning, eh, Matthew?” Judah said something in Hebrew under his breath and instantly the foursome were surrounded by crackling mystic energy.
“I say we get this done fast so you chaps can get back to your voting,” Matthew said as he cracked his knuckles.
Nodding in agreement, as one, the quarter pounced forth to deliver two-fisted justice.
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