Last night we went and paid our silent respects

 Last night we went and paid our silent respects to a tragedy that had just happened in our neighborhood. Someone deliberately plowed into cars, pedestrians, cyclists for many blocks. 1 person passed away, several others hospitalized and many more were injured but not critically.

It could have been us. We are in that spot a lot. Olive and I met at Lauralhurst park. Our hearts go out to the victims and we are so proud of our fellow citizens who communicated to each other, yelling ahead so others could form a tribe and catch the perpetrator.

I'm glad I wasn't one of them. Seeing my Portland people injured makes me see red. I don't know I would have the restraint those brave souls had. Big ups to them!

Out on the town. My parents are visiting from San Antonio.

 
We went out after a gig with the P's. Funny that they notice things we don't. I had no idea there was a tallbike graphic on our local ATM.

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People were tangling on our normally quiet, peaceful street.

Olive just bore witness to a kerfuffle.
2 CAMBs (Come-At-Me- Bro's) had a road rage episode in front of our house.

One CAMB was driving a truck loaded with bikes, the other CAMB was driving down the narrow street and apparently came to a disagreement with CAMB #1. CAMB#2 throws his vehicle in park.
They started screaming at each other inches from each others faces then breaking back. "At least I don't gotta sell bicycles all day" Traffic started backing up.
Cars were honking and CAMB#2 started screaming at them "This is obviously not the street to go down right now!" That was heard by the first car but not the 4 cars behind it. Gridlock!
They were tangling on our normally quiet street. I was close by but totally oblivious. At the time I was watering the plants and rocking out to Rush. I wasn't even wearing headphones. I have Cygnus X1 memorized. Olive tried to get the scoop.
She was still in full clown drag but she is really good at camo mode in front of colorful flowers. She stood there with phone at the ready but the combatant CAMBs were drifting their fight right at her.
So she ran off without getting pics (Good try citizen reporter Rootbeer). So CAMB#1 got in his truck, CAMB#2 got in his janky car and they both reversed at each other stopping just short of bumping tails.
CAMB#1 took off yelling and CAMB#2 quickly peeled out (still in reverse) in chase. Olive eventually found me asking "Did you see that?" Me: "Nope."

Life is a nature documentary.

Most folks who encounter us treat us with love and kindness, some don't know or care about us and even fewer respond with abuse. It's water off my back. In today's doc we were on our bikes trying to get our car tire fixed. As I waited for Olive to negotiate, a lady (on the left) approached me and started asking about Pedalpalooza.

I wasn't amused that the little bit of money we made today was going to maintenance.
Once a week we use our car "Matilda" to get our kids to the other side of town and back. Last trip we caught a flat. Talking about bike events makes me happy. But unfortunately I didn't get to say anything before this other woman (on the right) walked up saying "I'm sorry, you stink! You usually smell really bad but today you smell worse than ever."


I never seen her in my life so that was odd.
The first lady split quick I suppose thinking something was about to kick off.
I said nothing but internally I was amused. I'm downwind of her and in a strong breeze, no way she smells anything. Bad odor must be her excuse to protest my general existence. I'm a long way away from the days of deliberately smelling bad. It used to be a form of rebellion. Gutterpunk tactics are obsolete these days. Also I'm a gorgeous woman's comfort object, Olive isn't hip to any bad smells on me and when I do sweat it effects her in a way that is too hot for Facebook to describe. I can take criticism but this one isn't even close. :) I just smiled and the lady stood there staring at me waiting for the reaction I would never give up. Then Olive and I went to a nearby cafe. Out the window we see a homebum park his garbage can and sit directly across for a man.

It was an awkward moment for him but entertaining nature doc for us. We waited and watched the nature doc to see how it turned out.

Eventually one of the baristas noticed and asked the man what he was doing "waiting for the cops" he said. But nobody called the cops so they never came. After some more tedious moments the fuzzy fellow got up and took his trashcan away. We didn't get the photo of the smile of relief that the customer had when he got his personal space back.

I'm glad my traffic cam was rolling when this stuff went down. Great nature doc. :)
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Olive took this cool pic the other day.

 I took off but forgot to secure my kickstand. It interfered with the travel of the pedal and my bike quickly froze. 
I have a second or two to come up with what to do.
 She caught a pic of that second where I'm carefully walking back down the bike before gravity takes me down the hard way. :)

                       I would have been grumpy had I spilled this bangin' cup of Thai Tea.

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Usually I turn the traffic cam off when i land. When I forget it's comedy gold.

People tripping out on my tallbike while I'm at lunch.

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I was just crossing a busy street. I noticed a silver haired lady hesitating and not crossing.

 Luckily I had my super hero outfit on under my overalls.
 I bravely crossed back, tipped my hat and said "Pardon me Madam,
 I noticed you not crossing, may I be of service?" 
She looked me up and down and eventually said, 
"No thanks dumb-ass, I'm happy to wait for the green light like you should have done...and don't call me Madam, I'm only 54". 
After a short staring contest i politely said. "Your welcome 
" before flying away to a nearby rooftop to sob like a baby.

Kicking it street level with the Lorax

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I found two songs that sound cool played at the same time.