Local Sourcing, Global Distribution

I was travelling recently and saw a brand of granola bar with which I was unfamiliar, conveniently placed near the register as an impulse grab, and it worked. For $2.99 (plus whatever sales tax is in Reagan Airport) I was the proud owner of an 18 Rabbits brand granola bar. I knew nothing else about it beyond the orange wrapper, though as the cashier was giving my change, I did see that the bar's name was "Nibble a Sultana".

My amusement came about 2 minutes later when I sat down to try to find the ingredients list and look over the product more.  Apparently I was hungry and suggestible, as the tagline in the black box hooked me in solidly, "Why Not Go All The Way?"

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Double Refraction

In an echo of the David over at Greater City: Providence, a post of a TED video, that I should have linked to long ago.

James Howard Kunstler on the design of buildings, public spaces and the physical arrangement of accommodations for people, rather than our autos. Strong language, humor and just possibly something to make you think (or, to quote a Jethro Tull song: I may make you fell, but I can't make you think." - hopefully this video does both)

*Snort*

This is too good not to share...

Fun Cycling Read

I haven't flipped this far over into the loony/hardcore side of cycling (though I might if I get a trainer)...

Ride your fixed gear bike on your trainer in your driveway
after 9:00PM in sub 50 degree weather in a steady rain until your body
temperature elevates to the point that the moisture on you and in your
cycling clothing begins to convert to steam and it looks like you are
on fire without flames.

From Masiguy: Words of advice;

Call To Action: Make GCC an issue for media to cover

If you want to raise the level of the conversation regarding global climate change in media coverage of the presidential election, consider this petition sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters. It asks those reporting on the election to include global climate change in their coverage as an issue that is important to the US population.

For derision of the level of reporting see these posts on Celsias and GristMill. (some duplication in the video, the Celsias is the better single read and has a Jib Jab video).

Lessons for Cyclists: How to talk to Non-Cyclists

Found this humorous post on BikeRadar via Commute by Bike.

I am all too aware that most of the public isn't interested in cycling, especially the boring commuting kind that I do a lot of. And yet they do get that i enjoy it and ask about it anyways, and I try to find the line of how much they can take before they just want me to shut up. I don't think I've succeeded yet.

And that's just about my rides. When the season is in full swing, don't dare express a faint interest, I will become your news source...8)