Notice the family curse is apparent in this video – ‘Katie Woosley‘ is introduced by the reporter.

Check it out

Christy and I had a fun wedding.  There were skits and songs and rhymes and plenty of other theatrics.  Christy says its just what old-school Dutch weddings are like.  My family still talks about it and its been 6 years.  We always used to say when going to friends’ weddings “Hope its not a typical American wedding”.  Nothing against American weddings, they’re just not typically good fun.  However, I have noticed this trend starting, like whats in the video that gives me hope for the potential fun of weddings.  Our friends Liam and Trisha had a wonderfully rehearsed first dance and it was a blast to be witness to.  But this video definitely takes the cake.

So if you watched the video you get the idea of what it looks like.  If you read the Wiki entry you know what the issues are and essentially how it works.  Now, for my impressions.

Its a blast! It was a little uncomfortable blowing through red lights with the masses because by my very nature I am a rule follower.  When I ride on my own I depend on traffic laws to keep me as safe as possible so ignoring some of the essentials really goes against my grain – but I do understand.  You get comfortable riding in the mass and you get good and weaving around other cyclists and riding in VERY close proximity.  In fact, you get very dependant on it very quickly.  There is safety in numbers.

The message is good. I like what the heart of the event is supposed to communicate.  Alternatives to driving cars everywhere.  Making motorists aware of the presence of cyclists and how they need to keep an eye out for them even when its unexpected.  Cycling is a very entertaining and healthy way to get around.  I would love to see more of that mentality here in Murrieta.

In numbers, people demonstrate the worst of humanity… I wish I could say that everyone there maintained the ideals of the event.  But instead, I heard cyclists taunting motorists.  I heard them calling drivers names and banging on their cars.  I saw some disposing of beer cans on the road as they went along their way.  I saw too many people blowing an opportunity to show that they are truely different by behaving exactly like the people they want to educate.  I have news for you, it doesn’t work like that.

All in all, it was fun and I would love to do it again but I do have my reservations about the behavior of some of the cyclists.  I don’t suppose you can get everyone to behave themselves all the time but I don’t know if it should ruin a thing that doesn’t hurt anyone, the police tend to just keep an eye on and definately gets some healthy attention.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

A Chris Craft running as seen from shore.

A little newer than mine, but similar to what mine will be like.  Its a little newer but its a utility runabout just like mine.

This one is a barrel back runabout, very common and reminiscent of Indiana Jones.

This one isn’t old, but its home built and its done very well.  Its another example of a utility runabout.

eTrade & their other one is here

Fed Ex – they had to do well to follow this one

“There are many young engineers, we’re looking forward to them growing up”

This