onemillionbicycles.org

onemillionbicycles.org

Let the kayaking begin!

Funny how the right equipment makes all the difference. Last night I installed the Yakima rack, with the Yakima kayak saddles, hully rollers and extender bar. Then I loaded Eliza without a single scratch to Angela. The extender bar is a very cool. It's a bar the slides inside the rack bar, but then can slide out to create a surface onto which one rests the bow, then lefts the stern onto the rack, then moves the bow onto the rack. After that the bar slides back into the rack and away you go.


Today Gerald, Krystal and I paddled up the Thames River from the Poquetanuck Cove Boat Launch to just opposite the wedge that is the Mohegan Sun. Here Gerald and Krystal demonstrate that essential kayaking skill - the shot block pass. Shot blocks are definitely The right equipment and Gerald was a hero to bring them.

Summer in Mystic

Suddenly, summer is here. You can tell by the traffic which backed up to the house today. You can also tell, more importantly, from the weather. Yeah!!!!!

After a long bike ride and the beginning of what could become a bad habit (I rode down to the Noank Village Bakeshop and had a lovely, warm, gooey cinnamon bun), I weeded the garden, did some transplanting and general housecleaning.

Amy is well on the road to recovery. Guess I'm starting down that road too.

We're not in Iowa anymore

Indiana is really flat. Say what you will but Iowa has nice rolling hills, but Indiana, Indiana is flat. Makes for great driving, but not as scenic. We spent the night at the Holiday Inne Express in Howe. We were tempted to try a straight drive but Amy really needed the break. She's holding up well considering but I'll be glad to have her home, and to be home with her. Should be tonight.

PS We are stopping at Kings, for another visit with Frownie!

The Greatest Adventure

When it all comes down to it, I guess one of my greatest adventures has been in parenting. An adventure that is far from over but one that continues to grow, change, surprise and most of all, teach me a great deal about love. The Girls.

Sunday morning we went to breakfast at the A & M. While waiting for Peter and Amanda I took this great shot. Iconic even. Lyss doing her cool, shade thing, Amy standing ready...all in front of a cafe (diner actually).

...and now a digression, but not a complete digression on to a topic that is often discussed in this blog. Coffee, or rather regional coffee issues. Previous I mentioned Saints Rest. A great coffee shop here in Grinnell. Today we hope to pack Amy up and get a little ways down the road. How far depends on how she is feeling. Before we go however we will stop at Saints Rest for a final coffee before heading off. My love of good coffee has been passed on to The Girls. Hmmm come to think of it, how much of that really comes from them?

PS Do you believe that a year ago I was coming just returning from the most relaxing vacation I've ever had. Ah Sedona.

Graduation and then some

Amy graduated today. I was so proud. She's worked so long and hard for this. It was a beautiful ceremony after a very long 24 hours. You see, the night previous Amy had emergence surgery. I won't go into the details, lets just say we spent the night in the hospital and she was lucky to make the ceremony and really, it was only her persistence that got her there. In the long run however, she'll be just fine, very Amy.

Grinnell, Iowa

It's spring in Grinnell, and it is beautiful. You really have to love this place and these people. It you are ever looking for a nice town to settle if for a year, say to write that long overdue novel, this would be it. It's relaxed, friendly, beautiful, clean, cultured yet simple.

Yesterday we woke in Indiana. Lyss took the first shift at the wheel and drove through the Chicago outskirts which are remarkable for their billboards and electrical lines. After an hour we were rolling through the flat farmland of Indiana and within an few hours crossed The Mighty Mississippi into Iowa. The soft rolling hills of Iowa are just now covered in spring spring and everything is blooming. Lilacs are everywhere! I was afraid I'd miss their bloom back home but their bloom in Iowa is just a wonderful. I love their scent.

We met Amy, picked up coffee's at Saints Rest Coffee House, then chatted while at the park. Town is full of student parent groups in a reverse of four years ago when we dropped them off. Yup. Four years.

Then it was off to the President's reception, then dinner with Peter and Amanda, and then honestly...I went to sleep and slept for 9 long, lovely hours. Today's schedule is a bit more relaxed but it is time to get going.

A Brownie with Attitude

After a long day of driving that began at the usual I-hate-driving-through-New-York-traffic-so-leave-at-4am departure Lyss and I have arrived in Portage, IN. Five hours from Grinnell.

It was a good trip. We were pleasantly surprised at our first stop. A person in Pennsylvania talked to us. It always takes me by surprise the first time I'm out of CT and someone just starts a conversation, then I remember, 'oh yeah' people are generally pleasant, and they chat.

Our second stop in Pennsylvania was on the Ohio border when we went to Kings Restaurant for breakfast and were surprised by the Angry Brownie, Frownie. Funny to have angry food as your mascot, but actually very effective. It was hard to resist the angry stuffed toy, the angry t-shirt and the angry mob sundae may yet have my name on it. Here's a little story on the brownie situation:

Driving through Ohio I listened to "A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and then in Indiana we channel surfed spending a little time enjoying Christian Rock, Japanese Rock, Latin Salsa, and NPR.

Now I've got to go find a salad.

The Donut: A Canadian History

Yesterday, I broke down and bought The Book. And it's pretty interesting.

Last night I also found myself in the midst of a quintessential Canadian celebration. The Montreal Canadiennes won their first game of the playoff series. The celebration rivaled that of Denver winning the game that put them in the World Series.

Cities

Some people love them, want to live in them forever. Some people hate them, some like to stay a few days, or even just a few hours - say for the shopping, the museums, or the restaurants. For me, I'm starting to discover that the less a city is like a city, the more I like it.

Within the last few years I've spent a few days in Montreal, Portland (OR), Denver, Pittsburgh, Luxembourg, Ghent, and Amsterdam. Favorites? Portland and Denver followed by Amsterdam. What do those cities have in common? Bikes, an emphasis on outdoor recreation, and except Amsterdam, excellent bookstores.

Which brings us to Montreal. Hitting the road at 9 am it took until 2, for me to find 1 bookstore - and that was next to McGill University. Bikes? Yes, there are some but I didn't see a single bike shop which makes me wonder. There are several small parks (Place) scattered about in squares which are well kept but really no plein aire type features.

But while it is not my favorite city, don't get me wrong it is interesting. Old Montreal, or Vieux Montreal is old. 1700-1850's and well kept. One gets a deep seated feel of history walking the streets and there are plenty of museums to tell the back story. I went to Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, or the Sailor's Church, it being maritime and me being paid to be here and all. The original structure was built in 1675. That was followed by a few fires, and few renovations, and artistic additions. The resulting church is a tasteful blend of it all, the nave even has boat chandeliers.

And the food...you could spend a whole day just reading menus. Making the choice of where to eat lunch was trying but the idea of Lamb and Olive stew just pulled me to the last one. That and micro brews.

Right now I'm taking a little break before this evenings party at the McCord Museum of Canadian History.

Je suis en Montreal

After a long, but often beautiful train ride up the west side of Lake Champlain yesterday I arrived at L'hotel Bonaventure Hilton - conveniently located across from the train station (Gare Central). My room has a great view out over the city and onto the St. Lawrence Seaway.

It's all bilingual here and that's pretty cool. Also cool - they actually do talk hockey! a lot. And then this morning when looking for some breakfast I passed several beautiful bakeries and pastry shops with the most delicate and chocolate and flaky pastries on display. But do you know where the line was? Tim Hortons. And it was a long line. I peaked into the cases, looked at the menu and sure enough it's the same Tim Hortons we have. Minus the lines.

By some gliche or something it appears that I am not registered for the sessions today (Museums and the Web Conference) and as they are full, I can not register. Sooo. I'm off to explore the Old City or Vieux Montreal. But I will be thinking about work the whole time.

Truce!

The Enemy and I have made our peace. I have to confess after the accident, riding a bike was a bit intimidating. Once in the saddle it was still intimidating to lean into the turns, ride through sand piles, hop up on curbs, etc. but...after a very nice ride on Sunday and again yesterday we're doing just fine.

In other good news...the street sweepers were out this morning so even as a truce is reached...its getting time to take out the Panasonic.

Pondering through the haze

I can imagine one fate worse than flying across country while having the flu, and that would be sitting next to someone who has the flu. And that is why I can't understand why, when there are many empty seats all round the Southwest waiting area, everyone is sitting next to me - one of them is even attempting to converse! I mean, what is it about a woman visibly shivering while wearing a primalot jacket, who'se face is flushed bright red and who'se left eye is twitching uncontrollably that says "Hey, come sit next to me! Lets chat!"

But wait - Maybe they'll move away as I completely strip for the upcoming fever stage.

Scouting Waterfalls and Mountains

Yesterday after the Enterprise rental guy sold me on the extra insurance, me and the rental car headed East along the Columbia River Gorge. Taking exit 17 off I-84 onto the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway we wound along the Snake River and then between 600-800 ft Basalt clifts overflowing with waterfalls. Unfortunately, I've got a cold/flue so I only saw the few that were within a mile of the road. Latourell Falls was amazing, at 'only' 249 feet you can walk right to the base and feel the tremendous power of falling water.

Winding up the Gorge I saw a few others including, Multnomah Falls. For a great website on Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest, check out http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/index.php. A great site which not only gives waterfall information but also updates on related issues, like access and endangerment.

Another great moment in the Gorge was seeing a field of violets. From the very big, to the very sublime, nature is beautiful.

Also beautiful - the town of Hood River. Not so nice, The Dalles - where I had a reservation and based upon the recommendation in the Guide Book, had planned to take the downtown walking tour. Note - stay in Hood River. Driving to The Dalles is interesting in that you get to see the hillsides change from rain forest to inland desert, but once you get the idea - turn around.

Since I couldn't hike around much, and the sun was out I did decide to see if I could see Mt. Hood. Following the 'advise' in the travel book I ended up out in the middle of no where on a road that turned to snow. Luckily, Mt Hood was worth the trip, that and seeing all the orchards and vineyards.

If I were to visit I'd stay in Hood River, go in the early September, be sure and be in decent shape so I could hike up into the gorges and see the more remote waterfalls. I'm even considering a rafting trip up the river.

(I'll post the photos later for the homesick Northwesterners - you were right! It is beautiful!)

Buddhists, Books, Bikes and Beer

In the 6 short days I've been in Portland, I've really come to like this town and it's people. Last night we went to Bailey's Taproom, which has 20 local beers on tap. And even though I didn't personally taste them all, I hear they were all very excellent.

This morning dawned bright and sunny and during a long walk alongside the Willamette River I got to watch a real live bike commuters. Hundreds of them all riding using their bikes to get to work. How cool is that! I also got to see Mt. Hood for the first time this trip. The picture certainly doesn't do it justice.

The after the conference ended I (and several other library-types) headed up to Powell's Books for some excellent browsing and coffee.

Add all that with last Saturday's amazing Buddhist retreat - and Portland is definitely in the running for my favorite city.

Oh-and the people, they're just great. Friendly and outdoorsie, and just my kind of people.. here's a book recommendation by way of example.

Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest: Hiking through the woods, stripping down to nothing, getting into hot smelly water, and then reeking of sulfur for the rest of the day is one of my very favorite things to do. Lucky for me, this book exists solely to inform me as to the location of some of the best hot springs in the Pacific Northwest.

Tomorrow I'm heading up the Columbia River Gorge - no stinkie hot springs however, I'm going hunting for waterfalls.

Day 3

The presentations are starting to blurr together.

Basically a lot of cool people are doing some very cool things. I'm putting together some organizational spreadsheets grouping (yeah - classifying) the talks together by:

• Open Source Library Systems
• Content Management Systems
• MARC related
  
• Other topics (which will probably break into other categories
  

Internet Archive

This morning's keynote was delivered by Brewster Kahle. It was on the Internet Archive; Open Library. The talk was much the same as the one he gave at the Technology in History conference last year at Brown, however while that was theoretical, the project is now up and running. There was even an article on it, and its issues in the Journal of Higher Education.

(They are also working with zotero (see previous post) on creating a scholarly commons)

Meanwhile a code4lib regular told me about the irc channel that a lot of people log into during the conference. - basically its a chat room. So right now while listening to the presentation there is a comment conversation going on in the chatroom - sort of a reality check, and very informative.

Next: Rob Styles from Talis - a UK vendor
"Finding Relationships in MARC" appears to be about RDF but with a really good slide show which I hope becomes available, but they are also recording it, and it's on Rob Styles blog at: http://www.dynamicorange.com/blog/archives/library-tech/marc_rdf_and_fr.html

"Delivering Library Services in the Web 2.0 Environment" OSU

Put resources where the student were - put links/info on the course pages. There is an opensource client. Takes only a few minutes to make a page. http://ica.library.oregonstate.edu/about/index.html

Alot of the libraries were comparing this to Libguides. (which I can't load right now to read more about.)

Another one to check out is Vu-find. Still looking good, but I can't forget our goals - that the data only lives one place. It can be harvested but again, can only live in one place.

The real reason I'm here

You know you're at a geek conference when you spend the day trying to download ubuntu, but the connection is too slow because the other 200 people in the room are also using the internet...and then, the next day you discover that all along, they had free ubuntu CD's at the registration desk.

Yesterday there were 3 sessions, 2 workshops on installing open source library systems, LibraryFind and Evergreen, and 1 on Zotero. From the first 2 we learned that the systems are just as complex as they ever were and you need a mid range knowledge of linux and its quirks to be successful. Of the two systems I'd say LibraryFind offers the most potential for MSM. At the same time as those sessions there was a rogue group doing an install of koha which I heard went much smoother, nice looking system too.

The zotero sessions was good and I started building a translator (zotero code4lib page) for Mobius. With the zotero extension in firefox users can create custom collections from various sites. In the next release they are working toward making those collections shared. They are also working on various geographic interfaces and are looking for beta testers for the next release.

Afterwards about 10 of us headed to a the Rogue Brewery where we ran into another group of 20 or so attendees. I had a hazelnut beer which was interesting. We spent a good deal of time talking about the California Digital Library (4 of them were in the group) and debating why the restrooms were labeled "Barley" and "Hops".

Best Cities and States

What makes for a great city, a great state? Is it the people, industry, coffee, parks, restaurants, shopping, weather, bookstores, transportation systems or something else entirely?

I'm not sure but Denver, CO is my favorite city so far. Arizona/Utah my favorite state (actually what they call the four corners area)

Adventures in Buddhism

Saturday I attended a retreat on the Heart Sutra that was given by Ken McLeod. I've been reading his books and following a podcast of his Tuesday night classes for the last 3 months and was very happy to find he was holding this retreat in Portland a few days before the conference. He lives and teaches in L.A. and I've no desire to go there.

It was very good to see and hear him in person. Really amazing. I've never run across anyone who made so much so clear. By the end of the day the Heart Sutra was revealed. Of course, I'm not enlightened yet...just know a little more. It's the experience that continues to allude.

The other people were great too. There were about 50 all together, and everyone very welcoming.

The Hawthorne district, where the Portland Dharma Center is located, is a charming neighborhood. Nice houses, many bungalows, great coffee shops, and gardens! Spring flowers are just starting to bloom. Daffodils, and crocus were just starting to open. The sun was out and the walk there and back from City Central was lovely. Bittersweet too considering we won't be enjoying this in New England for another month or two. Ah well. All form is emptyness, emptyness form anyway.