living with a conscience...

My dream

since I switched careers has been to work for a more responsible business someday.  

My struggle

with my career change from day one has been that I help people make products that will end up in the landfill.  

My desire

has been to take what I have learned with this career change and use it for the better good.  

I am not one to advocate for change by shouting loudly and carrying a sign, 

I speak quietly and make purposeful decisions with how I live my life and spend my money.  

I want to take what I do for a living and help people make things with a moral, environmental, and human conscience that is well designed, purposeful, and thoughtful.  And yes, I still want to make money doing it.

being part of life...

When the medicine finally kicked in,
I suddenly felt restless
and wanted to get out of the Hotel.
I wanted to see Shanghai!
For once during the trip, 
I wanted to be able to be a tourist!
I wanted to be
part of life.
This walk
was the highlight
of
my
trip.

about being sick in China...

my home base in Shanghai - and the view during my recuperation

Before I left for China
I was just getting over a cold that had never really turned into much,
UNTIL
I got on the plane to Shanghai.
Midway through the 15 hour flight my throat was so sore I could hardly swallow
and
by the time I landed in Shanghai
what I thought was the return of my cold 
was on full force.

My Hyggelig's China Travel Tips...

While I was in China,
I kept having moments when I thought to myself,
someone else might want to know this.
So here we go...

transported a world away...

I have just returned from China
where I let my eyes and ears
take in as much as possible
between meetings
and dashing to planes, trains, taxis, and cars.

In a rare opportunity to explore alone,
I went for a walk down the street from my hotel
and was transported a world away...

This is a short video I took that sums up
Shanghai mobility.
A confusing
and fascinating
mix 
of cars, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians.

It should be noted, 
this was the only rainy day
during my week in China.
I even saw blue sky and SUN every day during my Shanghai stay!

savor every moment...

I am in New York for a few days.
All work,
likely no play.
The last time I was in New York
I arrived on this truck
with a few Chagall's
keeping me company.
That was unbelievably
nearly 7 years ago now.

Wow does life whiz by,
and oh how it changes.

Savor
every
moment.

big sigh...

Get ready for a rant...
(I know I already did this but...)

I seriously am not sure how much longer I can take the weather this year.
Check out this dreadful forecast. Dreadful!
I seriously am going through Sun withdrawal.
All I want, ALL I WANT, is to sit in my back yard with the SUN on my face.
Is that so much to ask? Apparently.

It is raining AGAIN.
After an absolutely dreadful winter,
we have been dealt an absolutely dreadful Summer - if you can call it that.
I am pretty sure I could count on my two hands
how many times I have seen the sun this summer,
how many times we have had dry days,
and how many times it has been over 60 degrees.
Normally I try to maintain a positive air,
because what good does being a negative nelly do anyone?
But frankly,
this sucks.

The upside is, I have spent the last few hours with a sleeping dog and a computer. Finally getting to some of those projects I've wanted to do and figuring out some technology things.

I posted over at the MBC site today. Check it out here.
I finally started a flickr set called "Bicycling in Minneapolis".
I figured out some video things (more on that in a couple of days).
And last week I set up the MBC flickr site and group pool for Open Streets.
Only thing is the flickr group pool is not showing everyone's photos. I've got it set to as public as one can get and still only 17 of the 74 photos are showing - this frustrates me to no end. If you have any remedies - let me know.

We were over at the NVGP Uptown Criterium Last night.
SO glad it did not rain last night - woo hoo!!!
Total bummer on the crash on the last lap of the Women's race!

We ran into some of H's old cronies last night. One of the guys had an official NVGP post, another former teammate was a NVGP medic. H is over in Menomonie today serving as a Moto Marshall (aka "Moto 1") - he was in Cannon Falls on Thursday. He just phoned in his race report "It was fun again today. Probably the most fun thing I have done in a long time. I want to do it again next year." Interesting how they are all finding ways to be involved in the bicycle scene now that some of their better racing days are behind them. When you love something, you just figure out how to stay with it.

We were talking about me riding on the back next year as a my hyggelig moto 1 press correspondent - better start practicing now.

If it isn't raining tomorrow, we plan to be over in Stillwater again this year.


And lastly, I am excited for H.
He took a big leap this week - quit the old job.
I support him no matter what the future holds.
Time will tell.
Life,
at least for now,
is back.

Happy Saturday Everyone and Thanks!
Isn't it interesting,
Now I feel better.

clever beauty...

Woolly Pocket & Bacsac images

This is not a new concept by any means,
it has been floating around in the pages of Dwell and at Maison & Objet for a few years.
But I have seen this concept in two places in my life in the last week and have been giving it more serious consideration.
The textile garden.
Being I love textiles, am enjoying gardens more as I age, and love good design,
I am thinking I may incorporate some of these into my Summer.


OMG - Am I really sitting here having meetings right now?!!!

In fact, I had two meetings in this very spot last week.
Yes, even I was jealous of myself!!
And they had cleverly used the textile garden to great affect
on the border of the railings here.
Loved.


Wise Acre Eatery Ceiling - I am in love with it.

Then I ate a new restaurant in town and these things are all over,
on the walls on the inside, and covering the fence around the waste area outside.
Great concepts!
More on this place later.


Image: Flora Grubb

What do you think?
Have you used these before?

Clever beauty,
it's what makes the everyday
unique.

Inspiration:
Woolly Pocket
Bacsac
Flora Grub

being an adult...

can i just interrupt this blog to say it has been one hell of a time lately and today was one hell of a day. sometimes being an adult really stinks, but being an adult is trying to weed through the bad to get to the good. it's a big week as you shall see in a few days....

i wish for peace, good fortune, smartness, treasure found in the journey, and my loved ones forever held close.

life...

The better part of the last three months
we have spent extremely stressed out.
Life has thrown us one of those curve balls
and we have been working through the stages
of what to do and where to go.
In these moments you have to look at the beauty
and this is exactly what I found myself doing
when I was summoned to Denver
and found myself there 24 hours later
for an intensely emotional 36 hours.

Life
is
what happens
when
you least
expect
it.

Southern hospitality...

Let's leave Austin
and head on over to Greenville.
Home of another well-known cyclist.
I was here in January for a work trip
and was smitten.
Maybe it was the fact I could see my neck,
walk outside,
and breathe the air.
Maybe it was the girl on a bicycle
with her fast lovin' gear on
that made me relate
(and jealous...).
Maybe it was all the bicycle lanes downtown.
Maybe it was the fact it was actually a fun work trip.
Maybe it was the fact that I love textiles
and there is such a rich history here.
Maybe it was the fact that it was
60 degrees and Sunny
in January...

I was not able to bicycle while I was here,
but obviously it's got some good cred.
A true Northerner at heart,
the South always intrigues
and challenges me.

in the eye of the beholder...

Finding beauty
in the everyday
can sometimes be a challenge
and sometimes
a state of mind.

I wasn't really in the mood this year.
The forecast was ominous,
the air had a chill,
I was tired,
I wasn't thrilled about the journey.

Years past my rides have been
spectacular - SF,
scenic - the old job,
steady ~ always.
I'd ridden this route
when I first got my job
and it's not the most spectacular,
nor is it the most scenic.
In fact today when all the sirens were blaring
I was pretty sure a toxic situation was brewing
and thought to myself
perhaps this bicycle commute was not good for my health.
Indeed, come to find out,
there had been a little incident
going on over my shoulder.

But I made it
to work,
no problem,
it is really quite an easy commute.
I was proud of myself for yet again
taking part in what is becoming
my annual Solo Bike to Work Day.
Yet again the only one at the office,
yet again glad I did it.


In the end,
me and my bicycles,
we can do anything,
we make it a better day.

I do not need a commute to work
on a bicycle
to convince me
bicycles are my saving grace.
But it doesn't hurt
to remind myself now and again
it is the grace
that saves me.

into the unknown...

Step 1: Get self out of bed
Step 2: Lose pit in stomach
Step 3: Long talk with H...feel better
Step 4: Get on the bicycles and continue on with life
Step 5: Take it one day at a time...

I arrived at work yesterday to be greeted by the exit committee
I have now joined the ranks of the unemployed...
But you know what? It could be worse.
May my destiny find me.

ma bicyclette et moi...

steady as she goes...

before

during

the beginning of after...

Happy Bicycle to Work Day Everyone!
Once again I was a team of one at the office,
but I don't mind going solo.

Assessment 3 - The Commute:
This was my 4th ride to and fro on the Pash.
Despite the entire ride this morning being straight into a cold 25 mph (22 knots, Beaufort 6) headwind,
I like it.
A lot.
I really like the Pash,
I like how smooth she rides, I like how she gives me reasons to pause and take it all in, I like that she pretty much drives herself, and I like that I'm just riding a bike. I just hop on and go.
I am particularly enjoying my commute right now. Except for two blocks, the entire commute is on a bicycle path separated from the road. I am off in my own little universe and loving it. I am trying to soak it all in because at the end of the summer our office moves, a new route will ensue and though it will be just as close, it will not be separate, helmet-free, and relaxed like it is now.
I am a lucky gal indeed.
Thanks Pash!

acceptance...

Assessment 2 - The Hill:
When I decided to bring The Pash into my life, I knew my agreement with myself to never walk a bike up a hill would be broken. In a way this really bummed me out, but instead of letting this one thing be my obstacle, I have accepted it and am focusing on all of the other good things that have, and will come from having Pash. I'm not going to lie, she's a heavy weight and though that is not always a bad thing, going up hills is noticably more challenging. I could probably work up a big sweat and get her up the hill, I've rode bigger hills, but there is no need. I just hop off, step through, and gently push The Pash up, taking in the evening sun and the green surroundings.

walking up THE HILL
Two things about the hill...
1. I set goals for myself. Maybe this time I ride to the tree at the bottom, maybe in a month that tree at the middle, and before I know it maybe to the top.
2. Saddly, The Hill won't be part of my commute life after this summer. We are moving our offices. Be careful what you wish for, it often comes true and then you realize the beauty in what you have.

trying...

6 weeks?!!!
We've barely made it less than 48 hours.
Sigh, we miss you H!
We are trying...

the great American adventure...

H is off to Portland for work for a few weeks
Not one to pass up an adventure,
he boarded the Empire Builder last night
Bicycle in tow of course
Safe travels H!
Portland awaits us...