bicycle filters...

Cabs in San Francisco have always made me nervous.
The drivers go too fast and are impatient.
But I was so happy to see this sticker on the window
as soon as I was whisked away from the airport.
Right on.

I have mentioned before that when I travel
I tend to see the world through bicycle colored eyes.
Remember NY?

schmooches...

the perfect everything (in the bag)...

part two...

So it was on the quest for The Perfect

that I found myself
in a quiet neighborhood
on a PERFECT

San Francisco day.
I already had a big smile on my face 
after a great breakfast with my girlfriends,
and meeting a new friend who was 2 weeks old,
plus I was walking the streets of San Francisco
and the NorCal Sun was shining down on me~
I wasn't sure my day could get any better,
it was already pretty darn great.

the Perfect Everything...

part one...

I have this thing I do.

It's called

looking for the PERFECT Everything.

I also have this thing I do.

It's called

multitasking to the highest level of efficiency.

That can lead to a tall order

when a gal
who bicycles
who travels
who goes to business meetings
who knows a thing or two about textiles and manufacturing
and who likes unique style,
is looking for the perfect bag.

snap out of it?...

Mill Valley was named #4 in the top cities to live this week.

When I showed the article to my colleague and said

"this is why I get depressed sometimes",

they quoted Moonstruck and said "snap out of it".

That is so true, 

I totally get it.

I mean, it's been almost 6 years!
I think all the time that people shouldn't dwell on things and 'snap out of it' myself.
But it was number one in our book.

always...

All images courtesy of Chronicle Books.  Link HERE.

For those of you who have followed my hyggelig

because of my obsessive love of bicycling and good design,

but mourn the fact that I have moved away from this as a sole topic,

don't you worry.

My love for bicycling will never waiver.

In fact, as I age, the topic takes on more and more interesting turns.

Stay with me,

but please enjoy all of the other things I have to share as well...

With that said...

I am of fan of Chronicle Books,

they do good work.

On my recent visit to San Francisco

I was so pleased to see that with all of the independent book store closures in the City,

Chronicle is alive, and well, and thriving.

What I particularly fell in love with this week 

is this blog post from Chronicle

about their employees and their bicycle stories.

Quite fitting for my hyggelig don't you think?

I love it.

I have commented on this before,

when I worked in SOMA I was one of the few bicyclists commuting in the city.

Bicycling was under an unfortunate stronghold during my tenure.

I am so pleased each time I return to see all of the wonderful bicycling changes

making the City what it fully deserves to be ~

a place for everyone, including people on bicycles.

Thanks for sharing this Chronicle!

harumphy...

So, Christmas is over
and I am feeling a bit harumphy.
I really shouldn't complain,
I mean look at the loves of my life up there!
Who can complain when this is your reality?!!
But...
I always dislike Christmas a bit.
Family drama I try to avoid, and then the guilt for avoiding.
I always feel a bit relieved when it is all over,
ready to move on to longer days
and Summer.

I really shouldn't complain,
I mean look at the weather we have been having!
50+ degrees and Sunny the day after Christmas?
Why...I feel so NorCal...

and YOU KNOW that makes this gal so happy.
So Happy.

I really shouldn't complain,
I have two great adventures planned in the next two months,
and a work trip is brewing to return to my hyggelig.
I have a lot to be excited about.

But then that winter melancholy sets in...
We used to be all about adventuring,
now it seems more like we have been forced to be about maintaining.
In a nutshell, it sucks.
I can take all that damn vitamin d,
throw that sunlamp on in the morning,
think positive thoughts,
plan trips,
but at the end of the day some days,
it just plain sucks.
There, I said it.
Now, on to being less harumphy...


Time to lose the winter weight,
get that head screwed back on tight,
and start figuring it out.
At 40.5, that clock waits for no one...

I am not sure where my hyggelig is headed in 2012.
I have been here for 5 years,
in fact this is post #681.
Typically at this time I take a hiatus,
to focus on life outside of the computer box.
I think I will continue that trend this year.
Right now I have no friday hyggelig's lined up,
no guest posts,
nothing.
I need to refocus.

I've got something pretty exciting planned for myself in January.
Something to teach me new things, take me out of my comfort zone,
to meet new people, to be independent.
I plan to be back here to talk about either how it completely inspired me or
how it completely deflated me. Likely the first...

Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me despite my divergent posts on biking, sewing, biking, family, biking, gardening, biking, art, biking... I may not have a singular focus, be controverisal, like to debate, or a professional bent, but the fact I have been here so long says something about this space. When I discuss quitting blogging with H, he so kindly always asks why I would want to and extolls all the great things about blogging. That's from a man who only tweets. Recognizing what makes us who we are, focusing on what is important, sharing that with others ~ that's what it is all about.

And thank you also to you newbies to my hyggelig. I see you out there, and I appreciate your visits. May you find something in this space in 2012.

For now,
I am officially ON HIATUS...
see you back here in 2012..

bumps and air...

It's been months since I touched a sewing machine,
but I had a friend coming this week from SF
with a little bump on her belly,
so I got to work and cranked out this super easy diaper bag.
It was so satisfying to actually create something again.
Like cycling, sewing is very zen for me,
turn on some tunes,
meditate,
and create.
I love giving gifts that I have created.
For good or for bad,
I'm just not one to go to the big box and get a run of the mill utility gift.
Making special friends feel special,
that's what it's all about.

Happy Saturday Everyone!
Autumn seems to be upon us.
Change is in the air...
I'm not sure if I mentally can handle where this is all headed,
but I will do my best
once again...

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.

seemingly minor moments...

Mornings
have always been my favorite.
The world is quiet,
the possibilities for what lay ahead endless,
having a place all to myself,
and coffee.

My two mornings in San Francisco
fed my soul.
Sand, Sea, and Sun.
Coffee, Conversation, and Calm.

Refueled
and Refreshed
I carry these moments with me
now that I am back home.
Seemingly minor moments
in an ordinary every day
are anything but...

i love you my friend...

Not one
to go around the touristy corner
to quench my thirst for water.
Not one
to sit in my hotel room
when I can go visit
my City.
I went up the hill
to the little corner shop.
I walked by old haunts.
My heart felt at home.

And on my way back down
I turned eastward
and like a wave
my past life flashed in front of my eyes.
Overcome by emotion,
never able to move past
my hyggelig,
tears began to form.

There are moments in life that are
so it,
so full of life,
so full of living.
I lived more in my time here
than I have since.
Every time I return
I yearn for what was,
I am comforted by what surrounds me,
and I wonder where I will go.

I love you my friend.
I just do.
I will never get over you.
Thank you for today.

i'm outta here...

I am off to
My Hyggelig
for a few days.

It will be all work,
but I am squeezing in
a wee few
early am moments
of play.

See y'all back here soon.

one Bicycle, one Girl, one City, one Story...

So I just watched what could be perceived
as one of the worst movies ever.
Horrible acting, low Budget, slow moving.
Why did I watch it?


A girl on a bicycle.
San Francisco.

A 2002.


Japanese culture.
Actually a good story.

In the movie, the bicycle really seems to symbolize
Kyoko's freedom and her independence.

I think many of us can relate to that.

I thought of Meli-g
and her bicycle
and all their adventures
in San Francisco
while I was watching.
This one goes out to you Meli-g.
My thoughts are with you.

Creative Bicycle Blogger Women: Meli-g...

First up in the January Creative Bicycle Blogger Women guests posts is Meli-g.
Meli-G and I have been in the blogosphere together for a few years now,
she has been there cheering me on like a faithful friend
and sending me thoughtful notes, especially when I needed them most.
We share a love for the City (my hyggelig), creativity, good design and bicycles.
Endlessly inspiring, always positive, and in need of no introduction...
You can find Meli-G at Bikes and the City

left: foto of me riding by my friend Ade
right: me being artsy, by my friend Rio (donated poster for auction to the SFBC)

Meli-G:

What is your preferred form of creative expression and why?
documenting what I see, peeps I see in photos sans editing. I have an eye for color, type and crop without the tools that I actually know so well, I almost refuse to use them for blogging them. I love paper, drawing and sending postal mail. Speaking Spanish. and fashion. I love fashion and dressing up and colour and fashion.

What is your preferred bicycle and why?
Frenchie. My old-school-bad-ass steel blue mixte bike. I can ride while digesting, is that comfortable. Food, very important.

You are a woman who rides a bicycle who has a creative side. Tell us about that.
These brown eyes are out, hungry for culture, colour, beauty in the everyday and nature as interpreted by us the citizens who roam around. Pen and paper over smarthphones, any day. Seeing, smelling having your senses fully awake at 7am while riding a bicycle to work for me, there's no better way to start your day. OK, in addition to a big dose of caffeine and some neighborhood gossip.

There has been great discussion throughout time of women being creative. I see our current time as one we have taken as our own when it comes to craft, creativity, and being a woman. Much different than say the time of our mothers. I feel the same about my bicycle and why I ride ~ not necessarily out of necessity, but a conscious decision. Do you ever think about this ~ what are your thoughts?
My mom also grew up as a big-time city girl. It is the difference and gaps between generations, that make each decade so distinct yet so similar as we continue to have the same reasons and renegade rebellious attitudes to be independent and have our own accomplishments. I began riding because of a necessity, it wasn't to be cool or hip or fashionable. It would be the safest and most efficient way to go from my house, to work, to school, without being in an idling car, or a late bus stuck in traffic.

I see a clear line for myself that links biking, crafting, creativity, and blogging. Do you see a connection between how you express yourself when being creative, being bikey and blogging?
They are all connected. People read various blogs from various reasons. Coding, hacking, bikes, recipes – people blog for whatever reason. You find something you like and it has its own voice, and you become inspired/interested/emotional about something that catches your attention or keeps you coming back to a specific story, a specific place. It's like a good friend, being totally different, and yet agreeing in similar activities and ideas is what keeps you connected. The international connection and live-time publishing, is quite fantastic. For me, is the multiple countries and moving around that helps you understand situations better, understand the human condition. Also meeting new friends locally, has been awesome.

Have you ever practiced your craft whilst riding your bicycle?☺
Dodging doors every other block, everyday. or not eating sh*t on cable tracks for many years, is a craft of its own. Bike scars are sexy though.

What most inspires you?
Early mornings and late nights. Riding solo, riding in masses, riding with good friends. Women and their stories, their experiences to share, their energy and drama. My beautiful city, my beloved home state. 4inch high heels, old chucks. smiles, throwing a punch. kisses. coffee. bikes, and boys not so much, but they try.

If you could not ride your bicycle or express yourself creatively, what would you do? I don't think that is quite a realistic question. If it must be true, then probably have been reincarnated as a cat, which I'd probably be already blogged with some I CAN HAS NOMNOM across my face. Thanks for the q+a post Sig. Now off to ride mi bike! much love from califas, as always ♥xxo.meli


I personally love all of Meli-g's mural shots around The City.
This is one of my favorites.
I am pretty sure at some point they will all be compiled
and published in a book by Chronicle...

I had a dream last year that Meli-g, David Byrne, H, and I
were riding together in the Headlands.
It was a lovely, lovely dream, I hope some day to make it a reality...
Thanks Meli-g for sharing your time and thoughts here!
ride on and always be you...
-s♡♡♡

my hyggelig and biking...

I have a new tab over there to the right:
my hyggelig and biking...

I have been working on this a long time.
I felt that people who have been visiting for awhile,
but might not really get this blog (is it about biking? is it about sewing? is it about this puppy?)
might find it helpful.
I also felt that people who are new to this blog would find this helpful,
as would they find the tab what is my hyggelig about? helpful.
Lastly, people coming over who are interested in this blog because of my bicycling posts, this is for you.

Thank you for joining me in my journey,
coming back to visit,
and sharing your thoughts,
I appreciate it!

my hyggelig...

back at the ranch...

meanwhile back at the ranch...

I have been soaking up every last ounce
of Summer Sun.

When I returned from My Hyggelig
it was still in the 90's here.

This ride was a a hot one,
just LOOK at that full on lovely Sun!

Destination:
A 1st Birthday Party
where the only other bike
belonged to a gal 9 months pregnant.
We talked more about bikes
than babies.
Nice!

going Public...

I was able to steel a little me time
on my last day in San Francisco.
Being the planner I am,
I did two things as soon as I knew I was
headed to the City for work a few weeks earlier:
1. I promptly made a hair appointment at my favorite salon with my favorite gal
2. I promptly typed an e-mail to Public Bikes to schedule a test ride
As luck would have it, both were in the same location.


The first time I entered South Park
oh so many years ago
I felt like it was a hidden gem,
a secret place of solace
in the middle of my City.
I was pleased to find out that Public was now located in my park.
To think of what life would have been had this been there a few years ago.
Oh to have seen into the future...

I took out two Public bikes for test rides.
First the three speed - M3.
Of course I was immediately drawn to her basket.
This was the small and it was definitely too small for me,
an experience I do not have often!
I am 5'4" and would not recommend this bicycle for anyone my height.
They had told me in the store this would likely be too small,
they of course know their product.
But it was good to have the comparison.
I still think she's cute.

I then was offered the eight speed (M8) for a spin.
This was the medium, and a much better fit.

Zoom...off I went!

I was not sure instantly how I felt about Public Bikes
as I was riding them.
I love good design, and they are good design,
but are they good bicycles?
I had to chew on this for awhile.
But I knew when H picked me up from the airport
and the first conversation we had was a lengthy one
about Public Bikes,
and my thoughts on them,
that there was something to all this...

It may get long winded here folks...hang in there...

First off,
if you will recall,
a few years ago I began my search for this basic bicycle:
-A Dutch-Style Bicycle
-A Dutch-Style Bicycle that was not as heavy as the real deal
-A well designed bicycle
-A relatively inexpensive bicycle that was pretty, but if she was stolen my heart would not be broken.
-A relatively nondescript bicycle to the average thief, but a gorgeous bicycle to me and those folks who appreciate good design.
-A bicycle with more than three speeds so I could better navigate hills and get further afield
-A bicycle not made in China
-A bicycle that was not a piece of crap
More here:
The Criteria
The Criteria revisited
The Obsession
The Inkling
My First Post about a Dutch-Style Bicycle

Well, I have to say that the Public Bike would have completely worked for me on almost all points.
Though I now have another bicycle that I deeply love, The Pashley Princess Sovereign,
the Public M8 would have fit the bill nicely and Public is only going to get better.
Comparing the two really is not fair, but here goes...
Both bicycles get you where you need to go in style;
one is a classic ride to which there is no equal,
the other is full of class, but updated for the modern age.
Two well designed rides, each of a very different purpose.
In life you often get what you pay for,
and I think this is a valid point when it comes to these two bicycles.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, just a point to make.
The Pashley is like a classic luxury automobile that can hold its own when tested, take anything you throw at it, and remains steady and strong. It needs to be taken care of, appreciated, and savored but is not meant to be left in the garage. A faithful friend always.
The Public is your sexy go-to-friend that gives you what you need when you want it, wants to be abused a little, and is meant to be savored by all. Definitely not a flake, Public is your fun time cruising friend always ready for a good time not taking itself too seriously.
Can I tell all this from riding a bicycle for a few minutes? I suppose not, only time would tell.
Time has revealed much to me about the Pash as I am sure it would about the Public,
but that's my gut reaction and I'm sticking to it.
Do I regret having the Pashley now that the Public is out there? Hell no.
Do I wish I had a Public as well as the Pashley? Yes.

One of the most distinct features I noticed about the Public
was the more aggressive seating position,
you are definitely more leaned forward,
but as Dan explained to me (that's Dan down there in the picture),
Public put a lot of thought into that, especially in regard to the hills of San Francisco.
I can see it, it makes total sense.

For people like me who want to know:
The M8 is still a bit on the heavy side, 31.7 lbs. But big deal.
The bicycles are made in Taiwan - if you know anything about bicycles and a thing or two about manufacturing in general, you know there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that.
The rest you can do some research on and figure out, I am not a techno geek.

It was an absolute pleasure talking to Dan.
Like I said, I am not a techno geek,
but I can certainly talk up a storm with someone
who is as passionate as I am about beautifully designed
functional bicycles.
Once I divulged my blog identity,
we were off and running about many topics.
Dan's enthusiasm is contagious -
he encouraged me to take some shots of the space
and shared with me some inside scoop on the future
as it relates to Public.



I can not divulge what I know,
but I can say that what I know is exciting,
and confirms that Public Bike
would have been the bicycle for me.

There are moments in life
where you realize the sum of your past
and the possibility of your future.
Like many things in life ~ what could have been...