Having a penchant for all things hand-made, I was impressed to find so many talented artists in my new city, Pittsburgh. One of them was clever enough to combine his local target audience with a great magazine concept and his handiwork with ceramics, and cater to custom requests. I’m not sure if there’s any limit, but I’m pretty sure if you can think it up, he’ll make it happen.
During the holidays, I bought a few sturdy pieces for gifts (one for myself, too) and started planning what I might like to request. Certainly, something having to do with Campagnolo bicycle parts – the mechanical craft which a lot of people never get the chance to experience and appreciate. I can be such a snob sometimes. But, at least I drink my coffee in style!
Jeff Guerroro Ceramins: Campagnolo Mugs
Relocation Observations
The decision to make a transition to the East Coast (from the San Francisco, CA area to Pittsburgh, PA) was not a simple one. It’s likely that everyone takes a lot of time to consider their chosen lifestyle habits and the impact such a significant change will have on them. For me, the minimum requirements for a livable community include bicycle access on roadways to urban areas, a plethora of (technical) trail networks, a passionate cycling community, development of youth programs, and awareness of economic/energy/healthfulness impact by local politicians. Over the last few years, family needs have increased simultaneous with my academic pursuit; I’ve been keeping Pittsburgh on my radar. In my research on lifestyle compatibility, it can’t be discerned whether the community has grown more cohesive or my methods of research are more competent. The ultimate observation is that the cycling community here has needs, opportunity and a welcome atmosphere for new ideas. I’m hoping to continue contributing to the Bay Area advocacy scene with the expanding resources and yet call Pittsburgh my new home and primary focus. Expect to see and hear more news on Pittsburgh…
The Art of learning to ride a bike
In an episode of Green-campaigns during the gasoline price surge, Joe Average sought the hybrid. Later, Joe’s favorite coffee shop closed down around the corner from his bank, who was in the midst of a major collapse. He pulled his savings out and hid it underneath the mattress. He realized that it would be wise to change some things in his lifestyle so he would still be able to send his teenagers to college in a few years. He bought a coffee grinder and decided to take his old schwinn to the local bicycle repair store for a tune up.
In looking for his old bike, he creaked through the attic and realized he also had a great deal of water damage on the roof. Instead of taking off to the bicycle repair store, he made a list of things he would need to repair his roof himself. Wood glue, caulking, tar, and maybe some new shingles. With a couple hours of work, he saved hundreds of dollars! While he was up there, he found the toaster oven that he and his wife received at their wedding. Joe wondered why he never used it, and cleaned it off to make a grilled cheese sandwich. He’d been driving his car to the fast-food joint around the corner and paid $5 for the same thing (not to mention the gas!). Now, he felt misled. He stormed back to the attic, and yanked the bicycle out of its cobwebs and pinched the tires. Flat. He put the bicycle upside-down and turned the pedals with his hands. Grinding, skipping, noisy mess. He searched the cabinet underneath his kitchen sink for something to lubricate the chain with, and yet it didn’t seem to work. He painstakingly drove his bike to the gas station to use the air pump there. Prices were going down, but he’d already seen the truth behind all the other hidden costs, and he had no interest in filling up his tank. He decided this was his last goodbye with his fragile hybrid car. He parked his car in the farthest corner of his garage at home and made a new list: things to get to make his bike his main mode of transportation.
