bikelovejones

I'm trying to get my dad on a trike (he's on blood thinners that make him dizzy, and so two wheels make him nervous) but I know he won't buy one unless he knows he'll like riding it.  I've tried (and failed) to find a commercial renter, and I probably could get Coventry to allow us a test ride, but I'd like something a little less pressured.

Do any of you have a trike - recumbent or upright, delta or tadpole - that you'd let my dad borrow for about 24 hours?  We could arrange payment, we could barter, or whatever arrangement we need.

xposted to

damnportlanders</div>

Recently, as nomadmatan noticed, I seem to have all but abandoned this blog. I think that the last time I jotted anything here was half a month ago during פסח Passover. Work responsibilities (tying up the final loose ends of the book on Libya) and very minor health issues (I've started physical therapy for my right shoulder. In the end, the rotator cuff is in good shape and this is largely re-education) are causing a time crunch. Mostly, though, I have been busy with my decision to leave Israel. It is not a decision if there is only one viable choice or deciding factor. Thanks to tremendous help from friends on both sides of the sea, I will be Oregon-bound in less than six weeks. In the meantime, there is much to do, but mostly, people with whom I want to spend time. On Sunday evening, Jutta is coming up from Cairo!

Ages ago, I lived with writer Gregory Manin. He spoke to me once about his approach to the alchemy of transforming life into art and the necessity of letting time work its magic on the raw ingredients of experience and feeling. (Of course, perhaps he was just being polite as I imagine I probably had asked him if he ever wrote about me). I do not know what to say about the subtle, inner homecoming which has taken place for me during these past four years in Israel. I only know that it has not taken me in any of the directions I would have predicted or consciously desired. Situations, events (terrorism, war, strikes, roommates, health and the faint indirections of the heart), my work and my studies here already seem to have been largely a backdrop for this transmutation. I cannot imagine my life, however, without the catalyst and the blessing of friendships I hold so dear.

Hail, Abu Hassan! This is everything humus should be!
Check out this yummy food blog!

Last week, Avi took a day free from school and work and we set off on a trip. Ostensibly, we were headed to Jerusalem. While I love to go to the City, I mostly just wanted to enjoy the day with my friend, especially not knowing how many more we will have together for the time being. We found ourselves going south into Bat Yam instead of east, up to Jerusalem. Rather than get tangled up in the industrial jungle of Holon, we doubled back through Jaffa and stopped for a late breakfast at Abu Hassan's. (Such humus and fuul I surely will not find in Portland!). Eventually, with bellies full, we were on the road again.

We stopped along the way at the Trappist Abbey of Latroun which is in the foothills, midway between Jerusalem and the coast. The French Abbaye Notre Dame def Sept-Fons sent monks to the Land of Israel in 1889 to establish a contemplative monastic community. One hundred and nineteen years later, Latroun is still primarily a French community. They support themselves by producing honey, olive oil and a variety of wines: Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Muscat à petit grains (a kind of Muscat from Alsace).

Latroun

Thomas Merton Itai Michael

The church is elegantly austere inside. What can I say? Stone really works for me. We arrived in time for Mass. Chant and incense mingled, drifting upwards. I'd like to think that their celebration of the liturgy is this beautiful everyday. It was, however, the Feast of the Ascension. In many ways, this is a picture of my life: the mystery mix of faith, music, languages, intentional community, gardening; the family of choice, the intense yearning and the solace of silence.

Eric was here the other day. He's living in Haifa, but had been camping in the desert. He asked me if I had some Walt Whitman for him, but I came up empty-handed. Walt was gone before the first stone was layed at Latroun. A number of years ago, I translated some of my favorites into Hebrew. Fortunately, only the English remains.

Among the men and women the multitude,
I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs,
Acknowledging none else, not parent, wife, husband, brother, child,
any nearer than I am, Some are baffled, but that one is not--that one knows me.

Ah lover and perfect equal,
I meant that you should discover me so by faint indirections,
And I when I meet you mean to discover you by the like in you.

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, so the LiveJournal team is offering users a chance to support the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of those suffering from mood disorders. Proceeds from purchases of the Emerging Sun v-gift during May will be donated to the DBSA, so feel free to buy one. Or, if you really want to rack up some good karma points, get a bunch!

And don't forget: Mother's Day is this Sunday. Be a dear and check out the v-gifts shop. Send something that'll make her smile.


L to R: Emerging Sun, #1 Mom, Gift Basket, Chocolates, A Dozen Red Roses


We know how you salivate over the prospect of new themes, especially when they're designed by users with a unique handle on both form and function.


L to R: Shiny, River at Night, Live and Learn, Vector Drips.

( Winners of the HP 'What Do You Have to Say?' Theme Design Contest )


We'd like to remind you that the nomination process for LiveJournal Advisory Board user-representatives has begun. If you think you're fit for the job, now's the time to nominate yourself! After all, you're the only who can do it. In two weeks, on the 22nd, the voting process will begin; we'll remind you about it again here.

If you're interested in keeping up with the nominations, watch lj_election_en. We'll post the results and announce the winner by the end of the day on May 30th. The new user-representatives will be seated on June 1st. Further details can also be found in lj_2008.

Advisory Board Nominations Begin

This morning we are opening the nomination process for the user-representative positions on the LiveJournal Advisory Board. A full description of the process can be found here.

To get you started, here are the basic things you should know:

- You may only nominate yourself
- Each nominee will need 100 motions of support in order to be eligible to be a candidate
- We ask that you keep your comments on the nomination posts to "I support this nomination" or something to that effect; be kind to those who will need to count the "supports", please.
- Although the nominations and election poll will take place in lj_election_en, you do not need to watch the community in order to keep up with the election; we'll announce everything here as well.

Everyone here at LiveJournal is looking forward to this first-ever User-Representative election! We'd like to thank everyone who is participating. Some words from our current Advisory Board members:

danah boyd: “LiveJournal is filled with very passionate users. These users have helped shaped LJ's various communities over the last decade and it gives me great joy that LJ is recognizing and incorporating users' voices into the decision-making processes. Having user representatives from different parts of LJ on the Advisory Board will help make sure that the company is meeting the needs of its diverse constituents.”

Esther Dyson: "I'm sure we'll learn a lot from the process, and later on from the two users selected as well. Especially, I hope that the discussions before the voting will be more meaningful and more focused on policy than those in some offline campaigns."

Brad Fitzpatrick: "It's cool that SUP is getting users involved with the LiveJournal decision-making process. I look forward to seeing who the community elects and the results of our efforts working together."

Professor Lawrence Lessig: “The user elections will provide a critical check on LJ's process of maintaining a valuable and trustworthy environment for the LJ community. The mandate of the elections will give the user representatives pride of place among the members of the Advisory Board. Each of us will look to them to guide us in our judgment about how best to make LJ the community we all aspire that it will be. I look forward to welcoming the user representatives, and learning a great deal from them.”


chasethestars has also made some banners for you to use, if you'd like to show your support for the candidate of your choice!

( Banners + code for you to use! )

So I'm seriously considering purchasing some clipless peddles and a pair of bicycle shoes. Unfortunately, I know just about crap-zero about bike shoes. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good pair? I'd like some that I can actually walk in. Not having to change my shoes to go into the bar and drink too much is something I'd greatly enjoy.

What is the relationship between the shoes and peddles? Do the peddles come with the attachment that goes on the shoes? Can any pair of bike shoes work with any pair of peddles?

I like the look of egg beaters, but I'm not sure if they're a good idea.

Bonus points if the shoes aren't vegan and don't look like retarded bike-dork shoes.