This a cool article on a woman in Barcelona that is trying to make a difference in the culture of a city. Maybe we’ll start handing out whistles with her? It’s also yet another glimpse into how the city of Barcelona is only taking baby steps to fix an issue that really needs long strides.

I’d love to meet this woman…maybe if I travel around and try to steal something she’ll fine me:) (That’s a joke)

This person was person was saying that he doesn’t expect a bailout for his personal choices that have gone bad (a home purchase) and that he’s working three jobs to pay for what he has to pay for. He was however clearly accusing the protestors for wanting a handout and that they didn’t want to take ownership of their decisions.

Fair enough: I respect the guy for working hard to pay for what he committed to. And I would agree that I think people simply wanting a bailout isn’t healthy learning.

But I think that this issue is bigger than this. I think that the issue is that the American people have been working hard, putting their noses to the grindstone, to make ends meet while the very system they are in just piles more weight on the back of their heads. I think that it’s about time that the corruption of the financial systems becomes a mainstream topic. It’s about time people realize that a handful of people (relatively speaking) have made numerous selfish and greedy decisions with full knowledge of what was going to happen. (Watch the documentary Inside Job if you don’t know about this)

I think it’s about time that some people in our culture take their noses from the grindstone, the patterns that have allowed people in power to do what they’ve done, and speak out against what has happened. Our country clearly needs great reform and we need to realize that doing more of what got us here isn’t going to get us out. I don’t think that electing new people into office is the answer either because many of out elected officials are corporate sponsored. It’s not until the entire structure is exposed for it’s greed and selfishness that things will change. And I believe that Occupy Wall Street is a start. Agree or disagree with it, at least they are a different voice for change. A voice that doesn’t seem to be sponsored by major corporations like Montsana or elite banking firms. This seems like a voice from fringe people that are willing to speak up. I guarantee that if the right reform happens (us actually having a government for the people…not for themselves through the people) it will because these early voices spoke loud enough to be heard.

I actually wish I was in the States to be a part of this because I have hope that things can change.

Here’s my question that I challenge myself with: How am I so immersed in my own life and work that I’m not stopping to see the change that needs to happen? Do I have the courage to speak up against injustice? Where is the Church in all of this? Remember Jesus spoke out against the oppressive authority of his day to bring people to freedom. (I also know what the apostle Paul wrote about submitting to government, but speaking out against injustice and greed is also called for. Think about when John the Baptist spoke out against Herod sleeping with his brothers wife. There is a time for every season…) Do I even care about the oppressive systems and rulers of our world? Or do I only care when I’m personally affected?

I say we start a movement called Occupy My Street. Where we each look at the oppressive and unjust things in our own houses, neighborhoods, and cities. Maybe it’s sexism, classism, child abuse, spiritual abuse, apathy, greed…it’s not only big corporations that operate in negative power structures.

Regardless, I pray that good change comes to the systems we live in. I believe that it comes with internal reflection and change in each of us….this will lead us to the ‘good works’ that we were created to do.

Ten Years – All My Ish

It’s a vintage french frame…from the 60′s I believe. The only marks on the frame are the angles of the tubes on the lugs and the initials EDA on the bottom bracket. From my research, I believe it was built by two French brothers.

Regardless…it’s my daily ride around town and I love that I restored this bike to being useful again. One of the pictures is what it looked like when I bought it…

Without even calling me to check in, B bought the bike on my behalf. Like any good friend, he just knew that I would want an 82 Colnago Mexico in near new condition! (Thanks B!)

While there B learned that Vicente, the original owner, was once the mayor of his town and that he had bought the bike brand new in the early 80′s. He said that when he originally bought it, it was such a high end bike that the local paper did a story about it.

Now it’s on it’s way to me…I feel in some ways like I’ve been given a chance to look after this piece of cycling history. But I’m not buying it to treat like a museum piece…I’m hoping that most of it’s kilometers/miles are ahead of it!

B sent me these pictures today…This is exactly the way it was taken out of Vicente’s basement. I’m going to have to wait a week or so to get it cleaned, tuned, and running so that I can hit the road! I’ll post more pictures when I get it cleaned and shined…

Even going days with a lot on my mind, a lot to do, and future pressures in my head without a context to process them makes me feel like I’m taking crazy pills.

I don’t know what it is about today, but today is one of those days where I just feel off. I feel on edge, angry, and selfish…I don’t know if it’s mounting pressure from something going on inside or something I ate, but I hope that I can shake this off without causing any more damage.

(Thanks Ro for the great shots!)

When I was in high school my grandfather died of prostate cancer. It’s ‘funny’ how it seems to be a bigger issue when a woman has a mom who’s had breast cancer…maybe it’s because guys don’t talk about sickness a lot because it would make us seem weaker or something lame like that. But if you think about it, shouldn’t I be just as concerned? Or at least aware?

Thus Movember…increasing awareness.

I’m a bit afraid to see what type of heinous mustache I have 31 days from now. Having very little hair up top will make my mustache a bit more prominent…we’ll see. But I’m going to take a picture at least every couple of days so you can track my upper lip hair’s growth.

My first picture is from the night of the 31st…just to get one last clean shave in.

And here’s a video just to further educate on Movember…