tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post8097202121129469729..comments2024-03-26T10:54:59.476-07:00Comments on spoke'n'scene: Our turn has come. babble onhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-68432627663581120692015-06-09T18:41:32.521-07:002015-06-09T18:41:32.521-07:00You are quite right to emphasise the policy over t...You are quite right to emphasise the policy over the personality. It does get in the way, as hard as it is to ignore the things that really get up your nose, they aren't the important things. It's the people behind the throne that actually make things happen the way they do, that's how the big mining and fuel companies control things.<br /><br />I also just wanted to say two other things. The first is that I appreciate how generous you are with your responses to comments. You always provide such considered and lengthy responses it makes me feel that making comments on your page is really worthwhile. the second is that I love your fredly posts. There are so many aspects to cycling that it's great to see you getting into the sport side. Whenever i see an instagram shot of you in your fred gear I make sure to like it !<br /><br />Keep up the great work, I look forward to your blog and not just for the pictures.Davidhttp://www.iamafred.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-36269634031079245392015-05-24T08:03:04.711-07:002015-05-24T08:03:04.711-07:00And you're right, of course. I am definitely l...And you're right, of course. I am definitely looking forward to that changing of the tides - here's hoping it happens sooner than later.babble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-8200404390849970872015-05-24T08:00:47.949-07:002015-05-24T08:00:47.949-07:00Thank you, Harry. It's inevitable, really, cau...Thank you, Harry. It's inevitable, really, cause the way of the Fred has become a part of who I am. Funny, cause when I started this blog, I loved to move fast no matter which bike I rode, but I hadn't an inkling of what it was like in the racing community here in town. I already owned my go-fast Lynskey, but only came out to play in the summertime, and not so often at that. Now I can't imagine my life without those long hard rides, and as much as I love the Electra as transportation, my happy place is definitely out there somewhere far from home, spinning a road bike. And as you know by now, I can't help but babble on about it, at least a little... :Dbabble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-14473511894559813062015-05-24T02:49:49.386-07:002015-05-24T02:49:49.386-07:00I like a bit of Fred talk. It's all part of cy...I like a bit of Fred talk. It's all part of cycling and even though I'm not going to grow a Ned Kelly beard or try to squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans, I still find it entertaining to read about your racing experiences.<br />At the moment your average Jo fears change more than they fear not changing. The tide will turn but how and when?<br />Keep on babbling, Fredding, and cranken those 49 year old legs :)<br />Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17605332811185806347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-46118027636184791512015-05-20T08:40:44.646-07:002015-05-20T08:40:44.646-07:00Thank you! Sometimes I feel like a broken record, ...Thank you! Sometimes I feel like a broken record, trumpeting the same message over and over again. And this is such a gorgeous city that there's always a beautiful journey to share. And as much as it's a beast to service, and despite the fact that it always seems to need some sort of work, I do love that bike. It's so elegant and sexy, and it's just perfect for dresses and heels...<br /><br />I am sorry that the fred posts are not to your liking. The sport is very new to me, and so very exciting... it's quite a social scene here in Vancouver, too! I have made some lovely friends through the racing community. It's always shocking just how many Freds are floating round the Lower Mainland! I was going to post a race season update before this post, but this one just had to be said. I just can't believe the things I see happening all round me, and I keep hoping that if I just keep at it, something will give.<br /><br />But I do thank you for taking the time to reach out. I will keep your message in mind, and will try to keep the Fred posts to a minimum, though there will be a few here and there. I just can't help it... I love it so. :) babble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-43735932280333045582015-05-20T08:32:31.434-07:002015-05-20T08:32:31.434-07:00Oh! And ps - thank you! It's a favourite... I&...Oh! And ps - thank you! It's a favourite... I've had that dress for ten years now, and somehow it is always in season.babble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-76089769396543071542015-05-20T08:30:30.098-07:002015-05-20T08:30:30.098-07:00It's true. I completely agree, and that's ...It's true. I completely agree, and that's what scares me more than anything. And at least you have a history of civil disobediance down in the US, whilst up here all we have is a pattern of complacency. Despite the fact that Bill C51 blatantly contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, most Canadians approve of it. Worse, most of our number are supportive of our troops bombing Syria despite the fact that we haven't a legal mandate to wage war over there. And the environment? That's a laugh. Everybody wants change, but nobody wants TO change. No matter how you slice it, humanity is screwed. Completely. Fucked. Up. I only hope the masses wake up before we cross a threshold beyond which there is no redemption. And in terms of the climate, that point is fast approaching. And our environmental issues are so closely tied to our political and economic policies that it's hard to have any hope for our future, yet all it takes is one good idea. As soon as enough of us share a common vision for the future, change will happen almost instantly. Or that's the theory I'm operating on, anyway, because as far as I can tell, it's our last hope.<br /><br />At least I can feel good about the lifestyle I am living day by day. There's always a glimmer of hope that it might catch on in time...babble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-19900920696236243022015-05-20T08:16:43.144-07:002015-05-20T08:16:43.144-07:00Oh! How kind! Thank you! :D xo xoOh! How kind! Thank you! :D xo xobabble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-51401633494230346292015-05-20T08:15:55.010-07:002015-05-20T08:15:55.010-07:00Yes. Absolutely. It would be ever so awesome if go...Yes. Absolutely. It would be ever so awesome if good ole Snobi Wan packed up the wife and his 18 kidlets and came out to lead the ride, but failing that, I would be happy to carry the Fondon't torch, and plan and lead a ride. XXbabble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-35485030735650622992015-05-19T19:17:04.941-07:002015-05-19T19:17:04.941-07:00Ms. babble on, Nice post here. You are expressing...Ms. babble on, Nice post here. You are expressing your love of bicycling, its potential, your city, and of your fellow humans (even if they are politicians or driving cars). I lost interest when you started posting "Fredly" racing stuff. I always enjoy reading your posts when they involve the "bicycling revolution" and tours of Vancouver. It is always good to see a picture of the beautiful white Amsterdam, which of course, unlike a racing bike, you can ride in heels. ThanksVORnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-12064463307218839152015-05-19T09:43:46.752-07:002015-05-19T09:43:46.752-07:00Babs. As always so very well put. But as one who ...Babs. As always so very well put. But as one who took part in the U.S. revolutions and demonstrations during the 1960's I just don't see the outrage and passion needed to bring about any significant change existing. As long as we as a people continue to vote against our own self-interests and continue to elect pols with corporate ties, we will continue to get the government we deserve. I hope I am wrong, but I don't see things changing in my lifetime. That is not to say we should stop trying. Keep ringing the bell and hopefully people will begin to wake up. And P.S. You do rock out that white dress!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788765714273846598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-40728082513568326332015-05-19T08:28:18.145-07:002015-05-19T08:28:18.145-07:00Thank you, David. :)
One of the things Chris Hedge...Thank you, David. :)<br />One of the things Chris Hedges emphasised which makes sense, though I have a hard time doing it, is not to focus on the personalities. And it's true, isn't it? Our political parties themselves are in bed with big business, so it doesn't really matter much who is at the top. It's hard to let go of the feeling that anyone who wasn't so controlling, so clearly OCD as Harper, would do a better job of it here in Canada, but Hedges' point is true. Look at what happened with Obama. He is obviously a good guy, yet so many of his promises came to nothing, and it wasn't only because of the Republicans determined to neuter him. Take his promise to shut down Guantanimo Bay in the first year of his presidency, for example. To this day it continues on. And the list of similar examples is long.<br /><br />Here in Canada we had an upset a few weeks ago, when our biggeset oil producing province elected a left of center government after over four decades of Conservative rule. The very first thing their new premier, Rachel Notley, did was to assure the oil and gas industry a steady hand, and an easy go of it. !! Of course a few things are sure to shift, but overall? I am not convinced that a party at the opposite end of the political spectrum is going to make much difference at all, so tightly wound together are our political and economic systems.<br /><br />I loved V for Vendetta. And I love Buckminster Fuller's point, too, that there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come. Albertans did what they could to insist on a change of direction, but it will take more than electing a different party to the same old system. We must create change from the ground up, and there is no other way to do it than with a grass roots revolution. It's a tough thing to do, because people's beliefs are tightly bound to their way of life, but I think that climate change has become something even we fact-resistant humans can no longer ignore. <br /><br />But there is hope. Every time you get on your bike, you're doing a world of good. Once people understand that a sustainable global economy is possible, change will happen quickly. We just have to Be the Change, and live an example of a life of better choices, until it becomes the new normal. Ride on, David, and you will lead the way. Viva la revolucion indeed!babble onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895102832912891306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-210695277878624102015-05-18T18:29:36.131-07:002015-05-18T18:29:36.131-07:00Great post and as always it resonates here down un...Great post and as always it resonates here down under. Our provincial government just got re-elected on a promise of spending billions of dollars on freeways which includes one that will empty onto a 2 lane high street ? Our Prime Minister is very similar to yours, only not as sophisticated. He shares the belief that fossil fuels are good for us and believes that coal is needed to give cheap energy to the world's poor (so we can sell it to them!). And how well do these bastards know how to game the system, look at the Tories being re-elected in the UK with barely a third of the vote. That's an amazing Gerrymander. it's great to be able to join in the rant. I must make sure I ride home today and not take the easy way out otherwise I'd be a hypocrite right? Love your work Babble.Davidhttp://www.iamafred.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-23289102294033053312015-05-18T09:23:07.235-07:002015-05-18T09:23:07.235-07:00Ms Babs you are a monument to biking's cures f...Ms Babs you are a monument to biking's cures for what ails you. Your bike has led you out of the peloton and positioned you to hammer to the 50 line looking like the killer you are. All blessings upon your shining example.il Pirata est Mortnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85530486549729740.post-46201087165422301362015-05-18T09:23:03.053-07:002015-05-18T09:23:03.053-07:00great post.viva la revolucion!maybe a fondon't...great post.viva la revolucion!maybe a fondon't in Vancouver would be in order.bad boy of the northnoreply@blogger.com