Some time in high school I decided to wipe the slate clean and rebuild my fundamental foundation. Ideologies of the anarcho-syndicalist brewed together with the no-meaningness of nihilism. As time has gone on I’ve built such a complex equation on what is morally right and wrong; equations to decide if something is meaningful; equations to decide if my action has any value. I’ve laid awake so many nights wondering why, contemplating the problems in my soul and the problems of the world.
Each day and each new reading, every discovery opens a new sense of clarity to my understanding of the world. I knew I did not having everything figured out; but, I thought I had almost everything accounted for. I found my motivations and reasons, and things were understandable.
Yet, it is so mind blowing that one person can shake such fundamental foundations and rewrite all those methodical equations to figuring out life. When you no longer catch yourself pondering why, but instead knowing you need to. How there are new motivations that cause you to do things with a new vigor.
I guess I always missed one thing when contemplating life. And that one thing is love, a force not understood.
My favorite online discussions are those from cyclist right freaks and people who hate them, especially on Fark. Some people are right, some people are just ridiculous.
Kenosha sucks for cyclists. Seventh Avenue has a bike lane stretching from roughly Washington Road until you hit about 50th Street. There is a bike path in Kenosha that takes you to Racine, and there is a supposed trail down to Illinois. Hell, out in Sturtevant there are bike path signs on Highway H; but, hardly a shoulder. I ride my bike about 50% of the time work on 30th Avenue from home to Subway, a good four days round trip.
I try to ride my bike in the street, but that hardly goes well. I’ve had a cheeseburger thrown at me when passing the strip of 30th Avenue near McDonald’s. I’ve had cars run me near off the road and force me onto the sidewalk. I’ve had people curse at me to get on the sidewalk. Sorry, but cyclists are supposed to ride on the street, you dumb asses. However, there are a lot of stupid cyclists, too. I hate the people who cannot understand to ride in a single file line. Those who do not use hand signals, or those who just go where ever the hell they please.
Just a note for car drivers: the law tells you to stop BEFORE the sidewalk. Do it. I try, I’m not perfect. I’ve almost been hit plenty of times. People driving card are more concerned with not hitting an incoming car on the street – as they should be. But a lot of parents and kids ride their bikes on the sidewalk because it is safer for the kids.
Bicyclists, ride on the street so you’re more visible. I know it sucks some times, but it is better to be occasionally cursed at, forced on the sidewalk for a second, versus being slammed into and thrown into traffic.
Both need to understand rules of the road. Cyclists do not have any special rights, neither do cars. Just be smart, for my safety and others.
