bicyclemark

Shark Bite

Ladies and Gentlement: Shark Bite or Motorcycle injury? I thought to post this picture without Drock’s permission… it fits well on my blog, like a high school diploma over a fireplace – if you’ve got those.

The PT countdown has begun, Tuesday morning I’m hopping aboard a TAP flight to Faro and I’ll begin my vacation proclamation there. Heading straight to Lisbon after a swim in the ocean and dinner with my favorite Portuguese-Canadian now living in Algarve. During that time I’ve chosen a very special person as my guest weblogger… and he’ll be posting every other day, as per my commitment to all the readers out there. I’ll write up a proper intro on monday. Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in guestblogging, I think I’ll have another week of guestblogging at the end of the month where I will have someone else. Oh, and of course I’ll still post during that time, I just don’t know how often.

Mohammad Ali Abtahi is one of the most elequent webloggers I know. That that I really know him personally, but his weblogging style is such that I feel like I do. Add to that, he’s Vice President of the Iranian parliament, which make’s me further admire him because of his genuine-ness despite his position of power. Compare his blog to the bland, fake, and stupid blogs from folks like G.W. Bush or John Kerry… they should call Mr. Abtahi and get some tips on how to blog.

Anyway I mention this Iranian gentleman’s blog because he wrote one of the warmest descriptions of the Austrian president’s funeral and his experiences on that day. If the manner with which he blogs is any hint of the caliber of young leaders in Iran, than I say the future looks bright. Despite the stupidity from the US state department, once again trying to manufacture hatred and conflict with Iran over the alleged Nuclear will of Tehran.

I’ve been heavy on the politics of late, not sure what it means. Probably nothing, world affairs have always been a huge concern for me, so that’s what I write about – beyond life observations.

Some basic ideas on the process of hostage taking in Iraq. I grow tired of the boring rhetoric from those who say “The Phillipines made a mistake by giving in to terrorism, it sets a bad example.” The fact is, kidnappings would continue regardless. There is no method to this madness. Look at the US, they – of course- hold their ground and don’t give in to kidnapper demands.. yet kidnappings continue. Phillipines gives in, remove their troops, and kidnappings continue. It really doesn’t matte how a nation responds, these are not groups that use a whole lot of reflection and method in their acts. This is desperation, and thus – illogical thinking. So nevermind “appeasing” or staying tough — this will continue.

I did have an idea on how to reduce the kindnappings: Don’t cover them. You always see the same setup, masked men holding a guy in front of them – POSING FOR A CAMERA. So lets imagine there’s no camera, or that the video never gets shown, you’ve then ruined their main priority, getting on TV. So then what good is kidnapping if no one knows about it? Anyone following me here? It goes back to the old “if a tree falls and no one hears it, does it make a sound?” question.. only its a bit more complex.

Note to self: Introduce Guestblogger, and talk about China and how my blog is getting big there.

Today’s Music:Death Cab for Cutie – PHotoablum

Mike’s Revolution

So its time….time to talk about F-911, because it came out (in the Netherlands) last night, and little ol’me was there. I’m sure over in North America, this conversation is so “last month” but hey, its about much more than a film.

First off, I have been a Michael Moore fan almost since the preverbial day one. Actually since “The Big One” which doesn’t really qualify as “day one” but what can I say, I’m young. I’ve read all his books, and seen most episodes of his shows. After seeing this film, its safe to say Mike has come a long way. No, not really stylistically.. but in terms of power. In this film, every cop and senator seemed to immediately know who he was and they were careful not to brush him away like so many in past movies that wind up looking like idiots. The power-elite of the US clearly recognize him as a force to be rekoned with, and as a lowly blogger living abroad that few -if any- leaders would take seriously (cause they’re bastards), I’d call this a tremendous feat on his part. (and his crew)

Another thing about this movie, it caused me to be ashamed, frustrated, sad, lost, bored, entertained, bored again, and then just tired. Afterwards I noticed everyone, including myself, engrossed in long debates and discussions outside the theater/caf?. This is also a great accomplishment on the part of a director, causing debate.

I was more interested in how the audience received it, than the film itself. I found myself feeling very American, which happens occasionally. As such, I didn’t find the film to be funny, I was saddened and angered (though I was fully aware of the inter-relationships of government, corporations, and terrorism. Yet the audience, which I would guess to be 90% Dutch, seemed to laugh the whole time. I’m still wondering about this. Why so much laughter? Do they realize this class-clown basically rules the world? Do they realize their own troops are also involved in this twisted invasion? It seemed more like a show for them. I think Michael Moore’s work has that effect on Europe, he presents material that is interpreted more like a sideshow- the sideshow of the United States… and people watch in awe.

I could go on and on. But those are my main points. I thought the film was weak for my taste, but I think it is an important film, that needs to be seen. Most of all, after such a mediocre movie overall, I thought he made an excellent conclusion.. that bears repeating over and over. – It is the people who come from the worst places in America.. the poorest people, who are the first to be sent to fight in the name of the country where they live in such horrible conditions. In doing so, they allow the class structure to remain intact, with the rich and powerful on top, reaping all the benefits, and the poor staying marginalized and going off to war.

OK fine, thats really my interpretation, but he did say something like that.

In other news I’m working on having a guest blogger while I’m in Portugal next week. I’ll still be blogging there, but I’m not sure how consistantly, so this way I could have someone garunteeing my every-other-day policy. Plus, Guestblogging is such a cool practice.

Note to self: In next post talk about Iran, because I keep having more and more to say on that subect. Also talk about Iraq-kidnapping theories/reponses.

Today’s Music: The Used (because of my boy Jeff)

Tributes

It is now official. As of September I will be moving back to Oude Schans (Center of Amsterdam). This means that I won’t have to change the background of my blog just yet, because I’m still living on the ground floor of the white building you can see just to the right of these very words. I’m very pleased to be returning to the center of it all, the heart of tourism and canal life. I’m guaranteed a place there until January as my comrade is off to Bolivia to seek wisdom and other stuff you can cram into a thesis.

Actually on the subject of Bolivia, I’ve been trying to decide how I personally feel about the recent vote on expanding their natural gas exportation. The result of the vote was a YES, but as usual I’m very skeptical of liberal democracies. I’ve heard reports that the US and other foreign gas companies where heavily in favor of and pushing a YES vote. Furthermore I’ve read that the questions that were voted on were far too difficult for citizens to understand.

On the other hand I’ve heard this result means that the government will have more control over national resources, instead of foreign companies.

I think I’m starting to see the bigger picture: the president and his government want to make the big bucks and so do – more importantly – the big corporations. But the people might rebel and physically remove the government in the face of such a decision, as they pretty much did to the last president. So they devise a so-called democratic referendum which no one really understands, thus – down the line citizens won’t complain because they technically asked for their natural resources and countryside to be plundered in the name of progress.

The way that Doc Searls pays tribute to his family members via his website/blog is truly admirable. I hope that one day someone in my family will do the same. And I’ve decided to start working on a similar site for my grandparents on the Rendeiro and Fonseca sides. Photos, biographical info, stories. Placing them on the internet is as good a tribute as any, and for me – quite inspiring.

Note the Google Search function in the toolbar of this blog. This allows you or I to search my blog for certain subjects. I already started entering random words to see what weird shit I talked about.

Today’s Music: The Rasmus – Dead Letters

The Lance Dance

Lance is cool. The way he climbs a hill, crosses a finish line, shakes the Champaign bottle, or does an interview in French. Oddly enough, one of the biggest reasons I like him is that he’s an American, from Texas (I think.. right?).. yet he’s the king of the Tour de France, a very European competition — OK global really. To me, it’s a little like having the US soccer team win the world cup.. I think it would be nice. At any rate, he’s well on his way to winning his sixth tour.. which I think makes him a minor god. He comes across as extremely polite, modest, and worldly. And I’m enjoying watching him do it. On the other hand, I could understand how annoying it must be to cycling fans who want someone else to win.. nevermind those “other” cyclists. (note.. if you’re reading this blog for the first time, it is NOT usually about cycling at all!)

The SF Bay Guardian, one of my most favorite weeklies in the world, features a MUST READ story about the FCC and media consolidation. Incidentally the weekly now has a great new web layout. By must read I mean, if you haven’t already given up on the idea of having choices, representation, and freedom in your information diet. Camille Taiara writes it, when I did my graduate research on Alt Press, I tried my damnedest to get her involved.. but alas all I got was a “I’m to busy Mark” response email. Fear not Camille… I forgive you and still adore your work.

F-911 arrives in Amsterdam this week. And I’m going to do something highly unlike me… I’m going to the premier. Normally I watch movies one year after they’re out.. if I ever do at all. I just saw Lord of the Rings III… the whole time I felt like I was the last guy watching this film. Which, by the way, should have ended sooner, too much bullshit at the end.

And just to carry on the discussion or thinking about blogging as a huge global conversation, check out how Mathemagenic breaks it down. One think I noted from this post is how many bloggers out there – DON’T USE TRACKBACK! I trackback all the time.. in my sleep even.

Today’s Music: Been singing that new Maroon 5 while riding my bike.

Check Mate

Just as I was about to blog, I looked up from my laptop and there was a Chil?an friend with a very familiar object in front of him – a Mat? cup.

I smiled a familiar smile and before I could even ask, he was already offering to share his mat? with me. I’ve been a amateur mat? drinker for a few years, but this was an education and a half. I had no idea how social of a drink Mat? is. I did know that it has some health benefits and the manner in which it is farmed has been described as very eco-friendly. Wikipedia has tons of excellent facts on mat?, though it comes accross as rather skeptical. All in all it was a lovely hour or so of chatting about mat?, Chil?, Argentina, and anecdotal stories about government officials always drinking mat?. I’m left wondering if at this very moment I’m experiencing the hallucinogenic effects that are rumored to follow.

I was listening to Pacifica’s WBAI alot this week and I heard a reference to the following article written by a piano tuner, about his experiences traveling Iraq just to see things for himself. I think it’s an incredible article and it’s inspiring. Great editor’s note in the beginning:

Editor’s note: New Haven’s Daniel Smith, a piano tuner by trade, likes to vacation in world hot spots to see for himself, without mass-media blinders, how people are faring and what they’re thinking. He traveled to Iraq just as the U.S. nominally handed power over to the country’s own rulers. First stop: northern Iraq.

I hope to someday be able to do similar things – visiting places and experiencing for myself what is really going on there. In general, according to this article.. the situation in Iraq is in fact chaotic. Yet the chaos isn’t all bad, despite the enormous amounts of problems and potential for further trouble in the coming years, there seems to be an underlying good there. I wonder what Chris Missick would say about it. (you out there Chris?)

Update in the stuggle against all things Microsoft (when possible), I am officially announcing my abandoning of crappy Internet Explorer. At long last a new browser has come along that I love, beyond anything that Opera or Netscape ever did. Mozilla’s Firefox is excellent.. in every way.. I love it.. I’m using it now.. I’m giving it the Bicyclemark seal (*art *art… balance a beach ball on my nose) of approval. Strange thing about seals.. they never learn the beachball thing.. they’re just naturally good at it, aren’t they?

Mental note: Next post, bitch about Bill Clinton and what a good wrap he gets because Bush sucks so bad. Him and his bigass, boring, shallow book – I listened to him being interviewed by the Dutch public television channel, he said the same exact things Bush did. I refuse to praise the Clinton years just because the Bush years have been so crappy. Bottom line: I dislike both men,their politics, and their smirking, wrinkly faces.

Today’s Music: Deceberists – Castaways and Cutouts (thanks Bronwyn!)

Part of the System

There’s a Portuguese family living around the block from me. I know this because on many mornings I step outside and there’s a very Portuguese looking mother walking her toddler and saying things like “Anda filha… vamos ver o pai.” On one of these days I had my Portugal football jersey, she noticed this and smiled saying “bom dia!” I said “bom dia” back, and we chatted about the odd Dutch weather, as if we didn’t know how bizarre it could be. Recently, walking back from the Edah, I noticed a nametag on a door “Far?a da Silva” or something like that. I knew right away that was the house, that and the Portuguese embroidered curtains – gave it away. When I look out my kitchen window I can see their yard. I recognize it because it looks like all the yards I remember growing up in the Ironbound (newark). Its hard to put into words, but you just know when you’re looking at a Portuguese yard: The one fruit tree (peaches/apples/pears), the tiny vegetable garden with makeshift scarecrows made of empty bottles, the small grill for sardines… these are the key factors.

Moving past my random neighborhood reflection, a discussion was started in my last post-comments about blogging and as D-Rock put it

“From the outside looking in to the blog world it’s the realm of politico tech-geeks. I mean MS Word doesn’t even recognize blog as being a word. One of the great thing about the blog world is there are no controls on information and the really horrible thing about the blog world is that there are no controls on information. The creator of the blog is their own judge, jury and executioner with no checks on the accuracy of their information and with scores of new blogs being created everyday who the hell knows who to listen to.”

One of the first things I notice about D’s comments is the question of fact checking/information control. There’s this inherent idea that prior to blogs, media had an acceptable fact-checking system. I’d guess most media users agree or at least used to agree. Especially because the NYTimes has a little office called fact-checking, so they must be into it. By response from a blogger point of view is that fact-checking is in the eye of the beholder, as is accuracy and accountability. Over time, I believe you will see, and I’m already seeing, certain bloggers gain legitimacy just because they’ve been at it for a while and they are very transparent with their links/sources. I try, to some degree, to do this as well, I give you my insane opinion, and I’m sure to provide links to my sources so that you may all decide, for yourselves, what you think.

There’s a good example of how blogging is changing and being legitimized with the upcoming Democratic convention. I hate to be yet another blogger linking to Jay Rosen, but he definately breaks it down in his recent post about bloggers being accredited at the convention. I’m not going to talk about it too much cause its already being beaten to death in the blogosphere, but it is definately interesting that bloggers are being recognized as a legitimate force that cannot be ignored.

There was some other stuff I wanted to get into related to money and how much so-called “wars” cost. It is mind-bloggling how much is spent on the Iraq circus. FT had a good graphic on it yesterday, and of course on the net you can always find a simple yet effective site like this one.

Today’s Music:Terry Lee Hale – Tornado Alley