learn about it here.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Friday, 4 July 2008
more bad news for clowns today
bike safety quiz
how many did YOU get wrong?
[answers are given at the bottom of this post. for the love of god, DON'T CHEAT!]
Each year approximately 800 bicyclists are killed, and 600,000 are injured in motor vehicle-related crashes. A bicycle is not a toy: it’s a vehicle. Use the following quiz to test your knowledge of bicycle safety. Click on the following each question to see the answer.
Q1. Are there any times when you don't need to wear a bike helmet?
Q2. Name at least three safe bike riding practices.
Q3. Riding your bike in the dark is dangerous, but if you have to ride at night, what can you do to make yourself more visible to drivers? Name at least three safe bike riding practices.
Q4. What kind of things should you check before beginning to ride?
Q5. Where do most bicycle crashes occur?
Q6. When riding your bike, it is important to stay alert at all times. Name three road hazards you should watch out for.
Q7. Is it OK to ride a bicycle while listening to audio headphones?
Q8. What is the most serious type of injury for cyclists?
Q9. Always be a courteous cyclist. Remember, _________ have the right of way.
Q10. Be safe, Be _________ !
Q11. Always go with the flow of traffic, and stay to the ____________ .
Q12. Before entering a roadway, you should look ______ for traffic.
Q13. Always check _________ you before changing lanes.
Q14. Your bicycle helmet should fit __________ and cover your ___________.
Q15. When making a turn, ___________ your moves to others.
[answers are given at the bottom of this post. for the love of god, DON'T CHEAT!]
Each year approximately 800 bicyclists are killed, and 600,000 are injured in motor vehicle-related crashes. A bicycle is not a toy: it’s a vehicle. Use the following quiz to test your knowledge of bicycle safety. Click on the following each question to see the answer.
Q1. Are there any times when you don't need to wear a bike helmet?
Q2. Name at least three safe bike riding practices.
Q3. Riding your bike in the dark is dangerous, but if you have to ride at night, what can you do to make yourself more visible to drivers? Name at least three safe bike riding practices.
Q4. What kind of things should you check before beginning to ride?
Q5. Where do most bicycle crashes occur?
Q6. When riding your bike, it is important to stay alert at all times. Name three road hazards you should watch out for.
Q7. Is it OK to ride a bicycle while listening to audio headphones?
Q8. What is the most serious type of injury for cyclists?
Q9. Always be a courteous cyclist. Remember, _________ have the right of way.
Q10. Be safe, Be _________ !
Q11. Always go with the flow of traffic, and stay to the ____________ .
Q12. Before entering a roadway, you should look ______ for traffic.
Q13. Always check _________ you before changing lanes.
Q14. Your bicycle helmet should fit __________ and cover your ___________.
Q15. When making a turn, ___________ your moves to others.
.....
extra credit:
how many ANSWERS did the test constructors* get WRONG?
.....
*test stolen from the FDNY
Answers to the above questions
Q1. No, you should wear a helmet every time you get on a bike.
Q2. 1. Ride single file. 2. Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. 3. Signal your moves to others. 4. Check for traffic at an intersection; 5. Stay alert at all times.
Q3. Wear clothing that reflects the light; make sure your bike has a front headlight that is bright and white; and equip your bike with reflectors on the front and rear, and on the pedals and wheels.
Q4. 1. Inflate your tires properly and check your brakes before riding. 2. Always wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding during the day. 3. carry your books and other presentations in a bicycle carrier or backpack.
Q5. At intersections.
Q6. Potholes, wet leaves, storm grates, cracks, gravel, etc.
Q7. NO
Q8. Head injuries.
Q9. Pedestrians.
Q10. Seen.
Q11. Right.
Q12. Left-Rignt-Left.
Q13. Behind.
Q14. Snugly/Forehead
Q15. Signal.
Answers to the above questions
Q1. No, you should wear a helmet every time you get on a bike.
Q2. 1. Ride single file. 2. Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. 3. Signal your moves to others. 4. Check for traffic at an intersection; 5. Stay alert at all times.
Q3. Wear clothing that reflects the light; make sure your bike has a front headlight that is bright and white; and equip your bike with reflectors on the front and rear, and on the pedals and wheels.
Q4. 1. Inflate your tires properly and check your brakes before riding. 2. Always wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding during the day. 3. carry your books and other presentations in a bicycle carrier or backpack.
Q5. At intersections.
Q6. Potholes, wet leaves, storm grates, cracks, gravel, etc.
Q7. NO
Q8. Head injuries.
Q9. Pedestrians.
Q10. Seen.
Q11. Right.
Q12. Left-Rignt-Left.
Q13. Behind.
Q14. Snugly/Forehead
Q15. Signal.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
jack and the magic bean bus -- the series finale
chapter 42 - you say "goodbye," and i say "hello"
The Beer Czar’s evil black bus, with the thugs and 
the entire raccoon army on board, had
disappeared down the road, shrieking, howling, and tearing each other to pieces. The Des Moines Register’s
computer auditing system was no longer showing that Jack owed the paper any money.
The spare tire was installed and the Short Bus was ready to roll into Missouri Valley for the start of Ragbrai.
Bowlingball’s truck made a wide circle in the parking lot and pulled alongside the Short Bus. 
Roger leaned out of the passenger side window shouting, “I know the back roads into Missouri Valley. We’ll avoid the traffic jam at the interstate exit. Follow us.”
They took a right turn out of
the abandoned gas station parking lot and drove east under a narrow bridge beneath one set of railroad tracks before crossing another set. At the T-intersection, Kelby followed Bowlingball and swung the bus to the left. Jack looked out the window just in time to see a sign indicating that they were now on 
the old Lincoln Highway. Jack’s thoughts turned to
Sister Kim, who had told Jack many stories of how he had helped to build 
the Lincoln Highway as the nation’s first transcontinental route. Jack remembered how Sister Kim had told of the Lincoln Highway being built from the west coast and the east coast simultaneously, and how the two ends had finally met in 
the small town of Nevada, Iowa, and how Sister Kim had been chosen to paint
the ceremonial golden center stripe down the road at that spot.
Jack knew that it was a bunch of crap, but he didn’t care.
Sister Kim had been like a father to him.
The Lincoln Highway followed the train tracks and the profile of the land the way old roads do, alongside
the Loess hills making graceful arcs just to their right. Then the old road turned, cutting north and crossing the Boyer River toward Missouri Valley. The town’s
water tower was in sight straight ahead, but Bowlingball’s truck turned to the right and Kelby’s Short Bus followed, keeping to the back roads until they finally emerged once again on 
the Lincoln Highway at the far side of town. They continued past a Pizza Hut and then slowed and pulled into the driveway of Roger’s boyhood home.
Jack climbed off of the Short Bus and out onto the driveway
with everyone else. Some other riders who had already arrived were sitting on
the big porch. Among them were Brendan and Mongo, who quickly introduced Jack to
Jimmy, Matt, Kristin, and Sherry as well as
Beth, Amy, Kim and Chris. And then Jack finally noticed
Sister Kim, sitting with a quiet smile and a hot cup of good coffee.
There were hugs and cheers and congratulations all around, and
Jack rapidly became the center of attention and had to explain to everyone all about his adventures since his escape from the orphanage almost a year ago.
When the story was finally wrapped up and everyone else began unpacking and setting up camp, Sister Kim motioned for Jack to have a seat. He introduced Jack to
Cozad,
Rick, and Lisa. “They have a surprise for you, Jack,” 
said Sister Kim as he pointed around the side of the house. Jack hopped off of the porch and looked around the corner.
There, leaning against the side of the house, was Jack’s old racing bike that he had lost in Iowa City. Sister Kim explained that
G-Pickle had found the bike in the shrubs along the river the next morning and knew it belonged to Jack. He passed it on to Rick, who fixed it up again. “We brought it in our baggage truck from Cedar Rapids today,” said Cozad.
Jack thanked them over and over again and wouldn’t be satisfied until he had taken it for a little test ride. It was good to be back on his own bike again.
When Jack returned from his test ride, almost everyone had already headed downtown for the evening’s festivities. But Sister Kim was still sitting on a lawn chair on the porch, admiring the sunset and the old Lincoln Highway that ran past the house. Jack carefully leaned his bike against the side of the house and sat down next to him.
After a long while, Jack finally spoke up. “I’m sorry about
the magic beans. I took them all the way to Kelby’s but he didn’t want them. Then I lost the beans when I made a stupid bet with the Beer Czar just outside of town. I don’t even know if they were magic beans.”
Sister Kim turned to look at Jack with
his kind eyes and gentle smile. “The beans served many good purposes along the way, but the beans themselves weren’t magic. Your quick thinking, the friendships you made, and Ragbrai itself provided the magic. Now you are safe and sound and you have a whole week of Ragbrai in front of you to enjoy.”
Jack thought for a moment and then said, “That’s cool, but I was thinking of taking off about halfway through the week and heading back to Iowa City. I want to start a restaurant or something anyway, maybe go to Europe and see 
Jason. I don’t know.” A soft snoring sound told Jack that 
Sister Kim’s narcolepsy had put him to sleep in the middle of their conversation, just like the old days at the orphanage. Shrugging his shoulders, Jack quietly stepped down the porch stairs, took his bike from the side of the house, and headed for downtown. 
He had friends to meet up with and 
a red beer ticket to use.
Jack quietly climbed onto the waiting Short Bus and breathed a sigh of relief.
The Beer Czar’s evil black bus, with the thugs and 
the entire raccoon army on board, had 
disappeared down the road, shrieking, howling, and tearing each other to pieces. The Des Moines Register’s 
computer auditing system was no longer showing that Jack owed the paper any money. 
The spare tire was installed and the Short Bus was ready to roll into Missouri Valley for the start of Ragbrai.Bowlingball’s truck made a wide circle in the parking lot and pulled alongside the Short Bus. 
Roger leaned out of the passenger side window shouting, “I know the back roads into Missouri Valley. We’ll avoid the traffic jam at the interstate exit. Follow us.”They took a right turn out of
the abandoned gas station parking lot and drove east under a narrow bridge beneath one set of railroad tracks before crossing another set. At the T-intersection, Kelby followed Bowlingball and swung the bus to the left. Jack looked out the window just in time to see a sign indicating that they were now on 
the old Lincoln Highway. Jack’s thoughts turned to Sister Kim, who had told Jack many stories of how he had helped to build 
the Lincoln Highway as the nation’s first transcontinental route. Jack remembered how Sister Kim had told of the Lincoln Highway being built from the west coast and the east coast simultaneously, and how the two ends had finally met in 
the small town of Nevada, Iowa, and how Sister Kim had been chosen to paint 
the ceremonial golden center stripe down the road at that spot.Jack knew that it was a bunch of crap, but he didn’t care.
Sister Kim had been like a father to him.The Lincoln Highway followed the train tracks and the profile of the land the way old roads do, alongside
the Loess hills making graceful arcs just to their right. Then the old road turned, cutting north and crossing the Boyer River toward Missouri Valley. The town’s 
water tower was in sight straight ahead, but Bowlingball’s truck turned to the right and Kelby’s Short Bus followed, keeping to the back roads until they finally emerged once again on 
the Lincoln Highway at the far side of town. They continued past a Pizza Hut and then slowed and pulled into the driveway of Roger’s boyhood home.Jack climbed off of the Short Bus and out onto the driveway
with everyone else. Some other riders who had already arrived were sitting on 
the big porch. Among them were Brendan and Mongo, who quickly introduced Jack to
Jimmy, Matt, Kristin, and Sherry as well as
Beth, Amy, Kim and Chris. And then Jack finally noticed Sister Kim, sitting with a quiet smile and a hot cup of good coffee.
There were hugs and cheers and congratulations all around, and 
Jack rapidly became the center of attention and had to explain to everyone all about his adventures since his escape from the orphanage almost a year ago.When the story was finally wrapped up and everyone else began unpacking and setting up camp, Sister Kim motioned for Jack to have a seat. He introduced Jack to
Cozad, 
Rick, and Lisa. “They have a surprise for you, Jack,” 
said Sister Kim as he pointed around the side of the house. Jack hopped off of the porch and looked around the corner.There, leaning against the side of the house, was Jack’s old racing bike that he had lost in Iowa City. Sister Kim explained that
G-Pickle had found the bike in the shrubs along the river the next morning and knew it belonged to Jack. He passed it on to Rick, who fixed it up again. “We brought it in our baggage truck from Cedar Rapids today,” said Cozad.Jack thanked them over and over again and wouldn’t be satisfied until he had taken it for a little test ride. It was good to be back on his own bike again.
When Jack returned from his test ride, almost everyone had already headed downtown for the evening’s festivities. But Sister Kim was still sitting on a lawn chair on the porch, admiring the sunset and the old Lincoln Highway that ran past the house. Jack carefully leaned his bike against the side of the house and sat down next to him.After a long while, Jack finally spoke up. “I’m sorry about
the magic beans. I took them all the way to Kelby’s but he didn’t want them. Then I lost the beans when I made a stupid bet with the Beer Czar just outside of town. I don’t even know if they were magic beans.”Sister Kim turned to look at Jack with
his kind eyes and gentle smile. “The beans served many good purposes along the way, but the beans themselves weren’t magic. Your quick thinking, the friendships you made, and Ragbrai itself provided the magic. Now you are safe and sound and you have a whole week of Ragbrai in front of you to enjoy.”
Jack thought for a moment and then said, “That’s cool, but I was thinking of taking off about halfway through the week and heading back to Iowa City. I want to start a restaurant or something anyway, maybe go to Europe and see 
Jason. I don’t know.” A soft snoring sound told Jack that 
Sister Kim’s narcolepsy had put him to sleep in the middle of their conversation, just like the old days at the orphanage. Shrugging his shoulders, Jack quietly stepped down the porch stairs, took his bike from the side of the house, and headed for downtown. 
He had friends to meet up with and 
a red beer ticket to use. to be read and shared...[a serial by little orphan dbax]--THANKS, DADDY!!
to read and enjoy the entire 43 installments [including the prologue and soon-to-be-published "missing link" chapter 18], go to the "magic bean bus blog" where ALL chapters can be found.
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