this sunday on the kim west radio cycling show

my guest on the february 8, 2009 episode of the kim west radio cycling show is tom ritchey. most people in the cycling world know tom as the pioneer builder of the first multi-geared bicycles designed for off-road use: the mountain bike. i'm having him my my show this sunday to talk about his current passion, and application of his vision, genius, and generosity, project rwanda, and how his efforts, and the efforts of others, are helping to improve the lives and productivity of the coffee growers of rwanda. go here to see and learn more. plan to listen in sunday night from 600 to 700 pm. make a note: call with your questions for tom ritchey at 515.284.5966, or toll-free at 866.333.5966.

blog amnesty day

in keeping with my great and vast history as blogger, one who seeks the truth, does a quick tie-dye job on it, and then passes it along, i want to inform my thousands of readers about this historic day, blogroll amnesty day. but rather than do my usual basso cut and paste, read here for the full story or if you prefer an abridged and yet quite sufficient version, go here. the aristocrats are really a good bunch of folks [they of zappadan and more], and to see my stuff up there with the really great stuff is a nice thing. thanks, mark. but sappiness aside, follow one of the links above, and then follow some other links, and do some exploring and reading. expand your cyber horizons. hell, i bet you find at least one or two new regular stops. tell me if you do.

coming to a mall near you

recall that recent bush-league court rulings have upheld the notion that malls are primarily private property, and not public places, for the purposes of free speech and free association. then read this:
"If our security officer feels that is disruptive to our shoppers and our business, then they have that authority to make that determination,” the mall's marketing director said. “It's their responsibility to make sure our shopping place is an enjoyable shopping place for everyone to be.” Garcia said the officers intentionally harassed the couple, accusing them of kissing and having “swapped spit.”
Civil rights advocates expressed dismay over the mall's policy against public displays of affection, such as kissing, and question the wide discretion officers have to enforce it.
“What if they're holding hands, is that going to be enough?” asked Patrick Filyk, president of the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. “Seems like a real slippery slope for management.”
read the entire article here.
this is not a good thing. i'm all for civil disobedience, but i'm not going to texas to do it. i'm sure someone will. perhaps we should organize a bike ride to a spit swap rally at jordan creek sometime?

pig races

Roller Racing Sizzles in Chilly Climates [from bicycle retailer, 2/2/09]
AMES, IA—Roller racing in bike shops, malls and seedy bars is picking up steam. Though it may not be as colorful as watching pigs race, for cyclists, it’s a close second.

from my mailbox [radio AND orphanage]

tuesday morning mail call, and it's just another day!

first, my radio show, the kim west radio cycling show, has a small but growing world-wide network of reporters. from my british corespondent, stewart barker, comes these photos of the rare and remarkable snowstorm that has belted the british isles. unlike the typical--yet equally rare--english snow, THIS is the real stuff: heavy and wet. good go, stewart. hope you keep the rubber side down.

and then there's this, from our walmart reporter, who tells me that even in these difficult economic times, we should feel secure knowing that walmart continues to demonstrate strategies that have made it the largest retailer in the world. here, specifically, their uncanny knack for creative product placement.

[click on image to enlarge]

uh-oh

let's see what happens to this story. if he has good PR people, well, it's super sunday, world cyclocross championships, nadal-federer goes five sets and 4 1/2 hours... that should be enough to bury this item.

wisdom from a short person

nyla, my now 4 1/2 year-old granddaughter, makes some pretty keen observations. for example, recently she asked if i was a grown-up [i told her "not really." she replied, "daddy's a grown-up, isn't he?"]. well, a couple days ago, she said, "i don't like taller humans." i think i'm safe. and so's her baby brother, as long as he doesn't get too much taller.