Perfect Steady Circles

There are times these days when I am upset, saddened by the heartbreaking things that are happening to some of the people I love most in the world. I spend some of my time on the verge of tears. I'll be OK, and so will they. In the meantime, however, I rely on perfect, steady, circles.

Mind in turmoil, I mount my bike and ride to work. My feet perform perfect, steady, unceasing circles. My knees go up, go down. My breath goes in, goes out. My body falls into the familiar rythm of the bicycle. The cars and birds and sun and clouds perform their prescribed duties. My wheels roll as they always do. I am calmed. I arrive at work quite capable of taking on its daily challenges.

When work is over, I am carried back into the outstretched arms of my family by my feet performing perfect, steady, circles.

It isn't always blissful on the bike. Sometimes it is just perfect, steady, circles. And that is enough.

R A N T W I C K

Are You #%^1n' Kiddin' Me #7

I've been driving my family a little crazy with my obsessive behaviour surrounding this commercial:

The stuff being advertised here is being called a "water enhancer" by the company who makes it. Every time that guy says "it really changes your water", I scream "YES, it changes your water into juice!" at the TV. My family used to just laugh, but now they are beginning to find it tiresome. Nonetheless, I can't seem to let it go.

I have nothing against this product, but for some stupid reason I can't just let this "water enhancer" angle slide. I mean, what is the real difference between this stuff and:

Sure, the chemicals and artificial flavours and sweeteners may have changed, but how the hell is this stuff really any different? When you add a flavoured syrup or powder to water, you have made juice. Crappy juice, but juice.

This is a pretty minor thing, I know, so this instance of "Are You #%^1n' Kiddin' Me?" should probably read "Are You #%^1n' Kiddin' Me, Rantwick? I mean, how can this matter to you or anyone else?" But you know, I've already, like, written some stuff. So that's where we are.

Yes, it Changes Your Water. Into Juice.

R A N T W I C K

POV Cycling Video Bits n' Pieces

I've had a few snippets of video that I didn't know what to do with for a while, so I strung 'em together:

About the video:

- The under-bridge guys were just doing an inspection. I don't know what the deal was with the masked dude though.

- I was in a hurry and actually used that unsecured rack, fretting a little for the 20 minutes or so I was in the office building.

- Pedal boat guy was a really nice dude, but I have forgotten his name. He said the boat was fun but at over 100 lbs and with his little passenger to boot, a killer on hills. I'll bet.

- My friend Rolly witnesses majestic birds plucking snakes right out of the grass when he's on the bike path:

Rolly's Hawk

I get bounding groundhogs.

-  On the fugitives: I actually called the cops and asked them if they had any cases / incidents reported at that place and time because I had video if they wanted it. Although some woman up the street was yelling at those guys, it wasn't anything that got reported.

Still very little time for writing and few ideas for anything substantial lately. That video camera on my head is really saving my ass in terms of giving me stuff to post!

Have great weekends, all.

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

Encounters with Rantwick, episode Twenty: Super Salmon Cycle Squad!

I don't know that I have ever done back-to-back Encounters with Rantwick posts; but when Encounters happen, they happen, I guess.

It is a an awe-inspiring thing to come across perfection. Unless of course you see it all around you. I suppose some people find it all over the place. I envy those people, because I don't always have the eyes to see. I've got this to hang to for now:

Those three are a reminder to me that perfection is possible, and for that I am grateful. Thank you, SSCS!


Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

Encounters with Rantwick, episode Nineteen: Geese Are Cranky Jerks

Jerks are common enough, although in my experience most people aren't. Jerks, I mean. Then again, maybe we're all jerks. I mean, maybe the vast majority of us are nice, except for the rare moments when we act like jerks. There are just so many of us, though, that we experience somebody else's very rare jerky moment multiple times daily.

One thing I did not know was that Geese were cranky jerks. I mean, I had a hunch, but it was unproven. Until now.

I guess I should just cut that bird the same slack I did for humans in my opening musings, but I can't. With Geese, it's about even odds that if you get within earshot, they're gonna insult you. It's true and you know it. If you don't know it yet, you will. Oh yes, you will.

Have a jerk-free weekend, everyone!

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

Downtown Fixed Gear, RANTWICK Style

As some of you may know, my summer commuter (named Summer) is a fixed gear. Way back when I did a post about the unhip nature of its setup.

I had a nice ride in downtown traffic on that bike a few days ago. Upon reviewing the video, I realized I had now also made the antithesis of one of those exciting fixed gear films from places like New York.

Taking all the cool and/or hip out of a downtown fixed gear video is much easier than you might think: It is a simple matter of substitution!

When I went ahead and made the requisite substitutions, I got this:

I hope I am now firmly established as the most publicly lame fixed gear weirdo in North America. When I showed that video to the rest of the Rantwick clan, they just shook their heads. I don't blame them. I don't know why I do such things.

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

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Logo from my friends in the cool new indie band called "Evil Peace" You should follow the link and check them out.

Cross Purposes

Much like this bike I saw recently, events in my life currently seem locked at cross purposes to any writing, posting, or even reading efforts. This is just a quick note to say that I hope to be back to regular posting again soon. I sold the Great Satan as planned and have been riding every work day, so I have lots of video I would like to work with as soon as I can find a little time.

Perhaps my man Mordecai can help me realign my work/life/blog balance. Until then, take care of your centres of kindness and know that I wish I was here more.

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K