Bananas for Flock

Thursday I rode back to Conflict Kitchen and finally got my shredded beef, beans rice and plantains. NOM. I rarely get to have Latino cuisine, hubby never takes us to those restaurants, his adventure into exotic food goes as far as Asian/Chinese (yawn) and Indian.
After I left, I got the closest buzz to date I've ever had the pleasure of encountering.

There's the front view and the rear view, they came within 10 inches of me. Jeez.

On Friday, I was all set to go to a Pirates game with hubby, I was certain we had tickets and it was on my calendar. I need a calendar, I'm not so good at remembering dates long term.
So, when I asked him what time we should meet after work, he said to me: "Um, we don't have tickets, do you have your days confused again?"
I was rather disappointed in myself for screwing up another scheduled event, I'm getting really bad with this memory stuff!

The good news was, I could go to Flock! I'd missed it the last 2 months and was delighted not to be missing 3 months in a row.

On the way there, hubby called me: "You were right, we do have tickets for tonight's game." I was sad we were wasting tickets, but glad I wasn't losing my mind.
Oh, wait... hubby's starting to lose his faculties! *Sigh* I guess I signed up for that marrying someone 14 years my senior.


I had a chance to enjoy MORE of Conflict Kitchen's deliciousness. I had a fish salad and more fried bananas while I chatted with Marko, PaulB and Ian.

Flock was awesome as usual. I got to see a few more parts of Pittsburgh I hadn't before. I was amazed at how torn up Penn Avenue was. It looks like they're doing an archaeological dig!

"Hey, Marko, that camera's recording us right now. How much ya wanna to bet this shows up on her blog?"

LOVE PaulB's hi-viz pink. It's not just for the ladies, fellas.

K and VB practice 'Bicycle Face'

These ladies suspected I had a camera on the bike. They weren't wrong.

I had to bail the ride early and head back so hubby would have to pick me up well after his bedtime. On the way there I encountered a child trying to steer his bike down Liberty Ave in Bloomfield carrying a bag and a half case of Pepsi and failing. I stopped and asked if he needed help, I mean, look kid, I have panniers! Don't kill yourself! But he declined my assistance, he said he wasn't very far from home.

Pepsi Kid: http://youtu.be/Ka1fZmviOgA?t=10m43s

A very good evening, seeing friends again. 19 miles.

¡Dios mío! Mishaps and Mistress of Myself

This is video of me nearly getting slowly smooshed by a pickup truck at Station Square because the driver was ogling a woman on the sidewalk. I had to employ the brakes and verbal horn to get him to take his eyes off her and look where he's going.

Apparently, a blinky, a 50LUX headlamp and a bright orange/pink shirt are no match for the bewitching power that a nice pair of breasts has over certain drivers.

Gesticulating pedestrians

I knew it would happen one day: I would get whacked by the arm of a pedestrian that I was trying to pass who was engrossed in conversation and waving their arms about in semaphore fashion. Generally, I steer clear or hang back from these folks, they never hear a bell or an 'on your left' because their own conversations are the center of the universe and everyone and everything else pales. She jumped out in front of me and gave me a good whack on my forearm that smarted for about an hour, no bruises though. She apologized through her giggling and I just shook my head, rolled my eyes and went on my way.

Skirt Mishap

I was surprised to have my skirt get caught in the rear brakes having ridden many miles in skirts much longer than this one. A hole was created where the skirt, tire and brakes all had a disagreement.

Bloomers and cycling:  Cosmo Magazine was once relevant and poignant. 

I think the last time Cosmopolitan Magazine had a worthwhile article was 1895.

http://www.digitalhistoryproject.com/2012/03/bicycling-for-women-in-1890s-bloomer.html

I found the last paragraph particularly fitting and significant to today's cyclist.

"The woman who dons her knicker­bockers and her gaiters and spins out into the open country, will find her mind opening to the wonders of sky and air, the beauties of the fields and streams; she will learn to take comfort in the world about her, will find her mind soothed and her spirits uplifted; she will forget troubles and anxieties, real or imaginary; she will become mistress of herself, as of her wheel, no longer a victim to hysterics, no longer seeking for unhealthy excitement, a rational, useful being restored to health and sanity." 

¡Ay Dios mío, plátanos!!

Conflict Kitchen recently switched the menu to Venezuelan cuisine. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Plantains!! There were fried plantains in nearly every dish on the menu!  I love a good fried banana. I went over to Oakland after work to get me some pabellon criollo.

Noooooooooo!

Soon.

Really? They close at 6? ¡Dios, estoy estúpido! Alright, I'm going to try again later in the week and not lollygag on the way there this time. I need a fried banana in a bad way now.

Trendy things: Hi-Viz is cool with the kids

Made the rounds at the Waterfront and got more "Get on the bike trail!!" directions.

I'm noticing a trend amongst those who blurt out this type of advice or beep at me:

• On their way to McDonald's.
• On their way to GetGo for smokes.
• In a pickup truck.
• Looks like a Duck Dynasty or Honey Boo Boo cast member.

*Shrug* Just observations.


Another trend I'm noticing is how popular hi-viz has become with the kids. From sneakers to clothing.

Since I fit into a youth large (essentially a women's medium), I decided to shop in the boys section of a department store today when I saw a large number of brightly colored wicking clothing. You'll often find me scouring the men's departments for smalls and the kids' racks for larges. It's all the same.
The good thing is, I don't feel quite so dorky blinding people with my clothing.


New unfinished mural spotted!