I'm a lasagna boy!

Goodbye, Kepler's.

Kepler's bookstore in Menlo Park has closed, after fifty years.
Bookstore closings bring sadness:

"It's like a relative in the family dying," Roy Borrone, owner of Cafe Borrone next door to Kepler's, told the Weekly late Wednesday morning. He said he relocated his restaurant from Redwood City to Menlo Park to be adjacent to Kepler's when it moved across El Camino Real to its present location in the late 1980s.

Neil Gaiman remonstrates us: "Remember, if you have a local bookshop you like, buy your books there. Otherwise it could happen to you." I say that this goes for any local shop: flowers, groceries, clothes, whatnot.

In which the traffic circles stage a comeback

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition fondly recalls some traffic calming measures in District 5 and thinks that the short-lived traffic circles were just the beginning. They call for the city to build a bike boulevard along this "quiet, residential" street, along the lines of what the City of Berkeley has done. After the inept design and construction of the traffic circles in the Lower Haight, I am none too eager for the City of San Francisco to undertake this.

A bicycle boulevard treatment applied to Page St. could dramatically reduce the volume and speed of traffic, and reduce or eliminate stop signs, making bicycling along Page much easier, safer, more efficient and pleasant. It would not "close" the street to cars- drivers would still be able to access every point along Page, but using this neighborhood street as a speedway or auto cut through would be a thing of the past. For example, a driver would not be able to use Page St. to get from Golden Gate Park to Market St. (Oak St. is a better alternative) as they might be required to turn left at Masonic and Divisadero. This would dramatically reduce through traffic on Page while maintaining resident and local access.

I do not like the Lower Haight traffic circles. Best intentions and all that, but no: these were a failure from the minute they were constructed, shabby pieces of workmanship in narrow intersections and without clear signs.

In which we ask for whom the bridge tolls

The Golden Gate Tranportation District plans to impose a $1 toll for cyclists and pedestrians on the Golden Gate Bridge. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition strongly opposes this plan, as do I:

A bike/pedestrian toll is at direct odds with San Francisco’s transit-first policy, which encourages sustainable, non-congesting modes of transportation, such as biking, walking and public transit, over individual automobile trips. This proposed toll would send the exact wrong message about the priorities that San Francisco voters have approved.
A bike/pedestrian toll is environmentally shortsighted. We know that auto trips are a major generator of air and water pollution, and a major problem for the Bay Area. To discourage people from choosing sustainable modes of transportation, such as biking and walking, will result in increased pollution. This is unacceptable.

A bike/pedestrian toll is an inequitable “user fee.” As an SFBC member pointed out recently in a “Letter to the Editor” in the SF Chronicle, bicyclists could, at most, be charged pennies, based on their weight and related wear-and-tear on the Bridge. For instance, if the average vehicle weighs 4,500 pounds and is charged a $6 toll, then the average bicycle at 20 pounds should be charged 2.5¢. Flipping this equation around, if a $1 toll is levied on bicyclists, this would equate to a $240 toll on auto drivers.

I sent a letter to Senator Migden:

I strongly support Assembly Bill 748 and any efforts to prohibit bicycle tolls on all public bridges and roadways.

Walking and bicycling reduce traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, and oil dependency. In addition, bicycling and walking provide the kind of physical activity necessary to fight the growth in obesity, diabetes, and asthma.

AB 748 will encourage Californians to take advantage of the most sustainable and healthy modes of transportation possible, and ensure that they are not penalized for cutting down on traffic and harmful pollution.

I ride across the Bridge several times each month, to commute and for recreation. Were the toll in place, I will be less inclined to do so: I will ride elsewhere. Placing a monetary toll on activities which are good for tourism, the environment, and place little additional stress on the bridge infrastructure is simply not a good idea.

I strongly oppose the Golden Gate Bridge District's efforts to penalize people who walk and bike on the Bridge. Please support AB 748 and a healthier, safer Bay Area.

The San Francisco Chronicle published a nice feature article on cheap and friendly transit on two wheels in San Francisco, and the New York Times reported that the NYPD arrested 49 cyclists during last Friday's Critical Mass.

In which we play catch-up

I cleansed the past few years of half-written journal ("blog") entries recently, and posted one which will no doubt appeal to Greg, and one for Anna about Critical Mass.
I also corrected the title in the post on yo; and realised that I really like Adam's photograph of an MBTA sticker and accompanying exegesis.

In which we read a maghrebi detective story

Jonathan Smolin's translation of Abdelilah Hamdouchi's The White Fly is available at the Words Without Borders web site.

In which a hackie makes an appearance

Last night I spent about half an hour first waiting for a cab at the corner, and then slowly walking towards my destination, three miles away, keeping an eye peeled for a cab with its "For Hire" light illuminated. I walked for twenty minutes and saw not a one; I walked through densely-populated areas: the Lower Haight, the Castro, the Mission, until I pounced on a cabby who pulled over to make a telephone call.

From a four-year-old SPUR report:

The most pressing complaint about the San Francisco taxi system over the long run is its extremely poor reliability. According to the Police Department Taxi Detail’s annual survey for 2000, if a passenger telephoned for a cab, there was only a 40% chance that one would arrive. Of 588 test calls made, 170 were not even answered, and 20 callers were told there was no cab available. Of the remaining calls, just 237 cabs arrived, and there were 161 ‘no shows.’

The City of San Francisco Taxicab Commissionhas taken decisive action, but there are still no goddam cabs. And what we have are too damn expensive.

In which Duboce Park hits the big-time.

A film production will build a set in our very own Dogshit Duboce Park. Filming instructions include the filmmakers saying that they "respectfully request that [residents] park [their] cars in the garage". Unless I missed something major in the past six years, street parking is often the only parking in a neighbourhood of Victorian buildings. Film production in the area has waned of late; one of my favourite films (The Lineup) and many others have filmed here. I for one am excited to see a BART station built at the corner of Duboce and Steiner. Hell, if the café-formerly-known-as-Coopers ever opens again, this might infuse good business. Especially if a parking garage opened underneath the park.

In which we shed no tears for Denver

I have previously made snide comments about the baggage-handling system at Denver Stapleton International, and lo! it is done, and answers Brian Aldiss's question: Who can replace a man*? Apparently not this automated monstrosity. Why didn't they use the technology Louis Borders developed for Webvan?
The New York Times' headline: Denver Airport Saw the Future. It Didn't Work.
* I must make that reference to one of my favourite short stories, a strong philosophical tale about a pack of automata roaming a world in which they have eliminated all humans.

In which I had bad luck with cars.

Shuffling through filesystems past, I found this: a photograph from the (late) San Francisco Examiner showing the white whale, the Volvo waggon (a 240 GL) nicknamed Moby, which I drove for just about a year until it met its untimely demise as the fulcrum of a tree that laid itself down across Fell St. just in time for the evening rush-hour. This of course was when everyone driving home'ards from Silicon Valley came up 101 north to the Fell Street exit, and dispersed across the north part of San Francisco. Where was I? Drinking sangria around a long table at Timo's. Of course.

In which we are non-deterministic

A random link and another offer great insight into the adage that entropy "isn't just a good idea, it's the law!".

In which we get there from here (Or, In praise of portland)

Once again, the pdx puts two and two together in a wicked way. This page details a bicycle-trip planner using freely-available online tools. The Cycle! Bicycle Advocacy route planner uses Google Maps to provide cycling route information.
The Bay Area Bicycle Trip Planner offers less invigorating, but more functional, route planning.

In which it is a contrast!!!

The Caltrans traffic cameras have really grabbed my attention. Other traffic cameras around the world: Atlanta, London, Toronto, Toronto, New York City, and others.

In which we scramble through the stacks

1st San Francisco Public Library Bike RaceSat., Aug. 27 
race starts at 1 pm, the Bike Kitchen, 18th and Alabama*

Check it out, bookish bike worms — this well-read road race takes thealleycat

concept to a circuit of SFPL branch libraries — teams of racers must pedal from 

branch to branch and check out an item at eachof ten libraries (Richmond and 

Sunset branches are obligatorystations), returning to the finish line with a 

magical mix of borroweditems and receipts.

On-site Registration 11:45-12:45 pm, $3/rider (towards cash prizes) —pre-

register via email and pay only $2 the day of the race. For moreinformation or 

to register, contact Adrian Leung atsflibrarybikerace@yahoo.com

A few years ago, the Dutchess and I rode 'round to all the branch libraries (this was before West Portal closed for renovation). Took purt near the whole dang day, and I wasn't even checking out books at each stop.

In which we uncover the financial mechanics of a popular band

At the Shellac show th' other day, the band made good use of their customary mid-concert Q & A session to endorse Anne Eickelberg of Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 as the "best bass player", and explain that Shellac (of North America) are an Illinois S-Corporation. This latter answer, by Steve, came in response to the question "Does Todd get paid more because he rocks so hard?" The trio appeared more loose with both their music and the organisation of the concert. They ad-libbed the set list, very obviously enjoyed themselves, and rocked hard. At the conclusion of Monday's set, Steve and Bob turned off their guitar amplifiers and then began dismantling Todd's drumkit -- while he was still playing. Always the models of efficiency, they took away the hi-hat, cymbals, kick, snare, and tom, and all that was left was Todd himself. They carried him off without further ado.

In which I find the manufactured landscape

I have been watching traffic on 101 all day. I find the grainy motion of the cars soothing.

In which junk food is evidence

Now I discover the truth about the "Twinkie Defense":

The expression derives from the 1979 trial of Dan White, a San Francisco, California (U.S.) City Supervisor who shot to death Mayor George Moscone and fellow City Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978. During the trial, a noted psychiatrist, Martin Blinder, testified that White had been depressed at the time of the crime, successfully arguing for a ruling of diminished responsibility. As part of this testimony, Dr. Blinder cited White's uncharacteristic eating of Twinkies and drinking of Coca-Cola as evidence of this depression — briefly mentioning that this may also have worsened the depression. The unpopularity of the eventual manslaughter verdict (a lighter sentence which set off the White Night riots) gave rise to the interpretation that White's lawyers had used depression caused by Twinkies as his primary defense. Contrary to popular belief, however, White's defense in fact argued that this consumption was unusual for him and reflected already existing mental instability.

In which we pay homage to a colorful profanity

Yo:

Russian City to Erect Monument Alphabet Letter Created: 10.08.2005 15:29 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:29 MSK MosNews

Monument to the Russian alphabet letter, an e with an umlaut, pronounced as “yo” is planned to be erected in the Central Russian city of Ulyanovsk.

This letter called “yo”, the only Russian character with an umlaut, was introduced in 1797 by the famous Russian historian and writer Nikolai Karamzin who was born not far from Ulyanovsk, then called Simbirsk.

The monument will be made of red granite.

Linguists to this day dispute the utility of the letter. It is replaced by the simple e in official documents.

Controversy that has for years delayed permission to proceed with the monument centered mainly on the fact that to the Russian ear the “yo” sound is closely associated with a range of colorful profanities or other exclamations considered in poor taste by opponents, AFP noted.

In which we again visit with the police (park station)

On our way home in the wee hours of the morn, Anna spotted the contents of a purse spilled across the pavement. We rested up for a bit and then cycled over to the Park Station (did you know they sell tee shirts with a Grateful Dead logo? $15!), where I also learned that one can file a police report online.
The purse contents, by the way, included two (expired) driver's licences, three college IDs, a Social Security card, and a punch-card almost good for a free sandwich at a common sandwich chain. Certainly enough to steal this person's identity.

In which we can't pay and we won't pay!

The organisers of a social strike against MUNI have this to say:

... over $9 million was "discovered" for Muni in late May. The SF Board of Supervisors, according to an article on BeyondChron.org, "could have stopped the 25 cent fare increase simply by restoring the parking fine and fee increased to the levels originally proposed in the MTAs budget." They didn't. And about half of the $9 million was used to reduce fees for parking and fines.

A few supervisors are friendly to the interests of working class people, but that’s not enough. It is decisive action by the riders themselves that will turn heads -- and the table.

The businesses that benefit most from Muni should pay. Downtown San Francisco, long a haven for tax evaders and enemies of people in the city, needs to pay for what it uses. Muni functions as a lifeline for those companies, bringing countless people to their service sector jobs that are generally underpaying them anyway. Corporate America's billions in revenue makes its claims of poverty ring hollow.

and Common Ground magazine says this:

... a fare hike is an attack on the jobless, carless and fixed-income poor (MUNI fares have shot up 50% in the past two years). “Studies show that raising fares and cutting services drives customers away,” notes Jeremy Nelson of Transportation for a Livable City (). A look at the scheduled cuts reveals how MUNI places corporate interests before community needs. Cutbacks have targeted cross-city routes, residential service and weekend travel while sparing the commute-hour traffic that delivers the daily workforce to the steps of the companies like Chevron, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Bechtel and the Carlyle Group. “The real problem is that mass transit is a jumbo-sized free ride for the bosses and billion-dollar corporations,” Keven Keating argued in the March edition of Fault Lines, the Indymedia tabloid.

Note that the Mr Nelson quoted now works in the private sector for transit consultancy Nelson\Nygaard.

Goddammit, MUNI is raising fares again. Glad I am that I have a stash (of tokens). $1.50 from $1 in three years. This comes at a harsh time, consider the recent quarterly audit of MUNI shows that they have an appalling on-time record and no feasible plan to improve capacity or meet headway.

In which I am Salim's complete lack of surprise

A nice write-up about two ex-ess-eff messengers who started a courier service in Boise ID asks the question "What would surprise people to know about you?" Their reply? "People might find it surprising that we both ride track bikes. They are fixed-gear, one-speed bikes with no brakes."

In which I request bicycle parking at Waller and Fillmore

After seeing the bicycle rack at the south-east corner of Fillmore and Waller vandalized (probably during a theft: the bolts securing the u-rack to the concrete sidewalk were pulled completely out on one side!) and subsequently removed, I began to wonder how the city of San Francisco treats these racks.
I requested a replacement rack via the San Francisco Department of Parking and Traffic's Bicycle program site.
About two years ago, I placed a similar request (over the telephone: the web site had not yet appeared) when a speeding car took out the bicycle-rack outside Jack's Oak Fair Market at the corner of Oak and Scott. The replacement rack did not arrive for almost six months, but Jack was gracious enough to allow me to leave the bicycle inside while I shopped (invariably for Mexi-Snax tortilla chips, coffee ice cream, or Payday candy bars).

In which we abate mosquitoes

The San Francisco Examiner reports that the city employs six bicycle messengers as part of the mosquito-abatement efforts. The Chronicle has a simliar story, noting the name of the curiously effective pellets:

The pellets, a larvicide called Altosid, target only mosquitoes and will not disturb fish or other animals, health officials said. Cyclists will drop about 150 to 200 pellets a day and will distribute them multiple times to various catch basins throughout mosquito season, which runs through October.

In which we discover a savvy use for the ipod

William Bright put together a site where users can share transit maps designed for iPod Photo.
UPDATE:Okay, this is a little lame because it does not actually provide an interface that takes advantage of the scroll-wheel function on the iPod, but instead relies on the user to know how to manoeuvre about the city anyhow.

In praise of screenshots

change the default screenshot dump type by using a command-line:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type image_format \
&& killall SystemUIServer

where image_format is any of png pdf jpg tiff. Pre-Tiger (10.4.x), the default was pdf; Tiger defaults to png.
You must restart the SystemUIServer to see the changes.

Screenshots are cool.

In which we spread the love

theodocious ferocious sings the praises of Darwin, who will surely take care of all the idiots-come-lately in San Francisco (and Manhattan/Bklyn, and Philadelphia, ...) what ride the fixed-gear. It's the killer lifestyle.

In which the old becomes new again

San Francisco's beautiful, majestic Market St. receives a historic remake through the recreation of a 1905 short film:

... Jack Kuttner attached a camera to a San Francisco trolley and shot black-and-white film as the streetcar rolled east from 10th Street on Market Street. The result, a herky-jerky 20-minute film, is a time capsule of industrial age mobility: Horses pull wagons, motorcars zoom past and newsboys bound around giddily. The Ferry Building, at Market's east end, looms ever larger as the camera-mounted trolley approaches it.
Few copies of Kuttner's film exist, but the Exploratorium, a museum in San Francisco, owns one. San Francisco filmmaker Melinda Stone saw it six years ago; transfixed, she decided to re-create it at its centennial. She is nothing if not patient. Years of planning came to fruition recently when she and a small crew shadowed Kuttner's feat. The result will be shown, along with Kuttner's film and local artists' transportation-related work, at "A Trip Down Market Street 1905/2005," an outdoor screening on Sept. 24 in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza, sponsored by the Exploratorium.

"I'm hoping that all of that will get people to think about the future and how we can effect change on Market Street," Stone said.

Market Street dissects San Francisco, running northeast-southwest from the close, high-rise-pocked grids of downtown to the climb of Twin Peaks. Plainly, the boulevard has changed through the years, and not always for the best. Some midtown areas have decayed to the point of civic embarrassment. It wasn't always so. Even a half century ago, Stone noted, "that place was hopping. It was more than a shopping center. It was a promenade. It was a place to go and check out the scene and really be alive."

In which changes are at hand

Apple introduces its first multi-button mouse in the era of OSX, and Greg points out that Tiger supports remapping the capslock key to control (!!): System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse -> Modifier Keys (irritatingly, a non-navigable button: one needs a mouse to activate it!).

In which we know that malt does more than Milton can

My word! Tom Stoppard's The Invention of Love blew me away. The dialogue is crisp, witty, full of verve: the characters leap off the page. I am very sorry that I skipped this play when it had its North American premier at San Francisco's ACT. The play tells the story of the class-bound classicist A E Housman, whose poetry, especially "A Shropshire Lad", shaped much of my understanding of metre and form. Housman travels down the Styx as he shakes off this mortal coil, and meets characters from his past. Sad, wistful, and terrifically funny.