tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post8512954790490169708..comments2023-10-15T04:10:39.168-06:00Comments on Sans Auto: Adding insult to injuryGarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970191392795369846noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-66951379059982901492007-04-24T22:31:00.000-06:002007-04-24T22:31:00.000-06:00That's why it is so scary to ride a bike around he...That's why it is so scary to ride a bike around here; you can imagine the traffic and number of idiots. We have had that same conversation about gifts with all our relatives; it didn't do any good. So, we just talk to the girls about what we think and believe. Neither one of them is spoiled.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17197599882756386184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-44155140786030996692007-04-15T07:10:00.000-06:002007-04-15T07:10:00.000-06:00Ah, yes. This has really only happened to me once...Ah, yes. This has really only happened to me once.<BR/><BR/>Around Christmas last year, I was riding home from our bike club's "Tacky Christmas Lights Tour" at abvout 10:30, riding through a rather nice rural neighborhood, when I heard a horn honking behind me. I looked back, and there was an older Mustang, headlights off, right on my tail. A second or two after I looked, he flipped on his brights and floored it. I simply went off the road (not much danger there, it was pretty smooth), and got back on after he was gone.<BR/><BR/>About 45 seconds later, he comes zooming by the other way, yelling something at me again.<BR/><BR/>He must have thought I was someone he knows. Someone whose name rhymes with "Ucker".Lazy Bike Commuterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06186544907063119814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-32423062052342147822007-04-11T22:07:00.000-06:002007-04-11T22:07:00.000-06:00As I was outside weeding today, I looked up every ...As I was outside weeding today, I looked up every time I heard a big truck and thought, are you the one that tried to run my husband off the road? Grrrr. <BR/><BR/>As far as gifts go, I don't have a problem with my kids receiving gifts. I do have problems with stuff, for many reasons, many of which can be found at www.newdream.org. I want my kids to be happy, but I don't think that happiness comes from accumulating more things. Yes, it is fun to get that package in the mail or go to the toy store and be able to but anything you want, but what are your most fond childhood memories? Some of mine are building a fort in the blackberry bushes behind my house, exploring the woods in the neighbor's yard, visiting with my gradparents every week (yes, we went to the mall - do I remember anything I got? no. do I remember the time spent together? yes.)<BR/><BR/>The reason we got rid of our TV is because I wanted to experience more with my children. It makes me sad when I see kids with things to entertain them and their parents right next to them, oblivious to their existence and talking on the phone, doing their nails, whatever. It's all about time and personal experience. <BR/><BR/>Wow, what a rant!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-57262484255430270822007-04-11T12:26:00.000-06:002007-04-11T12:26:00.000-06:00About the gifts... we have decided to buy our kids...About the gifts... we have decided to buy our kids tools instead of toys, but our definition of tools is pretty broad. We buy art tools (paper, paint, scissors), music tools (harmonicas, recorders, shakers, drums), mind-building tools (books, puzzles, games, lego, k'nex), science tools (magnifiers, thermometers, magnets, small pets), fishing tools (rods, tackle, tackle boxes), gardening tools (small but real), flashlights, construction tools (hammer, wrench, tape measure... all real but small), fitness tools (balls, bikes, skateboards, trampoline).<BR/><BR/>For the most part, the kids play with their tools, rather than use them properly (as in, how an adult would want them used), but I believe that play is learning, and the kids naturally do exactly what they need to do in order to learn.<BR/><BR/>We can then accept toys from others in the spirit they were given, and every so often, especially before Christmas, we go through the toys and give away most of them to teach the kids generosity and to make room for the next round. We don't keep something just because it was a gift from cousin-x, we pass it along so someone else can enjoy a gift, too.Laurel-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11440164880699233929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-30088606845463481492007-04-11T09:14:00.000-06:002007-04-11T09:14:00.000-06:00At least on the surface of this blog, you're livin...At least on the surface of this blog, you're living out a dream life to me. Going into a sweet career field, the whole carfree thing, raising great kids. Keep it up!Sasquatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485017267983382756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-76445294437422558242007-04-10T13:56:00.000-06:002007-04-10T13:56:00.000-06:00Re: pickup drivers "smoking" cyclists. It isn't ...Re: pickup drivers "smoking" cyclists. It isn't personal, unfortunately. In fact it is because the driver doesn't see a person that they're able to act as they do. <BR/><BR/>It happens to me here a fair bit, though rarely when I'm commuting in town. Traffic is often too heavy to allow a clean getaway, and they're basically cowards. They're the same children who would throw a velvet ant into a cup of water to hear it scream as it drowned. They beat up freshmen as seniors in high school. They loved the hazing rituals in their military unit. Their definition of a moral actor is so narrow that they cannot see a human being outside of their windshield. Just another plaything at their mercy, placed there for a passing amusement. I don't know how to get them to extend their empathy beyond the cab of their pickup truck. I don't really try. Once a few members of their family start getting around by bicycle it will normalize their perception of cycling, and they'll hopefully grow up a bit. <BR/><BR/>Until then, I am thankful I'm not confined in such a cramped moral universe, and use the opportunity to control my own anger, with varying degrees of success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-63079190469042213702007-04-10T12:24:00.000-06:002007-04-10T12:24:00.000-06:00Your story of assault made me feel sad and sick. ...Your story of assault made me feel sad and sick. The driver of the truck was a bully, and I have never been able to understand bullies, but I know they have been around forever. What kind of pain induces a person to do injury to a stranger? It's so sad. I'm sorry it happened to you.<BR/><BR/>Your thoughts about gifts reminded me of a Christmas we experienced when Emily was a little girl. We were particularly broke that year and so I was happily looking forward to the simplest of Christmases, with very little in the way of presents. Then, someone from church came by with a box of gifts. There were multiple toys for each of our children, all tacky and commercial and cheap. I was terribly disappointed and felt robbed, and yet I felt I had to show appreciation. It was a strange experience.<BR/><BR/>Through the years we kept our gift-giving simple, often giving toys to the family to be shared, rather than to individuals. I am a great believer in the importance of books and toys for children, but they need to be of enduring quality, encouraging imagination and an appreciation for beauty and the truly good things of life, such as family relationships. Another of my daughters and her husband also value quality playthings, and have helped relatives by directing them to a wish list of acceptable toys which they have chosen and posted on Kaboodle.com.<BR/><BR/>I read the account of Laura Ingall's Christmas to my children every year during the holidays. For me, it was a highlight of the season to recall Laura's delight at the reception of a single penny on Christmas morning. It reminded me of the wonders of childhood, and the magic of gifts, without succumbing to Madison Avenue and its dictates. <BR/><BR/>I believe that the toys my children played with were great aids to them in becoming the intelligent adults they are today. The right kind of books and toys helped them to appreciate what truly mattered in life. The things created by men can be good--after all, Jesus was a carpenter, and I like to think that he crafted a few toys as part of his work. We just need to remember what "things" are given to us for, to enhance and enrich the elements of life which truly matter most.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-85655193005087065692007-04-10T09:45:00.000-06:002007-04-10T09:45:00.000-06:00I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience on you...I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience on your bike. I know there is a lot of hostility towards cyclists, especially around here when they seem to take over all of the roads and block traffic. It can be tedious, but for someone to target your specifically is ridiculous and dangerous. Be safe!<BR/><BR/>I admire your tenacity, as well as your determination to make cities easily commutable by other means of transportation. If I had the choice, I would definately chose to ride my bike rather than drive a car. Bye the way...your BYU professor was quoted in the Seattle paper yesterday about the new health insurance based on physical excerise. Cool stuff!<BR/><BR/>As for gifts.....take this with a grain of salt. I don't want to offend you or your awesome wife, but these are my thoughts. (If I had my own kids I might feel differently), but I suspect that your kids aren't going to be spoiled to the point that they won't be Christ like if they recieve gifts. The most important thing that will determine their attitudes is the examples of their parents and from what I can tell, your choice of a simple lifestyle is helping them grow into fine young men. <BR/><BR/>However, I think it would be a mistake to reject presents from relatives simply because you don't want them for your kids. Its important for the relatives to feel included in your life, and this is how they show their affection. To tell them to cut off the gifts will hurt their feelings, and possibly damage an eternal relationship. Some people don't have other means to share their affection, and if this is the best they can do, I would encourage you to consider the positive consequences of their actions.<BR/><BR/>I've known very rich families with kids who can have everything but still understand the value of what they have. The most impressive behavior came when those rich kids who had everything believed in sharing without reservation. As a result, I was able to enjoy things I never would have because I was poor. When I was with the rich kids, their generosity allowed me to enjoy things I never would have been able to as a poor kid. I cherished my friends who had more than I had but didn't mind sharing. <BR/><BR/>Your boys are two of the sweetest and most loving boys I know. They have excellent parents who have shown them how to be compassionate and loving. I would worry more about the influence of outside forces than the generosity of loved ones who send gifts. <BR/><BR/>If you send Caden to school, you may have more to worry about when he learns entitlement and to be self absorbed and compete against others for praise and attention from his teachers and peers. He's NOT going to learn entitlement from your family and relatives. He's going to learn it outside the home.<BR/><BR/>I love you Sans!Emily A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17643608048915245152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-64841513516825968672007-04-10T08:07:00.000-06:002007-04-10T08:07:00.000-06:00I have had people roll down their window and threa...I have had people roll down their window and threaten to run me over. So far no one has acted on their words. But perhaps some day someone will. <BR/><BR/>I've thought about that alot and decided that I would rather die doing what I love to do and what I believe in, then be safe and give up cycling. But that is my personal choice.<BR/><BR/>As for the gifts, my family feels that my beliefs are eccentricities and fads and thoughtlessly or consciously undermine them. I think the trick is to couch the words in a form that they understand. So, for example, with far flung family, would it make sense to suggest to them that they take the money they spend on gifts and put it towards the cost of a visit to the children? Or if a personal visit is not in the cards, perhaps greetings and good wishes by video/DVD? Explain to them that you want your children to associate with them, their face, their voice, their expressions, not to associate a specific toy with their name. It might not work, but have you got anything to lose by trying that tack?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-85001547720496833822007-04-10T06:31:00.000-06:002007-04-10T06:31:00.000-06:00I too have felt a little pain from jerks like this...I too have felt a little pain from jerks like this while riding my bike here in Ohio. I applaud your ability to not react to their provocations like they would like. <BR/><BR/>I have been reading your blog for a while now and I am truly impressed with your committment and dedication. I am just beginning my journey to becoming more sustainable and start leaving behind some of the trappings of the modern consumerism. I would encourage you to keep doing what you're doing and remember that you aren't changing your life for some miscreants in a duellie, you're changing for yourself and your family. You will be the better for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-84975402242675885732007-04-10T05:20:00.000-06:002007-04-10T05:20:00.000-06:00I know the feeling.I have had people throw apple c...I know the feeling.<BR/><BR/>I have had people throw apple cores at me while riding down the street. I did manage to track them down at a local high school and paid the Principal a little visit. He was not impressed and I got a somewhat contrite but very poorly written apology note from them. They were also SUV drivers.<BR/><BR/>I also understand your thoughts about Christmas. Kids don't understand value. We have found that the simplest toys generally get the most playtime. LEGO is great because it stimulates fantastic creativity.<BR/><BR/>We have taken to purchasing gifts through Compassion International for communities in developing nations. They have a whole catalogue of things that you can buy that make a real difference for people.<BR/><BR/>Mini-Me, for Vertigo.K-Madhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00365947618545687401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062044641165131850.post-15890637158400993182007-04-09T19:26:00.000-06:002007-04-09T19:26:00.000-06:00its always guys in trucks who seem to resent me on...its always guys in trucks who seem to resent me on the bike and try to assert something obvious, like "my truck makes me tougher than you on your bike." and since that is obvious i can agree to it, but they feel compelled to squeeze me between the road and the curb, which happened last week. i pass them at the stop light then they get real close when the catch up and honk or glare or give me the one finger salute. it makes me really mad, but i simply smile and forgive them.<BR/>God is good<BR/>jpuJohn Umlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06403644529498645914noreply@blogger.com