we're doing it again - the second ever Buffalo World Naked Bike Ride. A ride for bikes and bodies, against car culture.

Where: TBA
When: July 9th, meet up at 7pm

More details to be announced soon, here and on the Facebook page.

(e:paul) made some pretty awesome flyers for it that he should post.

The three of us had an amazing early summer day riding around all the harbors. It was ridiculous how bumping it was. A carnival at canalside, people everywhere in the marina, even the outer harbor was busy.

Near Wilkenson point, they have a week long exhibit of lit up inflatable castles. We didn't go in it because of the line, but I've heard it's cool on the inside.

They now added a snack and beer stand along with rentable kayaks and games around the point. Acrobatic yoga was happening too. On one hand I'm glad to see it used, on the other hand, does every public space now need to be constantly commercialized? I prefer the outer habor more natural and all the commercial stuff near the canal.

On the way back, we got clams for (e:paul) at the hatch and rode home. Riding up north Pearl street by the carnival, I passed what I thought were two kids wrestling around on the sidewalk. When I saw (e:paul) and (e:terry) stop, I rode back and saw that it was a woman (I don't want to even call her a mother) uppercutting her young (10-12ish?) year old kid, screaming at him and everyone trying to intervene.

There was an older guy that stepped in between them and confronted her and she just lost her shit - something like "You can't fucking tell me what to do with my kid fucking asshole", all the while still trying to swing at her kid. WTF. I got a picture and short video if needed (no way am I going to post that).

(e:paul) tried to call 911, but no dice, they wouldn't do anything without a specific location. 911 is next to useless. So I rode back down to Marine Drive and got a police officer with some other lady.

The police came over and pulled away the woman away and she's still yelling and swinging, telling the kid it's to look at what he did, how he's still gonna get it. The boy is screaming and crying, the crowd is gawking, I can't imagine anything worse for these kids.

The part I feel the most terrible about is what happens to after this? Does woman gets off with this (and probably beats the kid twice as hard in private considering what she does in public) or does she goes to jail, and probably throw her family's life into chaos?

Public violence seriously stresses me out and depresses me. Lady, I don't know your story, but from what I saw today you're a human bag of shit.

From Friday until this morning, we went camping with Jeremy in the East Otto State forest. There you can camp in one of twelve or so cleared camp spots, no reservation or fee needed.

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It was hot as balls, almost 90 degrees and sunny. Luckily we were in a shady area. There was some water but for the most part it was swampy. Only two miles away was Zoar Valley, so if we go down here again I'd definitely go over and swim.

On Saturday night it poured and thunderstormed. Some quick scout thinking saved us with the tarp ((e:uchina)). I was actually scared of the lightning - it couldn't have striking been more than 1000 feet away.

Thursday night rides are my favorites.

We rode with Deacon, Robbob and Ashley down to the seneca bluffs at Seneca and the Buffalo River. It was a good night. We finished up with some pool at Marinara's.

Down on Seneca there is the Hahvahd of psychic schools. I wonder what tuition is.

(e:terry) and I worked on the garden for hours last Sunday and planted all of the botanical garden flowers we got.

It's like summer already. The backyard is a ton of work but I think I actually enjoyed it today. Call the gardening club, I'm an old man.

We were able to use a ton of our compost from the Farmer Pirates, who take our compost.

Was awesome. We woke up at 8:30 (we were supposed to check in at 7:30), got to the park at 9, and rolled up just when the ride was leaving. Obviously if everyone did that it wouldn't work but it worked out for us.

The day before I volunteered and spray painted the markers on the road.

It was warm and not sunny. The ride was 26 miles long, and for the most part good.

I really hate the car culture slow rollers who stop at every stop sign and give way to every car. I'm not riding 26 miles with you clucking at me about yielding to cars, it's an event for building a bike culture.

The 9th floor of the new clinical science building has a pretty good view from the patio.

Too bad this is on the executive floor. I hope they let the patients up here.

Spring night rides are best rides.

Last week was the clean air coalition dinner at the Hotel Lafayette. The Allen Street Consulting table went crazy with the raffle. (e:xandra) won an air purifier, we won the 50/50 and (e:Dianne) won a Coop gift certificate.

I love breadsticks.