I Found This Wallet In The Road Today

 

So, as I was riding my bike to work today, I'm always scanning the road ahead to avoid hazards such as glass, nails, staples etc. If you recall, I just got a flat tire last week (almost 80 bike miles ago) so I am extra careful now. Today, I happened upon a bunch of debris, like most days but this little area had some unique and identifiable items, like a smashed cell phone, the squished battery, and a leather wallet. OOOOOOHH, maybe it has a bunch of money! We didn't obviously win the millions on Powerball last night, since I actually have to go to work still.

 

So, I gracefully did a U turn and scooped up the wallet and took a quick glance to see if it were really worth retrieving. Upon initial inspection I saw it had a Driver's License and a couple credit cards, a workplace door scan card and a five dollar bill. So, I tucked it into one of my pannier pockets and continued on.

 

During the remainder of my ride I thought about how to go about getting the wallet to the owner. I hate to admit that if there had been a lot of money, I probably would have kept the cash, but for all I know it already has been pilfered and then cast aside on the road. The five bucks was kind of hidden so the original finder probably missed it. But since recent legislation the cost of getting a new driver license is very costly, approaching a hundred bucks, so I figure the owner would appreciate that back at least. The credit cards are probably cancelled already, plus they are all broken and split from being run over by trucks at the asphalt plant right there on the roadside.

 

Several years ago I lost my wallet. I left my wallet on the counter at Five Guys and someone took it within a few minutes. When I realized it was gone and searched around for it, it was too late. It really sucked because I had hundreds in cash, gift cards and of course my DL and credit cards. It was a hassle to get it all straightened out plus it cost me more money, plus what I lost in the wallet. So, I always like to return things I find - if I can find the owner.

 

So, I know the dude's phone is smashed on the side of the road so I can't call him even if I did have his phone number. And since I'm on a data diet on my smartphone, I don't check facebook anymore or email pictures or stuff that uses data. (Actually, that's another whole story - it's killin me to go from using over 1 million MB/month down to less than 1000 MB/month!!!).

 

So, I googled the guys name and found out he's on Facebook. Which is blocked of course - like half the internet at work. Since DH has a secret offline stand alone extra computer for espionage, I asked him to help. So I have DH log into facebook using one of my coupon fake Facebook accounts with no personal information or friends and he left a message for the owner to call our Google voice number which will forward to my phone. I wanted to leave a post and picture on the guys FB Wall so all his friends would see someone found his lost wallet and perhaps tell him to check Facebook - but he has his Wall blocked from posts. I also figured out via google this guy is married and who his wife is, and found her phone number. I can contact her further on FB when I get home and its not blocked on my computer. They live kind of close to my office and if I get in contact they can pick up the wallet from the reception guard at my workplace.

 

So now it's wait and see. If I hear nothing, I might take the five bucks to pay for postage to ship it to his house.

 

But of course, there is a lesson to be learned in this. If someone found your wallet, would they be able to contact you and return it? Is your phone number and perhaps a phone number of a friend in your wallet - in case your phone is lost too? Maybe you could even put a note in your wallet if any one finds it that they will discover with information on how to return it to you?

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Ride Your Bike Week May 13 - 17, 2013

This week is ride your bike to work week, and this coming Friday May 17, 2013 is Ride Your Bike to Work Day. So far, I've ridden my bike every day and plan to ride the rest of the week as well. The weather here in FL is beautiful, so there is no excuse not to ride. Even if you can't ride to work, you can probably ride a bike to the grocery store or the bank or the library.

Five Steps to Riding Better

1. Follow the Rules of the Road
• Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists.
• Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction that you are traveling.
• Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings.
• Always look back and use hand and arm signals to indicate your intention to stop, merge or turn.

2. Be Visible
• Ride where drivers can see you.
• Wear brightly colored clothing at all times.
• At night, use a white front light and red rear light or reflector. Wear reflective tape or clothing.

3. Be Predictable
• Ride in a straight line and don't swerve between parked cars.
• Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there.
• Do not ride on the sidewalk.

4. Anticipate Conflicts
• Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action.
• Learn braking and turning techniques to avoid crashes.
• Be extra alert at intersections.

5. Wear a Helmet
• Make sure that the helmet fits on top of your head, not tipped back or forward.
• After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately.

Follow the links to the right for a wealth of information for cyclist of all types and level of experience. If you don't find what you need under the main headings, visit the miscellaneous link for information on mountain biking, riding with kids, tandem bicycles, emergency maneuvers, and more!

If you are looking for courses to learn more, visit the Bike Education page and sign up for a League class!

 

Via Bike League

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Minnesota Matters

 

Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate passed the marriage equality law and today Gov. Mark Dayton will welcome it with his signature in a ceremony at 5 pm on the steps of the Capitol. It's a historic event and Minnesotans can be proud for bringing this equality forward. I am proud to be from Minnesota having been raised there, as were my parents, and that's also where my grandparents are buried. I attended the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, and that's where I ran two marathons, and where I met some great friends who happen to be gay. And now they are free to join in marriage to celebrate their relationship of many, many years.

 

This event says a great deal about the people of Minnesota and the strength of character they embody to take this issue and pass it out of goodness and fairness that generations have shown. It's that Minnesota Nice we know and love.

 

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The Price You Pay For Your Life

 

Today I sat in eight hours of boring meetings, except for the twenty minutes when I gave my presentation of course. Except not really, mine was really boring too. It was all data and numbers that are purely speculative and not very meaningful to the manager's in the audience. They also were bad numbers about how thousands and thousands of cases are stuck in a status where they will not move without our clients cooperation. And that won't happen.

 

So, In addition to listening to the state of the world at work which was depressing and boring, some of the people (actually a lot of the people) spent over an hour in traffic commuting to our office for this big meeting. Some of the people actually work out of my office and drive over an hour, one lady drives 90 minutes! Just to get to our boring job! But, she's a manager and probably has hopes of climbing up the career ladder and attaining one of the few higher choice positions that will open up in a few years as people retire with their nice thirty years of service and a comfortable pension. But to do this she will have to drive fifteen hours a week(1.5 hr x10) times fifty weeks for a total of 750 hours/year (an equivalent of 18.75 work weeks). This is in addition to her work week of 40 hours, so effectively her work week is 55 hours.

 

To me this is absolutely ridiculous. There is no way in hell, I would drive more than thirty minutes to work anywhere. I've never done it and I never will. Don't people calculate the cost of the their time and cost of travel when they interview for a job? Maybe not. Maybe those pristine little ponds in their backyards are worth the drive, I don't know. But I do know that some jobs aren't worth the money. The golden handcuffs are not always shiny and bright. There is often a price that people sometimes pay, but forget to calculate into their costs - of their job. Its either the commute, or the stress, or the hours and the fact that you won't really just work the forty hours you're paid for its often more in corporate America. And all the bullshitting office politics that come into play. It's exhausting. Then the crazy commute home with all those stressed out people texting and driving like they're drunk. It's madness that I want no part of.

 

Anyway, I enjoy my bike ride to work. It always the highlight of my day.

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Ten Tick Tips

 

Our campaign is a week old now and thanks to your generosity we have reached 10% of our fundraiser goal!  If you haven't had a chance to donate, don't delay any longer - do it today HERE!

 

And since the weather is warming up, here are some helpful tips we're sharing as part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

 

If you are spending time outdoors you should take sensible precautions to try to avoid exposure to ticks. Ticks can transmit a number of disease to humans and pets within hours of being bitten, especially if the ticks are not removed properly once attached. If you are bitten, early and adequate treatment is paramount to help avoid long term health consequences caused by Lyme and other tick borne diseases.

Here are some suggestions for personal protection from ticks.

1. Wear light‐colored clothing and a hat to help spot ticks more easily.

2. Scan clothing or any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.

3. When possible, stay on cleared, well‐traveled trails.

4. Keep grass cut short and create a tick barrier or "afe zone"on your property.

5. Following instructions on the label, treat clothing with a product that kills ticks.

6. Avoid sitting or lying directly on the ground, even during the cold of winter.

7. Place outdoor clothing in a hot dryer for at least one hour to kill ticks.

8. Make it a habit –check yourself, your children and pets for ticks every day.

9. Learn how to properly remove a tick and about Lyme and tick borne diseases.

10. Shower thoroughly after being outdoors, and don' forget, do a tick check!

 

Via

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Expect The Unexpected

 

It was a beautiful cool morning (65F) for a bike ride. There is practically no chance of rain all week. Part of my route has been newly paved, so I can tolerate the bumpy gravelly surface of the torn up portions of the road. The last part of my ride is on a side road heading due east so I can coast and cool down and watch the sunrise. I was therefore a little surprised when my bike started getting squirrely on me as I rolled along. Looking down, I noticed I had a tire going flat. So, I hopped off and sure enough there was a big construction staple stuck in the side wall of my back tire. Of course, its the back - it always is.

 

Anyway, my Continental Touring Plus tire has done me good. I think its been about three years since I got a flat tire, thanks to that kevlar puncture protection layer. And believe me, I've pulled out glass, tacks, staples and such from the tire that actually haven't punctured the tire. Of course I've been carrying around tools, a spare tube and my mini pump for all these years and today I finally got to use the stuff. I also had the sense to protect the brand new 1 week old carpet in my office so chunks of black bike goo wouldn't get it dirty.

 

Always expect the unexpected and you'll be ready for it when it happens. You'll be self sufficient and able to get yourself out of a potential problem. In some cases, it won't even be a problem. Why is everyone so surprised when I tell them I had a flat tire and already fixed it, all by myself. Isn't that what it's all about?

 

Be ready for anything.

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$25 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway

In case you missed this announcement, there is a $25 Amazon GC Giveaway with low entries. Take a few minutes and enter now!

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Happy Birthday Milt

 

Happy Birthday to a wonderful man, my dad. I hope you're feeling young and healthy these days, keep up the exercise. Remember to get your free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's today.

 

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Our Campaign Is Live!

 

Hi Everyone  - This is Marie A. and I'd like to ask for your help. It's really awesome how everyone has been so supportive of Rachel and Tim through their suffering from Lyme Disease. But we need to ask for more than blessings and prayers. As both of them continue their expensive drug therapies, they were further burdened by bursting water pipes in their home forcing a long relocation, and then recently their only source of income has come to an end as Tim's employment was terminated when his company laid off hundreds of people.

 

They are desparately in need of some assistance and you can help. We have set up a fundraiser on Indiegogo and hope that you can help them spread the word. Sharing the campaign would be a tremendous favor, even if you can not afford to offer monetary assistance. We are planning to campaign and hope to raise $5000 for medical expenses in one month.

 

To do this we need your help to share, like, tweet and pin this to spread the word. The easiest way to do this is to enter our Giveaway. We've solicited some gifts and are having some giveaways during the month to keep the action going. You can enter the $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway by clicking HERE or on the GIVEAWAY tab on the top of the blog.

 

Anything you can do is much appreciated.

Thanks, and God Bless.

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Was I Dreaming?

 

We just got back from a nice Carribean cruise aboard the Carnival Dream. This time it only stayed a few hours in St Maarten, not four days. We were cruise partners with RCCL Oasis of the Seas, stopping in all the same ports and sailing within sight the whole week. It was comforting.

The Dream is a great experience, they have mastered people movement to minimize and eliminate expected lines and waiting. The food was good and the weather was marvelous! In fact, we had such a great time we signed up for a couple more future cruises.

 

It actually wasn't that hard to give up all internet access for the whole week, I think every one should do that once in a while, no e nothin! It helps you focus on the here and now and live for what is instead of what is happening in everyone else's world. News is overrated. I might just cancel my papers and let all my RSS feeds go when Google shuts down the feedreader in July.

 

So, we each gained 3 lbs from eating all the wonderful food, and its back to the spartan diets we must abide by on land. I did ride my bike today and was surprised with a newly paved bike lane for the last two miles of my ride. It was heaven that I've been waiting for since last June when DOT ripped up the road.

 

Anyway, if you're interested you can check out our pictures here.

 

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