Browsing "A Better Place"
Feb 15, 2014 - A Better Place, Uncategorized    Comments Off on Rural State Senator Derails Funding for Urban Alternative Transportation Project – The AMP

Rural State Senator Derails Funding for Urban Alternative Transportation Project – The AMP

I met State Senator Jim Tracy, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, at the Fiddlers Jamboree in Smithville several years ago.  He was campaigning the crowd.  Of course I struck up a conversation with him about alternative transportation (bike/ped) and we started having a very good interaction.  He finally asked where I was from.  When I told him Nashville, he was almost rudely dismissive with me.  That tells me either he didn't want to waste his handshaking time, or he's just not interested Keep reading [...]
Dec 21, 2012 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Terrorism, Fear and Armed Guards in School

Terrorism, Fear and Armed Guards in School

I don't live my life in fear. I've spent my life taking risks.  I get out of bed every day - I could have fallen out and broken my neck.  I step in the shower - I could slip.  I drink coffee.  I could choke!  I take on the most dangerous part of my day when I hurl myself at 70-80mph on the interstate on the way to work.  One slight miscalculation and I'm dead in fractions of a second.  I take on risks with every action every day.  I even ride my bike on the road, with cars!  I could be Keep reading [...]
Dec 2, 2012 - A Better Place, Bike Advocacy Thoughts    Comments Off on How to Discourage Bicyclists in Your Community

How to Discourage Bicyclists in Your Community

I finally decided it's time, after all the blood sweat and tears at the local, state and national level to turn things around.  Are you tired of them adding seconds to your trip?  Are you tired of looking at their skinny butts all enjoying themselves, smiling, taking in the world so vigorously?  I'm going to explain how to live in a community that's bicycle-free! 1.  Choose a place where no one wants to go.  Find some where ugly.  Bicyclists usually like beautiful places to ride. 2.  Live Keep reading [...]
Nov 22, 2012 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Thankful

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving and I ride.  It's a beautiful day.  Sun is shining, temps in the 60's, a light breeze, a perfect time to restore my soul.  As most bicyclists know, our activity is a great way to meditate.  Today I focus on things I'm thankful fo r - my family, my job, my friends, interesting things in life, people I don't see much and wish I did more. My route starts at home.  I don't care much for driving to ride anymore.  A holiday day like this promises little traffic and the Keep reading [...]
Feb 19, 2012 - A Better Place    Comments Off on United States Politics and the Presidential Election

United States Politics and the Presidential Election

We don't have kids.  And I'm not sure why I care about these things.  I should plan to live a selfish life, do what benefits me for the next 30-40 years of my expected lifetime, and live it up.  I think most people will tell you I'm a liberal Democrat. But I have lots of Republican friends and family that express their ideas regularly and challenge my ideas.  I appreciate them, especially those that have thought things out carefully, and present good logical ideas.  Many of them are just plain Keep reading [...]
Oct 21, 2011 - A Better Place    Comments Off on #OccupyWallStreet

#OccupyWallStreet

I was in NYC last week and stopped by when they were in Times Square, and saw them again in Zuccotti Park (twice from a tour bus.)  What these protesters have found is another plane of thinking - many Americans don't even understand it.  Maybe it's because they're so brainwashed by the 1% that it's hard to explain?  Or is it the labeling that they're the fattest laziest dirtiest scum in our society? Matt Lauer this morning, on the Today Show, sat there and criticized them for not having a message. Keep reading [...]
Mar 21, 2011 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Where Have I Been?

Where Have I Been?

It's been quite a while since I wrote an article about the death of Sharon Bayler. If you follow me on Facebook or you browse my Flickr page, you can probably figure out what I've been up to. But if you don't, read more below to find out more. Summary: - Bike Walk Tennessee: advocacy will suck up every ounce of time you have. - Work: I really should keep up my LinkedIn. Regardless, I've been very busy at work. I won't be detailing it online, but I'll share some general comments. - Life: Yes, I'm Keep reading [...]
Mar 7, 2010 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Fowler “Pappy” Boppy Stanton – story from a student

Fowler “Pappy” Boppy Stanton – story from a student

Today at Boppy's funeral, we met many people, some Donna, Sonata and the rest of the family knew, others were from life before our crew.  We heard many stories.  From Mindi Mercer via email to Donna, This story was never verbalized since his death, but quite special and easy to share with you. Pappy, You Will Be Missed It was a little band room on the outer edge of a small middle school in rural Jackson County Tennessee, furnished with old metal folding chairs and even older music stands, and Keep reading [...]
Mar 5, 2010 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Fowler Stanton, Amadeus and the Sea Monster

Fowler Stanton, Amadeus and the Sea Monster

Last week on the evening of February 25, 2010, our family lost Fowler Stanton (Boppy.)  He was Donna's stepdad and the man that raised her.  He was always up to something crazy or poetic.  The story below is one we found while going through his wishes.  A little background:    Boppy was raised on a farm in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee.  Most people know it as an exit to go fly fishing on the Caney.  It was a bustling area back in the early 20th century.  Keep reading [...]
Jun 3, 2009 - A Better Place    Comments Off on Riding My Bike to Work

Riding My Bike to Work

A friend of mine sent me this cartoon.  I hope it's not gonna get me a cease and desist or something because of copyrights.  I'll take it off if someone has a problem I guess.  But, Pat = Jeff.Rode my bike to work today.  For as much as I spout off advocacy stuff, I don't practice what I preach nearly as often as I should.  I should ride my bike to work every day.  Took off at 6:30am this morning.  It's 12 miles towards the lousy side of town - Antioch.  I Keep reading [...]
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