Biker Chic

Today is National Bike to Work Day! Whether you are one who embraces the freedom of the flowing wind and feeling of fulfillment of powering your own way across the pavement, or who thinks that bicyclists are a dangerous pest on the transportation infrastructure that have no place in a ‘decent, Am-ur-ikin’ car-dominated society”; everyone will probably agree that bicycles aren’t going away. It’s reported that there are over a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as automobiles, with the majority users in Northern Europe and China. Most of these are for commuting. That contrasts bicycling trends in the United States, in which most usage is for exercise (and if you read health stats on the U.S. it’s safe to assume that not very many use their bikes.) The heavier U.S. emphasis as bicycling as a sport rather than basic transport also explains the obsession with outfitting. Most active riders are geared up to the teeth with the latest in fabric technology. As noted recently by a visiting European, “your regular bike commuters look like they’re all ready for the Tour de France!”

Boo Genes

Recently, the talk around our house is an issue that’s been around for many years: genetically modified food. Although I’ve known about the debate for awhile, I’ve never really paid attention to the story until now. I always thought the entire debate was food safety – but that’s only part of the plot. The rest involves politics, ethics, science, and money. Large amounts of money. As my five year old would say, “lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and a whole lots of money.”

Now, I’m not going to go into depth about the whole GM (genetically modified foods) details nor go on my soapbox to argue for one side (this isn’t a science nor politics blog), but I have to admit that I may have become a tad bit biased. Because I usually root for the underdogs – which in this case aren’t the ones spending almost $9 MILLION on lobbying!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to the many mothers that I am so fortunate to know in my life. Mother’s day is a special day for me as an artist, as my mother was always my most supportive coach to pursue my talents. As for cartoons, she was my final “tester” for my work. When I would show her my latest gag, I didn’t consider it a winner unless it provoked the motherly “eye roll”! I love you Mom!

Work is Outta Site!

According to federal and independent surveys, around 40% of U.S. employees have jobs that can be performed offsite (I would say from home, however many that telework can and have set themselves up to do their job on the go at mobile locations, or even organized telework stations.) Even my employer, the federal government, has identified almost 60% of it’s workforce as potential telework positions. Yet only a small percentage of them do (about 20%.) Why? The most often cited reason had to do with technology issues. This could be changing, though – keep in mind that these stats are from a survey completed about seven years ago. Seven years may not seem like a long time (at least to those of us whose “silver linings” are hairstyles), but in the world of modern technology that might as well be a century. Many of the “tech” issues have new solutions, and many more have been resolved. Soon, more and more could have a short commute. Hmm… tremendous future in pajama sales?

More?!!

More. What most of us wants. More money. More space. More clothes. And definitely more toys! As many (fortunate?) parents may attest, however hard you try to minimize the toy quota in your home, more ones always get through. Overly generous relatives. Hand me downs. Guilt gifts. Birthday gifts. [Insert holiday here] gifts. And what seems to be a blessing of abundance is often a nightmare in clutter. The smart ones I know do a routine purge and that way never have more than a certain amount. The rest of us either just shove it into another storage space. Or even more ambitious- we attempt to purge, but in our typical style of mis-organization, we put into a storage bin but forget to put or take away – leaving it like gift from the gods to wandering little hands with short attention spans. “OOOHHH!!! Look! Look! More toys!!” Maybe it crosses their minds that this was their Barbie from two years ago – but I don’t think they care. I just hope they don’t figure out the purge strategy.

Sweet Dreams

With apologies to those who suffer with insomnia, I have to say that I usually sleep pretty well. I mean, I could snooze through heavy metal concert. And to be honest, my kids sleep pretty well, too. I laugh how I used to tiptoe around when they were babies  – especially since I’m so clumsy that in my efforts to walk without noise I would inevitability knock over something that would produce the equivalent of loud, clanging pans on  a stone kitchen floor. I don’t need to do so now- they sleep fine through the night. However, being human and American, I gotta have at least one complaint. There are times when their sleep pattern is not consistent. For example, if you need them to wake up early, they stay up way too late. If you need them to sleep in (for you to catch up on your slumber), they’re up before your grandpa can say pass the bran muffin, dear. My only theory is that something or someone is disrupting their sleep. But what?

Hold On Tight

The racing amusement park ride of life continues! One minute you’re flirting with a co-worker and then BAM! eleven years later it’s princess television shows, IEP’s, coordinating gymnastics schedules, and if you’re lucky, date night. I’m glad it’s turning out to be a ride that keeps on going forward instead spinning around and round – because who wants to feel any more dizzy?