Monthly Archives: March 2013

E123 – Deanna Adams: Setbacks & Adventures

March 30, 2013Bicycling, Camping, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Touring, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Deanna Adams is a cycle touring adventurer who we spoke to earlier in our show’s history about her minimalist vegan fixie tour through Mexico. After some additional adventures in Europe, she encountered some health challenges and had to postpone plans for a worldwide tour in the works while dealing with those; we speak about her struggle to enjoy life at home and the lessons learned while waiting it out.

We reference This American Life’s “Self-Improvement Kick” episode which contains the story of Daryl Watson, who aspired to be the next “peace pilgrim.”

Deanna also mentions learning to fuse plastic to create new inexpensive gear out of discarded grocery bags.

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music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)

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E122 – Alison Wiley: Diamond-Cut Life

March 24, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley writes about simpler living in its many forms through her website, diamondcutlife.org, tackling the many challenging yet rewarding aspects of “chiseling our focus down to what really matters.” We chat with her about her philosophy of life, work for the state in transportation, food and energy approaches, and her new book,Revelle: A Novel.

If you’re in Portland, drop by Rain OR Shine Cafe on SE 60th & Division on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 for a reading from Alison’s novel!

Brock & Aaron also discuss Hillstomp’s concert last weekend & his crowd management experience, as well as Brock’s trip to Bend.

Headlines
Urban Adventure League: Ultra-Moderate Touring!

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We get some iTunes reviews, Nick shares a song inspired by Hing Kong’s MTR underground transport system, and Jack tweets us regarding a recently observed irony.

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E121 – Transit Is Relative

March 18, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Technology, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Michael Andersen is the force behind the Portland Afoot, the city’s quintessential magazine on commuting and low-car life. Doctor Jeff is a psychologist who once had a commute by transit of four hours a day and still propagates a highly entertaining twitter feed. Together, we attempt to better understand how we deal with our automobile-dependent relatives and friends when we come for a visit, but not before we discuss hangovers, bike mishaps, and movies. Then we assure ourselves of the security of Michael’s bicycle and describe our drinks, which leads to a shared commiseration on the disappearance of the classic drive-in restaurant. Shit gets real when we turn to economic theory and find out who is or isn’t a Marxist, but we have a good laugh about how old we are while diving straight into the future of driverless vehicles (like in Vancouver, BC). Then, finally: family relationships.

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E120 – Meeky Blizzard, Freeway Slayer

March 11, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Building, Communication, History, The Lawsprocketpodcast

Meeky Blizzard is responsible for leading the charge against an ugly freeway that was poised to be built through pristine farmland two decades back. She partnered with citizens and 1000 Friends of Oregon to help give a voice to sensible alternatives, which sounds remarkably similar to an issue Portland area residents face today. We talk with her about the story and her perspectives on transportation and activism.

Dr. Jeff & Michael Andersen joined us to tape next week’s episode, so they sat in on this week’s taping as well! Look for their discussion on our relatives and their perceptions of transit next week.

Headlines
Seattle Bike Blog: Washington politician Ed Orcutt claims bicyclists exhale pollution

Rep. Orcutt did recognize that his statements were absurd.

BikePortland: Highlights from the National Women’s Bicycling Forum

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Steve in WY comments on our Women & The Cycling Industry feature, and Rigel clears up the Qualcomm question.