I’ve been meaning to mention Masuelli Bikes for a few days now. They struck a happy nerve with me. They combined three subjects that I care deeply about: web site design, environmentalism, and bikes. Unfortunately, further examination of the site left me rather less impressed, as we will see.
First, the bikes. Masuelli builds their bikes out of bamboo. Yes, bamboo. It’s an incredibly strong building material; light, flexible, and responsive. I would love to ride one. I can only dream of owning one. The bikes are attractive and unique, always a plus. Making bikes out of bamboo is a great way to promote environmentalism and sustainability. While one might quibble about how much of a difference the bikes themselves actually make, I’m more interested in the message it sends. There are many ways to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly products. All that lacks is imagination and the drive to get good ideas into production. Massuelli achieves that goal in a way that is original and inspiring.
Tags: Accessibility, Bikes, Environmentalism, Usability, Web Design
My new web site is now up and running. Go visit Lint Web Design. Try to be kind.
In designing the website I had two goals, to get my name, portfolio, and résumé out there, and to show off some nifty things available with the new HTML 5 spec and CSS Level 3. Using the new semantic mark-up available in HTML5 allows search providers to more effectively index the page, providing a way to identify parts of the page that may be of interest to them. Using CSS Level three, I can add fresh new effects to the page, such as drop shadows on the text, paragraph indentation and more. So go have a look. Check back here and let me know what you think in comments.
Oh, and if you are hiring web designers or programmers, or know someone who is, think of me. I am available.
As performed by… Neil Young. Heh.
Tags: Videos
A few years ago, Texas did something monumentally stupid. (Shocking, I know.) My neighbors voted to amend our state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and in the process enshrined bigotry into the very founding document of our state. For the record, I voted no on that ballot issue. It now seems that they may have made an even more egregious error.
Article 1, Section 32 (b) of our newly amended constitution reads, in full:
“This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.”
Emphasis mine. This overly broad language seems to be an attempt by the amendment’s backers to prevent any same sex couple from using loopholes to circumvent the law and seize for themselves an important right afforded to every other couple in the state. However, the plain language of the bill states that Texas may not recognize marriage at all. Or so says Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general.
Expect legal challenges to the law, and creative interpretations handed down by judges in an attempt to define the section to not mean what it plainly says. I suspect this might even wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court.
On another front, Dallas state District Judge Tena Callahan ruled that the state prohibition of same-sex marriage violates the federal constitutional right to equal protection under the law. The case in question concerns two men who were married in another state and are seeking divorce here. Under Texas’ constitution, the state may no longer recognize same sex marriage and therefore may not grant divorces in such marriages. Attorney Greg Abbott will appeal that ruling.
Tags: bigotry, constitution, stupid, texas
The new bike
I signed up to get a new Campus Cruisers Eastside Fix. My old bike is definitely showing its age, and I really need a new one. Campus Cruisers is offering their new fixie for $299.00 to the first fifty people who send an email reservation. No money down, full payment required before delivery in February 2010. I can’t wait.
The Eastside is a no-frills bike. As Campus Cruisers says, if it ain’t mission-critical, it ain’t on the bike. No fenders, no rear brake, no gears, no decals. Just bike. And check out those beefy forks. I won’t be bending those pulling hard off the line.
The old bike
The old bike is a Specialized Sirrus of indeterminate age that I got from a friend of mine as a frame and fork. It’s been through at least two previous owners. I put wheels, handle bars, and crank on it. Then I rode it hard for five years. The front rim is bowed outward in one spot from over inflation, the frame suffers from rust, and the forks are a more bendy than I’d like. I think it still has many years of life left in it if one is determined. So once I get the new bike, I’ll be looking for a good bike charity. If you need a fun, well-used fixie, let me know.
A huge tip o’ the hat to Urban Velo.
Tags: Beginnings, Bikes
It’s one thirty in the morning, and I should be sleeping, but instead I’m starting a blog. An inauspicious beginning, but a beginning none-the-less.
In this blog, I shall explore subjects of interest to me, and hopefully to you, the reader. I might discuss philosophy, religion, government, and the intersections between them, real or imagined. I intend to delve into the weightier subjects of mind, of how and why we are. I may discuss matters moral and depraved. Justice and politics. I will expound on matters technological, of arcane and fascinating minutia in web design, computer science, and open standards. I will not neglect the hard sciences; directing your attention to interesting themes of evolution, or physics, or astronomy.
I will talk about bikes.
In short: stay with me, dear reader. It will be a long and circuitous journey to everywhere, and nowhere in particular. But one I hope will be worth your attention.
Tags: Beginnings, Bikes, government, philosophy, religion, Science