This is a hub of information exchange.

Teenagers passing drugs

I mean jeez- It says so right in the manifesto.

Hello and happy today;
13th20151
You can run, but you can’t hide.

Today I will be broaching an array of subjects with a smile on my face, because on Wednesday, for the first time in nine months to the day, I went on a mountain bikecycle ride, and it was splendid;
firstride
I even returned to the spot where I got destroyed, and it was as intimidating as it’s ever been;
stairs
As I noted on the Instagrams, the stairs aren’t what did me in. At the time, there was a couple standing on the side of the trail (just past where my bike is leaning), and I think in an attempt at ensuring I made no contact with them, I got pitched over the ledge, and landed with my leg wonkily on the hill below.

Thankfully, the fear of the return is now behind me, and I can begin to slowly move forward.

In the midst of my ride, I even peeled off and threw a pile of branches up where legions of lazy hikers have begun cutting the trail;
swithcback
I also collected and disposed of no fewer than ten bags of abandoned dog shit, but I don’t want to discuss that any further because when broaching the subject, I’m only ever a sliver of a hair away from flying into a murderous rage.

Anyhoo- Life is good, and my body only sorta feels like it was thrown off of a roof.

With that bit addressed, let us now get down to business.

In recent weeks I’ve taken delivery of five bits of reading material I would like to share with you now. If any of them sound like they would be of interest to you, please make contact either with the folks responsible, or your local book store (but for God’s sake, not Amazon) and grab them for yourselves, because after all, we all know what John Waters says about people without books.

The first two I received from Ben;
bens
‘Emergency Exit’ is more a zine, than a book, but the depth to which he examines living, loving, longing, learning, and loss (not necessarily in that order) is extensive. His prose regarding the trials and tribulations aboard two wheels stands as proof that zines can be just like books but with less paper. If you like, you can get at him through Punk Rock Bike Club.

The second offering from Ben is called ‘For Ourselves For Each Other’, and is a compilation of several different writer’s works (Ben being one of them). Stories, poems, and other miscellaneous mad scribblings are contained within the front and back cover, giving you a good glimpse into the depths of several writers’ minds who you might otherwise be unable. Secondly, the front and back cover artwork by one Steve Larder is alone almost worth the price of admission. If this is a thing that piques your interest, copies can be found at B/W and Read.

Going from creative writing, to what some might consider necessary reading, Madi very generously sent on her new book entitled ‘Urban Cycling’;
madi
This literally covers every component of riding a bike in an urban environment from elemental issues like how to dress, and lock your bike, to discussing cycling infrastructure, and profiles on pertinent individuals and movements that help create a better world for all of us who chose to transport ourselves and/or families by bike. While all of the information pertains to all of us, I reckon it would be an ideal gift for someone who might just be getting their feet wet in the world of bike commuting, and as we all know, more of us on the road on bikes, means less of us on the road in cars, which will never be a bad thing. If Madi’s effort is an item that you might like to track down for yourself or a loved one, get cracking to Madi Carlson(dot)com.

So say- Do you remember my special friend Kourtney?;
kourtney
She has repeatedly been my mainline to readable readningness, and gigantic margaritas.

Well, she came through again with an email that went like this;

Hi Stevil,

Everybody on Earth produces roughly a pound of poop a day. So where *does* it go after you flush?

Welcome to the captivating world of poop! Introducing “Everybody Poops 10 Million Pounds,” a classic adult bathroom reader overflowing with funny trivia, gross stories, and fascinating facts in an illustrated children’s book style.

As perfect reading material for those leisurely minutes on the porcelain throne, this book answers all the questions you never thought to ask about the real life of your excrement, including how poop shaped civilization; the dirty history of the sewage system; what exactly happens after you flush; how New York City’s poop ended up in Lamar, Colorado; how the poop you make may be growing the food you eat; and the incredible, dare we say magical, future of poop.

So unbuckle your trousers and pull up a toilet seat; this book will push open the lavatory door and answer these fascinating mysteries of poop.

I’d love to send you a copy for review. Any interest?

Best,
Kourtney

My response was something the lines of “duh!“, and shortly there after, a copy of my own arrived;
IMG_5042
The long and the short of it is the book is about what happens after shit happens, and as soon as I’m done reading it, I plan on passing it on to my friend Ben (different Ben from the one mentioned above) who is a classic poophobe.

These I reckon you could get from your friendly, local independently owned and operated book store, or by contacting Ulyssees Press directly.

Finally, and having nothing specifically to do with bikes or poop, is the following book that details a subject that is both near and dear to my heart;
denvoid
I’d seen a crowd sourcing effort for this book some time ago, but like all crowd sourcing efforts, I passed it by.

Luckily Jim from Vecchios did not, as he graciously snagged one for me, and had it shipped to my house last week. This chronicles all of the bands, venues, promotors, and every dirty detail of the Front Range punk scene from the late seventies to the early nineties. It was a ridiculous walk down memory lane, reading about people and places I’d all but forgotten about. Certainly, if you had any toe dipped in Denver’s punk rock scene back in those days, Bob Rob’s painstaking documentation of it all is an absolute must have. If this is of interest to you, you can get at him over at Bob Rob Art.

Oh, and though it’s not a book I have, it’s a book I very much want- Sky Maul is here and ready to rule the world.

And just like that, I can now include ‘Book Club Impresario‘ to my résumé.

Anyway, it’s much easier than engaging in an illicit exchange in a back alley.
newlittleskull

Spread this like it's sick

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10 Responses to “This is a hub of information exchange.”

  1. somedudeinFLA November 13, 2015 at 5:22 am #

    I absolutely feel your anger on the dog shit thing. On the other end of the spectrum, im currently campaigning to get my neighbors to stop dumping their kitty litter on the ground next to the dumpster. Gotta step in cat shit just to take out trash (or throw my dogs poop away as it should be) which then gets tracked into my apartment. Fucking disgusting! If i find the culprit, my dogs poop will be on their doorstep, mark my words…

    • Stevil November 13, 2015 at 5:50 am #

      People are assholes.

  2. pedalman November 13, 2015 at 6:12 am #

    gonna get me one of those hot dog guns (and maybe the depressed mood ring). Cheers!

  3. Largo November 13, 2015 at 6:32 am #

    I try, and continue to fail, to fathom what goes on in the thought process of the person who picks up their dogs shit, bags it, and drops it. I mean, what the hell are you thinking?
    Actually, that’s the most likely cause; people, in general, have ceased thinking.
    I’ll be on my bike soon, it’ll be ok…….

  4. Gary November 13, 2015 at 6:47 am #

    Is that fine bikecycle of yours purple or black? The second pic looks purple. Inquiring minds want to know. Or at least I do.

  5. Morgan November 13, 2015 at 7:58 am #

    Congrats on the mtb ride! I hate those stairs, and that whole section of trail. I’ve ended up, upside down, off-trail on one of those corners, commuting home on my cx bike, twice.

  6. craug November 13, 2015 at 9:12 pm #

    “Everybody Poops 10 million Pounds” by Deuce Flanagan. Nice

  7. john November 14, 2015 at 7:08 pm #

    I remember the early 80’s punk rock dudes hanging out downtown, with crazy hair. Looks like a good book to buy.