Uncategorized – Cascadia Flow

Government of the People, by the People, and for the People Depends Upon the Virtue of the People

January 4, 2021cascadiaflowLeave a comment

In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln honored those that sacrificed their lives in order “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The Republican Party of today is antithetical to the Party of Lincoln as they attempt a coup.

If you support 45’s attempts to illegally overturn the election, if you support the two-thirds of the House GOP, the Vice President, and 10+ GOP Senators attempting to subvert the will of the People, please let me know why. For in my mind and in the mind of the Founding Fathers, popular support of sedition begets the end of liberty.

As James Madison wrote in 1788 (Judicial Powers of the National Government): “Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks—no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.”

My fellow Americans, I believe in you. Your virtue. I believe that we can continue to build a better country, a better world. I will continue to fight for justice, fight so that you can achieve self-actualization. Please fight with me to build, to improve, not just our own lives, but the lives of our neighbors. Do not succumb to lesser instincts by subverting the results of a free and fair election, and instead hold those who attempt to do so for personal gain accountable for their treason.

Having Fun, Isn’t Hard, When You’ve Got, a (Remote) Library Card

April 15, 2020April 15, 2020cascadiaflowLeave a comment

In this time of physical (social) distancing, it’s unwise to travel for pleasure and exploration. Fortunately for over 500 years there’s been a wildly available way to visit many worlds: via the written word. As one of the pillars of my childhood, Arthur, sang, “Having fun, isn’t hard, when you’ve got, a library card!”

Having both a library card and the ability to read eBooks on a tablet, I decided take a break in reading the Wheel of Time (7 books+prequel completed since the late summer) to find Flow by reading all of the 2020 Hugo Best Novel nominees:

The City in the Middle of the Night, by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor; Titan)

A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine (Tor; Tor UK)

Middlegame, by Seanan McGuire (Tor.com Publishing)

The Ten Thousand Doors of January, by Alix E. Harrow (Redhook; Orbit UK)

Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (Tor.com Publishing)

The Light Brigade, by Kameron Hurley (Saga; Angry Robot UK)

Many others seem to have a similar idea, but I was fortunately able to check out one of the books while being wait-listed for the rest.

So Tuesday evening I began Middlegame, by Seanan McGuire. Gripping and delightful, it begins with the end. Clearly written by a talented wordsmith, I look forward to reading the rest of the novel and will share my thoughts here on each of the nominees.

Read (and write) on!

A Return to Flow

September 19, 2017cascadiaflow1 Comment

I have not posted in nearly two years. Sometimes I have been caught in Flow, other times caught by the flow. I have married, moved, attempted to identify who and what I am. I have run across mountains and biked along rives. I have met great joy, and experienced great pain.

Though Cascadia is where I still am, and Flow I still seek, I have held my experiences close to my chest.

I read so that I might live ten thousand lives. But without writing as well as reading, I am but a cancer. A Taker. A leech upon souls.

In my heart I am a Giver, but true character lies in actions. So to be who I see myself, I must share. I must write as well as speak. Write so that ten thousand others may live another life.

We are but a mote of dust, and our sunbeam is subject to powers greater than we. August 21, 2017, Corvallis, OR, United States of America, Earth.

Forest Park from Linnton

February 14, 2016February 15, 2016cascadiaflowLeave a comment

February 14, 2016

I have long explored the southern and middle reaches of Forest Park during my visits to Portland, but I had not (besides the previously posted little loop) spent time north of Germantown Road. Yesterday I partially rectified this, starting my ride in Linnton, looping as follows: Highway 30->Newton Rd.->Skyline Blvd.->Germantown Rd.->Leif Erikson->Saltzmann Rd.->Skyline Blvd.-> BPA Rd.->Highway 30.

Junction only a few meters from Highway 30. Newton Rd lies to the left, BPA road to the right. A difficult climb either way.

As I was struggling to find purchase on the Newton Rd. climb, I encountered two runners having no such traction issues descending the trail. Based off of the terrain and the season, they had the right idea. I’m fairly sure that even with my current lack of fitness I could have run up Newton Rd (at least the first 1.6 mi. and 800’+) much faster than the ~24 minutes it took me to ride.

This wash called for a dismount. One of several on Newton Rd.

Apart from the steep and difficult beginning and end to this ride, this was a very enjoyable loop. The northern reaches of Forest Park/Linnton Park are much less traveled than the southern area (Pittock Mansion, Macleay Park, and Thurman St.), and features beautiful second-growth forest and some wonderful views. I recommend it in the summer, when traction issues associated with muck and slick rocks are a non-issue.

Gorgeous view at the top of the “steep part” of BPA Rd. with the Willamette River and Sauvie’s Island in the distance. Don’t let the perspective fool you: this 0.8 mi descent loses ~800′ for a -19% average grade.

Steed: 56 cm Haanjo Comp with 700x40c Kenda Happy Mediums

Stats: 15.7 mi., 1:31:50 moving time, 2,373 ft. of elevation gain

The Steed parked at the start of BPA Rd., just off of Skyline Blvd. It is impossible to ride immediately around the gate here, but a lovely path is available to the observant about 5 meters from the gate on the right-hand side.

Sloppy Day in Forest Park

February 14, 2016February 14, 2016cascadiaflowLeave a comment

February 13, 2016

I started Cascadia Flow about a month ago as a way to hold myself accountable for enjoying Oregon and not spending all day, every day in my basement laboratory. In this sense Cascadia Flow has been successful, as I have made a point to “live deliberately” and enjoy the Pacific Northwest (rides, runs, wine, beer, and of course, people) several times a week. This has resulted in a lovely backlog of material, which I have unfortunately not posted. So, in an effort to get in to a blogging flow, I will begin posting my backlogged material interspersed with current adventures.

In Oregon winters, sometimes you just have to stop and listen to the water. Smelling flowers *usually* begins in Spring.

On Saturday, January 30, I rode along Leif Erikson Dr. from Thurman St. to Germantown Rd., looped Firelane 10->Newton Rd.->Skyline->Germantown, and returned to Thurman via Leif Erikson. My steed performed well (I am especially happy with being able to use fenders with 40c tires), though the tires were not made for muck, making the steepest (and slick) climbs of Fireroad 10 nigh on impossible for a novice such as I. It was much too sloppy for Strava PR’s, but the value of outdoor exploration (I had not previously ventured north of Germantown Rd.) trumped the unpleasantries.

The ride started in the late afternoon mist of Tolkein’s fantasy, and ended in the dark, cold, rainy night. This jaunt was simultaneously sublime and sour, a delightful dichotomy ever-present in life. I look forward to riding this loop again.