tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77593464046618598842014-02-09T13:53:05.643-08:00Just me DjaniJust me Djani and my personal opinion on different things and events that I believe to be important to me and me only.Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759346404661859884.post-22277192931379718502014-02-09T13:53:00.000-08:002014-02-09T13:53:05.656-08:00S24O - or art of simpler bike travelSome time ago I discovered "S24O" - <u><b>Sub 24 hour Overnigh</b></u><b><u>t</u></b> camping and the concept stuck with me. Most of us today don't have the resources or time to embark on an overland adventure or multi continent travel. As much as we wish to be able to throw everything away and just cast off into the ocean of unknown to discover this world of ours as well as in the process of discovering our self, financial, society and sometime moral obligations are not working in our favor. However do not despair, now there is a solution even for the rest of us mortals — there is <a href="http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=36" target="_blank">S24O</a>!!<br />First time I ever came across the terminology was by visiting <a href="http://www.rivbike.com/default.asp" target="_blank">Rivendell Bicycle Works</a> website, personally I believe that Rivendell Crew has coined up the term themselves, but that has not been confirmed.<br />S24O allows us to satisfy our craving for open road and adventure on a smaller scale that it doesn't require large funds and endless preparations.<br />My Crew and My self are well experienced campers, backpackers and bike commuters so it is almost natural progression of things to try and see how this "new" concept will work for us.<br />Since the perfect opportunity has risen, in the form of several of our birthdays coming up, unseasonably warm and dry weather in Northern California and multiple potential location for simple locale overnight camping within reach of Bay Area Transit organisations we decided to just try it.<br />After several meetings at <a href="https://plus.google.com/106732229175465560310/about?gl=US&hl=en-US" target="_blank">Cremá Coffee Roasting Company</a>, pouring over local, City, County & Regional Parks our final destination was selected. Date set, camp reservations made, pending weather staying as dry as it is currently we are good to go.<br />Our intent is to utilized Public Transit to get as close as possible to our final destination, and then to ride our bikes to the camp site. We will spend a night celebrating our birthdays, and then we will head back home the next day.<br />Now the <i>Only</i> thing left is packing this Gypsy Caravan and casting off.... Well, that is the part I will be writing about in my up coming posts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ey-cGUUCakU/Uvfy-crWENI/AAAAAAAAA-w/W0yv_ZR5nc8/s1600/1620908_10200819035872966_445553226_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ey-cGUUCakU/Uvfy-crWENI/AAAAAAAAA-w/W0yv_ZR5nc8/s1600/1620908_10200819035872966_445553226_n.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and research material</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.com0Santa Clara, CA, USA37.353152717496357 -121.9543772931152737.340531217496356 -121.97454729311526 37.365774217496359 -121.93420729311528tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759346404661859884.post-84086953932658948382013-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:002013-02-16T13:48:21.593-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQDZrdTQHjM/UR_6Qtw8qII/AAAAAAAAA5o/Ft2JM91dGc0/s1600/DSCN3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQDZrdTQHjM/UR_6Qtw8qII/AAAAAAAAA5o/Ft2JM91dGc0/s320/DSCN3508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Bad Boy in San Francisco Golden Gate Park<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlFeia-SIvE/UR_6Yo35bpI/AAAAAAAAA5w/SwMusgw4NH4/s1600/DSCN3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlFeia-SIvE/UR_6Yo35bpI/AAAAAAAAA5w/SwMusgw4NH4/s320/DSCN3502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> And Laurie to..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYlgMDE02Xc/UR_6gauvPGI/AAAAAAAAA54/ysROwLlOo10/s1600/DSCN3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYlgMDE02Xc/UR_6gauvPGI/AAAAAAAAA54/ysROwLlOo10/s320/DSCN3530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xm4lDHUrw4/UR_6qED5CCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/x8usCG46nIs/s1600/DSCN3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xm4lDHUrw4/UR_6qED5CCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/x8usCG46nIs/s320/DSCN3532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> She was playing so wonderfully that we spent an hour listening to her<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoEWQRZPM0U/UR_8kQLjB9I/AAAAAAAAA6I/5TOSrfKEg-c/s1600/DSCN3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoEWQRZPM0U/UR_8kQLjB9I/AAAAAAAAA6I/5TOSrfKEg-c/s320/DSCN3556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Time to ride back after dinner at Bambinos Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759346404661859884.post-72319662549774086372013-02-16T12:44:00.002-08:002013-02-16T12:44:30.544-08:00Saturday morning rant or Why do we "care" so much I'm not justifying what he did, and I honestly don't care. However it is comical how everybody reacted. I do agree with Bill Burr (take look at the Video) Honestly in my opinion most people that care about cycling don't care about bicycle racing. Now that Lance Armstrong is no longer racing no one is even watching Tour de France. So why do we love to pretend like we are shocked about all of the steroid use in sports?!? We, together with rest of public, sport industry and media are demanding a constant flow of entertainment and excitement from these athletes that in a twisted way all of us are supporting and condoning this kind of conduct. All is OK until someone like Oprah, make a "Shocking " interview publicly "exposing" something that everyone knew about, but pretended it never happened. Media is now selling stories over and over again making more money in the process, "milking" the last Dollars out of a dead issue, and we are buying it pretending that we are shocked?!? Honestly I could care less, but I don't like everyone's hypocritical stand on the issue, a lot of people are saying that he was lying and cheating his way to all of those victories. Why are we so judgmental of others when all of us do it on regular basis? How about if you love a sport this much, get off the couch, turn off the ESPN and go out and participate in an event, where you test your own ability, rather than passing a judgment about others at your office on Monday morning. Only reason I'm posting this is since a lot of people were asking me about my opinion on this matter, like: " So what do you think about this Lance Armstrong scandal as a bike community member?" my answer is "who cares I never have watched a single race that he won, I was out riding my bike and having fun...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O9YL04v-J5U" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O9YL04v-J5U</a>Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759346404661859884.post-11074652337752461842009-12-30T06:13:00.000-08:002010-01-03T11:39:08.801-08:00Fisher Space PenConsidering the fact that writing as an art, in it's original form, using your hand to manipulate a writing instrument such is an pen on a peace of paper it is been slowly diminishing,due to invent of personal computers, old school people like my self are still using the pen and paper to capture theirs toughs for the posterity .<br />Now given the harsh condition of my everyday working environment, a good quality writhing instrument is always needed.<br />In my recent search for high quality products, I got a cross a pen that has been out there for some time, but I never reached for it. It is a Fisher Space Pen(<a href="http://www.spacepen.com/">http://www.spacepen.com/</a>), in particular my aye got stuck on a jet black beauty with is simplistic curves and straight forward design.<br />I'm talking about the SM4B - Non-Reflective Military Matte Black Cap-O-Matic Space Pen (<a href="http://www.spacepen.com/non-reflectivemilitarymatteblackcap-o-maticpen.aspx">http://www.spacepen.com/non-reflectivemilitarymatteblackcap-o-maticpen.aspx</a>).<br />I got mine for a $12.00 at REI(<a href="http://www.rei.com/">http://www.rei.com/</a>)during my last visit two weeks ago and it is my absolute favorite due to its design and durability, please note it is not a Mont Blanc, by far, but it is possibly close second.<br />There several reasons for that, as always most important to me, it is that is made in USA, next it is so simple that even a brute like my self cannot do to much of a damage, and last but not least due to the sturdy design this pen will remain in my pocket for long time cutting need for cheep fragile "Made in China" disposable pens that only generate a unnecessary clutter around office with its broken and mangled bodes that are nothing more but plastic junk that is polluting our Eco-systems for long time, thanks to the plastic that they are made of.<br />My Fisher will be nourished back to life every time the ink cartridge gets depleted of its life producing ink with a new refill cartridge that will not break a bank since all do it is $5.00 extending it's use indefinitely, cutting the amount of waste.<br /> Some of you might say that for five bucks you can get about four G-2 Pilots that will last four time longer, and you are right, but G-2 will never look as good and sleek like my Black beauty will sitting high in my dress shirt during an important dinner and then go with me on the job site next day.<br />I didn't take any time to explain or describe the unique qualities of the refill cartridge, the thing that made Fisher a brand name that NASA trusts and uses on every space mission. I don't need to brag that this pen is so good, it will allow the user to write in zero gravity, under water, over grease fingerprints etc. but that would be entirely to much since all of this is well known to most of us, but if you would like to get more info please check the web site or even better just purchase a pen and then perform testing your self.<br />All things considered a very nice present or even better a valuable tool for the working men & women out there in harsh condition of today's world.<br />Once again this is for those of us, with higher morale value considered of how much waste are we leaving behind for next generations to come.Please don't put me out there with Eco-Terrorist or with Tree Huger, but I'm refusing to be a slob and a selfish individual that is taking my time on this planet as something that I'm entitled to.Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759346404661859884.post-3833421533698264892009-12-29T05:46:00.000-08:002009-12-30T06:12:36.691-08:00Ecosystem Journals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/Sztd5HIurRI/AAAAAAAAArE/G0lNExcWEUw/s1600-h/IMG_0956.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/Sztd5HIurRI/AAAAAAAAArE/G0lNExcWEUw/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421029812220112146" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just Yesterday I went to my favorite book shop to get me a new Moleskine Journal, since my old one was full and to my delight I discovered a new kid on the block. It is a new company (at least to me) by name Ecosystem Life (<a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/">http://www.ecosystemlife.com/</a>) that is making knock-off on the Old Moleskine (<a href="http://www.moleskine.com/">http://www.moleskine.com/</a>) but better in one aspect, it is made from 100% recycled post-consumer paper and to my biggest delight it is made in good old US of A.<br />Now that fact alone is surprising to me by it self, but then it gets better, it is costing exactly the same like Moleskine does!!<br />Now if you ever look at the label on the back of Moleskine, like I did, it is only designed in Italy, but really it is made in China. No recycling note anywhere and we know that China doesn't care about any other value except dollar sign.<br />My first impression was that for the same price I was getting a better product, printing is using a soy based ink, it has a famous pocket on the back just like its more famous competition. It is coming in the same sizes and vibrant colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdfsH0_MI/AAAAAAAAAq0/y9VuxG0FPpo/s1600-h/IMG_0954.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdfsH0_MI/AAAAAAAAAq0/y9VuxG0FPpo/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421029375471844546" /></a><br /><br />One thing that is different and impressive it that on the back of the journal there is a registration number that allows you to register your journal so it is easier to be returned in case it is lost. But besides that there is even bigger reason for registration number, it allows you to find out where is your journals material is coming from and that my friends is a cut above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SzteMrOFHkI/AAAAAAAAArM/pWhvPMXVSO8/s1600-h/IMG_0957.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SzteMrOFHkI/AAAAAAAAArM/pWhvPMXVSO8/s200/IMG_0957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421030148323745346" /></a><br /><br />Here is product that is made in USA, with all stringent regulations, has a same functionality like it's competition, it is made 100% from post-consumer material that thanks to registration number you can trace back and the price is still the same as the price of Moleskine $16.95... I just got me my New favorite journal.<br />I would strongly recommended over Moleskine to anyone who cares about the style and functionality but at the same time also is even slightly concerned about the future of our planet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdupZTZSI/AAAAAAAAAq8/96ciWbJ1Sm4/s1600-h/IMG_0955.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdupZTZSI/AAAAAAAAAq8/96ciWbJ1Sm4/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421029632437871906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdSUNC3OI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jWCiTVSDz_g/s1600-h/IMG_0950.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GMmm9RXy45g/SztdSUNC3OI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jWCiTVSDz_g/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421029145712975074" /></a>Djanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18291635449466162792noreply@blogger.com1