To Build a Home

There is a house built out of stone
Wooden floors, walls and window sills
Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust
This is a place where I don't feel alone
This is a place where I feel at home 

- "To Build a Home" The Cinematic Orchestra

I can't wait to be home. Being in a state of errantry is exciting, and I've never wanted to be one to be tied down to one place, but there's something about a home. Maybe it's because I've been listening to Mercedes Sosa, but I mean really listening to it.

Empeze con la cancion "me gustan los estudiantes" y memorize la letra. Estuve tan feliz escuchandolo que hasta estuve cantandolo mientras camine a mis clases y no me importo quien me escuchaba. Luego escuche "Gracias a la vida:"

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario
Con el, las palabras que pienso y declaro
Madre, amigo, hermano
Y luz alumbrando la ruta del alma del que estoy amando

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados
Con ellos anduve cuidades y charcos
Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos
Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio

Esa cancion tiene una cualidad inquietante- susurra en mi oido y el alma de tiempos pasados con mi familia y historia, pero tambien de tiempos que aun no han venido.  Ese sentimiento es a la vez emocionante y tranquilo.

No se de lo que estoy diciendo. Queria practicar escribiendo en español, comi mucha azucar anoche y estoy emocionada que voy a regresar a mi casa- al lugar donde se que estan la gente que amo con toda mi vida.

Y queria escribir tambien. La proxima vez voy a practicar el uso de acentos.
Bueno.
Hasta la proxima vez!

Bicycle Culture in LA

Bicycle Culture in Los Angeles from Jimena Cuenca on Vimeo.

Stuff Bicyclists Like - Spoke Cards

For my first assignment in my cultural anthropology course, I have to write a 4 page commentary on the website Stuff White People Like.  I've taken a quick look at it, enough to satisfy my happiness that this is not going to be a boring, dry assignment, which is great.  Another part of the assignment is to write a "stuff my people like" entry.  I immediately thought of bicyclists.

I protested getting a driver's license as long as I could, but my parents practically shoved me into the DMV when I turned 20.  So now I drive, begrudgingly, with a permit and I'm in no hurry to take the test. Well, maybe in a bit of a hurry. I really want to drive up north to Montaña de Oro or San Simeon.  But anyway, the reason I detest automobiles is because I am first a bicyclist.

The reasons are multiple and varied.  Inexpensive, environmentally friendly, fun and cool. I love bicycles.  I've been riding since I was in the 3rd grade. So yeah, I'm part of the community.  That's not to say I'm an expert though.  Just like with any society, a group is filled with many perspectiveS and that's a capital S in bold because that's the way my Anthro Professor wrote it.  The S means to be aware of oversimplification at the risk of stereotypes.  A group has many individuals, each with their own perspective and belief.

That's a long-winded explanation of this post...

So, stuff bicyclists like. Spoke Cards!

Food Not Bombs

I'm not sure whether they have any specific function.  I've heard some people say that certain spoke cards represent the group rides one has been on. This particular one was made by a pretty cool guy named Woody, who volunteers at the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. It definitely has a humanistic/political message. I also think some spoke cards just look cool and have an aesthetic appeal.

What are your thoughts?