"We Could Be Everywhere"

A few years ago when I was a freshman in college I decided television was not a necessity in my life. No time to waste in front of a box that tells me what I have to watch and when to watch it. I have realized that if I really want to watch something there is Hulu, youtube, and Netflix...and oh yes, Comedy Central (don't want to miss The Colbert Report).

A few weeks ago while riding the bus back home (yes, riding the bus because I was running late and couldn't bike) I noticed Transit TV. I had my nose inside a book and I was sitting so far back on the bus that I couldn't really see the images on the screen. I heard what seemed like a Spanish language telenovela and ignored it. My nose went back into the book.

Then this Tuesday I took a walk to the Central Public Library in downtown. I met with a few buddies for a panel discussion through the ALOUD program titled WE ARE HERE: WE COULD BE EVERYWHERE: MEDIA, ARTS AND ACTIVISM IN LOS ANGELES AND BEYOND.

The panel discussion was all over the place, since the subject was so broad, but each one of the panelist made excellent points when they presented a new idea. I would need a post just to discuss those. At the end of the discussion the panelists presented some of the digital media they have been providing guidance on. Prof. Fabien Wagmister from UCLA presented a video created by students through Out the Window that would be shown on Transit TV!

Yesterday when I rode the bus I noticed one of the videos :)



Seems like a great project!

Borikua en Tren...Borikua en Guagua

Rather than calling this blog Borikua en Bici, I should've named it Borikua en tren o guagua (train or bus). I've traveled more miles on the train and on buses than miles riding the actual bicycle.

It has nothing to do with not wanting to ride the bicycle or not being able to endure more than 20mi on a bicycle. It has to do with the stories I've heard...let's call it: story induced fear.

A few days ago I went to happy hour with co-workers and one of them told me about a friend who's bicycle was stolen in one of the neighborhoods I would have to ride through to get to work. Apparently his friend was waiting at a stop light and someone on a pickup truck came around, pointed a gun, and said "give me your bike!" He recommended I don't ride by myself around those neighborhoods, unless I'm willing to ride through red lights. "Better get a ticket from a police than get your bike stolen," he said with a serious look in his eyes and then suggested "or ride with big groups."

I kept thinking "if I run red lights I might get killed by a car." This fear is even bigger since one of my friends sends me the statistics of bicycle collisions including fatalities.  She does that as she keeps reminding me to ride safely and sends me very helpful tips on how to become a better and safer cyclist.

Ever since I fixed the bicycle I've been dying to go on a longer route, but haven't found the time or opportunity. I'm either running late and need to get on the train or bus since that will be faster and takes less time to plan the route. I also have extremely kind friends who offer rides to places that would take me more than one hour to get to on public transportation.

Borikua en tren o en guagua at least has time to read and catch up on all sorts of fiction, non-fiction, magazines, classics, and poetry.

Still, I need to find the time to plan my bike routes for my night outings or at least I need to go riding during the day with more people to become more acquainted with the neighborhoods I need to pedal through.

And who knows, the bike might have an amazing super hero personality I don't know about like the one in this video.



So far not having a car doesn't seem like a huge impediment, though. I have been meeting more people without cars. I've been doing more activities close to my apartment and in my neighborhood. I've been meeting more people and have been spending more time at the Library and getting to know the bookstores around town.

My favorite part of doing this however is not having to pay $150 for parking and not having to worry about driving to the gas station or gas prices. I also love avoiding traffic -- although rush hour happens in the opposite direction of my commute.

Why do I own a car? -- I have been often wondering. It is sitting at my aunt's house, where my uncle happily drives it (since it is not a gas guzzler), and I still haven't even picked it up to use it on the weekends.

Anything goes on the train: El loco que quería la bici

Two weeks riding the train home from work has given me plenty of stories. People watching is true entertainment, better than any reality show on TV and can be more surprising than most movies put out by Hollywood. You can only watch a movie or a TV show, you can sometimes empathize with the characters, but people watching can make you an observer from that perspective or it can make you a participant. Still, unlike live theater or improv there is no defined plot or subject...at least not an obvious one. It is an instant shared by strangers...it is life...living in the present...enjoying or suffering a true reality.

On my way to the train station I have seen smiling guys setting up a volleyball net in the front lawn of their work building in an industrial park. I have seen exhausted mothers get on the train with their children while yelling obscenities that have made other passengers turn around to stare wide-eyed. Last week I looked to my left and spotted a teenager sitting on a skateboard carefully cleaning out his weed and prepping a blunt for a ride anywhere.

This week I was trying to enter the train station and a man on his way out turned around and almost pushed me to the ground as soon as he passed me. His nervous voice "Ay, policía, billete, policía, policía"and he ran back to board the same train he had gotten off from. I turned around and of course two officers were standing there checking for train tickets. I'm sure he didn't want to pay the $200+ fine that comes with riding the train ticketless.

But the experience that wins more than a sentence or a paragraph was definitely a thrilling one. A few days ago I sat quietly in the last railcar with a book at hand. Entranced by the story in the book while attempting to imagine the characters' faces, voices, and mannerism, I was pulled back to reality by a man yelling at the top of his lungs "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

I looked up and no one was moving. The guy sitting closest to me made eye contact with me. Our expressions spoke the same unspoken words "WTF?!"

Not 10 seconds had passed since I had returned my eyes to the book, when the man started yelling "WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME?! STOP LOOKING AT ME" He laughed very loud and said "YES, I AM WEARING BLACK! I like to wear, don't you like to wear black? Black. Black. BLACK. BLACK. Black." Laughter.

At that point a girl gets up from the front of the railcar where the sounds were coming from and sat behind me. As she walked she mumbled "I can't deal with that shit."

We arrived at a train stop and the man didn't open his mouth once. I saw a few scared faces get out. I don't know if those were truly their stops but they looked quite concerned.

I stared at my book and eventually managed to start reading again. His screams took over the air as soon as the train was moving. I couldn't make out the words he was saying, but I heard the girl behind me whisper "Oh man, shut up, I have a headache." Without still understanding how, the man turns from the front of the train to the back and yells "WHO ASKED ME TO SHUT UP?! YOU SHUT UP."

At that point, all the passengers sitting close to me in the back of the railcar were motionless. I stared at my book.

With the corner of my eye, I see the man get up and ask the guy behind him in his most polite voice "Do you happen to know until when the train runs today?" Since he didn't get an answer he walked up to the guy whom I exchanged glances with. He asked him the same question...no answer...instead of words the response was a stare out the window. He kept walking to the back of the train.

The train stopped at another station. More scared faces got off. The man's voice was not heard but two young kids came and sat by me, the guy whom I exchanged glances with and the girl who had moved from the front of the train. We all sat there, quietly, but together.

We started moving again in the train directed to the city. The train was going at cruising speed and those next to me seemed to have relaxed. All of a sudden the man sits next to one of the guys who had just moved. Yes, he was now sitting next to me.

He looked at the guy and asked "What time is it?" No answer. The man hummed some tune and then I could feel his stare "How is your book?" In my head I answered "it is awesome!" but I only stared down at it.

"Ugh, no one wants to talk to me, " he said as he got up. He took two paces forward and stood next to me staring at my bicycle "oooh, that is my new bike! Yay, don't you like my new bike?" In a childish and excited voice he said "This is my new bicycle."

I was staring at him with my peripheral vision. I had that library book in my hand but all my senses were awake. I was already thinking what would I have to do in case that 6' man grabbed the bicycle. I like to think I was ready to pounce and expected support from those sitting close by.

He paused in front of the bicycle for about five seconds after his statement and then kept walking toward the front where he sat down again. I looked up, and we all exchanged the same unspoken words as before "WTF!?"

I got off the train at my station but didn't see the man. I had kept reading my book as soon as he sat in the front.

I wonder if he would've taken the bicycle would I have stayed there staring at my book? Would I have pushed the emergency button on the railcar? Would I have yelled and called for help on my attack to retrieve the bicycle back?

I don't know and I am actually glad that I don't.

Comfort leads to falling

Embarrassed, I must admit I hadn't been on a bicycle since 2008 when I rented a bike while visiting Lake Tahoe. I fixed this bicycle two weekends ago and now I am riding on a daily basis.

The first week I was extremely cautious as I was not used to riding at super fast speeds. I must admit I was a bit nervous of sharing the street with cars and buses, but once I hit the road the first time on the bicycle I felt alive!

Yesterday I started feeling extremely comfortable while riding. I hit the roads in downtown riding next to cars and buses matching their speeds. It felt nice.

But there is something odd about comfort -- something always happens to remind you to stay alert -- and so today I fell.

I had just gotten out the train station and I was very sleepy because I rode the first train out of downtown. Yes, the one at 5am so that I could be at work before 6am.

As soon as I exited the gate, I made eye contact with the bus driver that was waiting for passengers to get on. I thought I saw a nod so I started riding slowly and closer to the curb than usual. I was trying to let the bus pass me on my left once it started moving.. and yes I know the guidelines are to be on the right of the bus at least 5 ft away...but this was the train station!

The bus passed. As soon as it was a few feet away I started trying to get away from the curb by leaning toward my left and pedaling faster gaining the speed I have started to enjoy. I leaned to my left but a groove in the uneven pavement forced my front tire to keep going straight causing me to lose my balance.

I was holding the top of my handle bars so I couldn't brake without leaning forward and moving my hands to the lower section where the brakes are at. Eventually my front tire hit the curb on its right. I fell on the landscape of bushes and bare dirt scraping my lower lip and getting a thin but long scratch on the right side of my face. I got up and a branch from the bushes was stuck between my head and helmet. I got back on the bike, realized the chain was off so I got off again. After I got the chain was back on, I pedaled my way to work slower than usual.

I am fine.

Every time I think about it I laugh at myself. It must've been quite an amusing scenery for the few people up at that time and present at the station.

I know... I need to be comfortable but alert.

Which reminds me, one of my friends sent me this funny song. I found the translation below it lame, but if you understand Spanish you might be in for a treat -- something else plus cheesy to laugh about. :)

"Te hallaré pedaleando
en el viaje de allá pa' acá.
Que nos vayan dejando
un carril pa' nosotros ya.
Anda en bici la banda
porque tiene un qué se yo.
Cada vez más demanda
proque'es mágica, ¿a poco no?"

Day 1: Easy Riding -- Trains in Carland but No one walks in LA

I love trains!

Easy to travel, no security checks, I can catch up on my reading, and I can absorb local culture.

First time I depended solely on public transportation was when I went to the university. I didn't have a car and the only way for me to move around was to take the bus everywhere. It was a small town with no need for a rail system. But a few years after my freshmen I spent a summer in France and for the first time I discovered trains. I fell in love!

Today my experiment to be carless began, making me trust and depend on public transportation again.

It was an easy day. The only place outside of downtown I had to be at was work. Before 7am I hit the streets riding the bicycle to the metro line at Flower and 7th. Carried the bicycle down the stairs, bought my ticket, and got in the railcar. 

The half full railcar zoomed from stop to stop with people commuting to their jobs. While the different characters boarded, I read. I got off at my respective stop and biked to work. It felt weird arriving to work on a bicycle. After more than three years of working there this was the first time I used this method of transportation. I am glad! It was quick, I got to read and got a quick work out...what else can I ask for?

I am surprised that not many people ride the metro in LA. Yes, cars are kings in this city yet ironically, Los Angeles county was very well connected by a once sophisticated railway system, there were the Red Cars at one point and the Yellow Cars at another. As motor cars became more common, those started taking precedence over railcars and the rail routes had to slow down and stop more often to accommodate the new vehicles.

Then there's also the Great American Streetcar Scandal where GM is said to have conspired to buy and dismantle railcars and railways in order to replace them with cars, buses, and freeways. I wonder if that truly was the turning point for this city to stop walking.

Good thing that this city is now seeing more people walking and riding bikes...then again it might be better for the freeways to be congested and for a few of us to share the railcars and buses. Ok, not seriously, however I don't know if the current public transportation system is ready to handle more commuters...I know the freeways seem like they aren't. Just like the 8 straight days of rain we got toward the end of last year when the 110 Freeway flooded. LA can't handle real rain...what if it keeps raining people?

More on the Streetcar scandal: Part I & Part II

Grease under my nails

This morning I woke up with a mission: start fixing the bicycle.

Although I was supposed to join one of my friends to go see the Manchester United vs Barcelona match (Go Barça!!), I decided I would go straight to the Bike Kitchen to start working on my bicycle. I had e-mailed them earlier this week and got an immediate and super welcoming response.

Despite the gut feeling I had wanting to call them prior to showing up, I carried the bike down the elevator of my building, carried it across the street to the parking garage, packed it in my little car's trunk, and drove there. To my surprise, they were closed for the Holiday weekend and would not be back until Tuesday.

Sad about what I had just found out, I am proud to say that instead of getting totally upset about missing the match, I remembered one of of my friends had recommended another not for profit bike shop. I called the Bikerowave!

"Hello,  Bikerowave," said the voice on the other end.
"Um, hi! Are you open today?"
"Yes, until 5pm."
"Oh great!" I said relieved and without catching my breath added "I have an old bike that no one has ridden in 15 years, it's all rusted. I can't get the lock off. It's in pretty bad shape and I don't know, well I don't know where to start. I don't know anything about bikes"
"That's fine we'll help you-"
Cutting the poor guy off "Niiiiiice, I wanted to stop by today...do I have to make reservations?"
"No, no reservations are needed... just show up" I am convinced by then he thought I was crazy.
"Great! Thank you so much! See you soon...thanks...bye!"
"Bye" Hung up.

Ecstatic, I drove with my windows down from Heliotrope and Melrose all the way to 12255 Venice Beach Blvd avoiding the freeways. It was quite a long drive but a relaxing long drive nonetheless.

I entered the shop carrying the bicycle and the first comment out of my mouth after Hello (without catching my breath) was "I need help!"

The volunteers at the Bikerowave were super helpful in teaching this bike dummy how to rebuild the old beauty that I have in possession. They would often come and ask "How's your project coming along?"

I spent 3 hours at the Bikerowave just rebuilding the back wheel. The volunteers gave me instructions and I did the work. I learned what a skewer is, pulled out and cleaned all 18 balls that make up the bearings (to my surprised they were not rusted and in great shape). I cleaned and greased the 5 speed gear cluster using their parts cleaner and although it is still rusted, it almost looks brand new! I also disassembled the derailer, cleaned it, greased it, and put a new cable. The people who volunteer there are so awesome that one of guys taught me how to align the shifter properly (since the stopper was out of position) and shaved off part of the bead on the new cable so that it would fit on the bike's old school shifter. I bought a new chain and one of the guys showed me how to properly "thread" it through the derailer.

I don't remember when I was so satisfied to have so much dirt and grease under my nails!

There's still work to be done. I was hoping the tubes and tires would be able to work but as soon as air was pumped into the back tire, the noises coming out of it would've made great sound effects for a thriller.

By 5pm -- closing time -- they were politely kicking us out. By the time I made it to the counter to pay for the chain and the $7/hr that they charge, I had the biggest smile on my face. The guy paying before me saw the bike and said "That's quite the bike you have there. Peugeot, a real bike." I smiled and said "it comes with a story and a lot of sentimental value." One of the volunteers added "too bad it got into that condition." I smiled again "that's why I want to fix it myself."

The mission from the day I got the bicycle is to ride it to work next week. Tomorrow the project must continue -- dirty hands here I come!

To fix or to have it fixed?

Some of those supporting this experiment are providing ideas of where to go and get the bike fixed. The decision lies in either paying someone at El Maestro bike shop a few blocks from my apartment to fix it or to fix it myself with the guidance of a volunteer at the Bike Kitchen (Bici Cocina).

I should point out the bike will be 30 years old next year and it hasn't been ridden in 15 years. It comes with strong sentimental value and a story of its own.

While you start wondering or even imagining the bike's story, I'll tell you I am looking forward to fixing the bike myself! I love being hands on and getting dirty with tools -- some people are surprised to find out I do my own oil changes -- maybe the feminist movement hasn't gotten that far yet :) Luckily my uncle has the necessary tools and patience to have taught me how to do an oil change. Hopefully I'll find someone with the equal amount of patience to teach me how to fix the bike. I am after all a bike idiot needing a "Bike Fixing for Dummies" book. I'm just afraid that if I do it myself I won't have all the necessary parts to have the bike in decent running condition by next week.