norway

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Last week was Ben's birthday and I almost finished burning DVDs of the files he needs for his movie. I had to remember that trip he arranged to Norway in October 2005 when this whole movie adventure was starting. He took us to Oslo, Lillehammer and Stavanger with a script and good intentions. On the way we met Bestemor, who woke up at 4 am to make us breakfast and see us off. Marit who took us in for so many days and introduced us to Mongoland. If we look jetlagged it's because we are. Ben kept up a steady stream of appointments, interviews and talks with all the energy that will see him through to the end of his project. Best of luck, Ben, and many happy returns

2006 bicyclist memorial ride

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On Sunday I rode in the 2006 Bicyclist Memorial Ride, remembering cyclists and pedestrians killed by traffic on the streets of New York City. I went because it could very well be me getting hit one of these days and wouldn't it be nice if someone remembered that I was there too. I met the ride at the memorial at Houston and LaGuardia. As the video starts you see people eating home baked cookies that a woman brought and gave out to everyone as we waited for the rides to arrive from Queens and the Bronx. After the memorial for Derek Lake the ride went on to commemorate Reginald Chan at Third Ave and 17th Street, which is where this video ends. As the ride left Houston street I saw two young people comforting each other and realized they were probably friends of Derek. I found out about the ride through an e-mail from Transportation Alternatives - a great organization that is very active in creating safer biking conditions in New York City.