i mean, everyone who's ever had a blog has been negligent at one point or another. it's the same thing as forgetting to write in your journal for a month or three. except a blog is some level of public and some readers may be expectant and consequently disappointed if you don't publish. or they'll just stop checking back and forget about the blog almost entirely. lucky for me, this blog is so random and personal i only expect friends and family to find it (mostly) unconditionally interesting. and so i thank you if you've made it back to this page.
clearly, i still exist and i still form words and tonight they've happened to make their way onto the net again. their purpose though, remains to be seen.
i could talk about how this year has nearly reached its end, with stunning expediency, at least from my point of view. the moon has phased many times, and the rains have begun to make short, moody appearances. on those days i don't water my plants.
the bay area winter will begin its games of wind and rain and fog and cold mixed with sun and clear blue sky. a six-sided die. rolled twice.
my "bad weather" bike is ready. and i remember the time when my "all weather" bike was also my "street" bike, "mountain" bike, and "trick" bike. my singlespeed hardtail with a disc brake. it made the most sense back in new york; a flat, mixed terrain, technical and crowded arena. it crossed bridges quickly, it descended stairs smoothly, it carved around cars sharply, and it threaded through pedestrians deftly.
the bay area has spoiled me with its endless days of rideable weather and encouraged me with its broad community of cylists of every ilk.
i'm at a point where i confuse myself deciding which bike to ride. that is not a complaint, more an acknowledgment of what has become. these material things, changing the way i interact with the environment, allow me to further explore my body and its relationship to this place.
on i go.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
oakland bicycle film festival 2009
yesterday was a big day.
the first time the bicycle film festival came to oakland and alameda!
yay for the east bay!
anyways it was to be a badass alleycat race
and badass bike polo tournament at san antonio park in east oakland.
and then a 6 mile group ride to alameda for the films.
events and venues not for the faint of heart.
the race was a bit of a hunt at unmanned checkpoints and a delivery.
the courts were old and worn, covered in leaves and super treacherous.
the group ride from east oakland to alameda was like a bicycle sideshow;
it helped that we had 15 scraper bikes scraping with us. dope.
the racers at the start.
team janky. oakland!
the theatre.
more if you click 'em.
you'll find a snap of brendt barbur, the founder of the festival, and james, the man behind bringing the festival to oakland. good fellas.
the first time the bicycle film festival came to oakland and alameda!
yay for the east bay!
anyways it was to be a badass alleycat race
and badass bike polo tournament at san antonio park in east oakland.
and then a 6 mile group ride to alameda for the films.
events and venues not for the faint of heart.
the race was a bit of a hunt at unmanned checkpoints and a delivery.
the courts were old and worn, covered in leaves and super treacherous.
the group ride from east oakland to alameda was like a bicycle sideshow;
it helped that we had 15 scraper bikes scraping with us. dope.
the racers at the start.
team janky. oakland!
the theatre.
more if you click 'em.
you'll find a snap of brendt barbur, the founder of the festival, and james, the man behind bringing the festival to oakland. good fellas.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
what exactly are we seeking?
in one quiet moment in my one small spot on this earth,
i consider the beauty of nature and the wonder of life,
and reconsider the motivation behind all things.
in the beauty of movement and grace, in the martial arts,
we find ourselves trained in destructive, even deadly technique.
how and when did we get to this place in our minds,
in our bodies and memory of bone and flesh and joints and muscle?
was there a time when we resigned ourselves to war?
are we not seekers of peace?
i consider the beauty of nature and the wonder of life,
and reconsider the motivation behind all things.
in the beauty of movement and grace, in the martial arts,
we find ourselves trained in destructive, even deadly technique.
how and when did we get to this place in our minds,
in our bodies and memory of bone and flesh and joints and muscle?
was there a time when we resigned ourselves to war?
are we not seekers of peace?
waaaaaarrioooooors
oops! sorry i let a whole two months go by.
if you're in the BC area in september do this race!
The Warriors Race from morehartfilms on Vimeo.
if you're in the BC area in september do this race!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
swirling birds above the bus terminal
i caught this in the fall,
but only now had a chance to upload it.
while waiting for the bike shuttle in sf..
but only now had a chance to upload it.
while waiting for the bike shuttle in sf..
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
bicycle-talk: tonic fab
tonic fabrication is a small bicycle fab shop out of portland oregon. it's a couple of guys who are really in it for the love of the ride and have more than just a knack for quality and refinement. if you ride hard and like simplicity, it's an easy choice. read more on their site and see what they have to offer.
in any case since my surly suffered some damage some months ago, i decided it was a good time to upgrade and land on a bike that will fill my needs for a long, long time. i knew tonic fab could do that for me, and the supernaut was released at a perfect time. coming from bmx and mountain biking, this was a perfect choice for me as a street-track rig.
click for more pictures.
also posted in the tonic fab news.
in any case since my surly suffered some damage some months ago, i decided it was a good time to upgrade and land on a bike that will fill my needs for a long, long time. i knew tonic fab could do that for me, and the supernaut was released at a perfect time. coming from bmx and mountain biking, this was a perfect choice for me as a street-track rig.
click for more pictures.
also posted in the tonic fab news.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
bicycle-talk: forks for barspins on 700c
first we have nemesis project's 32mm rake fork, at 395mm a2c.
then from w-base, a 20(!)mm rake fork, at 430mm a2c.
eh.
then from w-base, a 20(!)mm rake fork, at 430mm a2c.
eh.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
bicycle-talk: dkg cnc
american-made components. often synonymous with the best of the best. chris king. phil wood. thomson. white industries. profile racing. if you know bikes, these are names you've heard. maybe parts you own. more likely if you've ever put together a custom build, because you probably took good consideration for just about every single component you installed. from the hubs to the headset. from the pedals to the saddle. from the seatpost to the handlebars. but what about seatpost clamps?
before i got to the arena of custom builds i would just use what came with the bike, like my first new bmx bike or my first second-hand mountain bike. then, whatever the bike shop had would usually do; a good reason i rode a primo viking on my T1 for a few years. luckily my first custom build-up (my brooklyn machine works park bike) saw a salsa flip-off at the base of my thomson post. both arguably the best out there. then when i started locking it up more, i needed a bolt-on clamp. another stroke of luck landed me a used nyc freeride (yay for local! when i was in new york) clamp. my next three frames would come with their own clamps; decent and functional and not too exciting. but should they be?
on the verge of completing another build i find out about this guy dave up in san rafael who's been making seatpost clamps (among other things) for a long time. he actually made the original salsa flip-off with ross shafer. while this next bike will rep a whole lot of oregon, some florida, some japan, italy and australia, i can at least have one part from the bay.
these are really local, simple and well-made, affordable and just plain nice.
http://dkg-cnc.com/bicycle.html
before i got to the arena of custom builds i would just use what came with the bike, like my first new bmx bike or my first second-hand mountain bike. then, whatever the bike shop had would usually do; a good reason i rode a primo viking on my T1 for a few years. luckily my first custom build-up (my brooklyn machine works park bike) saw a salsa flip-off at the base of my thomson post. both arguably the best out there. then when i started locking it up more, i needed a bolt-on clamp. another stroke of luck landed me a used nyc freeride (yay for local! when i was in new york) clamp. my next three frames would come with their own clamps; decent and functional and not too exciting. but should they be?
on the verge of completing another build i find out about this guy dave up in san rafael who's been making seatpost clamps (among other things) for a long time. he actually made the original salsa flip-off with ross shafer. while this next bike will rep a whole lot of oregon, some florida, some japan, italy and australia, i can at least have one part from the bay.
these are really local, simple and well-made, affordable and just plain nice.
http://dkg-cnc.com/bicycle.html
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Physical Autobiography of Sorts
I have begun compiling and writing in detail Kali the Filipino Art as I have been taught it by Guro Victor Velez and his Sifu Joe Musse. While I have not attended Sifu Joe's classes as a weekly pupil, I have attended several of his 6 hour seminars and am under his pupil's tutelage so I thought it was worth more than mentioning. Guro Victor Velez has been guiding me for nearly 5 years now (since summer 2004) and will continue to do so for a long long time to come.
As it happens, the Filipino Art of Kali has become the strongest driving force in my Martial Arts Career, since I began it more than 10 years ago as a preteen at the Shaolin Kung Fu Overseas Headquarters in Flushing, N.Y. I spent several years there training weekly throughout the year and daily in the summers before losing steam. I had almost learned backflips, done well with the staff form and also learned a sparring form, but I needed a break.
I began cycling. More specifically, riding BMX. (I always needed a physical activity of some sort to outlet my energy and exert my body. Before martial arts I danced a short, but illustrious career, performing at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Central Parks' Delacorte Theater, the Kennedy Center, and even the White House. This is 13 years ago (1996).) I still ride bikes to this day but it is a passion for another passage.
Jump to late secondary education at Hunter College High School where I participated and eventually directed the martial arts segment of the Asian Cultural Society annual show for several years. Breaking boards, weapons forms, and fight choreography included. Mortal Kombat soundtrack optional but encouraged.
During my first two years in college at Clark University I sparingly participated in a campus "fight club" where a student and MMA trainer held sessions to teach us groundfighting and sparring situations. A handful of guys there referred to me as "flying armbar" for a while. I used spare time to study UFC and PrideFC, ended up buying the Fighter's Notebook, and began bringing my close attention to body geometry, mechanics, and their implication and exploitation in grappling. But, being a short, slim fellow, I soon drifted away from this style.
One year I attended an open style philosophy class, where one assignment was a paper on any subject, but in philosophical terms. Martial Arts was an easy choice, and so I did a good deal of research on several arts from several countries, tracing the backgrounds of their ideologies and that reflection in their techniques. The Filipino styles spoke to me most because of their concept of "defanging the snake", meaning the destructions of your opponents weapons. Translation from weapons-in-hand to empty-hands was also very appealing.
So that year I borrowed my sister-in-law's dusty Kali sticks that she had around from a class she had taken for a long time, bought a couple books on the arts, and began my intellectual studying of the art. When I returned home the summer of 2004, I met my master.
I was riding my bike with my friends along the East Riverside Park, when I rolled up to a group of fellows tapping with double sticks. I recognized it immediately as a Filipino Art. I approached cautiously, and when I was noticed, the Guro turned from his students and met me.
I said "Excuse me, but what school are you with?"
He said "Well, what school are you with?"
I replied "Oh, no, I don't mean to ask like that!"
He smiled and laughed and told me he was kidding. I told him I'd recently become interested in the Filipino Arts and he responded kindly, asking about my martial arts experience, telling me a bit about his teachings, and offering a trial class. I took down his information and gave him mine, and saw him sometime in the next week or so.
We met at the bandshell towards the water from Corlears Hook Park in the LES at 8pm on a Saturday morning. I brought my sticks and an open mind. He brought me everything. We continued there for years, even in the rain, even in the snow. Visible exhalations into the cold winter air while drilling footwork and counter-attacking are among the great memories of training. While we have studio spaces to use now, every once in a while training returns to the park and I value it highly. Artists will understand “en plein air”.
Several years later and here I am, living in Oakland for my second year. I have returned to New York many times to train. Guro and I are in good touch and he is helping me along to my next steps. I am also now teaching Martial Arts at after school programs for grades K -5 and 9-12. I hope to go further in my training and share good things from my training. Let’s see what happens.
As it happens, the Filipino Art of Kali has become the strongest driving force in my Martial Arts Career, since I began it more than 10 years ago as a preteen at the Shaolin Kung Fu Overseas Headquarters in Flushing, N.Y. I spent several years there training weekly throughout the year and daily in the summers before losing steam. I had almost learned backflips, done well with the staff form and also learned a sparring form, but I needed a break.
I began cycling. More specifically, riding BMX. (I always needed a physical activity of some sort to outlet my energy and exert my body. Before martial arts I danced a short, but illustrious career, performing at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Central Parks' Delacorte Theater, the Kennedy Center, and even the White House. This is 13 years ago (1996).) I still ride bikes to this day but it is a passion for another passage.
Jump to late secondary education at Hunter College High School where I participated and eventually directed the martial arts segment of the Asian Cultural Society annual show for several years. Breaking boards, weapons forms, and fight choreography included. Mortal Kombat soundtrack optional but encouraged.
During my first two years in college at Clark University I sparingly participated in a campus "fight club" where a student and MMA trainer held sessions to teach us groundfighting and sparring situations. A handful of guys there referred to me as "flying armbar" for a while. I used spare time to study UFC and PrideFC, ended up buying the Fighter's Notebook, and began bringing my close attention to body geometry, mechanics, and their implication and exploitation in grappling. But, being a short, slim fellow, I soon drifted away from this style.
One year I attended an open style philosophy class, where one assignment was a paper on any subject, but in philosophical terms. Martial Arts was an easy choice, and so I did a good deal of research on several arts from several countries, tracing the backgrounds of their ideologies and that reflection in their techniques. The Filipino styles spoke to me most because of their concept of "defanging the snake", meaning the destructions of your opponents weapons. Translation from weapons-in-hand to empty-hands was also very appealing.
So that year I borrowed my sister-in-law's dusty Kali sticks that she had around from a class she had taken for a long time, bought a couple books on the arts, and began my intellectual studying of the art. When I returned home the summer of 2004, I met my master.
I was riding my bike with my friends along the East Riverside Park, when I rolled up to a group of fellows tapping with double sticks. I recognized it immediately as a Filipino Art. I approached cautiously, and when I was noticed, the Guro turned from his students and met me.
I said "Excuse me, but what school are you with?"
He said "Well, what school are you with?"
I replied "Oh, no, I don't mean to ask like that!"
He smiled and laughed and told me he was kidding. I told him I'd recently become interested in the Filipino Arts and he responded kindly, asking about my martial arts experience, telling me a bit about his teachings, and offering a trial class. I took down his information and gave him mine, and saw him sometime in the next week or so.
We met at the bandshell towards the water from Corlears Hook Park in the LES at 8pm on a Saturday morning. I brought my sticks and an open mind. He brought me everything. We continued there for years, even in the rain, even in the snow. Visible exhalations into the cold winter air while drilling footwork and counter-attacking are among the great memories of training. While we have studio spaces to use now, every once in a while training returns to the park and I value it highly. Artists will understand “en plein air”.
Several years later and here I am, living in Oakland for my second year. I have returned to New York many times to train. Guro and I are in good touch and he is helping me along to my next steps. I am also now teaching Martial Arts at after school programs for grades K -5 and 9-12. I hope to go further in my training and share good things from my training. Let’s see what happens.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
it is almost february!
and it's been some time since i last slept alone.
and few times that i've slept at my apartment.
i'll fully move in with her by march.
i've given my notice.
there's no reason not to, really.
and i hope to achieve a higher level in kali this year.
it is not without it's obstacles that i train here in california,
and my master teaches me from new york,
but i push on and reach further.
i will be tested for lakan guro when i return.
and i ended up teaching martial arts at a high school too.
an alternative school with progressive programs.
they seem like good kids and i'd like to confirm that soon,
as i would like to bring them stick training as well.
and into this new year i continue on;
riding my bike every where and every day;
training my martial arts with high goals;
teaching my martial arts with good intentions;
and living consciously and looking forward.
and few times that i've slept at my apartment.
i'll fully move in with her by march.
i've given my notice.
there's no reason not to, really.
and i hope to achieve a higher level in kali this year.
it is not without it's obstacles that i train here in california,
and my master teaches me from new york,
but i push on and reach further.
i will be tested for lakan guro when i return.
and i ended up teaching martial arts at a high school too.
an alternative school with progressive programs.
they seem like good kids and i'd like to confirm that soon,
as i would like to bring them stick training as well.
and into this new year i continue on;
riding my bike every where and every day;
training my martial arts with high goals;
teaching my martial arts with good intentions;
and living consciously and looking forward.
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