simplybrad

REPOST:
To: All Riders

From: Ride to Work Day

Subject: 2006 Ride to Work Day Proclamations

This week, the attached letter and proclamation template were sent to the mayors of America's 260 largest cities. Ride to Work is asking for a mayoral proclamation of support for Ride to Work Day, and for free parking at all meters and municipal ramps on this day. Please encourage your city's leaders to support Ride to Work Day by contacting them directly - by calling or forwarding to your mayor the attached RTW documents - and by sending your own message encouraging local support. Your direct effort will make a real difference in the number of cities that recognize Ride to Work Day this year.

A friend of mine, Mike, and I went for a ride this holiday weekend around the southern part of Lake Michigan. The first extended trip of the year.

It was great to get out on the road for a relaxing ride. The traffic was great and realitively light for a big holiday travel weekend. We camped north of Muskegan Michigan Saturday night. I was reminded of how hard the ground is.

Sunday was spent watching some motorcycle racing at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven. Every bike imaginable was running from some superbikes to historical bikes. It was AHAMA's racing at this venue. Nothing sounds like a Ducati.

I finally have photos posted from trip. I am still having some technical issues but my host is working on it. The direct link to the photos is here.

It’s a gorgeous day out. The sun is shinning. I have no agenda for today. I head out towards Printemps and Galleries Lafayette for some shopping. I take different streets. Nothing in particular, just different streets. I quickly go through these two giant stores, not sure of what I was thinking as this is way too American. If you want shopping, go to St. Germain.

I get out and start walking around again, taking pictures of the city. I end up walking around the Opera National de Paris bullding and take some pictures of the ornamentation around it. I don’t think I have ever been to an Opera or inside an Opera building. I decided to tour the inside.

After the Opera visit I wander around the city some more. Taking more pictures. I wind up over at Les Halles and take advantge of getting some good shots of the head and hand sculpture. Les Halles is kind of a dump. It is the site of the old market that was leveled and an underground mall put in it’s place. Avoid the mall part.

Thankfully I am up a little later today. It’s around 8:00 so I get a ready a little quicker. Today is Musée d’Orsay. I thought it was just about the Impressionist. It’s a large part but it covers everything between 1848 to 1914. Of course the paintings are exceptional but once again I was focused on the sculptures. I also found the Art Nouveau exceptional. I have always been a fan of Art Nouveau from posters and typography from my days in sign painting. What blew me away more about this movement was the room displays with the outlandish furniture. The rooms give you a much better appreciation for this art. Very cool how it works together in a room. I did by a book on understanding the paintings in the Orsay collection. Very helpful as it will take you through either chronologically or thematically.

I am up early and I feel great. It's raining. I bought an umbrella when I purchased the plug adapters. I decided on the Louvre today because Musée d'Orsay does not open until 10:30 on Saturdays (opens at 9:30 on Sundays). Today the Louvre opens at 9:00. I am in the courtyard. It is still dusk out. The sun has yet to rise. The lights cast interesting patterns on the ground. Exploring the grounds I take some photos, hopefully capturing the calmness that is soon to fade away. There are about ten of us waiting in the drizzle as if willing the doors to open. Happily it is not cold out, just a little damp. I have read about this place often. The objects inside have been in many of the books I have read, both for pleasure and in school. This is the single largest place in the world housing the world's largest collection of art. An amazing place. Being the first into the Louvre (the people in front of me had bags to take through security), I make “Mona”? my first stop. No matter how good the printing is in books, nothing matches viewing the real thing (that could be said of most things). Mona is smirking for her new digs, drinking all of the attention she receives on a daily basis. I think this is why she is really smirking, oui? I have never been into sculpture. This visit has changed that. For me the sculptures in this place overshadow the paintings. I am sure the photos I have taken represent this new-found appreciation. Saying the Louvre is expansive is being modest. It’s huge and one day does not do it justice. It needs to be enjoyed in small doses over a long period of time. I explore the museum and take some notes on what I would like to further study. It is nightfall as I leave the Louvre.

Bonjour everyone, I am in Paris and having a great time. I know the news is heavy about the protests and car burnings but I have yet to see any, merci.

I spent today at the Louvre enjoy this excellent museum. I have a great newfound appreciation for sculpture and have seen plenty.

Au revior for know, I am off to L'ami Jean for a most anticipated basque meal accompanied by some fabulous bordeaux from the area.

Please forgive the typo's as this is a french keyboard on a computer in french :-)