Came across this article at APEX Movement’s website re: Parkour practitioners (traceurs) and how
they interact with the environment. I appreciated the sentiment here, and was reminded how the ancient ninja of Japan would be thought of as sorcerers because of their extreme attention and at-one-ness with their surroundings. ~Jenn
Read this article from The Slate re: the Hollywood stigma of non-drivers being somehow equivalent to losers. That not driving is one symptom of loser-dom.
new bike
When I tell people I don’t drive, I often do get looks as though I’m from Mars. Sometimes though (especially in Boulder) the person will get wistful in the eyes and praise me for sacrificing driving for the environment. It didn’t start out that way–it just started because I couldn’t be bothered–Boulder is incredibly accessible by bicycle and bus. In fact, Boulder is much more accessible by anything other than a car, it seems. Even teaching in Denver hasn’t been an issue, as the metro area bus system is award-winning and, though certainly not flawless, is pretty gosh darn user-friendly in general. Plus, by not driving I have gotten the opportunity to become an award-winning online teacher. I’ve made telecommuting a professional art!
Anyway, even though today isn’t technically a Bike-to-Work Day, think about it a little as you go
bike grocery trip
through your world: notice who’s out traveling by man-made power, notice the weather, see where bike lanes or trail heads peek out into the road, count your parking fees and gas money…;) 
~Jenn
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/07/23/and-now-a-completely-context-free-quote-from-my-wife/
You know? It reminds me of some of the weird and funny out-of-context quotes I cold cull up from martial arts and stage combat classes. Like “DeBlurge.” Remember “DeBlurge?”
I saw this on several different blogs today, and so I must post it here for you, lovely lurkers–it’s a sign. This is an amazing piece by graffiti artist Blu, and it’s about…well, life. Enjoy. ~Jenn
BIG BANG BIG BOOM – the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
It’s Bike-to-Work Day here in the Boulder-Denver area, and that unfortunately means lots of
Now when will Fat Tire sponsor us, eh? 
people flooding the streets on their bikes for the only time this year. Fortunately, it’s a nice thing to be conscious of, at least once a year–how to be a green commuter; being conscious of using the car and what, if any, alternatives are healthy. But like we always say here at Team Bonzuko: for us, every day is Bike-to-Work Day. ~Jenn
Can think of nothing but our little cat Jango Fett at the pet hospital today. So, here’s a pic of her with a real live Tribble. ~Jenn
These crazy neo-Beats started the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, at Naropa
University, here in Boulder. I went there to learn about writing from the neo of the neo-Beats, and I learned a lot. I also wrote a lot, which is even more important when one is trying to learn about writing. Hearing the Nerdist podcasts lately on my various bus rides, they all echo this idea–do it, do it, whatever it is. Do it. Love it. It has taken me a long time to build my life in a way that I do what I love for a living, and I wouldn’t say I’m rich and famous yet, but it’s a giant balloon ride away from the “I’m an artist and I work a day job” thing.
Wow, just seeing photos of these crazy poets that are the heritage of my grad school got me off on a pontification. What’s your avocation, lovely lurkers, and is it also your evocation? ~Jenn
(Thanks, mental_floss!) http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/55710
Shikin Haramitsu Dai Komyo “Powerful Light of Wisdom”
Shikin has 4 dimensions:From Ninja Secrets, Shoto Tanemura
Normally I’d put up a picture of the Bonzuko bicycle loaded down with groceries for an occasion like this, but I had such a surprising, cute ecological experience the other day on campus that I thought I’d share it with you, lovely lurkers. Hopefully the picture is self-explanatory. Know that it’s an area *extremely* high in foot traffic, right next to a big parking lot. ~Jenn
Zen is totally Japanese. Except when it is Chan – then it is Chinese. Unless it’s motorcycle maintenance, then it’s American. Point is, Zen has come to embody more than Zen actually is, sometimes describing something that isn’t Zen at all, which is in itself sort of Zen.
Zen qualities are found in cultures spanning the globe; its wisdom may be carried through sages, beggars, artists and fools in the street. Kicking off the WoWiZen (World Wide Zen) is this gem from the fictional Greek warrior/philosopher Kojak:
~Jason
