Dear So and So

[Sky King]

At the risk of sounding a bit smug but it was quite ironic. Attended a talk of one our customers last night. He rode and completed the Ride the Divide Bike Race and had a slide show to share his experience. Was at a local library about 4 miles from our house. We were surprised to roll up on our bikes and see the entire bike rack completely empty. The room was full but we seemed to be the only ones who arrived via bike. It was 100 degrees but we accounted for that in our trip and didn't "race to get there" Talk was interesting but if I ever ride the divide it won't be a race pace Took a meandering way home and rode along the river on the MUP - easily 15 degrees cooler than city streets.

[ny biker]

Around here traffic would also be an issue -- it can be hard to get to things after work on weekdays. It used to be that I would walk from my home to condo association meetings, but since my job moved further away I either drive there directly from work or miss the meeting altogether because of rush hour traffic. But I don't know if that's as much of a factor in Boise.

[Crankin]

At certain after work times of day, traffic could be an issue, too, even here in the suburbs. It is for my measly 2.5 mile commute. I have a go-around, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. If I had to go to a presentation at a local business, I would probably think about riding, but most likely I would drive. I really don't feel comfortable riding in regular clothes, although I am better; I have cycling clothes that don't look lycra-ish, so that helps, but generally, I think about this when I go to meetings or other events. My bet is racer types wouldn't think of riding for transportation. I ride for both fitness and transportation at times, but for a lot of people, this is not the case.

[shootingstar]

At certain after work times of day, traffic could be an issue, too, even here in the suburbs. It is for my measly 2.5 mile commute. I have a go-around, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. If I had to go to a presentation at a local business, I would probably think about riding, but most likely I would drive. I really don't feel comfortable riding in regular clothes, although I am better; I have cycling clothes that don't look lycra-ish, so that helps, but generally, I think about this when I go to meetings or other events. My bet is racer types wouldn't think of riding for transportation. I ride for both fitness and transportation at times, but for a lot of people, this is not the case.

I work for govn't and we are responsible for public cycling infrastructure, transit in our city..and also roads for building, maintenance. So part of employer's action plan has been to provide some better bike parking facilities for employees in secured areas at same workplace and at bigger, very select buildings, provide a small group of pool corporate bikes. Not exactly a bikeshare but strictly internal for signup and use. So cycling, transit or corporate vehicle is encouraged. Latter is a problem for very small fleet of cars. I have cycled to some internal meetings located less than 6-8 km. away from where I work with approx. 50% of route on pathways, not on road. The meetings involve others who are technical folks (actually GIS, drafting and surveying technical staff) so it's better I don't look overly girly/corporate 2-piece skirt-suited. There are some women in these groups and they are professional casual in attire. I show up at these meetings after biking, wearing black blazer and black jeans (for cycling).

Car, traffic and pedestrian traffic for past 12 months has been noticeably lighter...because there have been over 20,000 worker layoffs (just in our city alone) because of the dropping oil and gas economy in Alberta. Alberta is the lead Canadian province in this industry and our city is where most of such companies' head offices are located.
So yes, cycling is a lot easier along with availability of installed separated bike lanes.

From what one observes at least, in the building where I work (over 2,000 employees), I actually think signals that you are paying to your health by taking noon hr. classes, going for jog, walk or biking to work is viewed as a plus for an employee. Not a negative. While, yes women are still judged more harshly if they look too sloppy at work, overall if she is visibly engaging in any form of exercise outside of office time, it's seen as very good. We do have employee profiles several times per month on highlights of certain work one does, hobbies and....any favourite exercise activities. Yes, employees who do cycle to work have been profiled on our intranet --including myself. This intranet reaches over 10,000 employees.

[smilingcat]

Dear Farmer's market shopper,

Just because I was making zucchini pancake to sample, a nice large one about 6" diameter to be cut into one inch square, doesn't mean that you can have the whole pancake with Mango salsa. No nada... I'm not running a food cart, restaurant. NOOOO... you can see what can be done with zucchini besides bread and to taste something really different.

Getting PO with me will not get you the whole 6 inch zucchini pancake.

Yes go away all huffy and puffy.

How selfish and rude. And she was an older woman. Don't think she was in any financial hardship or going hungry. Just greedy!!

Dear clueless vendor next to me,

I'm not your honey!! It's bit outdated to say the least and it is offensive to me. I also don't need to know that guys leak or piddle on the toilette seat.

Just my rant for the day.

[Crankin]

I used to patronize a certain nail salon a few times a year; in the last year it was sold and they are steadily losing business. The new owner called me honey one too many times in the late winter/early spring, and I told him I was not his honey. He got all huffy and said "It's hard to remember everyone's name." I went in there last week, and lo and behold, he called me by my name... I also was the only person in there. Nothing else is different, except this guy, so I wonder if others feel the same way.

[Aromig]

Dear clueless vendor next to me,

I'm not your honey!! It's bit outdated to say the least and it is offensive to me.

As a new lawyer about fifteen years ago, my very first deposition was of an older real estate agent who insisted on calling me "honey." In fact, he did it 216 times during a three hour deposition. You can bet that all of the quotes I ended up using in pleadings incorporated him calling me "honey." Their main theme was how professionally they'd been during this transaction, and that they conducted their business the same as always, so not sure if the "honey" references helped us win at all -- but it sure made me feel better.

[Blueberry]

As a new lawyer about fifteen years ago, my very first deposition was of an older real estate agent who insisted on calling me "honey." In fact, he did it 216 times during a three hour deposition. You can bet that all of the quotes I ended up using in pleadings incorporated him calling me "honey." Their main theme was how professionally they'd been during this transaction, and that they conducted their business the same as always, so not sure if the "honey" references helped us win at all -- but it sure made me feel better.

My favorite: "I don't know what it is with your women lawyers. Men just hunt to eat. Women hunt to kill." (Right after I and a male attorney demolished his client's case in court - a case that never should have been brought in the first place.)