NATION: Some People Just Don't Get It!

Below: always got to include a photo, so here it is - Peace, brothers and sisters. Yes, that's a selfie of my shadow on an outhouse - hey, I liked the photo, so sue me! Click to enlarge (PLEASE!).

Suppose that every day, ten US citizens go out for lunch and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. In fact, they would get an earned income tax credit if they have a job.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.

WORLD: Zero Population Growth

Photo Introduction: If you follow this blog (and who doesn't?), you know that I despise a text-only post. Lacking any contextual photos or graphics, I decided to spice up this post with the photo below of a California sea lion taken in Port San Luis last week by me. The sea lion yearling appeared to be sick and abandoned. This is the type of photo that a group like ZPG might use to promote the concept that the growing billions of humans on the planet are causing environmental disaster (I do not necessarily disagree), and thus hope to garner donations to their cause. Click to enlarge.

On to the Population Growth Blog Post! Back in the 1970's, I was a member of a group called Zero Population Growth (ZPG). It was clear that unchecked human population growth would eventually bring disaster to this planet. It is still true today.

Forty years ago, this was a popular topic, both in newspapers, TV and in classrooms. Today, it is rarely mentioned. I have no idea why (actually, I do, but that is a topic for another time). From my perspective, "there is no world problem that is not reduced in scope by a reduction in the number of people on our planet." This is not a religious or political reproductive issue - it is just a fact.

PERSONAL: 2014 is the year to try a Dual Sport!

The Power of Intentions:

THE YEAR I TRY A DUAL-SPORT

Yes, many of our friends have dual-sport dirt bikes, and I’d like to try one, or buy a “beginner” bike and try it out. Maybe I’ll like it, and maybe I won’t, but

if I don’t start now, I never will. What I’m looking for:

- you don’t have a dual-sport but are interested, so let’s talk!

- you have a bike and want to teach me the ropes 
- when and where and I’m there (Rubi tried at the

Keeler New Year’s trip, but we opted for a 4x4 trail ride instead - thanks Scott for the offer - maybe another time?)

*****
GB: Right after I took this picture I took the towel off the dashboard and started the motor to see if it would go. Cranked a few times and started up. Once the bike moves you forget the tallness. Lots of cool bikes out there and hard to go wrong. KTMs are popular. We went on a ride a while back and a lightweight man had a 250 which was OK until we hit 101 and then it was a struggle. Suzuki Vstrom is also a 650 and it is lower. I got mine on Craigslist for $3400 from a guy in Happy Camp that wanted a sand rail. Also ebay has bikes for sale.

PERSONAL: Silver City

Email Tim to get the captions for these images. Click to enlarge.

1. 

SLO: County Needs Affordable Housing - Part I

*****Update 3/23/2014: I just came across this story about the "Tiny House Family" that you can read about by clicking here. Here's a brief description from the article:

They used their small savings to buy a plot of land in Virginia in 2011. There, they built a home that’s smaller than 200 square feet. And they couldn’t be happier. During 2008, Hari and Karl Berzins lost their home and restaurant business. The recession hit them hard, but they didn’t let their misfortunes stop them from moving forward. They learned their lesson and vowed never to use credit again. So when they rebuilt, they did so on a small scale. (Literally.) They are the Tiny House Family.

*****Update 1/28/2014: Question: Why is it so hard to build affordable housing, or new housing in general? Answer: fees, red tape, regulations, and NIMBY ("Not In My Back Yard") opposition. Read this article on how difficult it is to build new housing in San Francisco by clicking here. 

SLO: "Tommy Benjamin" Film to be shown at SLO-IFF on 3/9/2014 at 1pm

3/9/2014: After seeing Tommy Benjamin in Paso at the SLO International Film Festival, we sojourned at Norm and Connie's beautiful home in Atascadero to have a wonderful Italian buffet dinner. Johnee and Co. put together these 2 wonderful photos of the group. In the meantime, 5 adults (including me) were asked to come forward and perform an improv skit for the crowd - yeah, I can do that. Johnee says he videoed it, so maybe it'll see the light of day sometime. Until then, I can hope that it won't!

SLO: Mountain Biking, Backpacking and Hiking with Meetup.com

Meetup.com: I'm doing all my mountain biking rides through meetup.com, so I encourage you to sign-up for the SLO Mountain Biking meetup group. I am also in the Central Coast Hiking meetup group. Finally, I am also in the SLO and Central Coast Backpacking meetup group. I encourage you SLO types to join all 3 and go on some great outings.

If you don't know what meetup is, read bout it by clicking here. Meetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. For me, I joined the Mountain Biking, Backpacking, and Hiking meetup groups in San Luis Obispo - you should try it. We had a great ride yesterday (Saturday 12/14/2013) out at Montana de Oro.

Willow Springs Trail Work Day Friday 12/13 and Saturday 12/14/2013: Things are going well on this project.   BUT we will definitely be working this Saturday.  We've had a pretty good volunteer turnout so far but for sure need folks this Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, 2013.  I think we are set for tomorrow (Thursday 12/12/2013) with some A.G. hikers and Forest Service folks.

Above: Manzanita tree next to a trail work tool (photo from Sunday 12/8/2013 CCCMB.org trail work day at Santa Margarita Lake in SLO County. See trail tools for more information on the tools we use for building trails, including the McLeod tool above.