Amalienborg Square

The Royal Guard were busy with a changing of the post when we arrived in Amalienborg Square.
We arrived just before the tour bus, which seemed like they were a little late in arriving as the Guard had just finished a few of the changes and were making the rounds to collect all of their members to complete the transition from one crew to another.
Having just woken up from a little nap on our backs, Amelia was a little shy and didn't want to get too close to the Guards. I think their bear skin caps were concerning to her. They sort of make me think of the nutcracker and make them look like toys if you ask me. I guess the guns are real.

Marmorkirken (Marble Church) or Frederikskirken (Frederik's Church)

In a country not known for their religion, they have a wonderful place of worship in this church inspired by St. Paul's Cathedral (London).
Frederik V order construction of the church in 1749, only to be completed in 1894. Abby said she didn't like that she had to be silent in it, because she "likes to talk". I think this was the continued marching through the strets of Copenhagen talking, at this point Amelia was falling asleep and we barely made it through lunch and onto the Little Mermaid, which was our ultimate destination on the second day here in Copenhagen.
The interior of the chruch was beautiful. We found it very peaceful and a nice break in our trek across the city from west to east. The design was very clean and seemed to reflect the

In general, however, Danes are not very religious, and church attendance is generally low. According to a 2005 study, Denmark has the third-highest proportion of atheists and agnostics in the world.

There is a tour of the tower on the weekends, which would be fun to check out if we have time, so much to see in this wonderful city.

Rosenborg Slot (Castle)

The previous post was a few pictures from the Botanical Gardens, which I may add text to later (if time allows).
The starting point for the second day was the Norreport Station which is slightly southwest of the Botanical Gardens and the King's Gardens which is home to the Rosenborg Slot. The grounds are the oldest public park in Copenhagen covering almost 30 acres. The grounds are a beautiful spread of lawn, well manicured bushes, trees, and flowers. It is particularly beautiful in the summer with most of the roses and flowers in bloom.
The history of the castle can be found here. The castle is guarded by two noble lions which the girls enjoyed. They frame the entrance to the magnificent structure which dates to the 1600s. The history of the Castle goes back to 1606-1607, when the King in a newly laid out park, “The King's Garden” (“Kongens Have”), had a “summerhouse” built. The original was a mere two stories, but was quickly added on to.

It is guarded with less ceremony than Amalienborg Plads (Square), which is where the Danish royal family takes residence when they are home. Rosenborg was used as a Royal residence until around 1710, when Christian IV's great grandson, Frederik IV, gave it up in favour of other, more up-to-date, summer residences. Rosenborg Castle instead became the setting for the Royal collections. That is the reason for the many well preserved interiors which are quite unique.

Botanic Gardens

Danish Royal Guard on Foot Patrol

We went to the Kings Garden today and while the kids and Susan were visiting the Roseborg Castle, I was out the grounds surveying the scene. I visited the castle last year, so I wasn't inclined to use my weak US $ to visit it again.
The upside of being a cheap skate was catching the Royal Guard on their march from the barracks there near the castle to Amalienborg to the west. They leave the Gardens and march down Gothersgade right in the lane of traffic. It is an impressive display of traffic calming as they curise down the middle of the street. I am surprised that they don't take up the bicycle lane and fortunately for the folks in autos, there is room to bypass the parade of soldiers on the left as you can see from the second photo from this series. I like the combination of the Royal Guard, the blue bike paint, and the yielding traffic.

Any time you have a group of a dozen or so soldiers in black bear hats and major artillery on their shoulders, you end up with well behaved traffic, i.e. no honking, abrupt passing, or generate road rage. Just people in their cars, buses, and trucks moving orderly past the Royal Guard on a 5 km per hour pace with knees held high. It is an impressive display of coordination.
The Royal Guard is part of the detail at the Amalienborg palace. There main function is to protect the queen and the other members of the Danish Royal familyRead more: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Denmark/Koebenhavns_Kommune/Copenhagen-162183/Things_To_Do-Copenhagen-Royal_Guard-BR-1.html#ixzz1Q8kQQR8

More pictures of the changing of the guard can be found here.

Copenhagen Day 1

Copenhagen is a beautiful City. When we arrived, Abigail hadn't slept a wink during the entire trip, so it was important to keep her up for the next few hours to make sure we got back to a more reasonable sleep schedule.
Our plan was to do a little site seeing for the first part of the afternoon, taking in some of the sites nearby the apartment. Our first stop was the church in the neighborhood. The views from the top of the tower were breath taking. The stairway continues up to the top and ends as it gets narrower and you reach the upper spire.

BLIND PILOT at Crystal Ballroom

A quick reminder for going to a live show. Something old people don't do very much.

Buy tickets for MFNW Presents: BLIND PILOT, All Ages at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

DC Area Advertising

I am always intrigued by the advertising in DC.
This one in particular caught my eye because of the focus on Jobs, which clearly is key to the communication in this economy. The phrase "in this economy" may be one of the most overused these days, but does ground one to think about their particular point, yet it's also misused and leaves to what I would guess is an overstated claim. Essentially lobbying that you don't seen any many other cities, these pieces are usually put together by some major player on Capitol Hill. I wonder if this was a part of a social media marketing program as well?

Condon to Heppner By Bike

On our Memorial Day weekend we joined the Schultz family out in Condon. We got out on Sunday morning for a bike ride  and got most of the Cycle Oregon III ride from Day Two.

Day Two: Heppner to Fossil, 62 miles

A 57-mile day will take us through Condon, a center for birds, deer and elk in the autumn.  We then begin entering the Fossil Beds National Monument, where you can actually witness Oregon’s geological history.Everyone will camp at Fossil, where you will find fossil exhibits of saber-toothed tigers, giant pigs and three-toed horses.  Fossil will also host a homestay program as an alternative to camping.

Bike Snob Book Review: Use Lights

I am currently reading Bike Snob and I have been surprised with how well reasoned some of the chapters are. I am finding I can actually apply some of the ideas he has and it is pretty funny at the same time. I haven't laughed out loud while reading for awhile.

His characterizations of the different types of cyclists was spot on. In the chapter, Velo-Taxonomy: The Various Subjects of Cyclists, he describes The Roadie, The Mountain Biker, The Loan Wolf, The Messenger, and so on. The Chapter on "Why is Everybody Trying to Kill Me" features how to survive on a bike and discusses his approach to embracing conflict on the road. My experience has been limited since I am on the Springwater Trail, but the chapter is helpful to think about the responses of a cyclist when a motorist doesn't see a cyclist.  Rather than get angry, he suggests saying "Do you know you almost killed me back there?", hoping that the driver will than be conciliatory as opposed to escalating the argument.
He gives tips on Riding in Traffic

• Be Confident
• Don't Ride Next to Cars at Intersections
• Watch Out for Doors
• Use Lights

The Use Lights bullet reminded me of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's clever video encouraging people that lights are an important part of the bike. He also makes a good point on the bicycle industry's failure to put lights on bikes, comparing this to the only other fast moving objects that don't use lights include missiles, bullets, and bombs.

There is some clever marketing around his book and how he released it.

Abby's 8th Birthday

Abigail got a big present for her 8th birthday. She wanted this bike when we went and saw it a few weeks ago at Sellwood Cycle Repair and the very next day Susan picked it up and they held onto it while it cleared its "background" check.

The guys at Sellwood Cycle Repair modified to fit her perfectly and even helped us with the delivery by letting us tie a bow on it and hang it in the shop.

Amelia Rides a Bike

Very proud father of a 5 year old riding her own bike.

Rotterdam's World Database of Happiness and other fun sites

We're planning for our trip to Europe and I was listening to one of the old audiobooks that I enjoyed awhile back titled the The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World. The author highlights the World Database of Happiness, which is in Rotterdam at Erasmus University.  http://worlddatabaseofhappiness.eur.nl/

Since we're going to Delft I wonder if we could break away for a day and go visit.

Another place I came across on the internet in Rotterdam is the following housing which ranks 22nd on the World's Strangest Buildings.

Osama Bin Laden is Dead

The White House is reporting that U.S. officials raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan tonight and killed Osama Bin Laden. It's a big news story. Susan was sitting at the computer and there were several posts on my facebook account sharing the news. We turned the TV on to watch. I am not sure what to think about the event in our history. President Obama gave a speech to describe the occurrences. The speech gave me confidence that it was the right thing to do. A friend on FB mentioned that it doesn't make her feel safer. I get that.

Just some idle thoughts as time passes on.

I am sure it will improve Obama's approval rating, which could use some help.

I was looking at Abbottabad on Google Maps and on Wikipedia and it looks like a nice place with a Hockey stadium (field) and a Cricket team.

I am not sure this summarizes it well, but it is notable.
 ‎"I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." – Mark Twain

Switching between CNN and Fox News, the Fox interviewee (Bush's former Chief of Staff  Andy Card) credits Bush for setting up Obama to find Bin Laden.

Lastly, thanking God for someone else's death makes me cringe. I think of the news clips (maybe from Al Jazeera) or videos I have seen when people in (insert country of choice) are praising (insert diety of those countrymen) have shot down a helicopter or killed a U.S. soldier.

Amazing that they could keep the 8 month effort quiet long enough to carry the effort out. A NY Times post is a sign of the times http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/how-the-osama-announcement-leaked-out/. 

The crowds at the White House and Ground Zero look pretty big. CNN describing how transportation security will be stepped up tomorrow. 

Interesting to see friends posting to facebook based on the news website they are referring to. Academics tend to prefer NY Times, conservatives definitely Fox, and lefties are MSNBC or NPR. 

I am hoping that this will translate into prosperity for the country. It would be nice if this could bring the world together, but I am uncertain we'll see that. May the world become a more peaceful place.

After a few hours of news coverage, it's time to turn it off. 

Breakfast on the Bridges

A great way to start a Friday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=je4hzlw5K8g , VERY Portland!

I attended this month's and the camera crew must have gotten there after I left. I didn't get a late to work slip.

Ronde PDX - http://www.rondepdx.com/

I did the Ronde PDX ride yesterday. Was nervous getting ready. Left Sellwood about 9:15AM after a quick stop at the Ugly Mug. Caught up with the Sellwood Club and was ready to ride at 10 AM at NW 31st/Industrial. After >7,000 feet of climbing and nearly as many calories on a 5+ hour ride, we made it to Council Crest.

I went out like a lion and finished like a lamb with about 7 miles to go. I was surprised they took us over trails and some that didn't seem like a very good idea on my carbon fiber skinny tire steed.

Couldn't make the SW College hill climb, but did manage to finish the one with 23% grades. I don't even remember the name of the street because I don't ever want to go back there. Okay it was Brynwood. As Drew said, we should go back and slay the dragon which was SW College... he didn't make it either.

In my defense (for being called a whiner) and not obeying Rule 5 (harden up), I did spread barkdust and was really sore.

Funny post on the ride from Old Nevermore

Here's a video of the ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cbvQqssD_jI

The Rules of Cycling with the Guys

Started biking with a group in Sellwood and there was a fun post on the email list about the Rules.

Here they are! http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

Bike Ride for March 19th

I went out with the Rapha charity ride for a bit and found NW Newberry Road off of Highway 30. It was a bear, but ended up with a nice long trip on NW Skyline. Here's the map link.

Amazing to think about what mother nature can do.

Map link was too large, so here's the google map I created.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=4637+N+Albina+Ave,+Portland,+OR+97217&daddr=45.56991,-122.67684+to:45.6155027,-122.8148647+to:NW+Skyline+and+Northwest+Germantown+Road,+Portland,+OR+to:NW+SKyline+and+Fairview,+portland+to:SW+Salmon+St+to:45.5166518,-122.6781131+to:W+4th+%26+Burnside+to:45.52286,-122.65159+to:45.52215,-122.63929+to:45.52498,-122.620811+to:45.53512,-122.62128+to:ne+42nd+%26+Sandy+blvd+to:600+se+morrison,+portland,+or+to:913+SE+Lexington+St,+Portland,+OR+97202&geocode=FRoktwIdDyCw-CkbQzAkE6eVVDF3USLPwRDYCw%3BFXZXtwIdmBmw-ClrycMiCKeVVDG1j3okJkF2Yg%3BFY4JuAIdcP6t-CnVrz9JdAeVVDEvpfT1KkSH2Q%3BFX6KtwIdpzqu-Cm7d-e02geVVDFXXww05SbEBg%3BFdGAtgIdlFSv-Ck_OrAJgQmVVDHq7tIOi62nnw%3BFTCRtgIdUvCv-A%3BFWuHtgIdnxSw-Cl9ABb2DwqVVDFqj6kmtkOwzw%3BFVmgtgIdMSOw-Cn1tWDVBgqVVDEcVbiojAgNTA%3BFayftgIdOnyw-ClZDw7WpKCVVDF40tOOi8NyEg%3BFeactgIdRqyw-Cl9Nz-YvqCVVDFDwOTXU_14MA%3BFfSntgIddfSw-CkXcbiIwqCVVDFPbkluyNlr8Q%3BFZDPtgIdoPKw-ClnytNX16CVVDFOUTT4d0bNaA%3BFXnTtgId-Pew-ClZaw1v16CVVDHAlAi_Lyrxqw%3BFZaJtgIdd1yw-Ck1FCnMoKCVVDEmkxYHM4-bWA%3BFUTGtQId-2iw-Cmz01jz3AqVVDHA3O7mEVCd7Q&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1,2,6,8,9,10,11&dirflg=b&sll=45.462298,-122.670937&sspn=0.133884,0.308647&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=11&lci=bike

Earthquake off of Japanese Coast

My thoughts are tied to people of Japan who are dealing with the aftermath of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Apparently, all of the trains throughout the country were shut down so people ended up walking home as opposed to taking their normal subway or commuter train home. One friend's family member in Tokyo had a 12 hour trip to get home last night and the night time temperatures were below 40 degrees, so not the best time of year to have to walk home.

Sellwood Cycling Club Group Ride - March 6th, 2011

Here's the ride tracking for the ride today. Nice work everybody!

Untitled by pkoonce99 at Garmin Connect - Details

Oregon is no Wisconsin

As a public employee now, I am finding the debates on public employee benefits are hitting close to home. Yet, as someone new to the ranks, I don't have this huge expectation, somewhat like Social Security. I will be interested to see how my views on this change as I continue on in my career and my stay with the City or government for that matter increases. Having experience in the private sector has taught me a lot of things and it's a good perspective to have.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/03/john_kitzhaber_makes_lean_unio.html

Peter's Commute Home

Now that the Winter Solstice has come and gone the days are getting longer. Yet, you wouldn't know it by my work schedule which has been keeping me at work late and leaves me riding home in the dark. It's a nice thing I am on the Springwater Path and my interactions with vehicles are minimal for most of my commute. It makes it hard not to bike in to work becuase there's not much of an excuse if you've got lights that are bright and good gear. Someone the other day talked about that ("I don't have rain pants") and then was off to the gym to attend a spin class. Earl Blumenauer has a fun rant about this where he says folks are sitting in traffic on their way to the gym to ride a stationary bicycle. He (and I) would prefer to see folks on their bikes.

Tram with Amelia

It was a rainy day in Portland and Susan was off with Abby at a birthday party, so what better time to spend with Mia than at the Tram. I hadn't ridden the tram for awhile and Amelia has never ridden without being in a child carrier. I also had a free tram ticket that I got from 2007, so figured might be time to use it. The tram is quite a marvel of engineering. Upon arrival at the top at OHSU, walking over the pedestrian bridge the Veteran's Hospital adds another nice stop on the trip. The pedestrian bridge was built in 1992 and connects OHSU Hospital and the VA Medical Center in what is the longest suspended pedestrian skybridge in North America, with a length of 660 feet.

Reading List: Brew to Bikes

Sheila got me a great book for Christmas and I am over half way through it. The book is Brew to Bikes: Portland's Artisan Economy by Charles Heying. It's written by a Portland State University professor and nearly 15 colleagues that go in depth on how the City has benefited from the growth of industries associated with handmade or carefully crafted products. The chapters include coffee, food, beer, bikes, zines, among others and I have enjoyed it thus far. The author describes Fordism and Post-Fordism which highlights the contrast of mass produced versus more handmade goods.

Way to go Beavs!...

It has been awhile since I have posted to the Family Blog and thought it might be fun to try connecting facebook to the blog. We'll see how it goes. I imagine there is some other way to do this that I just haven't explored, but here goes nothing! Way to go Beavs!...