Top 10 Lane Splitting Wisdoms

LOOKEE WHAT I FOUND!!!! Thank you Sigma Squared! Right i'm quite excited (obviously) because this is exactly what i was looking for, it's well written, by someone i  know through Think Bike, and is the best i've ever read on this topic :)

Top 10 Lanesplitting Wisdoms

So, I figure its high time for a non technical post. I commute via motorcycle on a 26km stretch of highway every day (N1 and M1, Johannesburg) and thought that I might post some of the wisdoms I’ve picked up during my 6 odd years of commuting. In South Africa, it is legal (please lets not argue the semantics of this on this post) to lanesplit between vehicles in traffic, meaning you ride in-between two lanes of cars. Here are my top 10 handy hints for doing so safely, in no particular order;

1. Passing Trucks

This one is something that can catch you by surprise, always think ahead! If you are passing a truck, either on the left or the right, bear in mind that there is probably someone in front of the truck who cannot see you due to the width of the truck, or there is a gap in front of the truck as it moves slower than the rest of the traffic. Should there be someone who cannot see you, they are probably not going to hesitate to get out of the trucks way (I know I prefer not to be in front of a few tons of metal) and may well cut you off or worse, knock you off. The opposite applies to when there is a gap in front of the truck, invariably someone from the adjacent lane would like to take that gap, and then the same applies. GO WITH CAUTION!

2. Splitting Around Bends

During my commute, there are two gradual bends which I take with great care. One inside the Buccleugh interchange, and the other just past the Woodmead on and off ramps. That said, when you are splitting through a gradual bend, always bear in mind that the angle of people’s mirrors are completely different to what they would be should they be moving in a straight line. If you take a left bend as an example, the people in the lane to your left will most likely be looking at the doors of the vehicles on the right, and the vehicles on the right, are most likely looking at the left headlight of the vehicle behind them. It is for this reason that you should be extra careful, or alternatively wait in the traffic for the duration of the bend.

3. Showing Courtesy

This goes both ways, showing courtesy to cars and trucks, as well as showing courtesy to fellow riders. If a vehicle moves out of your way, give them a gesture of thanks, be it a wave with your clutch hand, a flash of your hazards (if your bike is so equipped) or my personal choice, a tilt of the head. Be careful the first time you tilt your head, it may be the most convenient, but target fixation can occur (you follow the lines of your eyes and if you are tilting your head, you may in fact turn the bike slightly)! Do not extend a foot out on either side, a. this looks aggressive to motorists, and b. this is often used in pack riding to indicate a road hazard on either side! When you are nice to motorists, they will be nice to you, and often someone who has been thanked for moving over will feel a warm fuzzy feeling and be willing to do it again. On the other side of the coin, be aware of your mirrors and of riders wishing to pass you. If you see a motorcyclist behind you, acknowledge him/her in some way, should there be no gaps, and when there is a gap, slow down accordingly and let him/her past. Do not move immediately back into the lane, as often there will be multiple riders behind the one who just passed you! Keep a look out, and move back into the lane when it is safe to do so.

4. Avoid Temptation

Following on from point 3, when someone passes you, resist the temptation to match their speed and stay behind them. For one, this will irritate the rider ahead of you, and two, this is probably removing you from your comfort zone. If you are no longer in your comfort zone, you will no longer be able to pull emergency maneuvers as quickly or as well rehearsed as you would when riding at YOUR comfortable speed. Should the rider ahead of you have to brake suddenly, there is a good chance you will go directly into the back of him/her, which is a situation that I can guarantee neither of you would like.

5. Avoid The “Suicide Lane”

This is referred to (on a 3-lane road) as the piece of road between the slow and middle lane. People generally split between the middle and fast lane, and as such, that is where motorists are expecting you to be. Often a motorist in the middle lane will see you coming and move out of your way in the only direction he can go, left. If you are splitting on the left of that vehicle, you can imagine what could happen next. The converse applies to this as well, if you are splitting in the “suicide lane”, you may well be endangering any riders on the other side for the exact same reasons. Bear in mind, that should a motorist knock a biker down, this could be an end to their life as they know it as well. Which leads me to my next point;

6. Not All Cagers are Evil

If I take my daily commute, between Grayston and Marlboro there is normally very slow moving traffic, often just above standstill. I have counted (don’t try this at home) and have found that in the space of 1km I will pass roughly 72 slow moving vehicles in the fast lane (so more for standstill traffic). I can then multiply this by 2, for the middle lane, giving me 144 vehicles that I have passed in the space of 1km. Multiply that by the 26km’s of highway that I travel (taking into account the same amount of standstill traffic as moving traffic) and you have 3,744 vehicles that I pass on average. That’s a lot of vehicles, and I hardly ever have a problem in a week, so make that 18,720 vehicles per week that do not give me a problem. Should I have one issue a week, that would be 0.005% if the vehicles on that road. Think about it (yes its flawed, but you get my drift).

7. Take Note Of The Sun

This one is very simple to explain, but not often thought of. Be very very careful should the rising or setting sun be directly behind you and the flow of traffic (this is a major problem on the N12 / R24)! If the sun is behind you, you will not be looking in your mirrors as chances are they are blinding you, so bear in mind that this applies to every other vehicle moving in the same direction as you!

8. Splitting At Night

This is a bad idea. A bad bad idea. A very very bad idea. Yes, there are lens covers for your headlight to make you more visible, but in a lot of cases, the same “sun” rules apply. If you are coming up through traffic where all the headlights are on, you WILL NOT BE VISIBLE. In standstill or slow moving traffic, ALL vehicles have only one headlight in a rearview mirror, and you WILL look like every other four wheeled vehicle on that road.

9. Don’t Look Down

Ok, look down a little, but do not fixate on the bike in front of you, and do not look directly at the road in front of you. Look ahead, and look up as well. It is not uncommon for vehicles to have something strapped to the roof rack that is leaning over the side or sticking out the back. Most people have seen the picture of the two gentlemen impaled on a steel pole, if not, you now have an idea of it. Keep looking, often people do not carry red flags or reflective triangles, and figure that they won’t get pulled over in peak hour traffic. The same naive people, probably also don’t figure that another vehicle will be passing between them and the adjacent lane. Arm yourself with forethought when looking ahead. If you see a vehicle towing a caravan, they may well have an extended mirror on the side of the vehicle, avoid these, aside from damage to property, these leave a nice mark in the morning.

10. Chill Out / Don’t Panic

Like attracts like, if you are riding rigid and panicky, chances are you are going to bump into something. The best advice I can give for lanesplitting is to start out slow over short stretches, and don’t get onto the highway until you are absolutely comfortable with splitting. There are plenty of double-lane roads where you can practice by making your way up to a red light when all the traffic comes to a stop. Take things as they come, should you bump someone’s vehicle, it happens. Stop, apologise to the driver, and 90% of the time they will be OK with it (provided you weren’t tearing down the road like a bat out of hell), the other 10% of the time, something can be done about it. If you do get cut off, don’t get even by breaking off the mirror of the vehicle or kicking the door in, as tempting as it may be. Practice as I do in the morning, and try to memorise at least one numberplate a day. This will train your memory so that when something does happen, you can head down to the nearest police station and lay a charge of reckless driving against the owner of the plate number that you have in your head. This may not have an immediate effect, but should something happen down the line and their record is pulled, you will have the upper hand, and not an assault/property damage charge.

There are plenty more points that I could go through, and I’m sure I will add more in another post one day. Please leave your wisdoms and comments on this post below, as I would love this to benefit fellow riders.

If you would like more info on rider safety etc, there is plenty of info over at Think Bike.

One wet foot

Sounds like the title of a pop song, or group even. Next verse would be one leaky boot.

Wonderful morning rain again, nice and soft and fluffy. Roads were treacherous though. It was very wet out there. The rain lifted the oil, and there was also a lot of a white substance over all the road along the construction areas. I took it really slow today, and i'm grateful i did. f i'd been in a hurry, that constrcution L300 would have taken me. I didn't stop first behind him, i'd have gone under. 

They're laying the tarmac for lanes in strips, about 1 and a half lanes each. For some odd reason, th join between old tar and new tar is nt a straight line across the road, but rather a long diagonal which has a way of catching your tyres, and shunting you sideways. The rain obscured that join. I gota helluva fright when it did it this morning, i had been concentrating on the wind, which was also buffeting me slightly. Fortunately for me i'm a naughty bugger. I've been riding those joins for months now. When safe, i'll ride up and down up and down, as those joins cross over the road. It's fun, but also gae me the muscle memory i needed. 

This same join problem was a huge concern for the toyrun, having several thousand closely packed biked being thrown to one side is a dangerous situation. Not too bad of course, if you're expecting it. But if you're new, and panic? Or focusing elsewhere, and get a fright? Zero-survive in the blink of an eye. But all is well, traffic was light today, and i got here safely. I love my rainsuit, have to say. 

Time to dubbin the boots gain i think.

peace!! 

Ryan Savage

Hi, my name is Ryan I am 3 years old, on October 26,2009, my mom and dad where told that I had stage 4 cancer Neuroblasto​​ma to be exact. I have had my first operation already and my first dose of chemo too, mom and dad tell me I'm a brave boy cause I dont cry.

Well its been a wonderfull week end and a great start to the day, i noticed yesterday my little angel has lots his beautiful eyelashes thats really sad but they will grow back soon im sure.

Ryan goes back to the hospital on Wed for bloods and then its all about Sunday Ryan is so excited about the bike wash fun day thats happening all for him, for those that are unable to follow him on facebook here are the details

Sund​​ay 28 February
tim​​e: 09H30
place:​​cnr Kite and Weaver Str Horison
What​​s happening its going to be a family fun day with jumping castles and face painting for the kids corvette rides and food on sale, we welcome the South African National Blood Services who will be taking blood from those who are willing to donate and for the boy with their toy the bike wash and the ladies of course wouldnt want to forget them.
____________________________________________________________

I got an e-mail, about a kid, cancer or summin. Got on with my day. Later i read it through, turns out it's the son of a friend of mine.  A guy i know through biking, he sold me some gear, the boots i wear, and the helmet. 

So on sunday, they're going to have a biker day jol up the road from us. The blood service will be there, and there'll be  the usual beer and boeries (intl readers boerewors roll, it's a staple at any event)

The kid needs blood, O-, and money, for blood. Blood money is a whole new phrase. Ryan is bald, but yesterday he was running around with a rugby ball, and a big, typically naughty boy, smile on his face. 

So anyhow, if you're around, come drop in, they're selling cloth badges and stuff, and it should be a good day, from 9-2. Anybody coming back from the impala, you're especially invited. Come get your bike cleaned after the rally!

See you there

Law

Taken from the blog: Empathetic perspectives .... highly recommended!

The Five Buddhist Precepts

1. I observe the precept of abstaining from the destruction of life.
2. I observe the precept of abstaining from taking that which is not given.
3. I observe the precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct.
4. I observe the precept of abstaining from falsehood.
5. I observe the precept of abstaining from intoxicants that cloud the mind and cause carelessness.

Native American 10 Commandments  

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings
4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
6. Do what you know to be right
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
9. Be truthful and honest at all times
10. Take full responsibility for your actions

10 Commandments

1. I am the Lord thy God, ... Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. 
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 
5. Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long. 
6. Thou shalt not kill. 
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
8. Thou shalt not steal. 
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

Pagan law

1. Do what thou wilt, harm none.

Woe is us ...

A bit melodramatic, perhaps, and it was going to be "woe is me" but no, this is bigger than me. And it's not me. This post has been building for a while, and i'm not entirely certain where it's going to go. Prepare for the ramblings of an insane person. You may just identify.

I have to start by identifying myself. Just a guy, happy go lucky i think. No delusions of grandeur here. I am what i am and i have what i've got, no more and no less. Can't say i want much more, usually find myself wanting less, well, less of what surrounds me. I am a simple person, mostly, lazy too, but honest and kind, and truly believe in sharing love with all i find, man and beast. Easy enough i think?

Terri blessed me recently by calling me alive. I am that. But it's not just a breathing, it's an awareness i think she was referring to. And sadly it's notable only through it's rarity, amongst men and women today. You see it sometimes, almost like a ghost, out the corner of your eye, but when you look closer, it's not there anymore. And we know, when we see it, that there goes a person, a real person, a whole person. But 'we' are by no means supermen, just, men and women, with eyes and hearts open. 

But WHY this sadnes? This inconsolable sadness that we carry. Are we not alive? I look around, from the few examples of those that genuinely love, and each is tinged with this sadness for life. My grandfather, the kindest, greatest man i ever knew, who never had an unkind word, and always had a ready smile, had this, weariness, thoughtfulness about him. Last week i felt it, the rush of life in my veins, contrasting sharply to the death i witnessed, and i was ALIVE. But so wary, scared, cautious, hesitant to reach out and grab. This week of course i'm over that.

Angry, confused, resentful. Caution thrown to the wind. DEATH ... bring on your scythe, bring on the hourglass of sand dripping, and give it to the sandman. But i cannot run amok, i am too tightly chained by these mortal coils. Responsibility and stuff. I have so much fucking STUFF it almost makes me sick. But i cannot give it away. Or sell it for anything. I am locked to my fate as surely as one of the great tragic classics, only less worthy of a bard. 

This turmoil i feel. This hatred and love, for myself, for those close by, to complete strangers. The clarity and confusion. The order i pretend while being tossed by the chaos of life. Remember being in the ocean, and a wave catches you, and you spin and roll in it's grasp? I am not alone. I know this and it alone saves my mind from tearing free of its binds. I think i'm getting off topic.

The Sabatical of The Harper of Pendragon Hold says it perfectly. THAT IS WHAT I MEAN. The same, no different. After years of fighting, i rid my life of the scourge of television, only to have it rudely shoved under my nose again, when opening my homes doors to family. How i rail against and hate that soap opera noise!!!! Whiny little shit faced people whinging about their imaginary life. The pathetic stoies that are utterly emotional and designed to entire and shape our feelings, OUR VERY SOUL. And the stupid vacent stares that suck up each and every nuance in this dark fantasy that plays into our lives all day every day. The radio, no longer a companion, but a blaring discordant repetitive noise shouting it's wares and co-ercing you to feel for the latest product special. I WANT OUT!!!! I want to get the fuck away from the madness. I no longer wish to be here. 

The promises of childhood evaporate into the drone of life. The only people who get what they want are those prepared to take it by force. Those that smilingly accept the gifts of God are the same that have those same gifts stolen. Good fucking god, you know what the absolute worst is? After the death of my friend, and we pick up the pieces, with "help" from overpriced professionals *spit* and my pocket knife was stolen. A knife, given me by the father in law a while ago. The mere fact that i am angry about is ludicrous, but i carried it daily with me. Everywhere. I lost tools in this incident, taken by Lance while busy with a promise he would return them, now part of a deceased estate. I do not for a second begrudge those. So be it. In terms of value certainly more than the cost of a pocket knife. But the knife makes me angry. Makes me want to go find these people I PAID, and do violence. If anyone asked i would probably given the knife. 

Why????? Why does the death of a friend make me sad, and the theft of a THING make me angry. There's something there. ... i just can't figure it out. By the gods i would give every thing i had to have Lance back, but that would never happen. Just ... yes you know.

And i sit here, bewildered and confused. I am alive, but i feel this death impuse flowing through my veins. I want to go out and give every hungry person food, but i'll go outside, shun food and have a cigarette. The only thing i ever get right is to make people smile. (i used to think they laughed WITH me *wink*) .... 

To make another smile, is an act of creation. Truly we are gods. But maybe, just maybe, we're man, after all. Pathetic and weak. And yet ... the fire burns in the depth of the cave, and sometimes when someone walks past, they feel the warmth spill out, despite the cold of the night. I warned you this was a ramble!!!!! 

What do i know??? What can i take in my heart and hold dear?

I AM MAN. I am not alone. I am loved. These other souls, they love me, and i them. Another wispy uncertain thing in itself. IT EXISTS. I know it. You know it. I think hate is love, just fustrated. The opposite is apathy. Death of the spirit. Alive means love hate fire water air to breathe and earth to sleep on, and roam. Love is merely energy at a higher frequency, which itself is the same as matter. Matter, energy, emotion. As surely as ice is water is vapour.

Circle, spiral, sphere. ONE. One one one one one one one one .... all one. But i am here, and you are there? And we disagree, and cause pain, and ignore ... each other. Mystery. If you stab me i will bleed ... but i sit here in my office and pray for pain, this surreal aircon and private cubicle make me beg for feeling, and when it comes i flee...

Too much for now, i think. I am tired now. I have placated the demons for now. All that is left is tired, sleepy, and a little sad. I will go now for a walk. And a cigarette, and perhaps i will see something to remind me of what is real. A honey bee would do nicely. 

peace and love

Hole in mars

A Hole in Mars 
Credit: NASA, JPL, U. Arizona 

Explanation: Black spots have been discovered on Mars that are so dark that nothing inside can be seen. Quite possibly, the spots are entrances to deep underground caves capable of protecting Martian life, were it to exist. The unusual hole pictured above was found on the slopes of the giant Martian volcano Arsia Mons. The above image was captured three weeks ago by the HiRISE instrument onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars. The holes were originally identified on lower resolution images from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, The above hole is about the size of a football field and is so deep that it is completely unilluminated by the Sun. Such holes and underground caves might be prime targets for future spacecraft, robots, and even the next generation of human interplanetary explorers.

1 week

1 week is a measurement of time. Time as we know is a means of measuring ... what exactly we're measuring is unsure, but since we all agree it has to be important.

It takes 1 week between making a minor change on your computer, and your son showing you he found it, despite not being allowed to touch the computer.

It takes 1 week between trauma and me falling apart. 

It takes a week for the bloody cycle to renew, and everybody pretends to be fresh and ready for work.

Like a stuck record, screech, scratch, bump, screech, scratch, bump, screech, scratch, bump ....The bump being the weekend, of course. Like a great big reset button that the gods of commerce bang to re-kick-start their profit cycle. 

And like everything from the gods, it's perfectly rational, and reasonable, until you implement it.

Rather take a great big fucking cavemans club, and go visit your nearet mcd's. It will be much better than a weekend. 

FASTER FASTER FASTER until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death - Hunter S Thompson. Ah but dear Mr Thompson, you should never feel fear on the roads. Thats the gremlin that eats you alive, and makes you dead.  Sorry, i'm too busy keeping alive to worry about fear. Watch me go. Watch me. 

Burn the house down, start again. Its only crap anyhow. My crap, other peoples crap. Nothing i actually want.

*grumble*grumble*moan*moan* 

k i'm done.

Newspeak

Here's a press release from the ANC and ANCYL on 'Malemagate'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON SAPA WIRES
JOINT ANC AND ANCYL STATEMENT ON THE STAR MEDIA REPORT REGARDING THE
ANC YOUTH LEAGUE PRESIDENT JULIUS MALEMA

STAR REPORTS AGAINST MALEMA UNTRUE AND OPPORTUNISTIC

The ANC and the ANCYL condemns with contempt reports by the Star
Newspaper, dated 19 February 2010, under the heading “Malema
Millions” suggesting that the ANC YL President, Julius Malema (i)
“owns two multimillion rand homes- both of which he bought for cash”
(ii) “owns a black Mercedez Benz… and reportedly drives an Aston
Martin, and a red Range Rover sport and he went to a lecture at Wits
University in a brand new white Range Rover with no number plate”
(iii) that he earns twenty thousand rands a month.

These reports are not only far-fetched, but they are also untrue as
much as they are deceitful. In our view they are meant to tarnish the
good name and image of the ANC Youth League President.

The first untrue fabrication in the report is that Cde Julius has
bought houses for cash. Cde Julius Malema has not at any stage bought
any house for cash. Like every body else, he has purchased whatever
houses or property registered in his name through banks.

The second untrue fabrication is an impression created through the
report that Cde Julius owns four expensive cars. We like to state on
record that Cde Julius has one car in his name.

The third untruth is the reported twenty thousand rands monthly salary
that Cde Julius earns from the ANC. This is again very far from the
truth.

The ANC together with the ANC YL would like the Star Newspaper to
retract its untrue and fallacious claims as contained in this article
and apologize publicly to cde Malema. If the newspaper fails to do
so, we will be left with no option but to approach the press
ombudsman. We will support any action on the side of the President of
the YL, Cde Julius Malema against the newspaper in defense of his
name, image and integrity.

It is very unfortunate that a newspaper as reputable as the Star would
stoop so low by reporting so inaccurately about the personal affairs
of any person including Cde Julius Malema. As this is the so called
first installment in the audit of the life style of the South African
politicians by this newspaper, we are left wondering if the first
installment and if the first series is so off the mark, what can we
expect to follow. We will also want to be provided reasons, through
the apology that we are demanding, as to the actual intentions of the
Star Newspaper and its reporter of putting to the public so inaccurate
information bordering on defaming the Youth League President.

Issued by:

Jackson Mthembu
ANC National Spokesperson

And

Nyiko Floyd Shivambu
ANC YL Spokesperson

Rambling rumblings rhymblings too

Maybe not rhymblings, lyrical poetry has never been a strong point!

Ramblings and rumblings, just me, sitting here with a head full of i want to share, and no idea where to start, what to say, how to say it, or even whether it should be said at all. Mom always said, if you've got nothing good to say, don't say it. Yes. 

Every morning i have a head full of things to mention, traffic, people, jo'burg, weather. By the time i get here it's been left parked downstairs with the bike. I think it's good, the way i insulate work and home. But i've discovered a rut, in my daily life. When going to work, i literally go straight there, same route, no stops or deviations. It's a safety thing. Entirely. I'm not sure i know where i'd want to stop, or even why, but i pass so much every morning, would be nice to just soak up the vibes in a different place. 

Of course, it's all next to black top, with bumper to bumper madness. I never feel safe in bumper traffic, even though i'm not technically in it. The highway has emergency lanes now, most of the way, which makes it possible to just pull over. 

Riding to and from work is a salvation, taking the edge off, and injecting that fun and living that is so lacking from the rest of the day. Yesterday was horrible, Lance's death is rippling through my life in many unexpected ways, and fear of the crunch is one of them. Today was better, still scared, but in absolute control. The bike is anoying me though, a bogey cord has been damaged, but i cannot replace te cord, as they're all connected to the coil. Thousand and something rand unit. It doesn't affect performance much, but the engine has a stutter, and when at low revs (most of my daily riding) it "chokes" and becomes very hard to ride, smoothly at least. Control, patience, smooth touch, and calm. Have to be calm.

I stalled yesterday on the new offramp, taxi n left, dark sedan right, i stalled as the road bends quite sharply to the left, towards the robot, and as the cars were pulling away, always a careful time. I stalled, checked dash, resarted and pulled away in about, a second maybe, certainly not even as long as 2.  Nothing to brag about reall, stalling in traffic is silly to begin with, but smooth calm operation meant that nobody else even noticed. No biggie, just keep moving.

I've been pondering the topic of traffic prediction, which flows from the topic of traffic observations, which flows from the topic of actually noticing what's happening in traffic while not being killed, by said traffic. Just a background, a comment i posted on irondad's blog about surviving in traffic, runs like this. Ther are 3 major aspects to driving riding safely.

1. Basic vehicular control

2. Road signs, markings, and laws

3. Navigating safely in traffic

Each of these builds upon the previous, and cannot be contemplated until the prior requirement is done, ie you cannot obey a stop sign(2), until you know how to stop the car (1). The problem of course is number 3, as there is neither education nor common knowledge, no more than basic courtesy, that is shared between all road users. And let me assure you, the courtesy on our roads is almost non existant. So, according to the govt, 1 and 2 and go! Without any consideration for 3, which frankly is where most accidents start, and most lives end.

I frequently hear calls for more legislation, better legislation, better enforcement of legislation, but nothing ever comes of these, except massive media driven publicity stunts where the metro pushes the bounds of their authority and inficts misery on anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. That is neither safety nor justice, and can never correct the problems we face every day. 

What will? Being a better driver. How? By better anticipating roads and traffic conditions. If you see a problem far ahead, you have plenty of time to slow, whereas if you see the problem too late, it doesn matter how good you are, you will not stop in time. So how can i find out more? You can't. There is almost no literature on traffic flow prediction at all. Most is in fact put down (in the biking community for certain) to 6th sense. Yes and no. It IS an enhancement of the senses, mostly visual, but it's not about wat you see, it's about HOW YOU INTERPRET IT. Guess wrong and you're dead. Natural selection at it's finest. 

We consign each and every newly licensed driver to that fate. Hardly seems fair. There are clues everywhere, small pieces of information upon which you make decisions, whether to zig or zag. 

I want to start collating data, somehow there has to be a means of teaching people how to predit traffic. You cannot do it in a parking lot, or a race track, or a mountain pass, they teach different skills, usually imited to vehicle control.

Wet

So unofficially, it's officially the wettest jo-burg in recorded history. January that is. And the data collected by amateurs around jhb is unanimous, wetter than ever before, and enough rain to account for a large part of our annual.

That is noteworthy ...

I found this on James Clark's column. Usually dribble, but he has a lot of user feedback (go figure) and it helps a little, sometimes. Anyhow, this is what he says people recorded:

The highest January rainfall I've received was 456mm measured by Richard O'Callaghan in Parktown North. That's half Joburg's annual average in one month.

The next highest was from Ethel Ross next to Parkview Golf Course (Melville end) - 425mm.

Third highest was measured in Robin Hills, Randburg, by Julian Nicholls - 407mm.

Talk about our fickle rainfall: Simon Griffiths, who also lives in Robin Hills, measured 114mm less than Julian.
Stephen Rule in Parkhurst measured 385mm. 

At last some measurements from southern Joburg:

Colin Tucker in Randhart, Alberton, received the highest fall in the 55 years he's been measuring - 359mm.

Colin Malcolm of Glenvista Ext 3 got 358mm.

Allan and Marion Gregg, Mayberry Park, Alberton, recorded 270mm. (In January 2001, only 40mm fell.)

Rodney Eager of Kibler Park - about as south as you can get without falling off the edge of Joburg - recorded 337.5mm. (January last year he got more: 350mm.

Wits computational electromagnetics expert Professor Alan Clark, who lives on top of Kensington Ridge, has kept and analysed detailed measurements since 1991. He recorded 324.5mm. In 1991 he received only 23mm more for the whole year.

His average annual fall in 19 years is 867.1 about the same as Joburg. 

Alan is interested in communicating with others who keep rainfall details (Alan RobertClark@gmail.com).

If anybody eventually finds a pattern in all this, he will.

Oh wow, look what i just learned to do. Hahahaha it's always been there, just never needed to. No that's wrong. Just never figured it as a solution to a problem. Bingo. I like the normal text colour, and dismissed the idea of using colour. At the same time, a while now, i have had the problem of how to identify quotes. So clever me, that stupidly took years (look, another) to "discover". 

About the rain, awesome isn't it? 6pm on a weeknight, i'm at my pc, (i got inet now) and the breeze is cool, the garden is being watered (thanks gods) and the thunder is rolling across the skies. The day has been hot, although getting cloudy through the afternoon, cooling the sun's glare. The rain cleans the smog and dust, the wind stirs things up a little, the sounds of falling rain mutes the traffic from the nearbye artery, and the world appears, more peaceful. Many in JHBare scared of the lightning, rightly so i guess. The Voortrekkers had the right idea. When you see lightning, you go inside and pray *grin*. It's so awesome and powerful and .... deadly but natural. 

Ok, i'm from Cape Town, where as a kid several weeks of rain were not unusual in Winter. People round here are scared of rain too. It does these people good though. You get a tipping point, where the poeople resign themselves to wet roads, traffic jams, and having to stay indoors (?).  That's nice, they actually calm the fuck down. THAT's noteworthy too.

More rain, as i said, shepherds pie for dinner, and homework done. A good day, all told. Time for ducktales with the kids.

peace

R.I.P. Lance Frederick Roper

A man died today. A very good friend of the family, and a distant relative, as an oddity. Lance was a good man, whose kind hearted nature and magnanimity was well known.

He died in my house, in the roof, while doing the absolutely last thing in rebuilding our house, for the parents in law. He was finishing the wiring on the geyser, and somehow, electrocuted himself. He was a very learned man, with great experience and ability. He was one of SA's foremost experts on 4x4's, and regularly travelled to Japan for up to date training. He claimed that plumbing wasn't his best point, but electricity he knew ...

I was here when he died. Thank Gods the children and wife were at granny's house. I heard him cry out, and was there when his spirit passed on. I was waiting for him to put the electricity back on so i could write more music cd's for him. He travelled a lot, and marvelled at being able to have 1 cd, with several albums on it. The first was apparently really good company. 

I'm angry, he didn't deserve this. It was a stupid wiring job, he knew what he was doing. He did the building because he enjoyed it, not for money. Not much to say really, although i have this overwhelming desire to shout at the world, everything i think and feel. 

The day was a good one, but after the fact that changed. Police, medics, family, friends. My father was his best friend. They worked together, and spent a lot of time in each other's company. My mom considered him a brother. The in-laws are the relatives, and they have just moved in with us, and in the last few weeks while Lance worked here also became firm friends. The old man and Lance both went to Jeppe boys, a tie that binds, as i joked. His sister now has no living relatives, as it's her husband who shares the surname with the in-laws. 

Ah fuck i'm rambling. Good, i guess. Oh, and several pastors were here, and a chaplain. Old church families all round too, which added an old friends flavour too. Good to know that support is given, when the time comes. Hell the one man was here was our pastor when i was 2 bricks and a tiki. His son and i were great friends. One of the pastors commented that for all our questions, there'll be no answers. That's a good point, i think. Fuckit WHY? That's about the only damned question i want to know. But of course, those that do know aren't telling. 

Something that's catching me out the corner, is the rather startling admission that this is the second death in my home, in 3 years. I don't like that fact one little bit. Both were absent of any negligence, other wise completely seperate, save the accidental nature.

*shrug*

Perhaps, and i think this only in the dim recesses of my own inner working, there is reason for such. Despite much in my life that is unoptimal, i am blessed with a good home. People come to us for an easy conversation, or to unburden, as may be. I'm hardly a people person, but i love that my home is a haven to some. Surely i cannot begrudge sharing a small portion of my wealth, even if it is sometimes ... hard. I also like think, to myself, That when the "they" (dem upstairs) need to use someone, in some way, one should never fight it, but trust implicity in the goodness of the process. Fuck i sound wierd, i know, but i believe, really hold it to be true, that love and peace and happiness are the desires of life. Life, God, Universe, Gaia, Petty Pewter Gods*, Whatever. And i believe that we are part of a process, and spiritual flow much greater than we can perceive. I have to, it's self evident, isn't it? 

Life, isn't it just, huh?

Life and death, intertwined ever. And as one life passes, many other wheels keep turning. Their spin has been altered, their courses changed, by both the life and the death of a single soul. Like infinitismal ripples crossing and building and levelling and shaping and flowing continuously for generations. 

He made a big splash, this quiet man. He was one of the good guys, straight and decent, and good to everyone around him. He will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace Lance

A book, by someone, google it.

EDIT: i got his middle name wrong.

Namaste

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 

“Love thy neighbor as thyself.” 

”Share the light you have with others." 

“Give unto those in need if you can.” 

"Never turn a person down that asks for help if you can help them." 

"There is a reason/purpose for all things happening and no accidents or coincidences." 

”Unconditionally forgive everyone." 

”Rid yourself of negative thoughts/feelings/emotions towards others, rid yourself of hate. Do not set your heart upon temporal materialistic things of the world but focus on things which are eternal and last forever of the "Soul". 

"Make the right choices, do the right things, work on becoming a better and more loving person." 

"If you've passed someone up in need, you've only passed up yourself." 

"Never forget- That which you do unto others you've only done unto yourself in the long run from an eternal perspective." 

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."

113 months

To the day ...

Guess what? The world trade centre debacle. And all of a sudden, we have previously unreleased images of the falling towers!!!!!!!

SO on all the news sites, we are re-reminded of ALL of that, while iran is gong apeshit. Half the news sites are down, and the reports that are coming through are of violence in the streets, and mass media ... um ... issues?????

Iran has managed 20% uranium enrichment, under the eyes of the International atomic energy police. But already western propaganda is saying 80% .... WTF??

113 ... months. Now i dunno much about mystic numbers, but i KNOW this is ringing true. And again, it's the 11th of the month, something that seems to have meaning for them.

UPDATE: Meteor strike in Mexico ... nothing further yet ...

UPDATE: Meteorite Hits Mexico Leaving 30 Meter Crater in Ahuazotepec Municipality

Although not explicitly stated, apparently many saw the meteor, so it seems likely that this photo is of the same meteor.

Synchronicity

I caught a comment on another blog from last night that i have to reproduce in it's entirety. The blog is The Secret Sun,  and the commentator Strange Eye. Both on my blogroll, right. The post was Timing is everything.

Bold is mine.

StrangEye said...

@Chris,

you were on quite a roll, going with the floW, as it were.... 

Right up until you wrote:

"You can drive yourself insane with this stuff."

It is precisely that fear that causes the synchronaut's (a term generally and loosely used for the experiencer of synchronicty's - which really is everyone, you and me and everyone else) subconcious mind to stop the flow and to close the door on synchronicity through active denial. Part of synchronicty is the attunement of one's "self" (a term I use lightly) to the macrocosm of events occuring around us all.

We are all part of one thing! - so it is in fact quite natural that the individual parts should have access to all the information available to the whole - but we have to allow ourselves (our conscious / logical mind) to be an active and consciously particpating part (as opposed to unconscious and thereby unaware part) of the creative macrocosm in order to see the bits and pieces (the synchronicities) of the underlying creation schema.

It is that "leap of faith" into the conscious synchronicty experience that will most certainly change your life.

That acceptance of the phenomena allows us to gradually begin to understand through experience the "one thing that is everything", "GOD" if you will, on a very personal and direct level.

Synchronicity also exemplifies, through the experience of it, the larger concepts covered in our religious texts and books of "Faith". We understand through synchronicty the Biblical concepts of being fallen or enlightened or entered into Heaven.

What is truly "insane" is the learned and hypnotic belief that we are individual and isolated, non-connected beings!!!

There is not my matter and your matter in this Universe, there is only the matter that makes up the physical Universe - part of which is in me, part of which is in you.

To exemplify: Even though we like to use the terms "My hometown" or "my city" we know that the town or city is not actually ours in the sense of individual ownership. We understand through the use of the word and idea that we are only a part of the concept of "town" or "city". The town or city concept is a group effort.

The very same applies to our nations and countries on this planet. You know that I define myself as "Canadian" based on the fact that I was born and reside in a part of a landmass that has be section and appartioned into countries at some time in my past and the portion I am legally part of is called "Canada". 

Is "canada" the bounded and defined country and land - without the people in it - somehow magically different than the same land boundaried and define to the south of us called The United States of America?? NO. It's not. If it were not for roadsigns that people have made and erected you could travel across this conceptual Border boundary and line and never even know you crossed it.

In the very same way we have applied the same conceptual boundaries and borders to the very matter that makes up the Universe and in applying these conceptual and non-existent borders and boundaries we forgot that all of it is actually just one thing - the "UNI"VERSE. 

If we allow ourselves to be restricted to the tiny and ever decreasing conceptual boundaries that we create, we consciously find ourselves restricted and isolated. If we allow ourselves to transcend those conceptual boundaries and borders, we find ourselves connected to everything and experiencing that connection - which begins at first, through the Jungian concept known as synchronicty

~SE~

Lizard dreams

I would be surprising a lot of people if i admitted to following advice, of any sort. Since the advice was given by lizards, i can hide behind a suitably mystic "Ommmmmmness".

Point is, i was visted by some lizards recently, an omen to be sure, but one which warned to pay attention to dreams, which i don't usually. Hell i hardly even pay attention to the waking world, what care i for fantasies?

To my great surprise, my dreams have been clearer than usual, and i wake up with a certainty of having had more than one dream, even. Far more clarity than i'm accustomed to too, it seems my subconscious does hear me, albeit selectively. 

So there i am in dreamland, every night for the last few nights, and i recall well why i hate dreaming. Confusing kaleidascope of people, places and events that i don't recognise. I am always, supposed to be there, and the people know who i am. They talk, and i don't, save to ask questions, which they never answer directly.  Ok, sometimes there are those i know, the other night my father (still living) paid me a visit. And sometimes my "family"as a unit.

Anyway, without going into the myriad details of the dreamscape, 2 identical messages have come crystal clear over the last few days. "South Africa is going to become like Zimbabwe". Oh dear. See why i don't like dreams? Even when they have something to "say", it's never good. Just give me the lottery numbers and be done please? 

From here the next logical step thought is: so is this internal or external? IE, am i making this shit up? Or am i tapping into the "collective unconscious" of Jung? I can't answer, at least not objectively, but since i  accept the presence of omens in the form of lizards i will accept the messages of the gods. Next is that damned question .... why? And the possible reasons will leave your mind wrapped itself around itself like a bowl of overcooked spaghetti. I would *think* that a response is required, action, on my part. But what? Even though i suspect the same thing, ie the breakdown of civilisation, i am limited as to what i can DO. Limited by money, and time. 

We're starting a vege garden already, and i'm busy making an organic compost pile, and and and. But i hardly see anything which i can do to mitigate ANYTHING the future may bring. Merely the usual, which is stay calm, and do what you think best under whatever the circumstances may be?

It's the state of the nation address today, a rather meaningess "important event". Nothing will be said or done worth spitting at, and the only bright spot is that this is the least popular any president has ever been. The fact that he's the "popular president", is poetic. Gorgon poetry i think.

Soccer world cup swine flu

From News24:

"The H1N1 virus could well make a big return to South Africa during our next flu season," he said.

"We will have a lot of people visiting the country over the period of the World Cup. Therefore, the conditions for a rapid spread of the virus will be good."

Vincent's warning comes as the department of health planned an extensive swine flu vaccination drive of about a million people in March prior to the World Cup.

"The more people are vaccinated against the illness, the greater the protection afforded to the community and visitors to our country. Clinics and pharmacies will also stock the vaccine," Vincent said. "Those who intend travelling now or later in the year should also consider having the vaccination."

And again, oh bother. Yes, if they're vaccinating people, be SURE that SA will have more swine flu. I have a very bad feeling this is going to kill a lot of people. 

Mandelbulb ... ?

Well now i have got you!!

You know what a Mandelbrot is? Discovered by Benoît Mandelbrot, it's a 2 dimensional representation of infinity, or close to. Looks somewhat like this:

You can zoom in and in and in ... and the pattern just gets more and more and more complex. Well now, that's a 2D version. Flat. This isn't:

A computer generated 3 dimensional graphic of what they call a Mandelbulb. It's ... wow.

Go look, there are so many different images to see, different aspects of the same thing. And as they point out, the whole thing is very baroque, always a favourite of mine. 

Beautiful!!!

Happy birthday my baby

Yup, it's my baby's 4th birthday today. Jody-fae is now 4 years old, she shows me with her fingers, and is now a sk8er gurl. I bought her a skateboard :D with knee and elbow pads and a bash-hat.

She likes it very much, it came in a plastic carry bag, so she now has 2 bags, her makeup, and her skateboard ... And people think a girl is either girly or tomboy, why not both?

This little soul, that came to me. I still don't know why. Well i have some ideas, but she jumped into life with both feet, first time the pregnancy failed, that didn't stop her either. She was coming, ready or not. 

There's something in her bearing that unnerves me though. A sense of place. She doesn't walk, the earth turns under her, kind of thing. You see it very rarely, in powerful people, who just are the centre of things. 

And as much as she drives her daddy to madness, i love her to bits, as does she me. 

Happy retard day

Ok, a bit harsh maybe, but please don't argue the validity!!!

*chuckle*

I had fun this morning, of course. With cars and bikes alike. My favourite was a cruiser, who came bubbling past me in the construction lane. It's friday, ride to work day. And you get all the monkeys who usually sit in cars, now free to ride around as they like *sigh*. Anyhow, the traffic had freed up at that point quite nicely, so i was able to take it to about 80km/h, and flow through the traffic. (i'll add a bit about "flow" later). Which took me to a little slower than he was going, however he had to slow down to get around the GREAT BIG BLOODY SIGNBOARDS that said don't use use this lane to drive in. Go figure. So as mr cool on his hogalike is trying to squeeze back into traffic to squeeze out again (?) i come zooming past. He tried to catch me, i could tell, in his very own construction lane. But no, another one of those annoying signboards slowed him.

Meanwhile, i'm having a great time, waving at the people as they move over for me. Mr cool then decides to pull in behind me. Well ok, he got the idea. But of course, riding behind me meant that people had just moved aside for me, hence he could follow in the wash. Too fast for his own good of course, something he was clearly figuring out as we parted ways. He was riding badly, because he didn't know what the limits were. He was so enjoying the ride, he wasn't thinking about it. I HOPE that he was humbled just a little (?) I don't even know if i should have, but it felt right to do, so i hope he stays safe.

The second problem this morning, were the cagers, well we're used to that. This morning though it was like someone had turned lane changing into an olympic sport. People, if all 3 lanes are slow, changing lanes is NOT GONNA HELP. DUH.

So this white polo changes lanes and then back again, without indicating, and within about 10 seconds. As i pull up, and hoot, he hoots back, ok, a conversation ... *wicked grin*.

A young, 24/25 year old white male. Large packet of simba chips so close to his face i think he was sniffing them. Poncy little bleached hairdo and a earing of some sort. Chubby, someone who takes no care of himself, and the default food is take out. You fucking pillock, i greet him with. Oh you fucking bikers he replies. Do you know how pathetic you are? I ask with a smile (he of course can't hear a word of what i'm saying, nor see the glee on my face at this encounter). WAAAA WAAAA (he shouts) *messes chips* *gestures wildly* *pulls faces*. By this time i'm getting bored, so i bounce on my bike, laugh and point fingers, and ride away.

Moral of the story is: Never underestimate the possible enjoyment involved in fucking with people WHO CLEARLY NEED IT. I think ...



Moving swiftly along. Flow. Um. Ok, there are a numebr of "settings" i have.

Fast: traffic average above 100, loose traffic, plenty of space. You can ride fairly quick, because if someone changes lanes, you have the space to swerve, and the speed to be ahead of them by the time the have changed lanes.

Modest: Traffic around 80, slightly tighter. Similar to fast, you keep momentum going, to get around the lane changers, but space is a problem, so in any doubt, slow. This is when people are most likely to notice you and move over. (this is what i was doing when flowing, just doing about 100, moving forward thugh the traffic)

Slow: traffic at about 40, bumper to bumper essentially. This is quite dangerous, because you have to keep the speed down. At this speed motorists usually are docile, except for the one (there's always one)

Packed: Bumper to bumper, sub 20km/h, this is when cagers get fustrated, but due to the tightness, cannot change lanes easily. Slow and cautious pickingforwar on the bike. The cars are usually highly staggered, making a narrow channel to ride in.

Those are the different average speeds. What kills though, is when 2 lanes are not at the same speed, like coming up to a offramp, the fast lane usually slows first, the slow lane becomes half empty due to those taking the offramp, and cagers swing from the fast to the slow lane, gaining perhaps 100 metres. I pull in tight behind a car in the middle lane, and just cruise at the average speed. Watching fo the monkey, there's always one. Funny thing is, when i'm riding behind a car like that, usually they pull over a little, until they see the car pull across, and they seem to understand imediately why i am hanging back. Which is when they move over a lot, keep a constant speed, and get a big friendly wave from me.

The wonderful sky

The Hubble telescope has just found something strange in the asteroid belt. 

"This complex structure suggests the object is not a comet but instead the product of a head-on collision between two asteroids traveling five times faster than a rifle bullet. Astronomers have long thought that the asteroid belt is being ground down through collisions, but such a smashup has never before been seen."

"Hubble also shows that the main nucleus of P/2010 A2 lies outside its own halo of dust. This has never before been seen in a comet-like object. The nucleus is estimated to be 460 feet (140 meters) in diameter."

This is cool. The universe is shifting and changing continually, and just sometimes we're able to get a glimpse of the forces involved. 

OT: Whats with the CCD bakeout lately? This after a phenomenally large CME was spotted yesterday on the far side of the sun. But similarly, strange "compression" errors have been noticed in the smaller images that they are relaying to earth. The second, larger images do not show the same errors, BUT the smaller images have been removed. It's odd.

Nasa and Obama are playing silly buggers, no going back to the moon, but full steam for studying the sun. Th moon thing still bugs me though, we have been there, could go back at any time, but seem to never.  Conspiracy or not, there is much that is strange that has happened to lunar visitors, and more and more people are coming out ans saying in effect that we're not "allowed" there. A new blog i'm following is the Secret Sun, someone who likes connecting odd dots. He is very good at it though, and i believe gives a very good insight into the bizarre ritual and symbolism of those in charge. 

He touched on Avatar recently, and as much as it's a good movie, i kept having the feeling the was an entire message set just under the surface. Ditto for I am Legend, a movie i only recently got to see. My biggest issue is with the way the warrior role is beingre-inforced as the highest level in society. Even the peaceful Na'vi revere their warriors above the rest of the tribe. That, and other things, suggest to me that there IS a second, deper, hidden (occult) layer to much that is popular thought. 

peace ;-)

South African History

So i switch on the internet this morning, go to news, and i have 2 articles staring me in the face.

1. FW de Klerk re -justifying his unbanning the anc on the 20th anniversary of the event. Titled: The game changers.

2. ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has warned ANC leaders that they could lose the league's support if they defy its policy positions.

There is no middle groud between positions. You have some senile old politician waxing lyrical on political ideologies, and you have a communist firebrand spouting hatred and destruction

The one is a direct result of the other. I'm not sure how lofty moral idealism led so swiftly to such a black hole of anything good or wholesome, but there it is. One speaks of a game, the other of defiance. The freedom was never anything more than a moral whitewash, for those who needed it the most, and for the rest of us, black and white, nothing but decriptitude remains.

Ons vir jou Suid Afrika.