Hey, I posted some recent paintings.

I came across this reposted text while doing my morning email check and internet surf today: What the Bible Does and Doesn’t Say About Homosexuality by a Rev. Mel White. The point of this text, written to be a pamphlet, is that most people who say that “the Bible condemns homosexuality” haven’t actually read the verses in question… anyway, it’s pretty informative, and I’d suggest that anyone who’s unsure about their stance on these issues (or who’s simply interested) click along and read it.

So it’s definitely summer now and I’m definitely not going to be online so much. My bag was stolen about a week and a half ago, so I’ve lost my dayplanner and cell phone (I got the important stuff back, like my ID and keys) - which means I’ve got lots of time to do summery things like ride my bike and go to the beach - but I’m not so easy to contact. I’m going to be spending a lot of time over the next two months in the studio I’m now sharing with Amanda and Britt in East Van. Hopefully I’ll produce a huge wealth of work over this period.

Things I want (need?): A new back rim (Velocity Deep V Pink 32h 700c, I think), a set of Major Taylor drop track handlebars, a 24-70mm lens for my Canon 350D, a new sketchbook/recipe book/journal so I can record all of my amazing summer recipes.

I quit my job. This summer I’m going to be pretty broke but also very, very happy.
Here’s a rad smoothie I made the other day to bring to a dog’s birthday party in the park.

Early Summer BC Fruit Smoothie

1 - 2 bananas, peeled and frozen
1/2 - 1 cup local BC fruit, like nectarines, peaches and apricots, cut into chunks and frozen
1/2 cup coconut milk (add water if your coconut milk is more like coconut cream)
    You can use rice/soy/almond milk if you’re worried about fat content.
2 tbsp maple syrup or other liquid sweetener
1 tsp powdered ginger

Blend until creamy. Change the consistency with more milk, more fruit, or seeds/nuts if you like.
This smoothie is refreshing and sweet (but not oversweet). The ginger gives it a nice kick.

“Ingroup bias tends to be stronger among minority camps, such as cyclists, who see themselves as Rosa Parks–style civil rights activists fighting to reclaim their share of the street.” Well, okay, that’s true. Actually, this whole article was pretty true. Philip Preville’s piece, All the Rage, from Toronto Life’s website, uses Toronto’s road rage problems as a background to discuss cyclist/motorist animosity and the anonymity we hide behind when we rage at one another. It’s a great article. Read the whole thing.

In Mal news, I’m going to be accepting new freelance projects this summer, so if you want me to make you a website, send me an email - malloreigh at gmail dot com. Rates are negotiable based on your needs and budget.

In case you were wondering, I whole-heartedly support Barack Obama’s campaign for the United States Presidency in 2008. I even purchased an Obama Spoke Card. (Proceeds from the $1 spoke cards do not go to Obama’s campaign, but instead to the production of spoke cards which are then distributed to bike co-ops and cycling groups to promote the cause for change.)

I strongly believe that if Obama becomes President, a lot of the wrongs that have been committed over the last however-long in North America can be reversed or at least patched up. I am super excited to see how things work out.

By the way: I’m not American, so I’m not going to be covering any of this in my blog. Sorry, guys, but I’m not informed enough. If you’re American, though, you really should be. Voter apathy is tragic. You have at least a little bit of power to affect change, and it won’t just make a difference within your borders. There’s an unjust war going on and it needs to end, amid a number of other international issues.

An absolute sweetheart gave me an Amazon gift certificate recently and I joyfully spent it on a bunch of books that I’ve wanted forever. They arrived by Canada Post on Sunday (! I didn’t know they delivered on Sundays… this is Canada! I’m thinking it may just be an Amazon thing) and I was so excited to tear open the box and smell the pristine book smell and start leafing through them.

I got:
Godspeed by Lynn Breedlove
Valencia by Michelle Tea
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt - required reading for anyone interested in a polyamorous and/or nonmonogamous lifestyle
The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman - the definitive guide to doing it with women

Is anyone noticing a theme? I am… I also tried to order Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World but it was postponed until July (out of stock I guess?) so I canceled it. Now I’m trying to decide whether I want Middlesex or Stone Butch Blues instead.

I’ve put up some of the photos from last week’s bike photoshoot with Keri. I really, really, really need a zoom lens, and things like this just reinforce it. I can’t take the pictures I want to take. I can’t afford a new lens right now and it’s extremely frustrating for me.

Dog Solitude poses at China Creek skate park in East Vancouver

Neat interstuff: Check out twistori, a hybrid of twitter and wefeelfine.
Does anyone else remember (and miss) grouphug.us?
If you haven’t already, it may be time to send your first sardonically relevant e-greeting from someecards.com.
Though you’d be late jumping on the bandwagon, you’ll have a good time catching up with the archives of garfield minus garfield - the existentialist, schizo-depressive adventures of a lonely Jon Arbuckle.

I added a new recipe to mal/recipes - it’s super simple but you might get some use out of my all-purpose salad dressing and marinade. I’ve got a few more recipes to add over the next few days but we’ll see if I actually get around to that.

In bike news, I’ve got a new 44t chainring (riding 44:16 now), and thanks to my absolutely lovely housemate Keri I’ve got a new front wheel and (finally!) a new (to me) saddle that’s not rotting out from underneath me (and simultaneously tearing holes in my jeans). Shot some photos of my bicycle yesterday at the skate park so expect to see those relatively soon… you know, when I remember to bring my camera to work because my computer’s hard drive is too full for me to even attempt to upload photos. Win!

Coming up…
Some friends of mine will be showing their work at The Cheaper Show in Vancouver on June 21, 2008. Buy amazing art for the low, low, low price of $200 per piece. The whole concept is pretty cool.
If you are in Vancouver, there’s a show at the classy Croatian Cultural Centre on June 1, 2008 featuring Fake Shark - Real Zombie!, The Birthday Massacre, and - oh yeah - Mindles Self Indulgence.

Thanks to an alert reader, it has come to our attention that the induced miscarriage project we reported on a few days ago was a hoax. Aliza Shvarts, the artist responsible for the induced miscarriage project, was apparently shitting us; personally I think it’s just as effective, while at the same time being way less gross. (Blood and vaseline? Yick…) The ‘project’ still sparked a lot of debate for a lot of people on a myriad of topics. I’m thrilled.

In other news, this is my favourite old ratty sweater (beware, photo is three years old; sweater is older). Spring is springing in Vancouver. I went for a great fast-paced bike ride yesterday with a friend - and was left craving more. So many of my pals like slow, leisurely rides, but I like to go super fast. I also really enjoy turning left at roundabouts. The precise control of skirting them in a three-quarter circle on my track bike is quite delightful.

When I went to see Why? at the Media Club in Vancouver on April 16th I was totally blown away by the opening band, Brasstronaut. I didn’t have the money on me for an EP at the show so I contacted Brasstronaut’s vocalist and keyboardist, Edo Van Breemen, who hooked me up this week. I highly recommend checking this band out if you like jazz, or indie, or indie jazz, or good music in general. I think it’s quite lovely.

Another band that I somehow just started digging today is Mose Giganticus out of Philly. They deftly combine elements of electronic synth, punk and metal for some truly amazing songs. If they’re coming through your city, be sure to check them out; they’re touring this June.

I’m currently trying to raise funds to get to San Francisco Pride this year. Want to help fund my hot babe habit? Of course you do.

Hey - if you’re in a link clicking mood anyway - I love Andrea Gibson. She makes my heart go thump-thump.

if you are of the bored-at-work generation, or are somehow inexplicably addicted to my charm and wit, i’ve decided to revive my long-forgotten twitter account. real-time, regular updates on whatever the foccacia i’m doing, and/or witty one-liners that i don’t feel like spamming my lj friends list with.

in bicycle news, yesterday i took a rush-hour ride from work to campione cycles, to purchase for myself a bulldog mini lock. it was fucking terrifying. (excuse my french.) now, i realize that rush hour is the most terrifying time of day to ride a bicycle, and that the route i chose was also quite terrifying, but i used to fly down those streets with the greatest of ease. now i am a timid, quivering, helmet-wearing* pussy. it was stressful and unpleasant.

i realize now that my pre-car-smashy bicycle-riding self was probably really difficult to ride with. i took a lot of risks. i have realized that i am not invincible, and i’m sorry to anyone who thought they were going to die when they rode bicycles with me.

that said, i would like to rid myself of this wimpy attitude stat. any pointers?

*helmets are a great thing to wear on your head while you are bicycling, and in no way does wearing a helmet make you a pussy**. helmets protect your brain from cars, asphalt and other unexpected hard surfaces. please wear one.

**i use the term pussy as only a feminist can; cats and vulvae alike are very courageous, and my use of the term pussy seeks not to imply otherwise.