Chopstork

UVA held a candle light vigil Tuesday night, “to honor the memories and lives of those killed and injured this morning and to express our support for our counterparts at Virginia Tech, for their families, and for their friends.”

The secret societies at UVA have their symbols painted all over Grounds. Yesterday the Z Society had their symbol at the amphitheatre painted orange and maroon—Tech’s colors. It’s pretty neat, since they are our rival school … probably the only time you’ll see Hokie colors painted at UVA.

More pictures here.

[Update 4/20]: The UVA front page used one of my pictures for orange and maroon day today.

The home of Tom and Jerry, in Noe Valley on 21st Street. I think I heard someone saying they’ve done this for 20 years. People come from all over the City to check it out. If you go on Christmas, rumor is Santa will be there too.

Pictures from the Bird’s party supporting their support of the AFSP.

Hi everyone,

We wanted to thank you all for supporting Adrienne, Jeanette and I by coming to our party and/or donating to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to support our overnight AWARENESS walk. One of the main reasons we are participating in this event is to raise awareness in our community about depression and suicide. Your donations will benefit the AFSP, to fund research, education, survivor and awareness programs - both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide. If you would like to take a larger role, it is not too late to sign up for the walk or to volunteer to support it. Check out http://www.theovernight.org/. Spread the word - tell your friends and family about it. There is another walk in Chicago in August too! From your generosity we raised nearly $1500 so thank you very much!

Best wishes,

Linden & Jeanette

A little photo essay chronicling the chronicles of Old Man racing down a big hill on a big wheel… (My full set of pictures here) (SF Chronicle story) (A little video from Geek Entertainment)

Some big wheels.

The Old Man gathers his thoughts in preparation for the big race. His Big Wheel waits in servitude behind him.

A fellow racer—sporting protective slippers—proves too heavy for his ride, crushing it well before the race would begin.

One of the Safety Third team tests his defenses.

With a cable car blocking tourist traffic, the racers come to the starting line.

Old Man, at the starting line for the first heat.

A pile-up in turn one proved catastrophic for veteran and crowd favorite foam-headed-guy-with-the-golden-bigwheel.

This little trike would see only one race in its lifetime.

Surviving racers line up for the second heat.

Foam-head guy cries in agony as an axle breaks on his second trike…

… but she was even slower, taking home the prize for the day’s slowest rider.

A helmet-cammed racer makes his way back up Lombard’s steps for the final heat. He would take home a second place prize—giant logo tighty whiteys—amid accusations of wheel doping.

Ghostbuster steals the lead coming out of a corner in the final official race of the day.

In the middle of the pack, Old Man rounds another corner.

Two riders take a fall only inches from the finish line.

I decide to ride the exhibition race and get giant prize crotch on my head.

I’m in second! But I got passed later. And I broke the seat off my big wheel. photo by Old Man

Clutch-burning cars line up on the west side of Lombard waiting to drive down the curvy section as Old Man prepares to ride down to our parked car … waaaay down there.