In my first step to becoming more Godlike, I decided I should imitate someone else who is Godlike.  My choice is Oprah.  She gets to write an article every month about things she likes... I think im going to be a malevolent God though... so ill write about things I hate.

Number one thing this month... fixed gear bikes.  I mean what is there that indie kids cant ruin... cuz they have now ruined bicycles.  I had no idea that hand brakes and derailleur gears were a product of corporate hegemony.  I think maybe the generation of kids who were around during the bmx/freestyle bike craze grew up and thought that they wanted to ride those bikes again but knew it wasnt cool so they got the grown up version, a street bike with no gears or brakes.  I know this is true becuase last night i saw a 20 year old kid trying to do wheelies and bar spins on a fixed gear street bike.  The concept is really what bothers me.  The bike screams "Dont ride me to pedal fast, or easily."  Even wikipedia says the only point to them is they look less cluttered.   I guess if you have one cuz its vintage 1970s or cuz its cheaper that cool.  But the problem is with this stupid trend they arent cheap.  Someone I know recently converted her 24 speed street bike to a fixed-gear cuz it was cheaper than buying that bike and mod-ing it than to buy the fixed gear.  Maybe its just that i tend to be more pragmatic, but putting effort into something that takes away its sole purpose is mind boggling.  But I think thats what Im missing... the purpose.  I ride a bike to get somewhere, I guess they ride their bikes fit in.  Im glad I lived in the time where you fit in with the clothing brand you wore... those days were easy... mod-ing a bike seems like too much effort for me