The Bike Ladies Picnic was Rad

Everyone was really cute, really cool and everyone already rode bikes so it was just a good old, lady biker jam session on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Rad, I tell you!

I'm really tired but I wanted to digest what I feel was a great success and a very nice time - My Bike Month event - the Ladies Brown Bag Bike Brunch Picnic. (Back in the cold of winter, I was invited to a TA bike month planning event and I was compelled to host a little something-something and this was my event.) I had such a nice time and I'm so thrilled with the awesome ladies who turned up. Thank you! We have a wonderful community of stylish ladies on bikes. I'm so proud of us. 

I was really busy talking and listening and eating things so I didn't get the most thorough pics but I stole Malaika's pics, per usual.



Malaika and I were hanging out for a little bit after the event, and I realized how amazingly coordinated she was today - Helmet looks fab with dress. She's the best.


I wanted to have something so the ladies could find me, so I went to Party City and got a dozen balloons. It was fucking insane riding with a dozen balloons. The wind was hearty today and the wind resistance of riding a bicycle made this really exciting in the obnoxious way, but man, they looked cute, and I think they were awesome for my visibility going down the street.



After balloons, I went to pick-up cupcakes. When I came out, Ethan Hawke was on his cell phone in the bike lane. He totally watched me balance a huge bag of cupcakes on the left handlebar and wrangling a dozen balloons kind-of behind me (so I could try to see) with my right hand. Luckily, I wasn't going far in this precarious arrangement. I'm not looking for boys, but I'm pretty sure Ethan Hawke was impressed with what a boss I am.

I loved everyone who came out today and they were all cool ladies who I'd love to see again.


Everyone who attended already had bikes and rode in either Manhattan or Brooklyn or Queens regularly. Some were daily commuters. Some were getting started in commuting. Nobody was a scaredy cat - everyone seemed confident about riding. We talked accessories, cargo and helmet hair.

Oh! I loved how most everyone showed-up in a helmet. Safe chic, baby!

Amanda is such an awesome girl. I've met her before and I enjoy her through many internet outlets, especially the tweeter. She's floral everything and a faux chanel fanny that I'm quite envious of.


Totally unrelated to the topic at hand, but really cool and we were excited was a plane flew over and spelled-out a marriage proposal in smoke letters or whatever-you-call that stuff.

Christine Hall will u marry me? We hope/imagine she said yes. We couldn't readily locate her from our post.

I made it home with just two balloons, a lot of string and shreds. It was all good riding home with just two. That's probably my max.


I want to say again, THANK YOU to everyone who attended. I feel so happy that we have such a nice community of stylish ladies on bicycles- Seriously, everyone looked so stylish. Made me so proud and happy!  We should have organized and had a little photo shoot, but we were so busy talking and talking.

Chantal, Gabrielle, Krista, Jen, Amanda, Adrienne, Malaika, and Gigi, Thanks for making the afternoon so great! 

John Waters - "Role Models" Book Event NYC

I went over to Bryant Park immediately after work on Monday to line up to get a free seat at the NYPL Live series John Waters event. I was able to read a lot of the book while I was waiting. I love John Waters because he's very open-minded and loved, and he's extremely positive and seems really sweet. I grew up in Arkansas and everyone describes to everyone as "Sweet" and I kind of hate that, but now I enjoy "sweet" as a personality adjective in extreme moderation. And mostly only for unlikely characters.

If you're trying to convince me I should meet someone because they are "a sweet person," I'm typically not interested.

I got the book, "Role Models" signed for my play-brother who really knows his body of work much better than I, and I got up-close to take a pic with him and now I know John Waters has great skin. I'm becoming the "skin police."


This was my 3rd John Waters speaking event and I guess the 4th time I've seen him. (3 speaking engagements and 1 art opening for his work.)

Since I had read the book, I had heard a lot of the material that was discussed. I did not enjoy the moderator. He took forever to roll out these questions and they weren't even that original. Every time the moderator spoke I got frustrated and wanted to scream "SPIT IT OUT!" John Waters really can do it all by himself, like he does at his Christmas Special. He just gets up and talks, and it's bliss.

The setting in which the event took place was magnificent. Outdoors at Bryant Park right behind the huge, NY Public Library. The Library where Big jilts Carrie and she beats his ass with her bouquet in the street.


My Book review so far:
Personally, my life depends greatly on the role my role models play and have played. I feel in many ways that I was raised more by a group of people than my parents. My personality and skill-set was shaped by a group of teachers. John Waters has tremendous parental support and a wonderful relationship with them. No matter how interesting my life and adventures may be - I do not and did not have that. -Tremendous parental support and a great relationship. "It takes a Village" is the story of my life.

I am jealous of people who have wonderful parents and now he's on the list.

The book is a really cute, light read. Fantastic beach reading and John Waters himself recommended it for that. Then he cracked a joke about the oil spill.

I took notes about some art things around the city that he recommended - some porn photography shows, etc. He too loves the Mike Kelly blanket of stuffed animals that I previously blogged about. The piece was in the Whitney Biennial. It made my fucking day to turn the corner and find this masterpiece and it warmed my heart to hear that JW loved it too. I am going to try my best to craft one when I am nesting for my own little baby. Someday.

I am really happy about another first-time experience that I had last night. I love this little surprise that I found on my bicycle- a flier.


I forgot what it's like to find a flier under my windshield, because I sold my car and moved to New York City 3 years ago.