Strange Sleepers - Best of 2013

As 2013 comes to an end, we look back on the strangest of sleepers, those who didn't allow the lack of a bed to prevent them from catching some Zs.

We'll start out with a common sleeping commuter. I hope she's coming off the shift, I wouldn't want to see any patients under the care of this drowsy nurse:

Here's an example of a space-wasting sleeper, one who chooses to take up an extra seat in a crowded train in the pursuit of pillow simulation:

It's always nice when strange sleeping is passed down through generations:

Rounding out the subway series, here we have the gold standard in strange sleeping:

Now we venture above ground to see what lies at the top of the stairs. He didn't even nestle himself into a corner (credit to Patrick Lees for the pic):

Another gem courtesy of PL, this was BEFORE this particular Yankees game even started:

And finally, this LIC cafe sleeper. He was definitely sleeping, I got close enough to confirm, although he did trick many a passer by. Maybe he should have chosen coffee over wine...

And finally, thanks to Jordan Crouse for the link, a short video not of a strange sleeper, but of a guy sleeping on strangers!

Can't wait to see what strange sleepers 2014 has to offer!

Biking Madison

Madison, WI was the setting for CNU19, the annual conference of the Congress for the New Urbanism, a non profit sustainable urban planning organization. The bicycle culture there was appropriately refreshing, to say the least. There were bikes everywhere, all over. Maybe it was the 1500 visitors they had that week, who knows.

Their new bike share program proved effective. See the lockup station that was found in several key locations throughout the city.

It was free if used for just a half hour, and $10 if taken for more thann that up to a whole day. Besides the fact that it looked like a clunky cruiser with a heavy metal basket welded to the front, they seemed to be well received and frequently used. Again, maybe it was just the conference.

Most surprising to me in Madison was the lack of bike security (which is obviously a huge concern of me in my current city). Bikes were locked up all over (or not) with nothing but cable locks. I saw maybe 3 chains the entire 4 days I was there. I went to rent a bike for the week and they weren't even going to give me a lock until I asked for one. A person I was with asked what happens if the bikes get stolen, to which the shop attendant responded in a confused and slow manner, for which he had no real response. "It's never happened so I don't really know."

There were also these other red bikes that were rented, these for free with a deposit. Although these were old bikes spray painted red. The entire bike, over cables and gears and brakes and everything. Really.

http://redbikes.org/redbike/how-madison-red-bike-program

Where Not to Put Paint

Some lessons are learned the hard way, such as...

Lesson #1: What container should I use to transport even a small amount of pewter-colored metallic duracron touch-up paint from point A to point B? Let's just say, if that container happens to be a thin plastic disposable sandwich box, let's just hope there is nothing in between point A and B that you don't want paint on...because here's what happens...

Lesson #2: If this ever happens, don't take a whiff. I know it's tempting, but trust me, it just isn't worth it. This puts the "Ohhhh" in V.O.C....