No Bikes in the Yard
6:44 pm, by tricky coyoteHowling Wolf, Cyndra Ninja and I made the trek down to LA yesterday. We came in Millie so we could host guests while we’re down here filming new episodes for the show. Couch surfing for two works, but can get tricky with five (ten?). So we just park the bus outside the host’s home and, ta dum, insta bedroom! Of course we have our bikes, and I had planned to ride to and from the studio. Well, yesterday I got the news that they HAD to pick me up in a car. I protested and they said it was the word from high in MTV and it was all about liability. I said, fine, just pick me up at 5910 Sunset. They said ok, and I thought the ruse had worked — the studio address is 5900 Sunset. But then I got a call this morning from the driver saying he couldn’t find 5910 Sunset, so I had to tell him that I just made it up so that I could ride my bike most of the way. He said fine, but then called back frantically in a minute and said he might lose his job if he let me ride my bike. When I have the presence of mind, I pick the time and place for my battles and decided to let this one slide for this week. When we got to the studio, my favorite producer came running over to tell me she could have lost her job, too! Nert Nert Nert, Fear Alert, Fear Alert. Our culture is funked!
Turns out there’s a sign right on the heavily (if sloppily) guarded studio lot gate that says “auto traffic only.” So I’m down here filming a show about trying to live and promote a bicycle lifestyle and I can’t even ride my bike to the shoot. It’s just a great piece of evidence about how auto-centric our society is, to the point of completely forgetting that there’s any other legitimate way of getting around. I figure one of the reasons I’m here is to try to expand the consciousness in little areas like this. So, along with having more organic catered food, more sunshine breaks, and less sugar snacks in the green room, I’m going to be lodging some comments in the “I need to ride my bike and other people do, too” department this week. Will let you know how it goes.
September 20th, 2005 at 6:52 am
In a lawsuit situation, given that you’d been injured or killed in a car, the members of the jury and/or the judge would have probably concluded that car accidents are an unfortunate part of life - nothing more than an ‘Act of God’. You or your heirs would probably lose the case. Now, imagine you get injured or killed on your bike. A judge and jury looks at the facts of the case and say: “he was riding a bike?! What negligence! Everybody knows bike riding is dangerous! MTV should have never let him ride a bike!”
BTW, I’m considering upgrading from basic cable so I can see you on MTV. But I don’t watch TV much as it is, and what I see is mostly crap. Maybe I can find someone to tape it for me.
September 20th, 2005 at 8:16 am
I’m a little unclear as to why they should have any influence over/liability for how I arrive at work in the first place. I would think I’m just an independent contractor who shows up at work when work starts. It seems that there’s a tradition here of “sending a car,” so maybe they have this idea that the shoot actually starts when the theoretical sent car arrives. I’d be suprised if the sent drivers (production assistants) even have commercial licenses…
Maybe you can find some friends who get MTV and have a “is there any chance in hell that this show can change t.v.?” t.v. party.
September 21st, 2005 at 4:05 pm
i think that is one of the funniest things i have read in a while.
go get em pard!
and howling wolf, hasn’t a little west coast optimism rubbed off on you yet? of course this is gonna change teevee. its gonna change C U L T U R E !
October 5th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
I’ve often wondered why the bank and pharmacy “drive-thru” insists each time I come through on my bike that “next time” I can’t come through on a bike and will have to park and come inside.
When I ask why they say it is a safety issue. I really can’t see how I am any less safe going through that area than I am when riding down the street. I always just nod my head and say, “Okay” and then come through on my bike again the next time knowing that I will hear all about their concerns for my safety.
If push came to shove and they refused to serve my bike in the drive-thru I would let them know why I wasn’t going to do business there anymore.
I liked your idea of giving address next door - next time you’re down there you’ll have to spot a real address to give them next time:-) And like you said, pick your battles.