Blog du Wren

Cheers and Jeers for Denver Area Public Transit

Coverage: RTD, Denver's public transportation system, along with connecting systems in outlying communities, do a great job of covering the greater Denver area. When I was through last year, I couldn't get up to Ft. Collins, a large population center only 60 miles north of Denver. Now, connecting service has been put in place to allow for easy movement. I've also popped back and forth to Boulder, all within the RTD system. Public transit extends as far south as Colorado Springs via the FREX.

Frequency: I will be riding a bus from Boulder back to Denver at 11:00 on a Sunday evening, and that's not even the last bus. That is just downright impressive and quite representative of the system's wonderful frequency.

Light Rail: While only connecting the south bits of the city to downtown, the lightrail is clean, convenient, and fully integrated payment-wise with the rest of the system.

Airport Surcharge:* It costs $11.00 to get from Denver International Airport to downtown on the public bus, a distance of only 25 miles. Downtown Denver to Boulder is 30 miles but costs $5.00.
Wouldn't it make sense to make the airport accessible to a city's residents and vice versa? Once people learn that they have to tack on $20 to a round trip plane ticket (5-10% of many tickets' cost) to visit Denver, it seems like that that might turn one or two away*.
When the cost of public transit is so much higher than the alternative (driving or getting a friend to drive you), it is effectively discouraging people from using this technology that they really need to be embracing*.

Pueblo: It sure would be nice if there was a public option for getting from Colorado Spring to Pueblo. These are pretty big cities separated by only 45 miles. This would also extend the publicly traversable area from Ft. Collins in the north to Pueblo in the south, the better part of an emerging megaregion.

For more on alternative transportation in the area, check out the interview I did for Alternative Commute Pueblo.

Sunday January 9 2011

File under: transportation

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FC 128 - Gas Guzzler Free

I spent the last couple days hanging out with my buddy Ryan in Pueblo, CO. He is super into the bike scene there and, among other things, runs a blog about alternative transportation in Pueblo. Anyway, while out on a long bike ride (in which I got really lost and decided that biking into the wind is possibly my version of hell) and having everything biking on the my mind, I got this idea for a comic (not having anything to do with biking into the wind).

I waited until Thursday night to start drawing it and it turned out to be more complicated than anticipated (what with all the people, etc.). So I borrowed a few elements from previous comics. Can you spot any repeats?

Anyway, happy Friday to you all. Maybe, in addition to a slight chuckle, this comic might inspire you to do your part to get into Carbon Heaven. Ed Begley Jr. will totally be there.

Thursday January 6 2011

File under: comic

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Pueblo Riverwalk

It turns out I really like riverwalks. Before on this here blog, I've posted about (or at least mentioned) the riverwalks in Naperville and San Antonio. Now I've got another one to add that, in my opinion, at least rivals if not surpasses them both.

The Riverwalk in Pueblo, CO is a great mix of commerce, open space, performance venues, , and more. While there isn't much action, esp. in the way of commerce, now that the temperatures are below freezing, it seems obvious to me that in the summer, this place would be hopping. But even now, there were quite a few souls out walking along the ample paths lining the manicured stream.

It both amazes and inspires me to see such a deliberate public space in a town like Pueblo. I give my high praise to the planners that made it so. The feel of the place, along with its functionality and its beauty guarantees that I will be back someday to enjoy it further. If you ever find yourself in Pueblo, I suggest you do too.

Wednesday January 5 2011

File under: travel

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Snow Fun At All

I grew up in a place where snow wasn't a foregone conclusion every winter. In fact, I remember very few winters where there was enough snow to get out and play, sled, build snowmen, etc. Because of this, when I find myself in a situation where there is good snow on the ground. I feel like I have to get out and enjoy it.

Such is the case here in Colorado. There was a fresh blanket of snow awaiting me when I stepped off the plane coupled with single degree temperatures. The temperature has since risen enough to make for outdoor activities being reasonable. On a walk through Denver the other day, I couldn't help but stop and do a little snow construction. Not as good as that igloo on Garcelon Field back in the day*, but pretty fun.

The only downside of the whole thing was the inability to feel my fingers for a good while. Oh well. Totally worth it.

Monday January 3 2011

File under: travel, USA

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FC 127 - Kung Pao

Very much in the same vein as the recent Economics of Knitting post, this comic was inspired by how cheap things can be* despite how much goes into them.

The idea actually came from a friend while we chatted over a piece of pie for breakfast*, although, of course, he wasn't thinking of it in terms of a comic, just as one of those thing in life that is kind of amazing/funny.

Anyhoo, I'm on kind of a tight schedule getting this comic out the door and it ended up missing some random parts (like an actual chicken, for example) so you might have to use your imagination. But hopefully it will inspire not only to make you chuckle, but also to stop and think next time you are at the store and be filled with appreciation for the amazement that surrounds you.

Friday December 31 2010

File under: comic

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Bela the Tripod Dog

What happens when you take an awesome dog and are forced to have her leg removed due to cancer? You end up with an equally awesome dog that just has to hop around a bit more.

My brother's dog is, hands down, the best dog in the world. Now, even only being at 3/4 strength, she still pretty much kicks ass. It's only been 3 or so weeks since the surgery and she's almost back to her old self. She wags and whimpers when she meets a friend, she does great on walks, and when her strength is fully back up, I'm sure she'll be just as keen on hiking as ever.

It was super nice to have her around the house for a couple days over the holidays. It also served as a nice reminder that attitude is so important when overcoming adversity. All the TLC she receives from everyone that sees her doesn't hurt either, though.

Tuesday December 28 2010

File under: misc

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Happy Christmas From Our Family to Yours

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

Saturday December 25 2010

File under: holidays

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FC 126 - The Blame Game

I was listening to the news on NPR this week, as I am wont to do every now and again, and I heard a report of the Senate debating some bill or another. In my mind, I stripped away the fancy terminology they used and the fact that they were speaking on a national forum, and this comic emerged. And no, the Senate bill was not about cereal.

It really astounds me that which we call politics. It is almost as if it is just a fancy term for the blame game. Yes, yes, I know lots of good comes from politics, but it is sometimes hard to remember that when all you hear on the news is a Democrat blaming the Republicans and vice versa. Jeez, I should have totally colored these boys shirts blue and red, to further the point. When it comes time to put this comic in a book, I'll be sure and do that.

Speaking of a book of comics....*

Friday December 24 2010

File under: comic

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The Economics of Knitting

This evening, while having a stitch & bitch with and Kris to get a jump on all those handmade Christmas gifts I hope to give this year, I started to think about the economics of knitting.

I am, by no means, a fast knitter*, but I get the job done. I've never timed myself on a project, but I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes me to knit, say, a hat*. I'd guess it takes me between 10 and 15 hours (depending upon how interesting the t.v. show that I am watching happens to be).

If I were to pay myself minimum wage*, I would have to charge between $85 and $130 for a hat, plus materials (probably about $10-$20 in yarn). That's a darn* expensive hat. It's a good thing I do it for the other reasons knitting is good instead of to save money.

Anyway, these economics of knitting are worth keeping in mind when you receive that misshapen sweater from Grams or an ill-fitting stocking cap from a good-intentioned friend. No matter how hideous it might look, at least try it on because someone put a lot of work into it. In fact, that 3 armed turtle neck sweater might be worth $6500.

Sunday December 19 2010

File under: holidays, misc

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FC 125 - Ice Cream

I feel like I am back in college. I waited until 10:00pm the night before the assignment was due, with no idea of the topic, and I still managed to get it finished, even in time to get to bed at a reasonable hour*. Who says procrastination is a bad thing?

For some reason, I decided to make it hard for myself and make this last minute comic a 4-panel comic, which is kind of like drawing 4 comics in one. Hopefully all that last minute work will put a smile on your face this Friday. Perhaps not "A" work, but hopefully I can at least pull off a "C+". I swear I won't put it off until the last minute next time...

Friday December 17 2010

File under: comic

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