An Appreciated Gift Of Appreciation

A regular on the night bike-riding scene is a young fella by the name of Tom whose Midnight Ridazz nick is Fuzzbeast. One of the things Fuzz has become known for these last few months is his handmade faux-official street signage cut from cardboard featuring a bike and a word or two that he hangs at various stops along various rides kindly and gently encouraging greater awareness of bicycling as a viable alternate commute option.

Stephen and I were suprised to find one of his signs (with just the word “smile” beneath the bike) still hanging from the southwest corner of 2nd and Figueroa on our way to last night’s ride where it’s been for a couple months and others even longer. Still most seem to come down quick, either by the city’s hand or by souvenir seekers.

Here’s one of his with a more serious message from April’s Midnight Ridazz at Alvarado and Sunset. Here’s another photo near the end of the same ride but this time with him displaying a sign with his more usual laid-back attitude.

Anyway, Tom and my friend Ingrid (the IAAL•MAF’s actual only really and truly honest-to-goodness librarian) joined Stephen, Alice, Michael and me at MacArthur Park last night and came with us down to the Jackie Robinson residences. Before leaving the Levitt Pavilion Tom mentions he’s carrying a couple signs in his bag and since he knows how much I like them and I’m posting photos of them on Flickr occasionally he asks if I’d like one to have for my very own. Honored, I chose this one in part because it’s something I’ve done on several occasions (and will be doing again this Saturday):

 fuzz.jpg

Because I didn’t have a large enough pack with me, Stephen was kind enough to carry it after Tom and Ingrid left us at Washington and Hoover and we headed back toward downtown. Stephen gave it to me when we said good night and while my instincts tell me to hang it high from the streetlight in front of the house next door, I’m gonna find someplace inside to proudly display it.

Word is Tom’s making some special signs for tonight’s Midnight Ridazz ride and you know I’ll be on the lookout with my camera at the ready!