The proletarians have nothing to lube but their chains!
Wait a minute. That’s not right. …
The proletarians would also want to butter their chamois, lest they suffer knots on their knuts during pedal revolutions. When V.I. Lenin wrote “What Is to Be Done? Burning Questions of Our Movement” in 1902 he was not recommending remedies for saddle sores.
Yeah, it’s another Labor Day entry.
I’d been invited to smash the State at a rally in Fanta Se, but that was looking like an all-day affair, and with (a) it being Monday, and (2) Herself inbound from a long weekend in Minnesota, I had trash and recycling bins to set out and retrieve; sheets, pillowcases and towels to launder; plants to water; hummingbird feeders to wash and refill; the usual feline maintenance; and a general all-round, stem-to-stern, rapid reassembly of a living space in which only one-third of the occupants really cares about any sort of Better Homes & Gardens tidiness.
Guess who. Here’s a hint: It ain’t me or Miss Mia. I’ve always done my best work under deadline pressure, but I can guarantee you I’ve cut a few corners here today. The self-criticism session will be grueling.
So, anyway, instead of invading the capital with my socialist brethren and sisthren I spent a couple hours cycling around the foothills with my geezer comrades in what proved to be a delightful debut for September 2025 before buckling down to the task(s) at hand..
I flew the red jersey and took all my pulls. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs,” etc. And I stood by valiantly as one of our number was waylaid by a reactionary goathead or shard of glass. The lumpenproletariat traditionally recycles beverage containers at roadside, via passenger-side windows, during revolutionary holiday weekends.
“Glassholes,” as one comrade muttered.
When I returned home to a frugal working-class lunch I discovered that there were two — two! — Labor Day rallies right here in The Duck! City. And I had missed both of them.
The comrades in PR are way off the back here. I’m gonna have to start paying closer attention to my socialist-media accounts.
Mad Blog Media 
My afternoon Abq Journal update just came in. Said there was a big hoedown in your town. I guess there was one here, but in my present condition, my main march is back and forth in the house every hour to see if my back and leg still work. It’s been slow progress mixed with a lot of wincing and cursing.
Huh. Whaddaya know? The Democratic Socialists of America finally got back in the game along with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Ho, ho. The New Mexico Republican Party doesn’t provide much of anything, whether we’re talking comments, candidates, or ideas.
Take care of the carcass, bruh. The revolution will be a long time coming.
Heal up quick Khal! I remained at home save a quick trip to the grocery for wings and slaw. I was in the mood to gnaw dead animal flesh off the bone seasoned with liberal amounts of Cholula. I avoided conversation with the entitled brats that make up a large portion of this neighborhood.
On a positive note, pun intended, two Gibsons left the herd and were replaced with a Martin 00-28. Its name is Rosy after the rosewood back and sides. No money changed hands during this transaction.
Ooo, new git-fiddle, hey? Pictures or it never happened.
Meanwhile, our man Khal commented for a story in today’s New Mexican about Fanta Se’s establishing The City Difficult as a Vision Zero community.
According to The New Mex: “The measure directs the city manager to take steps toward pursuing the goal of zero avoidable traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.” That’s gonna be a heavy lift. I wish them success.
Khal’s comments are spot on. Unless the general public is behind the road changes required for safe cycling, it won’t happen. I noticed down here that the city and local ride organizers always brag about the economic benefits for the city before and after the event. They talk to the businesses, hotels, bars , and hotels to get actual numbers. Rides in the county are a bigger challenge.
Here are some pix from Sweetwater on my new Martin. Actual pix of mine will be emailed to Patrick soonest.
https://media.sweetwater.com/m/products/image/5a0662dbdfwlFBxQ8jxGiFU8dUNNFjDuAnhYa5zX.jpg?quality=82&ha=5a0662dbdf4b7648
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/002814S–martin-00-28-standard-series-acoustic-guitar-natural-aging-toner
Hotel, bars, shops, and restaurants provide economic data to the organizers. Plus, they usually have events in the downtown city park, breakfasts, camping, and evening brews and music, so everyone can mingle with the riders.
Pix of Rosy the Martin are in your email Sir!
Nice gitfiddle (git fiddle?). If you’ll allow me, I’ll tune in some Hayden Pedigo or Yasmin Williams along with a cup of java to complete the appreciation.
As for Vision Zero, it definitely requires the long term commitment of all users. Portland, OR has been implementing a similar program of significant speed reduction and reduced traffic lanes in areas of high risk. Although it’s obvious that many motor vehicle users don’t respect the new speed limits (typically 20 mph), I believe that the goal of reducing incidents is occurring. On a couple of visits I made to Portland recently, I enjoyed driving through these areas cruising along at 20mph and appreciating the efforts the neighborhood was making to make their streets safer.