Freedom

This past month was the hottest July on record in DC, the warmest in 140 years of record-keeping. Yet, following a trend that's been noticeable all year, the streets had a steady stream of people on bikes. Six months ago I grabbed a video camera and interviewed cyclists who were out in snow and sleet; so this month I filmed their hot-weather counterparts.

If you ask these riders why they do it, they first talk about practical reasons - convenience, environment, fitness, speed. But if I listen a bit longer I notice one word keeps cropping up: "Freedom."

Neither freezing rain....

As I've mentioned before (maybe more than once!) I get to many of my assignments via bicycle, a form of transportation that is increasingly popular in DC. Does this stop when the weather get's cold? Not necessarily. But last week I did get off my own bike long enough to do a quick video on cyclists in DC who ride in any kind of freezing weather.

The people were great to talk to, so it was nice to work in a medium that includes sound. And the video's been picked up by a number of blogs -- thanks to "The Wash Cycle," "TBD On Foot," and "Cyclelicio.Us" (did I spell that right?!) for their interest.

Cold-Weather Warriors from Jay Mallin on Vimeo.

Season's greetings

Snowmageddon

"Howling Blizzard Deepens the Misery" is the understated lead headline in The Washington Post this morning (the online edition; we're certainly not getting home delivery). Not to deny there are many people seriously affected by this storm (we too played overnight host to relatives who'd gone days without heat or plowed streets), but isn't that a bit much?

Yes, the federal government and schools have had to pack it in for the week, but does this record-setting winter of snow really deserve the same treatment you'd give a Haitian earthquake or Indian Ocean tsunami? Perhaps the problem here in the capital of the known universe is that the snow serves as a useful reminder we're not the masters of the cosmos, that nature and other potential "inconveniences" still hold the upper hand, even in the 21st century.

And for those of us lucky enough to have electricity and a working oven to bake cookies while the landscape outside is transformed, this memorable week has had a lot to recommend it. Clients have asked if I'm off shooting monuments in snow. No, I'm sure they're very beautiful - the whole city is beautiful right now. But in a family that loves snow and snow sports, this has been an opportunity to enjoy ourselves right outside our front door.

Snowmageddon II from Jay Mallin on Vimeo.