alain’s dance blog

I love this recent post by David Heinemeier Hansson on Signal vs Noise: You don’t have to sell your company to have financial security and the freedom to do what you want.

I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating. During my bike ride for microcredit, there were many moments where I was swearing and wondering why I was putting myself through such pain. And yet, to the question “where else would you rather be?” I realized I loved exploring the West Coast on my bike. I loved the fact that I was inspiring friends around me to ride their bikes. I loved spreading the word about micro-credit. And it truly was where I wanted to be at that moment.

Same thing goes with the jobs I’ve had, and the organizations I’ve been involved with. To the argument that you need to sell your startup to gain freedom and security, my thoughts are very much aligned with David’s.

When you love what you do, it is an expression of freedom to put in time and effort into your work. I put many hours into Cat’s Corner, just like Fred and Ben do with Standout Jobs, and Shawn Smith does with Global Agents for Change. We might not get as much traditional “financial security” out of it as people with high-paying jobs or people who build a company to flip and have sold their business, but we are more than fulfilled through our work. And the money we earn is enough to satisfy us.

It took me long enough to realize this, but doing what you love is really all you need.

Keep checking in, I will be posting a wrap-up summary of Riding to Break the Cycle 2008 soon.

I just realized that I won’t be able to write for awhile as we visit microcredit borrowers in Tijuana, so here are some pictures taken during our ride in California. Add me on Facebook to see more photo albums.

Oreo with 12 layers of cream

Under train tracks near the beach

Cycling towards Los Angeles

Farm fields in Southern California

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We love downhill signs - especially long ones!

Rider tan lines from our shammies and bike shorts

Omg we made it! 3000 km from Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico.

We  arrived at the border today!!!

Omg. This is so surreal.

I’ll write more in a bit. In the next few days, we are touring Tijuana with a non-profit called Los Ninos, visiting borrowers and a local microfinance institution.

Omg we made it!

It’s now day 30-something of my bike ride from Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico. I’ve just left lovely Santa Barbara and will be at the US-Mexican border in five riding days

Five riding days.

It’s a bit surreal. I can’t believe we’ve cycled so far. Over 1600 miles now.

The entire team shares a sense of excitement, of eager anticipation, of finality and of conclusion. We start discussing what we’ll be doing in two weeks time. Who’s flying back home right after the trip. Who’s hop on a train. Who will keep riding down in Mexico.

Tonight we stop at Oxnard, and then it’s Santa Monica - Los Angeles the next day. We’re so close to our destination. I can’t wait for us to get there, and yet I don’t want this wonderful journey to end.

So close.

It’s been a crazy ride so far, and I’m so glad for the two days of rest in San Francisco. This past week riding into California has been exciting and inspiring. We’ve reached two mental milestones: passing 1000 miles in total distance and passing the half-way point of our trip.

Indeed, during the days leading up to the crossing of the Golden Gate bridge, I kept singing in my head two songs. “Woh oh, we’re halfway there…. woh oh, living on a prayer” and “if you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair”. For those who haven’t recognized the songs, they are Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi and San Francisco by Scott McKenzie.

So San Francisco felt like we had made it. We had reached a tangible destination. We were going to visit our partner Kiva. It was a great feeling.

The Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco

Kiva

Agents and the Kiva staff

Me with Matt Flannery

I got to see my friends Tsu and Amy. Tsu’s now at Google, so I had a taste of Google food. The flank steak was delicious!

I also got to dance on Thursday night at the 9:20 Special. I saw some familiar faces (Jean and Bromley, Rye and Carla) and even a fellow Francophone (Jay LeRoux). Jay and I had an entertaining dance together.

Here’s me and fellow Lindyhopper Chris Enriques, originally from San Diego. Funny enough, we had chosen to wear the same Threadless t-shirt that night.

And Carla Heiney being the awesome gal that she is. Btw, if you haven’t seen her choreography with Zack Richard this past year, make sure to attend ILHC.

Only two more weeks to go until we reach Mexico on our bikes!!!