so, i get a text from from the arch enemy of good times on monday, should have known something was up. I meet up at the coffee shop at the time provided, thinking me and captain miserable, maybe one more would show there mugs on a traditionally celebrated day-off for cyclists. Nay nay. The pope of bad-times village was accompanied by Foist, The Pettis', Eric Mac, and Gary Shuey. Gary has 2 speed, sleep and awesome, so if he's having a good time on a group ride, chances are, you're not. We decided to do the mostly rideable Jack Rabbit Trail, which i had never done before, so that was pretty fun. Except for the climbing.
Let me say this about climbing: I hate it. It's a neccessary skill to have for any cyclist, but every time i have to do it, i do my best impersonation of a donkey trying to ride a bike. I've been that the only way to get better at something is to do it over and over. Makes sense. So, once a week until i can stay with a group up a climb, I'm going to do 5 sets of climbing intervals. Im gonna call it Project Bike Donkey. Since i know all 4 of my blog followers are probably reeling from the shock and awe of this new project, i'll keep you posted with my next blog post, sometime this week, weather permitting tomorrow or friday. Tune in.
Oh yeah, here's a link to the group ride foist and i dubbed "FU monday"
Jackrabbit group ride by x_steve_x at Garmin Connect - Details
CREATURE OF THE WHEEL... LORD OF INFERNAL ENGINES...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Bender
Cancer is a son of a bitch.
Rob Bender was a cool guy. I don't know him a tenth as well as a bunch of other people who could elaborate on it a lot more than i can. Every time he came into the shop he was in a good mood, positive in general, and not a sawed off "bike guy" type, which isn't an easy feat for somebody who was an accomplished cyclist.
My favorite (and only real for that matter) Rob Bender story is, one time at a local organized dirt crit, there were some young guns who were new to the area, driving the front of the race. For the duration of the race, they were controlling the front like a road crit, rob just sat back and waited. Everybody who was watching or racing was fairly impressed by these new guys skill and didn't know what to think, except Rob. I'd imagine he was probably thinking, "I'm gonna show these guys how a race is won in about 2 minutes". About a minute and 59 seconds later, coming into the finish of the last lap, Bender powered around them and won. Man, were these dude's pissed. The look on Bender's face was classic. It was just like "Well, you win some and you lose some fellas, unless your me, then you lose til it counts, at which point you win..." it was like a half smug half disappointed that they thought it would be that easy look. It was awesome.
Cancer took Rob from the world. It's cliche to say, but he was too young to die. He'll be missed.
Rob Bender was a cool guy. I don't know him a tenth as well as a bunch of other people who could elaborate on it a lot more than i can. Every time he came into the shop he was in a good mood, positive in general, and not a sawed off "bike guy" type, which isn't an easy feat for somebody who was an accomplished cyclist.
My favorite (and only real for that matter) Rob Bender story is, one time at a local organized dirt crit, there were some young guns who were new to the area, driving the front of the race. For the duration of the race, they were controlling the front like a road crit, rob just sat back and waited. Everybody who was watching or racing was fairly impressed by these new guys skill and didn't know what to think, except Rob. I'd imagine he was probably thinking, "I'm gonna show these guys how a race is won in about 2 minutes". About a minute and 59 seconds later, coming into the finish of the last lap, Bender powered around them and won. Man, were these dude's pissed. The look on Bender's face was classic. It was just like "Well, you win some and you lose some fellas, unless your me, then you lose til it counts, at which point you win..." it was like a half smug half disappointed that they thought it would be that easy look. It was awesome.
Cancer took Rob from the world. It's cliche to say, but he was too young to die. He'll be missed.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Do I Feel Lucky?
Leadville lottery opened at 11 today. Got my ap in at 11:04. Chances are the race will blow my head CLEAN off, but imma give it a shot anyways. Came REAL close to checking the box for singlespeed. I wonder if i can alter my entry form, cuz i'd really like to do that, i'm just nowhere near the dominate physical prowess it would entail.
So, thus begins the painstaking gut-checks up the hill til i find out if i even get picked. I figure it like this: I get picked, i'll be in shape. I don't get picked, it enforces my "eff the man" attitude, and.... i'll be in shape. So, i really hope i make it in. But seriously, either way, Eff the man.
Til then,
Fight Oppression, Rise Above the Opposition.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Juggernaut
I've been laying silently in the weeds for some time, re-prioritizing, re-focusing, etc. Re-inventing. Destroying the old machine.
A new prophecy will come to be in under a half a year. My seed will enter this world. The seed of destruction. This, fulfilling the prophecy and and bringing to fruition my rightful place of Paternal Lord of the End.
Next order of business, a gathering of the faithful for All Hallows Eve. Update of componentry. Update of plans and goals for the next year.
Fight oppression, Rise above the opposition.
A new prophecy will come to be in under a half a year. My seed will enter this world. The seed of destruction. This, fulfilling the prophecy and and bringing to fruition my rightful place of Paternal Lord of the End.
Next order of business, a gathering of the faithful for All Hallows Eve. Update of componentry. Update of plans and goals for the next year.
Fight oppression, Rise above the opposition.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
settling in.
strange days of late. Last 3 weeks have been an adjustment. Boxing + Heat - One Salesperson - One Mechanic + Better Working Environment=BUSY.
Thai Boxing is going great. Kicks are finally coming around. Still have to adjust to the punishment as well as the science of it. Coaches are awesome. Funny and encouraging and full of knowledge. Plus hilarious.
June was coming. The heat was coming. We all knew with the onset of one the other is hand in hand with it. Something about it though, made me feel like it crept. It was hot more suddenly it seems to me. It made me go "How hot is it today? 90's? Oh, well, i guess it IS june..."
We're down a salesperson, although i am assured that we have a new one to take Mary's place, although i doubt this person will bake oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which is both a good thing and a bad thing, but definitely a symbol that Mary's shoes will be tough to fill. Man, she could sell ice to an eskimo.
Mike's gone. When people ask where he went, i gleefully exclaim "Who cares?" I have debating making a post dedicated to mike for a long time. I will sum it up in this little ode. Mike was a very capable wrench (notice i said very) with a piss poor memory, and a tendency to turn his "my way or the highway" attitude up to 11. Mike loved to call people out, which was good. Its better though, if you can do it in a blameless manner. For example, he would make a big deal out of incomplete work orders. If he wasn't the most heinous offender of this crime, he was certainly the second most. He would make a point to take personal responsibility for work. Only problem is, when you keep everyone in the dark, the work suffers in your absence. Also, mike would pick tickets. He would write 180 tickets for huffys hand over fist, but you would only see 55 dollar repairs on bianchis in his stand. That gets old fast. So he's gone. I heard he went to some shop in the hood by the name of Ron's. hope the best for him. Real talk.
So much easier to get work done in his absence, but, the work load is increased. You do the math. According to The big guns, were "looking" for another wrench. Personally i think we need to settle for another wrench. We just need a warm body that can change flats and build bikes.
If i dont go for a run tomorrow morning that consists of more than 2 miles, the next person to call me out can punch me in the stomach if i didnt. Free shot.
Thai Boxing is going great. Kicks are finally coming around. Still have to adjust to the punishment as well as the science of it. Coaches are awesome. Funny and encouraging and full of knowledge. Plus hilarious.
June was coming. The heat was coming. We all knew with the onset of one the other is hand in hand with it. Something about it though, made me feel like it crept. It was hot more suddenly it seems to me. It made me go "How hot is it today? 90's? Oh, well, i guess it IS june..."
We're down a salesperson, although i am assured that we have a new one to take Mary's place, although i doubt this person will bake oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which is both a good thing and a bad thing, but definitely a symbol that Mary's shoes will be tough to fill. Man, she could sell ice to an eskimo.
Mike's gone. When people ask where he went, i gleefully exclaim "Who cares?" I have debating making a post dedicated to mike for a long time. I will sum it up in this little ode. Mike was a very capable wrench (notice i said very) with a piss poor memory, and a tendency to turn his "my way or the highway" attitude up to 11. Mike loved to call people out, which was good. Its better though, if you can do it in a blameless manner. For example, he would make a big deal out of incomplete work orders. If he wasn't the most heinous offender of this crime, he was certainly the second most. He would make a point to take personal responsibility for work. Only problem is, when you keep everyone in the dark, the work suffers in your absence. Also, mike would pick tickets. He would write 180 tickets for huffys hand over fist, but you would only see 55 dollar repairs on bianchis in his stand. That gets old fast. So he's gone. I heard he went to some shop in the hood by the name of Ron's. hope the best for him. Real talk.
So much easier to get work done in his absence, but, the work load is increased. You do the math. According to The big guns, were "looking" for another wrench. Personally i think we need to settle for another wrench. We just need a warm body that can change flats and build bikes.
If i dont go for a run tomorrow morning that consists of more than 2 miles, the next person to call me out can punch me in the stomach if i didnt. Free shot.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
back in the saddle again
man, a lot has gone on since my last post. I got a new bike. 2 Technically. I started Thai Boxing again. I say again because i have taken kickboxing lessons in the past, however, this time, im taking actual Muay Thai, from real life Siamese Twins.
The new bike came from Waltworks. Bike is sweet. Somehow i forgot to tell Walt to put a braze on for the front derailleur, so i have to use an adapter, which is lamesville, however, it still weighs in astoundingly below what i expected. So pumped. I'd be a little more pumped if i was totally healthy for the first rides. Still getting rid of the last of my bronchitis.
Got a single speed from Tom Kessler my KHS rep. Dude is rad, and i noticed that KHS made steel singlespeed rigid 29ers last year, but not this year. Hey Tom, what are the chances you have any from last year on closeout. Pretty freaking good actually, and for a price i couldn't possibly say no too.
Now when i say that my coaches are siamese twins, i don't mean conjoined you ignorant bastards, i mean they are from siam, or modern day thailand. They immigrated here from thailand at the age of 17. Both of them Thai champions in their weight classes by the time they set foot on american soil. They are unlike any other workout i have recieved in martial arts. Completely different.
here's where i am now...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIzvHYWGvY4
here's the goal:
The new bike came from Waltworks. Bike is sweet. Somehow i forgot to tell Walt to put a braze on for the front derailleur, so i have to use an adapter, which is lamesville, however, it still weighs in astoundingly below what i expected. So pumped. I'd be a little more pumped if i was totally healthy for the first rides. Still getting rid of the last of my bronchitis.
Got a single speed from Tom Kessler my KHS rep. Dude is rad, and i noticed that KHS made steel singlespeed rigid 29ers last year, but not this year. Hey Tom, what are the chances you have any from last year on closeout. Pretty freaking good actually, and for a price i couldn't possibly say no too.
Now when i say that my coaches are siamese twins, i don't mean conjoined you ignorant bastards, i mean they are from siam, or modern day thailand. They immigrated here from thailand at the age of 17. Both of them Thai champions in their weight classes by the time they set foot on american soil. They are unlike any other workout i have recieved in martial arts. Completely different.
here's where i am now...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIzvHYWGvY4
here's the goal:
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
you know you got a mechanical when...
I'm sucking your wheel on a tuesday night.
After Doing loch levin this morning with local werewolf woody woodruff, I decided to round up some supplies to build up a set of wheels for the sweetest local fixed gear aficionado around, Ryan Herrera. I decided if had enough time to get all suited up and swap the cleats over to my newly renovated pair of Maressi shoes (which function more like ballet slippers than cycling shoes, but they look SO sweet), i would go duke it out with the local roadies and get my ass handed to me on a silver platter. For me, i didn't do too bad. That's not saying much, but hey, forward motion is progress huh?
At any rate, if you are back at the back with me, either you got some riding to do, or, you got a mechanical. Luckily i'm a hack at a local shop, so when i heard a dude in front of me's derailleur tapping out a rhythm like a pendulum, i figured i would offer my assistance. The conversation went something like this...
Me: ...Hey, uh... you got tension issues (mind you im being kind because it sounds like an Immortal blast beat is coming out of his derailleur, WAY out of adjustment)
Guy: Yeah, thanks.
Me: Come by the shop and i'll fix it for you (mind you i haven't offered a pricetag, just a service that i would gladly give free of charge)
Guy: Oh, i can fix it, i just didn't...
Me: Oh.
If i ever offer assistance on a group ride, i'm offering as customer service on behalf of the local bicycle shop. I'm not gonna charge you. It's better for all parties involved if your derailleur doesn't sound like its going to burst into flames on the local group ride.
After Doing loch levin this morning with local werewolf woody woodruff, I decided to round up some supplies to build up a set of wheels for the sweetest local fixed gear aficionado around, Ryan Herrera. I decided if had enough time to get all suited up and swap the cleats over to my newly renovated pair of Maressi shoes (which function more like ballet slippers than cycling shoes, but they look SO sweet), i would go duke it out with the local roadies and get my ass handed to me on a silver platter. For me, i didn't do too bad. That's not saying much, but hey, forward motion is progress huh?
At any rate, if you are back at the back with me, either you got some riding to do, or, you got a mechanical. Luckily i'm a hack at a local shop, so when i heard a dude in front of me's derailleur tapping out a rhythm like a pendulum, i figured i would offer my assistance. The conversation went something like this...
Me: ...Hey, uh... you got tension issues (mind you im being kind because it sounds like an Immortal blast beat is coming out of his derailleur, WAY out of adjustment)
Guy: Yeah, thanks.
Me: Come by the shop and i'll fix it for you (mind you i haven't offered a pricetag, just a service that i would gladly give free of charge)
Guy: Oh, i can fix it, i just didn't...
Me: Oh.
If i ever offer assistance on a group ride, i'm offering as customer service on behalf of the local bicycle shop. I'm not gonna charge you. It's better for all parties involved if your derailleur doesn't sound like its going to burst into flames on the local group ride.
Friday, April 9, 2010
How does an overweight healthy cat 3 fair against a sick pro...?
I dunno. Ask freeman, he's too far up the trail to hear my voice yelling "I'm gonna die....".
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
off road triathlon
I've never entered into a tri i didn't like. I even thought about doing a lot more of them, but i found myself never training for the swim (my worst discipline) and always training on the bike (my best discipline), and i'm pretty sure that's not how it should go.
Anyhoo, i fixed a dude's bike today who mentioned he was glad to have it back for an off road triathlon he would be doing this weekend in san dimas' bonelli park (or as i like to refer to it, theivesville). This piqued my interest, so i decided i would check it out online. Thus beginning the connundrum.
Let me also mention that while i have not entered a tri i didn't like, i have also never entered a triathlon that i have paid for. PossAbilities has always hooked me up. This tri would end up setting me back 95 bones. Seems like a lot, but hey, i get a swim cap and a t-shirt. Plus i like supporting these type events in a general sort of way, so i guess i dont mind paying, but 95 does seem a bit like prison rape to me.
Also, it could cost me to gain a wealth of knowledge about said events, which i may or may not even like. If i end up liking it, that'd be worth it, if i don't....yeah. Maybe local stud/sweet dude brian hickock can help me with my dilemma, by providing insight on how much fun to dollar value correlation there is/ a loophole into not getting prison raped over the entry fee. We shall see.
Anyhoo, i fixed a dude's bike today who mentioned he was glad to have it back for an off road triathlon he would be doing this weekend in san dimas' bonelli park (or as i like to refer to it, theivesville). This piqued my interest, so i decided i would check it out online. Thus beginning the connundrum.
Let me also mention that while i have not entered a tri i didn't like, i have also never entered a triathlon that i have paid for. PossAbilities has always hooked me up. This tri would end up setting me back 95 bones. Seems like a lot, but hey, i get a swim cap and a t-shirt. Plus i like supporting these type events in a general sort of way, so i guess i dont mind paying, but 95 does seem a bit like prison rape to me.
Also, it could cost me to gain a wealth of knowledge about said events, which i may or may not even like. If i end up liking it, that'd be worth it, if i don't....yeah. Maybe local stud/sweet dude brian hickock can help me with my dilemma, by providing insight on how much fun to dollar value correlation there is/ a loophole into not getting prison raped over the entry fee. We shall see.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Good ride with tom
Tom Bielaszka, certifiable badass, and i went for a bike ride. Whenever it came to running stop signs, i would just sorta run it, and then expect him to be like "Get on the ground dirtbag!!!" That didn't happen though. He was actually running lights which i rarely do. I figured riding around with a cop sorta makes it ok-ish. wanted to go for a ride on the dirt, now that's on hiatus til tomorrow. My road rig is "in the hole" according to walts website. My bike and my wife's masi (courtesy of john rubcic) may actually get finished up around the same time. Should make for some good fun.
Listening to a lot of Mark "dont call me mr kotter" Foist favorite of late, rush. He said i could find sweet rush gear on ebay, so i'll prolly look that up in a bit. Also, been watching a lot of supernatural, a show about the (you guessed it) supernatural. When people cough up satanic bees, or when you have to undo a curse while speaking latin, or you kill some zombie with a salt round, i dont give a rats ass 'bout the dialogue, its pretty safe to say im interested. Although, the dialogue is pretty bad. Hair is getting pretty long. Im into it to say the least. I should be doing podium hairwhips in no time flat.
Listening to a lot of Mark "dont call me mr kotter" Foist favorite of late, rush. He said i could find sweet rush gear on ebay, so i'll prolly look that up in a bit. Also, been watching a lot of supernatural, a show about the (you guessed it) supernatural. When people cough up satanic bees, or when you have to undo a curse while speaking latin, or you kill some zombie with a salt round, i dont give a rats ass 'bout the dialogue, its pretty safe to say im interested. Although, the dialogue is pretty bad. Hair is getting pretty long. Im into it to say the least. I should be doing podium hairwhips in no time flat.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
the blackie lawless training regimen...
so im starting to turn it up a notch or so. Yesterday i put in an hour with john, then after did some easy miles out to grand terrace. On my way back from grand terrace tho, i did over-under intervals. I think i made myself a little sick. i probably did 15 of a minute on/off. Anyways, i really want to keep the furnace hot for when i get my road bike from walt. I want to be putting 10+ hours (some road some mtb) every week until i start climbing in numbers up to the top. I will be dominating local beginner/cat 5 races in a matter of months. Also, somebody needs to make this into a shirt.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
yardin it.
so, here's a pic of my crank bros. eggbeater SL after i did some face time with the trail on saturday.
damn, what a bummer. I'm sending it back to crankbrothers along with some beer to the dude building my bike. i hate the post office. What a pisser.
everybody was like, "Dude, ditch those pedals, shimano's are way better..." that's cool and i appreciate that, but replacing these is free for now, so we're going with that.
the failure came at a pretty bad point on a rutted decent. Ass over the back wheel, white knuckling the bars, pop! it came out and i ate it. I dunno what im gonna use if i decide to ditch these, they've been sweet 'til this point, but now all these people are coming out of the woodwork saying they suck. Wait and see says i.
to tap power or not tap power, that is the question. i would prefer to get one i can use with my mountain rig if i get one at all, but i will have to wait and see. just the hub is a bit more than i can muster right now. maybe that one that works with speedplays... maybe a quarq. we'll see.
damn, what a bummer. I'm sending it back to crankbrothers along with some beer to the dude building my bike. i hate the post office. What a pisser.
everybody was like, "Dude, ditch those pedals, shimano's are way better..." that's cool and i appreciate that, but replacing these is free for now, so we're going with that.
the failure came at a pretty bad point on a rutted decent. Ass over the back wheel, white knuckling the bars, pop! it came out and i ate it. I dunno what im gonna use if i decide to ditch these, they've been sweet 'til this point, but now all these people are coming out of the woodwork saying they suck. Wait and see says i.
to tap power or not tap power, that is the question. i would prefer to get one i can use with my mountain rig if i get one at all, but i will have to wait and see. just the hub is a bit more than i can muster right now. maybe that one that works with speedplays... maybe a quarq. we'll see.
Friday, March 12, 2010
My official review of Shimano Dura-Ace 7900
It sucks.
It wont work with after market cables. Give it enough time (3 months or so...) and it wont work with shimano cables. Tuned up chopper's bike, shifting was horrible. Took a GORE cable from my new sram force group. Its fine. Give it a few weeks tho, im sure it will need more adjusting. Keep in mind this is after the 7900 quick link debacle that i had already fixed months earlier.
I ask people "If you got 3 groups to choose from, why choose the heaviest/most expensive?" They tell me, "dura-ace is like an old friend, i go with what i know". I can respect that, but, at what point does the old friend become the guy who's been crashing on your couch for the last 4 months?
My beef isnt with shimano, its with this particular incarnation of dura-ace. You have to have a top end shimano group? Get Di2.
It wont work with after market cables. Give it enough time (3 months or so...) and it wont work with shimano cables. Tuned up chopper's bike, shifting was horrible. Took a GORE cable from my new sram force group. Its fine. Give it a few weeks tho, im sure it will need more adjusting. Keep in mind this is after the 7900 quick link debacle that i had already fixed months earlier.
I ask people "If you got 3 groups to choose from, why choose the heaviest/most expensive?" They tell me, "dura-ace is like an old friend, i go with what i know". I can respect that, but, at what point does the old friend become the guy who's been crashing on your couch for the last 4 months?
My beef isnt with shimano, its with this particular incarnation of dura-ace. You have to have a top end shimano group? Get Di2.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
im just now noticing...
that matt freeman doesn't have a nickname in my peeps section....
i herby open the floor for suggestions on matt's nickname. As you can see, those i have listed are usually associated with something i associate with them. Josh highland is teh interwebz, without him i wouldnt even be on here blogging. AJ is one of the more philosophical people i know, plus he's into thor comics, so journey into mystery. Trish's nickname comes from Mallrats, which she has probably never seen and would be offended by if Matt had not probably explained the quote to her. Joy used to come into the coffee shop i worked at with a copy of a book called skinny bitch, so we started calling her skinny b, however, that seemed like too many syllables, so i went with slim. Team Redlands is a bunch of badasses, plus the moderator is named chopper. Matt is a vegan, but if you read his blog, im sure you will find that is just one dimension to a very deep individual.
How did Matt Freeman get hosed?
lets see what we can tack on him, and those making suggestions, please remember its never what the person wants as a nickname. Nicknames are NOT self applied, and are seldom self liked.
Matt's a music snob... Music Snob Matt?
Matt's a cynic.... Cynical Matt?
Matt's fast.... Fast matt? <---- i think i would have to add a y to his name for this
Matt's a writer (i guess) .... Writer Matt?
Matt's a dad.... now im reaching, as you can see this isn't easy.
Help me out!
i herby open the floor for suggestions on matt's nickname. As you can see, those i have listed are usually associated with something i associate with them. Josh highland is teh interwebz, without him i wouldnt even be on here blogging. AJ is one of the more philosophical people i know, plus he's into thor comics, so journey into mystery. Trish's nickname comes from Mallrats, which she has probably never seen and would be offended by if Matt had not probably explained the quote to her. Joy used to come into the coffee shop i worked at with a copy of a book called skinny bitch, so we started calling her skinny b, however, that seemed like too many syllables, so i went with slim. Team Redlands is a bunch of badasses, plus the moderator is named chopper. Matt is a vegan, but if you read his blog, im sure you will find that is just one dimension to a very deep individual.
How did Matt Freeman get hosed?
lets see what we can tack on him, and those making suggestions, please remember its never what the person wants as a nickname. Nicknames are NOT self applied, and are seldom self liked.
Matt's a music snob... Music Snob Matt?
Matt's a cynic.... Cynical Matt?
Matt's fast.... Fast matt? <---- i think i would have to add a y to his name for this
Matt's a writer (i guess) .... Writer Matt?
Matt's a dad.... now im reaching, as you can see this isn't easy.
Help me out!
Friday, March 5, 2010
dali doing a finger painting...
is a pretty accurate comparison for asking this dude to install a clutch cable on a vespa. Which i have. Because im a big dummy.
if you like things that are cool/fun, follow that blog.
if you like things that are cool/fun, follow that blog.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
wolves...
I know what i have to do. Its easy. i give the advice all the time to people. Its lame that i can't follow my own advice. I need to Ride the bike more, piss and moan less, lose weight and emerge victorious.
today was a lesson in suffering. I leaned i can hack it. i probably COULD have done better, but in my experience, this is how it usually goes with me. I finish astoundingly low, that turns on the light, and i go out and smash. Im tired of being the whipped poodle, it's time i tapped into my inner wolf.
now, if i could only find an advice wolf....
today was a lesson in suffering. I leaned i can hack it. i probably COULD have done better, but in my experience, this is how it usually goes with me. I finish astoundingly low, that turns on the light, and i go out and smash. Im tired of being the whipped poodle, it's time i tapped into my inner wolf.
now, if i could only find an advice wolf....
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
police, everybody out.
Went for 2 rides today. One was a "mountain" bike ride. It was off-road alright, but, i wouldn't say it was very mountainous as i was almost shived by a local drinking in a gutter, and among the sites was a best buy. That's right, the first of 2 rides was the never un-famous, always infamous, fullerton loop. My heavens. I think it will be more fun if i:
The second of the 2 rides was with some dude whos name i cant recall, and woody, who i have only ridden with casually on the death rattling Red Asphalt Ride. Woody is a sweet dude for sure, and he will be installing some s&s couplers on my lemond to turn 'er into a travel bike. SWEET! We went over to the airport and up around sunset. Like a dummy, i forgot my road shoes at work, so i rode that mother on my cross bike which was outfitted with platforms for cross-town trekking. You never really get how hard it is to pedal, especially out of the saddle without being fully attatched to said pedal. Made for a pretty good workout if you don't count the counter productivity to my pedal stroke.
Hair is getting long. Beard is getting strong. Clint Eastwood westerns are king.
- Have some body to show me where in the hell im going
- Ever do it again
The second of the 2 rides was with some dude whos name i cant recall, and woody, who i have only ridden with casually on the death rattling Red Asphalt Ride. Woody is a sweet dude for sure, and he will be installing some s&s couplers on my lemond to turn 'er into a travel bike. SWEET! We went over to the airport and up around sunset. Like a dummy, i forgot my road shoes at work, so i rode that mother on my cross bike which was outfitted with platforms for cross-town trekking. You never really get how hard it is to pedal, especially out of the saddle without being fully attatched to said pedal. Made for a pretty good workout if you don't count the counter productivity to my pedal stroke.
Hair is getting long. Beard is getting strong. Clint Eastwood westerns are king.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Eff the man!
Not too long ago, we were promised change, by this guy...
Now, i don't fault the guy for running under that campaign moniker. Hell, i would say it won him the election. However, i think if we are honest with ourselves, nothing has really changed. Really.
I bitch and moan with the best of them. I have this little pissant blog to show for it. Big freaking deal. However, i'm not really in the hot-seat to be pushing buttons and pulling levers that are going to actuate any real global or societal change. Now, this might seem like a copout to some, and i would agree. Guilty. Keep reading though, stay with me.
"I hear a lot of talk by a lot of honkeys, sittin' on a lot of money sayin' they are the high society, I say THIS IS the High Society!!"
pretty tough to beat the MC5 as far as live music. Elvis admittedly got the ball rolling, but i would say that the MC5 was arena rock, before there was arena rock; MC5 was Punk, before punk was punk; MC5 was revolution before there was music was revolutionary. People did stuff and said stuff and changed stuff. okay okay, the beatles changed stuff, but mostly i would say within the musician's social circle. When the MC5 played at the 1968 DNC, there was a freaking RIOT. In 68. Shit got real.
I really think all those dudes were doing was rocking out though. I don't think they set out to make stuff happen, until stuff started happening, because of what they were already doing, which is the aforementioned rocking out.
I would like to change personally instead of pissing and moaning. If it changes stuff around me for the better, i think that is totally rad. I think i should start with me though.
More than anything this blog post serves as notice that i'm going to be turning down the complaining and turning up the doing. "Don't talk about it, be about it.", is an awesome phrase that if i was honest with myself, i don't think gets acted out on my behalf enough. So, there is going to be less opinionated bitching, and more reporting on when shit got real.
'cause its one thing to shout "fuck the man!" at the top of your lungs, and its another thing to punch the man in the stomach so hard he pukes all over his Bruno Magli's. You'll be seeing more of the latter on here from now on.
Now, i don't fault the guy for running under that campaign moniker. Hell, i would say it won him the election. However, i think if we are honest with ourselves, nothing has really changed. Really.
I bitch and moan with the best of them. I have this little pissant blog to show for it. Big freaking deal. However, i'm not really in the hot-seat to be pushing buttons and pulling levers that are going to actuate any real global or societal change. Now, this might seem like a copout to some, and i would agree. Guilty. Keep reading though, stay with me.
"I hear a lot of talk by a lot of honkeys, sittin' on a lot of money sayin' they are the high society, I say THIS IS the High Society!!"
pretty tough to beat the MC5 as far as live music. Elvis admittedly got the ball rolling, but i would say that the MC5 was arena rock, before there was arena rock; MC5 was Punk, before punk was punk; MC5 was revolution before there was music was revolutionary. People did stuff and said stuff and changed stuff. okay okay, the beatles changed stuff, but mostly i would say within the musician's social circle. When the MC5 played at the 1968 DNC, there was a freaking RIOT. In 68. Shit got real.
I really think all those dudes were doing was rocking out though. I don't think they set out to make stuff happen, until stuff started happening, because of what they were already doing, which is the aforementioned rocking out.
I would like to change personally instead of pissing and moaning. If it changes stuff around me for the better, i think that is totally rad. I think i should start with me though.
More than anything this blog post serves as notice that i'm going to be turning down the complaining and turning up the doing. "Don't talk about it, be about it.", is an awesome phrase that if i was honest with myself, i don't think gets acted out on my behalf enough. So, there is going to be less opinionated bitching, and more reporting on when shit got real.
'cause its one thing to shout "fuck the man!" at the top of your lungs, and its another thing to punch the man in the stomach so hard he pukes all over his Bruno Magli's. You'll be seeing more of the latter on here from now on.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The definition of insanity...
Is repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different outcome. Or at least that's what i've heard.
Selling something on ebay is enough to piss off the good humor man. Here are some excepts...
potential buyer 1: "I am very interested in the bike, can you send other pics?"
me: "sure"
...
...
me: "did you get the pics?"
potential buyer 1: "oh yeah, but it doesn't have cross top levers so, im not interested..."
me: "ok, well, i can throw some cross tops in, installed, for free!"
Potential buyer 1: "oh, ok. I'll think about it"
WTF
Potential buyer 2: "I am very interested in the bike, can you send other pics?"
me: "ok, but are you really interested? I really don't want to go through the trouble of sending a bunch of pics, unless you are really considering buying, and just want to be reassured with some pics."
Potential buyer 2: "oh no, i am VERY interested"
me:"did you get the pics?"
Potential buyer 2: "is there any way i can get the stock saddle?"
me: "i dont know, i think i can get one, would you want the bike if i could find it?"
potential buyer 2: "oh, yeah!"
me: "then i can totally get it"
potential buyer 2: "How much does it weigh?"
me: "i have no idea. Its a single speed cross bike, man. Not much."
potential buyer2: "i'll think about it."
WTF
Potential buyer 3: "would you consider dropping the shipping price if it was only to austin texas?"
me: "i'll level with you man, if you want the bike, i will ship it for free"
potential buyer 3: "i'll think about it"
WTF?!?!?!?!
Selling something on ebay is enough to piss off the good humor man. Here are some excepts...
potential buyer 1: "I am very interested in the bike, can you send other pics?"
me: "sure"
...
...
me: "did you get the pics?"
potential buyer 1: "oh yeah, but it doesn't have cross top levers so, im not interested..."
me: "ok, well, i can throw some cross tops in, installed, for free!"
Potential buyer 1: "oh, ok. I'll think about it"
WTF
Potential buyer 2: "I am very interested in the bike, can you send other pics?"
me: "ok, but are you really interested? I really don't want to go through the trouble of sending a bunch of pics, unless you are really considering buying, and just want to be reassured with some pics."
Potential buyer 2: "oh no, i am VERY interested"
me:"did you get the pics?"
Potential buyer 2: "is there any way i can get the stock saddle?"
me: "i dont know, i think i can get one, would you want the bike if i could find it?"
potential buyer 2: "oh, yeah!"
me: "then i can totally get it"
potential buyer 2: "How much does it weigh?"
me: "i have no idea. Its a single speed cross bike, man. Not much."
potential buyer2: "i'll think about it."
WTF
Potential buyer 3: "would you consider dropping the shipping price if it was only to austin texas?"
me: "i'll level with you man, if you want the bike, i will ship it for free"
potential buyer 3: "i'll think about it"
WTF?!?!?!?!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
they say a picture is worth a thousand words...
so if i had one photo to sum up my life in a photo essay, it would be this...
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Friday, February 5, 2010
picture yourself running out of gas...
on a flat section of highway. Momentum's on your side, but it is petering out little by little. You've got a quarter mile 'til the next exit where there is a gas station. You go from 40mph to 30. 30 to 20. 20 to 15. It's at this point you start to make that little scooting motion to nudge the car forward in an attempt to close the last couple of feet.
I've found myself making this ridiculous motion several times on the bicycle. In my humble opinion, this is probably indicative of a piss-poor pedal stroke, and one would be far better off just standing.
Having said that, i shaved a full 7.5 minutes off my best time to the top of Zanja, which i will still not notate on here, because if i make my guess, i have to shave another 7 to start kicking ass and taking names this year.
...but 7.5 is a start.
I've found myself making this ridiculous motion several times on the bicycle. In my humble opinion, this is probably indicative of a piss-poor pedal stroke, and one would be far better off just standing.
Having said that, i shaved a full 7.5 minutes off my best time to the top of Zanja, which i will still not notate on here, because if i make my guess, i have to shave another 7 to start kicking ass and taking names this year.
...but 7.5 is a start.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
tuesdays with stubbeh
today went for a ride on my bicycle as i do most tuesdays. After being on the road for a grand total of 4 minutes, i noticed a gentleman buzzed by me fairly closely, as we were about 200 yards from a red light. No biggy, i decided to approach his car and pass it slowly to look inside see if it was somebody i knew, or something like that. It was nobody i had ever seen, so i went by about my business. After the light had turned green, i went up the road about another 2 hundred yards into a part of town that had apparently had trash day (although i don't think so as we're 2 blocks from my house where trash day is friday) and i had to avoid a trash can that was on the side of the road. The same gentleman (in a tan mercedes, early 90's) decided to again come extremely close to me, closer even than the first time, and honk his horn. I should also mention that this is a 2 lane road. Thinking i was dealing with a coward who might be intelligent and flee as opposed to a balsy dumbass who might stop, i gave him a single digit, and called him a name i can't recall.
that balsy dumbass stopped! Now let me just say this is every cyclists DREAM to have some fatass in a mercedes enter into a conflict with him over contention for the road. I. Was. Stoked. Let me also say that conflict can be a mixed bag with me. Sometimes i let stuff go, super easy, sometimes i lose my temper like a powder keg, but more often than not, i am fairly diplomatic. It really depends on the person on the other side of the debate. Never was this so poignantly portrayed than today.
I roll up, and notice that there is a red sports car that parked, not too far behind who probably witnessed the whole sordid event. Immediately the man driving looked like he regretted stopping. Looking straight forward. Eyes dead ahead. I go, "So what the hell man?" and he says (and this is the golden ticket), "watch where you're riding that thing. I could have hit you!" Now, you cant possibly understand the nuances of the speech patterns by what i've written, but let me assure you the manner in which he spoke these words was not, "you were taking up a lane when you shouldn't, because of that i nearly hit you." It was more like, "in the index of choices i had regarding this situation, among them was purposefully hit you with my car." THAT ws the kind of "could" he used.
*snap*
When i get violent, sometimes things get blurry, so i don't remember all of this 100 percent. The following is what i do remember. "OK man, well, lucky for you you get another shot, so go ahead and get out, but just so you know i'm gonna knock your fucking teeth out of your head and break both of your arms, so good luck collecting your teeth." Like i said, its a little blurry. I do remember saying something about the vehicle code, and him saying something to the effect of, "you ought to look it up...blah blah blah". then after i said something i literally cannot recall, he rolled his window up (it was only open a crack, thank god), and drove away. Remember that dude in the red sports car? he drove off too and when he passed me gave me a thumbs up. I had forgotten clean about him. He could have been one of dudes buddies and laid me out with a tire iron or something. That made me feel a little better, but thanks to some asshole i had to spend the rest of my ride on an adrenaline dump. Man i was pissed. Still am. Not knock his teeth out pissed, but still...
anyways here's a post ride pic of me and stubbs.
on to pantera bread to break bread with man, myth, and brother of legend: stafford heppenstall. I wonder if anybody on team redlands will get that joke.
that balsy dumbass stopped! Now let me just say this is every cyclists DREAM to have some fatass in a mercedes enter into a conflict with him over contention for the road. I. Was. Stoked. Let me also say that conflict can be a mixed bag with me. Sometimes i let stuff go, super easy, sometimes i lose my temper like a powder keg, but more often than not, i am fairly diplomatic. It really depends on the person on the other side of the debate. Never was this so poignantly portrayed than today.
I roll up, and notice that there is a red sports car that parked, not too far behind who probably witnessed the whole sordid event. Immediately the man driving looked like he regretted stopping. Looking straight forward. Eyes dead ahead. I go, "So what the hell man?" and he says (and this is the golden ticket), "watch where you're riding that thing. I could have hit you!" Now, you cant possibly understand the nuances of the speech patterns by what i've written, but let me assure you the manner in which he spoke these words was not, "you were taking up a lane when you shouldn't, because of that i nearly hit you." It was more like, "in the index of choices i had regarding this situation, among them was purposefully hit you with my car." THAT ws the kind of "could" he used.
*snap*
When i get violent, sometimes things get blurry, so i don't remember all of this 100 percent. The following is what i do remember. "OK man, well, lucky for you you get another shot, so go ahead and get out, but just so you know i'm gonna knock your fucking teeth out of your head and break both of your arms, so good luck collecting your teeth." Like i said, its a little blurry. I do remember saying something about the vehicle code, and him saying something to the effect of, "you ought to look it up...blah blah blah". then after i said something i literally cannot recall, he rolled his window up (it was only open a crack, thank god), and drove away. Remember that dude in the red sports car? he drove off too and when he passed me gave me a thumbs up. I had forgotten clean about him. He could have been one of dudes buddies and laid me out with a tire iron or something. That made me feel a little better, but thanks to some asshole i had to spend the rest of my ride on an adrenaline dump. Man i was pissed. Still am. Not knock his teeth out pissed, but still...
anyways here's a post ride pic of me and stubbs.
on to pantera bread to break bread with man, myth, and brother of legend: stafford heppenstall. I wonder if anybody on team redlands will get that joke.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
tuesdays with mildoo
this is my cat mildoo.
she can be a weenie at times, but she's very energetic and loving. she had pink eye last week. On tuesdays, i don't work at the salon, and i dont work at the bike shop. Its a pretty sweet day for quality time with the cats and riding my bike. The prior is pretty much all i have left on the agenda after this morning's ride. I borrowed a fuel ex 9 from the shop. Man, that thing is like riding on a barcalounger. I was totally worked after 2.5 hours and a breakfast that i think was short a few calories for the 2.5 hours that would follow. Im starving right now. I'm thinking pantera bread for lunch. You can tell im short on oxygen because i'm just typing the words as they come to me with absolutely no filter. Sorry about that.
So check this out. Crafton.
no bullshit, that's like 3 miles up from the tenis courts on the fire road, and that's before i had to start hoofing it. Man, this kinda goes without saying, but the show is super hard to ride in. Anyways, i think im beginning to wrap my head round the full suspension thing, but i dunno if i need 5" AND 29" wheels. Maybe just 4" and 26. Its just a wierd jump from hardtail 26" to hardtail 29" singlespeed, to 26" 5"full suspension. But i guess thats why the call them demo bikes.
I really think i enjoy mountain biking more than i enjoy road cycling.
she can be a weenie at times, but she's very energetic and loving. she had pink eye last week. On tuesdays, i don't work at the salon, and i dont work at the bike shop. Its a pretty sweet day for quality time with the cats and riding my bike. The prior is pretty much all i have left on the agenda after this morning's ride. I borrowed a fuel ex 9 from the shop. Man, that thing is like riding on a barcalounger. I was totally worked after 2.5 hours and a breakfast that i think was short a few calories for the 2.5 hours that would follow. Im starving right now. I'm thinking pantera bread for lunch. You can tell im short on oxygen because i'm just typing the words as they come to me with absolutely no filter. Sorry about that.
So check this out. Crafton.
no bullshit, that's like 3 miles up from the tenis courts on the fire road, and that's before i had to start hoofing it. Man, this kinda goes without saying, but the show is super hard to ride in. Anyways, i think im beginning to wrap my head round the full suspension thing, but i dunno if i need 5" AND 29" wheels. Maybe just 4" and 26. Its just a wierd jump from hardtail 26" to hardtail 29" singlespeed, to 26" 5"full suspension. But i guess thats why the call them demo bikes.
I really think i enjoy mountain biking more than i enjoy road cycling.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
house cleaning
let me just ease your mind by saying this post is not about actual house cleaning. Its about cleaning up this here blog. As much as i love my nod to the king, as well as my friends blogs, some of this stuff need updating. Don't worry, i don't plan on breaking the oath. Also, it should be mentioned, that i had to do a little sprucing when it came to the blogs i was following. Some gone (They'd still be there if they posted something every now and again) replaced with some new.
Also, cleaned up my entire itunes by moving all my music to a external hard drive. I have over 90 gigs of music. Even i was surprised at that. Listened to a lot of different music this year. Admittedly, it was mostly heavy metal, however, got into a few punk bands, some jazz, some blues, a little clasical, some afro-jazz, soul, reggae, some hip-hop, etc, etc.
Made short work of my single speed. Its gone to a mostly happy, and extremely inquisitive home. Dude wanted to know every piece of info i could give him, which he was stoked on, cuz i had a lot of info to give. It was a good deal for both of us. New mountain bike later this week (waiting is the worst) to fill in the hole left by the 1xspd. that things gonna be a freaking blast. My first foray into full suspension. So that's exciting.
Cleaning a little house in the old bone box as well. Some stuff going to fleabay, some stuff going to people who need stuff. My dude kyle is gonna pull off a build for like 480 bones. Better/less than i paid for my first bike. Ironically it has a lot of the same parts.
after all this is done, i should have enough for a set of wheels, which will put the kabosh on my road bike which should be wrapping up in like 2 months. Super stoked for that. Also, im pretty sure im gonna turn the mtb into a 2x9 asap. Just gotta figure out the BB situation.
All in all, its a pretty liberating experiance, and like none of it is completely behind me yet.
Also, cleaned up my entire itunes by moving all my music to a external hard drive. I have over 90 gigs of music. Even i was surprised at that. Listened to a lot of different music this year. Admittedly, it was mostly heavy metal, however, got into a few punk bands, some jazz, some blues, a little clasical, some afro-jazz, soul, reggae, some hip-hop, etc, etc.
Made short work of my single speed. Its gone to a mostly happy, and extremely inquisitive home. Dude wanted to know every piece of info i could give him, which he was stoked on, cuz i had a lot of info to give. It was a good deal for both of us. New mountain bike later this week (waiting is the worst) to fill in the hole left by the 1xspd. that things gonna be a freaking blast. My first foray into full suspension. So that's exciting.
Cleaning a little house in the old bone box as well. Some stuff going to fleabay, some stuff going to people who need stuff. My dude kyle is gonna pull off a build for like 480 bones. Better/less than i paid for my first bike. Ironically it has a lot of the same parts.
after all this is done, i should have enough for a set of wheels, which will put the kabosh on my road bike which should be wrapping up in like 2 months. Super stoked for that. Also, im pretty sure im gonna turn the mtb into a 2x9 asap. Just gotta figure out the BB situation.
All in all, its a pretty liberating experiance, and like none of it is completely behind me yet.
Friday, January 22, 2010
here's another tirade
So, i went to go see the hope conspiracy last night. They played with, i dunno, other bands. Everyone beamed about how awesome it was to see this old band and see actual old people at a show. All of this was true.
However. Im not gonna be silent any more. I try not to be a bible beater, and ram my beliefs down people's throats. I think it would be fair to say that anybody who knows me has never felt proselytized or imposed upon as far as what i believe, and i dont come down on people for what they believe. I might tell them why i am unwilling to participate, but i'm pretty sure that's different, and if you cant tell the difference, well, go fly a kite. Off a cliff. Make sure you're holding the string really tight on your way down.
Last night at hopecon, the singer went on a tear about how (i'm paraphrasing), there is no man in the sky to pray to, and time is your only god, you grow old and die. No problems there, EXCEPT he literally said it 5 seconds after saying that he was so sick and tired of peoples beliefs being shoved down the throats of millions and that being a major problem. Way to shit all over the stained glass dude. Completely ruined the show for me. He did more throat shoving in that 5 minutes than i have done post year 25. That's so lame and the days of me letting that go by without calling people out are now done.
This is the kind of post you get when the only riding i get is on my trainer.
However. Im not gonna be silent any more. I try not to be a bible beater, and ram my beliefs down people's throats. I think it would be fair to say that anybody who knows me has never felt proselytized or imposed upon as far as what i believe, and i dont come down on people for what they believe. I might tell them why i am unwilling to participate, but i'm pretty sure that's different, and if you cant tell the difference, well, go fly a kite. Off a cliff. Make sure you're holding the string really tight on your way down.
Last night at hopecon, the singer went on a tear about how (i'm paraphrasing), there is no man in the sky to pray to, and time is your only god, you grow old and die. No problems there, EXCEPT he literally said it 5 seconds after saying that he was so sick and tired of peoples beliefs being shoved down the throats of millions and that being a major problem. Way to shit all over the stained glass dude. Completely ruined the show for me. He did more throat shoving in that 5 minutes than i have done post year 25. That's so lame and the days of me letting that go by without calling people out are now done.
This is the kind of post you get when the only riding i get is on my trainer.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
i find myself inexplicably drawn...
To this bicycle.
Big bike. I dunno why. i dont really have a napoleon complex when it comes to bikes, by and largely i ride my size unless i'm borrowing something, however, my handling skills are not up to snuff for hardtail, and while it's not really all that race conducive, man, it looks like a lot of fun. I have to say its far more utilitarian than the 40 pound monsters i went out with on new years day. i would have to do some shimmy-ing in the bike stable to make some room, but i've been meaning to thin the heard some anyhow, so we'll see if i can make enough room for this beast.
Big bike. I dunno why. i dont really have a napoleon complex when it comes to bikes, by and largely i ride my size unless i'm borrowing something, however, my handling skills are not up to snuff for hardtail, and while it's not really all that race conducive, man, it looks like a lot of fun. I have to say its far more utilitarian than the 40 pound monsters i went out with on new years day. i would have to do some shimmy-ing in the bike stable to make some room, but i've been meaning to thin the heard some anyhow, so we'll see if i can make enough room for this beast.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
im not using that as the title. How about, ride bikes more, read comics more?
Ride a bike? Quench your thrist and save @meltdowncomics
I dunno if this is gonna work like i think it should, mostly because i'm a caveman and bluntly strike the keyboard with my club, whilst listening to EPMD or Immortal. Because of the aforementioned, im gonna post a pic using my own methods, and not with the methods of simply pressing the "share" button on the meltdown site. If you want to know more about the picture, click on the link. This is going to be kind of a tirade, so get comfy if you plan on reading the whole thing.
This advertisement has 3 points in it i will be addressing individually. These 3 points add up to one concept that is awesome. (1!) ride a bike (2!) to a comic book store (3!) get rewarded/help an extremely noble cause.
First, ride a bike. This is what i'm talking about. Not go with a group, not race, not put on by some trendspeed fixie co-op. Ride. A. Bike. Cruiser? Great. Clapped out nishiki? Awesome. 42 pound motorcycle without an engine that will most likely kill you pedaling uphill. Rad. The bike is such an awesome invention and can benefit just about anybody across the board on an extremely wide spectrum that includes health, environmental improvement, and finance. I'm sorry, if you dont enjoy a good old fasioned bike ride, or dont think a bike can do anything for you, well, maybe you should give it a try. Not willing to give it a try? Grab a ticket and stand in line with the rest of the walking dead that refuse to think outside the box.
Second, comic book store. Brick and freaking mortar. Know where you can get a price better than 10 percent off? teh interwebz! Yes, that's right, you know what else this includes? FREAKING EVERYTHING! Now, am i saying shopping online is bad? No, i do it a couple times a month. Easy. However, i do try to make sure it is an item that is not offered by an actual person with an actual pulse that will actually force me to (.gasp.) interact with another flesh and blood human being. Now, maybe working at a bike shop i am extra sensitive towards this, because it astounds me how people's logic works in this department. I go online. I buy a bike. I take it to somebody who knows what they are doing to put it together. I dont know a freaking thing about it, including weather or not it will fit me or the necessary maintenance that it WILL (YES WILL) need. I break bike (probably because it was a bargain basement piece of crap). I take it to people who assembled it. The bike is either worthless or needs extra money thrown at it to fix it to the tune of at very least 55 bones. That slaps on an extra 120 dollars on top of the cost of the bike (65 to assemble it). Plus shipping. Plus future cost of maintenance. Lamesville. That's the lower end of the spectrum. The high end stuff gets super lame. I could literally go on for hours, but i will round it off with a little anecdote my pops told me. One time when he was first beginning to apprentice as a pipe fitter under my grandpa, the only thing you needed as an apprentice was a pipe wrench. My dad got a bargain basement wrench, not sure where from. His dad took the wrench and said "Where did you get this? How much did it cost you?" My dad explained that it was a bargain. Gramps said to him "Yeah, well whoever sold it to you probably didnt tell you, on this job, we can't afford to work with a bargain..." and he pitched the wrench. I really wish i would have gotten to know my grandpa.
Third. Help a noble cause, get rewarded for doing the right thing. I think people should be more conscious of what they buy/support. My sister in law told me that a fairly liberal area of lawrence boycotted a starbucks because they felt it was choking the business out of the 3 (yeah, i counted) nearby local coffee shops. It should also be mentioned that there was a GAP within a stones throw. Look, you vote with dollars and cents. If people PREFER starbucks, they're gonna go to where they think the product is better. I worked at a coffee shop in a town FULL TO THE BRIM (pun totally intended) with coffee shops including no less than 7 starbucks in a 4 mile radius. We've been out doing them, and Stell would out do 8 more in a 2 mile radius. Know why? The product is way better, also, see the second point. What bugs me is, the GAP went in, and nobody gave a crap. Ok, a coffee shop that is threatening 3 other local shops, or a place that gets clothes sewn by 4 year olds who get paid with a cool dip in the pool after their 19 hour shift. I'm going to go ahead and support the former over the latter.
Still on the third. This particular flyer gives the rider/comic reader a free tibetan tea. Now, i dunno if free tibet tea is a play on words for the free tibet movement, but im going to assume it is. What happened to the tibetan people sucks. Somebody should fight for them. Taking something that isn't yours and just saying "that's the way it goes" cuz you're bigger, sucks and it isn't right. Let me also say i can't put my mind on this plane because i would never be in that position. If somebody came to my apartment complex and said it was taken over by the local governmental municipality, i'd say very simply "Nope." If they came back, i would probably be taken out and shot as an example, like many people in tibet probably were. Death really is not that big a deal. Everybody dies. Everybody so far at least. If somebody said, you can live, but it will have to be on your knees as a victim, again, i would say "Nope." After my death, i would hope people would help those other victimized in my apartment complex, and fight to get it back to the way it was, however, i would definitely not be around to see how it panned out for them. I've lived a good life, if death came for me tonight, i could make peace with that.
Monday, January 4, 2010
And the new sorcerer supreme is....
YOURS MUTHA EFFIN TRULY!!!!
SNUGGIE FTW!!!!!
Lemme see if i can quote my somewhat disappointed sounding wife. Pretty sure it went something like, "O.K. Here's the deal with the snuggie, you have to fold it and keep it behind the couch when you not us....you know you really DO look like a wizard...."
If santa was in the room, i would cast a spell of 1000 screaming torments on his fat ass. In your mother-effing face santa! You and your bitch ass reindeer! Any time you want to have a plague of bleeding eye-sockets just come on back!
SNUGGIE! SNUGGIE! SNUGGIE!
SNUGGIE FTW!!!!!
Lemme see if i can quote my somewhat disappointed sounding wife. Pretty sure it went something like, "O.K. Here's the deal with the snuggie, you have to fold it and keep it behind the couch when you not us....you know you really DO look like a wizard...."
If santa was in the room, i would cast a spell of 1000 screaming torments on his fat ass. In your mother-effing face santa! You and your bitch ass reindeer! Any time you want to have a plague of bleeding eye-sockets just come on back!
SNUGGIE! SNUGGIE! SNUGGIE!
Friday, January 1, 2010
one of these things just doesn't belong here
Here's a pic of me from our epic mtb trip today, the first day of the new decade. I think i was trying to make my best "oh shit" face while skidding my rear tire and white knuckling the breaks. That was before i actually HAD to do some of that, no acting required
totally sweet trip. There were 2 highschool kids, who apparently have no respect for fixed gear riding. I derive this mostly from the fact that one of them said, "i actually had respect for you before you told me you ride a fixed gear..." (edit: i dunno if the ellipses is correct, but it's too late to call freeman, the grammar nazi to get confirmation. Maybe i could trade some of my skills as a butler to him and he could just type it for me as i fan him with a palm frawn and feed him grapes one-at-a-time) Also making the list of invitees was Shannon, Jon, Dusty (a.k.a. Dirt McGirt), Dusty's friend Jon, and Dusty's other friend, who's name is not important enough to remember. 8 Total.
Here's a list of the bikes on the trip:
Also some people got ticks. I didn't. Pretty sure if i got one that would be the end of mountain biking as we know it for yours truly. It also might be the end of life as we know it for yours truly. I think my freshly shorn gams might have been the difference, as i was the only part-homosexual on the ride.
totally sweet trip. There were 2 highschool kids, who apparently have no respect for fixed gear riding. I derive this mostly from the fact that one of them said, "i actually had respect for you before you told me you ride a fixed gear..." (edit: i dunno if the ellipses is correct, but it's too late to call freeman, the grammar nazi to get confirmation. Maybe i could trade some of my skills as a butler to him and he could just type it for me as i fan him with a palm frawn and feed him grapes one-at-a-time) Also making the list of invitees was Shannon, Jon, Dusty (a.k.a. Dirt McGirt), Dusty's friend Jon, and Dusty's other friend, who's name is not important enough to remember. 8 Total.
Here's a list of the bikes on the trip:
- 8 inch travel full suspension DH bike
- See above
- See above
- See above
- See above
- 5 inch travel full suspension XC/Trail bike
- See above
- Hardtail 29" singlespeed
Also some people got ticks. I didn't. Pretty sure if i got one that would be the end of mountain biking as we know it for yours truly. It also might be the end of life as we know it for yours truly. I think my freshly shorn gams might have been the difference, as i was the only part-homosexual on the ride.
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