I-5 Collonade
I don’t have copy/paste right now but if you’re into bikes and bmx or mtb riding, do a search for Seattle I-5 Collonade and check out the terrain they’ve painstakingly built over the past few years.
My apprehension regarding the park on my first (so far only) ride turned into utter amazement and a gleefully tiring outing lasting until well past dark. I’m definitely glad they had lighting that was just bright enough to feel around while practicing my rusty balance and climbing skills. Gonna need that rock ring from Thumbz.
26 November 2008, 22:25 :: Comment [1]
fat tires
I’ve gone pretty bike crazy this year and to round things out, I had a conversation with Brian Fiete two Fridays ago that centered around mountain biking.
It turns out he’s been riding quite a bit, enjoying it and has a few different bikes in his stable – full suspension, hardtail etc. I talked about the old days of riding my trusty 1992 Cannondale Beast of the East M800 that I eventually parted ways with after some hooligans dismantled a bike rack outside my grad school computer lab shortly before the end of the school year.
I also mentioned my trepidation about getting back into things and how I would react to front suspension and fully suspended bikes. I’ve been doing a lot of reading here and there to keep up on models and technology, but it’s not exactly riding. I was definitely excited about the new Ibis full suspension model and he said that a local bike shop had a demo program available with them. He named a few trails he really liked but lamented the wet weather that closes down a lot of his favorite spots.
There were still a few decent places to ride and we both agreed that we wanted to check out the odd urban trail under the I-5 colonnade. Earlier this year little bro Gehner found big bro Gehner a Beast of the East in really good shape from a friend and that sparked some digging of my own on Craigslist and eBay. I even scouted out a few promising sales at the LBSs around and got a better idea of my size requirements.
Never seeming to find what I was after this fall, the talk with Brian suddenly created a second wind pushing me to get in the saddle and find something in the dreary-weather buyer’s bike market that winter brings.
I realized that I wasn’t going to find a discounted bike at an LBS or large retailer like REI so eBay and Craigslist were my only hope. Thanks to Brian’s timing I spotted an early 2000’s Cannondale 1fg on Craigslist that seemed my size. A little research let me know that I could probably convert it to a geared bike pretty painlessly. I gave a sob story and a near insulting offer but the bike was sadly no longer available… and definitely not at my requested price.
Still, my story must have struck a chord with this artist/biker/nice-guy because it turns out (after a few emails back and forth) he had a 2006 Cannondale f600 hard tail racing rig, for a hair cheaper. Similar to the 1fg it was set up with some very nice non-stock components. In his extreme generosity he not only offered it at a lower price than the 1fg but would meet the buyers at a location 30 minutes closer than his normal location an hour away.
I met him near dusk while the other fella headed off on his test ride. Every question was answered professionally and he had tons of set-up and tech info that was extremely useful. The bike fit like a glove and everything seemed tip-top. I didn’t need to go on a long ride to figure out that this bike was a good deal… I almost feel like the guy with the 1fg got shafted. The seller was definitely attached to all his bikes and though he was sad to see it go, he was happy it was going to someone who would appreciate and ride it.
I hope I can meet him out at a Wednesday night bike race next year and illustrate how much I appreciate my new ride. Though he said he had too many bikes, I definitely owe this guy for getting me this great ride. Thanks Jason!! Mad props to Brian for the excellent timing and inspiration. Now I need to manufacture some time to get my crazy legs on it.
For your reference… a stock version of the bike:
Is it just me or is it extremely difficult to find a stock mtb that isn’t tarted up in gaudy and horrific color schemes and sticker combos? Patriot Blue? No thank you.
I don’t think it’s too much to insist on every bike model coming in at least one of these three colors: Black, Silver or Red. If you make it a crazy color, does it have to be stickered up like NASCAR meets Mondrian? Bold colors work well on their own – keep it simple.
13 November 2008, 20:11 :: Comment [1]
CRISIS! The Gun
A friendly, bird-watching dentist Dr. Bert Andrews (Eddie Albert) tries to stay true to his peace-making ideals in a small Western military-base town in the 1960's as he struggles with a pubescent 14-year old son, Rex Andrews (Peter Lazer), who has been somewhat shielded by his mother, Jo Andrews (Dina Merrill). She encourages him to focus on marksmanship and his love of guns despite being constantly compelled to make trouble and perform random, often violent, rebellious acts.
The most disturbing conflict appears to be the son's secret torment of an old, cantankerous, opinionated, isolated and mentally troubled female neighbor (Isabel Jewell) during noisy yet eerie overhead evening jet aircraft drills. A rift between the mother-son pair and the father stems from a past home invasion by a burglar in which the father refused to respond with gun violence in order to avoid his or the other man's death during the unfortunate event.
Peaceful pursuits, acts of kindness and even sacrifices by the father are met with derision from the pair, yet he bravely maintains his principles and attempts to maintain equilibrium with his spouse as he struggles to defuse the increasingly dangerous, self-destructive behavior of his son which inevitably comes to a head. The tormented, Hitler-appreciating, Indian-hating, deer-killing old kook finds that her aged military rifle can be loaded and made operational as her young and supposedly Martian enemy comes one last time for an evening attack.
FROM: The IMDB synopsis I was compelled to write
I had to write this up after watching a late-night Retro Television Network program that was run on Saturday night. Sometimes random vintage TV programs or movies really speak to me, and this was one of those times. I wish I didn't have to slog through so much crap and so many commercials but it's sorta like listening to a good independent radio station... you just have to listen to catch the few mind blowing tracks.
The above Kraft Suspense Theater episode was truly bizarre and completely fits in with the imaginary epic opus art piece (Equal parts appropriated media, personal artwork and hybrids thereof housed in some sort of permanent installation) I continue to catalog in my head. This cataloging is more or less a set of snapshots or things that I identify with both in good and bad ways and explain me in abstract ways.
Too bad there's no way to find and rent this sort of thing so I can share it's creative genius directly with everyone. Somehow I always respected Eddie Arnold's character in Green Acres but this piece really makes Eddie Arnold my hero.
The only reason I watched the above piece is because of it's daring, stylized animated intro that followed directly after the Alfred Hitchcock Hour program that preceded it: Wally the Beard
I watched the entire episode, only because of the insanely appropriate opening interlude that I need to track down and record and share with friends at work.
If I ever needed a video avatar I would use the clip of the computer technician main character defending himself as his engagement of 6 weeks is rudely and painfully broken off by his keypunch girlfriend whom he also supervises. The entire story and his transformation is enjoyable and entertaining but the real gem is the opening setup: watch Wally The Beard on hulu.com... at least through the break-up. (You'll probably want to watch more.)
21 September 2008, 13:12 :: Comment
silence, the void, what have you
In space On my blog, no one can hear you scream.
29 May 2008, 17:05 :: Comment [1]
maraid's photostream
There’s so much great stuff in the nooks and crannies of Flickr.
This photostream is right up my alley.
From ISO50’s blog (TYCHO)
15 April 2008, 20:09 :: Comment [1]
dig dug retrospective
The life of a supermodel is tough, luckily dig dug has a capable bodyguard.
His mother.
And now… dig dug photos (all of 2007 and the latest 2008 work of Mr. Furburger)
11 April 2008, 21:10 :: Comment [1]
new computers
Sorry… can’t stop.
FlockdUp
FockdUp slides
Background
Okay now back to work.
4 April 2008, 13:08 :: Comment
vintage computers
FROM: Chris Glass via Merlin Mann
SEE ALSO: more links from Chris Glass ...
http://foxfire.org
wireandtwine.com > Facial Hair Shirt
vintage logos
4 April 2008, 11:36 :: Comment
and now what you've all been waiting for
Just sit back and enjoy the ride. I know a nice enka tune or two that should set the mood.
Six new sets from Japan 2008. So much fun, never enough time.
(I hope to follow up with other misc. non-Japan photo goodies soon.)
2 April 2008, 23:58 :: Comment
do re mi fa so la Tokyooooo
Ladies and Gentleman, you’ll have to excuse me… I’m just gettin’ warmed up.
26 March 2008, 05:38 :: Comment
< back |