Speaking of work, did you see the story about B&N investing heavy in electronic books and losing a lot of money (so far). Betting on the future is such a tricky thing.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The dark side
I have the 13 inch one. Because it's not the size that counts, it's what you do with it.
Speaking of work, did you see the story about B&N investing heavy in electronic books and losing a lot of money (so far). Betting on the future is such a tricky thing.
Speaking of work, did you see the story about B&N investing heavy in electronic books and losing a lot of money (so far). Betting on the future is such a tricky thing.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Once in a blue moon
Like today, every 6 months or so I bike up Red Bud and Stratford. Just a little bi-annual reminder to myself that I don't like riding up Red Bud and Stratford.
The same can be said about Frankenbike. Every 6 months or so I set up at this monthly bike swap event. I don't sell much, and I usually wind up dehydrated. Yesterday's event was no different - just your typical display of Fixsters (my concatenation of fixie hipsters), bad tattoos, and bargain hunters. The heat was brutal, and I lasted less than 2 hours.
Here's my companion for most of that time - Berkeley. Poor dog was panting so hard, I gave up some of my shade to him while his owner dealt used parts in the sun.
I did, however, sell a Sugino track crankset. $45 for 2 hours work (yes, he talked me down from $50). Never again.
The same can be said about Frankenbike. Every 6 months or so I set up at this monthly bike swap event. I don't sell much, and I usually wind up dehydrated. Yesterday's event was no different - just your typical display of Fixsters (my concatenation of fixie hipsters), bad tattoos, and bargain hunters. The heat was brutal, and I lasted less than 2 hours.
Here's my companion for most of that time - Berkeley. Poor dog was panting so hard, I gave up some of my shade to him while his owner dealt used parts in the sun.
I did, however, sell a Sugino track crankset. $45 for 2 hours work (yes, he talked me down from $50). Never again.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
$2.22
There's a reason I'm banned from riding with a power meter - I produce so many watts that it intimidates my fellow riders. Why just this morning I broke another spoke while sprinting out of the saddle. I didn't realize my wheel fell out of true and was rubbing against my brake pads until I got home - again, because I am such a powerful rider I thought the added resistance was just the poor road surface.
Knowing that I'm scheduled to ride again tomorrow, I set about to swap out my wheels. Luckily, I save a pair of carbon fiber wheels just for these emergencies. They're pretty fancy - Bontrager OCLV carbon fiber rims with DT Swiss 240s hubs. However, they're not as fancy as the wheels they're replacing - the ones with Tune hubs, Kinlin rims, and titanium bladed spokes (of which one is now broken). Switching the cassette over was pretty easy, but after I mounted the wheel to the frame I noticed the inner cog was rubbing against the spokes. This is usually a bad thing. It's a good thing if you want an excuse not to ride. It's a bad thing if you actually want to ride.
Wanting to ride, I went to Bicycle Sport Shop to pick up a 1mm spacer to relieve that contact. Cost for the spacer: $1.07. I went ahead and brought along the rear wheel to see if they had a replacement spoke. They didn't. However, they suggested Nelo's Pro Cycles on Mesa. A quick stop there did produce an adequate spoke. Granted, it's only stainless steel and not titanium nor bladed, but it'll work for now. Besides - it was only $1.15. Total for my shopping trip today... $2.22. Not bad - I think I spent more on gas than on the parts.
A final word of caution: Given the difference in thermal expansion rates and elastic deformation ranges between the new stainless spoke and the original ti spokes, my wheel may become crazy unstable if I hammer on it. Looks like I'll have to throttle back on the power for now. Lucky for the other riders out there.
Knowing that I'm scheduled to ride again tomorrow, I set about to swap out my wheels. Luckily, I save a pair of carbon fiber wheels just for these emergencies. They're pretty fancy - Bontrager OCLV carbon fiber rims with DT Swiss 240s hubs. However, they're not as fancy as the wheels they're replacing - the ones with Tune hubs, Kinlin rims, and titanium bladed spokes (of which one is now broken). Switching the cassette over was pretty easy, but after I mounted the wheel to the frame I noticed the inner cog was rubbing against the spokes. This is usually a bad thing. It's a good thing if you want an excuse not to ride. It's a bad thing if you actually want to ride.
Wanting to ride, I went to Bicycle Sport Shop to pick up a 1mm spacer to relieve that contact. Cost for the spacer: $1.07. I went ahead and brought along the rear wheel to see if they had a replacement spoke. They didn't. However, they suggested Nelo's Pro Cycles on Mesa. A quick stop there did produce an adequate spoke. Granted, it's only stainless steel and not titanium nor bladed, but it'll work for now. Besides - it was only $1.15. Total for my shopping trip today... $2.22. Not bad - I think I spent more on gas than on the parts.
A final word of caution: Given the difference in thermal expansion rates and elastic deformation ranges between the new stainless spoke and the original ti spokes, my wheel may become crazy unstable if I hammer on it. Looks like I'll have to throttle back on the power for now. Lucky for the other riders out there.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Bad fish
Watched "Ondine" earlier - starring Colin Farrell and Alicja Bachleda. It's a pretty film. Not much more I can say about it. I did like this quote from the New York Times:
“Ondine” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). The film has some mild action, most provided by Ms. Bachleda’s wet breasts.
“Ondine” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). The film has some mild action, most provided by Ms. Bachleda’s wet breasts.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Rambling man
Spent some quality time in Houston this weekend. Friday for my brother's birthday (dinner, then went to see Jonah Hex - good movie), and Sunday for Father's day (brunch).
In between I had a free day, so I just sat around and read the morning away (the Bike Snob book). Later that night I had dinner with Storm, Ron and June at Pappadeaux on Richmond. Interesting mix. Each added his/her own flavor and unique perspective to the evening's conversation. Afterward, Ron left to meet up with his fiancée, and the rest of us went across the street to the Mucky Duck to see Skyrocket.
If you lived in Houston in the 90's, you're probably familiar with Trish and Darin Murphy - hometown siblings who played just about everywhere back then. They've both since relocated to Austin, where each of them fronts their own band. When they're not doing their original music thing, they play in probably the most accomplished 70's tribute band around - Skyrocket.
The show was actually a lot of fun. The well lubricated wives fawning over the guys in the band while their husbands watch dumbfounded was equally amusing to watch. After the show, I stepped up to an overly enthusiastic fan talking to Trish. She quickly turned to me, said hi, led me away, and thanked me for saving her from the drunk guy. So polite.
Got back to Austin late this afternoon. Managed to get in a run around Town Lake with the Allman Brothers on endless repeat.
In between I had a free day, so I just sat around and read the morning away (the Bike Snob book). Later that night I had dinner with Storm, Ron and June at Pappadeaux on Richmond. Interesting mix. Each added his/her own flavor and unique perspective to the evening's conversation. Afterward, Ron left to meet up with his fiancée, and the rest of us went across the street to the Mucky Duck to see Skyrocket.
If you lived in Houston in the 90's, you're probably familiar with Trish and Darin Murphy - hometown siblings who played just about everywhere back then. They've both since relocated to Austin, where each of them fronts their own band. When they're not doing their original music thing, they play in probably the most accomplished 70's tribute band around - Skyrocket.
The show was actually a lot of fun. The well lubricated wives fawning over the guys in the band while their husbands watch dumbfounded was equally amusing to watch. After the show, I stepped up to an overly enthusiastic fan talking to Trish. She quickly turned to me, said hi, led me away, and thanked me for saving her from the drunk guy. So polite.
Got back to Austin late this afternoon. Managed to get in a run around Town Lake with the Allman Brothers on endless repeat.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Exposed
Stopped by Mellow Johnny's early today to hear and see Bike Snob NYC. He's in town for a book signing. Instead of the usual reading most authors give, he gave a slide show of his childhood and the bikes he rode. Amusing guy, but I liked him better when he was anonymous. Now, when I read his column, I'll think of a middle-ish-age Jewish guy with a bald spot and a new baby boy. Not that there's anything wrong with that - just not a very edgy image. Oh, and he even has a name - Eben Weiss.
While I was at MJ's (that's what all the cool kids call it), I also had a chance to check out the new Team RadioShack bikes. That's Popo's on the end.
The graphics are very in-your-face. Very different from the Merckx bikes of the 7-11 and Motorola days.
While I was at MJ's (that's what all the cool kids call it), I also had a chance to check out the new Team RadioShack bikes. That's Popo's on the end.
The graphics are very in-your-face. Very different from the Merckx bikes of the 7-11 and Motorola days.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Feeling puffy
From the "no good deed goes unpunished" department.
Woke up today with a swollen right side of my face. That's the side where I got stung a couple of times in the temple. Odd that it took a couple of days to puff up. Nurse said it looked like I had gained a lot of weight and was blushing. Now, I know what I'll look like when I become a fat drunk. Doctor gave me a bunch of steroids. The swelling has already started to come down quite a bit.
Woke up today with a swollen right side of my face. That's the side where I got stung a couple of times in the temple. Odd that it took a couple of days to puff up. Nurse said it looked like I had gained a lot of weight and was blushing. Now, I know what I'll look like when I become a fat drunk. Doctor gave me a bunch of steroids. The swelling has already started to come down quite a bit.
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