Saturday, August 4, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Smells Like Puppy
Have you ever noticed how cardboard mailing boxes, if the wind blows the right way, smell like puppy? I've got wicked puppy smell in my house right now.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Weight Weenie...
So, I promised some more exciting news on the bike front, and I'm happy to say that I pulled the trigger yesterday and ordered a new road bike...
I'm thrilled, of course, but the kicker is that it won't be ready to ship until mid-July, so now I'm faced with this agonizing long waiting period where I must think about all of those gloriously long summer rides without actually being on them, where I'll wistfully gaze out my car windows at the roving packs of Spandex-clad weight weenies, legs shorn and arms taught, as they whir down along the Mississippi River...drafting, weaving, and dodging.
The bike that I just ordered is the same brand as my mountain bike - Ibex. I stand by this company 100%, as I've never been more pleased with a purchase. As someone who usually experiences a needlessly drawn-out consumer cycle of interest, research, obsession, discussion, more research, actual purchase, and (usually) ultimate dissatisfaction, I was concerned that going with a online-only, small, relatively unknown bike company was going to end in a return or quick resale. But it's a great mountain bike, and the company is dedicated to service, support, and providing some of the best value in the industry.
So, my new steed is an aluminum and carbon frame sub-20 lb racing bike (18.2 lbs, for those who care) with full Ultegra componentry...at about $700 to $1000 less than comparable models from other companies. Next year, we will witness a full carbon frame release from Ibex, and I'll probably swap out the frame then and go fully carbon.
I'm stoked, and can't say enough good things about Ibex. Check em out.
I'm thrilled, of course, but the kicker is that it won't be ready to ship until mid-July, so now I'm faced with this agonizing long waiting period where I must think about all of those gloriously long summer rides without actually being on them, where I'll wistfully gaze out my car windows at the roving packs of Spandex-clad weight weenies, legs shorn and arms taught, as they whir down along the Mississippi River...drafting, weaving, and dodging.
The bike that I just ordered is the same brand as my mountain bike - Ibex. I stand by this company 100%, as I've never been more pleased with a purchase. As someone who usually experiences a needlessly drawn-out consumer cycle of interest, research, obsession, discussion, more research, actual purchase, and (usually) ultimate dissatisfaction, I was concerned that going with a online-only, small, relatively unknown bike company was going to end in a return or quick resale. But it's a great mountain bike, and the company is dedicated to service, support, and providing some of the best value in the industry.
So, my new steed is an aluminum and carbon frame sub-20 lb racing bike (18.2 lbs, for those who care) with full Ultegra componentry...at about $700 to $1000 less than comparable models from other companies. Next year, we will witness a full carbon frame release from Ibex, and I'll probably swap out the frame then and go fully carbon.
I'm stoked, and can't say enough good things about Ibex. Check em out.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Skirting the Issue...
My good friend James just sent me the following pic from this past St. Patrick's Day, and it reminded of just how few real men there are in the world. Real men who wear skirts, that is.
Aside from the white chicken leg factor that inevitably creeps up in MN every winter, I am a huge fan of kilts. To be more specific, I'm a huge fan of Utilikilts. This Seattle company, which started in a warehouse just down the street from where I used to live in that city, prides itself on a trend-setting, bulletproof construction ethic for each and every kilt they make, and even offer a "tuxedo" model for those weekend weddings in the Scottish Highlands that we all are so often called upon to attend during the summer. No joke.
Nary a day went by in Seattle when I wouldn't walk down the street and see a Utilikilt-clad long-haired hipster riding a scooter....I was back recently, and it's only gotten better (or worse, depending upon your affinities for Celtic culture and/or tolerance for hipster silliness).
Probably the most endearing aspect of Utilikilts is their hyper-masculine marketing campaign and brand image - "Enjoy Your Freedom" they proudly command upon every sale. Think of how much over-compensating a kilt-clad gentleman has to embark upon with each new conversation with a woman in a bar.
And just remember what any good Scotsman worth his weight in haggis wears under his kilt!
Aside from the white chicken leg factor that inevitably creeps up in MN every winter, I am a huge fan of kilts. To be more specific, I'm a huge fan of Utilikilts. This Seattle company, which started in a warehouse just down the street from where I used to live in that city, prides itself on a trend-setting, bulletproof construction ethic for each and every kilt they make, and even offer a "tuxedo" model for those weekend weddings in the Scottish Highlands that we all are so often called upon to attend during the summer. No joke.
Nary a day went by in Seattle when I wouldn't walk down the street and see a Utilikilt-clad long-haired hipster riding a scooter....I was back recently, and it's only gotten better (or worse, depending upon your affinities for Celtic culture and/or tolerance for hipster silliness).
Probably the most endearing aspect of Utilikilts is their hyper-masculine marketing campaign and brand image - "Enjoy Your Freedom" they proudly command upon every sale. Think of how much over-compensating a kilt-clad gentleman has to embark upon with each new conversation with a woman in a bar.
And just remember what any good Scotsman worth his weight in haggis wears under his kilt!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Trail Love
One of the great joys, beauties, and agonies of mountain biking is the aquisition and exercise of trail love. This unique pleasure consists of "loving the trail" so much so that you want/need/desire/lust for contact with it. Significant contact. Usually at high speeds. Witness Exhibit A below from my ride yesterday at Lebanon Hills with Sergio.
Hurts so good.
And just for shits and giggles, here's a picture of my current mountain bike.
More exciting news on the bike front...possibly tomorrow. You just can't wait, can you?
Hurts so good.
And just for shits and giggles, here's a picture of my current mountain bike.
More exciting news on the bike front...possibly tomorrow. You just can't wait, can you?
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Get with the program...
OK...so this has been a pretty weak blog lately. Damn. 1 post in May? That's super weak.
So, lots to update on and tell about. More to come. Promise. Soon.
Until then, check this out. Beep beep.
So, lots to update on and tell about. More to come. Promise. Soon.
Until then, check this out. Beep beep.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
yotta yotta yotta
The new music service Yottamusic isn't so new...it's actually based on Rhapsody, so if you're a Rhapsody subscriber on a Mac (because Rhapsody hasn't gotten around to figuring anything out for Mac yet), check it. It's a lot better than the shitty web interface that Rhapsody currently provides....and it uses Ajax technology in some very cool ways.
...And, it's a Web 2.0 model for music sharing. So pimp what Face_Plant has been playing recently!
...And, it's a Web 2.0 model for music sharing. So pimp what Face_Plant has been playing recently!
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