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!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Happy Birthday Twinkie Jiggles
Yo. Saw an awesome show by Heiruspecs last night at the Triple Rock Social Club. Proof this crew is still invigorating the St. Paul hip hop scene....am anxiously awaiting their next album. The T Rock is a pretty damn good venue for this group, and the fluidity - broadly construed - of the crowd made for a relaxed, chillz evening of fine wine and rhyme. And - to think - we all got to see Twinkie freestyle on his birthday, no less!
Here's a tasty-taste for those unawares of Felix and the gang:
Here's a tasty-taste for those unawares of Felix and the gang:
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Goofus...ness
Hello dear readers....
Apologies for my silence this week...just now got back from some time on the road, braving 110 degree heat, tornado warnings, lightening strikes, the cold driven rain, just plain lots of driving, and too damn many people on planes.
Here's something to tide you over until the next post, gladly supplied by my buddy Squonk. Notice his noodle:
Apologies for my silence this week...just now got back from some time on the road, braving 110 degree heat, tornado warnings, lightening strikes, the cold driven rain, just plain lots of driving, and too damn many people on planes.
Here's something to tide you over until the next post, gladly supplied by my buddy Squonk. Notice his noodle:
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Incipit
Ah....the first blog post.
What to say...what to say. Well, I'm not going to go into a lot of detail about myself, my likes, loves, dislikes, kinks, freaks, and foods...cause I'm sure all that will come out over the course of this thing. Which is good.
And I'm not going to say what this blog is going to be about....because that's kind of the point of creating it, right dear reader? I suppose vintage motorcycles, bluegrass, ultra trail running, underground/lyrical hiphop, cowboy culture, home brewing, Latin American boondoggles, Holy Land archaeology, Celtic reels, southern barbeque, northern and walleye fishing, mountain biking, Minnesota winters, California summers, open source software, single source rivers, desert flora ruminations, and some combination thereof will all find a place at somepoint. Or not. Which is also good.
So I guess I'll just start with something that's on my mind.
31 miles. Of running. On trails. In a day. I recently applied - and got entered - into The McKenzie River Trail Run. A gorgeous, meandering 50K race through southern Oregon - sounds about perfect to me. It's certainly the longest I'll have ever continuously run...assuming that a) my running will be continuous and b) the training alone doesn't kill me, and I thus forfeit any opportunity for continuity. So, dear reader, I suppose I'll be regailing you with stories and updates on my training program for this race throughout the summer.
I'm envisioning the race will be something like the following:
What to say...what to say. Well, I'm not going to go into a lot of detail about myself, my likes, loves, dislikes, kinks, freaks, and foods...cause I'm sure all that will come out over the course of this thing. Which is good.
And I'm not going to say what this blog is going to be about....because that's kind of the point of creating it, right dear reader? I suppose vintage motorcycles, bluegrass, ultra trail running, underground/lyrical hiphop, cowboy culture, home brewing, Latin American boondoggles, Holy Land archaeology, Celtic reels, southern barbeque, northern and walleye fishing, mountain biking, Minnesota winters, California summers, open source software, single source rivers, desert flora ruminations, and some combination thereof will all find a place at somepoint. Or not. Which is also good.
So I guess I'll just start with something that's on my mind.
31 miles. Of running. On trails. In a day. I recently applied - and got entered - into The McKenzie River Trail Run. A gorgeous, meandering 50K race through southern Oregon - sounds about perfect to me. It's certainly the longest I'll have ever continuously run...assuming that a) my running will be continuous and b) the training alone doesn't kill me, and I thus forfeit any opportunity for continuity. So, dear reader, I suppose I'll be regailing you with stories and updates on my training program for this race throughout the summer.
I'm envisioning the race will be something like the following:
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