Nothing beats jewelry for your woman’s birthday. She’ll likely react just like I did when Ryan gave me this gorgeous chromoly steel piece by a famous designer named SRAM. It’s a lightweight, durable, and highly-sought after design.
Check it out-
non-bike
How to repair a screen door
I’m smack in the middle of a week off of teaching, so I’ve been working on some home improvements- mainly the front porch. It was formerly a storage area, and I wanted to make it into a decent place to relax.
First, I had to fix both of my screen doors. The dogs had taken the liberty to convert them into doggie doors:
First, I pulled the trim off of the lower half of the door:
Next, I pulled the old screen off:
Then, I cut it off behind the middle trim piece and stapled the bottom of the old screen down:
I measured the hole and cut a piece to match:
I stapled the new screen on and replaced the trim, and VIOLA…
The dogs aren’t too happy, but I like it :)
Oh yeah, and I put some plants into a weird hanging thing on my porch:
Dog Shots
Took the kids in for their vaccinations today… They’re feeling kinda down now :(
NASA gets Owned by a 13 year old
Oh yeah, we forgot to carry the zero… thanks…
German Schoolboy Corrects NASA
EDIT: Nevermind… NASA says That kid doesn’t know what he’s talking about!
Univega Commuter Conversion, Part 1
Here’s my future vehicle so far:
I’m waiting on my new Kenda tires (Kwick Roller Sport), and I’m going to replace the old (too short, rusted) chain, add a water bottle holder, seat pack, and order a Delta supersherpa rack with a Detour Toocan pannier. Hopefully I’ll be ready to go about the time all the tree pollen clears up.
April 5th Ride photos
Some fun stuff from yesterday’s 78 mile ride-
While at the Shelby Forest General Store, we heard that the river was covering the boat ramp road in Shelby Forest State Park close by, so Ryan and I went to take a look:
I couldn’t resist riding my bike through the river:
Then, on the way back in to Germantown, we stopped by a gas station that had been boarded up. I had seen a really cool stencil there earlier, and wanted to get a couple of photos. If I find out who the artist is, I’ll be sure to give him/her credit:
Fed Up
I’m tired of watching the price of gas skyrocket while politicians & oil companies line their pockets. I’ve started hunting down parts to turn my old Univega MTB into a commuting bike! So far, I’ve ordered “Butterfly” trekking bars from Harris Cyclery and a stem with a 40 deg. rise. Tomorrow the order goes in for a set of Kenda Kwick Roller Sports (puncture-resistant slicks that will fit my MTB wheels). I plan to start by just using a backpack to carry necessary stuff around, but, if all goes well, will eventually get a rack & “luggage” for my bike. The goal is to only use my car under extenuating circumstances.
It is going to be tough in a city where it seems as if the size of your carbon footprint is an effing status symbol, but I’m sick of contributing.
Right now, it looks a little like this:
I’ll post more pictures as I keep working on it!
Eat at Green Bamboo
If you’re anywhere in the Memphis area, you have to try Green Bamboo Vietnamese Restaurant (on Hacks Cross just south of Hwy 385). I’ve had their house special soup as well as curry tofu w/mixed vegetables, and both were representative of the best Asian-style food I’ve ever had. Everything tastes home made! If you’ve tried curry before & thought that it tastes a lot like spicy dirt, then do yourself a favor and give it another chance here. Just writing this, my mouth is watering. Being cold and rainy out, I think I may go there instead of riding my bike this afternoon…
Memphians- Time to Celebrate!
For a long time now, Memphis has been known for its corrupt government officials. Overseeing it all has been Mayor (aka “King”) Willie Herenton. However, it’s recently been released that he’ll be resigning in 4 months! You can read the Fox 13 News article HERE.
Personally, I’m glad he’s leaving. Though I think it’s pretty lame of him to drag his Mayoral opponents through a heated election first. A decision like this isn’t something that one would make in a short period of time, right? I think that he knew he’d resign in the near future, but wanted to show off one more time that he could win an election. I’m sure Carol Chumney had one hell of a hot flash when she heard the news…
Snow!
It started snowing sometime yesterday afternoon. When I woke up this morning, this was the view from my front porch…
I think it’s because I got my bike built up to ultimate badass status.The most riding I’ll get to do today will be on the rollers :(