Calzone
Gear Whore #1
More work on my bathroom cabinet. I bought an 8 foot length of clear pine which is enough to add three more shelves. I did find some brass hinges at Lowes that are heavier duty than the ones I bought from Home Depo.
The addition of new shelves required some disassembly to rework my legs to add the three additional shelves. Not so hard because I did one leg at a time. The cabinet took on a more complicated look and looks more substantial.
Anyways I feel I still have my “chops” from art school in being clever and being great in design. I have some pretty valuable skills and they are being displayed in the built in.
I think I will be building more built ins for the house. Built ins are part of the Craftsman tradition.
BTW this cabinet is getting heavy, and heavier.
Cal
The addition of new shelves required some disassembly to rework my legs to add the three additional shelves. Not so hard because I did one leg at a time. The cabinet took on a more complicated look and looks more substantial.
Anyways I feel I still have my “chops” from art school in being clever and being great in design. I have some pretty valuable skills and they are being displayed in the built in.
I think I will be building more built ins for the house. Built ins are part of the Craftsman tradition.
BTW this cabinet is getting heavy, and heavier.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yesterday I forgot to buy some more 1/4 inch sanded plywood. I only have a 24x48 inch sheet, but that I figured out today is all I need to fill in the dadoed slots I made in between the shelves in the legs.
A workaround is I will use solid panels for the bottom of the doors, so no more plywood will be required. Pretty much this project is a fly-by-wire job that is evolving and displaying my skills as a total improv. Nice to know I can have so much confidence.
An unintended consequence is now “Maggie” envisions more built-ins around the house, specifically in the dining room. This is all part of the arts and craft style, and pretty much is akin to restoring a 1912 Craftsman house to back in the day. Pretty much a work of passion, but also a lot of value added if we ever sold the house. Of course this would be to the right buyer who would be looking for a restored home that honors the past tradition.
Also things get elevated because the materials would be more costly oak instead of just clear pine. BTW Maggie was surprised how good I am as a craftsman and all the chops I have. I have a great set of hands because I have built things, many from scratch, all my life. Decades of accomplishment are evident, talent, and skill are highly developed.
I know given the time that these hands will eventually also do well on the guitar. I have a voice and a style already emerging.
Cal
A workaround is I will use solid panels for the bottom of the doors, so no more plywood will be required. Pretty much this project is a fly-by-wire job that is evolving and displaying my skills as a total improv. Nice to know I can have so much confidence.
An unintended consequence is now “Maggie” envisions more built-ins around the house, specifically in the dining room. This is all part of the arts and craft style, and pretty much is akin to restoring a 1912 Craftsman house to back in the day. Pretty much a work of passion, but also a lot of value added if we ever sold the house. Of course this would be to the right buyer who would be looking for a restored home that honors the past tradition.
Also things get elevated because the materials would be more costly oak instead of just clear pine. BTW Maggie was surprised how good I am as a craftsman and all the chops I have. I have a great set of hands because I have built things, many from scratch, all my life. Decades of accomplishment are evident, talent, and skill are highly developed.
I know given the time that these hands will eventually also do well on the guitar. I have a voice and a style already emerging.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I need to buy some more clear pine to build out the cabinet doors. I just happen to have in my basement a 3x3 foot square of gold anodized aluminum that has a clover cut-out to add as screening on the top half of the doors. Oddly this screening came with the house, so I’m recycling it.
This project is evolving at it’s own pace, and I find it relaxing as well as rewarding. Remind’s me of the days at Grumman and also the years of training in art school. Overall just imagine a total of more than two decades of playing and experimenting just to understand what kind of man I am and what I’m capable of doing with just my two hands.
!7 years at Grumman and a 4-year art degree, high technology and the fine arts, define my skill and craftsmanship. A high level and a high bar.
At Grumman I built prototypes, experimented, and had access to millions of dollars worth of equipment and logistic support of a Fortune 500 Company. In art school I had complete freedom. These experiences also enhance my thinking and placed no limits on what I could do.
Anyways a realization has emerged from the exercise of building a bathroom cabinet. I have a strong past to draw upon…
Cal
This project is evolving at it’s own pace, and I find it relaxing as well as rewarding. Remind’s me of the days at Grumman and also the years of training in art school. Overall just imagine a total of more than two decades of playing and experimenting just to understand what kind of man I am and what I’m capable of doing with just my two hands.
!7 years at Grumman and a 4-year art degree, high technology and the fine arts, define my skill and craftsmanship. A high level and a high bar.
At Grumman I built prototypes, experimented, and had access to millions of dollars worth of equipment and logistic support of a Fortune 500 Company. In art school I had complete freedom. These experiences also enhance my thinking and placed no limits on what I could do.
Anyways a realization has emerged from the exercise of building a bathroom cabinet. I have a strong past to draw upon…
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
My monster fixed gear “everywhere-bike” project is in motion. I’m using a Suntour Superbe Pro crankset as a lynchpin for the whole thing. I’ll be setting it up with 38/42 teeth. Rear hub will be a Suzue Promax SB fixed/fixed with a 17/21 Surly Dingle cog on one side and whatever cog I want on the other side. The dropouts on my project frame are Suntour Superbe 30mm which will allow me enough room to run the 42 tooth chainring with any cog between 13 - 19 teeth, and I can switch to the 38 tooth granny to run 21 - 23 teeth. This will set me up to have a gear spread from 87.2 - 44.6GI. Front hub will be a NOS Shimano XT M730 that I have been holding for a while. I may use DiaCompe centerpull caliperssince I love their reach and I also have maybe 4 whole sets in various conditions. I’ll need to find some brake levers, as I want to go with aero levers, instead of the older non-aero GrandCompes I have rattling around a box. Not sure what I’ll do for rims, but I do like the lightweight Sun ME13II that are on my Clubman.
Phil
Phil
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Because of the mild stenosis in my neck, the Clubman is going upright. Not too much, but if I don't change the bar to an upright club bar, the bike will only be a wall hanger. I rode it for a couple days and the seat-bar drop is too much for my neck. My injury from Iraq simply isn't allowing me to really tuck in, especially in the drops (I laugh that I have the stereotypical "war wound" that is a trope in comic media.) As an upright, it may go back to being a freewheel bike full-time since the upright position is not conducive to riding fixed.
As for fixed-gear, the project is really moving forward. I had thought that I had a 32 hole XT M730 front hub but it was a 36, and I don't want to run 36 front, 32 rear, as the rear hub is a 32 hole. That said, I found an inexpensive Suntour Superbe Pro front hub, laced once, in excellent condition, which is on its way. So that hub matching my crankset now has me thinking that I'll make the whole bike a Superbe Pro monster fixed gear. I may put the Miyata 610 up in mothball and start to scavenge unique parts for the monster, as my crankset needs a Suntour JIS bottom bracket, which I happen to have sitting in the Miyata. My intention was/is to move all the Superbe over from the 610 to a "new" (to me) 912 which will be a faithful early 80's racing build. If I rob the bottom bracket from the 610 for the "monster," I'll be looking for another one down the road.
Last week I commuted to/from work on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Thursday evening I got a sore throat, which I thought was from riding through a cloud of construction dust a few blocks down from our house. I've been sick since then. Heavy duty sinus issue, not much coughing, which is good. Three covid tests show that I'm negative, but I've heard this latest strain has not shown up on many home tests. I'm just treating the symptoms with sudafed and tylenol, lots of hydration as well.
It's really fall now and once again, my bicycling desires are through the roof. I watched a few clips from "Slaying the Badger" as well as the beginning of a racing documentary yesterday while I was laid out on the couch and it has me wanting to get back into racing. Perhaps next season, if I can build up enough strength and endurance. My three days of commuting didn't leave me exhausted, in spite of my developing illness, so I'm definitely getting stronger. The "Monster" fixed gear is going to push against me really hard and if I can hack it, I'll be quite strong in short order.
Phil
As for fixed-gear, the project is really moving forward. I had thought that I had a 32 hole XT M730 front hub but it was a 36, and I don't want to run 36 front, 32 rear, as the rear hub is a 32 hole. That said, I found an inexpensive Suntour Superbe Pro front hub, laced once, in excellent condition, which is on its way. So that hub matching my crankset now has me thinking that I'll make the whole bike a Superbe Pro monster fixed gear. I may put the Miyata 610 up in mothball and start to scavenge unique parts for the monster, as my crankset needs a Suntour JIS bottom bracket, which I happen to have sitting in the Miyata. My intention was/is to move all the Superbe over from the 610 to a "new" (to me) 912 which will be a faithful early 80's racing build. If I rob the bottom bracket from the 610 for the "monster," I'll be looking for another one down the road.
Last week I commuted to/from work on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Thursday evening I got a sore throat, which I thought was from riding through a cloud of construction dust a few blocks down from our house. I've been sick since then. Heavy duty sinus issue, not much coughing, which is good. Three covid tests show that I'm negative, but I've heard this latest strain has not shown up on many home tests. I'm just treating the symptoms with sudafed and tylenol, lots of hydration as well.
It's really fall now and once again, my bicycling desires are through the roof. I watched a few clips from "Slaying the Badger" as well as the beginning of a racing documentary yesterday while I was laid out on the couch and it has me wanting to get back into racing. Perhaps next season, if I can build up enough strength and endurance. My three days of commuting didn't leave me exhausted, in spite of my developing illness, so I'm definitely getting stronger. The "Monster" fixed gear is going to push against me really hard and if I can hack it, I'll be quite strong in short order.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
I have had “Grandson-Disease” which is this congestion that is thick and rubbery. Every morning for the past two weeks I have blown out green chunks of rubber from my nose. The past 5 days is less and less, but I still emit green rubber.
I too took a Covid test, and it is negative. Anyways this sinus infection is durable and lasts a while.
I love the idea of your Monster single speed. Things evolve over time…
Cal
I have had “Grandson-Disease” which is this congestion that is thick and rubbery. Every morning for the past two weeks I have blown out green chunks of rubber from my nose. The past 5 days is less and less, but I still emit green rubber.
I too took a Covid test, and it is negative. Anyways this sinus infection is durable and lasts a while.
I love the idea of your Monster single speed. Things evolve over time…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Been in Vermont the past 3 days in Brattleboro for a Literary Festival. Pretty inspiring and it makes me wonder if I want to purse my writing again. I seem to be mostly drawn to the non-fiction memoirists and the poets. I think the poets because of the performative nature of the work.
So a woman approached me and asked me if my name is Calvin, and I was known through “Maggie’s” social media. Ended up being someone on the selection board of the Literary Festival and Maggie will be presenting and be one of the featured writers in the 2024 Brattleboro Literary Festival.
Brattleboro is an small city of only 12K set right along the Connecticut River. Know that Peekskill is a small city on the Hudson River with a population of 25K.
On our way there we passed through Bennington and I would later learn that Covid and the Pandemic killed the tourism and hospitality industries in Vermont. Brattleboro did alright, but Bennington lost many small businesses.
Between Bennington and Marlboro is Route 7 and a descent that is perhaps 5-6 miles. Pretty easy to imagine doing terminal velocity on a road bike of about 50 MPH, but the problem would be to modulate speed and not loose control.
Snarky Joe told me a story where on a ride his rim got so hot and overheated from braking that basically the rim lost its structural integrity and folded. Ouch… I imagine this descent from Bennington to Marlboro killing a set of wheels in such a manner.
Anyways an intense but relaxing three days. The Audi got 31 MPG with the addition of my Fuel Injector Cleaner that also is an octane booster. Of course I only use high test to begin with. This was spirited high speed driving in mountains and lots of congestion both ways.
A year from now we will have to return to Brattleboro.
So now I’m back. The grandson is still ill, and we might have to take home to the doctor tomorrow. This kid is growing fast.
Cal
So a woman approached me and asked me if my name is Calvin, and I was known through “Maggie’s” social media. Ended up being someone on the selection board of the Literary Festival and Maggie will be presenting and be one of the featured writers in the 2024 Brattleboro Literary Festival.
Brattleboro is an small city of only 12K set right along the Connecticut River. Know that Peekskill is a small city on the Hudson River with a population of 25K.
On our way there we passed through Bennington and I would later learn that Covid and the Pandemic killed the tourism and hospitality industries in Vermont. Brattleboro did alright, but Bennington lost many small businesses.
Between Bennington and Marlboro is Route 7 and a descent that is perhaps 5-6 miles. Pretty easy to imagine doing terminal velocity on a road bike of about 50 MPH, but the problem would be to modulate speed and not loose control.
Snarky Joe told me a story where on a ride his rim got so hot and overheated from braking that basically the rim lost its structural integrity and folded. Ouch… I imagine this descent from Bennington to Marlboro killing a set of wheels in such a manner.
Anyways an intense but relaxing three days. The Audi got 31 MPG with the addition of my Fuel Injector Cleaner that also is an octane booster. Of course I only use high test to begin with. This was spirited high speed driving in mountains and lots of congestion both ways.
A year from now we will have to return to Brattleboro.
So now I’m back. The grandson is still ill, and we might have to take home to the doctor tomorrow. This kid is growing fast.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Still have some remnants of green rubbery snot this morning, but every day is less. This sinus virus lingers, and the only thing I can do is rest more. Been sleeping more…
After the readings from the Literary Festival I am kinda reframing my retirement into a “coming of age” story that is kind of a work in progress. Again I compare this time to be like back in high school and I wondered what I might do for the next 4 decades.
I know I have had a disrupted life, I had to escape poverty, and I put off living the life I wanted to really live… In a ways retirement is a rebirth or second chance. There is a difference though that today’s journey seems less fraught, but also at the same time loaded with more surprise.
I wonder if I decide to get serious with my writing again. I see from what “Maggie” is experiencing that being a writer and putting your work out there has its burdens and shoulders responsibilities. Not sure if being “public” is of any benefit. Expressing myself pretty much is all I want to do, and I don’t need an audience or any approvals.
I want to keep my life and especially my art uncomplicated. After decades of struggle in the arts, I have no need for complications, and I can have great satisfaction of keeping to myself.
The point is I want to be happy and not frustrated.
Cal
After the readings from the Literary Festival I am kinda reframing my retirement into a “coming of age” story that is kind of a work in progress. Again I compare this time to be like back in high school and I wondered what I might do for the next 4 decades.
I know I have had a disrupted life, I had to escape poverty, and I put off living the life I wanted to really live… In a ways retirement is a rebirth or second chance. There is a difference though that today’s journey seems less fraught, but also at the same time loaded with more surprise.
I wonder if I decide to get serious with my writing again. I see from what “Maggie” is experiencing that being a writer and putting your work out there has its burdens and shoulders responsibilities. Not sure if being “public” is of any benefit. Expressing myself pretty much is all I want to do, and I don’t need an audience or any approvals.
I want to keep my life and especially my art uncomplicated. After decades of struggle in the arts, I have no need for complications, and I can have great satisfaction of keeping to myself.
The point is I want to be happy and not frustrated.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Took the grandson to the doctor. Seems that illness will be a regular two week cycle at this stage of daycare and 13 months of age. Oh-well.
Anyways daycare still will continue for us when he gets sick.
Looking into humidifiers so I can use the mini-splits for heating. The problem is that the mini-splits dry the air which is great in the summer, but not good in the winter. Know that my digital printing requires 50% humidity, and also my acoustic guitars like 50% humidity.
Besides that now that I’m old I suffer from chronic dry skin.
Looks like the Dyson air purifier/humidifier might be my choice.
I was looking into evaporative humidifiers, but I’m put off by the possible noise level.
I have some Bono Swiss humidifiers that I used in my Madhattan apartment. They were ultrasonic humidifiers, but required mucho maintenance, used expensive filters, and left mineral deposits on the floor and countertops.
At the end of the Cold War, when I got laid off from Grumman, I was given a personality test that was part of a retraining program for defense workers. Pretty much the takeaway and first/best profession for me to pursue was musician, next artist, and then writer. The worst job for me was a Corrections Officer.
No surprises, but here I am again. I have three choices, but understand for me all three creative endeavors for me are all kinda performative. Even my writing has a performative nature and is best presented not on a page, but read aloud. Know that I have an announcer’s voice.
Devil Christian also notes that the way I shoot, mostly with a 28 mm kinda close (about 2 steps away from my subject) is kinda performative. I guess I am somewhat animated, yet personable enough to kinda approach total strangers the way I do. Then there are the crazies who seem to migrate towards me…
Anyways not sure where all this is going. Just wondering… With photography I could just dig into just printing negatives, and disregard shooting. Interesting dilemmas.
I guess I have a messy life.
Looking forward to the fall leaf roundup to use for more clean fill. A lot of native brush reclaimed a good amount of my slope in my back-backyard. The terraces are becoming pronounced and a cliff is forming.
Cal
Anyways daycare still will continue for us when he gets sick.
Looking into humidifiers so I can use the mini-splits for heating. The problem is that the mini-splits dry the air which is great in the summer, but not good in the winter. Know that my digital printing requires 50% humidity, and also my acoustic guitars like 50% humidity.
Besides that now that I’m old I suffer from chronic dry skin.
Looks like the Dyson air purifier/humidifier might be my choice.
I was looking into evaporative humidifiers, but I’m put off by the possible noise level.
I have some Bono Swiss humidifiers that I used in my Madhattan apartment. They were ultrasonic humidifiers, but required mucho maintenance, used expensive filters, and left mineral deposits on the floor and countertops.
At the end of the Cold War, when I got laid off from Grumman, I was given a personality test that was part of a retraining program for defense workers. Pretty much the takeaway and first/best profession for me to pursue was musician, next artist, and then writer. The worst job for me was a Corrections Officer.
No surprises, but here I am again. I have three choices, but understand for me all three creative endeavors for me are all kinda performative. Even my writing has a performative nature and is best presented not on a page, but read aloud. Know that I have an announcer’s voice.
Devil Christian also notes that the way I shoot, mostly with a 28 mm kinda close (about 2 steps away from my subject) is kinda performative. I guess I am somewhat animated, yet personable enough to kinda approach total strangers the way I do. Then there are the crazies who seem to migrate towards me…
Anyways not sure where all this is going. Just wondering… With photography I could just dig into just printing negatives, and disregard shooting. Interesting dilemmas.
I guess I have a messy life.
Looking forward to the fall leaf roundup to use for more clean fill. A lot of native brush reclaimed a good amount of my slope in my back-backyard. The terraces are becoming pronounced and a cliff is forming.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Went to the VAMC urgent care clinic today and the verdict is I have a bad viral sinus infection as well as developing bronchitis. The doc said this illness takes about two weeks from what he's seen. I may be taking tomorrow off work because I can't be coughing, sneezing, and blowing my nose like this in a geriatric medical facility. We'll see in the morning.
The "Monster" is still a progression of parts. The frameset is enroute and will arrive at the LBS this week. It's another case of one of those that goes overlooked at a non-profit co-op and sold almost for the weight of the metal. I don't know what it specifically is, but it could have been the top-of-the-line racing frame from Raleigh, though more likely, one step down, which is what I'm hoping for. The "lower end" bike will have longer chainstays and more wheel adjustability for gear changes. Depending upon how tight it is, I may have to run a 26mm tire, though I'm hoping for a 28mm, with a 32 in the front. Front rim will be the same as on the Clubman, a polished Sun ME13II. I've not decided on the rear rim yet, but I will probably be going with a Velo Orange Enterprise, polished with a really high brake track to allow for greater brake pad leeway when "shifting gears." I can't do much more until the frameset is here as I'll need to get on the bike to determine stem length and handlebar reach.
I will admit to splurging when I saw a sale posted on bike forums in the fixed gear subforum... Adidas Velosambas were on sale direct from Adidas, for $34 a pair (list price is $100 more) so I jumped on that and bought two pairs. They arrived today and they are awesome. The toe box is pointed like old Italian cycling shoes, with a little room, but they still fit snug and should slide in a set of Shimano 600 pedals with clips and straps perfectly. The super low price is gone, but I see they are still listed for 60% off and available in all colors and most sizes. Between those and the two 2FO pairs I have, I'm set for shoes for quite a while. I love inexpensive. These were cheaper than a used set of Diadoras!
I can't wait to get healthy and back on the road. I want to be able to take on the Manayunk Wall on a fixed gear.
Phil
The "Monster" is still a progression of parts. The frameset is enroute and will arrive at the LBS this week. It's another case of one of those that goes overlooked at a non-profit co-op and sold almost for the weight of the metal. I don't know what it specifically is, but it could have been the top-of-the-line racing frame from Raleigh, though more likely, one step down, which is what I'm hoping for. The "lower end" bike will have longer chainstays and more wheel adjustability for gear changes. Depending upon how tight it is, I may have to run a 26mm tire, though I'm hoping for a 28mm, with a 32 in the front. Front rim will be the same as on the Clubman, a polished Sun ME13II. I've not decided on the rear rim yet, but I will probably be going with a Velo Orange Enterprise, polished with a really high brake track to allow for greater brake pad leeway when "shifting gears." I can't do much more until the frameset is here as I'll need to get on the bike to determine stem length and handlebar reach.
I will admit to splurging when I saw a sale posted on bike forums in the fixed gear subforum... Adidas Velosambas were on sale direct from Adidas, for $34 a pair (list price is $100 more) so I jumped on that and bought two pairs. They arrived today and they are awesome. The toe box is pointed like old Italian cycling shoes, with a little room, but they still fit snug and should slide in a set of Shimano 600 pedals with clips and straps perfectly. The super low price is gone, but I see they are still listed for 60% off and available in all colors and most sizes. Between those and the two 2FO pairs I have, I'm set for shoes for quite a while. I love inexpensive. These were cheaper than a used set of Diadoras!
I can't wait to get healthy and back on the road. I want to be able to take on the Manayunk Wall on a fixed gear.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Likely we have the same virus. The episodes of rubbery snot has subsided, but I still have a cough. I likely caught this from my grandson. I have been sick for about 2 weeks. Hang in there.
I kinda stopped buying/collecting cheap shoes. Pretty much only because I have a 50 gallon tub filled with sneakers and shoes I bought not only on close out, but also utilizing coupons. Saving money allows splurging later. “Money has to come from somewhere,” I say.
Recently though I did buy a pair of lightweight boots that are waterproof that were in a basement close out sale in Brattleboro Vermont. No sales tax either on footwear.
BTW I like you love Diadoras. Currently I own none.
The grandson had a rough night and his mom will take off from work to nurture him. Time to hit Lowes for more lumber and Trader Joe’s for some food. Might mow the lawn just as maintenance and to clean things up. Might be a good time to prune back some brush and add it to the mulching I’m doing on my slope to build out teraces.
I think I might buy some wood to form some raised beds as another addition to my terracing in the back-backyard slope. Things are getting very cliff like and some additional structure would be appropriate to stabilize things. Don’t forget I have all that cedar fencing remnants I rescued from going into a landfill.
I also have to move some logs I have stockpiled. Some of them are rather long and large, and now might be a good time to move them into a better place. I expect with my fall leaf collecting that the chain link fence set at the base of my slope will get hidden entirely. Don’t tell the Peekskill building department: the fence I relocated without a permit. Oh-well. Soon the fence will be invisible…
It seems my anti-social behavior makes me want to not pursue writing. Pretty much “Maggie” has to exploit and maintain Social Media, and to me that is a crazy lifestyle that is not for me. I enjoy my solitude, and pretty much I want the final say in my endeavors involving my creativity. The only person I need to please is myself.
Certainly this attitude annoys people though. Countless people take it upon themselves to say I need to get a gallery, or I need to get my work out there. What do they know? Pleasing the public is fraught, and to me less rewarding than pleasing myself. I do not wish fame on anyone. To me it is a curse and a complication.
So after some entertaining though I realize that writing more or less at this point is a dead end for me. Oh-well.
Also guitar and photography with biking pretty much is all I need to have enough struggle and challenge to feel alive. Pretty much I have all or enough gear to move forward.
Most of all I want to live a simple life in peace. Eventually the Baby-Victorian when built out with studio spaces for me will be a bunker of sorts where I will be safe and insulated from the complications of the world.
A single speed bike surely is a fitness tool to developing and maintaining strength. I think Phil is wise in opening up and heading in that direction. In my past we (Iron Mike and I) would transfere from mountain biking to road riding: one was for strength; and the other for aerobic fitness. This really rounded us out. I would consider that during that time and the years of alternating that we were “ultra-fit.” We were real athletes because our lives revolved around a biking lifestyle.
In other words we lived to bike, and our lives were centered around biking.
Cal
Likely we have the same virus. The episodes of rubbery snot has subsided, but I still have a cough. I likely caught this from my grandson. I have been sick for about 2 weeks. Hang in there.
I kinda stopped buying/collecting cheap shoes. Pretty much only because I have a 50 gallon tub filled with sneakers and shoes I bought not only on close out, but also utilizing coupons. Saving money allows splurging later. “Money has to come from somewhere,” I say.
Recently though I did buy a pair of lightweight boots that are waterproof that were in a basement close out sale in Brattleboro Vermont. No sales tax either on footwear.
BTW I like you love Diadoras. Currently I own none.
The grandson had a rough night and his mom will take off from work to nurture him. Time to hit Lowes for more lumber and Trader Joe’s for some food. Might mow the lawn just as maintenance and to clean things up. Might be a good time to prune back some brush and add it to the mulching I’m doing on my slope to build out teraces.
I think I might buy some wood to form some raised beds as another addition to my terracing in the back-backyard slope. Things are getting very cliff like and some additional structure would be appropriate to stabilize things. Don’t forget I have all that cedar fencing remnants I rescued from going into a landfill.
I also have to move some logs I have stockpiled. Some of them are rather long and large, and now might be a good time to move them into a better place. I expect with my fall leaf collecting that the chain link fence set at the base of my slope will get hidden entirely. Don’t tell the Peekskill building department: the fence I relocated without a permit. Oh-well. Soon the fence will be invisible…
It seems my anti-social behavior makes me want to not pursue writing. Pretty much “Maggie” has to exploit and maintain Social Media, and to me that is a crazy lifestyle that is not for me. I enjoy my solitude, and pretty much I want the final say in my endeavors involving my creativity. The only person I need to please is myself.
Certainly this attitude annoys people though. Countless people take it upon themselves to say I need to get a gallery, or I need to get my work out there. What do they know? Pleasing the public is fraught, and to me less rewarding than pleasing myself. I do not wish fame on anyone. To me it is a curse and a complication.
So after some entertaining though I realize that writing more or less at this point is a dead end for me. Oh-well.
Also guitar and photography with biking pretty much is all I need to have enough struggle and challenge to feel alive. Pretty much I have all or enough gear to move forward.
Most of all I want to live a simple life in peace. Eventually the Baby-Victorian when built out with studio spaces for me will be a bunker of sorts where I will be safe and insulated from the complications of the world.
A single speed bike surely is a fitness tool to developing and maintaining strength. I think Phil is wise in opening up and heading in that direction. In my past we (Iron Mike and I) would transfere from mountain biking to road riding: one was for strength; and the other for aerobic fitness. This really rounded us out. I would consider that during that time and the years of alternating that we were “ultra-fit.” We were real athletes because our lives revolved around a biking lifestyle.
In other words we lived to bike, and our lives were centered around biking.
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I got the all clear yesterday from my colon exam. I had 3 polyps, but all benign.
Next exam in three years. Pretty much I should have had my first exam 5 years ago. It takes a concerted effort to stay on top of all the screenings and medical maintenance required as one ages. I wonder how much did the general population just let things go and fell behind as far as their medical maintenance and screenings.
In a ways it is like being unemployed or laid off, where you never-ever recover the lost wages, you fall behind, and never recover.
I suspect that Covid and Pandemic related deaths will be far more than reported due to this fall behind that I am reporting. It has taken years for “Maggie” and I to catch up, and I see that most or many will be compelled to just move forward without the preventative medicine.
I don’t think the general population has the required time to catch up, nor the resources. It has not been easy to catch up, there seems to be also a backup of demand. Booking an exam was months in advance made during the summer.
My next colon exam is in three years.
When we go shopping I see what other people buy. Pretty much mostly processed foods that are on sale. Most people or families do not eat raw, fresh or unprocessed like we do. The products we buy are not sale items, and the way we eat is not inexpensive. Pretty much we make home cooked meals. I am the cook.
Again many or most families I observe don’t have the time or money to do what we do. I find this sad, and I recognize our privilege.
The same goes for having the time to exercise, rest, and stay fit.
Cal
Next exam in three years. Pretty much I should have had my first exam 5 years ago. It takes a concerted effort to stay on top of all the screenings and medical maintenance required as one ages. I wonder how much did the general population just let things go and fell behind as far as their medical maintenance and screenings.
In a ways it is like being unemployed or laid off, where you never-ever recover the lost wages, you fall behind, and never recover.
I suspect that Covid and Pandemic related deaths will be far more than reported due to this fall behind that I am reporting. It has taken years for “Maggie” and I to catch up, and I see that most or many will be compelled to just move forward without the preventative medicine.
I don’t think the general population has the required time to catch up, nor the resources. It has not been easy to catch up, there seems to be also a backup of demand. Booking an exam was months in advance made during the summer.
My next colon exam is in three years.
When we go shopping I see what other people buy. Pretty much mostly processed foods that are on sale. Most people or families do not eat raw, fresh or unprocessed like we do. The products we buy are not sale items, and the way we eat is not inexpensive. Pretty much we make home cooked meals. I am the cook.
Again many or most families I observe don’t have the time or money to do what we do. I find this sad, and I recognize our privilege.
The same goes for having the time to exercise, rest, and stay fit.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
After running errands I decided that the cabinet assembly is best gel stained outdoors. Took a good part of the afternoon to build up the first coat after sanding.
The unit is looking good, I figure the doors will be built next, and installed with the cabinet in the bathroom. I also know that I have to disassemble to top to be able to fit the cabinet through the bathroom door.
This cabinet is kinda narrow and tall so I will have to screw it to the wall to avoid tipping. My design uses the actual wall to be the rear of the cabinet. I’ll have to remove the base molding and notch it out for the rear legs. This cabinet nests in a recessed space by the bathroom entrance, and will look very well integrated into the bathroom’s design.
A couple more thin coats and then I can install the cabinet without the doors. Kinda looks like book shelving at this point without the doors.
Right now the cabinet rests on saw horses in my driveway. No rain expected til Friday, and the get stain has to take it’s set. Pretty much it is a translucent see through stain that lays on the surface. I have to build up several layers that adds depth.
I also ordered a Dyson air purifier/humidifier. Should be delivered by Friday. I’m hoping this helps with my dry skin, and extends the usage of the mini-splits to save on energy costs.
I did do some pruning of my feral “forest” growing on the slope. From my mulching somehow Morning Glories have spread into a tangle of ground cover. Of course this chokes out the Knotweed. I also cut down what Craig identified as Poke Weed which kinda grows into a tree sized plant that dies off every year. It has bluish berries and grows to 6-7 feet tall in a season.
I expect that a lot of this growth will extend downslope where it will do mucho good in choking out any Knotweed that remains. I kinda cleared the slope so it will be EZ-PZ to dump my leaf harvest. Right now I have a lot of brush to keep the leaves afloat to create a thicker barrier for any Knotweed that remains.
Anyways I’m pleased with today’s progress on the Baby-Victorian.
Cal
The unit is looking good, I figure the doors will be built next, and installed with the cabinet in the bathroom. I also know that I have to disassemble to top to be able to fit the cabinet through the bathroom door.
This cabinet is kinda narrow and tall so I will have to screw it to the wall to avoid tipping. My design uses the actual wall to be the rear of the cabinet. I’ll have to remove the base molding and notch it out for the rear legs. This cabinet nests in a recessed space by the bathroom entrance, and will look very well integrated into the bathroom’s design.
A couple more thin coats and then I can install the cabinet without the doors. Kinda looks like book shelving at this point without the doors.
Right now the cabinet rests on saw horses in my driveway. No rain expected til Friday, and the get stain has to take it’s set. Pretty much it is a translucent see through stain that lays on the surface. I have to build up several layers that adds depth.
I also ordered a Dyson air purifier/humidifier. Should be delivered by Friday. I’m hoping this helps with my dry skin, and extends the usage of the mini-splits to save on energy costs.
I did do some pruning of my feral “forest” growing on the slope. From my mulching somehow Morning Glories have spread into a tangle of ground cover. Of course this chokes out the Knotweed. I also cut down what Craig identified as Poke Weed which kinda grows into a tree sized plant that dies off every year. It has bluish berries and grows to 6-7 feet tall in a season.
I expect that a lot of this growth will extend downslope where it will do mucho good in choking out any Knotweed that remains. I kinda cleared the slope so it will be EZ-PZ to dump my leaf harvest. Right now I have a lot of brush to keep the leaves afloat to create a thicker barrier for any Knotweed that remains.
Anyways I’m pleased with today’s progress on the Baby-Victorian.
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Feeling almost 100%. A slight nasal drip, but no green. My throat seems to not be inflamed.
Not sure if we have daycare today for the exhausted mom as well as the grandson.
Let’s see if I can complete my staining and move forward.
I need to order some bottom bracket bearings and a 1 1/8 headset to move forward with my single speed.
I figure using my single speed and doing two of my local loops of rolling hills is a powerful and efficient workout. Nice thing is that the loop is so close to my Baby-Victorian.
Cal
Not sure if we have daycare today for the exhausted mom as well as the grandson.
Let’s see if I can complete my staining and move forward.
I need to order some bottom bracket bearings and a 1 1/8 headset to move forward with my single speed.
I figure using my single speed and doing two of my local loops of rolling hills is a powerful and efficient workout. Nice thing is that the loop is so close to my Baby-Victorian.
Cal
Last edited:
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Had my couple of morning coughing fits and pumped out a ton of goop from my sinuses, and I might be ok today. I had the crazy notion of riding to work this morning, but that just wasn’t happening. I think I might be able to tomorrow, we’ll see.
As the “Monster” fixed gear is probably going to become my commuter bike, I’m thinking of building a front wheel with an SP dynohub. It’s getting darker earlier now and I’ll soon be commuting to and from work on the dark, so lighting is really key. Cool thing is that I already have the lights and technically, I have a hub, but I would need to strip it from a built wheel in the Univega. That bike may change in a big way as I built it to be a heavy duty touring bike, but it became a heavy commuting bike. What I want to do eventually is to put a drop bar on and utilize the DuraAce 8 speed shifter/brake levers (thanks Cal!) Perhaps that could be another winter project.
Call me insane but I’m seriously considering re-entering the race circuit with a bike that uses downtube shifters. On the Miyata 912, I refuse to go past 7 speed freewheel or cassette in the rear, and the front will most likely be a Suntour Superbe with 52/42 rings. My thought is that riders abandoned downtube shifters for the convenience and near instant gear transition in order to maintain cadence. There may be a second or two time advantage in a gear shift on an uphill, but if I’m commuting and training on a fixed gear, this will widen my effective cadence and I’ll still be able to hack a climb. This is what I did back when I was on the Temple team, always training on an ancient throwback with downtube shifters, saving my racing bike for racing. These days I don't have access like I used to, nor any sponsorship support, so I can just ride to participate. It’s cycling; it’s fun, not work. It may be torture, but it’s all self-imposed, so maybe competitive cyclists are inherently masochists. Anyway, those are my musings for next spring.
Phil
As the “Monster” fixed gear is probably going to become my commuter bike, I’m thinking of building a front wheel with an SP dynohub. It’s getting darker earlier now and I’ll soon be commuting to and from work on the dark, so lighting is really key. Cool thing is that I already have the lights and technically, I have a hub, but I would need to strip it from a built wheel in the Univega. That bike may change in a big way as I built it to be a heavy duty touring bike, but it became a heavy commuting bike. What I want to do eventually is to put a drop bar on and utilize the DuraAce 8 speed shifter/brake levers (thanks Cal!) Perhaps that could be another winter project.
Call me insane but I’m seriously considering re-entering the race circuit with a bike that uses downtube shifters. On the Miyata 912, I refuse to go past 7 speed freewheel or cassette in the rear, and the front will most likely be a Suntour Superbe with 52/42 rings. My thought is that riders abandoned downtube shifters for the convenience and near instant gear transition in order to maintain cadence. There may be a second or two time advantage in a gear shift on an uphill, but if I’m commuting and training on a fixed gear, this will widen my effective cadence and I’ll still be able to hack a climb. This is what I did back when I was on the Temple team, always training on an ancient throwback with downtube shifters, saving my racing bike for racing. These days I don't have access like I used to, nor any sponsorship support, so I can just ride to participate. It’s cycling; it’s fun, not work. It may be torture, but it’s all self-imposed, so maybe competitive cyclists are inherently masochists. Anyway, those are my musings for next spring.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Anyone that does bicycle racing knows anaerobic threshold where you kinda are choking yourself and not getting enough oxygen. Any serious competitor also developes a high threshold of pain/discomfort. Anyways this is part of our conditioning.
I was a smoker for 15 years. I quit at the age of 32, and cycling helped me do it. At Grumman and at the National Labs I had my lung capacity tested as part of Radiation Safety. My lung capacity is only average, but I have a biker’s build with a high strength to weight ratio. This makes me exceed in intervals and rolling hills.
I think you will find that strength is a physical crutch that allows you bursts of speed, but not in a sustainable manner. Also know that muscle mass is where glycogen is stored, and this is a finite amount of stored energy that can feed those fast twitch muscles.
I have found that my upper body strength to be an asset because of added glycogen storage capacity.
My cadence is not so high, I tend to push big gears and stretch chains, but everyone is different. You seem to be gifted with a very high VO2 max. Don’t throw that away.
To really exploit strength one needs to know how to exploit it as an advantage. Ideally one needs both strength and aerobic capacity. Surely utilizing strength for climbing can have advantages. Staying on top of a gear being major huge because acceleration uses lots of energy.
The bike commute could be utilized as a personal “time-trial.” Pretty much you against a clock. This is a great opportunity to see and learn how to best harness your power. In my case I have my training loop. The hills where I live tell me I am not as strong as I need to be. LOL.
A second loop is basically an aerobic workout, but my first loop is for strength where I try to go as fast as I can, and I attack the hills. Pretty efficient.
Cal
Anyone that does bicycle racing knows anaerobic threshold where you kinda are choking yourself and not getting enough oxygen. Any serious competitor also developes a high threshold of pain/discomfort. Anyways this is part of our conditioning.
I was a smoker for 15 years. I quit at the age of 32, and cycling helped me do it. At Grumman and at the National Labs I had my lung capacity tested as part of Radiation Safety. My lung capacity is only average, but I have a biker’s build with a high strength to weight ratio. This makes me exceed in intervals and rolling hills.
I think you will find that strength is a physical crutch that allows you bursts of speed, but not in a sustainable manner. Also know that muscle mass is where glycogen is stored, and this is a finite amount of stored energy that can feed those fast twitch muscles.
I have found that my upper body strength to be an asset because of added glycogen storage capacity.
My cadence is not so high, I tend to push big gears and stretch chains, but everyone is different. You seem to be gifted with a very high VO2 max. Don’t throw that away.
To really exploit strength one needs to know how to exploit it as an advantage. Ideally one needs both strength and aerobic capacity. Surely utilizing strength for climbing can have advantages. Staying on top of a gear being major huge because acceleration uses lots of energy.
The bike commute could be utilized as a personal “time-trial.” Pretty much you against a clock. This is a great opportunity to see and learn how to best harness your power. In my case I have my training loop. The hills where I live tell me I am not as strong as I need to be. LOL.
A second loop is basically an aerobic workout, but my first loop is for strength where I try to go as fast as I can, and I attack the hills. Pretty efficient.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Cal,
My commute to work is 11.3 miles and my average speed is just under 14mph, if I’m not really pushing it. Interestingly, the one time I rode to work (during vacation, so I don’t actually go in) on the fixed gear clubman, I thought I was taking my time, but I arrived with the same interval as on the 2x6 Miyata that I usually ride. I was loosely timing with my cell phone, since I don’t have a computer set up to that bike, but my time almost exactly matched from home to ‘round the corner from my facility.
At 11 miles, I get in a pretty good workout but nothing really sustained like 60 miles will do to build endurance. I used to be able to do the Schuylkill loop as if it were a 9 mile sprint. I had a much higher output and 60 mile endurance. I can’t measure myself against my 2009 fitness but I can work towards it. Anyway, on my 11 mile commute, the first 8 miles is a warmup; I have a small uphill into the UPenn campus, then about 13 blocks all downhill on Spruce, across the Schuylkill and onto the path. I’m usually warmed up by the time I reach the light at the bottom of Spruce where it turns into South St at the bridge. This is where I do a jittery time-trial sprint start to save time by merging into traffic and crossing over to the ramp to the path. Then it’s a 7 mile nearly flat ride over to Midvale Avenue at East Falls. From there it’s 3 more miles to work and nearly all uphill. There’s a steep downhill that is matched by a 1/4 mile steeper uphill right at the end of the ride. It’s a good workout but I coddle myself and don’t push as hard as I should since my commute is unique and I don’t have any other riders to push me. I have the clock that I continually push against, and I’m slowly eating away at the overall time. I guess the notion of the fixed gear is to not allow myself the crutch of a few granny gears to get me up the 1.3 mile hill from the river to the top of Midvale. Even a singlespeed would disallow me of the lower gears but I prefer to keep my legs moving and I know I can get lazy and coast in some sections. This is me applying rigid boundaries on my body and riding behaviors in order to achieve a goal of better fitness and maybe get a couple races in come springtime.
Phil
My commute to work is 11.3 miles and my average speed is just under 14mph, if I’m not really pushing it. Interestingly, the one time I rode to work (during vacation, so I don’t actually go in) on the fixed gear clubman, I thought I was taking my time, but I arrived with the same interval as on the 2x6 Miyata that I usually ride. I was loosely timing with my cell phone, since I don’t have a computer set up to that bike, but my time almost exactly matched from home to ‘round the corner from my facility.
At 11 miles, I get in a pretty good workout but nothing really sustained like 60 miles will do to build endurance. I used to be able to do the Schuylkill loop as if it were a 9 mile sprint. I had a much higher output and 60 mile endurance. I can’t measure myself against my 2009 fitness but I can work towards it. Anyway, on my 11 mile commute, the first 8 miles is a warmup; I have a small uphill into the UPenn campus, then about 13 blocks all downhill on Spruce, across the Schuylkill and onto the path. I’m usually warmed up by the time I reach the light at the bottom of Spruce where it turns into South St at the bridge. This is where I do a jittery time-trial sprint start to save time by merging into traffic and crossing over to the ramp to the path. Then it’s a 7 mile nearly flat ride over to Midvale Avenue at East Falls. From there it’s 3 more miles to work and nearly all uphill. There’s a steep downhill that is matched by a 1/4 mile steeper uphill right at the end of the ride. It’s a good workout but I coddle myself and don’t push as hard as I should since my commute is unique and I don’t have any other riders to push me. I have the clock that I continually push against, and I’m slowly eating away at the overall time. I guess the notion of the fixed gear is to not allow myself the crutch of a few granny gears to get me up the 1.3 mile hill from the river to the top of Midvale. Even a singlespeed would disallow me of the lower gears but I prefer to keep my legs moving and I know I can get lazy and coast in some sections. This is me applying rigid boundaries on my body and riding behaviors in order to achieve a goal of better fitness and maybe get a couple races in come springtime.
Phil
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I went to bed last night looking forward to riding to work this morning. I woke up unable to hear out of my left ear and knew that this illness has morphed.
Aaaaaannnd another day off work to spend a few hours waiting to be seen at the VA unscheduled urgent care clinic, ant to be told exactly what I already knew. I have an opportunistic bacterial ear infection, sinus infection, and still have the viral goop infection. This is getting really old and annoying.
Phil
Aaaaaannnd another day off work to spend a few hours waiting to be seen at the VA unscheduled urgent care clinic, ant to be told exactly what I already knew. I have an opportunistic bacterial ear infection, sinus infection, and still have the viral goop infection. This is getting really old and annoying.
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I have a theory that the widespread use of masks during the pandemic made other viruses stronger.
Part of the reason why I have been sick has been pointed out by our friend John who mentioned his kid bringing home diseases. The daycare of the grandson surely contributes, but I think either Covid made my immune system weaker, or viruses that survived got stronger.
I exercised a bit by taking the grandson for a jogging stroller walk for almost 2 hours. I’m still not 100%, but at least my drip is clear and not rubbery.
Been at least two weeks…
A.J. Called because my Thompson seat post was delivered that he ordered. Pretty much I received it at a great discount on the price. Also my rims came in: Sun/Ringle that are highly polished with a wide boxed cross section. These rims will be mucho strong for sure, even though only 32 spoke.
Mounted the IBIS Chro-Mo seat I secured off EBAY for $25.00 on the seatpost and installed the seatpost applying a liberal amount of anti-seize compound.
After dinner I’ll install the bottom bracket and the retro Grafton cranks.
I brought the cabinet indoors and placed it in position in the bathroom. Looks great. Had to remove the top to fit it in the doorway, and tomorrow I will remove the moldings so it can be mounted flush against the wall. Looks really pro, even without the doors and top.
Cal
Part of the reason why I have been sick has been pointed out by our friend John who mentioned his kid bringing home diseases. The daycare of the grandson surely contributes, but I think either Covid made my immune system weaker, or viruses that survived got stronger.
I exercised a bit by taking the grandson for a jogging stroller walk for almost 2 hours. I’m still not 100%, but at least my drip is clear and not rubbery.
Been at least two weeks…
A.J. Called because my Thompson seat post was delivered that he ordered. Pretty much I received it at a great discount on the price. Also my rims came in: Sun/Ringle that are highly polished with a wide boxed cross section. These rims will be mucho strong for sure, even though only 32 spoke.
Mounted the IBIS Chro-Mo seat I secured off EBAY for $25.00 on the seatpost and installed the seatpost applying a liberal amount of anti-seize compound.
After dinner I’ll install the bottom bracket and the retro Grafton cranks.
I brought the cabinet indoors and placed it in position in the bathroom. Looks great. Had to remove the top to fit it in the doorway, and tomorrow I will remove the moldings so it can be mounted flush against the wall. Looks really pro, even without the doors and top.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m hoping for a break in the weather Saturday. Maybe I can go for a long ride, but rain is predicted. Anyways I should be recovered enough to do some exercise. I wonder if I will be able to do 3 sets of 60 pushups again? I also have the Concept 2 rowing machine set up in my enclosed porch, just in case the weather is foul.
Rainy weekends seem to be prevalent lately, but last weekend we missed the rain Saturday because we were in Vermont. The fall ground fog settles in the valley that is my back-backyard. Very pretty with the fall foliage.
My friend Craig dropped off some spruce branches. More clean fill. We talked about the fir lumber, and I updated him about also using the fir for my attic floor. There was talk of doing some barter like splitting wood for delivery instead of cash for the lumber. How cool is that?
I figured out that a 42-17T gearing will give me a “perfect chain” where I will get a 63 gear inch and have no need for a chain tensioner.
The IBIS Alibi frame weighs close to 4 pounds, not so light in weight for an aluminum frame.
There was a recent article about how chronic stress can “weather” and age the body. I’m not so concerned for me, but “Maggie” remains kinda high strung and can’t really just relax.
The little things I report are just to keep me moving forward. No deadlines, no schedule, or no demands. Pretty easy if you are a loner like me, but Maggie is a social creature, and being a writer has all these demands, schedules, and deadlines.
For me three good reasons not to be a writer.
Cal
Rainy weekends seem to be prevalent lately, but last weekend we missed the rain Saturday because we were in Vermont. The fall ground fog settles in the valley that is my back-backyard. Very pretty with the fall foliage.
My friend Craig dropped off some spruce branches. More clean fill. We talked about the fir lumber, and I updated him about also using the fir for my attic floor. There was talk of doing some barter like splitting wood for delivery instead of cash for the lumber. How cool is that?
I figured out that a 42-17T gearing will give me a “perfect chain” where I will get a 63 gear inch and have no need for a chain tensioner.
The IBIS Alibi frame weighs close to 4 pounds, not so light in weight for an aluminum frame.
There was a recent article about how chronic stress can “weather” and age the body. I’m not so concerned for me, but “Maggie” remains kinda high strung and can’t really just relax.
The little things I report are just to keep me moving forward. No deadlines, no schedule, or no demands. Pretty easy if you are a loner like me, but Maggie is a social creature, and being a writer has all these demands, schedules, and deadlines.
For me three good reasons not to be a writer.
Cal
Last edited: