And I’ve come to yet another realization. I want to have somewhere to document these progressions, changes, highlights, lowlights and everything in between. Therefore, in the coming days I’ll be making a return to the blogging world with an update on my new life on the other coast, what it’s like having a salaried job for the first time in my life, and other assorted detritus from the corners of my brain.
As they used to say, Stay Tuned for more information…
So I came to a realization last week. I wanted to give it a couple of days to sink in and see if it was a passing fancy or if it was going to stick.
I’m not a blogger.
I’ve had several blogs over the years, none of them ever went anywhere, like this one isn’t. I’m just not feeling it.
I’m going to continue jotting down thoughts and observations, occasionally working them into essays even. I’ll just figure out some other way to get them published if I think there might be a readership for it. In the meantime I need to cut extraneous STUFF so I can spend more time and energy focusing on the off-line present (not to mention finding work, deciding where to focus on living, etc…) I’m going to stay active on Twitter for now while I rethink that one too, I’ve met some great people on there who’ve turned into actual human face to face friends and I don’t want to loose that.
I’m going to leave the blog up for now, I still firmly believe in the concept of Rebalancing Your Life and one day I may decide to revisit the idea of sharing my thoughts via this medium.
To quote one of my favorite literary characters, a very wise bear: TTFN – Ta Ta For Now…
While I figure out what I want to do here I may as well keep posting, right? So meet The Beast:
It’s a Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, best guesses put it at ~1989-90 vintage. Tange frame from the Made In Japan days. I know, what’s a guy between gigs doing buying a second bike? Hang on, I’ll get there. First, a look at what I’ve done so far:
This is what it looked like when I brought it home, kinda makes the name make more sense, huh? Some previous owner had installed an adjustable stem set to Sky High combined with 5″ riser bars and a seat that would be more comfortable on a beach cruiser. Oh yeah, the seat post is reversed to bring the seat even closer to the handlebars. Basically, when I rode it down the street before buying, I was sitting more upright than I am right now typing this at the kitchen table.
First things first, new seat and flip the seatpost right-way-round. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the second thing I did was pull all the cables and run new ones. This ties into the reason for adding The Beast to my stable.
Next up was a new cockpit. $10 at Recycled Cycles got me a better stem and some old school flat bars. Since the housing was all in good shape I kept it for now, keeps the whole vintage thing going.
You can just make out the finishing touch, Kool Stop Salmon brake pads. The matchy matchy thing it’s got going on with my truck is purely coincidental, I swear.
There you have it – The Beast. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. Hum…city cruiser? Big basket up front, fenders, maybe a 1×7 drivetrain and some swept back city bars? Single speed commuter? Any thoughts welcome.
So, back to the update and why I’m buying bikes right now. I have an interview in a couple of weeks to be a bike tour guide for a big outfit based down in Berkeley. Not only have I wanted to do this for YEARS, but with all the weight I’ve lost and how much better my body feels, now seemed like the perfect time to make my exit from IT and into the outdoor world. There are a couple of field repairs they want their guides to know how to do before being hired, one is running a new rear derailleur cable and get it back on the road. I’ve never run cables. I really didn’t want to use my Vaya as a learning rig…it was my only ride and it’s running really really well right now. What to do?
Head to Craigslist, of course. Found this on day 3 of my search for $80 and jumped on it. Didn’t do too bad a job either if I can toot my own horn for a moment. I did have a minor issue that my LBS corrected for me and I need to adjust the front brakes and swap in a slightly larger saddle, other than that it’s good to go as a backup ride until I have some money to tweak it.
Second part of the update tosses a monkey wrench into the whole works. I’ve told my sister that I would move out to Arlington next fall when she heads overseas for 6 months with work. We’ll split the rent on her apartment until I find work and she won’t have to give up her lease and find storage for her car. With this in mind, I’ve been searching a couple of boards for a job out there as well as looking locally. I know, I know – trying to get out of IT while searching for IT jobs in not one but TWO cities seems a mite bit crazy – Hi, have we met?
So I get a call last week from a recruiter on a full time, permanent job with his Gov’t contracting company. It’s to be the onsite helpdesk for their office of 25-30 people, reporting to the independent contractor who build their network, etc…Pay is more than I’ve ever made, and there’s a benefits package I’ve only dreamed about. AND, I did some digging, and it’s only a 10 mile ride on mostly trails from my sisters apartment. Here’s the monkey wrench – they need it filled ASAP. And I wondered why my old eye twitch came back.
Some comments and barbs on Twitter (I’m lookin’ at you #BikeDC) led to me riding my old commute route to SLU (South Lake Union) today to get some pics together that show what a mess this part of town is right now. This is not meant to chide the city of Seattle or the Seattle DOT. I know they do what they can within their stupid tight budgets. This is just meant to show some folks on the other coast what it’s been like commuting across town for the last…what’s it been…a year now?!?!
Starting from home (Montlake, let’s say near the stop light at Boyer and 24th), within 1/4 mile you get this:
Yes, this is dead center in the Sharrow Zone. Next up you come to this:
They obliterated this Sharrow ~6 months ago if memory serves (trick question, it doesn’t) and the blacktop patch is already rutted like the Oregon Trail. OK, on to Eastlake. This stretch is relatively harmless unless you time your ride to coincide with the umpteen route 6x and 7x busses that take it. In that case get ready for a rousing (and occasionally skid mark inducing) round of Leap Bus. Then it’s on to Fairview, this is where the fun begins.
Looks promising, right? This separated bike lane was just completed and leads to a curb separated bridge crossing.
Which dumps you out here. In the right lane. No warning or markings of any kind. There is a cut through to the right just past this white barrier which takes you up onto the multiuser path that runs the length of Fairview…if you happen to know that’s where your supposed to be riding. OK, now for the good stuff, keep in mind this stretch is due to open TOMORROW to two way traffic, bikes, and pedestrians:
Not too bad yet, except for that sign. It seems to indicate that bikes should be in the road (I advocate taking the lane, but this is just suicidal, those streetcar tracks will eat all but the beefiest tire) when in reality you’re supposed to be on path to the right by now.
This actually looks really good. The driveway you see there is the one where I was smacked by a 4Runner the other day. He was coming Northbound (I’m facing South here) and turned into that driveway without seeing that I was already crossing it. With the light. Wearing bright clothing and flashing lights. On an improbably sunny day. sigh.
Problem in the path is blocked just out of sight. The “Interim Route” they’re referring to means through the parking lot to the right of that gorgeous new path. Which in turn takes you here:
There *used to be* a driveway here. Now, you hop the curb (thanking the deity of your choice if you ride something like my Vaya that can take that) then offroad it for ~20 yards to the path. Where you find this:
Then this:
That little circle is meant to say, “hey riders, you should take this hard right into the parking lot, where you’ll have to duke it out with unconscious drivers, so you’ll miss being smacked in head by the Trolley stop sighs we installed too low.”
At the other end of that parking lot you’re greeted by this. Yes, that’s a DO NOT ENTER sign.
Misc street scene
Helpful, aren’t they?
Wait for it…
Money shot. If you can’t see it, the sign across the street says Detour and points to the Right.
If your fortitude gets you through all this, you can be rewarded with either a day of work in the high tech/bio tech corridor that is SLU (or in my case a day as an underpaid phone monkey for a clothing company). Or you can go here:
The newly moved in MOHAI (Museum Of History And Industry) in an old armory, on the lake. With a view. And the most insane amount of bike parking to be found this side of the Cascades:
That’s 8 racks that when used appropriately can hold ~6 bikes each.
Now, for some contrast, take this:
That’s the Burke-Gilman Trail as it runs under the Fremont Bridge. One of the first Rail Trails in the country, it’s the multiuser path that other multiuser paths wish they could be. It’s also nowhere near my actual former commute route. It is however how I ended my ride today so it seemed like a good way to end this post as well.
See you (#SEAbikes, not #BikeDC) at the Bike Expo this weekend?
I don’t know where that quote is from originally. My mom has it on a piece of folk art hanging in the hall outside her home office. Every time I walk by I find myself almost imperceptibly jealous. Jealous of people who are able to put concerns for the future out of their mind. Jealous of the people I know who are living their dreams. Jealous even of people who, while they might not be living their dreams, are at least able to define them and can work every day with that dream in mind.
Mainly I wonder how these lucky souls were able to figure out what their dream is/was. I aspire to combine making a living with doing what I was meant to do. The stumbling block I keep running into is simply that I have no clue what I’m supposed to be doing. I don’t even know how to go about figuring this out. Heck, I don’t even know where to start looking. And this has lead to the rut I find myself in of one short term helpdesk contract after another…with sometimes lengthy gaps in between.
Maybe I need to flip the scenario a bit and consider whatever I’m doing at the moment to be what I’m meant to be doing? In other words, the next contract that comes up is what I’m supposed to be doing at that moment. Then I’m supposed to have some time off again…not sure I buy that either. There has to be something I can do, proactively, to influence the path I take through life. There has to be a middle ground, somewhere between leaving everything to chance (or god, or fate, or, or, or…) and obsessively planning out each and every move you make.
So my goal for this work hiatus is to figure out one concrete step that I can take, right now, to guide me. Maybe it’s applying to guide for a bike tour company. Maybe it’s hanging out with a bike non-profit here in town and seeing who I meet. Maybe it’s spending hours online looking for yet another helpdesk contract, but in a different city every day and seeing where I get a bite first.
My other goal is to finish loosing these last stubborn pounds so I can figure out what old injuries are left to crop up and get them taken care of. I need to be able to start training for the Goruck Challange if I have any hopes of completing it this summer…and that’s been hard when every time I lift, I tear something else loose. The going theory is that body fat surrounded and cushioned all of my old injuries and as I’ve lost that fat, the injured areas where able to move around breaking loose scar tissue that accumulated over the years. This in turn is what I’ve been dealing with in the knee, shin, shoulder, and middle back for the last few months. Keep in mind I’ve lost a small person worth of fat (80+ lbs).The idea is that once I get to my ideal weight and stay there for a time, these areas should settle into their new surroundings and calm the heck down. Fingers crossed.
This was a bit more of a ramble than expected, consider it a continuation of yesterdays quick update. I’m thinking through the future of this blog right now and hope to have some ideas for a direction shortly.
ish…shortly-ish.
Let’s see, I left my last contract gig before it drove me to do something drastic (like breaking the Seattle Passive Aggressive Code and tell someone what I thought of them). I’ve re-awaken several old injuries (shin splint on the right and rotator cuff on the left) so that’s fun. It’s also keeping me from doing nearly anything outdoors. I have nothing but free time and I can’t even ride my bike or go for a long walk.
sigh.
I’m doing everything I can to keep from dwelling. On the past mistakes that led me here. On a future that’s nothing more than a gigantic question mark. Or even on what I’m going to for the rest of the day.
I’ve got loads and loads of STUFF that I would love to write about, yet can’t seem to find that groove that lets me actually get it written. I’ve started like a dozen drafts that just sort of peter out…
I think I’ll make another cup of tea.
My #bikeDC friend Mary (@gypsybug) is at it again with this winters challenge, the Errandonnee. What, in the name of Slappy, is an Errandonnee you ask? Glad you did so, I’m going to let her explain (in 140 characters or less):
#Errandonnee! 12 errands in 12 days and ride a total of 30 miles by bike between February 9-20. Are you in? chasingmailboxes.com/2013/02/05/win…
— MG (@gypsybug) February 6, 2013
Follow that link in her tweet for full details, I think that does a great job of summing it up though. Starting on Feb. 9, I set out to do just what she said, 12 errands in 12 days for a total of at least 30 miles of riding. And now, without further ado, I present the summary of my Errandonnee ’13. Complete with my observations from each ride/stop (OK, they were one of the requirements):
Day 1 – 2/9
Rode from home to Patagonia Seattle downtown (actually I think it counts as Belltown, whatever it’s near Pike Place Market) to check out the Winter Sale. 1/2 off Patagonia stuff? Yes please! Headed from there to REI’s bike department, I know I know, not like there aren’t other independent LBS’s in this town. They have the best selection of mini pumps AND the travel packable backpack I wanted to pick up. One stop outdoor shopping at it’s finest.
Patagonia SALE!!!
Skipped the shirt, just wasn’t feelin’ it
REI indoor bike parking, gotta love this place!
Haul from REI bike dept (and packs, yes that minuscule wad of fabric is a backpack)
Total miles: 8
Errands: 2
Observation: Putting bike lanes (or Sharrows) in the same place as bus facilities just isn’t a good idea.
Day 2 – 2/10
Family visiting, no riding today.
Day 3 – 2/11
Work. ’nuff said.
Secure rack at work
#cyclewhatever – work edition
Total miles: 8
Errands: 1
Observation: Seattle spandex clowns need to learn some manners.
Day 4 – 2/12
Work II.
Total miles: 8
Errands: 1
Observation: Guys driving heavy equipment can’t see real well. Yikes.
Day 5 – 2/13
work
Day 6 – 2/14
lazy
Day 7 – 2/15
Work, doesn’t count anymore
Day 8 – 2/16
Work, still doesn’t count
Day 9 – 2/17
Fred Meyer > Dutch Bike (coffee/bike shop) > Farmers Market (Ballard) > Home
Out on the trail (that’s the Burke-Gilman for anyone not a member of the subspecies Homo Sapiens Seattlitensus) early on a Sunday means two things, not many people and where there are – they’re spandex clowns. Got passed by the same group 2x, don’t ask. The rule around here seems to be the more spandex, the less trail etiquette. Not one announced themselves, they shoaled everyone at the couple of crossings, rode in the whole lane for a while, then swarmed an innocent runner. Asshats. Errandonnee stop one was a bust, the jeans I’m looking for don’t appear to exist in my size. Had time before queuing up for eggs so I stopped in to Dutchbike for coffee and to check out their supply of front racks. Coffee was good, rack hunt will have to continue. Off to the market for eggs, meat, and veggies (these were loaded into the car that met me there, egg transport is still a sticky spot in the bike-your-life project). And thus ended the AM portion of todays Errandonnee. 4 more stops checked off, and I’ve got a whole afternoon/evening planned for later…
PM ride started out at the Petco on 45th. no bike racks of any kind anywhere in sight, so I parked inside the entry way and locked the front wheel to the frame. They didn’t have what I needed, so I was only inside for a minute. Next stop Whole Foods, whose parking more than makes up for the lack thereof at Petco. Covered, highly visible and plentiful (usually). Almost makes me like the store. Almost. Next headed down a screamer of a downhill to U-Village to stop off at the eye Doc/glass store. Was only dropping off old glasses this time. And home.
it’s another beautiful day for #cyclewhatever
Yes, I was that guy parked parallel to the rack. For 5 minutes early Sunday morning with no other bikes in sight
Coffee stop @ Dutchbike. Of course they let you bring your bike in…
This is what the rest of the shop looks like!
Awesome, if slight over capacity, parking @ Whole Foods Roosevelt. That thing on the end fascinated me for a good 5 minutes
Bike staples are scattered throughout University Village, including this one directly in front of the glasses place
Total miles: 20
Errands: 7
Observation: Businesses with bike parking should get our business. Businesses without bike parking should not.
Day 10 – 2/18
work, yeah yeah, you know the rest.
Day 11 – 2/19
work, of course. Then night trip to library for pickup and to pay fines…don’t judge. Lighting used – out back a Planet Bike Super Flash, in front a 1 watt Blaze on flash and a Light & Motion Urban 400 on high.
Total miles: 1
Errands: 1
Observation: 4 lane arterials are no place for bikes. Especially at night. Take the longer route and stay on quiet side streets, especially if they also happen to be marked bike routes.
Day 12 – 2/20
work…yadda yadda.
Successful Errandonnee! 12 days, 12 errands, for a total of 45 miles and 8 catagories. If you’re interested, there are a couple more pictures on Flickr, here. See y’all next year!
