So it's been a long time and lots has happened. The Giro is over, Tour de France is in the books, as is the Olympics, Bike Virgina, most of the summer, beach week with Mrs Culimerc's family, and the Democratic Convention. And I'm still waiting for my crankset to complete Project Dream Bike. It's been in the stand in my basement, 90% complete, for 2 weeks. It's been killing me. I've been going down just to look at it. I'll post pics once its complete. Hopefully I'll have a ride to report by this time next week, but probably not.
It's interesting how timing works. I've been becoming less and less satisfied with my job. Beyond the financial rewards there really isnt that much in the way of fulfillment and almost no chance for advancement. The working conditions are pretty good; I dont really feel threatened by layoff, my boss sits in another city, I get a free vehicle (and everything that goes with it gas, insurance, tolls etc), if its slow, I just need to be reachable. But.... its kinda boring after 4 1/2 years. So I've been looking around for another job. What, I dont know, but something.
Monday I found a very interesting prospect. Basically an advocate for climate conservation. Now the thought of me as lobbyist is really ironic for so many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I think that lobbying in its present form, is one of the biggest problems with government and access to power. But it offers me the chance to do something that matters again. I used to be a chef. Food matters, making peoples lives better, even for 30 mins; matters. Showing people something that they may have not thought of or seen before; matters. It involves passion, and passion in my career has been sorely lacking. Advocating for climate conservation could be something that I could feel good about. I dont know if I would be good at it, and it certainly deserves someone who would be good at it. I also have been the kind of person who enjoys being the #2. A bit protected from the politics, but when it comes time to get things done, the person that the #1 person looks to first. Its also one of those points where you look at yourself, think about what you believe, and all the smack you've talked over the years, and wonder if its now time to actually step to the plate, put all the talk aside and actually do something.
All of this happening during the same week as the democratic convention. This is the first one I've actually watched a good portion of. Mark Warner didnt do himself many favors, too bad I was hoping he'd be better. Eitherway. Hillery and Bill were good I thought and did what they could to smooth over the perceived rift, between the Hillery supporters and Obama and the DNC. Biden was good, not inspirational, but very good. Obama last night I thought was excellent. He was inspirational. He made direct points concerning the shortcomings of the administration and make direct promises and offered solutions. Anyone who says they dont know who this guy is or what he stands for now just isnt paying attention or has no intention of voting for him no matter what.
So is my sudden desire to help save the world a real desire or only a reaction to a moment of political inspiration. Does it matter??
T minus 143 days
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Yay more Waiting !!
Wow- April 26th..... glad I could sneak one in before June. Please be aware that I wrote this while I was .......waiting (geee whiz who'da thunk) for someone to work with me from the NOC.
Here it is; sorry its a couple of days old
Whee; more waiting for me. Well its been a long time hasn’t it?? Sorry I’ve been away, after 6 months I still haven’t developed the discipline to actually schedule a time to sit and write. Oh well, life is hard. Wear a helmet.
Since last time much has happened. Barack has all but secured the nomination. Hillary fights on, in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, staving off the inevitable perhaps as she should. McCain has secure the repugican nomination ago time ago and while not always being under the strictest of spotlights has managed some good gaffs. My favorites, which haven’t been played up by the right wing media nearly so much as it was when it involved a black preacher, is McCain’s courting the endorsements of -2- scary assed white preachers. The first, Hagy, is a proponent of backing Israel and military action against Iran in hopes of bringing on the End Days and encouraging the rapture. Oh, he also directly called catholicism, the "great whore". The second is a man named Parsley. He states that America was founded in the destruction of Islam etc. etc. etc. McCain has actually sought these people out and asked for their endorsement. Endorsements usually involve some sort of payback eventually either stipulated or implied. He also let his health records out; the Fri. before the memorial weekend. 20 reporters that he selected, had 3 hours to review 1100 pages. 9 seconds a page. Initial reviews were that he wasnt going to die tomorrow. Yeah this guy has nothing to hide........Should be a fun summer.
I been building bike regularly for a couple of months now. And more importantly, I’ve been in contact with MOOTS!!!!! I should be able to start the actual build process of the frameset next week (hopefully). 2 months later, I should be able to gaze upon the beauty of a frameset that will always be a better bike than I am a rider.
George Bush in the meantime has done what he has been doing for the last couple years, continuing his war in Iraq, to the benefit of few, mostly his friends, and to the great burden of both the American and Iraqi people. The soldiers obviously are the worst off of this side of the conflict. Long tours, stop loss policy, and under funding post deployment, and veterans support programs seems to be his way of supporting the troops. The Iraqis in the meantime have to live in perpetual violence and horror. Oh yeah; Did I mention that he also vetoed the latest GI Bill that would help our soldiers, not with health care, but move from military service to a further their education and get them out of the non skilled work force and into the ( what is quickly becoming) the minimum starting point for a skilled work force or job. Good times.
F U George. Can you go home early??
239 and counting........
Here it is; sorry its a couple of days old
Whee; more waiting for me. Well its been a long time hasn’t it?? Sorry I’ve been away, after 6 months I still haven’t developed the discipline to actually schedule a time to sit and write. Oh well, life is hard. Wear a helmet.
Since last time much has happened. Barack has all but secured the nomination. Hillary fights on, in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, staving off the inevitable perhaps as she should. McCain has secure the repugican nomination ago time ago and while not always being under the strictest of spotlights has managed some good gaffs. My favorites, which haven’t been played up by the right wing media nearly so much as it was when it involved a black preacher, is McCain’s courting the endorsements of -2- scary assed white preachers. The first, Hagy, is a proponent of backing Israel and military action against Iran in hopes of bringing on the End Days and encouraging the rapture. Oh, he also directly called catholicism, the "great whore". The second is a man named Parsley. He states that America was founded in the destruction of Islam etc. etc. etc. McCain has actually sought these people out and asked for their endorsement. Endorsements usually involve some sort of payback eventually either stipulated or implied. He also let his health records out; the Fri. before the memorial weekend. 20 reporters that he selected, had 3 hours to review 1100 pages. 9 seconds a page. Initial reviews were that he wasnt going to die tomorrow. Yeah this guy has nothing to hide........Should be a fun summer.
I been building bike regularly for a couple of months now. And more importantly, I’ve been in contact with MOOTS!!!!! I should be able to start the actual build process of the frameset next week (hopefully). 2 months later, I should be able to gaze upon the beauty of a frameset that will always be a better bike than I am a rider.
George Bush in the meantime has done what he has been doing for the last couple years, continuing his war in Iraq, to the benefit of few, mostly his friends, and to the great burden of both the American and Iraqi people. The soldiers obviously are the worst off of this side of the conflict. Long tours, stop loss policy, and under funding post deployment, and veterans support programs seems to be his way of supporting the troops. The Iraqis in the meantime have to live in perpetual violence and horror. Oh yeah; Did I mention that he also vetoed the latest GI Bill that would help our soldiers, not with health care, but move from military service to a further their education and get them out of the non skilled work force and into the ( what is quickly becoming) the minimum starting point for a skilled work force or job. Good times.
F U George. Can you go home early??
239 and counting........
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Gumbo
So being that "cooking" is the first subject in the blog subtitle, I guess I should write about it at some point or another. Now is as good a time as any.
The little Mrs. and I make a Sunday pot meal and pack it up for lunches for the work week. Saves a crap load of time in the morning, a ton of money and is usually better tasting than another round of Cosi or Quizno's. This week it was gumbo, no particular reason why, it just was. So here it is in paragraph form, cuz thats how I roll.
Cut in to chunks and brown 4 boneless chicken breasts in a large heavy pot. (I *heart* le crueset). While that is cooking chop up a green and/or red pepper, a good sized onion, a couple of ribs of celery and of course a good sized pile of okra (at least 1.5 lbs.)into large chunks as well. You'll also want to chop up a cup or so of either taso (spicy cajun ham) or country ham, I use Turner Ham. A finer chop would be a better idea here, pea-sized or slightly smaller. You can add any sort of extra veg you like it *is* soup after all, my wife doesnt necessarily agree with me on this particular point, I had some mushrooms that needed to be used. Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pot, saute your vegetables. Chop and add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic. A couple of teaspoons of thyme, some hot sauce or dried chili at this point too. Once the vegetables start to become translucent or shiny (pepper will never be translucent) re-add the chicken. Throw in a 1/2 lb or so of sliced Andouille. Pour in a bottle of reasonable beer (miller lite is not a reasonable beer, Samuel Adams is), a can of chopped tomatoes, and enough chicken stock to cover by about an inch to an inch and a half. Simmer and adjust seasoning. Dont worry about the thickening, that what the okra is for. Serve over rice, or add the rice in and serve as soup.
MMmmmm good
269 days left.
The little Mrs. and I make a Sunday pot meal and pack it up for lunches for the work week. Saves a crap load of time in the morning, a ton of money and is usually better tasting than another round of Cosi or Quizno's. This week it was gumbo, no particular reason why, it just was. So here it is in paragraph form, cuz thats how I roll.
Cut in to chunks and brown 4 boneless chicken breasts in a large heavy pot. (I *heart* le crueset). While that is cooking chop up a green and/or red pepper, a good sized onion, a couple of ribs of celery and of course a good sized pile of okra (at least 1.5 lbs.)into large chunks as well. You'll also want to chop up a cup or so of either taso (spicy cajun ham) or country ham, I use Turner Ham. A finer chop would be a better idea here, pea-sized or slightly smaller. You can add any sort of extra veg you like it *is* soup after all, my wife doesnt necessarily agree with me on this particular point, I had some mushrooms that needed to be used. Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same pot, saute your vegetables. Chop and add a couple of cloves of chopped garlic. A couple of teaspoons of thyme, some hot sauce or dried chili at this point too. Once the vegetables start to become translucent or shiny (pepper will never be translucent) re-add the chicken. Throw in a 1/2 lb or so of sliced Andouille. Pour in a bottle of reasonable beer (miller lite is not a reasonable beer, Samuel Adams is), a can of chopped tomatoes, and enough chicken stock to cover by about an inch to an inch and a half. Simmer and adjust seasoning. Dont worry about the thickening, that what the okra is for. Serve over rice, or add the rice in and serve as soup.
MMmmmm good
269 days left.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Not a bad day all told
Some days are better than others. That pretty much goes without saying. What is really nice is when a small part of the day makes the whole thing and turns an otherwise ordinary, spending time til retirement kinda day to a pretty good one. It was simple, surprisingly so. I got to go for a ride after work. That was it. 90 minutes of turning pedals over and over. Not even any sort of special route, nothing new, a route that I do as a default when I want to knock it out in under a couple of hours. It was perfect weather wise. I worked the legs a little hard at the gym yesterday, so I wasn’t expecting anything special. But after I got warmed up, I was out on a long flat 3-mile section. The cadence came up, and I was off. It was all just really nice. Speed was a little higher than usual; I smoked everybody but one guy who just sucked wheel for about 7 miles. Even then, he didn’t get away so much as our paths went different directions. It was just a good day. Back to the salt mine tomorrow.
I saw one of the first smart bike depots in Farragut Square yesterday. It will be interesting to see how this all wears, with tagging, abuse and weather. I really do hope this works. Cities will not solve their traffic and pollution problems until they actually eliminate cars from the road. Make roads wider and/or more roads will only lead to more traffic. At the end of the day the only answer is to get people out of their cars. Full stop. There lots of parts to the solution, but the end result has to be less cars: period.
Hillary pulled just enough out of her ass in Pennsylvania to prolong the agony. My question is; how many of the more conservative democrats that are Hillary’s stronger pull, will opt for “the maverick” John McCain anyway, no matter who wins the Democratic nomination. Good news is that while McCain isn’t spending money or taking political hits, he’s only getting part time press.
Anyway, there it is for now
270 days left
I saw one of the first smart bike depots in Farragut Square yesterday. It will be interesting to see how this all wears, with tagging, abuse and weather. I really do hope this works. Cities will not solve their traffic and pollution problems until they actually eliminate cars from the road. Make roads wider and/or more roads will only lead to more traffic. At the end of the day the only answer is to get people out of their cars. Full stop. There lots of parts to the solution, but the end result has to be less cars: period. Hillary pulled just enough out of her ass in Pennsylvania to prolong the agony. My question is; how many of the more conservative democrats that are Hillary’s stronger pull, will opt for “the maverick” John McCain anyway, no matter who wins the Democratic nomination. Good news is that while McCain isn’t spending money or taking political hits, he’s only getting part time press.
Anyway, there it is for now
270 days left
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Time is on My Side
Time is on my side (I think). Here I sit waiting….. waiting ….. waiting. This is the part of my job I really love the most. I had asked a supervisor for access to a secure facility. Then I had asked him again. Here I sit….. waiting. Ugh.
Here’s something to ponder; It was brought to my attention that several previous world powers of their times (in particular, Holland, Spain and England) all had several things in common. They had at one point based their economies on manufacturing and trade. Later they had all become the premier military force of the time. They had all also, abandoned their rolls as producers of goods for that of financiers. And finally, they had all become more average powers, economically, politically and militarily. Does any of this sound familiar??
We as a country have ceased producing “added value” goods and are now basing our economy on banking and finance. Moving money. Not producing income. Not producing cars, steel, finished lumber, computers, or anything else that we had during the greatest expansion of the middle class the world had ever seen. Now we produce financial products, and debt. We have sold company after company to foreign interests, which in and of itself isn’t horrible until you consider that while the company in question continues to run and continues to employ people (usually fewer of them with fewer benefits), the owning company takes the profit. Essentially skimming the cream of the company, removing it from the American infrastructure permanently.
So that’s something to chew on while your waiting…… waiting ……waiting.
278 days to go
Here’s something to ponder; It was brought to my attention that several previous world powers of their times (in particular, Holland, Spain and England) all had several things in common. They had at one point based their economies on manufacturing and trade. Later they had all become the premier military force of the time. They had all also, abandoned their rolls as producers of goods for that of financiers. And finally, they had all become more average powers, economically, politically and militarily. Does any of this sound familiar??
We as a country have ceased producing “added value” goods and are now basing our economy on banking and finance. Moving money. Not producing income. Not producing cars, steel, finished lumber, computers, or anything else that we had during the greatest expansion of the middle class the world had ever seen. Now we produce financial products, and debt. We have sold company after company to foreign interests, which in and of itself isn’t horrible until you consider that while the company in question continues to run and continues to employ people (usually fewer of them with fewer benefits), the owning company takes the profit. Essentially skimming the cream of the company, removing it from the American infrastructure permanently.
So that’s something to chew on while your waiting…… waiting ……waiting.
278 days to go
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
LeMond v Trek/Armstrong
So it's time to get back on my soapbox and shout (write?) to no one in particular. w00t!
Last night I started building bikes at the Bike Lane in Burke. Why?? Pro-deals baby!! It's been 4 years since the bike quiver has seen any real action beyond the addition of the Fixie, so its time for some needless upgrades. Why Bike Lane?? Esp. since they are definitively out of the way for me. Because these guys do the most for the biking community at large. They host their own events, they lead rides, they help sponsor teams, in short they do all the stuff a good LBS is supposed to. All the stuff. Most of the others in the area do contribute, but not to the extent that The Bike Lane does, here to be known as TBL. Either way, a slow start for me. 3 bikes in 4 hours. There was some time wasted, and I'm really rusty. It'll get faster.
What kind of upgrades?? Like it or not Mrs. Culimerc will be getting a new bike. Hopefully something under the 27lb tank she's riding now. Yours truely will be getting a new road bike (moots or merlin hmmmmm), and a new mountain bike, because you know I spend sooooo much time on the one I have now. The Jamis will be sold, in favor of a 29'er probably. And a pair of SIDI's just cause. and all the stupid schwag I'll pick up in the mean time.
Now for something that actually matters. Greg LeMond is finally getting his wish, He and Trek will be parting ways. after years of trying half heartedly to get away from Trek, Greg finally pissed Trek off enough and they are counter suing to terminate the contract that was going to keep LeMond with Trek til 2010. Apparently Trek got tired of Greg accusing Lance of doping, and all the related news making he was making. Greg admittedly sounds like a bitter old man, puts at the same time much of what he has been accusing people of has come to pass. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Lance to fess up tho. You can read more about the Lemond/Trek thing here. Essentially, it boils down to LeMond sells 12,000 bike for 15 million a year, and he was bad mouthing the company's biggest image in Lance Armstrong.
Alexi Grewal wrote an amazing brave open editorial in Velonews. For those of you who may not know; Alexi was one of Americas premiere cyclists back in the early 80's. About the same time as LeMond or even just a little earlier.
Here's a cool article on doping and game theory written by smart guys
I would talk about the Democratic Primary, but it's taken it's toll and I'm just kind of done with it at this point. Hillery just seems to be hanging on for I dont know why.
Hey here's something I heard on left wing radio. The Saudi's are actually holding telethons on TV trying to raise money for insurgents in Iraq! Then again the biggest source of cash right now for militias in Iraq is the US. .oO("Here's $10, now stop shooting at me"). Pay offs are one of the oldest tactics of occupiers of foreign soil. Guess we're kickin it ol' skool.
285 more days
Last night I started building bikes at the Bike Lane in Burke. Why?? Pro-deals baby!! It's been 4 years since the bike quiver has seen any real action beyond the addition of the Fixie, so its time for some needless upgrades. Why Bike Lane?? Esp. since they are definitively out of the way for me. Because these guys do the most for the biking community at large. They host their own events, they lead rides, they help sponsor teams, in short they do all the stuff a good LBS is supposed to. All the stuff. Most of the others in the area do contribute, but not to the extent that The Bike Lane does, here to be known as TBL. Either way, a slow start for me. 3 bikes in 4 hours. There was some time wasted, and I'm really rusty. It'll get faster.
What kind of upgrades?? Like it or not Mrs. Culimerc will be getting a new bike. Hopefully something under the 27lb tank she's riding now. Yours truely will be getting a new road bike (moots or merlin hmmmmm), and a new mountain bike, because you know I spend sooooo much time on the one I have now. The Jamis will be sold, in favor of a 29'er probably. And a pair of SIDI's just cause. and all the stupid schwag I'll pick up in the mean time.
Now for something that actually matters. Greg LeMond is finally getting his wish, He and Trek will be parting ways. after years of trying half heartedly to get away from Trek, Greg finally pissed Trek off enough and they are counter suing to terminate the contract that was going to keep LeMond with Trek til 2010. Apparently Trek got tired of Greg accusing Lance of doping, and all the related news making he was making. Greg admittedly sounds like a bitter old man, puts at the same time much of what he has been accusing people of has come to pass. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Lance to fess up tho. You can read more about the Lemond/Trek thing here. Essentially, it boils down to LeMond sells 12,000 bike for 15 million a year, and he was bad mouthing the company's biggest image in Lance Armstrong.
Alexi Grewal wrote an amazing brave open editorial in Velonews. For those of you who may not know; Alexi was one of Americas premiere cyclists back in the early 80's. About the same time as LeMond or even just a little earlier.
Here's a cool article on doping and game theory written by smart guys
I would talk about the Democratic Primary, but it's taken it's toll and I'm just kind of done with it at this point. Hillery just seems to be hanging on for I dont know why.
Hey here's something I heard on left wing radio. The Saudi's are actually holding telethons on TV trying to raise money for insurgents in Iraq! Then again the biggest source of cash right now for militias in Iraq is the US. .oO("Here's $10, now stop shooting at me"). Pay offs are one of the oldest tactics of occupiers of foreign soil. Guess we're kickin it ol' skool.
285 more days
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Blog Jump start
Sometimes you just have to start. Or restart in this instance. It's been a month since my last post and so much has happened. Paris Nice, Milan San Remo, Tierrno Adriatico (sp), victories for Obama in a bunch of different primaries, more scandal from our administration, My trip to FL, a new tattoo. Oh the list goes on and on. Rather than try to address it all I thought I would instead, just get something down on paper (?). I didnt want this blog to fester in neglect, but March was exactly that. Oh well, Happy April. Spring is technically here. My company is going through restructuring after being bought, so I run the risk of lay-off (good times). Things are greening, and the days are getting longer and the weekends are warmer, so there are better chances for riding.
The Bike Lane is trying to start a spring fling bike weekend this weekend. I didnt know if I should volunteer to help or just show my face. I opted for the latter. I'm still waiting to build bikes for these guys, mostly for the pro-deals (shocker), but they wont be in their new space til at least next month. Either way, if ya got some time head over there on Sunday and check it out. These kind of things are always good to support, eventually they turn into events that raise awareness and options for cyclists everywhere.
293 more days
The Bike Lane is trying to start a spring fling bike weekend this weekend. I didnt know if I should volunteer to help or just show my face. I opted for the latter. I'm still waiting to build bikes for these guys, mostly for the pro-deals (shocker), but they wont be in their new space til at least next month. Either way, if ya got some time head over there on Sunday and check it out. These kind of things are always good to support, eventually they turn into events that raise awareness and options for cyclists everywhere.
293 more days
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