spokesNspin

It was 19 degrees at my house when I left this morning.  I tried a new variation for clothing.  Instead of a long sleeved jersey over the silk and wool undershirts I went with a sleeveless jersey over the undershirts.    I put a light jacket over that.  It worked out quite nicely.  I was snug as a bug in a rug.

I saw one crazy jogger on the trail wearing very short shorts and nothing on his legs.  From what I have read people might think they are tough but it causes damage in the long run.  It is recommended that cyclists cover their legs anytime the temps drop to below 65. 

I generally follow that rule but it just depends on other factors also.

I had a cyclist pass me on the way to work.  No big deal there happens to me from time to time.   But what really bugs me is when somebody insists on passing and then can’t keep the pace and the next thing you know you are on their tail again.  That was how this guy was.  Not only that, he passed two joggers and when he did he just about ran down another jogger coming the other way.

This is a limited edition Gliclee print by Alexei Butirskiy.  This is an amazing techology for making prints from original works.  In this case, the artist has gone back to the print and embellished again with oil.

It arrived at my house today. I purchased it in memory of my parents with a portion of the inheritance I received.  It really reminds of the mountains in the area where I grew up.  Notice the barn in the background.  I know this picture would give my dad “buck fever”.

I know pretty much nothing about art so I hope this wasn’t a mistake.   The people at P and C Art were very helpful.  But then they do work on commission.  But in any case I really like it.  And it’s not like I had to break the bank.  Just a little nick.

I used to be more of an around the house fixit guy than I am now.  That doesn’t say much.  But really, unless you  are a professional and have everything at hand it really is a big pain in the butt.

The sink sprayer sprung a leak on Friday.  This sink and faucet were just installed in December.  So right off the bat I am not happy.  I got up and was at the Home Depot by 8:15 AM Saturday morning.  I really do hate Home Depot. 

It was a usual Home Depot experience.  The woman who waited on me couldn’t be bothered to show me where I could find the new sprayer head.  But she was sure I would need to replace the entire faucet. 

I got back into the car and decided to try my local True Value Store.  I should have done that to begin with.  I hadn’t taken two steps into the store before an employee busily working at the top of a big ladder spotted me and asked if he could help.  He promplty found the right part.  But we weren’t sure if it would work on my faucet.

To make a long story short.  Of course it didn’t fit.  Before the project was over I had two more trips to the store, one search for a band aid, a kinked neck from working under the sink, bought a new smaller pipe wrench and had used several words that I don’t know if I have ever used before. 

It was also about 2:00 PM before I was done. An hour Pilates class was in there some where also.

I really do hate this stuff!

I recently remodeled my bathroom.  I took space from a walk-in closet and expanded the bathroom.  The tub was refinished and a new shower kit was added.  Installed black and white tile on the floor and shower walls.  It has a black wood vanity.  The fixtures are all silver colored including the light fixture. It looks very nice.  After 3o years of putting up with things femine I now have my own masculine space.  :)  

But there is a downside.  A huge mirror with a bank of lights overhead suitable for landing a 747 in fog at midnight.  That would be great if I wanted to get into my metrosexual side and start wearing makeup.   My family knows that I am a slave to fashion but I am not quite ready for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy yet.  Though some would argue I  could use it.

I seem to have added a lot of gray hair during the remodeling.  The project must have been more stressful than I realized.

My bicycle friend Pat has roots to the Netherlands.  She seems to get back there on a regular basis.  It sounds like bicycling heaven.  Check these pictures out! 

And according to Pat these pics are a normal day not some day of a bike rally or festival.

 I notice two interesting things.  One is the lack of high tech gear, bicycles and cycling clothing.  And the other is that it looks like these bikes are not locked up.

It seems like it would be pretty nice to live in a place where bicycling was not only considered an acceptable form of transportation but is also the normal mode.  Imagine how much less stress we would each have in our lives if our cities and neighborhoods had been designed around bicycling and walking and not single occupant vehicles.

I know that my life is a lot less stressful in most ways when I get around town on my bike. 

Unlike the Netherlands though I do have to watch out.  I have had people throw stuff at me.  I have had more people than I can count yell profanities at me.  I have had people try to brush as close by as possible with their cars.  And then there are  the just plain inattentive drivers.

But those really are the exceptions.  Most people are courteous and I have also had people  give me the thumbs up and wave.   Some people might be surprised to learn that based on my experience, cab drivers are the most courteous.  And unfortunately I have found that school bus drivers are the worst drivers.

I have learned to be especially careful when I see the driver is a teenager or an elderly person.

Overall I would say my stress level is less when I am bicycling around this area than when I am driving.