Tag: Music

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Vital Statistics

After the article appeared in the Oregonian two weeks ago, I had a lot of people tell me, “You’re famous!” After having heard this several times from people I knew, I began correcting them. “Famous means that complete strangers recognize you,” I said. “The only people who have commented on the article are people that I know.” Graham also thought it meant I was famous and bragged to everyone who would listen that his dad was in the paper. Overheard several times at Cub Scouts just the other night:

“Do you get the paper?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see my dad in it? He was in it.”

Well, today as I ordered my lunch from the burrito cart, a woman who was waiting for her lunch said to me, “This may seem weird, but I read this article in the paper awhile ago…” And so, now I am famous. A complete stranger recognized me and we had a nice chat about the article and how I am now famous and that she was the one that made me famous.

Bike odometer: 6150 miles
Current reading: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Smoke and Guns by Kirsten Baldock and Fabio Moon
Recent listening: Rattle and Hum by U2, Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson, Express by Love and Rockets
Recent viewing: Mavericks at Spurs, Cavaliers at Pistons, Nets at Heat
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: Picked up my new pedals, paid bills
Imperative To Do: Call Sears, bike repairs, get watch fixed, truck shopping, bank
Cool link: The Daily Show Excerpt: Stewart busts Bush on Goss

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Vital Statistics

This morning, because I was starting a new book, I chose to climb the big hill on 162nd so that I would have a shorter bike ride and a longer Max ride. By the time I get to the Max station at 162nd and Burnside, I’m pretty out of breath and end up sucking wind while I do my doctor-prescribed back stretches as I wait for the train. Today I was unfortunate enough to suck in some unexpected smoke while I stretched. I looked up and some kid was smoking the last two puffs of his cigarette 10 feet away from me. I was standing directly under the No Smoking sign and considered getting his attention and pointing to it, but I chose to do nothing since he was nearly done with it. Nevertheless, during my entire ride and even up until now, I’m plagued with a cough that I just can’t get rid of. It started out as “the tickle”, but evidently coughing once or twice made it worse.

I continue to assume that smokers don’t know the effect they have on people.

Bike odometer: 6113 miles
Current reading: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Smoke and Guns by Kirsten Baldock and Fabio Moon
Recent listening: Not Blue by Various Artists (compilation by Curt Nelson), Grace by Jeff Buckley, Dreamboat Annie by Heart, Rainy Day Music by The Jayhawks, Science Friday
Recent viewing: Sportscenter, My Name Is Earl, Distraction, The Daily Show
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: n/a
Imperative To Do: Bike repairs, get watch fixed, truck shopping
Cool link: Hallelujah: Excellent Wikipedia entry about an incredible song. I totally dig the explanation of the “secret chord” in the first verse and how the lyric explains the chord progression of the song.

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Vital Statistics

I’ve been noticing more and more that people are disobeying the “No Smoking” signs on the Max platforms. I haven’t said anything to anyone in awhile, but last night I disembarked from the Red Line train at Gateway and found two TriMet employees standing on the platform smoking and talking. What the hell?

Bike odometer: 6095 miles
Current reading: Forgotten Promise by Gretchen Von Loewe Kreuter, Smoke and Guns by Kirsten Baldock and Fabio Moon
Recent listening: The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen, The Caution Horses by Cowboy Junkies, The Score by The Fugees, Rainy Day Music by The Jayhawks
Recent viewing:The Colbert Report, Sportscenter, Medium, CSI: Miami, Lakers at Suns, Bulls at Heat
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: Mowed the lawn (front and back, very short), turned the compost, ordered new pedals for bike
Imperative To Do: Bike repairs, get watch fixed
Cool link: What does Critical Mass mean to you?

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Vital Statistics

Portland’s daily newspaper, The Oregonian, has an article about barefooting today that has a few paragraphs featuring me. The interview and picture sessions actually happened last fall so it was a bit of a surprise when Aimee Green (the author) called this weekend to let me know if was coming out today. The printed version appears on the front page of the “Living” section and features a rather large picture of my feet on the escalator at Pioneer Place (a mall not far from CPS). There’s a second picture of me on the Max on the inside page where the story is continued.

Update 4/27: Some editions of yesterday’s Oregonian had a picture of my feet in the teaser frame on the front page. I made the front page!

When Aimee was researching the story, she found my web page on the Internet and emailed me. She described the article she was writing and asked if I would like to participate. I answered affirmatively and invited her to a Barefoot Hike, a monthly occurence during favorable weather. As it turned out, Thomas and I were the only ones to turn up at the hike, so she walked with us for awhile and we talked about all things barefoot.

Not long after that, she contacted me again and asked if she could join me for my commute some morning. I agreed and she and a photographer met me at the Gateway Transit Center for a Max ride and a short walk to my office. Having the photographer with us was weird because he kept running ahead of us and snapping photos of my feet. Aimee also had to keep dodging out of the picture as we talked. It was quite amusing, actually.

They returned for lunch the same day and we went to the food court in Pioneer Place with the intent of encountering as many people as possible to see their reaction. The photographer took more pictures and we went to the Apple Store, where I had no particular business but I always visit when I’m close. They wouldn’t allow any pictures inside the store, so we left after a short time.

And that was it until a couple of months ago when another photographer contacted me and asked if he could ride the Max with me. I’m not exactly sure why that was necessary, but I agreed to it. That’s why I’m wearing shorts in the picture on the escalator (fall) and sweats on the Max (winter). I’m happy with the picture of my feet, but I look terrible on the Max. I really dislike pictures of myself.

The whole experience was amusing and gratifying, I have to admit. Being able to ramble on about barefooting for many minutes to an engaged audience was unlike anything I had experienced before. It made me feel important and interesting. Funny, I know.

I still haven’t read the whole article (I’ll do that tonight when I get home), but I did read the parts about me. I find it a bit disconcerting that she chose to use the quote about stepping in shit, but I suppose that’s how these things work. Oh well.

Bike odometer: 6061 miles
Current reading: Forgotten Promise by Gretchen Von Loewe Kreuter, Smoke and Guns by Kirsten Baldock and Fabio Moon
Recent listening: Shaday by Ofra Haza, Not Blue by Various Artists, Tie Your Mix Down by Various Artists, Crooked Fingers by Crooked Fingers, Rainy Day Music by The Jayhawks
Recent viewing: Medium, CSI: Miami, Wizards at Cavaliers, Kings at Spurs, Sportscenter, Countdown
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: n/a
Imperative To Do: Bike repairs, get watch fixed
Cool link: Model Denied US Entry—The story is slightly amusing but the two pictures are priceless!

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Vital Statistics

We had a good weekend. Thomas got 2nd in the Regional Pinewood Derby Championship and tied the track record for a short time before the 1st place winner smashed it. The weather was beautiful and we spent some time outside both days. The 2006 NBA Playoffs are also underway which is one of the highlights of my year.

Bike odometer: 6041 miles
Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
Recent listening: Dreamboat Annie, Copperhead Road, Rainy Day Music, Throw Down Your Arms
Recent viewing: Paycheck, Bulls at Heat, Nuggets at Clippers, Pacers at Nets, Lakers at Suns, Bucks at Pistons, Memphis at Dallas, Wizards at Cavaliers
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: Fixed Graham’s Pinewood Derby car (glued front axle), mowed lawn, paid bills
Imperative To Do: Bike repairs, get watch fixed

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Vital Statistics

I haven’t had much of a chance to truck shop this week, but I do have a few questions for you, readers:

  1. If I’m looking for an early 90s vintage small truck, which makes/models are typically low maintenance?
  2. What questions should I ask sellers when I call them?

Bike odometer: 6032 miles
Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
Recent listening: Buddy Holly, Grace, Has Been
Recent viewing: Countdown, The Colbert Report, Sportscenter, The Office
Recent playing: n/a
Recently Accomplished: n/a
Imperative To Do: Fix Graham’s Pinewood Derby car (a little glue), mow lawn (front and back)
Cool link: Pimp My Snack

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Vital Statistics

Saw another truck on my way to work this morning. It was a 1993 Mazda B2000 (or something like that) for a little more than $2000. I got the phone number and will call tonight.

Bike odometer: 6024 miles
Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
Recent listening: Buddy Holly, Rainy Day Music, Spirit Trail (Disc 1 only), Rock ‘N’ Roll, Love Is A Dog From Hell, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Has Been
Recent viewing: South Park, Countdown, Without A Trace
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: n/a
Imperative To Do: Fix Graham’s Pinewood Derby car (a little glue), bike repairs, truck shopping, mow lawn (front and back)
Cool link: Funny Video

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Vital Statistics

As promised, here’s a picture of the truck that I was thinking about buying:

After I asked a number of stupid questions, my co-worker concluded that I was not man enough for such a truck. Alas, I have to agree. So I have been browsing Craigslist to get an idea of what kinds of trucks are out there and how much they cost. I’ve been narrowing my criteria and this is what I’ve come up with so far:

 

  • $3000 or less
  • Less than 150,000 miles, preferably less than 125,000
  • Less than 15 years old
  • Extended cab
  • Gas mileage doesn’t matter much
  • Tags good, recently passed DEQ
  • Owner will let John Mechanic check it out at his home

My co-workers seem to have an anti-American car bias and recommend Nissan trucks. My sense is that both Ford and Dodge make fine trucks (my little Mitsubishi is really a Dodge). Although my preference is probably a smaller truck, I’m not going to use it for commuting, so bigger trucks are OK, too. I’ve always been attracted to SUVs, but not so attracted to SUV pricing. Does anybody make an SUV with a rear bed?

Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
McCartney Trivia: According the the book I’m reading, George Harrison’s “Something” was written about his then-wife, Patti. Years later, George’s best friend would write another song about Patti, with whom he had fallen in love. The friend was Eric Clapton and his song is “Layla”. (last installment)
Recent listening: Decade
Recent viewing: Nova, World Poker Tour, Saturday Night Live
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: Taxes done, entered and reconciled half.com transactions
Imperative To Do: Bike repairs, truck shopping
Cool link: Craigslist RSS feed: An RSS reader allows you to watch for new and updated postings. Unfortunately, you can’t save your search criteria (“truck” + price range) as an RSS address.

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Vital Statistics

After discussion with a co-worker about the merits of the 1975 Ford F-100 that I was considering for purchase, I have come to the conclusion that I am not cut out for such a truck. I’m not adept at vehicle maintenance at all, and contrary to my earlier beliefs, old trucks require quite a bit of maintenance (for example, tune-ups every 12,000 miles). I have decided to target the sub-3000 dollar market and am hoping to land a 90’s era truck. I hear Nissan’s are excellent, but please weigh in with your personal opinions in the comments below.

I’m finishing off my taxes today. This year I’m using TurboTax Online to fill out and file my taxes. It’s very much like the TurboTax CD-based software that I have been using for over 10 years but doesn’t require a local installation – just a web browser. Unfortunately, choosing to wait until the 14th to do your taxes online is not necessarily a good idea because there are evidently many other people dragging the servers down today.

Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
McCartney Trivia: John wrote “Because” after Yoko played the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven for him. John asked her to play it backwards and based the chords for “Because” on the backwards version that she played.
Recent listening: Rock ‘N’ Roll, Throw Down Your Arms
Recent viewing: The Alternative, Power Fuse, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: Neared completion of taxes
Imperative To Do: Taxes, lube bike, fix bike fender, fix bike pedal
Cool link: A Victory for Bicyclist

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Vital Statistics

I called the number on the truck and got some more information:

  • 1975 Ford F-100 with 124,000 miles
  • Four on the floor, new clutch
  • Rebuilt engine that has 24,000 miles on it
  • New radiator
  • Priced at $1800, but will sell for less (guy has a $1200 tax bill)
  • He’ll let me drive it to my mechanic’s across town
  • Has not done any work on the front end (including the bushings) and there is 2″ of sway (which might mean it’s hard to steer)
  • Won’t go over 85 mph because of the four-speed, but gets 14 mpg because of the 2-barrel

I snapped some pictures this morning which I’ll put up later today.

Bike odometer: 5990 miles
Current reading: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing, 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
McCartney Trivia: If is well-known by Beatle fans that “Sexy Sadie” was written for the Maharishi (substitute “Maharishi” for “Sexy Sadie” when singing). As the story goes, John became disillusioned with the Maharishi because the guru made a pass at a girl (often said to be Mia Farrow or her sister but was likely just a blonde who looked like Mia Farrow) in their camp. In fact, the allegation was probably fabricated by a guy named Magic Alex who was a well-known hanger-on who had attached himself to John Lennon. After Magic Alex got John worked up over the allegation of impropriety (which is not necessarily inconsistent with the Maharishi’s teachings), Lennon did not even allow the Maharishi to answer the charge – he just packed up and went back to England. Later, when recording the White Album, George begged John to change the lyrics because he still admired the Maharishi.
Recent listening: Decade, Amore
Recent viewing: Sportscenter, Countdown, Distraction, South Park
Recent playing: Poker Room
Recently Accomplished: New truck stuff, found my missing W2s
Imperative To Do: Taxes, lube bike, fix bike fender, fix bike pedal, take truck to John Mechanic
Cool link: The Development Abstraction Layer: Why are some software companies successful while others aren’t?