The end of an era. A legend has passed. Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69

Quote of note:

"No king or prince has lived a better life," he said in a May 2006 interview with The Associated Press. "You're looking at a guy who's really done it all. And there are things I wish I had done better, not only for me but for the ones I loved."

My new ride.

Got a snowboard, boots and bindings on Wednesday night. My friend John is coming over on Sunday to help me wax and clean me and Dev's snowboards. Then, if all goes well, next Sunday we will be flying down some white-covered hill for a few hours.

I cannot wait.

My favorite poster from the Bike Commute Challenge 2007 poster website.

Remember how I posted in October that I thought I was going to ski this season.

Remember how I said I'm fickle.

Yep. I'm back to 'boarding. I loved the idea of skiing. I love watching the guys ride on ski videos. Every time I thought about skiing myself, though, I felt a little dread. I felt grim about the effort I'd have to exert to stay on top of the sticks; to stay balanced all the way down the slope. I didn't look forward to the experience.

And every time I thought about snowboarding I smiled a little bit. I remember the flow. I can feel the snow sliding under me. And I don't dread the effort, I anticipate the ride. The only thing I'm really not happy about is the ski lift dismount.

So I guess I'm a knuckle dragger. Which is okay, because I'm gonna have fun this year!

“If you would know how a man treats his wife and his children, see how he treats his books.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Amazon released the Kindle eBook reader yesterday. I like much about the concept and the specs of the device. I don't care for the styling so much. This six act play points points up the problems with digital eBook readers though. Sorta dystopian.

Duct tape used as paint! Brilliant!
You might not be able to tell from the picture but the entire car (everything, even door handles) has a layer of duct tape over it.

This car is so awesome.

Why can't bike helmets be stylish? I shopped around briefly today at lunch. I must have a really big head, because all the helmets looked huge on me. I don't look anywhere near as cool as the people in the pictures on the packaging.

Good ride in to work this morning. No red lights all the way from the point I joined Interstate Avenue until I hit the top of the Eastbank Esplanade in the Rose Quarter. No rain. No flats. No jerks.

This bike is my most recent object of lust. I trotted over to Clever Cycles here in Portland and checked out their bike collection. Nice place. Dedicated to cyclists that don't wear lycra. "Bicycle living" I think one web-site or article called it. I've been meaning to get over there ever since they opened. I liked the space. They had nice all-weather clothes for year round cycling. Wool clothing by Ibex and other vendors. And they had a really extensive collection of panniers and bike bags in funky prints. (So I can't take Dev there - she'll buy out the store.)

One of the owners let me test drive the Transport (a slightly different bike that the picture above.) Bike rode surprisingly light for a beast this big made with steel. Integrated generator hub headlight and tail-light. Big full fenders. Fully enclosed chain to keep your clothes clean. And tradition/retro styling. The same sort of styling that had me lusting after vintage Harleys and Triumphs and BMWs when I rode motorcycles.

At $1400-1500, I won't be buying one soon. I guess that's why it's an object of lust instead of a show-and-tell-toy.

Good night climbing last night. Still not topping the old 5.9 yet, but my form started to return.I had one move on a 5.10- route that made my entire night. The moves just felt right. I knew the sequence. I played the theory of what I needed to do through in my head. And I felt that the sequence was right as I executed it. I fell two times after that move on that route. I still lowered off with a grin on my face.

Gonna be a good day. Radio started off with "Rock and Roll Lifestyle" by Cake.

One

of

the

best

songs

ever.

I officially need to get into the climbing gym more regularly. I went last night with Nate and pumped out my grip in short order. Falling off easy, jug-tastic holds. Frustrating. I thought I had 5.10 at the start of the season. Guess that's what lack of practice will do for ya.

snow. snow. snow. snow. snow. snow. snow. snow.