Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Ick

The Ick is an old Dead Head term. What it loosely means is the inevitable sickness one would get after partaking in a series of concerts and all the extracurricular activities involved. Part hangover, part cold or flu, part withdrawl symptoms. It sucked. Everyone shared everything at the shows and everyone wound up with the ick.

I don't have the ick now, but I sort of feel like I do. My whole air passage, from my nose thru to my lungs feels dry and 'burned.' Lethargic is how my energy level feels. Slightly achey is my body. Slightly runny is my nose. Haven't rode in 2 days, except for to and fro work, which I'm about to do again now. I just feel like laying around and doing nothing. Which sums up what I've done, save for taking the guys to school and going to work. Not eating or drinking much either.

Damn, really feels like the friggin' ick. Brings back bad memories of having it and good memories of getting it.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Today

We did the Ovarian Cancer walk this morning, with hundreds of others. I don't know who ok'ed the t shirts, but the shirt had a big time spelling error on it. Jake wound up having to be carried part of the way. Ben wanted to run it. But we survived.

I went for a 20 mile ride tonight. Started around 6:15, with sunglasses on, ended with full lights on. It was a weird time of day for the ride. Saw a beautiful sunset, reflecting on the lake at Yeager Park. Nice and cool temperatures too. I like riding this time of year.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Preacher Part Deux

No, we didn't see Joe today. But, I found this out from Brittney, when I was getting Chuck and myself sodas.....

The Preacher came into the gas station and bought $60 in whiskey and beer, then 4 cartons of cigarettes from them. He had a HUGE wad of money to pay with.

Then, he visits us and cries for free repairs and things. We did around $100 dollars in free repairs for this bozo, because we felt sorry for him.

Hope he gets flats on his bike and all six of his trailers.

Friday, September 25, 2009

The Preacher

BEWARE bike shop people in St. Louis and all points towards New York!!!

The Preacher may be paying you a visit!!!!

Geez. I don't know where to start and I can go on and on and on. There is a guy that is riding his bike cross country, heading towards New York. He has multiple Burley and other trailers in one long line (about 6 of them). He came in because his bike wasn't shifting. We took pity and said we'd adjust his derailleur for free, to get him going. He stayed and stayed and stayed. The liquor bottle came out. Thoughts of Charlie Manson or worse were going thru my mind.

His bike is called The Preacher. It talks to him.

At first, the guy seems nice, if not a bit "off." The more he's around, the scarier he gets.

You are warned!!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

More Angst

Rain this morning means I won't be riding. I don't mind riding in rain, but I just don't like STARTING out in rain. Espicially, since I'm not really training for anything. Besides, my back/leg is still in pain/numbness. Maybe I should visit my chiropractor. So, I'll stay inside and do yoga this morning, while the crew is at school.

Speaking of more angst.....

Just got a copy of the movie, Freeway 2, Confessions of a Trickbaby, staring Natasha Lyonne. The only other movie Amy and I know her from is But, I'm a Cheerleader, where she plays a super sweet as sugar cheerleader, who is discovering her sexuallity. We liked her acting in that movie. After watching Freeway 2, I am now convinced Natasha IS a great actress. Filmed in the same year as Cheerleader, in this movie, Natasha plays the polar opposite character. Not sweet, but violent and filled with angst.

She plays Crystal, aka "white girl" a teenage armed robber, who poses as a prostitute, but pistol whips her Johns and steals their money instead and gets sentenced to 25 years in prison. But, she also has the eating disorder, bulliema (sp.). So, they put her in the state hospital to battle that disorder, until she's 19, then off to maximum security prison she'll go. At the hospital, she meets Cyclona, who's in for life. Realizing that once in prison, they'll never get out, they decide to bust out of the hospital, which has almost zero security. Then, they'll head to Mexico to stay with Sister Gonzalez, Cyclona's saviour. Then, the fun begins. Cyclona, it turns out is a serial mass murderer and sexual devient and kills repeatedly along the way. White Girl, tries to turn her ways and beats her several time. They huff paint, hop trains, kill border patrol agents and causes mayhem in general, on their way to Mexico.

Turns out, Sister Gonzalaz is a man, who actually set Cyclona into her crazy world. As a youth, she was tied up, gang rapped and basically a sex slave for SG's cult. Oh, yeah, SG also eats children. Eventually, White Girl figures everything out and shoots everyone involved.

Despite some bad direction to the movie (I think if some parts weren't a stupid, like projectile vomit and buliema throw up parties and other parts were more shocking and horrific), this was a darn good movie. Maybe that's why it's going for good prices on eBay (the movie is out of print). If it were directed better, this could have been an amazing movie.

If you can find it, see it. I'll give it 3.9 stars out of 5. It would have been better, but for the direction. Natasha plays a tough, violent hellion rather convincingly. Maybe that's why the next few years of her actual life seemed to parallel that lifestyle.



Oh, if you see this movie, Natasha is a very short woman. When she's in scenes with others in this movie, LOOK AT HER SHOES!!! They have 4 or 5 inch platforms added to the soles! Makes her walk kind of funny, but I guess she took it all....in stride.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Pain

Not exactly a good last two days. I was really stiff and had some lower back discomfort yesterday. Instead of going for a ride in the morning, I stayed home and did some yoga. But, I couldn't get into it and the results were shoddy, at best.

I was hoping on doing my Hillsboro Rd route this morning. Alas, again, I woke up in pain and discomfort. This time, I had the added pleasure of numbness in the front of my left shin. I did a 15 mile flat ride in the industrial area instead.

The other day, I was talking of a fast track bike. On my ride today, I pretty much shelved that idea as being just silly. Instead, I think I need to start focusing on long rides on Sundays and more rides during the week. IF IF IF I want to do a 200k brevet next March, I need to get distance in. Besides, it will help me lose weight and hopefully help with the back pain.

Also, Sunday, Amy (I think) has the whole clan signed up for a 1 mile walk to benefit Ovarian Cancer. I think it's in Forrest Park.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Exorsist

Ok, so it's not the Exorsist, but the beginning of Scary Movie 2. Natasha Lyonne does her best Linda Blair. Oh, if the children are around, the language isn't for them.



I guess, with Halloween coming on, I'm getting a bit gouhlish.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Who knew?

Who knew Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, was THIS talented!!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Angst

Not sure why my mood is terrible right now. I enjoyed a nice 30 mile ride today. The weather was cool and damp, perfect for breaking out my long sleeve wool jersey. Great choice. At times I was a tad cool, but I was never hot. Great route, including, Fenton, Sunset Hills and Crestwood. I am really starting to tell that I'm climbing better. My ascent up Gravois/Kennerly didn't hurt. But, wow. It's a long hill. Really long for around here.

I'm not sure what I want to be as a cyclist. I even contemplated buying a track racing bike today! WTF? I really don't want to race and to top it off, track racing is generally dangerous. Maybe something like a pursuit or kilo. Some bike set up time trial style could have it's advantages. But, I REALLY doubt I'd get something like that.

Bikes are weird ego machines. I have a friend who is racing cyclocross. Good for him. But, he's complaining about buying $40 brake pads for his carbon rims. Here's the problem. Cyclocross. Maybe a local racer will do 10-15 races in the season. IF you are a contender, I can MAYBE see having carbon rims/wheels. Otherwise, it's just silly. Total stroking of ego. "Look at me! I spent more on my wheels than most people I'm racing against spent on their entire bike!" As I said, if you're a contender, maybe I can understand it, but when your being beaten on people who's bikes don't cost as much as your wheels??? C'mon friend! You are just stroking your ego. Ego is a bad thing. It leads to people's downfalls.

I used to have expensive race bikes and was all into it too. But, now, I'm happy riding my simple fixed gear for fun and pleasure. AND, I'm having more fun on the bike now, than when I felt compelled to "train for the big event" and prove my worthyness to others who also felt compelled to prove themselves to me and others.

I'm not knocking racing, but at the same time I am seriously glad that I don't do it anymore. Which makes me wonder about my debating track racing. Why have a special bike to ride around in circles in North St. Louis? It would be fun. Maybe, it's because I've done my share of racing bmx, mountain, road, and cyclocross. Track is something I toyed with, but never did much racing of.

Maybe I'm starting my mid life crisis, not sure what or who I want to be.

Music. I think I may finally be where I want, with the instruments I want. I love the Gibson/Carson J. Robison guitar. The Gold Tone banjo is also turning into a friend, something "different" for when I don't want to play guitar.

My personal mood is weird right now. I feel hippyish, always carring a Tibetan Quartz crystal with me, meditating, doing yoga. Other times, I'm pissed off at people and feel like pummeling them. I have been in a bit of pain lately, my back, teeth, sometimes even my hair. My family makes my happy/angry. Like I said, my mood is weird.

I saw this today. Wow. I don't know what to think. Amazing story at least!!! Haunted guitar. Yeah, sure!

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-GIBSON-KALAMAZOO-ARCHTOP-WARNING-GUITAR-is-HAUNTED_W0QQitemZ360189907498QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item53dcfdd22a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14know

Friday, September 18, 2009

Takin' Care of Business

Just a quick post to catch up. I did get a banjo. A Gold Tone openback frailing type banjo. It's fun just to knock around on it. I like the bare finger type playing better than bluegrass style. I'm not going to get all serious on it, just have fun.

This is cool....

The Harmony H-72 guitar I sold on eBay, was bought by B.T.O.'s Randy Bachman!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

New Grass Revival

New Grass Revival. Damn, what a group!!! Invented, obviously, "new grass" music, which is a offshoot of bluegrass. Less mountain, more pop and rock. Star studded group with Bela Fleck on banjo, Sam Bush on mandolin, John Cowan on bass and amazing mullet and Pat Flynn on guitar. Bela and Sam are GODS on their instruments, everyone knows that. Pat is under-rated on guitar and John's got amazing pipes. I saw them twice. The first time was at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado. The last time I saw them, was their last show before going their seperate ways. It was opening for the Grateful Dead at new years, 1988 into 89 (or was it 89 into 90). These guys were great. Really good songs and killer instrumentals too. This video shows about everything they had, great vocals and wizard like instrumental passages.



Since then, I saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones a bunch of times, several times had Sam as a member of the band. I met both backstage at the Westport Playhouse (as well as Victor and Roy Wooten) and spent a long time speaking with them. They remembered me the next time I saw them at a free concert in the parking lot at Union Station, where they talked to me several times from the stage (I was in the front row). They hadn't done a soundcheck and they were asking how they sounded and what needed to be changed. We had drinks afterwards. Cool guys.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Fever

Guitar aquisiton syndrome (gas) sucks. I have it again, but of a different sort. The Carson J Robison/Gibson guitar is everything I thought it would be and then some. I simply love it. I now have a good hard case for it and after putting on new strings, humidifying it and playing the heck out of it, she has come back to life. AMAZING guitar!!! The Harmony did sell via eBay, and for signifigantly more than I paid for it. This will allow me to either keep all the money, or keep some AND get another instrument. Problem is, if I get another instrument, WHAT?

I was thinking mandolin. But, in my efforts to learn it before, it just didn't happen for me. Weissenborn type lap guitar? Possible. But, then again, I can always play lap slide on the Carson J. Banjo? Most likely. I used to play bluegrass banjo and in the short time I took lessons, I amazed my teacher with my potential. But, I really don't want to be "bluegrass," if you know what I mean. If I were to banjo out, I think solo type old tymey music would be the appropriate venue. Just jam and make up melodies. Also, tuned to G, banjo would help my guitar playing in G as well, so the learning would translate between instruments nicely. Ok, olde tyme banjo. Would I want something OLD and cool or new and cool? There is one old, old banjo at a local shop I'm thinking about. Also, I found a guy that makes fretless mountain banjos. Another possibility.

Or, do I keep all the $$$ for myself?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Healing

I went to my Chiropractor this morning, after dropping the lads off at school. Afterwards, at home, I did some yoga and meditated outside. It's fun listening to the symphony of nature as I travel the astral plane. I feel envigorated, young and healthy. It's a feeling I want to keep around.

As for the guitar, the strings at 420hz hasn't seemed to damage the top any. This is good. WOW!!! The tone this thing has!!!! Boomy bass notes and eveness through out the neck. Great fingerstyle guitar! I think I made a great choice. No. No thinking. I DID make a great choice.

On the guitar front, my H-72 Harmony is for sale on eBay. Auction ends tomorrow. I have it listed at $450. No bids....as of yet. There are THIRTY THREE watchers!!! Hopefully, tomorrow will have the auction explode, netting me some $$$.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Black and White

No, I'm not talking about race relations. I'm talking about black and white television. I grew up with it. Our family had a big consuel color tv, but I had a small black and white in my room. I think I got it around 1975, or so, when I was laid up with Swine flu. It had a ear plug jack too. This enabled me to stay up late at night watching all sorts of things. I remember watching hockey, soccer, Wrestling at the Chase, western movies, Woodstock and Montery Pop, all in black and white. I remember Howard Cosell informing me and the nation that John Lennon was shot, during Monday Night Football.

The reason I am remembering black and white today, is that on the NHL Network, they were showing a playoff game today from 1971, and it was in black and white. It had the Toronto Maple Leafs (with Hall of Famers, Daryell Sitler and Bernie Perrant) contesting the New York Rangers (with HoFers, Brad Park and Clark Gilles). The game was so much better back then. No advertising on the boards or the ice like now. The play was different. Not as much sensless crushing people into the boards. That's not to say there wasn't any rought stuff. Each time somebody skated by someone else, elbows were up and there was a lot more open ice hitting going on. There was a 5 man fight in the first period and several fights in the second period, including 2 5 man fights. Good stuff. I didn't see the 3rd as we went out for family activities.

I had a nice ride this morning, a 20 mile route thru Fenton, Sunset Hills and Crestwood. Not much flat. Started from my house to Bowels and the first hill. Once by the hospital, I went down, reaching 50km. Turned right onto Horan, then right onto Larkin Williams and up the short steep hill into Old Town. Over the bridge and the industrial flats of Sunset Hills. This would be the last flat for a while. Up Old Gravois/Kinnerly. It'll be a great climb after they finish the roadwork. As of now, the pavement sucks. At least today, they weren't working, so I didn't have to worry about any one way traffic situations. Once at the top, it was time for rolling hill after rolling hill. Kinnerly to Sappington to Eddie and Park to West Watson. Then, Rott gave me some flats again. I took the path into Minne Ha Ha Park, back over the olde bridge, then up 141 to Bowles and back home. This is a good route. About an hour and 20 minutes on the fixed gear, including stop lights and signs. I am getting fitter, the climbs don't seem as bad anymore. In fact, I like them.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Fun on a bike

Today, was the Founder's Day Parade and Festival, in Fenton. The shop had a spot in the parade, which had a vehicle with bikes on top, followed by 4 cyclists throwing candy to the kids along the parade route. Yes, I was one of the cyclists. My chosen weapon was a Sun cruiser. I haven't rode anything like that in years. Justin, also from the shop, rode a mini penny farthing, aka, high-wheeler, with a 26" front wheel. 2 of Justin's friends also rode, one was on a unicycle and the other on a Sun tricycle. The basket on the back of the trike is where we stashed the candy and our water. The route was about 3 miles, which made for a return trip of the same distance and there was a short hill each way. Given our rides, we all had different diffulcties, mine was the wide cruiser seat being a pain in the ass, literally. I hurt by the turn around point.

But, we all had a good time, made some kids happy and got some free advertising for the shop.

Bikes. They can be used for fun, not just training to be the next Lance Armstrong.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Purge

After yesterday's bad event and the mental energy I used contemplating it, I was left with an awful headache. It started last night at work and continued to today.

I needed to purge myself. I've been thinking of getting a haircut. Even seriously thinking of shaving my head. Don't know why I wanted to go bald, but the thought was there. So, after dropping the boys off at school, I headed to Great Clips. I didn't take it all off, but I went shorter than I have in a very, very long time. #2 shears around the sides and back and maybe 1/2-3/4 inch on top. I like it. I also wonder what Amy will say.

At home, I did some Tibetan Bowl meditation, to heal the headache, followed by some yoga. I haven't done any yoga in a long time and I was stiff. Didn't do any set plan, just flowed into poses that felt "right."

After the bowl and yoga, my headache is much better, almost competely gone. It's good to get rid of stress and blockage. It allows your chi to flow and purge your body of toxins.

I'll ride this afternoon for about an hour.

***

Added later...

I broke a guitar string on the Gibson. I hate changing strings on old guitars. You never know what's going to happen. Should I put 'silk and steel' strings on this guitar? That was my main question. All I had at home were medium Elixers, so I put them on and carefully tuned it up. Then I thought, well, I'm playing solo. I don't need to tune at a frequency to easily play with others. My old Bruno, I tuned at 430 hz. In the 1800's 430 was the standard pitch for the note A. Somewhere along the line, it went to 440. So, I tuned to 430. I also tuned to DADGAD, to have some lower string tension while the guitar's top adjusted to the new strings. Then I tried 425hz, then 420!!! I left it at 420. Tension's low and it sounds really mellow and throaty! I'll see what happens to the top over the next few days, before I decide on and if, I want to bring it back up in frequency.

Oh, and for those of you keeping score, no, the lady copper never called me.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

People suck

People suck. This morning, I went for a short, but tough ride. It was the Hillsboro Rd/Trailer Park ride. 2 steep out of the saddle, give it all you got, climbs. After the hills, I did a spin thru Old Town Fenton.

Then some asshole threw something at me. They were headed in the other direction. I looked back and saw they pulled into the gas station. If it had just been words, big deal, people say ignorant things all the time. But, something whizzed by my head. I was pissed off. I went to the station and asked what exactly the problem was. "Stay on the sidewalk, faggot" was what I got. I informed him that he obviously wasn't aware that riding on sidewalks is actually illeagal in Missouri and that bikes have a legal right to be on the road, hence the "share the road" signs that are all over this stretch of road. "I'm going to shove your bike up your ass." was the reply. Also, this dolt picked up the windshield cleaner/squeegie thing and swung it over my head. Cell phone was pulled out and I called the police and gave the license plate number of his truck. While on 911, he kept yelling threats at me and swung the squeegie at me again. That was almost "it." I asked him if he ever had his ass kicked in by someone wearing spandex before, because it was about to happen. He responded by getting into his work vehicle (yes he was working) and drove off.

Normally, I have the utmost respect for law enforcement officials. Not this time. A lady copper shows up, with full on attitude. As soon as she got out of the car, I realized that she in no way, shape, of form was going to do squat. She took my statement and said "thank you." "What? Don't you even want my name and contact information?" "Why, what am I supposed to do about this, it will be your word vs. his." As if by magic, a witness from the gas station came up and wanted to give her point of view on what happened, and totally back up my claim. Lady copper, said, thank you, but that won't be necessary. "Huh? You aren't going to take a voulentary witness' statement?" After my contact info was grudgingly gathered, she said, "I'll call you this afternoon if I find out anything." I said, "yeah, right. I won't be holding my breath, you don't care. The fact that you first were going to let me go, without any of my information, told me that you weren't going to do anything. Not taking a voulentary witness' statement to what happened only backed that up. Thank you for the fine and professional way you conduct yourself." And I rode off.

No phone call from her yet. And I still can't figure out why someone who I never saw before in my life, heading the other direction, across 4 lanes of traffic, plus a center lane, would throw something at me.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Ritual Dance

I've been playing the Gibson in DADGAD tuning a lot. That tuning is just easy for me to improvise in. As a bonus, the guitar seems to like it too. It resonates well in that tuning. Acoustic guitar instrumentals get me thinking of one guy. Of course, Michael Hedges.

From Youtube, Michael Hedges' "Ritual Dance"



House painting was completed today. I rode for around 20 miles, mostly flats. I put the fenders on my bike after yesterday's rain. Good thing. Part of my ride took me thru the Meramec Greenway section of Yeager Park. It is a well shaded section, that hadn't dried out from all the rain of Saturday and yesterday. The fenders kept me dry. In some way, they are a badge of honor. I am now a bike Fred, but one with a history. Actually, these fenders are ok. They are made by SKS and they actually look pretty good and sit mostly even on the bike. The last bike I used fenders on was my good old Trek 470, which I converted into a fixed gear bike and used as a commuter for many years.

Bikes are cool, m'kay.

Guitars are cool too, m'kay.

Michael Hedges kicked ass, m'kay.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

A thing of beauty.

There is a lot of bike riding in St. Louis this weekend. For the pros, the Tour of Missouri starts downtown on Monday. For those that think they are pros, there is the annual Gateway Cup, a series of criterium races. Years ago, I'd do the Gateway Cup races. Now, though I respect those that race, I also think a lot of the attitude that goes with it, is silly off the charts. STLBIKING's message board represents some of this stupidity. Threads complaining about entry fees, racing in the rain...you name it. If you don't like it people, don't do it. It's that simple. But, for many it's not. Egos need to be stroked.

I rode this morning for 25 miles, in mostly rain and wet. Part of my planned route took me from Kirkwood to 21 via the Grant's Trail. Trailnet, or some similar group had a ride going in the other direction. I must have passed 200 riders. Then it dawned on me, what I was really watching.

You see, "racers" make up a very, very tiny part of the area's cyclists. But, they have those big egos and think they are the schiz. These casual riders I saw on this ride, were all smiling, talking to each other and had smiles on their faces. AND, they were RIDING IN THE RAIN!!! Certainly, they showed up, in the rain, paid their entry fee in the rain and started their ride in the rain. I have more respect for these people, including the fatsos on recumbants, than I do for certain racers that complain about non refundable race fees, when the race is held in the rain and they are too, well, "special" to ride in the rain.

I no longer race and am somewhat proud to be a 'regular' cyclist again, riding for fun, pleasure and excersize, without some need to stroke my ego. Again, nothing wrong with those that race, just don't become a tool, is all I'm a sayin'.

Oh, and then there are moments like this, from Friday's Cat 4 race at Lafayette Square...

Friday, September 4, 2009

Guitar Photos

As promised, here are photos of the guitar. Sorry about the glare of light reflecting of the laquer finish.



My 1933 Gibson Carson J. Robison, which is the same as a Kalamazoo KG-11. The only difference between it and a Gibson L-0, is that the L-0 has an adjustable truss rod and x bracing. This has a non adjustable truss rod and ladder bracing.



Headstock with silkscreened Carson J. Robison logo. The tuners have been replaced.



Body showing spruce top, brazillian rosewood fretboard, mother of pearl dots and a cool art deco checkerboard sound hole ring, which was only used in 1933.



Typical mini tobacco sunburst finish, the typical Gibson finish of the time, unless they finished it all black or natural.



As I said, the top is spruce and the fretboard is brazillian rosewood. The sides, back and neck are all mahogany.

Cool as all get out, eh?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Guitar

Yes, the Carson J. Robison guitar arrived. Yes, it's cool. Yes, I've been playing it alot. Tunings, standard, open G and dadgad. Guitar has a really nice voice. I anticipate it getting even better with more use. GREAT fingerstyle guitar!

I'll post photos soon.