"No, Sir. The gutters are in great condition, ship-shape!"

I'm melting...

... here is the phone call I imagine from a little old lady, stuck in her apartment in the winter, to the cable/power/utility company. I can only guess these kinds of calls happens when the ice is this bad. (This isn't the only example either, I'll post some more from around here, "up north")

Caller: "Yes, hello. I am hoping you can help me with my service."
Company: "What seems to be the issue, Ma'am?"
Caller: "I'm not getting any cable signal - it's not working - I can't watch my shows."
Company: "I see. What's your account number, social security number, phone number, and address?"
Caller: "I'll get all that..."
[4 minutes later, after finally conceding she has an account]

Company: "Thanks for inquiring with us today about your signal issue. I'll check a few things right now... Everything looks fine on our end, Ma'am."
Caller: "No one else has called about problems in the building?"
Company: "No, Ma'am. It's ship-shape."
Caller: "You're sure everything in the building, inside and out looks good?"
Company: "Yes, Ma'am. Please check with your TV support center for issues that maybe causing this problem. and have a great day."
Caller: "Oh, alright. I'll ask my son to come over and look at it. Thanks [click]..."

It only took me a bit under 2 years to finish off this quart of farm-fresh maple syrup. This is the one I bought through my office. It was great mapley syrup, for sure.

America Bikes?

From America Bikes:
> Bicycling and walking make up 10% of all trips made in the U.S., but receive less than 2% of federal transportation funding.
> Bicyclists and pedestrians account for 13% of traffic fatalities, but receive less than 1% of federal safety funding.40% of all trips in America are two miles or less, 74% of which are traveled by car.
> Americans spend, on average, 18% of their annual income for transportation. The average annual operating cost of a bicycle is 3.75% ($308) of an average car ($8,220).
> A small reduction in driving causes a large drop in traffic. In 2008, the number of vehicle miles traveled dropped 3%, translating to a nearly 30% reduction in peak hour congestion.
> Transportation sources account for 70% of our nation's oil consumption and for 30% of total U.S. GHC emissions.
> Simply increasing bicycling and walking from 10% of trips to 13% could lead to fuel savings of around 3.8 billion gallons a year. This is equivalent to having 19 million more hybrid cars on the road.
> 89% of Americans believe that transportation investments should support the goals of reducing energy use. > 71% of Americans report that they would like to bicycle more.
> 53% favor increasing federal spending on bicycle lanes and paths.
> For the price of one mile of four-lane urban highway, around $50 million, hundreds of miles of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure can be built, an investment that could complete an entire network of active transportation facilities for a mid-sized city.
View the source document with citations →
America Bikes →

Climate Change and You.

Looking Back at 2010: Are Accelerating Weather Extremes A Symptom Of Climate Change? Gary Betts, climate scientist and commentator, had a few thoughts for Vermont Public Radio which I thought were worthy of sharing: "The Earth's climate system, which is rather unstable, is being driven by the increase in greenhouse gases and the warming of the Arctic into new patterns, and these are giving us new extremes of weather. Climate change is forcing us to face something that nobody wants to face. It is now widely acknowledged that our industrialized world, created by science and technology and a market economy, is polluting the atmosphere and oceans; and driving rapid climate change. We now face the paradox that although humanity is responsible for this; the longer we delay in changing direction as a society, the more the Earth system is slipping beyond our control. Climate scientists have been issuing warnings for twenty years, and every year our understanding of the Earth improves; so we can better estimate the climate risks we face.  But there is a naïve assumption that our politicians will use this valuable information to redirect the economy away from fossil fuels, and so steer us away from the looming precipice of irreversible climate change. But in fact, politicians will say and do almost anything to avoid responsibility for difficult and painful decisions. So at the national level our paralysis has deepened." Image courtesy of Stu Ostro, forecaster at the Weather Channel.

 

Taken from this area-weather blog: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/114448069.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBDEaLDyUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUebcOQ_17cQ_eciaU

 

I scream...

... no, not because it's below zero out, but because I figure if hot foods and drinks can keep you cool in the summer, ice cream will keep me warmer in the dead of winter - right? I'm willing to test the theory with MN's Sebastian Joe's premium Hazelnut and Chocolate English Toffee flavor choices tonight... and they have a cold weather discount (20%) in January and February - hot (pun intended) diggity!

More radiator cleaning.

Got out my vacuum's tech attachment kit (really tiny parts/hose) to take care of lingering hair issues in my rads (that's Canadian for radiator). I can't believe how much more came out. I'm scared to do the other ones.

I thought this was pretty cool.

Goto: http://antbikemike.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/x-mas-favor/

You can also see more recent updates to the story by looking at the Blog section.

 

NEw Plate.

Coming to you from the rolling hills of Omaha.

"Drunk on Christmas" from Jimmy Fallon's show with John Rich

Right from the show's website:

Jimmy Reprises "Drunk on Christmas" with John Rich - Christmas - Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

If you have not seen this already - you have to watch and listen!!!
Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Who's on your roof?!

Does it look something like this?

Find the angel.

Can you see the angel? This was of my own making, the first one in many many years. Luckily, we are not for want of snow in MN.

Quotes for the day.

We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are.
  - Anais Nin

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.
  - W. Somerset Maugham

The secret of eternal youth is arrested development.
  - Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Cyclist vs. Goliath?

I thought it was pretty funny to see a typical professional cyclist next to an American professional football player. This is Tom Danielson (on Garmin-Transitions, I believe) and former pro tightend Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos). They happen to be at an announcement event for The Quiznos Pro Tour, a new American professional bike race that will take place this summer, all in the state of Colorado. Both the guys happen to live there now... well, at least Danielson's official residence is there. Shannon looks like he could still play too.

Midnight Project

So this is what I came upon after a LOOOOONNNNG evening for work in Milwaukee. I was driving back to the hotel (not realy near downtown) and I had to navigate through this to get back. I thought I would be on a shortcut, but this turned out to be much more interesting and perhaps only a bit longer.

They were moving that huge hunk of metal into the roadway, with giant lights blazing and about 50 people standing around watching - and not just the workers (hardy har). Cripes, having to sleep through this nearby would have been a lesson in patience... long live progress?

Interesting Cycling Video, TEDxCopenhagen, Cycling Chic Blogger

I think many of you may find this interesting. It's from a blogger I really enjoy (he posts his photos of regular everyday cyclists in Copenhagen). This is a video from a conference in which he discusses "The Good Life" and how it seems as though most people are conditioned to do what their told to fear.   [I believe the higlighted links will work...] http://video.tedxcopenhagen.dk/video/911034/mikael-colville-andersen TEDx Copenhagen http://video.tedxcopenhagen.dk

Results, Poll #67, Bike Commuters

When you see a cyclist as you drive, here's what we think to ourselves...
> 0% said, "dumbass, move it" - good, because I would have tracked your ISP# and found you :)
> 57% said, "Some cajones they have" - seriously, it's dangerous out there
> 28% said, "I commuted by bike this week" - I need to do this more... or to be pain-free enough to do it more
> 42% said, "That looks like fun" - it is fun and it can be easy too... wouldn't your rather bike to work and get in exercise and stress relief by the time you get home (twice)?

And no, those percentages don't add up - I just copy what Blogger says....

Quotes of the day

As you journey through life take a minute every now and then to give a thought for the other fellow. He could be plotting something.
  - Hagar the Horrible

Either I've been missing something or nothing has been going on.
  - Karen Elizabeth Gordon

Furious activity is no substitute for understanding.
  - H. H. Williams

Starry night, Chicago-style.

Quotes for the day...

If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.
  - Marcus Bridgstocke

One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.
  - Marie Curie

From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.
  - Sir Winston Churchill

one little plate.

If you can't see the plate on this one (sorry, it was a sunny day) - I believe it reads "SILYWBT"... and it's a Volkswagen Rabbit - get it!?! Ever since Fahrvergnügen, it's been downhill.

Powerhouse - Hailey, ID

The last night of the trip I had the pleasure of stopping into a great place in Hailey, ID (which is part of the Sun Valley area) - Powerhouse Pub & Bike Fit Studio. This place is pretty unique in the world as it combines a small custom bicycle fitting studio with, what I guess Americans now would call, a Belgian-style pub. If you've been to a bicycle fitting studio, you get that idea. If you've been to HopLeaf in CHI or maybe Buster's on 28th in MPLS, you get that idea (though it's a better combination of both at Powerhouse).

But, Powerhouse does much more to combine the two - bike parts in the fancy restaurant tables, often only bike racing on the TVs, and beers on tap that you don't often see in the US. It also struck me that the people that run the place are some of the nicest and down-to-Earth I have met in a long time.

The night started with me creating a new drink, that I dubbed the Hailey Mule (after the Moscow Mule). This version combines a great local ID rootbeer and vodka. Pretty simple and pretty damn good. Then it was time to mow down a 1/3 pound local-raised beef burger. Dang was it good. Took me all of 5 minutes (it's one of my top 3 burgers ever). I was still feeling a bit peckish, so I pulled the trigger on what I remember being called a Powerhouse Roll. This is a take on the sushi rolls from across the street. Instead of a raw fish roll, Powerhouse makes an all-beef corndog and tops it with special house-made hot sauce and goat cheese. On its own, it was the best corndog I'd ever bit into (awesome corndog batter). With the extras, it really became something special. Finally, the night tapered off into a Spaten Ocktoberfest, some Delirium Nocturnum and I'm not sure what else. Not only that, but I was talking bike parts the whole time - pinch me, I'm dreaming.

If you ever find yourself in Sun Valley, ID - do us both a favor and stop in at Powerhouse. 

You da ho...

... no, Idaho. It's an impressive state. Lots to see and do outdoors. Good regional food choices, really nice small-town people. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially the Sun Valley area.

Quotes for today

Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen.
  - John le Carre

There is nothing more demoralizing than a small but adequate income.
  - Edmund Wilson

Quotes.

We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.
  - Walt Kelly

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
  - James F. Byrnes

Auto-matic Trouble.

So here's a pictoral history of my car the last few months. I don't know what's wrong - The neighborhood? My parking habits? I have a stalker? Dumb luck? Anyway you slice it, it's been somewhat costly, pretty unique and, at times, humorous.

 

1. First time the driver's side sideview mirror was torn off

2. Second time the same mirror was broken, but not fully torn off (currently held on with duct tape... no, not 'duck'... well, one brand is)

3. A night time re-enactment of The Birds (Pooping)

4. This is a new one... I can only hope it wasn't the birds again. It's an odd way to start your day as you get into your car. Please note: this was taken *inside* the car, the responsible party had to write it backwards from the outside... skills

 

 

Plates, best ever?

Sebastian Joe's, MPLS

Don't ever say 'no' to a banana split with custom, made-daily ice cream flavors

Fun Facts

- 1 in 3 US children are overweight or obese
- Obesity costs US citizens $147 billion each year and unabated could double in 10-15 yearso
- There is recent information that obesity may not be solely because of one's own food choices, but largely determined by genetic predisposition

Hotel Tip.

Do you know what the two dirtiest items are in the hotel room you just checked into? Well, it's the bedspread and the remote control. Toss that bedspread into the corner (though they love to place it back each morning) and follow these steps for the remote.

Unwrap a cup from the barware or coffee service -

And place the wrapper over the remote. Bingo-Bongo! Now it's safe... from God knows what.

Biggest 'cock I've ever seen.

Whoa!!! Get your head out of the gutter. This is the biggest shuttlecock I have ever seen, taken on the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and their surrounding sculpture gardens. It's gotta be like 12 feet high. They had at least three of them on the grounds in various positions. There's a picture on their homepage of a family picnicking under the shade of this one. Geez, that's big.

KC Masterpiece?

During a recent trip to this city in two states and the same name... I had a great afterwork walkabout and found their Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and it's outdoor sculpture park. I didn't pay anything to "get in" and it was a great place to get out and walk, especially after a long day at the office.

Just a unique house on the way...

I don't know of this is THE Thinker, but it said Rodin on the plaque

<>

<><>

A house on the way home...

Is this "real" art or found art?