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

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A house on the way home...

Is this "real" art or found art?

the shoe fairy dropped by...

... and I now find myself with 6 more pairs of shoes, all Vans. The actual story is a little more involved, but it's a nice surprise, especially for a novice sneakerhead like myself. Astute t.c readers will notice only 5 different shoes pictured below. The 6th pair is a cycling shoe that doesn't really fit the group (but are sweet none the less).

These are all from a premium line from the Vans brand called Off The Wall, or OTW for short. Shoes in this line incorporate nicer leathers, suedes, patent leathers, etc. The 3 high-tops are all the same model in different "colorways", the 2 lowtops follow the same story.

Friday the 13th.

Legend has it...
- If 13 people sit down to dinner as a group today, oen will die within the year.
- Many cities do not have a 13th St or 13th Ave.
- Many buildings don't have a 13th floor
- 13 witches in a coven
- If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck - Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, and albert De Salvo all have 13....

... be careful tongiht.

A Capitol Idea.

If you ever find yourself in Madison, WI I would suggest doing as the locals do and walk around downtown as much as you can. You'll hopefully find yourself at the farmer's market during the day and at night you can have an impromptu barcrawl, like I (sorta) did.
























Do start the night off right with a good "base". Head over to the Great Dane and get the brat plate. Wash it down with one of their deliciously smooth brews and head out for the night. Good start.
























After your drinking binge, get a close-up shot of the Capitol Building all lit up. I'm sure you're wondering, was this an early night or late night? I'll never tell. But the ride home was fun and very very dark. I think the city of Madison saves money but not installing street lights. I wonder what their crime rate is like because of it.

And finish the long weekend barcrawl with a special image on your way to brunch. Perhaps you even take a little siesta on this sitting-on-the-curb, soaked-in-rain, mattress set.

Only in a college town.

Sure, "global warming" is a scam...

Blue Plates Special.

During last month's travel back to IL, I was able to snap some sweet license plate shots during my 1000+ miles of driving. I thought I would post them for your viewing pleasure. And if you don't like them, at least pretend.












































































I don't know which one is my favorite (I don't usually have favorites). I will tell you that LENDOG 3 was a younger guy wearing no shirt while driving - always a sign of quality. I also wonder if there are two to three other LENDOGs in IL. LENDOG, LENDOG 1, LENDOG 2, and do they all know each other? Do they have a club and club meetings and pay dues?

SPANK IT, in the Corvette... was a spank. The only people that buy Corvettes are middle aged (dudes) who can finally afford one and who's wives let them buy it.

PRAYD 4 is one I appreciate the creativity of, but also wonder if it means they were prayed for and have many blessings OR they actually prayed for a Porsche Cayenne SUV. If it's the latter, they should have chosen SPANK 3 for their plate. (see how I combined the first two plates?)