Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wrap Up
I had thought of blathering on about the year. Some sort of revisit of some of my resolutions from last year, a wrap up of where my head is and such. Maybe that is what this is, but I will try to keep it brief. There are only a few hours of this year left and I would hate to be the means by which you waste too many of them...
I am not really much of a resolution sort, to ring in a new year. The idea coming into 2011 was simply for me to be better. Just better. A better spouse, son, friend, person or whatever. I am not sure how I would score myself on that resolution. I suppose that would be more up to you, than me anyway.
I think I did better on most counts, sorta. Maybe not much better, but on some counts there was only room for improvement.
So, yeah...
I am probably heading into 2012 with the same resolution.
It sounds pretty simple, "be better."
Right?
It turns out it is challenging, quite.
I mean let us just start with the fact that I am an isolated, introverted, moody, contrary asshole. Prone to surliness and excess. Quick with an insult and all of that. I am pretty conscious of what a little shit I can be, but you know...
I am trying to be better.
Then there are the things I do daily. At what point does "being better" stop? I can also be quite compulsive, so the premise is right up my alley. Well, I am not really great at a whole lot of things. I get by, and I am getting better at some things. I am also trying to chill out on that compulsive part and be better at accepting good enough, when it is in fact good enough.
Trying to get better.
There is the thinking side of this process for me, too. Trying to reason some things out. Get better at thinking. You know, stuff like everyday bits. I have been trying to gain some grip on bigger ideas, as well. Shit like spiritualism and selfhood, big picture kind of stuff. I am not sure I have figured anything out, but I am making an effort at least.
Working on getting better.
Now that I have spelled this out, it sounds like some crap self-help book kind of fuck word pile. I got nothing to preach at you, here. I am just putting a bit of my personal weirdness out there for you to breeze over and maybe think about.
That's it, I guess.
It is sorta how I spent this year. What I have been trying to do...
I will keep after it.
Good luck, fortune and all of that in the coming year.
Cam Cover Chop Cont'd Again
Why not one more?
The dog gets some meds at 3AM, with his current deal.
So, I am up...
Obsessive behavior can hide behind pet parenting, perhaps.
We are at 300 grit and those scratchy pads.
No polish yet, still shaping shit up.
A lot of Velvet Underground, beer and smokes in this.
But I need to medicate my dog and maybe sleep some, so this is where things are now...
That tab reaching the locating dowel may have distorted, early on.
That bums me out...
Some tension in the casting, maybe. Released when I cut stuff.
I guess I will see how it fits, later.
Maybe heat and move, or just cut the damned thing off. I want it, though. It helps locate things in the cam hoohah shit...
Anyway, I should go deal with other things.
You should too...
Cam Cover Chop Cont'd
I have something like this in mind...
More filing, sanding and shaping to follow.
I think you should be able to get what I am up to with this, though.
I guess it is the eve of a new year, at this point.
This is the sort of thing that makes me happy, most days.
Hopefully, I can do more of this sorta shit next year.
Maybe I will tell you about last years thought bullshit, later...
Things I meant to do, things I hope to do in the coming year.
Maybe.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Cam Cover Cut
Chopping down the cam chest cover has been on my list, for a while...
No real reason to do this other than saving some ounces, having something to do and looking cool.
This is a spare from a wrecked bike.
There is still a lot of shaping to do, to make it look right, but here it is today...
The final drive sprocket cover will get cut to go along with this.
Lots of holes, too...
Just trying to reduce extra mass and expose some mechanical attributes.
Motorcycles always look better pared down, to my eyes...
Working on that this winter.
Trimming some fat...
William
I have been a bit silent lately, I know...
My little buddy had a health scare, Christmas night.
Somehow, he got doggy whip lash or something...
We think, or so we have been told.
Best guess shit, without an MRI.
So, I have been dealing with that.
Doggy parent stuff...
He seems to be on the mend.
Little dude is on solitary confinement and is supposed to be kept from doing pretty much anything that makes him happy, for fear that he may be paralyzed by just about everything...
So, we are all sullen and mopey...
Me, my main man, the misses, other pets.
The whole bunch here, but mainly William.
You don't realize quite how central your pup is, day to day, until you gotta lock them away from your world...
Like I said, he seems to be recovering.
I am very optimistic about that.
Just a bit distracted...
Wish well, for my dog.
He is about all that keeps me sane in this world...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Sweet Jumps
It occurs to me that there used to be a lot more car chases and jumps on television...
Has there been any car jumping on any network TV show, like in the past decade?
Not fake stuff, but actual stuntman wrecking a perfectly good car by jumping it over a fence or something...
I guess I remember one on an HBO series.
Any I have missed?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Two Wheels Tuesday
Bob Gill Kite Cycle edition.
I, uhm, how exactly does...
What about the...
I have more questions than answers on this one.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Big Dick
What did you get?
You know, for presents for whatever happy God hullabaloo you get down with...
Did you get a Big Dick?
I probably would have given you a Big Dick, if you had asked...
But you didn't.
Your loss.
Why the hell can't a decent American kid get a small machine gun any more?
Hell, we let kids shoot the shit out of stuff in pretend video game world, why not give the little bastards some small caliber machine guns, a few thousand rounds and send 'em outside to have fun?
That is a genuine question.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Holidazed
I am confused...
And dazed.
It is some kind of holiday, I hear.
Movies and odd hotel food, not that we are travelling.
Just strangers still, in a strange place.
Home is where my heart is.
With my goofy family, the people who put up with me.
There is nothing quite like the family being transient provides...
Misfits and fuck ups.
Perhaps the only folks I relate with.
This island of misfit toys is about all I know, it seems.
No beaches or photo-op sunsets...
Just happy moments soon lost.
Good times chasing the dawn.
Forgotten names and numbers.
I can never quite figure if my life is magic or sad...
I lean on the hope that magic wins.
Otherwise, what is the point?
Merry whatever floats your boat, life raft or effluence...
The new year is coming.
The end of the world or another new beginning, depending on the camp you bed with...
Either way, I say fuck all.
Get on with it, get down with it.
Bring it on...
Happy deal, you bastard child of happy shit.
Keep merry.
Keep trying to make it better...
What else have we got?
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tree Up
Finally got the tree sorted out here...
I went to pick it up, along with some holiday spirits.
If you know what I mean.
Stopped off at a couple spots along the way.
Had s slice of traditional holiday pizza
Got to the spirit shop, grabbed the stash and hoofed it.
Man, bottles and trees are heavier than you think...
Priorities were assessed.
I am pretty sure the mystic tree spirit told me it wanted to be set free.
Free to share holiday joy with every passer by...
Happy holidays, folks.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
City Hall
It is in the city hall, here.
You know, mayors office and city offices kind of place.
City hall, here, seems to be in every vaguely Philly movie ever made.
Outside of dropping off that painting, I have never wandered inside. So, excuse to wander inside was acted upon.
I had to do some research on the damned place too, now that I have actually considered it at more than a tourist location and traffic obstacle.
It seems very Philly that it was built with the intention of it being the tallest building in the world, but that it took thirty years to finish the whole deal. Other buildings were taller by the time they got finished, so Philly folk made the distinction that it was the tallest habitable building for a while...
It is big, as far as city kinda buildings go. Seven hundred odd rooms, a number required with this city's famous political/bureaucratic systems I assume.
And it is old, like a hundred and ten years old. So there is that modern infrastructure layer on old building. Pipes painted to sort of match the detailed cove ceiling they hang beneath and that sort of thing. Plus the wear that one would expect in a century old office building, I guess.
There were a whole bunch of cops, too. Like a serious bunch of cops. A whole contingent at the entrance, plus one or two at every corner it seemed and at every hallway door. I guess that is a good thing? It sure didn't feel like public space, though. That kind of security made me wonder just who they think is gonna show up?
So, yeah. Field trip to the big old city hall you have probably seen in some movie. If you come visit, I will spare you the security check points and worn floors of a tour. Perhaps I will drive you past the place. You will have plenty of time to examine the architectural details as we sit the miserable traffic the building's odd location creates.
Oh, the train stops right there. We can skip the drive...
Or skip the whole damned thing.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday Drive
The important thing here is that we get to the part where you ask me how I am getting down to the shore...
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Black Cobra
My annual effort to provide with some relief from all of the damned Santa music...
I give you Black Cobra.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Stay Classy
The Show Class dudes got something for you to do tonight...
Just up the pike, from me.
Stay classy Philadelphia.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cold
It is getting cold here, again...
All you people who say "oh, not really" or "hey, the change of seasons is nice" can stuff it.
I know what cold is, what seasons look like.
Save it for the people who buy that shit...
My nose runs at 65 degrees.
To me, that is cold enough...
You wanna prove how hard you are, in the face of cold?
Come watch my dog sniff a curb in thirty degree temperatures...
I invite you, welcome you even.
I will make some cocoa, while you are out doing that.
Because you are so tough and into chill weather.
Good on you, bad ass...
I know what cold is.
I do not like it.
Atco
Atco is really close by and still in operation...
Somehow, I was too lame to make it over there this summer.
Who doesn't love a nitro burning funny car?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Dead Milkmen
Did I mention the Dead Milkmen are playing tonight?
Like three blocks from my house...
I have been in Philly for more than a year and I have still not seen them out.
Because I am a loser...
At least I am consistent.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Stretch
Our pal from London, Ella, was selected to be in some Mummers art exhibition thing here.
Spent the latter half of the day getting this stretched, squared away and retouching a bit of damage from shipping.
Been a while since I have stretched any canvas, let alone restretching a completed bit of work...
I have probably stapled a few miles of canvas to wood, though. Muscle memory may have assisted.
We are dropping this off at city hall tomorrow.
If you like art, or at least nice oil paintings of chubby Philly dudes getting drunk in satin dresses you should check the show out...
Jesus
Not sure where you stand on this campaign cycle.
I know I think it is a terrifying circus act myself...
I also know that this Perry commercial has been making the rounds, and giving him the honor of having one of the most disliked Youtube videos ever.
I just sort of read some of the reaction to it, until just a moment ago.
I clicked play...
Jesus.
What the fuck, man?
I mean really...
It is a majority christian country, as self identified census shows, dude. What is the deal with being "not ashamed" of being part of that whole big crowd?
Good for you and your team, buddy.
And those gays in the military, you know they volunteers right?
Some of them are probably even Christians...
And what the fuck does that have to do with Christmas for your kids, or praying in school?
I mean the Constitution is pretty clear on the whole church/state thing.
We kinda got through that some years ago...
That is your actual campaign ad?
Jesus fucking Christ, man...
And really, what is with the conservative christian under attack thing anyway? Separately.
Under attack from what, from who? Who is conspiring against Christians, really?
Where is this siege mentality based?
Is it just a general fear of Muslims, gays, brown people, Mexicans, hippies or anything beyond the distance one can hear a church bell ring on Easter Sunday? Is it the fact that all of those weirdos hooked up, had an orgy and now their kid is in the White House?
Who seems to consistently be on the attack, while playing the lamb?
The big ass majority, by my accounting.
Self proclaimed Jesus lovers.
How does that work, really, given all that golden rule horse shit?
Damn it, man.
I was in a good mood, too...
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Fins
This is one of those deals that has been rattling in my head for months...
With my new found free time and a cold night, I just got to it.
I had this air cleaner from the T lounging on the shelf since I sold it.
Thought about adapting it to the bike, but never liked any way I could make it fit...
So, it sat on the shelf.
I have intentions to cut the cam cover on the bike this winter.
I also have a pile of points covers, which I kinda hate.
And I had this old finned tri-power, 2 barrel air cleaner I would never use.
I got around to trying to mill off the mounting hole for this air cleaner tonight, to repurpose it as a points cover.
My old drill press does not like being used as a mill, so out came a grinder and a beer.
A few holes later, for mounting screws, and my new finned points cover is a real thingy...
I need to grab some longer machine screws to hold it on and clearence the backside some more, but there it is.
I had almost forgotten how easy this shit comes.
Or maybe I had thought about it so long, it seemed easy.
It was good to fire up some dormant tools.
Better than buying some bit of crap, for sure...
I could never find a match for that air cleaner. It is some old odd shit from Eelco I think.
It has a new life now...
Isn't that what we all want?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Month of Tacos
Now this is my kinda quest, right here...
Some dude I don't know, here in Philly has set off on the mission to eat nothing but tacos for the month of December.
Taco Month.
I know!
It is an awesome idea!
Additionally, the dude is documenting this saga with mini-reviews of all his taco stops.
That seems like it should create a compendium of taco shops I will need to visit.
Though, honestly, if it were me...I would probably end up and one or two favorite taco purveyors pretty regularly on a month long tacopocolypse. You gotta go where the quality is, right? I mean we're talking about tacos here...
So, Taco Man, I wish you luck on this journey...
And intestinal fortitude.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Seen This Before
Ever seen this before?
If not, you can thank me for enlightening you on the magical world we all share.
With all this free time I hope to get back to work on the baboonbots.
Taking over the world, all of that business...
Probably for the best, as things were starting to get a little weird down in the lab.
Under-supervised primates come up with some crazy ways to pass the time, let me tell you.
I did leave them a computer. Besides looking for monkey porn they took on some ghost writing deals for certain GOP candidates. The baboons get a hell of a kick hearing there ideas used as talking points in the campaign.
Mr Bitchin
Robert Williams deserves more respect that he gets.
Dude has influenced more than most contemporary artsy folks...
And continues to, today.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
13
Been married thirteen years, as of today...
Karen and I have been a duo five years past that.
She is my best buddy and advocate.
Looks out for me, puts up with me, humors me, loves me...
I am a lucky guy.
Tip your hat, glass or whatever on that.
Better half ain't the half of it...
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Also...
I am vibing on this bit of metal, these past few days.
I have needed some air, and we have found some.
Quiet loud, if you will...
There are not quite words for escape, just escape.
Finding that is harder than it sounds...
For the record, escape growls and lives around 80mph.
We talked.
I feel better.
Black Unicorn
I am pretty sure I have my mojo dialed, with this pin...
Black unicorn, with rainbow and star.
Wizard type shit.
I am all business, here...
Heavy duty style.
Happy Song
If you watch this and Muppets do not come immediately to mind, well, then you are a sad, soulless fuck with no appreciation for the fine art of puppetry...
Also, here is a link to the Muppet version, to make you feel better about watching somebody get shot in the back of the head.
And to add some personal bit to this, growing up I had a number of Muppet Show records.
See, this was before on demand cable and VCR's even, back in the old timey days with TV antennas and dinosaurs.
I loved the Muppets, man...
So my mother came up with Muppets Show albums, you know the vinyl things DJ's use.
The albums were the audio from skits on the Muppet Show and I remember sitting in front of the big console record player listening to them over and over. The same way kids today watch Toy Story a million times, I listened to this kinda stuff between actual airings of the Muppet Show.
Formative stuff right there...
Here is another bit on those albums. Another favorite.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Funky Boss Friday
Not out of the desire to keep things secret from you, but rather to allow some conversations to run their course in that forum.
Well, we have collectively agreed to disagree on some things I felt crucial for my own success and reputation, professionally.
We have also agreed that my relationship with them is at an end...
In that spirit, I give you this.
Sure, this is not the ideal moment to walk away from a job...
It is also not the time to struggle through work that you know you are not gonna have in a month.
So I said fuck it, I want better, or worse with less headaches.
Note: My boss was neither bald or funky and entirely empathized with the stand I took. He is also out of a gig in a few weeks and an entirely good dude I feel rewarded for working with. My whole scene got way out of hand, with expectations not matching incentives. Sometimes, one comes to inconvenient conclusions in regards to what "the man" wants. I did and have decided that change is gonna come, on my terms.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Off the Air
We will be off the air for a bit.
Some major life changing stuff is underway, here.
Regular programming will resume sometime soon.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Rockin' It
Yeah...
This is how we are rolling today.
KVC is already toe up on the couch...
I am fighting through a few more bites, rapping at you.
You gotta pace yourself for this kinda gluttony.
She said she wanted leftovers.
I think we have that covered...
So, happy Thanksgiving.
I am glad you care enough to keep checking in here.
Happy I have such a rad family, blood or not, four legs or two.
Bad days make me think about that, and I have had a few recently.
Probably a few coming up, as well...
Like Thanksgiving dinner, life is only as good as you make it.
Making it is easier with a tight crew.
Put your back and soul in it, it can be awesome.
I think I have it made.
Thanks for helping...
Turkey Day
Past years on Thanksgiving I am have turkey jokes and such...
You know, we eat turkey on Thanksgiving, there is a country named Turkey. That whole sort of thing. I am a simpleton you know, that sort of humor amuses me.
Anyway, this year I was pondering what sort of turkey day tripe I might post up and actually got to thinking about this...
Turkish themed turkey day meal.
Why have I not thought of this before?
Well, I didn't actually know crap about what kinda food goes with Turkey. I have never been there, I can't think of ever seeing a Turkish restaurant, I haven't come across many recipes from there...
So, I have been poking around Turkish cooking sites, reading recipes, doing my research.
Turns out I did sorta know a little about Turkish food, as it is sorta like mainland Greek food. You know, kebabs, pilafs, stuffed grape leaves and such. I pick up some Mongol influences in a lot of recipes and some Persian undertones as well.
I got a late start on this, this year, so no kebabs today.
I do like this idea, though I am not sure I can get a lot of takers on what is probably the most traditional meal menu day of the year...
We are doing some of our usual things here. A stuffed theme maybe, portabellas stuffed with crab, I am doing that butternut squash thing I mentioned a few weeks back, got a tiny hen that I will stuff with something. Nothing over the top, but I am sure we'll all be stuffed before the day is out.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Let me know if you wanna try doing a Turkey day thing sometime.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Animal
A drum battle with local ?uestlove and Animal, from the Muppets...on Fallon?
Now this is television I can appreciate.
That is entertainment...
Just by the way, it is exceedingly rare that I watch any of these late night guys, with their oddly similar programming formats. The late night talk dudes show up about the same time my own brain is warmed up and working, so I try to put it to better use than passive entertainment.
I do have to say that on the rare occasion I see Fallon, he might be my genre favorite at this point.
Yeah, Conan is hilarious, Letterman is still funny-but I feel like I am watching an old man social club a lot, and Leno-man, just stop...
Jimmy Fallon, with that earnest effort in getting a laugh and entertaining, seems more genuine to me.
Travel
People always seem to assume it is really fun travelling for work.
KVC gets that all the time - "Oooh, going to Asia! That sound neat!"
I get that sorta thing less, as I don't really talk to people about myself. When it does come up, that my job has me travelling, I usually just smile it off. I have been on the road more than I am with my current gig, in the past...
Really, it is kind of a pain. You know, there is all the shit at home that needs to happen if you are there or not. Living out of a bag, in weird hotels. The work part and the fact that you really have nothing to do but work.
Lately, I have been trying to enjoy and recognize some of the positives about work travel. They are pretty small things.
Like having a favorite gyro joint...in DC.
Walking in cities when I can, rather than taking cabs.
That sort of thing.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Rocco
Reminder about this guy...
He really did change skating.
It is a pretty good documentary.
If you have ever cared about skating, give it a watch.
I actually watched the whole damned thing...
That should let you know it's interesting.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Strong Words
So, uhm, dude?
Still thinking the same way, now that the protests are here?
You have seen the news, right, Mr. President?
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Ribsol
It is a cleaning day here...
So I was using some Pinesol, you know, cleaning.
I was pondering the pine scent. Why pine smell is the deal, because I am like that.
I started considering other scents for cleaning products...
Bacon came to mind, since folks seem crazy for bacon gimmicks.
My mind wandered to other nice smells...
Like some awesome BBQ cooking.
And thus I arrived at Ribsol.
Clean, with the aroma of smokey ribs cooking...
A hint of spice, wood smoke and goodness.
I will beat the shit outta anybody who steals this idea.
My genius has no bounds.
Yup.
By listening to a naked dude singing about motorcycles...
Enjoy.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Gastropubs
This city, and my hood specifically, is wall to wall with them.
Seriously...
Not that this means anything to you, unless you are here to visit and want anything more than a gussied up sandwich and a side of fries.
That's great, I can sort that out for you...
I just read that one of our favorite haunts, a little seafood place is making the turn. It had a fun little menu, good food and seemed fairly busy. They are even using the word gastropub in the new goddamned name.
That is not even a real word!
It is a stupid conjoined thing.
So, that would make nine, I think, within walking distance of my door. Not a long walk I mean, close by. I am not counting the brewery with food, even. Or the one that sort of is, but also has burritos on the menu. Two more are in the works as well, according foodie news here.
Fucking hell.
I think we're all full up on the pub food already.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Panckaes
Another day here...
I was just sitting here, working, keeping track of the dogs, pondering lunch, slacking.
Took a minute to check out an associates reporting on the local food scene.
That little mention of pancakes flipped the switch.
We just bought all the pancake making stuff last weekend!
I usually spend so much time figuring out what to eat during the day that I never get around to actually eating anything.
Oh the glory of getting a cravings - and having the means to fulfill it immediately.
Small victories, or whatever...
I just had a lumberjack sized plate of pancakes.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Presley Pistol
If you were to verbally describe this pistol, one of Elvis' collection, I would probably think it sounds gaudy and awful...
But when I look at it, it looks pretty damned awesome.
Perfect for talking care of business, lightening fast.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Two Wheels Tuesday
And this one is also a sweet gift idea for me.
I know I can be hard to shop for and the holidays are coming up...
Save yourself some stress and cross me off your shopping list.
Just send this my way.
I have been looking at a picture of this bike, taped above my desk, for two years now?
Over here is the auction.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Squash
Do you cook much squah?
I know I don't...
Not sure why exactly. I usually like it when I have it.
So I did a dry run on some stuffed acorn squash last night, as a possible add for coming holiday menus. Not really a recipe, just me combining a bunch I read with some cornbread stuffing...
Seemed to be a hit, so I will tweak it and keep it as part of my hoohah.
Acorn squash with maple, cornbread stuffing...
I like any recipe that allows some beer in the middle and little heavy thinking.
This one is all that and delicious...
Tools
There's No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.
An interesting glimpse at a tool reseller in Maine, dedicated to putting affordable tools into the hands of artists, craftsmen and average users...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Panic!
Somehow, I had missed the news of a asteroid is about to nearly miss the planet.
They are probably just telling us that so we don't all freak out and panic, while calculating just where it will impact between Newport and Boise...
My money is on Oklahoma. Things come in threes, they say.
If the world meets its end today, I gotta say it is a lovely day for it. I think I need to sneak out and fuck off a bit, that kind of nice day.
Anyway, good luck not getting flattened by a space rock today...