Status Updates

It's going great, here...

Wait...

So, I just stopped working for a little fuckin' around break...

You know, a few minutes of looking at stuff on line, because I am pretty sick of thinking about how to make old broken down audio systems work and need a snack.

I am looking at some site by a dude in Japan, who posts up neat bike stuff...

And find a pic of my pal David's car.

I assume it's his.

(Nobody else in Oregon would keep such a car so well...)

Gee whiz, it is sure a small world.

I still love that wagon...

I remember the day we road tripped to pick it up.

Some state copper up in Washington had it in his family for years.

Amazing condition, super original...

David has only made it better.

The real highlight of that trip for me was pulling pilot duty in David's Impala, on the way back.

If you have ever been in that car, you understand...

133

I am totally down with the 133.

Two Wheels Tuesday

Watch Out

You see one of these on the road, I am telling you right now, watch out!

I watched a lot of that show CHiP's, when I was a kid.

These trucks were the cause of, probably, 80% of all the major accidents that occurred on that show.

Drivers dozing at the wheel, failed breaks, unsecured loads...

These trucks are rolling death, man.

Beware.

If you happen upon an accident involving one of these things...

Do not slow down to rubberneck, by the way.

These things also explode for no apparent reason.

That is why they stopped making 'em, I am pretty sure.

Sunday Drive

I am pretty sure that signs means go this way really fucking fast.

The Short Hairs

I am getting there, with this thing...

I sorted through a few wiring hassles, today.

The taillight and coil stuff. specifically...

The new handlebars, from Special '79, are mounted with the cables routed in such a way that makes sense.

The Crazy German called, while stuff was going down.

I think it was his positive attitude that helped breath some life back into this thing...

We are down to tightening some bolts and sorting out the jets.

Where is the god damned heat?

C'mon spring...

You're Wearing That?

Because you are really pulling it off...

Where did you get those socks?

Weekend Plans

What have you got going on?

Funny Car Friday

Some people enjoy their commutes.

Know Why?

Do you know why scuba divers fall backwards, over the side of the boat, when getting into the water?

If they fell forwards, they would still be in the fucking boat.

Solitude

When I wear my special sensory isolation helmet, the noise of the world is greatly diminished.

I could not get through the day without it...

Tutu Tuesday

Man, is it the 22nd already?

Wildlife

The graceful Cheetah, bounding through the countryside...

I love nature stuff.

Sunday Drive

How much gas does this tank hold, anyway?

Smelts

Yeah, so if you know me you know I am want to order random restaurant stuff because I have never had something...

Which means I occasionally get some new to me thing that I may not need to ever experience again.

Smelts have been on the menu at one of the local gastro-pubs for a long time...

(Note: By using the expression gastro-pub here, I am attempting to make the expression less cool and therefore make the idea of a gastro-pub less attractive to restaurateurs, thus reducing the number of fucking gastro-pubs we are subjected to.)

Now, I didn't really know what smelts were...

Just a vague notion of some manner of bait fish.

When I learned that they were battered and fried I figured why not?

I can eat nearly anything that has been battered and deep fried...

Yeah, so I had some smelts.

I am not sure I need to have any more.

Stoned to Death

Fan Mail Friday

I get this kinda shit, all the time...

Green Beer Day

This is one of those holidays that are a bit lost on me...

People here have been getting down and drunk in the name of Pat, for about a week now. Seriously.

I mean, I like green beer as much as anybody can, I suppose.

How did this Patrick dude become such a big deal in the States?

I would get it in Ireland, where he was like a snake exterminator or something...I think.

I like the Mick's well enough.

But goddamn, man...

I don't need to go around kissing 'em and shit.

I don't care how much cheap green beer you give me...

Those pale, doughy, gingers are just not my thing.

I don't want to kiss them.

Wheelie Wednesday

U-Scan't

I haven't complained about anything for a while, so I am going to bitch about the whole U-Scan thing...

I really hate these things.

I think we are supposed to believe that some time is saved, byusing these things.

Maybe we are supposed to feel empowered by the act of checking ourselves at the store. Resting the control of scanning and bagging from unwashed heathens, who could never understand the consideration that went into the selection of whatever bullshit thing it is that we are buying, and handling the entire transaction ourselves...

Man, these things are lame.

There is always something that costs less than a dollar, which always sends the process into a dead stop...

While you wait for some poor store associate to enter a random code into the system, you can get ahead by bagging up some of your crap.

Pffttt...

Most people get to go through this, so you have time to watch that employee flitter from aisle to aisle, repeating process endlessly.

God forbid anybody have coupons or foodstamps...or be purchasing vegetables...

That will slow you down, way down.

But really, what the hell is wrong with talking to a cashier?

I mean, presumably, you are buying stuff in the vicinity of your home...

The people working at the store likely live in the same general area...

It can be kind of nice to talk to people that are sharing the corner of the world you live in.

Outside the fact that I see the U-Scan things as a removal of a base part of the service I expect in retail experience...

And I hesitate to see how I am doing anything but increasing a stores margins by using the damned things - without seeing any additional savings in my purchase for having reduced the labor required for the transaction.

I just think they are bad for communities...

You hunt for your stuff alone, you wait in line alone, you scan your crap alone...

Ya don't have to interact with anybody.

It seems sad, to me...

I mean, sure, that chat with the kid bagging your shit is forced...but you may learn something about the kid, the neighborhood or life by having that chat.

Yeah, It's 3.14

Sunday Drive

It is all about having the right equipment.

Far Out

You're Wearing That?

God damn it...

I am way too overdressed, again.

I like your belt, though.

It really sets off the...uhm...

Nice belt.

I Gotta Get Out More

Handmade Portraits: Liberty Vintage Motorcycles from Etsy on Vimeo.

Alright, I have been in Philly a while now...

And I have heard rumors about the existence of this guy.

Never any solid facts, just "you should meet that guy up in Fishtown" or similar vague asides...

I have seen a couple of odd, old bikes - either putting by in traffic or parked with nobody around.

Does this video confirm the existence of the Fishtown Old Bike Guy?

Weekend Plans

Whatever super fun stuff you have got cooking for this weekend...

These people have come up with something better.

Feeling Cool?

Yeah, well, we've stolen your girlfriends, mate.

How about that?

Miller

I was going to wait to post this on February 7, 2027, and blow your mind...

But here it is now.

Urges

I don't know that I have ever wanted to punch an illustration, before this...

I think might be the first.

Sunday Drive

It can't always be scenic vistas and countrysides...

A Little Lid

It's March, now...

Which might mean it is spring.

I will take whatever they are having, in celebration.

Vote Now

Hi Everyone!

A friend of mine, Rod Hill, is an auto shop teacher at Los Banos High school out in Northern California.

Rod does an awesome job teaching auto shop... teaching kids how to restore cars, build hot rods and rebuild engines.

Only problem is... his shop is lacking a lot of the basic tools needed to get the job done.

UTI is sponsoring a High School Auto Shop "Makeover"... and awarding $25,000 to the high school that gets the most votes.

You can click on this link and VOTE for Los Banos High School:

http://utigarage.com/class-scholarship

But don't take my word for it that Rod's shop needs the $25,000...

Watch the videos.

I know Rod hams it up a bit... slave driving the kids... but all joking aside, look at his shop, and then look at the others... I mean sheesh, the high school with the most votes looks like they can afford three instructors! And they look like they have a lot of equipment and tools already. Rod's classroom is a small shop that is ill-equipped and he has been able to make work for the community, and help people in need.

Again... Vote now... Los Banos High... http://utigarage.com/class-scholarship

All you have to do is click on Los Banos High, enter your e-mail and then click on a link that they will send you that just makes sure you are a real person. It's safe.

End of the Work Week Office Advice

Service

Hard Knox

Tom Knox doing cool shit.

My Office

This office can start to feel a little crowded, at times...

Any sort of big gathering of the minds here, space becomes a premium.

Luckily, these two had separate meetings, with fluffy pillows, scheduled right after this one - so I could get back to work.

King

My one shot at ever being King of the Internet.

I give to the world...

Hong Kong Chewey.

How have I never seen this before?

Taco Tuesday

Call me Pablo...

Cause I am ready to go on another beer swilling, full on taco bender.