Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Bicycle
I love my bike. To be honest, since I sprained my ankle, I'm kind of going through withdrawals. So, instead of riding it, I'll write about it.
I found it at the Deseret thrift store on Auburn Blvd. It was $40 and all original as far as I could tell (except it was missing the original pump that it has the braze-ons for). It needed new tires and tubes, and the Sturmey-Archer gearing was a little wonky, but I got that stuff taken care of (kind of) at College Cyclery and I was ready to go.
I fell in love with all of the little details. The crank was one of my favorite things about it, as well as the headbadge.
There's plenty of nicks, scratches, and maybe a little bit of dirt, but honestly I like it that way. I have made my fair share of changes though. Part of me wishes I would've kept it in all it's original glory, but I wanted to make it mine. I like my bikes the same way I like most things in life: comfortable, classy, utilitarian and old. The first thing I changed was the seat. Those old seats certainly have been improved upon. I threw on a seat from an old bike of Brandi's, and I've ridden pretty comfortably ever since. Soon I want to replace it with something a little prettier, and though I'm tempted by the Brooks name, I think I'll get the V-O Model 8. It's pretty comparable to the Brooks Flyer, but cheaper and with a few things I actually like better. I also had my pal Garrit convert it to a single speed. Three speeds were nice, but the Sturmey Archer in-hub system was killing me. I'm not as mechanically inclined as I'd like to be, and that thing was going out on me every month or so, so it was just easier. There's not much need for multiple gears riding around midtown anyways, and I can always get it upgraded in the future if I decide I need to, right? Right. I took off the chainguard to replace the chain once, and decided to leave it off. I may put it back on, but for right now it doesn't make much difference. I added a small Nitto front rack, the idea being I'd find an old rounded-top lunch box that would strap on perfectly for my commutes to work. I never found the right lunch box, and had a hard time strapping on my odd shaped, plastic modern lunch box without it being kind of overkill for the 20 minute bike ride. So a basket was in order. Right before I got hurt, I ordered a Wald wire basket and other things from Rivendell Bicycle Works. I attached the basket to my existing rack with zip-ties and it was good to go, not mention pretty good looking, if I do say so myself. I also purchased the Sackville Shopsack, which is custom made to fit perfectly in the Wald basket. It's the perfect size for my lunch box, a book, a jacket, and a change of clothes if I'm working both jobs in one day.
I have a weakness for woodgrain, so I couldn't resist the wooden grips I found on the site. They feel great. So much more natural than the standard rubber grips. Nice and big and contoured to fit my hand perfectly.
The cats love it too.
So much, in fact, they fight over it.
I found it at the Deseret thrift store on Auburn Blvd. It was $40 and all original as far as I could tell (except it was missing the original pump that it has the braze-ons for). It needed new tires and tubes, and the Sturmey-Archer gearing was a little wonky, but I got that stuff taken care of (kind of) at College Cyclery and I was ready to go.
I fell in love with all of the little details. The crank was one of my favorite things about it, as well as the headbadge.
There's plenty of nicks, scratches, and maybe a little bit of dirt, but honestly I like it that way. I have made my fair share of changes though. Part of me wishes I would've kept it in all it's original glory, but I wanted to make it mine. I like my bikes the same way I like most things in life: comfortable, classy, utilitarian and old. The first thing I changed was the seat. Those old seats certainly have been improved upon. I threw on a seat from an old bike of Brandi's, and I've ridden pretty comfortably ever since. Soon I want to replace it with something a little prettier, and though I'm tempted by the Brooks name, I think I'll get the V-O Model 8. It's pretty comparable to the Brooks Flyer, but cheaper and with a few things I actually like better. I also had my pal Garrit convert it to a single speed. Three speeds were nice, but the Sturmey Archer in-hub system was killing me. I'm not as mechanically inclined as I'd like to be, and that thing was going out on me every month or so, so it was just easier. There's not much need for multiple gears riding around midtown anyways, and I can always get it upgraded in the future if I decide I need to, right? Right. I took off the chainguard to replace the chain once, and decided to leave it off. I may put it back on, but for right now it doesn't make much difference. I added a small Nitto front rack, the idea being I'd find an old rounded-top lunch box that would strap on perfectly for my commutes to work. I never found the right lunch box, and had a hard time strapping on my odd shaped, plastic modern lunch box without it being kind of overkill for the 20 minute bike ride. So a basket was in order. Right before I got hurt, I ordered a Wald wire basket and other things from Rivendell Bicycle Works. I attached the basket to my existing rack with zip-ties and it was good to go, not mention pretty good looking, if I do say so myself. I also purchased the Sackville Shopsack, which is custom made to fit perfectly in the Wald basket. It's the perfect size for my lunch box, a book, a jacket, and a change of clothes if I'm working both jobs in one day.
I have a weakness for woodgrain, so I couldn't resist the wooden grips I found on the site. They feel great. So much more natural than the standard rubber grips. Nice and big and contoured to fit my hand perfectly.
The cats love it too.
So much, in fact, they fight over it.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Ma ligne de chance
Because I can never think of anything worthwhile to post, I'm going to take this blog even further from it's original intention and just post stuff I like.
Brandi and I watched Jean-luc Godard's Pierrotle fou last week, and I've had this song stuck in my head ever since. Except since it's in French, I have no idea how it actually goes, which kind of makes it more annoying. But it's a good song, and probably was the highlight of the movie for me, along with their impressions of a film about American GI's in Vietnam.
Brandi and I watched Jean-luc Godard's Pierrotle fou last week, and I've had this song stuck in my head ever since. Except since it's in French, I have no idea how it actually goes, which kind of makes it more annoying. But it's a good song, and probably was the highlight of the movie for me, along with their impressions of a film about American GI's in Vietnam.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Things I Resent You For Saying
I'm a terrible person. I hate hearing this stuff from co-workers, (not necessarily my actual friends or family.) It might not be so terrible except that I get at least one of these questions (if not more, or all of them) at least once a day (if not more.)
"Oh, your lunch looks/smells good."
I know. That's why I'm eating it. I'm sorry you're getting tired of the same Salisbury steak microwave dinner you bring every day.
"Oh come on, smile! It's not that bad."
Yes it is. And you're making it worse.
"Oh what's that on your desktop background?"
You wouldn't get it. And if you did, you'd just think I'm weird anyways.
"What are you listening to?"
You've never heard of it, and if you have, you'll probably just think I'm weird anyways.
-OR-
The Beatles/The Beach Boys. I know you listened to them growing up. No, I don't care much for that song. They were much better after they started doing drugs.
"Did you ride your bike today?"
Yes. And yes it was really hot. But it's pretty awesome that I'm probably in my air conditioned house before you get out of the parking garage that you pay $100 a month for.
"Oh, your lunch looks/smells good."
I know. That's why I'm eating it. I'm sorry you're getting tired of the same Salisbury steak microwave dinner you bring every day.
"Oh come on, smile! It's not that bad."
Yes it is. And you're making it worse.
"Oh what's that on your desktop background?"
You wouldn't get it. And if you did, you'd just think I'm weird anyways.
"What are you listening to?"
You've never heard of it, and if you have, you'll probably just think I'm weird anyways.
-OR-
The Beatles/The Beach Boys. I know you listened to them growing up. No, I don't care much for that song. They were much better after they started doing drugs.
"Did you ride your bike today?"
Yes. And yes it was really hot. But it's pretty awesome that I'm probably in my air conditioned house before you get out of the parking garage that you pay $100 a month for.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Movie Posters That Aren't Terrible
Working at a theatre for about 7 years now, I've seen a of movie posters come and go. Assuming the purpose of a movie poster is to make me want to see a movie, I'd say very few do their job. In the last year or so, however, I've noticed a slight resurgence in poster art that catches my attention and peaks my interest. I've realized there's a formula to (what I consider) a great movie poster:
1. Keep it Simple
The images should be stark and convey the mood of the film.
2. Classic is Classy
Some might think these posters look old-timey, I say they look timeless.
3. The Fewer Colors, the Better
This applies across the board in the world of graphic design. If a poster can be printed in 4 colors (not CMYK) with black and white, you've got a winner. I realize a few of these posters break this rule, but you wouldn't lose anything if they were simplified down to 4 colors. For example, you could simplify the subjects of the Moon, Serious Man and Limits of Control posters down to a single tones for their clothing and skin tone and apply then halftones of black and white for the highlights and shadows.
That said, I actually haven't seen all of these movies. A few of them haven't been released yet. I'm pretty sure Daybreakers is not going to be good. But come on, that poster makes it look terrifying. A good poster doesn't always mean a great movie.
1. Keep it Simple
The images should be stark and convey the mood of the film.
2. Classic is Classy
Some might think these posters look old-timey, I say they look timeless.
3. The Fewer Colors, the Better
This applies across the board in the world of graphic design. If a poster can be printed in 4 colors (not CMYK) with black and white, you've got a winner. I realize a few of these posters break this rule, but you wouldn't lose anything if they were simplified down to 4 colors. For example, you could simplify the subjects of the Moon, Serious Man and Limits of Control posters down to a single tones for their clothing and skin tone and apply then halftones of black and white for the highlights and shadows.
That said, I actually haven't seen all of these movies. A few of them haven't been released yet. I'm pretty sure Daybreakers is not going to be good. But come on, that poster makes it look terrifying. A good poster doesn't always mean a great movie.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I'll probably regret saying this...
Lately I've been getting the urge to write and share a few things. Unfortunately, they don't have any thing to do with LOST so I can't put them on Orange Peel Mouth. So, I'll post them here. Which works out, because if my past blogs are any indication, I'll probably regret posting them a couple days after doing so. I guess it would make more sense to change it to "Things I Will Regret Saying", but that's asking a lot, don't you think? I'm only one man, and I only have two hands, and I can only do so much, afterall.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Tower Theater, Monday, November 17, 2008 7:20ish
Me: (in super crappy Arnold Shwarzeneggar voice): He'll be back.
I have no idea what came over me that this actually came out of my mouth. I am usually so annoyed by something like this. I was instantly embarassed I said it, but then I was stoked because I realized I could post it on this blog. Maybe it's because having this blog has made me hyper-aware so I'm more careful these days, but it's become apparent it's more difficult than I originally anticipated.
If you want to read something else I've written, and/or you're into LOST, check out Orange Peel Mouth!
I have no idea what came over me that this actually came out of my mouth. I am usually so annoyed by something like this. I was instantly embarassed I said it, but then I was stoked because I realized I could post it on this blog. Maybe it's because having this blog has made me hyper-aware so I'm more careful these days, but it's become apparent it's more difficult than I originally anticipated.
If you want to read something else I've written, and/or you're into LOST, check out Orange Peel Mouth!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dimple Records, Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, 6:30pm
(I'm at the front counter, making a purchase.)
Clerk: Please enter your pin.
(I didn't understand what she said. I stand there, wondering who would buy the Mac Dre bobble heads behind the counter.)
Clerk: (after about 20 seconds) Umm...did you enter your pin?
Me: Oh, sorry, I heard you say something, but I figured it wasn't important.
Clerk: Please enter your pin.
(I didn't understand what she said. I stand there, wondering who would buy the Mac Dre bobble heads behind the counter.)
Clerk: (after about 20 seconds) Umm...did you enter your pin?
Me: Oh, sorry, I heard you say something, but I figured it wasn't important.
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