Turn Off the Radio

I've gotten tired of radio, pure and simple. Of course, I've never been much of a radio listener to begin with: I usually space out so I don't notice when it's commercials instead of music, I can stomach only so much "talk" radio, and the only time I've ever been pulled over was when I ran a red while fiddling with the tuner. Nevertheless, I've gotten into the habit of listening to WAMU (the local NPR affiliate) in the morning on the way to work and 107.3 in the afternoon. But it's all over now. After school today, I turned off the radio, rolled down the windows, and just listened to the rush of the air. It was soothing, settling, relaxing. Maybe it's just one step away from all the stress that tends to heap up on us during the day, maybe it's just one step closer to riding my bike, maybe I'm just tired of of a worn-out routine, maybe I'm just wanting to be outside rather than inside... In any case, I'm not turning on the radio again!

All the Bike Bling You Don't Have and Didn't Know You Didn't Need Until Now

Check out this bike catalog of bicycle-related stuff. My favorite: the Chris King Salt & Pepper Shakers. Nothing like turning factory-reject hubs (that normally retail at a couple hundred a piece) into dining accessories!

One Click Too Many

While surfing around online bike retailers, I discovered this deal at Nashbar.com and, boy, has it got the gears turnin'! A generic, steel mtb frame like that is the perfect "clean slate" for an imaginative bike enthusiast. I've already started mapping out plans for a cool commuter bike - mtb frame with carbon fiber mtb fork, disc brakes, road handlebars, fenders, 1 x 8 gearing. It'd be fun to build and fun to commute on. Now, all I need is the money...

Well, if you don't have dreams, you don't have anything! Right? *sigh*

(Seriously, I'm killing myself dreaming about all this bike stuff and not getting any of it. Cali is much wiser than I: "I am happy because my wants are few!")