artbeat's Xanga

Can see from moon?

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:47:00 GMT

Many of you have been asking me about our family's move and my recent job transfer. I really cannot believe I am in this strange, proud, ancient, dusty land. Although the natives are quite friendly, and in fact treat me like a fellow countryman, I am having a hard time understanding the local accent and customs. The hot, dry climate makes me long for the cold and snow. Catpossible still thinks that it was hotter the last time she was in Wuhan, which she affectionally calls one of the "furnaces of China." Tonight for dinner I had some beef stir-fry. Let me tell you it tastes nothing like what one might order in an American restaurant. And no they don't serve dog here.

How I miss the Cubs, real pizza, and a select few of you!

On the other hand, the kids are doing very well.

I was able to catch a great deal of the Olympics, but only on our small TV. Where we live is still quite a ways from Beijing. However, every morning on my way to work, there is a point along the road where I can actually see the Great Wall. Today, I took a picture out of my window while driving. I think some of the splendor is lost in the poor quality of the photo, but you get the gist of it...

My Ti (not margarita)

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:49:38 GMT

Several dozen of you have asked how my build was coming along. Well, here is a summary...

I bought a carbon fork to go with the ti frame. Then salvaged parts from other bikes in the garage (yes, including Catpossible's) such as handlebars, stem, post, saddle, pedals...

Added a Campy brakeset and drivetrain...

Build up my front wheel (Centuar 32h hub/Mavic OP rim/DT spokes), shown with my apprentice...

Made several trips to the bike shop, then some fine tuning, mounted the computer...

And I still have $16.53 left in my budget! Now when Claire goes to college my bike will be ready for me to ride.

When was the last time you rode your bike?

My latest project...

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:55:08 GMT

...is another bike. A titanium road frame. Tried going for a ride but only got as far as the bathroom door before my butt really started hurting. I'll post pictures of it when I'm done!

Any new projects for y'alls?

Not the same without the Illini

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:48:00 GMT

It's bracketology time again. Please join Catpossible and me for the annual frenzy!

http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: Underdogs 2008
Password: influenza

So this is paternity leave...

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:17:52 GMT

It didn't strike me until now that paternity leave is really about spending time with your firstborn, the second-stringer filling the sudden absence of mom's full-time attention. In fact, I've only caught glimpses of our new daughter between Storytime at the library, throwing rocks, watching youtube, playing doctor, pushing trains around... I can't believe how precious this time is, and if I never had to go back to work that would be just fine with me.

Would you work if you didn't have to?

My thousand words

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:58:46 GMT

a follow up to Catpossible's latest post...

First attempt at a Century

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 03:33:14 GMT

I signed up for an organized Century ride this past weekend, but having not gotten on my bike in 2 months I decided to do the fifty mile route instead. Here are some highlights:

0 miles: As I was making my way to the start of the pen, I was flagged down by two women who recognized me from a ride in Austin. They got chatty and I missed the gun for the 50 and had to leave with the 40 milers and play catch-up.

8 miles: EMS sped by on the opposite lane. When I caught up with them they were applying and arm sling on a guy who apparently rode into a ditch.

12 miles: I chatted with a woman who had a camera mounted to her handlebars. She took the above picture. Seconds later we came across two cyclists with armadillos attached to their helmets.

18 miles: Rode up to some guy with lots of church names on his jersey and asked him about it. He says he's part of a group called "Cyclists for Christ" and they witness through riding. Told him I'd join them for a group ride when I get the chance.

27 miles: Something flew into one of my helmet vents. I was worried that it might be a dragonfly, as they always try to kamikaze me. Considered stopping and checking, but it was uphill with a stiff headwind and I didn't want to lose momentum.

36 miles: Rode past a snake. Dead, I think.

39 miles: Spent a lot of time at Rest Stop 3 and drank too much. Almost couldn't get back on.

50 miles: Crossed the balloon banner. There was a designated cheerer: a middle-aged man in socks who had his cycling cleats in hand and clapped them together while shouting "great job!" Headed for the pavillion for the free pizza.

Any firsts lately for y'alls?

Things I've done without

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:05:03 GMT

Since moving here to Texas, there have been three big lifestyle changes that I"d like to share with you.

First: I don't listen to the radio. And since my car doesn't have a CD player, it means I am driving in silence. This is good as it helps me diffuse the stress of work as well as listen for armadillo chatter. This came about as I was shocked to find Austin lacking of a true news radio station which I was addicted to in Chicago as we couldn't afford the paper. It's all dumb talk radio. And of course don't have 720 either so I miss hearing Ron and Pat.

Second: I stopped wearing socks. I wear sandals because my feet get hot down here. I don't wear socks with them since Catpossible would disavow me. Does anyone want some holey smartwools?

Third: I have stopped honking. For the most part. Back in Chicago the honk is pretty much is another way of swearing, but here when they honk it means, "why don't you go first", "please turn in front of me", or something disgusting like that.

How has your lifestyle changed in the past few months?

Worst Travelling Day

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:03:06 GMT

Okay, so I hate flying to begin with, but when Cody wants to visit the 'Bama grandparents what can you do? We started our travels yesterday morning and flew Delta from Austin to Atlanta, then expected to complete our trip to Montgomery after a three hour layover. So far so good. We spent our time in terminal D of "the worlds busiest airport" trying on baby Crocs, eating at Chilis, watching people running frantically to their gates (this in particular made Cody laugh), befriending eldery travellers from Britain, and of course following planes as they taxied. This went on much longer than it should have. Three hours longer. Some football game started. Preseason? Then the second half. By the time we actually boarded our superloud, superhot propeller plane, the kind where you have to walk outside and climb in from the rear, it was way past Cody's bedtime. Fifteen minutes later, the pilot abruptly stopped halfway to the runway and told us that because of the delay, the crew had "timed out" and had to comply with FAA work hour regulations and take us back to the gate. So back we went. And no, they could not possible get our bags back. So the short of it is that without our car seat, and without our clothes, and without diapers we spent the night at a nearby hotel and were booked on this morning's flight. Which was also delayed. But that's another story.

Any airport nightmares?

New Hobby

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:13:09 GMT

I recently learned how to build bicycle wheels, a skill which had been sitting on my "to learn" list for years. Maybe it isn't the most essential piece of bicycle know-how, but I find it quite relaxing, and not too messy. Here are all the supplies you need: a rim, hub, spokes (make sure you get the correct length), nipples, a spoke wrench, a screwdriver and some oil. Sure, they make lots of shiny expensive tools to speed up the tensioning and dishing, but in my opinion it's just not as much fun.

Basically, it's just a matter of keeping track of the side of the wheel you're on, inserting the spokes into the hub in the right order, and maintaining your cross pattern, truing as you go.

Voila! Here is a picture of my first wheel.

What sort of brainless activites do you do to relax?