Meanwhile, Back On Earth

According to my solstice monolith, everything is right on track for yet another spring here on planet Earth. The first kittens of the new year are emerging like blind kielbasas, paddling alongside their litter mates in makeshift cardboard nests, searching for the eternal milk-teat- goddess. Milk that miracle. What an ingenious way of nourishing one's young. Yet the birds have managed to pull it off without a drop of the stuff. Go configure!

Corporatization of Higher Ed-U-Ma-Cashun

Just about everyone with a stake in the long-term success of U.S. higher education worries about the growing influence of free-market business practices on the operation of colleges and universities. Most faculty, in particular, see the increasing reliance on corporate models as destructive the mission of higher education. Surprisingly, however, faculty members have not yet acted together through professional associations such as the AAUP to take an informed and persuasive position condemning the influence of corporatization on higher education. Nor have they suggested a reasonable approach to resist and reduce its spread. Resistance is futile! We are Borg!

Hammer Time

Well Folks, by my estimation, we should be hearing any day now of the comet that is heading toward us on a collision course for the year 2012. Regrets? I've had a few but
then again, too few to mention. It's been a full life and I have been extremely fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family. Now, the best we can hope for is that we are somewhere near ground zero when she comes on in. That would be quick!

One Lump or Two?

I was sitting at home watching a show about a nano-diamond discovery that indicates that North America was hit by a swarm of comets some 13,000 years ago. That corresponds to the beginning of the Younger Dryas period, a 1,300-year-long cold spell, during which North American mammoths, saber-toothed cats, camels and giant sloths became extinct. The Clovis culture of American Indians also appears to have fallen apart during this time. Suddenly, a small rap upon my door rang out and behold! My special tea connection arrived! I cannot tell ya'll the absolute miracle of flavors this man has brought to my life!

Happy Belated Pancake Day!

Pancake Day
Main article: Shrove Tuesday

In Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as "Pancake Day" and, particularly in Ireland, as "Pancake Tuesday". (Shrove Tuesday is better known in the United States, France and other countries as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday). Historically, pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday so that the last of the fatty and rich foods could be used up before Lent.

Perfect Day!

Prime Mover

P => Power

E => Energy

W => Work

f => Force

t => torque

d => distance of translational motion

q => angle of rotational motion (in radians)

v => velocity of translational motion

w => angular speed (in radians per second)

d => change

Pd => Pitch diameter

n => number of teeth on a gear

nrev => number of revolutions

How to make The Breakfast of CHAMPIONS!

Ingredients

* 2 slices whole grain bread
* 3 eggs
* 1 Tbls. water
* 1/2 a tomato
* 1/2 an onion
* 2 pieces of soysage sliced
* 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
* 1/2 an avocado
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
* salt and pepper

Manly Men, Working To Build A Better Tomorrow!

Now this is more like it! As the result of my last blog entries, blurring of concise borders, I have decided to devote the entire month of March to a Men-At-Work theme. I certainly hope everyone will sleep a little easier knowing that the Polyphosphate Filter will once again be a safe place for you and your kids to hang out at. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Come Ride With Us!

I got this rather unusual invitation from an old buddy whom I haven't seen since 1979. Apparently he has made several lifestyle changes through the years, not the least of which is playing rugby instead of American football. You see, he was our high school quarter back and he lead us to a division championship in 1974. Also apparently, the naked chaps on the bicycle, are participating in the one of the numerous initiation rituals they require to play for "Their Team." Fortunately, I have a full plate this weekend and won't be joining them, this season!

Miyata "Nine Twelve" Shake-Down Ride

Close but no cigar! My quest for an old steel framed road bike that will roll along as well as my Modern, "Soul-less" machine, is still unrealized. In the mean while, I've got another, decent road bike for sale. See me for details.

CycloCross Returns To Shasta Lake!

Although I am now happily resting on my CX laurels, I do want everyone to know about the Races at the Boom Town BMX track, this coming Sunday Feb. 21th. There will be a small, Giro-Insignifica ride, from Carpet Mart to the races Sunday. We shall leave here at 9 a.m. and ride mainly road up there, with a return over Flannigan to the Upper-Ditch to Hornbeck back. Retired CX-Bike friendly!

Little Chain-Ring Virgin

Well it took a bit o' coaxing but, I finally convinced a die-hard roadie (out on his new mt. bike) to use the little ring! Then I realized that I will never be able to keep up with him on long, technical climbs again. It all took place yesterday morning out on a Web-Foot ride. We had a blast! Don't forget to phone ahead for your Tyler Hamilton autographed postcard and riders manifesto! See you in the real world!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saint Valentine (in Latin, Valentinus) is the name of several martyred saints of ancient Rome. The name "Valentine", derived from valens (worthy), was popular in Late Antiquity. Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried at the Via Flaminia north of Rome on February 14. It is even uncertain whether the feast of that day celebrates only one saint or more saints of the same name. For this reason this liturgical commemoration was not kept in the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969. But "Martyr Valentinus the Presbyter and those with him at Rome" remains in the list of saints proposed for veneration by all Catholics.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine the Presbyter is celebrated on July 6, and Hieromartyr Saint Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy) is celebrated on July 30. Notwithstanding that, conventionally, members of the Greek Orthodox Church named Valentinos (male) or Valentina (female) celebrate their name on February 14, according to the Typikon of the Great Church of Christ (Τυπικὸν τῆς Μεγάλης τοῦ Χριστοῦ ᾽Εκκλησίας) Saint Valentine is not venerated not on July 6, nor on July 30. In fact, there exists no Saint Valentine in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Welcome to Cycling Camp 1963

I took this picture, when I was a wee lad, of me pals at cyclo-camp in the Yorkshire Dales of England. Such happy memories! We were huge fans of Brian Robinson in those days. There's young Thomas giving us his best impression of him!

My New Favorite

I am having fun piecing an old miyata bicycle together and learning about the Miyata Bicycle Company. Here's a little beauty I would love to load up with all my gear and pedal off into the sunset on! Cheers! Check out this cool Miyata Catalogs link.

Never Cry Werewolf

I am doing a bit o' research into Werewolf/Wolfman legends in anticipation of this Friday's release of the movie, The Wolfman. As a romantic mini-get-away, the little woman and I are planning on seeing it in the theater on Valentine's day. I am astonished by the volume of info there is on this particular subject. Not to mention the cinematic contributions.

Thoughts While Rididng

I was five minutes into the twelve minute climb when suddenly this happy little thought came to mind!

Back in and out, of the saddle again!

Delay your Superbowl-coldie-crackin' until you've had a bit o' CycloCross, this coming Sunday at the Anderson Park venue. Races start 'round 10 a.m. Contact Seely's Cyclery for more info!