Monthly Archives: December 2007

My Furnace Was Born in Nineteen Eighty *what*?!

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Five, to be exact. 1985. Wow… 22+ years old. Ok, I should have known that. Maybe I did. Settling into the house I currently own (read: rent from the bank) was a bit on the hectic side, and it was my first time, so there were a lot of things I should have paid attention to that I didn’t. I know better now. Or rather, I’m learning better as I go along. I hope. Probably not, though.

It’s still running, but it is apparently on it’s last legs and breaks all sorts of codes. The technician that inspected it today left it on out of the goodness of his heart, and on faith that it wouldn’t poison us *today* with copious levels of carbon monoxide. So far so good… there has been no nausea or headaches, and the dogs appear just fine. It was sort of a “I have to shut this thing off right now. See? There I go. Shutting it off. *wink* *wink*”

The GF, bless her heart, has set up a few appointments this afternoon to have it looked at and estimates made on it’s repair vs. replacement. Either way, I’m betting I’ll be paying for this for quite a while to come…

Good thing I’m saving so much money on gas by cycling to work.

Morning Commute

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You know, I always figured my first close call would be in heavier traffic. Maybe a lighted intersection, or a busy 4 way stop during rush hour. Not to be, I tell you. It’s on the little side streets where people relax that they’ll pull their big white pickup trucks out directly in front of you, leaving you no choice except to pull into the oncoming lane to avoid endo’ing over their hood. While heading southbound on Lamar, said truck pulled out onto Lamar from 102nd quite as if I was not there. I just wish I could have come up with something a little more witty than the loud “What the F***?!?!?!?!” I yelled directly into his face.

Thanks, fella. Next time, try to look out for the bright headlight, blinking red LEDs, and neon yellow-green reflective windbreaker. I’m sure my white helmet helped hide me from view as well.

Aside from that, this morning’s commute, while brisk, was Most Excellent.

Morning Commute

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I didn’t ride all last week, and don’t remember riding the week before that, either. In fact, the 28th of November was the last time I was on the saddle. Last week, I was in Colorado on business and the weather prevented any riding (I did have my bike with me, just in case, however). The week before was just plain lazy.

This morning, though it was bitter cold and my eyes teared up within minutes of hitting the morning air, it was a fantastic ride. I love the freedom of being out in the air, rather than locked in the little box that is a car. After spending 12 hours on the road on Saturday driving back from CO, and 3 – 5 hours on the road every day while in Colorado, plus the 12 hours driving out there, being outside and getting here to work on my own power was liberating.