Posted On Friday, November 21st, 2008 By David Veatch
Today is my last day here in TX. I fly out tonight, and will spend the evening with a friend and a bottle of wine to relax and decompress after a busy and stressful, though not at all unpleasant trip to the Lone Star State. I can, without reservation, say that the people here are some of the friendliest I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. In spite of the fact that my job (information security) tends to put people on edge, especially when I’m performing audits of processes and personnel, they were, to the last, cooperative, eager to please, and open to any and all suggestions. They even agreed to install a jacuzzi behind the main branch for my next visit next year. Isn’t that something? Tomorrow looks to be another relatively busy day. I finally get to pick up the Dew Drop at Midwest Cyclery! I cannot wait! It’s going to be so nice to have a completely working bicycle to ride again. The poor Torelli needs a couple of new parts to be 100%, and so I’ve opted to let her rest for the time being. The Fire Mountain is… well, it’s a frame on a nail. more »
Posted On Thursday, November 20th, 2008 By David Veatch
Though I be in Texas, far away from home and the bike that awaits me, new and unridden, with virgin saddle, as it were, my thoughts stray now and again, all the same, to the subject of cycling. I think on how nice it will be to once again sit astride the saddle, my arms outstretched holding brake levers and handlebars. I think on how nice it will be to see my waistline diminish once again, rather than continue it’s current trend of slow expansion. I think on how nice it will be to once again stride out the front doors with pride, knowing that I will be making it home on my own power, while at the same time clowning around like a fool for the cadre of lustful (though unfortunately married) women who have come to be a sort of 4:30pm Fan Club for yours truly (I take the ego boosts where I can get them). But lately, one thought presses forward as I spend minute after empty minute in the cabin of an automobile instead of the saddle of a bicycle… that thought is what I will share with you now. And here it is, then. That more »
Posted On Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 By David Veatch
Bike: Midwest Cyclery in Kansas City, KS. Me: Embassy Suites in Frisco, TX. Huh.
Posted On Monday, November 17th, 2008 By David Veatch
I’m off to Texas for the week. Another week of no riding, and this week will likely see no pool either… at least the hotel will have a gym.
Posted On Friday, November 14th, 2008 By David Veatch
Last night I was playing solo on a 9-foot table at the local pool hall. A couple guys come up and want to gamble. $1 a rack. Seriously? $1.00 a rack? Red flag #1. $1.00 is petty change, but I don’t gamble. It’s a principle thing. I have, on occasion, but very rarely, and only with people I know and trust to not break my jaw. One of the guys, perhaps in his late 40′s or early 50′s and seemingly “in charge”, goes on about the 1, 5 and 9 being money balls… trying to talk the talk, throwing lingo around like it’s rice at a wedding. Red flag #2. I have a tough time convincing him that I don’t gamble, but am certainly willing to share the table for a while. “What’s the 9 mean, then?” he asks. “It means you win?” I respond. “Uh… you get to break the next rack…” Red flag #3. I’m really starting to wonder at this point about the fellow as this line of conversation goes on for about a minute. Finally, we agree to just play. He racks. In a manner of speaking. It’s loose. He can’t control the rack and bumps more »
Posted On Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 By David Veatch
Friday of this week, or Monday of next. Since I’ll be out of town all next week, this effectively puts my Drop in my hands at the tail end of November, making my mileage goal just a little bit out of reach. I can try, and I will, but… I may end up making up the miles by increasing the goal for next year by the difference. Blah.
Posted On Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 By David Veatch
Saturday night I went to Sharks, a local pool hall, with the intent of entering a 9-ball tournament. I did exactly that. And for it being my first tournament in years, I didn’t do too bad. I pulled 6th place out of 30 entrants. I completely choked on my last match, but it was very late, and I’m just not used to marathon playing like that. I’m giving it time. It’ll all come back. Last weekend was just the start. However, that’s really not the point. The point is… I’m sitting there watching a match between two of the best players in the tournament. Why wouldn’t I? Free lessons, after all. A guy is sitting next to me. Older, I’m thinking maybe 50 or so, he looks really familiar, but I can’t place him, and being more interested in the match being played out in front of me, I let it go. We start talking, and introduce ourselves. His name is Paul. We’re critiquing the match, sharing stories, just generally chatting. He tells about how he’s been playing the game for 55 years (turns out he’s 60), and is so grateful to the game for carrying him around the world more »
Posted On Monday, November 3rd, 2008 By David Veatch
I can see it coming. It’s going to happen. It’s inevitable. The scope of this blog will, barring some unforeseen tragedy, will broaden to be more inclusive of home projects and pool/billiards in addition to the already heavy weight given to cycling. But I want to make it easy for people to get just what they want. If all you care about is cycling, and couldn’t give a rats behind what I’m going with my basement bathroom, I’m not going to force it on you. I’ll probably set up some sort of layout here to emphasize the different categories, but for now, I’ve made it easy to subscribe to feeds based on the topic I’m blathering on about mindlessly. Here they are: Billiards (RSS) Blathering (RSS) Blog (RSS) Computers (RSS) Cycling (RSS) Employment (RSS) Entertainment (RSS) Family (RSS) For Sale (RSS) Health (RSS) House & Home (RSS) Politics (RSS) Travel (RSS) There you have it. They’ll be in the sidebar as well. Subscribe away if you want to.