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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Triple to Double, DIY part three

Photo by Michael McKinney
I've been waiting to convert the factory drivetrain on my Specialized Allez Sport for a few months now.  After consulting a few different sources, including an estimate for a comprehensive overhaul from my nearest Specialized dealer, I decided to take it upon myself and consult the Park Tools Blue Book and Minneapolis's own Freewheel Midtown Bike Center for a DIY appointment.


Photo by Michael McKinney


Photo by Michael McKinney
The long story is I had to buy two bus passes, walk a few miles, buy lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day, rode without a helmet, traveled through Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Roseville, and finally parodied my lack of integrity.  Deja Vu.

The short story is, "Hey, I took a picture!"

Photo by Michael McKinney
I also recently enrolled in another pottery session through Saint Paul's Community Education program, and have been learning the differences between an electric wheel and a more primitive kick wheel, and made some loaves of a walnut and cranberry bread I'd like to share with ya'll.

Take care.

Photo by Michael McKinney
Photo by Michael McKinney



Thursday, April 25, 2013

Review of Atonement


AtonementAtonement by Ian McEwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a moment in this novel that hinges the entrance and the exit together.  Cecelia's landlady, asking Briony, "Are you in or are you out?"  The whole story of one person's mistake leading to a lifetime of doubt and second guessing can be balanced easily on that question.  Mcewan's skill in painting the whole story around outliving the past or carrying it with you as a balast is so impressive, it is easy to see past the simplicity.  The finer points of the novel, the vernacular, the common usage of british idioms, the subtlety of youth, the perniciousness of lust, the blind destruction of war all converge in the reader's palms.
The proclivity to accept sensationalism when it appeals to an audience is also evident, and any reader familiar with Annie Proulx or Norman Mailer might recognize tones of sexual predation leading to damaged lives - those knots tied in youth are permanent and as Mcewan convinces us, impossible to atone for.  The most appropriate response seems to be learning ones own pride is the strongest reason.


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Saturday, April 6, 2013

Rainy Saturday

Between waiting for passing traffic, negotiating a left turn against steady traffic, the rain, the cold, the lingering puddles of icy slush, the passive aggressive Minnesota Nice drivers who are trying so hard to try harder than my worst effort at being a considerate cyclist, the Farmer's Market not being open and puzzling a sudoku puzzle for a couple hours, the day was not what I would call overtly enjoyable. Or fun.
Other terminology escapes me.
So, besides a few well worn, time-tested vices that inescapably lead to ruin, what can a person turn to?
I don't know.
If I did, would I share it here?
One thing, besides toast, or a companion animal, or going crazy broadway style, (requires a slushy made of pure syrup) I occasionally resort to Jiffy cornbread.
Master the one egg, 1/3 Cup of milk, and you might add yogurt, or chocolate chips, or bananas. Or all three.
This is not an endorsement, or therapeutic advice, if I could take back the various poorly handled interactions that dictated my bike ride today I would. In lieu of a time machine, I offer Jiffy cornbread. Seriously.
There are still eleven.

*Footnote - due to the low grade quality of this pre-packaged product, I strongly suggest sifting the mix before adding anything to it. Those Tenebrio Obscurus eggs are everywhere.