You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January, 2009.
You ever get those urges to eat super healthy to detox your system after weeks of nonstop abuse? I don’t. Rubi suggested that we ride out to get some frozen yogurt in Santa Clara, but what was supposed to be a one stop grab n go turned into a 3 stop trifecta of gluttony. First we hit up Seniores (?) for some pizza goodness, I almost cried because I dropped my slice. Then we rolled over to Frozo/Froyo or whatever for some yogurt by the kilo. If that wasn’t enough, Tim’s sweet tooth took over, and we splurged at Queen’s 24 hour donut shoppe.
Also, a picture of Ryan’s riser bars imploding from riding nonchalantly. His hand was bleeding all over.
I’ve had my fair share of flats while riding almost everyday over the past year. I usually throw on a new tube while I’m out on a ride, just because it can be hard to locate pinch or small hole on the fly. Which means that I had a gigantic pile of rubber sitting at home. It would be a waste to just throw them away, especially since most of them only had minor defects.
I had some free time yesterday, so I just sat down with a bowl of water and started patching up my tubes. Some people don’t trust using patched tubes for anything more than a temporary fix, but in my experience, they work just as well as a brand new one if sealed properly. I tried using the rubber cement patches, but I didn’t think the seal would hold for too long. So I went back to the quick and easy pre-glued patches, which I have never had a problem with.
The key to patching up a tire is keep the contact area clean and clear. I like using a Sharpie to mark the actual leak, so you don’t lose the spot. Using water I clean the surrounding area and then wipe it down. Make sure the tube is dry, because it is hard to rough up a wet surface. Sand the area once it’s dry and then apply the patch, and press hard. Be sure to check the tube for multiple leaks, your tube will be worthless if you only patch up on hole on a swiss cheesed tube.
Since tubes are about $4-$5 a pop, you can save quite a bit of money re-using the same tubes. Not only that, but you would be keeping them out of landfills as well. I also found some tubes that were unrepairable, so I’m thinking of ways to re-use or recycle those.
I’ve been taking advantage of the sunny but chilly weather, by riding and just plain enjoying life. A small group of us started Monday off by riding down to the Morgan Hill area, and then back up to this crazy mountain of a hill in East/South (?) San Jose? We just wanted to scout the location for the upcoming Tuesday night ride. Since it was Chinese Vietnamese New Year, we grabbed some food at Di-Lac. The place was jam packed full of da so coo Vtek gais, but the vegetarian food was good and cheap. Even Herb and Chris who I haven’t seen in a while made it out.
On Tuesday, Mark, Matt, Pavel and I did a rail n ride up to San Francisco. Pavel needed to grab some plants for his fresh water tank. He said his spot was in the cuts, and it literally was in a 6 foot wide alley. The rest of the time we spent doing a mini city loop ride, while stopping at various locales. We were all pretty effin tired by the end of the day, but there was still riding to be done. The group went up Yerba Buena, and then bombed the hill, I lazily went down the bottom half only haha. Mark’s brand new el cheapo tire that he put on that day was ripped to shreds.
Mark hosted another get-to at his house which was obviously fun filled. I think I watched like 3 movies earlier that day, yeah you could say I accomplished a lot. The very next day, which was literally hours later, a few of us did the Los Gatos-Saratoga ride. Oh, and if you were wondering, I did sleep pretty well. The whole weekend really was just chinchillen around, which I needed. Because the bum life really takes its toll on you.
Photo by Tim.
Ever since my layoff, money management has increasingly become more important in my life. I was lucky in a sense that I do have money saved up, and that my unemployment benefits are going to kick in soon. However, if I’m not careful, I could very well blow all my money on some unnecessary crap. With that being said, money management can also be a fun thing when done using the right tools.
For the past few months, I have been using mint.com, which is a free money management site. I freakin love this site doo. You can add all of your accounts, ranging from savings to investments to student loans to Vegas debts with the mob. All of the data is safely and automatically extracted from your accounts, and split into a number of different ways.
Every single transaction is logged, and then placed into trends section that colorfully shows where all of your money is going. The site also creates a budget for each individual category (for example groceries) that you can edit. There is even a bar graph that shows your worth vs. your debt, and it’s really nice to see the debt bar go lower and lower every month.
Here is a snapshot from December, which is a bank account damaging month. Obviously my spending is not like this every month, and note that I still had a job at the time. The bottom line is, it’s a great program, that’s free, which keeps in line with being frugal. Highly recommended by me!
Here’s the video that Jared shot and edited with some footage from Tim’s promo. Good job guys!
But we still couldn’t beat the A team, who murdered everybody. Note the countdown at the end of the video.
Video courtesy of Pavelski.
Another gem from Tim.
Truly an inspiration. To think just fifty years ago that there were water fountains designated for certain races. Now we have a black president. WOW. Just wow.
Started the day off by riding out to Los Gatos, to pick up my cousins for the Warriors game since they had an extra ticket. Used my uncle’s car to carpool to the Oracle Arena. There must be something about 2009, because when we went to the game they actually won. When the cheerleaders come out on the floor though, everybody wins.
Can you believe that a couple of pizzas, nachos and a gatorade was $34?
Later in the evening Sarah and Pavel, being the gracious hosts that they are, held a little shindig at their pad. Rolled up to Pavel grilling up some dogs/burgers and veggies that were T-N-E-L-U-C-C-U-S. Reference to Cranium, which we later played. Everybody was eating and laughing, singing karaoke and playing board games.
Not all was fun and games though. During his state of drunken rage, Alex called me out to a race up and down Communication Hill. I was taken back, but I knew I was up for a challenge, because he had consistently been beating me up hills as of late. I accepted. The stakes:
If I win: 3 bike washes/tuneups from Alex.
If Alex wins: A roundtrip via Caltrain to San Francisco paid by me.
Tim came up with this awesome flyer.
Took the train up to the city for a nice little ride around town. Met up with everyone at Box Dog after some idiot directed me to the wrong shop. After riding around for a few miles we got some food, and posted right outside Hooter’s for a semi-decent view.
Heard a huge pshhhhhhhhhhhhh from Mark’s tire, so he had to change his tube with a short valve stem. Went into Gestalt for a hot second, only to end up buying our own drank at the local convenient store. Ended up chinchillin with a great view of the Golden Gate—-errr Bay Bridge. Sorry for the short and abrupt posts, been a long day.
Let’s see, Halley was having one of those not party parties at her house, so we all gathered around for the typical fun and festivities. There was plenty of aero stuff going on, like knitting and baking, so we had to even it out by grilling some man meat.
After we had enough grub and fun, we rode over to Kaleid Gallery for the art showing they had over there. Because we all know about art. We even instituted our own art piece, by bike piling right up against the glass for all to see. Then it was on to South 1st Street Billiards for some pool and PONG. Finished the night with another great show by Case in Theory. Ahhhhhh, unemployment gooood.
2009 is going to be the year of the backpack. I can feel it. Over the past year my shoulder and back have been aching from all of the stress of wearing a messenger bag. Carrying the entire load of a bag on one shoulder was not doing it for me. I needed a bag that would distribute the weight evenly across my back/shoulders, with ventilation and “water proofness.” Enter the Ortlieb Velocity Backpack.
Priced at just over $100, it is very affordable, especially in comparison to other messenger bike specific bags. The 1221 cubic inches of space clocks in a little smaller than my Bailey Bagworks bag, but it still seems big enough. One of the main plusses for such a minimalist as myself, is that it just has a main compartment and then the pouch inside.
The rolltop design allows for a big opening at the top of the bag, which lets you stuff all of your goodies in with ease. Inside the bag is a removable organizer, which attaches/detaches with button clasps. Very handy if you have tools or whatnot that you want to transfer.
One of the main complaints about backpacks and bags in general is the heat factor. During longer rides your back can get super wet and sweaty due to the lack of air flow in between the bag and your back. What impresses me about the Ortlieb Velocity is that they used foam strips to create “air channels” throughout the entire backside. Since they are made of foam, it’s soft and comfortable as well.
Last night I tested out the bag on the San Francisco city loop ride, and let me tell you, it was effin fantastic. I threw in a sweatshirt, food/drinks, and my DSLR for an entire 20+ mile ride climbing and bombing the hills of SF and it was like jammie time on my bike. Normally with a traditional over the shoulder messenger bag, I would have been sore and sweaty. I have to say that by the end of the night I was tired, but my back was dry and my shoulders weren’t sore. The air flow channels seriously got my back some ventilation as well.
Granted I’ve only had the bag for one day, but so far I’m loving it. The guys at Ortlieb really thought this thing through, as the stabilization straps of this bag are a plenty. A sterum strap and heavy duty waist strap. Also, as with any backpack, walking around in one isn’t a complete b*tch. Tell that to your over the shoulder messenger bags. All in all, I’m very satisfied with my Ortlieb Velocity backpack.
Last night a few San Jose heads went up to San Francisco to do the city loop after dark. The pace was supposedly “chill,” well for the SFFixed.com folks anyway. The total ride was about 20 some odd miles. We covered the Embarcedero, Chrissy Fields, Legion of Honor, the Wiggle, and a few other areas. Someone said the headcount was about 35 riders.
Last night was a real wakeup call, because for a chill ride I couldn’t keep up for shishkabobs. I was winded just getting to the meeting point after taking the Wiggle. Psh. I also need a wide angle lens.
Alex, Bennett, Wilson and I hit up Bender’s afterward, before going to McGovern’s and calling it a night.
Courtesy of Pavelski and Sarah
25 low-cost, maximum-impact tips for a green 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
1. The single largest impact you can have as an individual is to drive less by car-pooling, biking, walking, or using public transit. Find suggestions for decreasing your reliance on your car here. Does not apply to me.
2. Maintaining correct air pressure in your car’s tires can significantly increase fuel efficiency. Check tire pressure once a month.Does not apply to me.
3. Help end the junk mail madness. Dramatically reduce the amount you receive by following these instructions, and sign a petition demanding a national Do Not Mail registry here. Done
4. Replace all incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents and save about $100 over each bulb’s life. Find low-priced bulbs by looking for PG&E “Save” stickers on bulbs at Walgreen’s, Rite Aid and other local stores. Done
5. If you buy new appliances, make sure to buy energy-efficient models labeled “Energy Star.” These models can cut energy use in half. Look for rebates here. A 2009 federal tax credit is also available for some EnergyStar products. Done
6. S.F. Public Utilities Commission customers can pick up free aerated faucets or showerheads at the PUC offices. EBMUD customers, inquire about rebates here. You’ll reduce your water use — and the electricity required to treat and heat it — without even noticing a difference. Done
7. Stop buying expensive and toxic cleaning products. You can accomplish nearly all household cleaning and maintenance tasks with vinegar, baking soda, and boric acid. Download natural cleanser recipes here. Done
8. Unplugging electronics, including microwaves and chargers, when not in use will shave about 5 percent off your electric bill. Somewhat doing.
9. Buy only what you’ll eat. Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, and Americans waste at least 20 percent of their food. Somewhat doing.
10. Eat less red meat, and buy only grass-fed or organic meat. Feedlot operations produce large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and pollute water. Find tips on sustainable meat eating on Gastronicity. Trying to.
11. Avoid processed foods whenever possible. Processing and packaging make processed foods’ environmental footprint bigger than natural foods’, and many contain palm oil, production of which is the primary cause of deforestation in Asian rainforests.
12. Wear a sweater this winter. Invest in an Energy Star programmable thermostat, and set it to 65 – 67 degrees when you are home. You’ll make a big dent in your heating bills and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s been like summer in mid winter here in California.
13. You can save up to 30 percent on your energy bills by sealing all leaks in your house using caulk or foam. Learn how to locate leaks here. Need to do this.
14. Keep your hot water heater set at 120 degrees, or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for nearly 15 percent of your monthly bill. No access to my water heater.
15. Perform routine maintenance on your furnace, including filters and ducts, to keep heating costs down. Learn more here. I have a heater, which I have used sparingly.
16. Wash only full loads of laundry and use natural detergent. Using the cold cycle can reduce your electricity use by 90 percent. Clean the lint filter before you put clothes in the dryer, and remove them as soon as they’re dry. Always full loads, but I haven’t been using cold cycle.
17. Use the dishwasher! A full Energy Star model uses less water than hand washing does. Just be sure to choose the air-dry setting. Never had one.
18. Maintain freezer temperature at 0 degrees, and refrigerator temperature at 40 degrees (but no warmer). I think my fridge might actually be heating food up.
19. Replace as much of your yard as possible with native plants that require minimal watering. Experts believe California is entering a serious drought. Find SFGate’s tips on water-conserving landscaping here. I believe my plants are native; do not require a lot of water.
20. If you’re in the market for furniture, buy used. If you must buy new, avoid rainforest hardwoods including mahogany and teak. Craigslist is my friend, bought many of my things used.
21. Use paperless bill-paying for all of your bills, and ask about paperless direct deposit stubs at your place of work. I currently do not receive any paper bills.
22. Ask the IT department at your office set computers to turn off after an hour and make double-sided printing the default setting. Always print double sided at work, when I had a job.
23. Dispose of old electronics using a certified recycling program. Otherwise, your gadget may be shipped to China and dumped in a landfill there. Alameda and San Francisco counties offer services and information. Do
24. Make sure to take advantage of your city’s recycling and composting programs. Many recyclables still end up in landfills. Learn more about San Francisco’s program here, and Oakland’s here.
25. Travel ready! Carry a portable mug for coffee stops and canvas or recycled-plastic bags to do grocery shopping. You can get a shopping tote by donating to some green groups or by making one yourself. Currently do.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/01/09/greentips010909.DTL
Sorry for not posting on a regular basis as of late, a lot has happened. For one thing I got laid. Off. Last week I just became a statistic, part of the 7.2% unemployment rate that has consumed America. So what’s a guy to do? Starting last Friday, which was my last day at work, I’ve been riding like crazy. Riding the hills, the city, the peninsula, south bay, etc.
I keep mentioning to people that it’s almost as if I’ve been given the gift of time. Time to relax, and think about what I really want to do. I’m fortunate to be fairly young, without any family or kids to provide for. I have enough saved up for a little while, thanks to my emergency fund. The lifestyle I have been leading has been quite frugal, so being without work for a short while will not really affect me all that much.
I’ll leave you with a few pictures from some of the rides I’ve done in the past few days.
Photo by Pavel
Photo by Pavel
I needed to get some fresh air while I was sick, so Jabeezy’s was able to dig out a Pizza Chicago coupon on the fly for cheap deep dishin’. Not too sure if that was the best idea, eating the pizza, or walking in the 40 degree weather to the restaurant. I’m rambling now, perhaps delirious from the remnants of the flu/fever I suffered this past weekend. Back to extended jammie time, Seinfeld Season 7 on DVD.
Brought in the New Years with a bang, but it was all downhill after that. Marc and Julia hosted a wonderful party, nice way to bring in the last year of the decade. Afterward I got super sick and have been out of commission since. I had to take two days off of work, which sucked since I was saving my time off. Still in recovery mode. Will post more when I am back to 100%. 2009! fart
