You'll just have to make do with pictures of the buildening.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Starting
It is Friday August 26th. This is the day that I am officially starting my journey. I haven't gotten a chance to actually get on my bike and get a picture of it yet, as I don't yet have a clone and my hunny got his Macbook pro for school today. (So proud of him! *makes sickeningly adorable pruffle noises in his direction*)
You'll just have to make do with pictures of the buildening.
Look! A bike box!
What's inside??
Oh SHINY!
Boy that's alot of pieces...
I am in love with my fenders and rack. Very practical and aesthetically pleasing.
And that's what it is.
I am hoping to have some pictures of the bike, me on said bike and maybe it's new bags soon. I am off to go try it out right now.
You'll just have to make do with pictures of the buildening.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bags
I order my panniers for the bike today. SQUEEE! I am not a bag person usually, but these line up nicely with my camping gear fetish. Other girls get excited about purses and shoes and nails. I get excited by camping gear and coats and bare feet. Not to say I don't enjoy the girly trappings from time to time, but I enjoy them only because they are from time to time.
My friends are getting ready for the burn this week. Not a shock. HA! But it's fun because I get to participate in their getting ready now, what with the waxing and all. It was really nice getting to have a good chat about what I will really need with the girls, too. There are certain things that boys just don't get cause their bodies and brains are wired differently. Actually, our group of girls are all the "girl with all guy friend" types, so I think we're all wired a little differently, too. Hehehe. Amusingly enough, we were talking about shoes and moisturizer...but in the context of Burning Man that is more survival talk than anything else.
Also, this afternoon, when it gets to hot to be out in the garage I am going to learn how to change my tube. Wooo! I get so frustrated when I am learning a new thing that doesn't come easy. I rode bikes constantly as a kid and I NEVER had to change my tire? I think I must have been freakishly magic. Even when I was commuting to work and I had my bike stolen, twice, I never had to do a brake adjustment, patch a tire or anything. Because it never broke or I have totally blocked someone else doing it. WEIRD! But I am glad to fight with it now so I can learn how to care for my bike, so we can have a long and glorious life together.
So tomorrow is the BIG DAY! The grand unveiling...sort of.. Now I am off to set up my strength training. All that cardio with out some strength training doesn't help as much as I would like.
My friends are getting ready for the burn this week. Not a shock. HA! But it's fun because I get to participate in their getting ready now, what with the waxing and all. It was really nice getting to have a good chat about what I will really need with the girls, too. There are certain things that boys just don't get cause their bodies and brains are wired differently. Actually, our group of girls are all the "girl with all guy friend" types, so I think we're all wired a little differently, too. Hehehe. Amusingly enough, we were talking about shoes and moisturizer...but in the context of Burning Man that is more survival talk than anything else.
Also, this afternoon, when it gets to hot to be out in the garage I am going to learn how to change my tube. Wooo! I get so frustrated when I am learning a new thing that doesn't come easy. I rode bikes constantly as a kid and I NEVER had to change my tire? I think I must have been freakishly magic. Even when I was commuting to work and I had my bike stolen, twice, I never had to do a brake adjustment, patch a tire or anything. Because it never broke or I have totally blocked someone else doing it. WEIRD! But I am glad to fight with it now so I can learn how to care for my bike, so we can have a long and glorious life together.
So tomorrow is the BIG DAY! The grand unveiling...sort of.. Now I am off to set up my strength training. All that cardio with out some strength training doesn't help as much as I would like.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Accomplishment
And the bike is done! Except that it came with a HUGE hole in the front intertube, so I need to go buy three, instead of just the two back ups I was originally planning on. Welcome to the exciting world of bikes!
My hunny helped me get the brakes right and we finally got the interaction right. He is not the best teacher for me on a lot of things. We make a good team otherwise. I am THRILLED to have it all good to go except for the tire!
Slowly but surely, one step at a time, I am readying myself for my journey. I am excited to finally get on the road and a little frightened of the traffic some of the places I want to go eventually. So in the spirit of the journey, I am going to check things off my getting ready list.
Got my tattoo finished (this was last year but one of the things I felt needed to be done before the burn)
Got a tent (for free, even!)
Purchased bike and basic safety gear
Built said bike and will be learning first hand how to change a tube before my first ride
Still need to purchase panniers for the bike, need to make a personal list of needs for the burn and outline my strength training regiment. I am right on schedule at this point. Woot!
My hunny helped me get the brakes right and we finally got the interaction right. He is not the best teacher for me on a lot of things. We make a good team otherwise. I am THRILLED to have it all good to go except for the tire!
Slowly but surely, one step at a time, I am readying myself for my journey. I am excited to finally get on the road and a little frightened of the traffic some of the places I want to go eventually. So in the spirit of the journey, I am going to check things off my getting ready list.
Got my tattoo finished (this was last year but one of the things I felt needed to be done before the burn)
Got a tent (for free, even!)
Purchased bike and basic safety gear
Built said bike and will be learning first hand how to change a tube before my first ride
Still need to purchase panniers for the bike, need to make a personal list of needs for the burn and outline my strength training regiment. I am right on schedule at this point. Woot!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Daunted
I am sitting here, feeling a little overwhlemed and daunted. I still haven't gotten my bike finished. I wanted to be riding by now, and if I pushed myself a little harder I could have been. However, my life has been busy and my schedule has been changing alot which makes it hard to schedule the time needed to finish it up.
And then I realized.....I started this blog EARLIER than my goal start date. My goal was to have my bike finished and to be taking my first ride on it on August 26th, the day before the burn starts. That will give me 1 year to do what I have set out to do. To become a cyclist again (ok, not THAT fancy) and to get ready for Burning Man 2012. It was like a weight lifted and my excitement came back. I can definitely get the bike finished by the end of the week and, if I work at it, I can also get my picture blog up, too.
In other news, I just found out that Shpongle will be at Burning Man next year. SQUEEEEE! I was lucky enough to get to go to the Shpongletron Experience this past year. AMAZING! Yet another thing to be excited about!
In other, other news I have just acquired a new hobby/job. That is currently all I can tell you. I should be able to give more details in about 6-8 weeks. All I can really say, is that I will have to buy shoes. *waggles eyebrows* How's that for cryptic! It's not technically on topic, but I am so excited I am just bursting with it!
And then I realized.....I started this blog EARLIER than my goal start date. My goal was to have my bike finished and to be taking my first ride on it on August 26th, the day before the burn starts. That will give me 1 year to do what I have set out to do. To become a cyclist again (ok, not THAT fancy) and to get ready for Burning Man 2012. It was like a weight lifted and my excitement came back. I can definitely get the bike finished by the end of the week and, if I work at it, I can also get my picture blog up, too.
In other news, I just found out that Shpongle will be at Burning Man next year. SQUEEEEE! I was lucky enough to get to go to the Shpongletron Experience this past year. AMAZING! Yet another thing to be excited about!
In other, other news I have just acquired a new hobby/job. That is currently all I can tell you. I should be able to give more details in about 6-8 weeks. All I can really say, is that I will have to buy shoes. *waggles eyebrows* How's that for cryptic! It's not technically on topic, but I am so excited I am just bursting with it!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Steps
We went and picked up my helmet, bike lock cable thingy and a Schwinn bike tool set that I can tote around with me in case of emergency.
I will be honest, i am frustrated with my bike and my living situation right at the moment. Every time I go in to work on the brakes, I have to stop or I can't start because there is too much going on in the main room.
But something that I have learned about myself is that I have to go through the angry, frustrated, bashing my head against it phase to get to the capable phase. I think most kids get that earlier in their life than I did. I tend to be quite good at what I do and I don't do things I don't like. (excluding chores and yard work since those are necessary) But I have discovered that sometimes it really is worth it to push through that irritation.
Steps! One at a time!
I will be honest, i am frustrated with my bike and my living situation right at the moment. Every time I go in to work on the brakes, I have to stop or I can't start because there is too much going on in the main room.
But something that I have learned about myself is that I have to go through the angry, frustrated, bashing my head against it phase to get to the capable phase. I think most kids get that earlier in their life than I did. I tend to be quite good at what I do and I don't do things I don't like. (excluding chores and yard work since those are necessary) But I have discovered that sometimes it really is worth it to push through that irritation.
Steps! One at a time!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
New Things
Many new things have happened since I last posted here. I even wrote a post that was eaten by the internet ether.
First things first, the bike! I have the handle bars on and the wheels and fender and pedals. But the brakes are hard. They need to be adjusted and the instructions are tragically unclear. I figure I will just continue to fight with it til I get it done. I want to save all the details to go with the pictures when I post them. It's been an adventure to say the least.
But many other things have been happening in my life. Some of them are a long time coming and some are let downs while some others are startlingly surprising.. This is a year of change for certain. But the one that most directly impacts my biking and burning is my new friend that hopefully will be my hiking buddy. I am hoping to meet her next week for tea and to see if we get along in person (I think it will be fine, but we've only been chatting for a couple weeks online) and then schedule a hike for September. That will help round out my fitness and get me out of the house so my hunny can do his school work.
Nothing to deep or exciting today, just an update. =)
First things first, the bike! I have the handle bars on and the wheels and fender and pedals. But the brakes are hard. They need to be adjusted and the instructions are tragically unclear. I figure I will just continue to fight with it til I get it done. I want to save all the details to go with the pictures when I post them. It's been an adventure to say the least.
But many other things have been happening in my life. Some of them are a long time coming and some are let downs while some others are startlingly surprising.. This is a year of change for certain. But the one that most directly impacts my biking and burning is my new friend that hopefully will be my hiking buddy. I am hoping to meet her next week for tea and to see if we get along in person (I think it will be fine, but we've only been chatting for a couple weeks online) and then schedule a hike for September. That will help round out my fitness and get me out of the house so my hunny can do his school work.
Nothing to deep or exciting today, just an update. =)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Patience
I finally got notice that my bike has shipped. Huzzah! However, this is the kind of waiting that makes me crazy. It is one reason why I always prefer to buy things in a store. The tactile aspect of selection and then the instant gratification. The quick and wonderous claiming of "MINE!" on your heart's desire of the moment. It's why retail therapy is a thing. =)
But I do find a perverse delight in the anticipation. I love to rip into a package, and argue and curse and fume at the packaging. I have never gotten a bike in a box before. I actually don't know what state of completeness it will arrive in. I am pleasantly surprised to find myself not just indifferent to to possibility of having to completely build it, but actually excited at the prospect. I like building things, though I have never built a mechanical thing I understand how they work better than electronics. The thought of starting at the very beginning....it's like getting a puppy. A commitment, a learning process, messy. It seems so...appropriate to what I am doing.
The next step is to further cut back my car usage and start on daily, short errand runs and close clients with the bike. Of course, the universe has gifted me with great prosperity this month, which is great because then I can get the rest of my gear sooner AND still be able to have a life and food and stuff. It is also...inconvenient. Because of the weather and the type of car issues we have, I HAVE to separate out some of the appointments, my client's schedules also play a significant role. I guess it just means I will have more opportunity to get of my butt and ride.
So tomorrow, if I am supremely lucky (which I am from time to time) or Monday, I fight with a large box until it opens and gives me my precious! Pictures, I promise.
But I do find a perverse delight in the anticipation. I love to rip into a package, and argue and curse and fume at the packaging. I have never gotten a bike in a box before. I actually don't know what state of completeness it will arrive in. I am pleasantly surprised to find myself not just indifferent to to possibility of having to completely build it, but actually excited at the prospect. I like building things, though I have never built a mechanical thing I understand how they work better than electronics. The thought of starting at the very beginning....it's like getting a puppy. A commitment, a learning process, messy. It seems so...appropriate to what I am doing.
The next step is to further cut back my car usage and start on daily, short errand runs and close clients with the bike. Of course, the universe has gifted me with great prosperity this month, which is great because then I can get the rest of my gear sooner AND still be able to have a life and food and stuff. It is also...inconvenient. Because of the weather and the type of car issues we have, I HAVE to separate out some of the appointments, my client's schedules also play a significant role. I guess it just means I will have more opportunity to get of my butt and ride.
So tomorrow, if I am supremely lucky (which I am from time to time) or Monday, I fight with a large box until it opens and gives me my precious! Pictures, I promise.
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