Walking to work, I wore the usual, jeans, shoes, short-sleeve shirt and heavy coat. After wards, running errands, I wore the same but shed the heavy coat. Doubtful it'll be for good. I'm just happy to shed the heavy wool coat and wear the old reliable wind-breaker I've had for years and years.
So, what's exciting about wearing clothing that's so much lighter than before? The signs of warmer, more pleasant weather to come! Is it not wonderful? Soon, flowers growing again! Time to dig in the dirt and plant flowers and food again. Sweet...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
In the cycling clothes again,
How to begin a blog on a subject written about much before? So dull to just write I did this and I did that as writers are tired to know. If you cannot get excited about what you're writing about, you're not going to be much of a writer when you write with the apathetic pen, or keystrokes, and not the so excited to burst with enthusiasm by spraying bits of connected language onto paper or computer screens all in the effort to tell a story. With any luck, you can tell an interesting one, and with even more elusive luck someone will read it, and by an act of divine intervention, they may even like it too.
Finally, the time came, awaiting this moment for far to long. Good enough weather to wear summery bike clothes, mostly wool and polyester. Hearing pluses and minuses to both materials as to what to make out of each. Shorts made from synthetics are considered better, least in my research the consensus is that way. Wool jerseys are classics for cyclists. Heavier then synthetics, but oh so much classier! Simple colors, and the long sleeve varieties make wonderful turtlenecks!
So attired in wonderful clothing for cycling, I prepare to ride.
Ah the beloved racing bike! Made of steel, made in Japan, designed to function as more than just a racer, but a durable bike that could be a real friend on two wheels. Giving her so much time and effort during my time outside Dutch county PA.
My excitement! finally! time and place to ride in my cycling clothes for a change.
To conclude, as I've written before, I love bike riding no matter what I am wearing, but in the proper attire it just to me has this much better feel of being so much more of say one with the bike, rather than just riding a bike.
Finally, the time came, awaiting this moment for far to long. Good enough weather to wear summery bike clothes, mostly wool and polyester. Hearing pluses and minuses to both materials as to what to make out of each. Shorts made from synthetics are considered better, least in my research the consensus is that way. Wool jerseys are classics for cyclists. Heavier then synthetics, but oh so much classier! Simple colors, and the long sleeve varieties make wonderful turtlenecks!
So attired in wonderful clothing for cycling, I prepare to ride.
Ah the beloved racing bike! Made of steel, made in Japan, designed to function as more than just a racer, but a durable bike that could be a real friend on two wheels. Giving her so much time and effort during my time outside Dutch county PA.
My excitement! finally! time and place to ride in my cycling clothes for a change.
To conclude, as I've written before, I love bike riding no matter what I am wearing, but in the proper attire it just to me has this much better feel of being so much more of say one with the bike, rather than just riding a bike.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
FS: model trains...
Edit: Yay rewrite! so much for auto save functions...
Selling model trains on eBay. Basically trying to make some extra money outside work. Successful? I'm selling them, sometimes for prices to low, but they are getting out there and my customers seem to like what they get.
For my first 9-5 type, fill out a W2 style job, a hobby store! Here, learning the art of dealing with the public and upper-level management.
I made no commission, thankfully, as I had a regular salary instead. I spent a lot, saved very little. I lasted 6-months giving notice long after I no longer had fun working there. Temporarily killing my love of model railroading, but it had definitely peaked by then. No longer were trains something fun, but a product on a shelf to move and replace with others.
Fast forward some years: numerous college credits down... I found another avenue to sell trains, eBay. I work out of home, making my own hours and selling stuff off at my own pace. How do I like it? Well, it's work! Writing somewhat detailed listings for trains is dull, monotonous and time-consuming, not to mention time spent putting in boxes and running to post office, but I do make some monies at it. And clear out stuff I needn't keep around, yay!
While packing and shipping these trains, it brought back memories of what the hobby meant to me:
From 1998 to 2003, oh such fun, working with my hands, doing research, learning new skills, yes at the expense of school, but I didn't care. Paint and glue fumes probably weren't good for my brain-cells at the time, but again, I cared not, this stuff is fun! Breaking the stereotype of being an antisocial shut-in, I found a train club, where a finished layout that functioned pretty well allowed me to room and space to actually run my trains.
How do I regard it now? To me, all trains, even the nicest scale models are toys, as in toys for adults. The stuff that only lays behind glass? Maybe not so much, but they serve no function other than being eye-candy.
That said, I've always thought highly of the hobby, few allow you to engage in so many skills and crafts in pursuit of the creation of works of art. Wood and metal working, using an airbrush, historical research, electrical work and others all can be practiced through model railroading. Importantly, I feel that my own abilities with working on bikes, cars and small appliances had been boosted by having played with model trains in my younger days.
So I definitely thought highly of that hobby. I even still like looking at pictures of well done railroad models, but for personal reasons, namely other interests, I just choose not too.
Selling model trains on eBay. Basically trying to make some extra money outside work. Successful? I'm selling them, sometimes for prices to low, but they are getting out there and my customers seem to like what they get.
For my first 9-5 type, fill out a W2 style job, a hobby store! Here, learning the art of dealing with the public and upper-level management.
I made no commission, thankfully, as I had a regular salary instead. I spent a lot, saved very little. I lasted 6-months giving notice long after I no longer had fun working there. Temporarily killing my love of model railroading, but it had definitely peaked by then. No longer were trains something fun, but a product on a shelf to move and replace with others.
Fast forward some years: numerous college credits down... I found another avenue to sell trains, eBay. I work out of home, making my own hours and selling stuff off at my own pace. How do I like it? Well, it's work! Writing somewhat detailed listings for trains is dull, monotonous and time-consuming, not to mention time spent putting in boxes and running to post office, but I do make some monies at it. And clear out stuff I needn't keep around, yay!
While packing and shipping these trains, it brought back memories of what the hobby meant to me:
From 1998 to 2003, oh such fun, working with my hands, doing research, learning new skills, yes at the expense of school, but I didn't care. Paint and glue fumes probably weren't good for my brain-cells at the time, but again, I cared not, this stuff is fun! Breaking the stereotype of being an antisocial shut-in, I found a train club, where a finished layout that functioned pretty well allowed me to room and space to actually run my trains.
How do I regard it now? To me, all trains, even the nicest scale models are toys, as in toys for adults. The stuff that only lays behind glass? Maybe not so much, but they serve no function other than being eye-candy.
That said, I've always thought highly of the hobby, few allow you to engage in so many skills and crafts in pursuit of the creation of works of art. Wood and metal working, using an airbrush, historical research, electrical work and others all can be practiced through model railroading. Importantly, I feel that my own abilities with working on bikes, cars and small appliances had been boosted by having played with model trains in my younger days.
So I definitely thought highly of that hobby. I even still like looking at pictures of well done railroad models, but for personal reasons, namely other interests, I just choose not too.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
To soon for another post? Nay!
I say!
All writers can relate to the challenges and trials of editing works. Easy? The rules of editing are simple for what punctuation marks follow what type of language. Yet, there is always conflict, either eternal or external as to what is truly correct. You know what you want to say, but others, readers think the finished product should sustain certain changes and be different. The whole writer vs. reader argument, and unfortunately, we the writers gain nothing if readers will not read our works because our editing is sloppy, it is our fault for being careless, not their fault for expecting works that are both well written, AND edited.
Several writers will have several different opinions on editing. Giving some time between writing and editing is healthy for oneself. Editing and writing at the same time drives one insane and if nothing else prolongs the process of trying to finish and polish a work.
Editing/revision never ends, one can always come up with changes and revisions no matter the work.
As a writer I'm fond of the computer and the physical form of written words on the medium of paper.
When editing, I always notice the real change in dynamic between going from writing/editing on a computer screen to editing changes to documents on paper. You look at the work differently, the change in medium really presents a significant difference in how you view it, and how you can then edit.
All writers can relate to the challenges and trials of editing works. Easy? The rules of editing are simple for what punctuation marks follow what type of language. Yet, there is always conflict, either eternal or external as to what is truly correct. You know what you want to say, but others, readers think the finished product should sustain certain changes and be different. The whole writer vs. reader argument, and unfortunately, we the writers gain nothing if readers will not read our works because our editing is sloppy, it is our fault for being careless, not their fault for expecting works that are both well written, AND edited.
Several writers will have several different opinions on editing. Giving some time between writing and editing is healthy for oneself. Editing and writing at the same time drives one insane and if nothing else prolongs the process of trying to finish and polish a work.
Editing/revision never ends, one can always come up with changes and revisions no matter the work.
As a writer I'm fond of the computer and the physical form of written words on the medium of paper.
When editing, I always notice the real change in dynamic between going from writing/editing on a computer screen to editing changes to documents on paper. You look at the work differently, the change in medium really presents a significant difference in how you view it, and how you can then edit.
Welcome the second month of the new decade
Here we are and it is February. A thick coat of white to blanket fair Lancaster expected this weekend. And honestly, would it be February in Lancaster PA if that weren't the case?
For a change, at the end of this month I am going to Orlando! A Florida trip with just the family. Usually I don't go, not interested in Disney's rampant commercialism, but realizing that despite my disdain for Disney as it is. My family members, especially my sweet youngest sister so over the top with joy that Alvie will be going to Orlando! Mom is happy too, but no one so happy as Sara.
One of my goals for this year, get out of America, even for a couple days. Where? Anywhere cheap to fly too and stay in. Language barriers? I'm not so worried about that. What to do? I just want to relax, spend time in the sun, write in my journal or even my laptop, take some photos and if possible, ride my Bridgestone around.
For a change, at the end of this month I am going to Orlando! A Florida trip with just the family. Usually I don't go, not interested in Disney's rampant commercialism, but realizing that despite my disdain for Disney as it is. My family members, especially my sweet youngest sister so over the top with joy that Alvie will be going to Orlando! Mom is happy too, but no one so happy as Sara.
One of my goals for this year, get out of America, even for a couple days. Where? Anywhere cheap to fly too and stay in. Language barriers? I'm not so worried about that. What to do? I just want to relax, spend time in the sun, write in my journal or even my laptop, take some photos and if possible, ride my Bridgestone around.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Finally, took me long enough!
So I put off writing for a while as there has been little to write about. So apparently, this is an exception, and a worthy one I think.
Last years big blockbuster, James Cameron's Avatar offers much commentary on militarism, capitalism, racism and the influence those factors have had on the political climate of decades and centuries past where few have brought guns and germs devastating the landscape and the people who lived on them. This story takes place far from our home planet, but in a way, not so far from home, as it is in a way, a very human story.
The Na'vi and their way of life depend deeply on the health of the forests they call home. They live without concern for economy and social class. Their concern is the forest, the lush and gorgeous world of Pandora, where the geography bares similarity to Earth's tropical rain-forests. The creatures and people of Pandora so strange to our eyes much like the flora and fauna of the tropics may have been to European explorers in centuries past.
And much like the conquerors of times past, people from earth, a powerful corporation using military personnel and weaponry, have come for one thing: extracting the mineral unobtanium. Oh so expensive, and whose purpose to the Na'vi remains a mystery, but like the conquerors in history, they cared none about whatever uses petroleum, copper, gold and other minerals had to the indigenous people they took these resources from. Their "need" for X-mineral trumped all concerns for human rights and environmental impact, but who cares? Someone's getting rich!
So, would I say go see it? I'm no cinephile, nor a huge Cameron fan, but I'll say, the effects render a gorgeous looking film, however the character development is alright, though I thought the antagonist Quaritch, to be much like characters in Cameron's other flicks, I.E kind of un-real, they can be sometimes to evil, to smarmy, etc. The change to humans as invading aliens and the Na'vi as defending their home is pretty well executed and not often seen in Sci-Fi.
The other main aspect, the modern man becoming part of a tribal society, and gaining greater respect for the natural world that is his new home. Well, that's been done often before, I.E Ferngully and Dances With Wolves, and while not done poorly, it's not done in a stunningly original way either.
Overall, I liked this film.
Last years big blockbuster, James Cameron's Avatar offers much commentary on militarism, capitalism, racism and the influence those factors have had on the political climate of decades and centuries past where few have brought guns and germs devastating the landscape and the people who lived on them. This story takes place far from our home planet, but in a way, not so far from home, as it is in a way, a very human story.
The Na'vi and their way of life depend deeply on the health of the forests they call home. They live without concern for economy and social class. Their concern is the forest, the lush and gorgeous world of Pandora, where the geography bares similarity to Earth's tropical rain-forests. The creatures and people of Pandora so strange to our eyes much like the flora and fauna of the tropics may have been to European explorers in centuries past.
And much like the conquerors of times past, people from earth, a powerful corporation using military personnel and weaponry, have come for one thing: extracting the mineral unobtanium. Oh so expensive, and whose purpose to the Na'vi remains a mystery, but like the conquerors in history, they cared none about whatever uses petroleum, copper, gold and other minerals had to the indigenous people they took these resources from. Their "need" for X-mineral trumped all concerns for human rights and environmental impact, but who cares? Someone's getting rich!
So, would I say go see it? I'm no cinephile, nor a huge Cameron fan, but I'll say, the effects render a gorgeous looking film, however the character development is alright, though I thought the antagonist Quaritch, to be much like characters in Cameron's other flicks, I.E kind of un-real, they can be sometimes to evil, to smarmy, etc. The change to humans as invading aliens and the Na'vi as defending their home is pretty well executed and not often seen in Sci-Fi.
The other main aspect, the modern man becoming part of a tribal society, and gaining greater respect for the natural world that is his new home. Well, that's been done often before, I.E Ferngully and Dances With Wolves, and while not done poorly, it's not done in a stunningly original way either.
Overall, I liked this film.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Going into 2010, some reflections on 2009
2009 had been my year of change, in that I didn't just try doing a handful of things I had done before, but I lived a new life that gave me direction.
Moving out from home for six-months April to November 2009 to take a job on an organic farm.
Thinking back, I like aspects of the country life. But enjoy it much more so when an exciting city is close by.
In Virginia, the closest small town required a car to get too, 6-miles one way on a very hilly road. In PA, the small town, which had all the necessities we needed, a mile away, accessible by bike, but like W-Town VA, a hilly ride on not so bike-friendly roads either. The exciting city, el capital de estados unidos, 50+ miles away. Compared to el ciudad de bromance, a short, easy train or trolley ride courtesy of SEPTA. All in all though, I'd never want to live for to long a time outside the city, in the country, as well, I get kind of bored, and need to find things to do, restless? maybe, but it's who I am.
Though I started and ended the year with the same change in status: single. But more importantly, I gained something from beginning to end I always needed, and built up what I already have. More confidence, direction, clarity, happiness with oneself.
Losing more weight, starting the year at 185, and ending at 168-172 makes me happy.
I blogged very little, mostly on bike-related stuff, little on much else.
I'm not that much of a blogger I guess, I like writing blogs, though the quirky aspects make them feel odd to write at times, but whatever I still will.
Speaking of writing, I'd like to engage in that more productively. Even learn how to teach it someday, but always make time to just write, write non-fiction, fiction, occasional poetry, whatever, just write! Keep writing! as the Empress with three Fs in her name once said.
Enough for now...
I'm going to do all I can to embrace and enjoy this new year for what it will be. A New Year!
Moving out from home for six-months April to November 2009 to take a job on an organic farm.
Thinking back, I like aspects of the country life. But enjoy it much more so when an exciting city is close by.
In Virginia, the closest small town required a car to get too, 6-miles one way on a very hilly road. In PA, the small town, which had all the necessities we needed, a mile away, accessible by bike, but like W-Town VA, a hilly ride on not so bike-friendly roads either. The exciting city, el capital de estados unidos, 50+ miles away. Compared to el ciudad de bromance, a short, easy train or trolley ride courtesy of SEPTA. All in all though, I'd never want to live for to long a time outside the city, in the country, as well, I get kind of bored, and need to find things to do, restless? maybe, but it's who I am.
Though I started and ended the year with the same change in status: single. But more importantly, I gained something from beginning to end I always needed, and built up what I already have. More confidence, direction, clarity, happiness with oneself.
Losing more weight, starting the year at 185, and ending at 168-172 makes me happy.
I blogged very little, mostly on bike-related stuff, little on much else.
I'm not that much of a blogger I guess, I like writing blogs, though the quirky aspects make them feel odd to write at times, but whatever I still will.
Speaking of writing, I'd like to engage in that more productively. Even learn how to teach it someday, but always make time to just write, write non-fiction, fiction, occasional poetry, whatever, just write! Keep writing! as the Empress with three Fs in her name once said.
Enough for now...
I'm going to do all I can to embrace and enjoy this new year for what it will be. A New Year!
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