Sunday, December 29, 2013

Things I have bought for my bicycle in 2013

I bought a used track bike in the fall of 2012 for the purposes of commuting in NYC. I met some seedy asian dude in LES and forked over $180 bucks. The bike was set up with a fixed gear and track pedals, a crappy seat and dirty handlebar tape.

Here is everything I've invested into this bicycle in 2013


  • new bar tape - $12 with installation at LBS
  • clip on rear fender - $15
  • clip on fenders (rear and front) - $10
  • rear hub rebuild and new bearings 2x - $40
  • white lighting 2x - $16
  • lithuium grease - $5
  • Park Tool Chain cleaning system - $30
  • rear rack - $15
  • REI Panniers - $60
  • Continental Gatorskin tire - $30
  • Inner tubes 3x - $20
Total $243

Monday, April 29, 2013

I got a Kindle Paperwhite

I received a Kindle Paperwhite as a present for New Years. I've been reading books a lot more now. I think I read one book in 2012 ( The Rum Diaries ). My goal for this year is to read at least 15 to somehow justify another piece of electronic equipment in on my nightstand. The iPad and iPhone all have Kindle apps and, needless to say, there are a lot of ulterior ways of obtaining and consuming text.

So far I have read

The cover of World War ZWorld War Z - Max Brooks. The book is told through interviews with survivors instead of a narrative - which takes a little getting used to and piecing together. I suppose that's the intended effect. The text brings up a few interesting points of globalization, over popualtion and the capacity of modern technology. Mostly I'm happy this gives me enough 'geek cred' to discuss zombies with authority.
 







A Confederacy Of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole. I've stayed at the Chateau Bourbon which is where the department store at the begining of the book used to be. There is a statue to Ignatius J. Riley at the front of the lobby. I have not had read the book at the time so this was a little lost on me.