you will be assimilated.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Art of the Bus Chase - Part 2
Not long after I started writing The Art of the Bus Chase - Part 1 my commuting nearly came to a halt. I'm not sure if I could pinpoint one reason for it but I'm sure the holiday's, snowstorms, frigid rain, and persistent head colds (yes plural) condemned the December mileage total to all of 84. Since we only had the one car and I wasn't about to drive a 44 year old truck on our snow/ice/crap covered New England roads, I had to modify my art form of bus chasing.
While riding the bike I never took note as to exactly where and when I was passing which bus. I just knew that certain buses ran more often than others and I was more likely to see #'s 31 and 30 more often than #'s 32 and 38. When I was acting "truck-lite" in December I needed to decipher the cryptic bus schedules and make my way to and from work by catching 2 bus routes at just right time and do a little walking. To add to the complexity of the bus schedule, they run certain routes less or alter their times when the colleges go on break.
This created huge amounts of frustration for me. Just when I got used to when I needed to leave to walk to a stop, the time of that stop shifted a few minutes or moved to the next hour. This conundrum has a lot to do with us buying the Honda. I couldn't see myself trying to adapt to these ever changing schedules and still end up late for work or getting home everyday.
This brings us to today's fun bus rides (plant tongue firmly in cheek, here). We dropped off the VW last night so they could figure out the check engine light issue which confunded me. I still needed to be a work today, soooo enter the Bus Chase.
Getting to the bus in the morning was easier than expected (both kids up and crying at various times throughout the night culminating with DaGirl in bed with DaMom and DaBoy on the couch with me just to get them both to sleep.) I was out the door and at the stop like I never stopped taking it. When the bus arrived however it became another story. The driver was still training so he was being overly cautious and flippin slow as molasses. When his shift ended at the second college and the observer took over, the driver switch was painfully slow and resulted in me missing my first chance at grabbing the second bus. When I finally arrived at work I had been gone from the house for almost an hour and a half. ugh!
DaMom's first quilting class of the new year is tonight so she was pretty adamant about me being home on time which meant I needed to fly out the door just a whisker before 5 to grab a bus. I was fortunate to grab an oddball route that actually took me all of the way to Atkin's where I could grab the final bus home. Tonight it took one hour door to door. Much better. Even though I figured tonight's first bus ride would get me to the right stop for the second bus on time, I still found myself checking my watch constantly.
It was the first time I've ever caught the buses right like that. The art is still under revision.
g
While riding the bike I never took note as to exactly where and when I was passing which bus. I just knew that certain buses ran more often than others and I was more likely to see #'s 31 and 30 more often than #'s 32 and 38. When I was acting "truck-lite" in December I needed to decipher the cryptic bus schedules and make my way to and from work by catching 2 bus routes at just right time and do a little walking. To add to the complexity of the bus schedule, they run certain routes less or alter their times when the colleges go on break.
This created huge amounts of frustration for me. Just when I got used to when I needed to leave to walk to a stop, the time of that stop shifted a few minutes or moved to the next hour. This conundrum has a lot to do with us buying the Honda. I couldn't see myself trying to adapt to these ever changing schedules and still end up late for work or getting home everyday.
This brings us to today's fun bus rides (plant tongue firmly in cheek, here). We dropped off the VW last night so they could figure out the check engine light issue which confunded me. I still needed to be a work today, soooo enter the Bus Chase.
Getting to the bus in the morning was easier than expected (both kids up and crying at various times throughout the night culminating with DaGirl in bed with DaMom and DaBoy on the couch with me just to get them both to sleep.) I was out the door and at the stop like I never stopped taking it. When the bus arrived however it became another story. The driver was still training so he was being overly cautious and flippin slow as molasses. When his shift ended at the second college and the observer took over, the driver switch was painfully slow and resulted in me missing my first chance at grabbing the second bus. When I finally arrived at work I had been gone from the house for almost an hour and a half. ugh!
DaMom's first quilting class of the new year is tonight so she was pretty adamant about me being home on time which meant I needed to fly out the door just a whisker before 5 to grab a bus. I was fortunate to grab an oddball route that actually took me all of the way to Atkin's where I could grab the final bus home. Tonight it took one hour door to door. Much better. Even though I figured tonight's first bus ride would get me to the right stop for the second bus on time, I still found myself checking my watch constantly.
It was the first time I've ever caught the buses right like that. The art is still under revision.
g
Cycle Speedway
Once upon a time I used to work on oval track race cars.
This looks like more fun than I ever had pulling wrenches.
Found on Boston Biker
This looks like more fun than I ever had pulling wrenches.
Found on Boston Biker
Flat Track Racing, Freewheels, No Brakes
Monday, January 25, 2010
Regression: returning to a former state
As mentioned in the previous post DaGirl has been sick. As a result of this sickness she has not been to school since last Wednesday and that does not bode well for good nights of sleep.
I was on the phone with my parents this evening just after putting DaGirl down for bed. While I was on the phone I hear her chatting away. This chatting led to singing which finally led to bouncing on the bed.
When I eventually got to her room, I find all of the stuffed animals and blankets that usually reside in bed with her on the floor and she's dancing on the bed naked as a jay bird.
DaGoof: Where are all your clothes?
DaGirl: I dunno.
DaMom: (laughing hysterically down stairs) bahaahaa
DaGoof: Why did you take them off?
DaGirl: *shrugs*
Sound familiar? here here or here
g
I was on the phone with my parents this evening just after putting DaGirl down for bed. While I was on the phone I hear her chatting away. This chatting led to singing which finally led to bouncing on the bed.
When I eventually got to her room, I find all of the stuffed animals and blankets that usually reside in bed with her on the floor and she's dancing on the bed naked as a jay bird.
DaGoof: Where are all your clothes?
DaGirl: I dunno.
DaMom: (laughing hysterically down stairs) bahaahaa
DaGoof: Why did you take them off?
DaGirl: *shrugs*
Sound familiar? here here or here
g
Something Rings True Here
After dinner last Sunday night DaBoy came down with a fever. It turned into a head cold and the fever effects lasted until Friday, now he's a bright, energetic, and happy booger face.
DaGirl picked up said cold from her brother on Thursday and was ill through the weekend.
DaMom has been trapped at home with at least one sick child since Monday. I was pinned down all weekend. So on Sunday Night, when neither of us wanted to cook, and Chinese was a mere 25 minute wait away, we went the takeout route. My fortune seemed appropriate.
Who says fortune cookies don't speak the truth?
g
DaGirl picked up said cold from her brother on Thursday and was ill through the weekend.
DaMom has been trapped at home with at least one sick child since Monday. I was pinned down all weekend. So on Sunday Night, when neither of us wanted to cook, and Chinese was a mere 25 minute wait away, we went the takeout route. My fortune seemed appropriate.
g
Saturday, January 16, 2010
This is too cool
I saw this on the MAKE blog the other day.
Fordson Screw Drive Tractor
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/fordson_snow_machine_handles_drifts.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw-propelled_vehicle
I want one...
g
 |
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/01/fordson_snow_machine_handles_drifts.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw-propelled_vehicle
I want one...
g
Sunday, January 10, 2010
One of the silly things we are building...
This has not been altered in anyway.
The 8 foot diameter Antenna is spinning at 30rpm AND is mounted to the back of a truck!
g
The 8 foot diameter Antenna is spinning at 30rpm AND is mounted to the back of a truck!
g
Friday, January 8, 2010
Biking Statistics 2009
The following is too keep a record of my cycling and KEEP my butt motivated to ride.
In March of 2009 I decided I would try my hand (legs really) at a goal of 2000 miles for the year. The goal seemed feasible and at the time was necessary to provide suitable motivation for riding everyday. Then the Exploder started having issues that I didn't want to deal with so subsequently it was donated just to be rid of it. This provided more inspiration than anything since we had only the one car and the buses stop running for the summer.
The 2009 Highlights:
I rode a total of 2875 miles between 18Mar and 16Dec (40 weeks).
On July 3rd I crossed the 1000 mile mark and on September 14th crossed the 2000 mile mark.
Commute route: 13.3 miles one way
Bike/Bus/Bike: 11.8 miles per day
Road bike: 2497.8 miles
Commuter Bike: 377.5 miles
Mtn Bike: 0 miles :-(
For fun: 7.8miles
The Details:
The only part of this that makes me sad is that for all these miles, none are on the mountain bike, my favorite bike.
g
In March of 2009 I decided I would try my hand (legs really) at a goal of 2000 miles for the year. The goal seemed feasible and at the time was necessary to provide suitable motivation for riding everyday. Then the Exploder started having issues that I didn't want to deal with so subsequently it was donated just to be rid of it. This provided more inspiration than anything since we had only the one car and the buses stop running for the summer.
The 2009 Highlights:
I rode a total of 2875 miles between 18Mar and 16Dec (40 weeks).
On July 3rd I crossed the 1000 mile mark and on September 14th crossed the 2000 mile mark.
Commute route: 13.3 miles one way
Bike/Bus/Bike: 11.8 miles per day
Road bike: 2497.8 miles
Commuter Bike: 377.5 miles
Mtn Bike: 0 miles :-(
For fun: 7.8miles
The Details:
g
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Yup it's hereditary
When I was a young I had a thing for lamps.
When I was real young, less than 2, I burned the palm of my hand grabbing an exposed light bulb.
I broke a lot of lamps before I was 4. My parents had these ugly glass globe lamps and I guess my inner eye knew these things were ugly and had to go. I must have massacred 5 or 6 of these.
My father, possessing the Yankee ingenuity gene, took a pair that I killed and rebuilt them in such a manner that I could do them no more harm. He took a section of 4 inch PVC pipe the height the globe had been and put it between the upper and lower collars that once held the globe. Then to add "style" he wrapped the pipe with blue yarn to match the living room decor of the time. I could not damaged the finished product and believe me I tried. These lamps lasted about ten years when finally it was decided they outlived their purpose and replaced.
DaBoy has taken a liking to lamps as well and tonight I came home to this...
Yes, this is a three legged lamp with one leg broken off. Yes, this lamp is made of wrought iron. Yes, DaBoy is only 18 months and 25 pounds.
So just how do I make wrought iron stronger?
g
When I was real young, less than 2, I burned the palm of my hand grabbing an exposed light bulb.
I broke a lot of lamps before I was 4. My parents had these ugly glass globe lamps and I guess my inner eye knew these things were ugly and had to go. I must have massacred 5 or 6 of these.
My father, possessing the Yankee ingenuity gene, took a pair that I killed and rebuilt them in such a manner that I could do them no more harm. He took a section of 4 inch PVC pipe the height the globe had been and put it between the upper and lower collars that once held the globe. Then to add "style" he wrapped the pipe with blue yarn to match the living room decor of the time. I could not damaged the finished product and believe me I tried. These lamps lasted about ten years when finally it was decided they outlived their purpose and replaced.
DaBoy has taken a liking to lamps as well and tonight I came home to this...
So just how do I make wrought iron stronger?
g
Monday, January 4, 2010
Gestapo in the school
DaMom is sick today, she has the same stomach bug I had on Friday night. Not a pleasant topic. At any rate she's sleeping in and I'm taking the day off to handle DaKids.
I carry out DaMom's mumbled instructions and get both kids out the door by 8:45. (Getting them in the car is another story) Now I know DaGirl is supposed to be at school for 9:00 but I'm unsure of the time lienency they give. We're in the parking lot at 8:52.
Apparently this is too early.
DaGirl sees the teacher's aid getting out of her car and is overly excited to see her and is emphatically attempting to get her attention. She's shouting hello, banging on the window and generally making a rucus. We're a little slow to get out of the car (you know two kids in car seats) and when we cross the parking lot DaGirl is trying to chase down the aid...
...and we go to the wrong door.
I'm very rudely told of this fact by a teacher who is younger than I and she's backed up by an even younger teacher. They point across the cafeteria to the door I should be entering, which ironically is merely 40 ft away straight through the room. "you have to wait for them to open the door" one of them barks at us.
Lets paint the full picture here:
A dad carrying an 18 month old toddler, who doesn't want to walk but doesn't want to be carried either, is being dragged across a snow/salt/sand mess of a parking lot by a 3 year old hell bent on catching a teacher she adores. The teachers saw us walking up to the door and try close it in our faces but thought better of it when I looked at them with a crooked head and inquisitive face.
I'm obviously out of my element and these people offer no compassion at all. I guess what pisses me off is that when DaGirl turned three on Halloween and was eligible to start preschool the following Monday. No one offered DaMom any help either. Apparently 2 months into the school year no one is allowed to start fresh. The crappy paperwork the school hands out is all geared toward kindergarden and up. There is no mention that there is even a preschool in the joint and certainly nothing telling someone how they are supposed to get past the guards armed with nothing more than bad attitudes. I understand that the school policy is to lockdown the school during the day but come on, I'm trying to drop off my kid, nothing more.
I'm starting to remember why I never liked the teachers I had when I was in school, they had rules that made little sense in the big picture of life and offered no rational explanation of them. Explain the rules to me and why they exist and I will gladly follow. I have not nor will not follow any one/thing blindly.
Then when they do finally open the doors and I'm trying to escort DaGirl to her class room I'm reminded of why I hate school breaks. Floor polishing. While carrying DaBoy I step off the mat in front of the door and look like a comic book character trying to regain his footing and fall on my back. Great new year.
They really ought to post the entrances better.
g
I carry out DaMom's mumbled instructions and get both kids out the door by 8:45. (Getting them in the car is another story) Now I know DaGirl is supposed to be at school for 9:00 but I'm unsure of the time lienency they give. We're in the parking lot at 8:52.
Apparently this is too early.
DaGirl sees the teacher's aid getting out of her car and is overly excited to see her and is emphatically attempting to get her attention. She's shouting hello, banging on the window and generally making a rucus. We're a little slow to get out of the car (you know two kids in car seats) and when we cross the parking lot DaGirl is trying to chase down the aid...
...and we go to the wrong door.
I'm very rudely told of this fact by a teacher who is younger than I and she's backed up by an even younger teacher. They point across the cafeteria to the door I should be entering, which ironically is merely 40 ft away straight through the room. "you have to wait for them to open the door" one of them barks at us.
Lets paint the full picture here:
A dad carrying an 18 month old toddler, who doesn't want to walk but doesn't want to be carried either, is being dragged across a snow/salt/sand mess of a parking lot by a 3 year old hell bent on catching a teacher she adores. The teachers saw us walking up to the door and try close it in our faces but thought better of it when I looked at them with a crooked head and inquisitive face.
I'm obviously out of my element and these people offer no compassion at all. I guess what pisses me off is that when DaGirl turned three on Halloween and was eligible to start preschool the following Monday. No one offered DaMom any help either. Apparently 2 months into the school year no one is allowed to start fresh. The crappy paperwork the school hands out is all geared toward kindergarden and up. There is no mention that there is even a preschool in the joint and certainly nothing telling someone how they are supposed to get past the guards armed with nothing more than bad attitudes. I understand that the school policy is to lockdown the school during the day but come on, I'm trying to drop off my kid, nothing more.
I'm starting to remember why I never liked the teachers I had when I was in school, they had rules that made little sense in the big picture of life and offered no rational explanation of them. Explain the rules to me and why they exist and I will gladly follow. I have not nor will not follow any one/thing blindly.
Then when they do finally open the doors and I'm trying to escort DaGirl to her class room I'm reminded of why I hate school breaks. Floor polishing. While carrying DaBoy I step off the mat in front of the door and look like a comic book character trying to regain his footing and fall on my back. Great new year.
They really ought to post the entrances better.
g
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
