tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31569376744584994932012-02-10T22:44:39.198-08:00<a href="http://steadyhustlin.blogspot.com"> </a> <a href="http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7515/oct10banner.jpg" border="0" alt="Can I kick it?"></a><br>mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.comBlogger1161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-69032156144961589322011-12-17T12:29:00.001-08:002012-02-10T22:44:39.333-08:00

The great project of our time. In anticipation of the Second Edition War of The Ring, I began to paint the first-edition figures, starting with the Haradrim regulars. Assemble your posse, Charlie Murphy. The colors (seven plus three washes) are a little ambitious, I admit. These pics are after about a full day's work. I painted the bases (not pictured) a mix of brown and black washes over a

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-37599814415010793412011-10-01T10:25:00.000-07:002012-01-26T21:58:57.008-08:00

This blog needs more posts. Promise, I'll only post the ones with magic. (Intended to play in list order over a 40-minute-ish workout.) 1. On My Level, Wiz Khalifa f. Too $hort 2. Angels and Devils, Mishka 3. Doin' Time, Sublime 4. My Sh*t Bang, E-40 5. Devastating Stereo, The Bangerz 6. Backseat, New Boyz f. The Cataracts & Dev 7. Home Again, Oingo Boingo 8. Just Like Heaven, The Cure 9.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-33480648334956664182011-07-02T00:33:00.000-07:002012-01-26T21:59:52.273-08:00

Last cross-post from mixcrate for awhile: : Cardboard Collector by djStoic Straight raw kung-fu b-boy jam. Been meaning to make a track like this for awhile -- inspired equally between The Jimmy Castor Bunch, The Incredible Bongo Band, Soul Sonic Force, and Dave Paul's "Revenge of the B-Boy" records. The obvious influence is Babe Ruth's "The Mexican". The guitar and keyboard parts are

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-22991885334689679082011-06-26T23:05:00.000-07:002011-07-02T02:06:09.361-07:00

Another cross-post from mixcrate: Cold Slice by djStoic Head-noddin' hang-over track for watching tennis finals. It is what it is. This initially started as a simple beat to scratch over, but decided to freestyle a little on the keyboard instead. This is the first track I made with the Korg NanoKey. The solo was recorded while riding the train through the Sierra Nevada. That doesn't

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-49588119271305862342011-06-26T19:00:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:00:13.679-07:00

Cross-post from mixcrate.com. I had been meaning to post these on here -- in case anyone wondered what happened to my music [play sound of crickets]. This stuff is a year old, but representative of the sounds I'm after at the moment. I'm finding that the only time I ever get to work on music is during extended vacations with extensive in-travel time. So that means I do have more tracks recorded

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-64842849085665778132010-11-22T09:50:00.000-08:002010-11-22T09:50:01.507-08:00

Some recent BART sketches...   . . .   and some D&D minis in progress... charred flaming skeleton gargoyle ranger blue-flame skeleton

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-19374856033799485012010-10-02T01:14:00.000-07:002010-10-16T23:18:07.890-07:00

Choice cuts from 15 albums that stuck: The Cinematic Orchestra, Motion Jeff Buckley, Grace Tom Waits, Downtown Blues Portishead, Portishead DJ Shadow, Endtroducing DJ Babu, Comprehension Ben Harper, Fight for Your Mind Mazzy Star, She Hangs Brightly Portishead, Dummy Bob Marley, Songs of Freedom Digable Planets, Reachin'... A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory Book of Love, Book of Love

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-57847427085226099202010-08-01T21:23:00.000-07:002010-08-02T10:24:14.019-07:00

Born: July 31, 2010Sign: LeoWeight: 6 lbs, 12 ozLength: 19 inchesFirst Name: RowanMiddle Name 1: Harper Middle Name 2: Rose Resemblances: Papa, Grandma Celestina, Great Grandpa TeenieFrom Papa: nose, eyebrows, lips, cheeksFrom Mama: fingers, toes, guile, attitude Looking all fab at home for the first time: Rowan was born with a near full head of hair. She loves to put her hands up and invent her

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-9296229401522827532009-12-30T14:00:00.001-08:002009-12-30T15:04:46.798-08:00

BART Sketches Vol. 6Week 2Dec. 21-25Figured I'd try something different this week -- it being the holidays and not really being on BART other than to take trips to and from the airport. So, instead, I found drawings from artists I admire and unashamedly straight bit their steez. This also gives me a chance to highlight artists that have directly influenced my own development.First up, Koloman

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-32737509998462187232009-12-20T22:24:00.000-08:002009-12-20T23:01:58.111-08:00

BART Sketches Vol. 5Week 1Dec. 14-18

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-20358189436330377202009-11-22T18:03:00.000-08:002009-11-22T22:06:12.073-08:00

Update on the studio:Glenn jacked the VW sign during one of our very first gigs. We turned it upside down to represent "M.A., Main Attractions." My first DJ crew. I've had this insignia since around '87. Art by John Clark.A new 23-inch monitor on a corner desk. Nice change from the 12-inch laptop. Framed artwork by Dug-One, Taliah Lampert, Michael Laurence (poster design), and me.Eh, pic's a

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-25131181045580012082009-10-17T12:43:00.000-07:002009-10-17T13:08:38.866-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 4Week 4 FinaleOct. 12-16Skipped a week for vacation.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-53405158861873724322009-10-03T10:53:00.000-07:002009-10-03T11:11:36.022-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 4Week 3Sept. 28 - Oct. 2

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-39603516540083065582009-09-27T21:59:00.000-07:002009-10-03T10:53:30.237-07:00

Half-marathon playlist:1) Brooklyn DUB, Chimp Beams2) Down & Out, Boozoo Bajou3) The Long Night, Swayzak4) Under my Sensi, Boozoo Bajou5) Listen, The Fingerbangerz6) Turn Off the Light, Nelly Furtado7) The Hop, A Tribe Called Quest8) T-Shirt, Blue Jeans, & Nike's, Keak Da Sneak9) Burn Rubber, Too $hort10) Chinese Spare Ribs, The Fingerbangerz11) Triumph, Wu-Tang Clan12) Born and Raised In Compton

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-11618775832277565692009-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:002009-09-26T20:24:22.205-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 4Week 2Sept. 21-25

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-49702595724470356822009-09-19T15:41:00.000-07:002009-09-19T15:59:58.192-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 4Week OneSept. 14-18

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-69660988707330842212009-09-07T21:24:00.000-07:002009-09-07T22:21:54.833-07:00

Above the crowds above the cloudswhere the sounds are originalinfinite skills create miracleswarrior spiritualAbove the clouds raining downHoldin it down.--Gurufor Edwin. . .What to do on a holiday weekend while under the weather? Update this painting from a few months ago...The arrows from the earlier sketch were fairly simple. Thought I'd balance it out with a more detailed fill-in.After the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-81411392370678857692009-07-11T11:45:00.000-07:002009-07-11T12:07:14.398-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 3Week 4 FinaleJuly 6-10

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-91143997113658142852009-07-03T13:23:00.001-07:002009-07-03T13:48:55.793-07:00

BART sketches vol. 3Week 3June 29 - July 3A short week, so adding some older stuff...

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-32324091732741634092009-06-27T12:26:00.000-07:002009-06-27T12:38:00.670-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 3Week of 6/22 - 6/26

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-51176519330612267972009-06-21T22:48:00.001-07:002009-06-21T23:33:24.133-07:00

The new djembe is from the Ivory Coast (by way of Haight and Ashbury Music Center). It has a 13-inch head and sounds brighter than I would've thought. I love the carvings. Unfortunately, the shop didn't have any info on the type of wood used. Still, I played just about every djembe in stores from Concord to SF, and this was the winner.. . . BART sketches vol. 3Week of June 15-19

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-5821125870692347162009-06-07T16:05:00.000-07:002009-06-07T17:03:42.493-07:00

The Safe Place is taking up residence in our upstairs plant room. I was inspired to put the drafting table together after watching UP on Friday night. (Go Ricky, Bobby, Al, and Pete!) It'd been disassembled since winter and still has a moving sticker on one of its posts. This room gets the most sunlight in our house. The light reflecting off the floors give everything a red tint. In the Safe

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-45302678416437679032009-05-03T22:17:00.000-07:002009-05-03T23:11:26.142-07:00

Rainy-day gardening. Tree No. 2 is a Dwarf Myrtle.I'm trying a technique I found on youtube about using sphagnum moss to develop better nebari. This tree's surface roots are pretty good already, but this tree looked to have had a rough time at the nursery and made a good candidate for testing.I'll start thinning out the branches if it still alive in a month or so. It's basically re-potted in

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-74883788865316342382009-04-14T18:13:00.000-07:002009-04-14T18:29:25.393-07:00

BART sketches vol. 2Finale, Week 4April 6-10

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-11285763531617950442009-04-07T17:30:00.000-07:002009-04-07T18:13:22.329-07:00

BART Sketches Vol. 2Week 3March 30 - April 3...All this talk of terrariums lately got me thinking of Bonsai. Contrary to advice discovered later, I'm starting off with a new tree. This is a very young Ficus from a 3-inch pot found at the corner drug store. At this age, it really shouldn't be in an actual Bonsai pot, but I really liked the glaze on this one. Plus, the pot is way too big for the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-86666173701850927522009-03-29T18:04:00.000-07:002009-03-29T18:36:58.355-07:00

BART sketches Vol. 2Week of March 23-27A short week, so including some older stuff.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-13730185328823565332009-03-25T18:33:00.000-07:002009-03-25T22:26:49.911-07:00

First attempt at a terrarium:I'll probably do this one over again now that I have a better sense of what's involved. 1) The moss is way too long and bushy, and 2) I exposed too much soil along the glass sides (not pictured).I used three kinds of moss -- Scottish, Irish, and something packaged as "Frog Moss" I found at a pet store. The mini "trees" are Myoporum, typically used as a groundcover.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-57851277261303154832009-03-23T18:27:00.000-07:002009-03-23T20:05:03.970-07:00

BART sketches vol. 2.Week of March 16-20

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-25080315254368674002009-02-22T11:00:00.000-08:002009-02-22T11:43:46.710-08:00

Update on the Spanish Lavender:Good news is that there are a number of new blooms. Bad news is that the branches are exposed. I suppose I could hide them with some tall ground cover or smaller bushes. I'll see how it does during the season. The plants seem to have grown unchecked for a while and the bushes are all wooded-out in the center and sides. I pruned out the old flowers and got rid of a

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-28004461761171653972009-02-16T14:43:00.000-08:002009-02-16T21:58:06.155-08:00

The Bacopa plant prefers partial sun but can live in shade. It's currently hanging from our front porch. The front of the house faces northeast and I'm not sure whether it'll get enough sunlight.The front yard needs some work. It's been several months since the last time anyone's lived here. The lawn near the driveway and through the center of the yard appears to have seen too much traffic and

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-10358824912225289392009-01-02T09:42:00.001-08:002009-01-02T10:07:34.031-08:00

Catching up on some NPR podcasts......"Okay, I will be into girls at some point, but now I'm into Public Enemy."Geoff Barrow (Portishead) on hearingPublic Enemy's "Rebel Without a Pause"as a teenager at an underage night club. ..."She went to his side and bent down to lift him up. ... She held him next to her and he was and draped over her and against her like a child. And they sang, and it

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-19779508595823474172008-11-29T12:01:00.000-08:002008-12-02T20:17:54.312-08:00

fifty miles intwo monthscuz winter'sbangin' onears at a.m.and armsgone softin long-sleeves.slowthatroll.fifty miles intwo monthscuz autumnleaves dreamsdrifting bywindows,shadows fadedon whites drapedin waking.branch crackssky tracksshades ofsidewalks matchshapes in sky,ghost ridethe whipankles-deepin wool.whatitdo.lapse onlast laps...shapes in wakingdrifting byghosts goneat a.m.fifty miles

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-30917620842180527712008-11-27T15:41:00.000-08:002008-11-28T09:44:01.498-08:00

This is the first of a new series of posts called Piece Book. For the uninitiated, a piece book is simply a sketchbook; "piece" as in graffiti-art piece. (Suprised this isn't on Urban Dictionary.) As home-buying continues to inch closer to reality, I've found myself rummaging through old items deciding what goes and what stays. Finding little gems that never saw the light of day.First entry is a

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-1368894708739461192008-11-11T20:08:00.001-08:002008-11-28T09:44:59.245-08:00

So I don't lose track...We Might as Well Win, Johan BruyneelAll Over Coffee, Paul MadonnaA Writer's San Francisco, Eric MaiselThe Rider, Tim KrabbeMemories of My Melancholy Whores, Gabriel Garcia MarquezCode, Charles PetzoldKarel The Robot, Richard E. PattisMaking Beats, Joseph SchlossPeople of the Book, Geraldine BrooksThe Lightening Thief, Rick RiordanLove Is a Mix Tape, Rob SheffieldAll Day,

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-21211480707951501292008-11-05T19:38:00.000-08:002008-11-28T09:46:11.890-08:00

She usually reacts with a frown. Then quickly turns to her side, away from me, and goes right back to sleep.But this morning, she smiled when I turned on the bedroom light at 5 a.m. to start the day."Is Obama still the president?" she asked, still smiling, eyes closed.Yes, baby. Obama is still the president.Sweet dreams.Obama rally March 2007, Downtown Oakland.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-33322668268467178392008-11-02T20:08:00.000-08:002008-11-02T20:48:07.706-08:00

If you have to lose somethingthe best way to keep itis to keep it in your memory.--Ashes of Time ReduxIt was the same station agent from last year. Some crackhead rider spat at him then yelled "n--r c--t" before storming off.I'm trying to tell the same agent that I forgot something on the train."What'd you lose, again?" he asks me.It was a box."What kind of box?"A UPS package. I mean, a USPS

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-44098349012058243992008-10-13T22:31:00.001-07:002008-11-28T09:47:23.720-08:00

Me, Diablo, the moon in broad daylight ... an omen. (pic by lsalamida.)The coffee maker didn't work. That was the last straw. Halfway up Mount Diablo on a cold windy morning, we thought we could at least have freshly brewed coffee. On this camping trip, the fire danger was not only "high", which made wood burning out of the question, the wind gusts made the fire danger "extreme"; We couldn't even

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-19436735456562340692008-10-06T22:05:00.000-07:002008-11-28T09:48:05.377-08:00

If I'm gonna spend half the day in the saddle, might as well have proof of it.From this weekend's First Annual Siclista Classic, rockin' the SoCal retro jersey. P.H., what!!!Climbing Calaveras. Car back. Doh! That's the SAG wagon! SAG Wagon, what!!! (Pic by JohnnyBoy.) About the Siclistas, they're a Filipino-American cycling group based out of Fremont. This was my first ride with them.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-78306119851367587152008-09-14T10:44:00.000-07:002008-09-14T15:57:03.424-07:00

I ride because there is no room for the weight of life, and it must stay behind, if only for a while.--E. Portmann, Road Bike Action Magazine, Issue Sept./Oct. 2008Because of rides like this:- Dub-C to Sunol out-and-back in a blistering Yellowjackets paceline.- Mt. Diablo solo to empty the tank, North Gate to Junction.- Running on fumes past Diablo Ranch.- Re-charging on the descent and realizing

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-2054666963425857092008-09-01T21:17:00.000-07:002008-09-01T22:12:27.886-07:00

So, as it turns out, it was Tam, Diablo, and Hamilton in successive weekends. This was my first time up Hamilton, also riding for the first time with the BikeForums NorCal group. As first times go, Hamilton was my favorite of the three. Maybe it was the good company all along the way.The meet-up near Alum Rock at Kirk. There were close to 40 riders at the start.Overlooking San Jose a few miles up

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-2968259257665103882008-08-31T19:32:00.000-07:002008-08-31T20:18:23.508-07:00

BART sketches finale, Aug. 26-29.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-47797865740586243132008-08-21T18:23:00.000-07:002008-08-21T19:07:22.549-07:00

It is only fitting before embarking on an 8 to 12 hour drive to San Diego to quote a little "Screenwriter's Blues" and "Diamonds on My Windshield" ...Exits to freewaystwisted like knotson the fingers.Jewels cleavingskin between breasts... It is 5 a.m. and you arelistening to Los Angeles--Soul CoughingThe 8s go eastand The 5s go northand the merging nexusback and forth.You see your sign, cross the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-2937451449931536482008-08-16T18:54:00.001-07:002008-08-16T22:21:46.098-07:00

I hadn't ridden in Marin since the move to the W.C. last year. I forget how gorgeous it is, and when peeps speak of the beauty of the Bay Area, in my head I interpret this in images of Marin, specifically my first trip to Stinson Beach through Muir Woods. Add Fairfax to Mt. Tam's East Peak.Ridgecrest looking north. Descending this section is the best part of the ride. Wish the asphalt was

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-14332108581126928292008-08-10T18:48:00.000-07:002008-08-10T22:30:59.873-07:00

I otherwise stay clear of Mt. Diablo this time of year due to the heat, preferring instead figure-eights through the Oakland/Berkeley Hills, the Three Bears, and maybe Martinez. This, despite the fact that I live only a few miles from Diablo's North Gate. Climbing Diablo in the spring is one thing. But in August?Saturday's temps were a reprieve. North Gate to Junction is my bang-for-the-buck ride

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-86440639493733614522008-08-02T21:09:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:19.542-08:00

Counting Stops: BART sketches for the week of July 28-August 1....The Bicycle ThiefRoad to RoubaixThere Will Be BloodThe Velocity of GaryThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianRefugee Nation, Theater PerformanceBattlestar Galactica: The MiniseriesMichael ClaytonThe Last King of ScotlandNo Country for Old MenAlone in San Francisco, Thelonious MonkThird, PortisheadJukebox, Cat PowerOut of the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-70807427312979143682008-07-27T20:39:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:20.424-08:00

Or, confessions of a wheelsucker trying to bridge a gap."The Wall" at Mt. Diablo. I made the mistake of going right after it for my first try some years ago. I wound up making mini switchbacks and found myself in the gravel shoulder, spinning out my rear wheel and going down hard. Since then, I catch my breath at the lower parking lot before "burning the matchbook" to the summit.Although, I think

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-55520001853831735122008-07-06T16:43:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:22.059-08:00

Wake up prayin' that a game's onmaybe it's the Runnin' Rebs, maybe it's the Knicks.Maybe it's a re-run of an old TV showlike Hawaii 5-0 or karate flicks.Maybe if the phone rings Butterfly will take wingsspeakin' on some cool things frontin' like I cope.Born under flat ground, now I'm chillin' shaky ground.Reachin' for Pacific Heights, Sunday is my rope. Dig it.Sunday's to relax.Sunday's to

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-63544357305081456792008-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:002008-06-29T11:34:02.583-07:00

So. The week's flu-like symptoms didn't clear up in time for the Giro di Peninsula. Alas, there was no laughing on the battlefield this weekend. Instead, I made this track, which was equally inspired by "Battlestar Galactica" re-runs, Euro-cycling vids on YouTube (peep the 90s snare roll), and steady doses of multi-symptom sizzurp. I will name it "Peninsula". Listen here.(Note: Some ads on the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-68317973207203015422008-06-22T20:31:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:22.290-08:00

Laugh on the battlefield. Fifty-five miles and 5,700 feet of climbing in near-record heat makes next week's Giro di Peninsula metric century seems like cake.The idea behind this route through the Oakland/Berkeley Hills was to bust a series of evenly spread long climbs with some rollers mixed in. I suck at both. And it was hot as hell. So I found all those manly sayings like the ubiquitous "HTFU"

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-78975877323281805572008-06-15T18:07:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:23.060-08:00

I think I have the LeMond pretty much dialed in. Rode 50 miles with the Oakland Yellowjackets on Saturday and didn't feel any nagging fit issues. I could try some wider handlebars, maybe position my left cleat back some ... okay, enough!The loop was Concord, Clayton, Morgan Territory, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek -- an ellipses around Mount Diablo. I'd never been through Morgan

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-23743972796331580922008-05-26T19:55:00.000-07:002008-05-26T20:17:12.014-07:00

Some list updates:The Rider, Tim KrabbeMemories of My Melancholy Whores, Gabriel Garcia MarquezCode, Charles PetzoldKarel The Robot, Richard E. PattisMaking Beats, Joseph SchlossPeople of the Book, Geraldine BrooksThe Lightening Thief, Rick RiordanLove Is a Mix Tape, Rob SheffieldThird, PortisheadJukebox, Cat PowerOut of the Shadow, Rogue WaveBack to Black: The B-Sides, Amy WinehouseAs Iron

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-40542850900885328012008-05-26T18:42:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:24.030-08:00

Weekend Two. The bike dorkdom knows no limits. I know it's a faux-paux to rock the World Champion stripes, but I wanted to try out this electrical-tape hack. If other LeMond frames could have the rainbow then the Sarthe can, too:I'm also trying out Fizik's Microtex tape for the first time. The Sarthe's softer ride makes the go-to spongier and bulkier Cinelli cork tape unnecessary. I like the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-18098954849001487922008-05-18T19:48:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:25.833-08:00

... to have to always feel this way.Weekend One with the LeMond Sarthe. I switched the Campy group over from the CAAD4. While I liked how the previous mix of Ultegra and 105 shifted, Shimano hoods simply kill my hands and wrists -- the reason I switched to Campy in the first place. In addition to the group, I also moved over my old saddle, seatpost and bars.I've put in about 75 miles on the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-63518656043938697452008-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:26.624-08:00

... what have I done?I have a fitting for a 2007 Lemond Sarthe tomorrow evening:The seat-to-bar drop in this stock pic is more aggressive than the size available. It's a size larger than I'm used to, a 55 for my 5'8", 31" inseam self. Lately, however, I've been wanting to go up a size for the comfort. And, yes, this is a steel frame. The ride on the stock Bontrager Race wheels is plush.I also

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-2336561146129099002008-05-10T19:51:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:28.004-08:00

It's on... . Back to putting more miles on the road. I'm also trying a pair of Speedplay Xs. They're supposed to be easier on the knees. But it occured to me while testing and practicing on the trainer: How much of the knee strain that's related to clipless pedals is actually due to twisting one's legs to disengage from the pedals? And not due to cleat position, float, etc.?Some pics:Oh, to give

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-48263370424548442752008-05-03T19:52:00.000-07:002008-05-03T21:18:20.469-07:00

So I like Third, the latest album. Deep down I was hoping that the leaked tracks that began popping up where some b-sides or something. But, alas, it is what it is. It's different, yet unmistakenly Portishead. The dirge, eerie instrumentation and catchy melodies. But instead of Geoff Barrow's neck-snapping hip-hop beats, we get uhhh... I don't know what to call it. It definitely ain't "trip-hop"

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-3169562105763915392008-04-13T21:29:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:28.918-08:00

More on hiking. I've been considering taking up this year's Trail Challenge hosted by the East Bay Parks. I'm usually in my best overall shape at this time of year, down 10-15 pounds from the winter and ready to start putting in serious miles on the bike or running shoes. But not this year.While on vacation the last week, it never really struck me to go on an epic bike ride or run. Not like my

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-80182280880329805142008-04-11T22:21:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:29.824-08:00

Abundant sunabundant fun

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-50020932418183871742008-04-10T23:19:00.000-07:002008-04-11T10:04:41.995-07:00

Rest day from hunching over the drafting table. So, we make fresh beats instead. This one is quick and simple - part of a larger project I'm working on. Working title is, of course, "Day Six". Funny thing is, the riff I had in mind at the start sounded no where near what this wound up being. Interesting how the process uncovers other ideas. Anyhow, I'll figure out how to embed an mp3 player

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-43882891132019992202008-04-09T22:59:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:30.099-08:00

Also in progress:Also works as a two-panel with the Day Four painting, but makes the perspective a little funny.

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-91381708911182498332008-04-08T23:49:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:30.528-08:00

In progress:

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-74592161128917872482008-04-07T16:18:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:30.770-08:00

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-74631249880396399412008-04-06T10:10:00.000-07:002008-04-06T11:05:50.201-07:00

"Happy birthday," my mom surprises me. "Happy birthday to you, too!" Our birthdays are two weeks apart. Her's is today. "What are you doing today?" "We're having a party." "Are you having cake?" "Diere," she says, slipping into Waray for "no." She does this sometimes. Maybe it's her age. Maybe it's the stroke. Maybe she's out of practice since English is rarely used in the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-66892970030739950422008-04-05T22:12:00.000-07:002008-04-05T22:51:12.561-07:00

Between afternoon naps and learning how to make text animations in Adobe Flash, I finished Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Twisted, yes, but beautifully crafted. Upon finishing, I immediately returned to the beginning and started a second reading.I had originally set out to read his One Hundred Years of Solitude, as it's been on my reading list since forever. Although,

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-5178257721239826442008-04-04T22:18:00.000-07:002008-04-04T22:28:46.712-07:00

The night before, we start with a little Gabriel Garcia Marquez:I have never done anything except write, but I don't possess the vocation or talents of a narrator, have no knowledge at all of the laws of dramatic composition, and if I have embarked upon this enterprise it is because I trust in the light shed by how much I have read in my life. In plain language I am the end of a line, without

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-4088407253041649382008-03-23T18:19:00.000-07:002008-03-23T19:56:05.251-07:00

i've sincegiven upthe will fordriving down the 5on weekends,the sun risingover san clementesetting in san joaquinthe gauntlet ofcoffee cups andcigarette buttsand hours oflost dreams storm in the morning lightplease, could you stay awhileto share my grief?The new Portishead album is on pre-sale. Let's all reminisce....New website I started on: www.theDefrag.com. The point of this site is to pull

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-2144598209137167292008-03-16T08:42:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:32.870-08:00

Recently started on my fourth Dave Eggers title, What Is the What. And that would put him up there with Henry Miller, J.R.R. Tolkien, Raymond Carver and Charles Bukowski as one of my most-read authors. (His memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, is one of my all-time faves). Plus, as seems a developing correlation, I like the cover art for his latest:Speaking of effective book covers,

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-58170959826430449322008-03-08T08:03:00.001-08:002008-03-16T10:58:42.970-07:00

I'm only a third of the way through so maybe this is premature, but Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold is shaping up as one those Life Changing Reads.Up there with, say, Burn the Fat and Feed the Muscle for losing the gut.Up there with, say, Running and Being for running and, well, being.Up there with, say, On The Road for the wanderlust.Like that. For

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-61035001064763081842008-02-27T20:46:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:49:34.963-08:00

The dome at SF CenterStaircase at the Mechanics' Institute Library(non SLR)...And Snowcat on the scanner!...Ohh! About Etsy, When Fellowship is accompanying this how-to article on podcasting. From the front page:Oh, why not... some appearances in Etsy Treasuries. The last one made the front page:

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-47812821115282000572008-02-25T21:13:00.000-08:002008-02-25T22:01:09.232-08:00

"Mistakes are the raw material of creativity." --as paraphrased from last weekend's piano class with Andy Ostwald...And I'm back to reading a bunch of different books concurrently:For fun: Making Beats by Joseph G. SchlossFor work: How to Break Software by James A. WhittakerFor context: The Pattern on the Stone by Daniel HillisFor desire: Karel the Robot by Richard E. Pattis...

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-89523538522269562132008-02-16T09:40:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:49:35.877-08:00

When I worked as a newswire editor some years ago, I once had a client insist that a Dr. Dr. [sic] So-and-So indeed be addressed as "Dr. Dr." in their story. This is how it is in Dr. Dr. So-and-So's country, the client explained. So I documented this on my hardcopy and the story went out. (It's a paid-for service. If the info was illegal or issued with ill-intent that would be cause to hold it

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-38879343128220560202008-02-10T19:57:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:49:37.072-08:00

So I finished training to become an adult literacy tutor. And that calls for a little advocacy for the program, Project Second Chance hosted by the Contra Costa County Library. I have a fund-raising idea I'll go into later, but for now, it's super easy to contribute online, or in person by donating spare change and leftover BART tickets to a county library (east of the hills and northern East Bay

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-54779799366313912492008-02-03T09:31:00.000-08:002008-02-10T19:54:22.214-08:00

The sky makes no promises this morning. The ground is wet. I'd hoped to get a ride in this morning. The first of this year. The first ride outdoors, I should say. We're on the 13th straight day of rain in the Bay Area. Indoor cycling, unlike the treadmill, is endurance boredom.So we make lists instead.Resolve 02081) Beyond the Raging Waves, DJ Krush feat. Shin'ichi Kinoshita2) Fergalicious,

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-83183725364359405642008-01-27T10:02:00.000-08:002008-12-09T06:49:37.444-08:00

Running is like being in a relationship. Finding the right mix of gear, terrain, training and rest to keep the love going. And finding the right running shoe is like kissing frogs. Lots of misses, but you'll get the tingle when you first slip on a contender. And then you'll just know after a few runs.Most of my running nowadays is on the treadmill or the nearby Lime Ridge dirt trail. By the way,

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-65123914775786520442008-01-20T10:26:00.001-08:002008-01-20T11:55:27.539-08:00

The bookshop has become what the record store used to be when I was younger. Found some goodies last night. And I'm so stoked!First, remember the idea about music being a device for remembering things more deeply? Well, I came across Love Is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield. In this memoir, Sheffield uses old mix tapes to guide his writing, re-telling stories from awkward adolescence to the courtship

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-6164005270273994452008-01-19T11:25:00.001-08:002008-01-19T14:36:24.848-08:00

So I've registered for training to become an adult literacy tutor. It's something that I've been thinking about for a while. And this year is the year. Considering my current schedule, it's a steep time investment that runs for a whole year. But I think I'll find it more rewarding than other efforts such as trying to get better definition on my abs or finishing The Godfather on Nintendo Wii, so

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-68195437768035539742008-01-01T20:08:00.000-08:002008-01-02T22:04:49.242-08:00

As it was with music and books the last year, the film viewing leaned a bit more pop than normal. I do, indeed, appreciate more subdued art flicks that shed light on The Human Condition, though I prefer to watch those by myself to minimize distraction. Thing is, I haven't had much time to do that lately.So the viewing was mostly communal experience. Films, for example, that wouldn't be ruined by

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-11372950671604225932007-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:002011-09-26T22:45:41.482-07:00

Another year with my ear all over the place. Since my schedule necessitated a gym membership, and the gym music largely isn't my thing, I've been indulging lately with the guilty pleasures: faves from "urban" radio and the stuff of my youth -- hip-hop and dance music. Battle circle music. Funk, breaks and Kraftwerk-inspired electro. B-boy badness on the elliptical trainer. None of the songs make

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-71761623435088170522007-12-22T11:07:00.000-08:002007-12-22T20:22:19.874-08:00

To borrow a thought from Total Chaos: With all the reading I have to do for work, when it comes time for my own reading, I want that juicy stuff that drips out of my eye sockets when I read it. Okay, it's not that dramatic. I work earlier hours nowadays and whatever I'm reading on the train must keep me awake. It's also gotta get my synapses snapping before I get into the office, then keep me

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-55528434913500044902007-12-02T22:56:00.000-08:002008-12-09T06:49:38.745-08:00

Not much time at The Safe Place this weekend. But I did like this quick sketch:December's here and it's time to break out the coats...And so we picked up a digital SLR camera this weekend. The neighborhood Costco had a compelling deal that included a telephoto lens, camera bag and memory disc in addition to the camera body and standard lens. I've always wanted to take up photography but never had

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-72886898304442892132007-11-25T19:54:00.000-08:002008-12-09T06:49:39.511-08:00

Sum new in progress:Sum old (click to zoom):

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-54744238938533601482007-11-25T09:40:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:49:45.103-08:00

Found some pics of my old Oakland studio. Tom Waits' "Martha" is perfect right about now:And those were days of roses, of poetry and prose And Martha, all I had was you and all you had was me. There was no tomorrow, we packed away our sorrows And we saved them for a rainy day.This pic eventually wound up on the cover of my old, now defunct, online zine, line-in.org. These pics were taken with

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-78697274938039859952007-11-19T20:47:00.000-08:002008-12-09T06:49:45.404-08:00

And everything in its place. As you might've guessed, in addition to updating this blog's template, I also started adding new and old prints at my Etsy shop. Items will be trickling in. Since I don't have all that much stock, I'll be adding a new item in every few days or so in an effort to keep at least one item somewhat fresh.Speaking of The Safe Place, I found this canvas hanging file box to

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-53805395498986576372007-11-10T20:50:00.000-08:002008-12-09T06:49:45.590-08:00

Whoa. I guess I need to drop into the mall more often. (See, the gym is inside the mall.) First, from the skate shop, the designs on Sector9's line of bamboo decks are just super fresh. Some are so fresh, the absolute freshest aren't even on Sector9's own website yet! I'm talkin' fresh like Hokusai fresh. Lucky their site does have some designs up:Then, at the bookshop, I spotted this curious art

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-10777869472885454202007-11-04T18:18:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:49:47.245-08:00

These When paintings are kinda tricky. Although they are cartoonish with not a lot of detail, they take forever to paint. And that's because, I admit, I'm not so nice with fine outlines, particularly at this scale (9.5" x 11"). So this requires a whole lot of negative painting: Paint the outline, then when painting the colors, go over the outline leaving just a little strip. The magnifying glass

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-15231389611408861742007-10-21T10:51:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:48.953-08:00

Before we discovered ready-made lumpia in the freezer section at the neighborhood Filipino market, my family (okay, my mom), would spend the afternoon hand-wrapping lumpia at the kitchen table while I'd sneak uncooked sheets of roll for the occasional snack. Aunties and ninangs would visit and they'd talk for hours in their native Waray. Best part was how they'd spend an extra half hour saying

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-60243751557687195622007-10-12T19:30:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:53.378-08:00

Neva is Spanish for "snow covered". We also call her Snow Cat. Or Snowie. At first I called her "Falcor" for her resemblance to the dragon in The Neverending Story.We took her in last week. She'd been living in the complex's parking lot since at least March when we moved in. She was so grimy we thought she had gray markings. The vet thinks she's about 3-4 years old. She is FIV+.A neighbor once

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-11515147195433667732007-09-23T20:01:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:55.103-08:00

when on weekendsfirst rains fall anda scratchy throattakes hold whilemy teams loseand whole seasonsare in doubt--evenstill,there areafternoon napsTwo new When paintings in the works. Hoping to have these done this coming weekend.A happy discovery. By first mixing the overall tan color and then adding a bit of brown and white not completely mixed in, still in a swirl, then loading the brush, I was

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-57471277397592135102007-09-20T20:52:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:55.606-08:00

I've been all about wingtip shoes for a stretch. It's a sign of getting older, I suppose, like building a townie bike. I found these Venturini wingtips last week and, well, I'd like to have them in my collection forever.An old pair of cordovan wingtips from Deer Stags. These aren't resoleable, but I'd pick up another pair once they're thoroughly worn. I love the color of these, but the black

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-77857079813114770692007-09-16T20:09:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:56.742-08:00

I like tinkering with them almost as much as riding them. This is about as much as I want to do with this bike. Once I find an old road frame to convert to a true townie this will return back to its track bike sexy nakedness:After all the hub-bub about new saddles, the most comfy setup is still the old BMX Berserker saddle with padded shorts. A couple new wrinkles: 1) Planet Bike Freddy Speedez

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-17657435125931891232007-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:56.961-08:00

The goodies are here!...Free, Fontella BassI'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass, Yo La TengoTonight I Burn Brightly, Bill RicchiniBoth Sides of the Gun (disc one), Ben HarperMan With a Movie Camera, The Cinematic OrchestraLanguidity, Sun RaSound Grammar, Ornette Coleman

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-41185011366403202772007-09-09T23:12:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:57.234-08:00

The challenge with this bike is that it has to be nice enough to inspire me to ride it, but not so nice that I'm paranoid of it being stolen. The point is having a bike I could just grab and ride without taking 30 minutes to get ready (then realizing I forgot something 30 minutes into the ride). A bit of a sporty scraper bike, really, something that doesn't need specialized gear -- particularly

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-43557199438668117532007-09-08T20:37:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:49:57.953-08:00

Bike lust in Autumn. I've had these English roadster type handlebars sitting around since forever. Luckily, nobody bought them when I purged a whole bike's worth of components during my last move. So, with my "season" pretty much done, I figured I'd put them on my commuter/chill-ride bike. I rather like them. A lot.I don't have many photos of the same bike with its bullhorns:Indeed, that is a

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-52140692580200695682007-09-03T21:45:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:58.992-08:00

Well, what do we have here? Reason and keyboard making friends in the Safe Place? It must mean a new track is in the works.Working title: "Who Got Da Hiccups, Yo?" Click here to preview.Anyhow, I haven't spent much time mixing it at all, so forgive the odd levels and panning. This is just to set some direction and structure....Pretty much done with the painting I started last weekend. Might give

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-65417529935250503102007-08-28T21:47:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:49:59.164-08:00

The other week, I went with Lisa for a tattoo consultation with the talented and much sought-after Marie Wadman at Diving Swallow in Downtown Oakland. The studio is super rad and they had this super rad screen separating the client lounge and office area:Anyhow, it'd been a while since we hung out in Oakland, and even longer that we were there in the morning, early enough to beat the brunch crowd

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-30314587156173877522007-08-26T22:20:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:50:01.967-08:00

Handle that sh*t. Ran out of white paint and had to zip off to the art store. With the time lost, was only able to get a background going:I liked the cascading letters/numbers from the last painting so wanted to try it again without losing the characters under the layers.As vocalists say, if you can hum it, you can sing it. If I can sketch it, hopefully I can paint it. Added some details to the

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-30639376274065352812007-08-19T11:15:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:50:03.005-08:00

A neat habit I've picked up from working with the software group: So we have to fill out timesheets to help keep track of effort spent on different projects and assignments. One would think it's a bit of micromanagement, like serious lock-down on slackers (like me, heh). I've actually found it quite useful to help maximize the hours when I'm adequately caffeinated and ready to hustle. It also

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-79121667601690000202007-08-12T21:06:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:50:05.696-08:00

Started cleaning -- laundry, straightening the bookshelf. Then figured, eh, I could do this while the paint dries. So....Starting supplies. Old art board with a failed painting and some gift wrap. I've been using smaller art boards lately cuz they fit better on a scanner. While epic-proportion art is all good, it's tough to take quality pics and I wind up having to edit them some in Corel. I've

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-88613022002733476912007-08-10T21:56:00.000-07:002008-12-09T06:50:06.045-08:00

More close-ups!

mm salami, da?http://www.blogger.com/profile/06498987946351308926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156937674458499493.post-3181580440889305642007-08-06T21:15:00.001-07:002008-12-09T06:50:07.416-08:00

Just some closer views of Scrapbook Jam Vol. 4. These are intended as quick and dirty throw-ups, just to get something done fast, hella dirtstyle while in the moment. Like krump dancing, yeah, that's it, precisely: Krump Scrapping!

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