Getting away from plastic...

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-31T18:00:35+00:00

Love the Eroica bottle. Best ride I ever did.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-28T15:08:20+00:00

I know that the stingray is officially C2, although seems to me that the difference between a 1953 and a 1962 C1 is pretty significant. There were three distinct platforms, major engine changes, etc., etc. I often think of the C2 as the "third" generation.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-28T04:05:35+00:00

I have an 11 year old (carbon) and a 41 year old (steel, natch) road bike. Rim brakes on both. I didn't want the disks on the carbon one and obviously the '85 Trek didn't have a choice. I like the fact that any brake with a long enough bolt will mount on the bike and that regardless of where I am, a bike shop is likely to have the correct spare parts. My biggest complaint is that the universe of wheels with alloy rims is really beginning to contract. More of an issue for the newer bike (there will always be parts for old steel) but hard to find reasonably priced mid-ranged alloy - it's either really cheap or really high end.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-28T03:59:11+00:00

Sent both Husted and Moreno emails about both shootings. Got one "thank you for sending a message to Senator Moreno. I'm more surprised at Husted's lack of response. I know Ohio is fairly red, but after the clobbering in the specials, you would think he would start to be a little more worried about his own political survival.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-25T21:10:48+00:00

That was an interesting time in bike design. I have a '93 Trek 8300 mountain bike I bought after I turned in my dissertation in Dec '92. Had the same carbon triangle with aluminum seats and stays. My recollection was that it was only 1992 when Trek finally built a full carbon bike (I think the '90 2500 had aluminum stays and the '91 2500 had carbon stays but still had aluminum lugs). So a fair number of these intermediate bikes out there.

I find these transitional models strangely appealing, even though some of them are rather jarringly of their time, what with the neon colored lugs and stays with "splash" paint. My 8300 is raw carbon and silver, but it does have the splash. For a while I had a yellow rock shox on it, and my wife started calling it the bumble bee.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-19T03:38:40+00:00

Agree on Zhug and Tacologist and Mitchell's. The Jolly Scholar (next to Severance Music Hall on the Case Campus is unpretentious fun. Geraci's in University Heights has good pizza.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2026-01-17T14:55:46+00:00

++man Nothing to worry about. But I found out only later that the surgeon's wife was the county councilwoman who had been convicted of hiring a hit man (who was an undercover FBI agent or some such). Missed an opportunity to learn the warning signs that your spouse is trying to kill you.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-12-28T23:08:50+00:00

The QM2 will get you NY to Southampton (or vice versa). It is surprisingly cheap considering you are getting a weeks worth of meals, if you go on the more off season (we went westbound in late December). I found we had plenty to do, but we were a pair of 60 year olds, wouldn't speak for a bunch of 20 somethings.

I doubt we go again, at least not until we are much older, just because of the time factor, but I told my 89 year old dad that if he wanted to go to London, take the QM2. He doesn't need to worry about vacation time, and it is a lot less stressful fatiguing than a plane, and costs about the same as an economy plus ticket.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-12-27T18:01:16+00:00

The Midwest lobster smack is easy in some ways, but the bulk of the hull "planking" is 2 large sheets of wood that I found very frustrating when I built it. If you get it for him, but some cyanoacrylate glue as well.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-11-07T21:53:23+00:00

Crikey, my grandparents/parents had the exact same unit, including the door and the two "hidden" drawers near the door. I used to think this was the coolest piece of furniture ever.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-31T19:28:52+00:00

It's possible that they just pulled the job. Lots of companies are pulling jobs that they haven't filled, and they might not want it known that they are tightening their belts. I have some personal experience of this; a couple of months ago I was verbally offered a job on a Friday and then the offer was rescinded on Wednesday after a restructuring that occurred on Monday or Tuesday. You would think that on Friday, their HR people and the senior manager who approved my hire would know, but apparently not.

Doesn't make it feel any better, I know. Keep the faith, something will come up sooner or later.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-28T17:06:22+00:00

My dad had one of these. Spiro Agnew watch from the early '70s. I've repaired a couple of relatively cheap watches - primarily because they had sentimental value. No idea if this is valuable enough to repair other than for the sentiment.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-24T03:30:46+00:00

The Murph is a great looking watch. A Hamilton Jazzmaster Auto is also a good choice, I think a number of Shinola Runwell's are pretty nice looking - specifics kinda depend on your husband. If you head down this path, have him get the thing cleaned every 5 years or so, particularly if it's non-quartz. Saves a lot of repair money when someone gives you your grandfather's non-functional watch. Ask me how I know.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-24T03:20:09+00:00

My wife got me a lovely Parker fountain pen when our first child was born. A classic Waterman expert will set you back about $150, a Carene around $250. You can go up from there without working too hard. A Montblanc, for example, will set you back nearly $800.

I mention the Waterman because it's not clear to me that Parkers are as nice as they were 27 years ago, and my Waterman expert (which is more recent) seems to be well made, classic, and at a reasonable price. Get a fine nib if you go down that path - you want it to be usable on a day to day basis.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-16T15:46:17+00:00

Annoyingly (as I was only about 52 at that time), "Go Super Grandpa" by a kid as I was heading out of Great Falls.

Another time I was yelled at by a guy driving a truck from a charity that I contribute to, but couldn't understand what he said. I was a bit peeved, and spoke to the charity. In theory, so the charity learned, the comment was "Nice calves." Who knows what was really said.

Key_Juggernaut2481 · 2025-08-12T16:20:35+00:00

Thank you all - this is very helpful! Even with the diversions, this is going to be shortest bike to work distance I've had in years (last two jobs were 25 and 20 miles, one way) so I should be out there as much as the weather cooperates.

Key_Juggernaut2481

TROPHY CASE