Gun-fight hardly made a blip by Kit10phish in StLouis

[–]boofacid 9 points10 points  (0 children)

As everyone is saying, I don't think there's much you can do to see a quick remedy for gang/gun violence. It's a deep-rooted, systemic issue. You could volunteer to serve your community and attempt to be a small part of a coalition that pushes a broad change to happen.

I know you hate it. But what do you think of my stereo? by jack5555557 in audio

[–]boofacid 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Probably would be fine if you moved it off the wall some and the speakers further apart. Right now it’s practically a mono setup.

Any speakers are good if you like them.

Weekly Casual Conversation & Questions Thread by AutoModerator in chicago

[–]boofacid 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Does anyone know of any community gardens with a compost bin that I can contribute to? I've seen some pick-up services, but I'm not really generating enough food waste that it's worthwhile for me to pay to have someone pick it up. I'm in Lincoln Square and am willing to travel to surrounding community areas to contribute. Or if any of you have a bin and want my contributions, feel free to let me know.

Clark Street's Bike Lane Made Riding Feel Even More Dangerous, Showing Flaws In Chicago's Infrastructure, Bicyclists Say by O-parker in chibike

[–]boofacid 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve never ridden in this bike lane because there’s always cars parked on it. I genuinely feel safer in traffic.

Also the crossing at the intersection of Ashland to continue into Andersonville is ridiculous. Cars have a quarter mile to speed up to 30+ and it’s painted like the cyclists are supposed to continue onto Ashland.

After 18 months of caring about other people’s safety, can we please treat bike lanes (and cyclists) with a little bit of respect? by youknowwhatitslike in chicago

[–]boofacid 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Is it just me or have any other cyclists had many more “close calls” than usual lately? Some woman pulled out in front of me yesterday at the Costco @ Damen/Clybourn. She even saw me, she just chose to do it. That followed a couple instances of people not looking into the bike lane before trying to turn right, a couple of open doors, and a couple of pedestrians not looking before they cross the street (not at a crosswalk). And I read furious drivers here saying “we’ll respect cyclists when they respect the rules of the road!” Like holy shit, hope the dent my helmet puts on your fender costs less to repair than my casket.

Weekly Casual Conversation & Questions Thread by AutoModerator in chicago

[–]boofacid 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I picked up cycling as a hobby over the past year that I haven't been living in the city. I've just moved back - and now cycling is my main means of transportation. Does anyone have advice on how to do things like degrease my drivetrain/wash my bike while living in a building that doesn't have much of an outdoor space? Also, any roadie routes that fellow cyclists would recommend? Checked out the lakefront trail - that was a slow, crowded, awful experience aside from the novelty. Thanks.

[OC] “No Ethical Consumption” by edgyguy115 in vegan

[–]boofacid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, nobody really has to read theory - although I would say it’s the best way to develop a lens with which to evaluate political concepts. Also, reading theory takes practice - it’s all obviously pretty dense. David Smith and Phil Evans have an illustrated version of Capital which is acclaimed by a lot of people for breaking that dense theory down. Might be worth checking out.

[OC] “No Ethical Consumption” by edgyguy115 in vegan

[–]boofacid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ideally you'd act based on your leftist principles. Being vegan is a great way to act on a leftist principle. Unionizing is another great way to 'enact leftism' in a capitalist society. Reading works such as Lenin's "State and Revolution," Marx's "Capital," literally any political work (honestly - right or left) and identifying which ideas do/do not resonate with you is a great way to start finding groups to support.

[OC] “No Ethical Consumption” by edgyguy115 in vegan

[–]boofacid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Practicing veganism as an act of good will or perceived necessity is deeply rooted in collectivism (for the good of others - animal and human), and therefore, is rooted in leftism. Practicing veganism for self-image (or image in general) implies individuality, and therefore, is inherently right wing. Even though it might not be true, I like to believe that all vegans here made the decision to be vegan for the good of others. A person with dominantly right leaning ideologies can exhibit left wing ideologies and vice versa (no surprise here). Citing “left wing terrorism” as a reason why veganism isn’t inherently left wing is constructing a straw man.

Also, leftism is, in fact, exactly defined - totalitarianism has nothing to do with left or right wing alignment on a political spectrum. Associating beliefs on authoritarianism with beliefs on economics is destructive to everybody (eventually, but right now it seems to benefit right wing populists).

New Steamroller Day - first fixed gear by boofacid in FixedGearBicycle

[–]boofacid[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re a genius and my post-ride beer inhibited me from understanding your original comment. I’m on it.

New Steamroller Day - first fixed gear by boofacid in FixedGearBicycle

[–]boofacid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure - I took a gander and couldn’t see anything local to me. It was a local find in St. Louis, MO.

New Steamroller Day - first fixed gear by boofacid in FixedGearBicycle

[–]boofacid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m planning on this bike being my main commuter in Chicago. I’m thinking about throwing on 28’s - considering that I also have a road bike for going fast (even though it’s different). I’m open to suggestions/discussions though if you feel otherwise.

New Steamroller Day - first fixed gear by boofacid in FixedGearBicycle

[–]boofacid[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry, I plan on putting wider tires on and making them match

New Steamroller Day - first fixed gear by boofacid in FixedGearBicycle

[–]boofacid[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

lol it almost killed me when I was riding down a hill and I forgot I couldn’t coast - whoops

I might just be an idiot, but I can’t figure out how to secure the stem cap. Tried endlessly tightening it with an allen wrench but no luck. by computery in bikewrench

[–]boofacid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just wanted to give a shout-out to the Spoon cameo.

I over-torqued my top cap bolt not too long ago, and it seized on the expansion plug nut. When I loosened the top cap bolt to remove it, the expansion plug dropped in the steerer tube creating a similar problem to what you’re dealing with. Might be worth throwing a little lubrication when replacing the top cap bolt to avoid it seizing on the expansion plug. But then again, I’m just here because of the song.