In the hospital

Lauren is in the hospital trying to keep our twin girls from arriving too soon. We've been here since 2:30AM Saturday morning, and I don't know when Lauren will get to leave. I stayed here last night with her on the little fold out bed they have here in the room. It was really not too bad. I slept better than I have in a while...mostly I think because of the exhaustion!

The diagnosis so far has been good, but started out shakey. When we arrived Lauren was having bad contractions, so they treated her like they did the last time we were here (Thursday) with a couple shots of meds. This time, however, the meds didn't work, so she was admitted and put on magnesium.

We'll find out more around 11:00. They have given Lauren one shot of steroids to start a speedy development of the girls lungs. We'll get another round at 11:00 today, and they say after 48 hours (from the first shot) on steriods, if the girls can stay in there, they'll have a very good chance of not having to be put on any kind of breathing machine.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Thinkin' bout fall.

As I enjoy the last few minutes of my working lunch break, I can't help but wonder how nice it is outside and think of all the things fall will soon bestow on us.

Things like the color change of the leaves.

Things like crisp morning commutes and seeing the city through the clear skies, no humidity induced smog surrounding the skyline.

Lunch hour bike rides without returning to my office covered in sweat.

My two little girls being born and taking their first glances around the world we've brought them into.

It's going to be fun.

As for the photo of the day...I know I've slacked off big time. I can't help it. I just haven't had the time to really give any thought to shooting. I heard on the radio today that the military says "the range of an excuse is 0 meters". I guess that means there's no excuse for me...but I can try, can't I?

On to other news - my next bike project may be back under way. It started a few weeks ago when I got another frame, fork, and wheelset from a guy to start building a new project. Right now the wheelset is on the old schwinn, temporarily. It's wheels need to be sanded down and de-rustified, and a coat of paint applied. The schwinn's going to be the winter-office bike.

The new bike is a Batavus frame and fork. Batavus is a pretty famous Dutch bike maker...they just aren't too famous here in the states. I don't know why. Nothing you can find about them anywhere is in English. But anyway, somehow this bike made it here. It's the "Sprint" model...race outfitted. Batavus makes two versions of all their bikes apparently, a race model, with drop bars, and a comfort model, with raised bars. The frames are supposed to be great, and it makes sense. Holland has more people who ride bikes as daily transport than anywhere in the world. So I'm confident that this bike will be the bomb once I get it finished up.

I thought it would be done by now, as I had actually sold a bike and took the money I made to buy all of the parts I needed to convert the old cottered crank drivetrain into a new sealed bottom bracket, new cranks, fixed gear drivetrain. I didn't know, however, when I bought the bottom bracket on clearance from the local shop, that they come in all different lengths, and the one I got made the front chainring stick out about an inch more than it should have. So, I'm going to see if I can put the old cottered crankset back on and make it work for a little while, until I get an extra 20 something bucks to buy the correct bottom bracket with.

I'll post some pictures of this new bike project as I get some. Until then, enjoy this weather!

Picture of the day - my office

Every now and then I'll take a picture of my office and post up here, because it really is a nice place to work in...the physical environment, anyway. I don't want to go into the cruelty that actually goes on in this room, as it is just way too graphic.

You'll notice the two things that are keeping me sane lately, though: my trusty rusty yellow Schwinn, dutifully holding the door open and allowing me to pedal off in a fixed gear frenzy when I get overloaded with stress. Also notice my little bamboo tree. It's nice...and adds oxygen to the very small room.

Pictures for today

Ok, so I've finally gone through and sorted the photos from the wedding I did a few weeks ago. I just quickly picked out a few I liked to put up here. There are tons of photos!

So anyway, hope you enjoy these, and thanks to Chantelle for letting me post some!

Picture of the day

The Old Schwinn - Phase 2



It's officially a fixie now (fixed gear). I took a break from the computer and finished the mechanical work last night - mounting the cog, cutting the chain to length, fixing the tires, and went for the first ride. It's true what they say about fixed gear bikes. It's quieter, smoother, and much more simple than a geared bike. And the fact that it only has a front brake isn't as scary as it sounds. If you want to slow down, just apply some backward resistance and it slows down. If you want to stop fast, grab the brake and lock your legs...viola. Stopped.

The only thing left to do is respace the rear wheel to get my chainlines a little closer, and redish the wheel to recenter the tire after I move the hub over. I'm hoping to do that this weekend when I am at the parent's house - where my dad has some power tools that will help the process along.

After that, it's paint. I'm thinking a nice metallic blue, with a block of white around the downtube or something, just to break it up.

Picture of the day

Sitting out the season.

First, I want to say that I DID take a photo for the day today, but my camera battery has died and I am charging it...so maybe I'll get it up tonight or tomorrow.

On my way in to work this morning, with my windows down and the dew soaking my feet from taking the trash out, I started thinking how fall-like the weather has been this week. Then I realized that in a couple weeks, it WILL be fall.

Fall is my favorite season of them all, but it's a bittersweet end to summer. The weather is perfect for camping, hiking, biking, geocaching in the fall. But it's short lived. A few weeks of decent 60's and 70's and sun, then it turns grey, everything dies, and winter begins. If you know me, you know winter is a constant battle for me. I need sun to operate, and when winter comes, things get dark.

I'm counting on the joys that come from being a new father to make it though this winter. I also have a lot of work to do - finishing up my photography courses once and for all, practicing, maybe tagging along on some more weddings, and starting to work more with studio shooting.

As I drove, though, I started thinking about this summer. I couldn't remember one activity that I did this summer that stands out. Other than going to Hawaii for the brother in law's wedding, nothing really stands out from this summer. It's like I sat the whole season out. I can only remember sleeping and waking up. I have some fond memories of fun times I've had with Lauren. Like the morning we found out we were pregnant in the Bahamas while I was getting crushed with work. Going to see the babies on the ultrasound for the first time, and every time since. Even the little emergency runs to the hospital for this or that...and when it all came out OK. The rest is just a blur of memories about job shittiness and mowing the grass.

I can definitely tell that I've not been active. I never shed those winter pounds that usually come right off during summer activities. That's why I've been trying to ride my bike as much as possible. Trying to catch up and lose some weight before winter hits.

Lauren being pregnant all summer has really turned my focus from the outdoors to indoors, helping her, getting the house ready, going to doctors appointments, etc. I just haven't had the time or the drive to really get out there and have fun. I will say this, though. Once those girls get here it will all be worth it. I've got a whole lifetime of summers to catch up.

Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance.

This weekend was so nice. It was nice to have the time away from the computer (although I eventually migrated back to it yesterday afternoon and this afternoon to do some experimental flash coding for a few websites at work), and especially nice to have a day away from the orifice (I mean office) that I work in.

Don't get me wrong...I love my job most days...but sometimes being in a dark hole for 8+ hours a day every day can just wear the life right out of you. At least here in my home office I have a window right next to me, annoyingly glaring on my monitor...but it's natural light and I'll take it over canlights and deathlight (fluorescent) any day.

This weekend has also given me a the chance to catch up on some bicycle maintenance and continue to build my fixed gear Schwinn. I pulled the crank/bottom bracket out last night and cleaned and greased it, and also tightened some spokes on the front wheel. I still need to respace the rear wheel so that the chain lines up with the rear sprocket correctly, and redish the wheel so that it's even on both sides of the frame. That all should be done next week sometime, if I get some time after work to tinker. It is really calming for me to pull out the wrenches and crank on nuts and bolts of that old bike. I think once it's done it will be a source of more calming, when I can take it out on my "lunch break" and ride around town a little and get some fresh air at work.

I am dreading going back to work because the rest of the year is supposed to be completely hellacious as far as work goes. Lots of projects with pressing deadlines and even some work travel. The travel isn't until after the girls are born, though, which is nice...I won't have to worry about Lauren going into labor if I'm on the road. But, in mid January, I'll be working in Florida for 7 or 8 days while she has to stay here and try to entertain 2 two-month-year-olds. I'm hoping some family will be able to come keep them company and help out while I'm gone. I don't have much say in the whole deal, though...I've already been committed to travel.

I still have about 1000 images to go through and deliver to the bride of the wedding I shot. That's another thing on my list of things to do after work this week - I'm trying Chantelle! :) I need to sort them out and touch up a couple, and maybe play with a few so she has plenty to choose from. I was showing them to my parents this afternoon because they were curious, and they couldn't believe the quantity that we shot....that's digital for you. My wedding was shot in film and we were happy to get 150 pictures to choose from. I think these days with digital photographers are delivering anywhere from 800 to 1500 images to sort through. Amazing...

Anyway, busy is the word of the next 6 months. After that I hope things can settle down, at least in my professional life, and it will be full on baby raisin' after that!

Let the games begin!

Pic of the day - More of the "Anchor"

Just as suited cruising the streets as it is holding a yacht at bay.

By the way, that tag on "The Anchor" picture below is actually a repair tag from the last time the old bike went to the shop...some 6 years ago, according to it's old owner. He said they told him that something in the wheel was busting the tubes...so he retired it, bought a new bike, and this one sat in his garage until I asked if I could have it. I even used my dad's patented line for mooching: "Hey, what are you going to do with that." Like a charm, it worked. "Nothing...it's just taking up space, you know anyone who wants it?" "Well, as a matter of fact....."

Lauren loves it...even though she holds her nose every time she walks by it and rolls her eyes when I say it's pretty. Hahaha...must be the pregnancy talking. :)

The Rainbow Flyer and the Boat Anchor

So I decided today to bring the old Nishiki I got off Craigslist for next to nothing into the office today so I could ride it at lunch. I've been trying to do this every day this week, but if you live in Indy you'll know that it's been raining all week. Rain doesn't necessarily scare me at all, but this bike has no fenders, and I don't have a shower or anything to clean myself up in after a ride here.

So, it stayed in the garage, and I dreamed of the day I'd get to ride it off at lunch for an hour of fun.

Today was the day...partly cloudy forecast...high of 73...perfect day for a bike ride. I even brought my old messenger bag with me, so I could run a couple of errands...a productive bike ride. What could be better?

When I got it situated in my tiny little office a co-worker walked by and commented on the bike. "Sweet!" Of course it is. The bike itself if awesome. It's been a triathalon bike for the last couple years, and the guy I bought it from did pretty well on it. It's from the 80's, but it's still light, and it has great components on it. It's all I need to train on, to ride for fun, and to tool around on for exercise. The only downside is the 80's paintjob, as witnessed by the photograph below. I've dubbed it "The Rainbow Flyer". Someday I'll get it painted...maybe.



Now, "The Boat Anchor" portion of this post is about the old (1975) Schwinn Varsity I bummed from a co-worker. I picked up this yellow beauty on Monday night. Since then I've completely disassembled it, put all of the extra crap (reflectors, derailers, kickstand, BRAKES...) into a pile, and put only the parts I need back on - two tires, the seat, the pedals, and 1 14-tooth cog on the rear hub. Yep, it's a fixed gear bike now...or will be once I finish it. I need to cut the chain to length and see if I can figure out the situation with the tires. I think one of the innertubes is funky, because the front wheel has bulges in it when I fill it up. The tires and tubes will eventually need to be replaced...but I think I can make them last till Christmas!

I call this bike "The Boat Anchor" because it weighed in at 48 pounds when I picked it up (at least that's what Schwinn says it weights). I'd say now it is around 35 pounds once I stripped all of the junk off of it.

What is a fixed gear bike, you might ask? Well, let me tell you. Its a bike that doesn't coast. If the bike is moving, the wheels are moving, and the pedals are moving. Be that slow, fast, or backwards...the pedals are moving. There's no freewheel action. Its something bike messengers have been using for a decade, and bike enthusiasts have been into for centuries. The first bikes were fixed gear bikes before freewheel technology was discovered.

Why ride a fixed gear bike? Well, I don't really know. I haven't actually had a chance to ride it since it's been a "fixie" yet. I'm hoping next week I'll get some time to get it all finished up and ride it for the first time. My reason for building it into a fixed gear is because you can do it with most of your existing parts. Plus, it is said that once you ride a fixie, you are trained to be more efficient in your spinnng...because you have to. The bike won't let you forget that you can't coast...it will push you and you push it. You and the bike become one.

Anyway, I'll be sure to post my experience once I actually get to ride the beast. Until then, here's a before picture of the old guy. Don't make fun...