So, into politics…
I think I’ve avoided this for a little while here, but sometimes I watch a few too many videos online, or read some articles that just get me irate about our world and the views of some of the people in it. Mostly I think I’ve avoided this subject in my blog because it simply gets me upset enough that it becomes incredible difficult for me to clear express myself. I don’t if it’s the flood of thought or the rage, but here it goes:
Today, I got this email for Brave New Films and it was a list of the top five youtube videos to watch regarding Senator McCain. I watched them, and of course immediate got upset. I honestly don’t understand how anyone could be even mildly informed and not be infuriated by the Republican party, mainly the current administration of the U.S. and the Republican candidate for President. Honestly, as I’m writing here, I’m feeling almost more than I’m upset for Republicans and what their leaders are doing with their party. And so I ask myself, why aren’t more Republicans upset? I just don’t understand it. I don’t understand the people who support the Republican party in almost anything it has done in the past 8 years. I don’t understand how we’ve gotten to this place as a nation. And it’s depressing how so many of us have been fooled this well, for this long.
It all makes me lose hope in the world. It’s like people sit on this level of faith that the elected officials have our best interests in mind, that news is unbiased and uncensored, and that corporate America makes people’s lives better and more convenient. This country talks a lot about freedom, but when I look at those three things, the current government, the main stream media, and corporate America, I feel more pigeon holed than free.
Anyway, I’m starting to veer from the point.
So without further adieu:
1. The Real McCain 2
2. Less Jobs. More Wars.
3. John McCain vs. John McCain
4. McCain’s Spiritual Guide
5. Why Won’t McCain Sign the GI Bill?
Thank you to Brave New Films.
I swear, any time I think that Google is lacking any way, they seem to show me up. I absolutely love those guys/gals.
So today after I got home I’m started locanizing my photos on my computer. I’m currently using iPhoto, which I don’t totally love, but it gives me most of what I need. Since Laura and I want Asia, I’ve been keep my photos updates (fairly regularly) on Picasa, Google’s photo app. Now I’d been pretty sure that Google and iPhoto worked pretty seamlessly together, and sure enough they do. Google has developed a desktop app, called Picasa Web Albums Uploader (for Mac), for uploading photos that is complete with an iPhoto plugin. Once the uploader is installed, simply select an album in iPhoto and select File -> Export… Next, select the Picasa Web tab and presto, you can add your photos to a new or existing ablum. Super slick.
Now all I need is an easier way to upload from my phone (iPhone). There are a few workarounds and right now it works fine to sync my phone with with my iPhoto library and upload from there, but it’d be cool if I could do a batch upload straight from the phone. All in due time, I hope. I know I’m not the only one looking for this feature. If there’s a demand and Google’s got time, then I’m sure they’ll deliver. Assuming Apple isn’t letting them to keep people off Picasa and on MobileMe or whatever they’re selling. Don’t get me wrong, I love Apple, but ever since they teamed up with AT&T they’ve gotten a little insane with iPhone.
Damn the man, save the Empire.
It’s Monday. The office is slow. The weather’s crappy. And oh yeah, did I mention it’s Monday?
This weekend was pretty fun, but definitely exhausting. Ended up hanging out with Wes and Mason all day on Saturday. Basically a long day of bikes and booze. Good times, but by 10 o’clock I was definitely ready for bed. Sunday turned out to be an extremely lazy day. Which is cool. With all the traveling Laura and I have been doing this summer, an nice lazy Sunday is a welcome. Speaking of travel this weekend we’re heading down to Lawrence, KS for Lauren and Shad’s wedding party. For those folks that don’t know they eloped about a month ago and are now having their reception. Should be pretty fun and always fun to see the KS crew. The only part that stinks is that my buddy Chris Emond is going to be back in town for the first time in about a month and I’m gonna miss him. At this point I’m just figuring it gives me more of an excuse to take a weekend to go out and visit him soon. Got to finally talk to him last night for the first time since he left. Sounds like he’s having fun, but definitely working hard. I guess he’s been pulling 70+ hour weeks (7 days a week). Also got a chance to talk to Molly again last night on Skype which is always awesome. She seems to be doing well also, which is always good to hear.
I think my headset should be arriving today. Definitely excited about that. Unfortunately though, most of the other stuff I’m waiting on for this new bike are taking some time to get shipped. Don’t know what’s up with that. I’m banking on (most) everything being here by Friday though. Of course I won’t be able to do anything with any of it until after we get back from KS. Oh, well.
How boring is this post?
She’s here! My IRO Mark V Pro frame arrived today. Whoo-hoo! I’m pumped. Thing is exactly what I was hoping for. Solid frame, super simple (doesn’t even have waterbottle mounts), and light as shit! Weighed it and the frames is under 2000g (maybe not light as shit, but light as shit compared to my bauer). Fork is around 700g. Sweetness. Unfortunately I won’t be using the fork though. Need the disc brake mounts, which it doesn’t have. Went down to the local cycle shop One-on-One and ordered a Civia fork today (should arrive Monday). Not as light as the IRO fork at around 990g(?), but good none the less. Funny though. I was thinking that I’d probably be getting a nicer fork that the IRO came with (assuming the IRO wasn’t very good), but from what I can tell I’m feeling a little disappointed that I won’t be using the fork. Of course the majority of m oppion is based on weight. The IRO fork feels good and solid though (it’s a steel fork by the way, as is the Civia). Can’t wait to start building this damn thing though. Apparently my wheels will be getting shipped next Monday. And I’m expecting the bottom bracket, headset, and all that good stuff sometime next week (could come this weekend, but I doubt it). Either way, I’m sitting here staring at this beautiful frame but can’t do a damn thing with it until next week. For now all I can do is blog about it. ajjldsaljkfl;asdlkjdsf SO PUMPED!!!
Had way too much fun last night. Went out to happy hour with Ryan, Wes, and Mason. Started out at Market BBQ and ended up at McKenzie’s. I seriously haven’t laughed that hard in quite some time. I almost pissed myself. And mostly from piss and fart jokes. It was an awesome time though. Just fun to be able to hang out with those guys again. Makes me miss the time when all four of us worked together. They’re just good people. Unfortunately, I’m feeling a little hung over today though. Oh, well. Good times.
So yesterday I finally balls-ed-up and ungraded the firmware on my iPhone. I had it Jailbroken and Unlocked running firmware 1.0.2, but was too scared to try anything with the new 2.0.0 firmware. I’ve heard a lot about people bricking their phones (basically turning their iPhone into a paperweight), and have had a couple of scares unlocking mine. HOWEVER, I did a quick search and found the Pwnage app for Unlocking/Jailbreaking the iPhone. And I’ve gotta say, the fellas at iPhone Dev Team have totally outdone themselves. I’d be willing to bet that unlocking and jailbreaking the phone is easier than activating it with AT&T (blagh!) through iTunes. Walks you through the process very simply and pretty much does everything for you. It’s awesome. And the 2.0.0 firmware compared the 1.0.2? Holy, Shit. I just fell in love with my iPhone. Again.
Thank you iPhone Dev Team.
Lately I’ve been getting parts together for a new fixie. Bought an IRO Mark V Pro frame that should be arriving tomorrow! I’m super excited, but at the same time won’t be able to do anything with it until sometime next week. Should be pretty rad when it’s all said and done though. 
I’ve also order some pretty pimp wheels from Universal Cycles in Portland. Orange Deep-V rims with Surly hubs. When it’s all put together with the black frame, I think it’ll look pretty cool.
The plan is set it up as a fixie and put a disc brake on the the front wheel (as an emergency brake). I keep going back and forth on whether to go brakeless or not, but as soon as I start thinking about I think about all the things that could go wrong where I’d wished that I’d had a brake. The chain could break, I could injure a leg, anything. Just seems like the only reason not to have one is for ego. Screw that. So anyway, I have ended up getting everything set for a front disc brake which I think it’s gonna be totally rad and unique for a fixed gear. Went with the Tektro Lyra, mostly dude to price and weight. Half the joy of riding fixed is being able to slim down the weight of the bike a ton, so I didn’t want to get anything ridiculous and since I’m only planning on using it as an emergency brake, I didn’t want to get anythign ridiculous. The Lyra seemd to be a good fit. All I need now is a fork with disc mounts. I’ve got my eye on a Winwood, but my funds faded pretty quick between the frame, wheels, and all the other little stuff in between.
Rock.