Unlike running, you have to know a lot more than what shoe you should wear.

It looks like I'm going to have to pick up a whole new set of terminology if I start doing this cycling thing more seriously. I received the following detailed spec sheet from the guy who sold the bike to me. I guess that it's good to know something more than it has wheels and goes fast, but come on now. I have trouble talking about the innards of computers, and now I have to know gear types? Maybe this is the price of speed.

For those readers who care of such things, namely my brother, feel free to check out the spec sheet that follows after the link.

Fuji Opus IV Spec Sheet

Posted by Colin J Allen at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

To all my PC readers, let me make your online life a little better. Have a look at this thing called Firefox. You will be happier once you give it a try. I promise. And all you Mac people, if you are not using Safari or Firefox by now, do so. It'll make all the difference.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nothing like a good act of God to start off the morning.

Like everyone else, I am riveted by the coverage of hurricane Katrina's assault on New Orleans. One of these days, New Orleans is going to end up on the bottom of the Mississippi, it being below sea level and nice path of least resistance if the levees ever break.

This morning I was telling myself that it is stupid to live in a city that is at such odds with nature. But come to think of it, there are quite a few cities that persist despite nature's warnings. I always have this vague notion that parts of Manhattan will eventually find itself below sea level, not because it sank but because the sea level is supposed to keep rising with all that ice melting around the world. (Please consult your local global warming professional to learn if this will actually will happen.) Perhaps more practically, hurricanes do make their way up here about once every hundred years. That sure would scuttle things.

But as far as natural disaster prone areas go, I must say that L.A. is still on the top of my list. Here is a city that sits in a desert, and it has earthquakes to boot. I know it's nice there, but let's hope they never run out of water.

I'm off to check the radar.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I didn't get my coffee this afternoon. This has not improved my mood very much. I think that some java would just be lovely right now. I think this so much that I'm going to get out of here and find me a quality coffee distributer.

Some days you just need coffee. This is one of them.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

High school sciences should discuss intelligent design versus darwinism.

I would bet you a dime and a doughnut that it would be most interesting discussion topic of the school year. Unlike the creationism of yore, ID has decided that it can play within the rules of science. Think about that for a second. People are working to rationally prove the existence of the Lord's handiwork. Scientific theories to prove the existence of a higher being.

This is a great way to make the scientific method more interesting to teenagers.

I've been reading about these ID guys and the handful conflicting of God-Is-Out-There theories out there. With a deft high school level use of the scientific method, these theories could be put to the test in the classroom. And yes, the method would empirically prove these theories incorrect. Of course, this would not prove or disprove the existence of God, but it would certainly would help illuminate nature of science and scientists—the less mysterious the better.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through the magic of "the iron-on" I am back in the business of making subway shirts. So if any of you want one, send me a blank cotton shirt and I'll make you one. He, he. Try, try again, as they say.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I recently acquired a bicycle from my friend Aaron, who is trying to convince me that wheels are more fun than running shoes. As you the reader most likely already know, I consider myself foremost a runner, with one marathon under my belt. I've always thought those bikers who use also use Prospect Park's loop were kind of cheating.

Well, I know now that they certainly are, and it's hell of a lot of fun. Going 20 miles an hour on a thin band of steel and rubber is a good time. Whoo Hoo! Running remains more spiritually fulfilling to me, but it's kind of nice to be able to go real fast...

Posted by Colin J Allen at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm still here.

I've been busy at work.

I have actually had to work at work.

I'm back now.

Or, if you prefer Haiku:

I've been busy at work.
They keep giving me more to do.
Fall steals summer calm

Posted by Colin J Allen at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm back from the beach, feeling rejuvenated and ready to get back on it. There are many things that need to be done, and it's time to get back into the thick of it. Not everyone can pull a Bush and take five weeks off for the summer.

I was out in Fire Island at a nice house in Kismet. (here) My rigorous routine included sleeping late, swimming in the ocean, tanning and reading. Oh yeah, there was eating, drinking and gameplay as well. My skin's a little darker and the hairs are a little blonder. No complaints here.

I suppose that we are getting to the end of summer now. I frown to think about the upcoming season. I love fall, but right now I'd like summer to hang around a bit longer. You don't have to think about as many serious things when it's above 85 degrees.

Fortunately, it's still hot today so I don't have to think too hard. Phew.

Posted by Colin J Allen at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)