Fear not, today’s post has nothing to do with the nonsense that is happening in Washington DC.
Repeal And Restring
I almost beat the system on Saturday. Saturday July 29th, was the first time that I mowed the lawns at the ITP Estate since leaving for Germany on June 28th! That is unprecedented for my world in Atlanta, Georgia. The front and back lawns were thick, but weren’t as bad as you’d expect for going this long during the summer.
I made it through the front lawn with no difficulty and then decided to let the mower cool a bit before continuing on to do the back. I went back into the house and pulled out the leaf blower and cleaned up the mess I had made.
When I was done blowing debris back into the lawn I picked up the mower, walked it down the three stairs, and set it onto the ground. I bent over and pulled the cord to start the mower. No start. I reared back and pulled again. No start. And on the third attempt the mower started, but I was left holding a pull cord that was no longer attached to the mower. DANGEN! However I have no room to complain, the pull cord lasted nearly seventeen years.
I’ve watched a few YouTube video showing me how I need to go about to replace the pull cord, and I have already purchased replacement pull cord from the Ace Hardware in Toco Hill. Wish me luck, I will probably need it.
Repeal And Retube
I decided that yesterday I was going to get my exercise by riding on my bike trainer. I mean why would anyone want to ride a bike out doors? It’ dangerous out there!
Since the Prudential Ride London-Surrey Classique was being broadcast I fired up the NBC Sports app and AirPlayed its video onto the big screen in the basement.
Right after getting the video streaming I walked past my bicycle, which was already on the trainer, and instinctively reached down to feel the rear tire pressure; it was completely flat. WTF? How does a tire go flat on a trainer? I pumped up the tire and mounted the bike, only to have to stop about twenty minutes later when I realized that the tire was completely flat again.
At this point I had two options:
1. Quit
2. Replace the tire and try again
Surprisingly I opted for the latter, but only made it another twenty minutes before giving up. In total I think I put in about forty-one minutes of riding.
Repeal And Reeat
Introduction “Jumblaya”, or in this case “Gumbolaya”. I decided yesterday that I should stay at home and eat food in the house. As I am wont to do I set out to make jambalaya, but I didn’t have all of the proper ingredients to do so. What I did have was a bag of frozen vegetables meant for gumbo — okra, corn, onion — in addition to some chicken, andouille sausage, bierwurst, and basmati rice. My concoction, which tasted better than even I would have imagined, is like a United Nations of food.
Because the bulk of my entertainment on Friday and Saturday involved sitting around and drinking beer I also decided that yesterday was going to be a day with no alcohol consumption. Yeah, this didn’t work out as well as “Gumbolaya” as I had one beer with dinner.
Repeal And Reduce
I have finally started spending time going through all of the things in my basement and getting rid of as many as I can. I still have a lot of work to do in order to get down to owning a manageable amount of shit.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
I remember riding Friday and getting a bit rained on, turned around and retracing my “steps” and still getting 25 in.
Saturday was some testing in the office, then my 40th HS reunion. (yes I’m older than you). A pretty good turnout- a couple of folks I hadn’t seen since graduating which was neat. I put the full court press on at least one friend who didn’t want to show and I just don’t understand the reasoning- as I told her, everyone has gotten wider and grayer. Her loss. Some of the regular attendees to our annual gathering were missing, but all in all a good time.
Sunday, more testing in the office, then out on the CX bike for 20+. My slowly leaking tire became a faster leaking tire and I stopped to pump (clap) it up. I might have to break down and actually repair it. Pool time at Bear Creek with Ollie enjoying the pool immensely. He’s fearless in the water and fun to watch.
-FP
It’s funny (sad) that for Saturday I considered:
1. Driving up to Ducktown, TN and doing some sports photography of people rafting the Ocoee
2. Driving my bike to do the Covington Century (metric century for me)
Instead, I stayed ITP and met up with friends to drink at Eatalian (sorry ITP-Reader Stacy, I couldn’t find a website) — a new(ish) Italian restaurant in Brighter Park (nee Loehman’s Plaza) on Briarcliff at North Druid Hills. [now you understand why I’d drive all the way to Toco Hill to get a bit of pull cord for the mower]
Is that because it is actually Eataliano? 🙂 (http://eatalianokitchen.com/) How was it?
It’s really weird to me that this area considers itself Brookhaven. The zone gang and I had dinner near there (burger place I can’t remember) some months back and were surprised when we saw it there. I just always imagine Brookhaven over on the other side of the highway, along Peachtree.
I was actually wondering about that choice of Ace. 🙂
DAGUMMIT! 🙂
The restaurant was good. I had a few beers and ate a “Italian(o) Muffaletta” sandwich. Geez, I hadn’t thought about it but I guess the theme for my weekend was bastardized Cajun food.
Did you eat at Grub?
For some reason Brookhaven’s city limits extend all the way to 285.
Yes! It was Grub. And it was delicious. There’s just so many burger places I can’t keep their name straight.
And speaking of driving… the Mazda seems to be holding its own. At least the AT code that has come on since the service has gone back out. The check engine light has come back on, like an old friend, and I plan on having that code checked. It’s likely to be the misfire back again.
Bummer about the Check Engine Light. Since using the one my friend Darren had I’ve often considered buying one of those diagnostic tools. The tool was very useful when I was having issues with the Jackmobile. I’ve not gotten once since because I keep thinking “The M6 is new, there shouldn’t be a goddamn thing wrong with it!”
kept busy this weekend – but nothing too exciting.
Curling was a blast Friday night – but really hard.
I’d need a whole lot more practice before I’d consider myself any good at it.
They are just like hashers – when we were done about 1145pm, we went to the parking lot for a few beers & snacks.
Saturday we did AH4/PH3 joint hash – it was EM’s birthday weekend.
Good trail by In My Behind, ending at Head Nurse’s sister’s pool.
Got a couple spots of damn PI, sliding down an embankment into a creek. Nothing too terrible at least.
Sunday we helped the in-laws get some patio furniture with the truck – then went mtn biking in the afternoon. It was a nice day to be outside.
also – I heard the Covington Century was poorly marked – many people missed some important turns. Maybe its a good thing you didn’t get around to going out there.
Tour of Utah is live at the moment.
watch for Kevin with BMC
And don’t forget lunch tomorrow!
It’s on my calendar!
we both plan to make it
Lunch?
🙂
Paulie/Steve…11:01 am, Crescent Ave at 11th.
Orange Honda Element.
73 de JG/HamWithCam