Last night I met up with some of the typical photo suspects
for a dinner and beverage at the Thinking Man Tavern before heading over to Zach Arias’ photo studio for his pre-“One Light Workshop” mixer.
[UPDATE @ 09:00] A co-worker of mine just told me that he was testing the Photo Browsing application in Echostar‘s newest satellite tv settop box last night and clicked on the tag for “Nikon” in the tag cloud. When he did, the photo above was part of the group selected from Flickr. He said he sat there and thought “Hey, that looks like Paul.” Too funny.
Hark, The Power(?) Of Twitter
Although the mixer was fun Maigh and I decided to head elsewhere, and that elsewhere turned out to be The Grange Public House in Decatur.
While awaiting table service I fired up Twitter and noticed that one of the people I follow had just posted that he was headed to The Grange for a night of misery drowning. It may be one of the first times that I met someone in person that I had never met previously through the power of Twitter.
ITP Flickr Pic
Some of you may recognize this…
Obviously this is part of the sign for George’s Bar (once called a delicatessen) which hangs over the back door. This being Wednesday I figured it would be the proper photo to post.
I Hope This Didn’t Also Happen To The Band I Saw
Before I continue I must admit to being a pussy.
When I arrived at the United terminal at the Winnipeg airport I was behind a group of youngsters (yes, I know how that sounds but stick with me) who were obviously in a band — they had instruments. Because I was way early for my flight I (correctly) concluded that they wouldn’t be on my flight so I said nothing.
While sitting at one of the two gates which services the United States the group which had now grown to five (two girls and three guys) sat across from me. I listened to them talk about making records, touring, etc. I wanted to ask them their band’s name but feared being that douchy older guy who goes up and tries to be buddies with hipsters. I never talked to them.
Before I continue further I must give a spoiler warning to persons who may have hash names associated with the airline industry (I’m looking at you “Check My Bags”).
Apparently back in 2008 the band Sons of Maxwell also tried to use United’s service to travel from Halifax (I still want to travel there) to Nebraska via Chicago. While in Chicago they witnessed their guitar cases literally being thrown by baggage handlers. Upon arrival they discovered on of the guitars, a $3500 Taylor, had been broken. All attempts to get United to reimburse them has failed, so they’ve created sort of a protest song.
If you can watch the YouTube you should check out that video. It’s quite clever.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay
Current Music – listening to the “Jordan, Jesse Go!” podcast
Website Of The Day – Retro Comedy is a really funny blog which highlights life’s peculiarities.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – 201.2 pounds
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~4 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 5 (5)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 7
Marta Rides – 0
July Goals
– Regain interest in my life
– Not get fired from my job
– Plan and lay a successful Black Sheep hash on July 19th
2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
No offense taken, I used to break shit all the time. I feel bad about it now though.
Great song! I think I read somewhere that it was on Good Morning America this morning too.
Thank god I’m an EX-Airline employee. Most ticket agents, gate agents, and luggage service agents are the most apathetic, unappologetic, rude, wastes of oxygen I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.
I knew you’d be okay with it and me poking fun at your hash name. 🙂 I understand the need to check large items like guitars, but I’ll never check my camera gear because I’d fear that the gear would be broken or “missing” at the other end.
OK, so I know the geek in the middle, and I’ pretty sure the lady on the right is Maigh. So who are the other gentlemen, or did they want to keep their anonymity?
Funny and very well done video. I think you should have chatted with the hip kids. You could have showed them your “members only” jacket. Oh, wait…
And as a public service, I’m copying Debbie’s late comments from yesterday.
######
Dang, I’m late today. To take the issues that need my attention in order: Fabian Cancellara is without a doubt the best looking rider in the TdF; Paulie c’mon down to the spa any time, we’ve even got a summer “light†menu that debuted this weekend so we won’t undermine your goal; Barb, you need to come down just as soon as your Skyline shipment comes in!! (Not a light menu day at the spa!)
Seriously when’s the Wilson? We need to do another Wilson weekend run/ride/drink/eat/dominos sleepover weekend.
… went and looked, it’s the weekend before Labor Day http://wilson100.org/. Who’s in?
######
The Wilson is in fact at the end of August. Put your reservations in early.
-FP
Yours truly is in the middle. Maigh is lower right. Jason is the guy looking in the wrong direction. And John (aka “HamWithCam”), whose camera was used to create this photo is the one between Maigh and me.
Count me in for the Wilson. I’ve decided to bag my Chicago/Milwaukee trip (finances, house issues, etc) so my end of August is once again available.
You are correct Paulie, never, ever, ever, ever check camera gear (or anything else of value) it will be broken or missing at the end of your trip. A lot of the luggage handling has been outsourced to companies with very low paid employees. These employees need to supplement their income somehow.
Wilson 100 sounds fun! Count me in!
Okay looks like I need to update my calendar, I was going to have my birthday party the last weekend of Aug. I usually have it Labor Day weekend, but thought since this is a mile stone, I would have it when more folks might be around. I’m going to change it back.
I guess posting a photo of George’s is ‘almost’ like running there. I’ve heard the crowds have been pretty thin lately. I really need to swing by one night. I’ve been so lazy.
@ Debbie…had to find a picture and oh yeah!!! You have excellent taste in men!
Posting the photo proves that I remember where it is. 😉
It’ll come as no surprise that I’ve not been in a while because I’ve not been running. I’ve heard of thinning (in numbers not necessarily in waistline) crowds. While the next few Wednesdays are out for me I shall try to provide business in the near future.
Martha- yes she does!!
-FP
Even though I don’t have the depth of experience as Bob in breaking sh*t at an airport, I can vouch that the description of “apathetic, unapologetic, rude, wastes of oxygen” is def. right for some of the folks. When I worked for Lufthansa at Dulles, we would routinely overload the baggage belt and even hard shelled bags would get caught and pop like packing bubbles… on the other hand, if you are stupid enough to check a $3500 dollar guitar….
I do miss the cheap tickets however….
Well, I’m sure that as a professional musician $3500 is not out of the question for a guitar. He was probably forced to check it, although I guess that he could have purchased a second seat for it too. Guitar cases are rather recognizable and I’d (incorrectly) think that some respect/care would be shown toward them because of this.
In the long run this might be the best thing to happen to him and the band. Would they have been mentioned on InsideThePerimeter.com otherwise? 🙂
Martha – Tom Boonen is WAY BETTER LOOKING that Fabian. Sorry Debbie, but it’s the truth. And – the KOM jersey holder isn’t too bad either – Jussi Veikkanen (I do like the blond Finnish look)
Wilson on Sunday 8/30… that should work, I’m not sure what date we are leaving for Colorado (I know, again) for InterAm, but my guess is Tuesday 9/1.
And – Allan isn’t working, so both of us will attend.
As for losing stuff on flights – my friend Wayne who trains people at new Delta destinations, lost some very important documents/training materials about security that had to be checked (too big to carry on) in I think Kenya, and after that Delta suspended starting the new service until after the investigation. Wayne wasn’t in trouble, but he got to talk to a bunch of big wigs about it.
and – did you all see the highlight clip they did of Bob Roll again for his birthday yesterday? He was too funny as a cycleist back inthe day.
A guitar case is recognizable, but bags get stuffed into a container (we used LD3’s) as they get to it sometimes. If the bag handler didn’t care, it could end on the bottom or the bags could shift during turbulence… ugly things can ensue as this guy found out. Generally there is (was) a per pound re-reimbursement, so the $$ they wanted to give him/gave him probably didn’t equal the $$$$$$$ it cost to fix his guitar.
@Barb, no I missed that. Dangen!
@Gentri, ahhh I see.
@ riders : Which distance do I need to start training to do at the Wilson? I think 100 is out of the question for me currently.
Yep, Martha, the eye candy is reason enough to watch the Tour; Mario Cippolini used to be my fave, and after awhile you get truly interested in the dynamics. Jerry may not appreciate WHY you watch the tour, but you would still be watching the Tour. 😉
Wilson 100 & Martha’s B-day warm up is officially on. Two beds, two sofas and lots of floor & tent space up for grabs. Burgers & hot dog cookout after the Wilson. Bring something for the grill on Sat. if you come for the overnight option. Actual bike riding completely optional.
Evite to come.
Veikkanen looks like he’s 12…
I think I’m going to have to agree with Debbie but extra credit to Boonen because when I did a google image search the first photo was him in a gladiator outfit 😉
We might (I had forgot about this when I scheduled my party) go to Ironman Louisville that weekend to watch Ashley compete (he’s trying to qualify for HI)…so I’m a maybe for the 30th.
Passing up a weekend of drinking, eating and dominoes to go watch someone compete in a triathlon? Martha, I don’t even know who you are any more!
Options of 16 (Family), 31, 54, 65 & 101 miles
I’m guessing I’ll do the 31, 54, or 65 depending on the weather and how much I’ve been riding. I’d like to do the 54 or 65, but we will see…….
Okay, I’ll commit to the 54 and if by some miracle I train well (training will be necessary since I’ve not ridden much since last year’s Wilson) I’ll step up to the 65.
Paulie, if you get your butt on a bike I don’t see what you couldn’t do the 65. You are always welcome to join Kevin and I for an early morning ride (we do about 15).
At least I’m just watching someone else and not actually participating in that suicide mission.
I’m with you Barb, I’m concentrating more on running this year than biking so I’ll just have to see.
my biggest problem is I need to start mountain biking again for the trip to Colorado – I’ve forgotten how to ride that bike, and need to get my confidence back.
But, that being said – we are riding the GA400 ride way too early this Sunday – but I think I’m only going to do the the 31, I’m hoping to ride with a friend that is new to road riding. I’m sure Allan, Bob, & others will go ahead of us.
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1743532&assetId=27095305-cef1-4b94-ba39-137976c1687d#Summary
There are routes and stuff on the Bike Roswell site too. http://bikeroswell.com/
Looks like most Sundays in August are open at the Day Spa for training rides. Steve would love company on the roads, I’m sure.
Barb, I got from our driveway to the Home Depot headquarters in 45 minutes one morning last week. I can’t believe how close to you we are. 😉 I might have to come raid your and Sally’s gardens.
Debbie – come on up any time. We can eat some Skyline, or go to Tasty China, so some other fine Marietta establishments.
and – next Sunday we have free, we will check in & maybe come to Moreland, I need some Day Spa pool time and country road riding. And- I heard from Sarah there is now a petting zoo?
I have to get with Burnt Rubber to figure out the trail for the 19th. If that happens on the 12th then I’ll probably come out and photograph that event. If he can’t get together with me on the 12th I may even consider riding some of it instead.
Feel free to come ride, in your worst shape, you can’t ride as slow as Stephanie & I will most likely be riding. She is renting a road bike from Cycleworks, trying to decide about buying one.
My participation will all depend on Burnt’s availability that day. Well, that and the weather.
August is mostly clear, except for the 22nd when I’m haring Atlanta. Come bimbo and we can ride on Sunday.
Martha, I don’t know if I can explain the appeal of bike racing. I appreciate on a whole different level, having done it for a few years. And as an official, I watch for what the officials are doing (when you get to see them) as well as how the race develops. But there is a lot of color and fluid movement, so it is really pretty to watch as well.
Even when they are being blown down the road at 40mph like today!!
-FP
We’ve always had a petting zoo if you count dogs and horses. Chickens are on the agenda in the near future, but no plans for any other critters at this time.