The Boilover

In which I share my findings on excitement for winter vs its duration

theboilover — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:59:36 +0000

Please note my late January birthday, which extends the curve only slightly. Those without a cold season cake day may substitute Valentines day for that little pick me up. Unless you’re single as well, in which case enjoy your seasonal affective disorder.

On gears

theboilover — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:53:45 +0000

Got a good reminder that my new affinity for single speed riding should in no way be confused with a lack of love for geared bikes. It was close to 60 degrees yesterday and I had to get some time in the saddle. I grabbed my Raleigh and headed out McMicken. After a few spins on SRG it was nice to keep a more consistent cadence and run through the gears. There is still something awesome about taking off from a stop light and ratcheting through your rear cog set as you crank upwards of 20 mph.

I stopped at Marshall Ave to get my speed fix in before heading back Spring Grove. That’s the other nice thing about gears…you can hit 40+ on the downhills. Even on a little hill like that, you can still get your blood pumping pretty good. Not saying you wouldn’t go fast on a SS, just not as fast.

Spring is around the corner and I can’t wait. I have a feeling I will be bouncing back and forth, gears and not, all summer. Each makes you appreciate the other, and it’s a great way to keep riding fresh. Guess that’s why I’m at four working bikes and counting….

Feel The Love

theboilover — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:14:10 +0000

Single or taken, I always feel the love.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9YrfHVB4ic

Most of my bikes are women

theboilover — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:21:57 +0000

Referred to as she, like, she’s a beauty, or, I can’t wait to take her out for a spin.

But not this guy.

He’s a man’s man.

Burly, hair on your chest, can’t take no for an excuse because it’s just not in his vocabulary. Push it, crank it, coast it, brake it, single speeds are becoming a good friend of mine. In reality you still plot your moves just as much, but you’re focused on pedal stroke and braking more, without thinking about shifting. And in the woods that makes it even easier to lose touch with the world and focus on the trail. I got some SASS* in my life, and it opened my eyes to the liberation that is no gears. Well one gear. One single gear to just pedal with.

But just this week we had a nice 60+ degree day, which meant two wheeled pedal power for sure. And I had a new friend in this guy:

First time I’ve messed around on a single speed/fixie road bike. I lasted a three block loop before I realized fixie was the dumbest shit ever, and a single speed where I can coast is just fine. But man, a quick ride to Covington and back and I could feel my quads grimacing. Granted it’s been two months since my last ride, but I’ve been going to the gym to substitute, so it’s not as though I’ve been sedentary for that last 60 days.

Regardless, change of pace doesn’t even describe that 8+ mile ride (may have taken the scenic route) compared to my normal ultegra utility. Such a great feeling, just….go.

So I wanted to name this bike. It was a gift of sorts, with some shin-splittingly grippy pedals added specifically for my enjoyment. The gifting party, also knowing that I’ve always loved bullhorn handlebars, made sure to wrap them in bright green bar tape, a focal point on an otherwise stealth ride.

So there was Greenhorn. It was a good name, sounded cool, and most people would get it off the bat.

But that was the old me. Pick some features, meld them into a word, and name it. But the old me also bought the nuetral colored running shoes. And my latest pair……bright red. Just seemed more fun (plus I run a lot at night, and the brighter the better).

So Greeenhorn, it was a starting point, but there was more. I had to ask myself:

“What would my sister name it?”

Like I said, I don’t normally name bikes. Yeah, there’s the Kona, the Bianchi, and the Raleigh. Named for me. And maybe it’s because this one didn’t have a brand on the frame, but I realized, if you’re going to give it a name, if you are going to personalize it, fucking go for it. That’s what my sister would do.

So, my newest steed’s full name is Sir Robert Greenhorn. And it works, because with this guy it’s duel personalities; when you’re cruising he’s Bobby, while Greenhorn will kick your ass up every incline over 3%.

*Shiny Ass Single Speed. Pretty sweet SS mtb from Bianchi that I picked up second hand.

Hallway Heaven

theboilover — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:07:06 +0000

There is still plenty of work to do, but all that is outside the confines of my actual house. Phase 1 is done, and after years of looking at and living in a work-in-progress, it’s nice to have a finished space where I can relax. Even a finished corridor is hallway heaven.

Grinding

theboilover — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:52:02 +0000

Lot’s of rust dust while cleaning, but after a good once over I can start playing with these dumbwaiter pieces and get a little artsy with the welder.

Vier Bier

theboilover — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:24:43 +0000

For Christmas I bought my mom some gift cards to Petsmart, since her dog collection seems to be ever growing (currently 3). Like any good son I stashed them in a large box with lot’s of newspaper to freak her out that she would be flying home with some enormous gift that probably wouldn’t fit in the bin. So when I walked in to my office yesterday and saw this from her, I assumed maybe it was payback time:

No, she’s just awesome, and sent me this:

Mom, you are the greatest. As a small thank you, you can now relive the joys of watching your baby boy opening his gifts:

Two truths now confirmed:

1. I have amazing parents who have both given me great gifts recently (not what makes them amazing, but it doesn’t hurt).

2. I must drink a lot in their minds, as both gifts were alcohol related. In fact my Dad’s gift was partly booze. Fully awesome.

With four taps this thing is pretty damn cool, and will hopefully be pumping a few home brews out over the next few years. More pictures to come with more history as I get it.

Giving Dough

theboilover — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:43:20 +0000

Always love the office tradition of buying donuts for the office when it is your birthday.

New (old) music

theboilover — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:02:22 +0000

I’ve been trying to branch out and find some new music. Seems like I hear a new song I like, but then going back through the band a little bit I dig some of the older stuff even more. Here for example, is a new-to-me song that is at least 2 years old. They’ve got a new song getting a lot of radio play (something I listen to because my truck doesn’t even have a tape deck) that I think is OK, but in digging deeper I’ve only found two songs that I actually enjoy.

This is one where if they all sounded like this I would let the CD just roll.

Plus I actually like the video that goes with it.

Imagine Dragons -- Amsterdam

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Nc4qEI3k4

Here’s the other song of theirs I like. Good workout song.

Imagine Dragons -- Radioactive

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thbsg9i2mZ0

Any recommendations on new bands is appreciated, I’m always looking.

The Dummy

theboilover — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:26:59 +0000

Old school wood rails.

Race Street Horror Story

theboilover — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:12:09 +0000

I owe a post (or two or three) about finishing the house project that, many moons ago, kicked bicycling/running/show-going/aimless-wondering to the curb and took over these digital pages.

BUT…until the house-is-done post(s) I will likely throw up a few teasers to both fill space and give me a reason to keep playing with my camera.

Thus, I give you what I feel like could be the background for a horror movie poster, maybe with a little blood coming from the room that’s lit.

Or just my third floor with only the bathroom lights on…

Good thing I don’t have photoshop at home so instead I make the best blood pool I can with powerpoint (prolly wouldn’t do that much better with PS if I’m being honest, I just don’t have the patience anymore). But you see where I’m going with this….

The best pool I’ve ever swam in

theboilover — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:57:57 +0000

Been here 3 separate times (swam twice), which is impressive considering it is roughly 5,000 miles away from my front door.

I think there is something to be said for being able to travel to the same place multiple times. Yeah, I want to travel everywhere. But a feeling if familiarity in a still foreign place is pretty damn cool.

Plus there is always something new to discover, and that’s true even of your hometown.

But forget the hometown, travel to paradise instead.

2007

2009

2011

Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls

Working on my trigger finger

theboilover — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 02:15:25 +0000

One of the big problems I’ve always had with my point and shoot cameras is not being able to take a lot of photos quickly. Yes there were burst modes, but that meant changing settings, and when you are trying to catch something spur of the moment that typically didn’t happen. My new Nikon however, can shoot as fast as my finger can snap. This comes in particularly handy when you approach a full corner lot of birds, knowing they’re going to jump at any second. After 4+ years of driving neighborhoods I’ve learned to always have a camera ready. Granted the subject matter is never that thrilling–we’re talking wildlife and the occasional Shrek snowman mixed in with some outrageous mailboxes. But this time around even the mundane became a little more interesting simply for the fact I was learning my around a new toy.

Not too mention this was a boatload of birds.

On to…..THE BIRDS!!!!

First go ’round I only got three quick ones. Keeping that button halfway and not letting up is a fine line. Like finding that engagement point when you’re learning to drive a manual transmission.

Second time was better…

Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go stare at something not moving….

Sinspherelly Yours

theboilover — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:34:50 +0000

My Dad knew the perfect thing to get a burgeoning bourbon drinker.

Oh, and a bottle of Bulleit. Father of the year.

That’s not all that was under the tree. More to come….

The best sign I saw last week

theboilover — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:05:01 +0000

I guess Dr. Bosley gets his rubber elsewhere.

I hope you had a Shrektacular weekend

theboilover — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:10:24 +0000

My garage smells like burnt rubber

theboilover — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 04:04:59 +0000

Work rented a car for me this week. 14th time I’ve done this in my career, 2nd time I’ve had a Charger. Mix in a few Avengers, a Cobalt, and a PT cruiser and it’s like this weird recurring nightmare where I have to test drive cars I would never want for an entire week through little box hell. It might be ok if there were a Hemi involved, but alas Enterprise doesn’t hand those out.

That said, tires do give a little when you mash it. And sure it doesn’t handle like my old Mazda, but reminds me that while I like my BFT for its utility purposes, I will someday buy a second car that is, in fact, a car. Or maybe a motorcycle. Something I can have a little fun with down 915 on the way to Knotty Pine.

Non sequitur of the day: of all the art in my garage, the snail is my only contribution.

It’s nice to have a car for a week. But I really just want spring to roll around so I can get back on those bikes full time….

And now for some tail end manipulation. First, as shot:

Now more red:

Now more definition:

Now more acid:

Now more struggling art student drafting at Coffee Emporium:

Ok that last one wasn’t real, you can’t be struggling and buying coffee at The E. I skip the roasted stuff anyway and stick to the alligator pear.

It’s Skyline Time

theboilover — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 05:04:02 +0000

First working day every new year typically involves me in NKY looking back on Downtown Cincy from various angles.

Love the view. Hate the chili.

**Editor’s Note: I don’t actually hate Skyline Chili. I said that above because I wanted a duo of three word sentences. In fact, I dislike Skyline…strongly even. But I do not hate it (except when typographically convenient).

It’s a new year and I’m glad to be here.

theboilover — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 23:39:29 +0000

New year. New layout. New content. New photos. Same sarcasm (and penchant for parenthetical pondering).

But before the new, some of the same old aka how I kick off every year:

In the car, driving around places I would never live (at least not in this decade of my life).

More new……New camera. Still learning, but I get to take my macro obsession to the next level.

Happy 2013.

Washington Park From Above

theboilover — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:29:28 +0000

Finally getting back to biking/running/just tooling around with my camera. Taking advantage of a perch, errrr, perk, of my job.

Pretty amazing, the feeling you get walking through the park, huge contrast from when I first moved downtown five years ago. The momentum just keeps ramping up down here, and city life in Cincinnati has a lot more to offer than it used to.

From the roof of the Chas. (Charles) Nicolay building during the Over the Rhine concert:

From the white roof you see directly in front of that: