Joe's Journal
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12/18/2013 00:51 #58462
Peanut Butter BlossomsCategory: food
I had to make a dessert for the office holiday luncheon tomorrow. I was not feeling it at all since it was for work, but I made some shortening free peanut butter blossoms using this recipie. It took about an hour and a half to make instead of the recipies 20 minutes. They turned out well especially right out of the oven. Pretty sure (e:xandra) cleared a quarter tray.
12/18/2013 00:46 #58461
Winter CommuteCategory: bikes
Today I busted out the new snow tires and rode to work. I bought the Scwhalbe Marathon Winter Studded tires for $140. it was so expensive but I definitely think they're worth it.
It snowed overnight so the roads were super sloppy and slippery on the way to work this morning. I barely felt any slip on the road while cars were having trouble keeping traction. The rolling resistance was a lot higher but these are also puncture resistant, compared to my super thin Bontragers. Unfortunately a lot of paths weren't plowed especially along the lake and from Route 5 to work. With any kind of loose snow I lost most of the grip although the bike never slid out. I either had to take the lane or carry my bike over snow drifts.
The whole ride took about an hour each way, when my typical route is a mile and a half shorter and takes about 35 minutes. I think I can probably shave 10 or 15 minutes off when the roads are less snowy and more icy, but we'll have to see.
Beastly new tungsten carbide studs
My Bontragers are looking pretty worn :(
Ready to leave from work
Union Ship Canal
Unplowed bridge over the canal - I had to carry my bike over the snow here
It snowed overnight so the roads were super sloppy and slippery on the way to work this morning. I barely felt any slip on the road while cars were having trouble keeping traction. The rolling resistance was a lot higher but these are also puncture resistant, compared to my super thin Bontragers. Unfortunately a lot of paths weren't plowed especially along the lake and from Route 5 to work. With any kind of loose snow I lost most of the grip although the bike never slid out. I either had to take the lane or carry my bike over snow drifts.
The whole ride took about an hour each way, when my typical route is a mile and a half shorter and takes about 35 minutes. I think I can probably shave 10 or 15 minutes off when the roads are less snowy and more icy, but we'll have to see.
Beastly new tungsten carbide studs
My Bontragers are looking pretty worn :(
Ready to leave from work
Union Ship Canal
Unplowed bridge over the canal - I had to carry my bike over the snow here
joe - 12/30/13 12:28
Yeah there are so few of us, I definitely seem the same few people every morning and afternoon! Always room for more, I hope it gets there.
(e:oda) Thanks! And for sure, I probably would have wiped out in traffic a million times over if it weren't for these tires. Worth every penny so far. Definitely agree with you about the snow - with unplowed roads my ride time almost doubles. I guess it'd be similar in a car or bus though.
Already used to the iced beard, lol.
Yeah there are so few of us, I definitely seem the same few people every morning and afternoon! Always room for more, I hope it gets there.
(e:oda) Thanks! And for sure, I probably would have wiped out in traffic a million times over if it weren't for these tires. Worth every penny so far. Definitely agree with you about the snow - with unplowed roads my ride time almost doubles. I guess it'd be similar in a car or bus though.
Already used to the iced beard, lol.
oda - 12/21/13 01:58
Good luck! I enjoyed the winter when I commuted 6 miles each way to work on my bike. I had the same tires as you; never would have made it without them.
You bring back memories indeed. On bad roads you can almost always ride as fast as the cars, but if there is new snow you have no ability to ride. It takes all your effort to not fall over. Thick snow is the bikers worst enemy!
In a month or two, you will recognize every biker on the road, even with all that built-up ice on your eyelashes!
Good luck! I enjoyed the winter when I commuted 6 miles each way to work on my bike. I had the same tires as you; never would have made it without them.
You bring back memories indeed. On bad roads you can almost always ride as fast as the cars, but if there is new snow you have no ability to ride. It takes all your effort to not fall over. Thick snow is the bikers worst enemy!
In a month or two, you will recognize every biker on the road, even with all that built-up ice on your eyelashes!
paul - 12/18/13 18:21
You are crazy. I can't imagine doing that.
You are crazy. I can't imagine doing that.
tinypliny - 12/18/13 02:53
And wow. you are one of those bikers in the snow that I always wondered about... :)
And wow. you are one of those bikers in the snow that I always wondered about... :)
tinypliny - 12/18/13 02:51
Okay those new tires == seksi. :)
Okay those new tires == seksi. :)
12/16/2013 01:34 #58459
Basra's MigrationCategory: pets
(e:paul) and I got around to moving Basra up from the basement. He's been so miserable, freezing/hibernating and all neglected down there that we moved him up to the brown room. We started to clean up his carpet and the basement before discovering that the tarp underneath started to mold from the floor's dampness. So gross. Then we set out to search for a new tarp - but Home Depot was closed. We had to drive all the way to Sheridan Drive for Walmart. While we were there we stopped at the Super Bazaar (see (e:Paul,58458)).
After we got back, we set up the new tortoise sanctuary in the brown room. It was so much warmer that he came alive right away. He should, because according to the Killawatt it takes almost $65 a month of electricity to heat him. Other downside, there may be an impending scooter infestation.
After we got back, we set up the new tortoise sanctuary in the brown room. It was so much warmer that he came alive right away. He should, because according to the Killawatt it takes almost $65 a month of electricity to heat him. Other downside, there may be an impending scooter infestation.
joe - 12/21/13 14:17
He has a 200 watt heating pad, a 150 watt heating lamp and a 1250 watt space heater. The room is pretty much a furncae so he's pretty happy.
I agree though its pretty horrible to not have it that warm because otherwise he's basically hibernating!
Paul made the point he practically costs nothing for food and everything else the rest of the year, so it isn't that bad.
He has a 200 watt heating pad, a 150 watt heating lamp and a 1250 watt space heater. The room is pretty much a furncae so he's pretty happy.
I agree though its pretty horrible to not have it that warm because otherwise he's basically hibernating!
Paul made the point he practically costs nothing for food and everything else the rest of the year, so it isn't that bad.
oda - 12/21/13 02:05
How many watts is his light? When a friend looked in to a light to grow p*t, they said it would cost about $20/month. I'm not sure, but I think it was about 400 watts. I'd have to ask him for details. That seems really expensive.
But Basra deserves some respect; he's been around for a long time now.
How many watts is his light? When a friend looked in to a light to grow p*t, they said it would cost about $20/month. I'm not sure, but I think it was about 400 watts. I'd have to ask him for details. That seems really expensive.
But Basra deserves some respect; he's been around for a long time now.
paul - 12/18/13 18:22
Ya pretty soon he will have to drag me around.
Ya pretty soon he will have to drag me around.
tinypliny - 12/18/13 02:54
I guess in a matter of a few more years, he will be too big to move.
I guess in a matter of a few more years, he will be too big to move.
12/16/2013 00:25 #58456
Squeaky Wheel Holiday partyCategory: going out
Last night was the Squeaky Wheel holiday party at the Foundry. (e:paul), (e:terry), (e:xandra), erica, (e:Heidi) and (e:Dianne) and I all headed over while Terry had to work the party since he was a board member (the other board members were raving about him which was awesome). It was crazy fun, but probably not half as crazy as Paul was. I accidently made Erica and Paul walk over in the freezing cold.
The event itself was amazing. (e:holly) and Brian had the best/possibly offensive nativity scene, with a goat. there were amazing cookies and tons of beer. (e:paul) won a ridiculous and strange assortment of gifts, and I won a basket to Cowork Buffalo and Sweetness 7. We ran into Mickey, Pierce and a bunch of other people and started an impromptu rooftop party. So glad Alex did not fall through.
Paul was so out of control that we ended up walking home.
These knit creatures were so cute
Bathroom selfies
Top of the world
What just happened?
Broing out
The loot
Baby Jesus Paul
The event itself was amazing. (e:holly) and Brian had the best/possibly offensive nativity scene, with a goat. there were amazing cookies and tons of beer. (e:paul) won a ridiculous and strange assortment of gifts, and I won a basket to Cowork Buffalo and Sweetness 7. We ran into Mickey, Pierce and a bunch of other people and started an impromptu rooftop party. So glad Alex did not fall through.
Paul was so out of control that we ended up walking home.
These knit creatures were so cute
Bathroom selfies
Top of the world
What just happened?
Broing out
The loot
Baby Jesus Paul
12/15/2013 16:29 #58453
Sassy cats and trashy fightsCategory: cats
This cat is so sassy. He meows right back to you when you talk to him. He has to be so freezing living outside, I feel worse for him than Basra.
Overheard later, a classy fight about money. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I had to record part. I was probably a house away and outside, they were ridiculously loud.
I hope this is the last time I'm ever here.
Overheard later, a classy fight about money. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I had to record part. I was probably a house away and outside, they were ridiculously loud.
I hope this is the last time I'm ever here.
metalpeter - 12/19/13 19:18
with the cat it is hard to know they are all a bit strange... I think some of these out door cats get feed by someone and some not some are pets and allowed to go out side and some aren't owned by anyone and are on their own so hard to know.....
with the cat it is hard to know they are all a bit strange... I think some of these out door cats get feed by someone and some not some are pets and allowed to go out side and some aren't owned by anyone and are on their own so hard to know.....
tinypliny - 12/18/13 02:57
its on its way to evolving into a bigger cat. maybe
its on its way to evolving into a bigger cat. maybe
If only (e:terry) could come to his senses and love peanut butter.
Don't throw me in the fire!
SO DID CASEY
^living
dammit. another disadvantage of not up the street.