Good News!

Alison just got a job as a teacher tutor. Only part time but it should be a great step in the direction of landing a teaching job. Congratulations honey!

First attempt at a fixed gear

1970 something Schwinn Varsity. $25 from a very nice lady on Craigslist

Probably the first trip computer.

After a few hours of taking off all the extra weight (like brakes), and bolting on a cheap flip-flop wheelset.

Straight as an arrow (I got lucky)

My First Bike Project

I'm attempting to convert this 1970's Montgomery Ward Open Road 10-speed into a single speed. I've been hearing a lot about single speed and fixed gear bikes and I needed a project so I decided to jump on the hipster band wagon. Picked up this old steel frame bike for $15 at the local thrift store and now I'm hacking away at it to remove the old paint, decals, rust, and unnecessary parts. I keep going back and forth between just spray painting right over the existing paint or doing a nice job and stripping all the way down to bare metal. I'll probably just take my time on it and do a nice job in case I decide that I like this bike and eventually upgrade everything but the frame. The wheels are heavy but solid and true, and are beginning to clean up really nicely. I'm trying to keep my total cost under $100. I'll keep you updated.
~Paul

Our Garden Update (Carrots)

My Birthday Weekend in Photos

So, these pics are about a month old now but I'm finally posting them. The birthday weekend was fun and full of mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, family, friends, BBQ, and the rest of my favorite things.

My Garden Update in Photos - May 6, 2009

Jesusita Fire

Here are some pics of the Jesusita Fire that I took from work at UC Santa Barbara today. Everyone was thinking it was contained and then the wind really picked up at about 2pm today.