Driver2165

Alright so I finally get mysql working, and I ended up losing all my Movable Type data. So there's now pre-2007 archives that don't do anything and post-2007 archives that will continue to have working links and comments. No biggie, thanks to BBEdit and grep, i was able to change the format of all my archives into something that I could import. It worked better for my site than for Ben's (sorry, Ben), but even still, about one out of 9 comments were dated 2005, whether it's true or not. Just so you know what's up. This post is almost useless now.

Yesterday was my fiirst day back at work after missing a month with an injury. It went well; after driving 6+ years, coming back after an extended leave is just like falling off a log. It was ass cold yesterday. The low was -16° F and the high -7°, according to AccuWeather.com (it's not even supposed to hit a positive number until late Tuesday), so nobody was really out. That is, except for the fixie kids. I kept seeing them ride north on the mall and west on Washington towards One By One for Stupor Bowl X. I even saw the whole group ride by (so nice of them to stop for lights). I haven't seen a mass at work in a few years. I guess I'm just never in the right place at the right time (although I am in the right areas. Just bad luck, I suppose). There was also a cross country ski race. I left the bus once all day. It was cold, man.

Is it just because I haven't worked in a month or did a year's worth of changes hit the Twin Cities this week? It's old news, but that damn wiener store on Lake and Hennepin finally closed. I have no idea what's moving in. I'd call the empty space for a good American Apparel location since we still don't have one here, but this is the Twin Cities: we'll probably end up with a Dress Barn.

Auriga closed. It did pretty well considering nobody even knew it was there. What the city planners started in the 60's (inaccessibility for both pedestrians and cars) the restaurant finished by making it look like the windows were boarded up and having the curb appeal of one of those new CVS drugstores that are supposed to look like a normal building, but have no windows or doors on the sidewalk because they're facing the parking lot out back.

The Target in Edina disappeared. It didn't take long at all, of course an average Target store building is a small step above a pole barn. I bet they build a new one.

Now they just need to do something about Big K in the way. Also, the new library is hideous. I want the Guthrie back.

Am I the only one that think 24 jumped the shark this year? I've heard the Shield is good. Are there any better shows I should replace it with?

C'mon, fixie kids. Forget lopping the ends off your old road drop bars. Bullhorn is out: roadkill is in. This is Minnesota after all. Represent, etc.

Design: Jenny Nordberg

[Via Pan-Dan]

When that car hit me last month, I only broke my leg and got a concussion because I jumped straight up off my bike when I saw her coming, landing on her hood, instead of getting run over like my bike did. Her insurance sent a check for a replacement bike. Last sunday, I went to the Twin Cities Bike Swap.

I loved the swap. I picked up a Black Osell custom track frame from a guy sharing a table with Super Rookie, a guy I happened to meet a few months back while our ladyfolk were having tattoos done. The frame is just beautiful. Lugged steel, black, aggressive track geometry, fits me like a glove. I love it times three. I got a real cool black quill stem by Specialized and a pretty Ritchey seat post to go with an old-yet-comfortable Fizik saddle. Now all I need to do is rebuild my wheels and I'll be ready to go. The leg is almost healed enough to ride it. I took my comfort bike out the other day and had no problems.

The only thing is: with a black frame, stem, chainring, cranks, bag, and work uniform (and now helmet), I'm going to look like a ninja. I'd better get another light.

Cannot wait for weather to get back above 30° F.