Secrets of the City

You also might enjoy this five-minute NPR interview with Cookie Monster.

Another school shooting. WTF.

You’re just redecorating because you totally soiled the open thread in your VD sex romp. Gross.

my brother studied urban planning @ Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The Madonna Inn was frequently cited as an example of how not to work with a municipality. It’s a blight on the landscape…a large pink eyesore.

Another school shooting. WTF.

not sure if you heard, but guns are pretty easy to get a hold of in this country. even if you’re a whack job.

Guns don’t kill people.

Whack jobs kill people.

Whack jobs with guns.

Whack jobs.

There’s a big stain on these pants. Glad I noticed that after I got to work. Also I’m allergic to paper.

If “Dog” is such a great bounty hunter; how come he can’t find bigfoot?

I’m buying a bike today. And it strikes me as strange that I’m buying it on a day when it was seven below when I left my house.

Agreed that whack jobs kill people. Especially when they have really easy access to guns.

guns make whack jobs much more efficient.

where the hell is everybody???

don’t tell me your actually working????

on a friday…..pure malarkey!

Frank Oz is a genius!!!

I drove 3/4 the way to my office this morning wearing a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and running shoes. About a half second before getting on 169 I remembered that I had a vendor meeting at 9am. Awesome. So I have effectively doubled my commute so far today.

Former Rep., Sen. and Blimp 9 News talker Rod Grams is reportedly considering a RINO hunt.

Heh…and they said Al Franken was the “joke” candidate.

Say the word “green” over and over again to yourself. Isn’t it a silly word? Green. Gr-ee-n. It’s a color of things. How goofy.

I think the word president sounds funny when you say it a bunch of times.

I admit I am working… fairly busy today! I don’t have much to add, except I’ll toss out there I’m going to the “zero sweat” noon yoga class tomorrow at the SLP Yoga Center.
http://www.yogacentermpls.com/slp_winter2008.html

Say the word “bush” over and over again to yourself. Isn’t it a silly word? Bush. Bu-uu-shhn. It’s a shrub, a potted plant, a weed. How goofy.

I was out at a meeting all day yesterday, so I’ve gots a lot of work to catch up on…kinda…

I’m watching that crappy channel 9 news-tainment show. It’s fucking awful. The woman seems to think the Netherlands in IN Aruba. Yet, it’s better than the Today’s show coverage of the school schoting, which involved a noisy breathing reporter. She needs to Tay Zonday it, get away from the mic a bit.

And I’m going to start by redecorating this thread. How does “open” hit you as a decorating concept?

Well, make sure the carpet matches the drapes.

green bush – a virtual laugh riot

Hillary, reportedly a big hot pepper fan — goes for the sweet, Cincinnati-style chili they serve at Skyways? Huh.

Anyone else here eaten at Skyways? I had a “three way” there some years ago.

No, not that kind of “three way.”

A threeway for Bob means driving a Prius to a smokefree restaurant that serves naked sushi.

You know what word I’ve really enjoyed this week? Engrossment.

Anyone else here eaten at Skyways? I had a “three way” there some years ago.

Do you mean Skyline? I’ve never eaten there, but my coworker is from Cincinnati and brought us back a little canned gift of Skyline chili.

I now realize that I did it wrong. I should have put it on spaghetti and covered it with shredded cheese.

pretty sure its mandatory to have skyway and graeters

skyline I mean

I had a 3-way @ the Skyway with a stripper named monique who had a big c-section scar and a truckdriver whose name I can’t recall. I actually left with more money than I arrived with.

I have been in Minnesota so long, I naturally typed “skyways” instead of Skyline. Yes, Jeremy, that’s the way to serve it. Better yet with a “Little Kings” cream ale, another gift to the world from Cincinnati.

The Steak & Shake chain serves a pretty good Three-Way Chili. Add a little pepper-vinegar sauce on top, lots of grated parm and use the crackers to soak up the grease. Yum! I get this every time I’m back in Indiana.

Kev: I have driven my Prius all over Indiana looking for a place to eat sushi off a naked person, but they just don’t offer it there. Uncultured oafs! No wonder I moved to Minnesota!

that’s was a gorgeous double-with, grote.

I’m sitting in the VW dealership waiting for a replacement key. Remember when you used to go to the local hardware store to make a duplicate key for $5? Yeah. Those days are over. My replacement key is $200 and needs to be programmed by a software consultant.

But they do have WiFi.

What kind of VW do you drive, aeklund? My key won’t auto open any longer, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay that kind of money for a new one.

I heard that VWs are programmed so that when you reach a certain age the keys just stop working. They don’t want geezers driving their vehicles and wrecking the youth image they’ve worked so hard to market.

Grote, Pavleck used to be a truck driver. I’ll bet it was him.

I heard that VWs are programmed so that when you reach a certain age the keys just stop working. They don’t want geezers driving their vehicles and wrecking the youth image they’ve worked so hard to market.

I wonder if that’s why the hood latch on my Acura stopped working recently. Those bastards!!!

Grote, Pavleck used to be a truck driver. I’ll bet it was him.

That was Grote?! I remember him fondly. Our nickname for him is Land-O-Lakes because of all the butter he was churning.

Oh my god, Skyline Chili. All the fried cheese curds, wild rice, Pronto Pups and Jucy Lucys in the world can scarcely hide my sadness at not having regular access to this regional delicacy. Whenever I’m back home, a three-way is the first thing me and my pals dive into.

$200 does it have bourbon in it????

I always thought butter churning was sexy and Grote proves it.

Whenever I’m back home, a three-way is the first thing me and my pals dive into.

Is it wrong that I still like ketchup sandwiches?

Is it wrong that I still like ketchup sandwiches?

No its cool as long as the ketchup is made with locally sourced heirloom tomatoes and the multigrain bread is wood oven baked by wooly subaru driving lesbians and is delivered to the co-op on bicycle power dirigibles.

I think I might book a trip to Nicaragua for the first week in March. If this place can’t cure my S.A.D., then nothing can.

Whenever I’m back home, a three-way is the first thing me and my pals dive into.

There is no way to read that without laughing.

This will be remembered in MNspeak history as the “three-way thread.”

grote, you #$@!! Yes, I am rather long in the tooth for a hip vehicle.

bob is going to transition smoothly from hip vehicle to hip replacement.

In Jamaica they have a saying “Lots of fishermen, not so many fish.”

I have a sudden craving for white lobster

White Lobster for the SpeedBoat lover in you.

Steak & Shake… one of my favorite late night / early morning breakfast stops back when I lived in Lansing, MI.

I’ve never had one of these three-ways you people are talking about.

Last day at my job! Happy hour should be starting in, oh, fifteen minutes or so.

The Steak & Shake chain serves a pretty good Three-Way Chili.

Steak & Shake? they’re the chain that refused to serve the deaf woman.

Oh man, the signs you’d see at Skyline Chilis on the marquees.

“GIVE MOM A THREE WAY FOR XMAS!”

Yes, sir, I will!

Im sure you all saw it on Rex’s website but I found it quite the time waster

http://barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/

my personal favorite
“Barack Obama built you a robot”

Andy’s mom loves three-ways.

Alie- I’m in a panic because I can’t find the base to my crock pot. If I need to keep a pan warm will you have room in your oven?

No its cool as long as the ketchup is made with locally sourced heirloom tomatoes…

I like Black Sea Man Tomatoes.

“medium to fairly large slightly flattened fruit……
Fruits are a rich mahogany with olive shoulders when mature.
An incredibly full bodied, intense, creamy tomato flavor.
The taste is fantastic and truly hard to describe”

taken directly from the black sea man tomatoes page…

effen ay who writes this hsit and how do you find it Jeremy?

I drive a total mom car. 2007 VW Passat wagon. Fits the kiddies AND a keg!

At least its not a subaru!

andrew…is it blue? because some a-hole driving one of those cut me off on 394 this morning.

I kept clicking at that Barack Obama site like a rat waiting for a pellet.

(I saw it before Rex posted it, nyah nyah!)

Of course my mom loves three-ways; she’s actually from Cincinnati.

Most native Cincinnatans think three-ways are too tame. They like five-ways instead. Once I had a five-way with both of my brothers and our Cincinnati cousins. It was incredible. We were so stuffed afterwards we could barely walk.

Had not heard that about the incident with the deaf customer, but here’s a link.

Sounds like they have apologized to the woman. I’ll still keep ordering their Three-Way Chili.

Personally, I hate driveup windows. Only use them when there is no other option.

If I need to keep a pan warm will you have room in your oven?

There’s always room in Alie’s oven.

Speaking of weird foods, does Taffy Apple Salad REALLY require spanish peanuts? Seems to me the skins would make it gross… but as it’s been around 25 years since I consumed it last, I can’t quite recall.

Once I had a five-way with both of my brothers and our Cincinnati cousins. It was incredible.

That is just so wrong, andy! At very least, you could have crossed the river into Covington, where that kinda thang aint agin the law!

Had not heard that about the incident with the deaf customer

Yeah, not quite sure if the previous comment means I should feel guilty for eating there when I was drunk and 24-25 years old?

There’s likely a lot you need to feel guilty about that occured when you were drunk and 14-15 years old, but this isn’t one of them…

Opps! 24-25!!!! Let’s not go back to your teen years, Mrs. F.

Had not heard that about the incident with the deaf customer, but here’s a link.

That was one of the incidents I was referring to when I asked about drive through window policies when someone brought them up last week (?).

A Burger King had an incident somewhere else a few years ago too. That one, they actually had the woman arrested.

I don’t use drive throughs either. The problem is, so many places close their dining rooms early (9-10PM, depending on the day), but keeping the drive thrus open, which means no fast foods for me after that.

Alie- I’m in a panic because I can’t find the base to my crock pot. If I need to keep a pan warm will you have room in your oven?

Certainly! My oven is available for anyone at the party…

/shut up kevin.

I’d call that a blessing in disguise

Steak & Shake… one of my favorite late night / early morning breakfast stops back when I lived in Lansing, MI.

Ohhh I miss Steak N Shake. I also miss Wafflehouse. And I miss JoJos, which is a Dallas area chain that made kick ass Broccoli soup with awesome fresh warm bread. Sigh.

I don’t miss Luby’s though. They can go to hell.

I do miss Jack in the Box – something about everything being fried that appeals to me.

Opps! 24-25!!!! Let’s not go back to your teen years, Mrs. F.

That’s ok Bob, I was already getting drunk at 14-15. I’d feel guilty, but I don’t remember much.

Oh, and I was already smoking then…

Certainly! My oven is available for anyone at the party…

Wait, what kind of party is this again?

My first job was at Waffle House. I used to go to a 24-hr place called JoJos in Indy — wonder if it was the same chain. The made awesome skillet breakfasts. The onion rings at Jack in the Box are to die for.

You from Indiana, Bob? I recall that the Waffle Houses in Indiana were called WAFFLE & STEAK because there was a place in Bloomington by IU that had snagged the name “Waffle House” way, way back in the bad old days before the chain was started…

What kind of VW do you drive, aeklund? My key won’t auto open any longer, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay that kind of money for a new one. Bob, are you talking about using a key remote to unlock your car, or are you talking about using the key itself to unlock the door.

The problem aeklund has is because any key that has the big plastic grip is that way because there’s a proximity sensor in the key. The proximity sensor must be present and programmed to work with you specific car in order to start your car.

I don’t think this affects using your key to unlock your car, so you should be able to have a cheap copy made if you want the spare in your wallet should you accidentally lock your keys in the car.

I don’t think this affects using your key to unlock your car

Don’t those chips also have a security feature and if the car is started with a key that doesn’t have the security chip it won’t move?

I used to have a Passat with that feature.

yep. It also means that you can’t hotwire the car (at least, not with the chip nearby, and if you have the chip, why don’t you just use the key to start the car?).

Check out the note at the end of this article in the Tribune.

Lynrd Skynrd. Duh.

“The problem aeklund has is because any key that has the big plastic grip is that way because there’s a proximity sensor in the key. The proximity sensor must be present and programmed to work with you specific car in order to start your car.

I don’t think this affects using your key to unlock your car, so you should be able to have a cheap copy made if you want the spare in your wallet should you accidentally lock your keys in the car.”

A tow truck driver told me this reason alone is responsible for over half of the tows for cars that are newer than 03 and wont start. He recommended keeping two sets of key fobs in car at all times.

did hillary really choose a Celine Dion song as her campaign theme? that’s the most comi-tragic thing I’ve heard all week.

If I ran for office, I’d enter rooms to the blare of the Stooges’ Raw Power. it would get my point across.

later…I’m off to the Normandy Inn for a Henry VIII burger, I am I am.

I did hear from a reliable source that they are building a Sonic in St Paul to be opening this spring.

They use that WAFFLE & STEAK name now, Andy, but it was still a Waffle House when I worked there. It was in the early 1970s, which were, indeed, “the bad old days.” That place is still open, my Mom and I like to stop in for breakfast when I visit.

I’ve been to the Bloomington WH, I think…It was a long time ago.

How do you lose the base to your crockpot? How many places could it be?

I remember that Reagan wanted to use “Pink Houses” in ads during his reelection campaign. Mellencamp’s response was something along the lines of, “He obviously has no idea what the song is about.”

In fact here is a job listing for Managing Partner.

Posted 2-12-08.

Soups on! This soup contains neither steak nor shake. Sorry.

Red Lentil Soup With Garam Masala

2 1/2 cups dried red lentils (about 1 pound)
2 medium onions, chopped fine
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon tumeric
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
6 cups water
2 cups veggie broth

In a bowl soak lentils in water to cover and soak for 1 hour. Drain in a fine sieve.

In a 4-quart heavy saucepan cook onions in oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden. Stir in salt and spices and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in lentils, water, and broth and simmer until lentils fall apart, about 25 minutes.

Let’s talk about spices for a second. Don’t buy ground spices. Just don’t. Get fresh whole spices and store them in a jar. When it’s time to use them, dry-roast them in a small skillet and then grind them in a mortal-and-pestle or in an old coffee grinder. Where does one find a spice-specific skillet you ask? Why simpl go to almost any Goodwill, garage sale, weird shop selling junk nd you’ll find these little tiny cast iron skillets selling for between .25 and $1. Perfect. Heat them up over medium heat, add spices and turn until the spices darken slightly and get aromatic. Then grind them. There is nothing more satisfying.

Transfer soup to a blender in batches and purée transferring to a bowl or use that fancy immersion blender you’ve no doubt purchased by now. In pan heat soup over moderate heat, stirring, until hot and season with salt of necessary.

I believe John Couger had to contact the McCain campaign this year to request they stop using his songs.

Yay Friday soup!

I’m listening to the Cookie Monster interview right now. So awesome. I love Cookie! I’m not sure I believe he eats broccoli though. Hmmm.

Politicians stealing music?

I’m shocked.

How do you lose the base to your crockpot? How many places could it be?

One look in my car, home, closets and you would have the answer to number 1. The answer to question 2, is I think it may actually be at a friend’s house in Prior Lake. It is the last time I remember using it.

Where’s your crockpot Miller??? Huh??

All Your Crockpot Base Are Belong To Us.

My crockpot base is cooking some pot roast as we speak.

Shameless exploitation of MNSpeakers for something a little silly:

Vote for Pippi!

She was actually spayed herself this week, but she seems to be recovering nicely.

@kurtis: done.

Kurtis – with a face like that Pippi has my vote.

I voted, but I don’t even know what I voted for. What does Pippi win? A paper grocery bag on the kitchen floor? A certificate for 10 solid minutes of scritchy-scratchy behind the ears?

I think it’s just bragging rights, Jane. But she gets all the paper sacks and scritches she needs anyway.

In a leap of illogical conclusions the Wingnuts have defended the current Adminstration’s Constitutional plundering with statements like “There haven’t been any terror attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11″

I wonder if they’ll apply the same thinking to college shootings.

Since Bush became president:

Oxnard, CA (1, 0)

Northern Illinois University (5 dead, 16 wounded)

Lousiana Technical College (3, 0)

Cleveland SuccessTech Academy (1, 4)

Virginia Tech (32, 15)

Foss High School, Tacoma, WA (1, 0)

Nickel Mines, PA (5, 7)

Platte Canyon H.S., Bailey, CO (2, 0)

Campbell Co. H.S., Jacksboro, TN (1, 2)

Red Lake, MN (9, 0)

Rocori H.S., Cold Springs, MN (2, 0)

Appalachian School of Law, (3, 3)

Santana H.S., Santee, CA (2, 13)

Stats VIA[Wege]

JACC…I’m sorry to tell you but I’m sure they would use stats like that to try to widen the spying to American citizens to try and protect us more.

“The democrat congress has tied our hands to investigate threats from within the United States of America.”

…I’m sorry to tell you but I’m sure they would use stats like that to try to widen the spying to American citizens to try and protect us more

Well then, maybe it’s a good thing Congress is so concerned with Baseball steroid use and some lost NFL tapes.

They want to destroy our sports, you know…they hate our freedoms, and our sports.

Dennis Miller on Obama and Hillary:

“Obama has at least a modicum of respect, he’s intelligent, good looking, a beautiful speaker, he has nothing to lose, Hillary just doesn’t get it, so full of angst, she’s always alone, she looks so wired, she’s been cheated on more than a blind woman playing Scrabble with gypsies.”

ROTFL

Gypsies are famously good at Scrabble.

Dennis Miller’s two cents stopped being worth anything many years ago.

Damn!…Dennis Miller really wants Hillary, it’s palpable!

Speaking of scrabble, I found out that Hasbro sells spare parts for their games. For only $6.50 – that includes shipping and handling, mind you – you can get 100 scrabble tiles, 4 racks and a tile bag.
My insane love of weird things bulk (Such as my 5 dozen syringe pens, or my gross of Hello Kitty laser pointers) I really want to order a dozen of them – 1200 letter tiles! Rawr!

I found the official MN Speak food, but I’m wondering if the cholesterol is a little on the high side.

See, another perfect use for the immersion blender. Stick it in the can and instant pork brain soup!

“There haven’t been any terror attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11″

Dont forget the anthrax….but hey, those were just attacks on journalists and democrats, so the people who did that couldn’t be terrorists!

See, another perfect use for the immersion blender. Stick it in the can and instant pork brain soup!

Be careful not to inhale.

The main ingredient in pork brains is pork brains. That’s a pleasant surprise.

I’m not trying it until they get it to 4000mg of Cholesterol…

Surprisingly low calories. I know what kind of hot dish I’m making for tomorrow! Instead of tater tots it will be covered with pork rinds.

answers all my questions about what zombie pig mothers make for their kids.

i saw a dunkin donuts truck on central today!

i saw a dunkin donuts truck on central today!

Please tell me you aren’t lying. Oh please tell me this. I must know. Living in Chicago, it was wonderful. I’d give off the train at Citybank center, hit 2 escalators and BAM, DD right in my face. Everything bagel with cream cheese and a large coffee, 2 sugars please.

Sigh.

I miss Chicago, and it’s been 8 years. Weird.

i saw a dunkin donuts truck on central today!

DID YOU FOLLOW IT???? ARE YOU CURRENTLY FOLLOWING IT AND UPDATING US VIA BLACKBERRY????

Saloth’s soup recipes are my new fave of Friday Opens.
btw: the tortilla soup is a hit with my sibs and the curried cauliflower is supa yummy.

The Dunkin Donuts could have been delivering coffee. I know that Target and Costco are both selling DD coffee now. I bought a couple of lbs. of it and am generally disappointed after hearing that it was supposedly the most wicked good coffee available.

I’ll get excited when there are dozens of delicious dumpling rickshaws cruising our city streets.

I’m not such a soup fan. My new favorite feature of the Friday Opens is “Will Jane and Melissa be able to hook up for yoga on Saturday?”

The suspense is killing me!

Mmmmm, dumplings.

I like the DD coffee, but you can buy cans of Morningstar coffee at Cub, and even the breakfast blend is like rocketfuel.

Check out the note at the end of this article in the Tribune.

“Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for,” wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.

heh. Which means they stand for nothing.

Celine Dion said she was “thrilled” that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton used her song, “You and I” as her official campaign anthem.

That’s why she’s losing, right there. Damn Hillary, get up off the floor and win this thing, dammit!!

The fact that Maz wants Hillary to win gives me very high hopes for Obama, who is starting to look like a lock anyway.

PwrGeek –
Did you get your bike yet? Is it beautiful?

I know what kind of hot dish I’m making for tomorrow! Instead of tater tots it will be covered with pork rinds.

Better not…

I’m making chicken wings and an Amaretto Bundt cake.

Somebody on TV did the math and it turns out that unless on of them wind Ohio and Texas by over 75%, it’s going to the convention where the (bought and paid for) super delegates will decide.

It’s gonna be just like Chicago 1968!! Great summertime TV!!

Great time to be a Super Delegate, I suppose. I’d hold out for a 6-figure consulting gig @ a liberal think tank, a new Escalade and a one month trip to Nicaragua.

I’m not such a soup fan. My new favorite feature of the Friday Opens is “Will Jane and Melissa be able to hook up for yoga on Saturday?”

The suspense is killing me!

Let me put you out of your misery. No, I can’t make it this week because I have to work tomorrow.

You still haven’t answered where your crock pot is Miller.

That seems like fair price, grote.

I don’t think they should be allowed to call themselves super delegates unless they wear costumes and fight crime.

I did get my bike. And it’s more than beautiful. It’s exquisite.

My crockpot is in the original box at the base of the stairs next to the hot water heater. It is in the zipable black nylon carrying case. Last used for hot wings at a potluck the middle of January.

Is it anal if I keep the receipt taped to the inside top of the box?

According to the BBC, Barrack has 1275 to Hillary’s 1220. (Which includes super delegates) There are 810 delegates left up for grabs in all of the elections. They say that 2025 is the magic number. That would mean that Barrack would need 750 of the 810. (A lot more than 75%)

However, these numbers only mean to assure him a victory. In actuality he just needs more than Hillary. 51% would probably do it. He could also get the other candidates to pledge support for him which would shift delegates to him. Lots can happen before the convention.

I watched this happen from a navy barracks.

You youngsters are in for a treat.

I did get my bike. And it’s more than beautiful. It’s exquisite.

I’ve pretty much decided to put off getting a new bike right now. I’m going to just order a new set of wheels.

The super delegates were put in place to advert any bad blood coming out of the convention. If you think the convention will be interesting you must really get off on foam straw boaters and bunting.

Saloth’s soup recipes are my new fave of Friday Opens.

I’m a believer after the curried cauliflower soup. I’m-a have to go back for the tortilla soup.

Any Super Delegates that haven’t committed yet are simply waiting to see who wins the most delegates in the elections/caucuses.

If either candidate is up by a significant number of delegates, the super delegates will fall in behind the leader at that point.

This one kind of fell into my lap. A friend of a friend got a killer deal on a new carbon fiber, so I inherit his old LeMond. I’ve been gazing at it most of the afternoon.

You still haven’t answered where your crock pot is Miller.

Church basement. It’s full of seven kinds of beans.

Geek –
is it the yellow/white carbon Lemond? yum yum yum.

Greg Lemond is also full of seven kinds of beans.

I’ve got a Bianchi Cross Concept. Sweet sweet bike in that funky minty green they call “celeste” or something.

Blue and Orange…Go Broncos!

It’s the Rolf Vector wheels I’m really excited about…oh hell, I’m excited about the whole thing!

I rode about 2300 miles last year either on a single speed or on a bike I bought for $100 at the Twin Cities Bike Swap. My goal this year is 3000 and I think I could blow that away with a bike like this!

I’m totally getting a Trek Lime this spring. And I got this awesome basket to go on it. I CAN’T WAIT FOR BIKE WEATHER!!!

So my geeky bike question is can I throw road tires with a smaller cassette on my bike with minimum fuss? I have cross tires with a larger cross-based Ultegra but am doing a triathalon in June so want to get something faster on there at some point.

Any tips where I can find said super-fast racing set-up used cheap?

And since everyone is so excited by my training (um, what), I am up to swimming a half-a-mile. If I can get to a mile by June I’m golden!

Saloth, not sure how much of a fuss it would be. When I need work done, I usually just go to the Alt and try to pretend I’m not as stupid as I really am. Here’s a link a friend sent, though, that has good maintenance tips/videos.

Bike Tutor

What tri are you doing? Buffalo?

I’m also doing my first slate of tris this summer.

I am up to swimming a half-a-mile. If I can get to a mile by June I’m golden!

Wow. And I’ve been whining about the training I’m doing for a half-marathon. Hats off to you Saloth!

I thought about doing tri’s this year but a) I hate running and b) I’m not all that fond of swimming (well, being forced to swim…I like swimming when it’s recreation, not exercise). And I really hate running. So I just want to do a bunch of centuries this year. Starting with this one

mb21 – are you doing the Bjorklund half-marathon?

Saloth –

Do you train by yourself or with a group? Have you been running/biking outside all winter? I have. Which makes swimming a little tough! In able to afford the bike and registration fees, I haven’t joined a health club. So when the time comes, I’ll see you at the lake and we’ll put that mile in!

So my geeky bike question is can I throw road tires with a smaller cassette on my bike with minimum fuss? I have cross tires with a larger cross-based Ultegra but am doing a triathalon in June so want to get something faster on there at some point.

Shouldn’t be a problem. That’s what I did with my ZRX, putting on road tires, road cassette, and road pedals. (Of course, I had the shop do this when I bought it).

The only places I see a potential problem:

1. I’m not sure how small a tire you could go on the wheels. I use Mavic CXP33 wheels. I started with 700x 28c tires, but now ride 23c tires.

2. Make sure your new cassette will work with your hub, unless you want to get a new hub, and rebuild the wheel. (i.e. don’t try to put a 10 speed cassette on a 9 speed or smaller hub. But you CAN put a 9 speed cassette on a 10 speed hub)

I don’t know where you’re located, but I’ve found Chuck at Behind Bars (in NE, just west of the 331Club) to be good.

I’ve also had found Dave and Larry at the Bicycle Chain in Roseville (Lexington Plaza, Lexington & Larpentaur)

Shoot, I have got to try that tortilla soup recipe. Saloth Star, will you post that again?

The only missing piece for yoga is for Cat to consider going, but then not make it. Cat?????

Maybe next week we could arrange to grab a coffee (2 places within 100 yards)… or just be awful and skip yoga for a homemade Hostess-style cupcake at Yum.

Bikes: mine is a gold GT, has a tiny bell, and my shoes clip into the pedals for extra efficiency.

Yup, Buffalo is the plan. Doing the olympic one. Of course, that depends if I can swim that far. Biking and running is no problem, but the swimming is going to kill me. At least I know I can sidestroke a mile if I have to.

I’m not planning on doing great, I just think of it as an excuse to train for kayaking and climbing.

Miller – nope. The Run for the Lakes in Nisswa on April 26th.

I’m starting to get worried I haven’t given myself enough time to train.

I rode about 2300 miles last year either on a single speed or on a bike I bought for $100 at the Twin Cities Bike Swap. My goal this year is 3000 and I think I could blow that away with a bike like this!

I hate running too, so I stick with doing century rides. Thinking about doing the Lakeville Ironman ride at the end of April, and also thinking of attempting a double century June 21.

Tell me more about the double century…I could be in to that.

I ride a Jamis Tangier with a milk crate on the back for my commuting pleasure!

Tell me more about the double century…I could be in to that.

It’s not an organized ride. Just a couple of friends from Fargo and myself talking about it. If we do it, we’d probably do it up around Fargo, since:

1. Lots of paved country roads with not too much traffic.
2. Family and friends around to meet up with us for water and feed stops (and SAG support if we happen to have mechanical problems)
3. Very flat terrain.

And we’re talking June 21 because not only is it a Saturday, but it’s the summer solstice, so we can start at 4AM, and we’ll have until 10 or so to ride without riding in the dark.

good point about the early start/late end. I’ve actually heard good things about biking in ND…except for the wind.

ahhhh #61 on stuff white people like.

Bike pron just what mnspeak needs on a friday

I got a pretty sweet purple pro-performer with white mags….mostly I just try and see how far I can wheelie….

Bike Porn

We’re trying to balance out all the food porn that normally takes place on Fridays.

Oh, the wind, that can be killer. The first time I did the MS150, I did the ND one. The wind on the first day was BAD (25-35 mph). Luckily, the route was a loop, so we weren’t head on the whole time.

If we pan right, we should be able to have enough alternate routes to minimize headwinds, and maybe even get some tailwinds at critical points.

Bikes scare me now so I’m trying to stay with running and yoga – although both feed the need to smoke!
I was a total slacker the past few months, but since I’m so close to the lakes now, I have no excuse to get my butt out running a few times a week. So let’s talk running porn.

And Jane: I won’t even say that I can make it tomorrow or for the next few weeks and here are my top excuses:
1). B-day weekend, spending it with the sisters and nieces at a hotel with room service and a pool, close to shopping and bars.
2). Next weekend I will be laying my not-so-tan-for-me butt on the beach on Oahu.
3). Flying from Hawaii to Wyoming to ski for a long weekend.
4). NYC for the weekend
5). March 15th is open!

We’re trying to balance out all the food porn that normally takes place on Fridays.

Food porn is tomorrow night…

I still ride my Mongoose Comp from pre merger days. It looke like it weighs 40 lbs, but it about 21 lbs.

I’ve been torn between road or mountain for a new bike.

Considering getting a LiteSpeed or a Specialized on the roadbike front.

Considering the Specialized Carbon on the mountain bike front.

I got my bike at Target.

Cat – if you can stand an out of shape and pathetically slow partner, I might be up for some runs around the lakes next month.

Also, sweet lifestyle you’ve got going the next couple of weeks. Geez…

And yes Miller, I’m using friday to arrange meetings again.

Effen Bike Pron- I can’t get away from it.

my co-office mate rides his Santa Cruz road bike to work in the summer he’s got stickers for “the syndicate” all over his office

The guy in the office next door rides nearly year round (surley in the winter/cannondale in the summer).

between these two and this place…man-o-man.

what will they think of next…..some sort of bicycle flash mob were people get together to slow traffic and quazi-protest ?

I got my bike at Target
You and millions of others.

Stay with that Target bike as long as you can.

It’s like so many other things in life, once you realize the difference the old way just won’t suffice.

I’d like to see a bike flash mob try this.

ahhh bikes….the favorite transit tool of the bohemian bourghosie AKA BoBo

Okay. Speaking of bike porn. My friend picked this up last week. I rode it on his trainer in his basement and I swear in transmogrified into Jenna Jameson.

My buddies dad bought a HED last year. 8k

Great bike.

The man is 70 and could probably out ride us all.

nobodys gonna call me out on my spelling of “Bourgeoisie”

that was pathetic spelling on my part…..I do apologize

Hmm. I got my bike free from a suburban curb. (Next to a tacky Elvis painting.)

It’s a bit rusty but it has cute, big handlebars and a funny old-fashioned-looking light on the front.

Also, this seems as good a time as any to plug my neighbor’s bike shop.

And Jane: I won’t even say that I can make it tomorrow or for the next few weeks and here are my top excuses:
1). B-day weekend, spending it with the sisters and nieces at a hotel with room service and a pool, close to shopping and bars.
2). Next weekend I will be laying my not-so-tan-for-me butt on the beach on Oahu.
3). Flying from Hawaii to Wyoming to ski for a long weekend.
4). NYC for the weekend
5). March 15th is open!

Ah, I know your type all too well. Never outright say no, but always have an excuse, and giving just enough encouragement to think you should ask just one more time.

Of course he could out-ride us! He’s got an 8K bike! You’re only as good as your equipment.

That’s what she said…

I’m happy with my Target bike. I replaced the seat, but I do that with all my bikes. It’s light, gets me where I want to go. ’s all I ax.

And yes Miller, I’m using friday to arrange meetings again.

I just hope you gals are finally able to get together.

That’s what she said…

Who’s she???

@ miller – jane and I have enjoyed a yoga class together already. we’ll take pictures next time for you.

JACC, get a cyclocross bike and never look back.

mb: cooler. I have not been consistently running for a couple of months now and last weekend’s run just about blew both my lungs out so I’m not worried about slow. Plus, when I was running every day my running partner was 6′4′ – I’m a foot shorter. It just about did me in.

Yeah, the next few weeks is definitely cool, but I couldn’t do without a sister who works for the airlines and a lot of frequent flyer miles.

mnblrmkr: You’re funner, but close to right. I’m well intentioned, but easily distracted and a total committment phobe.

@natek – I think the 8k was frame only, but I could be mistaken.

@Saloth – I’ve been intrigued by cyclocross.

I have to admit I’m leaning towards the Carbon M2 by Specialized. I keep telling myself the price will drop.

Okay everyone. Brace yourself for a very awkward line of conversation that would be better played out in private. Ready?

mb? Did you get the ecard I sent you for Valentine’s in honor of our MNSpeak betrothal?

All I could think after I sent it was this: “OMG! He’s CREEPY!” But F! That card was funny!

You know what happens when you sit on the couch, crack a beer, put the laptop on yer lap, and light a cig after a long day?

You have to go to the bathroom.

I feel so ashamed and embarrassed… I didn’t get you anything. However will I make it up to you??

I haven’t checked that account in a few days. That card is hilarious. I’m giggling like a school girl right now.

Phew!

I’ve spent the last 12 hours feeling like some sort of dirty e-stalker! That’s not to say that I’m NOT a dirty e-stalker. I just don’t usually FEEL like a dirty e-stalker.

Humor is one of the hardest things to pull off via the internet so you often hope that your shtick works.

That what she said…

Aw, man, I’m losing mb to running. Crud.

Cat, have a happy bday! And hope your traveling is a blast.

Back to what’s really important. The frame was 8K? So assuming he didnt’ skimp elsewhere, the dude’s dad is riding a 12K bike. I wonder what that’s like…

Dang, that’s more than I paid for my car.

I wonder what that’s like…
Two porn stars?

Jane! you’re not losing me at all. I love yoga too much.

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=38455@wcco.dayport.com

So my geeky bike question is can I throw road tires with a smaller cassette on my bike with minimum fuss? I have cross tires with a larger cross-based Ultegra but am doing a triathalon in June so want to get something faster on there at some point.

2. Make sure your new cassette will work with your hub, unless you want to get a new hub, and rebuild the wheel. (i.e. don’t try to put a 10 speed cassette on a 9 speed or smaller hub. But you CAN put a 9 speed cassette on a 10 speed hub)

I should to clarify my answer a bit. The 10 speed Ultegra hub can accept a
8/9 speed ultegra cassette, as it is steel and has the same spline pattern and depth as the 8/9.

If you were talking DuraAce, that would be a problem, as the DuraAce 10 speed is aluminum, and has different pattern/depth.