Everybody, meet my new repair stand:
ahh... the wrench force stand. I figured out that the name is a subsidiary of the lovely and ever durable snap-on tools. This stand is basically a clone of the old PCS-1 stand (made by park tools) with easy adjustability and sturdiness. I f'n love it, and Far-i got me a great deal (more than 1/3 off the suggested retail price).
After the acquisition of this stand, amanda and I headed off to thai spoon. She got pad-see-ewe and spring rolls, I got pumpkin curry with salad rolls (curry was good, rolls were okay). After our appetites were satiated, we made off to walk around Ladds, where two guys on bmx's stopped us and asked if we'd need any herb. Luckily, I was in a bit of need and was able to score a nice dubsack and a new contact. Hell, I'll buy fucking herb off of a few bmxers. why not? It was pretty good as well.
Then we made off to the center of Ladds to get a few hot drinks on this lovely overcast/misty, yet not fucking cold, afternoon. I, of course, got a fucking latte. Manda got a hot chocolate. Hung out in the middle of Ladds and met some dogs. I really want a great dane. Goddamnit. It'll have to wait until we move into a house (in Ladds, I hope :B).
I couldn't get over how beautiful this day was. I kept bringing it up to Manda, she was persistent with expressing her mutual feelings (while voicing that she was glad that I was having a good day :)).
Anyhow, I got around to using my bike stand. I took off my rear wheel to throw it up on my truing stand. I true the wheel to perfection *maybe a little too much tension, but wtfevs*, mount the wheel back on my frame, whack my wheels upon dismounting my bike, and *PING!*: broken spoke :(
fuck. Oh well. At least I have my wine and my manduhz <3
Other news: As for my ACL, I have made the ultimate decision: Since I have health insurance (kinda expensive, but still covers more/is better than my Oce insurance) and supplemental insurance, I am going to keep with my job for about another year, and hopefully get my knee operated on by next spring. That way, I'll be able to take time off of work and get paid 800 for sitting around and recovering (thx supplemental insurance), and have a good portion of my hospital bill paid by my regular insurance. Hopefully I can take a bike tour sometime within a year after that. And skateboard again. And do physical things that entail pivoting and sudden movements without my knee buckling/giving out on me. Yup :)
Amanda and I have made the decision on our destination of travel: New Zealand. It's f'n beautiful. So yeah... that's gonna happen within the next two years as well. We have a huge 5 gallon water jug to throw our spare change in. Supposedly, you can accumulate up to $2000 if you fill it up with more "silvers" than "coppers". That's not so bad :)
Gah... and I have too many bike projects right now. It's a good thing I got a reliable stand, tho. If any of you pplz in portland want a more budget friendly stand, I'm selling one for $10. uh huh.
yeah. there's my update. w00t.