Running around, doing things

[karzon]

With so much running around recently, I haven't taken the time to write anything down here. Kind of hard to let people keep up with me if I don't even open the window to my thoughts here

Comments

[buschap]

I've got a friend who works for a credit card company, and has noted that a big red flag to them is buying a tank of gas followed by a large purchase. That'll often lock your card if you don't warn them, as apparently that's how card thieves often behave.

I'm dying for a new bike. Mine is heavy as sin, and I don't like the front shock. It makes handling weird vs. the minor benefit of less bumpiness. I had a Schwinn Clear Creek that I adored, but it rusted to death.

[karzon]

I'm looking at the Trek Portland.

[karzon]

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1437000&f=7

This one ^

[buschap]

Looks slick. I like something that's close to a street bike, but with slightly more rugged wheels, so I don't have to stress about running over rocks and whatnot. I once wiped out very badly on a patch of gravel on a street. And that was on an off-road bike, so it's not a cure-all, but helps some.

[nekoyaksa]

Discover is just super great at being overprotective. They turned off my card a couple years ago because I'd bought gas too many times for their liking. The best part of this being that they never bothered to inform me. So about a week later, the cashier I was trying to buy things from had to call Discover so we could figure out why my card wasn't working. I wasn't pleased.

[karzon]

Yeah, that sounds like it. The annoying thing is that I really liked the benefits from the card. Who knows if it was even worth it - I liked my free movie passes and book store cards.

Oh well, I guess I'll like free airline tickets. Until Delta goes bankrupt. ;)

[zenmasticate]

Frontalot was frickin' amazing when he came through Ohio last week...you'll love it.

Also: Ryan Heflin's now working at a serious bike shop. He may have good suggestions. And, perhaps, a discount.

[karzon]

You have contact info? Remind me who he is again?

[dan_o_m]

Hey, he's one of my friends from high school (you know, the gothpanda connection).

[zenmasticate]

Best-friend, roommate for three years of Wooster. You'd know him if you saw him--you all LARPed together, if nothing else.

And yeah--he lives about a block away from me. Shoot me an email and I'll get you his stuff.

[skerrington]

Spandex Man, champion of the commuter! When you get the new bike, I'd love to hear about it. I would be keen on a lighter bike for commuting.

[karzon]

Heh. Me too. My solid steel frame from the end of the 80's isn't cutting it anymore.

I didn't remember bikes being this expensive - it's like buying a new computer!

[lovemotionstory]

i got my new (to me) bike a couple weeks ago from craigslist... new enough to have a frame less than 3 pounds, but old enough to be under $400!

[karzon]

What kind of components does it have?

[dan_o_m]

I just found out about Convergence 13 through an e-mail newsletter I receive from the Cellist Zoe Keating. It mentioned that her next performance in Portland will be there.

What is that event like? Looks like a somewhat edgy goth thing from what I can tell by looking at the web site so far. My mother and brother will be visiting from out of town that weekend...would that be something too edgy to take them to?

[karzon]

Looks like a somewhat edgy goth thing from what I can tell by looking at the web site so far.

Replace 'somewhat' with 'biggest' and you'd be right on. I've never been, but it's a huge goth festival.

[dan_o_m]

Cool. I'll check with my family to see if something like this would interest them.

How did you hear about it and decide to go?

[karzon]

I heard about it from my friend as she's flying out here to visit us and go to it. As to why to go - Skinny Puppy is performing! Not sure what all I will be doing there, if much at all! Probably contingent on katrionastar and what she wants to do!