buffalo in a convertible???

Okay, now I have seen it all! A pet buffalo riding in the back of a convertible!


http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&vid=0f596523-cd0e-44ad-96be-37fc551e5c9a&from=sharepermalink&src=v5:share:sharepermalink:&from=dest_en-us

Love me some Deftones!

Just saw a post on FB where you can get then newest song by Deftones for free for a limited time. Its legit, put out by them. Here is the link

http://www.deftones.com/main/

hmm, i guess i never posted pictures to the concert that i went to. I'll post them one if these days.

Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

My first Rodeo

Yee haw! Well not that kind of rodeo. But the kind where kids ride around on bikes, crashing into each other, and leave skid marks as long as your sidewalk (you all know that you did it on your Huffys when you were younger). In other words, a bike rodeo!

It wasn't really this dark yet, but you can trick the camera into believing so and get some trick sunset photography.

The kiddos were getting their licenses for completing the course

Paul invited me to help volunteer at a bike rodeo with Dan from Bike Masters up at Heritage Elementary school (in Bennington), literally up the street from me. I had no clue that a school was even up there. Built and finished this year. Crazy stuff. Anyway, it sounded like fun so I said why not? We were there to help with bike adjustments, inflate tires, and properly fit helmets. I think Dan also helped a kid who had fallen and scraped themselves up.

If you set the camera to a longer exposure mode, then hold the camera still, you can get some cool ghosting effects with movement. Like the girl on the scooter in the foreground. Click on the photo for the bigger example.

Kids were on razor scooters, bikes, trikes, and even a powered scooter (cheating!). And kids were flying in the circle, running into each other, tipping over on training wheels, you name it. It was pandemonium! But they had fun and I had fun helping out. The sunset was gorgeous that evening and I tried to take what I could with my little Canon.

Bike I saw in Lincoln

So can you even consider these bikes?

I'm freefalling!!!

Tom Petty describes this video the best. So watch as some plane jumpers do their thing, then the Go Pro falls out of the housing from the guy's helmet and freefalls. What happens at the end??? I had to watch to find out. Pretty amazing stuff.

Transportation with style!

AC Cobra being transported by an equally cool vehicle!

 

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/jochen-mass-citroen-ds-transporter-ac-cobra-goodwood-revival-2012-09-13 

No wonder why American companies are failing?

Just came across this article regarding the Chevy Volt. Cool looking vehicle with lithium polymer batteries coupled to a gasoline engine. Go green, right? But the problem is that the car costs $89,000 to produce. The cars are for sale for $39,995 and with cheap lease programs, people are driving around in them for as little as $5050 for two years according to the article. Does this make any sense to you? At this rate, GM is going to need another bailout. Interesting article, check it out.

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/10/13780299-gm-losing-as-much-as-49000-per-volt-sold

Remembering 9/11

This post is to remember and honor those who tragically died that one day that we'll forever remember as 9/11. So I don't usually post stuff like this, but it still gives you that weird feeling inside when people talk about 9/11, especially what had happened and where they were at that day. I now know a few folk that were either in the towers or below in the subway when it had happened. Still amazes me as to what had happened and seeing the news footage of what had happened that sad day.

I recently remembered that I still had this ticket from going up to see the observation deck of the Twin Towers. For some reason, I had kept my ticket after being there with friends in 1999/2000 for NYE. It was crammed in a wallet or a pocket or something and I had found it shortly after my trip. Brings back memories of going up the elevator at a super fast speed, where you can actually feel your ears pop as you go up to the higher floors. And the views were spectacular. You could see a lot of the bridges and landmarks of NY and surrounding areas. The weird thing is that I kept this, knowing that somehow it would mean something to me. I guess I didn't know just how much it would end up meaning to me!

The pics were taken on 35mm, I'll have to scan the photos sometime and share them with you guys.

Those crunchy ribs at MNR

 

Ahhh it felt good to get out and ride dirt. Nearly three weeks for me I think! Finally life is back to normal, minus the beginning of Husker season which consumes my Saturdays. But that's okay. Trail is still dry, looks like most vegetation is done growing so now its time to just enjoy the ride. I watched as Chris cleared the new section over and over. I couldn't bring myself to try it, knowing in the back of my mind that I might flip backwards and land on my head. Just a matter of finding the right line I guess.

After a lap, the sun is already beginning to set. Almost time to charge up those lights and bring true meaning to the name Monday NIGHT ride

We had a fairly good sized group, including rider Bethany who brought up her blue Mukluk from Auburn. Hoping that she had fun on her first time at Tranquility. Thanks to Dale for taking the time to ride with her. I got out of work late and got to the trail late, but still managed to get some riding in with the gang.

Group gets bigger and bigger

Who knew that crunchy ribs would make you act drunk. Haha. Or at least this seemed the case after last night's ride. Paul #2 was heard crunching down on some ribs by most of the folk on the lower half of the driveway. We all laughed because at first we thought he was eating chips. But nope! He was eating ribs that Steve had brought over. And he was drinking Pepsi, but man those crunchy ribs sure made him act and ask funny questions. Anyway, good times last night. To another great Monday Night Ride!

Sister Mukluk was out tonight

Trail Day at Tranquility

Since I had missed the trailday at Manawa, I decided that I would make it out to the one at Tranquility today. Well after an interesting morning of being stranded out in Lincoln (car battery was dead after fog lights were accidentally turned on), I finally made it back to Omaha and to the trail shortly after 3pm.

Get some speed, and then...

Yeah, can you make it up that???

What I came out to find were tools of all sorts being used, people of all ages working on the trail, and people helping out in every which way they could. It was time to finish digging in some new trail that Paul, Chris, and possibly others had started.

Bill and Dave working hard on the turn around section

Lots of people out today to help

A little less steep would be great!

This is like a real worksite. Supervisors everywhere! Just kidding guys.

The new section is at the far northwest section of the swamp/wetlands at Tranquility. While it may seem tame as you first enter it, there is a fast swoopy section near the end with a "good luck getting over that climb" at the end. Many have tried, only one has succeeded (Karl made it over on about his 10th try). Thanks to THOR and Paul/Chris and others for adding on to our already awesome trail we call Tranquility.

Now that Dave's daughter is married, he needs to practice his babysitting skills. 

After seeing this, I don't think I'm going to try it on the next MNR. Not yet. I'll let you guys pack it down first!


The first victim from Misterlime on Vimeo.

Taco Ride Alternative #2!!!

Another round of the taco ride alternative proved to be a very fun trip down to Stir Concert Cove. Cody, Dave P and I headed down last Thursday to Stir. We only had intentions of riding down, listening to Dirty Headz (sound a lot like Sublime) and to Matisyahu (Jewish rapper), and then riding back.

It was a Salsa kind of day

Love the scenery as you head out to Stir.

Can't beat two free tix into a concert!

The best view of the concert???

Dirty Headz up

Matisyahu throwing down the rhymes

I didn't realize how close Stir is from downtown. We parked near Greenstreet, rode the bridge, and right around the corner you are there. We parked our bikes, Dave P was cool to bring tacos from the food truck, chips, and pretzels. Chip man follows through everytime! Buddy Jeremy and his gf Mintah were just walking up the sidewalk as we pulled up. And then my neighbor and other neighbor pulled into the parking lot right behind us. And then my buddy from high school calls me and asked if I wanted to go gambling, he was driving up from Lincoln. I told him where we were and he joined us. Holy cow, it was like an unplanned get together.

Was pretty cool, he let fans up on the stage during the last song

The opener started and we were enjoying the sounds. Stir has a pretty good audio system, even when you are sitting outside the gate (which alot of people do). While sitting there, a kid walks up and asks if we want some free tickets to the concert. Somehow he had bought some off of Craigslist and ended up with extra. Didn't even want money for them, just gave them to us (they were $42 to get in that day). Heck yeah we'll take them. So we got two tickets, Dave P had to get back to downtown, and Joel just ended up buying a ticket to get in. The one day that I don't bring a bike lock is the night that I needed to lock up the Muk. Luckily Dave P had a lock and a cable, which Cody and I used to lock up our bikes on the bike rack. Thanks Dave P for the food and letting us use your locks. You saved the day!

yeah, it ended up becoming one of those crazy nights!

 Jeremy and his girl Mintah 

The concert was great! Music was good, both Dirty Headz and Matisyahu sounded great! I actually knew more tunes by Dirty Headz even though I have all of the Matishyahu albums. But both did  a good job. Concert ended and Cody and I rode back to our cars. Well somehow Cody's key fell off of his keychain. Shoot, so I drove him back to his place to get his key and then back downtown. It was all good, it happens. Good times! Dave P wants to hit up Dwight Yoakam on Friday, Sept 28 and I see that Ben Folds plays the night before. Anyone down for another TRA?

Time to ride home! Love this view!

Sometimes when the camera accidentally goes off, you get a surprisingly cool picture!

Winner winner

Winner winner, dvd dinner! Do people actually win those Facebook contests that you always see? Anymore, you see a contest and you must "Like" and sign up through facebook. Social media is a great way to advertise and draw in customers. But for the consumers, you worry about how they use and share your information. Does it bother me? Yeah, sometimes. I try to like only so many and not allow too many companies to access my information on Facebook.

Anyway, getting back to the winning. NFM has a facebook page and they are constantly having contests. Kickoff contest, sign up for a chance to win tvs, etc. Sure! Why not? Well I got a call last Monday from some weird phone number. Let it go to vmail while at work. "Mike, please call me at NFM. You signed up for the Kickoff sweepstakes from NFM and I have some very good news". What? Good news? Did I win the $9999 Sharp Aquos that you can sign up to win at NFM? Nope, but I did walk away with a dvd player. Not a blu ray player (I actually need another one for upstairs), but heck, its free and I can't complain. Can always use one. Thanks NFM!

Canvas prints, not too shabby!

I had asked a few of you fellow photographers/friends on input regarding canvas photo prints. Nobody I knew had actually gotten them done. Prices varied, with cheapest being through online order and also at Costco. I came across a deal at Ritz camera online, with their canvas prints being 1/2 off through last month. Having worked at Ritz Camera at Westroads for 5 years when they were open, I knew about their stringent quality control of going through each photo/print and making sure that they were of the highest quality. Yes, we were required to look through each 4x6 print for color and quality control. If it wasn't right, we had to go back and reprint them.

Knowing that Ritz does a good job, I gave it a go. Ordered two 16 X 20 Canvas prints at $44 each (this was already half off!) and they arrived about a week later. Costco was about the same price as Ritz's half off sale.

How'd they turn out? Pretty cool I think! No need to frame and it gives you a different perspective on your otherwise normal print. So while $44 sounds pretty expensive, most frames that I buy on sale are that expensive alone. Throw in my usual $20 photo print on metallic paper and you are looking at $50 or more for a framed print. Need custom framing and your cost has just skyrocketed! I have yet to hang them, but they look pretty darn good sitting on my floor!

Living life to the fullest

Man, not to be a debbie downer but I watched a story on HBO sports tonight about Steve Gleason. The NFL player that blocked the punt for New Orleans a few years ago. Steve was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, which is Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was a real touching story about a man who is enjoying life as much as possible. Here is a good link to a story done a couple years back (watch the youtube video). Steve is now in an electric wheelchair and unable to walk. But he enjoys life to the fullest, even nowadays.

Makes you think about life, appreciate what you have and what you have done. Also brings to mind what you still have yet to do.





http://blog.patientslikeme.com/2012/02/07/former-nfl-player-steve-gleason’s-inspiring-als-story/

Some very cool pictures

Some pretty cool biking pics from around the world. Check out the 100 yr old biker that helped to set the record.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/06/pedal_power.html

Am I missing?

Sorry folks for the lack of updates. Parents drive in tonight and I've been painting till 3am all week long, cleaning like a mad angry wife, buying crap left and right, and have had zero time on the bike. Gonna try to get my sister on the Mukluk at Tranquility this week. This will be interesting...

But I'll be back at the end of next week. Happy Labor Day everyone! Enjoy your hot weekend!