“Here are a few conversation points I’ve found useful in talking with the open-minded participants at tea party activities:”
The Real Boston Tea Party – A Polite Response To Teabaggers
cute!
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handy!
How do you feel about bluetooth headsets?
Mixed feelings, really. I found it necessary when I had the big silly windows mobile brick (MDA), less so now that I have C's old phone, which actually works as a phone.
It was nice to have that answering ability right there on my face, and to have my hands free to do other stuff. On the other hand, it was tricky getting one to be comfortable, and as is true with me and small electronic things, I've treated the two that I've had pretty roughly. I accidentally tossed the first one into the brush by the river. The second one (a Jawbone previously belonging to C) has been dropped out of a pocket, stepped on, and run through the wash. (Really.) It still runs, shockingly enough, although it took a while to take a charge the first time after the laundry incident.
If I get a new smartphone, I'll probably either go back to using the Jawbone or pick up another headset, but as long as I have ye olde flip phone I'm in no hurry. 🙂
new design?
Yeah, I got bored with my old design a little while ago, and I've been futzing with this new one for a few weeks now. Still doesn't feel like it's quite done, but I'm reasonably happy so far. 🙂
What's your top five favorite things about Olympia?
1) Bike trails!
2) The library. 🙂
3) The Farmer's Market
4) Picturesque views of one sort or another: looking up at the capitol or down over the sound, little funky neighborhoods and wild open spaces.
5) It's just big enough to be interesting, but small enough that it feels plausible to be involved in civic life.
Cake or death?
Cake, obviously; either the band or the dessert. 🙂 (I make a pretty decent chocolate cake.)
Considering your biking experience, if you had to buy a new bike what would it be and what accessories would you have on it.
My first impulse is to think about upgrading the bike part of my Xtracycle – something with a step-through frame and more upright handlebar position.
But an entirely new bike?
I’d like to get a basic mountain bike at some point so I could try out trail riding. I test-rode a Giant Rainier, which I really liked, but all they had at the time was a small, which was way dinky. 🙁
I’m also partial to bikes in the dutch/cruiser/upright style, generally speaking, although it’s tricky sometimes finding ones that have enough gears for the Oly hills. There’s nothing specific I have in mind at the moment, though.
Accessories, on the other hand, I have more opinions about….
Fenders, always. I’ve had Planet Bike fenders on two of my bikes, and they’re pretty decent, although stylish wood or metal fenders would be fun.
Lights, too, of course. I’d love to get something like the B&M Ixon. (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp) And the Radbot tail lights look pretty cool: http://olybikes.blogspot.com/2009/12/radbot-will-save-your-rad-butt.html
Rack & panniers; if I were getting a non-longbike, I’d want a couple of different kinds of panniers, both water-proof and open, a bit like the combo that I was rolling with on the Smoke & the Townie. EcoVelo has highlighted some that look quite lovely and functional. I’m also a big fan of the rack trunk for a minimal travel kit, and a front rack or basket would be spiffy.
I’d love to upgrade my cyclometer, ideally to something super-high-tech (Garmin?) or even use an Android phone as a cyclometer.
I adore my bell-brand bell, but if I were to replace it I’d go with something very similar, maybe even a classy brass bell. There’s nothing like that cheery ring!
A rear-view mirror, definitely; the el-cheapo (fred meyers for less than $10!) one I have now is ok enough that I haven’t done a lot of research into anything else. I tried a glasses-mounted mirror and HATED it, and I have a hunch helmet-mounted would be the same.
I like the ergonomic style of grips, with a bit of a spot to rest the heel of my hands. The cork grips on the Ute were nice as well.
Oddly enough, I don’t have a strong opinion about saddles. The one I have now is women-specific, it’s not super, but it’s good enough. I’ve always wanted to try a Brooks saddle, though. 🙂
Whew, that’s a lot of stuff! And I haven’t even gotten into clothing, gloves, helmets, etc. At the minimum, I’d say fenders, rack, bucket panniers, basic lights, non-stock saddle.
Oh, and a bottle cage. They’re hard to find, which I find weird, but I like the softer plastic versions, because they don’t scratch metal cups/bottles.
How many countries have you traveled to?
Not counting the one I live in 🙂 I've been to three countries. In 1989 I went to Germany & Austria with a local youth orchestra, which was an amazing experience. In 1999 or thereabouts I went to Whistler, BC for a United Way conference, carpooling with several of my co-workers. I wish we'd been able to stop in Vancouver; it looked really interesting.
Bonus answer: I've been to these states:
* California, Oregon & Washington, obvs.
* Arizona, several times visiting grandparents
* New Mexico, on one of those visits, just for a one-day trip when Grandpa was filling in for another minister.
* Texas for SXSW.
* Massachusetts for training when I worked at United Way.
* Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota & Wisconsin when we drove out to the Madeline Islands to stay with a friend's family. (In July/August in a car with no air conditioning. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.)
* As an infant, I was taken on a vacation that included a visit to the Four Corners, so also Colorado & Utah, although I generally don't count that.
What's your favorite drink?
non-alcoholic, hot: nonfat mocha, esp from the Cherry St Cafe. second choice is Good Earth Chai with sugar and half & half.
non-alcoholic, cold: sparkling water with a bit of juice or juice concentrate. oddly enough, second is iced chai or thai iced tea. (mmmmm, chai.)
alcoholic: spire pear cider, very very cold. no strong second choice…I'm not much of a drinker.