fixed impressions

Just a note that I know I broke the layout to the blog with some recent changes and the upgrade to the new “blogger”….in any case, it currently doesn’t work right on any browser/OS that I know of. Sadly, I have different problems in each browser. I tried to turn comments on: can’t do it. And my google ads (love or hate them) don’t work in Firefox/Mac. I’ll try to fix it soon or build something new.

Over and Out.

G

2006.

OK, lets get the negs out of the way early, so that we can really savor the positives. In January, my dad passed away after a long illness. He had a very good life, I think. He more or less told me so on his last visit to see me in Oregon, May 2004. He’s with the maker now, which is really a lot nicer place than he was in the last year. Peace and take it easy, Dad.

Health wise I had a fair-poor year. I broke a finger XC skiing in February. Fell carrying some firewood on a dark snowy night and bruised some ribs as wells as aggravating a tear in my diaphragm. In the summer I used good exercise time for other pursuits. So, I got a little heavier and didn’t ride anywhere near as much as I should.

Then, before Thanksgiving, I came down with what was initially diagnosed as the flu. Taking the doctors advice, I went home for rest, fluids, and Tylenol. Three days later (Thanksgiving Day) I’m back in the ER finding out that I really had strep which had grown wildly into bronchial pneumonia. Forgive my language, in advance. That kicked my fucking ass. I’m feeling about 80% and my doctors told me it would be 2-6 months before I get back to normal. I have good days and bad days.

SO….that pretty much covers the downside. Not one of my better years for bad stuff.

The Plusses.

I turned a few new leaves this year.

In music, I finally found the inspiration and motivation to move about 12 of my songs to the mastering stage. With a bit of luck and a lot of sweat I’ll get the CD to the manufacturer by February. I’m not quite sure why it’s coming together now after 8 years or so of progress and back-sliding. Look for more info on the release right here in March, ‘07.

Also, my involvement with WRUV has been a big inspiration, first as a DJ, more recently as a member of the station’s executive board. It’s an all-volunteer, all-music, non-commercial, free-format media alternative. Hey, it’s a college radio station, but the station streams on the internet and has over 75,000 CD’s (guesstimate,) not to mention the vinyl. If you listen, you’ll definitely hear a lot of new music, and for sure a lot of music you’ve never heard before.

I’ve even ramped up my guitar playing, which is not too bad after so many years of abject neglect. I’ve also been working on my keyboards skills, which are better than ever, though that ’s not saying much. The more I work with electronic music, the more I like organic, human instrument sounds. I really enjoy putting the two together. My second album will highlight more acoustic, organic instrumental music, though retaining its electronic rhythm section.

As I’ve declared several times here in previous posts….I’ve achieved an odd level of satisfaction with my “equipment” in life. I don’t have the hots for much in the way of gear and toys. What you say? How can this be? I’m not keen to make lists of “stuff”….but let’s just say that years of acquisitions have blessed me with a full kit. Bikes, Snow play gear, tools. Computers, audio gear, turntables. Records. A reliable commuter bike and similar car….I realize I’ll become rich now that I don’t need any more stuff. Presumably, I’ll not even be plagued by the I-wants….HA!

Most recently, I acquired a new(er) Subaru. The beloved ol’ ‘81 GL has moved on to a new life in way-remote VT as a rally car. These guys have a rally-race club and their only rule is that the cars have to be purchased for $200 or less, bill-of-sale required.

Anyway, I really don’t have too many I-wants these days….there’s of course a few things I’d like or like to upgrade in my music studio, but none is pressing or even really necessary. Some minor repairs on my car would be OK. Also, non-pressing. I guess here I have to acknowledge that I do want a house, or condo, or cottage on a 1/2 acre in the VT country. This is a bit of a priority. I’ve been looking, but I’m able to save a fair bit of my earnings in my present situation and know that buying will leave me with slightly less than nothing each month. I’ll be looking for that special deal. I’m a digger, and believe that the best quality (and price hopefully) come from extensive research and networking. Stay tuned.

I have re-created my yoga practice. One of my best moves this year. Just been back since the November sick-phase and although it doesn’t feel that good yet, I can feel where it’s going…and it’s a good place. Exercise is good. Yoga is good exercise, for both body and mind.

I’ve vastly improved my relationship with my family. The last 2 years were very tough with my dad being ill. But it brought us all closer. And my decision to pull up roots in Oregon and come to VT has payed big dividends in this way. It was part of my plan and I’ve made it happen. This is also big.

Well, I suppose it’s only fair to comment about work as well. This year I got a huge promotion and proportional increase in salary. I’m pleased with my progress and production in the new position. I suspect I’ll be added to the management committee this year. My goal is to become a VP. I’d somehow forgotten how ambitious I can be….probably too many years of working for myself. The secret is to do better than good work, not brag around the office about it, and always have a positive outlook. Common sense really. (Sometimes I wonder why it’s taken me 20 years to be comfortable with “common sense.”)

Well, so much for my little year-in-review.

What’s ahead?

2007.

In 2007 I plan to keep up the blog like I did in the first half of ‘06. Time will tell. After I get the CD out, it’ll be mud season. I expect to hit the muddy trails early in ‘07. The quiver is ready. I’m hoping to really step up my XC skiing, but since VT feels like northern Florida these days, I may have to just stay with the vinyasa and ashtanga….possibly even set up the GX for high-way biking (cringe.)

Stay tuned.

Over and Out.

G

To all Fixed Impressions fans around the world.

I wish you and your loved ones happy and safe holidays. Sneak in a little fixed gear shred if you can. It helps to keep a level head during this fun but stressful season. And I hope you’ve convinced your partner/spouse to buy you some much-discussed (and hopefully needed) fixed-gear gadget….like Phil’s, or a fancy track chain.

All is shut down in music and blogging worlds, but for this little ditty.

Thanks for your continued support of fixed-gear silliness.

Seriously,

Over and Out till next year,

G

Yo, I’m doing a live show tonite :: 600-800pm EST.

Click Here to Listen

Behind the “guard rail” that protects the building from the parking lot at Recycle North. Unsure of the brand here. Clean, knobbies, brakelss, celeste green a la Bianchi. Clean and tight. Just was walking in to dig for vinyl, arcane computer-wares and other incidentals….found only fix #5.

Track bars make me, a dedicated dirt-rider type, a bit nervy. They sure look nice though, shiny and clean.

I saw 3 more fix in the wild in my 30 minutes of wandering. I saw a man and woman walking their fix down Church Street. I have to make up a policy for accosting strangers wanting to take picts of their bikes. That would have been #6, #7, but I chickened out as they had a crowd of very young and hip friends swarming them and their bikes. I need some catchy line about doing a “fixed documentary”….

That’s what I’ll tell them….

Over and Out

G:5

I’m just going to literally roll with it. 54 F is the expected hi-temp for today here in the upcountry. It’s super balmy :: it’s just not right.

That said, I’m on the fix today. It’s pretty mushy out there, so I may bypass the single-track-cum-chocolate-mousse section. I am completely convinced that we have climate issues. It is just far too warm and the trees and plants expect it to be below freezing, at least at nite. Not sure where this warm weather will lead, but it definitely scares the shit out of me.

I got in a little XC skiing last weekend, seems like a long time ago. It’s definitely all about browns…no white to be seen.

On the lighter side, it sure does make for easy commuting. I kind of like all the tones, shades, hues and such of pre-winter. Even when it’s been so gloomy.

I’ve been carrying the camera mostly around town, continuing the fix voyeurism thang. Got skunked the last two trips to town. Better luck this weekend I bet. It’s looking like our balmy North Carolina-like weather will continue, so I’m planning on doing a bit of riding….and looking for fix around town.

Over and Out

G

Well, with a whimper, our early taste of winter went away. Balmy mush is what we have now. So the Uni comes back out for commuting (not that she’d been put away mind you.) I’m going to ride today and tomorrow, and looks like the first part of the weekend will be good. Trail ride I’m thinking. Happy again that I didn’t put the studs on yet (yeah, global warming is real.)

I’ll be out in town looking for more fix in the wild….my newfound habit: fixual voyeurism.

Over and out

G.

Ah, JWA. That’s all it takes to start a fix photo essay here in Burlington. Nor rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor dark of night, shall keep the able-wheeled Burlington fix off the street.

Just wandering around between bouts of music programming…I found another I’ve not seen before. I’ll just keep wandering and keep clicking. This is #4. It’s a Hayes, the lugs are cream/ecru, very stylish. It’s a shame to see a bike as sweet as this passed out drunk at 10:00am on a Saturday morning. I’m going to keep a loose count for a while just to see how many unique Burlington fix there are. Or at least to build some sort of cryptic base numbers to extrapolate (pontificate) from. I keep spewing about how “fixed” it is around here. And as we wander, we seem to be pullling up large on the fix…as if they know that I’m out looking for them and being that they’re certainly not shy, they’re coming out in force to be photographed.

Here is #4:

I’m having so much fun, relaxing, walking, programming music, walking and finding fix, snapping quick picts, fun…..

Note to all. I really have almost finished the new simplified tuner code for the FIX Radio/g:5 tuner. It’s very cool. I’ll send new to code to all who want it (read:anybody?)….I’ve been promising this for soooo long. It’s time.

I’ve been using an iPod Nano for a full year now. Time for me to admit that I was wrong about portable music players. They are cool. For a long time I contended that I had enough music in my life “…where else could I have music that I don’t already….” That’s what I used to say.

Well, wandering around town with great tunes in the earbuds, looking for a shot, a fix to catch on film in the “wild”…..it’s fun….awesome! I’m so hooked. (Today’s playlist: Atjazz, Bill Evans, Some new projects of my own….and as almost always: Bjork. I even have become fond of tunes while commuting….my concern always was that I’d be in danger due to reduced “ear” awareness. I found that the in-ear style of headphones that are so ubiquitous in this era don’t block external sound like the DJ headphones I’m so used to….basically reducing the paranoia factor a lot. It’s not a problem to hear cars etc….even with the Nano cranked up pretty high.

There, I admit it. You told me so. I really like my iPod. I can’t believe I sound like a pitiful commercial. Anyway. It’s all true.

Out for a mini shred now. Only like 90 minutes till dark.

G

I watched with great enthusiasm as a fixer ripped the wet, icy downhill grade….4 lanes of 2-up traffic….dark….Damn. He just tore right down the 10 inch wide gap to the 6 inch granite tire-cutting wheel-crushing life-threatening curb. He disappeared behind an SUV or Capped-Up Truck….I feared the worst….only to see him rip out in front of the whole wave petrol-death-crates flat out….disappeared down the hill into darkness and infinity all the while maintaining a mountain-squirrel-low-geared-fixed-egg-beater-cadence. That shit just looks so crazy. I was mortified. He should have died on the ice, in the thick oblivious traffic of size 2 soccer-moms in Escalades and Durangos vexed to the hilt by their portable DVD player watching already-in-therapy, “mom, I need another iPod” kids and about not having any yoga outfits pressed and ready for that 5:40pm vinyasa class.

Ah, the fix and her rider occasionally stand clear as the quintessential get-you-there device: All-weather, All-day, (almost) no pollution…no combustion, besides calories and rubber!

Just walking along, didn’t have the damn camera, but I don’t think the above could have been captured in a still anyway.

Over and Out.

G

I’ve oft claimed on these pages the vast array of fix to be seen here in the Burlington, VT area. So, I’ve decided to just start shooting as I wander my way through winter life in the north country. It’s been pretty balmy and the fix are still out in force. Hell, a lot of these folk ride them all winter. Core.

First up, outside a local bistro, a Pompino, brakeless, with cool slab and cage no-strap pedal set-up. I’ve seen this one a few times, but can’t quite remember who the rider is. Possibly it rides itself ghosty-style?

Not to be overly biased to “single” bikes, I came across this very cute couple. Once again, no riders to be found, so I may be being very presumptuous in assuming the riders are a couple. I have nonetheless seen more women on fix here in B-ton than when I lived in SF. And there were a lot there. VT’ers are just core at all levels. We maybe one of the smallest, most homogenous cultural zones in the US, but I submit that we rock progressive lifestyles with anybody! Anyway. I’ve reason to suspect that the ride in the foreground here belongs to a woman. So, I call it a couple of fix. In any case, enjoy the view:

This thread seems to have me captivated, so these pages are likely to be a bit of a fixed gear gallery for the north country. …..just wandering around town, camera in hand.

Update from the Studio:

As I’ve mentioned, I’m recovering from a terrible bout with bronchial pneumonia. I’m back in yoga after a long layoff—it’s really helping open up the pipes. The Docs have given me the go ahead to ride/run, and this weekend will be (hopefully) my first trail ride in about a month. It’s been a really hard illness. I was truly praying for the end during the Thanksgiving week. Being sick as an “adult” can be just awful. Anyway, now just have to keep taking little steps: ride a bit, walk/run a bit, yoga a lot.

Peace and Light.

G