Airport security

I don't dress up to travel.  Some people are in the security line looking like they just stepped out of Tiffany's.  I look like I am about to go hiking.  I like loose fitting clothes, zip-off pant legs in case I get cold or warm.  But I also get searched a lot going through security.

Some people suggest it is the Mamiya that causes the trouble.  Not a lot of people travel with large cameras like that.  And I usually travel with it.  I like the 6x4.5cm format.  I like the way the math changes on exposures.  Through an x-ray machine it prolly looks like something gruesome.  I don't know, they never let me look.

But I was searched at the airport going from Hawaii to Oahu and leaving Oahu heading for home.  And they were the most pleasant airport security people I have ever been searched by.  They were just as thorough as the grumbling people at MSP, they opened all my camera bags and swabbed everything down, but they smiled and made small talk about our stay in Hawaii.  I actually enjoyed being searched.  I felt like I had taken part in some sort of happy exit poll.

more assembly required

I forgot the camera at my folks, so pictures tomorrow.

The brakes were a pain in the ass.  Compared to the front derailleur though, they were a walk in the park on a moderate and sunny day.

This is because it was missing. Somehow I missed that...and then the SBR lacked a front one that fit. So I tried to make one fit with a nylon shim which worked at first.  And then every time I changed gears, the derailleur would wriggle down the tube.  Till it hung up on the large chainring and went crazy wonky.

After two hours of fighting with that we called it a night.

This has been a weekend of discoveries though:

1.  I really like some of these wicking shirts.  I haven't bought anything nike since middle-school till the shirt I am wearing right now, and it was cool and comfortable all day long.

2. I might like canti brakes.  I've defended the old sidepull brakes forever, but the cantilevered brakes were easy to adjust. And move on more axis than my brakes on Frenchie.

3. With the addition of a tin snips to cut cables and housing, I had all the tools I needed in my tool wedge.

de-militarized camera "bag"

A week ago we went to Stillwater and bought a new light meter.  

One of the many things we didn't buy was a small ammo box for 7.62 rounds.  But what it did do was make me remember the .50 caliber boxes that were so popular in boy scouts.

I mentioned this in passing at work, and one of my co-worker's ears perked up.  He's had one in his garage for ages.

I've been concerned about biking with the camera because I'm afraid of smushing the thing.  obviously a cinderblock  like the Mamiya is more rugged. BUT, I still don't want to have to worry.

What better way to stop worrying and love the camera, than to line a sturdy steel box with inch thick foam?

The box weighed 5 lb empty.

I figure if I am not going to obsess over 5 grams, why worry about 5 lb.  

Today I biked out to the Glen Lake golf course over off 62 and 4.  38 miles round trip from home according to Gmaps pedometer.  Somehow my lazy ass survived the burden. [/sarcasm]

pictures to follow.

Pizza

We made pizza tonight.  Well, I grated cheese and distracted the cat.  It was awesome.

Anyone who hasn't had pizza with gorgonzola has been missing out.  It is so much more distinctive a flavor than just plain ol' moz.  We have been getting some excellent Mozzarella at the Co-op across the street though.  Those crazy cheeseheads are good for two things at least: micro-brews and cheese.

While typing this, Crazy/Beautiful has been playing in the background.  Here's to cable.  Not worth watching, but better than a blank wall, and less interesting than a train-wreck.  I should mention I hate voiceover denouement.

But the massive number of cameras in the movie was interesting.  I think the best part of the movie was the bellows camera.