A lot of work has been done, but there's still more to do. The pocket door needs to be painted and reinstalled, the base trim has to be finished and the painting needs to be done. But after that, I'll be done with the den.
It's very much a real room now. I've even added some new lamps. When I sit in it, it's homey. I like it.
The latest pictures...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Apple schmapple
I have (had) a 5th gen iPod Video. I used it nearly every day at work and in the car. It was about a year and a half old (roughly 6 months out of warranty), and the logic board appears to have died (everything works just fine except there's no sound).
The Apple store has offered me a refurbished one, same model for $130, with a 90 day warranty. I could get the logic board replaced for what would probably be about $150 (logic board being $120, labor being... well, expensive.)
I could also get a new one (any model), with full warranty, for retail minus 10% on their recycling program.
I'm a little pissed they can't do a little better than 10% off on something that's only 6 months out of warranty. And since all models have been increased in capacity and features, the most comparable model to mine will effectively still cost me $25 more than I paid for the original even with the 10% off.
I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Nano this time, being that it's Flash-based and maybe a little more durable. But I'm annoyed I have to make this decision this soon into my iPod ownership.
The Apple store has offered me a refurbished one, same model for $130, with a 90 day warranty. I could get the logic board replaced for what would probably be about $150 (logic board being $120, labor being... well, expensive.)
I could also get a new one (any model), with full warranty, for retail minus 10% on their recycling program.
I'm a little pissed they can't do a little better than 10% off on something that's only 6 months out of warranty. And since all models have been increased in capacity and features, the most comparable model to mine will effectively still cost me $25 more than I paid for the original even with the 10% off.
I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Nano this time, being that it's Flash-based and maybe a little more durable. But I'm annoyed I have to make this decision this soon into my iPod ownership.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Massanutten Hoo-Ha 2008 race report
Massanutten Hoo-Ha
June 1, 2008
McGaheysville, VA
Pro/Expert
This was kinda like going home. I started racing Massanutten in 1993, and while at James Madison University, the trails were close and the terrain was familiar. I was happy to see that they’ve added trails and kept the original ones maintained well. It didn’t mean it was going to be easy.
The temperature was climbing, and with all the climbing we’d be doing, I knew it would be a factor. The first part of the race is all climbing, and the second half of the 2 miles of climbing was on a paved/gravel road, and out in the sun. Thankfully they had a water station set up, but unfortunately it came before the road climb, rather than somewhere in the middle. But it was better than none.
The start wasn’t too fast, but I didn’t have the legs for the climb, so I was hanging back a little, anyway. I watched pretty much the whole field ride away, knowing I couldn’t match the pace. The first section of singletrack was a relief, but it quickly turned back up and got slick with a little bit of mud, making me wish I was back on the gravel road.
After some really nice singletrack climbing with very nice work done in the switchbacks (they would have been really fun to ride down. But we weren’t going in that direction...) we got on the gravel road to head to the top of Kaylor’s Knob, and my legs pretty much had checked out by then. I was in a lot of pain, and struggling with the gear. Finally, I got to the top and took the left into the woods, where the technical ridge started. There were some rock gardens at the top- the type of riding I absolutely love. I had picked up some motivation being at the top, but got behind a Pro Women rider who was strong and quite adept at riding the rocks, but not very fast about it. It was a little tough being behind her for as long as I was- I couldn’t get around her in the tight singletrack, and I couldn’t see my lines with her in front of me.
Near the bottom, the trail opened up and I was able to cruise the last part of the descent the way I like to- fast and flowing. But then the trail took a 90 degree turn and I had to almost stop, and we turned into another false flat section where I got caught by the stronger riders who weren’t far behind.
The next section was rolling, and there were some excellent descents, but also some really steep climbs- one of which I had to walk- thankfully it was very short. I knew I was losing ground, but I was trying to remember that I was there to have fun and finish the race. Unfortunately my head was starting to fall into the mindset of quitting. My legs hurt, and my back was really bothering me to the point I couldn’t pedal more because of back pain than leg pain.
The final descent of the lap was one I remembered from my early days there, and I felt really motivated to keep going at that point. I was close to the start of the second lap, and I’d need to make that decision soon. I went past the start/finish and kept going, thinking I would go to the top of the climb and make my decision there. When I got to the gravel road, though... I stood up and powered up every short paved section and sat down for the gravel ones to maintain traction. It was here I was passing people, and started to feel much better than I had at any point in the race.
I got onto the ridge in the position I wanted to be- not behind anybody. And I was able to ride the ridge and the following descent with the huge advantage of having seen it once before and also being able to follow my lines and carry my speed. The berms were flowing and the grade reversals were much more fluid this time. I was having a blast, even though I knew I wasn’t in contention for any placing.
I finished up in 14th, which was last place for finishers. I have no idea how many started, but I can’t complain too much, since I didn’t really have much ambition going into the race.
June 1, 2008
McGaheysville, VA
Pro/Expert
This was kinda like going home. I started racing Massanutten in 1993, and while at James Madison University, the trails were close and the terrain was familiar. I was happy to see that they’ve added trails and kept the original ones maintained well. It didn’t mean it was going to be easy.
The temperature was climbing, and with all the climbing we’d be doing, I knew it would be a factor. The first part of the race is all climbing, and the second half of the 2 miles of climbing was on a paved/gravel road, and out in the sun. Thankfully they had a water station set up, but unfortunately it came before the road climb, rather than somewhere in the middle. But it was better than none.
The start wasn’t too fast, but I didn’t have the legs for the climb, so I was hanging back a little, anyway. I watched pretty much the whole field ride away, knowing I couldn’t match the pace. The first section of singletrack was a relief, but it quickly turned back up and got slick with a little bit of mud, making me wish I was back on the gravel road.
After some really nice singletrack climbing with very nice work done in the switchbacks (they would have been really fun to ride down. But we weren’t going in that direction...) we got on the gravel road to head to the top of Kaylor’s Knob, and my legs pretty much had checked out by then. I was in a lot of pain, and struggling with the gear. Finally, I got to the top and took the left into the woods, where the technical ridge started. There were some rock gardens at the top- the type of riding I absolutely love. I had picked up some motivation being at the top, but got behind a Pro Women rider who was strong and quite adept at riding the rocks, but not very fast about it. It was a little tough being behind her for as long as I was- I couldn’t get around her in the tight singletrack, and I couldn’t see my lines with her in front of me.
Near the bottom, the trail opened up and I was able to cruise the last part of the descent the way I like to- fast and flowing. But then the trail took a 90 degree turn and I had to almost stop, and we turned into another false flat section where I got caught by the stronger riders who weren’t far behind.
The next section was rolling, and there were some excellent descents, but also some really steep climbs- one of which I had to walk- thankfully it was very short. I knew I was losing ground, but I was trying to remember that I was there to have fun and finish the race. Unfortunately my head was starting to fall into the mindset of quitting. My legs hurt, and my back was really bothering me to the point I couldn’t pedal more because of back pain than leg pain.
The final descent of the lap was one I remembered from my early days there, and I felt really motivated to keep going at that point. I was close to the start of the second lap, and I’d need to make that decision soon. I went past the start/finish and kept going, thinking I would go to the top of the climb and make my decision there. When I got to the gravel road, though... I stood up and powered up every short paved section and sat down for the gravel ones to maintain traction. It was here I was passing people, and started to feel much better than I had at any point in the race.
I got onto the ridge in the position I wanted to be- not behind anybody. And I was able to ride the ridge and the following descent with the huge advantage of having seen it once before and also being able to follow my lines and carry my speed. The berms were flowing and the grade reversals were much more fluid this time. I was having a blast, even though I knew I wasn’t in contention for any placing.
I finished up in 14th, which was last place for finishers. I have no idea how many started, but I can’t complain too much, since I didn’t really have much ambition going into the race.
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