Get Your Grump on Thursdays - Was (What's chapping my @ss today?)

[WadePatton]

... 9 miles in, I tore my rear derailleur off in the woods. HAd to be rescued by a buddy. Busted derailleur, bent hanger, ...

I must quote my pal Rody Walter (Groovy Cycleworks) once more:

a derailleur in the woods is like walking around with your scrotum attached at your ankle

[zetroc]

Grump (and I know I'm a day late, I'll do my pushups) - distracted drivers. Last night on my way home from work I noticed a new, grey Benz SUV that took a little while to go once the light turned green. Spidey sense tingling. I rode alongside for a bit and sure enough, the driver kept dipping her head to stare at the cell phone/ipod in hand. It took some self-restraint not to pound on her window or something, but that would not have been good. That, plus two articles I read this morning have me super grumpy. Is texting or checking your email worth your life, or the life of somebody else?

SF District Attorney On Distracted Driving: "We need to work together to reduce the mayhem that’s going on on our streets" | SF Appeal: San Francisco's Online Newspaper

Parents hope photo of fatal text serves as warning - SFGate

grump grump.

[WadePatton]

I'm just waking up to the fact that I somehow got myself into an unhealthy relationship. Disappointed and pissed off at myself. Exit strategy, whatever it proves to be, will inflict collateral damage...which just makes me feel even worse. No self-pity here....

somehow? we all know how. great luck with the resolution.

[Dorman]

IMG_9416 by Dorman Cyclery, on Flickr

It won't stop fugkcing snowing! It's the middle of April already! I've shoveled enough to nearly have a heart attack, so I'm not doing any push ups.

[Tom]

I'll start. This topic is overplayed, I know, but indulge me. Drivers using personal electronic appliances annoy the hell out of me. I'm working on a letter to the paper. Here's what I have so far.

"Now that spring is here, children of all ages are out riding their bikes, runners are out gamboling in the warm breezes, parents are pushing baby carriages about their neighborhoods and dog owners have shed their winter coats to take Fido for a longer and less business like walk so Fido can do his business. Automobile drivers engrossed in their telephone or text conversations can intrude harshly upon the experience of the people enjoying the season. Consider this an appeal to the local authorities to bring some order to our motorways by making some effort to notice and cite these inconsiderate motorists. Might we suggest fertile ground for such activity. Route 146 northbound to the river between 4 and 6pm, perhaps, or the Route 9 bridge left turn lane approximately the same time of day. These would be good because the slow progress of the traffic makes it obvious that about 1 of 4 drivers is indulging in the activity. It's harder to see them when they're going at highway speed, so we think these would be a good place to start. We might also suggest the four way stop sign at Fehr and Central Parkway, because for variety one could cite the drivers taking a left turn without stopping from three cars back in line.

We have an offer for our local gendarmerie. If we see them working at our suggested locations we'll buy their department a big box of pens, ones with a whole lot of ink in them. They'll need them and a lot of extra ticket books.

Dear readers of this letter, we are sure you have your own favorite spots where you view many violations. Help our community and write the paper with your favorites. Let's keep the hits coming, the right kind."

[David Tollefson]

Too many levels of management!

Okay, so I've been working on a project that will save the company a half million dollars. $500K. Not exactly couch cushion change.

And I've had to go through some 8 committees to get this project approved. At least. I could make the presentation in my sleep, I've been through it so many times.

Yesterday was the final approval meeting. There's a guy at the main company site (we're a satellite site) who's supposed to be responsible for making sure this project gets in front of the right people. So this meeting is staring us in the face. But no one is telling is WHERE the meeting is taking place (to make the presentation in person), or any kind of call-in, online info (to make the presentation remotely). He asks us if there's any one at that site who can make the presentation. SERIOUSLY?!?!? It's your fricken' JOB to make sure this goes smoothly.

By some miracle it got approved anyway. But geez...

I think we've spent almost as much as we would save with this project just in all the time to present it to the various committees, and all the expensive eyes that were in attendance. This program is being brought to its knees by its own processes.

Large corporations truly suck.

[RickM]

somehow? we all know how. great luck with the resolution.

Today's Grump; Breakups. People can say what they want, but in the end...Brevity, Clarity, Honesty is the only way to go. It doesn't make it any less Suck-y tho.

[Bobqzz]

To the 3 tall, skinny, young hipsters on the bike path. Nice fixies- really, they looked sweet. Don't really get riding in jeans and flannel shirts, but wtf do I know? I'm jealous of your youth and svelte physiques. One of you has a front brake on your bike- good decision! The other 2 need to stay the heck off the bike path (or really anyplace but a velodrome) until you can actually stop your bikes at the many intersections, or to avoid one of the many small children on the path.
Be hip, not a moron.

[liv2bike]

I am locked out of my house. Wife is at the YMCA working out. I am stuck in the flippin driveway trying to get work done on my stupid mobile. I kinda need to get in the house so I can get my shit for an overnight business trip. Supposed to be leaving soon...

[Dallas Tex]

Folks that insist on actually 'voice' calling me. Please, PLEASE, just text. Its quicker, I will respond quicker & more concisely. If its too long to text, please email.

[Dorman]

Watching it sleet and waiting for it to turn into a few more inches of snow. Again. This totally sucks.

[mnoble485]

Folks that insist on actually 'voice' calling me. Please, PLEASE, just text. Its quicker, I will respond quicker & more concisely. If its too long to text, please email.

People, in particular, the kids and grand kids that text instead of "voice" calling. It's good to hear your voice.

Mike

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[chasea]

Wide clinchers/ tight tires.

Changed a tube yesterday. Inflated to 120 and gave it a spin to make sure it seated properly. Saw a bump. Before I could let air out, the goddamned tube popped. Loud. Ear pressure and ringing for 24 hours. Now I've got to see an ear specialist.

[Britishbane]

Wide clinchers/ tight tires.

Changed a tube yesterday. Inflated to 120 and gave it a spin to make sure it seated properly. Saw a bump. Before I could let air out, the goddamned tube popped. Loud. Ear pressure and ringing for 24 hours. Now I've got to see an ear specialist.

Been there, done that. I can confirm dogs do not like it.

My weekly bitch, I'm sick. Weather is supposed to be nice and I just received the gift of being passed the office sickness.

[Saab2000]

I want to ride my bike. This isn't helpful. We need the rain. Be careful what you wish for..... I'm on vacation and at home for more than 40 hours for the first time in about a month.

KGRR 181549Z 1816/1912 14011KT 6SM BR SCT035 BKN040 OVC230
FM181615 20015G25KT 4SM -TSRA BR OVC020CB
FM181630 22020G30KT 1SM +TSRA BR OVC015CB
FM181645 20015G25KT 3SM -TSRA BR OVC020CB
FM181700 19012G25KT 4SM -SHSN BR OVC010
FM190000 18009KT 1 1/2SM TSRA BR OVC004CB
FM190300 19019KT 2SM RA BR OVC004

This was yesterday. It's only going to get worse. There's not supposed to be water in this field.
Attachment 53679

[false_aesthetic]

ARGH! I've been at work for 45 minutes and have heard the following

"Like I know my final project was supposed to be on Cochella but I didn't bring my camera cuz it was gonna be like crazy. And I'm so happy I didn't cuz it WAS CRAZY!"


Instructor to another student regarding her final project idea:

"You should look into zines. It might be a great way to format your idea."
"Whats a zine?"


Dear students,

It's my birthday. Please . . . . just don't talk today.

[lala]

VSalon bike camp starts on Sunday ... I have no grumps.
Please continue without me...

[zetroc]

Wide clinchers/ tight tires.

Changed a tube yesterday. Inflated to 120 and gave it a spin to make sure it seated properly. Saw a bump. Before I could let air out, the goddamned tube popped. Loud. Ear pressure and ringing for 24 hours. Now I've got to see an ear specialist.

the thing to do is: once you've got both beads on the rim (but before inflating to 120) sit down with the wheel in your hands. Stare down at the rim from the top of the tire and pull the tire away from the rim every three inches and look for tube pinches. If you can see the tube pinched under the bead of the tire - and you'd notice it - redo it before inflating fully, cause that's gonna pop. Do this all the way around on both sides and you'll save your eardrums and your $6 tubes.

grump: We ran out of half and half at work yesterday so, feeling generous, I went to the store on my way in this morning. Got to work and found out that the organic artisanal glass bottle that the organic artisanal halfsies comes in doesn't have an especially tight lid, so it leaked in my messenger bag and got all over my sweatshirt. That'll show me.

[Chad]

Listen up, this is serious shit right here.

Brought creamer to office, put in fridge. Drew a large black X on the lid so as to easily differentiate it from anyone elses that may look similar. I travel quite a bit, upon my return, bottle was very light for the number of times I'd used it. Next time back to office it's gone. Not only did those fuckers use all of it, they didn't even leave me the last bit. I learned early in life, never take someone's last beer or last smoke and don't take shit from the fridge that isn't yours.

As I'm complaining to myself at the fridge a co-worker overhears me and says, "i'm sorry, your name wasn't on it." Remember the X? I replied, "nor was yours." Who does that shit, do you? If you answer yes, punch yourself in the face, hard. I'm seriously considering placing a container of fufu creamer in the fridge but replacing the contents with something much less palatable. Would that be wrong? If you think that would be wrong, punch yourself in the face again.

[false_aesthetic]

^^^^^

WHOA! If that shit happens in Lincoln, I can totally understand that busdrive wailing on that dude.