Grumps can suck it, it's Friday!

[defspace]

This American Life is no longer blocked by the web filtering at work.

[davids]

The renovation is, for all intents and purposes, complete. And it was transformative. The generic, sloppily-finished house we bought last year is now a warm, colorful, usable home that we've stamped as ours. There's still a long list of stuff to do (and as those items are addressed others will be added...), but I feel like we've crossed a border. The move that began last September is complete.

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And now I feel like I've got the mental space to get back to the other parts of my life, some of which have been seriously neglected over the last year. Starting with setting up the Concept2 and the Kurt Kinetic this weekend.

Even better, my daughter's doing a fly-by today - We get a day with her before she & a friend head off to the Seven Sisters Regatta, last year's co-captains dropping in on their old team.

[dgaddis]

It's not Friday, but I don't care. We *should* have our house under contract before the night is up. FINALLY. We've done the offer/counter offer dance, got a verbal acceptance of the offer, and are just waiting on them to fully execute the contract. The projected closing date is 1yr and 4 days after we moved into our 'new' house in Macon.

With only one mortgage I'll be able to finally dive head-long into Southern Wheelworks full time. And best of all, I'll get to live full-time with my wife again. Wheel business is good as a side gig, but between two mortgages and rent at the shop we're paying $3200 a month for places to put stuff. I couldn't afford to walk away from my regular well paying engineering gig. For the last year I've spent 3-4 days a week in Augusta at my day job and the old house. The old house is EMPTY except for a couch that's about 6" too short for me to stretch out on. I had a TV with a blueray player for a little while, but there's no internet, no cable, etc. I turned everything off except the water and power to save $$. When in town I work 10's, so there's not a lot of extra time in the evenings I have to fill. I ride a few nights a week, maybe go see a movie every once and a while. It could be worse.

Never thought it would take a year, but, there's finally some hope that it'll be over and done soon. Of course that also means I'll be walking away from a good regular pay check in the hopes of making SWW a true full time gig. I'm super excited, but also nervous and a bit scared. I always figured a little fear is a good thing tho....right?

[znfdl]

I am still smiling from being at the Elvis Costello concert last night at the Warner Theater in DC. Last night's concert was so different than when I saw him in Nashville two weeks ago, you would think that he was two different performers.

Last night he rocked the house with the Imposters for 3 hours and played 34 songs. Many of his old classics were performed in a new way, so that only the words were similar.

Set list from last night: Elvis Costello & The Imposters Concert Setlist at Warner Theatre, Washington on November 3, 216 | setlist.fm

The Nashville show was mostly a solo acoustic act and then he did a set with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Set list from Nashville: Elvis Costello Concert Setlist at Ryman Auditorium, Nashville on October 17, 216 | setlist.fm

What a contrast between the two shows. Still smiling.....

[jdp211]

I get to ride a bike tomorrow for the first time since my injury this summer!

[davids]

More of the same this week: Feeling my head clear of the seemingly endless sequence of problems, decisions, to-do lists, and expenses of buying a house, selling a condo, and renovating a house. I get these sudden floods of calm, a feeling of being home that's eluded me for the last twelve months or so. I love coming downstairs to the kitchen in the evening to pour myself a drink and seeing the low glow of the under-cabinet lights. It's disconcerting. It's great.

Looking forward to hosting friends for dinner tomorrow night, and even hosting my mother-in-law next weekend, just to begin to live - and have real experiences - in the spaces we've put so much time, thought and resources into creating.

I'm amused to find thoughts of bikes and cycling creeping back into my head. I've got to get the mountain bike tuned up so I can start riding in the woods on my winter weekends, instead of shopping for light fixtures and rugs...

On the negative side:

• I am jealous of znfdl. It's been too long since I've seen Elvis. And so much Imperial Bedroom!
• I should be hosting an out-of-town friend right now, but his plans (through no fault of his own) got canceled.

[Chad]

Leaving for Denver in about an hour to visit my brother!

[seanile]

fall weather in boston right now is making bike-commuting a damn pleasure.

[dually]

Tomorrow I am taking the TuffDog Teardrop and mtb out to camp/ride right on the Maah Daah Hey. Proper first trip and amazing November weather!

[pomole]

The sun is shining on the pomole today:

• Accepted a much wanted job offer this week.
• Racing CX tomorrow with my teenage son
• Checking out a new-to-me MTB bike on Sunday.
• Amazing weather here in the NYC/NJ metro area.
• I'm in good health.

[dashDustin]

Wife's car was stolen. Went into my 4Runner to get her keys.

House was left untouched. Everything in my 4Runner was left behind, except for a pair of cheap glasses.

Happy Friday. Thankful that the only thing taken was the car. So thankful.

[dashDustin]

news story

Her car...

Williamson Co. police chase ends in Austin crash | KXAN.com

[Matthew Strongin]

news story

Her car...

Williamson Co. police chase ends in Austin crash | KXAN.com

Whoa! That's nuts. Glad it was just the car.

[dashDustin]

Whoa! That's nuts. Glad it was just the car.

i was just going through my 4Runner...they got my toolbox, the ipod my wife uses for teaching class, and my last auto watch (Hamilton my mom gave me).

[roseyscot]

i was just going through my 4Runner...they got my toolbox, the ipod my wife uses for teaching class, and my last auto watch (Hamilton my mom gave me).

Thankfully just stuff. Also, this ought to be in the Thursday thread, even though it's Friday.

[Dave Thompson]

After eight days on the road, finally home.

[dashDustin]

Thankfully just stuff. Also, this ought to be in the Thursday thread, even though it's Friday.

yeah, it started out positive, though. i'm so very glad that nothing more serious was done. 1 button push away from getting into the house.

[defspace]

I just got an insane deal on a new-to-me track frame. I've already got a buyer lined up for my old frame. I still haven't built up the road frame I recently purchased on the classifieds. An embarrassment of riches if ever there were one.

I've been knocking out my workouts better than expected.

I've got two days off the bike to spend with my girlfriend, my parents, and their dog. Looking forward to that and then looking forward to getting back on the bike.

[davids]

Got the windows washed. The autumn leafs are beautiful through the windows.

My family is safe and healthy, though scared for our country.

My love is mine and I am my love's.

Hunkering down, counting my blessings, and figuring out how to move forward.

And listening to Leonard Cohen.

[ron l edmiston]

-- blessed that i made it home with taps in my heart for those my comand brought darkness..
thank you Tammy for being my best friend today & everyday..

ronnie