I've been having issues for the past few months in regards to my fly and the subway. For some reason I've gotten into the bad habit of looking to see if my zipper's up only AFTER I get off of the Subway and am walking to my office. To most people they would probably rate that as one of their more embarrassing moments of their life, for me it's turning into almost a weekly routine of where I notice a slight breeze as I hustle out of the train into the subway. I don't understand why I can't remember to check, it could be b/c I just wear pajamas around my house all morning and then when I put slacks on, it feels just the same to have that opening there (just like the PJ's). It's hard to believe I was having issues like this way back in the summer, and still haven't resolved it yet either.....
On another wierder Subway note, yesterday while I was taking the rushhour train back, I was lucky to stand right next to 2 whitetrizzo's talking about their businesses and how they are successful. It was hilarious, as they were talking soooo loud, that people within about 5-6 feet could hear. These guys were bragging like how stock traders would talk about their hot stocks, but these guys were dealers. I only WISH I had a fake police badge so I could have flashed it to those guys as they were going on and on about how they stash their money, what safes they've been buying to store their money, and how much "product" they had been getting&selling and their profit margins on each. I wanted to say something, but I was afraid they might get off at my stop, which was what they did, so it was (for once) a rare moment where I kept my mouth shut. Heck for all I know they live on the next block...
Ah, where's Charles Bronson when you need him?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Cajun Power, my favorite hot sauce!
My brother just found, after many years of searching, the best damn hot sauce he and I ever tasted. See I grew up in H-town (Houston, TX) and there was a Cajun store which my mother would buy cajun spices and food, and there was this sauce she bought one time which had a great kick to it, but also had a super yummy taste to it. We began putting it on everything, using it as some people use ketchup, it was great, life seem perfect, and then the bottles dissappeared! No store carried them, we searched and searched but alas, no Cajun Power anywere. Now after a good 10 years of searching, my bro found it again: http://www.cajunpowersauce.com/quality/index.html
Ordering my first cases right now, as I have some catching up to do. The one which we had was the "Original Garlic Cajun Power Sauce." Can't wait for it to spice up my life again.
Ordering my first cases right now, as I have some catching up to do. The one which we had was the "Original Garlic Cajun Power Sauce." Can't wait for it to spice up my life again.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Website of the Week!
I've actually been reading www.sustainablebusiness.com since my college days (last century!).
Some of my bestesses of stockpickin's came from there too. BCON, CPST, ESLR and gasp, APWR, which is now known as GE Solar. APWR used to be the largest solar company in the world, then they went kaput b/c they didn't hedge against the rising silicon demand which the tech industry was sucking away. All you Delawareans better know your damn history and better know that for a while good ol' APWR put us on the total baddass/cutting edge map. Their old corporate headquarters is on 896 heading towards rte. 40. Here's a picture and history on their headquarters: http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/Archives/5e7d4d6efa697010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____
One thing the article doesn't mention is that the building produces more electricity than it needs. Pretty cool..
Anyways for all you cutting edge enviro's, you should already know sustainablebusiness.com, but for all you budding enviros, take your time and get to know it.
Time for bed! racing season's getting sort of close...
Some of my bestesses of stockpickin's came from there too. BCON, CPST, ESLR and gasp, APWR, which is now known as GE Solar. APWR used to be the largest solar company in the world, then they went kaput b/c they didn't hedge against the rising silicon demand which the tech industry was sucking away. All you Delawareans better know your damn history and better know that for a while good ol' APWR put us on the total baddass/cutting edge map. Their old corporate headquarters is on 896 heading towards rte. 40. Here's a picture and history on their headquarters: http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/Archives/5e7d4d6efa697010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____
One thing the article doesn't mention is that the building produces more electricity than it needs. Pretty cool..
Anyways for all you cutting edge enviro's, you should already know sustainablebusiness.com, but for all you budding enviros, take your time and get to know it.
Time for bed! racing season's getting sort of close...
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Yo Rocky!
No wonder they decided to start paving my street this week. Looks like Rocky's (Stallone) coming to Sou' Phill again:
http://www.nbc10.com/news/6157731/detail.html?subid=10101521
http://www.nbc10.com/news/6157731/detail.html?subid=10101521
Sunday, January 15, 2006
A Visit to Delaware
Yesterday was uber crappy weather for "safe" riding in the city and so I packed it up and hit the 95 Sou' to do a road ride down in Delaware. I parked at mi padre's house right by the Brandywine River valley and then I rode to Newark via Greenville route. It was great to hit those roads again, it's hard to believe the difference in traffic from Philly to those empty stretches of road.
On Papermill Rd. into Newark I ran into Fitzy and Fort James http://manicmtbr.blogspot.com/ on his new dope FORT machine.
That's one thing about riding in Delaware, I always seem to run into someone I know. It was great catching up with those guys, though I had to turn around after a bit as I didn't want to climb a killer climb for the second time in 1 hr.
So I hit Newark and then rode one of my favorite roads of all time, the good ol' Creek Road through White Clay Creek State park, (sorry Vonck for not stopping and saying hi!, I was stinky by then and didn't want to scare your fine ladies).
I then hit 896 to see Ted Logic, Gwen, Teague and Super Sid. Sadly none of them were there, but I see Ted Logic completed his super badass deck and I wrote on his garage windows to let him know I had been there. At first I just wrote "BC was here" then I realized that sounded stalkerish, and so I wrote to let him and Gwen know that their deck looked fabulous...Ted could you build one for me in Sou' Philly?
It started to rain a bit as I turned back and started riding towards White Clay Creek state park. Still warm though and I was feeling great. While I was climbing one of my favorite roads up out of White Clay park, my lady text'd messaged me and needed an immediate response. I couldn't call her as she was in a class, and so I did the smart thing and kept riding up the hill no handsy while I text'd her to let her know I wouldn't be back in Philly by 4pm. Who would have thought you could multitask on a road bike?
I was still feeling good after 3 hrs and so I decided to start riding up into MD towards Marky-Marc territory. It was then I noticed the dark clouds swirling in the sky, reminiscent of a Ghost Buster's movie. I decided something scary was happening in Marc's neck of the woods and so I high tailed it to Appleton Rd. and did a TT on a 20 mph tailwind on 273 back to Newark. I was flying, but coming up the final hill into Newark, my rear end was feeling squishy and sure enough, my second ride on the brand new set of tyres was getting a flat. I rode on the front wheel for as long as possible, hoping to get to Wooden Wheels, but alas, I had to stop on Delaware Ave. and fix it. It was quick and painless, but still it sucked as I was rolling and I always love that sharp turn off the train tracks and onto DE Ave. I've almost been hit there at least a dozen times and lost the rear wheel a few times too, but have yet to lay it down. It was a bummer not to take that turn at a quick pedal.
I still swung on by WW's to say high and get some water for the return trip to Wilmington. I miss that shop as it is sooo spacious, very unlike the City where bike shops think it's ok to be clusterphuk.
I high-tailed it out of WW's pretty quick as the dark clouds were swirling and the wind turning brutal. It was no fun the drag up Papermill Rd. to Limstone Rd. I even ran the light at Limestone b/c I was feeling cooked and was out of food and was starting to feel a little bonkie.
Of course I come up to the next light and some chick has parked her car on the shoulder and not only will I have to ride in a lane, she's even out of her car with a Digital SLR taking my picture. I was like shit, hope she's not some off duty cop. She yelled and said she's with the "Community" newspaper of Hockessin. She asked where I was riding to and I told her Wilmington via Brackenville/Ashland Nature center, and so sure enough when I rode by there 20 minutes later she was hanging out in the rain and took my picture. It was just too cheesey, but cut out the picture and keep it if any of ya get the Newspaper. I was COOKED when she took the shots and I guarantee I look like crap. I just want to see how bad I look.
I made it back at my dad's house at 4:30, I had left at 11:40 and so I was dead/cooked/fried. I inhailed a protein bar and then just laid down on his living room floor. Of course no one was at his house when I got there and then here comes my dad into his house and I'm lying on his floor half dressed and feeling bonk+pain. Good thing he's seen it before or else he probably would have actually worried about me. The warm shower felt as good as sex for the first time. My body couldn't move, but oh the warmth felt great all over my body. I split, hit the mobbed Trader Joes and then hit 95 back to Philly, then hit the bed by 8:30. The lady wasn't happy I had dissappeared all day, but she got all of me today, so all's well.
Took today off as I was uber cooked. Funny, I missed Marc and Diane's dinner at Le Bus by 24 hrs, as I ate there tonight with the lady. She had the Couscous, I had the Black Bean Enchilada. Both were damn good and went great with whatever the wine was that "Winnie" had recommended. I ordered a bottle of it, as it was way cheaper to order it by the bottle then by the glass. Neither Thea or I drink much and so half the bottle was left when dinner was over. I asked the waitress if she could please retrieve the cork and she said they don't allow people to take bottles out, I was like damn, you should have told me before I ordered the bottle...Anyways, Thea solved the solution and made the bottle dissappear and luckily my friend Anne was having a dinner party up the street and so I hooked a sister up with the half bottle to start her night. That's what friends do...
Good 2 days, one more to go...can't wait for some long miles tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow will be no boring-ass ride through the suburbs like these chaps all seem to salivate for. Riding in DE/PA/MD yesterday reminds me of how great it is to ride over a mile without stopping for a light/stop sign.
ride on,
-BC
On Papermill Rd. into Newark I ran into Fitzy and Fort James http://manicmtbr.blogspot.com/ on his new dope FORT machine.
That's one thing about riding in Delaware, I always seem to run into someone I know. It was great catching up with those guys, though I had to turn around after a bit as I didn't want to climb a killer climb for the second time in 1 hr.
So I hit Newark and then rode one of my favorite roads of all time, the good ol' Creek Road through White Clay Creek State park, (sorry Vonck for not stopping and saying hi!, I was stinky by then and didn't want to scare your fine ladies).
I then hit 896 to see Ted Logic, Gwen, Teague and Super Sid. Sadly none of them were there, but I see Ted Logic completed his super badass deck and I wrote on his garage windows to let him know I had been there. At first I just wrote "BC was here" then I realized that sounded stalkerish, and so I wrote to let him and Gwen know that their deck looked fabulous...Ted could you build one for me in Sou' Philly?
It started to rain a bit as I turned back and started riding towards White Clay Creek state park. Still warm though and I was feeling great. While I was climbing one of my favorite roads up out of White Clay park, my lady text'd messaged me and needed an immediate response. I couldn't call her as she was in a class, and so I did the smart thing and kept riding up the hill no handsy while I text'd her to let her know I wouldn't be back in Philly by 4pm. Who would have thought you could multitask on a road bike?
I was still feeling good after 3 hrs and so I decided to start riding up into MD towards Marky-Marc territory. It was then I noticed the dark clouds swirling in the sky, reminiscent of a Ghost Buster's movie. I decided something scary was happening in Marc's neck of the woods and so I high tailed it to Appleton Rd. and did a TT on a 20 mph tailwind on 273 back to Newark. I was flying, but coming up the final hill into Newark, my rear end was feeling squishy and sure enough, my second ride on the brand new set of tyres was getting a flat. I rode on the front wheel for as long as possible, hoping to get to Wooden Wheels, but alas, I had to stop on Delaware Ave. and fix it. It was quick and painless, but still it sucked as I was rolling and I always love that sharp turn off the train tracks and onto DE Ave. I've almost been hit there at least a dozen times and lost the rear wheel a few times too, but have yet to lay it down. It was a bummer not to take that turn at a quick pedal.
I still swung on by WW's to say high and get some water for the return trip to Wilmington. I miss that shop as it is sooo spacious, very unlike the City where bike shops think it's ok to be clusterphuk.
I high-tailed it out of WW's pretty quick as the dark clouds were swirling and the wind turning brutal. It was no fun the drag up Papermill Rd. to Limstone Rd. I even ran the light at Limestone b/c I was feeling cooked and was out of food and was starting to feel a little bonkie.
Of course I come up to the next light and some chick has parked her car on the shoulder and not only will I have to ride in a lane, she's even out of her car with a Digital SLR taking my picture. I was like shit, hope she's not some off duty cop. She yelled and said she's with the "Community" newspaper of Hockessin. She asked where I was riding to and I told her Wilmington via Brackenville/Ashland Nature center, and so sure enough when I rode by there 20 minutes later she was hanging out in the rain and took my picture. It was just too cheesey, but cut out the picture and keep it if any of ya get the Newspaper. I was COOKED when she took the shots and I guarantee I look like crap. I just want to see how bad I look.
I made it back at my dad's house at 4:30, I had left at 11:40 and so I was dead/cooked/fried. I inhailed a protein bar and then just laid down on his living room floor. Of course no one was at his house when I got there and then here comes my dad into his house and I'm lying on his floor half dressed and feeling bonk+pain. Good thing he's seen it before or else he probably would have actually worried about me. The warm shower felt as good as sex for the first time. My body couldn't move, but oh the warmth felt great all over my body. I split, hit the mobbed Trader Joes and then hit 95 back to Philly, then hit the bed by 8:30. The lady wasn't happy I had dissappeared all day, but she got all of me today, so all's well.
Took today off as I was uber cooked. Funny, I missed Marc and Diane's dinner at Le Bus by 24 hrs, as I ate there tonight with the lady. She had the Couscous, I had the Black Bean Enchilada. Both were damn good and went great with whatever the wine was that "Winnie" had recommended. I ordered a bottle of it, as it was way cheaper to order it by the bottle then by the glass. Neither Thea or I drink much and so half the bottle was left when dinner was over. I asked the waitress if she could please retrieve the cork and she said they don't allow people to take bottles out, I was like damn, you should have told me before I ordered the bottle...Anyways, Thea solved the solution and made the bottle dissappear and luckily my friend Anne was having a dinner party up the street and so I hooked a sister up with the half bottle to start her night. That's what friends do...
Good 2 days, one more to go...can't wait for some long miles tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow will be no boring-ass ride through the suburbs like these chaps all seem to salivate for. Riding in DE/PA/MD yesterday reminds me of how great it is to ride over a mile without stopping for a light/stop sign.
ride on,
-BC
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Fruity 6 is out!
Just downloaded Fruity 6. Seems like another sweet upgrade by the Fruity crew.
www.fruityloops.com
or direct download at:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/209204
Notice one of the US download hubs is in Wilmington, DE. I downloaded the whole file in about 1 minute.
Going to be wet today, though I'm still going to get out, it's still about 30 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Just ordered a C'dale R5000 for next year...haven't told the Scott yet that it's not going to be raced this year...hopefully it doesn't get mad at me...
www.fruityloops.com
or direct download at:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/209204
Notice one of the US download hubs is in Wilmington, DE. I downloaded the whole file in about 1 minute.
Going to be wet today, though I'm still going to get out, it's still about 30 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Just ordered a C'dale R5000 for next year...haven't told the Scott yet that it's not going to be raced this year...hopefully it doesn't get mad at me...
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Hot Water Heater Specs.
Ahh, I just realized I never finished that post on my heater (thanks Marc for reminding me), that girlfriend knows how to distract me...
A few years ago, my uncle, who runs a hardware store in DE, bought the only tankless hot water heater on the market. He has a big house, but a really small basement, so by taking out his tank he gained more space for his workshop. He loved it, b/c it saved him about $20 a month as he had 4 family members living in his house with him. Also, b/c it never stored water, when the family would go on vacation, he never had to turn it down so it wouldn't heat un-needed water for the week. So when I moved into my new house, I remembered what the home inspector said "Your hot water heater is over 14 years old, they typically last 10-12, so get a new one ASAP." So that's what I did, but I spent a few months researching the heaters. My bro sent me this cool link soon after moving in: http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/hbchap6.html It breaks down all the different hot water heaters you can buy. On the chart it states that On-demand Gas is 70%, mine is actually 80% (fyi, if you buy a water heater that's 80% or higher in efficiency, then you get a $300 tax write off) My GPM (gallons per minute) of hot water can actually vary. It ends up that during winter you flick a switch (kind of like flipping the nitrious switch on Joey T's doped out Civic) so that the cold water it's taking in gets hot enough, but when you do that, you burn way more gas. The number's get complicated, but between the normal setting and the turbo get 1.1-3.7gpm of 140 degree water. The big key though is the temperature of the water coming into the house. Technically my Bosch Aquastar 125B can support 2 hot water sources turned on at the same time (a hot shower and washing machine). It's meant for a smaller house, so if you have a family, or like to wash dishes, laundry and take a hot shower at the same time, you may have some trouble. Retail cost on this puppy is under $600, but I'll be honest, it cost me just under $1K to buy it and have it installed by a professional. I think it's worth it, as it goes with my green lifestyle, plus if I ever have many people live here, then person after person can take an uber hot shower without any tank ever running out of water. Oh yes, also the life of tankless water heaters are about 20 years, so they will easily outlast a normal tank heater.
There is one drawback, though it's not big....When taking my first shower on it, I knew that at a certain low flow rate, the heater would shut off, so once I rinsed off all the soap off my body, I started backing down the pressure (turning the hot water nob closer to off) and soon enough the water was F'ing cold. It's a little bit of a pain if people come to visit and need to take a shower, as I'll have to tell them to keep the pressure up, but it's not a bad drawback as I have a super low flow water head on the shower. I believe the lowest flow rate setting which allows the hot water heater to kick on is 0.5 gpm. Not too high at all.
One interesting thing I've noticed in the past week since I got the heater, was that my basement is now about 10 degrees cooler. It used to be balmy down there, even when my house was in the 50's, it would easily be in the 70's down there. It really blows my mind how inefficient that old hot water heater opperated as it threw off a lot of wasteful heat.
Oh, here's another cool link my bro sent me about energy use in other appliances:http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/hbchap7.html
And if anyone is interested in buying these, they are now available at most hardware stores. Bosch is now one of the big players with their Aquastar brand, but there are 2-3 other brands that make them too.
A few years ago, my uncle, who runs a hardware store in DE, bought the only tankless hot water heater on the market. He has a big house, but a really small basement, so by taking out his tank he gained more space for his workshop. He loved it, b/c it saved him about $20 a month as he had 4 family members living in his house with him. Also, b/c it never stored water, when the family would go on vacation, he never had to turn it down so it wouldn't heat un-needed water for the week. So when I moved into my new house, I remembered what the home inspector said "Your hot water heater is over 14 years old, they typically last 10-12, so get a new one ASAP." So that's what I did, but I spent a few months researching the heaters. My bro sent me this cool link soon after moving in: http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/hbchap6.html It breaks down all the different hot water heaters you can buy. On the chart it states that On-demand Gas is 70%, mine is actually 80% (fyi, if you buy a water heater that's 80% or higher in efficiency, then you get a $300 tax write off) My GPM (gallons per minute) of hot water can actually vary. It ends up that during winter you flick a switch (kind of like flipping the nitrious switch on Joey T's doped out Civic) so that the cold water it's taking in gets hot enough, but when you do that, you burn way more gas. The number's get complicated, but between the normal setting and the turbo get 1.1-3.7gpm of 140 degree water. The big key though is the temperature of the water coming into the house. Technically my Bosch Aquastar 125B can support 2 hot water sources turned on at the same time (a hot shower and washing machine). It's meant for a smaller house, so if you have a family, or like to wash dishes, laundry and take a hot shower at the same time, you may have some trouble. Retail cost on this puppy is under $600, but I'll be honest, it cost me just under $1K to buy it and have it installed by a professional. I think it's worth it, as it goes with my green lifestyle, plus if I ever have many people live here, then person after person can take an uber hot shower without any tank ever running out of water. Oh yes, also the life of tankless water heaters are about 20 years, so they will easily outlast a normal tank heater.
There is one drawback, though it's not big....When taking my first shower on it, I knew that at a certain low flow rate, the heater would shut off, so once I rinsed off all the soap off my body, I started backing down the pressure (turning the hot water nob closer to off) and soon enough the water was F'ing cold. It's a little bit of a pain if people come to visit and need to take a shower, as I'll have to tell them to keep the pressure up, but it's not a bad drawback as I have a super low flow water head on the shower. I believe the lowest flow rate setting which allows the hot water heater to kick on is 0.5 gpm. Not too high at all.
One interesting thing I've noticed in the past week since I got the heater, was that my basement is now about 10 degrees cooler. It used to be balmy down there, even when my house was in the 50's, it would easily be in the 70's down there. It really blows my mind how inefficient that old hot water heater opperated as it threw off a lot of wasteful heat.
Oh, here's another cool link my bro sent me about energy use in other appliances:http://www.mme.state.va.us/de/hbchap7.html
And if anyone is interested in buying these, they are now available at most hardware stores. Bosch is now one of the big players with their Aquastar brand, but there are 2-3 other brands that make them too.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Look at this bling!
This is my dope new hot water heater. I know you think I've inhailed way too much Philly pollution, but before you write me off as BC has lost it. You have to understand that this is the highest tech of high-tech water heaters. It's On-Demand baby aka Tankless. No wasted heating of water, so it's an Environmentally friendly hot water heater. Plus look at that space! My old tank used to take up an equal space as the Dryer next to it.
Friday, January 06, 2006
I've been thinking of doing this in Philly for a long time.
From CNN.com this morning:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/01/05/toronto.booze.reut/index.html
Sorry I've dissappeared for a long while. Been busy with the holidays, cycling, work, the lady and working on my house.
I picked up a new cell phone, but alas even my brain can't remember everyone's number so don't become offended if you don't hear from me! Call me instead so I have your number again!
Danke,
-bc
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/01/05/toronto.booze.reut/index.html
Sorry I've dissappeared for a long while. Been busy with the holidays, cycling, work, the lady and working on my house.
I picked up a new cell phone, but alas even my brain can't remember everyone's number so don't become offended if you don't hear from me! Call me instead so I have your number again!
Danke,
-bc
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year!....Have you seen my cell phone?
Sorry all you pimp daddies and hot mamas, but I've lost my cell phone as of 1am this morning. I left it in a cab and realized it about a minute too late. So please don't stress if you don't hear from me as you should know that I'm thinking of you, I just can't talk to you. I'll email everyone once I get this resolved.
Oh yes, and thanks for your support during this past year.
Hope 2006 is the best yet for us!
-bc
Oh yes, and thanks for your support during this past year.
Hope 2006 is the best yet for us!
-bc
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