Looking Out

The window of bedroom, 2nd story, in an ivy-covered brick church that has long since functioned in a less holy sector.

How many men have stood and contemplated their lives out this window?  Their joyous successes, their pitiful failures and the hard times that invariably come between the fast paced happy moments.  How many men have changed their minds inside those cold brick walls, or had them changed against their desires and wishes?

Cast Away

Why do I feel so compelled to follow every experiment I attempt to undertake, even if only for the sake of learning what I can learn from it, through to the very brutal and oftentimes needlessly long and drawn out finish?  I'd be well served to stop the internal bickering and delaying of the decisions shortly after they ever begin.

How do I learn to be less wasteful of my time and easier to please when deciding to call it quits?

Let the fungus grow.  It doesn't hurt.

In other news, I like cameras.

Ride Review - Labor Day Weekend 1

This is my new bike.  It's not new in the sense that it's never been owned by anyone before, or that I bought it from a shop.

I built it.

I started with a bare frame with no parts on it whatsoever.  You really can't break a bike any further down than this, without having a welding shop and pile of steel as a result.  I had a local bike shop (LBS) pull a stubborn bearing cup out of the bottom bracket when I was first starting with the build, but beyond that point it has been all me.  My skills and knowledge, coupled with my beer and tools and time.

I could (and normally would) go ahead and list all the parts it is comprised of, but that doesn't change my opinion of it.  Or, of the process it was to get it there.

For somebody that has never had the chance or desire to break a bike down into the tiniest little bits and reassemble it, and then go sprinting across the streets of their home town on it.  It's a unique experience, in a time and life of merely needing to be present to do things correctly.


So, here's an internet CHEERS! for Italian steel frames, fixed gear conversions, stiff-soled bicycling shoes, cell phones that will take photographs, being healthy enough to ride a bicycle, and doing something all by yourself with the result being something you stake your life upon.

Beyond these tips

The world is infinite and undefined; completely explorable and answers are strewn across this web of connectors. I would rather be living life else where.
After being disconnected from the internets for so long, I am back on to explore it's "wonders" and it is dull. My eyes hurt, my body feels sluggish.
I've been riding an amazing bicycle around for the past couple of days, getting sunburned and drawn into that addiction. I need to hit a meeting. Getting in too fast, hard, but it's so hard to stop.
With all of these infinite wonders we are attached to, is it any wonder why we are gaining in girth?
Get off this piece of junk that wont last another 5 years and go spend your time on things that will being a better quality of living to your life. Riding a bicycle. Talking to your neighbor. Reading the books you've collected but haven't had the chance to read. Indulging in new hobbies. Enjoying life again and not complaining that you're "Bored".
Quit being boring and go have an adventure.

Bit’o’Everything Scones

Parchment Paper
3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
4 tsp. Baking Soda
3 Tbsp. to ½ Cup Brown Sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
¼ tsp salt
1 orange (zested and juiced, separated)
(About 2 Tbsp orange zest)
½ Cup dried fruit (Craisins, raisins, cherries, currants, etc)
¼ Cup dark unsweetened-semi-sweet chocolate (optional)
½ Cup low-fat Buttermilk
1 Large Egg
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
½ tsp Almond Extract
6 TBL Butter- Take out of frigde 15 minutes before use
½ Cup Powdered Sugar

Pre-heat the oven to 350* Lay the parchment paper over cookie sheets (About 2 cookie sheets if possible)

Mix the whole wheat flour, Baking soda, Brown Sugar, and salt in a large bowl until well blended. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, vanilla and almond extracts.

Cut in the butter until about the size of peas. It is easiest if you use your hands and work the mixture with your fingers, just be sure your hands are dry, otherwise the flour mixture will stick. Add the orange zest and your dried fruits and chocolate. Mix well then add the buttermilk mixture. Your scone dough will begin to form, it should be dry enough to crumble, but firm enough to hold together when you press it. If it is still too dry add orange juice until it reaches said consistency.

Take about half a palms size of the dough and form into a triangular shape using your fingers. You can also use cookie cutters to vary shapes and sizes. You can also roll out a circle about 1 inch thick and cut out the triangles.

Place formed scones onto the parchment paper keeping about ½ inch apart as they expand, but not much. Bake anywhere from 25-35 minutes. They should be fairly firm to the touch and a golden brown. Depending on the size and thickness, the bake time will vary. Be prepared to keep an eye on them!

While they bake, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice to form a glaze. Once the scones come out of the oven, brush the glaze over the scones and allow to cool. Store in a paper bag to keep out the moisture.


***Thanks for reading and Enjoy!! Be sure to check back for another adventure! Cooking, photography, moving, any and all! <3***