Remember when you learning about where the names of days originated? Thursday is after the God of Thunder, Thor. Not to be confused with this God of Thunder, Thor.
What the hell was Wednesday?
Last weekend Corky and Karen drove to Austin to see visit the family and celebrate 44 years of married bliss.
Wow.
44 years.
I’m in still in awe. How did you put up with him for so long, Karen?
Grandma Karen presented Katie and Patrick two beautiful outfits (each) that she custom crafted. She could open a business selling these outfits, they’re that good.
PJ looks resplendent in his red-pinstriped baseball overalls (thank God they’re not blue like a certain team I despise). I love to hold him in the seersucker.
Katie is cool as a cucumber in her side-vented shirt with matching bloomers. The patterns are fun.
Dessert as seen through my iPhone. The service at Eddie Vs was impeccable, and they brought this amazing molten chocolate cake for the Karen and Corky. So. Damn. Good.
One of my friends from SXSW, Andy, had a funny quip when I mentioned that I miss a good rhythm and blues riff (not found with the new bands).
He simply said “that’s because you’re old” in his thick Edinburgh accent.
It’s true, I grew up eons ago on the Southside of Chicago. We regularly saw great blues acts, like Buddy Guy, Ko Ko Taylor and Bo Diddley, at P.J. Flahertys on 95th. My friend Brian Finn worked the door and I never paid a cover, and hardly ever paid for a drink with Patty behind the bar.
In particular, I recall the Bo Diddley show – he was a man amongst men on stage. Pure self-imposed greatness (he hardly got the credit he deserved), even his first hit was titled “Bo Diddley”, followed years later by “Hey Bo Diddley” and “Diddling”.
His music was covered by big acts, like the Beatles and Stones, who were looking to re-invent the Chicago style. And by George Thorogood who brought “Who do you love?” into the mainstream . His notes were used by everyone – Elvis, U2, The Animals, The Clash, The Stooges and dozens more.
I hope Bo found love in life, because his music was an amazing part of mine. I was fortunate to have his talents in “my backyard”, and I think he deserves credit as the father of Rock and Roll
The Curtlo came back last week and, man, is she sweeter than ever. Fresh paint. New seat stay. Additional (and moved) disc brake support. I was so stoked to ride her.
Oh, yeah, I got to ride. THREE times in the last four days! Seriously…something very weird is going on. The Cubs are about to go into the playoffs, the Bears look like Lions, and I’ve been riding.
Weird I tell you.
Back to the bike. With her new appendage and a thorough re-build, she rides just like she did when I first got her. I railed corners and climbed climbed climbed without any rear disc noise or drag (yeah, I should have checked the frame a long time ago).
It’s such a great feeling when your rig is dialed in, and it’s all custom just for you.
Original, cracked frame (click to see larger):
Same spot, new brace location and beefier support:
Front view:
Rear view:
Daryl “Hop Sing” Cheang and his wife Michelle were in town last weekend from NYC. We went out for sushi and enjoy one of Hop’s home cooked Chinese specialties on Sunday. Damn, he’s a good cook. D&M had fun throwing lines over rocks and then climbing – I hear there are plenty of places to do that here. They seemed very at home with the kids.
Katie and PJ have turned four months old and not too much new to report. The girl is still getting over her cold, and PJ seems fresh. He’s full of color and smiles these days.
