February 28, 2007
The details of this Honda extended warranty: They had some sort of emissions systems problems/violation that required them to fix anything related to that at no charge to the car owner. The warranty expires at 100,000 and my car broke down at 99,550. I was very close to having to foot the bill myself! That's good, because I did my tax returns and the IRS is going to get that money instead. Ouch. The car is driving very well now; much better than it has for the past couple of years.
Posted by megabeth at 09:14 AM | Comments (1)
February 27, 2007I just bought some Edy's slow churned ice cream. It claims to have 1/2 the fat and 1/3 the calories of regular ice cream. The consistency is thick and creamy, and I think it tastes better than most any other ice cream I've bought at the grocery. Yummy!
I need to eat some more ice cream. The stock market mega-tanked today.
Posted by megabeth at 12:31 PM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2007Midterms and taking care of various problems (in other words, everything decided to break at the same time). Sorry.
Posted by megabeth at 11:30 AM | Comments (2)
February 22, 2007My car is going back to the shop tomorrow.
It's 9.5 years old and has 99,500 miles on it. I thought Hondas were really good, durable cars. What happened? Am I expecting too much? In my opinion, 10 years/100,000 miles is not enough for a car to start acting like a lemon.
This is the last Honda I will own.
UPDATE: The transmission is bad, but the replacement is covered under 'warranty'. This means Honda has acknowledged that they made a piece of crap right out of the factory.
UPDATE 2: What's really sad is that when I picked up the rental car and started driving it, I thought it was super nice. It's a Chevy Impala. Hahaha.
Posted by megabeth at 09:05 PM | Comments (5)
February 20, 2007
If I were a stock, I would get an analyst's SELL recommendation. I hope that MB gets delisted or pink-sheeted so that I can go off the radar screen.
Stress is not healthy.
Posted by megabeth at 08:58 AM | Comments (2)
February 19, 2007On Saturday's ride I tried the Fizik Arione saddle. It is much longer than most other saddles and does not have a cut-out. The verdict? There is no possible way that this saddle could ever hurt someone's sit bones. The physics behind saddles without cut-outs is that your weight is more evenly distributed across the surface area rather than mostly on the sit bones. My booty felt good, but the complication is that the saddle doesn't have a cut-out, and certain tender parts weren't too happy during the ride. I think I may be able to get it to work out for me though, with some adjustments. I'm going to ride it for a couple of weeks before making a final decision.
Some pro women on the excel sports team ride on the Arione, which gives me some hope.
Posted by megabeth at 08:38 PM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2007Picture this:
It's a sunny Saturday, and a young guy in his twenties decides to take his new Nissan 280Z out for a spin. Rex Lake Road is nice, because it has some curves and gentle, rolling hills, the perfect road to find out what a sports car can do.
And there's a group of a dozen or so cyclists who have climbed up a hill on a back road and then descended to where the road dead ends and meets Rex Lake. They stop at the intersection to regroup.
The convergence of these two scenes was not a good one.
Nissan dude catches the edge of the road with his front right tire, loses control of the car, and is skidding along the embankment at a very high rate of speed.
It's like time stopped right there. Those two seconds felt like two minutes. My first thought was, "That car is too far away to endanger us". And then my second thought was, "That car is very close to us now, and it's about to flip over and kill all of us." That's when I threw myself, still attached to my bike, off the road into an embankment, away from the impending disaster. I squeezed my eyes closed, cowering, waiting for the event to continue unfolding. And by the grace of God, the car stopped right before it reached where we were standing.
The Nissan dude was ok; he got out of the car immediately, then took his verbal beating from a bunch of angry cyclists. The police were called; the dude's father then shows up driving a Lexus that was also brand new. We collected ourselves. We collected the bikes that were strewn about in our desperate attempts to save ourselves from a sports car hurtling through the air. Then we rode off and finished our ride, after everyone had their wits again.
Everyone deals with near-brushes with death in different ways. I know that as a cyclist I accept a high degree of risk when riding on the roads. But one thing I haven't considered until today is that some drivers (particularly those who are reckless) do not always have control of their vehicles. I don't think the emotional gravity of this incident hit me until I was driving home after my ride was completed. For some unknown reason, I am numb to the possibility of death. I'd like to say that would be because I'm not afraid of it and that if I died today, that my life would have been full and complete; that I was right with God. What upset me, when I was finally alone and could process what happened, is that some of my friends may have been hurt or killed. I don't know how I would be able to deal with the emotional trauma of losing them and seeing it happen in real time.
I've replayed the scene a hundred times in my head this afternoon. I can't fathom the odds of something like this happening. I'm not angry at the driver; he didn't see us when he lost control of the car. I'm not angry, period. Instead I feel thankful that God spared all of us.
I'm happy to be alive today.
Posted by megabeth at 03:12 PM | Comments (8)
February 16, 2007The Specialized Jett saddle is not going to work out. My sit bones are STILL sore (I'm starting to wonder if there is permanent or long-term damage) and that saddle makes them beg for mercy.
The Fizik Aliante was very comfortable for my sit bones, but it doesn't have a cut-out so my tender bits did not find a place to rest comfortably. I'm going to take a more in-depth look at the various Fizik models.
This process has greatly increased my appreciation for the Terry Butterfly.
Posted by megabeth at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2007On Monday, stocks were down and I bought some shares in GLD and an emerging markets ETF (VWO). The GLD ETF purchase was to get in on the precious metals party because I was kicking myself for chickening out in December when it was 60/share (now it's above 66). The emerging markets purchase was to further diversify my retirement holdings. I think the sector is cooling down and the opportunity to make a ridiculous return has passed. Any gains from GLD will counter my crappy bet on the India stock exchange.
I allocated a small amount of play money to my trading account for potentially stupid, risky bets in the market. If I lose the money, it won't hurt my feelings too badly. I'm especially proud of myself for choosing IFN in December, a bet which has lost 20% since in a market that is currently having a party. Yes, I am so skilled that I bought a losing investment in the midst of a bull market. Don't clap too hard, you might hurt your hands. The market's partying full swing, and I'm glad I'm in it, reaping *most* of those gains. One lesson I've learned from my play money is that whenever I make a risky bet, I lose. Sooooo... my next foray is going to be taking a speculative position in some put or call options. I am learning from my derivatives class about how these things work, and the upside potential from options is amazing considering how little one invests. The downside potential is also amazing in that there's a good chance that the speculator will lose her full investment. My plan is to make one $200 bet, and if I lose, that's not so much money that I will go home crying.
Cars
For a work-related trip, the car rental agency gave me a Nissan Altima, and from that experience I found out how much fun it is to drive that car. I guess that is what I am leaning towards once my car is retired to the pizza delivery driver. However, there was much hail falling from the sky last night, and the concern I had for my old car was nil. Very liberating. Also, some crazy lady got ticked off at me for not running a red light so she could run it too, so she tailgated me through Homewood. I responded in kind by stopping my car in the middle of the road, thereby making her even later for her manicure. "Slow driving" is not a part of my vocabulary, so if I'm being tailgated for driving too slowly, then the perpetrator is being recklessly insane. Hence, another liberating factor about driving a piece of crap. I don't care if someone hits it. In fact, if someone causes an accident with my car, the damage done will be far more significant to the other car. Think about that when you try to tussle with someone who drives an old beater. You will be sad when your shiny new Lexus is dented and scratched, and I will drive off not giving a damn about what just happened to my car.
More thought on this leads me to think that what I would enjoy for my next car is an old beater pick-up truck, to continue defying stereotypes about professional career-driven females.
Posted by megabeth at 09:39 AM | Comments (9)
February 12, 2007Presenting: The new Team BooKoo website.
This project was particularly fun because I have a personal stake in it, and because I had more creative license than I usually do. Some of the team members' bio pages are particularly hilarious; I encouraged everyone to think outside the box. I nearly split open my side with laughter while writing my bio page.
BooKoo Energy is our title sponsor. Keep a lookout for BooKoo in stores if you like energy drinks; the BooKoo drinks I've tried are much tastier than competing energy drinks.
Posted by megabeth at 06:42 PM | Comments (3)
For three weekends of riding I was sitting on a borrowed saddle: a Selle Italia gel flow. In an earlier post I had talked about how this saddle was making my sit bones sore. There was a bit more damage than that; there was some significant bruising. It gave a new meaning to "pain in the ass". Ha ha. Also it has been determined that my pain threshold is off the charts. My next career should involve travel to dangerous countries as a U.S. spy because when captured, the torture will not bother me enough to cough up classified information.
So I am now back on a fat cushy ladies saddle until my rear end stops hurting. I was able to ride this weekend without pain, but the fat saddle was driving me nuts. I could be making this up, but I think that a harder saddle allows for more power transfer to the pedals. It definitely allows you to reposition yourself on the saddle according to whatever task is at hand.
My next attempt is the Specialized Jett saddle. This one isn't hugely different than the SI gel flow, except that it is 13 mm wider and has some more padding around the cut-out.
If that one doesn't work out for me, I will give up on that shape of saddle and try something completely different.
Posted by megabeth at 11:30 AM | Comments (3)
February 11, 2007The driver's side window switch stopped working.
I replaced the fuse.
It rolled down twice, then blew the fuse.
I replaced the fuse.
It rolled down twice, then blew the fuse.
I give up.
Two months pass.
Scanned my work ID at parking deck entry every day by opening door.
Made drive-through window exchanges with open door.
Threw used gum out passenger side window.
Dog farts in car; no cross-ventilation available.
Became weary of the inconvenience.
Took car to dealer.
Dealer ran diagnostic.
Dealer charged $100.
Test result: switch is broken.
Dealer wants $180 for new part.
Pooh-pooh on that.
Junkyards want $50-75 for used part.
Pooh-pooh on that.
Go to eBay. Pay $25 for part and shipping.
Receive part in mail.
Let part sit on kitchen counter for a while.
Remove door panel.
Install part and test.
Have problems putting door panel back.
Seems to be a problem with the lock switch.
Fidget with door hardware.
Curse a lot.
Overzealous use of WD-40.
(Two hours later...)
Door panel is back in securely.
Window is working.
Door lock is working.
Drive away with window down.
Enjoy warm afternoon breeze.
Park car.
Return to car.
Try to roll window down.
Window is not responding.
Back to square one.
Posted by megabeth at 03:31 PM | Comments (7)
February 09, 2007I like the trees in this photo. (I am on the left.)
I am posting photos this week because all work and no play makes Megabeth a dull girl. This must be "hell week" for workaholics. If I survive, then I am officially classified and must begin attending the meetings.
Posted by megabeth at 08:22 AM | Comments (3)
February 07, 2007
Posted by megabeth at 10:24 PM | Comments (4)
February 05, 2007The Selle Italia Gel Flow saddle I'm using is really hurting my butt. I assume that at some point, my butt will get used to it, but the saddle and I are going on the third week together and there is still deep bruising in my booty, and some serious soreness when I ride my bike. I WANT this saddle to work for me. It is a hard and light saddle, and I climb well on it.
*Update: I am currently sitting on a bag of ice. My sit bones are THAT sore.
Here's another photo of me riding in Mentone. My bike is beautiful. What's also beautiful about this photo is that I am changing out my water bottle with a fresh one that was in the car. Being sagged on a ride is awesome.
*Update: I am getting better with my bike handling skills. The day after this ride, I had on two sets of knee warmers and a pair of tights (it was below freezing) and I wanted to take one set of knee warmers off, so I managed to pull them off and over my shoes while riding the bike, then handed them off to the van. Then the van pulled in front of me and pulled me back up to the group. That was quite an adventure.
Posted by megabeth at 11:31 AM | Comments (6)
February 04, 2007Who in their right mind would pay for a massage that inflicts serious pain and torture on the muscles? Ahem. I am not in my right mind.
Winter training has caused my muscles to coil up into a very tight ball of tension. I went to the massage therapist that some guys on my bike team recommended. I don't want anyone to work on me that is trying to make the experience all fluffy and zen. Instead, I want someone who isn't afraid to hurt me. And I received what I asked for. For an hour I was grimacing with pain while he made each muscle in my body cry for mercy. My hamstrings were the worst, if they were any tighter they would have snapped. He also attacked a knot in my neck and one in my back, and at the time I thought I might fall off the table and curl up into a little ball on the floor.
Needless to say, I am sore today.
Posted by megabeth at 08:26 AM | Comments (2)
February 01, 2007Hem - Recommended by one of my clients last summer; there isn't a Hem song I've heard that I don't like. What's beautiful about the lead singer's voice is that it's pure and simple. She doesn't try to do any of that crap you hear on American Idol. I like Half Acre.
Joshua Radin - His voice is soft, soothing; a voice I want to hear before I turn in for the night. I hear a little of Simon & Garfunkel in some of his music. I like Everything'll Be Alright.
Crooked Jades - Bluegrass... from San Francisco? Interesting. Banjo, fiddle, reedy female voices, with a modern twist. I like Can't Stare Down A Mountaineer.
My iPod is loaded up with goodies, and I have done a good job of not losing it. My keys, however, are a different story. This morning I finally gave up and dug out the spare car and house key so that I could leave for work. Geez. There are only so many places where a set of car keys could be. I didn't look inside the fridge, though. I lose my keys an average of once a day. Isn't there some sort of pager for people who lose keys a lot? I'd probably lose the pager thingy as well, unless it was permanently attached to something static.
Posted by megabeth at 03:19 PM | Comments (1)
One of my teammates snuck this photo of me while I was relaxing (uh, exhausted) by the fire after one of the training camp rides this weekend. I was using my knee warmers to hold bags of ice on top of my knees since they are both a bit angry lately, and I believe in icing anything that has even a twinge of discomfort - it can't hurt. My seat was too low so we are gradually moving it upwards 2 cm (don't want to do it all at once to avoid shocking changes). Riding with the seat too low causes stress on the quadriceps tendon that attaches to the patella. Things seem to be getting better as we make more adjustments. This process has taught me that the seat seems to be the most important piece of the bike; it has so much effect on everything else.
Posted by megabeth at 02:00 PM | Comments (2)
I give up on trying to stay warm. I am going to sit outside in the cold and slowly die. I don't mind wintry days as long as there are only a few and then it gets warm again. I am ok with the see-saw effect of an Alabama winter, because the weather forecast always gives me hope. But now there is none! The forecast for the next twenty eight years is COLD COLD COLD COLD COLD COLD COLD. What happened to global warming? Can we have it back? Should I let my car idle for hours in the driveway, and burn piles of styrofoam?
Someone needs to invent a Viagra for non-reproductive extremities; my hands and feet are always cold. I can't even deal with winter at this latitude; I can imagine how pathetic I'd be if I moved north to somewhere like Tennessee.
Posted by megabeth at 09:53 AM | Comments (3)